BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to backpacks. More particularly, the present invention relates to backpacks having storage compartments for backpack accessories or other activity-specific accessories and gear, such as hoods, ponchos, raincoats, canopies, ground covers, blankets, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to conceal and stow various kinds of gear and accessories in various pockets and pouches of backpacks or other kinds of carry bags. Exemplary teachings include:

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 9,125,477, to Killion, teaches a backpack having a two-panel hood stowed in, and deploying from, zippered compartments in the shoulder straps.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 7,374,071 to Lavelle discloses raingear housed in a pocket located on the top of the backpack so as to allow the wearer to reach over his shoulders to grab hold of a portion of the raingear.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 20050050614, by Leung, shows a backpack type satchel having a hood stowed in a compartment at the upper convergence of the shoulder straps.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 5,743,448, to Tsai teaches a raincoat concealing backpack that provides a zippered storage compartment integrated into the pack material on the side of the pack usually borne against the back of the user.

[0007] U.S. Design Patent D509,653 to Yu, discloses a backpack with an integrated cover that stows in a zippered compartment immediately proximate the haul strap.

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 8,727, 190 to Blair discloses a backpack hunting blind that may be used, for example, as a hunter blind and backpack frame. The camouflage cover deploys from the upper and inner portions of the frame members, not from a haul strap. [0009] U.S. Patent No. 7,051,908 to Mignano discloses a backpack hunting blind with rear portion and hunting blind in a deployed position.

[0010] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0078457 to Pitchford et al. discloses a hooded backpack and speaker combination device having a plurality of pockets on its shoulder straps.

[0011] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0216511 to Brown et al. discloses an outdoor shelter system comprising a moveable rain fly coupled based layer and support apparatus. It is representative of covers/shelters that store and deploy from packs, but does not include disclosure regarding a rain cover stowed and deployed from a haul strap.

[0012] Indeed, while all of the foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware, none disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described herein. There are, in fact, no known prior art products or teachings describing a backpack having a rain cover incorporated into, and concealed within, a haul strap. Accordingly, while the foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware, reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein.

Disclosure of Invention

[0013] The present invention is a backpack having an associated (backpack) rain cover for pack and person concealed within and deployable from a modified haul strap. The storage compartment thus does not utilize any pockets or other storage areas needed for gear. Further, the stowed rain cover adds padding to the handle, a feature of no small significance when consideration is given to how uncomfortable thin haul straps are when carrying loaded backpacks. Indeed, the modest but meaningful expansion in cross-sectional dimension, as well as the padding added by the stowed rain cover, makes the haul strap a comfortable carry strap even for heavy loads.

[0014] The inventive method and apparatus for stowing a rain cover may be incorporated into virtually any type of backpack of any size, whether a small 5 liter daypack, a larger 30- 50 liter weekend pack, or a 70+ liter multiday backpack, though it is particularly well-suited for use with backpacks of the kind described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2016/0227908, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved stow compartment for a backpack rain cover.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved haul strap adapted for use as a primary carrying handle that provides enhanced comfort while simultaneously providing an entirely discrete functional advantage - namely, the storage compartment for a rain cover.

[0017] A further object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved backpack that provides a discrete storage pocket for a (potentially) wet article, thereby protecting other stowed goods from getting wet.

[0018] Other novel features characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 is an upper front left perspective view of the inventive rain cover storage apparatus incorporated in a backpack haul strap;

[0021] FIG. 2A is an upper perspective view showing the haul strap with a zipper as a closure device and the rain cover entirely stored and concealed within the strap storage volume;

[0022] FIG. 2B is the same view showing the zipper open and the stowed rain cover partially deployed;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view in elevation of the haul strap handle taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2 A;

[0024] FIG. 4A is a left side view in elevation showing the rain cover and hood partially deployed from the haul strap;

[0025] FIG. 4B is the same view showing the rain cover pulled over to fully cover the backpack with the hood partially deployed;

[0026] FIG. 4C is the same view showing the hood fully covering the head of the wearer;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a front left perspective view showing the rain cover fully deployed and enclosing the backpack itself;

[0028] FIG. 6 is an upper rear left perspective view (side facing the wearer) showing the rain cover enclosing the backpack with the shoulder straps, waist belt, and chest straps exposed; and

[0029] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view showing the rain cover fully deployed, covering the backpack, with the integral hood covering the head of the user.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved method and apparatus for storing a backpack rain cover in a haul strap, the invention generally denominated 10 herein.

[0031] In an embodiment, and in its most essential aspect, the backpack 10 incorporating the inventive rain cover storage and deployment apparatus may be embodied as a daypack, travel pack, rucksack, or multi-day excursion pack. In the views, the system is shown incorporated in a daypack style backpack 12. The overall backpack includes a backpack body 14 constructed of a flexible fabric, either synthetic or natural, and most typically a woven polymeric or nylon fabric.

[0032] The backpack body 14 is typically laterally symmetrical (from right to left) about a vertical axis (in the transverse plane), and asymmetrical anteriorly and posteriorly about a vertical axis in the coronal plane, though small variations in componentry may be included on either side of the backpack body. In a daypack-style backpack, such as that shown in the views, there will be included a primary front compartment 16 accessible by an opening selectively closed by a zipper or other closure device 18 (hook-and-loop, snaps, buttons, etc.), a secondary (or front) compartment or pocket 20, also accessible through an opening selectively closed by a zipper or other closure device 22, and one or more side pockets 24, again having selectively closeable zippered openings 26. The back side 28 of the pack includes a back panel 30 and various carry straps, including padded shoulder straps 32, a sternum strap 34, a padded hip belt 36, possibly including an integral lumbar pad.

[0033] The upper portion 38 of the pack includes a pack handle or haul strap 40,

generally disposed either between the shoulder straps or at the top of the pack. The handle is interiorly hollow and opens through a zippered or other closure opening 42 having a zipper or other closure feature 44 and provides a stowage compartment 46 into which a rain cover 48 may be stowed. The rain cover may be a pack cover only, a combined pack cover and hood 50, a poncho and integral hood, and the like. Further, the rain cover may be connected to the interior of the storage compartment, for instance by stitching 52, such that the pack cover portion 48 tends to deploy downwardly while the hood 54 portion for the user tends to deploy upwardly, or above the pack cover. Alternatively, the rain cover may be kept entirely loose or free from any physical connection to the storage compartment interior such that it may be used independently of the backpack. The rain cover may also be provided with means for securing the cover tightly around the backpack, such as by an elastic drawstring closure or cinch closure with a cord lock or cord stopper.

[0034] The above disclosure will enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. The disclosure provides a disclosure of embodiments of the invention. However, the embodiments do not limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional

relationships, and operation shown and described. Modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0035] Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which will be defined by claims presented in a non- provisional patent application claiming the benefit of the filing date of this provisional patent application.

[0036] The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable those with skill in the relevant art to practice the invention without undue experimentation. The disclosure further provides the best mode of practicing the invention now contemplated by the inventor.

[0037] While the particular backpack and rain cover storage method herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages stated herein, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.