Abstract:
The present invention is a beach equipment carrying apparatus which is used to carry various items needed and used when visiting a beach or similar location. The apparatus includes a frame member, which can be adjustable in height, on which a plurality of components and compartments can be connected. The present invention further includes a hanger or hangers which are mounted to the frame member and on which beach going materials can be hung, including beach chairs. The present invention can also include a number of straps connected to the frame member to be used as shoulder straps, support straps or straps to hold down items secured to the apparatus.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/356,159 filed Feb. 14, 2002; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an apparatus designed to provide a single carrying unit for the transport of multiple items and materials to and from the beach or other similar or related recreational area. The present invention is designed to provide a comfortable, yet multi-purpose apparatus that accommodates a large number of items unusually associated with beach activities.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art  
           [0005]    In most cases, a family outing to the beach is a bothersome and oftentimes trying expedition generating frustration, exertion and torment. The numbers of items necessary to satisfy the needs and wants of a family outing usually requires multiple sets of hands, sturdy backs and patience. All too often the necessary supplies require multiple trips to and from the beach house or transporting vehicle and the involvement of more than a single person carrying supplies.  
           [0006]    The typical backpack type of carrying unit is too big and cumbersome to be useful or too small to accommodate the needed articles for a full day&#39;s outing. Most do not use a rigid frame to provide support and stability. Others are simply canvas bags into which items, including chairs are inserted and use shoulder harnesses to carry the bag. Still others are actually converted beach chairs with pockets attached to carry a small number of items. The present invention is designed to overcome the shortfalls of these other types of units, while providing the necessary variations in construction and utility to satisfy most often required needs for a single days outing.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to solving the above problems and contains an external framed beach equipment carrying apparatus for carrying foldable beach chairs and other accessories. Along the frame, at various points, are mounting screws, rivets, bolts, velcro, etc. (or equivalent fastening methods) that are used to attach numerous utility straps, belts and shoulder harnesses. The purpose of the frame is to provide support and comfort to the user while acting as a mounting mechanism for the various attachments.  
           [0008]    The frame is comprised of an external aluminum (or other suitable material) tube frame with angled supports or hangers at the top of the frame to attach and carry various items, for example, foldable chairs. The frame can be rectangular in shape and contain horizontal support bars for frame rigidity and for mounting additional backpack materials. The hanger(s) can be fixed to the frame by any commonly known or used method, such as rivets, screws, bolts, etc., and can also be hinged and/or collapsible (flush against pack) when not in use. The hanger(s) can be made from any commonly known or available rigid material such as aluminum and can be made as separate flat bars extending from each side of the vertical support, or can be a single “U” shaped member extending from one vertical support to the other. Vertical and horizontal straps, which are attached to the frame by any commonly known or used method such as bolts, rivets, screws or sewn loops, etc., are used to further secure the chairs or other items. The vertical and horizontal straps can also be detachable and fitted with quick release buckles.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The advantages, nature and various additional features of the invention will appear more fully upon consideration of the illustrative embodiment of the invention which is schematically set forth in the drawing, in which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical representation of the back of the beach equipment carrying apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical representation of the front of the beach equipment carrying apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical representation of a side of the beach equipment carrying apparatus of the present invention; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical representation of the side of the beach equipment carrying apparatus of the present invention, shown with the upper bag in an upper position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    The present invention will be explained in further detail by making reference to the accompanying drawings, which do not limit the scope of the invention in any way.  
         [0015]    Turning now to FIGS.  1 - 4 , the present invention is an external framed beach equipment carrying apparatus  100  for carrying foldable beach chairs and other accessories. Along the frame  10 , at various points, are mounting screws  11  and/or rivets that are used to attach various/numerous utility straps, belts and shoulder harnesses. Although screws  11  and rivets are shown being used in the Figures, it is noted that any other known or commonly used means or methods can be used, including Velcro, spot welding, bolts, etc.  
