Abstract:
Provided herein is a device which can be worn about the back of a person, as a backpack, to carry various and sundry items associated with outdoor recreation, to a location at which persons desire to travel. A device according to the invention simultaneously provides a floor that can be spread across the ground, and a canopy support and canopy that shelters the floor. In a preferred embodiment, the floor and canopy are integral with the backpack itself, and a sheltered environment can be setup in a very short time, that shields its users from the effects of sun, rain, and other environmental elements. The floor portion may also include a seating means integrated therewith.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to tents and portable enclosures. More particularly, it relates to a portable environment that may provide protection from sun and rain, and which is readily retractable to fit within the confines of a backpack, with which it forms an integral part. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many activities are enjoyed by people in out of doors locations, such as parks, beaches, sports events, concerts, and wooded areas, to name but a few. In enjoying these outdoor activities, one is naturally exposed to the elements, which may unpredictably include spells of sunshine and rain, and insect life that abounds. It is thus often desirable for persons recreating in the outdoors to shelter themselves from these and other elements, which may at times be undesirable. 
         [0003]    With the widespread availability of the automobile, persons seeking recreation are able to simply drive to a location that is very close to a desired location, such as a beach. However, it is nearly always the case that the final desired location of recreation is somewhat removed from the location at which they can park their vehicle, making it necessary to travel the remaining distance on foot. Typically people like to enjoy modern conveniences at their desired locations of recreation, and towards this end many means for toting various and sundry items to their final recreation location are in popular use. These include backpacks, sport and duffel bags and the like, as well as tents and overhead canopy enclosures. Often, it is cumbersome to carry a plurality of items which includes all those items perceived as being necessary to enjoyment of the outdoors to the greatest extent imaginable at the time. For example, when going to a beach, a party of two or more persons will desire to bring beach towels, a beach umbrella, FRISBEES flying discs, a radio or other source of music, a cooler for furnishing refreshing beverages and snack foods, extra clothing, etc. Carrying all of these items from a vehicle to the final desired location can be daunting at times. Thus, there exists a need in the art for a device or means for providing the vast majority of the needs of a typical party seeking to enjoy recreation in the outdoors, which is readily transportable. The present invention provides a solution to these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides, without limitation, a device useful for providing a portable, retractable sheltered environment which comprises a backpack that comprises: i) a main body portion having an interior space, a top portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a bottom portion. There is also a floor stowage compartment disposed on the interior surface, wherein the floor stowage compartment has an interior space. There is a floor portion disposed within the floor stowage compartment, and the floor portion is attached to the backpack. There is also a canopy stowage compartment disposed on said top portion, and the canopy stowage compartment has an interior space. There is a canopy disposed within said canopy stowage compartment, and the canopy portion is attached to the backpack. 
         [0005]    Also provided is a portable sheltered environment that comprises: a) a floor portion; b) a support frame disposed above the floor portion; c) a canopy portion, supported in place by the support frame; and d) a backpack, itself having: i) a top portion; ii) a bottom portion; iii) an interior surface; iv) an exterior surface; and iv) an interior space, wherein the floor portion and the canopy portion are each attached to the backpack. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    In the annexed drawings: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with some of its essential features in their stowed position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a partially-extended position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a partially-extended position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a partially-extended position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a partially-extended position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6A  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a fully-extended position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6B  shows a perspective view of a sub-portion of a combination according to the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with two of its essential features in a fully-extended position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a fully-extended position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a fully-extended position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a fully-extended position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a fully-extended position, and one of its essential features in a stowed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with one of its essential features in a fully-extended position, and one of its essential features in a partially-extended position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with three of its essential features in a fully-extended position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with three of its essential features in a fully-extended position; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with three of its essential features in a fully-extended position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1  there is shown a perspective view of a backpack  10  according to one embodiment of the invention, with some of its essential features in their stowed position. While the backpack  10  is referred to herein as a “backpack”, in addition to having a capability to carry items stored within its confines, as a backpack, it also has a hidden capability of functioning as a portable, retractable sheltered environment, as described herein. The combination provided by the present invention can be thought of as including a construct that is construable as a backpack, as one of its elements, in combination with other elements. In general terms, a backpack is a device that is designed to be worn on the back of a person, to enable them to carry various items while walking or hiking activities. To achieve such functionality, a backpack typically includes a main body, and a means for attaching the main body to the wearer, which predominantly includes a pair of straps that the wearer slips their arms through when mounting the backpack on their back, as is known in the art. A backpack  10  according to the invention preferably includes such straps, although none are shown in this  FIG. 1 . Backpacks are also known to optionally employ waist flaps that are used in combination with a belt that attaches around the waist of the wearer after their arms have been slipped through the straps and the unit is disposed on the person&#39;s back, to impart additional stability. The backpack of the invention may also optionally include such waist flaps. 
