Backpack with security feature

Abstract

Backpacks, book bags and day packs have advantages over conventional luggage in that the user's hands are free from carrying the backpack since the backpack is carried on the back of the user. However, this places the backpack out of line of sight from the user, and thus subjects the user to pickpocket or other thieves accessing goods carried in the backpack. The inventive backpack disclosed herein limits access to the packing compartment of the backpack ( 2 ) by continuing the zipper tracks ( 20, 56 ) for those compartments ( 12, 50 ) and terminating them on the back face ( 6 ) of the backpack which is normally contacting the upper back of the user. These zipper tracks terminate in a pouch ( 22 ) secured by a releasable closure, such as a hook and loop fastener ( 29 ). This pouch is primarily defined by a flap ( 28 ) which is covered by or constructed of the same padded textile material that covers the back face of the backpack to provide comfort to the user. Thus, the backpack is not easily opened by sneak thieves.

1 . A backpack or daypack having at least one shoulder strap attached to a back face thereof for carrying the backpack on one's back with an upper portion of the backpack normally above a lower portion thereof, at least one packing compartment located between the back face of the backpack and a front face of the backpack for containing things to be carried in the backpack, and a zippered opening into the at least one main packing compartment through which the things to be carried may be placed into the at least one main packing compartment, the zippered opening having at least one zipper slider and a zipper track along a least a portion of the zippered opening, the improvement comprising a pouch located adjacent the back face of the backpack into which the zipper track passes, the pouch being sized to receive the zipper slider when the zipper slider is positioned in the pouch on the zipper track.  
     
     
         2 . The backpack as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the pouch has a flap mounted on the surface of the back face of the backpack, the flap having a first edge affixed to the back face and a releasable edge releasably attached to the back face.  
     
     
         3 . The backpack as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the zipper track terminates within the pouch.  
     
     
         4 . The backpack as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the back face of the backpack includes padding which normally contacts the back of the user when the user is carrying the backpack with the shoulder strap on the user's shoulder, the pouch having a surface with similar padding which also normally contacts the back of the user when the user is carrying the backpack with the shoulder strap on the user's shoulder.  
     
     
         5 . The backpack as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the at least one packing compartment is a main packing compartment.  
     
     
         6 . The backpack as set forth in  claim 5  wherein a major portion of the zipper track is located on the front face of the backpack such that the zippered opening is located on the front face of the backpack, whereby access to the main packing compartment can be had through the front face of the backpack.  
     
     
         7 . The backpack of  claim 6  wherein the zipper track includes a minor portion that extends from the front face of the backpack to the back face of the backpack.  
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 7  wherein the minor portion of the zipper track is located on the lower portion of the backpack, and the major portion of the zipper track is located on the upper portion of the backpack.  
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 8  wherein the zipper track comprises two rows of interengagable zipper teeth arranged on a pair of textile tapes, the textile tapes in the minor portion of the zipper track being attached together whereby when the zipper sliders are manipulated to open the zippered opening into the packing compartment, the zippered opening is defined substantially only by the major portion of the zipper track.  
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 9  wherein the textile tapes in the minor portion of zipper track are attached together by a narrow textile ribbon extending from the pouch on the back face of the backpack and terminating at the zippered opening.  
     
     
         11 . The backpack of  claim 8  wherein the major portion of the zipper track mostly extends along a first plane at the front face of the backpack, and the minor portion of the zipper track follows a curved path from the major portion of the zipper track to extend in a second plane which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.