U.S. patent application number 16/751546 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for ruck strap.
The applicant listed for this patent is SUL. LLC. Invention is credited to Jason Cooper.
Application Number | 20210145154 16/751546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004794075 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210145154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper; Jason |
May 20, 2021 |
Ruck Strap
Abstract
This disclosure includes an apparatus and method for using a
ruck strap. The ruck strap includes a first portion defining a
strap portion and a second portion defining a handle portion. The
ruck strap can be attached to a rucksack by one or more attachment
means.
Inventors: |
Cooper; Jason; (Conroe,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SUL. LLC |
Conroe |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004794075 |
Appl. No.: |
16/751546 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29713724 |
Nov 18, 2019 |
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16751546 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/047 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20060101
A45F003/04 |
Claims
1. A ruck strap comprising: A first length of strap attachable to a
ruck strap by a first attachment means and a second length of strap
comprising a handle.
2. The ruck strap of claim 1, wherein a loop defines the second
length of strap.
3. The ruck strap of claim 2, wherein a handle is disposed on the
second length of strap.
4. The ruck strap of claim 3, further comprising a second connector
forming the loop of the second length of strap.
5. The ruck strap of claim 4, further comprising one or more
adjustment buckles.
6. The ruck strap of claim 1, wherein the length of the first
length of strap is adjustable.
7. A ruck strap comprising: an extendable strap and a loop portion;
a first connector; and an attachment connectable to a rucksack.
8. The ruck strap of claim 7, further comprising a second connector
having a first part and a second part, wherein the first part of
the second connector is disposed on the extendable strap and a
first position and the second port of the second connector and
wherein when the first part and the second part of the second
connector are connected to one another, the loop portion is
created.
9. The ruck strap of claim 7, further comprising one or more
adjustment buckles in the extendable strap or the loop portion.
10. The ruck strap of claim 7, further comprising a handle disposed
on the loop portion.
11. The ruck strap of claim 7, wherein the first connector
removably attaches the extendable strap to the attachment.
12. The ruck strap of claim 7, wherein the attachment connects the
ruck strap to a loop on the ruck strap.
13. A ruck strap comprising: an extendable strap and a loop
portion; a first attachment means; a handle disposed on the loop
portion; and one or more adjustment buckles disposed on the
extendable strap.
14. The ruck strap of claim 13, further comprising one or more
adjustment buckles disposed in the loop portion.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application hereby claims priority to, U.S. design
patent application having the application Ser. No. 29/713,724,
filed on Nov. 18, 2019. Accordingly, all disclosures made in the
Ser. No. 29/713,724 design patent application are hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a ruck strap. Though
its use spans several industries, this ruck strap is related to
alternative methods of carrying a pack or backpack.
GENERAL BACKGROUND
[0003] For centuries, bags, packs, and backpacks have been used to
carry loads of equipment short and long distances. A backpack is
generally a pack having two shoulder straps and optional padded hip
belt and/or chest strap. A ruck, or rucksack, is essentially a
large, rugged backpack for holding heavy loads and accommodating a
more substantial amount of gear than a backpack. Though the terms
"backpack" and "rucksack" are generally interchangeable, one
commonly accepted distinction is that "rucksack" tends to be a term
more commonly used in a military application, and rucksacks also
tend to have a main entry point at the top of the pack which is
normally tied or cinched closed. The terms "pack," "ruck,"
"backpack," and "rucksack" are used interchangeably herein.
[0004] In certain contexts, for instance military, camping, hiking,
backpacking, and hitchhiking, heavy rucksacks are carried on the
user's back for long distances, often miles at a time. The shoulder
straps of the rucksack create downward force on the user's
shoulders. For rucksacks having a hip belt, the hip belt allows the
user to offload the largest part of the rucksack's (up to about
90%) onto padded hip belt, leaving the shoulder straps to stabilize
the load. Despite the advantages of a hip belt, a user's body may
still become fatigued and sore such that the user needs to shift
the load. Therefore, a need exists for a ruck strap system that
offers alternative means of distributing the load of a
rucksack.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides a ruck strap system and
method for using the ruck straps. The ruck strap system can include
one or more ruck straps for attaching to a rucksack or other load
to provide an alternative means for carrying the load. The ruck
strap generally includes a connector, an extendable strap, and a
handle portion. The connector can be configured to attached to a
pack in a manner to allow the ruck strap to be used to bear some or
all the weight of the rucksack.
[0006] In one aspect of the disclosure, the ruck strap can include
an adaptable strap to provide means for users of all sizes and
strengths to comfortable use each ruck strap. The adjustability and
adaptability of each ruck strap provides substantial benefits to
each user.
[0007] In another aspect of the disclosure, the ruck strap can be
used as an alternative means of bearing the load, so as to allow
for transferring a portion or all of the weight away from another
load hearing strap(s). The ruck strap can be positioned at one or
more of several possible contact points on the rucksack, preferably
at a contact point suitable to advantage the user's needs for
shifting the weight of the rucksack from other contact points.
[0008] Additional aspects of the ruck strap disclosed herein can
include methods of making and using the same in accordance with the
foregoing aspects, It should also be noted that the ruck strap
further encompasses the various possible combinations of the
aspects and features disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary
implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated
implementations are proffered for purpose of example, not for
purpose of limitation.
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a ruck strap, as
shown and described herein.
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of a ruck strap, as
shown and described herein.
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts ruck straps in a context of use, as shown and
described herein.
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts ruck straps in a context of use, as shown and
described herein.
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts ruck straps in a context of use, as shown and
described herein.
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts ruck straps in a context of use, as shown and
described herein.
[0016] FIG. 7 depicts ruck straps in a context of use, as shown and
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] This disclosure includes an individual ruck strap, a ruck
strap system using a plurality of ruck straps, and a method for
using one or more ruck straps. Though not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
each ruck strap is configured to attach, in some way, to a
rucksack. As such, a "rucksack" is generally referred to for
purposes of describing the purpose of use of the ruck strap; as
previously described, "a rucksack" or "the rucksack" disclosed
herein should be interpreted broadly to include any one of a pack,
backpack, or rucksack of any kind. FIG. 1 depicts a front
perspective view of a ruck strap 10 and FIG. 2 depicts a rear
perspective view of the ruck strap 10. An individual ruck strap 10
can include a first length strap 12, a loop or gripping portion 14,
and a connector 22, and/or an attachment means for attaching the
ruck strap 10 to the target rucksack. As shown, the ruck strap 10
can include a first connector 22 at a first end of the ruck strap
10, primarily at the first end of the first length 12. The ruck
strap can also include an attachment 18 to assist connecting the
ruck strap 10 to a rucksack.
[0018] The connector 22 can include a first portion 22a connected
directly to the ruck strap 10 and a second portion 22b, or receiver
portion, attached directly to a rucksack such that the ruck strap
10 is connected to the rucksack by connecting the first portion of
the connector 22a to the second portion of the connector 22b. In at
least one embodiment, the attachment 18 can include a strap portion
and the second portion of the connector 22b. The strap portion can
be connected directly to the rucksack and the second portion of the
connector 22b can readily receive the first portion of the
connector 22a for connecting the ruck strap 10 to the rucksack.
[0019] The gripping portion 14, or second length strap, of the ruck
strap 10 includes a length of the strap for a user to grip the ruck
strap 10 for handling. As shown, the gripping portion 14 includes a
loop of strap having a handle 26 disposed thereon. The handle 26
can include a separate elongated piece of material, usually plastic
or rubber, having the strap run through the center portion thereof,
such that the handle 26 can slide around the loop to provide
adjustable positioning. In another embodiment, the handle 26 can be
more permanently fixed at a predetermined position in the loop
14.
[0020] The gripping portion 14 can also include an adjustable strap
section such that it can be adjusted by the user. As shown, when
the gripping portion 14 is a loop, the ruck strap 10 can include a
second connector 24 configured to attach a distal end of the strap
to a predetermined contact point to form the loop. A first portion
of the connector 24a can be disposed on the ruck strap 10 at a
first position and a second portion of the connector 24b can be
disposed at or about the distal end of the second length 14 such
that when the first and second portions 24a, 24b are connected to
one another, a loop is formed. Similar to the first length 12 of
the ruck strap 10, the second length 14 can be adjustable. For
example, the length of the strap making the loop 14 can be adjusted
to increase or decrease the size of the loop 14.
[0021] The ruck strap 10 can include one or more adjustment buckles
28a-c (three are shown). An adjustment buckle can be disposed on
any portion of the strap to provide a means for adjusting the
length of that portion of the strap. As shown, a first adjustment
buckle 28a can be disposed in the extendable strap 12 such that the
strap 12 can loop through the first part of the first connector 22a
and its length adjusted by securing the strap with the first
adjustable buckle 28a. A second and/or third adjustment buckle 28b,
28c can be disposed on the ruck strap 10 at a position in the loop
14, or second length of strap, such that the length, or size, or
the loop can be increased or decreased.
[0022] In any embodiment, one or more ruck straps can be used with,
or attached to, a rucksack. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict attachment means
for connecting a ruck strap to a rucksack 62. As shown in FIG. 3, a
rucksack 62 can include one or more accessory loops 64 on or about
the top portion or top surface of the rucksack 62. An attachment 18
can be attached to the rucksack 62 at the accessory loop 64. As
shown, a first attachment 18a can attach to a first accessory loop
64a about a right side of the top surface of the rucksack 62.
Similarly, a second attachment 18b can attached to a second
accessory loop 64b about a left side of the top surface of the
rucksack 62.
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of attachment means
for connecting a ruck strap to a rucksack 62'. A rucksack 62'
having a single loop 66 about its top surface is common for many
packs used by backpackers and military infantry. As shown, one or
more attachments 18a, 18b can be attached to the single loop
66.
[0024] FIGS. 5 through 7 depict a method of using a two ruck strap
system. With the first end of each ruck strap 10a, 10b connected to
one or more accessory loops or handles about the top surface of the
ruck strap, the length of each ruck strap 10a, 10b can extend over
the shoulders of the user, as shown, one over each shoulder of the
user. In this configuration, the user can grip, control, and use
one ruck strap 10a, 10b with each hand. As shown in FIG. 6, the
user can use the ruck straps 10a, 10b to rest his arms in the loops
of the ruck straps.
[0025] FIG. 7 depicts another method for using the ruck strap(s)
10a, 10b, with the ruck straps 10a, 10b attached to the loop 66 of
the ruck strap 62' (as shown in FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 7, the
user can extend one or both of his hands/arms upwards or outwards
to take on all or a portion of the weight of the rucksack 62'. More
specifically, the user can grip the handle 26 of a ruck strap 10
and user his arms strength to relieve the downward force/weight the
rucksack 62' is otherwise placing on the user's shoulders, back,
and hips. By lifting up on the ruck straps 10a, 10b, the user is
able to displace several pounds of weight to provide relief to
fatigued muscles and has the ability to shift the pack during a
trek.
[0026] This option is especially beneficial to military personnel
taking part in a hike, march, or jog, who are prohibited from
removing their rucksacks during the activity. After a long day of
marching, hiking, or running, the ruck straps 10a, 10b can be used
to safely and securely remove the rucksack from the user's back.
The user can unclip the chest strap and hip belt, gripping the ruck
strap 10a and extend his arm upwards raising the rucksack 62', and
using his other hand to move the rucksack to his side or front to
safely lower the rucksack to the ground.
Example Detailed Embodiment and Method of Use
[0027] The following description is one embodiment of the ruck
strap described above. The ruck straps retro fit kit is designed
from one small strip of 1-inch nylon webbing, one 1-inch ladder
lock buckle, one 1-inch tri-glide slide and one 1-inch side release
quick release buckle (this is the female end of the buckle). Two of
these fully assembled units comprise the total retrofit kit. The
retrofit kit assembles onto the top loading handle of any internal
frame ruck, backpack, or book bag. The ruck straps retrofit kit can
also be assembled onto the top external frame of an external frame
backpacking backpack or top frame of a hunter's deer stand or
hunter meat packing/meat carrying pack board.
[0028] Though the description is toward a single ruck strap,
typically the greatest benefit to the user comes when he uses them
in pairs. As such, the total ruck strap kit is a unit of two
separate, assembled straps, and two separate assembled retrofit
straps.
[0029] One assembled ruck strap is designed from 1-inch flat
webbing. The top of the webbing has a 1-inch side release quick
release buckle that is the male end of the buckle. The webbing is
belted through the 1-inch side release quick release buckle as
designed. The remaining tail of the 1-inch flat webbing is secured
by a 1-inch tri-glide webbing glide. The 1-inch tri-glide is snug
against the inferior end of the male 1-inch side release quick
release buckle. The top end of this strap is the end that attaches
to the female ended retro fit quick detach kit.
[0030] Moving down the strap from the top is a forward facing
1-inch side release, quick release buckle. This is a male end. This
1-inch side release, quick release buckle was belted into the
1-inch flat webbing prior to the assembly of the top 1-inch side
release, quick release male end buckle. Under this midline, male
end buckle is a 1-inch tri-glide that serves as a "lock" to prevent
unwanted advancement of the "loop handle" end down the straps when
the "loop end" is fully assembled and the straps are in backpacking
use. Continuing down the "loop handle" end of the strap is a
tubular 1-inch diameter cylinder, or handle. This serves as a grab
for the loop handled end of the straps.
[0031] Just past the 1-inch tubular cylinder is a 1-inch, side
release, quick release buckle. This is the female end and serves as
the quick detach portion of the complete "loop handle" end of the
ruck straps. It connects to the midline 1-inch quick-detach
side-release male buckle previously described. The 1-inch flat
webbing is belted through the 1-inch quick-detach, side release
buckle as designed. The remaining webbing tail at the end of the
loop handle is secured with an additional 1-inch tri-glide slide.
The 1-inch tri-glide slide is snug against the female end 1-inch
quick detach, side release buckle to prevent unwanted advancement
of the "webbing tail." This locks the unit.
[0032] To attach one ruck strap handle to a backpack, ruck, deer
stand, or other back carried bag, the top male end side release
quick release buckle is connected to the female end of the retrofit
kit. The ruck strap now hangs free. The "loop handle" is complete
to the very bottom end (1-inch side release, quick release buckle
female end) is locked/connected to the midline male end 1-inch side
release, quick detach buckle. Following the same procedure enables
one to have both ruck straps engaged (both left and right).
[0033] The ruck straps stow while moving/walking by disconnecting
the "loop handle" assembly. Disconnect the female 1-inch side
release, quick release buckle, away from the male end. Feed the
female end under the backpack/ruck hip belt and back around. Adjust
the height of the male end 1-inch side release quick release buckle
so that it meets the female end that is now looping under the hip
belt. Connect the male end and female end.
[0034] Performing this on both ruck straps creates a suspender type
apparatus while the ruck straps are not in use. They are in use
storage mode. To redeploy the ruck straps from their stowed
position, unbuckle the female ends, feed them back through under
the hip belt and reconnect them to their respective midline male
ends.
[0035] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to specific details and embodiments, it is not intended
that such description be regarded as limitations on the scope of
the apparatus. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in
the art will be able to devise numerous alternative arrangements
that, while not shown or described herein, embody the principles of
the disclosure and thus are within its spirit and scope.
* * * * *