GB2241880A - Rucksack/bum-bag - Google Patents

Abstract

A rucksack comprises an upwardly-open body portion to which is releasably attached a lid (2), fig 3, said lid (2) including therein a pocket (12) and a pair of opposed straps (20) one 10 each side of said pocket (12) so arranged that, on removal of the lid (2) from the body portion, the pocket (12) can be secured to the waist of the user by means of the straps (20) in the manner of a bum-bag. The lid includes end pouches (16) for attachment and housing for the straps (20), the pouches being turned inside out to provide end flaps of the bum-bag, fig 6. <IMAGE>

Description

RUCKSACK This invention relates to rucksacks and more particularly to rucksack/bum-bag combinations.

When partaking in outdoor activities such as walking, mountaineering and the like, it is well-established practice to carry associated equipment in rucksacks which can be of a considerable size and weight.

During such basic activities, it is often desirable to be more agile, as when rock-climbing, ski-ing and the like, in which case the rucksack is removed, 'and any small articles needed are commonly carried in a pouch or pocket strapped around the- waist of the wearer to rest on his lower back, and known as a bum-bag.

However, it will be appreciated that the bum-bag has to be purchased as a separate item from the rucksack and needs to be carried in the rucksack when not in use, thereby taking up valuable space and requiring opening of the rucksack to give access thereto.

Although it is known to provide rucksacks with separate compartments releasably mounted to the sides of the main pack, as disclosed for example in US specifications nos. 4884731 and 4491258, these compartments are not suitable for use as bum-bags.

It would be desirable to be able to provide a bum-bag that was more accessible than heretofore and which did not require storage space within the rucksack when not in use.

According to the present invention there is provided a rucksack comprising an upwardly-open body portion closed by a lid, the lid being releasably attached to the body portion and including a pocket therein and a pair of opposed straps one to each side thereof whereby, on removal of the lid from the body portion, said lid can be strapped around the waist of a user in the manner of a bum-bag.

Thus it will be appreciated that such a bag is readily accessible without having to enter the rucksack and, having a dual purpose, does not take up space within the rucksack when not in use as a bum-bag.

Preferably the releasable attachment of the lid with the body portion is achieved by means of a zip-fastener,

although 'Velcro'fastenings may be used.

Conveniently the lid includes a storage pocket extending substantially the length thereof, and a pair of opposed pouches one at each end of the storage pocket, each pouch incorporating a strap secured to the bottom inner lining thereof, the arrangement being such that, on removal of the straps from the pouches, said pouches are turned inside out to provide end flaps to the lid which facilitate its use as a bum-bag.

By way of example only, an embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Fig. 1 is a view from the back and one end of the lid of a rucksack according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a view of the lid of Fig. 1 from the front and one end; Fig. 3 shows the lid of Fig. 2 with a strap partially removed from an end pouch, Fig. 4 shows the pouch of the lid of Fig. 3 partially turned inside out; Fig. 5 shows the pouch of the lid of Fig. 4 completely turned inside out, and Fig. 6 shows the lid of Figs. 1 to 5 in its mode as a bum-bag.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show the lid 2 of a rucksack according to the invention, the rucksack having a body portion (not shown) which can be of any relatively conventional shape and size.

Instead of being an integral part of the rucksack, the lid 2 is removably attached to the body portion by a zipfastener a component of which is shown at 4 extending along the rear lower edge of the lid 2.

The lid 2 further includes a front wall 6, a rear wall 8, opposed end walls 10 and a zipped pocket 12 extending substantially the full length of the lid 2.

When zipped in position on the rucksack, the front of the lid 2 is fastened to the body portion by means of a buckle 14, the pocket 12 being available for the storage therein of various small articles.

The lid 2 further includes a pair of end pouches 16 each of generally inverted truncated triangular shape, each having a studded closure flap 18, and each pouch 16 forming an integral part of the associated end wall 10.

Housed within each pouch 16 is an associated strap 20 an end of which is sewn to the bottom inner edge of said pouch.

In use of the lid 2.as a closure to the rucksack, the pouches 1.6 on the lid 2 remain closed with the associated straps 20 contained therein, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2.

When it is desired to use the lid 2 as a bum-bag, the zip-fastener securing the lid to the body portion of the rucksack is released to enable the lid to be removed from the body portion.

The flaps 18 closing the pouches 16 are unfastened and the free ends of the straps 20, which carry thereon the components 22,24 of a buckle fastening, are withdrawn from the pouches 16 as shown in Fig. 3.

Continued pulling on the straps 20 in an upward direction relative to the pouches 16 as indicated by the arrows 'A' in Fig. 4 results in the pouches 16 being turned inside out because of the attachment of the straps 20 to the bottom inner edges of the pouches 16, this initial movement being indicated by the arrows 'B' in Fig. 4.

As the pouches 16 are an integral part of the end walls 10, and as said end walls 10 are integral with the front and rear walls 6,8, this inside out movement of the pouches 16 results in the front and rear walls 6,8 being turned underneath the lower regions of the pocket 12 as indicated by the arrows 'C' in-Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 shows the pouches 16 completely turned inside out with the end walls 10 completely within the reversed pouches 16 and with the front and rear walls 6,8 below the lower regions of the pocket 12.

The reversed pouches 16 are then pivoted through 1B00 to the positions shown in Fig. 6, as indicated by arrows 'D', in which said pouches 16 form. end flaps to the pocket 12 with the straps 20 extending outwardly therefrom.

Thus it will be appreciated that the straps 20 can be secured around the waist of a user with the pocket 12 resting on the lower back of the user and with the pouches 16, or end flaps, seating on the hips of the user to facilitate location of the lid 2 on the user in the manner of a bum-bag.

When it is desired to re-locate the lid 2 on the associated rucksack, the above-detailed procedure is reversed whereby the pouches 16 are returned to their normal conditions, the straps 20 are folded into the pouches 16 and the zipped connection between the lid 2 and the body portion of the rucksack is re-established.

Thus there is provided a rucksack the lid 2 of which serves a dual purpose as a closure to the body portion and as a removable bum-bag, thereby eliminating the necessity for a separate bum-bag and ensuring that a bum-bag is readily available at all times.

Claims (4)

1. A rucksack comprising an upwardly-open body portion closed by a lid, the lid being releasably attached to the body portion and including a pocket therein and a pair of opposed straps one to each side thereof whereby,- on removal of the-lid from the body portion, said lid can be strapped around the.waist of a user in the manner of a bumbag.

2. A rucksack as claimed in claim 1 in which the releasable attachment of the lid with the body portion is effected by means of a zip-fastener.

3. A rucksack as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the lid includes a storage pocket extending substantially the length thereof, and a pair of opposed pouches one to each end of the storage pocket, each pouch incorporating a strap secured to the bottom inner lining thereof, the arrangement being such that, on removal of the straps from the pouches, said pouches are turned inside out to provide end flaps to the lid which facilitate its use as a bum-bag.

4. A rucksack substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.