Adjustable Shoulder Strap Attachment Assemblies

Abstract

An adjustable shoulder strap attachment assembly is disclosed, as are methods for adjustably attaching shoulder straps to a backpack frame. The backpack frame has a pair of generally vertically-oriented tracks. Each strap has a cam-fastener with at least one dimension greater than the width of one of the tracks. To secure a strap to the backpack frame, the cam-fastener is inserted into the track and rotated into its use position. A desired vertical position of the strap is selected, and the strap is secured by using hook-and-loop fastener between the backpack frame and the strap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable strap and frame combination for a backpack, comprising:
 a backpack frame having left and right generally vertically extending tracks spaced from one another and an expanse of one part of hook-and-loop fastener proximate to the tracks; and   left and right straps, each of the straps having
 a cam-fastener, the cam-fastener having a projecting portion with at least one dimension greater than a width of one of the tracks, such that the cam-fastener can be pivoted into position to secure the cam-fastener slideably in one of the tracks, and 
 complementary hook-and-loop fastener positioned to engage the hook-and-loop fastener of the backpack frame to fix the vertical position of the strap. 
   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 1 , wherein the cam-fastener is fixedly secured within each of the straps. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 1 , wherein the cam-fastener and the complementary hook-and-loop fastener are provided in an upper portion of each of the straps. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 3 , wherein the upper portions are padded. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 3 , wherein each of the straps further comprises a lower connecting portion connected to the upper portion. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 5 , wherein the lower connecting portion comprises webbing. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 6 , further comprising a waist belt adapted to be coupled to the backpack frame. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 7 , wherein the lower connecting portion of each strap is connected to the waist belt. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 1 , each cam-fastener further comprising a base and a neck or post connected between the base and the projecting portion;
 wherein the base secures the cam-fastener to one of the straps.   
     
     
         10 . The adjustable strap and frame combination of  claim 9 , wherein the projecting portion of each cam-fastener comprises a bar with a length greater than the width of one of the tracks. 
     
     
         11 . A method of adjustably securing backpack straps to a frame, comprising:
 engaging a cam-fastener connected to a strap in a generally vertically-extending track or slot of a backpack frame;   if desired, sliding the engaged cam-fastener within the track or slot so that the strap reaches a desired vertical position within the track or slot; and   securing the strap in the desired vertical position by attaching it using hook-and-loop fastener between the strap and the backpack frame.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising attaching a lower portion of the strap to a waist belt. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising connecting the waist belt to a lower portion of the backpack frame. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said engaging comprises inserting the cam-fastener into the track or slot and rotating the cam-fastener relative to the track or slot such that the cam-fastener cannot be withdrawn from the track or slot. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cam-fastener has a projecting portion with at least one dimension greater than a width of the track or slot. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 releasing the hook-and-loop fastener between the strap and the backpack frame;   repositioning the strap vertically by sliding the cam-fastener within the slot or track; and   re-securing the strap by re-engaging the hook-and-loop fastener.