Backpack Integrated with an Animated Character

Abstract

A backpack assembly having shoulder straps and a character that is affixed to the backpack. The character has at least one externally visible feature that can be selectively moved between a first position and a second position. The movement of the feature is performed by an actuator that is built into the character. The actuator operates to move the character's features when activated by the person wearing the backpack. A manually operated controller is positioned on at least one of the shoulder straps. A control umbilical interconnects the manually operated controller to the actuator. The control umbilical, in the form of a pneumatic tube or a mechanical cable, is directed through the shoulder strap, across the bag, and to the actuators in the character.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backpack assembly, comprising;
 a bag having a front panel, a rear panel and side panels;   at least one shoulder strap extending from said bag;   a character affixed to said bag, said character having at least one movable feature that can be selectively moved between a first position and a second position;   an actuator disposed within said character, wherein said actuator operates to move said feature between said first position and said second position;   a manually operated controller positioned on at least one of said shoulder straps for operating said actuator; and   a control umbilical that interconnects said manually operated controller to said actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said control umbilical is selected from a group consisting of tubes and cables. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said bag has a zipper closure that extends into said side panels, wherein said control umbilical extends through at least one of said side panels below said zipper closure. 
     
     
         4 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said movable feature is selected from a group consisting of facial features and body features on said character. 
     
     
         5 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is selected from a group consisting of pneumatic actuators and mechanical cable actuators. 
     
     
         6 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said character is affixed to said front panel of said bag. 
     
     
         7 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is an inflatable pocket in said character that straightens when inflated, said manually operated controller is a compressible air bladder, and said control umbilical is a tube that interconnects said inflatable pocket to said compressible air bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a lever in said character that moves when pulled, said control umbilical is a cable that can pull on said lever, and said manually operated controller is a cable end termination for pulling on said cable. 
     
     
         9 . A backpack assembly, comprising;
 a character having a rear panel, said character having an externally visible feature that can be selectively moved between a first position and a second position;   a shoulder strap extending from said rear panel;   an actuator disposed within said character, wherein said actuator operates to move said externally visible feature between said first position and said second position;   a manually operated controller disposed on said should strap for operating said actuator; and   a control umbilical that extends through said shoulder strap and interconnects said manually operated controller to said actuator.   
     
     
         10 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said control umbilical is selected from a group consisting of tubes and mechanical cables. 
     
     
         11 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 9 , further including a storage compartment within said character. 
     
     
         12 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said externally visible feature is selected from a group consisting of facial features and body features on said character. 
     
     
         13 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said actuator is selected from a group consisting of pneumatic actuators and mechanical cable actuators. 
     
     
         14 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said actuator is an inflatable pocket in said character that straightens when inflated, said manually operated controller is a compressible air bladder, and said control umbilical is a tube that interconnects said inflatable pocket to said compressible air bladder. 
     
     
         15 . The backpack assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said actuator is a lever in said character that moves when pulled, said control umbilical is a cable that can pull on said lever, and said manually operated controller is a cable end termination for pulling on said cable.