GB2152575A

GB2152575A - Adjustable attachment structures

Info

Publication number: GB2152575A
Application number: GB08500056A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Greg Edward Lowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-01-13
Filing date: 1985-01-03
Publication date: 1985-08-07
Also published as: JPS60160902A; IT1183109B; SE8500129L; JPH06121704A; ES283913U; IE56246B1; NZ210728A; JPH0622817A; GB2152575B; DE8500493U1; ES283913Y; JPH0566121B2; CA1247568A; DE3500612A1; SE8500129D0; IE850072L; AU576813B2; IT8519076A0; KR850005256A; AU3755085A

Abstract

An adjustable attachment structure 12 includes a base member 14 adapted to be secured to a backpack 10 and carrying thereon at least one and preferably two elongate tracks 18, a movable member 24 including attachment means 26 for backpack straps 28 and configured to be movably engaged by the base member tracks 18, and a locking structure 30 for releasably securing the movable member 24 in a selected position along the base member 34 tracks 18, whereby the base member 14 may be conveniently sewn or otherwise attached to the backpack 10 with the tracks 18 disposed in a direction in which adjustability of the backpack straps 28 is desired, and the movable member 24 carrying the backpack straps 28 is secured to the base member 14 along the tracks 18 at any of a number of positions by releasing and securing the locking structure 30. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adjustable attachment structures This invention relates generally to the adjustment of the points at which items such as straps are attached to backpacks, rucksacks or other pack members which for convenience are referred to hereinafter merely as backpacks.

It is generally well recognized in the backpack industry that the physical characteristics of an individual wearing a particular backpack will require different adjustments of the attachment points of the various body straps and other attachment portions bearing upon the wearer. Generally the attachment portions include shoulder straps, a lower back pad, and often a waist belt. Heretofore the shoulder straps for example have been made adjustable by providing a plurality of redundant attachment points or a single attachment point with a plurality of guides to position the effective attachment of the shoulder straps to the backpack. Such redundant attachment points are expensive, cumbersome, and usually require a good deal of effort to change the particular adjustment.Such prior approaches have generally involved substantial labour to provide individual positioning of and sewing of the multiple attachment points.

An aim of the present invention has been to provide a heretofore unavailable convenience and possible economy in the adjustable attachment of straps and other items for bearing against a wearer of a backpack.

An adjustable attachment structure in accordance with the present invention comprises: a base plate capable of being secured to a backpack and having defined thereon at least one elongate track; a movable member including attachment point mounting means and track sliding contacting means; and locking means interacting between the movable member and the base plate for releasably securing the movable member against sliding movement at predetermined positions on the base plate.

Other aspects of this invention are defined in the claims, but it is convenient to say here that the base plate, preferably of a polymer or similar such material, may be produced in a form providing for convenient attachment through sewing, rivotting or similar means to a backpack. Carried on such a lightweight base plate is at least one, but preferably two, rail or track members extending in a parallel relationship in the direction in which adjustment is desired. The movable member may include an arrangement, usually slots, for receiving a pair of shoulder straps and may be configured to engage and move along the rail members in such a fashion as to provide a strong interface with easy and convenient relocation.The releasable locking means is provided between the base member and the movable means to secure the movable member at any of a plurality of positions relative to the base member. Thus, the backpack straps may be conveniently attached to the base plate and be adjusted by means of positioning the movable member on the rail members and operating the releasable locking means.

In one arrangement, the locking means comprises a pair of opposed dogs mounted on the movable member and biassed outwardly into a selected pair of a plurality of opposed spaced openings in the base plate for receiving the opposed dogs. In another arrangement, the locking means comprises a pair of engaging surfaces mounted on the movable member and capable of releasably bearing upon the base plate, and the engaging surfaces comprise a pair of toothed curved surfaces pivotally secured to the movable member at a common pivot point and biassed outwardly into engagement with the base plate. In yet another arrangement, the locking means comprises a locking plate fitting into and across inwardly facing undercut portions of two rails and attached to the movable member by at least one threaded fastener carried in respective threaded portions of the locking plate.

Three adjustable attachment structures, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical backpack arrangement including adjustable shoulder strap attachment structure in accord with the instant invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the structure of Fig. 1 which is in part cut away; Figure 3 is a top view of the structure set forth in Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a front view of a structure similar to that of Fig. 2 but illustrating a different locking structure; Figure 5 is a front view of yet another variation of an adjustable shoulder strap attachment means according to the instant invention; and Figure 6 is a section view along section line VI illustrating the engagement and locking structure of Fig. 5.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures, backpack 1 0 including adjustable backpack attachment assembly 1 2 is shown in Fig. 1.

Adjustable shoulder strap attachment assembly 1 2 includes a base member 1 4 typically attached by stitches 1 6 to backpack 1 0.

A pair of parallel undercut rail members 1 8 are defined on base member 1 4 and include a plurality of opposed openings 20 defined therein as will be discussed in more detail below. Moveable member 24 is configured to engage and slide within rail members 1 8 as is illustrated in more detail in Figs. 2 and 3. A pair of openings 26 are defined through moveable member 24 and adapted to receive backpack shoulder straps 28. Locking assembly 30, which is attached to moveable member 24 by enclosures 32 defined thereon, includes a U-shaped distendable member 34 carrying a pair of outward facing dogs 35 on either side thereof. Dogs 35 are arranged to engage a pair of opposed openings 20.

Accordingly, moveable member 24 may be conveniently slid along rails 1 8 by depressing U-shaped member 34 to disengage dogs 35, and thereafter secured in place by releasing the pressure on U-shaped member 34 to allow dogs 35 to engage the adjacent opposed openings 20. In actual practice, openings 20 may be closely spaced to provide for finer adjustment. However, for purposes of illustration, Fig. 1 is believed to convey the principle to those skilled in the art.

Thus, as will be particularly apparent in Fig.

3, moveable member 24 is configured to engage and fit under the undercut portions of opposed rail members 1 8 thereby moveably attaching moveable member 24 to base member 14. Unless otherwise secured, moveable member 24 will readily slide along rail members 1 8. However. as is shown in Fig. 2, openings 20 defined in rails 1 8 are configured to receive dogs 35 and thus prevent movement of moveable member 24. By compressing U-shaped member 34, dogs 35 may be retracted from openings 20 thereby permitting positioning of moveable member 24 to the desired location, whereupon dogs 35 can again engage an opposed pair of openings 20. As discussed above, openings 20 may be defined closely adjacent one another to provide for fine adjustment of moveable member 24 relative to base member 14.Also, though Figs. 1 through 3, and the other figures of this description, particularly pertained to adjustable attachment assembly 1 2 configured to receive shoulder straps 18, it will be readily recognized to those skilled in the art that a similar assembly could readily be configured to carry a backpack attachment, or a backpad, etc. Further, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a polymeric base member 14, molded of, for instance, urethane plastic, will have sufficient flexibility to facilitate attachment by sewing and provide adequate conformity to the somewhat pliable backpack 10 while still having sufficient rigidity to permit moveable member 24 to slide therealong.

As shown in Fig. 4, a modified backpack attachment assembly 12' is illustrated. Basically, base member 14' is essentially identical to that illustrated in Fig. 1 except that the opposed holes 20 of Fig. 1 are omitted.

Moveable member 24' also is essentially as shown in Fig. 1 except that camming locking structure 40 is utilized. As shown, locking structure 40 includes a pair of members 42 having notched, arcuate camming surfaces 44 on opposed ends thereof. Members 42 are attached one to the other and to moveable member 24' by pivot 45 such that camming surfaces 44 can effectively be retracted by grasping members 42 and rotating around pivot 45 in a scissor fashion. However, when released, spring 46 urges the notched camming surfaces 44 into engagement with adjacent rails 18'. Accordingly. particularly when an upward load is applied such as would be applied by shoulder straps from moveable member 24' relative to base member 14', notched camming surfaces 44 will securely jam against adjacent rails 18' thereby providing for secure locking of moveable member 24' relative to base member 14'.Since, in the case of shoulder strap load application, the load in essentially in one direction, camming locking structure 40 is quite effective for this particular purpose. For bidirectional loads, locking assembly 30 of Fig. 1 is more positive. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the two approacches. It is to be understood that the particular embodiment best suited for a given use may well be dependent upon the particular use of the underlying invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates yet another configuration of the invention. As shown, adjustable backpack attachment assembly 12" includes all of the functional features of the previous embodiment, though in a different configuration.

For instance, base member 12" again in ciudes a pair of opposed rails 1 8", but the rails are more closely spaced. Similarly, moveable member 24" again engages undercut rails 18" but the locking assembly differs.

With reference to Fig. 6, which is a sectional view along section line Vl-Vl, the section view illustrates the manner in which moveable member 24" rides on the outer portions of opposed rail members 18". However, screws 50 extend through moveable member 24" and are threadedly engaged by plate 52 which extends beneath the undercut portions of rail members 18". Thus, by loosening screws 50, shown in Fig. 5 as being three in number, the clamping action is released and moveable member 24" may be slid along rails 18" in an apparent manner. However, when moveable member 24" is appropriately positioned, screws 50 may again be tightened thus providing for a clamping of plate 52 bearing upon the underside of undercut rail members 1 8" and also a clamping of moveable member 24" to base member 14".

The rails 18" may be formed with ribs 56 which locate in respective grooves 54 formed in the plate 52.

It will be recognized that the various embodiments, i.e. that of Figs. 1-3, that of Fig.

4, and that of Fig. 5 and 6, all contain common elements, i.e. a base member adapted to be secured to a backpack, a moveable member adapted to engage rails defined on the base member to slide therealong, and locking means to releasably secure the moveable member to the base member. It is anticipated that various other configurations of these elements will be readily apparent and perhaps equally operable. Though numerous materials may be employed depending upon a particular nature of the backpack, i.e. internal frame, external frame, etc., in general a somewhat pliable polyurethane material, i.e. a 90 durometer material is contemplated for the base member and the moveable member. On the other hand, the locking member is usually of a more rigid plastic such as a polycarbonate or Delrin polymeric material, or may also be made of metal.Particularly the embodiment of Fig. 6 may well be advantageously formed of metal for strength of the threaded areas, though metal inserts in a plastic plate are also possible. However, the materials mentioned are merely currently preferred though not critical choices and it is expected that many other choices will serve adequately.

In summary, the adjustable backpack strap attachment assembly disclosed and discussed herein has the advantage of simplicity, lightness and additional strength. As will be apparent, all of the forces transferred from the assembly to a backpack will be spread over the entire attachment of the base member. In many prior art arrangements, a selected attachment point bears all of the load and other alternative attachment points are essentially load free. Further, rapid and convenient adjustment over a substantial range is provided the user of the assembly. A particular backpack may be produced by merely attaching the base member, which is amenable to machine sewing or other mechanized attachment means in a straight forward, economical manner. In this fashion, economy and manufacturing case are achieved as well as enhanced performance provided to the user.

While only the presently preferred embodiment and components of the instant invention have been specified and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable attachment structure comprising: a base plate capable of being secured to a backpack and having defined thereon at least one elongate track; a movable member including attachment point mounting means and track sliding contacting means; and locking means interacting between the movable member and the base plate for releasably securing the movable member against sliding movement at predetermined positions on the base plate.

2. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the base plate has a plurality of parallel tracks defined ther eon.

3. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in claim 2 in which the parallel tracks comprise a pair of undercut rail members.

4. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in claim 3 in which the track sliding contacting means includes portions which fit into the undercut portions to secure the movable member to the base plate in a sliding manner.

5. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the locking means comprises a pair of opposed dogs mounted on the movable member and biassed outwardly into a selected pair of a plurality of opposed spaced openings in the base plate for receiving the opposed dogs.

6. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the locking means comprises a pair of engaging surfaces mounted on the movable member and capable of releasably bearing upon the base plate.

7. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the engaging surfaces comprise a pair of toothed curved surfaces pivotally secured to the movable member at a common pivot point and biassed outwardly into engagement with the base plate.

8. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the locking means comprises a locking plate fitting into and across inwardly facing undercut portions of two rails and attached to the movable member by at least one threaded fastener carried in respective threaded portions of the locking plate.

9. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in any preceding claim in which the base plate is formed of a plastics material capable of being secured by sewing or rivetting to a backpack.

1 0. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in any preceding claim in which the attachment point mounting means on the movable member comprises a pair of slots capable of receiving respective shoulder straps of a backpack.

11. An adjustable attachment structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 4, or Figs. 5 and 6, of the accompanying drawings.

1 2. An adjustable attachment structure as set forth in any preceding claim in which the base plate is secured to a backpack and the attachment point mounting means is associated with one or more straps or other items for bearing against a wearer of the backpack.

1 3. An adjustable attachment structure comprising: a base plate configured to be secured to a backpack and defining a pair of undercut inwardly facing parallel rails on a surface thereof intended to face away from the backpack; a movable member having defined thereon attachment points, and fitting in a sliding manner to the base plate along the outer surfaces of the parallel rails; and locking means comprising a locking plate fitting into the undercut portions of the parallel rails and attached to the movable member by a threaded fastener threadedly received in the locking plate and bearing upon the movable member, whereby the threaded fastener may be loosened to permit the movable member to slide relative to the base plate or tightened to lock the movable member relative to the base plate.

14. A method of adjusting attachment points relative to a backpack comprising: sliding a movable member to a desired position along at least one track defined on a base plate attached to the backpack; securing locking means between the movable member and the base plate to preciude movement between the movable member and the base plate; and again releasing the locking means to permit sliding movement in repositioning of an attachment point relative to the base plate.