U.S. patent application number 12/112022 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-05 for backpack strap with light.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bass Pro Intellectual Property L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Daniel R. Fraher.
Application Number | 20090272777 12/112022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41256448 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090272777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fraher; Daniel R. |
November 5, 2009 |
BACKPACK STRAP WITH LIGHT
Abstract
The present invention is a flash light storage system for a
backpack. The backpack includes a pocket attached to a strap of the
backpack. A base of the flash light is secured within the pocket
and a moveable joint is provided to connect the base to a headlamp
that has a variable orientation to the base through the moveable
joint. Preferably, the moveable joint includes a flexible neck
having a retracted position and an extended position. The headlamp
has a pocketed position when the flexible neck is retracted and the
pocket is closed, and the headlamp has an exposed position when the
pocket is opened and the flexible neck is extended from the
pocket.
Inventors: |
Fraher; Daniel R.;
(Springfield, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUSCH BLACKWELL SANDERS LLP
190 CARONDELET PLAZA, SUITE 600
ST. LOUIS
MO
63105-3441
US
|
Assignee: |
Bass Pro Intellectual Property
L.L.C.
Springfield
MO
|
Family ID: |
41256448 |
Appl. No.: |
12/112022 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 15/06 20130101;
A45F 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/576 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20060101
A45F003/04 |
Claims
1) A backpack comprising: a support strap; a pocket attached to
said support strap, said pocket having an open configuration and a
closed configuration; and a light source comprising a base and a
headlamp, wherein said base is secured within said pocket and
wherein said headlamp has a pocketed position corresponding with
said closed configuration of said pocket and an exposed position
corresponding with said open configuration of said pocket.
2) A backpack according to claim 1, wherein said light source
further comprises a moveable joint connecting said base to said
headlamp, wherein said headlamp has a variable orientation to said
base through said moveable joint.
3) A backpack according to claim 2, wherein said moveable joint is
comprised of a flexible neck, wherein said flexible neck has a
retracted position and an extended position, wherein said flexible
neck is enclosed within said pocket in said retracted position,
wherein at least a portion of said flexible neck is outside said
pocket in said extended position, and wherein said variable
orientation of said headlamp is comprised of a plurality of
selectable directions relative to said support strap according to
said extended position of said flexible neck.
4) A backpack according to claim 1 further comprising a sleeve
fixed within said pocket, wherein said base is slidably contained
within said sleeve.
5) A backpack according to claim 4, wherein said base further
comprises a stop to retain said base within said sleeve.
6) A backpack according to claim 1, wherein said support strap
further comprises a pair of shoulder straps.
7) A backpack according to claim 1, wherein said pocket further
comprises a flap and a closure.
8) A storable flash light system comprising: a pocket comprising an
interior, an exterior, an opening and a closure attached to said
opening, wherein said interior comprises a sleeve, and wherein said
closure has an open configuration and a closed configuration; a
base slidably contained within said sleeve, wherein said base
comprises a stop to retain said base within said sleeve; a headlamp
attached to said base, wherein said headlamp has a stored position
corresponding with said closed configuration of said closure and an
exposed position corresponding to said open configuration of said
closure.
9) A storable flash light system according to claim 8 further
comprising a moveable joint connecting said base to said headlamp,
wherein said headlamp has a variable orientation to said base
through said moveable joint.
10) A storable flash light system according to claim 9, wherein
said moveable joint is comprised of a flexible neck, wherein said
flexible neck is enclosed within said pocket when said closure is
in said closed configuration, and wherein at least a portion of
said flexible neck extends outside said pocket when said closure is
in said open configuration.
11) A storable flash light system according to claim 8, wherein
said closure is selected from the group consisting of a flap, a
zipper, and a combination thereof.
12) A storable flash light system according to claim 11, wherein
said flap covers said base and said headlamp when said flap is in
said closed configuration.
13) A storable flash light system according to claim 8 further
comprising a support strap, wherein said pocket is attached to said
support strap.
14) A storable flash light system according to claim 13 further
comprising a backpack, wherein said support strap is attached to
said backpack.
15) A backpack comprising: a stowage compartment comprising a
dorsal side and a ventral side; a support strap attached to said
stowage compartment proximate to said ventral side, said support
strap comprising a pocket having an open configuration and a closed
configuration; and a light source comprising a base, a headlamp and
a moveable joint connecting said base to said headlamp, wherein
said base is secured within said pocket, wherein said headlamp has
a pocketed position corresponding with said closed configuration of
said pocket and an exposed position corresponding with said open
configuration of said pocket, and wherein said headlamp has a
variable orientation to said base through said moveable joint.
16) A backpack according to claim 15, wherein said stowage
compartment further comprises an interior space and an exterior
side, said exterior side comprising a top, a bottom, said dorsal
side, said ventral side, and a lateral side and an opposing lateral
side, said stowage compartment further comprising an opening and a
closure attached to said opening.
17) A backpack according to claim 16, wherein said support strap
further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein
said upper portion is attached to said stowage compartment
proximate to said top and said ventral side and said lower portion
is attached to said stowage compartment proximate to said bottom
and said ventral side.
18) A backpack according to claim 15, wherein said moveable joint
is comprised of a flexible neck, wherein said flexible neck has a
retracted position and an extended position, wherein said flexible
neck is enclosed within said pocket in said retracted position,
wherein at least a portion of said flexible neck is outside said
pocket in said extended position, and wherein said variable
orientation of said headlamp is comprised of a plurality of
selectable directions relative to said support strap according to
said extended position of said flexible neck.
19) A backpack according to claim 15 further comprising a sleeve
fixed within said pocket, wherein said base is slidably contained
within said sleeve.
20) A backpack according to claim 19, wherein said base further
comprises a stop to retain said base within said sleeve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a storable flash light
system and, more particularly, to a backpack having a storable
light source attached thereto.
[0006] 2. Related Art
[0007] Hikers, campers, and others involved in outdoor activities
frequently require a source of light to aid in their activities.
Moreover, students and/or tourists may also benefit from having a
readily accessible source of light. Specifically, the light is
useful in reading maps, reading instructions, and/or performing
other activities that may take place in an area having a limited
amount of light. Generally, it is necessary for such a light to be
easily accessible and substantially hands free. Accordingly,
handheld flash lights are typically of little use because they
utilize at least one hand of the user and are not readily
accessible after being stored in the user's pack or pocket.
[0008] Rather than carrying a handheld flash light, several flash
lights are available that either clip to a user's clothing or are
worn on the user's body. Unfortunately, these flash lights are not
very well protected and can be exposed to undesirable elements when
not in use, especially when the light in used in conjunction with
an outdoor activity. The light may also become detached from the
user and easily break. In addition, such lights may be extremely
cumbersome and impractical. For example, the light may not be
easily positioned in a desired direction when in use and/or the
light may be heavy and uncomfortable on the user's body or
clothing.
[0009] Accordingly, it is a goal of the present invention to
provide a light that is easily accessible, hands free, easily
positionable when in use, and capable of being stored in a
protected environment when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a backpack that includes a support
strap and a pocket attached thereto. The pocket has an open
configuration and a closed configuration and is configured to store
a light source in the closed configuration. The light source
includes a base and a headlamp having a variable orientation to the
base through a moveable joint that connects the base to the
headlamp. The base is secured within the pocket such that the
headlamp has a pocketed position when the pocket is closed and an
exposed position when the pocket is open.
[0011] Preferably, the moveable joint includes a flexible neck
having a retracted position and an extended position. When the
flexible neck is in the retracted position, it is enclosed within
the pocket, and when the flexible neck is in the extended position
at least a portion of the flexible neck is outside the pocket. When
the flexible neck is extended, the headlamp has a variable
orientation that includes a plurality of selectable directions
relative to the support strap of the backpack.
[0012] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a storable flash light
system;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the pocket shown in
FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the pocket shown in
FIG. 1 in an open configuration;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the preferred
embodiment of the storable flash light system shown in FIG. 1,
wherein the headlamp is in a pocketed/stored configuration; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the storable flash
light system shown in FIG. 4, wherein the headlamp is in an
extended configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0020] As generally shown in FIGS. 1-5, the present invention
relates to a storable flash light system 10 preferably consisting
of a backpack 12, a pocket 16, and a light source 18. Backpack 12
includes a stowage compartment 58 having an interior space 64 and
an exterior side 66. The exterior side 66 includes a top 68, a
bottom 70, a dorsal side 60, a ventral side 62, and a lateral side
72 and an opposing lateral side 74. The stowage compartment 58 also
includes an opening 76 and a closure 78 attached to and configured
to seal opening 76.
[0021] Backpack 12 further includes a support strap 14 that
includes a sling strap, a shoulder strap, a pair of shoulder
straps, or any combination thereof. Support strap 14 is attached to
the stowage compartment 58 proximate to the ventral side 62.
Specifically, the support strap 14 has an upper portion 80 that is
attached to the stowage compartment 58 proximate to the top 68 and
the ventral side 62, and support strap 14 has a lower portion 82
that is attached to the stowage compartment 58 proximate to the
bottom 70 and the ventral side 62. Support strap 14 could also be
attached to stowage compartment 58 in various other
configurations.
[0022] Pocket 16 is attached to the support strap 14. In an
alternative embodiment, pocket 16 could be attached to any other
portion of backpack 12, such as the exterior side 66 of stowage
compartment 58 or within the interior space 64 of stowage
compartment 58. Further, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art, pocket 16 is not limited to being attached to
backpack 12, but could also be attached to an article of clothing
and/or other accessories carried by or worn by a person.
[0023] Pocket 16 includes an interior 40, an exterior 54, an
opening 56 and a closure 52 attached to and configured to seal the
opening 56. Preferably, closure 52 is a flap 50, a zipper 88, or a
combination thereof. Closure 52 could also be a button, a buckle,
hook and loop fasteners, or any combination thereof. Pocket 16 has
an open configuration 30 (shown in FIG. 3) that corresponds to
closure 52 being open, and a closed configuration 32 (shown in FIG.
2) that corresponds to closure 52 being closed. When pocket 16 is
in the closed configuration 32, light source 18 is stored and
protected therein. For example, when flap 50 is closed, flap 50
covers, stores, and protects a base 20, a headlamp 22 and a
moveable joint 24 of light source 18. When pocket 16 is in the open
configuration 30, light source 18 is exposed.
[0024] Light source 18 includes a base 20 and a headlamp 22 that
has a variable orientation to the base 20 through a moveable joint
24 that connects the base 20 to the headlamp 22. Base 20 is secured
within pocket 16. Headlamp 22 has a pocketed/stored position 34
(shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) and an exposed position 36 (shown in FIGS.
3 and 5) with respect to pocket 16. Specifically, when pocket 16 is
in the closed configuration 32, headlamp 22 is stored and protected
within pocket 16 and is not exposed. When pocket 16 is in the open
configuration, headlamp 22 is capable of being or is exposed.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, moveable joint 24 is a flexible
neck 24a that has a retracted position 42 and an extended position
44. Flexible neck 24a is coupled to a base 20a that is slidably
contained within a sleeve 26 attached within the interior 40 of
pocket 16. Flexible neck 24a retracts and extends by sliding base
20a through sleeve 26. Specifically, flexible neck 24a extends by
sliding base 20a toward a top 92 of sleeve 26, and flexible neck
24a retracts by sliding base 20a toward a bottom 94 of sleeve 26.
Base 20a includes a stop 28 that is provided to retain base 20a
within the sleeve 26 as base 20a is slidably moved through sleeve
26.
[0026] When flexible neck 24a is in the retracted position 42,
flexible neck 24a can be enclosed and protected within pocket 16 by
placing pocket 16 in the closed configuration 32. Accordingly, when
pocket 16 is in the closed configuration 32, headlamp 22 is in the
pocketed position 34. Although FIG. 4 illustrates flexible neck 24a
in a bent configuration while in the retracted position 42,
flexible neck 24a could have any variety of configurations when
placed in the retracted position 42. When pocket 16 is in the open
configuration 30, at least a portion 46 of flexible neck 24a can
extend outside pocket 16 by placing flexible neck 24a in the
extended position 44. Accordingly, when pocket 16 is in the open
configuration and flexible neck 24a is in the extended position 44,
headlamp 22 is in the exposed position 36.
[0027] When flexible neck 24a is in the extended position 44,
headlamp 22 has a variable orientation that includes a plurality of
selectable directions (indicated by arrows 48) relative to the
support strap 14. Specifically, flexible neck 24a enables headlamp
22 to translate in three dimensions, rotate in three dimensions, or
move in any combination thereof. Flexible neck 24a has a degree of
stiffness that retains headlamp 22 in position after headlamp 22
has been moved into a particular position.
[0028] Light source 18 also includes a bulb 84, a power source 86,
such as a battery, and a power switch 90. Bulb 84 may be any one of
a light emitting diode (LED), an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent
bulb, or any other known bulb or any combination thereof. In the
example embodiment, bulb 84, power source 86, and power switch 90
are positioned within headlamp 22, which is configured to open so
that bulb 84 and power source 86 can be replaced. Accordingly, bulb
84, power source 86, and power switch 90 can be enclosed within
pocket 16 when pocket 16 is in the closed configuration 32, and
bulb 84, power source 86, and power switch 90 can be positioned
outside pocket 16 when the pocket 16 is in the open configuration
30. Alternatively, bulb 84, power source 86, and power switch 90
can be permanently housed within pocket 16.
[0029] As various modifications could be made to the exemplary
embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding
illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention,
it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing
description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth
and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of
the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined
only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
* * * * *