         [0024]    A backpack  10  according to the invention may be comprised of any material or fabric from which conventional backpacks are constructed, including sheets of natural fiber, synthetic, or polymeric fibers (woven and non-woven) held to one another by stitching, sewn, thermowelded, or other conventional means used for attaching panels or sheets to one another to provide a construct which collectively comprises a conventional backpack. The preferred materials of construction for a backpack according to the invention include canvas and nylon, with woven nylon being most preferable due to its strength, workability, dyeability, and waterproof qualities. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 1  the backpack  10  includes a left waist flap  7  and a right waist flap  8 , which are those portions which hug the wearer&#39;s waist when the pack is mounted to a wearer, for added overall stability. The backpack  10  has an interior surface, which is that general surface of the backpack  10  which contacts the wearer&#39;s back when the pack is mounted to its wearer. In the embodiment shown, the interior surface includes a floor stowage compartment flap  17 , which acts as a door enabling one access to the floor stowage compartment  15 , (which is essentially a pocket or space enclosed beneath stowage compartment flap  17 ) when the floor stowage compartment flap  17  is opened. The floor stowage compartment flap  17  is preferably attached to the interior surface permanently along a portion of its perimeter, and its selective opening or closing is accomplished by a fastening means which may include a zipper, snaps, hook-and-loop fastening means (i.e., VELCRO® fasteners) or other conventional fastening means disposed at other conventional locations along its perimeter, as is known in the art of backpacks and the like. A zipper is preferably employed, and when chosen, one half the zipper is disposed along a portion  16  of the fabric of the interior surface of the backpack, the remaining complementary half of the zipper being disposed on the complementary perimeter of the floor stowage compartment flap  17 . This construct may also be thought of as being that of a backpack having a zippered pocket on the interior surface of the backpack which faces the back of the wearer of the backpack when mounted on the wearer. The floor stowage compartment  15  is shown partially opened, for purposes of illustration, with the floor stowage compartment flap  17  being in an opened position, revealing the floor portion  18  stowed inside the floor stowage compartment  15  in its location where it resides while the backpack  10  is being transported. The floor portion may exist in any shape, as desired, and accordingly inherently has a perimeter, whether rectangular, circular, hexagonal, octagonal, trigonal, trapezoidal, oval, etc. The backpack  10  also includes a top portion  3  and a bottom portion  5 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a backpack  10  according to one embodiment of the invention, with its floor portion  18  in a partially-extended position, having been pulled out of the floor stowage compartment  15 , the floor portion  18  being attached to the backpack at the bottom portion  5  of the backpack, by means of floor attachment flap  27 . The floor attachment flap  27  is preferably a piece of fabric (including those hereinbefore described) which is attached to the backpack at the bottom portion  5  of the backpack, but preferably at a location inside of the floor stowage compartment  15 , to permit the floor portion  18  and the floor attachment flap to both completely reside within the confines of the floor stowage compartment  15  when the stowage compartment flap  17  ( FIG. 1 ) is closed, when the backpack  10  is to be transported. In a preferred embodiment, the floor portion  18  is attached to the floor portion attachment flap  27  by means of a zipper ( FIG. 4 ), which enables removal of the floor portion  18  for cleaning, when desired. In another embodiment, the floor portion  18  and the floor portion attachment flap  27  comprise a single construct, which is attached to the backpack by means of a zippered junction disposed between such a composite construct and the backpack itself, at the bottom portion  5  of the backpack  10 , but preferably at any location within the floor stowage compartment  15 , to enable the floor portion to be