Backpack for discreet carrying and rapid deployment of a firearm or the like

Abstract

A backpack for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon or the like has an opening in the rear (torso-facing) surface through which a weapon (a pistol or the like) is accessible when the backpack, having been carried on one shoulder, is rotated forward; if the backpack is carried on the user's left shoulder, the user accesses the weapon with his/her right hand, and vice-versa, the backpack being manufactured for either a left-handed or a right-handed user, an alternative embodiment being usable by either. A feature on the outside of the backpack is grasped to facilitate rotating the backpack. A zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, or both are used to close the opening. The weapon is also accessible from the main compartment of the backpack via an inner zippered opening. Closures are lockable to discourage unwanted access. Tactical advantage is preserved because the opening is not easily noticed and the movements for accessing the weapon can be done without looking and are not likely to be recognized as hostile.

1 . A backpack adapted to enabling a user to carry and deploy a concealed handgun or the like, comprising:
 suspensory structure adapted for draping the backpack on one or both of the person's shoulders;   a rear portion, operatively coupled to said suspensory structure, adapted for resting against the back of the user;   a backpack interior surface adapted for supporting a handgun or the like;   a closure formed in said rear portion, said closure being openable by the user while carrying the backpack on one shoulder to enable the person to retrieve the handgun or the like; and   a feature adapted for rotating the backpack from a first orientation draped on one of the person's shoulders, to a second orientation wherein the person is able easily to operate said closure and with his/her contralateral hand to retrieve said handgun or the like.   
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , a holster being attached to said backpack interior surface. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 2 , a hook-and-loop fastener attaching said holster to said backpack interior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom portion, said feature including a thumb-engageable strap sewn across said bottom portion. 
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 1 , said closure including a zipper. 
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 5 , said rear portion including a flap, said flap having a flap interior surface, said flap interior surface being accessible to the user when said closure is opened. 
     
     
         7 . The backpack of  claim 6 , said flap being adapted to support a handgun or the like. 
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 1 , said weapon-supporting interior surface being accessible by the user's contralateral hand when said closure is opened. 
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 1 , forming a compartment adapted for carrying personal items, an interior opening being formed in said compartment, said interior opening permitting access to the weapon-supporting interior surface via said compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 1 , said interior opening being closable. 
     
     
         11 . A backpack adapted to enabling a user to carry and deploy a concealed handgun or the like, comprising:
 suspensory structure adapted for draping the backpack on one or both of the person's shoulders;   a rear portion, operatively coupled to said suspensory structure, adapted for resting against the back of the user;   a weapon-supporting interior surface adapted for supporting a handgun or the like;   a rear portion opening formed in said rear portion, said rear portion opening being openable by the user while carrying the backpack on one shoulder to enable the person to retrieve the handgun or the like; and   a feature operatively coupled to said rear portion and adapted for rotating the backpack from a first orientation draped on one of the person's shoulders, to a second orientation wherein the person is able easily to operate said closure and with his/her contralateral hand to retrieve said handgun or the like.   
     
     
         12 . The backpack of  claim 10 , a holster being attached to said backpack interior surface. 
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 10 , said rear portion including a flap, said flap having a flap interior surface, said flap interior surface being accessible to the user when said rear portion opening is opened and being being adapted to support a handgun or the like. 
     
     
         14 . The backpack of  claim 11 , said feature including a thumb-engageable strap sewn across a portion of the backpack. 
     
     
         15 . A backpack adapted to enabling a user to carry and deploy a concealed handgun or the like,
 the backpack being suspendable from a person's shoulder,   the backpack being adapted to conceal a handgun,   the backpack comprising a rear portion ordinarily facing the body of the person carrying the backpack,   the backpack being adapted to enable the person carrying the backpack, using the hand ipsilateral to the shoulder carrying the backpack, to easily rotate the backpack to a position proximate the front of the person's torso,   the backpack being adapted to enable the person, having so rotated the backpack, to retrieve a handgun from the backpack using the contralateral hand.   
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a weapon-concealing portion which has a first configuration concealing the handgun and is manipulable, by the contralateral hand of the person carrying the backpack, to a second configuration exposing the handgun for retrieval by the contralateral hand.   
     
     
         17 . The backpack of  claim 16 , wherein said weapon-concealing portion has a weapon-supporting interior surface adapted for supporting a handgun. 
     
     
         18 . The backpack of  claim 1 , said feature including (Markush group): a tag; a tag carrying a knob; a tag carrying a ferrule; a tag having an eyelet; a cord; a knotted cord; a pouch; a pocket, an indentation, a hook, a ring, or a mesh. 
     
     
         19 . The backpack of  claim 11 , said feature including (Markush group): a tag; a tag carrying a knob; a tag carrying a ferrule; a tag having an eyelet; a cord; a knotted cord; a pouch; a pocket, an indentation, a hook, a ring, or a mesh. 
     
     
         20 . The backpack of  claim 11 , the backpack being adapted to enable the person carrying the backpack, using the hand ipsilateral to the shoulder carrying the backpack, to easily rotate the backpack to a position proximate the front of the person's torso, by means of a feature chosen from among (Markush group): a tag; a tag carrying a knob; a tag carrying a ferrule; a tag having an eyelet; a cord; a knotted cord; a pouch; a pocket, an indentation, a hook, a ring, or a mesh.