U.S. patent application number 12/942486 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for item for convertible luggage.
Invention is credited to Page GOOLRICK.
Application Number | 20120111680 12/942486 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46018563 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120111680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GOOLRICK; Page |
May 10, 2012 |
ITEM FOR CONVERTIBLE LUGGAGE
Abstract
An item of luggage such as a brief case, comprising a main
carrying component having a top opening which is closeable by a
flap extending from the top of one side which can be secured by a
fastener to the other side and further comprising at least two
straps linked by adjustable linkages at each end of each of them so
as to permit adjustment of the total lengths of the straps, the
straps being mounted in such manner that in a short configuration
it provides a handle and when in a long configuration it may act as
a pair of shoulder straps enabling a user's arms to be inserted
between the strap and the carrying component.
Inventors: |
GOOLRICK; Page; (New York,
NY) |
Family ID: |
46018563 |
Appl. No.: |
12/942486 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/117 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 3/02 20130101; A45F
3/04 20130101; A45C 13/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/117 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/30 20060101
A45C013/30; A45C 3/02 20060101 A45C003/02 |
Claims
1. An item of luggage comprising a main carrying component of
generally hexahedral shape having the two surfaces having larger
areas than the others, which larger surfaces are generally parallel
with each other, said carrying component having a top opening which
is closeable by a flap extending from the top of one of the larger
surfaces and which can be secured by a fastener to the other of the
two larger surfaces, said item of luggage further comprising at
least two straps linked by adjustable linkages at each end of each
of them so as to permit adjustment of the total lengths of the
straps, said straps being secured to said carrying component on the
surface bearing said fastener, said surface further bearing at
least two collinear slider members located toward the top of the
surface and spaced apart sufficiently that in use they may be
located with one on each side of a users shoulders and thorough
which said strap passes, said strap being mounted in such manner
that in its short configuration it provides a handle protruding
above the top of the carrying component and when in its long
configuration it may act as a pair of shoulder straps enabling a
user's arms to be inserted between the strap and the carrying
component.
2. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein a further handle
is provided on the opposite surface of the luggage item.
3. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said straps are
mounted on said item by use of at least four pairs of slider
members each member of a pair being collinear with the other member
of the pair, at least two pairs of such slider members being
located at the bottom of the luggage item and at least one pair
being mounted close to the top of each of the two largest surfaces
of said carrying component.
4. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrying
component has the dimensions of a brief case.
5. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the
flap and the fastener will when the luggage item is being used as a
backpack be located on the body-facing side of the luggage item.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a briefcase or other item
of luggage. In particular it relates to an article that converts
between different carrying modes and is designed to reduce the risk
of theft of items being carried in the luggage item by suitable
positioning of its opening or openings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Backpacks are very convenient ways of carrying one's
belongings. However, the normal appearance of backpacks is such
that one may not wish to carry one's papers in them for an
important business meeting or to attend any event where a tidy and
professional appearance is a concern. The lack of awareness and
view of the access to the interior of the backpack by the wearer
makes theft of items from pockets or other container elements on
the outer surface relatively easy.
[0003] Published U.S. Patent Application 2008/0314948 (Cheryl F.
Cohen) describes a theft deterrent backpack including at least two
panels forming a main compartment. The at least two panels include
a back panel and a second panel, other than the back panel. The
backpack also includes a releasable securing device for accessing
the main compartment; the releasable securing device, for example,
a zipper, having a beginning end and a terminating end. Preferably,
the terminating end of the releasable securing device is disposed
on the back panel and the beginning end is disposed on the second
panel such as the front panel, side panel or bottom panel. When the
backpack is worn, positioning of the releasable securing device in
such a configuration deters access to the terminating end of the
releasable securing device and hence access to the main
compartment.
[0004] U.S. Published Patent Application 2008/0237288 (Marissa
Hamilton) describes a backpack having increased security features
that help prevent the theft of objects stored in the interior
portion of the backpack and in the external pockets. In particular,
the backpack includes a security cover flap that is disposed to
prevent access to the closing mechanism of the interior portion of
the backpack. The security cover includes a latch portion that is
secured to the first surface of the backpack, proximate to the
wearer to prevent a criminal from accessing the closing mechanism,
opening the backpack and stealing items from the interior. External
pockets are provided on the front surface of the backpack,
proximate to the wearer's body making them and the objects
contained therein inaccessible to other people.
[0005] U.S. Published Patent Application 2007/0246499 (Libor Marik)
describes a backpack with more than one shoulder strap, which
allows the wearer to reconfigure the shoulder straps while wearing,
swing the backpack around to the wearer's front, and access the
contents of the backpack, while still wearing the backpack.
[0006] U.S. Published Patent Application 2006/0032883 (Kenneth
Mario Moreno et al.) describes a backpack having at least one main
internal storage compartment which extends over at least a major
portion of the internal volume of the backpack and which is
accessible only via an opening on the rear face of the enclosure
which rests against the user's back when the backpack is carried.
The opening is closed by a releasable fastener such as a zipper,
and may be further covered by a flap. A set of primary carrying
straps extend from the enclosure for securing the backpack about a
wearer's body for carrying purposes. The front face and sides of
the backpack may have flaps, zippers and the like for simulating
the front of a conventional backpack, and these may be fake or may
provide access to smaller compartments or pockets for carrying
non-valuable items.
[0007] U.S. Published Patent Application 2005/0199658 (Delores J.
Brown et al) describes a backpack that is a flexible pack adapted
to be carried on a person's back and is designed to be worn only in
a reversed position, the straps being attached in such a manner
that the pack can only be worn in this backward position. The pack
is designed with a large flap covering the two exterior front
zippered pockets, the flap pocket, the handle, the flap lock and
the pack drawstring. This design makes the backpack comfortably
smooth on the front side facing the bearer. The unadorned back
surface of the pack faces out. The flap underside has a zippered
opening accessible only when the flap is lifted which is designed
to hold airline tickets, etcetera. A flexible handle under the flap
enables the bearer to hold the bag while accessing the exterior
pockets and flap pocket. The backward design and covering flap make
this pack secure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a bag comprising a main
carrying component of generally hexahedral shape having the two
surfaces having larger areas than the others, which larger surfaces
are generally parallel with each other, said carrying component
having a top opening which is closeable by a flap extending from
the top of one of the larger surfaces and which can be secured by a
fastener to the other of the two larger surfaces, said item of
luggage further comprising at least two straps linked by adjustable
linkages at each end of each of them so as to permit adjustment of
the total lengths of the straps, said straps being secured to said
carrying component on the surface bearing said fastener, said
surface further bearing at least two collinear slider members
located toward the top of the surface and spaced apart sufficiently
that in use they may be located with one on each side of a users
shoulders and thorough which said strap passes, said strap being
mounted in such manner that in its short configuration it provides
a handle protruding above the top of the carrying component and
when in its long configuration it may act as a pair of shoulder
straps enabling a user's arms to be inserted between the strap and
the carrying component. Typically a further handle will be provided
on the opposite surface of the luggage item.
[0009] The luggage item of the present invention can therefore act
as a dual purpose backpack and brief case. It can be made of
material typically used for professional brief cases such as
leather. Furthermore, if desired by suitable adjustment of the
strap, the bag can be carried over only one shoulder and so used as
a shoulder bag in addition to use as a backpack, purse or brief
case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an end view of one type of luggage item of the
present invention in briefcase mode.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a view of one side of such a luggage item of the
present invention in briefcase mode.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the other side a luggage item of
the present invention in briefcase mode.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view of such an item in backpack mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The luggage item of the present invention comprises a
carrying component of generally hexahedral configuration 1.
Typically this may be similar to the body of a conventional
briefcase and may be made of any suitable material such a leather,
pig shin or a suitable synthetic material. For example it may be
from 16 to 20 inches in length , 4 to 7 inches in depth and 10 to
14 inches in height, although other proportions and sizes may be
selected if desired. Children's luggage items will be
proportionately smaller. It is not necessary that each of the
surfaces is rectangular nor that opposite surfaces are strictly
parallel to each other although it will normally be convenient for
them to be so. As shown in FIG. 1, however, the ends may if desired
be trapezoidal in shape. Mounted on the carrying component is a
pair of straps 2, 3. These also may be made of a convenient
material such as leather, pig skin or a synthetic. The length of
the pair of straps may be adjusted by use of a pair of buckles
4
[0015] The length of the pair of straps and their mounting may
vary. In the embodiment shown, a pair of straps is mounted on the
carrying member 1 by means of four pairs of slider members 5 , 5',
6 and 7, each member of a pair being collinear with the other
member of the pair. Slider members 5 and 5' are located at the
bottom of the carrying component and hold the straps in place as
they pass under the carrying component, Slider members 6 and 7 are
mounted close to the top of the front and rear walls of the
carrying component. By adjustment of the length of the straps 2, 3
using the buckles 4, the total strap length may be set at lengths
appropriate for use of the luggage item as a brief case, a backpack
or a shoulder bag. As shown in FIG. 4, when used as a backpack, the
straps will be set at a length that will permit each of a users
arms to be inserted between the carrying component and the straps.
When being used in brief case mode, the total length of the pair of
straps will be shortened so that parts of the straps, 8, will
protrude above the top 9 of the carrying component so as to from
handles. When used in a shoulder bag mode, the length of the straps
will be adjusted so that thy can pas over one shoulder of the
user.
[0016] The top the carrying component is in the form of a flap 10
which passes over the top of the component and extends down the
wall 11 of the carrying component. The end of the flap bears a
fastener element that can cooperate with a compatible fastener
element mounted on said wall to form a fastener 12. The fastener
may be of any convenient type including traditional mechanical
locks and magnetic fasteners The end of the flap and the fastener
will when the luggage item is being used as a backpack be located
on the body-facing side of the luggage item.
[0017] As an alternative to use of a pair of straps as described
above, instead of having straps pass under the bottom of the
carrying member, separate straps may be mounted on each of the
front and rear wall thereof and a separate adjustment means located
on each side.
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