Backpack with formfitting skateboard compartment

A backpack with a formfitting skateboard compartment conveniently holds a skateboard freeing the user's hands for other tasks. The formfitting compartment reduces the size and bulk of the backpack allowing it to be easily worn without hindering skating activities. In this manner, a user may take his or her skateboard virtually anywhere. The formfitting compartment will typically conform to the shape of a skateboard inserted therein. The backpack may also include various additional compartments to carry other items for the user. In this manner, the backpack may be used as a knapsack or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to bags and carriers, and in particular to a backpack with a formfitting skateboard compartment and accessory compartments

2. Related Art

Skateboarding is a popular activity enjoyed by many. Today, there are numerous parks, venues, and events specifically designated for skateboarding. In addition, skaters can skateboard at various other urban and other environments. Also, the skateboard is a popular means of transportation for younger people.

At times however, riding a skateboard is either not permitted or not advisable. For example, a skater may not be allowed to skate by virtue of laws or other regulations, or the skater may be in a crowded area where skating might be difficult or dangerous to others. In such cases, skaters often carry their skateboards manually from one place to another. A skateboard may be transported in a bag or other carrier as well. However, such carriers are not configured to carry a skateboard efficiently.

From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A backpack with formfitting skateboard compartment is disclosed herein. The backpack's formfitting compartment allows a skateboard to be carried therein while keeping the overall size and bulk of the backpack to a minimum. In addition, the size reduction as well as other features of the backpack allow it to be worn without hindering skating activities. This allows a skateboard to be conveniently carried virtually anywhere thus allowing the skateboard to be used as a form of transportation as well as for leisure or entertainment purposes.

The backpack herein may have various configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the backpack may comprise a formfitting compartment for receiving a skateboard. The formfitting compartment may comprise a resilient material configured to stretch around and conform to a deck of the skateboard, a first pouch configured to accept a first truck and set of wheels of the skateboard, a second pouch configured to accept a second truck and set of wheels of the skateboard, and a planer back section. The first pouch and second pouch will typically be formed from the resilient material, while the planer back section is not formed from the resilient material.

The first pouch and second pouch may be configured in various ways. For instance, the first and second pouch may be reinforced with thicker resilient material. Also or alternatively, the first and second pouch may be reinforced with one or more layers of additional resilient material. It is noted that the formfitting compartment may have a lining formed from one or more layers of additional fabric.

A fastener may be between the planer back section and the resilient material configured to secure the formfitting compartment in a closed configuration when closed and to allow access to the formfitting compartment when open. Two shoulder straps configured to engage a user's shoulders may be attached to the planar back section. The planer back section may be padded.

The backpack may also include one or more accessory compartments attached to the resilient material of the formfitting compartment. The accessory compartments may be attached to one another and to the formfitting compartment by one or more connecting cords.

In another exemplary embodiment, a backpack for carrying a skateboard may comprise a front section comprising a resilient material configured to stretch around and conform to the skateboard, and two or more pouches extending outward at the front section to receive trucks and wheels of the skateboard. The pouches will typically also be formed from the resilient material. The pouches may be reinforced.

A back section may be configured to engage a user's back. Two shoulder straps configured to engage the user's shoulders may be attached to the back section. One or more chest or waist straps may extend from the shoulder straps. One or more fasteners, such as one or more zippers, may removably secure at least a portion of the back section to the front section to allow the skateboard to be inserted and removed from the skateboard backpack. It is noted that the back section may be padded, and may comprise one or more compartments for storage of various items.

One or more accessory compartments for storage of various items may be attached to the front section. The accessory compartments may be removably attached to the front section by one or more connecting cords.

Various methods for carrying or transporting a skateboard are disclosed herein as well. For example, in one embodiment a method for carrying a skateboard with a skateboard backpack may comprise opening a fastener of a stretchable formfitting compartment of the skateboard backpack, opening the formfitting compartment by moving a non-stretchable back panel of the formfitting compartment away from a stretchable front section of the form fitting compartment, and inserting a skateboard into the formfitting compartment with the trucks and wheels being inserted into corresponding pouches of the formfitting compartment. The formfitting compartment may subsequently be opened to remove the skateboard.

The method may also include closing the fastener to secure the skateboard within the formfitting compartment, and carrying the skateboard backpack using shoulder straps of the skateboard backpack. The shoulder straps may be secured by connecting one or more chest or waist straps extending from the shoulder straps.

One or more accessory compartments may be secured to the front section of the skateboard backpack for additional storage. It is contemplated that the accessory compartments may be secured around the wheels of the skateboard with one or more connecting cords.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The backpack with formfitting skateboard compartment herein (the “skateboard backpack”) is generally configured to receive a skateboard for storage and transport. Unlike traditional skateboard transport methods or apparatus (such as bags or carriers), the skateboard backpack can be worn while skating. As will be described further below, the formfitting compartment of the skateboard backpack reduces the skateboard backpack's size and bulkiness, thus allowing it to be worn without inhibiting skating.

In addition, the skateboard backpack frees its user's hands to carry or manipulate other items. Also, items besides a skateboard may be stored in various other compartments of the skateboard backpack. This allows the skateboard backpack to be used as a knapsack if desired. A student for example, may carry his or her skateboard along with a laptop, one or more books, other study materials, and/or food in the skateboard backpack.

The skateboard backpack will now be described with regard toFIG. 1, which illustrates a side view of an exemplary skateboard backpack104. As can be seen, the skateboard backpack104may comprise a front section112and a back section108. When worn, the back section108will typically be positioned adjacent a user's back with the shoulder straps128of the skateboard backpack104over the user's shoulders. This secures the skateboard backpack104to the user. A carrying handle124may be provided in some embodiments to facilitate lifting or hanging of the skateboard backpack104.

The back section108may be configured to support various components of the skateboard backpack104. For example, the back section108may comprise a planar structure that generally defines the skateboard backpack's overall shape. The back section108may be a rigid material in one or more embodiments. Typically however, the back section108will be a flexible or semi-rigid material that allows for some flexibility while providing a structure to which various components of the skateboard backpack104may be attached. It is contemplated that the back section108may be padded or comprise one or more sections of padded material.

As can be seen, the front section112of the skateboard backpack104is configured to accept a skateboard therein. As can be seen, the front section112may conform to the general shape of a skateboard. For instance, the front section112ofFIG. 1comprises protruding sections or pouches116configured to accept the trucks and wheels of a skateboard. In addition, the front section112may be formed from a stretchable or resilient material/fabric, such as spandex or the like to create a formfitting compartment132around the skateboard. As can be seen fromFIG. 1, the resilient fabric causes the front section112to squeeze around the deck and wheels of the skateboard, and tapering inward around the trucks of the skateboard.

The back section108, though flexible, will typically not be stretchable as compared to the front section112. This allows the back section108to provide a structure or shape to the skateboard backpack104as discussed above. As such, the back section108may be formed from fabrics such as nylon, Kevlar™ or other non-stretchable fabric. The shoulder straps128and other straps of the skateboard backpack will typically not be stretchable as well, though they may be lengthened or shortened using adjustment buckles or the like.

It is contemplated that various portions of the front section112may be reinforced to generate the formfitting compartment132around the skateboard. For example, thicker or additional layers of resilient fabric may be used to reduce the amount of stretching at particular areas of the front section112. To illustrate, the resilient fabric may be thicker or have one or more additional layers (or otherwise reinforced) at the trucks136of the skateboard so as to taper inward at that location thus providing a formfitting compartment132around the trucks. Reinforcement may also be accomplished by attaching or using resilient fabric of different thicknesses and stretchability at areas where reinforcement is desired.

Reinforcement may be removable in some embodiments. For example, the skateboard backpack104may include one or more stretchable bands that can be placed around the pouches116to further secure the resilient material around the trucks and/or wheels of a skateboard. It is noted that reinforcement may also be used to strengthen the resilient material, increase its durability, or both.

The formfitting compartment132greatly reduces the size and bulkiness of the skateboard backpack104, thus allowing it to be easily worn during skating, if so desired. This reduced size and bulkiness prevents the skateboard backpack104from inhibiting a user's movements while skating. This is highly advantageous in that other items in the skateboard backpack104can be carried by the user while the user is skating. When the user has finished skating or has skated to his or her destination, the skateboard can then be stored and transported in the skateboard backpack104as well. Once the skateboard is in the skateboard backpack104, the users hands are free to carry or manipulate other items.

As will be described further below, a zipper120or other fastener may be used to allow a skateboard to be inserted into the skateboard backpack104. In one or more embodiments, the zipper120may extend along the periphery of the skateboard backpack104to open and close the formfitting compartment132allowing a skateboard to be inserted into the skateboard backpack104.

FIG. 2illustrates a front view of an exemplary skateboard backpack104. As can be seen, the wheels and trucks of a skateboard may be received in the pouches116of the front section112. The resilient material forming the front section112collapses or squeezes inward around the skateboard, thus creating a formfitting compartment132around the skateboard. It is contemplated that each pouch116may receive one or more wheels and thus there may be one or more pouches in various embodiments of the skateboard backpack104.

FIG. 3illustrates a back view of an exemplary skateboard backpack104. As can be seen, the back section108of the skateboard backpack104may comprise one or more shoulder straps128. The shoulder straps128may be attached to the back section108. For instance, as shown inFIG. 3, the shoulder straps are attached at a top end304and bottom end308of the back section108. This creates openings312where a user may insert his or her arms and shoulders when the skateboard backpack104is worn. It is contemplated that the shoulder straps128may be sewn, adhered, or otherwise attached to the back section108. In one or more embodiments, the back section108may have one or more mounts316, such as in the form of nylon or other fabric, used to connect the shoulder straps128to the back section108. It is noted that the shoulder straps128may have one or more buckles and/or be lengthened or shortened so as to fit users of various shapes and sizes.

It is contemplated that additional straps may be provided as well; such as to help ensure the skateboard backpack104is secured to its user. As shown inFIG. 3for example, the skateboard backpack104may include a chest strap320, waist strap324, or both. These straps may include a buckle328or other coupling to allow the straps to be connected and disconnected and/or lengthened or shortened. This is advantageous in that it allows the user to skate without being bothered by swinging or other motion of the skateboard backpack.

Operation of the skateboard backpack104will now be described with regard toFIGS. 4 and 5.FIG. 4illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary skateboard backpack104in a closed configuration and worn on a user's back404, whileFIG. 5illustrates a back view of an exemplary skateboard backpack104in an open configuration. As stated above, the skateboard backpack104may be opened to remove or insert a skateboard, and closed to enclose the skateboard within a formfitting compartment132of the skateboard backpack.

Referring toFIG. 4, it can be seen that the skateboard backpack104may be worn by placing the shoulder straps128on the user's shoulders. This holds the skateboard backpack104in position at the user's back404. In the closed configuration ofFIG. 4, it can be seen that the skateboard is secured in the formfitting compartment132of the skateboard backpack104.

Referring toFIG. 5, it can be seen that the skateboard backpack104may be opened to remove or insert a skateboard.FIG. 5provides an interior view of an exemplary formfitting compartment132formed by the front section112and the back section108. In this view the pouches116of the front section112can be seen as providing compartments to accept the wheels and trucks of a skateboard.

As stated above, a zipper120or other fastener may be used to secure the formfitting compartment132in a closed configuration, while allowing the skateboard backpack to be opened when so desired. As can be seen, the zipper120may extend along the periphery of the skateboard backpack104. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the zipper120extends from a first anchor point504to a second anchor point508. Though shown at a particular location, it is contemplated that the first anchor point504and second anchor point may be at various locations to adjust the extent to which the formfitting compartment132may open.

It is noted that one or more interior surfaces of the formfitting compartment132may have one or more liners, such as to protect the formfitting compartment132from wear and/or to cushion or protect a skateboard in the formfitting compartment. Alternatively or in addition, the formfitting compartment132may be reinforced (such as described above) at the ends, sides, or other areas where the edges of a skateboard come into contact with the formfitting compartment. It is contemplated that one or more liners may also be used to provide a lower friction surface to allow the skateboard to be more easily removed from or inserted into the formfitting compartment132.

In use, the zipper120or other fastener may be unfastened (i.e., unzipped) to provide access to the interior of the formfitting compartment132. A skateboard may be subsequently removed or inserted. When inserted, the pouches116will automatically conform to and squeeze around the trucks and wheels of the skateboard. This helps to ensure the skateboard is secured. The zipper120or other fastener may then be closed. The skateboard can be removed by opening the zipper120or other fastener and pulling the skateboard out of the formfitting compartment132. Since the resilient material of the formfitting compartment is elastic/stretchable the skateboard can be conveniently removed as well.

Again, the skateboard backpack104is designed to allow a user to carry his or her items while the user is skating and thus the skateboard backpack can be used to carry items in virtually any circumstance (e.g., when the user is walking/running and when the user is skating). The experience of skating is uninhibited while wearing the skateboard backpack104, and the user can easily and conveniently carried his or her skateboard in the skateboard backpack when not skating. When carried in the skateboard backpack104, the user's hands remain free for carrying or manipulating other items since the user does not have to hand carry the skateboard.

As disclosed above, the skateboard backpack104may have various other compartments, carriers, pouches, and the like to carry other items besides the user's skateboard. For example, the shoulder straps128or other straps of the skateboard backpack104may have compartments to carry various items (typically of small size). As another example, the back section108of the skateboard backpack104may have one or more separate compartments for carrying items other than a skateboard. The skateboard backpack's compartments may have one or more openings for acceptance and removal of items and/or to allow items to extend into or out of such compartments. For example, a compartment may comprise an opening for headphone or other cables to extend out of the skateboard backpack104in one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6illustrates accessory compartments604or bags that may be provided with the skateboard backpack104for storage of various items. Such compartments604may have their own zippers or other fasteners to secure items therein. As can be seen, the accessory compartments604may be at the front section112of the skateboard backpack104, and may be positioned adjacent the pouches116which accept the trucks and wheels of a skateboard. Though shown with three accessory compartment604, it is noted that the skateboard backpack104may comprise fewer or additional accessory compartments.

In one or more embodiments, the accessory compartments604may be affixed at the front section112of the skateboard backpack104. Alternatively, the accessory compartments604may be attached by removable fasteners so as to be removable from the skateboard backpack104. Removable accessory compartments604may be removably attached in various ways. Referring toFIG. 4for example, the front section112may have one or more hook and loop or other fasteners408(e.g., Velcro™) that mate with corresponding fasteners on the accessory compartments604.

Alternatively or in addition, the accessory compartments604may be removably attached by a friction fit. For example, as shown inFIG. 6, the accessory compartments604are joined together by connecting cords608, which press the accessory compartments against the wheels of a skateboard, thus securing the accessory compartments in place. In some configurations, a connecting cord608may be configured to wrap around the wheels of a skateboard to hold an accessory compartment604in place. It is noted that a connecting cord608may be an elastic or other resilient material. In addition, straps, pieces of fabric, or the like may be used in place of a connecting cord608in some embodiments.