Abstract:
An improved backpack/seat combination includes a main container having a front wall, rear wall, side walls, a base wall, an interior volume and a top lid enclosing the interior volume, the main container constructed of a rigid material and at least one backpack strap mounted on the main container. A seat back/lumbar support structure includes a seat back/lumbar support pad mounted on a seat back support bar, the seat back support bar at least one of adjustably, pivotably and movably mounted on the main container. Finally, the seat back/lumbar support pad is movable between a lower, rearwardly-facing lumbar support position positioned adjacent the rear wall of the container box and towards the base wall and an upper, forwardly-facing seat back position positioned above the top lid of the container box by at least one of adjusting, pivoting and moving the seat back support bar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority based on a provisional patent, specifically on the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/777,898 filed Mar. 1, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to storage device/seat combinations and, more particularly, to a hard sided backpack which includes a container with a top lid which pivots to provide access to the interior of the container, a seat cushion mounted on top of the lid such that the container may be used as a seat, and a seat back/lumbar support structure mounted on the inner side of the container which is pivotable between a lumbar support position when the backpack is being worn and a seat back position when the container is being used as a seat. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Hunting and fishing are pastimes and hobbies enjoyed by millions of people in the United States, by people of all ages and from all walks of life. One of the problems encountered by many hunters and fishers, however, is that it is becoming more and more difficult to find uncrowded locations to pursue their hobby, as many popular locations have now been over-hunted or over-fished. This results in many hunters and fishers having to go deeper into the wilderness to find desirable locations, and therefore it becomes vital to transport all necessary equipment with them to such a remote location. To this end, numerous types of backpacks and carrying bags have been proposed in the prior art which attempt to address and solve this problem. 
         [0006]    Another problem encountered by both hunters and fishers is that both pursuits require their practitioners to undergo long periods of inactivity while waiting for an animal to pass by or a fish to strike. While younger hunters and fishers can endure these periods without substantial discomfort, older persons, or those having injuries or disabilities, cannot remain standing for such an extended period of time without encountering some degree of discomfort. Ideally, these persons would be able to sit down during these periods of inactivity and, to this end, numerous types of portable chairs and seats have been disclosed in the prior art which are designed to be carried by a person to the location where the hunting or fishing activity will take place and, upon arriving at the location, can be used as a seat for the hunter or fisher. However, when the hunter or fisher has to carry not only his or her equipment bag or backpack but also carry a portable seat or chair, it becomes more and more difficult to enjoy the hunting or fishing expedition when one is burdened by all of those items to be carried. 
         [0007]    One other problem encountered with these portable chairs and seats is that many of them do not include a seat back, which substantially detracts from the comfort level available during use of the chair or seat. There is therefore a need for a portable chair or seat which includes a seat back and further includes a storage and carrying section which can be used to transport necessary equipment for the hunter or fisher. 
         [0008]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved backpack/seat combination for outdoorsmen. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved backpack/seat combination which may be quickly and easily converted from a backpack configuration for carrying objects to a seat configuration capable of supporting a person thereon in a seated position. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved backpack/seat combination which includes a seat back/lumbar support pad movable between a rearwardly-facing position which is generally adjacent the lumbar area of the wearer&#39;s back when the backpack is being worn for additional lumbar support and a forwardly-facing seat back position positioned above the top of the backpack for supporting the back of the user when the device is being used as a seat. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved backpack/seat combination in which the backpack includes a container box constructed of a rigid material such as PVC molded plastic or the like so that the container box provides a sturdy and secure storage and support structure. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved backpack/seat combination which is generally fluid- or liquid-tight with the top lid closed and sealed to protect the contents of the container box from external contaminants. 
         [0013]    Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved backpack/seat combination which is relatively simple and durable in construction and is safe, efficient and effective in use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention provides an improved backpack/seat combination which includes a main container having a front wall, rear wall, side walls, a base wall, an interior volume and a top lid enclosing the interior volume, the main container constructed of a rigid material and at least one backpack strap mounted on the main container. A seat back/lumbar support structure includes a seat back/lumbar support pad mounted on a seat back support bar, the seat back support bar at least one of adjustably, pivotably and movably mounted on the main container. Finally, the seat back/lumbar support pad is movable between a lower, rearwardly-facing lumbar support position positioned adjacent the rear wall of the container box and towards the base wall and an upper, forwardly-facing seat back position positioned above the top lid of the container box by at least one of adjusting, pivoting and moving the seat back support bar. 
         [0015]    The present invention as thus described provides substantial advantages over those devices and backpacks found in the prior art. For example, because the main container is rigid and generally fluid-tight, objects being carried within the container receive maximum protection against external contaminants and accidental damage. Also, because the top lid is reinforced, the seat may be used by many different sizes of people, and even may be used by larger persons who may be most in need of the seat. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the seat back/lumbar support pad is a single structural element in the present invention and is movable from the lumbar support position which provides increased comfort for the user of the present invention when the main container is being carried as a backpack and through a relatively simple moving and pivoting process converts into the seat back position positioned above the top lid which provides back support for a person seated on the main container. Such a single element providing these two functions is not found in the prior art, and therefore it is believed that these improvements are deserving of protection. It is therefore seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those devices found in the prior art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the backpack/seat combination of the present invention being worn by a user; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the backpack/seat combination of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention showing the elements thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the backpack/seat combination showing the seat back/lumbar support being raised to the seat back position; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are side elevational views of the present invention showing the seat back/lumbar support being pivoted from its lumbar support position to the raised seat back position and the process by which that operation is performed. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    The backpack/seat combination  10  of the present invention is shown best in  FIGS. 1-6  as including a main container  12  having a front wall  14 , rear wall  16 , side walls  18   a  and  18   b , base wall  20 , and a top lid  22 , with the general shape of the main container  12  being a rectangular box having dimensions of approximately twelve to thirty inches in height, ten to twenty inches in width, and ten to twenty inches in depth, although these dimensions may be modified or changed depending on the materials to be carried in the main container  12  and the size of the hunter or fisher using the device. In the preferred embodiment, the main container  12  would be constructed of a sturdy plastic or metal material, although a reinforced plastic material such as molded PVC is preferred due to the savings in weight. 
         [0022]    Lid  22  is preferably pivotally mounted on top of the main container  12 , as shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , by a pair of lid hinges  24   a  and  24   b  mounted on side wall  18   a . Mounted on opposite side wall  18   b  is a lid latch  26  which releasably secures lid  22  on main container  12  to cover and enclose the interior of main container  12 , as shown best in  FIG. 3 . In the preferred embodiment, lid  22 , when closed on main container  12 , would form a generally liquid-tight seal to generally prevent incursion of liquids into the interior of the main container  12 , thus protecting the object stored there within. It is further preferred that lid  22  include internal structural reinforcements which will permit the lid  22  to function as the base of a seat, as will be described later in this disclosure. The lid  22  would preferably be able to support in excess of two hundred fifty pounds (250 lbs.) such that a majority of persons who own the device may use it for its intended purpose as a seat. Of course, however, the specific design of the lid  22  is not critical to the present invention so long as the functional characteristic of permitting the lid  22  to function as a seat base is fulfilled. Finally, for additional comfort, a seat pad  28  would be releasably mounted on the top of lid  22 , the seat pad  28  preferably being constructed of a sturdy water-resistant fabric material such as nylon or polyester with the interior of the seat pad  28  being stuffed with a cushioning material to enhance the comfort of a person sitting on the seat pad  28 , although the exact size, shape and construction materials used in connection with the seat pad  28  are not critical to the present invention. 
         [0023]    Mounted on rear wall  16  of main container  12  is a backpack pad  30  which extends rearwards and outwards from the rear wall  16  to permit the main container  12  to be carried as a backpack, the backpack pad  30  consisting of a generally rectangular vinyl or fabric-covered foam pad which extends forwards from the rear wall  16  approximately two to four inches, depending on the amount of cushioning desired and the spacing needed for comfortable carrying of the main container  12 . A pair of backpack straps  32   a  and  32   b  would extend forwards from the rear wall  16  of main container  12 , as shown best in  FIGS. 1-3 , the backpack straps  32   a  and  32   b  preferably being adjustable fabric straps of the kind commonly used for backpacks and carrying bags, and it should be further noted that many different types of backpack straps may be used in connection with the present invention so long as the intended purpose of supporting the main container  12  on the person&#39;s back is maintained. Also, it may be preferable to include a releasable chest connector strap (not shown) which extends between and connects the two backpack straps  32   a  and  32   b  in the front of the straps across the wearer&#39;s chest. The chest connector strap is operative to secure the backpack straps  32   a  and  32   b  on the wearer&#39;s shoulders and further acts to help distribute the weight of the main container  12  across the chest and shoulders instead of relying on only the shoulders for support thereof. Of course, such chest connector straps are not critical to the present invention, but it has been found that they will improve the comfort level of the user of the present invention, and therefore their inclusion is desirable. 
         [0024]    While the backpack/seat combination  10  of the present invention as thus described includes many features currently found in the prior art, the device includes another unique feature which is not found in the prior art and which is integral to the operation of the backpack/seat combination  10  of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention further includes a seat back/lumbar support structure  40  which includes a pair of upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  mounted on rear wall  16  of main container  12 , as shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the preferred embodiment, upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  would be constructed of a sturdy metal or plastic material and would be either square or circular in cross-sectional shape. Slidably mounted within each of the upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  are a pair of seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  which fit within a respective one of the upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b , as shown best in FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6 , with the external diameter of each of the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  being less than the internal diameter of the upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  to permit the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  to slide up and down within the upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b . In the preferred embodiment, upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  would have lengths of approximately eight to fifteen inches and seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  would have lengths of approximately seven to twelve inches, depending on the size of the main container  12  and the height at which the seat back is to be supported. 
         [0025]    Pivotably mounted on and extending between the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  is a generally U-shaped seat back support bar  46  having a base end  48  on which is mounted the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  and top ends  50   a  and  50   b , as shown best in  FIG. 3 . The seat back support bar  46  would be pivotably mounted on the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  by a pair of bolts  52   a  and  52   b  which extend through the seat back support bar  46  intermediate the base end  48  and top ends  50   a  and  50   b  and through the respective one of the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  adjacent the upper ends thereof to permit the seat back support bar  46  to pivot relative to the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b , as will be discussed herein. 
         [0026]    Once each of the elements of the seat back/lumbar support structure  40  of the present invention are assembled, the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  are slid into the upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  with the seat back support bar  46  pivoted such that the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  is below the bolts  52   a  and  52   b  such that the base end  48  of seat back support bar  46  is below the top ends  50   a  and  50   b  of seat back support bar  46 , as shown best in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 . The seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  are prevented from sliding downwards within upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  due to the presence of the bolts  52   a  and  52   b  connecting seat back support bar  46  to the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  and the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  mounted on seat back support bar  46  rests against the upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  as the seat back support bar  46  rests against the rear wall  16  of main container  12 , as shown best in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As can be seen best in  FIG. 1 , however, one of the significant features of the seat back/lumbar support structure  40  of the present invention is that when the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  is in the lumbar support position shown therein, it cooperates with backpack pad  30  to render carrying of the main container  12  far more comfortable than it would be possible if only the backpack pad  30  were being used for back support of the main container  12 . By modifying the size, shape, and thickness of the seat back/lumbar support pad  54 , the comfort level may be increased or adjusted depending on the needs of the user of the present invention. It is well-known that increased lumbar support for heavy items being carried on one&#39;s back greatly increase the comfort and wearability of such a backpack device, and it can be seen that the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  of the present invention, when in its lumbar support position, will fulfill that purpose. 
         [0027]    The truly unique design feature of the seat back/lumbar support structure  40  only becomes apparent when the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  is to be moved from its lumbar support position to its seat back position, which is shown best in  FIG. 4 . The following procedure is followed to shift the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  from the lumbar support position to the seat back position, and would involve the seat back support bar  46  being pivoted about the bolts  52   a  and  52   b  to swing the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  outwards away from the rear wall  16 , as shown best in  FIG. 5 . The seat back support bar  46  is then moved upwards with seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  sliding upwards within upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b , as shown in  FIG. 6 . When the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  have been slid upwards a sufficient height to allow the top ends  50   a  and  50   b  of seat back support bar  46  to freely pivot over and above lid  22  of main container  12 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the seat back support bar  46  is pivoted about bolts  52   a  and  52   b  into the upright position shown as the dotted lines in  FIG. 6  such that the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  is positioned above the bolts  52   a  and  52   b . The seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  are then slid back down within upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  with the seat back support bar  46  extending upwards generally parallel with the seat back mounting bars  44   a  and  44   b  and with seat back/lumbar support pad  54  positioned above the bolts  52   a  and  52   b , as shown best in  FIG. 4 . The seat back/lumbar support pad  54  is now in position to serve as a seat back for a person seated on the main container  12 , specifically on lid  22  sitting on seat pad  28 . As a person seated on the seat pad  28  leans back against the seat back/lumbar support pad  54 , the seat back support bar  46  attempts to pivot about bolts  52   a  and  52   b , but because the top ends  50   a  and  50   b  of the seat back support bar  46  extend below the bolts  52   a  and  52   b  when the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  is in its seat back position, the top ends  50   a  and  50   b  contact the rear wall  16  of main container  12  and therefore rearward pivoting of the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  is restricted due to that pivot-preventing contact. Finally, when the individual using the backpack/seat combination  10  of the present invention as a seat is finished with such use, he or she merely reverses the pivoting process described in connection with seat back/lumbar support structure  40  to return the seat back/lumbar support pad  54  to its lumbar support position. The backpack/seat combination  10  may then be returned to its position supported on the wearer&#39;s back, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for further transport thereof. 
         [0028]    An additional feature of the present invention is that the backpack/seat combination  10  may further include a plurality of outside pockets  60 ,  62 , and  64  which are mounted on front wall  14  and side walls  18   a  and  18   b , as shown best in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the preferred embodiment, the outside pockets  60 ,  62 , and  64  would be formed of a sturdy fabric material and include zippers, snaps or the like to releasably close the pockets for securement of items therewithin. Of course, the exact size, shape, and number of outside pockets  60 ,  62 , and  64  is not critical to the present invention, but it has been found that providing easily accessible external storage areas renders the backpack/seat combination  10  of the present invention even more useful for hunters and fishers. 
         [0029]    It is to be understood that numerous additions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the backpack/seat combination  10  of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the above description. For example, the size, shape, and construction materials used in connection with each of the elements of the present invention may be modified or changed so long as the functional characteristics of those structures are neither degraded nor destroyed. Furthermore, although the backpack straps  32   a  and  32   b  are shown as being mounted on the upright tubes  42   a  and  42   b  mounted on rear wall  16 , it should be understood that the backpack straps  32   a  and  32   b  may be mounted on any appropriate location on the main container  12  so long as the functional characteristics of providing a safe, secure, and comfortable support strap structure for carrying the main container  12  is provided. Also, it should be noted that the interior of main container  12  may include numerous types of internal structures such as drawers, pockets, sleeves, smaller containers, and many other types of dividing and organizing structures, any of which would be understood by one skilled in the art of storage containers, particularly storage containers for use by hunters and fishers. It should further be noted that use of the present invention is certainly not limited to only hunting and fishing activities, but is designed for use by any persons who would find useful the backpack/seat combination  10  of the present invention, such as campers, bird watchers, sporting event spectators and many other persons engaged in many other activities. Finally, although the seat back support bar  46  has been described as a generally U-shaped bar, it could conceivably be replaced by two upright, generally parallel bars which mount to the seat back/lumbar support pad  54 , and furthermore seat back/lumbar support pad  54  may also include a rear backing plate  56  to provide additional structural stability for the seat back/lumbar support pad  54 , and such modifications and substitutions should be understood to be a part of this disclosure. 
         [0030]    There has therefore been shown and described a backpack/seat combination  10  which accomplishes at least all of its intended purposes.