U.S. patent application number 11/831614 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for portable backpack workstation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bicycle Tools Incorporated d/b/a Park Tool Co., Bicycle Tools Incorporated d/b/a Park Tool Co.. Invention is credited to Eric Hawkins, John Krawczyk, Pierre A. G. Ostor.
Application Number | 20080029562 11/831614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39028169 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080029562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawkins; Eric ; et
al. |
February 7, 2008 |
PORTABLE BACKPACK WORKSTATION
Abstract
A portable backpack workstation for holding tools and the like.
The backpack includes a self-supporting rigid frame and a shell
defining a body having a top, a bottom, a back and left and right
wing panels. The left and right wing panels are movable between an
open position and a closed position. A pair of shoulder straps are
secured to the back of the body.
Inventors: |
Hawkins; Eric; (Lake Elmo,
MN) ; Ostor; Pierre A. G.; (White Bear Lake, MN)
; Krawczyk; John; (Woodbury, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT DEPARTMENT;LARKIN, HOFFMAN, DALY & LINDGREN, LTD.
1500 WELLS FARGO PLAZA, 7900 XERXES AVENUE SOUTH
BLOOMINGTON
MN
55431
US
|
Assignee: |
Bicycle Tools Incorporated d/b/a
Park Tool Co.
St. Paul
MN
|
Family ID: |
39028169 |
Appl. No.: |
11/831614 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60821068 |
Aug 1, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F
4/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/153 |
International
Class: |
A45F 4/02 20060101
A45F004/02 |
Claims
1. A portable backpack workstation for holding a plurality of
tools, said backpack comprising: a self-supportable rigid frame
having a substantially vertically disposed upper portion and a
forwardly projecting substantially horizontally disposed base
portion; a shell supported by said frame, said frame and shell
defining a body having a top, a bottom, a back, and left and right
wing panels which cooperate to define an interior volume and an
interior surface area for holding tools, said wing panels being
movable with respect to said back panel between a closed position
and an open position; a pair of rearwardly disposed shoulder straps
secured to said shell.
2. The portable backpack workstation of claim 1 further including
at least one support member to support at least one of said left
and right wing panels in said open position.
3. The portable backpack workstation of claim 1 further including
left and right support members to support said left and right wing
panels in said open position.
4. The portable backpack workstation of claim 3 further including a
receiving member with which said support members cooperate to
support said left and right wing panels in said open position.
5. The portable backpack workstation of claim 1 wherein said upper
portion of self supportable rigid frame is canted forwardly toward
said forwardly projecting substantially horizontally disposed base
portion such that an angle between said upper portion and said base
portion of said frame is less then ninety degrees.
6. The portable backpack workstation of claim 5 further including
left and right tool pallets removably fastenable to an interior
side of said left and right wing panels.
7. The portable backpack workstation of claim 6 further including a
back tool pallet removably fastenable to an interior side of said
back panel.
8. The portable backpack workstation of claim 7 wherein said left,
right and back tool pallets removably support tools thereon.
9. The portable backpack workstation of claim 8 wherein said shell
comprises lightweight, flexible and durable material.
10. The portable backpack workstation of claim 9 wherein said
bottom of said shell includes a more durable wear resistant
material than said back and wing panels of said body.
11. The portable backpack workstation of claim 10 wherein said more
durable wear resistant material is ethylene-vinyl acetate.
12. The portable backpack workstation of claim 11 wherein an
exterior side of said back and said shoulder straps are padded for
comfort of the wearer.
13. The portable backpack workstation of claim 5 further including
at least one support member to support at least one of said left
and right wing panels in said open position.
14. The portable backpack workstation of claim 13 further including
left and right tool pallets removably fastenable to an interior
side of said left and right wing panels.
15. The portable backpack workstation of claim 14 further including
a back tool pallet removably fastenable to an interior side of said
back panel.
16. The portable backpack workstation of claim 15 wherein said
left, right and back tool pallets removably support tools
thereon.
17. The portable backpack workstation of claim 16 wherein said
shell comprises lightweight, flexible and durable material.
18. The portable backpack workstation of claim 17 wherein said
bottom of said shell includes a more durable wear resistant
material than said back and wing panels of said body.
19. The portable backpack workstation of claim 18 wherein said more
durable wear resistant material is ethylene-vinyl acetate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application. No. 60/821,068 filed Aug. 1, 2006 entitled "Backpack
Toolbox" which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Professional mechanics and technicians, whether working on
automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles or airplanes, or the like,
recognize and appreciate the advantages of a well organized
workstation for easy identification, selection and access to the
proper tools needed for a particular job. The need for organization
and visible display of the tools for recognition and easy access is
particularly important in racing environments or other time
dependent competitions.
[0003] In shops, garages or other permanent work areas of
professional mechanics and technicians, the work station generally
includes a work bench and one or more walls on which the tools are
placed and hung in an organized manner. Arranging the tools in such
a manner lets the mechanic quickly and easily survey the tools to
identify the desired tool. Additionally, hanging the tools in such
a manner allows the mechanic to know if a tool is missing or in use
by another mechanic in the shop. However, if the mechanic is
required to leave the shop, garage or work area in order to work at
a remote location, the required tools are generally placed in a
conventional tool box with the tools stacked and laid on top of one
another. While some tool boxes may provide some means of
organization, such as tool trays or the like, the tools are still
generally arranged in a haphazard manner within the respective
trays. Thus, when a desired tool is needed, the mechanic is
required to remove the trays from the toolbox and wade through the
pile of tools in each tray until the desired tool is found, often
resulting in delay and frustration.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a portable workstation that
affords the mechanic nearly the same efficiency and organization
he/she has in a professional workshop by permitting the tools to be
organized and displayed for easy recognition and access.
[0005] In addition to the foregoing advantages, it would also be
desirable if the workstation could be carried by the mechanic on
his/her back thereby permitting the mechanic to have his/her hands
free for carrying other tools or items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
backpack workstation of the present invention in the closed
carrying position.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the backpack
workstation of FIG. 1 in the closed carrying position.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the backpack
workstation of FIG. 1 in the open useable position.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the backpack
workstation of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the backpack workstation
of FIG. 1 as viewed along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals identify corresponding or like parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment
of the backpack workstation 10 of the present invention in the
closed carrying position. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the
backpack 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates the backpack 10 of FIG. 1
in the open useable position. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective
view of the backpack 10 of FIG. 1 showing the various components
comprising the preferred embodiment.
[0012] The preferred embodiment of the backpack 10 comprises a body
12 preferably having a top 14, a bottom 16, a left side 18, a right
side 20, a front 22 and a back 24. It should be appreciated that
although the body 12 is preferably substantially rectangular, other
body shapes may be equally suitable and therefore the body 12
present invention should not be deemed to be limited to any
particular shape.
[0013] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, an adjustable waist belt 26
is preferably secured to the back 24 of the body 12 near the bottom
member 16. The waist belt 26 preferably includes a wider padded
portion 28 for comfort of the wearer. A pair of shoulder straps 30
are preferably secured at one end to the back 24 of the body 12
near the top 14 and at the other end to the wider portion 28 of the
waist belt 26. The upper portion of the shoulder straps 30 are
preferably padded for comfort of the wearer. The shoulder straps 30
also preferably include a sternum strap 32. Both the sternum strap
32 and waist belt 26 preferably include a conventional quick
release dip or buckle 34. A conventional slide-adjuster 36 is
preferably provided to permit adjustment of the waist belt 26,
shoulder straps 30 and sternum strap 32. Also preferably secured to
the body 12 near the top 14 is a handle 38.
[0014] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a front strap 40 secures the
top 14 of the body 12 to the bottom 16. As with the other straps,
the front strap 40 preferably includes a quick release dip and
slide adjuster 36.
[0015] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the pack 10 opens into a
self-supporting open usable position such that it can be placed on
the ground or other support surface 41. In the open usable
position, the body 12 unfolds to form a left wing panel 42 and a
right wing panel 44 extending from respective left and right sides
of the back panel 46. Projecting forwardly from the bottom 16 of
the body 12 is a bottom tray 48. Disposed in the bottom tray 48 is
preferably a flip-out panel 49 hingedly secured along one side to
the bottom tray 48. The left and right wing panels 42, 44 are
preferably supported in the outwardly extending open position from
the back panel 46 by support members 50, such as rods, which are
preferably received into left and right ends of a receiving member
52, such as a tube, supported at the top 14 of the back panel 46.
As such, the support members 50 cooperate with the receiving member
to maintain the left and right wing panels 42, 44 in an outwardly
extending open position from the back panel 46.
[0016] The left and right wing panels 42, 44 the back panel 46, the
bottom tray 48 and the flip-out panel 49 all preferably include an
array of pockets 54, bands 56, and straps 58 within which various
types of tools or other items 60 may be removably held, inserted or
supported. It should be appreciated that depending on the size and
type of tools or items to be held in the backpack 10, the
configuration or arrangement of pockets 54, bands 56 and straps 58
may vary, as well as the type of material used. For example, in
some applications the bands 56 may be made of elastic material and
the pockets 54 may be made of mesh material, whereas in other
applications different materials may be better suited.
[0017] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, in addition to
pockets disposed on the interior of the body 12, the exterior of
the body 12 also preferably includes pockets and straps for holding
tools 60. As used herein, the term "tool" or "tools" should be
understood to refer to any item, article, equipment, object,
utensil, ingredient, material or supply useful for a particular
purpose. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the body 12 preferably
includes left and right exterior zippered pockets 62, 64.
Preferably, each pocket includes stretch cords 66 laced between
loops 68 for holding additional tools 60, such as clothing, rags,
etc.
