Backpack with weight distribution features

Abstract

A backpack assembly includes a backpack with a front surface for facing the person wearing the backpack. Shoulder straps extend from the front surface to the enable the backpack to the mounted on the shoulders of a wearer. A load transfer device is secured to lower portions of the front surface of the backpack. The load transfer device generally assumes the shape of an inverted T with a central support and left and right lower side supports. Front surfaces of the left and right side supports have compound curved shapes configured to the nest into lower portions of the back of the person wearing the backpack so that loads are transferred from the shoulders to the upper regions of the pelvic.

1 . A load transfer device for use with a backpack, the load transfer device defining a substantially inverted T-shape with a central support having opposite top and bottom ends and left and right supports extending transversely out from the central support at positions in proximity to the bottom end of the central support, the load transfer device including a front surface, portions of the front surface extending across the left and right supports and portions of the central support therebetween being curved convexly about one or more axes extending in substantially a left to right direction. 
   
   
       2 . The load transfer device of  claim 2 , wherein the front surface extending across the left and right supports and portions of the central support between the left and right supports are curved concavely in a left to right direction about at least one axis aligned substantially vertically. 
   
   
       3 . The load transfer device of  claim 2 , wherein the left and right supports include bottom edges extending across parts of the load transfer device substantially opposite said top end of said central support, the bottom edges of the left and right supports being convexly arcuate at locations spaced outwardly from the central support. 
   
   
       4 . The load transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein portions of the load transfer device at laterally intermediate positions at the bottom end of the load transfer device define a concavely arcuate edge. 
   
   
       5 . The load transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein portions of the central support substantially adjacent the top end are substantially planar. 
   
   
       6 . The load transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the load transfer device is molded unitarily of a thermoplastic resin. 
   
   
       7 . A backpack having a closed bottom, an openable top and a front surface extending between the close bottom and the openable top; and
 a load transfer device secured to the front surface of the backpack, the load transfer device defining a substantially inverted T-shape with a central support having opposite top and bottom ends and left and right supports extending transversely out from the bottom end of the central support, the load transfer device including a front surface, portions of the front surface extending across the left and right supports and portions of the central support therebetween being curved convexly about one or more axes extending in substantially a left to right directions, portions of the front surface extending across the left and right supports and portions of the central support therebetween further being curved concavely in a left to right direction about at least one vertical axis.   
   
   
       8 . The backpack of  claim 7 , further comprising left and right shoulder straps. 
   
   
       9 . The backpack of  claim 8 , further comprising a belt connected to spaced apart locations on the backpack between the shoulder straps and the bottom surface of the backpack. 
   
   
       10 . The backpack of  claim 9 , wherein the central support is securely affixed to the front surface of the backpack by a mechanical attachment.