Abstract:
Described are improvements related to a pack, backpack or sports sack for carrying items. In one implementation, a pack assembly includes a cinch sack, draw cords and a sternum or breast buckle for encouraging the pack assembly to remain in place on one&#39;s torso when in use. Improved shape, pockets and configuration of elements facilitate improved user experience and utility of the pack assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a system and device for carrying equipment such as sports equipment and other items, and more particularly to a sports sack, bag or pack with an improved strap system and other improved features for carrying items. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Carrying sacks, bags and packs come in a wide variety of forms and styles. A backpack style carrying pack may be useful for specific applications because it allows a user to quickly and conveniently throw a few items into it and allows the user to transport these items to and from a destination such as a play field, arena, gymnasium and the like. 
         [0005]    Carrying packs for everyday training and participation in sports differ from general purpose backpacks, hiking packs, running harnesses and the like. For example, hiking packs often include heavy-duty features for securing and distributing loads evenly, pockets for water pouches, and other specialized compartments. School bags are made in generic shapes for carrying books, pencils, lunch and other supplies. 
         [0006]    In contrast, cinch sacks are often designed for carrying lightweight and bulky single-purpose items such as athletic apparel, towels, cleated shoes, basketball shoes, and goggles, and small personal items like wallet, mobile phone and car keys. Often, sports packs are made with little attention to detail. They are made according to some rough dimensions and with generic, off-the-shelf components. Sometimes the components are forced to serve multiple purposes such as the straps in a drawstring backpack. In these types of packs, the carrying straps must double as drawstrings to control the principal opening at the top of the bag. Such design causes undue wear and breakdown of the fabric and stitching of the pack in certain areas. Such designs frequently neglect consideration of comfort, convenience and durability. While these packs may be designed to minimize manufacturing costs, the usability of these packs suffers. For example, the pack straps may have a tendency to slide off a user&#39;s shoulders, the cinching of the principal opening may be hard to accomplish and maintain, items may easily spill out and get lost, and the fit of the pack is ignored. 
         [0007]    In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a pack—a device and system—which improves upon known designs and known utility of sports packs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Systems and devices are described in relation to embodiments shown in the figures. Herein is provided a pack assembly configured to be worn on a wearer&#39;s back and over one or two shoulders. Straps or cords are coupled to the pack and are configured to extend over one or two of the wearer&#39;s shoulders. The straps may be formed of a pair of cords that run from the top of the pack to the respective bottom corners of the pack. The pack assembly also includes a sternum buckle or chest buckle to encourage continued and proper placement of the pack on the wearer&#39;s body. The sternum buckle includes a gripping or fastener to releasably engage with one or more of the cords or straps so as to retain a memory of its placement between wearings. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment, the straps or cords are arranged as a carrying feature and as drawstrings for the principal opening for the pack. A female portion and a male portion of a sternum buckle are releasably attached to respective straps or cords. The sternum buckle is intended for convenient and one-handed operation for fastening and unfastening, and for placement along the length of the straps or cords. The release mechanism to separate the male and female portions of the sternum buckle may also serve as the mechanism to release the engagement mechanism that releasably locks the female portion or the male portion to its respective strap or cord. 
         [0010]    The described features and advantages will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following Detailed Description and accompanying drawings. The teachings disclosed herein extend to embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the described or inherent advantages. 
         [0011]    This Summary introduces a non-exclusive selection of aspects or concepts about the present invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, and is not intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The novel features believed characteristic of the subject matter are set forth in the appended claims. Throughout, like numerals generally refer to like parts. The subject matter and any preferred mode of use are best understood by reference to the following Detailed Description of illustrative implementations when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pack according to a first illustrative implementation of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the pack shown in  FIG. 1  in a different configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one implementation of a chest buckle according to a first illustrative implementation of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of interior pockets of a pack according to a first illustrative implementation of the interior pockets. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a female portion of a chest buckle according to a first illustrative implementation. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a female portion of a chest buckle according to a second illustrative implementation. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a male portion of a chest buckle according to a third illustrative implementation. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a male portion of a chest buckle according to a fourth illustrative implementation. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the female portion of the chest buckle shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the male portion of the chest buckle shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembled chest buckle according to another illustrative implementation showing both a female buckle portion and a male buckle portion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    There has been a need for improved systems and devices for carrying sports and other types of equipment and personal items. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pack according to a first illustrative implementation of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1 , the pack or sack portion of the pack assembly is generally referred to as element  10 . The pack  10  may include one or more seams such as vertical seams  11  that extend upwardly from bottom corners toward one or more cinches  12  that at least partially encircle a principal opening  14 . The seams are generally where adjacent fabric pieces or material is sewn together to form portions of the pack. The pack  10  includes a front or anterior portion  16  and a back or posterior portion  18 . The anterior portion  16  may or may not be made of the same material as that of the back or posterior portion  18 . In one implementation, an anterior cinch portion  12 A is shorter or allows one or more cords  20  to exit closer to the top opening  14  as compared to a posterior cinch portion  12 B. This arrangement allows for improved, more ergonomic positioning of the cords  20  relative to a wearer&#39;s shoulders and neck, and thus provides for an improved fit, durability and useability of the cinch sack when in service. 
         [0026]    The pack  10  has an inner surface  15  and an outer surface  17 . The outer surface  17  of the anterior portion  16  generally lies against the back or shoulder of a wearer (not shown). At or near the openings of the cinch  12  is a gusset  19 ; there are two gussets  19  shown in  FIG. 1 , one adjacent each cinch  12 . Each gusset  19  may be made of a same or a different fabric or material than that of the pack  10 . In one implementation, the gusset  19  may be made of a mesh material so as to facilitate airflow through the pack  10 . Logos, stitching, one or more textures and designs may adorn the anterior portion  16  and/or posterior portion  18  of the pack  10 . 
         [0027]    The pack assembly includes one, two or more straps or cords  20 . Preferably, two cords  20  are used, each one forming part of the cinch  12  at the top of the pack  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each cord  20  is threaded through a grommet  13 , up and through one or more passes of a cinch  12  or portion thereof, back down along its own length and through the same grommet  13 . Preferably, a first cord is fed through the two passes of the cinch  12  in a first orientation, and the second cord is threaded through the two passes of the cinch  12  in an opposite or second orientation such that when the two or more cords  20  are pulled tight, the cinch  12  is drawn substantially closed and the principal opening  14  of the pack  10  is reduced. Preferably, the cords  20  are sufficiently thick in diameter so as to be comfortable on a wearer&#39;s shoulders. In a preferred implementation, each cord  20  is at least ⅜ inches (9.5 mm) in diameter. In some implementations, at least one of the cords is made of braided or woven strands of material. The ends  22  of the cord  20  are tied into a knot  24 , stitched into the corner of the pack  10 , or otherwise secured to the bottom portion  52  of the pack  10  or along a bottom width  51  of the pack  10 . The lower portion of the pack  10  that includes the grommet  13  may include a reinforced portion  23  or may include a fabric or receive a chemical or coating treatment that strengths that particular portion of the pack to increase its durability and resist wear caused by use of the pack assembly. 
         [0028]    In one implementation, on each cord  20 , a female portion  30  and a male portion  32  of a chest buckle or sternum buckle are releaseably installed on respective straps or cords  20 . The male portion  32  includes a locking portion  34  that releaseably engages with the female  30 . Once installed, both the female portion  30  and the male portion  32  are independently moveable or slidable along the length  33  of the respective cords  20 . 
         [0029]    For most implementations, the bottom portion  52  of the pack  10  is preferably wider or larger than the middle portion  53  and the top portion  54 . In other implementations, the middle portion  53  may be larger than the other two portions  52 ,  54 , and the top portion  54  may be larger than the bottom portion  52  and middle portion  53 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the pack shown in  FIG. 1  in a different configuration and with additional detail. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the portions of the sternum buckle  30 ,  32  have been mated together, and thereby the two straps or cords  20  are shown drawn closer together. The sternum buckle or chest buckle  30 ,  32  may or may not be slidable along a generally vertical axis  33 , depending on the elements of the female portion  30  and the male portion  32  of the chest buckle, as explained further hereinbelow. The cords  20  are passed through the respective gussets  13 , and the ends  22  of the cords  20  are tied into a knot  24 . The top opening  14  has been drawn smaller by the closing or drawing of the cinch  12 . A posterior cinch portion  12 B extends farther away from opening  14  and cinch closure than an anterior cinch portion  12 A to allow for the cords to more easily align together before passing together and toward the sternum buckle  30 ,  32 . The gussets  19  are drawn farther up the pack  10  when the cinch  12  is in a more closed configuration. 
         [0031]    A pocket  40  is shown hidden inside of the anterior side  16  of the pack  10 . The pocket  40  is generally positioned medially in a vertical direction, and at least outside of the cinching portion of the pack  10 , so as to avoid gathering or puckering the pocket  40  or moving the pocket  40  outside of a substantially vertical orientation when the pack is cinched and in service. Shown inside the pocket  40  are two personal items  42 . Along the top of the pocket  40  is a zipper  44  that is representative of an optional closing element that may or may not be installed with use of the pocket  40 . Other possible closing elements include hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and a fold-over flap. In  FIG. 2 , the pocket  40  is shown as a single pocket but may take the form of multiple pockets installed on or as part of pack  10  such as on the anterior portion  16  or posterior portion  18  of the pack  10 . Each pocket  40  may be contiguous or separate from an adjacent pocket. Each pocket  40  may be divided into two or more sub-pockets. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one implementation of a chest buckle according to a first illustrative implementation of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 3 , a female portion  30  and a male portion  32  of a chest buckle are shown. Two strands of the cords  20  pass through a portion of the female portion  30  and the male portion  32  of a chest buckle, respectively. In  FIG. 3 , the female portion  30  and male portion  32  are formed with individualized passages to allow for a single strand of the cord  20  to pass therethrough. An engaging or locking portion  34  of the male portion  32  of the buckle is insertable and matable with a recess  35  of the female portion  30  of the buckle. One or more of the engaging or locking portions  34  may engage in a respective aperture  38  formed in the female portion  30 . A locking mechanism  36  is shown on the top surface  79  of the female portion  30  and the male portion  32 . The locking mechanism  36  is shown as a rolling or sliding mechanism, and this locking mechanism  36  releaseably affixes the buckle portions  30 ,  32  to one or more passes of each respective cord  20 . The locking mechanisms  36  prevent the buckle portions  30 ,  32  from moving along a length or vertical stretch  33  of the cords. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of interior pockets of a pack according to a first illustrative implementation of the interior pockets. There has been a need for improved features of a pack, and features of interior pockets are one of many areas in which this need is evident. With reference to  FIG. 4 , a pocket  40  has been divided by a dividing seam  43  into a first sub-pocket  40 A and a second sub-pocket  40 B. The second sub-pocket  40 B is shown shorter vertically than the first sub-pocket  40 A. This is by design to provide sub-pockets of various shapes and design to accommodate various items in the pack  10 . Alternatively, the sub-pockets  40 A,  40 B may be of generally the same size, height and width. The first sub-pocket  40 A includes a top edge  41  and forms an opening  47  near the top edge  41 . The first sub-pocket  40 A is shown with a mobile phone  42 A disposed therein. In one implementation, the material of the pocket  40  is made of an elastic or stretchy material that may be substantively different than the material of the pack  10 . For example, the material may be a material similar to a Lycra® or Neoprene® material. Such material, besides being elastic also provides an increased ability to cushion shocks to the contents of the pocket  40  and subpockets  40 A,  40 B. The elastic material provides a gripping surface (and a higher degree of friction when in contact with the items) that more readily maintains the items in the sub-pockets  40 A,  40 B. Further, the elastic material provides a retaining force to effectively pinch items between the sub-pocket  40 A and pack  10 . Alternatively, while not shown in  FIG. 4 , a pocket  40  may be made from two overlapping layers of an elastic material—one layer as the outer layer and one layer as an inner layer that lays flush against and is continuous with the material of the pack  10 . Also according to another variation, the pocket  40  may be lined with a cushioning material in addition to a fabric to further provide cushioning and gripping of items. Often, a user of a pack assembly carries high value items in the pocket  40  and these items need increased protection against the contents of the main compartment of the pack assembly, and against drops and rough handling that sometimes accompanies trips to sporting activities and the like. 
         [0034]    The second sub-pocket  40 B is shown with a zippered closing mechanism  44 . In this way, a pack assembly user has the option of placing items such as coins  42 B, car keys  42 C and a wallet  42 D into an enclosed sub-pocket  40 B for additional security that these items will not escape the pack assembly. In an alternative embodiment, another type of closing mechanism may be used such as a hook-and-loop closure, or a snap closure. In yet another alternatively embodiment, the closure mechanism  44  may extend across the entire pocket  40 . 
         [0035]    The shape of the pocket  40  may take any one of various shapes and dimensions to accommodate certain frequently carried items and provide other benefits. The pocket  40  in  FIG. 4  is shown as a substantially hourglass shape. The pocket  40  has two lateral sides  45  and a bottom side  46 . For the hourglass shape, a bottom pocket region  62  is wider than a middle pocket region  63 , and a top pocket region  64  is wider than the middle pocket region  63 . Other configurations and embodiments may be possible. For example, the top pocket region  64  may be wider than both the middle pocket region  63  and the bottom pocket region  62 . The orientation of the pocket  40  may not be justified or aligned vertically or horizontally in the pack  10 . Instead, the pocket  40  may by affixed to the inner surface  15  in one or more various pocket regions  61 . Each pocket  40  may be formed into two or more sub-pockets; only two sub-pockets  40 A,  40 B are shown in  FIG. 4 . In an alternative implementation, the pocket  40  may be formed or affixed to a bottom region  51  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a female portion of the chest buckle according to a first illustrative implementation. With reference to  FIG. 5 , a female portion  30 A is formed or assembled to include a recess  35  and an aperture  38  for receiving a portion and engaging element of a male buckle portion (not shown). The female portion  30 A also includes a sliding element  71  and a cord engaging element  72 . The sliding element  71  is designed to be handled and operated with a single hand of a user, and preferably, a single motion. The sliding element moves laterally along a range of motion  73 . Although not shown in  FIG. 5 , there may also be included one or more integral or separate biasing elements that provide a biasing force to restrict an aperture  75  for one or more passes of a cord (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). In operation, the cord engaging element  72  contacts with and provides a restrictive and releaseably engaging force to one or more passes of the cords of the pack. In this way, the female portion  30 A releaseably maintains its position long the length of the cord or cords. The pack assembly thus has a memory for its configuration for a user. For sake of simplicity, the female portion  30 A is shown with a flat bottom surface  78  and a flat top surface  79 . However, depending on the particular implementation, the bottom surface  78  and top surface  79  may be contoured, shaped or textured with a same or different material, or the same material of the bottom surface  78  may be so contoured, shapped or textured. Further, the sliding element  71  is shown as a simple block shape, but preferably is ergonomically shaped so as to provide a comfortable scalloped recess for a finger to easily and conveniently find, engage and operate the sliding element  71 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a female portion of the chest buckle according to a second illustrative implementation. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the sliding element  71  is formed or located on a side opposite that of the recess  35 . An aperture  38  for an engaging element of a male buckle portion is shown on a first side; it is to be understood that a matching aperture is located on the non-displayed side of  FIG. 6 . While a single aperture  38  is shown, other numbers, configurations and arrangement of apertures  38  may be used to secure the two portions of a chest buckle together when the two portions are engaged. The sliding element  71  of the female portion  30 B is operated by pressing it inward along its range of motion  73  that is parallel with or along the principal axis of the female portion  30 B. The sliding element  71  may be the same or different from the cord engaging element  72 . Two cord engaging elements  72  are shown in  FIG. 6 . The cord engaging elements  72  restrict the aperture for the one or more passes of the cord (not shown in  FIG. 6 ). While not shown, the female portion  30 B includes one or more biasing elements that provide a closing force along the range of motion  74  of the cord engaging elements  72 . By moving the sliding element  71  inward, the cord engaging elements  72  move outwardly thereby providing freedom for the cords (not shown) and allowing the female buckle portion  30 B to move along the length of one or cords that pass through the aperture. The aperture is divided or shaped into a first aperture region  75  and a second aperture region  76  by a raised contour  77 . The raised contour  77  preferably extends through the width  80  of the female buckle portion  30 B. The contour  77  provides a mechanical separation and alignment of two or more cords in the aperture of the female portion  30 B. In this way, the cords of a pack assembly are kept from twisting and becoming uncomfortably positioned on a user during use. For sake of simplicity, the female portion  30 B is shown in  FIG. 6  with a flat bottom surface  78  and a flat top surface  79 . However, depending on the particular implementation or embodiment, the bottom surface  78  and top surface  79  may be contoured, shaped or textured. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a male portion of a chest buckle according to a third illustrative implementation. With reference to  FIG. 7 , a male portion  32 A includes a sliding element  71  that is formed, installed or located through or in association with a top surface  79 . The male buckle portion  32 A includes one or more male engaging portions; two male engaging or locking portions  34  are shown in  FIG. 7 . These engaging or locking portions  34  releaseably engage into the recess and apertures of a female buckle portion (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). The sliding element  71  of the male buckle portion  32 A is operated by pressing it downward along its range of motion  73  that is shown perpendicular to the principal axis of the male buckle portion  32 A. The sliding element  71  may be the same or part of the cord engaging element  72 , or may be a separate, different element from the cord engaging element  72 . Two cord engaging elements  72  are shown in  FIG. 7  for illustrative purposes only. One or more cord engaging elements  72  may be present in the third illustrative implementation. The cord engaging elements  72  restrict the aperture for the one or more passes of the cord (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). While not shown, the male portion  32 A includes one or more biasing elements that provide a closing force along the range of motion  81  of the cord engaging elements  72 . By moving the sliding element  71  inward or downward, the cord engaging elements  72  move outwardly thereby providing freedom for the cords (not shown) and allowing the male buckle portion  32 A to move along the length of one or cords that pass through the aperture. The aperture is divided or shaped into a first aperture region  75  and a second aperture region  76  by a raised contour  77 . The raised contour  77  preferably extends through the width  80  of the male buckle portion  32 A. The contour  77  provides a mechanical separation and alignment of two or more cords in the aperture of the male portion  32 A; only two aperture regions  75 ,  76  are shown but multiple aperture regions may be provided depending on the number of passes of the cords that are desired to be passed through the male buckle portion  32 A—in such case, multiple contours  77  may be needed and formed in the male buckle portion  32 A. In this way, the cords of a pack assembly are kept from twisting and becoming uncomfortably positioned on a user during use. For sake of simplicity, the male portion  32 A is shown in  FIG. 7  with a flat bottom surface  78  and a flat top surface  79 . However, depending on the particular implementation or embodiment, the bottom surface  78  and top surface  79  may be contoured, shaped or textured. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a male portion of a chest buckle according to a fourth illustrative implementation. With reference to  FIG. 8 , a male portion  32 B includes a rolling element  82  that rolls back and forth in circular or rocking motion or direction  83 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the rolling element  82  protrudes above a top surface  79 . The male buckle portion  32 B includes one or more male engaging portions; two male engaging portions  34  are shown in  FIG. 8  along with a stabilizing center post  88 . These engaging portions  34  releaseably engage into the recess and apertures of a female buckle portion (not shown in  FIG. 8 ). The rolling element  82  of the male buckle portion  32 B is operated by engaging it with a thumb or finger and providing a rolling or sliding motion. The rolling element  82  engages one or more cord engaging elements  72 . One cord engaging element  72  is shown in  FIG. 8 . The rolling element  82  may be the same or part of the cord engaging element  72 , or may be a separate, different element from the cord engaging element  72 . The cord engaging element  72  restricts the aperture for the one or more passes of the cord (not shown in  FIG. 8 ). While not visible or shown in  FIG. 8 , the male buckle portion  32 B includes one or more biasing elements that provide a closing force along the range of motion  81  of the cord engaging element  72 . By moving the rolling element  82 , the cord engaging element  72  moves upwardly thereby providing freedom for the one or more cords (not shown for sake of simplicity) and allowing the male buckle portion  32 B to move along the length of one or cords that pass through the aperture. The aperture is divided or shaped into a first aperture region  75  and a second aperture region  76  by a raised contour  77 . The raised contour  77  preferably extends through the width  80  of the male buckle portion  32 B. The contour  77  provides a mechanical separation and alignment of two or more cords in the aperture of the male portion  32 B; only two aperture regions  75 ,  76  are shown but multiple aperture regions may be provided depending on the number of passes of the cords. For sake of simplicity, the male portion  32 B is shown in  FIG. 8  with a flat bottom surface  78  and a flat top surface  79 . However, depending on the particular implementation or embodiment, the bottom surface  78  and top surface  79  may be contoured, shaped or textured. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the female portion of the chest buckle shown in  FIG. 6 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , and according to one of many possible embodiments of the female buckle portion  30 B, the sliding element  71  includes one or more extended tabs  82  that are designed to engage a cord engaging element  72 . In  FIG. 9 , only one cord engaging element  72  is shown for simplicity. The sliding element  71  is designed to be securely and moveably inserted into an aperture  86  in the side opposite the principal buckle recess  35 . The sliding element  71  protrudes a small distance through its aperture  86 . In operation, the movement of the sliding element or detent  71  is generally along a horizontal, sliding axis or range of motion  74 . The cord engaging element  72  is placed adjacent to the extended tabs  82  and is held in place by a spring or other biasing element  83 . A spring  83  is shown, but other types, varieties and methods may be implemented to bias the cord engaging element  72  inside the female buckle portion  30 B. The spring  83  engages and is mated with a recess or designated place or feature  84  on an insert  85 . The insert  85  is maintained in place by one or more ridges  87 . When the detent  71 , cord engagement element  72 , and spring  83  are inserted, the insert  85  is placed inside the buckle portion  30 B with the intent that the buckle portion  30 B is assembled and is not designed to be disassembled when placed into service as part of the pack assembly. As also shown in  FIG. 6 , an aperture  38  is formed in the female buckle portion  30 B for receiving an engaging element of a male buckle portion (not shown in  FIG. 9 ). When assembled, the sliding element  71  is operated by pressing it inward along its range of motion  73  that is parallel with or along the principal axis of the female portion  30 B. The detent range of motion  73  may or may not be the same as the range of motion of the cord engaging element  72  based on the particular implementation of components used in practice. However, for sake of simplicity of illustration in  FIG. 9 , these ranges are the same because the motion of the detent  71  is based on the same mechanical motion as that of the cord engaging element  72  because they both are based on the biasing of the same spring element  83 . In alternative implementations, the sliding element  71  is connected to and forms the same part as the cord engaging element  72 . By moving the sliding element or detent  71  inward, the cord engaging element  72  moves or slides to the right thereby freeing itself from pressing on one or more cords, and thereby providing freedom for the cords (not shown). In this way, in operation, the female buckle portion  30 B is free to move along the length of one or cords that pass through the aperture. While shown as straight arms, the extended tabs  82  may be or are required to be contoured to fit the shape of the first aperture  75  and second aperture  76 . For sake of simplicity, the female portion  30 B is shown in  FIG. 9  with a flat bottom surface  78  and a flat top surface  79 . However, depending on the particular implementation or embodiment, the bottom surface  78  and top surface  79  may be contoured, shaped or textured. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the male portion of the chest buckle shown in  FIG. 8 . With reference to  FIG. 10 , and according to one of many possible embodiments of the male buckle portion  32 B, the rolling element  82  is formed so as to snap over and onto an axle  83 B or other axis-forming element. On either side of the axle  83 B are two recesses  96  for receiving portions  82 A,  82 B of the rolling element  82  that protrude into the inner, hollow portion of the male buckle portion  32 B. A single cord engaging element  72  is shown. A first protruding part  82 A is designed to engage a mating portion  91  of the cord engaging element  72 . When assembled and in operation, by rolling or moving the rolling element  82 , the rolling element  82  moves according to a range of motion  83 , and the first protruding part  82 A pushes downward onto the mating portion  91  of the cord engaging element  72 . The cord engaging element  72  presses downward against a biasing spring panel  92 . The biasing spring panel  92  provides a closing or clamping (upward) force against one or more cords (not shown) that pass through the first aperture  75  and second aperture  76 . In  FIG. 10 , only one cord engaging element  72  is shown for simplicity, but other numbers and types of cord engaging elements  72  are possible when used in conjunction with a rolling element  82 . A single biasing spring panel  92  is shown, but other types, varieties and methods may be implemented to bias the cord engaging element  72  inside the male buckle portion  32 B. The male buckle portion  32 B is assembled by inserting the cord engaging element  72  and biasing spring panel  92  into the inner recess  94  of the male buckle portion  32 B. The inner recess  94  is closed from further access by placing a panel  93  into the end portion of the male buckle portion  32 B. The various components (e.g., cord engaging element  72 , biasing spring panel  92  and panel  93 ) may be held in place or within a range of motion by one or more ridges, lips, or rails (not shown for sake of simplicity) formed in the male buckle portion  32 B. The panel  32  is meant to snap into place and the male buckle portion  32 B is not meant to be re-opened again after being placed into service. That is, after being assembled, the male buckle portion  32 B is not designed to be disassembled when placed into service as part of the pack assembly. When assembled, the rolling element  82  is operated by placing a finger or thumb on it, and rolling the rolling element  82  toward the engaging elements  34 . The cord engaging element  72  moves along its range of motion  81  when the rolling element  82  is operated. The range of motion  81  is perpendicular to the principal axis of the male buckle portion  32 B. The rolling range of motion  83  may or may not be the same as the range of motion of the cord engaging element  72  based on the particular implementation of components used in practice. However, for sake of simplicity of illustration in  FIG. 10 , these ranges are approximately the same because the motion of the rolling element  82  is based on the same mechanical motion as that of the cord engaging element  72  because they are both based on the biasing of the same biasing spring panel  92 . By moving the rolling element  82 , the cord engaging element  72  moves or slides downward thereby freeing itself from pressing on one or more cords, and thereby providing freedom for the cords (not shown). In this way, in operation, the male buckle portion  32 B is free to move along the length of one or cords that pass through the aperture. As shown, the cord engaging element  