Abstract:
The invention relates generally to bags and cases for storage of cameras or other objects. More specifically, the system integrates a waterproof dry bag component optimized for storage of cameras and camera accessories, with a bag component of substantially the same size and shape of the dry bag into a single unit. When separated, the two components can perform as individual units.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority benefit to provisional application, U.S. Application No. 61/123,152, filed Apr. 7, 2008, entitled “Protective Camera Transport Bag.” 
     This application is related to the following co-pending applications, with the same inventors, and the same assignee. The teaching of the following application listed below is herein incorporated by reference: 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 12/235,487, filed Sep. 22, 2008, entitled “Protective Camera Enclosure.” 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to bags and cases for storage of cameras or other objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Camera bags and cases are common and range from simple cases supplied by camera manufacturers to correspond to a particular model of camera, to bags and full-sized suitcases with multiple compartments adapted to take varying sizes of cameras, lenses, filters, flashes, lighting equipment and other accessories useful to professional and serious amateur photographers. 
     Professional photographers working outside a portrait studio require fast, convenient and sequential access to the contents of their bags and cases. These photographers also consider mobility, flexibility and versatility important overall characteristics that must be part of the design and manufacture of the cases and bags that they invest in. 
     Protection of equipment is also a high priority to photographers, and even more so for photographers that work in extreme environmental conditions. Water, sand, dust, and dirt are some of the hazards posed by the environment to cameras and camera equipment. Protection from these hazards is critical to a photographer traveling through these environmental conditions. 
     In accordance to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bag equipped with a separate, but fully integrated dry bag features the desired qualities and characteristics described above. 
     For the sake of simplicity, the invention is described in detail for usage with cameras, camera equipment and accessories. Nevertheless, the invention described herein can apply to usage with any object or device that requires protection from environmental conditions, and as such, the teaching is the same for each application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention describes a protective bag for an electronic or optical device such as a camera and its related accessories. The bag provides protection from several sources: environmental (e.g. rain, sand, or dirt), user abuse (e.g. scratching or excessive physical shock or vibration), and wear from excessive usage. The invention also provides for a convenient method of carrying the equipment, yet at the same time, allows the user easy access to the equipment. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the system combines an exterior enclosure with an internal waterproof enclosure. The system seamlessly integrates the waterproof enclosure within an exterior carrier bag as a single unit. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system integrates a waterproof dry bag component optimized for storage of cameras and camera accessories, with a sling bag component of substantially the same size and shape of the dry bag into a single unit. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the dry bag features a roll top closure. The dry bag includes quick release buckles at each end of the roll top and a set of quick release buckles at each end of the bottom the dry bag mated with the buckles from the roll top. The sling bag of substantially the same size and shape of the dry bag features pre-manufactured with openings to accept the bottom buckles from the dry bag. When the bottom buckles of the dry bag are pulled taut through the openings, the dry bag is seated into the sling bag. As such, the two components, a sling bag and a dry bag are designed to be seamlessly integrated for use as a single unit. When separated, the two components can perform as individual units. 
     It should be noted that although a preferred embodiment of the system is described herein as a sling bag and waterproof dry bag, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that the system may be adapted for use with any two bags or cases, including but not limited to the following: bags, satchels, purses, suitcases, hard cases, soft cases, backpacks, side packs, hip packs, fanny packs, sling bags, messenger bags, rolling bags, and rolling backpacks. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the design and utility of embodiments of the invention, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a backpack and integrated waterproof dry bag with roll top in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a dry bag in stand alone configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrates a backpack and integrated waterproof dry bag with roll top in open and closed positions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a sling bag in stand alone configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrates a sling bag and integrated waterproof dry bag with sling bag cover flap in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrates a sling bag and integrated waterproof dry bag with sling bag cover flap in a closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of specific embodiments of the invention. The embodiments are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment of the invention is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiment of the invention. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates backpack  100  and an integrated waterproof dry bag  105  with roll top  107  in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown, dry bag  105  features compartment storing for cameras and camera accessories, but the internal configuration can be designed to suit any desired functionality or aesthetic. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, dry bag  105  is of substantially the same size and shape as backpack  100 . 
     Seal  110  sits across both sides of the opening. To ensure that the opening of dry bag  105  is watertight and waterproof, first, the top opening is brought together via seal  110 , which forms a band across the top of dry bag  105 . Seal  110  may include, but is not limited to: Velcro®, magnets, clips, snaps, latches, tension mechanism, pressure mechanism, locks, cables, or any other sealing mechanism or structure. Second, the band is then rolled over at roll top  107  several times to create an air tight seal. Dry bag  105  also features top buckles  115  and top straps  120  and bottom buckles  125  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and bottom straps  130  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates dry bag  105  in stand alone configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. When fully extended, the top of the dry bag is flared upward and outward. Dry bag  105  may remain in the exterior enclosure or it may be removed by the user. The user may remove dry bag  105  for cleaning, replace it with a different pre-configured waterproof bag, or to use the exterior enclosure (e.g. backpack  100 ) without dry bag  105  present. 
     Dry bag  105  is an elastomer or elastomer-impregnated fabric and is well known in the art. As is typical of modern waterproof bags, dry bag  105  utilizes either no stitching or a minimal amount of stitching if required. Any form of stitching introduces puncture holes in the material, a potential source of leaks or cracks, thereby defeating the air tight requirement of a waterproof bag. In lieu of sewing, material is often bonded with adhesive or the material is melted together with other similar materials. However, any known methods of manufacturing a waterproof bag in the industry may be used to produce dry bag  105  described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , dry bag  105  features roll top  107  and seal  110  as the core components for waterproofing the bag at the opening. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the top opening extends the entire width of the bag. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the sides may flare outward as they approach the top, thereby creating a larger opening and more convenient access to the interior of dry bag  105 . To seal the bag, the top opening is brought together via seal  110 , forming a band across the top of dry bag  105  at roll top  107 . Roll top  107  is rolled over several times, creating a waterproof barrier. Top buckles  115 , connected to the bag by top straps  120  on either end of roll top  107  are drawn down to the sides of dry bag  105 . Top buckles  115  are fastened to bottom buckles  125 , connected to the bag by bottom straps  130 . By drawing the ends down tightly to the sides of dry bag  105 , the waterproof barrier created by seal  110  and roll top  107  is substantially increased. Top straps  120  and bottom straps  130  may be made adjustable in length if so desired, which would allow the ends of dry bag  105  to be drawn together further, making the top more secure. In an alternative embodiment, top buckles  115  can be drawn together to complete closure of the top opening, and additionally, create a handle for dry bag  105 . 
     Top buckles  115  and bottom buckles  125  may be replaced with any other type of fastening means, including but not limited to the following: magnetic mechanism, buckles, clips, snaps, latches, hooks, friction mechanism, tension mechanisms, locks, cable ties, Velcro®, or any other similar type of fastening mechanism or structure. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrates backpack  100  and integrated waterproof dry bag  105  with roll top  107  in open and closed positions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , open dry bag  105  features roll top  107 , seal  110 , top buckles  115 , top straps  120 , bottom buckles  125  (not shown), and bottom straps  130  (not shown). In an open position, seal  110  is brought together. To seal the bag, seal  110  is brought together to form a band at the top of dry bag  105 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , roll top  107  is rolled in one direction several times to create a waterproof barrier. Top buckles  115  (not shown) are drawn down around the sides of dry bag  105  and fastened to bottom buckles  125  (not shown). As such, the contents of dry bag  105  are completely waterproofed. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a sling bag in stand alone configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Sling bag  135  features cover flap  140  and a single shoulder strap  145 . A single strapped bag is commonly known as a “sling” in today&#39;s market. A single strap is typically used for a smaller, lighter bag that does not require the use of a more traditional two-strap setup. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the single strapped sling bag  135  advantageously allows the user to swing the bag around his body to conveniently access storage compartment  150 . 
     When the user swings sling bag  135  around to the user&#39;s front, he can quickly and easily access the contents in storage compartment  150 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, cover flap  140  over the sling bag is held entirely in place by a substantially large area of Velcro®. Zippers are an alternative method of closure as zippers offer a relatively secure fastening method, while Velcro® is typically thought of as less secure, but more convenient than a zipper for quick access. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Velcro® is used advantageously because the main contents of sling bag  135  are typically stored in another enclosure, for example, in dry bag  105 . Opening cover flap  140  allows a user access to dry bag  105  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) in addition to ancillary pouches and pockets. Although Velcro® is used in the preferred embodiment of the invention, zippers or any other common closure mechanism known in the industry may be utilized and contemplated in the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrates sling bag  135  and integrated waterproof dry bag  105  with sling bag cover flap  140  in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, dry bag  105  is of substantially the same size and shape as sling bag  135 . 
     When cover flap  140  of sling bag  135  is open, the internal dry bag  105  is exposed. Dry bag  105  features roll top  107 , seal  110 , top buckle  115 , top strap  120 , bottom buckle  125 , and bottom strap  130 . Sling bag  135  features cover flap  140 , sling strap  145 , and openings  155 . Openings  155  are at opposing sides of sling bag  135 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , when dry bag  105  is placed into storage compartment  150  of sling bag  135 , dry bag  105  is properly seated into sling bag  135  when bottom buckles  125  and bottom straps  130  are pulled through openings  155   
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , when top buckle  115  and bottom buckle  125  are fastened and top strap  120  and bottom strap  130  are drawn taut, the waterproof barrier of roll top  107  and seal  110  is strengthened and completely air tight. 
     In accordance to one embodiment of the invention, sling bag  135  employs traditional non-waterproof bag materials and sewing techniques because it is completely external and separate from dry bag  105 . This makes the attachment of straps, pockets and pouches to the system easier and more cost effective, as these additions can be placed on sling bag  135  rather than dry bag  105 . While sling bag  135  will naturally shed off water, dirt and other debris, the complete environmental protection is accomplished by dry bag  105 . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates sling bag  135  and integrated waterproof dry bag  105  (not shown) with sling bag cover flap  140  in a closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6B , sling bag  135  features cover flap  140 , sling strap  145 , quick release  160  and stopper  165 . 
     Because of the adjustment of the single sling strap  145 , when the user swings sling bag  135  around to the user&#39;s front side, sling bag  135  may be presented too high to allow convenient access. In order to lower sling bag  135  quickly, sling strap  145  utilizes quick release  160 . Quick release  160  may be a latch, tension mechanism or any other quick release mechanism known in the art. When the user pulls this quick release  160 , sling strap  145  lengthens, thereby lowering sling bag  135  to a desired position. Sling strap  145  further features stopper  165  (a ring, fob, or other device) that prevents sling strap  145  from sliding through quick release  160  and dropping sling bag  135  to the ground.