Special receptacle or package – For a sport implement – exercise device – or game – For a ball
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-10
2001-09-11
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a sport implement, exercise device, or game
For a ball
C206S457000, C224S919000, C383S907000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286674
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to bags and backpacks.
2. Prior Art
Backpacks are typically used by kids for carrying books and supplies to school. Kids who play ball, such as basketball, frequently also carry balls with them to school. However, many types of balls are too big to fit into a conventional backpack already filled with books.
Various specialized backpacks are known in the prior art. An example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,581 to Reddy et al. includes a single compartment for carrying a ball. A mesh window is provided on the backpack for viewing the ball. However, there is no compartment for carrying anything else, such as books. A knapsack disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,98 to Chehehar includes a zippered compartment for carrying personal items, and a hinged platform that functions as a miniature basketball court when unfolded. A tiny basketball basket is unfolded from a rear panel of the backpack when the platform is unfolded. Neither the zippered compartment nor the hinged platform can hold a full sized basketball.
A backpack disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,287 to Cormier includes front and back halves that are zippered together. The front half includes a compartment for carrying personal items. The back half includes an exterior projection in the shape of half a basketball. The interior of the basketball-shaped projection is hollow for being put on a person's head, so that the back half functions as a cap. Both halves are rigid enough to maintain a preformed shape. However, even if the hollow part of the projection is sized for carrying a basketball, the rear half must be completely detached from the front half to put in or remove the ball, which is very inconvenient. Also, when the back half is detached, the ball would fall out immediately because there is nothing to retain the ball in the hollow space.
A bag disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,320 to Scott is comprised of two hemispherical halves that are zippered together to form a spherical bag for carrying a basketball. There is no compartment for carrying anything else. Another sports bag disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 363,817 to Beckwith includes two hemispherical halves connected by a tubular middle portion. The middle portion is collapsible into the hemispherical halves.
None of the prior art backpacks are sized for carrying a ball and personal items at the same time. Even if they are, each of them only provides a single compartment in which the large ball is mixed with the personal items. Although some of them are ball shaped, none of them literally suggests that it is for carrying a ball.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the objectives of the present carrying bag are:
to provide a primary container for carrying personal items, such as books;
to provide a ball container for carry a ball, such as a basketball, football, volleyball, or soccer;
to provide separate compartments for the ball and personal items to prevent them from interfering with each other;
to clearly indicate that the ball container is for holding a ball;
to maintain the shape of the ball container even when it is empty;
to make putting in the ball very easy; and
to enable the ball container to be detached from the primary container for being carried separately.
Further objectives of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present carrying bag is comprised of a primary container with a primary opening which is closed with a primary zipper for receiving personal items, such as books. Primary straps are attached to the front of the primary container. A ball container is detachably connected to the back of the primary container with a connecting zipper along the periphery of the ball container and on the back of the primary container. The ball container is comprised of a basketball basket for clearly indicating that it is a place to put in a basketball. The ball container is maintained in its shape by a first rib in a rim of the basket, and second ribs in a conical panel of the basket. A lid attached to the top of the ball container is detachably connected to the rim of the basket by a rim zipper. Divided compartments are thus provided for the ball and personal items to provide enough room for them and to prevent them from mixing. The ball container may be detached from the primary container by unzipping the connecting zipper. A ball container strap is attached to the ball container for enabling it to be carried alone.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 363817 (1995-11-01), Beckwith
patent: 5085320 (1992-02-01), Scott
patent: 5370287 (1994-12-01), Cormier
patent: 5819998 (1998-10-01), Chehebar
patent: 5909833 (1999-06-01), Smith
patent: 5927581 (1999-07-01), Reddy et al.
Lytle April
Richard Ada
Foster Jim
Lo Jack
LandOfFree
Carrying bag with ball container does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Carrying bag with ball container, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Carrying bag with ball container will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2514204