FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is related to a bag, such as a backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In brief, and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, a backpack that is accessible by opening one or more side walls, which are releasably interconnected by a set of fasteners (such as zippers). The fasteners meet at a junction near a central region of the outward-facing portion of the backpack.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a backpack with a main compartment including a top end and a bottom end. The main compartment is defined by a set of walls, including a top side wall that at least partially defines the top end, a bottom side wall that at least partially defines the bottom end, a left side wall, and a right side wall. The main compartment also includes a back wall that connects to each of the top, the bottom, the left, and the right side walls. The backpack also includes one or more shoulder straps that extend along the back wall. Each wall of the set of walls that define the main compartment includes a portion, respectively, that converges at a centralized wall junction. The centralized wall junction is positioned between the top end and the bottom end of the backpack when the set of walls are in a closed configuration. The backpack includes at least four zippers: a first zipper that connects the top side wall to the left side wall; a second zipper that connects the top side wall to the right side wall; a third zipper that connects the bottom side wall to the left side wall; and a fourth zipper that connects the bottom side wall to the right side wall. Each of the four zippers includes a respective first end that terminates near the back wall and a respective second end that terminates near the centralized wall junction.

An additional aspect of the present invention includes a backpack with a back wall configured to be worn adjacent to a user's back and a front wall generally opposing the back wall. The backpack includes a centralized wall junction positioned in a central region of the front wall, which is constructed of a set of walls that meet at the centralized wall junction. A top wall is coupled to a top portion of the back wall and includes a first wall portion that meets at the centralized wall junction. In addition, a first side wall is releasably coupled to a first edge of the top wall by a first zipper and is coupled to a first side portion of the back wall. A second side wall is releasably coupled to a second edge of the top wall by a second zipper and is coupled to a second side portion of the back wall. Each of the first side wall and second side wall includes a second and third wall portion, respectively, that meets at the centralized wall junction. The backpack includes a bottom wall with a third edge that is releasably coupled to the first side wall by a third zipper and with a fourth edge releasably coupled to the second side wall by a fourth zipper. The bottom wall includes a fourth wall portion that meets at the centralized wall junction. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth wall portions forms part of the front wall. Each of the zippers includes a respective end that terminates at the centralized wall junction. Additionally, the bottom wall at least partially encloses a storage zone of the backpack that is accessible by opening the third zipper, the fourth zipper, or both the third zipper and the fourth zipper.

A further aspect of the present invention includes a backpack that includes a top end, a bottom end, a back wall configured to be worn adjacent to a user's back, a storage compartment at least partially defined by the back wall, and at least one shoulder strap with a first end connected near the top end and a second end connected near the bottom end. The backpack also includes a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall. In addition to other elements, the backpack includes four zippers: a first zipper connecting the top wall to the first side wall; a second zipper connecting the first side wall to the bottom wall; a third zipper connecting the bottom wall to the second side wall; and a fourth zipper connecting the second side wall to the top wall. When the zippers are closed, the storage compartment is configured in a closed state. Additionally, the storage compartment includes a first pocket and a second pocket. The first pocket is accessible when the first zipper and the second zipper are open. The second pocket is accessible when the third zipper and the fourth zipper are open. Each of the zippers terminates near a central region that generally opposes the back wall and is positioned between the top end and the bottom end.

Aspects of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary merely provides a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed-description section. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention is described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a backpack in accordance with an aspect hereof; FIG. 2A-2B depict the backpack of FIG. 1 with shoulder straps in accordance with an aspect hereof;

FIGS. 3-4, 5A, and 5B depict the backpack of FIG. 1 with some walls releasably connected by fasteners and some walls opened in accordance with an aspect hereof;

FIG. 6 depicts the backpack of FIG. 1 with a main compartment in an open arrangement in accordance with an aspect hereof;

FIG. 7 depicts items stowed within the main compartment in accordance with an aspect hereof; and

FIG. 8 depicts the stowed items of FIG. 7 with a releasably connected wall in an open arrangement in accordance with an aspect hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of aspects of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied or carried out in other ways to include different elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.

Aspects hereof provide a bag that includes a main storage compartment that is accessible by opening any one or more side walls. Each side wall is releasably fastened to each adjacent side walls by way of a zipper or any other releasable fastener (e.g., hook-and- loop strips, snaps, buttons, hooks, and the like). The backpack might also include one or more accessory storage compartments constructed into the one or more side walls or into a back wall.

