Back length adjustment for backpacks

Abstract

A backpack (10) that adjusts to a user's back length and allows for a symmetrical transfer of a load is disclosed herein. The backpack (10) includes a back panel, a first attachment member, a second attachment member and an elongated bar (30). The back panel includes a body with a first side and a second side. The first attachment member is positioned on the first side. The first attachment member has first engagement members (25). The second attachment member is positioned on the second side. The second attachment member has second engagement members (25). The elongated bar (30) has a length that extends across the back panel from the first side to the second side.

Description

TitleBack Length .Adjustment For Backpacks(Corporate Docket Number JWU-0013WO)Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a backpack, rucksack, fanny pack, or other luggage carried on a user’s back.Background Art

[0002] Previously, height adjustments on backpacks were: complex to operate because they were either a hook and loop fastener, a sliding stepless system using ladder buckles and special trimmings, or just not intuitive; a simple connection like hook only; lacking load transmission; or a hook and loop fastener with a center attachment (X-Transition).Summary Of The Invention

[0003] The present invention is an adjustment / fitting that adjusts to the user's back length that is easy for the consumer to understand, so that from an ergonomic point of view the load transfer is ideal.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention is a backpack comprising a back panel, a first attachment member, a second attachment member and an elongated bar. The back panel comprises a body with a first side and a second side. The first attachment member is positioned on the first side. The first attachment member has a plurality of first engagement members. The second attachment member is positioned on the second side. The second attachment member has a plurality of second engagement members. The elongated bar has a length that extends across the back panel from the first side to the second side. The elongated bar has a first end and a second. The first end is positioned in a first engagement member of the plurality of firstengagement members, and the second end is positioned in a second engagement member of the plurality of second engagement members. The positioning of the elongated bar adjust the backpack to a user’s back length and allows for a symmetrical transfer of a load.

[0005] Each of the first attachment member and the second attachment member is preferably a flat bar and each of the plurality of first engagement members and the plurality of second engagement members is preferably an inverted hook.

[0006] Alternatively, each of the first attachment member and the second attachment member is a fabric strap, and each of the plurality of first engagement members and the plurality of second engagement members is a loop in the fabric strap.

[0007] The elongated bar is preferably curved. The elongated bar preferably has a first cross-bar at the first end and a second cross bar at the second end. The elongated bar preferably has a length ranging from 20 centimeters (cm) to 40cm.

[0008] Each of hooks is preferably composed of material selected from polymer, carbon composite, metal or fabric.

[0009] The plurality of first engagement members preferably ranges from 3 to 10 and the plurality of second engagement members preferably ranges from 3 to 10.

[0010] A length of the first attachment member preferably ranges from 10cm to 25cm, and a length of the second attachment member preferably ranges from 10cm to 25cm.

[0011] Each of the first attachment member and the second attachment member is preferably removably attached to the back panel.Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0012] FIG. 1 A illustrates a backpack with a length adjuster.

[0013] FIG. IB illustrates a length adjuster.

[0014] FIG. 1C illustrates a ladder of a length adjuster.

[0015] FIG. 2A illustrates a prior art backpack with a length adjuster.

[0016] FIG. 2B illustrates a prior art backpack with a length adjuster.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a detachable connection of the shoulder strap.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a shoulder harness attachment point.

[0019] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a backpack.

[0020] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a detachable connection of the shoulder strap.

[0021] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a detachable connection of the shoulder strap.

[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates the prior art X-transition system using hook and loop in the center that can be adjusted.Best Mode(s) For Carrying Out The Invention

[0023] Adjustable length backpacks can be sized to fit different torso lengths. This is done by using an adjustable fitting. By adapting the salmon ladder 18, condition is intuitively recognizable and the force is transmitted symmetrically to the pack, symmetrical but still flexible. The fitting is adaptable for all carrying systems, including body contact and back-ventilated. The fitting also has low material and labor costs.

[0001] Shown in FIG. 1 A is an embodiment of a backpack 10 with an adjustable fitting 20. FIG. 1C is an adjustable fitting 20, inspired by the salmon ladder 18, shown in FIG. IB , using this system but with hooks 25 upside down.

[0002] FIGS. 2A-2B and FIG. 8 show prior art backpacks 26, 28, 60 with different length adjuster systems.

[0003] FIG. 2A shows a sliding torso adjustment. The length is changed by sliding the shoulder harness up or down. FIG. 2B shows a ladder lock torso adjustment. The length is changed by using the ladder lock buckles.

[0004] FIG. 8 shows another prior art backpack 60 with an X-Transition system. The shoulder harness 12 is fixed with a hook and loop in the center and can be adjusted up or down, which can be hard to do. Automatic symmetry with a pulley principle / Velcro solution is always difficult. The X- transition system needs guidance anchorage with the central suspension.

[0005] In the present invention, the detachable connection of the shoulder harness 12 connects to the pack by means of a rod or pin or splint anchoredwith loops or eyes or hooks. FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the rod 30.

[0006] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the adjustable fitting 40 using loops 15 and another embodiment of the rod 35. The loops 15 are attached at a distance Wi of 19cm. The should harness attachment points 42a-42b are L = 50 cm, M+ = 48 cm, M = 46 cm, S+ = 44 cm, and S = 42 cm.

[0007] The main construction consists of a bar-like structure 35 to which the upper and / or lower backpack straps 45 are attached. The bar-like structure in turn is attached to the backpack using two symmetrical attachment points 42a- 42b at the right and left sides of the backpack’s back-panel.

[0008] At least two sets of these attachment points are provided for height adjustability. The attachment can be achieved using hooks 25 similar to the salmon ladder system (inverted as the load is transferred upward along the strap system), shown in FIGS. 1B-1C, or using loops 15 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0009] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a backpack 50 with an adjustable fitting using loops 15. The backpack straps 12 are attached to the bar-like structure 30, which is attached to the back panel 48 with two symmetrical attachment points 52a-52b.

[0010] The bar-like structure 30 can be curved or straight.

[0011] The attachment hooks / loops can be a polymer, carbon composite, metal, fabric, or a combination thereof.

[0012] The backpack straps 12 can be attached to the bar-like structure permanently or removably.

[0013] In the loop implementation, the bar-like structure 30, shown in FIG. 3, may have specific geometry to prevent the bar 30 from sliding through the loops 15. For example, the bar 30 may have a cross-bar 32 on one end, and a clip 34 on the other end to further secure the bar into position, as shown in FIGS. 6-7.

Claims

Claims1. A backpack comprising: a back panel comprising a body with a first side and a second side; a first attachment member positioned on the first side, wherein the first attachment member has a plurality of first engagement members; a second attachment member positioned on the second side, wherein the second attachment member has a plurality of second engagement members; an elongated bar having a length that extends across the back panel from the first side to the second side, the elongated bar having a first end and a second, wherein the first end is positioned in a first engagement member of the plurality of first engagement members, and the second end is positioned in a second engagement member of the plurality of second engagement members; wherein the positioning of the elongated bar adjust the backpack to a user’s back length and allows for a symmetrical transfer of a load.

2. The backpack of claim 1 wherein each of the first attachment member and the second attachment member is a flat bar and each of the plurality of first engagement members and the plurality of second engagement members is an inverted hook.

3. The backpack of claim 1 wherein each of the first attachment member and the second attachment member is a fabric strap, and each of the plurality of first engagement members and the plurality of second engagement members is a loop in the fabric strap.

4. The backpack of claim 1 wherein the elongated bar is curved.

5. The backpack of claim 3 wherein the elongated bar has a first cross-bar at the first end and a second cross bar at the second end.

6. The backpack of claim 2 wherein each of hooks is a composed of material selected from polymer, carbon composite, metal or fabric.

7. The backpack of claim 1 wherein the elongated bar has a length ranging from20 centimeters (cm) to 40cm.

8. The backpack of claim wherein the plurality of first engagement members ranges from 3 to 10 and the plurality of second engagement members ranges from 3 to 10.

9. The backpack of claim 1 wherein a length of the first attachment member ranges from 10cm to 25cm, and a length of the second attachment member ranges from 10cm to 25cm.

10. The backpack of claim 1 wherein each of the first attachment member and the second attachment member is removably attached to the back panel.

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