US20070170219A1

US20070170219A1 - Backpack lumbar firearm compartment

Info

Publication number: US20070170219A1
Application number: US11/340,061
Authority: US
Inventors: Erwin Ballarta; Leslie Buck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-26
Filing date: 2006-01-26
Publication date: 2007-07-26

Abstract

A backpack providing a lumbar firearms compartment which combines ease of access to the firearm with the needed concealment of the firearm and the requisite comfort to the backpack wearer for long term storage of the firearm. Various related configurations of the lumbar firearms compartment are disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related generally to the field of backpacks such as those routinely used to carry paper, tools, supplies and the like. Backpacks are generally considered accessories to the wearing apparel of the user and are supported on the back of the user by means of shoulder straps.
Additionally, the present invention is related to the field of means of carrying a camouflaged, holsterable firearm such as might be needed by a provider of police, security or military functions.
More specifically, the present invention is related backpacks which are adapted to provide means for carrying camouflaged, holsterable firearms.
Generally, the issues confronted by apparatus such as the instant invention are the quality of the camouflage, the ease of use, and the comfort of the wearer. The quality of the camouflage referred to is the camouflage of the firearm so that the public will not be aware that the backpack wearer/user is carrying a firearm. The word “camouflage” is used throughout this application in a manner synonymous with the word “concealed” as commonly used in the fields of law enforcement, security and military. The ease of use issue addresses and confronts the rapidity with which the firearm can be available for use as a weapon by the backpack wearer/user. The comfort of the wearer issue directly confronts the burden imposed upon the wearer/user by having to carry a firearm, which may have substantial bulk dimensions and weight, for long periods of time.
All known apparatus similar to the instant invention suffer from defectively addressing the three above-identified issues and therefore the instant invention is presented as a superior solution over the prior art.
b. Description of the Prior Art
There are numerous backpacks suitable for carrying a firearm, either holstered or not, in common usage. However, no known backpack encompasses or embodies all of the features of the instant invention or encompasses the use of such features as hereinafter disclosed to address the three above-identified issues.
It is known in the prior art to have special compartments in a backpack suitable for carrying a firearm, with or without holster.
It is further known in the prior art to have such special compartments either interior to the main body of the backpack or attached to the exterior of the backpack.
It is further known in the prior art to have the special compartment suitable for carrying a firearm partake of the camouflage of the backpack generally.
It is, finally, well-known and understood that a special compartment suitable for carrying a firearm might be located on the exterior of the backpack such that the special compartment is in the lumbar region of the wearer/user of the backpack.
Accordingly, it is seen that the prior art provides for a special compartment suitable for carrying a firearm located on the exterior of a backpack in the lumbar region of the wearer/user of the backpack. It is not known in the prior art, however, to provide such a special compartment which is specifically designed for carrying a firearm and which provides the quality of the camouflage, the ease of use, and the comfort of the wearer provided by the instant invention and required by the professional wearer/user, the police, security, or military personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is of an apparatus, a backpack, which provides a lumbar compartment suitable carrying a firearm, which apparatus is specifically designed and particularly adapted to provide for the quality of the camouflage, the ease of use, and the comfort of the wearer provided by the instant invention and required by the professional wearer/user, the police, security and military personnel.
The primary problems in the prior art addressed by the instant invention is that of the quality of the camouflage, the ease of use, and the comfort of the wearer required by the professional wearer/user, the police, security and military personnel.
Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a backpack which provides quality camouflage of the fact that a firearm is being carried by the wearer/user.
It is another object of the instant invention to provide a backpack which provides ease of use and ready access to the firearm being carried.
It is yet another object of the instant invention to provide a backpack which provides for the comfort of the wearer required by the professional wearer/user, the police, security or military personnel.
It is yet another and final object of the instant invention to provide a backpack which provides the afore-mentioned object fulfillment and further is reasonably inexpensive to construct and is rugged enough to meet the requirements of professionals in the police, security and military fields.

DESCRIPTION OF NUMERIC REFERENCES

No. Description
1. Instant Invention
5 Opening Strap
10 Flap
15 Firearm carrying compartment
20 Second Shoulder Pad
21 First Shoulder Pad
25 Chest Strap
30 Internal Protective Back Plate Pocket
35 Back Pack Main Compartment
40 Back Pack Rear Compartment
45 First Shoulder Strap
46 Second Shoulder Strap
50 Back Pack Lifting Strap
60 Holster
65 Firearm
70 Holster Retaining Strap
75 Opening for Hydration Hose
80 Inner Handle
85 Collapsible Folding Firearm Carrying Compartment Door
100 Firearm Carrying compartment Drawer
110 Detachable Firearm Carrying compartment Cover
115 Rotating Firearm Carrying Compartment Panel
116. Pivot
145 Aperture into Firearm Carrying Compartment
150 Lower Back Pad
155 Door to Firearm Carrying Compartment

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the novel features of the instant invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, a full and complete understanding of the invention can be had by referring to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment which is set forth subsequently, and which is as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a top opening cushion flap lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed and open.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a top opening cushion flap lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed but closed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a bottom opening cushion flap lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed and open.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a lateral opening cushion flap lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed and open.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a folding cover lateral opening lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed and open.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a vertical tray cover opening lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a peel back panel flap lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention with a rotating panel flap lumbar firearm carrying compartment installed.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention providing a lateral entry to the lumbar firearm carrying compartment through a an aperture in the side of the backpack.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the instant invention providing a bottom entry to the lumbar firearm carrying compartment through an aperture in the bottom of the lumbar firearm carrying compartment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The instant invention 1 is of a backpack which provides a lumbar compartment 15 suitable carrying a firearm 65, which apparatus 1 is specifically designed and particularly adapted to provide for the quality of the camouflage, the ease of use, and the comfort of the wearer provided by the instant invention 1 and required by the professional wearer/user, the police, security or military personnel. The most complete depiction of the instant invention 1 is available as FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the instant invention 1 comprises backpack main compartment 35, a backpack rear compartment 40, a first shoulder pad 21, a second shoulder pad 20, a first shoulder strap 45, a second shoulder strap 46, a chest strap 25, a backpack lifting strap 50, an internal protective back plate pocket 30, and a firearm carrying compartment 15. The firearm carrying compartment 15 is depicted in FIG. 1 as containing a firearm 65 in a holster 60 which is retained in the firearm carrying compartment 15 by a holster retaining strap 70. The firearm carrying compartment 15 depicted in FIG. 1 provides a top opening firearm concealing flap 10, an aperture into the firearm carrying compartment, and which is opened by means of an opening strap 5.
FIG. 2 depicts the instant invention 1 from the same perspective with,. however, the firearm carrying compartment 15 closed and the firearm 65 with its holster 60 out of sight behind the outside of the closed firearm carrying compartment 15. A currently popular style of backpack 1 is depicted throughout the drawings, accordingly, it is to be understood that all details of the composition of the backpack 1 are not significant to the invention and its various embodiments; save the existence and placement of the firearm carrying compartment 15. The prime embodiment of the invention 1 is simply a generalized backpack with an enclosure 15 suitable for use as a firearm carrying compartment 15 with the proviso that the firearm carrying compartment 15 be located in the lumbar region of the interior surface of the generalized backpack. The interior surface of the backpack 1 is to be understood as that surface of the backpack 1 which would be pressing against the back of the wearer/user when the backpack 1 is in position on the wearer/user's back. The lumbar region of the interior surface of the backpack 1 is to be understood as that portion of the interior surface of the backpack 1 which would be pressing against the lumbar region of the wearer/user when the backpack 1 is in position on the wearer/user's back. By way of contrast, the exterior surface of the backpack 1 would be that surface of the backpack 1 which would be facing away from the wearer/user's body when the backpack 1 is in position on the wearer/user's back. Accordingly, the various straps, buckles, cushions, and compartments other than the firearm carrying compartment 15 are depicted in the drawings only to convey the impression of the presence and position of a generalized backpack. FIGS. 1 and 2, further, depict a firearm carrying compartment 15 which provides a top opening flap 10 which when closed, as is depicted in FIG. 2, conceals the firearm 65, its holster 60 and the strap 70 which holds the holster 60 in position within the firearm carrying compartment 15. The exterior surface of the closed firearm carrying compartment 15 has attached an opening strap 5 which when pulled by the wearer/user of the backpack 1 acts to open the firearm carrying compartment 15. The material of the opening strap 5, manner of attachment of the opening strap 5 to the exterior surface of the firearm carrying compartment 15, and place of attachment of the opening strap 5 to the exterior surface of the firearm carrying compartment 15 are all generalized and not significant to the instant invention 1. The fact that the exterior surface of the closed firearm carrying compartment 15, that surface of the firearm carrying compartment 15 which faces away from the backpack 1 when the backpack 1 is in position on the back of the wearer/user, provides a cushioned flap which when closed conceals the firearm 65 within the firearm carrying compartment 15 is, however, a feature which provides comfort to the wearer/user is significant. The cushioned concealing flap 10 keeps the mass of the firearm 65 from rubbing against and bruising the wearer/user's back during periods of use.
FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the invention 1 which provides a bottom opening firearm carrying compartment 15. The concealing cushion flap 10 will in all embodiments conceal the firearm 65, its holster 60 and any holster attachment means within the firearm carrying compartment 15, out of sight of a person observing the wearer/user when the backpack 1 is in position on, being worn by, the wearer/user. The quality of being out of sight of an observer of the wearer/user of the backpack 1 provides camouflage for the firearm 65 and its holster 60.
FIG. 4 depicts a firearm carrying compartment 15 which provides a laterally opening concealing cushion flap 10. The means of securing the holster 60 within the firearm carrying compartment 15 which is depicted in FIG. 4 is a holster retaining strap 70, however such means of securing may be by any of innumerable methods such as by gluing, by snap attachment, by riveting, by Velcro, etc., and may be either a permanent or temporary securing means. Further, the presence of a holster 60 is to be understood as optional, as the holster may be a structure constructed into the material of the interior of the firearm carrying compartment 15.
FIG. 5 depicts a firearm carrying compartment 15 which provides a collapsible folding firearm carrying compartment door 85, or folding cover 85, which when closed acts to conceal the firearm 65 and its holster 60 within the firearm carrying compartment 15 and provide separation and cushion between the interior surface of the firearm carrying compartment 15 and the lumbar region of the back of backpack 1 wearer/user. The folding cover 85 is depicted as opening in a lateral fashion, but may fold in such fashion as to open in a vertical fashion (not depicted).
FIG. 6 depicts a vertical tray cover opening 100 for the firearm carrying compartment 15 of the backpack 1. When closed by pressing against the back of the wearer/user as would be the case when the backpack 1 is in position on the back of the wearer/user, the vertical tray cover opening 100 will act to conceal the firearm 65 and its holster 60 within the firearm carrying compartment 15 while allowing the wearer/user easy access to the firearm 65 in the event of need. Common possible features of the backpack 1, as with backpacks generally, include the depicted opening for hydration hose 75 and the inner handle 80 which is useful for carrying the backpack 1 when not in position for use on the back of the wearer/user.
FIG. 7 depicts a firearm carrying compartment 15 which provides a detachable firearm carrying compartment cover 110 which may be attached to the firearm carrying compartment 15 in such fashion that the detachable firearm carrying compartment cover 110 may be simply peeled back from the firearm carrying compartment 15 to expose and permit access to the firearm 65. Care must be taken that the material from which the detachable firearm carrying compartment cover 110 is constructed will provide adequate cushioning for the wearer/user. Ease of access to the firearm 65 is emphasized in this embodiment of the invention 1.
FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the invention 1 that features and provides a rotating firearm carrying compartment panel 115 which when closed will conceal the firearm 65 within the firearm carrying compartment 15. The rotating firearm carrying compartment panel 115 is depicted as being attached to the interior of the firearm carrying compartment 15 by means of a pivot 116.
FIG. 9 depicts a firearm carrying compartment 15 constructed within the confines of the exterior surface of the backpack 1. The concealing cover for the firearm carrying compartment 15 is then, as depicted in FIG. 9, simply a lower back pad 150 which cushions the wearer/user from the mass of the firearm 65 concealed within the firearm carrying compartment 15. This embodiment further provides a unique lateral entry to the firearm carrying compartment 15 which is depicted in FIG. 9 by the opening to firearm carrying compartment 145.
FIG. 10 depicts yet another embodiment of the instant invention 1 which provides a firearm carrying compartment 15 which is constructed interior to the exterior surface of the backpack 1. Again as in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, a lower back pad 150 is utilized to cushion the wearer/user from the mass of the firearm 65. However, this embodiment features a bottom entry to the firearm carrying compartment 15. Note that the access, in the backpack 1 depicted in FIG. 10, to the backpack 1 is via the downwardly opening door 155 to firearm carrying compartment 15, and note further that the opening strap 5 is depicted as generally attached to the door 115. This configuration which provides a downwardly opening door 155 and bottom access to the firearm carrying compartment 15 is particularly well suited for the case where the firearm 65 and its case 60 comprise components in a more massive weapons system potentially requiring connection and/or assembly with multiple separate firearm 65 and holster 60 substitution units as each substitution unit may be carried by an independent wearer/user and assembly of cooperating components, substitution units, may be required for maximum firepower deployment. This depiction, in FIG. 10 of a downwardly opening door 155, is but a specific example of bottom entry means through an aperture cover.
Dependent upon context, throughout this specification, the interior surface of the backpack 1 may be considered that portion of the exterior surface of the backpack 1 which is adjacent the back of the wearer/user when the backpack 1 is in use by the wearer/user. A key concept distinguishing the instant invention 1 from known prior art is that the instant invention 1 provides a firearms carrying compartment 15 which is located, after attachment or connection to the main body of the backpack 1, in the lumbar region of the wearer/user's back and which provides easy access to the firearm 65 within the firearms carrying compartment 15 by the wearer/user through an opening which is not covered with a snap-down cover or other cover which, while securing the firearm 65 within the firearm carrying compartment 15, would impede quick, easy access to the firearm 65 by the wearer/user.
Numerous embellishments, or add-ons, to the instant invention 1 are anticipated, but all of such embellishments, such as compartments within the backpack 1 to accommodate insertion of armor plating or construction of the backpack from projectile proof materials or various means of attachment of the firearms carrying compartment 15 to the main body of the backpack 1 or etc., while valuable and potentially critical to the mission accomplishment by the wearer/user of the backpack 1, can be considered mere variations of the instant invention 1 without being considered separate embodiments of the instant invention 1, and thus are not described in detail nor separately claimed.

ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT

In this modem world of terrorist activity there is a continuing need for devices and apparatus such as the backpack 1 which provide the professional police, security and military personnel with the edge, the advantage and surprise necessary to prevail in the task of protecting the public from criminal conduct. The backpack 1 of the instant invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, is highly versatile, and permits quick, easy weapon deployment while attending to the comfort of the wearer/user as is necessary for lengthy periods of wearer/user deployment.
While the preferred embodiments of the instant invention have been described in substantial detail and fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that numerous variations of the instant invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention, and accordingly the instant invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A backpack with an enclosure suitable for use as a firearm carrying compartment wherein said firearm carrying compartment is located in the lumbar region of the interior surface of said backpack.

2. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides a top opening cushion flap.

3. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides a bottom opening cushion flap.

4. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides a lateral opening cushion flap.

5. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides a folding cover.

6. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides a vertical tray cover opening.

7. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides a peel back panel flap opening.

8. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides a rotating panel flap opening.

9. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides an aperture suitable for lateral entry.

10. The backpack of claim 1 wherein additionally, said firearm carrying compartment provides an aperture suitable for bottom entry.

11. A backpack with an enclosure suitable for use as a firearm carrying compartment wherein said firearm carrying compartment is located in the lumbar region of the interior surface of said backpack, and said firearm carrying compartment provides a firearm holster.

12. A backpack with an enclosure suitable for use as a firearm carrying compartment wherein said firearm carrying compartment is located in the lumbar region of the interior surface of said backpack, and said firearm carrying compartment provides a cushioned cover situated between said firearm carrying compartment and the wearer of said backpack.