Backpack suspension system

Abstract

A suspension system for a backpack includes a rocker arm pivotally connected to the backpack. A first hip stay has a first end connected to a first end of the rocker arm and a second end opposite the first end. A second hip stay has a first end connected to a second end of the rocker arm and a second end opposite the first end. A waist belt is attached to the second end of the first hip stay and to the second end of the second hip stay. The first and second hip stays distribute the load of the backpack between a wearer's left and right hips. A backpack incorporating the suspension system is also disclosed.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . A backpack comprising:
 a pack bag for carrying a load;   a rocker arm pivotally coupled to the pack bag, the rocker arm having a first end and a second end;   a first hip stay having a first end flexibly associated with the first end of the rocker arm and a second end opposite the first end;   a second hip stay having a first end flexibly associated with the second end of the rocker arm and a second end opposite the first end; and   a waist belt coupled to the first and second hip stays proximate the second ends thereof;   wherein the rocker arm pivots about a fixed pivot point; and   wherein the waist belt is slidably movable with respect to the hip stays.   
   
   
       28 . The backpack of  claim 27 , wherein the first end of the first hip stay is flexibly associated with the first end of the rocker arm by a first resilient member, and the first end of the second hip stay is flexibly associated with the second end of the rocker arm by a second resilient member. 
   
   
       29 . The backpack of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the second end of the first hip stay is attached to the waist belt at a first point; and   the second end of the second hip stay is attached to the waist belt at a second point;   wherein the first and second points are disposed to be substantially adjacent a wearer's hips.   
   
   
       30 . The backpack of  claim 27 , further comprising a mounting plate to which the rocker arm is coupled. 
   
   
       31 . The backpack of  claim 30 , further comprising a tail stay extending from the mounting plate to the waist belt intermediate the first hip stay and the second hip stay. 
   
   
       32 . The backpack of  claim 31 , further comprising a shoulder harness coupled to the pack bag and spaced from the waist belt. 
   
   
       33 . The backpack of  claim 31 , wherein the tail stay is slidably associated with the waist belt. 
   
   
       34 . The backpack of  claim 30 , further comprising a back pad coupled to the pack bag, wherein the mounting plate is disposed between the pack bag and back pad. 
   
   
       35 . The backpack of  claim 27 , further comprising a back pad, wherein vertical distance of the back pad with respect to the waist belt is adjustable. 
   
   
       36 . The backpack of  claim 27 , wherein the fixed pivot point is disposed intermediate the first and second ends of the rocker arm. 
   
   
       37 . The backpack of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second hip stays are each independently connected to the rocker arm. 
   
   
       38 . The backpack of  claim 27 , wherein the waist belt defines a first pocket for receiving the second end of the first hip stay and a second pocket for receiving the second end of the second hip stay. 
   
   
       39 . The backpack of  claim 38 , wherein the second end of the first hip stay is permitted to slide through the first pocket and the second end of the second hip stay is permitted to slide through the second pocket. 
   
   
       40 . A backpack comprising:
 a pack bag for carrying a load;   a shoulder harness;   a waist belt; and   a suspension system associated with the waist belt, the suspension system comprising a fixed pivot point for governing movement of the waist belt with respect to the pack bag and a hip stay member slidably associated with the waist belt;   wherein the hip stay member is flexibly coupled to the fixed pivot point with a resilient portion and pivotable with respect to the pivot point.   
   
   
       41 . The backpack of  claim 40 , wherein the resilient portion is integrally formed with the hip stay member. 
   
   
       42 . The backpack of  claim 40 , wherein the resilient portion comprises a separate resilient member coupled to the hip stay member. 
   
   
       43 . The backpack of  claim 40 , wherein the hip stay member comprises an arcuate portion. 
   
   
       44 . The backpack of  claim 40 , further comprising a back pad, wherein vertical distance of the back pad with respect to the waist belt is adjustable. 
   
   
       45 . The backpack of  claim 40 , further comprising a mounting plate to which the suspension system is coupled. 
   
   
       46 . The backpack of  claim 45 , further comprising a back pad coupled to the pack bag, wherein the mounting plate is disposed between the pack bag and the back pad and wherein vertical distance of the back pad with respect to the waist belt is adjustable.