Abstract: A multi-purpose backpack that can help a user to rest has an appearance showing no difference with an ordinary backpack. A handle can be pulled to retrieve a retractable supporting structure up away from the backpack. The supporting structure can be fully expanded to form a stable triangular supporting device. A back sheet of the backpack can be turned pivotally to a front of the backpack for forming a soft seat. The soft seat can be connected with the supporting structure so as to form a seat without any foreign support. A neck bracket can be hanged and secured to the supporting structure. Thereupon, the multi-purpose backpack that helps the user to rest is fully expanded and set. By providing the multi-purpose backpack, people can rest anywhere and anytime at no need of any additional device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bulk item backpack composed of an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion that pivot with respect to one another and are adapted to carry a wide array of bulk cargo, including coolers. The backpack has a strap or plurality of straps to secure the backpack to the user, including a waist strap, shoulder straps, or both types of straps. Optionally the backpack may also include cargo straps for securing additional items, such as folding chairs or a storage box adapted for carrying loose items therein. The backpack of the present invention provides a frame that is ideally suited for simultaneously carrying bulky items and loose items that are difficult to carry at once and would normally require several trips.

Abstract: A portable fishing-equipment organizer with a tubular outer frame and a mounting pane attached to the frame. At least one pouch is attached to the mounting pane, along with at least one spike-shaped rod holder that may be detachably mounted. A telescoping tripod may be attached to the frame. When the organizer is carried, the tripod may be collapsed. When the tripod is extended, the organizer may be self standing, with the pouches at a convenient height for access. The organizer may be carried by one or more shoulder straps that may have pouches attached to them.

Abstract: A spinal orthosis and method of applying extension and compression forces onto a user spine includes a lumbo-sacral compression unit conforming to a portion of a user's torso and exerting an encircling compressive force to provide a hydraulic lift. A posterior spinal frame member is secured by the lumbo-sacral compression unit to be cantilevered upward along the user's spine. A pair of adjustable shoulder strap assemblies are connected to an upper portion of the posterior spinal frame member and adjacent a lower portion of the posterior spinal frame member to enable a user to adjustably apply a thoracic force with adjustable controlled buckles and straps positioned on the user's chest.

Abstract: A stabilized backpack comprises a hip suspension and a shoulder suspension. The hip suspension comprises vertical support rods pivotally attached to the hip belt and pack frame to allow motion of the wearer's hips without causing varying forces on the pack. The shoulder suspension comprises pulleys and cords attaching the shoulder straps to the pack so that the motion of the wearer's shoulders does not cause varying forces on the pack. The net effect is that a person can run with the pack, with heavy load, in rough terrain, with the pack staying relatively stable.

Abstract: A spinal orthosis and method of applying extension and compression forces onto a user spine includes a lumbo-sacral compression unit conforming to a portion of a user's torso and exerting an encircling compressive force to provide a hydraulic lift. A posterior spinal frame member is secured by the lumbo-sacral compression unit to be cantilevered upward along the user's spine. A pair of adjustable shoulder strap assemblies are connected to an upper portion of the posterior spinal frame member and adjacent a lower portion of the posterior spinal frame member to enable a user to adjustably apply a thoracic force with adjustable controlled buckles and straps positioned on the user's chest.

Abstract: A suspended-load backpack designed to permit the load to move relative to the wearer during walking and running so that the large movements between the load and the wearer of the backpack reduce the fluctuations of vertical motion of the load with respect to ground. Because the hip (and thus the pack body) goes up a down a good deal during walking, a large relative movement between the wearer and the load reduces the absolute excursion of the load. This movement may be, in turn, transferred to a motor through, for example, a rack and pinion gear, to convert the mechanical movement to electrical or mechanical energy. Such movement of the suspended-load relative to the wearer also reduces the forces on the wearer's body while walking or running, thus reducing the likelihood of orthopedic injury.

Abstract: A backpack frame has a front side and a back side and comprises generally parallel base and top sections that extend transversely across and are spaces one from the other along a center line of the frame. Side rails connect the base section to the top section. The side rails are arranged on opposite sides of the frame center line, and a stabilizing rib interconnects the side rails and extends transversely across the center line at an intermediate location between the base and top sections. The side rails converge inwardly from the base section towards the frame center line to the stabilizing rib, and diverge outwardly from the stabilizing rib and away from the center line to the top section.

Abstract: A backpack has at least one air cushion and a backpack structure. At least one strap is mounted on the backpack structure and the air cushions are mounted onto the strap and backpack structure. The air cushion is mounted with a bladder having an air valve and an inflating device. A person uses the inflating device to add air into the bladder that is then capable of cushioning impacts by the bag and providing a perfect fit to the person. Accordingly, the backpack volume is minimized by pressing the air valve to discard the air and is convenient for storing.

