U.S. patent application number 16/126899 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-12 for bag with protective case.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thule, Inc.. Invention is credited to Clio GOLDSMITH, Chris GRILL, Graham JACKSON, Mark THIBADEAU.
Application Number | 20200077760 16/126899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69226759 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-12 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200077760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GRILL; Chris ; et
al. |
March 12, 2020 |
BAG WITH PROTECTIVE CASE
Abstract
Bags may include a protective case having a first enclosure and
a second enclosure each defining a compartment for storing fragile
or expensive items. The protective case may be disposed on the top
end of the bag. The first enclosure may be partially or fully
disposed within the bag, and the second enclosure may be hingedly
connected to the first enclosure and rotatable between an open
position and a closed position. Portions of the protective case may
include support ribs to provide rigidity to the structure without
adding substantial amounts of weight to the bag.
Inventors: |
GRILL; Chris; (Erie, CO)
; GOLDSMITH; Clio; (Boulder, CO) ; JACKSON;
Graham; (Boulder, CO) ; THIBADEAU; Mark;
(Boulder, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thule, Inc. |
Seymour |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69226759 |
Appl. No.: |
16/126899 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2013/026 20130101;
A45C 13/02 20130101; A45C 2003/008 20130101; A45C 13/005 20130101;
A45C 13/002 20130101; A45C 3/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20060101
A45C013/02; A45C 13/00 20060101 A45C013/00; A45C 3/00 20060101
A45C003/00 |
Claims
1. A bag, comprising: a top end; a bottom end; a body portion
defining a main compartment disposed between the top end and the
bottom end; and a protective case disposed at the top end, the
protective case comprising: a first enclosure defining a first
compartment, the first enclosure comprising a bottom portion, a
sidewall extending from the bottom portion, and a first perimeter
defining an opening, and a second enclosure defining a second
compartment, the second enclosure comprising a second perimeter
having a first edge hingedly coupled to the first enclosure,
wherein the second enclosure is rotatable between an open position
and a closed position.
2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the first
enclosure separates the first compartment from the main
compartment.
3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the first
enclosure comprises one or more support ribs.
4. The bag of claim 1, further comprising an attachment flap
coupled to the bottom portion of the first enclosure, wherein the
attachment flap is disposed in the main compartment and coupled to
an interior surface of the main compartment.
5. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a zipper configured to
couple the first perimeter of the first enclosure with the second
perimeter of the second enclosure.
6. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to be
disposed over the opening of the first enclosure.
7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the volume of the first compartment
is greater than the volume of the second compartment.
8. The bag of claim 1, wherein in the closed position, the second
enclosure is disposed over the first enclosure.
9. The bag of claim 1, wherein the second enclosure comprises a
substantially rigid member, wherein the substantially rigid member
is more rigid than the body portion of the bag.
10. A bag, comprising: a protective case, comprising: a first
enclosure defining a first compartment, the first enclosure
comprising a bottom portion, a sidewall extending from the bottom
portion, and a first perimeter; and a second enclosure defining a
second compartment, the second enclosure comprising a second
perimeter having a first edge hingedly coupled to the first
perimeter, wherein the second enclosure is disposed over the first
enclosure in a closed position.
11. The bag of claim 10, wherein in an open position, the first and
second compartments of the protective case are accessible by a
user.
12. The bag of claim 10, wherein a second edge of the second
enclosure is disposed opposite the first edge, wherein the distance
from the volumetric center of the second compartment to the first
edge is less than the distance from the volumetric center of the
second compartment to the second edge.
13. The bag of claim 10, wherein the second enclosure comprises a
first angled portion extending in a first direction and a second
angled portion extending in a second direction.
14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the first angled portion and the
second angled portion form an obtuse angle.
15. The bag of claim 13, wherein an intersection point of the first
angled portion and the second angled portion is closer to the first
edge of the second perimeter than a second edge of second perimeter
disposed opposite the first edge.
16. The bag of claim 10, further comprising a hinge member coupled
to the first enclosure and the second enclosure, wherein the hinge
member is configured to limit the range of rotation of the second
enclosure relative to the first enclosure.
17. The bag of claim 10, wherein the bottom portion comprises one
or more support ribs disposed between a top surface of bottom
portion and a bottom surface of bottom portion.
18. The bag of claim 10, wherein a cover is coupled around the
second perimeter of the second enclosure, the cover comprising a
first elastic portion and a second elastic portion, wherein the
first elastic portion and the second elastic portion overlap.
19. A method of attaching a protective case to a bag, comprising:
inserting a first enclosure into an opening of the bag, wherein the
first enclosure comprises: a bottom portion having a top surface, a
bottom surface, and a support rib, a sidewall coupled to the bottom
portion and extending above the top surface of the bottom portion,
and an attachment flap coupled to the bottom portion and extending
beneath the bottom surface of the bottom portion; and attaching the
attachment flap to an interior surface of the bag.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the attachment flap is
configured to secure the bottom portion of the first enclosure in a
substantially fixed position.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising attaching the
sidewall to the interior surface of the bag.
22. The method of claim 19, further comprising attaching a second
attachment flap to the interior surface of the bag.
23. The method of claim 19, further comprising attaching an edge of
a second enclosure to the first enclosure, wherein the second
enclosure is rotatable relative to the first enclosure.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to luggage and baggage. In
particular, embodiments relate to bags with protective
compartments.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Luggage, backpacks, and other baggage may be used by
travelers to store and transport items during travel. Some bags may
include various pockets and compartments for separating and
organizing items. Some bags may be made from flexible materials,
rigid materials, or a combination of flexible and rigid materials.
The materials construction used for the bags may provide varying
degrees of protection for items stored in the bags.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] In some embodiments, a bag may include a top end, a bottom
end, and a body portion. The body portion may define a main
compartment disposed between the top end and the bottom end of the
bag. In some embodiments, the bag may include a protective case
disposed at the top end of the bag. The protective case may include
a first enclosure defining a first compartment, where the first
enclosure includes a bottom portion, a sidewall extending from the
bottom portion, and an opening defined by a first perimeter. In
some embodiments, the protective case may include a second
enclosure defining a second compartment, where the second enclosure
includes a second perimeter having a first edge. The first edge of
the second enclosure may be hingedly coupled to the first
enclosure, such that the second enclosure may be rotated between an
open position and a closed position relative to the first
enclosure.
[0004] In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the first
enclosure may separate the first compartment from the main
compartment. In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the first
enclosure may include one or more support ribs. In some
embodiments, an attachment flap may be coupled to the bottom
portion of the first enclosure. In some embodiments, the attachment
flap may be disposed in the main compartment and may be coupled to
an interior surface of the main compartment.
[0005] In some embodiments, the second enclosure may be disposed
over the first enclosure when in a closed position. In some
embodiments, a zipper may be configured to couple the first
perimeter of the first enclosure with the second perimeter of the
second enclosure. In some embodiments, the second enclosure may
include a substantially rigid member, and the substantially rigid
member may be more rigid than the body portion of the bag. In some
embodiments, the volume of the first compartment is greater than
the volume of the second compartment. In some embodiments, a cover
may be disposed over the opening of the first enclosure.
[0006] In some embodiments a bag may include a protective case,
where the protective case may include a first enclosure and a
second enclosure. The first enclosure may define a first
compartment, where the first compartment includes a bottom portion,
a sidewall extending from the bottom portion, and a first
perimeter. The second enclosure may define a second compartment,
where the second compartment includes a second perimeter having a
first edge. In some embodiments, the first edge of the second
enclosure may be hingedly coupled to the first perimeter, such that
when in a closed position, the second enclosure is disposed over
the first enclosure.
[0007] In some embodiments, the first and second compartments of
the protective case may be accessible by a user when in an open
position. In some embodiments, a hinge member may be coupled to the
first enclosure and to the second enclosure, and the hinge member
may be configured to limit the range of rotation of the second
enclosure relative to the first enclosure.
[0008] In some embodiments, the bottom portion may include one or
more support ribs disposed between a top surface of the bottom
portion and a bottom surface of the bottom portion. In some
embodiments, a cover may be coupled around the second perimeter of
the second enclosure. In some embodiments, the cover may include a
first elastic portion and a second elastic portion, and the first
elastic portion and the second elastic portion may overlap.
[0009] In some embodiments, a second edge of the second enclosure
may be disposed opposite the first edge of the second enclosure,
and the distance from the volumetric center of the second
compartment to the first edge is less than the distance from the
volumetric center of the second compartment to the second edge. In
some embodiments, the second enclosure may include a first angled
portion extending in a first direction and a second angled portion
extending in a second direction. In some embodiments, the first
angled portion and the second angled portion may form an obtuse
angle. In some embodiments, the first and second angled portions
may intersect at an intersection point. In some embodiments, the
intersection point may be closer to the first edge of the second
perimeter than to a second edge of the second perimeter disposed
opposite the first edge.
[0010] Methods of attaching protective cases to bags are also
described herein. For example, a method of attaching a protective
case to a bag may include inserting a first enclosure into an
opening of the bag, where the first enclosure may include a bottom
portion, a sidewall, and an attachment flap. In some embodiments,
the bottom portion may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and
a support rib. The sidewall may be coupled to the bottom portion
and extend above the top surface of the bottom portion. In some
embodiments, the attachment flap may be coupled to the bottom
portion and extend beneath the bottom surface of the bottom
portion. In some embodiments, the method may include attaching the
attachment flap to an interior surface of the bag.
[0011] In some embodiments, the method may include attaching the
sidewall to the interior surface of the bag. In some embodiments,
the method may include attaching a second attachment flap to the
interior surface of the bag. In some embodiments, the attachment
flap may be configured to secure the bottom portion of the first
enclosure in a substantially fixed position. In some embodiments,
the method may include attaching an edge of a second enclosure to
the first enclosure, such that the second enclosure may be
rotatable relative to the first enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments and,
together with the description, further serve to explain the
principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in the
relevant art(s) to make and use the embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag according to an
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a bag according to
an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior of a protective
case of a bag according to an embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an interior of a bag
according to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a bag according
to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a top view of the portion of a bag of FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in
FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a representative cross-sectional view taken along
lines 8-8 in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bag according to an
embodiment.
[0022] The features and advantages of the embodiments will become
more apparent from the detail description set forth below when
taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference
characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the
drawings like reference numbers generally indicate identical,
functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in
detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. References to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0024] The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting,
of the present embodiments. Other suitable modifications and
adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally
encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those
skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the
disclosure.
[0025] Luggage, backpacks, and other baggage may be made with soft,
flexible materials such as fabric, which may provide for a
lightweight, compactable bag. However, since these bags may
experience impact, compression, or other potentially damaging
forces during travel, shipping, and/or everyday use, these flexible
materials may not provide sufficient protection for the contents of
the bag.
[0026] While a bag made from rigid material may provide greater
protection to the contents of the bag, the rigid materials may
substantially increase the bag's weight, making the bag more
difficult for a user to handle and transport. Further, rigid
materials may limit the compactness of the bag and, therefore, may
increase the difficulty of storing the bag when not in use. The
increased size and weight of a rigid bag may also reduce the
profitably of the bag, since significant proportions of a
manufacturer's shipping and storage costs may be derived from the
bag's size and weight.
[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide bags with a
protective case configured to protect items stored in the
protective case. The protective case is substantially rigid, yet
lightweight, allowing a user to safely store fragile items without
adding unnecessary weight to the bag. The protective case includes
compartments for separating and organizing items stored in the
case.
[0028] Embodiments described herein provide bags that include
portions made from flexible materials and that include a protective
case defined by a lightweight, substantially rigid enclosure. The
protective case may provide protection to fragile or expensive
items such as, for example, glasses, ski goggles, electronic
devices, or the like without substantially increasing the weight of
the bag. Such bags may enhance consumer experience by providing a
relatively lightweight bag that is easy to handle and transport
while still offering protection to fragile items. Since such bags
are relatively lightweight and collapsible, the bags may also
reduce shipping and storage costs for their manufacturer.
[0029] Bags as described herein may include a protective case
having several compartments for separating and/or organizing items
stored in the protective case. The protective case may be disposed,
for example, on the top end of an elongated bag made from flexible
material. The protective case may include a first compartment
disposed within, or partially within the main body of the elongated
bag, and may include a second compartment disposed on top of the
first compartment. Both of the compartments may be formed from
rigid material in order to provide protection to the contents of
the compartments. The second compartment may be attached to the
first compartment along an edge, and may be rotatable, such that a
user may access both the first and second compartments when the
protective case is in an open position.
[0030] Embodiments will now be described in more detail with
reference to the figures. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, for example,
a bag 100 may include a top end 110, a bottom end 120, and a body
portion 130 disposed between top end 110 and bottom end 120. A
protective case 200 may be disposed at or near top end 110 of bag
100. In some embodiments, protective case 200 may be disposed at
bottom end 120 of bag 100 or anywhere along body portion 130
between top and bottom ends 110, 120. In some embodiments, bag 100
may have more than one protective cases 200 disposed at multiple
locations on bag 100. For example, a first protective case may be
disposed at top end 110 and a second protective case may be
disposed at bottom end 120.
[0031] Bag 100 may be, for example, a backpack, duffle bag,
suitcase, handbag, or other type of bag. In some embodiments, body
portion 130 of bag 100 may be made from flexible material. In some
embodiments, body portion 130 of bag 100 may be made from fabric
such as, for example, cotton, canvas, nylon, polyester,
polypropylene, or a blend of materials. In some embodiments, body
portion 130 of bag 100 may be water resistant or water proof.
[0032] In some embodiments, protective case 200 may include a first
enclosure 210 and a second enclosure 260. In some embodiments,
second enclosure 260 may be hingedly connected to first enclosure
210. Second enclosure 260 may be rotatable between a closed
position and an open position relative to first enclosure 210. In a
closed position (as shown in FIG. 2, for example), second enclosure
260 may be disposed on top of first enclosure 210, for example,
such that access into protective case 200 is prevented. In an open
position (as shown in FIG. 3, for example), a user may have access
to the interior of protective case 200, for example, to add items
or remove items from protective case 200.
[0033] First enclosure 210 may define a first compartment 240 where
a user may store items. In some embodiments, first enclosure 210
may include a bottom portion 214 and a sidewall 218 that extends
from bottom portion 214. Sidewall 218 may be made of fabric, foam,
and/or another flexible or rigid martial. First enclosure 210 may
also include an opening 230 whereby a user may access first
compartment 240. Opening 230 may be defined by a first perimeter
212 and may be generally rectangular in shape (e.g., a rectangle
with rounded corners), or it make take other shapes such as, for
example, square, circular, ovular, elliptical, or D-shaped, and may
or may not be symmetrical about any axis. In some embodiments,
first perimeter 212 of first enclosure 210 may be coupled to an
opening 140 of bag 100 in order to attach first enclosure 210 to
bag 100. In some embodiments, sidewall 218 may be coupled to an
interior surface 134 of bag 100.
[0034] In some embodiments, a cover 232 may be configured to be
disposed over opening 230. Cover 232 may be, for example, made of
fabric or mesh fabric. In some embodiments, cover 232 may be
removable, partially removable, separable, and/or partially
separable such that a user may access first compartment 240 through
cover 232. For example, cover 232 may include one or more zippers
such that a user may open and close cover 232. In some embodiments,
first enclosure 210 may include any number of pockets, clips,
dividers, or other elements for organizing, arranging, and/or
storing items in first compartment 240.
[0035] In some embodiments, bottom portion 214 of first enclosure
210 may be disposed within body portion 130 of bag 100. In some
embodiments, bottom portion 214 may separate first compartment 240
from a main compartment 132 of bag 100 defined by body portion 130.
Bottom portion 214 may be generally rectangular, however, it make
take other shapes as well such as, for example, square, circular,
ovular, elliptical, or D-shaped, and may or may not be symmetrical
about any axis. In some embodiments, bottom portion 214 may also be
generally planar in shape, however, it may also be concave, convex,
or may take other forms.
[0036] In some embodiments, bottom portion 214 may include one or
more support ribs 217 disposed in or coupled to bottom portion 214.
Support ribs 217 may be substantially rigid and may extend through
bottom portion 214 to provide rigidity to bottom portion 214. In
some embodiments, portions of bottom portion 214 other than support
ribs 217 may be made from flexible material. By providing a
structure comprising flexible material combined with support ribs
217, bottom portion 214 may be substantially rigid without weighing
as much as a solid rigid equivalent.
[0037] Support ribs 217 may be, for example, substantially
straight, cylindrical rods with a circular cross-section. Support
ribs 217 may also be curved, however, and may have a cross-section
of any shape. In some embodiments, support ribs 217 may be
rectangular and flat (i.e., have a planar upper and/or lower
surface). Support ribs 217 may be made of plastic, metal,
fiberglass, carbon fiber, and/or other materials with a high
strength to weight ratio. Support ribs 217 may also be made of
metal wire. Support ribs 217 may have sufficient rigidity to
maintain the shape of bottom portion 214 when a force is applied to
top surface 215 and/or to bottom surface 216, thereby providing
protection to items stored in first compartment 240. Support ribs
217 may also have sufficient rigidly to maintain the shape of
bottom portion 214 while body portion 130 of bag 100 collapses as
illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9. In this manner, bottom portion
214 may support top end 110 of body portion 130 and, in doing so,
make loading and unloading of main compartment 132 easier for a
user.
[0038] As exemplified in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, top and
bottom surfaces 215, 216 may be substantially parallel to but
vertically displaced from each other such that one or more support
ribs 217 may be disposed in space between top and bottom surfaces
215, 216. In some embodiments, top and bottom surfaces 215, 216 may
comprise fabric, foam, or other flexible and/or lightweight
materials. Support ribs 217 may be more rigid than top and bottom
surfaces 215, 216. In some embodiments, space between top and
bottom surfaces 215, 216 may be filled with material such as, for
example, foam or other padding. In some embodiments, support ribs
217 may be disposed on top of top surface 215. In some embodiments,
support ribs may be disposed beneath bottom surface 216.
[0039] In embodiments where two or more support ribs 217 are
included in bottom portion 214, support ribs 217 may be disposed
parallel to one another, not parallel to one another, or may
overlap or intersect one another. In some embodiments where bottom
portion 214 is generally rectangular, for example, two or more
support ribs may be disposed parallel to one another and may extend
between the two long sides of the rectangle. In some embodiments
where bottom portion is generally rectangular, for example, two or
more support ribs may be disposed parallel to one another and may
extend between the two short sides of the rectangle. In some
embodiments, two or more support ribs may overlap or intersect one
another and may form an X shape or a grid pattern, for example.
[0040] In some embodiments, bottom portion 214 may comprise a solid
member, for example, a rigid planar member without any support
ribs, and may have sufficient rigidity to maintain its shape when a
force is applied to it.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, for example, in some embodiments, one or
more attachment flaps 220 may be coupled to bottom portion 214 and
may be configured to extend beneath bottom portion 214. Attachment
flaps 220 may be made of fabric, for example. In some embodiments,
attachment flaps 220 may be attached to interior surface 134 of
main compartment 132. As described above, first perimeter 212 may
be attached to opening 140 of bag 100, which is above bottom
portion 214. Thus, since attachment flaps 220 may be coupled to bag
100 below bottom portion 214, bottom portion 214 may be secured in
a substantially fixed position within bag 100. In this manner,
first enclosure 210 may maintain its shape and volume when main
compartment is filled with items that may push against bottom
portion 214.
[0042] In some embodiments, attachment flaps 220 may be sized and
shaped such that they may share a seam 222 with other elements of
bag 100 in order to reduce the number of seams visible on the
exterior of bag 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In some embodiments,
bottom portion 214 may be coupled directly to interior surface 134
without any attachment flaps 220.
[0043] In some embodiments, a pocket 224 may be disposed on bottom
surface 216 of bottom portion 214. Pocket 224 may be hidden, and
may be accessible only through main compartment 132. Pocket 224 may
include a zipper configured to close an opening in pocket 224. In
some embodiments, the opening of pocket 224 may be configured to
blend in with other portions of the bag so that the opening is
hidden from view.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 3, second enclosure 260 may define a
second compartment 290 where a user may store items. In some
embodiments, second enclosure 260 may include an opening 284
whereby a user may access second compartment 290. Opening 284 may
be defined by a second perimeter 262, where second perimeter 262
has a first edge 264 and a second edge 266 disposed opposite first
edge 264. In some embodiments, second perimeter 262 may have
substantially the same shape and dimensions as first perimeter 212.
Second enclosure 260 may include any number of pockets, clips,
dividers, or other elements for organizing, arranging, and/or
storing items in second compartment 290.
[0045] In some embodiments, a cover 280 may be configured to be
disposed over opening 284 and around second perimeter 262. Cover
280 may be, for example, made of fabric, mesh fabric, and/or
elastic fabric. Cover 280 may be removable, partially removable,
separable, and/or partially separable such that a user may access
second compartment 290 through cover 280. For example, cover 280
may include one or more zippers such that a user may open and close
cover 280. In some embodiments, cover 280 may be formed, for
example, from multiple pieces of fabric, mesh fabric, and/or
elastic fabric.
[0046] In some embodiments, cover 280 may include a first elastic
portion 281 and a second elastic portion 282. First elastic portion
281 may be coupled around only a portion of second perimeter 262.
Likewise, second elastic portion 282 may be coupled around only a
portion of second perimeter 262. As shown in FIG. 3, for example,
first and second elastic portions 281, 282 may be configured to
overlap such that the portion of second perimeter 262 not coupled
to first elastic portion 281 is coupled to second elastic portion
282, and the portion of second perimeter 262 not coupled to second
elastic portion 282 is coupled to first elastic portion 281. Thus,
two portions of second perimeter 262 may be coupled to both first
and second elastic portions 281, 282 where first and second elastic
portions 281, 282 overlap. One or both of first and second elastic
portions 281, 282 may be made from stretchable material. The
material may be sufficiently stretchable such that least a portion
of first and second elastic portions 281, 282 may no longer overlap
when pulled apart by a user, and the user may access second
compartment 290. In some embodiments, cover 232 may include
overlapping elastic portions as described above.
[0047] In some embodiments, second enclosure 260 may include a
rigid member 270. Rigid member 270 may have sufficient rigidity to
maintain its shape when a force is applied to second enclosure 260,
thereby providing protection to items stored in second compartment
290. In some embodiments, rigid member 270 may include, for
example, ethylene-vinyl acetate, plastic, metal, rubber, vinyl,
carbon fiber, or other material. In some embodiments, rigid member
270 may include all of second enclosure 260. In some embodiments,
rigid member 270 may include only a portion of second enclosure
260. Rigid member 270 may be more rigid than body portion 130 of
bag 100.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 5-7, for example, second enclosure
260 may include a first angled portion 272 that extends in a first
direction and a second angled portion 274 that extends in a second
direction. In some embodiments, the angle between first and second
angled portions 272, 274 may be an obtuse angle. For example, in
some embodiments, first and second angled portions 272, 274 may
form an angle between about 110 degrees and about 160 degrees. In
some embodiments, the angle between first and second angled
portions 272, 274 may be a right angle or an acute angle. First and
second angled portions 272, 274 may intersect at an intersection
point 276. In some embodiments, intersection point 276 may be
closer to first edge 264 of second perimeter 262 than to second
edge 266 of second perimeter 262. In some embodiments, intersection
point 276 may be closer to second edge 266 of second perimeter 262
than to first edge 264 of second perimeter 262. In some
embodiments, intersection point 276 may be equal distance from
first edge 264 of second perimeter 262 and second edge 266 of
second perimeter 262.
[0049] As exemplified in FIG. 7, second compartment 290 may have a
volumetric center 292. In some embodiments, the distance (d) from
first edge 264 of second perimeter 262 to volumetric center 292 may
be less than the distance (D) from second edge 266 of second
perimeter 262 to volumetric center 292. In some embodiments, the
distance (d) from first edge 264 of second perimeter 262 to
volumetric center 292 may be greater than the distance (D) from
second edge 266 of second perimeter 262 to volumetric center 292.
In some embodiments, the distance (d) from first edge 264 of second
perimeter 262 to volumetric center 292 may be equal to the distance
(D) from second edge 266 of second perimeter 262 to volumetric
center 292.
[0050] As described in further detail below, second enclosure 260
may rotate relative to first enclosure 210 about first edge 264. In
some embodiments, when intersection point 276 is closer to first
edge 264 than to second edge 266, the weight of items stored in
second compartment 290 may be disposed, for example, such that it
creates a larger moment about edge 264 than if intersection point
276 were closer to second edge 266 than to first edge 264. In this
manner, as second enclosure 260 is being rotated relative to first
enclosure 210, the weight of items stored in second compartment 290
may create a moment about first edge 264 that is significant enough
to bias second enclosure 260 in an open position. Likewise, once
second enclosure 260 is in an open position, the weight of items
stored in second compartment 290 may bias second enclosure 260 to
remain in an open position. Biasing second enclosure 260 in an open
position may make loading and unloading first and second
compartments 240, 290 easier for a user. Similarly, in some
embodiments, when volumetric center 292 is disposed closer to first
edge 264 than to second edge 266, the weight of the items stored in
second compartment 290 may be disposed such that it creates a
larger moment about edge 264 than if volumetric center 292 were
disposed closer to second edge 266 than to first edge 264. As
before, this may bias second enclosure 260 in an open position,
which may make loading and unloading first and second compartments
240, 290 easier for a user.
[0051] In some embodiments, the volume of first compartment 240 is
greater than the volume of second compartment 290. In some
embodiments, the volume of second compartment 290 is greater than
the volume of first compartment 240. In some embodiments, the
volume of first compartment 240 is equal to the volume of second
compartment 290. In some embodiments, the combined volume of first
and second compartments 240, 290 is less than the volume of main
compartment 132. In some embodiments, the volume of first
compartment 240 may be between about 0.5 liters and about 2 liters.
In some embodiments, the volume of second compartment 290 may be
between about 0.5 liters and about 2 liters. In some embodiments,
the volume of main compartment 132 may be between about 20 liters
and about 80 liters.
[0052] As described above, first enclosure 210 may be rotatably
coupled to second enclosure 260. For example, first edge 264 of
second enclosure 260 may be hingedly coupled to first enclosure 210
such that second enclosure 260 may rotate relative to first
enclosure 210 about first edge 264. In some embodiments, the hinge
may be made from fabric, rubber, or another flexible material. In
some embodiments, the hinge may be a traditional hinge such as a
barrel hinge, made from, for example, metal or plastic. In some
embodiments, the hinge may be formed by attaching first edge 264 of
second enclosure 260 to first enclosure 210, for example, by
stitching or adhesive. When in a closed position, second enclosure
260 may be disposed above first enclosure 210 and first and second
perimeters 212, 262 may be aligned with one another such that a
user may not access either of first or second compartments 240,
290. In some embodiments, one or more zippers 250 may be configured
to couple first perimeter 212 of first enclosure 210 to second
perimeter 262 of second enclosure 260. In some embodiments, other
means for coupling first and second perimeters 212, 262 may be used
such as, for example, hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners,
buttons or the like. In some embodiments, when first and second
perimeters 212, 262 are coupled, a seal may be formed such that
protective case 200 is water resistant, water proof, or resistant
to environmental conditions such as dirt, mud, rain, snow, or the
like.
[0053] In some embodiments, one or more hinge members 252 may be
coupled to first enclosure 210 and second enclosure 260. Hinge
member 252 may be configured to limit the range of rotation of
second enclosure 260 relative to first enclosure 210. In some
embodiments, the range of rotation may be less than approximately
180 degrees. In some embodiments, the range of rotation may be less
than approximately 135 degrees. In some embodiments, the range of
rotation may be between 90 and 135 degrees Hinge members 252 may
be, for example, straps, chords, or the like. Hinge member 252 may
be configured such that the hinge member is disposed inside of
protective case 200 when second enclosure 260 is rotated to a
closed position.
[0054] In order to attach a protective case 200 to a bag 100
according to some embodiments, first enclosure 210 may be inserted
into opening 140 of bag 100. In some embodiments, attachment flap
220 may be attached to interior surface 134 of bag 100. In some
embodiments, a second attachment flap may be attached to interior
surface 134 of bag 100. In some embodiments, sidewall 218 may be
attached to interior surface 134 of bag 100. In some embodiments,
bottom portion 214 may be attached to interior surface 134. In some
embodiments, first edge 264 of second enclosure 260 may be attached
to first enclosure 210 such that second enclosure 260 is rotatable
relative to first enclosure 210.
[0055] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description
section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to
be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections
may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the
present embodiments as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus,
are not intended to limit the present embodiments and the appended
claims in any way.
[0056] The present disclosure has been described above with the aid
of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of
specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of
these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined
herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries
can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships
thereof are appropriately performed.
[0057] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others
can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily
modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from
the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such
adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning
and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the
teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that
the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of
description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or
phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by
the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
[0058] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not
be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *