Abstract:
A pack configured to convert from one pouch to more than one pouch by utilizing internal storage of one or more additional pouches made of flexible materials which may be conveniently accessed and expanded from a storage area. The pack is comprised of substantially flexible materials and may be adapted to wear on any part of the body, on another pack, or for various functions to store or transport articles. The pack may be reversibly secured by utilizing straps, hook-and-loop type fasteners, or other convenient attachment. Additional storage areas accessible through covers or feed holes, may be incorporated to store utilitarian articles depending upon the need.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALY FUNDED SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPEMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates generally to the field of devices used as packs for carrying, holding, supporting and storing objects, more particularly to a thigh pack utilizing the strength and weight bearing ability of the thigh. The present invention primarily utilizes the thigh as the weight bearing portion of the body to carry a load. For most people the primary weight bearing portion of the body used for carrying and storing objects is the back. The use of the back pack allows for spreading the weight of the objects over the large muscles of the back which are ideally suited for large objects and weight bearing. Hence, the popularity of back packs for all sorts of functions including roles pertaining to hiking, military personnel, travelers, school children, and those persons carrying large physical loads.  
         [0005]     For others, the use of a back pack may be inconvenient or cause continuing and possibly disabling pain. This is especially true for those with chronic back pain caused by various disabilities and injuries. But such pain may also affect those with a disability or loss of an extremity.  
         [0006]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,624 to Clem (1989) et al, discloses a pack system worn on the thigh and held in place around the waste by connection to the waste belt. This is a modular pack system with a solid backing portion strapped to the thigh. Then interchangeable pouches of different sizes are reversibly attached to this backing member presumably by the use of hook and loop fasteners. Thus pouches are removable and replaceable. However, this configuration would require a fairly robust and rigid backing member to securely hold and carry the pouches in place. This backing member could be of substantial weight and cause significant discomfort when in place on the thigh. By comparison, while the present invention could be configured to have a substantially rigid backing member, it is not required as in the &#39;624 patent. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of flexible materials with one or more pouches convertible into a double or multiple pouch article. Unlike the &#39;624 patent, the present invention provides that any expanded pouch may be returned into its storage area or pouch when not in use, thereby decreasing the size of the pouch system on the thigh. Whereas the &#39;624 patent shows that the backing plate remains the same regardless of the number or content of the pouches thereon.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,159 to Edwards (2002) et al., discloses a therapy wrap constructed from closed cell neoprene containing a pouch to receive a therapy gel pack. This therapy device may be positioned about the shoulder, torso, neck and extremities, including the thigh as shown in  FIG. 10 . However, &#39;159 appears to limit each wrap to one static pocket exposed on the front of the wrap. The size and volume of the pocket is determined by the commercially available therapy packs. Whereas the present invention provides one or more available pockets for securing one or more thermal therapy devices in close proximity to the body. In use, even a bulky bag of ice or a hot towel in a plastic bag could be located in a pouch of the present invention, as well as a commercially available thermal pack, due to use of flexible materials in the construction. Further, if required that a larger affected area needed therapy than covered by one pouch, the present invention provides one or more additional pouches contiguous with the first, may be removed and expanded from their respective storage areas and put into use by placing therapy packs therein. Thus a thigh pack of the present invention could be configured to expand to multiple pouches, one after the other, as needed and secured in place. Unused pouches would remain stored. For example, a pack for use on the thigh could nest six convertible pouches. In use, once secured each pouch would be expanded and a therapy pack inserted. If five of the expend pouches substantially covered the affected area of the patient, then the sixth would remain compressed in storage. The unused pouch would not be obstructive like the pouches in &#39;624 since it is constructed of substantially flexible materials enabling compression and storage in a relatively small volume. Such a pack could be employed in therapy for any part of the body, not just the thigh.  
         [0009]     U.S. Design Pat. No. 367,356 to Brown (1996), discloses a two pocket waist and thigh pack as shown. While this does disclose the design of a multi-pocket pack, the pockets are mounted individually on a backing member, much the same as &#39;624. Whereas in the present invention the second pouch is collapsed into a storage area either within the first pouch.  
         [0010]     But these configurations exhibit the many limitations as described above. Therefore there exists a need to provide a single pack that converts to one or more pouches for flexibility in storage and transport of articles.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     A pack that comprises a plurality of pouches, defined by a back, front, bottom, left and right side expandable to receive an article or articles, with a securing device on a wearer such as one or more straps utilizing hook and loop fasteners for positioning at the waist area and at the thigh. Additional embodiments contain one or more expandable pouches from one or more storage areas in or near the first pouch.  
