CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 17/555,304, filed on Dec. 17, 2021, as a U.S. Continuation-In-Part application, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/127,097, filed on Dec. 17, 2020. The above identified patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a backpack. More specifically, the present invention provides a convertible backpack shelter device that may be converted into a shelter for a user to occupy.

Hiking, camping, backpacking, and other adventurous activities have always been, and continue to be, popular among people of all ages. When preparing for hiking and camping trips, hikers and campers try to pack as many things into their carrying bags or backpacks as possible without having to carry too much additional weight. One piece of equipment that the hikers and campers would have to carry on long trips is a shelter structure that will protect the individual from the elements while they are sleeping or resting. For example, a sleeping bag or a tent may provide the user with the proper means to shelter themselves while hiking and camping. However, these types of shelter structures may take-up a lot of space in a carrying bag or backpack and be additional weight that the hiker or camper must carry. Due to the necessity of the hiker or camper to have a means of shelter for extended trips, it makes it harder for them to pack other equipment that might be less essential but could provide assistance because of the limited space that is in carrying bags or backpacks. Providing users with a means to carry a sheltering device without taking-up space or increasing the weight in a carrying bag or backpack will allow the users to carry additional equipment.

Shelter structures, such as tents, may be difficult for hikers and campers to erect. For tents that require a lot of instructions to set-up, it may be frustrating and time-consuming for a hiker or camper. Sometimes, the hiker or camper may need to set-up a tent in a relatively short amount of time to prevent himself or herself from getting cold or wet, but some of the tents may take a lot of time to set-up. Providing users with a means to set-up a sheltering device relatively quickly will prevent them from prolonged exposure to low temperatures or poor weather conditions. In order to address these concerns, the present invention will provide users with a multipurpose outdoor backpack capable of being relatively quickly converted into a housing compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of convertible backpack shelter devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a convertible backpack shelter device, wherein the same may be utilized for providing convenience for a user when a convertible backpack shelter device is needed to quickly convert into a housing compartment.

The present system is a convertible backpack shelter device that includes a housing compartment comprising a plurality of walls and a pair of shoulder straps disposed on the back wall, wherein the plurality of walls are slid into a stored configuration and extendable into an extended configuration, wherein the plurality of walls include a top wall disposed oppositely to a bottom wall with a plurality of intermediate walls extending therebetween, and wherein the intermediate walls each include a back wall and a front wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device in a stored configuration.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead perspective view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device in an extended configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up overhead view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device in an opened extended configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device in a stored configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the convertible backpack shelter device. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front perspective view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device 10 in a stored configuration.

The convertible backpack shelter device 10 may include a plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f. The plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f may include a top wall 11a disposed opposite a bottom wall 11b with a plurality of intermediate walls 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f extending in between, from the top wall 11a to the bottom wall 11b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of intermediate walls 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f may include a front wall 11c disposed opposite of a back wall 11d with a pair of side walls 11e, 11f disposed therebetween. The plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f may define a housing compartment (FIG. 3, 32). The housing compartment 32 may be configured to receive a plurality of items therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the top wall 11a may be removably securable to the housing compartment 32 via a fastener 32a, such as a zipper 32b or the like. As such, the top wall 11a may be removed fully or partially to allow access to the interior cavity of the housing compartment 32.

The plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f may slide into a stored configuration (shown in FIG. 1) and are extendable into an extended configuration (as shown in FIG. 2). The stored configuration may be defined where the plurality of intermediate walls 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f are slid into a relatively shorter position. For example, the plurality of intermediate walls 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f may be telescopically slid or foldable through a series of alternating folds (not shown).

When in the stored configuration, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may be usable as a backpack. As such, a user may load items into the housing compartment 32 formed by the plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f. In the illustrated embodiment, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may include a pair of shoulder straps 12. The pair of shoulder straps 12 may be disposed on the back wall 11d of the housing compartment 32. The pair of shoulder straps 12 may be configured to receive the arms of the user therethrough, thus securing the housing compartment 32 to the back of the user. Alternatively, another method of securing the housing compartment 32 to the user may be utilized, such as a single strap 12 dimensioned to cross the body of the user or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may include an air vent 13. The air vent 13 may be disposed on the top wall 11a of the housing compartment 32. The air vent 13 may be configured to maximize air flow through the housing compartment 32. When the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may be utilized as a personal shelter, the air vent 13 may prevent the potentially uncomfortable build-up of humidity within the housing compartment 32.

In some embodiments, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may include a power storage unit 34. The power storage unit 34 may be any suitable configuration for storing electric power while being storable within the convertible backpack shelter device 10. For example, the power storage unit 34 may be a battery 34a or the like. The power storage unit 34 may be stored within the top wall 11d of the housing compartment (FIG. 3, 32) or may be placed in another suitable position. In the illustrated embodiment, the power storage unit 34 may be in operable connection with a solar panel 14. The solar panel 14 may be disposed on an external surface of the top wall 11d of the housing compartment 32, such that the solar panel 14 will receive ultraviolet radiation from an overhead sun.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of pockets 15 may be disposed on a plurality of external surfaces of the plurality of intermediate walls, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f. The plurality of pockets 15 may include pockets of any size or configuration. For example, the plurality of pockets 15 may include pockets with closeable flaps 15a to allow for additional security of items or pockets with openings at the top 15b to allow for easier access to the items stored in the pocket. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of pockets 15 may be placed at a bottom portion of the housing compartment 32. As such, when the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may be placed into the extended configuration the plurality of pockets 15 will be disposed at the portion of the housing compartment 32 corresponding to the feet of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an overhead perspective view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device 10 in an extended configuration.

In the illustrated embodiment, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may be placed into the extended configuration. The extended configuration may be defined where the plurality of intermediate walls 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f are extended to be longer relative to their respective lengths when the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may be in the stored configuration (shown in FIG. 1). As such, when in the extended configuration, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may be utilized as a personal shelter. In the illustrated embodiment, a sealable opening 22 may be defined between the front wall 11c and a side wall 11e, such as to assist the user with getting into and out of the convertible backpack shelter device 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f may be rigid. As such, when in the extended configuration, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may define a free-standing structure in which the user may rest. Furthermore, the plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f may be secured to each other such as to form a waterproof compartment to prevent water from entering the convertible backpack shelter device 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may include a transparent portion 21. The transparent portion 21 may be disposed on the front wall 11c of the housing compartment 32. The transparent portion 21 may be configured to allow for natural light to enter the housing compartment 32 when the convertible backpack shelter device 10 is being utilized as a personal shelter. Structurally, the transparent portion 21 may be made of a vinyl material or any other suitable material for enabling light to pass through the convertible backpack shelter device 10. In the shown embodiment, the transparent portion 21 may be placed at a top portion of the front wall 11c of the housing compartment 32, such as to position the transparent portion 21 above where the head of the user would be when the user is resting in the housing compartment 32.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a close-up view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device 10 in an extended configuration.

In the illustrated embodiment, a reflective material 31 may be disposed on an interior surface of the plurality of walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f. The reflective material 31 may be configured to prevent heat loss from the internal housing of the convertible backpack shelter device 10. In addition to the reflective material 31, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may further comprise additional insulation materials to further insulate the housing compartment 32 for the user. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a plurality of lights 33 may be disposed within the housing compartment 32 to provide light to the user. The plurality of lights 33 may be in operable connection with the power storage unit 34, such that power gathered from the solar panel may be used to power the plurality of lights 33.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a close-up view of an embodiment of the convertible backpack shelter device 10 in a stored configuration.

In the illustrated embodiment, the convertible backpack shelter device 10 may further comprise an inflatable pad 41. The inflatable pad 41 may be securable to the back wall of the housing compartment 32. As such, the inflatable pad 41 may provide cushioning to the back of the user when carrying the convertible backpack shelter device 10 in a stored configuration or laying on the convertible backpack shelter device 10 in an extended configuration. The inflatable pad 41 may be secured to the housing compartment 32 via a plurality of attachment rings 42 or by any other suitable means. A plurality of baffles 43 may be provided in order to direct the air flow through the inflatable pad 41. Additionally, the inflatable pad 41 may be manually inflatable via an air valve 44 or via another mechanism that receives incoming inflating air.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.