U.S. patent application number 11/174577 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for pocketed front pack.
Invention is credited to David G. Bareno.
Application Number | 20060011690 11/174577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35598419 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060011690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bareno; David G. |
January 19, 2006 |
Pocketed front pack
Abstract
The pocketed front pack is a pack used by a skier or snowboarder
to hold items. The pack has a body of unitary construction with a
front cover, shoulder harnesses, and a back cover. The pack also
includes a waist band to which the shoulder harnesses are attached.
The pack is slipped over a user's head and attached about the
user's torso with the waist band. The back cover is attached to the
harnesses and rests against a user's back. The front cover has a
large compartment built into it with additional pockets situated
both on the large compartment and on the front cover itself. The
front cover is secured to the waist band with hook and loop
fasteners. Hand-warming compartments may be built into the pack.
The pack may include a tailbone pad connected to the waist band and
a spine protector connected to the back cover.
Inventors: |
Bareno; David G.; (Ramona,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD
PO BOX 15035
CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
35598419 |
Appl. No.: |
11/174577 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60585586 |
Jul 7, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/638 ;
224/148.2; 224/652 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/146 20130101;
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F 3/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/638 ;
224/148.2; 224/652 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20060101
A45F003/04; A45F 3/16 20060101 A45F003/16 |
Claims
1. A pocketed front pack, comprising: a body of unitary
construction, the body having a front cover and a plurality of
shoulder harnesses, the front cover having a top end and a bottom
end, the shoulder harnesses extending from the top end of the front
cover; a waist band having a first end and a second end, the waist
band being removably attached to the shoulder harnesses; a first
coupling means for affixing the first end of the waist band to the
second end of the waist band; and at least one compartment
integrally connected to the front cover for storing items.
2. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, wherein the first
coupling means comprises a strip of hook and loop fastening
material attached to an inward-facing surface of the first end of
the waist band and a corresponding mating strip of hook and loop
fastening material attached to an outward-facing surface of the
second end of the waist band.
3. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, further comprising
a second coupling means for affixing the bottom end of the front
cover to the first end of the waist band.
4. The pocketed front pack according to claim 3, wherein the second
coupling means comprises a strip of hook and loop fastening
material attached to an outward-facing surface of the first end of
the waist band and a corresponding mating strip of hook and loop
fastening material attached to the bottom end of an underside of
the front cover.
5. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, wherein the body
of the pack is made from a waterproof material.
6. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, further comprising
a plurality of small pockets disposed on the at least one
compartment.
7. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, further comprising
a back cover extending between the shoulder harnesses.
8. The pocketed front pack according to claim 7, wherein the back
cover is padded over at least the portion of the back cover
abutting a spinal column of a user when the pack is worn.
9. The pocketed front pack according to claim 7, further comprising
a spine protector integrally attached to the back cover, the spinal
protector being made from a plurality of spinal links, the links
being connected to one another.
10. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, further
comprising a tailbone pad integrally connected to the first end and
the second end of the waist band.
11. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of compartments integrally attached to an
underside of the front cover.
12. The pocketed front pack according to claim 1, further
comprising a fluid pouch removably attached to the front cover of
the pack.
13. A pocketed front pack comprising: a body of unitary
construction, the body having a front cover and a plurality of
shoulder harnesses, the front cover having a top end and a bottom
end, the shoulder harnesses extending from the top end of the front
cover; a waist band having a first end and a second end, the waist
band being integrally attached to the shoulder harnesses; a first
coupling means for affixing the first end of the waist band to the
second end of the waist band; and at least one compartment
integrally connected to the front cover for storing items.
14. The pocketed front pack according to claim 13, wherein the
first coupling means comprises a strip of hook and loop fastening
material attached to an inward-facing surface of the first end of
the waist band and a corresponding mating strip of hook and loop
fastening material attached to an outward-facing surface of the
second end of the waist band.
15. The pocketed front pack according to claim 13, further
comprising a second coupling means for affixing the bottom end of
the front cover to the first end of the waist band.
16. The pocketed front pack according to claim 15, wherein the
second coupling means comprises a strip of hook and loop fastening
material attached to an outward-facing surface of the first end of
the waist band and a corresponding mating strip of hook and loop
fastening material attached to the bottom end of an underside of
the front cover.
17. The pocketed front pack according to claim 13, further
comprising a back cover extending between the shoulder
harnesses.
