Claims
- 1. An adjustable load support-mounting device for a backpack comprising:
a first mounting element adapted to be connected to a load supported on a user's back; a second mounting element adapted to be connected to a user's waist belt, the first mounting element being pivotable relative to the second mounting element to vary the vertical position of the waist belt relative to the load; and a mechanism configured to fix selectively the first mounting element relative to the second mounting element.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second mounting element is pivotally connected to the first mounting element at a first position and is adapted to be connected to the user's waist belt at a second position spaced from the first position.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a plurality of opposing surfaces that are selectively moveable between a first relative position in which the surfaces contact to fix the first mounting element relative to the second mounting element and a second relative position in which the surfaces are spaced apart, allowing the first mounting element to pivot relative to the second mounting element.
- 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the opposing surfaces are attached to the first and second mounting elements, and the first and second mounting elements pivot about a pivot axis and move relative to each other along the pivot axis when the opposing surfaces move between the first and second relative positions.
- 5. The-device of claim 3, wherein the mechanism includes a lock element moveable between a lock position in which the opposing surfaces are held in the first relative position and an unlock position in which the opposing surfaces are allowed to move toward the second relative position.
- 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the lock element is resiliently biased toward the lock position.
- 7. The device Of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a lock element moveable between a lock position in which the first mounting element is fixed relative to the second mounting element, and an unlock position in which the first mounting element is pivotable relative to the second mounting element.
- 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the lock element is resiliently biased toward the lock position.
- 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the lock element lies flush against one of the first and second mounting elements when in the lock position.
- 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the lock element is pivotable along a cam surface for locking and unlocking the hub.
- 11. An adjustable load support-mounting device for a backpack comprising:
first means for supporting a load on a user's back; second means for supporting a load on a user's waist; means coupled to the first and second supporting means at spaced positions for varying the vertical position of the second supporting means relative to the first supporting means by pivoting the first supporting means relative to the second supporting means; and means for locking selectively the varying means.
- 12. A load support system for supporting a load on a user's back, the load support system comprising:
a frame adapted to be connected to a load and worn by the user, the frame having a lower portion with opposite sides adjacent to a user's waist when the frame is in an upright position during wearing by a user; a waist belt configured to encircle the user's waist; first and second mounting elements respectively pivotally mounted relative to the opposite sides of the frame, each mounting element being connected to the belt at a position spaced from the frame, whereby pivoting the mounting element relative to the frame varies the vertical position of the belt relative to the frame; and a first mechanism configured to fix selectively the first mounting element relative to the frame.
- 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a second mechanism configured to fix selectively the second mounting element relative to the frame.
- 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second mounting elements pivot coaxially relative to the frame.
- 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second mounting elements are coupled together.
- 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a connecting element extending between the first and second mounting elements to keep the mounting elements in circumferential alignment.
- 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the first and second mounting elements are mounted relative to the frame along a first axis, and the frame includes an upper portion extending, when worn by a user, along a generally vertically oriented plane that is generally horizontally displaced from the first axis.
- 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the plane is displaced anteriorly from the first axis.
- 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the frame curves posteriorly below the upper portion.
- 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the plane passes between the first axis and a line connecting the positions where the mounting elements are connected to the belt, when the line is generally at the same horizontal level as the axis.
- 21. The system of claim 12, wherein the frame includes an upper portion extending along a generally vertically oriented plane and the upper portion is displaced anteriorly of the lower portion.
- 22. A backpack for supporting a load on a user's back, the backpack comprising:
a frame adapted to be positioned adjacent to the back when connected to a load and worn by the user, the frame having an upper portion and a lower portion having opposite sides, the frame having a bend between the upper and lower portions, whereby the lower portion is displaced rearwardly of the upper portion; a pair of shoulder straps attached to the upper portion of the frame; a waist belt configured to encircle the user's waist; and first and second mounting devices, each mounting device connecting a respective side of the lower portion to the waist belt, and including:
a first mounting element fixedly attached to a respective side of the lower portion of the frame, a second mounting element pivotably attached at a first position to the first mounting element for pivoting about a common pivot axis and attached to the waist belt at a second position spaced from the first position, the first and second mounting elements having interlocking teeth circumferentially disposed about the pivot axis, and a handle coupled to the first and second mounting elements and having a cam surface forming a detent with a lock position in which the first and second mounting elements are pressed together causing the teeth of the first and second mounting elements to interlock, thereby preventing pivoting of the second mounting element relative to the first mounting element, and an unlock position in which the second mounting element may be axially displaced from the first mounting element, thereby disengaging the interlocking teeth and allowing the second mounting element to be pivoted relative to the first mounting element, the handle being flush against the second mounting element in the lock position and extending away from the second mounting element in the unlock position.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/401,981, filed Aug. 7, 2002 of Joseph J. Settelmayer and James R. Penny for a CHILD CARRIER PACK, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60401981 |
Aug 2002 |
US |