Abstract:
A unique strap carrier tote carries a rolled yoga mat, collapsed hula hoop, towel, prayer rug, poster/drawing case, or other piece of equipment in a backpack style on the user&#39;s back. Two adjustable straps encircle the piece of equipment—typically proximate opposing ends of the rolled mat or opposing sectional sides of the collapsed hoop—and two adjustable shoulder straps extend therefrom. The user can sling the piece of equipment across her back so that her hands will be free, and the equipment will be securely and easily carried during walking, running, climbing, biking, etc.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/930,793, entitled “Yoga Tote,” filed on May 17, 2007 with inventor Susan Chace of Seattle, Wash., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains generally to exercise accessories and more particularly to a backpack style strap carrier tote for exercise equipment such as rolled yoga mats and collapsed hula hoops. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE FIELD 
       [0003]    Today, more and more people are practicing yoga, hooping, and outdoor praying as a lifestyle choice and a form of exercise and/or communing with nature. Because these activities are often practiced away from home, it is necessary for a user to have a way of carrying her equipment (mat, hoop, towel, etc.) from place to place. There are currently several totes on the market for carrying yoga mats. Most of them are configured so that the user can sling the mat over her shoulder like a purse, and a few of them are configured so that the user can wear them across her back with the strap diagonally across her chest. Both of these styles are limited in the security they offer, and restrict the user&#39;s movement. 
         [0004]    For instance, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0043135 to Lindsey discloses an exercise bag that can hold a rolled up yoga mat on the user&#39;s back in a backpack style. However, Lindsey&#39;s device comprises cross-over straps and also includes a large bag for clothing and other equipment as well as the yoga mat. U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,322 B2 to Alane discloses a rolled up yoga mat with two integral encircling straps on the ends. However, Alane&#39;s device has only one carrying strap, and it is a hand strap, not a shoulder strap. Therefore, Alane&#39;s device must be carried in the user&#39;s hand, not on her back, and the user&#39;s hands will not be free—limiting the use of the device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,196 B1 to Coler discloses a sling-style backpack unit for a rolled yoga mat. However, Coler&#39;s device includes only one shoulder strap and so is not intended to be worn in a backpack-style. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a strap carrier tote that is in a backpack style that allows the user to sling a piece of exercise or other equipment—such as a yoga mat, collapsible hula hoop, blanket, towel, prayer mat, or other—on her back with two shoulder straps securing the item thereon. The user is then free to use her hands, and she can then easily carry her strap carrier tote from one place to another while running, walking, climbing, biking, etc. 
         [0006]    One embodiment of the invention comprises a strap spine (intended to generally parallel a portion of the user&#39;s spine while carried) having a first, top end and a second, bottom end. Each end has an intersection where the shoulder straps attach to the strap spine in a “V” pattern. Each intersection also includes equipment straps designed to hold the piece of exercise equipment. Such equipment straps can be specifically designed for an elongated item (such as a rolled yoga mat, towel, or drawing case), or a disc-shaped item (such as a collapsed hula hoop), or other shape of item. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from reading the following description in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the strap carrier tote showing how the shoulder straps are attached in a “V” shape; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the carrier with a rolled yoga mat as it may be carried on a user&#39;s back; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the carrier strapped around a rolled yoga mat; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of a yoga tote; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of an end intersection; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a carrier with a collapsed hula hoop as it may be carried on a user&#39;s back; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the carrier strapped around a collapsed hula hoop; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment of a hoop tote; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of an end intersection. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The following specification describes a strap carrier tote apparatus. In the description, specific materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a more complete understanding of the present invention. But it is understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without those specific details. In some instances, well-known elements are not described precisely so as not to obscure the invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a generic backpack-style strap carrier tote  10  according to the preferred embodiment as it is to be laid out on a generally flat surface. This embodiment comprises a strap spine  12 , typically made from a length of nylon webbing or canvas ribbon, with a top intersection  14  proximate a first end  16  and a bottom intersection  18  proximate a second end  20 . The intersections may be reinforced, e.g., by heavy-duty sewing. 
