U.S. patent application number 12/100721 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for posture supporting backpack.
Invention is credited to Cathy M. Basye.
Application Number | 20090179057 12/100721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40849781 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090179057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Basye; Cathy M. |
July 16, 2009 |
POSTURE SUPPORTING BACKPACK
Abstract
A backpack 1 having a semi-rigid container 2 capable of being
molded in the shape of a user's back, an angled floor 3, a
contacting side 4, an aft side 5, a first lateral side 6, a second
lateral side 7, crisscrossing front shoulder straps 9, 10, a lumbar
support 13, lateral supports 14, 15 having vertical support notches
16, 17 therein, and a waist belt 18 having a buckle 19. To use, a
person first positions the container 2 on his/her back so as the
lumbar support 13 is located against the lumbar region of the
user's back and positions the lateral supports 14, 15 about his/her
waist and pelvis pressing the vertical support notches 16, 17
against the ilium. Then, the user secures the waist belt 18 about
his/her waist and pelvis by buckling the buckle 19, thereby holding
the lateral supports 14, 15 against the sides of the user. Finally,
the user takes a first shoulder strap 9 secured to the container 2,
crosses it over his/her chest and secures it to the lateral support
14 and repeats the same process with the second shoulder strap 10
securing it to the opposite lateral support 15 forming an X on the
chest of the user.
Inventors: |
Basye; Cathy M.; (Naples,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARD M. LIVINGSTON, PA
963 TRAIL TERRACE DRIVE
NAPLES
FL
34103
US
|
Family ID: |
40849781 |
Appl. No.: |
12/100721 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61011072 |
Jan 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/628 ;
224/627; 224/637; 224/644 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/122 20130101;
A45F 2003/127 20130101; A45F 3/047 20130101; A45F 3/042 20130101;
A45F 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/628 ;
224/627; 224/644; 224/637 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/00 20060101
A45F003/00; A45F 3/04 20060101 A45F003/04 |
Claims
1. A backpack comprising: a container; said container having a
floor, a contacting side, an aft side, and two lateral sides; said
container having at least one storage compartment therein; said
container wherein the contacting side is molded to the curvature of
a user's back and spine; a pair of shoulder straps provided on the
container for enabling the user to carry the backpack on the user's
shoulders; said shoulder straps having a means for adjustment so as
to provide a tailored fit for the user; a first lateral support and
a second lateral support; vertical support notches molded into the
interior of said lateral supports which rest on and against the
ilium of the user providing vertical support and limiting front to
back motion; a waist belt; said waist belt fixedly attached to said
lateral supports; said waist belt is securable around the waist and
pelvis by any suitable fastening means; said waist belt having a
means for adjustment so as to provide a tailored fit for the
user.
2. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said container is constructed
out of a semi-rigid material.
3. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said floor is angled to achieve
optimal weight distribution and stability;
4. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said container includes small
holes for air circulation.
5. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said container includes small
holes for attaching decorative accessories.
6. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said shoulder straps are
removably attached to said backpack.
7. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said shoulder straps are
attached to backpack in such a manner so as to crisscross the
user's chest providing evenly disbursed counter-support and
limiting side to side motion;
8. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said shoulder straps may be
worn on the wearers shoulders and do not crisscross the user's
chest;
9. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said shoulder straps are molded
into said container and constructed out of a semi-rigid
material.
10. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said shoulder straps are at
least two inches wide.
11. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said lateral supports are
molded into said container and constructed out of a semi-rigid
material.
12. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: a lumbar support located on
the lower portion of the contacting side between said lateral
supports so as to fit into the lumbar lordosis and provide support
to the user's spine.
13. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said lumbar support is molded
into said container out of a semi-rigid material.
14. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said lumbar support is
constructed out of a durable fabric.
15. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said container, shoulder
straps, lateral supports and lumbar support are all molded into one
unit out of a semi-rigid material.
16. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: said shoulder straps are
customized by adding an attachable medallion.
17. The backpack of claim 1 wherein: storage pockets are molded
into the shoulder straps and lateral supports out of a semi-rigid
material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/011,072 filed Jan. 12, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to backpacks, more particularly, a
backpack having a semi-rigid container capable of being molded in
the shape of a user's back, an angled floor, crisscrossing front
straps, a lumbar support, lateral supports with vertical support
notches and a waist belt having a buckle.
[0003] Backpacks are commonly used to carry loads for many
different purposes. For example, students use backpacks to carry
books to and from school while hikers and military personnel and
use backpacks to carry gear and supplies.
[0004] Currently, backpacks include two shoulder straps wherein the
wearer places his/her arms through each strap and wears the
carrying compartment on his/her back. Although this permits a
wearer to carry a large amount of weight on one's back, oftentimes
the wearing of these particular types of backpacks results in
spinal, neck, posture, and muscle problems caused by improper
support and distribution of weight carried on the back.
[0005] Thus, a need exists for a backpack that promotes proper
posture and spinal alignment of the wearer and, therefore, reduces
the amount of spinal, neck, shoulder, headache, and muscle problems
a backpack wearer could incur from the load being carried.
[0006] The relevant prior art includes the following
references:
TABLE-US-00001 Patent No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor
Issue/Publication Date 2002/0145018 Godshaw et al. Oct. 10, 2002
6,592,012 Godshaw et al. Jul. 15, 2003 5,129,560 Herman Jul. 14,
1992 2007/0023470 Roberts Feb. 01, 2007 5,529,230 Smith Jun. 25,
1996 3,902,640 Geiben Sep. 02, 1975 2004/0020958 Lin Feb. 05, 2004
2006/0283907 Green et al. Dec. 21, 2006 6,179,187 Lemire et al.
Jan. 30, 2001
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this
invention are to provide a backpack which:
[0008] promotes proper posture of the user;
[0009] maintains a proper lateral position of the backpack in
relation to the spine of the wearer;
[0010] limits side to side motion of the backpack while in use;
[0011] limits front to back motion of the backpack while in
use;
[0012] provides counter-support pressure anteriorly to support the
posture of the wearer;
[0013] evenly distributes counter-support pressure across the
user's chest and shoulders to promote proper shoulder position and
head alignment;
[0014] enables heavier loads to be supported and carried while
limiting additional stress on the wearer;
[0015] is available in different sizes according to the intended
use;
[0016] is cosmetically pleasing to the wearer;
[0017] is available in a variety of colors;
[0018] is lightweight and durable;
[0019] is comfortable to wear; and
[0020] is easy to manufacture.
[0021] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects
by providing a backpack having a semi-rigid container capable of
being molded and contoured to the shape of a user's back and spine,
an angled floor, crisscrossing front straps, a lumbar support,
contoured lateral supports with vertical support notches and a
waist belt having a buckle. To use, a person first positions the
container on his/her back so as the lumbar support is located
against the lumbar region of the user's back and positions the
lateral supports about his/her waist and pelvis. Then, the user
secures the waist belt about his/her waist and pelvis by buckling
the buckle, thereby holding the lateral supports and vertical
support notches against the ilium of the user. Finally, the user
takes a first strap secured to the container, crosses it over
his/her chest and secures it to the lateral support and repeats the
same process with the second strap.
[0022] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention should become even more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed
description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown
and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the following detailed description, reference will be
made to the attached drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a backpack of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a top view of a backpack of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a backpack of the present
invention; and
[0027] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the backpack in use;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view a decorative accessory; and
[0029] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the decorative accessory.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the
terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the
drawings is as follows:
TABLE-US-00002 1. backpack 2. container 3. floor 4. contacting side
5. aft side 6. first lateral side 7. second lateral side 8.
holes/receptacles 9. first shoulder strap 10. second shoulder strap
11. first adjustment strap 12. second adjustment strap 13. lumbar
support 14. first lateral support 15. second lateral support 16.
first vertical support notch 17. second vertical support notch 18.
first waist belt 19. buckle 20. decorative accessory 21. storage
pockets 22. medallion
[0031] The backpack 1 of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1-3,
features a container 2 having a floor 3, a contacting side 4, an
aft side 5, a first lateral side 6, and a second lateral side 7.
Access to the container 2 is provided by any suitable means, such
as a zipper, clip, snaps, Velcro.RTM., etc. The floor 3 of the
container 2 is oriented at an angle to achieve optimal weight
distribution and stability. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the container would be constructed out of a semi-rigid
material, such as rubber, plastic, resin, or any other suitable
material, and the contacting side 4 would be molded and contoured
to the shape of a user's back so as to match the curvature of the
spine. The contacting side would be thick enough to protect the
wearer from any objects being carried inside the container. The
container 2 may have small holes/receptacles 8 used for air
circulation as well as for attaching decorative accessories 20 as
shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, a first shoulder strap 9 and a second
shoulder strap 10, which may be molded into the backpack out of the
same semi-rigid material used to mold the container 2 or attached
as separate components, are connected to the top corners of the
container 2. The shoulder straps 9, 10 should be at least two
inches wide to allow for even distribution of weight across the
shoulders and chest. Adjustment straps 11, 12 are attached to the
shoulder straps 9, 10 and connect the shoulder straps 9, 10 to the
lateral supports 14, 15. The adjustment straps 11, 12 may be either
fixedly or removably attached to the backpack 1 by any suitable
fastening means, such as clips, snaps, etc. The first shoulder
strap 9 would crisscross the second shoulder strap 10 forming an X
across the user's chest, as seen in FIG. 4, allowing for even
distribution of counter-support pressure across the user's chest
and shoulders and limiting any side to side motion of the backpack
while also pushing the shoulders and chest back bringing the head
and neck into proper alignment.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
container 2, shoulder straps 9, 10, the lateral supports 14, 15,
and the lumbar support 13 are all molded into one unit out of the
same semi rigid material allowing the backpack 1 to be manufactured
in different sizes to match the contour of a user's torso according
to height, or to be custom molded to a specific user's torso.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, storage pockets 21 used for storing
pens, pencils, cell phones, etc. may be molded into the shoulder
straps 9, 10 and/or the lateral supports 14, 15 out of the same
semi-rigid material used to mold the shoulder straps 9, 10 and/or
the lateral supports 14, 15. The shoulder straps may be customized
by adding an attachable medallion 22 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.
The medallion 22 may be personalized for certain groups such as
schools, sports teams, etc.
[0035] A first lateral support 14 and a second lateral support 15
which may be molded into the backpack out of the same semi-rigid
material used to mold the container 2 or attached as separate
components and located on opposite sides of the lower portion of
the contacting side 4. A waist belt 18 is attached to the lateral
supports 14, 15 and is securable by any suitable fastening means,
such as a buckle 19. When secured together by the buckle 19, the
waist belt 18 fits around the waist and pelvis of the user securing
the lateral supports 14, 15 against the sides of the user's body
further limiting any side to side motion of the backpack 1 while in
use. Vertical support notches 16, 17, molded into the lateral
supports 14, 15 are secured against the ilium of the user providing
vertical support while also limiting front to back motion of the
backpack, and enabling a wearer to carry more weight without
adversely affecting the wearer. The waist belt 18 is preferably
adjustable via a strap adjustment means so as to provide a tailored
fit for the user. A lumbar support 13 may be molded into the
container 2 out of the same semi-rigid material used to mold the
container 2 or attached as a separate component on the lower
portion of the contacting side 4 between the lateral supports 14,
15 so as to fit into the lumbar lordosis and provide support to the
user's spine.
[0036] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of
the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the
specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is
shown and described in the specification and drawings.
* * * * *