Patent Publication Number: US-8113399-B2

Title: Bag with carrying system

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/796,529, filed Apr. 26, 2007, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/795,491, filed Apr. 28, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention(s) relate to a bag with a carrying system, and more specifically to a bag having a convertible carrying system. 
     A bag having a convertible carrying system is described having several embodiments and variations. A carrying system and a method of converting a carrying system from a single strap to more than one strap portion are also described. One aspect of the carrying system is that it may provide more than one configuration for a user to carry the bag. In several embodiments, the carrying system may convert from a single strap capable of being used to carry the bag to more than one strap portion capable of being used to carry the bag. In an embodiment, the strap is connected to the bag at its ends to form a single strap capable of being used to carry the bag and removably attached to the bag at a mid-section to form more than one strap capable of being used to carry the bag. The strap may be folded at a mid-section and removably attached to the bag at a mid-section to form more than one strap capable of being used to carry the bag. In this manner, the bag may be carried by a user as a shoulder bag or as a backpack, according to an embodiment. In one or more embodiments, the bag may have padding or a padded compartment that is capable of providing padding between a user and the bag. In embodiments, the bag may have one or more compartments that may be sized to accept a laptop computer, MP3 player or other objects therein. In an embodiment, the bag may have a panel that allows a handle, such as a handle of a rolling style suitcase, to pass therethrough, allowing the bag to be carried by the handle. One aspect of the carrying system is that it is designed to attempt to reduce physical stress on a user from carrying the bag. 
     In one embodiment, one strap may be folded substantially in half to form a substantially “V” shape or bent substantially in half to form substantially a “U” shape. The halves of the one strap may form dual straps that go over the user&#39;s shoulders while the substantially “V” or “U” shape may rest on the center of the back of the user. The ends of this strap may be attached to the sides of the bag. At the bottom of the substantially “V” or “U” shape, a clip or loop may exist. A secondary strap may be attached to the clip or loop at an end and/or may be attached to the top and/or around or at the center location of the bag. When a user wears the bag in this embodiment, a clip or loop may also exist on the outer side of one of the straps near the front left chest of the user. In a second embodiment, the bag may be configured to detach the secondary strap from the substantially “V” or “U” shape and then unfolding and flattening the substantially “V” or “U” shape creating a single strap. In a third embodiment, the bag may be configured to detach from the secondary strap from the substantially “V” or “U” shape, unfolding the substantially “V” or “U” shape, and then attaching the clip or loop existing on one or more of the dual straps to a side of the bag. The bag may include padded and non-padded compartments, any number of which may be accessed individually. The bag may also have pads on the backside to provide extra cushioning against a user&#39;s body when the bag is worn. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention(s) may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bag with a carrying system configured in a substantially “V” shaped fold illustrating one generalized embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a buckle of a carrying system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a front perspective view of the carrying system configured in a substantially “V” shaped fold according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a front perspective view of the carrying system configured in a flattened or unfolded manner according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the carrying system configured in a single shoulder strap embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the carrying system configured in a single shoulder strap showing a clip and a ring. 
         FIG. 6  is an front perspective view of the carrying system configured in a single shoulder strap showing a clip and a ring on an inside surface of the strap connected to shorten the strap according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a back perspective view of a bag with a carrying system configured in a dual strap embodiment with a substantially “V” shaped fold with pads on the backside of the bag illustrating one generalized embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a separate padded compartment of the bag illustrating one generalized embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of a bag showing a back panel that allows a handle of a rolling suitcase to pass therethrough, according to one generalized embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a strap configured to be used with a bag according to one generalized embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a bag with a carrying system configured in a substantially “V” shaped fold illustrating one generalized embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of a bag and carrying system are described. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view illustrates a bag  10  according to one embodiment. In an embodiment, bag  10  may have an approximate dimension of, for example, 16″ W×11″ H×6″ D, and may be configured to carry objects such as a laptop computers, books, notebooks, MP3 players, papers, clothes, or other objects capable of being placed in the bag. Bag  10  may also include one or more compartments having dimensions smaller than bag  10  to protect the objects. In different embodiments, bag  10  may also have additional elements such as one or more of the following: organizer pockets, holders for electronic music playing devices, holders for water bottles, holders for keys and/or holders for writing devices such as pencils, pens or other objects. Bag  10  may be formed from a variety of textiles, including nylon, cotton, canvas, cotton/polyester blends, and other materials. In an embodiment, bag  10  may have a main or primary compartment and a secondary compartment which may be padded for helping to protect fragile objects placed therein. In an embodiment, the secondary compartment may be accessible via a zipper that is separate from the primary compartment. In an embodiment, the secondary compartment may have a protective lining such as, for example, a soft pliable lining. It may have one or more protective layers having, for example, a padded bottom, side, back, front, and top. It may also have one or more adjusters that may make the compartment smaller and which help to prevent objects from moving therein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the bag  10  may include more or fewer components than those shown in  FIG. 1 . However, it is not necessary that all of these generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention. 
     Bag  10  of  FIG. 1  has a carrying system  20 . Carrying system  20  has a strap  21 . In an embodiment, strap  21  may have padding, as also shown in  FIG. 4 . Strap  21  may be configured to form a single strap capable of being used to carry bag  10 . In this configuration, bag  10  may be carried as a shoulder bag or in other manners. When configured to form a single strap, strap  21  is connected to bag  10  at its ends  22  and  23 . In an embodiment, strap  21  may be connected to bag  10  at its ends  22  and  23  by removably attaching ends  22  and  23  to bag  10 . In an embodiment, strap  21  may have rings attached or removably attached to ends  22  and  23  and may connect to bag  10  by using one or more clips, “J” hooks  431 , swivel hooks, or other connectors or suitable means, as also shown in  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, the strap  21  may be connected to the bag  10  by a swivel connection. A swivel connection may include, for example, two portions connected by a swivel. One portion is attached to the ends of the strap  21 . The other portion is attached to the bag  10 . The portion that attaches to the bag  10  may be wider than the portion connected to the ends of the strap  21 , for example, to provide added strength to the bag connection. One or ordinary skill will appreciate that there are many ways of connecting ends  22  and  23  to bag  10  within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Strap  21  may also have components for adjusting its length. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in an embodiment, strap  21  may have one or more “D” rings  430 , clips  431 , slides or other adjusters or suitable means which may be used to adjust the length of strap  21 .  FIG. 5  shows bag  10  with strap  21  shortened in length by a clip  532  connected to a ring  530 .  FIG. 6  shows that a clip  632  is connected to a ring on one end of strap  21 , and that there can be a similar clip  634  and ring on a second end of strap  21 , which also may be connected to adjust the length of strap  21 .  FIG. 6  shows only one clip  632  connected to a ring, but a user may elect to connect both clips  632 ,  634  to rings, one clip  632  or  634  to a ring, or a user may chose to not connect any clips and rings at all. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that there are many ways and means for of adjusting the length of strap  21  within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Strap  21  may also be configured to form more than one strap portion capable of being used to carry bag  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, when configured to form more than one strap portion capable of being used for carrying bag  10 , strap  21  is folded at a mid-section  24  and mid-section  24  is connected to bag  10 . Strap  21  is also connected at its ends  22  and  23  to bag  10 , as described above. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that mid-section  24  may be located at different places on strap  21  and it not intended to be limited to the illustrative location depicted in  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, strap  21  may be folded into substantially a “V” shape at mid-section  24 . In another embodiment, strap  21  may be folded into substantially a “U” shape at mid-section  24 . The angle formed by the two sides of the “V” or “U” shape fold (shown in  FIG. 10  as angle α) can vary. For example, the angle α of the “V” shape may be greater than about 0 degrees (the strap folded completely over on itself) and less than about 180 degrees (the strap being completely unfolded). Generally, the angle may be between at least about 40 degrees and at least about 100 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle is at least about 60 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle of the folded strap  21  is at least about 50 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle of the folded strap  21  is at least about 40 degrees, but not more than about 100 degrees. However, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that strap  21  may also be folded in other manners at mid-section  24 . When configured in this manner, bag  10  may be carried as a backpack or in other manners. In an embodiment, strap  21  may also have a connecting strap  770  to connect the two strap portions across a user&#39;s sternum while being carried as a backpack, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Similarly, in an embodiment, there can be a connecting strap that may go around a user&#39;s waist. 
     The shape of the strap can vary. For example, the strap can be uniform along its length or it can be tapered in portions.  FIG. 10  shows a strap  1021  having tapered regions  1022 ,  1023  near the ends as well as more narrow regions  1010 ,  1015  near the mid-section  1024 . When the strap  1021  is configured to form more than one strap portion in order to carry bag as a backpack, the portion of the strap  1021  nearest the armpit area can be narrower to maximize comfort of the wearer. Similarly, a portion(s)  1005  of the strap  1021  that is worn over the top of the shoulder in either the single strap configuration or the multi-strap configuration can be wider to provide added comfort to the wearer. The strap  1021  can also be straight or curved. In the curved configuration, for example, the strap  1021  could have a bend  1020  such as an about 20 degree bend near the portion of the strap  1021  that rests on the top of the wearer&#39;s shoulder. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3   a , in an embodiment, there is a secondary strap  26  ( 326  in  FIG. 3   a ) connected to strap  21  at or near mid-section  24 . Secondary strap  26  may be used to help maintain the folding in strap  21  at mid-section  24 . Secondary strap  26  may connect to strap  21  at a second place at or near mid-section  24  to keep the folding in place while strap  21  is configured to form more than one strap capable of being used for carrying bag  10 . In an embodiment, secondary strap  26  may connect to the second place by a snap, Velcro, button or other suitable connectors or means. 
     In an embodiment, mid-section  24  may be removably connected or attached to bag  10  with a buckle  25  or other suitable connectors or means, such as snaps, Velcro, a clip, a loop, hook, swivel hook, or other connectors. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that there are various ways to removably connect mid-section  24  to bag  10  within the scope of spirit of the invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a buckle  225  which may be used to removably attach mid-section  24  to bag  10 . Buckle  225  has two pieces, upper portion  226  connected to strap  21  and lower portion  227  connected to bag  10 . Buckle  225  may be made from plastic, metal or other materials. As shown in  FIG. 2 , buckle  225  may be used to removably attach mid-section  24  to bag  10 . Buckle  225  may release to detach mid-section  24  from bag  10 . In an embodiment, buckle  25  may be attached to bag  10  and strap  21  with straps and these straps may have “D” rings or other adjusters or means that may be used to adjust their lengths. In this embodiment, when detached, upper portion  226  remains on strap  21 , and when strap  21  is not folded at mid-section  24 , upper portion  226  may lay flat along strap  21 , as shown in  FIG. 3   b.    
       FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of the mid-section connection. The mid-section  1124  can be removably connected or attached to bag  1110  with a connection member  1125  such as a releasable loop, carabiner or other connection member instead of a buckle. The connection member  1125 , for example, can be attached to the mid-section  1124  of the strap  1121  by a portion of material  1122  such as nylon webbing. The connection member  1125  can similarly attach to the bag  1110  by another portion of material  1128 . The length of the portion of material  1128  can be adjustable such as by a buckle  1130 . 
     In one or more embodiments, bag  10  may also have padding capable of providing cushion between a user and bag  10 .  FIG. 7  shows a back perspective view of bag  10  with padding  750  located on the back surface of bag  10 . Padding  750  may provide padding between a user and bag  10  when carried, such as a backpack. In another embodiment, there may be a separate padded compartment capable of providing cushion between a user and bag  10 .  FIG. 8  shows a side view of bag  10  with a separate padded compartment  850 . 
     In an embodiment, bag  10  may have a panel that is capable of accepting a handle, such as a handle from a rolling style suitcase, therethrough.  FIG. 9  depicts panel  960  with a handle of a rolling style suitcase therethrough. As shown in this embodiment, panel  960  is accessed at a lower portion by a zipper  961 , which may be zipped open for access and zipped closed when not in use. In this embodiment, there also is a snap  962  located at the upper portion of the panel, which may be opened to accept the suitcase handle therethrough and closed to help prevent the suitcase handle from moving side to side within panel  960 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that panel  960  may be closed at its upper and/or lower portions by other fasteners or means, or does not necessarily need to be closed at all. By panel  960 , the invention provides for another way of carrying bag  10 . 
     To convert carrying system  20  from a configuration having two strap portions into a single strap, a user may employ the following method. As shown in  FIG. 2 , unbuckle buckle  225 , unattach secondary strap  326 , as shown in  FIG. 3   a  and unfold strap  21  as shown in  FIG. 3   b . As shown in  FIG. 4 , carrying system  20  is now configured as a single strap  21 , which may be adjusted in length (also shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). To convert carrying system  20  from a single strap to having two strap portions, a user may fold strap  21 , attach secondary strap  326 , and fasten buckle  225 . 
     While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.