Patent Publication Number: US-2004050893-A1

Title: Backpack

Description:
1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/263,594, filed Jan. 23, 2001. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to backpacks, and, more particularly, to a backpack which includes means for automatically distributing some of the load of the backpack on the hips of the user.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Backpacks are well known devices for carrying loads Traditionally, the load of a backpack is carried high on the back, to put the center of gravity of the load over the hips. Placing the load on the hips reduces the strain on the user&#39;s back, by reducing the torque applied to the back, since the hips may carry a load more easily than the rest of the body. Traditional backpacks, with only one set of straps to hold the backpack to the user&#39;s shoulders, are prone to having the bottom of the backpack move out of the correct position on the user&#39;s hips, because the load is carried so high on the back that it tends to wobble. To force the backpack into a steady, correct, position, many known backpacks utilize a second set of straps at the user&#39;s waist to hold the backpack in position so that the bottom of the backpack rests on the user&#39;s hips. This is useful, however, only when the user actually uses these additional straps. Many users do not, especially if they take the backpack on and off repeatedly during the day.  
       [0005] Furthermore, unless the user takes the time and care to pack the backpack to ensure that the contents of the backpack are distributed properly in the interior of the backpack, the natural bouncing of the backpack while the user is walking causes the backpack to move out of its proper position, where no set of waist straps are secured, and thereby adds needless strain to the user&#39;s back.  
       [0006] Many people use a backpack for relatively short periods, such as, for example, going to and from school or work. Where the user packs and unpacks the backpack many times during the day, there is a disincentive to take the time to pack and re-pack the backpack each time in a way to ensure correct weight placement. Instead, the user tends to throw the contents into the backpack, and withdraw contents from the backpack, without regard to proper placement or load balancing. This may cause heavy items, such as school books, to be stored in less than optimal positions within the backpack, also tending to urge the backpack out of its proper placement on the hips.  
       [0007] As a result, the weight of the load carried tends to be randomly distributed in the backpack, and may be improperly positioned away from the back of the user, leading to unnecessary downward torque on the back. Where the waist straps are not used, the problem is compounded, because the weight of the backpack is allowed to move away from the user&#39;s hips. All of these circumstances cause additional, and unnecessary, strain placed on the user.  
       [0008] Any system for distributing weight in a backpack, like any human-centered system, is only useful if it is used. A user who feels that the time taken to implement a system outweighs the short term benefit provided by the system may tend to skip it, no matter how useful or helpful, even though the long-term benefit may be significant. Thus, there is a need for a system for assisting users of backpacks to position the backpacks with a minimum of effort.  
       [0009] Furthermore, the normal differences in body size and shape among different users tend to make it difficult to accommodate the needs of individual users without the use of separately adjustable sizing elements, which may be used incorrectly, or ignored, as being too cumbersome to be worthwhile.  
       [0010] There is thus a need for providing a backpack which may automatically shift the weight of the contents of the backpack into a preferred location, and also provide a more comfortable and ergonomically correct method of distributing the load of the backpack on the hips of the user without the need to strap on an additional set of straps, without regard to the individual shape or size of the user.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a backpack which tends to distribute the weight carried by the backpack into its correct position on the user&#39;s hips.  
       [0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a backpack in which a weight carried by the user is maintained in position on the user&#39;s hips without the need to utilize a set of waist straps.  
       [0013] It is yet another objet of the invention to provide a backpack in which the weight of the backpack may be carried in part on the user&#39;s hips without regard to the specific size and shape of the user&#39;s body.  
       [0014] A backpack in accordance with the invention has at least one angled interior panel, to urge items placed inside the backpack into a location close to, and supported by, the user&#39;s hips without the need for adjusting the backpack&#39;s contents. The panel is angled to urge items placed thereon towards the front and bottom of the interior of the backpack, closer to the small of the back of the user when the backpack is worn properly. An inverted “V”-shaped pad on the exterior of the backpack, disposed near the bottom thereof, contacts the user&#39;s back, and rests automatically on the user&#39;s hips, thereby distributing the load of the backpack more comfortably. The “V” shape tends to balance the load on either side of the spine of the user, on each hip. The interior weight distribution assisted by the use of the angled panel causes the pad to rest on the user&#39;s hips without fastening additional securing straps.  
       [0015] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016] In the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements:  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective of the inventive backpack, shown partly in phantom;  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective of the inventive backpack of FIG. 1; and  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the inventive backpack shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along the line III-III therein, with the straps omitted for ease of illustration.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0020]FIG. 1 shows a backpack  10  in accordance with the invention, showing the panel  12  worn closest to the back of the user when the backpack is worn. Backpack  10  includes a generally rectangular panel  12 , preferably having some means of supporting its shape, such as, for example, an internal frame or a support sheet (not separately identified) of a semi-rigid material such as a flexible plastic sheet. Panel  12  may be generally flat, or may be shaped to conform to the contours of the back of a user, as a matter of design choice.  
     [0021] For ease of illustration, it is depicted as generally flat in the drawings. Panel  12  generally defines the shape and size of backpack  10 , but also includes a rigid flange  14  which projects above a top  16  of backpack  10 . Flange  14  includes a handle  18 , which is formed as an opening therein, to permit the holding of backpack  10  when not on the user&#39;s back. Alternatively, a handle may take the form of a strap attached to an upper surface or edge of the backpack.  
     [0022] A pad  20 , which is shaped like an inverted “V”, is positioned on the exterior of backpack  10 , and is affixed to panel  12  on the side which is intended to be placed on the user&#39;s back. Pad  20  is the point of contact of backpack  10  on the back of the user, and so is preferably formed of any desired cushioning material, such as resilient foam, to provide a comfortable fit.  
     [0023] Pad  20  includes downwardly extending arms  22  which flare downwardly from a position on the left-right center line of panel  12  towards the bottom of backpack  10 , forming the inverted “V” of pad  20  seen in FIG. 1. This configuration ensures that pad  20  rests on the hips of the user when the backpack is worn, because no other point of contact between the user&#39;s body and backpack  10  exists at the bottom of backpack  10 . Pad  20  will contact the user&#39;s hips at a position which depends upon the width of the user&#39;s hips at their uppermost side. A user whose hips are narrow will have the pad rest lower on his or her back than will a user (presumably larger) whose hips are wider apart. Regardless, however, pad  20  will contact the user&#39;s hips at two points, one on each of arms  22  corresponding to the distance between the user&#39;s hips at the point of contact.  
     [0024] Since the contact is at these two points, spaced apart equally on opposite sides of the user&#39;s spine, backpack  20  is centered on the user&#39;s spine, tending to assist backpack  10  in remaining in its desired position on the user&#39;s back.  
     [0025] Furthermore, the inverted “V” shape of pad  20  tends to distribute the weight of the contents of backpack  10  on either side of the spine of the user, by resting solely on each hip of the user, at the bottom of backpack  10 .  
     [0026] A pair of shoulder straps  24  each have a padded portion  26  affixed to flange  14 , and a thin securing portion  28  affixed to a lower end of panel  12 . Each padded portion  26  is attached to its respective securing portion  28  by conventional adjustable attachment means, such as, for example, by a buckle  30 , which provides for relative adjustment of the overall length of strap  24  to accommodate the height of the user. Adjustment of the overall length of straps  24  permits the user to adjust the position of backpack  10  on his or her back, and thereby maintain “V” shaped pad  20  at the bottom of backpack  10  in contact with the hips as described above.  
     [0027] Preferably, the user may prevent slippage of straps  24  from the shoulders by use of a cross-strap  32 , which includes a second adjustable fastener  34  to hold straps  24  in place. Fastener  34  may be adjusted to accommodate the width of the user&#39;s torso in conventional fashion.  
     [0028] Many different types of straps, fasteners, and height adjustment means are known in the art, and the selection of suitable types of these items is well within the skill of those of ordinary skill in the art depending upon matters of design choice.  
     [0029] A panel  36  (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1) is positioned to urge items placed within backpack  10  towards the user&#39;s hips. Panel  36  is angled from the top back of backpack  10  towards the front bottom of backpack  10 , thereby urging items placed on panel  36  to move closer to the user&#39;s hips, without the user having to affirmatively shift the contents of backpack  10  each time items are placed into or removed from backpack  10 . Panel  36  may be rigid, such as, for example having a semi-hard plastic support therein, or flexible, such as, for example, by being formed purely of a sturdy fabric In the preferred embodiment, shown best in FIG. 3, two panels may be used, as will be described, for compartmentalizing the items placed within backpack  10 . This is a matter of design choice. In any event, the positioning of panel  36  within backpack  10  forms a chamfered compartment  38  (best seen in FIG. 3) for holding items within backpack  10 .  
     [0030] In an alternate design, chamfered compartment  38  may be the only compartment in the backpack, in which case panel  36  would comprise the exterior of the backpack.  
     [0031] In either embodiment, the fact that items to be carried are placed on angled panel  36  causes a portion of the downward force exerted on panel  36  by gravity to translate to a horizontal force vector in the direction of the user&#39;s back. This serves to reduce the apparent load of the backpack by displacing a portion of the total load to the user&#39;s hips rather than having the entire load carried on the user&#39;s shoulders.  
     [0032] Turning to FIG. 2, a first zippered opening  40  attaches top  16  of backpack  10  to the remainder thereof. Zippered opening  40  may include one or more conventional zipper pulls  42  for opening and closing compartment  38 . Top  16  may optionally include a second zippered opening  44 , which includes at least one zipper pull  46  for accessing an optional top compartment  48 , in which, for example, a personal stereo device could be placed. For such uses, an optional flapped opening  50  could be included in top  16 , for permitting a headphone cord to be threaded therethrough.  
     [0033] A third zippered opening  52 , having zipper pulls  54 , may be provided for accessing a lower compartment  56  (see FIG. 3) in the lower part of backpack  10 . In a preferred embodiment, a slashed pocket  58  may be placed in a rear of backpack  10 , as well as a small rear pocket  60 , accessible by a fourth zippered opening  62 , having at least one zipper-pull  64 .  
     [0034] The interior of backpack  10  is illustrated in FIG. 3. As may be seen, chamfered compartment  38  is defined as the area between panel  36  and panel  12 . It is smaller at the bottom than at the top, so that any items placed into the top through zippered opening  40  will be urged into a position at the bottom and front of compartment  38 , i.e. closer to the hips of the user, which will be supporting pad  20 . In this fashion, the weight of the backpack will be urged into the position providing the most comfort and support. The angling of compartment  38  therefore obviates the need for Using a separate securing means for holding backpack  10  in place, and increases the usability thereof without the need for shuffling the contents of backpack  10  or securing the lower end of backpack  10  with a separate strap-and-buckle arrangement.  
     [0035]FIG. 3 also illustrates optional elements for providing further utility of backpack  10 , such as a first flexible divider  64  attached to panel  36  by a web  66 , to permit the division of compartment  38  into two separate storage areas, if desired. Additional divider  68 , attached to the bottom of panel  36  by a second web  70 , may divide lower compartment  56  into separate areas. Optional storage elements  72 , such as pen pockets, computer disk pockets or other small elements may be mounted to the underside of additional divider  68 .  
     [0036] Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.