Patent Abstract:
A backpack construction includes a back panel with shoulder straps and an optional horizontal back support cushion to enhance comfort when the back pack is positioned on the back of an individual. The back pack further includes a number of arcuate or curved panels which are joined together by fasteners to provide multiple access openings to the back pack through the top side thereof.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a utility application incorporating by reference and claiming priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/682,592, filed May 19, 2005 entitled “Backpack”.  
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a luggage item; namely a backpack comprised of multiple panels sewn and fastened together to form an enclosure with straps for support of the backpack and various fasteners for attaching the separate panels to each other and enabling access to the interior of the backpack.  
         [0003]     The use of backpacks is umbiquitous. Students use backpacks to carry their papers and books. Travelers use backpacks to carry items associated with their travel. Business persons use backpacks to carry business papers and associated materials.  
         [0004]     Typically, backpacks include a back side panel with vertical shoulder straps affixed thereto. An array of attached panels and flaps sewn to the back panel form an enclosure and provide for access to the interior of the backpack. Many various designs of backpacks are available in the marketplace.  
         [0005]     Despite the availability of many types of backpacks having various shapes and configurations, there remains the need to provide designs with improved access, comfort and portability.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Briefly, the present invention comprises a backpack construction which includes a back side panel with a hand hold carry flap on the outside face of the back side panels centrally located near or along the top edge thereof. First and second shoulder straps extend from adjacent the hand hold carry flap and are connectable to the lower margin of the back side panel and more particularly, to a cushion affixed horizontally to the lower margin. An assembly of arcuate side enclosure panels are attached to the back side panel and a bottom panel. The side enclosure panels are joined together by fasteners such as zippers and are designed to permit access to the interior of the back pack from the top side at two entry points. The front side of the back pack includes a nameplate panel affixed thereto by means of elastic bands to reinforce the front side panel.  
         [0007]     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved back pack construction.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a back pack which includes multiple access openings from the top side of the back pack to the interior enclosure.  
         [0009]     Another object of the invention is to provide a back pack construction which includes shoulder straps, hand holds and fasteners which provide for comfortable carriage of the back pack and ease of adjustment of the means for carriage of the back pack.  
         [0010]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention are set forth in the detailed description which follows.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0011]     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation of the backpack of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top elevation of the bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top elevation of the bag of  FIG. 1  wherein the panels forming the bag have been closed;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the back side of the backpack illustrating the hand hold or hand grip construction;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the name plate construction associated with the backpack of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the name plate depicted in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation of the name plate of  FIG. 6 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the name plate of  FIG. 7 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Referring to the figures, the backpack of the invention includes a back side panel  10  having first and second generally vertical, but diverging carry straps  12  and  14  affixed to the upper side or edge of the back panel  10  near the center thereof. Straps  10 ,  12  each extend downwardly through an adjustable buckle  16  that connects to a further strap  18  attached to a side wing or horizontal cushion panel  20 . The wing or panel  20  is also attached at the lower edge of the backside of the back panel  10 . The back panel  10  has a generally straight lower side  21 , opposite lateral sides or edges  23 ,  25  that extend upwardly from the lower side edge along an arcuate pathway to join at the top of the back side panel  10 .  
         [0021]     Affixed to the back panel  10  is a generally horizontal lower side or bottom side panel  22 . Extending upwardly from the bottom side panel  22  are a series of arcuate panels including a first arcuate side panel  24  which is joined to a second arcuate side panel  26  along a bridge section  28 . A front arcuate panel  30  is also joined to the bottom panel  22  and to the arcuate shaped side panels  24  and  26 . The component panels  24 ,  26 ,  30  are joined by means of zippers, for example, zippers  32  and  34 , so that the panels  24 ,  26 ,  30  may be opened as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Side gussets  38  and  40  join the front panel  30  to the arcuate first and second side panels  24  and  26 . Side gussets  42  and  44  join the arcuate side panels  24  and  26  to the back panel  10 . The access to the interior of the backpack may thus be effected by opening either the zipper  34  or the zipper  32  or both zippers  32 ,  34 . Dual access is thereby provided to the backpack.  
         [0022]     Flap  50  is sewn to the back panel  10  with an open lower edge  52 . The flap  50  is sewn along its sides  54  and  56  as well as its top edge  58  to the back side panel  10  with the open lower edge  52  enabling carrying or handling of the backpack as depicted in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0023]     As an optional feature there is affixed to the front side panel  30  on the outside thereof of a name plate  60  with elastic or bungee cords  66 ,  68  attached thereto. This arrangement provides multiple functions. For example, the bungee cords are elastic and may thus facilitate holding of an article against the front side panel  30 . Additionally, the name plate  60  associated with this arrangement holds the bungee cords in fixed position to facilitate efficient holding of articles and support of the panels  24 ,  26 ,  30  when open. In addition, the name plate  60  functions as a name plate wherein a brand information or identification information may be placed thereon. Thus, the invention contemplates a name plate  60  which has a generally ellipsoid shape and which includes first and second through passages  62  and  64  for receipt of bungee cords or elastic cords  66  and  68 , respectively. The bungee cords or elastic cords  66  and  68 , respectively, may be attached to the sides of the front panel  30  as depicted, for example, in  FIG. 1  or to the side edges of the back side panel  10 .  
         [0024]     With the backpack construction of the invention as an optional feature, there is depicted in  FIG. 3  the incorporation of a dual component front panel  30 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the front panel  30  is divided into a right hand panel section  30   a  and a left hand panel section  30   b . Sections  30   a  and  30   b  are connected one to the other by means of a zipper  31 . Thus, the backpack is comprised of a series of arcuate panels which have a generally triangular shape including the panels  24  and  26  which are joined by a bridge section  28  and the separate panels  30   a  and  30   b  which are connected together and connected to the side panels  24  and  26  by means of zippers.  
         [0025]     While there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0