WO2011015769A1 - Backpack having levers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a backpack carrying device (1) provided with a loading receptacle (3) capable of receiving the carried load (2) and comprising a balancing means (4) that includes: at least one supporting member (5); at least one lever (7) that is supported by said supporting member (5) so as to move back and forth; at least one return member (8) that connects the lever to a retaining element (9) providing a bearing point (M) that is remote from the supporting member, said balancing means (4) being arranged such that the opening angle (α), formed between the coronal plane (π) of the wearer (6) and the straight line (L1) joining the retaining element (9) to the lever, is substantially less than or equal to 60 degrees. The invention can be used for backpack carrying devices.

Description

 LEVERS BACKPACK

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the general field of charge carrying devices for transporting loads on the backs of humans or animals. The present invention relates more particularly to a load carrying device, the backpack type, provided with a loading receptacle adapted to receive the load to be carried.

The present invention also relates to an adaptation kit intended to be attached to an existing carrying device, like backpack, said carrying device comprising at least one loading receptacle.

PRIOR ART

It is known to transport very diverse loads, such as foodstuffs, materials of all kinds, materials, etc., using a carrying means for the harnessing of said loads on the back of a man or on the back of a domestic animal. In particular, it is known to use for this purpose backpacks that include one or more pockets serving as a loading receptacle and a pair of shoulder straps that surround the shoulders of the wearer to support the bag.

Known backpacks have been the subject of many improvements, especially in the last decades, because of the popularity of the general public for outdoor leisure activities, such as hiking, skiing, climbing, camping, etc. .

In particular, it has been imagined various solutions to improve the wearing comfort, padding the straps, strengthening the back frame of the bag, or by the implementation of a lumbar belt at the base of said bag. However, if known backpacks are generally satisfactory, their use is sometimes likely to cause significant fatigue or low back pain, especially during the transport of heavy loads.

In addition, wearing a backpack often causes significant sweating in the back of the wearer, which is likely to cause him inconvenience.

Finally, the rigid steel bags, if they can contribute to the maintenance of the back, can also form hard points of support likely to bruise IG body of the carrier.

DISCLOSURE OF ¹ INVENTION The objects of the present invention are therefore to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a new load carrying device of the type backpack, which has an improved comfort and reduces fatigue of the wearer, including when transporting heavy loads.

The objects assigned to the invention are also intended to provide a new load carrying device having a compact structure, compact, and which does not interfere with the movements of the wearer.

Another object assigned to the invention is to provide a new load carrying device that is practical and intuitive to handle, and in particular easy to put on.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new load carrying device which can be easily configured and adapted to various conditions of use by the wearer.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new load carrying device whose storage and empty transport are facilitated.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new load carrying device that is particularly well suited to outdoor activities, such as hiking, and especially to activities in the mountains. Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new adaptation kit for improving the comfort of an existing carrying device.

Finally, another object assigned to the invention aims to propose a new adaptation kit which is simple in design, not very impressive, and particularly easy and intuitive to use.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved with the aid of a load-carrying device, such as a backpack, provided with a loading receptacle adapted to receive the load carried, said carrying device being characterized in that it comprises balancing means which comprise:

 at least one support member designed to bear on the body of the wearer,

 at least one lever supported by said support member, said lever comprising a first connecting section and a second connecting section arranged on one side and the other side of said support member, the first connecting section being connected to the receptacle; loading,

 at least one return member connecting the second connecting section to a retaining element designed to provide a fulcrum on the wearer's body, at a distance from the support member,

said balancing means being arranged such that the angle formed between the coronal plane of the wearer and the straight line joining the retaining element to the second connecting section is substantially less than or equal to 60 degrees, preferably substantially less than or equal to at 45 degrees, and particularly preferably substantially less than or equal to 35 degrees.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved with the aid of an adaptation kit intended to be attached to a carrying device, such as a backpack, said carrying device comprising at least one loading receptacle, said kit being provided with balancing means comprising:

at least one support member designed to bear on the body of the wearer, at least one lever supported by said support member, said lever comprising a first connecting section and a second connecting section disposed on either side of said support member, the first connecting section being designed to be able to be connected to the loading receptacle,

 - At least one return member adapted to connect said second connecting section to a retaining element designed to provide a fulcrum on the body of the wearer, at a distance from the support member,

said balancing means being arranged such that, when the kit is installed on the carrying device and the latter is lifted by the wearer, the angle formed between the wearer's coronal plane and the straight line joining the wearer element; retained at the second connecting portion is substantially less than or equal to 60 degrees, preferably substantially less than or equal to 45 degrees, and particularly preferably substantially less than or equal to 35 degrees.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, as well as with the aid of the accompanying drawings, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, among which :

- Figure 1 illustrates, in a schematic side view, the principle of implementation of a carrying device according to the invention on a carrier. - Figure 2 illustrates, in a schematic side view, the implementation of a second embodiment of a carrying device according to the invention.

- Figure 3 illustrates, in a schematic side view, different possible configurations of levers usable within a carrying device according to the invention.

- Figures 4A, 4B, 4C illustrate, in schematic views from above, different embodiments of levers usable within a load carrying device according to the invention. - Figure 5 illustrates, in a perspective view, a portion of the balancing means for a load carrying device according to the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in a perspective view, a loading receptacle that can be fitted to the balancing means shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 illustrates, in a schematic side view, an embodiment variant of FIG. a load carrying device according to the invention resulting from the assembly of the elements shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

- Figure 8 illustrates, in a detail view in perspective, a portion of balancing means according to the invention. - Figure 9 illustrates, in a side view, an alternative embodiment of a carrying device according to the invention.

- Figure 10 illustrates, in a view from above, the carrying device shown in Figure 9.

- Figure 11 illustrates, in a perspective view, a first adaptation kit for converting a backpack into a carrying device according to the invention.

- Figures 12A, 12B, 12C illustrate, in simplified perspective views, different connection means for the cooperation of the levers of the carrying device with the loading receptacle, in particular during the implementation of the first adaptation kit shown FIG. 13 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, an alternative embodiment of a backpack of the first adapter kit shown in FIG. 11.

- Figure 14 illustrates, in a perspective view, a subset of a second adapter kit according to the invention. D

FIG. 15 illustrates, in a perspective view, the implementation on a backpack of a second adaptation kit comprising two subassemblies as represented in FIG. 14.

- Figure 16 illustrates, in a side view, an alternative embodiment of the carrying device according to the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates, in an exploded perspective view, the detail of the assembly of a lever on a support member within the embodiment of the carrying device shown in FIG. 15.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a load carrying device 1 for lifting and transporting various loads, such as foodstuffs, materials of all kinds, materials, clothing, etc., on the back of man or on animal back, that is to say by using the muscular force of a man or an animal to lift and move said charges. Of course, the carrying device 1 according to the invention will not be limited and may in particular be formed by a ventral bag or a backpack.

Preferably, said carrying device 1 will be constituted by a backpack, and likened to a backpack in the following for convenience of description.

The carrying device 1 according to the invention is provided with a loading receptacle 3 capable of receiving the load carried 2.

By "loading receptacle 3" means any means for receiving and supporting a load 2, said load is placed in or on said receptacle or suspended therefrom.

Said loading receptacle 3 may for example comprise a suspension hook, a bag or a pocket, a tray, a pallet or a laying grid, etc. According to an important characteristic of the invention, the carrying device 1 comprises balancing means 4 which comprise:

 at least one support member designed to bear on the body of the wearer 6, preferably a human being in a vertical station, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3,

 - At least one lever 7 supported in tilting by said support member 5, said lever 7 comprising a first connecting section 7A and a second connecting section 7B, said first and second connecting sections being arranged on either side of said support member 5, and the first connecting section 7A being connected to the loading receptacle 3,

 - At least one return member 8 which connects the second connecting section 7B to a retaining element 9 designed to provide a fulcrum M on the body of the carrier 6 at a distance from the support member 5.

Advantageously, such balancing means 4 make it possible to distribute the weight P of the load bearing 2, thanks to a substantially triangular balancing structure capable of opposing the moment created by the weight P of the load 2 on the lever 7. resisting moment that results from the application of a balancing force F created by the return member 8 when it is hooked to the fulcrum M. as shown in Figure 1. Thus, the weight P of the load 2 is better distributed relative to the body of the carrier 6, and preferably distributed on either side of the coronal plane TT of said carrier 6.

Advantageously, the above-mentioned triangular bearing and balancing structure can be formed by the union of the lever 7 which passes through the coronal plane in a first direction (from the rear to the front) to connect the load 2, via the loading receptacle 3, the deflection member 8, and secondly said deflection member 8 which preferably extends on either side of the coronal plane which it re-passes through advantageously in the other direction, and which preferably joins the second connecting section 7B forming a high point before a point of support M located at an altitude lower than that of the support member 5 and / or the lever 7 and forming a point back low. O

Preferably, the retaining element 9 will provide a point (or more generally a support surface) M located on the same side of the coronal plane TT as the center of gravity of the load 2, and will more preferably be designed for at least partially, and preferably in all, the balancing force F ₁ which enables the deflection member 8 to be retained by the body of the carrier and to oppose the tilting of the lever 7, by the dorsal region, and for example lumbar, of said carrier 6. The retaining element 9 can thus exert on said carrier a pressure of which at least one component is applied in its dorsal region, and which is distributed preferably substantially over the entire width of his back. By "coronal plane", or "frontal plane", denotes the fictitious plane which separates the body into an anterior part and a posterior part, and more particularly the substantially vertical plane passing through the middle of the two shoulders of the wearer 6 and cutting off said carrier between his ventral side and his dorsal face.

Advantageously, the distribution of the forces supported by the wearer 6 on either side of said π coronal plane contributes to relieving said wearer and to limiting his fatigue.

In addition, the balancing means 4 are arranged such that the opening angle α formed between the coronal plane TT and the line L1 which joins the retaining element 9 to the second connecting section 7B is substantially smaller or equal to 60 degrees, preferably substantially less than or equal to 50 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 45 degrees and particularly preferably substantially less than or equal to 35 degrees, or even substantially less than or equal to 30 degrees.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the balancing means 4 in accordance with the invention thus makes it possible to balance the stresses exerted by the weight P of the load 2 by positioning the point of application of the resultant R of the carrying forces, which is exerted and supported by the carrier via the support member 5, in the vicinity of the coronal plane or substantially in said coronal plane π, and therefore substantially in line with the center of gravity of the carrier 6 and its structures natural anatomical porting, such as the spine. In addition, the opening angle α is advantageously chosen so as to limit the anteroposterior component of the resultant R of the carrying forces which is exerted, by reaction, at the level of the support member 5, that is to say, chosen so as, in a way, "fold" said resultant R against said coronal plane TT. Thus, the direction of said resultant R carrying forces is relatively close to a direction parallel to that of the coronal plane, and therefore its main component is substantially vertical and applied to the vicinity of the spine axis, which avoids bearer 6 to have to provide a significant effort by leaning forward to compensate said resultant of the carrier forces. Thus, the wearing comfort is greatly improved, and the fatigue minimized.

