Abstract
A convertible shoulder bag and backpack includes: (a) a bag body defining front, back, top, bottom, first side, and second side panels; and (b) a strap defining first and second portions thereof extending between first and second pairs of connection points for connecting the first and second portions to the bag body, respectively. An interconnecting portion slidably extends between a pair of diagonally opposing connection points such that slidably increasing the length of the first portion decreases the length of the second portion and vice versa, the strap being configured to enable the convertible shoulder bag and backpack to be converted between a shoulder-bag configuration and a backpack configuration without disconnecting or reconnecting the strap. The strap may include a retractable hip belt and/or securing strap. Additionally, a tote handle may be coupled to the first and/or second portion by a length-multiplying interconnecting portion.
Claims
1. A convertible shoulder bag and backpack comprising: (a) a bag body defining a front panel, a back panel opposite said front panel, a top panel extending between said front and back panels, a bottom panel opposite said top panel, a first side panel extending between said front and back panels, and a second side panel opposite said first side panel; and (b) a strap defining a first portion thereof extending between a first pair of connection points for connecting said first portion to said bag body, said strap defining a second portion thereof extending between a second pair of connection points for connecting said second portion to said bag body, said first and second portions being connected to each other via an interconnecting portion slidably extending between a pair of diagonally opposing said connection points such that slidably increasing the length of said first portion decreases the length of said second portion and slidably increasing the length of said second portion decreases the length of said first portion, said strap being configured to enable the convertible shoulder bag and backpack to be converted between a shoulder-bag configuration and a backpack configuration without disconnecting or reconnecting said strap.
2. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 1, wherein said strap comprises a retractable hip belt.
3. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 1, wherein said strap comprises a securing strap.
4. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 1, wherein said first portion is shorter than said second portion when the convertible shoulder bag and backpack is in said shoulder-bag configuration, and wherein said first and second portions are substantially equal in length when the convertible shoulder bag and backpack is in said backpack configuration.
5. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 1, wherein said first pair of connection points comprises a first said connection point fixedly connecting said strap to said bag body, said first connection point being disposed proximate to an edge extending between said back panel and said first side.
6. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 5, wherein said first pair of connection points comprises a second said connection point slidably connecting said strap to said bag body, said second connection point being disposed proximate to a corner defined between said back panel, said second side panel, and said bottom panel.
7. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 5, wherein said second pair of connection points comprises third and fourth said connection points, said third connection point being fixedly attached to said bag body proximate to said edge, said fourth connection point slidably connecting said strap to said bag body, said fourth connection point being disposed proximate to a second corner defined between said back panel, said second side panel, and said top panel.
8. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 1, wherein said strap defines a shoulder-strap portion thereof extending between a third pair of connection points for connecting said shoulder-strap portion to said bag body, said shoulder-strap portion being connected to said first and second portions such that slidably increasing the length of said shoulder-strap portion decreases the length of said first and second portions and slidably increasing the combined length of said first and second portions decreases the length of said shoulder-strap portion, said shoulder-strap portion being longer than the length of each of said first and second portions when the convertible shoulder bag and backpack is in said shoulder-strap configuration, said third pair of connection points being respectively disposed in proximity to opposing ends of said top panel.
9. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 8, wherein said first pair of connection points comprises a first said connection point fixedly connecting said strap to said bag body, said first connection point being disposed proximate to an edge extending between said back panel and said first side, and wherein said second pair of connection points comprises a second said connection point disposed proximate to said edge and fixedly connecting said strap to said bag body.
10. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 8, wherein said first pair of connection points comprises a third said connection point slidably connecting said strap to said bag body, said third connection point being disposed proximate to a corner defined between said back panel, said second side panel, and said bottom panel, said second pair of connection points comprising a fourth said connection point slidably connecting said strap to said bag body, said fourth connection point being disposed proximate to a second corner defined between said back panel, said second side panel, and said top panel.
11. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are connected to each other via a second interconnecting portion slidably extending between a second pair of diagonally opposing said connection points opposite said pair of diagonally opposing connection points.
12. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 11, wherein each said connection point of said first and second pair of connection points slidably connects said strap to said bag body.
13. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 12, wherein said first pair of connection points comprises a first said connection point disposed proximate to an edge extending between said back panel and said first side, and comprises a second said connection point disposed proximate to a corner defined between said back panel, said second side panel, and said bottom panel.
14. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 13, wherein said second pair of connection points comprises a third said connection point disposed proximate to said edge, and comprises a fourth said connection point disposed proximate to a second corner defined between said back panel, said second side panel, and said top panel.
15. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 14, wherein said first and second connection points are formed by a single said connection point.
16. The convertible shoulder bag and backpack of claim 1, further comprising a tote strap defining a tote handle thereof extending between a third pair of connection points for connecting said tote handle to said bag body, said tote strap being connected to said first and second portions such that slidably increasing the combined lengths of said first and second portions by an amount decreases the length of said tote handle by said amount or by a diminished amount less than said amount and slidably increasing the length of said tote handle by a tote amount decreases the combined lengths of said first and second portions by said tote amount or by a magnified amount greater than said tote amount.
17. A convertible tote bag comprising: (a) a bag body defining a front panel, a back panel opposite said front panel, a top panel extending between said front and back panels, a bottom panel opposite said top panel, a first side panel extending between said front and back panels, and a second side panel opposite said first side panel; (b) a first strap defining a first portion thereof extending between a first pair of connection points for connecting said first portion to said bag body, said first portion comprising at least one of a shoulder-strap portion and a first backpack portion; and (c) a second strap defining a tote handle thereof extending between a second pair of connection points for connecting said tote handle to said bag body, said first and second second straps being connected to each other via an interconnecting portion slidably extending between said first and second pairs of connection points such that slidably increasing the length of said tote handle by a first amount decreases the length of said first portion by said first amount or by a magnified amount greater than said first amount and slidably increasing the length of said first portion by a second amount decreases the length of said tote handle by said second amount or by a diminished amount less than said second amount, the convertible tote bag being convertible between a tote-bag configuration and at least one of a shoulder-bag configuration and a backpack configuration without disconnecting or reconnecting either of said first and second straps.
18. The convertible tote bag of claim 17, wherein said interconnecting portion comprises first and second segments thereof, said first segment terminating in a bifurcating member slidably coupled to said second segment such that said second segment is folded by said bifurcating member when said bifurcating member is moved by said first segment in a direction away from said second segment.
19. The convertible tote bag of claim 18, comprising a restraint fixedly attached to said bag body for restraining said second segment when said bifurcating member is moved in said direction.
20. The convertible tote bag of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of cascading pairs of said first and second segments such that said second segment of one said pair is said first segment of a subsequent said pair.
21. The convertible tote bag of claim 17, wherein said magnified amount is eight times said first amount.
22. The convertible tote bag of claim 17, wherein said magnified amount is four times said first amount.
23. The convertible tote bag of claim 17, wherein said second strap defines a first said tote handle disposed at said top panel and a second said tote handle disposed at said first side panel.
24. The convertible tote bag of claim 17, wherein said first portion comprises said first backpack portion, said first strap defines a second portion thereof extending between a second pair of connection points for connecting said second portion to said bag body, said first and second portions being connected to each other via an interconnecting portion slidably extending between a pair of diagonally opposing said connection points such that slidably increasing the length of said first portion decreases the length of said second portion and slidably increasing the length of said second portion decreases the length of said first portion, said first strap being configured to enable the convertible tote bag to be converted between a shoulder-bag configuration and a backpack configuration without disconnecting or reconnecting said first strap.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] Embodiments of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which:
[0069] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible shoulder bag and backpack showing an embodiment of the invention in a shoulder-bag configuration;
[0070] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible shoulder bag and backpack of FIG. 1, showing the embodiment in a backpack configuration;
[0071] FIG. 3 is a rear view of another embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1, but having the addition of a pair of fixed tote handles;
[0072] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
[0073] FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
[0074] FIG. 6 is a first side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
[0075] FIG. 7 is a second side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
[0076] FIG. 8 is a rear view of another embodiment of the invention;
[0077] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 8;
[0078] FIG. 10 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 8;
[0079] FIG. 11 is a first side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8
[0080] FIG. 12 is a second side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8;
[0081] FIG. 13 is a schematic rear view of a strap routing for embodiments in the shoulder-bag configuration;
[0082] FIG. 14 is a schematic rear view of the strap routing of FIG. 13, shown in the backpack configuration;
[0083] FIG. 15 is a schematic rear of another strap routing according to embodiments of the invention, shown in the shoulder-bag configuration;
[0084] FIG. 16 is a schematic rear view of the strap routing of FIG. 15, shown in the backpack configuration;
[0085] FIG. 17 is a rear view of another embodiment of the invention;
[0086] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 17;
[0087] FIG. 19 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 17;
[0088] FIG. 20 is a first side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17;
[0089] FIG. 21 is a second side view the embodiment of of FIG. 17;
[0090] FIG. 22 is a rear view of another embodiment of the invention;
[0091] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 22;
[0092] FIG. 24 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 22;
[0093] FIG. 25 is a first side view of the embodiment of FIG. 22;
[0094] FIG. 26 is a second side view of the embodiment of FIG. 22;
[0095] FIG. 27 is a schematic rear view of another strap routing according to embodiments of the invention, shown in the shoulder-bag configuration;
[0096] FIG. 28 is a schematic rear view of the strap routing of FIG. 27, shown in the backpack configuration;
[0097] FIG. 29 is a rear view of another embodiment of the invention;
[0098] FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 29;
[0099] FIG. 31 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 29;
[0100] FIG. 32 is a first side view of the embodiment of FIG. 29;
[0101] FIG. 33 is a second side view of the embodiment of FIG. 29
[0102] FIG. 34 is a schematic rear view of another strap routing according to embodiments of the invention, shown in the shoulder-bag configuration;
[0103] FIG. 35 is a schematic rear view of the strap routing of FIG. 34, shown in the backpack configuration;
[0104] FIG. 36 is a schematic rear view of another strap routing according to embodiments of the invention, shown in the shoulder-bag configuration;
[0105] FIG. 37 is a schematic rear view of the strap routing of FIG. 36, shown in the backpack configuration;
[0106] FIG. 38 is a schematic rear view of another strap routing according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in the shoulder-bag configuration;
[0107] FIG. 39 is a schematic rear view of the strap routing of FIG. 38, shown in the backpack configuration;
[0108] FIG. 40 is a rear cut-away view of an embodiment of the invention, showing an interconnecting portion with a length-multiplying factor of eight (8) between a first strap, which defines at least one of a shoulder-strap portion and a backpack portion, and a second strap defining a pair of tote handles;
[0109] FIG. 41 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 40;
[0110] FIG. 42 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 40;
[0111] FIG. 43 is a first side view of the embodiment of FIG. 40;
[0112] FIG. 44 is a second side view of the embodiment of FIG. 40;
[0113] FIG. 45 is a schematic rear cut-away view of another strap routing according to the embodiment of FIG. 40, shown in a configuration other than a tote handle configuration;
[0114] FIG. 46 is a front perspective view of an embodiment having a pair of tote handles;
[0115] FIG. 47 is a top cut-away view of another embodiment of the invention, showing an interconnection portion with a length-multiplying factor of four (4) between a first strap, which defines a shoulder-strap portion and a backpack portion, and a second strap defining a pair of tote handles; and
[0116] FIG. 48 is a schematic rear view of one possible strap routing according to the embodiment of FIG. 47, shown in the shoulder-bag configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0117] Referring to all of the figures, there is provided a convertible shoulder bag and backpack 10. The bag 10 includes a bag body 12 having a front panel 14, a back panel 16, a bottom panel 18, a first side panel 20, a second side panel 22 opposite the first side panel 20, and a top panel 24 opposite the bottom panel 18. The bag 10 also includes a plurality of connection points positioned on the bag body 12 and a continuous strap 28 with first 30 and second ends 32. The first 30 and second 32 ends of the strap 28 are fixedly attached to the bag body 12 adjacent the first side panel 20 and a portion of the strap 28 between the first 30 and the second 32 ends is slideably connected to the bag body 12 at at least one connection point.
[0118] Additionally, the strap 28 may include a shoulder pad 40 and at least one backpack pad 42. For larger bags, the strap 28 may include a securing strap 44 to place additional support across a user's sternum and/or a retractable hip belt 45 for additional weight redistribution which may be integrally formed with the strap.
[0119] The strap 28 is configured to enable a wearer to alternate between a shoulder-bag configuration (as best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 25 and 26) and a backpack configuration (as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 9) without disconnecting or reconnecting the strap.
[0120] In one embodiment, in the shoulder-bag configuration, a portion 28′ of the strap 28 used in the backpack configuration rests along the back 16 panel and when in the backpack configuration, a portion of the strap 28″ used in the shoulder-bag configuration rests along the top panel 24.
[0121] In the same or another embodiment, in the shoulder-bag configuration, a portion of the strap 28′ used in the backpack configuration is not used as a portion of the strap 28″ in the shoulder-bag configuration and when in the backpack configuration, a portion of the strap 28″ used in the shoulder-bag configuration is not used as a portion of the strap 28′ in the backpack bag configuration.
[0122] In the same or another embodiment, to convert the bag into the shoulder-bag configuration a portion of the strap 28 is pulled away from the top panel 24 and to convert the bag into the backpack configuration a portion of the strap is pulled away from the back panel 16.
[0123] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, in this embodiment, a portion of the strap between the first 30 and second 32 ends is slideably connected to the bag body 12 at first 46 and second 48 connection points positioned adjacent the top panel 24 and at a third connection point 50 positioned adjacent the second side panel 22. The connection points can be D-rings or other suitable slideable connection points as those skilled in the art will appreciate. Here, strap 28, runs inside bag body 12 underneath back panel 16 as shown in the dotted line from the corner of top panel 24 and first side panel 20 to the corner of bottom panel 18 and second side panel 22. Hiding the strap 28 as such, creates a visually appealing product, but those skilled in the art will appreciate, the strap may run on the outside of back panel 16.
[0124] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7 and FIGS. 17 to 26, in this embodiment, a portion of the strap between the first 30 and second 32 ends is slideably connected to the bag body 12 at a first connection point 52 positioned adjacent the first side panel 20, a second connection point 54 positioned adjacent the second side panel 22, and a third connection point 56 positioned adjacent the bottom panel 18. Referring to FIGS. 8 to 15, connection points 52, 54, and 56 are sleeves incorporated into the bag body 12. In this instance, the strap 12 is hidden inside the bag body 12, again creating a visually appealing product. The strap 12 is only visible as the shoulder strap and backpack bag portions. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that other connection points are contemplated as depicted in FIGS. 17 to 26 which may or may route the strap 28 on the inside or outside of bag body 12.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 1 and others, the connection point 46 is disposed at or proximate to a corner defined between the back panel 16, the first side panel 20, and the top panel 24; the connection point 48 is disposed at or proximate to a corner defined between the back panel 16, the second side panel 22, and the top panel 24; the connection point 50 is disposed at or proximate to a corner defined between the back panel 16, the second side panel 22, and the bottom panel 18. The first and second ends 30 and 32 are disposed along or proximate to an edge extending between the back panel 16 and the first side panel 20.
[0126] FIG. 1 also shows a fixed tote handle 26 affixed to the bag body 12 at the first side panel 20. The tote handle 26 is an optional feature, has a fixed length, and is not convertible. FIGS. 3 to 12 show a pair of the fixed tote handles 26, each of which is an optional feature. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 12, one fixed tote handle 26 is affixed at the top panel 24 and the other fixed tote handle 26 is affixed at the first side panel 20.
[0127] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, the connection points 50 and 46 are diagonally opposing and form a pair of diagonally opposing connection points 50 and 46. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 and others, the continuous strap 28 defines a first portion 34 primarily useable in the backpack configuration, a second portion 36 primarily useable in the shoulder-bag configuration, and an interconnecting portion 38 disposed between the first and second portions 34 and 36. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the interconnecting portion 38 routed along the second side panel 22 and the top panel 20 between the diagonally opposing connection points 50 and 46. FIGS. 15 and 16 show the interconnecting portion 38 routed directly diagonally along the back panel 16 between the diagonally opposing connection points 50 and 46.
[0128] Referring to FIGS. 34 and 35, in some embodiments the strap 28 is slidably connected to the bag body 12 at the second end 32. In such embodiments, the first portion 34 extends between a first pair of connection points 30 and 50, and the second portion 36 extends between a second pair of connection points 46 and 48. The first and second portions 34 and 36 are connected to each other via the interconnecting portion 38 that is slidably extending between a pair of diagonally opposing connection points 50 and 32. As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the second portion 36 can be made useable in both the shoulder-bag configuration and the backpack configuration. In the backpack configuration, the second portion 36 is useable as one backpack-strap portion closest to the top panel 24. In the shoulder-bag configuration, the second portion is useable as the shoulder-strap portion. The embodiment of FIGS. 34 and 35 includes one directly diagonal portion forming the interconnecting portion 38.
[0129] Referring to FIGS. 36 and 37, in some embodiments the strap 28 is slidably connected to the bag body 12 at both the first and second ends 30 and 32. In addition to the first portion 34 extending between the connection points 30 and 50, the second portion 36 extending between the connection points 46 and 48, and the interconnecting portion 38 extending between the diagonally opposing connection points 50 and 32, there is also a second interconnecting portion 38 slidably extending between a second pair of the diagonally opposing connection points 30 and 48. The connection points 50 and 32 are diagonally opposite the connection points 30 and 48.
[0130] Referring to FIGS. 38 and 39, in some embodiments the first and second ends 30 and 32 are formed by a single connection point 31. As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the first portion 34, the second portion 36, and the first and second interconnecting portions 38 are slidably connected to the bag body 12 at the single connection point 31. The single connection point 31 is typically disposed at a central point along or in proximity to the edge extending between the back panel 16 and the first side panel 20. The single connection point 31 may be implemented by a ring, such as a metal, plastic or fabric ring that is typically attached to the bag body 12; a loop, such as a plastic or fabric loop that is attached at its ends to the bag body 12, or similar for example.
[0131] Referring to FIGS. 40 to 48, some embodiments effect a tote-bag configuration in which one, two, or more of the tote handles 26 are slidably connected to the bag body 12 such that a user is enabled to pull one or both of the tote handles 26 away from the bag body 12 and to retract the tote handles 26 against the bag body 12. In variations, one or more tote handles 26 may be combined with and connected to the strap 28 having at least one of a shoulder-strap portion and a first backpack portion. The shoulder-strap portion extends between the pair of connection points 46 and 48 (FIG. 1 and others), and the first backpack portion extends between the pair of connection points 30 and 50 (FIG. 1 and others). In some embodiments, the tote configuration is combined with the shoulder-bag configuration; in some embodiments, the tote configuration is combined with the backpack configuration; and in some embodiments, the tote configuration is combined with both the shoulder-bag configuration and the backpack configuration.
[0132] FIG. 40 in particular shows the rear of the bag 10 with the back panel 16 removed to render visible an interconnecting portion 60 slidably extending between a first pair of connection points, selected among the connection points 30, 32, 46, 48, and 50, for at least one of the shoulder-strap portion and the first backpack portion and a second pair of connection points, selected among connection points 62, 64, 66, and 68, for at least one tote handle 26. The interconnecting portion 60 of FIG. 40 includes three pairs of segments providing a length-multiplying feature. In each pair of segments, a first segment 70 is terminated by a bifurcating member, such as the ring 72, that is slidably coupled to a corresponding second segment 74. The second segment 74 is restrained by a restraint, such as the loop 76 fixedly attached to the bag body 12 or the fixed attachment 78 of the second segment 74 to the bag body 12. When the first segment 70 is pulled in a direction away from its corresponding second segment 74, the ring 72 pulls on the second segment 74. Due to the loop 76 or the fixed attachment 78, the second segment 74 is forced to fold over at the ring 72, thereby doubling the length that the second segment 74 is moved relative to the movement of the first segment 70. In general, any number of pairs of segments can be employed in a cascade in which the second segment 74 of a given pair of segments is the first segment 70 of the subsequent pair of segments in the cascade. By including three pairs of segments, the embodiment of FIG. 40 effects a length-multiplication factor of eight (8) between the tote handle(s) 26 and the shoulder-strap portion and/or first backpack portion (not visible in FIG. 40).
[0133] Referring to FIGS. 47 and 48, a tote bag in accordance with another embodiment is shown. The interconnecting portion 60 is disposed between the tote handles 26 and both the shoulder-strap portion and the backpack portions of the strap 28. The interconnecting portion 60 includes two pairs of segments providing a length-multiplying feature effecting a combined length-multiplication factor of four (4). In each pair of segments, the first segment 70 is terminated by a ring 72 that is slidably coupled to the coupled second segment 74. The second segment 74 is folded through the ring 72, with one folded portion 74 extending toward the backpack portion 34 and the other folded portion 74 extending toward the shoulder-strap portion 36. When the first segment 70 is pulled in a direction away from its corresponding second segment 74, the ring 72 pulls on the second segment 74 such that the second segment 74 is forced to fold over at the ring 72, thereby doubling the length that the second segment 74 is moved relative to the movement of the first segment 70. In the embodiment of FIG. 47, there are two pairs of segments on either side of the top-side tote handle 26, thereby providing a length-multiplying factor of four (4).
[0134] Operation
[0135] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the shoulder-bag configuration, to change the bag to the backpack configuration, a user merely pulls on the backpack pads 42 (which are connected to the strap 28) away from back panel 16. By pulling the left backpack pad 42 away from back panel 16, the strap 28 from the corner of top panel 24 and first side panel 20 to the corner of bottom panel 18 and second side panel 22 now becomes the left-side backpack strap. Additionally, by pulling the right backpack pad 42 away from back panel 16 a portion of the strap 28 that was once part of the shoulder strap, now becomes the right-side backpack strap. To convert the backpack back into the shoulder-bag configuration, a user merely pulls on the strap 28 (which rested along the top panel 24 in the backpack configuration) to draw the strap back along the back panel 16.
[0136] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 27, in the shoulder-bag configuration, to change the bag to the backpack configuration, a user merely pulls on the backpack pads 42 (which are connected to the strap 28) away from back panel 16. By pulling the backpack pads 42 away from back panel 16, the strap 28 is drawn towards the top panel 24 and the remainder of the strap that is routed either inside or outside of the bag body 12 are used as the backpack straps. To convert the backpack back into the shoulder-bag configuration, a user merely pulls on the strap 28 (which rested along the top panel 24 in the backpack configuration) to draw the strap back along the back panel 16.
[0137] In embodiments having one or more slidable tote handles 26, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 40 to 48, to change from the shoulder-bag configuration or the backpack configuration to the tote bag configuration, a user merely pulls on a selected one of the tote handles 26 away from the bag body 12. By pulling the tote handle 26 away from the bag body 12, the strap 28 is drawn at a length-multiplying rate toward the bag body 12 to take up slack in the shoulder-bag portion and/or backpack portion of the strap 28. To convert the tote bag back into one of the shoulder-bag configuration or the backpack configuration, a user merely pulls on the strap 28 to draw the tote handle 26 at a length-dividing rate toward the bag body 12.
[0138] While embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only. The invention may include variants not described or illustrated herein in detail. Thus, the embodiments described and illustrated herein should not be considered to limit the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.
