PORTABLE BACKPACK WORKSTATION
A portable backpack workstation for holding tools and the like. The backpack includes a self-supporting rigid frame and a shell defining a body having a top, a bottom, a back and left and right wing panels. The left and right wing panels are movable between an open position and a closed position. A pair of shoulder straps are secured to the back of the body.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application. No. 60/821,068 filed Aug. 1, 2006 entitled “Backpack Toolbox” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDProfessional mechanics and technicians, whether working on automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles or airplanes, or the like, recognize and appreciate the advantages of a well organized workstation for easy identification, selection and access to the proper tools needed for a particular job. The need for organization and visible display of the tools for recognition and easy access is particularly important in racing environments or other time dependent competitions.
In shops, garages or other permanent work areas of professional mechanics and technicians, the work station generally includes a work bench and one or more walls on which the tools are placed and hung in an organized manner. Arranging the tools in such a manner lets the mechanic quickly and easily survey the tools to identify the desired tool. Additionally, hanging the tools in such a manner allows the mechanic to know if a tool is missing or in use by another mechanic in the shop. However, if the mechanic is required to leave the shop, garage or work area in order to work at a remote location, the required tools are generally placed in a conventional tool box with the tools stacked and laid on top of one another. While some tool boxes may provide some means of organization, such as tool trays or the like, the tools are still generally arranged in a haphazard manner within the respective trays. Thus, when a desired tool is needed, the mechanic is required to remove the trays from the toolbox and wade through the pile of tools in each tray until the desired tool is found, often resulting in delay and frustration.
Accordingly, there is a need for a portable workstation that affords the mechanic nearly the same efficiency and organization he/she has in a professional workshop by permitting the tools to be organized and displayed for easy recognition and access.
In addition to the foregoing advantages, it would also be desirable if the workstation could be carried by the mechanic on his/her back thereby permitting the mechanic to have his/her hands free for carrying other tools or items.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify corresponding or like parts throughout the several views,
The preferred embodiment of the backpack 10 comprises a body 12 preferably having a top 14, a bottom 16, a left side 18, a right side 20, a front 22 and a back 24. It should be appreciated that although the body 12 is preferably substantially rectangular, other body shapes may be equally suitable and therefore the body 12 present invention should not be deemed to be limited to any particular shape.
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The left and right wing panels 42, 44 the back panel 46, the bottom tray 48 and the flip-out panel 49 all preferably include an array of pockets 54, bands 56, and straps 58 within which various types of tools or other items 60 may be removably held, inserted or supported. It should be appreciated that depending on the size and type of tools or items to be held in the backpack 10, the configuration or arrangement of pockets 54, bands 56 and straps 58 may vary, as well as the type of material used. For example, in some applications the bands 56 may be made of elastic material and the pockets 54 may be made of mesh material, whereas in other applications different materials may be better suited.
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In the preferred embodiment, left and right tool pallets 100, 102 are preferably removably mounted to the interior side 104 of the shell 80 of the left and right wing panels 42, 44, respectively. Likewise, a back tool pallet 106 is preferably removably mounted to the interior surface 108 of the interior pocket 82 of the back panel 46. In the preferred embodiment, the left and right tools pallets 100, 102 are removably mounted to the left and right wing panels 42, 44 by snaps 110. The back tool pallet 116 is preferably removably mounted to the interior surface of the interior pocket 82 by Velcro® strips 112. The tool pallets 100, 102, 106 are preferably lightweight plastic members that are sufficiently flexible to permit the left and right wing panels 42, 44 to bend or flex when being brought together into the closed position but yet are sufficiently rigid to support tools thereon when the wing panels 42, 44 are supported in the open position.
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It should be recognized that the backpack 10 of the present invention has application in a number of fields and for a variety of uses, not just with professional mechanics and technicians. As such, anyone having a need for a mobile toolbox or workstation in which tools are needed could benefit from having such tools displayed in a substantially vertical plane for easy recognition and access using the present invention, including without limitation, vehicle and airplane mechanics, locksmiths, copier and computer technicians, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other tradesmen, professional or amateur bicyclists and motorcyclists, do-it-yourselfers, and crafters. The present invention could even be useful for carrying tools, such as utensils, and food for a picnic.
The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modification to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus and its method of use and the general principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A portable backpack workstation for holding a plurality of tools, said backpack comprising:
- a self-supportable rigid frame having a substantially vertically disposed upper portion and a forwardly projecting substantially horizontally disposed base portion;
- a shell supported by said frame, said frame and shell defining a body having a top, a bottom, a back, and left and right wing panels which cooperate to define an interior volume and an interior surface area for holding tools, said wing panels being movable with respect to said back panel between a closed position and an open position;
- a pair of rearwardly disposed shoulder straps secured to said shell.
2. The portable backpack workstation of claim 1 further including at least one support member to support at least one of said left and right wing panels in said open position.
3. The portable backpack workstation of claim 1 further including left and right support members to support said left and right wing panels in said open position.
4. The portable backpack workstation of claim 3 further including a receiving member with which said support members cooperate to support said left and right wing panels in said open position.
5. The portable backpack workstation of claim 1 wherein said upper portion of self supportable rigid frame is canted forwardly toward said forwardly projecting substantially horizontally disposed base portion such that an angle between said upper portion and said base portion of said frame is less then ninety degrees.
6. The portable backpack workstation of claim 5 further including left and right tool pallets removably fastenable to an interior side of said left and right wing panels.
7. The portable backpack workstation of claim 6 further including a back tool pallet removably fastenable to an interior side of said back panel.
8. The portable backpack workstation of claim 7 wherein said left, right and back tool pallets removably support tools thereon.
9. The portable backpack workstation of claim 8 wherein said shell comprises lightweight, flexible and durable material.
10. The portable backpack workstation of claim 9 wherein said bottom of said shell includes a more durable wear resistant material than said back and wing panels of said body.
11. The portable backpack workstation of claim 10 wherein said more durable wear resistant material is ethylene-vinyl acetate.
12. The portable backpack workstation of claim 11 wherein an exterior side of said back and said shoulder straps are padded for comfort of the wearer.
13. The portable backpack workstation of claim 5 further including at least one support member to support at least one of said left and right wing panels in said open position.
14. The portable backpack workstation of claim 13 further including left and right tool pallets removably fastenable to an interior side of said left and right wing panels.
15. The portable backpack workstation of claim 14 further including a back tool pallet removably fastenable to an interior side of said back panel.
16. The portable backpack workstation of claim 15 wherein said left, right and back tool pallets removably support tools thereon.
17. The portable backpack workstation of claim 16 wherein said shell comprises lightweight, flexible and durable material.
18. The portable backpack workstation of claim 17 wherein said bottom of said shell includes a more durable wear resistant material than said back and wing panels of said body.
19. The portable backpack workstation of claim 18 wherein said more durable wear resistant material is ethylene-vinyl acetate.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 31, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2008
Applicant: Bicycle Tools Incorporated d/b/a Park Tool Co. (St. Paul, MN)
Inventors: Eric Hawkins (Lake Elmo, MN), Pierre A. G. Ostor (White Bear Lake, MN), John Krawczyk (Woodbury, MN)
Application Number: 11/831,614
International Classification: A45F 4/02 (20060101);