Abstract:
A drawstring bag with lockable strap using a combination lockable buckle and an internal compartment that is provided with a combination lockable zipper. This bag incorporates a desirably designed bag with the safety of a built-in combination lockable strap and buckle which allows the user to secure it to another object. Additionally, the internal compartment is accessed via a combination lockable zipper. Both locks have built in, easy to remember, codes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/750,013, entitled “Lockable Bag with Secure Mounting Means,” filed on Jan. 8, 2013, and is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to bags having a drawstring with a combination lockable buckle to secure the bag to a stationary object and a combination lockable zipper to close the bag&#39;s internal compartment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bags, backpacks and valuables are stolen every day. Leaving a bag or valuables unattended valuables lying around, is an open invitation for theft. This is especially prevalent in open, unguarded areas such as beaches and swimming pools where people leave their valuables on a blanket, while swimming or sun bathing. 
         [0004]    Generally bags don&#39;t have lockable straps allowing them to be secured to a heavy or large object, thus allowing easy theft of the bag. Some add on devices (locks, cables, etc.) have keys which can be easily lost and are troublesome to carry. Furthermore, most of these add on devices are separate from the bag and awkward or inconvenient to carry. 
         [0005]    Applicant&#39;s inventive bag incorporates a desirable designed bag with the safety of a built-in combination lockable strap and buckle which allows you to secure it to another, larger object. Additionally, the internal compartment is accessed via a combination lockable zipper. These locks have built in, easy to remember codes, or can be easily reprogrammed for other codes the user desires. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    As stated above, bags and valuables are stolen every day. Leaving a bag or unattended valuables lying around is an open invitation for theft. The invention claimed here solves this problem. 
         [0007]    Applicant&#39;s lockable bag is safely secured to a chair, table or other stationary or heavy object making it difficult, or at least conspicuous if an attempt is made to steal it. The claimed invention differs from bags that currently exist. Prior to this bag, it was very easy for thieves to steal the entire bag or its contents virtually undetected. Applicant&#39;s lockable bag makes it very difficult to steal the bag itself or its contents without dragging along whatever the bag is attached to. 
         [0008]    This bag incorporates a desirable designed bag with the safety of a built-in combination lockable strap and buckle which allows the user to secure the bag to another object. Preferably the object to which the bag is attached is large, heavy or not easily moved. Additionally, there is an internal compartment which is accessed via a combination lockable zipper. These locks have built in easy to remember, or easy to change, codes. Thus, Applicant&#39;s invention provides a bag that can be attached to a larger object, and further provides an internal compartment that is also lockable to secure the contents. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective of the inventive bag with one corner of the bag folded over. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the bag. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view with portions removed of the inventive bag illustrating the top locking zipper. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  showing the drawstrings in cross section and the zipper. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the bag with a corner folded over and showing the rear zipper in the closed position with the fabric strips in the stored position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  s a rear perspective view with the rear fabric strips in the released position and unlocked position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lockable buckle. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the lockable zipper. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Turning first to  FIG. 1  there is illustrated Applicant&#39;s inventive device or bag  10 . Although described herein as a bag, it may be a sack, backpack, satchel, purse or other similar product. For simplicity it will be referred to herein as bag  10 , but is meant to encompass all similar products. 
         [0018]    The bag  10  has drawstrings  12  that are used to create adjustable shoulder or carrying straps and also provide the means to pull the top of the bag between opened and closed positions. The drawstrings  12  can be made of natural or synthetic materials commonly known in the art. The drawstrings  12  pass through holes  14  and  16  in the bottom of the bag as seen in  FIG. 1 . The drawstrings  12  pass through a channel  18  in the top  11  of the bag  12  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The ends of the drawstrings  12  are tied in knots  20 . There can also be provided a handle or strap  21  that is sewn onto the face of the bag  10  to provide an extra means for the user to hold and carry the bag  10 . The drawstrings  12  are of conventional design and allows the user to adjust the drawstrings to be used as shoulder straps such as on a backpack, or can be pulled tight and carried in one&#39;s hand. 
         [0019]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , there is a zipper  22  that is sewn into the top  11  of the bag  10 . The zipper  22  allows the user access to an interior compartment of the bag  10 . The zipper  22  is comprised of a zipper locking mechanism  24  that has a lockable pull tab  26  that is received into the lock  28 . The lock  28  has a lock release lever  30  which has the release controlled by a combination lock  32 . A thumbwheel  34  allows the user to dial in the combination to release the lock lever release  30  which in turn allows the user to remove the pull tab  26  from the locking mechanism  24 . Thus the zipper can be locked in the closed position and opened when the user inputs the proper combination. Preferably the zipper is made from metal for strength and security. Various types of lockable zippers are available on the market. 
         [0020]    In order to secure the bag  10  to a secured or not easily moved stationary object, the bag  10  is provided with a pair of fastening straps  36 ,  37  as seen in  FIG. 6 . The fastening straps  36 ,  37  are normally stored in a zippered compartment or pocket  38  as seen in  FIG. 5 . The zippered compartment  38  is accessible by means of a zipper  40 . When the bag is to be secured to a stationary object, the zipper  40  is opened and the fastening straps  36 ,  37  are removed from the compartment  38 . One end of each of the fastening straps  36 ,  37  are securely sewn into the compartment  38 . On the other end of one of the fastening straps  37  is a male clasp  42 . On the other end of the other fastening strap  36  is a female receptacle  44 . The female receptacle  44  is a lockable buckle  46  that receives the male clasp  42 . The male clasp  42  can be released from the lockable buckle  46  when the proper combination is dialed into the lockable buckle  46 . In an alternate embodiment the fastening straps  36 ,  37  can be fastened directly to the rear surface of the bag  10  and not stored in the compartment  38 . 
         [0021]    Various lockable buckles are available on the market and one such lockable is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The important point is that the fabric straps  36 ,  37  are securely attached to the male clasp  42  and the female receptacle  44  so that they cannot be removed except by cutting the fabric straps  36 ,  37 . 
         [0022]    Once the fabric straps  36 ,  37  are removed from the compartment  38 , they can be wrapped around a chair, bicycle, secure post, etc. with their ends locked to each other so that the bag  10  cannot be removed except by removing the object to which it is attached or cutting the straps  36 . Thus it is imperative that the straps  36 ,  37  be made of a strong flexible material or a reinforced flexible material. To use the inventive bag  10 , the user removes the straps  36 ,  37  with the lockable combination buckle  46  from its internal resting place in the compartment  38  by opening the zipper  40 . The clasp  42  is removed from the combination buckle  46 , which is opened, and the straps  36 ,  37  are wrapped around a secure object. The clasp  42  is locked within the buckle  46  and secured therein until the correct combination is displayed and the combination buckle opened. Thus, the bag  10  can be secured to another object making it difficult to remove the bag  10  unless the straps  36  or  37  are cut. After the user deposits his valuables into the main compartment of the bag  10 , the user then closes the lockable zipper  24 . Its combination lock then prevents unauthorized opening of the zipper  24  unless the correct combination is displayed. 
         [0023]    The bag  10  and straps  36 ,  37  can be made of natural or synthetic materials that can additionally be reinforced with various fibers. The stronger the material, the more difficult it will be for thieves to cut the bag  10  to remove its contents or to cut the straps  36 ,  37  to steal the entire bag. 
         [0024]    The bag  10  can be easily manufactured by sewing together several pre-manufactured items including the combination lockable buckle, zippers and combination zipper, fabric and string or cord to produce the bag, its straps and drawstrings. One can accomplish this assembly and sewing process oneself, or the entire manufacturing process can be outsourced to a commercial or specialized manufacturer. 
         [0025]    Additional compartments can be added to the bag  10  creating more storage. The bag could be made into other types of bags for more specialized contents. Additional fabrics including wire mesh could be added to the bag&#39;s material to increase its strength to further prevent cutting it open. The configuration for the lockable straps could be altered to amend this safety feature to different types of bags, luggage, attaches, etc. 
         [0026]    Thus there has been provided a lockable bag that fully satisfies the objects set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.