U.S. patent application number 10/975181 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for backpack and components therefor.
Invention is credited to Maley, Ian James.
Application Number | 20050092802 10/975181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34528658 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050092802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maley, Ian James |
May 5, 2005 |
Backpack and components therefor
Abstract
A backpack having a shoulder harness (14) and a hip harness
(20). The shoulder harness preferably consists of a pair of padded
shoulder strap assemblies (14a and 14b) that have elongate pockets
(27) sewn into their outer linings into which contour plates (26)
are fitted to control the lateral curvature of the straps. The
plates are selected to have the stiffness and shape to suit the
chest and shoulder shape of the individual user. The hip harness
(20) is preferably divided into independent left and right halves
(20a and 20b) that are each pivotally attached to a frame element
within the front lower portion of the pack. While the hip harness
may be unitary, or the two halves may be more or less tightly
coupled together, pivotal attachment of the back of the harness to
the pack is highly desirable.
Inventors: |
Maley, Ian James;
(Cottesloe, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wilson & Ham
PMB: 348
2530 Berryessa Road
San Jose
CA
95132
US
|
Family ID: |
34528658 |
Appl. No.: |
10/975181 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/628 ;
224/637; 224/643; 224/644 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/045 20130101;
A45F 3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/628 ;
224/637; 224/643; 224/644 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/04; A45F
003/08; A45F 003/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 3, 2003 |
AU |
2003906034 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A backpack having a lumbar portion that is opposed to the lumbar
region of the user's back when the pack is worn, the backpack
including: a shoulder harness adapted to transfer some weight of
the backpack to the shoulders of the user when the backpack is
worn, a hip harness adapted to encircle the waist of the user and
to transfer some of weight of the backpack to the gluteal muscles
and hips of the user when the backpack is worn, a primary frame
element located within said lumbar portion, and pivot joint means
securing the hip harness to the frame element to enable lateral
pivoting movement of the hip harness with respect to the frame
element and to the remainder of the backpack.
2. A backpack according to claim 1 wherein: said hip harness
comprises: a left segment having a rear portion located between the
lumbar region of the user's back and said frame element when the
pack is worn, a right segment having a rear portion located between
the lumbar region of the user's back and said frame element when
the pack is worn, and said pivot joint means secures said rear
portions of said left and right segment to the primary frame
element to enable independent lateral pivoting movement of each
segment with respect to the frame element.
3. A backpack according to claim 2 wherein: said rear portion of
the said left segment is located to the left of the spine of a user
wearing the backpack, said rear portion of the said right segment
is located to the right of the spine of a user wearing the
backpack, said pivotal joint means comprises: a left pivot joint
securing the rear portion of the left segment to the frame element
for pivotal movement about a left pivot axis, and a right pivot
joint securing the rear portion of the right segment to the frame
element for pivotal movement about a right pivot axis, and wherein
said left pivot axis is spaced horizontally from said right pivot
axis, and said left and right segments of the hip harness are
capable of independent pivotal movement about their respective
pivot axes.
4. A backpack according to claim 3 wherein, when the back pack is
worn by an upright user: said rear portion of the left hip segment
is adapted for location over at least portion of the user's left
gluteus maximus muscle, and said rear portion of the right hip
segment is adapted for location over at least portion of the user's
right gluteus maximus muscle.
5. A backpack according to claim 3 wherein: the left segment of the
hip harness includes an elongate flexible and substantially
inextensible left hip-plate, said left hip-plate having a rear
portion that is attached by said left pivot joint to the frame
element and said left hip-plate having a front portion, the right
segment of the hip harness includes an elongate flexible and
substantially inextensible right hip-plate, said right hip-plate
having a rear portion that is attached by said right pivot joint to
the frame element and said right hip-plate having a front portion,
and and the hip harness includes buckle means adapted to connect
said front portion of said left hip-plate to said front portion of
said right hip-plate across the abdomen of a user wearing the
backpack.
6. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein: said rear portion the
left hip-plate is coupled to said rear portion of the right
hip-plate by stabilizer strap means located below the level of said
left and said right pivot joints, said stabilizer strap means is
operable to limit the degree to which the front portions of the
left and right hip-plates can be jointly raised, and said
stabilizer strap means includes a releasable buckle so that, upon
release of said releasable buckle the degree to which the front
portions of the left and right hip-plates can be raise is not
limited by the stabilizer strap means.
7. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein: a left stabilizer strap
having a front end and a rear end is attached by said front end to
the front portion the left hip-plate, left attachment means for the
rear end of said left stabilizer strap is provided on the left side
of the load bag at a level below said left pivot joint, so that by
attaching the rear end of the left stabilizer strap to the said
left attachment means and by adjusting the length the left
stabilizer strap, the degree to which the front portion of the left
hip-plate can be raised is limited by the left stabilizer strap, a
right stabilizer strap having a front end and a rear end is
attached by said front end to the front portion the right
hip-plate, right attachment means for the rear end of said right
stabilizer strap is provided on the rigtht side of the load bag at
a level below said right pivot joint, so that by attaching the rear
end of the right stabilizer strap to the said right attachment
means and by adjusting the length the right stabilizer strap, the
degree to which the front portion of the right hip-plate can be
raised is limited by the right stabilizer strap.
8. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein: a left padded boot is
fitted around the rear portion of the left hip-plate so that said
boot is interposed between the rear portion of the left hip-plate
and the user when the backpack is worn, said rear portion of the
left hip-plate and said left padded boot comprising said the rear
portion of the left hip-segment, and a right padded boot is fitted
around the rear portion of the right hip-plate so that said right
padded boot is interposed between the rear portion of the right
hip-plate and the user when the backpack is worn, said rear portion
of the right hip-plate and said right padded boot comprising said
the rear portion of the right hip-segment,
9. A backpack according to claim 3 wherein: said left and right
hip-segments can each be pivoted to a substantially vertical
position when the backpack is upright but is not being worn, and a
zip-around cover is removably incorporated in the backpack and
adapted to be withdrawn over said segments when each is pivoted to
said vertical position and zipped therearound to enclose the entire
hip harness between the cover and the body of the backpack.
10. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein: the left pivot joint
comprises a left eyelet fitted into said left hip-plate and a left
screw that passes through said left eyelet and enters said frame
element, the right pivot joint comprises a right eyelet fitted into
said right hip-plate and a right screw that passes through said
right eyelet and enters said frame element, and said left and right
screws are arranged so as to extend generally horizontally in a
front-to-back direction when the backpack is worn by an upright
user.
11. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein: the backpack includes
a load bag having a front face that is opposed to the back of a
user when the pack is worn, the shoulder harness includes left and
right shoulder strap assemblies supported from respective anchor
buckles attached to said front face near the respective shoulder of
the user, when the backpack is worn, said primary frame element
comprises a substantially inextensible laterally extending plate
located within or against said front face of the load bag, and
there is at least one secondary frame element comprising a
vertically extending substantially inextensible plate located
within or against the front face of the load bag, said secondary
frame element or frame elements mechanically connecting said
primary frame element to said anchor points for said shoulder strap
assemblies.
12. A backpack according to claim 11 wherein: there are two second
secondary elongate frame elements comprising a left secondary frame
element having an upper end and a lower end and a right secondary
frame element having an upper and a lower end, the lower end of
said left secondary frame element is attached to said left pivot
joint, the lower end of said right secondary frame element is
attached to said right pivot joint, the upper end of said left
secondary frame element is attached to one of said anchor buckles,
and the upper end of said right secondary frame element is attached
to the other one of said anchor buckles.
13. A backpack according to claim 3 wherein said shoulder harness
comprises: flexible left and right shoulder strap assemblies, each
assembly including an elongate portion that extends from the
respective shoulder and over the respective pectoral area of a user
wearing the pack, an elongate pocket is formed in said elongate
portion of each shoulder strap, an elongate contour plate is fitted
into each of said pockets, said contour plate being longitudinally
flexible but laterally stiff, and the lateral shape of said portion
of each shoulder strap assembly is at least partially determined by
the shape of said contour plates fitted in the respective one of
said pockets.
14. A backpack comprising: flexible left and right shoulder strap
assemblies, each assembly including an elongate portion that
extends from the respective shoulder and over the respective
pectoral area of a user wearing the pack, an elongate pocket is
formed in said portion of each shoulder strap assembly, an elongate
contour plate is fitted into each of said pockets, said contour
plate being longitudinally flexible but laterally stiff, and
wherein the lateral shape of each of said portions of the shoulder
strap assemblies is at least partially determined by the lateral
shape of the respective contour plates fitted in the respective
pockets of the shoulder strap assembly.
15. A backpack according to claim 5, wherein: at least one of said
plates is formed from stitchable sheet plastic that is at least one
millimeter thick and can be readily flexed in directions orthogonal
to the plane of the plate while being stiff and resistant to
bending in the plane of the plate, said at least one plate having a
peripheral edge, said peripheral edge is covered by a cloth edging
stitched thereto, thereby mitigating the danger of wear to other
components of the backpack caused by rubbing against said
peripheral edge.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional
patent application serial number 2003906034, filed Nov. 3,
2003.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to backpacks and to backpack shoulder
harnesses and hip harnesses.
[0003] As a matter of convention, the terms `front` and `back`,
`left` and `right` and `lumbar portion` when used with a backpack
have reference to a standing person wearing the pack. Thus, the
front of a backpack is the face that lies adjacent the back of the
person and the back of the backpack is the part that is most remote
from the person when the pack is worn. Similarly, the right and
left sides of the pack are those which lie to the right and left of
the person wearing the pack, and the lumbar portion of the pack is
the lower portion opposed to the lumbar spine of the user at about
the level of the hip harness of the backpack.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0004] The backpacks with which this invention is concerned are
intended for carrying loads on or against the backs of people. They
mostly have some form of load-bearing or distributing frame
element, a shoulder harness for supporting some of the load on the
shoulders of the user and a hip harness for supporting the
remainder of the load on the gluteal muscles and/or hips of the
user. The frame element may be incorporated in or otherwise
attached to a load bag, or it may be used to support a load
directly without the mediation of a load bag. It can be omitted
altogether, as in light day-packs where the hip and shoulder
harnesses are simply attached to the front of the load bag. When
present, the frame element can take many different forms. In light
packs it can simply be a cloth stiffening panel sewn into the lower
front face of a load bag. With heavy packs, a skeletal metal or
plastic frame can be employed that extends the full height of the
pack--from the lumbar region of the wearer to shoulder level--with
the hip and shoulder harnesses securely attached to it. Smaller
metal or plastic frame elements are often fitted into pockets in
the front of the load bag with the harnesses secured through to the
frame. Or, in the absence of a load bag, the frame can be an
external framework to which a load such as a box or drum can be
directly secured and to which the shoulder and hip harnesses are
also directly attached.
[0005] Because of the wide variety of human body shapes and sizes
and the wide variety of body movements during walking, climbing,
skiing etc, it is difficult to design a back pack--especially one
intended to carry substantial loads--to suit a wide variety of
people, despite providing adjustable shoulder and hip harnesses.
Tailor-making a pack, hip harness, shoulder harness and frame
elements to suit an individual is generally impractical for cost
reasons. There is therefore a need for a backpack that is better
adaptable to a variety of body sizes and walking styles,
particularly where substantial loads are carried.
[0006] It is my experience that good harness conformance with the
shape and walking motions of the wearer is the primary requirement
for backpacks, especially when carrying heavy loads. Padding design
and fabric choice are secondary considerations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] From one aspect, this invention involves a backpack in which
the hip harness is attached by a pivot joint that permits the
harness to rock from side to side with the movement of the user's
hips when walking. The hip harness may include separate left and
right side segments that are pivotally attached to the pack so that
they can move independently of the other. Preferably, the harness
is attached to one or more frame elements incorporated in the
backpack and, where independently movable segments are employed it
is preferred that they are pivotally attached to a common frame
element to rotate about separate axes. The separate axes preferably
extend substantially horizontally and parallel in the front-to-back
direction, one on either side of the spine in the lumbar area of a
user wearing the pack.
[0008] The backpack preferably includes a primary and substantially
inextensible frame element in the lumbar region at the level of the
hip harness and, where separate hip harness segments of the type
indicated above are used, it is preferable that each segment
includes a substantially inextensible hip-plate having front and
rear portions. The rear portion of each hip-plate is preferably
relatively large and pivotally attached to the primary frame
element so that it can overlie the respective gluteus maximus
muscle of the user. The front portion of each hip-plate is
preferably attached to waist strap and buckle means by which the
hip-plates can be coupled together about the waist or the user.
Each hip segment preferably includes a padded boot or hip pad that
is preferably fitted over the respective hip-plate so as to be
interposed between the hip-plate and the body of the user. To
mitigate chafing, the edges of the hip-plates may be covered with
edging material.
[0009] Preferably, the hip-plate of each segment is encased in a
tightly fitting cover or pocket of textile fabric having good
tensile strength. This helps to reinforce the plate against tearing
along stitch-lines, cracking from the periphery and buckling or
crumpling under stress. The hip harness buckle means can be
attached directly to the hip-plates or to their pockets, allowing
the hip harness to be tightened as much as desired without stretch
or creep. Resistance to stretch and creep is further enhanced by
the pivotal mounting of the hip-plates on the frame element.
[0010] The use of independently pivoting side segments allows each
side of the hip harness to automatically assume the contour of the
wearer's hip region and to move more freely and independently as
the pelvis of the walker rocks cyclically during walking or tilts
during climbing. It also allows the hip harness to be stowed during
storage or transport of the backpack by swinging the side segments
upwards against the front of the pack. A zip-around cover flap may
be attached to the bottom of the pack, or accommodated within a
pocket in the bottom of the load bag, so that it can be pulled out
over the stowed hip and shoulder harnesses and zipped in place for
transport. This is especially valuable when backpacks are entrusted
to the baggage handling systems of airports.
[0011] According to an optional feature, where hip-plates of
separate hip harness side segments are pivotally attached to the
frame element for movement about laterally spaced axes, the rear
portions of the hip-plates may be coupled together below the level
of their respective pivot axes by a stabilizing strap to limit
simultaneous upward movement of the front portions of the
hip-plates when the pack is worn. The stabilizing strap may be of
adjustable length so that the wearer can adjust the way in which
the load is shared by the side segments as the hips move during
walking. Of course, some means of undoing the stabilizing strap is
necessary to allow the hip side segments to be rotated to their
substantially vertical stowage positions.
[0012] One way of effecting the pivotal joint by which a side
segment is attached to the primary frame element is to mount a
threaded metal nut or socket on or in the frame at the desired
location, to press a metal eyelet into the respective hip-plate and
to enter a screw through the eyelet into the nut or socket to
pivotally secure the hip-plate and segment to the frame element. It
is envisaged that the screw or nut may rotate with the hip-plate in
an eyelet or bore formed in the frame element. While lose-riveting
the stiffening plate to the primary frame element (so as to allow
pivotal movement) is also envisaged, it makes replacement of the
hip-plate and segment more difficult. It will be appreciated,
however, that the means by which each hip-plate is attached to the
frame is not of prime importance, so long as a pivotal joint is
effected.
[0013] As already indicated, replaceable padded boot-like
covers--here called hip pads--may be fitted over the hip-plates.
The length and shape of the hip pads can be chosen to suit the size
and shape of the user. The pads can be readily fitted and replaced
if desired. The lateral contour of the hip pad will be determined
in large part by the lateral contour of the associated hip-plate.
The use of the hip-plate and/or its aforementioned pocket to take
the tension of the hip harness enables the hip pad to be designed
solely for padding and comfort having regard to the intended use of
the pack. For example, the carrying of heavy, medium or light
loads, bush-walking, alpine ascent and descent, travel in city
areas, or day walking.
