Patent Publication Number: US-2019191855-A1

Title: Ergonomic backpack

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/610,017, filed Dec. 22, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including any figures, tables, and drawings. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     Aspects of the disclosed subject matter include a bag such as a backpack engineered to include concepts in orthotics to improve a wearer&#39;s posture and to give relief to a wearer from stress and strain created from standard backpacks on the market today. 
     BACKGROUND 
     More than 80% of humans experience neck or lower back pain at some point in their lives due to poor posture. One of the main reasons for this is the standard backpack B, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , has not been re-engineered for decades. 
     Backpacks designed according to the present disclosure improve the postural health of wearers and help prevent posture-related health issues that occur due to the continual use of the outdated product design of the modern-day backpack. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a pressure relief system for a bag includes a backplate having a first end and a second end, opposing front and back sides, first and second sides, and a central region between the first and second sides. A first strap is mounted adjacent the first end of the backplate on the front side and adjacent the first side and a second strap mounted adjacent the first end of the backplate on the front side and adjacent the second side. The first strap and the second strap cross one another on the back side of the backplate between the first end and the second end. The first strap and the second strap exert a force into the back side of the backplate where the first strap and the second strap cross one another. 
     In some embodiments, the first strap and the second strap exert forces on the shoulders of a user of the bag that counteracts the force into the back side of the backplate. 
     In some embodiments, the backplate is curved along a spline within a central plane. 
     In some embodiments, a first strap release is mounted to the backplate, through which the first strap passes and a second strap release is mounted to the backplate through which the second straps passes, where the first and second strap releases each have a locked configuration in which movement of the first strap and the second strap is restricted to a single direction. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second strap releases each comprise a release pull that allow the first strap and the second strap to move in two directions. 
     In some embodiments, the backplate is symmetrical about the central plane. 
     In some embodiments, the backplate also includes a lower back extension between the second end and where the first strap and the second strap cross one another on the back side of the backplate. 
     In some embodiments, the first strap releasably mates with the second strap spaced apart from the cross. 
     In some embodiments, the backplate flexes to provide increased comfort. 
     In some embodiments, the backplate has a shape and/or a size that is adjustable. 
     In some embodiments, a chest strap releasably secures to the first strap and the second strap between the mounting points of each of the first strap and the second strap on the backplate and the cross. 
     In one embodiment, a method of securing a bag to a user&#39;s back to promote pressure relief includes: mounting a first strap and a second strap to a firm backplate; passing the first strap and the second strap around a first and second shoulder, respectively, of the user; wrapping the first strap and the second strap around a back side of the backplate; and crossing the first strap and the second strap on the back side of the backplate. The first strap and the second strap generate forces on the first and second shoulders, respectively, that counteract a force generated where the first strap crosses the second strap on the back side of the backplate. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes locking the first strap and the second strap in position on the backplate after crossing the first strap and the second strap. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes adjusting the backplate to fit the user. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes releasably mating the first strap to the second strap after crossing the first strap and the second strap. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes buckling a chest strap releasably secured to the first shoulder and second shoulder after crossing the first strap and the second strap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an illustrative view of a user wearing a prior art backpack; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts an illustration of a user&#39;s spine when wearing the prior art backpack; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts an illustration of a user&#39;s spine when wearing a backpack according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a backplate incorporated into a backpack according to the present disclosure with the backpack omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts the backplate of  FIG. 3A  after the user has tightened the straps; 
         FIG. 4  depicts the front side of a backpack according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  depicts the back side of a backpack according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  depicts the front side of a backplate according to the present disclosure including a strap release; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts the back side of the backplate of  FIG. 6A ; and 
         FIG. 6C  depicts a partial isometric view of a strap release according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the various embodiments depicted in the Figures, bags such as backpacks  10  according to the disclosed subject matter give the user perfect posture with a simple design. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts a user with a traditional prior art backpack B, contrasted with a backpack  10  designed according to the present disclosure depicted in  FIG. 2B . The traditional backpack B places the weight behind the user and below his or her center of gravity, causing natural bends at the hips H, shoulders S, and neck N. The backpack  10 , in comparison, promotes a straight extension at the hips H, shoulders S, and neck N. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict backplate  20 , which is integrated into the backpack  10  (omitted for clarity). Two straps  32 ,  34  are mounted to a first end  22  of the backplate  20 . The straps  32 ,  34  pass around the user and under each arm to form a cross  24  adjacent to a second end  26 . In the depicted embodiment, the backplate  20  continues beyond the cross  24  to provide further support for the user. When the straps  32 ,  34  are pulled, two opposing forces simultaneously occur to bring the user&#39;s spine into optimal alignment. While the straps  32 ,  34  pull the shoulders S back it naturally expands the user&#39;s chest, the straps  24 ,  26  crossing on the back side of backplate  20  gently pushes backplate  20  into the user&#39;s spine. These opposing forces bring the backpack  10  close to the user&#39;s center of gravity and helps the stress transfer from the user&#39;s shoulders S and spine to the user&#39;s hips H, which is where more weight should be handled. In some embodiments, the backplate  20  uses military-grade components, extremely durable spinal-fitting plastic, and premium mountain-gear webbing and cords to combine increased functionality with elegant design. In some embodiments, the backplate  20  is cushioned for comfort. In the depicted embodiment, the backplate  20  is defined by a curve or spline within a central plane P C . In some embodiments, the backplate  20  is symmetrical about the central plane P C . 
     Backpacks according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter incorporate a three-point pressure system. This three-point pressure system occurs when three forces are applied to a segment, i.e., a user&#39;s body, with a single primary force applied between two additional counter forces and the sum of the vectors of all three forces equals zero. This concept allows ideal alignment of the spine to be maintained while allowing tension to transfer from a user&#39;s lower back to the abdominals, which allows for optimal muscle activation. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the front side of a backpack  10  according to the present disclosure. Two buckles  12  releasably secure a main flap  14  in the depicted closed state. Supplementary pocket  16  is sealed with a zipper or the like and there are side pockets  18  on either side of the backpack  10 . In the depicted embodiment, the side pockets  18  are mesh. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the back of a backpack  10  according to the present disclosure. A release pull (string  45 ) of a strap release  33  (depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6C ) penetrates the back side of the fabric of the backpack  10 . This allows a user to tighten the first and second straps  32 ,  34  and then easily pull the release string  45  to open the strap lock  41  (depicted in  FIG. 6C ). In some embodiments, mirrored strap releases  33 A,  33 B (not depicted) are included for the first and second straps  32 ,  34 , respectively. In the depicted embodiment, a chest strap  35  is secured to both the first strap  32  and the second strap  34 . The depicted chest strap  35  contains a releasable member  37  in the form of a buckle. In some embodiments, the first strap  32  and the second strap  34  each terminate in complementary releasable members (not depicted) that allow the end of the first strap  32  to releasably engage the end of the second strap  34 . In the depicted embodiment, a padded lumbar support  21  provides additional improvements to the ergonomics of the backpack  10 . In some embodiments, the lumbar support  21  is adjustable and/or removeably. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the ends of straps  32  and  34  are shown hanging next to the padded lumbar support. Pulling on the ends of the straps tightens the straps. Pulling on the end on the left of the bag tightens the shoulder strap on the opposite side and vice versa. When both straps are tightened, the backplate is pressed into the back of the user, while the shoulder straps pull back on the shoulders of the user. Releasing the tension on the straps is accomplished in this embodiment by pulling the release pull  45 . 
       FIG. 6A  depicts the front side of the backplate  20  and the engagement of strap release  33  with first strap  32 . Referring to  FIG. 6B , the depicted strap release  33  is fixed to the back side of backplate  20 . In the embodiment shown, strap release  33  is a cam buckle.  FIG. 6C  depicts the strap release  33  in greater detail. A strap lock  41  rotates about a base  43  to engage the first strap  32  to only allow movement along the direction of arrow L. When the user pulls on the release pull  45  (in this embodiment, a string) the strap lock  41  rotates to disengage the first strap  32  and allow movement of the first strap  32  within the base  43  in two directions (depicted by double-ended arrow M in  FIG. 6C ). 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.