Bulk Item Backpack

Abstract

Disclosed is a bulk item backpack composed of an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion that pivot with respect to one another and are adapted to carry a wide array of bulk cargo, including coolers. The backpack has a strap or plurality of straps to secure the backpack to the user, including a waist strap, shoulder straps, or both types of straps. Optionally the backpack may also include cargo straps for securing additional items, such as folding chairs or a storage box adapted for carrying loose items therein. The backpack of the present invention provides a frame that is ideally suited for simultaneously carrying bulky items and loose items that are difficult to carry at once and would normally require several trips.

Claims

1. A backpack, comprising: a frame having an upper frame portion, a ledge, and a lower frame portion; the upper frame portion having a first side and a second side; the ledge attached perpendicularly outward from the second side of the upper frame portion; the lower frame portion pivotally attached to the ledge, wherein the lower frame portion may be pivoted between a parallel position to the upper frame portion and a perpendicular position to the upper frame portion; a cross member disposed at a distal end of the ledge, wherein the cross member is axially aligned with the pivot; wherein the cross member is configured to support an object thereon and within the lower frame portion when the lower frame portion is in the perpendicular position.

2. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a storage box removably attached to the upper frame portion.

3. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cargo straps adjustably attached to the second side of the upper frame portion.

4. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising: a storage box removably attached to the upper frame portion; a plurality of cargo straps adjustably attached to the second side of the upper frame portion.

5. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a pair of gusset straps extending between the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, wherein the gusset straps prevent the lower frame portion from pivoting more than 90 degrees.

6. The backpack of claim 5, wherein the pair of gusset straps is affixed to the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion via a closed loop, wherein each gusset strap is adapted to slidably move along the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, respectively.

7. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of user attachment straps adjustably attached to the first side of the upper frame portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a view of the present invention with the lower frame portion in its collapsed position.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows the present invention in use as carried by an individual and supporting items thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the bulk item backpack. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for simultaneously transporting a cooler, a folding chair, and an assortment of small items. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown perspective views of the first and second sides of the bulk item backpack of the present invention. The backpack is comprised of an upper frame portion 11 and a lower frame portion 12. The first side of the upper frame portion 11 rests against the back of the user and the second side of the upper frame portion 11 is attached to the lower frame portion 12. The lower frame portion 12 is designed such that it may freely pivot between a position perpendicular to the upper frame portion 11 and a collapsed position parallel to the upper frame portion 11. In the depicted views, a ledge 13 extends outward from the upper frame portion 11, wherefrom the lower frame portion 12 is attached by pivotal connectors 14. This ledge 13 creates space between the upper frame portion 11 and the lower frame portion 12 when the lower frame portion 12 is pivoted into its parallel position, so that the lower frame portion 12 does not physically touch the upper frame portion 11. This space created by the ledge 13 ensures that the upper and lower frame portions 11, 12 do not damage each other when the lower frame portion 12 is pivoted into its collapsed configuration. Alternatively, the lower frame portion 12 may be pivotally connected directly to the upper frame portion 11.

[0019] User adjustment straps are attached to the user side of the upper frame portion 11. The user attachment straps adjustably and removably affix the present bulk item backpack to the user so that the user can transport the stowed items. The user attachment straps in the depicted embodiment are a combination of both a waist strap 15 and two shoulder straps 16. Shoulder straps are the standard form of user attachment straps for a backpack, but due to the fact that the present backpack is intended to assist in the transportation of potentially very heavy bulk items, such as coolers, the shoulder straps alone may not be sufficient for support. The waist strap 15 is provided in this embodiment to help with the distribution of weight, which should result in increased stability and comfort for the user while the backpack is in use. The user adjustment straps are adjustable so as to accommodate people of many different sizes and heights. This disclosure contemplates embodiments that have any type of user attachment straps and it is not desired to limit the invention to merely a waist strap and shoulder straps.

[0020] The lower frame portion 12, either with or without the ledge 13 attached depending on the embodiment, may be used to store any type of bulk item that be placed thereon, such as a cooler or box. The lower frame portion 12 has a substantially flat surface that provides a versatile means for conveniently supporting a wide array of items thereon. The lower frame portion 12, as depicted, comprises a peripheral frame portion with a plurality of bars extending across said frame portion. However, the disclosure should not be read as limiting in any way, as the lower frame portion 12 may be configured in a wide variety of designs that provide an elongated support surface for bulk item carriage.

[0021] The outer end of the lower frame portion 12 further comprises an upstanding lip 22 extending vertically therefrom. The lip 22 prevents items stowed on the lower frame portion 12 from sliding off the end thereof during transport. To assist in carrying additional items, a plurality of cargo straps 18 may be adjustably attached to the exterior face of the upper frame portion 11. These cargo straps 19 can secure a wide array of cargo items and their tightness may be adjusted depending on the size of the item sought to be secured.

[0022] Further assisting in the storage of additional items is a storage box 17, as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3. The storage box 17 is attached to the upper frame portion 11 and is freely removable. The storage box 17 is adapted to hold loose items, such as keys or a cellphone. The storage box 17 allows the user to conveniently transport loose items while simultaneously carrying a plurality of bulk items, which is normally difficult under most circumstances without any additional assistance.

[0023] The upper frame portion 11 is substantially rectangular in shape with a rounded upper end, but no specific shape is claimed as to the design of the upper frame portion 11. The upper frame portion 11 is adapted to fit around and against a user's back. The upper frame portion 11 need only be designed such that it is an upright frame portion capable of supporting the lower frame portion 12 or the ledge 13, depending on the embodiment, and the various straps 15, 16, 18, 31 connected thereto. The upper frame portion 11 may additionally be padded on the user side in order to provide additional comfort for the user.

[0024] A pair of gusset straps 31 is disposed on either side of the present invention between the upper frame portion 11 and the lower frame portion 12. The gusset straps 31 are composed of any durable, yet flexible material sufficient to support the weight of the transported bulk items. The pivotal connectors 14 connect the ledge 13 to the lower frame portion 12 or, for embodiments lacking a ledge 13, connect the upper frame portion 11 directly to the lower frame portion 12. For embodiments having the ledge 13, the ledge 13 is integrally connected to the upper frame portion 11, not pivotally connected. The pivotal connectors 14 may have a locking mechanism preventing the lower frame portion 12 from pivoting more than ninety degrees measured from the axis of the upper frame portion 11. In place of a locking mechanism contained within the pivotal connectors 14, gusset straps 31 may be provided to prevent the lower frame portion 12 from pivoting beyond a position substantially perpendicular to the upper frame portion 11. The gusset straps 31 are of a given length sufficient to be fully extended and taut when the lower frame portion 12 is substantially perpendicular to the upper frame portion 11, locking the lower frame portion 12 in place and preventing it from pivoting further. The lower frame portion 12 must be prevented from pivoting past a substantially flat, perpendicular position by either integral anchors within the pivotal connectors 14 or the gusset straps in order to properly support bulk items thereon without slippage.

[0025] The gusset straps 31 additionally prevent lateral sliding of bulk items stored upon the lower frame portion 12 by providing a barrier along the sides of the present invention. The gusset straps 31 are connected on one end to the upper frame portion 11 and at the other end to the lower frame portion 12, extending therebetween in a straight line when said gusset strap 31 is fully taut. The gusset straps 31 and the lip 22 work together to keep stowed bulk items contained on the present backpack invention and thereby prevent the bulk items from falling off during transport.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention with the lower frame portion 12 in its collapsed parallel configuration. Depending on the embodiment, the lower frame portion 12 is connected by pivotal connectors 14 to either the upper frame portion 11 itself or the ledge 13. The lower frame portion 12 is collapsible in order to minimize the area that it takes up and therefore make storage of the backpack easier when not in use. The ledge 13 creates space between the upper frame member 11 and the lower frame member 12 when the lower frame member 12 is in its collapsed position, which prevents the upper and lower frame portions 11, 12 from colliding against each other and causing damage to the backpack structure.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the present bulk item backpack invention demonstrating how it is worn and how bulk items are secured thereto. The depicted embodiment has three user attachment straps, consisting of both a waist strap 15 and shoulder straps 16 that are adjustable to provide maximum weight distribution and comfort to the user. A cooler 20 is resting on top of the lower frame portion 12, which is in its un-collapsed, perpendicular configuration. A folding chair in a bag 19 is secured to the backpack using the cargo straps 18, which are also fully adjustable. Neither the cooler 20 nor the folding chair 21 are part of the present invention, they are merely typical types of bulk items that users of the present invention would seek to transport provided for illustrative purposes.

[0028] Users utilize the present bulk item backpack by securing a plurality of bulk items with the cargo straps and placing a plurality of items on the lower frame portion. The cargo straps keep the items stowed therein in a secured position against the exterior face of the upper frame portion. The substantially flat surface of the lower frame portion is suitable for supporting a wide variety of heavy items. Any of the user's loose items can be stored within the storage box connected to the frame of the present invention. Once all of the items to be transported are in place, the user then removably and adjustably secures the present invention to himself or herself via the user attachment straps. When the user finishes using the present invention and all of the stowed items are removed, then the lower frame portion can be collapsed to easily store the present bulk item backpack.

[0029] The cooler and chair backpack provides a novel, convenient, and comfortable method to carry multiple heavy, awkwardly-sized, or otherwise cumbersome items at the same time. It can often be extremely difficult or impossible to simultaneously carry the wide-array of items one wishes to have at outdoor events, such as concerts or sporting events, by oneself. The items are either too heavy, are awkward to carry along with other items, or are simply too numerous. Juggling these items while attempting to traverse the often poor ground conditions can lead to perilous situations. Furthermore, it is not possible to make multiple trips to one's destination when alone because the items may be stolen it left alone. The present invention solves all of these problems by providing a flat surface to which coolers and other items may be secured, cargo straps to secure folding chairs and other such items, and a storage bag for securing small items.

[0030] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0031] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.