         [0019]    The shoulder straps are attached to the intersections in “V” shapes (the top portions to the top intersection and the bottom portions to the bottom intersection respectively). The “V” shapes may have included angles of any appropriate value; however, it has been found that an included angle in the range of 40 to 90 degrees may be optimal. The left shoulder strap may be made as one continuous strap extending from top intersection to bottom intersection or may comprise a top portion  22  attached to the top intersection  14  and a bottom portion  24  attached to the bottom intersection  18 . The right shoulder strap may be made as one continuous strap extending from top intersection to bottom intersection or may comprise a top portion  26  attached to the top intersection  14  and a bottom portion  28  attached to the bottom intersection  18 . The strap carrier tote  10  may also comprise various buckles linked to strategic locations of said shoulder straps—such as proximate the ends of the shoulder strap portions—to make the invention more adjustable to individual users. In this embodiment, the top portions of the shoulder straps,  22  and  26 , are linked to the female portions of the buckles  50  and  54  respectively, and the bottom portions  24  and  28  are linked to the male portions of the buckles  52  and  56  respectively. With this type of buckle, generally the female portions  50  and  54  are fixed to the ends of the straps  22  and  26 , and the male portions  52  and  56  are linked adjustably to the ends of the straps  24  and  28 . ( FIG. 3  shows how these buckles may cooperate within the invention.) 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows one species embodiment of the strap carrier tote designed for use with an elongated piece of equipment, such as a rolled yoga mat, exercise mat, sleeping bag, camera tripod, plastic drawing case, etc. As can be seen from the figure, the buckles of the shoulder straps can be located—and the lengths of the respective shoulder strap portions respectively proportioned—low on the strap and behind the user&#39;s arm. This position of the buckles may offer a greater degree of comfort to the user. Likewise, the included angle of the “V” shape may be varied to accommodate taller or shorter users. 
         [0021]    For this elongated type of equipment, there will probably need to be equipment straps at the top and bottom designed to securely hold the piece of equipment, probably attached at the respective intersections for strength.  FIG. 3  shows how the equipment item will be held by such equipment straps, and  FIG. 2  shows how the equipment strap buckles may be positioned to fasten on the back of the equipment being carried.  FIG. 3  also shows how the straps may be attached to the top and bottom intersections and how the top and bottom intersections may be placed along the strap spine in acceptable locations so that the spine will be stretched out to its full extent along the user&#39;s back. Because the strap spine itself is flexible, gravity and the elongated shape of the piece of equipment will work together to keep the strap spine stretched out and the intersections spaced apart. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, end caps  80  and/or  82  can be added to the top and bottom to further secure the item being carried. In the embodiment shown, there are end caps on both top and bottom; however, the invention could be designed with, and may work just as well with, only the bottom end cap—particularly used to hold a wider range of items to be carried, such as a smooth plastic tubular case for drawings, posters, etc. In the embodiment shown, the end caps  80  and  82  are made from a thin flexible material such as nylon, but in alternate embodiments could be a hard plastic or other rigid material. The end caps may be attached to the equipment straps permanently, such as by the sewing of the illustration, or temporarily, such as by snaps, zippers, or Velcro™. Furthermore, the end cap may have an opening  84  to facilitate the insertion of the item to be carried. In this case, the opening is simply a material overlap, but in alternate embodiments, it could be accomplished with snaps, zippers, Velcro™, or the like. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows the yoga mat tote embodiment laid out on a generally flat surface. As can be seen from the figure, because the equipment straps are intended to gird a generally tubular item, they are affixed at the intersections (top straps to top intersection and bottom straps to bottom intersection respectively) generally in a cross pattern relative to the strap spine  12 . The top equipment strap may be made as one continuous strap looping from the top intersection back to the top intersection or may comprise a left portion  30  attached to the top intersection  14  and a right portion  32  attached to the top intersection  14 . The bottom equipment strap may be made as one continuous strap looping from the bottom intersection back to the bottom intersection or may comprise a left portion  34  attached to the bottom intersection  18  and a right portion  36  attached to the bottom intersection  18 . The equipment straps may also comprise various buckles linked to said equipment straps at strategic locations—such as proximate the ends of the equipment strap portions—to make the invention more adjustable to different items of equipment. In this embodiment, the male/female type of buckles are illustrated, but other types of buckles or appropriate fasteners could be used. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  simply shows in detail the bottom intersection  18  of the yoga tote embodiment of the strap carrier tote with buckles at the ends of the equipment strap portions. The intersection  18  may be reinforced by heavy-duty sewing or with additional material or in any other appropriate manner. In this illustration, the “V” shape is shown at a generally 90 degree included angle  38 ; however, the included angle may vary in different designs—to accommodate different equipment styles or different users. 
         [0025]    To use the strap carrier to carry an elongated piece of equipment such as a rolled yoga mat, the user lays out the strap carrier so that the equipment straps are accessible (probably on a generally flat surface). Next, or prior to that step, the user prepares the equipment by rolling up the mat, folding the tripod, sliding into the case, or whatever is applicable, and aligns said prepared piece with the strap spine. Next, the user secures the equipment straps around the piece of equipment, perhaps by fastening and/or adjusting the buckles of the equipment straps. Once the equipment is secure, the user can mount the carrier tote on the user&#39;s back by securing the shoulder straps around the user&#39;s shoulders, perhaps by fastening and/or adjusting the buckles of the shoulder straps. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows another species embodiment of the strap carrier tote designed for use with a collapsed hula hoop or other toric-shaped or disc-shaped piece of exercise equipment, such as a snow saucer or other. As can be seen from the figure, the buckles of the shoulder straps can be located—and the lengths of the respective shoulder strap portions respectively proportioned—low on the strap and behind the user&#39;s arm—similar to the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the strap spine of the carrier tote can also be made adjustable with the addition of a central buckle or other appropriate element. 
         [0027]    For this toric-shaped type of equipment, there will probably need to be equipment straps at the top and bottom designed to securely hold the piece of equipment.  FIG. 7  shows how the equipment item will be held by such equipment straps, and  FIG. 6  shows how the equipment strap buckles may be positioned to fasten on the back of the equipment being carried.  FIG. 8  shows how the straps may be attached to the top and bottom intersections and how the strap spine itself is made adjustable with a central buckle, which will typically be buckled in tension during use. In this embodiment, the shape of the equipment item itself will keep the intersections and the equipment straps spaced apart. 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  further shows the hoop tote embodiment laid out on a generally flat surface. Because the equipment straps are intended to gird sections of the hoop itself, said sections of which are being held generally in a cross pattern relative to the strap spine, the equipment straps are attached to the intersections (top straps to top intersection and bottom straps to bottom intersection respectively) in generally straight-line patterns. Obviously, it may be best to manufacture the equipment straps integrally with the strap spine. This could be accomplished, as in the embodiment shown, by simply mounting one buckle portion of the equipment strap on the spine itself and elongating the spine beyond the intersection to accommodate the opposing buckle portion. Alternately, the equipment straps could be made from a different material and attached at the intersections by heavy-duty sewing, application of adhesive, or some other applicable method. The top equipment strap may be made as one continuous strap looping from the top intersection back to the top intersection or may comprise an upper portion  40  attached to the top intersection  14  and a lower portion  42  attached to the top intersection  14  (which may be coincident with the strap spine itself). The bottom equipment strap may be made as one continuous strap looping from the bottom intersection back to the bottom intersection or may comprise an upper portion  44  attached to the bottom intersection  18  (which may be coincident with the strap spine itself) and a lower portion  46  attached to the bottom intersection  18 . The equipment straps may also comprise various buckles at strategic locations—such as proximate the ends of the equipment strap portions—to make the invention more adjustable to different items of equipment. In the case that the equipment straps are coincident with the strap spine, these buckles may be affixed directly to the strap spine at the appropriate locations. 
         [0029]    Also shown in  FIG. 8  is an alternate type of buckle for the shoulder straps. In this alternate embodiment, both of the top portions (right and left) of the shoulder straps  60  and  62  have buckles  64  and  66  at the ends, and the lower portions of the shoulder straps  68  and  70  simply thread into the buckles as shown in  FIG. 7 . The distal ends of the straps  68  and  70  may be reinforced after they are threaded through the buckles so that they won&#39;t pull out—such as by doubling the material, adding heavy-duty sewing, attaching a small end cap, etc. In both of the illustrated buckle embodiments, the adjusting strap is on the lower portion so that a user can easily lengthen or shorten the shoulder straps while wearing the invention on her back.  FIG. 8  also shows the central adjusting buckle  72 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  simply shows in detail the bottom intersection  18  of the hoop tote embodiment of the strap carrier tote with buckles at the ends of the equipment strap portions. The intersection  18  may be reinforced by heavy-duty sewing or with additional material or adhesive or in any other appropriate manner. It is also shown in this figure how the strap spine may be provided in two portions and the central adjustable buckle may be applied. In this illustration, the “V” shape is shown at a generally 90 degree included angle; however, the included angle may vary in different designs—to accommodate different equipment styles or different users. 
         [0031]    To use the strap carrier to carry a toric- or disc-shaped piece of equipment such as a collapsed hula hoop, the user lays out the strap carrier so that the equipment straps are accessible (probably on a generally flat surface). Next, or prior to that step, the user prepares the equipment by collapsing the hula hoop into a compact size of small diameter, or whatever is applicable, and aligns said prepared piece with the strap