Patent ID: 8459518

Claim:
A backpack assembly configured to be worn by a user and comprising: (a) a main storage enclosure with one or more shoulder straps that when said straps are worn, the main storage enclosure abuts a user's back and a portion of the main storage enclosure's load is transferred to the user's shoulders, (b) a separate seat harness comprised of an adjustable waist loop in operable connection with pliable material configured to form leg loops such that the separate seat harness has sufficient strength to safely disperse fall-arrest forces to the user's legs and waist when worn by itself, and (c) a hip belt constructed from a bottom panel of pliable material having a top edge, wherein the top edge is hinged to a bottom edge of a top panel of pliable material such that the bottom and top panels are substantially the same size and the bottom and top panels can fold together and unfold away from each other to allow for the removable insertion of the adjustable waist loop of the separate seat harness between said bottom and top panels, wherein the user can detach and attach the main storage enclosure to the hip belt while the user is securely wearing the separate seat harness with the adjustable waist loop of the separate seat harness releasably inserted into the hip belt, and the separate seat harness has sufficient strength to safely disperse fall-arrest forces to the user's legs and waist when operably and releasably coupled to the hip belt and in conjunction with the main storage enclosure, wherein the hip belt comprises means for transferring a substantial portion of the main storage enclosure's load to the user's hips independent of the user wearing the separate seat harness and a portion of the main storage enclosure's load to the adjustable waist loop of the separate seat harness with the adjustable waist loop of the separate seat harness removably inserted into said hip belt.