US20090071990A1 - Apparatus and system for attaching a container to a harness - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for attaching a container to a harness. The apparatus includes a harness having a mounting panel and at least one shoulder strap attached to the mounting panel. A substantially planar flange has a first end which is wider than a second end such that a first side and a second side of the flange taper as they approach the second end. A recess includes a pocket having an opening that receives the flange. The opening in the pocket is larger than the second end of the flange to facilitate receiving the flange within the pocket. The opening in the pocket and the first end of the flange are about the same size which restricts the lateral movement of the flange in the recess. First and second connecting member attach the mounting panel to the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/994,310 entitled “A harness/backpack system connected by a slide-in pouch device” and filed on Sep. 19, 2007 for Julian Martinez and Kacey Jardine.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to backpacks and more particularly relates to a backpack/harness system for quick removal of a pack from a harness.
BACKGROUNDDescription of the Related Art
• Backpacks generally consist of a pair of shoulder straps connected to a pack. The shoulder straps a permanently affixed to the container portion of the pack. As such the harness portion of the pack, including the shoulder straps is inaccessible once the user removes the backpack. When the backpack is removed and left behind, the user has no access to storage.
• The harness portion of the backpack includes the shoulder straps. In fabricating the backpack additional materials and labor are needed to manufacture the shoulder straps. Often, users own several of backpacks, each backpack designed for a specific use. For instance, a user who is planning on hiking the Appalachian trail may need a pack designed to hold substantially more equipment than the same user who is planning on a single day out and back hike. Likewise, this same user may need a pack designed to only hold a hydration system, to conserve weight, when the user is bicycling or running. As such, this user would likely own several backpacks, each backpack designed for a specific use. Each backpack, in turn includes a pair of shoulder straps to position the backpack on the user's back.
SUMMARY
• From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus and system for attaching a container to a harness so that a number of containers may be used with a single harness. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would allow a user to access storage and commonly used devices when the container is not attached to the harness.
• The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available backpacks. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus and system for attaching a container to a harness that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.
• The apparatus to attach a container to a harness is provided in which the apparatus includes a harness having a mounting panel with a top end and a bottom end. At least one shoulder strap is attached to the mounting panel. The shoulder strap positions the mounting panel on the users back with the shoulder strap positioned on the shoulder of the user. The apparatus includes a substantially planar flange. The flange has a first end disposed opposite a second end, with the second end wider than the first end such that a first side and a second side of the flange taper as they approach the second end. The apparatus also includes a recess for removably attaching a container to the mounting panel. The recess includes a pocket having an opening that receives the flange. The opening in the pocket is larger than the second end of the flange to facilitate receiving the flange within the pocket. The opening in the pocket is about the same size as the first end of the flange which restricts the lateral movement of the flange when the flange is received within the recess. A first connecting member attached to the mounting panel is detachably connected to a second connecting member on the container.
• In certain embodiments the pocket includes a first end and a second end. The second end is narrower than the first end so that a first interior wall of the pocket and a second interior wall of the pocket taper as they approach the second end. In this manner the shape of the pocket is substantially similar to the shape of the flange so that lateral movement of the flange is restricted when the flange is received within the recess.
• In one embodiment the first connecting member and the second connecting member restrict the extraction of the flange from the recess when the first connecting member is connected to the second connecting member.
• The apparatus may also include a waist belt which is attached to the bottom end of the mounting panel. In certain embodiments the first connecting member is attached to the waist belt so that the bottom of the mounting panel and the bottom of the container are held fast to a users waist.
• In another embodiment either the pocket or the flange includes a notch that receives a corresponding protrusion on either the flange or the pocket. The notch and the protrusion resist extraction of the flange from within the recess when the protrusion is received within the notch.
• In one embodiment at least a portion of the mounting panel is substantially planar and the pocket is attached to the mounting panel so that the substantially planar portion of the mounting panel makes up one side of the pocket.
• In another embodiment the pocket is attached to the mounting panel, with the mounting panel having a substantially planar portion that makes up one side of the pocket. In one embodiment the flange is substantially planar and is mounted parallel to the mounting panel. In other embodiments the flange is substantially planar and is mounted on the container parallel to a substantially planar portion of the rear surface of the container.
• In one embodiment the apparatus includes a seat and a front pouch. The seat alternates between an extended position and a storage position. The seat may be stored within the container when the seat is in the storage position. When the seat is in the extended position the seat may be removably attached to the bottom end of the container. The front pouch may be removably attached to a waist belt on the harness.
• Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
• Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
• These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a backpack/harness system in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view further illustrating a pocket on the harness ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is a top view further illustrating the harness ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 4A is a top view illustrating the pocket ofFIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating the pocket ofFIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 5A is a top view illustrating the flange ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating the flange ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a backpack/harness system in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is an exploded cutaway view illustrating one embodiment of the flange and pocket in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 8A-8C are cutaway perspective views illustration one embodiment of the flange and pocket including a protrusion and a notch in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a harness attached to a container in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a front pouch attached to a harness in accordance with the present invention; and
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a seat attached to a container in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
• Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
• FIG. 1 depicts a quickrelease backpack system100 including aharness102, acontainer104, aflange106, arecess108, a mountingpanel110, connectingmembers112,114,116 and118, connecting member adjustment straps120, awaist belt122, waistbelt connecting members124 and126, waist belt adjustment straps128 and130,shoulder straps132 and134, shoulder strap adjustment straps136 and138, and container handle140.
• Shoulder straps132 and134 are affixed to the mountingpanel110 of theharness102 at atop end142 and abottom end144. Thus, theshoulder straps132 and134 in combination with the mountingpanel110 make a loop for mounting theharness102 to a user's back. In certain embodiments theshoulder straps132 and134 are padded for comfort. In one embodiment the shoulder straps include additional attachment straps170 and172 for attaching items which may be of use to the user. For example, in certain embodiments the additional attachment straps170 and172 may include attachment means for connecting a pair of binoculars to theharness102. In other embodiments the additional attachment straps170 and172 may include attachment means for attaching a two way radio or GPS device. Additional attachments (not shown) may be connected to theshoulder straps132 and134 of theharness102 to allow a user easy access to devices commonly used in the field. Thus, when the user is only wearing theharness102 without thecontainer104 connected, the user still has access to those items attached to theharness102.
• In one embodiment theshoulder straps132 and134 are connected to shoulder strap adjustment straps136 and138 which allow for the adjustment of the length of eachshoulder strap132 and134 to accommodate a user's anatomy.Shoulder strap adjustments146 and148 may be used to accomplish the adjustment of the length of theshoulder straps132 and134. One skilled in the art will recognize that other adjustment means may be used to adjust the length of the shoulder straps.
• In certain embodiments awaist belt122 may be attached to thebottom end144 of the mountingpanel110 of theharness102. In one embodiment thewaist belt122 is padded for comfort and is attached to waist belt adjustment straps128 and130. The waist belt adjustment straps128 may be connected to one another by the waistbelt connecting members124 and126 such that thewaist belt122 encircles a user's waist when theharness102 is worn on the user's back. Waistbelt connecting members124 and126 allow the waist belt adjustment straps128 to be adjusted to accommodate the user's anatomy.
• As further discussed below, the mounting panel includes arecess108 formed from a pocket (element202 ofFIG. 2). In certain embodiments at least a portion of the mountingpanel110 is substantially planar such that the substantially planar portion of the mountingpanel110 provides one side of thepocket202. In other embodiments the mountingpanel110 and thepocket202 are a single component molded from the same mold. In one embodiment the entire mountingpanel110 is rigid and substantially planar to provide support to theharness102 when positioned on a user's back.
• In one embodiment theharness102 is shaped to be received between a pair ofcushions150 and152 on thecontainer104. Thecushions150 and152 project away from the plane ofrear surface154 of thecontainer104 leaving adepression156 between thecushions150 and152. In certain embodiments the shape of theharness102 corresponds to the shape of thedepression156 so that lateral movement of theharness102 is restricted when the harness is located between thecushions150 and152. The shape of thedepression156 and the shape of theharness102 depicted inFIG. 1 is an hourglass shape. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that other shapes may be used to produce a mating fit between thedepression156 and theharness102.
• Thecontainer104 may be a pack as found with conventional backpack systems. Thecontainer104 may have various pockets for storing items. Thecontainer104 may include amain compartment158 used to store large items. Various other storage compartments (not shown) may be configured to store other items. For example, in certain embodiments thebackpack system100 may be uses for hunting. In such an embodiment, thecontainer104 may include a hydration system including a bladder for retaining water or other liquid, a compartment for storing ammunition or camera equipment, a knife compartment to store knives, saws or other sharp utensils, a bow or rifle storage pouch, and an easy access pouch for storing jackets, gloves or other items.
• Ahandle140 may be affixed to thetop end160 of thecontainer104. Thehandle140 provides aids a user in lifting thecontainer104 when thecontainer104 is not attached to theharness102.
• As further discussed below, a substantiallyplanar flange106 is affixed to therear surface154 of thecontainer104. In certain embodiments at least a portion of therear surface154 is substantially planar and theflange106 is attached parallel to the portion of the of therear surface154 that is substantially planar. Therear surface154 may be rigid to provide support to theharness102 when theharness102 is not connected to thecontainer104.
• Theflange106 on thecontainer104 is shaped to be received within therecess108 on theharness102. As discussed below, the top of theflange106 is approximately the same size as the width of the opening in therecess108 so that once theflange106 is received within therecess108 the lateral movement of theflange106 is restricted by therecess108. Once theharness102 is positioned within thedepression156 on thecontainer104 and theflange106 is received withinrecess108 the lateral movement of theharness102 with respect to thecontainer104 is limited by both the mating fit between theharness102 andcushions150 and152 as well as the tight fit betweenflange106 and therecess108. In certain embodiments the lateral movement of theharness102 with respect to thecontainer104 is limited only by the distance between theflange106 and therecess108. In one embodiment therear surface154 of the container may be entirely planar such that there is nodepression156. In such an embodiment the tolerance between theflange106 and therecess108 may limit the lateral movement of theflange106 within therecess108 which in turn may limit the lateral movement of thecontainer104 with respect to the harness.
• Once theflange106 is received within therecess108 thetop end142 of theharness102 is held close to thetop end160 of thecontainer104. As just discussed, the lateral movement of thetop end142 of theharness102 is also restricted when theflange106 is received within therecess108. Connectingmembers112 and114 are connected to connectingmembers116 and118 respectively to hold thebottom end144 of theharness102 close to thebottom end162 of thecontainer104. In certainembodiments connecting members116 and118 are attached to thewaist belt122 to distance the connectingmembers116 and118 from connectingmembers112 and114 from thecontainer104. Connecting member adjustment straps120 can then be tightened to pull thebottom end144 of theharness102 tight to thebottom end162 of thecontainer104. Once connectingmembers112 and114 are connected to connectingmembers116 and118 respectively withdrawal of theflange106 from within therecess108 is restricted.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 the connecting member adjustment straps120 are attached to thecontainer104 at two points. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that the connecting member adjustment straps120 may be alternatively connected at one point without changing the function of the connecting member adjustment straps120. Additional attachment configurations for the connecting member adjustment straps120 may be envisioned which do not depart from the essence of the current invention.
• FIG. 2 depicts theharness102 showing therecess mounting surface200 of mountingpanel110. Therecess mounting surface200 is the surface opposite the surface that theshoulder straps132 and134 are connected to. As can be seen in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, therecess108 creates apocket202 which receives theflange106 on thecontainer104. As discussed above, thepocket202 may be a separate molded piece of material which is attached to the mountingpanel110. In an alternate embodiment the mountingpanel110 and thepocket202 may be a single piece of material molded from the same mold. In one embodiment thepocket202 may comprise a pliable material such as a fabric material which may be sewn to the mounting panel to create thepocket202. In other embodiments thepocket202 may be formed from rigid material such as a plastic or metal.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of theharness102 showing the shape of thepocket202 and the shape of the mountingpanel110. As discussed above, in certain embodiments the mountingpanel110 has an hourglass shape. In other embodiments the mountingpanel110 may have a rectangular shape or other geometric shape which will allow the mountingpanel110 to nest within thedepression156 on thecontainer104. One of skill in the art will recognize that the shape of thedepression156 may dictate the shape of the mountingpanel110 in certain embodiments. In other embodiments the shape of the mountingpanel110 may dictate the shape of thedepression156.
• Thepocket202 has afirst end302 and asecond end304. Thesecond end304 is narrower than thefirst end302. Because thesecond end304 is narrower than thefirst end302, afirst side wall306 and asecond side wall308 taper towards thesecond end304. Thepocket202 has a first interior side wall (not shown) that corresponds to, and follows the shape of thefirst side wall306. Thepocket202 also has a second interior side wall (not shown) that corresponds to, and follows the shape of thesecond side wall308. Thus, the pocket has an inner void which is substantially similar to the shape illustrated inFIG. 3 with the first interior side wall of the pocket and the second interior side wall of the pocket tapering towards thesecond end304. Thefirst end302 has anopening310 which is wide enough to receive theflange106 as discussed below. In certain embodiments thepocket202 includes ashelf312 disposed around three of its sides. Theshelf312 may be used to attach thepocket202 to the mountingpanel110.
• FIG. 4A andFIG. 4B depict an embodiment of thepocket202 showing the interior portion of thepocket202 including anotch402, a sloped area404 a firstinterior side wall406 and a secondinterior side wall408.
• As discussed with reference toFIG. 3, the firstinterior side wall406 and the secondinterior side wall408 taper towards the narrowersecond end304 of thepocket202 such that theopening310 of thepocket202 is wider than thesecond end304 to facilitate receiving theflange106 within thepocket202. A slopedarea404 also helps manipulate theflange106 to guide theflange106 into thepocket202. Anotch402 is positioned in thepocket202 and corresponds to a protrusion (discussed below) on theflange106. When theflange106 is inserted into thepocket202 the protrusion is received within thenotch402 such that theflange106 resists extraction from therecess108.
• FIG. 5A illustrates the underside of theflange106 including aprotrusion502 corresponding to thenotch402 on thepocket202. While the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 4A,4B,5A and5B depict thepocket202 having thenotch402 and theflange106 having theprotrusion502, one of skill in the art will recognize that the position of thenotch402 and theprotrusion502 may be reversed such that thenotch402 is positioned on theflange106 and theprotrusion502 is positioned on thepocket202. In certain embodiments neither thepocket202 nor theflange106 have either anotch402 or aprotrusion502. In such embodiments theflange106 may be held within thepocket202 by the pressure exerted on theharness102 by the connectingmembers112,114,116 and118.
• Theflange106 has afirst end506 and asecond end508. Thesecond end508 is narrower than thefirst end506 such that afirst side510 and asecond side512 taper as they approach the narrower second508 end. In this manner, shape of thepocket202 is substantially similar to the shape of theflange106 which restricts lateral movement of theflange106 when theflange106 is received within thepocket202. In certain embodiments theopening310 of thepocket202 is about the same size as thefirst end506 of theflange106 while the remainder of thepocket202 is a different shape than theflange106. Because theopening310 in thepocket202 is about the same size as thefirst end506 of theflange106, lateral movement of theflange106 is still restricted. However, because thesecond end506 of theflange106 is narrower than theopening310 in thepocket202, insertion of theflange106 into thepocket202 is facilitated.
• FIG. 5B depicts a perspective view looking at the top of theflange106. In this embodiment ashelf504 may be used to attach theflange106 to thecontainer104. Theshelf504 positions theflange106 parallel to and away from therear surface156 of thecontainer104. While the embodiments discussed herein have described theflange106 attached to thecontainer104 and thepocket202 attached to theharness102, one of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments theflange106 may be attached to the harness and thepocket202 may be attached to thecontainer104. In such an embodiment thepocket202 may be attached to thecontainer104 such that theopening310 is positioned facing thetop end106 of thecontainer160. Theflange106, in such an embodiment, may be attached to theharness102 with thesecond end508 positioned facing thetop end142 of the mountingpanel110.
• In certain embodimentssecond end508 of theflange106 may taper in the dimension indicated byarrows516,518,520 and522. Thus, in certain embodiments the distance between thearrows520 and522 is greater than the distance betweenarrows516 and518 such that theflange106 tapers towards the narrowersecond end508 in both width and depth. In another embodiment, theflange106 may be substantially planar in the dimension indicated byarrows516,518,520 and522 while tapering towards thesecond end508.
• FIG. 6 depicts a side view of thecontainer104 attached to theflange106 and theharness102 attached to thepocket202. As can be seen in this embodiment the flange faces downward and is positioned parallel to therear surface154 of thecontainer104. theflange106 is slid into thepocket202 and until the flange rests on the inside of theflange resting shelf602. Connectingmember112 is connected to connectingmember116 to restrict the withdrawal of theflange106 from within thepocket202. The tension on the connectingmembers112 and116 may be adjusted by connectingmember adjustment strap120.
• FIG. 7 is an exploded view ofarea604 ofFIG. 6 illustrating a cutaway of theflange106 and thepocket202. As can be seen in this embodiment, theflange106 slides behind thepocket202 and is sandwiched between thepocket202 and the mountingpanel110. Thus, when theflange106 is received within thepocket202 thetop end160 of thecontainer104 is held tight to thetop end142 of theharness102.
• FIG. 8A depicts a cutaway view taken alongline514 ofFIG. 5A. The illustration inFIG. 8A includes aprotrusion502, ashelf504 and aflange resting shelf602. Theflange106 is substantially planar and sized to be easily received within thepocket202. Theshelf504 allows theflange106 to be attached to therear surface156 of the container104 (or attached to the mountingpanel110 of theharness102 depending on the configuration as discussed above). Theflange resting shelf602 stops the insertion of theflange106 when theflange resting shelf602 contacts thepocket202.
• FIG. 8B depicts a cutaway view of thepocket202 taken alongline410 ofFIG. 4A. The illustration inFIG. 8B includes anotch402, ashelf312 as well as the mountingpanel110 of the harness102 (orrear surface156 of thecontainer104 depending on the configuration as discussed above). When thepocket202 is attached to the mountingpanel110, the mountingpanel110 makes up one side of thepocket202 to complete the enclosure. Theopening310 in thepocket202 provides arecess108 for receiving theflange106.
• FIG. 8C illustrates theflange106 inserted into thepocket202 until theflange resting shelf602 rests on thepocket202. Theprotrusion502 is received within thenotch402 so that the extraction of theflange106 from thepocket202 is restricted.
• FIG. 9 illustrates theharness102 connected to thecontainer104 with theflange106 received within thepocket202 according to the current invention. Connectingmembers112 and114 are connected to connectingmembers116 and118 respectively and the connecting member adjustment straps120 are tightened to restrict the withdrawal of theflange106 from within thepocket202.
• FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the current invention including aharness102 and afront pouch1002. In certain embodiments theharness102 may be attached to afront pouch1002 by connectingmembers1004 and1006 attached to connectingmembers124 and126. In this manner thefront pouch1002 may be removable in certain embodiments. In one embodiment thefront pouch1002 may be permanently affixed to one of the waist belt adjustment straps128 or130 such that the front pouch is not removable. By attaching thefront pouch1002 to theharness102, a user may maintain limited storage when thecontainer104 is not attached to theharness104.
• FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of thecontainer104 detachably connected to aseat1102 byseat connecting members1104 and1106. In certain embodiments theseat connecting members1104 and1106 are two connecting members attached to each other such as connectingmembers112 and116. Theseat connecting members1104 and1106 may be attached at one end to theseat1102 and at the other end to thecontainer104. In one embodiment the attachment of theseat connecting members1104 and1106 are adjustable to vary the length of thestraps1108,1110,1112 and1114 such that theseat1102 may be positioned under a user. Theseat1102 is detachable and may be stored incontainer104 when the user does not need theseat1102. By virtue of theseat1102 being attached to the user, theseat1102 will follow the user when the user stands up. Therefore, theseat1102 will not be left behind when the user leaves in haste.
• Thesystem100 of the current invention allows a user to affix different containers other thancontainer104 to a single harness. For instance, when a user wishes to only bring a hydration system, a hydration system may be attached to theharness102 in the manner describe above. Thus, by having auniversal harness102 which will attach to a plurality of containers, users may save money associated with the additional labor and material costs needed to fabricate the harness portion of a backpack.
• The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for attaching a container to a harness, the apparatus comprising:

a harness comprising a mounting panel having a top end and a bottom end;

at least one shoulder strap attached to the mounting panel to position the mounting panel on a users back with the at least one shoulder strap positioned on a shoulder of the user;

a substantially planar flange comprising a first end disposed opposite a second end, wherein the second end is narrower than the first end such that a first side and a second side taper as they approach the narrower second end;

a recess for removably attaching a container to the mounting panel, the recess comprising a pocket having an opening that receives the substantially planar flange, wherein the opening in the pocket is larger than the second end of the substantially planar flange to facilitate receiving the substantially planar flange within the pocket, wherein the opening in the pocket is about the same size as the first end of the of the substantially planar flange such that lateral movement of the flange is restricted when the flange is received within the recess; and

at least one first connecting member attached to the mounting panel, the at least one connecting member detachably connected to a second connecting member on the container.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the pocket comprises a first end and a second end wherein the second end is narrower than the first end such that a first interior sidewall of the pocket and a second interior sidewall of the pocket taper as they approach the second end, wherein the shape of the pocket is substantially similar to the shape of the flange to restrict lateral movement of the flange when the flange is received within the recess.

3. The apparatusclaim 1, wherein the at least one first connecting member and the at least one second connecting member restrict the extraction of the flange from the recess when the at least one first connecting member is connected to the at least one second connecting member.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, further comprising a waist belt attached to the bottom end of the mounting panel, wherein the at least one first connecting member is attached to the waist belt.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the pocket includes a notch that receives a corresponding protrusion on the flange such that the flange resists extraction from the recess when the protrusion is received within the notch.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flange includes a notch that receives a corresponding protrusion on the pocket such that the flange resists extraction from the recess when the protrusion in received within the notch.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mounting panel is substantially planar wherein the pocket is attached to the mounting panel such that the substantially planar portion of the mounting panel comprises one side of the pocket.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mounting panel is substantially planar wherein the flange is disposed parallel to the substantially planar portion of the mounting panel.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a container having a rear surface wherein at least a portion of the rear surface is substantially planar, wherein the pocket is mounted to the rear surface of the container such that the substantially planar portion of the rear surface of the container comprises one side of the pocket.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a container having a rear surface wherein at least a portion of the rear surface is substantially planar, wherein the flange is disposed parallel to the substantially planar portion of the rear surface of the container.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a seat and a front pouch, wherein the seat alternates between an extended position and a storage position, the seat stored within the container when the seat is in the storage position, wherein the seat is removably attached to the bottom end of the container when the seat is in the extended position, wherein the front pouch is removably attached to a waist belt on the harness.

12. A system to attach a container to a harness, the system comprising:

a container having a rear surface wherein at least a portion of the rear surface is substantially planar;

a harness comprising a mounting panel having a top end and a bottom end;

at least one shoulder strap attached to the mounting panel to position the mounting panel on a users back with the at least one shoulder strap positioned on the users shoulder;

a substantially planar flange disposed on the container, the substantially planar flange comprising a first end disposed opposite a second end, wherein the second end is narrower than the first end such that a first side and a second side taper as they approach the narrower second end, wherein the flange is disposed parallel to the substantially planar portion of the rear surface of the container;

a recess for removably attaching a container to the mounting panel, the recess disposed on the mounting panel, the recess comprising a pocket having an opening that receives the substantially planar flange, wherein the opening in the pocket is larger than the second end of the substantially planar flange to facilitate receiving the substantially planar flange within the pocket, wherein at least a portion of the mounting panel is substantially planar such that the substantially planar portion of the mounting panel comprises one side of the pocket, wherein the opening in the pocket is about the same size as the first end of the of the substantially planar flange such that lateral movement of the flange is restricted when the flange is received within the recess; and

at least one first connecting member attached to the mounting panel, the at least one connecting member detachably connected to a second connecting member on the container.

13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein one of the pocket and the flange includes a notch that receives a corresponding protrusion such that the flange resists extraction from the recess when the protrusion is received within the notch.

14. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the pocket comprises a first end and a second end wherein the second end is narrower than the first end such that a first interior sidewall of the pocket and a second interior sidewall of the pocket taper as they approach the second end, wherein the shape of the pocket is substantially similar to the shape of the flange to restrict lateral movement of the flange when the flange is received within the recess.

15. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the at least one first connecting member and the at least one second connecting member restrict the extraction of the flange from the recess when the at least one first connecting member is connected to the at least one second connecting member.

16. A apparatus for attach a container to a harness, the system comprising:

a container having a rear surface wherein at least a portion of the rear surface is substantially planar;

a harness comprising a mounting panel having a top end and a bottom end;

two shoulder straps attached to the mounting panel, each shoulder strap attached at the top end of the mounting panel and the bottom end of the mounting panel, each shoulder strap configured to position the mounting panel on a users back with each shoulder strap positioned on the users shoulders;

a substantially planar flange disposed on the container, the substantially planar flange comprising a first end disposed opposite a second end, wherein the second end is narrower than the first end such that a first side and a second side taper as they approach the narrower second end, wherein the flange is disposed parallel to the substantially planar portion of the rear surface of the container;

a recess for removably attaching a container to the mounting panel, the recess disposed on the mounting panel, the recess comprising a pocket having an opening that receives the substantially planar flange, wherein the opening in the pocket is larger than the second end of the substantially planar flange to facilitate receiving the substantially planar flange within the pocket, wherein at least a portion of the mounting panel is substantially planar such that the substantially planar portion of the mounting panel comprises one side of the pocket, wherein the pocket comprises a first end and a second end wherein the second end is narrower than the first end such that a first interior sidewall of the pocket and a second interior sidewall of the pocket taper as they approach the second end, wherein the shape of the pocket is substantially similar to the shape of the flange to restrict lateral movement of the flange when the flange is received within the recess; and

at least one first connecting member attached to the mounting panel, the at least one connecting member detachably connected to a second connecting member on the container, wherein the at least one first connecting member and the at least one second connecting member restrict the extraction of the flange from the recess when the at least one first connecting member is connected to the at least one second connecting member.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, further comprising a waist belt attached to the bottom end of the mounting panel, wherein the at least one first connecting member is attached to the waist belt.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the pocket includes a notch that receives a corresponding protrusion on the flange such that the flange resists extraction from the recess when the protrusion is received within the notch.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the flange includes a notch that receives a corresponding protrusion on the pocket such that the flange resists extraction from the recess when the protrusion in received within the notch.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 16, further comprising a seat and a front pouch, wherein the seat alternates between an extended position and a storage position, the seat stored within the container when the seat is in the storage position, wherein the seat is removably attached to the bottom end of the container when the seat is in the extended position, wherein the front pouch is removably attached to a waist belt on the harness.

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