ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR A BACKPACK OR SCHOOL BAG

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a backpack or school bag with shoulder straps that can be or are attached to the outside of a rear wall of the backpack or school bag by means of an adjusting device, wherein the adjusting device has a housing with a substantially rectangular basic shape with a lower housing part and a housing cover, wherein the lower housing part has longitudinally extending guide webs projecting into the interior of the housing, which form a rail along which a slide is displaceable and lockable, which is indirectly connected to the shoulder straps by means of a carrier plate and displaceably adjusts these in different positions together with the slide along the rail between two end positions or locks them to parts of the housing, wherein the adjustment and / or locking is enabled by a locking element that can be adjusted from a locked position to a released position and vice versa,wherein in the release position the slide is adjustable within the housing and the support plate outside the housing cover, wherein the adjustment takes place along slot-like recesses formed in the housing cover, wherein the adjusting device (1) together with the slide, the support plate and the locking element is arranged on the outside of the rear wall of the backpack or school bag and can be or is actuated from outside the backpack or school bag.

[0002] Such backpacks or school bags are widely used and very popular.

[0003] To enable ergonomic and comfortable carrying of the backpack or school bag, it usually has two shoulder straps for putting on and carrying on the back of a wearer. These shoulder straps are brought close together at their upper ends and are directly or indirectly connected. An adjustment device is arranged in this connecting area, which allows the height of the shoulder straps relative to the backpack or school bag to be adjusted. Such height adjustment serves in particular to adapt the backpack or school bag to the wearer's height by setting the appropriate height relative to the shoulder straps.

[0004] Adjustment devices of a similar type are known in various designs in the prior art.

[0005] For example, DE 10 2014 006 194 A1 discloses a first adjustment device of a similar type, in which a height adjustment is achieved by actuating an operating element that moves a deformable spring locking element from a blocking position to a release position and vice versa. In this solution, in a blocking position, the spring locking element fixes the slide to a locking rail, and in a release position, the spring locking element releases the slide relative to the locking rail, allowing it to be moved relative to the locking rail.

[0006] The control element for this adjustment device is located on the outside of the back of the backpack or satchel, facing the wearer's back. It can be operated using a coin, for example, to move the adjustment device from a release position to a blocking position and back again.

[0007] However, the adjustment can only be performed when the backpack or satchel is not on the wearer's back, as access to the control element located on or near the adjustment device would be obscured by the wearer's back in this carrying position. In practice, this means that to adjust the height, the backpack or satchel must be removed from the back, the height can then be adjusted, and once secured in the adjusted position, the backpack must be placed back on the wearer's back.

[0008] For example, if the desired position is not yet achieved after repositioning after adjustment, this process must be carried out again.

[0009] On the one hand, this is time-consuming and on the other hand, it is often viewed as undesirable by consumers.

[0010] The document DE102020115587A1 discloses the subject matter of the preamble of claim 1. The document US2018 / 184787A1 discloses a backpack or school bag with shoulder straps which can be or are fastened to the outside of a back wall of the backpack or school bag by means of an adjusting device, wherein a height adjustment of the shoulder straps relative to the adjusting device arranged on the back part of the backpack or school bag is also possible in the use position on the back of a wearer.

[0011] Based on the prior art mentioned at the outset, the object of the present invention is to provide a backpack or school bag of the type mentioned at the outset, in which height adjustment is possible by actuating the adjusting device even while the backpack is being carried on the back of a wearer, which backpack is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and has a long service life and which also allows adjustment by the wearer without the aid of tools or other aids.

[0012] To achieve this object, the invention proposes that the locking element is formed by a toothed rack which is arranged approximately centrally within the housing between two longitudinal guide webs, which has an actuating element arranged outside the housing and accessible there, by means of which the toothed rack can be adjusted between a first locking position, in which teeth formed on the toothed rack engage in recesses formed on the slide and lock the slide in this position, and a second release position in which the teeth do not engage in the recesses, and back into the locking position by turning, so that an adjustment of the slide along the housing is possible, wherein a height adjustment of the shoulder straps compared to the adjustment device arranged on the back of the backpack or school bag is also possible in the position of use on the back of a wearer.

[0013] A backpack or school bag with such an adjustment device according to the invention can be adjusted in height quickly and easily even when the backpack or school bag is being carried, i.e. while the backpack or school bag is on the back of a wearer. To do this, the wearer simply wraps their body around the backpack or school bag to feel for and grasp the control element arranged above or below the support plate connected to the shoulder straps. Once the wearer has felt the control element with their fingers, they can easily pivot it manually from the locked position to the release position. The slide, together with the support plate located on the shoulder straps, can now be moved to adjust the position of the backpack on the wearer's back to the desired height.Once the desired height has been reached, the wearer manually pivots the control element back into its locked position so that this position can be maintained permanently.

[0014] In order to enable adjustment as desired, teeth of a rack, which in the locked position are engaged in recesses formed on the slide, are released by actuating the operating element, so that the slide together with the support plate, which is arranged on the shoulder straps, so that the slide can be moved as desired within the housing and the support plate with the shoulder straps attached to it can be moved outside along the housing cover.

[0015] After reaching the desired position, the operating element rotates the rack and its teeth back into a position in which the teeth of the rack are located in the recesses formed on the carriage, i.e. engage in them, and lock the carriage and the support plate with the shoulder straps attached to it in this position.

[0016] The adjustment device according to the invention thus enables height adjustment at any time in a particularly simple and comfortable manner, even when the backpack or school bag is being carried, i.e. when it is on the wearer's back, without having to remove the backpack or school bag from the shoulders.

[0017] In addition, such a solution, formed by a rack with teeth that engage with the carriage, represents a particularly cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture, yet particularly robust and durable solution.

[0018] In particular, it can be particularly preferably provided that the rack has a cylindrical shape and a plurality of teeth are arranged on the rack so as to project approximately vertically, wherein the respective distance between two adjacent teeth and the recesses formed on the carriage is the same.

[0019] Due to the cylindrical design of the rack, a rotatable mount on housing parts, such as the lower housing section, is particularly easy to implement and enables a high number of adjustment processes without wear.

[0020] In addition, the distance between the teeth and the corresponding recesses on the slide allows for almost stepless height adjustment, especially when the distance between adjacent teeth and corresponding recesses is small.

[0021] Furthermore, it can be particularly preferably provided that the actuating element is arranged at the first end or at the second end or at the first and second ends of the rack.

[0022] This accommodates the wearer's or user's preference to position an actuating element either above or below the adjustment mechanism for easy access. In a particularly convenient solution for the wearer, an actuating element can also be located at both the first and second ends of the rack.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be particularly preferably provided that the rack or the actuating element is held in the locking position against the force of a spring.

[0024] This ensures that the rack and its teeth remain locked at all times when the control element is not actuated, preventing unwanted height adjustment. Only when the operator wishes to operate the adjustment device is the rack moved, against the force of the spring, into a position where its teeth no longer engage with the recesses in the slide, thus adjusting the height of the slide and its support plate. As soon as the operator no longer operates the actuating element with their hands or fingers, it automatically pivots back into the locked position under the force of the spring.

[0025] It can also be particularly preferred that the actuating element is arranged orthogonally to the adjustment direction of the carriage, the support plate and the rack.

[0026] Due to the orthogonally protruding positioning of the control element, it can be recognized and grasped by the wearer in a particularly simple way by pressing buttons, even when the backpack or school bag is on his back.

[0027] In addition, it can preferably be provided that the housing cover is detachably connectable or connected, for example by clipping or hooking, to a locking plate arranged on or in the rear wall of the satchel or backpack or to the housing base or to the locking plate and the housing base.

[0028] This also allows for tool-free attachment of the individual components of the adjustment device, making it particularly quick, easy, and intuitive. Only the locking plate, which is located on or in the back of the satchel or backpack and attached there, may need to be sewn to the back panel and thus secured.

[0029] It can be particularly preferred that the locking plate is arranged in a non-detachable manner inside the satchel or backpack on its rear wall.

[0030] Depending on the wishes of the manufacturer of such backpacks or school bags, the locking plate can be attached or arranged detachably or permanently to the back wall.

[0031] Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the carrier plate is permanently connected to the shoulder straps, in particular sewn, screwed, riveted or glued.

[0032] Depending on the manufacturer's wishes, the carrier plate can also be permanently connected to the shoulder straps in the area where they meet. In prior art solutions, this permanent connection is usually achieved by sewing. Alternatively, screwing, riveting, or gluing can also be considered.

[0033] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures and described in more detail below.

