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[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a carrying bag and, more particularly, relates to a support piece for an element of the carrying system for the bag, including an envelope adapted to play the role of a comfort interface between the support piece and the carrier.
[0003] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
[0004] Known carrying bags, such backpacks, include a carrying system generally composed of a pair of shoulder straps and a belt. In simplified versions, in particular in the case of carrying bags for travel or hiking, the carrying system merely has a pair of shoulder straps, or even a single shoulder strap in the case of shoulder bags. Furthermore, for pouches and waistpouches, the carrying system is limited to a belt.
[0005] In all of these embodiments of the carrying bags, the load is therefore distributed over only one or more members or elements, i.e., a belt and/or shoulder straps, which have the general shape of more or less narrow bands. In view of the heavy load that may be placed in the bag, and of the relatively reduced contact surface of these elements of the carrying system, support pieces, such as cushions, pads, etc., are generally associated with the shoulder straps and belt so as to disperse the pressure of the latter over a larger contact surface, and with a shock-absorbing effect for an increased comfort to the user/carrier. To this end, these support pieces are made with a body which includes a padding material, such as wool flock, cotton, felt, quilting cotton, or a flexible and elastic micro-cellular material, which is covered with an envelope adapted to ensure an agreeable contact with the carrier.
[0006] Moreover, to take the carrier's morphology into account in the zone where the support pieces are to be applied, the body constituted of a padding material almost generally conforms to this zone. This known arrangement makes it possible to ensure a more enveloping contact without risk of creating localized overpressures, in particular in the area of the carrier's bony or muscle parts that project. Conversely, it requires designing the envelope with contours that conform to the body of the support piece, which results in closing it with a seam, because it is the most appropriate means to follow these contours. Thus, almost all of the known support pieces have a sewn envelope.
[0007] Furthermore, due to the carrier's perspiration in the contact zone with the support pieces, the envelope of the latter is often provided in two distinct portions. One portion, which extends on the side against the carrier, is obtained in a more or less thick textile complex capable of allowing air to circulate and of evacuating and/or absorbing perspiration, and the other portion, exposed outwardly, is obtained in a relatively resistant material enabling the element of the carrying system, strap, shoulder strap, belt, etc., to be retained or fixed.
[0008] Of course, this envelope is always closed in a precise position on the body of the support piece which it covers, so that its most comfortable portion remains on the right side. More specifically, the seams are made at the periphery of its comfort portion which extends in correspondence with the contact zone.
[0009] The known carrying bags provided with support pieces thus constructed are relatively satisfactory, because the carrier is not directly subject to the tension of the elements of the carrying system, shoulder straps and/or belt, and the contact with the support pieces is smooth and flexible.
[0010] However, when the load in the bag is heavy, which is frequent with outing or hiking backpacks, these support pieces prove ill-adapted for ensuring a comfortable contact. Indeed, in view of the load in the bag, they relatively push into the carrier's flesh, thereby placing the seams of their envelope in the contact zone. As a result, irritations and inflammations due to friction occur between the seams and the carrier, especially as the latter perspires.
[0011] An object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantage in a simple and efficient manner, and at a low cost.
[0012] To this end, the support piece, associated with an element of the carrying system of a bag, includes a body that includes a padding material surrounded by an envelope adapted to ensure comfort during contact with the carrier of the bag. The envelope is closed on the body of the support piece by means of a seam located on the side opposite that which comes into contact with the carrier of the bag.
[0013] Due to this arrangement, the seam can no longer come into contact with the carrier's flesh when the bag is heavily loaded, even if the support piece possibly becomes deformed under the pressure exerted by the element of the carrying system with which it is associated.
[0014] To ensure comfort during contact with the carrier on one side, and retention of the support piece on the element of the carrying system on the other side, the envelope of the support piece is obtained preferably in two distinct portions each adapted to one of these functions. Thus, one distinguishes one portion whose function is to provide comfort, which is made of a flexible fabric soft to the touch which can be a textile complex capable of allowing air to circulate and of evacuating perspiration, and another portion whose function is to enable the retention of the support piece, which is obtained in a fabric made of a relatively resistant material based on natural and/or synthetic woven fibers, or based on a material molded into a sheet, such as plastic.
[0015] Since these two constituent portions of the envelope each have a specific function, it is provided to retain them on the padding of the support piece in a predetermined corresponding fixed position.
[0016] To improve the evacuation of perspiration, the body constituted of a padding material is advantageously further provided with a layer of absorbing material in correspondence with the portion of the envelope that comes into contact with the carrier.
[0017] The invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed schematic drawings showing, by way of examples, an embodiment of a support piece for a carrying bag, in which:
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023] The carrying bag
[0024] In this example of construction of the backpack, the shoulder straps
[0025] More specifically, the portion
[0026] According to an essential characteristic, the envelope
[0027] In the present mode of construction, given that the envelope
[0028] Advantageously, so that the pressure exerted by the strap
[0029] The strap
[0030]
[0031] In both cases similar elements will be designated by the same numeral references.
[0032] In the embodiment illustrated in
[0033] The ends
[0034] In the embodiment of
[0035] The seams
[0036] The envelope
[0037] It is to be understood that this construction mode of the envelope
[0038] Finally, other embodiments of a support piece
[0039] The instant application is based upon French Patent Application No. 00 06403, filed May 15, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. ยง119.