Inter-Convertible Wearable Storage Devices

Abstract

Wearable storage devices that are interconvertible from a first storage device configuration to a second storage device configuration via an included front pouch are described, and wherein at least one of the storage devices are wearable, such as a waist pack that is interconvertible to a backpack.

Claims

1. A wearable storage device for containing articles, the storage device comprising: a front panel, a spatially opposite rear panel attached to the front panel along two longitudinal edges to form two opposite longitudinal sides, a bottom panel, and a top panel, all of which comprise interior and exterior surfaces and which together define an interior compartment accessible through at least a portion of the top panel; at least one pocket located on an exterior wall of the front or rear panel; and an opening located on the top panel comprising a closure means; wherein the interior compartment is configured to receive articles therein; and wherein the storage device includes a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the size of the storage device is larger than the size of the storage device in the second configuration.

2. The wearable storage device of claim 1, wherein the storage device is convertible from the first configuration to the second wearable configuration through an inversion through the at least one pocket on an exterior wall of the storage device.

3. The wearable storage device of claim 1, wherein the first configuration is a backpack.

4. The wearable storage device of claim 1, wherein the second configuration is a waist-pack.

5. (canceled)

6. The wearable storage device of claim 1, further comprising at least one shoulder strap.

7. The wearable storage device of claim 6, wherein the at least one shoulder strap is adjustable.

8. The wearable storage device of claim 2, wherein the first configuration is a duffle bag, and the second configuration is a storage bag capable of being removably attached to the handlebars of a two- or three-wheeled vehicle through at least one non-elastic attachment means capable of engaging/disengaging from the handlebars.

9. The storage device of claim 8, wherein the two- or three-wheeled vehicle is selected from the group consisting of bicycles, tricycles, scooters, and motorcycles.

10. The storage device of claim 8, wherein the attachment means are silent or non-silent hook-and-loop straps.

11. The wearable storage device of claim 1, wherein the first configuration, the second configuration, or both the first configuration and second configuration include a closure device for releasably closing the interior cavity opening.

12. The wearable storage device of claim 1, wherein the closure means is a roll-top closure system.

13. The wearable storage device of claim 1, wherein the closure means is a zipper or a slide.

14. The storage device of claim 5, wherein when the inversion from the backpack to the duffle bag relocates the shoulder straps of the backpack to the interior of the storage device.

15. The storage device of claim 14, wherein the interior of the storage device includes at least one attachment means for securely attaching the shoulder straps to an interior wall of the storage device.

16. The storage device of claim 1, wherein contents contained within the interior space of the storage device may remain within the interior of the storage device during the conversion between the first configuration and the second configuration.

17. A backpack comprising: a body comprising a front panel, a spatially opposite rear panel, a first side region, a second side region, a bottom panel, and a top panel, all of which comprise interior and exterior surfaces and which together define an open, partition-free interior compartment accessible through at least a portion of the top panel; and at least one pocket located on an exterior wall of the front panel or the rear panel; wherein the backpack includes a first wearable configuration and a second wearable configuration, wherein in the first configuration the size of the storage device is larger than the size of the storage device in the second configuration, and wherein the backpack is reversibly convertible from the first wearable configuration to the second wearable configuration through an inversion through the at least one pocket on an exterior wall of the storage device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these figures in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a hip pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of the hip pack of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 1B illustrates a rear view of the hip pack of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 1C illustrates a partial exploded view of the hip pack of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a backpack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 2A illustrates a first side view of the exemplary backpack of FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the exemplary backpack of FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 2C illustrates a second side view of the exemplary backpack of FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 2D illustrate a rear view of the exemplary backpack of FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 2E illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary backpack of FIG. 2;

[0025] FIG. 2F illustrates a partial schematic showing a cross-section of the backpack of FIG. 2, taken along line 2F-2F.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates alternative closures in use with an exemplary backpack according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates the exemplary stepwise interconversion of the hip pack of FIG. 1 to the backpack of FIG. 2, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary storage cube in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary duffle bag in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] While the inventions disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, only a few specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The figures and detailed descriptions of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the inventive concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed written descriptions are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art and to enable such person to make and use the inventive concepts.

Definitions

[0031] The following definitions are provided in order to aid those skilled in the art in understanding the detailed description of the present invention. Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present invention shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

[0032] Further in this connection, certain features of the invention which are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub-combination.

[0033] The articles a and an may be employed in connection with various elements and components of compositions, processes or structures described herein. This is merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the compositions, processes or structures. Such a description includes one or at least one of the elements or components. Moreover, as used herein, the singular articles also include a description of a plurality of elements or components, unless it is apparent from a specific context that the plural is excluded.

[0034] The term about means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is about or approximate whether or not expressly stated to be such. The term about also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from a particular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term about, the claims include equivalents to the quantities. The term about may mean within 10% of the reported numerical value, preferably within 5% of the reported numerical value.

[0035] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having, contains or containing, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a composition, a mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, or refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0036] In addition, the ranges set forth herein include their endpoints unless expressly stated otherwise. Further, when an amount, dimension, or other value or parameter is given as a range, one or more preferred ranges or a list of upper preferable values and lower preferable values, this is to be understood as specifically disclosing all ranges formed from any pair of any upper range limit or preferred value and any lower range limit or preferred value, regardless of whether such pairs are separately disclosed. The scope of the invention is not limited to the specific values recited when defining a range.

[0037] The term proximal as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and it is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to near to a point of reference such as an origin or a point of attachment. For example, in some embodiments of a wearable storage device system that includes an opening, the closure assembly for the opening is located more proximal to the top face or surface of the storage assembly than to the bottom face or surface.

[0038] The term distal as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and it is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to spaced relatively far from a point of reference, such as an origin or a point of attachment. For example, in some embodiments of a wearable storage device system that includes an opening, the closure assembly for the opening is located more distal to the bottom face or surface of the storage assembly than to the top face or surface,

[0039] The term substantially as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and it is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a sufficient amount that provides a desired function.

[0040] The term wearable, as used herein, means any wearable device capable of is being removably positioned on a user, including a human being (person) or a domesticated animal (including but not limited to dogs and horses), such that an item that is worn by a user is supported by the user, and is optionally capable of moving about with the user, as an area of the user on which the item being worn moves about.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, a, is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, down, up, side, and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims.

[0042] Applicant has created storage devices, wearable by users, such as a human or is a domestic animal (such as a dog or a horse), that are easily and readily transformable, or configurable, from a first storage device into a second storage device, via a simple interconversion, wherein either the first storage device, the second storage device, or both are wearable. As will be described in more detail herein, the storage devices may be wearable by a user, or in the alternative attachable to a vehicle, wherein in at least one configuration the storage device is a storage device wearable by a user (a wearable storage device), which may be a waist bag (alternatively referred to herein as a hip pack or waist pack), a shoulder bag, a backpack, a chest pack, or any other storage device, assembly or accessory related to travelling.

[0043] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary hip pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 and FIGS. 1A-FIG. 1C, illustrating different views of the hip pack of FIG. 1, will be discussed in combination. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary waist pack 10 inter-convertible into (and from) at least one of a backpack (including a day backpack) and a shoulder bag mode of operation, such as backpack 100 illustrated generally in FIG. 2. Waist pack 10 comprises front and rear walls 11 and 12, and at least one peripheral wall (e.g., top wall 18), optionally two distally spaced peripheral/side walls 14, 16 joining the front and rear wall portions 11 and 12. The walls 11,12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 in combination define (at least in part) an interior storage compartment (not shown). At least one peripheral wall, such as front wall portion 11 along the upper edge where it joins top wall portion 18, can include a security means, such as zipper means 30 for opening and closing the peripheral wall substantially along the entire peripheral extent thereof. As described further herein, waist pack 10 can further include at least one adjustable strap means, such as strap 22, for supporting the pack on the user in at least one of the operative modes.

[0044] In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the peripheral wall(s) of the pack 10 can include a top wall portion 8, opposite bottom wall 20, opposite and spaced apart front and back wall portions 11 and 12, and spaced apart opposite end wall is portions 14 and 16 disposed between the top wall portion 18 and the bottom wall portion 20, attachment means 121 for connecting a distally spaced strap end of strap 22 to each of end wall portions 14, 16. Waist pack 10 may further include a security means, such as zipper slide assembly 30, located proximal to the interface of front wall 11 and the top wall/top face 18, for preventing unauthorized access to the interior portion of the pack 10.

[0045] The convertible waist pack 10 as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 1B can further comprise one or more attachment means 26a, 26b for attachment of a strap 22 so as to allow for utilization of the pack 10 in at least one the waist pack mode of operation by allowing the strap 22 to circumscribe the waist or mid-section of the user. Strap 22 may optionally include an adjustment means 24 to allow for the length of the strap to be adjusted larger or smaller so as to fit the waist region of the user.

[0046] As further shown in FIG. 1B, the back wall 12 of pack 10 may further include one or more spaced slots 121 through which a strap 22 can be threaded incident to utilizing the pack in at least one of the waist pack and backpack modes of operation. Optionally, spaced slots 121 may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 1B so as to allow the size of strap 22 to be adjusted by allowing attachment means 26a, 26b to be removably attached at a variety of points.

[0047] While not specifically shown in the figures, it is envisioned that at least a portion of the outwardly facing front wall portion 11 of the pack 10 (FIGS. 1 and 1A) may be optionally imprinted with designs, logos, and/or graphics (including embroidered designs, logos and/or graphics), or additional storage compartments may be attached to front face or front wall portion 11.

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a backpack 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the backpack configuration as inter-converted from, for example, a waist pack 10 as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 and FIGS. 2A-2F, illustrating differing views of the exemplary backpack 100 of FIG. 2, will be discussed in combination with each other. The access opening 150 formed in the top panel 110 of backpack 100 allows a user to gain access to the single interior compartment of the backpack. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the interior compartment of the backpack is devoid of any additional compartments.

[0049] The backpack 100 includes a front panel 102 and an opposite, rear panel 104 which are attached to each other along their edges by opposite and spaced apart side panels 106, 108, bottom panel 112 and top panel 110 to define an interior section 130. Front panel 102 includes zippered openings 116 into a separate, front pocket 114, and top panel 110 includes an opening 150 which allow access into the interior portion of backpack 100. Separate front pocket 114 is attached to front panel 102 and includes zippered opening 116 which opens to allow access into front pocket 114. As shown in FIG. 2D, straps 122, 124 are attached directly to the exterior face of rear panel 104, and function as shoulder straps for the backpack. Loop 128, which is used as a carrying handle, is attached between straps 122 and 124, and is located approximately one-third of the way down from top panel 110. Alternatively, two pairs of rings can be attached to the upper portion (in the upper third) of the rear panel 104 and adjacent to the edge of top panel 110. A second set of rings can be attached to the lower end of rear panel 104 at either side of the panel, proximate to side panels 106 and 108. In this manner, straps 122 can be removably attached between the first upper and lower rings, and strap 124 can be removably attached between the second set of upper and lower rings, so as to function as shoulder straps for the backpack 100.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2 and more clearly in FIG. 2D, and as referred to generally above, the backpack 100 preferably comprises at least one, and more preferably two, strap attachment means disposed near the upper and lower edges of the rear panel 104, respectively, to allow for a pair of shoulder straps 122, 124 to be attached between the first and second attachment means. Alternatively, the backpack 100 does not include strap attachment means, and instead comprises at least one shoulder strap 122 is (preferably two shoulder straps) directly attached at the endpoints proximate to the upper and lower edges of rear panel 104. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the backpack 100 may also be hand-carried and thus at least one handle (not shown) can be provided, located on the top face 110, along one of the sides (106, 108) of the backpack body, or proximate to the upper edge of the back face 104 for carrying the backpack in this position.

[0051] In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, the backpack 100 that is convertible from a waist or hip pack 10 via a simple interconversion, or that is convertible from backpack 100 to a hip pack 10 via a similar interconversion (which will be detailed in more depth herein) may not have separate and distinct side panels. Rather, the backpack 100 may comprise generally parallel front and rear panels 102 and 104, each having upper and lower edges, and a bottom panel 112, and a means for joining, wherein the joined edges of the panels forms the side portions of the apparatus.

[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates the several optional closure means, closure mechanism or closure members that may be used with backpack 100 to close the top opening on the top face of a backpack in accordance with the present disclosure. Such closures may include a simple rolltop or foldable mechanism 140, comprising a flap as shown with backpack 100 in FIG. 3, as well as a zipper mechanism 150 forming a zippered closure consisting of a zipper, as shown on exemplary backpack 100, and a drawstring mechanism 160 comprising at least two drawstrings, as shown with exemplary backpack 100. In each of these embodiments, the closure means or closure members are operable to govern access to the interior space of the backpack. In the case of the rolltop or foldable mechanism 140, a portion of the top 110 of a backpack 100 is foldable or rollable about at least a portion of either itself (in the case of the rolltop closure) or foldable over at least a portion of the top face 110, and optionally extending downward over the front side 102 or back side 104 of the backpack itself. In either situation, the rollable or foldable closure 140 is secured closed by means of a clasp 118. In further is aspects of the present disclosure, the closure means is gussetted to allow the compartment formed between the front and rear panels of the backpack to be expanded and collapsed, as necessary.

[0053] Turning now to FIG. 4, the inter-conversion of waist pack 10 to backpack 100 in accordance with the method of the present disclosure is generally illustrated. As shown in step A of FIG. 4, the closure mechanism located proximal to the top face of the waist pack 10 is opened, so that the user may gain access to the interior space of the waist pack 10. As shown in step B, the user pulls the interior portion of the pack outward from the interior space. Next, in step C, the user has fully pulled the interior of the pack 10 outside of the pack, such that the initial waist pack 10 has been interconverted to a backpack 100, complete with at least one shoulder strap and a closable pocket on the front face/panel of the backpack. In step D, the waist band portion of the now interconverted, reconfigured waist pack assembly is inserted into the formed front panel pocket. Finally, in step E, the user has closed the front panel via closure mechanism 117, and closed the top opening using a closure mechanism, putting the backpack in a ready to use configuration. In order for a user to inter-convert the backpack 100 back to waist pack 10, the steps would be carried out similarly, but in a reversed order, e.g., inverting the body of the backpack into the front panel.

[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the initial, wearable storage device, such as a waist/hip pack or backpack, can be transformable via the inventive interconversion process described herein to a storage cube 200. Storage cube 200 comprises at least a top face or panel 202, an opposite bottom face or panel 204, end side panels 206 and 208 which are distal to each other and substantially parallel in orientation, and front and back side panels 210 and 212 (respectively) which are distally spaced and substantially parallel to each other. The storage cube 200 may further comprise at least one closure 214 and associated closure mechanism 216 to releasably close user access to the interior portion of the cube 200. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the storage cube 200 further comprises at is least a second closure 218 spaced apart from the first closure 214, and oriented either substantially parallel to, or perpendicular to, the first closure 214.

[0055] In some instances, for example in the situation where the storage device is a large backpack, rather than transforming via an interconversion to a smaller storage device such as a waist pack 10, it can be transformed to a larger storage device such as a duffle bag 300, as illustrated generally in FIG. 6. Such an exemplary duffle bag storage device comprises oppositely located front and back panels 302 and 304, a bottom panel 306, an opposite top panel 308 having a closeable opening 320 formed therein and between panels 302 and 304, as well as end/side panels 314 and 316. End panels 314 and 316 may be separate panels, or may be formed when the closeable opening 320 is closed via an appropriate closure mechanism, such as a zipper. Duffle bag 300 further preferably comprises a closeable front panel 310 located on the exterior face of front panel 302 and having an associated closure mechanism, panel 310 forming a compartment between the exterior face of front panel 302 and the interior front face of the front panel 310, such compartment being the point of interconversion of the duffle bag.

[0056] In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, it is envisioned that the storage device is a duffle bag, such as duffle bag 300, in the first configuration, and in the second configuration is a storage bag capable of being removably attached to the handlebars of a two- or three-wheeled vehicle through at least one non-elastic attachment means capable of engaging and disengaging from the handlebars. In accordance with this aspect, but without intending to be limited, the two- or three-wheeled vehicle is selected from the group consisting of bicycles, tricycles, scooters, and motorcycles. The attachment means can include, but is not limited to, silent or non-silent hook-and-loop straps, cables, straps, connectors having male components and associated female components, and other similar attachment means capable of securing the storage device to the handle-bar portion of a vehicle.

[0057] The storage devices of the present disclosure can be fabricated of any appropriate material, including but not limited to canvas, polymeric materials such as nylon or resilient plastic, fabric material, webbing material, leather, and synthetic materials.

[0058] Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant's invention. For example, storage devices not specifically described herein, either wearable or non-wearable, can be devised and created using the teachings of the present disclosure. In example, the storage device could be a diaper bag, a tote bag, a handbag, or a similar carrying article. Further, the various methods and embodiments of the configurable storage devices can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Additionally, discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa.

[0059] The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions.

[0060] The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicants intend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.