Who invented load lifters?

[Sailor (The other one)]

I'm trying to find out who inveted load lifter straps, which company used them first, which pack(s) had them first.
Anyone?

[sheepdog]

Rosanne Barr's husband, the first one, I think...

[Jorel]

i wear mine while snipe hunting.

[Gaiter]

what type of load lifters are you talking about
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traildays_07/507995160/
these were presented at trail days 07's useless gear contest

[MOWGLI]

I'm trying to find out who inveted load lifter straps, which company used them first, which pack(s) had them first.
Anyone?

Mr. Load Lifter (LL) Bean :p

[SloHiker]

Interesting question ..... if I were to make an off-hand guess, I'd say Kelty possibly? I think they were "first" at several things, from the standpoint of being mass produced anyway.

[Kerosene]

A quick search of the Net turned up patents for a shoulder strap mounted lift buckle (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6802442.html), filed in 2002, plus one for independent adjusting stabilizing straps (http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5181638/description.html), issued in 1993.

My guess is that neither of these patents were filed by the original inventor of the load lifter strap.

[BR360]

Good question!

I ran an outdoor outfitter in the early 80's, and most internal frame packs from all manufacturers had them then...in fact, I remember owning a North Face pack that I took on the AT in the Smokies over spring break in 1978 that had load lifters. So they go back at least that far.

Wouldn't be surprised if the Army had them on their rucksacks prior to that.

[DocSarvis]

First time I saw these was on an expedition size Lowe pack. That must have been late 70's. Also have vague memories of a friend's Dolt technical climbing pack that had something very similar. That would have been '74 or '75. Both early internal frame packs.