U.S. patent application number 09/756833 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-11 for scooter storage and carrying backpack.
Invention is credited to Wolfgram, Bev.
Application Number | 20020088834 09/756833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25045245 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020088834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolfgram, Bev |
July 11, 2002 |
Scooter storage and carrying backpack
Abstract
A backpack is provided having a rigid back support plate, a
rigid bottom support, and a continuous, flexible sidewall extending
outward and forming an internal storage volume specifically sized
to receive and retain a conventionally available, foldable
two-wheeled scooter. A pair of shoulder straps affixed to the back
support plate allow for carrying a folded scooter on one's back in
a convenient, efficient and safe manner.
Inventors: |
Wolfgram, Bev; (Madison,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Offices of John D. Gugliotta, P.E., Esq.
202 Delaware Building
137 South Main Street
Akron
OH
44308
US
|
Family ID: |
25045245 |
Appl. No.: |
09/756833 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/629 ;
224/645; 224/650; 224/651; 224/652 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K 15/006 20130101;
B62K 15/00 20130101; B62K 3/002 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/629 ;
224/645; 224/650; 224/651; 224/652 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A backpack comprising: a rigid back support plate forms a
linearly elongated vertical support and having a lower end, and
upper end, and a vertical centerline along the vertically elongated
midline; a rigid bottom support perpendicularly affixed at said
lower end of said back support plate; a continuous, flexible
sidewall extending outward from and connected to said bottom
support plate and said back support plate, thereby forming a
frontwall parallel to said back support plate and pair of generally
parallel sides separating said back support plate from said
frontwall such as to form an internal storage volume, wherein said
internal storage volume is specifically sized to receive and retain
a conventionally available, foldable two-wheeled scooter.
2. The scooter of claim 1, wherein said internal storage volume is
at least seven inches (7") wide by five inches (5") deep by between
twenty four inches (24") high.
3. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of legs
extending downward from said rigid bottom support plate.
4. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising: a hand carrying
strap rigidly affixed to and extending from said back support plate
at its upper edge.
5. The backpack of claim 4, wherein said strap is affixed to said
back support plate at positions equidistant from the vertical
centerline of the back support plate and outwardly disposed from
the vertical centerline.
6. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a pair of linearly
elongated and linearly adjustable shoulder straps affixed to the
back support plate at their upper end near an uppermost portion of
the back support plate, and affixed to said back support plate at a
lower end near the lowermost portion of the back support plate.
7. The backpack of claim 6, wherein said shoulder strap further
comprise an adjustment means for adapting a linear length of each
said strap such as to allow for adjustability of size to
accommodate different users.
8. The backpack of claim 7, wherein each shoulder strap further
comprises padding along an internal surface for increased comfort
of the users.
9. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a top closure flap
with a hook and loop fastener for closing said internal volume.
10. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a transportation
handle laterally affixed to one said generally parallel sides,
whereby said transportation handle can accommodate a transverse
carry position.
11. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a water bottle
retaining pocket affixed to said flexible sidewall.
12. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a snap retained
attachment ring affixed to said flexible sidewall.
13. The backpack of claim 2, further comprising a storage pocket
affixed to said flexible sidewall and having a slide fastener for
accessing or closing said storage pocket.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention was first described in Disclosure
Document Number 479,635 filed on Sep. 11, 2000. There are no
previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications,
anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to accessories for
collapsible scooters and the like and, more particularly, to
carrying apparatus specifically adapted to contain and carry a
scooter vehicle.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Scooters are becoming the latest fad in our country,
following in the footsteps of skateboards, trick bikes, roller
blades and the like. In addition to their entertainment value, they
are also used for basic transportation needs as well. They can be
found on college campuses, business centers, office buildings and
the like, due to their small size and ability to transport people
quickly and easily from one location to another. Most models of
scooters are collapsible in design to allow for ease of storage,
but their collapsible design does not allow for ease of
transportation. This is a problem since once someone gets to where
they are going, such as a classroom, they are forced to carry the
scooter under their arm, which can be a bulky as well as a painful
ordeal. This also leaves the scooter as an easy target for theft
and/or damage as well.
[0006] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that
read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the
following references were considered related.
[0007] The following patents disclose a portable, collapsible
scooter.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,660 issued in the name of McGreen
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,129 issued in the name of Powell
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,573 issued in the name of Richardson
[0011] The following patents describe a portable, collapsible
motorized golf cart.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,267 issued in the name of Tiffany et
al.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,695 issued in the name of Piazzi
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,733 issued in the name of Banda
discloses a foldable, portable, non-motorized scooter.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,666 issued in the name of Baldoni
describes a collapsible motorcycle.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,578 issued in the name of Brandenfels
discloses a dismantlable and collapsible utility cart.
[0017] And, U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,501 issued in the name of Duarte
describes a collapsible, portable, rider-propelled water
scooter.
[0018] Consequently, there exists a need for a means by which
scooters can be easily and safely carried, stored and transported
when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved carrying device for two-wheeled scooters.
[0020] It is a feature of the present invention to provide an
improved carrying device for two-wheeled scooters that receives a
collapsible scooter for storage and carrying in a convenient manner
about one's shoulders, as with an otherwise conventional
backpack.
[0021] Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present
invention, a motor scooter backpack is provided that is a storage
and transportation system for two-wheeled scooters. Upon initial
observation, it looks remarkably like a small duffel bag or golf
club bag. But after closer inspection, the special features to make
storing and transporting a two-wheeled scooter can be easily seen.
It is provided with an internal hard shell and padding that
protects the user from the sharp corners of the scooter when it is
carried. A heavy-duty, padded shoulder strap or backpack straps are
provided to make carrying the invention and the scooter easier. A
vinyl, leather or rubber bottom protects the invention and the
scooter if it should be set down, and aids it in maintaining an
upright position. A top closure flap with a hook and loop fastener
such as Velcro.RTM., is provided to protect the scooter and prevent
it from falling out. External pockets and accessories to allow for
the transportation of small personal items, water bottles, keys,
briefcases and the like are provided as well as storage for a
helmet when not in use. A durable nylon or canvas outer shell would
be available in multiple colors and styles and could be
personalized or monogrammed as well.
[0022] The use of the present invention provides a means for anyone
to store and transport a two-wheeled scooter when not in use in a
manner which is quick, easy and efficient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following more
detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with
like symbols, and in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded upper front perspective view of a
scooter storage and carrying backpack 10 according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, shown used in conjunction with
a foldable scooter 12;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a lower front perspective view thereof; and
[0026] FIG. 3 is a lower rear perspective view thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in
terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the
Figures.
[0028] 1. Detailed Description of the Figures
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1-3, a scooter storage and carrying
backpack 10 is provided according a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, specifically adapted for receiving, storing, and
carrying a conventionally available, two-wheeled scooter 12 of the
type that is collapsible. A rigid back support plate 14 forms a
linearly elongated vertical support for the backpack 10, and is
perpendicularly affixed at its lower end to a rigid bottom support
plate 16. The bottom support 16 forms rigid horizontal support, and
can include a plurality of legs 18 protruding downwardly therefrom
to allow the backpack 10 to stand independently upon a flat
horizontal surface when not being carried. Extending outward from
and connected to the bottom support plate 16 and back support plate
14 is a continuous, flexible sidewall 22 forming a frontwall 22a
parallel to the back support plate 14 and pair of generally
parallel sides 22a separating the back support plate 14 from the
frontwall 22a such as to form an internal storage volume 24
specifically sized to receive and retain a conventionally
available, foldable two-wheeled scooter 12. Although exact sized
may vary depending upon specific manufacturing configuration, it is
anticipated that such a conventionally available, foldable
two-wheeled scooter 12 when folded can be retained within a volume
of approximately seven inches (7") wide by five inches (5") deep by
between twenty four inches (24") to thirty inches (30") high;
therefore, the internal storage volume 24 is anticipated as being
approximately equal to these dimensions as well.
[0030] For purposes of transporting the scooter storage and
carrying backpack 10, three separate means have been envisioned.
First, rigidly affixed to and extending from the back support plate
14 at its upper edge extends a hand carrying strap 26 that allows
the weight and girth of the backpack 10 to be easily carried at a
user's side. As such, it is anticipated that the carrying strap 26
would be affixed to the back support plate 14 at positions
equidistant from the vertical centerline of the back support plate
14 and outwardly disposed from the vertical centerline as well. In
this manner, the backpack 10 should feel easily balanced about the
carrying strap 26. Additionally, a pair of linearly elongated and
linearly adjustable shoulder straps 30, affixed to the back support
plate 14 at their upper end near the uppermost portion of the back
support plate 14, and affixed to the back support plate 14 at their
lower end near the lowermost portion of the back support plate 14.
In this manner, the backpack 10 should feel easily balanced about
the shoulder straps 30 about a user's shoulders. It is envisioned
that each shoulder strap 30 would include an adjustment means 32
for adapting the linear length of each strap 30 such as to allow
for adjustability of size to accommodate different users. Further,
it is envisioned that each shoulder strap 30 would include padding
34 for increased comfort of the users.
[0031] A third means of transportation utilizes the handle 31 on
the side, enabling the user to carry the backpack 10 in a
horizontal position. Such a transverse carry position enables the
elongated load to be carried by hand, or over one shoulder
laterally perpendicular to the body, in a manner that does not
result in ground impingement interference for the user. This is
important due to the vertically elongated nature of the load, as
well as the limited vertical distance available between a typical
users hand and the ground.
[0032] Finally, a top closure flap 36 with a hook and loop fastener
38 is provided to protect and retain the scooter 12 and prevent it
from falling out. Optionally, other external pockets and
accessories to can be provided to allow for the transportation of
small personal items, water bottles, keys, briefcases and the like
are provided as well. These include a water bottle retaining pocket
40, a snap retained attachment ring 42, or a general purpose
storage pocket 44 having a slide fastener 45 for accessing or
closing the storage pocket 44, or providing an affixment point to
which a bicycle helmet may be attached.
[0033] 2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment
[0034] In operation, the present invention is specifically adapted
for retaining and carrying a conventionally available, foldable
two-wheeled scooter 12. With the scooter in a folded condition, it
can be retained within the internal volume 24. The rigid surface
provided by the back support plate 14 protects the user and others
from the sharp corners of the scooter 12 when it is carried.
Additional padding can be affixed to the inner surface of the back
support plate 14 in order to provide cushioning and prevent damage
or movement of the scooter 12 as well. The shoulder straps 30 are
provided to make carrying the invention and the scooter easier,
thus allowing one's hands to be free. The rigid bottom support
plate 16 protects the backpack 10 and the scooter 12 if it should
be set down, and aids it in maintaining an upright position. A top
closure flap 30 with a hook and loop fastener 38 is provided to
protect the scooter and prevent it from falling out.
[0035] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope
of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
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