Backpack with segmented construction body protecting features

Abstract

Backpacks, even those for outdoors sports, generally comprise an envelope of relatively flaccid textile material attached to a structured back-engaging frame, board or pad. Extreme sports such as skiing, motorbike racing, snow boarding, heli-skiing and such would benefit from greater protection to the person's back, as well as to the contents of the backpack. The disclosed backpack 2 includes a segmented and shaped back board 40 which permits limited flexing in certain directions to help protect the user's back from overextension. The container or packing portion 24 of the backpack 2 has corresponding rigid segments 16 interconnected by flexible textile portions 20 . The segmented packing portion 24 and the segmented safety board 40 work together to protect both the contents of the backpack 2 and the back of the user.

1 . A method for toting, storing, maintaining security, and protecting items within a piece of luggage, backpack, or the like comprising: providing a durable, protective, rigid and shaped outer portion, while protecting the back of a user carrying said backpack by providing a protective back portion against which the user's back rests, designed to help prevent hyperextension of the user's back and to provide protection to the user's back from other external sources including the contents of the backpack.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of protecting the contents of the backpack includes providing a hard shell on the outside of the backpack.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of providing a hard shell comprises providing a hard shell in the shape of a tortoise shell.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of protecting the user's back and protecting the contents of the backpack comprises providing a protective hard outer shell in combination with a back board onto which the user's back is adjacent which prevents hyperextension of the user's back.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of providing a back board further includes providing a back board comprising at least one segment.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said step of providing at least one segment further includes providing at least one additional segment to which said at least one segment is joined and wherein said segments are connected in a manner that allows said segments to bend in a controlled manner, allowing the wearer to experience forward bending, backward bending and side bending without bending to a point that is dangerous to the health of the spine and back.  
     
     
         7 . A system for toting, storing, maintaining security, and protecting items within a piece of luggage, backpack, or the like while providing protection to a user's back.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a back board, that is worn adjacent to the back of the user, and an outer shell portion through which access to the backpack is granted.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the shell and the back board are adjoined.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the shell and the back board are adjoined permanently.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the shell and the back board are connected along at least one peripheral edge.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the shell and the back board are connected to each other by conventional connecting mechanisms.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said conventional mechanisms include an openable access to a packing compartment.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said conventional mechanisms include a zipper.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said backpack is worn by said user in a snug fashion so that said user fully takes advantage of the design of said backpack in that said backpack conforms snugly to the back of the user such that the user is restricted in movement therefore limiting or helping the user from hyper-extending said user's back.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the snug fit is achieved by a system of adjustable portions sized to extend around said user's body.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said adjustable portions comprise straps.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said adjustable portions comprise bands.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said back board further comprises at least one segment.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said at least one segment is joined to at least one other segment.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said segments are connected by a flexible member in a manner that permits controlled bending of said segments including forward bending, backward bending and side bending whereby said bending is limited to help prevent danger the user's spine and back.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said shell portion comprises segments.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said rigid segments form a rounded, protective cover that can be opened to reveal contents of the backpack.  
     
     
         24 . The shell portion of  claim 7  further comprising a frame.  
     
     
         25 . The frame of  claim 24  further comprising rib, spacer and loop portions.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said segments are separated by portions of fabric.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said back board is lined with foam for adjacent placement against the user's back.  
     
     
         28 . The back board of  claim 8  further comprising a backing of foam between said back board and said foam that lies adjacent to the user's back.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said segments are of rigid construction.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said frame is constructed of rigid material.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said protection to the user's back further comprises features that are protective of the human spine.  
     
     
         32 . The spine protective features of  claim 31  further comprising a semi-cylindrical longitudinal indentation, located along the length of said back board and facing the user's back, that accommodates the spine.  
     
     
         33 . The indentation of  claim 32  further comprising contours suited to conform conform to the area of the back corresponding to the spine.  
     
     
         34 . A backpack having a back board of at least two interconnected, relatively rigid segments, means for mechanically interconnecting those segments, a packing compartment at least partially defined by a shell made of at least two relatively rigid shell segments, and straps for attaching and holding the backpack on the back of a user, the segments of the back board and the segments of the relatively rigid shell interconnected to one another to permit controlled forward bending, back bending and side bending of the backpack when the backpack is being carried on the back of a user.  
     
     
         35 . The foam of  claim 27  further comprising at least one layer of foam and a layer of mesh textile.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35  wherein said foam is perforated.  
     
     
         37 . The foam of  claim 27  further comprising at least one layer of foam and a layer of transparent material.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein said foam is perforated.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said system of adjustable portions further comprises overlapping elastic bands.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said back board is surrounded by a layer of material including an organizational portions on an inner surface.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said conventional mechanisms include straps.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said conventional mechanisms include molded portions.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said conventional mechanisms include mating frame portions.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said conventional mechanisms include tongue and groove mechanisms.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said conventional mechanisms include reinforced zippers.  
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45  wherein said zipper is reinforced with an additional layer of textile, thereby acting as a rigid hinge.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 23  wherein at least one of said shell segments includes a recess.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47  wherein said recess houses an external pocket.