U.S. patent application number 15/085261 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-27 for full motion, hip belt to backpack frame attachment system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Richard Alan Sellers. Invention is credited to Richard Alan Sellers.
Application Number | 20160309884 15/085261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57147255 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160309884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sellers; Richard Alan |
October 27, 2016 |
Full motion, hip belt to backpack frame attachment system
Abstract
The invention is a system for attaching a hip belt to a backpack
frame in a manner that doesn't restrict the motion of the user but
effectively carries vertical load. This is accomplished by adding a
hip frame attached to the sides of the hip belt and attaching this
hip frame at its center to the backpack frame with a slip joint and
link. Page 818
Inventors: |
Sellers; Richard Alan;
(Renton, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sellers; Richard Alan |
Renton |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57147255 |
Appl. No.: |
15/085261 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62153294 |
Apr 27, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/045 20130101;
A45F 3/047 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F 3/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/10 20060101
A45F003/10 |
Claims
1. A hip belt to backpack frame mounting system comprising: a
backpack frame with or without a backpack bag that has a near
vertical member on its center, somewhere in the bottom third of
said backpack frame on which a slip joint can interface and a
feature on said backpack frame's center and beneath said backpack
frame's slip joint interface where a link can be attached; a hip
frame that spans around the user's back to attachment points on the
sides of a hip belt; a slip joint attached to and located at the
center upper position of said hip frame that slides on said
backpack frame's vertical member and allows said hip frame to
rotate in all directions so that the motion of said user isn't
restricted; a link attached to said hip frame, located below said
slip joint, that attaches said hip frame to said backpack frame and
allows said hip frame to rotated in all directions so that the
motion of said user isn't restricted.
2. The hip belt to backpack frame mounting system of claim 1, where
the stabilizing moment on said hip frame from the forces from said
slip joint and said link is larger than the destabilizing moment
imparted on said hip frame by forces from said hip belt so that
said system does not collapse.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Provisional Patent
[0002] Application No.: 62/153,294
[0003] Filling Date: Apr. 27, 2015
[0004] Name of Applicant: Richard Alan Sellers
[0005] Title of Invention: Full motion, Hip Supported, Back Pack
and Frame
[0006] This current application for a nonprovisional patent is for
the same invention as described in the above provisional patent.
The title was changed to better reflect the nature of the
invention.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0007] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, ETC.
[0008] Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention relates generally to backpacks and backpack
frames. More specifically, the invention is a new system for
attaching a hip belt to a backpack frame that allows complete
freedom of motion while supporting backpack frame loads on the
user's hips.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The first backpacks were bags with shoulder straps attached
to them. These backpacks offer freedom of movement but poor load
carrying capability. Frames (internal or external) were added to
distribute load and are sometimes used without a bag to carry odd
shaped items. To increase load carrying capability, hip belts where
added, but with stiff backpacks and backpack frames, this reduces
the freedom of motion of the person carrying the backpack. To
improve the load carrying capability of the hip belt, some backpack
frames extend forward on the bottom so that the hip belts can be
attached to the backpack frames on the sides of the person's body
instead of the back. This further increases the resistance to hip
rotation. To allow easier rotation of the hips, some backpacks
stiffen the hip belt and attach the hip belt to the backpack frame
at its back center position with a rotating pin joint capable of
carrying moment. While freeing hip rotation, this still restricts
twisting and back bending. It is therefore an object of this
invention to connect a hip belt to a backpack frame in a simple
manner that provides complete freedom of motion while carrying
backpack frame loads on the user's hips.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The object of this invention is to connect a hip belt to a
backpack frame in a simple manner that provides complete freedom of
motion while carrying backpack frame loads on the user's hips. This
is accomplished by adding a hip frame that is attached to the sides
of a hip belt and attaching the hip frame at its center to the
backpack frame with a slip joint and link. Besides allowing sliding
motion, the slip joint allows rotation in all directions and the
link allows rotation in all directions at its ends. This invention
allows a user's back to twist and bend and their hips to rotate
while their hips support vertical backpack frame loads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a back-side perspective view of the ideal model of
this invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front-side perspective view of an implementation
of this invention.
[0014] FIG. 3A is a back view of the system implemented in a
backpack design.
[0015] FIG. 3B is a back view that shows the system allowing the
user to rotate their hips.
[0016] FIG. 4A is a side view that shows the system implemented in
a backpack design.
[0017] FIG. 4B is a side view that shows the system allowing the
user to bend their back.
[0018] FIG. 5A is a top view that shows the system implemented in a
backpack design.
[0019] FIG. 5B is a top view that shows the system allowing the
user to twist their back.
[0020] FIG. 6A is a side view free body force diagrams of the
system implemented in a backpack design.
[0021] FIG. 6B shows the side view free body force diagrams of the
individual components.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] This invention is new system for attaching a hip belt to a
backpack frame that allows complete freedom of motion while
supporting the backpack frame loads on the user's hips. An ideal
model of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The new components in
this invention are hip frame 1, link 2 and slip joint 3. Backpack
frame 4 has a minor modification from existing technology (only the
modified portion is shown in FIG. 1) and hip belt 5 is existing
technology without modification. Hip frame 1 is attached to the
sides of hip belt 5. Hip frame 1 is attached to backpack frame 4 by
link 2 at its center bottom location and by slip joint 3 at its
center top location. An implementation of the invention into a
backpack design is shown in FIG. 2.
[0023] This invention allows complete freedom of motion while
supporting the backpack frame loads on the user's hips. The
invention allows user 12's hips to rotate as shown in FIG. 3A and
FIG. 3B and allows user 12's back to bend as shown in FIG. 4A and
FIG. 4B. Furthermore, the invention allows user 12 to twist as
shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.
[0024] The free body force diagrams of the invention implemented
into a backpack design and the free body force diagrams of the
individual invention components are shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B.
The geometry of the system is arranged so that the stabilizing
moment created on hip frame 1 by forces R3 and R4 from link 2 and
slip joint 3 is larger than the destabilizing moment imparted on
hip frame 1 by forces R1 and R2 from hip belt 5 and so keeps the
system from collapsing.
[0025] Hip frame 1 transfers the load from link 2 to the sides of
hip belt 5. Hip frame 1 as shown in an implementation of this
invention in FIG. 2 is made from graphite composite material with a
foam core, however the hip frame is not limited to this material or
configuration.
[0026] Link 2 transfers vertical load from backpack frame 4 to hip
frame 5. Link 2 as shown in FIG. 1 must simulate a tension rod with
spherical bearings on each end that allow free rotation in all
directions sufficient to allow hip rotation plus back twisting and
bending. Link 2 as shown in an implementation of this invention in
FIG. 2 is made of dyneema cord. The flexibility of the cord allows
it to simulate a tension rod with spherical bearings. Link 2 is not
limited to this material or configuration.
[0027] Slip joint 3 is offset from link 2 to provide the moment
capability required to keep the system from collapsing and also
transfers forward and aft loads to hip frame 1. As shown in FIG. 1,
slip joint 3 must simulate a spherical bearing that slides on
backpack frame 4's vertical member. It must allow hip frame 1 to
slide up and down and rotate in all directions relative to backpack
frame 4 sufficient to allow hip rotation plus back twisting and
bending. Slip joint 3 as shown in an implementation of this
invention in FIG. 2 is made of two graphite composite rods with
plastic rub surfaces, one on each side of backpack frame 4, that
are attached to hip frame 1, a plastic rub surface attached to hip
frame 1 and a dyneema cord loop through hip frame 1 and around
backpack frame 4 to hold the joint together. Slip joint 3 is not
limited to these materials or configuration.
[0028] Many existing backpack frame designs can be modified for use
in implementing this invention. Only the modified portion of
backpack frame 4 is shown in FIG. 1. The requirements are that
backpack frame 4 in its lower third, have a near vertical section
on its center where it interfaces with slip joint 3 and a location
below that where link 2 can be attached. Backpack frame 4 as shown
in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2 is made of
graphite composite with acetal copolymer rub surfaces where it
interfaces with slip joint 3. The interface with link 2 is a
graphite composite clip connected by polyester webbing to a
polyester webbing pouch which the bottom of backpack frame 4 slides
into and to which shoulder straps 7 and 8 are attached. Backpack
frame 4 and its attachment provisions for link 2 and slip joint 3
are not limited to these materials or configuration.
[0029] Shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2, but
not new components in backpack design are hip belt 5, positioning
spring 6, shoulder straps 7 and 8, sway straps 9 and 10 and
backpack bag 11.
[0030] Hip belt 5 is designed to attach on its sides to a frame, in
this case hip frame 1. Hip belts like this have been used for over
45 years and are not new to this invention.
[0031] Position spring 6 is used to hold the system in place when
the hip belt is not in use. It lightly pulls hip frame 1 to its
full up position when the hip belt is not fastened on the user,
making it easier to put on the backpack.
[0032] Sway straps 9 and 10 are common on backpacks and help keep
the lower portion of the backpack close to the user and from
swinging around while the user moves. When implementing this
invention in a complete backpack design, the sway straps are
mounted up higher on the backpack and attach to shoulder straps 7
and 8 instead of the hip belt. This allows the backpack to move
with the user's upper body.
[0033] Although the implementation of the invention as show in FIG.
2 is a preferred embodiment of the ideal model of this invention
show in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that many other possible
modifications and variations can be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
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