BACKPACK STOOL

Abstract

A backpack stool (1) having a frame (8) with legs (9) attached thereto via pivot points (15) that allow a user to easily convert the backpack stool from a backpack for transporting items to a stool with a surface for sitting. To use the backpack stool as a stool, a user simple folds the legs outward from the frame into an extended position and places the ends of the legs on the ground. The user may then sit on the rear surface (3) of the backpack stool where the shoulder straps (7) are normally located. The rear surface of the backpack is preferably reinforced with a webbing (13) or other material located between the frame. To use the backpack stool as a backpack, a user simple folds the legs into a folded position so that the legs are parallel with the frame. The user may then use the shoulder straps to carry the backpack stool on the user's back.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/212,118, filed Apr. 6, 2009. The patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to backpacks, more particularly, a backpack having a frame with pivoting legs attached thereto that allows a user to easily convert the backpack into a stool with a surface for sitting.

Backpacks are commonly used by students, campers, hunters and others to carry and transport items. Users of backpacks commonly find themselves outdoors where there is no place to sit except on the ground. For example, students who are waiting at a bus stop or campers or hunters who have stopped along a hike to rest are commonly left having to choose between standing or sitting on a dirty and/or wet ground. Although, there have been attempts in the past to combine chairs and backpacks, those attempts produced devices that were large, cumbersome and aesthetically unpleasing. In fact, many of the devices found in the prior art are basically folded beach chairs having shoulder straps attached thereto. For these reasons, past devices were not practical for everyday use, such as for a student carrying books and supplies to and from school.

Thus, a need exists for a backpack that can be easily be easily converted into a stool with a surface for sitting while still being light and practical for everyday use.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Patent No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date
7,118,172	Pattison-Sheets	Oct. 10, 2006
6,056,172	Welsh	May 02, 2000
5,927,798	Ahn	Jul. 27, 1999
5,573,155	Sadler	Nov. 12, 1996
5,536,064	MacLean	Jul. 16, 1996
5,527,088	MacLean	Jun. 18, 1996
5,318,342	Hale	Jun. 07, 1994
5,209,381	Jay	May 11, 1993
5,016,792	Jay	May 21, 1991
4,676,548	Bradbury	Jun. 30, 1987
4,487,345	Pierce et al.	Dec. 11, 1984
4,286,739	Silcott et al.	Sep. 01, 1981
5,186,372	Biedenharn, Jr.	Feb. 16, 1993
3,662,932	Kerschner	May 16, 1972

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objects of the present invention are to provide a backpack that can be converted into a stool with a surface for sitting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a backpack stool that is light and easy to carry.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a backpack stool that is practical for everyday use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a backpack stool that has the appearance of a normal backpack while not being used as a stool.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a backpack having a frame with pivoting legs attached thereto that allows a user to easily convert the backpack into a stool with a surface for sitting. The frame is preferably an internal frame located within the backpack. However, the frame may also be an external frame located on the outer surface of the backpack stool. The frame is substantially rectangular in shape and has legs pivotally attached thereto at each corner. To use the backpack stool as a stool, a user simple folds the legs outward from the frame into an extended position and places the ends of the legs on the ground. The user may then sit on the rear surface of the backpack where the shoulder straps are normally located. The rear surface of the backpack is preferably reinforced with a webbing located between the frame or a rigid piece of material located between the frame. To use the backpack stool as a backpack, a user simple folds the legs into a folded position so that the legs are parallel with the frame. The user may then use the shoulder straps to carry the backpack stool on the user's back.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a backpack stool of the present invention having legs in an extended position ;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a frame of the present invention having legs pivotally attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a rear partial cutaway view of a backpack stool of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the backpack stool in a folded position; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the backpack stool in a folded position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1.  backpack stool
2.  front surface
3.  rear surface
4.  side
5.  top
6.  bottom
7.  shoulder strap
8.  frame
9.  leg
10. aperture
11. stop
12. reinforcement means
13. webbing
14. attachment means
15. pivot point

With reference to FIG. 1, a side perspective view of a backpack stool 1 of the present invention having legs in an extended position is shown. The backpack stool has a front surface 2, a rear surface 3, sides 4, a top 5 and a bottom 6. Shoulder straps 7 used for carrying the backpack stool 1 are located on the rear surface 3 of the backpack stool 1. A rigid frame 8, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is located within the backpack stool 1 adjacent to the rear surface 3. The frame 8 is substantially rectangular in shape. Legs 9 are pivotally attached to the frame 8 via pivot points 15 that extend through apertures 10 located on the sides 4 of the backpack stool 1. To use the backpack stool 1 as a seat, a user simply extends the legs 9 outward from the frame 8 into an extended position and places the legs 9 on the ground so the rear surface 3 of the backpack stool 1 is facing upward. Stops 11 located on the frame 8 and extending through the apertures 10 lock the legs 9 in place by preventing the legs 9 from pivoting past a certain predetermined point. The user may then sit on the rear surface 3 of the backpack stool 1.

With reference to FIG. 2, a side perspective view of a frame 8 of the present invention having legs 9 pivotally attached thereto is shown. The frame 8 is substantially rectangular in shape. A reinforcement means 12, such as solid piece of cloth-like material, nylon webbing 13, a flat piece of rigid material, etc., is located between the frame 8 to provide additional support to a user sitting on the rear surface 3 of the backpack stool 1. Stops 11 located on the frame 8 lock the legs 9 in place by preventing the legs 9 from pivoting past a certain predetermined point.

With reference to FIG. 3, a rear partial cutaway view of a backpack stool 1 of the present invention is shown. A rigid frame 8 is located within the backpack stool 1 adjacent to the rear surface 3. The frame 8 is substantially rectangular in shape. Legs 9 are pivotally attached to the frame 8 via pivot points 15 that extend through apertures 10 located on the sides 4 of the backpack stool 1. A reinforcement means 12, such as solid piece of cloth-like material, nylon webbing 13, a flat piece of rigid material, etc., is located between the frame 8 to provide additional support to a user sitting on the rear surface 3 of the backpack stool 1. The frame 8 is preferably an internal frame 8 located within the backpack stool 1. However, the frame 8 may also be an external frame 8 located on the outside of the backpack stool 1. The frame 8 may be secured to the backpack stool 1 by an attachment means 13, such as ties, sewn loops, rivets, etc. Stops 11 located on the frame 8 and extending through the apertures 10 lock the legs 9 in place by preventing the legs 9 from pivoting past a certain predetermined point. The user may then sit on the rear surface 3 of the backpack stool 1.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a front view and a side view of the backpack stool 1 in a folded position, respectively, are shown. Legs 9 are pivotally attached to the frame 8, as previously shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, through apertures 10. Stops 11 located on the frame 8 extend through the apertures 10. To use the backpack stool 1 as a backpack, a user simple folds the legs 9 into a folded position so that the legs 9 are parallel with the frame 8. The user may then use the shoulder straps 7 to carry the backpack stool 1

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A backpack stool comprising:

a backpack having a front surface, a rear surface, sides, a top, a bottom and shoulder straps;

a frame secured to the backpack; and

at least three legs each pivotally attached to said frame via at least one pivot point.

2. The backpack stool of claim 1 wherein:

said frame is secured to the backpack via an attachment means.

3. The backpack stool of claim 1 wherein:

said frame is substantially shaped like a rectangle.

4. The backpack stool of claim 1 wherein:

said frame is an internal frame located within the backpack.

5. The backpack stool of claim 4 further comprising:

at least one aperture located on the backpack through which the at least one pivot point extends.

6. The backpack stool of claim 1 wherein:

said frame is an external frame located outside of the backpack.

7. The backpack stool of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one stop located on the frame for preventing the at least three legs from pivoting past a certain predetermined point.

8. The backpack stool of claim 1 further comprising:

a reinforcement means located between the frame for providing extra support to a user while sitting on the backpack stool.

9. A backpack stool comprising:

a backpack having a front surface, a rear surface, sides, a top, a bottom and shoulder straps;

an internal frame located within the backpack; and

at least three legs each pivotally attached to said frame via at least one pivot point.

10. The backpack stool of claim 9 wherein:

said frame is secured to the backpack via an attachment means.

11. The backpack stool of claim 9 wherein:

said frame is substantially shaped like a rectangle.

12. The backpack stool of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one aperture located on the backpack through which the at least one pivot point extends.

13. The backpack stool of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one stop located on the frame for preventing the at least three legs from pivoting past a certain predetermined point.

14. The backpack stool of claim 9 further comprising:

a reinforcement means located between the frame for providing extra support to a user while sitting on the backpack stool.

15. A backpack stool comprising:

a backpack having a front surface, a rear surface, sides, a top, a bottom and shoulder straps;

an internal frame located within the backpack;

at least three legs each pivotally attached to said frame via at least one pivot point; and

at least one aperture located on the backpack through which the at least one pivot point extends.

16. The backpack stool of claim 15 wherein:

said frame is secured to the backpack via an attachment means.

17. The backpack stool of claim 15 wherein:

said frame is substantially shaped like a rectangle.

18. The backpack stool of claim 15 further comprising:

at least one stop located on the frame for preventing the at least three legs from pivoting past a certain predetermined point.

19. The backpack stool of claim 15 further comprising:

a reinforcement means located between the frame for providing extra support to a user while sitting on the backpack stool.