Versatile backpack

Abstract

This invention provides a backpack for carrying a load on the back of a user. The backpack includes a pliable sack, a frame, and a frame support member. The frame includes a first and second frame members. The frame support member removably communicates with the first and second frame members to prevent the first and second frame members from being moved into a position parallel and adjacent each other when the frame support member is in communication with the first and second frame members. The frame support member may be removed from communications with the first and second frame members.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A backpack comprising: 
 pliable sack having a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom surface and a top surface defining a compartment, wherein the bottom surface includes an inside surface on the compartment side of the bottom surface and the top surface defines an upper inside surface on the compartment side of the top surface;    frame supporting the sack, the frame comprising a first frame member and a second frame member, wherein the first frame member is positioned adjacent to one of the walls selected from the front wall, rear wall, first side wall and second side wall; and wherein the second frame member is positioned adjacent a different one of the walls selected from the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall; wherein the first frame member is parallel to the second frame member, wherein the first and second frame members each have a top portion in the direction of the top surface, and the first and second frame members each have a bottom portion in the direction of the bottom surface, wherein the bottom portion of each of the first and second frame members extends at least to the inside surface of the sack, wherein the backpack can be placed in an upright position on the bottom portion of the frame; and    at least a first frame support member comprising a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from the first end, wherein the first end removably communicates with the first frame member and the second end removably communicates with the second frame member to prevent the first and second frame members from being moved into a position parallel and adjacent each other when the first frame support member is in communication with the first and second frame members.    
     
     
         2 . A backpack of    claim 1   , wherein the first frame member is attached to the one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall and second side wall to which the first frame member is adjacent, and wherein the second frame member is attached to the one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall and second side wall to which the second frame member is adjacent, and wherein the first end of the first frame support member communicates with the first frame member by contacting the one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall and second side wall to which the first frame member is attached, and wherein the second end of the first frame support member communicates with the second frame member by contacting the one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall and second side wall to which the second frame member is attached.  
     
     
         3 . A backpack of    claim 1   , wherein the first end of the first frame support member communicates with the first frame member by direct contact with the first frame member, and wherein the second end of the first frame support member communicates with the second frame member by direct contact with the second frame member.  
     
     
         4 . A backpack of    claim 1   , wherein a first hook and loop fastener is attached to the upper inside surface of the pliable sack and wherein the first frame support member comprises: 
 (a) a stiff member having a top;    (b) a fabric encasing the stiff member;    (c) a second hook and loop fastener attached to the fabric on the top of the stiff member, wherein the second hook and loop fastener is removably attached to the first hook and loop fastener.    
     
     
         5 . A backpack of    claim 1    further comprising a second frame support member comprising a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from the first end, wherein the first end removably communicates with the first frame member and the second end removably communicates with the second frame member to prevent the first and second frame members from being moved into a position parallel and adjacent each other when the first frame support member is in communication with the first and second frame members.  
     
     
         6 . A backpack of    claim 5    wherein the second frame support member comprises a shelf removably attached to the first and second side walls.  
     
     
         7 . A backpack of    claim 1    wherein the bottom portion of the first and second frame members extends below the bottom surface of the sack wherein the backpack can stand upright on the bottom portion of the first and second frame members without the bottom surface of the sack touching the ground.  
     
     
         8 . A backpack of    claim 6    wherein the shelf comprises a substantially stiff shelf portion and a first flexible flap connected to one end of the stiff shelf portion and a second flexible flap connected to an opposite end of the stiff shelf portion, wherein the first flexible flap is removably fastened to the first side and wherein the second flexible flap is removably fastened to the second side wall.  
     
     
         9 . A backpack of    claim 8    wherein the at least one shelf has a front edge that is the portion of the at least one shelf nearest to the front wall of the sack, and wherein the shelf further comprises a web portion that is attached to the front edge of the first flexible flap, the second flexible flap and the stiff shelf portion.  
     
     
         10 . A backpack of    claim 1    wherein the first frame member is situated on the compartment side of the first side wall and the second frame member is situated on the compartment side of the second side wall.