TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally a backpacks and more specifically to a backpack
that includes an ergonomic waist belt that is adapted to take up heavy loads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Requirements concerning the performance and flexibility of backpacks are constantly
increasing. Whilst backpack users were earlier satisfied with standard backpacks they
now require the ability to adapt the backpacks to personal preferences with regard,
for instance, to the design of the shoulder straps and waist belt. This desideratum
is based on the fact that a backpack that can be adapted more to the personal liking
of the wearer can be made more ergonomic and therewith more comfortable in use, and
therewith enable a heavier load to be carried. This applies not least to the adaptation
of the waist belt to individual wearers and its attachment to the backplate.
[0003] French patent publication FR 2 703 886 A1 teaches a method of fastening a waist belt
to the shoulder straps by inserting the straps into vertical pockets in the waist
belt. Although this enables the waist belt to be fastened to the backplate, the waist
belt lacks the stiffness required in achieving a satisfactory ergonomic solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a backpack of the above mentioned
kind to which there can be readily fastened a waist belt which imparts the necessary
stiffness and rigidity to the backpack.
[0005] The invention is based on the realization that the necessary stiffness and rigidity
of the backpack can be achieved by disposing part of the backplate carcase inwardly
of one or more elongate stiffening elements in the waist belt.
[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a backpack as defined in the
accompanying claim 1.
[0007] Thus, the inventive backpack affords very stable and rigid attachment of the waist
belt, therewith providing a highly ergonomic backpack that is capable of carrying
heavy loads.
[0008] In the case of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the shape of
the stiffening elements can be adapted to the shape of the user, which affords a particularly
ergonomic advantage.
[0009] The dependent claims define particularly preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration of an inventive backpack as seen from one side
of the backplate.
Fig. 2 is a detailed illustration of the upper part of the backpack shown in figure
1;
Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line III-III in figure 2 and illustrates the fitting
of a fastener in the form of a U-shaped element;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a waist belt included in the backpack shown in figure
1;
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the lower part of the backpack shown in figure 1; and
Fig. 6 is a sectioned view of the waist belt taken in line with a backplate stiffening
bar.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0011] There will now be described a preferred embodiment of an inventive backpack, initially
with reference to figure 1. In the following description references will be made to
directions which relate to the backpack as illustrated in the figures.
[0012] The backpack, which is generally referenced 1, includes a backplate 2 to which a
carrier bag is attached. Extending generally vertically in the backplate are two backplate
stiffening bars 4a, 4b made of a rigid material, such as aluminium, so as to provide
firmness to the construction.
[0013] The backpack also includes two shoulder straps 10a, 10b which are firmly fixed to
the backplate at their lower end portions. The shoulder straps are flexibly fixed
to the backplate at their opposite upper end portions, as will be described in more
detail hereinafter with reference to figures 2 and 3.
[0014] The backpack also includes a waist belt 20 that includes a wadded belt portion 21
whose end parts can be fastened together by the means of a buckle 22a, 22b.
[0015] Fastening of the upper end portion of respective shoulder straps 10a, 10b will now
be described in detail with reference to figures 2 and 3. It will be seen from these
figures that the side of the upper end portion of the straps facing towards the backplate
2 includes a number of horizontal pockets which together form a shoulder strap ladder
formation 12a, 12b. These pockets can be obtained with the aid of seams that extend
parallel to one another across a strip of cloth applied to the shoulder straps. The
pockets are straight and are configured to receive a straight upper leg-element 14a',
14b' of a generally U-shaped fastener element 14a, 14b, which is preferably made of
metal. The U-shaped fastener may be perforated so as to reduce its weight.
[0016] Ladder formations are also provided on the backplate. The ladder formations 8a, 8b
provided on the backplate are similar to the ladder formations on the supportive straps
in that the ladders 8a, 8b include pockets that are adapted to receive the other lower
leg element 14a",14b" of a respective U-shaped fastener 14a, 14b. This leg, however,
is slightly curved and hence the pockets in the backplate ladder formation have a
correspondingly curved shape. The backplate ladders diverge slightly in an upward
direction, so that the relative distance between the pockets increases with increasing
pocket heights. Located between the backplate ladder formations is an area that can
be covered by a covering part 6, with the aid of a touch-and-close fastener.
[0017] Fixation of the U-shaped fasteners 14a, 14b will be evident from figures 2 and 3.
The legs of the U-shaped fasteners, which have a mutually mirror-image configuration,
are inserted into a chosen pocket in the shoulder strap ladder formations 12a, 12b
and thereafter in a chosen pocket in the backplate ladder formations 8a, 8b, or vice
versa. There is chosen in the shoulder strap ladder formation a pocket that provides
a shoulder strap of desired length and in the backplate ladder formation a pocket
that provides a desired point of attachment in the backplate. The fastened U-shaped
fastener 14a is shown in figure 3. It will be also seen from figure 3 that the U-shaped
fastener includes two bends such that the two legs will lie in mutually different
planes, thereby simplifying fitting of the legs. The covering element 6 is then fastened
in position, thereby preventing the U-shaped fasteners from moving out of the ladder
pockets. The covering element also assists in providing the backplate with a generally
smooth surface.
[0018] The described methods of fastening the shoulder straps to the backplate afford many
advantages. For instance, only one fastener element 14a, 14b is required for each
shoulder strap. With the aid of the single fastener element it is possible to choose
both the length of the shoulder strap and its point of attachment to the backplate.
The curved lower leg provides a further advantage by virtue of the fact that the shoulder
strap is able to rotate or twist relative to the backplate 2, as illustrated by arrows
associated with the shoulder strap 10a in figure 2. The divergent backplate ladder
formations are effective in causing a higher attachment point to result in a greater
mutual distance between the shoulder straps. This often coincides with the wishes
of a user, since a tall person that has a long spine and therefore desires a higher
point of attachment will often also have broader shoulders than a short person.
[0019] The process in which the waist belt is fastened to the backplate will now be described
with reference to figures 4-6. The outwardly facing sides of the wadded belt portion
21 includes two mutually parallel channelling pockets 23a, 23b that are sewn to form
a respective groove that extends along a greater part of the belt portion 21. Each
of these channelling grooves is intended to accommodate elongate belt stiffening elements
25a, 25b comprised of a rigid but preferably shapeable material, such as aluminium,
that is also light in weight. The belt stiffening elements extend in the longitudinal
direction of the waist belt along a major part thereof and thus constitute in the
waist belt a carcase inlay that can be shaped and adapted to suit the wearer. Located
inwardly of the groove-like channelling pockets 23a, 23b and midway of the waist belt
are two vertical belt pockets 24a, 24b. These pockets have a size and shape which
enable them to accommodate a respective vertical stiffening bars 4a, 4b; cf. figure
1. It will be clearly seen from figure 6 how the stiffening bar 4b is inserted into
the vertical belt pocket between the wadded belt portions 21.
[0020] Because the back-plate stiffening bars 4a, 4b are placed inwardly of the belt-stiffening
elements or bars 25a, 25b, the belt-stiffening bars will press the back-plate stiffening
bars against the bottom of the user's spine, thereby achieving good ergonomics by
virtue of the fact that existing forces or loads are distributed more effectively
than when the back-plate stiffening bars, and thereby the backplate, are spaced from
the user's spine. This taken together with the fact that a carcase inlay can be adapted
to an individual user provides a waist belt construction that is very well adapted
to take up the large forces that occur when carrying heavily loaded backpacks.
[0021] Although an inventive backpack has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment
a person with average skill in this particular technical field will be aware that
this embodiment can be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims.
[0022] For example, although U-shaped fasteners of a particular design have been shown,
it will be understood that these fasteners can be modified or varied provided that
they include a part that can be fastened in one of several pockets in a shoulder strap
and that another part can be fastened in one of several pockets on the backplate.
[0023] Although there has been described a waist belt that includes two belt stiffening
bars, it will be understood that the number of belt stiffening bars can be varied
as desired. Moreover, the belt stiffening bars may be made of a material other than
aluminium, such as a plastic material, although the advantage of being able to shape
the bars to suit the wearer will then be lost.
[0024] Although the described back pack has extremely good ergonomic properties due to the
flexible fastening of the shoulder straps and the adaptability of the waist belt,
it will be understood that the described shoulder strap attachment can be used together
with a different type of waist belt or even in the complete absence of a waist belt,
and that the described waist belt can be used together with a different type of shoulder
strap attachment.
1. A backpack comprising a backplate (2) that includes a carcase (4a, 4b), two shoulder
straps (10a, 10b) that are fastened respectively to the backplate at their upper and
lower end portions, and a curved waist belt (20) that has an elongate belt portion
(21) fastened to the backplate,
characterized by
at least one elongate stiffening element (25a, 25b) that extends in the length direction
of the waist belt on the outer side of said belt portion,
wherein the carcase (4a, 4b) of the backplate extends between the elongate stiffening
element and said belt portion.
2. The backpack according to claim 1, in which said at least one elongate stiffening
element (25a, 25b) is disposed in a channel shaped pocket (23a, 23b).
3. The backpack according to claim 1 or 2 in which the elongate stiffening elements are
two in number.
4. The backpack according to claim 3 in which the elongate stiffening elements are mutually
parallel.
5. The backpack according to any one of claims 1-4 in which in which the elongate stiffening
elements (25a, 25b) can be adapted shape-wise to the wearer.
6. The backpack according to claim 5 in which the elongate stiffening elements are made
of aluminium.