NZ556509A

NZ556509A - Counter balance pockets for backpacks (2)

Info

Publication number: NZ556509A
Application number: NZ556509A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Aarn Tate
Original assignee: Aarn Tate
Priority date: 2007-07-16
Filing date: 2007-07-16
Publication date: 2008-03-28
Also published as: US20090020580A1

Abstract

A backpack and counterbalancing system comprising: a backpack body; a shoulder harness with left and right shoulder straps, each with a corresponding chest strap; a left side pocket with an upper portion operatively connected to the left shoulder strap or left chest strap and a lower portion operatively connected via an adjustable length connector to the lower left side portion of the backpack to maintain the left side pocket in a general vertical alignment; a right side pocket with an upper portion operatively connected to the right shoulder strap or right chest strap and a lower portion operatively connected via an adjustable length connector to the lower right side portion of the backpack to maintain the right side pocket in a general vertical alignment; at least one separable link of fixed length operatively connecting the left side pocket to the right side pocket; the rear panel of each of the left and right pockets having a frame extending from at or near the top of the rear panel to at or near the bottom of the rear panel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION *10054723270* This invention relates to backpacks in general and more particularly to a backpack with a counterbalancing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION US Patent 5,497,922 and New Zealand Patent 272203 describe a backpack with a counterbalancing system. The backpack has a pair of pockets that 10 can be attached to the shoulder straps and hip belt of a backpack. In use, the pockets are positioned in front of the wearer. When loaded, the front pockets counterbalance the weight of the pack so that the wearer automatically stands in a more upright position compared to carrying a backpack alone. Depending on the relative volume of the backpack and 15 the pockets and the relative density of items placed in each, it is possible to match the centre of gravity of the load to the centre of gravity of the wearer. In this case, the wearer's balance and posture is unaltered by the addition of the load, thereby minimizing the strain of load carrying.

While the system described in these patents was effective in counterbalancing the load, the attachment system of the pockets to the shoulder straps and hip belt was not effective in fully stabilizing the pockets under active movement. In addition, the ideal positioning of the pockets, with a gap between the pockets so that a wearer's feet are visible as he or 25 she walks, and a side positioning that did not interfere with arm movement, was not maintained for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.

There is a need for an improved counter balancing load carrying system that is very stable under active movement, does not restrict movement, and 30 positions the pockets in the following way: a gap is created between the pockets so that the feet of the wearer are visible through the gap; the sides of the pockets do not hinder the natural swing of the arms when walking or 1031287-1 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NX AUG 2007 RECEIVED running; and that this positioning is maintained whatever the size and shape of the wearer.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the invention to go 5 some way towards achieving this need, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, 10 this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of When interpreting each statement in this specification that 20 includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

In a first aspect, the invention as claimed broadly consists in a backpack 25 and a counterbalancing system comprising: a backpack body to be worn on the back of a wearer; a shoulder harness having a left shoulder strap and a right shoulder strap, with corresponding chest straps attached; a portion of the backpack or counterbalancing system forming a hip 30 or waist belt; a left side pocket to be worn in front of the wearer operatively connected to the left shoulder strap and a left side portion of the backpack to maintain the left side pocket in a general vertical alignment; INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. io3i287-i 2 j q AUG 2007 RECEIVED a separable link connecting the upper portion of the left side pocket to either the right side chest strap or to the upper portion of right side pocket and a further separable link connecting the upper portion of the right side pocket to either the left side chest strap or to the upper portion of 5 the left side pocket at least one adjustable length connector operatively connected to the left side pocket and a left lower portion of the hipbelt or the backpack; a right side pocket to be worn in front of the wearer operatively connected to the right shoulder strap and a right side portion of the 10 backpack to maintain the left side pocket in a general vertical alignment; a separable link connecting the upper portion of the right side pocket to either the left side chest strap or to the upper portion of left side pocket and a further separable link connecting the upper portion of the left side pocket to either the right side chest strap or to the upper portion of the 15 right side pocket at least one adjustable length connector operatively connected to the right side pocket and a right lower portion of the backpack; and a releasable connector between the lower portion of the left side pocket and a lower portion of the right side pocket such the distance 20 between the lower portions of the pockets is fixed when the lower portions are connected.

