ADJUSTABLE HIP BELT

Abstract

An adjustable hip belt usable with a backpack or a backpack with an adjustable hip belt. The hip belt includes a rear belt portion having a first side and a second side. The first side includes a first part of a first fastener and the second side includes a first part of a second fastener. A first side portion has a first pad and a second side portion has a second pad. Each of the first side portion and the second side portion is connectable to and adjustable relative to a respective one of the first side and the second side of the rear belt portion within an adjustment range. The first side portion includes a second part of the first fastener and the second side portion comprises a second part of the second fastener.

Claims

1. An adjustable hip belt usable with a backpack, comprising: a rear belt portion configured to support a portion of a backpack, the rear belt portion having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a first part of a first fastener and the second side includes a first part of a second fastener; a first side portion having a first pad, wherein the first side portion is connectable and infinitely adjustable relative to the first side of the rear belt portion within a first adjustment range, wherein the first side portion comprises a second part of the first fastener; and a second side portion having a second pad, wherein the second side portion is connectable and infinitely adjustable relative to the second side of the rear belt portion within a second adjustment range, wherein the second side portion comprises a second part of the second fastener.

2. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein each of the first side portion and the second side portion comprises a pocket configured to receive a respective one of the first side and the second side of the rear belt portion.

3. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein each of the first fastener and the second fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

4. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein the rear belt portion comprises a pocket configured to receive a frame of the backpack.

5. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, further comprising a first strap and a second strap, wherein the first strap has a first end coupled to the rear belt portion and a second end coupled to the first side portion, wherein the second strap has a first end coupled to the rear belt portion and a second end coupled to the second side portion.

6. The adjustable hip belt of claim 5, wherein the first strap comprises a first buckle between the first end and the second end, wherein the second strap comprises a second buckle between the first end and the second end, and wherein the first buckle is configured to connect to the second buckle.

7. The adjustable hip belt of claim 5, wherein the second end of the first strap is adjustable relative to the first side portion and the second end of the second strap is adjustable relative to the second side portion.

8. The adjustable hip belt of claim 7, wherein the first strap passes through a first opening of the first side portion and the second strap passes through a second opening of the second side portion.

9. The adjustable hip belt of claim 8, wherein the first opening and a location at which the second end of the first strap is coupled to the first side portion are located on a free end of the first side portion, and wherein the second opening and a location at which the second end of the second strap is coupled to the second side portion are located on a free end of the second side portion.

10. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein the first part of the first fastener and the first part of the second fastener are located on an exterior surface of the rear belt portion, wherein the second part of the first fastener and the second part of the second fastener are located on an interior surface of a respective one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

11. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein the first part of the first fastener and the first part of the second fastener are located on an interior surface of the rear belt portion, wherein the second part of the first fastener and the second part of the second fastener are located on an exterior surface of a respective one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

12. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein the first part of the first fastener and the first part of the second fastener are located on both of an exterior surface and an interior surface of the rear belt portion, wherein the second part of the first fastener and the second part of the second fastener are located on both of an interior surface and an exterior surface of a respective one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

13. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein each the first part of the first fastener and the first part of the second fastener includes a plurality of position indicators to facilitate a user's positioning of the first side portion and the second side portion relative to the rear belt portion.

14. The adjustable hip belt of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of position indicators is a stitch line.

15. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein the adjustable hip belt is provided in two sizes, each size varying in a circumferential length of one or more of the rear belt portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion.

16. The adjustable hip belt of claim 15, wherein the two sizes of the adjustable hip belt are configured to cover a range of a tip to tip distance of between about 23 inches to about 41 inches, wherein the tip to tip distance is measured between a tip of the first side portion and a tip of the second side portion when the first side portion and the second side portion are assembled to the rear belt portion.

17. The adjustable hip belt of claim 1, wherein each of the first side portion and the second side portion includes a location indicator for a location of a respective one of the first side portion and the second side portion configured to be placed over a wearer's iliac crest.

18. A backpack, comprising: a pack portion comprising one or more shoulder straps; and an adjustable hip belt of claim 1.

19. The backpack of claim 18, wherein the pack portion comprises a frame, the frame having a portion that is engaged with a pocket of the rear belt portion.

20. The backpack of claim 19, wherein the pocket of the rear belt portion is located between the first part of the first fastener and the first part of the second fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front view of a backpack incorporating an adjustable hip belt having certain features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure positioned on a wearer with the hip belt in a first adjustment position.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view of the backpack on the wearer with the hip belt in the first adjustment position.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a front view of the backpack on the wearer with the hip belt in a second adjustment position.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of the backpack on the wearer with the hip belt in the second adjustment position.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a view of an exterior side of the adjustable hip belt separate from the backpack. The hip belt includes a rear belt portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a view of an exterior side of a portion of the adjustable hip belt showing one of the first or second side portion that is adjustable relative to the rear belt portion.

[0032] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an exterior side of the adjustable hip belt with the first and second side portions separated from the rear belt portion.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a simplified partial cross section of the adjustable hip belt of FIG. 5.

[0034] FIG. 9 is an alternative embodiment of the simplified partial cross section of FIG. 8.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a view of an interior side of another embodiment of the adjustable hip belt in a first adjustment position.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a view of the adjustable hip belt of FIG. 10 in a second adjustment position in which the hip belt has a circumferential length that is smaller than the first adjustment position.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a view of an exterior side of an embodiment of the adjustable hip belt in a first or smaller size.

[0038] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the smaller size hip belt of FIG. 12.

[0039] FIG. 14 is a view of an interior side of the smaller size hip belt of FIG. 12.

[0040] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the smaller size hip belt of FIG. 12.

[0041] FIG. 16 is a view of an exterior side of an embodiment of the adjustable hip belt in a second or larger size.

[0042] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the larger size hip belt of FIG. 16.

[0043] FIG. 18 is a view of an interior side of the larger size hip belt of FIG. 16.

[0044] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the larger size hip belt of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly and manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the inventions described herein extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.

[0046] Certain terminology may be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as above and below refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as front, back, left, right, rear, and side describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such as first, second, third, and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0047] FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 illustrate a backpack 50 incorporating an adjustable hip belt 52 having certain features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure positioned on a wearer. The backpack 50 can be of any suitable arrangement. Often, the backpack 50 includes a pack portion 56 defining an interior storage space. The backpack 50 can include one or more (usually two) shoulder straps 58. In some configurations, the pack portion 56 includes a support frame. The support frame can engage the hip belt 52 to transfer load from the frame or pack portion 56 to the hip belt 52. The backpack 50 can include any of the adjustable hip belts 52 disclosed herein. The hip belt 52 can help transfer the load of the backpack 50 from the wearer's shoulders to the wearer's hips. The hip belt 52 can be configured to contact and rest on the iliac crest of the wearer's ilium bone of the pelvis.

[0048] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the hip belt 52 in a first adjustment position. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate the hip belt 52 in a second adjustment position. As described further below, in the second adjustment position the circumferential length of the main body of the hip belt 52 is greater than the circumferential length of the main body of the hip belt 52 in the first adjustment position. Generally, the hip belt 52 can include a main body. The ends of the main body can be selectively connected to one another by a strap assembly 60.

[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates an exterior surface of the adjustable hip belt 52 separate from the backpack 50. The hip belt 52 includes a rear belt portion 62, a first side portion 64, and a second side portion 66, which can collectively form the main body of the hip belt 52. Unless described otherwise herein, the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 can be the same or substantially the same as one another, except that they will be mirror images of one another. Therefore, a description of one side portion can apply to the other side portion except in mirror image form.

[0050] Each of the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 is connectable to the rear belt portion 62. Moreover, each of the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 is adjustable relative to the rear belt portion 62. In the illustrated arrangement, each of the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 is infinitely adjustable relative to the rear belt portion 62 within an adjustment range.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a view of an exterior side or exterior surfaces of a portion of the adjustable hip belt 52 showing the first side portion 64 and the rear belt portion 62. As described further below, the side portions 64, 66 can each include a pocket 65 configured to receive an end of the rear belt portion 62. The rear belt portion 62 and each of the side portions 64, 66 include cooperating portions of a fastener 70 configured to secure the side portion 64, 66 to the rear belt portion 62. In the illustrated arrangement, the fastener 70 is a two part fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener. As illustrated in FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, the fastener 70 is provided on each of an exterior side of the hip belt 52. However, as described further below, the fastener 70 could be provided on both and exterior and interior sides of the hip belt 52

[0052] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an exterior side of the adjustable hip belt 52 of FIG. 5. The hip belt 52 includes the rear belt portion 62, the first side portion 64, and the second side portion 66. The illustrated arrangement includes the fasteners 70 between the side portions 64, 66 and the rear belt portion 62. The hip belt 52 includes fasteners 70 only on the exterior side of the hip belt 52, which places the two parts or the fasteners 70 on the exterior surface of the rear belt portion 62 and the interior facing surfaces of the section 67 of the side portions 64, 66.

[0053] With reference to FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, in the illustrated arrangement, the rear belt portion 62 has a first side 62a and a second side 62b. The first side 62a includes a first part 120 of a first one of the fasteners 70 and the second side 62b includes a first part 120 of a second one of the fasteners 70. The first side portion 64 includes a second part 122 of the first one of the fasteners 70 (on an interior facing surface of the section 67). The second side portion 66 includes a second part 122 of the second one of the fasteners 70 (on an interior facing surface of the section 67).

[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cross section of the embodiment of the hip belt 52 of FIG. 5 through FIG. 7. In the illustrated arrangement the fastener 70 includes a first part 120 and a second part 122. The first part 120 is located on the exterior surface of the rear belt portion 62. The second part 122 of the fastener 70 is located on an interior surface of the section 67 of the second side portion 66. Such an arrangement can provide easier adjustment in that there is only one fastener to engage or disengage per side portion of the hip belt 52.

[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the illustrated arrangement described with reference to FIG. 8. In the illustrated arrangement of FIG. 9, the hip belt 52 includes a fastener 70 on the exterior and interior surfaces of the hip belt 52. That is, the fastener 70 with the corresponding first part 120 and second part 122 are located on the outer and inner surfaces of the hip belt 52. In the illustrated arrangement, The second side portion 66 includes an additional section 67 on the inner surface of the hip belt 52 also comprising an additional second part 122 of the fastener 70. In the above-described arrangement, the fastener 70 can provide additional strength by being located on both the inner and outer surfaces of the hip belt 52 and thus providing additional (double in some embodiments) holding strength.

[0056] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, in the illustrated arrangement, the fastener 70 comprises a first part 120 of a loop portion of a hook and loop connector and the second part 122 of the fastener 70 comprises a hook portion of a hook and loop connector. In other embodiments the arrangement can be reversed by trading the positions of the hook and loop. In other arrangements the fastener may comprise connectors, such as buttons or snaps, or hook and loop combinations, such as those sold under the brand OMNI-TAPE.

[0057] With reference to the illustrated arrangement of FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, as described above, the backpack 50 can include a frame, which can engage the hip belt 52. In the illustrated arrangement, the rear belt portion 62 of the hip belt 52 includes a pocket 72 configured to receive a portion of the frame. However, the pocket 72 could be configured to receive or otherwise engage other structures of the backpack 50. Moreover, the hip belt 52 could include other structures to support or otherwise engage other portions of the backpack 50 or could be integrated with other portions of the backpack 50. In some configurations, the pocket 72 of the rear belt portion 62 is located between the portions of the connectors 70. Furthermore, the pocket 72 can be made such that the outer surface is a loop material that is substantially the same as the loop material of the first part 120. In such a configuration the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 can be adjusted relatively close to one another such that the second part 122 of the fastener 70 can engage on the outer surface of the pocket 72. This can be particularly advantageous when the hip belt 52 is configured for a user having a relatively small waist size. In other words, by providing an outer surface of the pocket 72 with a loop material, the adjustment range of the hip belt 52 can be increased.

[0058] With continued reference to FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, the provision of the pocket 72 can be particularly advantageous in that it allows a user to separate the hip belt 52 from the backpack 50. In some scenarios it may be advantageous for a user to carefully fit the hip belt 52 without the additional weight of the pack portion 56 such that a user can more easily access and adjust all the provided adjustments with a minimal load. Then, once a user has achieved an ideal fit, the weight of the pack portion 56 can then be added separately by the use of the pocket 72. Furthermore, the provision of the pocket 72 can be additionally advantageous in that different sizes and styles of belts can be offered separately from different styles of bags or packs such that a user can purchase a more selective combination of the two items and thus create a more customized backpack 50. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the pocket 72 can be omitted and the hip belt 52 can be permanently attached to a pack portion 56 or other bag or pack opting to forego the above-described advantage. Such a configuration can provide lower cost of manufacturing.

[0059] As described previously, the ends of the main body of the hip belt 52 can be selectively connected to one another by a strap assembly 60. In the illustrated arrangement, the strap assembly 60 includes a first strap 80 and a second strap 82 coupled to opposing ends of the main body of the hip belt 52. A snap buckle assembly 90 includes a first buckle 92 engaged with the first strap 80 and a second buckle 94 engaged with the second strap 82. The first buckle 92 and the second buckle 94 are selectively and releasably connectable to one another to selectively and releasably couple the first strap 80 and the second strap 82 to create a closed loop configuration of the hip belt 52.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 5 through FIG. 7, in the illustrated arrangement, the first strap 80 has a first end 80a coupled to the rear belt portion 62 and a second end 80b coupled to the first side portion 64. Similarly, the second strap 82 has a first end 82a coupled to the rear belt portion 62 and a second end 82b coupled to the second side portion 66. In some configurations, the second end 80b of the first strap 80 is adjustable relative to the first side portion 64 via an adjustment buckle 100 and the second end 82b of the second strap 82 is adjustable relative to the second side portion 66 via an adjustment buckle 102. The first buckle 92 can be located between the first end 80a and the second end 80b of the first strap 80 and the second buckle 94 can be located between the first end 82a and the second end 82b of the second strap 82. The first ends 80a, 82a of the straps 80, 82 can be located relatively below the second ends 80b, 82b at the attachment with the main body of the hip belt 52.

[0061] In the illustrated configuration, the first strap 80 passes through a first opening 110 of the first side portion 64 and the second strap 82 passes through a second opening 112 of the second side portion 66. In some configurations, the first opening 110 and a location at which the second end 80b of the first strap 80 is coupled to the first side portion 64 are located on a free end of the first side portion 64. The second opening 112 and a location at which the second end 82b of the second strap 82 is coupled to the second side portion 66 are located on a free end of the second side portion 66.

[0062] In the illustrated arrangement, the first buckle 92 and the second buckle 94 are of a pass-through configuration such that the strap 80 can freely pass through the snap buckle assembly during adjustment of the strap 80 via the adjustment buckle 100, 102. This is in contrast to a typical snap buckle assembly wherein one side is of a pass-through design and the other side is of a ladder lock design. This can be particularly advantageous due to the function of the strap assembly 60 described below.

[0063] When a user chooses to adjust the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 relative to the rear belt portion 62, two adjustments occur simultaneously. The circumference C1 of the hip belt 52 will adjust and the circumference C2 of the hip belt 52 and the strap assembly 60 will adjust concurrently. When a user adjusts the first side portion 64 relative to the rear portion 62 the second end 80b of the first strap 80 remains connected and moves in concert with the first side portion 64. The first end 80a of the first strap 80 remains anchored to the rear belt portion 62. Thus, when the first side portion 64 is moved relative to the rear portion 62, the strap 80 will pass through the snap buckle assembly 90 and thus change the distance between the first buckle 92 and the first side portion 64. In other words, by moving the first side portion 64 relative to the rear belt portion 62, the effective length of the strap assembly 60 can be adjusted similar to a rope and pully. During one possible scenario, a user can adjust the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 such that they rest on a desirable portion of a user's hips. In doing so the circumference C1 is adjusted to an ideal dimension and simultaneously the circumference C2 is adjusted. A user can then finalize the circumference C2 dimension by adjusting the adjustment buckles 100 and 102 independently without effecting the circumference C1.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, when the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 are adjusted relative to the rear belt portion 62, the circumference C1 and the circumference C2 will be adjusted in a ratio. For every one unit of adjustment of the circumference C1 the circumference C2 will change by of a unit. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, in other embodiments, the strap assembly 60 can be provided with a different number of passes so as to act as a more complex block and tackle system thus providing a different ratio of circumference adjustments.

[0065] With continued reference to the illustrated strap assembly 60 described above, the arrangement is particularly advantageous by giving a user a mechanical advantage when adjusting the circumference C2 by adjusting the strap 80 or 82 relative to the adjustment buckle 100 and 102. Because the strap 80 passes through the snap buckle assembly as described above when a user pulls on a free end of the first strap 80 or second strap 82, the user will have a 2 advantage. That is for every one unit of strap pulled through the adjustment buckle 100 and 102 the circumference C2 will adjust unit. This is provided as the first buckle 92 and the second buckle 94 act as a pulley, thus providing a mechanical advantage.

[0066] With continued reference to FIG. 5, In the illustrated arrangement, the hip belt 52 is shaped such that there is an upward curvature. Such an upward curvature provides a slightly conical shape when the hip belt 52 is worn on a user. Such a shape is particularly advantageous in that human hips are rarely of a perfect cylindrical shape and often have a slight conical shape. Furthermore, the adjustment of the hip belt 52 described above will adjust a chord length of the center line CL1, which generally passes through a vertical center line of the hip belt 52. That is, since the hip belt 52 comprises an upward curvature the length of the hip belt 52, in some embodiments, may be best described by a chord length of the center line CL1 as opposed to a linear length of the circumference C2.

[0067] With reference to FIG. 7, in some configurations, each of the first part 120 of the first fastener 70 and the first part 120 of the second fastener 70 includes a plurality of position indicators 126 to facilitate a user's positioning of the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 relative to the rear belt portion 62. In some configurations, each of the plurality of position indicators 126 is a stitch line, which is created by a line of stitching. The stitching can couple the first parts 120 to the rear belt portion 62 thereby providing a dual purpose of connection and position indication. In some configurations, the position indicators 126 can be provided in one inch (1) increments; however, other suitable increments can also be used.

[0068] The position indicators 126 can be provided at an angle such that they are generally perpendicular to the center line CL1. That is, the angle of the position indicators 126 are angled slightly upward and inward when the hip belt 52 is viewed in a flat orientation such as that illustrated in FIG. 7. Such a configuration can provide the position indicators 126 to have a generally vertical appearance when the hip belt 52 is on a user. Furthermore, an edge 71 of the section 67 can be provided with a matching angle such that when the hip belt 52 is adjusted the edge 71 appears aligned with the position indicators 126. Such an arrangement can be particularly advantageous by providing a user a visual alignment. Furthermore, by providing an equivalent number of position indicators 126 on both sides of the rear belt portion 62, a user can have an easy visual reference so as to keep the rear belt portion 62 located generally central relative to the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66.

[0069] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a variety of different position indicators can be utilized to accomplish a similar visual indication of position described above. For example, position indicators may be printed on the first part 120 of the fastener 70. Furthermore, position indicators can be heat formed in the first part 120 of the fastener 70. Position indicators may also comprise a different appearance or shape other than an angled line. For example, the position indicators may be dots or numbers applied in a variety of different ways to the rear belt portion 62. The position indicators may also be accomplished by using alternating types of materials to indicate position.

[0070] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate interior side views of another embodiment of the adjustable hip belt 52, which can be the same as or similar to the hip belt 52 of FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 or FIG. 9 except as described herein. FIG. 10 illustrates the hip belt 52 in a first adjustment position and FIG. 11 illustrates the hip belt 52 in a second adjustment position in which the hip belt has a circumferential length that is smaller than the first adjustment position. The hip belt 52 can be adjusted between the first adjustment position and the second adjustment position, and in desired positions therebetween, by using the fasteners 70 as previously described.

[0071] In the illustrated configuration, the fasteners 70 are located on an interior side of the hip belt 52. In particular, the first parts 120 of the fasteners 70 are located on an interior surface of the rear belt portion 62. The second parts 122 of the fasteners 70 are located on an exterior facing surface of a respective one of the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 (on an exterior facing surface of the section 67). In the illustrated arrangement, the first parts 120 of the fasteners 70 are combined into a single relatively large section that extends into each side of the rear belt portion 62.

[0072] Each of the first side portion 64 and the second side portion includes a pad 130, which can be referred to as a first pad 130 and a second pad 130, respectively. In some configurations, each of the first pad 130 and the second pad 130 includes a location indicator 132 configured to indicate a location of a respective one of the first pad 130 and the second pad 130 that should be placed over the wearer's iliac crest. Each of the indicators 132 can be created by the intersection of a pair of perpendicular stitch lines. The stitch lines can create a cavity or depression at the indicator 132 or a cavity or depression can otherwise be created.

[0073] With continued reference to FIG. 11 The cavity or depression can be provided in a shape such that a surface 134 located at the bottom of the location indicator 132 is lower than a surface 135 of the first pad 130. In other words, the surface 134 defined by the location indicator 132, when worn, will be further from the user's body than the surface 135 of the first pad 130. Such configuration can be particularly advantageous in that the cavity or depression provides A tactile indication to a user as to the position of the pad 130. Furthermore, such a tactile indication is particularly advantageous such that when a user is attempting to fit the hip belt 52 by holding the hip belt 52 to a user's body a simply visual indication of location can be difficult to sec. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art and is shown in other embodiments illustrated in FIG. 12 through FIG. 19, a location indicator 132 can optionally be omitted.

[0074] In some configurations, the hip belt 52 is provided in two sizes, with at least the main body of the hip belt 52 of each size varying in a circumferential length. For example, one or more of the rear belt portion 62, the first side portion 64, and the second side portion 66 can vary in size. In the illustrated configuration, each of the rear belt portion 62, the first side portion 64, and the second side portion 66 vary in size. The main body of the hip belt 52 can define a tip to tip distance that is measured between a tip of the first side portion 64 and a tip of the second side portion 66 when the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 are assembled to the rear belt portion 62. In some configurations, the two sizes of the hip belt 52 together are configured to cover a range of a tip to tip distance of between about 23 inches (23) to about 41 inches (41). Advantageously, the hip belt 52 in two sizes provides a similar range of adjustment as compared to prior art hip belts having three to five different sizes.

[0075] FIG. 12 through FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 through FIG. 15 illustrate an exterior side and an interior side, respectively, of an embodiment of the adjustable hip belt 52 in a first or smaller size. FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 are exploded views of the smaller size hip belt 52. FIG. 16 through FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 through FIG. 19 illustrate an exterior side and an interior side, respectively, of an embodiment of the adjustable hip belt 52 in a second or larger size. FIG. 17 and FIG. 19 are exploded views of the larger size hip belt 52.

[0076] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the above-described embodiments have provided configurations in which the fastener 70 is located on both an interior and an exterior surface of the hip belt 52. The different embodiments can provide different advantages and different disadvantages. For example, providing the fastener 70 on an exterior surface of the hip belt 52 can provide easier access for adjustments such that a user can adjust the length of the hip belt 52 while wearing the hip belt 52. However, such an arrangement could result in the fastener 70 interfering with certain structures of a pack portion 56 or causing inadvertent snagging of the fastener 70. By providing the fastener 70 on an interior surface of the hip belt 50 such an interference could be avoided; however, a user must then remove the hip belt 52 to make any adjustments of the first side portion 64 and the second side portion 66 relative to the rear belt portion 70. Furthermore, providing the fastener 70 on both the inner and outer surfaces can provide a superior strength option, however, could provide a more difficult adjustment experience. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art various use cases can influence which configuration will be most advantageous.

CONCLUSION

[0077] It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0078] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, can, could, might, may, e.g., and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0079] Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term ones refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term plurality refers to two or more of an item. The term about or approximately means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term substantially means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0080] Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of about 1 to 5 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but should also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as about 1 to about 3, about 2 to about 4 and about 3 to about 5, 1 to 3, 2 to 4, 3 to 5, etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., greater than about 1) and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms and and or are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term alternatively refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.