Patent Publication Number: US-5526836-A

Title: Crutch carrying bag

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to carrying bags utilized to store and carry a variety of articles and more particularly to carrying bags utilized to store and carry a variety of articles that include a pair of connecting mechanisms for securing the carrying bag to the hand grip of a crutch. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Individuals having injured legs often require crutches to move from place to place. Conventional crutches include an adjustable length support portion, an underarm support member and a hand grip. In use, the user positions the under arm support members into the armpits and holds the crutches in place by grasping the hand grips with the hands. Because the hands are thus occupied, it can be difficult for individuals requiring the assistance of crutches to carry and transport various items from place to place. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a carrying bag that was securable to a crutch that allowed a variety of items to be stored and transported. To provide security from theft, it would be a further benefit if the carrying bag required the removal of two separate connecting mechanisms. It would also be desirable if the carrying bag were detachable from the carrying bag and useable without the crutch. 
     GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION 
     It is thus an object of the invention to provide a crutch carrying bag that is securable to a crutch allowing a variety of items to be stored and transported. 
     It is a further object to provide a crutch carrying bag that requires the removal of two separate connecting mechanisms before the carrying bag is disconnected from the crutch handle. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a crutch carrying bag that is detachable from the carrying bag and useable without the crutch. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a crutch carrying bag that accomplishes all or some of the above objects in combination. 
     Accordingly, a crutch carrying bag is provided. The crutch carrying bag includes a bag member including a user securable flap; and a strap assembly including two elongated strap members. Each strap member has a snap latch fastener secured to one end thereof and an O-ring connector securing a second end thereof to the bag member. The two snap latch/O-ring pairs are engageable to form a pair of closed loops that are connected about the hand grip of a crutch to secure the bag member to the crutch during use. The exterior of the securable flap includes a beeper clip slot sized to receive therein the clip of a beeper. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the crutch carrying bag of the invention with the securable flap in the secured configuration. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the crutch carrying bag of FIG. 1 showing the securable flap in the unsecured configuration. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view showing the exemplary crutch carrying bag of FIG. 1 secured to the hand grip of a representative crutch. 
    
    
     EXEMPLARY MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the crutch carrying bag of the present invention generally referenced by the numeral 10. Crutch carrying bag 10 includes a bag member 12 including a user securable flap 14; and a strap assembly, generally designated by the numeral 16, including two elongated strap members 18a,18b. Each strap member 18a,18b has a snap latch fastener 20a,20b secured to one end thereof and an O-ring connector 22a,22b securing a second end thereof to bag member 12. Also show in the figure is a beeper clip slot 21 formed through an exterior surface 23 of flap member 14. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, Bag member 12 includes a bag portion 24 that defines a storage compartment 26. The interior surface 28 of flap member 14 includes a first section 30 of hook and pile type fastener that engages a second section 32 of hook and pile fastener disposed on an exterior surface 34 of bag portion 24. 
     Also shown in the figure is snap latch fastener 20a secured to O-ring connector 22a thus forming a first closed loop that, in use, is secured about a crutch handle of a crutch. Snap latch fastener 20b is similarly securable to O-ring connector 22b to form a second closed loop. The connection between O-ring 22b and snap latch fastener 20b is formed by retracting spring biased, snap latch bar 38b with a thumb knob 40b; inserting the forward leg 41b of U-shaped latch portion 42b through O-ring connector 22b; and, then, releasing thumb knob 42b allowing latch bar 38b to rebound to a position blocking passage of O-ring 22b between the legs of U-shaped latch portion 42b. 
     FIG. 3 shows carrying bag 10 in use with a representative crutch 50. As shown in the figure, strap members 18a,18b are configured in the closed loop configuration about to padded crutch hand grip 52. 
     Use of crutch carrying bag 10 is now described with general reference to FIGS. 1-3. Carrying bag 10 is secured to crutch hand grip 52 by forming strap members 18a,18b into the closed loop configuration with crutch hand grip 52 within the closed loops. Once these loops are formed, carrying bag 10 is secured with two distinct securing mechanisms to crutch 50. This provides a dual securing mechanism for preventing theft or loss of carrying bag 10. If desired, carrying bag 10 may be configured in a crutch less carrying configuration by fastening snap latch fastener 20a to O-ring connector 22b and snap latch fastener 20b to O-ring connector 22a. 
     It can be seen from the preceding description that a crutch carrying bag has been provided that is securable to a crutch; that requires the removal of two separate connecting mechanisms before the carrying bag is disconnected from the crutch handle, and that is detachable from the carrying bag and useable without the crutch. 
     It is noted that the embodiment of the crutch carrying bag described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.