U.S. patent application number 12/673211 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for backpack with suspension.
This patent application is currently assigned to DECATHLON. Invention is credited to Alain Belli, Matthieu Foissac, Matthieu Froidevaux, Alexandre Guillon, Antoine Lafoux, Benoit Patoureaux.
Application Number | 20110198377 12/673211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39204805 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110198377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Froidevaux; Matthieu ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
BACKPACK WITH SUSPENSION
Abstract
The invention relates to a backpack (1) comprising a bag (2), a
frame (3a, 3b, 5) secured to the rear face (7) of the bag so as to
form a dorsal plane (9) having a pair of straps (11a, 11b) slidably
mounted thereon, and a belt assembly (13) having a bottom portion
(15) arranged to be held around the waist. Link means (17, 19) are
arranged between the belt assembly (13) and the pair of straps
(11a, 11b), together forming a dorsal holder element (21) arranged
to enable the belt assembly to be slidably mounted relative to the
dorsal plane. Suspension support means (23) are arranged between
the bottom portion (15) of the belt assembly and the bottom portion
(25) of the dorsal plane in order to retain the bag by keeping the
dorsal plane pressed against the back and by damping movements of
the bag relative to the dorsal holder element.
Inventors: |
Froidevaux; Matthieu;
(Villneneuve d'Ascq, FR) ; Guillon; Alexandre;
(Saint Gervais les Bains, FR) ; Lafoux; Antoine;
(Magland, FR) ; Patoureaux; Benoit; (Buc, FR)
; Foissac; Matthieu; (Marque, FR) ; Belli;
Alain; (Saint Etienne, FR) |
Assignee: |
DECATHLON
Villeneuve D'ascq
FR
UNIVERSITE JEAN MONNET
Saint Etienne Cedex 2
FR
|
Family ID: |
39204805 |
Appl. No.: |
12/673211 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
August 13, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR08/51496 |
371 Date: |
June 25, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/633 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/045 20130101;
A45F 3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/633 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/08 20060101
A45F003/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 13, 2007 |
FR |
0757059 |
Claims
1. A backpack comprising: a bag: a frame secured to the rear face
of the bag so as to form a dorsal plane adjacent to the back of the
user of the backpack, the dorsal plane having a pair of straps
mounted thereon to slide vertically; a belt assembly having at
least a bottom portion arranged to be held securely around the
waist of a user; and a link arranged between the belt assembly and
the pair of straps (11a, 11b), wherein the resulting arrangement
forms a dorsal holder element arranged to enable the belt assembly
to be mounted to slide vertically relative to the dorsal plane, and
wherein suspension supports are arranged at least between the
bottom portion of the belt assembly and the bottom portion of the
dorsal plane to retain the bag by keeping the dorsal plane pressed
against the back and by damping relative movements of the bag
relative to the dorsal holder element.
2. A backpack according to claim 1, wherein the frame further
comprises two lateral rigid blades arranged vertically at least in
the top portion of the rear face of the bag, with the two straps
being slidably mounted thereon.
3. A backpack according to claim 2, wherein the frame further
comprises a horizontal rigid blade arranged horizontally in the
bottom portion of the rear face of the bag.
4. A backpack according to claim 3, wherein the rigid blades are
incorporated in the rear face of the bag.
5. A backpack according to claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of
the belt assembly comprises a waist belt proper, and the suspension
supports comprise a resilient member comprising at least one
elastic strip, distributed uniformly relative to the belt, the top
end of the elastic strip being fastened to the belt and the bottom
end of the elastic strip being fastened to the dorsal plane.
6. A backpack according to claim 5, wherein the frame further
comprises a horizontal rigid blade arranged horizontally in the
bottom portion of the rear face of the bag and the bottom end of
the elastic strip is fastened to the horizontal rigid blade.
7. A backpack according to claim 1 wherein the suspension supports
comprise a resilient member comprising an elastic strip, the
resilient member being uniformly distributed relative to the belt
assembly, one of the ends of the elastic strip being fastened to
the dorsal holder element, in particular at its half-height, and
the other of the ends being fastened to the dorsal plane in
particular in the top portion thereof, the elastic strip passing
around a deflector element situated in the bottom portion of the
dorsal plane.
8. A backpack according to claim 7, wherein the frame further
comprises a horizontal rigid blade arranged horizontally in the
bottom portion of the rear face of the bag and the deflector
element is arranged at the horizontal rigid blade.
9. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein the belt assembly is
constituted solely by the belt, and in that the link arranged
between the belt assembly and the pair of straps are comprises a
rigid strip having its top end connected to the pair of straps and
its bottom end connected to the belt together forming a unit
assembly.
10. A backpack according to claim 9, wherein the suspension
supports comprise two elastic strips distributed on either side of
the rigid strip, the top ends of the elastic strips being connected
to the pair of straps and the bottom ends of the elastic strips
being connected to the dorsal plane.
11. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein the belt assembly is
constituted solely by the waist belt, and the link arranged between
the belt assembly and the pair of straps (11a, 11b) comprises a
flexible web connected beside its top end to the pair of straps and
beside its bottom end to the belt.
12. A backpack according to claim 11, wherein the bottom end of the
web is fastened to the belt and the top end of said web is fastened
to the dorsal plane, the pair of straps having an assembly with the
web, the assembly being arranged to lock the pair of straps in
position at any point along said web.
13. A backpack according to claim 12, wherein the assembly
comprises an adjustment buckle through which the web passes.
14. A backpack according to claim 5 wherein the belt assembly
comprises the waist belt and a rigid part having its bottom end
mounted to pivot relative to the belt and having top side ends
mounted to slide relative to the vertical rigid blades, and in that
the link is arranged between the rigid part (43) and the pair of
straps.
15. A backpack according to claim 14, wherein the link comprises an
adjustment arranged to adjust the length between the rigid part and
the pair of straps.
16. A backpack according to claim 15, wherein the adjustment
comprises a web provided with a length adjustment, the top end
thereof being connected to the pair of straps and the bottom end
being connected to the rigid part.
17. A backpack according to claim 14, wherein the rigid part is
triangular in shape with the base of the triangle being disposed at
the top and presenting said two top side ends, and with the vertex
thereof being disposed at the bottom and forming the bottom
end.
18. A backpack according to claim 17, wherein the vertex is
pivotally mounted at the bottom portion of the belt, with the base
being disposed above the top end of said belt.
19. A backpack according to claim 14 wherein an additional
resilient link comprising two elastic strips is arranged as a shock
absorber, the strips having their bottom ends secured to the top
portions of the two straps and having their top ends secured to the
dorsal plane.
20. A backpack according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a
cross structure arranged to exert pressure on the rear face of the
bag and to maintain the rear face spaced a little apart from the
user's back.
21. A backpack according to claim 20, wherein the cross structure
is disposed on the rear face on the inside of the bag.
22. A backpack according to claim 1, further comprising a locking
system arranged between the dorsal holder element and the dorsal
plane to neutralize the suspension supports.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a backpack, in particular
designed for sporting activities such as hiking, the backpack
serving to store articles such as clothing, or indeed any type of
article associated with hiking.
[0002] The invention is suitable for implementation in particular
by manufacturers of textile articles relating to practicing
sporting activities, in particular by the manufacturers of
bags.
[0003] Various bag designs are known that commonly comprise a bag
proper for containing articles, and a pair of straps arranged in
the back of the bag to enable it to be supported. Some such
designs, including some that are very elaborate, are described in
documents WO 2004/082426, WO 2004/082427, US 2006/0151559, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,619,523, EP 1 618 813, and EP 1 602 299.
[0004] Documents WO 2004/082426 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,523
disclose in particular a backpack including a structure that is
secured to a pair of straps and to a waist belt. The bag proper is
slidably mounted so as to be suspended relative to said structure.
That design serves in particular to act as a shock absorber during
the movements of the user carrying the backpack full of articles.
The suspension means may be disposed in the bottom portion of the
structure in order to offset the load towards the waist belt. Such
backpacks present the drawback of offsetting the load behind the
user's back, so the user needs to compensate said offset, e.g. by
leaning significantly forwards in order to return the center of
gravity to a suitable position while walking.
[0005] Documents WO 2004/082427, US 2006/0151559, EP 1 618 813, and
EP 1 602 299 disclose in particular a backpack having flexible or
resilient support means arranged between the back of the bag proper
and the waist belt, those means enabling the load of the backpack
to be offset onto the belt and to act as a shock absorber while the
user is moving about. In those various designs, the belt supports
the bag proper, in particular by means of flexible or resilient
support arms that are arranged between the belt and the back of the
bag or a structure fitted on the back of said bag. Those means also
enable the bag to be mounted relative to the belt in pivotal or
hinged manner.