         [0012]     A preferred configuration of the present invention comprises a pack made of substantially flexible material approximately six by eight inches having at least one top or side opening to an interior chamber. Attached on the exterior close to the top would be a strap to attach around the upper thigh or as an attachment to a belt about the waist. The strap may employ a hook and loop fastener to provide secure yet rapid removal. The inner pack chamber has a floor or bottom under which is stored a compressed pouch. The size of the compressed pouch, when expanded, is largely a function of need and the volume of the storage space beneath the floor of the first chamber. The storage space may be accessed through an opening in the floor of the first chamber, or more preferably through an external opening to the storage space. The stored second pouch is removed from the storage area but remains connected by a gusset connector or other configuration. Once released from the storage area the second pouch may be utilized as intended. Similarly, the second pouch may have a similar construction to the first, with a floor and storage compartment for a third stored pouch. This flexible arrangement may be repeated and adapted to specific uses. To secure the pouch(es) to the thigh, a series of straps, as configured above, may be attached to the first pouch for securing around the thigh, or a strap could be attached to each subsequent pouch in a similar manner. The strap(s) would not be useable until the pouch was removed from storage, thereby lessening entanglements by unused straps and keeping the exterior of the pack less cluttered. When a pouch is not used, it may be compressed and returned into the storage compartment thereby reducing the pack to a smaller size and increasing its convenience as a convertible pack.  
         [0013]     Preferably, the pack would have on the exterior one or more openings running in a substantially perpendicular direction to the length of the pouch across the pouch front or face from side to side. These openings would permit external access to the internal storage area of the first pouch. For example, the upper portion of the pouch would be accessible through the top with a floor secured at approximately a four inch depth. On the outside of the pouch there could be an opening to access compartment(s) below the floor. That compartment could be used to store articles or another pouch. In the preferred embodiment another pouch is rolled up and tucked in this lower storage area. There could be multiple storage areas accessible from the outside depending on the length of the pack and its configuration. Preferably, to extend the pack or convert it to its multiple pack configuration, a person would reach in through one of the exterior openings and unroll the stored pouch which may have a strap or other attachment to secure it in place. In one example as a thigh pack, the top portion would be attached to the waste and the second pouch would be secured to the thigh. That second pouch would then be accessible at the top, or an upper compartment could have one or more compartments for storage of articles. This configuration could proceed to have several pouches folding out from one another depending on the needs of the person.  
         [0014]     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention for individuals with physical limitations or those with chronic pain to have a means of carrying articles in close proximity to themselves without having to use their back. Use of the back could either cause pain, as stated above, or simply not be possible because of a disability or limitation in movement that would restrict access or use of a back pack in a convenient manner.  
         [0015]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a convertible pack that can be attached at the waist and the thigh or hip area and can be unfolded or converted into additional carrying pouches to increase the functionality of the article for the person.  
         [0016]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixed pack with a detachable thigh pack portion that is removable from a feed hole located within an area of a waist pack.  
         [0017]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixed detachable version for a thigh pack that has the means for converting it into a hip pouch.  
         [0018]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixed and detachable version of a waist pack that converts into one or more thigh, leg or hip pouches.  
         [0019]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a thigh pack utilizing expanding or elastic-type materials, disposable materials, and/or machine washable materials to increase the functionality of the article. For example, a thigh pack constructed out of disposable material could be useful by medical and health care personnel where it could be provided new as a sterile unit, attached for use and then discarded with any other waste. An additional use could be to carry disposable diapers in an upper pouch, and pull out a lower pouch to hold used diapers. Then the whole unit could be rolled up and discarded still containing the used diapers.  
         [0020]     A further object of the present invention is to provide exterior attachments to hold or secure objects in close proximity to the pack. The attachments may include but are not limited to fabric or metal loops, hook and loop fasteners and expanding straps. Attachments may increase the functionality of the present invention whether it was closed or expanded.  
         [0021]     A further object of the present invention is to provide for people a new way to carry, store, support and use objects with an article that can be worn for days and nights or long periods of time and does not have to be removed until desired.  
         [0022]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of carrying articles that keeps the hands free such as when caring for a child.  
         [0023]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a method or means of carrying articles to benefit persons with a memory loss or organization or attention deficit disorder or other mental disability, usable or holding and carrying storing and supporting articles.  
         [0024]     A further object of the present invention is to provide the ability to carry objects when needed when hands are being used or needed by another activity.  
         [0025]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a convertible pouch when caring for animals providing an available supply of food or treats for the animal, or to carry a leash for walking a dog, or other animal care activity. The pack of the present invention may be configured for use on an animal such as a dog, horse or the like.  
         [0026]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a flexible and convertible organizational tool that would enable someone who works with multiple parts, such as in a hobby, to have them organized and conveniently placed for access. A further example would be to aid someone with a physical limitation or disability who needs to have parts or small objects readily available and would thus benefit from the convertible compartments in the present invention close to the body.  
         [0027]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a flexible and convertible therapy pack that would enable employment of one or more flexible pockets for location of thermal therapy packs for treatment.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of a pack of the present invention with an additional pouch compressed and stored inside.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a view of an alternative embodiment of a pouch of the present invention showing the lower end of the pouch having a different configuration.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3 . is a view of the pouch of  FIG. 2  converted to a double pouch.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a rear or back view of the pouch of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a view of an alternative embodiment of a pack of the present invention showing a lateral feed hole area near the base providing access to contents or additional pouches.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a view of an alternative embodiment of a pack of the present invention showing a feed hole at the base.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a lateral view of the unconverted pack of  FIG. 1  attached at the waist by a belt loop  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a lateral view of the wearer having the converted pack of  FIG. 3  attached near the waist.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a lateral perspective view of the pack of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a view of an alternative embodiment of the pack with a base feed hole and secondary storage areas.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a view of an alternative embodiment of the pack with a base feed hole and a plurality of secondary storage areas in circumferential configuration.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a view of the pack of  FIG. 11  converted to a double pouch, and showing a third pouch in position to be retrieved.  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is a frontal view of the pack of  FIG. 12  shown in a preferred wearing position.  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is a view of the circumferential secondary storage compartments of  FIGS. 11 and 12  in closed position.  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  is a view of the circumferential secondary storage compartments of  FIGS. 11 and 12  in open position.  
         [0043]      FIG. 16  is a view of the circumferential secondary storage compartments of FIGS.  11  or  12  with various articles protruding from feed holes or contained therein.  
         [0044]      FIG. 17  is a view of an alternative embodiment of a pack of the present invention suspended by a belt loop and showing the secondary pouch storage access opening.  
         [0045]      FIG. 18  is a view of the pack of  FIG. 17  converted to a double pouch.  
         [0046]      FIG. 19  is a lateral view of an alternative embodiment of the converted pouch of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 20  is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a convertible storage unit attached with a plurality of storage compartments therein.  
         [0048]      FIG. 21  is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a convertible pack installed on a pair of pants.  
         [0049]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the pack of the present invention showing the pack converted to two pouches, the first pouch chamber covered with a flap.  
         [0050]      FIG. 23  is a table of numbers associated with the figures herein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0051]     Proceeding now to the figures, in FIG. I the convertible pack  10  includes waist straps  14  attached at opposite edges of the pouch rear portion  22  at the first ends  16  with second ends  18  not detained. The first pouch  12  comprising a front portion  20 , a rear portion  22 , and a lower member  24  defining an upper chamber  26 . Said lower member  24  is attached to the inside of front portion  20  and rear portion  22  at internal junction  28 . Lower member  24  further comprises access opening  30  to allow access below or beneath the lower member  24 . The exterior opening  32  in the front portion  20  allows access from the outside to an interior lower chamber  34  wherein a second pouch  36  is attached to front portion  20  at the internal attachment  38 . The front portion  20  and the rear portion  22  meet at base junction  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the pack  10  is comprised of a first pouch  12  and a second pouch  36  retained therein for storage use when needed. The pack  10  is reversibly affixed to the wearer  138  preferably by securing adjustable waist and/or thigh straps  14 , and may also be supported on one or more belt loops  132  as in  FIG. 17 . The pack  10  is preferably comprised of substantially flexible material and first pouch  12  has an easily accessible upper chamber  26  similar to a pocket which may be covered by a flap  128  for security, as in  FIG. 20 . In an embodiment with just one lower chamber  34 , the flexible material permits a second pouch  36  to be rolled or otherwise compressed in the lower chamber  34  until needed for use. In alternative embodiments, the lower chamber  34  may be accessed through an opening  30  in the floor or lower member  24  configured as a slit defined by two edges conjoined at the ends, or through an exterior opening  32 . In a second preferred embodiment the exterior opening  32  may comprise a lateral slit defined by an upper and lower edge conjoined at the ends and configured laterally across the pouch front portion  20 . The external opening  32  may be urged in a closed position by comprising the edges of an elastic material, a draw cord, a zipper, or the like. In a further alternative embodiment, the second pouch  36  may be reversibly detached from the first pouch  12  at the connector  50  by use of snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like.  
         [0052]      FIG. 2  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a continuous waist strap  42  at secured attachment  134  laterally across the outside of the rear portion  22  and having a first end  44  and a second end  46 . In addition, rear portion  22  is configured to extend below the base junction  40  as extended portion  48  which offers an area for secondary restraint attachment, such as a waist strap  14  or  42  to secure the lower portion of the pack  10  to the wearer  138 .  
         [0053]     In  FIG. 3  the second pouch  36  is unfolded from the lower chamber  34  of the first pouch  12 . Second pouch  36  comprises a connector portion  50 , a front portion  52  and rear portion  54 . The front portion  52  and the rear portion  54  are joined at the lower edge  56  which then comprises the chamber  58  which opening is defined by perimeter  60 . The second pouch  36  may have a thigh or limb strap  62  having a first end  66  and second end  68  securedly attached to rear portion  54  at  68 . Upon opening the second pouch  36 , the convertible pack  10  transforms into two pouches  12  and  36 , and the limb strap  62  may be placed around the limb, such as the thigh, of the wearer  138  to substantially secure the pack  10 . The convertible pack  10  may be configured to have a plurality of first pouch assemblies  12  which may be converted by the presence of their storage chamber(s) and expanded in a cascade-type fashion.  FIG. 4  shows the rear or back elevation of the pack  10  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the placement of a feed hole  70  in or near the base junction  40  or the front portion  20  of pouch  12 , communicating interiorly with the second chamber  34  wherein objects or additional pouch(es) could be stored. The feed hole  70  would preferably be retained in a substantially closed position by the use of a restraint  72  such as elastic or a draw cord. To access the second chamber  34 , the restraint  72  is released or the elastic expanded to reach the contents in the chamber  34 .  
         [0055]     In  FIG. 6  the feed hole  70  communicates interiorly with a third chamber  74 . The third chamber  74  is defined by a second lower member  76 , and the front  20  and rear portions  22  of pouch  12 . Thus a third pouch  136  may be converted from storage in the third chamber  74  as a further embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show the pack  10  of the present invention in unconverted and converted modes attached to a leg  78 . The embodiment of  FIG. 7  shows the unconverted pack  10  of  FIG. 1  attached by a belt loop  132  and an additional strap such as  62 .  FIG. 8  shows the converted pack  10  attached at the waist by the waist strap  14  and positioned with the second pouch  36  substantially in contact with the leg  78  of the wearer  138 . In addition, another type of security, such as a strap  80  may be employed to restrain the position of the second pouch  36 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 9  is a lateral view of the pack  10  of the type in  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 8  showing how the second pouch  36  is suspended from the first pouch  12  by connector  50  attached at the internal attachment  38  with the front portion  20 , that was below the exterior opening  32  comprising the front of the second chamber  34 , compressed behind the connector  50 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 10  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing that one or more secondary storage units  82  may provided on the interior or exterior of the front portion  20 . In the preferred embodiment the unit  82  is accessible through a feed hole  84  that may be defined by a rigid structure such as a grommet or flexibly defined by the restraints  72 . The size and dimension of the unit  82  may be varied depending upon the use. For example, a lanyard  86  comprising a coiled portion  88  and an attachment portion  90  may be utilized for attachment to a set of keys, a pacifier, or the like. The location of the storage unit  82  would be in a preferable location to aid the use of the article. Furthermore, the embodiment utilizes a base feed hole  70  through which the second pouch  36  may be retrieved from the second chamber  34 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 11  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a pack  10  with a base feed hole  70  and a plurality of secondary storage units  82  in a circumferential storage  92  configuration.  
         [0060]      FIG. 12  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention that may be compared to  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , the second pouch  36  is retrieved and expanded through the exterior opening  32 . Whereas, in  FIG. 12  the second pouch  36  is retrieved and expanded through feed hole  70 . The embodiment further illustrates the multiple placement of storage units  82 , in this embodiment circumferential storage  92  is located on the first pouch  12  and the second pouch  36 , with a third pouch  136  available for retrieval.  
         [0061]      FIG. 13  illustrates positioning of the converted pack  10  on a wearer  138  aided by support  94  connected to pouch rear portion  22  at one or more attachment areas  96 . An additional lateral support  98  may be employed to provide stability by connecting it to the rear portion  22  and extending to the waist strap  14 , and employing one or more of limb straps  62  as in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0062]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show an enlarged view of alternative embodiment of the circumferential storage  92  of  FIG. 11 , wherein each individual storage compartment  100  comprises a cover  102 , a lateral wall  104 , a bottom  106 , and a restraint  108  on the cover  102  to urge the cover  102  to remain in the closed position when engaged at the center perimeter  140  to secure the contents in the compartment  100 . The restraint  108  could comprise various materials including a snap or a hook-and-loop type closure mechanism. In the further embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 15  the center feed hole  10  is defined by restraint  72  such as elastic to urge the edge toward the center. The center feed hole  110  may also be utilized to access the contents of a storage compartments  100  in addition to access by opening the cover  102  or through another feed hole  112  positioned in the cover  102 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of the circumferential storage  92  showing that a plurality of various utilitarian articles  114  may utilize the storage compartments  100 , and a plurality of feed holes  70 ,  110  and  112 .  
         [0064]      FIGS. 17 through 19  illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the pack  10  is suspended from the wearer  138  by a belt  142  or similar fastener passing through loop  132 . In further contrast to the first pouch  12  of  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the connector  50  is attached to the front portion  20  at the exterior opening  32  and the second pouch  36  is secured to the wearer  138  by employing limb straps  62 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 20  shows a further alternative embodiment of the present invention of the pack  10  of  FIG. 12  wherein the second pouch  36  has affixed on the front portion  52  one or more convertible storage units  116 . The embodiment also shows the convertible storage unit  116  unrolled to reveal a plurality of storage pockets  118  and securing members  120 , comprising the unit  116 . These additional storage pockets  118 , preferably of lesser volume that the pouches  12 ,  36 , or  136 , provide versatility and easy access to the articles contained therein, such as but not limited to school supplies, medicines or infant care articles.  
         [0066]      FIG. 21  of the present invention shows a further alternative embodiment of the present invention as pack  10  is securedly affixed to the interior of the pant  124  at attachment  122  as an alternative to a conventional pocket, known herein as a pocket pack  130  of the present invention. The pocket pack  130  could be located internally or externally. If external, the pack  130  could be located at the waist, on the leg of the pants  124  or on another article of clothing such as the sleeve of a shirt. The embodiment illustrated has a construction similar to  FIGS. 10-12  comprising a first pouch  12  with a front portion  20 , a rear portion  22 , and upper chamber  24 , a lower chamber  34  accessible through a feed hole  70  defined by a restraint  72  through which a second pouch  36  may be retrieved. In the present embodiment, access to the first chamber  26  is covered by a flap  128  enabling restraint of the contents in the first chamber  26 . Such a pocket pack  130  could be included in the interior of pants to replace one or both conventional front or rear pockets. The pocket pack  130  would function as a conventional pocket except that if additional storage capacity was required, the second pouch  36  would be immediately available through an exterior opening  32  as in  FIG. 1 , or through a feed hole  70 , as in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 22  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the first chamber  26  is substantially covered by flap  128  to restrain and offer protection to the contents therein, is secured to the wearer  138  by various attachments including a waist strap  42 , an additional securing strap  80 , and a robust limb strap  62 . Although strap  80  could also be a lanyard  86  to secure articles to the pack  10 . The second pouch  36  is retrieved from the first pouch  12  through a feed hole  70  as in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 23  is a table of numbers associated with the figures herein.  
         [0069]     It can be recognized that the convertible packs of the present invention have numerous uses as easily transportable and convertible storage. The invention provides variable storage areas and easy access to articles of various sizes to aid many different applications, such as hiking, child care, pet care and medicine to name a few. For example, an additional use of the embodiments of the present invention in the medical field could be to hold treatment articles for paramedics, or to apply temperature treatment to a person by a therapist. For example the pack  10  could be converted to two pouches and located adjacent to an injured area on the body. In pouch  12  a thermal hot pack could be placed to administer heat to a specific area of the body. If a greater area needed to be covered, second pouch  36  could be retrieved and a thermal pack inserted therein, and so on by utilizing a plurality of pouches, one cascading from another. The wearer could be a person substantially limited in mobility, such as confined to a wheelchair, or a dog used in hiking or rescue. Numerous variations of the invention could be adapted to the needs of the service into which it is employed.  
         [0070]     It is understood that the embodiments and descriptions of the invention herein described are merely instruments of the application of the invention and those skilled in the art should realize that changes may be made without departure from the essential elements and contributions, and that such changes are equivalent to the art made by the teachings of the invention herein.