The present disclosure relates generally to a soft bag or luggage piece, for example a duffle-style bag.
Soft bags or duffle-style bags can be formed of soft fabric-like materials on each side to form an enclosure for storing various items. Certain example, duffle bags can have rectangular shapes, and can have a length that is longer than their width. Also a central opening can be provided along the bag's length. In certain examples, duffle bags may be used when traveling, during various outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, hiking, etc. and can be, for example, carried on the user's shoulder or otherwise carried by hand through the use of various straps and/or handles to facilitate mobility.
This Summary provides an introduction to some general concepts relating to this invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.
Moreover, certain example bags may include an outer shell comprising a front panel, a rear panel, a top sidewall, a bottom sidewall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The example bag may include a closure configured to move from an open position to a closed position and, in certain examples, may be an airtight, water resistant, or waterproof closure. The example bag may also include adjustable straps that may be configured to move from a first carry position to a second carry position by releasing the adjustable straps from the outer shell of the bag from the first carry position and securing the adjustable straps to the second carry position. In other examples, the bag may include one or more of a waterproof outer shell or a waterproof storage compartment.
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.
In the following description of the various examples and components of this disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made from the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Also, while the terms “frontside,” “backside,” “top,” “base,” “bottom,” “side,” “forward,” and “rearward” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of the claims.
The example bag 100 can include two adjustable carry straps 102a, 102b, a top or first side handle 120a, and a bottom or second side handle 120b for carrying the example bag 100. Straps 102a, 102b can, in one example, be identically formed straps, which include the same or identical features and components. The example bag 100 can also include a series of loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d that are located on and extend from the top sidewall 108 to the right sidewall 112 or the left sidewall 114. Additionally the bag 100 can include upper ring loops 118a, 118b for holding the upper portions 122 of the carry straps 102a, 102b therein. Moreover, as shown in
In one example, the closure 109 can be substantially waterproof or form a barrier to prevent liquid contents from either entering or exiting the bag. Additionally, the closure 109 can be impervious to liquid such that the liquid penetration into the closure 109 is prevented at any orientation of the bag 100. The closure 109 may also be constructed such that it is airtight. Also maintaining the closure 109 in flat plane can assist in providing a water tight seal. In one example, the closure 109 can be a waterproof zipper assembly and can be watertight up to 7 psi above atmospheric pressure during testing with compressed air. However, in other examples, the water tightness of the closure 109 can be from 5 psi to 9 psi above atmospheric pressure and in other examples, the water tightness of the closure 109 can be from 2 psi to 14 psi above atmospheric pressure. The waterproof zipper assembly can include a slider body and pull-tab 111. In one particular example, the waterproof zipper assembly can be constructed with plastic or other non-metallic teeth to prevent injury when retrieving contents from the inner chamber. Suitable example closure mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/261,407 filed on Sep. 9, 2016, which is fully incorporated by reference herein for any non-limiting purposes.
In certain examples, the front panel 104, the rear panel 106, and the bottom sidewall 110 can be formed thicker than the top sidewall 108, the right sidewall 112, and the left sidewall 114. This provides additional reinforcement in those sections to provide support for the contents stored in the bag. However, each of these sections can be formed of similar materials. In one example, the top sidewall 108, the right sidewall 112, and the left sidewall 114, the top sidewall 108, the right sidewall 112, and the left sidewall 114 can all be formed of a TPU coated nylon fabric. In one example, a nylon fabric can be used as a base material for these portions of the bag and can be coated with a TPU laminate on each side of the fabric. In one example, the TPU nylon fabric used can be 0.6 millimeters thick and can be waterproof. However, it is contemplated that the fabrics used to construct the bag 100 incorporate antimicrobial materials to create a mildew-free environment. In one specific example, the nylon can be 840d nylon with TPU. Alternative materials used to manufacture the structure of the bag can be PVC, TPU coated nylon, coated fabrics, and other weldable and waterproof fabrics.
In certain examples, the materials forming outer shell of the bag including the top sidewall 108, the right sidewall 112, and the left sidewall 114 can be formed waterproof or water resistant. Also in certain examples, the front panel 104, the rear panel 106, and the bottom sidewall 110 can be provided with a rigid plate or panel to support those sections of the bag 100. For example, the rigid plate or panel could be formed of a suitable polymer or plastic, such as polyethylene. However, any stiffener material that is flexible could be used and other examples, may include a thermoformed PE, a TPU injection molded custom component. The components of the bag 100 including the top sidewall 108, the right sidewall 112, the left sidewall 114, the front panel 104, the rear panel 106, and the bottom sidewall 110 can be secured together by stitching, adhesive, polymer welding, and other suitable attachment methods.
Referring now in particular to
Also, in certain examples, a similar layered structure as is shown in
Starting with the upper portion 122 of the example strap 102a, 102b, a slide or ring 124 can be included at the upper portion 122 of the example strap 102a, 102b for securing the strap 102a, 102b to the upper ring loop 118a, 118b. In one example, the upper portion 122 can be sewn into an upper loop 126 around a lower loop 128 of the slide or ring 124, and the upper portion 130 of the slide or ring 124 can include an open end for securing the slide or ring 124 to the bag 100 at the upper ring loop 118a, 118b. The open end of the upper portion 130 of the slide or ring 124 allows for the strap to be adjustable on the bag 100. In certain examples, the upper portion 130 can be provided with a degree of elasticity or flexibility to allow for the ring 124 to flexingly engage the upper ring loop 118, 118b of the bag 100 such that the ring 124 is releasably secured to the upper ring loop 118, 118b of the bag. However, it is also contemplated that the ring 124 can include various clip arrangements such as a spring loaded clip in order to be adjustable on the bag. Also as shown in
The strap 102a may also include a strap adjuster 131 which is configured to adjust the length of the strap. The upper portion 122 of the strap 102a can be sewn into a lower loop 132 around the strap adjuster 131. The lower portion 134 of the strap 102a can include additional length that can be looped through the bottom section of the strap adjuster 131.
The end of the lower portion 134 of the strap 102a may also be sewn into a loop 139 around a spring clip 136. As will be discussed below, the spring clip 136 is configured to be depressed by the user to move the strap in the lower loops 116c, 116d to accommodate different carry arrangements of the straps 102a, 102b.
The bag can be provided with four sets of loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d, which can be configured to receive the adjustable carry straps 102a, 102b therein and various other items such as carabineers, drinkware, smaller bags, sleeping bags, pads, etc. It is contemplated that the loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d can be configured as attachment points, latch points, carrying loops, grab handles, or straps for grasping, holding, or hanging the bag. The loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d can be formed of different lengths and sizes to accommodate different functionality. Also, in certain alternative examples, the loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d can be configured as MOLLE loops or PALS webbing. The bag includes a first pair of upper loops 116a, 116b, and a second pair of lower loops 116c, 116d. In this example, the upper loops 116a, 116b can be formed identically to each other, and the lower loops 116c, 116d can be formed identically to each other. The upper loops 116a, 116b are similar to the lower loops 116c, 116d. However, in this example, the upper ring loops 118a, 118b are included adjacent to the upper loops 116a, 116b. The upper ring loops 118a, 118b are show in further detail in
As will be discussed below, the location of the upper loops 116a, 116b and the lower loops 116c, 116d, in one example, can be located such that the carry straps 102a, 102b can be adjusted to the desired use of the bag 100 as either a backpack or a hand carry bag. The loops 116a, 116b, 116c, and 116d can be arranged such that straps can serve as either backpack straps or hand carry straps, while providing comfortable carry options in each configuration. In this example, the loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d can be arranged such that they extend partially about an outer wall circumference of the bag. In this example, the first pair of upper loops 116a, 116b can be aligned in a first plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the bag, and the second pair of lower loops 116c, 116d can be aligned in a second plane extending perpendicular to the bag. Also the first plane and the second plane both plane can extend parallel to each other. Also the closure 109 may define a third plane which extends perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane formed by the loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d. The first pair of upper loops 116a, 116b can be positioned at a first axial distance and the second pair of lower loops 116c, 116d can be positioned at a second axial distance spaced from the upper loops 116a, 116b. In this way, the position of the lower loops 116c, 116d are arranged such that the straps 102a, 102b maintain the same axial position on the bag 100 regardless of which of the loops 116c, 116d the bottom portions 134 of the straps are located in.
In certain examples, the straps 102a, 102b, loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d, and handles 120a, 120b can be formed of nylon webbing. Other suitable materials may include polypropylene, neoprene, polyester, Dyneema, Kevlar, cotton fabric, leather, plastics, rubber, or rope. The straps 102a, 102b, loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d, and handles 120a, 120b can be attached to the outer shell of the bag 100 by stitching, adhesive, or polymer welding. It is also contemplated that reinforcement patches of material can be used in the areas where the straps 102a, 102b, loops 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d, and handles 120a, 120b are secured to the outer surface or shell of the bag 100 to make these areas of the bag 100 more robust to better support the weight of the bag in these areas. The hardware of the bag can be designed such that it can withstand many forces. In certain examples, the hardware can withstand 200 lbs. to 300 lbs. of force, and, in other examples, the hardware can be configured to withstand 500 lbs. to 1000 lbs. of force.
As illustrated in
More specifically in order to arrange the bag in the first carrying arrangement or in the second carry arrangement, the straps 102a, 102b can be moved in the lower loops 116c, 116d. As shown in
During use, the user can move the adjustable straps 102a, 102b along the outer shell of the bag. The user can release the second ends 134 by releasing the spring clips 136 on the straps 102a, 102b from a first backpack carry position and securing the adjustable straps to a second backpack carry position. The user can move the adjustable straps 102a, 102b second ends of each straps 102a, 102b circumferentially along the bag to adjust the bag from the first backpack carry position to the second backpack carry position. The user does not have to move the upper or first ends 122 of the adjustable straps, and the upper or first ends 122 can remain fixed relative to the bag during adjustment of the second or lower ends 134 of the straps 102a, 102b. In one example, a first strap 102a of the pair of straps may be configured to move from a first loop 116c1 to a second loop 116c2 in a first lower set of loops 116c, and a second strap 102b of the pair of straps may be configured to move from a third loop 116d1 to a fourth loop 116d2 in a second lower set of loops 116d. The first loop 116c1 can be located at a first circumferential position, and the second loop 116c2 may be located at a second circumferential position. The third loop 116d1 may be located at third circumferential position, and the fourth loop 116d2 can be located at a fourth circumferential position. In one example, the first circumferential position may have the same spacing from the closure 109 as the third circumferential position and the second circumferential position may have the same spacing from the closure as the fourth circumferential position.
In addition to the carrying options discussed above, it is also contemplated that the straps may be used to tie down the bag on a roof rack, snowmobile, boat, bicycle, motorcycle, etc. by rearranging and tightening the straps within the loops. Moreover, the bag can be configured to have only one shoulders strap. For example, a single strap can be connected between upper ring loop 118b and first loop 116c1 of the first lower set of loops 116c.
In certain examples, the volume of the bag can be 50 liters, 75 liters, or 100 liters. Other bag sizes are also contemplated. The bag length can range from 50 cm to 100 cm, the bag width can range from 20 to 60 cm, the bag depth can range from 10 to 40 cm, the radius of the front and rear panels can be 7 to 12 cm. In one example, the 50 liter bag version can have a length of 60 cm, a width of 35 cm, a depth of 25 cm, the radius of the front and rear panel can be 9.2 cm. In one example, the 75 liter bag version can have a length of 71 cm, a width of 40 cm, a depth of 28 cm, the radius of the front and rear panel can be 10 cm. In one example, the 100 liter bag version can have a length of 83 cm, a width of 43 cm, a depth of 30 cm, the radius of the front and rear panel can be 10 cm. In certain examples, the length to width ratio can range from 1.5 to 3, the width to depth ratio can range from 1 to 2, and the depth to radius ratio can range from 1 to 3.5.
An example bag may include an outer shell, a front panel, a rear panel, a top sidewall, a bottom sidewall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a closure configured to move from an open position to a closed position. The closure can extend along a length of the bag and can be located in the top sidewall. The bag may include a pair of adjustable straps each configured to releasably engage the bag at least at a one end. The adjustable straps may both include a first end and a second end. The adjustable straps may be configured to move from a first carry position to a second carry position by releasing the adjustable straps from the bag from the first carry position and securing the adjustable straps to the second carry position. The second end of each strap can be moved circumferentially along the bag to adjust the bag from the first carry position to the second carry position and each of the first ends of the adjustable straps can remain fixed relative to the bag during adjustment of each of the second ends of the straps. The first carry position and the second carry position may be both backpack carry positions and hand carry positions. Also the top sidewall may be configured to engage the back of a user during use as a backpack.
The bag may also include at least two sets of loops, and a first strap of the pair of adjustable straps can be configured to move from a first loop to a second loop in a first set of loops and a second strap of the pair of straps can be configured to move from a third loop to a fourth loop in a second set of loops. The first loop can be located at a first circumferential position and the second loop can be located at a second circumferential position, and the third loop can be located at third circumferential position and the fourth loop can be located at a fourth circumferential position. The first circumferential position can have the same spacing from the closure as the third circumferential position and the second circumferential position may have the same spacing from the closure as the fourth circumferential position. The bottom sidewall, the front panel, and the rear panel can be formed of a first material and the top sidewall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall can be formed of a second material. The first material may be more rigid than the second material. In one example, the adjustable straps can maintain the same axial position from the first carry position to the second carry position. The bag may include four sets of loops, and two sets of loops may extend in a first plane and two sets may extend in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane may extend parallel to each other; the closure can define a third plane extending perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.
In another example, a method can include forming a bag with an outer shell, and forming the bag with a front panel, a rear panel, a top sidewall, a bottom sidewall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and securing a closure configured to move from an open position to a closed position to the top sidewall, providing a pair of adjustable straps and configuring each of the adjustable straps to releasably engage the outer shell at least at one end and configuring the adjustable straps to move from a first carry position to a second carry position by configuring the adjustable straps to be releasable from the outer shell of the bag from the first carry position and configuring the adjustable straps to be secured to the second carry position and configuring adjustable straps such that they maintain the same axial position on the bag from the first carry position to the second carry position. The method may also include configuring the first carry position and the second carry position as both backpack carry positions and hand carry positions and configuring the top sidewall to engage the back of a user during use as a backpack. The method may also include providing the adjustable straps with a first end and a second end and configuring the second end of each adjustable strap to be moved circumferentially along the bag to adjust the bag from the first carry position to the second carry position and configuring each of the first ends of the adjustable straps to remain fixed relative to the bag during the adjustment of the straps from the first carry position to the second carry position. The method may also include providing the outer shell with at least two sets of loops and configuring a first strap of the pair of adjustable straps to move from a first loop to a second loop in a first set of loops and configuring a second strap of the pair of straps to move from a third loop to a fourth loop in a second set of loops. The method may also include locating the first loop at a first circumferential position and the second loop at a second circumferential position and locating the third loop at third circumferential position and the fourth loop at a fourth circumferential position and configuring the first circumferential position as having a same spacing from the closure as the third circumferential position and configuring the second circumferential position as having a same spacing from the closure as the fourth circumferential position. The method may also include forming the bottom sidewall, the front panel, and the rear panel of a first material and the top sidewall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall of a second material, forming the first material more rigid than the second material, forming the outer shell of the bag with four sets of loops and arranging two sets of loops in a first plane and arranging two sets of loops in a second plane both extending parallel to each other and forming the closure in a third plane, the third plane extending perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.
In another example, a bag may include an outer shell, a front panel, a rear panel, a top sidewall, a bottom sidewall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a closure configured to move from an open position to a closed position, the closure extending along a length of the bag and being located in the top sidewall, a pair of adjustable straps, both including a first end and a second end and each configured to releasably engage the bag at least at one end and the adjustable straps being configured to move from a first carry position to a second carry position by releasing the adjustable straps from the bag from the first carry position and securing the adjustable straps to the second carry position. The second end of each strap can be moved circumferentially along the bag to adjust the bag from the first backpack carry position to the second hand carry position and each of the first end of the adjustable strap may remain fixed relative to the bag during adjustment of each of the second ends of the straps.
The outer shell further may include at least two sets of loops. A first strap of the pair of adjustable straps can be configured to move from a first loop to a second loop in a first set of loops, and a second strap of the pair of straps can be configured to move from a third loop to a fourth loop in a second set of loops. The first loop may be located at a first circumferential position and the second loop may be located at a second circumferential position and the third loop may be located at third circumferential position and the fourth loop may be located at a fourth circumferential position. The first circumferential position can have the same spacing from the closure as the third circumferential position and the second circumferential position may have the same spacing from the closure as the fourth circumferential position. The bag can generally represent a cuboid or rectangular prism with rounded corners.
The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 29/580,469, 29/580,477, 29/580,480, 29/580,484, 29/580,485, and 29/580,487 all filed on Oct. 10, 2016. All of the above applications are incorporated fully herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29580469 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 15453655 | US | |
Parent | 29580477 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 29580469 | US | |
Parent | 29580480 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 29580477 | US | |
Parent | 29580484 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 29580480 | US | |
Parent | 29580485 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 29580484 | US | |
Parent | 29580487 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 29580485 | US |