Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Convertible or combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-21
2002-10-08
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Convertible or combined
C224S580000, C224S627000, C224S628000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06460746
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of containers for carrying objects, generally, and specifically to closable bags, or sacks, that people may use to carry a multiplicity of objects. More specifically, articles according to the present disclosure are related to the field of backpacks of the type used for carrying clothing, books, tools, food, and personal items. A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is related more particularly to the field of convertible backpacks that can be carried comfortably on both of, or either one of, a person's shoulders and which have one or more removeable, re-positionable straps that may be readily configured to accommodate the changing needs and preferences of each person who uses the backpack. For the purposes of the present disclosure, backpack, bookbag, knapsack, haversack, and rucksack, are deemed synonymous unless the context clearly distinguishes the meaning of one or more of those terms.
BACKGROUND
The popularity of backpacks has surged in recent years. With increased backpack use, there has been a corresponding increase in reports of injuries, especially among students, that result from carrying backpacks that are too heavy, from failing to maintain correct posture, and from carrying unbalanced loads. An estimated 3,300 children aged 5 to 14 were treated in emergency rooms in 1997 for injuries related to bookbags. Another study recently found that 6 percent of 10-year-olds complained of back pain, while 10 to 15 percent of 12-year-olds reportedly had back pain. Doctors believe one reason for the rising incidence of back pain among youth may be the modern-day bookbag—the backpack.
It is generally recommended that a loaded backpack should not exceed 10% of the weight of a child, and that the backpack should be carried on both shoulders. Health care professionals have consistently advised students and youths to carry backpacks over both shoulders. Despite these admonitions, many fashion-conscious students prefer to carry their packs by one strap over one shoulder, and if they do, they should alternate shoulders.
Backpacks of the type used by students are not merely utilitarian containers for objects that the wearer may need during the course of a day. They are also accessory articles of apparel that may be selected on the bases of color, pattern, style, brand name, or coordination with other articles of apparel. In addition to the utility and appearance of a backpack, the style and manner with which it is worn or carried is presently important to many students.
The risk of improper lifting and carrying is widely recognized in workplace settings. In the U.S. however, schools and other institutions with a constituency of children have not recognized any duty to reduce the exposure of their constituents to the risks of skeletal damage by discouraging their constituents from carrying backpacks that are too heavy. Other countries have observed the problem of students carrying backpacks that are too heavy. In 1996, the Bangkok, Thailand education ministry, concerned about the risk of spinal damage, set a backpack weight limit of six pounds for primary school students. Prior to banning heavier backpacks, the Bangkok education ministry had found that the weight of more than half the primary students' backpacks exceeded six pounds.
Numerous examples of backpacks and similar gear have been designed with the purpose of reducing the strain to which the person using the gear is exposed. Development of backpacks generally has focused on enabling individuals to more easily carry items to which they wish to have ready access. Some pack apparatus are designed to hold the load closer to the body of the person carrying the pack. Maintaining the load close to a person's body reduces the effort required to keep balance and reduces the leverage by which the burden can act against the person's muscles.
Other designs seek to reduce the strain on the user by making it convenient to vary the way the pack is carried so that the exertion required to carry the load can be shifted among different muscle groups and, as a consequence, the other muscle groups can periodically rest and recover from exertion. Several inventors have developed bags that may be carried either on the back or under an arm by shoulder straps or else by grippable handles.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,652 issued Nov. 26, 1996 to Cooper for a Convertible Backpack. Cooper's patent is directed to a backpack that is convertible from one carrying method to another. The Cooper backpack can be carried with two shoulders, one shoulder, or with the strap crossing the wearer's chest diagonally. The article differs from a conventional backpack in that a single strap is provided. Each end of the strap is fitted with a clasp that can engage the usual lower strap D-rings. Conventional backpacks normally have the upper end of each strap fixedly sewn to the center upper portion of the backpack. Cooper's backpack is fitted with a ring, sleeve, slot, or loop through which the central part of the strap may slide. With equal parts of the strap on either side of the strap ring, the strap can fit onto both shoulders. The article may be converted to a shoulder bag, or tote, by sliding the strap to one side or the other and carrying the bag on only one shoulder. Cooper illustrates no provision for securing the carrying strap at any specific position. Neither this '652 patent nor the Norton U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,102 has been designed to ameliorate the health risk issues that initiated development of embodiments according to the present disclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,792 issued Aug. 13, 1996, to Arnwine for a Convertible Student Book Bag. Arnwine discloses a modular student book bag that is fitted at one location on the bag structure with a strap for carrying the bag with one shoulder and, at another location on the structure, a pair of straps for carrying the article with two shoulders. The straps appear to be neither re-locatable nor removable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,384 issued May 11, 1993 to Anderson for a Portable Tool Kit. Anderson's portable tool kit shows a bag that may be carried by a pair of shoulder straps. A pair of additional handles may be drawn to show carrying the kit with one hand or one shoulder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,059 issued May 19, 1992 to Thatcher for a Universally Adjustable Frameless Backpack. The patent for Thatcher's universally adjustable frameless backpack discloses a pack designed to meet different needs than those for which the present invention is intended. It does, however, show some construction techniques that may be adaptable for use in various models of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,102 issued Mar. 7, 1989 to Norton for a Universal Sport Bag. Norton describes a sport bag that, although it is not explicitly designed as a backpack, does accommodate being carried on one shoulder, on two shoulders, or on a belt that encircles a person's waist. Norton does not, however, disclose any enhancement that improves the ability of an individual to carry a backpack on one shoulder.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,751 issued Apr. 28, 1987 to von Dewitz for a Device to Secure Shoulder Straps of a Rucksack. Von Dewitz discloses a securement for the upper ends of shoulder straps for a backpack (or rucksack). The angles at which the straps attach to the pack can be varied to accommodate the build of the person who carries the pack.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,258 issued Jan. 1, 1985 to Jones for a Convertible Backpack. Jones discloses a good example of a backpack that may be converted into one or more other useful objects. The Jones disclosure was directed primarily toward mounting bags and panniers on bicycles that, when removed from a vehicle, could be configured so that a person could carry the bags as a backpack.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,422,218 issued Jun. 17, 1947 to Bauer for a Golf Club Bag. Bauer describes a golf club bag that has both hand and shoulder straps. The single shoulder strap is configured to enable the user to carry
Cronin Stephen K.
Jennings, P.A. Larry M.
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