[0006] The backpacks described in documents WO 2004/082427 and EP 1
618 813 have means for adjusting the position of the straps
relative to the back of the bag in order to adjust the position
between the pair of straps and the waist belt. Adjustment means are
also implemented in document US 2006/0151559 between the waist belt
and the back of the bag in order to adjust the spacing between the
pair of straps and said belt. In those three documents, once the
spacing between the pair of straps and the belt has been adjusted,
said pair of straps is stationary relative to the back of the bag;
if the adjustment is poor, in particular if the spacing is too
small, then the pair of straps tends to support the load, which
load is then offset towards the top of the backpack onto the user's
shoulders, and not onto the waist belt.
[0007] In document EP 1 602 299, the pair of straps is mounted to
slide relative to a structure that is secured to the back of the
backpack, said structure receiving said above-described support
means and being connected to the waist belt. Such a design enables
the position of the pair of straps to be properly adjusted relative
to the belt and makes it possible to ensure that the load is offset
onto the user's waist.
[0008] Furthermore, the backpack designs according to documents WO
2004/082427, US 2006/0151559, EP 1 618 813, and EP 1 602 299 suffer
from the drawback of offsetting the load behind the user's back. In
those various backpack designs, the support arms are flexible or
resilient, so as to damp the load contained in the bag. That has
the drawback of deforming and curving said support arms of the bag,
thereby tending to offset the load outwards, behind the user's
back. The load then pivots or tilts rearwards relative to the belt
and pulls on the pair of straps, thus exerting pressure on the
user's shoulders who may then suffer discomfort while moving.
Conversely, using a support arm that is too rigid suffers from the
drawback of reducing the damping of the bag and thus of increasing
impacts.
[0009] In addition, in those various designs, the flexible support
means present considerable bulk, in particular the section of the
support arms that need to be strong enough to support the load
while limiting their own deformation. This bulk suffers from the
drawback of offsetting the load rearwards behind the user's back,
and the user then needs to lean forwards in order to compensate
said load.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to mitigate the
drawbacks of existing backpacks, in particular as described in the
above-mentioned prior documents, by implementing a novel backpack
design that enables the load of the bag to be offset to the waist
belt. The backpack of the invention presents the advantage of
attenuating the extent to which the load is offset behind the
user's back, and of eliminating pivoting of said load at the waist
belt, thereby making it possible to attenuate the rearward traction
exerted on the straps, and thus reducing the pressure on the
shoulders.
[0011] This design also has the advantage of improving damping of
the load at the waist belt, compared with the backpack described in
documents WO 2004/082427, US 2006/0151559, EP 1 618 813, and EP 1
602 299, by using damper means that present better elastic
properties, while keeping the load of the bag suitably pressed
against the user's back.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to design a
backpack that presents support means of reduced thickness so as to
limit the spacing between the user's back and the back of the
backpack, thereby attenuating the offset of the load behind the
user's back.
[0013] The present invention relates to a backpack comprising a bag
proper, and a frame secured to the rear face of the bag. The frame
and the rear face form a dorsal plane adjacent to the back of the
user of the backpack. A pair of straps is mounted to slide
vertically on the dorsal plane. The backpack also has a waist belt
assembly presenting at least a bottom portion that is arranged to
be held firmly around the waist of a user.
[0014] The backpack includes link means arranged between the belt
assembly and the pair of straps, together constituting an assembly
forming a holder element arranged to enable the belt assembly to be
mounted to slide vertically relative to said dorsal plane.
[0015] In addition, suspension support means are arranged at least
between the bottom portion of the belt assembly and the bottom
portion of the dorsal plane in order to retain the load of the bag
under the belt, keeping the dorsal plane pressed against the back
and damping movements of the bag relative to the dorsal holder
element.
[0016] The frame of the backpack comprises two lateral rigid
blades. These rigid blades are arranged vertically, at least in the
top portion of the rear face of the bag. The two straps are mounted
to slide on the two blades. Furthermore, the frame also has a rigid
blade arranged horizontally in the bottom portion of the rear face
of the bag.
[0017] In preferred manner, the two vertical rigid blades and the
horizontal rigid blade are incorporated in the rear face of the
bag, which presents the advantage of improving the pressing of the
bag against the back of the user.