72  is formed so as to match the shape of the first aperture portion  75  and second aperture portion  76  including having a raised contour  77 B. In one implementation, the cord engaging element  72  is made from a friction-inducing material or substance such that the cords (not shown) and the cord engaging element  72  aggressively grip each other when a biasing force is applied to the cord engaging element. For example, the buckle portion  32 B may be made of a polyvinyl material, the cords may be made of a Nylon® or natural or synthetic fiber, and the cord engaging component  72  may be made of a rubber or rubber-like component. The inner surface  97  of the cord engaging element  72  may be textured or shaped so as to provide a desired amount of gripping of the cord when the cord engaging element  72  is biased against the cords (not shown in  FIG. 10 ). As noted elsewhere herein, for sake of simplicity, the male portion  32 B is shown in  FIG. 10  with a flat bottom surface  78  and a flat top surface  79 . However, depending on the particular implementation or embodiment, the bottom surface  78  and top surface  79  may be contoured, shaped or textured. 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembled chest buckle according to another illustrative implementation showing both a female buckle portion and a male buckle portion. With reference to  FIG. 11 , a male buckle portion  32 C has been engaged into a female buckle portion  30 C. an engaging or locking portion  34  is visible protruding through an aperture of the female buckle portion  30 C. A release element  106  may be actuated along a range of motion  107  which frees the locking portions  34 , and the male buckle portion  32 C may be disengaged and released from the female buckle portion  30 C. Actuating a sliding element  71  moves the cord engaging element  72  of the female buckle portion  30 C. Actuating a rolling element  82  moves the cord engaging element  72  of the male buckle portion  32 C. The first apertures  75  and second apertures  76  are visible in both the male buckle portion  32 C and the female buckle portion  30 C. The distal portions  109  are larger than the proximal portions  108  of each of the male buckle portion  32 C and the female buckle portion  30 C—as is evident when considering the buckle portions from a top view and from a front view. As visible from a front perspective, the proximal portions  108  are smaller in dimension  103  than the distal dimension  104  of the distal portions  109 . That is, according to the embodiment shown, the chest buckle or sternum buckle forms a rounded, contoured dog bone-shaped assembly. This assembly is designed to be manipulated with a single hand and each function or mechanism is designed to be actuated with a simple movement or action—such as to the sliding element  71 , rolling element  82  and release element  106 . 
         [0043]    Variations. 
         [0044]    While the invention is described with respect to one or more illustrative or preferred implementations, other implementations are possible. The concepts disclosed herein apply equally to other systems, devices and methods for packs, sacks, carrying devices and the like. The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings where it is noted that characteristics and features shown in the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
         [0045]    Not all structures require all components. For example, one or more interior pockets may or may not vary in shape along their length or breadth. The sack portion of the pack may or may not vary in width along its length from top to bottom. In the figures, cords are shown passed through respective grommets at the bottom corners of the sacks, the ends of the cords being knotted. Such is not required. Other fasteners, connections and arrangements are possible. Further, other shapes and arrangements besides those shown in the figures are possible, such as triangular or trapezoidal shaped sacks, etc. 
         [0046]    Further, certain terms used herein, including in the claims, are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” and the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least.”) It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. 
         [0047]    For example, as an aid to understanding, the following claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. The use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”). The same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). 
         [0048]    Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). 
         [0049]    It will be further understood by those within the art that any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Moreover, “can” and “optionally” and other permissive terms are used herein for describing optional features of various embodiments. These terms likewise describe selectable or configurable features generally, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
         [0050]    The described aspects of the invention depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely illustrative, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. 
         [0051]    The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Various features from one implementation can be combined with other features from other implementations. The description is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The implementations described herein and above are also intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to use the invention, or in other implementations, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternate implementations to the extent permitted. Thus, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all variations and modifications as are within the spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein.