Polymeric backpack frame

Abstract

A backpack mounting frame system has a front side and a back side, side rails being arranged on opposite sides, a center rail that extends from a bottom to a top of the frame, and two interconnecting stabilizing segments extending transversely across the center rail. The frame material is lightweight, strong, sturdy, and selectively flexible to suspend a backpack load and decouple it from movements of the wearer. The frame actively stabilizes loads attached to the system. The system has a contoured, slightly curved structure that brings the load from a load transfer point, following the curvature of the wearer's back. The frame provides the wearer a superior fit and range of motion with varying equipment weight while maintaining a low cost of manufacture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monolithic polymeric backpack frame, comprising:
 an outer frame border with rounded corners, having parallel lengthwise members joined by parallel widthwise members; and   a pair of parallel mounting extensions protruding normal to the outer frame border.   
     
     
         2 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 1 , further comprising reinforcement ridges extending along one or more of the parallel lengthwise members, the parallel widthwise members, and/or the pair of parallel mounting extensions. 
     
     
         3 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the parallel widthwise members is a cross bar, contoured to align with a human back, that extends between the parallel lengthwise members. 
     
     
         4 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 1 , wherein the parallel widthwise members include a top member and a bottom member; wherein top strap mounting apertures are formed through the top member; and wherein bottom strap mounting apertures are formed through the bottom member. 
     
     
         5 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of parallel mounting extensions have strap mounting apertures formed therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 5 , wherein the strap mounting apertures include first apertures having a first shape and second apertures having a second shape. 
     
     
         7 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 6 , wherein the first shape is substantially spherical and the second shape is a substantially vertical extended oval. 
     
     
         8 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 1 , wherein the parallel lengthwise members include two outer members with a central member therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 8 , wherein the central member is contoured to align with a human spine. 
     
     
         10 . The monolithic polymeric backpack frame of  claim 8 , wherein the two outer members exhibit a bend distal from the mounting extensions.