Background Art Generally, bags are used for storing and carrying items. The bags are manufactured to be easily carried on a desired body part. The bags have various designs and functionality, according to the kind of items to be stored therein and the intended purpose thereof.

For example, a book bag is provided with a plurality of pockets and partitions to conveniently contain books, notebooks, and other items. A knapsack is designed such that it is light in weight and such that a user may easily carry climbing equipment, including a cooking set, a camp stove, clothes, a sleeping bag, and other items. Further, a fishing bag is designed to neatly arrange various complicated fishing items, thus allowing the fishing items to be efficiently stored and managed.

As such, the bags have particular functions according to the intended purposes or uses thereof, in addition to an original function of storing items therein.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional book bag with a seat cushion serving as a backrest cushion, which is disclosed in Korean U. M. Registration No. 20-0334768 that was filed on 2003. According to this document, the book bag includes a back plate 2 and a cushion 3. The back plate 2 has a coupling part 4 along left, right, and bottom edges of the back plate 2, and the cushion 3 has a coupling part 4' along left, right, and bottom edges of the cushion 3 to engage with the corresponding coupling part 4 of the back plate 2. The coupling parts 4 and 4'allow the cushion 3 to be attached to or detached from the back plate 2 of a bag 1, as desired.

When the cushion 3 is attached to the bag 1, the cushion 3 serves as the backrest cushion. Conversely, when the cushion 3 is detached from the bag 1, the cushion 3 serves as the seat cushion.

However, the conventional book bag has the functions of the backrest cushion and the seat cushion, similarly to a student bag with a seat cushion, which is disclosed in Korean U. M. Registration No. 20-0248196 that was filed on 2001, and a bag with a seat cushion serving as a backrest, which is disclosed in Korean U. M. Registration No. 20- 0180056 that was filed on 1999. Thus, the conventional book

bag has a problem in that the function of the bag is very limited, considering the weight of the cushion attached to the bag.

That is, when the cushion of the conventional bag is detached from the bag using the coupling parts, the cushion is used as a seat cushion on which a user may conveniently sit. However, since the cushion comprises a single structure having a surface area that corresponds to the surface area of the back plate of the bag, it is troublesome or very inconvenient to fold or wave the cushion when a user desires to use the cushion as cheering equipment.

Meanwhile, of cheering items using both hands, stick balloons have been widely used. However, stick balloons generate noise. Thus, in order to reduce noise pollution and disposable garbage, stick balloons are not any used longer in Korea.

Stick balloons are prohibited by the Korean law which is termed the enforcement rule for the saving of resources and promotion of recycling'and was amended in Korea on July, 2003. According to the enforcement rule, the stick balloons for cheering must not be provided at stadiums or a vinyl bag must not be provided at drugstores free of charge. Further, control imposed on disposable synthetic resin vessels or disposable cheering equipment has gradually tightened.

Thus, when a user goes to a stadium without any cheering equipment except for the conventional bag with the seat cushion, the user cannot enjoy or delight in cheering.

Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show a conventional book bag with a seat cushion serving as a backrest cushion ; FIG. 2 is a perspective view and an enlarged sectional view to show a bag having a separable flat plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view and an enlarged sectional view of the bag having the separable flat plate of FIG. 2; FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views to show the separable flat plate of FIG. 2, when the separable flat plate is used as cheering equipment; FIG. 6 is a perspective view to show the separable flat plate of FIG. 2, when the separable flat plate is used as a windbreak; FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a bag having separable flat plates, according to the first modification of the present invention; and FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views to illustrate the second and third modifications of the present invention.

Disclosure

Technical Problem Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bag having a separable flat plate, which is configured so that the separable flat plate is divided into a plurality of cushion members and the cushion members are coupled to each other, using a member coupling means, and which is configured so that the separable flat plate is detachably fastened to a body of the bag, using various fastening means, thus allowing the bag to be used for various purposes.

Technical Solution In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a bag having a separable flat plate detachably attached to a body by a fastening means, wherein the separable flat plate includes one or more cushion members, with a member coupling means having the fastening means provided along a side edge of each of the cushion members, and the cushion members are coupled to each other or separated from each other by closing or opening the member coupling means.

According to an aspect of the invention, each of the cushion members includes an elastic support plate and an

elastic member superposed on the elastic support plate, the elastic support plate and the elastic member being covered with woven fabrics to be sealed.

