Patent Application
20090090142
The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for securing bags and, more particularly, to a bag including a lockable handle.
People use several types of bags, handheld bags, handbags or containers for carrying different personal items with them to stores, beaches, pools, schools, hotels and many other locations. Similarly, students use backpacks to carry laptops, books, media players and other items to and from school. Travelers carry cash, credit cards, cameras, passports, mobile phones and other similar items with them when they travel. These bags or containers contain valuable items that the person does not want to lose or have stolen. Therefore, to ensure that the items are not being removed or stolen from the person's bags, the persons must keep the bags with them at all times. In some situations, carrying the bags at all times becomes burdensome and makes some activities almost impossible.
For example, if a person is at a relatively open area such as a pool or beach and the person has a bag such as a beach bag, tote or purse, the person cannot leave their spot at the pool or beach without taking the bag with them for fear that the bag will be stolen or that one or more items from the bag will be stolen or removed by thieves or the like. The person must therefore carry the bag or purse with them to get food, go to the restroom or to perform other activities such as playing volleyball. In addition, if the person wants to go in the water to swim, the person must have another person such as a spouse watch their bag while they are in the water. Otherwise, the person must place the bag as close to the water as possible to keep an eye on the bag. The additional burdens of watching the bag and carrying the bag makes participation in activities or carrying items such as food trays more difficult.
Thieves operate quickly and discretely. Therefore, a bag that is secured and locked to an object or at least secured and locked in a closed position is a less desirable target for a thief because the thief will have to spend too much time and effort to attempt to remove the bag or to remove the items from the bag. Thieves are less likely to want to draw attention to themselves by trying to cut, pry or break into a secured and locked bag to remove the bag or remove the contents of the bag.
To alleviate the need to carry the bag during an activity, it is desirable to stow the bag in a secure manner. Balancing the need for security is also the need for convenience. The prior art bags are lacking in convenience. Therefore, what is desired, is an improved lockable bag that provides both security and convenience in regular use.
The present invention comprises a bag, having a sliding fastener, such as a zipper, and a handle comprising a strong cable. The bag provides the desired security and convenience by providing a bag that can quickly lock or unlock both the handle, and the sliding fastener. The present invention uses a plunger mechanism with a lip to lock the sliding fastener. This technique for locking a sliding fastener is known in the industry, and is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,267 to Nobles. While this technique is well suited for locking a sliding fastener, it does not serve to lock a handle. The present invention provides a means to lock both the handle and the sliding fastener. The user may elect to lock the sliding fastener, the handle, or both, depending on the use situation. For example, when carrying the bag, it may be desirable to lock the handle, but leave the sliding fastener unlocked for convenient access to the items contained within the bag. When leaving the bag unattended, it may be desirable to lock both the handle and the sliding fastener to secure the bag, as well as its contents. The handle may be arranged about an object to secure the bag to that object. For example, the handle may be secured around a rail, such as that provided by a fence post, to secure the bag to that rail while it is left unattended. The bag may be secured to a variety of stationary or non-stationary objects, including, but not limited to, a tree, a picnic table, beach umbrella, lounge chair, office desk, baby stroller and shopping cart, to name a few. With the bag of the present invention, the user is able to “lock and leave” the bag and enjoy time with family and friends.
One embodiment of the bag of the present invention includes a unique locking mechanism which secures both a zipper as well as the bag. This embodiment uses a seven pin tumbler, a ⅛″ galvanized coated cable and a liner resistant to cutting and gouging, which makes the bag almost impossible to penetrate by ordinary means. The water-resistant material allows the contents of the bag to remain dry. The design of the zipper/cable locking mechanism is such that the zipper of the bag can remain unlocked allowing easy access to belongings while still maintaining the look of the bag with the shoulder strap in a locked configuration. A bag according to the present invention is well suited for secure transporting of valuables such as cash, credit cards, passports, mobile phones, cameras, computers and media players.
The applications for the bag of the present invention are practically limitless, and include but are not limited to the following: vacation and business travel, water activities, children's activities including sports activities, shopping, activities involving babies, work, school and dorm room security and laptop security. These advantages, and others, will be apparent from the following detailed description.
The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.
Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a “true” cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.
In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, in some cases both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.
It will be understood that the present invention may have various other embodiments. Furthermore, while the form of the invention herein shown and described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is not intended to illustrate all possible forms thereof. It will also be understood that the words used are words of description rather than limitation, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than solely by the examples given.
