Patent Publication Number: US-9408457-B2

Title: Hands-free bag carrying device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of application Ser. No. 13/912,794, filed Jun. 7, 2013 and entitled HANDS-FREE BAG CARRYING DEVICE. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure is directed to a hands-free bag carrying device. More particularly, the embodiments disclosed herein allow a user to carry multiple bags, umbrellas, jackets and similar articles without using hands to grasp them. This makes carrying multiple articles during travel or every day commuting easier and more convenient. 
     During travel or commuting, it is often necessary to transport multiple items, including bags, bags, umbrellas, jackets and similar associated articles. Typically, a traveler carries a number of items by hand, which makes walking less balanced, and travel more burdensome and less pleasurable. An attempt to distribute the weight evenly between both hands may alleviate the problem somewhat but does not free the hands and could make walking with the load even slower, leading to shorter footsteps and a penguin like sway. Conventional products which seek to assist the traveler by freeing up the hands neither alleviate the problem of the baggage rubbing against the legs of the user, which hinders the normal walking pattern of the user, nor do such devices optimally leverage the weight of the baggage. 
     It is desirable to have a bag carrying device which allows the transport of baggage while freeing up a traveler&#39;s hands. It is further desirable that the device does not interfere with the normal walking pace or walking manner of the user by optimally leveraging the load and preventing the baggage from rubbing against the legs of the user. It is also desirable that the hands-free device maintains a comfortable feel during periods of extended use and provides a mode of transporting baggage designed to closely mimic how people would have multiple bags draped on themselves. There exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described herein and above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a hands-free bag carrying device comprising a contoured saddle, the contoured saddle comprises a base, the base comprises an integrally formed sheet of rigid material having a curved cross-section. A front panel is attached to the base. The front panel comprises an integrally formed sheet of rigid material. A back panel is attached to the base, the back panel comprises an integrally formed sheet of rigid material. A plurality of hooks are attached to the base. A strap is attachable to the contoured saddle proximate the front panel and the back panel. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the strap is configured to fit over a shoulder of a user and the strap being configured to locate the contoured saddle on a side of the user opposite to the location of the strap over the shoulder. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the contoured saddle is configured to fit along a torso at a side of a user. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, at least one of a clamp and a barrette is embedded into the front panel on a side opposite the plurality of hooks. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the base is centrally located in relation to the front panel and the back panel. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the base is elevated in relation to the front panel and the back panel, and configured to provide a clearance space away from a user&#39;s legs with relation to an article suspended from the base. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, at least one clamp is attached to the back panel. The at least one clamp is configured to attach the carrying device to a strap of a separate bag. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a system for carrying articles, such as bags, the system comprises a saddle. The saddle comprises a base configured as at least one integral panel, each of the at least one panels comprises an integrally formed sheet of rigid material. At least one hook is coupled to at least one panel. The at least one hook is configured to support the article attached thereto. A strap is coupled to the base, the strap being configured to support the saddle and fit over a shoulder of a user, the shoulder being opposite a side of the user&#39;s torso proximate the saddle. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the at least one integral panel comprises a plurality of panels rotatably coupled to each other. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the plurality of panels are hinged together and configured to fold onto each other such that at least one hook stows into at least one cavity. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the strap comprises a tab configured to support a strap of another bag proximate the shoulder of the user. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the base is configured in a curved shape to elevate distally from the torso of the user, and configured to provide a clearance space away from a user&#39;s legs with relation to an article suspended from the base. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, at least one clamp attached to the at least one panel; the at least one clamp configured to attach the saddle to a strap of a separate bag. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a method of carrying articles hands-free comprises donning a hands-free carrying device; the device comprises a contoured saddle. The saddle comprises a base, the base comprises an integrally formed sheet of rigid material having a curved cross-section. A front panel is attached to the base, the front panel comprises an integrally formed sheet of rigid material. A back panel is attached to the base, the back panel comprises an integrally formed sheet of rigid material. A plurality of hooks are attached to the base. A strap is attachable to the contoured saddle proximate the front panel and the back panel. The method includes attaching at least one article to one of the plurality of hooks. The method includes carrying the device. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the donning step comprises placing the strap over a shoulder of a user; and placing the base, the front panel and the back panel to fit firmly along the torso proximate the side of the user opposite from the shoulder, wherein the front panel is proximate the front of the torso and the back panel is proximate the back of the torso. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the method includes providing a clearance space away from a user&#39;s legs with relation to the article suspended from the base, wherein the base is configured in a curved shape to elevate distally from the torso of the user. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the method includes attaching the saddle to a strap of a separate bag by deploying at least one clamp attached to the back panel. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the method includes supporting a strap of another bag proximate the shoulder of the user by deploying a tab coupled to the strap. 
     In another and alternative embodiment, the method includes attaching another article to the saddle on at least one of a clamp and a barrette embedded into the front panel on a side opposite the plurality of hooks. 
     The shortcomings of the past technology is overcome and additional advantages are provided through the use of embodiments of a hands-free bag carrying device as disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment a hands-free bag carrying device includes a contoured saddle. The contoured saddle includes a base with a front panel attached to the base, a back panel attached to the base and a plurality of hooks attached to the base. The hands-free bag carrying device further includes a strap attachable to the contoured saddle. Such a device facilitates the transport of baggage while freeing up a traveler&#39;s hands. The device will not interfere with the normal walking pace or walking manner of the user by optimally leveraging the load and preventing the baggage from rubbing against the legs of the user. The hands-free device maintains a comfortable feel during periods of extended use. 
     Other details of the Resin Transfer Molding process are set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals depict like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary hands-free bag carrying device; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary hands-free bag carrying device worn about a user; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary device with additional features configured to secure baggage; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary device worn on a user; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an exemplary device; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an exemplary device being partially folded. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure pertains to a hands-free bag carrying device. The device disclosed herein in an exemplary embodiment has a strap which hangs over or attaches to the shoulder opposite the side of the weight and allows for optimal balancing of the weight and minimal interference with the comfortable and normal pace of walking. The strap is attached to a contoured saddle which fits comfortably along the torso proximate the ribs of the user and hugs the front side and backside of the torso. A plurality of spring loaded or otherwise biased hooks are disposed towards the center of the saddle, at an elevated point on the saddle. The hooks are used as attachment points for multiple bags, umbrellas, jackets and similar articles. The position of the hooks on an elevated portion of the saddle, helps to avoid rubbing the load attached on the hooks against the user&#39;s legs during transportation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a hands-free bag carrying device  50  in an exemplary embodiment, is disclosed herein. The device  50  includes a strap  12  attached to a contoured saddle  10 . The contoured saddle  10  is configured as an integral panel or sheet having a curved non-linear shape. The saddle  10  has a base  11 , a front panel  18  attached to the base  11 . The front panel  18  is configured to closely fit to or hug a front torso side-section of a user or wearer. A back panel  20  is attached to the base  11 . The back panel  20  is configured to closely fit or hug a back portion of the torso at the side-section of the wearer. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the saddle  10  is configured in a single piece and manufactured as one piece. In this embodiment the saddle  10  includes the base  11  which is curved in front and the front panel  18  and the back panel  20  are straight and substantially linear. The saddle in this embodiment, forms a U shaped assembly, such that the cross section has a curved shape, similar to a U. The saddle can be formed by molding, adhesive or thermoplastic joining and the like. 
     In another exemplary embodiment the front panel  18  and the back panel  20  are thinner than the base  11  to allow a more flexible fit to the contour of different size users. The front torso side is the anterior side or the side that corresponds with the chest of the user. The back torso side is the posterior side or the side that corresponds with back of the user. The base  11  is centrally located in relation to the front panel  18  and back panel  20 . The base  11  is also elevated in relation to the front panel  18  and the back panel  20 . The elevation of the base  11  is designed to allow the base to protrude further away from the user&#39;s body. This feature carries the articles clear of the user&#39;s legs for easier interference free motion. 
     Towards the center of the base  11 , a plurality of hooks  14  are disposed at an elevated point on the base  11 . In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of hooks  14  is a spring loaded hook which is attached to spring  16 . The hooks  14  are configured to collapse into the side of the base  11  due to the spring  16  bias. The hooks  14  collapse into the base  11  when the force of the spring  16  is greater than an article  24  hanging on the hook  14  or in the absence of an article  24 . The spring bias of the spring  16  provides resistance that enables the hooks  14  to securely hold bag straps, clinch umbrellas and jackets which are laid across the hooks  14 . The hooks  14  also can have teeth like protrusions  22 , which allow for better gripping to hold a baggage item or article  24 . Exemplary hooks  14  include, but are not limited to, inverted spring clips or carabineers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a contoured saddle  10  is shown comfortably hugging the torso of the wearer. In one embodiment, the strap  12  has a shoulder pad  26  to cushion the load and an “L” shaped tab  28  which prevents the strap  12  from sliding off a user&#39;s shoulder. The “L” shaped tab  28  allows a person to carry an additional bag with a strap on the shoulder opposite the saddle  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, the “L” shaped tab is a small plastic feature attached to the shoulder strap that prevents an extra bag (not shown) from sliding off the opposite shoulder. For example, a person may have an umbrella and lunch bag on attached to the saddle  10  at hooks  14  and may carry a pocketbook on the other shoulder and the “L” tab will prevent the pocketbook from sliding off the opposite shoulder. The strap  12  can attach to a plurality of attachment points  30  which lie across the top edge of the front panel  18  and the back panel  20 . These attachment points  30  allow for adjustment of the fit of the saddle  10  to accommodate the variance in sizes of different people. The length of the shoulder strap  12  is also adjustable to allow persons of different heights to adjust the device  10  for best fit.  FIG. 2  also shows how the device is worn around the opposite shoulder to the load. Hence, if the load is on the right hand side, then the strap  12  is on the left hand side shoulder and vice versa. This configuration allows the saddle  10  to fit firmly along the torso to comfortably hug the side of the user. This configuration also allows the load on the hooks  14  to be comfortably leveraged, so that the load minimally interferes with the normal walking pattern of the user. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the internal structure of the saddle  10 , including the front panel  18  and the back panel  20  is comprised of a hard plastic or a composite material. The front panel  18  and the back panel  20  may include hard foam for comfort. In another embodiment, the hard foam is a closed cell foam (e.g., an EVA foam) and provides a shock absorbing cushion. The saddle  11  may also be covered with a canvas fabric (not shown). The hooks  14  can be a plastic or a composite material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in an exemplary embodiment, the saddle  10  has one or more clamps  32  attached to the inside of the panels which are used to attach to the strap of a bag (e.g., a separate messenger bag). The clamps allow a user to remove strap  12  and then clamp the saddle  10  to a messenger bag strap. In an exemplary embodiment, the front panel  18  has a clamp  32  to connect to the messenger bag strap in front of the body to the saddle  10  and a back panel clamp  32  to connect the messenger bag strap going across the back of the body to the saddle  10 . Now the user can carry more items on hooks of hands-free bag carrying device  50 . The saddle  10  can also have metal barrettes  34  embedded on the inside of the front panel  18  or the back panel  20 . When the barrette is closed, the teeth of the barrette grip and secure the strap of a bag to the device. In another embodiment, the metal barrette  34  has one or more studs which fit securely into attachment points  30  on the front panel  18  or the back panel  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6  an exemplary embodiment of the device  100  is shown. The device  100  includes similar features to the embodiments shown above. The device  100  includes the saddle  110  having a plurality of hooks  112 . The saddle  110  includes a strap  114 , configured to support the device  100  and fit over a shoulder  116  of the user  118  opposite the side of the user&#39;s torso  120  were the device  100  is located, as described in greater detail above. The saddle  110  is configured with a base  122  that is formed from an integral panel or multiple panels  124  as shown. A first panel  126 , second panel  128  and third panel  130  are shown. It is contemplated that more or less panels  124  can be deployed as needed. The panels  124  are formed of a rigid to semi-rigid material in a sheet, or combination of sheets. The panels  124  provide structural support both in a compressive load, and in tension in all directions. 
     The multiple panels  124  are coupled by a first hinge  132  and second hinge  134 . The first and second hinges  132 ,  134  are configured to facilitate each of the panels  124  to rotate and fold onto one another as shown in part at  FIG. 6 . The second hinge  134  couples the second panel  128  with the third panel  130 . The hinges  132 ,  134  couple the panels  126 ,  128 ,  130  at a location where the panels  126 ,  128 ,  130  are adjacent, such as along an edge or perimeter  140 . Hinged panels  124  allows for the device  100  to become more compact. The device  100  is also more flexible and allows for the user to bend and twist the torso  120  with greater ease. The hinges  132 ,  134  allow for relative movement between the panels  126 ,  128 ,  130 . 
     The panels  126 ,  128 ,  130  are shown with varying sizes. The first panel  126  is smaller than the second panel  128  which is smaller than the third panel  130 . The size variation allows for a greater range of motion by the user, lighter weight overall, a variety in hook  112  sizes. It is contemplated that the panels  126 ,  128 ,  130  can be similar in size as well as vary sizes. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown at  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , the hooks  112  include a spring or biasing member  136 . Also, the first panel  126  includes a hook  112  that is self-biasing without an extra spring, the shape of the hook  112  that curves back onto itself and flexes provides the spring bias. 
     As with the embodiments shown and described relative to  FIGS. 1-3 , the saddle  110  formed from the integral panel has no framework, tubing, or the like to provide support. The integral panel  124  provides the necessary structural integrity to support the strap  114 , and hooks  112  along with any articles supported thereby. 
     The third panel  130 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , includes a cavity portion  138  that is configured to receive the hook  112  of the first panel  126 . The cavity  138  allows for the hook  112  to stow away and thus lowers the profile of the device  100  when it is folded. 
     The hands-free carry device  50 ,  100  allows for an integrally formed saddle with hooks and strap a convenient carrying technique without the use of the hands. There are no internal tube frames or extraneous webbing. The device  50 ,  100  can be worn comfortably along either side of the torso of the user such that any articles suspended from the device  50 ,  100  can be carried and not interfere with walking or the use of the hands. 
     There has been provided a hands-free bag carrying device. While the hands-free bag carrying device has been described in the context of specific embodiments thereof, other unforeseen alternatives, modifications, and variations may become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.