[0034] It shows: Figure 1 shows an adjusting device 1 according to the invention in an exploded view Figure 2 shows a further adjusting device 1 according to the invention in a rear view in the release position Figure 3 shows the same Figure 2 in the locked position Figure 4 a school bag 13 according to the invention with adjustment device 1 seen obliquely from behind

[0035] The figures show an adjusting device 1 which can be attached to a school bag 13 or a backpack not shown in the figures with shoulder straps 14 on the outside of the back wall ( Figures 1 to 3 ) or attached ( Figure 4 ) is.

[0036] The adjustable device 1 has a housing with a substantially rectangular basic shape. The housing consists of a lower housing part 2 and a housing cover 3. The lower housing part 2 has longitudinally extending guide webs 4 projecting into the interior of the housing. These guide webs 4 form a rail along which a carriage 5 can be moved and locked in the desired position. The carriage 5 is connected to the shoulder straps 14 by means of a carrier plate 6 or, as shown in Figure 4 visible, connectable.

[0037] A displacement of the slide 5 together with the support plate 6 and the attached shoulder straps 14 of the school bag 13 thus causes a height adjustment of the shoulder straps 14 relative to the school bag 13, or in particular relative to its rear panel. This serves to adjust the height of the school bag 13 according to the size of the wearer, thus enabling a comfortable and ergonomic height even when wearing such a school bag 13 for an extended period of time.

[0038] The locking is achieved by a locking element that can be adjusted from a locked position to a released position and vice versa. This makes it possible to lock the height-adjusted school bag 13 or the shoulder straps 14 in the adjusted position to prevent further unwanted adjustment. During adjustment, the slide 5 is generally adjusted together with the support plate 6, with the support plate 6 being arranged outside the housing of the adjustment device 1 and the slide 5 being arranged inside the housing of the adjustment device 1.

[0039] As can be seen from the figures, the adjustment takes place along slot-like recesses 7 formed in the housing cover 3.

[0040] According to the invention, the locking element is formed by a rack 8, which is arranged approximately centrally within the housing between two longitudinally extending guide webs 4. The rack 8 is adjustable by means of an actuating element 9 arranged outside the housing and accessible there. The adjustment takes place between a first locking position, in which the teeth 10 formed on the rack 8 engage in recesses formed on the slide 5 and lock the slide 5 in this position, and a second release position, in which the teeth 10 of the rack 8 do not engage in the recesses 11.

[0041] The adjustment in the reverse direction is also possible in a simple manner. To adjust the position, the wearer of the satchel 13 or backpack simply needs to manually grasp the actuating element 9 and turn it slightly to pivot the rack 8 between the locked and released positions.

[0042] In the manually adjusted release position, adjustment of the carriage 5 together with the support plate 6 and, if applicable, the shoulder straps 14 attached to the support plate 6 is easily possible. To lock the carriage in the adjusted position, the wearer simply has to manually adjust the rack 8 back to the locked position by turning the actuating element 9, so that the adjusted height is maintained at all times in this position and unwanted height adjustment is effectively prevented.

[0043] The height adjustment of the shoulder straps 14 relative to the adjustment device 1 arranged on the back of the satchel 13 is also possible in a position in which the satchel 13 or the backpack is on the wearer's back by means of such an actuating element 9 according to the invention, which adjusts a rack 8 according to the invention. Thus, the satchel 13 or the backpack does not have to be removed from the wearer's back in order to adjust the height of the shoulder straps 14.

[0044] As is particularly evident from Figure 1As can be seen, the rack 8 has a cylindrical shape, with several teeth 10 arranged approximately vertically projecting on the rack 8. The respective distance between two adjacent, i.e. consecutive, teeth 10 and the recesses 11 formed on the carriage 5 is the same. The size of the teeth 10 corresponds to the size of the recesses 11, so that the teeth 10 are suitable for engaging in the recesses 11 and being arranged there in an approximately form-fitting manner.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating element 9 is arranged at the upper end of the rack 8. Alternatively, and not shown in the figures, the actuating element 9 can also be arranged at the lower end of the rack 8, i.e., the end opposite the upper end, or at both the first and second ends of the rack 8. This ensures accessibility to the actuating element 9 at all times, depending on the wearer's height.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment, the rack 8 and thus the actuating element 9 attached to the rack 8 are held in the locked or locking position against the force of a spring. This ensures that after adjustment, the rack 8 and in particular its teeth 10 pivot back into the locked position and remain there permanently. This effectively prevents accidental or unintentional adjustment of the set position.

[0047] The actuating element 9 is arranged orthogonally projecting from the rack 8.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment, the housing cover 3 is detachably connected or connectable by clipping to two locking plates 12 arranged and attached to the rear wall of the school bag 13. The locking plate 12 or the locking plates 12 are permanently attached to the rear wall of the school bag 13 and, if necessary, covered there with cover material.

[0049] In a conventional manner, each support plate 6 is permanently connected to the shoulder straps 14. This connection is generally made by sewing, screwing, or riveting. Gluing is also possible.

[0050] The invention is not limited to the embodiment, but is variable in many ways within the scope of the disclosure, as long as this falls within the scope of the claims.

[0051] All new individual and combination features disclosed in the description and / or drawing are considered essential to the invention, the invention being defined in the appended claims. List of reference symbols:

[0052] 1 Adjustment device 2 Housing base 3 Housing cover 4 Guide bar 5 Slide 6 Support plate 7 Slot-like recesses on 3 8 Rack 9 Actuating element on 8 10 Teeth 11 Recesses on 5 12 Locking plate 13 School bag 14 Shoulder straps of 13

Claims

1. A backpack or satchel (13) with shoulder straps (14), which can be fastened or are fastened by means of an adjusting device (1) to the outside of a rear wall of the backpack or satchel (13), the adjusting device (1) having a housing with an essentially rectangular basic shape with a housing lower part (2) and a housing cover (3), the housing lower part (2) of which has guide webs (4), which extend longitudinally and into the interior of the housing and form a rail, along which a slide (5) can be displaced and locked, which slide (5) is connected indirectly by means of a carrier plate (6) to the shoulder straps (14), the housing lower part (2) has longitudinally extending guide webs (4) which form a rail along which a slide (5) can be displaced and locked, which is indirectly connected to the shoulder straps (14) by means of a carrier plate (6) and displaceably adjusts these in different positions together with the slide (5) along the rail between two end positions and locks them to parts of the housing, the adjustment and / or locking being enabled by a locking element, which is adjustable from a locking position into a release position and vice versa, in the release position the slide (5) being adjustable inside the housing and the carrier plate (6) being adjustable outside the housing cover (3), the adjustment taking place along slot-like recesses (7) formed in the housing cover (3), the adjusting device (1) together with the slide (5), the carrier plate (6) and the locking element being both arranged on the outside on the rear wall of the backpack or satchel (13) and being operable or operated from outside the backpack or satchel (13), characterized in that the locking element is formed by a toothed rack (8), which is arranged approximately centrally within the housing between two longitudinally extending guide webs (4), which has an actuating element (9) arranged outside the housing and can be engaged there, and by means of which the toothed rack (8) can be moved between a first locking position, in which teeth (10) formed on the toothed rack (8) engage in recesses (11) formed on the slide (5) and lock the slide (5) in this position, and a second release position, in which the teeth (10) do not engage in the recesses (11), and can be adjusted back into the locked position by turning, so that adjustment of the slide (5) along the housing is possible, a height adjustment of the shoulder straps (14) relative to the adjusting device (1) arranged on the back part of the backpack or satchel (13) being also possible in the position of use on the back of a wearer.

2. The backpack or satchel (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that the toothed rack (8) has a cylindrical shape and a plurality of teeth (10) are arranged projecting approximately vertically on the toothed rack (8), the respective distance between two adjacent teeth (10) and the recesses (11) formed on the slide (5) being the same size.

3. The backpack or satchel (13) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element (9) is arranged at the first end or at the second end or at the first and at the second end of the toothed rack (8).

4. A backpack or satchel (13) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the toothed rack (8) or the actuating element (9) is held in the locking position against the force of a spring.

5. The backpack or satchel (13) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuating element (9) is arranged orthogonally to the direction of adjustment of the slide (5), the carrier plate (6) and the toothed rack (8).

6. The backpack or satchel (13) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing cover (3) is detachably connectable or connected, for example by means of clipping or hooking, to a latch plate (12) arranged on the rear wall of the satchel (13) or backpack or to the housing lower part (2) or to the latch plate (12) and the housing lower part (2).

7. The backpack or satchel (13) according to claim 6, characterized in that the latch plate (12) is non-detachably arranged inside the satchel (13) or backpack on the rear wall thereof.

8. The backpack or satchel (13) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carrier plate (6) is non-detachably connected to the shoulder straps (14), in particular is sewn, screwed, riveted, or bonded.