CLOTHING ARTICLE FOR SUPPORTING A BACKPACK

Abstract

An article of backpacking clothing and a backpacking clothing system includes a garment having an outer side and an inner side, where a discrete fixing region is affixed to the inner and outer clothing side, or to an outer clothing side, in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/025,506, filed on Feb. 1, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to clothing, and more particularly to clothing having a region in an area corresponding to a wearer's lumbar area that facilitates supporting a backpack.

b. Background Art

A backpacker endeavoring on a backpacking trip will wear various articles of clothing, such as rain gear, insulated jackets and pants, wind-resistant garments, and other outdoor active wear. Some of these clothing articles may be constructed of slippery fabrics such as nylon, polyester, or coated fabrics.

Backpacks are designed to carry weight on a wearer's hip girdle, i.e., the top of a wearer's hip shelf, so that the weight of the backpack is transferred to the backpacker's legs and not their back. To effectively transfer backpack weight to the legs, the backpack itself rests against the wearer's lumbar region and the backpack belt rests on the wearer's hips. Backpack shoulder straps may act to balance backpack weight as opposed to transferring weight to the backpacker's shoulders. A problem commonly encountered when backpacking is a backpack will slip below the wearer's lumbar region resulting in incorrect backpack weight positioning on the wearer's body. This problem may be the result of the backpacker wearing clothing articles made of the slippery fabric, such as those described above. The slippery fabric causes the backpack to slip due to the lack of or reduced amount of friction between the region of backpack resting against the wearer's lumbar region and the wearer's clothing in the area corresponding to the wearer's lumbar region. Backpack slippage can cause discomfort, inefficiencies in weight loading and balancing, and injuries such as back, shoulder and neck injuries.

As a result, there is a need in the art to provide a way to reduce backpack slippage in order to correctly distribute backpack weight to a user's hip girdle and to help avoid inefficient weight distribution, and backpack-related injuries.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is an article of backpacking clothing that includes an outer side and an inner side, where each of the outer side and the inner side have a discrete fixing region in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area.

In another embodiment, an article of backpacking clothing includes an outer side and an inner side, where the outer side has a discrete fixing region in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area, and where the inner side has an affixing apparatus for affixing the backpacking clothing to another article of clothing.

In some embodiments, an article of clothing for use in conjunction with a backpack includes: a clothing article having a front and back, where the back has an outer side and an inner side; and a first fixing region coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region coupled to the back inner side, where the first and second fixing regions are configured to couple via friction with other clothing articles, other fixing regions disposed on clothing articles or with weight bearing regions of backpacks.

A backpacking clothing system, according to some embodiments, includes a first clothing article having a front and back, the back having an outer side and an inner side, where a first fixing region is coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region is coupled to the back inner side; a second clothing article having a front and back, the back having an outer side and an inner side, where a first fixing region is coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region is coupled to the back inner side; where the fixing region on the outer side of the first clothing article is configured to couple with the fixing region on the inner side of the second clothing article; where the fixing region on the inner side of the first clothing article is configured to couple via friction with other clothing; and where the fixing region on the outer side of the second clothing article is configured to couple with weight bearing regions of backpacks.

In another embodiment, an article of backpacking clothing includes an outer side and an inner side, with the outer side including a discrete fixing region in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area.

A backpacking clothing system, according to a further embodiment, includes a first clothing article having a front and back, with the back having an outer side and an inner side, and a fixing region coupled to the back outer side; a second clothing article having a front and back, the back having an outer side and an inner side, where a first fixing region is coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region is coupled to the back inner side; where the fixing region on the outer side of the first clothing article is configured to couple with the fixing region on the inner side of the second clothing article; and where the fixing region on the outer side of the second clothing article is configured to couple with weight bearing regions of backpacks.

While multiple embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following disclosure, the invention is capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B are illustrations of back and side views of a backpack.

