U.S. patent application number 15/317093 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-13 for adjustable backpack.
The applicant listed for this patent is Granite Gear LLC. Invention is credited to Michael J. Meyer.
Application Number | 20170196345 15/317093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57943675 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170196345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meyer; Michael J. |
July 13, 2017 |
ADJUSTABLE BACKPACK
Abstract
A backpack is provided. The backpack includes, a first shoulder
strap having an attachment end and a distal end, and a second
shoulder strap having an attachment end and a distal end. The
backpack may include a shoulder strap tongue connected with the
attachment end of the first shoulder strap and the attachment end
of the second shoulder strap. The backpack may include a waist
support system including a waist belt including a first section and
a second section. The first section includes a first attachment end
and a first distal end and the second section includes a second
attachment end and a second distal end. A first connection portion
is disposed on the first section at the first attachment end, and a
second connection portion is disposed on the second section at the
second attachment end. The first connection portion is releasably
attached to the second connec tion portion.
Inventors: |
Meyer; Michael J.; (Vernon
Hills, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Granite Gear LLC |
Libertyville |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57943675 |
Appl. No.: |
15/317093 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
August 5, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US16/45835 |
371 Date: |
December 7, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62201440 |
Aug 5, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/122 20130101;
A45F 3/12 20130101; A45F 2003/045 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101;
A45F 3/047 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20060101
A45F003/04; A45F 3/12 20060101 A45F003/12 |
Claims
1. A backpack, comprising: a central compartment; a first shoulder
strap having an attachment end and a distal end; a second shoulder
strap having an attachment end and a distal end; a shoulder strap
tongue being connected with the attachment end of the first
shoulder strap and the attachment end of the second shoulder strap;
and a waist support system, including: a waist belt including a
first section and a second section, the first section including a
first attachment end and a first distal end and the second section
including a second attachment end and a second distal end; a first
connection portion disposed on the first section at the first
attachment end; a second connection portion disposed on the second
section at the second attachment end, the first connection portion
being releasably attached to the second connection portion; and a
belt channel for receiving the waist belt, wherein the belt channel
receives the releasably attached first connection portion and
second connection portion.
2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the first connection portion
includes one of a hook panel and a loop panel, and the second
connection portion includes another of the hook panel and the loop
panel, and wherein indicator marks are provided on one of the first
or second connection portions for adjusting the first section
relative to the second section.
3. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the first section includes an
external connection portion disposed on a side of the first section
opposite a side on which the first connection portion is
disposed.
4. The backpack of claim 3, wherein the belt channel includes a
belt channel connection portion that releasably attaches to the
external connection portion.
5. The backpack of claim 4, wherein the belt channel connection
portion is disposed on an interior surface of the belt channel, and
wherein indicator marks are provided on one of the first or second
connection portions for adjusting the first section relative to the
second section.
6. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the belt channel is disposed on
a rear section of the backpack.
7. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the belt channel is disposed on
a lower section of the backpack.
8. The backpack of claim 7, wherein the belt channel extends across
substantially an entire width of a back pad.
9. A backpack, comprising: a central compartment; a first shoulder
strap having an attachment end and a distal end; a second shoulder
strap having an attachment end and a distal end; a shoulder strap
tongue being connected with the attachment end of the first
shoulder strap and the attachment end of the second shoulder strap;
an attachment sleeve for receiving the shoulder strap tongue;
indicator marks provided on the shoulder strap tongue for adjusting
the shoulder strap tongue relative to the attachment sleeve; a
waist belt including a first section and a second section; and a
belt channel for receiving the waist belt.
10. The backpack of claim 9, wherein a frame sheet is disposed on
one side of the attachment sleeve.
11. The backpack of claim 10, wherein the frame sheet is a rigid
polycarbonate molded frame sheet and further includes a plurality
of frame sheet channels.
12. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the first shoulder strap and
the second shoulder strap include a foam material having multiple
densities.
13. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the shoulder strap tongue
includes one of a hook panel and a loop panel, and the attachment
sleeve includes another of the hook panel and the loop panel.
14. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the shoulder strap tongue
releasably attaches to the attachment sleeve via a sleeve
attachment section.
15. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the shoulder strap tongue
includes numerical indicators associated with the indicator
marks.
16. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the indicator marks are hash
marks embroidered on the shoulder strap tongue.
17. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the shoulder strap tongue
includes a layer of foam material.
18. The backpack of claim 9, wherein one end of a flexible member
attached to the first shoulder strap and another end of the
flexible member attached to the second shoulder strap, and wherein
the one end of the flexible member is releasably attached to the
other end of the flexible member.
19. A backpack, comprising: a central compartment; a waist belt
including a first section and a second section; a belt channel for
receiving the waist belt; a first shoulder strap having an
attachment end and a distal end; a second shoulder strap having an
attachment end and a distal end; a shoulder strap tongue being
connected with the attachment end of the first shoulder strap and
the attachment end of the second shoulder strap; an attachment
sleeve for receiving the shoulder strap tongue; indicator marks
provided on the shoulder strap tongue for adjusting the shoulder
strap tongue relative to the attachment sleeve; and a frame sheet
disposed on one side of the attachment sleeve and including an
aperture therethrough, wherein the first shoulder strap and the
second shoulder strap pass through the aperture when the shoulder
strap tongue is received by the attachment sleeve.
20. The backpack of claim 19, wherein the shoulder strap tongue
releasably attaches to the attachment sleeve, and indicator marks
are provided on the shoulder strap tongue for adjusting the
shoulder strap tongue relative to the attachment sleeve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/201,440, filed Aug. 5, 2015, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to backpacks, and more
particularly, to a backpack with adjustable support features.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Backpacks are generally known in the relevant art. However,
known backpacks may not securely fit to, or be supported by, a
sufficient range of body types, shapes, proportions and sizes. A
poorly-fitting backpack places strain on unintended body parts of a
wearer, and risks injuries to the wearer or damage to the backpack
or its contents. Existing backpacks provide some adjustability, but
the strength, reliability and location of existing adjustable
features do not adequately meet the needs of all backpack wearers.
The need for a proper and adjustable fit may be particularly
significant for a hiking backpack, or a backpack designed for use
in varied environments and terrains. The accessories or integrated
features available on these known backpacks do not adequately
address the above-mentioned issues.
[0004] The present disclosure is provided to address the problems
discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and
aspects not presently provided by known cooking vessels. A full
discussion of the features and advantages of certain preferred
embodiments of the present disclosure is deferred to the following
detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
backpack is provided. The backpack includes a central compartment,
a first shoulder strap having an attachment end and a distal end,
and a second shoulder strap having an attachment end and a distal
end. The backpack includes a shoulder strap tongue connected with
the attachment end of the first shoulder strap and the attachment
end of the second shoulder strap. The backpack may also include a
waist support system. The waist support system includes a waist
belt including a first section and a second section. The first
section includes a first attachment end and a first distal end and
the second section includes a second attachment end and a second
distal end. A first connection portion is disposed on the first
section at the first attachment end, and a second connection
portion is disposed on the second section at the second attachment
end. The first connection portion is releasably attached to the
second connection portion. The backpack may also include a belt
channel for receiving the waist belt, and the belt channel may
receive the releasably attached first connection portion and second
connection portion.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a
backpack is provided. The backpack may include a central
compartment, a first shoulder strap having an attachment end and a
distal end and a second shoulder strap having an attachment end and
a distal end. A shoulder strap tongue may be connected with the
attachment end of the first shoulder strap and the attachment end
of the second shoulder strap. The backpack includes an attachment
sleeve for receiving the shoulder strap tongue, and indicator marks
may be provided on the shoulder strap tongue for adjusting the
shoulder strap tongue relative to the attachment sleeve. The
backpack may also include a waist belt including a first section
and a second section, and a belt channel for receiving the waist
belt.
[0007] According to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a backpack is provided. The backpack may include a
central compartment and a waist belt including a first section and
a second section. The backpack may further include a belt channel
for receiving the waist belt, a first shoulder strap having an
attachment end and a distal end and a second shoulder strap having
an attachment end and a distal end. A shoulder strap tongue is
connected with the attachment end of the first shoulder strap and
the attachment end of the second shoulder strap. The backpack may
also include an attachment sleeve for receiving the shoulder strap
tongue, and indicator marks may be provided on the shoulder strap
tongue for adjusting the shoulder strap tongue relative to the
attachment sleeve. A frame sheet may be disposed on one side of the
attachment sleeve and include an aperture therethrough. The first
shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap may pass through the
aperture when the shoulder strap tongue is received by the
attachment sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The following figures are included to illustrate certain
aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as
exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of
considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and
equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope
of this disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a backpack according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of the backpack of FIG. 1 according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a rear view of a backpack and a waist belt, with
certain hidden elements shown in dotted lines, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 4A is a side view of a backpack, showing a portion of a
waist belt, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4B is a side view of the backpack of FIG. 4A according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of a waist belt according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a waist belt according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of first and second
sections of a waist belt according to an embodiment the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view of a backpack with
portions of a main body broken away and illustrating elements of a
waist support system and a shoulder support system, according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view of a backpack with
portions of a main body broken away and illustrating elements of a
waist support system and a shoulder support system, wherein a
shoulder strap tongue is received by a sleeve, according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a front view of a back pad according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a front view of a frame sheet according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side view of the frame sheet of FIG. 10
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a backpack with a shoulder
support system, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of a backpack with a shoulder
support system, wherein a shoulder strap tongue is received by a
sleeve, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail embodiments of the disclosure with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not
intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosure to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0025] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a backpack 10.
The backpack 10 includes a main body 14 having a central
compartment 18 and various secondary compartments 22. These
features are best illustrated in FIGS. 1-4B. The central
compartment 18 may be a cavity formed within the main body 14 and
may be accessed through a selectively closable opening 24. The
opening 24 may be selectively opened and closed via a zipper, clip,
drawstring, clasp, buckle or any other mechanical closing and/or
attaching device commonly known to those skilled in the art.
[0026] The main body 14 may include an external sleeve 26 for
storing items within the external sleeve 26, and the main body 14
may further include an external holder 30 for supporting various
items that releasably attach to the external holder 30. In an
embodiment, the external sleeve 26 is configured to hold a vessel
for storing liquids. In another embodiment, the external holder 30
comprises a continuous loop. In yet another embodiment, the
external holder 30 comprises separable sections that may be
attached while disposed around, or through an aperture of, a
supported item.
[0027] Each of the backpack 10, main body 14, central compartment
18, secondary compartment 22, external sleeve 26, external holder
30 and other elements described below may be formed of cotton
canvas, leather, nylon, rip-stop nylon, pack cloth nylon, Cordura
nylon, polyester pack cloth, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) fabric,
elastane, Spectra, Dyneema, mesh or any other type of flexible
material commonly known by those skilled in the art. In practice,
the backpack 10 may be worn on the back of a wearer (not shown) and
used to carry various items within, or on the exterior of, the
backpack 10 using the above-mentioned central compartment 18,
secondary compartment 22, external sleeve 26 and/or external holder
30.
[0028] The backpack 10 includes a waist support system 34 having a
waist belt 38, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 4A and 5-8B. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, the waist belt 38 includes a first
section 42, a first attachment end 46, a first distal end 50 and a
first connection portion 54. Similarly, the waist belt 38 includes
a second section 58, a second attachment end 62, a second distal
end 66 and a second connection portion 70. The first section 42
and/or the second section 58 may include a belt compartment 78 for
internally storing various items. Further, a belt coupler 74 may be
used to releasably couple the first distal end 50 to the second
distal end 66, and may comprise a side-release buckle, among other
mechanical fasteners known to those skilled in the art.
[0029] The first connection portion 54 is disposed on the first
attachment end 46 and the second connection portion 70 may be
disposed on the second attachment end 62. The first connection
portion 54 may releasably attached to the second connection portion
70. In one embodiment, the first connection portion 54 and the
second connection portion 70 have corresponding hook-and-loop
panels that releasably attach when placed into contact with each
other, or when placed into contact with each other and relatively
pressed together with a force. When releasably attached to one
another, the first connection portion 54 and the second connection
portion 70 remain attached until a sufficient degree of a
separating force is applied to one or both of the first connection
portion 54 and the second connection portion 70 in directions that
induce the first connection portion 54 and the second connection
portion 70 away from each other. The direction of such a separating
force may be, with respect to the first connection portion 54 and
the second connection portion 70, directly away from each other
when releasably attached, or in another direction that induces the
separation of the first connection portion 54 and the second
connection portion 70.
[0030] One or more of the first and second connection portions 54,
70 may include indicator marks 82 used for relative placement and
attachment of the first and second sections 42, 58, and thus for
waist belt 38 sizing. The indicator marks 82 may include hash marks
86, and may further include numerical indicators 88. In one
embodiment, each numerical indicator 88 corresponds with one hash
mark 86. In another non-limiting embodiment, the numerical
indicators 88 may range from `28` to `40` in two-number increments,
although it is to be understood that other ranges and intervals are
certainly within the scope of this disclosure. In another
embodiment, the indicator marks 82, hash marks 86 and/or the
numerical indicators 88 are embroidered on the first and/or second
connection portions 54, 70.
[0031] One or more of the first and second connection portions 54,
70 may include an external connection portion 92, as best shown in
FIG. 6. The external connection portion 92 may be disposed on an
opposite side of the first section 42 than is the first connection
portion 54 and/or the external connection portion 92 may disposed
on an opposite side of the second section 58 than is the second
connection portion 70. Further, the external connection portion 92
may be disposed at the first attachment end 46 and/or the second
attachment end 62.
[0032] The backpack 10 may include a belt channel 96. The belt
channel 96 may be disposed at a lower and/or rear side of the
backpack 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B. The waist belt 38 may be
inserted into the belt channel 96. In an embodiment, the
releasably-attached first section 42 and second section 58 are
inserted into, and disposed within, the belt channel 96. When worn
by a user and inserted into the belt channel 96, backpack 10 weight
is comfortably and securely transferred to the user via the belt
channel 96 and the waist belt 38. Additionally, the belt channel 96
may include a belt channel connection portion 100 disposed on the
interior of the belt channel 96. The belt channel connection
portion 100 may releasably attach with the external connection
portion 92 on the waist belt 38 to releasably secure the waist belt
38 relative to the belt channel 96.
[0033] In one embodiment, the belt channel connection portion 100
and the external connection portion 92 have corresponding
hook-and-loop panels that releasably attach when placed into
contact with each other, or when placed into contact with each
other and relatively pressed together with a force. When releasably
attached to one another, the belt channel connection portion 100
and the external connection portion 92 remain attached until a
sufficient degree of a separating force is applied in a direction
that induces the external connection portion 92 and the belt
channel connection portion 100 away from each other. The direction
of such a separating force may be, with respect to the belt channel
connection portion 100 and the external connection portion 92,
directly away from each other when releasably attached, or in
another direction that induces the separation of the external
connection portion 92 and the belt channel connection portion
100.
[0034] In use, a wearer may arrange the waist belt 38 such that the
waist belt 38 is disposed around a waist of the wearer, and passes
through the belt channel 96. First and second sections 42, 58 may
be connected by the belt coupler 74 and releasably coupled at the
first and second connection portions 54, 70 to form a substantially
continuous waist belt 38. Such a waist support system 34 allows the
user to properly size the waist belt using the indicator marks 82,
and further allows load from the weight of the backpack 10, and any
items carried therein, to be entirely or partially borne by the
waist of the wearer. Thus, the waist support system 34 can
facilitate proper and secure adjustment of the waist belt 38 on the
wearer and further secures the waist belt 38 relative to the belt
channel 96 via the external connection portion 92 and the belt
channel connection portion 100 to ensure stability and comfort. If
a wearer desires another waist support system 34 setting as
indicated by the indicator marks 82, the user may detach the first
connection portion 54 from the second connection portion 70 and
begin the process again.
[0035] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the
backpack 10 includes a sleeve 104 partially formed by a rear panel
108 of the main body 14. A sleeve panel 112 may be connected to the
rear panel 108 along various sides of the sleeve panel 112 to form
the sleeve 104. In particular, a bottom edge and two lateral edges
of the sleeve panel 112 may be connected to the rear panel 108,
while an upper edge of the sleeve panel 112 may not be connected to
the rear panel 108, thus forming the sleeve 104. The sleeve panel
112 may also include multiple fabric layers and an interior foam
layer. An interior side of the sleeve panel 112, or a side of the
sleeve panel 112 facing the rear panel 108, may include a sleeve
attachment section 116, which will be described in detail
below.
[0036] A frame sheet 120 is disposed on an opposite side of the
sleeve panel 112 from a side of the sleeve panel 112 including the
sleeve attachment section 116. The frame sheet 120 may be a molded
rigid structure formed of plastic, polycarbonate, metal, wood,
ceramic or any other suitably rigid structure. The frame sheet 120
may include an aperture 124 and grooves 128. The grooves 128 may
add structural strength and/or flexibility to select sections of
the frame sheet 120. The frame sheet 120 may also be connected, or
releasably connected, to the main body 14. Further, as shown in
FIG. 11, a side of the frame sheet 120 may comprise an `S` shape,
or another shape, that corresponds to spinal shape of a wearer.
[0037] A back pad 132 is disposed on an opposite side of the frame
sheet 120 from a frame sheet side disposed adjacent to the sleeve
panel 112, such that the frame sheet 120 is disposed substantially
between the back pad 132 and the sleeve panel 112. The back pad 132
may include one or more back pad apertures 136, and may serve to
comfort the wearer by at least partially conforming to the wearer's
back when the backpack 10 is being worn by the wearer. Similar to a
side of the frame sheet 120, a side of the back pad 132 may
comprise an `S` shape, or another shape, that corresponds to a
spinal shape of a wearer.
[0038] The backpack 10 may further include a shoulder support
system 148, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-12B. In one embodiment, the
shoulder support system 148 includes a first shoulder strap 152,
which comprises a first shoulder strap distal end 156 and a first
shoulder strap attachment end 160. Similarly, the shoulder support
system 148 also includes a second shoulder strap 164, which
comprises a second shoulder strap distal end 168 and a second
shoulder strap attachment end 170. The first and second shoulder
straps 152, 164 may include a foam material and further may include
a foam material having a plurality of densities or a plurality of
foam materials each having a different density.
[0039] As best shown in FIG. 12A a shoulder strap tongue 174 may be
attached to the first shoulder strap attachment end 160 and the
second shoulder strap attachment end 170. The shoulder strap tongue
174 may include a shoulder attachment section 178. Tongue indicator
marks 182, which may be tongue hash marks 186, may be disposed on
the shoulder strap tongue 174 or the shoulder attachment section
178 and used for relative placement and releasable attachment of
the shoulder strap tongue 174 and the sleeve attachment section
116. Further, the tongue indicator marks 182 may include tongue
numerical indicators 190. In one embodiment, each tongue numerical
indicator 190 corresponds with one tongue hash mark 186. In another
non-limiting embodiment, the tongue numerical indicators 190 may
range from `18` to `22` in one-number increments, although it is to
be understood that other ranges and intervals are certainly within
the scope of this disclosure. In another embodiment, the tongue
indicator marks 182, tongue hash marks 186 and/or the tongue
numerical indicators 190 are embroidered on the shoulder attachment
section 178. The shoulder strap tongue 174 may comprise a layer of
foam material between layers of fabric material.
