Helixical backpack carrier

• US 5,503,314 A
• Filed: 06/21/1994
• Issued: 04/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wayne R. Fiscus
• Original Assignee: Wayne R. Fiscus
• Inventors: Fiscus, Wayne R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sholl, Linda J.
• Application Number:
  US08/263,511
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 224/210, 224/211, 224/215, 224/262, 224/261, 224/213, 224/212, 224/263, 224/224
• US Class Current: 224/665
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/08 Carrying-frames; Frames combined with sacks

Abstract

A backpack carrier device for directing the weight of the burden carried toward the center of gravity of the wearer, which will permit carrying heavier than normal burdens much more comfortably with less energy expended. The design of this carrier is helixical with inherent shock absorption and flexibility, plus an adjustable shock absorbing mechanism. It also permits greater maneuverability of the wearer and eliminates compression forces on the shoulders since there are no shoulder straps. The carrier is adjustable to fit differing torso sizes and can be disassembled into component parts. It will permit the carrying of a variety of backpacks according to the needs of the wearer, eg. day pack, child carrier, military pack, fireman'"'"'s pack, etc.

Claims

1. A backpack carrier mechanism which shifts a center of gravity of a load coupled to said backpack carrier mechanism to a location in proximity of a center of gravity of a wearer of said backpack carrier mechanism comprising, in combination:

frame means for supporting said load and for shifting said center of gravity of said load to said location in proximity of said center of gravity of said wearer, said frame means comprising;

base means for transferring weight of said load to said proximity of said center of gravity of said wearer;

support means integrally coupled to each end of said base means for extending and contracting in accordance with movement of said wearer to provide a shock absorption mechanism for said load;

vertical stabilizer means integrally coupled to a middle portion of said base means for transferring weight of said load to said proximity of said center of gravity of said wearer; and

shock absorbing means coupled to said support means and said vertical stabilizer means for transferring said weight of said load to said proximity of said center of gravity of said wearer, said shock absorbing means expanding and contracting in relation to said weight of said load and to movement of said wearer;

load attachment means coupled to said shock absorbing means for coupling said load to said frame means;

pelvis belt means coupled to said base means for holding said base means over a sacrum region of said wearer and partially encircling a pelvis region of said wearer so said weight of said load will be transferred towards the inside of said pelvis region to closely approximate said center of gravity of said wearer; and

upper body belt means coupled to said vertical stabilizer means for holding a top portion of said frame means against an upper torso region of said wearer.

2. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base means declines laterally from a middle portion of said base means and having an anterior inclination corresponding to a posterior aspect of said sacrum region of said wearer.

4. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical stabilizer means comprises undulating curves corresponding to thoracolumbar spinal curves of said wearer.

5. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said backpack carrier mechanism further comprises adjusting means coupled to said shock absorbing means to lengthen or shorten said shock absorbing means in accordance with said weight of said load.

6. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said upper body belt means encircles said wearer under both arms from a mid thorax region in a back region of said wearer to just below a sternum region in a front region of said wearer, said upper body encircling means being able to move in an upward and downward manner to allow for expansion and contraction of said sternum region of said wearer so said wearer has unrestricted diaphragmatic movement when breathing.

7. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pelvis belt means comprises:

a body coupled to said base means, said body declines laterally from a middle portion of said body to each end of said body;

an adjustable belt coupled to each end of said body; and

buckle means coupled to said adjustable belt for securely holding said base means of said backpack carrier mechanism to said pelvis region of said wearer.

8. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said upper body belt means comprises:

first leg rotatably coupled to said vertical stabilizer means, said first leg being curved to encircle a portion of said upper torso region of said wearer;

second leg rotatably coupled to said vertical stabilizer means, said first leg being curved to encircle a portion of said upper torso region of said wearer;

first adjustable belt coupled to said first leg;

second adjustable belt coupled to said second leg; and

buckle means coupled to said first adjustable belt and to said second adjustable belt for securely holding said top portion of said frame means against said upper torso region of said wearer.

9. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 8 wherein said upper body belt means further comprises:

a first connector coupled to said first leg;

a second connectors being coupled to said second leg;

a first stabilizing strap having a first and second end, said first end of said first stabilizing strap being coupled to said load and said second end of said first stabilizing strap being coupled to said first connector; and

a second stabilizing strap having a first and second end, said first end of said second stabilizing strap being coupled to said load and said second end of said second stabilizing strap being coupled to said second connector.

10. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said load attachment means comprises:

a hinged device having a first end coupled to a top portion of said shock absorbing means and a second end resting against a front portion of said shock absorbing means; and

connector means coupled to said second end of said hinged device for coupling said load to said backpack mechanism.

11. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said base means, a lower portion of said vertical stabilizer means, said pelvis belt means and said upper body belt means are padded for providing greater comfort to said wearer.

3. A backpack carrier mechanism in accordance with claim wherein each of said support means rises vertically, curves inward, crosses to form a least on helix, and rises vertically so each of said support means is parallel to one another.