Patent Publication Number: US-11653743-B2

Title: Backpack with stowed rain cover

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Benefit of priority is claimed from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/640,495 filed Feb. 20, 2020, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/US2018/047066, filed Aug. 20, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/548,346, filed Aug. 21, 2017, with all of the disclosures of these applications being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to backpacks. More particularly, the present invention relates to backpacks having storage compartments for backpack accessories or other activity-specific accessories and gear, such as hoods, ponchos, raincoats, canopies, ground covers, blankets, and the like. 
     Background Art 
     It is known to conceal and stow various kinds of gear and accessories in various pockets and pouches of backpacks or other kinds of carry bags. Exemplary teachings include: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,125,477, to Killion, teaches a backpack having a two-panel hood stowed in, and deploying from, zippered compartments in the shoulder straps. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,071 to Lavelle discloses raingear housed in a pocket located on the top of the backpack so as to allow the wearer to reach over his shoulders to grab hold of a portion of the raingear. 
     U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 20050050614, by Leung, shows a backpack type satchel having a hood stowed in a compartment at the upper convergence of the shoulder straps. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,448, to Tsai teaches a raincoat concealing backpack that provides a zippered storage compartment integrated into the pack material on the side of the pack usually borne against the back of the user. 
     U.S. Design Pat. D509,653 to Yu, discloses a backpack with an integrated cover that stows in a zippered compartment immediately proximate the haul strap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,727,190 to Blair discloses a backpack hunting blind that may be used, for example, as a hunter blind and backpack frame. The camouflage cover deploys from the upper and inner portions of the frame members, not from a haul strap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,908 to Mignano discloses a backpack hunting blind with rear portion and hunting blind in a deployed position. 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0078457 to Pitchford et al. discloses a hooded backpack and speaker combination device having a plurality of pockets on its shoulder straps. 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0216511 to Brown et al. discloses an outdoor shelter system comprising a moveable rain fly coupled based layer and support apparatus. It is representative of covers/shelters that store and deploy from packs, but does not include disclosure regarding a rain cover stowed and deployed from a haul strap. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. D509,653 to Yu discloses a backpack with an integrated cover. The cover is stored within, and deployed from, a main body of a backpack. The cover is not to be stored within, nor deployed from, any part of the backpack other than the main body of the backpack. Specifically, the cover is not to be stored within, nor deployed from, a haul handle. Further, the cover is affixed (i.e., integrated) to the main body of the backpack. See that the affixing of the cover is within the main body of the backpack, with a zipper extending directly over the cover when the cover is stored within the main body. The cover is not to be separated from the main body of the backpack. Still further, as best observed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 of Yu, the affixed cover extends directly out from the main body portion. With the cover affixed to the main body of the backpack but with the zipper opened, there is no structure that is interposed between the storage location within the main body portion and the extension of the affixed cover out of the main body portion. 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0272570 to Brooks discloses a sports bag system. The bag system has a long, sling-over-shoulder-style strap as a main portion. In use, the sling-over-shoulder-style strap is slung over a user&#39;s shoulder from fore to aft. At each of the fore and aft ends of this sling-over-shoulder-style strap, different types of accessory bags/pouches/pockets can be removably connected thereto. At the shoulder blade area of the sling-over-shoulder-style strap, and between a cushion pad and an end connection, a zippered pocket is provided. Within the zippered pocket is an integrally-attached, via an interior connection end, bag. The bag includes a zipper. An article, such as a basketball, can be held within the bag when the bag is deployed out of the zippered pocket. As is seen in  FIGS.  1  and  2     a , the article is held within the bag and rides upon the back/shoulder blade of a user during use of the sports bag system. 
     Indeed, while all of the foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware, none disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described herein. There are, in fact, no known prior art products or teachings describing a backpack having a rain cover incorporated into, and concealed within, a haul strap. Accordingly, while the foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware, reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is a backpack having an associated (backpack) rain cover for pack and person concealed within and deployable from a modified haul strap. The storage compartment thus does not utilize any pockets or other storage areas needed for gear. Further, the stowed rain cover adds padding to the haul handle, a feature of no small significance when consideration is given to how uncomfortable thin haul straps are when carrying loaded backpacks. Indeed, the modest but meaningful expansion in cross-sectional dimension, as well as the padding added by the stowed rain cover, makes the haul strap a comfortable carry strap even for heavy loads. 
     The inventive method and apparatus for stowing a rain cover may be incorporated into virtually any type of backpack of any size, whether a small 5 liter daypack, a larger 30-50 liter weekend pack, or a 70+ liter multiday backpack, though it is particularly well-suited for use with backpacks of the kind described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2016/0227908, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved stow compartment for a backpack rain cover. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved haul strap adapted for use as a primary carrying haul handle that provides enhanced comfort while simultaneously providing an entirely discrete functional advantage—namely, the storage compartment for a rain cover. 
     A further object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved backpack that provides a discrete storage pocket for a (potentially) wet article, thereby protecting other stowed goods from getting wet. 
     Other novel features characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is an upper front left perspective view of the inventive rain cover storage apparatus incorporated in a backpack haul strap; 
         FIG.  2 A  is an upper perspective view showing the haul strap with a zipper as a closure device and the rain cover entirely stored and concealed within the strap storage volume; 
         FIG.  2 B  is the same view showing the zipper open and the stowed rain cover partially deployed; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional side view in elevation of the haul handle taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a left side view in elevation showing the rain cover and hood partially deployed from the haul strap; 
         FIG.  4 B  is the same view showing the rain cover pulled over to fully cover the backpack with the hood partially deployed; 
         FIG.  4 C  is the same view showing the hood fully covering the head of the wearer; 
         FIG.  5    is a front left perspective view showing the rain cover fully deployed and enclosing the backpack itself; 
         FIG.  6    is an upper rear left perspective view (side facing the wearer) showing the rain cover enclosing the backpack with the shoulder straps, waist belt, and chest straps exposed; 
         FIG.  7    is a front perspective view showing the rain cover fully deployed, covering the backpack, with the integral hood covering the head of the user; 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of an example of the inventive rain cover storage apparatus incorporated in a backpack haul strap of a backpack, with a closure zipper closed and a stowed rain cover hidden inside of the backpack haul strap; 
         FIG.  9    is a view similar to  FIG.  8   , but with the closure zipper opened to reveal a segment of material located within a hollow interior of the backpack haul strap, with the segment of material having a side extending to face the closure zipper, especially we the closure zipper is closed, and with the stowed rain cover hidden behind/beneath the segment of material; 
         FIG.  10    is a view similar to  FIG.  9   , but with the backpack haul strap being opened in an accentuated manner to show a majority of a periphery of the segment of material being affixed within the haul handle and at least one portion of the periphery of the segment of material that is not affixed within the haul strap providing an access pathway, to a portion of the hollow interior on a side of the segment of material away from the closure, though which the rain cover may be stowed and retrieved, and with a portion of the rain cover visible; 
         FIG.  11    is a view similar to  FIG.  10   , but with the rain cover retrieved from the interior of backpack haul strap and placed next to the backpack, and showing the access pathway at the segment of material that is not affixed though which the rain cover was retrieved from behind/beneath the segment of material; 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of an example of the inventive rain cover storage apparatus incorporated in a backpack haul strap of a backpack, with a closure zipper closed and a stowed rain cover hidden inside of the backpack haul strap; 
         FIG.  13    is a view similar to  FIG.  12   , but with the closure zipper opened to reveal a segment of material located within a hollow interior of the backpack haul strap, with the segment of material having a side extending to face the closure zipper, especially we the closure zipper is closed, and with the stowed rain cover hidden behind/beneath the segment of material; 
         FIG.  14    is a view similar to  FIG.  13   , but with the backpack haul strap being opened in an accentuated manner to show a majority of a periphery of the segment of material being affixed within the haul handle and at least one portion of the periphery of the segment of material that is not affixed within the haul strap providing an access pathway, to a portion of the hollow interior on a side of the segment of material away from the closure, though which the rain cover may be stowed and retrieved, and with a portion of the rain cover visible; and 
         FIG.  15    is a view similar to  FIG.  14   , but with the rain cover retrieved from the interior of backpack haul strap and placed next to the backpack, and showing the access pathway at the segment of material that is not affixed though which the rain cover was retrieved from behind/beneath the segment of material. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  through  7   , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved method and apparatus for storing a backpack rain cover in a haul strap, the invention generally denominated  10  herein. 
     In an embodiment, and in its most essential aspect, the backpack  10  incorporating the inventive rain cover storage and deployment apparatus may be embodied as a daypack, travel pack, rucksack, or multi-day excursion pack. In the views, the system is shown incorporated in a daypack style backpack  12 . The overall backpack includes a backpack body  14  constructed of a flexible fabric, either synthetic or natural, and most typically a woven polymeric or nylon fabric. 
