Garment backpack

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a garment for use as a backpack. The garment comprises an anterior member and a posterior member. The anterior member can be divided into a right half and a left half, each half having a top edge, a medial edge, and a distal edge. The posterior member can have an interior side, an exterior side, a surface area, a right edge, a left edge, and a top edge. The anterior member and the posterior member can be joined such that the top edge of the right half of the anterior member is joined to the top edge of the posterior portion from a point substantially at the right edge of the posterior member and continuing medially, and the top edge of the left half of the anterior member is joined to the top edge of the posterior portion from a point substantially at the left edge of the posterior member. The anterior member can have at least one pocket fixedly attached thereto. The posterior member can have at least one large pocket fixedly attached thereto, the large pocket covering less than or equal to fifty percent of the surface area of the posterior member, the large pocket preferably being located substantially proximal to the top edge to allow a user to access the pocket over her shoulder. In a preferred embodiment, total pocket volume available on the anterior member would be sufficient to counterbalance total pocket volume available on the posterior member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

[0002] The present invention does not involve any form of federally sponsored research or development.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to backpacks, including, but not limited to, packs used to carry books, school supplies, and the like. Backpacks are known, and commonly used. However, typical backpacks are supported upon a user through use of shoulder straps and belts. This results in back strain and muscle fatigue.

[0004] Also typical to currently available backpacks is an arrangement whereby items carried within a backpack are generally carried posterior to the user, making for a large bulge extending posteriorly from the user. Backpacks, as their generic name implies, allow respective users to carry items on their backs, and do not allow for distribution of weight and cargo toward a user's anterior side. This results in uneven weight distribution and uncomfortable portage of items within a backpack.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The following describes an apparatus 10 for use as a backpack. The apparatus comprises a garment, the garment comprising an anterior member 20 and a posterior member 30. The anterior member has an interior side and an exterior side 22. The anterior member can be divided into a right half 24 and a left half 26, each half having a top edge 34, 34', a medial edge 36, 36', and a distal edge 38, 38'. The posterior member can have an interior side, an exterior side 31, a surface area, a right edge 32, a left edge 33, and a top edge 35.

[0006] The anterior member 20 and the posterior member 30 can be joined such that the top edge 34 of the right half 24 of the anterior member 20 is joined to the top edge 35 of the posterior member 30 from a point substantially at the right edge 32 of the posterior member and continuing medially, and the top edge 34' of the left half 26 of the anterior member 20 is joined to the top edge 35 of the posterior member 30 from a point substantially at the left edge 33 of the posterior member.

[0007] The anterior member 20 can have a means to removably fasten 40 the medial edge of the right half to the medial edge of the left half. The means to fasten can comprise a zipper, snap, hook and loop material, buttons and ties.

[0008] The anterior member 20 can have at least one pocket 50 fixedly attached thereto. The posterior member 30 can have at least one large pocket 55 fixedly attached thereto, the large pocket covering less than or equal to fifty percent of the surface area of the posterior member, the large pocket preferably being located substantially proximal to the top edge 35 to allow a user to access the pocket over her shoulder. In a preferred embodiment, total pocket volume available on the anterior member 20 would be sufficient to counterbalance total pocket volume 30 available on the posterior member.

[0009] Means 58 to removably fasten the pockets can be provided. These means to removably fasten the pockets can comprise, for example, a snap, a button, hook and loop fastener, ties and draw strings.

[0010] The apparatus 10 can further comprise means to removably fasten 60 the left edge 38 of the posterior member 30 to the distal edge 38' of the left half 26 of the anterior member 20, and a means to removably fasten the right edge 32 of the posterior member 30 to the distal edge 38 of the right half 24 of the anterior member 20. These means to laterally fasten the anterior member to the posterior member can comprise, for example, a snap, a button, hook and loop fastener, ties and an adjustable belt member. These means to fasten can provide a way for a user to easily size-adjust the apparatus and create a snug fit. A snug fit can be beneficial to both comfort and ergonomically distributing cargo within the apparatus.

