摘要 |
An external frame backpack (10) includes a frame (14), a hip belt (32), two flexible stays (50, 52), a back panel (38), and a lower panel (40). The frame is external and substantially rigid. It includes upper, middle, and lower frame members (22, 24, 26) secured between frame siderails (18, 20). The hip belt is attached to the frame adjacent the lower frame member. The flexible stays are elongate with upper and lower ends. The upper ends attach to the upper frame member. The lower ends attach to the sides of the hip belt. The stays are flexible to allow movement of the hip belt as the stays bend while transmitting at least a portion of the weight held on the frame to the lower end of the stays. The back panel is vertically and horizontally tensioned and secured to the frame. The lower panel is secured between the siderails of the frame. The lower panel includes a support sheet (66) to maintain the shape thereof when tensioned between the siderails. In another aspect disclosed herein the back panel secures to the frame vertically with upper and lower sleeves that taper to fit onto tapered upper and lower ends of the backpack siderails. Vertical adjustability of the back panel is provided by adjustment fasteners securing the back panel to the sleeves.
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