Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Article held by receiver
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2001-01-23
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Article held by receiver
C224S580000, C224S576000, C224S627000, C224S629000, C224S644000, C224S153000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176408
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to backpack type carrying devices and more particularly to a device specifically designed for transporting helmets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The helmet design and manufacturing industry strives to provide protective and attractive head gear for motorcyclists and bicyclists. These products are often decorated with corporate and brand name logos and signage. The price or economic value of a helmet can be relatively high depending upon market demand. The market value of a particular helmet can be determined by its effectiveness in head protection, weight, aesthetic appeal and prestige value of any distinctive decoration or signage. Motorcycle and bicycle riders commonly use their vehicles to transport themselves to distant locations, where it is inadvisable to leave a helmet unattended. Yet helmets are typically bulky objects that are awkward to carry when not in use. There has been a long felt need for an accessory device that allows a helmet wearer to conveniently transport a helmet with his or her person when dismounted and away from his or her vehicle.
Examples of specialized backpacks for carrying folding chairs or for providing protective clothing can be found in the Harrop, U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,793, which discloses a backpack for carrying a folding lawn chair, and Greenberger, U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,969, which discloses a backpack that is convertible between a backpack only mode and a backpack and protective outerwear mode.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a helmet backpack that is especially adapted for carrying a helmet. Specific embodiments of the present invention may be adapted to transport, carry and/or store rigid and/or military helmets, sports helmets, motorcycle helmets and/or bicycle helmets. The helmet backpack includes an enclosure for holding the helmet, an opening through which the helmet is inserted and removed, and strapping which is attached to the enclosure. The enclosure comprises a shell and a backing. The backing is positioned against the back of a user where the helmet backpack is being worn as a backpack. The shell and backing together secure the helmet within the helmet backpack. The shell material may be soft and conform to the shape of an enclosed helmet. Shells of this type are manufactured of spandex, neoprene or other suitable fabrics. Alternatively, components of the shell and enclosure may also include hard materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or other suitable material known in the art, which maintain a rigid shape. Various embodiments of the shell and backing incorporate combinations of hard and soft fabrics and materials with or without foam-over-molding construction and/or optically transparent materials. Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention may incorporate open windows or apertures where a portion or portions of the secured helmet are exposed.
An opening is located on the enclosure and provides the user with a means to insert and remove the helmet from the helmet backpack. In certain embodiments of the helmet backpack, the opening includes a closure device for securing the helmet within the enclosure and inhibiting the unintended exit of the helmet from the enclosure. Various closure devices employ a drawstring, an elastic drawstring, a zipper, buttons with buttonholes, hook-and-eye assemblies, hook-and-loop fasteners, such as VELCRO strips, snaps or other suitable closing features or mechanisms.
Optionally, the backing of the helmet backpack may include soft padding to increase protection to the helmet and wearing comfort to the user. Alternatively, the backing may provide a rigid or semi-rigid framework which conforms to the back of a user and reduces discomfort caused by the rubbing of an enclosed helmet against the back of a helmet backpack wearer.
The strapping includes one or more straps and is used to attach the helmet backpack around the body of a wearer. The strapping is constructed of strong and flexible material such as canvas, nylon mesh or other suitable material. Certain preferred embodiments of the strapping include compression molding sections, as may portions of the enclosure as well. The strapping may be adjustable in length. This feature of adjustment allows for improved wearing comfort of the helmet backpack. Furthermore, the strapping may be detachable. The strapping may, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, be used to attach and secure the helmet backpack to a motorcycle for transportation. Certain versions of the present invention provide strapping that is also used as a handle for carrying the helmet backpack by hand.
Optionally, the helmet backpack may include additional features such as pockets, dual or multi-purpose strapping, additional storage compartments, a grab handle and/or an attachment hook. Pockets may be located on the inside or the outside of the enclosure, or as components of the strapping. The interior volume of a helmet contained within the enclosure is a particularly valuable location for a pocket. Certain versions of the helmet backpack include a pocket or pockets that reside within this interior volume of a helmet where the helmet is contained within the enclosure. Certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a separate grab handle and/or a hook attached to the strapping or the enclosure and for use in handling or storing the helmet backpack with or without an enclosed helmet. Certain hook and grab handle designs can also be used to attach the helmet backpack to a belt or to the clothing of a user.
Optionally, the helmet backpack of the present invention may further provide separate storage compartments, which increase the usefulness of the helmet backpack by providing additional storage volume. Certain designs of these separate storage compartments are compressible and expandable, and/or detachable and attachable. The ability to detach and attach separate storage compartments allows the user to configure the storage volume of the helmet for task specific requirements.
The use of fabrics and materials as components in the helmet backpack of the present invention to display emblems, logos and/or signage is of significant commercial importance. The popularity of designer label identification by sectors of the consumer market and the desire of many consumers to express an affiliation with or appreciation of a specific social stratum or movement, political or ethnic group, corporation, sports team, design house or product manufacturer can significantly increase the monetary value of particular models of helmet backpacks constructed in accordance with the present invention and marked with signage such as an emblem, logo or other trade dress. In addition, the promotional interests of a wide range of social organizations, charities, corporations, product manufacturers, advertisers and others are advanced by the dissemination of preferred embodiments of the present invention exhibiting or bearing specific mottoes, emblems, logos, trade dress and/or other signage. The inclusion of compression molding and the use of markable materials such as neoprene, nylon, spandex or other suitable material is especially beneficial for the manufacture of preferred embodiments of the present invention that present an emblem, a logo and/or other signage.
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Miner Gregory Lawrence
Potter William Casey Gordon
Leary James J.
Reilly Patrick T.
Titus Carol D.
Vidovich Gregory M.
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