Backpack

Abstract

A backpack ( 10 ) has at least one angled interior panel ( 36 ), to a location close to, and supported by, the users's hips without the need for adjusting “V”-shaped pad ( 20 ) on the exterior of the backpack, disposed near the bottom thereof, contacts the user's back, and rests automatically on the user's hips, thereby distributing the load of the backpack more evenly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A backpack, for carrying items on the back of a user, said backpack comprising: 
 means for holding said items;    means for securing said means for holding to said user; and    a “V” shaped pad for distributing the weight of said backpack, including the weight of said items, on the hips of said user, said pad being mounted on said means for holding and having arms which are configured to rest on said hips of said user;    whereby the contact of said arms of said pad with said hips of said user serves to dispose said weight of said backpack, including said weight of said items, on said means for holding, substantially equally on either side of the spine of said user.    
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein said means for holding includes a chamfered compartment having a bottom end positioned in proximity to the back of said user, and wherein said bottom end is smaller than a top of said means for holding.  
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising an angled member disposed within said means for holding, for urging the weight of items placed on said angled member towards the front bottom of said means for holding.  
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 3 , wherein said means for holding includes a panel for positioning said means for holding relative to said back of said user; and 
 said angled member has a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end being disposed within said means for holding closer to said hips of said user than is said top end, and said top end is positioned closer to the top of said means for holding and further from said back of said user than is said bottom end.    
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 4 , wherein said angled member includes a rigid panel.  
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 5  wherein said angled member is substantially flexible.  
     
     
         7 . A backpack, for carrying items on the back of a user, said backpack comprising: 
 means for holding said items;    means for securing said means for holding to said user; and    an angled member disposed within said means for holding, for urging the weight of items placed on said angled member towards the front bottom of said means for holding.    
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 7 , wherein said angled member forms part of the exterior of said backpack, so that a bottom of said means for holding is smaller than a top of said means for holding, and said bottom of said means for holding is disposed in proximity to the back of said user.  
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 7 , wherein said angled member includes a rigid panel.  
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 7  wherein said angled member is substantially flexible.  
     
     
         11 . The backpack of claim  71  wherein said means for holding includes a panel for positioning said means for holding relative to said back of said user; and 
 said angled member has a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end being disposed within said means for holding closer to said hips of said user than is said top end, and said top end is positioned closer to the top of said means for holding and further from said back of said user than is said bottom end.  
 
     
     
         12 . A backpack, for carrying items on the back of a user, said backpack comprising: 
 a compartment for holding said items, said compartment including a panel disposed to contact at least a portion of said back of said user and the hips of said user and forming a side of said container;    at least one strap secured relative to said panel, for securing said compartment to said user;    a pad mounted on said panel, and disposed to contact said hips of said user, said pad being configured to urge said compartment into a position in which said compartment is substantially equally disposed on each side of the spine of said user; and    an angled member disposed within said compartment, said angled member having a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end being disposed closer to said hips of said user than is said top end, and said top end being disposed farther from said panel than is said bottom end;    whereby the weight of said items is urged onto said hips of said user.    
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 12 , further comprising means for adjusting the length of said at least one strap to accommodate the height of said user, whereby said pad will be maintained in a desired position on said hips of said user regardless of said height of said user, within a predetermined range of heights.  
     
     
         14 . The backpack of  claim 12 , wherein said pad is “V” shaped.