Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Convertible or combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-02-20
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Convertible or combined
C224S582000, C224S583000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189750
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular backpack separable into units and useable with the units connectable in various combinations.
There are various backpack designs which exist for carrying items such as clothing, books and other personal items. Such backpacks have become particularly popular for use by children and adolescents for carrying items to and from school and for recreational use.
There are also various waist bag designs for carrying items in a waist bag which have also become popular for use by children and adolescents, in particular.
Various well-known clothing and accessory designers have marketed and sold knapsacks and other bags in a product line, each usually sold separately and each carrying the trademark and/or trade dress of the designer.
A consumer, faced with the knapsack and bag options available, has typically been forced to purchase and use separately many different bags and bag styles, each one having a particular design and specific intended use. The result has been significant added cost to the consumer, especially for designer lines sold at premium prices due to the designers popularity, but has also resulted in the accumulation of a large number of bags requiring extra storage space, as well as the need to transfer items among different bags to carry a bag having a particular size which suits the need at a given time.
It would be desirable to provide a multi-use bag having a backpack separable into units and useable with the units connectable in various combinations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-use bag having a backpack separable into units and connectable in various subcombinations, usable alone or together.
It is an other object of the present invention to provide a backpack comprising a main back, usable as a backpack, connectable to a middle pack, which in turn is connectable to a lower pack, at least one of the middle or lower pack usable independently as a waist pack.
It is an other object of the present invention to provide a backpack having a number of units, each having at least one storage compartment therein, wherein at least one of the units has an access opening hidden from view when the units are connected together for security or other purposes.
In accordance with the present invention, a backpack is provided having a main pack usable as a back pack, a middle pack or bag connectable to the bottom of the main pack, a lower pack or bag connectable to the middle pack or bag, and a purse connectable to at least one the other packs or bags.
In accordance with the present invention, a modular backpack is provided, comprising a main bag having a top, a bottom, a front, a back and two sides. The main bag has two shoulder straps connected to the back of said main bag, and includes an opening in the top of said main bag for inserting and removing articles, and a flap cover attached to the upper back and removably attached to the upper front. The main bag further includes a first zipper portion around the bottom of said main bag, and snaps on the back to hold a purse. A middle bag is provided having a top, a bottom, a front, a back and two sides. The middle bag has a second zipper portion around the top thereof adapted to be connected to the first zipper portion of the main bag so as to releasably attach said middle and main bags together. The middle bag includes a third zipper portion around the bottom thereof. The middle bag includes a first waist strap portion attached to one side of the middle bag, and a second waist strap portion attached to the other side of the middle bag. The first and second strap portions having at their non-attached ends releasable engagement devices to releasably engage their respective non-attached ends after the waist straps encircle a user. The middle bag includes a zippered entry opening in one of the top and bottom sides.
The backpack includes a lower bag having a top, a bottom, a front, a back and two sides, and a fourth zipper portion around the top thereof adapted to be connected to the third zipper portion so as to releaseably attach the lower and middle backpack bags together. The first zipper portion is also being releaseably attachable to said fourth zipper portion to releaseably attach said lower and main backpack bags together. The lower bag includes a zippered entry opening and loops attached around the lower bag for releasably receiving the end of a strap having a releasable hook. The backpack includes a purse bag having a handle, an opening in said purse bag and a flap closure for covering said opening, with the flap having snaps for holding the flap closure in a closed position. The purse bag includes second snap portions for releasably engaging with snaps on front of the main bag.
The backpack may be used as one combination bag with the main bag, middle bag and lower bag connected together, with or without the purse bag. The main bag and middle bag may be used with the lower bag with or without the purse bag, wherein the main bag and lower bag may be used together with or without the purse bag, wherein the middle and lower bags may be used together without the main bag, and wherein each bag may be used separately.
Other objects, advantages and features will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, accompanying claims and attached drawing figures.
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Brevard Maerena W.
Cooper & Dunham LLP
Cronin Stephen K.
Phillips Peter J.
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