Patent ID: 6550651
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A45C,A45F

Abstract:
A backpack, comprising:a bag portion having a body-contact side, a non-body contact side, two side panels, a top, and a base, the body-contact side and the non body-contact side facing each other and being joined to the base, the side panels, and the top so as to define a compartment; a pair of shoulder straps provided on the body-contact side of the bag portion and adapted to be hung from the user's shoulders; an opening defined in the bag portion adjacent and parallel to the body-contact side for providing entry to the compartment from the exterior of the backpack; a zipper having complementary halves attached on either side of the opening, the halves of the zipper having at least one slider for reversibly separating the halves of the zipper for permitting access to the compartment and reversibly attaching the halves of the zipper for securing the opening from entry from the exterior of the backpack; a load support transfer system comprising at least one strap joining the body-contact side to one of the side panels and the non body-contact side across the opening whereby a substantial part of the weight of the backpack is transferred to the body-contact side when the backpack is mounted on the user's back and thereby reducing the tension on the zipper when the opening in the bag portion is closed; a frame assembly extending along and attached to the non body-contact side, the frame assembly comprising a bottom portion and a top portion; at least one wheel assembly attached to the bottom portion of the frame assembly, at least a portion of the wheel assembly extending out from the bag portion whereby the wheel assembly can support a substantial part of the weight of the backpack when the bag portion is substantially above the wheel assembly and the wheel assembly is in contact with a surface; and a handle attached to a first end of at least one member made of a rigid material and mounted to the frame assembly so that the member can slide between an extended position above the top portion of the frame assembly in which the user can grasp the handle and pull or push the bag portion of the backpack across a surface when the weight of the bag portion is substantially resting on the at least one wheel assembly and a retracted position in which the handle is adjacent the top portion of the frame assembly.