Support legs and handles for backpacks and pack frames

Abstract

Support legs and handles mounted onto a pack frame or backpack with the ability to be extended and locked so as to allow the pack to be laid on the ground, loaded, then lifted and pushed into a standing position to shoulder height and allow the user to easily and safely harness the pack to the shoulders and waist. When in the extended position the handles have become stabilizer feet for the legs. The support legs are now unlocked and retracted allowing the full weight of the pack onto the user shoulders. In the retracted position the attached handles are used to hold onto and lift the weight of the pack off the user shoulders and hips. When it become necessary to rest the user can unlock the retracted legs, release the retracting mechanism and lower the support legs to the ground, and employ the locking mechanism. The user can now safely and easily remove the pack from the users back and lay the pack on the ground.

1 . Extendable and retractable legs and handles for pack frame and backpacks;
 (a) two elongated tubes, one sized smaller in diameter so as to allow said smaller diameter tube to slide inside said larger diameter tube thus forming the extendable portion of said leg;   (b) said leg is then equipped with a locking and holding device ( commercially produced) that is attached to the section of said larger tube to hold and lock said larger and smaller tubes together; so when said device is unlocked said tubes will slide apart allowing said tubes to be locked again and held at the length needed to accommodate the height of different users;   (c) said leg is also equipped with a retracting device, comprised of a small diameter cord, the same length as the maximum extension of said leg; said cord is inserted into and through both tubes of said leg, said cord is then fastened securely at the bottom end of said small diameter tube; said cord is then threaded through a small diameter hole in a molded cap that is secured into the open end at the top of said larger diameter tube; said hole in said cap acts as a guide for said retracting cord; a loop is then tied at the open end of said cord, where it protrudes through said rope guide; when said locking device is unlocked, said loop in said cord is pulled, said smaller diameter tube is then retracted into said larger diameter tube, said locking device is then locked holding closed said retracted leg;   (d) a handle is also attached to the bottom of said smaller diameter tube; said handle is an injected molded part, molded to fit over and secure at a 90 degree angle to the bottom of said smaller diameter tube; or a 4 to 5 inch section of small tubing the same diameter as the said smaller diameter tube, being placed and attached at a 90 degree angle to said smaller diameter tube to form a handle;   (e) said support legs and handles are attached to a pack frame or backpack by means of molding, welding, clamping, bolting, sodering, gluing, stitching or any combination of or other prudent sturdy method of attachments;   (f) said support legs and handles are attached, one on each side of said pack frame or backpack so when said pack frame or backpack is being used, said handles are set at a position so that said user can find said handles with their hands; when said support legs are unlocked by said locking device and said support legs are lowered to the ground; said locking device is locked and said handles then become stabilizer feet for said support legs.