Travel Pillow and Carrying Pack Combination

Abstract

A travel pillow and carrying pack combination comprising two flexible containers and a strap. The two flexible containers include fasteners that allow the containers to connect to each other and to the strap that has corresponding fasteners on either end. In accordance with various embodiments, the two flexible containers can be used singly or together and filled with soft items to form a travel pillow. When used in combination with the strap, one or both flexible containers can be employed as a sling bag, waist pack, or shoulder bag.

Claims

1. A travel pillow and carrying pack combination, comprising: (a) two similar-sized flexible containers, the main chamber of each container comprising a top side, a back side, a bottom side, and a front side with the cavity of the container being accessible through an opening between the top side and front side, (b) an adjustable carrying strap, (c) means for connecting said flexible containers together at both of their distal ends when back sides of said containers are oriented towards each other, (d) means for joining distal ends of each of said flexible containers to the distal ends of said carrying strap.

2. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1 wherein said opening between the top side and front side is fastenable by means of a zipper.

3. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1 wherein the connecting means of the containers together at each distal end of said containers comprises a mating pair of fasteners such as a male and female side-release buckle.

4. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1 wherein the connecting means of the strap to the single container or the combined containers comprises a mating pair of fasteners, one at either end of said strap, which connect to corresponding said fasteners on distal ends of both flexible containers.

5. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1 wherein the interior of one or both containers comprises one or more zippered or open pockets.

6. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1 further comprising a removable cover over the fasteners when said two containers are connected together at one end.

7. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 6 wherein said cover for one set of fasteners is attached to and extends out from the distal end of one of the containers.

8. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1, wherein said top side, back side, and bottom sides are formed by two moon-shaped sides that are seamed together vertically and allow increased curvature of the back side.

9. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1, wherein the containers are filled with soft clothing and are attached together in the first configuration partially or wholly wrapped around the user's neck as head support.

10. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1, wherein one container is attached to the adjustable carrying strap in a second configuration to be worn about the waist, hips, torso, or over the shoulder.

11. The travel pillow and carrying pack combination of claim 1, wherein both containers are attached together and to the adjustable carrying strap in a third configuration to be worn about the waist, hips, torso, or over the shoulder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1. Perspective view of two carry packs connected together

[0024] FIG. 2. Frontal view of packs attached together at one end and to strap

[0025] FIG. 3. Perspective view of interior of one carry pack

[0026] FIG. 4. Perspective view of two carry packs connected together in accordance with an additional embodiment of a curved back side

[0027] FIG. 5. Front view of connected carry packs in accordance with additional embodiments of a curved back side and a cover over connected fastener

[0028] FIG. 6: Rear view of connected carry packs in accordance with an additional embodiment of a cover over connected fastener

[0029] FIG. 7. Perspective view of one pack with strap used a travel pillow

[0030] FIG. 8. Perspective view of one carry pack used as a waist or hip pack

[0031] FIG. 9. Frontal view of one pack used as a cross-body bag

[0032] FIG. 10: Side view of two carry packs used as an over-the-shoulder bag

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0033] 20 pack [0034] 22 top side of pack [0035] 24 back side of pack [0036] 25 bottom side of pack [0037] 26 front side of pack [0038] 27 pocket [0039] 28 zipper closure connecting front side to top side [0040] 29 seam to provide increased curvature of back side [0041] 30 fixed or adjustable strap to connect fastener to lateral seam of pack or to front side [0042] 31 cover or cuff over pair of fasteners [0043] 32 male and female pair of fasteners (front facing when configured as a travel pillow) [0044] 34 adjustable strap with one male fastener at one end and one female fastener at other end [0045] 40 male and female pair of fasteners [0046] 44 securing strap [0047] 46 interior pocket behind the front side [0048] 48 interior pocket behind the front side

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Drawings

[0049] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. Throughout this description, the words comprise, comprising, include, and including are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, meaning including, but not limited to.

[0050] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate all of the parts of this invention and some of the ways in which they can be combined. In various embodiments, the travel pillow and carrying pack combination comprises two packs 20 and a strap 34. Each carry pack has a main compartment formed by a top side 22, back side 24, bottom side 25, and front side 26. In various embodiments, the compartment can be secured by a zipper 28 common to the top side 22 and front side 26, allowing the main compartment of the pack to be closed or opened by lifting the top side, or flap, 22 for easy and convenient loading of clothes, other soft goods and small items. In these embodiments, the top side 22 and bottom side 25 are curved, allowing for the front panel to have a curved shape.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the packs 20 connected together by the two pairs of mating fasteners 32, 40 which extend laterally from both sides of each pack. The fasteners are attached to the lateral sides of each carry pack by adjustable or fixed straps 30 of 2-7 inches in length which are sewn into the lateral seam or onto the front side 26. In other embodiments, the fasteners can be attached to the front side 26.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer pockets 27 of each carry pack are situated distal to the user on the front side 26. In this illustration, the outer pocket is attached at the seams at the top and bottom of the front side of the pack 26 with the bottom side of the pocket 27 stitched to the front side 26. The pockets 27 may be secured by fasteners such as zippers, hook-and-loop, snaps, or magnets.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows one carry pack 20 with the top flap 22 open. In this illustration, flexible interior pockets 46 and 48 are attached to the interior lining behind the front side. They are appropriately sized to store passports, cell-phones, ear plugs, cash, credit cards, and other valuables. At least one pocket (e.g., 48) may be secured by the use of hook-and-loop, snaps or other closures. In other embodiments, a zipped pocket may replace these open pockets.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a single pack with a luggage securing strap 44 made of a material such as twill tape, webbing, fabric or elastic to compress soft goods placed in the large compartment, as well as to prevent soft goods from falling out when the user opens the pack to retrieve other items. In this embodiment, the center of the securing strap 44 is attached to the bottom seam of the carry pack. The user may wrap the strap 44 around soft goods and tighten and secure the strap threading it through the buckle at one end and fastening it to itself with hook-and-loop at the other end. Alternate embodiments may or may not include straps. In some embodiments, both carry packs are lined with fabric on the inside and seams are bound with twill tape or binding. Other embodiments may not include bound seams or lining.

FIGS. 4-5Additional Embodiments

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates an additional embodiment, in which the top 22, back 24, and bottom 25 sides are formed by two half moon shaped pieces of fabric sewn together resulting in a central seam 29 extending down the middle of the top, back and bottom sides. The resulting shape of this embodiment is a curved back side 24. In this illustration, the travel pillow is worn with the zippers face down so that the bottom side 25 is facing up. In this embodiment, the front 26 and bottom sides 25 are symmetrical, but they may also be asymmetrical.

[0056] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate an additional embodiment in which an attached or removable cuff 31 over one set of fasteners serves to cover the fasteners situated at the back of the neck 40 when the two packs are combined. This cuff or cover 31 can be sewn into the lateral seam of one of the packs and open at the bottom so that the buckle can be fastened easily. In alternate embodiments, the cover for the fasteners may be removable.

FIGS. 4, 7Operation as a Travel Pillow

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates this invention configured as a travel pillow for a person resting in a seated position while traveling by plane, train, automobile or the like. The snugness of the two packs around the neck may be adjusted by pulling or loosening the straps 30 looped through the front-facing fasteners 32. The combined packs can be worn bottom up as shown in this picture (zippers 28 facing down) or top up (zippers 28 facing up).

[0058] FIG. 7 shows another configuration of a travel pillow, in which a single pack may be used as a pillow to provide unilateral head and neck support. In this configuration, one pack 20 is placed on the person's shoulder and anchored into place by the adjustable and removable strap 34. The strap may be attached to one end of the pack by a fastener such as a side-release buckle 32. The other end of the strap may be looped under the shoulder of the opposite arm and extended around the torso of the user to attach to the fastener (40not visible) on the other end of the pack behind the neck of the user. The strap can be also anchored under the opposite arm, elbow or hand. By adjusting the length of the strap 34 at the fastener 32, the person may stabilize the pillow on one shoulder. The pack can easily be removed and placed on the opposite shoulder and anchored in a similar fashion. Alternatively, the single pack 20 may be used as a pillow without the strap if desired.

FIGS. 8-10Operation as Carrying Pack/Packs

[0059] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate ways in which a person may pack and use the carry packs for transporting items. In FIG. 8, the attachable and adjustable strap 34 is connected to the pack at both ends so that it can be worn around the hips or waist during travel or other activities.

[0060] FIG. 9 illustrates the use of one pack as a sling bag. In this configuration, the strap 34 is attached to a single pack at both distal ends and looped over one shoulder so that the pack lies close to the front or the back of the torso.

[0061] FIG. 10 illustrates the use of both packs 20 and the strap 34 as a double-pack tote. In this configuration, the user wears one pack 20 in front and one pack 20 in back. The user may pack valuable items in the front pack and less valuable items, such as a water bottle, in the back facing pack.

Advantages

[0062] From the description above, a number of advantages to some of the embodiments of this travel pillow and carrying pack combination become evident: [0063] (a) The combination travel pillow and pack is multifunctional, allowing the user to consolidate multiple items into a single tool; a travel pillow, waist pack, cross body pack, waist pack and shoulder bag. [0064] (b) When filled tightly with soft goods, the carry packs are firmer than conventional foam, fiberfill, or micro-bead filled travel pillows and provide adequate support for the neck and head while the user rests in an upright position. Alternatively, the packs may be filled to medium capacity to increase the softness and flexibility to improve comfort for users who prefer a softer pillow. [0065] (c) The packs, straps, and their multiple configurations are easily configured as a customizable travel pillow with regard to height, softness, and snugness to provide improved comfort and benefits such as a better quality of rest. [0066] (d) The packs, straps, and their multiple configurations as carrying packs allow the user to customize a tote for more convenient and secure transporting of valuables and necessities. [0067] (e) When filled with soft goods and used as a travel pillow, the packs provide support to the side of the head in contrast to support at the back of the head where support is not needed. [0068] (f) A traveler's overall carryon capacity is potentially increased by packing soft goods in the main compartments of the packs and transporting the packs as a travel pillow. [0069] (g) When the packs are not stored with soft goods, the user may place one pack inside the other. By connecting the female and male fasteners of the container pack together, the entire pillow system compresses conveniently for packing or storing. [0070] (h) If the user does not wish to use the packs as a pillow or tote at the beginning of a trip, the packs can also be placed inside a suitcase to store and organize clothing such as underwear or socks. [0071] (i) Connected together, the packs can be easily attach to a roller suitcase or to a backpack using the fasteners. [0072] (j) Both packs can be stacked on top of each other and placed on a table, desk or seat-back tray table to provide comfort for the user in a forward sleeping position where the user's head rests on the pillows.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0073] To summarize, this travel pillow and carrying pack combination is comprised of two carry packs and an adjustable/removable strap. Alternate embodiments may also include a curved back side and a cover over the back fasteners when used as a travel pillow. Among this travel pillow and carrying pack combination's many advantages, it is customizable for the individual user, thus, providing increased comfort as a travel pillow. The combination travel pillow and packs are also portable and versatile when configured as a tote, a waist pack, a sling bag or a shoulder bag. Lastly, when not in use as a travel pillow, pack, or tote, the combination travel pillow and packs can be used to organize clothing in a suitcase or folded into a compact form.

[0074] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be considered the only preferred embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments illustrated without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Thus, these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms herein shown, and the scope should be determined by the appended claims rather than by the examples given.