Patent Publication Number: US-10772410-B2

Title: Cinch pack

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to backpacks, which can be used for travelling, or in a wide range of activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Backpacks allow users to carry items by distributing the load across the users&#39; shoulders and back. Typically, a backpack is held on a user&#39;s shoulders by shoulder straps, through which the user inserts her arms. A backpack may also include a hip belt to further secure the load, preventing excessive rotation on the user&#39;s back. Carrying cargo in a backpack can be a comfortable alternative to hand-carrying. 
     Due to varying body types and postures among users of backpacks, simple adjustability of a backpack&#39;s shoulder straps and hip belt are desirable. In order to have shoulder straps that better contour to a user&#39;s back and shoulders, some backpacks include load-stabilizing straps attached to the shoulder straps and body. However, conventional backpacks often have two individual load-stabilizing straps—one for each shoulder strap—and these load-stabilizing straps are separately adjustable. Therefore, a user must adjust each strap individually and coordinate the settings of each so that the backpack can rest symmetrically on the user&#39;s back. Also, separate and independent load-stabilizing straps are unable to function cooperatively to shift the position of the shoulder straps and load in response to a user&#39;s movements. User comfort is limited in this respect. 
     Additionally, some backpacks offer adjustability of the position of the hip belt. However, conventional adjustment mechanisms are difficult to use and may require a user to take off the backpack or partially disassemble the backpack to make an adjustment, especially in cases where a length between shoulder straps and a hip belt is adjusted. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved load adjustment system for backpacks which allows users to quickly and easily adjust the positions of the shoulder straps and hip belt. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a backpack for adjusting a cinching or compression force of the backpack against a body of the wearer. 
     In an aspect, a backpack may comprise: a main body comprising a front exterior surface and a rear exterior surface disposed opposite the front exterior surface, the main body further comprising one or more interior surfaces defining a first compartment; a support panel disposed adjacent at least a portion of the rear exterior surface of the main body and coupled to the main body; a first shoulder strap extending from the support panel; a second shoulder strap extending from the support panel, wherein at least a portion of the second shoulder strap is spaced from the first shoulder strap; a cinching layer disposed adjacent the front exterior surface of the main body; a first hip member extending through at least one first main body ring coupled to the main body and at least one first shoulder strap ring coupled to the first shoulder strap, the first hip member adjustably coupled to a first anchor coupled to the main body; a second hip member extending through at least one second main body ring coupled to the main body and at least one second shoulder strap ring coupled to the second shoulder strap, the second hip member adjustably coupled to a second anchor coupled to the main body, wherein the second hip member is configured to be releasable coupled with the first hip member to define an adjustable hip belt, and wherein adjustment of a tension in the hip belt causes adjustment of a cinching force between the first and second shoulder strap and the support panel; a first cinching cord coupled to the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap, wherein the coupling between the first cinching cord and one or more of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap comprises an adjustable coupling, and wherein at least a portion of the first cinching cord is disposed adjacent a top end of the front exterior surface of the main body; and a second cinching cord coupled to the main body and extending through at least a portion of the cinching layer, wherein at least a portion of the second cinching cord is disposed adjacent a top end of the cinching layer and is coupled to the first cinching cord such that a tension applied to the first cinching cord causes the cinching layer to apply a compression force from the cinching layer toward the front exterior surface of the main body. 
     In another aspect, a backpack may comprise: a main body comprising a front exterior surface and a rear exterior surface disposed opposite the front exterior surface, the main body further comprising one or more interior surfaces defining a first compartment; a first shoulder strap extending from the main body; a second shoulder strap extending from the main body; a cinching layer disposed adjacent the front exterior surface of the main body; a first cinching cord coupled to the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap, wherein the coupling between the first cinching cord and one or more of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap comprises an adjustable coupling, and wherein at least a portion of the first cinching cord is disposed adjacent a top end of the front exterior surface of the main body; and a second cinching cord coupled to the main body and extending through at least a portion of the cinching layer, wherein at least a portion of the second cinching cord is disposed adjacent a top end of the cinching layer and is coupled to the first cinching cord such that a tension applied to the first cinching cord causes the cinching layer to apply a compression force from the cinching layer toward the front exterior surface of the main body. 
