Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Convertible or combined
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-09
2001-02-27
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Convertible or combined
C224S627000, C224S645000, C224S652000, C224S655000, C108S043000, C383S004000, C206S001700, C206S575000, C150S104000, C150S145000, C190S011000, C190S114000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193118
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Invention Disclosure
An embodiment of this invention was described in an invention Disclosure Document, No. 419,974, filed on May 27, 1997, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
2. The Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of organizers. More specifically, this invention relates to backpacks containing supplies and tools.
3. The Relevant Technology
Writing and drawing are forms of communication and expression which are central to human life and have been for centuries. While a great deal of writing and drawing occurs in an office or home setting in which an individual has ready access to a table or other writing surface, it is common for authors, artists, and draftsmen to travel to remote locations in order to write or draw.
Artists, for example, travel to a scenic environment, a street corner or another remote location in order to record their surroundings on paper. Writers often abandon the busy and hectic atmosphere of urban life in order to find peace in the outdoors, such as in a park, on a beach, or in the mountains. Others attempt to draw or write while traveling in an automobile or airplane.
For each of these writing and drawing enthusiasts, their decision to write or draw in these remote locations presents a variety of advantages, such as those listed, but also presents certain challenges, including finding a convenient writing surface on which to express themselves. For example, upon arriving at a park, a writer must often search for a surface upon which to place a piece of paper in order to begin writing.
It is not uncommon for a writer or artist to carry a clipboard, a pad of paper or a book to a remote location, then draw or write on the pad of paper or on a piece of paper placed on the book, clipboard, or pad. A difficulty associated with typical portable writing supplies, however, is that the writing supplies must be transported by either holding onto the writing supplies, placing the supplies in a vehicle, or placing the supplies in a bag, backpack or other temporary storage container while travelling to the remote location. Upon arriving at a desired destination, the user must remove the paper and a clipboard or a book out of the temporary storage container in order to begin writing or drawing.
While the simple process of removing a piece of paper from a container, then placing the piece of paper onto a surface which permits writing on the paper may not be cumbersome for the individual who has brought a book or clipboard or arrived at a location with a bench, this process is particularly cumbersome when the artist or writer fails to bring a book or clipboard or is confined within an enclosed space, such as an automobile or airplane.
Particularly children are susceptible to becoming frustrated if they would like to entertain themselves in an automobile, airplane, bus, train or other mode of transportation by writing or drawing if their supplies are disorganized and if they must balance a paper on top of a book on their lap. The frustration of children often results in behavioral outbursts, which can result in parental frustration.
In addition to the frustration of transporting a book or clipboard to a remote location in order to provide a surface on which to write, the writing supplies transported also tend to become disorganized and damaged if merely stuffed into a backpack or bag. Although certain backpacks and bags have been designed with pouches and other holding devices, these backpacks and bags are generally designed to be placed away from a specific work area, such as on the floor or in a neighboring chair once the user arrives at a location and removes the writing supplies therefrom.
While it is possible in some circumstances to keep a bag having organizing compartments close by while writing or drawing, such as when the user is sitting at a table and places the bag on the table, it is often inconvenient or impossible to keep the bag with organizing compartments within a work area, such as when riding in an automobile or airplane. Furthermore, since typical backpacks and bags are designed to be comprised of a lightweight, pliable, woven material, the material often used is typically not suitable for writing thereon or for placing a piece of paper thereon in order to write on the paper.
Another related problem within the art relates to workers who carry supplies and tools to remote locations, then desire a work surface upon which to manipulate items. Plumbers, repairmen, electricians, construction workers, and a host of other individuals, for example, often carry supplies and tools to a remote location, then desire a flat area on which to manipulate parts and other objects only to find that they are working in a cumbersome space in which a flat surface is not readily available. While it is possible to carry tools and supplies in a bag or backpack and carry a separate work surface which is suitable for manipulating the tools and supplies on, this practice is often inconvenient and cumbersome.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved organizer.
It is another object of the invention to provide an article which includes a work surface surrounded by an organizer for organizing items needed during writing, drawing or performing other work on the work surface.
It is another object of the invention to provide a backpack containing an integral work surface.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a backpack fitted with a variety of pouches designed specifically to contain tools and supplies.
It is another object of the invention to provide a panel having a work surface coupled thereto which includes a space between the panel and the work surface for the placement of insignia-bearing sheets between the work surface and the panel.
It is another object of the invention to provide a panel having a work surface coupled thereto and one or more flaps coupled to the panel.
It is another object of the invention to provide a panel having a plurality of organizing flaps coupled thereto.
The organizer of the present invention comprises (a) a panel, (b) a work surface; and (c) a rim for coupling the work surface to the panel. Preferably, the panel is part of a backpack. The work surface is light permeable and a space exists between the work surface and the panel for placement of a sheet of paper or other object between the work surface and the panel. Static electricity maintains the sheet of paper against the work surface in a removably affixed position. The sheet has indicia thereon which are observable through the work surface.
Thus, the organizer can be used to store objects, such as paper between the panel and the work surface. Once the user is ready to use the organizer, the user can remove the paper from the space between the panel and the work surface and place the paper on the work surface. The organizer can also be used to trace the images of the indicia appearing through the work surface with a marker or other writing instrument. The work surface of the organizer can also be used to manipulate objects and parts stored in the compartments of the organizer.
First and second flaps couple to opposing sides of the panel. Each flap has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface of one flap selectively folding against the work surface. The flaps may be coupled to each other to prevent the flaps from flailing about when the backpack is transported. Each flap includes one or more pocket, pouch, or an organizing tray coupled thereto for containing tools, writing instruments, supplies or other objects.
The backpack is configured to fit within the lap of a user and the first and second flaps are each configured to drape onto opposing sides of the legs of the user, allowing convenient access by the user to the work surface and to objects coupled to the first and second flaps. Upper and lower flaps are also coupled to opposing upper and lower ends of the panel which allow convenient access by the user.
The organizer
Dellenbach David B.
Jamin, Inc.
Vidovich Gregory M.
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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