Patent Application
20190191856
Some embodiments relate to the field of backpacks. More particularly, some embodiments relate to a backpack having a frame that allows it, once placed on the ground, to remain vertical and form a support.
The document US2014/0076942A1 describes a backpack including a frame that is fixed with respect to a storage envelope. This frame includes a base at the bottom and a panel at the top, the rear side of the base and the rear side of the panel being connected by two struts. The backpack can thus rest vertically on its base, the panel forming a seat. However, the significant overhang between the panel and the struts, the structure of the base, and the surface delimited between the bars of the base, result in low stability of the assembly and require relatively flat ground.
The technical problem to be solved by some embodiments are therefore that of improving or enhancing a backpack that makes it possible to realize a support while giving it greater stability, especially in the case of uneven ground.
To this end, some embodiments are directed to a backpack including:
Thus, when the backpack is placed on the ground with the movable frame in the deployed position and on the lower bearing surfaces, the area delimited between the lower bearing surfaces is wider than the bottom of the storage envelope, since the movable lower bearing surface is at a distance from this envelope. The backpack is thus more stable and maintained vertically.
Moreover, by having an area delimited between the wider lower bearing surfaces, any unevenness of the ground has less impact on the balanced state of the backpack.
Furthermore, the cover forms a support, for example for setting down objects, or for sitting down.
Note that the fixed frame is the to be fixed because it is not movable with respect to the storage envelope.
Some embodiments may optionally have one or more of the following features:
In some embodiments, the front of the backpack is the side placed against the user's back when wearing the backpack and the rear is the opposite side. The right and the left of the backpack are defined with respect to this orientation. This orientation is also the vertical orientation of the backpack.
Further features and advantages of some embodiments will become apparent upon reading the detailed description of the following nonlimiting examples, for an understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings, in which:
The backpack includes a storage envelope 2, which forms the envelope that separates the outside of the backpack 1 from its inside, thereby defining a storage volume inside which various objects can be stored.
The backpack 1 includes shoulder straps 6 attached at one end to the top of the backpack and at the other end to the bottom of the latter, so as to allow a user to carry the backpack on his back, the shoulder straps 6 passing over his shoulders.
The backpack 1 may also include, as illustrated here, an abdominal belt that is designed to be closed around the user's waist and includes at least one closing strap 5.
The backpack 1 illustrated includes a shell 3. This shell 3 includes an upper portion forming a rigid cover 30, which forms protection for the top of the storage envelope 2.
In the example illustrated, the cover 30 covers the entire top of the storage envelope 2 and includes a generally flat surface.
This shell 3 also includes a lower portion, which forms protection for the rear of the storage envelope 2.
The shell 3 is fastened immovably to the storage envelope 2. The lower portion 31 is thus fixed with respect to the assembly of the storage envelope 2 and the cover 30. This lower portion thus also forms a fixed frame 31.
According to some embodiments, the shell 3 can be fastened to the envelope 2 so as not to be removable, for example by bonding, riveting, thermowelding or further techniques. Alternatively, the shell 3 can be fastened to the envelope 2 so as to be removable, for example by touch-and-close tapes, press studs, or clip-fasteners.
The backpack 1 also includes a movable frame 4 hinged to the cover 30, in this example to the front edge 33 of the cover 30, as can be seen in
This movable frame 4 is formed, in this example, by a framework situated on the front of the storage envelope 2. Therefore, when the user carries the backpack 1 on his back, this framework 4 is situated between his back and the storage envelope 2.
To improve the comfort of wearing the backpack 1, the framework 4 can include a stretched textile 41, also referred to as a stretched back 41, that is intended to come into contact with the user's back. This stretched back can be formed for example by netting.
The storage envelope 2 includes a bottom 21. When the backpack 1 is placed vertically on the ground S, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
According to some embodiments, the movable frame 4 is able to move from a stowed position, particularly against the storage envelope 2, as illustrated in
In particular, in the example illustrated, by virtue of its hinging, the movable frame passes from its stowed position against the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2 to the deployed position, by being spaced apart from this front wall 23, for example by being rotated about an axis situated at the top of the storage envelope 2.
The deployed position allows better stability of the backpack 1 when placed in a vertical position on the ground S, as for example in
The movable frame 4 has a lower bearing surface 42, known as the movable lower bearing surface 42, intended to come into contact with the ground S when the backpack is placed vertically on the ground S. Similarly, the shell 3, and thus the fixed frame 31 formed by the lower portion of this shell 3, includes a lower bearing surface 32, known as the fixed lower bearing surface 32, which is intended to be in contact with the ground S when the backpack is placed vertically.
Thus, when the backpack is placed vertically on the ground, with the movable frame 4 in the deployed position, the backpack 1 is maintained vertically and in a balanced state by its movable frame 4 and the fixed frame 31. This balanced state is stabilized by the supports on the lower bearing surfaces 42 and 32. When the movable frame 4 is in the deployed position, the movable lower bearing surface 42 is situated away from the storage envelope 2, thereby increasing the stability of the backpack 1.
The lower bearing surfaces 32, 42 are distributed around the bottom 21 of the storage envelope and, between one another, define an area greater than that of the bottom 21 of the storage envelope 2, thereby improving stability.
Moreover, in some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter in which the fixed frame 31 is formed by a shell 3, for example as illustrated, this shell can be in the form of a plate, in particular a nonflat plate, the edge face of this plate forming the fixed lower bearing surface 32.
Similarly, when the movable frame is realized as a framework 4, it is the lower strut of the framework 4 which can directly form the movable lower bearing surface 42.
By being formed by an edge face and a strut of the framework, the lower bearing surfaces 42, 32 can adapt more easily to various irregularities of the ground that may be situated between these lower bearing surfaces.
The bottom 21 adapts to the ground S.
Once the backpack 1 has been placed vertically on the ground S, the panel formed by the outer surface 35 of the cover 30 can serve as a support for various objects and also serve as a seat for the user of the backpack. In such a case, the weight is transferred directly to the frames 4, 31, then is transferred to the ground S by the lower bearing surfaces 42, 32.
The backpack according to some embodiments, and in particular according to the example illustrated, is thus particularly suitable for hikes, particularly in hilly areas. In particular, it is suitable for professionals who work outdoors, such as paleontologists, entomologists, primatologists, geologists, etc. These professionals have to travel under the best or better conditions to research sites that are particularly difficult to access, while also transporting fragile equipment.
Generally, in cases in which the fixed frame 31 and the cover 30 are formed by a rigid shell 3, the latter makes it possible to protect the sensitive material stored inside the storage envelope 2, and if desired in this embodiment to move around in dense vegetation, limiting the risk of the backpack getting caught on plants. This shell 3 is also able to form a seat for the researcher, this shell 3 and the movable frame forming a seat, in particular once at the work site. This shell 3 can also serve as support for various devices, such as a camera, a laptop computer, a GPS antenna.
In particular in the example illustrated, the shell 3 and the movable frame are arranged in such a way that, in the deployed position, the cover 30 is horizontal when the backpack 1 is positioned on approximately horizontal ground.
The stretched back 41 improves walking comfort.
Moreover, the outer surface 35 of the shell 3 can be smooth in order to reduce the risk of catching on plants.
In order to make this sliding easier, the backpack 1 can include, as illustrated in
The shell 3 may also include lateral returns 38, 39. These lateral returns 38, 39 are in this example portions of the cover 30 and of the fixed frame 31 and are inclined slightly downward for the cover 30 and inclined slightly forward for the fixed frame 31. These lateral returns improve the sliding of branches over the shell, without catching on the sides of the storage envelope 2.
The lateral returns 39 of the lower portion 31 also confer on the fixed lower bearing surface 32 the shape of an edge face that is curved or has segments forming an angle between one another. These lateral returns 39 thus generally surround the rear of the storage envelope 2, thereby further improving the stability of the support on the fixed lower bearing surface 32.
According to some embodiments, and as illustrated in
In
The shell 3 can have, as in this example, a vertical plane of symmetry that is oriented from front to rear.
The shell 3 forms a single one-piece part, which is easier to produce but also makes it possible to protect the entire top and rear of the backpack. To this end, it can also have a shape allowing it to match the volume that the storage envelope 2 can have once full. The back and/or the top of the storage envelope 2 can also be pressed against the shell 3, in particular by bonding.
However, according to further embodiments that are not shown, the cover and the fixed frame can be produced in separate parts.
According to further embodiments that are not shown, it is possible for the fixed frame not to form a plate entirely covering the back of the storage envelope. The fixed frame can include two rear legs, leaving an opening at the rear between these two legs, in order to provide access to the rear of the storage envelope.
According to some embodiments, and as illustrated in
In this example, the openings are a left-hand access opening 25 and a right-hand access opening 26 arranged opposite one another, such that when the flaps 24 are open on both sides, the backpack 1 is open all the way through from the left-hand access opening 25 to the right-hand access opening 26. This makes it possible to access all of the inside of the storage envelope 2 through the sides.
This makes it possible to rapidly access the contents of the backpack 1 while walking, but also when it is placed on the ground.
This is all the more advantageous in the case of the example illustrated, in which the shell 3 completely covers the top and rear of the storage envelope 2.
The backpack 1 may also include partitions, which are fixed or removable, in particular by way of touch-and-close tapes, so as to divide the inside of the storage envelope 2 into compartments.
Thus, in the example illustrated in
The flap(s) 24 can allow access to all of the compartments, as illustrated in
The number of partitions is not limiting.
Division into compartments by way of horizontal partitions 28, regardless of the number thereof, allows the backpack to form a rack once placed on the ground. It makes it easier to access the contents and to store them, in particular during professional expeditions. In order to improve this function, the horizontal partitions 28 can be rigid. For example, they may include a rigid core surrounded by a flexible material, such as a foam glued to this core, in order to protect the fragile materials.
The lowest horizontal partition 28 can be arranged at a distance from the bottom 21, the access opening(s) 25, 26 being level with or above this horizontal partition. Thus, the storage envelope 2 does not have an access point between this partition and the bottom 21. This makes it possible to protect objects from impacts, especially when the backpack is set down.
The flaps 24 may include flaplets 27 that open through one of these flaps 24 in order to access individual compartments.
In an embodiment that is not shown, the storage envelope may include a flap only on one side of the storage envelope.
The storage envelope 2 may also include a vertical partition, not shown, that extends from right to left behind the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2, for example in order to form a storage compartment for a laptop computer.
In general, the inside of the storage envelope 2 can be covered with a padded lining made in particular of foam.
According to embodiments that are not shown, instead of a flap, there are simply flaplets that open into each of the individual compartments.
The flaplets 27 and/or the flaps 24 can be opened using a zip fastener.
According to some embodiments, and as illustrated in
As can be seen in
For example, and as here, the stretched back can cover the pads 46, 49 in front of the latter, in order to stretch the textile away from the framework 4.
According to some embodiments, and as illustrated, the shoulder straps 6 can be formed by a single part, which may have in its center an attachment 61, in this case a textile tongue 61, intended to be fastened to the rear of the stretched back 41 in order to improve comfort. In particular, it can be stitched to the stretched back 41 and/or to the pad 46 of the upper catch 44. These shoulder straps can also be attached at the bottom to the storage envelope 2.
The arrangement of the abdominal belt and the hinge of the movable frame 4 will now be described in detail.
According to some embodiments, and in particular in the example illustrated, this belt makes it possible not only to keep the backpack on the user at their abdomen but also to limit the opening angle of the movable frame 4 with respect to the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2.
According to some embodiments, in particular as illustrated in
Here, the belt includes an abdominal strap 5 that forms the right-hand side of the abdominal belt at one of its ends and the left-hand side at the other end.
In another embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter that is not shown, the abdominal belt could include a right-hand abdominal strap and a left-hand abdominal strap.
Thus, as can be seen in
According to embodiments that are not shown, each end of the abdominal strap can be connected to a fastening buckle, the buckles being fastened to one another, at least one of the ends being able to slide with respect to the buckle that it carries in order to tighten the abdominal belt.
As illustrated in
In some embodiments the annular element 80 may include a flat rear face 83 which is pressed against the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2. This rear face 83 is in contact with the storage envelope 2, the offset of the central strut 81 allowing the strap to slide more easily between the storage envelope 2 and this central strut 81, as can be seen in
The annular element 80 can be fastened to the storage envelope 2 by studs 82 extending from this rear face 83. These studs 82 can be pressed into the front wall 23 of the storage envelope by thermowelding and/or hot riveting. In particular, the ring 8 and the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2 can be made of thermoplastic polymer(s).
For example, this front wall 23 can be formed of one or more polymer fabrics or a textile formed by a fabric, such as polyethylene (PE) coated and/or impregnated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
The slide 8 can be formed from polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a mixture of both.
On each side of the framework 4, the abdominal strap 5 includes a first portion 51 that is defined between the fastening of the abdominal strap 5 to the framework 4 and a stop 53. The abdominal strap 5 includes a second portion 52 that extends from this stop 53 and the corresponding end 50, 59 of the abdominal strap 5, and which therefore passes through openings in the corresponding stomach pad 11.
As shown in
According to some embodiments, and as illustrated, the backpack 1 may include an additional portion of strap 55, which is separate from the abdominal strap 5 and arranged between the abdominal strap 5 and plate 48 of the lower catch 47. For example, rivets can pass through the plate 48, the additional portion of strap 55, the abdominal strap 5 at the framework 4, and the lateral struts of the framework 4 itself.
The ends of this additional portion of strap 55 can be stitched to the strap 5 on either side of the framework 4.
This end 54 of the additional portion of strap 55 is stitched in such a way that the central strut 81 is accommodated between the first portion 51 of the abdominal strap 5 and this additional portion of strap 55.
As can be seen in
Conversely, tightening the abdominal strap 5 makes it possible to stow the movable frame 4 against the storage envelope 2 again. When the abdominal strap 5 slides in the opposite direction between the central strut 81 and the annular element 80, the stitching 53 moves away from the central strut 81, as illustrated in
As a result, the abdominal strap 5 has a double function: tightening the storage envelope 2 around the user's waist and stowing the movable frame 4. There is therefore a need for a single hand movement for these two functions. This is particularly useful in dirty, in particular muddy environments. Specifically, limiting the number of hand movements reduces the soiling of the backpack.
In another embodiment that is not shown, the hinge of the movable frame can include an elastic element designed such that the passage from the deployed position to the stowed position increases the stress thereon. As a result, it exerts a restoring force to the deployed position on the movable frame. Thus, all that is desired in this embodiment is to loosen the abdominal strap in order for the movable frame to move into the deployed position. Therefore, there is one fewer hand movement. This elastic element may be for example a torsion spring, notably with the coils wrapped around the upper strut of the framework, one of the ends of the spring being fastened to the framework and the other to the shell.
According to some embodiments, in order to reduce the risk of soiling of the stretched back 41, the lower catch 47 can be arranged above and at a distance from the movable lower bearing surface 42, as can be seen in
Likewise, the stomach pads 11 can be stitched at a distance from the bottom 21, in order to avoid touching the ground S.
Moreover, the framework 4, the shell 3, the stretched back 41 and the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2 can be arranged such that, in the stowed position, the bottom 21 and the bottom of the framework 4 are at a distance from the stretched back 41. This allows areas that are in contact with the ground when the backpack 1 is set down to come in contact with the walker's back when he carries the backpack 1 again.
According to some embodiments, and as illustrated, in order to avoid soiling, the flap 24 can be arranged, as here, at a distance from the bottom 21. It can be designed to open around its entire perimeter, except for an upper portion which forms a hinge. For example, in
The backpack 1 may include a removable accessory (not shown), formed by a plate including on one side clip-fasteners, such as studs, designed to be clip-fastened around the lower strut of the framework 4. In this case, it is possible to clip-fasten this accessory in order to increase the area of contact of the movable frame 4 with the ground, this possibly being useful on soft, notably muddy terrain.
In addition, the bottom 21 can be reinforced, in particular lined with a waterproof layer, for example a textile coated with at least one polymer. This makes it possible to easily clean this bottom 21.
In general, the entire storage envelope, or even the backpack as a whole, can be made of materials that are able to be wetted, or even washed with a water jet.
Of course, the embodiment illustrated is not limiting in terms of its dimensions.
However, by way of example, a few dimensions that are applicable, in particular to the exemplary embodiment illustrated, as shown in
For example, in order to form a good seat for the user of the backpack 1, the length L1 between the lower bearing surfaces 32 and 42 may be 357 mm for a flat surface level with the cover 30 having a length of 200 mm. This makes it possible to improve the stability on the ground by virtue of the difference between these two lengths L1 and L2.
The movable frame 4 may have a length L3, from its hinge to the movable lower bearing surface 42, of 405 mm. The opening angle β of the movable frame 4 in the deployed position may be 100°.
The height of the shell 3, measured from the outer surface 35 of its cover 30 to the fixed lower bearing surface 32, may be 400 mm. This allows a comfortable seat.
The curve 37 of the shell 3 can be designed such that a curve angle α is defined between a plane that includes the flat surface of the cover 30 and a plane passing through the part of the outer surface of the lower portion 31 of the shell 3, this part being situated between the left-hand and right-hand lateral returns. The shape of the curve 37 from one of the planes to the other is continuous and regular. The curve angle may be 95°.
According to some embodiments, the cover 30 and/or the fixed frame 31, or the shell 3, can be made of a material selected from: aluminum, a polycarbonate (PC), a polypropylene filled with glass fibers or polymer material, ABS or PP.
For example, in the case of PC and filled PP, the shell 3 can be obtained by thermoforming. In the case of ABS and PP, it can be obtained by injection-molding.
More particularly, according to some embodiments, the shell 3 can be made of PC and/or have a thickness of between 3 and 8 millimeters (mm), in particular 4 mm.
The abdominal strap can be made for example of nylon or textile fiber.
According to this variant, the slide 108 is formed by a simple fabric loop. The loop includes a rear side 180 and a front side 181.
The rear face 183 of the rear side 180 is flat and pressed against the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2. In particular, the rear side 180 can be stitched to the storage envelope 2.
The slide 8 can be formed from the same material as that of the strap.
As in the preceding variant, the first portion 51 of the abdominal strap 5 is defined between the fastening of the abdominal strap 5 to the framework 4 and the stop 53. However, in this case, this first portion 51 passes between the front face of the rear side 180 and the front side 181.
The second portion 52 of the abdominal strap 5 extends, here too, from the stop 53 to the corresponding end of the abdominal strap 5.
In this variant, too, the backpack can include an additional portion of strap 55.
Here, this end 54 of the additional portion of strap 55 is stitched in such a way that the front side 181 is accommodated between the first portion 51 of the abdominal strap 5 and this additional portion of strap 55.
Thus, when the user loosens this strap 5 by spacing apart the framework 4 from the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2, the first portion 51 of abdominal strap 5 slides in the slide 8, between the rear side 180 and the front side 181, until the stitching 53 reaches the front side 181, as illustrated in
Conversely, tightening the abdominal strap 5 makes it possible to stow the movable frame 4 against the storage envelope 2 again. The abdominal strap 5 then slides in the opposite direction, between the front side 181 and the rear side 180, the stitching 53 moving away from the front side 181, as illustrated in
The differences of these variants mainly relate to the movable frame 204, in particular its fastening to the shell 203 and to the stretched back 241.
Thus,
According to the second variant, the movable frame is formed by a U-shaped bar 204. Thus, it includes a transverse part connecting the bottom ends of two lateral portions 204a and 204b of this U-shaped bar.
The top ends of these lateral portions 204a and 204b are hinged to the front edge 233 of the shell 203. For example, two forked brackets 243 can be fastened to this front edge 233, on each side of the cover 230, in particular by screwing or riveting. The fork of each of these brackets 243 carries a pivot pin passing through the top end of the corresponding lateral portion 204a, 204b of the U-shaped bar from one side to the other.
According to the third variant, the bearing surface 242 can be covered with a layer 242′ of PVC, in order to protect the bottom of the movable frame from moisture, in particular mud. This layer 242′ can extend over part of the height of the movable frame 204.
Similarly, according to the fourth variant, the bottom of the lower portion of the shell 203 may be fitted and/or bonded in a stiffener 233. This stiffener 233 may, as illustrated, be formed by a bar with a U-shaped cross section and have a shape complementary to the lower edge of the shell 203. The lower face of this stiffener 233 thus forms the fixed lower bearing surface 232 of the fixed frame 231. This bar may be formed from a metal sheet. For example, it can have a length of about 330 mm.
According to the fifth variant, the upper and/or lower catch of the stretched back 241 at the top and/or bottom of the movable frame 204, respectively, can include an upper catch strap 245b and/or a lower catch strap 248b, respectively. Each catch strap 245b, 248b is fastened to the rear of a corresponding pad, namely a top pad 246 or a bottom pad 249, so as to clamp the top of the movable frame 204 between the corresponding pad 246, 249 and the corresponding catch strap 245b, 248b.
The upper and/or lower catch may also include a spacer 245a, 248a. This spacer 245a, 248a has a width and a length allowing it to create housings 245d, 248d for the lateral portions 204a, 204b of the movable frame 204 on each side of the corresponding spacer 245a, 248a. This type of housing 245d, 248d can also be used for the lateral bars of the framework 4 of the example illustrated in
The spacer 245a, 248a can be formed by a pouch, the sides of which are stitched to form a spacer between the pad 246, 249 and the catch strap 245b, 248b.
The upper catch strap 245b can be stitched directly to the top pad 246. The spacer 245a may include a tab 245c protruding beyond the rear of the catch strap 245b. The shoulder straps may be fastened to this tab 245c. For example, the shoulder straps can include a textile tongue such as the one 61 in
The lower catch strap 248b can be stitched to an abdominal strap 205, itself stitched to an additional portion of strap 255, itself stitched to the bottom pad 249. These straps 248b, 205, this portion of strap 255 and this bottom pad 249 can be stitched together by one and the same seam.
The additional portion of strap 255 is arranged with the abdominal strap 205 in the same way as described with reference to
According to some embodiments, in order to be more resistant, the straps and/or the spacers can be made of textile covered, coated or impregnated with polymer, for example a PE textile coated with PVC.
The shoulder straps can also include an outer layer made of these materials.
The pads may include casings formed of the same materials and containing a foam. They may include a reinforcement plate bearing against the movable frame.
The bottom of the storage envelope can also be reinforced by straps stitched on the inside or outside.
Generally, the movable frame can be made of steel.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1657525 | Aug 2016 | FR | national |
This application is a national phase filing under 35 C.F.R. § 371 of and claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/FR2017/052125, filed on Jul. 21, 2017, which claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of French Application No. 1657525, filed on Aug. 3, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/FR2017/052125 | 7/27/2017 | WO | 00 |
