EP2523570B1

EP2523570B1 - Backpack with a carrying system

Info

Publication number: EP2523570B1
Application number: EP11733151.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claes Bergkvist
Original assignee: Coxa Carry AB
Current assignee: Coxa Carry AB
Priority date: 2010-01-14
Filing date: 2011-01-11
Publication date: 2020-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-11
Also published as: WO2011087436A1; US20130036535A1; CN102711534A; EP2523570A1; CN106923401B; CA2786485C; EP2523570A4; SE1050026A1; SE534820C2; BR112012017431A2; CN106923401A; CA2786485A1; PL2523570T3

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a backpack with a carrying system as defined in claim 1. Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

Technical background

Very early solutions of carrying systems have not had any profound ergonomic features. Yesterdays and todays solutions of backpacks have often been based on a container/sack, which thereafter has been equipped with straps. Examples of such solutions are found in US6311884B1 , US5427290A , GB1551958A , US2006000856A and US5873506A .
Known technic of today's carrying systems are characterized mainly in a difficuly in putting on and in a difficulty in taking off these. In addition, especially in an acute situation, it may be of vital importance to rapidly take off the carrying system with its belonging equipment/backpack. For example, in the case of mountain climbers, military personnel and others. Todays backpacks are often equipped with a tiny strap (often elastic) to keep the shoulder straps together, so that these do not chafe the armpits to much. This tinier strap does not do much good, but points to the problem with todays shoulder straps. It is first when the shoulder straps become carrying straps and are crossed over the chest, that the armpits are directly spared from incorrect loading while, at the same time, the weight gets better distributed over shoulders and the moavability of shoulders is increased. A carrying system with crossed shoulder straps would not work in itself, the carrying system would not be possible to put on, nor to take off.
An additional problem with todays shoulder straps is that they often are too tight fitting at the sides of whomen's breasts. By employment of crossed carrying straps at the front side, specific adjustment may easily be done for whomen by having the crossing positioned between the breasts, with straps with a smaller width and specifically relieving pillows at the crossing of the straps. The crossing may easily be adjusted in the vertical direction by pulling in or letting out the carrying straps where these are fastened to the back plate. The fastening of today's shoulder straps is most often a pemanent connection to the backpack and not adjustable in the horizontal direction.
Hence, there are several problems with known technic in the form of incorrect loading, shafing at various body parts of the carrier, restricted movability of the carrier upon use of the carrying system, and major difficulties in connection to when the user is about to put on or take off the carrying system.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to accomplish an improvement of above mentioned techniques and known technique. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to accomplish a backpack with a carrying system which prevents incorrect loading of a user while, at the same time, it is smooth and very simple to take off and put on for the user.
These and other objects as well as advantages, which will be obvious from the following description of the present invention, are achieved by a backpack with a carrying system according to the independent claim. A carrying system is achieved which is comprising an ergonomic back plate which is substantially covering the entire back of a user, a first carrying strap adapted to extend from a first position of an upper section of said back plate over a first shoulder of a user substantially diagonally downwards towards solar plexus of said user, a second carrying strap adapted to extend from a second position of said upper section of said back plate over a second shoulder of said user substantially diagonally downwards towards solar plexus of said user, a third carrying strap adapted to extend from a first position of a lower section of said back plate under a first arm of said user substantially diagonally upwards towards solar plexus of said user, and a fourth carrying strap adapted to extend from a second position of said