Patent Application
20130075438
This invention relates to backpacks of the type used by, for example, students to carry books, hikers to carry gear and the like. The backpack normally contains a backpack and one or more pockets for storing items. The backpack is then strapped to the back of a user and carried in that fashion. The backpack described herein is of the type that uses at least one cushioning bladder and positioned beneath the backpack and part-way up the forward panel, of the backpack and the user's back and for the purpose of relieving stress, weight and pressure on the back.
It is known that the abutting relation of the forward panel of the backpack against the back and spinal column can cause pain, fatigue and perhaps degeneration to affected areas of the back and spine. It is also known that most backpacks in use today place the majority of the weight of the backpack and its contents on the shoulders and on the middle and lower part of the back of the user.
In a number of cases, cushioning bladders have been utilized to provide support and/or avoid contact with particular areas of the back and spinal column.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,108 (John Anthony Ingram), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a load-carrying devices adapted to be supported on the back by means of shoulder straps are provided with a resilient or inflatable cushion to yield to the load on the back. The cushion is specially designed to provide the correct support of the load on the back, being formed with a bottom portion extending widthwise of the cushion to provide a main band of support around the small of the wearer's back and being narrower in width in an upper portion thereof to provide an upper zone of support which leaves the shoulder blades of the wearer substantially free. The cushion is preferably designed to form a pneumatic frame in place of the rigid frame used in framed-rucksacks, its shape being chosen according to whether the rucksack is of the truncated triangular form or of the rectangular form. A development of the invention is the application of the resilient or inflatable cushion to what may be basically termed a ruckbox, preferably comprising a box-like carrier attached to a shallow frame fitted with the resilient or inflatable cushion and carrying the shoulder straps.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,648 (Dan Sason, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a backpack including a body engaging strap assembly and a strap assembly supported element supported on the body engaging strap assembly and including a container and an integrally formed back engaging portion having a padded back facing surface and a generally rigid curved opposite surface fixed thereto, the integrally formed back engaging portion defining a first generally vertically extending curve arranged to be centered adjacent the upper back portion of a user and a second generally horizontally extending curve arranged to be centered adjacent the lower back portion, the integrally formed back engaging portion being bendable about as horizontal axis located adjacent the center of the first curve and about a vertical axis located adjacent the center of the second curve.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,387 (Dana W. Gleason, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a pack for holding articles and providing fluid hydration is provided. The pack includes a bladder compartment having an opening for securing a fluid bladder therein for hydration with a hose attached thereto. The bladder has a front side adapted to be positioned against the user's back and a back side opposite the front side. The pack bag is sewn onto the back of the bladder compartment and is larger than the bladder compartment. The bladder compartment provides a cushion between the pack bag and the user and contours the back of the user. Shoulder straps are attached from the top of the bladder compartment to the bottom of the pack bag. A hip belt also extends from the bottom of the pack bag around the hips of the user. The top of the bladder compartment is at least partially separated from the top of the pack bag to allow the contouring of the bladder compartment along the upper portion of the back of the user. A lift strap extends between the top of the shoulder pad and the top of the pack bag. The bladder compartment also includes a side zipper extending substantially the length of the bladder compartment for removal of the bladder therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,495 (Gwendolyn Hernandez), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a backpack with inflatable pockets for reducing shoulder and back fatigue when carrying a load. The backpack with inflatable pockets includes a housing with front and back portions, a pair of side portions, top and bottom portions, and an interior that is defined by the portions. The housing has an opening into the interior of the housing. A pair of elongate carrying straps each have opposite first and second ends. The first end of each of the carrying straps is coupled to the back portion of the housing towards the top portion of the housing. The second ends of the carrying straps are coupled to the hack portion of the housing. An inflatable air pillow is coupled to the back portion of the housing towards the bottom portion of the housing. Each of the carrying straps may also have an inflatable cavity disposed therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,187 (Mark L. Lemire, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an ergonomically enhanced backpack comprises a frame having a semirigid dorsal plate contoured to the shape of the lumbar region. The dorsal plate is secured to the body by a combination of shoulder straps and waist belt. An expandable cargo compartment is behind the dorsal mounted plate and sandwiched between the dorsal plate and a panel or netting. Drawstrings combined with the belt allow the user to pull the panel or netting toward the dorsal plate, and thus compress the load against the lumbar area closer to the body's center of gravity. In the first embodiment, that panel has a hinged door giving access to the cargo compartment. A detachable, soft shell bag is mounted over the cargo compartment.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,105 (Jill Greene Ammerman, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a shoulder carrier having at least one shoulder strap connected to a container. A lumbar support attached to the container bears on a wearer's hip or lumbar spine to transfer weight of the shoulder carrier to the hip or lumbar spine and away from the wearer's shoulder. The shoulder strap can include a shoulder pad, and both the shoulder pad and lumbar support can be or include a fluid-filled bladder. The shoulder pad can be slidably attached to the shoulder strap to prevent abrasion of the wearer's shoulder. At least one end of the shoulder strap can be attached to the container by passing the strap through a guide attached to the container and attaching the shoulder strap end to the container at a position below the guide.
This invention improves on the deficiencies of the prior art and provides an inventive backpack with back cushioning means.
The invention is an inventive backpack with back cushioning means.
Therefore, one purpose: of this invention is to provide as backpack that when worn minimizes stress, weight and pressure on the back.
Another purpose of this invention is to provide a backpack employing a cushioning bladder for better distribution of the weight away from the user's back.
Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a backpack employing a cushioning bladder where at least a portion of the bladder provides cushioning to the user's back area, and at least a portion of the bladder provides cushioning to the user's buttock area.
Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises a backpack for relieving stress, weight, and pressure from a user's back, comprising:
a backpack for storing items, having a top, at least one forward panel to face the user's back, sides, and bottom, and, an outer surface;
at least one adjustable shoulder strap extending from about the top to about the bottom of the backpack, for enabling the positioning of the backpack on the user's back and, for carrying the backpack over the user's shoulders;
said backpack further having at least one first compartment for removable content, and at least one second compartment for at least one cushioning bladder, and wherein at least one rigid layer sheet separates at least a portion of said at least one first compartment from said at least one second compartment;
said at least one second compartment having a substantially upwardly extending portion, and a substantially horizontal extending portion;
said at least one cushioning bladder having a lower part extending across and beneath the bottom of said at least one first compartment, within said at least one second compartment, and,
said at least one cushioning bladder having an upper part extending part-way upwardly along said forward panel along at least a portion of a vertical wall of said first compartment, and within said at least one second compartment; and
wherein said rigid layer sheet inside said backpack bifurcates said backpack into said at least one first compartment for the storing of said removable content, and into said at least one second compartment for the accommodation of said at least one cushioning bladder, and wherein said at least one second compartment has at least one first portion and at least one second portion, and wherein said at least one second compartment is shaped in a generally L-shaped configuration having said at least one first portion that extends along said upper part extending part-way upwardly along said forward panel, and said at least one second portion that extends along said lower part extending across and beneath the bottom of said backpack, and wherein at least a portion for said cushioning bladder resides in said at least one first portion of said second compartment, and at least a portion of said cushioning bladder resides in said at least one second portion of said second compartment.
In another aspect this invention comprises a backpack for relieving stress, weight, and pressure from a user's back, comprising:
a backpack for storing items, having top, forward panel to face the user's back, sides, and bottom, and, an outer surface;
at least one adjustable shoulder strap extending from about the top to about the bottom of the backpack, for enabling the positioning of the backpack on the user's back and, for carrying the backpack over the user's shoulders; and,
at least one cushioning bladder having a lower part extending across and beneath the bottom of the backpack and, an upper part extending part-way upwardly along the forward panel; and
at least one rigid layer sheet inside said backpack bifurcates said backpack into at least one first compartment for storing removable items, and into at least one second compartment for accommodating said at least one cushioning bladder, and wherein said second compartment is shaped in a generally L-shaped configuration having at least one first portion that extends along said upper part extending part-way upwardly along said forward panel, and at least one second portion that extends along said lower part extending across and beneath the bottom of said backpack, and wherein said at least one second portion for said at least one second compartment of said backpack accommodates said at least one cushioning bladder, and wherein at least one pocket is secured to said backpack.
In yet another aspect this invention comprises a backpack for relieving stress, weight, and pressure from a user's back, comprising:
Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with drawings. These drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Like numbers represent like features and components in the drawings. The invention may best be understood by reference to the ensuing detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, in one illustrative embodiment which comprises a backpack which is provided with a cushioning bladder, the lower part of which extends across and beneath the bottom of the backpack and an upper part extending part-way upwardly along the forward panel that generally conforms to the shape of the curvature of the thoracic region of the spine. The bladder may be filled with padding material, such as, a gel, foam rubber, fluid, to name a few.
The inventive bladder may be enclosed within a zippered bag wrapped around it that is joined to the outer surface of the backpack. Where the bladder is inflatable, a pump is provided for inflating the bladder.
Referring now to
The backpack 10, further comprises at least one first compartment or an upper or content section 50, and at least one second compartment or a lower or bladder section 60. Optionally, the backpack 10, can have one or more pockets 34, 44.
The second compartment or bladder section 60, comprises of a lower part 22, an upward extending part 23, containing one or more bladder 21. The bladder section 60, is generally L-shaped, and has a first or vertical area or section 61, and a second or horizontal area or section 62. The first or vertical area or section 61, is within the forward panel 11, and is used to accommodate a first or vertical section or portion 71, of the bladder 21. The second or horizontal area or section 62, is within the lower part 22, and is used to accommodate a second or horizontal section or portion 72, of the bladder 21. The second or horizontal area or section 62, has an upper wall or area 64, that faces and is constrained by the solid sheet 14, and a lower or base wall or area 66, that is freely expandable.
The at least one bladder 21, is preferably placed inside the bladder area 60, such that a portion of the bladder 21, forms the upwardly extending part 23, and is constrained within the forward panel 11, and a lower part 22, 72, of the bladder 21, that is constrained by the solid sheet 14, on the upper side 74, but is free to expend at the lower side 76.
Normally, the forward panel 11, forms one wall of a rearward-facing backpack 10, for carrying various removable articles within the upper or content section 50. Typically, the backpack 10, will have a number of other pockets 34, 44, both internally, and externally, for example, for receipt, carrying of items, to name a few.
In a typical embodiment the backpack 10, is about 20 inches high, about 14 inches deep, and about 12 inches wide. However, the backpack 10, is to be made with differing dimensions, depending upon the size of the user. The backpack 10, is preferably made of canvas, typically, except for the solid sheet 14, of the bottom.
The backpack 10, optionally, is also provided with at least one upper or top strap 18, at its top for hanging the backpack 10, when not being carried by a user 100, or as a handle 18, when being hand carried by a user 100.
In accordance with one teaching of the present invention, the backpack 10, is provided with at least one cushioning bladder 21, in this case inflatable, the lower part 22, of which extends across the bottom 15, beneath the backpack 10, and an upwardly extending part 23, positioned entirely across the forward panel 11, and from near the bottom, typically about four inches from the bottom of the panel 11, extending upwardly, typically about 8 to 10 inches, so as when inflated, it generally conforms to the shape of the curvature of the thoracic region 105, of the spine of a user 100. The bladder 21, is of flexible material, such as, for example, rubber, elastomeric or polymeric material, to name a few. Optionally, the bladder 21, could be enclosed within a zippered bag 24, which would be forming the second compartment 60, and which would be wrapped around and joined to the outer surface of the first compartment 50, so as to form the backpack 10.
