An Investigation of the Inertial Properties of Backpacks Loaded in Various Configurations.

摘要

In this study, the inertial properties of three, external-frame backpack systems were examined under six loading configurations. Two of the backpacks were developed by the Army and one was a commercially-available product. For each configuration, a 12.00-kg load, consisting of military clothing and equipment, was placed in the packs. The locations of the items were manipulated such that the densest were placed low, high, or in an intermediate position within the pack. In addition, two, 4.56-kg weights were strapped to the top, bottom, sides, or front of the pack and tested in combination with the intermediate position of the basic load. The mass, centers of mass, and inertia tensors of each backpack were obtained under each of the six loading configurations. the inertial properties of the backpacks and of the loading configurations were compared with respect to properties which are desirable in a backpacking system. (Author)