Equipment Carrying Device

Abstract

A device capable of carrying a plurality of equipment is described. The device includes at least one handle, a conforming region, and at least one location for attaching or storing equipment. Users may carry equipment stored on/in the device by carrying the device on their backs and/or shoulders by grasping the handle of the device over their shoulder and allowing the conforming region to conform to their back and/or shoulder. The device, therefore, aids a user in carrying a plurality of equipment simultaneously. In at least some instances, a rotating handle may permit easy transitioning between a carrying position on a user's back/shoulder and a storage position, such as hanging on a wall or rack and vice-versa.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/941,490, filed Jun. 1, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to carrying devices, and more particularly to equipment carrying devices.

[0004] 2. Background and Related Art

[0005] Today, many people engage in activities that require one or more pieces of equipment to complete. These activities may include construction activities, repair activities, cleaning activities, sports activities, landscaping activities, and business activities. For example, a user wishing to engage in landscaping activities may require equipment, such as a shovel, a hose, a rake, a hoe, a pick-axe, as well as several hand tools. These pieces of equipment may be large and cumbersome to carry, and a user needing multiple pieces of equipment must often carry one piece of equipment at a time to the location where he or she desires to engage in the desired activity. Carrying pieces of equipment individually is time consuming and may require substantial effort. Also, heavy or oddly shaped equipment may put excessive stress and strain on a user's body while he or she carries the equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide devices capable of carrying a plurality of equipment. Embodiments of the device include at least one handle, a conforming region, and at least one location for attaching equipment. Users may attach equipment to the device and carry the device on their back and/or shoulder by grasping the handle of the device over their shoulder and allowing the conforming region to conform to their back and/or shoulder. In some embodiments, the handle of the device may be a rotating handle to facilitate transitioning the device to and from an over-the shoulder position. The device, therefore, aids a user in carrying a plurality of equipment simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the equipment carrying device;

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of the equipment carrying device;

[0010] FIGS. 3a-3f show a variety of accessory options that may be used with equipment carrying locations on an equipment carrying device.

[0011] FIGS. 4a-4c show different embodiments of a conforming region;

[0012] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the equipment carrying device;

[0013] FIG. 6 shows a side view of another embodiment of the equipment carrying device;

[0014] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the equipment carrying device;

[0015] FIG. 8 shows a side view of an embodiment of the equipment carrying device;

[0016] FIGS. 9-12 show views of alternate embodiments of the invention; and

[0017] FIGS. 13 and 14 show perspective views of an alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A description of various embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to FIGS. 1-14. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

[0019] The present invention provides a device capable of carrying a plurality of equipment. The device includes at least one handle, a conforming region, and at least one location for attaching equipment. Users may attach equipment to the device and/or place equipment within compartments of the device and may carry the device on their back and/or shoulder by grasping a handle of the device over their shoulder and allowing the conforming region to conform to their back and/or shoulder. The device, therefore, aids a user in carrying a plurality of equipment simultaneously. In at least some embodiments, the handle of the device may be rotatably coupled to the device to assist the user in transitioning the device between a carrying position and a storage location, such as hanging on a wall.

[0020] For the purpose of this disclosure, the term "equipment" shall mean any item that a user may wish to transport. Therefore, equipment may be understood to include tools, sporting equipment, household items, computer equipment, transportation devices (e.g., bicycle, skateboard, etc.) and equipment (helmet, etc.), materials, liquids, and other items. "Equipment" may include large and small items separately or simultaneously, as will become apparent below.

[0021] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 in order to illustrate some of the advantages and features of the present invention. Reference will first be made to FIGS. 1-2, which show an equipment carrying device 100. The equipment carrying device 100 includes a handle 110, a conforming region 120, a plurality of equipment carrying locations 130 and a body 140. The equipment carrying device 100 may contain any number of desired equipment carrying locations 130 to aid in the carrying of a variety of equipment, and may be located at any desirable location on the body 140 or the conforming region 120. The equipment carrying device 100 may be constructed of a variety of materials to suit the desired application, such as, but not limited to, plastics, metals, cardboard, PVC, and/or natural or man-made fibrous materials (e.g., fiberglass, plant material). The equipment carrying device 100 may be a unitary piece or may be made of multiple pieces. For example, the handle 110, the conforming region 120, the locations 130, and the body 140 may all be separate pieces that may be joined together by any desired attachment means, such as by screws, rivets, adhesives, interlocking structures, etc. Alternatively, any combination of two or more of the handle 110, the conforming region 120, the locations 130, and the body 140 may be manufactured as a single unitary item.

[0022] The handle 110 of the equipment carrying device 100 may be any type of handle which is capable of being grasped in order to carry the equipment carrying device 100. The handle 110 may be formed as a part of or may be detachable from the conforming region 120. The handle 110 may be sufficiently large to allow users to grasp it with their entire hand, or, alternatively, the handle 110 may be sufficiently large to allow users to grasp it with both hands. The handle 110 may be sized to suit any desired application of carrying device 100. Additionally, the handle 110 may be detachable from the conforming region 120 of the equipment carrying device 100, which might be desirable when the equipment carrying device 100 is not being carried. In at least some embodiments, the handle 110 may include a rotatable element, that may allow the handle 110 to rotate with respect to the body 140/the conforming region 120, as will be discussed further below. One skilled in the art will recognize a variety of means that may be used to attach and detach the handle 110 to the conforming region 120 and/or the body 140.

[0023] The conforming region 120 is designed to conform to a user's back and/or shoulder, or some other portion of a user's body, while he or she is carrying the equipment carrying device 100. In order to conform to a user's back and/or shoulder, the conforming region 120 may be constructed out of a non-rigid material. Alternatively, the conforming region 120 may include hinges or other means to aid in the flexibility of the conforming region 120. FIGS. 4a-4c show some configurations of the conforming region 120 that may be used with alternative embodiments of the equipment carrying device 100.

[0024] Some possible configurations of the conforming region 120 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4a-4c. FIG. 4a shows a conforming region 120a that is constructed of a flexible material that is substantially continuous. Because the conforming region 120a is constructed of a flexible material, the conforming region 120a may conform to a user's back and/or shoulder (or other body part). FIG. 4b shows a conforming region 120b that includes sculpted hinges 122b (such as living hinges) that allow the conforming region 120b to bend and flex. When the sculpted hinges 122b are in a bent configuration, surfaces 123b of the sculpted hinges 122b may form a substantially continuous surface that conforms to a user's back and/or shoulder. FIG. 4c shows a conforming region 120c that is constructed of pin hinges 124c and sections 125c. The sections 125c are connected together by the pin hinges 124c so that the sections 125c may freely rotate with respect to each other. The examples of embodiments of the conforming region 120 shown in FIGS. 4a-c are illustrative and not limiting. One skilled in the art will recognize many configurations of the conforming region 120 that may be used with embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the equipment carrying locations 130 are designed to accommodate the transportation of equipment. The equipment carrying locations 130 may include a variety of accessory options, such as, but not limited to, hooks, clips, fasteners, clasps, pockets, loops, containers, or hook and loop fasteners to aid in attaching equipment to the equipment carrying device 100. The equipment carrying locations 130 may include any combination of accessory options to suit the desired application of the equipment carrying device 100, including compartments and/or chambers, as best illustrated in FIGS. 13-14. A user may desire to change the accessory options included on the equipment carrying locations 130; therefore, in some embodiments, means may be provided to allow a user to change the accessory options included in/at the equipment carrying locations 130. In addition, containers may be provided on the equipment carrying locations 130 to aid in the transportation of materials, liquids, small items, or any other material. Containers for the equipment carrying locations 130 may take the form of permeable containers, impermeable containers, and expandable containers.

[0026] FIGS. 3a-3f show a variety of accessory options and containers for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3a shows a hook 131 for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3b shows a clasp 132 for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3c shows a hook-and-loop fastener 133 for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3d shows a clip 134 for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3e shows a mesh bag 135 for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3f shows an impermeable container 136 for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. The examples of accessory options and containers for use with equipment carrying locations 130 are illustrative only and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize a variety of means that may be used with the present invention to facilitate the carrying of equipment.

[0027] Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, the equipment carrying device 100 may include any number of the equipment carrying locations 130. Additionally, the equipment carrying locations 130 may be provided anywhere on body 140 or on conforming region 120 of equipment carrying device 100. By way of example, some of the equipment carrying locations 130 may be located on a front side of the equipment carrying device 100, while other equipment carrying locations 130 may be located on a back side of the equipment carrying device 100, and other equipment carrying locations 130 may be located on sides or other locations of the equipment carrying device 100.

[0028] An embodiment of the equipment carrying device 100 may include more that one conforming region 120, and in such embodiments, each of the conforming regions 120 may include an associated handle 110. For example, in a desired application, an equipment carrying device may include two conforming regions 120 and two handles 110 so that a user may grasp one handle 110 with each hand, and the two conforming regions 120 may conform to each shoulder of the user as the user carries the equipment carrying device 100 on his or her back. In another example, two handles 110 may be attached to one conforming region 120 so that a user may grasp one handle 110 with each hand, and the single conforming region 120 may conform to the user's back and/or shoulder.

[0029] In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-2, body 140 includes the equipment carrying locations 130 and the conforming region 120. In one configuration of the illustrated embodiment, the equipment carrying device 100 may be relatively small, such as approximately twenty-four inches square, in order to carry equipment such as hammers and screw drivers. In another example, the equipment carrying device 100 may be larger, such as thirty-six inches by fifty-four inches, in order to carry equipment such as shovels and rakes. The body 140 may be any desired dimension to suit a desired application of the equipment carrying device 100. In FIGS. 1-2, the body 140 is shown in a substantially-rectangular configuration. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the body 140 may take a variety of shapes, such as an ellipse, a trapezoid, a hexagon, etc.

[0030] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-6. FIG. 5-6 show an equipment carrying device 200 that is an example of a configuration of an equipment carrying device for carrying garden tools. The equipment carrying device 200 includes a handle 210, a conforming region 220, equipment carrying locations 230, and a body 240. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the conforming region 220 and the body 240 may be separate pieces of the equipment carrying device 200. The conforming region 220 may be attached to the body 240 so that the body 240 does not bend while the conforming region 220 conforms to a user's back and/or shoulder. This configuration may keep the body 240 substantially straight and rigid to provide support for the equipment being carried by the equipment carrying device 200.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6, the handle 210 is substantially similar to the handle 110 described with reference to FIGS. 1-2. The handle 210 may be attached to the conforming region 220 so that both the handle 210 and the conforming region 220 may conform to a user's back and/or shoulder substantially without bending the body 240. In order to assist in carrying garden tools (e.g., shovels, rakes, hoes, pitchforks, etc.), the equipment carrying locations 230 may be configured with hooks 231 and a clasp 232, although other accessory options may be used to best secure any selected and desired equipment, such as those accessory options discussed with reference to FIGS. 3a-3f. By way of example, the body 240 of the equipment carrying device 200 may be configured to have a length similar to the length of garden tools such as a shovel. In some embodiments, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the body 240 may also be configured with one or more support members 242 that reinforce and provide extra rigidity to the body 240, which may provide extra support for the equipment being carried by the equipment carrying device 200.

[0032] The equipment carrying device 200 provides an example of an embodiment of an equipment carrying device configured to carry garden equipment. One skilled in the art will recognize many other configurations of an equipment carrying device that may be used to carry garden equipment or any other equipment.

[0033] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7-8. FIGS. 7-8 show an embodiment of an equipment carrying device 300 configured to carry equipment used to wash vehicles or windows, for example. The equipment carrying device 300 is configured with a handle 310, a conforming region 320, one or more equipment carrying locations 330, and a body 340. The configuration of the handle 310, the conforming region 320, and the body 340 is substantially similar to the configuration of described in reference to FIGS. 5-6. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, the body 340 may be configured to be shorter in length to accommodate smaller equipment such as that used to wash vehicles or windows. Some of the equipment carrying locations 330 may be equipped with hook-and-loop fasteners 333 and others with elements such as an impermeable container 336. The impermeable container 336 may be used to store liquids, such as window washing liquid. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8 may be configured for carrying light-weight items and liquid used in washing vehicles or windows.

[0034] The equipment carrying device 300 may include other features to enhance its versatility. For example, the equipment carrying device 300 may include one or more legs 350 attached to the body 340. The legs 350 may be extended away from the body 240 in order to support the equipment carrying device 300 in an upright configuration, such as during use of the equipment carrying device 300. A user may desire an upright configuration such as when the equipment carrying device 300 is carrying a liquid in an attached container for the washing of vehicles or windows, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-8. In some embodiments, the handle 310 may swivel or detach to increase the versatility of the equipment carrying device 300. As may be appreciated, the legs 350 are merely one option to improve the versatility of the equipment carrying device 300 (or any embodiment of the illustrated equipment carrying devices shown above or discussed hereafter). For example, some embodiments may include one or more wheels or casters to permit a portion of the equipment carrying device to contact the ground or other surface and to be rolled to another location. This may assist in transportation of the equipment carrying device and any carried equipment. Other features that may be used in conjunction with the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

[0035] Mention will now be made to the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9-12. FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the present invention that is capable of hanging on a rack or wall. The equipment carrying device 400 in FIG. 9 is shown hanging on a rack 402 without any attached equipment. Alternatively, the equipment carrying device 400 illustrated in FIG. 9 may be hung on the rack 402 or on some other device attached to a wall while the equipment carrying device 400 is carrying equipment. A user may wish to store equipment on the equipment carrying device 400 in order to provide easy access to a plurality of equipment stored on the equipment carrying device 400 while the equipment carrying device 400 is hanging on the rack 402.

[0036] The equipment carrying device 400 illustrated in FIG. 9, as well as any equipment carrying device previously or subsequently discussed, may be provided with a rotating handle 410, such as the rotating handle 410 illustrated in FIG. 12. The rotating handle 410 may provide an easy transition from a storage position of the equipment carrying device 400, such as on the rack 402, to a carried position on the user's shoulder and back. For example, the equipment carrying device 400 may be carrying a plurality of equipment and be stored on the rack 402. While on the rack 402, the equipment carrying device 400 may have its handle 410 configured to assist a user in hanging or removing the equipment carrying device 400 from the rack. When a user desires to tote the equipment carrying device 400, the handle 410 may rotate, as shown in FIG. 12, to assist the user in transitioning the equipment carrying device 400 over his or her shoulder. The rotating handle 410, therefore, allows a user to easily remove the equipment carrying device 400 from a storage position on the rack 402 to a carrying position over the user's shoulder and back in a single motion. Similarly, the rotating handle 410 permits a user to transition the equipment carrying device 400 from a carrying position over the user's shoulder and/or back to a storage position on the rack 402 in a single motion. Similar transitions may be made from storage/carrying/resting positions on the ground, leaning up against a car, etc., all facilitated by the rotating handle 410.

[0037] For example, it is typically desirable that the equipment being held by the equipment carrying device 400 face outward while the equipment carrying device 400 is on the rack 402 for easy access. If the equipment carrying device 400 is merely picked up, the equipment thus held outward by the equipment carrying device 400 will naturally be located adjacent the user's back where it may be uncomfortable. The rotating handle 410 permits the equipment carrying device 400 to be spun as it is picked up from the rack 402 so that a back surface of the equipment carrying device 400 is instead located adjacent the user's back, enhancing the comfort of the user. This may be accomplished in a single fluid motion with little effort and without requiring complex motion by the user. In some embodiments, a similar process may be used to transition an equipment carrying device that does not have a rotating handle 410 from a hanging storage position to a carried slung position, as will be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art.

[0038] Now, with reference to FIGS. 10-11, FIG. 10a shows the embodiment of FIG. 9 where the rotating handle 410 and a conforming region 420 are in an upright configuration, such as when the equipment carrying device 400 is disposed on the rack 402. FIG. 10b shows the embodiment of FIG. 9 where the rotating handle 410 and the conforming region 420 are in a bent configuration, such as when the equipment carrying device 400 is disposed on a user's back and shoulder. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the present invention that includes legs 450 that may be extended to support the equipment carrying device 400 in a standing configuration. As discussed above, a user may desire to place an equipment carrying device 400 in a standing configuration to aid in the access to equipment on the equipment carrying device 400 when the equipment carrying device 400 is not being carried and is not hung on the rack 402, wall, or other location. Alternatively, some embodiments of the equipment carrying device may be stored in such a standing configuration.

[0039] An additional embodiment of an equipment carrier 500 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, which illustrate perspective back and side views of the equipment carrier 500. The equipment carrier 500 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 may be configured for use for carrying sports equipment, and illustrates multiple compartments configured for storing sports-type equipment. FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the back of the equipment carrier 500. The equipment carrier 500 includes a rotating handle 510 and a conforming region 520 as described with respect to previously-described embodiments. In at least some embodiments, as best illustrated by the side perspective view of FIG. 14, a portion of the conforming region 520 and of the body of the equipment carrier 500 may be provided with a reversible attachment means 502, such as a snap, a hook-and-loop fastener system, a zipper, etc., permitting the rotating handle 510 to be secured close to the body of the equipment carrier 500, such as for storage or for transportation in, for example, a wheeled rolling bag configuration.

[0040] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is substantially thicker than the embodiments previously illustrated, and illustrates the wide range of equipment carriers embraced by the embodiments of the present invention. By way of example, the equipment carrier 500 may have dimensions sufficient to permit storage of a plurality of sports equipment items, including, for example, multiple sports balls, as illustrated in FIG. 13. Thus, the equipment carrier 500 may be provided with various compartments, pockets, closures, etc., including zippered pockets, hook-and-loop closures 504, outer side pockets 506 (such as for the storage of a portion of a racket or bat, illustrated at 508), pen pockets 512, hinged flap-covered compartments 514, and the various compartments may include various closure mechanisms, including straps, buckles, zippers, snaps, cinching devices, etc. In at least some embodiments, protective foam may be included at various locations, such as locations 516 to protect either equipment within the equipment carrier 500 or to make the equipment carrier 500 more comfortable for carrying by the user.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention provide a device that carries a plurality of equipment simultaneously. In addition, the present invention reduces the stress and strain of carrying a plurality of equipment by providing an equipment carrying device that conforms to the user's back and/or shoulder while carrying the device. One of skill in the art will recognize many varied implementations of the advantages and features of the present invention in addition to the examples and configurations specifically described in this disclosure.

[0042] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An equipment carrying device comprising: a body having a front surface and a rear surface; a conforming region coupled to the body, wherein the conforming region is capable of conforming to a user's back and shoulder; and a handle coupled to the conforming region, wherein the user carries the equipment carrying device on his or her back by grasping the handle over his or her shoulder so that the front surface faces away from the user, the rear surface faces the user, and the conforming region conforms to the user's back and/or shoulder.

2. The equipment carrying device of claim 1, wherein the handle is rotatably coupled to the conforming region whereby the rotatable connection between the handle and the conforming region enables the equipment carrying device to be rotated relative to the handle as the user slings the equipment carrying device to and from the user's shoulder.

3. The equipment carrying device of claim 1, further comprising an equipment carrying accessory provided to at least a portion of one of the body and the conforming member.

4. The equipment carrying device of claim 3, wherein the equipment carrying accessory comprises one of: a pouch; a hook; a clasp; a hook-and-loop fastener; a compartment; a pocket; an expandable pouch; an impermeable compartment; a clip; a spring-loaded clip; and a ring.

5. The equipment carrying device of claim 4, wherein the equipment carrying accessory comprises a reversible securing means for securing equipment at the equipment carrying accessory.

6. The equipment carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a leg attached to the body for holding the equipment carrying device in an upright position.

7. The equipment carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a wheel for facilitating translational motion of the equipment carrying device across a substantially flat surface.

8. The equipment carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a rack configured to engage and secure one of the handle, the conforming region, and the body, thereby permitting hanging the equipment carrying device on a wall.

9. The equipment carrying device of claim 1, configured to carry equipment of a type selected from the group of: sports equipment; window washing equipment; car washing equipment; gardening equipment; and tools.

10. An equipment carrying device comprising: a body having a front surface and a rear surface; a conforming member attached to the body, wherein the conforming member is capable of conforming to the back or shoulder of a user; and a handle rotatably coupled to the conforming member, wherein the user carries the body on his or her back by grasping the handle over his or her shoulder so that the front surface faces away from the user, the rear surface faces the user, and the conforming member conforms to the user's back or shoulder.

11. The equipment carrying device of claim 10, further comprising a leg attached to the body for holding the equipment carrying device in an upright position.

12. The equipment carrying device of claim 10, further comprising a wheel for facilitating translational motion of the equipment carrying device across a substantially flat surface.

13. The equipment carrying device of claim 10, further comprising a securing element attached to a wall and configured to engage and secure one of the handle, the conforming region, and the body, thereby permitting hanging the equipment carrying device on the wall.

14. The equipment carrying device of claim 10, further comprising: an equipment carrying accessory provided to at least a portion of one of the body and the conforming member.

15. The equipment carrying device of claim 14, wherein the equipment carrying accessory comprises one of: a pouch; a hook; a clasp; a hook-and-loop fastener; a compartment; a pocket; an expandable pouch; an impermeable compartment; a clip; a spring-loaded clip; and a ring.

16. The equipment carrying device of claim 15, wherein the equipment carrying accessory comprises a reversible securing means for securing equipment at the equipment carrying accessory.

17. A method for using an equipment carrying device comprising: providing an equipment carrying device having a conforming region and a handle rotatably connected to the conforming region of the equipment carrying device; storing the equipment carrying device by hanging it on one of a wall and a rack; grasping the rotatable handle of the equipment carrying device and removing the equipment carrying device from the rack; rotating the equipment carrying device at the rotatable handle while slinging the equipment carrying device over a user's shoulder, whereby a portion of the equipment carrying device that was facing away from the user on the wall or rack in storage now faces toward the user's shoulder in a carrying position; and carrying the equipment carrying device by grasping the rotatable handle of the equipment carrying device over the shoulder of the user.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: slinging the equipment carrying device from the user's shoulder; setting the equipment carrying device down in an upright use position whereby equipment may be accessed from storage of the equipment carrying device; and returning the equipment carrying device from the upright use position to the user's shoulder, whereby the user can control the orientation of the equipment carrying device by rotating the equipment carrying device relative to the handle as the equipment carrying device is slung over the user's shoulder.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: slinging the equipment carrying device from the user's shoulder; and re-hanging the equipment carrying device on the wall or rack, with the portion of the equipment carrying device that was facing the user's back facing away from the user and toward the wall or rack.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising conforming at least a portion of the conforming region of the equipment carrying region to the user's back and shoulder.