Abstract: A portable cooler which may be carried in back-pack style is adapted to store and automatically dispense a number of cans of beverage. The cooler is comprised of a box-like chamber having self-supporting thermally insulative material on its exterior surfaces. One or more removable coolant-confining containers are positioned within the chamber, each container having a serpentine contour of horizontally elongated recesses adapted to hold beverage cans and permit their vertical descent to a door positioned adjacent the bottom of the chamber. The chamber is held within a snug-fitting fabric carrying jacket having a zippered lid and closure for the door, and carrying straps.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator insertable backpack is disclosed herein in the form of a configured insert having an inverted T conformation. The inverted T conformation has an upright portion with ribs thereon which provide rigidity to the upright and includes at least one set of slits therethrough in order to secure a breathing gas tank by a metal band passing therethrough and around the tank. The lower or transverse portion of the inverted T shaped backpack is curved to follow the contour of a person's torso so that support can be provided to the upright portion by having a load distributed across a person's torso in the pelvis, small area of the back, or hip area. The entire insertable backpack is implaced with a buoyancy compensator so as to provide for support of a breathing gas tank on the backpack within the buoyancy compensator, all of which are secured on a user's body for providing buoyancy compensation and attendant support of a breathing gas tank.

Abstract: An outdoor fan backpack for cooling the head of an individual while he or she is working outdoors in the hot sun. A small, quiet, lightweight, electrical fan, is supported just above and to the rear of the head by a mounting plate and guard attached between two vertically disposed and adjustable tubular members which are strapped to the back of the individual by shoulder straps and a belt. The electrical fan is operated by a control switch and a battery pack mounted on the belt.

Abstract: A back pack releasably attachable to the compressed air cylinder of the self-contained breathing apparatus carried on the back of a fire fighter, the back pack being loaded with lengths of two sizes of fire hose and appropriate fittings, the back pack having a vertical spine and a horizontal cross arm at each end of the spine, spring clips attached to the spine for releasable attachment to an air cylinder, and belt fasteners to hold the fire hose onto the back pack, a seat for engaging the bottom of the air cylinder, and a handle for manually lifting the back pack.

Abstract: A backsack including a flexible pouch with an open upper end, and an opposed pair of shoulder straps. The shoulder straps comprise elongate cords looped about the open end of the pouch in opposite directions for a contraction of the open end and a closing of the pouch upon an outward pull on the straps. The looped cords are engaged through apertures at the closed bottom of the pouch, each cord extending beyond the corresponding aperture and forming a waist strap.

Abstract: A backpack cooler utilizes an insulated foam core that is covered on the outside with a cloth sheath and has a rigid reinforcing liner which defines a well to hold two stacked six packs of 12 ounce containers. The cloth jacket is retained to the rest of the cooler body by means of a retainer cord that fits into a peripheral retainer groove defined in the foam core, and a pair of shoulder straps fasten to the cloth jacket by means of a lateral pin that engages in a looped channel defined in the upper edge of the cloth jacket. The pin lies in a cavity defined in the foam core of the cooler body adjacent the retainer groove to prevent axial migration of the pin.The entire structure is strong enough to support the weight of a person, so that it doubles as a seat. Also, whereas the primary thrust of the invention is the accommodation of six packs of beer or sodas in twelve ounce cans, there is also an uninsulated accessory pouch defined by the jacket of the preferred embodiment to carry miscellaneous items.

Abstract: A user propelled wheeled mule assembly (10) comprising a harness unit (11) attached to a user worn frame unit (12) which is pivotally attached to an elongated load bearing frame unit (13) having a retractable support unit (14) and a wheel unit (15); wherein the retractable support unit (14) allows the assembly (10) to be deployed in a stand alone walk-into, or walk-out-of mode, and the assembly (10) is further provided with independent first and second brake (17) (18) and brake actuating (19) (20) units, wherein variable braking is applied to the assembly (10) while in motion, and positive braking is applied to the assembly (10) in the stand alone mode.

Abstract: A character pack including a stuffed character having a hollow body portion and an integrally formed character's back pack on an exposed surface thereof is provided. The character's back pack is formed with a closable opening for providing access to the storage space within the character's back pack extending into the body volume for providing increased storage capacity.

Abstract: A child's backpack is disclosed which is adapted to function both as an article for carrying items such as books and as an article for amusement. The invention backpack is constructed such that an extension from the rear face above the body of the backpack is provided which acts as a cover flap for the opening of the backpack. This flap is constructed in such a manner that it forms a pocket with an opening along the end edge of the flap. An article of amusement is stored within the pocket, and, upon opening the pocket and ejecting the article, the backpack is converted to an object of play.

