US 2002/0170932 A1 · Backpack frame, suspension, seat and cot

Abstract

A backpack which includes a main bag, suspension system, frame, and additional miscellaneous parts. It combines the superior comfort of external frame backpacks, with the elegant style of internal frame backpacks. The frame is strapped within the main bag to create a semi-rigid surface against the back. The suspension system's shoulder harness is removable, and adjustably connected through the semi-rigid surface by screws. The shoulder harness is vertically adjustable and swivels to accommodate different shoulder widths. The suspension system's waist harness is removable, and rigidly connected through the semi-rigid surface by screws. The waist harness provides optimum weight transfer onto the hips and creates an air gap, providing ventilation to the back. By removing the frame and placing a cover on it, a seat is formed. By aligning the seat linearly with additional feet, and inserting elongated rails between them, a frame for a cot (or ladder) is formed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In a backpack for hikers and campers having a main storage compartment and a suspension system, the combination comprising:

(a) a flexible fabric main bag, having a back portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to the hiker's back;
side, top and bottom portions secured about said back portion, and a front portion secured to at least one of said side, top and bottom portions, opposite said back portion to form a flap;
(b) vertical stiffening means positioned within said fabric main bag, comprising a top and bottom member, connected by at least one vertical member;
(c) attachment means at the top and bottom of said main bag back portion, adapted so:
(i) said vertical stiffening top member engages with said top portion of said main bag back portion, and
(ii) said vertical stiffening bottom member engages with said bottom portion of said main bag back portion, to form a semi-rigid back surface portion;
(d) shoulder and waist suspension members adjustably fixed to the outside of said semi-rigid surface back portion adjacent the top and bottom respectively of said semi-rigid back surface portion.

4 more elements

In a backpack for hikers and campers having a main storage compartment and a suspension system, the combination comprising:

(a) a flexible fabric main bag, having:
(i) a back portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to the hiker's back;
(ii) side, top and bottom portions secured about said back portion, and a front portion secured to at least one of said side, top and bottom portions, opposite said back portion to form a flap;
(iii) a pair of narrow vertical web fabric reinforcing members secured to said main bag back portion, spaced apart, each having a top and a bottom;
(iv) two sets of vertically adjustable mounting means comprising two sets of holes, supported by grommets, aligned along said vertical web fabric reinforcing members adjacent the tops thereof, positioned adjacent to the one horizontal edge of said back portion, and formed in said reinforcing members, each set for receiving one end of each said shoulder harnesses;
(v) a horizontal stiffener, positioned adjacent to said one horizontal edge of said back portion and engaging at the ends thereof with said shoulder harnesses when fixed in said mounting means in said back portion, whereby said attached shoulder harnesses are held in spaced apart relationship during use of said backpack;
(b) a pair of straps fixed to the tops and bottoms, respectively, of said back portion, having releasible fastening means on at least one end of one strap of each pair of straps;
(c) a pair of vertically oriented C-shaped members joined adjacent to the open ends thereof by a pair of cross members, positioned within said fabric main bag, aligned within said pair of straps;
(d) each of said pair of straps being engaged with said stiffening means to form said main bag portion into a semi-rigid surface;
(e) shoulder and waist suspension members adjustably fixed to the outside of said semi-rigid surface back portion adjacent the top and bottom respectively of said semi-rigid back surface portion.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Backpack frame, suspension, seat and cot

Life of this patent

Backpack frame, suspension, seat and cot

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20