concealed within the floor stowage compartment  15 , such as during transport of the backpack  10 . Thus, to extend the floor portion  18  as shown in  FIG. 2 , one first opens the stowage compartment flap  17  ( FIG. 1 ), grasps the floor portion  18 , and pulls it out from the confines of the floor stowage compartment to a position as shown in  FIG. 2 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  are the respective locations of the left waist flap  7 , right waist flap  9 , left strap  11 , right strap  13 , and top portion  3 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with its floor portion  18  in a partially-extended position. In this  FIG. 3 , the floor portion has been opened up a bit more than it was, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and is tucked underneath the bottom portion  5  of the backpack  10 . That is, the backpack  10  is resting atop a portion of its floor portion  18 . The floor portion attachment flap  27  is visible, and the respective locations of the left waist flap  7 , right waist flap  9 , right strap  13 , left strap  11 , and top portion  3  are also depicted. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with the floor portion  18  in a partially-extended position, and wherein the backpack  10  is resting with its interior surface towards the ground. Shown herein are the features disposed on the exterior surface of the backpack  10 , including audio speaker  45 , audio speaker  47 , storage pocket  49 , and storage pouch  51 . The audio speakers  45 ,  47  may be attached to the exterior surface of the backpack by conventional means, including being disposed in a pocket sewn therein, or attached directly by means of VELCRO® fasteners or the like (including straps with snaps) attached to both the backpack exterior surface and the rear of the speakers  45 ,  47 , such as by an adhesive. The floor attachment flap  27  is also shown, attached at the interior edge  53  of the bottom portion  5  of the backpack  10 , in this case by stitching. There is a zipper  29 , which serves as a means for selective removal of the floor portion  18  from the floor attachment flap  27 , for washing or other purposes, and the location of the top portion  3  is also shown. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a backpack  10  according to the embodiment of the invention shown previously in  FIG. 4 , with the backpack  10  in an upright position. The respective locations of the left strap  11 , right strap  13 , left waist flap  7 , right waist flap  9 , top portion  3  and floor stowage compartment flap  17  (in closed position). The floor portion  18  is also shown, attached to the floor attachment flap by means of zipper  29 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6A  shows a perspective view of a backpack  10  according to one embodiment of the invention, with its floor portion  18  in a fully-extended position, with the remainder of the backpack  10  resting thereon. In this  FIG. 6A  the floor portion  18  is seen to include staking tags  59 ,  61 ,  63 ,  65  disposed at the corners of the floor portion  18 . These staking tags in one embodiment are rectangularly-shaped pieces of fabric having a metallic eyelet through their surface, which enable stakes to be located therethrough and driven into the ground, for the purpose of anchoring the floor portion  18  in a stable position on the ground. Such staking tags  59 ,  61 ,  63 ,  65  are known in the art of tents and the staking of ground-based tarpaulins into secure position. Although described as rectangular, the staking tags may be of any geometric shape and may also simply comprise an eyelet disposed through the surface of the floor portion  18  itself in any functionally-equivalent location that secures the floor portion  18  in a substantially stationary position. 
         [0031]    Also shown disposed on the floor portion  18  in  FIG. 6A  are first seat pocket  19 , first seat support pocket  21 , second seat pocket  23 , and second seat support pocket  25 . The first seat pocket  19  and second seat support pocket  25  in their simplest forms comprise sheets of fabric, stitched or otherwise adhered or fastened to the floor portion  18  around their perimeters, with an opening along a portion of their perimeters as indicated by the arrows, which enables insertion of a first portion of a flexible cushion  35  ( FIG. 8 ) therein, as later described. 
         [0032]    The first seat support pocket  21  and second seat support pocket  25  are also adapted to receive a portion of a flexible cushion, but are structured a little differently than the first seat pocket  19  and second seat support pocket  25 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . In  FIG. 6B  is shown a close-up of a sub-portion of a combination according to the invention, including the floor portion  18 , the first seat pocket  19 , and the first seat support pocket  21 . The first seat support pocket  21  preferably includes a first sheet  79  which is attached to the floor portion  18  at its first end, which is anchored portion  77  by any of the conventional means as previously described. There is also a second sheet  81  which is attached to the first sheet  79  at the upper portion of its perimeter by conventional means; however, an opening is provided as indicated by the arrow X in  FIG. 6B , which enables insertion of a second portion of a flexible cushion  35  ( FIG. 9 ). Disposed at the extreme end of the first seat support pocket  21  is a section of reinforcing fabric  73  which runs the width of the first seat support pocket  21  at its end, and further includes holes  83 ,  85  at the ends of the reinforcing fabric  73 . These holes  83 ,  85  are adapted to receive seat support rods  35 ,  37  as later described. The second seat support pocket  25  is also configured in this fashion. In some of the figures herein, the first and second seat support pockets are represented as rectangles, but this is for descriptive purposes of the general locations of these features. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with its floor portion  18  in a fully-extended position and further comprising canopy support frame elements. The first support frame element  31  has its first end portion disposed through the staking tag  61  and its second end portion disposed through the staking tag  63 , and the second support frame element  33  has its first end portion disposed through the staking tag  59  and its second end portion disposed through the staking tag  65 . These support frame elements are preferably comprised of a flexible composite material, such as graphite or fiberglass, or functional equivalents thereof, and are in widespread general use in the tent-making art, including shock-corded tent poles which are well-known in the art. 
         [0034]    Collectively, the first support frame element  31  and second support frame element  33  comprise a support frame, about or atop which the canopy portion  43  may be disposed or reside upon or atop, as later described. Also shown in  FIG. 7  are the first seat pocket  19 , second seat pocket  23 , first seat support pocket  21  and second seat support pocket  25 , as well as the backpack  10 , attached to the floor portion via the floor attachment flap  27 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a backpack  10  according to one embodiment of the invention, with the floor portion  18  in a fully-extended position, and also showing a first flexible cushion  35  having one of its end portions inserted into the first seat pocket  19 . Also shown are the staking tags  59 ,  61 ,  63 ,  65 , the first seat support pocket  21 , second seat pocket  23 , second seat support pocket  25  and floor attachment flap  27 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a backpack  10  according to one embodiment of the invention, with a portion of its floor portion  18  in a fully-extended position. There is shown a first flexible cushion  35  having one of its end portions inserted into the first seat pocket  19 , and its other end portion inserted into the pocket on the first seat support pocket  21  which is oriented in a substantially vertical position with respect to the floor potion  18  after having received the first seat cushion  35 . The first seat support pocket is held in such a substantially vertical position by means of support rods ( FIG. 10 ), which support rods are held in position by both the reinforcing fabric  73  ( FIG. 6B ) and a rod receiving reinforcement  71 . The rod receiving reinforcement  71  may comprise a strip of fabric as previously described, having holes  87 ,  89  disposed through each of its end portions which are provided with reinforcing rivets, and which holes  87 ,  89  are adapted to receive an end of the support rods ( FIG. 10 ). The rod receiving reinforcement is attached to the floor portion by conventional means as previously described, preferably at a location between the holes  87 ,  89 . In one embodiment, the holes  87 ,  89  extend through the floor portion  18 . In another embodiment, the holes  87 ,  89  do not extend through the floor portion  18  and the floor portion  18  preferably provides a barrier between its top surface and the ground beneath it, capable of precluding moisture, insects and the like, analogously to the floor of a conventional tent. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with a portion of its floor portion  18  a fully-extended position. The backpack  10  is shown attached to the floor portion  18  by means of the floor attachment flap  27 . Also shown is the backside of a completed seating assembly according to a preferred form of the invention. The respective locations of the first seat pocket  19  and first seat support pocket  21  are shown, including the reinforcing fabric  73  and rod receiving reinforcement  71 . There is a first seat support rod  37 , having its first end portion disposed in hole  87  of the rod receiving reinforcement  71  and its second end portion disposed in a hole  85  of the reinforcing fabric  73 . There is a second seat support rod  39 , having its first end portion disposed in hole  89  of the rod receiving reinforcement  71  and its second end portion disposed in a hole  83  of the reinforcing fabric  73 . The seat support rods  37 ,  39  may be