FIGS. 2A-H are illustrations of clothing having fixing regions in an area corresponding to a wearer's lumbar area.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a profile of a user wearing a parka, shirt and pants with their respective fixing regions corresponding to the lumbar region of a user's body.

FIGS. 4A-F depict certain configurations of a fixing patch.

FIGS. 5A-B depict alternative configurations of a fixing patch.

FIGS. 6A-B depict configurations of fixing regions.

FIGS. 7A-D are illustrations of clothing having a fixing region in an area corresponding to a wearer's lumbar area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide clothing garments for facilitating the support and positioning of a backpack on a user's back, particularly in the lumbar region of a user's back. Clothing for use with backpacks, according to the present invention, is more fully described herein with reference to the figures.

FIGS. 1A-B are illustrations of a back and side view of a backpack 10 used for backpacking and camping trips having a weight bearing region (R_wb). The R_wb area of backpack 10, when properly positioned on the body, rests against a backpacker's lumbar area. As a result, the weight of backpack 10 is transferred to the backpacker's hip girdle and legs. The present invention provides clothing for use in conjunction with backpacks in an area of the clothing corresponding where the backpack contacts the user, in the user's lumbar area and R_wb of the backpack.

Clothing garments disclosed herein include discrete fixing regions capable of supporting and/or securing backpacks or other items resting against a user's back as well as interlocking with other discrete fixing regions disposed on adjacent clothing. In certain embodiments, discrete fixing regions are on both an inner and an outer back side of a garment. In alternative embodiments, discrete fixing regions may be affixed to an outer back side of a garment. In further embodiments, additional discrete fixing regions may be arranged on the garment, for example, in a shoulder, hip, or waist portion of a garment.

According to the present invention, a fixing region may be composed of various tacky, adhesive and/or gummy materials, which facilitates supporting, securing and/or interlocking with other fixing regions, clothing or a backpack. In particular, the interface between the fixing region and a clothing article, a backpack or another fixing region results in frictional, traction, adhesive, and/or compression forces, that facilitates maintaining a desired position of a backpack. In certain embodiments, a tacky fixing region may have grip-like properties when interfaced with another material. In addition or alternatively, a fixing region that has adhesive properties may adhere slightly with another material. In further embodiments, a fixing material that is gummy may adhere to another material when compressed, for example.

FIGS. 2A-H are illustrations of clothing articles having discrete fixing regions on the back and front of the article in an area corresponding to a wearer's lumbar area. Fixing regions adhere to one another, to a user's clothing or skin, and/or to a backpack, and support or secure R_wb of a backpack in its desired position.

In FIGS. 2A-B, a parka or coat 210 includes fixing region 215 on a back lower portion of the outside of parka 210 (FIG. 2A) and a fixing region 220 on the back lower portion of the inside of parka 210 (FIG. 2B), i.e., the back inside portion is viewable when looking at the front of the clothing article if the clothing article is open like in FIG. 2B. Inner and outer fixing region 215 and 220 may be joined or spaced apart on parka 210 or another garment. When the regions are spaced apart, the structure of the coat or other garment may be constructed so as to limit shear motion in order to reduce shear stress on the garment and user.

In FIGS. 2C-D, a shirt or base layer 230 includes a fixing region 235 on the back lower portion of the outside of shirt 230 (FIG. 2C) and a fixing region 240 on the back lower portion of the inside of shirt 230 (FIG. 2D).

FIGS. 2E-F illustrate pants 250, which may resemble pants that can be worn over other pants/shorts, i.e., snow pants, or may resemble pants that can be worn against the skin. Pants 250 include a fixing region 255 on the back upper area or top of the outside of pants 250 (FIG. 2E) and a fixing region 260 on the back upper area or top of the inside of pants 250 (FIG. 2F). According to certain embodiments, fixing region 255 and 260 may be a single piece of fixing material folded over a top area of pants 250 and affixed thereto.

FIGS. 2G-H illustrate a first and second embodiment of belt 270, 270′, respectively. In FIG. 2G, belt 270 includes an outer fixing region 275 and an inner fixing region 280. Each of the fixing regions may have a height of a standard belt and a length comparable to the length of fixing regions from adjacent clothing articles such as parka 210, shirt 230 and/or pants 250. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2H, belt 270′ includes an outer fixing region 275′ and an inner fixing region 280′ (not shown) with a larger overall surface area compared to fixing regions 275 and 280. According to FIG. 2H, inner and/or outer fixing regions 275′ and 280′ have a size and shape similar to one or more of fixing regions 215, 220, 235, 240, 255 and 260. For example, belt 270′ may be constructed with a tall back portion, resembling a weight belt with a reinforced back, and the fixing regions may be coupled to the belt inner and outer side in the tall back portion. This provides belt fixing regions that resemble fixing regions of adjacent clothing articles in order to maintain a desired backpack position. In certain embodiments, fixing regions 275′ and 280′ may have a locking and unlocking mechanism so that the fixing regions may be collapsed allowing the fixing regions to pass through belt loops and locked when belt 270′ is in a desired position.

Parka 210, shirt 230, pants 250 and belt 270 are configured so that, when worn by a user, fixing regions 215, 220, 235, 240, 255, 260, 275, 280 align horizontally and are positioned on a lower back portion of the clothing so that the fixing regions 215, 220, 235, 240, 255, 260, 275, 280 correspond to a user's lumbar region. Horizontally aligned means that when more than one fixing region is used, at least a portion of each adjacent fixing region overlaps the other.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a profile of a user wearing a parka 210, shirt 230 and pants 250 with their respective fixing regions 215, 220, 235, 240, 255, 260 corresponding to the lumbar region “L” of a user's body.

In FIG. 3, fixing region 215 interfaces with R_wb of backpack 10. Fixing region 215 is configured for engaging with R_wb of any backpack, regardless of whether the backpack is treated with a fixing material in the R_wb area. Generally, fixing region 215 is positioned on a clothing article corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area and may prevent pack slip-down.

In addition, certain other of the fixing regions, i.e., fixing regions 220, 235, 240, 255 in FIG. 3, interlock with a facing fixing region from another clothing article so that, for example, fixing region 220 of parka 210 interlocks with fixing region 235 of shirt 230. Similarly, fixing region 240 of shirt 230 interlocks with fixing region 255 of pants 250. Fixing region 260 of pants 250 may rest against a wearer's belt, pants, underwear, or skin (not shown) in the wearer's lumbar area.

When a backpacker wears parka 210, shirt 230 pants 250 and backpack 10, R_wb of backpack 10 rests against fixing region 215 of parka, which is generally horizontally aligned with the other fixing regions 220, 235, 240, 255 and 260. The combination of the support provided to backpack 10 in R_wb by fixing region 215, along with the interlocking mechanisms of the other fixing regions up to a backpacker's belt, pants or skin, helps maintain the proper positioning of backpack 10 on a backpacker's body. Furthermore, according to certain implementations, fixing regions 215, 220, 235, 240, 255 and 260 may be compressible and lock tightly together when compressed against one another, for example by the weight of backpack 10 in the R_wb.

In a further embodiment, a user may wear belt 270/270′ alone or in combination with parka 210, shirt 230 and/or pants 250. For example, a user may wear a belt 270 or 270′ on conventional pants along with parka 210. In this example, parka 210 inner fixing region 220 interfaces with an outer fixing region 275/275′ of belt 270/270′, and belt 270/270′ inner fixing region 280/280′ interfaces with conventional pants.

In alternative embodiments, clothing articles may include a fixing region on a back outer side only. FIGS. 7A-D depict each of shirt 730 and pants 750 having a single fixing region on a back outer side. In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 7A-D, fixing regions 735 and 755 may be positioned on a back outer portion of the clothing in an area corresponding to R_wb of a backpack and a lumbar region of a user. The back inner portion of the clothing may be free of a fixing region, may have a fixing region covered up, or may have another material affixed thereto that does not serve as a fixing region. Shirt 730 (FIGS. 7A-B) and pants 750 (FIGS. 7C-D) may be worn individually, in combination, or in combination with other clothing including one or more of parka 210, shirt 230, pants 250 and/or belt 270. For example, wearing shirt 730 as a base layer and parka 210 over shirt 730 allows fixing region 735 to interface with the inner fixing region 220 of parka, and the inner side of shirt 730 to rest against a user's skin in the lumbar region as opposed to a fixing region. This may be advantageous, for example, where a fixing region disposed on an inner side of clothing would otherwise cause a person's skin to become damp, e.g., clammy, due to body moisture becoming trapped between skin and the fixing region. In another example, a fixing region may not be provided on an interior of a clothing article because a neighboring piece of clothing facing the interior of the clothing article (e.g., shirt 730) may be made from a fabric that is relatively non-slippery (e.g., cotton) and thus may not need to cooperate with a fixing region for the desired result of supporting a backpack to be achieved. That is, a fixing region provided on a back outside surface of a clothing article that interfaces with a backpack or another article of clothing having a back inner fixing region sufficiently support a backpack.

The fixing regions disposed on various clothing articles in the embodiments described above may be constructed of any material that imparts tackiness, stickiness, adhesion or grip-like properties. According to some embodiments, fixing regions may be formed from materials such as Knew-Tek™ Black Pigskin (HTI-KT-PS-01, manufactured by Harrison Technologies, Inc.), which is a polyurethane coated polyester knit material. Other materials that provide built-in grip and elastomeric properties are silicone polymers/elastomers, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,900, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In further embodiments, the fixing region may be constructed of hook and loop, corduroy, or another gripping textile.

Fixing regions may be affixed to clothing in any manner. In certain implementations, the fixing region is a patch 400 of material affixed to the clothing article. For example, fixing patch 400 having a front fixing side 410, depicted in FIG. 4A, may have a back side having snaps 420 (FIG. 4B), a hook and loop configuration 430 (FIG. 4C), stitching holes 440 (FIG. 4D) or an adhesive backing 450 (FIG. 4E). Snaps 420 on the back of fixing patch 400 may affix to complementary snaps affixed to clothing, or hook and loop configuration 430 may affix to a hook and loop configuration disposed on clothing. The snap or hook and loop regions disposed on clothing for receiving fixing patch may be disposed in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar region. By providing snaps or hook and loop regions on patch 400, a user may remove and/or interchange various types of fixing patches. It will be understood that other constructs may be used to attach the fixing region to a garment in addition to snaps or hook and loops that would provide for removablility and interchangeability of patch 400.

In some configurations, a fixing patch 400 may be sewn on via stitching holes 440 or adhered via an adhesive backing 450 to an area of a clothing article corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar region. In an alternative configuration, fixing patch 400 may have a tacky front side 410 and an affixing mechanism 460, e.g. hook, for securing to a belt “T”.

Fixing patch 400 may be affixed to the back of a clothing article in an area corresponding to a wearer's lumbar region. According to certain embodiments, tacky patches may be affixed to an outer side or portion and an inner side or portion of the clothing article. In further embodiments, the fixing patches may be affixed to each other in addition to being affixed to the clothing article. For example, the fixing patches may be sewn together with the clothing article disposed there between.

In the above-described embodiments, fixing patches may be affixed to clothing during or after manufacture, e.g. retrofitted. According to alternative implementations, a fixing region may be integrally formed with a clothing article during manufacture. FIGS. 5A-B depict clothing article 510 having fixing region 520 formed integrally therewith. In FIG. 5A, fixing region 520 includes a front side 525 and back side 530 constructed of fixing material. Front side 525 may couple with a backpack or with another fixing region disposed on a clothing article. A back side 530 may engage with another fixing region disposed on a clothing article or may rest on a user's pants, belt or skin. In FIG. 5B, clothing article 510 is formed integrally with fixing region 520 and includes a front side 525 for coupling with a backpack or clothing article and a hook 540 for securing to a belt T, for example. In FIG. 5B, clothing article 510 may be cover pants and hook 540 may couple to a wearer's belt T by hooking over the top portion of the belt. Alternatively, hook 540 may couple to pants by hooking over a top portion of the back of the pants.

Fixing regions, according to some implementations, may have alternative forms and may be added to clothing articles in an area corresponding to a typical user's lumbar area during or after manufacture. FIGS. 6A-B depict a portion of clothing article 610 with a fixing region 620 formed thereon. In FIG. 6A, fixing region 620 is formed from tacky thread or yarn 630 that is woven into clothing article 610. Tacky thread or yarn 630 may have a nap, e.g., have a rug-like appearance, or may be closely woven into clothing article 610.

FIG. 6B depicts clothing article 610 with a fixing region 620 formed from a deposited material 640, e.g., sprayed-on or brushed-on when wet, material that, once dry, is characteristically tacky and/or slightly adhesive and/or high friction. In one embodiment, deposited material may be a spray coating containing a traction material, e.g., sand or sand-like material. In another embodiment, a wet material applied to a garment may be embossed when drying, e.g. pebble embossed, which results in a textured fixing region.

In some implementations, fixing regions, whether in patch, woven, sprayed or other form, may have certain shapes or layouts. For example, fixing regions may form an oval, square, rectangular or irregular shape. In addition, fixing regions may be solid, e.g., filled-in with fixing material, or may be a region with fixing (treated) portions and untreated portions. For example a fixing region may comprise a relief or embossed pattern, e.g. interspaced structures (bumps, pyramids, points, waves) surrounded by untreated portions. In a further configuration, a filled-in fixing region may also comprise a relief pattern.

It will be understood that the fixing regions described above may have more, equal or less tackiness relative to other fixing regions. For example, a fixing region configured for gripping to a backpack, as opposed to being configured to couple to another fixing region, may have more tackiness. In certain configurations, fixing regions disposed on the outer side of a clothing article may be configured to optimally secure or support a backpack, while the fixing regions disposed on an inner side of a clothing article may be configured to optimally secure to the outer-facing fixing regions. This configuration may be useful on jackets and shirts. In certain implementations, pants may be configured with an outer side to optimally engage with a backpack or another clothing article, while the inner side, e.g., the side facing a wearer's body, may be configured to optimally engage with a wearer's belt, pants and/or skin.

Additional characteristics may be imparted to a fixing region and may include characteristics such as: abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, weather-resistant, e.g., waterproof and/or windproof, chemical-resistant, e.g., to oils, solvents and chemicals, ozone resistant, low rebound, elastic, absorbent/wicking, antimicrobial, washable/cleanable, treatable, e.g., with a tacky or protecting preparation, removable, foam-like and/or compressible.

It will be understood that other types of clothing may be configured with a fixing region in an area of the clothing corresponding to a user's lumbar area and may include vests, shorts, harnesses, t-shirts, base layers and underwear.

In addition to backpacks, other carrying and transport articles may be used in conjunction with the clothing of the present invention. For example, any bag having a R_wb in a lumbar area of the wearers back may be used in conjunction with the garments of the present invention. In a particular example, a bag attaching around the waist that rests on a wearer's lumbar region may be worn in combination with the clothing of the present invention in order to support and maintain desired positioning of the bag. In another example, a baby carrier having a R_wb in a lumbar area of the wearers back may be supported and the position maintained on a wearer's body when the wearer is outfitted with one or more clothing articles of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An article of backpacking clothing comprising an outer side and an inner side, each of the outer side and the inner side having a discrete fixing region in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area.

2. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the discrete fixing regions comprise a first and second fixing patch, said first fixing patch affixed to the outer side and the second fixing patch affixed to the inner side.

3. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the discrete fixing regions comprise a woven fixing region woven into the outer and inner side.

4. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the discrete fixing regions comprise a deposited fixing region deposited on the outer and the inner side.

5. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the discrete fixing regions are formed integrally with the backpacking clothing.

6. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing is a parka, said parka comprising the inner and outer side fixing region near the bottom portion of the parka.

7. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing is a shirt, said shirt comprising the inner and outer side fixing region near the bottom portion of the shirt.

8. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing is a pair of pants, said pair of pants comprising the inner and outer side fixing region near the upper portion of the pants.

9. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing is a belt, said belt comprising the inner and outer side fixing region covering a portion of the length of the belt.

10. An article of backpacking clothing comprising an outer side and an inner side, wherein the outer side comprises a discrete fixing region in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area, and wherein the inner side comprises an affixing apparatus for affixing the backpacking clothing to another article of clothing.

11. The article of backpacking clothing of claim 10, wherein the affixing apparatus is a hook.

12. An article of clothing for use in conjunction with a backpack comprising:

a clothing article having a front and back, the back comprising an outer side and an inner side; and

a first fixing region coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region coupled to the back inner side, said first and second fixing region configured to couple via friction with other clothing articles, other fixing regions or with weight bearing regions of backpacks.

13. The clothing article of claim 12, wherein the article comprises a coat and the first and second fixing region is coupled to the a lower portion of the back inner side and outer side, the lower portion of the coat corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar region.

14. The clothing article of claim 12, wherein the article comprises a shirt and the first and second fixing region is coupled to the a lower portion of the back inner side and outer side, the lower portion of the shirt corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar region.

15. The clothing article of claim 12, wherein the article comprises pants and the first and second fixing region is coupled to the an upper portion of the back inner side and outer side, the upper portion of the pants corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar region.

16. The clothing article of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first and second fixing region is deposited on the back.

17. The clothing article of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first and second fixing region is integrally formed with the back.

18. A backpacking clothing system comprising:

a first clothing article having a front and back, the back comprising an outer side and an inner side, wherein a first fixing region is coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region is coupled to the back inner side;

a second clothing article having a front and back, the back comprising an outer side and an inner side, wherein a first fixing region is coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region is coupled to the back inner side;

wherein the fixing region on the outer side of the first clothing article is configured to couple with the fixing region on the inner side of the second clothing article;

wherein the fixing region on the inner side of the first clothing article is configured to couple via friction with other clothing; and

wherein the fixing region on the outer side of the second clothing article is configured to couple with weight bearing regions of backpacks.

19. The backpacking clothing system of claim 18, wherein the fixing region on the inner side of the first clothing article is further configured to couple via friction with another clothing article having a fixing region on a back outer side.

20. The backpacking clothing system of claim 18, wherein the fixing regions on the first and second clothing articles are horizontally aligned.

21. The backpacking clothing system of claim 18, wherein the fixing regions on the first and second clothing articles are arranged on a lower back portion.

22. The backpacking clothing system of claim 18, wherein the fixing regions on the first and second clothing articles are arranged on a lumbar region of the back portion.

23. An article of backpacking clothing comprising an outer side and an inner side, the outer side having a discrete fixing region in an area corresponding to a typical wearer's lumbar area.

24. A backpacking clothing system comprising:

a first clothing article having a front and back, the back comprising an outer side and an inner side, wherein a fixing region is coupled to the back outer side;

a second clothing article having a front and back, the back comprising an outer side and an inner side, wherein a first fixing region is coupled to the back outer side and a second fixing region is coupled to the back inner side;

wherein the fixing region on the outer side of the first clothing article is configured to couple with the fixing region on the inner side of the second clothing article; and

wherein the fixing region on the outer side of the second clothing article is configured to couple with weight bearing regions of backpacks.