Backpack having horizontal expansion

Abstract

A backpack having a longitudinal axis and a perpendicular transverse axis includes a top end, a bottom end, and a body portion extending between the top end and the bottom end. The backpack also includes an expansion panel attached to each of the top end, the bottom end, and the body portion. The expansion panel is longitudinally-oriented and is configured to expand in a transverse direction between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backpack having a longitudinal axis and a perpendicular transverse axis, the backpack comprising:
 a top end;   a bottom end;   a body portion extending between the top end and the bottom end; and   an expansion panel attached to each of the top end, the bottom end, and the body portion, wherein the expansion panel is longitudinally-oriented and is configured to expand in a transverse direction between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an opening defined between the body portion and the top end, wherein the opening defines a first width in the collapsed configuration and a second width in the expanded configuration, wherein the second width is larger than the first width. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the top end, the bottom end, and the body portion collectively define an interior compartment having a first volume in the collapsed configuration and a second volume in the expanded configuration, wherein the second volume is larger than the first volume. 
     
     
         4 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the expansion panel comprises:
 a first flap;   a second flap; and   a center portion attached to the first and the second flaps such that the center portion extends therebetween.   
     
     
         5 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a first angle is defined between the first flap and the center portion in the collapsed configuration and a second angle that is greater than the first angle is defined between the first flap and the center portion in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a first side panel having a first edge and a second side panel having a second edge, the expansion panel being attached to the first and the second side panels. 
     
     
         7 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the first and the second edges are spaced apart by a first distance in the collapsed configuration and by a second distance, which is greater than the first distance, in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising a closure assembly attached to the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the closure assembly is configured to limit expansion of the expansion panel. 
     
     
         9 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the top end comprises a first edge and a second edge which are configured to form a “V”-shape. 
     
     
         10 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the bottom end comprises a first edge and a second edge which are configured to form a “V”-shape. 
     
     
         11 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener attached to the top end and the body portion wherein the fastener is configured to extend about a seam between the top end and the body portion such that the fastener partially circumscribes the body portion. 
     
     
         12 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the expansion panel comprises a single continuous component extending from the top end, through the body portion, and to the bottom end. 
     
     
         13 . A vertically oriented expansion panel for use in a backpack, the expansion panel comprising:
 a first flap;   a second flap; and   a center portion attached to the first and the second flaps such that the center portion extends therebetween, wherein a first angle is defined between the first flap and the center portion in a collapsed configuration and a second angle that is greater than the first angle is defined between the first flap and the center portion in an expanded configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The expansion panel in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the first and the second flaps each overlap at least a portion of the center portion in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The expansion panel in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising a stiffener. 
     
     
         16 . Cancelled. 
     
     
         17 . The expansion panel in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second flaps and the center portion includes an end edge, wherein the end edge of the first and the second flaps is attached to the end edge of the center portion to limit expansion of the expansion panel. 
     
     
         18 . The expansion panel in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the first flap includes a first side edge opposite the center portion and the second flap includes a second side edge opposite the center portion, wherein the first and the second side edges are spaced apart a first distance in the collapsed configuration and a second distance that is greater than the first distance in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         19 . A backpack having a longitudinal axis and a perpendicular transverse axis, the backpack comprising:
 a shell; and   an expansion panel attached to the shell, wherein the expansion panel is longitudinally-oriented and configured to expand along the transverse axis such that the shell transitions between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the expansion panel comprises:
 a first flap;   a second flap; and   a center portion attached to the first and the second flaps such that the center portion extends therebetween.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The backpack in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the shell comprises a first side panel having a first edge and a second side panel having a second edge, the expansion panel is attached between the first and the second side panels such that the first and the second edges are spaced apart by a first distance in the collapsed configuration and by a second distance, which is longer than the first distance, in the expanded configuration.