Abstract: A backpack for carrying an item by a user includes a backpack body constructed of a flexible material. A first zipper fastener is on the backpack body and is actuatable between an opened position and a closed position. The backpack includes an accessory body constructed of a flexible material and positioned within an inner main cavity of the backpack body and borders an exterior of the backpack. The backpack includes a second zipper fastener on a first portion of the accessory body that borders the exterior of the backpack. The second zipper fastener is actuatable between an opened position and a closed position. The backpack includes a third zipper fastener on the second portion of the accessory body that borders the inner main cavity of the backpack body. The third zipper fastener is actuatable between an opened position and a closed position.

Abstract: An assembly for adjusting the position of a load for a backpack has a supporting member (3), an actuating means (35), and a plurality of elongate flexible movable members (7). Each of the elongate flexible movable members are attached to a load carrying portion (1) at one end, and attached to the actuating means at the second end. The load carrying portion is movable between: a retracted position, in which the load carrying portion abuts the supporting member, when the actuating means is moved into a first position; and an extended position, in which a user can freely move the load carrying portion relative to the supporting member, when the actuating means is moved into a second position.

Abstract: A backpack harness for supporting a folding stand thereon as well as other accessories. The folded stand and harness have cooperating elements which enable the folded stand to be selectively removably secured to the harness. The harness may have other accessories selectively removably secured thereto.

Abstract: Backpacks and systems which have at least a portion which is accessible from the front of a wearer. In one illustrative embodiment, a backpack system in accordance with the present invention includes a back portion with shoulder straps. A swing-around portion is formed as a storage compartment that is secured to the back portion in a carrying position. An articulated frame is secured to the back portion and the swing-around portion and allows a user wearing the backpack to pivot the swing around portion around the user's side and access the contents therein. A securing latch is used to secure the articulating frame to retain the swing-around portion in the carrying position. The entire storage compartment of the pack may be a swing-around portion, or the pack may include multiple storage compartments that are either fixed to the back portion or function as swing-around portions.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system is disclosed for use on an outer body roof surface of a vehicle to removably support articles above the outer body roof surface. The system makes use of a cross bar assembly having a central tubular portion and telescopically coupled outer cross bar portions. A locking lever may be used to lock at least one of the outer cross bar portions to prevent telescopic movement. A pair of end supports is used to latch to door jam areas of the vehicle. The end supports each have a construction such that both can be configured in a generally planar configuration to enable easy stowage of the cross bar assemblies, and each pivoted into an angled configuration which places the tubular cross bar portion above the vehicle outer body surface when the cross bar assembly is secured to the door jam areas.

Abstract: A bag, such as a backpack, includes a back panel having an edge portion, a spacing panel having a fixed edge attached to the back panel and a free edge, an adjustment device, and a lace connecting the adjustment device and the spacing panel. The adjustment device can be configured to retract the lace, thereby translating the spacing panel toward the edge portion of the back panel, thereby increasing a space between the spacing panel and the back panel. The space between the spacing panel and the back panel can be smaller in a first configuration than in a second configuration and the back panel of the bag can be curved in the second configuration.

Abstract: Vehicle hitch adapter comprising a height adjustment post comprising a plurality of pairs of opposed spaced apart height adjustment apertures; a mounting box surmounting the post; a pitch lock system comprising a pitch box having spaced apart pitch plates defining a chamber therebetween for an inferior end of the post to pass therethrough with a pair of opposed spaced apart height adjustment apertures contained within the chamber and the pitch plates comprising a set of spaced apart vertically extending angled end obround shaped slots having a lower surface end defining an at rest position and an upper surface end angled to form a shoulder surface defining a potential energy state; and a pin extending through the obround shaped slots and the apertures contained within the chamber wherein the pin is supported on the shoulder surface in the potential energy state during loading and on the lower surface end during transport.

Abstract: A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is presented for tightening a skewer of a bicycle fork anchor upon a prong of a bicycle fork by delivering a predetermined drive-force to the skewer. The drive mechanism draws a head of the skewer against the prong thereby pinch-securing the bicycle fork to the bicycle fork anchor. The drive mechanism can include a manually operable actuator and a transmission. The manually operable actuator can be coupled to the transmission. The transmission can include a slip mechanism that only transmits driving forces to the skewer of the bicycle fork anchor that are less than the predetermined drive-force.

Abstract: A substantially planar roof frame comprising: at least one rail, a front frame member, and a rear frame member. The at least one rail has surfaces suitable to permit attachment and detachment of accessories independent of roof top and side panels.

Abstract: Wearable child carriers and methods for use are disclosed. A representative device includes a sash configured to rest across a shoulder of the user and be positioned over the user's torso, and a cradle supported by the sash and configured to support and secure a child in a generally horizontal position against a frontside of the user's body. The cradle can include a head region supported by one end of the sash and configured to support and secure the sides and back of the child's head, a body region supported by another end of the sash and configured to support the child's torso and legs, and a flap extending from the body region and configured to wrap at least partially around the child's body and a portion of the body region.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible tubular container providing neck support for users during travel. The interior of the container is accessible through one or more openings at one or both ends of the container. The openings can be secured with angled zipper closures. Clothing items are inserted into the interior of the container during packing, and during travel, the container can be bent or arranged in a horseshoe shape or C-shape around the users neck or other body parts. The ends of the container may be secured to each other to hold the container in place. When the clothing is removed, the container is collapsed.

Abstract: A holster system for hair-cutting shears includes a holder and a wearable portion. The holder includes a pocket that can receive hair-cutting shears and a shears-holding portion. The shears holding portion can hold the hair cutting shears on an exterior surface of the holder. The shears-holding portion may include a magnet.

Abstract: A ladder locking system that secures an extension ladder to an accessory rack mounted to a vehicle to define a secured position is provided. The secured ladder is prevented from moving fore or aft relative to the rack. The secured ladder is also prevented from moving laterally relative to the rack and vehicle by the downwardly directed force and engagement provided by the locking system. The locking system is movable to a released position wherein the ladder is not engaged by the locking system and thus can be removed from the ladder rack by an operator. An intermediate position occurs when the operator actuates the locking system between the secured and released positions depending upon whether the ladder is being readied for securement in the rack or being readied for removal from the rack.

Abstract: A bulk bag hook for use on a bulk bag to releasably connect the bulk bag to a shopping cart. The bulk bag hook includes a base section that is secured to the bulk bag, a hook portion that is designed to releasably secure to a shopping cart, and a hinge that is connected between the base section and the hoof portion to enable the hook portion to move relative to the base section.

Abstract: A hitch attachment system can include a hitch attachment configured to be secured to a vehicle hitch and one or more implements configured to be attached to a vehicle hitch. For example, the implement may be a wire rack, a vise stand, or some other implement. A securing mechanism can be configured to apply pressure transverse to a direction of sliding motion of the hitch attachment relative to the implement to inhibit movement of the implement relative to the hitch. The hitch attachment may include a stabilizing system that is configured to move a pressure member to apply pressure to an inwardly-facing surface of the hollow tubing to inhibit movement of the hitch attachment relative to the hitch.

Abstract: A drop-prevention tool harness for pistol-grip hand tools includes a sleeve member sized to be installed around a gear housing of a pistol-grip hand tool. A tool body strap defines a flattened closed loop that extends around a wall of the sleeve member and extends to a rearward end portion spaced apart from the sleeve member. A handle strap is connected to the rearward end portion of the tool body strap and has first and second handle strap portions that extend to respective first and second handle strap end portions each defining a closed loop. The first closed loop is sized to permit passage therethrough by the second handle strap end portion. An optional handle band is sized and constructed to be installed around the handle strap and hand grip of a pistol-grip hand tool.

Abstract: A foldable positioning structure for a bicycle rack includes a fixing member movable between first and second positions, an elastic assembly and a controlling assembly for being assembled to the fixing rod. The elastic assembly is assembled to a fixing rod and the fixing member so as to restrict the fixing member in the first position normally. The controlling assembly is movable between third and fourth position relative to the fixing rod and includes a pivot member and a controlling member, the pivot member is assembled to the fixing rod and pivoted to the controlling member, a free end of the controlling member is assembled to the fixing member. The fixing member is selectively restricted or nonrestricted by the movable member so that the movable member is swingable or nonswingable relative to the fixing rod.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) includes a back plate defining a plurality of apertures therethrough arranged in first and second columns. The apertures in the columns are sized and spaced to receive corresponding first and second mounting straps woven therethrough that are configured to extend around webbing straps of a carrying jacket to fasten the back plate to the carrying jacket. The back plate includes a first press stud associated with the first column and a second press stud associated with the second column, which are configured to engage ends of the respective first and second mounting straps to releasably secure the mounting straps to the back plate. A tank securing strap on the back plate releasably fastens a supply tank to the back plate. A valve retaining mount on the back plate releasably secures an air supply valve for engagement with the supply tank.

Abstract: Provides a hitch carrier that is highly versatile for a bicycle that is loadable and that ensures stable loading of a bicycle. A hitch carrier for loading a bicycle including a frame that includes a top tube, a down tube, and a sheet tube, includes a first arm engaged with a first cradle including a supporting portion that supports the top tube, a second arm engaged with a second cradle including a supporting portion that supports the down tube, and a post supporting in a cantilever manner both the first arm and the second arm separated in a vertical direction. Fastening belts are disposed on the first cradle and the second cradle to fasten the top tube and the down tube, respectively.