Abstract:
A personal belongings bag designed to be worn over a user&#39;s shoulder and rest on an opposite hip is disclosed. A preferred embodiment has a thin profile and is pliable to conform to a user&#39;s body and be worn under a user&#39;s coat, thereby deterring purse snatching. A reinforced mesh strap has a similar anti-slashing purpose. The bag also has an adjustable strap provided by a plurality of snap fasteners.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This utility patent application contains subject matter claiming benefit of the priority date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/768,993 filed on Feb. 25, 2013 entitled “Symmetrical Satchel and Method of Wearing Same” accordingly, the entire contents of this provisional patent application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention pertains generally to carried or worn bags for transporting items such as hang bags, book bags and brief cases. Particularly, the present invention relates to carried or worn bags having a shoulder strap, such as a satchel. More specifically, the invention pertains to a symmetrical satchel having numerous improvements over similar devices, in addition to novel methods of wearing same. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Satchel type handbags or carrying cases have been known for a least a few centuries. It may typically be described as a bag having a strap for supporting over-the-shoulder and resting on a hip. An early example is provided by Edwards, U.S. Pat. No. 511,690, entitled “School Bag,” issued in 1893. Advancements in the art soon gave rise to adjustable shoulder straps for wearable bags as can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 811,215, entitled “Bag Handle,” issued in 1909 to Goldsmith. A similar example is provided by Grosz, U.S. Pat. No.  2 , 542 , 246 , entitled “Handbag Convertible to a Shoulder Bag.” 
         [0006]    As stated, many prior art solutions are particularly focused to an adjustability of the shoulder strap or the versatility of converting from a handbag to a shoulder bag. Additionally, many of the so called “shoulder bags” in the prior art are really more suitably worn as a mailbag, resting on the lower portion of a wearers back, and are not suitably configured to rest against a user&#39;s hip, in particular, a user&#39;s hip opposite to the shoulder supporting the strap, the strap thereby extending across a user&#39;s body. 
         [0007]    The present invention, however, boasts several advancements in design other than adjustability of a shoulder strap. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a satchel type handbag that is designed for an ergonomic fit as well as a method for wearing such ergonomically. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an over-the-shoulder bag that distributes contents evenly on a wearer&#39;s body. Still further, the invention pertains to a shoulder bag that is symmetrical and easily folds lengthwise upon itself. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to design a small profile handbag that can easily fit the contents of a woman&#39;s purse, yet however, fits underneath the woman&#39;s coat, thus providing convenience and security (from e.g. purse snatching). It is yet still further an object of the present invention to provide a satchel design that is reversible, thereby providing two styles in one. Yet still further it is an object of the present invention to provide a shoulder bag that is configured with RFID technology for locating keys and/or cell phones or other items. Additionally still, it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery rechargeable by solar cells, the battery useful for charging cellular phones and the like. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention, in a first aspect is directed to a satchel configured to be worn over a user&#39;s shoulder comprising: a bag portion/contents carrying portion for holding items as desired by the user; a shoulder strap having a sufficient length to be worn over an adult user&#39;s shoulder; and a plurality of zippers configured at an inside edge of the bag potion, wherein the satchel has a flat position and a deployed position, wherein in the flat position the satchel has a thin profile, the thin profile substantially thin enough to be worn under a user&#39;s coat when in the deployed position, thereby inherently designed for anti-theft protection. 
         [0009]    The invention in this aspect is additionally characterized as comprising a first plurality of pockets each having an opening configured at the inside edge of the bag portion; and a second plurality of pockets each having an opening configured to a front of the bag portion in the flat position. The satchel in this aspect also comprises: a ring coupled to an end of the bag portion; and a plurality of snap fasteners coupled to the shoulder strap, the shoulder strap configured through the ring, the plurality of snap fasteners choosable for adjusting a length of the shoulder strap. Further, the strap comprises mesh material at an interior thereof, the mesh material further providing anti-purse snatching protection from a slashing of the shoulder strap. 
         [0010]    The invention in this aspect is additionally characterized wherein the bag portion further comprises a taper from a bottom to an end thereof, the taper chosen so that the bag and shoulder strap together comprise a sash (beauty pageant type) shape conforming to a user&#39;s body in the deployed position, the sash shape being configured to run over the user&#39;s shoulder to a user&#39;s opposite hip. Herein the satchel further comprises a plurality of pockets configured to a front side and a plurality of pockets configured to a back side, wherein the plurality of pockets are configured such that the satchel is reversible whereby the front side becomes the backside and vice versa. 
         [0011]    Also in a preferred embodiment, the satchel has a special pocket comprising: a rechargeable battery; a solar panel coupled to the battery; and a connector for coupling to and charging a telephone apparatus. Also pocket may be overlapping in an x-y plane. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, the invention is characterized as a satchel configured to be worn over a user&#39;s shoulder comprising: a bag portion; a shoulder strap coupled to an end of the bag portion in a flat position; a first pair of pockets; and a second pair of pockets overlapping the first pair of pockets in an x-y plane. The satchel in this aspect further comprises a zipper configured to the bag portion edgewise with respect to the x-y plane. 
         [0013]    These, as well as other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description and drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0014]    While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustration how a shoulder bag of the present invention is worn; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the invention embodiment in a deployed position ready to be worn; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side aspect view illustrating a general shape able to conform to a user&#39;s body; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the invention in a flat position illustrating several unique and novel aspects of the design; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention in the flat position also from a reverse vantage point; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the invention in the flat position illustrating its thin profile. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring initially to the  FIG. 1 , a first improved reversible satchel  10  is shown in over a shoulder, and across the body of a wearer  99 . Generally, the satchel  10  comprises a bag or content carrying portion  11  configured to an adjustable shoulder strap. Importantly and as seen in the other figures, the satchel is very pliable and foldable conforming to the wearer&#39;s  99  body. The symmetry provided also allows a wearer  99  to evenly distribute weight to the shoulder strap  12 . More specifically as to pliability, the satchel  10  will fold about itself with very little force and can remain folded on a flat surface without any continuing force applied thereto. 
         [0023]    With regard to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of the invention embodiment  10  is provided in a deployed position ready to be worn. The deployed position is distinctive from a flat position as shown in  FIG. 4  to effectively illustrate novel features not seen in any other similar carrying devices. Alternative embodiments comprise either seven  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 , or eight pockets in the satchel  10 .  FIG. 2  illustrates openings  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  in five of the seven pockets. The first three  21 ,  22 ,  23  are secured by zippers and the other two  24 ,  25  are not configured with closing mechanisms. Snaps  14  being spaced apart provide adjustability to the shoulder strap  12  which is configured through rings  13  as shown. In other words, the invention  10  also comprises a novel adjustable shoulder strap system  12 ,  13 ,  14 , including two rings  13  each having a shoulder strap  12  end therethrough, with corresponding snaps  14  to secure through the rectangular rings  13 . Exemplary dimensions call for the snaps  14  to be 1¼″ apart and the rings  13  to be approximately 1½″ wide. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a side aspect view illustrating a general shape that is able to conform to a user&#39;s  99  body.  FIG. 4  is illustrative of the body portion  11  in the flat position. Five pockets are able to be viewed from this figure plus two identical pockets  46 ,  47  configured to a backside thereof ( FIG. 5 ). Importantly first pocket  41  could be easily converted to two pockets identical to that on the opposite side  42 ,  43 , and therefore the bag  10  would be completely symmetrical (with eight pockets) and therefore able to easily arrange contents to distribute weight. Also, as shown by the stitching, first pocket  41  overlaps the fifth pocket  45  and the third pocket  43  overlaps the fourth pocket  44  with respect to an x-y plane. Zippers  31 ,  33  move toward one another securing the first pocket  41 ; while similarly zippers  32 , and  34  move toward one another securing both the second  42  and third  43  pockets. A portion of the shoulder strap  12  is removed revealing reinforcing mesh  51  material preventing slashing thereof. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the invention  10  in the flat position and at a reverse vantage point is provided. From here it can be easily seen that the invention  10  is reversible and therefore different pattern or material fabric can be used for each side, for example faux leather and ikat. Also shown, a solar cell plus battery  61  may be configured to the pocket  42 , having a connection  62  to charge a cellular phone, or other electronic devices. 
         [0026]    Also attributable to the pliability is a relatively thin cross section ( FIG. 6 ) that allows for the satchel  10  (both bag  11  and strap  12  portions) to conform to a wear&#39;s  99  body, allowing for an ergonomic fit, and further allowing for the device  10  to be worn under a coat. This feature also allows the device to be secure for travel, and ideal for commuting via bus, subway or train. Additionally for example, the wearer can more easily travel via bicycle, scooter or the like. 
         [0027]    Also as evidenced by the  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , the bag portion  11  smoothly tapers and transitions to the shoulder portions and eventually to the shoulder strap  12 . One benefit of this design is that some of the area that is occupied by upper bag portion (comparable to a shoulder strap of previous designs), can be used a storage having a pocket  41 ,  42  configured thereto. As detailed herein regarding symmetry, the satchel  10  of the present invention is reversible, and therefore each reversible side is symmetrical and can be made of different fabric to provide two styles in one bag  10 . Hence, the device  10  is both pliable about a vertical (y) axis and symmetrical about vertical (x-y) plane. Also in the preferred embodiment, zipper closures  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34  are configured to an inside edge of the device  10 . 
         [0028]    The invention may be additionally characterized as a method of wearing a satchel  10  comprising: providing a satchel pliable and bendable about a vertical (y) axis (so much so that it is able to fold upon itself); smoothly tapering a bag portion to upwardly extending lateral strap side portions; ergonomically providing a plurality symmetrical pockets about the axis; ergonomically providing reversibility with two different styles of fabric about a vertical (x-y) plane, the vertical plane also comprising the vertical (y) axis; wearing a coat over the satchel or wearing a sweater over the satchel; resting a bag portion  11  on an opposite hip with respect to a shoulder supporting the shoulder strap  12 ; distributing weight evenly to the wearer in relations to a front and rear of the wearer&#39;s  99  torso; and distributing weight evenly by extending a strap portion across the wearer&#39;s body; and providing a pair of symmetrical zipper  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34  pockets to an inside edge of the satchel. Additionally providing a pocket and sizing the pocket to snuggly fit a passport. 
         [0029]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
         [0030]    While the particular Reversible Satchel and Method of Wearing Same as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. 
         [0031]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.