Backpack device

• US 5,090,604 A
• Filed: 07/24/1990
• Issued: 02/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: North Face Apparel Corporation (V.F. Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The North Face Incorporated (V.F. Corporation)
• Inventors: Howe, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARRETT, GLENN
• Application Number:
  US07/557,515
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 224/211, 224/210, 224/209, 224/212, 224/213, 224/215, 224/222, 224/224, 224/262, 224/261, 224/263
• US Class Current: 224/641
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders

Abstract

A backpack device including a flexible enclosure for containing a load to be supported and carried by a wearer and a frame for supporting the flexible enclosure. Shock absorbers are pivotally connected to the frame and to a waist belt for absorbing shock between the flexible enclosure and the wearer.

Claims

1. A Backpack device comprising a flexible enclosure for containing a load to be supported and carried by a wearer of said device, a frame for supporting said flexible enclosure, said frame including a pair of vertically extending tubular struts located at two sides of said flexible enclosure, waist belt means for encircling the waist of the wearer being attached to said flexible enclosure, said frame further comprising sliding connector means adapted to slide along each of said vertically extending tubular struts, shock absorbing means, including telescoping tubes containing a spring means for absorbing shock between movement of said tubes, pivotally connected to each of said sliding connector means, and to said waist belt means to absorb shock between said flexible enclosure and the wearer as the wearer supports said backpack device.

2. A Backpack device comprising a flexible enclosure for containing a load to be supported and carried by a wearer of said device, a frame for supporting said flexible enclosure, said frame including a pair of vertically extending tubular struts located at two sides of said flexible enclosure, waist belt means for encircling the waist of the wearer being attached to said flexible enclosure, said frame further comprising sliding connector means adapted to slide along each of said vertically extending tubular struts, shock absorbing means, including fluid cylinder means containing cylinders and hydraulic fluid for absorbing shock between movement of said cylinders, pivotally connected to each of said sliding connector means, and to said waist belt means to absorb shock between said flexible enclosure and the wearer as the wearer supports said backpack device.

3. A Backpack device comprising a flexible enclosure for containing a load to be supported and carried by a wearer of said device, a frame for supporting said flexible enclosure, said frame including a pair of vertically extending tubular struts located at two sides of said flexible enclosure, waist belt means for encircling the waist of the wearer being attached to said flexible enclosure, said frame further comprising sliding connector means adapted to slide along each of said vertically extending tubular struts, shock absorbing means pivotally connected to each of said sliding connector means, and to said waist belt means to absorb shock between said flexible enclosure and the wearer as the wearer supports said backpack device and wherein straps, adjustable in length, are connected between said sliding connector means and said flexible enclosure for adjustably limiting movement of said sliding connector means along said vertically extending tubular struts.