Hard shell back pack

Abstract

A back pack includes a case made from an impact resistant hardened plastic material. The case has an exterior surface with regions of increased plastic thickness which are provided with receptors to releasably attach articles to the exterior surface of the case.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A back pack including a case made from an impact resistant hardened plastic material, said case having an exterior surface and regions of increased plastic thickness exposed at said exterior surface, said regions being provided with receptors to releasably attach articles to the exterior surface of said case.  
     
     
         2 . A back pack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said regions of increased thickness comprise raised ribs on said exterior surface of said case.  
     
     
         3 . A back pack as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said receptors comprise openings in said ribs and attachment members mounted in said openings.  
     
     
         4 . A back pack as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said attachment members comprise plastic clips which releasably snap into said openings, said clips being provided with article receiving apertures.  
     
     
         5 . A back pack as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said openings in said ribs have undercut regions and wherein said clips have deflectable latches which snap into said undercut regions.  
     
     
         6 . A back pack as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said attachment members comprise hollow metallic threaded members secured within said openings and eyelets threaded into said threaded members.  
     
     
         7 . A back pack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said case comprises first and second case portions which are hingedly secured to one another at a first end of said case with said case having a releasable locking member at a second end opposite said first end of said case, said first case portion having an edge channel containing a compressible sealing member and said second case portion having a projecting edge member which penetrates said edge channel and compresses said sealing member to provide an edge seal around said case when said case portions are closed with one another by said locking member.  
     
     
         8 . A back pack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said case comprises first and second hollow case portions secured to one another by hinge means at one end of said case with releasable locking means at the other end of said case and wherein said back pack includes portable legs attachable to said receptors when carrying said back pack, said legs forming a ground support for said case portions when said case is open with said case portions open lying substantially in line with one another held together by said hinge means.