Patent Application
20180035769
This disclosure relates to a system for storing, transporting and containing items such as when using an ambulatory device (e.g., a cane, crutch, walker or wheelchair) or other modes of transportation, such as a stroller, bike, scooter or boat or items, such as a backpack, pole or line.
Often a user of an ambulatory device, such as a cane, walker or wheelchair, needs to be able to transport personal items while using such device. Use of a traditional purse or backpack often interferes with the user's ability to operate the ambulatory device as it may put the user off balance. Further, attempting to attach a traditional purse or backpack to an ambulatory device can lead to the purse or backpack falling off or becoming entangled with the device. Therefore, a need exists for a system that allows a user to transport personal items easily and effectively while using an ambulatory device. Additionally, the need exists to be able to transport or secure personal items without interfering with the operation of a device or to allow ones personal belonging to be securely stowed.
Disclosed herein is a system for storing, transporting and containing items while operating any device, such as an ambulatory device (e.g., a cane, crutch, walker or wheelchair) or other mode of transportation, such as a stroller, bike, scooter or boat or article, such as a pole, line or backpack. In one embodiment, a disclosed system comprises a pouch with a first vertical attachment member for securing the pouch to the device, article or surface and a second vertical attachment member which facilitates the fastening of the pouch to the device, article or surface by coupling to the first vertical attachment member on the pouch. In some embodiments, a disclosed pouch further comprises one or more horizontal attachment members to provide additional points of attachment between the device, article or surface and the pouch. In some embodiments, the first vertical attachment member comprises hook and loop fastening material on a first, front side and a second, back side capable of being attached to the pouch. In some embodiments, the second vertical attachment member comprises hook and loop fastening material on a first, front side and adhesive material on a second, back side so that the adhesive side may be secured to the device, article or surface in a position desired by the user to secure the pouch. The hook and loop fastening material on the front side of the second vertical attachment member can interconnect with the hook and loop fastening material on the first vertical attachment member on the pouch thereby securing the pouch to the device, article or surface. It is contemplated that the disclosed system can be used with any device, such as an ambulatory device, transportation device or other item including, but not limited to, a cane, crutch, walker, stroller, bike, scooter, boat, wheelchair, pole, line or backpack.
Also disclosed are methods of assembling a pouch system. In some embodiments, the method comprises positioning the second vertical attachment member on a surface, such as an ambulatory or transportation device surface, in a location to which the user wishes to secure the pouch; aligning the first, front surface of hook and loop fastening material of the first vertical attachment member with the first, front surface of hook and loop fastening material of the second vertical attachment member so that that two can interconnect and thereby attaching the pouch to the desired surface. In some embodiments, the method further comprises attaching one or more horizontal attachment members to the surface, such as an ambulatory or transportation device surface, to further secure the pouch to the desired surface.
The foregoing and other features of the disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other aspects and/or embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed things and methods can be used in conjunction with other things and method.
Unless otherwise explained, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Hence “comprising A or B” means including A, or B, or A and B.
Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below.
Referring to the drawings,
In some examples, pouch 102 further comprises one or more horizontal attachment members 128 coupled to the pouch to provide additional points of attachment between the device or item and the pouch. In some examples, one or more horizontal attachment members 128 are a plurality of attachment members. In some examples, the one or more horizontal attachment members are coupled to the first vertical attachment member. For example, the one or more horizontal attachment members are positioned and secured to the pouch behind the first vertical attachment member. For instance, the one or more horizontal attachment members are designed to loop around a surface, such as an ambulatory device, for example, a cane, for added security once the first vertical attachment member is secured to the device. In some examples, the one or more horizontal attachment members are formed of hook and loop fastening material. In some examples, the pouch comprises an even number of horizontal attachment members, such as 2, 4, or 6 horizontal attachment members. In other examples, the pouch comprises an odd number of horizontal attachment members, such as 1, 3, or 5 horizontal attachment members. In some examples, the one or more horizontal attachment members are spaced equidistant along the first vertical attachment member. In some examples, the one or more horizontal attachment members are spaced asymmetically along the first vertical attachment member. It is contemplated that the shape of the one or more horizontal attachment members may vary depending upon the device. In some examples, the one or more horizontal attachment members range in length of 1 to 4 times the diameter of the device to which they will be attached. In some examples, the one or more horizontal attachment members are strips of hook and loop fastening material ranging in length from 6 inches to 12 inches, including 6 inches, 6½ inches, 7 inches, 7½ inches, 8 inches, 8½ inches, 9 inches, 9½ inches, 10 inches, 10½ inches, 11 inches, 11½ inches, 12 inches, and width from ½ to 3 inches, such as 1 inch to 2 inches, including 1 inch, 1¼ inches, 1½ inches, 1¾ inches, 2 inches, 2¼ inches, 2½ inches, 2¾ inches and 3 inches.
Pouch 102 is an outer shell which can be formed of a pliable material such as cloth, leather, vinyl, suede or the like. In some examples, the outer shell comprises a durable, flexible textile material, such as a woven fabric. In some examples, the outer shell comprises a fabric mesh allowing a user to easily see the contents in the interior space. In some examples, the rear panel is formed of a fabric of greater rigidity than the remainder of outer shell. In some examples, at least one compartment is formed of a solid fabric. In one particular example, the rear panel is formed of polyester fabric, at least one compartment is formed of polyester fabric and the remainder of the pouch is formed of mesh material.
Also as shown in
It is contemplated that the direction of the first and/or second attachment members may be altered depending upon the surface to which the pouch is to be attached. In additional embodiments, a pouch system is disclosed which includes a rear panel with a first horizontal attachment member instead of a first vertical attachment member. In such embodiment, the second attachment member is positioned horizontally along a horizontally surface of the surface (such as a walker). In some embodiments, the secondary attachment member is positioned alone a horizontal surface on a device and is coupled to the first vertical attachment member on the rear panel of the pouch. In some other embodiments, a pouch system includes a rear panel with both a first horizontal attachment member and a first vertical attachment member. The second attachment member in this embodiment may then be placed along either the horizontal or vertical surface of the device, system or item.
Also disclosed are methods of assembling a pouch system. In some embodiments, the method comprises positioning the second vertical attachment member on a surface in a location to which the user wishes to secure the pouch; aligning the first, front surface of hook and loop fastening material of the first vertical attachment member with the first, front surface of hook and loop fastening material of the second vertical attachment member so that that two can interconnect and thereby attaching the pouch to the surface, such as an ambulatory device or transportation device/system. In some embodiments, the method further comprises attaching one or more horizontal attachment members to the device, system or item to further secure the pouch.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. I therefore claim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.
This disclosure claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/371,618 filed on Aug. 5, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62371618 | Aug 2016 | US |