     In another aspect, a backpack may comprise: a main body defining a first compartment, a first shoulder strap extending from the main body, a second shoulder strap extending from the main body, a first cinching cord coupled to the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap, and a second cinching cord coupled to the main body and slideably coupled to the first cinching cord such that a tension applied to the first cinching cord causes a compression force from the cinching layer toward the front exterior surface of the main body. 
     The present disclosure relates to methods of making and using a backpack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various examples discussed in the present disclosure. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of an example backpack in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a right side view of the backpack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a left side view of the backpack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a pair of shoulder straps in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows a shoulder strap in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  shows an example support panel in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-6  show an example assembly that may be a backpack  100 . Although the backpack  100  shows configurations of certain elements and features of the present disclosure, it is understood that other arrangements may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Although reference is made to a backpack, such reference is an example only and the features claimed may reference other articles. 
     The backpack  100  may comprise a main body  102 , a support panel  104 , one or more shoulder straps  106 ,  108 , and a cinching layer  110 . In certain aspects, the main body  102  may comprise the support panel. Other layers, structures and supporting members maybe be used. Various materials, fixtures, fasteners, pockets, handles, hooks, cords, and other features may be used. 
     The main body  102  may comprise a front exterior surface  112  and a rear exterior surface  114  disposed opposite the front exterior surface  112 . The main body  102  may comprise one or more interior surfaces defining a first compartment  118 . It is understood that various constructions may be used and may incorporate various materials (e.g., webbing) to define the first compartment  118  and/or other features of the main body  102 . A first aperture  120  may be formed in the main body  102  and may be configured to allow access to the first compartment  118 . A first fastening mechanism  122  (e.g., a zipper-type fastener) may be configured to selectively open or close at least a portion of the first aperture  120 . Other fasteners may be used. A second aperture  124  may be formed in the main body  102  and may be configured to allow access to a second compartment  126  disposed in or defined by the main body  102 . As an example, the second compartment  126  may be formed from a material that at least partially extends into the first compartment  118  such that the second compartment  126  is at least partially disposed within the first compartment  118 . A second fastening mechanism  127  (e.g., zipper-type fastener, snaps, hook and loop, etc.) may be configured to selectively open or close at least a portion of the second aperture  124 . 
     Various supporting materials may be comprised in and/or adjacent the main body  102 . A semi-rigid material  128  (e.g., tubing) may be used to support a portion of the main body  102  such as a top portion  130  (e.g., top end) of the main body  102 . A handle  132  may be disposed at or adjacent the top portion  130 . 
     The support panel  104  may be disposed adjacent at least a portion of the rear exterior surface  114  of the main body  102 . The support panel  104  may be coupled to the main body  102 . The support panel  104  may comprise a foam support member  134  at least partially enclosed in a material  136 . An example foam support member  134  is shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown, the foam support member  134  may have an ergonomic shape configured to abut a back of a wearer. Other shapes and designs may be used. 
     A first shoulder strap  106  may extend from one or more of the main body  102  and the support panel  104 . A second shoulder strap  108  may extend from one or more of the main body  102  the support panel  104 . At least a portion of the second shoulder strap  108  may be spaced from the first shoulder strap  106 . One or more of the shoulder straps  106 ,  108  may comprise a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid material at least partial enclosed by a covering material. However, other constructions may be used. One or more of the shoulder straps  106 ,  108  may comprise pockets, tabs, compartments, and/or fasteners. A first chest member  138  coupled to the first shoulder strap  106  and a second chest member  140  coupled to the second shoulder strap  108 . The first chest member  138  may be configured to be releasably coupled to the second chest member  140 , for example across a torso of a wearer. Such releasable coupling may be effectuated using a technical buckle or other releasable fastener. 
     The cinching layer  110  may be disposed in or adjacent the front exterior surface  112  of the main body  102 . The cinching layer  110  may be disposed adjacent other portions of the main body  102  or may be integrated as part of the main body  102 . The cinching layer  110  may be formed from various materials and may be stretchable in one or more areas, or formed from an elastic material. The cinching layer  110  may comprise webbing or may be defined by cords or drawstrings, or the like. 
     A first cinching cord  144  may be coupled to one or more of the first shoulder strap  106  and the second shoulder strap  108 . The term cord, as used herein, need not have a particular cross-section and may be flat material or have a defined cross-sectional shape such as circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes or sizes. The coupling between the first cinching cord  144  and one or more of the first shoulder strap  106  and the second shoulder strap  108  may be effectuated by an adjustable coupling mechanism  146  such as a cord lock, for example. At least a portion of the first cinching cord  144  may be disposed adjacent the top portion  130  of the main body. As an illustrative example, the first cinching cord  144  may be fixedly coupled to the second shoulder strap  108 , may pass through at least a portion of the main body  102  (e.g., such that a portion is enclosed and a potion is not enclosed by the main body  102 ) and may be slideably coupled to the first shoulder strap  106  such that a portion (e.g., an end  148 ) of the first cinching cord  144  may be engaged by a wearer of the backpack  100  to adjust a tension force applied to the first cinching cord  144 . 
     A second cinching cord  150  may be coupled to the main body  102  and may extend through at least a portion of the cinching layer  110 . One or both of the first cinching cord  144  or the second cinching cord  150  may define the cinching layer  110 , or at least a portion of the cinching layer  110 . The cinching layer  110  need not be a separate layer of material from the main body  102  to function as described herein. Opposing ends  152 ,  154  of the second cinching cord  150  may be fixedly coupled to the main body  102 . As another example, the second cinching cord  150  may be at least partial enclosed by the cinching layer  110 . The second cinching cord  150  may extend along or adjacent a peripheral edge  156  of the cinching layer  110 . At least a portion of the second cinching cord  150  may disposed adjacent a top end  158  of the cinching layer  110 . The second cinching cord  150  may be coupled to the first cinching cord  144  such that a tension applied to the first cinching cord causes the cinching layer  110  to apply a compression force from the cinching layer  110  toward main body  102  (e.g., toward the front exterior surface  112  of the main body  102 . As an example, the second cinching cord  150  may be slidably coupled to the first cinching cord  144 , for example using a hook-type coupler  159 . The cinching layer  110  may comprise the cinching cords  144 ,  150  without or without additional material. 
     A first hip member  160  may extend through at least one first main body ring  162  coupled to the main body  102  and at least one first shoulder strap ring  164  coupled to the first shoulder strap  106 . As used herein, ring may comprise an O-ring, D-ring, a material loop, or a tie-down fastener coupled to a surface and configured to allow a material to pass through an aperture formed in the fastener. The first hip member  160  may be adjustably coupled to a first anchor  166  coupled to the main body  102 . 
     A second hip member  168  may extend through at least one second main body ring  170  coupled to the main body  102  and at least one second shoulder strap ring  172  coupled to the second shoulder strap  108 . The second hip member  168  may be adjustably coupled to a second anchor  174  coupled to the main body  102 . The first hip member  160  and/or the second hip member  168  may be configured to be releasable coupled to each other to define an adjustable hip belt  176 . An adjustment of a tension in the hip belt  176  causes adjustment of a cinching force between the first and second shoulder straps  106 ,  108  and one or more of the main body  102  or the support panel  104 . As an example, the cinching force between the first and second shoulder straps  106 ,  108  and one or more of the main body  102  or the support panel  10  may cause a tension in the first cinching cord  144  (e.g., since the first cinching cord  144  is coupled to the shoulder straps  106 ,  108 ). As such, the compression force from the cinching layer  110  toward the main body  102  may dependent upon the tension in the hip belt  176  and the tension applied to the first cinching cord  144  (which may be translated to the second cinching cord  150 ). 
     In use, a wearer of the backpack  100  may have items stored in one or more of the compartments  118 ,  126 , or the backpack  100  may be empty. The wearer may be coupled the hip members  160 ,  168  to each other around a waist or hip area of the wearer, thereby defining the hip belt  176 . The wearer may adjust a length of the hip belt  176 , which will also apply a cinching force between the shoulder straps  106 ,  108  and the main body  102 . The wearer may reach and engage the first cinching cord  144  (e.g., the end  148 ). The wearer may engage a release and may pull the first cinching cord  144  to apply a tension in the first cinching cord  144 , which is translated to the second cinching cord  150 , thereby causing the cinching layer  110  to experience a generally upward or tension force. As the cinching layer  110  is under force, the cinching layer will cause a compression force to be applied to the front exterior surface  112  of the main body  102 , thus compressing the compartments  118 ,  126  toward a body of the wearer. The wearer may loosen the hip belt  176  and/or may release tension in the first cinching cord  144  to release compression of the compartments  118 ,  126 .