Adjustable Shoulder Strap Attachment Assemblies
An adjustable shoulder strap attachment assembly is disclosed, as are methods for adjustably attaching shoulder straps to a backpack frame. The backpack frame has a pair of generally vertically-oriented tracks. Each strap has a cam-fastener with at least one dimension greater than the width of one of the tracks. To secure a strap to the backpack frame, the cam-fastener is inserted into the track and rotated into its use position. A desired vertical position of the strap is selected, and the strap is secured by using hook-and-loop fastener between the backpack frame and the strap.
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/183,767, filed Jul. 15, 2011; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/549,289, filed Jul. 13, 2012; and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/856,594, filed Apr. 4, 2013. All of those applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
In general, the invention relates to backpack frames, and to strap systems for backpack frames.
2. Description of Related Art
Shoulder straps are a key element in distributing the load of a backpack to its wearer. In day packs and smaller backpacks without a frame, the shoulder straps may be sewn directly to the backpack at fixed points, although these arrangements usually include buckles and fittings to change the length of the straps.
Backpack frames help to support the load in a backpack and to distribute that load more evenly to the wear's body. Many frames include mechanisms by which shoulder straps can be attached at different heights and positions, in order to accommodate wearers of different builds. In a typical mechanism, a clip is attached to each end of each strap, and the frame provides multiple points to which each clip may be attached.
A more continuously adjustable mechanism for attaching straps would be a help in allowing users of different body sizes to comfortably use a backpack and backpack frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the invention relates to an adjustable strap and frame combination for a backpack. The backpack frame has left and right generally vertically-extending tracks spaced from one another. An expanse of one part of hook-and-loop fastener is provided proximate to the tracks. Left and right straps attach to the backpack frame. Each of the straps includes a cam-fastener and complementary hook-and-loop fastener. The cam-fastener has a projecting portion with at least one dimension greater than a width of one of the tracks, such that the cam-fastener can be pivoted into position to secure the cam-fastener and its connected strap slideably in one of the tracks. The complementary hook-and-loop fastener of the straps is positioned to engage the hook-and-loop fastener of the backpack frame to fix the vertical position of the straps. In some embodiments, the straps include lower portions that connect with a waist belt. The waist belt is adapted to engage lower portions of the backpack frame.
In embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the cam-fastener typically includes a base and a post or neck connected between the base and the projecting portion. The projecting portion may, for example, be a bar with a length greater than a width of one of the tracks.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of adjustably securing backpack straps to a frame. The method comprises engaging a cam-fastener connected to a strap in a generally vertically-extending track or slot of a backpack frame. The method also comprises sliding the engaged cam-fastener along the track so that the strap is in a desired vertical position, and securing the strap in the frame using hook-and-loop fastener.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be set forth below in more detail.
The invention will be described with respect to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the figures, and in which:
Relevant to the process of attaching and adjusting the shoulder straps 12, 14, the frame 10 has two generally vertical tracks 18, 20 that are sloped slightly inwardly as they extend downwardly. The tracks 18, 20 are fully open and go through the thickness of the frame 10. These tracks 18, 20 provide adjustable points of connection to the frame 10 for the two shoulder straps 12, 14, as shown in
As shown in
The process of connecting the straps 12, 14 to the frame 10 is illustrated in the sequential elevational views of
As those of skill in the art will note, the attachment mechanism described above attaches the upper padded shoulder and chest portion 34 of each strap 12, 14 to the frame 10. In order to function successfully as a strap, the straps 12, 14 must also be connected or coupled to the frame 10 at their respective lower edges as well. There are a number of potential ways of doing this. Because the lower portions of the straps 12, 14 are load-bearing but not necessarily body-contacting, they generally do not need to be padded along their entire lengths. For that reason, it is generally sufficient to connect the padded upper portion 34 of each strap 12, 14 to a piece of webbing to act as a lower portion. The webbing 36 (best seen in
If no waist belt 16 is provided, the webbing 36 that serves as the lower portion of the strap 12, 14 may simply terminate by attaching to one of a number of small slots 40 that are provided in the frame 10, or to slots that are specifically provided for that purpose. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the webbing 36 that serves as the lower portion of the straps 12, 14 attaches and is sewn into the waist belt 16. As shown in the exploded view of
While the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, the embodiments are intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting. Modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An adjustable strap and frame combination for a backpack, comprising:
- a backpack frame having left and right generally vertically extending tracks spaced from one another and an expanse of one part of hook-and-loop fastener proximate to the tracks; and
- left and right straps, each of the straps having a cam-fastener, the cam-fastener having a projecting portion with at least one dimension greater than a width of one of the tracks, such that the cam-fastener can be pivoted into position to secure the cam-fastener slideably in one of the tracks, and complementary hook-and-loop fastener positioned to engage the hook-and-loop fastener of the backpack frame to fix the vertical position of the strap.
2. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 1, wherein the cam-fastener is fixedly secured within each of the straps.
3. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 1, wherein the cam-fastener and the complementary hook-and-loop fastener are provided in an upper portion of each of the straps.
4. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 3, wherein the upper portions are padded.
5. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 3, wherein each of the straps further comprises a lower connecting portion connected to the upper portion.
6. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 5, wherein the lower connecting portion comprises webbing.
7. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 6, further comprising a waist belt adapted to be coupled to the backpack frame.
8. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 7, wherein the lower connecting portion of each strap is connected to the waist belt.
9. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 1, each cam-fastener further comprising a base and a neck or post connected between the base and the projecting portion;
- wherein the base secures the cam-fastener to one of the straps.
10. The adjustable strap and frame combination of claim 9, wherein the projecting portion of each cam-fastener comprises a bar with a length greater than the width of one of the tracks.
11. A method of adjustably securing backpack straps to a frame, comprising:
- engaging a cam-fastener connected to a strap in a generally vertically-extending track or slot of a backpack frame;
- if desired, sliding the engaged cam-fastener within the track or slot so that the strap reaches a desired vertical position within the track or slot; and
- securing the strap in the desired vertical position by attaching it using hook-and-loop fastener between the strap and the backpack frame.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching a lower portion of the strap to a waist belt.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting the waist belt to a lower portion of the backpack frame.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said engaging comprises inserting the cam-fastener into the track or slot and rotating the cam-fastener relative to the track or slot such that the cam-fastener cannot be withdrawn from the track or slot.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cam-fastener has a projecting portion with at least one dimension greater than a width of the track or slot.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- releasing the hook-and-loop fastener between the strap and the backpack frame;
- repositioning the strap vertically by sliding the cam-fastener within the slot or track; and
- re-securing the strap by re-engaging the hook-and-loop fastener.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2014
Publication Date: Apr 21, 2016
Inventor: Jason Hairston (Dixon, CA)
Application Number: 14/518,882