Patent ID: 8740028

Claim:
A backpack frame, comprising: a unitary, contiguous, contoured frame body, including a mid-back portion having first and second openings, the first and second elongate openings being constructed and arranged to receive shoulder strap assemblies such that each of the shoulder strap assemblies is independently positionable within one of the first and second openings; a lower portion contiguous with the mid-back portion, the lower portion forming a U-shaped tongue and including structure constructed and adapted to receive a belt assembly; and a pair of elongate stay portions that are contiguous with the mid-back portion, begin generally parallel to one another at a point just beyond an upper terminus of the mid-back portion and curve outward, diverging to the left and right of the mid-back portion and lower portion as they traverse downwardly, terminating in lower, separate free ends; wherein the entirety of the U-shaped tongue and the stays maintain an open space between one another below the mid-back portion.