초록 ▼

A customizing pack carrier having one or a combination of independently unique and novel components comprising a main frame assembled of elongated or planar members having fixed or height-adjustable pack retainers, a single-handed operating method for adjusting retainer height, a support base that m

A customizing pack carrier having one or a combination of independently unique and novel components comprising a main frame assembled of elongated or planar members having fixed or height-adjustable pack retainers, a single-handed operating method for adjusting retainer height, a support base that manually or self-adjusts to the depth of the pack, a quasi-permanent height-adjustable handle, an outer layer on an extendible main frame that can function as an amusing accessory and as part of a strap-lifting apparatus, a concealable seat and inclinable main frame combination, an ergonomically designed removable or non-removable back support, and a detachable shoulder harness, is provided. The main frame is adapted for use on ground casters, on upright and recumbent bikes, and on scooters. A one-piece clasping article for temporarily connecting any two tubes side by side as in connecting a tubular main frame to a tubular bike frame is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A main frame of a customizing pack carrier that can be integrated into different wheeled bases for transporting any commercially available non-customized pack, said pack having a top handle, a left closed loop strap, and a right closed loop strap, said main frame comprising: a) a frame

I claim: 1. A main frame of a customizing pack carrier that can be integrated into different wheeled bases for transporting any commercially available non-customized pack, said pack having a top handle, a left closed loop strap, and a right closed loop strap, said main frame comprising: a) a frame face of size and shape adapted to have said pack secured thereon, b) wherein said frame face has a top frame edge, a left frame edge, and a right frame edge, c) wherein the lower end of said mainframe comprises of the lower ends of the left and right frame edges, d) pack attachment provisions comprising: a) a first releasable retaining means disposed on or proximal to said top frame edge for releasably securing said top handle or said left and right closed loop straps proximal to said top frame edge, b) a second releasable retaining means disposed on or proximal to the lower half of said left frame edge for securing said left closed loop strap, c) a third releasable retaining means disposed on or proximal to the lower half of said right frame edge for securing said right closed loop strap, e) wherein said first and second releasable retaining means comprise a selection from a group consisting of: a) a resilient fastening member having an inner surface, wherein said inner surface has a first section for mounting, at least one outwardly extending second section, followed by an inwardly extending third section, and finally ending with an outwardly extending fourth section for accepting and releasing the strap or top handle slung or wound therethrough, and b) a fastening member having an inner surface, said inner surface having a midsection for mounting and parts extending laterally from said midsection for accepting and retaining the strap or top handle wound around said midsection, c) a fastening member having an inner surface, said inner surface having a midsection for mounting, a first branch and a second branch each extending laterally from said midsection, wherein at least one of the first and second branches comprise an outwardly extending first section, followed by an inwardly extending second section, and finally by an outwardly extending third section for accepting and retaining the strap or top handle slung or wound therethrough, whereby a user can quickly attach and detach his or her non-customized pack from the main frame without the time consuming steps of untying and .tying, unbuckling and buckling, or opening and closing any straps on the pack and whereby when the main frame is integrated into a wheeled vehicle like a bike, a scooter, or a base with ground casters, a very effective, attractive, and economical alternative for transporting ordinary non-customized packs is provided. 2. The main frame in claim 1 further including behind said frame face a plurality of extensions for adapting and mounting to a wheeled support. 3. The main frame in claim 1 further including adjusting means to adjustably dispose the second and third releasable retaining means apart from said first releasable retaining means whereby the retaining means can be made to approximate the location of the top handle and straps on said pack. 4. The main frame in claim 3 wherein said adjusting means to adjustably dispose the second and third releasable retaining means apart from said first releasable retaining means comprises a selection from a group consisting of: a) providing a structure comprising: a) a first face member and a second face member, b) wherein the upper part of said frame face comprises of said first face member c) wherein the lower part of said frame face comprises of said second face member, d) wherein said first face member and said second member overlap each other and are slidably related, e) wherein the first releasable retaining means is disposed on said first face member, f) a main aperture disposed on said first face member, g) a snap button internally mounted to said first face member, h) wherein said snap button has a positioning head exposed outwardly through said main aperture, i) a plurality of secondary apertures vertically aligned on said second face member, j) wherein any of said secondary apertures is disposed adjacent said positioning head by urging inwardly said positioning head out of any said secondary aperture and sliding the first and second face members relative to each other until the desired secondary aperture is aligned with said positioning head, whereupon said positioning head lodges into the adjacent secondary aperture, b) providing a structure comprising: a) a first face member and a second face member, b) wherein the frame face comprises of the first and second face members, c) wherein said second face member horizontally overlap said first face member and are both slidably related, d) wherein either the first releasable retaining means or the second and third releasable retaining means are on said second face member, e) a main aperture on said second face member, f) a spring button mounted externally to said second face member, g) wherein said spring button has a positioning head capable of engaging inwardly through said main aperture and of being manipulated from behind, h) a plurality of secondary apertures aligned vertically along said first face member, i) wherein any of said secondary apertures is disposed adjacent said positioning head by urging outwardly said positioning head out of any said secondary aperture and sliding the second face member relative to the first face member and releasing said positioning head into the desired secondary aperture, c) providing a structure comprising: a) a first face member and a second face member, b) wherein said frame face comprises of said first face member and said second face member, c) wherein said second face member horizontally overlap said first face member and are both slidably related, d) wherein either the first releasable retaining means or the second and third releasable retaining means are disposed on said second face member, e) a lopsided friction knob mounted on said second face member, f) a window disposed on said second face member, g) wherein said friction knob has a head, h) wherein said head is communicable to said first face member through said window, whereby the friction between the friction knob head and outer walls of said first member maintains the position of two slidable members relative to each other, d) providing a structure comprising: a) a first face member and a second face member, b) wherein the frame face comprises of said first and second face members, c) wherein said first and second face members horizontally overlap each other and are both slidably related, d) wherein the first releasable retaining means is on the first face member and the second and third releasable retaining means is on the second member, whereby the connections between the retaining means and the attachment parts of said pack and the rigidity of said pack maintains the relative positions between the two slidable members, e) further including additional retaining means at different levels of said left lower half frame edge and said right lower half frame edge upwardly approaching said top frame edge, whereby the addition of more attachment points even if only three are used at a time obviates the need for adjusting the location of said first retaining means relative to the first and second retaining means, f) further including additional retaining means at different levels of said top frame edge downwardly approaching the right and left lower half frame edges, g) providing a structure comprising: a) a main first tubular member with threaded outside walls, b) an adjusting ring with threaded inner walls, c) wherein said threaded outside walls mate with said threaded inner walls, d) a supporting connector having a tubular terminal received outside said first tubular member, e) wherein the first retaining means is disposed on said supporting connector, f) a side window is disposed on said tubular terminal for access into an inner cavity, g) wherein said adjusting ring is disposed inside said inner cavity, whereby the location of the tubular terminal and consequently the first releasable retaining means is defined by the position of said adjusting ring, said position being attained by threading through said side window said ring up or down said first tubular member, and h) providing a structure comprising: a) a main first tubular member with threaded outside walls, b) a pair of adjusting rings with threaded inner walls, c) wherein said threaded outside walls mate with said threaded inner walls, d) a supporting connector having a tubular terminal received outside said first tubular member, e) wherein the first releasable retaining means is disposed on said supporting connector, f) wherein said adjusting rings each border the top and bottom of said tubular terminal, whereby the positions of the pair of adjusting rings consequently define the location of the first releasable retaining means. 5. The main frame in claim 1 wherein said frame face comprises a single column having: a) at lease one arm of length about the width of a pack, said arm centrally and rotatably arranged cross-wise on the lower end of said column, b) wherein the right and left terminals of said arm are the said right frame edge and the said left frame edge respectively, c) wherein the upper end of said column is the top frame edge, and d) anchoring means to anchor said arm parallel-wise onto said column when not in use, whereby a single column main frame on a wheeled base is a more compact carrier and can also be adapted for use on a scooter. 6. The main frame in claim 5 wherein the length of said arm is apportioned between two shorter arms, one end of each of said shorter arms emanate laterally from opposite sides of the lower end of said column, the other end of each of said shorter arms rotatably anchored onto the lower end of said column, wherein said shorter arms are each rotatably urged up towards said column and retained in place when not in use. 7. The main frame in claim 1 further including a supporting base comprising: a) a base frame of size adapted to supporting the bottom of said pack, b) wherein said base frame comprises a front section and a back section, c) sliding means to slide the front and back sections relative to each other, d) wherein said front section has a front edge, e) connecting means to connect the lower end of said main frame to said back section, f) wherein said second and third releasable retaining means disposed proximal the respective lower half of the left and right frame edges are disposed on said back section, whereby the base can conform to the depth of the loaded pack to better stabilize it. 8. A main frame and supporting base combination in claim 7 wherein said front section has a topside extension proximal to said front edge for helping stabilize the pack on the carrier. 9. The main frame and supporting base combination of claim 7 wherein said back sections relative to each other comprises a selection from a group consisting of: A. a first sliding means comprising: a) providing a back right cavity and a back left cavity for said back section, b) providing a front right cavity and front left cavity for said front section, c) wherein said back right cavity connects to said front right cavity and runs continuously from a back right terminal to a front right terminal substantially on the right side of said base frame, d) wherein said back left cavity connects to said front left cavity and runs continuously from a back left terminal to a front left terminal substantially on the left side of said base frame, e) providing anchoring rods for all the back and front terminals, f) providing an elongated right elastic member and an elongated left elastic member, g) wherein one end of said right elastic member is anchored to the anchoring rods on said back right terminal, h) wherein the other end of said right elastic member is anchored to the anchoring rods on said front right terminal, i) wherein one end of said left elastic member is anchored to the anchoring rods on said back left terminal, and j) wherein the other end of said left elastic member is anchored to the anchoring rods on said front left terminal, whereby pressure from the load directed normally toward said topside extension automatically draws out said front section thereby stabilizing the load at all times, B. a second sliding means comprising: a) providing at least one of the sides of one of the sections with at least one substantially front-ward directed series of wavy indentations, each indentation having a crest and a trough, b) providing the other section with at least one flexing button comprising: a) a button head with a smoothly curved side and straight side opposite each other, b) an elongated section or neck extending substantially in the same general direction as said series of wavy indentations and capable of being lodged into any of the troughs, c) providing a separate rigid control member with one side disposed adjacent the straight side of said button head having a control contact protrusion terminating in a straight surface slidably related against said straight side of said button head, and d) wherein said rigid control member is externally controlled by to freely and fixedly lodge and dislodge said button from said trough of one of the indentations, whereby said back section and said front section are free to slide-past each other when said button head is freely able to dislodge from any indentation thereby allowing said base frame to be adjusted as needed to the depth of the load. C. a third sliding means comprising: a) providing at least one of the sides of one of the sections with at least one substantially front-ward directed series of wavy indentations, each indentation having a crest and a trough, b) providing the other of the sections with the following: a) at least one flexing button having a smoothly curved button head fixedly connected by an elongated member to a user-controlled box, b) a smoothly curved channel lodging said flexing button and said elongated member, c) an elastic member or spring disposed inside a cavity wherein said elastic member is compressible by said user-controlled box, c) wherein said back and front sections are arranged such that said button head is capable of lodging into any of the troughs, whereby said flexing button and said elongated member are retracted along said smoothly curved channel as said user-controlled box is pulled toward said elastic member rendering both sections free to slide past each other. 10. The main frame in claim 1 further including a supporting base comprising: a) a base frame of size adapted to supporting the bottom of said pack, said base frame having an underside, b) connecting means for coupling said base frame to the lower end of said main frame c) wherein said second and third releasable retaining means disposed proximal to their respective lower half of the left and right frame edges are disposed on the base frame, and d) a plurality of extensions from said underside of said base frame for adapting and mounting to a wheeled support. 11. The main frame and supporting base combination in claim 10 further including rotating means to rotatably mount said main frame to said base frame between a position normal to said supporting base and a position folded onto said supporting base, further including folding means to retain said main frame in said normal and folded positions, whereby when said wheeled support is a bike, the resulting bike pack carrier can carry said pack upright or horizontally, and whereby when said wheeled support includes a set of casters, the folding option allows for compact storage of said combination. 12. A main frame and base combination in claim 10 further including: 1) inclining means for inclining said main frame frontward selected from a group consisting of: a) providing for collapsible front support members, b) providing fixable hinged connection between said base frame and said main frame, and c) providing base support members of predetermined shape to allow rocking or rotational motion in conjunction with reinforced connection between said main frame and said base frame, 2) provisions for a seat comprising: a) a first sheet of material of sufficient size for use as said seat, b) storing means for retaining said seat behind said pack on said carrier when not in use, c) holding means for attaching said seat onto said main frame and base combination, whereby the combination can be transformed into a backrest with seat even without unloading the pack from the carrier. 13. The main frame and base combination in claim 12 wherein said fixable hinged connection between said base frame and said main frame comprises: a) the following on one part of said fixable hinged connection: a) a circular hub having a normal centrally disposed cylindrical pin frame and a side window, said pin frame defining the axis of rotation of said hinged connection, b) a spring biased plug retained normally and rotatably on said pin frame in said hub by a compression spring, said plug having a locking member on one side and a button on one end, said button dimensionally receivable into said side window of said hub, b) the following on the other part of said fixable hinged connection: a) a circular central recess having a central aperture for receiving an axis pin, said recess of size capable of receiving the rotating span of said locking member of said plug when said button of said plug is depressed, b) notches or recess extensions on the perimeter of said central recess, each capable of mating with said locking member when said button is not in its depressed position, wherein each notch corresponds to a specific relative position between said base frame and said main frame, and c) a hinge pin going through said pin frame and through said central aperture on said central recess, said pin being capped in place at both ends, whereby given the above provisions, operating said fixable hinge connection comprise depressing and maintaining depressed position of said button of said plug disposed outside said side window of said hub and urging one part of said hinge connection to rotate past the other part until the desired relative position of both parts is reached after which pressure on said button is released and said locking tooth locks into position inside one of said recess extension, whereby the operation is easy, quick, flexible and lockable in the inclined and fully folded positions. 14. The main frame in claim 1 wherein said frame face comprises a pair of elongated members spaced apart from each other by a base mounted to the bottom ends of said pair and by at least one transverse bar above said base wherein one of said transverse bars is said top frame edge. 15. The main frame in claim 14 wherein said elongated members are spaced parallel to each other each comprising at least one inner tube nested inside at least one outer tube. 16. The main frame in claim 15 wherein the pair of elongated members comprise a pair of nested tube assemblies, each assembly comprising one smallest tube nested inside a second largest tube nested inside a largest tube, wherein one end of the pair of largest tubes is mounted on said base, wherein the pair of smallest tubes is joined to each other on top by one of said transverse bars, wherein the pair of second largest tubes is joined to each other toward its upper end by another one of said transverse bars that is the top frame edge, whereby the nesting relationship between the largest and second largest pair of tubes allows said main frame to be used for packs of different heights. 17. The main frame in claim 15 further including height selecting means for allowing at least one pair of tubes, one tube from each of said pair of elongated members, to have a quasi-permanent extendible length, whereby users of substantially differing heights are accommodated by the same main frame without the hassle of adjusting the main frame each time it is extended. 18. The main frame in claim 15 wherein the nested inner and outer tubes each has a tapering cross-section whereby the tapered form obviates the use of top and bottom tube components for retaining the tubes with each other. 19. The main frame in claim 15 wherein the nested inner and outer tubes can be extended, retracted, and retained in their positions by snap button latching means comprising: a) providing an inner tube nested within an outer tube, b) providing an aperture near one end of said inner tube, c) providing a series of apertures along the length of said outer tube, d) providing a snap button disposed inside said inner tube of said pair of nesting tubes, wherein said snap button has a positioning member, wherein said positioning member is engaged in said aperture on said inner tube and further capable of engaging into another aperture on said outer tube of said pair of nesting tubes, e) providing a catching extension of predetermined shape and dimension behind said positioning member, so that said extension can latch on to another bumper structure of shape and dimension determined in conjunction with those of said catching extension, f) providing a third elongated member dimensionally receivable inside said inner tube, said elongated member having a bottom terminal containing said bumper structure, g) delivering said third elongated member into said inner tube to reach a maintained position where its said bumper structure is capable of holding onto said catch extension when said catch extension is introduced, h) introducing said catch extension by pressing said positioning member of said snap button inward until the extension latches onto said bumper structure, i) moving the inner and outer tubes relative to each other until the desired position is reached, j) withdrawing said third elongated member from said inner tube to release said bumper structure from said catch extension, k) finely adjusting the positions of the inner and outer tubes relative to each other until said positioning member becomes engaged into the nearest aperture on said outer tube, whereby said snap button latching means easily enables only one person with at least one hand to perform height adjustments. 20. The main frame in claim 1 wherein said first releasable retaining means comprises a selection from a group consisting of: a) rotary transmission means comprising a protrusion where said top handle of said pack can be wound around, wherein said protrusion is part of a user-controlled rotational segment whose rotation causes said top handle to draw said pack closer towards said main frame as is necessary after which rotation is deterred, b) clamping means comprising: a) at least one clamp of size capable of enclosing at least one strap of said pack, said strap having a topside and an underside, b) compression means to increase or decrease clamping pressure on said strap, c) a selection from a group consisting of fixed protrusions, knobs, cavities, hooks, cleats, rings, buckles, clips, hook and loop closures, ratchets, and latches, and cavities. 21. The main frame in claim 20 wherein said clamp in selection (b) comprises: a) a member on said frame face having an underside for bounding the topside of said strap, b) a bottom clamp mate having a topside facing opposite said underside of said member for bounding the underside of said strap, c) a hinge connection to a hinge housing on one end of said clamp mate and a releasable connection to a closure on the opposite end of said clamp mate, d) wherein said hinge housing and said closure are both held by and slidably related in an up and down fashion to said frame face, e) a first compression spring dimensionally capable of receiving a top section of said hinge housing, f) a second compression spring dimensionally capable of receiving a top section of said closure, g) wherein the bottom ends of said first and second compression springs are supported by said frame face, h) wherein the top ends of said first compression spring and said second compression spring are bordered by a stopper member on said hinge housing and a stopper member on said closure respectively, whereby the presence of straps exerts normal forces onto adjacent surfaces including the topside of said bottom clamp mate and consequently onto said first and second compressive springs by virtue of the stopper member bordering the top ends of the springs. 22. The main frame in claim 20 wherein said clamp in selection (b) comprises: a) a small flat type spring held on said frame face comprising one of more waves having an underside for bounding said topside of said strap, b) a bottom clamp mate having a topside facing opposite the underside of said flat-type spring for bounding the underside of said strap, c) hinge connection affixed to said frame face, d) closure connection affixed to said face at a predetermined distance from said hinge housing, e) wherein one end of said bottom clamp mate is attached to said hinge connection, f) wherein the other end of said bottom clamp mate is releasably connected to said closure connection, g) wherein one end of said flat-type spring is slidably anchored within borders of said hinge connection and the other is slidably anchored within borders of said closure connection, whereby the presence of straps directly exerts normal forces onto the adjacent underside of said flat-type spring. 23. The main frame in claim 20 wherein the rotation of said protrusion in selection (a) is deterred and allowed by control means comprising a selection from a group consisting of: a) rotating a member of said rotational segment clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis normal to the direction of its strap-drawing rotation, wherein said clockwise rotation of said member increases contact between a member of said rotational segment and a section of said frame so that rotation is deterred, wherein said counter-clockwise rotation of said member decreases or eliminates said contact so that said rotation can proceed, b) pushing down or pulling up a member of said segment wherein pushing down said member increases contact between a member of said rotational segment and a section of said frame so that said rotation is deterred, wherein said pulling up of said member decreases or eliminates said contact so that said rotation can proceed, and c) sliding a controlling switch towards an off or an on position, wherein said switch is connected to another member that can directly block movement of the user-controlled rotational segment, whereby users can readily relate to the above control means as the normal conventional ways of tightening or loosening connections between things. 24. The main frame of claim 23 wherein said user-controlled rotational segment in (c) contains a ratchet mechanism that defines direction of rotation of said segment, wherein said ratchet mechanism operates through alternating, bi-directional motions imparted by a user on an accessible handle grip, wherein movement of said grip can be allowed and deterred. 25. The main frame in claim 20 wherein said clamp in selection (b) comprises: a) a top clamping block held by and slidably related in an up and down fashion to said face of said main frame wherein said top clamping block has an underside surface for bounding the topside of said strap, b) a bottom clamp mate having a topside surface facing opposite the underside of said top clamping block for bounding the underside of said strap, wherein said bottom clamp has a hinge connection on one end to said main frame and a releasable connection on the opposite end also to said main frame. 26. The main frame in claim 25 wherein said compression means in selection (b) of claim 20 comprises a selection from a group consisting of: a) providing an adjusting member of said face capable of exerting pressure when urged toward said top clamping block thereby causing the underside of said block to slide normally toward the facing stationary topside surface of said bottom clamping mate, wherein said pressure is decreased when said adjusting member is urged away from said top clamping block thereby causing the underside of said block to move normally away from the facing topside surface of said bottom clamping mate, b) providing the following provisions: a) a clamp having dimensions designed to set the space between the underside surface of said top clamping block and the topside surface of said bottom clamp mate initially at close to nothing, b) compressive springs disposed normally between the topside of said clamping block and said face of said frame held in place by extensions on said face that retract into said topside of said clamping block when the springs are compressed, whereby the presence of straps directly exerts normal forces onto the adjacent underside of said top clamping block and consequently onto said compressive springs, whereby the resisting compressive forces exerted by said springs allow the topside and underside surfaces to maintain a snug grip on said strap. 27. A method of releasably securing a backpack, said backpack having a back face, top handle and left and right shoulder straps with flexible lower portions, to a main frame of a pack carrier comprising: a) providing a main frame of size capable of supporting the back face of a backpack, said main frame having a bottom right corner, a bottom left corner and a top edge, and b) providing the main frame with a right retaining means disposed on or proximal the bottom right corner of the main frame, and c) providing the main frame with a left retaining means disposed on or proximal the bottom left corner of the main frame, and d) providing the main frame with a top retaining means disposed on or proximal the top edge of the main frame, and e) securing the top handle or the upper ends of the shoulder straps onto the top retaining means, and f) securing the flexible lower portion of the right shoulder strap of the backpack onto said right retaining means, and g) securing the flexible lower portion of the left shoulder strap of the backpack onto said left retaining means, and h) wherein the method of securing the flexible lower portions comprises a selection from a group consisting of the following: 1.) providing at least one obstruction to each of the flexible straps and slinging the strap onto their respective left and right retaining means, the obstruction abutting movement of each of the straps in at least one direction, and 2.) providing a ring to each of the flexible straps and slinging the ring onto their respective left and right retaining means, the ring abutting movement of each of the straps, and 3.) directly winding the flexible straps around their respective left and right retaining means, i) wherein the method of securing the top handle or the upper ends of the shoulder straps comprises a selection from a group consisting of the following: 1.) hanging said top handle onto said top retaining means, 2.) winding said top handle onto said top retaining means, 3.) clamping said top handle or the upper ends of the shoulder straps onto said top retaining means, j) wherein the method of releasing the retained straps comprise the reverse of the securing process.