Air frame packs and backpacks

Abstract

Apparatus and method of assembly of a pack, backpack or sack with an air frame. The air frame may include chambers or channels that hold air separated by divisions or dividers. The air may flow freely from one channel to the other without passing through the divisions. The air frame may provide both soft and rigid support and may be regulated by the user changing the amount of air and pressure within the air chambers. The air frame may be integrated into the pack or it may be removable.

1 . A system comprising:
 a pack with an opening and a storage component;   an air frame integrated into the pack, the air frame comprising:
 at least one channel wherein the air may pass there through: 
 at least one division extending along the at least one channel; 
 at least one termination positioned toward at least one end of the one division; and 
   at least one strap configured for a user to carry the pack.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one division comprises a plurality of divisions. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one termination comprises a plurality of terminations. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of channels are in a V-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of channels are vertically positioned and run substantially parallel to each other within the air frame. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of divisions run in conjunction with the plurality of channels and are substantially parallel to each other within the air frame. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an inflation device comprising:
 a valve to allow air to enter in a single direction; 
 a pump; and 
 a release to allow air to escape from the air frame. 
 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a pack with a first opening configured for storage;   an air frame, wherein the air frame and the pack are a unitary piece, the air frame comprising:
 at least one chamber wherein the air may pass there through: 
 at least one divider extending along the at least one chamber; 
 at least one termination positioned toward at least one end of the one divider; and 
   at least one strap configured for a user to carry the pack.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one chamber comprises a plurality of chambers. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one divider comprises a plurality of dividers. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one termination comprises a plurality of terminations. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of chambers are in a V-shape. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of dividers are in a V-shape and in a parallel configuration with the chambers. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of chambers are vertically positioned and run substantially parallel to each other within the air frame. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of dividers run in conjunction with the plurality of chambers and are substantially parallel to each other within the air frame. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an inflation device comprising:
 a valve to allow air to enter in a single direction; 
 a mouthpiece for a user to blow air into; and 
 a release to allow air to escape from the air frame. 
 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a pack with a first opening configured for storage and a second opening;   an air frame, configured to slide into the second opening, the air frame comprising:
 at least one channel wherein the air may pass there through: 
 at least one division extending along the at least one chamber; 
 at least one termination positioned toward at least one end of the one division; and 
   at least one strap configured for a user to carry the pack.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the second opening comprises a narrow sleeve configured to securely and reversibly hold the air frame. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one division comprises a plurality of divisions. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one termination comprises a plurality of terminations. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of channels are in a V-shape. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of channels are vertically positioned and run substantially parallel to each other within the air frame. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of divisions run in conjunction with the plurality of channels and are substantially parallel to each other within the air frame. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising an inflation device comprising:
 a valve to allow air to enter in a single direction; 
 a pump; and 
 a release to allow air to escape from the air frame. 
 
     
     
         27 . A method of assembly comprising:
 providing a first fabric in a first shape;   providing a second fabric in a second shape;   laminating the first fabric and second fabric, wherein laminating the first fabric and the second fabric creates an airtight seal;   welding at least one division into the first and second fabrics;   welding at least one termination into the first and second fabrics;   positioning a valve between the first fabric and the second fabric; and   welding the first fabric to the second fabric around a perimeter of the first shape.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the first shape and the second shape are the same wherein providing the first and second fabrics comprises:
 cutting excessive fabric around the perimeter of the first and second shapes.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising, welding the first and second fabrics to a pack with at least one storage compartment. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the second fabric is the back facing side of a pack with at least one storage compartment.