Convertible backpack handbag

Abstract

A convertible carrying device in which the straps may be selectively secured to configure the device as a backpack or as a handbag. In the handbag configurations, the selective securing of the straps effectuates differing functional strap lengths enabling the handbag to be carried by hand, over a shoulder, or cross body. The arrangement of the connection points on the bag and the straps applies directional forces to the placket surrounding the opening that make it adopt a valley shape when in a handbag configuration and a planar orientation when in the backpack configuration.

Claims

1. A convertible bag for transporting articles comprising: a bag body having a front side, back side, right side, left side, bottom, and a top opening; said front side having a first upper button, a first lower button, a first upper ring, a first upper middle ring, a first lower middle ring, and a first lower ring, said rings generally aligned vertically along a first portion of the front side; said front side having a second upper button, a second lower button, a second upper ring, a second upper middle ring, a second lower middle ring, and a second lower ring, said rings generally aligned vertically along a second portion of the front side; said back side having a first upper button, a first lower button, a first upper ring, and a first lower ring, said rings generally aligned vertically along a first portion of the back side; said back side having a second upper button, a second lower button, a second upper ring, and a second lower ring, said rings generally aligned vertically along a second portion of the back side; a first strap having a first end and a second end, a first clip at the first end, a second clip at the second end, a first proximal slot near the first end, one or more first distal slots at positions beyond the first proximal slot, a second proximal slot near the second end, and a second distal slot at a position beyond the second proximal slot; a second strap having a first end and a second end, a first clip at the first end, a second clip at the second end, a first proximal slot near the first end, one or more distal slots at positions beyond the first slot, a second proximal slot near the second end, and a second distal slot at a position beyond the second proximal slot; wherein, said first and second straps are connected to the bag body in a configuration selected from the group consisting of cross body configuration, shoulder bag configuration, and backpack configuration; wherein said cross body configuration comprises the first clip of the first strap fastened to the first upper ring of the front side and the second clip of the first strap fastened to the second upper ring of the front side, and the first clip of the second strap fastened to the first upper ring of the back side and the second clip of the second strap fastened to the second upper ring of the back side; wherein said shoulder bag configuration comprises the first clip of the first strap fastened to the first lower ring, one of the first distal slots of the first strap fastened to the first upper button of the front side, the second distal slot of the first strap fastened to the second upper button of the front side, and the second clip of the first strap fastened to the second lower ring of the front side, and the first clip of the second strap fastened to the first lower ring of the back side, one of the first distal slots of the second strap fastened to the first upper button of the back side, the second distal slot of the second strap fastened to the second upper button of the back side, and the second clip of the second strap fastened to the second lower ring of the back side; and wherein said backpack configuration comprises the first clip of the first strap fastened to the first lower middle ring on the front side of the bag body, the first proximal slot of the first strap fastened to the first lower button on the front side of the bag body, one of the first distal slots of the first strap fastened to the first lower button on the back side of the bag body, the second proximal slot of the first strap fastened to the first upper button of the front side of the bag body, and the second clip of the first strap fastened to the first upper middle ring on the front side of the bag; and the first clip of the second strap fastened to the second lower middle ring on the front side of the bag, the first proximal slot of the second strap fastened to the second lower button on the front side of the bag body, one of the first distal slots of the second strap fastened to the second lower button on the back side of the bag body, the second proximal slot of the second strap fastened to the second upper button of the front side of the bag body, and the second clip of the second strap fastened to the second upper middle ring on the front side of the bag body.

2. The convertible bag of claim 1 further comprising a retractable cord having a proximal end and distal end, said proximal end connected to a retracting reel mechanism fixedly attached to the bag body and said distal end fitted with a clip.

3. The convertible bag of claim 1 in which the first and second straps are of equal length.

4. The convertible bag of claim 1 further comprising a placket incorporating the top opening, said placket comprising strips connected to the front side and back side of the bag body, in which the first and second upper buttons of the front side, the first and second upper rings of the front side, the first and second upper buttons of the back side, and the first and second upper rings of the back side are configured such that when in the convertible bag is in the cross body or shoulder bag configuration the placket forms a valley shape in which the opening resides and when the convertible bag is in the backpack configuration the placket forms a substantially planar configuration.

5. The convertible bag of claim 1 in which the back side further comprises a first middle ring and a second middle ring, said rings generally aligned horizontally and selectively attachable to one or more straps.

6. A convertible bag for carrying articles comprising: a bag body comprising a front side, a back side, underside, and a top opening; said front side having top, middle, and bottom portions and first and second vertical halves; said back side having top, middle, and bottom portions and first and second vertical halves that align with the first and second vertical sides of the front panel; said front side further having a first connectable element located on the upper portion of the first vertical half, a second connectable element located on the middle portion of the first vertical half, a third connectable element located on the lower portion of the first half, a fourth connectable element located on the upper portion of the second vertical half, a fifth connectable element located on the middle portion of the second vertical half, and a sixth connectable element located on the lower portion of the second half; said back side further having a seventh connectable element located on the upper portion of the first vertical half, an eighth connectable element located on the lower portion of the first half, a ninth connectable element located on the upper portion of the second vertical half, and a tenth connectable element located on the lower portion of the second half; a first strap having a proximal end and a distal end, further having an eleventh connectable element at the proximal end capable of selective attachment to the first, second, or third connectable elements, a twelfth connectable element positioned from the proximal end by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the first and second connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the first connectable element, a thirteenth connectable element positioned from the proximal end by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the first and third connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the first connectable element, a fourteenth connectable element at the distal end capable of attachment to the second, fourth, or sixth connectable elements, a fifteenth connectable element positioned from the distal end by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the second and third connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the third element, a sixteenth connectable element positioned from the distal end by a distance substantially equivalent to the distance between the fourth and sixth connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the fourth connectable element, a seventeenth connectable element positioned from the distal end by a distance substantially equal to the shortest distance between the second and eighth connectable elements via the underside of the bag and capable of the selective attachment to the eighth connectable element; a second strap having a proximal end an a distal end, further having an eighteenth connectable element at the proximal end capable of selective attachment to the fifth, seventh, or eighth connectable elements, a nineteenth connectable element positioned from the proximal end by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the fourth and fifth connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the fourth connectable element, a twentieth connectable element positioned from the proximal end by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the seventh and eighth connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the seventh connectable element, a twenty-first connectable element at the distal end capable of attachment to the fifth, ninth, or tenth connectable elements, a twenty-second connectable element positioned from the distal end by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the fifth and sixth connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the sixth connectable element, a twenty-third connectable element positioned from the distal end by a distance substantially equivalent to the distance between the ninth and tenth connectable elements and capable of selective attachment to the ninth connectable element, a twenty-fourth connectable element positioned from the distal end by a distance substantially equal to the shortest distance between the fifth and tenth connectable elements via the underside of the bag and capable of the selective attachment to the tenth connectable element; wherein, said first and second straps are connected to the bag body in a configuration selected from the group consisting of cross body configuration, shoulder bag configuration, and backpack configuration; wherein the cross body bag configuration comprises the first connectable element fastened to the eleventh connectable element, the fourth connectable element fastened to the fourteenth connectable element, the seventh connectable element fastened to the eighteenth connectable element, and the ninth connectable element fastened to the twenty first connectable element; further wherein the shoulder bag configuration comprises the first connectable element fastened to the thirteenth connectable element, the third connectable element fastened to the eleventh connectable element, the fourth connectable element to the sixteenth connectable element, the sixth connectable element fastened to the fourteenth connectable element, the seventh connectable element fastened to the twentieth connectable element, the eighth connectable element fastened to the eighteenth connectable element, the ninth connectable element fastened to the twenty-third connectable element, and the tenth connectable element fastened to the twenty first connectable element; and further wherein the backpack configuration comprises the first connectable element fastened to the twelfth connectable element, the second connectable element to the eleventh connectable element, the third connectable element fastened to the fifteenth connectable element, the fourth connectable element to the nineteenth connectable element, the fifth connectable element to the eighteenth connectable element, the sixth connectable element to the twenty-second connectable element, the eighth connectable element fastened to the seventeenth connectable element, the tenth connectable element fastened to the twenty-fourth connectable element, the second connectable element to the fourteenth connectable element, and the fifth connectable element fastened to the twenty first connectable element.

7. The convertible bag of claim 6 in which said connectable elements are selected from a group consisting of D rings, circular rings, rectangular rings, triangular rings, loops, brackets, snap fasteners, belt loops, straps, eyes, hooks, hoops, buckles, clamps, clasps, cords, twist ties, bayonet fittings, Chicago screws, grommets, chocks, and chock retainers.

8. The convertible bag of claim 6 in which the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth connectable elements consist of a button positioned above a ring; the third, sixth, eighth, and tenth connectable elements consist of a ring positioned above a button, the second and fifth connectable elements consist of a first ring positioned above a second ring; the eleventh, fourteenth, eighteenth, and twenty first connectable elements consist of clips, and the twelfth, thirteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, nineteenth, twentieth, twenty second, twenty third, and twenty-fourth connectable elements consist of slots.

9. The convertible bag of claim 6 in which the first and second straps are of equal length.

10. The convertible bag of claim 6 further comprising a placket incorporating the top opening, said placket comprising strips attached to the front side and back side of the bag body, in which the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth connectable elements are configured such that when in the convertible bag is in cross body or shoulder bag configuration the placket forms a valley shape in which the opening resides and when the convertible bag is in the backpack configuration the placket forms a substantially planar configuration.

11. The convertible bag of claim 6 in which the bag has a first panel and a second panel opposedly connected to the front side, back side, and underside and further comprising a placket incorporating the top opening, said placket comprising strips attached to the front side and back side of the bag body and free of the first and second panels, in which the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth connectable elements are configured such that when in the convertible bag is in cross body or shoulder bag configuration the placket forms a valley shape in which the opening resides and when the convertible bag is in the backpack configuration the placket forms a substantially planar configuration.

12. The convertible bag of claim 6 further comprising a retractable cord having a proximal end and distal end, said proximal end connected to a retracting reel mechanism fixedly attached to the bag body and said distal end fitted with a clip.

13. A convertible bag for carrying articles comprising: a bag body comprising a front side, a back side, underside, and a top opening; said front side having top, middle, and bottom portions and first and second vertical halves; said back side having top, middle, and bottom portions and first and second vertical halves that align with the first and second vertical sides of the front panel; said front side further having a first connectable element located on the upper portion of the first vertical half, a second connectable element located on the middle portion of the first vertical half, a third connectable element located on the lower portion of the first half, a fourth connectable element located on the upper portion of the second vertical half, a fifth connectable element located on the middle portion of the second vertical half, and a sixth connectable element located on the lower portion of the second half; said back side further having a seventh connectable element located on the upper portion of the first vertical half, an eighth connectable element located on the lower portion of the first half, a ninth connectable element located on the upper portion of the second vertical half, and a tenth connectable element located on the lower portion of the second half; a first strap having a proximal end and a distal end, further having a proximal end connectable element at the proximal end and a plurality of additional proximal end connectable elements near the proximal end, and further having a distal end connectable element at the distal end and a plurality of additional distal end connecting elements near the distal end; a second strap having a proximal end and a distal end, further having a proximal end connectable element at the proximal end and plurality of additional proximal end connectable elements near the proximal end, and further having a distal end connectable element at the distal end and a plurality of additional distal end connecting elements near the distal end; wherein, said first and second straps are connected to the bag body in a configuration selected from the group consisting of cross body configuration, shoulder bag configuration, and backpack configuration; wherein the cross body bag configuration comprises the first connectable element fastened to the proximal end connectable element of the first strap, the fourth connectable element fastened to the distal connectable element of the first strap, the seventh connectable element fastened to the proximal connectable element of the second strap, and the ninth connectable element fastened to the distal end connectable element of the second strap; further wherein the a shoulder bag configuration comprises the third connectable element fastened to the proximal end connectable element of the first strap, the first connectable element to one of the additional proximal end connectable elements of the first strap, the sixth connectable element fastened to the distal end connectable element of the first strap, the fourth connectable element to one of the additional distal end connectable elements of the first strap, the eighth connectable element fastened to the proximal connectable element of the second strap, the seventh connectable element to one of the additional proximal end connectable elements of the second strap, the tenth connectable element fastened to the distal end connectable element of the second strap, and the ninth connectable element to one of the additional distal end connectable elements of the second strap; and further wherein the backpack configuration comprises the second connectable element fastened to the proximal end connectable element of the first strap, the first connectable element to one of the additional proximal end connectable elements of the first strap, the eighth connectable element to one of the additional distal end connectable elements of the first strap, the third connectable element to another of the additional distal end connectable elements of the first strap, the second connectable element fastened to the distal end connectable element of the first strap, the fifth connectable element fastened to the proximal end connectable element of the second strap, the fourth connectable element to one of the additional proximal end connectable elements of the second strap, the tenth connectable element to one of the additional distal end connectable elements of the second strap, the sixth connectable element to another of the additional distal end connectable elements of the second strap, and the fifth connectable element fastened to the distal end connectable element of the second strap.

14. The convertible bag of claim 13 in which said connectable elements are selected from a group consisting of D rings, circular rings, rectangular rings, triangular rings, loops, brackets, snap fasteners, belt loops, straps, eyes, hooks, hoops, buckles, clamps, clasps, cords, twist ties, bayonet fittings, Chicago screws, grommets, chocks, and chock retainers.

15. The convertible bag of claim 13 in which the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth connectable elements consist of a button positioned above a ring; the third, sixth, eighth, and tenth connectable elements consist of a D ring positioned above a button, the second and fifth connectable elements consist of a first D ring positioned above a second D ring; the proximal and distal end connectable elements of the first and second straps consist of clips, and the additional proximal and distal end connectable elements consist of slots.

16. The convertible bag of claim 13 in which the first and second straps are of equal length.

17. The convertible bag of claim 13 further comprising a placket incorporating the top opening, said placket comprising strips attached to the front side and back side of the bag body, in which the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth connectable elements are configured such that when in the convertible bag is in cross body or shoulder bag configuration the placket forms a valley shape in which the opening resides and when the convertible bag is in the backpack configuration the placket forms a substantially planar configuration.

18. The convertible bag of claim 13 in which the bag has a first panel and a second panel opposedly connected to the front side, back side, and underside and further comprising a placket incorporating the top opening, said placket comprising strips attached to the front side and back side of the bag body and free of the first and second panels, in which the first, fourth, seventh, and ninth connectable elements are configured such that when in the convertible bag is in cross body or shoulder bag configuration the placket forms a valley shape in which the opening resides and when the convertible bag is in the backpack configuration the placket forms a substantially planar configuration.

19. The convertible bag of claim 13 further comprising a retractable cord having a proximal end and distal end, said proximal end connected to a retracting reel mechanism fixedly attached to the bag body and said distal end fitted with a clip.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bag from the front side.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of one end of the bag,

(3) FIG. 3 is a front view of the back side of the bag.

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view showing both ends of a strap.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of the front side of the bag in cross body mode.

(6) FIG. 6 is a front view of the back side of the bag in shoulder bag mode.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front view of the front side of the bag in backpack mode.

(8) FIG. 8 is a front view of the back side of the bag in backpack mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) FIG. 1 shows the front side 2 of the preferred embodiment of the bag 1 as well as the plain end 3 which does not have pockets or attachment points. The opposite end 10 of the bag may be fitted with features that are shown in later figures. The front side 2 features a pocket 4 with a flap 5 that protrudes from the face of the front side 2. A zipper 7 is located at the top of the bag and permits access to the interior. When the bag is in shoulder bag or cross body mode, the upper part 6 of the bag 1 will be positioned higher than the zipper 7. The front side 2 of the bag 1 has buttons 8a & 8b at the top corners of the bag and has buttons 8c & 8d at the bottom corners. As is shown later, these buttons are used to attach straps to the bag 1 in various configurations. The front side 2 of the bag 1 also has D rings 9a & 9b at the upper corners, D rings 9c & 9e configured in an upward facing direction at near the middle edges of the bag, D rings 9d & 9f configured in a downward facing direction at near the middle edges of the bag, and D rings 9g & 9h at the bottom corners. The D rings 9a-h are sewn into the bag and are able to pivot around the straight portion of the rings. As is also shown later, the purpose of these rings is to allow straps to be attached to the bag 1 in various configurations.

(10) It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the connectable elements consist of combinations of buttons and D rings or combinations of D rings. For example, the first connectable element consists of button 8a and 9a, the second connectable element consists of D ring 9c and D ring 9d, the third connectable element consists of button 8c and D ring 9g, the fourth connectable element consists button 8b and D ring 9b, the fifth connectable element consists of D ring 9e and D ring 9f, and the sixth connectable element consists of button 8d and D ring 9h. The preferred embodiment uses these combinations because they work efficiently with the clips and slots of the straps as shown in FIG. 4. However, as noted in the section titled Summary of the Invention, other types of connectable elements, in the form of single fasteners or various combinations thereof, could be used on the bag and straps.

(11) FIG. 2 shows the end 10 that has various features. A back-side strip 23 of fabric connects to the back upper edge of the bag on one side and to the zipper 7 on the other side. A front-side strip 24 similarly is connected to the front upper edge of the bag and zipper. Together, strips 23 and 24 and the zipper 7 form a placket 21 that forms a valley shape when in shoulder bag or cross body mode. The placket 21 is preferably constructed such that it is shorter and wider than the zipper 7 with the ends 19 free of the bag 1. When the zipper is closed, the zipper tab 17 will reside at on one of the ends 19. A clip 25 can be connected to the zipper tab 17 by a connecting ring 29. When the clip 25 is fastened to a D ring 26 that has been sewn to the bag, the bag is made even more secure from entry by pickpockets.

(12) FIG. 2 also shows a pocket 27 in which a spring-loaded reel 14 is firmly secured to the bag. The reel 14 has a retractable cord 15 that is connected to a clip 16. The retractable cord 15 may be wrapped around an object with the clip 16 fastened to the D ring 26 when the bag is not being worn so as to deter theft. When the bag is not being worn so as to deter theft. Alternatively the clip 16 and end of the cord 15 may be wrapped around an object such as a chair leg or ankle after which the clip 16 is secured to the cord 15 so as to form a loop or noose.

(13) FIG. 3 shows the back side of the bag 1. This side features a pocket 11 that is substantially flush with the bag. This side has buttons 38a & 38b at the top corners of the bag and has buttons 38 c & 38d at the bottom corners. As is shown later, these buttons are used to attach straps to the bag 1 in various configurations. The front side 2 of the bag 1 also has D rings 39a & 39b at the upper corners and D rings 39e & 39f at the bottom corners. As is also shown later, the purpose of these rings is to allow straps to be attached to the bag 1 in various configurations. There are also two D rings 39c & 39d near the middle edges of the bag. These rings are available as points of attachment for optional accessories such as tethers to objects the user may place in the pocket 11. The D rings 39a-f are sewn into the bag and are able to pivot around the straight portion of the rings.

(14) FIG. 4 shows a strap 40. Three-slot end 41 has three slots 46a, 46b, & 46c which are spaced at distances that correspond to the various distances between the buttons 8a-d and 38a-d as shown on FIGS. 1 and 3. The three slot end 41 also has clip 43 that can fasten onto a D ring. The two-slot end 41 has two slots 47a &47b which is likewise spaced at distances that correspond to the various distances between the buttons 8a-d and 38a-d as shown on FIGS. 1 and 3. Slots 46b and 47b are spaced the same distance from their respective ends 41 & 42. This distance is the same distance as between button 8a and D ring 9g, button 8b and D ring 9h, button 38a and D ring 39e, and button 38b and D ring 39f, as shown on FIGS. 1 and 3. The purpose of the clips and slots is to serve as connectable elements for attaching the straps to the connectable elements on the bag. Although the straps 40 in the preferred embodiment use clips and slots, other forms of connectable elements can be used.

(15) The cross body mode is shown in FIG. 5. To convert the bag 1 into this mode, a strap 40 is connected to the bag by fastening the clips to the upper D rings on the front side and by connecting the other strap 40 to the upper D rings on the back side. For example, FIG. 5 shows the front side 2 of the bag 1 where clip 43 has been fastened to upper D ring 9b and clip 44 has been fastened to upper D ring 9a. The other strap 40 is fastened to upper D rings 39a & 39b on the other side of the bag 1 in the same manner (not shown in FIG. 6 but D rings 39a & 38b are shown in FIG. 3). When converting to the cross body mode, it does not matter whether clip 43 is fastened to D ring 9a or 9b, so long as it is fastened to one or the other, and clip 44 is fastened to the remaining D ring. The placement of D rings 9a & 9b at or above the level of the zipper 7 causes the placket to assume a valley shape shown in FIG. 2 where the strips 23 & 24 fold at the top and the zipper 7 resides at the bottom of the placket 21.

(16) The shoulder bag mode is shown in FIG. 6, this time from back side 28 of the bag 1. To convert the bag 1 to shoulder bag mode, the strap 40 is fastened to the bag 1 by inserting upper corner button 38a through slot 46b and then fastening clip 43 onto the lower D ring 39e. Next, upper button 38b is inserted through slot 47b and clip 44 is fastened to lower D ring 39f. The same steps are repeated for the other side of the bag except that a strap 40 is fitted to upper buttons 8a & 8b and lower D rings 9g & 9h as shown on FIG. 1. In the shoulder bag mode, the placement of buttons 38a & 38b at or above the level of the zipper 7 will cause the placket to assume the valley shape shown in FIG. 2 where the strips 23 & 24 fold at the top and the zipper 7 resides at the bottom of the placket 21.

(17) Conversion into the backpack mode is shown on FIGS. 7 and 8. One of the straps 40 is fastened to the bag 1 by inserting lower front button 8c into slot 46a and attaching clip 43 to lower middle D ring 9d. The strap 40 is passed over the bottom 29 of the bag 1 and lower back button 38c is inserted into slot 46c. The strap 40 is passed over the back of the bag and around to the front 2 of the bag 1 and upper button 8a is inserted thorough slot 47a. Clip 44 is then attached to upper middle D ring 9c. The other strap 40 is fastened to the bag 1 by inserting lower front button 8d into slot 46a and attaching clip 43 to lower middle D ring 9f. The strap 40 is passed over the bottom 29 of the bag 1 and lower back button 38d is inserted into slot 46c. The strap 40 is passed over the back of the bag and around to the front 2 and upper button 8b is inserted thorough slot 47a. Clip 44 is then attached to upper middle D ring 9e. When the straps are fastened in this manner, a wearer can insert his or her arms through the openings between the straps 40 and the back of the bag 1 and wear the bag as a backpack.

(18) A notable feature of the bag is that the zipper 7 is not readily accessible to a person standing behind the wearer because the arrangement of the connection of the straps 40 to the buttons 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 38c, and 38d causes the placket 21 to flatten out when the backpack is worn such that backside strip 23 and the front side strip 24 that form the placket become configured in a generally planar orientation and face the backside of the wearer. The preferred embodiment has a protruding front pocket 4 and a substantially flush back pocket 11. This arrangement allows for the storage of various items in the front pocket 4 and the storage of substantially flat items in the back pocket 11 without the discomfort to the wearer caused by a pocket poking into the back. In addition, the back pocket 11 is relatively protected from pickpockets.

(19) While the present invention has been described with regard to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments and a number of variations and modifications can be made to the structure described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.