Rucksack

Abstract

A rucksack is provided which is equipped with a speaker system which creates, at a periphery of each ear of a rucksack carrier, a sound field in which sounds from an electric acoustic device can be heard clearly and naturally without use of headphones or earphones, and ambient noise as well can be heard clearly. A speaker unit, which radiates plane waves toward ears or vicinities of ears of the rucksack carrier, is disposed at a shoulder belt of a rucksack. The speaker unit is connected to a music playback device or the like accommodated in an accommodating portion of the rucksack.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1, Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a rucksack equipped with a speaker which creates a sound field in which the rucksack carrier can naturally (i.e., without using headphones or earphones) hear both sounds from audio equipment or the like and ambient noise (surrounding noise).

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As the applications, purposes of use, usage states and the like of rucksacks have become more varied, various improvements on the materials, forms, functions and the like of a rucksack main body 2 and accessory members have been proposed (see Japanese Patent Nos. 2602780 and 2668094, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 07-327290).

[0005] However, hardly any proposals have been made relating to the addition, to rucksacks, of functions other than the containing of objects (in particular, an acoustic function or the like). Rucksacks equipped with an acoustic function or the like that would be useful to rucksack carriers have not been put into practical use.

[0006] Thus, when a rucksack carrier listens to music while walking or mountain climbing or the like, he/she usually carries a CD (compact disc) player or the like in the pocket of his/her clothes, and listens to the music through headphones or earphones.

[0007] Bodily-sensed sound generating devices, in which large, cone type speakers are carried on the back and aerial vibrations of the speakers are directly transmitted to the back, have been proposed (see JP-A No. 07-327290). However, such a structure is impractical in light of the physical strength and physiology of the body, and merely remains in the idea stage.

[0008] In the conventional art, there is no concept of providing a rucksack with an acoustic function, and no studies have been carried out on acoustic functions of rucksacks. Thus, conditions of sound and sound fields, which can be heard optimally when a rucksack carrier engages in outdoor activities such as outdoor sports or city walking or the like, are not known, and an acoustic system for rucksacks which satisfies such conditions is also yet unknown.

[0009] The present inventors have studied in detail conditions for sound and sound fields, which can be heard optimally when engaging in the aforementioned outdoor activities, and acoustic systems for rucksacks which satisfy such conditions, and have originated the rucksack of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The rucksack in accordance with the present invention has the following three objects (a) through (c).

[0011] (a) An object of the present invention is to provide a rucksack equipped with a speaker system which creates, at the periphery of each ear of a rucksack carrier 30, a sound field in which sounds from an electric acoustic device can be heard clearly and naturally (i.e., without use of headphones or earphones) and ambient noise as well can be heard clearly.

[0012] (b) Another object of the present invention is to provide a rucksack in which the functions of above (a) can be manifested by a speaker system, with the rucksack being in any of various forms.

[0013] (c) Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rucksack in which the functions of above (a) can be manifested by a speaker system, with the rucksack carrier being in any of various active situations.

[0014] A rucksack relating to a first aspect of the present invention is a rucksack of a structure in which a rucksack main body is carried on a back by a shoulder belt, the rucksack comprising: a speaker provided at the shoulder belt, the speaker making outputted sounds reach an ear of a rucksack carrier; and an accommodating portion provided at at least one of the rucksack main body and a rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body, the accommodating portion accommodating an acoustic signal generating device connected to the speaker.

[0015] In the above-described rucksack, an acoustic signal generating device can be accommodated in an accommodating portion provided at at least one of a rucksack main body and a rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body.

[0016] When the speaker provided at the shoulder belt is connected to the acoustic signal generating device and the acoustic signals outputted from the acoustic signal generating device are inputted to the speaker, sound is outputted from the speaker, and the sound outputted from the speaker reaches the ear of the rucksack carrier.

[0017] The rucksack structural member may be any member which, together with the rucksack main body, structures the rucksack, such as, for example, a shoulder belt, a waist strap, or the like.

[0018] Further, the accommodating portion may be provided so as to be attachable to and removable from the rucksack main body or the rucksack structural member.

[0019] In the rucksack of the present invention, preferably, the speaker is a planar speaker having a planar diaphragm.

[0020] Because the speaker is a planar speaker having a planar diaphragm, plane waves are radiated due to the diaphragm vibration.

[0021] Further, preferably, the speaker is provided so as to be movable along the shoulder belt.

[0022] Thus, the position of the speaker can be adjusted such that the sound outputted from the speaker reaches the ear or a vicinity of the ear.

[0023] In the rucksack of the present invention, preferably, a speaker for low tones, which has a diaphragm having an area larger than an area of a diaphragm of the speaker provided at the shoulder belt, is provided at at least one of the rucksack main body, the shoulder belt, and the rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body.

[0024] The speaker for low tones is provided with a diaphragm whose area is greater than the area of the diaphragm of the speaker provided at the shoulder belt. Thus, sounds of frequencies lower than the frequencies of sounds reproduced by the speaker provided at the shoulder belt, can be reproduced.

[0025] Moreover, preferably, the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device.

[0026] A mechanism for accommodating or holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device is provided at the shoulder belt which is easy for the rucksack carrier to access with his/her hands. Thus, the operability of the control instrument improves.

[0027] Moreover, preferably, the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a microphone.

[0028] Acoustic signal generating devices, and there among, wireless telephones and the like, are provided with microphones.

[0029] A mechanism for accommodating or holding a microphone is provided at the shoulder belt which is easy for the rucksack carrier to access with his/her hands. Thus, the operability of the microphone improves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a back surface of a rucksack relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a front surface of the rucksack.

[0032] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a front surface of a rucksack carrier.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a side surface of the rucksack carrier.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a speaker unit relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the speaker unit.

[0036] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a speaker disposed at a shoulder belt.

[0037] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the ability of plane waves to advance straight forward.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a speaker unit relating to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a back surface of a rucksack relating to another embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a speaker accommodating member relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a back surface of a rucksack relating to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a speaker accommodating member and a shoulder belt relating to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a back surface of a rucksack relating to still yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] An embodiment of a rucksack in accordance with the present invention will be described on the basis of FIGS. 1 through 7.

[0045] The rucksack shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 is a suitable, concrete example of the present invention, but shows only one of the diverse concrete examples which are encompassed by the present invention.

[0046] In FIGS. 1 through 7, portions denoted by the same reference numerals are the same or similar portions.

[0047] Overall Rucksack

[0048] The overall form of the rucksack will be described hereinafter on the basis of FIGS. 1 through 4.

[0049] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a back surface of the rucksack. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a front surface of the rucksack. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a front surface of a rucksack carrier. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a side surface of the rucksack carrier.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the rucksack 1 ha s a basic form having a rucksack main body 2, and a shoulder belt 3 provided at the back surface of the rucksack main body 2.

[0051] At the shoulder belt 3, speaker units 4 which radiate plane waves are disposed at regions corresponding to the both shoulder portions of a rucksack carrier 30, such that the diaphragms of the speaker units 4 are directed upwardly. The rucksack carrier 30 can thereby hear the plane waves which are radiated from substantially directly beneath the ears or vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier 30 and reach or pass by the ears or vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0052] The speaker units 4 are connected electrically through wires or the like (not shown) to an acoustic signal generating device 22 accommodated in an accommodating portion 21 of the rucksack main body 2 shown in FIG. 2, and function as sound sources.

[0053] Note that a volume controller or the like may be provided along the wires connecting the acoustic signal generating device 22 and the speaker units 4.

[0054] The speaker units 4 utilize the characteristics of plane waves (in which the advancing wave surfaces of the sound waves are parallel planes), which characteristics are the ability to maintain sound pressure, the ability to be transmitted far, the ability to advance straight forward, high directivity, and the like. The effects of the present invention can likewise be obtained even if the speaker units 4 are disposed at positions other than those shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. (Details of the speaker units 4 will be described later.)

[0055] The shoulder belt 3 has a form and structure suited to providing the effects of the present invention, in consideration of the relation between the load on the rucksack carrier 30 and the various conditions of, for example, the speaker units 4, the accommodating portions of the shoulder belt equipment, the rucksack main body 2, and the like.

[0056] Accordingly, the shoulder belt 3 may have a form of a continuous belt-shaped body other than that shown in FIG. 1, or may have a form other than that of a continuous belt-shaped body (e.g., may have a form in which respective shoulder belts are provided independently for each of the left and right shoulders). The shoulder belt 3 can have any of various forms and structures.

[0057] However, it is easy to position the speaker units 4 at the shoulder belt 3 which is a continuous belt-shaped body.

[0058] Speakers and Arrangement Thereof

[0059] The speaker unit 4 of the present embodiment will be described on the basis of FIGS. 5 through 7.

[0060] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the speaker unit 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the speaker unit 4. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the speaker unit 4 embedded in the shoulder belt 3.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the speaker unit 4 is embedded in the interior of the shoulder belt 3.

[0062] The speaker unit 4 can use the structure called a multi-cell flat speaker disclosed in, for example, PCT/JP00/03755 or the like. There are various sizes of multi-cell flat speakers, and any of these sizes may be used.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the speaker unit 4 used in the present embodiment is equipped with a yoke 50 formed from a plate-shaped member which is formed by a magnetic body.

[0064] Four permanent magnets 52, which are each flat and quadrangular, are disposed on and fixed, by adhesion, to a magnet fixing portion 50A of the yoke 50 such that pole faces of different polarities are positioned alternately, and such that the pole faces are directly upwardly in the figures, and so as to be provided at predetermined intervals.

[0065] A diaphragm 54 is disposed, at the top surface side of the yoke 50, near the pole faces of the permanent magnets 52 so as to be parallel to the pole faces, i.e., to the top surface of the yoke 50.

[0066] The outer peripheral edge of a rectangular frame-shaped frame body 58 is fixed to a diaphragm mounting portion 50B of the yoke 50 via a spacer 56 formed from paper or the like.

[0067] An edge 60, which is an elastic portion having a semicircular arc shape in cross-section, is formed continuously along the outer peripheral edge of the frame body 58.

[0068] The outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 54 is adhered to the inner peripheral edge side of the edge 60.

[0069] Four coils 62, which are each formed in a swirled shape, are disposed at the diaphragm 54 in correspondence with the respective permanent magnets 52.

[0070] Each coil 62 is formed to be wound in a swirl-shape so as to form a shape substantially similar to the outer edge of the permanent magnet 52.

[0071] At the respective coils 62, the magnetic fluxes, which are oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the film surface of the diaphragm 54, interlink.

[0072] When current is made to flow to the coils 62, the diaphragm 54 receives force in a direction orthogonal to the film surface, and is displaced in the direction orthogonal to the film surface.

[0073] Accordingly, by applying electric signals, which express sound to be generated, to the coils 62, the diaphragm 54 vibrates in accordance with the electric signals.

[0074] At the speaker unit 4, plane waves are radiated at the same phase by the respective coils 62 of the diaphragm 54. A composite plane wave, in which the respective plane waves are combined, is radiated from the overall diaphragm 54.

[0075] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a punch metal plate 55 (a metal plate which is a magnetic body in which myriad small holes are formed), which is for preventing leakage of magnetism and for protecting the diaphragm 54, is disposed at a fixed distance from the diaphragm 54 at the front surface of the speaker unit 4 embedded within the shoulder belt 3.

[0076] Accommodating Portion of Rucksack Main Body

[0077] FIG. 2 shows the interior of the accommodating portion 21 with a fastener 20, which is at the rear portion of the rucksack main body 2, being open.

[0078] The form (e.g., an accommodating pocket for exclusive use as in the present embodiment), number, positions, and the like of the accommodating portion 21 of the rucksack main body 2 are arbitrary, provided that the acoustic signal generating device 22, which makes the speaker unit 4 a sound source, or devices forming the acoustic signal generating device 22 can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 21 in a state in which they can function.

[0079] The acoustic signal generating device 22 is a device generating acoustic signals for making the speaker unit 4 a sound source. Examples of the acoustic signal generating device 22 are audible signal (audio signal) playback devices of recorded media such as a CD (compact disc) player, a cassette tape player, an MD (mini disc) player, an MP-3 player, or the like; wireless devices such as a wireless receiver (radio receiver), a wireless telephone, or the like; or the like.