In a second embodiment, the backpack and counterbalancing system may comprise: a left chest strap operatively connected to an upper portion of the left shoulder strap, passes through a loop attached to the a portion of the lower sides of the backpack, and subsequently is operatively connected to a lower portion of the left shoulder strap to form a continuous loop on the left side of the backpack; a right chest strap operatively connected to an upper portion of the right shoulder strap, passes through a loop attached to a portion of the lower sides of the backpack, and subsequently is operatively connected to a lower portion of the right shoulder strap to form a continuous loop on the right 1031287-1 3 side of the backpack, and connectable to the left chest strap at or near the centre of the wearer's chest by the or each separable link; wherein the chest straps are freely moveable through the aforementioned loops relative to the shoulder straps to enable shoulder movement of the wearer.

Preferably, the chest straps are positioned adjacent to the wearer's upper chest such that each strap runs diagonally downward from the upper portion of the shoulder strap towards the centre of the wearer's chest in use. Preferably, the separable link comprises a one-part or two-part clip or 10 buckle. Preferably, the chest straps are adjustable in length and adjusting the left or the right chest strap simultaneously tightens the left and right shoulder straps and the left and right chest straps.

Preferably, the lower portions of the pockets may form a substantial part of 15 the hip or waist belt.

Preferably, each pocket has a frame.

In one embodiment, the frame is positioned diagonally across the pocket in 20 a direction upwardly and outwardly from the inner lower corner of the pocket such that the top end of the frame is adjacent to and operatively connectable with the corresponding shoulder strap and the other end of the frame is adjacent to, and operatively connectable with the connector to the other pocket, or in the case where the backpack has a separate hipbelt, to 25 the corresponding hip or waist belt buckle via a holster. Preferably, the frame comprises a semi-rigid material with a shapeable memory, allowing the shape of the frame to be customized to a wearer's contours..

Aternatively the backpack and counterbalancing system further comprises a 30 frame positioned around the side and top perimeter of each pocket.

Alternatively the frame comprises a flexible but longitudinally rigid material.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. 1031287-1 4 As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any 10 sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention being worn by a wearer illustrating the position of the pockets; Figure 2 shows a front view of second preferred embodiment of the invention being worn by a wearer illustrating the position of the pockets; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of the invention being worn by a wearer backpack illustrating the position of the pockets; Figure 4a shows a preferred embodiment clip attached to a right chest strap before attachment to a left chest strap of the backpack shown in Figure 3; 1031287-1 Figure 4b shows the clip of Figure 4a with the left chest strap attached to the clip; Figure 5 is a rear view of the pockets of the backpack of Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is a front view of a hip belt buckle of the backpack of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a rear view of the pockets of the backpack of Figure 2; and Figure 8 is a rear view of the pockets of the backpack of Figure 3. 0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, references to the left side, right side, upper, 15 and lower refer to the parts of the backpack from the point of view of the wearer.

With reference to Figure 1, a first preferred embodiment of the backpack of the invention is shown worn by a wearer. The backpack has a backpack 20 body 101, a shoulder harness with a left shoulder strap 8a and a right shoulder strap 8b, and a hip or waist belt 6. The shoulder harness allows the backpack body 101 to be carried on the back of a wearer and the hip belt assists 6 in stabilizing the backpack on the wearer's body and transferring load onto the wearer's hips.

With reference to Figure 1, a left side pocket 1 a and right side pocket 1 b are shown being worn in front of the wearer. The pockets 1 a, 1 b are operatively connected to the shoulder straps 8a, 8 and to the hip belt 6 to maintain the pockets in a generally vertical alignment. Each pockets 1 a, 1 b 30 is a substantially rectangular bag or pouch. Each pocket is formed from a suitable textile material such as canvas and has a frame 2, which is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 5. 1031287-1 6 The hip or waist belt 6 has a left side portion 6a and a right side portion 6b. The hip belt portions 6a, 6b are releasably connected by a buckle 4.

Holsters 3 are attached on each side of the hip belt buckle 4. The end of the frame extends beyond the lower edge of the pocket and fits into the 5 corresponding holster 3. The gap at the bottom of the pockets is a fixed distance. The distance is determined by the width of the buckle and holsters 3. Adjustment of hip belt length is achieved by adjusting straps 5 and buckles 6 on hip belt 7.

The top of the pockets are stabilised by at least one separable link. The or each separable link operatively connects the left side pocket to a right side portion of the backpack and the right side pocket to a left side portion of the backpack. In the first embodiment, the separable link is in the form of a linking strap 10 extending from the top portion of each pocket to the 15 opposite shoulder strap. A first linking strap 10a extends between the top of the left side pocket 1 a and the right shoulder strap 8b and a second linking strap 1 Ob extends between the top of the right side pocket 1 b and the left shoulder strap 8a.

