Abstract:
A system to elevate the backpack, hydration pack, fanny pack, or the like off the wearer&#39;s skin. The system has a pliable support structure that provides for pressure relief and good ventilation between a wearer&#39;s back and a conventional pack and an attachment support to for attachment to a conventional pack.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/436,305, entitled “PACK SUPPORTING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM” filed on Dec. 24, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention is related to the field of activity which may involve carrying items on a person&#39;s or animal&#39;s back or other parts of the body, such as hiking, biking, exercising, carrying school supplies, or working, and in particular to an activity requires the wearing of a: backpack, hydration pack, fanny pack or the like; hereafter referred to as “pack” for simplification.  
           [0004]    The purpose of the invention is to support and elevate a pack off of the wearer&#39;s skin or other bodily part in order to reduce the pack&#39;s surface area in contact with the wearer, thusly increasing ventilation and exposed wearer&#39;s body surface area to maximize cooling, therefore reducing perspiration and water consumption, while increasing performance, comfort, and physical and mental endurance.  
           [0005]    When wearing conventional backpacks and the like, the contact of the backpack with the wearer&#39;s back can interfere with the back from participating in cooling of a person&#39;s body temperature. The device can be worn by any person wearing a pack and desiring additional cooling, performance, endurance and comfort during an activity.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    This invention raises the pack from the wearer&#39;s skin by means of supports or cushions positioned between the wearer and the pack, creating ventilation. These cushions will support the weight of the pack (most of the weight is dispersed through the two shoulder straps), while increasing the amount of the user&#39;s surface area available for cooling. The wearer&#39;s exposed body surface area is now available for cooling and to reduce excess perspiration.  
           [0007]    Without the invention, the entire pack&#39;s surface area is in contact with the wearer&#39;s body; the result is the wearer&#39;s increased body temperature due to the covered area not exposed to the atmosphere for cooling. As a result of the wearer&#39;s increased body temperature, some possible drawbacks can include: increased perspiration; increased need for water consumption; increased chance of dehydration and hypothermia; decreased physical performance and endurance; and possibly also decreased mental performance and endurance.  
           [0008]    The invention&#39;s ventilation benefits may lead to a lowering of the wearer&#39;s body temperature, resulting in increased physical output and endurance, and decreased water consumption. In addition, the wearer will be in greater comfort due to a massaging effect of the invention&#39;s cushions, leading to increased mental performance and endurance. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the wearer and an exemplary pack being supported off the wearer&#39;s back by an exemplary supporting system.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of the wearer and the exemplary pack of FIG. 1 being supported off the wearer&#39;s back by exemplary supporting system.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevated view of the exemplary supporting system and of a pack.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a side view of a method of attaching the exemplary supporting system to an exemplary, preexisting commercial off the shelf pack.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is an elevated view of a method of attaching the exemplary supporting system to a preexisting commercial off the shelf pack.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is an elevated view of a method of attaching the supporting system to a preexisting commercial off the shelf pack.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a side view of a method of attaching the supporting system to a preexisting commercial off the shelf pack.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is an elevated view of a method of attaching the supporting system to a preexisting commercial off the shelf pack.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a side view of a method of attaching the supporting system to a preexisting commercial off the shelf pack.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a side view of the support system consisting of vertically aligned cylindrical or hose shapes and a pack.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a side view of the cylindrical or hose type support that is cut out in the center.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a top view of the support system consisting of vertically aligned cylindrical or hose shapes and a pack.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 is a side view of the supporting system consisting of conical shapes and a pack.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 14 is an elevated view of the supporting system consisting of conical shapes.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 15 is a side view of the supporting system consisting of pyramid shapes and a pack.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 16 is an elevated view of the supporting system consisting of pyramid shapes and a pack.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 17 is a side view of the supporting system consisting of cylindrical peg shapes and a pack.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 18 is an elevated view of the supporting system consisting of cylindrical peg shapes and a pack.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 19 is a side view of the supporting system consisting of rectangular and square block shapes and a pack.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 20 is an elevated view of the supporting system consisting of rectangular and square block shapes and a pack.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 21 is a side view of the supporting system consisting of torus and semi-circular shapes and a pack.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 22 is an elevated view of the supporting system consisting of torus and semi-circular shapes and a pack.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 23 is an elevated view of interlocked elongated springs or spirals.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 24 is a side view of the supporting system consisting of interlocked and separate elongated springs aligned vertically and horizontally, and a pack.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 25 is an elevated view of the supporting system consisting of interlocked and separate elongated springs aligned vertically and horizontally, and a pack.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 26 is a top view of one way to integrate the supporting system by sewing into a pack at the time manufacturing. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0035]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pack  2  is raised off wearer&#39;s body  1  with the use of supports  3 . The purpose of the invention is to increase the airflow between the wearer  1  and the pack  2 . This increased airflow will permit the wearer  1  to cool at a faster and more efficient rate. For a heavier pack  2 , the size, type and number of supports  3  used can be changed.  
         [0036]    As can be seen by reference to FIG. 3, the pack  2  can have various sizes and arrangements of supports  3 , including the horizontal supports  3  used as a lumbar support. In FIG. 3 the supports  3  are cylindrical shaped, and can be easily woven, molded, or integrated with a pack  2  at the time of manufacturing the pack.  
         [0037]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, these figures illustrate how the supports  3  are attached to a pack  2 , which can be a conventional, preexisting commercial off the shelf pack. The supports  3  would be mounted onto a back plate  6 . The back plate  6  can be made out of foam, rubber or plastic. The back plate&#39;s  6  surface facing the pack  2  could be a non-slip nature. The back plate  6  could have slots  5 , in which straps  4  or similar method would be looped around the pack&#39;s shoulder straps  7 . The straps  4  can be nylon with a fastener or hook and loop as a means to close the strap.  
         [0038]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, they illustrate another method for attaching the invention to a preexisting commercial off the shelf pack  2 . The supports  3  can be mounted onto semi-rigid strips  8 . The semi-rigid strips  8  can be made from materials such as plastic, thin metal, fiberglass, Kevlar, or carbon fiber. The semi-rigid strips  8  are woven into a durable fabric, nylon or cloth, forming a back plate  6 . The back plate&#39;s  6  surface facing the pack  2  can be of a non-slip nature. The back plate  6  is affixed to the pack  2  using straps  11  that would wrap around the exterior of the pack  2 . The straps  11  can be joined by buckles  10 , fasteners  10 , or hook and loop  10 . The straps  11  can have elastic built with them, assuring a snug fit with the pack  2 .  
         [0039]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, they illustrate another method for attaching the invention to a preexisting commercial off the shelf pack  2 . The back plate  6  can be made from a semi-rigid material such as dense foam, rubber, or pliable nylon. The back plate  6  is held on to the pack  2  by unfastening and inserting the pack&#39;s  2  straps  7  through the four slots  5 . The straps  7  are then refastened and the back plate  6  is held securely because the back plate is resting at the point where the straps  7  are sewn to the pack  2 .  
         [0040]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 10 through 12, the invention can be designed using hose  12 ,  13  or cylindrical shapes  12 ,  13 . FIG. 10 illustrates a 3-D hose support  12 . FIG. 11 illustrates a hose support  13  cut out in the center  14 . This cut out support  13  reduces the contact area with the wearer  1 , while maintaining the integrity of the support  13 . The supports  12 ,  13  will allow cushioning for the wearer  1  as the hose  12 ,  13  is compressed. The support&#39;s  12 ,  13  compression will also allow the invention to comfortably follow the contours of the wearer&#39;s  1  back. These supports  12 ,  13  can be of any length or diameter. A large diameter can easily carry the weight of a heavy pack  2 , while creating a sufficient area for air to circulate.  
         [0041]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the invention can be designed using conical shapes  15 . FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the cones, as well as a 3-D conical support  15 . The number of supports  15  can be increased and the pattern changed to accommodate a heavier pack  2 . The supports  15  can be manufactured from rubber, silicon, or foam. The tip of the support  15  facing the wearer  1  can be rounded off for additional wearer&#39;s  1  comfort.  
         [0042]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the invention can be designed using pyramid shapes  16 . FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the pyramids, as well as a 3-D pyramid support  16 . The number of supports  16  can be increased and the pattern changed to accommodate a heavier pack  2 . The supports  16  can be manufactured from rubber, silicon, or foam. The pyramid support  16  may have four or three sides. The tip of the support  16  facing the wearer  1  can be rounded off for additional wearer&#39;s  1  comfort.  
         [0043]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the invention can be designed using peg shapes  17 . FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of the pegs, as well as a 3-D peg support  17 . The number of supports  17  can be increased and the pattern changed to accommodate a heavier pack  2 . The supports  17  can be manufactured from rubber, silicon, plastic, or foam. If the shapes require additional strength to support properly, the rubber or foam can be reinforced with something, such as a spring. The tip of the cushions  17  facing the wearer  1  can be rounded off for additional wearer&#39;s  1  comfort.  
         [0044]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, the invention can be designed using rectangular  18  or square shapes  19 . FIG. 19 illustrates a side view or the rectangular and square supports, as well as a 3-D rectangular support  18 . FIGS. 18 and 20 illustrate how the rectangular  22  and square  23  supports can be mixed and matched. The number of supports  18 ,  19  can be increased and the pattern changed to accommodate a heavier pack  2 . The material for the supports  18 ,  19  can be foam, rubber, or silicon. The tip of the supports  18 ,  19  facing the wearer  1  can be rounded off for additional wearer&#39;s  1  comfort.  
         [0045]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, the invention can be designed using torus  20  or semi-circular  21  shapes. FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the supports, as well as a  3 -D torus support  20  and a 3-D semi-circular shape  21 . FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate how the torus  20  and semi-circular  21  supports can be mixed and matched. The number of supports  20 ,  21  can be increased and the pattern changed to accommodate a heavier pack  2 . The material for the supports  20 ,  21  can be foam, rubber, or silicon. The tip of the supports  20 ,  21  facing the wearer  1  can be rounded off for additional wearer&#39;s  1  comfort. Other shapes as desired can be selected, such as semi-spherical or semi-ovoid shapes that provide for reduced contact with a wearer&#39;s body to permit adequate air circulation.  
         [0046]    As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 23 through 25, the invention can be designed using elongated or stretched out springs  22 ,  23  or spirals  22 ,  23 , either interlocked  22  or singular  23 . FIG. 23 illustrates a 3-D interlocked elongated spring supports  22 . FIG. 24 illustrates a 3-D single elongated spring support  23  aligned horizontally. FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate how the spring supports  22 ,  23  can be mixed and matched. FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate how the spring supports  22 ,  23  can be aligned vertically or horizontally. The number of supports  22 ,  23  can be increased and the pattern changed to accommodate a heavier pack  2 . A smaller diameter support  22 ,  23  would generate a greater supporting area between the wearer  1  and the pack  2 , which in turn could support more weight comfortably. The supports  22 ,  23  would easily follow the wearer&#39;s I back contours. The supports  22 ,  23  could be manufactured using plastic, foam, steel, aluminum, or titanium.  
         [0047]    As can be seen by reference to FIG. 26, the back plate  6  can be sewn or stitched  26  into the seam of the pack&#39;s  2  side panels  24  and the pack&#39;s  2  back panel  25  at the time of manufacture. This particular example uses hose type supports  12 . This is only one method of attaching the invention. This method would hardly add any weight or costs to the pack  2  at the time of manufacturing.