U.S. patent application number 13/026229 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination with embroiderable panels.
Invention is credited to David Lawson.
Application Number | 20110284598 13/026229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44971658 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110284598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawson; David |
November 24, 2011 |
Multifunctional Duffle Bag And Backpack Combination With
Embroiderable Panels
Abstract
A multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination includes
side panels that can be lifted away from duffle bag/backpack such
that the side panels can be substantially entirely inserted into an
embroidery machine to form an embroidered design the side panels. A
pair of straps can be extended upwardly and joined to form a handle
above the top panel of the duffle bag/backpack. The straps can be
extended downwardly such that the straps can be mounted around the
shoulders of a wearer when the duffle bag/backpack is positioned on
the wearer's back.
Inventors: |
Lawson; David; (Yorkville,
IL) |
Family ID: |
44971658 |
Appl. No.: |
13/026229 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61304194 |
Feb 12, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45C
3/001 20130101; A45C 2003/008 20130101; A45F 4/02 20130101; A45C
11/20 20130101; A45C 2003/007 20130101; A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C
2009/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/153 |
International
Class: |
A45F 4/02 20060101
A45F004/02 |
Claims
1. A multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination
comprising: (a) a fabric shell comprising an exterior bottom panel,
a top panel, a pair of oppositely disposed inner end panels
extending upwardly between said exterior bottom panel and said top
panel, and a pair of oppositely disposed inner side panels
extending upwardly between said exterior bottom panel and said top
panel, said inner side panels interposed between and attached at
seams to said end panels, wherein said top panel is partially
detachable from said shell to provide access to said shell interior
volume; (b) a pair of outer side panels adjacent said pair of inner
side panels, each of said outer side panels attached to said top
panel and partially detachable from its adjacent inner side panel
such that each of said outer side panels can be lifted away from
said exterior bottom panel; and (c) a pair of straps extending from
said exterior bottom panel, said straps capable of: (1) extending
upwardly between said inner and outer side panels in a direction
toward said top panel, said straps joinable to form a handle above
said top panel; and (2) extending downwardly in a direction away
from said top panel such that said straps are capable of being
mounted around the shoulders of a wearer when said exterior bottom
panel is positioned on said wearer's back.
2. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 1 wherein each
of said outer side panels when lifted is capable of being
substantially entirely inserted into an embroidery machine such
that an embroidered design can be formed on said outer side panel
while said outer side panel remains attached to said shell.
3. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 2 wherein said
top panel is partially detachable from said shell by a zipper and
wherein each of said outer side panels is partially detachable from
its adjacent inner side panel by a pair of oppositely disposed
zippers extending along said seams.
4. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 3 further
comprising a pair of outer end panels adjacent said pair of inner
end panels, each of said outer end panels attached to said bottom
panel and partially detachable from its adjacent inner end panel
such that the volume between said inner and outer end panels can be
accessed.
5. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 4 wherein one
of said outer end panels is lined on its interior-facing surface
with a layer of thermally insulating material and its adjacent
inner end panel is lined on its exterior-facing surface with a
layer of thermally insulating material.
6. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 4 wherein one
of said outer end panels has a gasket formed therein for extending
a cord from said volume between said inner and outer end panels to
an exterior location.
7. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 6 wherein said
cord is a headphone cord.
8. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 4 further
comprising an interior bottom panel adjacent said exterior bottom
panel, wherein a volume is formed therebetween.
9. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 8 wherein one
of said interior side panels has an opening formed therein to
access said volume formed between said interior and said exterior
bottom panels.
10. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 9 wherein said
opening is closable by a zipper.
11. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 10 wherein
placement of a planar object within said volume formed between said
interior and said exterior bottom panels rigidifies said exterior
bottom panel such that said exterior bottom panel is more
comfortably positioned on said wearer's back.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority benefits
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/304,194, filed
on Feb. 12, 2010, entitled "Multifunctional Duffle Bag And Backpack
Combination With Embroiderable Panels". The '194 provisional
application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a soft-sided bag for
carrying personal possessions such as clothing, books, personal
electronic devices, and the like. In particular, the present
invention relates to a multifunctional duffle bag and backpack
combination with embroiderable panels. The present duffle
bag/backpack has a multitude of features designed to appeal to
consumers seeking a high-end product
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination
comprises: [0004] (a) a fabric shell comprising an exterior bottom
panel, a top panel, a pair of oppositely disposed inner end panels
extending upwardly between the exterior bottom panel and the top
panel, and a pair of oppositely disposed inner side panels
extending upwardly between the exterior bottom panel and the top
panel, the inner side panels interposed between and attached at
seams to the end panels, wherein the top panel is partially
detachable from the shell to provide access to the shell interior
volume; [0005] (b) a pair of outer side panels adjacent the pair of
inner side panels, each of the outer side panels attached to the
top panel and partially detachable from its adjacent inner side
panel such that each of the outer side panels can be lifted away
from the exterior bottom panel; and [0006] (c) a pair of straps
extending from the exterior bottom panel, the straps capable of:
[0007] (1) extending upwardly between the inner and outer side
panels in a direction toward the top panel, the straps joinable to
form a handle above the top panel; and [0008] (2) extending
downwardly in a direction away from the top panel such that the
straps are capable of being mounted around the shoulders of a
wearer when the exterior bottom panel is positioned on the wearer's
back.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, each of the outer side panels
when lifted is capable of being substantially entirely inserted
into an embroidery machine such that an embroidered design can be
formed on the outer side panel while the outer side panel remains
attached to the shell. The top panel is preferably partially
detachable from the shell by a zipper. Each of the outer side
panels is preferably partially detachable from its adjacent inner
side panel by a pair of oppositely disposed zippers extending along
the seams.
[0010] In another preferred embodiment, the duffle bag/backpack
combination further comprises a pair of outer end panels adjacent
the pair of inner end panels, each of the outer end panels attached
to the bottom panel and partially detachable from its adjacent
inner end panel such that the volume between the inner and outer
end panels can be accessed. One of the outer end panels is
preferably lined on its interior-facing surface with a layer of
thermally insulating material and its adjacent inner end panel is
lined on its exterior-facing surface with a layer of thermally
insulating material. The other of the outer end panels preferably
has a gasket formed therein for extending a cord, such as a
headphone cord, from the volume between the inner and outer end
panels to an exterior location.
[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the duffle bag/backpack
combination further comprises an interior bottom panel adjacent the
exterior bottom panel, wherein a volume is formed therebetween. One
of the interior side panels preferably has an opening, preferably
closable by a zipper, formed therein to access the volume formed
between the interior and the exterior bottom panels. Placement of a
planar object within the volume formed between the interior and the
exterior bottom panels rigidifies the exterior bottom panel such
that the exterior bottom panel is more comfortably positioned on
the wearer's back.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of the present multifunctional duffle
bag and backpack combination with embroiderable panels.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the present duffle bag and
backpack combination shown in FIG. 1, in which the straps are
depicted as being (in solid and single-dashed lines) in position
for carrying as a duffle bag and (in double-dashed lines) in
position for carrying as a backpack.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of one side of the present
duffle bag and backpack combination showing the side panel
partially raised to expose the zippered opening for storing a
laptop computer or large book(s), and in which the straps are
depicted as being (in solid lines) in position for carrying as a
backpack and (in double-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a
duffle bag.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the other side of the present
duffle bag and backpack combination in which the straps are
depicted as being (in solid lines) in position for carrying as a
backpack and (in double-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a
duffle bag.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of one end of the present duffle
bag and backpack combination in which the side panels fully raised
to expose the straps.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an elevation view showing the other end of the
present duffle bag and backpack combination in which the straps are
deployed in position for carrying as a backpack on a wearer.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the exterior of the bottom
panel of the present duffle bag and backpack combination.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Turning first to FIG. 1, a top view is shown of an
embodiment of the present multifunctional duffle bag and backpack
combination ("duffle bag/backpack") with embroiderable panels. As
shown in FIG. 1, duffle bag/backpack 10 includes a fabric shell
that includes a top panel 14, a pair of end panels 18, 24, and a
pair of oppositely disposed side panels 12, 13. Side panels 12, 13
are interposed between and attached at seams to end panels 18, 24.
Top panel 14 is partially detachable using zipper 16 to provide
access to the interior volume of duffle bag/backpack 10.
[0020] As further shown in FIG. 1, each of side panels 12, 13 is
detachable using zippers such that each of side panels 12, 13 can
be lifted away from duffle bag/backpack 10. A pair of straps 38, 40
extends from the bottom portion of duffle bag/backpack 10. Straps
38, 40 are capable of extending upwardly beneath liftable side
panels 12, 13, and through openings 12a, 13a, in a direction toward
top panel 14. Straps 38, 40 are joinable, preferably with an
openable sleeve 42, to form a handle above top panel 14.
[0021] As further shown in FIG. 1, end panel 18 has a portion 20
that is partially detachable from end panel 18 using zipper 22. End
panel 24 has a portion 26 that is partially detachable from end
panel 24 using zipper 28 to access a storage pocket beneath end
panel 24. End panel detachable portion 26 has an attached sleeve 32
that has inner member (shown in more detail in FIG. 5) on which the
owner's name can be printed. End panel detachable portion 26 also
has a gasket 30 formed therein for extending a cord (not shown),
such as a headphone cord, from an electronic device held in the
storage pocket beneath end panel 24.
[0022] End panel 18 is lined with a layer of thermally insulating
material (not shown) on its interior surface such that the
temperature of food and beverages stored in the pocket beneath end
panel 18 can be maintained hot or cold as desired.
[0023] A pair of clips 34, 36 are attached to and extend from end
panels 24 and 18, respectively. A shoulder strap (not shown) is
attachable to clips 34, 36 to enable duffle bag/backpack 10 to be
carried using the shoulder strap.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view of duffle bag/backpack 10, which also
shows bottom panel 15 with foot pads, one of which is shown in FIG.
2 as pad 17, for keeping duffle bag/backpack 10 slightly elevated
above surface when placed on the ground.
[0025] As further shown in FIG. 2, strap 40 is depicted as being
(in solid and single-dashed lines) in position for carrying duffle
bag/backpack 10 as a duffle bag and (in double-dashed lines) in
position for carrying duffle bag/backpack 10 as a backpack. Strap
40 has a cushioned sleeve 40a that is slidable along strap 40 and a
buckle 40b for adjusting the length of strap 40 so that duffle
bag/backpack 10 can be mounted around the shoulders of a wearer for
carrying as a backpack.
[0026] As further shown in FIG. 2, a strap 44 extending from top
panel 14 extends through an opening in side panel 13 and terminates
in a clip 46 from which a keychain or medallion can be hung.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows side panel 13 partially raised in the direction
of the arrows, one of which is identified by numeral 13d, to expose
an opening 13h accessible using zipper 13f. A pocket formed beneath
opening 13h is capable of storing a planar object, such as a laptop
computer or a large book (not shown). Placement of a planar object
within the pocket rigidifies bottom panel 15 such that the exterior
of bottom panel 15 is more comfortably positioned on the wearer's
back.
[0028] A pair of fasteners 13e, 13g, preferably formed of
cooperating hook-and-loop fastening material, secures side panel 13
in its closed position to duffle bag/backpack 10. Fastener 13e is
attached to the interior surface of side panel 13. Fastener 13g is
attached to bottom panel 15.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows the side of duffle bag/backpack 10 opposite the
side shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, strap 38 is depicted as being (in
solid lines) in position for carrying as a backpack and (in
double-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a duffle bag. As
with strap 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, strap 38 has a cushioned
sleeve 38a that is slidable along strap 38 and a buckle 38b for
adjusting the length of strap 38 so that duffle bag/backpack 10 can
be mounted around the shoulders of a wearer for carrying as a
backpack.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows one end of the duffle bag/backpack 10 in which
the side panels 12, 13 are fully raised to expose straps 38, 40,
respectively. Each of side panels 12, 13 when lifted is capable of
being substantially entirely inserted into an embroidery machine
(not shown) such that an embroidered design can be formed on each
of side panels 12, 13 while side panels 12, 13 remain attached to
duffle bag/backpack 10.
[0031] As further shown in FIG. 5, end panel detachable portion 26
has an attached sleeve 32 that has a removable inner member 32a on
which the owner's name can be printed.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows the end of duffle bag/backpack 10 opposite the
end shown in FIG. 5, in which straps 38, 40 are deployed in
position for carrying as a backpack on a wearer A.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the exterior of bottom panel
15 with four attached foot pads, one of which is shown in FIG. 7 as
pad 17, for keeping duffle bag/backpack 10 slightly elevated above
surface when placed on the ground.
[0034] While particular elements, embodiments and applications of
the present invention have been shown and described, it will be
understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since
modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in
light of the foregoing teachings.
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