CA2518127C

CA2518127C - Backpack

Info

Publication number: CA2518127C
Application number: CA002518127A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Emran Sheikh
Original assignee: HEYS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Current assignee: HEYS INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date: 2005-09-02
Filing date: 2005-09-02
Publication date: 2008-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-02
Also published as: CA2518127A1

Abstract

A backpack for carrying a laptop computer includes a backpack body within which is provided a laptop storage compartment. The storage compartment includes padded walls extending along each side and across the bottom, top, front, and back, and has at least one access opening located on one of the left and right side walls of the storage compartment.

Description

TITLE: BACKPACK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a backpack, and more particularly to a backpack with a laptop storage compartment for use in carrying a laptop computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As laptop computers have become increasingly popular, there is a need for a more convenient carrying case design. Some known backpacks are provided with a laptop storage compartment that is generally defined by, or contained within, the main storage compartment of the backpack and can be reached only through an access opening provided in a top panel of the main storage compartment. Other known backpack designs may provide a laptop storage compartment with a unique access opening therefor, but such unique access openings are generally also positioned at an upper, top panel thereof.

[0003] Prior art carrying cases and backpacks with laptop storage compartments are also known to be lined with padded walls. However, the padded walls may not provide adequate protection from some types of external impact, such as straight vertical drops.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a backpack that can provide improved accessibility for loading and unloading a laptop computer in and from the backpack. The backpack can also provide improved impact protection for a laptop stored therein, particularly against vertical drops.
The backpack of the present invention can also provide improved comfort for a person wearing the backpack, for example, by relieving back-stress and neck tension.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a backpack that has a backpack body defining at least one laptop storage compartment. The laptop storage compartment includes padded walls extending along each side and across the top, front, and back. The laptop storage compartment has at least one access opening located on the side face of said backpack. The backpack includes a pair of adjustable shoulder straps connected to the backpack body for supporting the backpack on a wearer's back. The laptop storage compartment may further include a removable padded bottom block extending along the bottom of said laptop storage compartment.

[0006] Further aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show some examples of the present invention, and in which:

[0008] Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing one embodiment of a backpack of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the backpack of Figure 1;

[0010] Figure 3 is a left side view of the backpack of Figure 1;

[0011] Figure 4 is a back view of the backpack of Figure 1 with the shoulder straps removed for clarity;

[0012] Figure 5a is a partially exploded perspective view of the backpack of Figure 1 showing additional features in greater detail;

[0013] Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view of the backpack of 5a taken along the lines 5b - 5b; and [0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a laptop computer being loaded into the backpack of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a backpack 10 in accordance with the present invention for use in carrying a laptop computer. The backpack 10 has a body 12 that is generally defined by six faces: a back-facing (or "back") face 40, away-facing (or "front") face 42, top face 44, bottom face 46, and two side faces 48 and 50. The back-facing face 40 and the away-facing face 42 are generally in spaced-apart opposing relation, as are the top face 44 and bottom face 46, and the side faces 48, 50. The side faces 48 and 50 extend between opposing left and right edges of the back and front faces 40, 42, respectively, and the top and bottom faces 44, 46 extend between opposing top and bottom edges of the back and front faces 40, 42, respectively to thereby define a generally rectangular-paralleopiped shape having an enclosed interior volume or space 13.

[0016] Each of the faces 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 can be of a dual-layer construction, having respective outer shells 40a, 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a, and 50a (also generally referred to herein as outer shell 15) and inner lining 40b, 42b, 44b, 46b, 48b, and 50b, (also generally referred to herein as inner lining 17). The outer shell 15 and inner lining 17 of the faces 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 comprising the backpack 10 can be made from a fabric material, and can include a combination of PVC, polyester, and nylon. Further, in between the outer shell 15 and inner lining 17 of the faces 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 comprising the backpack 10, an inner layer of foam or other padded material can be provided to provide the contents contained within the backpack body 12 some protection from external impact.

[0017] The backpack body 12 is, in the embodiment illustrated, provided with multiple separate storage compartments 19, some of which are within the interior space 13 and some of which are exterior of the interior space 13. In the embodiment illustrated, the storage compartments 19 include a main storage compartment 20 and a laptop storage compartment 22.
Auxiliary storage compartments 24 may also be attached or contained within the away-facing face 42 and two side faces 48 and 50 of the backpack 10.

[0018] Within the backpack body 12, the various compartments 19 can be separated from each other, for example by walls of padded material such as foam. It is possible that the backpack body 12 does not contain a separate main storage compartment 20 and a separate laptop storage compartment 22, and instead, the two compartments are integrated into one.

[0019] The bottom face 46 of the backpack 10 can include a lower brace panel in the form of a thin protective padding made from a semi-rigid material, thereby providing structural support for the backpack 10 and for the load carried within the backpack 10. The lower brace panel can facilitate enabling the backpack 10 to sit upright on a flat surface, such as on a table, a chair, or the floor. The lower brace panel can also help to allow items, especially those with a flat surface, to sit upright or lay flat against the inner surface of the bottom face 46 of the backpack 10.

[0020] The top face 44 of the backpack 10 is, in the illustrated embodiment, provided with a carrier handle 18 attached thereto, providing an alternate means for a user to carry the backpack 10, or alternatively, for hanging the backpack 10 on a hook or the like. The carrier handle 18 can be secured to the top face 44 of the backpack 10 by means such as stitching rivets or buckles, and can be oriented generally laterally across the top face 44 of the backpack 10, extending in a direction running from one side face 48 to the other side face 50. The carrier handle 18 is preferably made of a padded material shaped to be comfortably grasped by the hand of a user.

[0021] In the embodiment illustrated, the top face 44 of the backpack 10 has an access opening 30, which can be releasably closed by closure means such as a zipper. The access opening 30 generally extends across the top face 44 and partially down the side faces 48 and 50 of the backpack 10, and provides access to the main storage compartment 20. The main storage compartment 20 is adapted to provide storage space for larger generally impact-resistant or unbreakable items, such as books and binders.
Additional storage pockets for smaller items may be provided on the inside wall of the main storage compartment 20.

_5-[0022] The away-facing face 42 of the backpack 10 may have attached thereto a series of auxiliary storage compartments 24. The auxiliary storage compartments 24 can be accessed through access openings 34, which can be secured by closure means such as a zipper. One of the auxiliary compartments 24 may be a portable media compartment, which may feature a rubber ear-phone portal (not shown) for easy access to headphones from the away-facing face 42 of the backpack 10, as well as a means to keep the wires of the headphones of the portable media player untangled. Another one of the auxiliary compartments 24 can be an organizational compartment, to provide a number of smaller storage pockets for the storage of various school, business, and computer accessories, including items such as keys, pens, pencils, cell-phones, PDAs, etc.

[0023] The top face 44 and away-facing face 42 of the backpack 10 can be formed of a single piece of fabric material, which extends upwardly from the front edge of the bottom face 46 and connects with the upper edge of the back-facing face 40.

[0024] The back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10 can include a back brace panel in the form of an inner layer of thin protective padding made from a semi-rigid material. The back brace panel can provide structural support and prevent sagging of the body 12 during usage. The back brace can facilitate holding the back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10 generally vertical and parallel against the back of a wearer.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, the back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10 can further include a back support structure for enhancing comfort to a wearer of the backpack 10. The back support structure can include an upper back support pad 54 and a lumbar support pad 52. The upper back support pad 54 can include contoured concave cushions 70 positioned to engage the upper back of a wearer. In the embodiment illustrated, the upper back support pad 54 includes six cushions 70 configured in three rows, thereby defining three channels 72 - one vertical and two horizontal - to facilitate the flow of air between the backpack 10 and the back of a wearer. The cushions 70 can alternatively be arranged in any other suitable configuration. The upper back support pad 54 can help reduce discomfort of the wearer for the weight they may be carrying, by distributing the force of the load throughout the mid-to-upper back region.

[0026] The lumbar support pad 52 can include contoured concave cushions 70 positioned to engage the lumbar region of the wearer. In the illustrated embodiment, the lumbar support pad 52 includes three cushions 70 configured in one row, thereby defining two vertical channels 72 to facilitate the flow of air between the backpack 10 and the back of a wearer.
Alternatively, the cushions 70 can be arranged in any other suitable configuration. The lumbar support pad 52 can help de-stress the lower back of the wearer by distributing the force of the load over a much larger surface area of the entire lumbar back region. The backpack 10 can further be provided with additional back support padding comprised of additional cushions 70, located an either sides of the upper back support pad 54, thereby providing extra support for the side of the upper back of the wearer.

[0027] The back support structure, including the upper back support pad 54 and lumbar support pad 52, can be made of polyethylene foam material with ribbed mesh padding, and covered with a synthetic velvet material or other material to match the material of the backpack 10. The spacing between the cushions 70 of the lumbar and back support pads 52, 54 provide the channels 72, so that a reduced portion of the entire back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10 is in contact directly with the back of the wearer.
The upper support pad 54 and the lumbar support pad 52 may be the only portions of the back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10 that engage the back of the wearer. By reducing the contact between the back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10 and the back of the wearer. The backpack 10 can be more comfortable to carry, and any point stress exerted by the contact of the two surfaces can be reduced.

