Multiform Backpack

Abstract

A multiform backpack includes a back portion provided with first disengageable connecting means and a pair of shoulder straps equipped with coupling means, and a variety of flexible bodies with different shapes and configurations selectively interchangeable with each other, and equipped with respective second connecting means complementary to the first connecting means for the union to the back portion, as well as fastening elements for the coupling means of the shoulder straps.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to backpacks of the type comprising a body, typically made of flexible material, provided with shoulder straps for its transport by the user.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] In some known backpacks, including those successfully produced and marketed by the Applicant, the shoulder straps are partially or even completely separable from the body: for example, in the case of European patent application EP-A-2155013, the shoulder straps are equipped with rapid coupling elements to corresponding coupling means of the body, in one or the other of two different mutually inverted configurations of this body, which is reversible. The user is then capable of being able to use the backpack selectively in one or the other configuration of the body, which essentially only differ from each other in their aesthetic appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention proposes the object of making a wider range of different configurations of the backpack available to the user, with a practical, functional and relatively inexpensive production.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved thanks to a multiform backpack whose unique characteristic lies in the fact that it comprises a back portion provided with first disengageable connecting means and a pair of shoulder straps provided with coupling means, and a variety of flexible bodies of different shapes and configurations, selectively interchangeable and equipped with respective second connecting means, complementary to said first connecting means for the union to the back portion, as well as fastening elements for the said coupling means of the shoulder straps.

[0005] Thanks to this solution idea, the user of the backpack, while the back portion with shoulder straps remains unchanged, can easily interchange the body with one or more different bodies, not only in relation to their look or exterior design, but also in relation to functional elements, such as, for example, a different subdivision of the inner space, the presence of external pockets etc.

[0006] The first and second connecting means of the back portion and of the different flexible bodies, respectively, can be selected from closing zippers, snap-fit buckles, snap fasteners, microhook strips and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a first possible configuration of the multiform backpack according to the invention,

[0009] FIG. 2 is a back, exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, and

[0010] FIGS. 3 and 4 are two analogous views of Figure that exemplify different respective possible configurations of the multiform backpack according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Initially referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the backpack according to the invention essentially consists of two elements, which are separable from each other: a back portion 1, which constitutes a unified component, and a flexible body 2 which, according to the unique aspect of the invention, is available and selectable in a variety of shapes and configurations that differ in an aesthetic and/or functional point of view.

[0012] The back portion, 1 made, for example, from a padded flexible, or relatively soft, sheet is equipped with a pair of shoulder straps 3 preferably permanently joined at one end to the top of the back portion 1 and provided at the opposite end with respective coupling means 4 formed, for example, by elastic snap hooks, attachable to corresponding rings 5 applied at the lower area of the body 2.

[0013] The back portion 1 and the body 2 are equipped with a rapid disengageable connecting system consisting, in the case of the illustrated example, of a pair of closing zippers whose parts 6a, 6b are applied, respectively, along the sides of the back portion 1, and at opposite sides of the back wall of the body 2. It should be noted that this connecting method could alternatively consist of mutually engaging snap-fasteners, poppers, microhook strips and the like.

[0014] To further ensure the coupling between the back portion 1 and the body 2, further removable union-elements may also be provided for, formed, for example, by male and female fastening snap-buckles 7, 8, applied, respectively, to the upper areas of the shoulder straps 3 and to the top of the flexible body 2.

[0015] As mentioned above, the back portion 1 forms a unified component with the shoulder straps 3, which can be applied to a plurality of different flexible bodies made available on the market, which are distinguishable from each other, partly due to the outer appearance, and partly due to their functional configurations. The example of the body 2, represented in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 and those indicated, respectively, by 2a and 2b in FIGS. 3 and 4, precisely show certain differences of the functional character in relation to the presence or absence of outer pockets and to the access openings within the body, in which the inner volume can also be distributed differently. The differences can also refer to designs and colors.

[0016] Of course, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to those described and illustrated, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A backpack according to claim 3, wherein said first and second connecting means are selected from a group consisting of closing zippers, snap-fit buckles, poppers, and microhook strips.

3. A backpack comprising: a back portion provided with first disengageable connecting means and a variety of flexible bodies of different shapes and configurations selectively interchangeable with each other and equipped with respective second connecting means, complementary to said first connecting means, for a union to said back portion, and said back portion equipped with a pair of shoulder straps, each shoulder strap of said pair of should straps permanently joined at a first end to a top of said back portion, each shoulder strap provided at an upper area thereof with a respective upper fastening element for a removable connection with a respective union element provided on a top of each flexible body of the flexible bodies, and each shoulder strap provided at a second end opposite to said first end with a respective coupling hook attachable to a corresponding ring applied at a lower area of each flexible body of the flexible bodies.