Abstract:
The Invention, as an apparatus for carrying and storing electronic media player with headset, books, and electronic media, is designed to enable individuals to carry electronic media player, electronic media, and books, and store those items separately in the carrier to provide easy access while also controlling damage and loss.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FED SPONSORED R &amp; D  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         REFERENCE TO MICHOFICHE APPENDIX  
         [0003]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    This Invention is a carrier bag made of flexible material for use by children or adults at home, during travel, or when just on the go. It is designed to carry and store portable electronic media players, such as tape and CD players, and to carry books and electronic media such as cassette tapes and CDs. Examples of books and tapes are “read along” and “sing along” books and tapes that are sold by many companies and are used by children to read their favorite story books or sing their favorite songs while listening to the story or song recorded on tape. While the Invention can be used to carry various forms of electron media, “tapes” and “cassette player” are used generally in describing the design and function of this Invention. It is also designed to carry cassette players and other forms of electronic media and headsets so that even on planes and other places where players are not available, children, for instance, can enjoy their books and tapes, CDs and like devices. Books, Tapes and More Carry Along also accommodate activity books and supplies such as coloring books and crayons. While there are numerous bags and luggage on the market for travel and carrying of belongings, there is nothing specifically designed to carry books, tapes, cassettes or other electronic media, or that is as children friendly in terms of use and practicality.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    This Invention is a flexible carrying and storing bag for books and tapes, and cassette player with headset, and other types of electronic media. It is designed to carry each book, tape, and electronic player (with headset) in separate compartments. It is very easy for children to use and carry. While various types of fasteners can be used for this Invention, Velcro is the inventor&#39;s preferred fastener since it is very children friendly. There are three ways to carry the Invention—by handle, by shoulder strap or by back straps. The book and tape compartments can be made of transparent material (such as plastic or vinyl). All compartments can be affixed to the inside of the cover using Velcro. The design also accommodates permanent attachment of the compartments to the interior cover. However, use of Velcro to affix the internal compartments enable parents to remove the compartments and wash the cover or compartments as needed. This is very beneficial since the outside cover can be made of plastic, cloth or like materials. Use of clear plastic or a like material for the compartments enables children to identify contents of compartments by sight thus making the Invention appropriate for nonreaders as well as readers. By maintaining each book and tape in separate compartments, it is easy to have access to just one item without disturbing, damaging or possibly loosing the other item. Read Along and Sing Along books and tapes are generally sold without a protective case for the tape. The Invention&#39;s separate compartment for each tape will provide that needed protection. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 shows the front of the Invention. The exterior of the Invention (Cover) is made of either a transparent material such as plastic or is made of any other durable material such as canvas or polyester. The Invention closes across the top using Velcro as a preferred fastener although other types of fasteners can be used. The Velcro extends from one end to the other end across the top of the Invention. The pocket on the front of the Invention is made from the same material as the Cover. The flap is used to close the pocket and is closed using Velcro as the preferred fastener. The pocket serves as the compartment for the cassette player and headset. The pocket may also be used for other items such as crayons or other portable electronic media. The handles are made of soft yet sturdy material such as canvas, polyester or durable plastic. One handle is attached to each side of the Invention. There are two attachment clips—each on opposites sides and ends of the Invention to allow attachment on a shoulder strap to the Invention. The shoulder strap is adjustable in length and is made from the same material as the handles or from a like material. Detachment of the shoulder strap is not required in order to open the Invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 shows the back of the Invention. FIG. 2 shows the attachment clip for the shoulder strap and also a view of the attached handles. FIG. 2 also shows adjustable back straps that are used to carry the Invention as you would carry a backpack.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 shows a view of the interior of the Invention. The compartments are attached to the center interior of the cover. When the Invention is opened, the compartments are turned from right to left just like turning the pages in a book. The larger compartment is for books and the smaller compartment is for tapes. The tape compartment is attached to the front of each book compartment either at the top, middle or bottom of each compartment. The alternating locations of the tape compartments help avoid the “bulk” that would be created if each tape were located in the same position when the Invention is closed. The tape compartment closes along the top using Velcro as the preferred fastener. The book compartment closes along the side using Velcro as the preferred fastener.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 shows the compartments with the alternating locations of tape compartments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]    [0010]FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a carrier constructed to carry and store books, tapes and portable electronic media (CD player, tape player) headset and other like entertainment products. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the Invention will vary in size, shapes and color. As an example the finished size of the Invention can vary depending on whether the maker wants the end product to be size specific (as an example sized for tapes and not CDs). This description, however, for demonstration purposes, provides for a product suitably sized to carry a portable cassette player with headset, and childrens&#39;read and sing along books on tape. The invention, when closed, measures 15 inches wide and 12 inches high. When open, the Invention is 22 inches wide. All compartments can be affixed to the inside of the using Velcro. The design also accommodates permanent attachment of the compartments to the interior cover.  
         [0011]    The Invention as described in this Specification is constructed as follows:  
         [0012]    Outside Cover—cut material (or pliable plastic/vinyl) to measure 22 inches in width and 15 inches in length. Take one inch double side bias or other finishing like product, any color, and finish the four ends of the cut fabric by inserting the ends between the double side bias and stitching by machine (using an stitch design including zigzag). Fold the Cover 15 inch end to 15-inch end and attached sticky back Velcro self-adhesive hook along one 15-inch end and the corresponding loop fastener to the other 15-inch end. The Velcro then becomes the closing mechanism for the Invention (recognizing that zippers or snaps can also be used). Find the interior center of the Cover between the 22-inch ends. The center will run 15 inches from top to bottom. Affix to the center from 15-inch top to bottom a two-inch strip of Velcro (hook), which is used to attach compartments to the interior of the Invention. The Cover will hold 4 to 6 Compartments depending on the width of the Velcro used.  
         [0013]    Front Pouch—the front pouch to the Invention shown in Drawing  1 , is attached to the front side of the Invention by first cutting a piece of fabric 7 inches wide and 6 inches in length. All 4 sides of the Front Pouch are finished in the same manner as the Cover but using {fraction (1/4)} inch bias. The piece of fabric is then attached to the front of the Invention by making a {fraction (1/2)} inch tuck at each bottom corner of the Front Pouch and stitching the sides and bottom to the Invention to the front of the Cover. To close the Front Pouch, a {fraction (1/2)} strip of Velcro is attached to the top of the Front Pouch interior and the Cover so that the two pieces meet (hook and loop) to close the Front Pouch.  
         [0014]    The top flap over the Front Pouch is made by taking a piece of fabric cut 7 inches wide and 3 inches in length and finishing the ends as indicated for the Front Pouch. The Flap is then attached to the Cover {fraction (1/2)} above the Front Pouch suing a stitch across the top of the 7-inch piece of fabric. The Flap is optional.  
         [0015]    Compartment and Pockets—cut material [or pliable plastic/vinyl) to measure 21 inches wide and 13½ inches in length. Finish the ends of the compartment with {fraction (1/2)} inch double bias in the same method described for the Cover. Find the interior center of the Compartment between the 21-inch ends. The center will run 13{fraction (1/2 )} inches from top to bottom. Affix to the center from 13{fraction (1/2 )} top to bottom a {fraction (1/4)} inch strip of Velcro (loop), which is used to attach the Compartment to the interior of the Invention. Two pockets are affixed to the outside of the Compartment by cutting to pieces of fabric to measure 7 inches by 7 inches each. Turning the Compartment outside up (Velcro on interior) with 13{fraction (1/2 )} inch top to bottom, place one Pocket to the left of center and the other Pocket to right of center (near top, in middle or near bottom). Then stitch each pocket to the Compartment on the left, right and bottom sides, leaving the top open. To close the top of each Pocket, affix one strip of Velcro to the pocket and the corresponding strip (hook and loop) to the Compartment so that the two strips come together to close the Pocket. Handles—handles are make by taking plan rope cut 16 to 20 inches long and affixing it to the sides of the Invention as shown in Drawings  1  and  2  using a reinforced cross stitch or other durable stitching method. Straps can be made of plan rope, taking rope and incasing it within equal feet of double sided bias, are using equal lengths for bias made of fabric or pliable plastic/vinyl.  
         [0016]    Shoulder Strap—is optional and is made using the same steps as the Handles except the strap made 18 to 30 inches in length. The strap is made adjustable by adding a belting buckle to one end side of the Invention with belt holes added to the corresponding end of the strap. The other end of the strap is attached also using the buckling method to allow total removal of the shoulder strap.  
         [0017]    Back Strap—is optional and is made by attaching two straps made of like material as Cover or Straps, to the back of the Invention as shown in Drawing  2 . The Back Straps are attached using a cross or similarly durable stitch and are made adjustable using any form of adjustable buckle or fastener such as that used on belts.