A method of reducing forward head posture is disclosed herein. Such a method may include: providing a backpack that includes a sternal pad included on one or more shoulder straps, a sacral pad, and one or more dorsal pads; positioning the sternal pad included on the one or more shoulder straps on a wearer's sternum and upper anterior ribs; positioning the sacral pad on the wearer's thoracolumbar junction, such that the sacral pad spans at least a portion of a bottom of the backpack; and positioning the one or more dorsal pads on the wearer's spine and shoulder, where the sternal pad, the sacral pad, and one of the one or more dorsal pads when positioned on the wearer are arranged in a triangular configuration when viewed from a side perspective of the wearer.

A method of reducing forward head posture is disclosed herein. Such a method may include: providing a backpack that includes a sternal pad included on one or more shoulder straps, a sacral pad, and one or more dorsal pads; positioning the sternal pad included on the one or more shoulder straps on a wearer's sternum and upper anterior ribs; positioning the sacral pad on the wearer's thoracolumbar junction, such that the sacral pad spans at least a portion of a bottom of the backpack; and positioning the one or more dorsal pads on the wearer's spine and shoulder, where the sternal pad, the sacral pad, and one of the one or more dorsal pads when positioned on the wearer are arranged in a triangular configuration when viewed from a side perspective of the wearer.

A convertible carrying device in which the straps may be selectively secured to configure the device as a backpack or as a handbag. In the handbag configurations, the selective securing of the straps effectuates differing functional strap lengths enabling the handbag to be carried by hand, over a shoulder, or cross body. The arrangement of the connection points on the bag and the straps applies directional forces to the placket surrounding the opening that make it adopt a valley shape when in a handbag configuration and a planar orientation when in the backpack configuration.

A convertible garment, such as a jacket, tunic, sweater or vest, capable of being folded and converted into a carry-on bag and adapted for carrying articles normally carried in a handbag, briefcase, carry-on bag or suitcase, with pockets on the outside and in the lining portion of the garment, arranged so that the garment is not distorted by items carried within said pockets. The garment also has a back panel accessible from inside of the garment for carrying articles such as socks, underwear, shirts and trousers, with special compartments for such clothes. Zippers and hook and loop fasteners are used as closures for some of the pockets. A method for folding the garment and converting it into a conventional carry-on bag is also disclosed.

A duffel bag can be reversibly converted to a cross-over bag by restricting the storage volume of the bag at one end. Optionally, a carrying strap may be adjusted from a central anchor to an outer anchor to facilitate draping the carrying strap over a shoulder.

A duffel bag can be reversibly converted to a cross-over bag by restricting the storage volume of the bag at one end. Optionally, a carrying strap may be adjusted from a central anchor to an outer anchor to facilitate draping the carrying strap over a shoulder.

A retractable shoulder strap for portable objects, such as bags, purses, briefcases or carry-on luggage, comprises a shoulder pad, an elongated strip of pliant material, a plurality of holes positioned at substantially uniform intervals along the length of the elongated strip, and retractors located inside the shoulder pad. Extendible guide wires passing through the plurality of holes connect the ends of the elongated strip to the retractors, which are spring-biased to automatically retract the guide wires and stow the elongated strip inside internal storage spaces in the shoulder pad, thereby eliminating slack in the strap when no tension is applied to the ends of the elongated strip. When tension is applied to the ends of the elongated strip, the portions of the elongated strip stowed in the internal storage spaces of the shoulder pad are automatically extracted, thereby increasing the length of the strap to facilitate normal over-the-shoulder use.

A retractable shoulder strap for portable objects, such as bags, purses, briefcases or carry-on luggage, comprises a shoulder pad, an elongated strip of pliant material, a plurality of holes positioned at substantially uniform intervals along the length of the elongated strip, and retractors located inside the shoulder pad. Extendible guide wires passing through the plurality of holes connect the ends of the elongated strip to the retractors, which are spring-biased to automatically retract the guide wires and stow the elongated strip inside internal storage spaces in the shoulder pad, thereby eliminating slack in the strap when no tension is applied to the ends of the elongated strip. When tension is applied to the ends of the elongated strip, the portions of the elongated strip stowed in the internal storage spaces of the shoulder pad are automatically extracted, thereby increasing the length of the strap to facilitate normal over-the-shoulder use.

The present disclosure relates to a high-performance, portable, flexible, collapsible, inflatable, insulative container with increased carrying capacity and the portability of a backpack. The container of the present disclosure is both collapsible as well as inflatable via the use of a non-leaking, substantially waterproof valve that facilitates air flow into and out of an insulative space of the container.

The disclosure provides conspicuity devices and methods. A first embodiment includes a glove with at least one elongate lighting device adapted and configured to admit light having an advantageous spectral energy distribution. Additional articles of clothing are provided herein for enhanced conspicuity, such as for emergency workers and athletes.