GB2352389A

GB2352389A - Backpack

Info

Publication number: GB2352389A
Application number: GB0017319A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aarn Tate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-28
Filing date: 2000-07-17
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Also published as: GB9917596D0; GB0017319D0

Abstract

In backpack with a pack bag, a set of shoulder straps 1, a hip belt 2, and an interlinking web 5 which connects the lower ends of the shoulder straps and runs through a slot 6 at the lower portion of the pack bag, the path of the slot, the resulting curve in the interlinking web and the direction in which the web leaves the shoulder straps all lie in a substantially common plane, and the slot 6 contains a strip of low friction material over which the interlinking web 5 slides. The low friction material may be a plastic stiffener having a low friction surface. Further webs 12 may be sewn to the web 5 and engage with buckles 13 at the ends of the slot 6 to limit the movement of the web 5 in the slot 6. Further webs and buckles may be attached to the shoulder straps which allow these straps to be interconnected either by a web extending horizontally across a user's chest or by two crossing webs.

Description

2352389 TITLE: An improved shoulder harness system for backpacks

Description

Modem backpacks incorporate a set of shoulder straps and a hipbelt for transferring the load to the body of the wearer. The shoulder straps attach to the pack at their lower end via webs which are sewn into the lower part of the backpack. This method of attachment does not allow for freedom of shoulder movement. My UK Patent No. 2140481B showed a method of interlinking the shoulder strap ends via a web running through the bottom of the pack, or the bottom member of a tubular pack frame. In the case of an internal frame pack, this interlinking web ran through either one or two loops in the bottom of the pack, folding over as it changed angle running through these loops. This method of running through loops created significant friction in the movement of the intedinked web.

A first object of the invention is to greatly reduce the friction in the movement of the shoulder straps, so that the shoulder straps follow body movement immediately, easily and smoothly.

Most modern backpacks now incorporate a chest or sternum strap which links the two shoulder straps together over the sternum. While this does relieve the pull back pressure on the shoulders, it concentrates the stress at one point on the chest. Many people find this restrictive and uncomfortable and thus do not use 2 it, even when an elastic element is incorporated into the strap to allow chest expansion when breathing.

A second object of the invention is to incorporate a chest strap system that does not restrict breathing, which follows body contours, and which spreads the load over a larger area of the body so that it is far more comfortable, and which locks the upper part of the backpack into the body for great stability of the load in active sports like climbing and skiing.

A third object of the invention is to allow different configurations of the shoulder harness for men and women. Men and most women find the above novel chest straps very comfortable to wear. However women with large breasts may find it uncomfortable.

Accordingly one aspect of the present invention provides a backpack with a pack bag, a set of shoulder straps and a hipbelt, and wherein an interlinking web connects lower ends of the shoulder straps, the interlinking web runs through a slot extending partially around the pack bag of the backpack, and wherein the path of the slot, the resulting curve in the interlinking web passing through the slot and the angle that the web leaves the shoulder strap ends lie in a substantially common plane.

The pack bag comprises a bottom panel, two side panels and a front panel and the slot runs between the bottom panel and the side and front panels. Conveniently in one embodiment a buckle is attached to each end of the slot, and a further web is sewn to a centre portion of the interlinking web which is attached to the shoulder strap ends, the respective ends of this further web pass thriough a 3 respective buckle at the end of the slot, allowing the amount of movement of the interlinking web in the slot to be regulated.

In another embodiment the shoulder straps have a web emerging from their inside edge with a buckle piece attached to the web end, and wherein a web loop is attached to the bottom end of side frame members. To this web loop a further web can be attached via a buckle. At the other end of this further web is a buckle piece that can attach to either the buckle piece on the inside of the same shoulder strap, or to the buckle piece on the inside edge of the opposite shoulder strap so that webs cross the chest in an X configuration.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a side view of a backpack and shoulder harness according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of a backpack with a separate hipbelt incorporating a shoulder harness according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a front view of the shoulder harness shown in both Figures I and 2, on the body of the wearer; Figure 4 shows a front view of the shoulder harness shown in Figure 3, showing the movement of the shoulders and the resulting movement of the harness webs; Figure 5 shows a further variation of the shoulder harness shown in Figure 2; 4 Figure 6 shows a front view of the shoulder harness shown in Figure 5 in the on-off position; Figure 7 shows a front view of the shoulder harness shown in Figure 5 and 6 in the X chest strap position; Figure 8 shows a plan view of a coupled buckle shown in Figures 5 to 7; Figure 9 shows a plan view of buckle piece shown in Figures 5 to 8.

Referring to Figures I and 2 of the accompanying drawings a respective backpack is provided with a set of shoulder straps 1 and a hipbelt 2 for transferring the load to the body of the wearer. Each shoulder strap has a web 3 with a buckle 4 at the lower end. A web 5 links the lower ends of the shoulder straps 1 via buckles 4. This web 5 runs through a low friction slot 6 in the lower region of the pack. This slot 6 is located between bottom panel 7, a front panel 8, and a side panel 9. The bottom panel curves up at the lower sides. The slot 6 is formed of a straight piece of fabric, which when sewn between the bottom and front/side panels, curves in one plane only. Thus the web 5 slides easily through the slot. The slot 6 is constructed of an inner layer of fabric, which runs the full length of the slot, and three outer pieces of fabric, a central piece 10 and two end pieces 11. Between the inner and outer layers of fabric, and running the whole length of the inner layer fabric, is inserted a plastic stiffener (not shown), which provides a low friction surface for web 5 to slide on, and also prevents the fabric of the slot compressing when the load on shoulder straps 1 tensions web 5. The web 5 emerges from the slot at a respective aperture fo rmed between each end of the central piece 10 and each end piece 11. At each end of central piece 10 of the slot 6 a short piece of web 12 is sewn which locates buckles 13. In addition a web 14 is sewn to the central portion of web 5, the length of stitching being greater than the length of central piece 10. The web 14 extends beyond the length of stitching and the ends feed through buckles 13. When ends of web 14 are loose in buckles 13, maximum freedom of movement of the shoulders is possible. Tightening ends of web 14 via buckles 13 eliminates the freedom of movement. The main use of this tension adjustment is when putting on the pack with a heavy load, as it is easier to put the pack on with the shoulder straps locked off in this way. A D ring 15 on the ends of web 14 allows easy location and pulling of the webs 14.

Figure I shows the hipbelt as an extension of the sides of the backpack. Figure 2 shows the backpack with separate hipbelt, the ends of which attach to the backpack via webs 16 and buckles 17, at the base of frame stays 25.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the shoulder harness shown in either Figures 1 and 2. A chest strap may be provided. Webs 18, sewn to the inside edges of shoulder straps 1, each have a buckle piece 19 which can be clipped together across the chest.

Figure 4 shows how shoulder strap movement is facilitated by movement of web 5.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. At the base of frame stays 28 a web loop 32 is provided. Web 30 with clip buckle 31 can be inserted in this loop. On the other end of the web 30 is located buckle piece 35. Shoulder straps 1 incorporate a slide 33 on straps 3. Straps 18 are sewn to slide 33 at one end and locate buckles 34 at the other end. These can be clipped 6 together across the chest as in Figure 6, or alternatively buckle 34 on the left shoulder strap can be clipped to buckle 35 from the right side frame member, and buckle 34 on the right shoulder strap can be clipped to buckle 35 from the left side frame member, such that webs 30 cross the chest in an X configuration as shown in Figure 7. Because the exit angle of straps 18 from shoulder straps 1 is approximately 900 in the configuration, the movement of webs 5 in slot 6 is not inhibited. The X configuration substantially increases the stability of the pack, locking it in closely to the upper body and the load is spread over a larger area of the chest. This configuration is therefore ideal for sports that involve a lot of body movement such as skiing, climbing, roller blading and fell running.

The buckles 35 can be unclipped from buckles 34 on the opposite shoulder strap and reclipped to buckles 34 on the same shoulder strap to remove the pack as shown in Figure 5.

Slides 33 can be moved up or down web 3 on the shoulder straps 1 to locate the most comfortable position in either the configuration shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7. In the cross-strap position shown in Figure 7 men, and women with smaller breasts will find it most comfortable to have slide 33 in the uppermost position on web 3 so that the straps 30 cross between the chest muscles (rnen) or breasts (women). For women with larger breasts, slide 33 should be moved to their lowest position on web 3, so that the straps 30 cross below the breasts.

Buckles 34 and 35 are two-part buckles, which clip together and may be of the form shown in Figures 8 and 9.

7 Figure 8 shows a plan view of buckle pieces 34 and 35 when clipped together. Figure 9 shows a plan view of buckle pieces 34 and 35 alone.

Each part of the buckle is identical and each part incorporates both a male portion 36 and a female portion 37. These interlock with their opposite portions 37 and 36 when clipped together. Pressing the arms 38 with the fingers releases the buckle by disengaging hook 39 in slot 40.

8

Claims

1 A backpack with a pack bag, a set of shoulder straps and a hipbelt, and wherein an interlinking web connects lower ends of the shoulder straps, the interconnecting web runs through a portion of a slot extending fully around the pack bag of the backpack between the bottom panel, and the side and front panels and wherein the path of the slot, the resulting curve in the interlinking web passing through the slot, and the angle that the web leaves the shoulder strap ends lie in a substantially common plane, the slot containing a strip of low friction material over which the interlinking web slides.

2. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein a buckle is attached to each end of the slot, and a further web is sewn to a centre portion of the interlinking web which is attached to the shoulder strap ends, the respective ends of this further web pass through a respective buckle at the end of the slot, allowing the amount of movement of the interlinking web in the slot to be regulated.

3. A backpack as claimed in claim 1. or 2, wherein the shoulder straps have a web emerging from their inside edge with a buckle piece attached to the web end, and wherein a web loop is attached to the bottom end of side frame members, and wherein a further web can be attached to this web loop via a buckle, and wherein a buckle piece is located at the other end of this further web that can attach to either the buckle piece on the inside of the same shoulder 9 strap, or to the buckle piece on the inside edge of the opp. osite shoulder strap so that webs cross the chest in an X configuration.

4.. A backpack constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore descdbed with reference to the accompanying drawings of Figures 1 or 2 wit. h Figures 3 and 4 or Figure 5 with Figures 6 or 7 or 8 and 9.