US20130146633A1

US20130146633A1 - Hammock backpack

Info

Publication number: US20130146633A1
Application number: US13/315,115
Authority: US
Inventors: Ricardo Choshin SESOKO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-08
Filing date: 2011-12-08
Publication date: 2013-06-13

Abstract

A hammock backpack is provided, said backpack includes a flat, pliable back, carrying straps and chambers or pockets. The backpack also comprises a hammock, defined by a lower portion, an upper portion and side portions which limit and define a central region of the hammock interposed and sewn between the back and the front portion of the backpack to define the pockets. In the extended condition of the hammock, the body of the backpack projects out of the hammock, while the transportation straps project inside said hammock. In the stored condition of the hammock, said upper portion and side portions remain rolled up next to the external edge of the back, while the lower portion remains folded inside a respective pocket provided in the lower portion of the backpack.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention refers to a backpack that incorporates a hammock in its structure. This invention has application in the field of personal use objects and is mainly designed for campers, hikers, trekkers, mountain climbers, and similar.

BACKGROUND

Some sports require the use of lots of equipment, which is usually transported inside backpacks. Among this equipment, we can highlight sleeping hammocks, which are useful when hiking in the forest, mountain climbing and similar practices.
Since hammocks have a considerable volume, even when rolled up, the state of the art presents a few solutions, from the inclusion of backpacks specifically designed to transport hammocks, as shown in documents CN 2115001U and MU 7401709, to the inclusion of specific compartments to carry hammocks.
A remarkable line of action for backpacks is defined by the fact that the backpack itself, after disassembly, incorporates the hammock, bed, stretcher or similar object. Examples of backpacks that turn into hammocks and similar structures can be seen in the following documents: CN 2297110 (hammock); CN 2559247 (stretcher); CN 85201721 (tent with mosquito net); CN 86207254 (hammock); KR 20100087419 (hammock) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,362 (sleeping bag, hammock or raincoat). Despite the fact that these solutions are extremely versatile and creative, all of them have a common inconvenience, which is the impossibility to use the backpack and the hammock simultaneously. A camper is forced to find an appropriate place to leave all his/her equipment, since, after the hammock is assembled, the backpack is temporarily useless.
Another solution known in the art is disclosed in the Brazilian document MU 8003104, wherein a bag is sewn to the hammock, and said bag is used as a pillow after the hammock is assembled.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a hammock backpack. The backpack including a flat, pliable back, carrying straps projecting from upper and lower edges of the back, chambers or pockets located on one of the faces of the back, a hammock defined by a lower portion, an upper portion and side portions which limit and define a central region of the hammock interposed and sewn between said back and a front portion of said backpack which define the pockets. In an extended condition of the hammock, the body of the backpack projects out of the hammock while the carrying straps project in said hammock. In a stored condition of the hammock, the upper portion and side portions remain rolled up next to an external edge of the back, while the lower portion remains folded inside a respective pocket provided in a lower portion of the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with the attached figures, shown as illustrations and not as limits of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hammock backpack of the present invention, with the hammock stored;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the hammock backpack of FIG. 1, with the backpack defined by continuous lines and the stored hammock defined by broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a side top plan view of the backpack of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an top elevation view of the hammock, in an extended condition; and

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view showing the hammock in extended condition and in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS INTRODUCTION TO THE EMBODIMENTS

Thus, a first object of the present invention is to provide a hammock backpack that accommodates said hammock in such a way without compromising the use of the backpack by the user.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hammock, coupled to and stored in a backpack, which can safely receive the user, no matter where the hammock is extended.
A further object of the invention is to overcome the inconveniences disclosed in backpacks/hammocks known in the state of the art.
These and other objects are met by a hammock backpack, comprising a flat, pliable and preferably cushioned back portion, transport handles that project from the upper and lower edges of said back portion, chambers or pockets located on one of the faces of the back, said backpack also comprising a hammock defined by a lower portion, an upper portion and side portions, which limit and define a central region of the hammock interposed and sewn between said back portion and the front portion of said backpack which defines the pockets. In the extended condition of the hammock, the body of the backpack projects out of the hammock, while the transportation straps project in said hammock; wherein, in the stored condition of the hammock, said upper portion is stored in a pocket between the back and the upper portion of the backpack, and said side portions remain rolled up next to the external edge of the back, while the lower portion remains folded inside a respective pocket designed in the lower part of the backpack. A flap, which is attached to the side and upper edges of the back and which can fully involve the rolled up upper and side portions of the hammock in the stored condition of said hammock, is also provided. Cords provided with respective cord locks, located between the edges of the back and the sides of the backpack, are also provided. Furthermore, the lower and upper edge portions of the hammock have respective straps. Alternatively, the hammock comprises a lower portion, an upper portion and side portions which limit and define a window, wherein the internal edges of said window are joined to the external edges of the back of the backpack in order to form a continuous surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to FIGS. 1 to 3 attached, the backpack 1, according to the invention, presents a strictly traditional design, comprising a back 10, to which two posterior straps 11 are secured for transportation of the backpack on the user's back. The front part (not visible in the figures) of the backpack 1 has a conventional series of chambers or pockets 12, to accommodate items to be carried. Furthermore, said backpack 1 also has a lower pocket 13 to store the lower part 2 a of the hammock 2.
In reference to FIG. 4, in which the hammock 2 is shown in its extended or stretched condition, said hammock 2 comprises a lower portion 2 a, an upper portion 2 b and side portions 2 c and 2 d. At the ends of the lower portion 2 a and upper portion 2 b, straps 21 are provided, preferably in rope or similar material, to support the hammock 2 while in use.
In addition, the central portion of the hammock 2 is interposed between the back 10 of the backpack and its frontal portion, i.e., the region of the pockets 12. In this case, the edges on the back 10, the central portion of the backpack 1 and the side edges of the front region of the backpack 1 are joined in one single sewing step and, thus, the hammock 2 integrates the backpack 1.
In an alternate embodiment, the central portion of the hammock 2 is hollow, thus forming a window which is filled in by the back 10 of the backpack 1. Particularly, the internal edge 22 of the window of the hammock 2 is joined to the external edge of the back 10 of the backpack 1. Said union may be made by sewing, welding, gluing or by any other appropriate method in view of, the construction materials of the hammock 2 and the backpack 1.
As a result of said union, the transportation or carrying straps 11 of the backpack project to the internal side of the hammock 2 (FIG. 4), while the body of the backpack projects to the external side of the hammock 2, specifically hangs, when in use, as shown in the illustration of use of FIG. 5.
Between the back 10 and the side of the backpack 1, cords 14 are provided (four in the embodiment shown) with the respective cord locks. Said cords 14 are provided to keep the hammock 2 in its stored condition.
In an alternative embodiment, the backpack 1 also has a flap 16 fixed to the external edge of the back 10. Specifically, said flap 16 is fixed to the side and upper edges of the back 10 to keep the hammock 2 stored in position. Said flap 16 may be fastened by snap fasteners, zipper or a similar element, to form a U-shaped tube, when closed, within which the hammock 2 is kept in rolled-up condition. Alternatively, said flap 16 may be kept solely by the cords 14.
As a result of the characteristics above, it is clear that the present hammock backpack is very practical and versatile. Particularly, the storage position of the hammock allows the user to carry the backpack on his/her back, not encumbered by the hammock. Said feature is due to the fact that said hammock 2 is stored in a rolled-up fashion, on one side, in an inverted U shape ( parts 2 b, 2 c, 2 d) around the side and upper edges of the back 10, while the lower portion 2 a of the hammock 2 is folded inside the pocket 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The hammock 2 is kept in position both by the presence of said pocket and by the cords 14.
When the user wishes to make use of the hammock 2, he/she opens the pocket 13 and the cords 14, thus unfolding and unrolling portions 2 a and 2 b-c-d, respectively. When the hammock is open, it may be fixed by the straps 11, with or without the intermediation of a rope or similar element, depending on the place where the hammock is hung. It is important to highlight that, either to unfold and roll out of portions 2 a and 2 b-c-d or to tie the straps 21, it is not necessary to remove the objects stored inside the backpack 1.
With the hammock 2 extended (see FIG. 5), the user can lie down on it and use the transportation straps 11 to cover his/her shoulders (similarly to what is done when the backpack is carried). Said feature increases the user's safety, since it keeps him/her held inside the hammock 2, preventing any fall from the hammock during a more abrupt night movement. Said feature is very appreciated, especially if the hammock is used for mountain climbing, when the user must rest before reaching a flat area of the mountain.
After use of the hammock, it can be stored again in a simple and easy way. In this case, the hammock 2 is laid down on the ground and the lower portion 2 a of the hammock is folded and stored inside the pocket 13; the upper 2 b and side 2 c, 2 d portions are then rolled up and fastened to the external edge of the back 10 of the backpack 1, by the cords 14 and respective locks. Again, since the hammock 2 is stored and housed only in the periphery of the back 10, the presence of the hammock 2 does not disturb the user during a subsequent hike, for example.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hammock backpack (1) comprising a body, a flat, pliable back (10), carrying straps (11) projecting from upper and lower edges of said back (10), chambers or pockets (12) located on one of the faces of the back (10), a hammock (2) defined by a lower portion (2 a), an upper portion (2 b) and side portions (2 c, 2 d) which limit and define a central region of the hammock (2) interposed and sewn between said back (10) and a front portion of said backpack which define the pockets (12); wherein, in an extended condition of the hammock (2), the body of the backpack (1) projects out of the hammock (2) while the carrying straps (11) project in said hammock; wherein, in a stored condition of the hammock (2), said upper portion (2 b) and side portions (2 c, 2 d) remain rolled up next to an external edge of the back (10), while the lower portion (2 a) remains folded inside a respective pocket (13) provided in a lower portion of the backpack (1).

2. The hammock backpack, according to claim 1, further comprising a flap (16) secured to side and upper edges of the back (10) and able to fully receive the upper (2 b) and side (2 c, 2 d) portions of the hammock (2) rolled up, in the stored condition of said hammock.

3. The hammock backpack, according to claim 1, further comprising cords (14) provided with respective cord locks, located between the edges of the back (10) and sides of the backpack (1).

4. The hammock backpack, according to claim 1, wherein ends of the lower (2 a) and upper (2 b) portions of the hammock (2) have respective straps (21).

5. The hammock backpack, according to claim 1, wherein the hammock (2) comprises a lower portion (2 a), an upper portion (2 b) and side portions (2 c, 2 d), which limit and define a window having internal edges, the internal edges of said window are joined to the external edges of the back (10) of the backpack (1) to form a continuous surface.

6. The hammock backpack, according to claim 1, wherein said upper portion (2 b) is stored in a pocket provided in an upper portion of the backpack (1).