Patent ID: 8464920

Claim:
A backpack assembly comprising: a pack configured to be worn on a wearer's back; straps coupled to said pack and configured to extend over said wearer's chest, said straps including at least one first side strap and at least one second side strap; and a strap retainer including: a central portion having a first surface that is convex; a closed loop on a first side of the strap retainer, the closed loop forming a first passage adjacent to the first surface of the central portion, the at least one first side strap slidably retained within the first passage such that the closed loop is free to slide along the at least one first side strap; and an open loop on a second side of the strap retainer, wherein the open loop is configured to slidably retain said at least one second side strap, said open loop including a side opening adjacent to the first surface of the central portion through which said at least one second side strap can be inserted and removed.