US20090283564A1

US20090283564A1 - Integrated Skirt-Hood For A Backpack

Info

Publication number: US20090283564A1
Application number: US12/466,881
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory BASS
Original assignee: North Face Apparel Corp
Current assignee: North Face Apparel Corp
Priority date: 2008-05-16
Filing date: 2009-05-15
Publication date: 2009-11-19

Abstract

A backpack having a body including a storage compartment formed between first and second ends. A support member can be attached to the body for supporting the body on a user. A skirt may be connected to the first end of the body and a hood can be integrally connected to the skirt. An actuation member may extend along at least a portion of the top edge portion of the skirt and connected to the hood to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions so that when the actuation member is pulled, the skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the first end of the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/053,906, filed May 16, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an integrated skirt-hood for a backpack.

BACKGROUND

During outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, or rock-climbing, backpacks use various means to prevent snow and rain from entering the pack. In some instances, in order to achieve this task, some top-loading or top-access backpacks use skirts (e.g., snow skirts, sleeves, spindrift collars, collars, etc.). For instance, skirts may be loose material that can be pulled together to close the pack, much like a drawstring trash bag. Thus, the skirt may be used to form a first storage compartment. After the skirt is pulled closed, another piece of material—called a hood, lid, pod, or spindrift collar—is flipped over the top of the skirt and secured to form a second enclosure. In this way, the pack is able to protect the items stored in the backpack from the natural elements (e.g., rain, sleet, snow, etc.). The second enclosure may also act as pocket for storing items.
For example, FIG. 1 a is a side view of a prior art backpack 8 shown in the open position. As can be seen in the figure, in previous versions of top-loading backpacks, the hood 10 and skirt 11 are separate pieces. In order to close the pack, a user must first cinch the skirt 11 using drawstring 12 and then flip the hood 10 over the skirt 11. Thus, the skirt 11 forms a first storage compartment and the hood forms a separate, second storage compartment. FIG. 1 b shows the prior art backpack 8 of FIG. 1 a in the closed position, in which the hood 10 fully covers the skirt 11.
Backpacks, such as the ones shown in FIGS. 1 a-b, with both a hood and snow skirt require multiple steps to close, and the process can be time-consuming, and difficult for some, and increases the likelihood that the pack will be closed improperly. In addition, the extra material required for forming the separate storage compartments increases the weight of the pack.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved backpack. More specifically, in embodiments of the present invention, the closure of the pack may be substantially simplified because a user is able to close both the skirt and the hood with a single motion to form a single storage compartment, thus reducing time, simplifying operation of the backpack, and decreasing the overall weight of the pack (because the combination of the skirt and hood allows less material to be used).
Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention address the need for a combination skirt-hood apparatus that allows a user to quickly close a backpack—such as a top-loading backpack—with a single motion, such as a single pull to form a single storage compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to an integrated skirt-hood for a backpack such that both the skirt and the hood can be closed with a single motion of an actuation member to form a single storage compartment.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a backpack is provided having a body including a storage compartment formed between first and second ends. A support member can be attached to the body for supporting the body on a user. A skirt may be connected to the first end of the body and a hood can be integrally connected to the skirt. An actuation member may extend along at least a portion of a top edge portion of the skirt and connected to the hood to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions so that when the actuation member is pulled, the skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the first end of the body.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a backpack is provided having a body including a storage compartment formed between first and second ends. A pair of shoulder straps may be attached to the body for supporting the body on a user. A snow skirt may be connected to the first end of the body and a hood may be integrated with the snow skirt. A drawstring may extend along at least a portion of a top edge portion of the snow skirt and connected to the hood to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions. A cord locking device may be attached to the drawstring. When the drawstring is pulled, the snow skirt and hood may be simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the first end of the body.
In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, a top-loading technical backpack is provided having a body including a storage compartment formed between a top end and a closed bottom end. A pair of shoulder straps may be attached to the body for supporting the body on a user. A snow skirt may be connected to the top end of the body and a hood may be integrally connected to the snow skirt. A drawstring may extend along at least a portion of a top edge portion of the snow skirt, and connected to the hood, to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions, and a cord locking device may be attached to the drawstring. When the drawstring is pulled, the snow skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the top end of the body.
The invention may be embodied in numerous devices and through numerous methods and systems. The following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses examples of the invention. Other embodiments, which incorporate some, all or more of the features as taught herein, are also possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this disclosure:

FIGS. 1 a-b show a prior art backpack having a skirt and hood that are opened and closed in separate steps;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a backpack that may be employed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged partial view of the backpack of FIG. 2 in the open position; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the backpack of FIG. 2 in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to an integrated skirt-hood for a backpack. Certain embodiments of the present invention integrate the backpack's skirt with a hood such that a single motion closes both the skirt and the hood.
Referring initially to FIGS. 2-4, a backpack 20 is shown having a body 22 including a storage compartment 24 formed between first and second ends 26, 28. As can be seen, one or more support members 21 can be attached to the body 22 for supporting the body on a user. A skirt 32 may be connected to the first end 26 of the body 22 and a hood 31 can be integrally connected to the skirt 32. An actuation member 36 may extend along at least a portion of a top edge portion 39 of the skirt 32 and can be connected to the hood 31. As can be seen in FIGS. 3-4, the actuation member 36 can be used to move the skirt 32 and hood 31 between open and closed positions so that when the actuation member 36 is pulled, the skirt 32 and hood 31 are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion.
As seen in FIG. 2, certain embodiments of the present invention's backpack body 22 may comprise a storage compartment 24 formed between the first and second ends 26, 28. The storage compartment 24 may vary significantly by size and shape and any number of shapes and sizes may be used. In certain embodiments, the backpack body 22 is roughly cylindrical in shape. In certain embodiments, one end, in the example the second end 28, of the backpack body may be closed, while the other (e.g., the first end 26) may be open.
As seen in FIG. 2, the backpack 20 may also have a support member 21 connected to the backpack body for supporting the backpack on the user. In certain embodiments, the support member 21 can be a pair of shoulder straps connected to one side of the backpack body 22. In other embodiments, the support member 21 may be a single strap extending diagonally across one side of the backpack body. In other embodiments, the support member may be any other structure used to support the backpack body on the user.
Turning to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the skirt 32 can be located at the top end of the backpack 20, and may comprise a flexible material roughly forming a “U” shaped opening when viewed from above. The top points of the “U” (points 34 and 35 in FIG. 3) are connected to the bottom portion of the hood 31, thus closing off the open portion of the “U” shape. The skirt 32 is connected lengthwise to the backpack body 22, such that the skirt 32 acts as an extension of the backpack body 22. In certain embodiments, the skirt 32 may contain a hollow top edge portion 39 in order to contain an actuation member 26 such as a drawstring 33. In other embodiments, the actuation device may be located on the outside of the skirt 32.
Turning to FIG. 3, certain embodiments of the present invention also contain a hood 31. In the example shown, the hood 31 is located at the top portion of the backpack body. The hood 31 extends upwards from the top of the backpack body and is joined to either end of the skirt 32, such as at points 34 and 35. In certain embodiments, the hood 31 may be curved slightly so that it hangs over the top of the backpack when in the closed position.
Also shown in FIG. 3 are fastening devices 37, 38 that may be used to secure the hood to the backpack body. The fastening devices 37, 38 may comprise any devices that secure the hood to the backpack body, including, but not limited to, hook and loop mechanisms, buttons, buckles, snaps, etc. In the example, buckles are used; however, other suitable fasteners may be used.
FIG. 3 also illustrates an actuation member 36 that extends along a top edge portion 39 of the skirt 32. The ends of the actuation member 36 are also connected to the hood, such as to the side edges of the hood. In the example shown in FIG. 3, and as described above, the actuation member 36 may be a drawstring 33 and the ends of the drawstring 33 may be attached to the hood 31 at points 34 and 35.
As the drawstring 33 of the skirt 32 is pulled, the skirt 32 is tightened closed, while the hood 31 is simultaneously pulled over the skirt. When the drawstring 33 is fully pulled, the skirt 32 will be completely closed and the hood 31 will be pulled on top of the closed skirt, as shown in FIG. 4.
In certain embodiments of the present invention the hood 31 and skirt 32 may be secured in the closed position using cord lock 40 (shown in FIG. 3).
While various embodiments have been described, other embodiments are plausible. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of various examples of the integrated skirt-hood for a backpack are not intended to be limiting, and any number of modifications, combinations, and alternatives of the examples may be employed.
The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be shown on only certain embodiments or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention. Likewise, methods described and disclosed may also be performed in various sequences, with some or all of the disclosed steps being performed in a different order than described while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A backpack, comprising:

a body including a storage compartment formed between first and second ends;

at least one support member attached to the body for supporting the body on a user;

a skirt connected to the first end of the body;

a hood integrally connected to the skirt; and

an actuation member extending along at least a portion of a top edge portion of the skirt and connected to the hood to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions,

wherein when the actuation member is pulled, the skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the first end of the body.

2. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising at least one fastening member to secure the hood to the body.

3. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the at least one fastening member is a buckle assembly.

4. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the at least one fastening member is a hook and loop fastener.

5. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the actuation member is a drawstring.

6. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the backpack is a top-loading backpack.

7. The backpack of claim 4, wherein the backpack is a technical backpack.

8. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a cord locking device attached to the drawstring.

9. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the at least one support member is a pair of shoulder straps.

10. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the skirt is a snow skirt.

11. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the first end is a top of the backpack and the second end is the bottom of the backpack.

12. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the bottom of the backpack is closed.

13. A backpack, comprising:

a body including a storage compartment formed between first and second ends;

a pair of shoulder straps attached to the body for supporting the body on a user;

a snow skirt connected to the first end of the body;

a hood integrated with the snow skirt;

a drawstring extending along at least a portion of a top edge portion of the snow skirt and connected to the hood to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions; and

a cord locking device attached to the drawstring,

wherein when the actuation member is pulled, the snow skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the first end of the body.

14. The backpack of claim 13, further comprising at least one fastening member to secure the hood to the body.

15. The backpack of claim 13, wherein the backpack is a top-loading backpack.

16. The backpack of claim 13, wherein the backpack is a technical backpack.

17. The backpack of claim 13, wherein the first end is a top of the backpack and the second end is the bottom of the backpack.

18. The backpack of claim 17, wherein the bottom of the backpack is closed.

19. A top-loading technical backpack, comprising:

a body including a storage compartment formed between a top end and a closed bottom end;

a snow skirt connected to the top end of the body;

a hood integrally connected to the snow skirt;

a cord locking device attached to the drawstring,

wherein when the actuation member is pulled, the snow skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the top end of the body.

20. The backpack of claim 19, further comprising at least one fastening member to secure the hood to the body.