In addition, the choice of an opening angle both large enough to provide a lever arm allowing the balancing force F to exercise a significant balancing moment, but nevertheless less than the above-mentioned values, makes it possible to use a lever 7 whose anterior portion, that is to say the portion containing the second connecting section 7B and between the support member 5 and the free front end of said lever, has only a reduced length.

There is therefore a lever forming a relatively short projection relative to the coronal plane.

Thus, the balancing means 4 in accordance with the invention make it possible to balance the load 2 without, however, significantly increasing the overall bulk of the carrying device 1, which makes it compatible with the movements usually carried out, particularly at during a hike or on skis. Thus, the carrier 6 is not obstructed by the device 1, in particular when it walks, advances, leans, turns, or operates a visual registration. By way of example, the total length L ₇ of the lever 7, measured from its front end, and more particularly, where appropriate, from its point of attachment 7J with the return member 8, to its rear end , is preferably, in particular when carrying, substantially between 10 cm and 105 cm, and for example close to 20 cm.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 16, it is conceivable to provide short lever carrying devices, which are particularly light and compact, whose total length L ₇ may be less than or equal to 40 cm, or even less than or equal to 40 cm. equal to 30 cm or 25 cm, and may especially be substantially between 10 cm, especially for a small bag, and 20 cm, especially for a large bag. However, it is not excluded to put in place a longer lever 7, in particular within a bag according to those shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the total length L _{7 of} said lever 7 then being able to reach 105 cm.

In addition, the second section 7B (front) will preferably be longer _! and for example substantially twice as long as the first section 7A (posterior), the lever 7 being consequently subdivided and proportioned substantially in a lever ratio of 2/3 - 1/3 in favor of the return member 8.

According to another embodiment, which may correspond to that of Figure 8, the first section 7A (posterior) may be about 15 cm while the second section 7B (anterior) will have an overall length of up to 90 cm.

Of course, the lever 7 according to the invention is sufficiently rigid and solid to support and maneuver the receptacle 3 containing the load 2.

According to a feature which may constitute an entire invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 16, it is possible to ensure the connection between the first connecting section 7A and the loading receptacle 3 by means of a suspension 70 flexible, preferably substantially inextensible. Said hanger 70 may advantageously extend substantially away from the coronal plane, preferably towards the rear and the bottom relative to the first connecting section 7A. It is preferably extended by a reinforcement 71, for example formed by a piece of fabric sewn or glued to the bag, said reinforcement 71 may advantageously spread over the side wall of the loading receptacle 3, in particular towards the rear, or even circle the latter, to ensure excellent grip of the hanger 70 on said loading receptacle 3. For example, the piece of fabric may have a substantially triangular shape, one of whose sides corresponds substantially to the right Director of the Hanger 70.

The posterior free end of said first section 7A, to which is connected the hanger 70, can be as close, if not closer, to the coronal plane than is the loading receptacle 3, the first section 7A thus being particularly short and preferably integrally housed in the space between the shoulders of the wearer and the back wall of the backpack.

Advantageously, the implementation of such a hanger 70 limits the iongueur of the rigid portion of the lever 7 while creating a flexible connection, possibly permanent, between said lever and the loading receptacle 3, which facilitates folding, storage or donning the backpack, while limiting the weight and size of the device.

Moreover, although the shape of the lever 7 is in no way limited, the latter preferably has a cylindrical geometry, preferably of substantially circular cross section, as is illustrated in FIG. 8.

The lever 7 may also have substantially flattened portions, and in particular form a pallet in its rear portion, at the first connecting section 7A, as shown in Figures 14, 15 or 17.

According to another embodiment, corresponding to Figures 16 and 17, the lever may be formed by a substantially flattened blade 72, preferably solid, and for example of substantially rectangular section and substantially constant thickness. Said blade may optionally be substantially curved so as to have generally a slight concave curvature vis-à-vis the shoulder of the wearer 6. She can be made for example of metal, reinforced plastic or a composite material.

Furthermore, the rocker-type connection between the support member 5 and the lever 7 can be obtained by means of a pivot connection 10 d ³ fixed axis 10 ', the support means 5 then forming a bearing or a clevis crossed. by an axis 10 ', for example consisting of a rivet, which immobilizes the lever 7 in translation so as to form a captive pivot connection, as shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, 11, 16 and 17.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 16 and 17, the blade 72 forming the lever 7 comprises for this purpose a boss 73 rounded for coming to rocking support in a cradle 74 of substantially conjugate form, which is formed on the top of the support member 5 and bordered by a yoke 75, a pin 76 being threaded through said yoke 75 so as to be superimposed on the boss 73 and thus maintain the lever 7 in said cradle 74.

Advantageously, the cradle 74 can be hollowed out in a rigid reinforcing element 76, for example made of plastic, metal or composite, which caps the support member 5.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain an easy rocker lever which is inexpensive to manufacture (for example by bending the blade by stamping), which is particularly easy to assemble or replace, and guarantees the robustness and reliability of the pivot connection 10.

In addition, the boss 73 contributes to stiffening the blade 72, in particular in its most bending stressed area. Said boss 73 is preferably convex, that is to say points here downwards, and may advantageously induce a curvature inversion with respect to the generally concave bending of the blade 72, so that the first and second sections 7A, 7B form somehow "wings" raised relative to the cradle 74. According to another embodiment, the rocker can also be achieved by placing the lever 7 freely in a support 5 forming a gutter, including the generator is oriented substantially in the anteroposterior and slightly curved direction. Preferably, the return member 8 forms a direct connection between the second section 7B and the retaining element 9, and more particularly the region in which the latter exerts its back support D, so that said return member follows substantially the line L1. In a particularly preferred manner, said return member 8 is formed by a flexible element, such as a strap, which is substantially stretched rectilinearly between the lever 7 and the retaining element 9.

As such, it is remarkable that if the return member 8 may be subject to bending, it is preferably sufficiently inextensible to ensure, without undergoing significant elastic or plastic deformation in length, the transmission to the lever 7 of a balancing force F sufficient to effectively counter the weight P of the load 2.

Preferably, the support member 5 is designed to bear on the carrier 6 substantially at the shoulders of the latter as shown in Figure 1 or in Figures 4A to 4C. For this purpose the support member 5 comprises a padded support element 11, such as a cushion or a padded shell, arranged to substantially match the upper contour of the shoulders, te! that is illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 or 11.

Advantageously, the attachment of the device 1 on the sponges allows an intuitive, comfortable and stable implementation of said carrying device 1 on the carrier 6. Advantageously, the support member 5 is designed to provide a stable and autonomous support to the lever 7 , and in particular to control its lateral deflection in azimuth and prevent said lever from rolling or sliding laterally out of the shoulder. The support member 5 thus advantageously retains the lever 7 relative to the body of the wearer, and preferably on the shoulder of the latter. For this purpose, said lever 7 can be fixed to the support member 5, or guided in a sufficiently captive manner by the latter, so as to be able to rock substantially vertically, from top to bottom and reciprocally, while not being able to separate or to take off spontaneously said support means during the portage, especially when the wearer does not hold the lever 7 in hand.

It is also conceivable for the support member 5 to be supported at another location on the body of the carrier 6, preferably still substantially in the π coronal plane or in the vicinity of the latter.

Thus, according to an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the support means 5 may be designed to bear on the pelvis, at the level of the iliac crests of the wearer

According to this variant, the retaining element 9 may be formed by the end of a rod integral with the support member 5 and which descends along the belt and the thigh substantially parallel to the coronal plane, l support member 5 being integrated for example in a waist belt.

Advantageously, in all cases, the tilting point of the lever 7 is located near the coronal plane, if not in the latter, and, more preferably, substantially perpendicular to the shoulders of the wearer 6, above these latest.

Preferably, the lever 7 is provided with a handle member 12, of the handle type, which can be advantageously arranged at the front end of the lever, preferably beyond the second connecting section 7B, in order to allow the wearer gripping said lever, either to suspend its arms in a rest position, or to exert active pulling down to increase the balancing force F and thus relieve his back, and especially his lumbar, effects of the weight of the load carried 2.

Moreover, as is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the carrying device 1 is preferably provided with configuration means 14 of the lever 7 which make it possible to modify the length of said lever 7, and preferably the length of its part. anterior extremal between the support member 5 and the front free end of said lever. Advantageously, it will thus be possible to lengthen (as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 9) or to shorten (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 9) alternately said lever, and to select an appropriate length.

Said configuration means 14 may be arranged to vary the length of the lever from a limit located beyond the second link section 7B, that is to say beyond the fastener 7 J which connects said lever to the deflection member 8, so as to modify only the length of the extremal free portion of said lever 7.

On the contrary, the configuration means may be arranged in such a way that the mobile part that they define also embeds the second connecting section 7B, in order to be able to adjust the distance between the support member 5, and more particularly the axis of the pivot 10, and the fastener 7J of the deflection member 8, that is to say that they will be able to modify the lever arm to which the balancing force F applies, as well as the opening angle α.

Such configuration means 14 also advantageously make it possible to reduce, at least temporarily, the front space of the carrying device 1, and thus for example to facilitate the transport of the backpack once it emptied and folded, or to improve the accessibility of the carrying device during the loading of the latter on the shoulders of the wearer 6.

Preferably, the configuration means 14 of the lever give the latter a telescopic or folding structure.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the front portion of the lever 7 may thus be split so as to be able to "break" upwards so as to allow the lifting or folding back, that is to say in direction of the loading receptacle 3, the gripping member 12. Advantageously, the adjustment means of the lever 7 will be placed under the control of locking means 14 'reversible allowing the wearer to alternately control the locking and release of the means of configuration 14, that is to say the locking of the lever 7 in its chosen length or contrary the release of ⁽ a movable front portion of said lever 7 allowing the adjustment of the length of the latter.

For example, such locking means 14 'may be formed by a latching system, the kind of elastic pin controlled by a push button, te! that this is illustrated in Figure 8.

Preferably, the lever 7 and the configuration means 14 are arranged such that the movable front portion of the lever 7 remains integral with the lever 7 and more generally balancing means 4, or even the carrying device 1.

However, it is perfectly conceivable to provide a lever 7 partially or completely removable or removable without departing from the scope of the invention.

By aiileurs, it is conceivable to also provide configuration means for changing the choice of the wearer the length of the rear portion of the lever 7, and in particular the distance between the support member 5 and the first link section 7A. According to an alternative embodiment, the configuration means 14 will make it possible to change the length of the front portion of the lever between a minimum value substantially comprised between 15 cm and 25 cm and a maximum value substantially between 40 cm or 50 cm and 90 cm. , and / or to modify, and more particularly to reduce, the length of said front portion of the order of 50% to 80%, and preferably from 70% to 75% with respect to its maximum length.

Of course, it is also perfectly conceivable to make instead eviers 7 of fixed and invariant length, and in particular one-piece levers, for example within a device 1 according to that illustrated in FIG.

Moreover, the shape of the lever 7 is in no way limited, and said lever may in particular have a substantially rectilinear or curved appearance.

According to the target carrying application, and according to the weight P or the size of the load carried 2, the lever 7 can be bent so as to form an enhancement 15, that is to say an upward vertical projection, or on the contrary a sag 16, an enlargement 17, that is to say an external lateral overhang, or on the contrary a lateral 18 narrowing.

Thus, the lever 7 may advantageously have a portion offset in height or width with respect to the support member 5, and in particular with respect to the shoulders of the wearer 6.

Although such bending can be applied in particular in the front portion of the lever, it is preferably implemented at least between the support member 5 and the first connecting section 7A, that is to say in the posterior portion of the lever 7. Advantageously, this shaping of the lever 7 makes it possible to adapt the carrying device to the on-board load, but also to the wearer's anatomy, for example by narrowing the spacing between two levers at the level of the carrier. shoulders, as shown in Figure 4B.

Furthermore, the carrying device 1 may comprise release means 20 allowing azimuthal pivoting θ of the lever 7.

Thus, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lever 7 may be mounted on a hinge of substantially vertical axis for its lateral release to the outside of the device, which facilitates access to the latter.

Preferably, said disengaging means 20 make it possible to pivot at least the front portion of the lever 7, for example along an axis situated substantially perpendicular to the support member 5.

It is also conceivable that the lever pivots as a whole yaw, at an azimuth angle θ, the loading receptacle 3 then being adapted to allow the free angular movement of the first section 7A. To this end, when the loading receptacle 3 comprises a bag, it can advantageously have a horizontal pocket open substantially over the entire width of said bag and defined by lateral vertical walls and posterior. Preferably, the balancing means 4 are provided with active suspension means 30 which act elastically on the lever 7 in order to oppose the tilting moment created by the load carried 2 a compensating force.

Advantageously, it is possible to achieve a flexible and elastic suspension of the rocker formed by the lever 7 at the support means 5, which limits the rigidity of maintaining said lever 7 and improves the comfort of the wearer avoiding shocks and to- blows caused by the inertia of the load 2 when walking.

Of course, said active suspension means 30 are prestressed against the load and may for example be associated with adjustment means designed to allow adjustment of the stiffness or the vacuum stress of said active suspension means 30, in order to modify the level of said prestressing.

According to a first variant embodiment, illustrated for example in FIGS. 7, 11, and 13 to 15, the active suspension means 30 may comprise a drum tensioner which is biased by a winding spring, substantially resembling the mechanism of a leash. with a retractor, which forms both an active suspension means 30 and a means for adjusting the length of the strap forming the deflection member 8.

According to another variant embodiment, i! it is conceivable to couple the second connection section 7B of the lever 7 to a spring, such as a helical spring secured to the support means 5 or coming to take a separate and fixed support relative to the body of the carrier 6, so that said spring exerts on said lever a restoring force mainly comprising a downward vertical component.

According to a third variant embodiment corresponding to FIGS. 16 and 17, it is conceivable to use the intrinsic resilience of the lever 7 by suitably sizing the blade 72 which constitutes it so as to use the latter as a leaf spring.

According to yet another variant embodiment, which may constitute an entire invention, independently of the presence of a return member 8, said active suspension means 30 may comprise a directly integrated torsion spring in the rocker, substantially at the axis of the pivot 10, to exert a torque opposite to that generated by the weight P of the load 2.

Preferably, the carrying device according to the invention will be provided with means 31 for adjusting the length of the deflection member 8 making it possible to lengthen or shorten said return member 8, and consequently to tilt the lever 7 to the front or rear more or less pronounced, especially when said lever 7 and the device 1 are in static equilibrium on the carrier.

Thus, it will be possible to modulate the intensity and / or the orientation of the balancing force F, and consequently the resultant of the carrying force R supported by the shoulder.

Such means for adjusting the length of the return member 8 may in particular comprise a drum winder as mentioned above and as described in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, and 13 to 15, a muffle cooperating with strands of rope or straps, as shown in Figure 16, or a fastening system with several notches, said return member 8 then being divided into at least two strands having one of the attachment means females and the other male attachment means, for example Velcro® fasteners, or a row of successive loops intended to cooperate with one or conjugate hooks.

Where appropriate, as shown in FIG. 16, the gripping handle 12 may be formed by a freely suspended loop extending the adjusting strand of the deflection member, so as to enable the wearer, depending on the conditions and or the intensity, for example increasing, of the tensile force that it exerts on said handle 12, either to suspend its arms, to relieve its lumbar by pulling on the lever 7, or finally to adjust the length of the return member 8. Preferably, the carrying device 1 according to the invention will constitute a backpack comprising a pair of support members 5 arranged to bear each on a shoulder of the wearer, and a pair of levers 7 corresponding. Advantageously, the carrying device will therefore be substantially symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane of the carrier 6.

The first link section 7A, connected to the loading receptacle 3 located in the back of the carrier 6, will then be posterior and the second link section 7B ₁ connected to the return member 8, prior.

Thus, the carrying device 1 will have a particularly stable and balanced structure, allowing to lift and transport large loads without causing excessive fatigue or low back pain.

For this purpose, it is remarkable that the padded support element 11 may advantageously be monobloc, as is illustrated in Figures 5, 11 and 13, and have curved portions 11A for coming to pick the shoulders, distant l one of the other and connected to each other by a crossbar 11 B.

Moreover, the carrying device 1 may also comprise, in addition to balancing means 4, "conventional" shoulder straps attached to the loading receptacle 3, possibly via the support members 5, and intended to form a loop around the shoulders.

Advantageously, said straps 35 may form a sheath which envelops the return member 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 11 and 13.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to gain in compactness and in particular to prevent the user from becoming entangled in a complex bundle of straps and return members.

Advantageously, the base of said straps 35 can be hooked to the retaining element 9.

Furthermore, the carrying device 1 may comprise one or more rigid armature members, and in particular a frame 40 comprising one or more uprights 41 and one or more sleepers 42. Advantageously, such a frame 40 stiffens the portion of the backpack located opposite the back of the wearer 6 and thus improve the wearing of the spine, particularly at the lumbar level.

As an indication, the frame 40 may extend substantially over the entire length of the back, from the support means 5, and in particular have a height substantially between 30 cm and 60 cm and a width substantially between 15 cm and 40 cm .

In addition, the uprights 41 may advantageously serve as hinges for the hinges used by the lateral release means 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In addition, the carrying device 1 may comprise guide means 50 which are integral with the support member 5, the loading receptacle 3 being mounted on said guide means 50 so as to be slidable with respect thereto when it is driven in displacement by the lever 7. Advantageously, said guide means 50 may comprise guide rails 51 intended to cooperate with a system of fasteners 52 implementing, for example, "T" tabs projecting from the face of the loading receptacle 3, and more particularly of the bag, intended to be positioned vis-à-vis the back of the carrier 6, as shown in Figure 6. The receptacle 3, and more particularly the bag, can therefore be guided captively in rectilinear vertical translation by said guide means 50, which advantageously prevents the tilting of the entire bag when the lever 7 is actuated up or down, and thus prevents shocks that said bag could cause lumbar. Advantageously, said guide means 50 may be merged with all or part of the frame 40, and in particular use the uprights 41 as vertical rails. Moreover, the retaining element 9 preferably forms a spacer 53 arranged to cooperate with the loading receptacle 3 in order to keep the latter at a distance from the fulcrum M.

In particular, it is conceivable that said retaining element 9 is constituted by a cushion, for example hemi-cylindrical, arranged across the frame 4O ₁ substantially perpendicular to the uprights 41, so as to provide a relatively flexible and substantially linear lumbar support which maintains the dorsal side of the bag away from the back of the wearer 6.

Advantageously, this allows to create a vacuum between the bag and the back of the wearer, and thus to ensure the ventilation of the back of the wearer 6, which provides said carry device an antiperspirant effect.

Preferably, said cushion is rigidly attached to the frame 40 and consequently to the support member 5.

Of course, the backpack may also include other accessories, such as a belt size 80, the latter, and more particularly its dorsal panel, may advantageously be the retaining element 9. Where appropriate, the junction between the return member 8 and the belt 80 may be operated on the side panels of the latter, preferably in the posterior region of space, considered relative to the coronal plane. The present invention also relates to an adaptation kit 60 intended to be attached to a carrying device, like backpack, said carrying device comprising at least one loading receptacle 3.

Said kit may advantageously be adapted to an existing traditional backpack to convert it to an improved carrying device 1 according to the invention. For this purpose, said kit comprises at least one support member 5 and at least one lever 7 such that described above In addition, said kit comprises at least one return member 8 adapted to connect the second connecting section 7B to a retaining element 9 designed to provide a fulcrum M on the body of the carrier 6, at a distance from the body of support.

Advantageously, the return member 8 may for this purpose be provided with a securing member 61 capable of gripping a portion of the backpack on which the kit is fitted, in particular the base of said bag, its frame, or a side or even front of his waistband, or, for example, the wearer's belt 6.

Said securing member may be formed for example by a clamp, as shown in Figure 14, a hook, or a carabiner. According to a first variant embodiment corresponding to FIGS. 11 and 13, the kit 60 may comprise a curved monobloc support member intended to be simply placed on the top of the shoulders of the wearer 6, said support member 5 being preferably secured to a frame 40, as described above, which extends from the support member in the back of said wearer. The two levers 7 then preferably extend substantially parallel to each other, each on one side of the wearer's head remaining integral with the support member 5 which substantially maintains their spacing.

Advantageously, the retaining element 9 may be integrated in the frame 40, so that the kit 60 inherently possess all the elements necessary for the constitution of the balancing means and may be worn alone, autonomously. Thus, the triangular balancing structure can be reconstituted independently of the presence of the loading receptacle 3 and reported as a whole on any loading receptacle, including a backpack.

According to a second variant embodiment corresponding to FIGS. 14 and 15, the kit 60 may comprise two removable and distinct subassemblies of each other, each comprising a lever 7 mounted in a rocker on a support member 5 intended to be reported, and for example threaded, on an existing shoulder strap 35 of the backpack, substantially at the level where said strap bears on the shoulder, using junction means 62 such as bloods.

Advantageously, each subassembly will comprise its own securing member 61, preferably able to engage an already existing loop located at the base of the backpack and intended to maintain the shoulder straps 35.

According to such a second embodiment, the kit 60 will be particularly compact and therefore easy to store and transport, but it may be necessary to have a backpack to reconstitute, using said kit, the triangular structure of balancing, the conventional backpack then becoming part of the balancing means 4, and more particularly of the retaining element 9.

According to a preferred characteristic illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 15, the first respective link sections 7A of the levers 7 can be arranged to engage under and against the upper flap 63 of the backpack, in particular when said flap has a large thickness. and in particular integrates one or more storage pockets.

In order to improve such retention from below the upper flap 63, the kit 60, and therefore the device 1, may comprise a retaining plate 64, solid or perforated, flexible or rigid, intended to be threaded or fixed on the levers 7 so as to join their respective first securing sections 7A, and thus constitute a kind of hammock slid under said upper flap to support, as shown in Figure 13.

According to a preferred embodiment, said support plate forms a removable accessory, and may in particular be formed by a rigid or semi-rigid sheet whose width and depth preferably correspond to those of the flap and whose ends are curved towards the bottom, so as to form angles or guns allowing its engagement on the levers 7 by the rear end thereof, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 13. Advantageously, when said retaining plate 64 is sufficiently rigid, it can form a reinforcing spacer contributing to the stable maintenance of the spacing of the levers 7.

Furthermore, the carrying device 1 to be fitted may also be provided with specific connecting elements 65 intended to cooperate with the first connecting section 7A of the lever or levers 7.

As such, the loading receptacle 3 may be provided, preferably at its lateral vertical walls, lifting means 65 'such as cloth or plastic bags optionally reinforced (Figures 6 and 7), angles ( Figure 12A), carabiners (Figure 12B) or Velcro ® straps (Figure 12C).

If necessary, said connecting elements 65 and lifting 65 'may form the lines 70 or reinforcements 71 previously described and shown in Figure 16.

Advantageously, the balancing means 4 of the kit are arranged such that when said kit 60 is installed on the carrying device 1 and the latter is lifted by the carrier 6, the opening angle α formed between the plane coronal π of the carrier 6 and the line L1 joining the retaining element 9 to the second connecting section 7B is substantially less than or equal to 60 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 50 degrees, 45 degrees, 35 degrees or 30 degrees degrees. Thus, the adaptation kit 60 according to the invention makes it possible, by means of a removable modular system, to convert a conventional backpack into an improved carrying device 1 according to the invention.

Of course, the various features and variants mentioned above can constitute as such inventions in their own right, independently of each other.

In particular, the implementation of levers 7 tilting adjustable length, including having a telescopic or folding structure, and levers bends to increase or reduce the usable volume, the loading capacity, or the loading threshold of the carrying device 1, the implementation of azimuth clearance means, active suspension means 30, a retaining plate 64 etc., are likely to constitute inventions in their own right, regardless of their combination or the implementation of a particular opening angle α.

The implementation of a carrying device 1 according to the invention will now be described in more detail, with particular reference to an adaptation kit 60 as described in FIGS. 11 and 13, on the one hand, and 15 on the other hand. In the first place, the carrier 6 reports and assembles the kit 60 on an existing backpack comprising at least one loading receptacle 3.

For this purpose, the carrier 6 can in particular thread support members 5 on the shoulder straps of the backpack, so that the padded support elements 11 project downwards, inside the loop formed by the shoulder straps 35, as shown in FIG.

Then, the carrier connects the levers 7, and more particularly their respective first link section 7A to the loading receptacle 3, for example by threading said levers in the lifting means 65 'or by sliding the levers 7 under the upper flap 63 and by threading the retaining plate 64 on the latter, as is illustrated in particular in Figures 12A to 12C or 15.

The carrier 6 can then retract the anterior parts of the levers 7, for example by pushing the handle 12 inside the telescopic structure or by swinging upwardly said handle 12, and can further away one of the other anterior parts of said levers by pivoting them laterally outwards by means of disengagement means 20.

Having thus cleared access to the backside 3A of the backpack, the wearer can then pass his arms in the shoulder straps 35 and thus threading said backpack, his head passing between the support means 5 which rest on his shoulders . The carrier 6 can then fold down the levers 7 in azimuth towards its sagittal plane, and, if necessary, adjust the length of said levers by actuating the configuration means 14.

The carrier 6 can then connect the first connection section 7B of the lever to the retaining element 9, and in particular to the base fastener of the straps of the backpack, with the aid of the securing member 61, thus fixing the return member 8 at both ends, after having advantageously passed said return member 8 in the sheath formed by each ramp.

It can then exert more or less pronounced downward traction on the levers 7, so as to reveal a balancing force F against the weight P of the load 2.

In doing so, the levers 7 swing forward and drive up the loading receptacle 3, which has the effect of substantially relieving the back and shoulders of the wearer by distributing the load on both sides of his plan coronal.

Once the desired comfort position has been reached, the carrier locks the balancing means 4 by blocking the length of the deflection member 8 (the hypotenuse of the triangular structure) with the aid of the corresponding length adjustment means 31. . Advantageously, said adjustment means 31 may be self-locking, so as to automatically maintain their position under the load, as long as their relaxation has not been caused by a voluntary action of the wearer. Advantageously, the carrier 6 can adjust at any time the length of the return member 8, and therefore the intensity and orientation of the balancing force F.

In addition, he may punctually relieve his back by grasping the handles 12 and pulling them downwards through the arms.

During the march, the loading receptacle 3 is advantageously suspended dynamically, via the levers 7, by the active suspension means 30 which dampen the shocks caused by the inertia of the load carried 2 under the effect of displacements, sometimes abrupt, of the wearer 6. Thus, the present invention advantageously allows to have a carrying means capable of allowing re-loading of particularly bulky or heavy loads, while maintaining excellent ergonomics and good comfort that limits wearer fatigue 6, as well as excellent safety use. In addition, such a device advantageously has a small footprint, both when stowed and when it is deployed and implemented during the outdoor activity, which allows it to free up the maximum usable space around the head, arms or torso of the wearer and makes it particularly compatible with all the movements that may be performed or positions that may be adopted by the wearer 6 during said activities.

Advantageously, the kit 60 according to the invention makes it possible to quickly and simply confer on a usual backpack the performance of an improved carrying device according to the invention.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention finds particular industrial application in the design and manufacture of backpacks.

Claims

- Carrying device (1) load (2), like backpack, provided with a loading receptacle (3) adapted to receive the load carried (2), said carrying device being characterized in that it comprises balancing means (4) which comprise:  at least one support member (5) designed to bear on the body of the wearer (6),  - At least one lever (7) supported by said support member (5), said lever comprising a first connecting section (7A) and a second connecting section (7B) arranged on either side of said member support (5), the first connecting section (7A) being connected to the loading receptacle (3), - at least one return member (8) connecting said second connecting section (7B) to a retaining element (9) designed to provide a fulcrum (M) on the wearer's body (6), at a distance of the support member, said balancing means (4) being arranged in such a way that the opening angle (α) formed between the coronal plane (π) of the wearer (6) and the straight line (L1) joining the retaining element (9) at the second connecting section (7B) is substantially less than or equal to 60 degrees, preferably substantially less than or equal to 45 degrees, and particularly preferably substantially less than or equal to 35 degrees. - Carrying device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is provided with configuration means (14) of the lever (7) for changing the length of said lever (7). - Carrying device according to claim 2 characterized in that the configuration means (14) of the lever (7) give the latter a telescopic or folding structure. 4 - carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the lever (7) is bent so as to form an enhancement (15), a slump (16), a widening (17) or a narrowing (18) lateral between the support member (5) and the first connecting section (7A). 5 - carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the balancing means (4) are provided with active suspension means (30) acting elastically on the lever (7) to oppose a force compensation at the tilting time created by the load carried (2). 6 - carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the support member (5) is adapted to bear substantially on the shoulders or on the iliac crests of the wearer (6). 7 - carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the retaining element (9) forms a spacer (53) arranged to cooperate with the loading receptacle (3) to keep the latter away from the point of support (M). 8 - carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises guide means (50) integral with the support member (5), and in that the loading receptacle (3) is mounted on said guide means (50) so as to be slidable with respect to the latter when it is driven in displacement by the lever (7). 9 - carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises release means (20) allowing pivoting azimuth! lever (7) relative to the support member. 10 - carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that ia connection between the first connecting section (7A) and the loading receptacle (3) is provided by a hanger (70) flexible. - Carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the total length (L ₇ ) of the lever (7) is substantially between 10 cm and 105 cm, and for example close to 20 cm. - Carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the second section (7B) is longer, and preferably substantially twice as long, as the first section (7A) - carrying device according to one of preceding claim characterized in that the lever (7) is formed by a blade (72) which comprises a boss (73) rounded intended to come tilting in a cradle (74) of substantially conjugate form which is formed on the body support (5). - Carrying device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it constitutes a backpack having a pair of support members (5) arranged to bear against the shoulders of the wearer (6), as well as a pair of corresponding levers (7) whose first connecting section (7A) connected to the loading receptacle (3) is posterior and the second connecting section (7B) connected to the return member (8), is anterior. - Adaptation kit (60) intended to be mounted on a carrying device, like backpack, said carrying device comprising at least one loading receptacle (3), said kit being provided with balancing means (4). ) comprising: - at least one support member (5) designed to bear on the body of the wearer (6),  - At least one lever (7) supported by said support member (5), said lever comprising a first connecting section (7A) and a second connecting section (7B) arranged on either side of said member support (5), the first connecting section (7A) being designed to be connected to the loading receptacle (3), - At least one return member adapted to connect said second connecting section (7B) to a retaining element (9) designed to provide a fulcrum (M) on the body of the carrier (6), at a distance from the support member (5), said balancing means (4) being arranged such that, when the kit (60) is installed on the carrying device and the latter is lifted by the carrier (6), the opening angle (α) formed between the coronal plane of the carrier and the line (L1) joining the retaining element (9) to the second connecting section (7B) is substantially less than or equal to 60 degrees, preferably substantially less than or equal to 45 degrees, and particularly preferably substantially less than or equal to 35 degrees.