Apparatus and system for transporting an item

Abstract

An apparatus and system are disclosed for transporting an item. The apparatus includes a panel and at least one substantially rigid shoulder support. The panel includes a substantially flat material. The shoulder support is pivotably coupled to the panel. The shoulder support is pivotable from a storage position to a transporting position. In the storage position, the shoulder support is positioned adjacent the panel. In the transporting position, the shoulder support extends from the panel

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to transport an item on a user's back, the apparatus comprising:
 a panel comprising a substantially flat material;   at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotably coupled to the panel, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotable from a storage position to a transporting position, wherein, in the storage position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned adjacent the panel and wherein, in the transporting position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support extends from the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises at least one of a folding chair back panel and a folding chair seat panel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a back panel on a backpack. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially rigid frame, wherein the at least one shoulder support is pivotably coupled to the panel by the substantially rigid frame. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the frame comprises at least one of a chair back frame and a chair seat frame, the chair back frame having a top end and a bottom end, the chair seat frame having a front end disposed opposite a rear end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is pivotably coupled to at least one of the top end of the chair back frame and the front end of the chair seat frame. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a cushion pivotably coupled to the chair back frame, the cushion pivotably positionable in a head rest position and lumbar support position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a footrest removably coupled to the chair seat frame, wherein a height of the footrest is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a front leg frame and a rear leg frame, wherein a length of at least one of the front leg frame and the rear leg frame is adjustable to adjust a height of a chair seat panel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one arm rest and a drink holder, the at least one arm rest pivotably coupled to the chair back frame at a first end of the at least one arm rest, the drink holder pivotably coupled to and extending from a second end of the at least one arm rest, wherein the drink holder is pivotably positionable between a folded position and a drink holding position. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support comprises an extending portion and a hooking portion, the extending portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the panel with the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support positioned in the transport position, the hooking portion extending from the extending portion, the hooking portion transitioning to an angle substantially parallel to the panel. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the extending portion is approximately a same length as an average width of a user's shoulder from a chest of the user to a back of the user. 
     
     
         13 . A backpack chair, the backpack chair comprising:
 at least one panel;   a chair back frame;   a chair seat frame, wherein at least one of the chair back frame and the chair seat frame supports the at least one panel;   at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotably coupled to at least one of the chair back frame and the chair seat frame, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotable from a storage position to a transporting position, wherein, in the storage position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned adjacent the panel and wherein, in the transporting position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support extends from the panel; and   a cushion pivotably coupled to the chair back frame, the cushion pivotably positionable in a head rest position and lumbar support position.   
     
     
         14 . The backpack chair of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support comprises an extending portion and a hooking portion, the extending portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the panel with the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support positioned in the transport position, the hooking portion extending from the extending portion, the hooking portion transitioning to an angle substantially parallel to the panel. 
     
     
         15 . The backpack chair of  claim 13 , wherein the extending portion is approximately a same length as an average width of a user's shoulder from a chest of the user to a back of the user. 
     
     
         16 . The backpack chair of  claim 13 , further comprising a biasing element configured to bias the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support in at least one of the storage position and the transport position. 
     
     
         17 . The backpack chair of  claim 13 , further comprising a footrest removably coupled to the chair seat frame, wherein a height of the footrest is adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . A backpack chair, the backpack chair comprising:
 at least one panel;   a chair back frame;   a chair seat frame, wherein at least one of the chair back frame and the chair seat frame supports the at least one panel;   at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotably coupled to at least one of the chair back frame and the chair seat frame, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotable from a storage position to a transporting position, wherein, in the storage position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned adjacent the panel and wherein, in the transporting position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support extends from the panel; and   a footrest removably coupled to the chair seat frame, wherein a height of the footrest is adjustable.   
     
     
         19 . The backpack chair of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support comprises an extending portion and a hooking portion, the extending portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the panel with the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support positioned in the transport position, the hooking portion extending from the extending portion, the hooking portion transitioning to an angle substantially parallel to the panel, wherein the extending portion is approximately a same length as an average width of a user's shoulder from a chest of the user to a back of the user. 
     
     
         20 . The backpack chair of  claim 18 , further comprising a biasing element configured to bias the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support in at least one of the storage position and the transport position.