         [0016]    The purpose of the frame  10  is to provide support and comfort to the user while acting as a mounting mechanism for the various attachments. The frame  10  is comprised of an external aluminum (or other suitable material) tube frame with angled supports or hangers  12  at, or near, the top of the frame  10  to attach and carry various items, for example, foldable chairs. The frame  10  is rectangular in shape and contains horizontal support bars  22  for frame rigidity and for mounting additional backpack materials. The support bars can be secured to the vertical portions of the frame  10  by any suitable means, such as: welding, spot welding, and/or fasteners  11 . It is also noted that the shape and size of the frame can be changed or altered to optimize its particular use. It is further noted that although the frame  10  is shown as being a single unit in FIGS. 1 through 4, the frame  10  can also be made in more than one sections, allowing the frame  10  to be made adjustable. For example, it is contemplated that one portion of the frame  10  can be made insertable into the other portion, and have a means to adjust and secure the height of the frame  10  pieces. The adjustment mechanism can include springs, bolts, quick-lease pins, or any other known or commonly used devices.  
         [0017]    The hanger(s)  12  can be fixed to the frame by any commonly known or used method, such as rivets, screws, bolts, etc., and can also be hinged  31  and collapsible, so as to be flush against pack  100  when not in use. The hanger(s)  12  can be made from any commonly known or available rigid material such as aluminum and can be made as separate flat bars extending from each side of the vertical support, or can be a single “U” shaped member extending from one vertical support  10  to the other, as shown in the Figures. It is noted that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hanger  12  is made “U”-shaped as shown in the drawings, and the projecting portions of the “U”-shape are secured the vertical portions of the frame  10 , as shown in the Figures. This configuration provides a more stable configuration for the hanger  12 . It is also noted that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable that the hanger(s)  12  be angled upward with respect to a plane normal to the frame  10 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3- 4 . This angling of the hanger(s)  12  ensures that a beach chair (or similar item) placed on the hanger(s)  12  does not slide off during use. Further, in a configuration where the hanger(s)  12  are made hinged, it is desirable that a locking mechanism be used to lock the hanger(s)  12  in both the upper and lowered position. The locking mechanism can be by any suitable means, such as quick-release pins, springs, mechanical locks, etc. It is further contemplated that the hanger(s)  12  can be made to be positionable (and locked) in more than the upper and lower position, such that the hanger(s)  12  can be locked in a plurality of angled positions with respect to the frame. This would provide the maximum flexibility to the user of the apparatus.  
         [0018]    Vertical and horizontal straps  16  and  17  are used to further secure the chairs or other items to the apparatus. The vertical and horizontal straps,  16  and  17 , are secured to the frame with fasteners  11 , which can include screws, rivets, bolts and equivalents thereto, but can also be made detachable, and be fitted with quick release buckles  18 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable that the straps  16  and  17  be positioned such that they will be outside of all of the compartments and items secured to the apparatus  100  so as to provide maximum security for any items placed on the apparatus. It is noted that alternatives to the quick release buckles  18  can include Velcro, and any other commonly used releasable means.  
         [0019]    It is further noted that in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the positioning of the hanger(s)  12  is such that when beach chairs, or the like, are secured on the hanger(s)  12 , the combination of the chairs and the bottom portion of the frame  10  create a stable base for the device  100 , such that when the loaded device  100  is placed on the ground it stands upright without requiring additional support. Essentially, the combination of the beach chair frames (not shown) and the frame  10  create a stable platform on which the device  100  can remain upright when placed on the ground. This allows easy access to all of the compartments as well as allowing a user to easily pick up the device.  
         [0020]    The present invention also includes an upper mesh zippered bag  19 , which is secured to the upper horizontal frame tubing via sewn loops  20 , which may be detachable. The loops  20  can also be made detachable by using Velcro, snaps or other known materials and means. The bag  19  is positioned such that in its normal position it is located between the projection portions of the hanger(s)  12 , as shown in FIGS.  1 - 3 . Having the bag  19  secured to the top of the frame  10  allows the upper bag  19  to swing out and away so the chairs can be hung from the hanger(s)  12 . The upper bag  19  helps to simplify the loading of at least one foldable chair, as shown in FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 4, the bag  19  flips over the pack allowing access to the hangers  12 . This allows at least one chair to be placed on the hanger(s)  12  and then the bag  19  is flipped over (i.e. to its normal position) for loading of various items within the bag  19 . As shown in the Figures, the upper bag  19  has a zippered closure  34 , however, it is contemplated that the enclosure  34  can be made sealable by any commonly known methods including, for example, snaps, buckles, and Velcro. Once the upper bag  19  is loaded, it fits into the cavity formed by the hanging chairs and the back of the frame  10 . This feature helps secure the chairs to the frame  10  and makes the loaded pack more compact. It also provides a convenient place to load beach blankets, towels or other items. A “wave board” or “boogie board” can also be added to the items to be carried by using the horizontal  16  and  17  securing straps.  
         [0021]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a multi-compartment zippered bag  21  that can be secured at a horizontal frame member with sewn loops  33  or other securing devices like bolts, rivets, screws, Velcro, snaps or buckles. The upper part of the multi-compartment bag  21  is partially mesh with a zipper  27 . The lower portion of this bag is a solid pack material with a zippered front  26  made to accommodate a modest sized insulated cooler, plus other materials and supplies. In addition, separate pockets or pouches  29  can be attached to the sides of the multi-compartment bag  21  to carry smaller items. The multi-compartment bag  21  is further secured with readily detachable straps  32  which attach to the vertical members or portions of the frame  10  with fasteners  11 , or any other known fastening means or methods. This allows for adjustment dependent on the materials carried in the pack compartments. The bag  21  is further designed so as to conveniently fit in a cavity formed by the frame  10  and the frames of the chairs hung on the hanger(s)  12 , to ensure that the bag  21  does not interfere with the back of the individual carrying the apparatus  100 .  
         [0022]    The beach equipment carrying apparatus  100  also has a pair of padded shoulder straps  14 . The upper end of each strap  14  is attached to a horizontal member  22  of the external frame  10 , by fasteners  11  or any other known means, and the lower end of each strap  14  can be attached to the lower portion of the vertical frame  10  members in the same or similar fashion. In the preferred embodiment the shoulder straps  14  are made adjustable so as to allow the user to adjust the straps  14  for the most comfortable feel. It is also noted that the lower ends of the straps can be secured to the bottom horizontal portion of the frame  10 . The shoulder strap assembly also comes with an adjustable sternum strap  23  which is equipped with a snap on/off clip  28  (side release buckles or equivalents thereof).  
         [0023]    At the bottom of the apparatus  100  is an adjustable hip/waist belt  15 . Each half of the belt  15  has snap on/off clips  28  to allow ease of release. Each half of the belt  15  is attached at the base of the frame  10  vertical portions. The apparatus can come with either a padded or unpadded hip/waist belt  15 .  
         [0024]    It is further contemplated that the lower sections of the apparatus have side pouches  29  and key loops  30  for storing and attaching assorted beach accessories. There is also a webbed cushion  24  located at mid-pack and at the bottom of the frame  10  to protect the persons back from the pack load. There is also at least one pair of umbrella straps  25  on either side of the pack vertical members to secure beach umbrellas or other items.  
         [0025]    It is further noted that each of pockets or storage compartments of the present invention can be made of any commonly know or used material, including but not limited to nylon, polyester, mesh fabric, etc., and that these compartments can be manufactured by any commonly known methods including sewing, staples, adhesion, etc.  
         [0026]    The unique dimensions and design of this apparatus allows the apparatus to be free standing once loaded with the accessories and chairs. The frame may also be made adjustable to accommodate users of various heights.  
         [0027]    It is of course understood that departures can be made from the preferred embodiments of the invention by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention that is limited only by the following claims.