[0018] In preferred manner, the frame also includes a cross
structure arranged to exert pressure on the rear face of the bag
and to hold said rear face spaced apart a little from the user's
back. In one embodiment, this cross structure may be placed on the
outside of the bag, on the rear face thereof, being secured to the
two vertical rigid blades and possibly also to the horizontal rigid
blade. In a variant design, the cross structure is independent of
the vertical and/or horizontal rigid blades and is secured to the
rear face of the bag, on the inside thereof.
[0019] The belt assembly comprises a waist belt proper constituting
the bottom portion. This belt assembly optionally includes an
additional rigid part secured to said waist belt, preferably by
means of a pivot mount. Furthermore, the additional rigid part is
also mounted to slide vertically relative to the dorsal plane,
preferably by means of a slideway mounting to slide relative to the
vertical rigid blades.
[0020] The suspension support means include resilient means
constituted in particular by at least one elastic strip or a
spring, these resilient means being uniformly distributed relative
to the belt assembly, e.g. relative to the belt. In an embodiment
of these suspension support means, the top end of the elastic strip
or of the spring is fastened to the belt, in particular via its
inside face. The bottom end of the elastic strip or of the spring
is fastened to the dorsal plane. In addition, the bottom end of the
elastic strip or of the spring is fastened to the horizontal rigid
blade. In a variant embodiment of the suspension support means,
said means comprise resilient means constituted in particular by at
least one elastic strip, distributed uniformly relative to the belt
assembly. One of the ends of the resilient means is fastened to the
dorsal holder element, in particular at its half-height, e.g. on
the top portion of the belt assembly, on the bottom portion of the
pair of straps, or on the link means between said belt assembly and
said pair of straps. The other end of said resilient means, in
particular the bottom end of the elastic strip, is fastened to the
dorsal plane, preferably in the top portion thereof. In addition,
these resilient means, in particular the elastic strip, extend
downwards and pass around a deflector element situated in the
bottom portion of said dorsal plane so as to retain the load of the
bag below the belt and encourage the dorsal plane to be pressed
against the dorsal holder element.
[0021] The link means arranged between the belt assembly and the
pair of straps may be designed in various ways. In an embodiment,
the link means are constituted by a rigid strip or a flexible web
having its top end connected to the pair of straps and its bottom
end connected to the belt. In a variant design, the link means
comprise adjustment means arranged to adjust the length between the
belt assembly and the pair of straps. Preferably, these link means
are constituted by a flexible web connected firstly to the pair of
straps and secondly to the belt assembly. Preferably, the bottom
end of the flexible web is fastened to the belt assembly and its
top end is fastened to the dorsal plane, the pair of straps further
including assembly means with said flexible web, which assembly
means are arranged to lock the pair of straps in position at any
point along said flexible web. These assembly means may be
constituted in particular by an adjustment buckle of the cam buckle
type, with the flexible web passing therethrough.
[0022] The description below describes various preferred
embodiments of the backpack of the invention. The description
refers to the figures, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a backpack of the invention in side view;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the backpack of the
invention seen from behind;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the backpack of the
invention seen from behind; and
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the backpack of the
invention seen from the side.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the backpack 1 of the invention
comprises a bag 2 constituting a pack proper. The rear face 7 of
the bag is fitted with a frame, the assembly constituted by the
rear face and the frame forming a dorsal plane 9. This dorsal plane
is adjacent to the user's back when the user is carrying the
backpack.
[0028] In preferred and non-limiting manner, as shown in
[0029] FIGS. 1 to 3, the frame comprises two rigid side blades 3a
and 3b. These blades 3a and 3b are arranged vertically, at least
over the top portion of the face 7 of the bag 2, and preferably
over its full height. These vertical blades 3a, 3b receive a pair
of straps 11a, 11b, with the assembly between said elements being
made to be slidable, e.g. using a slideway. Furthermore, the frame
also has a rigid blade 5 arranged horizontally at the bottom
portion of the rear face 7 of the bag 2.
[0030] Preferably, these vertical rigid blades 3a, 3b and the
horizontal rigid blade 5 are made as a single common rigid
structure that is U-shaped, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the U-shape
structure being preferably incorporated in the rear face 7 of the
bag 2.
[0031] In a variant embodiment, the frame has a cross structure for
providing rigidity to the dorsal plane 9. The cross structure is
preferably secured to top and bottom ends of the vertical frames.
