Abstract:
A backpack that is convertible to a toy kite. The backpack has strings that are useable either as kite strings or as shoulder harnesses. The backpack may optionally be fitted with looms that take out the excess string when used as shoulder harnesses. The backpack also may optionally be fitted with clamps that secure the bottom of the pack when used as a backpack and double as handles when used as a kite.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to backpacks, and more particularly to a backpack convertible for use as a toy.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Backpacks have become virtually required equipment for children of all ages. They tote their school supplies, clothing, toys, and the like to and from daycare, school, and college daily.  
         [0003]     A traditional backpack is only usable to carry cargo to and from a destination; however, a backpack convertible to a toy could be used to provide hours of entertainment to a child who must wait for transportation or for classes to start and the like. But not just any toy will do: a backpack must be easily convertible between backpack and toy modes, it must not over burden the child with additional weight, the toy feature must not add a great deal of additional cost to the backpack, and it must be exciting and fun to hold the child&#39;s attention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A conventional backpack is designed to be durable and is often very heavy and inflexible. However, by using lightweight materials and appropriate features, the present invention transforms the traditional heavy backpack for use as a kite. An embodiment of the invention has two strings to perform double duty as kite strings and as shoulder harnesses. To use the backpack as a kite, the child merely unloads the bag that makes up the main compartment of the backpack and then unhooks the strings and runs along, allowing the wind to inflate the bag and provide tension on the strings.  
         [0005]     Additional features are presented to increase the utility as a kite. In some embodiments, the strings may be fitted with shoulder pads to provide more comfort while wearing the backpack. Shoulder pads may enclose a loom allowing the additional string to be taken up while used as shoulder harnesses. In some embodiments, a clamp is provided at the end of each string. The clamps hook together and clamp to the bottom of the bag to spread the bag wide, allowing easier loading and more rigid support of the cargo within the bag while it is being carried.  
         [0006]     In addition, some embodiments provide zipper pouches and bottle pockets to increase the utility as a backpack. Each of these items may be removable.  
         [0007]     The purpose of the foregoing summary is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The summary is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.  
         [0008]     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a loom according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an optional shoulder pad containing the loom described in  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a detachable storage compartment according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use as a kite. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims  
         [0015]     The present invention transforms the conventional backpack for use as a kite by using lightweight materials and appropriate features. Conventional backpacks are too heavy and lack features appropriate for use as a toy, particularly for use as a kite.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of backpack  10  configurable as a kite. The main compartment of backpack  10  is made up of a bag  12  that is preferably constructed with lightweight, windproof material. Backpack  12  may be optionally fitted with a drawstring  14  to hold the open end of the bag closed while carrying cargo. Bag  12  may be fitted with hooks or loops  16  to anchor strings  18  to the backpack. There are preferably two strings  18 , one string  18  attached to the left side of bag  12  and one string  18  attached to the right side of bag  12 . The free ends of string  18  may be used to control backpack  10  when used as a kite. In some embodiments, the free end of each string  18  may be secured to bag  12  so that each string  18  may be used as a backpack shoulder harness. To facilitate securing the free end of string  18 , additional loops  16  may be attached to the lower part of bag  12  (not shown.)  
         [0017]     In a preferred embodiment, the free end of each string  18  is connected to a support member  20 . Each support member  20  includes a front section (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and a similar rear section (not shown.) The front section and rear section are each referred to as jaws. The support members  20  are configured so they connect together and then clamp to the bottom of the bag  12 , spreading the bag  12  wide so that cargo may be easily loaded. Support members  20  also provide rigid support to the bottom of bag  12  so that cargo may be carried without sagging behind the user. Each support member  20  may be constructed so an identical copy of support member  20  may be attached either to the left or right string  18 . Two latch mechanisms  21  connect the left and right support members  20  together. Preferably, each latch mechanism  21  consists of two parts. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the first part of a latch  21  is fitted on left support member  20  in the front, and on right support member  20  in the rear. The second part of a latch  21  is fitted on left support member  20  in the rear, and on right support member  20  in the front, so that the first part and second part of each latch  21  mates, latching the support members  20  together. In this way, the same support member  20  may be used for both the left and right sides of backpack  10 . Alternatively, latches  21  may be fitted on the sides near where strings  18  attach to support members  20 , or in any location around backpack  10 . In another embodiment, support members  20  may be spring loaded clamps, wherein the front and rear jaws are hinged along their length, and springs provide a force closing the jaws of each support member  20  over the bottom of the bag.  
         [0018]     In another embodiment, support members  20  may be constructed of nylon webbing and latches  21  may be a buckle, clip, hook and loop fastener, or other device suitable to connect the right and left support members  20  together. In this embodiment, it is preferred to pass support members  20  through loops connected to the bottom of bag  12 , allowing the support members  20  to support any heavy items carried in bag  12 .  
         [0019]     When support members  20  are disengaged from bag  12  and disconnected from each other, they are usable as handles to hold string  18  when backpack  10  is used as a kite. While support members  20  are shown in  FIG. 1  as curved, support members  20  may be generally straight, providing a more convenient handle shape. Alternatively, support members  20  may be flexible, to provide a comfortable grip. If support members  20  are made of nylon webbing or similarly flexible material, they may be constructed as a loop so that the user&#39;s hand may pass through the loop for additional security. Strings  18  may also be fitted with shoulder pads  22  to provide more comfort while the bag is being carried.  
         [0020]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , each string  18  may be fitted with a loom  24 . In this context, a loom is a device having horns or other features on which string may be wound or wrapped. When backpack  10  is configured as a kite, string  18  may be unwound from loom  24  so that string  18  stretches out to its full length. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , when backpack  10  is configured as a backpack, string  18  may be wound around the horns of loom  24 , taking up any slack, and shortening string  18  to the appropriate length for use as shoulder harness. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , shoulder pads  22  may be constructed with a cavity  26  of sufficient size to hold loom  24 , and a flap  28  that flips over to enclose loom  24 , protecting it from dirt and snagging while in use. An additional advantage of loom  24  is that it provides some structure and stiffness to shoulder pad  22 .  
         [0021]     In an alternative embodiment, loom  24  may be eliminated and string  18  may merely be tied in a loose knot that is contained within cavity  26 . The knot can be untied when the string is to be lengthened for use as a kite string.  
         [0022]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a removable bag  29  may be inserted into bag  12 . Removable bag  29  may be used to store items when bag  12  is used as a kite, and conveniently inserted into bag  12  when the invention is configured for use as a backpack.  
         [0023]     Bag  12  may optionally be fitted with one or more attachment structures  30 . Optional pouch  32  shown in  FIG. 4  can be attached to attachment structures  30  to provide a detachable storage compartment. Pouch  32  is fitted with fasteners  34  that attach to attachment structures  30  to secure pouch  32  to bag  12 . Pouch  32  can be fitted with a zipper  36  to give secure access to the contents. Mesh pockets for holding bottles and the like may be removably attached in a similar fashion.  
         [0024]     Fasteners  34  may be hooks, snap hooks, twist ties, or any other device capable of securing the pouch to attachment structures  30 . Similarly, attachment structures  30  may be implemented as hooks, grommets, rings, snap hooks, twist ties, or any other device capable of supporting pouch  32 . In an alternative embodiment, attachment structures  30  appear on pouch  32 , and fasteners  34  appear on bag  12 . In another embodiment, attachment structures  30  may be attached to removable bag  29 , passing through slots in bag  12  so that the attachment structures  30  are exposed to attach pouch  32 .  
         [0025]     While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.