FIELD

This invention relates to a backpack system and more particularly relates to a backpack system with interchangeable elements.

BACKGROUND

Backpacks and other carrying implements are advantageous for providing capacity for cargo such as sporting or work supplies or materials. In many conventional backpack systems, the measure of the backpack is the volume capacity. For example, a daypack may fall in the range of 10-40 liters of capacity while a weekend bag may carry 35-50 liters and an extended trip bag carrying 70+ liters. Therefore, depending on the activity, different bags are better or worse suited and multiple different bags are needed for those who participate in different activities.

SUMMARY

A backpack apparatus is disclosed. The backpack apparatus includes a backpack harness, an external frame, and a backpack. The backpack harness includes a vertical support element, shoulder straps, and a hip belt. The shoulder straps and hip belt are coupled to the vertical support element. The backpack harness includes a first portion of a coupling mechanism. The external frame includes a second portion of the coupling mechanism. The external frame releasably couples to the backpack harness by coupling the first portion of the coupling mechanism to the second portion of the coupling mechanism. The external frame includes a first coupling mechanism. The backpack includes a second portion of a coupling mechanism. The backpack releasably couples to the backpack harness by coupling the first portion of the coupling mechanism on the backpack harness to the second portion of the coupling mechanism on the backpack and the backpack releasably couples to the external frame.

In another embodiment, the backpack releasably couples to the external frame by coupling the first portion of the coupling mechanism of the external frame to the second portion of the coupling mechanism of the backpack.

In one embodiment, the backpack harness includes a first portion of a coupling and the external frame includes a first portion of a coupling and the external frame comprises a second portion of a coupling and the backpack includes a second portion of a coupling. The coupling mechanism differs from the coupling. The external frame releasably couples to the backpack harness via the coupling mechanism and by releasably coupling the first portion of the coupling on the backpack harness to the second portion of the coupling on the external frame. The backpack releasably couples to the backpack harness via the coupling mechanism and by releasably coupling the first portion of the coupling on the backpack harness to the second portion of the coupling on the backpack. The backpack releasably couples to the external frame via the coupling mechanism and by releasably coupling the first portion of the coupling on the external frame to the second portion of the coupling on the backpack.

In one embodiment, each portion of a coupling of the backpack harness, the external frame, and the backpack are attached via a strap to the respective backpack harness, external frame, and backpack. In another embodiment, each coupling mechanism is located on a bottom portion of the backpack harness, the external frame, and the backpack and each coupling is located on a top portion of the backpack harness, the external frame, and the backpack. In another embodiment, the first portion of the coupling mechanism on the backpack harness is located on the hip belt and the first portion of the coupling is located at a top portion of the backpack harness.

In one embodiment, the external frame couples to the backpack harness with two coupling mechanisms and two or more couplings and the backpack couples to the external frame with two coupling mechanisms and two or more couplings and the backpack couples to the external frame with two or more couplings. In another embodiment, the coupling includes one of a pin stud and corresponding opening, a buckle, a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a double D-ring connector, and a cam-buckle connector.

In one embodiment, the opening corresponding to the pin stud comprises a grommet and the pin stud comprises a hole in an end distal to where the pin stud is attached. The hole is sized to accommodate a locking device. When the pin stud is inserted in to the grommet, the hole in the pin stud is exposed through the grommet and the locking device inserted through the hole prevents the pin stud from exiting the grommet.

In one embodiment, the first portion of each coupling mechanism includes a first end of a horizontal section coupled to a first end of a vertical section. A second end of the vertical section distal to the first end of the vertical section extends upward. A second end of the horizontal is coupled to the backpack or to the external frame. In another embodiment, the second portion of each coupling mechanism includes a downward facing recess. A first portion of a coupling mechanism couples to a second portion of the coupling mechanism by sliding the recess of the second portion of the coupling mechanism over the vertical section of the first portion of the coupling mechanism.

Another embodiment further includes an accessory. The backpack includes a first portion of a coupling and the accessory includes a second portion of the coupling and the accessory releasably couples to the backpack, to the external frame, and to the backpack harness. In another embodiment, the accessory includes one or more of a binocular case, a daypack, a fanny pack, and a pouch. In another embodiment, the first portion of the coupling mechanism of the backpack harness supports a weight of the external frame and an expected weight of the backpack.

In one embodiment, the external frame includes a horizontal section pivotably coupled to a bottom portion of a vertical section of the external frame. The horizontal section rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. In another embodiment, the external frame includes two wheels. The wheels are detachably coupled to a right side and to a left side of the vertical section.

In one embodiment, the external frame includes a handle coupled to the external frame via a slidable extension. The handle includes a grip portion shaped for a hand of a user to hold the handle and a notch section that accommodates a firearm resting on the notch section. The slidable extension is movable between a stowed position and an extended position.

In one embodiment, at least one of the external frame and the backpack includes a game strap. A bottom of the game strap is coupled to the at least one of the external frame and the backpack and a top of the game strap is releasably coupled to the at least one of the external frame and the backpack. The game strap includes one or more openings located between the top and the bottom of the game strap. The one or more openings are sized to accommodate a snout of a head of an animal. In another embodiment, the game strap is sized for a head, antlers, and a cape of an animal. The antlers protrude beyond the top of the game strap when the top of the game strap is releasably coupled to the at least one of the external frame and the backpack.

A backpack apparatus is also disclosed. The backpack apparatus includes a backpack harness, an external frame, and a backpack. The back harness includes a vertical support element, shoulder straps, and a hip belt. The shoulder straps and hip belt are coupled to the vertical support element. The backpack harness includes a first portion of a coupling mechanism and a first portion of a buckle. The external frame includes a second portion of the coupling mechanism and a second portion of the buckle. The external frame releasably couples to the backpack harness by coupling the first portion of the coupling mechanism to the second portion of the coupling mechanism and the first portion of the buckle to the second portion of the buckle. The external frame includes a first portion of a buckle. The backpack includes a second portion of a coupling mechanism and a second portion of a buckle. The backpack releasably couples to the backpack harness by coupling the first portion of the coupling mechanism on the backpack harness to the second portion of the coupling mechanism on the backpack and the first portion of the buckle on the backpack harness to the second portion of the buckle on the backpack. The backpack releasably couples to the external frame by coupling the first portion of the buckle of the external frame to the second portion of the buckle of the backpack. Each coupling mechanism is located on a bottom portion of the backpack harness, the external frame and the backpack and each buckle is located on a top portion of the backpack harness, the external frame, and the backpack.

In one embodiment, the first portion of each coupling mechanism includes an L-shape comprising a horizontal section and a vertical section. A first end of the horizontal section is coupled to a first end of the vertical section. A second end of the vertical section distal to the first end of the vertical section extends upward. A second end of the horizontal section is coupled to the backpack or to the external frame. The second portion of each coupling mechanism includes a downward facing recess. A first portion of a coupling mechanism couples to a second portion of the coupling mechanism by sliding the recess of the second portion of the coupling mechanism over the vertical section of the first portion of the coupling mechanism.

In one embodiment, the external frame includes a horizontal section pivotably coupled to a bottom portion of a vertical section of the external frame. The horizontal section rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. IN some embodiments, the external frame includes two wheels. The wheels are releasably coupled to a right side and to a left side of the vertical section.

In one embodiment, the external frame includes a handle coupled to the external frame via a slidable extension. The handle includes grip portion shaped for a hand of a user to hold the handle and a notch section that accommodates a firearm resting on the notch section. The slidable extension is movable between a stowed position and an extended position.

In one embodiment, at least one of the external frame and the backpack includes a game strap. A bottom of the game strap is coupled to the at least one of the external frame and the backpack and a top of the game strap is releasably coupled to the at least one of the external frame and the backpack. The game strap includes one or more openings located between the top and the bottom of the game strap. The one or more openings are sized to accommodate a snout of a head of an animal.

An apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes an external frame, a slidable extension, and a handle. The external frame of a backpack system includes detachable wheels. The slidable extension is coupled to the external frame. The slidable extension is movable between a stowed position and an extended position. The slidable extension extends from a top of the external frame, where the detachable wheels are coupled to a bottom of the external frame. The handle is coupled to the slidable extension. The handle includes a grip portion shaped for a hand of a user to hold the handle and a notch section that accommodates a firearm resting on the notch section.

In one embodiment, the grip portion of the handle includes sides that extend away from where the handle couples to the slidable extension. The notch section is located on a top of the handle. The top of the handle distal to where the handle couples to the slidable extension.

In one embodiment, the notch section on top of the handle is oriented parallel to an axis through the sides of the handle and where the handle couples to the slidable extension. In another embodiment, the notch section includes a first notch and a second notch perpendicular to the first notch. The first notch is wider than the second notch.

In one embodiment, the external frame includes a horizontal section and a vertical section. The horizontal section is pivotably coupled to a bottom portion of the vertical section of the external frame. The horizontal section rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. In another embodiment, the horizontal section includes one or more supports coupled to the vertical section that limit rotation of the horizontal section to prevent the horizontal section from rotating past the horizontal position.

In one embodiment, the supports lock the horizontal section in the horizontal position. The external frame maintains the vertical section in a vertical orientation when the horizontal section is locked in the horizontal position. In another embodiment, the supports, the vertical section, and the horizontal section are sized to support an expected weight of the backpack, contents of the backpack, and attachments to the backpack. In another embodiment, the supports include a support strap connected to the vertical section of the external frame a distance from a bottom of the vertical section and to the horizontal section on an end portion of the horizontal section. The end portion distal to where the horizontal section pivotably couples to the vertical section. The support strap includes a support coupling located between the vertical section and the horizontal section. Another embodiment further includes an anchor strap connected to a portion of a coupling, buckling a portion of the support strap, and connected portion of the support coupling to the anchor strap and connected portion of a coupling maintains the horizontal section in the vertical position.

In one embodiment, the slidable extension includes a locking mechanism operable to lock the slidable extension with the handle at a height and to release the slidable extension to move to move the handle to a different height. In another embodiment, the handle is rotatable with respect to the external frame. The handle is rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the slidable extension. In another embodiment, the handle is lockable in a pulling position with respect to the external frame. The handle in the pulling position has sides extending in a direction parallel with an axis in line with a center of each detachable wheel.

Another embodiment further includes a backpack of the backpack system. The backpack releasably couples to the external frame. Another embodiment further includes a backpack harness of the backpack system. The external frame releasably couples to the backpack harness and the backpack releasably couples to the backpack harness.

In one embodiment, the external frame includes a game strap. A bottom of the game strap is coupled to the external frame and a top of the game strap is releasably coupled to the external frame. The game strap includes one or more openings located between the top and the bottom of the game strap. The one or more openings are sized to accommodate a snout of a head of an animal.

In one embodiment, the slidable extension includes a hollow portion within the external frame and an extendable portion that conforms to an interior shape of the hollow portion and slides in and out of the hollow portion. In another embodiment, the handle is releasably coupled to the slidable extension

An apparatus is also described. The apparatus includes an external frame of a backpack system, a slidable extension, a locking mechanism, and a handle. The external frame of backpack system includes detachable wheels. The external frame includes a horizontal section and a vertical section. The horizontal section pivotably couples to the bottom portion of the vertical section of the external frame. The horizontal section rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The horizontal section supports the vertical section of the external frame in a vertical position when the horizontal section is in the horizontal position. The slidable extension is coupled to the external frame. The slidable extension is movable between a stowed position and an extended position. The slidable extension extends from a top of the external frame, where the detachable wheels are coupled to a bottom of the external frame. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the slidable extension with the handle at a height and to release the slidable extension to move the handle to a different height. The handle is rotatably coupled to the slidable extension. The handle includes a grip portion shaped for a hand of a user to hold the handle and a notch section that accommodates a firearm resting on the notch section. The grip portion of the handle includes sides that extend away from where the handle couples to the slidable extension. The notch section is located on a top of the handle. The top of the handle is distal to where the handle couples to the slidable extension.

One embodiment further includes a backpack of the backpack system. The backpack releasably couples to the external frame. Another embodiment further includes a backpack harness of the backpack system. The external frame releasably couples to the backpack harness and the backpack releasably couples to the backpack harness.

In another embodiment, the external frame includes a game strap. A bottom of the game strap is coupled to the horizontal section of the external frame and a top of the game strap is releasably coupled to the vertical section of the external frame. The game strap includes one or more openings located between the top and the bottom of the game strap. The one or more openings are sized to accommodate a snout of a head of an animal.

An apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a backpack harness, backpack system component, and a game strap. The backpack harness includes a vertical support element, shoulder straps, and a hip belt. The shoulder straps and hip belt are coupled to the vertical support element. The backpack system component is releasably coupleable to the backpack harness and includes one of a backpack and an external frame. A bottom of the game strap is coupled to the backpack system component and a top of the game strap is coupled to the backpack system component. The game strap includes one or more openings located between the top and the bottom of the game strap. The one or more openings are sized to accommodate a snout of a head of an animal. One or more of the bottom of the game strap and the top of the game strap are releasably coupled to the backpack system component.

In one embodiment, the backpack system component includes the external frame. The external frame includes a horizontal section pivotably coupled to a bottom portion of a vertical section of the external frame. The horizontal section rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The bottom of the game strap couples to an end of the horizontal section, the end distal to where the horizontal section pivotably couples to the vertical section. The top of the game strap couples to the vertical section.

In one embodiment, the game strap includes two or more openings. Each opening is of a different diameter. Each opening of the two or more openings is sized for different animal snouts. In another embodiment, the game strap releasably couples to the backpack system component using one or more couplings. The couplings are coupled to one or more of the backpack system component and the game strap via a strap. In another embodiment, coupling of the couplings that releasably couples the backpack system component to the game strap includes one of a buckle, a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a double D-ring connector, and a cam-buckle connector.

In one embodiment, the coupling between the backpack system component and the game strap includes an adjustment mechanism that allows adjustment of a distance between one or more of the top and the bottom of the game strap and the backpack system component. In another embodiment, the game strap is sized for a head, antlers, and a cape of an animal. The antlers protrude beyond the top of the game strap when the top of the game strap is releasably coupled to the backpack system component.

In one embodiment, the backpack system component includes an external frame. The external frame includes a handle coupled to the external frame via a slidable extension. The handle includes grip portion shaped for a hand of a user to hold the handle and a notch section that accommodates a firearm resting on the notch section. The slidable extension is movable between a stowed position and an extended position.

In one embodiment, the backpack system component includes a pouch sized to accommodate the game strap placed in the pouch. One of the top and the bottom of the game strap couples to the backpack system component at the pouch allowing the game strap to be placed in the pouch. In another embodiment, the game strap additionally releasably couples to the backpack system component at a location between the top and the bottom of the game strap. In one embodiment, the pouch includes a closure element to close the pouch when the game strap is place in the pouch. In another embodiment, the game strap is coupled to an interior portion of the pouch.

In one embodiment, the bottom of the game strap couples to the backpack system component at two locations. The top of the game strap couples to the backpack system component at two locations. In another embodiment, the game strap includes a flexible material having a flexibility sufficient to wrap around one or more of an animal head and an animal cape.

In one embodiment, the backpack system includes an external frame, a backpack harness, and a backpack. The backpack harness releasably couples to the external frame and to the backpack. The backpack also releasably couples to the external frame.

An apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes an external frame of a backpack system and a game strap. The external frame of the backpack system includes a horizontal section and a vertical section. The horizontal section is pivotably coupled to the bottom portion of the vertical section of the external frame. The horizontal section rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The horizontal section supports the vertical section of the external frame in a vertical position when the horizontal section is in the horizontal position. A bottom of the game strap is coupled to an end of the horizontal section of the external frame. The end is distal to where the horizontal section pivotably couples to the vertical section. A top of the game strap is coupled to the vertical section of the external frame. The game strap includes one or more openings located between the top and the bottom of the game strap. The one or more openings are sized to accommodate a snout of a head of an animal. One or more of the bottom of the game strap and the top of the game strap are releasably coupled to the external frame.

In one embodiment, the external frame includes a handle coupled to the external frame via a slidable extension. The handle includes a grip portion shaped for a hand of a user to hold the handle and a notch section that accommodates a firearm resting on the notch section. The slidable extension is movable between a stowed position and an extended position.

In one embodiment, the backpack system includes a backpack and a backpack harness. The external frame releasably couples to the backpack harness and the backpack releasably couples to the external frame and to the backpack harness when not coupled to the external frame.

In one embodiment, the game strap is stowable within a pouch of the external frame. In another embodiment, the bottom of the game strap is coupled to a portion of the pouch of the external frame. In one embodiment, the pouch includes a closure element to close the pouch when the game strap is stowed. In another embodiment, the game strap additionally releasably couples to the external frame at a location between the top and the bottom of the game strap. In another embodiment, the game strap includes a flexible material with a flexibility sufficient to wrap around one or more of an animal head and an animal cape.

