Self-adjusting

Claim 1

A backpack for hikers comprising: a frame including laterally-spaced rigid side members for extending from the waist to above the shoulders, an adjustable upper crossbar having its ends slidably mounted on said sidemembers for locating it at about shoulder height of a given hiker, locking means on the ends of the crossbar and engaging the sidemembers for selectively fixing the crossbar relative to the sidemembers in cross-bracing relation, and a lower crossmember interconnecting the sidemembers toward their waist end; a pair of laterally spaced shoulder strap means each secured at its opposite ends to said frame near said crossmember and forming a respective shoulder loop to the front of the frame; strap positioning means mounted on said frame and connected to said shoulder strap means at the back of their loops in a location closely adjacent to said adjustable crossbar, said strap positioning means being restrained by said adjustable crossbar against downward movement relative thereto and being movable therewith along the frame when the crossbar location is adjusted, and being adapted to keep said strap loops equally spaced from the respective sidemembers and to hold the back of the Loops closely adjacent the crossbar to restrict lateral or rearward shifting or twisting of the pack relative to the shoulder loops when in use; and strap length adjusting means on said shoulder strap means for varying the effective length thereof.