U.S. patent application number 11/757371 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for backpack with an air cushion.
This patent application is currently assigned to YUAN SHENG TECH CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tsung-Yuan Wu.
Application Number | 20080296328 11/757371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40086969 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080296328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Tsung-Yuan |
December 4, 2008 |
BACKPACK WITH AN AIR CUSHION
Abstract
A backpack has at least one air cushion and a backpack
structure. At least one strap is mounted on the backpack structure
and the air cushions are mounted onto the strap and backpack
structure. The air cushion is mounted with a bladder having an air
valve and an inflating device. A person uses the inflating device
to add air into the bladder that is then capable of cushioning
impacts by the bag and providing a perfect fit to the person.
Accordingly, the backpack volume is minimized by pressing the air
valve to discard the air and is convenient for storing.
Inventors: |
Wu; Tsung-Yuan; (Tucheng
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAI PATENT & TRADEMARK LAW FIRM
1001 FOURTH AVENUE, SUITE 3200
SEATTLE
WA
98154
US
|
Assignee: |
YUAN SHENG TECH CO., LTD.
Tucheng City
TW
|
Family ID: |
40086969 |
Appl. No.: |
11/757371 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/263 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/00 20130101; A45F
3/08 20130101; A45F 2003/001 20130101; A45F 2003/122 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/263 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/08 20060101
A45F003/08 |
Claims
1. A backpack comprising a backpack structure having a top; a
bottom; a surface; a back support; at least one strap each one
having two ends respectively connecting to the top and bottom of
the backpack structure; and at least one inner space defined in the
backpack structure; and at least one air cushion mounted
respectively in the at least one inner space, and each one of the
at least one air cushion having a bladder mounted in a
corresponding inner space; an inflating device connected to the
bladder and having an outlet valve connected to the bladder and an
inlet valve with an open end extending into the corresponding inner
space; and an air valve mounted on the bladder.
2. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backpack
structure has at least one inner space formed in each respective
one of the back support and the at least one strap and multiple air
cushions being mounted in the inner spaces in the back support and
the at least one strap.
3. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflating device
of each one of the at least one air cushion is a pump.
4. The backpack as claim in claim 1, wherein the air valve of each
one of the at least one air cushion is extended out the surface of
the backpack structure.
5. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backpack
structure further has a waist belt connecting to the bottom of the
backpack structure and being adapted to be fastened around a user
for adding stability.
6. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein each one of the at
least one air cushion is shaped corresponding to a shape where the
air cushion being mounted.
7. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backpack
structure has at least two air cushions mounted at the top and the
bottom of the backpack structure.
8. The backpack as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least two air
cushions mounted at the top and bottom are connected with a
connecting tube.
9. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inflating device
of each air cushion is a pump.
10. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the backpack
structure further has a waist belt connecting to the bottom of the
backpack and adapted to fasten around a user for added
stability.
11. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air valve of
each air cushion extending out of a corresponding of the at least
one strap and the back support of the back structure.
12. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the backpack
structure has at least two air cushions mounted at the top and
bottom.
13. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner spaces in
the at least one strap and the back support of the backpack
structure are independent to each other.
14. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one
air cushion is shaped corresponding to the shape where it being
mounted.
15. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the air valve of
the bladder of the at least one air cushion extending out of the at
least one strap and the back support of the back structure.
16. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the backpack
structure has at least two air cushions mounted respectively at the
top and the bottom of the backpack structure.
17. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inflating
device of each one of the at least one air cushion is a pump.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a backpack, especially, to
a backpack having an air cushion mounted in order to increase
comfort for a wearer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional backpack is mounted with a sponge foam for
cushioning pressure or friction occurring between a person and the
backpack. The thickness of the sponge foam is increased in order to
enhance the cushioning capability. However, thicker sponge
increases the backpack size, requiring more space for storage, the
elasticity of the sponge reduces with time and the sponge cannot be
tailored to individuals.
[0005] FIG. 6 shows a conventional backpack (4) having a back
support (6), a mouthpiece (7), two straps (5) and an air cushion.