Abstract: A lightweight carbon fiber air/gas supply vessel storing high pressure air/gas. The air/gas supply vessel output is controlled by an adjustable pressure reduction valve which varies output pressure from very high to low pressure levels. An alternative multi-valve system uses a first pressure reduction valve to reduce output pressure from the very high levels in the air/gas supply vessel to an intermediate pressure level, and a second pressure reduction valve that reduces the air/gas pressure from the intermediate level to a fine tunable low pressure level. In both embodiments, the output of the last pressure reduction valve used is connected to a high pressure cable which in turn uses a standard universal fitting which can be coupled to most pneumatically powered equipment. Additional high pressure reservoir vessels can be used to replenish the lightweight air/gas supply vessel when its supply of air/gas is depleted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for increasing the storage capability of a pack. The device comprises a frame, a plurality of adjustable straps connected to the frame for holding a plurality of articles, such as bedrolls, blankets, sleeping bags, tents, etc., and a plurality of straps and hooks for attaching the device to the pack. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame is formed by a number of fabric members sewn and stitched together so as to form a lightweight construction. Preferably, the members are stitched together so as to form pockets along the sides of the frame and an interior storage space across the top of the frame. One or more U-shaped members, preferably formed from a metallic material, may be inserted into the pockets and the storage space so as to rigidify the frame. When taken out of the pockets and the interior storage space, the U-shaped members may be used by a camper/hiker to hold pots or the like over a camp fire.

Abstract: A backpack type power working machine includes a movable stopper for restricting the turning angle of an internal combustion engine unit which is supported on a backpack frame so that it turns about a longitudinal axis. As a result, the turning angle restriction of the internal combustion engine unit can be released by just moving the movable stopper, whereby a job efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: An external frame backpack (10) includes a frame (14), a hip belt (32), two flexible stays (50, 52), a back panel (38), and a lower panel (40). The frame is external and substantially rigid. It includes upper, middle, and lower frame members (22, 24, 26) secured between frame siderails (18, 20). The hip belt is attached to the frame adjacent the lower frame member. The flexible stays are elongate with upper and lower ends. The upper ends attach to the upper frame member. The lower ends attach to the sides of the hip belt. The stays are flexible to allow movement of the hip belt as the stays bend while transmitting at least a portion of the weight held on the frame to the lower end of the stays. The back panel is vertically and horizontally tensioned and secured to the frame. The lower panel is secured between the siderails of the frame. The lower panel includes a support sheet (66) to maintain the shape thereof when tensioned between the siderails.

Abstract: A portage system for supporting light watercraft such as a canoe or kayak includes a frame having opposed first and second upright arms, a plurality of cross-struts interconnecting the arms, a pair of shoulder straps secured to a cross strut and a hip belt secured adjacent bottom ends of the upright members to removably secure the frame to a user. First and second thwart cradles are adjustably secured to top ends of the first and second upright arms so that a center thwart of the watercraft may engage the first and second thwart cradles to support the watercraft at varying heights above the user.

Abstract: A backpack frame is molded integrally from composite fiber and resin material to provide a light yet strong frame. The frame includes top and bottom members and a pair of side members. A pair of vertical ribs extend between the top and bottom members, and a plurality of horizontal members extend between the side members. The frame has torsional flexibility about a longitudinal axis which is generally parallel to the side members. Each of the ribs has a generally kidney-shaped cross section which is provided by a groove in the rib. A sack is slidably attached to the frame by elongated beaded attaching members which are sewn to the sack. Each bead is slidably inserted into a key-hole shaped channel in one of the side members. A suspension system includes shoulder straps, a waist belt, and a back pad. Each part of the suspension is formed from closed cell foam which is compression molded to form air-circulating grooves. One or both sides of the foam has a flame laminated skin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a backpack type operating unit, which includes a backpack frame having a front portion and a left lateral side portion, an operating device and a motive power source for driving the operating device. The motive power source and the operating device is mounted on the backpack frame, and the front portion of the backpack frame faces toward a forward direction and the left lateral side portion facing toward a leftward direction, in which the forward direction and the leftward direction are perpendicular to each other and lying in a common horizontal plane.

Abstract: A support frame equipped with shoulder straps is provided for support from the back of a hunter and a combined motor and winch assembly including a rotary winding member driven from the motor is supported from the frame. The motor and winch assembly projects outwardly of the side of the frame opposite from the side thereof which opposes the back of the person over whose shoulders the shoulder straps pass and the combined motor and winch assembly is supported from a base plate removably supported from the frame. The base plate includes fair lead structure for guiding the free end of an elongated flexible tension member wound on the rotary winding member and the side of the plate remote from the fair lead structure includes anchor structure spaced therealong on a line generally normal to a line extending between the winding member and the fair lead structure. The anchor means is of a construction enabling the opposite ends of a ground anchored bridle to be anchored relative thereto.