Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Article held by receiver
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-16
2002-11-05
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Article held by receiver
C224S637000, C224S638000, C224S657000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06474524
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to packs, backpacks, and luggage, and more specifically to an improved pack apparatus for use as a backpack.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Backpacks, rucksacks, and other “carryable” luggage articles are well-known and in widespread use. Most known backpacks consist of little more than a flexible bag or body defining a box-shaped volume, with a zippered opening and one or more shoulder straps. These backpacks offer minimum organization capability, poor load support, limited access to the contents of the pack, and little carrying comfort during use. For example, with conventional backpacks, the first item that is placed into the pack immediately falls to the bottom of the pack, and is thus the last item able to be taken out, giving the user few options for keeping the contents well organized and protected. The contents of a typical backpack are also prone to shift during movement and use, making access even more difficult. In addition, gravity forces the pack and its contents to sag, shifting the weight down upon the user's lower back, causing discomfort when carrying the backpack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The backpack apparatus of this invention provides a pack article including a flexible container having front, back, right side, and left side panels connected together to define an internal cavity, a movable top flap connected to the back panel to enable access to the internal cavity, and at least one divider within the internal cavity connected to and intersecting the back panel at a diagonal, and extending between the right and left side panels to provide a diagonal support surface for an item placed within the pack, when the backpack is in its upright (use) position. The angle of the divider(s) serves to orient the contained load of the pack and direct the weight of the load towards the back panel, thereby distributing the weight along the length of the user's back. The inventive pack also includes one or more shoulder straps, and may include additional zippered compartments, waist straps, chest straps, and other features as warranted.
The inventive backpack thus improves load organization while providing easy access, load stability, and carrying comfort. The interior divider(s) provide built-in organization, support, and quick access for books, files, computers, calculators, diskettes, pens, and other articles and accessories. The diagonal orientation of the divider(s) evenly distributes the weight of the contents to the back panel and shoulder straps for maximum comfort and carrying stability.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3321120 (1967-05-01), Cunningham
patent: 4513866 (1985-04-01), Thomas
patent: 4941603 (1990-07-01), Creamer et al.
patent: 5209384 (1993-05-01), Anderson
patent: 5588529 (1996-12-01), Speck
patent: 5950895 (1999-09-01), Zakarin
patent: 5988476 (1999-11-01), Olerio
patent: 6129254 (2000-10-01), Yu
patent: 6161739 (2000-12-01), Bentzen
Ivarson Henrietta L.
Ivarson Ian C.
Ivarson Jeffrey J.
Cronin Stephen K.
Johnson Larry D.
Johnson & Stainbrook LLP
Stainbrook Craig M.
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