The back support (6) and the straps (5) are formed with a
communicating inner space. The mouthpiece (7) is mounted at the top
of one strap (5) for inputting air into the air cushion mounted in
the inner space. A person must blow air through the mouthpiece to
fill the cushion and this requires the person to blow into the tube
whilst performing strenuous activities. The cushion is a single
construction and has an equal pressure in the back support (6) and
the strap (5). Therefore, the cushioning capability of the back
support (6) and the strap (5) is equal. If various cushioning
capabilities are required, the person cannot adjust the cushioning
capability of each strap and back support individually.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
backpack with an air cushion that can be inflated to perfectly fit
a person's body and improve comfort, whilst minimizing size. The
air cushion having a bladder is mounted on one of a back support
and straps of the backpack. An inflating device and an air valve
are mounted on the bladder for the person to add or remove air,
without using their mouth. The air valve on the air cushion is used
to empty air and minimize the backpack's size for storage. The
inflating device is provided with an inlet valve to add air into
the bladder and expand the bladder. Therefore, the bladder can be
adjusted to perfectly fit the person whilst leaving their mouth
free to partake in strenuous activity and without being too bulky.
Also by removing air the backpack can be further reduced in size
for storage.
[0007] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack in accordance
with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air cushion of the
backpack in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an operational perspective view of the air cushion
in FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the backpack in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an operational perspective view of the backpack in
FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional backpack in
accordance with the prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] With reference to FIG. 1, a backpack with an air cushion in
accordance with the present invention comprises a backpack
structure (10) and at least one air cushion (20). The backpack
structure (10) has a top, a bottom, a back support (11), two straps
(12), at least one inner space (13) and a waist belt (14). Each
strap (12) has two ends, respectively connected to the top and the
bottom of the backpack structure (10). An optional waist belt (14)
is connected to the bottom of the backpack structure (10) and are
fastened at a person's waist for steadying the backpack structure
(10) carried by the person. The at least one inner space (13) may
be located at any place on the backpack structure (10) where
contacting with the person, so the at least one inner space (13)
may be defined in the waist belt (14). In a preferred embodiment,
at least one inner space (13) is formed in each respective one of
the straps (12) and the back support (11) and may be independent to
each other.
[0015] The at least one air cushion (20) is mounted respectively in
the at least one inner space (13). In a preferred embodiment, the
backpack has at least two air cushions (20) mounted in the inner
spaces (13) in the back support (11) or the straps (12). Each air
cushion has a bladder (21), an inflating device (22) connected to
the bladder (21), an air valve (23) mounted on the bladder (21) and
an optional connecting tube (24). The air bladder (21) may have a
shape corresponding to where it is positioned, for instance, the
strap (12), the back support (11) or the waist belt (14). The
bladder (21) may be located at the top and the bottom of the back
support (11) and may be rectangular, oblong or the like. The
connecting tube (24) connects the bladders (21) between the top and
the bottom of the back support (11). The inflating device (22) is
mounted adjacent to the corresponding bladder in the strap (12), in
the back support (11) or in the waist belt (14). When the person
carries the backpack structure (10), the inflating device (22) is
easy to reach and operate.
[0016] With further reference to FIG. 2, the inflating device (22)
comprises an inlet valve (221), an outlet valve (222) and an
optional pump (223). The inlet valve (221) is connected to the pump
(223) and has an open end extending into the inner space (13) to
allow air into the pump (223). The outlet valve (222) may comprise
a tube and connects to the bladder (21) and allows air to enter the
bladder (21).
[0017] With further reference to FIG. 3, the bladder (21) is filled
with air from the outlet valve (222) and expands to a volume. The
air valve (23) on the bladder (23) can release the air to reduce
the volume of the bladder (21). The air valve (23) extends out from
the inner space of the strap (12), back support (11) or waist belt
(14).
[0018] With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pump (223) is
compressed and released repeatedly to pump air into the bladder
(21) through the outlet valve (222). The bladder (21) is filled
with air and expands. The straps (12) and the back support (11)
contain independent bladders (21), so the person can adjust the air
pressure of each bladder (21) to control the cushioning capability
of each. The person can also minimize the volume of the backpack
structure (10) for storage by releasing air through the air valve
(23).
[0019] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and features of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
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