U.S. patent application number 13/500860 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-21 for load management system for backpacks and other wearable packs with shoulder straps.
This patent application is currently assigned to Jansport Apparel Corp.. The applicant listed for this patent is Terra Mendes, Genevieve Peterson, Eric Rothenhaus, Caelin White. Invention is credited to Terra Mendes, Genevieve Peterson, Eric Rothenhaus, Caelin White.
Application Number | 20130043292 13/500860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43857141 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130043292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White; Caelin ; et
al. |
February 21, 2013 |
LOAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR BACKPACKS AND OTHER WEARABLE PACKS WITH
SHOULDER STRAPS
Abstract
A wearable pack has a generally pliable body defining a volume
for the containment of articles, the body generally having a
height, width, and depth, at least one shoulder strap secured to
the body, at least one tension strap secured to the body at a first
anchor point and adjustably secured to the body at a second anchor
point, the tension strap routing through at least one channel
disposed on the body between the anchor points so that the tension
strap is accessible in a frontal plane of the wearer so that the
wearer does not need to reach rearwardly of the frontal plane to
pull the tension strap.
Inventors: |
White; Caelin; (Oakland,
CA) ; Mendes; Terra; (Oakland, CA) ;
Rothenhaus; Eric; (Pacifica, CA) ; Peterson;
Genevieve; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
White; Caelin
Mendes; Terra
Rothenhaus; Eric
Peterson; Genevieve |
Oakland
Oakland
Pacifica
San Francisco |
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Jansport Apparel Corp.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
43857141 |
Appl. No.: |
13/500860 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 7, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/51816 |
371 Date: |
August 29, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61250392 |
Oct 9, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/607 ;
224/645; 29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/047 20130101;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/607 ;
224/645; 29/428 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/00 20060101
A45F003/00; A45F 3/04 20060101 A45F003/04; A45F 3/02 20060101
A45F003/02 |
Claims
1. A wearable pack, comprising: a generally pliable body defining a
volume for the containment of articles, the body generally having a
height, width, and depth; at least one shoulder strap secured to
the body; and at least one tension strap secured to the body at a
first anchor point and adjustably secured to the body at a second
anchor point, the tension strap routing through at least one
channel disposed on the body between the anchor points so that the
tension strap is accessible in a frontal plane of the wearer so
that the wearer while wearing the pack does not need to reach
rearwardly of the frontal plane to pull the tension strap, wherein
at least a portion of one channel is disposed at a front surface of
the pack.
2. A wearable pack, comprising: a generally pliable body defining a
volume for the containment of articles, the body generally having
dimensions of height, width, and depth, and at least three of a
front surface, a back surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and
left and right side surfaces defining the volume for containment of
articles; at least one shoulder strap secured to the body; and at
least one tension strap secured to the body at a first anchor point
and adjustably secured to the body at a second anchor point, the
tension strap routing through at least one channel disposed on the
body between the anchor points so that adjustment of tension on the
tension strap adjusts two or more of the dimensions simultaneously.
at least one of the dimensions being the height of the pack.
3. The wearable pack of claim 2 wherein the tension strap is routed
to a shoulder strap or hip belt disposed on the pack so that wearer
can access a portion of the strap at that location and adjust
tension.
4. The wearable pack of claim 3 wherein the routing of the tension
strap is to the shoulder strap.
5. The wearable pack of claim 4 wherein the wearable pack comprises
a backpack and further comprises a second shoulder strap and a
second tension strap, the second tension strap routing to the
second shoulder strap in like fashion to the routing of the first
tension strap to the first shoulder strap, the tension straps being
arranged in spaced relationship generally similar to the spacing
and orientation of the shoulder straps.
6. The wearable pack of claim 1 wherein a tension strap routes
across a bottom surface of the pack, upwards over the front surface
and to the top or back surface of the pack.
7. The wearable pack of claim 6 wherein the tension strap routes
from the top or back surface to a channel disposed on a shoulder
strap.
8. The wearable pack of claim 7 wherein a second tension strap is
routed in like fashion to a second shoulder strap in like fashion
to the routing of the first tension strap to the first shoulder
strap.
9. The wearable pack of claim 1 wherein a tension strap has a
portion slideably secured to the pack using an adjustment mechanism
anchored to the pack at an anchor point.
10. The wearable pack of claim 1 wherein at least one tension strap
comprises two or more separate sections that are coupled
together.
11. The wearable pack of claim 10 wherein the sections are arranged
linearly or sequentially.
12. The wearable pack of claim 10 wherein one section is oriented
transversely to another section so that the tension strap has at
least two arms branching off a common section.
13. The wearable pack of claim 1 wherein a tension strap is
arranged so that adjustment of tension simultaneously changes the
height and depth of the pack by lifting or dropping the bottom
surface and moving in or out the front surface from the back
surface.
14. The wearable pack of claim 1 wherein the pack includes a
protective compartment configured for securing a laptop, other
computing device or other device with an electronic display.
15. The wearable pack of claim 14 wherein the protective
compartment is accessible from the side or back of the pack.
16. The wearable pack of claim 3 wherein a tension strap is
arranged so that adjustment of tension simultaneously changes the
height and depth of the pack by lifting or dropping the bottom
surface and moving in or out the front surface from the back
surface.
17. The wearable pack of claim 16 wherein the pack includes a
protective compartment configured for securing a laptop or computer
computing device or other device with an electronic display.
18. The wearable pack of claim 14 wherein the protective
compartment is accessible from the side or back of the pack.
19. The wearable pack of claim 17 wherein the protective
compartment is accessible from the side or back of the pack.
20. A method of making a wearable pack, comprising: providing a
generally pliable body defining a volume for the containment of
articles, the body generally having dimensions of height, width,
and depth, and at least three of a front surface, a back surface, a
top surface, a bottom surface, and left and right side surfaces
defining the volume for containment of articles; assembling at
least one shoulder strap secured to the body; and assembling at
least one tension strap secured to the body at a first anchor point
and adjustably secured to the body at a second anchor point, the
tension strap routing through at least one channel disposed on the
body between the anchor points so that adjustment of tension on the
tension strap adjusts two or more of the dimensions simultaneously,
at least one of the dimensions being the height of the pack.
21. The wearable pack of claim 1 wherein a majority of the channel
portion that is disposed at the front surface of the pack is routed
along an internal side of the front surface so as to be hidden from
external view.
22. The wearable pack of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of one
channel is disposed at the front surface of the pack and is routed
along an internal side of the front surface so as to be hidden from
external view.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Serial Number 61/250,392, filed Oct. 9,
2009, by Caelin White, et al. entitled LOAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR
BACKPACKS AND OTHER WEARABLE PACKS WITH SHOULDER STRAPS, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if
recited in full herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The inventive subject matter is generally directed to
wearable packs and bags, such as backpacks, that have a body
portion defining a volume for containment of articles and have one
or more shoulder straps for securing the body portion to the torso
of a wearer. More particularly, the inventive subject matter is
directed to a strap system that adjustably compacts the volume of
the body portion.
[0003] While once mainly the province of backwoods adventurers and
soldiers, backpacks and other wearable packs are now widely used
across the globe to contain and carry various kinds of articles
used in everyday life. Students use them to ferry books and
notebooks around. Business people use them to transport and protect
laptops and other digital or high tech gear. Bicycle commuters use
them on jaunts to the grocery store.
[0004] Even with the growth in the popularity of the wearable pack,
a long-felt need exists for certain improvements.
[0005] One problem with existing packs is that they can be large
and bulky. This may be a design necessity so that the pack can
accommodate both large and small loads. Unfortunately for the
wearer, if a given load is small, the pack remains bulky and the
load may not position well on the wearer's body, impeding movement
and balance. While shoulder straps on a pack are typically
adjustable to raise or lower a pack, the overall size of the pack
may still be oversized or undersized relative to a wearer's body.
This may still result in poor management of the weight in the pack,
detrimentally affecting the balance and comfort of a wearer. It may
also result in an unstylish appearance for the fashion-minded
wearer.
[0006] Further, shoulder straps do not vary the volume of the body
of a pack. Therefore, contents inside the body may shift
around.
