Abstract:
A backpack includes a tight fitting wetsuit style vest with a low profile pack attached to the back. The backpack is configured with closures and compartments that are accessible when the backpack is worn. The backpack has a slight positive buoyancy enabling it to float with contents, but not enough to interfere with water activities. Mesh material allows water to readily escape from the storage compartments and prevents trapping of air in the compartments.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application 60/594,319, filed Mar. 29, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to a backpack. More particularly, this invention relates to a backpack for use during water activities such as surfing, swimming and snorkeling.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Participants in water activities such as surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling require a safe place to store possessions, such as keys, wallets, jewelry, footwear and the like. Leaving such items unattended on a beach or in a vehicle risks theft. Conventional backpacks and wearable pouches tend to interfere with such water activities and may separate from the wearer and become lost during use.  
         [0004]     A low profile backpack that fits securely, does not provide excessive buoyancy or excessive weight, and does not present a physical obstacle to performing water activities is needed. The invention is directed towards solving one or more of the problems identified above.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     It is therefore an object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a backpack for use during water activities. To achieve these and other objects, a backpack in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a tight fitting wetsuit style vest with a low profile pack attached to the back. The pack is configured with closures and compartments that are accessible when the backpack is worn. The backpack has a slight positive buoyancy, barely enabling it to float with a few contents. Mesh material allows water to readily escape from the storage compartments and prevents trapping of air in the compartments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view conceptually depicting an open pack with a plurality of zipper closures and compartments for a backpack in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a back view of an exemplary backpack in accordance with principles of the invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an exemplary backpack showing a vest portion in accordance with principles of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view conceptually depicting an open pack  100  with a plurality of zipper closures  105 ,  110  and  130  and compartments  135  and  140  for a backpack in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the invention is shown. While the exemplary pack  100  includes two compartments  135  and  140 , any number of compartments, sub-compartments and pockets and other storage means may be provided within the scope of the invention. A spring clip  145  allows attachment of keys and the like. Additionally, while closure mechanisms other than zippers  105 ,  110  and  130 , such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps and the like may be used in addition to or in lieu of zipper closures, and are intended to come within the scope of the invention, zipper closures are preferred for convenience, accessibility, and durability. The bottom of the pack includes a mesh material  125  in fluid communication with each compartment  135  and  140 . The compartments may be separated by mesh material or other material  135  and  140 . However, mesh material is preferred because it does not trap water and facilitates viewing the contents of each compartment. The bottom mesh material  125  provides a self-bailing functionality to the backpack, allowing engulfed water to readily escape. Thus, for example, a surfer would not have to endure substantial added weight on his or her back from entrapped water. Such added weight would otherwise interfere with intended water activities.  
         [0011]     Other materials and structures may be used in addition to or in lieu of mesh to enable self-bailing. By way of example and not limitation, grommets, other openings, porous fabrics and other structures and materials that allow water to readily evacuate may be used. A backpack having such other materials and structures comes within the scope of the invention.  
         [0012]     The meshing may be comprised of any mesh material suitable for water activities. By way of example and not limitation, nylon mesh may be used. The mesh material may also have a protective coating such as a polyvinyl chloride (pvc) coating.  
         [0013]     The pack is preferably comprised of materials that provide a slight net positive buoyancy bias which would keep the backpack afloat, with ordinary contents, in the unlikely event the backpack separates from the wearer. The slight positive buoyancy should essentially negate the weight of the pack when in water, thus making the pack transparent to a wearer. In contrast, a wearer of a non-buoyant pack would experience added weight that may interfere with intended water activities. Likewise, a wearer of a highly buoyant pack would experience a considerable upward force that may also interfere with intended water activities.  
         [0014]     To achieve a desired net buoyancy, in an exemplary embodiment, the pack includes some panels of buoyant material  115  and  120 , and other panels of material that do not provide are not-buoyant in water (i.e., have a greater density than water). By way of example and not limitation, buoyant panels  115  and  120  may be comprised of neoprene or other flexible, buoyant elastomer foam materials. Neoprene is generally buoyant. Different types of neoprene provide different buoyancies based upon the amount of enclosed air cells. The neoprene may be laminated on each side with a coating, skin or fabric to help to protect it against abrasion. Illustratively, approximately 15 to 50 square inches of 2 to 8 mm neoprene should provide adequate buoyancy. Of course, the amount of buoyant material will depend upon the size, weight and density of other materials comprising the backpack.  
         [0015]     The various panels and zipper closures of the backpack are attached by conventional stitching. Single or double zippers may be used to facilitate opening and closing of the various compartments. The zippers may optionally be waterproof. Additionally, seams may optionally be heat sealed to keep moisture or sand from penetrating through the stitching.  
         [0016]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a back view of an exemplary backpack in accordance with principles of the invention is shown. The pack  100 , as discussed above, is securely attached to the back of a wetsuit style vest  200 . The exemplary vest is comprised of a back panel  240  and a pair of front panels  310  and  315  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) adjoined by stitching along shoulder and side seams in a conventional manner. Openings  225 - 235 ,  245  are provided at the top and bottom and on each side to accommodate a wearer&#39;s neck, waist and arms. An adjustable waist belt  210  with a releasable buckle is also provided to prevent the bottom of the vest from riding up a user&#39;s torso during use. However, as an alternative to a belt, a drawstring may be provided to allow a wearer to adjust the snugness of the vest around his or her waist. In such case, drawstring cord locks or clamps may be used to secure the drawstring at a desired position.  
         [0017]     Additionally, the inner side of vest may include a bottom seam  215  configured to frictionally engage a wearer&#39;s torso. Illustratively, the bottom seam may be comprised of a neoprene rubber or other material that is comfortable against the wearer&#39;s skin, yet provides a relatively high coefficient of friction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , additional accessories may also be provided. Illustratively, snap rings  220  and D-rings and the like may be provided for hanging the article and for hanging or attaching items (e.g., keys, lanyards) to the article.  
         [0018]     The vest may be comprised of various lightweight materials suitable for use in constructing garments for water activities. Illustratively, the vest may be made primarily from stretchable materials, such as a mesh fabric, Lycra® (Invista North America S.A.R.L.), and the like., a stretch nylon material having a polyurethane, pvc or other coating; although other suitable materials that are water and weather resistant may be used. A lining may also be provided to provide comfort and/or warmth.  
         [0019]     An advantage of an exemplary embodiment of a backpack according to principles of the invention is that the pack and its closures are positioned to facilitate opening and closing to access a compartment and its contents while the backpack is worn. Thus items may be added to or removed from a compartment without requiring removal of the backpack.  
         [0020]     In one alternative embodiment, one or more easy to reach separate compartments may be provided. By way of example and not limitation, a backpack according to principles of the invention may include a bottom compartment with single or double zippers for access. Such a compartment may be easily accessed by a wearer, while the backpack is worn, to store or remove selected items.  
         [0021]     In yet another embodiment, a backpack according to principles of the invention may include one or more watertight compartments to help keep contents dry. In such an embodiment, a purge valve or one-way vent is provided to force air from the compartment, but prevent water from entering the compartment. Removal of air prevents excessive buoyancy.  
         [0022]     While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the foregoing detailed description. Such alternative embodiments and implementations are intended to come within the scope of the present invention.