Patent Application
20230124853
Examples of the present disclosure relate to a bag and tarp combination that includes a drain fitting. More specifically, embodiments are directed towards a bag and tarp combination that can be moved from a usage position to a storage position by folding the fabric along a first axis, folding the fabric along a second axis, rolling portions the fabric in a first direction along a third axis, and rolling portions of the fabric in a second direction along the third axis.
Traditional backpacks typically have a large carrying bag and shoulder straps that are positioned over a user's shoulders. In hiking and camping situations, the amount of weight of camping gear is of greater importance. When backpacking, it is often desirable to efficiently utilize space and load. As such, shelter and backpack combinations have been made.
However, conventional combinations of backpacks and shelters generally will have a rigid shape with a frame, do not maximize the space associated with the fabric, and/or do not minimally compact the fabric in a transport mode while accounting for comfort.
Accordingly needs exist for systems and methods associated with a piece of fabric that can be utilized as a hammock or tarp in first mode and as a bag in a second mode, wherein the fabric is converted from the first mode to the second mode by folding the fabric along a first axis, folding the fabric along a second axis, rolling portions the fabric in a first direction along a third axis, and rolling portions of the fabric in a second direction along the third axis.
Embodiments disclosed herein describe a system with a textile that can be utilized as a tarp, hammock, etc. in a usage mode and can be folded and rolled along an axis in multiple directions into a bag in a storage mode, wherein a draining fitting is positioned between straps of the bag and an edge of the bag. In embodiments, the system may include a textile, plurality of handles, drain cover, and a bag portion, wherein the bag portion includes at least one insulated pocket, straps, and fasteners.
The textile may be a rectangular shaped piece of fabric, cloth, material, etc., which can be folded and rolled. The textile may be a durable Dynema-like material, which may be UV resistant, fire retardant, abrasion resistant, and/or lightweight. One skilled in the art may appreciate that in other applications, the textile may be any desired shape and/or size.
The plurality of handles may be straps of fabric with first ends coupled to the textile at a first location and seconds ends coupled to the textile at a second location. The plurality of handles may include handles positioned at each of the corners of textile, and along the edges of the textile between the corners of the textiles. The handles may be configured to secure the textile to another object, such as a tree, spike, etc. In embodiments, when the system is in the storage mode, none of the plurality of the handles may be exposed.
The drain cover may be a piece of plastic, metal, or otherwise rigid material, which may be configured to receive a hose or form an opening within the textile. Responsive to opening the train cover, fluid positioned within the textile may be positioned outside of the textile. This may assist in removing fluid from the textile, which may allow the textile to be used as a rain catcher. In embodiments, the drain cover may be positioned at a position proximate to a center of the longitudinal axis of the textile, which may be positioned the plurality of straps and a distal edge of the textile along the longitudinal axis of the textile.
The bag portion may be configured to be a backpack, bag, or other container. In embodiments, the bag portion may be offset from a first end and a second end along the longitudinal axis of the textile. This may allow the bag to be rolled in a first direction, such that a majority of the textile is positioned between the straps of the bag portion, and then a minority of the textile may be wrapped around the majority portion. The bag portion may include at least one insulated pocket, straps, and fasteners. The insulated pocket may include an opening that can be selectively opened and closed. In embodiments, the at least one insulated pocket may include an upper pocket, central pocket, and lower pocket.
The straps may be backpack straps that extend along a lateral axis, or a shorter axis, of the textile. The straps may be adjustable straps that are configured to be positioned over the shoulders of a user, wherein the straps may be elongated or retracted. In embodiments, the straps may extend along a lateral, or short axis, of the textile, which may extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the textile.
The fasteners may be pieces of fabric with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second ends are configured to be coupled to each other. In embodiments, the first ends and second ends may be Velcro coupling mechanisms utilizing loops and hooks, buckles, etc. The fabric associated with the fasteners may extend along a longitudinal or long axis, of the textile.
In embodiments to switch the system from a usage mode to a storage mode, a user may position the front of the textile, with the bag portion positioned against a floor surface, against the ground. A first portion of the textile may be folded along the longitudinal axis, along a first plane that is aligned with an upper portion of the upper bag. Then, a second portion of the textile may be folded along the longitudinal axis, along a second plane that is aligned with a lower portion of the lower bag. In embodiments, the first portion of the textile and the second portion of the textile may be substantially equal in area, size, and shape.
When the second portion is folded, it may be positioned over the first portion, such that the first portion is positioned between the second portion and a center portion of the textile, wherein the center portion of the textile may be substantially equal in area, size, and shape to the first portion and the second portion. Next, the user may position the front of the textile upward, and begin to roll the textile along the longitudinal axis. The user may roll the textile until a majority of the textile is positioned between the straps, and then the user may move the minority portion of the textile over the majority portion, and couple to first and second ends of the fasteners together.
These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
Textile 110 may be a rectangular shaped piece of fabric, cloth, material, etc., which can be folded and rolled. Textile 110 may be a durable Dynema-like material, which may be UV resistant, fire retardant, abrasion resistant, and/or lightweight. One skilled in the art may appreciate that in other applications, the textile may be any desired shape and/or size.
Handles 120 may be straps of fabric with first ends coupled to the textile at a first location and second ends coupled to the textile at a second location. Handles 120 may be positioned at each of the corners of textile 110, and along the edges of the textile between the corners of the textiles. Handles 120 may be configured to secure the textile 110 to another object, such as a tree, spike, etc. In embodiments, when the system 100 is in the storage mode, none of the plurality of the Handles 120 may be exposed.
Drain cover 130 may be a piece of plastic, metal, or otherwise rigid material, which may be configured to receive a hose or form an opening within the textile 110. Responsive to opening the train cover, fluid positioned within the textile 110 may be positioned outside of the textile 110. This may assist in removing fluid from the textile 110, which may allow the textile 110 to be used as a rain catcher. In embodiments, drain cover 130 may be positioned between bag portion 140 and a front edge of textile 110, wherein a distance between bag portion 140 and the front edge of textile 110 may be substantially longer than a distance between bag portion 140 and second edge 110.
Bag portion 140 may be configured to be a backpack, bag, or any other type of container that is utilized as a storage compartment. Bag portion 140 may be located on a front surface of textile 110. In embodiments, bag portion 140 may be substantially rectangular in shape, and/or have the same shape as textile 110. Bag portion 140 may be located between a first edge of textile 110 and drain cover 130, such that a distance between bag portion 140 and the first edge is smaller than that between bag portion 140 and drain cover 130. This may allow fluid to flow out of drain cover 130 with minimal interaction with bag portion 140. Bag portion 140 may have an upper boundary 142, lower boundary 144, first side boundary 146, and a second side boundary 148. Each of the boundaries may be offset from an edge of textile 110 at least by a length or width of bag portion 140. This may enable textile 110 to be rolled and folded while comfortable worn by a user. For example, a distance between upper boundary 142 and a first edge of textile 110 and a distance between lower boundary 144 and a second edge of textile 110 may be at least a length of bag portion. Further, a second distance between boundary 146 and a side edge of textile 110 may be at least as wide as a width of bag portion 140. Bag portion 140 may include insulated pockets 150, 152, 154, straps 160, and fasteners 170, 172.
Each of the insulated pockets 150, 152, 154 may include an opening that can be selectively opened and closed. Upper pocket 152 may be positioned central pocket 150 and upper boundary 142, and lower pocket 154 may be positioned between central pocket 150 and lower boundary 144.
Straps 160 may be backpack straps that extend along a lateral axis, or a shorter axis, of the textile 110. Straps 160 may be adjustable straps that are configured to be positioned over the shoulders of a user, wherein the straps 160 may be elongated or retracted. Straps 160 may be offset from a center of the longitudinal axis of textile 110, and extend in parallel to the lateral axis of textile 110. In embodiments, in the storage mode, straps 160 may be positioned on an opposite side of system 100 than pockets 150, 152, 154. When in the usage mode, straps 160 may be positioned within the boundaries of textile 110, such that they do not extend past textile 110. Straps 160 may be positioned between the outer boundaries of pockets 150, 152, 154 along a lateral axis of textile 110.
Fasteners 170 may be pieces of fabric with a first end 172 and a second end 174, wherein the first end and the second ends are configured to be coupled to each other. Fasteners 170 may extend in parallel to the longitudinal axis of textile 110. In embodiments, the first ends 172 and second ends 174 may be Velcro coupling mechanisms utilizing loops and hooks, buckles, etc. The fabric associated with the fasteners 170 may extend along a longitudinal or long axis, of the textile 110. In embodiments, a length of first end 172 may extend past the first side boundary of textile 110, and a length associated with second end 174 may not extend past the boundaries of textile 110. This may allow first end 172 to be coupled with second end 174 when in the storage position, while limiting the portions of bag 140 that are exposed. Specifically, a length of first end 172 may be required to have a longer length than that of bag portion 140 to enable first end 172 to wrap around a majority portion and a minority portion of the bag when the bag is in the storage position.
As depicted in
In embodiments, to switch system 100 from a usage mode to a storage mode, a user may position textile 110 such that the back portion 110 is facing upward, and away from the ground surface. First side column 204 may then be folded over first fold line 220, and second side column 206 may be folded over second fold line 230. This may enable second side column 206 to be overlaid on first side column 204. Then, a distal end 210 of textile 110 may be rolled along an axis 240 that is perpendicular to first fold line 220 and second fold line 230, wherein axis 240 extends along the longitudinal axis of textile 110. Distal end 210 may be rolled passed straps 160. This may cause a first strap to be positioned between the second side boundary 148 and first side boundary 146.
Next, proximal end 212 may be rolled in an opposite direction along the longitudinal axis of textile 110, passed straps 160, to be positioned over the rolled distal end 210 causing a second strap to be positioned between the second side boundary 148 and first side boundary 146. This may enable both portions of straps 160 to be positioned on the opposite side of system than pockets 150, 152, 154. The relative positioning of the straps may increase the comfort and usability of system without having straps 160 extend past the boundaries 146, 148 of the bag along the longitudinal axis of textile 110. Furthermore, positioning proximal end 212 over portions of the rolled distal end 210 may minimize the space required by system 100 in the storage mode, wherein only a single layer of proximal end 212 is positioned over distal end 210. This may additionally provide compressive forces along the longitudinal axis of system 100 to secure the rolled portion in place.
As depicted in
At operation 510, a textile may be folded over a first axis.
At operation 520, the textile may be folded over a second axis, wherein the first axis and second axis are in parallel to each other.
At operation 530, a distal end of the textile may be rolled towards a proximal end of the textile. The distal end of the textile may be rolled until the roll is positioned between backpack straps associated with the bag.
At operation 540, the proximal end of the textile may be positioned around portions of the rolled up portion of the textile, wherein the proximal end may not extend around the entirety of the rolled up portion of the textile.
At operation 550, fasteners associated with the bag may be clasped together.
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One skilled in the art may appreciate that elements depicted in
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63257865 | Oct 2021 | US |
