U.S. patent application number 09/779784 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-08 for combination backpack and hydration pack.
Invention is credited to Kelliher, Doug, Mina, Brad, Roina, Tony.
Application Number | 20020104859 09/779784 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25117551 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020104859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelliher, Doug ; et
al. |
August 8, 2002 |
COMBINATION BACKPACK AND HYDRATION PACK
Abstract
A combination backpack and hydration pack has a hydration pack
portion and a standard backpack portion which are detachably
connected to each other. The two portions can thus be used together
as a hydration pack/standard backpack combination or separately as
a pack solely for hydration purposes. The hydration pack portion
has a bladder portion for holding liquid. The backpack portion is
attachable to and circumscribes the hydration pack portion for
providing additional carrying space.
Inventors: |
Kelliher, Doug; (Milford,
NH) ; Roina, Tony; (Antrim, NH) ; Mina,
Brad; (Concord, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Norman H. Zivin
Cooper & Dunham LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
25117551 |
Appl. No.: |
09/779784 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/148.2 ;
224/583; 224/650; 224/651 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F
3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/148.2 ;
224/583; 224/650; 224/651 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/04; A45F
003/00; A45F 005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A combination backpack and hydration pack, comprising: a
hydration pack portion, having a bladder portion for holding
liquid, a pair of shoulder straps with mating members disposed at a
bottom end of each shoulder strap, and a first pair of
complementary mating members disposed at a bottom of the hydration
pack portion for receiving the mating members of the shoulder
straps when the hydration pack portion is used separately; and a
backpack portion attachable to and circumscribing the hydration
pack portion for providing additional carrying space, the backpack
portion having a pair of openings disposed at a top of the backpack
portion for receiving each shoulder strap and a second pair of
complementary mating members disposed at a bottom of the backpack
portion for receiving the mating members of the shoulder straps to
attach the backpack portion to the hydration pack portion, so that
the hydration pack portion and the backpack portion are detachably
connected to each other.
2. The combination backpack and hydration pack as set forth in
claim 1, wherein the mating members of each shoulder strap
comprises a male airlock buckle, and the first and second pairs of
complementary mating members each comprise a pair of female airlock
buckles.
3. The combination backpack and hydration pack as set forth in
claim 1, wherein the bladder portion comprises a bag for holding
the liquid, and a hose extends from the bag to enable a user to
drink the liquid.
4. The combination backpack and hydration pack as set forth in
claim 3, further comprising a mouthpiece disposed at the end of the
hose, the mouthpiece having a slit to allow the user to bite down
and receive the liquid.
5. A two-in-one hydration pack, comprising: a hydration pack
portion having a bladder compartment for holding liquid; a backpack
portion attachable to and circumscribing the hydration pack portion
for providing additional carrying space; and mating means for
attaching the backpack portion to the hydration pack portion such
that the backpack portion and the hydration pack portion are
detachably connected to each other.
6. The two-in-one hydration pack as set forth in claim 5, wherein
the hydration pack portion further comprises a pair of shoulder
straps, each shoulder strap having a bottom end detachably
connected to one of the hydration pack portion and the backpack
portion by way of the mating means.
7. The two-in-one hydration pack as set forth in claim 6, wherein
the backpack portion further comprises a pair of openings disposed
at a top of the backpack portion for receiving the pair of shoulder
straps when the bottom end of each shoulder strap is detachably
connected to the backpack portion by way of the mating means.
8. The two-in-one hydration pack as set forth in claim 7, wherein
the mating means comprises male mating means disposed at the bottom
end of each shoulder strap, a first pair of female mating means
disposed at a bottom of the hydration pack portion, and a second
pair of female mating means disposed at a bottom of the backpack
portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of backpacks,
and, more particularly, to a two-in-one hydration pack for carrying
liquid which has a hydration pack portion and an attachable
backpack portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Backpacks are extremely useful in many different settings.
They are not only used for carrying everyday items, such as
schoolbooks, but are also used for assisting those engaged in
physical activities such as hiking, camping, biking, and skiing.
These uses in particular call for special packs that are capable of
easily carrying liquid for drinking, cooking, and washing. These
special packs are called "hydration packs." Hydration packs are an
alternative to a user having to carry, for example, the liquid in a
thermos or water bottle placed in the backpack or on the user's
person. A thermos or water bottle may be easily misplaced or
damaged, and moreover it can be inconvenient for a user to access
the thermos or water bottle while engaged in a physical
activity.
[0003] Hydration packs are often constructed so that a bladder
portion of the pack holds the liquid, which the user may access by
way of a hose attached to the bladder portion. This configuration
affords the user convenient access to the liquid. The bladder or
reservoir is normally a polyethylene water storage unit that slides
into a pouch that is typically sewn inside the rear of the packbag.
The polyethylene bladder or reservoir cannot be used by itself as a
backpack. Typically, then, the bladder portion is integrated with
the pack; that is, the bladder portion is sewn to the pack or
fastened in some other irreversible manner. This can be a drawback,
however, in that the user of the pack is restricted to carrying the
entire pack, even if the user knows he or she will be needing only
the bladder portion of the pack on that particular day. This forces
the user to carry unnecessary weight and bulk, and provides a pack
that is more unwieldy than need be. Conversely, if the user happens
to not need the bladder portion of the pack, he or she must
nonetheless carry around the entire pack including the bladder
portion.
[0004] One typical hydration pack is Hydrobak.TM., made by
Camelbak.RTM.. Hydrobak.TM. is a pack which may be used only for
hydration purposes; that is, the pack has no extra pockets for
carrying additional items, and otherwise has only very limited
carrying space in the form of an elastic cord located on the front
of the pack. Therefore, the sole function of the pack is to carry
water to keep the user hydrated.
[0005] Another typical hydration pack is Cloud Walker, also made by
Camelbak.RTM.. Cloud Walker is a hydration pack which does have
additional carrying space in the form of pockets. However, the
bladder portion of the pack is integrated into the pack, and cannot
be separated from the pack.
[0006] The drawbacks of the prior art as discussed above are
overcome by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to solve the above
mentioned problems by providing a hydration pack having a hydration
pack portion and an attachable backpack portion. In this way, the
user is able to easily attach or detach the backpack portion from
the hydration pack portion which carries the bladder portion.
Therefore, if the user wishes simply to use the smaller hydration
pack portion, and not the entire pack, the user may simply detach
the backpack portion and use the hydration pack portion
separately.
[0008] The present invention therefore provides a so-called "two in
one" hydration pack which has a hydration pack portion and a
standard backpack portion which are detachably connected to each
other. The two portions can be used together as a hydration
pack/standard backpack combination or separately as a pack solely
for hydration purposes. The hydration pack fits within the
backpack. The invention allows the opportunity for a person to
purchase one product that will serve two purposes or needs.
[0009] In summary, the present invention in one embodiment provides
a two-in-one hydration pack. It includes a hydration pack portion,
having a bladder portion for holding liquid, a pair of shoulder
straps with male mating means disposed at a bottom end of each
shoulder strap, and a first pair of female mating means disposed at
a bottom of the hydration pack portion for receiving the male
mating means of the shoulder straps when the hydration pack portion
is used separately. It further includes a backpack portion
attachable to and circumscribing the hydration pack portion for
providing additional carrying space, the backpack portion having a
pair of openings disposed at a top of the backpack portion for
receiving each shoulder strap and having a second pair of female
mating means disposed at a bottom of the backpack portion for
receiving the male mating means of the shoulder straps to attach
the backpack portion to the hydration pack portion. This permits
the hydration pack portion and the backpack portion to be
detachably connected to each other. The male and female components
could also be reversed; it is simply necessary that the components
be complementary.
[0010] The male mating means of each shoulder strap may comprise a
male airlock buckle, and the first and second pairs of female
mating means may each comprise a pair of female airlock
buckles.
[0011] The bladder portion may comprise a bag for holding the
liquid, with a hose extending from the bag to enable a user to
access the liquid. A mouthpiece may be disposed at the end of the
hose, the mouthpiece having a slit to allow the user to bite down
and receive the liquid.
[0012] The present invention in another embodiment provides a
two-in-one hydration pack. The hydration pack portion has a bladder
compartment for holding liquid. The backpack portion is attachable
to and circumscribes the hydration pack portion for providing
additional carrying space. There are mating means for attaching the
backpack portion to the hydration pack portion such that the
backpack portion and the hydration pack portion are detachably
connected to each other.
[0013] The hydration pack portion may further comprise a pair of
shoulder straps, each shoulder strap having a bottom end detachably
connected to one of the hydration pack portion and the backpack
portion by way of the mating means.
[0014] The backpack portion may further comprise a pair of openings
disposed at a top of the backpack portion for receiving the pair of
shoulder straps when the bottom end of each shoulder strap is
detachably connected to the backpack portion by way of the mating
means.
[0015] The mating means may comprise male mating means disposed at
the bottom end of each shoulder strap, a first pair of female
mating means disposed at a bottom of the hydration pack portion,
and a second pair of female mating means disposed at a bottom of
the backpack portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a hydration pack portion
configured to receive an attachable backpack portion, according to
a preferred embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of the
hydration pack portion shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a shoulder
strap of the hydration pack portion shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the backpack portion
which may be attached to and circumscribes the hydration pack
portion, according to a preferred embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the backpack portion which
may be attached to the hydration pack portion, according to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an inner view of the backpack portion
which may be attached to the hydration pack portion, according to
the embodiment shown in FIG. 4; and
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a bladder portion and hose assembly
according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a hydration pack portion
10 configured to fit within an attachable backpack portion,
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The hydration
pack portion 10 houses a bladder portion for holding the liquid
(the bladder portion and hose assembly will be discussed below in
relation to FIG. 7).
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a main compartment of the hydration pack
portion 1 0 which houses the bladder portion, with a first zipper
12 for opening and closing the compartment. A second zipper 14
opens and closes a mesh pocket 16 used for storing small items. An
elastic cord system provides additional storage. That system
comprises an elastic cord 18, webbing loops 20, clip hooks 22, and
an ellipse cord lock 24. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the hydration
pack portion 10 has a number of extra pockets and space for
carrying items other than the bladder portion. In this way, if the
user opts to use only the hydration pack portion 10 (i.e., without
the attachable backpack portion) then the user still has space for
carrying additional items.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of the
hydration pack portion 10 shown in FIG. 1. An exit hole 26 permits
a hydration hose (see FIG. 7) of the bladder portion to extend
outwardly from the hydration pack. Shoulder straps 28, 30 (shown
cut off in FIG. 2) allow the user to strap on the hydration pack
portion 10 for carrying. The shoulder straps 28, 30 are attachable
to the lower part of the hydration pack portion 10 using female
type airlock buckles 32, 34. A waist belt 36 may be placed around
the user's waist for securing the hydration pack portion 10 around
the user. Of course, other types of buckles and fasteners also may
be used. And, of course, the male and female components of the
buckles could be reversed.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a shoulder
strap 28 or 30 of the hydration pack portion 10. A hose clip 38
secures the hose onto the shoulder strap 28 or 30. An adjuster
buckle 40, an airlock buckle 42, and a tension lock 44 help secure
the hydration pack portion 10. A male airlock buckle 46 mates with
the female airlock buckles 32, 34 of the hydration pack portion 10
so that the shoulder straps 28, 30 may be attached to the hydration
pack portion 10. Other types of buckles and locks also may be used
for this purpose.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the backpack portion 50
which may be attached to the hydration pack portion 10, according
to a preferred embodiment. The backpack portion 50 has a main body
52, with a center panel 54, a side panel 56, and a bottom panel 58.
The center panel 54 serves as a pocket for carrying smaller items.
