Abstract:
A bag comprising a lockable pouch and a lockable handle is disclosed. The bag comprises a locking mechanism that secures the contents of the bag by securing a sliding fastener in place. In one embodiment, the handle and sliding fastener are both secured via a common key-operated mechanism. A handle that is removal at one end allows the handle to be placed around a stationary object as to secure the bag to that object while unattended. A single control is provided conveniently to release both the sliding fastener and the handle. The handle is comprised of a flexible yet strong material, such as a metal cable.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/135,030, filed on Jun. 6, 2008, which is continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/973,244, filed on Oct. 5, 2007 now abandoned. U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/973,244 and 12/135,030 are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference as if set forth at length. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for securing bags and, more particularly, to a bag including a lockable handle. 
   BACKGROUND 
   People use several types of bags, handheld bags, handbags or containers for carrying different personal items with them to stores, beaches, pools, schools, hotels and many other locations. Similarly, students use backpacks to carry laptops, books, media players and other items to and from school. Travelers carry cash, credit cards, cameras, passports, mobile phones and other similar items with them when they travel. These bags or containers contain valuable items that the person does not want to lose or have stolen. Therefore, to ensure that the items are not being removed or stolen from the person&#39;s bags, the persons must keep the bags with them at all times. In some situations, carrying the bags at all times becomes burdensome and makes some activities almost impossible. 
   For example, if a person is at a relatively open area such as a pool or beach and the person has a bag such as a beach bag, tote or purse, the person cannot leave their spot at the pool or beach without taking the bag with them for fear that the bag will be stolen or that one or more items from the bag will be stolen or removed by thieves or the like. The person must therefore carry the bag or purse with them to get food, go to the restroom or to perform other activities such as playing volleyball. In addition, if the person wants to go in the water to swim, the person must have another person such as a spouse watch their bag while they are in the water. Otherwise, the person must place the bag as close to the water as possible to keep an eye on the bag. The additional burdens of watching the bag and carrying the bag makes participation in activities or carrying items such as food trays more difficult. 
   Thieves operate quickly and discretely. Therefore, a bag that is secured and locked to an object or at least secured and locked in a closed position is a less desirable target for a thief because the thief will have to spend too much time and effort to attempt to remove the bag or to remove the items from the bag. Thieves are less likely to want to draw attention to themselves by trying to cut, pry or break into a secured and locked bag to remove the bag or remove the contents of the bag. 
   To alleviate the need to carry the bag during an activity, it is desirable to stow the bag in a secure manner. Balancing the need for security is also the need for convenience. The prior art bags are lacking in convenience. Therefore, what is desired, is an improved lockable bag that provides both security and convenience in regular use. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention comprises a bag, having a sliding fastener, such as a zipper, and a handle comprising a strong cable. The bag provides the desired security and convenience by providing a bag that can quickly lock or unlock both the handle and the sliding fastener. The bag may use a plunger mechanism with a lip to lock the sliding fastener. This technique for locking a sliding fastener is known in the industry, and is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,267 to Nobles. While this technique is well suited for locking a sliding fastener, it does not serve to lock a handle. The present invention provides a means to lock both the handle and the sliding fastener. The user may elect to lock the sliding fastener, the handle, or both, depending on the situation. For example, when carrying the bag, it may be desirable to lock the handle, but leave the sliding fastener unlocked for convenient access to the items contained within the bag. When leaving the bag unattended, it may be desirable to lock both the handle and the sliding fastener to secure the bag, as well as its contents. The handle may be arranged about an object to secure the bag to that object. For example, the handle may be secured around a rail, such as that provided by a fence post, to secure the bag to that rail while it is left unattended. The bag may be secured to a variety of stationary or non-stationary objects, including, but not limited to, a tree, a picnic table, beach umbrella, lounge chair, office desk, baby stroller and shopping cart, to name a few. With the bag of the present invention, the user is able to “lock and leave” the bag and enjoy time with family and friends. 
