GB2130480A - Back Packs - Google Patents

Abstract

A frameless or internally framed back pack has a body 10 formed of suitable material, such as canvas, nylon or the like. The back panel 15 of the body is, when viewed as a horizontal cross section through body 10, of concave shape and when viewed in a vertical cross section of a substantially 'S' shape. Preferably the body 10 is internally partitioned by a pair of vertically disposed partitioning walls or dividers 11 so that there is provided a main central compartment 12 and two side pockets 13. Each divider is formed so that the edge thereof which is connected to the back panel 15 of the body 10 is of substantially 'S' shape which is a curvature substantially conforming to the anatomical shape of the human back. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Back packs This invention relates to a backpack and more particularly to a frameless or internally framed pack.

Frameless packs are well known and in the smaller capacities they are in wide usage.

With larger capacity packs it is normal to have an internal or external frame so that the pack is more comfortable to carry for a number of reasons, one of which being that unevenness in the pack itself is separated from the back of the user by its frame. It is well recognised, however, that a frameless pack is lighter than an externally or internally framed pack and is sufficiently comfortable to carry if it can be made to conform closely to the shape of the back of the person using the pack.

When a frameless pack is empty it naturally moulds itself to the shape of the back of the user, however, when it is full a single compartment pack, for example, assumes a cylindrical shape which does not conform to the shape of the back. It is known to provide a central vertical divider or partitioning wall within a frameless pack and whilst this central vertical divider does provide a better shape for carrying it is more difficult to pack.

The object of this invention is to provide a frameless or internally framed pack which can conform anatomically to the shape of the back of the user even when the body of the pack is full, and which can allow easy packing.

According to this invention there is provided a frameless or internally framed pack comprising a pack body having shoulder strapes which permit the pack body, in use, to be carried on the back of the user, wherein the surface of the body which in use of the pack engages with the back of the user is substantially concave in shape on a horizontal section through the said body, and of substantially 'S' shape on a vertical section through the said body.

The pack body preferably has a pair of internal partitioning walls so shaped and positiioned within the body as to produce said formation of said pack body surface.

This invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a pack according to the invention: Figure 2 is a transverse cross section through the pack shown in Fig 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the shape of the partitioning wall; Figure 4 is a front view of the pack shown in Fig. 1; Figure 5 is a cross section taken through a portion of the back of the pack according to the present invention; and Figure 6 is a cross section of another form of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the body 10 of the pack is formed of suitable material such as canvas, nylon or the like. Internally the body 10 is partitioned by a pair of vertically disposed partitioning walls or dividers 11 so that there is provided a main central compartment 1 2 and two side pockets 1 3. Referring to Fig. 3 each divider 11 is formed so that the edge 14 thereof which is connected to the back panel 1 5 of the body 10 is of substantially 'S' shape which is of a curvature substantially conforming to the anatomical shape of the human back.By use of dividers 11 of this configuration the back panel 1 5 of the body is, when viewed as a horizontal cross section through body 10, of concave shape and when viewed in a vertical cross section of a substantially 'S' shape.

The body 10 of the pack thus provides a back panel which has an upper curved portion 1 6 which fits over the shoulders of the user and a lower curved portion 1 7 which fits in the small of the back irrespective of whether the pack is empty, partially laden or fully laden.

In another form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, vertical strips of material such as alloy 40 in slots 41 give extra stiffness to the back of the pack resulting in an internally framed pack. These strips 40 are bent in an 'S' shape to conform to the shape of the divider 14 shown in Fig. 3.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the shoulder straps 1 8 are attached to the upper end of back panel 15, however, with larger dimensioned packs the back lengh is adjustable by the shoulder straps 1 8 being able to be attached to the back of the pack at different positions thus allowing adjustment to fit differing lengths of back.

Referring to Fig. 1 and 4 a zip (not shown) located under a flap 1 9 is provided for allowing access to the main compartment 1 2 whilst zips (not shown) but located under flaps 20 are provided to allow access to the side pockets 1 3. The pack is preferably completed by a hip belt 21 and a padded carry handle 22 provided at or near the top of the body 10.

Handle 22 permits the pack to be used in the manner of a soft carry bag.

Accordingly the shoulder straps can be tucked (flat) between the panel 23 and 24 (hereinafter described) of the back of the pack and retained therein by the outer back 24 being fastened over, preferably by Velcro (R.T.M.) fasteners.

Slots 1 spa are preferably formed in the lower portion of the pack body to permit the two parts of the hip belt 21 to be tucked away.

The back panel 1 5 is preferably formed in the manner which is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. As can be seen in Fig. 5 the back panel 1 5 is formed by an inner waterproof panel 23 and an outer breatheable panel 24 which encase non-water absorbing reticulated open cell foam sheeting 26.

This panel design reduces the buildup of heat and perspiration. The outer breatheable layer 24, which for example is of a nylon mesh material, interacts with the foam sheeting 26 so as to allow warm moist air to rise up the back panel between the air cells and be replaced by cooler air from below thereby keeping the back of the user cool. The foam sheeting 26 is also very effective in cushioning the load and it also prevents hard objects in the pack from digging into the back of the user.

Claims (8)

1.A frameless or internally framed back pack comprising a pack body having shoulder straps which permit the pack, in use, to be carried on the back of the user, wherein the surface or pack panel of the back body which engages with the back of the user conforms to a substantially 'S' shape in a vertical section, and a substantially concave shape in a horizontal section, corresponding with the shape of the wearer's back.

2. A back pack as claimed in claim 1 having a pair of vertical internal partitioning walls, these partitioning walls being so shaped and positioned within the body of the pack as to produce said formation of the said pack body surface.

3. A back pack as claimed in claim 1 or 2 including strengthening of the said surface.

4. A back pack as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the shoulder straps are attachable to the back of the pack at different positions.

5. A back pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 including a hip belt.

6. A back as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 including a carrying handle at or near the top thereof.

7. A back pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the back panel is made up of an inner waterproof panel and an outer breathable panel, between which is a nonwater absorbing reticulated open cell foam sheeting.

8. A frameless or internally framed back pack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.