[0028] The side faces 48 and 50 of the backpack 10 can be provided with a series of auxiliary storage compartments 24. The auxiliary storage _7_ compartments 24 are, in the embodiment illustrated, accessible through access openings 34, which are secured by closure means such as a zipper.
One of these auxiliary compartments 24 may be a mesh pocket, which can be secured by closure means such as an elastic strip. The elasticity of the closure means can facilitate ready storage and removal of items to be frequently accessed such as pens or water bottles, for example.

[0029] Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, in the embodiment illustrated, the laptop storage compartment 22 is generally bounded front-to-back by a back wall 65 that is generally parallel and adjacent to the back face 40, and a front wall 67 that is spaced apart from, and generally parallel to, the back wall 65. The back and front walls 65, 67 generally oppose each other and can be generally coterminous, presenting opposing top, bottom, left, and right side edges, respectively. The laptop storage compartment 22 is bounded along the side edges by a top side edge wall 68, a bottom side edge wall 60, a left side edge wall 64 and a right side edge wall 66.

[0030] In accordance with the present invention, the laptop storage compartment 22 has at least one laptop access opening 32 for inserting a laptop into the compartment 22 and removing a laptop therefrom. The laptop access opening 32 of the laptop storage compartment 22 is advantageously provided in one of the left or right side edge walls 64, 66, and has a vertical and widthwise extent sufficient to accommodate passing a laptop edgewise into and out of the laptop storage compartment 22. The linear extent (e.g.
height) of the laptop access opening 32 is at least as long as a corresponding length or width dimension of the laptop computer to be inserted in the compartment 22, to facilitate inserting and removing the laptop into and from the compartment 22 by horizontal displacement. This side access or horizontal displacement capability can reduce (or eliminate) lifting of the laptop to dangerous heights above a table or desk on which the backpack 10 may be resting. Accordingly, risk of damage to the laptop during packing or unpacking can be reduced.

_ $ -(0031] The walls 60, 64, 65, 66, 67, and 68 bounding the laptop storage compartment 22 can each be padded with an impact absorbing material to provide a protective casing or womb for a laptop stored therein. In the embodiment illustrated, each of the walls 60, 64, 65, 66, 67, and 68 includes a layer of foam padding. The back wall 65 is further protected by the back brace panel, and the pads 52, 54 and cushions 70 of the back support structure. The front wall 67 is further protected by the space and padding associated with the main storage compartment 20.

(0032] The bottom side edge wall 60 can be further protected by a shock-absorbing block 60a. In the embodiment illustrated, a shock-absorbing block 60a is provided interiorly of, and along the length of, the bottom side edge wall 60. The block 60a can be in the form of an elongate brick of polyurethane foam material, having a front-to-back extent generally equal to the thickness of a laptop computer, a left-to-right extent generally equal to that of the laptop storage compartment 22, and a vertical extent (thickness) sufficient to protect the laptop from impact associated with dropping the backpack 10 vertically downwards from a height of about 0.5 to 1.5 meters.

[0033] In the embodiment illustrated, the shock-absorbing block 60a has a thickness of about 2 to 3 cm. The block 60a is encased in a fabric material similar to that of the inner lining of the backpack 10. The block 60a is removably secured to the bottom side edge wall 60 by, for example, hook and loop fastener elements. The block 60a can thus be easily replaced with a thinner or thicker shock-absorbing block to accommodate a larger or smaller laptop within the compartment 22, as desired.

[0034] The laptop access opening 32 of the illustrated embodiment is generally provided by the left side edge wall 64. The left side edge wall 64 can be released from the body 12 along three sides and pivoted open along the remaining side connecting the wall 64 to the body 12. The front-to-back extent (or width) of the left side edge wall 64, and thus of the laptop access opening 32, is about equal to the thickness of a laptop computer to be stored in the compartment 22.

_g_ [0035] Referring to Figure 6, a laptop computer 80 is shown being loaded into the laptop storage compartment 22 through the access opening 32 located on the side face 48 or 50 of the backpack 10. The side location of the access opening 32 to the laptop storage compartment 22 facilitates easier access to the laptop computer 80 than that provided by conventional means.
For example, the laptop computer 80, may be loaded and unloaded without the wearer having to completely dismount the backpack 10, by the wearer simply reaching back with one arm into the access opening 32 to the laptop storage compartment 22 located on one or both of the side faces 48 or 50 of the backpack 10. Alternatively, the laptop computer 80 can be loaded and unloaded easily by another person while the backpack 10 is mounted on the back of the wearer, as the access opening 32 to the laptop storage compartment 22, is at arm's reach.

[0036] The backpack 10 of the present invention, is mounted on the wearer by way of adjustable shoulder straps 14. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder straps 14 are attached to the backpack 10 by stitching along the edge joining the back-facing face 40 and the top face 44 and further attached by means of length adjustment buckles 16 to the shoulder strap attachment flap 15 located along the edge joining the side faces 48 and 50 and the back-facing face 40 of the lower portion of the backpack 10. The shoulder straps 14 are heavily padded, particularly where they contact the shoulder of the wearer, and are ideally jelly-foam straps, thereby creating a cushioning effect and softening the weight of a heavy load.

[0037] The shoulder straps 14 can be anatomically-designed to be s-shaped, thereby also reducing neck tension on the wearer. The length adjustment buckles 16 provide length adjustment means for the shoulder straps 14. In the preferred embodiment, the length adjustment buckles 16 are positioned at a slight angle directed upwards. It is alternatively possible for the shoulder strap attachment flaps 62 to be omitted, and the shoulder straps 14 attached directly to the edge joining the back-facing face 40 and side faces 48 and 50 of the backpack.

[0038] The backpack 10 has been described as having two shoulder straps 14, but it is possible for to include only a single shoulder strap, which could for example, pass diagonally from the upper edge of the back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10, across the chest of the wearer, and adjoining to the bottom edge of the back-facing face 40 of the backpack 10 at the opposite side.

[0039] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A backpack comprising:

a body within which is provided a laptop storage compartment;
the laptop storage compartment being bounded by generally opposed front and back walls, generally opposed left and right side edge walls extending between the front and back walls at left and right sides, respectively, thereof, and generally opposed top and bottom edge walls extending between the front and back walls at top and bottom edges, respectively, thereof, wherein the top and bottom edge walls are flexible and comprise fabric and padded material;

the laptop storage compartment having at least one access opening along at least one of the left and right side edge walls for horizontally passing a laptop computer edgewise into and out of the laptop storage compartment; and a removably secured shock absorbing block provided along the bottom edge wall of the laptop storage compartment, the block removable to adapt the laptop storage compartment to accommodate larger laptops.

2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the access opening comprises a releasable, refastenable join extending around a portion of the perimeter of at least one wall of the left and right side edge walls for permitting said at least one wall to be pivoted to an open position.

3. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the releasable, refastenable join comprises a zipper.

4. The backpack of any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the access opening has a vertical extent generally equal to the vertical extent of the at least one wall.

5. The backpack of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pair of adjustable S-shaped shoulder straps.

6. The backpack of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a back face disposed adjacent the back wall and opposite the laptop storage compartment, the back face including an upper back support pad and a lumbar support pad for engaging the back of a person wearing the backpack.

7. The backpack of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the front and back walls, left and right side edge walls, and top and bottom edge wall are each provided with padding to provide a protective womb for a laptop stored in the laptop storage compartment.

8. The backpack of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the block is an elongate brick of foam material.

9. The backpack of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the block has a front-to-back extent generally equal to the front-to-back extent between the front and back walls of the laptop storage compartment.

10. The backpack of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the block has a left-to-right extent generally equal to the left-to-right extent between the left and right side edge walls of the laptop storage compartment.

11. The backpack of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the block comprises a bottom surface having at least one hook and loop fastener corresponding to at least one hook and loop fastener disposed on the bottom edge wall of the laptop storage compartment.

12. A backpack comprising:
a body;

a laptop storage compartment provided within the body, at least a portion of the laptop storage compartment including padding to provide a protective womb for a laptop stored in the laptop storage compartment, the laptop storage compartment including an access opening along a first side edge wall for passing a laptop computer edgewise into and out of the laptop storage compartment; and a removably secured shock absorbing block provided along a bottom edge wall of the laptop storage compartment, the block removable to adapt the laptop storage compartment to accommodate larger laptops.

13. The backpack of claim 12, wherein the access opening includes a zipper extending around a portion of a perimeter of the first side edge wall for permitting the first side edge wall to be pivoted to an open position.

14. The backpack of any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the access opening has a vertical extent generally equal to a vertical extent of the first side edge wall.

15. The backpack of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the block is an elongate brick of foam material.

16. The backpack of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the block comprises a bottom surface having at least one hook and loop fastener corresponding to at least one hook and loop fastener disposed on the bottom edge wall of the laptop storage compartment.

17. The backpack of any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising a pair of adjustable S-shaped shoulder straps.

18. The backpack of any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the laptop storage compartment includes generally opposed first and second walls, a second side edge wall generally opposed to the first side edge wall, and a top edge wall generally opposed to the bottom edge wall.

19. The backpack of claim 18, wherein the top and bottom edge walls are flexible and include fabric and padded material.

20. The backpack of any one of claims 18 or 19, wherein the first and second walls are flexible and include fabric and padded material.

21. The backpack of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the block has a front-to-back extent generally equal to the front-to-back extent between the first and second walls of the laptop storage compartment.

22. The backpack of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the block has a left-to-right extent generally equal to the left-to-right extent between the first and second side edge walls of the laptop storage compartment.