Backpack

Abstract

A backpack construction includes a back panel with shoulder straps and an optional horizontal back support cushion to enhance comfort when the back pack is positioned on the back of an individual. The back pack further includes a number of arcuate or curved panels which are joined together by fasteners to provide multiple access openings to the back pack through the top side thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a luggage item; namely a backpack comprised of multiple panels sewn and fastened together to form an enclosure with straps for support of the backpack and various fasteners for attaching the separate panels to each other and enabling access to the interior of the backpack.

The use of backpacks is umbiquitous. Students use backpacks to carry their papers and books. Travelers use backpacks to carry items associated with their travel. Business persons use backpacks to carry business papers and associated materials.

Typically, backpacks include a back side panel with vertical shoulder straps affixed thereto. An array of attached panels and flaps sewn to the back panel form an enclosure and provide for access to the interior of the backpack. Many various designs of backpacks are available in the marketplace.

Despite the availability of many types of backpacks having various shapes and configurations, there remains the need to provide designs with improved access, comfort and portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a backpack construction which includes a back side panel with a hand hold carry flap on the outside face of the back side panels centrally located near or along the top edge thereof. First and second shoulder straps extend from adjacent the hand hold carry flap and are connectable to the lower margin of the back side panel and more particularly, to a cushion affixed horizontally to the lower margin. An assembly of arcuate side enclosure panels are attached to the back side panel and a bottom panel. The side enclosure panels are joined together by fasteners such as zippers and are designed to permit access to the interior of the back pack from the top side at two entry points. The front side of the back pack includes a nameplate panel affixed thereto by means of elastic bands to reinforce the front side panel.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved back pack construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a back pack which includes multiple access openings from the top side of the back pack to the interior enclosure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a back pack construction which includes shoulder straps, hand holds and fasteners which provide for comfortable carriage of the back pack and ease of adjustment of the means for carriage of the back pack.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention are set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the backpack of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top elevation of the bag of FIG. 1 wherein the panels forming the bag have been closed;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the back side of the backpack illustrating the hand hold or hand grip construction;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the name plate construction associated with the backpack of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the name plate depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the name plate of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an end view of the name plate of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, the backpack of the invention includes a back side panel 10 having first and second generally vertical, but diverging carry straps 12 and 14 affixed to the upper side or edge of the back panel 10 near the center thereof. Straps 10, 12 each extend downwardly through an adjustable buckle 16 that connects to a further strap 18 attached to a side wing or horizontal cushion panel 20. The wing or panel 20 is also attached at the lower edge of the backside of the back panel 10. The back panel 10 has a generally straight lower side 21, opposite lateral sides or edges 23, 25 that extend upwardly from the lower side edge along an arcuate pathway to join at the top of the back side panel 10.

Affixed to the back panel 10 is a generally horizontal lower side or bottom side panel 22. Extending upwardly from the bottom side panel 22 are a series of arcuate panels including a first arcuate side panel 24 which is joined to a second arcuate side panel 26 along a bridge section 28. A front arcuate panel 30 is also joined to the bottom panel 22 and to the arcuate shaped side panels 24 and 26. The component panels 24, 26, 30 are joined by means of zippers, for example, zippers 32 and 34, so that the panels 24, 26, 30 may be opened as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Side gussets 38 and 40 join the front panel 30 to the arcuate first and second side panels 24 and 26. Side gussets 42 and 44 join the arcuate side panels 24 and 26 to the back panel 10. The access to the interior of the backpack may thus be effected by opening either the zipper 34 or the zipper 32 or both zippers 32, 34. Dual access is thereby provided to the backpack.

Flap 50 is sewn to the back panel 10 with an open lower edge 52. The flap 50 is sewn along its sides 54 and 56 as well as its top edge 58 to the back side panel 10 with the open lower edge 52 enabling carrying or handling of the backpack as depicted in FIG. 4.

As an optional feature there is affixed to the front side panel 30 on the outside thereof of a name plate 60 with elastic or bungee cords 66, 68 attached thereto. This arrangement provides multiple functions. For example, the bungee cords are elastic and may thus facilitate holding of an article against the front side panel 30. Additionally, the name plate 60 associated with this arrangement holds the bungee cords in fixed position to facilitate efficient holding of articles and support of the panels 24, 26, 30 when open. In addition, the name plate 60 functions as a name plate wherein a brand information or identification information may be placed thereon. Thus, the invention contemplates a name plate 60 which has a generally ellipsoid shape and which includes first and second through passages 62 and 64 for receipt of bungee cords or elastic cords 66 and 68, respectively. The bungee cords or elastic cords 66 and 68, respectively, may be attached to the sides of the front panel 30 as depicted, for example, in FIG. 1 or to the side edges of the back side panel 10.

With the backpack construction of the invention as an optional feature, there is depicted in FIG. 3 the incorporation of a dual component front panel 30. As depicted in FIG. 3, the front panel 30 is divided into a right hand panel section 30a and a left hand panel section 30b. Sections 30a and 30b are connected one to the other by means of a zipper 31. Thus, the backpack is comprised of a series of arcuate panels which have a generally triangular shape including the panels 24 and 26 which are joined by a bridge section 28 and the separate panels 30a and 30b which are connected together and connected to the side panels 24 and 26 by means of zippers.

While there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents.

Claims

1. A backpack comprising, in combination: a back side panel having an outside face, an inside face, a bottom side edge, a first arcuate side edge, a spaced arcuate second side edge, said first and second side edges joined at a substantially central location, a first back strap having an end attached to the outside face generally at the central location, a second back strap having an end attached to the outside face generally at the central location, said strap having an opposite end attached to the outside face adjacent the bottom side edge, said second strap having an opposite end attached to the outside face adjacent the bottom end; a hand hold carry flap on the outside face generally at the central location positioned under the first and second straps; an assembly of enclosure panels covering the inside face, said assembly including a first generally arcuate bottom side panel attached to the bottom side edge and extending outwardly from the bottom side edge and having a generally semicircular pattern; a second panel affixed to the first panel and connected by a detachable fastener to the back side panel in the form of an arch, a third panel affixed to the first panel and connected by a detachable fastener to the second panel to partially enclose the arch formed by the second panel, and a fourth panel affixed to the first panel and connected by detachable fasteners to the second panel and the third panel to complete the backpack enclosure, said second panel detachable from the back side panel along the arcuate side edges, said third and fourth panels detachable from the second panel and from each other to provide access to the enclosure.

2. The backpack of claim 1 further including a faceplate on the outside of the assembly of enclosure panels, said face plate including first and second spaced passages therethrough, said faceplate held on the backpack by first and second elastic cords, each cord connected at the opposite ends thereof to the backpack, said first cord passing through the first passage in the faceplate, said second cord passing through the second passage.

3. The backpack of claim 1 wherein the detachable fasteners comprise zippers.

4. The backpack of claim 1 further including flexible gussets connecting the second panel to the back side panel.

5. The backpack of claim 1 further including flexible gussets connecting the third and forth panels to the second panel.