External frame backpack harness
First Claim
1. A backpack comprising:
- (a) frame having side members, a first upper member, and at least two lower members, said lower members extending at least somewhat upwardly and having at least portions thereof inclined with respect to each other;
(b) a back panel secured between said side members and having upper and lower ends between said upper and lower frame members;
(c) a tensioning member vertically tensioning said back panel, said tensioning member being secured to the lower end of said back panel; and
(d) a lower attachment member secured to the lower end of said back panel and attached between said lower frame members, said attachment member vertically securing the lower end of said back panel to said frame, vertical tensioning of said back panel tautly securing said lower attachment member to said lower frame members.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An external frame backpack (10) includes a frame (14), a hip belt (32), two flexible stays (50, 52), a back panel (38), and a lower panel (40). The frame is external and substantially rigid. It includes upper, middle, and lower frame members (22, 24, 26) secured between frame siderails (18, 20). The hip belt is attached to the frame adjacent the lower frame member. The flexible stays are elongate with upper and lower ends. The upper ends attach to the upper frame member. The lower ends attach to the sides of the hip belt. The stays are flexible to allow movement of the hip belt as the stays bend while transmitting at least a portion of the weight held on the frame to the lower end of the stays. The back panel is vertically and horizontally tensioned and secured to the frame. The lower panel is secured between the siderails of the frame. The lower panel includes a support sheet (66) to maintain the shape thereof when tensioned between the siderails. In another aspect disclosed herein the back panel secures to the frame vertically with upper and lower sleeves that taper to fit onto tapered upper and lower ends of the backpack siderails. Vertical adjustability of the back panel is provided by adjustment fasteners securing the back panel to the sleeves.
70 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A backpack comprising:
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(a) frame having side members, a first upper member, and at least two lower members, said lower members extending at least somewhat upwardly and having at least portions thereof inclined with respect to each other; (b) a back panel secured between said side members and having upper and lower ends between said upper and lower frame members; (c) a tensioning member vertically tensioning said back panel, said tensioning member being secured to the lower end of said back panel; and (d) a lower attachment member secured to the lower end of said back panel and attached between said lower frame members, said attachment member vertically securing the lower end of said back panel to said frame, vertical tensioning of said back panel tautly securing said lower attachment member to said lower frame members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A backpack comprising:
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(a) frame having side members, at least two upper members, and at least one lower member, said upper members extending at least somewhat downwardly and having at least portions thereof inclined with respect to each other; (b) a back panel secured horizontally between said side members and having upper and lower ends between said upper and lower frame members; (c) horizontal and vertical tensioning mechanisms for horizontal and vertical tensioning of said back panel; and (d) an upper attachment member secured to the upper end of said back panel and attached between said upper frame members, said attachment member vertically securing the upper end of said back panel to said frame, vertical tensioning of said back panel tautly securing said upper attachment member to said frame upper members. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A backpack comprising:
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(a) a frame having siderails, an upper frame member, and at least two lower frame members, said lower frame members extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to one another; (b) a back panel secured between said siderails and having an upper end engaging said upper frame member and a lower end secured to said lower frame members; (c) a lower attachment member engaged with said lower frame members, said lower attachment member securing said lower end of said back panel to said lower frame members; and (d) a tensioning member secured to at least one of said upper and lower ends of said back panel, tensioning of at least one of the ends of said back panel tautly securing said lower attachment member to said lower frame members. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification