U.S. patent application number 17/243833 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-14 for reconfigurable storage device.
The applicant listed for this patent is ACCO Brands Corporation. Invention is credited to Peter M. Bartlett, Edward P. Busam, Noah E. Dingler, Richard H. Harris, Patrick B. Nolan, Andrew Toth.
Application Number | 20210315335 17/243833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005681399 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210315335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dingler; Noah E. ; et
al. |
October 14, 2021 |
RECONFIGURABLE STORAGE DEVICE
Abstract
A binder device including a body having a first cover and a
second cover directly or indirectly pivotally coupled together and
at least partially defining an inner compartment therebetween. The
body further includes a binding mechanism positioned in the inner
compartment, a first body securing device coupled to the body, and
a second body securing device coupled to the body. The binder
device includes a strap including first and second strap segments.
The strap is movable between a first configuration wherein the
first and second strap segments are releasably coupled together to
form a continuous strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user,
and a second configuration wherein the first strap segment is
releasably coupled the first body securing device and the second
strap segment is releasably coupled to the second body securing
device such that the first and second strap segments each at least
partially defines a loop. Each loop is shaped and configured to
receive an arm of a user therethrough such that the binder device
is wearable on a back of the user in the manner of a backpack. Each
strap segment is configured to be releasably coupled to only one of
the first or second body securing devices.
Inventors: |
Dingler; Noah E.;
(Phoenixville, PA) ; Nolan; Patrick B.;
(Royersford, PA) ; Toth; Andrew; (Schwenksville,
PA) ; Busam; Edward P.; (Mason, OH) ; Harris;
Richard H.; (Xenia, OH) ; Bartlett; Peter M.;
(Spring Valley, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ACCO Brands Corporation |
Lake Zurich |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005681399 |
Appl. No.: |
17/243833 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16706361 |
Dec 6, 2019 |
11019894 |
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17243833 |
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16155443 |
Oct 9, 2018 |
10568398 |
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16706361 |
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14932141 |
Nov 4, 2015 |
10165837 |
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16155443 |
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62074914 |
Nov 4, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2004/023 20130101;
A45C 13/30 20130101; A45C 2009/007 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101;
A45F 3/02 20130101; A45F 4/00 20130101; A45C 3/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/02 20060101
A45C003/02; A45F 3/02 20060101 A45F003/02; A45F 3/04 20060101
A45F003/04; A45F 4/00 20060101 A45F004/00; A45C 13/30 20060101
A45C013/30 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A storage device comprising: a body including: a first cover; a
second cover pivotally coupled to the first cover along a spine,
wherein the first cover is spaced from the second cover to define
an inner compartment of the body; a binding mechanism positioned in
the inner compartment; and a handle coupled to a central portion of
the spine; a first body securing device coupled to the body; a
second body securing device coupled to the body; and a first strap
segment having a base end and a distal end, the base end of the
first strap segment coupled to the body adjacent the spine at a
first attachment location, wherein the first attachment location is
spaced apart from a first side of the handle, and wherein the
distal end of the first strap segment is configured to be coupled
to the first body securing device and not the second body securing
device; a second strap segment having a base end and a distal end,
the base end of the second strap segment coupled to the body
adjacent the spine at a second attachment location, wherein the
second attachment location is spaced apart from a second, opposite
side of the handle, and wherein the distal end of the second strap
segment is configured to be coupled to the second body securing
device and not the first body securing device; wherein the first
and second strap segments are movable to a first configuration
wherein the distal end of the first strap segment and the distal
end of the second strap segment are releasably coupled together to
form a continuous strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user;
and wherein the first and second strap segments are movable to a
second configuration wherein the distal end of the first strap
segment is releasably coupled to the first body securing device to
form a first loop and the distal end of the second strap segment is
releasably coupled to the second body securing device to form a
second loop.
22. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the base end of the
first strap segment is slidably coupled to the body at the first
attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap
segment is slidably coupled to the body at the second attachment
location.
23. The storage device of claim 22, wherein the first attachment
location includes a first attachment loop and the base end of the
first strap segment includes a first clasp configured to couple to
the first attachment loop, and wherein the second attachment
location includes a second attachment loop and the base end of the
second strap segment includes a second clasp configured to couple
to the second attachment loop.
24. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the base end of the
first strap segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the first
attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap
segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the second attachment
location.
25. The storage device of claim 24, wherein the base ends of the
first and second strap segments are non-releasably coupled to the
respective first and second attachment locations.
26. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the first and second
strap segments are directly coupled together in the first
configuration.
27. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the first body securing
device includes a male snap clip, the second body securing device
includes a female snap clip, the distal end of the first strap
segment includes a female snap clip, and the distal end of the
second strap segment includes a male snap clip.
28. The storage device of claim 21, further comprising a sleeve
slidably mounted on one of the first and second strap segments.
29. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the binding mechanism
comprises one or a combination of a 3-ring binding, a coil binding,
a wire binding, a clip, a cord, a ribbon, a clamp, a connector, an
adhesive, and a book binding.
30. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the first and second
body securing devices are coupled to the first cover of the
body.
31. The storage device of claim 30, wherein the first and second
body securing devices are coupled to respective corners of the
first cover opposite the spine.
32. A storage device comprising: a body including: a first cover; a
second cover pivotally coupled to the first cover along a spine,
wherein the first cover is spaced from the second cover to define
an inner compartment of the body; at least one binding ring
configured to bind papers or other items in the inner compartment;
and a handle coupled to a central portion of the spine; a male snap
clip coupled to the first cover of the body; a female snap clip
coupled to the first cover of the body; and a first strap segment
having a base end and a distal end, the base end of the first strap
segment coupled to the body adjacent the spine at a first
attachment location, wherein the first attachment location is
spaced apart from a first side of the handle, and wherein the
distal end of the first strap segment includes a female snap clip;
a second strap segment having a base end and a distal end, the base
end of the second strap segment coupled to the body adjacent the
spine at a second attachment location, wherein the second
attachment location is spaced apart from a second, opposite side of
the handle, and wherein the distal end of the second strap segment
includes a male snap clip; wherein the first and second strap
segments are movable to a first configuration wherein the female
snap clip of the first strap segment and the male snap clip of the
second strap segment are releasably coupled together to form a
continuous strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user; and
wherein the first and second strap segments are movable to a second
configuration wherein the female snap clip of the first strap
segment is releasably coupled to the male snap clip of the body to
form a first loop and the male snap clip of the second strap
segment is releasably coupled to the female snap clip of the body
to form a second loop.
33. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the base end of the
first strap segment is slidably coupled to the body at the first
attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap
segment is slidably coupled to the body at the second attachment
location.
34. The storage device of claim 33, wherein the first attachment
location includes a first attachment loop and the base end of the
first strap segment includes a first clasp configured to couple to
the first attachment loop, and wherein the second attachment
location includes a second attachment loop and the base end of the
second strap segment includes a second clasp configured to couple
to the second attachment loop.
35. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the base end of the
first strap segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the first
attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap
segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the second attachment
location.
36. The storage device of claim 35, wherein the base ends of the
first and second strap segments are non-releasably coupled to the
respective first and second attachment locations.
37. The storage device of claim 32, further comprising a sleeve
slidably mounted on one of the first and second strap segments.
38. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the first and second
body securing devices are coupled to respective corners of the
first cover opposite the spine.
39. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the first and second
strap segments are directly coupled together in the first
configuration.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/932,141, filed on Nov. 4, 2015, which in turn claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/074,914, filed on Nov. 4, 2014. The entire contents of both of
those applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] The present invention is directed to a storage device, and
more particularly, to a storage device with a strap that can be
variously configured.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Storage bags or devices, such as binders, pouches, bags,
pockets, briefcases and the like are used to store a variety of
components. The storage devices may include an inner compartment in
which components may be stored, and a handle or carrying strap.
However, existing bags may not provide reconfiguration capabilities
such that the bag can be carried in various manners.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, the present invention is a binder device
including a body having a first cover and a second cover directly
or indirectly pivotally coupled together and at least partially
defining an inner compartment therebetween. The body further
includes a binding mechanism positioned in the inner compartment, a
first body securing device coupled to the body, and a second body
securing device coupled to the body. The binder device includes a
strap including first and second strap segments. The strap is
movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second
strap segments are releasably coupled together to form a continuous
strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user, and a second
configuration wherein the first strap segment is releasably coupled
the first body securing device and the second strap segment is
releasably coupled to the second body securing device such that the
first and second strap segments each at least partially defines a
loop. Each loop is shaped and configured to receive an arm of a
user therethrough such that the binder device is wearable on a back
of the user in the manner of a backpack. Each strap segment is
configured to be releasably coupled to only one of the first or
second body securing devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
storage device in its closed position with the strap in a first
configuration;
[0006] FIG. 2 is front perspective view of the storage device of
FIG. 1 in its open position;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the storage device of
FIG. 1 being worn as a courier-type bag;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the storage device of
FIG. 1 with the strap in a second configuration;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the storage device of
FIG. 4 being worn as a backpack-style bag;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
the storage device with the strap in its second configuration;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of
the storage device in its partially open position with the strap in
its first configuration;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the storage device of
FIG. 7 in its closed position with the strap disconnected; and
[0013] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the bag of FIG. 8, with
strap in its second configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1-9, the storage device of the present
invention, generally designated 10 or 10', can include a generally
rectangular prism-shaped body or outer casing 12 having an inner
compartment 14. The casing 12 can include a first or front cover or
panel 16, a second or back cover or panel 18, and spine 20
positioned therebetween. The front cover 16 and back cover 18 may
pivotally coupled along an associated hinge or fold line(s) 21 or
areas. In one case a hinge line 21 is positioned on each side of
the spine 20 and/or the entire spine 20 can be considered a fold
area 21. It should be further understood that the storage device 10
need not necessarily include the spine 20, in which case panels 16,
18 can be directly pivotally coupled to each other along a single
hinge line 21.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage device 10 may also include a
binding mechanism 22 coupled to an inner surface of the casing 12.
In the illustrated embodiment the binding mechanism 22 takes the
form of a three-ring binder or the like, including one or more
binding rings 24. Each binding ring 24 may be separable into two
separate ring halves or portions such that papers or other items
can be bound to, or removed from, the binding mechanism 22. Each
binding ring 24 may also be movable to a closed position (FIG. 2)
in which the ring halves engage each other and form a closed ring
to trap the bound contents therein. However, the binding mechanism
22 can take any of a variety of other forms or configurations
besides ring binding mechanisms, such as a coil or wire bindings
(including spiral and twin-wire bindings), clips, cords, ribbons,
clamps, elastic connectors, adhesives, book-style bindings, and
combinations thereof.
[0016] The binding mechanism 22 can be positioned in the inner
compartment 14 such that various bound items can be positioned in
the inner compartment 14. In addition, various pockets or the like
can be positioned in the inner compartment 14 or items can be
loosely positioned in the inner compartment 14. The illustrated
storage device 10 further includes a handle 26 positioned on an
outer surface of the casing 12 to provide a convenient structure by
which a user can carry the storage device 10. In one case the
handle 26 provides or defines an opening through which a user can
extend his or her hand to manually carry the casing 12. Moreover
the storage device 10 need not necessarily include a binding
mechanism 22 and need not take the form of a binder. The storage
device 10 could instead take the form of, for example, a bag,
pocket, pouch, briefcase etc., or nearly any component capable of
being carried and storing items therein.
[0017] The storage device 10 also includes a carrying strap 28 that
can be of a fixed or adjustable length and can be arranged in
various configurations. The strap 28 can take the form of a
longitudinally extending piece of material made of the same or
different materials than the casing 12. In the embodiment of FIGS.
1-3, the distal ends of the strap 28 are releasably secured to the
casing 12 by a set of clasps 30 which are secured to the strap 28.
Each clasp 30 can then be removably passed through a corresponding
loop 32 which is secured to the casing 12. However the distal ends
of the strap 28 could instead be permanently attached to the casing
12, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, such as by stitching
or the like, or releasably attached by structure other than the
illustrated clasps 30/loops 32. Thus in at least one embodiment the
distal ends of the strap 28 are fixedly, and not slidably or
movably, coupled to the casing 12 in a manner described below. In
one case the strap 28 is a single, continuous strap or piece of
material, is and not separable into separate strap portions as
contrasted with the strap 28' of, for example, FIG. 8. In one case
the loops 32 are positioned along or adjacent to a top edge 23 of
the casing 12.
[0018] The strap 28 is arranged in a first configuration in FIGS.
1-3 in which the strap 28 is secured to opposite, outer sides of
the casing 12. When in the first configuration the strap 28/storage
device 10 can be worn as a sling over a shoulder of a user and
carried as courier-type bag, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0019] The storage device 10/casing 12 can be generally rectangular
in front view, and in the first configuration the strap 28 is
secured at or adjacent to first 34 and second 36 outer portions,
respectively, which constitute left and right portions of the
storage device 10/casing 12 in front view, between which is
positioned a middle portion 38. Although the dimensions and
delineations of the outer 34, 36 and middle 38 portions can vary,
in one case each outer portion 34, 36 comprises an outer 25% of the
length (extending laterally, in a generally left-to-right direction
in FIG. 3) of the storage device 10/casing 12 in front view, and
the middle portion 38 comprises the middle 50% of the length of the
storage device 10/casing 12 in front view. In the illustrated
embodiment the strap 28, when in the first configuration, is
secured only at its ends and/or only to the first 34 and second 36
outer portions, and the strap 28 is not secured to the middle
portion 38 thereof.
[0020] The storage device 10 can include a strap securing device 40
and a body securing device 42 which are releasably attachable
together to thereby releasably attach the strap 28 to the casing
12, and more particularly in one case to the middle portion 38. The
strap securing device 40 is positioned on or coupled to the strap
28, and in the illustrated embodiment takes the form of a hook or
clasp 40 coupled to a loop 44 that is slidable along a length of
the strap 28 (in one case slidable along at least about 50% of a
length of the strap 28, or in another case a distance equal to at
least about 50% of the length of the casing 12). The illustrated
body securing device 42 is positioned on or coupled to the casing
12, and more particularly the handle 26 in the embodiment of FIGS.
1-5. The body securing device 42 can be slidable along a length of
the handle 26 (in one case along at least about 50%, and in another
along at least about 90%, of a length of the handle 26), and takes
the form of a loop 42 in the illustrated embodiment. In one case
the body securing device 42 is not slidable, and is instead fixed
to the handle 26 and/or casing 12,
[0021] With reference to FIG. 3, the casing 12 can have a length
dimension (extending generally in a left-to-right direction), a
height dimension (extending generally vertically) and a thickness
dimension (extending generally into and out of the page of FIG. 3).
The strap 28, when in the first configuration, can be configured to
extend across substantially an entirety of the length dimension of
the casing 12 (e.g. at least about 90% of the length dimension in
one case). The strap 28 is coupleable to the outer portions 34, 36
at first 35 and second 37 attachment locations, respectively, and
is coupleable to the middle portion 38 at a third attachment
location 39. In one case the first 35, second 37 and third 39
attachment locations are all in the same half of the height of the
casing 12, and more particularly in an upper portion or half of a
height of the casing 12. In yet another embodiment, the first 35,
second 37 and third 39 attachment locations are all located
relatively close to each other in the height direction, e.g. within
at least about 25% in one case, or at least about 10% in another
case, of a height of the casing 12.
[0022] The strap 28 can be moved to its second configuration by
releasably securing the strap 28 to the casing 12, such as by
connecting the strap securing device 40 to the body securing device
42, as shown in FIG. 4. In the illustrated embodiment the strap
securing device 40 is secured to the body securing device by
passing the securing device 40 through the loop 42. However, the
position of the securing device 40 and loop 42 can of course be
reversed, and moreover any of a wide variety of other structures
and mechanisms can be used to secure the strap 28 and casing 12,
such as zippers, hooks, buckles, brackets, hook-and-loop fastening
material (such as VELCRO.RTM.), ties, inter-engaging shapes,
magnets etc.
[0023] When the strap 28 is secured to the casing 12 in its second
configuration, the strap 28 is thereby secured to the middle
portion 38 of the casing 12 and the strap 28 at least partially
defines a pair of loops 46. Each loop 46 is shaped and configured
to receive an arm of a wearer therethrough such that the storage
device 10 can be carried on a back of the wearer in the manner of a
backpack, as shown in FIG. 5 and in which case part of the loops 46
can be defined by the casing 12. When the strap 28 is in the first
configuration the strap 28/casing 12 does not define the pair of
loops 46. The strap 28 can be positioned entirely externally of the
inner compartment 14 when in either the first configuration or the
second configuration.
[0024] In the particular embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, both the strap
securing device 40 and the body securing device 42 are slidable.
This configuration can be useful to enable those components to
automatically adjust to the position desired by the wearer,
providing flexibility to adjust to various weight distributions,
and to adjust laterally along the back of a wearer when, for
example, a wearer leans against wall or is in a crowded location
such as a bus or subway, etc. However, it is not required that the
strap securing device 40 and the body securing device 42 both be
slidable, and indeed one or both of those component can be
configured in a fixed and non-slidable manner. For example, in the
embodiment of FIG. 6 the body securing device 42 is generally
fixedly and non-slidably secured to the casing 12.
[0025] It should also be understood that the body securing device
42 can be positioned at a variety of locations on the casing 12,
and need not necessarily be positioned on the handle 26. For
example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the body securing device
42 is positioned on a lower portion of the casing 12, spaced away
from the handle 26. In one case, the body securing device 42 is
positioned in a center of the casing 12, with respect to a length
thereof (left-to-right direction), to provide balanced and centered
shoulder straps or loops 46. As shown in FIG. 6, when strap 28 is
secured to the middle portion 38 at the third attachment location
39, the third attachment location 39/body securing device 42 can be
spaced away from an upper edge 23 of the casing 12, and in one case
be positioned along or adjacent to a bottom edge 41 of the casing
12. This arrangement can help to ensure that when the casing 12 is
worn as a backpack the casing 12 is positioned adjacent a back of
the wearer, instead of hanging down low below the back of the
wearer.
[0026] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
storage device 10' wherein the strap 28' includes a first strap
segment 28a and a second strap segment 28b that are releasably
attachable together. Each strap segment 28a is coupled to the
casing 12 at a base end and has a free distal end that are
attachable together. A strap segment attachment device 48, such as
part of a clasp in the illustrated embodiment, is positioned at the
distal end of each strap segment 28a, 28b. The strap segment
attachment devices 48 are releasably attachable together to attach
the strap segments 28a, 28b at their distal ends to form a
continuous strap 28', as shown in FIG. 7. In this configuration the
strap 28' can be worn as a sling over a shoulder of a user and worn
as courier-type bag in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3. The
strap 28' can also include a sleeve 50 that is slidably mounted on
the strap 28', and can slide over and cover the strap segment
attachment devices 48 when attached together, as shown in FIG.
7.
[0027] The strap 28' is also movable to a second configuration
wherein each strap segment 28a, 28b is individually releasably
attached to the casing 12, and more particularly to an outer
portion 34, 36 of the casing 12 in one case. In particular, as
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 the strap segments 28a, 28b can be detached
from each other and then releasably attached to the casing 12. The
casing 12 may carry body securing devices 52, which are releasably
securable with the associated strap segment attachment devices 48,
as shown in FIG. 9.
[0028] In this configuration each strap segment 28a, 28b is
releasably attached to the casing 12 at their distal ends to form a
pair parallel of strap loops 54. Each strap loop 54 is shaped and
configured to receive an arm of a user therethrough such that the
storage device 10' can be carried on a back of the wearer in the
manner of a backpack, analogous to the configuration shown in FIG.
5.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, one of the body securing
devices 52 (the left body securing device 52, in the illustrated
embodiment) has a male configuration, configured to be coupled to
the corresponding strap segment attachment device 48 (the female
strap segment attachment device 48, on the left in FIG. 8).
Correspondingly, the other one of the body securing devices 52 (the
right body securing device 52, in the illustrated embodiment) has a
female configuration, configured to be coupled to the corresponding
strap segment attachment device 48 (the male strap segment
attachment device 48, on the right in FIG. 8). In this case each
body securing device 52 is configured to be coupled only to a
corresponding strap segment 28a, 28b, and is configured to not be
coupleable to the non-corresponding strap segment 28a, 28b. This
arrangement ensures that the strap segments 28a, 28b are secured by
a user only in their proper backpack configuration, and are not
inadvertently crossed and secured in place.
[0030] In this manner the storage device 10, 10' can be arranged in
various different configurations to be carried in different
manners. This provides great flexibility to allow the storage
device 10 to be configured and carried as desired, and the
reconfiguration process is intuitive and easy to implement.
[0031] Having described the invention in detail and by reference to
the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications
and variations thereof are possible without departing from the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *