The invention relates to a convertible bag and a method of operating a convertible bag. More specifically, the invention relates to a convertible bag that is convertible between a handbag configuration and a backpack configuration.
Handbags and shoulder bags are commonly used for transporting personal belongings. In use, a user carries a handbag by its handles, or in the case of shoulder bags they are worn over one of the user's shoulders. The contents in these bags are easily accessible because the user can search for a particular item in the bag without setting the bag down. However, since these bags are carried on one side of the user, they may be uncomfortable to use over an extended period of time. Moreover, their use may cause instability when the user needs to carry a heavy load, or during activities such as cycling.
Some users may opt for backpacks or rucksacks instead. A backpack comprises a pair of shoulder straps and allows the carried load to be spread evenly over the user's shoulders. It therefore eases the stress exerted on each of the user's shoulders, as well as providing better stability. However, carrying a backpack in a crowded space, for example during a peak-hour commute, could be of great inconvenience because the backpack takes up additional footprint. Therefore, some backpacks comprise an additional handle, so as to allow the user to carry the backpack in a manner similar to carrying a handbag if needed.
However, this structure suffers various disadvantages. For example, the additional handle as provided on some backpacks is usually quite short in length and merely sufficient to accommodate a user's palm. This helps to make the handle relatively unobtrusive when it is not in use, but the handle tends to be uncomfortable to use. In addition, the loosened shoulder straps are unsightly and present a trip hazard for others when the backpack is carried by the additional handle.
The invention provides a convertible bag, and a method, as defined in the appended independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Preferred or advantageous features of the invention are set out in dependent claims.
The present invention may thus provide a convertible bag comprising a handle and two retractable straps. Each of the two retractable straps is configured to extend from the bag, such as through an aperture in an outer surface of the bag, and to releasably attach to the handle. The two straps may extend through a single, common aperture or through two separate apertures. The aperture(s) may be on a side surface of the bag or in a base surface of the bag. The convertible bag is convertible from a handbag configuration in which the bag may be carried using the handle, to a backpack configuration in which the bag may be carried using backpack straps, by performing the steps of extending each of the two retractable straps through the aperture, or apertures, and releasably attaching each of the two retractable straps to the handle, thus forming backpack straps comprising the handle and the retractable straps. The convertible bag is convertible from the backpack configuration to the handbag configuration by performing the steps of releasing each of the two retractable straps from the handle, and retracting each of the two retractable straps through the aperture, or apertures. When retracted, the straps are preferably hidden from sight, within the bag.
The convertible bag is arranged to convert between a handbag and a backpack configuration so that a user may opt for different carrying styles as required. When the convertible bag is carried by the handle, the retractable straps are retracted into the bag through the aperture and therefore they do not present a trip hazard. The bag also has a clean, elegant appearance as a portion of the retracted straps are advantageously hidden from view. When the bag is carried in the backpack configuration, the handle forms part of the backpack straps and as a result the handle is no longer freely movable. This may advantageously allow a longer and a more comfortable handle to be provided for use when the bag is in its handbag configuration, than is provided in the conventional backpacks that are commonly available. For example, a longer handle may allow the convertible bag (in the handbag configuration) to be carried over one of the user's shoulders as a shoulder bag, which is not feasible using the short carrying handle in the prior art backpacks.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle comprises two handle portions. One end of each handle portion is secured to the bag, and in the handbag configuration the other ends of the two handle portions are releasably attached to each other to form said handle. In the backpack configuration the two handle portions may be separated from each other, and each of the handle portions releasably attached to a respective one of the retractable straps to form a backpack strap.
Optionally, the steps for converting the convertible bag from the handbag configuration to the backpack configuration may thus comprise a step of detaching the two handle portions from each other. Optionally, the steps for converting the convertible bag from the backpack configuration to the handbag configuration may comprise a step of releasably attaching the two handle portions to each other to form the handle.
In an alternative embodiment, the handle may be continuous, and may not comprise two separate handle portions. In this embodiment, in the backpack configuration, the continuous handle releasably attaches to both of the retractable straps. The handle may either be long so that in the backpack configuration the handle passes over the user's head and across their chest, or it may be short and may sit behind the user's neck in the backpack configuration.
The releasable attachment between the straps and the handle may advantageously allow the retractable straps to be manually attached to or detached from the handle. The releasable attachment may comprise any suitable fastening, such as clasps, buckles, or hoop and loop attachments.
Optionally, each of the handle, the handle portions (if present), and the retractable straps comprises a fastening or clasp for effecting said releasable attachment. The fastenings of the handle portions may be configured to cooperate with each other in the handbag configuration, or with the fastenings of the retractable straps in the backpack configuration. This may advantageously allow the same fastening mechanism to be used universally between the handle or handle portions and the backpack straps.
Optionally, when the convertible bag is converted into the handbag configuration, the retractable straps are securely retracted and are arranged to be hidden within the bag. This arrangement may advantageously both hide the retracted straps to give the bag a clean, elegant appearance and prevent accidental release of the retractable straps from within the bag to form a trip hazard.
Optionally, the convertible bag comprises a retracting means for retracting the retractable straps through the aperture, or apertures, in the bag. For example, the retracting means may be configured to retract or to reel in said straps from outside the bag into a compartment within the bag.
Optionally, the convertible bag further comprises an auxiliary handle configured to cooperate with the handle, such that when the bag is in its handbag configuration it may be carried using both the handle and the auxiliary handle. The auxiliary handle may be provided on an opposite side of the convertible bag to the handle to improve stability.
In a preferred embodiment, in order to retract the retractable straps, an opposite end of each strap may be connected to a respective end of the auxiliary handle and the auxiliary handle may be mounted so that it can be extended from, or retracted towards, the bag. In this way, when converting the bag from the handbag configuration to the backpack configuration, when the retractable straps are pulled away from the aperture(s) in the bag, the opposite ends of the straps may draw (or retract) at least a portion of the auxiliary handle, for example through an auxiliary-handle aperture or apertures (or auxiliary aperture or apertures), into an interior portion of the bag. Similarly, when the bag is converted back to its handbag configuration, drawing the auxiliary handle away from the auxiliary-handle aperture(s) both extends the auxiliary handle and retracts the retractable straps. To achieve this the retractable straps may extend through and be slidable within a passage or passages within the bag from the strap aperture(s) to the auxiliary-handle aperture(s). The auxiliary-handle apertures may be provided on an opposite side of the convertible bag to the strap apertures, such that the two retractable straps may extend through the bag. For example, a first end of each strap may be releasably attachable to the handle, as described above, and a second end of each strap may be fixed to, or comprise a part of, the auxiliary handle.
This arrangement may advantageously ensure that the retractable straps or the auxiliary handle are securely retracted when the bag is carried in the handbag configuration and the backpack configuration respectively. Because the retractable straps are fixed to the auxiliary handle, extending either the retractable straps or the auxiliary handle away from the bag leads to the retraction of the other towards the bag.
Optionally, the auxiliary handle may comprise two auxiliary handle portions releasably attached to each other. Optionally, the steps for converting the convertible bag from the handbag configuration to the backpack configuration may then comprise detaching the two auxiliary handle portions from each other. Optionally the steps for converting the convertible bag from the backpack configuration to the handbag configuration may comprise releasably attaching the two auxiliary handle portions to each other to form the auxiliary handle.
The auxiliary handle may thus be configured to divide into two auxiliary handle portions when the bag is carried in the backpack configuration. This arrangement may not only allow the auxiliary handle to be further retracted into the bag, it may also provide an additional length in the retractable straps. As a result, shorter retractable straps may be used. In addition, this arrangement may advantageously avoid excessive bending in the auxiliary handle as it retracts through the auxiliary-handle aperture(s), and thereby prolonging the useable life of the auxiliary handle.
In an alternative embodiment in which the retractable straps are not connected to an auxiliary handle, the retracting means may comprise a spring-loaded retractor spool or it may comprise any other retracting means such as a winder and a ratchet for retracting each of the two retractable straps through the aperture, or apertures, in the bag. The bag may comprise one such retracting means for each retractable strap, or a single retracting means to retract both straps.
Optionally, the backpack straps are separate to each other in the backpack configuration and when in use, each of the backpack straps may be configured to extend over a user's shoulder. More specially, the backpack straps may be in parallel arrangement so to allow the bag to be loaded on the user's back easily. Thus, if the handle is mounted at an upper portion of the bag, the aperture(s) for the retractable straps may be positioned at a lower portion of the bag, preferably on the same side of the bag as the handle, for example on a base or side or end surface of the bag.
Optionally, each of the retractable straps comprises an adjuster, configured to vary the length of the respective backpack strap in the backpack configuration. The adjusters may be webbing strap adjusters, buckles, winders or any other suitable adjusters.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of operating a convertible bag as described above. The method may advantageously comprise the steps of extending each of the two retractable straps from the bag, such as through the aperture, or apertures, in the bag, and releasably attaching each of the two retractable straps to the handle to convert the bag to a backpack configuration. These form backpack straps comprising the handle and the retractable straps. The method may also comprise the steps of releasing each of the two retractable straps from the handle and retracting each of the two retractable straps through the aperture, or apertures, in the bag to convert the bag to a handbag configuration.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a hooked clasp, for use along with a second hooked clasp in a fastener for releasably securing strap ends to be adjoined,
According to yet another embodiment, there is provided a fastener for releasably securing strap ends to be adjoined, the fastener comprising a first and a second hooked clasp of the aforementioned embodiment.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
A convertible bag 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The convertible bag 10 comprises a side panel 20, which cooperates with other panels of the convertible bag 10 to form a compartment 22 within the bag for containing personal items and the like. The convertible bag comprises a handle 30, having its ends pivotally attached to the side panel 20 by connectors 32. The handle 30 is freely rotatable about the connectors 32 in the handbag configuration. There is an auxiliary handle (not shown) provided on an auxiliary side panel (not shown) opposite to the side panel 20. In use, a user may carry the bag by the handle 30, for example over one of the user's shoulders as a shoulder bag. Alternatively, the user may carry the convertible bag by hand, using both of the handle 30 and the auxiliary handle, as a handbag.
The side panel 20 further comprises two apertures 42 through which a pair of retractable straps 40 are extendable. As shown in
Each retractable strap 40 comprises at its end a fastener or clasp 44 for preventing the retractable straps 40 from being fully retracted, through the apertures 42. As shown in
The clasps 44, protruding from the surface of the side panel 20 in the handbag configuration, can be grasped by a user to extend the retractable straps 40 when converting the bag to a backpack configuration. In the backpack configuration, the clasps 44 of the retractable straps cooperate with corresponding fasteners or handle clasps 34 on the handle 30 so as to form releasable attachments between the retractable straps 40 and the handle 30. More specifically, in order to convert the convertible bag 10 from the handbag configuration to the backpack configuration as shown in
The clasps 44 and handle clasps 34 form a releasable attachment. To convert the convertible bag 10 from the backpack configuration to the handbag configuration, the user may release the clasps 44 from the handle clasps 34 on the handle 30. Upon detaching the clasps 44 from the handle clasps 34, the tension exerted by the retractable spools reels in the straps 40 toward the apertures 42 until the clasps 44 abut the side panel.
In a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in
In order to convert the convertible bag from the handbag configuration to the backpack configuration, a user may first detach the handle clasps 34a, 34b from each other so as to split the handle 30 into handle portions 30a, 30b, before extending each of the retractable straps 40 from the side panel 20 and releasably attaching the handle clasps 34a, 34b to corresponding clasps 44 of the retractable straps 40 to form backpack straps.
To convert the convertible bag from the backpack configuration back to the handbag configuration, the user may first detach the strap clasps 44 from their corresponding handle clasps 34a, 34b so as to separate the retractable straps 40 from the handle portions 30a, 30b. The user may then attach the clasps 34a, 34b to each other to form the handle 30, whilst retracting the retractable straps 40 towards the side panel 20 using the retractor spools 43.
To form a releasable attachment in handle clasps 34a, 34b, the user may first align the clasps by inserting the hook 70 of each of the clasps 34a, 34b into an orifice 74 defined in the other of the clasps 34a, 34b, before urging the clasps 34a, 34b away from each other in a longitudinal direction. This allows the pips and indents at the surface of the hooks 70 to lock onto each other so as to secure the releasable attachment in the clasps 34a, 34b.
To decouple the handle clasps 34a, 34b from each other, the user may push the clasps 34a, 34b towards each other in the longitudinal direction. Doing so disengages the pips and indents connection between the hooks 70 and thereby allows the handle clasps 34a, 34b to be released from each other.