     The backpack body  14  is typically laterally symmetrical (from right to left) about a vertical axis (in the transverse plane), and asymmetrical anteriorly and posteriorly about a vertical axis in the coronal plane, though small variations in componentry may be included on either side of the backpack body. In a daypack-style backpack, such as that shown in the views, there will be included a primary front compartment  16  accessible by an opening selectively closed by a zipper or other closure device  18  (hook-and-loop, snaps, buttons, etc.), a secondary (or front) compartment or pocket  20 , also accessible through an opening selectively closed by a zipper or other closure device  22 , and one or more side pockets  24 , again having selectively closeable zippered openings  26 . The back side  28  of the pack includes a back panel  30  and various carry straps, including padded shoulder straps  32 , a sternum strap  34 , a padded hip belt  36 , possibly including an integral lumbar pad. 
     The upper portion  38  of the pack includes a pack handle or haul strap handle (or simply haul handle)  40 , generally disposed either between the shoulder straps or at the top of the pack. The haul handle is interiorly hollow and opens through a zippered or other closure opening  42  having a zipper or other closure feature  44  and provides a stowage compartment  46  into which a rain/pack cover  48  may be stowed. The rain cover may be a pack cover only, a combined pack cover and hood  50 , a poncho and integral hood, and the like. Further, the rain cover may be connected to the interior of the storage compartment, for instance by stitching  52 , such that the rain/pack cover  48  portion tends to deploy downwardly while the hood  54  portion for the user tends to deploy upwardly, or above the pack cover. Alternatively, the rain cover may be kept entirely loose or free from any physical connection to the storage compartment interior such that it may be used independently of the backpack. The rain cover may also be provided with means for securing the cover tightly around the backpack, such as by an elastic drawstring closure or cinch closure with a cord lock or cord stopper  60 . 
     It is to be noted that the shown example presents the haul handle  40 , and thus the contained rain cover  48  therein, away from the portions (e.g., the shoulder straps  32 ) of the backpack  10  that directly engage the body of the use and/or the backpack body  14  itself, which, of course, is for contents that are to be protected from water, etc. To be clear, the haul handle  40 , and thus the contained rain cover  48  therein, is not integrated into the shoulder straps  32  and/or the backpack body  14 . Such construction is such that even if the rain cover  48  might be re-stowed after use (i.e., possibly wet), there is no transfer of water, etc. 
       FIG.  8    is a top view of an example of the inventive rain cover storage apparatus incorporated in a backpack haul strap handle (or simply haul handle)  140  of a backpack  110 , with a closure device/feature (e.g., a zipper)  144  to close a closure opening  142  (not yet open in  FIG.  8   ) and a stowed rain cover  148  (hidden/not visible in  FIG.  8   ) hidden inside of the closed haul handle  140 . 
     It is to be noted that the backpack  110  may include all or some of the structures/features presented for the above-discussed examples. For example, the rain cover  148  may have all or some of the same structures/features (e.g., closure means such as a draw string/closure stopper, sized to be a combined pack cover and hood) as presented for the other examples. Also, it is to be noted that the backpack  110  may include additional and/or different structures/features as compared to the above-discussed examples. Within an example, the backpack  110  may include, at least, a backpack body  114 , a primary front compartment  116 , a back side  130 , one or more (e.g., two) padded shoulder straps  132 . 
     The haul handle  140  is to be grasped by a hand of the user to pick-up the backpack  110 . The haul handle  140  is a separate item from the backpack body  114  and is a separate item from the shoulder straps  132 . The haul handle  140  is located at an upper portion  138  of the backpack  110  and attached to at least one of the backpack body  114  and the at least one shoulder strap  132 . Within the shown example of  FIG.  8   , the haul handle  140  is attached to the backpack body  114 . The haul handle  140  and the least one of the backpack body  114  and the at least one shoulder strap  132  to which the haul handle is attached together encircle a grasp area for receiving a hand grasping the haul handle. The haul handle  140  includes a hollow interior  170  (hidden/not visible in  FIG.  8   ). 
