Abstract:
A backpack that is foldable into a compact configuration. The straps on the backpack are made of a lightweight, thin material, allowing the backpack to be rolled into the compact configuration. A compressible storage bag is included in a pouch of the backpack, into which the rolled backpack may be placed. The storage bag may be tethered to the backpack so that it cannot be misplaced. In use, the storage bag is tucked into a pouch so that it does not take internal space in the backpack. When the backpack is emptied, the storage bag is removed from the pouch and the backpack is rolled or compressed into the compact configuration. The compressed backpack is then placed into the storage bag.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to luggage, and more particularly to a backpack.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Backpacks have become quite popular, especially for use by students, or by professionals wanting a more casual bag, instead of the traditional briefcase, in which to carry personal items to work. Most contemporary backpacks include two shoulder straps so that a backpack may be carried entirely on the back and/or shoulders of a user, allowing the user to have both hands free for carrying other items or for steering a bicycle, for example.  
           [0003]    In addition to shoulder straps, many backpacks include other additional outer straps, such as a top carrying strap, a waist belt, and/or straps for attaching other items, such as jackets or gloves. The backpacks may also include zipper pulls or other pulls that aid in opening and accessing the pouches on the backpacks.  
           [0004]    While the prior art backpacks work for their intended purpose, a drawback to these prior art backpacks is that, due to the size of the backpacks, their storage may be difficult. For example, a student that transports items to school in a backpack may not have space in his or her locker to store the empty backpack. In addition, the straps and pulls that hang on the outside of the backpacks tend to make the backpacks appear larger than they actually are. Thus, an empty backpack lying in an exposed location in a small office may make the small office appear to be cluttered.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides a backpack that is foldable into a compact configuration. The outer shell and the straps on the backpack are made of a lightweight, thin material, allowing the backpack to be rolled into the compact configuration. A compressible storage bag is included in a pouch of the backpack, into which the rolled backpack may be placed. The storage bag may be tethered to the backpack so that it cannot be misplaced.  
           [0006]    In use, the storage bag is tucked into the pouch so that it is not visible and does not hang from the backpack. The storage bag is preferably made of a soft, foldable material so that the storage bag does not consume a large amount of storage space in the backpack. When the backpack is emptied and is ready to be stored, the storage bag is removed from the pouch and the backpack is rolled or compressed into the compact configuration. The compact backpack is then placed into the storage bag.  
           [0007]    The present invention thus provides a backpack that may be stored in a far more compact and orderly fashion than prior art backpacks. In addition, the outer surface of the storage bag may be designed with an attractive surface, so that its appearance may be a pleasant addition to an office space or other storage area.  
           [0008]    Other advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack made in accordance with the present invention, shown with the backpack rolled into a compact configuration and inserted into a storage bag;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backpack of FIG. 1, with the backpack unrolled and the storage bag contained within a pouch on the bottom of the backpack;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is rear view of the backpack of FIG. 2;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a partial-cutaway, perspective view of the bottom portion of the backpack of FIG. 2, with the storage bag shown removed from the pouch;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 shows a beginning stage of folding of the backpack of FIG. 2; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 shows the backpack of FIG. 2 folded into the compact configuration and ready for insertion into the storage bag.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 2 shows a backpack  20  incorporating the present invention. Briefly described, the backpack  20  is configured so that it may be opened and expanded to a “use” configuration (FIG. 2), and may be folded into a compact storage configuration wherein the backpack fits into a storage bag  22  (FIG. 1).  
         [0016]    Turning now to FIG. 2, the backpack  20  includes a front panel  24  that is attached to a bottom panel  26 . A continuous, rounded side panel  28  extends along the front panel, from the left side of the bottom panel  26 , upward to the top of the backpack  20 , and down to the right side of the bottom panel. The side panel  28  is attached to a back panel  30  (FIG. 3). As is further described below, the front panel  24 , the bottom panel  26 , the side panel  28  and the back panel  30  are preferably formed of a soft, foldable material, such as a fabric (e.g., canvas, leather, nylon, or the like). For the embodiment of the backpack  20  shown in the drawings, these components make up an outer shell  32  (FIG. 2) of the backpack. However, a backpack having a different configuration may be designed that incorporates the present invention, but includes additional panels, does not include some of panels described with reference to the backpack  20 , and/or includes different panels than the backpack  20  shown in the drawings. However, despite the configuration used, the outer shell  32  of a backpack incorporating the present invention is preferably flexible and soft so that it may be folded into a shape so that it may fit into the storage bag  22 .  
         [0017]    The front panel  24  preferably includes a zipper or other attachment mechanism (not shown, but known in the art) so that the front panel may be detached from the side panel  28 . When the zipper is unzipped (or the front panel  24  is otherwise detached from the side panel  28 ), the front panel  24  may be hinged down and away from the rest of the backpack  20 . This feature allows convenient access to the inner compartment or compartments of the backpack  20 .  
         [0018]    Returning now to FIG. 2, the front panel  24  may include one or more pouches  34  (one is shown in the embodiment in the drawings, but more may be provided) on its front side for storage of quickly-accessible items. Additional pouches, straps, or containers may be provided at different locations on the backpack  20  so that a user may attach or store other items (e.g., additional baggage, a laptop computer, or a cup) on the outside of the backpack  20 .  
         [0019]    The bottom panel  26  preferably includes a flap  40  that provides access to an internal pouch  41  (FIG. 4). The storage bag  22  is stored in the internal pouch  41  when the backpack  20  is in the expanded configuration. The internal pouch may be formed by adding a layer of material (not shown) on the inside of the backpack  20  and against the bottom panel  26 . If the layer of material is used, the pouch is formed between the layer of material and the bottom panel  26 . The pouch may also be a separate pocket sewn or attached to the outside, or just inside, the backpack  20 . Alternatively, a separate pouch may not be provided, and the storage bag  22  may be stored in the main internal compartment of the backpack, or in one of the pockets of the backpack.  
         [0020]    The flap  40  may be closed by hook and loop material or other closing mechanisms, e.g., a zipper. A tether  42  (FIG. 4) is attached to the inside of the pouch and is attached at its distal end to the storage bag  22 . The tether  42  may be made of a suitable material such as rope, twine, ribbon, or the like, but in the embodiment shown is made of a webbing material. When the backpack is in the use configuration (FIG. 2), the tether  42  and the storage bag  22  are stored inside the pouch. When the backpack  20  is stored in the storage bag  22 , the tether  42  is arranged inside the storage bag (FIG. 1).  
         [0021]    The storage bag  22  is preferably made of a soft, durable material, such as canvas or cloth. Using soft material permits the storage bag  22  to be folded into the pouch. In addition, when in the pouch, the storage bag may add cushion to the bottom of the backpack  20 .  
         [0022]    The outer surface of the storage bag  22  may be decorated as desired, such as in a pleasing manner so that it is attractive to the eye, or in a relatively bland manner so that it does not conflict with surroundings. As such, the storage bag may be placed in conspicuous locations in an office or another environment without appearing to add clutter.  
         [0023]    Turning now to FIG. 3, a shoulder harness  50  is attached to the top edge of the back panel  30 . The shoulder harness is configured in an “H,” with the cross bar of the “H” located adjacent to the top edge of the back panel. The lower legs of the “H” extend to the left and right bottom edges of the back panel  30 . The shoulder harness  50  includes buckles  52 ,  54  on the lower legs for adjusting the shoulder harness to a user&#39;s shoulders and back.  
         [0024]    Although shoulder straps for contemporary backpacks are typically made of padded materials, the shoulder harness  50  is preferably formed of a more flexible, thinner, lightweight material, such as a mesh material. The use of the thinner material permits easier folding of the backpack  20 , and allows the backpack to be folded into a more compact configuration.  
         [0025]    A belt  60  is included for attaching the backpack around a user&#39;s waist. The belt  60  is also preferably made of a flexible, thin, lightweight material, such as a mesh material. Again, as with the shoulder harness, by using the thinner, flexible material, the backpack  20  is easier to fold into a compact configuration.  
         [0026]    FIGS.  4  to  6  generally show the folding and storage process for the backpack  20 . Beginning at FIG. 4, a user opens the flap  40  on the pouch (e.g., by unzipping the flap or disconnecting a hook and loop connection) and removes the storage bag  22 . The tether  42  maintains the storage bag in close proximity to the backpack  20 , but permits enough slack to allow the user to fold the backpack, as is described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0027]    The folding process for the backpack  20  is shown in FIGS.  5 - 6 . As stated above, the front, side, and bottom panels  24 ,  28 ,  26  and the shoulder harness  50  are preferably formed of soft, flexible materials. The soft, flexible materials aid in folding of the bag, and permit the backpack to be lightweight. The materials are also preferably thin so that the backpack may be folded into a more compact configuration. In addition, the materials that divide the internal compartments of the backpack are preferably made of soft, flexible, thin materials, such as nylon, to aid in compact folding.  
         [0028]    In any event, to begin the folding process, while the storage bag  22  is removed from the backpack  20  (FIG. 4, above), the user starts rolling the backpack from the upper end of the backpack, as is indicated by the arrow  60  in FIG. 5. The rolling process continues until the backpack  20  is rolled into a cylindrical shape (FIG. 6). The rolled backpack  20  is then placed into the storage bag  22 , as is indicated by the arrow  62  in FIG. 6. The backpack  20  is shown inserted in the storage bag  22  in FIG. 1. The storage bag  22  is preferably cylindrical in shape and slightly larger than the rolled backpack  20 , so that the storage bag fits over the rolled backpack. A drawstring  64  (FIG. 1) may be provided for closing the storage bag  22  around the backpack  20 .  
         [0029]    Alternative embodiments of the backpack  20  are contemplated. For example, the backpack  20  may be folded instead of rolled, so that the backpack fits into a storage bag of a particular shape. For example, the backpack may be folded into a square, and placed into a square-shaped storage bag. The storage bag  22  may be stored in another location on the backpack, such as adjacent to the back of a wearer of the backpack  20 , so as to add additional cushioning support. The storage bag may or may not be tethered to the backpack  20 , but tethering the storage bag ensures that the storage bag will not be misplaced unless the tether is broken.  
         [0030]    The shoulder harness of the backpack  50  may include cushioning materials, but, if included, it is preferred that the cushioning materials be flexible and soft so that they may be folded or rolled along with the backpack. Alternatively, the backpack may include a somewhat stiff shoulder harness, and could be rolled along a vertical axis so that the shoulder straps for the harness are not bent or folded. In such an embodiment, an elongate storage bag (e.g., tube-shaped) or the like may be used.  
         [0031]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.