[0014] From another aspect, the invention comprises a backpack
having a shoulder harness including left and right shoulder straps
that extend over the shoulders of the user and characterized in
that a pocket is formed in the top face of each shoulder strap in
the shoulder region and a removable flexible contour plate is
fitted into each pocket to shape the respective strap in the
lateral (generally horizontal direction). Each shoulder strap is
formed with inner or lower padding and with an outer or upper
lining and the pocket is formed on or in the upper lining. A series
of alternative contour plates of different shapes can be fitted
into the pocket to force the strap into different lateral
configurations, depending upon the slope and contour of the user's
neck and shoulders. The contour plate additionally serves to
mitigate bunching or edge-curling of the shoulder strap padding
over the shoulder.
[0015] The plates of the hip and shoulder harnesses are preferably
cut from sheet plastic material--such a polypropylene--that is at
least one millimeter thick and is substantially inextensible under
the loads encountered in backpacks. Such plates are easily flexed
in directions orthogonal to their planes but strongly resist
coplanar flexing forces. As already indicated, the plates may be
confined within a closely fitting textile cover that extends over
the edges of the plate and/or edge bound with textile material to
reduce chafing of an by their edges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Having broadly portrayed the nature of the present
invention, a particular example will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications can
be made to the example without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. In the
accompanying drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1, is a front elevation of the backpack of the chosen
example, showing the hip harness and shoulder harness ready for
use.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the backpack of FIG. 1
showing the hip harness segments in their stowed positions and a
cover flap ready for deployment thereover.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the backpack of FIG. 1
showing the cover flap deployed and the backpack ready for
transport.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the lower portion
of the backpack of FIG. 1 showing the hip-plates, portions of their
respective pivot joints and the attached buckle means.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a similar view to FIG. 4, with the hip-plates and
buckle means removed, the outline of the frame elements being shown
in broken lines.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation of the right segment of
the hip harness of FIG. 1 taken on section plane VI-VI of FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the right hip harness segment
and buckle means of FIG. 1, showing an optional stabilizing
strap.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a similar view to FIG. 7 showing the right
hip-plate of the right hip harness segment with the associated hip
pad removed, showing the optional stabilizing strap illustrated in
FIG. 7 together with a second stabilizing strap.
[0025] FIG. 9 is an enlarged front elevation of portion of one of
the shoulder strap assemblies of FIG. 10 showing a contour plate
fitted within its pocket.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the shoulder harness removed from
the backpack of FIG. 1 and laid out flat on a horizontal surface
with its front uppermost and with three pairs of contour plates of
different shapes that can be fitted within the pockets of the
shoulder straps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] With reference to FIG. 1, the backpack 10 of the chosen
example has a load-bag 12, a Y-shape shoulder harness 14, having
left and right padded shoulder strap assemblies 14a and 14b and a
common tail 16 that is adjustably secured to the base 18 of the
pack by an anchor buckle 19, and a hip harness 20 comprised of (i)
separate left and right side segments 20a and 20b pivotally
attached to pack 10 near base 18 and (ii) waist buckle means 22.
The front faces of segments 20a and 20b are covered by pads 64a and
64b (respectively, which will be described below. An optional
lumbar flap 23 may be used to cover buckle 19 and shoulder harness
tail 16 when the pack is worn. One end of flap 23 is sewn to base
18 so that the opposite end can be raised and attached by mating
Velcro.TM. patches 23a and 23b to the front of pack 10.
[0028] Each strap assembly 14a and 14b of shoulder harness 14
essentially comprises (i) an elongated padded body 24 arranged to
extend over the upper back and respective shoulder and down the
respective side of the chest of the wearer, (ii) a load-bearing
top-webbing 25 passing downward over the top front face of padded
body 24, and (iii) a contour plate 26 fitted upwardly into a pocket
27 in the upper portion of body 24 that extends over the shoulder
of the user. Each top-webbing 25 extends from a respective top
anchor buckle 28 that is fixed to the load bag 12 a little below
shoulder height. The lower end of each top-webbing 25 terminates at
a respective bottom buckle 29 through which an adjustable
bottom-webbing strap 30 is passed, one end of bottom-webbing 30
being anchored to base 18 of pack 10 and the other end hanging free
to permit easy adjustment by pulling. Except for the use of contour
plates 26 and their respective pockets 27 the general configuration
and construction of the shoulder harness 14 is well known in the
art.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows the pack with the side segments 20a and 20b of
hip harness 20 swung up about their pivots (to be described below)
to substantially vertical positions and lumbar flap 23 folded up
and attached to the front of the pack in its normal position. A
zip-around cover 32, which is attached to pack base 18 and is
normally stowed in a zip-pocket 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) formed in
the bottom 36 of load bag 12, is shown unpacked and extended from
that pocket in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows cover 32 after it has been
zipped in place, covering the entire harness system to ready pack
10 for transport.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the front
of pack 10 including the lumbar region, generally indicated by the
bracket L. FIG. 4 shows the lower ends of padded bodies 24 of left
and right shoulder strap assemblies 14a and 14b, the lower ends of
top-webbings 25, bottom buckles 29 and bottom webbings 30. The tail
16 of the shoulder harness 14 and the anchor buckle 19 at the base
18 of pack 10 are also shown, along with zip pocket 34 for cover 32
in the bottom 36 of load bag 12, but the lumbar flap 23 is omitted
for clarity. In FIG. 4, the left and right pads 64a and 64b of hip
harness segments 20a and 20b shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been
removed to show left and right flexible plastic hip-plate
assemblies 37a and 37b that form part of the respective segments
and will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 below.
Each hip-plate assembly comprises a sheet-plastic hip-plate 40 sewn
into a tightly fitting strong fabric pocket 38 with edge bindings
39, plates 40 being shown in cut-away areas 41 of the fabric
pockets 38. Hip-plate assemblies 37a and 37b have relatively narrow
front ends 42, which are shown are shown flexed forwards and
inwards and joined by waist buckle means 22 that comprises left and
right belt-like webbing straps 44a and 44b joined by a central
buckle 46. The rear ends of straps 44a and 44b are sewn directly to
front ends 42 of respective hip-plate assemblies 37a and 37b. The
relatively large rear or inner end portion 48 of each hip-plate
assembly is lobe-like and located to oppose the respective gluteus
maximus muscles of the wearer when pack 10 is in place. An eyelet
50 is swaged through each plate assembly 37a and 37b at
approximately the center of the lobe of inner portion 48 so that
the plate assembly can be pivotally secured to the frame of pack 10
by a countersunk-head screw 52 passing though eyelet 50, as will be
described more particularly with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. It is
to be noted that the axes of screws 52 are substantially horizontal
and parallel and extend generally in the front-to-back direction
(when the pack is worn).
[0031] FIG. 5 is a similar view to that of FIG. 4 but with shoulder
harness 14 and hip harness 20 removed, the latter being simply
effected by first removing screws 52 (FIG. 4) leaving internally
threaded nuts 54 in place. The exteriors of nuts 54 are cylindrical
and extend through respective eyelets 55 that are swaged into the
cloth facing 56 of the load bag 12 of pack 10. The lower ends of
bottom webbings 30 of the shoulder harness 14 are anchored to the
base of load bag 12 by being sewn between respective sides of
facing 56 and the front of load bag 12.
[0032] In this example, the primary frame element is a lightweight,
strong flat piece of plastic or aluminium, shown in outline by
broken lines at 60 in FIG. 5 because it lies behind facing 56. In
this example, primary frame element 60 is supplemented by left and
right crossed strap-like secondary frame elements 61a and 61b
respectively, which are preferably formed from aluminum sheet
though plastic sheeting may also be used. Each secondary element
extends diagonally upward to provide at their top ends (not shown)
anchor points for (respectively) the right and left anchor buckles
28 (FIG. 1) of shoulder harness 14. Secondary frame elements 61a
and 61b are also shown in broken lines as they also lie behind the
facing 56 of load bag 12.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation of right segment 20b
and portion of the front of load bag 12 taken on section plane
VI-VI shown in FIG. 1, which passes through the right pivot joint
formed (in part) by the right hand one of screws 52. It is to be
noted that the sectional dimensions of the components shown in FIG.
6 have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Primary frame
element 60 is located between cloth facing 56 (see FIG. 5) and a
cloth backing 58 that form the font of load bag 12 and is held in
position by the swaging of eyelet 55 through facing 56, frame
element 60 and backing 58. In the example shown, nut 54 is swaged
into the bottom end of the right secondary frame element 61b and is
of tubular form so that it extends forwards through the right
eyelet 55 so as to positively locate the bottom end of secondary
frame element 61b with respect to primary frame element 60. Both
secondary frame elements 61a and 61b are located within load bag 12
immediately behind backing cloth 58.
[0034] It might be noted that FIG. 6 also illustrates--in
section--portion of the base 18 of pack 10 including zipped pocket
34 in the bottom 36 of and showing cover 32 packed into pocket
34.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 as well as to FIG. 6, right
hip harness segment 20b basically consists of right hip-plate
assembly 37b, (which includes plastic hip-plate 40 with sewn-on
fabric cover 38 and edging 39, and with eyelet 50 swaged
therethrough) and padded right boot 64b fitted over the front of
hip-plate assembly 37b. Boot 64b comprises a foam core 66 encased
in a sewn fabric cover 68 having a rear pocket 70 accommodating
lobe 48 of hip-plate 37b and having a rear strap-like bridge 72
(FIG. 7) accommodating the narrow front portion 42 of hip-plate 37b
(along with the inner end of right strap 44b of buckle means
22).
[0036] By way of review, it is to be noted that screws 52, nuts 54
and eyelets 50 and 55 serve to positively locate and assemble
primary frame element 60, secondary frame elements 61, and left and
right hip segments 20a and 20b together as a functioning
assemblage. Primary frame element 60 thus serves to pivotally
anchor the side segments 20a and 20b of hip harness 20, setting the
relative location and spacing of left and right segments 20a and
20b and allowing buckle means 22 to be tightened without displacing
the segments of the hip harness 20. A thread-locking compound can
be used to prevent screws 52 working loose in nuts 54 during
use.
[0037] It will be appreciated that there are many alternative
arrangements by which the desired function of the side segments of
the hip harness can be effected. A threaded nut can be carried by
the primary frame element and a screw or bolt entered forwards from
within the load bag of the pack. A tubular rivet that passes
through all the components of the joint could be employed. Such a
rivet could lock or clamp the primary and secondary frame elements
together while allowing free-rotation of the hip-plate assemblies
and their associated side segments. The secondary frame elements
(if present, for they are optional) need not be fixed by the screw,
rivet or the like that forms the pivot joint, but can be attached
to the primary frame element elsewhere. Or the primary and
secondary frame elements may form an integral cut or molded plastic
structure that is entirely housed within the front face of the load
bag.
[0038] FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 show an optional stabilizer link 80 that
ties the lobe portions 48 of hip-plates assemblies 37a and 37b
together so as to restrict their relative angular movement. Users
with broad hips may find this helpful when carrying heavy loads so
as to reduce the amount of load-shifting from one hip to the other
while still permitting some pivotal movement of the hip harness. As
shown in FIG. 4, link 80 comprises left and right straps 82a and
82b joined by a buckle 84 in such a way that the effective length
of the link can be accurately adjusted, strap 82a being sewn to the
lobe of left hip-plate 37a at a point below the pivot axis defined
by the axis of screw 52 or eyelet 50 and strap 82b being sewn to
the lobe of right hip-plate 37b in a corresponding location.
[0039] As an alternative or an addition to link 80, the narrow
front portions 42 of hip-plates can be fitted with longer side
stabilizer straps that attach to buckles at the base 18 of load bag
12 and on the same side. An example for the right side of the pack
is shown a right side stabilizer strap 84b on right hip-plate 37b
in FIG. 8. The free end of right side stabilizer strap 84b attaches
to right side buckle 85b shown in FIG. 5. The left side stabilizer
strap (not shown) attaches to left side buckle 85a shown in FIG. 5.
When heavy loads are carried the side stabilizer straps resist the
tendency of buckle means 22 to rise; that is, they transfer some of
the weight from the shoulders and buttocks to the hips.
[0040] The use of contour plates 26 and pockets 27 in the shoulder
strap assemblies 14a and 14b will now be described with reference
to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is an enlarged front perspective view of
the portion of the left shoulder strap assembly 14a that normally
rests on the shoulder of the user. A guide to the orientation of
this portion of shoulder strap assembly is provided by the broken
line on the left of FIG. 9 indicating the front face of load bag
12. FIG. 10 is a plan view of shoulder harness 14 depicted as if
lying on a horizontal surface and viewed from the back and top so
that left and right shoulder strap assemblies 14a and 14b appear
reversed with respect to FIG. 1. Most of the tension webbings 25
(see FIG. 1) have been cut away for clarity in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0041] As already noted, left and right shoulder strap assemblies
14a and 14b have padded bodies 24. The padding is normally heaviest
in the shoulder region where it rests against the tops of the
shoulders and, sometimes, the pectoral muscles of the user, this
heavy padding being indicated at 90 in the perspective view of the
left strap assembly 14a in FIG. 9 and in the front elevation of
FIG. 1. As described with respect to FIG. 1, a pocket 27 is formed
in the outer or upper lining of the shoulder portion of each strap
assembly to take a selected contour plate 26, most of which is
shown in broken lines in FIG. 9 because it is located within pocket
27. The purpose of contour plate 26 is to laterally shape the
shoulder portions of the strap assemblies so as to make them more
comfortable under load and so as to inhibit the bunching or curling
of padded portion 90.
[0042] Because of the wide variation in shoulder, chest and breast
size and shape between people and, in particular, between men and
women, the optimum lateral curve of the shoulder portions of the
strap assemblies will vary widely even for the same pack and load.
It has been found that much of this variation can be accommodated
by selecting between contour plates of different, shapes, stiffness
and curvature for use in a common shoulder harness that has
tight-fitting pockets shaped to take the plates. An added degree of
accommodation is possible by varying the location of the pockets
along the shoulder strap assemblies of the shoulder harness. This
may be done by forming multiple pockets in the outer lining or by
controlling the vertical location of a contour plate within a long
pocket. In general, however, only one pocket over each shoulder
will be sufficient as in the illustrative example.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows shoulder harness 14 of the pack of FIG. 1 laid
out in the manner indicated above, with tension webbings 25 cut
away and pockets 27 showing. Three alternative contour plates 26d,
26e and 26f having increasing curvature are shown along side each
pocket 27. Conveniently, the plates may be stamped or cut from
plastic sheeting between 0.5 and 3 mm in thickness with the thicker
plates having holes formed therein to reduce weight if desired.
Plates 26d are shown with holes 92 for this purpose. As in FIG. 10,
the alternative plates may be relatively short and may all be of
essentially the same width (though of differing curvature). As
indicated in FIG. 9, they may be relatively long and of tapering
form. If desired, the plates may be enclosed in a fabric pocket
with the perimeter finished with a binding tape in a similar way to
the reinforcing plates 40 of hip-plate assemblies 37a and 37b.
[0044] It is desirable that pockets 27 are formed with upper and
lower layers of material securely sewn together on their sides and
lower ends, each pocket then being secured to the padded portion of
the corresponding strap assembly 14a or 14b. Thus, selected contour
plate does not come into contact with the padding 90 of the strap
and can be made a firm fit within pocket 27. The material of the
upper and lower surfaces of the pocket 27, as well as adjacent
material covering padded body 24, is preferably of woven
construction and cut on the bias so as to facilitate conformity of
this region the strap assembly to the shape of curved plates such
as 26f. The bias cut is indicated by hatching 96 in FIG. 9.
[0045] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
backpack of the chosen example offers many advantages over known
backpacks in the comfortable distribution of the load between the
shoulders and the hips, this being achieved in important part by
the use of the contour plates in the shoulder harness and the
reinforcing plates of the hip harness. Important and separate
advantages are also obtained from the use of independently pivoted
hip harness segments. However, those skilled in the art will also
appreciate that many variations and additions can be made to the
backpack of the example without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *