US20110186611A1

US20110186611A1 - Component backpack system

Info

Publication number: US20110186611A1
Application number: US12/697,963
Authority: US
Inventors: Glen R. Eberle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-01
Filing date: 2010-02-01
Publication date: 2011-08-04

Abstract

A component backpack system is shown, which is a backpack from which can be created multiple backpacks. Such a backpack system can be scalable in different configurations in order to perform different tasks. This can include breaking down from one pack to form two or more independent backpacks, each with their own shoulder straps and waist belt systems. In a reverse form of component assembly, a number of backpacks of the invention can be combined to form a single backpack, thus consolidating or transferring the load from two people onto one person, or from 3 people onto two or one person.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to backpacks in general, and more particularly, to backpacks which combined with smaller backpack units to offer a backpack which is scalable for different backpack needs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various times when the user of a backpack needs to carry backpacks of different configurations. These can include backpacks which have a compartment for carrying a gun, as well as backpacks of different volumes for different purposes. Sometimes it is also beneficial for one backpack to be divisible into more than one subunit, so the weight in one backpack can be divided between several people with each of them carrying a portion of the weight in a functional backpack. There are prior art backpacks which include a compartment for storage of a long gun, or for storage of a gun which is no longer than the length of the backpack. There are other backpacks in the prior art which contain compartments which serve different purposes. There are backpacks in the prior art in which the top flap of the backpack can zip off and become an independent fanny pack, and thus can be used for carrying food and equipment for a day hike from a base camp or for a summit attempt from a base camp. The prior art also includes packs which can be taken apart for different uses. For instance, a backpack with an external frame and an attached storage compartment can be used to carry gear to a camp which is distant from the road. The storage compartment can then be removed from the external frame of the backpack, and the external frame can be used to lash parts of an animal to so that bulky animal parts can be hauled out, lashed to the frame of the backpack. Such animal parts can include the hide, the head, the haunches and other body parts which are hauled out for meat.
However none of these prior art configurations of backpacks provide a backpack system which can be configured in a number of different ways for different purposes and for different weight carrying capacities. The backpack of the present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a component backpack system which is scalable to a number of different missions and which can provide a number of different configurations for different load carrying requirements. It can also provide the flexibility of one pack being broken into two or more functional backpacks, so that one person's heavy load can be divided between two or three users, or so that if one person was no longer able to carry his pack, his pack could be added to another person's pack to carry his gear for a period of time.
The component backpack system of the invention includes a first backpack which includes a generally rectangular main panel. The main panel has a top and a bottom, a left and right side edge, a front side and a rear side. A pair of shoulder straps is attached to the rear side of the main panel, and this would be the side which would rest against the user's back when in use. The front side of the main panel would face away from the user when the backpack system is worn.
The shoulder straps have a first end and a second end and are symmetrically mounted to the main panel. The first end of the shoulder straps is attached to the top of the main panel, with the second end being attached to the bottom of the rear side of the main panel.
The component backpack system of the invention includes at least two storage compartments which are removably attached to each other in configurations which will be further explained below. They are also removably attached to the front side of the main panel.
The storage compartments can be configured with a storage compartment adjacent to the main panel being a scabbard or gun chamber. The gun chamber would have a front side, back side, left side, right side, and bottom side. In this configuration, a second storage compartment would be attachable and detachable to the back side of the gun storage chamber. In this configuration, the second storage compartment would be attachable to the first storage compartment to make one backpack with two storage compartments. The second storage compartment would also be removable, and when removed would form a fully functional backpack with its own set of shoulder straps and, optionally, its own waist belt. When the two storage compartments were combined together, the shoulder straps and waist belt of the second compartment would be folded flat in a region between the two storage compartments.
In another configuration of the component backpack system, the second storage compartment can be further made up of two separate storage compartments which are detachable from each other. These storage compartments form the third and the fourth storage compartments. In one version of this device the third and fourth storage compartments form generally rectangular storage chambers which, when disconnected from each other, could still be attached along one edge to the first storage compartment. Being attached along one edge which would be the outer edge, the third and fourth storage compartments rotate out to expose a front side of the first storage compartment. This would open up a space between the third and fourth storage compartments into which a fifth storage compartment could be inserted to result in a backpack which is much larger in volume than the original backpack made up of a first and a second storage compartment. The fifth storage compartment could be a separately functional backpack, with a top lid, and with shoulder straps and a waist belt of its own. When the fifth storage compartment was combined with the first, third and fourth storage compartment, the shoulder straps and waist belt of the fifth storage compartment will be folded flat in a the region between the front of the first storage chamber and the back of the fifth storage compartment. In any of these configurations, the first storage compartment is a gun storage chamber, and could be divided into two chambers, one being a gun storage chamber or scabbard, and the other being for storage of other gear.
The gun storage chamber of the component backpack system is a generally gun shaped space defined within the first storage compartment. In one configuration of the backpack of the invention, the top edge of the gun storage chamber is generally level with the top edge of the main panel, to aid in the ease of withdrawal of a gun from the first storage compartment by the user while wearing the backpack. Each of the storage compartments maybe be covered by a flap which is securable over each of them, and each of the storage compartments may be accessible by lifting the flap, or by opening a zipper in the flap. A zipper in the top flap over the first storage compartment is particularly useful for allowing access to a gun in the gun storage chamber of the first storage compartment.
