Backpack ventilator
A backpack ventilator is described. An embodiment of the present invention includes a portion of mesh fabric that is attached to a conventional fabric and a spring wire perimeter frame is inserted between them. Stretched between various points on the frame is a plurality of springs. The resulting backpack ventilator is secured between a backpack and the wearer. The springs distribute the pressure from the backpack across a wide contact area to increase comfort for the wearer. The backpack ventilator significantly increases airflow ventilation between the wearer and the backpack. As the wearer moves, the frame and springs absorb some of the impact forces that would otherwise be directed towards the wearer. Furthermore, the movement also causes the ventilator to draw air in and out of the mesh fabric thereby reducing heat and sweat buildup.
The invention relates generally to hiking and backpacking equipment, and more particularly to a backpack or backpack add-on device that facilitates ventilation between a wearer and a backpack.
BACKGROUNDBackpacks and other means for helping humans carry loads have been around for thousands of years. In relatively recent times, daypacks, fanny-packs, rucksacks, school book-bags, hunting-packs, and a plethora of like-devices (collectively, backpacks) have appeared on the market. The size, shape, color, carrying-capacity, etc. differ widely among backpacks, but they all have one thing in common: they are designed to be carried in such a way that they are positioned against the wearer's body. For example, common daypacks are designed to be worn against the back with shoulder straps securing the backpack in place. Some daypacks also utilize a waist-belt as well. In either case, the closeness of the backpack to the wearer's body causes heat and sweat to build-up between the backpack and the wearer's body.
Obviously, such excess heat and sweat are uncomfortable for the wearer and can lead to more serious problems such as heat-exhaustion. If the backpack is not waterproof, excess sweat can soak through the pack and adversely affect the contents of the backpack. These problems are especially onerous when a backpack must be worn for extended periods and when walking significant distances.
In order to address some of these issues, a number of existing products have been developed. For example, a number of backpacks utilize specialized pads that are placed between the backpack and the wearer (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,348). Such devices are designed to create pockets of increased airflow between the pads. However, the contact between the pads and the wearer's body still causes heat and sweat buildup—the contact area is focused into a smaller total area, but the pressure exerted by the pack on that area is consequently that much greater.
Another common approach to addressing the excess heat and sweat buildup problems is to utilize internal rods or stiffening supports in a backpack to hold the pack up and off the wearer's body (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,414). However, as with the use of specialized pads discussed above, the rods or supports only serve to decrease the contact surface area and increase the pressure on that area. Furthermore, as the load-weight in the backpack is increased, the focused pressure caused by the pads or rods can become extremely uncomfortable for the wearer.
There is therefore a need for a backpack or backpack add-on that can sufficiently ventilate the contact area in order to reduce the wearer's heat and sweat buildup.
SUMMARYEmbodiments of the present invention described and claimed herein address the foregoing problems by application of a device that ensures adequate ventilation between a backpack and the wearer. Various embodiments are described and recited herein. Although materials and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the invention, suitable materials and methods are described below. Furthermore, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
In one embodiment, a portion of stiff mesh fabric is attached to a like portion of conventional fabric and a spring wire perimeter frame is inserted between them. Stretched between various points on the frame is a plurality of springs. The resulting backpack ventilator is secured between a backpack and the wearer. The springs distribute the pressure from the backpack across a wide contact area to reduce pressure points and increase comfort for the wearer. The mesh fabric and the springs work together to significantly increase airflow ventilation between the wearer and the backpack. Furthermore, the frame can be shaped to more closely match the individual contours of the wearer.
In another embodiment, the backpack ventilator is built into a backpack and is therefore non-removable.
As the wearer walks, hikes, or otherwise moves, the motion of the wearer and the backpack causes the backpack ventilator to flex and move as well. The frame and springs absorb some of the impact forces that would otherwise be directed towards the wearer. Furthermore, the movement also causes the ventilator to draw air in and out of the mesh fabric thereby reducing heat and sweat buildup.
The present invention provides many benefits over the prior art. Compared to a normal backpack having no special ventilation enhancements, the backpack ventilator significantly increases airflow and breathability between the backpack and the wearer. Excess sweat and heat buildup are virtually eliminated. Compared to other enhanced-airflow backpacks, the ventilator has a much larger contact surface area with the wearer, reducing the focused pressure and resultant heat and sweat buildup on the pads or rods used in other enhanced-airflow backpacks. Furthermore, because of the flexing and stress-absorbing nature of the frames and springs, the ventilator is able to flex and move with the wearer to reduce pressure-points and backpack-carrying fatigue.
The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
A backpack ventilator is described. In one embodiment, the backpack ventilator comprises a stand-alone, add-on device that can be attached to a similarly sized and shaped backpack. In another embodiment, the backpack ventilator is integrated into a backpack and together they comprise the entire backpack ventilator system.
In one embodiment, a portion of stiff mesh fabric is attached to a like portion of conventional fabric and a spring wire perimeter frame is inserted between them. Other types of breathable and conventional fabrics are contemplated. Also, the perimeter frame can be constructed using different materials than the spring wire.
Stretched between various points on the frame is a plurality of springs. The springs can be standard metallic coil springs or any other suitable material that provides breathability, cushioning, support, etc. The springs are not necessarily attached to or stretched between points on the frame. Instead, any means of securing the spring materials to the backpack ventilator may be used. Suitable spring materials could include, but are not limited to: plastics, metals, woods, fibers, etc. Suitable spring shapes include, but are not limited to: balls, coil springs, corrugations, honeycombs, etc.
The resulting backpack ventilator is secured between a backpack and the wearer. The springs distribute the pressure from the backpack across a wide contact area to reduce pressure points and increase comfort for the wearer. The mesh fabric and the springs work together to significantly increase airflow ventilation between the wearer and the backpack. Furthermore, the frame can be shaped to more closely match the individual contours of the wearer.
The backpack 170 shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The first fabric 210 is basically flat, having an outer side facing the wearer 105, an inner side facing the interior structure of the ventilator 200, and a thin edge around its perimeter. The first fabric 210 plays a significant part in the functionality by allowing the ventilator 200 to freely circulate air around the contact area between the ventilator 200 and the wearer 105. The first fabric 210 and the second fabric 315 (see
A first top attachment tab 220 is illustrated in
A first bottom attachment tab 240 is illustrated in
In one embodiment, the attachment tabs 220, 230, 240, and 250 are made of light nylon webbing. In another embodiment, shoe-lace type materials are utilized. In yet another embodiment, hook-and-loop materials can be used. Other means of attaching the ventilator 200 to the backpack 170 are contemplated and can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.
It will readily be understood that the various attachment components of this embodiment could be implemented by the use of other equivalent snaps, ties, etc. and that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
The perimeter frame 260 illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The first fabric 310 is a breathable fabric that is placed towards the wearer 105 when the ventilator 300 is properly positioned between the wearer 105 and the backpack 170. The first fabric 310 is shown as a stiff, mesh fabric. In other embodiments, other types of breathable coverings are contemplated. The first fabric 310 is designed to contain the interior structure of the ventilator 300 while being flexible and breathable so as to maximize the comfort of the wearer 105.
The first fabric 310 is basically flat, having an outer side facing the wearer 105, an inner side facing the interior structure of the ventilator 300, and a thin edge around its perimeter. The first fabric 310 plays a significant part in the functionality by allowing the ventilator 300 to freely circulate air around the contact area between the ventilator 300 and the wearer 105. The first fabric 310 and the second fabric 315 are attached to one another around their perimeters forming an envelope containing the interior structure of the ventilator 300. As the second fabric 315 is positioned against the backpack 170, it does not need to be breathable and so can be constructed using conventional fabric or some other suitable material. In an alternate embodiment, the second fabric 315 is also made to be breathable.
A first top attachment tab 320 is illustrated in
A series of small loops 341, 342, 343, 344 and 345 are shown in
It will readily be understood that the various attachment components and series of loops of this embodiment could be implemented by the use of other equivalent snaps, ties, etc. and that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
For a description of the first fabric 410 and the attachment tabs 420, 430, 440, and 450 see the descriptions under
The plurality of springs 465 are stretched between various points on the frame 460. The springs 465 can be standard metallic coil springs or any other suitable material that provides breathability, cushioning, and support. The springs 460 distribute the pressure from the backpack 170 across a wide contact area to reduce pressure points and increase comfort for the wearer 105. The first fabric 410 and the springs 465 work together to significantly increase airflow ventilation between the wearer 105 and the backpack 170.
It will readily be understood that the various springs 465 components of this embodiment could be implemented by the use of other equivalent materials (e.g., plastic springs, pocketed coil springs, a plurality of small balls, a series of corrugations, a structure of honeycombs, etc.) and that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. In one embodiment, the springs 465 and the frame 460 are separate components. In another embodiment, the functionality of the frame 460 is integrated into the springs 465.
Because the embodiment illustrated in
Although not shown in
It will readily be understood that the shape, size, style, contours, and type of backpack 770 shown in this embodiment could be implemented by the use of other equivalent backpacks (e.g., fanny-packs, day-packs, rucksacks, etc.) and that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
A first top attachment tab 820 is illustrated in
A first bottom attachment tab 840 is illustrated in
It will readily be understood that the various attachment components of this embodiment could be implemented by the use of other equivalent snaps, ties, etc. and that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
The descriptions above illustrate exemplary components that can make up an exemplary backpack ventilator. The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims, including those hereinafter appended. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated.
Claims
1. A backpack ventilator, comprising:
- a first fabric having a first shape and a second fabric having a second shape, wherein the first shape is similar to the second shape;
- a frame is placed between the first fabric and the second fabric;
- a plurality of springs is placed between the first fabric and the second fabric;
- the first fabric is attached to the second fabric around a perimeter thereby enclosing the frame and the plurality of springs between the first fabric and the second fabric; and
- wherein a plurality of attachment components are affixed to the perimeter and comprise a means of securing the perimeter to a backpack.
2. The backpack ventilator of claim 1, wherein the first fabric comprises a stiff, mesh fabric.
3. The backpack ventilator of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a spring wire shaped to fit within the perimeter.
4. The backpack ventilator of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a spring wire shaped to fit within the perimeter.
5. The backpack ventilator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
6. The backpack ventilator of claim 2, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
7. The backpack ventilator of claim 3, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
8. The backpack ventilator of claim 4, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
9. The backpack ventilator of claim 1, wherein the frame is integrated into the plurality of springs.
10. The backpack ventilator of claim 4, wherein the plurality of springs are not connected to the frame.
11. A backpack ventilator integrated into a backpack, comprising:
- a fabric having a first shape;
- a backpack panel having a second shape, wherein the first shape is similar to the second shape;
- a backpack is attached to the backpack panel;
- a frame is placed between the fabric and the backpack panel;
- a plurality of springs is placed between the fabric and the backpack panel; and
- wherein the first fabric is attached to the backpack panel around a perimeter thereby enclosing the frame and the plurality of springs between the first fabric and the backpack panel.
12. The backpack ventilator of claim 11, wherein the first fabric comprises a stiff, mesh fabric.
13. The backpack ventilator of claim 11, wherein the frame comprises a spring wire shaped to fit within the perimeter.
14. The backpack ventilator of claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a spring wire shaped to fit within the perimeter.
15. The backpack ventilator of claim 11, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
16. The backpack ventilator of claim 12, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
17. The backpack ventilator of claim 13, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
18. The backpack ventilator of claim 14, wherein the plurality of springs are stretched between and connected to the frame.
19. The backpack ventilator of claim 11, wherein the frame is integrated into the plurality of springs.
20. The backpack ventilator of claim 14, wherein the plurality of springs are not connected to the frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 12, 2008
Publication Date: May 13, 2010
Inventor: Peter Burrowes (Commerce City, CO)
Application Number: 12/291,594
International Classification: A45F 3/04 (20060101); A45F 3/00 (20060101);