WO2003086138A1

WO2003086138A1 - Quick slide system-the speedy adjust and drawstring backpack system

Info

Publication number: WO2003086138A1
Application number: PCT/HR2003/000019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jurica Bezak; Ante Plancic; Neven Lukas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-17
Filing date: 2003-04-16
Publication date: 2003-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2004-10-17
Also published as: DE60306764D1; HRP20020338A2; WO2003086138A8; DE60306764T2; EP1499211A1; ATE332655T1; EP1499211B1

Abstract

The Speedy Adjust-and-Drawstring Backpack System consists of straps (2, 7) and a frame. The upper and lower straps (2, 7) are connected into a whole by means of delta rings (4). The upper straps (2) pass through the delta rings and over the upper sides of these overlap and thus change direction from vertical to horizontal and get tied together in a detachable bond. Attached to the lower sides of the delta rings are the lower straps (7) whose ends pass through slits in the frame placed at different angles. Passing through the slits the lower straps change direction from oblique to horizontal and get tied together in a detachable bond. The delta rings, which connect the upper and lower straps into a whole, and the slits in the frame placed at different angles allow sliding and tightening of the whole strap system in several directions at a time in a single operation. The frame consists of three parts, each bevel-edged to strengthen the structure and to allow the use of thinner materials and smaller overall surface. The frame contains slits for tightening and adjusting the length of the upper straps. Different angles of the slits allow sliding and tightening of the whole belt system and changing direction of the lower straps from oblique to horizontal.

Description

QUICK SLIDE SYSTEM - THE SPEEDY ADJUST-AND-DRAWSTRING

BACKPACK SYSTEM DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Area covered by the Invention This Invention addresses the problem of carrying and distributing the load of a backpack which should be quickly put on or taken off. This system is suitable for carrying diving, climbing, fire-fighting, military, rescue, security or any other outfit and other loads required to be quickly, easily and safely attached or detached. Technical problem In carrying heavier packs on the back a number of problems are encountered. For example, a loosely fitted backpack, designed for easy attachment and detachment, is moving in walking. On the other hand, a backpack fixed tightly to the body with a series of mutually unconnected straps and buckles takes a long time to disengage. State-of-the-art A series of types have consisted of a pack frame attached by straps to the back. The straps are hung over shoulders and individually tightened. In some designs the problem of slipping off the shoulders and loosening the straps at shoulder level is solved by an additional system of straps which fix the shoulder straps on the chest. Another type employs a waistband to transfer most of the weight of the pack to the hips. These straps and interconnected with a detachable device, such as a buckle or Velcro. There is often a need for straps passing from the bottom of the frame over the crotch and attached to the waistband. Therefore, the existing types consist of a number of mutually non-connected parts, each of which features some kind of tightening or buckling system. When speedy mounting or dismounting of the backpack is needed, however, none of these solutions is efficient enough, consisting as they are of many elements requiring a number of operations. Besides, they are hard to adapt to the body contour. The essence of the Invention The Invention is intended to improve backpacking, especially when fast, easy and safe fixing and releasing of backpack is required. Innovation is applied to both the straps and the frame. While both novelties constitute a whole, each is applicable independently as elements of other systems. Straps are attached to the back side of the frame which can be made of various materials: metal, PVC, synthetic fiber, carbon, Kevlar or a combination of these, depending on the final use. The strap system consists of upper and lower straps. The upper straps, left and right, start on the upper part of the back frame where they are fixed by being guided through three slits in a way allowing their length and firmness adjustment. They are led over the back and the shoulders, reach to the chest and pass through delta rings where by overlapping their direction changes from vertical to horizontal. The ends of the straps are then tied together on the chest into a detachable bond. Attached to the lower sides of the left and right delta rings are the lower straps which are guided aslant from the ribs to the loins where they enter the lower part of the back frame. At this place the straps pass through two slits arranged at different angles. Thus the straps change direction from diagonal to horizontal and are thus led round the waist to be tied together into a detachable bond. The delta rings which connect the upper and lower straps into a whole and the slits in the lower part of the frame allow a single operation of tightening the straps in several directions simultaneously. Overlapping and connecting of the ends of the upper straps passed through the delta rings as the first step and then the simultaneous and balanced drawing of the ends of the lower straps and their coupling into a detachable bond, make the fixing of the backpack an very fast, easy and safe operation. Therefore, these innovative features: overlapping and sliding of the straps through delta rings and slits, plus the frame design, are major technical novelties allowing significant improvements of the existing backpack systems. Figures

The attached sketches are a part of the description, intended to illustrate and explain the basic principles of the Invention. Fig. 1 buoyancy compensator Fig. 2 frame Fig. 3 frame with mounted straps Also attached is a list of details.

