# US 9,364,072 B2 · Backpack frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,364,072 B2 - Document ID: US9364072B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/282,167 - Filed: 2014-05-20 - Published: 2014-11-13 - Granted: 2016-06-14 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-16 - Assignees: Kuiu, LLC - Applicants: Kuiu, Inc. - Inventors: Jason Hairston; Zachary D. West - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9364072B2 ## CPC - A45F 3/08: Carrying-frames; Frames combined with sacks - A45F 3/04: Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders - A45F 3/047: {with adjustable fastenings for the shoulder straps or waist belts} - A45F 3/10: Pack-frames carried on the body - A45F 2003/045: {and one additional strap around the waist} - Y10T 29/49838: by stringing - A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A backpack frame, comprising: a unitary, contiguous, contoured frame body, including a mid-back portion having first and second elongate openings, the first and second elongate openings being constructed and arranged to receive shoulder strap assemblies such that each of the shoulder strap assemblies is independently positionable within one of the first and second openings; a lower portion contiguous with the mid-back portion, the lower portion including a U-shaped tongue structure constructed and adapted to receive a belt assembly; and a pair of elongate stay portions that are contiguous with the mid-back portion, the pair if elongate stay portions being generally parallel to one another where the pair of elongate stay portions are connected to the mid-back portion, the pair of elongate stay portions extending away from the mid-back portion by curving laterally outward relative to the mid-back portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The backpack frame of claim 1, wherein the backpack frame comprises a resin-impregnated unitary structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The backpack frame of claim 2, wherein the resin-impregnated structure comprises at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The backpack frame of claim 3, wherein the resin-impregnated structure further comprises selectively placed interstitial reinforcing layers between the at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The backpack frame of claim 4, wherein the stay portions comprise interstitial reinforcing layers comprised of glass fiber oriented along their respective lengths. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The backpack frame of claim 4, wherein the mid-back portion and the lower back portion comprise foam interstitial reinforcing layers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The backpack frame of claim 1, wherein the mid-back and lower back portions are contoured to match the contours of the human back. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The backpack frame of claim 1, wherein the first and second openings comprise generally linear tracks. ### Claim 9 A backpack and frame combination, comprising: a backpack including one or more panels enclosing a storage volume, the backpack having frame-receiving structure, a pair of shoulder strap assemblies, and a belt assembly; and a unitary, contiguous backpack frame including a mid-back portion having first and second elongate openings, the first and second elongate openings being constructed and arranged to receive shoulder strap assemblies such that each of the shoulder strap assemblies is independently positionable within one of the first and second openings, a lower portion contiguous with the mid-back portion, the lower portion including a U-shaped tongue structure constructed and adapted to receive the belt assembly, and a pair of elongate stay portions that are contiguous with the mid-back portion, the pair of elongate stay portions being generally parallel to one another where the pair of elongate stay portions are connected to the mid-back portion, the pair of elongate stay portions extending away from the mid-back portion by curving laterally outward relative to the mid-back portion; wherein the backpack frame is arranged in the backpack such that it is received in the frame-receiving structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The backpack and frame combination of claim 9, wherein the backpack frame comprises a resin-impregnated unitary structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The backpack and frame combination of claim 10, wherein the resin-impregnated structure comprises at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The backpack and frame combination of claim 11, wherein the resin-impregnated structure further comprises selectively placed interstitial reinforcing layers between the at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The backpack and frame combination of claim 12, wherein the stay portions comprise interstitial reinforcing layers comprised of glass fiber oriented along their respective lengths. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The backpack and frame combination of claim 12, wherein the mid-back portion and the lower back portion comprise foam interstitial reinforcing layers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The backpack and frame combination of claim 9, wherein the mid-back and lower back portions are contoured to match the contours of the human back. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The backpack and frame combination of claim 9, wherein the lower, separate free ends of the pair of stay portions are drawn forwardly in a loaded configuration of the backpack frame.