Backpack frame
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.
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 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.