U.S. patent application number 14/742267 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-22 for backpack/pillow assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Andrea Soto-Camacho, Karen G. Stash. Invention is credited to Andrea Soto-Camacho, Karen G. Stash.
Application Number | 20160367018 14/742267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57587483 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160367018 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Soto-Camacho; Andrea ; et
al. |
December 22, 2016 |
BACKPACK/PILLOW ASSEMBLY
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved backpack assembly
configured for multiple uses. The backpack assembly includes a
compressible foam material enclosed within one or both of its front
and rear panels, and it further includes a blanket support
structure for releasably attaching a blanket. The backpack assembly
thereby is specially adapted for use by a user, especially a child
who is traveling, for convenient use in carrying various articles
for work and play, e.g., books and toys, as well as a blanket and
pillow for use while napping or resting.
Inventors: |
Soto-Camacho; Andrea;
(Brooklyn, NY) ; Stash; Karen G.; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Soto-Camacho; Andrea
Stash; Karen G. |
Brooklyn
Los Angeles |
NY
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57587483 |
Appl. No.: |
14/742267 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F
4/06 20130101; A45F 4/02 20130101; A45F 3/042 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 4/06 20060101
A45F004/06 |
Claims
1. A backpack assembly comprising: a pouch having a front panel and
a rear panel secured to each other along a lower edge, a left side
edge, and a right side edge, forming an interior compartment and an
open upper end; a strap assembly secured to the pouch and
configurable to define left and right shoulder straps sized to
receive a user's arms, with the pouch supported on the user's back;
wherein one or both of the pouch's front and rear panels includes a
compressible pillow, to enable the backpack assembly to function as
a head pillow when not being supported on a user's back; a blanket
sized and configured to be rolled or folded into a compact form;
and a blanket support mounted at or near the pouch's lower edge and
configured to carry the blanket.
2. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the strap
assembly comprises a single elongate strap.
3. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein: the
backpack assembly further comprises left and right bracket rings
mounted at spaced-apart locations along the upper edge of the front
panel; and the single elongate strap of the strap assembly attaches
at its two ends to the pouch at or near the pouch's lower edge,
adjacent the pouch's left and right side edges, with a mid-portion
of the single elongate strap extending through the left and right
bracket rings.
4. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the strap
assembly is configurable as a single loop by extending the portion
of the single elongate strap located between the left and right
bracket rings, whereby the backpack assembly can be carried over
just one of a user's shoulders.
5. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, and further
comprising a releasable closure secured to the upper end of the
pouch, for use in selectably closing the interior compartment.
6. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the
releasable closure comprises a zipper.
7. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the front
and rear panels of the pouch each include a compressible pillow
extending over substantially the panel's entire extent.
8. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the
compressible pillows of the front and rear panels each are sealed
within the panel.
9. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the blanket
support comprises a blanket pouch sized to receive and store and
blanket and configured to have a closable opening.
10. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein the
blanket pouch comprises a zipper for closing the closable
opening.
11. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
blanket support comprises a plurality of blanket straps configured
to wrap around and carry the blanket.
12. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein each of
the plurality of blanket straps comprises a releasable
fastener.
13. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the
releasable fastener of each of the plurality of blanket straps
includes a releasable snap fastener.
14. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the front
and rear panels of the pouch comprise sections of fabric that are
sewn to each other at the pouch's lower edge, left side edge, and
right side edge.
15. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, and further
comprising one or more pockets mounted on the front panel of the
pouch.
16. The backpack assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
backpack assembly is free of a rigid support structure.
17. A backpack assembly comprising: a main pouch having a front
panel and a rear panel secured to each other along a lower edge, a
left side edge, and a right side edge, forming an interior
compartment and an open upper end; a strap assembly secured to the
main pouch and comprising a single elongate strap and left and
right bracket rings mounted at spaced-apart locations along an
upper edge of the front panel, wherein the single elongate strap
attaches at its two ends to the main pouch at or near the pouch's
lower edge, adjacent the pouch's left and right side edges, with a
mid-portion of the single elongate strap extending through the left
and right bracket rings; wherein the strap assembly is configurable
to define left and right shoulder straps sized to receive a user's
arms, with the main pouch supported on the user's back, by
extending the sections of the elongate strap located between its
two ends and the left and right bracket rings; wherein the strap
assembly further is configurable to define a single loop by
extending the portion of the single elongate strap located between
the left and right bracket rings, whereby the backpack assembly can
be carried over just one of the user's shoulders; wherein one or
both of the main pouch's front and rear panels includes a
compressible pillow, to enable the backpack assembly to function as
a head pillow when not being supported on a user's back; a blanket
sized and configured to be rolled or folded into a compact form;
and a blanket pouch mounted at or near the main pouch's lower edge
and configured to have a closable opening, wherein the blanket
pouch further is sized and configured to carry the blanket and
wherein the backpack assembly is free of a rigid support structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to backpack assemblies and
more particularly to backpack assemblies configured for multiple
uses.
[0002] Backpacks are in common use by persons of all ages to carry
various small articles comfortably on their backs, leaving their
arms and hands free for other tasks and activities. Many of such
backpacks lack a rigid support frame and, instead, include just a
fabric pouch having a closable upper opening for allowing access to
an open interior compartment, along with left and right shoulder
straps configured to receive the user's arms. The backpack thereby
can be carried with the pouch comfortably supported on the user's
back.
[0003] Backpacks of this kind are particularly suitable for use by
students for carrying their schoolbooks, stationery items, clothing
articles, school lunches, etc., to and from their homes. Such
backpacks also are commonly used at other times, for carrying
books, toys, and other articles on vacations and other extended
trips, e.g., via an automobile, train, or airplane. Oftentimes on
such trips, it is necessary or desirable for the users to sleep or
rest. In the past, this has sometimes required the users to bring
along not only their backpacks but also, separately, a head pillow
and a blanket, so that they can sleep or rest comfortably. This is
inefficient, requiring use of their otherwise free arms and
hands.
[0004] It will be appreciated that there is a definite need for a
backpack assembly that is specially configured not only to carry
books, toys, and other articles for use by a user during an
extended trip, but also to incorporate and carry both a blanket and
a pillow. The present invention satisfies this need and provides
further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is embodied in an improved backpack
assembly that is specially configured not only to carry books,
toys, and other articles for use by a user during an extended trip,
but also to incorporate and carry both a blanket and a pillow. The
backpack assembly includes a pouch having a front panel and a rear
panel secured to each other along a lower edge, a left side edge,
and a right side edge, forming an interior compartment and an open
upper end, and it further includes a strap assembly secured to the
pouch and configurable to define left and right shoulder straps
sized to receive a user's arms, with the pouch supported on the
user's back. One or both of the pouch's front and rear panels
includes a compressible pillow, to enable the backpack assembly to
function as a head pillow when not being supported on a user's
back. In addition, the backpack assembly further includes a blanket
configured to be rolled or folded into a compact form, as well as a
blanket support mounted at or near the lower edge of the pouch and
configured to carry the blanket.
[0006] In another, more detailed feature of the invention, the
strap assembly can comprise a single elongate strap. The two ends
of this elongate strap attach to the pouch at or near the pouch's
lower edge, adjacent the pouch's left and right side edges, with a
mid-portion of the elongate strap extending through left and right
bracket rings mounted at spaced-apart locations along the upper
edge of the pouch's front panel. In an alternative arrangement, the
strap assembly can be reconfigured as a single carrier loop by
extending the portion of the elongate strap located between the
left and right bracket rings, whereby the backpack assembly can be
conveniently carried over just one of a user's shoulders.
[0007] In another feature of the invention, the backpack assembly
can further include a releasable closure at the pouch's upper end,
for use in selectably closing the interior compartment. This
closure can take the form of a zipper. Further, the pouch's front
and rear panels can each include a compressible pillow extending
over substantially the panel's entire extent. These compressible
pillows each can be sealed within the panel.
[0008] In another feature of the invention, the blanket support can
comprise a pouch sized to receive and store the blanket. This
blanket pouch can include an opening that can be selectably closed,
e.g., by a zipper. Alternatively, the blanket support can comprise
a plurality of blanket straps configured to wrap around and carry
the blanket. Each of such straps can comprise a releasable
fastener, e.g., a releasable snap fastener. Further, the pouch's
front and rear panels both can comprise sections of fabric that are
sewn to each other along the pouch's lower edge, left side edge,
and right side edge. Further, one or more pockets can be mounted on
the pouch's front panel.
[0009] Finally, in yet another feature of the invention, the
backpack assembly is free of any rigid support structure.
[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention
should become apparent from the following description of the
preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a backpack
assembly embodying the present invention, shown with its strap
assembly in a two-shoulder configuration, in which the backpack
assembly can be carried over the user's two shoulders in a
conventional fashion.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top, front perspective view of the backpack
assembly of FIG. 1, shown with its strap assembly in an
alternative, one-shoulder configuration, in which the backpack
assembly can be carried over just one of the user's shoulders.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top, rear perspective view of the backpack
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a right side cross-sectional view of the backpack
assembly of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] With reference now to the illustrative drawings, and
particularly FIGS. 1 and 4, there is shown a backpack assembly 11
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The
backpack assembly includes a front panel 13 and a rear panel 15,
which are sewn to each other along a lower edge 17, a left side
edge 19, and a right side edge 21, to form a rectangular pouch 23.
The upper edges 25, 27 of the respective front and rear panels 13,
15 define an open upper end. A strap assembly 29 defines a left
strap section 31 and a right strap section 33 sized to receive a
user's two arms, whereby the pouch can be comfortably supported on
the user's back.
[0016] The strap assembly 29 includes a single elongate strap whose
two ends are secured to the lower edge 17 of the pouch 23, one end
near the left side edge 19 and the other end near the right side
edge 21. Between these two ends, the strap extends through a left
bracket ring 35 and a right bracket ring 37, which are mounted at
the upper edge 25 of the pouch's front panel 13. The strap thus
includes three sections: the left strap section 31, the right strap
section 33, and a middle section 39. The elongate strap is sized to
provide sufficient slack to allow it to form two alternative
configurations: 1) a two-shoulder configuration (FIG. 1), in which
the left and right side sections 31, 33 are extended to allow them
to fit over the user's left and right shoulders; and 2) a
one-shoulder configuration (FIG. 2), in which the middle section 39
is extended to allow it to fit over just one of the user's two
shoulders.
[0017] The left and right bracket rings 35, 37 are secured by two
short fabric strips 41, 43, respectively, to the upper edge 25 of
the front panel 13. The two ends of the strap assembly's elongate
strap extend through slotted bracket assemblies 45, 47 that, in
turn, are sewn into the seam at the pouch's lower edge 17, adjacent
the pouch's respective left and right side edges 19, 21. These
slotted bracket assemblies allow the lengths of the left and right
strap sections 31, 33 to be conveniently adjusted, for fitting the
backpack assembly 11 to the size of the user carrying it. This
adjustability also allows the straps to be conveniently sized for
attaching the backpack assembly to an automobile headrest or
armrest, or to an airplane seat or tray table.
[0018] The open upper end of the pouch 23 allows access to an open
interior compartment (FIG. 4) that is sized to receive various
articles, such as schoolbooks, a tablet computer, stationery items,
clothing articles, school lunches, games, etc. A zipper 51 secured
to the upper edges 25, 27 of the respective front and rear panels
13, 15 permits the opening to be selectably closed off. Other
closure mechanisms, e.g., a hook and loop fastener or snaps,
alternatively could be used.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the front panel 13 includes an outer
fabric sheet 53 and an inner fabric sheet 55, which are sewn
together around their peripheries to define a closed interior space
filled by a compressible pillow 57. Similarly, the rear panel 15
includes an outer fabric sheet 59 and an inner fabric sheet 61,
which are sewn together around their peripheries to define a closed
interior space filled by a compressible pillow 63. The fabric
sheets that make up the front and rear panels preferably comprise a
soft cotton or polyester material that is machine-washable.
Alternatively, the outer fabric sheets can be formed of a durable
material such as leather or imitation leather, and the inner sheets
can be formed of a durable material such as cotton or polyester
muslin.
[0020] The pillows 57, 63 allow the two panels 13, 15, together, to
function as a head pillow when the backpack assembly 11 is not
being carried. In addition, the pillows can protect fragile
articles carried within the interior compartment if the backpack
assembly is dropped onto the ground or otherwise subjected to undue
forces. The pillows also make the assembly comfortable to wear on
the user's back, even if the interior compartment carries hard, or
rigid articles.
[0021] The pillows 57, 63 preferably extend over substantially the
entire extent of the interior spaces of the respective front and
back panels 13, 15. The pillows can incorporate polystyrene beads,
expanded polystyrene beads, polyvinyl chloride pellets, shredded
polyurethane foam, shredded latex foam, dried beans, recycled
plastic bottle pellets, and combinations of those materials.
Optionally, only one of the two panels could include the pillow,
but thus providing correspondingly reduced softness.
[0022] The backpack assembly 11 further includes a blanket 65 that
can be rolled or folded into a compact, cylindrical form, along
with a similarly sized cylindrical blanket pouch 67 secured by a
pair of straps 69, 71 sewn directly into the seam at the lower edge
17 of the pouch 23. These straps, which can be formed of a suitable
fabric or leather, extend around a portion of the blanket pouch, to
provide structural support. Visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, a zippered
opening 73 extends horizontally along the blanket pouch, to allow
the blanket to be inserted and removed.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the
blanket 65 can be supported using a pair of blanket straps attached
to the lower edge 17 of the pouch 23, e.g., by sewing each strap's
two ends directly into the seam between the front and rear panels
13, 15. In addition, each blanket strap can include a conventional
snap fastener, to allow a convenient attachment and release of the
rolled or folded blanket. As a further alternative, the blanket
could be carried within the backpack assembly's interior
compartment, and the blanket straps could be used to attach other
article(s), e.g., a jacket or other clothing article, a water
bottle.
[0024] Configuring the backpack assembly 11 to include both a
blanket 65 and two compressible pillows 57, 63 adapts the assembly
for convenient use by a user, especially a child on trips away from
home. The users, themselves, can carry the bedding material they
might need for a quick nap or rest-time.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, two small, outer storage pockets 75 are
provided on the forward facing side of the front panel 13. These
pockets are formed by sewing a rectangular section of fabric over
the front panel's bottom half. An edge liner 77, made from the same
material as the elongate strap of the strap assembly 29, protects
the pockets' upper edges from undue wear. For added security,
valuable articles such as passports, cash, and cellular phones, can
be stored in these pockets (or in the open interior compartment)
while the user is using the backpack assembly 11 as a pillow during
sleep.
[0026] A leather or fabric sleeve 79 can be secured (e.g., sewn) to
the middle section 39 of the elongate strap of the strap assembly
29, between the left and right bracket rings 35, 37. This allows
the backpack assembly 11 to be comfortably carried on the user's
shoulder when in the one-shoulder configuration depicted in FIG.
2.
[0027] In another alternative embodiment, the backpack assembly 11
is specially adapted for use at a beach. In this embodiment, the
outer sheets 53, 59 are formed of a towel-like material such as
terry cloth, and the inner sheets 55,61 are formed of a suitable
waterproof fabric or plastic. The blanket 65 could take the form of
a towel, and it also could be configured to provide an additional
function as a poncho.
[0028] It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that
the present invention provides an improved backpack assembly 11
configured for multiple uses. The backpack assembly includes a
compressible material enclosed within its front panel 13 and/or its
rear panel 15, and it further includes a support structure for
releasably attaching a rolled or folded blanket 65. The assembly
thereby is specially adapted for use by a user, especially a child,
while traveling, for convenient use in carrying various articles
for work and play (e.g., books and toys), as well as a blanket and
pillow for use while napping or resting.
[0029] The invention has been described in detail with reference
only to the presently preferred embodiments. Persons skilled in the
art will understand that various modifications can be made without
departing from the invention. The invention is defined only by the
following claims.
* * * * *