Bungee cord backpack

[SHANEA]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061220/hl_nm/science_backpack_dc

Bungee cord backpack makes light work of heavy load Wed Dec 20, 1:51 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Carrying heavy loads could become easier thanks to a new ergonomic backpack that uses bungee cords to take the strain off the shoulders and joints, scientists said on Wednesday.

The cords suspend the load in the pack so it stays at the same height from the ground while the wearer is running or walking and reduces the risks of muscle and joint problems.

Its designers said it will allow users to carry an extra 12 pounds (5.4 kg) while expending the same amount of energy as when carrying a normal backpack.

"For the same energetic cost, you can either carry 48 pounds in a normal backpack or 60 pounds in a suspended ergonomic backpack," said Lawrence Rome of the University of Pennsylvania.

"It is like carrying an extra 12 pounds for free," he added in a statement.

The backpack, which was designed for soldiers and emergency workers, could be useful for children and hikers.

"Being able to move at relatively high speeds is crucial for many professions as well as in some athletic competitions and recreation," said Rome, who collaborated with researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

In most traditional backpacks the load is attached to the frame of the pack which is strapped tightly to the body. As a person walks it moves in line with the hip.

The new pack, which is described in a report in the science journal Nature, reduces the vertical displacement of the load.

"What is striking about our ergonomic backpack is that one can feel the 86 percent reduction in force with each and every step," Rome added in a statement.

The scientists have formed a company to produce the backpacks and are now working on a lighter, small version.

[RichardM]

Just think of how many kids mountaindocdanny could take backpacking with one of those!

[presidio]

Bungee cord backpack makes light work of heavy load

The cords suspend the load in the pack so it stays at the same height from the ground while the wearer is running or walking and reduces the risks of muscle and joint problems.

Its designers said it will allow users to carry an extra 12 pounds (5.4 kg) while expending the same amount of energy as when carrying a normal backpack.

"It is like carrying an extra 12 pounds for free," he added in a statement.

This is merely an interim step toward the anti-gravity backpack, coming soon to a website near you.

The article reads like an infomercial for a perpetual motion machine. While great claims were made, there was no substantiation as to how it supposedly works. Regardless of what they do, the pack is still suspended from hips and shoulders.

Interesting that the Marine Biological Laboratory was involved. Not too many backpacks in the ocean.

[trtlrock]

Nothing like military trickle-down technology, is there?  Sounds impossible  -- but I'd love to try out the finished product!

[Robert]

I read the article in Nature and there is more information on how it works. Essentially the problem is that every step you take lifts your body slightly. With a pack this means you are lifting the pack as well. The bungee concept allows your body to rise but the pack stays stays neutral in relation to the ground.

They did mention that the pack frame will now weigh more which will be difficult to get the public to buy into.

http://www.nature.com/news/2006/061218/full/061218-8.html

[presidio]

They did mention that the pack frame will now weigh more which will be difficult to get the public to buy into.

Dang, there's always a catch. No free lunch.

This system sounds a lot like the Steadicam technology that uses gyros to stabilize the load. Makes it heavier but easier to use.

[RichardM]

Researchers develop backpack to ease heavy loads

[presidio]

Researchers develop backpack to ease heavy loads

That link also talks about their earlier power-generating backpack. Now, if they'd just marry the two concepts you'd be able to effortlessly carry the increased weight of the satellite receiver and monitor that would then provide for mobile internet access.

No net gain in effort, huge net gain in productivity. And, if there were a cantilever arm to hold your laptop at the proper height in front of you, there'd be no need to stop or take the pack off in order to 'surf or work while you hike' (tm pending on phrase). The computer arm also would improve your balance by more nearly re-centering load forces over your feet, since with a backpack you have to lean forward to compensate. Ergo....less effort overall and posture improvement for free.

I also think they've overlooked the benefits of integrating Z-Coil boots into this design. By adapting that footwear with small transducers they could further up the power generation while literally 'putting a spring in your step'.

Okay, this has gotten stupid enough.

More sincerely--

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all.