comprised of any sufficiently rigid material to support a portion of the first flexible cushion in a substantially vertical position relative to the floor portion, when a person sits on the cushion. That is, the support rods support the lateral forces exerted by a person&#39;s back when they sit on the cushion  35 , and support them in a seating position analogously to the back of a common chair. The seat pockets, seat support pockets, and seat support rods collectively comprise a seating means disposed on the floor portion  18 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with the floor portion  18  in a fully-extended position, and the canopy  43  in a stowed position within the canopy stowage compartment  41 , which is located at the top portion  3  of the backpack  10 . The canopy stowage compartment  41  is a pocket disposed at the top portion  3  of the backpack, and is analogous in construction, features, and function to the floor stowage compartment  15  inasmuch as it comprises a selectably openable/closable pocket, into which an element of the invention, that is preferably attached to the backpack  10 , may be stored during the wearing of the back pack by a person or when not in use. Thus, the canopy stowage compartment is a pocket which may be closable by means of conventional closure means, including zippers, snaps and the like as such are in common use in the art of backpacks. Shown also are the respective locations of the left waist flap  7 , right waist flap  9 , left strap  11  and right strap  13 , floor attachment flap  27  and bottom interior edge  53 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the invention, with the floor portion  18  in a fully-extended position, and the canopy  43  in a partially-extended position outside the canopy stowage compartment  41  that is located at the top portion  3  of the backpack  10 . Eventually during setup, the person using a backpack  10  according to the invention will remove the canopy  43  as much as possible from the canopy stowage compartment  41 , but not completely always, as, the canopy is preferably attached to the backpack itself, at any location within the canopy stowage compartment  41 . The means of attachment of the canopy to the backpack  10  may be as previously described for the floor portion  18 , such as removably connected to an attachment flap equipped with snaps or a zipper, etc., or the canopy  43  may be directly adhered, sewn, stitched or attached to such an attachment flap, or to a surface of a fabric disposed within the canopy stowage compartment. In one preferred embodiment, the opening of the canopy stowage compartment  41  faces the interior surface of the backpack  10 . In an alternate embodiment, the canopy  43  (and/or the floor portion  18 ) is attached to the backpack  10  at any exterior surface. 
         [0040]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a backpack  10  according to one embodiment of the invention, with its floor portion  18 , the first support frame element  31 , the second support frame element  33  and canopy  43  all in their fully-extended positions. Also shown are the locations of the second seat pocket  23 , and the second seat support pocket  25 .  FIG. 14  shows a view of this assembly from a different perspective. In  FIG. 14  are shown the respective locations of the backpack  10 , floor portion  18 , staking tags  61 ,  65 , first support frame element  31 , and second support frame element  33 . Disposed on the floor portion  18  are the first seat pocket  19 , first seat support pocket  21 , second seat pocket  23 , and second seat support pocket  25 . A first flexible cushion  35  is in position, having one of its end portions inserted into the first seat pocket  19 , with its other end portion inserted into the pocket on the first seat support pocket  25 . A second flexible cushion  57  is in position, having one of its end portions inserted into the second seat pocket  23 , with its other end portion inserted into the pocket on the first seat support pocket  21 . In a preferred embodiment, the canopy  43  is draped over the first support frame element  31  and second support frame element  33  to form a roof, which can shelter individuals residing on the flexible cushions  35 ,  57  from sun and rain. Such an arrangement is particularly adapted to be useful on beaches and campgrounds; however, a portable, retractable sheltered environment backpack according to the invention can be set up anywhere a user desires. The canopy  43  may be of any shape desired by the user, but is preferably contoured to drape sufficiently over the support frame elements  31 ,  33  to provide shelter from sun and rain above the canopy  43  so draped. Towards stabilizing the arrangement, securing straps of nylon, “bungee” cords or the like may be attached between the points labeled C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4 , and a stake driven through the respective staking tag immediately beneath it. To enable such stabilization, the canopy  43  is provided with holes through its surface at the portions coincident with the points at C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4 , which holes are analogous to the holes in the staking tags and preferably include a metallic eyelet or rivet for durability. In an alternate embodiment, a conventional staking tag is attached to the canopy at each of these points. In another alternate embodiment, a loop of fabric is fastened to the canopy at each of the points corresponding to C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4 . Any functionally-equivalent means of providing a location at which a strap or bungee may be attached to the canopy  43  at points C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4  is within the scope of the invention, as means for attaching sheets of fabrics and the like to stationary objects such as ground stakes are known in the art. 
