Abstract: An internal frame backpack having a large flat closable pocket along one entire side which pocket is adapted to receive a rigid contoured rectangular piece in order to provide support for said pack. The piece may be corrugated for additional strength, and is specially molded to conform to the lumbar region, shoulders, back and head of a human wearer so as to minimize interference with the free movement of the wearer's back, shoulders and head. An alternative embodiment provides contours adapted to receive the shoulder straps of the backpack to avoid their rubbing against the back of the user.

Abstract: A single backpack is provided for allowing a simple conversion between an extended form for long duration hikes and a collapsed form for short technical climbs on ice and rock. The backpack comprises a frame that includes a pair of aluminum bars fastened to a frame surface of the pack. The main frame bars extend partially up the frame surface of the pack shell. The remaining distance from the top of the main frame bars and the top of the shell is spanned by extension bars which are held and fastened against the main frame bars. The main frame bars, with the addition of the extension bars, make the backpack a full sized large capacity hiking pack capable of bearing loads of 70 pounds or more. The backpack may be converted to a climbing pack by removing the extension bars from their fastened position and subsequently the shell collapses to the level of the lower main frame.

Abstract: A back pack arranged for use by fishermen, to include a first housing for containment of fishing paraphernalia and clothing storage cooperative with a removable fish storage bag for ease of cleaning and manipulation thereof. A bait box having a removable fluid impermeable liner is mounted to a front wall of the housing, with fishing gear pockets mounted to at least one of the side walls of the housing. A rigid framework having a U-shaped base is mounted at an intersection of the floor and side wall and front wall structure of the housing to include parallel frame legs extending at a junction of the rear wall and side walls of the housing terminating in fishing pole mounting tubes. Each of the fishing pole mounting tubes includes a matrix of resilient projections projecting radially into the tubes for securement of a fishing pole during a fishing procedure.

Abstract: A backpack frame comprises a main frame portion and right and left guard portions, which are integrally formed at the both sides of the main frame portion through thin wall portions and which are respectively bent at the thin wall portions toward one side of the main frame portion, the main frame portion and the guard portions being connected and fixed to each other to from a U-shaped form as a whole.

Abstract: A back pack for carrying a gas operated blower. The back pack has a frame and straps for supporting the frame on the back of an operator. The frame has a dual wall construction forming an internal fuel storage tank. Thus, the blower does not need a separate fuel tank. This reduces the weight and cost of the back pack and blower.

Abstract: A reusable carrier for plastic containers is disclosed which includes a bent wire base of suitable dimensions and configuration to fit about and secure upon the bottom bead of the plastic container. A pivotal latch is provided to alternately secure and release the carrier base from association with the base bead of the container. An upper lifter is removably insertable into the finger space defined by the container handle to engage the plastic container handle in a releasable manner. First and second flexible carrying straps are affixed respectively to the upper lifter and to the carrier base to permit a filler container to be readily lifted and carried upon the back of the operator. The carrier base and carrier lifter are preferably formed of bent and welded wire components to minimize both the weight of the carrier and the fabrication costs.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with and received within a cavity of an associated backpack, wherein the organizer includes a first housing, with a peripheral lip mounted thereabout securable to a second housing within a channel adjacent the floor of the second housing, with the second housing including a lid securable to the second housing overlying the floor of the second housing. The organizer apparatus is defined by a geometric configuration complementary to a cavity defined by the backpack. The invention further includes slidable drawers selectively positionable within compartments defined within the first housing.

Abstract: A leaf blower having a back pack frame. The frame can support a leaf blower unit on an operator's back with the use of shoulder straps. The frame generally has an L-shape with an intake restrictor ring that can cooperate with an air intake section of a blower mounted to the back pack frame to substantially prevent intrusion of foreign objects into the blower unit and to reduce noise emanating from the blower air intake section.

Abstract: A backpack system for personal use in carrying a full day's worth of beach related items. A pliant rectangular shell has adjustable straps for easy carrying capabilities. Numerous external pockets of variable size permit packing of numerous odd-sized items. An umbrella retaining assembly allows the user to carry a beach umbrella for shade purposes and a connector assembly attaches a tubular designed beach chair to the backpack. The shell encloses two individualized cavities to separately carry larger items. A flexible hinge and connection feature allows the user to have easy access to each internal cavity by opening the top cover or the upper portion of the backpack. An ice chest is releasably secured within the lower cavity to carry ice and canned beverages.

Abstract: A support for carrying loads on the back is provided and has a back-plate which on one side follows the shape of the human body and on the other side has means for securing the loads. The support has a plurality of differently-sized openings arranged in mirror-image symmetry in relation to its central axis and intended for securing the loads to be carried. The openings are positioned and laid out in such a manner as to provide a system for arranging the loads to be carried.

Abstract: A ventilated rack case for alternatively transporting and operating a rack mountable unit of electronic equipment includes an inner rectangular frame, which is open at the front and back, shock absorbing material, e.g. foam, surrounding the frame, and an outer cover over the foam. For ventilation, cutouts are provided in the foam and frame and a protective screen is secured in the openings. The cover includes front and back flaps for selectively closing the front and back openings of the frame. A top ventilation flap is configured to cooperate with the cutouts to provide ventilation. The flaps can be closed for storing and transporting the rack, and opened for use to allow access to the control panels and proper ventilation of the electronic equipment without removal from the case.

Abstract: A backpack frame utilizes frame members formed of a plurality of relatively movable blocks. The blocks are held in a column by a cord stressed in tension running through the blocks. The relative movement among the plurality of blocks provides flexibility to the frame.

Abstract: A carrying assembly, suitable for use either as a backpack or a piece of luggage, and especially suited for carrying equipment for recreational water sports such as scuba diving, includes a body, having side, top, bottom, front and back walls, defining a storage space within which are disposed a plurality of storage pockets. The body and pockets may be formed of a strong yet flexible and water resistant material to accommodate transport of both wet and dry items. Also, some pockets may be formed of a strong yet flexible mesh material to facilitate rapid drainage and drying of wet items, especially when the storage space is opened to permit free air circulation. Side wall straps are provided for when the assembly is employed in its luggage configuration and rear wall straps are provided for when it is in its backpack mode. When used as luggage, a closable flap covers and secures in place the rear wall straps.

Abstract: A backpack/cot/tent structure usable in a first mode as a backpack and convertible to a cot when the framework is separated into upper and lower sections with an integral tent member that can be set up to surround the cot.

Abstract: The multipurpose chair of this invention comprises a generally planar upright frame which includes a pair of transversely spaced and vertically extending side members. A seat is mounted on the frame. The frame is provided with a backrest which extends between the side members and above the seat. The side members extend beneath the seat to provide a pair of transversely spaced legs. The pair of transversely spaced legs serve to support the seat for sitting when the frame is propped up against some fixed object. The legs have curved lower ends to enhance the stability of the structure and to serve as ski-like bearing members when the chair is used as a travois.

Abstract: A fabric sack, comprising top, bottom, front and rear walls, has an opening for access to its interior provided in an inclined upper region of its front wall to avoid interference by any luggage strapped to the top wall of the sack and also to allow easy access when the sack is upright and/or on someone's back, and/or laid down on its rear wall. An internal supporting frame extending up the rear wall and across the top of the sack is also provided.

Abstract: A carrier for transport of a skateboard which leaves use of the hands free, includes a flexible resiliently deformable pad body with front and back faces configured to cover substantially the upper back of the bearer. The lateral sides of the pad body have pairs of attachment members to which cinching straps removably attach across the back face to cinchingly loop around the axle support brackets of a skateboard vertically oriented and positioned with its topside against the back face of the pad body and its wheels extending outwardly. The lateral edges of the pad body at the attachment member and the attachment members are drawn tightly against the lateral margins to restrain lateral movement of the skateboard, verticle movement of which is restrained by the loops about the axle support brackets. A plurality of lateral attachment member pairs permits vertical adjustment of the board on the pad body and supplementarily provides for attachment of skateboarding accessory articles.

Abstract: A backpack for a wearer in an aircraft has a rigid housing releasably storing equipment for bailing out of the wearer from the aircraft over land, water and all types of surfaces under all types of surface conditions and for survival of the wearer during, upon and after descent.

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: 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: This device holds an optical aid such as a pair of binoculars at a user's eyes, without the support of the user's arms and hands. The user applies only small upward or downward pilot force to a point on the device well below the optical aid. To change or maintain the vertical position of the optical aid the user need not even raise the hands above the chest. The device is mechanically articulated so that, guided only by the pilot force which is simply upward or downward, the optical aid can track and follow the user's head and eyes in both position and angle as the user shifts his view up and down between the horizon and the zenith. The device is attached to or worn by the user, while springs or counterbalancing support the weight from the user's torso, to free the user's arms and hands.

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 pack frame for wearing on the front of a person for supporting a mail bag or other container is provided having a pair of vertical standards, a top bar and a bottom bar integrally connecting the standards and a U-shaped bar integrally extending at its ends from the vertical standard in a horizontal plane. The bag is supported on the frame so that it rests on the U-shaped extending horizontal bar.

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 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: The novel weight-balancing device of the present invention is adapted for use in the improved backpack of the present invention. The device comprises a set of two elongated tubes, disposed in telescoping relation to each other with a spring-loaded push button carried by the inner tube adjustably releasably locking the tubes together so that they can have various desired combined lengths. One of the tubes has a slip resistant backpack shoulder strap connector attached at its front end and the other of the tubes has a backpack rear frame connector pivotally secured to its rear end.The improved backpack utilizes a pair of the described novel devices, connected to opposite sides of the backpack rear frame and projecting forwardly to engage the two backpack shoulder straps. Thus, the two devices are disposed on opposite sides of the backpacker.

Abstract: A combination canteen and packframe for hikers employing the hollow tubing and structural members of the packframe to store fluids, such as water and fuel, and having closable apertures for filling and draining. The horizontal tubing of the packframe allows fluid to communicate from one vertical tube to the other, and a pump may be mounted in the packframe for pressurizing the fluid stored therein.

Abstract: A backpack frame is especially designed, together with ancillary equipment, to make easier the transportation of a litter or other load carrier by two or more human bearers acting in concert. The backpack frame contains features which permit the attachment of a connecting device which may in turn be attached to the frame of a litter or load carrier. The connecting device is attached to the backpack frame by means of a system of cables connected to a hand-operated winch which is mounted on the frame and which permits upward or downward adjustment of the height at which the load is carried while the bearers are actually in motion.