Leg strap assembly for a backpack with an inflatable airbag

A backpack for carrying by a user, the backpack comprising:

• a body including a back support structure and at least a first enclosure defining at least a first compartment and a first opening for accessing the first compartment;
• an inflatable balloon positioned within the first compartment;
• a balloon inflation system coupled to the body and to the inflatable balloon;
• an actuator operably coupled to the balloon inflation system;
• a leg strap assembly including:
• a leg strap fastener,
• a first leg strap having a first end coupled to the back support structure and a second end coupled to the leg strap fastener, and
• a second leg strap end having a first end coupled to the body and a second releasably connectable to the leg strap fastener, the back support structure coupled to the inflatable balloon such that upon inflation of the balloon, tensile force is applied to the back support structure and to the leg strap assembly, and
• a waist belt extending from a lower region of the body and including a waist belt fastener and a waist belt mount coupled to the waist belt and positioned adjacent to the left or right hip of the user, wherein the leg strap fastener is coupled to the waist belt mount through a non-load bearing connection, wherein during normal use of the backpack, the non-load bearing connection retains the leg strap fastener to the waist belt mount and receives normal stabilizing loads, and wherein upon actuation of the balloon inflation system, upward loads produced by the actuation of the balloon inflation system are collectively supported by the first and second straps and the leg strap fastener with only a negligible portion of the upward loads being transferred to the waist belt mount and to the waist belt.