U.S. patent application number 10/605555 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for backpack with retractable control.
Invention is credited to Sconzo, Anthony A..
Application Number | 20050077329 10/605555 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34421874 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050077329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sconzo, Anthony A. |
April 14, 2005 |
BACKPACK WITH RETRACTABLE CONTROL
Abstract
The backpack has a retractable tether to control is a child's
movement. The backpack with the retractable tether serves a dual
function; it allows the child the ability to carry personal items
in the main compartment and the parent the ability to limit the
child's movement. The backpack with the retractable tether has a
wrist loop that the parent can either wear around their wrist or
can attach it to briefcases, belt loops, pocketbooks, strollers or
any other device in the parents' control. The backpack has
adjustable shoulder and waist straps to secure the backpack to the
child. Both the shoulder and waist straps have securing mechanisms
so the child cannot easily remove the backpack. The backpack has
clear plastic window for a conventional identification card.
Inventors: |
Sconzo, Anthony A.;
(Savannah, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG & LIEBERMAN
314 PHILADELPHIA AVE.
TAKOMA PARK
MD
20912
US
|
Family ID: |
34421874 |
Appl. No.: |
10/605555 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/153 ;
224/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/045 20130101;
A45F 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/153 ;
224/162 |
International
Class: |
A45F 004/02; B65H
075/40 |
Claims
1. A device for tethering a child to an adult, comprising: a
backpack; a tether in communication with said backpack; and a
retracting mechanism in communication with said tether.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism at
a first end of said tether.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a loop at a first end
of said tether.
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a loop and a locking
mechanism at a first end of said tether.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said backpack has shoulder
straps.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said shoulder straps are disposed
at the top of said backpack.
7. Turning to FIG. 2, an enhanced view of the steel grommet (20),
showing the retractable tether (10), with the flat wrist loop (90)
attached. The flat wrist loop (90) has many functions; it can be
used to attach the retractable tether (10) to belt loops, brief
cases, pocketbooks, baby strollers, shopping carts, and other
device in the control of the parent. The flat wrist loop (90) can
be easily slipped over the hand and onto the wrist of the parent.
These features allow the parent to maintain control of the young
child and still have the use of both their hands. The flat wrist
loop (90) can be adjusted by using the securing mechanism,
preferably a squeeze buckle (80) so that the loop can be made to
fit snuggly around the parents wrist, or any of the aforementioned
items. The squeeze buckle (80) has two parts, a male side and a
female side, which are joined to secure the loop. The device of
claim 5, wherein said shoulder straps are adjustable in length.
8. The device of claim 5, further comprising a first securing
mechanism in communication with said shoulder straps.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said first securing mechanism
fastens said shoulder straps to one another.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein said fastening mechanism
locks.
11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second securing
mechanism in communication with said backpack.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein said second securing mechanism
is a strap.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein said strap locks.
14. The device of claim 11, wherein said second securing mechanism
is disposed at the mid area of said backpack.
15. The device of claim 11, wherein said second securing mechanism
is adjustable.
16. The device of claim 1, further comprising an identification
window.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein said identification window is
disposed on the outside top portion of said backpack.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a backpack, and more
particularly a backpack with a walking restraint system for
children being supervised by an adult.
[0002] When walking with a young child in a public place such as a
grocery or department store, mall, amusement park or any other
congested area, it is often difficult if not impossible to
concentrate on anything but the child you are attending to. It is
difficult to focus on the shopping because your attention is on the
child. You are in constant fear of them wandering away, being
abducted, getting lost or running off to investigate other area of
the mall, store, or public facility. Just the thought of losing a
child in a public place makes you afraid to let their hand go, even
for a second. This makes shopping and visiting public places next
to impossible, unless the child is properly restrained.
[0003] Parents in desperation have resorted to leash type devices
to restrain small children, but they feel uncomfortable with having
their children on restrained in such a way. Parents often are
unable to decide where to attach the leash to the child. Should it
attach to the arm or to the waist? Certainly not around the child's
neck! They feel onlookers view them as less than human for using
the restraint devices on the children especially if the device
closely resembles a leash. Parents are torn between whether to
restrain the child for their protection and peace of mind and
suffer the stares of onlookers or choose to do nothing which could
place both the parent and child in peril. Strollers and shopping
carts work well for younger children, but as children get older,
they are less willing to sit restrained in a these devices. They
frequently attempt to get out of carts and strollers which often
leads to injury, they fuss, cry and are simply annoyed by their
inability to walk on their own.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,017 issued to Donald Zimmerman on May
19, 1987 is a safety harness device having a waistband, a back
piece, a pair of shoulder strap and a tether. Unlike the present
invention, the tether is not retractable, nor does the safety
harness device offer the dual utility of a backpack with the
retractable safety tether.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,381 issued to Fahl et al Apr. 25, 2000
for the retractable shoulder strap backpack has a retractable
shoulder strap but unlike the present invention it does not have a
retractable safety tether used for restraining or limiting the
movement of small children.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,070, issued to Tulgan on May 15, 1990
for the backpack including restraint means is a backpack suitable
for use by a child. The backpack has a main part compartment for
storing articles and a handle attached to cord means extending
through a main wall of the main compartment. The handle can be
secured to an outside surface of the main wall and can be removed
by hand from the outside surface when it is desired to restrain the
child by the cord means. The cord means is stored within the
compartment or an additional sub compartment can be added for
securing the handle when not in use. Unlike the present invention,
Tulgan's device does not provide the parent with immediate
accessibility to the restraint device. Also Tulgan's device calls
for additional storage means, unlike the present invention the
housing compartment is permanently inside the bottom of the
backpack. The Tulgan device cord means does not retract; it must be
removed and stored in a compartment inside the backpack or on the
outside surface.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,041 issued to Rudolph on Jun. 16, 1998
which permits the user of a backpack child carrier to quickly view
rearward to the child in the backpack child carrier is
distinguishable from the present invention. The Rudolph device is a
clip-on reflective device, the utility ends once the child is too
large to be carried in a backpack child carrier. The Rudolph
retractable device does not provide a safety mechanism that
securely attaches the parent and child, as does the present
invention.
[0008] Numerous other patents of prior art include U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,179,175 B1; 4,809,896; 5,529,229; and 6,047,665 none of which
allow for the dual function of a backpack and a retractable safety
tether, as in the present invention. The present invention provides
a secure attachment between the child and the parent/adult and
allows for freedom of movement for the small child, in addition to
a peace of mind for the parent.
[0009] Therefore, despite the attempts made by the prior art
devices, there still exists a need for a backpack with a
retractable safety tether with adjustable shoulder and waist
straps. None of the prior art patents, taken alone or in
combination, suggests a design in like or kind to the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] The present invention solves the problem of parents/adults
dilemma in ensuring the safety and control of small children in
public places. The present invention combines the utility of a
backpack and a retractable tether.
[0011] Backpacks are a favorite among children and adults. They are
generally used for carrying items and allow for continued movement
of the hands. Children are attracted to the idea of wearing
backpacks, it allows them to carry their favorite personal
belongings, plus it gives them the feeling of independence and
maturity. Small children will delight in wearing the present
invention; they will not resist this type of restraint.
[0012] The Backpack with retractable control has a compartment for
carrying personal items, an adjustable shoulder with an adjustable
securing mechanism and an adjustable waist strap that secures the
backpack to the child. The present invention has a retractable
tether that can be easily grabbed by the parent desiring to
maintain control over a small child. The present invention has an
identification window sewn onto the front of the backpack for
displaying crucial identification of the child.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is the outside front view of the backpack showing the
retractable tether, identification window, adjustable shoulder and
waist straps.
[0014] FIG. 2 is the detailed view of the retractable tether as it
extends from the retracting mechanism, passes through the steel
grommet from inside to outside of the back pack and it further
shows the flat wrist loop.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an inside view of the backpack showing the
identification window, retractable tether housing compartment,
steel grommet, and tether retractor device attached to the bottom
of the backpack.
[0016] FIG. 4 is the inside bottom view of the backpack showing the
retracting mechanism, retractable tether, steel grommet, retracted
tether in the housing compartment, and the retractable tether
passing through the steel grommet.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows the tip end of the retractable tether with the
flat wrist loop.
[0018] FIG. 6 shows the backpack, adjustable shoulder straps,
adjusting buckles, securing mechanism, and the adjustable waist
strap with a second securing mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Turning to FIG. 1, a backpack (60) is shown. In FIG. 1, an
identification window (40) made of clear plastic for the display of
a conventional identification card for the child and parent's
names, address, phone numbers and any other identifying
information. In FIG. 1, the retractable tether (10) is shown
retracted and the flat wrist loop (90) and the squeeze buckle (80).
The retractable tether (10) extends approximately 5 feet and is
made of braided cording. The steel grommet (20), an o-ring type
device serves as a passage way for the retractable tether (10) to
flow with ease from the inside retractable tether housing
compartment, (FIG. 4, 30) to the outside of the backpack for easy
access for the parent.
[0020] Turning to FIG. 2, an enhanced view of the steel grommet
(20), showing the retractable tether (10), with the flat wrist loop
(90) attached. The flat wrist loop (90) has many functions; it can
be used to attach the retractable tether (10) to belt loops, brief
cases, pocketbooks, baby strollers, shopping carts, and other
device in the control of the parent. The flat wrist loop (90) can
be easily slipped over the hand and onto the wrist of the parent.
These features allow the parent to maintain control of the young
child and still have the use of both their hands. The flat wrist
loop (90) can be adjusted by using the securing mechanism,
preferably a squeeze buckle (80) so that the loop can be made to
fit snuggly around the parents wrist, or any of the aforementioned
items. The squeeze buckle (80) has two parts, a male side and a
female side, which are joined to secure the loop.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows the inside view of the backpack (60) and the
retractable tether housing compartment (30) which is the
compartment that houses the retractable safety tether (10) when it
is retracted. The retracting mechanism (70) is the mechanism that
retracts the retractable tether (10) when it is not in use. The
identification card window slot (45) inside view is shown.
[0022] Turning to FIG. 4, the bottom inside view of the backpack is
shown. In FIG. 4, the retractable tether housing compartment (30)
is shown with the retractable tether (10) passing through the steel
grommet (20). In FIG. 4, the retracting mechanism (70) controls the
length of the extension of the retractable tether (10), which
allows for control of the retractable tether (10) by the
parent.
[0023] Turning to FIG. 5, an enhanced view of the controlling end
of the retractable tether (10) is shown. The flat wrist loop (90)
allows the retractable tether (10) to be attached to strollers,
belt loops, pocket books, briefcases or other devices in the
control of the parent. The wristband loop (90) can alternatively be
used by slipping it over the hand and onto the wrist of the
parent.
[0024] FIG. 6 is the outside back view of the backpack (60). The
adjustable shoulder straps (110) adjust at the bottom of each strap
by using the adjustable buckles (120). Using the adjustable
shoulder straps (110) and adjustable buckles (120) allows the
backpack (60) to fit securely and tighter to the child. The
shoulder straps (110) are adjustable to adjust to the appropriate
size of the child. The first securing mechanism (130) allows the
parent to secure the backpack (60) so that the child cannot remove
the backpack (60). The adjustable waist strap (140) wraps around
the waist of the child to secure the backpack (60). The second
securing mechanism (150) has a dual function, it secures the
backpack (60) to Turning to FIG. 2, an enhanced view of the steel
grommet (20), showing the retractable tether (10), with the flat
wrist loop (90) attached. The flat wrist loop (90) has many
functions; it can be used to attach the retractable tether (10) to
belt loops, brief cases, pocketbooks, baby strollers, shopping
carts, and other device in the control of the parent. The flat
wrist loop (90) can be easily slipped over the hand and onto the
wrist of the parent. These features allow the parent to maintain
control of the young child and still have the use of both their
hands. The flat wrist loop (90) can be adjusted by using the
securing mechanism, preferably a squeeze buckle (80) so that the
loop can be made to fit snuggly around the parents wrist, or any of
the aforementioned items. The squeeze buckle (80) has two parts, a
male side and a female side, which are joined to secure the loop
the child and it provides a quick release method for removing the
backpack (60) from the child. The second securing mechanism (140)
can be placed on the waist strap (140) allowing the parent to
secure the child, yet not allowing the child access to the second
securing mechanism (150) to remove the adjustable waist strap
(140).
* * * * *