[0007] Attempting to address some of the problems, some backpacks
may provide on their bodies adjustable straps that have opposite
ends adjustable secured to anchor points on the body of a pack
between which a strap extends. Pulling on a strap compresses the
back between the anchor points. Backpacks may also have a
drawstring system that constricts the circumference at the top of
the body of the pack. The routing of existing strap systems may
limit or interfere with the use of pockets and compartment on the
pack. For example, straps that cinch together the sides of the body
of a pack to make the pack thinner impede the use of side openings.
Therefore, the objectives of securing loads and providing easy
access to pockets or compartments on the pack are in conflict. An
option of side access is desirable because it could allow for
convenient removal and placement of a laptop computer in a
protective compartment, for example, eliminating the need to open a
main compartment of the pack, during airport security
screenings.
[0008] Yet another problem is that the existing art of wearable
packs does not provide a way to adequately adjust pack compactness
on the fly. Because adjustment straps on the body of a pack are
positioned on the body of the pack, adjusting the compactness of a
pack on the fly is not possible or difficult: (1) either the user
must remove the pack, which can be very inconvenient, in the case
of, for example, a biker or hiker; or (2) the user must reach
rearwardly to blindly search for straps on the body of the pack.
This effort can be not only inconvenient but also unsafe, as an
uncareful user may lose balance and positioning. The effort might
also strain and injure the muscles and ligaments of an uncareful
user.
[0009] In view of the foregoing problems and other problems not
mentioned at this time, there is a need for improved systems for
backpacks, and other wearable packs with shoulder straps, that
provide for one or more of: (1) adjustability to conform to the
body of a given user, a volume of a particular load and/or a weight
of a particular load; (2) adjustability on the fly so wearer's do
not need to remove a pack; (3) accessibility to compartments and
pockets, without interference from compression straps; and (4)
stylishness and comfortableness.
SUMMARY
[0010] The inventive subject matter overcomes the problems and
disadvantages in the prior art by providing tension systems for
wearable packs that allow for easy, convenient and efficient
adjustment and securement of variable sized loads, and which
improve the pack's fit and load management for variably sized
wearers.
[0011] In one possible embodiment the inventive subject matter is
directed to a wearable pack having a generally pliable body
defining a volume for the containment of articles, the body
generally having a height, width, and depth; at least one shoulder
strap secured to the body; at least one tension strap secured to
the body at a first anchor point and adjustably secured to the body
at a second anchor point, the tension strap routing through at
least one channel disposed on the body between the anchor points so
that the tension strap is accessible in a frontal plane of the
wearer so that the wearer does not need to reach rearwardly of the
frontal plane to pull the tension strap.
[0012] In another possible embodiment, the inventive subject matter
is directed to a wearable pack having a generally pliable body
defining a volume for the containment of articles, the body
generally having dimensions of height, width, and depth, and three
of a front surface, a back surface, a top surface, a bottom
surface, and left and right side surface surfaces defining the
volume for containment of articles; at least one shoulder strap
secured to the body; and at least one tension strap secured to the
body at a first anchor point and adjustably secured to the body at
a second anchor point, the tension strap routing through at least
one channel disposed on the body between the anchor points so that
adjustment of tension on the tension strap adjusts two or more of
the dimension simultaneously.
[0013] These and other embodiments are described in more detail in
the following Detailed Description section and the Figures.
[0014] The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of
embodiments and features of the inventive subject matter. Persons
skilled in the art are capable of appreciating other embodiments
and features from the following detailed description in conjunction
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The following figures show embodiments according to the
inventive subject matter, unless noted as showing prior art.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a front side, left perspective view of a
wearable pack with an inventive strap system.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a backside elevational view of the pack of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a right side elevational view of the pack of
FIG. 1
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a top, plan view of the pack of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIGS. 5 and 5A shows one possible embodiment of strap system
components usable in the pack of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows the strap components of FIG. 5 assembled with
further strap system components.
[0022] FIG. 7 shows the strap components of FIG. 6 assembled with
further strap system components.
[0023] FIG. 8 shows a cutaway, left side elevational view of the
pack of FIG. 1 illustrating one possible internal routing of a
strap system.
[0024] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 having an optional
backside-accessible compartment.
[0025] FIG. 10 shows a backside, left perspective of another
embodiment of a wearable pack.
[0026] FIGS. 10A and 10B show details of encircled areas 10A-10A
and 10B-10B in FIG. 10.
[0027] FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate a mode of operation for an wearable
pack according to the inventive subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The term "wearable pack", as used herein, refers broadly to
wearable packs with shoulder straps, along the lines of backpacks,
rucksacks, daypacks, messenger bags, totes and other packs with one
or more shoulder straps. "Backpack", unless context indicates
otherwise, means a pack with a pair of shoulder straps.
[0029] FIGS. 1-11B illustrate possible embodiments of a wearable
pack 10, 110, which in this case is a backpack. These embodiments
will generally be used to illustrate the inventive subject matter,
although the inventive subject matter is not to be limited by them.
The body 12 of the pack 10 has a generally pliable overall
construction of at least a front surface 14, a back surface 16, a
top surface 18, a bottom surface 20, and side surfaces 24 and 26
that interconnect with the other surfaces. The arrangement of the
surfaces defines a volume for containment of articles. In the
context of surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, and 26, the term "surfaces"
is used broadly to mean a generally sheet-or panel-like structure
with a side that faces outward and a side that faces inward when
assembled into the body of the pack. The surfaces need not come
together in discrete joints; they may merge together in curving
interfaces, for example. In at least the case of backpacks, the
body is generally sized and shaped so that it fits comfortably
against the back of the wearer. In some cases, it may be contoured
to conform to the contours of anatomy of a back. Generally, it is
dimensioned so as not to exceed about the width of the back, or the
length between the waist and shoulders of the intended wearer.
Backpacks may be sized and shaped differently to accommodate
variations in height, e.g., small, medium, or large. Or they may be
sized and shaped to fit gender or age categories, e.g., men, women,
or children. Notably, the top side or bottom side surfaces or both
could be essentially eliminated in whole or part by merging
together the top edges of the front surface 14 and back surface 16,
and/or the bottom edges of the front surface 14 and the back
surface 16, creating wedges (not shown or present in the
illustrated embodiment) where the surfaces join. Similarly,
surfaces could be reduced in profile by using curves, for example,
to merge surfaces. The side surfaces 24 and 26 could also be joined
or merged in similar fashion. The surfaces are not necessarily
continuous surfaces; they may be interrupted by zippers, netted
sections, and cords for example.
[0030] Typically, the body of a pack includes an opening at the top
of the pack. The opening may extend down one or both sides of the
pack. The opening may be provided via a zipper running through
surfaces of the pack or it may be provided by a hingeable section
along the top and/or sides of the pack. The opening typically leads
into a main compartment of the pack. The body may have other
openings into the main compartment, which may be closeable openings
or permanent openings. For example, there may be openings from the
front, sides, and/or bottom surfaces of the pack. In the embodiment
of FIGS. 1-9, a zipper 28 for a main compartment runs from the top
of the pack down the side of the pack.
[0031] Accordingly, the main compartment may be accessed via an
opening on one side of the pack. The pack may also have a dedicated
laptop compartment that is accessed on the back panel. Access to
that compartment may be provided via a zipper running from part way
up one side, around the top, to part way down the other side. The
laptop compartment zipper is away from the straps, so access is
secure yet easy.
[0032] In addition to the main compartment, the body may include
any number of other compartments for containment of articles. Other
compartments, such as a compartment 32 on the front body 12, may be
arranged adjacent, side-to-side or up and down relative to the main
compartment or to each other. The body, including any of its
compartments, may also have pockets arranged on the inside or
outside of the compartments. For example, a pocket 34 may also be
arranged on the front of body 12. In this example, compartment 32
and pocket 34 are disposed on a panel of material that separates
them from main compartment 32. Generally, "compartments" refers to
relatively large areas for holding things such as, sleeping bags,
laptops, articles of clothing, books, etc. Generally, "pockets"
refers to relatively smaller areas for holding things, such as
wallets, mobile phones, media players, water bottles, etc. However,
there is not always a clear dividing line between what a
compartment is and what a pocket is, beyond the main compartment of
a pack.
[0033] In one basic embodiment, the inventive subject matter is
directed to a wearable pack having a body defining a volume for the
containment of articles. The backpack includes one or more shoulder
straps, in the illustrated example, straps 36 and 38. One or more
adjustable tension straps, e.g., tension straps 40 and 42, are
secured to the body at anchor points and route into a spaced-away
channel or channels that are disposed on the pack at a position
that is readily accessible to a wearer. In the illustrated example,
there are two tension straps 40 and 42. Each tension strap is
accessible from an exit or exposed portion of the channel so that
it may be grabbed by a wearer to adjust the strap's tension. To
avoid the disadvantages noted above in the prior art where wearer's
cannot easily find straps, the inventive subject matter's features
include a placement of tension strap sections where user's can
easily find them without the need to remove the pack or blindly
reach for them. This can be a location in the frontal plane of the
body, which in this context includes the sides of the body. In one
possible embodiment, the channel is positioned substantially along
a shoulder strap of the pack. In another possible embodiment, the
channel is positioned along the front portion of hip belt (not
shown or present in the illustrated embodiment) on the pack.
[0034] As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the shoulder straps 36 and 38
include channels 44 and 46. The channels may be defined as tubular
structures formed on or in the shoulder straps 36 and 38. A surface
on the strap 44A or 46A (FIGS. 5-6) provides one portion of the
structure. A second surface 44B or 46B (FIG. 7) is sewn or
otherwise fastened along its edge to that surface to form the
tubular structure (channel) into which a tension strap 40 or 42 is
slideably disposed. The tension straps enter the channel at the top
of the structure and exits at the bottom. Adjustment mechanisms 48
and 50 are anchored to the shoulder straps below the exits of
channels 44 and 46. The adjustment mechanisms may be anchored by
any known means of anchoring fasteners to fabrics or sheets of
materials. In this example, the fasteners come with flanges made of
fabric, which are, for example, stitched onto the pack surface. The
end portions of the tension straps are slideably disposed in the
adjustment mechanisms. Channels on the adjustment strap need not be
elongated structures. In their simplest form, they may be thin
profile openings. For example, the openings in the adjustment
mechanism may be considered to provide channels, in addition to or
instead of channels 44 and 46. Further the elongate channels 44 and
46 may be integrated with the adjustment mechanism and not spaced
away as is the case of the illustrated embodiment. The free ends of
the strap may be stored in optional channels 45 and 47, which may
be short bands of materials with their ends stitched to the
shoulder straps. The straps may have optional embroidery, 60, as
shown in FIG. 7. The shoulder straps may be made of 420 D Nylon,
61, for example.
[0035] By positioning one or more channels for the tension straps
in front of or at about the front plane, the tension strap may be
easily grasped so that the wearer can find it easily by sight or
without reaching rearwardly. Adjustment of the tension strap draws
parts of the pack together along the lines the tension strap
follows, compressing/uncompressing the pack. Advantageously,
multiple tension straps may be anchored and arranged on the pack so
that there are multiple lines of tension, allowing the pack to be
compressed along any one or more of its dimensional axes: it may be
compressed to adjust height, width, and/or depth. Also,
advantageously, the routing of the tension strap across a plurality
of surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20, and 24, allows for one, two or three
dimensions of height, width and depth to be simultaneously changed
with the change in tension on a tension strap. The tensions straps
may also be arranged to change the shape of the pack, from e.g., a
generally rectangular shape to a generally rounder shape.
[0036] A tension strap need not have a linear path but may
slideably route through angle or direction changing structures or
fixtures on the pack, such as curved channels, flexible cable
housing anchored it desired configurations, pulleys, loops, rings,
sheaves, links swivels, pad eyes, and the like.
[0037] In certain embodiments the tension straps extend along at
least entire lengths of surfaces of the body of a pack, e.g., from
bottom to top edge of a front side of the pack (pack height), or
from front edge to back edge on a bottom side of a pack (pack depth
at bottom of pack), or from front edge to back edge along a top
side of the pack (pack depth at top of the pack). In certain
embodiments the routing of a tension strap may span the length of
two or more of such surfaces. In some embodiments, it can span the
length of at least three such surfaces. If desired, the routes
could span all surfaces.
[0038] In the example embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, the
tension straps 40 and 42 span from across some or all of a bottom
surface 20 (pack depth at bottom surface), across all of the front
side surface (pack height), and over a top surface (pack depth at
top surface). In the aforesaid embodiment, the strap may further
extend into a channel on a shoulder strap. Looking more
particularly at the illustrated embodiment, especially FIG. 8, and
using tension strap 40 as representative (the routing of tension
strap 42 mirroring that of 40), the tension strap has one end
anchored to the pack at about were the back surface 16 and bottom
surface 20 join. The strap slideably extends through a guide 52 and
upwardly from the bottom of front surface 14 and through a channel
formed between a back surface of pocket 34 and the main compartment
30. A short section of the strap is exposed between pocket 34 and
compartment 32 as it continues upward routing into a channel formed
between compartment 32 and main compartment 30. The strap exits the
channel at the top of compartment 32 and continues upwardly
routing. Again it is exposed at just below about where front
surface 14 and top surface 18 join. The tension strap then routes
within a channel formed in the top surface 14. Next, the channel
extends to back surface 16. The strap exits the back surface and is
routed into the top opening of channel 44 on the shoulder strap.
This routing, extending around bottom, front and top surfaces,
causes the pack to simultaneously compact in both height and depth
when the tension strap is pulled. In contrast, conventional systems
typically have independent straps that are independently
adjustable.
[0039] It is noted that the routing of the tension strap may be
wholly or partially visible on the exterior of the pack. In the
example embodiments, the routing is substantially hidden from view,
except for a few small sections that are exposed. Accordingly,
routing channels may be on the inner or outer sides of surfaces 14,
16, 18, 20 and 24 or associated shoulder straps or hip belts. The
channels may be formed in between most any layers or assemblies of
materials used in the construction of the pack. They may also be
discrete structures located among the layers.
[0040] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 having an optional
backside-accessible compartment 35, separated from the main
compartment 24, for storing an object such as a laptop 3. The
compartment may be accessed by, for example a closeable flap
37.
[0041] FIG. 10 shows another possible embodiment of a backpack 110
with inventive features. In this example, two tension straps are
used, similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. In this embodiment,
the tensions straps 140, 142 each have one of their ends anchored
on a lower portion of the front surface of the pack, e.g., anchor
point 141. The straps route from the anchor points across the
bottom surface, and upwardly across the back surface. They are
routed from the top of the back surface to the shoulder straps 136,
138, where they are adjustably secured. FIG. 10A shows a detail of
encircled area 10A-10A. A slot or other aperture 137 allows a
tension strap 140, 142 to route out of the topside of the pack onto
a strap 136, 138. Similarly, FIG. 10B shows a detail of encircled
area 10B-10B. A slot or anchor point 139 allows a tension strap
140, 142 to route into the bottom side of the pack with routing
schemes discussed elsewhere.
[0042] The anchor points used with strap portions may be fixed
using known means, such as stitching (anchor points 41, 43),
gluing, stapling, bolting, riveting, or thermally fusing. Or the
relationship may be adjustable using known adjustment means, such
as clasps, buckles, clamps, hook and loop fasteners, etc. One
particularly suitable buckle type is a hinged cam buckle (e.g.,
adjustment mechanisms 48 and 50), which allows the wearer to
tension a tension strap by pulling on the portion of the strap
extending from the buckle. During tensioning, a pulled angling of
the strap disengage the hinge mechanism, rotating it open and
allowing the strap to slide through. When the user is done and
releases the strap, the angle is lost and the tensioned strap the
hinge mechanism to engage the strap, keeping it from slipping back.
The adjustment mechanisms described herein are well known in the
art and need not be detailed further.
[0043] FIGS. 11A-B indicates a mode of tensioning a wearable pack
according to the inventive subject matter. In FIG. 11A, the pack
has not been tensioned fully. In FIG. 11B, Arrow 154 shows the path
of tension for the tension straps as the user applies tension to
the tension straps on the shoulder straps. From that path, it can
be understood that the tension simultaneous lifts up the bottom of
the pack, decreasing pack height, and also compresses the lower
portion of pack in depth.
[0044] As noted, a tension strap may route from an anchor point on
the pack to the entry in a channel on, for example, the shoulder
strap and out an exit of the channel. The channel may be an
elongate tunnel-like structure integrated into the shoulder strap
by, for example, overlapping fabric and stitching in parallel
spaced lines. The channel may be simply a clamp or buckle-like
structure disposed on or in the shoulder strap. For example, in a
center-bar buckle, the buckle has one or more bars disposed in a
frame. The combination of the frame and a center bar define two
openings on either side of the center bar. One opening may be
considered the opening of a channel and the other side may be
considered the exit from the channel.
[0045] The exit of the channel allows for the exit of a section of
the tension strap, which could be grabbed by a wearer. An
adjustment mechanism may be associated with the section, typically
a free end portion, to allow for adjustment in the tension of the
tension strap, in the same way that an adjustment mechanism for a
shoulder strap allows adjustment in tension. Generally, the same
kinds of adjustment mechanisms could be used for both the tension
straps and the shoulder straps. It is noted, that free ends of the
straps need not actually exit a channel; instead, they could remain
routed within the shoulder strap. All that is needed is that a
non-free end portion of the tension strap be accessible at the exit
so that it can be grabbed by a wearer.
[0046] The tension strap also could be based on a loop and not have
free-ends. Instead the ends of the loop are secured at different
anchor points. A loop end could be routed through an adjustment
mechanism at one or both anchor points, to provide adjustments in
tension between the anchor points.
[0047] As used herein, "strap" is meant to refer to not only
pliable, webbing and band-like structures but also individual
filaments or bundles of filaments, chains, cords, cables, etc. that
provide the functionality for the purposes described herein. A
strap may have an elastic or inelastic construction. It may also
have a construction of elastic and inelastic sections.
[0048] The shoulder strap systems may be a pair of shoulder straps,
as is known in conventional backpacks or a long, single strap that
fits over one shoulder, across a wearer's chest and under the arm
opposite the shoulder, as is known in messenger bags.
[0049] The shoulder strap system can be based on single-ply straps
of material or they can be a composite of materials, as is known in
higher-end backpacks for carrying heavier loads. Often, the portion
of the shoulder strap that bears against a wearer's body is made
using a padded or cushioning material or construction. For example,
it may be a composite of a cellular foam material, such as
polyurethane, molded or cut EVA foam (ethylene-vinyl acetate),
padded mesh--often known as nylon or polyester spacer
mesh-surrounded by or joined to a fabric such as nylon.
[0050] In addition to the shoulder straps for carrying the body of
the pack on the body of a wearer, the pack may also optionally
include a handle 22.
[0051] The body 12 may be constructed of one or more plies of thin,
pliable material. Typical pliable materials for use in the body
include, natural and synthetic materials, Nylon fabrics, polyester
fabrics, natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like plies of
material, animal hides (e.g., leather), cotton, canvas, hemp, wool,
and fabric blends. These materials can be used singly or in
combination with each other. The body may be formed using materials
having continuous surfaces such as Nylon plain weave or twill
fabric or perforated surfaces such as net or web structures. As a
main consideration, the body should be able to contain the kinds of
articles intended to be carried within the compartment or
compartments of the body.
[0052] The tension strap may be constructed of material similar to
the shoulder strap. However, a padded section would generally not
be needed. The tension strap may be secured to anchor points on the
body of the pack and a shoulder strap by means similar to the fixed
or adjustable means for securing the shoulder strap. The tension
strap may be made of an inelastic or an elastic material. It is
noted that the tension strap may be a single unit of material
extending between an anchor point on the body of a pack and the
exit of a channel on a shoulder strap. Or it may be separate units
of strap material or structure that are coupled together and
adjustably provide a path of tension between the anchor point and
the exit of the channel.
[0053] Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many
modifications and variations are possible in the details,
materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have
been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of
the inventive subject matter, and that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings
and claims contained therein.
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