WO2013052670A1

WO2013052670A1 - Backpack running pads

Info

Publication number: WO2013052670A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/058760
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory Maggi
Original assignee: C & P Hiam Associates Llc
Priority date: 2011-10-04
Filing date: 2012-10-04
Publication date: 2013-04-11

Abstract

Backpack running pads are protrusions of elastomeric material that allow a person's back, shoulders and hips, etc. move beneath them while providing cushioning and minimal energy loss due to oscillating motion. A suitable material of construction is foam, such as closed cell foam. A suitable shape is an array of pillars with gaps between the pillars. The gaps are sufficiently wide such that adjacent pillars will not rub against each other as they move back and forth while the person is in motion.

Description

Backpack Running Pads

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Title

Backpack Running Pads Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claim the benefit of US provisional patent application

"Backpack Running Pads", serial number 61/543,1 19, filed October 4, 201 1 . Said application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. Technical Field

The inventions disclosed herein are in the field of backpacks.

Background Art

Backpacks often have pads to cushion them against a wearer's back, shoulders, hips, etc. There is need, however, for a pad that provides cushioning with minimal energy dissipation as a person runs.

Disclosure of Invention

The disclosure of the invention is provided as a guide to understanding the invention. It does not necessarily describe all embodiments or the most generic embodiment of the inventions described herein.

Backpack running pads are protrusions of elastomeric material that allow a person's back, shoulders and hips, etc. move beneath them while providing cushioning and minimal energy loss due to oscillating motion. A suitable material of construction is foam, such as closed cell foam. A suitable shape is an array of pillars with gaps between the pillars. The gaps are sufficiently wide such that adjacent pillars will not rub against each other as they move back and forth while a person is in motion.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is an illustration of the back of a backpack with running pads mounted on the shoulder straps, back rest and hip belt. Fig. 2 is a close up illustration of backpack running pads showing US quarters inserted in the gaps between adjacent pillars to illustrate size scale.

Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate the operation of a backpack running pad when a person runs.

Modes of Carrying Out Invention

The following detailed description discloses various embodiments and features of the invention. These embodiments and features are meant to be exemplary and not limiting.

As used herein, the term "about" means within +/- 20% of a given value unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Figure 1 is an illustration of the back side of a backpack 100 with sections of running pad 1 10 installed on the inside of the shoulder straps 102, back rest 104 and hip belt 106. The backpack running pads, however, can be installed on any surface of any carried object that contacts a person. They can also be installed on objects that are carried by animals, such as the saddle of a horse. Figure 2 is a close up of a section of running pad showing arrays of support pillars 202. US quarters 204 are inserted in vertical and horizontal slots cut in the pad to show scale.

A running pad comprises an array of pillars of elastomeric material distributed over a surface. There is enough spacing between the pillars so that the pillars can flex from side to side or compress under expected load without rubbing each other. The material of construction can be any suitable elastomer. A closed cell elastomeric foam, such as ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) with a durometer in the range of 5 to 50 Asker C and a specific gravity of 0.05 to 0.5 is suitable. PopFoam brand Ultra Soft foam with a durometer in the range of 10 to 20 Asker C and a specific gravity of about 0.16 is suitable.

The pillars may be formed by taking a relatively thick sheet of foam and cutting grooves in it. The pillars may also be formed by casting foam material into a mold with pillar shaped cavities therein. Any other known method for producing pillars is suitable.

The pillars may be arranged in a square array, such as illustrated in figures 1 and 2. The pillars may also be arranged in any configuration and have any shape, such as hexagonal shaped pillars arranged in a hexagonal array (like a honey comb), such that they form a relatively uniform load bearing surface with spacing between the pillars to allow flexing. The running pads may be attached to a backpack or other article worn by a person or animal using known means such as stitching, gluing, heat sealing, or combinations thereof.

Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate the operation of a running pad when it is in contact with a person as the person moves. Referring to figure 3A, the person's skin 302 may be in contact with an article of clothing 304. The article of clothing, in turn, is in contact with the load bearing surface 306 of the running pad 308. The running pad is attached to a substrate on a backpack, such as a shoulder strap 310.

When the pack is mounted on a person, the load of the pack compresses the running pad. The spacing between the pillars of the running pad should be sufficient such that they generally do not touch under said load. Benefits can be obtained if at least some of the pillars do not touch each other when under a load. Having some pillars touch, therefore, is acceptable. This will be a function of the durometer of the pad material. A suitable width 314 of the pillars is in the range of 0.3 to 3 cm. An example is about 1 cm. A suitable gaps 312 between pillars is in the range of .1 to 1 cm. An example is about 0.3 cm. A suitable height 316 of the pillars is in the range of 0.3 to 3 cm. An example is about .64 cm. A thickness 318 of the elastomeric material can remain. This can be about 10% to 100% of the height of the pillars.

When a person moves while carrying a pack, such as by running, different portions of the person's skin will move relative to said pack. Figure 3B shows a portion of the person's skin 322 moving left. This will cause the pillars to flex left. Figure 3C shows the same portion of the person's skin 324 a short time later shifting right. This will cause the pillars to flex right 314. The net effect is that the person's skin will shift back and forth without slipping relative to the load bearing surface of the running pad. This increases a person's comfort since there is less sliding of the load on the person or his/her clothing. It also can increase the person's energy efficiency since there is no sliding of the person's skin or clothes relative to the shoulder strap. The running pad can oscillate in the other reciprocal motions that occur when a person is in rapid motion. Vertical movement, such as would occur under a person's shoulder blades, can be accommodated. Stretching and bending motion due to joint bending and muscle contraction/expansion call also be accommodated. Circular and other closed loop motions can be

accommodated.

Applications

Backpack running pads can be used in any application where a load is carried by a person or animal. They are especially suited for rapid motion, such as running or jumping. The backpack running pads, for example, can be used in combination with the hip harness and/or shoulder harness described in PCT patent application "Stable Backpack", serial number PCT/US/2010/055088. Said application is incorporated herein by reference. They can also be used in children's backpacks, on the shoulder straps of golf club bags, infant carriers, and the like.

Conclusion

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any of the aspects of the invention of the present invention found to offer advantages over the state of the art may be used separately or in any suitable combination to achieve some or all of the benefits of the invention disclosed herein. For example, the pillars may be individual rectangular pieces each attached to a substrate in an array configuration. For example, the backpack running pads may be mounted on only a portion of at least one of a shoulder pad, hip belt or back of a backpack. For example, the pillars at the edge of an array may be rounded. For example, the height of the pillars may be in the range of 10% to 90% of the thickness of a piece of foam. For example, the height of the pillars may be about 50% of the thickness of a piece of foam.

Claims

Wherein I claim

1 . A backpack running pad, said running pad comprising a plurality of pillars comprising elastomeric material wherein said pillars are spaced apart by gaps and wherein:

a. said pillars have a width in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 cm; b. said pillars have a height in the range of 0.3 to 3 cm; c. said gaps are in the range of .1 to 1 cm;

d. said pillars have a durometer in the range of 5 to 50 Asker C; and

e. said pillars have a specific gravity in the range of 0.05 to 0.5.

2. The backpack running pads of claim 1 wherein said pillars are

arranged in a square array.

3. The backpack running pads of claim 2 wherein:

a. said pillars have a width of about 1 cm;

b. said pillars have a height of about .64 cm;

c. said gaps are about .3 cm;

d. said pillars have a durometer in the range of 10 to 20 Asker C; and

e. said pillars have a specific gravity of about 0.16.

4. The backpack running pads of claim 1 wherein said pillars are

arranged in a hexagonal array.

5. The backpack running pads of claim 1 which further comprise a portion of a backpack that normally rests upon a person carrying said backpack and wherein said pillars are mounted on the surface of said portion that normally contacts said person.

6. The backpack running pads of claim 5 wherein said portion of a

backpack that normally rests upon a person is at least a portion of at least one of:

a. a hip belt;

b. a shoulder belt; or

c. the back of said backpack.

7. The backpack running pads of claim 1 wherein the height of said pillars is about 50% of the thickness of said elastomeric material.