Patent Application
20050205625
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to devices, systems and methods for supporting containers.
2. Description of Related Art
Briefcases, computer carrying cases, instrument cases, carrying cases, shoulder bags, backpacks, catalog cases, suitcases, and other containers are typically provided with one or more handles and/or shoulders straps for transporting the containers on one's person. When one of the above-described containers is carried by utilizing the shoulder strap(s), the entire weight of the container and its contents is placed upon the carrier's shoulder, or shoulders. Pressure caused by the above-described conventional shoulder strap(s) can cause pain, fatigue, and injury to a user.
Some conventional backpacks designed for camping and long distance trekking have attempted to alleviate pressure on the shoulders by including a waist strap that transfers a portion of the load from a person's shoulders to the person's hips or waist. However, this conventional waist strap design has proven unacceptable for the businessperson and/or leisure traveler who has found backpacks with such waist straps complicated, cumbersome, and unsuitable for the business and/or travel environment.
More recently, in the electronics field, businesspeople and leisure travelers have become accustomed to clipping items to their clothing and clothing accessories in order to transport them on their person. Various items that businesspeople and travelers commonly clip to, for example, their waistband or belt, include cell phones, personal digital assistants, pagers, gaming devices, and small computers.
Various exemplary embodiments of container support systems according to this invention include a small device that allows a person to discreetly distribute the weight of a container between the person's shoulder(s) (via one or more shoulder straps) and another part of the person's body (via the device and/or the person's clothing or clothing accessories).
Various exemplary embodiments of a container support device according to this invention provide a support device that includes a platform-like portion on which a container may be placed. The device is usable to interact with an article of clothing (including clothing accessories). When the device interacts with an article of clothing, the device helps distribute the weight of the container to the article of clothing, thereby transferring weight of the container to a person's body.
Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments of a container support system according to this invention include a container, one or more shoulder straps, and a device. The device transfers at least a portion of the container's weight to another part of the person's body by joining the container with that person's clothing, such as, for example, a jacket or parka pocket, a jacket or parka belt, a jacket or parka loop, a pants waistband, a pants pocket, a belt, or a belt loop. For the purpose of this disclosure, the term joining at least encompasses combining, uniting, linking, connecting, relating, and associating. When the device joins the container with the person's clothing at least part of the container's weight is transferred through the device, to the person's clothing, and to the person. Thereby, the weight of the container transferred to the person by the device is no longer supported by the person's shoulder(s).
Various exemplary embodiments of a container support method according to this invention include supporting a portion of a container's weight by one or more shoulder straps and supporting another portion of the container's weight by a device, wherein the device is usable to link the container to an article of clothing.
According to various exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods according to this invention, a person can carry relatively heavy containers, such as, for example, containers holding books, files, computers, instruments, and clothing, without the level of discomfort associated with conventional shoulder strap(s).
Various exemplary embodiments of systems and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:
In various exemplary embodiments of the above-described device 100, the device 100 may include a pad 107 that cushions a primary contact point of the device 100 created by a downward force on the second part 105, when a container 111 is placed on the second part 105.
In various exemplary embodiments, the device 100 has a relatively small width W (e.g., 0.5-1 inches) such that a person may inconspicuously support a container 111 and easily store and/or transport the device 100 when not in use. However, it should be appreciated that the dimensions of device 100 may be chosen depending on a number of factors including, for example, manufacture costs, the amount of support desired, ease of transport, ease of storage, and/or compatibility with a specific container and/or clothing type.
As shown in
It should be appreciated that in various other exemplary embodiments of the device 100 and system 2000 for supporting a container according to this invention, the first part 103 may curve or bend in an opposite direction than that shown in
It should be appreciated that in various exemplary embodiments of the device 100 and system 2000 for supporting a container according to this invention, the device 100 may be permanently fixed to the user's article of clothing 113. In such embodiments, there would be no need for first part 103. Rather, the device 100 would be permanently fixed by, for example, stitching, glue, or rivets to an article of clothing 113, such as a belt. As such, although the device 100 would be relatively larger because the article of clothing 113 is part of the device, and possibly more cumbersome to transport when not in use, there would be little possibility that the device 100 would disconnect from the article of clothing 113 through normal use.
Furthermore, it should be appreciated that in various exemplary embodiments of the device 100 and system 2000 for supporting a container according to this invention, the device 100 may be permanently fixed to the container 111. In such embodiments, second part 105 could be fixed to the container by, for example, stitching, glue, and/or rivets. Additionally, the second part 1 OS could be integrally formed into the container 111.
In various exemplary embodiments, the device 200 has a relatively small width W (e.g., 0.5-1 inches) such that a person may inconspicuously support a container 111 and easily store and/or transport the device 200 when not in use. However, it should be appreciated that the dimensions of device 200 may be chosen depending on a number of factors including, for example, manufacture costs, the amount of support desired, ease of transport, ease of storage, and/or compatibility with a specific container and/or clothing type.
Therefore, as shown in
Again, it should be appreciated that in various exemplary embodiments of the device 200 and system 3000 for supporting a container 111 according this invention, the device 200 may be permanently fixed to the user's article of clothing 113. In such embodiments, there would be no need for first part 203. Rather, the device 200 would be permanently fixed by, for example, stitching, glue, or rivets to the article of clothing 113. As such, although the device 200 would be relatively larger because the article of clothing 113 is part of the device, and possibly more cumbersome to transport, there would be little possibility that the device 200 would disconnect from the user's article of clothing 113 through normal use.
Furthermore, it should be appreciated that in various exemplary embodiments of the device 200 and system 3000 for supporting a container according to this invention, the device 200 may be permanently fixed to the container 111. In such embodiments, second part 205 could be fixed to the container by, for example, stitching, glue, and/or rivets. Additionally, the second part 205 could be integrally formed into the container 111.
It should also be appreciated that in various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods for supporting a container according to this invention the first part 103 need not interact directly with the user's article of clothing 113, but could interact with a receptacle 600 joined to the user's clothing that is specifically designed to interact with first part 103.
Finally, it should be appreciated that in the above-described exemplary embodiments of a device for supporting a container, the device may be made from any combination of durable materials including, for example, one or more of plastic, metal, carbon-fiber, fiberglass, cotton, nylon, rubber, wood, leather, and/or other materials.
According to the various exemplary embodiments of a device, system, and method for supporting a container according to this invention, a user may discreetly distribute the weight of a container between the user's shoulders and other body parts. This allows the user to alleviate pressure caused by using conventional shoulder strap(s) and avoid related pain, fatigue, and injury, while maintaining the convenience of a traditionally fashionable and acceptable container.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, these embodiments should be viewed as illustrative, not limiting. Various modifications, substitutes, or the like are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.