   One embodiment of the bag of the present invention includes a unique locking mechanism which secures both a zipper as well as the bag. This embodiment uses a seven pin tumbler, a ⅛″ galvanized coated cable and a liner resistant to cutting and gouging, which makes the bag almost impossible to penetrate by ordinary means. The water-resistant material allows the contents of the bag to remain dry. The design of the zipper/cable locking mechanism is such that the zipper of the bag can remain unlocked allowing easy access to belongings while still maintaining the look of the bag with the shoulder strap in a locked configuration. A bag according to the present invention is well suited for secure transporting of valuables such as cash, credit cards, passports, mobile phones, cameras, computers and media players. 
   The applications for the bag of the present invention are practically limitless, and include but are not limited to the following: vacation and business travel, water activities, children&#39;s activities including sports activities, shopping, activities involving babies, work, school and dorm room security and laptop security. These advantages, and others, will be apparent from the following detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. 
     Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a “true” cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity. 
     In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, in some cases both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting. 
       FIG. 1A-D  illustrate side views of an example locking bag in various configurations, according to one embodiment; 
       FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate a simplified top and side view of an example locking mechanism, according to one embodiment; 
       FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate a series of cross-sectional views of an example locking mechanism in use, according to one embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of an example locking mechanism, according to one embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side views of an example locking bag in a locked configuration, according to one embodiment; 
       FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate cross-sectional views of example locking mechanisms, according to one embodiment; and 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a top cross-sectional view of an example locking mechanism, according to one embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1A-D  illustrate side views of an example locking bag  100  in various configurations. The locking bag  100  includes a main body  110  and a handle  120 . The main body  110  forms at least one compartment (not illustrated) for holding contents. The main body  110  may be made of a material that is resistant to cutting and gouging, such as a Kevlar material. The main body  110  may be made of a material that is water-resistant, such as a water-resistant polyester fabric. The main body  110  includes an opening (not illustrated in the side view) to allow entry thereinto, for example, to place contents in or remove contents from. The main body  110  may include one or more interior pockets (not illustrated) and/or one or more exterior pockets (not illustrated). The one or more interior/exterior pockets may be made of a water-resistant material, providing contents contained therein protection from water damage. 
   The handle  120  may be made of a strong, yet flexible material (e.g., a metal cable). According to one embodiment, the handle  120  may include a galvanized steel cable that is coated with plastic, or is disposed within a fabric sleeve (not illustrated). According to one embodiment, a cable having a ⅛ inch diameter may be used to provide the necessary strength without being too large. The size of any cable used is in no way intended to be limited to a specific size or grade. The handle  120  may have a permanent end  120 A and removable end  120 B. The permanent end  120 A is fixed to the main body  110  while the removable end  120 B may be secured to or removed from the main body  110 . The removable end  120 B may include a handle pin (not illustrated at this point for ease of illustration but will be discussed in more detail later) secured to handle  120  by swaging, or other means to provide a strong attachment. The handle pin may be used to secure the handle to the main body  110  and may include a plurality of detents as a means for securing. 
   The locking bag  100  may include a means, such as a sliding fastener (zipper) to open and close the opening in the main body  110 . The two sides of the zipper (e.g., strips of interlocking teeth) that would be pulled together and interlocked when closed are not illustrated in the side view. The zipper may include a sliding head  130  that connects and secures the two sides of the zipper together or releases the two sides (depending on whether opening or closing the zipper). The zipper may also include a pull tab  132  connected to the sliding head  130  that can be grabbed by a user. The pull tab  132  may be rotatable around the sliding head  130  so that it can be used to pull the sliding head  130  in either direction. As illustrated, when the sliding head  130  is moved to the right (towards the removable end  120 B) the zipper is closed and the main body  110  is sealed and when it is moved to the right (towards the permanent end  120 A) the zipper is opened. 
   The locking bag  100  may include a locking mechanism  140  that may lock the removable end  120 B of the handle  120  to the main body  110  and/or lock the zipper in a closed configuration. The locking mechanism  140  is simply illustrated as a box at this point for ease of illustration but will be discussed in more detail later. The locking mechanism  140  may be secured to the main body  110  using various means including but not limited to glue, sewing, screws, rivets, or cables. According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism  140  may be in a reinforcing panel (not illustrated) that is connected (e.g., sewn) to the main body  110 . 