[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the backpack 10
includes an internal rigid, yet lightweight frame 70 and an outer
shell 80. In the preferred embodiment, the frame 70 is aluminum but
any other suitable lightweight rigid materials may be utilized. The
frame 70 preferably comprises a somewhat trapezoidal upwardly
extending back portion 72 and a forwardly projecting somewhat
trapezoidal bottom portion 74 such that the frame 70 is
self-supportable in a vertical orientation on a table top or other
substantially horizontal surface. In the preferred embodiment, the
angle 76 between the upwardly back portion 72 and forwardly
projecting bottom portion 74 is preferably less than ninety
degrees, such that when the backpack 10 is in the open position
disposed on a surface (FIG. 3) the backpack leans or is canted
slightly forward. The forward cant, combined with the weight of the
bottom portion 74 of the frame 70, along with the weight of the
tools 60 disposed in the bottom tray 48 help prevent the backpack
10 from being easily tipped over when in the open position. Again,
it should be appreciated that although a trapezoidal shape to the
back portion 72 and bottom portion 74 of the frame 70 is preferred,
other shapes may be equally suitable, and therefore the frame 70 of
the present invention should not be deemed to be limited to any
particular shape.
[0019] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upwardly extending
back portion 72 of the frame 70 is preferably received within a
complimentary shaped interior pocket 82 of the shell 80. The shell
80 is preferably made of a flexible, light weight, yet durable
material. In the preferred embodiment the right, left, front sides
18, 20, 22 are made of packcloth material, preferably 200 denier or
greater. For the top 14 and bottom 16 of the body 12, the outer
shell 80 is preferably made of an even more durable material, such
as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) to minimize wear on those surfaces
as well as to help hold the shape of the backpack 10.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it should be appreciated that
the left and right wing panels 42, 44 together form the left side
18, right side 20 and front 22 of the body 12, when the backpack 10
is in the closed position (FIGS. 1, 2, 5). In the preferred
embodiment, the outer interior edge 84 of the right wing panel 44
and the outer exterior edge 86 of the left wing panel 42 come
together to define the front 20 of the body 12 of the backpack. The
interior outer edge 84 of the right wing panel 44 and exterior
outer edge 86 of the left wing panel 42 preferably include mating
Velcro.RTM. strips to hold the panels 42, 44 together in the closed
position. Also, the outer edges 84, 86 of the left and right wing
panels 42, 44 preferably include a pocket 88 into which the support
members 50 may be inserted when the backpack 10 is in the closed
position. As previously discussed, when the wing panels 42, 44 are
in the open position, the support members 50 are removed from the
pockets 88 and inserted into loops 90 disposed along the top edge
of the wing panels 42, 44. One end of each support member 50 is
received within a mating end of the receiving member 52 secured
along the top edge of the back panel 46 by additional loops 90.
Left and right top zippers 92, 94 may secure the left panel 42 and
right panel 44 to the left and right sides of the top member 14,
respectively. Likewise left and right bottom zippers 96, 98 may
secure the left wing panel 42 and right wing panel 44 to the left
and right sides of the bottom member 16, respectively. Obviously,
various means of securing items together and/or closing pockets may
be utilized for each of the above described elements or features of
the backpack 10, including zippers, Velcro.RTM., snaps, buttons,
buckles, etc. Accordingly the present invention should not be
construed as being limited to the specific structure disclosed
herein for performing such functions
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, left and right tool pallets
100, 102 are preferably removably mounted to the interior side 104
of the shell 80 of the left and right wing panels 42, 44,
respectively. Likewise, a back tool pallet 106 is preferably
removably mounted to the interior surface 108 of the interior
pocket 82 of the back panel 46. In the preferred embodiment, the
left and right tools pallets 100, 102 are removably mounted to the
left and right wing panels 42, 44 by snaps 110. The back tool
pallet 116 is preferably removably mounted to the interior surface
of the interior pocket 82 by Velcro.RTM. strips 112. The tool
pallets 100, 102, 106 are preferably lightweight plastic members
that are sufficiently flexible to permit the left and right wing
panels 42, 44 to bend or flex when being brought together into the
closed position but yet are sufficiently rigid to support tools
thereon when the wing panels 42, 44 are supported in the open
position.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, in the preferred embodiment,
the back 24 of the body 12 preferably includes foam padding 114
(FIG. 5) covered by a "breathable" mesh fabric 116 for comfort of
the wearer. Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, the surface of
the wider portions 28 of the waist band 26 that are adjacent the
wearer also preferably include padding 114 covered by that same
breathable mesh fabric 116. The foam padding 114 is preferably
disposed over a substantially rigid backing member 118. The backing
member 118 is preferably secured to the exterior of the outer shell
80.
[0023] It should be recognized that the backpack 10 of the present
invention has application in a number of fields and for a variety
of uses, not just with professional mechanics and technicians. As
such, anyone having a need for a mobile toolbox or workstation in
which tools are needed could benefit from having such tools
displayed in a substantially vertical plane for easy recognition
and access using the present invention, including without
limitation, vehicle and airplane mechanics, locksmiths, copier and
computer technicians, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other
tradesmen, professional or amateur bicyclists and motorcyclists,
do-it-yourselfers, and crafters. The present invention could even
be useful for carrying tools, such as utensils, and food for a
picnic.
[0024] The foregoing description is presented to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is
provided in the context of a patent application and its
requirements. Various modification to the preferred embodiment of
the apparatus and its method of use and the general principles and
features described herein will be readily apparent to those of
skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited
to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods described above and
illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the
widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *