EP1190642B1 - Backpack with an angular damper between the back of the backpack and the shoulder straps and/or the belt unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an improved rucksack whose system suspending the braces and / or the belt assembly on the back or the frame of the bag is equipped with an angular pivot damper.

A backpack consists of a container or bag proper, of a strap set allowing the bag to be fastened to the shoulders of the user, a belt assembly for fastening the bag around the waist of the user, said straps and waistbands being generally attached to the back of the bag proper and possibly on a reinforcement frame.

It has already been proposed by document EP.0.260.959 a system hooking between the back of the bag and the strap assembly that allows pivoting angular of the strap assembly relative to the actual bag. This system of attachment comprises a male piece which is integral with the straps and which has a protruding head of fixation and a female part of the back of the bag, having a central recess and means for blocking the head of the once it has entered the central recess. In this case male piece has a kind of stud formed of several flexible branches terminated by growths, while the female part has a hole terminated by an annular shoulder. The respective dimensions of the stud and the hole are such that the stud penetrates inside the hole thanks to the sagging branches that composes it with a locking of two pieces through the extension prominences in the annular shoulder. So the male piece can rotate in all directions about the pivot axis, that is to say from the axis of the plot which allows the whole straps to follow the movements proper to the user when he moves.

In a particular embodiment of document EP.0.260.959, it is to limit the angular rotation of the male and female parts by means of a kind of lug that is provided on the male part that enters a groove made in the female room. The extreme amounts of the groove delimit the race maximum angle between the male and female parts.

However, in this document there is no desire to amortize the relative displacement of the two parts relative to each other between the two stops. There may be, depending on the specific movements of the user jerks on the entire straps when the relative angular displacement of two pieces exceeds the maximum angular stroke provided and delimited by the stops.

In document EP.0.628.265, a system is also described. between the back of a backpack and a waistband assembly, which system provides angular rotation of the belt assembly relative to the back of the bag thanks to a rather complex set of pieces. In this document it is planned a system of stops defining the maximum angular stroke and moreover a set flexible tongues one end of which is firmly attached to a workpiece integral with the belt assembly while the other free end penetrates into notches provided in an integral part of the back of the bag. When pivoting angular, the tongues are caused to deform according to the angular position adopted. Although this is not explicitly stated in the text of this document, one can think that the deformation of the tongues is not done without exert a certain force, said force thus opposing the angular pivoting. It should be noted that the presence of stops is essential, otherwise the end free of the flexible tabs could come out of the notches in case of pivoting angular of too great amplitude.

The object of the present invention is to propose a backpack comprising a anchoring system with angular pivoting between the back of the bag and the assembly straps and / or belt which does not require the presence of stops intended for delimit the maximum stroke during said pivoting and which presents a progressive damping of the forces involved during this pivoting.

This goal is perfectly achieved by the backpack of the invention. This one comprises in known manner a container or bag itself, a set straps for attaching the bag to the user's shoulders, a waistband for fastening the bag around the waist of the user and a hooking system of the straps and / or belt on the back of the bag, said system of attachment comprises a first integral part of the straps and / or belt and a second piece secured to the back of the bag, said cooperating pieces with each other to allow the pivoting attachment of the first and the second piece, along a pivot axis perpendicular to the back of the bag.

a) au moins un élément en élastomère solidaire d'une des deux pièces,

b) et un moyen d'appui, solidaire de l'autre pièce et venant en prise lors du pivotement sur l'élément en élastomère, en sorte que , lors du pivotement le moyen d'appui provoque une déformation de l'élément élastomère qui s'oppose audit pivotement.

Characteristically, according to the invention, the attachment system comprises:

a) at least one elastomer element integral with one of the two parts,

b) and a support means, integral with the other part and engaged during pivoting on the elastomer element, so that, during pivoting, the support means causes a deformation of the elastomer element which opposes said pivoting.

The angular pivoting of the strap and / or belt assembly relative to on the back of the bag causes deformation of the elastomeric element in the area adjacent to the means of training in the direction of rotation. So there is not, in the attachment system of the invention, stop defining the race angular maximum of pivoting. It is the faculty of deformation of the element in elastomer that will cash the forces involved during the relative movements of the body of the user and therefore of the whole straps and / or belt that follows these movements. According to the relative position and the structure of the elastomer element and first and second parts, the deformation can be of the type by pression, by pulling, twisting, shearing or bending.

The choice of the elastomer is determined according to the volume of the bag and therefore the average weight supported by said bag so that the angular pivoting is between -5 and + 5 ° with respect to a normal position.

Under the generic name of elastomer, it is of course necessary to hear no only the synthetic elastomers but also the rubbers. Of preferably, a vulcanized elastomer or a thermoplastic is used. elastomer classified in Shore A hardness.

The support means may be of a different nature; it can be a way purely mechanical or adhesive means In the latter case, for example the two opposite sides of the elastomer element are glued on the first and the second rooms; the relative pivoting of the two parts causes deformation by shear in the thickness of the element. There are however risks tearing off the plate, in use. Thus a mechanical means is preferred.

In a mechanical embodiment, the elastomer element is fixed by two anchor points on the back side of the first piece and present at the minus a recessed area between the two anchor points; moreover the front face of the second piece has a protruding lug, said lug penetrating so adjusted in the recessed area of the elastomeric element, when the two pieces are hung.

The angular pivoting of the strap and / or belt assembly relative to on the back of the bag causes deformation by compression of one of the two zones of the elastomeric element between the recessed area and the two points anchoring, depending on the direction of rotation.

Preferably, the elastomer element comprises at least one rib and the lug is in the form of an elongated shoulder capable of engaging in the corresponding rib, the ribs and the shoulders being arranged radially with respect to the pivot axis. Thanks to this arrangement particular, there is a larger contact area between the element elastomer and the lug, which allows an even distribution of the deformation of the elastomer element during pivoting.

Advantageously, the elastomer element is in the form of a annular or partially annular band, centered on the pivot axis; of more the attachment system comprises two sets, diametrically opposed, each consisting of one or more hollow zones, possibly ribs radial, and one or more lugs, possibly elongated shoulders.

This particular arrangement makes it possible to distribute on both sets the forces involved in compressing the elastomeric strip. Of preferably the two sets in question are arranged symmetrically by relative to the vertical axis (DD ') of the bag, so as to obtain a construction perfectly homogeneous and symmetrical.

Preferably the first piece, integral with the straps and / or belt, is a male piece having a fastening head which is protruded by relative to the rear face of said piece, and the second piece, secured to the back of the bag, is a female piece having a central recess opening on its face before, said male and female parts cooperating with each other to allow the pivoting hooking of the male part on the female part, along an axis of pivoting corresponding to the axis of the fixing head.

Preferably the fixing head is mounted free to rotate relative to the male part in an open housing on both sides of the male part; she is completed on one side by a handling tab accessible to the user by opening giving (from the front of the male part) in the housing and the other side by the T-shaped hooking part; moreover the central recess of the female part is bordered by two locking lips of the two branches of the T after penetration of the fastening portion of the fastening head into the recess and rotation of the handling tab by a determined angle, preferably 90 °. This particular arrangement allows the attachment of the male and female parts without having to rotate the said parts relative to each other, pivoting which would have been difficult if not impossible because of the presence of the pins at the interface between the two said rooms. Thanks to the possibility of rotation of the fixing head in its housing, it is enough to carry out the precise positioning of the two parts relative to each other, the lugs being placed in the hollow areas of the elastomer band, with the T-shaped snap portion of the head of fastener which penetrates into the recess of the female part and then performs a 90 ° rotation of the manipulator tab to obtain the locking in position final male and female parts.

In this case, advantageously, the housing of the fixing head comprises internally a stop and snap system allowing on the one hand limit the rotation of the handling tab to a predetermined angle of preference 90 ° and secondly to ensure some blockage of the head in fixing when reaches the two positions separated by said angle, namely the first in the insertion position of the front part of the fixing head into the recess and the second in the locking position, after rotation.

To facilitate the centering of both male and female parts and also in order to distribute the shear forces between the two said pieces when wearing of the bag, preferably the male and female parts has two portions circular, both centered on the pivot axis, one being in relief and the other hollow, able to fit into one another. Preferably the portion circular hollow is formed in the female part and the circular portion in relief is formed in the male piece.

In a preferred embodiment, the second piece, particularly the piece female, is integrated into the stiffening frame of the backpack; preferably it has on its height a plurality of superposed elements similar to first pieces, in particular female parts, which allows the adjustment in height of the positioning of the braces and / or belt assembly relative to the bag.

• La figure 1 est une vue en plan du dos d'un sac illustrant l'état de la technique,
• La figure 2 est une vue en plan du dos d'un sac équipé d'une pièce femelle conforme à l'invention,
• La figure 3 est une vue en plan de la face arrière d'une pièce mâle conforme à l'invention,
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale des pièces mâle et femelle assemblées selon l'axe IV-IV des figures 2 et 3, non encore accrochées,
• Les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues respectivement en perspective et de dessus d'une bande annulaire en élastomère,
• La figure 7 est une vue en plan du dos d'un sac équipé de la bande des figures 5 et 6, avec la patte de manipulation accessible et,
• La figure 8 est une vue en plan partielle d'une armature de rigidification d'un sac pourvue d'une pluralité de pièces femelles,
• La figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'une tête de fixation et
• La figure 10 est une vue en plan d'un système d'accrochage à deux tendeurs.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which will be made of a preferred embodiment of a backpack whose set of straps is secured to the back of the bag by an anchoring system pivoting angularly with a shock absorber made of elastomer, illustrated by the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back of a bag illustrating the state of the art,
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back of a bag equipped with a female part according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rear face of a male part according to the invention,
• Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the male and female parts assembled along the axis IV-IV of Figures 2 and 3, not yet attached,
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are views respectively in perspective and from above of an annular strip of elastomer,
• FIG. 7 is a plan view of the back of a bag equipped with the strip of FIGS. 5 and 6, with the accessible handling tab and,
• FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of a stiffening reinforcement of a bag provided with a plurality of female parts,
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fixing head and
• Figure 10 is a plan view of a fastening system with two tensioners.

The backpack 1 of the state of the art constituted by the document WO.00 / 19863 comprises a bag 2 itself, a strapset 3 and a belt assembly 4. The shoulder straps 3 is, in this case, composed of a one-piece element of scapular supports 5 and two shoulder straps 6 connecting in the upper part the two lateral zones of the monobloc element 5 at the bottom of the bag 2. The fastening of the actual bag 2 and the element monobloc of scapular supports 5 is at the level of the central zone 7 of said monobloc element 5, with a certain pivoting capacity of said element monobloc 5 relative to the back 8 of the bag, according to the arrow F, the pivot axis being perpendicular to the back of the bag. In the example shown in the document above mentioned, this pivoting capacity is obtained thanks to the natural deformation of the flexible material that constitutes the back of the bag. When the fixation is obtained in particular by sewing, to limit this natural deformation, it is planned to stiffen the portion of the back of the bag that is close to the attachment area, for example by sewing a strap 9 transversely to the upper part of the back, to short distance from the attachment area.

The present invention relates to a fastening or fastening system for the whole straps and / or the entire belt on the back of the bag that is not made by sewing and whose angular rotation is not obtained by natural deformation of the flexible material constituting the back of the bag, this deformation may cause risks of alteration or tearing of said material.

To do this, the invention uses a fastening system which comprises two distinct parts, in the illustrated example it is a male part 10 and a female part 11. The male part 10, which is secured to the strap assembly 12, has a fixing head whose median axis G, perpendicular to the back 26 of the bag, will be the angular pivot axis. The female part 11, which is integral with the back 26 of the bag 14, has a central recess 15 into which the fixing head 13 can penetrate, as well as means for locking said head once it has penetrated, said blocking does not prevent the angular pivoting capacity of the male part 10 relative to the female part 11. Such attachment system is already known from EP.0.260.959. Typically, the attachment system of the invention further comprises at least one elastomer element which serves as a shock absorber during the angular pivoting of the strap assembly 12 with respect to the back 26 of the bag 14. In the illustrated example, the elastomeric member is a strip 16 which is fixed on the rear face 10a of the male part through two anchor points. More specifically, the strip 16 is embedded in a hollowed housing 18 in the rear face 10a of the male part. Moreover in the bottom of this housing 18 are provided two anchoring pads 17, 17 'adapted to cooperate by interlocking with recesses or recessed portions formed in said strip 16. In addition the strip 16 has a groove 19 substantially located equidistant from the two studs 17, 17 '. This groove 19 is shaped to receive exactly a transverse shoulder 20, which projects on the front face 11a of the female part 11 when the male 10 and female parts 11 are attached to each other, the two faces 10 a and 10b being applied against each other. To facilitate their implementation in agreement, the rib 19 has a cross-section V-shaped, with two diverging inclined side walls 19 a, 19 b, and a planar base 19 c; the transverse shoulder 20 has the complementary configuration.

The angular pivoting of the strap assembly 12 with respect to the back 26 of the bag, caused by the relative movements of the body of the user, is partly prevented by the penetration of one shoulder 20 of the female part 11 into the groove 19 of the elastomeric strip 16. More precisely this pivoting is braked and cushioned by the compression of the portion of the elastomeric strip 16 located between the groove 19 and the stud 17 in the direction of rotation according to the arrow H, while between the groove 19 and the other stud 17 'the elastomeric material will eventually become deform by pulling and lengthening. Depending on the forces involved in the relative movements of the body of the user, the pivoting will be more or less important, knowing that the damper role of the elastomeric band will be according to the technical characteristics of it and also the distance separating the grooves 19 of the pads 17, 17 ', that is to say the amount of elastomer likely to be squeezed. It should be noted that we have a springback, in sense inverse of the two parts, when the forces involved are released because of the decompression of the elastomer.

In the preferred example illustrated in FIG. 3, on the same almost annular band 16 two sets have been arranged, symmetrically with respect to the median plane DD 'of the bag passing through the pivot axis G, each set comprising the radial groove 19 as well as the two anchoring studs 17, 17 '. The portion of the strip 16 extending between the two middle anchor points 17 'does not play an active role with respect to the damping of the angular pivoting. However, it is used to enable the user to visualize that his or her straps assembly comprises an elastomeric damping strip, thanks to a window made in the male part 10 and which reveals part of said strip on the front face. 10 b of said male part 10, that is to say the face which is visible and accessible to the user when the strap assembly 12 is mounted on the bag.

• sur la première face , les deux jeux de parties actives d'amortissement respectivement 33,34 , (à droite) et 35,36 (à gauche) séparées par les rainures 37,37',
• sur la seconde face , les deux parties de repérage 30,30' disposées entre deux parties actives 33,35 et 34,36.

The elastomeric strip 29 which corresponds to FIGS. 5 to 7 differs from that illustrated in FIG. 3 in that it has an annular shape and in that there are two oblong locating parts 30, 30 'visible by two windows 31.3 1 '. More precisely (FIG. 5), the elastomeric strip 29 comprises a totally annular portion 32 of small thickness, and on both sides and in elevation with respect to this annular portion 32:

• on the first face, the two sets of damping active parts respectively 33,34, (right) and 35,36 (left) separated by the grooves 37,37 ',
• on the second face, the two locating parts 30,30 'arranged between two active parts 33,35 and 34,36.

In FIG. 6, the recesses 38 formed towards the ends can be seen active parts opposed to the grooves and opening on the second face, recesses serving as housing for the anchoring studs 17, 17 '.

In addition to the locating function through the windows 31, 31 ', the parts of 30,30 'which are fitted in two diametrically opposed cavities formed in the male piece serve to hold the elastomeric band in position 29 on said male part.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the mounting head 13 is rotatably mounted in a housing 21 formed in the male part 10, this housing being open on the two rear faces 10 a and before 10 b of the male part 10; the first opening allows the passage of the projecting part 13 has hook whose cross section is T-shaped, while the second opening 13b available leaves a handling tab for the user to carry out himself the hooking of the two pieces male 10 and female 11, that is to say the hooking of the set of straps 12 on the back 26 of the bag. The rotation of the tab 13 b of manipulation, is elongated to a maximum angle of 90 ° between two extreme positions: a first position (Figure 7) corresponding to the introduction of the protrusion 13a in the central recess 15 and a second position, obtained after the rotation of 90 °, corresponding to the attachment of the male and female parts 11. This attachment is obtained by a set of two stops formed in the housing 21.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the fixing head 40 is equipped with for each extreme position, a stop 41 and a sound ratchet of 42. The two stops 41 carried by the attachment head 40 cooperate with the play of the two stops formed in the housing 21. With regard to the ratchet 42, it is formed on the periphery of the circular support 43 on which is fixed the handling tab (not visible in Figure 9). Along the periphery of this circular support 43 are provided two semi-circular notches 44 which define two tabs 45. The two pawls 42 are constituted by two radial projecting portions of the two tabs 45. The circular support 43 is mounted in a housing in which are provided two grooves adapted to serve as dwellings for the two ratchets 42. The configuration of the dwelling in which placed the circular support 43 is such that during the rotation of the fixing head from one end position to the other, the pawl 42 is pushed radially by the face internal of the housing due to the deflection of the tongue 45 towards the inside of notch 44. Thus to move from one extreme position to another, the rotation of the manipulation can only be done by exerting a certain amount of force to obtain this deflection of the two tabs 45, until both tongues relax during the penetration of the two ratchets in their housing respective causing a characteristic noise, which alerts the user that the correct positioning is obtained.

The implementation of all straps 12 on the back 26 of bag 14 is accomplished by applying the rear face 19a of the male part 10 driven by all straps 12 on the front face 11a of the female part 11 range on the back 26 of the bag by penetrating the protrusion 13 has T of the fixing head 13 in the central recess 15 formed in the female part 11 and rotating 90 ° the handling tab 13 b. On either side of the recess 15 there are provided two locking lips 25 in which the two branches 13c of the protruding portion T 13 has become jammed at the 90 ° rotation of the mounting head 13 by via the handling tab 13 b .

In order to facilitate the centered positioning of the two male parts 10 and female 11, it has also provided two circular portions respectively projecting and recessed on the front faces 10a and 11a of said parts 10 and 11, both of said circular portions being centered on the pivot axis G. In the example illustrated in Figure 4, it is the male part 10 which supports the portion 10c projecting while it is the female part 11 which has the recessed portion 11 c .

The elastomeric strip 16 may possibly be replaced in case of deterioration or wear, its placement being very easy because it is only to fit it on the pads 17, 17 ', said band being wedged laterally in its housing 18 (Figure 3).

The elastomeric strip 16 may be of natural or synthetic rubber or still of synthetic elastomer, of the polyisoprene type, butadiene copolymer styrene, polybutadiene, copolymer of ethylene and propylene, terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and diene or isoprene copolymer and isobutylene, without this list being exhaustive. In a specific example of embodiment, a SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) was used as elastomer marketed under the trademark SANTOPRENE, having a shore hardness A of 60.

The distance between the groove 19 and the studs 17 was of the order of 15 mm for a strip having a width of the order of 10 mm and a thickness of the order 10 mm in the active zones of compression between the groove 19 and the studs 17, 17 '.

In the embodiment which has just been described, the female part 11 is fixed by any conventional means on the back 26 of the bag 14. However, if the back of the bag 26 is itself in a soft textile material, it can also occur a certain deformation of the flexible material at the female part 11 when of the angular pivoting of the straps together that is why it is proposed a second variant according to which the female part 11 is integrated in the stiffening frame of the bag, for example with regard to a piece 28 of long length extending vertically on the height of the bag and secured by all medium adapted with the back of the bag.

Preferably in this second embodiment, the vertical part 28 forming this armature comprises, at least in its upper part, a plurality superimposed elements comparable to female parts. In the example shown in FIG. 8 shows a superposition of four female parts 11, each having strictly the same structure as that described above. The advantage of this plurality of female parts is to be able to adjust the height of the straps together with respect to the back of the bag and more precisely the spacing between the fastening of the belt assembly and that of the strap assembly according to the size of the user.

The male part 10 is fixed by any conventional means on the strap assembly. It may for example be constituted by the assembly of several parts between which can be blocked a portion 7 has adapted accordingly to the central zone 7 of said set braces.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been described above as non-exhaustive examples. In particular it will have been noted that the fastening system of the invention can be applied not only to the straps together but also to the entire waistband of the backpack. In the case where the backpack is equipped with a braces set consisting of an element monoblock of scapular supports and two shoulder straps, as in the WO.00 / 19863, the male part 10 (FIG. 3) can constitute in all or part of the central zone 7 (FIG. 1) of the monobloc element 5 between the zones which are generally in elevation in relation to the central zone, being upholstered with padding for support on the shoulders.

Moreover, the first and second pieces are not necessarily a male piece with fixing head and a female piece with central recess as described above. The means of cooperation between the two pieces to achieve Pivoting may differ, provided that they allow the possibility of pivoting of the two parts along a pivot axis perpendicular to the back of the bag. The shape of the elastomeric element is not necessarily annular. By example the first and second pieces can be glued on both sides opposite of a square elastomer plate.

In the example just described, the deformation of the elastomeric element during the angular pivoting of the first part relative to the second part is obtained by pressure, resulting in the progressive compression of the elastomer. This mode of deformation is not exclusive of the invention. It has already been mentioned shear deformation when the first and second parts are fixed by bonding on both sides of the elastomeric element. It can also be deformation by pulling, twisting or bending the elastomeric element. For example, in the case of tensile deformation, the elastomeric element may be in the form of two elongate tensioners 46 (FIG. 10) which are arranged parallel to the median axis DD 'of the bag and at an equal distance from thereof and the two free ends 46 a, 46 b are respectively fixed to the first part fixed to all straps and / or belts for the first end 46 a and the second piece secured to the back of the bag, for the second end 46 b . In the example illustrated in Figure 10, the two tensioners 46 are terminated by annular ends in which are fitted lugs 47, 48 respectively carried by the first and second parts. The lugs 48 carried by the second piece are aligned with the pivot axis G. Thus the general direction of the two tensioners 46 is substantially tangential with respect to a circle centered on the pivot axis G and passing through the two lugs 48. The angular pivoting of the strap assembly relative to the back of the bag, caused by the relative movements of the body of the user, will cause the angular displacement of the studs 48 along this circle C. For one of the tensioners, this displacement will to cause a deformation by traction, deformation which will oppose this pivoting and fulfill the role of damper sought. For the other tensioner, this pivoting will cause a deformation by bending, also opposing, probably to a lesser extent said angular pivoting.

Claims (15)

1. A knapsack (1) comprising a bag, a strap assembly for securing the bag to the shoulders of a user, a belt assembly for securing the bag around the waist of the user, and a fastening system for fastening the strap assembly and/or the belt assembly to the back (26) of the bag, said fastening system comprising a first piece (10) secured to the strap assembly and/or the belt assembly and a second piece (11) secured to the back (26) of the bag, said pieces (10, 11) co-operating with each other to enable the first and second pieces (10, 11 ) to be fastened together and to pivot mutually about a pivot axis perpendicular to the back (26) of the bag, the knapsack being characterised in that the fastening system comprises:

   a) at least one element (16, 46) secured to one of the two pieces (10, 11); and

   b) engagement means secured to the other piece and engaging the element (16, 46) at least during pivoting, characterised in that the fastening system comprises no abutments designed to define the maximum stroke during said pivoting and in that the element is an elastomer element (16, 46) so that during pivoting, the engagement means causes the elastomer element to be deformed, thereby opposing said pivoting, with said deformation being of the compression, traction, twisting, or bending type.
2. A knapsack (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastomer is selected to ensure that the angular pivoting lies in the range -5° to +5° about a normal position.
3. A knapsack (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the element (16) is made of vulcanized elastomer or of thermoplastic elastomer of hardness on the Shore A scale.
4. A knapsack according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the elastomer element (16) is fixed via two anchor points (17, 17') to the rear face (10a) of the first piece (10) and presents at least one hollow zone (19) between the two anchor points (17, 17'), and in that the front face (11 a) of the second piece (11) includes a projecting stud (20), said stud (20) penetrating snugly into the hollow zone (19) of the element (16) when the two pieces (10, 11) are fastened together.
5. A knapsack according to claim 4, characterised in that the elastomer element (16) has a transverse groove (19) and the stud is in the form of an elongate shoulder (20), the groove and the stud extending radially relative to the pivot axis (G).
6. A knapsack according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the element (16) is in the form of a partially or fully annular strip centred on the pivot axis (G), and in that the fastening system has two diametrically opposite assemblies each constituted by at least one hollow zone, optionally together with a radial rib (19), and one stud per hollow zone, optionally together with an elongate shoulder (20).
7. A knapsack according to claim 6, characterised in that the two assemblies in question are disposed symmetrically about the vertical axis (DD') of the knapsack.
8. A knapsack according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first piece (10) has a window (31) enabling a portion (30) of the elastomer element (29) to be seen from the front face (10b) of said first piece.
9. A knapsack according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first piece secured to the strap assembly (and/or the belt assembly), is a male piece (10), having a fixing head (13, 40) projecting from the rear face (10a) of said piece (10), and the second piece (11) secured to the back of the bag, is a female piece presenting a central recess (15) opening out in its front face (11 a), said male and female pieces (10, 11) co-operating with each other to enable the male piece (10) to be fastened to the female piece (11) while being free to pivot about a pivot axis (G) corresponding to the axis of the fixing head (13, 40).
10. A knapsack according to claim 9, characterised in that the fixing head (13) is mounted to turn freely in a housing (21) that opens out into both faces of the male piece, in that said head is terminated at one end by a handling tab (13b) accessible to the user via the opening leading to the housing (21), and is terminated at its other end by a T-shaped fastening portion (13a), and in that the central recess (15) of the female piece (11) has two locking lips (25) at its margin for retaining the two limbs (13c) of the T-shape after the fastening portion (13a) of the fixing head (13) has penetrated into the recess (15) and the handling tab (13b) has been turned to a determined angle, preferably of 90°.
11. A knapsack according to claim 10, characterised in that the fixing head (40) and its housing include a system of abutments and positioning clicks serving firstly to limit turning of the handling tab as a function of the determined angle, preferably of 90°, and secondly to provide a certain amount of locking for the fixing head when it reaches the two positions separated by said angle, namely a first position in which the front portion of the fixing head is inserted into the recess, and a second position in which it is locked in position after being turned.
12. A knapsack according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and second pieces have two circular portions (10c, 11c) both centred on the pivot axis (G), one of said portions (10c) being in relief and the other one of said portions (11c) being set back, said portions being suitable for being fitted one within the other.
13. A knapsack according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastomer element is constituted by two tensioners (46) each having one end (46a) fixed to the first piece (47) and an opposite end (46b) fixed to the second piece (48), said fixing constituting the engagement means engaged with the corresponding tensioner (46) so that during pivoting one of the tensioners is deformed in traction and the other tensioner is deformed in bending.
14. A knapsack according to claim 1, characterised in that the second piece (11) is integrated in the reinforcement for stiffening the knapsack.
15. A knapsack according to claim 14, characterised in that the stiffening reinforcement (28) has a plurality of superposed elements each having the structure of a second piece, thereby enabling the height of the strap assembly and/or the belt assembly to be adjusted relative to the back of the bag.

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