   Locking the removable end  120 B of the handle  120  to the main body  110  enables the bag  100  to be secured to a variety of stationary or non-stationary objects (e.g. a tree, a table, a chair, a desk, a baby stroller, a shopping cart) by placing the handle  120  around the object prior to locking to the main body  110  via the locking mechanism  140 . Locking the zipper in a closed configuration secures the contents of the main body  110  therewithin. 
     FIG. 1A  illustrates the locking bag  100  in a configuration in which both the zipper and the handle  120  and secured in place (locked) by the locking mechanism  140 . The XXXs in  FIGS. 1A-D  are to indicate that the zipper and accordingly the opening in the main body  110  are closed. This configuration could be used, for example, when you are carrying the bag  100  (e.g., using the handle to hold) or have the bag  100  secured to an object and want the contents of the main body  110  secured (locked). 
     FIG. 1B  illustrates the locking bag  100  in a configuration in which the zipper is unlocked and open while the handle  120  is secured in place (locked) by the locking mechanism  140 . The OOOs in the  FIGS. 1A-D  are to indicate that the zipper is open and accordingly the opening in the main body  110  is open. This configuration could be used, for example, when you are carrying the bag  100  (e.g., using the handle to hold) and want access to the contents of the main body  110  or when you have the bag  100  secured to an object (e.g., stroller) but want access to the contents of the main body  110 . 
     FIG. 1C  illustrates the locking bag  100  in a configuration in which the zipper is closed and locked while the handle  120  is unsecured (removed from the main body  110 ). This configuration could be used, for example, when you want the contents of the main body  110  secured (locked) but do not need the handle to carry or lock the bag  100  to an object. 
     FIG. 1D  illustrates the locking bag  100  in a configuration in which the zipper and the handle  120  are unlocked and the zipper is open and the handle  120  is removed from the main body  110 . This configuration could be used, for example, when you don&#39;t need the handle to carry or secure the bag  100  to an object and when you want access to the main body  110  to put in or take out contents. 
     FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate a simplified top and side view of an example locking mechanism  200  (e.g.,  140  of  FIGS. 1A-D ). The locking mechanism  200  may be capable of securing a handle (e.g.  120 A of  FIGS. 1A-D ), a zipper, or both to the main body (e.g.,  110  of  FIGS. 1A-D ) by locking the zipper, the handle or both in place. The locking mechanism  200  may include a handle securing portion, a zipper securing portion, and a locking portion where the various portions engage and interact with one another to lock the zipper, the handle or both in place. 
   The handle securing portion of the locking mechanism  200  may include a pin housing  210  to secure a handle pin  292  of the handle  290  therein. The pin  292  may be inserted in the housing  210  through a pin port  212 . The pin housing  210  may be a cam that includes teeth that when the cam is closed engage in indents with the pin  292  to lock the pin  292  in the housing  210 . As illustrated the pin has two indents and the pin housing would include two sets of teeth to engage the indents. The number of indents and teeth is not limited to two. Preferably the number of indents and teeth would be greater than one for redundancy to ensure that a failure on one teeth indent pair would not result in the pin  292  dislodging from the pin housing  210  when not desired. The pin housing  210  and pin  292  are not limited to the illustrated embodiment. 
   The zipper securing portion of the locking mechanism  200  may include a zipper ledge  230  for receiving a zipper  280  (e.g., sliding head  130  or pull tab  132  of  FIGS. 1A-D ), and a fastener head  240  for securing the zipper  280  to the ledge  230 . The fastener head  240  may be part of a shaft  250  that can be moved up and down within the locking mechanism  200 . When the shaft  250  is moved down the fastener head  240  may secure the zipper  280  to the ledge  230  and when the shaft  250  is moved up the zipper  280  may be removed from the locking mechanism  200 . 
