Backpack Convertible Chair

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to backpacks having a substantial load carrying capacity, and more particularly, to a backpack which readily converts into a chair.

2. Introduction

"Backpack" is defined as a camping pack usually made of canvas or nylon supported by a light metal frame and carried on the back. Backpacks normally have a carrying capacity of approximately forty pounds or more as distinct from knapsacks and tote bags that normally have a capacity in the range of ten pounds. The present invention is both a backpack and a folding chair and performs both functions with equal facility.

An essential characteristic of an acceptable backpack is that it be comfortable when carried on the back even with a full load of forty pounds or more. It must be free of rigid frame members that can rub against or dig into the back of the carrier, and it must be properly balanced so as not to sag to the side or rearwardly away for the carrier's back. Furthermore, it must be convenient to use. The backpack of the present invention has all of those required characteristics. In addition, the backpack of this invention may easily and conveniently be converted to a comfortable chair when the main contents of the pack are removed. This combination is not found in the prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,248 discloses a tote bag that may be converted to a lounge chair. As a tote bag its capacity is in the ten pound range rather than that of a backpack. As a tote bag it is provided with handles which enable the bag to be hand carried and the device also has a single shoulder strap for alternatively carrying the tote bag on one side at waist height. The article is not a backpack nor does it have the capacity of one.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,584 discloses a foldable beach-type chair that can be carried on the back by means of its shoulder straps, and the chair in turn has an external pack attached to it. The rigid chair frame bears against the back and clearly would be uncomfortable when the device is carried on the back.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,490,367 shows a folding chair that may be collapsed and carried by handles which are attached to it, and the sides of the seat and back may be attached so that the collapsed chair may serve as a hold-all. The device has limited carrying capacity as it has no depth and could not comfortably be carried on the back.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,547 discloses a foldable backpack like frame that may be opened to form a small bench-type seat. The frame in turn has a separate carrying bag. This frame would be uncomfortable in the region of the lower back of the carrier as it has a rigid frame member that extends across the lower portion of the torso when the device is placed on the back and supported by shoulder straps.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,451 also discloses a storage bag attached to a foldable chair frame and is uncomfortable for the same reasons as the structure of the '547 patent. Another pack is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,686, which utilizes chains and pivotable links to create a chair from a backpack frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,345 shows yet another folding (typically wood frame) chair with a container attached to its back. This device would also be uncomfortable when carried on the back because of the rigid frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,901 discloses a folding chair with carrier straps, and a cushioning pad to minimize discomfort to the lower back of the person carrying the chair. It obviously lacks the carrying capacity of a backpack.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,758 shows a bag and backrest combination which includes ropes to hold the seat and back together in proper supporting position. It is not a chair and it does not support the occupant off the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,932 discloses a box like pack which converts to a stool. The frame includes components that unscrew from the pack and reattach to provide legs for the stool. The rigid frame members would be uncomfortable when carried on the back.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,739 discloses a backpack frame which when unfolded, makes up to a chair. The bag portion hangs from side rails of the pack and does not form part of the seat support. Separate straps are provided for that purpose.

The present invention, overcomes the limitations of the prior art and provides a convenient and comfortable backpack with substantial capacity and which readily converts into a comfortable chair.

The present invention provides a backpack, capable of carrying large loads in a frame protected configuration, which frame is comfortable and adjustable for its carrier, and which backpack is readily convertible to an adjustable chair.

The backpack frame includes first and second frame portions which are pivotally attached to a frame base that includes a pair of side rails. The attachments are made through ratchet devices. The first and second frame portions are separately enclosed in canvas webbing envelopes that serve as the back and leg rest when the device is in the chair configuration.

A forward leg member is pivotally secured to and extends downwardly from the frame base. When the device is in the backpack configuration the forward leg is pivoted to a position away from the carrier s back. A rearward leg member is also connected to and extends downwardly from the frame base and the two leg members comprise the chair legs.

