Backpack frame

Abstract

A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A backpack frame, comprising:
 a unitary, contiguous, contoured frame body, including 
 a mid-back portion having first and second elongate openings, the first and second elongate openings being constructed and arranged to receive shoulder strap assemblies such that each of the shoulder strap assemblies is independently positionable within one of the first and second openings; 
 a lower portion contiguous with the mid-back portion, the lower portion including a U-shaped tongue structure constructed and adapted to receive a belt assembly; and 
 a pair of elongate stay portions that are contiguous with the mid-back portion, the pair if of elongate stay portions being generally parallel to one another where the pair of elongate stay portions are connected to the mid-back portion, the pair of elongate stay portions extending away from the mid-back portion by curving laterally outward relative to the mid-back portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The backpack frame of  claim 1 , wherein the backpack frame comprises a resin-impregnated unitary structure. 
     
     
       3. The backpack frame of  claim 2 , wherein the resin-impregnated structure comprises at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. 
     
     
       4. The backpack frame of  claim 3 , wherein the resin-impregnated structure further comprises selectively placed interstitial reinforcing layers between the at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. 
     
     
       5. The backpack frame of  claim 4 , wherein the stay portions comprise interstitial reinforcing layers comprised of glass fiber oriented along their respective lengths. 
     
     
       6. The backpack frame of  claim 4 , wherein the mid-back portion and the lower back portion comprise foam interstitial reinforcing layers. 
     
     
       7. The backpack frame of  claim 1 , wherein the mid-back and lower back portions are contoured to match the contours of the human back. 
     
     
       8. The backpack frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings comprise generally linear tracks. 
     
     
       9. A backpack and frame combination, comprising:
 a backpack including
 one or more panels enclosing a storage volume, the backpack having frame-receiving structure, 
 a pair of shoulder strap assemblies, and 
 a belt assembly; and 
 
 a unitary, contiguous backpack frame including
 a mid-back portion having first and second elongate openings, the first and second elongate openings being constructed and arranged to receive shoulder strap assemblies such that each of the shoulder strap assemblies is independently positionable within one of the first and second openings, 
 a lower portion contiguous with the mid-back portion, the lower portion including a U-shaped tongue structure constructed and adapted to receive the belt assembly, and 
 a pair of elongate stay portions that are contiguous with the mid-back portion, the pair of elongate stay portions being generally parallel to one another where the pair of elongate stay portions are connected to the mid-back portion, the pair of elongate stay portions extending away from the mid-back portion by curving laterally outward relative to the mid-back portion; 
 
 wherein the backpack frame is arranged in the backpack such that it is received in the frame-receiving structure. 
 
     
     
       10. The backpack and frame combination of  claim 9 , wherein the backpack frame comprises a resin-impregnated unitary structure. 
     
     
       11. The backpack and frame combination of  claim 10 , wherein the resin-impregnated structure comprises at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. 
     
     
       12. The backpack and frame combination of  claim 11 , wherein the resin-impregnated structure further comprises selectively placed interstitial reinforcing layers between the at least two layers of carbon fiber sheeting. 
     
     
       13. The backpack and frame combination of  claim 12 , wherein the stay portions comprise interstitial reinforcing layers comprised of glass fiber oriented along their respective lengths. 
     
     
       14. The backpack and frame combination of  claim 12 , wherein the mid-back portion and the lower back portion comprise foam interstitial reinforcing layers. 
     
     
       15. The backpack and frame combination of  claim 9 , wherein the mid-back and lower back portions are contoured to match the contours of the human back. 
     
     
       16. The backpack and frame combination of  claim 9 , wherein the lower, separate free ends of the pair of stay portions are drawn forwardly in a loaded configuration of the backpack frame. 
     
     
       17. A pack frame, comprising:
 a unitary, contiguous frame body including:
 a mid-back portion comprising a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being configured to connect to shoulder straps, the mid-back portion having a mid-back maximum width; 
 a lower portion extending downward from the mid-back portion, the lower portion having a central opening, the lower portion hinging relative to the mid-back portion at the central opening, the lower portion having a maximum lateral width, the maximum lateral width being less than the mid-back maximum width of the mid-back portion, the lower portion including a u-shaped structure; 
 a pair of elongate stay portions, each elongate stay portion including a top end extending upward from the mid-back portion and positioned laterally outward from the mid-back portion; 
   a belt coupled to the u-shaped structure, the belt having straps, the straps overlapping vertical side edges of the u-shaped structure.    
     
     
       18. The pack frame of claim 17, wherein the frame body is configured to flex between the plurality of openings of the mid-back portion and the central opening of the lower portion.  
     
     
       19. The pack frame of claim 17, wherein the central opening comprises a first edge adjoining the mid-back portion and a second edge adjoining the lower portion.  
     
     
       20. A pack frame, comprising:
 a unitary, contiguous frame body including:
 a mid-back portion comprising a plurality of openings configured to connect to shoulder straps, the mid-back portion having first and second generally vertical sides and a first width extending from the first generally vertical side to the second generally vertical side; 
 a lower portion extending downward from the mid-back portion and attachable to a belt at a belt-wearing level on a wearer, the lower portion forming a u-shaped tongue, the u-shaped tongue having first and second generally vertical sides separated by a second width, the second width being less than the first width; and 
 a pair of elongate stay portions, each elongate stay portion including a top end extending upward from the mid-back portion and positioned laterally outward from the mid-back portion.  
   
     
     
       21. The pack frame of claim 20, wherein a central back opening is positioned on the frame body, wherein a first portion of the central back opening is positioned between the first and second generally vertical sides of the mid-back portion and a second portion of the central back opening is positioned between the first and second generally vertical sides of the u-shaped tongue.  
     
     
       22. The pack frame of claim 20, wherein the frame body is flexible where the mid-back portion and the lower portion intersect.  
     
     
       23. A backpack frame, comprising:
 a unitary, contiguous frame body comprising:
 a mid-back portion having a plurality of elongate openings, the elongate openings being arranged to receive a shoulder strap assembly, the shoulder strap assembly being independently positionable at a plurality of positions along the plurality of elongate openings, 
 a lower portion extending downward from the mid-back portion, the lower portion defining a u-shaped structure configured to be coupled to a belt; and 
 a pair of elongate stay portions, each elongate stay portion including a top end extending upward from the mid-back portion and positioned laterally outward from the mid-back portion.  
   
     
     
       24. The backpack frame of claim 23, wherein each of the elongate stay portions comprises at least one opening therethrough.  
     
     
       25. The backpack frame of claim 23, wherein each of the elongate stay portions comprises parallel lateral side edges.  
     
     
       26. The backpack frame of claim 23, wherein the mid-back portion comprises a convex curvature and the pair of elongate stay portions comprise a concave curvature.