Patent Publication Number: US-2020288849-A1

Title: Modular back support system for backpacks other apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to and claims priority from commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/816,279, entitled: MODULAR BACK SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR BULLETPROOF VESTS, BACKPACKS, AND THE LIKE, filed on Mar. 11, 2019, the disclosures of the aforementioned patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of modular back support systems, associated with the carrying of loads. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traditionally, bulletproof vests, backpacks, and the like concentrate the weight carried by a subject on one area, for example, the shoulders, causing a reduction in a subject&#39;s movement capability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a modular back support system capable of distributing the weight carried by a user from one area to several areas of the user&#39;s body. The present invention reduces the pressure applied on the shoulders of the user by distributing the weight being carried (e.g. the load), and distributes the weight between the shoulders and the waist area, which is considered to be the strongest area of the human body. 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device (apparatus) for distributing the weight of a carried load. The device comprises: a first portion configured for: 1) receiving a carrier for causing distribution of the weight of the carrier; and 2) placement along a torso of a user; and, a second portion for holding the first portion on the user. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the first portion and the second portion are separable from each other and in communication with each other. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the first portion includes a body dimensioned for the torso. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the second portion includes a belt. 
     Optionally, the device is such that it additionally comprises: a connector in communication with the body and with the belt. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the connector is in communication with the body and with the belt by receiving: 1) the body in a removably attachable engagement, and/or, 2) the belt in a removably attachable engagement. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the body and/or the belt are positionable at multiple locations along the connector. 
     Optionally, the device is such that it additionally comprises: a flap configured holding the connector, the flap removably attachable from the connector. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the flap is foldable over the body. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the body includes a central channel for receiving the connector at multiple positions in a removably attachable engagement. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the flap includes a portion for connecting with the connector in the central channel in a removably attachable engagement. 
     Optionally, the device is such that the removably attachable engagement is caused by the contact of hook fasteners and corresponding loop fasteners. 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for producing an apparatus (e.g., a carrier) for distributing (and transferring) the weight of a carried load. The method comprises: providing a body configured for: 1) receiving a carrier for causing distribution of the weight of the carrier; and, 2) placement along a torso of a user; and, the body including a portion for receiving a connector in a removably attachable engagement; providing a belt for holding the first portion on the user; providing a connector for placing the body in communication with the belt; placing the connector into communication with the belt; and, placing the connector into communication with the body along the portion of the body for receiving the connector so that the carrier conforms with the height of the user. 
     Optionally, the method is such that the communication with the connector and the belt includes a removably attachable engagement. 
     Optionally, the method is such that the communication with the connector and the body includes a removably attachable engagement. 
     Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. 
       Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1A  is an exploded front view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is an front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in a use position; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  in the use position; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the frame of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 7A-1  is a front view of the apparatus in separated into its parts prior to assembly; 
         FIG. 7A-2  is a rear view of the apparatus in separated into its parts prior to assembly; 
         FIGS. 7B, 7C and 7D  are front views of the apparatus being assembled; 
         FIG. 7E  is a rear view of the assembled apparatus of  FIGS. 7A-7D ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the apparatus with the body portion at one adjustable position; and, 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the apparatus with the body at another adjustable position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In this document, directional references such as, front, rear, upper and lower, top, bottom, and the like, are made. These directional references are used to illustrate example orientations of the apparatus of the invention and are not limiting in any way. 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4 and 6 , show the apparatus (or device)  100  of the invention. The apparatus  100  is lightweight and modular. It is designed to distribute and transfer the weight which the apparatus  100  carries from the shoulders, and, for example, to the back, such that the weight (load) being carried is balanced. The load, such as a backpack, bulletproof vest, vest or the like, is easily attached to the apparatus  100 , by a wide variety of connectors. The apparatus  100  is be easily assembled, for the particular user, and easily disassembled. 
     The apparatus  100  is formed, for example, of a first portion or body  102 , which is separable from a second portion or belt  104 . The body  102  is placed into communication with the belt  104  or otherwise jointed thereto by a connector  106 , which connects to both the body  102 , along a central channel  108 , and to the belt  104 , in a pocket  110 , in a removably attachable engagement. The connector  106  is such that the body  102  and/or the belt  104  are positionable along the connector at numerous locations, making the apparatus adjustable based on the height of each individual user. The body  102 , belt  104 , and connector  106  are, for example, symmetric about a vertical axis VA. 
     The body  102  is designed to be placed along or in alignment with the torso of a user and is designed to receive a carrier with a load, such as a backpack, bullet proof vest, other type of vest, or the like, or simply an object or item, collectively referred to hereinafter “the load”. The body  102  is constructed and arranged to allow the weight of the load to be distributed over the body  102 , in order that carrying the load is easier and less burdensome to the user. 
     The body  102  includes upper  102   x  and lower  102   y  ends, and includes front  120  and rear  121  sheets, which are joined together at their peripheries  120   a ,  121   a , and form a cavity  124  ( FIG. 6 ) therebetween. A board or stiffening member  125  ( FIG. 6 ), for example in a “Y” shape, corresponding to the central channel  108 , is flanked on its lateral sides by pads  126 , within the cavity  124 . The board  125  is, for example, a semi-rigid component, which facilitates weight distribution and transfer of the load being carried. The board  125  and the pads  126  are stitched or otherwise held in place in the cavity  124  to maintain their position in the body  102 . For example, the pads  126  are substantially rectangular, with a diagonal portion  126   a  extending between adjacent sides of the pads  126 . The lateral sides of the body  102   p ,  102   q , including the pads  126 , may be bent or curved inward (e.g., from the edges of the board  125 ) to conform to the shape of the body or torso of the user. 
     The body  102  includes the central channel  108  extending along the body  102  from the upper end  102   x  to the lower end  102   y . At the upper end  102   x  of the body  102 , the central channel  108  tapers outward, the outward tapering being formed by the diagonal portions  126   a  of the pads  126 . The central channel  108  is, for example, a valley, defined by the area between the pads  126 , and is dimensioned to receive the connector  106  at multiple positions in the valley between the pads  126 . A rectangular portion  108   x  of the valley includes a fastener material portion, such as the loops of a hook and loop type fastener, e.g., VELCRO® fastening system (formed of hook material strip, and loop material strips). This loop material of the valley portion  108   x  creates a removably attachable engagement with the corresponding hook material strip of the connector  106 , disposed on the rear side  106   b  ( FIG. 7A-2 ) of the connector  106 . 
     Flanges  128   a ,  128   b  ( FIG. 7B ), which are optional, extend from the edges of the central channel  108 . These flanges  128   a ,  128   b  are of either hooks or loops, or other fasteners, to removably attachably engage the connector  106  in the central channel  108 , each other, or just rest one over the other without any removable attachment. 
     A flap  130  extends from the body  102  at its upper end  102   x . The flap  130  includes a body  130   a , which tapers inward to a tongue  130   b . The flap  130 , is attached to the body  102  along a body edge  130   a x in a moveable manner, by stitching or the like. The flap  130  is foldable (moveable) over the body  102 , and is, for example “Y” shaped, to seat in the Y shaped central channel  108 , when folded (down) into the body  102 , with the tongue  130   b  seating in the central channel  108 , such that the apparatus  100  is in a use or deployed position, as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1B and 2 . The “Y” shape of the flap  130  is maintained by a Y-shaped frame  132 , for example of a lightweight material, such as metal or plastic, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The flap  130 , along its inner side  130   i  (e.g., along the tongue  130   b ) includes one of the hook or loop fastener, or other fastener, so as to be removably attachable from the connector  106  (also seated in the central channel  108 ), to additionally secure the connector  106  in the central channel  108 . 
     Lateral straps  140   a ,  140   b  extend from one side  102   p  of the body  102  while corresponding lateral straps  141   a ,  141   b , which receive the respective straps  140   a ,  140   b , extend from the other side  102   q  of the body  102 , to attach to the load (e.g., backpack, bullet proof vest, vest, or the like). Additional straps  144   a ,  144   b , extend vertically along the rear side  121  of the body  102 , also to attach the load (e.g., backpack, bullet proof vest, vest, or the like). For example, with a backpack, bullet proof vest, vest, attached to the body  102  as the load (by the aforementioned connectors  140   a ,  140   b ,  141   a ,  141   b ,  144   a ,  144   b , and/or other conventional connectors), the arm bands or arm openings serve to receive the arms of the user, such that the apparatus  100  is further supported by the user (in addition to the belt  104 ). 
     The connector  106  is of a stiff or rigid inner portion or board (not shown) in a cavity (not shown), enclosed in material sheets, defining oppositely disposed first or front  106   a  and second or rear  106   b  sides. Front side  106   a  includes, for example, loop material portion or other fastening material portion, to removably attachably engage the inner side  130   i  of the flap  130 , with its corresponding hook material portion or other fastening material portion, and that of the pocket  110 . The rear side  106   b  ( FIG. 7A-2 ) includes, for example, hook material portion or other fastening material portion, to removably attachably engage, the corresponding loop material (loop material portion) of the inner channel  108 , and that of the pocket  110 . 
     The body  102 , for example, at its front sheet  120 , as well as the flap  130  on its outer side  130   j , and the front side  106   a  of the connector  106 , are made, for example, of a polyester mesh material. The body  102 , for example, at its rear sheet  121  and the rear  106   b  side of the connector  106  are, for example, made of a polyester or polymeric fabric. The pads  126  are made of, for example, foam, such as a polymer-based foam. 
     The belt  104  includes front  150  and rear  151  sheets (defining front and rear sides, respectively, of the belt  104 ), which are joined together at their periphery  150   a ,  151   a , and form a cavity  154  therebetween. Central  156   c  and lateral  156   d  pads are within the cavity  154  ( FIG. 6 ) and are stitched or otherwise held in place in the cavity  154  to maintain their position in the belt  104 . The pocket  110  is disposed centrally on the belt  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the pocket  110  includes portions  158   a  (including loop or other fastening material),  158   b  (including hook or other fastener material), to receive and hold the connector  106  (with its corresponding hook, loop or other fastener on its sides  106   a ,  106   b  (side surfaces)) in a removably attachable engagement. Alternately, the connector  106  may be fixed in the pocket  110  by numerous techniques, for example, one or more of: stitching, riveting, adhesives, and the like. 
     Straps  159   a ,  159   b  extend from the lateral ends  104   p ,  104   q  of the belt  104 . The straps  159   a ,  159   b  may be joined, such that the belt  104  (along the front sheet  150 ) is (e.g., wraps) around the user, for example, at or proximate to the waist of the user. 
     The belt  104  is, for example, made of the same polyester mesh material and/or polyester or polymeric fabric as the body  102 . Similarly, the pads  156  are, for example, made of the same material as the pads  126  of the body  102 . 
     Attention is now directed to  FIGS. 7A-1 to 7E  to show an assembly of the apparatus  100 . In  FIGS. 7A-1 and 7A-2 , the pieces of the apparatus, body  102 , belt  104  and connector  106  are shown prior to assembly and from their rear sides. 
     In  FIG. 7B , now looking at the front sides of the body  102 , belt  104  and connector  106 , respectively, the connector  106  has been placed in the central channel  108  of the body  102 . In  FIG. 7C , the connector  106  has been placed into the pocket  110  of the belt  104 . In  FIG. 7D , the flanges  128   a ,  128   b  have been folded inward, into the central channel  108 , over each other and joined together, to secure the connector  106  in the channel  108 . Additionally, the flap  130  has been folded over the body  102 , over the connector  106 , such that the tongue portion  130   b  of the flap  130  is in the central channel  108 , additionally securing the connector  106 . The apparatus  100  is now assembled and ready for use, so that a load can be attached to the body  102 .  FIG. 7E  shows the assembled apparatus  100  of  FIG. 7D  (in the use position), from the rear side. 
       FIG. 8A  shows the apparatus where the belt  104  is at a first distance from the body  102 . In  FIG. 8B , the apparatus  100  is such that the belt  104  is at a second distance from the body  102 , as a result of the connector  106  at a different position (e.g., toward the lower end  102   y  of the body  102 ), than in  FIG. 8A . These different positions allow for the apparatus  100  to be adjustable for each individual user (e.g., the height and torso of each individual user). 
     It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.