Backpack Frame Sling Cargo Compartment Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backpacks fail to balance heavy, oversized, or awkwardly shaped objects close to the user's center of gravity, leading to stability issues and increased width, particularly problematic for military and tactical personnel carrying items like mortar tubes and firearms.
Innovation Solution
A backpack system with an external frame, pack bag, and adjustable sling that creates space between the frame and bag for cargo, allowing for better weight distribution and stability, featuring stiffening members and pouches for long objects, and materials to prevent sliding or shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If heavy objects are attached to the outside of the pack bag, then the user can carry oversized objects, but the load is not well balanced and the user's balance and stability are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by creating a cargo compartment between the frame and pack bag, allowing heavy objects to be positioned closer to the user's back and center of gravity. This dimensional repositioning resolves the contradiction by enabling oversized object carriage while maintaining balance and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sling as an intermediary component that extends between the frame and pack bag to create and support the cargo compartment. This intermediary structure enables the carriage of heavy objects in a balanced position without directly attaching them to the outside of the pack bag.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long objects are strapped to the bag, then the user can carry them, but they often sway thereby further hindering the user's balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions long objects in a new spatial dimension within the cargo compartment between the frame and pack bag, rather than strapping them to the outside. This dimensional change prevents swaying by securing objects in a confined space close to the user's back.
Solution Approach 2:
The sling is pre-configured to create the cargo compartment structure before objects are loaded, providing a predetermined stable position for long objects. This preliminary structural preparation prevents swaying by establishing proper object placement in advance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If long objects are positioned horizontally across the user's back or allowed to sway, then the user can carry them, but it increases the user's overall width, which can have adverse impacts in crowded environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions long objects from a horizontal external position to a vertical or angled position within the cargo compartment between the frame and pack bag. This dimensional repositioning significantly reduces the user's overall width while maintaining the ability to carry long objects.
Data Source
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AI summary
A backpack (10) comprising an external frame system (12), having front and back sides (16,17) and a gap (32) defined between at least one generally horizontal frame member (26,28) and at least one generally upright frame member (20); at least one shoulder strap (36); a bag (14) with at least one generally upright stiffening member (112,114) attached thereto; an elongated sling (156) configured for being received within said gap (32) and permitting a space between said frame system (12) and said bag (14) for accommodating cargo therebetween; a first attachment device (168,172) which may be extended to increase the amount of space between said frame system (12) and said bag (14); and a second attachment device (50,54,138,142) extending between and connected to the front side (90) of said bag (14) and the back side (17) of said frame system (12), said second attachment device (50,54,138,142) located above said sling (156).