Apparatus and system for transporting an item

Abstract

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

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to transport an item on a user's back, the apparatus comprising:
 a substantially rigid frame;   at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotably coupled to the 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 frame and wherein, in the transporting position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support extends from the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises at least one of a folding chair back frame, a folding chair seat frame, and a folding chair armrest frame. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a backpack frame. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, in the storage position, at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned parallel with the substantially rigid frame. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, in the transport position, at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support extends substantially perpendicularly from the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the chair back frame comprises a chair back frame cross member and the chair seat frame comprises a chair seat cross member, wherein, in the storage position, at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned parallel to and adjacent at least one of the chair back frame cross member and the chair seat cross member and wherein, in the transporting position at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the chair back frame cross member and the chair seat cross member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a folding chair armrest frame having at least one vertical support member, the at least one vertical support member supporting at least one armrest frame cross member, wherein, in the storage position, at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned parallel to at least one of the at least one vertical support member and the at least one armrest frame cross member and wherein, in the transporting position at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the at least one vertical support member and the at least one armrest frame cross member. 
     
     
         10 . 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 frame 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 perpendicular to the extending portion. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element disposed between the substantially rigid frame and the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support, the biasing element biasing the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support in at least one of the storage position and the transporting position. 
     
     
         13 . A backpack chair, the backpack chair comprising:
 a frame comprising at least one of a chair back frame and a chair seat frame; and   at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotably coupled to the 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 frame and wherein, in the transporting position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support extends substantially perpendicularly from the frame.   
     
     
         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 frame with the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support positioned in the transporting position, the hooking portion extending from the extending portion, the hooking portion transitioning to an angle substantially perpendicular to the extending portion. 
     
     
         15 . The backpack chair of  claim 14 , 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 transporting position. 
     
     
         17 . The backpack chair of  claim 13 , wherein the frame further comprises a folding chair armrest frame having at least one vertical support member, the at least one vertical support member supporting at least one armrest frame cross member, wherein, in the storage position, at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned parallel to at least one of the at least one vertical support member and the at least one armrest frame cross member and wherein, in the transporting position at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the at least one vertical support member and the at least one armrest frame cross member. 
     
     
         18 . A backpack chair, the backpack chair comprising:
 a frame comprising a folding chair armrest frame having at least one vertical support member, the at least one vertical support member supporting at least one armrest frame cross member; and   at least one substantially rigid shoulder support pivotably coupled to the 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 frame and wherein, in the transporting position, the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support extends substantially perpendicularly from the frame.   
     
     
         19 . The backpack chair of  claim 18 , wherein, in the storage position, at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned parallel to at least one of the at least one vertical support member and the at least one armrest frame cross member and wherein, in the transporting position at least a portion of the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support is positioned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the at least one vertical support member and the at least one armrest frame cross member. 
     
     
         20 . 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 frame with the at least one substantially rigid shoulder support positioned in the transporting position, the hooking portion extending from the extending portion, the hooking portion transitioning to an angle substantially perpendicular to the extending portion.