Backpack exoskeleton
The invention relates to a backpack with a extendable left leg exoskeleton and a extendable right leg exoskeleton which can be extended from the backpack and attached to the appropriate leg of wearer whereby transferring the load of the backpack to the ground surface therefore reducing the weight of the backpack. The backpack exoskeleton also contains a shoulder strap and a waist belt, which also contribute to the load bearing functions of the backpack.
The present invention relates to a backpack, particularly a backpack exoskeleton. The invention relates to a backpack with a extendable left leg exoskeleton and a extendable right leg exoskeleton which can be extended from the backpack and attached to the appropriate leg of wearer whenever desired while wearing the backpack exoskeleton, whereby transferring the load of the backpack to the ground surface therefore reducing the weight of the backpack. The backpack exoskeleton also consists of shoulder straps and a waist belt, which also contribute to the load bearing functions of the backpack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBackpacks have commonly been used in activities like hiking, climbing and military activities to carry various items such as clothing, equipments, weapons and various other items. Typical backpacks consists of a shoulder harness that extends over one or both of the wearer's shoulders in conjunction with a waist belt that wraps around the wearer's waist. The shoulder harness and the waist belt allow the load of the backpack and its contents to be distributed over both the wearer's shoulders and waist only, whereby the total weight of the backpack and its contents are still born by the body of the wearer. Various backpack suspension systems have been developed to shift and redistribute the load from the shoulders to waists to make it feel like the weight of the backpack has been reduced, but in reality the weight has not been reduced but only redistributed and the wearer's body is still bearing the weight of the load. In addition there has been exoskeletons that bear the weight of the load placed on the exoskeleton whereby transferring the weight to the ground, but they are not incorporated into the backpack and are not supported by the backpack. They are independent exoskeletons wherein the load carrying backpack is placed onto the exoskeleton furthermore the independent exoskeletons are bulky units.
Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a backpack with an exoskeleton incorporated into the construction of the backpack whereby the exoskeleton is carried by the backpack and utilized when needed by the wearer of the backpack while wearing the backpack and not hindering the normal movements of the wearer while the exoskeleton is engaged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a backpack, particularly a backpack exoskeleton, which is a combination of a backpack and exoskeleton. The invention relates to a backpack with built-in exoskeleton legs, which transfers most of the weight of the backpack to the ground surface. The wearer of the backpack exoskeleton can engage and disengage the exoskeleton legs when desired while wearing the backpack exoskeleton. The backpack exoskeleton contains two exoskeleton legs, a right exoskeleton leg and a left exoskeleton legs, which can be extended from the backpack exoskeleton and attached to the appropriate legs of the wearer. The exoskeleton legs extend downward along the appropriate outside side of the leg of the wearer mimicking the natural skeletal structure of the human skeleton. The rod straps attach the exoskeleton to the appropriate leg of wearer at points above the knee, below the knee and at the ankles to transfer the weight of the backpack to the ground surface. There are three structures which help direct and transfer the weight of the backpack to the ground surface, which are the shoulder straps, a waist belt and the exoskeleton legs. The shoulder straps aid the wearer by holding the top weight of the backpack closer to the wearer's body and aligning the weight whereby allowing a more efficient transfer of weight to the ground surface.
The waist belt aids in redistributing and aligning the weight over the waist of wearer. The waist belt holds the waist belt unit, a right and a left, which is the site for the origination of the exoskeleton legs appropriately. The waist belt unit contains a waist holder pin, which holds the large waist wheel and the small waist wheel. A waist bridge, a right and a left, attaches to a backpack frame at one end and the other end to a large waist wheel located on the waist belt unit, which directs the weight to the appropriate exoskeleton legs. The exoskeleton backpack can be utilized in an external or internal backpack frame as well as a center or sides frame structures.
The waist bridge is adjustable to allow for the difference in the girth size of many wearers. The waist bridge contains a waist bridge holes for adjustment and a waist pin and a waist loop lock to lock the adjustment in place. The waist bridges attach to a large waist wheel and the large waist wheel allows the wearer mobility of the back to move the backpack back and forth. A small waist wheel connects to the large waist wheel, and attaches to a top rod allowing for mobility of the thigh or top leg of wearer. The large waist wheel and the small waist wheel are joined together and contain bearings to allow for a smooth movement while withstanding the heavy load of the backpack.
A knee unit, a right and a left, is composed of a large knee wheel and a small knee wheel, which are attached whereby allowing the knee unit to move back and forth mimicking the movement of the leg of wearer. The top rod extends downward and attaches to a large knee wheel. The large knee wheel is attached to a small knee wheel. A bottom rod, attaches to the small knee wheel and extend downward and bends producing a arch rod which is inserted under the wearer's shoe whereby coming in contact to the ground. The large and small knee wheel allow for mobility of the lower leg of wearer to mimic the movement of skeletal system of the lower leg. There is a knee wheel stop located on the large knee wheel which aids in the efficient transfer of weight to the ground as well as preventing the bottom rod from rotating too far in the wrong direction whereby preventing the hyperextension of the knee of wearer. The large knee wheel and the small knee wheel are joined together and contain bearings to allow for a smooth movement while withstanding the heavy load of the backpack.