     The hollow interior  170  and the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144  provide a selectively openable rain cover storage compartment. In other words, the hollow interior  170  is a rain cover storage compartment  170  that is selectable openable/closable, at the closure opening  142 , via operation of the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144 . It is to be noted that the rain cover storage compartment  170  is separate from and outside of the backpack body  114 , and thus separate from the compartment of the backpack body  114 . Such separation of the haul handle  140  and the rain cover storage compartment  170  therein from the backpack body  114  is to avoid possible contamination (e.g., water, dirt, etc.) into the body compartment of the backpack body  114  from the rain cover storage compartment  170 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  9   , note that  FIG.  9    is a view similar to  FIG.  8   , but with the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144  actuated/opened such that the closure opening  142  is open in  FIG.  9   . With the closure opening  142  is open, such reveals a segment of material  172  located within the hollow interior (i.e., rain cover storage compartment)  170  of the haul handle  140 . 
       FIG.  10    is a view similar to  FIG.  9   , but with the haul handle  140  being opened in an accentuated manner to show a majority of a periphery of the segment of material  172 . As will be described further following, the segment of material  172  is affixed within the haul handle  140  and at least one portion of the periphery of the segment of material that is not affixed within the haul strap providing an access pathway, to a portion of the hollow interior on a side of the segment of material away from the closure, though which the rain cover  148  may be stowed and retrieved.  FIG.  11    is a view similar to  FIG.  10   , but with the rain cover  148  retrieved from the interior of the haul handle  140  and placed next to the backpack  110 . As will be described further following, the access pathway at the segment of material  172  that is not affixed was the pathway through which the rain cover was retrieved from behind/beneath the segment of material  172 . 
     The haul handle  140  includes the segment of material  172  (see  FIGS.  9 - 11   ) located within the hollow interior  170  of the haul handle  140 . The segment of material  172  is affixed (e.g., via stitching or similar) along a majority of a periphery  174  ( FIG.  10   ) of the segment of material within the haul handle  140 . At least one portion of the periphery  174  of the segment of material is not affixed within the haul handle  140 . Within the shown example, see that the open ends  176  (left and right ends as viewed within  FIGS.  9 - 11   ) are not affixed. Such provides openings at each of the two open ends  176 . The two open ends  176  are at opposed ends of the segment of material  172 . 
     The segment of material  172  has a side (e.g., a face)  178  extending to face the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144 , particularly when the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper) is closed. Of course, there is an opposite side (e.g., a face) extending to face away from the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144 . Such opposite/facing-away side is hidden and not visible in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . However, a small portion  180  of the opposite/facing-away side is visible in  FIG.  11   . Each of the open ends  176  provides the access pathway to a portion of the hollow interior  170  on a side of the segment of material  172  away from the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper). It is to be noted that the access pathway either of the open ends  176  can be used to for ingress/egress of the rain cover  148  into/from behind/beneath the segment of material  172  and thus the hollow interior (rain cover storage compartment)  170 . 
     As can be appreciated the rain cover  148  is configured and sized to cover at least the backpack body  114 . It is to be noted that the rain cover  148  is shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11    in a rolled/folded condition. It is when the rain cover  148  is unrolled/unfolded to a deployed extent does the rain cover  148  provide such covering of at least the backpack body  114 . Once deployed, the rain cover  148  extends, e.g., from the top/upper portion  138  downwardly, to cover over the entire backpack body  114  to protect the backpack body and the articles contained within the backpack body from precipitation, or other elements or items, while the backpack is worn by the user. So, to be clear, the rain cover  148  has at least a stowed condition within the rain cover storage compartment  170  of the haul handle  140 . The rain cover  148  is completely and exclusively within the haul handle  140  and located at the side (e.g., see portion  180  within  FIG.  11   ) of the segment of material  172  away from the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144 . When stowed, the rain cover  148  provides padding to the haul handle  140  when the hand of the user grasps the haul handle to pick-up the backpack  110 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the novel use of the segment of material  172  within the haul handle  140  provides protection to the rain cover  148  so that the rain cover  148  is not damaged (e.g., torn or snagged) during operation of the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144 . The novel use of the segment of material  172  within the haul handle  140  provides protection to the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144  such that the rain cover  148  does not become bound or lodged into the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper) during operation of the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper). 
     It is to be understood that the rain cover  148  is placed beneath (as viewed within the figures) the segment of material  172 . Such placement of the rain cover  148  is via insertion at one of the open ends  176 . In some respects, the novel use of the segment of material  172  allows the rain cover  148  to be neatly and compactly stored within the haul handle  140  via an initial holding of the rain cover  148  while the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  144  is operated to provide some further compacting/compression. 
