Multiple configuration strap apparatus for briefcases and other carrying bags

Abstract

This invention presents strap apparatus that is attached to a carrying bag such as a briefcase, computer bag, or golf club bag. In the first embodiment, the strap apparatus is constructed from a single strap that is configured as a closed loop. The closed loop is constrained to the sides of the bag near the top by two constraining means; the closed loop being divided into two strap segments of approximately equal lengths. Depending on how the straps are shouldered, the bag may be worn in a single-strap configuration, a backpack configuration, or a dual-strap configuration. Transitioning from one configuration to the other is easily done by the wearer without having to remove the apparatus from the bag. Furthermore when in the single-strap configuration, the straps stay together and appear to the casual observer as a single-strap as found on an ordinary bag. The appearance of the bag when in the single-strap configuration will not reveal its multimode capability.

Description

DRAWINGS

There are 9 sheets with 23 figures.

FIG. 1 shows my invention in the single-strap configuration.

FIG. 2 shows the invention in the backpack configuration.

FIG. 3 shows the invention in the dual-strap configuration.

FIG. 4 a shows the rotator member in the single-strap configuration with the straps passing through it.

FIG. 4 b shows the cross section of the rotator member.

FIG. 5 aL and 5aR shows the constraining member on the left and right side respectively with the strap passing through it.

FIG. 5 bL and 5bR show the constraining member components for the left and right sides.

FIG. 5 cL and 5cR show the slide member components for the left and right sides.

FIG. 5 dL and 5dR show the swivel snap hook components for the left and right side.

FIG. 5 eL and 5eR show the attachment members for the left and right sides.

FIG. 6 a shows the rivet of the rotator member (second embodiment).

FIG. 6 b shows a top view of the rotator member (second embodiment).

FIG. 6 c shows a bottom view of the rotator member (second embodiment).

FIG. 7 a shows a slide member (second embodiment).

FIG. 7 b show the slide member with strap going through (second embodiment).

FIG. 8 a shows the rotator member (third embodiment).

FIG. 8 b shows a cross section of the rotator (third embodiment).

FIG. 8 c shows the top component of the rotator member (third embodiment).

Claims

1. A multimode shoulder strap apparatus for a carrying bag, comprising: (a) a carrying bag 3 comprising a right side 3R, a left side 3L, a front 3F, a back 3B, a bottom 3BT, and a top 3T,(b) a first strap segment 9O and a second strap segment 9I, the two strap segments having approximately equal lengths,(c) first constraining means 5R for constraining one end of said first strap segment to said bag disposed approximately at said right side and a second constraining means 5L for constraining the other end of said first strap segment to said bag disposed approximately at said left side; said first constraining means also constraining one end of said second strap segment to said bag disposed approximately at said right side and said second constraining means also constraining the other end of said second strap segment to said bag disposed approximately at said left side,(d) said bag having a single-strap configuration activated by a wearer by enacting the following sequentially: grabbing the two strap segments with one hand so said bag hangs in a predominately upright position whereas said bottom of said bag is parallel to the floor so that the two strap segments above said bag appear similar to a single strap; putting the two strap segments over one shoulder so said bag is worn as a single-strap shoulder bag, and(e) said bag having a backpack configuration activated by enacting the following sequentially: grabbing the two strap segments with the right hand so said bag hangs in a predominately upright position; grabbing said first strap segment with left hand with palms down; grabbing said second strap segment with right hand with palms down; lifting said bag by the two strap segments so said bag hangs in a predominately upright position with said bottom of said bag approximately parallel to the floor; putting the strap segments one on each shoulder so said bag is on the users back and said bag is worn as a backpack.

2. A multimode shoulder strap apparatus for a carrying bag of claim 1 wherein (a) said first strap segment and said second strap segment are comprised of a single strap 4, said strap having the approximate shape of a continuous closed loop,(b) said strap is made out of a flat strap material,(c) said first constraining means is comprised of a right slide member 14R, a right swivel snap hook 28R, and a right attachment member 7R for constraining said strap approximately at said right side, and said left side constraining means is comprised of a left slide member 14L, a left swivel snap hook 28R, and a left attachment member 7L for constraining said strap approximately at said left side,(d) said right attachment member is attached to said right side near said top, said right attachment member having a right attachment ring 66R so said strap passes through said right attachment ring slidably, and said left attachment component is attached to said left side near said top, said left attachment member having a left attachment ring 66L so said strap passes through said left attachment ring slidably,(e) said right swivel snap hook having a right loop 28R at one end and a right snap hook 27R at the other end, said right loop passing through said strap slidably on said right side, said right snap hook releasably attached to said right attachment ring, and said left swivel snap hook having a left loop 28L at one end and a left snap hook 27L at the other end, said left loop passing through said strap slidably on said left side, said left snap hook releasably attached to said left attachment ring,(f) said right slide member is comprised of a right slide component 80R and a right bracket component 82R, said right slide component constraining said first strap segment and said second strap segment to stay contiguous on said right side, and said right bracket component constraining said right slide member to stay attached to said right swivel snap hook;(g) and said left slide member is comprised of a left slide component 80L and an a left bracket component 82L on said left side, said left slide component constraining said first strap segment and said second strap segment to stay contiguous on said left side, and said left bracket component constraining said left slide member to stay attached to said left swivel snap hook,

3. A multimode shoulder strap apparatus for a carrying bag of claim 1, wherein said bag having a dual-strap configuration activated by the wearer by enacting the following in a sequential manner: (a) wearer puts on said bag in said single-strap configuration;(b) wearer moves said first strap segment from the shoulder it is hanging on to the opposite shoulder so said bag hangs with said first strap segment over one shoulder and said second strap segment over said other shoulder.

4. A multimode shoulder strap apparatus for a carrying bag of claim 1 wherein said first strap segment and said second strap segment are slidably and releasably constrained by a rotator member 18, (a) said rotator member is comprised of a bottom member 35, a top member 45 and a swivel component 58,(b) said bottom member slidably constraining said second strap segment, and said top member slidably constraining said first strap segment, and(c) said swivel component constraining said bottom member and said top member to be contiguous while allowing bottom member to rotate relative to said top memberwhereby said rotator member constrains said first strap segment and said second strap segment to stay contiguous so the two strap segments appear as a single strap when said bag is in the single-strap configuration, andwhereby said rotator member moves slideingly and rotatingly along the two strap segments when wearer puts the bag in the backpack configuration so backpack so said rotator member is positioned where the two straps cross in the back.

5. A multimode shoulder strap apparatus for a carrying bag of claim 1 wherein said first strap segment has a strap adjustment means 19 for adjusting the strap segment lengths;whereby adjusting the lengths of the strap segments by the wearer is done when the bag is in the single-strap configuration by enacting the following sequentially: (a) changing length of said strap segments by adjusting said strap adjustment means to make said first strap segment to a different length,(b) grabbing the two strap segments with one hand so said bag hangs in a substantially upright position with said bottom of said bag parallel to the floor so the two strap segments above said bag act like a single strap,(c) shaking said bag until the straps segments adjusts so said first strap segment and said second strap segment having approximately the same lengths and said bag hangs neatly appearing as a bag with a single strap.