Abstract:
An upland pack vest for hunting has a rear game pouch and an adjustable belting/strapping system designed to evenly distribute the weight of game loaded in the game pouch. The pack vest includes a pair of shoulder staps connected to the top of the game pouch and a hip belt connected to the inside of the game pouch. The shoulder straps are hung over the shoulders of the hunter and the hip belt is buckled around the waist of the hunter. A pair of adjustable diagonal straps connect the respective shoulder straps to the game pouch. A sternum strap connects the shoulder straps to prevent the shoulder straps from spreading as the adjustable diagonal straps redistribute weight from the game pouch onto the front portion of the shoulder straps. The length of the diagonal straps are adjustable in order to allow the hunter to adjust the fit of the vest.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The demands of bird hunting have stimulated improvements in game vests, which have become commonly referred to as upland vests. Hunters use upland vests to carry provisions and supplies for the hunting expedition (e.g., food, water, ammunition, tools, etc.) as well as game. Typically, game is loaded into a rear game pouch. Such vests must be versatile and durable to meet the demands of hunters. It is also important that the vest be comfortable throughout the hunting expedition, including both before and after loading game in the vest. 
     Some previously known backpack-type vests use a crude combination of the shoulder straps and hip belt to provide load support. However, as loads change during the hunting expedition, the prior art vests often become cumbersome and uncomfortable. For example, some hunters like the load to swing slightly relative to the body with each stride. 
     Hunters can normally carry heavy loads for a longer period of time, with less fatigue and greater comfort if the load is supported by the lumbar region and movable, within limits, so that the body does not jerk the vest through a series of forceful oscillations corresponding to the walking or running rhythm. 
     On the other hand, it is important that the swing movement be adjustable to the particular characteristics of the load and the hunter. Every person has a slightly different body build, muscle distribution, and stride characteristics. Even the same person may prefer changing the adjustment of his vest assembly from time-to-time, in order to switch the load slightly from one set of muscles to another. 
     Prior art upland vests having rear game pouches tend to become tail heavy when game is loaded into the rear game pouch. When this happens, the vest tends to ride low. Those skilled in the art have attempted to overcome this problem by using a hip belt. One of the problems with hip belts is that an inordinate amount of weight is supported on the hip belt, and this is uncomfortable. Without hip belts, however, virtually all of the weight of the pack belt is on the shoulders, and the backpack slides backwards. 
     It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a comfortable upland vest with a rear game pouch that allows the hunter to adjust and stabilize the load while hunting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an upland pack vest that uses a unique combination of adjustable straps in order to allow the distribution of weight in a loaded rear game pouch between the shoulder straps and the hip belt. The invention uses a pair of diagonal straps to accomplish this advantage. Each diagonal strap connects one of the shoulder straps at a location below the sternum to the rear panel of the pack vest in the vicinity of the rear game pouch. In this manner, the load within the game pouch can be redistributed onto the shoulder straps so that the majority of the weight in the game pouch is evenly balanced on the shoulder straps. A sternum strap connects the shoulder straps to prevent the shoulder straps from separating. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the diagonal straps is adjustable in order to enable the hunter to easily redistribute the load in the rear game pouch onto the front part of the shoulder straps. 
     The upland pack vest is provided with compartments to provide easy access to water bottles, ammunition, hunting tools, food, clothes and other hunting accessories. The upland pack vest preferably includes a pair of front pocket assemblies that are normally used for carrying ammunition or other hunting accessories. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the front pocket assemblies are separated from the hip belt, and hang freely or float relative to the shoulder straps and the hip belts. A quick release connection strap between the freely hanging front pockets is preferably used to prevent the front pockets from excessive swinging. 
     Preferably, adjustable compression straps are connected to the outer panel of the rear game pouch in order to enable the hunter to carry clothing or other bulky items outside of the game pouch. Also, it is preferred that the sternum strap be attached to the shoulder straps in such a manner that the height of the sternum strap is adjustable. This feature is useful because hunters have various sized torsos, and is so particularly useful when the upland pack vest is used by women. The adjustable eight sternum strap allows women to locate the sternum strap above their breasts. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art upon inspecting the following drawings and description thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a pack vest constructed in accordance with the referred embodiment of the invention, showing the body of a hunter in phantom. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the upland pack vest shown in FIG. 1 also showing the body of a hunter in phantom. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the upland pack vest shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 also showing the body of a hunter in phantom. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevational view of a portion of the upland pack vest shown in FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view showing a sternum strap connected to a shoulder strap in the upland pack vest shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  in FIG. 5 showing an adjustable connection for the sternum strap on the shoulder strap. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the upland pack vest taken along line  7 — 7  in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a portion of the hip belt for the upland pack vest as viewed from lines  8 — 8  in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a vertical section view of the rear game pouch in the upland pack vest as taken along line  9 — 9  in FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The drawings illustrate an upland pack vest  10  constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIGS. 1-3, the upland pack vest  10  is shown as being worn on the body of a hunter  12  (shown in phantom). Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the upland pack vest  10  includes a rear game pouch  14 , FIG. 2, and a rear cargo pouch  16 . The rear game pouch  14  and the rear cargo pouch  16  are separated by a fabric panel  18 , as will be discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG.  9 . 
     The pack vest includes a pair of adjustable shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b . In the rear of the vest  10  (FIG.  3 ), the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  are connected at the top  22  of the rear portion of the vest  10 . Preferably, the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  are connected to the top  22  of the rear portion of the vest  10  by sewing loops of strapping  24   a ,  24   b  between the top portion  22  of the main panels of fabric  18 ,  26  (FIG. 9) for the rear portion of the vest  10 . Plastic strap connectors  28   a ,  2     8 b  are secured within the loops of strapping  24   a ,  24   b . The shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  are looped through the brackets  28   a ,  28   b , respectively. The brackets  28   a ,  28   b  allow for movement of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  as the length of the shoulder straps is adjusted. 
     Each shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  includes an upper length adjustment bracket  30   a ,  30   b . The upper length adjustment brackets  30   a ,  30   b  for the shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  are preferably made of molded plastic and are of the type conventionally used in the art. More specifically, the length adjustment brackets  30   a ,  30   b  each include two slots through which the respective shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  is threaded. A center rod (now shown) extends across the brackets  30   a ,  30   b  and separates the slots through which the shoulder strap passes. The distal end  3  lb (FIG. 2) of the shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  includes a sewn loop that attaches to the center rod of the bracket  30   a ,  30   b  in order to fix the strap  20   a ,  20   b  to the respective bracket  30   a ,  30   b . The length of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  can be adjusted easily by the user by moving the bracket  30   a ,  30   b  either upward or downward along the front portion of the strap  20   a ,  20   b . The adjustability of the length of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  is important for adjusting the tightness of the pack vest  10  on the hunter  12 , as well as adjusting load distribution. 
     The upland pack vest  10  also includes a hip belt  32 . As will be described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 7, the hip belt  32  includes two straps  32   a ,  32   b  which are connected in the rear to an inside lower portion of the vest  10 . The hip belt straps  32   a ,  32   b  are connected to each other around the waist of the hunter  12  via a quick release buckle  34 . Strap  32   a  is preferably adjustable in length. 
     The upland pack vest  10  also includes a sternum strap  36  connecting the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b . The sternum strap  36  includes strap portion  36   a  that is adjustably connected to shoulder strap  20   a , and strap portion  36   b  that is adjustably connected to shoulder strap  20   b . The length of strap portion  36   a  is adjustable. A buckle  38  is provided to connect the strap portions  36   a  and  36   b  of the sternum strap  36 . Preferably, the side of the buckle  38  for the adjustable strap portion  36   a  includes a strap adjustment bracket  38   a , as is known in the art. The height of the sternum strap  36  with respect to the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  is adjustable as is discussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     The vest  10  includes a pair of adjustable length diagonal straps  40   a ,  40   b . The diagonal straps  40   a ,  40   b  have a first end  42   a ,  42   b  connected to the respective shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  at a location below which the sternum strap  36  is located. The adjustable diagonal straps  40   a ,  40   b  also include another end  44   b  (FIG. 2) that is connected to a rear portion  46   b  of the vest  10  in order to facilitate support of the rear game pouch  14  and rear cargo pouch  16 . More specifically, the length of straps  40   a ,  40   b  is adjustable so that the hunter can redistribute the load at the rear of the vest  10  (e.g., the load within the rear game pouch  14  and the cargo pouch  16 ) from the rear portions  48  (FIG. 2) of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  to the front portions  50  (FIG. 2) of the shoulder straps  20   a . Easy adjustment of the length of the diagonal straps  40   a ,  40   b  is provided through the use of plastic slide and lock brackets  52   a ,  52   b  connected to strapping loops  42   a ,  42   b  which are attached to the respective shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b.    
     The vest  10  also includes a pair of front pouches  58   a ,  58   b . The front pouches  58   a ,  58   b  include a top flap  60   a ,  60   b  that covers a top opening of the pouches  58   a ,  58   b . Preferably, hook and loop fastening material  62  is used to secure the flaps  60   a ,  60   b  over the pouches  58   a ,  58   b . Although not shown specifically in the drawings, the front pouches  58   a ,  58   b  preferably each include two or more separate internal compartments. In this manner, fresh ammunition can be separated easily from other supplies or waste. Also preferably, it is desired that one of the front pouches  58   a ,  58   b  (include a hook for keys. FIG. 2 shows a button  64  which is used to tighten or loosen the top of the pouch  58   b . Each front pouches  58   a ,  58   b  is connected to the rear portion  46   b  (FIG. 2) of the vest  10  by a longitudinal panel  66  of fabric. Each front pouches  58   a ,  58   b  is also suspended from a bottom portion  68   a ,  68   b  of a shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b . More specifically, the bottom portion  68   a ,  68   b  of the respective shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  is connected through a plastic bracket  70   a ,  70   b  to the top portion of the front pouches  58   a ,  58   b . The lower portions  68   a ,  68   b  of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  include slide and lock adjustment brackets  72   a ,  72   b  in order to adjust the tension of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  with respect to the front pouches  58   a ,  58   b . Preferably, the brackets  72   a ,  72   b  at the lower portion of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b  are similar to the brackets  30   a ,  30   b  at the upper portion of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b . In order to prevent the front pouches  58   a ,  58   b  from swinging excessively as the pouches hang from the bottom portions  68   a ,  68   b  of the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b , the vest  10  includes an adjustable length connecting strap  74  as well as pouch side straps  76   a ,  76   b  . The pouch connecting strap  74  includes straps  74   a  and  74   b , as well as buckle  78 . The strap  74   a  has an adjustable length, and the buckle  78  is preferably the same as the buckle  38  used with respect to the sternum strap  36 . The side pouch strap  76   a ,  76   b  connects the respective front pouch  58   a ,  58   b  to the rear portion  46   a ,  46   b  of the vest  10 , along the same path as the fabric panel  66 . However, the adjustable length panel side strap  76   a ,  76   b  can be shortened with respect to the panel  66  in order to tighten the vest  10  around the waist of the hunter  12 . Note that FIG. 2 shows the use of a quick release buckle in the side panel strap  76   b . Alternatively, it might be desirable to replace the buckle with a strap slide having a frictional lock, without using a buckle. 
     Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2-4, the rear of the vest  10  preferably includes a pair of compression straps  80   a ,  80   b . The compression straps  80   a ,  80   b  enable the hunter to carry clothing or other bulky items outside the game pouch. The adjustable compression straps  80   a ,  80   b  are each connected to a buckle  82   a ,  82   b . The buckles  82   a ,  82   b  each have a portion attached to the outer rear panel  18  of the vest  10 . 
     The other portion of the buckle  82   a ,  82   b  has a lockable strap slide. The bottom of the compression straps  80   a ,  80   b  are preferably connected at the seam  84  at the bottom of the cargo pouch  16 . 
     Water bottle holding pouches  86   a ,  86   b  are sewn into the lateral portions of the rear of the vest  10  adjacent the compression straps  80   a ,  80   b . Note that a lockable tightening string  88   a ,  88   b  is preferably provided at the top opening of the water bottle pouches  86   a ,  86   b.    
     Referring now to FIG. 9, the rear game pouch  14  is formed between an inside panel of fabric  26  and an outside panel of fabric  18 , which are connected along a seam  90  along the bottom and sides of the rear portion of the vest. A nylon lining  92  is provided inside of the rear game pouch  14 . Preferably, the nylon lining is sewn to the vest only along the top edges  94 ,  96  and along the edges of the openings  98  into the game pouch  14 . As shown best in FIG. 3, the game pouch includes two lateral openings  98   a ,  98   b . Referring still to FIG. 9, the rear cargo compartment  16  is formed by sewing an outer panel  100  of fabric to the outer panel of fabric  18  for the game pouch  14 . A fabric flap  102  is also attached to the outer panel  18  for the game pouch  14  to cover the open top of the rear cargo pouch  16 . Preferably, another panel of material  104  is sewn within the rear cargo pouch  16  to form separate compartments within the rear cargo pouch  16 . Hook and loop type fasteners  106  are preferably provided between the surface of the outer panel  18  of the game pouch  14  and the top of inner panel  104  for the cargo pouch  16 . In addition, hook and loop type fasteners  108  are provided to seal the flap  102  against the outer panel  100  for the cargo pouch  16 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, each shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  includes a longitudinal positioning strap  110   a ,  110   b  for connecting the sternum strap  36  to the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b . The ends of each longitudinal positioning strap  110   a ,  110   b  are sewn to the respective shoulder strap  20   a ,  20   b  such that the middle portions of the longitudinal positioning straps  100   a ,  100   b  are free from the shoulder straps  20   a ,  20   b . A slidable connection bracket  112   a ,  112   b  is secured to the respective longitudinal positioning strap  110   a ,  110   b  and is able to be moved along the respective strap  110   a ,  110   b  as depicted by arrows  114 ,  116  in FIG.  5 . The sternum strap  36   a ,  36   b  is fed through an eyelet  118   b  in the slide bracket  112   b  and then looped around the shoulder strap  20   b . The arrangement is similar with respect to the connection to shoulder strap  20   a . In this manner, the sternum strap  36  can be raised or lowered with respect to the shoulder straps  28   a ,  20   b , respectively. Movement of the sternum strap  36  during use is improbable because of frictional engagement between the brackets  112  and the longitudinal positioning strap  110 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the hip belt straps  32   a ,  32   b  are connected to the lower portions  46   a ,  46   b  of the rear portion of the vest, and preferably to the lower portion of the inside panel  26  of the game vest, via fabric leads  120   a ,  120   b  that are connected to the lower portion of the rear panel  26 . The belt portions  32   a ,  32   b  are each held by belt loops connected to the fabric panel  66 . Note that hip belt strap  32   a  includes slot  124  for adjustment of the strap  130 . 
     The invention has been described herein with respect to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     However, various alternatives and other embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.