Multi-member pack system for more evenly distributing weight on the upper body and hips

Abstract

A pack system designed to both better distribute weight front and back and transfer some load support to the hips in order to reduce the burden on the back and shoulders. The pack system comprises a back member and a front member releasibly interconnected by shoulder straps and buckles. Each of the back and front members is a large pack having at least one large compartment capable of receiving a significantly large and heavy load such as big text books or the like. The back member is provided with a waist belt terminating in buckles that can be interconnected on the abdominal area of the user so that at least a significant portion of the back member load is supported at the hips to help reduce the burden on the back and shoulders. The back member also has a central lightweight, rigid frame on the inside surface and attached to the waist belt. A number of smaller pockets are also provided for storing smaller objects such as cell phones, calculators, pens, pencils, pads and paper. Extra straps and connectors are provided so that each of the front and back members may be selectively used without the other to provide the system with maximum versatility by reconnecting the shoulder straps and buckles to the extra straps and connectors.

1 . A pack system used by a person for carrying items forming a distributed load to be borne by the person's back, shoulders, chest and hips to reduce the risk of injury from supporting the load; the system comprising:
 a back member having at least one compartment for containing at least some of said items on the back of a person, said back member having an integral waist belt having buckles for being secured around the waist area of the person for engagement with the hips of the person;   a front member having at least one compartment for containing at least some of said items on the chest of a person; and   a pair of shoulder straps extending between said back member and said front member for supporting a portion of said load on the shoulders of the person, said straps being disconnectable to permit separation of the front and back members from one another.   
     
     
         2 . The pack system recited in  claim 1  further comprising a rigid frame member formed in said back member and affixed to said waist belt for transferring at least a portion of said load to said waist belt. 
     
     
         3 . The pack system recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said front member and said back member comprises at least one pocket for receiving an additional item of said load. 
     
     
         4 . The pack system recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said shoulder straps has a releasable buckle for selectively connecting and disconnecting said shoulder straps from either said back member or said front member. 
     
     
         5 . The pack system recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said front member and said back member has a handle for carrying the member separated from the pack system. 
     
     
         6 . A books and supplies pack system for school children, the pack system forming a distributed load to be borne by a child's back, shoulders, chest and hips and comprising:
 a back member having at least one compartment for containing at least some of said books and supplies and having an integral waist belt for transferring at least some of the weight of said load to the child's hips;   a front member for transferring a portion of said load to a child's chest area; and   a pair of shoulder straps interconnecting said back member and said front member for supporting a portion of said load on a child's shoulders, said shoulder straps being disconnectable from one of said front and back members to separate said members for their selective independent use.   
     
     
         7 . The pack system recited in  claim 6  further comprising a rigid frame member formed in said back member and affixed to said waist belt for transferring at least a portion of said load to said waist belt. 
     
     
         8 . The pack system recited in  claim 6  wherein each of said front member and said back member comprises at least one pocket for receiving an additional item of said load. 
     
     
         9 . The pack system recited in  claim 6  wherein each of said shoulder straps has a releasable buckle for selectively connecting and disconnecting said shoulder straps from either said back member or said front member. 
     
     
         10 . The pack system recited in  claim 6  wherein at least one of said front member and said back member has a handle for carrying the member separated from the pack system. 
     
     
         11 . The pack system recited in  claim 6  further comprising extra strap connectors on said back and front members respectively for receiving said straps for use of one of said back member and said front member without the other.