Abstract:
A piggyback duffel apparatus and system provide a modular apparatus that expands a storage capacity of a backpack and includes a detachable piggyback duffel bag that may have a vertical strap to attach to loops on a side of the backpack.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to bag and storage systems and apparatus, and more particularly to a piggyback duffel system and apparatus for providing an expanded storage capacity for a backpack. 
         [0002]    Some devices for storing and carrying loads may not have readily expandable attachments or modular storage attachments that may be affixed to an outside surface of the device. Some other devices used for storing and carrying loads may not have separate compartments or spaces having specialized protection or weather proofing properties. Backpack design and manufacturing typically have a storage space contained by a single type or piece of material that may have a specific treatment or property that may determine the overall weather protection or weather proof property of the device. Still some other devices may not provide a plurality of specialized features or functionality that may be stored or attached on the outside of the device and easily deployed or detached therefrom. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system and apparatus that provides a modular attachment that may expand or add to the storage capability of a backpack and may provide different or improved weather resistant properties or specialized functionality. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a piggyback duffel comprises a body, the body having an inside space; a vertical strap, the vertical strap running around the body in a vertical dimension of the body, the vertical strap having a first end and a second end, and the vertical strap being permanently affixed to the body; a first connector on the first end of the vertical strap; and a second connector on the second end of the vertical strap, the first connector and the second connector configured to be complementary. 
         [0005]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a piggyback duffel system comprises a backpack, the backpack having a first loop and a second loop on a first side of the backpack; and a piggyback duffel, the piggyback duffel having a vertical strap running a length of the piggyback duffel, the vertical strap configured to assemble to the first loop and the second loop of the backpack. 
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded front perspective view of a piggyback duffel system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of a piggyback duffel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the piggyback duffel system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the piggyback duffel system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0012]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0013]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a piggyback duffel system and apparatus comprising a piggyback duffel having a vertical strap, and a backpack having loops on a side thereof for receiving the vertical strap. 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exploded front perspective view of a piggyback duffel system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The piggyback duffle system may include a backpack  18 , which may have a piggyback duffel  10  on a first side, and a piggyback duffel  10  on a second, opposite side thereof. Backpack  18  may have first and second shoulder straps  20   a,    20   b  affixed to a front side and running a length thereof, which may be configured to enable backpack  18  to be worn on shoulders of a user. Backpack  18  may have a waist strap  22  that may be two segments joined by a waist buckle  24 . Waist strap  22  may be configured to secure backpack  18  to a user&#39;s waist and transfer load thereto. Backpack  18  may have a first loop  19   a  on a top side thereof, and second and third loops  19   b,    19   c  on a first side thereof. Backpack  18  may have a fourth loop  19   d  on a top side thereof, and fifth and sixth loops  19   e ,  19   f  on a second side opposite the first side. Loops  19   a - f  may be hereinafter referred to as loop  19  or loops  19 . Loops  19  may be closed elements that may be used as a tether or an anchor, and may be configured to have a strap or cord threaded therethrough. 
         [0015]    Piggyback duffel  10  may have a vertical strap  14   a,  which may run around piggyback duffel  10  in a vertical dimension thereof or along a length thereof. Vertical strap  14   a  may have a connector  16   a  on one end and a connector  16   b  on an opposite end thereof. Piggyback duffel  10  may have a first horizontal strap  14   b  and a second horizontal strap  14   c,  which may run around a circumference of piggyback duffel  10  along a width thereof. Horizontal straps  14   b,    14   c  may have a connector  16   a  on one end and a connector  16   b  on an opposite end respectively. Connectors  16   a ,  16   b  may be complementary and may be configured to be selectively assembled, creating an assembled connector  16  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), which may temporarily connect and secure the ends of vertical strap  14   a  and horizontal straps  14   b,    14   c.    
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a bottom plan view of piggyback duffel  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. Piggyback duffel  10  may have a body  12 , which may partially or completely enclose an inside space. Vertical strap  14   a  may be permanently affixed to body  12  by stitching  26 . According to some exemplary embodiments, piggyback duffel  10  may be a roughly cylindrical bag with a drawstring, zippered, or roll-top closure, for example. According to other exemplary embodiments, body  12  configured to have an inside space for holding, storage, or stowing purposes, for example. According to still other exemplary embodiments, stitching  26  may include tacking, riveting, or welding, for example. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded side perspective view of the piggyback duffel system of  FIG. 1  is shown. Fourth, fifth, and sixth loops  19   d - 19   f  are shown, which may be attached to backpack  18 , and may be configured to be aligned in a roughly coplanar manner. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a front perspective view of the piggyback duffel system of  FIG. 1  is shown. Piggyback duffel  10  may be secured to backpack  18  by at least vertical strap  14   a,  which may be threaded through at least one loop  19 , and which may have ends secured by assembled connector  16 . Horizontal straps  14   b,    14   c  may threaded between vertical straps  14   a  and backpack  18  and may have ends secured by assembled connectors  16 . According to some exemplary embodiments, vertical strap  14   a  may be threaded through at least two loops  19 . According to other exemplary embodiments, vertical strap  14   a  may be threaded through at least three loops  19 . 
         [0019]    Backpack  18  may be comprised of a plurality of panels and a first material, and may include assembly or stitching techniques that, taken together, provide a first weather proof or weather resistant property thereto. Accordingly, piggyback duffel  10  may be comprised of a plurality of panels and a second material, and may include assembly or stitching techniques that, taken together, correspondingly provide a second weather proof or weather resistant property thereto. According to some exemplary embodiments, a piggyback duffel system may include a backpack  18  having a plurality of piggyback duffels  10 , wherein each of the plurality of piggyback duffels  10  may be comprised of a plurality of panels and a plurality of materials, and may include assembly or stitching techniques that, taken together, provide a plurality of weather proof or weather resistant properties therefor. 
         [0020]    According to some exemplary embodiments, vertical strap  14   a  and horizontal straps  14   b,    14   c  may be a nylon or polymer webbing, a braided cord, a laminated strap, or an extruded or drawn cord, for example. Horizontal straps  14   b,    14   c  may be configured as compression straps that may compress or compact body  12  and any contents therein, and may have a connector  16   a  having a cam connector or a one-way friction connector, for example. Connectors  16   a,    16   b  may include plastic, nylon, or metal buckles, or a hook and loop fastener, for example. 
         [0021]    According to other exemplary embodiments body  12  may be configured as a rope bag, a sleeping pad, a crash pad (i.e., a climbing pad), an emergency first aid kit, a shelter (e.g., a tent or a bivouac), a tool kit, or a gear kit (e.g., for avalanche gear, for traditional climbing), for example. 
         [0022]    According to still other exemplary embodiments, piggyback duffel  10  may be assembled and secured to backpack  18  by a zipper, or a slidingly engaging fastener, for example, that may have corresponding elements running along corresponding lengths of piggyback duffel  10  and backpack  18  respectively. 
         [0023]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.