The North Face Apparel Corporation

Andrew Coutant

Christopher Kenji Tagumi

Matthew Edward Paduano

Gregory Dailey

Cory Michael Olson

Hunter Andrew Nordhauser

Greg Dailey

Benjamin Kiyoshi Guthrie

Daniel Norris Rogers

Alexandre Goulet

Daniel Kenly Szekeresh

A backpack may comprise a main body defining a first compartment, a first shoulder strap extending from the main body, a second shoulder strap extending from the main body, a cinching layer disposed adjacent an exterior surface of the main body, a first cinching cord coupled to the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap, and a second cinching cord coupled to the main body and extending through at least a portion of the cinching layer, wherein the second cinching cord is slideably coupled to the first cinching cord such that a tension applied to the first cinching cord causes the cinching layer to apply a compression force from the cinching layer toward the front exterior surface of the main body.

Cinch pack

Multi-climate sleeping bags and methods of making the same are described. One sleeping bag may comprise a bottom panel comprising a head end and a foot end, wherein the bottom panel is formed from an inner shell, an outer shell, and an insulating material disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell, a first top panel comprising an inner shell, an outer shell, and an insulating material disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell, a first fastening mechanism configured to detachably couple an edge of the first top panel to an edge of the bottom panel, a second top panel comprising an inner shell, an outer shell, and an insulating material disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell, and a second fastening mechanism configured to detachably couple an edge of the second top panel to the edge of the bottom panel.

Multi-climate sleeping bag

An adjustable-length tensile member, for example, a strap for a wearable pack, can include a fastener member defining first and second apertures and a cross-member positioned therebetween. A strap can extend through the first aperture in a first direction, over the cross-member and through the second aperture in a direction opposite to the first direction. A cover plate can matingly engage with the fastener member to obscure a segment of the strap from view. Wearable packs can incorporate such adjustable-length tensile members. Methods for assembling such adjustable-length tensile members are also disclosed.

Fastener systems

The inventive subject matter is generally directed to a pack with an automatically opening compartment. The pack has a body that defines a volume for the containment of articles, and a strap system for supporting the pack in a user's body. A section of the pack is hingeably coupled to another body portion of the pack. The hingeable section has a first condition, providing an opening to a compartment in the pack, and a second condition, closing the opening to the compartment. The hingeable section is coupled to a spring system that is (1) unloaded when the hingeable section is in the first condition and (2) relatively loaded when in the second condition, so that the compartment automatically opens when the closure system is released. The pack may include a closure system for locking the hingeable section in the closed condition.

Automatic opening for a compartment in a pack

Growing community of inventors

Dublin, CA, United States of America

Andrew Coutant