When the first and second frame portions are generally parallel to one another and approximately perpendicular to the side rails of the frame base, the device is in the backpack configuration. The forward leg member may be pivoted rearwardly away from the carrier s back so as not to hit against his/her lower back or buttocks when the backpack is carried on the back. A pair of side panels are fixed to the side rails and are releasably attached to the sides of the first and second frame portions when the device is in the backpack configuration. A cover flap is attached to the free end of one of the frame portions away from the ratchet devices and preferably may be connected in different positions to the other frame portion, depending upon whether it simply is to close the backpack as defined by the two frame portions, frame base and side panels or to both close the backpack and retain a sleeping bag or other equipment on the pack. The assembly is also provided with a number of auxiliary pockets as well as a pair of shoulder carrying straps to enable the backpack to be carried on the back of the user.

In one embodiment of this invention, the side panels of the pack are permanently secured at their bottom edges to the canvas webbing of the front and back portions of the pack while the side edges of the side panels are detachable from the edges of the webbing. In other embodiments the side panels are part of a separate liner that serves as a removable container for the backpack. In these embodiments the liner with its side panels is removable intact from between the front and rear portions of the pack.

In converting the backpack to a beach chair, the side panels of the backpack are detached (unzipped) along their side edges from the webbing envelopes of the first and second frame portions. The side panels are then folded under the bottom of the frame base, and are attached to one another. The first and second frame portions may then be ratcheted away from one another to form the back and rest portions of the chair. In converting from a chair to a backpack configuration, the foregoing steps are reversed.

The advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present invention in its backpack configuration;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the lines II--II if FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention in one of it chair configurations and showing the way the side panels are detached from the frame members;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the frame and canvas webbing in the backpack configuration;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one of the ratchet mechanisms of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention a chair in one of its reclining open configurations and with the side panels stored beneath the seat or base member of the device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention in its cargo carrying configuration, being on the back of a person;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device in the backpack configuration but with the frame omitted and showing a cover panel attached to it;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. and showing one position for the cover panel;

FIG. 10 is a side view similar to FIG. 9 but showing a second position for the cover panel as it may be used to carry a sleeping bag;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 in its assembled form;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 11 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 in the backpack configuration; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 in its backpack configuration and being carried on the back of a user.

Referring to the drawings now in detail, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a convertible backpack assembly 10 in its backpack configuration. The convertible backpack assembly 10 includes a forward or first frame portion 12 of generally inverted U-shape, manufactured preferably from tubular aluminum or steel. The first frame portion 12 is articulably secured by a pair of ratchet members 14 and 16 preferably made from steel, to a frame base 18, which comprises a pair of transversely adjacent parallel rails 20 and 22. The rails 20 and 22 of frame base 18 have forward and rearward ends 18a and 18b respectively. A slightly angularly rearwardly disposed U-shaped rear leg member 24 is fixedly secured to the rearward end 18b of each rail 20 and 22, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The side view of FIG. 1 shows in phantom lines how the forward leg member 26 may be swung rearwardly on its hinge devices 28, so as to be held under the frame base 18, and out of the way when desired.

A rearward or second frame portion 30 of generally inverted U-shaped configuration, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is articulably secured by a pair of ratchet members 32 and 34, to the frame base 18. The second frame portion 30 is similar to first frame portion 12, except that the two are arranged to pivot apart (away) from one another, as may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

A pair of adjustable shoulder carrying straps 40 and 42 are each secured to the upper portion of the first frame member 12, and to lower loops 44 and 46 at the forward end 18a of each of the parallel side rails 20 and 22.

A back canvas web envelope 50 is disposed about the second frame portion 30, and a front canvas web envelope 52 is disposed about the first frame portion 12, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A bottom panel of canvas webbing 54 is connected between the front and back canvas web envelopes 52 and 50, as shown in FIG. 1. A pair of bottom flaps 56 and 58 extend from the sides of the bottom panel canvas webbing 54, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The bottom flaps 56 and 58 are adapted to wrap around the outside portions of the parallel side rails 20 and 22 which comprise the frame base 18. Each bottom flap 56 and 58 has a securement means 60 such as a tie cord so as to adjustably tighten and tension the bottom panel canvas web 54 to the frame base 18.

A pair of elongated canvas side panels 62 and 64 are attached to the bottom panel canvas webbing 54, as also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Securing means 66 and 68 such as zippers extend along the long edges of each side panel 62 and 64, and the sides of each canvas web envelope 50 and 52. When the side panels 62 and 64 are zippered to the canvas web envelopes 50 and 52 as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, they define the side wall portions of the backpack, in which goods may be carried by an individual.

When the convertible backpack assembly 10 is being utilized as a backpack, the forward leg member 26 is pivoted rearwardly as shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 7 so as to be out of the way and not pressing or rubbing against or digging into the wearer's (carrier's) lower back.

When it is desired to utilize the convertible backpack assembly 10 as a chair, the forward leg member is arranged in its downward orientation, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6. The contents of the backpack assembly 10 are removed, and the side panels 62 and 64 are unzipped. For this purpose a bag shaped liner may be provided in the backpack into which the contents of the pack may be placed, and the liner may be pulled from the pack to remove the contents as a unit when the device is to be made up as a chair. Each side panel 62 and 64 may have securing means so as to permit them to wrap securely under the bottom flaps 56 and 58 and attach to one another.

The first frame portion 12 with its canvas web envelope 52 may be rocked to disengage its ratchet members 14 and 16, and then rotated into its generally horizontal leg supporting orientation, as shown in FIG. 3, although it may also be disposed at a non horizontal orientation. The second frame portion 30 with its canvas web envelope 50 may similarly be pivoted to be inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the frame base 18, and serve as the back of the chair assembly. The bottom panel 54 comprises the chair seat. Actually, either canvas web 50 or 52 may comprise the back of the chair and the remaining one, the leg support. The opposing frame portions 12 and 30 are thus able to move from the parallel relationship shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, through a ratching range into which they can become generally coplanar.

An additional pocket 70 may be arranged on the back portion of the canvas web envelope 50 for further storage capabilities. A hood may be secured to the distal edge 72 of the canvas web envelope 52 on the first frame portion 12, so as to provide a closure for the backpack. The web need not be of canvas, but may be comprised of any flexible, durable material. Additionally, the web may be easily removed and replaced from the frame by merely untying the cord 60 which holds the webs 56 and 58 tautly together, sliding the front and back canvas web envelopes 50 and 52 from the frames 12 and 30 and dropping a new web envelope arrangement onto those frames 12 and 30, and merely securing it under the frame 18, by retying the cords 60 between the new flaps 56 and 58.

In FIGS. 8-10 a cover 90 is shown stitched to the upper edge 72 of the canvas envelope 52. The cover 90 carries a cord 92 at its free end 94 for securing the cover to the canvas envelope 50 on the rear frame member 30. For that purpose, two pairs of hooks 96, 96 and 98, 98 are secured to the panel 100 at the corners of the pocket 70. In FIG. 9 the cover 90 is shown secured by the cord 92 to the hooks 98, 98 so that the cover extends closely over the top of the backpack. The long length of the cover 90 permits it to be used to carry equipment on top of the backpack by securing the band 92 to the hooks 96, 96. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 10. It will be noted in that figure that a roll 102 that may represent a sleeping bag, bed roll, or some similar camping equipment, is shown disposed on the top of the backpack, and the cover 90 extends over it and is secured by the cord 92 to the hooks 96, 96. Thus, the cover 90 may serve simply as a cover for the backpack to close the container portion thereof, or it may be used as an additional carrier to attach equipment to the top of the pack. To provide additional flexibility in the use of the cover, the cord may be elasticized. When the assembly is used as a chair, the cover 90 may be folded under the leg supporting portion of the chair or it may form an extension thereof for the feet.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 a second embodiment of the combination backpack and chair is shown which is somewhat less expensive to manufacture than the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10. The unit is built about a metal frame 120 that may be identical to the frame of the first embodiment and therefore need not be described in detail. Briefly, it includes front and rear U-shaped tubular members 122 and 124 that are attached by ratchet mechanisms 126 to the side rails 128 and 130. The frame also includes front and rear leg members 132 and 134, and the front leg member 134 is pivotally supported so that it may be swung away from the back of the person carrying the backpack just as front leg member 26 in the first embodiment.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 one sheet of canvas webbing 138 is secured to the front and rear U-shaped members 122 and 124 to form the front and back walls of the backpack, and the central portion 140 of the webbing extends between the two frame members to form the bottom wall of the pack and the seat of the chair in the backpack and chair configurations, respectively. In this embodiment a single ply sheet of webbing may be used with flaps along the sides stitched or otherwise secured about the tubular portions of the frame as suggested by the broken lines 144 which may represent stitching. For example zippers may be used rather than stitching so as to enable the webbing to be removed for washing etc.

The webbing 138 when mounted on the frame forms front and rear panels 146 and 148 along with the bottom panel 140.

It will be noted in the drawing that the corners 150 of the front frame member 122 and the corners 152 of the rear frame member 124 are exposed. The exposed corners of the tubular members are utilized to mount an inner container 154 in place between the panels 146 and 148 as is explained in greater detail below. The container 154 made of flexible material such as canvas that may be identical to the webbing 138 is of conventional shape having front and rear panels 156 and 158, side panels 160 and 162 and bottom panel 164. The container 154 is sized to fit between the panels 146 and 148 of the backpack with its side panels 160 and 162 essentially aligned with the parallel sides of the front and rear frame members 122 and 124. This relationship is shown in FIG. 12. Heavy horizontal straps 166 and 168 are stitched to the upper portions of the side panels 160 and 162, respectively of the container 154. The ends of the straps 166 and 168 in use are threaded about the exposed portions of the frames at the corners 150 and 152 so as to releasably secure the container 154 in place. The straps 166 and 168 may be secured by Velcro-type fasteners (mating hook and loop fabric) on the inner faces of the straps or by other common attachment means such as ties, clamps or cinches. In FIGS. 11 and 12 one convenient arrangement is shown wherein the inner faces of the straps are lined with the hook fasteners of the Velcro material and provide patches of looped fabric are secured at the ends of the straps as suggested at 170. That arrangement enables the straps 166 and 168 to be looped around the exposed portions of the frame 120 at the corners 150 and 152 and be secured firmly in place as shown in FIG. 12.

With the container 154 mounted in place as shown in FIG. 12, together with the metal frame 120 and the canvas sheet 138 it forms the body of the backpack and shoulder straps 174 secured to the frame as suggested in FIG. 11 and in the same manner as in the first embodiment enable the backpack to be carried comfortably in precisely the same fashion as the backpack of FIGS. 1-10. As a backpack it has a large carrying capacity of approximately forty pounds or more. When the assembly is used as a chair, the straps 166 and 168 are opened by releasing the Velcro-type fasteners, and the container 154 may be conveniently lifted from between the panels 146 and 148 by the handles 176 so as to remove the contents of the backpack. When the container 154 is removed, the front and rear frame members 122 and 124 may be pivoted by means of the ratchet mechanisms 126 that join the members to the side rails 128 and 130 to form the assembly into the chair configuration. The container 154 thus serves not only as a liner for the backpack but actually forms part of the main backpack structure as well. It is evident in FIG. 12 that the side panels 160 and 162 of the container 154 actually define the side panels of the assembled backpack. As in the first embodiment a cover (not shown) is secured to the top of one of the panels 146 and 148 and fastens to the other to close the pack and preferably enable gear to be carried on the top of the pack. Alternatively, the cover may be mounted on the container 154.

In FIGS. 13-15 yet another embodiment of the invention is shown, which is similar to that shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in that a second, separate container is used but nevertheless utilizes many other features of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The frame structure for this embodiment is the same as employed in the earlier two embodiments, but the manner in which the separable container is retained between the front and back panels is different. Specifically, the assembly includes two side rails 200 U-shaped frames 202 and 204 and canvas envelopes 206 and 208 that enclose the frame portions 202 and 204, respectfully. The rails 200 support a fixed rear leg 210 and a pivotal front leg 212. The structure thus far described is in all essential ways identical to the corresponding parts of the preferred embodiment particularly illustrated in FIG. 4. A seat panel 214 joins the bottom of the envelopes 206 and 208 and in turn is provided support and made adjustable by the laced bottom flaps 216 and 218. The laced together flaps 216 and 218 perform the same function as the flaps 56 and 58 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

The structure thus far described functions as a chair. The bottom panel 214 serves as the bottom wall of the backpack and the seat of the chair as a depth measured between the front and back panels 206 and 208 that is approximately half the height of those panels measured from the top to the bottom of the U shaped frame portions. The structure may be readily opened to a chair configuration as shown in FIG. 3.

Like the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, in this embodiment (see FIGS. 13-15) there are no side panels fixed between the front and back panels comparable to the side panels 62 and 64 of the first embodiment. Rather, the sides of the assembly are open and therefore there are no sides to detach from the assembly when it is to be used as a chair.

Like the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, this embodiment includes a separate inner container 220 and has foldable or gusseted side panels 222, a bottom panel 224, and front and rear panels 226 and 228. The top edges of the front and back panels are joined by a zipper 230 that enables the container to be conveniently opened and closed. The container 220 is reinforced by heavy webbing 232 that extends up the front and back panels 226 and 228 across the bottom panel 224 and forms front and rear handles 234 and 236 for carrying it particularly when the container is removed from between the front and back panels 206 and 208 of the main chair assembly.

A pair of loops 238 are sewn into the seams 240 in the side panels 222 of the container. The loops 238 cooperate with straps 242 secured to the sides of the canvas envelopes 206 and 208 that form the front and back panels. As is shown in the drawings, the straps 242 may each be opened and closed by the buckles 246, 248 carried on the separate end portions of the straps. The buckles are of conventional design and their details form no part of the present invention.

When the invention is to be used as a backpack, the container 220 is placed between the front and back panels 206 and 208 of the main assembly and rests upon the bottom panel 214 thereof. The straps 242 are threaded through the loops 238 and closed by the buckles 246, 248 as shown in FIG. 14. The loops 238 attached to the container 220 and the straps 242 carried by the chair portion of the assembly are both located close to the tops of their respective components and therefore the container 220 will not slip or otherwise shift with respect to the panels of the chair.

The embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 also provides alternative carrying means for the backpack. The chair portion of the assembly not only is provided with back straps 250 secured to the horizontal tube of the frame portion 204 and to the front ends of the rails 200, but also with hand straps 252 at the top of each canvas envelope. The hand straps 252 will enable a user to carry the assembly conveniently for a short distance without placing the assembly on the back. The assembly in the backpack configuration should not, however, be lifted by the handles 234 and 236 secured to the container 220 because when carried by those handles the container 220 may tend to rise between the front and back panels 206 and 208 of the chair limited however by the loops 238 and straps 242, so as to elongate the entire height of the assembly, which would make it more awkward to carry.

In each of the three embodiments there has been shown a novel framework which when fitted with sheaths or pockets and panels of web material, may be articulated from a backpack configuration to a multi-position chair, which permits comfortable carrying as a backpack.

As is illustrated in the drawings, in each embodiment the bottom panel that serves as the bottom wall of the backpack and the seat of the chair has a depth measured between the front and back panels that is approximately half the height of those panels measured from the top bars to the bottoms of the side bars of the U shaped frames. This relationship creates a pack that has the usual carrying capacity of a backpack and is comfortable when worn as it does not extend too far behind the carrier, and also provides a comfortable support when in the chair configuration.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. Therefore it is not intended that the scope of this invention be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described. Rather, its scope is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.