EP0555152B1 - Method and apparatus for making a rucksack suited to the user's morphology - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of backpacks in particular for campers, hikers, mountaineers, mountaineers etc ...

The invention relates more particularly to a method, and a device for the implementation of the method, to allow the simple and rapid production of: backpacks adapted to the morphology and the dimensional configuration of the user and carrying out by therefore a "tailor-made" backpack while using products, components, elements and accessories manufactured in series and by industrial processes.

In the production of bags currently known, the only possible adjustment existing and practiced on the market consists in adapting in a limited way the backpack to the morphology of the individual by adjusting the length of the back of the bag so as to vary the height. from the bag to the length of the individual's back; this adjustment can be carried out by movements of the shoulder straps or the belt or both simultaneously.

So that in the methods, methods and devices currently known and present on the market, the only adaptation takes into account the only dimensional characteristic of the height of the back.

While the anatomical or morphological difference between two people does not in any way stop at the length of their back; it is obvious that other criteria can be taken into account, some being linked moreover to the sex of the user; the dimensional data which can be taken into account to determine a comfortable, efficient and least painful carrying of the bag are in particular the thickness of the rib cage (chest circumference), the width of the shoulders, the thickness of the shoulders, the width of the pelvis as well as the hip spacing; the back arch (scoliosis or hyperlordosis) is also involved, certain dorsal configurations are also arched at the bottom and arched at the top.

It can be seen that, in the light of this non-exhaustive list, that it sometimes proves necessary, in the case of a person leaving average standards, to adapt the bag to each morphology; these atypical cases being however relatively frequent, people at the same time small and big or on the contrary big and thin, big and strong, small and thin etc ...

It is therefore desirable to allow the user to enjoy the pleasures he is looking for in hiking, especially in the mountains, to provide him with a bag perfectly suited to its size and specific configuration, which theoretically would require a bag made tailor-made and according to each particular case, consequently after taking measurements, cuts, assembly of the particular bag, sketches, successive tests, retouching etc ..., all phases which cumulate would imply a completely unacceptable cost price .

However, the invention makes it possible to remedy the drawbacks which have been indicated above concerning the limits currently known for adapting backpacks to the morphology of users and will allow, according to a first object, to make a bag from standard elements, suitably selected by the implementation of a specific process making it possible to produce a product finish exactly suited to the configuration of the future user and therefore providing the comfort and comfort sought after by a custom bag.

• a) on positionne l'utilisateur debout contre un gabarit sensiblement plan et vertical et comportant des accessoires de tenue et de portage habituels d'un sac, telles que la ceinture ou les bretelles, étant montés déplaçables sur ledit gabarit.
• b) on ajuste le positionnement optimal des dits accessoires par rapport à la morphologie de l'utilisateur.
• c) on amène les dits accessoires dans leur position active de fermeture et ou de portage.
• d) on repère sur des graduations prévues sur les dits accessoires les données présentatives des dimensions et configuration morphologiques de l'utilisateur.
• e) on sélectionne dans les gammes respectivement de sacs et/ou d'accessoires, telles que ceintures ou bretelles, les modèles correspondant aux dites dimensions et adaptés à la configuration morphologique déterminée d'après les données précédantes.
• f) on assemble et on monte sur un sac sélectionné les accessoires (ceinture et/ou bretelles) également sélectionnés en obtenant ainsi un sac à la mesure précise et adapté à la configuration morphologique de l'utilisateur.

To this end, the invention relates to a method of producing a backpack adapted to the morphology and dimensional characteristics of the user, the method being characterized by the succession of the following operations:

• a) the user is positioned upright against a substantially flat and vertical template and comprising the usual holding and carrying accessories for a bag, such as the belt or the suspenders, being mounted so as to be displaceable on said template.
• b) the optimal positioning of said accessories relative to the morphology of the user is adjusted.
• c) the said accessories are brought into their active closing and / or carrying position.
• d) on the graduations provided on said accessories, the indicative data of the dimensions and morphological configuration of the user are identified.
• e) the models corresponding to the said dimensions and adapted to the morphological configuration determined from the preceding data are selected from the ranges of bags and / or accessories respectively, such as belts or suspenders.
• f) the accessories (belt and / or suspenders) also selected are assembled and mounted on a selected bag, thus obtaining a bag with a precise measurement and adapted to the morphological configuration of the user.

More specifically and according to a development of the invention during the implementation of the above process, the accessories in place on the template are modified to replace them with accessories selected initially to allow a blank test. of these.

• la longueur du dos,
• la largeur des hanches et le tour du bassin,
• le volume de la cage thoracique et l'épaisseur des épaules.

According to a development of the invention, the accessories (such as belt and suspenders) are moved in place on the template in order to allow the measurement of one of the following dimensional values:

• the length of the back,
• hip width and pelvis circumference,
• the size of the rib cage and the thickness of the shoulders.

According to one mode of implementation of the method, the optimal positioning of the starting point of the straps relative to the height of the bag is identified successively by trial and error.

According to another characteristic, the optimum length of the belt is determined.

And according to a further development, the optimal length of the straps is determined.

The invention also relates to a template for implementing the method described above and the template is characterized in that it consists of a flat wall vertical resting on a horizontal base and comprising accessories for holding and carrying a conventional bag, such as a belt or suspenders, mounted movable relative to said plane.

Advantageously, the template comprises a cutout or a representation symbolizing a human silhouette comprising the head, the trunk, the upper limbs and the lower limbs, thus making it possible to identify the correct positioning of the subject with respect to the template and with respect to the accessories mounted movable on said template for testing.

More specifically, in the context of an embodiment of said template, the latter comprises straps starting from a central backrest mounted to slide vertically on a slide along the vertical median axis of said silhouette and corresponding substantially to the location of the subject's spine in place on and against said template.

Advantageously, the belt is slidably mounted on two lateral rails arranged vertically and allowing the central portion of the belt to be brought up to height, the two lateral arms of the belt being free to allow it to close around the waist or hips of the subject.

Finally, according to a development, the accessories, such as belt and suspenders, mounted on said template are removable and interchangeable, therefore making it possible to set up, for the purpose of a blank test, models selected as appearing at first to correspond to the subject's morphology.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and which is given. in connection with a particular embodiment presented by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a view of the template according to the invention in the standby position.

Figure 2 shows the template according to the invention on which a subject has taken place to allow the operations of measurements and dimensional determination of the elements to be retained for mounting a bag adapted to the configuration of the subject.

According to all of the Figures, it can be seen that the device according to the invention consists of a vertical panel 1 constituting with the base or base 2 a template to allow the measurement of the subject and the measurement as well as the selection and the correct positioning of the accessories of a bag whose purchase is planned.

The subject therefore presses his back against the panel 1; and to identify this correct positioning, a silhouette 3, 3 ′ is symbolized on the panel and on the base.

The active face of the template includes accessories and in particular a belt and suspenders.

The belt starts from the dorsal part 5 and develops on each side along two branches 5a and 5b.

This dorsal part 5 is slidably mounted on the two lateral rails 4a and 4b, which consequently makes it possible to position the belt at the correct height among the adjustments and the dimension measurements taken.

The straps 8a and 8b start from a central backrest 7 which is slidably mounted on a guide rail 6.

This guide rail will advantageously consist of a semi-rigid textile strap on which the sliding member will be an added plate conforming to the French patent application filed by the applicant under the number

So that this sliding system which corresponds to that which will be used effectively and implemented for example on the projected bag, makes it possible to carry out in real size a blank test and a taking of measurements making it possible in particular to locate the correct positioning of the backsplash 7 in relation to the subject's spine.

The two branches 5a, 5b of the belt can close one on the other, as seen in Figure 2, and the terminal part 5c can be snapped into a loop 5d.

Graduated marks on the strap make it possible, for example, to identify a value which is representative of the subject's abdominal or hip circumference, which will make it possible in particular to select a belt of appropriate size.

Likewise, the suspenders are passed by the subject around the shoulders and their lower terminal end is engaged in sets of straps and buckles also comprising graduated marks until the suspenders are in the correct position matching the subject's shoulders and collarbones. .

This correct positioning can be read on the graduated marks on the end straps of the suspenders, which allows to determine the optimal length of the suspenders and therefore to select from a set and from a range of suspender models of various dimensions the models best suited to the specific configuration of the subject under examination.

Other elements will be taken into account at the same time, for example the type of belt or the type of suspenders, their width, the possible thickness of the protective pads.

Thus the subject will be able to represent in a direct and sensory way the comfort experienced by wearing the bag once assembled.

The data collected during the operations thus described then makes it possible to select from the ranges of bags and accessories (suspenders, belts) those which will be best suited.

A new test, by positioning the selected accessories, can make it possible to verify, by a test using the real accessories, the correct adaptation and the right choice.

The assembly thus produced constitutes a morphological measurement device or morphological measurer and this device can be used, in addition to what is indicated above, under the conditions which are set out below.

• 1) la longueur du dos
• 2) la largeur des hanches (donc épaisseur)
• 3) le volume de la cage thoracique (donc l'épaisseur des épaules.
  • 1) Pour modifier la longueur du dos, on jouera sur la position des bretelles en hauteur.
  • 2) Pour modifier la largeur des hanches, on changera la longueur et la largeur de la ceinture.
  • 3) Pour modifier le volume de la cage thoracique, on changera la longueur et la largeur des bretelles.
  • 1) Vu la grande différence de grandeur pouvant parfois être constatée entre deux individus, le réglage de la position des bretelles sera aussi long que la longueur du dos du sac, se mesurant (et par exemple) par une série de lettres (A, B, C, D, E, etc...) ou de chiffres (1, 2, 3, 3, 5 etc...) correspondant chacun à une taille donnée.
  • 2) Pour modifier la longueur et la largeur de la ceinture, il n'y aura pas d'autres solutions que de la remplacer par une plus petite ou une plus grande.
  
  Pour des problèmes de gestion et de stock bien compréhensibles, on pourra se limiter à 3 ou 4 tailles.
  • 3) Pour modifier la longueur et la largeur des bretelles, il n'y aura pas d'autres solutions que de les remplacer par des modèles plus petits ou plus grands.

The measuring device should essentially measure three values:

• 1) back length
• 2) hip width (therefore thickness)
• 3) the volume of the rib cage (therefore the thickness of the shoulders.
  • 1) To modify the length of the back, we will play on the position of the straps in height.
  • 2) To modify the width of the hips, the length and width of the belt will be changed.
  • 3) To modify the volume of the rib cage, the length and width of the shoulder straps will be changed.
  • 1) Given the large difference in size that can sometimes be seen between two individuals, the adjustment of the position of the straps will be as long as the length of the back of the bag, measured (and for example) by a series of letters (A, B , C, D, E, etc ...) or numbers (1, 2, 3, 3, 5 etc ...) each corresponding to a given size.
  • 2) To change the length and width of the belt, there will be no other solution than to replace it with a smaller or a larger one.
  
  For understandable management and stock problems, we can limit ourselves to 3 or 4 sizes.
  • 3) To change the length and width of the shoulder straps, there will be no other solution than to replace them with smaller or larger models.

Again we can limit ourselves to 3 or 4 sizes.

These operations being carried out, it only remains to develop the structure capable of quickly and effectively measuring these various criteria.

The latter will be in the form of a human figure, of human size, molded in plastic or other thus serving as a support for the various measuring instruments.

A backpack back will slide along two parallel rails (tubular or not). This system will be used to adapt the measuring gauge to the size of the measured.

In order to measure the length of the back, a central strap fixed to the theoretical location of the spine will serve as a guide for the sliding and positioning of the straps, this by means of a plastic gusset.

In order to measure the width of the hips, the sliding belt behind the lumbar support will be graduated. Once in position on the hips (illiac crest) and closed on the abdomen, it will be easy to read the size of the hips and therefore the waist size corresponding to these same hips.

In order to measure the volume of the rib cage (therefore the thickness of the shoulders), you will have to put on the two straps of the dummy backpack, adjust so that there is no space separating the straps from the body of the wearer. Finally, it will suffice to read on the (graduated) straps for adjusting the suspenders the size corresponding to the volume of the wearer and therefore the size of the suspenders corresponding to this same volume.

Each backpack in the collection offered will include, within the framework of the implementation of the invention, the appropriate organs and facilities for rapidly changing, in particular the length of the back, the suspenders and the belt.

Claims (9)

1. Method for making a rucksack adapted to the user's morphology and dimensional characteristics, the method being characterized by the succession of the following operations:

   a) the user is made to stand against a substantially flat and vertical template comprising usual holding and carrying accessories of a bag, such as belt or braces, mounted displaceable on said template;

   b) the optimum positioning of said accessories is adjusted with respect to the user's morphology;

   c) said accessories are brought into their active position of closure and/or of carrying;

   d) the data representative of the user's dimensions and morphological configurations are located on graduations provided on said accessories;

   e) the models corresponding to said dimensions and adapted to the morphological configuration determined from the preceding data are selected from the respective ranges of bags and/or accessories, such as belts or braces;

   f) there are assembled and mounted on a selected bag the accessories (belt and/or braces) likewise selected, thus obtaining a bag to the precise measurement and adapted to the user's morphological configuration.
2. Method according to Claim 1 and characterized in that the accessories in place on the template are changed to replace them by accessories selected as a function of the preceding measurements in order to allow a blank test thereof.
3. Method according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the accessories (such as belt and braces) in place on the template are displaced in order to allow measurement of one or more of the dimensional values chosen from:

   - the length of the back,

   - the width of the hips and size of the pelvis,

   - the volume of the thoracic cage and thickness of the shoulders.
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3 hereinabove, characterized in that the optimum positioning of the starting point of the braces with respect to the height of the sack, the optimum length of the belt and the optimum length of the braces are located successively by trial-and-error.
5. Template for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 1 to 4 and characterized in that it is constituted by a vertical plane wall (1) resting on a horizontal base (2) and comprising accessories for holding and carrying a conventional sack, such as belt (5) or braces (8a, 8b) mounted displaceable with respect to said plane.
6. Template according to Claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a cut-out or a representation symbolizing a human silhouette comprising the head, trunk, upper limbs and lower limbs, thus making it possible to locate the correct positioning of the subject with respect to the template and with respect to the accessories mounted displaceable on said template with a view to tests.
7. Template according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, characterized in that it comprises braces (8a, 8b) starting from a central back element (7) mounted to slide vertically on a slide (6) along the vertical median axis of said silhouette and corresponding substantially to the location of the spine of the subject placed on and against said template.
8. Template according to one of Claims 5, 6 or 7 and characterized in that the belt (5) is mounted to slide on two lateral rails (4a, 4b) disposed vertically and allowing the height of the central part (5) of the belt to be adjusted, the two lateral arms (5a, 5b) of the belt being free in order to close around the subject's waist or hips.
9. Template according to one of Claims 5, 6, 7 or 8 and characterized in that the accessories, such as belt (5) and braces (8a, 8b), mounted on said template are removable and interchangeable, consequently enabling models selected as appearing at first to correspond to the subject's morphology, to be placed in position for the purpose of a blank test.

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