18. The pocketed front pack according to claim 17, wherein the back
cover is padded over at least the portion of the back cover
abutting a spinal column of a user when the pack is worn.
19. The pocketed front pack according to claim 17, further
comprising a spine protector integrally attached to the back cover,
the spinal protector being made from a plurality of spinal links,
the links being connected to one another.
20. The pocketed front pack according to claim 13, further
comprising a tailbone pad integrally connected to the first end and
the second end of the waist band.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/585,586, filed Jul. 7, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to carrying packs, and more
particularly to a pocketed front pack for carrying items.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Individuals often use backpacks and vests with pockets to
hold and carry items easily. Backpacks generally allow the user
free movement of the arms, while holding cumbersome items within a
compartment situated against the user's back. However, backpacks
require the user to go through the steps of taking off the pack,
unzipping the back compartment, and retrieving the items from
within the compartment. Backpacks therefore do not provide an easy
and convenient way to access stored items. Pocketed vests, on the
other hand, allow users to hold smaller items within pockets on the
front surface of the vest. The pockets provide the individual with
easier access to the items without having to go to the trouble of
taking off the vest.
[0006] As skiers and snowboarders ski and snowboard for hours on
end, they often have need for immediate access to various personal
items, such as water, food, music players, tools or the like. While
a pocketed vest may work in holding some of these items, the small
pockets of a vest do not allow much space to hold a number of items
or large items. Many skiers and snowboarders instead use backpacks
to carry their belongings. Numerous problems arise for skiers and
snowboarders when using backpacks. When they are riding on the ski
lift, the backpacks may be too bulky to comfortably and safely sit
in the lift chair. Backpacks require the skier or snowboarder to
take off the packs to retrieve their possessions, which may prove
unwieldy when attempting to hold ski poles or balance on a
snowboard. Necessitating the removal of the backpack involves extra
time and unnecessary effort for the skier or snowboarder.
[0007] Additionally, backpacks do not offer back support for the
skier for crashes that may occur in the course of skiing. The
backpacks do not generally provide a spine protector to aid in
preventing injuries to the spinal column.
[0008] Accordingly, what is needed is a pack with a large
accessible compartment for larger or more numerous items and
additional smaller pockets for smaller items, where the compartment
and pockets are located on a front portion of the pack. What is
further needed is a pack that provides back support and a spine
protector to protect against injury.
[0009] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0040493, published on Apr.
11, 2002, describes a pocketed vest and backpack combination. The
vest comprises a back portion joined to two front portions with the
front portions being releasably connected to each other. Large
pockets are disposed on the front and back; the combined volume of
the front pockets equals the volume of the rear pocket.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,127, issued Jun. 2, 1987 to R. Swanson,
describes a vest for carrying loads. The vest has front and back
compartments disposed on the garment to carry the loads. The vest
has two front portions releasably joined to each other with a
zipper.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,187, issued to C. Yang on Mar. 23, 1993,
describes a garment having front and back pieces with large pockets
disposed on both the front and the back. The front piece has two
portions, the portions being releasably connected to one
another.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,391, issued Jan. 13, 2004 to G. Morrison
describes a vest for holding a plurality of small, cylindrical
weights. A front portion and a back portion of the vest are
strapped together. The front portion and back portion both have
pockets with chambers to hold the weights.
[0013] Other patents showing carrying packs or vests include U.S.
Des. Pat. No. 316,172, issued Apr. 16, 1991 to J. Hanson (combined
vest and backpack); U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,706, issued Oct. 3, 1989 to
K. Ketcham et al. (sports protection garment); U.S. Pat. No.
5,014,359, issued May 14, 1991 to J. Hanson (vest and backpack
combination); U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,998, issued Jan. 18, 1994 to S.
Book (combination garment and tote bag); U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,447,
issued Jul. 12, 1994 to F. Kapounek et al. (spine protector); U.S.
Pat. No. 5,365,614, issued Nov. 22, 1994 to D. Perkins (sports
vest); U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,802, issued Jun. 8, 1999 to A. Puco
(vest backpack); U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,739, issued May 22, 2001 to A.
Spence (vest for a golfer); U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,579, issued Nov.
13, 2001 to P. Marcon (personal survival vestpac); U.S. Pat. No.
6,446,273, issued Sep. 10, 2002 to S. Gillen et al. (protective
body vest); U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,814, issued Sep. 30, 2003 to P. Veh
(protective vest); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,543, issued Apr. 20,
2004 to K. Fitzgerald (backpack with adjustable lumbar support
belt).
[0014] Additional patents showing carrying packs or vests include
U.K. Patent No. 2,110,542, published Jun. 22, 1983 (spine board
system); German Patent No. 3,323,701, published Jan. 5, 1984
(protective vest for motorcyclists and their passengers); Japanese
Patent No. 7-313,309, published Dec. 5, 1995 (seat cover which also
serves as vest); Japanese Patent No. 2000-336,506, published Dec.
5, 2000 (supporter); and Japanese Patent No. 2001-224,423,
published Aug. 21, 2001 (handbag with vest).
[0015] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus a pocketed front pack solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The pocketed front pack is a pack used by a skier or
snowboarder to hold items while skiing, snowboarding, or for any
other outdoor uses. The pack is preferably made with a lightweight,
waterproof material. The pocketed front pack has a body of unitary
construction having a front cover, shoulder harnesses, and a back
cover. The front pack additionally includes a waist band. The front
cover has a large compartment built into it. The shoulder harnesses
are attached to the waist band, which wraps about a user's waist.
The back cover is attached to the harnesses and may extend to the
waist band.
[0017] The pocketed front pack is slipped over a user's head, with
the front cover resting against the user's chest. The shoulder
harnesses are integrally connected to the front cover and extend
from the front cover and connect to the waist band. The shoulder
harnesses rest over a user's shoulders. Adjustable straps are
disposed on the shoulder harnesses and attach to the waist band,
allowing for the pack to the adjusted. The ends of the waist band
are wrapped about the user's waist and fastened to one another
using hook and loop fasteners. Then the front cover, which has a
hook and loop fastener on its underside, is secured to an
additional hook and loop fastener located on the outside of the
waist band. The front cover is thus held in place against the waist
band.
[0018] The front cover has a large compartment built into it and a
number of small pockets situated both on the large compartment and
on the front cover itself. The small pockets may be used for
holding music players, tools, food and the like. A fluid pouch is
attached to the front cover. A tube extends from the pouch to a
spout that allows a user to drink fluids held within the pouch.
Additionally the underside of the front cover has hand-warming
compartments built into it.
[0019] The waist band may include a tailbone pad integrally
connected to the waist band. The tailbone pad allows a user to sit
on a ski lift more comfortably, as it protects the tailbone. The
back cover is made with padding and may include a spine protector
to support the user's back if crashes occur in the course of skiing
or snowboarding.
[0020] One aspect of the invention is to allow skiers and
snowboarders to sit in a lift chair more comfortably than if their
items were stored in a compartment in the back of the pack. Another
aspect of the invention is that the uniform construction allows a
user to easily slip the pack over the user's head and quickly
attach the pack about the individual's torso using the waist band
fasteners. The front pack is also waterproof, allowing a user to
fall onto the snow without the snow soaking through the pack.
[0021] A further aspect of the invention is that the padded back
support protects against crashes that may occur. An additional
aspect is that the spine protector aids in preventing injuries to
the spinal column.
[0022] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a pocketed
front pack according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the pocketed front pack
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the pocketed front pack
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the pocketed front pack
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the pocketed front pack
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is an environmental rear view of the pocketed front
pack according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The present invention is a pocketed front pack, designated
generally as 10 in the drawings. The pocketed pack 10 has a body 12
of unitary construction, which may be made with a waterproof
material, connected to a waist band 22. The body 12 has a front
cover 14, a plurality of shoulder harnesses 16, and a back cover
18. The front cover 14 has a large compartment 20 built into the
front cover 14. The shoulder harnesses 16 are attached to the waist
band 22.
[0031] Referring first to FIG. 1, the pocketed front pack 10 is
shown being worn by a user. The pack 10 is slipped over a user's
head, with the front cover 14 resting against the user's chest. The
front cover 14 has a top end 24 and a bottom end 26. The shoulder
harnesses 16 are integrally connected to the front cover 14 and
extend off of the top end 24 of the front cover 14. The shoulder
harnesses 16 rest over a user's shoulders. The shoulder harnesses
16 are attached to a waist band 22, which is situated about a
user's waist. The waist band 22 has a first end 28 and a second end
30 opposed to the first end 28. The first end 28 and the second end
30 of the waist band 22 are wrapped about the user's waist and
fastened to one other.
