PERSONAL STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

A personal storage device may have at least two interchangeable storage modules, such as a wallet, cell phone carrier, bag, water bottle holder, or the like, removably attached to the ends of a pair of shoulder straps draping over a user's shoulders. The two shoulder straps may be joined by one or more back straps, to which a storage module may also be attached, and an upper chest strap or decorative jewelry chain. A user may quickly and easily exchange a storage module with one of a different configuration in accordance with the user's preference. One or more auxiliary storage features may be attached to or incorporated into the shoulder straps. Personal items carried in the storage modules and/or the auxiliary storage features are readily accessible and their weight is distributed across the user's shoulders. The device may be lighter and less bulky than conventional wallets, pockets, or handbags.

Claims

1. A personal storage device, comprising: a first shoulder strap, comprising: a first outer surface; a first inner surface; a first end; and a second end; a second shoulder strap, comprising: a second outer surface; a second inner surface; a third end; and a fourth end; at least one back strap coupled between the first and second shoulder straps; a first interchangeable storage module removably coupled to the first and second ends; and a second interchangeable storage module removably coupled to the third and fourth ends.

2. The personal storage device of claim 1, wherein each of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap comprises at least one adjustment device incorporated therein for adjusting a length thereof.

3. The personal storage device of claim 1, further comprising: a first modular pack attachment device coupled to the first outer surface; and a second modular pack attachment device coupled to the second outer surface.

4. The personal storage device of claim 1, wherein the at least one back strap is an adjustable tunnel square slidingly coupled between the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap.

5. The personal storage device of claim 1, wherein the at least one back strap comprises at least one adjustment device incorporated therein for adjusting a length thereof.

6. The personal storage device of claim 1, further comprising at least one front strap removably coupled between the first and second shoulder straps.

7. The personal storage device of claim 6, wherein the at least one front strap comprises at least one adjustment device incorporated therein for adjusting a length thereof.

8. The personal storage device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first interchangeable storage module or the second interchangeable storage module is a wallet.

9. The personal storage device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first interchangeable storage module or the second interchangeable storage module is a cell phone module.

10. The personal storage device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, or the second outer surface, comprises at least one auxiliary storage feature.

11. The personal storage device of claim 10, wherein the at least one auxiliary storage feature is a D-ring.

12. The personal storage device of claim 11, wherein the D-ring is coupled to a ring strap sewn into a join seam of one of the first shoulder strap or the second shoulder strap.

13. The personal storage device of claim 10, wherein the at least one auxiliary storage feature is an eyeglasses holder, wherein the eyeglasses holder is a pocket sewn into at least one of the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, or the second outer surface, the eyeglasses holder being configured to receive one of a temple or a side arm of a pair of eyeglasses partially inserted therein for storage and/or carrying of the pair of eyeglasses.

14. The personal storage device of claim 10, wherein the at least one auxiliary storage feature is a pen pocket sewn into at least one of the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, or the second outer surface, the pen pocket being configured to receive a pen partially inserted therein for storage and/or carrying of the pen.

15. The personal storage device of claim 10, wherein the at least one auxiliary storage feature is an earphones pocket sewn into at least one of the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, or the second outer surface, the earphones pocket being configured to receive one or a pair of earphones for storage and/or carrying of the one or the pair of earphones.

16. The personal storage device of claim 10, wherein the at least one auxiliary storage feature is a water bottle holder.

17. The personal storage device of claim 10, wherein the at least one auxiliary storage feature is a cell phone backup battery holder.

18. A personal storage device, comprising: a first shoulder strap, comprising: a first outer surface; a first inner surface; a first end; and a second end; a second shoulder strap, comprising: a second outer surface; a second inner surface; a third end; and a fourth end; at least one back strap coupled between the first and second shoulder straps; a first modular pack attachment device coupled to the first outer surface; a second modular pack attachment device coupled to the second outer surface; a wallet removably coupled to the first and second ends; a cell phone module removably coupled to the third and fourth ends; a first D-ring coupled to the first outer surface; and a second D-ring coupled to the second outer surface, wherein the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, the second outer surface, or any combination thereof, comprises: an eyeglasses holder, wherein the eyeglasses holder is a pocket sewn into the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, or the second outer surface, the eyeglasses holder being configured to receive one of a temple or a side arm of a pair of eyeglasses partially inserted therein for storage and/or carrying of the pair of eyeglasses; a pen pocket sewn into the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, or the second outer surface, the pen pocket being configured to receive a pen partially inserted therein for storage and/or carrying of the pen; and an earphones pocket sewn into the first inner surface, the first outer surface, the second inner surface, or the second outer surface, the earphones pocket being configured to receive one or a pair of earphones for storage and/or carrying of the one or the pair of earphones.

19. The personal storage device of claim 18, wherein each of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap comprises at least one adjustment device incorporated therein for adjusting a length thereof.

20. The personal storage device of claim 19, wherein the at least one back strap is an adjustable tunnel square slidingly coupled between the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

[0016] FIG. 1A depicts a back outside view of a personal storage device, according to an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 1B depicts a front outside view of a personal storage device, according to an embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 1C depicts a side view of a personal storage device, according to an embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 1D depicts a front inside view of a personal storage device, according to an embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 2A depicts a back outside view of a personal storage device, according to a second embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 2B depicts a front outside view of a personal storage device, according to a second embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 2C depicts a side view of a personal storage device, according to a second embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 2D depicts a front inside view of a personal storage device, according to a second embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 3A depicts a back outside view of a personal storage device, according to a third embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 3B depicts a front outside view of a personal storage device, according to a third embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 3C depicts a side view of a personal storage device, according to a third embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 3D depicts a front inside view of a personal storage device, according to a third embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 4A depicts a back outside view of a personal storage device, according to a fourth embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 4B depicts a front outside view of a personal storage device, according to a fourth embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 4C depicts a side view of a personal storage device, according to a fourth embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 5A depicts a back outside view of a personal storage device, according to a fifth embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 5B depicts a front outside view of a personal storage device, according to a fifth embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 5C depicts a side view of a personal storage device, according to a fifth embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 5D depicts a front inside view of a personal storage device, according to a fifth embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 6A depicts an inside view of a representative wallet module of a personal storage device, according to an embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 6B depicts a side view of a representative wallet module of a personal storage device, according to an embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 7A depicts an outside front view of a representative wallet module of a personal storage device, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

[0038] FIG. 7B depicts an outside back view of a representative wallet module of a personal storage device, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

[0039] FIG. 8 depicts an inside view of a representative cell phone module of a personal storage device, according to an embodiment; and

[0040] FIG. 9 depicts an outside view of a representative cell phone module of a personal storage device, according to the embodiment of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0041] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate generally to wallets, cell phone holders, pouches, clutches and carriers of personal articles, and particularly to a modular wearable accessory personal storage device for carrying personal items.

[0042] Referring to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1A-5D, a personal storage device 10, of the present invention, may comprise a harness 12 and at least one interchangeable storage module 14 removably coupled thereto. In a preferred embodiment, a personal storage device, 10 comprises two interchangeable storage modules 14 removably coupled thereto.

[0043] A harness 12 may comprise a first shoulder strap 16 and a second shoulder strap 18. Each of the first shoulder strap 16 and the second shoulder strap 18 may be an elongate strap, having an outer surface 40, an inner surface 38 and opposed first and second ends 21 and 23. In use, each of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18 may hang over a shoulder 52 of a user 54, respectively, in an inverted U-shaped fashion, thereby forming a front portion 20 configured to hang over the front of the user's torso and a back portion 22 configured to hang over the user's back. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1A, each of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18 may comprise at least one adjustment device 24 incorporated therein for adjusting the length thereof. An adjustment device 24 may be any suitable device for adjusting the length of a strap, including, but not limited to a buckle, a slide buckle, a cam buckle, a hook-and-loop strap, a slide adjuster, a plurality of snaps, a double ring strap adjustment device, or the like.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1C, some embodiments of a harness 12 of a personal storage device 10 may further comprise at least one back strap 26 coupled between the back portion 22 of the first shoulder strap 16 and the back portion 22 of the second shoulder strap 18. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the device 10 comprises two back straps 26, the first of the two back straps 26 being disposed high over the backs of the shoulders of a user 54 while being worn, and the second of the two back straps 26 being disposed over a middle portion of the back of the user 54.

[0045] In some embodiments, any of the first shoulder strap 16, the second shoulder strap 18, and the at least one back strap 26, or any combination thereof, may be of elastic material.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, some embodiments of a harness 12 comprise a single back strap 26, wherein the back strap 26 is an adjustable tunnel square 28 slidingly coupled between the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18. The adjustable tunnel square 28 comprises a first passageway 30 therethrough through which the first shoulder strap 16 extends and a second passageway 32 therethrough through which the second shoulder strap 18 extends. In some embodiments, the first and second passageways 30 and 32 may cross, such that the back portions 22 of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18 cross each other within the adjustable tunnel square 28. In operation, a user 54 may adjust the position of the adjustable tunnel square 28, with respect to the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18, by sliding the adjustable tunnel square 28 up or down along the back portions 22 of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18, in order to obtain a comfortable fit of the personal storage device 10 on the user's person.

[0047] Some embodiments of a harness 12 may comprise at least one removable front strap 34 coupled between the front portions 20 of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18. The at least one front strap 34 may be configured to be disposed across a user's upper chest while in use. In some embodiments, the at least one front strap 24 may be a decorative jewelry chain, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0048] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A, any of at least one back strap 26 or at least one front strap 34, or any combination thereof, may comprise at least one adjustment device 24 incorporated therein for adjusting the length thereof (adjustment device of the at least one front strap not shown).

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, a modular attachment device 36 may be coupled to each of the first and second ends 21 and 23 of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18, and/or to the at least one back strap 26, for removably attaching a storage module 14 thereto. A modular attachment device 36 may any device suitable for quickly and removably attaching a storage module 14 to an end or of a shoulder strap, or to a back strap, such as a buckle, a clasp, a snap, a hook and loop, a zipper, or the like. The modular attachment device 36 may be further coupled to any of a variety of storage modules 14, wherein each of the variety of storage modules 14 of different configurations is interchangeable. A storage module 14 may be any of a wallet, a wallet holder, a clutch, a pouch, a cell phone module, a bag, a water bottle holder, or the like, configured for removable attachment to the ends 21 and 23 of a shoulder strap 16 or 18 in an interchangeable modular fashion. A storage module may be disposed in a horizontal or vertical configuration, or at any other angle with respect to horizonal.

[0050] A representative wallet module 14, of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 6A through 7B, wherein FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a representative configuration of interior features of a wallet module 14, and FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a representative configuration of exterior features of a wallet module 14. The interior and exterior features of a wallet module 14 as illustrated in the drawings is not intended to be limiting. A wallet module 14 may be any wallet, comprising any of a variety of configurations of card pockets, mesh pockets, zipper pocket bags, pen holders, and the like, or any combination thereof, that are typical of a conventional wallet, so long as wallet module 14 is configured for removable attachment to a first or second shoulder strap 16 or 18 by a modular attachment device 36.

[0051] Similarly, a representative cell phone module 14, of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein FIG. 8 illustrates a representative configuration of interior features of a cell phone module 14, and FIG. 9 illustrates a representative configuration of exterior features of a cell phone module 14. The interior and exterior features of a cell phone module 14 as illustrated in the drawings is not intended to be limiting. A cell phone module 14 may be any cell phone carrier, comprising any of a variety of configurations of card pockets, mesh pockets, zipper pocket bags, pen holders, cell phone holders, cell phone auxiliary equipment holders, and the like, or any combination thereof, that are typical of a conventional cell phone carrier, so long as cell phone module 14 is configured for removable attachment to a first or second shoulder strap 16 or 18 by a modular attachment device 36.

[0052] In use, a storage module 14 may be disposed at a user's side, hanging below the user's arm from the ends 21 and 23 of a shoulder strap 16 or 18, as shown in FIG. 1C. Embodiments may comprise a first storage module 14 removably coupled to the first and second ends 21 and 23 of the first shoulder strap 16 and a second storage module 14 removably coupled to the first and second ends 21 and 23 of the second shoulder strap 18. (It is understood, that a storage module 14, as shown coupled to a first shoulder strap 16 in FIG. 1C may similarly be coupled to a second shoulder strap 18 in a similar fashion, although not shown in the drawings.) Because the first and second storage modules 14 are modular, a user 54 may quickly and easily remove a storage module 14 from harness 12 and replace it with a storage module 14 of a different configuration in accordance with the user's preference.

[0053] It is an advantage of the present invention that any of a variety of personal items, such as cell phones, wallets, credit cards, business cards, cameras, field equipment, identification badges, flashlights, earphones, pens, reading glasses, sunglasses, battery chargers, calculators, money, tickets, photos, keys, nail clippers, spare change, and the like, or combinations thereof, may be conveniently and securely stored and carried within the storage modules 14 at a user's sides. The weight of such personal items may be distributed between a first storage module 14 and a second storage module 14 to distribute the load between the user's shoulders, thus preventing back pain and other ailments caused by the uneven distribution of the weight of such items carried in a handbag, for example. Furthermore, a storage module 14 may be less bulky than many handbags and eliminate the need to load personal items into the pockets of a user's clothing. In use, a user may quickly and easily detach a storage module from the personal storage device 10 and interchange another storage module of a different configuration or fashion color, as may be desired.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1D, 2B, 2D, 3B, 3D, 4B, 5B, AND 5D, in some embodiments, the inner and/or outer surfaces 38 and/or 40 of the front portions 20 of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18 may comprise at least one auxiliary storage feature 42. An auxiliary storage feature 42 may be any of a D-ring 44, an eyeglass holder 46, a pen pocket 48, an earphones pocket 50, a water bottle holder, a cell phone backup battery holder, or the like, or any combination thereof. An earphones pocket 50 may be configured for storing and/or carrying any of a variety of earphones, including earbuds and/or any other over-the-ear or in-ear headphones, with or without Bluetooth or other wired or wireless connection capability. Each of the two D-rings 44 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is a rectangular metal ring suspended by a leather strap sewn into a join seam of a shoulder strap 16 or 18. However, this is not intended to be limiting. A D-ring 44 may be any suitable ring, such as a rectangular metal ring, for example, suspended by a loop of leather or fabric material sewn or otherwise coupled to a shoulder strap 16 or 18. An eyeglass holder 46 may be a pocket sewn into a shoulder strap 16 or 18 for partially inserting a temple or side arm of a pair of eyeglasses therein to hang the pair of eyeglasses from the shoulder strap 16 or 18. A pen pocket 48 may be a pocket sewn into a shoulder strap 16 or 18 for partially inserting a pen therein for storing and/or carrying a pen. An earphones pocket 50 may be a pocket sewn into a shoulder strap 16 or 18 for storing earphones therein. An earphones pocket 50 may comprise a closure, such as a zipper closure, a button closure, a snap closure, a hook-and-loop closure, or the like, for closing the pocket 50. A preferred embodiment of a personal storage device 10 may comprise a D-ring 44 incorporated into the outer front surfaces of each of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18, respectively, an eyeglass holder 46 incorporated into one of the first or second shoulder straps 16 or 18, a pen pocket 48 incorporated into one of the first or second shoulder straps 16 or 18, and an earphones pocket 50 incorporated into one of the first or second shoulder straps 16 or 18.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, in some embodiments of a personal storage device 10, the outer surfaces of the rear portions of each of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18 may comprise a modular pack attachment device 60 coupled thereto for removably coupling a modular pack thereto. A modular pack may be any of a modular backpack, water pack, or the like, suitable for removable attachment to the outer surfaces of the rear portions of each of the first and second shoulder straps 16 and 18. The modular pack attachment device 60 may be any of a snap, a hook and loop, a buckle, a magnetic snap, a clasp, a zipper, or the like. In use, a user may quickly and easily detach a modular pack from the personal storage device 10 and interchange another modular pack of a different configuration or fashion color, as may be desired.

[0056] It is understood that embodiments of a personal storage device 10, of the present invention, may be manufactured in any of a variety of sizes, including, but not limited to standard clothing sizes, such as small, medium, large, extra-large, and the like, or one-size-fits-all, whether or not any of a shoulder strap 16 or 18, a back strap 26, a front strap 34, or any combination thereof, of such embodiments, comprises an adjustment device 24 for adjusting a length thereof.

[0057] The components defining any personal storage device may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a personal storage device. For example, the components may be formed of: synthetic and/or natural rubbers, leathers, woods, bones, fibrous materials and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as copper, zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.

[0058] Furthermore, the components defining any personal storage device may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, sewing, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

[0059] The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.