In another aspect of this embodiment, each of the cushion members has a shape of a plate with a predetermined thickness, and includes a lower edge having a large length; an upper edge having a smaller length than the lower edge; a first side edge provided between the lower and upper edges, the member coupling means being provided along the first side edge ; a second side edge provided to be opposite to the first side edge, and defining an S'-shaped profile having a straight line part and a curvilinear part ; and a grip part defined by the first side edge, the curvilinear part of the second side edge, and the upper edge having the smaller length, thus allowing a user to easily hold each of the cushion members which are used as cheering equipment.

In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the fastening means is installed at upper and lower portions of the body, a sliding tab of the member coupling means, and both corners of the separable flat plate, and the fastening means is selected from a group consisting of a snap button, a Velcro button, a Velcro-fastener, a string, a bundle, and a hook-type clip.

Advantageous Effects According to the present invention, a bag having a

separable flat plate serves as a windbreak for camping equipment used outdoors, and serves as a seat cushion or a seat cushion having a backrest cushion function when fishing or watching sports, and serves as cheering equipment, such as a tassel or card. Further, when a user carries the bag, the separable flat plate is used as the backrest cushion, thus giving convenience and comfort to the user. Therefore, the present invention provides a multi-purpose bag.

Further, the bag of this invention is configured so that at least one separable flat plate is attached to the front or rear of the bag, thus simultaneously supporting a user's back and hips, therefore allowing the user to feel more comfortable.

According to the present invention, the separable flat plate can be adapted to various types of bags, for example, bags with shoulder straps, knapsacks, or roller blade bags.

Further, according to the present invention, the bag having the separable flat plate is configured so that a snap button and a tab ring are coupled to a sliding tab of a slide fastener provided at a predetermined position on the separable flat plate, and the area of the tab ring is relatively larger than that of the snap button, and the tab ring comprises an elastic member, thus being easy to attach and detach the snap button, and being convenient to fasten

and unfasten the separable flat plate.

Best Mode FIG. 2 is a perspective view and an enlarged sectional view to show a bag having a separable flat plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view and an enlarged sectional view of the bag having the separable flat plate of FIG. 2, FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views to show the separable flat plate of FIG. 2, when the separable flat plate is used as cheering equipment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view to show the separable flat plate of FIG. 2, when the separable flat plate is used as a windbreak.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bag according to the present invention includes a body 10 and a separable flat plate 30.

The body 10 defines an external appearance of the bag to store and carry items. The separable flat plate 30 serves as a backrest cushion, a seat cushion, cheering equipment, a windbreak, etc.

When a user pulls shoulder straps 11, an opening 12 of the body 10 is constricted. On the other hand, when the user opens the opening 12, the shoulder straps 11 are pulled into the opening 12. Further, loops 13 are provided on both corners of a lower end of the body 10, so that the bag of this invention can be adapted to various kinds of bags which will be described later herein, including a bag

with shoulder straps.

The separable flat plate 30 includes one or more cushion members 31 and 31'and a member coupling means 32.

The separable flat plate 30 is detachably fastened to a surface of the body 10 by fastening means 20 and 20'.

In the present invention, the fastening means 20 and 20'are selected from the group consisting of a snap button 22, a Velcro button 23, a Velcro-fastener 23b and 23c, a bundle 24 which is made of a flexible material to flap in the wind and serves as a cheering tassel, a hook-type clip (not shown), a string, etc. The fastening means 20 and 20' function to fasten the separable flat plate 30 to the body 10 of the bag, in addition to serving as a cheering tassel.

Further, the member coupling means 32 is selected from the group consisting of a slide fastener and a band- type fastener, which is provided along a side edge of each of the cushion members 31 and 31'. By the member coupling means 32, the cushion members 31 and 31'are separated from each other, or are coupled to each other in a single structure. Preferably, the member coupling means 32 is made of a flexible material.

For example, the slide fastener used as the member coupling means 32 is operated such that parallel rows of teeth of the slide fastener are interlocked by a sliding tab 33 moving in a longitudinal direction of the cushion members 31 and 31'. As a result, by the movement of the

sliding tab, the cushion members 31 and 31'are separated from or coupled to each other.

A hole is formed on the sliding tab 33 of the member coupling means 32, that is, the slide fastener. Thus, the fastening means 20 provided at an upper position on the bag, that is, the snap button 22 is coupled to the sliding tab 33 through the hole of the sliding tab 33.

Further, a tab ring 34 is provided between the sliding tab 33 and a head of the snap button 22. The tab ring 34 has an outer diameter which is larger than a diameter of the snap button 22 or a width of the sliding tab 33. Further, the tab ring 34 is a circular ring, and is made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicon.

In this case, the snap button 22 is seated in a button seat 22a provided on a surface of the body 10, using the elasticity of a circular spring 22b which is set in a fitting hole of the snap button 22.

A user can attach or detach the snap button 22 to or from the button seat 22a using the tab ring 34, with a relatively light force.

That is, the tab ring 34 serves as a holder that allows the user to efficiently apply a finger tip force to the head of the snap button 22.

Such a construction minimizes the transmission of an excessive force to the sliding tab 33 coupled to the snap button 22, thus preventing the sliding tab 33 from being

deformed or damaged.

According to the present invention, the Velcro button 23 is proposed as the upper fastening means 20 of the bag.

The Velcro button 23 has a shape similar to the snap button 22. The Velcro button 23 is coupled to the sliding tab 33 in the same manner as the snap button 22, and has the same purpose as the snap button 22.

However, the Velcro button 23 has a hook or pile piece 23b, different from the snap button 22. The hook or pile piece 23b is adhered to a lower end of the Velcro button 23 using an adhesive 23a.

Further, a pile or hook piece 23c corresponding to the hook or pile piece 23b is adhered to a surface of the body 10, so that the hook or pile piece 23b engage with the pile or hook piece 23c.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower fastening means 20', including the bundle 24 serving as the cheering equipment or a string (not shown), is laced through each of the loops 13 which are provided on both corners of the lower end of the body 10. Further, the upper fastening means 20, such as the snap button 22, is fastened to the button seat 22a.

Thereby, the separable flat plate 30 comprising the cushion members 31 and 31'is detachably fastened to the body 10 of the bag by the fastening means 20 and 20'.

At this time, an end of the bundle 24 or the string is laced through an eyelet 35 or is bonded to the eyelet 35

through a thermal fusion method or the like.

When the cushion members 31 and 31'are used as cheering equipment, the bundles 24 flap readily, thus maximizing the cheering effect. Further, the bundles 24 serve as the lower fastening means 20'.

Meanwhile, when the hook-type clip (not shown) is used as the lower fastening means 20', the hook-type clip may attach the separable flat plate 30 including the cushion members 31 and 31'to the body 10, by coupling the eyelet 35 to an associated loop 13 of the body 10.

As described above, the cushion members 31 and 31' are coupled to each other using a member coupling means 32, such as the slide fastener. When the cushion members 31 and 31'are separated from each other as shown in FIG. 3, the cushion members 31 and 31'may be used as cheering equipment. On the other hand, when the cushion members 31 and 31'are coupled to each other, the cushion members 31 and 31'may be used as a seat cushion, a backrest cushion, a windbreak, or cheering equipment using a card.

In order to accomplish the above-mentioned objects, an elastic member 36 and an elastic support plate 37 are provided in each of the cushion members 31 and 31'to be superposed on each other. The elastic member 36 absorbs shock and provides elasticity, like a sponge. The elastic support plate 37 is in contact with a surface of the elastic member 36.

The elastic support plate 37 has a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape to correspond to each of the cushion members 31 and 31'. In order to generate a predetermined support force and an elastic force or a restoring force (a force for returning each elastic support plate 37 to an original shape thereof after the elastic support plate 37 collides with another elastic support plate to thereby generate a sound) when the elastic support plates 37 are used as cheering equipment, each elastic support plate 37 is made of synthetic resin that is light and has superior elastic force and restoring force.

Further, each elastic support plate 37 keeps the elastic member 36, superposed on the elastic support plate 37, flat. When each cushion member 31, 31'is used as a seat cushion, a windbreak, or the like, each elastic support plate 37 serves as a fastening means to keep an associated cushion member 31, 31'flat.

After each elastic member 36 is superposed on an associated elastic support plate 37, the elastic member 36 and the elastic support plate 37 are covered with woven fabrics 38a and 38b having different colors. Thereafter, the woven fabrics 38a and 38b are sewn together or thermally fused to seal the elastic member 36 and the elastic support plate 37.

For example, the woven fabric 38a defining a surface of each cushion member 31, 31'has a fluorescent color,

while the woven fabric 38b defining another surface of each cushion member 31,31'has a red color. In this case, each cushion member 31, 31'has a front and a back of different colors.

Of course, the woven fabrics 38a and 38b may have the same color, or may have a color or a color tone which matches the color of the body 10 of the bag.

Since the bag is mainly used outdoors, it is preferable that the woven fabrics 38a and 38b be manufactured using a material which is the same as that of a knapsack, a new material which is excellent in terms of absorption or transpiration of sweat, or a waterproof material.

Each cushion member 31, 31'including the woven fabrics 38a and 38b, the elastic support plate 37, and the elastic member 36 includes a long lower edge 31a, an upper edge 31b which is shorter than the lower edge 31a, a first side edge 31c, and a second side edge 31d. The first side edge 31c is provided between the lower and upper edges 31a and 31b, so that the member coupling means 32, such as the slide fastener, is fastened to the first side edge 31c. The second side edge 31d is provided at a position opposite to the first side edge 31c, and defines an S'-shaped profile having a straight line part and a curvilinear part, thus allowing a user to easily hold and use the cushion members 31 and 31'.

The body 10 of the bag having the separable flat plate 30 according to the present invention is carried by a user to perform the original function of the bag. The bag is used for the following purposes, as necessary.

That is, the separable flat plate 30 is detached from the body 10 of the bag, using the fastening means 20 and 20', so as to use the separable flat plate 30 as a seat cushion, while watching sports, fishing, picnicking or other outdoor activities.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in order to use the separable flat plate 30 as cheering equipment at a stadium, the separable flat plate 30 is divided into the cushion members 31 and 31'using the member coupling means 32, such as the slide fastener. Thereby, one of the cushion members 31 and 31'is used as a seat cushion, while the other cushion member is used as cheering equipment by waving the bundles 24.

Further, in order to allow a user to easily hold each of the cushion members 31 and 31', a grip part 31e having a relatively narrow width is provided at a predetermined position on each of the cushion members 31 and 31'.

As shown in FIG. 5, a user holds the grip parts 31e, and then strikes two cushion members 31 and 31'together to produce a sound, thus exhibiting various cheering.

Further, when the cushion members 31 and 31', which are covered with the woven fabrics to have different colors

on fronts and backs thereof, are united into the separable flat plate 30, the separable flat plate 30 can be used as cheering equipment using a card.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the cushion members 31 and 31'are coupled into the separable flat plate 30 using the member coupling means 32 made of a flexible material, such as a slide fastener, it is possible to fold the cushion member 31 and 31'about the member coupling means 32 such that they are at right angles with each other.

Particularly, since the elastic support plate is provided in each of the cushion members 31 and 31', the separable flat plate 30 efficiently protects flames of a camp stove from a draft while climbing, fishing or engaging in other outdoor activities.

Mode for Invention FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a bag having separable flat plates, according to the first modification of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views to illustrate the second and third modifications of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the first modification of this invention. Referring to the drawing, two separable flat plates 30 and 30'are attached to opposite sides of the body 10 of the bag, thus allowing the bag to serve as both a backrest cushion and a seat cushion.

In this case, the fastening means 20 and 20'are provided on facing surfaces of the body 10 and the separable flat plates 30 and 30'. A plurality of Velcro- fasteners 23c to 23k, bundles 24 and 24', a slide fastener (not shown) provided along an edge of the bag, or a plurality of different snap buttons (not shown) may be used as the fastening means 20 and 20'.

One separable flat plate 30'is provided in the back of the body 10, whereas the other separable flat plate 30 is provided in the front of the body 10. In this case, one of the separable flat plates 30 and 30'serves as a backrest cushion, while the other separable flat plate serves as a seat cushion. The separable flat plates 30 and 30'are fastened to the body 10 by the bundles 24 and 24' serving as a tassel for cheering, thus preventing the separable flat plates 30 and 30'from being unexpectedly separated from each other, therefore being convenient to maintain the separable flat plates 30 and 30'.

Further, the separable flat plates 30 and 30'are manufactured to have different colors, so that various cheering using a card is possible. The plurality of separable flat plates 30 and 30'provide a larger windbreak, or a more comfortable and thicker seat cushion.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the second and third modifications of this invention. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is possible to easily adapt the separable flat plate 30 to a

body 10, 10'of each of a bag with a shoulder strap, a knapsack, a roller blade bag, a book bag, and a travel bag.

The separable flat plate 30 is attached to an associated body 10, 10'. Since the method of detaching the separable flat plate 30 from the body 10, 10'and the use of the separable flat plate 30 remain the same as the above-mentioned detaching method and use, they will not be described in detail herein.