Other embodiments can nevertheless be envisaged, such as for
example an arrangement of the cross structure inside the bag 2,
over the rear face 7 thereof. Under such circumstances, the cross
structure is independent of the vertical frames. The function of
the cross structure is firstly to exert pressure on the rear face 7
of the bag 2 and thus prevent the load contained in the bag 2 from
deforming the rear face 7 and coming into contact with the user's
back, and secondly to maintain a small amount of space between the
user's back and the rear face 7 of the bag of the backpack for
ventilation purposes.
[0032] In a preferred design, the vertical rigid blades 3a, 3b and
the horizontal rigid blade 5 are embedded in the rear face 7 of the
bag 2.
[0033] The backpack 1 also includes a waist belt assembly 13. This
waist belt assembly presents at least a bottom portion 15 that is
held firmly around a user's waist, e.g. by means of a belt buckle
or a snap-fastening male and female closure system.
[0034] The backpack includes link means 17, 19. These means are
arranged between the belt assembly 13 and the pair of straps 11a,
11b. The arrangement is fixed and constitutes a dorsal holder
element 21 while it is in use. The arrangement enables the belt
assembly 13 to be mounted slidably relative to the vertical blades
3a, 3b, and thus relative to the dorsal plane 9.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, suspension support means are
arranged at least between the bottom portion 15 of the belt
assembly 13 and the bottom portion 25 of the dorsal plane 9. The
function of these means is to retain the load of the bag 2 by
keeping the dorsal plane 9 pressed against the user's back while
damping movements of the bag 2 relative to the dorsal holder
element 21.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom portion of the belt
assembly 13 includes a waist belt 15 proper. The suspension support
means comprise resilient means that extend under the belt 15. In
preferred but non-limiting manner, these resilient means are
constituted by at least one elastic strip 23. Nevertheless, it is
possible to envisage using any other resilient means, such as
springs, for example. These resilient means are distributed
uniformly relative to the belt 15 and are, for example, fastened to
the inside face 27 of said belt 15.
[0037] In the two embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top end
29 of the elastic strip 23 is fastened to the inside face 27 of the
belt 15, while its bottom end 31 is fastened to the dorsal plane 9,
in particular in its bottom portion constituted by the horizontal
rigid blade 5.
[0038] The position of the elastic strip 23 under the waist belt 15
thus enables the bag of the backpack to be retained, preventing it
from pivoting rearwards relative to the belt assembly 13 and the
pair of straps 11a, 11b constituting part of the dorsal holder
element 21, and regardless of the modulus of elasticity selected
for said elastic strip. In addition, the slideway link mounting of
said dorsal holder element 21 relative to the dorsal plane 9, in
particular relative to the straps 11a, 11b and possibly relative to
the belt element 13 enables these two elements 9 and 21 to be kept
properly pressed against each other.
[0039] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the belt assembly
13 is constituted solely by the waist belt 15 as described above.
The link means arranged between the waist belt 15 and the pair of
straps 11a, 11b are constituted by a rigid strip 17. The top end 33
of the rigid strip 17 is connected to the central portion of the
pair of straps 11a, 11b. Furthermore, the bottom end 35 of the
rigid strip 17 is connected to the top portion of the belt 15. This
forms a unit assembly. The rigid strip may nevertheless be replaced
by a flexible web.
[0040] In this first design shown in FIG. 2, the suspension support
means of the backpack 1 comprise two additional elastic strips 37a,
37b disposed on either side of the rigid strip 17. The top ends
39a, 39b of the two elastic strips 37a, 37b are connected to the
pair of straps 11a, 11b, in particular via the central portion
thereof. The bottom ends 41a, 41b of the elastic strips 37a, 37b
are connected to the dorsal plane 9, in particular via the vertical
rigid blades 3a, 3b, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0041] In the second design shown in FIG. 3, the belt assembly 13
of the backpack 1 is constituted by the belt proper 15 and by a
rigid part 43. This part 43 has a bottom end 45 and two side ends
47a, 47b. The bottom end 45 is pivotally mounted relative to the
belt 15 and the top side ends 47a, 47b are mounted via a slideway
link relative to the vertical rigid blades 3a, 3b.
[0042] In this second design, the link means are constituted by
adjustment means 19 arranged between the rigid part 43 and the pair
of straps 11a, 11b. These adjustment means 19 enable the length
between the rigid part 43 and the pair of straps 11a, 11b to be
adjusted in order to adjust the position of the straps as well as
possible relative to the waist belt 15.
[0043] In preferred and non-limiting manner, the adjustment means
are constituted by a web 19 provided with length adjustment means.
The top end 49 of the web 19 is connected to the central portion of
the pair of straps 11a, 11b. Its bottom end 51 is connected to the
top central portion of the rigid part 43.
[0044] Such adjustment means may also be implemented on the first
design shown in FIG. 2 when the link means are constituted by a web
replacing the rigid strip 17. Under such circumstances, and in a
preferred design, the web is fastened at its bottom end to the
waist belt 15, while its top end is fastened to the dorsal plane 9.
In addition, the pair of straps 11a, 11b includes in its central
portion assembly means of the adjustable cam buckle type having
passing therethrough the web connected at its bottom and top ends
respectively to the belt 15 and to the dorsal plane. Thus, the
adjustment buckle enables the pair of straps 11a, 11b to be locked
at any point along the web between those two ends. Such adjustment
means may also be provided in the second design shown in FIG. 3, or
indeed in any other design of the backpack of the invention.
[0045] In the design of FIG. 3, the rigid part 43 is, in
particular, triangular in shape. The base 53 of the triangle is
placed on top and has the adjustment web 19 fastened thereto. The
two top side ends 47a, 47b are constituted by the two ends of the
base. The vertex 55 of the triangle is disposed at the bottom and
constitutes said bottom end 45.
[0046] In this second design shown in FIG. 3, the vertex 55 is
pivotally mounted relative to the bottom portion 57 of the belt 15.
The dimensions of the triangle are such that the base 53 is
disposed immediately above the top end 59 of the belt 15, in
particular to enable appropriate mounting of the top side ends 47a,
47b slidably on the vertical rigid blades 3a, 3b. This pivot
connection provides freedom of movement between the belt 15 and the
pair of straps 11a, 11b.
[0047] In this second design, the backpack preferably includes
additional resilient link means arranged to act as a shock absorber
and to retain the top end of the dorsal portion 9 suitably pressed
against the pair of straps 11a, 11b. These means are constituted in
particular by a pair of elastic strips 61a, 61b having their bottom
ends 63a, 63b secured to the top portions 65a, 65b of the two
straps 11a, 11b. Their top ends 67a, 67b are fastened to the dorsal
plane 9.
[0048] In the variant shown in FIG. 4, the suspension support means
are constituted by an elastic strip 68 having its top end 69a
fastened to the dorsal holder element 21, preferably at its
half-height 70, e.g. level with the link means 17, 19.
Nevertheless, this top end 69a of the strip may be fastened to the
belt assembly 13, e.g. to the belt 15 or to the pair of straps 11a,
11b. In addition, the second end 69b of the elastic strip 68 is
fastened to the dorsal plane 9, preferably at the top portion 71
thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. This elastic strip 68 extends
downwards and presents a curved portion 69c. In addition, the
backpack has a deflector element 72 arranged in the bottom portion
25 of the dorsal plane 9, e.g. at the horizontal rigid blade 5.
This deflector element 72 is received in the curved portion 69c of
the elastic strip 68. Thus, the curved portion 69c supports the
load of the bag 2. Such a design may also be envisaged in the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, or indeed in all other variants,
in particular the various embodiments of the link means between the
belt assembly 13 and the pair of straps 11a, 11b.
[0049] In a variant design that may be adapted in particular to the
various embodiments described above, the backpack has a blocking
system arranged to neutralize the suspension support means so as to
constitute a rigid support between the dorsal holder element 21 and
the dorsal plane 9.
[0050] This rigid support enables the backpack to be held firmly on
the back. By way of example, such a rigid support is used during
intensive movements during which it is necessary to pass or jump
over obstacles, or to move along tricky paths, during which it is
preferable for the bag of the backpack to be firmly maintain
against the user's back.
[0051] In an embodiment, the blocking system is constituted by a
system of rigid webs arranged in particular between the belt
assembly 13 and the dorsal plane 9 or between the pairs of straps
11a, 11b and the dorsal plane 9. For example, the rigid web system
is arranged between the bottom end of the waist belt 15 and the
horizontal rigid blade 5, the rigid web system being designed to
enable said webs to be tightened to a length that is shorter than
the length of the suspension support means as constituted in
particular by the elastic strip 23 when it is in its normal
position.
* * * * *