Pack frame

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 . A frame for a pack, comprising:
 an upper portion include a upper edge;   a first stay extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the upper portion;   a second stay extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the upper portion; and   a lower portion configured to be received into a pocket of a belt, the lower portion terminating at a lower edge;   wherein the frame tapers from a first width at the upper edge of the upper portion to a second width less than the first width at the lower edge of the lower portion.   
     
     
         2 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first track positioned in the upper portion and configured to receive a cam fastener of a first strap; and   a second track positioned in the upper portion and configured to receive a cam fastener of a second strap.   
     
     
         3 . The frame of  claim 2 , wherein the a first distance between a top edge of the first track and a top edge of the second track is greater than a second distance between a bottom edge of the first track and a bottom edge of the second track. 
     
     
         4 . The frame of  claim 2 , wherein a material of the frame extends continuously without openings between the first track and the second track. 
     
     
         5 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an expanse of one part of hook and loop fastener positioned on a user-facing surface of the frame, the expanse configured to receive a complimentary part of the hook and loop fastener positioned on a strap.   
     
     
         6 . The frame of  claim 5 , wherein the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener is positioned below a first track and a second track positioned in the upper portion. 
     
     
         7 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first slot positioned between a first outer edge of the upper portion and an expanse of one part of hook and loop fastener, wherein the first slot extends at a first angle that is parallel to the first outer edge; and   a second slot positioned between a second outer edge of the upper portion and the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener, wherein the second slot extends at a second angle different than the first angle that is parallel to the second outer edge.   
     
     
         8 . The frame of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a third slot positioned between the first outer edge of the upper portion and a first track, wherein the third slot extends at the first angle and is parallel to the first outer edge; and   a fourth slot positioned between the second outer edge of the upper portion and a second track, wherein the fourth slot extends at the second angle and is parallel to the second outer edge.   
     
     
         9 . The frame of  claim 8 , wherein the frame includes four or less slots that extend parallel to either the first outer edge or the second outer edge. 
     
     
         10 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opening in the lower portion positioned below an expanse of one part of a hook and loop fastener.   
     
     
         11 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first stay and the second stay are configured to support at least a portion of a load coupled with the frame.   
     
     
         12 . A frame for a pack, comprising:
 an upper portion include a upper edge;   a first stay extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the upper portion;   a second stay extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the upper portion; and   a lower portion configured to be received into a pocket of a belt, the lower portion terminating at a lower edge; and   an expanse of one part of hook and loop fastener positioned on a user-facing surface of the frame, the expanse configured to receive a complimentary part of the hook and loop fastener positioned on a strap;   wherein the frame tapers from a first width at the upper edge of the upper portion to a second width less than the first width at the lower edge of the lower portion.   
     
     
         13 . The frame of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first track positioned between the upper edge and the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener and configured to receive a cam fastener of a first strap; and   a second track positioned between the upper edge and the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener and configured to receive a cam fastener of a second strap.   
     
     
         14 . The frame of  claim 12 , wherein a material of the frame extends continuously without openings between the first track and the second track. 
     
     
         15 . The frame of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first slot positioned between a first outer edge of the upper portion and the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener, wherein the first slot extends at a first angle that is parallel to the first outer edge; and   a second slot positioned between a second outer edge of the upper portion and the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener, wherein the second slot extends at a second angle different than the first angle that is parallel to the second outer edge.   
     
     
         16 . The frame of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a third slot positioned between the first outer edge of the upper portion and a first track, wherein the third slot extends at the first angle and is parallel to the first outer edge; and   a fourth slot positioned between the second outer edge of the upper portion and a second track, wherein the fourth slot extends at the second angle and is parallel to the second outer edge.   
     
     
         17 . The frame of  claim 12 , wherein the frame includes four or less slots that extend parallel to either a first outer edge or a second outer edge of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . A frame for a pack, comprising:
 an upper portion include a upper edge, a first track and a second track, the first track positioned in the upper portion and configured to receive a cam fastener of a first strap, and the second track positioned in the upper portion and configured to receive a cam fastener of a second strap;   a first stay extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the upper portion;   a second stay extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the upper portion; and   a lower portion configured to be received into a pocket of a belt, the lower portion terminating at a lower edge;   an expanse of one part of hook and loop fastener positioned on a user-facing surface of the frame, the expanse configured to receive a complimentary part of the hook and loop fastener positioned on the first strap and the second strap;   a first slot positioned between a first outer edge of the upper portion and the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener, wherein the first slot extends at a first angle that is parallel to the first outer edge; and   a second slot positioned between a second outer edge of the upper portion and the expanse of one part of the hook and loop fastener, wherein the second slot extends at a second angle different than the first angle that is parallel to the second outer edge;   wherein the frame tapers from a first width at the upper edge of the upper portion to a second width less than the first width at the lower edge of the lower portion.   
     
     
         19 . The frame of  claim 18 , wherein a material of the frame extends continuously without openings between the first track and the second track. 
     
     
         20 . The frame of  claim 18 , wherein the frame includes four or less slots that extend parallel to either the first outer edge or the second outer edge.