Modular load bearing field support system

Abstract

A modular load bearing field support system having a waist belt, a pair of shoulder straps, each of the shoulder straps having a front end attached to the waist belt and a rear end attached to the waist belt, and a middle section disposed between said front and rear ends. A mounting track is attached to said waist belt, and a spatula accessory support system is included for mounting an accessory on the mounting track. The spatula system includes a flat spatula attached to an accessory, with the spatula inserted between the mounting track and the waist belt to attach the accessory to waist belt. A long gun support system for conveniently and safely carrying a firearm along with the load bearing support system is described. Extension panels for carrying large loads on the support system, as well as fabric noise-reduction and color variation panels are also described.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A backpack comprising: 
 a main body defining a cavity, the main body having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls, and having a top portion and a bottom portion;    a pair of shoulder straps attached to the main body, each extending generally from the top portion to the bottom portion of the front wall;    a left and right waist band portions attached to the main body and extending forwardly of the front wall;    a panel extension having a top end and a bottom end, the panel extension pivotally attached along a width of the bottom end; and    a tie strap extending from a portion of the main body to the top end of the panel extension, the tie strap supporting the top end of the panel extension from the main body.    
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the panel extension is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main body.  
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the panel extension is pivotally attached to the bottom wall of the main body.  
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the panel extension is releasably attached at two locations along the width of the bottom end.  
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the tie strap supports the top end of the panel extension from the top portion of the main body.  
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the tie strap supports the top end of the panel extension from at least one of the side walls of the main body.  
     
     
         7 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the panel extension further comprises a pair of side edges and a pair of aluminum stays positioned along the pair of side edges.  
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the tie strap is attached to the main body via a three bar slider and a common loop attachment structure.  
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 8 , where in the common loop comprises a triangular loop.  
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the panel extension is moveable between a forwardly extended position, a rearwardly extended position, and a collapsed position adjacent to the rear wall of the main body.  
     
     
         11 . A backpack as defined in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the panel extension has a first side and a second side; and further comprising: 
 a fabric panel removably positioned on the second side of the panel extension, wherein when the panel extension is in the collapsed position, the first side is adjacent the main body and the second covered side faces rearwardly, and when in the forwardly extended position, the first side faces downwardly and the second covered side faces rearwardly.  
   
     
     
         12 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the tie strap attaches to a fabric brace attached to the panel extension.  
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 12 , wherein the fabric brace is offset from a corner of the panel extension.  
     
     
         14 . A backpack comprising: 
 a main body defining a cavity, the main body having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls, and having a top portion and a bottom portion;    a pair of shoulder straps attached to the main body, each extending generally from the top portion to the bottom portion of the front wall;    a left and right waist band portions attached to the main body and extending forwardly of the front wall;    a panel extension having a top end and a bottom end, the panel extension pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main body; and    a tie strap extending from a portion of the main body to the top end of the panel extension, the tie strap supporting the top end of the panel extension from the top portion of the main body.    
     
     
         15 . The backpack of  claim 14 , wherein the panel extension is pivotally attached to the bottom wall of the main body.  
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 14 , wherein the panel extension is releasably attached at two locations along the bottom portion.  
     
     
         17 . The backpack of  claim 14 , wherein the panel extension further comprises a pair of side edges and a pair of aluminum stays positioned along the pair of side edges.  
     
     
         18 . The backpack of  claim 14 , wherein the panel extension is moveable between a forwardly extended position, a rearwardly extended position, and a collapsed position adjacent to the rear wall of the main body.  
     
     
         19 . A backpack as defined in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the panel extension has a first side and a second side; and further comprising: 
 a fabric panel removably positioned on the second side of the panel extension, wherein when the panel extension is in the collapsed position, the first side is adjacent the main body and the second covered side faces rearwardly, and when in the forwardly extended position, the first side faces downwardly and the second covered side faces rearwardly.  
   
     
     
         20 . A load bearing field support system comprising: 
 a waist belt;    a pair of shoulder straps, each of the shoulder straps having a front end attached to the waist belt and a rear end attached to the waist belt, and a middle section disposed between said front and rear ends;    a panel extension having a top end and a bottom end, the panel extension pivotally attached at its bottom end to the waist belt; and    a tie strap extending from the shoulder straps to the top end of the panel extension, the tie strap supporting the top end of the panel extension from the shoulder strap.