Backpack Systems

Abstract

Backpack and counterbalance systems using load balancing pockets to be worn during active movement. The load balancing pockets of such system are arranged in the following way: a gap is created between the pockets so that the feet of the wearer are visible through the gap; the sides of the pockets do not hinder the natural swing of the arms when walking or running; this positioning is maintained whatever the size and shape of the wearer.

1 ) A backpack and counterbalancing system comprising:
 a) at least one backpack body, having at least one lower portion, to be worn on a back of a wearer;   b) at least one shoulder harness having at least one left shoulder strap and at least one right shoulder strap;   c) at least one left side pocket to be worn in front of the wearer;   d) wherein said at least one left side pocket comprise at least one upper portion, at least one lower portion, and at least one rear panel;   e) wherein said at least one upper portion of said at least one left side pocket is operatively connected to said at least one left shoulder strap, and wherein said at least one lower portion of said at least one left side pocket is operatively connected, via at least one adjustable length connector, to at least one lower left side portion of said at least one backpack body to maintain said at least one left side pocket in general vertical alignment;   f) at least one right side pocket to be worn in front of the wearer;   g) wherein said at least one right side pocket comprises at least one upper portion, at least one lower portion, and at least one rear panel;   h) wherein said at least one upper portion of said at least one right side pocket is operatively connected to said right shoulder strap and at least one lower portion of said at least one right side pocket is operatively connected via at least one adjustable length connector to the lower right side portion of said at least one backpack body to maintain the right side pocket in general vertical alignment;   i) at least one separable link of fixed length operatively connecting said at least one left side pocket to said at least one right side pocket; and   j) wherein said at least one rear panel of said at least one left side pocket and said at least one rear panel of said at least one right side pocket each comprise at least one frame extending from said at least one top portion of said at least one rear panel to said at least one bottom portion of said at least one rear panel of a respective side pocket.   
   
   
       2 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection of each side pocket to a corresponding shoulder strap is via at least one free sliding connection along the length of at least a lower portion of each said shoulder strap. 
   
   
       3 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 a) at least one right chest strap; and   b) at least one left chest strap;   c) wherein said at least one right chest strap is slidably connected to, and along the length of, at least one lower portion of said at least one right shoulder strap; and   d) wherein said at least one left chest strap is slidably connected to and along the length of at least one lower portion of said at least one left shoulder strap.   
   
   
       4 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 3 , further comprising
 a) at least one first separable link operatively connecting at least one upper portion of said at least one left side pocket to said at least one right shoulder strap; and   b) at least one second separable link operatively connecting at least one upper portion of said at least one right side pocket to said at least one left shoulder strap.   
   
   
       5 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 3 , further comprising at least two separable links of fixed length operatively connecting said at least one left side pocket and said at least one right side pocket, a first separable link of said at least two separable links connecting said pockets at an upper portion, and a second separable link of said at least two separable links connecting said pockets at a lower portion. 
   
   
       6 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 3 , further comprising
 a) at least one left chest strap and at least one right chest strap;   b) wherein said at least one left chest strap is operatively connected to a middle portion of said at least one left shoulder strap, which passes through at least one loop attached to at least one lower left side portion of said at least one backpack body, and further connects to a lower portion of said at least one left shoulder strap to form a continuous loop on the left side of said backpack;   c) wherein said at least one right chest strap, wherein said at least one right chest strap is operatively connected to a middle portion of said at least one right shoulder strap, which subsequently passes through at least one loop attached to a lower right side portion of said at least one backpack body, and further connects to a lower portion of said at least one right shoulder strap to form a continuous loop on the right side of the backpack; and   d) wherein said shoulder straps are freely moveable through said continuous loops to enable shoulder movement of the wearer.   
   
   
       7 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 6 , wherein said chest straps are positioned adjacent to the upper chest of the wearer such that each strap runs diagonally downward from said middle portions of said shoulder straps towards the center of the chest of the wearer, and further down towards the corresponding hip of the wearer; and wherein each chest strap may be connected to the opposite chest strap via at least one separable link; such that the two chest straps when connected form an “X” configuration across the chest of the wearer. 
   
   
       8 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one separable link comprises at least a one-part clip. 
   
   
       9 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one separable link comprises an elongated loop with at least one end open, wherein one side of said loop is slidably connected to at least one chest strap, and wherein the other chest strap may be inserted into the open end of said elongated loop to rest against the other side of said elongated loop and wherein the aforementioned other chest strap is free to slide around the side of the loop when the wearer twists shoulders relative to hips. 
   
   
       10 ) The backpack and the counterbalancing system according to  claim 9 , wherein
 a) said chest straps are length adjustable; and   b) adjusting said at least one left chest strap simultaneously tightens said at least one left shoulder strap and said at least one left chest strap, and adjusting said at least one right chest strap simultaneously tightens said at least one right shoulder strap and said at least one right chest strap.   
   
   
       11 ) The backpack according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one hip/waist belt, and wherein lower portions of said pockets form a substantial part of said hip/waist belt. 
   
   
       12 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one hip/waist belt, wherein lower side portions of said at least one backpack body comprise said at least one hip/waist belt. 
   
   
       13 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one frame of each said pocket is positioned diagonally across the rear panel in a direction downwardly and inwardly from the outer upper corner of the rear panel such that a top end of said frame is adjacent to and operatively connectable with a corresponding shoulder strap and the other end of said frame is adjacent to a lower separable link to the other said pocket. 
   
   
       14 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 12 , wherein said frame in each pocket is positioned diagonally across said at least one rear panel in a direction downwardly and inwardly from an outer upper corner of said pocket such that at least one top end of said frame is adjacent to and operatively connectable with a corresponding shoulder strap, and the other end of said frame extends towards and below the opposite corner of said pocket adjacent to a lower separable link to the other said pocket. 
   
   
       15 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one portion of said frame extending below said pocket is operatively connectable with at least one holster fixed to a corresponding hip/waist belt buckle part which forms the separable link to the other said pocket. 
   
   
       16 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 15 , wherein said frame of each said pocket comprises at least one semi-rigid material comprising a shapeable memory, allowing the shape of said frame to be custom shaped to match body contours of the wearer. 
   
   
       17 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 17 , wherein said frame in said at least one rear panel of each said pocket further comprises a flexible but longitudinally rigid material positioned around a side and top perimeter of each said pocket. 
   
   
       18 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one separable link comprises at least a two part clip. 
   
   
       19 ) The backpack and counterbalancing system according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one separable link comprises at least one buckle. 
   
   
       20 ) A backpack and counterbalancing system comprising:
 a) carrier means for carrying at least one load to be worn by at least one wearer;   b) shoulder attacher means for attaching said carrier means to shoulders of the at least one wearer;   c) load balancing means for balancing a load within said carrier means;   d) positioner means for positioning said load balancing means in front of the at least one wearer;   e) alignment assister means for assisting alignment of said load balancing means in general vertical alignment;   f) wherein said alignment assister means comprises
 i) connector means for connecting said load balancing means to said shoulder attacher means, and 
 ii) adjuster means for adjusting said connector means; and 
   g) supporter means for supporting said load balancing means.