The first storage compartment can be divisible into two or more discreet storage compartments, including more than one storage compartments for storing a gun.
The purpose of the Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
Still other features and advantages of the claimed invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the backpack system of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one component backpack of the invention, which is combinable with the component shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one component backpack of the invention, which is combinable with the component shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one component backpack of the invention, which is combinable with the component shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one component backpack of the invention, which is combinable with the component shown in FIG. 4, and which is the same backpack as FIG. 1, shown in the expanded mode.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the one component backpack system of the invention, with this view showing the backpack of FIGS. 4 and 5 combined.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.
The component backpack system of the invention is shown to advantage in FIGS. 1-6. The component backpack system of the invention is designated as 10 in the figures and includes a first storage compartment 5 (shown in FIG. 1), a second storage compartment 6, a third storage compartment 7, a fourth storage compartment 8, and a fifth storage compartment 9 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 6). Shown in FIG. 1 are the first storage compartment 5, the second storage compartment 6, the third storage compartment 7, and the fourth storage compartment 8. Also shown in FIG. 1 is the main panel 12 of which the front side is shown in FIG. 1. The front panel can be a separate unit, or may form one side of the first storage compartment 5.
FIG. 1 also shows the left waist belt 34, the right waist belt 36, and a buckle 38. Storage compartment 5 is configured to be adaptable to hold a number of items, and when carrying a gun of any type, it is designated as a gun chamber or scabbard. The second storage compartment 6 is attached to a first storage compartment 5, and this attachment is preferably by the use of an attachment zipper 40. The pack can have a covering flap 56, which preferably would include a top access zipper 62 which will allow access to the first storage compartment without removing the covering flap 56.
The second storage compartment 6 can extend across the entire width of the backpack and be the same width as the first storage compartment. The second storage compartment can also be divided into a third and fourth storage compartment, 7 and 8. This division into smaller storage units would allow items at the bottom of the pack to be found more easily without having to unload the entire pack.
Shown in FIG. 1 are shoulder straps 42, and securing straps 58 for the covering flap, and strap buckles 60. Shown is an attachment zipper 40 by which the second storage compartment 6 may be removed from the first storage compartment.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show one configuration into which the component backpack system of the invention can be converted. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the backpack of FIG. 1 has been separated into two functional backpacks. The first storage compartment 5 is attached to the shoulder straps 42 and to the main panel 12, in FIG. 3. In this case, the main panel 12 forms the back side of the first storage compartment 5. The pack of FIG. 3 could have the first storage compartment 5 subdivided into a left and right container, with one of the containers serving as a gun storage chamber, and the other portion of the first storage compartment 5 serving to hold other equipment. Since it is better to keep the heaviest weight of a backpack closest to the user's body and as high as possible, something heavy like ammunition could be placed in one half of the storage compartment 5, while the other half of the storage compartment 5 is used to carry a gun, such as rifle with a folding handle which would fit in the size of a conventional backpack length, or a long gun which could require an extended portion of the first storage compartment to extend substantially below the waist belt of the backpack.
In the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, storage compartment 6 is separated from the first storage compartment 5, and forms a separate functional backpack with its own shoulder straps 42 and waist belt left and right halves 34 and 36. The backpack comprising the second storage compartment 6 is shown as FIG. 2. The shoulder straps that are attached to the second storage compartment 6 can be of a lighter weight than the shoulder straps attached to the first storage compartment, so that they could fold more conveniently between the two compartments, and because less weight would be carried when the second storage compartment 6 is separated from the first storage compartment 5. The storage compartments 7 and 8 can be closed off by a zippered cover, or by the cinchable coverings and drawstrings 80 shown in FIG. 2.
FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show the same backpack as FIG. 1, with an additional 5^th storage compartment 9. FIG. 5 shows the same package shown in FIG. 1, but the third and fourth storage compartment 7 and 8 have been detached from each other and hinged outwardly from their attachment to the main panel 12 at the attachment zipper 40. In this configuration, they form a wider backpack with a space in between the third and fourth storage compartment 7 and 8, in which the front side 20 of the first storage compartment 5 is exposed. Into this exposed portion, a fifth storage compartment 9 can be inserted and secured. A preferred method of securing the fifth storage compartment is by way of attachment zippers which correspond with attachment zippers 40 on the corner of the third and fourth storage compartments 7 and 8, and the corresponding corners of the fifth storage compartment 9. The inner corners of the fifth storage compartment 9 can also include attachment zippers 40 which can attach to zipper halves provided on the front surface 20 of the first storage compartment 5.
FIG. 6 shows the fully assembled backpack 10 of the invention. From this fully assembled backpack, the fully functional backpacks of FIG. 4, FIG. 3, and FIG. 2 can be separated for use when needed.
The components of the backpacking system can be made of a variety of materials, with heavy duty nylon being a preferred material. A heavy duty material is preferred due to the possibility of the pack experiencing heavy loads at the stress points. A type of material which has been found to be adequate for this task is ______.
A preferred form of attaching the components of this system together in various configurations is by the use of sturdy zippers. Zippers made by ______ of ______ size have proved to be adequate for this task, although other zippers could be utilized, depending on the required weight load and specific configuration of the pack. Although zippers are noted as a preferred form of attachment, it is to be noted that other forms of attachment are also possible, such as by clevis pins, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, tabs and slots, and by other conventional means of attaching components such as these.
The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Hence, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.
While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A component backpack system comprising,

a backpack with a main panel, generally rectangular in shape, having a top and a bottom, two side edges, a front side, and a rear side;

a pair of shoulder straps with each strap having a first end and a second end, with said straps symmetrically mounted to said main panel, with said first end attached proximal to the top rear side of said main panel, with said second end of each strap being attached proximal said bottom rear side of said main panel;

a first storage compartment attached to said front side of said main panel, comprising a back side, a front side, a left and right side, and a bottom side;

a second storage compartment, removably attached to said front side of said first storage compartment, with said second storage compartment comprising a front side, a back side, and a left and right side, and a bottom side, and with said second storage compartment attachable and detachable from said first storage compartment and configured to function as a separate backpack with shoulder straps.

2. The component backpack system of claim 1 in which said first storage compartment comprises a gun storage chamber, attached to the front side of said main panel, said gun storage chamber having a front side, a back side, and a left and right side, a bottom, and a top, and with said gun storage chamber defining a gun storage chamber suitable for storing a gun within said sides, top and bottom of said gun storage chamber.

3. The component backpack system of claim 1 in which said second storage compartment further comprises a third and a fourth storage compartment with said third and fourth storage compartments hingedly attached to said left and right side of said first storage compartment, with said third and fourth storage compartment configured for detachable attachment to each other, and configured to be movable from a closed position when attached to each other, to an open position when detached from each other, with said open position exposing said first storage compartment front side, with said component backpack system further comprising;

a fifth storage compartment, with said fifth storage compartment configured for attachment to said front side of said first storage compartment between said third and fourth storage compartments when they are in said open position, thus forming a storage compartment layer which is comprised of said fifth compartment between said third and fourth compartments.

4. The component backpack system of claim 3 in which said fifth storage compartment is a functional independent backpack, with shoulder straps.

5. The component backpack system of claim 3 in which said third and fourth storage compartments are configured to attach to said first storage compartment front side by zippers along at least two vertical edges.

6. A component backpack system comprising,

a first storage compartment comprising a gun storage chamber, attached to said front side of said main panel, comprising a back side, a front side, a left and right side, and a bottom side;

a second storage compartment comprising a front side, a back side, and a left and right side, and a bottom side, and further comprising a third and fourth storage compartment hingedly attached to said left and right side of said first storage container, with said third and fourth storage compartment configured for removable attachment to each other and to be movable from a closed position when attached to each other, to an open position when detached from each other, with said open position exposing said first storage compartment front side, with said second storage compartment configured to function as a separate backpack with shoulder straps;

a fifth storage compartment attachable to said first storage container front side between said third and fourth storage compartments when they are in said open position, thus forming a storage compartment layer which is comprised of said fifth compartment between said third and fourth compartments, with said fifth storage compartment configured to function as a separate backpack with shoulder straps.

7. The component backpack system of claim 6 in which said third and fourth storage compartments are configured to attach to said first storage compartment front side by zippers along at least two vertical edges.

8. The component backpack system of claim 6 in which a top edge of said gun storage compartment is configured to be approximately level with said top edge of said main panel.

9. The component backpack system of claim 6 in which said third and fourth storage compartments are removable from said first compartment and in which said storage compartment layer is separable from said gun storage chamber, and has shoulder straps and when separated forms a separate backpack.