Backpack with inflatable air cushions

Abstract

A backpack with inflatable air cushions integrated onto shoulder straps, back side of the backpack, and hip belt to enhance comfort and support and reduce body fatigues especially on shoulders and back when carrying a load. The backpack includes a main container with front, back, sides, top, and bottom portions, the back portion including an inflatable air cushion; a pair of shoulder straps having two ends with one end connecting to the upper back side of the container, and one end connecting to the low back side or bottom portion of the container, such that the shoulder straps are inflatable to form air cushions; and a removable hip belt with air cushions to transfer weight to the hip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backpack, comprising:
 a) a container;   b) a rear cushion disposed on a back side of the container, the rear cushion comprising first and second rear sheets, which are connected in a first plurality of connection portions, to form a first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; and   c) first and second shoulder straps, each connected to the container in first and second ends, each of the first and second shoulder straps comprising first and second strap sheets, which are connected in a second plurality of connection portions, to form a second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.   
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions are fluidly connected. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the first rear and first strap sheets are part of an entire first sheet and the second rear and second strap sheets are part of an entire second sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a hip belt, which is connected to a lower part of the container, the hip belt comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion comprising first and second hip sheets, which are connected in a third plurality of connection portions, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions. 
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions. 
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inlet valve, which is connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions. 
     
     
         7 . A backpack comprising:
 a) a container having a back side, the container comprising at least one first air cushion disposed on the back side, the at least one first air cushion comprising a first at least two material sheets connected by a first plurality of connection portions to form a first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions;   b) at least one shoulder strap having a first end connecting to a top of the container and a second end connecting to a bottom of the container, the at least one shoulder strap comprising at least one second air cushion, comprising a second at least two material sheets connected by a second plurality of connection portions to form a second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; and   c) at least one inlet valve, which is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second air cushions.   
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one outlet valve, which is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second air cushions. 
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one inflating device, wherein the at least one inflating device is connected to the at least one inlet valve. 
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 7 , wherein at least one air cushion on the shoulder strap is fluidly connected to at least one air cushion on the back of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The backpack of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions are fluidly connected. 
     
     
         12 . The backpack of  claim 7 , wherein the first rear and first strap sheets are part of an entire first sheet and the second rear and second strap sheets are part of an entire second sheet. 
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 7 , further comprising a hip belt, which is connected to a lower part of the container, the hip belt comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion comprising first and second hip sheets, which are connected in a third plurality of connection portions, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions. 
     
     
         14 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions. 
     
     
         15 . A backpack, comprising:
 a) a container having a back portion, and at least one inflatable back cushion disposed on the back portion, at least one inflatable back cushion comprising a first at least two material sheets connected by a first plurality of connection portions to form a first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions;   b) at least one shoulder strap having a first end connecting to a top of the container and a second end connecting to a bottom of the container, the at least one shoulder strap comprising at least one inflatable shoulder cushion, comprising a second at least two material sheets connected by a second plurality of connection portions to form a second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; and   c) at least one hip belt, which is connected to the container in a lower back portion of the container, the at least one hip belt comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion, comprising first and second hip sheets, which are connected in a third plurality of connection portions, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.   
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion. 
     
     
         17 . The backpack of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one inflatable shoulder cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion. 
     
     
         18 . The backpack of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion, and the at least one inflatable shoulder cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion. 
     
     
         19 . The backpack of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one inflatable shoulder cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable hip cushion. 
     
     
         20 . The backpack of  claim 15 , wherein the hip belt is removable.