Abstract:
A backpack for providing improved user access points. In particular a backpack providing for side entry into the contents. The backpack may utilize an S-shape zipper to improve access. The backpack may have multiple ways to access the inner pocket, including top access and dual side access.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Backpacks are widely used by students and other users to store books, school supplies, travel supplies, etc. However, due to various physical constraints, it may be difficult to access the inner cavity of the backpack. For example, when an existing backpack is stored in the relatively narrow dimensions of a school locker, it can be difficult to access to the top/front of the backpack. Moreover, when a existing backpack is stacked adjacent to other components (i.e. in a luggage compartment or the like) it can be difficult to access the inner cavity. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a backpack with improved side access. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the backpack of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed side view of the backpack of  FIG. 1 , with the releasable closure partially opened; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the backpack of  FIG. 1 , with the releasable closure more fully opened; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the backpack of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the backpack of  FIG. 4 , stored in the locker, with the releasable closure opened. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of another embodiment of the backpack of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the backpack of the  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an opposite side view of the backpack of the  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of another embodiment of the backpack of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the backpack of the  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an opposite side view of the backpack of the  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of another embodiment of the backpack of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the backpack of the  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an opposite side view of the backpack of the  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a back view of an embodiment of the backpack of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is a back view of an embodiment of the backpack of the present invention without straps shown. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment the backpack  10  of the present invention includes a body  12  with an inner cavity, or major storage compartment  14 , therein. The body  12  includes a back panel  16  configured to lie adjacent to the back of a wearer, a pair of opposed sides  18 , and a pair of shoulder straps  20 . Alternately, if desired, rather than using two shoulder straps  20 , a single shoulder strap  20  may be utilized to provide a backpack  10  also known as a “sling.” Each shoulder strap  20  extends from the top of the body  12 /back panel  16  to the bottom of the body  12 /back panel  16  to form a loop which can receive the wearer&#39;s arms therethrough. The backpack  10  is configured such that when it is worn by a wearer, the shoulder straps  20  are positioned over the shoulder of a wearer, the back panel  16  is positioned generally flat against the back of a wearer, and the sides  18  are positioned generally adjacent the sides of a wearer. 
     Each shoulder strap  20  can include cushioning or padding material (such as foam) thereon, and be of an adjustable length, to allow the backpack  10  to be carried on the back of the wearer in a well known manner. A carrying handle  22  may be positioned on the top of the body  12 /back panel  16  between the shoulder straps  20  to provide a means by which the backpack  10  can be carried by hand. The body  12 , shoulder straps  20  and handle  22  can all be made of a wide variety of flexible, durable sheet-like material, such as polymers (i.e. polyester, nylon), fabric, combinations of these materials, etc., in woven or various other forms. 
     A releasable fastener/closure  24  may extend around the body  12  such that when the releasable closure  24  is opened, access is thereby provided to the major storage compartment  14 . The releasable closure  24  can take any of a variety of forms, including a zipper, a slide fastener, hook-and-loop fastening material (i.e. VELCRO®), snaps, magnets or the like. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the releasable closure  24  has an end location  26  near the bottom of the body  12  (i.e. in the lower half of the body  12 ) and adjacent to the back panel  16  (i.e. within about 0-3 inches). From the end location  26 , the releasable closure  24  has a first portion  24   a  that extends generally upwardly and outwardly (i.e. upwardly away from the back panel  16 ) to the outward-most position  28 . The outward-most position  28  of the releasable closure  24  may be located in the outer half of the body  12  (i.e. in the half of the body  12  furthest away from the back panel  16 ) and/or at least about 3 inches, or at least about 4 inches, away from the back panel  16 . 
     From the position  28 , the releasable closure  24  has a second portion  24   b  that extends generally upwardly and inwardly towards the back panel  16  to an intermediate position  30  generally adjacent to the back panel  16  and/or one of the shoulder straps  20 . The releasable closure  24  has a third portion  24   c  that extends upwardly and over the top of the body  12  at a distance generally uniformly spaced from the back panel  16  to the opposite side  18  of the body  12 . The releasable closure  24  then continues on the opposite side  18  in the same pattern, or in a symmetrical or mirror image pattern, to that shown in  FIG. 1 . In this manner, the releasable closure  24  has a generally “S”-shape (or “reversed S” shape) in end view on both sides  18  of the body  12 . 
     The serpentine shape of the releasable closure  24  allows for easy side access to the major storage compartment  14 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when the releasable closure  24  is unfastened to the intermediate position  30 , a generally triangular side flap  32  is defined in the body  12 . The side flap  32  can be pulled away from the rest of the body  12  to provide the side access opening  34  shown therein. In this manner, access is provided to the major storage compartment  14  by only partially releasing/opening the releasable closure  24 . Moreover, the “S”-shape of the releasable closure  24  provides the side flap  32  which can be pivoted/folded away from the body  12  to define a definite opening  34 . This can be contrasted with a simple “slit” opening provided by a linear releasable closure which does not provide the side flap or associated access and visibility. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when full access is desired to the major storage compartment  14 , the releasable closure  24  can be completely opened, thereby allowing access to the major storage  14  compartment via of the top of the body  12 /backpack  10 . Thus, the releasable closure  24  provides the option of side access to the major storage compartment  14  on either side  18  of the body  12 /backpack  10 , and also provides the option of full/top-access to the major storage compartment  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , various additional releasable fasteners/closures  36 ,  38  may extend across the front face of the body  12 /backpack  10 . In one embodiment, each releasable closure  36 ,  38  may provide access to the major storage compartment  14 . Alternately, each releasable closure  36 ,  38  may provide access to an auxiliary storage compartment that is positioned adjacent to the major storage compartment  14 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this case, the backpack  10 ′ includes a front panel  50 , back panel  52 , opposed side panels  54 , and bottom panel  56 . A releasable closure  58  is positioned on each side panel  54 . Each releasable closure  58  extends around generally the entire perimeter of the associated side panel  54  in a generally closed loop to define a side flap  60 . In particular, the releasable fastener  58  may have an inner end position  62 , and have a first portion  58   a  extending generally upwardly to an upper-most position  64 . The releasable closure  58  has a second portion  58   b  extending generally downwardly and outwardly from the upper-most position  64  to an outer end position  66  that is spaced outwardly from the inner end position  62 . 
     When the releasable closure  58  is fully opened/released, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the side flap  60  is freed and generally pivotable/moveable away from the body  12  to provide a side access opening  70  for access to the major storage compartment  14 . The side flap  60  defined by the releasable closure  58  may comprise a significant percentage (i.e. in one case, at least about 60 percent, and in another case, at least 80 percent) of the associated side panel  54  to provide ease of access when opened. 
     The releasable closure  58  on the side panel  54  may form a substantially, but not entirely, closed loop to prevent the side flap  60  from being completely separated from the backpack  10 ′. Although only a single side flap  60  is visible in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it should be understood that both side panels  54  may include a side flap  54  so that side access to the major storage compartment  14  can be provided regardless of the orientation of the body  12 /backpack  10 ′. If desired, a top access releasable closure (not shown) may be provided in the front panel  50  of the backpack  10 ′ (i.e. immediately forward of the handle  22 ) to provide top/front access to the major storage compartment  14 . 
     The releasable closure  24  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  has first  24   a  and second  24   b  portions that form an angle therebetween of about 80 degrees, or less than about 100 degrees. Similarly, various portions of the releasable  58 , or tangents thereof, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5  may form an angle of less than about 100 degrees to form a relatively well-defined side flap  66 . Each side flap  32 / 60  may be foldable or pivotable about a root or base that is defined by end points of the releasable closure  24 / 58 , or by sufficient changes in direction of the releasable closure  24 / 58  (see base b in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Each base b may be relatively small to provide ease of pivoting/folding. For example, each base b may have a length that is less than about ½ or about ¾ the height of the side  18 / 54  of the backpack  10 / 10 ′, or have a length that is no more than about four times as long as the height h of the side flap  32 / 60  (measured perpendicular to the base). 
     The attached sheets A-E further illustrate various details of certain embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the various materials, dimensions, and features shown therein are illustrative examples, and the materials, dimensions, and feature can vary from those shown in sheets A-E without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the various embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.