초록 ▼

A hipbelt suspension system for use with a backpack having a back panel includes a back panel, a generally planar hipbelt coupling element, a hipbelt support plate and a hipbelt. The back panel support is coupled a lower region of the back panel. The back panel support includes an engagement region

A hipbelt suspension system for use with a backpack having a back panel includes a back panel, a generally planar hipbelt coupling element, a hipbelt support plate and a hipbelt. The back panel support is coupled a lower region of the back panel. The back panel support includes an engagement region having opposing first and second stops. The hipbelt coupling element movably engages the engagement region of the back panel support to enable translational movement of the hipbelt coupling element between the first and second stops of the engagement region of the back panel. A hipbelt attachment mechanism pivotally coupled to the hipbelt coupling element about a first axis. A hipbelt is secured to the hipbelt attachment mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A backpack assembly for a user, the system comprising: a back panel including an upper region and a lower region;a pack body coupled to the back panel, the body including one or more compartments;a back panel support coupled the lower region of the back panel, the back panel support including an

1. A backpack assembly for a user, the system comprising: a back panel including an upper region and a lower region;a pack body coupled to the back panel, the body including one or more compartments;a back panel support coupled the lower region of the back panel, the back panel support including an elongate engagement region having opposing first and second stops;a hipbelt coupling element movably engaging the elongate engagement region of the back panel support such that, when being worn by the user, the coupling element is free to move anywhere along a first distance between the first and second stops of the engagement region; anda hipbelt including a hipbelt attachment mechanism, the hipbelt attachment mechanism pivotally coupled to the hipbelt coupling element about a first axis. 2. The backpack assembly of claim 1, wherein the hipbelt attachment mechanism includes a hipbelt support plate, and further comprising at least one fastener extending along the first axis pivotally coupling the hipbelt support plate to the hipbelt coupling element. 3. A backpack assembly for a user, the system comprising: a back panel including an upper region and a lower region;a pack body coupled to the back panel, the body including one or more compartments;a back panel support coupled the lower region of the back panel, the back panel support including an elongate engagement region having opposing first and second stops;a hipbelt coupling element movably engaging the elongate engagement region of the back panel support such that the coupling element is free to move between the first and second stops of the engagement region; anda hipbelt including a hipbelt attachment mechanism, the hipbelt attachment mechanism pivotally coupled to the hipbelt coupling element about a first axis, wherein the pivotal coupling enables 360 degrees of rotation about the first axis of the hipbelt coupling element with respect to the hipbelt. 4. The backpack assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongate engagement region enables free translational movement of the hipbelt coupling element during use between the first and second stops. 5. The backpack assembly of claim 2, wherein the hipbelt support plate is generally planar, and the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the hipbelt support plate. 6. The backpack assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement region of the support and the coupling element are sized to enable the coupling element to freely move while being worn by the user along the first distance between the first and second stops, and wherein the first distance is within the range of 0.5 to 6.0 inches. 7. The backpack assembly of claim 6, wherein the first distance is within the range of 1.0 to 4.0 inches. 8. The backpack assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the back panel support and the hipbelt coupling element include at least one elongate ridge, and wherein the other of the back panel support and the hipbelt coupling element includes at least one elongate channel for engaging the at least one elongate ridge. 9. The backpack assembly of claim 8 wherein engagement of the at least one ridge with the at least one elongate channel inhibits separation of the hipbelt coupling element from the back panel support. 10. The backpack assembly of claim 8, wherein one of the first and second stops is selectably movable by the user to enable the user to disengage the hipbelt coupling element from the back panel support. 11. The backpack assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivotal coupling enables 180 degrees of rotation about the first axis of the hipbelt coupling element with respect to the hipbelt. 12. The backpack assembly of claim 1, wherein the back panel includes a lower edge, and wherein the back panel support extends beyond the lower edge. 13. The backpack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of shoulder straps coupled to the upper region of the back panel, wherein the upper region of the back panel includes a plurality of spaced apart shoulder strap attachment locations, and wherein each of the shoulder straps is removably positionable between two or more spaced apart locations on the upper region. 14. The backpack assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one hipbelt stabilizer strap adjustably extending between the hipbelt and the pack body. 15. A backpack assembly for a user, the system comprising: a back panel including an upper region and a lower region;a pack body coupled to the back panel, the body including one or more compartments;a back panel support coupled the lower region of the back panel, the back panel support including an elongate engagement region having opposing first and second stops;a hipbelt coupling element movably engaging the elongate engagement region of the back panel support such that the coupling element is free to move between the first and second stops of the engagement region; anda hipbelt including a hipbelt attachment mechanism, the hipbelt attachment mechanism pivotally coupled to the hipbelt coupling element about a first axis, wherein the hipbelt attachment mechanism includes first and second webbings and a dowel pin. 16. A hipbelt suspension system for use with a backpack of a user having a back panel, the suspension system comprising: a back panel support coupled a lower region of the back panel, the back panel support including an engagement region having opposing first and second stops;a generally planar hipbelt coupling element movably engaging the engagement region of the back panel support to enable free translational movement of the hipbelt coupling element between the first and second stops of the engagement region of the back panel when the backpack and the suspension system are being worn by the user;a hipbelt attachment mechanism pivotally coupled to the hipbelt coupling element about a first axis; anda hipbelt secured to the hipbelt attachment mechanism. 17. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 16, wherein the pivotal coupling enables 360 degrees of rotation about the first axis of the hipbelt coupling element with respect to the hipbelt attachment mechanism. 18. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 16, wherein the hipbelt attachment mechanism includes first and second webbings and a dowel pin. 19. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 16, wherein the engagement region of the support and the coupling element are sized to enable the coupling element to move a first distance between the first and second stops, and wherein the first distance movably the distance between the first and second stops is within the range of 0.5 to 6.0 inches. 20. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 19, wherein the first distance is within the range of 1.0 to 4.0 inches. 21. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 16, wherein the back panel includes a lower edge, and wherein the back panel support extends beyond the lower edge. 22. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 16, wherein one of the back panel support and the hipbelt coupling element include at least one elongate ridge, and wherein the other of the back panel support and the hipbelt coupling element includes at least one elongate channel for engaging the at least one elongate ridge. 23. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 16 wherein engagement of the at least one ridge with the at least one elongate channel inhibits separation of the hipbelt coupling element from the back panel support. 24. The hipbelt suspension system of claim 16, wherein one of the first and second stops is selectably movable by the user to enable the user to disengage the hipbelt coupling element from the back panel support. 25. The backpack assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivotal coupling enables 120 degrees of unbiased rotation about the first axis of the hipbelt coupling element with respect to the hipbelt.