FR2628612A1 - BACKPACK - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a backpack intended, although not exclusively, for hiking and mountaineering. This backpack consists of two shells, one rigid 2, the other semi-rigid 3, articulated around a point 4 located in the low position on either side of the bag and held closed by a single point 5. The rigid shell has two concavities, one longitudinal 6, the other transverse 7 and comprises, in combination, a scale for adjusting the height of the straps on the back, a back cushion 12 adjustable in height and in lateral tension, a single removable piece 19 forming two straps and the middle of which is connected to a loop 21 integral with an adjustment slider 22, two load return cords 23 permanently attached to the top of the bag but adjustable on the straps and a belt floating hip 13 adjustable in lateral tension.

Description

- 1 -

26286 12

  The subject of the present invention is a rucksack intended, although not exclusively, for mountaineering and all hikes, whether they be

pedestrian or ski.

  Until now, backpacks have always been designed in more or less waterproof fabric. By definition, the fabric is a soft material

  and the backpack has a natural tendency to "stick" to the wearer.

  Several systems have been developed to try to solve this too much flexibility. The backs of the bags have been stiffened by means of metal reinforcements, foams or plastic rods for

a better wearing comfort.

  Despite these many improvements, back ventilation remains inadequate.

  cient. The bag "glue" always to bearer and the problem of perspiration

  excessively in the kidneys - due to direct bag-back contact - is not always

days not solved.

  Other problems, and not least, such as the accessibility to the bottom of the bag, the adjustment of the shoulder straps, closures and tightness, are related to the very design of the backpacks whose raw material is

  the fabric and therefore a flexible material.

  Excessive sweating of the back is the main problem.

  tial. It is linked to the fact that too much of the back surface of the bag is

  direct contact with the back of the wearer. The air flow between the bag and its carrier is thus very reduced, or almost non-existent. Even the use of soft materials (fabrics, foams), does not allow to create a

aeration really effective.

  Accessibility inside the bag is another significant problem. As a general rule, the main access inside a backpack is from the top. To access the bottom, you have to get out all the business! To remedy this drawback, some bags are equipped with a

  opening on the front. However, this solution does not allow access to

  optimal accessibility: it is difficult, if not impossible, to take out a bulky object, such as a sleeping bag, from the bottom of the bag without having first

"makes a little room".

  The adjustment of the shoulder straps must make it possible to adapt the bag to the

phology of each individual.

  In fact, simply adjusting the length of the straps does not allow a person of small size to carry a bag of large volume in

  a sufficiently high position on the back.

  -2- It is also necessary to have an adjustment of the upper ends of the shoulder straps both in height, according to the size of the back of each individual, and in width to account for shoulder widths-and neck. Some manufacturers consider these three types of strapless adjustment, but the solutions adopted are relatively complex and uncomfortable

and speed of implementation.

  This lack of convenience and speed still arises for the usual means of closing the backpacks. A backpack generally includes a drawstring for closing the bag and a flap with one or two straps. The speed of closure poses a problem: it is always necessary

  Tighten the straps after taking something out of the bag.

  Finally, the waterproofness of a backpack is a very important aspect that should not be neglected. Few bags are still resistant, after a season of use, to persistent rain. The effects found at

  inside the bag take water. This has, among other consequences, the

  it is advisable to increase the weight of the bag a little.

  To overcome these various disadvantages, we thought to create a bag

  rigid back of plastics. Such a bag has three characteristics

  essential and interdependent ticks.

  The first feature of this bag is to present two shells

  (one rigid, the other semi-rigid) of plastics.

  These two shells fit into each other and are each articulated around a point located in the lower position of each side of the bag. This articulation

  allows a total opening of the bag at an angle of 180 .- Thus, the access-

  It is optimal in all parts of the bag.

  Each of the two hulls has a specific function.

  The outer shell is used to store the material to be worn. She

  is semi-rigid for easy storage of bulky effects.

  The rigid inner shell, which will be called back shell, serves as a closing lid. This back shell is the centerpiece of the bag. It integrates a

new carrier system.

  The design of a bag made of two separate, nestable parts implies for

  the user a new way of "bagging".

  The bag is no longer loaded from above but flat, the outer shell being

laid on the floor.

  The use of two hulls also modifies the usual principle of

  backpacks, namely, drawstrings and straps: a single point of closure is enough to effectively connect and maintain

closed both hulls.

- 3-

  This closing point is located on the upper part of the back shell.

  The opening and closing of the bag is instantaneous and takes place

only hand.

  In addition, the use of plastics itself makes the bag weathertight. This represents a significant advantage and

  avoids "moisture overload" during a rain.

  Finally, the realization of a "rigid" plastic bag increases the ease of implementation due to the lack of seams and various

molding possibilities.

  In addition, several accessories such as ice ax holders, ski racks, can

  be directly integrated into the bag according to the shape of the mold of the outer shell.

  pool. The second characteristic of this bag lies in the fact that

  rigid back shell allows to create an effective aeration of the back of the wearer.

  The principle is simple: the use of plastics makes it possible to obtain

  a concave rigid shell accentuated both longitudinally and transversely so that there is no direct contact between. oque

plastic and back of the wearer.

  A longitudinal concavity is created so that the bag matches the shape of the back of an individual in the folded back position. The bag must be able to "stick" to the individual in some special situations such as climbing. This longitudinal concavity is studied as follows:

  - support of the lower part of the hull back on the last ver-

  lumbar tears - support of the upper part on the shoulder blades - no contact of the bag between the shoulder blades and the last ones

  lumbar vertebrae (except in climbing position).

  By itself, this concavity does not sufficiently limit the surfaces of the bag in direct contact with the back of the wearer. We must therefore preach

  another concavity in the transverse direction.

  The transverse concavity is intended to promote the circulation of air between the back of the wearer and the back of the bag and thus very significantly reduce the

usual sweating.

  Means are needed to maintain a certain distance and avoid

  thus all uncomfortable direct contacts between back and carrier shell.

262861Z

These means are:

  - a back cushion, adjustable in lateral tension as well as posi-

  longitudinally, stretched on either side of the transverse concavity - a floating hip belt known per se, but adjustable in lateral tension and stretched, too, on both sides of the transverse concavity.

  The back cushion, of small size, has the function of increasing the circum-

  air and promote the evacuation of perspiration.

  It consists of two small longitudinal foam beads defining a central channel. This channel avoids a direct support of the cushion and therefore of the bag,

on the dorsal vertebrae.

  This cushion is adjustable in lateral tension for optimal use

  of the bag both hiking and climbing.

  In hiking position, the cushion is stretched to the maximum for better ventilation. Conversely, in climbing position, the cushion is relaxed so that the bag can "follow" the movements of the climber. The bag can thus "stick"

  to the wearer for better carrying accuracy and greater safety

  progress. This adjustment of the lateral tension can be performed

backpack.

  On its own, this adjustment is insufficient. The cushion must still be able to be moved longitudinally to adapt to a height adjustment of the

shoulder straps.

  The floating hip belt also promotes air circulation

between the wearer and his bag.

  The originality of this belt is that it can be stretched effectively on the hull back in hiking position. In climbing position, she can be

  relaxed so that the bag can "stick" the lower back. In both posi-

  tions, maintaining the bag at the hips remains optimal. -

  The third characteristic of this bag is related to the speed and

  the ease of adjustment of the shoulder straps.

  The back shell is equipped with a setting system to which are attached "two"

  New design shoulder straps.

  It's no longer two separate suspenders that are attached to the bag as

  usually, but only one piece forming two straps.

  This unique removable piece presents in its middle a narrower part

  intended to connect a passer integral with the adjustment system.

  Both ends of this "shoulder strap" are attached, as usual, to the

  base of the bag where they can be adjusted in length.

  The adjustment system of the shoulder straps makes it possible, and this is already known per se, to adjust the height of a single point of attachment of the straps so as to adapt best to the size of the back of the wearer. Originality lies

  in that this system is integrated into the back shell in the middle of the 'onea-

  cross-section and that it includes in combination a scale of

  and a cursor with a single passer.

  The scale of adjustment consists of a central longitudinal channel occupying the upper half of the back shell and both sides are equipped with

holes spaced regularly.

  The adjustment slider consists of a rectangular locking block equipped with four self-locking pins distributed at the four corners and a

passing fixed in the upper part.

  This slider moves longitudinally inside the channel.

  The locking block can be unlocked and moved at the touch of a button

  two fingers on two slides. The pressure must be maintained

  the movement because the release of the two slides instantly blocks

the cursor.

  The adjustment of the shoulder straps is completed by two "load recall" cords. These are supported as already known, on the one hand

  on the shoulder straps and on the other hand on the top of the back hull.

  The originality lies in the very use of cords (and no longer straps as usual) and in the fact that these two cords are

  permanently attached to the top of the bag.

  The length adjustment of these two "load recall" cords is made on each of the two shoulder straps by means of a small blocker. The cord slides inside the strap from the upper third

  to the bottom third, blocking takes place.

  The adjustment of these "load recall" cords is no longer done on the bag as is usual, but on the shoulder straps which allows

  precise and fast adjustment while walking.

  The invention will be well understood elsewhere and its advantages as well

  that other characteristics will emerge from the following description,

  with reference to the attached schematic drawing, showing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this backpack:

  Figure 1 is a perspective view.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the upper part of the bag

backpack.

  Figure 3 is, on a larger scale, a detailed view of

  the upper half of the back shell.

  FIG. 4 is, on a larger scale, a detailed view of the adjustment slider and the manner in which the single "bretellp" is attached. Figure 5 is a detail view of the single piece forming two straps. Figure 6 is a detail view of the floating hip belt. In this drawing, (1) generally designates a backpack intended for

mountaineering and hiking.

  The originality of this bag is that it consists of two

  hulls: a rigid back shell (2) and a semi-rigid outer shell (3).

  These two shells fit into one another and are interconnected by a hinge point (4) located in the lower position of each side of the bag. They are kept closed by a known single closing point (5)

  in itself, located in a high position on the back shell.

  The rigid back shell (2) has two distinctly different concavities.

  one in the longitudinal direction (6), the other in the

  versal (7). This transverse concavity is limited, on both sides of

  the hull, by two small convexities (8).

  The center of the transverse concavity (7) is cut longitudinally

  at the level of the dorsal vertebrae by a central channel (9).

  The two lateral convexities (8) are cut with horizontal streaks

  (10) evenly spaced on the upper half of the back shell (2).

  Two small flutes (11) are located on both sides of the two

  convexities, perpendicular to the horizontal striations (10).

  On the transverse concavity (7) are stretched, on the one hand partly

  a back cushion (12) at the level of the shoulder blades, on the other hand

  lower part a floating hip belt (13).

  The back cushion (12) consists of two foam pads

  separated by a central longitudinal channel (14). This cushion forms a rectan-

  of about fifteen centimeters in height over thirty centimeters

very wide.

  At each corner of this rectangle is attached a tension cord (15).

  These four cords are lodged in the horizontal striations (10). At their end is fixed a blocker (16) known per se, which is housed in a small longitudinal groove (11) arranged on the outer side of each of the two lateral convexities (8). The cords are relaxed by simple

  pressing the blocker (16). Conversely, the cushion tension is obtained

  naked by pulling on the cords.

  The floating hip belt (13) known per se, comprises in combination two clamping loops (17) fixed in the lower position of each

  side of the back shell, and four straps (18) sewn symmetrically to different

  different levels on the outer side of the hip belt.

  The originality of this hip belt (13) is to present two straps sewn symmetrically on the back (18a), and two others sewn on the sides (18b). When the two rear straps (18a) are stretched in the tightening loops (17), the hip belt is detached from the bag: the bag

  is then removed from the carrier and ventilation is optimal (hiking position).

  On the contrary, when the side straps (18b) are stretched and the rear straps (18a) are detached, the belt is pressed against the bag:

  the bag is then "in direct contact" with the wearer (climbing position).

  The binding of the bag to the back of the wearer is ensured as usual

by two shoulder straps (19).

  The originality lies in the connection mode of these "two" straps with the back shell (2). This connection is made between the back cushion (12) and the back shell (2) by means of "two" new design shoulder straps (19)

and an adjustment slider (22).

  The two usual suspenders consist of one piece

  single (19) having in its middle a narrower portion (20a). Of.

  either side of this narrow part is a very wide part (20b) constituting the two shoulder straps. These broad parts (20b) rest on the shoulders. They are wider than usual at

  shoulder level for a better wearing comfort and present a.

  rectilinear side (20c) and a convex-concave side (20d) to avoid any discomfort under the armpits. This unique piece is gradually refined to

its ends.

  This single piece forming two shoulder straps is fixed as follows

to the back hull.

  The narrow portion (20a) is folded in two in the middle and passes through a loop (21) integral with an adjustment slider (22) housed in the channel

  central longitudinal (9) of the back shell.

  The two ends of the single piece (19) then pass into the loop emerging from the loop (21) to form a snap knot and attach,

  as usual, at the base of the bag on the back shell. Such a node of

  chage allows an immediate adaptation "of" braces to the various widths

shoulders and neck.

- 8-

2 628612

  The "two" shoulder straps (19) are each provided with a "load return" cord (23). These two cords are permanently attached

  on the top of the back shell but are adjustable on the shoulder straps.

  The "load return" cord (23) enters the shoulder strap at the upper third (24) and leaves it at the lower third (25) where it passes through

a blocker (26).

  The adjustment slider (22) moves along a scale (27) formed by both sides of the central longitudinal channel (9). These

  two sides have regularly spaced holes.

  The cursor consists of a lock block (28) and four

  self-locking screws (29). These screws are actuated by two sections

  slices (30). Pressing the two slides causes the retraction of the four screws. (29) inside the locking block (28) and thus releases the mechanism which can then slide freely along the scale (27). Releasing the sliders (30) immediately blocks the slider (22). Two springs (31) hold the four screws in

blocking position.

  The locking block (28) has in its upper part I passing

  (21) securing the single piece (19).

  Thanks to its layout, this backpack combines the essential advantages

  following: - better aeration of the back due to the use of a

  rigid back shell (2) having a longitudinal concavity (6) and trans-

  (7) on which are stretched a back cushion (12) and a belt

  Floating hip pad (13) - Increased wearing comfort in both hiking and climbing due to the possibility of lateral tension adjustment of the back cushion (12) and the floating hip belt (13) - optimal accessibility inside the bag due to a design in two distinct shells, a rigid back shell (2) and a semi-rigid outer shell (3), articulated around a point (4) located in the lower position from and other bag - an extreme ease of closure of the two shells by a single point (5). One hand is enough to open and close the bag - a total waterproofness due to the use of plastics even - 9 - - a system of ultra-fast adjustment of the height position of the straps on the back shell allowing the adaptation of the bag to the morphology of each individual. Two fingers are sufficient to move the auto-lock adjustment slider (22). This adjustment system is integrated in the back shell to not interfere with the wearer - a single piece (19) interchangeable forming two straps and adapting, by its attachment even on a single passer (21), to all

shoulder widths and neck.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this backpack which has been indicated above by way of example; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants of realization, whatever

  either the overall arrangement of the bag.

- 10 -

Claims (7)

  1) Backpack, characterized in that it comprises in combination a rigid back shell (2) and a semi-rigid outer shell (3) fitting one into the other, connected to each other by a point d hinge (4) located in a low position on each side of the bag and kept closed by a single closing point (5) located in a high position on the hull back (2).   2) Backpack according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid back shell (2) has in combination: - a longitudinal concavity (6) marked essentially between the level of the shoulder blades and the lower back, - a transverse concavity ( 7) limited on both sides by two convexities (8) having, on the upper half of the back shell (2), a series of horizontal striations (10) regularly spaced apart, - two small longitudinal grooves (11) located share and   other two convexities (8) perpendicular to the horizontal striations   the (10), - and a central longitudinal channel (9) occupying the upper half of the back shell (2) and whose two inner sides have holes   regularly spaced forming an adjustment scale (27).   3) Backpack according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the   back shell (2) comprises in combination: - a back cushion (12) adjustable in height and lateral tension, - a single piece (19) removable forming two usual shoulder straps whose ends are attached to the base of the back shell and the middle, having a narrower portion (20a), is connected to a loop (21) secured to an adjusting slider (22), - two load return cords (23) permanently attached to the top of the bag but adjustable on the shoulder straps,   - and a floating hip belt (13) adjustable in lateral tension   on both sides of the transverse concavity (7).   4) Backpack according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the back cushion (12) comprises a central longitudinal channel (14) and four cords (15), distributed at the four corners, being housed in the horizontal ridges (10) and each held by a known blocker (16) in itself, housed perpendicular to the cords in a small longitudinal groove (11) located on the outer flank of   each of the two lateral convexities (8). - 1i - 26Z8612   Backpack according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the adjusting slider (22) is constituted by a locking block (28) having four self-locking screws (29), the opening of which is actuated by two sliders (30), which comprises a loop ( 21) in its upper part, and that it slides along an adjustment scale (27) integrated in the central longitudinal channel (9) of the back shell (2).   6) Backpack according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the single piece (19) removable forming the two usual carrying straps 1C, has in its middle a narrow portion (20a) which, when folded in two, passes through a loop (21) secured to the adjustment slider (22), to form a loop which then cross, crossing the two ends of the piece   single (19) before they attach to the base of the bag.   7) Backpack according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that   the single piece (19) comprises, symmetrically at its narrow median portion (20a), a very wide portion (20b) tapering progressively towards its   end and having a rectilinear side (20c) and a convex side concave (20d) -.   2C 8) Backpack according to any one of the preceding claims, -   characterized in that its two load-return cords (23), fixed permanently on the top of the back shell (2) but adjustable on the shoulder straps (19), enter the upper third (24) of each of the two parts. wide (20b) and emerge at the lower third (25) o   they pass through a blocker (26) known per se.   9) Backpack according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that the usual floating hip belt (13) has four straps (18) stitched at different levels on its outer side, two of which are sewn on the back (18a) and two sewn on the third sides (18b), and can be fixed alternately in a clamping loop (17), known per se, fixed in low position on both sides from the back shell.