This invention relates generally to bags for carrying objects, and, in particular, to an attachment system for attaching an accessory bag to a bag for carrying objects.
Bags, such as briefcases, messenger bags, duffle bags, backpacks, suitcases, tote bags, etc. are well known for use in carrying objects. These bags typically contain a main interior compartment, and may include additional internal and/or external pockets. Some known bags are expandable, allowing the carrying capacity of the bag to be increased.
Often times it is desirable to protect the item being carried from other items in the bag. As noted above, certain bags incorporate internal and/or external pockets to carry items. However, such pockets do not help minimize jostling and bumping of the items within the bag.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an accessory attachment system for a bag that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments.
The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide an accessory attachment system for a bag for carrying objects. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, an accessory system for a bag for carrying objects including a bag for carrying objects and an accessory bag removably suspended on the bag. A first suspension member is secured to the bag. A second suspension member is secured to the accessory bag and is configured to mate with the first suspension member to suspend the accessory bag from the bag.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment, an accessory system for a bag for carrying objects includes a bag for carrying objects and at least one hook secured to an interior wall of the bag. An accessory bag has an elastic member and an exterior surface. The elastic member is secured to the exterior surface and is engageable with the at least one hook to suspend the accessory bag within the bag.
In accordance with a further embodiment, an accessory system for a bag for carrying objects includes a bag for carrying objects and an accessory bag removably suspended on the bag. A first suspension member is elastically secured to the bag and the accessory bag. A second elastic suspension member is secured to the other of the bag and the accessory bag, and is configured to mate with the first suspension member to suspend the accessory bag from the bag.
Substantial advantage is achieved by providing an accessory attachment system for a bag. In particular, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an accessory attachment system that allows an accessory bag to be removably attached to a bag, providing portability and protection for the contents of the accessory bag. Certain embodiments provide an elastic attachment of the accessory bag to the bag, which provides a resilient suspension system to reduce jostling and bumping for the contents of the accessory bag.
These and additional features and advantages of the invention disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain preferred embodiments.
The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the accessory attachment system for a bag depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Accessory attachment systems for a bag as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.
The present invention may be embodied in various forms. A preferred embodiment of a bag 10 for carrying objects is shown in
Bag 10 includes an interior compartment 12. Main compartment has a fastener such as zipper 14, which allows interior compartment 12 to be opened and closed. It is to be appreciated that bag 10 may include additional compartments and/or pockets, either located within interior compartment 12 or on the exterior of bag 10. Bag 10 includes a pair of shoulder straps 16 to allow a user to carry bag 10 on their shoulders. Interior compartment 12 includes a pair of first suspension members such as hooks 18. In the illustrated embodiment, hooks 18 are secured to a removable panel 20, which forms a wall of interior compartment 12. It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, hooks 18 can be directly secured to a wall of interior compartment 12.
Hooks 18 may, in certain preferred embodiments, be formed of plastic, e.g., Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), metal, a combination of metal and plastic, or any other suitable material.
As can be seen in
Accessory bag 22 includes a zipper 24 to allow accessory bag 22 to be opened and closed. Accessory bag 22 includes handles 26 that allow accessory bag 22 to be carried conveniently, separate from bag 10.
Accessory bag 22 includes a second suspension member such as cord 28. Cord 28 is configured to mate with hooks 18, allowing accessory bag 22 to be suspended from panel 20 of bag 10. As illustrated here, cord 28 extends through a plurality of loops 30 that are secured to accessory bag 22. Loops 30 can be formed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, textile, or any natural or man-made textile. Loops 30 can be secured to accessory bag 22 by stitching, adhesive or any other suitable fastening means. It is to be appreciated that cord 28 can be directly secured to accessory bag 22 in other embodiments, such as by stitching, adhesive or other suitable fastening means.
Although the embodiment shown in
In certain preferred embodiments, as illustrated in
Cord 28 can also be an elastic member, and any combination of elastic and inelastic cords is considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Thus, bag 10 may have an elastic cord 28 and inelastic cords 32, an inelastic cord 28 and elastic cords 32, an elastic cord 28 and elastic cords 32, or an inelastic cord 28 and an inelastic cord 32. Providing elastic suspension of accessory bag 22 from bag 10 allows the contents of accessory bag 22 to be protected to a great extent from the bumps and jostling to which bag 10 is subjected.
As illustrated most clearly in
It is to be appreciated that accessory bag 22 can also be suspended from any location on bag 10. For example, accessory bag 22 can be suspended from first suspension members 18 on an exterior of bag 10. Alternatively, accessory bag 22 could be suspended within another compartment or pocket formed in bag 10, which may or may not be located within interior compartment 12.
Although the second suspension member is illustrated in
Another embodiment of accessory bag 22 is shown in
It is to be appreciated that the configuration of the first suspension member and the second suspension member may be the reverse of that illustrated above. That is, the second suspension member on accessory bag 22 may comprise hooks 18 while the first suspension member on bag 10 comprises a cord 28.
As noted above, accessory bag 22 may be suspended from an exterior of bag 10, as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, a first retaining member such as a closeable fastener 38 is secured to an exterior of bag 10 and a second retaining member such as a cord 40 is secured to an exterior of accessory bag 22. Cord 40 can be releasably secured to closeable fastener 38 to prevent accessory bag 22 from swaying away from bag 10, that is, to prevent it from pivoting about first suspension member 36 and second suspension member 28. First retaining member 38 and second retaining member 40 may be any type of member suitable for retaining a portion of accessory bag close to or in contact with bag 10. Exemplary members include carabiners, snap fittings, rings, hook and loop fasteners, straps, cords, loops. Other suitable members will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of the preferred embodiments, those skilled in this area of technology will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be covered by the following claims.