The main storage compartment generally includes a storage space that is larger than the accessory storage compartments and that might include one or more additional storage pockets accessible from inside the storage space or outside the storage space. The accessory storage compartments are generally separated from the storage space of the main storage compartment and might be used to stow various items, such as athletic balls, footwear, towels, uniforms, sports drinks, sports supplements, and the like. The terms "storage" and "stowage" might be used interchangeably in this description, as well as the terms "storage area," "compartment," and "storage space." In addition, accessory storage compartments may also be referred to herein as "accessory compartments," "accessory pockets," "storage pockets," or just "pockets" (e.g., items 48A-G in FIGS. 3-6).

In a further aspect the bag is wearable as a backpack. For instance, the bag might include one or more straps that can be worn on one or both shoulders. In one aspect, the backpack is designed such that items stored in the main storage compartment are accessible by opening the releasable fasteners securing any one or more of the side walls. Access may be allowed from the top, bottom, left, or right side of the backpack or any combination thereof, as opposed to limiting access from the top end of the backpack. Items stored within the accessory storage compartments are also accessible by opening any one or more of the fasteners or side walls.

In an additional aspect, releasable fasteners and side walls meet near a centralized region when the bag is in a closed arrangement. As such, selectively opening one or more of the fasteners or side walls provides focused access to particular zones within the various storage compartments (e.g., bottom, side, central, etc.) without splaying open the entire backpack. In addition, opening the releasable fasteners that secure any one of the side wall may allow the released side wall to be positioned within a substantially same geometric plane as the back wall, and opening all of the removable fasteners securing the side walls may allow the backpack to lie flat in a substantially same geometric plane (i.e., the bag is configurable into a lay-flat arrangement).

Referring now primarily to FIG. 1, some features of a backpack 10 will be generally described. FIG. 1 depicts a non-worn state of the backpack 10, such as when the backpack might be set on a ground surface. Generally the backpack 10 includes a top end 12 and a bottom end 14. FIG. 1 also depicts a front wall 16 that is comprised of side walls 18 (top), 20 (bottom), 22 (right), and 24 (left). The side walls 18, 20, 22, and 24 are each coupled to a back wall (hidden from view in FIG. 1, but shown as item 26 in FIGS. 2A-2B). The front wall 16 generally opposes back wall 26, and the front wall 16 and back wall 26 at least partially enclose a main storage compartment (item 28 in FIG. 3). In addition, the backpack 10 includes one or more zippers 30, 32, 34, and 36 that provide access to the storage space by way of the front wall 16. For exemplary purposes, zipper attachments are described herein and are depicted in the figures; however, any suitable releasable fastener might also be used to connect portions of the backpack, such as snaps, hook-and-loop fastening strips, clips, and the like. FIG. 1 also depicts an optional retention mechanism 38 that connects top wall 18 to bottom wall 20. For exemplary purposes, the retention mechanism depicted and described herein is a clip 38 with a male and female portion; however, any suitable retention mechanism might also be used such as snaps, hook- and-loop fastening strips, other clip styles, and the like. Another retention mechanism (not shown) might also (or alternatively) be included that connects the side walls 22, 24 to one another.

FIG. 1 also depicts a centralized wall junction 40 located near the central region of front wall 16 where a portion of each side wall 18, 20, 22, and 24 converges. The portion of each side wall 18, 20, 22, and 24 that meets at the centralized wall junction 40 may be substantially trapezoidal or triangular in shape. As such, the portion that meets at the centralized wall junction 40 might be an edge or a vertex of the wall that meets near the centralized wall junction. For exemplary purposes, side walls 18, 20, 22, and 24 that are generally overall triangular in shape or trapezoidal in shape are described herein and are depicted in the figures; however, the shape of the side walls 18, 20, 22, and 24 may also include any other suitable shapes, such as curves, rectangles, polygons, etc. Further, the overall shape of backpack 10 may generally be trapezoidal, as depicted, or may generally be any other appropriate shape such as rectangular, ovate, circular, polygonal, etc. Also, the portion of each wall that meets at the centralized wall junction might have one type of configuration, such as triangular or trapezoidal, and other portions of the wall (e.g., near the back wall) might have a different configuration.

As indicated, the centralized wall junction 40 is positioned in a central region of the front wall 16. That is, the centralized wall junction 40 is positioned between the top end 12 and the bottom end 14 and between the left side and right side. Generally, the centralized wall junction 40 is positioned a first distance apart from the top end 12 and a second distance apart from the bottom end 14, and the relative size of the first distance and the second distance might vary. In one aspect, the centralized wall junction might be positioned more towards the top end 12 of the backpack. For example, the first distance might be about one-third of the second distance. In other aspects, the centralized wall junction might be positioned more towards a mid-point between the first end 12 and the second end. For example, the first distance might be about 50 percent or more of the second distance. And in another example, the first distance is between about 75 percent and 100 percent of the second distance. When the first distance is 100 percent of the second distance, then the centralized wall junction is positioned at a mid-point between the top end 12 and the bottom end 14.

The backpack in FIG. 1 is depicted in a closed configuration. Zippers 30, 32, 34, and 36 each have a respective end 30A, 32A, 34A, and 36A that terminates at or near the centralized wall junction 40. Zippers 30, 32, 34, and 36 each also have a respective end 30B, 32B, 34B, and 36B that terminates at or near the back wall 26. Each zipper includes a respective zipper pull that traverses respective zipper teeth from one end to the other in order to selectively open and close the zipper.

In one aspect, the alignment of the releasable fasteners creates an 'X' pattern when the backpack is in a closed configuration. FIG. 1 depicts such an 'X' pattern with respective portions of zipper 30 and zipper 36 substantially aligned and respective portions of zipper 32 and 34 substantially aligned. The term 'X' pattern connotes a general impression created by the zippers and the wall portions that meet at the centralized wall junction. That is, 'X' pattern does not necessarily define the zippers to physically meet or touch at a single point.

In other aspects, zippers 30, 32, 34, and 36 may also not be substantially aligned or be substantially aligned to form other configurations at the wall junction that are not depicted, such as an 'H' shape, "t" shape, a cross shape, plus-sign shape, and the like. In another aspect, the zippers and wall portions that meet at the centralized panel junction 40 form a Greek pi symbol (i.e., ΤΓ), in which the top wall includes a substantially straight edge that meets at the junction, the side walls include trapezoidal shaped portions with respective vertices that meet at the junction, and the bottom wall includes a trapezoidal shaped portion with an edge that meets at the junction. In other aspects, more than four zippers might be provided in combination with more than four walls or panels to create other patterns or designs that meet at a centralized position, such as a starfish pattern or starburst pattern.

The textile of backpack 10 might include various types of fabric or materials including nonwoven, woven, and multi-layer woven fabric created using dual-loom technology (e.g., Jacquard weave). The walls described in FIG. 1, include side walls 18, 20, 22, and 24 and back wall 26 may be integrally woven together as a single-piece construction or may be separate pieces that are affixed to one another using various attachment techniques such as sewing, stitching, adhering, sonic welding and the like, in order to construct the backpack 10.

A rear view of the backpack 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIGS. 2A and 2B depict back wall 26, which may be comprised of zones of varying material, patterns, and/or thicknesses, such as 26A and 26B. In one aspect, zones 26A may include additional padding to cushion the wearer's back while zones 26B may have less or no padding to reduce bulk or weight and increase flexibility. Another nonlimiting possibility includes having zones of mesh material interspersed with zones of non-mesh material to provide for increased ventilation for main compartment 28 and for the wearer's back. Zones 26A might be stitched, adhered, sonic welded, or integrally woven with zones 26B.

FIGS. 2A and 2B also depict shoulder straps 42 that extend along back wall 26 and are connected at or near the top end 12 and along respective sides of backpack 10. For exemplary purposes, two straps are depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B; however, any number of straps may be provided for lifting, carrying, or securing backpack 10. The shoulder straps 42 may be integrally formed, as depicted in the figures, or may be separately connected at or near the top end 12 and along respective sides. Straps 42 are depicted as being coupled to top end 12 and along respective sides of the backpack by way of the strap-adjustment mechanism 44. In other aspects, shoulder straps 42 may also be coupled to near the bottom end 14 of backpack 10 or may be releasably connected to top end 12 of backpack 10.

For exemplary purposes, the strap-adjustment mechanism 44 depicted and described herein is a strap buckle 44 that is fixedly coupled to the strap and that slidably receives a free end of another strap connected to the side of the backpack. However, any suitable retention mechanism might also be used such as clips, snaps, hook-and-loop fastening strips, other clip styles, and the like, and the straps might be anchored to other portions of the backpack (e.g., bottom end). Also, the straps might be attached to the sides or bottom of the backpack in a non-adjustable manner. Shoulder straps 42 may be comprised of multiple layers of fabrics or other materials, which may include mesh, polyester, cotton, foam, silicon, air pockets, or any other fabric, padding material, or the like. Backpack 10 may also include one or more additional carrying or support handles 46. In addition, the backpack 10 might include one or more other belts (e.g., hip, chest, etc.) that wrap around the user for additional support and load management. FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B depict the backpack 10 in a closed configuration, in which walls and zippers are closed and meet near a central junction 40. An aspect of the backpack 10 allows zones or storage spaces of the backpack to be accessed in a focused manner without having to open the entire backpack. For example, in FIG. 1 a lower zone of the backpack 10 might be generally oriented behind the bottom wall 20, and zipper 34 or zipper 36 provides access to the lower zone without having to access the entire backpack. That is, the lower zone can be accessed to store or retrieve items without having to reach through a single opening near the top end 12 of the backpack 10. The focused access allows the lower zone to be targeted without having to blindly reach through other zones, such as an upper zone behind top wall 18. Features of the backpack allow for the lower zone, as well as other portions and zones of the backpack, to be accessed for storage and retrieval in a focused and efficient manner.

Turning to FIGS. 3-6 the features of the backpack 10 that allow for zippers and walls to be selectively opened and closed will now be described in more detail. This decoupling of some of the zippers and walls provides access to the main storage compartment 28 and accessory storage compartments. For example, in FIG. 3 the backpack 10 of FIG. 1 is shown with top side wall 18 and right side wall 22 in an open configuration. FIG. 3 depicts zippers 30, 32, and 34 and retention mechanism 38 in an open configuration with male portion 38A detached from female portion 38B, which allows the top side wall 18 and right side wall 22 to be positioned in substantially the same geometric plane as back wall 26.

The open configuration depicted in FIG. 3 allows access to main compartment 28 as well as to accessory compartments 48A-C. More specifically, centrally located spaces within the main compartment 28 are accessible since the zipper 30 ends near the centralized junction 40. In addition, lower spaces of the main compartment 28 (behind bottom wall 20) are also accessible via zipper 34. Absent the zipper and wall configurations described in this application, these central and lower spaces are not as easily accessible in some top-load backpacks.

In further aspects, these portions of the backpack are accessible by releasing only some of the zippers or walls. For example, the main storage compartment 28 and accessory compartment 48C is accessible by only releasing the zipper 30, and lower spaces of the main compartment 28 might be accessed by only releasing zipper 34. In addition, only the top side 18 might be opened by releasing zippers 30 and 32 in order to access a top zone and central zone of the storage compartment. Such access is possible regardless of whether the backpack is in a worn or unworn state.

Generally, accessory compartment openings might be releasably fastened by way of zippers (e.g., 50A-D) or any other appropriate fastener such as snaps, hook-and-loop fastening strips, clips, and the like. For exemplary purposes, various forms of accessory pockets 48 are depicted in FIGS. 3-6; however, many other accessory compartment configurations are also possible, including compartments designed to secure specific items, such as water bottles, keys, pens, pencils, cellular phones, towels, athletic gear, uniforms, footwear, and the like. Accessory compartments may be comprised of any appropriate fabric or material, such as polyester, mesh, cotton, rubber, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrated one manner of accessing certain compartments of the backpack 10. Another manner of accessing at least part of the backpack 10 is depicted by FIG. 4, which illustrates backpack 10 in an open configuration with zippers 32 and 36 open. In this configuration, left side wall 24 may be positioned into substantially the same geometric plane as back wall 26. The open configuration depicted in FIG. 4 allows focused access to zones of the main compartment 28 as well as to accessory compartments 48D-F. In addition, by releasing the zipper 36 access is provided to a lower zone of the storage compartment (e.g., at least partially behind bottom side 20).

Referring to FIG. 5A, another aspect is illustrated depicting backpack 10 in a partially open configuration with zippers 34 and 36 open and retention mechanism portion 38A detached from portion 38B. In this configuration, bottom side wall 20 may be positioned into the substantially same geometric plane as back wall 26. The open configuration depicted in FIG. 5A allows focused access to a lower zone of main compartment 28 that is near the bottom of the backpack 10. Items might be positioned in the lower zone for various reasons. For example, some items stored in the backpack 10 might tend to settle near the bottom of the backpack, whereas other items (e.g., less breakable items) might be intentionally stored in the lower zone. Zipper 34, zipper 36, or both zippers 34 and 36 provide focused access to the items positioned in the lower zone of storage compartment 28 without having to open other portions of the backpack 10 and without having to reach through other zones or spaces of the backpack 10 (top zone).

In a further aspect depicted in FIG. 5B, the bottom side wall 20 includes one or more accessory compartments 48G constructed into an inward facing surface 25, which faces towards the storage space of the storage compartment and towards the back wall 26 when the bottom wall 20 is closed. In this respect, the accessory compartment 48G might be more secure than an external pocket positioned on an outward facing surface of the bottom side wall 20. When at least one of zippers 34 and 36 is opened, focused access is provided to the accessory storage compartment 48G without having to access the entire backpack.

In addition, FIG. 5A depicts another accessory storage compartment 48E constructed into the inward facing surface 27 of the back panel 26 that faces towards the storage space of the storage compartment and towards front of the backpack 10. The accessory compartment 48E might be more secure than an external pocket positioned on an external surface of the backpack 10. When at least one of zippers 34 and 36 is opened, access is provided to the accessory storage compartment 48E without having to access the entire backpack. In addition, opening one or both side walls 22 and 24 might also provide focused access to the accessory storage compartment 48E without having to access the entire backpack 10.

Although the figures depict variations of accessory pockets or compartments, other stowage mechanisms might also be included in the main compartment. For example, a footwear-stowage mechanism might be constructed within the main storage compartment, such as against the inside surface of the back wall. The footwear-stowage mechanism might be constructed in a manner to allow for footwear to be quickly and securely stored and easily retrieved, and in one aspect, the footwear-stowage mechanism includes one or more retention straps.

FIGS. 3-5 depict backpack 10 as being only partially opened, in order to access zones within the storage compartment 28 and accessory compartments in a focused manner. In another aspect, FIG. 6 depicts backpack 10 in a lay-flat configuration. In FIG. 6, each of zippers 30, 32, 34, and 36 is unzipped and retention mechanism portion 38A is detached from portion 38B. In this configuration, top side wall 18, bottom side wall 20, right side wall 22, and left side wall 24 are capable of being positioned into substantially the same geometric plane as back wall 26. A lay-flat arrangement allows unfettered access to the main compartment 28 and to all accessory compartments 48A-G at the same time. When in the lay-flat configuration depicted in FIG. 6, each of the accessory compartments 48A-G and the main compartment 28 is viewable and accessible to assist with viewing and organizing items for storage in the backpack. That is, the lay-flat configuration provides a comprehensive view of the backpack and its various storage compartments to assist a user with stowing or accessing items in an organized fashion. Accordingly, the lay-flat configuration is usable to store items in an organized manner. And as explained in other portion of this description (e.g., FIGS. 3-5), the zipper and side-wall configurations of the backpack 10 provide for more focused access points, such that the various main and accessory compartments are accessible without opening the entire bag. Such access is possible regardless of whether the backpack is in a worn or unworn state.

To further illustrate features of the backpack 10, FIGS. 7 and 8 include exemplary items 52, 53, and 54 (ghost view in FIG. 7) that might be stored in the backpack 10. For example, the backpack 10 might have been arranged in a lay-flat configuration in order to organize items 52, 53, and 54. Alternatively, only portions of the backpack might have been opened in order to stow the items 52, 53, and 54.

In an exemplary scenario opening zippers 32 and 36 enables side wall 24 to open, as depicted in FIG. 8, allowing access to the towel 53 and/or ball 54 in the main compartment 28, or access to food bar 52 in the accessory pocket 48F. In addition, the ball 54 and the bar 52 might be accessed by simply unzipping the zipper 32 between the top panel 18 and the side panel 24. Moreover, the lower zone of the storage compartment 28 might be accessed by simply releasing zipper 36 in order to retrieve the towel 53.

As such, the backpack 10 includes structural features that enable a user to flexibly stow and retrieve items in either a comprehensive or focused manner. Items can be stored or accessed in a comprehensive fashion by utilizing the lay-flat configuration depicted in FIG. 6. In addition, elements of the backpack 10 enable more focused storage or access of zones or portions of the backpack 10, such as by selectively opening the backpack in the manner depicted in FIGS. 3-5 and 8.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.