Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKPACK WITH SIDE BOLSTERS
INVENTOR
Dana Gleason
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a backpack with side bolsters and,
more
specifically, to side bolsters for stabilizing the backpack and providing
ventilation between
the backpack and a wearer of the backpack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional backpacks are generally configured with either an internal
or
external frame coupled to a compartment for carrying gear, such as, but not
limited to
clothing, food, water bottles and sleeping gear. Internal frame backpacks are
generally more
stable, but the weight or load of the gear in the load compartment should be
selectively
distributed to help improve the vertical and rotational stability of the
backpack relative to a
wearer. By way of example, one type of conventional internal frame backpack
includes
flexible stays arranged within frame material. The flexible stays may be
arranged vertically,
horizontally, or in some other direction in an attempt to transfer the load in
the load
compartment to the shoulder straps and the waist belt of the backpack.
[0003] Stabilizing the backpack on the wearer, maintaining a desired amount of
ventilation between the backpack and the wearer, and providing a comfortable
fit after the
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backpack has been loaded and strapped onto the wearer has always been some of
the primary
challenges in designing and configuring a backpack. In some environments,
where heavy
backpack loads are required or where the backpack is to be worn with other
gear, such as
body armor in a military environment, the above-identified design challenges
become even
more difficult to overcome. By way of example, backside armor is generally
curved or
contoured to at least somewhat conform to the general shape of a soldier's
back.
Conventional backpacks tend to ride on and slide relative to the backside
armor. Under heavy
load conditions, such as when the backpack includes a substantial amount of
weight (e.g.,
food, clothing, ammunition, communications gear, etc.), the backpack may
become unstable
relative to the backside armor. To stabilize the backpack, soldier's often
have to highly
tighten the waist belt, which in turn presses the backside armor into the
soldier's back and
entraps body heat.
[0004] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/02025634 to Han describes cushion pads
for backpacks. Each cushion pad includes a porous filter which is placed
inside the net fabric
to dissipate heat to the atmosphere, and a sheet which is made of a material
such as
polyurethane and layered on a surface of the porous filter. The sheet is
inserted along with the
porous filter into a space defined between the net fabric and the cloth of the
backpack. Han
suggests that the cushion pads provide improved ventilation and elasticity to
the backpack
and the shoulder straps of the backpack.
[0005] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0134955 to Williams describes a
ventilation system that may be attached to a conventional backpack. The
ventilation system
elevates the backpack, hydration pack, fanny pack, or the like off the
wearer's skin. The
ventilation system includes pliable supports that provide for pressure relief
and good
ventilation between a wearer's back and the conventional backpack. Williams
suggests that
the purpose of the invention is to support and elevate the backpack off of the
wearer's skin or
other bodily part in order to reduce the pack's surface area in contact with
the wearer, thusly
increasing ventilation and exposed wearer's body surface area to maximize
cooling, therefore
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reducing perspiration and water consumption, while increasing performance,
comfort, and
physical and mental endurance.
[0006] Japanese Patent No. JP09252840 by Shigeharu describes a back panel and
cushioning system that includes a back panel that couples to the backpack. The
back panel
substantially over a width of the wearer's back and includes left and right
edges that are
curved in a direction away from the back. Cushioning devices are coupled to
the left and right
edges and generally extend from an upper edge to a lower edge of the back
panel. Shigeharu
suggests that the space created between the back panel and the wearer's back
because the
cushioning devices offset the backpack from the wearer's back provides
improved
ventilation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention generally relates to a backpack having
stabilizing and
ventilating side bolsters, and a method for securing and releasing the side
bolsters. In
accordance with an aspect of the invention, a backpack includes a frame; a
load compartment
coupled to the frame; shoulder straps coupled to the frame; and a pair of side
bolsters coupled
to the frame by fastening devices.
[0008] The side bolsters are comprised of a semi-rigid material, such as high-
density polyurethane or polystyrene foam. The side bolsters include a
plurality of channels to
allow air flow through the side bolsters and away from the wearer. The side
bolsters may be
firmly coupled to the frame by fastening devices including a combination of
straps and clips
disposed either through slots in the side bolster or around the perimeter of
the side bolster. In
a preferred embodiment, the density of the side bolsters is in the range of
0.5 lbs/ft3 to 10.0
lbs/ft3, in a more preferred embodiment the range of density is 2.0 to 4.0
lbs/ft3.
[0009] The side bolsters function to cooperate with the frame and stabilize
the
backpack under load while providing improved ventilation between the backpack
and a back
side of a wearer of the backpack. The side bolsters have a center axis
oriented substantially
vertically to structurally cooperate with the frame in providing stability for
the load
compartment. The center axes of the side bolsters are spatially separated in a
forward
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direction from the forward surface of the frame. The side bolsters thereby
contour around the
backside of the wearer to provide stability for the load compartment and to
allow ventilation.
[0010] The channels may be formed in a circular or oval cross-section to
provide
stabilizing support for the backpack while allowing air flow in a direction
away from the
forward surface of the backpack. The channels are formed laterally from one
side of the side
bolster to the other side to permit air flow away from the backside of the
wearer. By way of
example, the side bolsters may be formed for a particular environment, for a
particular body
type, or for particular loads to be carried in the backpack. For example, the
side bolsters may
be manufactured with a variable stiffness, size, material, density, and other
aspects of the side
bolsters.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a stabilizing
system for a
backpack includes the pair of side bolsters made from a semi-rigid material,
and a pair of
sleeves coupled to the backpack and sized to receive the side bolsters. The
sleeves are made
from a breathable material, wherein a side bolster is arranged in a sleeve to
provide an
amount of vertical stabilization to the backpack. The sleeves are horizontally
spaced apart
from each other by approximately the width of the back pad and the sleeves are
oriented
approximately vertically. The sleeves are made from a breathable material and
the side
bolsters cooperate with the sleeves to move air from the back pad area and
away from the
spaced apart region formed by the sleeves in a direction away from the back
pad. The sleeves
may include a zipper for opening the sleeve to access the side bolsters for
removal.
Alternatively, the sleeve may include other means of securing the side bolster
to the
backpack, such as a hook and loop fastener or snap buttons.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are
described
in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
[0013] FIGURE 1 is a rear elevational view of a backpack with a side bolster
assembly according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
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[0014] FIGURE 2 is rear elevational view of a frame for the backpack of FIGURE
1 according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIGURE 3 is a isometric view of a side bolster in a rolled
configuration
according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIGURE 4A is a isometric view of a side bolster in an un-rolled
configuration according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIGURE 4B is a close-up view of a portion of the side bolster of FIGURE
4A;
[0018] FIGURE 5A is a top view of the side bolster of FIGURE 3;
[0019] FIGURE 5B is a top view of a side bolster having a spacer according to
another illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIGURE 6 is a side perspective view of a backpack having a side bolster
assembly according to another illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIGURE 7 is a rear elevational view of a backpack with side bolsters
made
of semi-rigid material according to an illustrated embodiment of the present
invention,
showing the straps and clips unsecured;
[0022] FIGURE 8 is rear elevational view of a frame for the backpack of FIGURE
7 according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGURE 9A is an isometric view of a side bolster made of semi-rigid
material according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention of
FIGURE 7;
[0024] FIGURE 9B is a is a side elevation view of the side bolster of FIGURE
9A;
[0025] FIGURE 9C is a rear elevation view of the side bolster of FIGURE 9A,
showing straps and clips for coupling the side bolster to the frame;
[0026] FIGURE 10 is a side perspective view of the backpack having a side
bolster
according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention of FIGURE 7;
and
[0027] FIGURE 11 is a side perspective view of a backpack having a side
bolster
made of semi-rigid material contained in a sleeve according to another
illustrated
embodiment of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in
order to
provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention.
However, one
skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without
these details or
with various combinations of these details. In other instances, well-known
structures and
methods associated with backpacks, backpack frames, shoulder and waist harness
systems,
and various other accessory items usable with a backpack may not be shown or
described in
detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the
invention. The
term backpack as used herein generally refers to a soft-covered carrier
designed for carrying
belongings or items on a person's back within the carrier. In addition, the
term backpack, as
used herein, includes, but is not limited to, carriers that may be referred to
by other names
such as a rucksack, knapsack, pack, carrier, bag, and daypack.
[0029] As will be described in further detail below, at least one embodiment
of the
invention includes a backpack having stabilizing and ventilating side bolsters
coupled to a
frame. The backpack may be configured to operate in a variety of environments
such as a in
the military, on a climbing, hiking, or camping trip, or for general
traveling. The side bolsters
function to cooperate with the frame and stabilize the backpack under load
while providing
improved ventilation between the backpack and a back side of a wearer of the
backpack.
Stabilizing the backpack includes reducing or even preventing bulging when the
backpack is
under load. By way of example, the side bolsters may be formed for a
particular environment,
for a particular body type, or for particular loads to be carried in the
backpack. Stabilization
also includes retaining the position of the pack relative to the body (and any
body armor) of
the wearer. Thus, the bolsters aid the side-to-side position retention (both
lateral shifting and
rocking) of the pack relative to the wearer.
[0030] FIGURE 1 shows a backpack 100 having a load compartment 102 coupled
to a shoulder harness 104 and a waist belt 106. In the illustrated embodiment,
the backpack
includes a back pad 108 coupled to vertically oriented side bolsters 110,
which are retained in
vertically oriented breathable sleeves 111. The load compartment 102
structurally couples to
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a frame 112 (FIGURE 2). The backpack may further include a carrying handle
114,
compression straps 116, and other accessory items that may take the form of
webbing, straps,
clips, zippers, pads, etc.
[0031] FIGURE 2 shows the frame 112 that may be used to support the load
compartment 102 according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention. The
frame 112
includes flexible, yet sufficiently rigid vertically oriented stays 118
received in stitched
pockets 120 of a soft covering 122. In one embodiment, the frame 112 may
include a semi-
rigid back plate 124 located in a lower stitched pocket 126. Further, the
frame may include
horizontally oriented stays 128, which may be structurally coupled or
integrally formed with
the vertically oriented stays 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame
112 is connected to
the waist belt 106 and further includes connection devices 130 for coupling to
the load
compartment 102.
[0032] The illustrated frame 112 is commonly referred to as a "soft-frame"
because
the stays are flexible enough to form and generally move with the wearer, yet
structurally
strong and stiff enough to support the load compartment 102, shoulder harness
104, and waist
belt 106 even when the load compartment 102 contains a substantial amount of
weight, for
example more than thirty pounds (30 lbs.). The length, width, thickness, and
material of the
stays 118, 128 may be selected depending on a desired purpose of the backpack
100.
[0033] FIGURES 3-5 show the side bolster 110 in both a rolled configuration
(FIGURES 1 and 3) and in an unrolled configuration (FIGURE 2) according to an
illustrated
embodiment of the present invention. When placed in the breathable sleeves 111
(FIGURE 1)
of the backpack 100 (FIGURE 1), the side bolster 110 would be in the rolled
configuration.
The rolled configuration permits the side bolster 110 to have a desired amount
of bending
stiffness, buckling strength, and structural stability for the purpose of
cooperating with the
frame 112 (FIGURE 2) and helping to stabilize the load compartment 102 (FIGURE
1) of the
backpack 100 (FIGURE 1). Another purpose of the side bolster 110 is to offset
or space the
backpack 100 away from the back of the wearer. In one application, the side
bolsters 100
have been found to be advantageous on military-style backpacks to stabilize
the
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backpack 100 while maintaining the backpack 100 away from or nested and
contoured with
an armored plate (not shown) worn on the backside of a soldier (not shown). As
will be
described in greater detail below, the side bolster 110 may be radially
compressible, yet
remain breathable to provide ventilation and have a cross-sectional stiffness
that helps
stabilize the backpack 100 with respect to the wearer.
[0034] In one embodiment, a first side portion 132 is coupled to a mid portion
134
of the side bolster 110. By way of example, the first side portion 132 may be
coupled to the
mid portion 134 with a fastening system 136, for example a zipper device, a
hook and loop
fastening system (e.g., VELCRO ), an adhesive or bonding agent, or an
equivalent system.
However, the side bolster 110 does not have to be coupled together with the
fastening
system 136 to hold its rolled configuration because the side bolster 110 may
be rolled and
then placed into the breathable sleeve 111 (FIGURE 1). In turn, the sleeve 111
is sized to
maintain the side bolster 110 substantially in the rolled configuration.
[0035] Referring to FIGURE 4A, the side bolster 110 may be made from a woven,
synthetic material 138 that when rolled and/or radially compressed still
allows for airflow
through the material 138. By way of example, the side bolster 110 is made from
a woven,
polypropylene or polyethylene fabric or an open-celled foam having a first
surface 140
spaced apart from a second surface 142 by a plurality of woven channels 144.
Each
channel 144 extends from a bottom end portion 146 to a top end portion 148 of
the
material 138. The material 138 may be a woven geotextile polypropylene fabric
commercially available under the trademark PROPEXO. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
side bolster 110 includes a generally circular cross-section, but it is
appreciated that the cross-
sectional profile of the side bolster 110 may take a variety of forms or
shapes. For purposes
of clarity, the structural details of the side bolster 110 are shown in FIGURE
4B. Although
FIGURE 4A is shown with the side bolster 110 in an un-rolled configuration for
purposes of
clarity, it is appreciated that the side bolster 110 may be completed by
rolling a second side
portion 149 towards the first side portion 132 and then either inserting
directly into the
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breathable sleeve 111 (FIGURE 1) or using the fastening system 136 to maintain
the side
bolster 110 in the rolled configuration.
[0036] FIGURE 4B shows a close-up view of a portion 110a of the side bolster
110
of FIGURE 4A. In one embodiment, the side bolster 110 is a porous, mesh or
breathable
material 138 having a plurality of holes or openings 150. In addition, the
material 152
defining the channels 144 is made from the same porous, mesh or breathable
material 138
and includes a plurality of holes or openings 154.
[0037] FIGURE 5A shows the side bolster 110 in the rolled configuration and
being
held in that configuration by the fastening system 136 according to an
illustrated embodiment
of the present invention. Many aspects of the side bolster 110 may be varied
to customize the
side bolster 110 for a particular purpose. By way of example, the type of
material 138, 152
may have more or less stiffness than the materials described above, have a
greater density or
porosity (e.g., larger openings 150, 154), the channels 144 may be have a
larger or smaller
diameter 156 or may even have different size diameters (e.g., a first channel
diameter size in
one portion of the side bolster and a second channel diameter size in another
portion of the
side bolster), and an overall diameter 158 of the side bolster 110 may be
changed to effect the
stiffness, breathability, or both of the side bolster 110.
[0038] FIGURE 5B shows the side bolster 110 in the rolled configuration,
without
the fastening system 136, and having an spacer or internal support rod 160
according to an
illustrated embodiment of the present invention. The spacer 160 may take the
form of an anti-
buckling rod or stiffness enhancing rod, for example. The spacer 160 may be
rolled up into
the side bolster 110 or inserted through a central channel 162 after it has
been rolled up.
[0039] Side bolsters 110 may alternatively be constructed of other materials.
Closed or open cell materials may be used, including rubber or foam. The
density can be
selected based on the load to be carried. The stiffness may vary based on the
selection of the
bolster material as well. The material may be rolled from a sheet form, as
discussed above,
or may be one or more blocks of material stacked together vertically or
otherwise. The
material may be progressively more dense or stiff as it extends away from the
back of the
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user or may vary vertically in compressibility. Various materials and material
arrangements
may be employed to meet the needs of the load and the user.
[0040] Briefly referring back to FIGURE 1, the side bolsters 110 are received
in
elongated, breathable sleeves 111. The sleeves 111 may extend vertically over
a substantial
portion of the backpack 100 or may be truncated to have a shorter height, for
example a
height approximately equivalent to a height of the waist belt 106. Further,
the sleeves 111
may take the form of a plurality of sleeves vertically aligned with one
another and extending
over the substantial portion of the backpack 100 or may be arranged in other
configurations
on the backpack 100. In one embodiment, the sleeves 111 are made from a woven
fabric in
which the selected weave pattern permits a substantial amount of airflow
through the
sleeves 111.
[0041] FIGURE 6 shows a backpack 200 coupled to a bolstered ventilation and
stabilization system 202 according to an illustrated embodiment of the present
invention. The
bolstered ventilation and stabilization system 202 includes side bolsters (not
shown), such as
the side bolster 110 described above, received in breathable sleeves 204. The
breathable
sleeve 204 includes an access system 206 for gaining access to inside the
sleeve 204 and
specifically for gaining access to the side bolster (not shown). In the
illustrated embodiment,
the access system 206 takes the form of a side zipper 208 extending along at
least a
substantial length of the sleeve 204. However, the access system 206 may take
other forms
such as a top flap, top or bottom zipper, an internal zipper accessible from
within the
backpack 200, or other equivalent embodiments.
[0042] FIGURE 7 shows a backpack 100 having a load compartment 102 coupled
to a shoulder harness 104 and a waist belt 106. In the illustrated embodiment,
the backpack
includes a back pad 108 coupled to vertically oriented side bolsters 110,
which are coupled to
the load compartment by fastening devices 123. The fastening device 123
includes
straps 115 and clips 117 coupled to the load compartment 102 on either side of
side
bolster 110, which is made of semi-rigid material such as high-density foam.
The fastening
device 123 may be disposed through slots 121 in the side bolster 110 (FIGURES
9A-9C).
