Patent ID: 6070776
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: A45F

Abstract:
A backpack having a load centering system, for being worn on the back of a wearer, said backpack comprising:a body for receiving a load, having a bottom panel, a back panel, a front panel, a left side panel, a right side panel all joined together to form a cavity within said body, said bottom panel having a width spanning and extending between said left side panel and said right side panel;a hip belt joined to said body and projecting forwardly therefrom;a right shoulder strap portion having an upper end attached to said body at a first point of attachment on said body, and a lower end, anda left shoulder strap portion having an upper end attached to said body at a second point of attachment on said body spaced apart from said first point of attachment, and a lower end;a webbing strap connecting said lower end of said right shoulder strap portion to said lower end of said left shoulder strap portion; anda channel cover connected to said bottom panel of said body, wherein said channel cover spans a substantial portion of said width of said bottom panel of said body, is oriented along said bottom panel from said right side panel to said left side panel, and forms a channel which encircles and retains said webbing strap within said channel cover,said right shoulder strap portion along with a portion of said webbing defining a right shoulder strap having a length and said left shoulder strap portion along with a portion of said webbing defining a left shoulder strap having a length,wherein said webbing strap is disposed to slide within said channel and said right shoulder strap and said left shoulder strap each change length when the user twists his or her torso, wherein when one of said right shoulder strap and said left shoulder strap lengthens responsively to twisting of the torso, the other one of said right shoulder strap and said left shoulder strap correspondingly shortens, thereby compensating for bodily motion which would otherwise tend to shift a center-of-load of said backpack.