BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a personal property carrying device, illustrated as a bag, in accordance with one aspect of the invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of the bag of FIG. 1 in accordance with one aspect of the invention;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are detail views of the locking device of FIG. 1 showing how the strap is secured to the bag, in accordance with one aspect of the invention;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are detail views of the locking device of FIG. 1 showing how the strap is secured to the bag, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
FIGS. 8-10 are detail views of the locking device of FIG. 1 showing how the strap is secured to the bag, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the bag, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the bag of FIG. 11, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a front view of another alternate embodiment of the bag, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the bag of FIG. 13, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
FIG. 15 is a front view of further alternate embodiment of the bag, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
FIG. 16 is a top view of alternate embodiment of the bag of FIG. 15, in accordance with another aspect of the invention; and
FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the alternate embodiment of the bag of FIG. 15, in accordance with another aspect of the invention.
FIG. 18 illustrates a method for securing the bag in accordance with another aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a personal property carrying device 100 in accordance with one aspect of the invention. In one embodiment, the personal property carrying device 100 is a bag. In other embodiments, the personal property carrying device 100 is a briefcase, suitcase, purse, handbag, backpack, beach bag, or carry-all. FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of FIG. 1. The bag 100 includes a body 10 including a front 11, a first side 41, a second side 42, a top 43 and a bottom 44. The bag 100 includes a strap 2 to facilitate carrying by a person. In one embodiment, the strap includes metal cables 1, a strap first end 51 and a strap second end 53. In one embodiment, each end includes a strap loop 52 and in certain embodiments a fastener 3, such as a rivet securing the strap loop 52 in position. In one embodiment, a locking ring 5 is positioned within each strap loop 52.
In one embodiment, a locking device 6 is attached to the body 10 by a fastener 9, such as a rivet. A backing plate 4, in one embodiment, is used to provide additional support for the locking device. The locking device 6 includes a locking device body 7. A cover 8 is attached to the locking device body 7 to conceal the locking device in one embodiment. In one embodiment, a hinged arm 62 on the locking device 6 allows the locking device to be attached to the locking ring 5. In one embodiment, a combination lock 61 (FIG. 2) on the locking device body allows the hinged arm to be releasably attached to the locking device body 7.
In one embodiment, the strap second end 53 is attached to a chain 12. In one embodiment, the body 10 of the bag 100 includes a metal bracket 13 attached to an upper portion of the first side 41 of the body 10 by a fastener 9, such as a rivet. In one embodiment, the chain 12 is attached through an aperture 63 to the metal bracket 13 and through the strap loop 52, so that the strap 2 is attached to the body 10. In one embodiment, the cover 8 also conceals the fastener 9, attaching the metal bracket to the body 10 from view.
In one embodiment, a zipper 14 on the top 43 of the bag 100 allows access to the interior 70 of the bag 100. In one embodiment, a locking ring 15 secures the zipper 14 to the hinged arm 62 of the locking device 6 in order to discourage unauthorized access to the bag.
FIGS. 4-6 are detail views of the locking device 6 of FIG. 1. FIGS. 4-6 also illustrate the attachment of the locking device 6 to the strap 2. For brevity, reference numbers illustrated on FIGS. 4-6, which have already been identified, are not repeated, except when pertinent. In one embodiment, two tumblers 95 allow a hinged arm 82 to be unlocked from the locking device body 7.
FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of a detail view of the locking device of 6 of FIG. 1. For brevity, reference numbers illustrated on FIGS. 4-7, which have already been identified, are not repeated, except when pertinent. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the locking device body 6 and backing plate 7 are integrally formed as integral locking body 94. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, fasteners 96 are used to fasten the integral locking body to the body 10 first side 41, in addition to the fasteners 3.
FIGS. 8-10 are detail views of the locking device 6 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10, the strap 2 is connected to the locking device 6 by the use of a swivel bracket 28. In FIGS. 8-10, the locking device is configured as a D-ring 27. The D-ring 27 includes a D-ring body 68. In one embodiment, the loop 52 on the strap 2 passes through an aperture 65 in the swivel bracket 28 to secure the strap 2 to the swivel bracket 28. In one embodiment, the swivel bracket 28 is attached to the locking device 7 by a pivot pin 34. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10, three tumblers 35 allow a locking device pivoting arm 67 to be unlocked from the locking device body 7. Cable 1 is made of a metal, in on embodiment, and provides support reinforcement to the strap. In one embodiment, D-ring 27 is a carabiner. In one embodiment, d-ring 27 includes a hinged arm operable to assume a locked configuration and an open configuration, a combination lock on a side of the d-ring opposing the hinged arm, and a wall defining a lumen such that when the hinged arm is in the locked configuration, the lumen is defined by a substantially continuous surface, and when the hinged arm is in an open configuration, the substantially continuous surface includes a substantial discontinuity defined by the range of motion of the hinged arm. In one embodiment, the hinged arm is configured to rotate only along a predetermined range of rotation. In other embodiments, the locking device is configured as an o-ring (not pictured).
FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of a personal property carrying device, or bag 100 in accordance with another aspect of the invention. FIG. 12 is a side view of the device illustrates in FIG. 11. For brevity, reference numbers illustrated on FIGS. 11 and 12, which have already been identified, are not repeated, except when pertinent. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a “double strap” embodiment, utilizing two straps 2, instead of one,. FIGS. 11 and 12 also show the use of a hook-and-loop fastener 16 and a snap fastener 17 to secure the cover 8 to the body 10. Although embodiments including one strap and two straps are illustrated, any number of straps can be used in accordance with the disclosures herein.
FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a personal property carrying device, or bag 100 in accordance with another aspect of the invention. FIG. 14 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 13. For brevity, reference numbers illustrated on FIGS. 13 and 14, which have already been identified, are not repeated, except when pertinent. In FIGS. 13 and 14 cable lock 19 connects first strap part 71 and a second strap part 72. Tumblers 20 allow the cable lock 19, when locked, to be disengaged. In one embodiment, a lock cover 21 and padding 22 cover the lock, to conceal the lock from view, and to allow the strap with the cable lock to be placed over one's shoulder, without experiencing discomfort. FIGS. 13 and 14 also illustrate the use of a locking device loop 23 with metal cables 1 to connect the locking ring 5 to the metal bracket 13. FIGS. 13 and 14 additionally illustrate the use of a reinforcement strap 24 to strengthen the attachment area of the metal bracket 13 to an inside surface of the first side 41 of the bag 100. In embodiments with a reinforcement strap, the strap may be attached to the bag 100 by stitching, as well as by fastener 9, or other appropriate fastening techniques. FIGS. 13 and 14 further illustrate the use of a brief case type lock 25 to attach the cover 8 to the front 11 of the bag 100.
FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of a personal property carrying device, or bag 100 in accordance with another aspect of the invention. FIGS. 16 is a top view of the device illustrates in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the device illustrated in FIG. 15. For brevity, reference numbers illustrated on FIGS. 15-17, which have already been identified, are not repeated, except when pertinent. Reference number 30 illustrates an alternate configuration of the bag 100, shown on FIG. 1. The embodiment of FIGS. 15-17 utilizes a single strap 2 with a shoulder strap pad 26. The further embodiment of FIGS. 15-17 also utilizes the locking device 7 configured as a D-ring 27, and utilizing swivel bracket 28, as set forth in FIGS. 8-10. The further embodiment of FIGS. 15-17 also utilizes side straps 32 which are releasably joined to each other by a snap closure 29. A padded handle 33 covers the snap closure 29. The further embodiment of FIGS. 15-17 also utilizes pad, or feet 31 on the bottom 41 of the bag 30.
FIG. 18 illustrates a method for securing the bag in accordance with one aspect of the invention. The method 200 of FIG. 18 includes the steps of, deciding that the personal property carrying device needs to be secured 210, selecting a securing location for the personal property device 220, disengaging the strap from the locking device 230, encircling the securing location with the strap 240, engaging the hinged arm of the locking device so that the device is secured 250.
The metallic structures herein can comprise any appropriate material, such as a hardened metal, steel, aluminum alloy, cold rolled steel, brass, copper, silver, gold, or the like. Alternatively, the metallic structures can be implemented as an appropriate ceramic or polymer with the desirable characteristics including resistance to cutting tools. Fasteners can be threaded or unthreaded. The straps can be made of any fabric, leather, or commercial product, such as vinyl or plastics.
While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced herein.
Patent Application
20070240798