[0080] The accommodating portion 21 of the rucksack main body 2 accommodating the acoustic signal generating device 22 is typical, but the accommodating portion 21 may accommodate devices structuring the acoustic signal generating device 22 (e.g., the driving portion).

[0081] The accommodating portion 21 of the rucksack main body 2 may accommodate amplifiers (not shown) or the like, as well as the acoustic signal generating device 22 as described above.

[0082] An unillustrated connector is connected to the other end portions of the wires connected to the speaker units 4, and is disposed at the accommodating portion 21.

[0083] Accordingly, in the accommodating portion 21, the rucksack carrier 30 can connect the accommodated acoustic signal generating device 22 and the speaker units 4.

[0084] Here, an amplifier may be connected to the acoustic signal generating device 22, and the connector of the accommodating portion 21 may be connected to the output terminal of the amplifier. Namely, the device which is connected to the connector of the accommodating portion 21 is not limited to the acoustic signal generating device 22 and the amplifier.

[0085] For example, if the output of an amplifier which is built-in in the acoustic signal generating device 22 is great, the acoustic signal generating device 22 and the connector of the accommodating portion 21 may be directly connected. If the output of an amplifier which is built-in in the acoustic signal generating device 22 is small, the acoustic signal generating device 22 may be connected to the connector via a separate amplifier.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the acoustic signal generating device 22 accommodated in the accommodating portion 21 is connected to the connector via an amplifier.

[0087] Note that the acoustic signal generating device 22 is connected by another connector to a wire connected to a remote controller 11 which operates the acoustic signal generating device 22.

[0088] The accommodating portion 21 of the rucksack main body 2 can be provided at either the interior or the exterior of the rucksack main body 2. If the accommodating portion 21 is an exclusive-use accommodating pocket or the like whose opening portion can be opened and closed by an opening/closing device such as a fastener or the like, convenience for the rucksack carrier 30 is ensured.

[0089] Further, it is preferable to provide at the rucksack main body 2 accommodating portions (in particular, accommodating pockets for exclusive use or the like), which accommodate individually or by classification or all together, the equipment of the acoustic signal generating device 22, for example, the recording medium (e.g., a CD, an MD, a semiconductor memory, a cassette tape or the like), the main and spare batteries, and the like.

[0090] Accommodating portions, in which the equipment is accommodated individually or classified by type, are preferably provided at positions which are suitable in terms of the convenience and ergonomics of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0091] The accommodating portions of the equipment may be provided either at the interior or the exterior of the rucksack main body 2. However, the accommodating portions for equipment having a high frequency of use are preferably provided at the exterior of the rucksack main body 2.

[0092] Shoulder Belt

[0093] From the standpoint of convenience of operation of the acoustic signal generating device 22, the shoulder belt 3 is preferably provided with a mechanism which accommodates or holds control instruments such as, for example, a power switch, a volume controller of the acoustic signal generating device 22, a remote controller, and the like.

[0094] A mechanism for accommodating the control instruments may be, for example, an exclusive-use pocket or the like which accommodates the remote controller 11 when the remote controller 11 is not being used.

[0095] A mechanism for holding the control instruments may be, for example, an anchoring member, such as a belt or a clip or the like, which can anchor the remote controller 11.

[0096] Mechanisms for accommodating or holding instruments other than the control instruments, e.g., a microphone connected to a wireless device such as a cellular phone or a transceiver or the like, may also be provided at the shoulder belt 3.

[0097] A mechanism for accommodating a microphone may be, for example, an exclusive-use pocket or the like which accommodates the microphone when the microphone is not being used.

[0098] A mechanism for holding a microphone may be, for example, an anchoring hardware, such as a belt or a clip or the like, which can anchor the microphone.

[0099] Note that plural types of the acoustic signal generating device 22 may be accommodated in the accommodating portion 21.

[0100] In a case in which plural types of the acoustic signal generating device 22 are accommodated and each acoustic signal generating device 22 has a respective remote controller, it is preferable to ensure the convenience of operation by the rucksack carrier 30 by disposing the remote controllers individually or grouped together at the shoulder belt 3.

[0101] Further, the shoulder belt 3 can be used as a mechanism in which the wires and the like, which connect the acoustic signal generator 22 and the other devices, are built-in or the like, so as to accommodate the wires.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the wires which connect the speaker units 4 and the connector provided at the accommodating portion 21 are built-in into the shoulder belt 3 so as to not be able to be seen from the exterior.

[0103] Note that the number, the arrangement, and the forms of the accommodating portions provided at the rucksack main body 2 and the shoulder belt 3 are arbitrary, provided that the convenience of the use and the like for the rucksack carrier 30 is ensured.

[0104] Operation of the Rucksack of the Present Embodiment

[0105] At the rucksack main body 2 of the rucksack 1 shown in FIG. 1, the lengths of straps 5 provided at the shoulder belt 3 and straps 6 for fixing which extend from the bottom, are adjusted by communicating hardware 7. The shoulder belt 3 is fastened tightly in the lengthwise direction to the front surface of the body of the rucksack carrier 30, and is carried on the back of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0106] The portions of the shoulder belt 3 around the waist can be tightly fastened to the waist of the rucksack carrier 30 by fastening a waist strap 8 by a buckle 9.

[0107] By adjusting the length of an inclined strap 10 at the front surface of the body of the rucksack carrier 30, the shoulder belt 3 can be fastened tightly to the front surface of the body of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0108] Accordingly, the rucksack carrier 30 can put the rucksack 1 on his/her body, and can use the rucksack 1 for various activities out in the open air and in cities.

[0109] Note that the shoulder belt 3 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 is not provided with an accommodating portion for control instruments such as the remote controller 11 and the like.

[0110] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a state in which the rucksack carrier 30 has tightly fastened the shoulder belt 3 to his/her entire body and carries the rucksack main body 2 on his/her back.

[0111] The rucksack carrier 30 of FIGS. 3 and 4 listens, with both ears, to the sounds of the plane waves (refer to the arrows in FIG. 4) which directly advance upwardly from the speaker units 4 disposed at regions directly beneath the both ears. At the same time, the rucksack carrier 30 listens, with both ears, to ambient noise which advances or is propagated from the lateral directions, the front and back directions, and the like.

[0112] Accordingly, even if the rucksack carrier 30 is walking on a city street where there is much ambient noise, the rucksack carrier 30 can hear traffic signals such as audible traffic signals and the like needed for navigation through the city, and can also hear desired music or the like.

[0113] In particular, the speaker units 4 are disposed at positions near the ears of the rucksack carrier 30, and output plane waves having an excellent ability to advance straight forward and having less attenuation. Thus, sounds from the speaker units 4 can be heard clearly even without raising the volume. Therefore, even if noise is caused by air flowing past the ears of the rucksack carrier 30 when the carrier 30 is moving at a high speed, for example, when skiing, riding a bicycle or the like, the sounds from the speaker units 4 can be heard clearly by the rucksack carrier 30.

[0114] Further, the speaker unit 4 of the present embodiment is equipped with the diaphragm 54 which is planar. Thus, the speaker unit 4 can be formed to be thinner than speaker units of other structures such as conical speaker units or the like, and can easily be embedded even in the shoulder belt 3 which is relatively thin.

[0115] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the ability of the plane waves (including the composite plane wave) to advance straight forward.

[0116] The main part of the sound flux by the plane waves is a sound flux main body 64 (the portion marked by the diagonal lines in FIG. 8). However, diffusion regions 66, in which the sound waves spread outwardly, are substantially generated. Here, the diffusion region is a region in which the drop in sound pressure with respect to the sound pressure measured on a perpendicular line HL of the diaphragm 54 is 3 dB or less. Note that the sound pressure is measured at a constant distance from the sound generating region.

[0117] If an angle &agr; (the angle with respect to the perpendicular line HL of the diaphragm 54) of the diffusion region 66 of plane waves is large, it is difficult to create a sound field which can be heard clearly.

[0118] Although the angle &agr; of the diffusion region 66 is difficult to define by an exact numerical value, an angle of 30° or less (and preferably 25° or less) is suitable.

