Abstract:
An interchangeable bag and cover system is provided that comprises a body with a first connection portion. A first securing mechanism is coupled to the body. A plurality of covers are interchangeably connectable to the body. Each cover has a second connection portion releasably attachable to the first connection portion of the body, wherein the cover is moveable relative to the body between open position and closed positions. Each cover has a free end portion positionable adjacent to the body when the cover is in the close position. Each cover has a second securing mechanism configured to releasably engage the first securing mechanism to retain the cover in the closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/205,737, entitled “INTERCHANGEABLE BAG AND COVER SYSTEM,” filed Sep. 5, 2008, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/970,183, entitled “INTERCHANGEABLE BAG AND COVER SYSTEM,” filed Sep. 5, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is directed to bags and more particularly to bags with removable and interchangeable covers. 
     OVERVIEW 
     Bags, such as messenger bags, backpacks, purses, briefcases, etc., are manufactured in very diverse sizes, shapes, colors, designs, and with a variety of materials. However, conventional bags are typically produced as complete units with defined aesthetic appearances and utility features. The interchangeable bag and cover system in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention provides fellable vessels and multiple removable covers that can be mixed and matched to form a variety of interchangeable bag and cover combinations having varying appearances and utility features. 
     SUMMARY 
     An interchangeable bag and cover system in accordance with aspects of the present invention overcome problems experienced in the prior art and provide other benefits. In one embodiment, a convertible bag system is provided that comprises a body having side portions that define an interior area having an opening. The body having a cover-connection portion. A first securing mechanism is coupled to the body. A plurality of covers are interchangeably connectable to the body. Each cover has a body-connection portion releasably attachable to the cover-connection portion of the body, wherein the cover is moveable relative to the body between open position and closed positions. Each cover has a free end portion positionable adjacent to the body when the cover is in the close position. Each cover has a second securing mechanism configured to releasably engage the first securing mechanism to retain the cover in the closed position. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an interchangeable bag and cover system is provided that comprises a plurality of bodies, each body having a plurality of panels that define a closed end, an open end, and a cavity configured to contain selected items inserted therein through the opening. Each body has a first connector. A plurality of covers are provide, wherein each cover is interchangeably and releasably connectable to any of the bodies. Each cover, when connected to a selected body, is moveable relative to the selected body between open and closed positions. Each cover extends across the open end of the body when in the closed position, and the cover is positioned to expose the open end when in the open position. Each cover has a second connector releasably engageable with any of the first connectors of any of the bodies, so that any of the covers can be interchangeably used with any of the bodies. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a convertible bag and cover assembly is provided that comprises a body having a closed end, an open end, and a cavity configured to contain selected items inserted therein through the opening. The body has a first connector. A cover is releasably connected to the body. The cover, when connected to the body, is moveable relative to the body between open and closed positions. The cover is configured to extend across the open end when in the closed position and to expose the open end when in the open position. The cover has a second connector releasably engageable with the first connector of the body, so that the cover can be removed and replaced by another cover having substantially the same construction as said cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a convertible bag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the convertible bag system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a body in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the body of  FIG. 3  illustrating a back panel with cover attachment portions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a rod mounting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a cover of a convertible bag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the cover of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a attachment system illustrating a cover partially attached to a vessel. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the attachment system of  FIG. 8  illustrating a plurality of clips positively engaged on a rod. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a single clip engaged on a rod. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the convertible bag system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure describes bag systems including systems for providing carrying bags having interchangeable vessels and covers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Several specific details of aspects of the invention are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-11  to provide a thorough understanding of certain embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, and that other embodiments of the invention may be practiced without several of the specific features described below. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view and  FIG. 2  is back view of a convertible bag system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The convertible bag system  10  includes an interchangeable bag and cover assembly  12  having a body  14  that defines a vessel, and cover  16  detachably connected to the body. The convertible bag system  10  can also be provided with an integrated strap system  18  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The integrated strap system  18  can be configured to be removeably attached and/or adjusted, and can include a length adjustment mechanism  19 . Additionally, the interchangeable bag and cover assembly  12  can also include a plurality of mating-type closures  20  for securing the cover  16  in a closed position relative to the body  14  (explained in more detail below). The assembly  12  may also be provided with a carrying handle  22 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of the body  14  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The body  14  of the illustrated embodiment includes an open end  24  and a closed end  26  and a plurality of panels  28 . The closed end  26  and panels  28  create a vessel or cavity  30  which may be filled by depositing items through a mouth  31  defined by the open end  24 . In one embodiment, the closed end  26  can be a separate panel that is attached to one or more side panels  28  to form the cavity  30 . In another embodiment, the plurality of panels  28  can be integrally connected or can be stitched, glued, or otherwise secured together at lower edges  32  to form the closed end  26 . 
     As shown, the body  14  can include strap attachment sites  33  for attaching the integrated strap system  18 . The strap attachment sites  33  can be configured to securely connect to the strap system  18 . In one embodiment, the strap attachment sites  33  can include one or more strap attachment mechanisms (not shown) for releaseably attaching the strap system  18  to the body  14 . In another embodiment, the body  14  can include one or more attachment mechanisms that engage one or more portions of the strap system  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the body  14  includes first closure attachment sites  34  for integrating a first portion  20   a  of the mating-type closure  20  (e.g., the male or female portion of a buckle, a magnet, a snap, a button, a hook or loop strip, etc.). The other portion of the mating-type closure is attached to the strap system. 
     The body  14  can also be provided with one or more pockets  36  or other compartments. For example, the body  14  can have pockets  36  integrated on an exterior surface  38  and/or integrated on an interior surface  40  of the panels  28 . These pockets  36  can be provided as non-closing pockets or can include a flap or closure mechanism, such as with a zipper, buttons, corresponding hook and loop strips, elastic band, etc., for securing items. 
     In another embodiment, the cavity  30  of the body  14  may be provided with one or more main internal compartments for storing and transporting items. Internal panels (not shown) may be provided to divide the cavity  30  into a plurality of compartments for separating and/or organizing items within the cavity  30 . Padding  42  may also be provided within the cavity  30  for protecting delicate or fragile items, such as electronic equipment (e.g. laptop computer, camera, music devices, PDA devices, cell phones, etc.), or for additional comfort while transporting the convertible bag system  10  proximal to a user&#39;s body. The padding  42  can be integrated within the panels  28  and/or interior panels in some embodiments. Furthermore, the body  14  can be configured to have removable or replaceable interior panels and/or pockets, such that a user can reconfigure, add, or remove these sub-compartment features. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the size and shape of the pockets and/or panels  28  and the overall size and shape of the body  14  or portions of the body may vary according to preference for the size of the bag, the accommodating capacity, and/or configuration of the cavity  30 . 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a panel, such as a back panel  44  of the body  14  of  FIG. 3 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the body  14  can include an attachment system  45  having one or more attachment portions  46  integrated on a region, such as the upper region  48  of the back panel  44 . The attachment system  45  allows a variety of interchangeable covers  16  to be independently attached and removed from the body  14  (described in more detail below). As illustrated, the attachment portions  46  can be one or more rods  50  integrated with the back panel  44  of the body  14 . The rod  50  of the illustrated embodiment is a substantially rigid or stiff cylindrical rod. In other embodiments, the rod can be a substantially rigid or stiff bar or other non-cylindrical structure to which the cover  16  is removably attached. In one embodiment, the back panel  44  can include a plurality of access portals  52  through the exterior surface  38  of the back panel to expose the attachment portions  46 . In other embodiments, the attachment system  45  can be integrated with the body  14  in an alternate region or panel  28 . 
     In some embodiments, a single rod  50  can be integrated with the body  14 , such that the rod spans a length L 1  that encompasses the plurality of access portals  52 . In other embodiments, the attachment portions  46  may comprise a plurality of rods  50  that are independently integrated into the body  14  and exposed to the exterior surface  38  of the back panel  44  by way of the access portals  52 . In this embodiment, the rods  50  can move independently with respect to adjacent rods  50  and provide additional freedom of movement and pliability to the rod integration region (e.g. the upper region  48  of the back panel  44 ). One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the rods  50  can be made of metal, plastic, or other sturdy and durable material. Additionally, the rods  50  may have constant or variable diameters or thicknesses appropriate for the selected size and durability requirements of the bag system  10 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a rod mounting system  54  in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the back panel  44  can include supporting loops  56  and/or sleeved receiving caps  58  for receiving the ends  60  of the rod  50 . The supporting loops  56  and receiving caps  58  can be securely fixed (e.g., sewn, glued, or otherwise attached) to the body  14  on the exterior  38  or interior  40  (as shown) of the back panel  44  of the body  14 . As illustrated, supporting loops  56  and receiving caps  58  can be spaced alternately with access portals  52  to provide unobstructed attachment portions  46  from the exterior  38  of the back panel  44 . In another embodiment, the supporting loops  56  and receiving caps  58  can be attached to a panel  28  other than the back panel  44 . In other embodiments, the supporting loops  56  and receiving caps  58  can be attached with an adhesive, tape, corresponding hook and loop strips, zippers, snaps, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other mechanisms that can be used to securely mount rods  50  or otherwise integrate rods  50  with the body  14 . Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a plurality of receiving caps  58  and/or supporting loops  56  can be included to securely mount a plurality of rods  50 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view and  FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the cover  16  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cover  16  can be configured with decorative or distinctive markings  62  on an outer surface  63 . Distinctive markings  62  can include shapes and colors integrated into a design, indicia, identification information, etc. The outer surface  63  of the cover  16  can also include utility features (not shown) such as handles, pockets, straps, water bottle holders, integrated light systems, speaker systems, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  16  is in the shape of a flap and made of a flexible material that allows the cover  16  to bend and fold. The cover  16  can also be contoured to correspond to the contours of the body  14  and provide a better fit or seal for the open end  24  when engaged in a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). In another embodiment, the cover  16  can be formed of a substantially rigid or stiff material that has been molded to fit over the open end  24  of the body  14 . In another embodiment, a first portion of the cover can be substantially rigid or stiff, and another portion can be flexible. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , an inner surface  64  of the cover  16  has a positive engagement mechanism  65  for releaseably coupling the cover  16  to the body  14  to form the interchangeable bag and cover assembly  12 . As illustrated, the engagement mechanism  65  can be a plurality of clips  66  attached to the inner surface  64  and configured to positively engage the integrated rods  50  on the body  14 . Other positive engagement mechanisms  65  can include snap rings, locking rings, straps, etc. The clips  66  can be attached to the inner surface  64  with a plurality of rivets  68 . In one embodiment, three rivets  68  are used to secure each clip  66  to the cover  16  and prevent rotation or other movement of the clip  66  with respect to the cover  16 . However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more rivets  68  can be used in various configurations. Additionally, the clips  66  can be attached with snaps, screws, thread, adhesive, or other positive attachment mechanisms. 
     The cover  16  can also include second closure attachment sites  70  for integrating a corresponding half  20   b  of the mating closure  20  (e.g. the male or female portion of a buckle, a magnet, a snap, a button, a hook or loop strip, etc.) for mating with the first half  20   a  attached to the body  14 . 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of one embodiment of the attachment system  45  illustrating the cover  16  partially attached to the body  14 . The cover  16  can be removeably attached to the body  14  by positively engaging the clips  66  onto the rod  50  at the attachment portion  46 . As illustrated, the clips  66  can engage the rod  50  through access portals  52  in the exterior surface  38  of the back panel  44 . Each clip  66  can independently engage the rod  50  at the corresponding attachment portion  46  to align and attach the cover  16  to the body  14 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a fully-attached cover  16  having the plurality of clips  66  engaging the rod  50  of the corresponding body  14 .  FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a single clip  66  positively engaging the rod  50  at an attachment portion  46 . Independently engaged and separated clips  66  provide flexibility to the attachment system  45  and supports proper alignment of the cover  16  with respect to the open end  24  of the body  14 . The clips  66  can be attached and detached from the rod  50  when the cover  16  is in an open position. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the attachment system  45  can be concealed when the cover  16  overlaps the open end  24  of the body  14  in a closed position. 
     Following engagement with the rod  50 , the clips  66  can be configured to rotate around the rod  50  while maintaining secure attachment. In this embodiment, the cover  16  can be easily rotated about the rod  50  to provide access to the cavity  30  when in an open position, and rotated about the rod  50  to conform to the contours of the body  14  when in a closed position.  FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of the convertible bag system  10  of  FIG. 1  following cover  16  attachment and rotation to overlap the open end  24  of the body  14 . The plurality of mating-type closures  20  (e.g. belt buckles, squeeze lock buckles, buttons, snaps, corresponding hook and loop strips, corresponding magnets, etc.) can be engaged for securing the cover  16  in the closed position. Gussets  72  can be incorporated on the sides  74  of the cover  16  to reinforce the cover  16  while in a closed position and to prevent items from falling out of the cavity  30 . Additionally, gussets  72  can prevent moisture, debris, etc. from penetrating the interior cavity  30 . The gussets  72  may be formed from the same material as the cover  16  or from different material. In some embodiments, the gussets  72  may be elastic and allow stretching while manipulating the cover  16  from a closed position to an open position. In other embodiments, the gussets  72  can be removeably attached such that the gussets may be removed from the cover  16  when unnecessary or undesirable. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , and as described above, the integrated strap system  18  can incorporate several features, such as the length adjustment mechanism  19 , shoulder padding  76 , and releasable attachment sites (not shown). The strap system  18  can incorporate one or more straps  78  arranged to be worn on one or more shoulders or other parts of the body. For example, a single strap  78  can be provided to be worn on or over a shoulder of a user. In another embodiment, two independent straps  78  can be provided to be worn over both shoulders such that the convertible bag system  10  operates as a backpack. 
     The convertible bag system  10  can be configured for use as a messenger bag, backpack, purse, pannier, briefcase, suitcase, saddlebag, etc. Furthermore, the convertible bag system  10  can be configured to have the appearance altered by interchanging or swapping one cover  16  attached to a body  14  for a second cover  16 . Moreover, the function of the convertible bag system  10  can be alterable when the body  14  or strap system  18  is replaced or reconfigured. For example, the integrated strap system  18  can be interchangeable, such that a single messenger bag strap  78  is replaced with two attachable straps  78  configured to be worn in the style of a backpack. 
     The body  14  and the cover  16  can be formed using a variety of materials, such as leather, fabric, vinyl, mesh, canvas, hard or soft plastic, nylon, or other selected materials or combination of materials, etc. Furthermore, the material may include other beneficial features, such as being waterproof, tear proof, light reflective (e.g. for use at night), washable, breathable, clear, colorful, etc. The material used to form the body  14  can be the same or different from the material used to form the cover  16 . For example, the body  14  can be made of a sturdy, durable fabric while a multiple of different types of covers  16  can be removeably attached in an occasion-dependent manner. For example, a water proof cover can be attached when raining, a leather cover for formal occasions, a cover with multiple pockets for traveling, a hard cover for protecting fragile interior contents, etc. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.