Technical Field

The present invention relates to a novel backpack.

Background of the Invention

Backpacks are used to carry personal belongings to school, to the beach, on bushwalks or in any number of other day-to-day situations. When a backpack is left unattended, it may become a target for thieves. In many cases, the thief may attempt to remove it from the vicinity as quickly as possible to avoid being caught before ransacking its contents. A chain may often be used to anchor the backpack to a fixed structure such as a lamp post or a fence to prevent unauthorised removal, whilst a padlock may be used to seal the opening of the backpack.

However, there are problems associated with this conventional approach. Firstly, it introduces an added burden upon the user who has to carry about the chain and/or padlock. Out of necessity, the user will often need to store the chain and padlock inside the backpack itself when not in use, thus occupying otherwise useful storage space. Secondly, the user must ensure that the chain and padlock themselves are not inadvertently misplaced. Thirdly, the use of a chain and/or padlock to secure the backpack may actually increase the risk of a theft, as the readily visible chain and padlock may attract the unwanted attention of potential thieves who may perceive that something of value is being protected.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the problems discussed above in relation to the prior art. A backpack including :

an enclosure having a releasably sealable opening; and a carry strap extending outwardly from an external surface of the enclosure; and a securement means which is at least partially housed within the carry strap, wherein the securement means includes a first end which is bonded to a first region of the enclosure, and, a second end of the securement means which is able to be selectively locked and unlocked from a second region of the enclosure; whereby, when the second end of securement means is unlocked from the second region of the enclosure, the securement means is able to be looped around the fixed structure and thereafter locked on to the second region of the enclosure to form a closed loop around the fixed structure, and, the second end of the securement means locks on to the second region of the enclosure in such a way as to substantially secure the enclosure opening in a sealed position.

Preferably, the securement means may include a flexible yet robust chain, wire, cord, cable or the like which may provide some resistance to breakage or cutting. Typically the securement means may include a metallic material.

Typically, the enclosure includes a flexible material such as nylon, canvass, or any other suitable material known to the person skilled in the art. Also preferably, the flexible material may provide at least some resistance to tearing and/or cutting.

Preferably, the releasably sealable opening includes a zipper having a zipper track and a zipper tab operatively attached to the zipper track for slidably opening and/or closing the zipper as required. Typically, the present invention includes a pair of substantially identical zipper tabs operatively attached to the zipper track which may operate independently of each other to open and/or seal the opening. Typically the zipper tabs include eyelets which are adapted for releasable attachment with the securement means. Preferably the zipper may be made of a robust material such as metal so as to alleviate the occurrence of the zipper being broken to break a closed loop formed by the securement means. In certain embodiments, at least part of the securement means may be selectively retractable and/or extendable relative to the enclosure. For instance, if the support means includes a cable, the cable may be wound up around a spool disposed upon the enclosure.

Preferably, a first end of the securement means may be bonded to a first region of the enclosure, and, a second end of the securement means may be releasably secured to a second region of the enclosure. Typically, the second end of the securement means may also include a padlock which is able to effect releasable securement to the second region of the enclosure. Preferably, the second region of the enclosure to which the second end of the securement means is releasably secured includes the eyelets of the zipper tabs when the zipper tabs are adjacent to each other and the opening is sealed.

Advantageously, because the securement means may be releasably secured to the second region of the enclosure, it may be used to form a closed loop around a fixed structure such as a fence post to reduce the risk of unauthorised removal of the enclosure by a thief. Also advantageously, by securing the padlock to the adjacent eyelets of the zipper tabs, the zipper tabs may be held in place such that it may be difficult to unseal the opening of the enclosure whereby the contents of the enclosure may be readily accessed by a thief.

Advantageously, by housing a portion of the securement means within the carry- strap, its visibility may be reduced so as to alleviate drawing any unwanted attention from potential thieves. Also advantageously, this may alleviate the need to store the chain and padlock in the actual enclosure when not in use whereby the otherwise useful storage space of the enclosure is occupied. The present invention also provides a generally tidier and compact securement means arrangement.

Typically, the present invention may include a pair of carry straps in which a pair of corresponding securement means are concealed therein.

Typically, the enclosure also includes a rigid compartment disposed within the enclosure which may include a metallic material, a lock and/or latches for releasably sealing an opening of the rigid compartment. The rigid compartment may for instance include a metallic "strong box" such as may commonly be used to store petty cash and other valuables. A support frame may be positioned within the enclosure to assist in restraining the rigid compartment, particularly when the backpack is being moved about. Also preferably, the present invention may include padding disposed around the rigid compartment so as to suitably cushion the user from the rigid compartment when the present invention is being carried on the user's back.

Preferably, the first end of the securement means may be bonded to a first region of the rigid compartment. For instance the first end of the securement means may be bolted to the rigid inner compartment. Also preferably, the padlock disposed on the second end of the securement means may be adapted to be releasably locked on to a second region of the rigid compartment. Typically, the second region of the rigid compartment includes the latch whereby, upon attachment with the padlock, ensures that the opening of the rigid compartment remains sealed.

Advantageously, the inclusion of the rigid compartment may further assist in alleviating the likelihood of a user's valuables being stolen. That is, in the event that a thief were to cut through the enclosure of the present invention, the user's valuables may be securely locked away within the rigid compartment, thus preventing the valuable from being taken. Moreover, because the rigid compartment may become part of the closed loop formed by the securement means, the likelihood of the rigid compartment being removed stolen is reduced.

Typically, when the securement means is being used to form a closed loop around a fixed structure, so as to anchor the present invention to the fixed structure, the padlock may typically be releasably secured to both the latch of the rigid compartment as well as the eyelets of the zipper tabs. In this manner, the securement means may provide multiple points of securement - that is:- • by releasably anchoring the enclosure and rigid compartment to the fixed structure; and • by securing the zipper tabs together so as to substantially prevent the zipper being opened to allow access to the enclosure opening; and • by maintaining the opening of the rigid compartment in a locked configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention wherein the carry strap is shown transparently so as to reveal the securement means concealed therein.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention

Figure 1 depicts a backpack (1 ) in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The backpack (1) includes a flexible enclosure (2), a rigid compartment (3) stored within the flexible enclosure (2), a zippered opening (4) disposed on the flexible enclosure (2), a carry strap (5) extending outwardly from an external surface of the enclosure (2), and a securement means (6) for releasably securing the enclosure (2) to a fixed structure. Figure 1 includes a transparent view of the carry-strap (5) wherein the securement means (6) is shown housed therein.

The zipper (4) includes a zipper track (4a) and a pair of substantially identical zipper tabs (4b) having corresponding eyelets (4c) disposed thereon. The eyelets (4c) are suitably dimensioned to allow for releasable securement with the securement means (6). The zipper track (4a) and tabs (4b) include a robust material such as metal to alleviate the risk of breakage in use.

The carry-strap (5) includes nylon surrounding a padded material such as foam. The carry strap (5) has a hollow core which accommodates a length of the securement means (6). A first end (5a) of the carry strap (5) is stitched to a first region (2a) of an outer surface of the flexible enclosure(2). A second end (5b) of the carry-strap (5) includes an open-end (5b) via which the second end (6b) of the securement means (6) is able to protrude outwardly of the carry-strap (5). In this embodiment approximately 6-inches of the securement means (6) extends outwardly of the second end (5b) of the carry-strap (5). The second end (5b) of the carry-strap (5) also includes a plastic buckle (7a) which is adapted to releasably couple with a corresponding plastic buckle (7b) disposed on the second region (2b) of the enclosure (2) in snap-fitting engagement.

The rigid compartment (3) disposed within the enclosure (2) includes a rectangular- shaped metallic box having a flip-top opening (3a) which can be releasably sealed by a latching means (3b). In certain embodiments, it is conceivable that the rigid compartment (3) includes a metal "petty-cash box" which is typically available for off- the-shelf purchase. To assist in restraining the rigid compartment (3) within the enclosure (2) a frame may be mounted within the enclosure (2) which provides support for, and restrains movement of the rigid compartment (3) within the enclosure (2) space when the backpack (1 ) is being transported about so as to alleviate any discomfort for the user. Additionally, foam padding is disposed within the enclosure (2) to cover any regions of the rigid compartment (3) which may tend to abut against the user in use.

The securement means (6) includes a light-weight yet robust metallic cord having properties that are substantially resistant to breakage and/or cutting. The enclosure (2) includes nylon although in alternative embodiments, other suitable material(s) known to the person skilled in the art may be used. The securement means (6) includes a first end (6a) and a second end (6b). The first end (6a) protrudes into the enclosure via an aperture (2d) in the enclosure and is bolted to an outer wall (3c) of the rigid compartment (3). The second end (6b) of the securement means (6) which protrudes outwardly of the second end (5b) of the carry-strap (5) includes a padlock (8) integrally attached thereon. The padlock (8) includes a 3-digit keyless padlock (8) with a curved locking pin (8a) which is suitably-adapted to be releasably coupled with both the eyelets (4c) of the zipper tabs (4b), and/or the latch (3b) of the rigid compartment (3) simultaneously. When the backpack (1) is in use for carrying items about, the user will first ensure that the buckle (7a) disposed on the carry-strap (5) is securely coupled to the corresponding buckle (7b) disposed on the second region (2b) of the enclosure (2). This will allow the user to sling the carry-strap (5) over his/her shoulder and thereby carry the backpack (1) about in an ordinary manner.

When the user is required to leave the backpack (1) unattended, he/she will seek to secure the backpack (1 ) to, for instance, a lamp post. The user will firstly decouple the second end (5b) of the carry-strap (5) buckle (7a) from the corresponding enclosure buckle (7b) disposed on the enclosure (2). The carry-strap (5) with the securement means (6) housed therein is thereafter able to be freely looped around the lamp post before the padlock (8) disposed on the second end (6b) of the securement means (6) is simultaneously locked on to the eyelets (4c) of the zipper tabs (4b) and/or the latch (3b) of the rigid compartment (3).

The securement means (6) thereafter is able to form a robust and secure closed loop extending from the rigid compartment (3), traversing the lamp post, and ending again at the zipper tabs (4c) and/or the latch (3b) of the rigid compartment (3).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described without departing from the scope of the invention. All such variations and modification which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features, referred or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.