The present invention relates generally to personal carrier devices and systems. More specifically; personal carrier devices comprising a configurable strap attachment slot provided on a rear panel of the inventive personal carrier.
Loculus is a Latin word literally meaning little place and was used in variety of senses including to indicate a satchel. Satchels were carried by Roman soldiers as a part of their sarcina; a marching pack carried by heavy infantry and others of the Roman legions during the late republic.
At the time, most of a legionnaire's equipment other than his personal arms and armor would have been consigned to an equipment train borne by mules and carts. However, soldiers were expected to carry much of their rations and equipment themselves; done to reduce the size of the baggage train and increase the mobility of the army by allowing the soldiers to move strategically yet quickly and independently of the train.
The appearance of the marching pack, including satchels, is known from illustrations on Trajan's Column; which commemorates emperor Tajan's victory in the Dacian wars of the first century. There is depicted a legionnaire's sarcina carried on a pole called a furca and would have included:
However, this was certainly not the limit of the soldier's load. Time and again, Roman writers emphasize the importance of soldiers being self-sufficient and not tied to a baggage train.
The second century historian Appian of Alexandria records the actions of Scipio Aemilianus Africanus in the late third century BC.
This was mainly with the objective of improving the morale of the soldiers, but it is also clear that the army is expected to be mobile:
“He ordered all wagons and their superfluous contents to be sold, and all pack animals, except such as he designated, to remain. For cooking utensils it was permitted to have only a spit, a brass kettle, and one cup. Their food was limited to plain boiled and roasted meats. They were forbidden to have beds, and Scipio was the first one to sleep on straw. He forbade them to ride on mules when on the march; “for what can you expect in a war,” said he, “from a man who is not able to walk?” Those who had servants to bathe and anoint them were ridiculed by Scipio, who said that only mules, having no hands, needed others to rub them.”.
The first century historian Josephus, recorded items carried in his own time: “ . . . besides a saw and a basket, a pick-axe and an axe, a thong of leather and a hook, with provisions for three days, so that a footman hath no great need of a mule to carry his burdens.”. The Wars Of The Jews, book 3, chapter 5.
The fourth century writer Vegetius records:
It wasn't long before Britain recognized the usefulness of the Roman satchel, as evidenced Scottish monks as early as 300AD using leather satchels to carry Bibles and other writings cross country. These satchels were specifically designed to carry papers “loose”, “booked” and “scrolled” through all weathers, hence the size and form of the “classic satchel” we know today.
Despite millennia of practical use, the leather satchel was rarely viewed as a “fashion item” until the seventeenth century when satchels became associated with education, and especially the education of children and adolescents. William Shakespeare helped to popularize the school satchel with a line from his work As You Like It: “Then, the whining school boy with his satchel and a bright young face, creeping like a snail unwillingly to school”.
Over time, the design of the satchel bag evolved to meet the changing needs of society. During the medieval period, satchels were continued to be used by scholars and monks to carry books and other written materials. These early satchel bags were often made from leather with a single large compartment for holding books; with a flap to protect the contents placed therein.
The industrial revolution of the nineteenth century brought about significant changes in the manufacturing of textiles, leathers, clothing, footwear, and bags, including satchels. With the advent of new machinery and production techniques, bags could be mass-produced at a much lower cost than before.
As a result, satchel bags became more accessible to the general public and their popularity grew rapidly. The design of the satchel bag also evolved during this time, with new features like multiple compartments and reinforced stitching to improve durability, usability, and security. As a vocation or style of life dictates the utility and fashion of clothing; satchels became an indispensable accessory in professions such as law and business. Being used more and more in every day life; a person's overall appearance carrying, holding, and using a satchel; such as when giving a presentation in a business environment, or when representing a client before a Court.
From the 1970s on; satchels continued to be popular among students and professionals, but the designs became more casual and relaxed. They were often made from canvas or nylon, with a more minimalist design that emphasized functionality over fashion.
Few things are simpler than a tote; a small sack with two handles. It may be a designer label but essentially a tote is a very simple design and therein lays the appeal. A tote is quick to pack and quick to unpack. Yet problematically; place a tote in an overhead compartment or run holding a tote and chances are the contents will spill—everywhere. Also; one shopping in a crowded mall or market with a tote (without a top closure such as a zipper) may become an easy victim of theft.
However, items carried in a satchel will be more secure with flaps and straps and fasteners holding them in place while also discouraging thieves. Moreover; a satchel can be used and worn “hands free” when slung from the shoulder or worn cross-body.
Traditionally, messenger bags are made from waterproof canvas and worn cross-body, high and center on the back. Modernly, messenger bags are frequently made from leather and appear very similar to a satchel, although messenger bags tend to be much slimmer and much longer.
The modern purse is designed as a carrier for credit cards and store cards, driver's licenses and other identification, with a small spaces for hold paper money or other such daily needed personal items. A purse usually features zippered or “snap closed” compartments and pockets so contents can be organized and kept secure. Typically, a purse is kept within another bag. One is unlikely to use a satchel, however small, as a purse but a satchel is a very secure way in which to carry a purse. The shoulder strap of a satchel means that your hand lies comfortably in front of the bag, reducing the swing of the bag and covering the opening. The buckle fastenings of a satchel are slower to open than a snap or pop fastener and consequently much more secure.
Cross-body is a generic term used to describe any bag which can be worn diagonally across the body and which rests on or just below either hip. The term can be applied to anything from a small purse with shoulder strap to a messenger bag or satchel. The attraction of the cross-body is ease of access and the fact that it leaves one “hands free”. The downside of the cross-body is that it cuts a diagonal line across one's clothing, this may fit perfectly with one's style or may be undesirable. The satchel may be worn as a cross-body depending upon strap configuration and length.
Backpacks come in all sizes and in designs specific to a range of activities. Children starting school wear small lightweight backpacks. Women and men wear small leather backpacks as office wear or fashion wear and of course climbers and hikers carry full size backpacks with capacities of up to a hundred liters. The backpack is the most comfortable way to carry weight, it is also well suited to activities such as cycling or running. In a big city context though; the backpack is vulnerable because its opening is out of one's sight and in crowded situations presents a target for thieves. The satchel is designed to carry a small number of personal effects in a secure way. It can be worn cross-body during activities such as cycling but it can also be held close to the body in full sight if the situation requires. Sturdy buckles are visually attractive, but they are also a very secure way to protect one's possessions.
A hobo bag is a crescent shape purse or bag made from a flexible material and worn cross-body with a shoulder strap. It lacks a solid structure, has a roomy interior and is consequently easy to pack. It gets its name from its similarity to the bindle bags carried by American hobos of the 1930's, like the characters of George and Lennie of Steinbeck's novel ‘Of Mice and Men’. The attraction of the hobo bag is that it is a “just chuck it in” type bag, similar to the tote. The satchel, by contrast, has a rigid structure and typically compartmentalized interior, allowing one to organize possessions. Both bags are casual, but the satchel is likely to be the more durable item of luggage-ware.
An object of the instant invention is to provide a personal carrier, comprising: a flexible front side panel and a flexible rear side panel forming at least a first compartment; the flexible rear side panel extending beyond the flexible front side panel forming a closure flap extending over at least a portion of the front side panel to secure and protect items placed in the at least one compartment; the rear side panel including at least one strap attachment including at least two strap attachment slots for receiving at least one strap used to secure the personal carrier to a user in multiple body placement orientations and/or configurations.
According to various embodiments, disclosed is a personal carrier device (also known as a satchel, handbag, bag, purse, holster and the like) which provides multiple strap attachment options for different orientations of the carrier. In one embodiment, the carrier may comprise a vertical strap attachment slot, and at least one horizontal strap attachment slot, wherein the vertical strap attachment slot and the horizontal strap attachment slot are provided on a rear panel of the carrier. In further embodiments, a strap attachment slot may also be provided on an inner side of a closure flap of the carrier device. In certain embodiments, the carrier may also comprise a first compartment generally sized for carrying a notebook, a second compartment generally sized for carrying a phone, and one or more slots configured for carrying pens and/or pencils.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier wherein the at least one strap attachment holds a strap in a horizontal orientation.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier wherein the at least one strap attachment holds a strap in a vertical orientation.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier wherein the at least one strap attachment holds a strap in a left hand diagonal orientation.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier wherein the at least one strap attachment holds a strap in a right hand diagonal orientation.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier wherein the first compartment is generally sized for carrying a notebook/tablet.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier further comprising a second compartment generally sized for carrying a phone/small notebook.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier further comprising one or more slots configured for carrying pens and/or pencils.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier wherein the closure flap includes a closure element to releasably secure the closure flap to the front side panel.
An object of the instant invention to provide a personal carrier wherein the closure flap includes at least two strap receiving slots for securing the personal carrier to a user with a strap via an open closure flap.
These and other objects of the instant invention may be understood and appreciated from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.
According to various embodiments of the instant invention as depicted in the Figures disclosed is a personal carrier (100) which provides multiple strap attachment configurations in accordance with a user's desires and needs.
The personal carrier (100) including a front side panel (10) and a rear side panel (20) may further include various compartments and/or slots (202, 204, 206) configured to hold specific items, such as a notebook/composition book (220), writing tablets, books, pen(s)/pencil(s) (230), smart devices (240) such as phones and laptop computers; and the like.
In one embodiment, the personal carrier (100) may include a main compartment (202) generally sized for carrying a notebook/tablet/book/small computer (220).
In further embodiments, the personal carrier (100) may include a smaller compartment (204) generally sized for carrying a phone/small notepad (240).
In yet further embodiments, the personal carrier (100) may include one or more slots (206) configured for carrying pens and/or pencils (230).
Additionally, the personal carrier (100) may include a closure flap (110) configured to move between an open position to expose the contents of the personal carrier (100) (see
In some embodiments, a closure element (120) may be used releasably secure the closure flap (110) to the front side panel (10). It is contemplated that the closure element (120) may be a button, cord, elastic band, magnet, buckle, or Velcro® type to releasably couple the closure flap (110) to a front side panel (10) of the personal carrier (100).
In certain embodiments, the rear side panel (20) of the personal carrier (100) may include at least one strap attachment (1010) including at least two slots (1040, 1040′) for receiving a strap (A, B, C, and D).
It is contemplated that the at least one strap attachment (1010) be made of a natural material such as leather, bone, plant material, or a metal; and/or be made of a manmade material such as synthetic, semi-synthetic, or artificial fibers (i.e. Nylon®, Rayon®, Dacron®, and the like), and/or a petrochemical plastic or polymer.
In some embodiments, the at least one strap attachment (1010) may include multiple strap attachment slots (1040, 1040′, 1042, 1042′, 1044, 1044′, 1046, 1046′) to provide and enable multiple strap attachment orientations as depicted in the
As can be appreciated from the Figures; straps may be fed into and through a strap attachment slot (1040, 1042, 1044, and/or 1046), further fed or “treaded” under and through the at least one strap attachment (1010), and then fed or “treaded” out of or from under the at least one strap attachment (1010) via a corresponding strap attachment slot (1040′, 1042′, 1044′, and/or 1046′) in order to secure a or multiple straps to the personal carrier (100) for use as required and desired by a user.
In some further embodiments, closure flap attachment slots (1048, 1048′) may be provided on the inner side of the closure flap (110) for further strap attachment options (see
In one embodiment as depicted in
In a further embodiment as depicted in
In an embodiment as depicted in
As may be appreciated, it is contemplated that the disclosed personal carrier (100) may be used in various configurations by both men and women and may provide a stylish solution for professionals in carrying essential items to business meetings, interviews, etc., while having their hands free.
As may be appreciated, it is contemplated that the disclosed personal carrier (100) may be strapped to another item such as a backpack, or purse, and the like.
As may be appreciated, it is contemplated that the disclosed personal carrier (100) disclosed the at least one strap attachment (1010) may have multiple configurations in various embodiments.
As may be appreciated, it is contemplated that the disclosed personal carrier (100) may be configured/used to securely carry various personal items, including for example: keys, credit cards, a wallet, a personal defense system, a digital notebook/tablet, computer, charger, etc.
As may be appreciated, it is contemplated that the disclosed personal carrier (100) may include a compartment for a charging pad and/or port in which a small portable charger may be carried for charging phone or other electronics within the personal carrier (100).
As may be appreciated, it is contemplated that the disclosed personal carrier (100) may allow a user to incorporate decorative elements, logos, personal initials, names, etc.
As may be appreciated, it is contemplated that the disclosed personal carrier (100) closure element (120) may include an attachment element to which personalized buttons (e.g., incorporating logos, initials, etc.,) may be attached.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, the personal carrier (100) may be made from a fabric approximately 7.5 to 8 inches wide, and approximately 26 inches in length; and the at least one strap attachment (1010) may be affixed to the personal carrier (100) rear side panel (20) via thread (i.e. sown) (1015) or alternately affixed via metal or plastic fasteners, adhesive, or combinations thereof.
The constituent elements of the disclosed device and system listed herein are intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device. Relationships between the various elements of the disclosed device as described herein are presented as illustrative examples only, and not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.
As such, the disclosed carrier may be used in various configurations by both men and women, and may provide a stylish solution for professionals in carrying essential items to a business meeting, interview, etc., while having their hands free. In some embodiments, the carrier may be attached to a strap of another item such as a belt, backpack, or purse.
It shall be appreciated that the disclosed attachment can have multiple configurations in different embodiments. For example, the carrier may be configured/used to carry various personal items, including keys, credit cards, a wallet, a weapon, a digital notebook/tablet, computer, charger, etc., in different embodiments. In further embodiments, the carrier may comprise a compartment for a charging pad and/or port in which a small portable charger may be carried for charging phone or other electronics within the carrier. In some embodiments, the carrier may allow a user to incorporate decorative elements, logos, personal initials, names, etc., In certain embodiments, the carrier may include an attachment element to which personalized buttons (e.g., incorporating logos, initials, etc.,) may be attached.
It shall be appreciated that the attachment described herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any size and/or dimensions. In some embodiments, the carrier may be made of materials such as leather, cloth, vinyl, paper, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the carrier may be made from a fabric which is about 7.5 to about 8 inches wide, and about 26 inches in length; and the strap attachment slots may be made via a first fabric piece which is about 5 inches by about 5.5 inches, and a second fabric piece which is about 3 inches about 4 inches. It shall be appreciated that the disclosed attachment may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.
It shall be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside” is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for convenience and simplification of describing the disclosed subject matter, rather than indicating or implying that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation or are constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.
As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has”, “have”, “having”, “with” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
The constituent elements of the disclosed device and system listed herein are intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device. Terms such as ‘approximate,’ ‘approximately,’ ‘about,’ etc., as used herein indicate a deviation of within +/−10%. Relationships between the various elements of the disclosed device as described herein are presented as illustrative examples only, and not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above
The instant description, disclosure, and figures are not to be limited by the embodiments as described, since these are given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
Having thus described several embodiments for practicing the inventive method, its advantages and objectives can be easily understood. Variations from the description above may and can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is to be determined from and by the following claims.
The present patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/454,666, filed Mar. 25, 2023, entitled “Personal Carrier”; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Applicant further incorporates by reference the Appendices submitted with this application.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63454666 | Mar 2023 | US |