     It is to be noted that the shown example presents the haul handle  140 , and thus the contained rain cover  148  therein, away from the portions (e.g., the shoulder straps  132 ) of the backpack  110  that directly engage the body of the use and/or the backpack body  114  itself, which, of course, is for contents that are to be protected from water, etc. To be clear, the haul handle  140 , and thus the contained rain cover  148  therein, is not integrated into the shoulder straps  132  and/or the backpack body  114 . Such construction is such that even if the rain cover  148  might be re-stowed after use (i.e., possibly wet), there is no transfer of water, etc. 
       FIG.  12    is a top view of an example of the inventive rain cover storage apparatus incorporated in a backpack haul strap handle (or simply haul handle)  240  of a backpack  210 , with a closure device/feature (e.g., a zipper)  244  to close a closure opening  242  (not yet open in  FIG.  12   ) and a stowed rain cover  248  (hidden/not visible in  FIG.  8   ) hidden inside of the closed haul handle  240 . 
     It is to be noted that the backpack  110  may include all or some of the structures/features presented for the above-discussed examples. For example; the rain cover  248  may have all or some of the same structures/features (e.g., closure means such as a draw string/closure stopper, sized to be a combined pack cover and hood) as presented for the other examples. Also, it is to be noted that the backpack  210  may include additional and/or different structures/features as compared to the above-discussed examples. Within an example, the backpack  210  may include, at least, a backpack body  214 , a primary front compartment  216 , a back side  230 , one or more (e.g., two) padded shoulder straps  232 . 
     The haul handle  240  is to be grasped by a hand of the user to pick-up the backpack  210 . The haul handle  240  is a separate item from the backpack body  214  and is a separate item from the shoulder straps  232 . The haul handle  240  is located at an upper portion  238  of the backpack  210  and attached to at least one of the backpack body  214  and the at least one shoulder strap  232 . Within the shown example of  FIG.  12   , the haul handle  240  is attached to the backpack body  214 . The haul handle  240  and the least one of the backpack body  214  and the at least one shoulder strap  232  to which the haul handle is attached together encircle a grasp area for receiving a hand grasping the haul handle. The haul handle  240  includes a hollow interior  270  (hidden/not visible in  FIG.  12   ). 
     The hollow interior  270  and the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244  provide a selectively openable rain cover storage compartment. In other words, the hollow interior  270  is a rain cover storage compartment  270  that is selectable openable/closable, at the closure opening  242 , via operation of the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244 . It is to be noted that the rain cover storage compartment  270  is separate from and outside of the backpack body  214 , and thus separate from the compartment of the backpack body  214 . Such separation of the haul handle  240  and the rain cover storage compartment  270  therein from the backpack body  214  is to avoid possible contamination (e.g., water, dirt, etc.) into the body compartment of the backpack body  214  from the rain cover storage compartment  270 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  13   , note that  FIG.  13    is a view similar to  FIG.  12   , but with the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244  actuated/opened such that the closure opening  242  is open in  FIG.  13   . With the closure opening  242  is open, such reveals a segment of material  272  located within the hollow interior (i.e., rain cover storage compartment)  270  of the haul handle  240 . 
       FIG.  14    is a view similar to  FIG.  13   , but with the haul handle  240  being opened in an accentuated manner to show a majority of a periphery of the segment of material  272 . As will be described further following, the segment of material  272  is affixed within the haul handle  240  and at least one portion of the periphery of the segment of material that is not affixed within the haul strap providing an access pathway, to a portion of the hollow interior on a side of the segment of material away from the closure, though which the rain cover  248  may be stowed and retrieved.  FIG.  15    is a view similar to  FIG.  14   , but with the rain cover  248  retrieved from the interior of haul handle  240  and placed next to the backpack  210 . As will be described further following, the access pathway at the segment of material  272  that is not affixed was the pathway through which the rain cover was retrieved from behind/beneath the segment of material  272 . 
     The haul handle  240  includes the segment of material  172  (see  FIGS.  13 - 15   ) located within the hollow interior  270  of the haul handle  240 . The segment of material  272  is affixed (e.g., via stitching or similar) along a majority of a periphery  274  ( FIGS.  14  and  15   ) of the segment of material within the haul handle  240 . At least one portion of the periphery  274  of the segment of material is not affixed within the haul handle  240 . Within the shown example, there are two open ends  276  (left and right ends as viewed within  FIGS.  13 - 15   , but with only the one, right side exposed) that are not affixed. Such provides openings at each of the two (i.e., left and right) open ends  276 . The two open ends  276  are at opposed ends of the segment of material  272 . 
     Also note (see  FIGS.  13 - 15   ) that a portion at the middle of the segment of material  172  is cropped/removed such that the segment of material  172  is not affixed to the interior of the haul handle  240  at the middle location. Such provides a middle opening  282 . Within the shown example cropped/removed portion from the segment of material  172  has a general trapezoidal shape. This the middle opening  282  has a general trapezoidal shape. Also note that the cropped/removed portion from the segment of material  172 , and thus the middle opening  282 , is located toward either a forward or aft direction of a left-right center line of the segment of material  172 . Within the shown example, the left-right center line of the segment of material  172  is generally the location over which the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244  will lie when closed. 
     Within the shown example, the cropped/removed portion from the segment of material  172 , and thus the middle opening  282 , is located forward of a left-right center line of the segment of material  172 . As such, the cropped/removed portion from the segment of material  172 , and thus the middle opening  282 , is located toward the front of the backpack  210 . Moreover, the cropped/removed portion from the segment of material  172 , and thus the middle opening  282 , is located so as to not lie beneath the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244  will lie when closed. 
     The segment of material  272  has a side (e.g., a face)  278  extending to face the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244 , particularly when the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper) is closed. Of course, there is an opposite side (e.g., a face) extending to face away from the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244 . Such opposite/facing-away side is hidden and not visible in  FIGS.  13  and  14   . However, the presence of the opposite/facing-away side  280  is indicated in  FIG.  15   . Each of the open ends  276  and middle opening  282  provides the access pathway to a portion of the hollow interior  270  on a side of the segment of material  272  away from the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244 . It is to be noted that the access pathway at one of the open ends  276  and the middle opening  282  can be used to for ingress/egress of the rain cover  248  into/from behind/beneath the segment of material  272  and thus the hollow interior (rain cover storage compartment)  270 . 
     As can be appreciated the rain cover  248  is configured and sized to cover at least the backpack body  214 . It is to be noted that the rain cover  248  is shown in  FIGS.  13 - 15    in a rolled/folded condition. It is when the rain cover  248  is unrolled/unfolded to a deployed extent does the rain cover  248  provide such covering of at least the backpack body  214 . Once deployed, the rain cover  248  extends, e.g., from the top/upper portion  238  downwardly, to cover over the entire backpack body  214  to protect the backpack body and the articles contained within the backpack body from precipitation, or other elements or items, while the backpack is worn by the user. So, to be clear, the rain cover  248  has at least a stowed condition within the rain cover storage compartment  270  of the haul handle  240 . The rain cover  248  is completely and exclusively within the haul handle  240  and located at the side (e.g., see side  280  within  FIG.  15   ) of the segment of material  272  away from the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244 . When stowed, the rain cover  248  provides padding to the haul handle  240  when the hand of the user grasps the haul handle to pick-up the backpack  210 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the novel use of the segment of material  272  within the haul handle  240  provides protection to the rain cover  248  so that the rain cover  248  is not damaged (e.g., torn or snagged) during operation of the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244 . The novel use of the segment of material  272  within the haul handle  240  provides protection to the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244  such that the rain cover  248  does not become bound or lodged into the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper) during operation of the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper). 
     It is to be understood that the rain cover  248  is placed beneath (as viewed within the figures) the segment of material  272 . Such placement of the rain cover  248  is via insertion at one of the open ends  276  or the middle opening  282 . In some respects, the novel use of the segment of material  272  allows the rain cover  248  to be neatly and compactly stored within the haul handle  240  via an initial holding of the rain cover  248  while the closure device/feature (e.g., zipper)  244  is operated to provide some further compacting/compression. 
     It is to be noted that the shown example presents the haul handle  240 , and thus the contained rain cover  248  therein, away from the portions (e.g., the shoulder straps  232 ) of the backpack  210  that directly engage the body of the use and/or the backpack body  214  itself, which, of course, is for contents that are to be protected from water, etc. To be clear, the haul handle  240 , and thus the contained rain cover  248  therein, is not integrated into the shoulder straps  232  and/or the backpack body  214 . Such construction is such that even if the rain cover  248  might be re-stowed after use (i.e., possibly wet), there is no transfer of water, etc. 
     The above disclosure will enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. The disclosure provides a disclosure of embodiments of the invention. However, the embodiments do not limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which will be defined by claims presented in a non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of the filing date of this provisional patent application. 
     The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable those with skill in the relevant art to practice the invention without undue experimentation. The disclosure further provides the best mode of practicing the invention now contemplated by the inventor. 
     While the particular backpack and rain cover storage method herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages stated herein, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.