An improvement in rucksacks or like articles

Abstract

 A rucksack or like article comprises a sack (10) with at least one applied external pocket (12, 14).
The pocket (12, 14) is constituted by a shell of flexible material provided with an elastic memory, preformed into a box-shape with an open face defined by an edge for fixing to the sack (10) and with an opening for access from the outside provided with closure means.

Description

[0001] Rucksacks conventionally have external pockets made of the same fabric as that of the sack or of a similar fabric. Since they are limp, these external pockets do not have a very pleasing appearance either when they are empty or when they are overfull or contain hard objects which cause projections.

[0002] The same problem exists with certain articles similar to rucksacks, such as, for example, certain travel bags or bags for carrying sports equipment.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a rucksack or like article whose external pockets always retain the same neat appearance regardless of whether or not they are empty and whatever their contents, and which preferably have the following additional characteristics:
- ability to protect the contents from impacts;
- thermally insulating properties;
- impermeability to rain and liquids in general;
- hand- or machine-washability;
- ease of assembly during the making-up of the rucksack or like article.

[0004] According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by means of the characteristics defined in the Claims.

[0005] The subject of the invention will become clearer from a reading of the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rucksack,

Figure 2 is an enlarged cut-away perspective view of one of the external pockets of the rucksack according to the invention,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the pocket taken in the vertical plane indicated III-III in Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the pocket taken in the horizontal plane indicated IV-IV of Figure 2.

[0006] The rucksack illustrated in Figure 1 includes a conventional fabric sack 10. Two side pockets 12 and a back pocket 14 are applied to the outside of the sack, all three being produced in accordance with the invention.

[0007] The following description, which refers mainly to Figures 2 to 4, relates equally well to one of the side pockets 12 or to the back pocket 14.

[0008] With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the pocket 12 or 14 is constituted by a shell generally indicated 16. The shell 16 is in turn constituted by two half-shells 18 and 20 joined in a connecting plane which, in the case in question, is horizontal.

[0009] In the embodiment shown, the half-shell 18 is a vertically-elongate, larger half-shell which acts as the container proper whilst the upper half-shell 20 serves as a cover for the container.

[0010] Each half-shell 18, 20 is formed with a core 22 of synthetic foam, such as expanded polyurethane. This foam is preferably of the closed-cell type for the purpose of rainproofing and so as not to absorb liquids either during use or during hand- or machine-washing. The core 22 is covered externally by a skin 24 of fabric which may be the same as, or similar to, that of the sack 10. The core 22 is preferably also covered by an inner skin 26, for example of a synthetic material.

[0011] The two half-shells 18 and 20 are preferably made from a flat laminate which includes the core 22 and its skins 24 and 26. This laminate is preformed, for example by thermoforming, so that, when joined together, the two half-shells 18 and 20 together form a box shape. Since it is provided with an elastic memory, the flexible material used for the core 22 retains this box shape indefinitely.

[0012] In their connecting plane, the two half-shells 18 and 20 are provided with closure means which are preferably constituted by the respective strips of a sliding-clasp fastener 28. Alternatively, the closure means could be constituted, for example, by a micro-hook fastener.

[0013] The fastener 28 is protected externally by a flap 30 constituted by a tape sewn to the upper half-shell 20 together with the respective element of the fastener 28.

[0014] During the making up of the rucksack, each half-shell 18 is first fixed to the sack 20 by the sewing of inwardly-turned lower and upper edges 32 and 34 respectively. Each half-shell 18, 20 is then fixed to the sack 10 by the sewing of respective outwardly-turned side edges 36, 38. A decorative covering tape 40 is preferably sewn over the edges 36 at the same time. The sewing does not present problems if, as is preferable, the material of the core 22 is soft.

[0015] As will be understood, the sewing of the pocket to the body of the rucksack or other article, is facilitated by the fact that, since the half-shells have a stable shape, they are more easily manipulated than a piece of fabric.

[0016] The structure of the half-shells described and illustrated achieves the object of ensuring that an external pocket such as 12 or 14 always retains the same shape, regardless of whether it is empty or contains hard objects.

[0017] The foam core 22 protects the objects in the pocket against impacts and insulates them thermally, for example, to keep a drink cool for a certain time.

[0018] Finally, as has been stated, the closed-cell structure of the core 22 makes the pocket impermeable to any liquid, preventing the material from being soaked, particularly during washing.

[0019] Naturally, the embodiment described and illustrated is not limiting. Thus, a pocket having a structure according to the invention could have a shell made in one piece with an opening for access from the outside constituted, for example, by a cut made in any direction and provided with closure means.

Claims

1. A rucksack or like article comprising a sack (10) with at least one applied external pocket (12, 14), characterised in that the pocket (12, 14) is constituted by a shell (16) of flexible material provided with an elastic memory, preformed into a box-shape with an open face defined by an edge (32, 34, 36, 38) for fixing to the sack (10) and with an opening for access from the outside provided with closure means (28).

2. A rucksack according to Claim 1, characterised in that the shell (16) is constituted by two half-shells (18, 20) joined together in a connecting plane by the closure means (28).

3. A rucksack according to Claim 2, characterised in that the shell (16) is constituted by a vertically-elongate, larger, lower half-shell (18) which acts as a container and by a smaller upper half-shell (20) which serves as a cover for the container.

4. A rucksack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible material of the shell is a synthetic foam (22).

5. A rucksack according to Claim 4, characterised in that the synthetic foam (22) is a closed-cell foam.

6. A rucksack according to claim 4 or Claim 5, characterised in that the shell (16) includes a fabric outer skin (24).

7. A rucksack according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the shell (16) includes a fabric inner skin (26).

8. A rucksack according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the edge (32, 34, 36, 38) of the shell (16) is sewn to the sack (10).

9. A rucksack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure means are constituted by a sliding-clasp fastener (28).

10. A rucksack according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the closure means are constituted by a micro-hook fastener.

Drawing