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Alternatively, fastener devices 123 may wrap around the outside perimeter of
the side
bolster 110 to firmly couple the side bolsters 110 to the backpack. The
load
compartment 102 structurally couples to a frame 112 (FIGURE 8). The backpack
may further
include a carrying handle 114, compression straps 116, and other accessory
items that may
take the form of webbing, straps, clips, zippers, pads, etc.
[0043] FIGURE 8 shows the frame 112 that may be used to support the load
compartment 102 according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention. The
frame 112
includes flexible, yet sufficiently rigid vertically oriented stays 118
received in stitched
pockets 120 of a soft covering 122. In one embodiment, the frame 112 may
include a semi-
rigid back plate 124 located in a lower stitched pocket 126. Further, the
frame may include
horizontally oriented stays 128, which may be structurally coupled or
integrally formed with
the vertically oriented stays 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame
112 is connected to
the waist belt 106 and further includes connection devices 130 for coupling to
the load
compartment 102.
[0044] The illustrated frame 112 is commonly referred to as a "soft-frame"
because
the stays are flexible enough to form and generally move with the wearer, yet
structurally
strong and stiff enough to support the load compartment 102, shoulder harness
104, and waist
belt 106 even when the load compartment 102 contains a substantial amount of
weight, for
example more than thirty pounds (30 lbs.). The length, width, thickness, and
material of the
stays 118, 128 may be selected depending on a desired purpose of the backpack
100.
[0045] FIGURES 9A-9C show side bolster 110 according to an illustrated
embodiment of the present invention. When clips 117 are engaged through slots
121 to
couple side bolsters 110 to frame 112, it provides structural stability for
the purpose of
cooperating with the frame 112 (FIGURE 8) and helping to stabilize the load
compartment 102 (FIGURE 7) of the backpack 100. According to a presently
preferred
embodiment, three channels 119 are formed laterally through side bolster 110
to allow air
flow in a direction away from or toward the backpack and the backside of the
wearer. The
channels 119 may have circular, oval, or rectangular cross-sections with
varying dimensions.
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The area formed by channels 119 is sufficient large enough to allow air flow
and sufficiently
small enough to allow side bolsters 110 to structurally cooperate with the
frame.
Alternatively, channels 119 may be a plurality of smaller channels.
[0046] Slots 121 are formed laterally through side bolster 110 to receive the
fastening devices 123 when coupling the side bolsters to the backpack (FIGURE
9C). The
straps 115 and clips 117 (fastening devices 123) are releasable by squeezing
clips 117 on
either side of slot 121, which allows quick removal of the side bolsters from
the backpack.
As shown in FIGURE 9C, one end of clip 117 includes a releasing mechanism that
is
positioned within slot 121 and slightly exposed beyond the perimeter of the
side bolster.
When squeezed inwardly and against the other end of the clip, the releasing
mechanism
releases clip 117 from the side bolster, thereby allowing removal of the side
bolster from the
backpack. Clip 117 is therefore releasable on the ends of the clip, as opposed
to the side of
the clips as with conventional clip systems. This configuration further
provides structural
support when the fastening devices secured the side bolster to the frame.
Slots 121 are formed
above and below channels 119 in a manner to provide structural stability
backpack. It will be
appreciated that other fasteners and means may be used for securing and
releasing side
bolsters 110 from the backpack through slots 121 or around the perimeter of
the side bolsters.
[0047] The side bolsters 110 have a center axis 125 oriented substantially
vertically
to structurally cooperate with frame 112 in providing stability for the load
compartment 102.
The center axes 125 of side bolsters 110 are spatially separated in a forward
direction from
the forward surface of frame 112 that is laterally adjacent bolsters 110
(FIGURES 7 and 10).
The side bolsters 110 thereby contour around the backside of the wearer to
provide stability
for the load compartment and to provide ventilation.
[0048] FIGURE 9C illustrates the configuration of straps 115 and clips 117 as
coupling side bolster 110 to the backpack. The upper slot 121 shows straps 115
and clips 117
in the disengaged state near the slot. The lower slot 121 shows straps 115 and
clips 117 in
the engaged state disposed through slot 121, whereby clips 117 extend through
the length of
slot 121.
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[0049] The side bolsters 110 may be comprised of various semi-rigid materials
having various densities to help stabilize the backpack 100 with respect to
the wearer.
According to a presently preferred embodiment, side bolsters 110 are comprised
of high-
density foam having a range of density of approximately 0.5 lbs/ft3 to 10.0
lbs/ft3, in a more
preferred embodiment the range of density is 2.0 to 4.0 lbs/ft3. Side bolsters
110 may
alternatively be constructed of other materials. Closed or open cell materials
may be used,
including rubber or polymers. The density can be selected based on the load to
be carried.
The stiffness may vary based on the selection of the bolster material as well.
The material
may be progressively more dense or stiff as it extends away from the back of
the user or may
vary vertically in compressibility. Various materials and material
arrangements may be
employed to meet the needs of the load and the user.
[0050] FIGURE 10 shows backpack 100 coupled to side bolsters 110 by fastening
devices 123 according to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.
The center
axes 125 or at least the forward-most portions of the side bolsters are
spatially separated in a
forward direction from the forward surface of the frame medially adjacent the
bolsters,
whereby the side bolsters 110 are provided to contour around the backside of
the wearer to
provide stability for the load compartment and ventilation.
[0051] In a presently preferred embodiment, each side bolster assembly
includes at
least four straps 115 that are secured to frame 112 by stitching the ends of
straps 115 to the
fabric of frame 112. As described above, one pair of straps is secured to the
frame near the
upper portion of the side bolster, and another pair of straps is secured near
the lower portion
of the side bolster. Straps 115 are therefore secured to frame 112 behind side
bolster 110
when it is secured to the frame by virtue of engaging clips 117 to one another
(FIGURE 9C).
This arrangement of the straps and clips strongly secures the side bolsters to
the frame and
prevents rotation and shifting of the side bolsters while wearing the
backpack, which further
adds to the stabilization of the backpack.
[0052] Fastening devices 123 may include a plurality of straps and clips
extending
vertically over a substantial portion of the backpack 110 to provide
additional structural
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support. Alternatively, two or more side bolsters 110 may be stacked
vertically on one side
of the back pad 108. In a preferred embodiment, fastening devices 123 firmly
secure side
bolsters 110 to load compartment 102 to provide structural stability to the
system. Another
purpose of side bolsters 110 is to offset or space the backpack 100 away from
the back of the
wearer. In one application, the side bolsters 110 have been found to be
advantageous on
military-style backpacks to stabilize the backpack 100 while maintaining the
backpack 100
away from or nested and contoured with an armored plate (not shown) worn on
the backside
of a soldier (not shown).
[0053] FIGURE 11 shows an alternate preferred embodiment wherein the side
bolsters 110 are received in elongated, breathable sleeves 111 (the sleeves as
shown in
FIGURE 1). The bolstered ventilation and stabilization system 202 includes
side bolsters 110
received in breathable sleeves 204. The breathable sleeve 204 includes an
access system 206
for gaining access to inside the sleeve 204, and specifically for gaining
access to side
bolsters 110 for insertion or removal. In the illustrated embodiment, the
access system 206
takes the form of a side zipper 208 extending along at least a substantial
length of the
sleeve 204. However, the access system 206 may take other forms such as a top
flap, top or
bottom zipper, an internal zipper accessible from within the backpack 200, or
other
equivalent embodiments.
[0054] The sleeves 204 may extend vertically over a substantial portion of the
backpack 100 or may be truncated to have a shorter height, for example a
height
approximately equivalent to a height of the waist belt 106. Further, the
sleeves 111 may take
the form of a plurality of sleeves vertically aligned with one another and
extending over the
substantial portion of the backpack 100 or may be arranged in other
configurations on the
backpack 100. In one embodiment, the sleeves 204 are made from a woven fabric
in which
the selected weave pattern permits a substantial amount of airflow through the
sleeves 204.
Slots 121 of the side bolster 110 may not be necessary in this embodiment, but
they may
improve ventilation in cooperation with channels 119.
CA 02865923 2014-08-28
WO 2013/130408
PCT/US2013/027671
[0055] The backpack with side bolsters according to any of the embodiments
described above may advantageously improve or enhance ventilation to the
wearer's backside
and may advantageously cooperate with the frame to increase the stability of
the load
compartment of the backpack. In addition, the side bolsters may be arranged to
replace rigid
plastic extension members located near the hip belts on some backpacks.
[0056] Embodiments of the present invention also include a method of
stabilizing
the backpack by engaging the clips to secure the side bolsters to the frame of
the backpack,
including the step of releasing the clips to remove the side bolsters, as
previously described in
connection with FIGURES 7-11.
[0057] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated
and
described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the
spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited
by the
disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be
determined by
reference to the claims that follow.