[0040] The shoulder strap tongue 174 may releasably attached to the
sleeve attachment section 116. In one embodiment, the shoulder
strap tongue 174, or shoulder attachment section 178, and the
sleeve attachment section 116 have corresponding hook-and-loop
panels that releasably attach when placed into contact with each
other, or when placed into contact with each other and relatively
pressed together with a force. When releasably attached to one
another, the shoulder attachment section 178 and the sleeve
attachment section 116 remain attached until a sufficient degree of
a separating force is applied to one or both of the shoulder
attachment section 178 and the sleeve attachment section 116 in
directions that induce the shoulder attachment section 178 and the
sleeve attachment section 116 away from each other. The direction
of such a separating force may be, with respect to the shoulder
attachment section 178 and the sleeve attachment section 116,
directly away from each other when releasably attached, or in
another direction that induces the separation of the shoulder
attachment section 178 and the sleeve attachment section 116.
[0041] In use, a wearer may select a preferred shoulder support
system 148 size, as indicated by the tongue indicator marks 182.
Such a preferred size can be obtained by external measurement or by
prior experiences wearing the backpack 10. Once the preferred
shoulder support system 148 size is selected, the wearer inserts
the shoulder strap tongue 174 into the sleeve 104. In an
embodiment, the shoulder strap tongue 174 is inserted into the
sleeve 104 such that the shoulder attachment section 178 is facing
the sleeve attachment section 116 disposed on the sleeve panel 112.
The wearer then aligns the selected tongue indicator mark 182 with
a pre-determined reference position, which may an upper edge of the
sleeve panel 112. The wearer then places the shoulder attachment
section 178 into contact with the sleeve attachment section 116.
Optionally, the user may further apply a force pressing the sleeve
attachment section 116 and the shoulder attachment section 178
together. If a wearer desires another shoulder support system 148
setting as indicated by the tongue indicator marks 182, the user
may detach the sleeve attachment section 116 from the shoulder
attachment section 178 and begin the process again.
[0042] When the user inserts the shoulder strap tongue 174 into the
sleeve 104, or when the sleeve attachment section 116 is releasably
attached to the shoulder attachment section 178, the first shoulder
strap 152 and the second shoulder strap 164 may pass through the
aperture 124. This arrangement is best shown in FIG. 12B.
[0043] As best shown in FIG. 12A, one end 194 of a flexible member
196 may be attached to the first shoulder strap 152 and a second
end 198 of the flexible member 196 may be attached to the second
shoulder strap 164. The one end 194 of the flexible member 196 may
be releasably attached to the second end 198 of the flexible member
196.
[0044] Such a shoulder support system 148 allows the wearer to
properly size the shoulder support system 148 and first and second
shoulder straps 152, 164 using the tongue indicator marks 182, and
further allows load from the weight of the backpack 10, and any
items carried therein, to be entirely or partially borne by the
shoulders of the wearer. Thus, the shoulder support system 148
allows proper and secure adjustment of the first and second
shoulder straps 152, 164 on the wearer and releasably secures the
shoulder attachment section 178 to the main body 14 via the sleeve
attachment section 116 to ensure stability and user comfort.
[0045] The disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain
the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are
inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are
illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may
be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners
apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the
teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the
details of construction or design herein shown, other than as
described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the
particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered,
combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within
the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods
illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the
absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein
and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions
and methods are described in terms of "comprising," "containing,"
or "including" various components or steps, the compositions and
methods can also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the
various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed
above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a
lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any
included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed.
In particular, every range of values (of the form, "from about a to
about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or,
equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be
understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within
the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have
their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and
clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles
"a" or "an," as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one
or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any
conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and
one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated
herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this
specification should be adopted.
[0046] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" preceding a
series of items, with the terms "and" or "or" to separate any of
the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of
the list (i.e., each item). The phrase "at least one of" allows a
meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or
at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one
of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases "at least one
of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" each refer to only
A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at
least one of each of A, B, and C.
* * * * *