The center panel 54 has an elastic top edge 60, and the sides of
the center panel 54 are mesh panels 62, 64. The hydration pack
portion 10 fits easily within the backpack portion 50.
[0028] An elastic cord system similar to the elastic cord system of
the hydration pack portion 10 is disposed across the center panel
54 to provide even more carrying space. The elastic cord system
comprises an elastic cord 66, webbing loops 68, clip hooks 70, and
an ellipse cord lock 72. Other types of storage systems also may be
used. A zipper 74 opens and closes the main compartment. Side
compression straps 76 operate in conjunction with airlock buckles
78 to help tighten the backpack portion 50. An airlock buckle 80
helps close the pocket created by the center panel 54. An exit hole
82 for the bladder hose is located at the top of the pack 50. A
haul loop 84 allows the user to haul or hang the backpack portion
50. Of course, other types of buckles and fasteners also may be
used.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the backpack portion 50
which may be attached to the hydration pack portion 10, according
to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Slots or openings 86, 88 receive
the shoulder straps 28, 30. Airlock buckles 90, 92 attach the
shoulder straps 28, 30 to the backpack portion 50 when the user
wishes to utilize both the hydration pack portion 10 and the
attachable backpack portion 50. A hip belt 94 fits around the
user's waist for securing the backpack 50 to the user. Other
buckles and straps could be used for this purpose.
[0030] Therefore, if the user wishes to use the hydration pack
portion 10 separately (i.e., without attaching the backpack
portion), then the user simply attaches the shoulder straps 28, 30
by way of the male airlock buckle 46 on each shoulder strap 28, 30
to the airlock buckles 32, 34. On the other hand, if the user
wishes to attach the backpack portion to the hydration pack portion
10 for additional carrying space, then the user detaches the
shoulder straps 28, 30 from the airlock buckles 32, 34 on the
hydration pack portion 10, slides the shoulder straps through slots
86, 88 on the backpack portion 50, and fastens the shoulder straps
28, 30 to the airlock buckles 90, 92 on the backpack portion
50.
[0031] In this way, the hydration pack portion 10 may be used
either as its own pack, or may easily be received within the
attachable backpack portion so that additional carrying space is
provided. A unique feature of the invention, therefore, is that the
shoulder straps 28, 30 are attachable either to the hydration pack
portion 10 or to the backpack portion 50. Thus, a "two in one" pack
is created whereby the user may attach or detach the backpack
portion with ease as needed. Of course, using airlock buckles as
the attachment means is merely illustrative of one embodiment, and
the present invention is not limited to any specific attachment
means.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates an inner view of the pockets and panels
of the attachable backpack portion 50, according to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 4. An exit hole cover 96 covers the exit hole 82 when
the bladder hose is not disposed through the exit hole 82, i.e.,
when the backpack portion 50 is not attached to the hydration pack
portion 10.
[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a bladder portion and hose assembly
according to one embodiment. A bag 98 holds the liquid, and is
disposed inside the main compartment of the hydration pack portion
10. On one end of the bag 98 is a ziplock-type opening 100, to make
the bag easier to clean and refill. On another end of the bag 98 is
a hose assembly, wherein a hydration hose 102 is attached to a
bottle cap 104 on one end and to a mouthpiece 106 on the other. The
mouthpiece 106 has a slit in the front of it which allows the user
to bite down to receive the liquid. Of course, the bag and hose
assembly is merely illustrative of one embodiment of the bladder
portion, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0034] Alternate embodiments of the invention can be imagined as
well. For example, the shoulder straps of the hydration pack
portion could be detachable on both ends, and could attach either
to the backpack portion or to the hydration pack portion. In this
way, if the user needs only the backpack portion and not the
hydration pack portion, the user could simply detach the shoulder
straps from the hydration pack portion and attach them to the
backpack portion.
[0035] The above invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments, but a person skilled in the art could
introduce many variations on these embodiments without departing
from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended
claims. The embodiments are presented for the purpose of
illustration only and should not be read as limiting the invention
or its application. Therefore, the claims should be interpreted
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *