The invention relates generally to devices and systems used to attach equipment, such as climbing, hiking or other tools/implements, to backpacks and the like. In particular the invention relates to a holster type device used to firmly and safely secure an ice axe, avalanche probe pole or other tool/implement to a backpack in a manner that is both novel and clearly demonstrates improvement over the prior art.
In climbing, hiking and other pursuits it is common for participants to carry tools on the outside of a backpack that has some means for the attachment of tools. An example is seen in the device patented by Anscher (U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,045). Typically most attachment mechanisms are located on the front of the backpack (opposite the side of the backpack that is against the user's back), thus placing the tools out of reach as long as the backpack is being worn. It is also common for users to be required to perform tasks in sub-freezing temperatures and participants often wear additional warm layers, gloves (or mittens) and head gear (hats, goggles) that can hamper the fine motor movements and unobstructed vision required to operate current state-of-the-art systems.
Travel in the mountains often requires the use of safety tools such as ice axes, ice tools and snow probes that typically have sharp points that can present a hazard to the user. These tools are usually transported attached to a backpack well away from the user until they are needed. In an emergency situation, such as a crevasse fall or avalanche, these tools must be deployed quickly, yet the current state-of-the-art and standard practice does not allow the tool to be quickly and easily deployed as the backpack it is being transported upon must first be removed to gain access to the tool. This slows down any emergency response and can be awkward, difficult and potentially dangerous. Conversely there are times when a user no longer needs a tool and may wish to stow it upon the backpack. Again the pack must first be removed to perform this operation. In many circumstances this is difficult and time consuming and is therefore less than optimal.
Other attachment devices exist that place the tools closer to the user on the side of the pack, but due to the nature of these attachment systems the tools are not easily removed (such as with one gloved hand) while the backpack is still being worn by the user. Likewise, re-attaching the tool to the backpack requires an amount of dexterity that necessitates that the backpack be removed.
Regardless of where the tool is attached to the backpack in current state-of-the-art systems (the front of the pack or the side of the pack) the tool is at a distance from the body and in the event of a fall the tool is not well positioned to help protect the user from ground impact forces. In fact the tool may be dislodged (or ripped) from the pack thus becoming a projectile that could result in injury to the user.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an attachment system that holds the tool safely and securing to the backpack, that allows the user access to tools while wearing the backpack in sub-freezing conditions and is positioned to help protect the user in the event of a fall. Further, it would be desirable to be able to re-attach a tool to the backpack while wearing cold weather gear (extra layers, gloves, head gear, etc) without first removing the backpack.
The general idea of the invention is to provide a mechanism to safely and securely fasten a mountain tool (ice axe, ice tool, probe pole, fishing rod, etc) to any backpack (a generic backpack or a new backpack design that integrates the invention into the backpack) in a way that allows the wearer of the backpack to quickly and easily retrieve the tool for immediate use, without first removing the backpack. Conversely, the general idea of the invention is to allow the user to easily (one handed while wearing gloves) safely and securely re-attach a tool to backpack without first removing the backpack.
It is also the general idea of the invention to not only reduce the potential danger inherent to many of the mountain tools, but to use the strong and rigid nature of the tool to help protect the user from the impact of a fall by strategically placing the tools on the body. Holding the tool close to the hip and along the back means that not only can the tool directly protect the user in the event of a fall by physically taking the brunt of an impact, but this placement on the body also means that there is little room for acceleration forces to develop between the user and the tool if the tool is ripped from the backpack.
The device described consists of two main components that are mechanically attached to any generic backpack (
The first main component of the described device is the bottom “holster”. The end of the holster that is towards the main body of the backpack (away for the user) is attached to, or integrated into, the backpack through mechanical means (such as being sewn, glued or riveted). The other end of the holster is slotted and the hip-belt of the backpack is threaded through this slot. The slot serves to hold the distal end of the mountain tool (
The second component of the described device is the upper shaft restraining strap (
The holster (Part 1) has the function to both support the weight of the tool, as well as act as a guard to protect the user from a sharp end of the tool while holding it securely against the user's hip. A safety strap (Part 1A) fashioned out of stretch material is hooked over a latch (Part 1B) to further secure the tool to the backpack while a shaft-stop (Part 1C) holds the sharp tool end away from the inside end of the holster and prevents the end of the tool from wearing through or piercing the holster.
The second portion of the invention is the shaft-restraining strap (Part 2). This is a moderately elastic material that holds the shaft of the tool (the long axis) tightly against the side of the backpack and away from the user's head. The elastic nature of this straps provides a slight forward pressure on the tool shaft, pushing the distal end of the tool into the holster portion of the device. This passive force must be overcome to first get the end of the tool into the holster and conversely this force must also be overcome to get the end of the tool out of the holster. Thus this mechanism is critical to the nature of the invention as it provides a passive resistance to keep the tool in the holster.
The holster part (Part 1) of the device is specifically shaped and constructed to either accommodate an ice axe or shaped and constructed to accommodate a snow probe or other tool. Other shapes may be devised to manage other tools in activities that also use a backpack to transport tools such, but not limited to, fishing rods, rifles, axes, saws, etc. This constitutes an obvious extension of the invention and protection is sought to cover these embodiments.
Alternatively it is also possible to create an extension designed to attach to the mountain tools that are essentially straight, such as a probe pole (
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/206,822 that was filed on Feb. 5, 2009 and entitled “Mountain Tool Holster” the subject matter which is herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61206822 | Feb 2009 | US |