Introduction
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This invention relates to a dual purpose rucksack that converts easily into a shelter.
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All too often hillwalkers, hunters or military/police/civil defence personnel find themselves forced to stay overnight in rough terrain. This may be caused by operational requirements or an unfortunate change in weather, circumstances or by becoming disorientated. This invention is directed towards providing shelter to those individuals and as such overcoming a major survival issue. It would also be used by mountain marathon runners and canoeists, who all experience weight and space limitations.
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FR 3016781A ,
US 4239135A ,
US 4331272A and
CN204519734U all disclose backpacks that can be converted into a tent.
JP 2002017540A discloses a rucksack which can transform into a sleeping bag.
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The present invention is directed towards providing an improved dual purpose rucksack which converts easily into a shelter.
Statements of Invention
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According to the invention, there is provided a dual purpose rucksack including:
- an outer pack and a complementary inner carry pack which is mountable within the outer pack;
- the outer pack comprising a twin-walled envelope which is foldable between a closed position forming the outer pack and an open position forming a temporary shelter.
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The great advantage of this rucksack is that the inner pack can be easily removed from the outer pack and all the contents of the rucksack removed, except obviously any external pouches. With the contents of the rucksack removed, then release of fasteners allows the shelter to be formed immediately. It will be appreciated that the inner pack can be made of a very light material since it is unlikely that a rucksack will need to be converted into a shelter often during its usable life and thus, effectively, the inner pack can be a liner for the rucksack and thus function as a lightweight but serviceable pack.
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In another embodiment, the inner pack has shoulder carrying straps for use as a separate rucksack when removed from the main pack. This is particularly advantageous because, in effect, now there is a second rucksack and none of the problems associated with the lack of carry capacity of the rucksack, as has occurred heretofore, are significant. It also incorporates a storm collar and lid for both packs.
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Ideally, the inner pack has an open mouth, the periphery of which is releasably connected to the main pack by further pack connecting fasteners and in which the shoulder carrying straps and, if provided, the inner cover flap for the inner pack are stored between the inner and outer packs. The advantage of this is that all the carrying straps, carrying handles, connectors, etc. including the shoulder straps of the inner pack are stored neatly within the rucksack. Thus, the interior main compartment of the rucksack can be configured in any suitable way, without the need to take account of the additional straps and other devices, including any shoulder straps, for example, or other carrying straps, which are hidden and stored away.
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In one embodiment of the invention the inner carry pack is nestably engagable within the outer pack.
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In another embodiment of the invention a pack connector is provided for releasably securing the inner carry pack to the outer pack.
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In a further embodiment of the invention the pack connector comprises complementary hook and pile fastener strips on each pack.
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In one embodiment of the invention the inner carry pack has substantially similar volume to the outer pack when the outer pack is in the closed position.
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In another embodiment of the invention the packs have a common lid which is mounted on one of the packs.
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In a further embodiment of the invention the common lid is mounted on the inner carry pack.
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In one embodiment of the invention the inner carry pack is provided with shoulder straps.
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In one embodiment of the invention the outer pack comprises an outer panel of flexible material to which is attached a canopy of flexible material.
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In another embodiment of the invention the canopy is movable between a folded flat position against an inner face of the outer panel and a deployed position arching above the outer panel.
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In a further embodiment of the invention fasteners are provided on the canopy to support the canopy in a folded position against the outer panel.
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In one embodiment of the invention one or more support stays are provided to support the canopy above the outer panel in the deployed positon.
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In another embodiment of the invention the outer panel has an upper torso section and a lower leg section of narrower width extending outwardly from the torso section.
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In another embodiment of the invention the outer panel incorporates a cushion which extends at least over part of the length of the outer panel.
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In another embodiment of the invention the outer panel comprises a number of hingedly interconnected outer pack side wall panels with a plurality of fasteners to releasably secure adjacent panels together when the outer pack is in the closed position.
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In one embodiment of the invention the side wall panels comprises a back panel, side panels projecting outwardly at each side of the back panel, a bottom panel projecting outwardly at an inner end of the back panel, a front panel projecting outwardly from the opposite side of the bottom panel to the back panel, wing panels at each side of the front panel forming an extension of the side panels of the back panel, a head panel attached to an outer end of the back panel, and a foot panel forming an extension of the front panel and wing panels.
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In another embodiment of the invention the back panel and the bottom pane! incorporate cushion elements.
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In another embodiment of the invention complementary zip elements are provided along inner edges and side edges of the side panels and alongside edges of the bottom panel and the front panel, the zip elements being interengagable to secure the outer pack in the closed position.
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In another embodiment of the invention attachment means is provided on an exterior of the outer pack for demountable detachment of one or more auxiliary pouches.
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In a further embodiment of the invention loops and/or strapping is provided on the outer pack to facilitate use of the outer pack when in the open position as a stretcher.
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In another embodiment, the invention provides a dual purpose rucksack having a pack comprising a twin-walled envelope which is foldable between a closed position forming the pack and an open position forming a temporary shelter.
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In accordance with the invention, the outer pack comprises of an elongated sheet of material forming the base of the invention. The main part having formed the pack, extensions on the sides, top and lower end provide sufficient area to mount the shelter tent.
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In accordance with the invention, the outer elongated main portion of substantially constant width and the side extensions, the portion of the main portion between the side extensions forming the base of the rucksack and the main portion projecting beyond the top portion, the cover flap and the rear, one part of an elongate two part releasable fastener on each side extension portion, and extending adjacent and along the side edges projecting out from the main portion and the other part of the fastener extending adjacent the parallel free edges of the main portion forming the front and the rear of the rucksack whereby when the side extension portions are folded inwards orthogonal to the main portion to form the sides of the rucksack and the main portion is folded upwards and back across the exposed edges of side extension portions to form the rucksack. It will be appreciated that this particular construction is very easily adapted to disassembly and assembly and in particular can be disassembled rapidly in an emergency situation.
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In another embodiment of the invention, the main portion includes further laterally extended extension portions folded back on themselves along a fold line when the rucksack is formed.
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Ideally, the fastener is a zip fastener comprising two flexible strips with interlocking parts engaged and disengaged by a slidable connector. This is a particularly suitable form of fastener since it can be continuously mounted to allow very quick disassembly of the rucksack.
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In another embodiment a covered vent is provided in a vertical end of the canopy.
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In another embodiment additional pouches are easily connected to the outside of the main or inner pack by pouch fasteners.
Brief Description of the Drawings
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The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some of the embodiments thereof, given by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a rucksack according to the invention, shown in use;
- Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view showing an outer pack forming portion of the rucksack;
- Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of an inner carry pack forming portion of the rucksack;
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner carry pack;
- Fig. 5 is an elevational view showing the outer pack in another position of use;
- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the outer pack corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 5;
- Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the outer pack shown in another position of use, partially deployed as a shelter;
- Fig. 8 is a plan view of the outer pack corresponding to the view shown in Fig. 7;
- Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of an anchoring element on the outer pack;
- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the outer pack in another position of use, shown deployed as a temporary shelter;
- Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the outer pack deployed as a temporary shelter;
- Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view showing a support stay and ground anchoring element on the outer pack;
- Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view showing an end of the outer pack when deployed as a shelter in the position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 11;
- Fig. 14 is a plan view of a rear face of the outer pack when the outer pack is in an open position; and
- Fig. 15 is a schematic illustration of panels forming the outer pack.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
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Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a dual-purpose rucksack according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. Fig. 1 shows the rucksack 1 in use being carried on the back of a person 2 in the usual fashion. The rucksack 1 comprises an outer pack 3 and a complementary inner carry pack 4 which is nestably engagable within the outer pack 3. The outer pack 3 is formed by a twin-walled envelope which is foldable between a closed positon forming the outer pack as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and an open position forming a temporary shelter 5 as shown in Fig. 11. After removal of the inner carry pack 4, the outer pack 3 can be folded outwardly as shown in the sequence of Fig. 5 to Fig. 11 to form the temporary shelter 5.
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The inner carry pack 4 is a snug nesting fit within the outer pack 3 and forms an inner liner for the outer pack and essentially comprises a rectangular base 6 with upstanding front wall 7, side walls 8, 9 and rear wall 10. Shoulder straps 11 are provided on the rear wall 10. A storm collar 12 with drawstring 14 is mounted at a top of the walls 7, 8, 9, 10. A lid 15, which serves as a lid for both the inner carry pack 4 and the outer pack 3 is hingedly mounted at an upper end of the back wall 10.
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Releasable pairs of snap closure elements 16, 17 are provided on the lid 15 and on the front wall 7 to releasably close the lid 15 on the inner carry pack 4. Additional closure elements 18 (Fig. 1) are provided on an exterior of the outer pack 3 for closing the lid 15 over the outer pack 3 and inner carry pack 4 when the inner carry pack 4 is mounted within the outer pack 3.
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A Velcro® band 20 extends around a rim at an upper end of the walls 7, 8, 9, 10 of the inner carry pack 4 and this is engagable with complementary Velcro® strips 21 (Fig. 2) extending along an inside top edge of the outer pack 3 so that when the inner carry pack 4 is nestably engaged within the outer pack 3, the two packs 3, 4 are releasably secured together by means of the band 20 and associated strips 21.
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Referring in particular to Fig. 1 and Fig. 15, the outer pack 3 comprises an outer panel 25 of flexible material arranged in a number of hingedly interconnected side wall panels. In this case the side wall panels include a rectangular back panel 26. Generally rectangular side panels 27 project outwardly at each side of the back panel 26 and are hingedly connected to the back panel 26 along fold lines 28, 29. A rectangular bottom panel 30 projects outwardly at an inner end of the back panel 26 and hingedly connects to the back panel 26 along fold line 31. A rectangular front panel 32 projects outwardly from the opposite side of the bottom panel 30 to the back panel 26 and hingedly connects to the bottom panel 30 along fold line 33. Generally rectangular wing panels 34 at each side of the front panel 32 and bottom panel 30 form extensions of the side panels 27 connected to the back panel 26 and hingedly connect to the bottom panel 30 and front panel 32 along fold lines 35 forming extensions of the fold lines 28, 29 and hingedly connect to the side panels 27 along fold lines 36 forming an extension of the fold line 31.
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It will be noted that the outer panel 25 has an upper torso section (panels 26, 27) and a lower leg section ( panels 30, 32, 34, 40) of narrower width extending outwardly from the torso section.
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A rectangular head panel 38 is attached to an outer end of the back panel 26, extending across the back panel 26 and side panels 27 and hingedly connected thereto along a common fold line 39. A rectangular foot panel 40 forms an extension of the front panel 32 and wing panels 34 and is hingedly connected thereto along a common fold line 41. Cushion elements are mounted within the back panel 26 and bottom panel 30.
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Referring in particular to Fig. 1 and Fig. 14, zip fasteners 43 have complementary zip elements 44, 45 which are provided along the inner edges 46 and side edges 47 of the side panels 27 and along side edges 48, 49 of the bottom panel 30 and front panel 32. The zip elements 44, 45 are interengagable to form the zips 43 which secure the outer pack 3 in the closed position with the wing panels 34, head panel 38 and foot panel 40 folded inwardly within the outer pack 3.
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Referring in particular to Fig. 7 to Fig. 13, the outer pack further comprises a canopy 50 of flexible material. The canopy 50 is movable between a folded flat positon against an inner face of the outer panel 25 as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 and a deployed position arching above the outer panel 25 as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Zip fasteners 52, 53, each having complementary interengagable zip elements 51, 54, are provided on the canopy 50 in a longitudinal orientation to support the canopy 50 in a folded positon against the outer panel 25 and facilitate a neat folding into the closed position for forming the outer pack 3. Thus, gusset folds are formed in the canopy 50 and the zips 52, 53 engage to secure the canopy 50 in the folded position as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.
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Referring in particular to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, arcuate support stays 55 are engagable through associated mounting loops 56 spaced-apart along top and bottom edges of the canopy 50 to support the canopy 50 above the outer panel 25 in the deployed positon. Stay mounting elements 57 are provided on the outer panel 25 adjacent each end of the canopy 50 and at each side of the canopy 50 to receive each end of the stays 55 in V-shaped sockets 59, and also include loops 58 for securing the canopy 50 the ground by means of tent pegs or the like. A vent opening 60 covered by a flap 61 is provided in a closed end wall 62 at a bottom end of the canopy 50.
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As best seen in Fig. 14, shoulder straps 64 are provided on an outer face of the back panel 26 as are waist straps 65.
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In use, the rucksack 1 can be used in similar fashion to a conventional rucksack with the outer pack 3 in the closed position and the inner carry pack 4 mounted and secured within the outer pack 3. To form a temporary shelter, the inner carry pack 4 is detached and removed from the outer pack as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The outer pack 3 is then unzipped and folded into the flat positon shown in Fig 14 and Fig. 15. Then the canopy gusseting zips 52, 53 are undone and parted allowing the canopy 50 to expand. Insertion of the stays 55 at each end of the canopy 50 supports the canopy 50 in the arcuate or domed position over the outer panel 25 to provide a temporary shelter 5 as shown in Fig. 11. After use as a shelter 5 the canopy 50 is collapsed and folded flat and secured in the folded position by the gusset zips 52, 53. The head panel 38 is folded inwardly between the canopy 50 and the outer panel 25 and the foot panel 40 is folded inwardly about fold line 41 over the front panel 32 and wing panels 34. By re-engaging the zip elements 44, 45 and closing each zip 43 on the outer pack 3, the outer panel 25 is again formed into the outer pack 3 with the wing panels 34 and foot panel 40 being housed within the outer pack 3. The inner carry pack 4 can again be mounted within the outer pack 3 and secured therein by means of the Velcro® band 20 and associated strips 21.
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It will be appreciated that many types of fasteners may be used and while, in the embodiments described above, only zip fasteners have been described, other fasteners may be used, particularly, for example, for the expandable pouches and potential internal attachments where fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners, similar to those sold under the Trademark VELCRO, may be used. Further, it will be appreciated that depending on the amount of material being used and whether additional material is required for wrapping around an injured person or in some other way, for holding them secure, the position of the zips will need to be moved. However, the important point to appreciate is that any number of straps, attachment devices, and so on, may be provided on the outer pack.
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In relation to the inner pack, it will be appreciated that the inner pack can be made of any suitable material and can be of relatively lightweight construction. However, it is envisioned the inner pack will be manufactured from a relatively lightweight washable material so that it can be removed from the rucksack from time to time.
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Similarly, extension pieces may be manufactured from much lighter weight material than that of the rest of the outer pack.
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One of the advantages of the invention is that the rucksack is normally considered a standard piece of equipment, both for recreational off-road walkers, military personnel, mountain rescue units, civil defence, etc., the possession of a dual purpose rucksack according to the present invention would not mean that anybody would consider the carrying of the rucksack as an undue burden and, in some way, leading to the carrying of useless additional equipment.
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It is envisaged that the dual purpose rucksack according to the present invention may be manufactured from a suitable material for example relatively strong fabric such as Military Specification Cordura nylon, or other breathable material of similar strength.
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It will be appreciated with the present invention, that the rucksack will fulfil all the functions of a standard rucksack and be virtually indistinguishable in appearance from a regular rucksack.
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Conveniently, the inner carry pack 4 has a capacity of approximately 35 litres which is the most common size of rucksack used by day walkers, hikers, hunters, and many other users of rucksacks. Side pouches on the outer pack 3 can increase the volume by 15 to 16 litres, this increase will provide a rucksack 1 of a size greater than 35 litres, while more or less retaining the same basic structure. It is envisioned that the overall weight of the rucksack 1 according to the invention will be approximately 2 kg which is not much greater than an ordinary rucksack of comparable size made with standard materials.
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Another advantage of the present invention is that there is little assembly required and the rucksack 1, when used as a shelter 5 in accordance with the present invention can be relatively easily used in any circumstance the user may encounter.
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A GTAS (ground to air signal) panel of reflective material may be provided on one or both packs 3, 4 and also on the canopy 50, if desired, as an additional safety feature.
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It is also envisaged that loops and/or strapping might be provided on the outer pack 3 so that when in the opened position it might be used as a stretcher with poles being inserted through the loops/straps at each side of the outer panel 25 for carrying the stretcher.
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In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised, and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included, and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.
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The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.
