Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ERGONOMIC BACKPACK WITH ENHANCED FIT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to US Nonprovisional Application Serial No.
12/890,303 entitled "ERGONOMIC BACKPACK WITH ENHANCED FIT," filed
September 24, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Backpacks (also known as bags, packs, or rucksacks) are often worn to assist
users in carrying loads. For example, in some instances, a user requires use
of her hands and
prefers to carry whatever items she needs on her back rather than in her
hands. In other
instances, the user must walk, run, cycle, or otherwise travel a long distance
and can more
easily carry items in a backpack than in her hands. Comfort while wearing a
backpack is
often of concern.
Various comfort-enhancing techniques have been embraced over the years,
including padded shoulder straps, curved shoulder straps, lightweight
materials, waist straps,
and sternum straps. While these techniques have made backpacks more
comfortable,
especially for extremely heavy loads, conventional backpacks still do not
provide the user
with optimum comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified
form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This
summary is not
intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject
matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
The present invention relates to an ergonomic backpack with an enhanced fit.
The backpack may comprise a storage portion having one or more compartments,
the storage
portion having a top side, a bottom side, a left side, and a right side such
that when the
backpack is worn by a user, the top side is nearer to the user's head than the
bottom side, the
bottom side is nearer to the user's legs than the top side, the left side is
nearer to the user's
left shoulder than the right side, and the right side is nearer to the user's
right shoulder than
the left side. A secondary left shoulder strap is attached at a first end to
the bottom and left
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side of the storage portion, and a secondary right shoulder strap is connected
at a first end to
the bottom and right side of the storage portion. A primary left shoulder
strap is connected at
a first end to the top and left side of the storage portion along a first
connection area and is
connected at a second end to the secondary left shoulder strap. A primary
right shoulder
strap is connected at a first end to the top and right side of the storage
portion along a second
connection area and is connected at a second end to the secondary right
shoulder strap.
The first and second connection areas are each spaced approximately the same
distance from a substantially vertical bisecting line extending through the
backpack from top
to bottom. The first and second connection areas are substantially collinear
with a
substantially horizontal line extending across the top side of the backpack.
The primary left
and right shoulder straps are connected to the first and second connection
areas at
substantially equal angles relative to the substantially horizontal line
extending across the top
side of the backpack.
When the primary left and right straps are not connected to the secondary left
and right straps and are raised such that the primary left and right straps
extend upward and
away from the body of the user and are substantially parallel with a vertical
plane extending
through the user's body, the primary left strap, primary right strap, and the
substantially
horizontal line extending across the top side of the backpack are all
tangential to a first circle
having a radius of approximately between 5 and 12 centimeters, the first
circle substantially
parallel to the vertical plane extending through the user's body. When the
primary straps are
raised vertically in this way, the primary left strap and primary right strap
curve away from
the substantially vertical bisecting line at between approximately one-third
to two-thirds of
the length of each strap, the curve being substantially equal to the curve of
an arc of a second
circle having a radius of approximately between 7 and 11 centimeters, the arc
measuring
approximately between 25 and 55 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the
attached drawing figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit
being worn by a user;
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FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit
being worn by a user with the primary left and right shoulder straps not
connected to the
secondary left and right shoulder straps and raised substantially vertical;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit shown in
FIG. 3 with the primary shoulder straps raised substantially vertical and
viewed facing the
portion of the backpack that rests against a user's back;
FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the secondary right shoulder strap attachment
area to the storage portion of the ergonomic backpack shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit with the
primary shoulder straps raised substantially vertical and viewed facing the
portion of the
backpack that rests against a user's back, the backpack having a "yoke"
connection between
the primary shoulder straps;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a women's ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit
with the primary shoulder straps raised substantially vertical and viewed
facing the portion of
the backpack that rests against a user's back; and
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a women's ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit
with the primary shoulder straps raised substantially vertical and viewed
facing the portion of
the backpack that rests against a user's back, the backpack having a "yoke"
connection
between the primary shoulder straps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In conventional backpacks, comfort is not optimized even when comfort-
enhancing features are incorporated into the backpack. The novel arrangement,
positioning,
and dimensions of features in the ergonomic backpacks with enhanced fit
described in this
application provide a user with optimal fit and comfort. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate
examples of the
present invention designed as unisex backpacks. FIGS. 7-8 illustrate examples
of the present
invention designed specifically for women.
FIG. 1 illustrates an ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit 100. Backpack
100 includes a storage portion 102 that includes one or more compartments
capable of storing
cargo. Storage portion 102 has a top side 104, a bottom side 106, a left side
108, and a right
side 110. When backpack 100 is worn by a user (as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3),
top side 104 is
nearer to the user's head than bottom side 106, bottom side 106 is nearer to
the user's legs
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than top side 104, left side 108 is nearer to the user's left shoulder than
right side 110, and
right side 110 is nearer to the user's right shoulder than left side 108.
Storage portion 102 is connected to a first end 112 of a primary left shoulder
strap 114 along a first connection area 116. First connection area 116 is on
the top and left
side of storage portion 102. Storage portion 102 is also connected to a first
end (not shown)
of a primary right shoulder strap 118 along a second connection area (not
shown). The
second connection area is on the top and right side of storage portion 102.
Secondary left
shoulder strap 120 is attached at a first end 122 to the bottom and left side
of storage portion
102. Secondary left shoulder strap 120 is also connected to a second end 124
of primary left
shoulder strap 114. Similarly, secondary right shoulder strap 126 is attached
at a first end
128 to the bottom and right side of storage portion 102. Secondary right
shoulder strap 126 is
also connected to a second end 130 of primary right shoulder strap 118. FIG. 1
illustrates
buckles 132 and 134 connecting primary left shoulder strap 114 and primary
right shoulder
strap 118 to their respective secondary shoulder straps. Any number of
connecting devices or
techniques may be used to facilitate these connections. In some examples, the
connections
are detachable and/or adjustable.
FIG. 2 illustrates ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit 100 while being worn
by a user 200. Primary left shoulder strap 114 is worn over the user's left
shoulder 202, and
primary right shoulder strap 118 is worn over the user's right shoulder 204.
To better illustrate some of the novel features of the invention, FIGS. 3-8
show examples of an ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit with the primary and
secondary
shoulder straps not connected and the primary straps raised such that they
extend upward and
away from the body of a user wearing the backpack. As stated above, in some
examples the
primary and secondary shoulder straps may be detachable. FIGS. 3-8 are also
intended to
illustrate examples in which the primary and secondary shoulder straps are not
detachable,
even though the primary and secondary straps are shown not connected for
illustration
purposes.
FIG. 3 illustrates a user 300 wearing ergonomic backpack 100. A dashed line
represents a vertical plane 302 extending through the body of user 300.
Primary right
shoulder strap 118 and primary left shoulder strap 114 (not shown) are raised
such that
primary right shoulder strap 118 and primary left shoulder strap 114 extend
upward from the
body of user 300 and are substantially parallel with vertical plane 302.
Primary right
shoulder strap 118 and primary left shoulder strap 114 also extend away from
the center of
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backpack 100 when the primary straps are in this position, as is clearly
illustrated in FIGS. 4-
8.
FIG. 3 is intended for illustration purposes. It should be appreciated that
gravitational force would cause backpack 100 to fall off of user 300 if user
300 attempted to
wear backpack 100 with the primary straps in a raised, substantially vertical
position as
shown. FIG. 3 establishes a frame of reference for a more complete discussion
of the novel
features of backpack 100 in subsequent figures.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of backpack 100 looking at the surface of backpack 100
that rests against a user's back. Primary shoulder straps 114 and 118 are
raised to a
substantially vertical position as shown in FIG. 3. Secondary shoulder straps
120 and 126 are
also shown, and storage portion 102 is shown as a dotted line so as to not
distract from the
explanation of novel features of backpack 100.
As discussed with regard to FIG. 1, first end 112 of primary left shoulder
strap
114 is connected to storage portion 102 along first connection area 116. First
end 402 of
primary right shoulder strap 118 is connected to storage portion 102 along
second connection
area 404. First connection area 116 and second connection area 404 are each
spaced
approximately the same distance from a substantially vertical bisecting line
406 extending
through backpack 100 from top side 104 to bottom side 106. First connection
area 116 and
second connection area 404 are substantially collinear with a substantially
horizontal line 408
extending across top side 104 of backpack 100. Primary left shoulder strap 114
connects to
first connection area 116 and primary right shoulder strap 118 connects to
second connection
area 404 at substantially equal angles relative to substantially horizontal
line 408.
In some examples, the material comprising primary shoulder straps 114 and
118 extends beyond connection areas 116 and 404 and along the surface of
storage portion
102 and may meet at approximately substantially vertical bisecting line 406,
as indicated by
dotted lines in FIG. 4. In other examples, primary straps 114 and 118 end at
connection areas
116 and 404 or extend a different length and/or geometry along storage portion
102.
Primary left shoulder strap 114, primary right shoulder strap 118, and
substantially horizontal line 408 are all tangential to a first circle 410
having a radius 412 of
approximately between 8 and 12 centimeters. First circle 410 is substantially
parallel to
vertical plane 302 shown in FIG. 3. In one example, radius 412 measures
approximately 10
centimeters.
