GB2438584A

GB2438584A - Rucksack usable as a seat backrest

Info

Publication number: GB2438584A
Application number: GB0623152A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Mcbride
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-01
Filing date: 2006-11-21
Publication date: 2007-12-05
Also published as: GB0623152D0; GB0610897D0

Abstract

A rucksack 14 deployable as a backrest when not being worn as a rucksack comprises a reinforcing framework or like structure and at least one support member 3 attached to said framework and projecting below the bottom of the rucksack and at least one strut 7 connected to an upper part of the framework such that in use the rucksack may be used as an inclined backrest. The at least one strut may be a walking pole adapted to swivel about an arc. When used as a rucksack, the struts are swivelled back and fully retracted for stowage by the rucksack sides.

Description

ADAPTABLE RUCKSACK

The invention relates to the provision of temporary portable seating, particularly a rucksack which is convertible into a backrest, and used in conjunction with a seat base in the form of a ground mat. It is suitable for use by persons engaged in outdoor activities such as trekking and backpacking, and may also find application in such pursuits as camping and attending outdoor spectator events.

Portable folding seats with wooden, plastic or metal frames are well known and find widespread use for relaxing in the garden and camping excursions. However, for expeditions on foot, such devices ate generally too heavy and cumbersome to carry about the person for an extended period. Accordingly, many inventions have sought to provide a facility whereby an item of walking or camping equipment has a dual purpose, by being adapted or converted into a form of temporary seating. A large number of these inventions relate to convertible rucksacks or backpacks. These devices inevitably have a weight penalty, and the performance in each separate role tends be less satisfactory than that of items designed to flulfil a single purpose.

A form of temporary portable seating favoured by many outdoor enthusiasts is a polymer foam pad or self-inflating mat, for placing on the ground and sitting upon. This provides a fair degree of comfort in the short term, being resilient, waterproof and thermally insulating. It is also lightweight and easily folded or rolled up to reasonably compact dimensions, enabling it to be stored inside a rucksack or strapped to its exterior.

The main disadvantage of this product is that, when seated, the user's feet and bottom are on the same level and it is difficult to maintain a comfortable upright back posture. Most users naturally adopt a position where the upper body is hunched forward, which becomes uncomfortable after fifteen minutes or so. The problem is highlighted when stopping for a lengthy period or having set up camp, when the lack of a backrest facility when seated can be a source of considerable discomfort, possibly leading to back or neck pain. Due to the lack of a backrest, many campers resort to lying down when inside their tents, when reading for example. Rucksack manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure that their products are comfortable and safe to carry, with resilient back padding designed on anatomical principles. Despite this, the back can be strained after a few hours of carrying a heavily loaded rucksack, and this may be exacerbated by sitting in an uncomfortable position when stopping to rest. The present invention seeks to address this problem by employing the back padding of the rucksack to provide a comfortable backrest, ensuring proper spinal support. Using the rucksack as a backrest in conjunction with a seat base in the form of a ground mat entails a considerable saving in weight and bulk compared with the folding framework necessary for raised seating.

The object of the present invention is to provide a rucksack or backpack with supports which are deployed to stand the rucksack upright or at an angle relative to the ground, the latter reclined position transforming the rucksack into a backrest which provides lumbar and upper back support to the user when seated either on the ground, or upon a mat positioned in front of the rucksack.

According to the invention there is provided a rucksack having a framework or structure disposed from the lower part of the rucksack to the upper part thereof, so arranged as to reinforce that part of the rucksack which abuts the wearer's back, and attached to the lower part of said framework or structure are one or more members projecting below the body of the rucksack for the purpose of supporting or partially supporting the rucksack on the ground in an upright or reclined position, and attached to the upper part of said framework or structure are mounting means for a strut or struts, said strut or struts connected thereto and projecting from the upper part of the rucksack to the ground, acting in conjunction with the aforementioned members to support the rucksack in an upright or reclined position, such reclined position enabling the rucksack to be used as a backrest for a person seated either on the ground or upon a mat or other seat base placed on the ground.

In the preferred embodiment the struts consist of height-adjustable walking poles, affixed to holders which are pivotally connected to the aforementioned mounting means, said holders having securing means for quickly attaching and detaching the walking poles, and the holders, with walking poles attached thereto, are capable of being rotated about an arc from a substantially vertical stowage position of the walking poles adjacent to the sides of the rucksack to an angular position or plurality of positions whereby the walking poles, in conjunction with the aforementioned members, support the rucksack in an upright or reclined position, with the height-adjusting facility of the walking poles being utilised as required to facilitate positioning and support of the rucksack. The pivots for the walking pole holders are provided with detents or a locking mechanism whereby the holders and walking poles attached thereto may be locked in said vertical or angular positions.

Such a rucksack/walking pole combination can be deployed in three ways, with the following advantages: (a) A convenient quick-stowage/quick-release means for carrying walking poles on a rucksack when they are not required as a walking aid.

(b) A means of standing a rucksack in an upright position whereby the main body is clear of the ground, thus preventing its fabric becoming damp or soiled, or saving floor space within the confines of a tent or other cramped camping accommodation.

(c) A means of employing the rucksack as a reclining backrest, used in conjunction with a seat base in the form of a ground mat, providing effective support and rest for the user's back fof lowing a period of carrying a loaded rucksack.

The preferred embodiment and some alternative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an oblique view of the rucksack frame and rucksack support arrangement, comprising height-adjustable walking poles.

Figure 2 shows a suggested locking mechanism for the pivoting walking pole holders.

Figure 3 shows the rucksack/walking poles combination as it would be carried, with the walking poles stowed by each side.

Figure 4 shows the rucksack/walking poles combination configured to stand the rucksack upright on level ground.

Figure 5 shows the rucksack/walking poles combination configured to provide a reclined backrest when used in conjunction with a ground mat.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment employing one pivoting, detachable walking pole in a central position.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show a fi.irther alternative embodiment employing two pivoting, non-detachable support struts.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 show an alternative using one centrally mounted pivoting non-detachable support strut.

Figures 15 and 16 show embodiments using one or two detachable, non-pivoting support struts.

In the descriptions which follow, any reference to the front of the rucksack is taken to be that front-facing part of the rucksack which abuts the wearer's back, and the rear of the rucksack being that part farthest from the user when worn.

Like reference numerals are used to reference like parts in figures 1 to 16.

In Figure 1, two parallel bars 1, of similar material and construction to components conventionally fitted to certain medium and large size rucksacks, serve as reinforcement to that part of the rucksack (not shown) which abuts the wearer's back.

The bars are bent and shaped according to anatomical principles, and are attached to the rucksack fabric by conventional means. Connected to the lower ends of the bars by push-fit joints is a cross member 2, to which is attached a pair of bent supports 3, having serrated bases 4 made of a resilient material. These serve to partially support the rucksack in an upright or reclined position. When reclined, the inclination of the rucksack with respect to the horizontal is of the order of 60 degrees for optimum stability. To facilitate this, the rear parts of the supports are bent upwards approximately 30 degrees relative to the front parts.

Connected to the upper ends of the bars by means of push-fit joints is a second cross-member incorporating a bracket 5, to each extremity of which is pivotally attached a holder 6 for a height-adjustable walking pole 7. The walking pole is modified by the addition of a small cylindrical projection 8 attached to the top of the hand grip 9. The walking pole is attached to its holder by inserting the cylindrical projection into a hole in the top of the holder, and secured in position by pressing the walking pole shaft into a clip 10 on the side of the holder. The holder, with walking pole attached thereto, is capable of being rotated about an arc by means of pivot mechanism 11, which is provided with a means of locking the holder and its attached pole at preset angular positions with respect to the bracket 5.

The walking poles shown are fitted with adjustment means 12 whereby their height can be altered, and the poles can either be used with a hard metal pointed tip for soft ground or, as shown, a removable resilient tip 13 for use on hard smooth surfaces.

Figure 2 shows a suggested mechanism for locking the walking pole holder 6 in various angular positions with respect to the bracket 5. A hexagonal peg I Ia is attached to the pole holder and fits inside a twelve-point socket 1 Ib, which is attached to the bracket.

The peg and socket are held together by a bolt I Ic, washer lid and spring lie, the end of the bolt engaging with a corresponding thread in the hexagonal peg. To adjust the angle of the poles, the holder is pulled outwards against the resistance of the spring and swivelled until the peg aligns with the socket, providing angles for the walking pole relative to the rucksack body of 0 , 30 , 60 or 90 . When released, the spring locks the holder and walking pole in the desired position.

In Figure 3, a rucksack 14 is fitted over the frame shown in Figure 1. This is undertaken by first fitting the bars I inside the rucksack, which is accomplished conventionally by means of a sliding fit within sewn-in channels (not shown). The cross member 2 is mated to the base of the rucksack, the push-flt joints being inserted through holes in the base to engage with the lower ends of the bars. The bent supports 3 stand proud of the base of the rucksack to provide supporting means. The upper bracket 5 (hidden within rucksack) is attached to the upper ends of the bars by means of push-fit joints, and the cross-brace part attached to the inside of the rucksack by means of fold-over flaps secured by fasteners (not shown). The inner parts of the pivots 11 project through holes in the rucksack sides, allowing the outer parts of the pivots, with attached holders 6, to be assembled.

Conventional resilient pads 15 are attached to the front facing part of the rucksack, contacting the user's back at the lower lumbar region and across the shoulder blades.

Adjustable straps 16 of conventional design are provided to secure the rucksack to the user's shoulders. A waist strap (not shown) may also be fitted. The rucksack is shown as it would be carried, with the walking poles 7 stowed vertically by the sides of the rucksack, accomplished by rotating the holders 6 and locking them using the pivot mechanism 11.

For such stowage, the poles are retracted to their shortest length by means of the adjusters 12.

In Figure 4, the rucksack 14 is configured to stand upright on level ground. The horizontal sections of the supports 3 will support the rucksack unaided provided the rucksack centre of gravity is directly above these horizontal sections when viewed from the side. For additional stability, the walking poles 7 can be extended as shown using the adjustment means 12, so that the tips of the poles contact the ground, thus providing rear support. A more stable upright configuration (not shown) could also be achieved by swivelling the poles rearwards and adjusting their length so that the tips contact the ground.

In Figure 5, the rucksack 14 is configured to provide a backrest when used in conjunction with a foam mat 17 positioned on the ground in front of the rucksack. The rear sloping parts of the supports 3 bear most of the weight of the rucksack. Additional bracing for the force caused by pressure from a user leaning back on the rucksack is provided by the walking poles 7, accomplished by rotating the holders 6 rearwards 60 degrees with respect to the rucksack body and locking them in the position shown using the pivot mechanisms 11. In this case, the walking poles are retracted to their shortest length using the adjustment means 12. Viewed from the side, the rucksack and walking poles approximate in shape to an equilateral triangle with the ground as the base line, this being the most stable configuration for such a backrest arrangement. Prior to use as a backrest, the shoulder straps 16 are positioned outwards to the sides of the rucksack as shown.

The resilient pads 15, designed to comfortably support the rucksack when carried on a person's back, are ideally shaped to provide good back support to a recumbent person using the rucksack as a backrest.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment using a single walking pole 7 attached to a holder 6 in a similar manner to the walking poles of figure 1. The holder 6 is connected by a pivot mechanism 11 to the bracket 5. The bracket in this case is extended, as shown in figure 6, to form a closed loop around the inside periphery of the rucksack, with the pivot mechanism 11 mounted on an off-centre flange in order to position the walking pole centrally. Figure 7 shows the frame of figure 6 incorporated into rucksack 14, and displays the rucksack as it would be carried or standing on level ground. in figure 8, the walking pole 7 is rotated rearwards 60 degrees with respect to the rucksack body and locked in the position shown using the pivot mechanism 11. The pivot mechanism 11 and the height adjusting facility 12 of the walking pole 7 are utilised in a similar manner to the twin pole arrangement of figures 3, 4 and 5 to support the rucksack in the upright or reclined positions.

As an alternative to the pivoting arrangement for the walking poles depicted in figures 1 to 8, non-pivoting walking pole holders may be employed, rigidly attached to the mounting means to provide a fixed angle of approximately 60 degrees for the poles with respect to the rucksack body. The walking poles would be attached to the holders to support the rucksack in the reclined position, using the height adjustment as required, and detached for storage in or on the rucksack using conventional means.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show a further alternative embodiment, where the rucksack frame is of virtually identical construction to that of figure 1, with the walking pole support mechanism being replaced by struts 18 with resilient tips 19. The struts may be fixed-length as shown here, or adjustable and retractable in a similar manner to walking poles.

The struts are pivotally attached to the upper bracket 5 by means of a similar pivot mechanism 11 to that shown in figure 2. Figure 10 shows the frame of figure 9 incorporated into rucksack 14, and displays the rucksack as it would be carried or standing on level ground. In the case of fixed-length struts, they are of such a length that, when orientated vertically with respect to the rucksack, their resilient tips 19 are level with the horizontal sections of the bent supports 3. This ensures that the struts contribute to supporting the rucksack in an upright position. In figure 11, the struts I 8 are rotated rearwards 60 degrees and locked in the position shown using the pivot mechanisms 11.

The struts support the rucksack in a similar reclined position to that of the walking pole arrangement of figure 5, forming a backrest to be used in conjunction with the ground mat 17.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment using a single strut 18 to support the rucksack at the rear when it is standing on level ground or when it is reclined to form a backrest. Again the strut may be either fixed-length as shown in these figures, or adjustable and retractable. The bracket 5 is of similar construction to the single walking pole arrangement of figure 6 with a pivot mechanism 11 mounted on an off-centre flange in order to position the supporting strut 18 centrally.

In the alternative embodiments shown in figures 15 and 16, detachable struts 19 are employed and the pivot mechanism is replaced by fixed mountings 20 set to provide a strut angle of approximately 60 degrees with respect to the rucksack body. The struts are inserted into the mountings in the direction of arrows X and locked in position by spring loaded detents 21 which engage in annular grooves within the mountings. The struts project rearwards to support the rucksack at a reclined angle to enable it to be employed as a backrest, acting in conjunction with the rear sloping parts of the members 3. In figure 15, twin struts are employed using a framework similar to that of figure 1, whereas figure 16 shows a single strut arrangement using a framework similar to that of figures 6 and 12.

When not in use, the struts are detached and stored in the rucksack, or strapped to its exterior.

It will be appreciated that detachable struts employing a similar locking arrangement to that depicted in figures 15 and 16 can also be employed in the embodiments shown in figures 9 to 14 inclusive, with suitable modifications being made to the pivot mechanisms.

The struts in the embodiments of figures 9 to 16 inclusive may also be adjustable in height in a similar manner to height-adjustable walking poles.

Note: In all figures in which the rucksack is shown, the parts of the bracket 5 to which the pivots or fixed strut mountings are attached is located inside the periphery of the top opening of the rucksack. This entails a minor obstruction to the opening, but is compensated for in part by the greater ease of loading in having the top opening held open by the bracket. In an alternative arrangement (not shown), those parts of the bracket 5 extending rearwards from framework are located outwith the sides of the rucksack, passing througli slots in the sides of the rucksack near the top front-facing part.

Claims

CLATh'IS 1. A rucksack having a framework or structure disposed from

the lower part of the rucksack to the upper part thereof, so arranged as to reinforce that part of the rucksack which abuts the wearer's back, and attached to the lower part of said framework or structure are one or more members projecting below the body of the rucksack for the purpose of supportrng or partially supporting the rucksack on the ground in an upright or reclined position, and attached to the upper part of said framework or structure are mounting means for a strut or struts, said strut or struts connected thereto and projecting from the upper part of the rucksack to the ground, acting in conjunction with the aforementioned members to support the rucksack in an upright or reclined position, such reclined position enabling the rucksack to be used as a backrest for a person seated either on the ground or upon a mat or other seat base placed on the ground.

2. A rucksack according to claim 1 in which the member or members projecting below the body of the rucksack are disposed rearwards from that part of the rucksack which abuts the wearer's back, and are so shaped that the lower surface of the front of each member is substantially horizontal and the lower surface of the rear of each member is inclined upwards, such that the horizontal surface provides support for the rucksack in a substantially upright position, and the upwardly inclined surface provides support for the rucksack in a reclined position when acting in conjunction with the aforesaid strut or struts.

3. A rucksack according to claim I or claim 2, in which said strut or struts are connected to the aforesaid mounting means so as to be readily detachable for stowage in or on the rucksack or elsewhere, such connection positioning the strut or struts with respect to the body of the rucksack such that said strut or struts act in conjunction with the aforementioned members to support the rucksack.

4. A rucksack according to any of claims I to 3, in which said strut or struts are pivotally connected to the aforesaid mounting means and capable of being rotated about an arc from a substantially vertical position of the strut or struts adjacent to the exterior of the rucksack to an angular position or plurality of angula.r positions for said strut or struts with respect to the body of the rucksack, the pivoting arrangement for said strut or struts being provided with detents or a locking mechanism whereby the strut or struts attached thereto can be locked in said vertical or angular positions.

5. A rucksack according any of claims 1 to 4, in which said strut or struts are adjustable in height, enabling more compact stowage of the strut or struts when retracted, and facilitating the deployment of the strut or struts as supporting means for the rucksack.

6. A rucksack according to any of claims I to 3, in which said strut or struts comprise a single height-adjustable walking pole or two height-adjustable walking poles, each walking pole being affixed to a holder which is connected to the aforesaid mounting means, said holder having securing means for quickly attaching and detaching the walking pole, and said walking pole or poLes being so affixed to said holder or holders as to project from the upper part of the rucksack, acting in conjunction with the aforementioned members to support the rucksack, with the height-adjusting facility of the walking pole or poles being utilised to enable their compact stowage in or on the rucksack or elsewhere when retracted and to facilitate their deployment as supporting means for the rucksack.

7. A rucksack according to claim 6, in which the said holder or holders are pivotally connected to the aforesaid mounting means, and the holder or holders, with walking pole or poles attached thereto, being capable of rotation about an arc from a substantially vertical stowage position of the walking pole or poles adjacent to the rucksack to an angular position or plurality of angular positions for said walking pole or poles with respect to the body of the rucksack, the pivoting arrangement for said holder or holders being provided with detents or a locking mechanism whereby the pole or poles attached thereto can be locked in said vertical or angular positions.

8. A rucksack according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the aforementioned securing means for attaching a walking pole to its holder comprises an upper part to the holder to which the top of the walking pole handle is mated in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the walking pole, and the lower part of the holder has a clip or similar locating means to which the bottom of the walking pole handle or pole structure connected thereto is fitted in a direction substantially at right angles to the axis of the walking pole, whereby said holder locates the walking pole so as to resist forces acting substantially in the direction of the walking pole axis.

9. A rucksack according to any of claims 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein the locking mechanism for said pivoting arrangement comprises a first part having a plurality of ridges or splines which engages coaxially with a second part having a plurality of grooves, the first and second parts being held together by resilient means such that rotation relative to each other is prevented, and the relative angle between said first and second parts and any members attached thereto being adjusted incrementally by separating the first and second parts axially against the pressure of said resilient means and rotating the first and second parts relative to each other.

10. A rucksack substantially as described with reference to figures Ito 16 in the accompanying drawings.