[0032] The front cover 14 has a large compartment 20 built into the
front cover 14. The large compartment 20 includes a zipper 32 to
provide access to the inside of the compartment 20. The zipper 32
may be disposed vertically down the middle of the compartment 20 or
alternatively be disposed in a horseshoe configuration about the
compartment 20, as seen in FIG. 5. The zipper 32 may be substituted
for a variety of fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners,
buttons, snaps and the like. A plurality of small pockets 34 is
situated on the front cover 14. The pockets 34 may be situated
either on the large compartment 20 or disposed directly on the
front cover 14. A fluid pouch 40 is attached to the front cover 14.
A tube 42 is extended from the fluid pouch 40 up to a spout 44,
allowing a user to drink fluids held within the fluid pouch 40. A
clip 48 is attached to the front cover 14 for attaching to
miscellaneous items.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the outer face of the pocketed front pack 10.
FIG. 3 shows the inner face of the pocketed front pack 10. The
shoulder harnesses 16 are integrally connected to the front cover
14 of the pack 10. Adjustable straps 46 are disposed on the
shoulder harnesses 16 and attach to the waist band 22. The back
cover 18 is attached to the shoulder harnesses 16. The back cover
18 may additionally be extended, stretching to the waist band 22.
The back cover 18 may be omitted entirely. The waist band 22
includes a tailbone pad 70 integrally connected to the waist band
22 for protecting the user's tailbone.
[0034] The first end 28 of the waist band 22 has a first hook and
loop fastening strip 50 on the outward-facing surface 52 of the
first end 28. The first end 28 of the waist band 22 has a second
hook and loop fastening strip 54 on the inward-facing surface 56 of
the first end 28. The second end 30 of the waist band 22 has a
third hook and loop fastening strip 58 on the outward-facing
surface 60 of the second end 30. The inward-facing surface 62 of
the second end 30 of the waist band 22 lacks a hook and loop
fastening strip. The front cover 14 has a front side 72 and an
underside 74. The underside 74 of the bottom end 26 of the cover 14
has a fourth hook and loop fastening strip 76.
[0035] After the user slips the pack 10 over his head, he first
wraps the second end 30 of the waist band 22 about his waist, then
wraps the first end 28 of the waist band 22 about his waist. The
second hook and loop fastening strip 54 secures to the third hook
and loop fastening strip 58, attaching the first end 28 of the
waist band 22 to the second end 30. Then the front cover 14 is
pulled down, and the fourth hook and loop fastening strip 76
secures to the first hook and loop fastening strip 50. The front
cover 14 is thus held in place against the waist band 22. Although
the first end 28 of the waist band 22 is shown having hook and loop
fastening strips on both sides, it does not matter whether the
first end 28 or the second end 30 of the waist band 22 has hook and
loop fastening strips on both sides.
[0036] The fluid pouch 40 may be permanently attached to the front
pack 10 or detachable from the front pack 10. It may be held to the
pack 10 by uniting a first pouch hook and loop fastener 90 disposed
on the front cover 14 of the pack 10 with a second pouch hook and
loop fastener 92 disposed on the underside of the fluid pouch
40.
[0037] Additionally the underside 74 of the front cover 14 has a
plurality of hand-warming compartments 80 built into the cover 14.
Alternative fasteners may be used in place of the hook and loop
fastening strips, such as buckles, zippers, snaps, buttons and the
like.
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 4, the pocketed front pack 10 is shown
with the addition of a spine protector 82. The spine protector 82
is built into the back cover 18. The spine protector 82 may be made
with a padding material. The spine protector 82 may use spinal
links 84 and is designed with a protective material, such as
polyethylene or polyurethane. The spine protector 82 may be ridged
or may include a gel insert.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the pocketed front pack 10 being
worn by a user. The pack 10 is slipped over the user's head, and
the waist band 22 is attached about the user's waist. The straps 46
are adjustable so that the user may raise or lower the waist band
22 according to the user's needs. The straps 46 are lowered,
allowing the tailbone pad 70 to be situated against the user's
tailbone to provide it protection.
[0040] The pocketed front pack 10 is preferably made from a
lightweight, waterproof material.
[0041] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *