BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Backpacks can either have internal fiame components within the outer fabric material of the backpack surrounding the frame of the backpack, or can have an external frame to which the fabric material of the backpack is attached thereto.

With the internal frame type backpack, the problem exists that the fabric material of the backpack abuts against the person's back when it is being carried, the shoulder straps and hip straps being used to support the backpack on the person's back. This abutment can cause discomfort for the user and can hinder the stability of the backpack when loaded. The discomfort can include problems with heat as there is a lack of air circulation to keep the person's back relatively cool.

It is therefore seen to be desirable to have a internal frame type backpack having a device which can be used to space the fabric material of the backpack away from contact with the user's back when it is being carried to provide greater comfort and stability when carried.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved backpack arrangement which substantially overcomes or ameliorates the above mentioned disadvantages. At the very least, the object of the invention is to provide an altemative to backpack arrangements.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed backpack with an internal frame and at least one canymg strap, said backpack having a fabric material applied

over the internal frame with the at least one carrying strap attached to the backpack adjacent the backside of the backpack to enable the backpack to be carried, a bowed stay or flex fitted to the backside of the backpack, the bowed stay providing a space between the back of the person carrying the backpack and the fabric material of the backside of the backpack.

Preferably, the bowed stay is flexible and can provide support stability to the frame of the backpack. The bowed stay is preferably fitted on the outside of the fabric material of the backpack, with the ends of the stay being secured to the fabric material. Preferably they are secured into pockets on the external surface of the fabric material of the backpack. In some forms, the bowed stay can be removed from the backpack. The bowed stay is preferably shaped and sized that it extends from the top of the backpack adjacent the shoulders of the user to about the lower portion adjacent the waist of the user and it extends across the lateral extent of the backpack.

In the preferred form, a mesh sheet material is provided on the backpack, the mesh sheet material attached to the fabric of the backpack material, and being located adjacent the bowed stay and adapted to be adjacent the person's back when carrying the backpack.

In another form, the bowed stay is located within the interior shell of the backpack with the outer layer of the fabric material of the backpack being contoured therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a rear view of a backpack according to one embodiment of the present invention showing a bowed stay; and Fig. 2 is a side view of the backpack of Fig. 1.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The general arrangement of a backpack 10 of a preferred embodiment is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 which show the backpack 10 having a bowed stay 11 fitted to the external backside surface 13 of the fabric material 14 of the backpack 10 which has internal frame components (not illustrated).

The bowed stay 11 is preferably fitted into pockets 15 of the fabric material 14 and is shaped such that the fabric material 14 is spaced apart from the back of the user when it is being carried by means of the two shoulder straps 16. It is possible that hip straps (not illustrated) can also be used to secure the backpack 10 to the person carrying it.

The bowed stay 11 is preferably made from a flexible material to assist in the stability of the loaded backpack 10 as it is being carried as well as providing ease of comfort to the user. A mesh sheet material 17 is provided on the backpack 10, the mesh sheet material 16 attached to the fabric 14 of the backpack material, and is located adjacent the bowed stay 11 and adapted to be adjacent the person's back when carrying the backpack 10.

The arrangement of the bowed stay 11 is such that the bowed stay 10 provides a space between the back of the person carrying the backpack 10 and the fabric material 14 of the backside surface 13 of the backpack 10 to provide greater comfort and stability when carried.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.