Abstract:
A lightweight, portable book strap device is provided which allows students to conveniently transport their school books and other materials in a manner which allows the contents carried by the device to be readily visible. The device is adapted to be carried over the shoulder(s) and/or back of a user, or may be carried by its handle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/070,990 filed on Mar. 27, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to articles, such as backpacks, which enable the carrying of books, and more particularly to a book strap for carrying books in an unconcealed manner. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In light of the substantial increase in school violence across the country, school boards, county commissions and state legislatures across the United States have proposed and enacted a broad series of measures intended to attack the youth violence problem at the margins. In an effort to eliminate weapons, tighter security measures have been developed. Some schools have hired security officers to patrol the halls, while other schools have resorted to using metal detectors at each of its entrances to prevent students from carrying weapons into the building. Another precaution instituted has been the prohibition of backpacks on school grounds. In each case, the proponents acknowledge that their actions are not cure-alls and that a more enduring solution will require sweeping reassessments of today&#39;s youth culture and its countless corrupting influences. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, a need has arisen for a device which allows students to conveniently transport their school books and other materials in a manner which allows the contents carried by the device to be readily visible. The development of the book strap fulfills this need. 
         [0007]    A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
         [0008]    The following patents disclose various carrying devices for carrying books and other objects: 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,287, issued in the name of Foley; 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,282, issued in the name of Bale; 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. D460,620 S, issued in the name of Smithey; 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. D519,730 S, issued in the name of de Guillebon; 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,692, issued in the name of Treese; 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,095 B2, issued in the name of Johnson; 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. D390,704, issued in the name of Bloch; 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. D460,623 S, issued in the name of Vatter, 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. D524,543 S, issued in the name of Toleret al.; and 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,564 B1, issued in the name of Zupan. 
         [0019]    Consequently, a need has been felt for a book strap device for carrying books in an unconcealed manner. This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe a lightweight, portable book strap for carrying books in an unconcealed manner, the device providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the products, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any product, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, portable book strap for carrying books in an unconcealed manner. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a book strap having a main body portion constructed of a substantially porous, flexible material. 
         [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a reinforcement skirt attached to the main body portion along the entire perimeter thereof. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a pocket attached to the main body portion, thereby providing a compartment for holding writing instruments and other small objects. 
         [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a pair of binder straps being releasably attachable to the main body portion. 
         [0025]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a pair of shoulder straps. 
         [0026]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary shoulder strap. 
         [0027]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a handle fixedly attached to the base. 
         [0028]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a vertical strap located at the lower end edge of the reinforcement skirt of base being releasably attachable to the upper end edge of the reinforcement skirt of base via a buckle. 
         [0029]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an additional pocket for holding a water-proof, lightweight flexible cover to shield the book strap from rain and other elements. 
         [0030]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a telescopic pull handle and wheels assembly. 
         [0031]    Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a book strap is disclosed. The book strap comprises a base defined of an elongated, generally rectangular configuration being sized so as to support a plurality of books, yet readily carried over the shoulder(s) and/or back of a user. The base includes a main body portion constructed of a substantially porous, flexible material. 
         [0032]    A reinforcement skirt is attached to the main body portion along the entire perimeter thereof using a suitable attachment method. 
         [0033]    A pocket is provided along a short lower end edge atop the front side of the main body portion. The pocket is constructed of a substantially porous, flexible material. The pocket is adapted for holding writing instruments and other small objects. 
         [0034]    A pair of binder straps are provided, wherein each is defined of an elongated, generally rectangular configuration. The first binder strap and the second binder strap each comprise a main body portion having a reinforcement skirt attached along the entire perimeter thereof. The main body portion is constructed of a substantially porous, flexible material. The first binder strap includes a first separable fastener means and a second separable fastener means. The second binder strap includes a first separable fastener means and a second separable fastener means. The front side of the main body portion of the base is provided with at least one fastening means for releasably attaching the first and second binder strap to the main body portion. The design and configuration of the at least one fastening means allows for selective lateral adjustment of the first and second binder strap. 
         [0035]    A pair of shoulder straps is provided, each shoulder strap comprising an adjustment mechanism in order to allow the tightening and loosening of each shoulder strap. 
         [0036]    An auxiliary shoulder strap is provided, the auxiliary shoulder strap is removably securable along the upper end edge corners of reinforcement skirt of base. 
         [0037]    A handle is provided, wherein handle is fixedly attached to the upper end edge of reinforcement skirt of base between the auxiliary shoulder strap. 
         [0038]    A vertical strap is disclosed, wherein vertical strap has one end attached to the lower end edge of reinforcement skirt of base. The vertical strap is releasably attachable to the upper end edge of reinforcement skirt of base via a buckle. The buckle includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the vertical strap. 
         [0039]    The book strap may also be provided with an additional pocket for holding a water-proof, lightweight flexible cover to shield the book strap from rain and other elements. 
         [0040]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a telescopic pull handle and wheels assembly is provided. 
         [0041]    The use of the present invention allows books and other articles to be carried unconcealed in a quick, easy, and efficient manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0042]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a book strap, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the book strap shown in an open position, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the book strap shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the book strap from front and right end illustrating the shoulder straps thereof, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the book strap from rear and left end, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the book strap, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  is a partial right side elevational view of the book strap, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the book strap from front and right end illustrating the telescopic pull handle and wheels assembly thereof, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 9  is a partial right side elevational view of the book strap of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0052]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of the telescopic pull handle and wheel assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Detailed Description of the Figures 
       [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , a book strap is shown, according to the present invention, generally referred to by the reference number  10 . The book strap  10  comprises a base  20  of an elongated, generally rectangular configuration being sized so as to support a plurality of books B, yet readily carried over the shoulder(s) and/or back of a user. The base  20  comprises a main body portion  22  which includes a short upper end edge  24  opposing a short lower end edge  25 , and a long first side edge  26  opposing a long second side edge  27 . The main body portion  22  further includes a front side  28  and a bottom side  29 . The main body portion  22  is constructed of a substantially porous, flexible material, such as mesh fabric or mesh plastic. The substantially porous, flexible material utilized to construct the main body portion  22  is critical to the present invention. During use of the device of the present invention, books B and other articles held thereby must be visible. 
         [0054]    A reinforcement skirt  30  is attached to the main body portion  22  along the entire perimeter thereof using a suitable attachment method, such as stitching, heat sealing, and the like. Thus, the reinforcement skirt  30  is attached to and extends along the short upper end edge  24  and short lower end edge  25 , and the long first side edge  26  and the long second side edge  27 . The reinforcement skirt  30  is envisioned to be constructed of a flexible, textile or plastic material. 
         [0055]    A pocket  40  or compartment is provided along the short lower end edge  25  atop the front side  28  of the main body portion  22 . The pocket  40  is constructed of a substantially porous, flexible material being similar or identical to the material selected for constructing the main body portion  22 . The pocket  40  is adapted for holding writing instruments and other small objects. 
         [0056]    A pair of binder straps  51 ,  52  are disclosed, each defined of an elongated, generally rectangular configuration. The pair of binder straps  51 ,  52  are releasably attachable to the main body portion  22 . The first binder strap  51  and the second binder strap  52  each comprise a main body section  53  which includes a short upper end edge  54  opposing a short lower end edge  55 , and a long first side edge  56  opposing a long second side edge  57 . The main body section  53  further includes a front side  58  and a bottom side  59 . The main body section  53  is constructed of a substantially porous, flexible material, such as mesh fabric or mesh plastic. The main body section  53  is constructed of the same material selected for constructing main body portion  22  of base  20 , as books B and other articles supported thereby must be visible. 
         [0057]    A reinforcement apron  70  is attached to the main body section  53  along the entire perimeter of each binder strap  51 ,  52  using a suitable attachment method, such as stitching, heat sealing, and the like. Thus, the reinforcement apron  70  is attached to and extends along the short upper end edge  54  and short lower end edge  55 , and the long first side edge  56  and the long second side edge  57 . The reinforcement apron  70  is envisioned to be constructed of a flexible, textile or plastic material. 
         [0058]    The first binder strap  51  includes a first separable fastener means  60  and a second separable fastener means  62 . The first separable fastener means  60  is provided on reinforcement apron  70  along the bottom side  59  of main body section  53  of first binder strap  51  proximal to the short upper end edge  54  thereof. The second separable fastener means  62  is provided on reinforcement apron  70  along the front side  58  of main body section  53  of first binder strap  51  proximal to the short lower end edge  55  thereof. 
         [0059]    The second binder strap  52  includes a first separable fastener means  64  and a second separable fastener means  66 . The first separable fastener means  64  is provided on reinforcement apron  70  along the bottom side  59  of main body section  53  of second binder strap  52  proximal to the short upper end edge  54  thereof. The second separable fastener means  66  is provided on reinforcement apron  70  along the front side  58  of main body section  53  of second binder strap  52  proximal to the short lower end edge  55  thereof. The separable fastener means may be any of the typical hook and loop fasteners (e.g. “Velcro®”; see U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,717,437 and 3,009,235), snap fasteners, or an easily releasable adhesive. In the case of fasteners such as hook and loop type or the snap type, it is necessary that separable fastener means  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  be mating. In the case of an easily releasable adhesive, it is necessary that one of the surfaces be affixed with the adhesive and the other surface needs only to be capable of being releasably adhered to the adhesive. 