There are rod straps, which attach the exoskeleton to the legs of the wearer. A top rod strap attaches above the knee and a bottom rod strap attaches below the knee whereby bring the top rod of exoskeleton leg close to the body of wearer and transfers the weight more efficiently to the ground surface. An ankle rod strap attaches at the ankle of wearer and keeps the bottom rod of exoskeleton leg close to the body of wearer and maintains the arch rod underneath the shoe of wearer. Also maintaining the bottom rod in the proper position is an arch rod strap, which attaches to the arch rod at one end and the other end protruding out the inner side of shoe and connecting to the ankle rod strap. Another embodiment of the backpack exoskeleton is the insertion of the ankle rod strapless into an arch hole located in the sole of the shoe of wearer. The weight of the backpack is transferred to the ground through the sole of the shoe. Inserting the arch rod within the sole of the shoe give the wearer increased control of the exoskeleton as well as a firm footing when walking or running.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustrations only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the depictions are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Connected to the small left knee wheel 246 is a bottom left rod 200, which extends all the way to the ground and bending underneath the arch of the user's shoe producing an arch rod left 800. An arch rod strap left 506 attaches to the arch rod left 800 and helps it to stay in position underneath the shoe of the user. There is also located on the large left knee wheel 240 a left knee wheel stop 245 which prevents the bottom left rod 200 from rotating too far in the wrong direction whereby preventing the hyperextension of the knee of wearer as well as directing the weight of the backpack to the ground.
The other end of the bottom right rod 180 bends and produces the arch rod right 802, which is connected to the arch rod strap right 406 which contains a right hook and loop fastener 806. The arch rod right 802 positioned underneath the user's shoe and the right hook and loop fastener 806 protrudes out the other side of shoe. The right hook and loop fastener 806 connects in an adjustable manner to a right ankle hook and loop fastener 807 located on an ankle rod strap right 404 as depicted in
The thigh rod left 190 is connected at the other end to the left knee unit composed of bearing rotating elements the large left knee wheel 240 and the small left knee wheel 246, depicted in
The other end of the bottom left rod 200 bends and produces the arch rod left 800, which is connected to the arch rod strap left 506 which contains a left hook and loop fastener 808. The arch rod left 800 positioned underneath the user's shoe and the left hook and loop fastener 808 protrudes out the other side of shoe. The left hook and loop fastener 808 connects in an adjustable manner to a left ankle hook and loop fastener 809 located on an ankle rod strap left 504 as depicted in
The thigh rod right 170 and the bottom rod right 180 are kept close to the body by straps that are adjustably attached to the leg of user. A top rod strap right 400 is attached to the thigh rod right 170 and adjustably attached to the user's thigh and a bottom rod strap right 402 is attached to user's lower leg in an adjustable manner. An ankle rod strap right 404 is also attached to user's lower leg near the ankle to keep the bottom rod right 180 close to the user's body. The straps contain cushions attached to the straps at the position where the rods pass through to obtain a comfortable fit for the user.
The thigh left rod 190 and the bottom left rod 200 are kept close to the body by straps that are adjustably attached to the leg of user. A top rod strap left 500 is attached to the thigh left rod 190 and adjustably attached to the user's thigh and a bottom rod strap left 502 is attached to user's lower leg in an adjustable manner. The ankle rod strap left 504 is also attached to user's lower leg near the ankle to keep the bottom left rod 200 close to the user's body. The straps contain cushions attached to the straps at the position where the rods pass through to obtain a comfortable fit for the user.
Claims
1) A combination backpack and exoskeleton comprising:
- a) a backpack frame;
- b) at least one shoulder belt;
- c) a waist belt;
- d) a backpack load where the weight is carried;
- e) a reducing means to reduce the weight of said backpack load by transferring the weight to the ground.
2) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 1, wherein said reducing means of said backpack load is at least one exoskeleton leg whereby transferring weight to the ground.
3) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 2, wherein said exoskeleton leg includes at least one rod strap, whereby holding said exoskeleton leg close to the wearer's leg.
4) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 3, wherein said exoskeleton leg includes a knee unit comprising a movement means of said knee unit.
5) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 4, further includes a waist belt unit comprising a back movement means of said backpack load.
6) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 5, further includes at least one waist bridge, whereby transferring the weight of said backpack load to said exoskeleton leg.
7) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 6, wherein said knee unit includes a large wheel stop, whereby the weight of said backpack load is transferred efficiently to the ground and preventing hyperextension of the leg.
8) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 7, wherein said waist bridge and said exoskeleton leg has an adjusting means, whereby allowing wearer of different size to use it.
9) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 8, wherein said exoskeleton leg has an arch rod, which travels under the shoe of wearer and transfers the weight to the ground.
10) A combination backpack and exoskeleton of claim 8, wherein said exoskeleton leg has an arch rod strapless which enters an arch hole in the sole of the shoe, whereby transferring weight of said backpack load to the ground through the sole of the shoe.
11) A backpack exoskeleton comprising:
- a) a backpack frame;
- b) at least one shoulder belt;
- c) a backpack load where the weight is carried;
- d) a reducing means to reduce the weight of said backpack load by transferring the weight to the ground.
12) A backpack exoskeleton of claim 11, wherein said reducing means of said backpack load is at least one exoskeleton leg whereby transferring weight to the ground.
13) A backpack exoskeleton of claim 12, wherein said exoskeleton leg includes at least one rod strap, whereby holding said exoskeleton leg close to the wearer's leg.
14) A backpack exoskeleton of claim 13, wherein said exoskeleton leg includes a knee unit comprising a movement means of said knee unit.
15) A backpack exoskeleton of claim 14, further includes at least one waist bridge, whereby transferring the weight of said backpack load to said exoskeleton leg.
16) A backpack exoskeleton of claim 15, wherein said knee unit includes a large wheel stop, whereby the weight of said backpack load is transferred efficiently to the ground and preventing hyperextension of the leg.
17) A backpack exoskeleton of claim 16, wherein said exoskeleton leg has an arch rod, which travels under the shoe of wearer and transfers the weight to the ground.
18) A backpack exoskeleton of claim 11, further includes a waist belt and a waist belt unit comprising a back movement means of said backpack load.
19) A backpack exoskeleton comprising,
- A backpack frame; a backpack load; a waist belt; at least one shoulder strap; a right and left exoskeleton legs to reduce the weight of said backpack load by transferring the weight to the ground;
- A waist belt unit located on said waist belt on the right and left sides comprising a right and left waist holder pin; a right and left small waist wheel; a right and left large waist wheel; a right and left waist holder pin cap;
- a thigh rod right and left by adjustable means attached to said right and left small waist wheel appropriately at one end and the other end by adjustable means attached to a right and left large knee wheel, a part of a right and left knee unit appropriately;
- said right and left keen unit consists of said right and left large knee wheel which is attached by a movement means to a right and left small knee wheel, wherein said right and left large knee wheel consists of a right and left knee stop;
- a right and left bottom rod by adjustable means attaches to said right and left small knee wheel at one end and the other end produces the right and left arch rod;
- a right and left top rod strap, a right and left bottom rod strap, right and left ankle rod strap, and right and left arch rod strap attach the exoskeleton legs to the right and left legs of wearer;
- a right and left waist bridge by adjustable means attach to said right and left large waist wheel at one end and the other end attaches by adjustable means to said backpack frame carrying said backpack load whereby transferring the weight to the exoskeleton legs and then to the ground.
20) A backpack exoskeleton comprising,
- A backpack frame; a backpack load; a waist belt; at least one shoulder strap; a right and left exoskeleton legs to reduce the weight of said backpack load by transferring the weight to the ground;
- A waist belt unit located on said waist belt on the right and left sides comprising a right and left waist holder pin; a right and left small waist wheel; a right and left large waist wheel; a right and left waist holder pin cap;
- wherein said right and left large waist wheel consists of a right and left large waist wheel attachment consisting of a right and left large attachment holes;
- wherein said right and left small waist wheel consists of a right and left small waist wheel attachment consisting of a right and left small attachment holes;
- a thigh rod right and left by adjustable means attached to said right and left small waist wheel appropriately at one end and the other end by adjustable means attached to a right and left large knee wheel, a part of a right and left knee unit appropriately;
- said right and left keen unit consists of said right and left large knee wheel which is attached by a movement means to a right and left small knee wheel consisting of a right and left knee wheel attachment which consists of a right and left knee attachment holes, wherein said right and left large knee wheel consists of a right and left knee stop;
- a right and left bottom rod by adjustable means attaches to said right and left small knee wheel at one end and the other end produces the right and left arch rod;
- a right and left top rod strap, a right and left bottom rod strap, right and left ankle rod strap, and right and left arch rod strap attach the exoskeleton legs to the right and left legs of wearer;
- a right and left waist bridge by adjustable means attach to said right and left large waist wheel at one end and the other end attaches by adjustable means to said backpack frame carrying said backpack load whereby transferring the weight to the exoskeleton legs and then to the ground.
Type: Application
Filed: May 16, 2011
Publication Date: Nov 22, 2012
Inventor: Devaraj Thiruppathi (Columbus, GA)
Application Number: 13/068,612
International Classification: A45C 15/00 (20060101);