Abstract: In a device to secure the shoulder straps of a backpack or rucksack, fittings are fitted to the upper ends of the shoulder straps and are pivotally mounted together on a retaining piece. In the preferred embodiment the fittings are situated in the middle of the rucksack and the pivotal mounting of one or both shoulder straps is constructed so as to be continuously adjustable in various angles at the retaining piece. The arrangement permits adjustment of the lateral distance between the shoulder straps in the shoulder region both simply and rapidly to suit the build of the wearer, so that the shoulder straps are always supported in the optimum position.

Abstract: A flexible garment carrier containing accessory pockets capable of accepting clothing which is not pre-folded and then capable of being folded in a manner to form an article of luggage that will fit under an airline seat, or overhead aircraft compartment or be hung in a closet.

Abstract: A child carrier comprised of a seat-mounting frame and a lower wheel frame assembly depending downwardly from the mounting frame, the wheel frame assembly including front and rear wheels supported for downward extension from the wheel frame assembly, and a seat portion disposed on the seat mounting frame. A handle has side frame portions extending from opposite sides of the seat-mounting frame terminating in a hand-engaging, angled end extending rearwardly from the side frames with the handle member pivoted to the seat mounting frame for pivotal movement of the handle about a horizontal axis from a first position in which the handle extends rearwardly from the seat mounting frame when used as a stroller to a position in which the handle is directed downwardly from its pivotal connection to the seat mounting frame such that the angled end thereof is disposed beneath the wheels in order to support the carrier on a car seat when used as a car seat carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is an article holding device for attaching external loads to a packframe. It consists of upper and lower clamp assemblies adapted for attachment to adjacent transverse packframe members. A rod, oriented vertically when the packframe is being worn, is held between the clamp assemblies. At least one, preferably two, strap retainers are mounted on the rod. These will normally have freedom of rotational and vertical movement. A strap or similar load retaining member passes through the slots of the retainers. Arranged thus, a load can be held tightly and securely against the packframe. In the preferred form of use, two of the assemblies are mounted side-by-side so that at least two straps may be placed around the external load.

Abstract: An article retaining device comprising, a sleeping bag having a pair of padded panels with one of the panels overlying the other panel. The panels have a first end portion, a second opposed end portion, and a central portion therebetween, with the panels being folded to a configuration of reduced length and having a pocket to receive articles for storage in the pocket. The device has a cover for the sleeping bag comprising, a pair of flexible sheets with one of the sheets overlying the other sheet, the sheets having a pair of opposed end edges and a pair of opposed side edges connecting the end edges. The sheets have an opening along at least one of the edges to receive the folded bag, and the sheets define a cavity sufficiently large to receive and cover the folded bag.

Abstract: A pack cart convertible for use as a cart for wheeling a load over the ground, for use as a back pack for carrying loads on the back, or for carrying loads by hand comprises a lightweight tubular cart frame having quickly removable wheels and adapted to have a pack bag secured thereon. The pack bag member may be releasably attached to the cart frame by fabric fasteners and further secured by strap members. A lightweight tubular bag frame may be carried within the bag member for maintaining the bag in a predetermined shape and allowing the bag to stand on end independently or when secured to the cart frame. The pack cart frame includes a flexible strap handle for pulling the cart behind the user and a pair of shoulder straps, one being provided with a quick release buckle for allowing the pack cart assembly to be easily installed and removed from the shoulder mounted carrying position. The wheels may be quickly removed from the cart frame and stored in the pack bag.

Abstract: A backpack with a frame to carry a load. The frame has a pair of upright rails, one at each side of the hiker. An encircling belt is attached to each of the upright rails, and a pair of shoulder rests fit over each of the shoulders. Front and rear risers connect to the front and rear legs of the shoulder rests. The rear risers rise from the back of the belt, and the front risers connect to the upright rails. Balance rods extend forwardly from the frame and are vertically pivotable. They can lift and lower the shoulder rests. Forward load-attachment devices on the balance rods can carry a forwardly mounted load.

Abstract: A multiple function assembly used both as a seat and a back pack. The assembly includes two hinged-together sections that articulate over an arc of about 45 degrees. A seat pad is hinged to the free end of one section and a storage bag detachably engages the other section. When the seat pad is pivoted to a position parallel with the section to which it is attached, the assembly functions as a back pack. When it is pivoted to an obtuse angle, the assembly functions as a seat with a back rest.

Abstract: A multiple-use sports bag may be easily convertible to one of four separate bags: a bike bag, a shoulder bag, a belt bag, and, in particular, a backpack.The multiple-use sports bag comprises a pouch-like body having a first open storage space and a space adjacent thereto, a backpack folded up inside the adjacent space, Velcro strips for securing the backpack inside the body, a first zipper for providing access to the backpack, and pull tabs on opposite sides of the zipper for opening and closing the pouch. In a second embodiment, a second zipper is arranged parallel to the first zipper and extends almost completely around three contiguous walls of the pouch-like body. This second zipper provides access to a second open storage space on another side of the pouch-like body and allows the pouch-like body to open and close a suitcase-like manner.

Abstract: An assembly which provides a backpack convertible to bicycle panniers. The device provides a maximum amount of storage capacity and comfort to the wearer and a minimum amount of weight. A main storage element having three storage compartments carries a removable shoulder assembly. In the preferred form, two flat metal strips insert into sleeves on the back of the main storage element to provide a removable frame when the assembly is in the backpack mode. Also, preferably two side storage elements each having three storage compartments attach to either side of the main storage element. When the shoulder straps and frame are removed from the assembly, and the side elements are removed from the main storage element, the two side storage elements can be interconnected and mounted on the front rack of a bicycle to provide a front pannier element. The main storage element can be mounted on the back rack of a bicycle to provide a back pannier element.

Abstract: A goose or other fowl decoy unit may be assembled to simulate a sentinel or feeding bird. The head and neck of the unit is joined to a stake portion for staking into the ground. The body of the unit is provided with a slot through which the head passes and engages with a notch on the neck in such a manner that sideward rocking of the body due to wind is permitted to simulate a feeding bird. When disassembled, a plurality of units may be rested together in a stack which may be in the form of a back pack.

Abstract: A backpack and sleeping bag system comprised of a backpack of generally "delta" or trapezoidal configuration and an expandable diameter, elongate bag that is used to contain a sleeping bag of various conventional means.The backpack is comprised of two generally trapezoidal front and back panels, two side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel arranged in a flap configuration. Integral to the main body of the back pack are metal snap fasteners which allow two pockets to be attached to either the back or side panels of the main body.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a combination backpack and gear bag for use by an underwater diver. The backpack is one wherein a container of gas such as a tank of pressurized gas is held on the back of a diver for purposes of providing a diver with breathing gas while diving. The backpack can be supported by straps across a user's body, or by means of a buoyancy compensator attached to the backpack for supporting the backpack and the tank therewith. The gear bag is such that it allows a backpack to be interconnected thereto. This is possible by means of insertion of the band or other connection means which holds the gas cylinder against the backpack through a passage in the gear bag followed by implacement of the gas cylinder within the gear bag and securing it with the connection means. The gear bag is oriented so that it can include within a portion thereof, carrying space for not only the cylinder, but other attendant apparatus, such as fins, snorkels, wetsuits, gloves, and other diving apparatus.

Abstract: A combination back pack and bicycle saddle pack is disclosed, wherein the frame of the back pack is mountable to the bicycle above the rear wheel to serve as a horizontal rack from which two pack bags hang suspended as panniers on opposite sides of the rear wheel. The front end of the pack frame is mounted to the bicycle by quick attachment means adjacent the bicycle seat; the rear end of the frame is supported by a swingably positionable strut which extends upwardly from the rear wheel axle.

Abstract: A frame is disclosed for towing a deer out of the woods. The frame has a pair of supports mounted on the back of the hunter, and a pivotal carriage on which the forward end of the deer is strapped. The height of the carriage above the ground can be adjusted.

Abstract: A structure useable as a backpack or as a cape finds particular utility when worn by a stuffed bear. The backpack/cape structure includes a generally rectangular piece of fabric having top, bottom, and side edges. Side flaps extend outwardly from the side edges along substantially the entire length of the side edges. A top flap extends from the top edge. The article includes a pair of straps which support it on the back of the bear. As a cape the top flap folds over the top edge of the fabric and the fabric and side flaps are substantially unfolded. To transform the structure into a backpack, the side flaps are folded inwardly over the outer surface of the fabric and then the structure is folded upwardly placing the bottom edge under the downwardly folded top flap. The inwardly folded flaps include Velcro fastening strips so that when the structure is folded upwardly the Velcro strips engage to secure the upper and lower portions of the side flaps together to form a pouch-like backpack.

Abstract: A backpack with integral frame formed of plastic sheets without metal supports. A load carrying sack having a front face, a pair of shoulder straps and a waistband, and a support pad mounted on the front face, the pad comprising a foam sheet of a first height, a stiffener sheet of a second height less than said first height, and a protective sheet, with the three sheets attached to the front face by stitching forming vertical panels and upper and lower horizontally pivoting structures with a stiff intermediate structure.

Abstract: A back pack formed of spaced apart hollow tubular members open at the lower end where each support member receives a shaft with each of the shafts supporting an axle extending therefrom and a wheel on each axle.

Abstract: A shoulder-carriable cart comprising: a frame; a pair of wheel supports fitted over the frame in such a manner that they can either be rotated or held immovable; wheels, each mounted to and projecting from one side of the wheel support; pins projecting from the frame; and grooves formed in the wheel supports to receive the pins to hold the wheels immovable. A buckle through which a waist belt is inserted is provided to each wheel support on the side opposite to that where the wheel is mounted.

Abstract: A back pack for carrying a plurality of stacked goose decoys in the disassembled condition to enable a hunter to easily carry a supply of the decoys for field use. The back pack is in the form of an inverted hollow conic section, open at the top only with a pair of spaced flat bars, each parallel to the axis of the conic section, fixed to each other and to the conic section and located at a spaced distance from the conic section. Padding is fixed to the exterior of each bar so that it may comfortably rest against the back of the user. A flexible harness unit is attached to each of two spaced points on each bar and shaped so as to fit about each shoulder and the chest of a user, when the back pack is worn. The back pack, when rested on the bars in the empty condition on the ground serves itself as the body of a decoy, to which a detachable head unit may be fixed.

Abstract: A back pack having an enclosed volume suitable for storing and transporting materials, the back pack including shoulder straps and a belt for supporting the back pack upon a wearer, the belt constituting a climbing harness with attached, preferably storable, groin straps and a releasable attachment to the back pack.

Abstract: A back pack frame that is convertible to a chair while still providing ready access to the pack supported by the frame, and is further convertible to a cot. A pack supporting structure with shoulder straps is mounted on a main support structure for linear movement along the main support structure, and so that it can be pivoted with respect to the main support structure to form a chair back, and further pivoted to form the head portion of a cot. User's legs support portions are telescopically received by the main support structure to provide leg supports for the chair or cot. Flexible fabric is mounted by rings to a bar of the main support structure, and is affixed to the pack supporting structure, so that upon movement of the pack supporting structure to the chair or cot orientation the fabric is drawn taut to form the seat portion of the chair, or middle portion of the cot.

Abstract: A pack assembly includes a plurality of frame sections each having side braces connected by pivotal joints and provided with a shiftable pack mount including slidable locking sleeves. With the pack mount in a first position juxtaposed an intermediate one of the frame sections, the sleeves overlie the pivotal joints to retain the pack assembly in an extended back pack mode and when the pack mount is axially displaced along the side braces to an adjacent frame section uncovering the pivotal joints, the frame sections are angularly displaceable about the pivotal joints to provide a pack assembly of inverted U-shaped configuration adaptable for transporting astride a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A back pack with shoulder straps has a flap along one rear side edge thereof and a pair of leaves are hingedly connected by a zip to said flap; the leaves form an envelope which opens out at right angle to the zip when the leaves are arranged in a packing position, enabling clothes to be received neatly into said envelope whereupon the leaves are wrapped around one another and the pack in a stouted position and secured; the envelope is detachable from the pack and has a handle to permit use as a release.

Abstract: A waterproof storage bag and backpack is provided with a harness and harness mounting grommets in such position to permit the harness to cradle the bag and load therein without tearing the bag or the grommet areas, to enhance the top closure seal, and to permit the bag to be opened without removal of the harness.

Abstract: A convertible purse having three major components which may be separately and selectively utilized and independently or collectively carried by the user. The convertible purse may take the form of a large tote bag which may be carried by means of a shoulder strap or by means of crossed straps as a knapsack; a handbag which is carried within a major compartment of the purse and which may be separated therefrom to independently serve as a handbag, the handbag having means thereon for carrying cosmetic pouches and storing the same in the major compartment of the purse; and a clutch purse carryable by the handbag and also receivable within the major compartment of the purse. Each of the major components, the purse, the handbag and the clutch purse, is provided with pockets and compartments for individually and selectively receiving items to be carried therein whereby the overall convertible purse is capable of receiving and carrying a large number of items normally used in traveling or the like.