U.S. patent application number 14/518882 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-21 for adjustable shoulder strap attachment assemblies.
The applicant listed for this patent is KUIU, INC.. Invention is credited to Jason Hairston.
Application Number | 20160106199 14/518882 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62065569 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160106199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hairston; Jason |
April 21, 2016 |
Adjustable Shoulder Strap Attachment Assemblies
Abstract
An adjustable shoulder strap attachment assembly is disclosed,
as are methods for adjustably attaching shoulder straps to a
backpack frame. The backpack frame has a pair of generally
vertically-oriented tracks. Each strap has a cam-fastener with at
least one dimension greater than the width of one of the tracks. To
secure a strap to the backpack frame, the cam-fastener is inserted
into the track and rotated into its use position. A desired
vertical position of the strap is selected, and the strap is
secured by using hook-and-loop fastener between the backpack frame
and the strap.
Inventors: |
Hairston; Jason; (Dixon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KUIU, INC. |
Dixon |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62065569 |
Appl. No.: |
14/518882 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62065482 |
Oct 17, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/633 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/14 20130101; A45F
2003/146 20130101; A45F 3/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/08 20060101
A45F003/08; A45F 3/14 20060101 A45F003/14 |
Claims
1. An adjustable strap and frame combination for a backpack,
comprising: a backpack frame having left and right generally
vertically extending tracks spaced from one another and an expanse
of one part of hook-and-loop fastener proximate to the tracks; and
left and right straps, each of the straps having a cam-fastener,
the cam-fastener having a projecting portion with at least one
dimension greater than a width of one of the tracks, such that the
cam-fastener can be pivoted into position to secure the
cam-fastener slideably in one of the tracks, and complementary
hook-and-loop fastener positioned to engage the hook-and-loop
fastener of the backpack frame to fix the vertical position of the
strap.
2. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 1, wherein
the cam-fastener is fixedly secured within each of the straps.
3. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 1, wherein
the cam-fastener and the complementary hook-and-loop fastener are
provided in an upper portion of each of the straps.
4. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 3, wherein
the upper portions are padded.
5. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 3, wherein
each of the straps further comprises a lower connecting portion
connected to the upper portion.
6. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 5, wherein
the lower connecting portion comprises webbing.
7. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 6, further
comprising a waist belt adapted to be coupled to the backpack
frame.
8. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 7, wherein
the lower connecting portion of each strap is connected to the
waist belt.
9. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 1, each
cam-fastener further comprising a base and a neck or post connected
between the base and the projecting portion; wherein the base
secures the cam-fastener to one of the straps.
10. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 9, wherein
the projecting portion of each cam-fastener comprises a bar with a
length greater than the width of one of the tracks.
11. A method of adjustably securing backpack straps to a frame,
comprising: engaging a cam-fastener connected to a strap in a
generally vertically-extending track or slot of a backpack frame;
if desired, sliding the engaged cam-fastener within the track or
slot so that the strap reaches a desired vertical position within
the track or slot; and securing the strap in the desired vertical
position by attaching it using hook-and-loop fastener between the
strap and the backpack frame.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching a lower
portion of the strap to a waist belt.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting the waist
belt to a lower portion of the backpack frame.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said engaging comprises
inserting the cam-fastener into the track or slot and rotating the
cam-fastener relative to the track or slot such that the
cam-fastener cannot be withdrawn from the track or slot.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cam-fastener has a
projecting portion with at least one dimension greater than a width
of the track or slot.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: releasing the
hook-and-loop fastener between the strap and the backpack frame;
repositioning the strap vertically by sliding the cam-fastener
within the slot or track; and re-securing the strap by re-engaging
the hook-and-loop fastener.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/183,767, filed Jul. 15, 2011; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/549,289, filed Jul. 13, 2012; and U.S. application Ser. No.
13/856,594, filed Apr. 4, 2013. All of those applications are
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] In general, the invention relates to backpack frames, and to
strap systems for backpack frames.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Shoulder straps are a key element in distributing the load
of a backpack to its wearer. In day packs and smaller backpacks
without a frame, the shoulder straps may be sewn directly to the
backpack at fixed points, although these arrangements usually
include buckles and fittings to change the length of the
straps.
[0006] Backpack frames help to support the load in a backpack and
to distribute that load more evenly to the wear's body. Many frames
include mechanisms by which shoulder straps can be attached at
different heights and positions, in order to accommodate wearers of
different builds. In a typical mechanism, a clip is attached to
each end of each strap, and the frame provides multiple points to
which each clip may be attached.
[0007] A more continuously adjustable mechanism for attaching
straps would be a help in allowing users of different body sizes to
comfortably use a backpack and backpack frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to an adjustable strap
and frame combination for a backpack. The backpack frame has left
and right generally vertically-extending tracks spaced from one
another. An expanse of one part of hook-and-loop fastener is
provided proximate to the tracks. Left and right straps attach to
the backpack frame. Each of the straps includes a cam-fastener and
complementary hook-and-loop fastener. The cam-fastener has a
projecting portion with at least one dimension greater than a width
of one of the tracks, such that the cam-fastener can be pivoted
into position to secure the cam-fastener and its connected strap
slideably in one of the tracks. The complementary hook-and-loop
fastener of the straps is positioned to engage the hook-and-loop
fastener of the backpack frame to fix the vertical position of the
straps. In some embodiments, the straps include lower portions that
connect with a waist belt. The waist belt is adapted to engage
lower portions of the backpack frame.
[0009] In embodiments according to this aspect of the invention,
the cam-fastener typically includes a base and a post or neck
connected between the base and the projecting portion. The
projecting portion may, for example, be a bar with a length greater
than a width of one of the tracks.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of
adjustably securing backpack straps to a frame. The method
comprises engaging a cam-fastener connected to a strap in a
generally vertically-extending track or slot of a backpack frame.
The method also comprises sliding the engaged cam-fastener along
the track so that the strap is in a desired vertical position, and
securing the strap in the frame using hook-and-loop fastener.
[0011] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
invention will be set forth below in more detail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0012] The invention will be described with respect to the
following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like
elements throughout the figures, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack frame with waist
belt and left and right strap assemblies;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the backpack frame in
isolation, illustrating the side of the frame that faces the strap
assemblies;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the backpack and
frame assembly of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 are respective sequential elevational views of
the frame, illustrating the attachment of one of the strap
assemblies;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the other side of the frame,
illustrating the attachment of one of the strap assemblies; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the frame, illustrating
various vertical positions in which a strap assembly may be placed
in connection with the frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack frame, generally
indicated at 10, with two shoulder straps 12, 14 and a waist belt
16 installed, and FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the backpack
frame 10 in isolation. The backpack frame 10 illustrated in these
figures and others is one of the frames described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2013/0221051, the entire contents of
which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. This frame
10 is a unitary, resin-impregnated structure made of carbon fiber,
although the general construction of the frame is not critical in
all embodiments of the invention, so long as the frame in question
has the basic features described here.
[0020] Relevant to the process of attaching and adjusting the
shoulder straps 12, 14, the frame 10 has two generally vertical
tracks 18, 20 that are sloped slightly inwardly as they extend
downwardly. The tracks 18, 20 are fully open and go through the
thickness of the frame 10. These tracks 18, 20 provide adjustable
points of connection to the frame 10 for the two shoulder straps
12, 14, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 and in the exploded perspective view of
FIG. 3, each shoulder strap 12, 14 has a cam-fastener 22 sewn into
it. The top of the cam-fastener 22 is a generally rectangular bar
24 that, when installed in each strap 12, 14 extends parallel to
the width of the strap 12, 14. The bar 24 is also longer than the
width of the tracks 18, 20. The rectangular bar 24 is connected at
its center to a post or neck 26, which is, in turn, connected to a
base 28. The base 28 of the cam-fastener 22 is at least about as
wide as the bar 24 itself, and in the illustrated embodiment, is a
round disc. In general, the cam-fastener 22 should be made of a
lightweight but rigid material, such as ABS plastic [CORRECT?],
such that it can sustain the loads carried by the backpack. In
other embodiments, the projecting portion of the cam-fastener 22
need not be a bar 24; rather, any non-uniform shape with at least
one dimension wider than the width of the tracks 18, 20. The size
and area of the base 28 and rectangular bar 24 are sufficient to
distribute the load somewhat so as to avoid causing failure of the
stitching or other materials in the straps 12, 14 or a failure of
the area around the tracks 18, 20. Typically, the base 28 is sewn
or otherwise fixed into its strap 12, 14, for example, with
adhesives.
[0022] The process of connecting the straps 12, 14 to the frame 10
is illustrated in the sequential elevational views of FIGS. 4-5. To
connect one of the straps 12, 14 to the frame 10, the user places
the strap generally perpendicular to its use position, so that the
length of the rectangular bar 24 is parallel with the track 18, 20,
and inserts the bar 24 through the track 18, 20 before rotating the
strap 12, 14 upright into its use position, as illustrated in FIG.
5. In the use position illustrated in FIG. 1, the rectangular bar
24 is perpendicular to the track 18, 20 so that it cannot pull out
of the track 18, 20.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame 10 and one strap
14, illustrating the opposite side of the frame 10. The
cam-fastener 22 provides a sliding connection between the strap 12,
14 and the frame 10 and prevents pull out in the normal direction,
i.e., the direction perpendicular to the frame. In order to keep
the straps 12, 14 in a particular vertical position along the
tracks 18, 20, the frame 10 and straps 12, 14 use complementary
patches of hook-and-loop fastener. More specifically, each strap
12, 14 has a patch 30 of hook-and-loop fastener below the
cam-fastener 22. A complementary expanse 32 of hook-and-loop
fastener is provided in the center of the frame 10, below the
tracks 18, 20 on the side of the frame 10 that faces the straps 12,
14. The present inventors have found that when fully engaged,
hook-and-loop fastener has sufficient strength in shear to fix the
position of the straps 12, 14 vertically. Moreover, by providing a
relatively long swath of hook-and-loop fastener, the user can
adjust the vertical position of the straps 12, 14 continuously,
with each of the straps 12, 14 in contact with a portion of the
hook-and-loop fastener 30, 32. Thus, as shown in the perspective
view of FIG. 7, a single strap 14 can assume a variety of
positions, labeled in FIG. 7 as A, B, and C.
[0024] As those of skill in the art will note, the attachment
mechanism described above attaches the upper padded shoulder and
chest portion 34 of each strap 12, 14 to the frame 10. In order to
function successfully as a strap, the straps 12, 14 must also be
connected or coupled to the frame 10 at their respective lower
edges as well. There are a number of potential ways of doing this.
Because the lower portions of the straps 12, 14 are load-bearing
but not necessarily body-contacting, they generally do not need to
be padded along their entire lengths. For that reason, it is
generally sufficient to connect the padded upper portion 34 of each
strap 12, 14 to a piece of webbing to act as a lower portion. The
webbing 36 (best seen in FIG. 1) may be, for example, 1 inch
webbing. This connection may be by means of a buckle 38 sewn to the
bottom of the upper portion 34 of each strap
[0025] If no waist belt 16 is provided, the webbing 36 that serves
as the lower portion of the strap 12, 14 may simply terminate by
attaching to one of a number of small slots 40 that are provided in
the frame 10, or to slots that are specifically provided for that
purpose. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the webbing 36
that serves as the lower portion of the straps 12, 14 attaches and
is sewn into the waist belt 16. As shown in the exploded view of
FIG. 3, the waist belt 16 has a large pocket 42. The frame 10 of
the illustrated embodiment terminates in a lower, rounded,
generally U-shaped tongue 44, and the tongue 44 slips into the
pocket 42. The buckle 38 can be used to lengthen or shorten the
effective length of the webbing 36 to an appropriate length based
on the selected vertical position of the upper portion 34 of the
straps 12, 14, and any excess length can be tied off. Generally,
the webbing 36 has a length in excess of the minimum required, to
provide enough length to go through the buckle 38 and allow for
adjustment.
[0026] While the invention has been described with respect to
certain embodiments, the embodiments are intended to be exemplary,
rather than limiting. Modifications and changes may be made within
the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
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