U.S. patent application number 13/106223 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for rucksack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Berghaus Limited. Invention is credited to Euan Bruce, Christian MCGILL.
Application Number | 20110284609 13/106223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42334832 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110284609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MCGILL; Christian ; et
al. |
November 24, 2011 |
Rucksack
Abstract
The present invention provides a rucksack comprising an
enclosure for containing a load to be carried. A frame is attached
to a back wall of the enclosure and shaped to hold the back wall of
the enclosure away from the user's back to create an air gap. One
or more web elements extend from a top portion of the frame to a
bottom portion of the frame across the air gap. The rucksack also
has a pair of shoulder straps with their top ends adjustably
mounted on the web element(s) to be adjustable along the web
element(s) between a first position nearer the top of the frame and
a second position nearer the bottom of the frame.
Inventors: |
MCGILL; Christian; (London,
GB) ; Bruce; Euan; (London, GB) |
Assignee: |
Berghaus Limited
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
42334832 |
Appl. No.: |
13/106223 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/633 ;
224/191 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/045 20130101;
A45F 3/047 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F 2003/125 20130101;
A45F 3/08 20130101; A45F 3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/633 ;
224/191 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20060101
A45F003/04; A45F 3/10 20060101 A45F003/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 15, 2010 |
GB |
1008145.3 |
Claims
1. A rucksack comprising: an enclosure for containing a load to be
carried; a frame attached to a back wall of the enclosure and
shaped to hold the back wall of the enclosure away from the user's
back to create an air gap; one or more web elements extending from
a top portion of the frame to a bottom portion of the frame across
the air gap; and a pair of shoulder straps with their top ends
adjustably mounted on the web element(s) to be adjustable along the
web element(s) between a first position nearer the top of the frame
and a second position nearer the bottom of the frame.
2. A rucksack according to claim 1, wherein the top ends of the
shoulder straps are mounted on the web element(s) via a panel that
engages with and is able to slide up and down the web
element(s).
3. A rucksack according to claim 1, including a hip belt mounted in
the region of the bottom end of the frame, wherein adjustment of
the position of the top ends of the shoulder straps relative to the
hip belt adjusts the back length of the rucksack.
4. A rucksack according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder straps can
be secured in one or more positions intermediate the first position
and the second position.
5. A rucksack according to claim 1, wherein the or each web element
is constructed from an air permeable mesh fabric.
6. A rucksack according to claim 1, comprising two parallel web
elements, one towards either side of the rucksack, laterally spaced
apart from one another.
7. A rucksack according to claim 1, wherein the frame is pre-shaped
to define the air gap.
8. A rucksack according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a
pre-shaped panel.
9. A rucksack according to claim 8, wherein the pre-shaped panel
extends across substantially the full width of the back wall of the
enclosure.
10. A rucksack according to claim 8, wherein the panel is
pre-formed, during manufacture, to have the shape desired to create
the air gap.
11. A rucksack according to claim 8, wherein the pre-shaped panel
is formed from a plastics material.
12. A rucksack according to claim 8, wherein the pre-shaped panel
has a generally flat central section and a bottom section that is
bent to protrude forwardly of the central section.
13. A rucksack according to claim 12, wherein the panel also has a
top section that is bent to protrude forwardly of the panel.
14. A rucksack according to claim 12, wherein the flat, central
section of the pre-shaped panel is at least 30% of the vertical
extent of the panel.
15. A rucksack according to any one of claims 12, wherein the top
section of the panel protrudes forwardly of the central section by
at least 2 cm.
16. A rucksack comprising: a back attachment system to be worn by a
user; an enclosure mounted on the back attachment system for
containing a load to be carried; and a frame attached to a back
wall of the enclosure and shaped to hold the back wall of the
enclosure away from the user's back to create an air gap; wherein
the frame comprises a pre-shaped panel.
17. A rucksack comprising: a back attachment system to be worn by a
user; an enclosure mounted on the back attachment system for
containing a load to be carried; and a frame attached to a back
wall of the enclosure and pre-shaped to hold the back wall of the
enclosure away from the user's back to create an air gap
therebetween; wherein the back attachment system comprises a pair
of shoulder straps with their top ends adjustably mounted on the
rucksack to be adjustable between a first position nearer the top
of the frame and a second position nearer the bottom of the frame.
