Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Convertible or combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-01-30
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Convertible or combined
C224S257000, C224S262000, C224S627000, C224S637000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179175
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a knapsack harness, and more particularly to a modular child's harness with adjustment features that allow the harness to be continued to be used as a child grows.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Many different types of backpacks, daypacks, knapsacks, bookbags, and waistpacks exist for camping, hiking, sports, recreation, travel, and other needs. Most are specifically designed for adults, and some are designed for children. Although prior art packs for children typically have adjustments to allow them to fit a range of children, they are optimized for a particular size child and designed for a specific activity. One pack may be appropriate for camping, another for picnicking, another for hiking, another for school and sports, etc. This requires that several packs be purchased for a child, and as the child grows, larger equipment must be purchased.
What is needed and not provided by the prior art is a simple child's pack that can grow with the child, and be adapted for many different uses over the course of many years.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a modular pack system that can be configured for many different uses, and can expand as a child grows larger and participates in more activities.
In its simplest form, a pack system constructed according to the present invention starts with a simple waist belt and a clip attached to a loop for sliding onto the belt. The clip can be used to attach a favorite toy or other object to the child's belt. The belt is adjustable and releases with a plastic buckle.
Other small items can be attached to the belt, such as a water bottle pouch (first small capacity, then large.) A small pouch can later be added to the belt to hold a snack, sunglasses or other small items. A larger pouch can be added by itself or in conjunction with the previous items to hold such things as a camera or jacket.
To the same waist belt a pair of shoulder straps can be added to provide the next modular platform. In the preferred embodiment plastic loops are arranged along the outside of the back of the shoulder straps for attaching gear such as a ground cloth, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, bag for food & clothes, fishing pole, tent, etc. These items can be added one by one to the shoulder strap and waist belt combination as the child is able to carry more. In this way a child can begin to participate at an early age in an activity such as backpacking. As the child progresses, new components can be added and/or subtracted without having to purchase the entire pack at the outset or having to repurchase entirely new gear at every stage of development.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the disclosed pack system is modular as described above.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the rearward lower ends of the shoulder straps are provided with a hingable section adjacent to where the shoulder straps slidably attach to the waist belt. The end portion is initially folded up and secured in a retracted, J-shaped position when the child is small. After the child has grown, the end portion is released and extended, thereby expanding the distance between the waist belt and the attachment points on the shoulder straps. This allows the same harness to be used and fit properly over the course of many more years.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a pack bag is provided that may be alternately carried by a handle, a single shoulder strap, or attached to the knapsack harness system.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the rigidity of the knapsack is provided mainly by the attached gear rather than by the shoulder straps, waist belt, or a frame. This allows the knapsack to be extremely lightweight, a feature particularly important for smaller children.
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Brevard Maerena W.
Limbach & Limbach LLP
Vidovich Gregory M.
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