   The locking portion of the locking mechanism  200  may include a lock  220 , such as a key activated lock, and may include a key slot  222  to receive a key. The lock  220  may be a multiple pin tumbler (e.g.,  7  pin) key-operated lock. The lock  220  may be located between the shaft  250  and the pin housing  210 . The lock  220  may be used to secure (lock) the shaft  250  in a down position to secure the zipper to the zipper ledge  230  and/or the teeth of the pin housing within the indents of the pin  292  to secure the handle  290  therein.  FIGS. 2A-B  do not show the interaction between the pin housing  210 , lock  220 , and shaft  250  for ease of illustration. The interaction of these components will be discussed in more detail below. 
     FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate a series of cross-sectional views of an example locking mechanism  300  (e.g.,  140 ,  200 ) in use. The locking mechanism  300  may include a casing  310  that the various components are contained within. The locking mechanism  300  may include a pin housing  320  for receiving a pin  392  that is secured to the removable end of the handle  390 . The pin housing  320  may be a cam that has teeth  322  formed on the interior walls that can be rotated and positioned by rotating the cam. The pin  392  may have indents  394  that the teeth  322  may be positioned to fit within when the pin  392  is in the pin housing rotated. When the teeth  322  are within the indents  394  the pin is secured in the housing. When the cam is rotated the other way the teeth  322  may be removed from the indents  394  so that the pin  392  can be removed from the housing  320 . An arm (barrel paddle)  350  may connect to and rotate the pin housing  320  to engage and disengage the teeth  322  in the indents  394 . A spring mechanism  324  may be included in the housing  320  or below the housing  320  and may be released when the pin housing  320  is rotated so that the teeth  322  and indents  394  are not engaged. The spring mechanism  324  may eject the pin  392  from the housing  320 . 
   The locking mechanism  300  may include a lock  330 . The lock  330  may be a key activated lock, such as a multiple pin tumbler (e.g.,  7  pin). The lock  330  may include hook  332  on one end that is used to engage another component and lock the other component in place when the lock  330  is in a locked configuration. 
   The locking mechanism  300  may include a zipper locking shaft  340  for securing the zipper. The shaft  340  may include a main shaft  342 , a thumb tab  344  extending from an upper edge of the main shaft  342  to secure the zipper, a groove  346  formed in the main shaft  342  for receiving the hook  332 , and an engagement edge  348  formed in a lower edge of the main shaft  342  to engage arm  350 . 
     FIG. 3A  illustrates the locking mechanism  300  in a configuration where the zipper and the handle could be locked if they were inserted accordingly. The pin housing  320  is rotated such that the teeth  322  and within the indents  394 . The hook  332  is engaged with the groove  346  so that the shaft  340  is locked in a down configuration where the zipper (not illustrated) could be secured under the thumb tab  344 . 
     FIG. 3B  illustrates the locking mechanism  300  in a configuration where the zipper may be released. The lock  330  was unlocked and rotated, for example in the direction R 1 , so that the hook (not illustrated as it may be protruding out of FIG.) is no longer engaged with the groove  346 . As the shaft  340  is no longer locked in place it may be moved upward, for example in the direction U 1 , so that the thumb tab  344  is lifted from the housing  310  and the zipper can be removed. In addition, the engagement edge  348  is now in communication with the arm  350  and can engage and move the arm  350 . 
     FIG. 3C  illustrates the locking mechanism  300  in a configuration where the pin  392  may be released (or ejected) from the pin housing  320 . The shaft  340  was rotated, for example in the direction R 2 , so that the engagement edge causes the arm  350  to move in a manner that causes the pin housing to rotate so that the teeth  322  and no longer engaged within the indents  394 . The shaft  340  may be rotated using the thumb tab (not illustrated as it may be protruding out of FIG.). The rotating of the shaft may also enable the spring  324  to be activated and cause the pin to be ejected. 
   For the sake of clarity,  FIGS. 3A-C  do not illustrate all details associated with the operation of the locking mechanism  300 . Furthermore, the locking mechanism  300  and the various components of the locking mechanism  300  are not limited to the illustrated embodiments. One skilled in the art would recognize that changes could be made without departing from the current scope. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of an example locking mechanism  400  (e.g.,  140 ,  200 ,  300 ). The locking mechanism  400  may include upper and lower housing  410 ,  412 . An upper edge of the upper housing  410  may include a first hole  414  for receiving a pin  416 , a second hole  418  for receiving a lock  420 , a zipper ledge  422  for receiving a zipper (not illustrated), and a hole (not illustrated) within the zipper ledge  422  for receiving a zipper locking shaft  424 . A spring  426  may be utilized on the zipper locking shaft  424 . A pin housing  430  may be located within the housings  410 ,  412  in alignment with the first hole  414 . An arm  432  may be configured to communicate with the zipper locking shaft  424  in an upward position and may be controlled thereby. The arm  432  may rotate the pin housing  430  to enable the teeth therewithin to engage or disengage the indents in the pin  416 . A spring  434  may be used to eject the pin  416 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a side views of an example locking bag  500  in a locked configuration. The locking bag  500  includes a main body  510 , a handle  520 , a zipper (only a sliding head  530  and pull tab  532  illustrated) and a locking mechanism  540  to secure (lock) the handle  520  to the main body  510  and/or lock the zipper in a closed configuration. The locking bag  500  may include a cable  550  that is included in the handle  520  as well as the main body  510 . A first end  552  of the cable  550  may be permanently secured to the locking mechanism  540  and a second end  554  may be removably connected and locked to the locking mechanism  540 . The use of the cable throughout the bag  500  provides for additional security by reinforcing the attachment of handle  520  to the main body pouch  510 . 
   According to one embodiment, the cable  550  within the main body  510  may be woven though contents  560  within the main body  510  to further secure the contents (e.g., a computer, a gun)  560  therein. The first end  552  of the cable  550  may also be removably connected and secured to the locking mechanism  540  rather then permanently connected to enable the cable to be woven through the contents  560 . 
     FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate cross-sectional views of example locking mechanisms.  FIG. 6A  illustrates a locking mechanism  600  wherein a zipper locking shaft  605  and a lock  610  are on the top of the locking mechanism  600  while a pin housing  615  is on the side. This embodiment enables the cable to be inserted from the side rather than the top.  FIG. 6B  illustrates a locking mechanism  620  wherein a zipper locking shaft  625  is located on the top of the locking mechanism  620  while a lock  630  and a pin housing  635  are on the side. This embodiment enables the cable to be inserted and the device to be locked from the side rather than the top.  FIG. 6C  illustrates a locking mechanism  640  wherein a zipper locking shaft  645  and a pin housing  650  are located on the top of the locking mechanism  620  while a lock  655  is on the side. This embodiment enables the device to be locked from the side rather than the top. The exact details regarding the interaction of the devices may vary. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a top cross sectional view of an example locking mechanism  700 . The locking mechanism  700  may include a lock  710 , a zipper locking shaft  720  and a pin housing  730 . The lock  710  may include a key slot  712  and flanges  714 ,  716  on each side thereof. The zipper locking shaft  720  may include a groove  722  formed therein. The pin housing may include an arm  732  connected thereto. A key may be inserted in the lock  710  and enable the lock  710  to move in either direction and enable the user can to unlock either the handle or the zipper depending on which way the key is turned. When the key is turned to the right (direction indicated by arrow labeled “R”) the flange  714  that was within the groove  722  may disengage from the groove  722  and enable shaft  720  to move (e.g., upwards). When the key is turned to the left (direction indicated by arrow labeled “L”) the flange  716  may engage the arm  732  causing the housing  730  to rotate and the teeth to disengage the indents and enable the handle to be removed. With this embodiment, the user can conveniently unlock the fastener head separately from the handle. If the user desires to unlock both the fastener head and the handle, this can be easily achieved by turning the key in one direction, followed by the opposite direction. For example, by turning the key right, and then left, both the fastener head and the handle are conveniently released. 
   Although the invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the invention is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
   It will be understood that the present invention may have various other embodiments. Furthermore, while the form of the invention herein shown and described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is not intended to illustrate all possible forms thereof. It will also be understood that the words used are words of description rather than limitation, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than solely by the examples given. The invention is intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.