lower section of said back plate under a second arm of said user substantially diagonally upwards towards solar plexus of said user. At least one of said carrying straps are provided with a connecting body which is fixated at its free end, and each and one of the remaining carrying straps is provided with a fastening body which is fixated at its free end, wherein said at least one connecting body is adapted to connect said respective fastening body. Hence, the present invention is based on an ergonomically correct back plate with specifically adapted carrying straps for putting on and taking off the carrying system in a simple and fast way, in order to then adjust the sacks or other equipment which is to be carried in connection to the carrying system. The advantages of the system are many. As there is a fast coupling buckle at the front side of the carrier's body, the carrying system may be removed from the same very rapidly by pushing at one or several buckles. The crossed carrying straps result, in combination with the ergonomic back plate, in an increased movability of the carrier's arms and shoulders, a better distribution of the weight of the backpacking on/between shoulders and hips, and a better fit with the carrier's body.
A carrying system which prevents incorrect loading on a carrier, at the same time as it smoothly and very simply taken off and put on by the user, has thus been achieved.
The carrying system may further comprise a fifth carrying strap adapted to extend from said second position of said lower section of said back plate substantially horizontally along a stomach of said user towards said first position of said lower section of said back plate. This results in further stability for a user upon usage of the carrying system.
Said first and third carrying strap may be provided with a respective connecting body which is fixated at its free end, and said second, fourth and fifth carrying strap provided with a respective fastening body which is fixated at its free end, wherein said connecting bodies are adapted to connect said first and fourth carrying strap and said second, fourth and fifth carrying strap. This is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which generates additional flexibility for the user when putting on and taking off the carrying system.
Two of said fastening bodies are adapted to be connected in a common recess in said connecting body, which results in even faster and smoother putting on and taking off of the carrying system for the user.
Said first, second, third and fourth carrying straps may together forms cross when they are connected by means of said connecting body, which results in an increased movability of the carrier's arms and shoulders, a better distribution of the backpack's weight on/between shoulders and hips, and a better fit against the carrier's body.
The back plate may be made of a material selected from a group consisting of woven fabric of synthetic fibre, moulded plastic, bulletproof material, fiberglass or textile. This is advantageous as the comfort of the carrier system is further improved.
Said carrying straps may be made of a material selected from a group consisting of woven fabric of synthetic fibre, moulded plastic, bulletproof material, textile. This is advantageous as the comfort of the carrier system is further improved.
Said carrying straps may be of the same width, which is advantageous as the device is easily manufactured. This will also reduce the manufacturing costs.
The fastening bodies and said connecting body may be connected to respective carrying strap by glueing, welding, riveting or sewing, which constitute facile and cheep ways of connecting.
The carrying system may further comprise air ducts connected to or built-in in an outer side of said back plate, said outer side being adapted to lie close to a back of said user. The air ducts expand upon filling with air to achieve maximal fit of the back plate against the user's back. The air ducts shall when needed be able to be split in several sections. When undertaking longer hikes and during such, different pressures against the carrier's back shall be possible to create by changing the pressure in the ducts, in order to increase the carrier's comfort. This is for the sake of being able to apply load to the back side of the back and the hips differently. The air ducts may extend along an outer edge of said outer side. The carrying system may further comprise a device adapted to manually fill respectively empty said air ducts.

Short description of the drawings

The above described together with further objectives, distinctive features and advantages will be easier understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings.

Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c show a carrying system consisting of a back plate with carrying straps with one connecting body,
Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c show a carrying system consisting of a back plate with carrying straps with two connecting bodies,
Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show via hand pump inflatable air ducts in the back plate and girdle,
Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c show an extra sack at the carrier's front side, mounted in the carrying strap,
Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b show specially placed pockets at the side of the carrying straps on clothes, e.g. jacket, coat, shirt,
Fig. 6 shows a carrying system consisting of back plate with longer and higher girdles, and carrying straps,
Fig. 7 shows a protection plate to be mounted at the carrier's front side in the carrying strap, and
Fig. 8 shows a backpack according to prior art.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The Figures 1a, 1b and 1c illustrate a first embodiment. Carrying system 1 consisting of a back plate 2 with carrying straps 3, 4, 5 and 6 with one connecting body 7. Four carrying straps 3, 4, 5 and 6 are connected to the back plate 2 at the positions P1, P2, P3 and P4, of which two are upper carrying straps 3 and 4, and two lower carrying straps 5 and 6.
A connecting body 7 is fastened to one of the lower carrying straps 6. This connecting body has three connectors for fastening body 8. The back plate 2 has an outer side 11 which is adapted to lay against a back of said user. The other three carrying straps 3, 4 and 5 have in their free ends, each and one, a fastening body 8.
The carrying plate 2 is placed on the back and the upper carrying straps 3 and 4 are put on the carrier's shoulders and these carrying strap's fastening bodies 8 are, each and one, pushed into the connecting body 7 and locked there. The remaining lower carrying straps 6 fastening body 8 is, in the same way, pushed into the connecting body 7 and locked there. See Figure 1a. Figure 1b shows all carrying straps connected.
There are one or several buttons at the connecting body 7 to be able to disengage the three carrying strap's fastening bodies 8 from the connecting body 7. See Figure 1c.
In order to release the carrier from the carrying system 1 and its carrying straps 3, 4, 5 and 6, the carrier pushes the button/buttons and the carrying system 1 with its load is rapidly released from the carrier's body.
It shall also be possible to tighten all of the carrying straps 3, 4, 5 and 6 so that the back plate 2 attains a maximal fit against the back.
It shall be possible to execute this back plate with carrying straps 3, 4, 5 and 6 in a left and right design.
Very early solutions have not had any profound ergonomic features. Yesterdays and todays solutions of backpacks have often been based on a container/sack, which thereafter has been equipped with straps. The present invention is based on an ergonomically correct back plate with specifically adapted carrying straps for putting on and taking off the carrying system in a simple and fast way, in order to then adjust the sacks or other equipment which is to be carried in connection to this new carrying system.
Known technic of today's carrying systems are characterized mainly in a difficuly in putting on and in a difficulty in taking off these. Especially in an acute situation, it may be of vital importance to, in addition, rapidly take off the carrying system with its belonging equipment/backpack. For example, in the case of mountain climbers, military personnel and others. The present invention is characterized in, for instance, that the carrying system very rapidly may be removed from the carrier's body by pushing one or several buttons.
Todays backpacks are often equipped with a tiny strap (often elastic) to keep the shoulder straps together, so that these do not chafe the armpits to much. tinier strap does not do much good, but points to the problem with todays shoulder straps. It is first when the shoulder straps become carrying straps and are crossed over the chest, that the armpits are directly spared from incorrect loading while, at the same time, the weight gets better distributed over shoulders and the moavability of shoulders is increased. A carrying system with crossed shoulder straps would not work in itself, the carrying system would not be possible to put on, nor to take off. The problem of rapidly and in a simple way putting on and taking off the carrying system is solved by the present invention with crossed carrying straps with one or several connecting bodies.
Today's shoulder straps are often too tight fitting at the sides of whomen's breasts. By employment of crossed carrying straps at the front side, specific adjustment may easily be done for whomen by having the crossing positioned between the breasts, with straps with a smaller width and specifically relieving pillows at the crossing of the straps. The crossing may easily be adjusted in the vertical direction by pulling in or letting out the carrying straps where these are fastened to the back plate. The fastening of today's shoulder straps is most often a pemanent connection to the backpack and not adjustable in the horizontal direction. The fastening of the carrying straps to the back plate shall, in the present invention, be adjustable in a horizontal direction in order to be adjusted to the body of the carrier.
There shall, with the present invention, be available different sizes of carrying plates, so that the carrier may choose the proper size in order to achieve a maximal fit to the back.
The present invention related to a backpack with a carrying system consisting of a back plate with carrying straps and connecting bodies that may rapidly be released, shall also be possible to use for placing other types of equipment, civil as well as military.
The upper part of the back plate, behind the neck of the carrier, shall be somewhat leaned backwards to yield suitable distance to the carrier's neck so that the carrier shall have free movability of the head. This also makes it easier for the carrier to walk with the back as straight as possible.
Figures 2a, 2b och 2c illustrates a second embodiment. Carrying system 1 consisting of a back plate 2 with carrying straps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 with two connecting bodies 7.
Five carrying straps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 are fastened to the back plate 1 at the positions P1, P2, P3 and P4, of which two are upper carrying straps 3 and 4 and three are lower carrying straps 5, 6 and 9.
Two of the lower carrying straps 6 and 9 are fastened to the same point. The lower carrying strap 9 is also a girdle.
Carrying strap 3 och carrying strap 5 are equipped at its free ends with connecting body. Carrying strap 4, carrying strap 6 och carrying strap 9 are equipped at its free ends with a respective fastening body 8 in order to connect to the connecting bodies 7.
Carrying strap 4 och carrying strap 9 are connected together in a connecting body 7. This connecting body 7 has two inlets for connection with respective fastening body 8 from carrying strap 4 and 9.
The carrying plate 2 is put against the back and the upper carrying straps 3 och 4 are put on the carrier's shoulders. The carrying straps 4 and 9 are connected together in one of the two connecting bodies 7. The carrying straps 3 and 6 are connected together in the other of the two connecting bodies. See Figure 2a. Figure 2b shows all carrying straps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 connected.
In order to release the carrier from the carrying system 1 and its carrying straps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9, the carrier pushes the button/buttons and the carrying system 1 with its load is rapidly released from the carrier's body. See Figure 2c.
It shall also be possible to tighten all of the carrying straps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 so that the back plate 2 attains a maximal fit against the back.
It shall be possible to execute this back plate 2 with carrying straps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 in a left and right design.
Remaining description as for Figure 1.
Figure 3a and 3b. Inflatable air ducts 10 in back plate 2 and girdle, via hand pump 12.
Back plate 2 is provided with built in air ducts 10, which are connected to a hand pump 12. By pumping this hand pump 12, the air ducts 10 are filled with air. See Figures 3a and 3b.
It shall be possible to build in air ducts 10, which expand upon being filled with air to achieve a maximal fit of the back plate 2 to the carrier's back, in the back plate 2, see Figure 3b. The air ducts 10 shall when needed be able to be split in several sections. When undertaking longer hikes and during such, different pressures against the carrier's back shall be possible to create by changing the pressure in the ducts, in order to increase the carrier's comfort. This for being able to provide different loads to the backside of the back.
Figure 4a, 4b and 4c. An extra sack at the carrier's front side, mounted in the carrying strap.
The shall, on the carrying straps, be provided four extra fastening bodies for being able to connect a front sack to these. See Figures 4a, 4b and 4c. There is often a lack of room/space at the carrier's front side for necessary equipment at needed extent, and to have such easily available. Occasionally, one sees someone carrying a backpack, but also to have a small separate backpack located on the chest. This solution distributes the weight on the carrier in a better way, but not in an optimal way although it is possible to carry more and to reach a part of the content of the foremost backpack during e.g. hiking/work. This way of having an extra backpack on the chest results in that the carrier is having double shoulder straps over each shoulder, which is uncomfortable and further decreases movability. For the present invention shall it be possible to attach an extra specifically adapted front sack to the carrying straps. This sack shall also have easily available pockets. This sack shall also be designed for different needs and in different sizes, and be manufactured to be as close as possible to the carrier's front side. Women's particular needs shall also be taken into consideration in the design. This front sack shall also be possible to use as a small backpack if the carrier would like to take off the large backpack. For example, backpackers who want to explore a new city and locks the large backpack up at e.g. a railway station, or a soldier who have equipment in the small sack for a mission and takes off the large backpack just before the mission. It shall also be possible to fold this front sack forward by loosening the sack's upper buckles so that the backside of the front sack becomes visible. It shall here be possible to have place for a map, a miniature computer/display. By employment of small straps, this front sack shall, when it is folded forwards, have its backside in a horizontal position.
Figure 5a and 5b. Specifically placed pockets at the side of the carrying straps on clothes, e.g. jacket, coat, shirt.
Special articles of clothing shall be available to be able to be used with the carrying system. This may be, for example, shirt, sweater, jacket, coat etc. Pockets shall be placed on the surfaces that are not crossed by carrying straps in order to have these optimally available when the carrying system is put on the carrier. The pockets may, according to need, be of various designs. Figure 5a shows pockets of a jacket and Figure 5b shows pockets of a shirt.
Today's clothes are not adapted to the shoulder straps of backpacks. Backpacks and clothes (shirt/sweater/jacket/coat) are bought separately. The shoulder straps then often happen to end up over the pockets, whereby these cannot be used optimally. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided clothes with pockets located at the surfaces of the carrier's body where there are no shoulder-straps.
These free surfaces are, due to this new carrying system, located on the left and right breast and on the stomach. These specifically designed clothes thus become integrated products of this new carrying system carrying system, which increases the carrier's total usefulness of the equipment substantially.
Figure 6. Carrying system consisting of back plate with longer and higher girdles, and carrying straps.
This back plate 2 originates either from the one described in Figures 1a, b, c or in Figures 2a, b,c.
The back plate's both lower arms, which extend over the hips, are made longer and higher. This to be able to place different kind of equipment. For example, handcuffs, gun, radio etc.
These surfaces are provided with suitable means for fastening of said equipment.
The back plate 2 and the both lower arms may be made of bulletproof material.
Today, police officers and other personnel that protects (e.g. guards) have a lot of equipment to carry/wear, sometimes up to 10 to 12 kg. There is presently girdles available for this equipment. This equipment has become heavier over the years and todays carrying systems are often not adapted for these weights, which often results in repetitive strain injuries of the carrier. The personnel shall also have a protective plate in front of the chest, which sometimes even is carried under the shirt. Some kind of protection for the back is often lacking (against shot/knife). The present invention is based on above described ergonomic back plate with crossed carrying straps, and that the girdles are made longer and wider for being able to hang/assemble needed equipment thereon, which results in substantially improved ergonomic distribution of the carrier's equipment. The carrier uses a shirt/jacket with pockets within reach, see Figures 5a and 5b, and a back plate with carrying straps over the same. The back plate may cover a greater portion of the back and the sides of the body, than what is necessary for the carrying system's function. This bigger back plate may be reinforced for maximum protection against shots and knifes. A protective plate is buttoned to the chest outside the carrying straps when needed (e.g. outer service), see Figure 7. The front protective plate shall overlap with the back plate at the sides of the body to give maximum protection. Presently, a bulletproof vest has to be carries under the shirt and this may not be put on during e.g. a hot day or inner service. It will, at a rapid turnout, take a longer time to put on this protective plate in its present design in comparison to the present invention with a protective plate, which is fastened rapidly directly to the carrying strap. The protective plate shall also be equipped with velcro-like holders and pockets, to be able to apply for the mission needed equipment, e.g. communication radio, handcuffs, torch etc. This means that for inner service, the carrier needs to carry only equipment used for inner service in the carrying system, and at the front side of the protective plate is equipment available for outer service. This results in a lighter load at the carrier's body when inner service is conducted. This system too shall be able to have air ducts in the back plate and girdles to be able to accomplish a maximal fit with the body by pumping air into these.
Figure 7. Protection plate to be mounted at the carrier's front side in the carrying strap.
It shall be possible to fastening a front protective plate to the front side, on the carrying straps, to the carrying system shown in Figure 6. This is, advantageously, made in some kind of bulletproof design. Means for fastening of this protective plate is the same as for front sack, see Figures 4a, 4b and 4c.
The carrying straps shall be equipped with extra fastening bodies to be able to fasten this protective plate.
The front protective plate shall overlap with the back plate at the sides of the body to give maximum protection. It will, at a rapid turnout, take a longer time to put on this protective plate in its present design in comparison to this new protective plate, see Figure 7, which is fastened rapidly directly to the carrying strap. The protective plate shall also be equipped with velcro-like holders and pockets, to be able to apply for the mission needed equipment, e.g. communication radio, handcuffs, torch etc. This means that for inner service, the carrier needs to carry only equipment used for inner service in the carrying system, and at the front side of the protective plate is equipment available for outer service. This results in a lighter load at the carrier's body when inner service is conducted. This system too shall be able to have air ducts, see Figures 3a and 3b, in the back plate and girdles to be able to accomplish a maximal fit with the body by pumping air into these.
Figure 8. Backpack according to known technique.
Figure 8 shows a backpack according to known technique. The backpack has no fast coupling buckle at the front side of the carrier's body.
For the in Figures 1 to 7 described fastening bodies and connection bodies, shall also other means for connection be possible to use, e.g. velcro tape etc.
The carrying strap's points of connection P1 to P4 to the back plate 2 shall be adjustable in the horizontal direction to be adapted to the carrier's body.
In the present invention, there shall be available different sizes of carrying plates, so that the carrier may choose the proper size in order to achieve a maximal fit to the back.
The upper part of the back plate 2, behind the neck of the carrier, shall be somewhat leaned backwards to yield suitable distance to the carrier's neck so that the carrier shall have free movability of the head. This also makes it easier for the carrier to walk with the back as straight as possible.
The present invention has been described above with reference to a few embodiments. It is, however, obvious to the one skilled in the art that additional embodiments, beside those described above, are equally realized within the protective scope, which is defined by appended claims.

Claims

A backpack with a carrying system, comprising an ergonomic back plate (2) which is substantially covering the entire back of a user;
a first carrying strap (3) adapted to extend from a first position (P1) of an upper section of said back plate (2) over a first shoulder of a user substantially diagonally downwards towards solar plexus of said user;
a second carrying strap (4) adapted to extend from a second position (P2) of said upper section of said back plate over a second shoulder of said user substantially diagonally downwards towards solar plexus of said user;
a third carrying strap (5) adapted to extend from a first position (P3) of a lower section of said back plate (2) under a first arm of said user substantially diagonally upwards towards solar plexus of said user; and
a fourth carrying strap (6) adapted to extend from a second position (P4) of said lower section of said back plate (2) under a second arm of said user substantially diagonally upwards towards solar plexus of said user;
wherein one of said carrying straps (3, 4, 5, 6) is provided with a connecting body (7) which is fixated at its free end, and each one of the remaining carrying straps (3, 4, 5, 6) are provided with a fastening body (8) which is fixated at its free end, wherein said connecting body (7) is adapted to connect said respective fastening body (8); and
wherein each one of said fastening bodies (8) are pressed into the connecting body (7) and locked there, and wherein said connecting body (7) comprises several buttons to be able to disengage the three carrying straps' (3, 4, 5, 6) fastening bodies (8) from the connecting body (7) so that the backpack (1) may be disengaged from the user, wherein two of said fastening bodies (8) are adapted to be connected in a common recess in said connecting body (7).
The backpack according to claim 1, wherein said first, second, third and fourth carrying straps (3, 4, 5, 6) together form cross when they are connected by means of said connecting body (7).
The backpack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said back plate (2) is made of a material selected from a group consisting of woven fabric of synthetic fibre, moulded plastic, bulletproof material, fiberglass or textile.
The backpack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said carrying straps (3, 4, 5, 6, 9) are made of a material selected from a group consisting of woven fabric of synthetic fibre, moulded plastic, bulletproof material or textile.
The backpack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said carrying straps (3, 4, 5, 6, 9) are of the same width.
The backpack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening body (8) and said connecting body (7) are connected to respective carrying strap (3, 4, 5, 6, 9) by glueing, welding, riveting or sewing.
The backpack according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising air ducts (10) connected to or built-in in an outer side (11) of said back plate (2), said outer side (11) being adapted to lie close to a back of said user.
The backpack according to claim 7, wherein said air ducts (10) extend along an outer edge of said outer side (11).
The backpack according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a device (12) adapted to manually fill respectively empty said air ducts (10).