For my next household move, I hope to have this handy lifting belt.
A sturdy belt has what looks like a shelf bracket attached which rests on one leg above the knee. (See link to sketch.) When carrying a heavy object, rest it on the projecting "shelf".
The weight is transferred mostly to one of your legs by the triangular bracket. Yes, as you walk, the box will move up and down somewhat. Just walk more with your lower legs.
For long level hauls, use a hand truck. But there are always many transfers, stairs, narrow places where you end up using your back. For those use Shelf-Belt(NTM). NTM = not a trademark.
-- flypaper, Nov 21 2003

Shelf-Belt http://home.earthli...es/lifting_belt.gif
Dotted lines show "load path". [flypaper, Oct 21 2004, last modified Aug 07 2009]

This looks like a supreme idea while trying to hold heavy items while standing still. But how does this allow for movement with heavy objects? Would the benefit of saving your back stress greatly outweigh the advantage of moving an object quickly? ... and while walking wouldn't the extra weight above your knees make you more prone to hyperextending them? I like your illustration.
-- Letsbuildafort, Nov 21 2003


I think this would work fairly well. I worked for a moving company one summer in high school and often found myself resting boxes on my leg/upper thigh as I walked, especially going up or down stairs.
-- luecke, Nov 21 2003


May have some kinks to work out, but otherwise a great idea. [+]
-- daseva, May 16 2005



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