It is evident that the two clasps, shown in
In a variation of the clasps and clasp mechanism shown in
Thus, the hooked clasp 90 has a bar directed transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hooked clasp, which serves as strap attachment means 91, and hook 92 with a return 94. The return has an outer surface 95, which upon attachment to another hooked clasp may conveniently align with an opposite surface 97 of the other hooked clasp. In order to get to this position, the return 94 of the hook is passed through an orifice 96 and then slid behind the return of the other hooked clasp until it reaches the position shown in
The return 94 has an inner side 98 into which is embedded a magnet 99. The magnet may be inserted after manufacture of the remainder of the clasp, for example by press-fitting. Two sets of clasps would be made with opposite polarities at the inner surface of the returns of the clasps. Alternatively, a compact bar magnet which presents both polarities in the same direction may be incorporated to expose those polarities on the inner surface of the return, in such a way that the polarity changes in a distal direction along the return. When the fastener is attached, the opposite orientation of the fasteners causes opposite polarities to align, thereby providing an attractive force and so allowing one type of hooked clasp to be used for both parts of the fastener.
Conventional fasteners have clasps that deform elastically before engaging and need to be squeezed to disengage the clasps.
The hooked clasps may be employed in the fastener used in the handle 30 or for the straps 40 of bags in this disclosure.
In the embodiment shown in
In
Optionally, a base plate 100, as shown in
The assembly of the base plate 100 is provided with the set of channels 104 for allowing the retractable straps 40 to freely slide through the passageways between the set of auxiliary-handle apertures 52 in the auxiliary side panel 24 and the apertures 42 in the side panel 20. A roller (not shown in figure) is provided at opening of each channel to facilitate movement of retractable straps through the channels. The channels make the movement of straps easy for the user. Moreover, the use of rollers at the opening of each channel further reduces the effort of the user in stretching the retractable straps from the set of auxiliary-handle apertures 52 in the auxiliary side panel 24 to the apertures 42 in the side panel 20.
The width of each of the channels is such that it allows the easy movement of the retractable straps through the base plate but blocks the clasps 44 from travelling from the apertures 42 in the side panel 20 towards the set of auxiliary-handle apertures 52.
In the handbag configuration as shown in
To convert the convertible bag from the handbag configuration of
A user may convert the convertible bag from the backpack configuration back to the handbag configuration by detaching the retractable straps 40 from the handle 30 to free up the retractable straps 40, before pulling on the auxiliary handle 50 at the auxiliary side panel 24 in order to extend said auxiliary handle 50 until the clasps 44 at the ends of the retractable straps abut the apertures 42 in the side panel 20.
In comparison to the embodiment shown in
To convert the convertible bag from the backpack configuration to the handbag configuration, a user may detach the retractable straps 40 from the handle 30 in order to free up the retractable straps 40, before pulling on the auxiliary handle clasps 54a, 54b at the auxiliary side panel 24 to extend said auxiliary handle clasps 54a, 54b until the clasps 44 of the retractable straps 40 abut the apertures 42 in the side panel 20. The user may then attach the auxiliary handle clasps 54a, 54b with each other to form the auxiliary handle 50.
In an embodiment shown in
To convert the convertible bag 10 from the handbag configuration to the backpack configuration, the user may first open zips of the zip arrangement 143 in order to release the secondary straps 141 from the zipped pockets 142.
Optionally, each of the secondary straps 141 comprises a strap-length adjuster, configured to vary the length of the respective backpack strap in the backpack configuration. The strap-length adjusters may be webbing strap adjusters, buckles, winders or any other suitable adjusters. The adjustment of length of the backpack strap is advantageous as it enables the convertible bag to be used, by different users having different heights and shoulder size, in backpack configuration.
The user may convert the convertible bag from the backpack configuration back to the handbag configuration by detaching the secondary straps 141 from the handle 30 to free up the secondary straps 141, before pulling on the auxiliary handle 50 at the auxiliary side panel 24. The secondary straps 141 are folded back and packed in the zip pockets 142, and the zips of the zip arrangement 143 are closed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1718108 | Nov 2017 | GB | national |
1810973 | Jul 2018 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/025274 | 10/31/2018 | WO |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2019/086145 | 5/9/2019 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200352295 A1 | Nov 2020 | US |