Custom molded backpack hipbelt and method

Abstract

A custom molded hipbelt for a backpack and method for molding it to a user comprising the steps of ( 1 ) providing a belt blank assembly of a thermo-moldable foam material within a sewn or laminated shell, ( 2 ) heating the foam portion of the blank sufficiently to allow molding of the foam while preventing the heating of non-moldable hardware, ( 3 ) positioning the blank on the hips of a user as it would be worn in use and ( 4 ) simulating a load, while allowing the foam material to cool and set in a form custom molded to the user.

1 . A custom molded hipbelt for a backpack, custom molded to fit a user, wherein the hipbelt comprises a belt blank assembly having a core of thermo-moldable foam material contained within a sewn or laminated shell, 
 wherein the belt blank assembly is heated to its point of permanent deformation,    while heated to its point of permanent deformation, the blank is molded to the shape of an wearer's hips and cooled below the temperature of permanent deformation.    
   
   
       2 . A method of creating a custom molded weight supporting hipbelt comprising the steps of providing a belt blank assembly of a thermo-moldable foam material within a sewn or laminated shell, 
 heating the foam portion of the blank sufficiently to allow molding of the foam while preventing the heating of non-moldable hardware,    positioning the heated blank on the hips of a user as it would be worn in use, and    simulating a load as the foam material is cooled and set in a form custom molded to the user.