A device for storing and carrying items. The device includes a storage section. A binder holder is connected to and extends from a front wall of the storage section. The binder holder includes first and section connection arms extending from the binder holder on a side opposite the connection to the front wall. The first and second connection arms extend in opposite directions from the binder holder. A first connector extends from a first side wall of the storage section for mating with the first connection arm. A second connector extends from a second side wall of the storage section for mating with the second connection arm. When the first connector mates with the first connection arm and the second connector mates with the second connection arm, the binder holder forms a pouch with the front wall for selectively receiving an item therein.

An apparatus for attachment to a backpack includes an elongate fabric sleeve having a length of between about 16 inches and about 20 inches, and including an opening through which a sternum strap of the backpack extends during use. The elongate fabric sleeve can be removably secured to a shoulder strap of a backpack, and can be positioned about an entire circumference of the shoulder strap such that the fabric sleeve covers the shoulder strap along a length of the shoulder strap between a first end portion of the shoulder strap and a second, opposite end portion of the shoulder strap.

A backpack includes right and left shoulder straps that each respectively follows a path starting with a fixed connection at a bottom corner of a back panel. A padded portion extends upwards and then proceeds through an upper ring on the same side of the backpack. The strap then extends back down while crossing over to another fixed connection to a bottom corner on the other side of the back panel. At the top ring, the strap is merely guided back down and is not fixed relative to the ring. Curved frame stays on the left, right and bottom of the back panel have concave shape toward the user. A hipbelt attaches to the backpack with pin connections to allow rotational motion therebetween while preventing lateral motion. Outside straps reduce strain on the backpack fabric and side pockets are passthrough for insertion of objects therebetween while still allowing pocket usage.

A system comprises a first body, comprising: a backpack suspension; a first storage region; and a first portion of a first attachment mechanism. A second body comprises: a second storage region; and a first portion of a second attachment mechanism. A third body comprises: a third storage region; a second portion of the first attachment mechanism; and a second portion of the second attachment mechanism. In a first configuration, the first portion of the first attachment mechanism is coupled to the first portion of the second attachment mechanism. In a second configuration, the first portion of the first attachment mechanism is coupled to the second portion of the first attachment mechanism, and the first portion of the second attachment mechanism is coupled to the second portion of the second attachment mechanism.

A suspended load backpack includes a moving frame including a bag for receiving a load to be carried by the backpack, a fixed frame including shoulder straps for holding the fixed frame in place on a wearer's back, and a rail assembly that connects the moving frame to the fixed frame but allows the moving frame to move relative to the fixed frame. A mounting wheel is connected to the fixed frame, and a compliant mechanism such as a bungee cord is connected between the fixed frame and the moving frame and wrapped around the mounting wheel to permit movement of the moving frame relative to the fixed frame during a gait of the wearer of the backpack in accordance with tension on the compliant mechanism. A ratchet assembly includes a lever that rotates the mounting wheel to easily apply tension to the compliant mechanism.

A backpack for transporting articles and for ballistic including at least one compartment and opposing straps vertically attached to a back-facing portion of the backpack. A first compartment includes a plurality of pouches disposed on an inner surface of the first compartment to store various accessories, a second compartment immediately behind the first compartment defines a cavity sized to receive a bullet-proof material, and a third compartment is formed between the second compartment and the back-facing portion and used to store or transport various articles. Once the user senses danger or comes under fire, the user may deploy the backpack as a ballistic protection by shifting the backpack from where the back-facing portion rests on the user's back side to where the back-facing portion rests on the user's front side. While in the ballistic protection mode, the straps remain situate on the user's shoulders so that both of the user's hands remain free to access accessories stored within the backpack and to utilize firearms if necessary.

A backpack with improved shoulder straps includes a set of fold-over panels formed respectively on the shoulder straps, wherein each of the fold-over panels extends from an inner side of the shoulder strap on which it is formed, folds over the shoulder strap, and attaches to an outer side of the shoulder strap on which it is formed. The improved shoulder straps mitigate chafing around the neck of a user.

A tool storage device system includes a base and a tool storage container removably coupled to the base. The tool storage container slides in a first direction relative to the base to attach the tool storage container to the base, and the tool storage container slides in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the base to remove the tool storage container from the base.

According to a first aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more serpentine tensioners. According to another aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more repositionable load-bearing members. Load-bearing systems having serpentine tensioners and load-bearing systems having repositionable load-bearing members are not mutually exclusive of each other. Accordingly, some disclosed load-bearing systems have a serpentine tensioner in combination with a repositionable load-bearing member. To facilitate disclosure of such principles, wearable packs incorporating one or more aspects of innovative load-bearing systems are described.

The present invention relates to a backpack system. In one embodiment, the backpack system of the present invention comprises: a harness system; an interchangeable bag; and a mounting system that joins the bag to the harness and permits the wearer to manipulate the bag in several ways so as to provide rapid access to the bag and to permit repositioning of the bag from the back of the wearer to the front or side of the wearer. In one embodiment, the harness system comprises a single bifurcated shoulder strap, or even two individual shoulder straps, and a back component that is comprised of one or more alignment features to permit alignment of connectivity of the interchangeable bag. In one embodiment, the harness system can comprise two shoulder straps, a waist and/or belt strap, and a back component that comprises one or more alignment features to align and connect the interchangeable bag. The interchangeable bag can further comprise, in some embodiments, one or more storage compartments, one or more straps that mount to either the bifurcated shoulder strap, or to one, or both, of the individual shoulder straps on the harness system via a removable connection point, and one or more actuation, or manipulation, straps the wearer of the backpack system can use grab to actuate and/or manipulate the bag. The mounting system includes one or more, two or more, or even three or more, mounting points that create a detachable connection between the bag and harness system and permits the wearer to remove the bag from their back whenever they need a less encumbered access to the bag component and/or to remove the backpack bag from the user's back while still wearing the harness.