         [0041]    According to a preferred combination of the invention, each staking tag has both an end portion of a support frame element and a ground stake disposed through its hole. In alternate embodiments, there are two holes on each staking tag, one for receiving an end portion of a support frame element and one for receiving a ground stake. It is always preferably for durability that such holes be lined with metal, such as rivets or eyelets, which are well-known in the art to be used in such employment. 
         [0042]    Thus, a person and a companion may each occupy one of the flexible cushions  35 ,  57 , at a day at the beach, at a campsite, at an outdoor park or theatre, etc. Use of the structure shown in  FIG. 14  from a backpack shown in  FIG. 1  is simple and takes less than about five minutes to set up. The user can stow the backpack  10  from  FIG. 1  readily in the trunk of a typical automobile, with plenty of room to spare. In use, one may secure the backpack  10  to their back, then walk to a desired location. The backpack  10  is placed on the ground and the floor portion is removed from the floor stowage compartment and spread flat as shown in the various figures herein, and staked into position by driving ground stakes into the ground and through the staking tags. The backpack is located atop the floor  18  as shown in the figures, and the support frame elements are put into position to provide the structure shown in  FIG. 7 . Next, the canopy stowage compartment  41  is opened and the canopy  43  removed therefrom and draped over the support frame elements. The canopy is secured in position by securing the canopy at points C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4 , preferably to the ground stakes. Flexible seat cushions  35 ,  57  are placed in their respective seat support pocket and seat pocket, and the sheltered environment is ready to be enjoyed. When a translucent material such as a colored nylon or green canvas is employed as the material from which the canopy is made, the sheltered environment can shade out the sun. However, the present invention includes embodiments in which the canopy  43  is comprised of translucent materials as well. 
         [0043]      FIG. 15  shows a close-up view of an optional and synergistic feature of the arrangement of the backpack  10  present as shown in  FIG. 14 . In  FIG. 15 , the top of the backpack comprises a hinged lid  67 , which opens as shown to reveal an interior space  69 , useful for containing various and sundry items, which in a preferred embodiment comprises thermally-insulated cooler compartment within the backpack  10 , useful for maintaining foods and beverages at a temperature that is elevated or depressed relative to the ambient surroundings. The thermal insulation may be any known insulation material and may be disposed on the walls in the interior or exterior surface of the space contained within the body of the backpack, but is preferably on the interior. In such an embodiment, the canopy storage compartment  41  is disposed atop the hinged lid  67  when the backpack is in the position shown in  FIG. 1 . The hinged lid  67  is attached to the body of the backpack  10  by any conventional means, such as conventional hinges, or an effective hinge which comprises a sheet of fabric material as described herein, as hinges made from fabrics are known in the art, US patent application 20050139558 being but one example, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment, the hinged lid  67  is comprised of a fabric as herein described, which may be a two-ply fabric construction that is reinforced with a rigid material, as such reinforced fabrics are known in the art. The preferred locations of attachment of the canopy  43  and floor portion  18  enable the backpack  10  to be disposed as shown in  FIG. 15 , which enables the lid portion  67  to open as shown. In addition, the persons enjoying a portable, retractable sheltered environment provided by the invention also have the benefit of being able to listen to sounds emitted by the speakers  45 ,  47  disposed on the exterior surface of the backpack  10 , which sounds may include voice and music. Thus, the present invention provides a portable, retractable sheltered environment that can be carried to and enjoyed at many terrestrial locations. 
         [0044]    Although preferably attached to any location within the confines of the canopy stowage compartment and floor stowage compartment, the canopy portion and floor portion may each be attached to any location on any surface that is external to the interior space  69  of the backpack, using conventional means as herein described, including without limitation stitching, thermowelding, or by zippers, snaps, VELCRO® fasteners and the like, etc. 
         [0045]    According to one alternate embodiment of the invention, there is provided a box, which exists substantially in the form of a rectangular solid, having a hollow interior space in which various and sundry items may be placed, as such boxes are known in the art. Such a box according to the invention also includes a plurality of straps, as described herein, which enable a person to mount such a box on their back for transportation. In one embodiment, such as box has a hinged lid portion, as such are known in the art, and further comprises a canopy stowage compartment as in  41 ,  FIG. 11 , disposed atop such hinged lid portion, wherein there is disposed within such stowage compartment a canopy that is attached to the entire construct at a point within or adjacent to any perimeter portion of the stowage compartment using conventional means. Such a box also inherently includes an interior surface, which is facing the wearer&#39;s back or is in substantial contact therewith, when worn by a user. Such a box according to this embodiment of the invention includes a pocket attached to the interior surface of such a box, in which a tarpaulin or floor portion as described herein is contained, which floor portion is attached to the entire construct at a portion within or adjacent to any perimeter portion of the pocket on the interior surface of such a box according to this embodiment of the invention. Such a box may be constructed of rigid material, such as thin plywood, sheets of polymeric material, sheets of composite materials, sheet metal, or any fabric as described herein, or any combination of the foregoing, with a fabric material being preferred due to its being lightweight and soft against the back of the wearer, in addition to being waterproof in the case of polymeric fabrics or canvasses comprised of natural or synthetic fibers. Thus, in such embodiment, such box is functionally-equivalent to what is commonly construed in the art as a backpack, but modified to provide a construct according to the present invention. Within this embodiment, such a box may further comprise waist flaps, as previously described herein, along with belt straps, the use of which are known in the art to aid in stability of the device when mounted to a wearer. Waist flaps  7 ,  9  and the straps  11 , 13  as hereinbefore described and functional equivalents thereof are all means for mounting a device according to the invention to a wearer. 
         [0046]    According to another alternate optional embodiment, a flexible screen material (including “mosquito netting”, as are well-known in the tent-making arts) may be attached to the construct shown in  FIG. 14 , in order to provide a portable, retractable sheltered environment that is also capable of excluding insects from the interior confines defined by the floor portion  18 , canopy  43 , and netting so disposed. Such a netting may be attached to the construct of  FIG. 14  using any conventional fastening means, and is preferably contoured to provide a completely enclosed space interior to the aforesaid confines, to preclude insects and other pests from entering. In a preferred embodiment, such mosquito netting is attached to the remainder of the construct by a hook-and-loop fastening means. 
         [0047]    Consideration must be given to the fact that although this invention has been described and disclosed in relation to certain preferred embodiments, obvious equivalent modifications and alterations thereof will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in this art upon reading and understanding this specification and the claims appended hereto. This includes subject matter defined by any combination of any one of the various claims appended hereto with any one or more of the remaining claims, including the incorporation of the features and/or limitations of any dependent claim, singly or in combination with features and/or limitations of any one or more of the other dependent claims, with features and/or limitations of any one or more of the independent claims, with the remaining dependent claims in their original text being read and applied to any independent claims so modified. This also includes combination of the features and/or limitations of one or more of the independent claims with features and/or limitations of any other independent claim(s) to arrive at a modified independent claim, with any or all of the remaining dependent claims in their original text being read and applied to any independent claim(s) so modified. Accordingly, the presently disclosed invention is intended to cover all such modifications and alterations, and is limited only by the scope of the claims which follow.