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Primary left shoulder strap 114 and primary right shoulder strap 118 curve
away from substantially vertical bisecting line 406 at between approximately
one-third to
two-thirds of the length of each strap, the curve being substantially equal to
the curve of an
arc 414 of a second circle 416 having a radius 418 of approximately between 7
and 11
centimeters. Arc 414 measures approximately between 25 and 45 degrees. In one
example,
radius 418 measures approximately 9.5 cm. In another example, arc 414 measures
approximately 36 degrees. As used herein, an arc measurement of a certain
number of
degrees is defined by the angle whose sides are extended until the
circumference of the circle
is intersected. For example, when a 36-degree angle's sides are extended to
the
circumference of a circle from the center, the portion of the circumference
between the
extended sides is a 36-degree arc. FIG. 4 shows primary shoulder straps 114
and 118 as
having the same amount of curve. In other examples, the curve could vary
slightly to account
for an individual's physique.
Primary shoulder straps 114 and 118 may be of varying width. A range of
desirable widths is shown in FIG. 4, with the white areas representing the
minimum desired
width of each strap and the gray areas representing the maximum desired extent
for optimal
comfort. As illustrated, the width of each strap may vary within the range of
approximately 2
centimeters and approximately 12 centimeters. As noted in some examples below,
however,
variation to greater and/or lesser widths do not depart from the scope of the
present invention.
In one example, at the area where the straps attach to storage portion 102,
the minimum
desired width of each strap is approximately 3 centimeters, and the maximum
desired width
is approximately 8 centimeters. In another example, at the second ends of the
primary
shoulder straps where the primary straps connect to the secondary straps, the
minimum
desired width of each strap is approximately 1 centimeter, and the maximum
desired width is
approximately 5 centimeters. In a further example, at the area where the
straps attach to
storage portion 102, the minimum desired width of each strap is approximately
4.125 (4 and
1/8) centimeters, and the maximum desired width is approximately 4.75 (4 and
3/4)
centimeters. In still a further example, at the second ends of the primary
shoulder straps
where the primary straps connect to the secondary straps, the minimum desired
width of each
strap is approximately 1.375 (1 and 3/8) centimeters, and the maximum desired
width is
approximately 3.5 (3 and 1/2) centimeters.
The specific strap width selected can vary depending upon the activity for
which backpack 100 is designed, anticipated size of the user, mobility
concerns, anticipated
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clothing that will be worn under the backpack, and other considerations. As
shown in FIG. 4,
the minimum desired strap width tapers from widest at connection areas 116 and
404 to
narrowest where primary shoulder straps 114 and 118 connect to secondary
shoulder straps
120 and 126.
Although not shown in the figures, a sternum strap and/or waist strap may be
included in backpack 100. In examples including a sternum strap, the sternum
strap may
attach to primary shoulder straps 114 and 118 from approximately where primary
shoulder
straps 114 and 118 begin to curve to second ends 124 and 130 of primary
shoulder straps 114
and 118.
The maximum desired extent 420 of bottom side 106 of storage portion 102 is
approximately 55 centimeters in the vertical direction from substantially
horizontal line 408.
In one example, maximum desired extent 420 is approximately 50 centimeters.
The first ends
122 and 128 of secondary shoulder straps 120 and 126 attach to storage portion
102 at a
minimum desired vertical distance 422 of approximately 35 centimeters from
substantially
horizontal line 408. In one example, minimum desired vertical distance 422 is
approximately
39 centimeters. In another example, minimum desired vertical distance 422 is
approximately
38.8 centimeters. It is appreciated that approximately 38.8 centimeters can be
considered to
be approximately 39 centimeters.
The vertical distance 424 between substantially horizontal line 408 and both
the midpoint of second end 124 of primary left shoulder strap 114 and the
midpoint of second
end 130 of primary right shoulder strap 118 is approximately between 20 and 35
centimeters.
In one example, vertical distance 424 measures 28 centimeters.
The horizontal distance 426 between the midpoint of second end 124 of
primary left shoulder strap 114 and the midpoint of second end 130 of primary
right shoulder
strap 118 is approximately between 65 and 85 centimeters. In one example,
horizontal
distance 426 is approximately 75 centimeters.
The attachment of secondary right shoulder strap 126 to storage portion 102 is
detailed in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates the attachment of first end 128 of
secondary right
shoulder strap 126 to storage portion 102. Dashed lines 502 and 504 indicate
the desired
attachment angle range of first end 128. That is, when first end 128 is
perpendicular to the
sides of secondary right shoulder strap 126 such that it appears rectangular,
the maximum
desired angle for connection is to have first end 128 parallel to dashed line
502. In some
examples, dashed line 502 is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees measured
to the left
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(and down) from vertical. In other examples, dashed line 502 is at an angle of
approximately
22 degrees measured to the left of vertical.
Dashed line 504 is substantially vertical,
indicating the extent of the desired range for attachment of first end 128.
Thus, in examples
where dashed line 502 is approximately 22 degrees as measured to the left of
vertical,
secondary right shoulder strap 126 attaches to storage portion 102 at an angle
of
approximately between zero and 22 degrees as measured to the left from
vertical.
It should be appreciated that FIG. 5 illustrates first end 128 attached at an
angle between the angles represented by dashed lines 502 and 504. Solid lines
506 and 508,
along with dashed lines 502 and 504 represent an approximate area of storage
portion 102 on
which it is desirable to attach first end 128. As discussed above, minimum
desired vertical
distance 422 in FIG. 4 indicates the minimum desired vertical distance between
substantially
horizontal line 408 of FIG. 4 and the midpoint of first end 128 when attached
to storage
portion 102. In some examples, the attachment illustrated in FIG. 5 is
mirrored for secondary
left shoulder strap 120.
FIG. 6 illustrates ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit 600 that has a "yoke"
strap configuration. Backpack 600 is substantially similar to backpack 100 of
FIGS. 1-5
except for the connection of the primary shoulder straps to the storage
portion. Primary left
shoulder strap 614 attaches to storage portion 602 along first connection area
620, and
primary right shoulder strap 618 connects to storage portion 602 along first
connection area
622. In FIG. 4, the primary straps were shown as being tangential, along with
a substantially
horizontal line, to a circle.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, the area between the points along primary
shoulder straps 614 and 618 that first touch circle 624 is filled in with
material to form a yoke
connection. Primary left shoulder strap 614 and primary right shoulder strap
618 are
connected to each other and to storage portion 602 adjacent to first and
second connection
areas 620 and 622 with one or more pieces of material such that the one or
more pieces of
material form a curve between primary left shoulder strap 614 and primary
right shoulder
strap 618 substantially the same as the curve of circle 624.
Many backpacks, such as the backpacks illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, are designed
to be "unisex" and fit both men and women. Women often still prefer backpacks
designed
especially for the female physique. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate ergonomic
backpacks with
enhanced fit similar to the backpacks shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 but that are
specifically
designed for women.
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FIG. 7 illustrates an ergonomic backpack with enhanced fit 700. As with
backpack 100 of FIGS. 1-6, backpack 700 includes primary left shoulder strap
702, primary
right shoulder strap 704, storage portion 706, and secondary shoulder straps
708 and 710. In
contrast to circle 410 of FIG. 4, the circle 712 tangential to primary left
shoulder strap 702,
primary right shoulder strap 704, and substantially horizontal line 714 has a
smaller radius
716 of between approximately 5 and 10 centimeters. In one example, radius 716
measures
approximately 7.5 centimeters.
The vertical distance 718 between substantially horizontal line 714 and both
the midpoint of second end 720 of primary left shoulder strap 702 and the
midpoint of second
end 722 of primary right shoulder strap 704 is approximately between 20 and 35
centimeters.
In one example, vertical distance 718 measures approximately 28 centimeters.
In another
example, vertical distance 718 measures approximately 27.3 centimeters.
The horizontal distance 724 between the midpoint of second end 720 of
primary left shoulder strap 702 and the midpoint of second end 722 of primary
right shoulder
strap 704 is approximately between 65 and 85 centimeters. In one example,
horizontal
distance 724 is approximately 75 centimeters. In another example, horizontal
distance 724 is
approximately 75.1 centimeters.
Backpack 700 also differs from backpack 100 in the amount of curvature of
primary shoulder straps 702 and 704 as represented by circle 726. Arc 728 of
circle 726 is
between approximately 35 and 55 degrees. In one example, arc 728 measures
approximately
45 degrees. Radius 730 is approximately between 7 and 11 centimeters. In one
example,
radius 730 measures approximately 9.5 centimeters. Other dimensions, such as
the maximum
extent of storage portion 706 relative to substantially horizontal line 714,
may be the same as
for backpack 100 or may be smaller to account for the smaller size of the
average woman
relative to the average man.
FIG. 8 illustrates an ergonomic backpack 800 with enhanced fit having a yoke
connection between primary left shoulder strap 802, primary right shoulder
strap 804, and
storage portion 806, similar to that discussed with regard to claim 6.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples,
which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.
Alternative
examples will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which
the present
invention pertains without departing from its scope.
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From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to
attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other
advantages which are
obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that
certain features
and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to
other features
and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the
claims.
