Abstract:
The invention pertains to a protective cover for a backpack, the cover preventing unauthorized access to the backpack and its contents. Apertures and slots are formed in the protective cover to allow the straps on the backpack to pass through the cover, so that the protective cover and backpack can be retained on the shoulders of the user. A single, elongated zipper on the protective cover provides access to the interior thereof, and the end point of the zipper is hidden from view when resting upon the back of the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The instant invention pertains to a protective cover for a back pack, such cover preventing unauthorized access to the back pack and its contents. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Back packs are worn by travelers, students, hikers, etc., and are usually held in position by a pair of vertically oriented straps passing around the shoulders of the wearer. The free ends of each strap are usually joined together by a buckle, so that the length of each strap can be adjusted and the back pack rests comfortably upon the back of the wearer. 
         [0003]    The back pack may contain valuable items, such as laptop computers and cameras, in addition to fresh clothing, worn clothing, toiletries, reading material, film, etc. At least one zipper, which may encircle the back pack in a horizontal, or vertical direction, is opened to provide access to the contents of the back pack. The zipper may be replaced by buttons, snaps, Velcro fasteners, etc., but the problem of unauthorized entry into the backpack remains unsolved. 
         [0004]    Whereas the zipper provides access to authorized persons, including the wearer, the same zipper provides a readily accessible point of entry of thieves, pick pockets, and other unauthorized persons. The problem of unauthorized entry is exacerbated because the slider for the zipper is visible to persons walking behind the wearer, yet out of the view of the wearer, so that thieves, etc. may pilfer or damage the contents without being observed by the wearer of the back pack. 
         [0005]    Diverse covers have been proposed for protecting a back pack, and its contents, from unauthorized entry. To illustrate, U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,352, granted Oct. 13, 1992, to C. W. Williamsen et al, discloses a fabric enclosure, or cover,  16  that accommodates back pack  58 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The cover is secured in place by straps  52  that pass around the shoulders of the wearer. Interlocking zippers  14   a,    14   b  and  14   c,  can be interconnected by shackle  46 ,  48  as shown in  FIG. 3A  to prevent unauthorized opening of the enclosure to gain access to back pack  58 . 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0133558 discloses a multiple-use cover  20  with an easy opening zipper used to cover an article  10 , such as a backpack. Zipper  23  and flap opening  30 , allow the user to gain access to the contents of the backpack, without having to remove the cover from the pack, so that the wearer can pass quickly through inspection lines at an airport and other security check points. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,796, granted Aug. 28, 2001, to Jose Trevino, discloses a protective cover  10 , with a drawstring  17  at its lower end, that allows the cover to be slipped over the back pack  2  to protect the back pack, and its contents, from damage from weather exposure. 
         [0008]    Known protective devices, however, have proven to be largely ineffective in defeating unauthorized entry into back packs and tampering with the contents of the back pack. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Applicant&#39;s invention provides a unitary protective cover that conceals known back packs of different sizes and shapes, and defeats unauthorized entry into the back packs. The protective cover is formed of a sturdy, attractive fabric, and the exterior of the cover may be embellished by team logos, advertisements, or slogans, that personalize the cover. 
         [0010]    Applicant&#39;s protective cover includes two slots and two apertures for allowing the straps on the back pack to pass through the cover. The straps, on the back pack, are secured about the body of the wearer, particularly the shoulders, and serve to fasten the protective cover and enclosed back pack, on the body of the wearer. 
         [0011]    Applicant&#39;s protective cover effectively conceals all zippers, and/or other points of entry, into the back pack retained within the confines of the cover. An elongated zipper closes the protective cover, and the access point for the zipper is located on the front section of the cover abutting the wearer&#39;s back. Thus, thieves or pick pockets, in the vicinity of the wearer, cannot see, or reach, the elongated zipper to open same and gain access to the back pack retained within the protective cover, when the protective cover is retained on one&#39;s back. 
         [0012]    The single elongated zipper on the protective cover extends approximately the midpoint of the rear section of the cover, over the top of the cover, and down the front section of the cover. The elongated zipper, when opened, provides ease of entry for backpacks of various sizes. A D-clasp, a swivel hook, and a lock, may be employed to retain the zipper in locked position, as an additional precaution against unauthorized entry into the protective cover and the back pack retained therein. The zipper may also be hidden from view by a flap that blends in which the decor of the protective cover. 
         [0013]    Other objects and advantages realized by applicant&#39;s protective cover will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan from inspection of the attached drawings and consideration of the ensuing specification. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a cover for a backpack worn by a traveler, the cover being shown in solid lines while the backpack is shown in phantom outline; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of the cover and backpack of  FIG. 1 , worn by a traveler; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the cover and backpack; showing the straps and the locking mechanism for the cover; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the cover and backpack, showing the straps and the locking mechanism for the cover; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the zipper on the cover in an open position to provide access for the insertion of the backpack; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the cover displaying an advertisement or logo; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a view of a detail of the locking mechanism for the zipper of the cover, such view being taken within zone  6 A of  FIG. 6 , and on an enlarged scale. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show protective cover  10 , constructed in accordance with the principles of applicant&#39;s invention, worn on the back of a traveler. Backpack  12 , shown in dotted outline, is received within the interior of cover  10 . Backpack  12  is configured in a well-known manner, to receive books, clothes, valuables, food, etc. Backpack  12  usually includes two shoulder straps  14 ,  16  and two waist straps (not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), which cooperate to position the backpack on the body of the wearer. Zipper  18 , also shown in phantom outline, is provided to open, and close, the interior of the backpack, to receive, or remove, the diverse contents thereof. Smaller zipper  20 , also shown in phantom outline, is provided to open, and close, an auxiliary pocket  21  on backpack  12 . 
         [0022]    Backpacks  12 , when secured to the body of the wearer by shoulder and waist straps, situate zippers  18 ,  20  in a rearwardly facing, and vulnerable position. The zippers  18 ,  20  are visible to a thief, and may be opened without the wearer, who is facing forward, even realizing same. Also, zippers  18 ,  20  may provide ready access to the contents of back pack  12 , when the back pack is removed, and left unattended. 
         [0023]    Security cover  10  defeats such nefarious conduct, however. Protective cover  10  includes a centrally located, elongated zipper  22  that extends from approximately the mid-point of rear section  24  of cover  10  to the mid-point of front section  26  of cover  10 . Rear section  24  of cover  10  is visible in  FIG. 2 , while front section  26  is visible in  FIG. 3 . Front section  26  of cover  10  is worn against the back of the user, such as a traveler. 
         [0024]    Elongated zipper  22  is shown in its closed position in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , protective cover  10  is closed, and access to the interior of security cover  10 , and its contents, namely backpack  12 , is denied. A locking mechanism, indicated generally by reference numeral  28 , retains elongated zipper  22  in closed condition, whether security cover  10  is worn or placed on the ground, unattended. 
         [0025]    Locking mechanism  28  includes slider  30 , which is grasped by the fingers of the user, to open and close elongated zipper  22 . O-ring  32  is slipped transversely through slider  30 , and one end of clip  34  is snapped into engagement with o-ring  32 . The opposite end of swivel hook  34  is snapped into engagement with D-ring  36 , which is retained in fixed position by sleeve  38 , which is sewn into flap  39  on rear section  26  of cover  10 . Depressing button  40  on swivel hook  34  releases o-ring  32 , and frees slider  30 . Slider  30  may then be grasped by the fingers of a user, and employed to open, or close, elongated zipper  22 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows the manner in which shoulder straps  14 ,  16  of backpack  12  are employed to retain cover  10 , with backpack  12  sealed in its interior, on the body of the traveler. Slots  42 ,  44  are located near the upper edge of rear face  26  of cover  10 ; one aperture is situated on each side of major zipper  22 . Apertures  46 ,  48  are defined near the lower edge of rear face  26  of cover  10 . Shoulder strap  14  is extended from backpack  12 , retained in the interior of cover  10 , through slot  42  and returned to the interior of cover  10  via aperture  46 . Shoulder strap  16  is extended from backpack  12 , retained in the interior of cover  10 , through slot  44  and returned to the interior of cover  10  via aperture  48 . 
         [0027]    Buckle  50  adjusts the length of shoulder strap  14 , while buckle  52  adjusts the length of should strap  16 . Elongated pad  54  is worn beneath shoulder strap  14 , while a similar elongated pad  56  is worn beneath shoulder strap  16 , for increased comfort. Slots  42 ,  44  and apertures  46 ,  48  may be reinforced by metal bushings, grommets, or extra layers of fabric, to increase the useful life of cover  10 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a right side, elevational view of cover  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Front section  24  of cover  10  is secured to rear section  26 , by sewing, along seam  58 . Flap  30  is secured to rear section  26 , by sewing, along seam  60 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows elongated zipper  22  on cover  10  in its opened condition, providing access to the interior of cover  10 . Backpack  12 , with auxiliary pocket  21 , is visible. Zipper  20 , which may open the auxiliary pocket and/or provide access to the interior of backpack  12 , is fully exposed. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a decorative feature  62 , such as a team logo  62  that is applied to the exposed, rear face  24  of cover  10 . In lieu of a logo, protective cover  10  may be personalized by adding the wearer&#39;s name, a unique pattern, or any other decorative feature that the wearer wishes to purchase. Logo  62  may increase the appeal of cover  10 , and underwritten support, or revenue, may be secured from the entity associated with the logo, pattern, design, or the like. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 6 and 6A  also depict security flap  64  that conceals elongated zipper  22  and slider  30 . Flap  64  is sewn to rear section  24  along seam  66 , and must be pulled back, or pivoted, to expose elongated zipper  22 . Flap  64  may be color coordinated with the fabric used for the remainder of cover  10 , so that cover  10  appears to be a unitary bag without any visible point of attack. 
         [0032]    Protective cover  10  may be formed of a variety of strong, wear resistant fabrics; furthermore, the fabrics may be treated to be water repellant or water resistant. The number of sections sewn together to form cover  10 , may be altered. Other modifications and revisions to applicant&#39;s cover may occur to the skilled artisan in the relevant fields of endeavor. Consequently, the appended claims should be broadly construed in a manner consistent with applicant&#39;s inventive efforts, and the claims defining applicant&#39;s invention should not be limited in scope to their literal terms.