Ambulatory bag

Abstract

A device, such as an ambulatory bag, comprising a plurality of pockets with means to releasably secure the device to an ambulatory appliance, such as a walker, wheelchair, or motorized mobility scooter. The device can hold and store belongings of a person using the ambulatory appliance and facilitate the placement and retrieval of items to and from the device while the person is engaged with (i.e. using) the ambulatory appliance.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention pertains to a device comprising a plurality of pockets with means to releasably secure the device to an ambulatory appliance, such as a walker, wheelchair, or motorized mobility scooter. The device can hold and store belongings of a person using the ambulatory appliance and facilitate the placement and retrieval of items to and from the device while the person is engaged with (i.e. using) the ambulatory appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The device shall be referred to herein as an ambulatory bag, however, this should not construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the invention which is set forth in the description and claims herein and the appended figures. In general, the ambulatory bag is a single piece or a plurality of pieces of material configured to define a flexible container having at least one opening that may be closed for holding, storing or carrying personal items. The ambulatory bag comprises at least one piece of material configured to form a bag having an opening on one side that provides means for accessing the interior of the bag that is located at a top of the bag, two or more top straps secured at one end to the top of the bag that are capable of being releasably secured to themselves by opposite ends and two or more bottom straps secured at one end to the bottom of the bag that are capable of being releasably secured to themselves by opposite ends. The ambulatory bag may further comprise a front flap, or other means to releasably secure the opening in a closed position. The ambulatory bag may also comprise one or more pockets on the outer surfaces of the material.

[0004] The ambulatory bag comprises a means for releasably securing the ambulatory bag to an ambulatory appliance, such as a walker, wheelchair or mobility scooter. For example, the top straps and bottom straps may have releasable fasteners, such as hook and loop type fasteners, which can be used to secure the ambulatory bag to the ambulatory appliance generally by wrapping the straps around poles or railings of the appliance and releasably securing the straps to themselves. In addition, the ambulatory bag can be releasably secured to stationary appliances having poles and railings, such as a chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ambulatory bag attached to a walker in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a front view of an ambulatory bag in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a back view of an ambulatory bag having plain back pockets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of an ambulatory bag having plain back pockets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a back view of an ambulatory bag having pleated back pockets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a top, cross-sectional view of an ambulatory bag having pleated pockets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a side, cross-sectional view of an ambulatory bag having pleated pockets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a front view of an ambulatory bag in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a back view of an ambulatory bag in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown an ambulatory bag 1 in an embodiment where the ambulatory bag is releasably secured to a walker 2. It should be understood that the ambulatory bag 1 is depicted with a walker 2 for illustrative purposes only, and the bag may be used with, and releasably secured to, any type of ambulatory appliance, such as a wheelchair or motorized mobility scooter or a stationary appliance having poles and railing, such as a chair. The invention encompasses modifications in the ambulatory bag to accommodate a variety of such ambulatory and stationary appliances without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown the ambulatory bag comprising a front panel 3 and a back panel 4. The front panel 3 comprises a front left edge 5, a front right edge 6, a front lower edge 7 and a front top edge 8, and the back panel 4 comprises a back left edge 9, a back right edge 10, a back lower edge 11 and a back top edge 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the front panel 3 comprises a front panel outer surface 13 and a front panel inner surface 14, and the back panel 4 comprises a back panel outer surface 15 and a back panel inner surface 16. The front panel and back panel may be made from any material, but preferably comprises a laminated textile material wherein the front panel outer surface 13 and back panel outer surface 15 are textile material and the front panel inner surface 14 and back panel inner surface 16 are a nylon, vinyl or other synthetic material.

[0016] The front panel 3 and back panel 4 are parallel to each other, as shown in FIGS. 24, and are secured together by first attachment means 54 along the aligned front left edge 5 and back left edge 9, front right edge 6 and back right edge 10 and front lower edge 7 and back lower edge 11 such that the opposing front panel inner surface 14 and back panel inner surface 16 define a front pocket 17. The first attachment means may be Radio Frequency welding (RF Welding), ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof. The front pocket 17 comprises a front pocket opening 20 which is defined by the front top edge 8 and, optionally, (not shown) the back top edge in embodiments where the back top edge is aligned with the front top edge. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, however, the back panel 4 comprises an elongated piece 18 having an integral upper strap element 42, and in this embodiment the front pocket opening 20 is defined by the front top edge 8 and the section or line of the back panel inner surface 14 at the elongated piece 18 which is about opposite and aligned with the front top edge 8.

[0017] The ambulatory bag may comprise a front pocket flap or cover to releasably secure the front pocket opening or other means to releasably secure the front pocket opening such as fasteners like buckles, buttons, snaps and hook and loop type fasteners (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the front pocket flap 21 is attached, by second attachment means such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof, to the elongated piece 18 at some point about between the front panel top edge 8 and the back panel top edge 12. In embodiments of the invention where the front pocket opening is defined by the aligned front panel top edge and back panel top edge (not shown), the front pocket flap may be attached to the back panel top edge. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the front pocket flap 21 may comprise a means 22 for releasably securing the front pocket flap 21 to the front panel outer surface 13, which means is preferably a hook and loop type fastener which is generally available from Velcro USA Inc., Manchester, N.H., USA, but may also be other types of fasteners, such as buckles, buttons, snaps or combinations of fasteners. In the preferred embodiment, the front pocket flap 21 comprises an inner surface 51 and an outer surface 52, and one portion of the hook and loop type fastener is secured to the inner surface 51 preferably at about the longitudinal center of the front pocket flap 21, with the corresponding portion of the hook and loop type fastener secured to the opposite location on the front panel outer surface 13. The hook and loop type fastener portions may be attached by third attachment means such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the front pocket flap 21 comprises front pocket pull tab 55, which facilitates the opening and closing of the front pocket flap. The front packet pull tab 55 is preferably a piece of material, such as nylon, attached to the front pocket flap 21 at about the center of a lower edge of the front pocket flap 21 by pull tab attachment means, which may be RF welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives and the like, and combinations thereof. The front pocket pull tab is, most preferably, a loop of material formed by having a strip of the material having at least two ends folded against itself with the ends secured together by the pull tab attachment means.

[0019] The ambulatory bag may further comprise one or more pockets on the back panel outer surface. Any number or configuration of pockets as permitted by the size and shape of the back panel is within the scope of the invention. Without limiting the invention, however, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ambulatory bag may comprise two back pockets, an upper back pocket 22 and a lower back pocket 23.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper back pocket 22 and lower back pocket 23 are formed by the back panel outer surface 15 and an upper back pocket front panel 24 and lower back pocket panel 25, respectively. The upper back pocket panel 24 has an upper back pocket panel inner surface 26 and an upper back pocket panel outer surface 27, and top, forward, right and left edges designated 24t, 24f, 24r and 24l in the figures. The lower back pocket panel 25 has a lower back pocket inner surface 28 and a lower back pocket panel outer surface 29, and top, forward, right and left edges designated as 25t, 25f, 25r and 25l in the figures. The upper back pocket panel 24 is attached to the back panel outer surface 15 by fourth attachment means 30 along the right, forward and left edges (24r, 24f and 24l). The lower back pocket panel 25 is attached to the back panel outer surface 15 by fifth attachment means 52 along the right, forward and left edges (25r, 25f and 25l) The fourth attachment means and fifth attachment means may be RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof.

[0021] The upper back pocket 22 thus formed is defined by the upper back pocket panel inner surface 26, the outer surface of the back sheet 15, and the top, forward, right and left edges designated 24t, 24f, 24r and 24l of the upper back pocket panel 24, with the top edge 24t and aligned section of the outer surface back sheet 15 about parallel and opposite to the top edge 24t defining an upper back pocket opening 31. The lower back pocket 23 thus formed is defined by the lower back pocket panel inner surface 28, the outer surface of the back sheet 15, and the top, forward, right and left edges designated 25t, 25f, 25r and 25l of the upper back pocket front panel 25, with the top edge 25t and corresponding section of the outer surface back sheet 15 about parallel and opposite to the top edge 25t defining a lower back pocket opening 32. The upper back pocket panel 24 and lower back pocket panel 25 may be made from the same material as the front panel and back panel, or from other textile materials or laminates.

[0022] The back pockets on the back sheet outer surface may be non-securable, e.g. open, or releasably secureable such that opening may have means to releasably secure the opening, such means including flaps, hook and loop type fasteners, snaps, buttons, belts, straps and the like, and combinations thereof. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the upper back pocket 22 secured by means of an upper back pocket flap 33 comprising a fastening system 34, which has a first portion 36 of a hook and loop type fastener secured by sixth attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, or adhesives and the like and combinations thereof, to the inner surface 53 of the upper back pocket flap 33 with the corresponding second portion 35 of the hook and loop type fastener secured by seventh attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like, or combinations thereof, to the upper back panel of the outer surface 27, opposite to the first portion 36. In this embodiment, the flap can be fastened to the upper back pocket front sheet 24 to releasably secure the opening of upper back pocket 22. An alternative means for fastening the opening of the back pocket is illustrated in FIG. 4 with respect to the lower back pocket 23. In this embodiment, a fastening system 37 has the hook or loop portion of a hook and loop type fastener 38 secured by eighth attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives and the like, and combinations thereof to the back panel outer surface 15 with the corresponding mating portion 39 of the hook and loop type fastener secured by ninth attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives and the like, and combinations thereof, to the opposite section of the lower back pocket panel inner surface 28.

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 9, the back pocket flaps (shown in FIG. 9 as 56u and 56l which are substantially similar to the upper back pocket flap 33 as shown in FIG. 3) comprise back pocket pull tabs 57, which facilitate opening and closing of the back pocket flaps (56u, 56l). The back pocket pull tab 57 is preferably a piece of material, such as nylon, attached to the back pocket flap (56u, 56l) at about the center of a lower edge of each flap, by the pull tab attachment means (as described above with respect to the front pocket pull tab 55). Each back pocket pull tab 57 is, preferably, a loop of material formed by having a strip of material with at least two ends folded against itself with the ends secured together by the pull tab attachment means.

[0024] The one or more of the pockets on the back sheet, as well as any pockets on the front sheet may comprise pleats, which facilitate the user in placing larger items in the pockets. FIGS. 5-7 show an embodiment of the invention wherein the ambulatory bag comprises a pair of pleated pockets on the back. In this embodiment, the right and left sides of the back pockets comprise pleated sections 40. The pleated sections 40 may be, as shown in FIG. 5, integral with the upper back pocket panel 24 and lower back pocket panel 25, or (not shown) may be separate triangular pleated sheets secured to the right and left edges of the back pocket panels and the back panel outer surface and in this embodiment the pleated sections are secured by tenth attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like and combinations thereof. The pleated sections 40 are substantially triangular shaped extending on the left side of the pocket from, by way of example with respect to the upper-back pocket 22, about the point of intersection of left and forward edges 24l and 24f of the upper back pocket panel 24 upwards with increasing width to about the point of intersection of the left and top edges 24l and 24t of the upper back pocket panel 24 with, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a substantially identical pleated section on the opposite side of the upper back pocket 22. The opening of the pleated pockets is defined, as shown in FIG. 5 with respect to an upper back pocket 22 by a top edge 40t of the pleated section 40, the top edge 24t of the upper back pocket panel 24 and the corresponding section of the back panel outer surface 15 about parallel and opposite to the top edge 24t.

[0025] The pleated section 40 comprises one or more pleats (shown as 40p in FIG. 6). It is understood that each pocket has a substantially similar pleated section 40 on both the right and left sides of the pocket. With the exception of the pleated sections, the pockets have the same or similar elements and features as described herein with respect plain pockets, and may optionally have back pocket flaps with back pocket pull tabs as shown in FIG. 5.

[0026] The ambulatory bag comprises a plurality of means to releasably secure the ambulatory bag to an ambulatory appliance. As shown in FIGS. 1-9, the elongated piece 18 comprises two or more upper strap elements 42 extending from the back top edge 12 proximate to the back left edge 9 and back right edge 10 respectively. Each upper strap element 42 comprises means 43 for releasably securing the ends 42u of the strap elements 42 to a portion of the upper strap element 42 (e.g. releasably securing the strap ends to the strap itself). The means 43 may be either the hook or loop portion of a hook and loop type fastener attached to the upper strap elements 42, with the opposite portion of the hook and loop type fastener attached to the upper ends 42u. These may be attached by strap fastener attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives and the like and combinations thereof.

[0027] The figures illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the upper strap elements 42 are integral with the elongated section 18 and, thus, is integral with the back panel 4. The upper strap elements, however, may be separate pieces of material in the form of a strap configured in the manner illustrated in the drawings with the separate pieces of material, generally made from knit or woven elastic textile material or laminates comprising a fastening system, such as VELCRO® laminates available from Velcro USA Inc., comprising hook and loop tape fasteners. These are attached to the back panel 4 by eleventh attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof. While the figures illustrate an embodiment wherein the ambulatory bag has two upper-strap elements 42, it is understood that the ambulatory bag may comprise more than two upper strap elements.

[0028] The ambulatory bag also comprises one or more lower straps. In an embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower straps may be attached by way of the first attachment means 54 to the point where the front lower edge 7 and back lower edge 11 meet by having a portion of the strap interfaced between the front sheet 3 and back sheet 4 at the point of the first attachment means 54, or the straps may be integral with the front sheet 3 and/or back sheet 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ambulatory bag may comprise a left lower strap 45 which is proximate to the front left edge 5 and corresponding back left edge 9, and a right lower strap 46 which is proximate to the front right edge 6 and back right edge 10, with both straps being attached by way of the first attachment means 54 as discussed above. The left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 are generally made from knit or woven elastic textile material each having an engagable fastening member (47 and 48), such as the loop portion of a two part hook and loop type fastener which may be laminated onto one or both sides of the material of the left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 or may be part of one or both sides the material of the left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46. Examples of laminates that may be used for the left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 are VELCRO® laminates from Velcro USA Inc.

[0029] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left lower strap 45 comprises a left lower strap securing portion 49, and the right lower strap 46 comprises a right lower strap securing portion 50, the securing portion is attached to the respective strap by twelfth attachment means, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof, at the end of each strap opposite to the ends of the straps attached to the front sheet 3 and back sheet 4. The left lower strap securing portion 49 and right lower strap securing portion 50 may be part of a two part fastening system corresponding to the engagable fastening members (47, 48) of the left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46, such as the loop portion of a hook a loop type fastening system available from Velcro USA Inc.

[0030] A preferred embodiment of the invention with respect to the lower straps is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the left lower strap 58 and right lower strap 59 are made from an elastic material and are attached to the ambulatory bag by the first attachment means as discussed above. One or more pieces of fastener material (60, 61) (e.g. a first fastener material and a second fastener material) are secured to the left lower strap 58 and right lower strap 59 by thirteenth attachment means 64, such as RF Welding, ultrasonic attachment means, other types of welding, stitching, adhesives and the like, and combinations thereof, proximate to the end of each strap attached to the front sheet and back sheet by the first attachment means. One or more pieces of a similar or same type of fastener material (62, 63) is attached to the front sheet 3 at a location aligned with and proximate to the left lower strap 58 and right lower strap 59. The fastener material, designated as 60-63 in FIG. 8, may be the hook or loop portion, preferably the hook portion, of VELCRO® hook and loop type fasteners. Corresponding or mating pieces of fastener material (65, 66) are secured to the left lower strap 58 and right lower strap 59 proximate to ends opposite to those of the left lower strap 58 and right lower strap 59 secured by the first attachment means. For example, if the fastener material (60-63) is the hook portion of a hook and loop type fastener, the fastening material (65, 66) will be the loop portion (i.e. the pieces of a two part fastening system mating with or corresponding to the fastening material designated as 60-63 in the figures). The fastening material (65, 66) may be attached to the left lower strap 58 and right lower strap 59 by the thirteenth attachment means as described above.

[0031] The two part fastening systems of the upper straps elements 42 and left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 are described herein with respect to hook and loop type fasteners in the preferred embodiment of the invention. It should be understood, however, that in a addition to hook and loop type fasteners, any type of fastener capable of releasably securing the straps to themselves, may be used. Non-limiting examples include snaps, buttons, buckles, other fasteners and the like, and combinations thereof.

[0032] The ambulatory bag can be releasably secured to an ambulatory appliance by way of the upper strap element and the lower straps. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the ambulatory bag is secured to a standard walker comprising opposite hand rails 100 and 101 with integral feet rails (102, 103, 104 and 105) and at least one lower support rail 106 between corresponding feet rails (shown in FIG. 1 as 102 and 103). As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the upper strap elements 42 are engagable with the hand rail 101 by forming a loop and wrapping the upper strap elements 42 around the hand rail 101 in a loop configuration, substantially encircling the hand rail 101, defining an upper strap hollow loop 44 with the means 43 for releasably attaching the ends 42u of the strap elements 42 to a portion of the upper strap element 42 thereby releasably securing the upper strap elements 42 to the hand rail 101 of the walker. As shown in FIG. 4 the left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 can be releasably secured to the lower support rail 101. The left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 are wrapped around the lower support rail 106, substantially encircling the lower support rail 106, in a loop configuration defining a lower strap hollow loop 51 with the left lower strap securing portion 49 and right lower strap securing portion 50 releasably engaged with the respective engagable fastening members (47, 48) of the left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 thereby releasably securing the left lower strap 45 and right lower strap 46 to lower support rail 106 of the walker. As shown in FIG. 7, in the embodiment of the invention comprising the preferred left lower strap 58 and right lower strap 59, these straps are secured around the lower support rail 106, substantially encircling the lower support rail, in a loop configuration defining the lower strap hollow loop 51 with the mating or corresponding fastening material (65, 66) releasably secured to the fastening material (60-63). The ambulatory bag can be similarly releasably secured to a stationary device having rails and poles, such as a chair.

[0033] When secured to an ambulatory device, such as a walker as described above as well as a wheelchair or mobility scooter, the ambulatory bag is releasably secured to the device and the pockets face both inward and outward enabling a user to easily insert and remove items to and from the pockets while using the ambulatory device. The side attachment on a walker allows for better visualization for walking because the bag is not in the user's line of site as is the case with other ambulatory bags attached to the front of the appliance.

Claims

1. An ambulatory bag comprising: at least one piece of material configured to form a bag having an opening on one side, the opening providing a means for accessing the interior of the bag, and being located at a top of the bag; two or more top straps each secured by one end thereof to a top of the bag on one side of said opening, the two or more top straps capable of being releasably secured by an opposite end thereof to themselves; and two or more bottom straps each secured by one end thereof to a bottom of the bag, the two or more bottom straps capable of being releasably secured by an opposite end thereof to themselves.

2. The ambulatory bag of claim 1 further comprising a front pocket flap.

3. The ambulatory bag of claim 1 further comprising one or more pockets.

4. The ambulatory bag of claim 3 wherein the pockets are pleated.

5. A combination comprising: an ambulatory appliance selected from the group consisting of a walker, a wheelchair and a mobility scooter; and an ambulatory bag according to claim 1 releasably secured thereto.

6. An ambulatory bag comprising: a front panel having a front left edge, a front right edge, a front lower edge, a front top edge, a front panel outer surface and a front panel inner surface and back panel having a back left edge, back right edge, a back lower edge, a back top edge, a back panel outer surface and a back panel inner surface wherein the front panel and back panel are aligned parallel with each other and the front left edge and back left edge are secured together by a first attachment means, the front right edge and the back right edge are secured together by the first attachment means and the front lower edge and the back lower edge are secured together by the first attachment means with the front panel inner surface and back panel inner surface defining a front pocket having a front pocket opening defined by the front top edge and the back panel inner surface or the back top edge, and one or more pockets on the back panel outer surface, and two or more upper strap elements each having ends and means for releasably securing the ends to a portion of the two or more upper strap elements, and one or more lower straps attached by way of the first attachment means at the front lower edge and the back lower edge.

7. The ambulatory bag of claim 6 wherein the back panel comprises an elongated piece having two upper strap elements.

8. The ambulatory bag of claim 7 further comprising a front pocket flap attached by second attachment means to the elongated piece.

9. The ambulatory bag of claim 8 wherein the front pocket flap comprises means for releasably securing the front pocket flap to the front panel outer surface.

10. The ambulatory bag of claim 9 further comprising a front pocket pull tab.

11. The ambulatory bag of claim 6 further comprising one or more back pocket pull tabs.

12. The ambulatory bag of claim 6 wherein the one or more pockets on the back sheet comprise pleated sections.

13. The ambulatory bag of claim 6 wherein at least one of the pockets on the back panel outer surface has an opening with means to releasably secure the opening.

14. The ambulatory bag of claim 6 further comprising pockets on the front sheet.

15. The ambulatory bag of claim 6 wherein the one or more lower straps have engageable fastening members.

16. The ambulatory bag of claim 15 wherein the engagable fastening members comprise one or more pieces of a first fastener material secured to the one or more lower straps and one or more pieces of a second fastener material attached to the front sheet proximate to the one or more lower straps.

17. The ambulatory bag of claim 16 having a left lower strap and a right lower strap.

18. The ambulatory bag of claim 16 wherein the one or more lower straps are made from an elastic material.

19. The ambulatory bag of claim 6 wherein front panel and back panel are made from a laminated textile material with the front panel outer surface and the back panel outer surface are textile material and the front panel inner surface and the back panel inner surface a synthetic material.

20. A combination comprising: an ambulatory appliance selected from the group consisting of a walker, a wheelchair and a mobility scooter; and an ambulatory bag according to claim 6 releasably secured thereto.