Backpack

Abstract

A backpack has a pack body with front, side, and back walls. A transverse belt slot is disposed across a lower portion of the back wall. First and second waist belt portions each have distal and proximal ends. A plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms are arranged within the transverse belt slot. The proximal end of the first waist belt portion is releasably and pivotally connectable with any one of the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms arranged within the transverse belt slot. The proximal end of the second waist belt portion is releasably and pivotally connectable with any other of the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms arranged within the transverse belt slot. The distal end of the first waist belt portion and the distal end of the second waist belt portion being releasably connectable together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backpack comprising:
 a pack body having a front, sides, and a back, the front, the sides and the back defining at least one compartment of the backpack;   at least one panel disposed at a lower portion of the back, a portion of the panel being spaced from the back in a manner to form an opening between the panel and the back;   a first waist belt portion having a distal end and an opposite proximal end,   a second waist belt portion having a distal end and an opposite proximal end;   a plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms arranged within the opening formed by the panel and the back;   the proximal end of at least one of the first waist belt portion and the second waist belt portion being releasably and pivotally connectable with any one of the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms arranged within the opening formed by the panel and the back; and   the distal end of the first waist belt portion and the distal end of the second waist belt portion being releasably connectable together.   
     
     
         2 . The back pack of  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises a pliant member extending across and affixed to the lower portion of the back. 
     
     
         3 . The back pack of  claim 1  wherein the panel forms a transverse belt slot extending across and affixed to the lower portion of the back. 
     
     
         4 . The back pack of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms project from the back of the pack body within the opening formed by the panel and the back. 
     
     
         5 . The back pack of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms comprise male snap button connectors, and the proximal end of the at least one first waist belt portion and the second waist belt portion each comprise a female clasp that releasably and pivotally connect with any one of the male snap button connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The back pack of  claim 5  wherein the male snap button connectors extend through the back and are affixed to the back with a cooperating plate abutting the back. 
     
     
         7 . The back pack of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of spaced apart loops extending transversely across an upper portion of the back. 
     
     
         8 . The back pack of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a first shoulder strap having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, 
 a second shoulder strap having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, 
 the proximal end of the first shoulder strap having a hook adapted and configured to releasably engage any one of the plurality of spaced apart loops; 
 the proximal end of the second shoulder strap having a hook adapted and configured to releasably engage any other of the plurality of spaced apart loops; 
 the distal end of the first shoulder strap being adjustably connectable with the lower portion of the pack body; and 
 the distal end of the second shoulder strap being adjustably connectable with the lower portion of the pack body. 
 
     
     
         9 . The back pack of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of spaced apart loops are disposed within a pocket formed on the back of the pack body. 
     
     
         10 . The back pack of  claim 9  wherein the pocket forms a pad. 
     
     
         11 . A backpack comprising:
 a pack body having a front wall, a side wall, and a back wall defining at least one compartment of the backpack;   a lumbar pad disposed across a lower portion of the back wall in a manner to allow access between the lumbar pad and the lower portion of the back wall;   a first waist belt portion having a distal end and an opposite proximal end,   a second waist belt portion having a distal end and an opposite proximal end;   a plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms arranged on a lower part of the back wall, the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms being covered by the lumbar pad when the back pack is in use and being accessible between the lumbar pad and the lower portion of the back wall;   the proximal end of the first waist belt portion being releasably and pivotally connectable with any one of the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms;   the proximal end of the second waist belt portion being releasably and pivotally connectable with any other of the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms; and   the distal end of the first waist belt portion and the distal end of the second waist belt portion being releasably connectable together.   
     
     
         12 . The back pack of  claim 11  wherein at least two of the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms are adapted and configured for releasably pivotal connection with the proximal end of the first waist belt portion and at least two of the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms are adapted and configured for releasably pivotal connection with the proximal end of the second waist belt portion. 
     
     
         13 . The back pack of  claim 11  wherein the lumbar pad comprises a pliant member extending across and affixed to the back wall in a manner to form a transverse belt slot. 
     
     
         14 . The back pack of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms project from the back wall of the pack body within the belt slot. 
     
     
         15 . The back pack of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of spaced apart connection mechanisms comprise male snap button connectors, and the proximal end of the first waist belt portion and the proximal end of the second waist belt portion each comprise female clasps that releasably and pivotally connect with the male snap button connectors. 
     
     
         16 . The back pack of  claim 15  wherein the male snap button connectors extend through the back wall and are affixed to the back wall with a cooperating plate abutting the back wall. 
     
     
         17 . The back pack of  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of spaced apart loops extending transversely across an upper portion of the back wall. 
     
     
         18 . The back pack of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a first shoulder strap having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, 
 a second shoulder strap having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, 
 the proximal end of the first shoulder strap having a hook adapted and configured to releasably engage any one of the plurality of spaced apart loops; 
 the proximal end of the second shoulder strap having a hook adapted and configured to releasably engage any other of the plurality of spaced apart loops; 
 the distal end of the first shoulder strap being adjustably connectable with the lower portion of the pack body; and 
 the distal end of the second shoulder strap being adjustably connectable with the lower portion of the pack body. 
 
     
     
         19 . The back pack of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of spaced apart loops are disposed within a pocket formed on the back wall of the pack body. 
     
     
         20 . The back pack of  claim 19  wherein the pocket forms a pad.