FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to briefcases and tote bags, and more particularly to briefcases and tote bags also having backpack straps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known for professional briefcases, including briefcases that can also serve as computer cases for carrying laptop computers. Such briefcases that can also be used to carry important papers and a laptop computer typically have an attachable/detachable shoulder strap for wearing the briefcase on one's shoulder. However, this can be uncomfortable or unstable, since while running with the briefcase worn on one's shoulder, it could fall off, which would be problematic if one was running to catch a train or subway that was about to leave the station.
Alternatively, one can choose to wear a backpack with a compartment that can hold a laptop computer and/or a set of important papers. Even though it might be preferable to wear a backpack due to comfort and keeping one's hands free to do other things besides hold a briefcase, such as using a cell phone with two hands, the look of a person wearing a backpack suggests that the wearer is a student, not a professional.
Yet another option is to carry a tote bag with enough room to carry the laptop and papers. The tote bag can be worn on one shoulder, but could fall off while running and using a cell phone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general aspect of the invention is a versatile professional briefcase that can be converted into a tote bag or a backpack. The versatile professional briefcase includes a central compartment having a front wall and a back wall, the front wall having two front handle strap slits, and the back wall having two back handle strap slits; a front handle strap having first and second front strap stops, the front handle strap threaded once through each of the two front handle strap slits such that the first and second front strap stops remain within the central compartment; a back handle strap having first and second back strap stops, the back handle strap threaded once through each of the two back handle strap slits such that the first and second back strap stops remain within the central compartment; a front outer panel attached to the front wall of the central compartment so as to form a front pocket configured to hide the two front handle strap slits, and at least a portion of the front handle strap; and a back outer panel attached to the back wall of the central compartment so as to form a back pocket configured to hide the two back handle strap slits, and at least a portion of the back handle strap, the back outer panel also configured to hide a first backpack strap and a second backpack strap.
In some embodiments, the first and second front strap stops are configured to be adjustable.
In some embodiments, the first and second back strap stops are configured to be adjustable.
In some embodiments, an upper right corner of the back outer panel is attached to the back wall of the central compartment using a releasable closure.
In some embodiments, the releasable closure is magnetic.
In some embodiments, an upper left corner of the back outer panel is attached to the back wall of the central compartment using a releasable closure.
In some embodiments, the releasable closure is magnetic.
In some embodiments, a right edge of the back outer panel is attached to a right edge of the back wall of the central compartment using a right flap zipper.
In some embodiments, a left edge of the back outer panel is attached to a left edge of the back wall of the central compartment using a left flap zipper.
In some embodiments, the versatile professional briefcase includes: a first backpack strap having a first end attached to a top portion of a left half of the back wall of the central compartment, and a second end with a first backpack strap attachment device; a first backpack strap attachment ring, the first backpack strap attachment ring being attached to a lower left corner of the back outer panel, the first backpack strap attachment ring being configured to removably engage with the second end of the first backpack strap attachment device; a second backpack strap having a first end attached to a top portion of a right half of the back wall of the central compartment, and a second end with a second backpack strap attachment device; and a second backpack strap attachment ring, the second backpack strap attachment ring being attached to a lower right corner of the back outer panel, the second backpack strap attachment ring being configured to removably engage with the second end of the second backpack strap attachment device.
In some embodiments, the first backpack strap attachment device is adjustable.
In some embodiments, the second backpack strap attachment device is adjustable.
n some embodiments, the front handle strap has a front gripping element located between the first and second front strap stops, and the back handle strap has a back gripping element between the first and second back strap stops.
In some embodiments, the front gripping element is slidable along the front handle strap between the first and second front strap stops, and the back gripping element is slidable along the back handle strap between the first and second back strap stops.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Many additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the briefcase/tote bag with hidable handles and backpack straps, showing the central compartment zipper, the right flap zipper and the left flap zipper in a closed condition, also showing the front and back gripping elements accessible, while both the front and back handle straps that extend through the front and back gripping elements are pushed down so as to be substantially hidden.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the front and back gripping elements accessible, while both the front and back handle straps that extend through the front and back gripping elements are pulled up so as to function as briefcase handles for the embodiment when used in briefcase mode.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the front and back gripping elements accessible, while both the front and back handle straps that extend through the front and back gripping elements are pulled up so as to function as tote bag handles for the embodiment when used in tote bag mode.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, showing the handles in briefcase mode, also showing the front and back handle straps extending through each of the two strap slits in the front wall and the back wall of the inside compartment, and showing the adjustable strap stops positioned high up along each handle strap.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, showing the handles in tote bag mode, also showing the front and back handle straps extending through each of the two strap slits in the front wall and the back wall of the inside compartment, and showing the adjustable strap stops positioned low down along each handle strap.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the central compartment zipper and the left flap zipper in a closed condition, also showing the front and back gripping elements accessible, while both the front and back handle straps that extend through the front and back gripping elements are pushed down so as to be substantially hidden.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper in an open condition, also showing the front and back gripping elements accessible, while both the front and back handle straps that extend through the front and back gripping elements are pushed down so as to be substantially hidden.
FIG. 8 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper in an open condition, also showing the left flap folded down so as to reveal the left backpack strap stored between the left flap of the back outer panel and the back wall of the central compartment.
IG. 9 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper in an open condition, also showing the left flap folded down and the left backpack strap removed from between the left flap of the back outer panel and the back wall of the central compartment, also showing the snap connector at the end of the left backpack strap, as well as the lower left D-ring for attaching the snap connector of the left backpack strap.
FIG. 10 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 9, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper again in a closed condition, also showing the left flap folded back up, and the snap connector of the left backpack strap connected to the lower left D-ring.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 10, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, the left flap zipper again in a closed condition, and the right flap zipper in an open condition, while also showing the right flap folded down so as to reveal the right backpack strap stored between the right flap of the back outer panel and the back wall of the central compartment.
FIG. 12 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 11, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, and both left and right flap zippers in a closed condition, while also showing both left and right flaps folded up, the snap connector of the left backpack strap connected to the lower left D-ring, and the snap connector of the right backpack strap about to be connected to the lower right D-ring.
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 12, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, both left and right flap zippers in a closed condition, both left and right flaps folded up, both left and right snap connectors of respectively, the embodiment ready to be worn as a backpack.
FIG. 14 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 13, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, both the left and right flap zippers in an open condition, both the left and right flaps folded down, both the left and right snap connectors of the left and right backpack straps disconnected from the lower left D-ring and the lower right D-ring, respectively, the backpack straps ready to be stored so that the embodiment can be used as a tote bag or a professional brief case using the handles.
FIG. 15 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 14, showing the central compartment zipper in a closed condition, both left and right flap zippers in a closed condition, both left and right flaps folded up, the backpack straps again stored so that the embodiment can be used as a tote bag or a professional brief case using the handle straps, which are ready to be pulled up through the slots so that the embodiment can be used as a tote bag or as a professional brief case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment 100 of the briefcase/tote bag with hidable handles and backpack straps is shown. The central compartment zipper 110, the left flap zipper 112, and the right flap zipper 114 are in a closed condition. The front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are accessible, while both the front and back handle straps 102, 104 that extend through the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are pushed down so as to be substantially hidden. The gripping elements 106, 108 can be sewn to the handle straps 102, 104, or can be free to slide along the handle straps 102, 104. The handle straps 102, 104 can be made of nylon fabric, for example, and the gripping elements 106, 108 can be made from leather, for example.
Referring to FIG. 2, the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are accessible, while both the front and back handle straps 102, 104 that extend through the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are pulled up so as to function as briefcase handles for the embodiment when used in briefcase mode. Again, the central compartment zipper 110, the left flap zipper 112, and the right flap zipper 114 are in a closed condition.
With reference to FIG. 3, the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are accessible, while both the front and back handle straps 102, 104 that extend through the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are pulled up so as to function as tote bag handles for the embodiment 100 when used in tote bag mode. Also, the central compartment zipper 110, the left flap zipper 112, and the right flap zipper 114 are in a closed condition.
Referring to FIG. 4, the handle straps 102, 104 are shown in briefcase mode, also showing the front and back handle straps 102, 104 extending through each of the two strap slits 410 in the front wall 402 and the back wall 404 of the inside compartment 400, and showing the adjustable strap stops 412 positioned high up along each handle strap 102, 104. There is also an optional end piece 416 at the end of each handle strap 102, 104 to ensure that the adjustable strap stop cannot be pulled off the strap 102 while being adjusted, for example. Also shown are the front panel 406 and the rear panel 408.
With reference to FIG. 5, the handle straps 102, 105 in tote bag mode are shown, also showing the front and back handle straps 102, 105 extending through each of the two strap slits 410 in the front wall 402 and the back wall 404 of the inside compartment, and showing the adjustable strap stops positioned low down along each handle strap. Also shown are the front panel 406 and the rear panel 408.
Referring to FIG. 6, the central compartment zipper 110 and the left flap zipper 112 in a closed condition, also showing the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 accessible, while both the front and back handle straps 102, 104 that extend through the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are pushed down so as to be substantially hidden. Also shown is a left D-ring 600 for attachment of an end of a shoulder strap (see below).
With reference to FIG. 7, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper 112 is shown in an open condition. The front and back gripping elements 106 and 108 are accessible, while both the front and back handle straps 102, 104 that extend through the front and back gripping elements 106, 108 are pushed down so as to be substantially hidden. The left flap zipper 112 is now shown near the left D-ring 600.
Referring to FIG. 8, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper 112 is shown in an open condition, also showing the left flap 700 of the back outer panel 406 folded down so as to reveal the left backpack strap 800 stored between the left flap 700 of the back outer panel 406 and the back wall 402 of the central compartment 400. Also note the magnetic closures 802 and 804 that are used to secure the left flap 700 to the back wall 402.
With reference to FIG. 9, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper 112 is shown in an open condition, also showing the left flap 700 folded down and the left backpack strap 800 removed from between the left flap 700 of the back outer panel 406 and the back wall 402 of the central compartment 400, also showing the snap connector 900 at the end of the left backpack strap 800, as well as the lower left D-ring 600 for attaching the snap connector 900 of the left backpack strap 800.
Referring to FIG. 10, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, and the left flap zipper 112 is shown again in a closed condition, also showing the left flap 700 folded back up, and the snap connector 900 of the left backpack strap 800 connected to the lower left D-ring 600. The right D-ring 602 is also shown.
With reference to FIG. 11, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, the left flap zipper 112 is again shown in a closed condition, and the right flap zipper 114 is shown in an open condition, while also showing the right flap 1101 folded down so as to reveal the right backpack strap 1100 stored between the right flap 1101 of the back outer panel 406 and the back wall 402 of the central compartment 400. Also note the magnetic closures 1102 and 1104 that secure the right flap 1101 to the back wall 402.
Referring to FIG. 12, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, and both left and right flap zippers 112, 114 are shown in a closed condition, while also showing both left and right flaps 700 and 1101 folded up, the left snap connector 900 of the left backpack strap 800 connected to the lower left D-ring 600, and showing the right snap connector 1200 of the right backpack strap 1100 about to be connected to the lower right D-ring 602.
With reference to FIG. 13, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, and both left and right flap zippers 112, 114 are shown in a closed condition, both left and right flaps 700 and 1101 are shown folded up, and both left and right snap connectors 900 and 1200 of the left and right backpack straps 800 and 1100 are shown connected to the lower left D-ring 600 and the lower right D-ring 602, respectively, the embodiment ready to be worn as a backpack.
Referring to FIG. 14, the central compartment zipper 110 is shown in a closed condition, and both the left and right flap zippers 112, 114 are shown in an open condition. Both the left and right flaps 700 and 1101 are shown folded down, both the left and right snap connectors 900 and 1104 of the left and right backpack straps 700 and 1100 are shown disconnected from the lower left D-ring 600 and the lower right D-ring 602, respectively, the backpack straps 700 and 1100 being ready to be stored so that the embodiment 100 can be used as a tote bag or a professional brief case using the handles.
FIG. 15 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 14, showing the central compartment zipper 110 in a closed condition, also showing both left and right flap zippers 112, 114 in a closed condition. Also shown are both left and right flaps 700 and 1101 folded up, the backpack straps 800 and 1100 again stored so that the embodiment 100 can be used as a tote bag or a professional brief case using the handle straps 102, 104, which are ready to be pulled up through the slots so that the embodiment can be used as a tote bag or as a professional briefcase.
Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.
Patent Application
20250098842