[0119] There are no constraints on the number, the arrangement, and the like of the speaker units 4, provided that radiation of plane waves toward the ears or the vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier 30 is possible.

[0120] Further, the speaker units 4 may be disposed at the shoulder belt 3 such that plane waves are radiated in a direction other than toward the ears or the vicinities of the ears, e.g., toward the front of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0121] Further, the number, the arrangement, and the configuration of the coils 62 is not limited to those described above, provided that the speaker unit 4 can generate plane waves.

[0122] At the speaker unit 4, the respective coils 62 may be made to be electrically independent, and different electric signals may be applied to the respective coils 62. In this way, different sounds can be radiated from the respective coils 62 of the diaphragm 54.

[0123] For example, one speaker unit 4 may be disposed behind the neck of the rucksack carrier 30, and may be configured such that the plane wave radiating surface thereof is directed toward the both ears of the rucksack carrier 30 (i.e., in two directions). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, by bending or the like an elongated speaker unit 4, effects which are the same as those achieved by using two speaker units 4 can be achieved by one speaker unit 4.

[0124] Note that the arrows in FIG. 9 show the directions of radiation of the plane waves.

[0125] The speaker unit 4 is not limited to the above-described structure, and known speakers which radiate plane waves may be used. Or, a speaker having a new structure which outputs plane waves may be designed, manufactured, and used.

[0126] When the rucksack 1 is used, the speaker units 4 are typically provided so as to be fixed at predetermined positions so that the plane waves are radiated toward the ears or vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier 30. However, the speaker units 4 may be provided so as to be detachable or movable with respect to the rucksack 1, and can be fixed at predetermined positions when the rucksack is used.

[0127] The rucksack 1, at which the speaker units 4 are provided so as to be movable, is illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0128] Speaker accommodating members 70 are provided slidably at the shoulder belts 3.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 11, the speaker accommodating member 70 is equipped with a main body 72 made of fabric and in which the speaker unit 4 is built-in, and a belt 74 made of fabric which is provided integrally with the main body 72.

[0130] The belt 74 has a first belt member 74A extending from one end side of the main body 72, and a second belt member 74B extending from the other end side of the main body 72. Note that a portion of the second belt member 74B overlaps on the first belt member 74A.

[0131] A vicinity of the distal end of the first belt member 74A is folded-over and sewed to the intermediate portion of the second belt member 74B. The shoulder belt 3 is inserted through the region between the main body 72 and the belt 74.

[0132] Further, Velcro tapes 76 (surface fasteners) are attached to a portion of the outer side surface of the first belt member 74A and a portion of the inner side surface of the second belt member 74B. When the Velcro tapes 76 are separated from one another, the belt 74 is loosened, and the speaker accommodating member 70 can be easily moved along the shoulder belt 3.

[0133] When the second belt member 74B is pulled in the direction of arrow A and fastens the belt 74 and the Velcro tapes 76 are adhered together, the speaker accommodating member 70 is fixed to the shoulder belt 3.

[0134] A speaker fixing member 78 is embedded in the main body 72. The material of the speaker fixing member 78 is, for example, urethane foam, synthetic resin, rubber, or the like. The material is not particularly limited provided that the speaker fixing member 78 can fix the speaker unit 4.

[0135] A spot facing 80 is formed at the speaker fixing member 78. The speaker unit 4 is mounted to this spot facing 80.

[0136] Further, a punch metal plate 82, for preventing leakage of magnetism and for protecting the diaphragm 54, is disposed at the main body 72 at the front surface side of the speaker unit 4 at a constant distance from the diaphragm 54. A net 84, which is for preventing the entry of sand and dust, is disposed at the front surface side of the punch metal plate 82.

[0137] Cases can be conceived of in which the speaker units 4 are not oriented toward the ears or the vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier 30, depending on the body type of the rucksack carrier 30 or the positions of the rucksack main body 2 and the shoulder belts 3. However, as shown in FIG. 10, because the positions of the speaker accommodating members 70 along the shoulder belts 3 can be changed, the speaker units 4 can be directed toward the ears or vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0138] Further, the speaker accommodating members 70 can be disposed at the front side of the rucksack carrier 30, and the plane waves from the speaker units 4 can be radiated toward the region in front of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0139] For example, if a microphone and an amplifier are connected to the speaker units 4, they can be used as a loudspeaker.

[0140] The rucksack 1 of another form in which the speaker units 4 are movable is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0141] Structures which are the same as those of the rucksack 1 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

[0142] A rail 86, which has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and which is formed from a synthetic resin or the like, is embedded in the shoulder belt 3 of FIG. 12 along the longitudinal direction of the shoulder belt 3.

[0143] A slider member 88, having a substantially T-shaped cross-section, is fit-together with the rail 86 so as to be freely slidable.

[0144] The main body 72 of the speaker accommodating member 70 shown in FIG. 11 (but without the belt 74) is mounted to the slider member 88 via a plate member 90.

[0145] The Velcro tapes 76 (surface fasteners) are attached to the slider member 88 and to the shoulder belt 3. When the Velcro tapes 76 are separated from one another, the main body 72, in which the speaker unit 4 is built-in, can be easily moved along the shoulder belt 3.

[0146] Further, when the Velcro tapes 76 are adhered to one another, the main body 72, in which the speaker unit 4 is built-in, is fixed to the shoulder belt 3.

[0147] The rucksack 1 of another form provided with active sub-woofers 92 at the waist strap 8, is illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 14, the active sub-woofer 92 is formed by the speaker unit 94, and an unillustrated amplifier and an unillustrated separate power source (batteries).

[0149] A diaphragm 96 of a speaker unit 94 used in the active subwoofer 92 has a larger area than that of the diaphragm 54 of the speaker unit 4 provided at the shoulder belt 3, and has an excellent ability to reproduce low tones.

[0150] A low-pass filter (not shown), through which only acoustic signals of a low region can pass, is provided between the acoustic signal generator 22 and the amplifier of the active sub-woofer 92, or between the amplifier and the speaker unit 94.

[0151] By adding such active sub-woofers 92, music can be enjoyed even more pleasurably.

[0152] Here, an example is given in which the active sub-woofers 92 are provided at the waist strap 8. However, the present invention is not limited to the same, and the active sub-woofers 92 may be provided at the shoulder belts 3, the rucksack main body 2, or other members forming the rucksack 1.

[0153] Rucksack

[0154] The word “rucksack” means “a bag to be carried on the back for holding food or equipment”, and is derived from the German word Rücken for “back” and the German word for bag.

[0155] All structures in which an accommodating main body is carried on the back by belts for shouldering are to be treated as falling in the scope of rucksacks, even though they may be called by other names.

[0156] The “rucksack” of the present invention is used in the broader sense of the word (i.e., means all structures in which an accommodating main body is carried on the back by belts for shouldering), and is used in the sense of encompassing all meanings including rucksacks, rucks, sacks, backpacks, daypacks, knapsacks, attack packs, and the like.

[0157] There are no limitations on the size, the form and the like of the rucksack of the present invention. It suffices for the rucksack to have the function of being able to accommodate the acoustic signal generating device 22 and to have the function of accommodating and carrying goods.

[0158] Note that the rucksack of the present invention encompasses diverse concrete examples other than those described above. Several other examples are as follows.

[0159] (a) The speaker units 4 may be disposed at an incline at the shoulder belt 3, and radiate plane waves to vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier 30 from below at an incline.

[0160] (b) Shoulder pads may be incorporated into the shoulder belt 3.

[0161] (c) The shoulder belt 3 may be structured such that the regions at which the speaker units 4 are disposed have the ability to retain their form (e.g., have the form retainability of a hard plastic molded product), and the speaker units 4 are positioned correctly with respect to the ears of the rucksack carrier 30.

[0162] (d) The width of the shoulder belt 3 may be either wide or narrow.

[0163] (e) The rucksack main body 2 and the shoulder belt 3 may be formed from materials other than water-resistant cloth materials.

[0164] (f) The fundamental article accommodating mechanism of the rucksack main body 2 may have an arbitrary accommodating region.

[0165] (g) A portion, or the majority, of the rucksack main body 2 may be formed of a material other than cloth, for example, may be formed as the molded product of a light-weight, hard material (e.g., a plastic molded body, FRP, a metal molded body, or the like).

[0166] Note that improvements on the present invention and partial changes and additions to the present invention are arbitrary and fall within the scope of the present invention, provided that the objects of the present invention are achieved and the effects of the present invention are not deteriorated.

[0167] In accordance with the rucksack of the present invention, various effects, such as those of following (i) through (vi), are obtained.

[0168] (i) The rucksack carrier can clearly hear the sounds of the speaker in a natural state without using headphones or the like, and can clearly and naturally hear, in the same sound field, ambient noise of the surroundings.

[0169] (ii) The value of use of the rucksack, which is used in various outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, and the like, markedly improves.

[0170] (iii) The value of use of the rucksack, which is used in the city where the amount of traffic and noise are extreme, markedly improves.

[0171] (iv) Even if noise is caused by air flowing past the ears of the carrier when the carrier is skiing or riding a bicycle or the like and moving at a high speed, the sound from the speaker can be clearly heard.

[0172] (v) A rucksack to which a new acoustic function is added can be obtained without limiting the structure, form, or the like of the rucksack.

[0173] (vi) The fundamental function of the rucksack (i.e., the function of accommodating objects and the like) is maintained, and the applications of the rucksack can be diversified.

[0174] In the rucksack of the present invention, because the speaker is a planar speaker having a planar diaphragm, the speaker can be easily embedded even in a thin shoulder belt. Further, sounds can be clearly transmitted to the ears of the rucksack carrier without raising the sound volume.

[0175] Further, because the positions of the speakers can be adjusted, the speakers can be directed toward the ears of or the vicinities of the ears of the rucksack carrier, regardless of the body type of the rucksack carrier or the position at which the rucksack is carried.

[0176] Moreover, sounds of lower frequencies which cannot be reproduced by the speakers at the shoulder belt can be heard.

[0177] In addition, the operability of control instruments and/or a microphone is improved.

Claims

1. A rucksack of a structure in which a rucksack main body is carried on a back by a shoulder belt, the rucksack comprising:

a speaker provided at the shoulder belt, the speaker making outputted sounds reach an ear of a rucksack carrier; and

an accommodating portion provided at at least one of the rucksack main body and a rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body, the accommodating portion accommodating an acoustic signal generating device connected to the speaker.

2. The rucksack of claim 1, wherein the speaker is a planar speaker having a planar diaphragm.

3. The rucksack of claim 1, wherein the speaker is provided so as to be movable along the shoulder belt.

4. The rucksack of claim 2, wherein the speaker is provided so as to be movable along the shoulder belt.

5. The rucksack of claim 1, wherein a speaker for low tones, which has a diaphragm having an area larger than an area of a diaphragm of the speaker provided at the shoulder belt, is provided at at least one of the rucksack main body, the shoulder belt, and the rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body.

6. The rucksack of claim 2, wherein a speaker for low tones, which has a diaphragm having an area larger than an area of a diaphragm of the speaker provided at the shoulder belt, is provided at at least one of the rucksack main body, the shoulder belt, and the rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body.

7. The rucksack of claim 3, wherein a speaker for low tones, which has a diaphragm having an area larger than an area of a diaphragm of the speaker provided at the shoulder belt, is provided at at least one of the rucksack main body, the shoulder belt, and the rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body.

8. The rucksack of claim 4, wherein a speaker for low tones, which has a diaphragm having an area larger than an area of a diaphragm of the speaker provided at the shoulder belt, is provided at at least one of the rucksack main body, the shoulder belt, and the rucksack structural member connected to the rucksack main body.

9. The rucksack of claim 3, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device.

10. The rucksack of claim 4, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device.

11. The rucksack of claim 5, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device.

12. The rucksack of claim 6, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device.

13. The rucksack of claim 7, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device.

14. The rucksack of claim 8, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a control instrument of the acoustic signal generating device.

15. The rucksack of claim 11, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a microphone.

16. The rucksack of claim 12, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a microphone.

17. The rucksack of claim 13, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a microphone.

18. The rucksack of claim 14, wherein the shoulder belt has a mechanism for one of accommodating and holding a microphone.