Detailed description of at least one feature of the Invention The buoyancy compensator (Fig 1) illustrates in more detail the operation of the speedy backpack system. The buoyancy compensator (Fig 1) consists of the frame (1), the upper straps (2), two shoulder pads (3), two delta rings (4), two safety stoppers (5), the upper strap buckles (6), the lower straps (7), the lower strap buckles (8) and the air bladder (9) containing air for floating. Fig. 2 shows a three-part frame: part one - the frame plate (10) containing slits (11) for tightening and adjusting the length of the upper straps (6) and the holes (12) for fixing the transverse plates. Part two - the upper transverse plate (13) containing the holes (14) for fixing the air bladder, the slits (15) engaging a belt for attaching one or more air cylinders, the hole (16) for fixing to the frame plate. Part three - the lower transverse plate (17) containing the holes (14) for fixing the air bladder, the slits (18) at different angles through which the lower straps are passing, the slits (19) engaging a belt for attaching one or more air cylinders, and the hole (16) for fixing to the frame plate

Fig. 2 shows that all parts of the frame are bevel-edged. Such a design enhances the strength and compresses, the surface of the frame elements. It also reduces the weight thanks to thinner cross-sections. Fig. 3 illustrates the operation of the system, adjusting and fixing the buoyancy compensator to the body. Before mounting on the back, the buckles (6) and (8) are open and the ends of the upper (2) and lower (7) straps are apart. The shoulder pads (3) are placed on the shoulders, then the ends of the upper straps (2) passing through the delta rings (4) are adjusted to overlap, whereby their position is changed from vertical to horizontal and the straps are coupled on the chest by means of the buckle (6). The next step is simultaneous and uniform tightening of the ends of the lower straps (7) which have passed through the slits (18) placed at different angles on the lower transverse plate (17).This leads to the tightening of the whole strap system in several arrow-marked directions (20), all in one move. The ends of the lower straps (7) are then coupled with the buckle (8), which completes the whole operation of adjusting and attaching the buoyancy compensator on to the back. Removal is done by opening the buckles (6) and (8) and drawing the lower straps (7) below their connection with the delta rings (4), which loosens both the upper (2) and the lower (7) straps, now two long and loose straps easy to take off the shoulders. Area of application

The Invention introduces some major improvements which make it applicable for diving, climbing, fire-fighting, military, rescue and security backpacks, including carrying of any other loads requiring firm and safe carriage and the possibility of quick mounting and dismounting. Experts will immediately realize that the Invention can open the way to many new improvements in the design of the backpack systems by applying different materials without departing from the scope and spirit of the Invention. LIST OF DETAILS - FRAME - UPPER STRAPS - PADS - DELTA RINGS - SAFETY STOPPERS - UPPER STRAP BUCKLE - LOWER STRAPS - LOWER STRAP BUCKLE - AIR BLADDER - FRAME PLATE - SLITS FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTH AND TIGHTENING THE UPPER

STRAPS - HOLES FOR FIXING THE TRANSVERSE PLATES - UPPER TRANSVERSE PLATE - HOLES FOR FIXING THE AIR BLADDER - SLITS FOR THE BELT CARRYING THE AIR CYLINDER - HOLES FOR FIXING TO THE FRAME PLATE - LOWER TRANSVERSE PLATE - SLITS AT DIFFERENT ANGLES FOR PASSING OF THE LOWER STRAPS - SLITS FOR THE BELT CARRYING THE OXYGEN CYLINDER - STRAP TIGHTENING DIRECTIONS

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

. QUICK SLIDE SYSTEM - The Speedy Adjust-and-Drawstring Backpack System is characterized in that is consists of upper (2) and lower (7) straps connected into a whole by means of delta rings (4), whereby:

• the upper straps (2) pass through the delta rings (4) and overlap over the upper sides of the rings, thus changing their direction from vertical to horizontal, and finally get tied together in a detachable bond (6);

• attached to the lower sides of the delta rings (4) are the lower straps (7) whose ends pass through slits, placed at different angles, in the lower part of the frame (7)

• passing through the slits the lower straps 17) change direction from diagonal to horizontal and get tied together round the waist in a detachable bond;

• the delta rings (4), which connect the upper and lower straps into a whole, and the slits in the frame (1) placed at different angles allow, through sliding of the straps, tightening or loosening of the whole strap system in several directions at a time in a single operation, and tightening the backpack to the body.

!. The frame (1), according to claim 1, is characterized in that it contains slits for the straps and that it is a three-part design (10, 17, 13), with all parts being bevel- edged to improve strength and allow the use of thinner materials and reduce the overall size.