GB1368679A - Back pack frames or carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

1368679 Load carriers GERICO Inc 8 Dec 1972 [16 Dec 1971] 56756/72 Heading A3V A carrier for supporting a load on a person's back, e.g. a child, comprises a tubular metal frame 14 and a pouch 16 for the child, the frame having an upper portion 19 for extending across the shoulders of the wearer and connected by curved portions 20 to sloping side members 22 which extend forwardly and downwardly along opposite sides of the back towards the waist of the wearer and terminate in straight end pieces 24, 26, these pieces being connected by a resilient arcuate brace 30 the length of which in its relaxed state is greater than the spacing of the end pieces 24, 26 so that when in position the brace 30 exerts a spreading force on the frame side members 22, the force being resisted by the frame to hold the brace 30 in compression and so rigidify the entire assembly. The brace 30 is preferably of polyethylene and is of U-section with a central reinforcing rib 40. A socket 41 is provided at each end of the brace 30 to receive the portions 24, 26 of the frame, these portions being located by pins 54 in the sockets engaging in holes 56 in the frame. A flexible fabric strap 68 is tensioned between the ends of the brace 30, being secured thereto by lugs 42 on the sockets 41 which pass through eyelets on the strap, and this strap serves to further tension the brace 30 and to contact the wearer's back and thereby take the load of the frame, without there being contact between the wearer's back and the rigid brace 30. The sockets 41 may enclose the ends of the frame portions 24, 26 as shown, but an embodiment is also described wherein these portions are elongated and pass through the sockets, the portions 24, 26, having spaced holes, as 56, for engagement with the pins 54 whereby the brace 30 may be adjusted in position along the end portions of the frame to suit different wearers,