GB2130481A - Improvements in and relating to back packs - Google Patents

Abstract

A back pack comprising a pack body having attached thereto shoulder straps whose lower ends are connected to an interconnecting member 22 which is slidingly coupled to the body of the pack through slot 23. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to back packs This invention relates to a back pack.

Back packs fall into two main categories, these being soft or frameless packs and framed packs. One important criterion with either type of pack is that the pack is comfortable to carry especially when the pack is fully laden. With soft packs it is important that the pack when loaded continues to mould itself to the shape of the back of the user and in my copending patent application (filed concurrently with this application) there is described a soft pack which is so constructed that it conforms anatomically with the back of the user even when the pack is full.

One aspect which is common to both framed and frameless packs is that the shoulder straps should be comfortable and adjustable to ensure that the load transfer is correct.

In addition to ensuring correct fit, the shoulder straps should allow freedom of shoulder movement of the body of the user. With most packs the shoulder straps are fixedly coupled at their respective ends to the body of the pack, or to the frame in the case of a frame pack. This method of attachment does not allow for freedom of shoulder movement, which can therefore lead to fatigue in the user.

The object of this invention is to provide a back pack in which the shoulder straps may be so coupled to the body of the pack or the frame of the pack that freedom of shoulder movement of the user is permitted.

According to this invention there is provided a back pack having a pair of shoulder straps, said straps being interconnected at their lower ends by an interconnecting member which is slidingly coupled to either the body of the pack or the frame of the pack.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of the shoulder straps according to one form of the invention; Figure 2 is a partial elevational view of the back of a frameless or internally framed pack showing the upper attachment points for the shoulder straps of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the pack of Fig. 2 showing lower attachment points for the shoulder straps of Fig. 1; Figure 3A is a bottom view of a first version of a frameless or internally framed pack showing the interconnecting portion of shoulder straps; Figure 3B is a bottom view of a second version of a frameless or internally framed pack showing the interconnecting portion of shoulder straps;; Figure 4 is an elevational view of the shoulder strap attachment panel according to a second form of the invention; Figure 5 is an elevational view of the shoulder strap attachment panel of Fig. 4 attached to the frame of a frame pack; Figure 6 is a front elevational view of a frame for a frame pack; Figure 7 is a side view of the frame shown in Fig. 5; Figure 8 is an elevational view of the lower portion of the frames shown in Figs. 5 to 7; Figure 9 is an elevational view of a hipbelt; and Figure 10 is a view of the components of the hipbelt shown in Fig. 9.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the shoulder straps 10 are preferably of a padded construction and are anatomically cut to conform with the body contours of the user. Straps 10 are interconnected at their upper ends 1 2 by a joiner panel 11. The lower ends 1 3 are coupled to a web 14, to which buckles 39 are attached. Mounted on each of the shoulder straps 10 is s lift strap 1 5. The back of the pack is formed by an inner and outer panel.

Fig. 2 is a partial view of the outer surface of the outer panel of the back. The pack is essentially a frameless or internally framed pack and can be of the form described in my copending patent application.

Referring to the lower attachment of the shoulder straps shown in Fig. 3, webs 23b are directly attached to web 22. Buckles 19, which couple with webs 23b, are connected to the pack bottom 23a by web 22a. A slot 23 is formed between an outer layer 23a and an inner layer 23e extending across the lower sides and bottom of the pack.

Referring to Fig. 3A hipbelt 24 can conveniently be tucked away into slot 23 when not in use. The hipbelt may be of the form hereinafter described in Figs. 9 and 1 0.

Buckles 40 are attached to one end of webs 46. The other ends of webs 46 being directly attached to the pack. Straps 41, attached to hipbelt 24, couple with buckles 40, whereas fastening 40a in the centre of hipbelt 24 attaches to the centre of outer panel P2 of the pack.

The centre of web 22 is slidingly coupled to the pack through slot 23. The centre of web 22 passes through a metal or plastic loop 23c. Loop 23c is attached to the inner layer 23e by web 23d. Alternatively the centre of web 22 passes through two loops 23c which are directly attached to inner layer 23e by webs 23d, as shown in Fig. 3B. Straps 20, 18b and 1 8c which are attached to the outer panel P2 of the back of the pack shown in Fig. 2 are each provided with buckles 24, 1 8a and 1 8 respectively. The free end of lift straps 1 5 couples with straps 20. The free ends of web 22 couple with buckles 39.

Webs 1 6 and 1 6a attach to buckles 1 8 and 1 8a respectively and velcro Q attaches to velcro R. Adjustment of the shoulder straps 10 is carried out by adjusting the length via webs 22 in their respective buckles and the point of attachment at the upper end of the shoulder straps 10 is adjusted by the position of webs 1 6 and 1 6a in buckles 1 8 and 1 8a respectively and velcro (RTM) fasteners Q and R. The velcro R is attached to the outer surface of outer panel P2.

As the shoulder straps are interconnected via web 22 full freedom of movement of the shoulders is possible. Adjustment of webs 23b in buckles 1 9 allows the amount of freedom of movement to be varied as required. The shoulder straps 10 are preferably provided with a chest strap. The chest strap can be conveniently provided by webs 25 and buckles 26 attaching to rings 25a, which rings attach to the shoulder straps 10 by webs 26a so that straps 25 can be coupled together by buckles 26 when the pack is on the back of the user, and the chest strap height can be adjusted by moving rings 25a to alternate webs 26a. These chest straps bring some of the load onto the upper chest of the user thus easing pressure on the outside of the shoulders and keeping the load close to the back.The lift straps 1 5 allow the user to adjust how close the top of the pack rides on his or her shoulders. The sliding attachment of the shoulder straps 10 at their lower ends thus permits freedom of movement to the shoulders of the user.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 and in this embodiment the shoulder straps 10 are connected to a back panel, designed for mounting on an externally framed pack. The back panel is preferably made of a mesh material for maximum ventilation. To the upper and lower ends of mesh panel 27 are respecitvely attached the upper straps 28 and lower straps 29. Each strap 29 is provided with a pair of cords 30 and 30a.

Referring to Fig. 5, it is seen that straps 28 attach to the top of frame member 31 via buckles 33 on webs 33a, whilst the lower cords 30a extend around the lower frame member 32. The cords 30 extend around the back of the frame members 31 to couple together at their ends. Extending from the frame members 31 towards their upper ends are webs 24' with buckles 20' attached.

Extending from lower member 32 is strap 27c with buckle 27b attached. Webs 27c and 33a connect to frame members 32 and 31 respectively via fasteners 53.

Straps 1 6 and 1 5 on shoulder straps 10 attach respectively to buckles 27b and 20', and velcro (RTM) fastener Q on shoulder strap joiner 11 attaches to velcro (RTM) fastener R on mesh panel 27. The position of the shoulder straps 10' can be adjusted in relation to frame members 31 and 32 by movement of backpanel 27 in a vertical direction. To retain the selected position the end of strap 27c is adjusted in buckle 27b and velcro (RTM) fasteners Q and R repositioned, thus adjusting the effective length of strap 27c. Velcro (RTM) fastener R and Q prevents lateral movement of lower portion of shoulder straps 1 2 in relation to mesh panel 27.

Various types of external frames can be employed and one form of frame is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The frame has a pair of downwardly extending members 31 which converge to be joined near their centre section at point S. Bottom member 32 is coupled adjacent to its extreme ends to the lower ends of members 31. Member 35 couples members 31 near their upper ends. The frame when viewed in side view is of a substantially 'S' shape to follow the curvature of the back.

As can be seen, bottom member 32 is curved when viewed in plan. Members 31, 32 and 35 are of hollow tubing construction.

Referring back now to Fig. 8, webs 39a are interconnected by a web 38. This web 38 is mounted within the lower frame member 32.

Webs 39a attach to buckles 39 on shoulder straps 1 0. Web 38 can thus slide within the frame member 32 once again allowing full freedom of movement of the shoulders due to the interconnecting portion of the shoulder straps 10' being mounted in a sliding arrangement. The ends of webs 39a hitting frame member 32 form a stop to prevent excessive movement when lifting the pack onto the back.

The frame pack is preferably provided with a hip belt of the construction illustrated in Fig.

9. The hip belt is formed of anotomically curved portions 42 and 43 which are sewn together and have the shapes shown in Fig.

1 0. The hip belt is of a padded construction and being anotomically shaped it sits over the flare of the hips of the user and transfers weight by virtue of its shape. The hip belt is done up around the body of the user by straps 44 and interconnecting buckle portions 45.

This form of hip belt transfers the weight evenly to the whole pelvic region rather than concentrating it across the back and stomach of the user. This weight transfer is accomplished by attaching the hip belt to the frame of the pack at three points around the circumference of the hips. This attachment is achieved by the belt having short webs 41 which attach to buckles 40' at the end of webs 46'. Webs 46' couple to the ends of the lower tubular member 32 of the frame via fastening 52a. A fastening 40b is positioned centrally in portion 42 of the hip belt and this is coupled to a fastening 53 which is positioned centrally in the length of lower frame member 32.

The web 41' transfers the weight from the hip belt ends to the frame and fastening 53 transfers weight from the hip belt centre to the frame.

With either form of these shoulder straps, the padded and anatomically cut straps are comfortable as they follow the contours of the body of the user. With the shoulder straps being interconnected in a sliding arrangement at the bottom of the pack, full movement of the shoulders of the user is permitted. The built-in chest straps bring a proportion of the load onto the upper chest of the user thus relieving the pressure on the outside of the shoulders and keeping the load close to the back. The lift straps on the shoulder pads allow the user to control how close the top of the pack rides on his or her shoulders. In both forms the position of attachment of the shoulder straps 10 to the top of the pack or the frame is readily adjustable thus allowing easy adjustment of the pack to fit the differing back sizes of various users.

With both forms of the pack, the hip belt allows comfortable transfer of some of the load to the hips helping to spread the load over as large an area of the body as possible to minimise fatigue. This load transfer is accomplished without restricting freedom of movement in the hips. The design and method of tensioning the back panel on the externally framed pack allows it to mould to the shape of the wearer's back, again helping to spread the load evenly.

The shoulder straps, hip belt and back panel according to the invention thus provide a pack which has correct fit, good balance and is kept snugly against the back of the user at all times, whilst allowing easy and unrestricted body movement.

Claims (6)

1. A back pack which includes shoulder straps whose lower ends are interconnected by an interconnecting member which is slidingly coupled to either the body of the pack or the frame of the pack.

2. A back pack as claimed in claim 1 which includes a hipbelt.

3. A back pack as claimed in claim 2 wherein the hipbelt is constructed of curved portions giving a three dimensional shape narrower at the top than the bottom.

4. A back pack as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the hipbelt is attached to the pack body at least at its centre so that the hipbelt can pivot on its attachment point.

5. A back pack as claimed in claim 4 wherein the hipbelt is also attached to the pack body at or near its ends.

6. A back pack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.