Description
[0001] This invention has to do with a rucksack (or backpack) for
use e.g. by a hiker to carry a load e.g. when walking. The
invention relates more particularly to rucksacks that are
configured to provide a ventilation gap between the user's back and
the rucksack when worn.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A conventional rucksack comprises a back attachment system
to be worn by the user and a, typically flexible, enclosure mounted
on the back attachment system for containing a load to be carried
by a user. The back attachment system generally includes a pair of
shoulder straps and a hip belt. Known rucksacks often have a frame
supporting the back wall of the enclosure, to which the back
attachment system is mounted. Upper ends of the shoulder straps are
attached at or near the top of the frame and the hip belt at or
near the bottom. A scapula pad can be provided at the top end,
where the straps attach, to improve comfort and, similarly, the hip
belt will typically be padded. In some known rucksacks the upper
ends of the shoulder straps or the scapula pad to which they are
attached can be adjusted up or down the frame relative to the hip
belt to change the length of the back adjustment system to fit more
closely to the length of the user's back.
[0003] It is desirable to keep the centre of gravity of a load
carried in the enclosure of the rucksack as close as possible to
the user's back. However, where the back wall of the enclosure
rests against or very close to the user's back it can result in
excessive perspiration on the user's back, causing discomfort.
[0004] A number of systems have been developed to create a
ventilation gap between the user's back and the back wall of the
enclosure, such as Berghaus' "Freeflow".TM. systems. These systems
typically include resilient vertical frame members supporting the
back wall of the rucksack enclosure, one to either side of the back
wall, that are held in tension in an arc shape by an inelastic, air
permeable mesh fabric panel connected between the top and bottom
ends of the frame members. In such systems, the mesh panel contacts
the wearer's back whilst the arc shape of the frame members holds
the back wall of the rucksack enclosure away from the user's back
to create a ventilation gap through which air can circulate.
[0005] Especially as the mesh panel that contacts the user's back
is air permeable, such an arrangement can help keep the user's back
cool and significantly reduce perspiration. However, the arc shape
of the frame means that the enclosure is spaced a significant
distance from the user's back. This disadvantageously shifts the
centre of gravity of a load in the enclosure further from the user,
as well as impinging on the internal space of the enclosure.
[0006] Some rucksacks have sought to address this problem by
replacing the tensioned, arc shaped frame members with pre-shaped,
rigid frame members that are shaped to more closely conform the
shape of the user's back to maintain a more uniform gap between the
enclosure and the user's back. An example is described in
GB-A-2413948. This keeps the centre of gravity closer to the user's
back. However, the rigid frame members used in such rucksacks tend
to be expensive as they must be made from strong but lightweight
materials, so are typically reserved for "high end" rucksacks and
have not been widely adopted.
[0007] A further disadvantage of known rucksacks with back
ventilation systems is that they tend to be of fixed back length,
so the fit cannot be optimised for users with different length
backs. Mechanisms for enabling adjustment of the back length by
attaching a scapula pad to the frame or back wall of the pack in an
adjustable manner will tend to compromise the air gap between the
back wall of the rucksack enclosure and the user's back.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] In general terms the invention aims to provide a back system
for a rucksack that provides, in combination, a ventilation gap and
an adjustable back length. Preferred embodiments of the rucksack
have an air gap with one or more mesh webs spanning the air gap
from top to bottom and a scapula pad adjustably mounted on the one
or more mesh webs. With this arrangement, because the back
adjustment is provided by adjustment of the position of the scapula
pad up and down the webs, the air gap is not compromised.
[0009] Some embodiments of the invention use a pre-shaped frame to
form a low-profile air gap. In preferred embodiments this frame is
a pre-shaped panel that extends across the full width (or nearly
the full width) of the back wall of the enclosure. Such a panel can
be made relatively inexpensively from a plastics material, e.g. by
moulding. This concept can be used independently (i.e. without the
adjustable back system) to provide a less expensive pack that
nevertheless has the benefits associated with a low-profile air
gap, namely less impingement on the internal space of the rucksack
enclosure and a centre of gravity close to the user's back.
[0010] In a first aspect, the invention provides a rucksack
comprising:
[0011] an enclosure for containing a load to be carried;
[0012] a frame attached to a back wall of the enclosure and shaped
to hold the back wall of the enclosure away from the user's back to
create an air gap;
[0013] one or more web elements extending from a top portion of the
frame to a bottom portion of the frame across the air gap; and
[0014] a pair of shoulder straps with their top ends adjustably
mounted on the web element(s) to be adjustable along the web
element(s) between a first position nearer the top of the frame and
a second position nearer the bottom of the frame.
[0015] The top ends of the shoulder straps are preferably mounted
on the web element(s) via a panel that engages with and is able to
slide up and down the web element(s). The top ends of the shoulder
straps can be attached to this sliding panel or be formed
integrally with it. The sliding panel may be or incorporate one or
more scapula pads.
[0016] The rucksack will typically also include a hip belt mounted
in the region of the bottom end of the frame. The adjustment of the
position of the top ends of the shoulder straps relative to the hip
belt adjusts the back length of the rucksack.
[0017] By mounting the adjustable shoulder straps on web elements
that span the air gap, the top ends of the straps and any e.g.
scapula pad they are fixed to need not impinge on the air gap
between the web elements and the back wall of the enclosure as they
are adjusted. In this way, the back length of the rucksack can be
adjusted without seriously compromising the air gap and the
ventilation it provides.
[0018] Securing means are preferably provided to secure the
shoulder straps in said first position and, alternatively, in said
second position. Preferably the shoulder straps can also be secured
in one or more positions intermediate the first position and the
second position. The securing means may, for example, be a clip or
clasp or other selectively releasable fixing element. In some
embodiments, the securing means comprises two or more fixtures on
the back wall of the enclosure and a complementary fixture joined
to the shoulder straps that can selectively be engaged with one of
the fixtures on the back wall. To adjust the back length, the
complementary fixture on the shoulder straps can be disengaged from
one fixture on the back wall of the enclosure, the straps adjusted
up or down the web element(s) to a new position corresponding to
another of the fixtures on the rear wall and the shoulder strap
fixture then engaged in the back wall fixture at the new position.
The fixtures on the back wall may be loops with the complementary
fixture joined to the shoulder straps being a hook, or vice
versa.
[0019] The or each web element is preferably constructed from an
air permeable mesh fabric. In preferred embodiments there are two
parallel web elements, one towards either side of the rucksack,
laterally spaced apart from one another.
[0020] The frame may be formed by resilient frame members that are
bent into a curved shape and held in tension by the web elements to
maintain the air gap. More preferably, however, the frame is
pre-shaped to define the air gap. Preferred embodiments of this
aspect of the invention employ a pre-shaped frame in accordance
with the second aspect of the invention below.
[0021] In a second aspect the invention provides a rucksack
comprising:
[0022] a back attachment system to be worn by a user;
[0023] an enclosure mounted on the back attachment system for
containing a load to be carried; and
[0024] a frame attached to a back wall of the enclosure and shaped
to hold the back wall of the enclosure away from the user's back to
create an air gap;
[0025] wherein the frame comprises a pre-shaped panel that
preferably extends across substantially the full width of the back
wall of the enclosure.
[0026] The back attachment system will typically comprise a pair of
shoulder straps. It preferably also comprises a hip belt.
[0027] The panel can be pre-formed, during manufacture, to have the
shape desired to create the air gap, so that in the assembled
rucksack it does not need to be further bent and placed under
tension to create the desired gap. By using a pre-shaped panel in
this way, the air gap can be reliably maintained across the full
width of the rucksack. The air gap can have a low-profile,
preferably of substantially the same depth across a majority of the
height and width of the back wall of the rucksack. This can keep a
centre of gravity of a load in the enclosure close to the user's
back and minimises the impingement of the frame on the internal
space of the enclosure.
[0028] The pre-shaped panel may be formed of any suitable material
but is preferably formed from a plastics material. This can provide
a lightweight yet inexpensive alternative to the pre-bent metal
rods that have previously been used.
[0029] The pre-shaped panel preferably has a generally flat central
section and a bottom section that is bent to protrude forwardly
(toward the user's back) of the central section. The panel may also
have a top section that is bent to protrude forwardly of the panel.
The lower forwardly protruding section is intended to be adjacent
the user's lower lumbar region. Where the rucksack comprises a hip
belt, it may be mounted on this lower protruding section of the
frame. Top ends of the shoulder straps may be mounted in a fixed
position adjacent the top protruding section of the frame,
preferably at a lower edge of that protruding section, although in
preferred embodiments the shoulder straps are adjustable, as
discussed below.
[0030] The flat, central section of the pre-shaped panel is
preferably at least 30% of the vertical extent of the panel and may
be 40% or 50% or more of the vertical height of the panel. The top
and bottom sections of the panel preferably protrude forwardly of
the central section by at least 2 cm (this being the approximate
depth of the resultant air gap) and more preferably by about 3
cm.
[0031] In other embodiments, the pre-shaped panel may have a
continuously concave curved shape or other appropriate shape to
create the desired air gap. Generally, the air gap will be at least
2 cm deep and more preferably at least 3 cm deep, although it is
desirable that the air gap is not made too deep (e.g. no more than
10 cm and more preferably no more that 5 cm)
[0032] One or more air permeable mesh elements may extend generally
vertically across the air gap. Such elements are intended to rest
against the user's back to help maintain the spacing between the
user's back and the back wall of the enclosure that is created by
the shape of the frame.
[0033] The shoulder straps are preferably adjustable relative to
the frame to adjust the back length of the rucksack. Top ends of
the shoulder straps may, for example, be mounted on the pre-shaped
panel (e.g. to edges of the panel) and adjustable thereon. In
preferred embodiments of this aspect, the shoulder straps are
adjustable in accordance with the first aspect above.
[0034] In a third aspect, the invention provides a rucksack
comprising:
[0035] a back attachment system to be worn by a user;
[0036] an enclosure mounted on the back attachment system for
containing a load to be carried; and
[0037] a frame attached to a back wall of the enclosure and
pre-shaped to hold the back wall of the enclosure away from the
user's back to create an air gap therebetween;
[0038] wherein the back attachment system comprises a pair of
shoulder straps with their top ends adjustably mounted on the
rucksack to be adjustable between a first position nearer the top
of the frame and a second position nearer the bottom of the
frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0039] An example is now described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the main concepts included
in the back system of a rucksack in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a front view of the back (i.e. the side facing the
user when worn) of a rucksack in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention;
[0042] FIG. 3 is a front view of the shoulder harness part of the
rucksack of FIG. 2;
[0043] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the shoulder harness part of the
rucksack of FIG. 2;
[0044] FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the back of the rucksack
of FIG. 2 with the shoulder harness part removed; and
[0045] FIG. 6 is a side profile (along line A-A in FIG. 2) of a
moulded plastic, pre-shaped panel that forms the frame of the
rucksack of FIG. 2 ("S/end" is the top or shoulder strap end and
"H/B end" is the bottom or hip belt end of the frame).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the main concepts and
constructional components embodied in the exemplary rucksack
illustrated in the other figures and discussed below. The rucksack
incorporates a pre-shaped frame 10, which in this example is a
moulded plastic panel. This frame 10 supports the back wall of the
load carrying enclosure of the rucksack and may be retained within
a pocket in the back wall. It extends to substantially the full
width of the rucksack back wall. The frame has a flat central
section 12 and top and bottom sections 14, 16 that protrude
forwardly (i.e. towards the user's back) of the central
section.
[0047] Two air permeable mesh web elements 18 extend from the top
section 14 of the frame to the bottom section 16 of the frame. By
virtue of the pre-formed shape of the frame 10, the mesh elements
18 are spaced forwardly of the central section 12 of the frame 10.
When the rucksack is on a user's back, the mesh elements 18 rest
against the user's back and the central section 12 of the frame 10
holds the back wall of the rucksack enclosure away from their back.
An air gap 20 between the mesh elements 18 and the central section
12 of the frame (corresponding to the back wall of the rucksack),
allows air to circulate between the user's back and the rucksack
enclosure.
[0048] The upper ends 22 of two shoulder straps 24 are fixed to a
scapula pad 26. The scapula pad 26 is mounted on the two mesh
elements 18 and can slide up and down these elements to adjust the
position of the top ends 22 of the straps 24 to be more or less
spaced from the bottom section 16 of the frame 10 to adjust the
effective length of the back of the rucksack.
[0049] FIGS. 2 to 5 show views of a rucksack incorporating the
conceptual and constructional features schematically shown in FIG.
1. Thus, looking at FIG. 2, the rucksack has a frame (not shown)
that is a pre-shaped moulded plastic panel, retained within a
pocket in the back wall 30 of the rucksack.
[0050] Two generally parallel air permeable mesh fabric strips 18
(seen best in FIG. 5) extend from a top end of the back wall 30 to
a bottom end, spanning a ventilation air gap that is formed by the
shape that the frame gives to the back wall 30.
[0051] The rucksack includes a hip belt 32 at the lower end of the
back wall 30 and a shoulder harness arrangement 34 towards the top
end of the back wall 30. The shoulder harness arrangement 34
includes a scapula pad 26 and two shoulder straps 24. The scapula
pad 26 is slidably mounted on the mesh strips 18 to allow the
position of the scapula pad 26, and hence the top ends of the
shoulder straps 24, to be adjusted relative to the hip belt 32,
thus altering the back length of the rucksack.
[0052] In more detail, with reference in particular to FIGS. 3 to
5, a rear side of the scapula pad 26 (see FIG. 4) has two fabric
patches 40 affixed thereto, one to either side of the pad 26. These
patches are joined to the rear side of the scapula pads at their
side edges only, so that they form tunnels on the rear side of the
scapula pad 26 through which respective ones of the mesh strips 18
can pass top to bottom. The scapula pad is thereby retained on the
mesh strips 18 but is free to slide up and down them.
[0053] The scapula pad 26 can be secured in any of a number of
positions along the mesh strips 18 by a hook or buckle 50 on the
scapula pad 26 that can be selectively engaged with a selected one
of a series of loops 52 formed on the rear wall 30 of the rucksack
enclosure. In this example, the hook 50 is attached to, and hangs
down from, the rear face of the scapula pad 26 by a webbing loop
56.
[0054] In this example, as best seen in FIG. 5, there are five
loops, corresponding to five possible positions for the scapula pad
26, providing a corresponding five possible back lengths for the
rucksack. The loops 52 are formed by a strip of fabric 54 that is
secured at vertically spaced apart horizontal regions to the back
wall 30 so that the fabric between the secured regions stands out
from the back wall 30 to form the loops 52.
[0055] To adjust the position of the scapula pad 26, the hook 50 is
disengaged from the loop 52 it is currently engaged in, the scapula
pad is slid up (or down) the mesh strips 18 to the desired new
position, in which the hook 50 can be engaged with another of the
loops 52.
[0056] To aid the support of the shoulder straps in the desired
position, length adjustable top tension straps 58 may connect a mid
portion of each shoulder strap 24 to the back wall of the rucksack
above the highest position possible for the scapula pad 26. These
straps 58 can be lengthened when the scapula pad 26 is moved down
(to shorten the back length) and shortened when the scapula pad 26
is moved up the back of the rucksack (to increase the back
length).
[0057] In the illustrated example, the length of the shoulder
straps is also itself adjustable using adjusters 60 at the lower
end of each strap and a chest strap 62 is provided to help keep the
shoulder straps sitting correctly on the shoulders in use.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows a side profile of the moulded plastic board or
panel used as the frame of the rucksack. The panel has a flat
central section 12 and top and bottom sections 14, 16 that protrude
forwardly (towards the user's back) of the central section 10 by
about 3 cm to form the air gap 20. At the transition between the
central section 12 and the top section 14, the panel is bent along
a first fold line 70, there is then a further straight section 72
followed by a second bend at a second fold line 74, which defines
the forward-most extent of the panel. The bottom section 16 is
shaped in a similar fashion. The panel has this same section across
its complete width, which corresponds generally to the width of the
back wall of the rucksack.
[0059] The skilled person will appreciate that various
modifications to the specifically described embodiment are possible
without departing from the invention.
* * * * *