The linking straps 1 Oa, 1 Ob are slidably connected to the shoulder straps via sliding connectors 11. The sliding connectors are slidable on secondary straps 9 on the shoulder straps. The secondary straps are fixed to the shoulder straps at or near each end of the shoulder straps. The middle portion of each secondary strap is not attached to the shoulder strap, which 25 allows the sliding connector to slide along the secondary strap 9.

The linking straps 10 have buckles 12 that are attached to mating buckle parts 12 on the pockets. In the first embodiment shown, the buckle parts on the pockets are fixed to top inner corners of the pockets 1 a, 1 b via 30 buckle straps T3. The linking straps 10 and buckle straps 13 when clipped together via buckle parts 12 cross the chest in an "X" configuration. The ideal gap between the top of the pockets is achieved by adjusting the 1031287-1 7 height of the sliding connectors 11 on secondary shoulder straps 9 and by adjusting the length of straps 10 in buckle parts 12.

The bottom of each pocket is stabilised by a web and buckle system. This 5 system is described in detail below with reference to Figure 5.

Figure 2 shows the position of the pockets in front of the wearer according to the second embodiment of the invention. Unless described below, the features and operation should be considered to be the same as those 10 described above. The lower portion of the pockets 1 a, 1 b forms a substantial part of the hip or waist belt of the pack. In the embodiment shown, the lower portions of the pockets 1 a, 1 b form part of the front of the hip or waist belt. A two-piece buckle 17 is fixed to the bottom inner corners of the pockets 1 a, 1 b via short buckle straps 18. The position of the 15 bottom of the pockets la, 1 b is a fixed length determined by the width of the buckles 17 and the length of the buckle straps 18. The top of the pockets are operatively connected to the shoulder straps. In the second embodiment, the pockets are attached to secondary shoulder straps 9. The top of the pockets are stabilised by a separable link operatively connected 20 between the left pocket and the right pocket. In the second embodiment, the separable link is in the form of a two-piece buckle 19 attached towards the top inner corner of each pocket 1 a, 1 b via short buckle webs 20. The gap between the top of the pockets is fixed by the width of buckles 19 and the length of the buckle webs 20. The bottom of the pockets is stabilised 25 by a web and buckle system described in more detail below with reference to Figure 7.

Figure 3 shows a backpack according to the third embodiment of the invention. Unless described below, the features and operation should be 30 considered to be the same as those described above. The lower portion of the pockets la, lb forms part of the hip or waist belt 6 as described in relation to the second preferred embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the hip or waist belt may be in the form shown in Figure 1. 1031287-1 8 The third preferred embodiment has chest straps 21. Each chest strap 21 attaches to the corresponding shoulder strap 8 adjacent to the wearer's upper chest and subsequently pass through a clip 22. Each chest strap 21 5 then passes under a web 23 (shown in Figure 8) that is attached to the back of the upper portion of the pocket 1, through an attachment located at the lower portion of the backpack. In the embodiment shown, each chest strap 21 passes through a loop 24 near the base of the pack. Each chest strap 21 subsequently passes upward and through an attachment 10 located at the lower portion of the corresponding shoulder. For example, a buckle 25 at the lower end of the shoulder straps. The chest straps are adjustable in length. Adjusting the left or the right chest strap simultaneously tightens the left and right shoulder straps and the left and right chest straps.

The chest straps 21 are free to slide under the web 23 and through the loop 24, allowing the shoulder straps to follow the movements of the body. As shown in figure 3, the loops 24 are connected to the opposite ends of a plastic strip 26 that runs freely in a slot 27 in the bottom of the pack as 20 described in my New Zealand Patent 536593.

Figure 4A shows the preferred version of the clip 22 of the third embodiment backpack shown in Figure 3. The clip is formed of a round and rigid material in the shape of an open "9". The webs 21 fold as they 25 pass over the side portions of the clip 22. A plastic holder 28 is bent around the long edge of the clip 22 and secured by a rivet 29. This holds the strap 21 in place on one side of the wearer's chest when in use. The position of clip 22 may be altered by sliding it along the corresponding strap 21. The strap 21 on the other side of the chest is connected to the clip 22 by 30 placing inside open end of clip as shown in Figure 4B. In an alternative embodiment, the clip may be replaced with a one or two part buckle. 1031287-1 9 Figure 5 is an elevation view of the pockets from the back of the first embodiment of the invention. The back of each pocket contains a web sleeve 30 for holding the frame 2 in place. The frame 2 is made of a semirigid material with a shapeable memory. The frame can be shaped or bent 5 to match the wearer's contours. The web sleeve 30 starts at the upper outer corner of the pocket, passes diagonally down the back and extend beyond the opposite lower inner corner. At top end of sleeve 30 is a clip 31. The clip 31 attaches to the strap 9 located on the shoulder straps 8. On the opposite top corner is a buckle 12 that attach to a mating buckle part 12 on 10 the opposite pocket, or to a mating buckle part on strap 10 as shown and described with reference to Figure 1.

To stabilize the bottom of the pockets, an adjustable length connector is operatively connected to the left side pocket 1 a and a left lower portion of 15 the backpack or to the hip belt. A corresponding adjustable length connector is operatively connected to the right side pocket 1 b and a right lower portion of the backpack or to the hip belt. The adjustable length connector and separable link are on opposite corners of each pocket to the diagonal framings. This is the preferred position for stabilizing the pockets 20 1 a, 1 b. A buckle 33 is attached via a web 34 to the corner diagonally opposite buckle 12 of each pocket. A strap 35 passes through the buckle 33 and locates a clip 36. The strap 35 is preferably made of an elasticized material. The clip 36 attaches to a loop on the hip belt or the lower rear portion of the backpack.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the hip belt buckle shown in Figure 1. Each holster 3 is attached to each of the hip belt buckle piece 5. Each holster 3 has an opening at the top for insertion of the free end of each frame 2. In the embodiment shown, the holster 3 are formed by a plastic sheet folded 30 around the end bar of buckle part 5 and secured together by suitable means, for example by a rivet (not shown). A retainer web 32, attached to the front and back of the holster 3, helps to further locate the hip belt web 6. 1031287-1 Figure 7 is an elevation view of the pockets from the back according to the second embodiment of the invention. The back of each pocket 1 contains a sleeve 30 for holding a frame (not shown). The sleeve 30 runs from one 5 top corner to the opposite bottom corner of the pocket. A padded section 37 covers the lower portion of the back of the pocket. At the top of the sleeve 30, a clip 31 is located that attaches to the secondary strap 9 on the corresponding shoulder strap 8. On the opposite top corner is a buckle 12 that attaches to a mating buckle part 12 on strap 10, as shown in Figure 1. 10 In an alternative embodiment, the buckles 12 may attach directly to each other. At the lower end of each pocket, the hip belt buckle parts 17 attach to the inside corners of the pockets via buckle straps 18. On the outside corners, webs 16 connect to buckles 15 that are attached to the lower rear portion of the backpack via webs 14.

Figure 8 is an elevation view of the pockets from the back according to the third embodiment of the invention. The upper portion of each pocket 1 a, 1 b has a strap 23 extending across the width of the pocket. The ends of the strap are attached, for example by stitching, to the pocket. The middle 20 portion of the strap 23 is free from attachment to the pocket. The chest strap 21 passes under strap 23 and is free to move under strap 23. The hip belt buckle parts 17 attach to the inside bottom corner of each pocket via web 18. Web 16 is located on the outside corner of each pocket. This connects to the buckle 15 that is attached to the corresponding lower rear 25 side portion of the backpack via web 14 in the same manner as shown in Figure 3.

A frame (not visible) composed of a flexible but longitudinally rigid material runs around the side and top perimeter of the pocket to stiffen the pocket 30 and prevent collapse under load.

According to each of the embodiments described, the pockets 1 a, 1 b are narrow enough to allow free arm movement, and the gap between each 1031287-1 11 pocket allows the wearer to see the ground between his/her feet as he or she walks.

Regarding Figures 1 -8 and the description, it will be understood that the 5 features described in each embodiment of the invention are not exclusive to each embodiment, and can be interchanged as required.

Preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the 10 scope of the invention. 1031287-1 12

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A backpack and a counterbalancing system comprising: a backpack body to be worn on the back of a wearer; a shoulder harness having a left shoulder strap and a right shoulder strap; each with a corresponding chest strap; a left side pocket to be worn in front of the wearer whereby ■ the upper portion of the pocket is operatively connected to the left shoulder strap or the left chest strap and the lower portion of the pocket is operatively connected via an adjustable length connector to the lower left side portion of the backpack to maintain the left side pocket in a general vertical alignment; a right side pocket to be worn in front of the wearer whereby the upper portion of the pocket is operatively connected to the right shoulder strap or the right chest strap and the lower portion of the pocket is operatively connected via an adjustable length connector to the lower right side portion of the backpack to maintain the right side pocket in a general vertical alignment; at least one separable link of fixed length operatively connecting the left side pocket to the right side pocket and wherein the rear panel of each of the left and right pockets has a frame extending from at or near the top of the rear panel to at or near the bottom of said rear panel.

2. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection of each pocket to the corresponding shoulder strap is via a free sliding connection along the length of the lower portion of the shoulder strap.

3. A backpack and a epunterbalancing system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the right chest strap is slidably connected to and along the length the lower portion of the right shoulder strap 1031287-1 13 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 2 h OCT 2007 RECEIVED and the left chest strap is slidably connected to and along the length of the lower portion of the left shoulder strap. 10

A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein a separable link is provided operatively connecting the upper portion of the left side pocket to the right chest strap of the backpack and a corresponding separable link is provided on the upper portion of the right side pocket operatively connecting to the left chest strap of the backpack.

5. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in claims 1 -3, wherein two separable links of fixed length operatively connect the left pocket and the right pocket, one link being at or near the top end of the pocket, the second link at or near the 15 bottom end of the pocket

6. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in claim 1 -3, further comprising: a left chest strap operatively connected to an middle portion 20 of the left shoulder strap, which subsequently passes through a loop attached to the lower left side portion of the backpack, and further connects to a lower portion of the left shoulder strap to form a continuous loop on the left side of the backpack; a right chest strap operatively connected to a middle portion 25 of the right shoulder strap, which subsequently passes through a loop attached to the lower right side portion of the backpack, and further connects to a lower portion of the right shoulder strap to form a continuous loop on the right side of the backpack; and wherein the chest straps are freely moveable through the 30 said loops to enable shoulder movement of the wearer. 1031287-1 14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFBCE OP !VJ,2 2 4 OCT 200? RECEIVED

7. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chest straps are positioned adjacent to the wearer's upper chest such that each strap runs diagonally downward from the middle portion of the shoulder strap towards the centre of the 5 wearer's chest, and subsequently down towards the corresponding hip; and wherein each chest strap can be connected to the opposite chest strap via a separable link; such that the two chest straps when connected form an X configeration across the chest. 10

8. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the separable link comprises a one-part or two-part clip or buckle.

9. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one 15 of claims 7 and 8, wherein the separable link comprises of a elongated loop with one end open, wherein one side of the loop is slidably connected to one chest strap, and wherein the other chest strap can be inserted into the open end of the elongated loop to rest against the other side of the said loop and wherein 20 the aforementioned other chest strap is free to slide around the side of the loop when the wearer twists their shoulders relative to their hips.

10. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one 25 of claims 6 to 9, wherein the chest straps are adjustable in length and adjusting the left chest strap simultaneously tightens the left shoulder strap and the left chest strap; and adjusting the right chest strap simultaneously tightens the right shoulder strap and the right chest strap. 30

11. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower portions of the pockets form a substantial part of the hip or waist belt. 1031287-1 15 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 S OCT 2007 RFCE1V e D

12. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any of claims 1-10, wherein the lower side portions of the backpack comprise the hipbelt.

13. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame in each pocket is positioned diagonally across the rear panel in a direction downwardly and inwardly from the outer upper corner of the rear 10 panel such the top end of the frame is adjacent to and operatively connectable with the corresponding shoulder strap and the other end of the frame is adjacent to the lower separable link to the other pocket. 15

14. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the frame in each pocket is positioned diagonally across the rear panel in a direction downwardly and inwardly from the outer upper corner of the pocket such the top end of the frame is adjacent to and operatively connectable with 20 the corresponding shoulder strap and the other end of the frame extends towards and below the opposite corner of the pocket adjacent to the lower separable link to the other pocket.

15. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in claim 25 14, wherein the portion of the frame extending below the pocket is operatively connectable with a holster fixed to the corresponding hipbelt buckle part which forms the separable link to the other pocket. 30 16. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame in each pocket comprises a semi-rigid material with a shapeable memory, 1031287-1

16 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFPICE OF N.Z. 2 h OCT 2007 RECEIVED allowing the shape of the frame to be custom bent to match the wearer's contours.

17. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in any one 5 of the preceding claims, wherein the frame in the rear panel of each pocket further comprises a flexible but longitudinally rigid material positioned around the side and top perimeter of each pocket. 10

18. A backpack and a counterbalancing system as claimed in claim 1 and subsequent claims substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.

19. A backpack and a counterbalancing system substantially as herein 15 described with reference to any embodiment showri in the accompanying illustrations. END OF CLAIMS 1031287-1 17 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OP N.2 24 OCT 2007 RjECEIVE D