[0011] Shoulder pad elements (not shown) can be provided. Ideally, the shoulder pad elements can be attached to the interior side of the anterior member 20 and posterior member 30 proximal to where the top edge 35 of the posterior member is joined to the top edge 34, 34' of an anterior member half. In this position, the shoulder pads would be located over a user's shoulder and would cushion any load imparted upon the user's shoulders by contents of the apparatus.

[0012] The garment can also comprise at least one and preferably two resilient sections (not shown). The resilient section can have an anterior edge and a posterior edge. The anterior edge can be joined to the anterior member 20, and the posterior edge being attached to the posterior member 30. Ideally, the resilient section can comprise flexible and resilient material, for example nylon and materials with similar elastic characteristics. Resilient sections comprising resilient material can provide a snug fit. A snug fit can be beneficial to both comfort and ergonomically distributing cargo within the apparatus.

[0013] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus from an anterior view.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus from a lateral view.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus from a posterior view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] The following describes an apparatus 10 for use as a backpack. The apparatus comprises a garment, the garment comprising an anterior member 20 and a posterior member 30. The anterior member has an interior side and an exterior side 22. The anterior member can be divided into a right half 24 and a left half 26, each half having a top edge 34, 34', a medial edge 36, 36', and a distal edge 38, 38'. The posterior member can have an interior side, an exterior side 31, a surface area, a right edge 32, a left edge 33, and a top edge 35.

[0018] The anterior member 20 and the posterior member 30 can be joined such that the top edge 34 of the right half 24 of the anterior member 20 is joined to the top edge 35 of the posterior member 30 from a point substantially at the right edge 32 of the posterior member and continuing medially, and the top edge 34' of the left half 26 of the anterior member 20 is joined to the top edge 35 of the posterior member 30 from a point substantially at the left edge 33 of the posterior member.

[0019] The anterior member 20 can have a means to removably fasten 40 the medial edge of the right half to the medial edge of the left half. The means to fasten can comprise a zipper, snap, hook and loop material, buttons and ties.

[0020] The anterior member 20 can have at least one pocket 50 fixedly attached thereto. The posterior member 30 can have at least one large pocket 55 fixedly attached thereto, the large pocket covering less than or equal to fifty percent of the surface area of the posterior member, the large pocket preferably being located substantially proximal to the top edge 35 to allow a user to access the pocket over her shoulder. In a preferred embodiment, total pocket volume available on the anterior member 20 would be sufficient to counterbalance total pocket volume 30 available on the posterior member.

[0021] Means 58 to removably fasten the pockets can be provided. These means to removably fasten the pockets can comprise, for example, a snap, a button, hook and loop fastener, ties and draw strings.

[0022] The apparatus 10 can further comprise means to removably fasten 60 the left edge 38 of the posterior member 30 to the distal edge 38' of the left half 26 of the anterior member 20, and a means to removably fasten the right edge 32 of the posterior member 30 to the distal edge 38 of the right half 24 of the anterior member 20. These means to laterally fasten the anterior member to the posterior member can comprise, for example, a snap, a button, hook and loop fastener, ties and an adjustable belt member. These means to fasten can provide a way for a user to easily size-adjust the apparatus and create a snug fit. A snug fit can be beneficial to both comfort and ergonomically distributing cargo within the apparatus.

[0023] Shoulder pad elements (not shown) can be provided. Ideally, the shoulder pad elements can be attached to the interior side of the anterior member 20 and posterior member 30 proximal to where the top edge 35 of the posterior member is joined to the top edge 34, 34' of an anterior member half. In this position, the shoulder pads would be located over a user's shoulder and would cushion any load imparted upon the user's shoulders by contents of the apparatus.

[0024] The garment can also comprise at least one and preferably two resilient sections (not shown). The resilient section can have an anterior edge and a posterior edge. The anterior edge can be joined to the anterior member 20, and the posterior edge being attached to the posterior member 30. Ideally, the resilient section can comprise flexible and resilient material, for example nylon and materials with similar elastic characteristics. Resilient sections comprising resilient material can provide a snug fit. A snug fit can be beneficial to both comfort and ergonomically distributing cargo within the apparatus.

[0025] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: A garment, the garment comprising an anterior member and a posterior member; the anterior member having a interior side and a exterior side, the anterior member being divided into a right half and a left half, each half having a top edge, a medial edge, and a distal edge; the posterior member having a interior side, a exterior side, a surface area, a right edge, a left edge, and a top edge; the anterior member and the posterior member joined such that the top edge of the right half of the anterior member is joined to the top edge of the posterior portion substantially at the right edge of the posterior member, and the top edge of the left half of the anterior member is joined to the top edge of the posterior portion substantially at the left edge of the posterior member; the anterior member having a means to removably fasten the medial edge of the right half to the medial edge of the left half, the anterior member having at least one pocket fixedly attached thereto; the posterior member having at least one large pocket fixedly attached thereto, the large pocket covering less than or equal to fifty percent of the surface area of the posterior member, the large pocket being located substantially proximal to the top edge.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means to removably fasten the left edge of the posterior member to the distal edge of the left half of the anterior member, and a means to removably fasten the right edge of the posterior member to the distal edge of the right half of the anterior member.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means to removably fasten the left edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the left half of the anterior member, and the means to removably fasten the right edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the right half of the anterior member comprises a snap.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means to removably fasten the left edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the left half of the anterior member, and the means to removably fasten the right edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the right half of the anterior member comprises a button.

5. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means to removably fasten the left edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the left half of the anterior member, and the means to removably fasten the right edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the right half of the anterior member comprises hook and loop fastener.

6. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means to removably fasten the left edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the left half of the anterior member, and the means to removably fasten the right edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the right half of the anterior member comprises an adjustable belt member.

7. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means to removably fasten the left edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the left half of the anterior member, and the means to removably fasten the right edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the right half of the anterior member comprises a zipper.

8. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means to removably fasten the left edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the left half of the anterior member, and the means to removably fasten the right edge of the posterior member to the medial edge of the right half of the anterior member comprises tie.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising at least one shoulder pad element attached to the interior side of the anterior member and posterior member proximal to where the top edge of the posterior member is joined to the top edge of an anterior member half.

10. An apparatus comprising: A garment, the garment comprising an anterior member, a posterior member and at least one resilient section; the anterior member having a interior side and a exterior side, the anterior member being divided into a right half and a left half, each half having a top edge, a medial edge, and a distal edge; the posterior member having a interior side, a exterior side, a surface area, a right edge, a left edge, and a top edge; the anterior member and the posterior member joined such that the top edge of the right half of the anterior member is joined to the top edge of the posterior portion substantially at the right edge of the posterior member, and the top edge of the left half of the anterior member is joined to the top edge of the posterior portion substantially at the left edge of the posterior member; the anterior member having a means to removably fasten the medial edge of the right half to the medial edge of the left half, the anterior member having at least one pocket fixedly attached thereto; the posterior member having at least one large pocket fixedly attached thereto, the large pocket covering less than or equal to fifty percent of the surface area of the posterior member, the large pocket being located substantially proximal to the top edge, the resilient section having an anterior edge and a posterior edge, the anterior edge being joined to the anterior member, and the posterior edge being attached to the posterior member, the resilient section comprising flexible and resilient material.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising at least one shoulder pad element attached to the interior side of the anterior member and posterior member proximal to where the top edge of the posterior member is joined to the top edge of an anterior member half.

12. An apparatus as in claim 1 or claim 10 further comprising means to removably fasten the pockets.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the means to removably fasten the pockets comprises zipper.

14. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the means to removably fasten the pockets comprises a snap.

15. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the means to removably fasten the pockets comprises hook and loop material.

16. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the means to removably fasten the pockets comprises a button.

17. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the means to removably fasten the pockets comprises a tie.

18. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the means to removably fasten the pockets comprises a drawstring.