Rucksack

Abstract

A back system for a rucksack including a harness configured to be at least in part in contact with a user's back in use, and having a back portion of knitted construction and at least one strap extending from the back portion; and a spacing apparatus arranged to create an air gap between at least part of a rear face of the rucksack and the back portion, in use.

Claims

1. A back system for a rucksack comprising: a harness configured to be at least in part in contact with a user's back in use, and having a back portion of knitted construction and at least one strap extending from the back portion; and a spacing apparatus arranged to create an air gap between at least part of a rear face of the rucksack and a user's back, in use.

2. The back system of claim 1 wherein the spacing apparatus comprises a stiffening element configured to bow the rear face away from the back portion.

3. The back system of claim 2 wherein the stiffening element is curved.

4. The back system of claim 2 wherein the stiffening element is connected to the back portion, and wherein the back portion is in tension.

5. The back system of claim 1 wherein the spacing apparatus comprises at least one member extending between the rear face of the rucksack and the user's back.

6. The back system of claim 5 wherein the spacing apparatus comprises at least one member extending from an upper end of the back portion and at least one member extending from a lower end of the back portion.

7. The back system of claim 5 wherein the or each member is a pad.

8. The back system of claim 7 wherein the or each pad is secured to the back portion.

9. The back system of claim 1 wherein the strap is of knitted construction.

10. The back system of claim 9 wherein the strap comprises padding material, and wherein the padding material is knitted into the strap.

11. The back system of claim 9 wherein the strap is tubular.

12. The back system of claim 1 wherein the strap is a shoulder strap extending from a top end of the back portion.

13. The back system of claim 12 wherein the or each shoulder strap is integral with the back portion.

14. The back system of claim 1 wherein the strap or straps comprise two hip portions extending from the back portion, and arranged to extend around a portion of a user's torso in use.

15. The back system of claim 1 wherein the knitting pattern varies in density across the back portion.

16. The back system of claim 15 wherein the knitting pattern is tighter at a point of attachment to a body of the rucksack.

17. The back system of claim 16 wherein the knitting pattern is relatively open where greater airflow through the back portion is required.

18. A rucksack comprising a back system for a rucksack, the back system comprising: a harness configured to be at least in part in contact with a user's back in use, and having a back portion of knitted construction and at least one strap extending from the back portion; and a spacing apparatus arranged to create an air gap between at least part of a rear face of the rucksack and a user's back, in use.

19. A harness for a rucksack, the harness configured to be at least in part in contact with a user's back in use, the harness comprising a back portion and at least one strap extending from the back portion, wherein the back portion and the or each strap are of knitted construction.

20. A harness according to claim 19, wherein the or each strap comprises padding material, and wherein the padding material is knitted into the strap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a rucksack according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the rucksack of FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a rucksack of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a rucksack of an alternative embodiment of the invention on the line 4-4 of FIG. 5;

[0054] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the rucksack of FIG. 4;

[0055] FIG. 6 is a side view of the rucksack of FIG. 4;

[0056] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a rucksack according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a rucksack according to a further alternative embodiments of the invention; and

[0058] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a backpack according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, a rucksack is indicated generally at 10. The rucksack 10 comprises a storage compartment 12, the storage compartment 12 having a rear face 14. In this embodiment, a harness 16 forms part of a back system 17, the back system 17 being attached to the rear face 14 of the storage compartment 12.

[0060] The harness 16 has a back portion 18 which is generally planar and extends substantially vertically in use. The back portion 18 is attached to the storage compartment at top and bottom ends of the rear face 14. The rear face 14 of the storage compartment forms a bowed arrangement with the rest of the back system 17, to define an air gap between the back portion 18 and the rear face 14 of the rucksack 10 when the back system 17 is attached to the rucksack 10. The rear face 14 can be provided with a spacing apparatus in the form of at least one resilient stiffening element 26 that extends at least part of the length of the rear face 14. In use, the back portion 18 is secured adjacent the top and bottom of the stiffening element and is in tension to restrain the stiffening element 26 and form a bowed or curved shape, also curving the rear face 14 away from the back portion 18, creating the air gap. This allows enhanced ventilation of the wearer's back, minimising the likelihood of excess perspiration.

[0061] Extending from a location adjacent a top end of the back portion 18 are two elongate shoulder straps 20. In use, the shoulder straps 20 sit on the shoulders of a user to support the weight of the rucksack 10. A fastening device, for example a buckle 21, can be secured to a free end of each shoulder strap 20, or to webbing attached to the shoulder strap 20, to enable the free end of the shoulder strap 20 to be attached to the rucksack 10 by a band, the band and the fastening device forming an adjustable arrangement to vary the length of the band as required (not shown).

[0062] Extending from a bottom end of the back portion 18 in a transverse direction are two hip portions 22. The hip portions 22 are arranged to extend around the hips of a user in use, to form a belt. They can be clipped together by way of a strap 24 attached to each hip portion, the two straps 24 connected by a fastening device (e.g. a side release buckle, not shown).

[0063] The harness 16 is of knitted construction. In knitting, fabric is formed by the intermeshing of loops of thread or yarni.e. the thread has a meandering path. Generally, knitted fabric is more breathable and has greater elasticity in all directions compared to woven fabric, where threads are straight and are interlaced perpendicular to one another, so generally only stretch diagonally. However elasticity of knitted fabric may be controlled by using a relatively close knit, and/or or by use of suitably non-elastic materials. One advantage of knitting is that edges of knitted fabric are not prone to fraying.

[0064] In this embodiment, the shoulder straps 20 and the hip portions 22 are integral with the back portion 18. The entire harness 16 is knitted as one piece, using a complete garment knitting machine, such as the computer controlled V-bed flat knitting machines made by Shima Seiki MFG., LTD. of Japan and H. Stoll GmbH & Co. KG of Germany. This is weft knitting and can advantageously produce a seamless product. It is possible to create several types of tubular formed knitting as well as build varied design structures on tubular knitted garments simultaneously using this process.

[0065] In this embodiment, the back portion 18 is formed as a single layer knit with a central hole 25 and with an upper V 27 formed therein to further enhance airflow. In addition the back portion has generally scalloped sides. In other embodiments, no such holes or recesses are provided and the back portion may be a substantially rectangular sheet. In other embodiments, multiple holes may be provided.

[0066] The back portion 18, shoulder straps 20 and/or the hip portions 22 can include cushioning to make the rucksack 10 more comfortable for a user to wear. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the shoulder straps 20 have an internal cavity 28, and the hip portions 22 have an internal cavity 30. The internal cavities 28, 30 are for locating padding material, such as foam material, within, to provide cushioning when the rucksack 10 is in use. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each shoulder strap 20 extends from a front face 32 of the back portion 18. Each shoulder strap 20 has an opening 36, and a path is defined from the opening 36 to the internal cavity 28 of the shoulder strap 20. Padding material, such as a foam pad, can be inserted through the opening 36 to be located in the internal cavity 28. In FIG. 2, the opening 36 is located in a rear face of the shoulder strap 20, but could also be in a front face of the shoulder strap 20.

[0067] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, each shoulder strap 20 is integral with a top edge of the back portion 18. In this alternative embodiment, each opening 36 is in a rear face 34 of the back portion 18, and a path is defined from the opening 36 to the internal cavity 28 of the shoulder strap 20, such that padding material can be inserted into the internal cavity 28.

[0068] It will be appreciated that the position of the opening 36 may be varied, as long as a path is defined to the internal cavity 28 of the shoulder strap 20. Any combination of the location of the shoulder straps 20 and the location of the opening 36 may be used even if not shown in the figures, e.g. the shoulder straps 20 may be integral with the top edge of the back portion 18 but the opening may be provided in the front face of the shoulder strap 20.

[0069] The openings may be stitched closed once foam has been inserted.

[0070] Although not shown in the figures, openings may also be provided for inserting padding material into cavities of the back portion 18 and the hip portions 22.

[0071] It will be appreciated that by using a knitted construction, seamless tubular components can be made with internal cavities for locating padding material and/or inserting and securing webbing.

[0072] By seamless, we mean that the component is not brought together such that two portions abut and a run of stitching or adhesive is used connect them together, i.e. the component is continuous. The internal cavities may be tapered, and the padding to fit within may also be tapered. The components may also be knitted to form a natural curved shape. For example, the shoulder straps 20 may be knitted so that they naturally curve away from the back portion 18 in a downwards direction. By forming straps as integral tubular forms, the labour required to stitch flat panels of conventional woven material to form a tube is avoided, and a better finish may be obtained.

[0073] Further bulges (not shown) may be integrally knitted into the face of the back portion 18 or the walls of the shoulder straps 20 or hip portions 22 to accommodate a block of padding, without requiring pleats and the like.

[0074] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment. It is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, except the harness 116 and storage compartment 112 of the rucksack 110 are integral. The rucksack 110 is substantially entirely of knitted construction. The rucksack 110 can be formed in one piece on a V-bed flat knitting machine or other suitable automated knitting machine in a similar way to a t-shirt, with the storage compartment 112 being formed as a tube, and shoulder straps 120 extending from the tube like the sleeves on a t-shirt. It is preferable for the shoulder straps 120 to be formed simultaneously with the storage compartment, but they may be formed separately and the rucksack 110 assembled later.

[0075] Hip portions 122 may also extend from the storage compartment 112 and may also be integral. The storage compartment 112 is sock-like, being formed with a closed off bottom end to define a void 140 of the storage compartment 112, where a user can store items. Alternatively, the storage compartment 112 can be formed as a tube with open ends, and the bottom end closed off later to define the void 140. There is an opening 142 in the top end of the storage compartment that leads to the void 140.

[0076] The storage compartment 112 has an internal surface. In this embodiment, the internal surface is treated to be water resistant, e.g. it may have a waterproof membrane attached such as an OUTDRY membrane provided by OutDry Technologies S.r.l. of Italy. In other embodiments a water resistant membrane may not be required, or a separate water resistant drop in liner may be utilised

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, a flap portion 144 extends from the top end of the storage compartment 112. The flap portion 144 is shown in an open position in FIG. 6, where the opening 142 of the storage compartment 112 is not covered, and a user is free to put items into the storage compartment 112. The flap portion 144 can be moved in the direction of the arrow on FIG. 6 to a closed position. In the closed position, the flap portion 144 extends over the opening 142 of the storage compartment 112, to help retain items within the storage compartment 112. A fastening member (not shown), such as a buckle or zip, holds the flap portion 144 in the closed position until the user wants to open the rucksack, e.g. to remove an item.

[0078] Alternatively, there may be no flap portion 144, and the opening 142 can be closed by using other fastening means, such as a zip, a buckle, or a drawstring arrangement.

[0079] A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. Features corresponding to those of the previous embodiments have been given corresponding reference numbers with the additional prefix 3. Only features that differ from those of the previous embodiments are discussed in more depth.

[0080] In this embodiment, the back portion 318 is of knitted construction. The shoulder straps 320 are not of knitted construction, though in alternative embodiments they may be of knitted construction.

[0081] The back system 317 of this embodiment has a spacing apparatus 350 arranged to create an air gap between the rear face 314 of the rucksack and a user's back. The spacing apparatus 350 has a number of members, in this embodiment pads 351, 352, extending between the rear face 314 of the rucksack and a user's back. In this embodiment, the pads 351, 352 extend from the back portion 318 towards the rear face 314 of the rucksack 310. An air gap is thus created between the rear face and the user's back, advantageously allowing air flow between the rucksack 310 and the user's back.

[0082] In this embodiment, the spacing apparatus 350 includes a pad 351 at an upper end of the back portion 318 and a single pad 352 at a lower end of the back portion 318. The pads 351, 352 are substantially centrally located.

[0083] In alternative embodiments, the spacing apparatus has other arrangements of pads. For example, the spacing apparatus has two more upper pads, and/or two or more lower pads. In an alternative embodiment, the pads extend from the back portion towards the user's back. In a further alternative embodiment, the pads are secured to or are integral to the main body of the rucksack, e.g. to the rear face 314.

[0084] The pads 351, 352 are of padding material, such as foam, or other suitable padding material. The pads 351, 352 are secured to the back portion 318, e.g. the pads are sewn to the back portion 318. In an alternative embodiment the pads are attached to the back portion by adhesive, or by some other suitable means.

[0085] The pads 351, 352 are substantially rectangular in shape. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the pads are of some other suitable shape, e.g. substantially square, circular or oval, or of some irregular shape.

[0086] The harness of this embodiment can be used with the spacing arrangement of the first embodiment. The spacing arrangement of this embodiment can be used with the harness of the previous embodiments. In a further embodiment (not shown), the spacing apparatus may be a lightweight, substantially rigid frame that spaces the rear face of the rucksack from the user's back. Such a spacing apparatus can be used with the harness of the previous embodiments.

[0087] A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. Features corresponding to those of the previous embodiments have been given corresponding reference numbers with the additional prefix 4. Only features that differ from those of the previous embodiments are discussed in more depth.

[0088] In this embodiment, the shoulder straps 420 and the hip portions 422 of the rucksack 410 are of knitted construction. The shoulder straps 420 comprise an area of padding material 456 and the hip portions 422 comprise an area of padding material 454. The padding material 456, 454 is knitted concurrently with the respective straps 420 and hip portions 422. FIG. 8 shows one example of the location of padding material 456, 454. In an alternative embodiment, padding material is located elsewhere on the shoulder straps and/or hip portions, or is knitted throughout the straps and/or hip portions.

[0089] The padding material 456, 454 is in this embodiment an expandable fibre. Once the padding material 456, 454 has been knitted into the shoulder straps 420 and the hip portions 422, the straps 420 and hip portions 422 are washed, causing the fibre to expand and so provide padding. Advantageously, such an arrangement removes the need for additional foam inserts.

[0090] In an alternative embodiment, the shoulder straps are of knitted construction, and include padding material, and the hip portions are not of knitted construction. In an alternative embodiment, the hip portions are of knitted construction, and include padding material, and the shoulder straps are not of knitted construction.

[0091] The knitting pattern may be varied at different locations of the rucksack 10, 110, 310, 410 e.g. the knit is tighter at areas of high stress and more open where greater ventilation is needed, e.g. on the back panel 18, 318. For example, the knit is tighter where the harness 316 is attached to the storage compartment 312, as indicated at points 358, 360 in FIG. 3.

[0092] Different colours of thread or different stitches can also be used within the rucksack. Specific colours or stitches may indicate different things, for example, in the first embodiment, the thread colour or stitch type may be different at the point on the back portion 18, 318 where it is to be stitched to the rear face 14, 314. This can help the components to be easily aligned where assembly is necessary. A different colour of thread or stitch may also be used to indicate the point on the shoulder strap that should sit on top of a user's shoulders, to help the user correctly adjust the shoulder strap, or to denote a particular adjustment position. Such markings are less easy to achieve in prior art construction methods without potentially significant wastage of material when individual panels are cut from a sheet of fabric.

[0093] A range of different materials can be used as yarn to form the knitted components, for example nylon or polyester. It is preferable if the yarn is non-stretch and twisted from multiple strands or filaments. Each component of the rucksack may be knitted individually, i.e. to form discrete component such as a shoulder strap or flap portion that can then be assembled with other components to form a complete rucksack. The waist portions are not essential; the rucksack may just have shoulder straps. In further embodiments, the rucksack may have a storage compartment and waist belt only; in other words be a so-called belt pack or bum bag, which is relatively small, and so does not require shoulder straps.

[0094] Features of different embodiments may be combined. For example the rucksack 110 may have internal cavities within the shoulder straps 120, hip portions 122 and within an external surface of the storage compartment 112 for locating padding material. The openings to the internal cavities may be located in any appropriate place so that a path is defined to the internal cavities, so the padding material can be inserted.

[0095] In other embodiments knitted components may be used in conjunction with different back systems. For example the back system may comprise foam that is secured to the rear of the back panel, with air flow depressions therein, or the foam may be a sheet inserted into a pocket of the back portion.

[0096] In some embodiments other discrete components may be knitted and attached to a rucksack of more conventional general construction. For example a lid with a storage pocket therein may be seamlessly knitted.

[0097] A suitable knitting machine for manufacture of the harness and/or the rucksack described above is available at the Tong Siang Co Ltd (Yeh Group) plant of Samutsakorn, Thailand.

[0098] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.