Rigid backpack

Abstract

A rigid backpack that includes at least one compartment and can include an upper compartment ( 103 ) that is attached to a lower compartment ( 101 ) is described. A top surface ( 105 ) of the lower compartment ( 101 ) is complementary to a bottom surface ( 107 ) of the upper compartment ( 103 ) such that the upper compartment ( 103 ) stacks on and attaches to the lower compartment ( 101 ). A waist strap ( 123 ) is attached to the lower compartment ( 101 ). Similarly, a right should strap ( 127 ) and a left shoulder strap ( 129 ) are attached to upper compartment ( 103 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A backpack comprising: 
 a lower compartment that is formed from rigid material having a top wall;    a waist strap that is attached to the lower compartment;    an upper compartment that is formed from rigid material having a bottom wall wherein the top wall of the lower compartment and the bottom wall of the upper compartment have complementary surfaces such that the upper compartment stacks on top of and is removably attached to the bottom compartment and when the compartments are attached, adjacent surfaces of the lower compartment and the upper compartment form generally continuous surfaces of the rigid backpack; and    at least one shoulder strap attached to the upper compartment.    
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein a first surface of the upper compartment and a first surface lower compartment are adjacent and form an ergonomic shaped continuous surface for supporting the backpack against a person's back.  
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 2 , further comprising a pad that is attached to the ergonomic shaped continuous surface.  
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper door mounted to the upper compartment wherein an inner volume of the upper compartment is accessible through the upper door.  
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 4 , further comprising a container that is attached to the upper door.  
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a lower door mounted to the lower compartment wherein an inner volume of the lower compartment is accessible through the lower door.  
     
     
         7 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the upper compartment and at least one attached shoulder strap can be separated from the upper compartment and used as a rigid daypack.  
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the lower compartment and the attached waist strap can be separated from the upper compartment and used as a rigid fanny pack.  
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the lower compartment is made of metal and the waist strap is removed, and further comprising a flat surface of the top wall that is generally horizontal when the lower compartment is separated from the upper compartment and in an upright position such that the lower compartment can be used for cooking when a heat source is placed inside the lower compartment.  
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the lower compartment is formed from at least one layer of material.  
     
     
         11 . The backpack of  claim 10 , wherein at least one layer of material has an insulating property.  
     
     
         12 . The backpack of  claim 10 , wherein at least one layer of material is impermeable to fluid and the layer is formed so as to make the lower compartment resistant to the escape of fluid.  
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one layer is metal.  
     
     
         14 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one layer is aluminum.  
     
     
         15 . The backpack of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one layer is plastic.  
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one support element attached to a bottom of the lower compartment  
     
     
         17 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the upper compartment is formed from at least one layer of material.  
     
     
         18 . The backpack of  claim 17 , wherein at least one layer of material has an insulating property.  
     
     
         19 . The backpack of  claim 17 , wherein at least one layer of material is impermeable to fluid and the layer is formed so as to make the upper compartment resistant to the escape of fluid.  
     
     
         20 . The backpack of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one layer is metal.  
     
     
         21 . The backpack of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one layer is aluminum.  
     
     
         22 . The backpack of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one layer is plastic.  
     
     
         23 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cylindrical container holder formed in a top of the upper compartment.  
     
     
         24 . A backpack comprising: 
 a lower compartment that is formed from rigid material having a wall that forms a top of the lower compartment;    a waist strap attached to the lower compartment;    an upper compartment that is formed from rigid material and is attached to the bottom compartment such that the wall that forms the top of the lower compartment forms a bottom of the upper compartment, and the adjacent surfaces of the lower compartment and the upper compartment form generally continuous surfaces of the rigid backpack; and    at least one shoulder strap attached to the upper compartment.    
     
     
         25 . The backpack of  claim 24 , wherein the wall forms a horizontal shelf when the backpack is in an upright position.  
     
     
         26 . The backpack of  claim 24 , wherein a first surface of the upper compartment and a first surface lower compartment are adjacent and form an ergonomic shaped continuous surface for supporting the backpack against a person's back.  
     
     
         27 . The backpack of  claim 24 , further comprising a pad that is attached to the ergonomic shaped continuous surface.  
     
     
         28 . The backpack of  claim 24 , further comprising an upper door mounted to the upper compartment wherein an inner volume of the upper compartment is accessible through the upper door.  
     
     
         29 . The backpack of  claim 28 , further comprising a container that is attached to the upper door.  
     
     
         30 . The backpack of  claim 24 , further comprising a lower door mounted to the lower compartment wherein an inner volume of the lower compartment is accessible through the lower door.  
     
     
         31 . The backpack of  claim 24 , wherein the lower compartment is formed from at least one layer of material.  
     
     
         32 . The backpack of  claim 31 , wherein at least one layer of material has an insulating property.  
     
     
         33 . The backpack of  claim 31 , wherein at least one layer of material is impermeable to fluid and the layer is formed so as to make the lower compartment resistant to the escape of fluid.  
     
     
         34 . The backpack of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one layer is metal.  
     
     
         35 . The backpack of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one layer is aluminum.  
     
     
         36 . The backpack of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one layer is plastic.  
     
     
         37 . The backpack of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one support element attached to a bottom of the lower compartment  
     
     
         38 . The backpack of  claim 24 , wherein the upper compartment is formed from at least one layer of material.  
     
     
         39 . The backpack of  claim 38 , wherein at least one layer of material has an insulating property.  
     
     
         40 . The backpack of  claim 38 , wherein at least one layer of material is impermeable to fluid and the layer is formed so as to make the upper compartment resistant to the escape of fluid.  
     
     
         41 . The backpack of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one layer is metal.  
     
     
         42 . The backpack of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one layer is aluminum.  
     
     
         43 . The backpack of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one layer is plastic.  
     
     
         44 . The backpack of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one cylindrical container holder formed in a top of the upper compartment.