This application incorporates the following patent application, in its entirety, by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/621,849 entitled TRAVEL BAG and filed on Jun. 13, 2017.
This disclosure relates generally to a backpack for carrying items and, more specifically, a backpack that may easily transition to a briefcase or briefcase type hand carry bag. The backpack may be expandable, modular and allow for easy transition between two configurations, a backpack, or a hand carry bag.
Many different types of bags are used for work, school, and travel or simply for carrying items. Many of these bags include backpacks, duffle bags, travel bags, briefcases, shoulder bags and others. Most of these bags include straps and/or handles for a user to easily carry the bag. Some of these bags have straps you carry over one shoulder or both shoulder or straps or handles that allow you to carry the bag with your hands. The straps of these bags are generally secured to bag. Other instances of travel bags use wheels and handles to allow for easy movement of these bags while transporting the bag, such as walking through airports or to and from any destination.
Backpacks are also well known bags used for carrying items and are often used for travel purposes as well. In many cases backpacks are being used in the professional environment, or school environment, to carry documents, laptops and other important things. Brief cases or shoulder bags are also commonly utilized for the same or similar purpose of carrying useful and important items. In some instances bags will include shoulder straps for a user to place the bag on his back but the bag is better suited as a duffle bag. In other cases backpacks may include a handle toward the top of the bag, or even to the side of the bag, that allow a user to hand carry the bag, instead of on a user's shoulders.
In yet other bags, a user may be able to easily carry the bag as a duffle bag in a user's hand or a user's shoulder or change the format of the straps and carry the bag as a backpack with two shoulder straps; however, in these instances too often the transition between duffle bag to backpack requires changing the straps by unclipping and clipping the straps to different configurations. Other bags may use alternate straps all together to change from a hand carry bag to a backpack. Others may use other fasteners such as snaps or buttons to change the strap configuration which makes the transition from a hand carry bag to a backpack difficult and tedious. Too often a user will only utilize a single function of the bag because it's too difficult to change the strap configuration.
This disclosure provided herein solves the strap configuration problem allowing a user to use a backpack or hand carry bag and easily transition from one to the other. In other terms the following disclosure allows a user to easily utilize the backpack as a backpack or a hand carry bag with easy motion, without additional straps or securing features and lets the user transition quickly and effectively without fumbling with the bag or the straps.
This disclosure, in at least one aspect, relates to a bag which is multifunctional and more specifically, a backpack that may also function as a hand carry bag for both professional and recreational use. More generally a device, or bag system, that provides easy transition from a backpack bag (or shoulder carry bag) to a hand carry bag (or briefcase bag).
The device may include a set of straps, anchored in at least two positions on the bag. The bag may include openings, pockets, sleeves, etc. (“pockets”) for carrying a user's items. The pockets may be different shapes and sizes and in different configurations to maximize utilization space for the bag. Certain pockets may be configured to selectively fit certain items a user desires while traveling, commuting or simply moving.
The straps, or set of straps may be anchored on the exterior of the bag in such a manner to allow a user to lift and carry the bag in a substantially balanced format. The straps may be anchored at one position toward a top of the bag and another position toward a bottom of the bag. One set of straps may be substantially on one lateral side of the bag and another set of straps on the opposite lateral side of the bag.
In a first position, the straps may be positioned behind a panel that may include flaps, flanges or wings that hold the straps in place between the panel and the back surface of the bag. The flaps may each extend laterally in opposite directions from a midline of the bag and include a securement feature, such as snaps or buttons, on the lateral end that interact with a complimentary feature on the back surface of the bag.
In a second position the straps may be pulled out from behind the panel, by either pulling the straps themselves or by undoing the securement feature. The straps may be pulled and adjusted so that a user may place the straps on his or her shoulders and carry the bag as a backpack.
The transition from hand carry bag to backpack or from backpack to hand carry bag is as simple as placing the straps in front of, or behind the panel. The straps may easily reside between the panel and the back surface of the bag without fumbling with the straps. The straps may also be adjusted by a user for a more snug fit as a backpack and easier placement between the panel and back surface of the bag.
The bag may also include multiple pockets and modular interior inserts. Interchangeable internal panels to allow user to vary the configuration may utilize VELCRO® or similar materials to secure the different inserts into the bag. In addition, the exterior of the bag may collapse and expand to allow a user to include more items within the bag if desired. Furthermore, the bag may also include a collapsible pocket or compartment that magnetically collapses the pocket to lay flush with the perimeter of the bag. The collapsible pocket may be on the interior or exterior of the bag. Numerous other functional pockets, zippers, channels, openings, passthroughs and other elements will become evident herein.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure are better understood when the following Disclosure is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The following description sets forth a system, or bag, or handy carry bag, or briefcase, or backpack, or travel bag, or duffle bag with a method for easy transition from a hand carry bag type bag to a backpack type bag. The system allows for an easy transition from one configuration to another configuration without the need of attaching or detaching straps. This system also includes elements and features for easy use by a user to access and store different items within the bag, such as laptops, water bottles, sunglasses, clothes, electronics, keys and more. A “first configuration” may be referred to as a hand carry bag, or briefcase, type configuration wherein a user may use the bag to carry in his or her hand by holding a single strap on the bag. A “second configuration” may be referred to as a backpack type configuration where a user may use the bag on his or her back with shoulder straps.
The following description sets forth separate embodiments and methods for utilizing the system and easy transition of the system from the first configuration to the second configuration as well as utilizing the bag and its functional elements. The strap or straps may be anchored to the bag in such a manner that the bag easily transforms from backpack to hand carry bag with a panel for securing or “hiding” the shoulder straps.
It will be appreciated that although this disclosure refers to “panels” or “surfaces” that each of those panels or surfaces may be integrated and part of the other panel or surface and the entire system, or bag, may be constructed out of a single piece of material with no seams or stops are starts. Alternatively, the system, or bag, may be made up of multiple pieces of material secured together via sewing, welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, stamp heat welding, hot plate welding, gluing, taping, one piece woven, and other fabric joining techniques known by those having skill in the art.
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The bonding strap 114 may include a pass-through that may allow for access through the bonding strap 114 from one side either the first flap 116 to the second flap 118, or vice versa, to the other allowing for passage of a handle, strap or arm through the pass-through. For example, the pass-through may allow for the passage of a luggage handle to allow the bag 100 to rest on the luggage while securing the bag 100 around the luggage handle.
The panel 112 may include flaps, or wings that extend laterally from the bonding strap 114. A first flap 116 may extend from the bonding strap 114 toward the right surface 108. A second flap 118 may extend from the bonding strap 114 toward the left surface 110. The flaps 116, 118 may be secured toward a lateral right end and a lateral left end, respectively, via snaps 120, buttons or other securing feature to hold the flaps 116, 118 to the back surface 102 of the bag 100.
The flaps 116, 118 may hold a set of straps 122, which may be shoulder straps, between the back surface 102 and the panel 112. Referring to
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In this embodiment the set of straps 122 may join to form one large strap or an intersection point 130 toward the first end 124 of the set of straps 122 and prior to engaging the bag 100. The set of straps 122 includes two second ends 236 that also engage the bag 210 on lateral sides of the bag 210 toward the right surface 218 and left surface 220. The second ends 126 may engage the bag toward the bottom surface 104 but on the right and left sides respectively. Alternatively the second ends 126 may engage the bag 210 where the back surface 102 and the right surface 108 intersect and where the back surface 212 and left surface 110 intersect.
A top handle 132 may protrude from the top surface 106 allowing a user to carry the bag 100 in the first configuration 101 like a hand carry bag, or briefcase, or duffle bag or other similar bag. The top handle 132 may be malleable or it may be rigid. Alternatively, the top handle 132 may extend from the set of straps 122 positioned toward the first end 124 of the straps rather than from the top surface 106 of the backpack 100. The top handle 132 may extend superiorly from the body of the bag 100.
The handle may sit flush with any of the surfaces of the backpack 100 and extend when pulled on by a user. A top handle 146 may extend from the set of straps 130 toward the first end 132 of the straps rather than from the top surface 216 of the backpack 100.
To expose the set of straps 122 a user can disengage the snaps 120 from the back surface 102 of the bag 100 allowing the flaps 116, 118 to be manipulated (e.g. bending, rolling, sliding, folding, etc.). Manipulating the flaps 116, 118 allow a user to pull the set of straps 122 from behind the flaps 116, 118 exposing the set of straps 122. The set of straps 122 may resemble backpack straps and may be larger and padded toward the first end 124 of set the straps 122 and smaller and less padded (or not padded at all) toward the second ends 126 of the set of straps 122 and may simply be webbing or nylon straps. The set of straps 122 may be two separate portions wherein the first end 124 is a padded material resembling that of the bag 100 and may be integrated with the bag 100. The second ends 126 may be webbing, nylon or the like that is secured to the first end via any means previously disclosed herein. The second ends 126 may also comprise adjustable clips 134 that allow a user to cinch the straps to a tighter configuration or loosen for a looser configuration. The second ends 126 of the straps may engage other clips 136 and anchors 128 that may include looped material passing (similar to the webbing or nylon of the second ends 126 of the set of straps 122) through apertures in the clips 136 with the second ends 126 passing through apertures in the clips 136 as well and being secured via the adjustable clips 134.
The snaps 120 may be engaged again after the set of straps 122 are exposed and the set of straps 122 may be positioned, or reside, outside of the panel 112 allowing a user to carry the bag 100 like a backpack.
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A lateral handle 146 may be positioned on either the right side 108 or the left side 110, or both sides, of the bag 100. The lateral handle 146 may be comprised of strap-like material (i.e. mesh, nylon, etc.) that may reside flush or substantially flush with the side of the bag 100. The lateral handle 146 may include a retractable or elastic material such that when a user releases the handle it returns to a flush-like state against the side of the bag 100. Alternatively, the lateral handle 146, may be more rigid material and my project from the side of the bag 100. Additionally the lateral handle 146 may be combination of rigid material that is elastic or retractable so that it rests substantially flush with the side of the bag 100 when it is not being used or held by a user.
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Expansion of the pocket 148 may occur in a lateral direction away from the side of the bag 100. The pocket 148 may include additional material that allows the pocket to expand away from the side of the bag 100. The additional material may collapse within the pocket 148 when an item is removed from the pocket 148. The pocket 148 may collapse with the help of magnets residing in a portion of the pocket 148 that are biased toward one of the sides of the pocket 148, for example the anterior portion of the pocket that is secured to the bag 100. Complementary magnets (polar opposites) may be positioned within the side of the bag 100 or within the seam where the pocket 148 is secured to the bag 100 such that a user may use some amount of frictional force to expand the pocket 148 away from the bag 100. Alternatively, a metal piece may reside within the bag to attract the magnets as well, or alternative to complementary magnets. The pocket 148 is continually pulling itself closed because of the polarity of the magnets allowing a user to easily secure an item within the pocket.
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The pocket 148 may also collapse with manual pressure and be secured by means other than magnets, for example, snaps, buttons, Velcro® or the like. This feature allows the pocket 148 to sit flush with one of the sides 108, 110 of the bag. The excess material that may be provided at the inferior portion, or base, of the pocket 148 and the collapsible portion 150 may retract within the pocket 148 itself when the pocket is not in use. The excess material for the pocket 148 may be a nylon or other easily flexible, collapsible and durable material.
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A separate compartment 166, or pocket, may be positioned just behind the interior wall 158. The compartment 166 may be configured to hold a laptop or other similar item. The compartment 166 may be surrounded by shock absorption material or pliable material, such as foam or the like, to prevent damage to the items stored within the compartment.
Alternatively, the front panel 138 may include pockets as well that may allow for storage of items such as tablets and laptops and may be surrounded by similar foam as described herein. The alternative embodiment of the bag 100 may also include a mesh dividing wall that may be accessed via a zipper, or other securing means such as snaps, buttons, Velcro® or the like. The mesh dividing wall may be used to store items in front of or behind the mesh dividing wall such as clothing and shoes.
The straps 122 described herein may be comprised of any suitable, durable material, such as nylon, webbing or other fabrics well known for bags and backpacks, duffle bag, travel bags or the like. The bag 100 may be comprised of any fabric or material typical for bags and travel bags which may include nylon including other waterproof materials.
While the above disclosure utilizes multiple straps it is considered and contemplated that the system 100 or bag could function similarly with a single strap (e.g. like a cross body single strap backpack). Furthermore, While the present embodiment depicts one or more embodiments for a backpack or travel bag, alternatives are contemplated herein specifically with regard to dimensions and materials and are considered part of this disclosure.
Although the foregoing disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope any of the ensuing claims. Other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed separately or in combination. Accordingly, all additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced thereby. The scope of each claim is indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements.