Full motion, hip belt to backpack frame attachment system

Abstract

The invention is a system for attaching a hip belt to a backpack frame in a manner that doesn't restrict the motion of the user but effectively carries vertical load. This is accomplished by adding a hip frame attached to the sides of the hip belt and attaching this hip frame at its center to the backpack frame with a slip joint and link. Page 818

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent

Application No.: 62/153,294

Filling Date: Apr. 27, 2015

Name of Applicant: Richard Alan Sellers

Title of Invention: Full motion, Hip Supported, Back Pack and Frame

This current application for a nonprovisional patent is for the same invention as described in the above provisional patent. The title was changed to better reflect the nature of the invention.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, ETC.

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to backpacks and backpack frames. More specifically, the invention is a new system for attaching a hip belt to a backpack frame that allows complete freedom of motion while supporting backpack frame loads on the user's hips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The first backpacks were bags with shoulder straps attached to them. These backpacks offer freedom of movement but poor load carrying capability. Frames (internal or external) were added to distribute load and are sometimes used without a bag to carry odd shaped items. To increase load carrying capability, hip belts where added, but with stiff backpacks and backpack frames, this reduces the freedom of motion of the person carrying the backpack. To improve the load carrying capability of the hip belt, some backpack frames extend forward on the bottom so that the hip belts can be attached to the backpack frames on the sides of the person's body instead of the back. This further increases the resistance to hip rotation. To allow easier rotation of the hips, some backpacks stiffen the hip belt and attach the hip belt to the backpack frame at its back center position with a rotating pin joint capable of carrying moment. While freeing hip rotation, this still restricts twisting and back bending. It is therefore an object of this invention to connect a hip belt to a backpack frame in a simple manner that provides complete freedom of motion while carrying backpack frame loads on the user's hips.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to connect a hip belt to a backpack frame in a simple manner that provides complete freedom of motion while carrying backpack frame loads on the user's hips. This is accomplished by adding a hip frame that is attached to the sides of a hip belt and attaching the hip frame at its center to the backpack frame with a slip joint and link. Besides allowing sliding motion, the slip joint allows rotation in all directions and the link allows rotation in all directions at its ends. This invention allows a user's back to twist and bend and their hips to rotate while their hips support vertical backpack frame loads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back-side perspective view of the ideal model of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a front-side perspective view of an implementation of this invention.

FIG. 3A is a back view of the system implemented in a backpack design.

FIG. 3B is a back view that shows the system allowing the user to rotate their hips.

FIG. 4A is a side view that shows the system implemented in a backpack design.

FIG. 4B is a side view that shows the system allowing the user to bend their back.

FIG. 5A is a top view that shows the system implemented in a backpack design.

FIG. 5B is a top view that shows the system allowing the user to twist their back.

FIG. 6A is a side view free body force diagrams of the system implemented in a backpack design.

FIG. 6B shows the side view free body force diagrams of the individual components.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is new system for attaching a hip belt to a backpack frame that allows complete freedom of motion while supporting the backpack frame loads on the user's hips. An ideal model of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The new components in this invention are hip frame 1, link 2 and slip joint 3. Backpack frame 4 has a minor modification from existing technology (only the modified portion is shown in FIG. 1) and hip belt 5 is existing technology without modification. Hip frame 1 is attached to the sides of hip belt 5. Hip frame 1 is attached to backpack frame 4 by link 2 at its center bottom location and by slip joint 3 at its center top location. An implementation of the invention into a backpack design is shown in FIG. 2.

This invention allows complete freedom of motion while supporting the backpack frame loads on the user's hips. The invention allows user 12's hips to rotate as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B and allows user 12′s back to bend as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. Furthermore, the invention allows user 12 to twist as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

The free body force diagrams of the invention implemented into a backpack design and the free body force diagrams of the individual invention components are shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. The geometry of the system is arranged so that the stabilizing moment created on hip frame 1 by forces R3 and R4 from link 2 and slip joint 3 is larger than the destabilizing moment imparted on hip frame 1 by forces R1 and R2 from hip belt 5 and so keeps the system from collapsing.

Hip frame 1 transfers the load from link 2 to the sides of hip belt 5. Hip frame 1 as shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2 is made from graphite composite material with a foam core, however the hip frame is not limited to this material or configuration.

Link 2 transfers vertical load from backpack frame 4 to hip frame 5. Link 2 as shown in FIG. 1 must simulate a tension rod with spherical bearings on each end that allow free rotation in all directions sufficient to allow hip rotation plus back twisting and bending. Link 2 as shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2 is made of dyneema cord. The flexibility of the cord allows it to simulate a tension rod with spherical bearings. Link 2 is not limited to this material or configuration.

Slip joint 3 is offset from link 2 to provide the moment capability required to keep the system from collapsing and also transfers forward and aft loads to hip frame 1. As shown in FIG. 1, slip joint 3 must simulate a spherical bearing that slides on backpack frame 4′s vertical member. It must allow hip frame 1 to slide up and down and rotate in all directions relative to backpack frame 4 sufficient to allow hip rotation plus back twisting and bending. Slip joint 3 as shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2 is made of two graphite composite rods with plastic rub surfaces, one on each side of backpack frame 4, that are attached to hip frame 1, a plastic rub surface attached to hip frame 1 and a dyneema cord loop through hip frame 1 and around backpack frame 4 to hold the joint together. Slip joint 3 is not limited to these materials or configuration.

Many existing backpack frame designs can be modified for use in implementing this invention. Only the modified portion of backpack frame 4 is shown in FIG. 1. The requirements are that backpack frame 4 in its lower third, have a near vertical section on its center where it interfaces with slip joint 3 and a location below that where link 2 can be attached. Backpack frame 4 as shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2 is made of graphite composite with acetal copolymer rub surfaces where it interfaces with slip joint 3. The interface with link 2 is a graphite composite clip connected by polyester webbing to a polyester webbing pouch which the bottom of backpack frame 4 slides into and to which shoulder straps 7 and 8 are attached. Backpack frame 4 and its attachment provisions for link 2 and slip joint 3 are not limited to these materials or configuration.

Shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2, but not new components in backpack design are hip belt 5, positioning spring 6, shoulder straps 7 and 8, sway straps 9 and 10 and backpack bag 11.

Hip belt 5 is designed to attach on its sides to a frame, in this case hip frame 1. Hip belts like this have been used for over 45 years and are not new to this invention.

Position spring 6 is used to hold the system in place when the hip belt is not in use. It lightly pulls hip frame 1 to its full up position when the hip belt is not fastened on the user, making it easier to put on the backpack.

Sway straps 9 and 10 are common on backpacks and help keep the lower portion of the backpack close to the user and from swinging around while the user moves. When implementing this invention in a complete backpack design, the sway straps are mounted up higher on the backpack and attach to shoulder straps 7 and 8 instead of the hip belt. This allows the backpack to move with the user's upper body.

Although the implementation of the invention as show in FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of the ideal model of this invention show in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hip belt to backpack frame mounting system comprising:

a backpack frame with or without a backpack bag that has a near vertical member on its center, somewhere in the bottom third of said backpack frame on which a slip joint can interface and a feature on said backpack frame's center and beneath said backpack frame's slip joint interface where a link can be attached;

a hip frame that spans around the user's back to attachment points on the sides of a hip belt;

a slip joint attached to and located at the center upper position of said hip frame that slides on said backpack frame's vertical member and allows said hip frame to rotate in all directions so that the motion of said user isn't restricted;

a link attached to said hip frame, located below said slip joint, that attaches said hip frame to said backpack frame and allows said hip frame to rotated in all directions so that the motion of said user isn't restricted.

2. The hip belt to backpack frame mounting system of claim 1, where the stabilizing moment on said hip frame from the forces from said slip joint and said link is larger than the destabilizing moment imparted on said hip frame by forces from said hip belt so that said system does not collapse.