Backpack exoskeleton

Abstract

The invention relates to a backpack with a extendable left leg exoskeleton and a extendable right leg exoskeleton which can be extended from the backpack and attached to the appropriate leg of wearer whereby transferring the load of the backpack to the ground surface therefore reducing the weight of the backpack. The backpack exoskeleton also contains a shoulder strap and a waist belt, which also contribute to the load bearing functions of the backpack.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a backpack, particularly a backpack exoskeleton. The invention relates to a backpack with a extendable left leg exoskeleton and a extendable right leg exoskeleton which can be extended from the backpack and attached to the appropriate leg of wearer whenever desired while wearing the backpack exoskeleton, whereby transferring the load of the backpack to the ground surface therefore reducing the weight of the backpack. The backpack exoskeleton also consists of shoulder straps and a waist belt, which also contribute to the load bearing functions of the backpack.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Backpacks have commonly been used in activities like hiking, climbing and military activities to carry various items such as clothing, equipments, weapons and various other items. Typical backpacks consists of a shoulder harness that extends over one or both of the wearer's shoulders in conjunction with a waist belt that wraps around th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention relates to a backpack, particularly a backpack exoskeleton, which is a combination of a backpack and exoskeleton. The invention relates to a backpack with built-in exoskeleton legs, which transfers most of the weight of the backpack to the ground surface. The wearer of the backpack exoskeleton can engage and disengage the exoskeleton legs when desired while wearing the backpack exoskeleton. The backpack exoskeleton contains two exoskeleton legs, a right exoskeleton leg and a left exoskeleton legs, which can be extended from the backpack exoskeleton and attached to the appropriate legs of the wearer. The exoskeleton legs extend downward along the appropriate outside side of the leg of the wearer mimicking the natural skeletal structure of the human skeleton. The rod straps attach the exoskeleton to the appropriate leg of wearer at points above the knee, below the knee and at the ankles to transfer the weight of the backpack to the ground surface. There are three structures which help direct and transfer the weight of the backpack to the ground surface, which are the shoulder straps, a waist belt and the exoskeleton legs. The shoulder straps aid the wearer by holding the top weight of the backpack closer to the wearer's body and aligning the weight whereby allowing a more efficient transfer of weight to the ground surface.

[0005]The waist belt aids in redistributing and aligning the weight over the waist of wearer. The waist belt holds the waist belt unit, a right and a left, which is the site for the origination of the exoskeleton legs appropriately. The waist belt unit contains a waist holder pin, which holds the large waist wheel and the small waist wheel. A waist bridge, a right and a left, attaches to a backpack frame at one end and the other end to a large waist wheel located on the waist belt unit, which directs the weight to the appropriate exoskeleton legs. The exoskeleton backpack can be utilized in an external or internal backpack frame as well as a center or sides frame structures.

[0006]The waist bridge is adjustable to allow for the difference in the girth size of many wearers. The waist bridge contains a waist bridge holes for adjustment and a waist pin and a waist loop lock to lock the adjustment in place. The waist bridges attach to a large waist wheel and the large waist wheel allows the wearer mobility of the back to move the backpack back and forth. A small waist wheel connects to the large waist wheel, and attaches to a top rod allowing for mobility of the thigh or top leg of wearer. The large waist wheel and the small waist wheel are joined together and contain bearings to allow for a smooth movement while withstanding the heavy load of the backpack.

[0007]A knee unit, a right and a left, is composed of a large knee wheel and a small knee wheel, which are attached whereby allowing the knee unit to move back and forth mimicking the movement of the leg of wearer. The top rod extends downward and attaches to a large knee wheel. The large knee wheel is attached to a small knee wheel. A bottom rod, attaches to the small knee wheel and extend downward and bends producing a arch rod which is inserted under the wearer's shoe whereby coming in contact to the ground. The large and small knee wheel allow for mobility of the lower leg of wearer to mimic the movement of skeletal system of the lower leg. There is a knee wheel stop located on the large knee wheel which aids in the efficient transfer of weight to the ground as well as preventing the bottom rod from rotating too far in the wrong direction whereby preventing the hyperextension of the knee of wearer. The large knee wheel and the small knee wheel are joined together and contain bearings to allow for a smooth movement while withstanding the heavy load of the backpack.

[0008]There are rod straps, which attach the exoskeleton to the legs of the wearer. A top rod strap attaches above the knee and a bottom rod strap attaches below the knee whereby bring the top rod of exoskeleton leg close to the body of wearer and transfers the weight more efficiently to the ground surface. An ankle rod strap attaches at the ankle of wearer and keeps the bottom rod of exoskeleton leg close to the body of wearer and maintains the arch rod underneath the shoe of wearer. Also maintaining the bottom rod in the proper position is an arch rod strap, which attaches to the arch rod at one end and the other end protruding out the inner side of shoe and connecting to the ankle rod strap. Another embodiment of the backpack exoskeleton is the insertion of the ankle rod strapless into an arch hole located in the sole of the shoe of wearer. The weight of the backpack is transferred to the ground through the sole of the shoe. Inserting the arch rod within the sole of the shoe give the wearer increased control of the exoskeleton as well as a firm footing when walking or running.

Problems solved by technology

In addition there has been exoskeletons that bear the weight of the load placed on the exoskeleton whereby transferring the weight to the ground, but they are not incorporated into the backpack and are not supported by the backpack.

They are independent exoskeletons wherein the load carrying backpack is placed onto the exoskeleton furthermore the independent exoskeletons are bulky units.

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