U.S. patent application number 10/627513 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-20 for soft-sided carrying case with stowable shoulder straps and waist belt.
This patent application is currently assigned to HIGH SIERRA SPORT COMPANY. Invention is credited to Bernbaum, L. Harrison, Vermillion, Scott.
Application Number | 20040094583 10/627513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32302429 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040094583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bernbaum, L. Harrison ; et
al. |
May 20, 2004 |
Soft-sided carrying case with stowable shoulder straps and waist
belt
Abstract
A soft-sided carrying case comprises a compartment having a
plurality of sidewalls, a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, and
a bottom wall, the back wall having a flap, the flap disposed on
the back wall and shiftable between a closed position and an open
position to conceal and reveal a back pack configuration. The
backpack configuration includes a pair of shoulder straps secured
to the back wall and a waist belt. The waist belt is secured to the
flap and is foldable about a waist belt hinge so as to lie flat.
The carrying case may also include a plurality of wheels and a
telescoping handle to use the carrying case in a manner similar to
a luggage cart.
Inventors: |
Bernbaum, L. Harrison; (Lake
Forest, IL) ; Vermillion, Scott; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
HIGH SIERRA SPORT COMPANY
880 corporate Woods Parkway
Vernon Hills
IL
60061-3164
|
Family ID: |
32302429 |
Appl. No.: |
10/627513 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60399037 |
Jul 26, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/153 ;
224/637 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C
5/14 20130101; A45C 2009/007 20130101; A45F 2003/045 20130101; A45F
3/047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/153 ;
224/637 |
International
Class: |
A45F 004/02; A45F
003/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A soft-sided carrying case comprising: a compartment, the
compartment including a plurality of sidewalls, a front wall, a
back wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall; the back wall having a
flap, the flap disposed on the back wall and shiftable between a
closed position and an open position; a pair of shoulder straps
secured to the back wall and concealed by the flap when the flap is
in the closed position; a waist belt, the waist belt secured to the
flap and accessible when the flap is in the open position, the
waist belt foldable about a plurality of waist belt hinges so as to
lie flat; a plurality of wheels secured to the bottom wall of the
compartment; and a telescoping handle secured to the
compartment.
2. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 1, wherein the waist belt
comprises a plurality of waist belt panels, and wherein the waist
belt panels are foldable flat about them plurality of waist belt
hinges.
3. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 2, wherein at least one of
the waist belt panels extends under a panel section and wherein the
panel section is secured to the flap.
4. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 3, wherein the panel
section is padded.
5. The soft-carrying case of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
waist belt hinges are formed by a line of stitching.
6. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 1, wherein the flap is
securable in the open position to expose the pair of shoulder
straps and the waist belt.
7. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 6, wherein the flap is
securable about a handle located on the bottom wall of the carrying
case.
8. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 7, wherein the flap is
securable about the handle using a hook and loop closure.
9. A soft-sided carrying case comprising: a front wall; a back
wall; a plurality of sidewalls; the back wall having a flap, the
flap disposed on the back wall and shiftable between a closed
position and an open position; a pair of shoulder straps secured to
the back wall and concealed by the flap when the flap is in the
closed position; and a waist belt, the waist belt secured to the
flap and accessible when the flap is in the open position, and
wherein the waist belt is foldable flat against the flap.
10. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 9, wherein the waist belt
is foldable about a plurality of waist belt hinges.
11. The soft-carrying case of claim 10, wherein the plurality of
waist belt hinges are formed by a line of stitching.
12. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 10, wherein the waist
belt comprises a plurality of waist belt panels, and wherein the
waist belt panels are foldable flat about the plurality of waist
belt hinges.
13. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 12, wherein at least one
of the waist belt panels extends under a panel section and wherein
the panel section is secured to the flap.
14. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 9, wherein the waist belt
extends under a panel section.
15. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 14, wherein the panel
section is padded.
16. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 9, wherein the flap is
securable in the open position to expose the pair of shoulder
straps and the waist belt.
17. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 16, wherein the flap is
securable about a handle located on the bottom wall of the carrying
case.
18. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 17, wherein the flap is
securable about the handle using a hook and loop closure.
19. A soft-sided carrying case comprising: a compartment, the
compartment including a plurality of sidewalls, a front wall, a
back wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall; a plurality of shoulder
straps secured to the back wall of the compartment; a cover flap; a
waist belt assembly attached to the cover flap, wherein the waist
belt assembly is foldable flat against the cover flap; and a hinge
pivotally joining the cover flap to the back wall of the
compartment, the hinge permitting the cover flap to pivot about the
hinge between an open position and a closed position in which the
cover flap is disposed in confronting relation with at least a
portion of the back wall to enclose the shoulder straps and the
waist belt assembly.
20. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 19, wherein the waist
belt assembly comprises a plurality of waist belt panels which are
foldable flat about a plurality of waist belt hinges.
21. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 19, wherein the waist
belt assembly extends under a panel section.
22. The soft-sided carrying case of claim 19, wherein the flap is
securable in the open position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming
priority from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/399,037,
entitled "Soft-Sided Carrying Case with Stowable Shoulder Straps
and Waist Belt" filed Jul. 26, 2002, for all commonly disclosed
subject matter.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to soft-sided
carrying cases, and more specifically, to soft-sided carrying cases
having stowable shoulder straps and hip or waist belt.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Soft-sided luggage or soft-sided carrying cases are
generally well known in the art. Soft-sided carrying cases
typically offer one or more distinct advantages over conventional
luggage. For example, soft-sided luggage is typically lighter in
weight than conventional luggage, and thus soft-sided carrying
cases may be particularly well suited for carrying a number of
different items. Moreover, soft-sided carrying cases often add
wheels, allowing the case to be used similar to a luggage cart.
[0004] Many consumers, however, desire the additional flexibility
of wearing the soft-sided carrying case as a backpack. Thus, it is
known to include shoulder straps on such cases so that the user may
wear the case as a backpack. Furthermore, for added stability and
comfort, a waist or hip belt may be provided which fits snuggly
around the user's waist or hips. Unfortunately, as with many
additional options, care must be taken so that the carrying case
does not become overly cumbersome.
[0005] Therefore, despite the popularity of known soft-sided
carrying cases or luggage, there is a continuing need for
improvements in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Certain features and advantages in the apparatus disclosed
and claimed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon reading the following description in conjunction with the
drawing figures, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soft-sided carrying case
assembled in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the
invention and shown being worn by a user;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the soft-sided carrying
case of FIG. 1 with a pair of shoulder straps and a waist belt in
the stowed position;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the soft-sided carrying
case showing the stowage flap in the partially open
configuration;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the soft-sided
carrying case showing the stowage flap in the fully open
configuration;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the soft-sided carrying
case of FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the soft-sided carrying
case showing the stowage flap in the fully open configuration, and
showing the waist belt partially unfolded;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the soft-sided carrying
case showing the stowage flap in the fully open configuration, and
showing the waist belt fully unfolded; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the soft-sided carrying case
assembled in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the
invention and configured to be used with optional wheels and a
telescoping handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this
patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments
could be implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0016] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `_____` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a soft-sided
carrying case assembled in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral
10. The soft-sided carrying case 10 generally includes two
sidewalls 10A and 10B, a front wall 10C, a back wall 10D, a bottom
wall 10E, and a top wall 10F. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1,
and as will be described in greater detail below, a pair of
shoulder straps 16 and a hip or waist belt 18 may be deployed to
allow the carrying case 10 to be carrier in a fashion similar to a
backpack.
[0018] The soft-sided carrying case 10 may include a handle 12,
which in the disclosed embodiment shown may be extendable, and when
used in conjunction with a plurality of wheels 14 (visible in FIGS.
2 and 3) will enable the soft-sided carrying case 10 to be wheeled
in a fashion similar to a luggage cart as shown in FIG. 8. The
handle 12 may be made of commercially available materials of the
type commonly used in the art, and further will preferably have a
telescoping handle 12a enabling the entire handle 12 to be stowed
in the carrying case 10. The wheels 14 are preferably commercially
available wheels commonly employed in the luggage industry. In-line
skate style wheels using sealed ball bearings and other
commercially available wheels may also be used.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2 through FIG. 7, there is illustrated
the carrying case 10 in various stages of deployment from a
configuration with the shoulder straps 16 and waist belt 18 in a
stowed position (FIG. 2), to a configuration with the shoulder
straps 16 and waist belt 18 in an exposed position, but with the
waist belt 18 folded (FIG. 4) to the shoulder straps 16 and waist
belt 18 in a fully deployed position (FIG. 7). Specifically, as is
shown in FIG. 2, the carrying case 10 is illustrated in a rear
elevational view with the shoulder straps 16 and waist belt 18 in
the fully stowed position. The soft-sided carrying case 10
preferably includes a stowage flap 20. The stowage flap 20 includes
a top edge 20A, a bottom edge 20B, and a pair of interconnecting
side edges 20C, 20D. The bottom face 20B of the stowage flap 20 is
joined to the back wall 10D of the carrying case 10 at a first
hinge line 22. The hinge 22 permits pivotal movement of the stowage
flap 20 between the closed or folded position shown in FIG. 2 and
an open or unfolded position shown in FIGS. 4-7.
[0020] The stowage flap 20 further includes faces 21A, 21B. In the
preferred environment of use, the face 21A may be referred to as a
outer face, while the face 21B may be referred to as a inner
face.
[0021] It will be appreciated that the hinge line 22 may be one of
a number of alternatives known in the art. For example, the hinge
line 22 may be a line of stitching, such as a bartack stitching for
greater durability in high stress areas. Other types of hinge lines
may be, for example rather than limitations, a line of piping or a
zipper such as a heavy duty #8 or #10 taped, clean coil zipper.
Furthermore, it will be understood that these alternatives are
equally applicable to any other hinge line described
hereinafter.
[0022] The soft-sided carrying case 10 preferably includes a zipper
24 which engages each of the back wall 10D and at least a portion
of the edges 20A, 20B, 20C of the stowage flap 20 in order to
secure the stowage flap 20 in its closed position such as is shown
in FIG. 2. Upon release of the zipper 24, the stowage flap 20 may
be pivoted about its hinge line 22 to its respective unfolded
positions as shown in FIG. 3 through FIG. 7.
[0023] Instead of the zipper 24 it will be appreciated that
alternate closure mechanisms may be provided in order to secure the
stowage flap 20 to the back wall 10D. At least some of these
possible alternate mechanisms are discussed herein with respect to
other forms of preferred embodiments. It will be understood that
the closure mechanisms of the various embodiments may be readily
substituted for each other as would be appreciated by those of
skill in the art.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the soft-sided
carrying case 10 is illustrated with the zipper 24 opened and the
stowage flap 20 either partially pivoted about the hinge line 22
(as shown in FIG. 3) or fully pivoted about the hinge line 22 (as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) to expose the shoulder straps 16 and waist
belt 18. The stowage flap 20 may include a securing flap 26. The
securing flap 26 includes a top edge 26A, a bottom edge 26B, and a
pair of interconnecting side edges 26C, 26D. The bottom edge 26B of
the securing flap 26 is joined to the top edge 20A of the stowage
flap 20 at a second hinge line 29. The hinge 29 permits pivotal
movement of the securing flap 26 between the closed or folded
position shown in FIG. 2 and an open or unfolded position shown in
FIGS. 3-7.
[0025] The securing flap 26 may loop through a handle 28, attached
to the bottom wall 10E of the carrying case 10, to secure the
stowage flap 20 in the opened position. The securing flap 26 will
preferably be securable about the handle 28 using a section of
flexible material which is joinable using hook and loop closures 31
or similar material as it known in the art. By looping the securing
flap 26 around the handle 28 in the above-described manner, the
stowage flap 20 is not only held securely open, it also may
provide, when configured as shown in FIG. 1, protection to the
wheels 14. Further, in the disclosed example, the stowage flap 20
serves as a support structure for the waist belt 18 when used as
described below. The handle 28 may also function as a foot
permitting the carrying case 10 to stand on end.
[0026] Referring specifically to FIG. 7, the waist belt 18 includes
a plurality of panels 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E. The panels 30A, 30B,
30C, 30D, 30E are preferably padded and may be constructed as
separate units, for example, as separate panels joined together as
is known in the art, or for ease of manufacturing the panels may be
one continuous panel unit. The panel 30C of the waist belt 18 is
joined to the inner face of the stowage flap 20 by a panel 32. It
will be appreciated that the panel 32 may also be padded to provide
comfort to the lower back of the wearer of the carrying case
10.
[0027] The waist belt 18 further includes ends 33A, 33B and faces
35A, 35B. In the preferred environment of use, the face 35A may be
referred to as an outer face, while the face 35B may be referred to
as a inner face.
[0028] The waist belt 18 may include a pair of waist belt straps
34A, 34B. The waist belt straps are preferably joined to the outer
face 35A of the waist belt 18. The waist belt straps 35A, 35B will
preferably be joinable to form a contiguous loop of suitable length
to attach around a wearer's waist or hips by a releasable mechanism
such as one or more buckles 36A and 36B, which may be, for example,
commercially available LiteLock.RTM. buckles. Furthermore, it will
be understood that the waist belt straps 35A, 35B may be
constructed as separate units, for example, as separate straps
joined to the outer face 35A of the waist belt 18, or for ease of
manufacturing the straps may be one continuous strap unit.
[0029] The waist belt 18 preferably includes four waist belt hinges
39A, 39B, 39C, 39D so that the waist belt capable of folding flat
within the stowage flap 20 as shown in FIG. 4. By folding into a
flat position, the waist belt 18 fits compactly and neatly within
the stowage flap 20. For example, the panels 30A, 30B may be
convergently foldable about the first waist belt hinge 39A, while
the panels 30C, 30D may be convergently foldable about the four
waist belt hinge 39D such that the waist belt 18 folds flat against
the inner face 21B of the stowage flap 20. The panels 30B, 30D may
be pivotable about the waist belt hinges 39B, 39C respectively to
allow the waist belt 18 to rotate away from the inner face 21B of
the stowage flap 20 to accommodate users of varying body types and
widths.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the waist belt hinges 39A, 39B,
39C, 39D may be created by a line of stitching across the width of
the waist belt 18. As described above in connection with the hinge
22, the waist belt hinges 39A, 39B, 39C, 39D may alternatively be,
for example rather than limitations, a line of piping or a zipper
such as a heavy duty #8 or #10 taped, clean coil zipper. Moreover,
each panel 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E may be further constructed of a
plurality of separate sub-panels connectively joined together to
form the single panel.
[0031] In an alternative configuration shown in FIG. 8, the
telescoping handle 12a may be extended, shoulder straps 16 and
waist belt 18 may be stowed within the storage flap 20, and the
wheels 14 exposed to allow the carrying case 10 to wheeled in a
fashion similar to a luggage cart.
[0032] It will also be appreciated that the soft-sided carrying
case 10 may include additional compartments, such as side
compartments or pockets (not shown) and/or end compartments or
pockets (not shown), all of which are commonly used in the art.
[0033] The zippers used herein are preferably heavy duty zippers,
of the type commonly used in the art, which zippers preferably have
been taped as is known in the art. Further, the soft-sided carrying
case 10 may be constructed of any one of a variety of commercially
available fabrics and/or materials, all of which may be chosen
based on design considerations for the specific application, all of
which would be known to those of skill in the art. Rip-stop
materials, which are readily available, may also be used.
[0034] In operation, the soft-sided carrying case 10 may be used or
transported in the configuration of FIG. 8 with the carrying case
10 in the secured position, and the telescoping handle 12 a fully
extended to allow the carrying case 10 to be wheeled in a fashion
similar to a luggage cart. In the illustrated configuration, the
shoulder straps 16 and waist belt 18 are in their stowed position.
It will be understood that the soft-sided carrying case 10 may be
readily assembled using known methods of manufacturing. When it is
desired to transport the soft-sided carrying case 10 in the
configuration of FIG. 1, the extendable handle 12 should be fully
retracted within the carrying case 10 and the shoulder straps 16
and waist belt 18 should be freed from the stowage flap 20.
[0035] To access the shoulder straps 16 and waist belt 18, the
zipper 24 may be disengaged so as to free the stowage flap 20. Once
unzipped, the stowage flap 20 may be pivoted about the hinge line
22 (FIG. 3) rotating the panel 32 and waist belt 18 into the fully
opened position. The securing flap 26 may then be attached about
the handle 28 to secure the stowage flap 20 as shown in FIG. 4 and
FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that the stowage flap 20 may be
secured in any suitable manner as is known in the art including,
for example, by use of another zipper or other suitable mechanism.
However, in the illustrated embodiment, the security flap 26 is
secured around the handle 28 by the hook and loop closure 31. By
securing the stowage flap 20 to the carrying case 10, the hip panel
32 is secured to the back wall 10D to provide, in the disclosed
example, support to the waist belt 18 and thus minimizing or
eliminating the need for any further waist belt support.
[0036] It will further be appreciated that in another alternative
embodiment (not shown) the panel 32 and the waist belt 18 may be
joined directly to the back wall 10D of the soft-sided carrying
case 10. The stowage flap 20, therefore will rotate about the hinge
line 22 to expose the waist belt 18, without rotating the panel 32
and waist belt 18. The stowage flap 20 may then be secured to the
handle 28 as described above.
[0037] As the stowage flap is secured to the handle 28, access to
both the shoulder straps 16 and the waist belt 18 is achieved. The
shoulder straps 16 are secured to the carrying case 10 and may be
adjusted according to the requirements of the wearer as is well
known in the art. The waist belt 18 may be unfolded from the flat,
or stowed configuration, to the unfolded position as is shown in
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Upon unfolding the waist belt 18, the carrying
case 10 is ready to be worn as shown in FIG. 7.
[0038] Once the shoulder straps 16 and waist belt 18 are fully
deployed and the securing flap 26 is secured to the handle 28, the
soft-sided carrying case 10 may be carried in a fashion similar to
a backpack. As shown in FIG. 1, the wearer of the backpack may slip
his arms through the shoulder straps 16, adjust the shoulder straps
16 according to his or her preference, and alternatively may secure
the shoulder straps to the chest by use of a closing mechanism 40.
The wearer may then attach the waist belt 18 around the waist or
hips, and similarly, the wearer may adjust the waist belt 18
according to his or her preference. The waist belt 18 may then be
secured around the wearer using the buckles 36A and 36B to provide
the wearer with a simple 4-point harness.
[0039] Also, it will be further appreciated that zippers, buckles,
hook and loop closures, and adjustment straps as described above
may be replaced and/or substituted with any number of known closing
or securing mechanisms, such as, by way of example and not
limitation, straps, buckles, snaps, buttons, and other similar hook
and loop closure materials.
[0040] Although certain embodiments of a soft-sided carrying case
have been disclosed and described herein in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention, the scope of coverage of this
patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers
all embodiments of the teachings of the invention fairly falling
within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under
the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *