Abstract: A backpack including a pack portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two sides. A strap arrangement can also be included for carrying the pack portion as a backpack. The strap arrangement can have a pair of carrying straps. Each carrying strap can be secured to the pack portion at about the bottom and extend upwardly along respective sides of the pack portion, and redirected at about the top of said respective sides to extend around to the rear of the pack portion, and being redirected at about the top of the rear to extend downwardly for securement at about the bottom of the pack portion at the rear. The strap arrangement can redirect forces to support a load in the pack portion from the sides of the pack portion.

Abstract: A backpack including a pack portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two sides. A strap arrangement can also be included for carrying the pack portion as a backpack. The strap arrangement can have a pair of carrying straps. Each carrying strap can be secured to the pack portion at about the bottom and extend upwardly along respective sides of the pack portion, and redirected at about the top of said respective sides to extend around to the rear of the pack portion, and being redirected at about the top of the rear to extend downwardly for securement at about the bottom of the pack portion at the rear. The strap arrangement can redirect forces to support a load in the pack portion from the sides of the pack portion.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly includes a collapsible cooler body made of insulated panels. The body is to be carried by lifting apparatus that includes asymmetrically arranged fittings. Those fittings may be an inboard shoulder strap or a handle located on an outboard portion of a face of the container body, and may be at a height for engagement by the hand of the user. The assembly may have a liner to contain liquids and an easy access lid. The insulated container may be collapsed, and secured. In one embodiment the asymmetric lifting arrangement includes a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the container in a manner that distributes the load into the sides of the container, and includes a grip or handle located on the lower portion of the front side of the container to pull up on the bottom of the container when used by a person.

Abstract: A backpack including a pack portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two sides. A strap arrangement can also be included for carrying the pack portion as a backpack. The strap arrangement can have a pair of carrying straps. Each carrying strap can be secured to the pack portion at about the bottom and extend upwardly along respective sides of the pack portion, and redirected at about the top of said respective sides to extend around to the rear of the pack portion, and being redirected at about the top of the rear to extend downwardly for securement at about the bottom of the pack portion at the rear. The strap arrangement can redirect forces to support a load in the pack portion from the sides of the pack portion.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly includes a collapsible cooler body made of insulated panels. The body is to be carried by an arrangement of lifting apparatus that includes asymmetrically arranged fittings. One lifting fitting may be an inboard shoulder strap. Another fitting may an handle located on an outboard portion of face of the container body, and may be at a height for engagement by the hand of the user. The soft-sided insulated container assembly may have a liner to contain liquids. The soft-sided insulated container assembly may have an easy access lid. The insulated container may be collapsed to a flat position, and secured in place. In one embodiment the asymmetric lifting arrangement includes a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the container in a manner that distributes the load into the sides of the container, and a grip, such as a handle, located on the lower portion of the front side of the container.

Abstract: A one-piece belt loop device of a relatively rigid material for use with a web of Velcro® fastener material includes a base having top and bottom edges with a pair of side edges extending therebetween. Recesses in the top and bottom edges provide guidelines for stitching the top and bottom edges of the base to the holster with the side edges free of the holster. The base thus presents a first loop for extension of a user's belt therethrough. A central housing presents upper and lower apertures with a raised central surface therebetween for attachment of a spring belt clipped thereto to clip the holster to the user's belt. A thumb break strap can be further extended between the apertures and has Velcro® material thereon releasably engageable with the underlying Velcro® material. The belt loop device enhances assembly and presents a reinforced belt attachment structure.

Abstract: A carrier (10) for transporting a snowboard (100) is described. The carrier includes a panel (12) on which are mounted top and bottom securing straps (24 and 26) which are securing through top and bottom securing buckles (30 and 32), on the opposite side of the panel. The snowboard is mounted adjacent the inner surface (12F) of the panel such that the sides (12C and 12D) of the panel are adjacent the sides (100C) of the board. A first carrying strap (34) is mounted at the top (12A) of the panel on the right side (12C) and a second carrying strap is mounted at the bottom (12B) of the panel on the left side (12D). The second ends (24B and 26B) of the first and second carrying straps are connected together to form a complete strap. To use, the user (102) inserts an arm (104) and head (106) through the complete strap such that the complete strap extends across the torso (108) of the user and the panel is adjacent the back (110) of the user.