Patent ID: 7160028
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: A45C,A45F

Abstract:
1. A tote bag convertible to a backpack, said bag having front, back, and side walls connected to a bottom wall and defining a compartment having a top, said bag further including an adjustable carrying apparatus which allows the bag to be converted to a backpack, comprising: first and second straps, the first and second straps including means for adjusting their lengths, the first and second straps each being permanently attached to one of the front or back walls near the top at points that are diagonally opposite each other and having a free end, the free ends of the first and second straps each having a releasable element which releasably attaches each strap to one of the front or back walls near the top at points that are diagonally opposite each other, each front and back wall including a means for cooperating with each releasable element for releasably attaching the free ends of the first and second straps to one of the front or back walls, the means for cooperating with each releasable element being diagonally opposite each other and opposite the permanently attached points, the back wall including two securement devices for cooperating with each releasable element for releasably attaching the free ends of the first and second straps to the back wall, one of the two securement devices being affixed to the back wall near the bottom thereof at a point that is below the permanent attachment point of the first strap near the top, and the other of the two securement devices being affixed to the back wall near the bottom thereof at a point that is below the means for cooperating with each element for releasably attaching the free ends of the first and second straps near the top, whereby the first strap is permanently affixed near the top of the back wall and its free end can be can be threaded through the means for cooperating with each releasable element located near the top of the front wall such that the free end of the first strap extends over the top of the bag and down the back wall to releasably attach to one of the two securement devices for cooperating with the releasable element for releasably attaching the free end of the first strap affixed near the bottom of the back wall, and whereby the second strap is permanently affixed near the top of the front wall and its free end can be threaded through the means for cooperating with each releasable element located near the top of the back wall such that the free end of the second strap extends down the back wall to releasably attach to one of the two securement devices for cooperating with the releasable element for releasably attaching the free end of the second strap affixed near the bottom of the back wall, whereby the free end of each of the first and second straps may be attached to the same bag wall to form a pair of carrying handles or to one of the opposite bag walls and near the bottom of the back of the bag wall to form shoulder straps.