         [0060]    The front side  28  of the main body portion  22  of the base  20  is provided with at least one fastening means for releasably attaching the first and second binder strap  51  and  52  to the main body portion  22  proximal the short upper end edge  24  thereof. In general, two such fastening means  80  are preferred. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the fastening means  80  is positioned horizontally in a parallel orientation atop the front side  28  of the main body portion  22 , proximal the short upper end edge  24  thereof, and perpendicular with respect to the long first side edge  26  and long second side edge  27  of main body portion  22 . The fastening means  80  include the necessary mating components for mating with separable fastener means  60  and  64 . The first separable fastener means  60  of first binder strap  51  is adapted to mate with fastener means  80 , thereby releasably attaching first binder strap  51  to the main body portion  22  of base  20  proximal the short upper end edge  54  of the main body section  53  of first binder strap  51 . The first separable fastener means  64  of second binder strap  52  is adapted to mate with fastener means  80 , thereby releasably attaching second binder strap  52  to the main body portion  22  of base  20  proximal the short upper end edge  54  of the main body section  53  of second binder strap  52 . The design and configuration of fastening means  80  allows for selective lateral adjustment of first and second binder strap  51  and  52 . 
         [0061]    The bottom side  29  of the main body portion  22  of the base  20  is provided with at least two fastening means  82 ,  84  for releasably attaching the second and first binder strap  52  and  51 , respectively, to the main body portion  22  proximal the short lower end edge  25  thereof. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fastening means  82 ,  84  are positioned vertically in a parallel orientation atop the bottom side  29  of the main body portion  22 , proximal the short lower end edge  25  thereof, and parallel with respect to the long second side edge  27  and long first side edge  26  of main body portion  22 . The fastening means  82 ,  84  include the necessary mating components for mating with separable fastener means  62  and  66 . The second separable fastener means  66  of second binder strap  52  is adapted to mate with fastener means  82 , thereby releasably attaching second binder strap  52  to the main body portion  22  of base  20  proximal the short lower end edge  55  of the main body section  53  of second binder strap  52 . The second separable fastener means  62  of first binder strap  51  is adapted to mate with fastener means  84 , thereby releasably attaching first binder strap  51  to the main body portion  22  of base  20  proximal the short lower end edge  55  of the main body section  53  of first binder strap  51 . The design and configuration of fastening means  82 ,  84  allows for selective longitudinal adjustment of first and second binder strap  51  and  52  about the main body portion  22 . 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , and more particularly to  FIG. 4 , a pair of shoulder straps is disclosed, comprising a first and second shoulder strap  90 ,  92 , wherein first shoulder strap  90  has an upper end suitably attached adjacent a left upper edge of reinforcement skirt  30  and a lower end suitably attached adjacent a first longitudinal side edge of reinforcement skirt  30  below fastener means  80 . The first shoulder strap  90  is incorporated with an adjustment mechanism  94  in order to allow the tightening and loosening of strap  90 . The adjustment mechanism  94  is envisioned to be a clasp, such as the buckle  95  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0063]    The second shoulder strap  92  has an upper end suitably attached adjacent a right upper edge of reinforcement skirt  30  and a lower end suitably attached adjacent a second longitudinal side edge of reinforcement skirt  30  below fastener means  80 . The second shoulder strap  92  is incorporated with an adjustment mechanism  94  in order to allow the tightening and loosening of strap  92 . The adjustment mechanism  94  is envisioned to be a clasp, such as the buckle  96  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a pair of loops  100  is provided along the upper end edge corners of reinforcement skirt  30 . 
         [0065]    An auxiliary shoulder strap  110  is disclosed, wherein the outermost ends thereof include fasteners which may include a clip  112  removably securable to hooks  102  secured to the loops  100 . 
         [0066]    A handle  120  is provided, wherein handle  120  is fixedly attached to the upper end edge of reinforcement skirt  30  between loops  100 . 
         [0067]    Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 3 , and  5 - 7 , a vertical strap  130  is attached to the lower end edge of reinforcement skirt  30 . The vertical strap  130  includes a buckle  134  comprising a female mating end  136  for releasable attachment to a male mating end  138  fixedly attached to the upper end edge of reinforcement skirt  30  between handle  120 . The buckle  134  includes an adjustment mechanism  135  for adjusting the length of vertical strap  130 . 
         [0068]    In reference to  FIGS. 8-10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a telescopic pull handle and wheels assembly  140  is provided comprising a base support  142  having wheels  144   a  and  144   b  rotatably mounted thereto is provided. The base support  142  is suitably attached perpendicularly to the front side  28  of the main body portion  22 , about a mid-length theredown. The base support  142  includes a reinforcement plate  146  molded integral thereto and extending vertically therefrom. The reinforcement plate  146  extends vertically from an elongated centerline of base support  142  and terminates proximate the reinforcement skirt  30  along the short upper end edge  24  of main body portion  22 . The reinforcement plate  146  is suitably attached to the front side  28  of the main body portion  22 . 
         [0069]    The telescopic pull handle and wheels assembly  140  further comprises an outer tubular section  150  suitably mounted to or molded integral to reinforcement plate  146  in a parallel-aligned manner, the outer tubular section  150  having a lower end suitably mounted to or formed integral to base support  142 . The outer tubular section  150  is adapted to telescopically receive a first inner tubular section  152 . The outer tubular section  150  includes a first hole  151  a defined through an anterior end thereof and a second hole  151  b defined through the posterior end thereof. The outer tubular section  150  includes a lip  151  converging circumferentially therearound, proximate an upper end thereof. The first inner tubular section  152  includes a pull handle  154  mounted atop an upper end thereof. A second inner tubular section  156  is slidably received within the first inner tubular section  152 . A release button  157  rests atop second inner tubular section  156 , the release button  157  protrudes from the pull handle  154 . A lower end of second inner tubular section  156  rests atop a spring clip  160 , the spring clip  160  is adapted to exert tension against second inner tubular section  156  which in turn pushes against the release button  157 . The spring clip  160  is affixed to an inner sidewall of first inner tubular section  152 . Spring clip  160  includes a portion  162  that protrudes through a hole  153  in first inner tubular section  152  and protrudes through the second hole  151   b  of outer tubular section  150 , thereby locking the first inner tubular section  152 , and in turn the pull handle  154 , in a lowered, resting position. In order to adjust the pull handle  154  to an extended position, the release button  157  is depressed, thereby causing the portion  162  of spring clip  160  which protrudes through the second hole  151   b  of outer tubular section  150  to be retracted. As pull handle  154  is pulled upward, release button  157  is released, and first inner tubular section  152  is telescopically pulled upward, until portion  162  of spring clip  160  protrudes through first hole  151   a  of outer tubular section  150 , thereby locking the first inner tubular section  152 , and in turn the pull handle  154 , in an extended position, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The pull handle  154  can be returned to a lowered, resting position by depressing release button  157 , pushing pull handle  154  downward and then releasing release button  157  until portion  162  of spring clip  160  protrudes through the second hole  151   b  of outer tubular section  150 . 
         [0070]    In order to prevent first inner tubular section  152  from being pulled past the lip  151  of outer tubular section  150 , first inner tubular section  152  includes a bulbous portion  152   a  formed along a lower end thereof. 
         [0071]    The book strap  10  may include a pair of feet  170  suitably attached along opposing sides of the reinforcement skirt  30  atop the front side  28  of the main body portion  22 , distal to base support  142 , so as to provide protection to the main body portion  22  while book strap  10  sits in an upright position as shown in  FIG. 9 . While this embodiment of the present invention discloses a pair of feet  170 , only one foot  170   a  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0072]    The book strap  10  may also be provided with a pocket  180  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) for holding a water-proof, lightweight flexible cover C to shield the book strap  10  from rain and other elements. The flexible cover is envisioned to be constructed of a plastic material easily foldable to a compact size so as to fit inside pocket  180  and be easily removed therefrom. The pocket  180  is suitably attached proximally atop the reinforcement skirt  30  along the short upper end edge  24  of the front side  28  of the main body portion  22 . Pocket  180  is preferably constructed of a transparent or a substantially porous, flexible material, such as mesh fabric or mesh plastic. 
         [0073]    The use of the present invention allows books and other articles to be carried unconcealed in a quick, easy, and efficient manner. 
         [0074]    It is envisioned that the various embodiments, as separately disclosed, are interchangeable in various aspects, so that elements of one embodiment may be incorporated into one or more of the other embodiments, and that specific positioning of individual elements may necessitate other arrangements not specifically disclosed to accommodate performance requirements or spatial considerations. 
         [0075]    It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims. 
         [0076]    Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions. 
         [0077]    Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. It is intended that the application is defined by the claims appended hereto. 
         [0078]    Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.