RUCKSACK WITH FLEXIBLE ADJUSTABLE FRAME

Abstract: The rucksack includes a flexible frame (6) fitted to the dorsal region of the sack (4) and tensioning means (8) attached to the frame to flex it longitudinally into a predetermined arcuate configuration.

Description: The present invention relates to a rucksack as described in the pre-characterising portion of claim 1. In mountaineering or hiking rucksacks, it is known to use a flexible frame, typically of plastics or glass fibre, which has a stiffening or supporting function for the sack but acts principally as a spacer between the dorsal region of the sack and the back of the carrier so as to provide adequate ventilation for the carrier's back. The main disadvantage of rucksacks with frames of the type mentioned above lies in the impossibility of adapting the rucksack itself and its frame to the size of the carrier's back. In fact, the extremely high cost of the moulds for producing the frame renders economically prohibitive the manufacture of frames in different sizes so as to satisfy the requirements of comfort of each user. FR-A-913 344 describes a rucksack having a flexible, metallic, triangular frame including a turned upside down Y-shaped belt connected to the corners of the frame. The length of the central vertical portion of the belt can be varied by means of a buckle and so the frame can adapt itself to different lengths of carrier's back. The object of the present invention is to provide a rucksack with improved and more reliable means for adjusting its length. This object is obtained through a rucksack as described in the characterising portion of claim 1. Preferably, the upper end of each of the shoulder-straps of the rucksack is connected to the tensioning member adjacent the upper fastening means. Particularly by virtue of this latter characteristic, in the rucksack of the invention, it is possible simultaneously to vary the arcuate configuration of the frame and to adjust the position of application of the shoulder-straps, thus allowing the rucksack to be adapted to the size of the carrier's back. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rucksack according to the invention, Figure 2 is a partially-sectioned side view taken in the plane II-II of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a partial view of the detail of Figure 3 in an alternative embodiment. With reference to the drawings, a rucksack 2 according to the invention comprises a sack 4 with shoulder-straps 7, a flexible frame 6 fitted to the dorsal zone of the sack, and tensioning means, generally indicated 8, attached to the frame 6 and arranged to flex the frame longitudinally into a predetermined arcuate configuration. The frame 6, which is of plastics material or glass resin, preferably has an upper cross member 10 and a lower cross member 12 joined by a flexible body 14 with stiffening ribs 16. Even at rest, that is, without tensioning means attached to it, the body 14 preferably has a slightly arcuate configuration. The lower cross member 12 is fixed to the rucksack adjacent the bottom of the sack by tape loops 18. The upper cross member 10 is fixed to the rucksack adjacent the open end of the sack by means of a pair of tapes 20. According to the invention, the frame 6 has a plurality of slots 22a and 22b disposed in a row along the body 16 for the attachment of a tensioning member 24 described in more detail below. Preferably, the slots 22a and 22b are arranged respectively in a first row formed in a neck zone 23 of the body of the frame adjacent the upper cross member 10 and in a second row formed in an appendage 26 extending centrally from the lower cross member 12 towards the upper cross member 10. The appendage 26 preferably extends from the lower cross member substantially in the direction of the imaginary chord joining the longitudinal ends of the frame. The tensioning member 24 is constituted by a tape provided with a buckle 28a and 28b at each end. The buckles 28a and 28b are intended to be introduced into respective slots 22a and 22b of the appendage 26 and the neck zone 23 respectively to fix the tape 24 in a condition in which it tensions the frame into a predetermined longitudinal position and keeps the frame in the desired arcuate configuration. Preferably, as indicated in the drawings, the tape 24 is sewn to an upholstered pad 30 which, in use of the rucksack, will bear at least partly against the back of the carrier. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the upper end of each of the shoulder-straps 7 is fixed to the pad 30 adjacent its upper end. Thus, in the rucksack of the invention, it is possible to adjust the curvature of the frame and the point of application of the shoulder-straps simultaneously by varying the position of attachment of the buckles 28a and 28b in the respective slots 22a and 22b. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the frame 6 in which two arms 32 project from the upper cross member 10 for attachment to the sack adjacent its open end. Such a configuration of the frame enables the longitudinal extent of the frame to be varied easily in the mould intended to produce the frame by a simple variation of the length of the arms 32, and this allows the frame of the invention to be adapted to sacks of different sizes. Naturally, the rucksack of the invention could be provided with all the conventional accessories such as, for example, a pad 34 for attachment to the lower cross member to act as a rest and spacer in the lumbar region. The pad 34 has a belt 40 for fastening around the carrier's waist, which may be attached to the cross member 12 by introducing clasps 36 carried by the pad into corresponding slots 38 formed at the ends of the cross member 12.

Claims: Rucksack including a flexible frame (6) fitted to the dorsal region of the sack (4) and tensioning means (24, 28a, 28b and 22) attached to the frame to flex it longitudinally into a predetermined arcuate configuration, characterized in that the tensioning means comprise a flexible tensioning member (24), upper fastening means (28a) and lower fastening means (28b) carried by longitudinally opposite portions of the tensioning member, and a plurality of engagement means (22a, 22b) disposed longitudinally along the body of the frame and arranged in pairs for engagement with the upper and lower fastening means to fix the tensioning member in a condition in which it tensions the frame into a predetermined longitudinal position. Rucksack according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper end of each shoulder-strap (7) has associated tensioning means. Rucksack according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper and lower fastening means are constituted by respective buckles (28a, 28b) associated with respective ends of the tensioning member, and the engagement means comprise a plurality of slots (22a, 22b) located in a row along the body of the frame. Rucksack according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tensioning member is constituted by a tape or the like. Rucksack according to Claim 4, characterized in that it further includes a pad (30) fixed to the tape on its side facing the user's back in use. Rucksack according to Claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the upper end of each of the shoulder-straps is fixed to the pad. Rucksack according to Claim 1, in which the frame comprises an upper cross member (10) and a lower cross member (12) joined by a flexible body (l4), characterized in that the frame includes an appendage (26) extending longitudinally from the lower cross member towards the upper cross member and provided with a plurality of slots (22b) located in a row, the portion of the body of the frame adjacent the upper cross member has a plurality of slots (22a) located in a row extending from the upper cross member towards the lower cross member, and the tensioning means comprise a tape having a buckle at each end for engaging a respective slot. Rucksack according to Claim 7, characterized in that the appendage extends from the lower cross member substantially in the direction of the imaginary chord joining the longitudinal ends of the frame.

Inventors: GARRINO, MARIO
Applicants: PROPOSTA S.P.A.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A45F3
IPC codes: A45F3