Chest Strap Adjustment System for Backpacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing backpack adjustment systems for athletes are not optimized for speed and convenience, requiring users to actuate two independent adjustment devices located in a visually obstructed area, making it difficult to adjust the shoulder straps quickly and intuitively.

Innovation Solution

A combined adjustment system where the lower link cooperates with a second adjustment device on the third attachment element, allowing for simultaneous actuation of both devices via a single intuitive gesture, with features like elastic links and a gripping means to facilitate easy manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two independent adjustment mechanisms are provided for adjusting the shoulder straps, then the shoulder straps can be securely positioned against the body, but the adjustment process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming due to the mechanisms being located far apart and close to the user's field of vision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of shoulder strapsVSAvoidconvenience of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate adjustment mechanisms into a single integrated adjustment device located at the front center of the backpack. This single device controls both the upper link (connecting left and right shoulder straps) and the lower link (connecting chest strap and waist strap), allowing the user to adjust all four straps simultaneously from one centralized location, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining secure positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If two independent adjustment mechanisms are provided for adjusting the shoulder straps, then the shoulder straps can be securely positioned against the body, but the adjustment time increases due to the need to operate two separate mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of shoulder strapsVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two independent adjustment mechanisms into one unified device that simultaneously controls both the upper link and lower link. This allows the user to adjust all shoulder straps and chest/waist straps in a single operation, significantly reducing the time required for adjustment while ensuring all straps are securely positioned

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single adjustment device is pre-configured to control multiple links (upper and lower links) that connect the shoulder straps and chest/waist straps. By having all adjustment functions integrated in one device, the system performs multiple adjustment actions simultaneously, reducing the total time needed for proper strap positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid and comfortable adjustment of the shoulder straps' positioning, improving ergonomics and usability by allowing simultaneous action on the adjustment devices, even in a visually challenging area.

Implementation Method 1

the lower link and/or the upper link are elastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3476246B1Chest strap
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SALOMON SA
  • EP3476246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3476246B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3476246B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A carrying device (2) equipped with a first shoulder strap (21) and a second shoulder strap (22) attached to a back panel and one or more front or back pockets, the carrying device comprising an adjustment system (1) for the distance between the front part (211) of the first shoulder strap (21) and the front part (221) of the second shoulder strap (22), the adjustment system comprising: - an upper strap (101) delimited by a first (1011) and second end (1012), - a lower strap (102) delimited by a first (1021) and second end (1022), - a first attachment element (11) intended to be attached to a shoulder strap (21, 22), the first attachment element being fixed to the upper strap at its first end, - a second attachment element (12) intended to be attached to a strap (21, 22), the second attachment element being fixed to the lower link at its second end,- a third attachment element (13) intended to be attached to the first shoulder strap (21), the third attachment element being integral with the upper strap, near its second end, the third attachment element being integral with the lower strap, near its first end, the third attachment element comprising: • a first adjustment device (1321) allowing adjustment of the relative position of the connection between the upper strap and the third attachment element, • a second adjustment device (1322) allowing adjustment of the relative position of the connection between the lower strap and the third attachment element. Each front part (211, 221) of a shoulder strap (21, 22) carries attachment elements (212, 222) and in that the first (11) and/or the second attachment element (12) is removably mounted on one of the attachment elements (212,222) so as to allow adjustment of the vertical position of the first (11) and/or the second attachment element (12).