A pump 31, is provided for inflating the bladder 21. The pump 31, is hand operated with a bulb-shaped configuration. The pump 31, is connected to the bladder 21, by means of a tube 32. An air valve 33, connected to the tube 32, controls the amount of air flow into the bladder 21, and maintains the bladder 21, in an inflated position after air has been pumped in, and also permits deflation of the bladder 21. The pump 31, and valve 33, may be stored in a side pocket 34, of the backpack 10, which may be provided for that purpose. Optionally, the pump 31, could be battery operated.
In use, the user 100, straps the backpack 10, on his shoulders so it rests comfortably on same. The bladder 21, is then inflated, the amount of inflation being dependent on the individual's comfort level. The bladder 21, can expand up to about four inches in width.
In partially inflated position (
Instead of an air bladder 21, in accordance with another teaching of the present invention and with reference to
In the
As one can clearly see in
It should be appreciated that because the “weight” of the backpack 10, is now pushed away and spread over the back 103, including the regions 105, 107, 109, and generally conforms to the regions 103, 105, 107, 109, and that there is a “cushioning material” 21, 41, adjacent the back 103, and that the “weight” has been pushed more towards the shoulders and the buttock area 109, of the user 100, the “weight” that is sensed by the user 100, is substantially less than any of the backpacks of the prior art. This of course results in relieving stress, weight, and pressure from a user's back.
In any of the embodiments, the bladder 21, 41, may be so constructed and arranged to a generally L-shaped configuration, with the bladder lower part for resting upon and generally contouring to the buttocks or hip area 109, of the user 100, and the bladder upper part continuing from the bladder lower part, extending at an angle part-way up the forward panel 11, so as to rest upon the user's back 103, and generally conform to the curvature of the thoracic region 105, of the user's body 100.
The back 103, 105, 107, is relieved from stress, weight and pressure, because upon inflation of the air bladder 21, 41, forces the backpack 10, 40, to move away from the back 103, 105, 107, and shifting the backpack 10, 40, in an upward direction which results in the weight to now being borne by the shoulders, and with part of the weight now being supported by the buttocks or hip area 109.
It should be appreciated that when the backpack 10, 40, is expanded via the at least one cushioning bladder 21, the at least one rigid layer 14, forces the expansion of the at least one bladder 21, outwardly, and prevents the expansion of the at least one bladder 21, into the content portion 50, or first compartment 50, of the backpack 10, 40. As stated earlier that the at least one rigid layer 14, acts as a base or lower surface or holding surface for the bottom surface 15, of the first or content compartment 50, of the backpack 10, 40. When the at least one bladder 21, expands, the first section 71, expands vertically and outwardly, while the second portion 72, expands horizontally and outwardly, and the at least one solid sheet 14, prevents or limits the expansion of cushioning bladder 21, or the components 71, 72, into the content or first compartment 50. As shown in
For some applications the bladder 21, could be inside a bag 24, such as, a zippered bag 24, and wherein the zippered bag 24, forms the second compartment 60, that is secured to the first compartment 50, to form the backpack 10, 40.
The backpack 10, 40, can be made in different styles and sizes, for example, a student backpack, one for hiking, one for military use, to name a few.
The material for the backpack 10, 40, could be selected from a group comprising canvas material, Polyurethane coated Nylon material, Polyester material, Polyethylene fiber material, leather-like material, composite material, and a combination thereof, to name a few.
While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
The instant patent application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/620,631, filed on Nov. 18, 2009, titled “BACK PACK WITH BACK CUSHIONING MEANS”, the entire disclosure of which pending patent application is incorporated herein by reference, which was a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/101,044, filed on Apr. 7, 2005, and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,792, on Mar. 18, 2010. The prior applications are incorporated herein by this reference, and the benefit of their filing dates is claimed herein as well.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12620631 | Nov 2009 | US |
| Child | 13682709 | US |
