A great many different drawstring devices are known in the prior art for use in bags, sacks and the like. In their simplest form they consist of a cord which is threaded in a channel along the edge of the opening or in a retaining tape distributed along the edge. When the cord is tightened, the opening is drawn together and locked by tying a knot in the cord.

This simple design was then further developed by attaching to the cord a locking element, which, when the cord is drawn together or closed, is pushed inwards towards the opening, constricting it while at the same time one holds on to the external end of the cord. The locking element is either of the spring- loaded type or provided with a locking stopper which can be pushed backwards and forwards. When an opening has to be performed, the locking element is pulled out along the cord, while the lock stopper is kept released.

This design is employed to a great extent on rucksacks.

Even though the above-mentioned design of the closing device works satisfactorily in connection with large objects such as rucksacks, etc., it is not so suitable for smaller objects, e. g. a bag for hanging on a belt or an object which is in a position where it is difficult to reach with two hands. Moreover, the handling of such devices can be a problem for people who are handicapped. The problems arise because both hands have to be used, one to hold the object or the cord and one to operate the locking mechanism.

It is therefore an object of the invention to further develop the known closing devices for openings, where a cord is used for drawing together the opening, thus enabling the closing device to be operated with one hand. At the same time the device has to be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in operation and useful for a wide range of products.

These objects are achieved with a device of the type mentioned in the introduction which is characterized by what is presented in the patent claims.

In the device according to the invention, known per se elements are employed, but they are assembled and used in an entirely novel way which makes it possible to perform opening and closing of an opening in a simple movement using only one hand, i. e. a simplified handling of a closing device is achieved.

The essential feature of the object of the invention is that the cord is designed in two oppositely located end portions for the exercise of a pulling movement in the direction away from the opening. These two end portions are preferably equipped with beads, rings, loops or gripping devices of some kind. This design is combined with the second essential feature, viz. a friction mechanism which is secured in a fixed position near the opening, e. g. attached in a loop sewn on to the edge, thus enabling the cord to be pulled backwards and forwards through the secured mechanism. It is this combination which permits the simple handling.

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of an embodiment which is illustrated in the drawing, in which: fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the mode of operation of the device according to the invention, fig. 2 is a perspective view of a bag with the device according to the invention in a closed state, and fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bag in figure 2 in an open position.

The invention is exemplified by the use of the device according to the invention on a bag which is intended for hanging on a belt. A bag of this kind may be used, e. g. for keeping a mobile telephone, or for storing various small tools for use in connection with various leisure activities, e. g. for fishing, walks in the forest, climbing, golf, etc. Such bags can also be protective bags for storing, e. g. pewter or silverware, or the like. The bags involved here are relatively small, but the device is equally useful for large bags or for sacks, such as rucksacks. The illustrated embodiment may be used with bags of every kind of design or type of material, and several bags may be suspended on the same belt.

Drawing figure 1 is intended as an illustration of the necessary elements in the device according to the invention, without these being on the correct scale relative to one another, but the drawing is only meant to show the necessary elements and their position relative to one another. A bag 1 has an opening 2 at

its upper edge with an edge area 3, which, e. g., may be folded and sewn down, thus forming a channel in the edge area 3. Inside this channel all the way round the opening 2 a cord 4 is inserted, which exits from the channel at opposite sides, forming loops with end points 5 and 6, which in the illustrated embodiment are provided with beads. At one side of the opening 2 the cord 4 is passed through a friction mechanism 8, which is attached to the edge area 3.

In the illustrated embodiment the mechanism 8 is threaded into a tape loop 7 which is sewn on to the upper edge area of the bag 1. The mechanism 8 may be designed in any way which ensures that it stops or blocks a free passage of the cord 4. It thereby establishes a kind of friction against a free movement of the cord, with the result that this first exercise of a force, either at the end 5 or at the end 6, will close or open the bag. The mechanism 8 acts in such a manner that the bag will not be able to open by itself, but will only be opened and closed when so desired.

In its outer edge, preferably on the same side as the mechanism 8, the bag is provided with a strap or loop 9 which is intended to be threaded on to a belt. In the case of a rucksack the strap 9 will be replaced by the sack's carrying strap.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the closed and open positions for the bag 1. In the closed position the cord 4 will be pulled through the friction mechanism 8, as illustrated, and the end 6 of the cord will thereby draw together the circumference of the opening, closing the opening 2.

When opening the bag the user will take hold of the end 6 and pull it, with the result that the cord 4 with the end 5 will be pulled down towards the mechanism, thereby opening the bag with free access through the opening 2.

Neither when opening or closing the bag is it necessary to use more than one hand for pulling a cord, since the cord will be drawn through the friction mechanism, which only will secure the cord in the position in which it is located when force is no longer being exerted at either of the ends of the cord, i. e. the mechanism will prevent further opening or closing. Since this mechanism is attached to the bag and the bag is secured, e. g. in the belt, it will be possible to perform opening and closing with a single movement, i. e. with one hand.

Many modifications will be possible within the scope of the invention, both with regard to cord design, attachment of the mechanism 8 and design of the friction mechanism, which may be manually adjustable or spring-loaded, as

described above. Nor is it necessary in practice for the friction mechanism to be releasable, since it may be designed with a fixed, predetermined frictional force.

As mentioned above, the device according to the invention is well-suited for use in bags of all kinds, which can be attached to articles of clothing in some suitable manner, but the device is equally suitable, e. g. for closing rucksacks.

The device according to the invention may also be envisaged used onjacket pockets or for tightening the ends of jacket sleeves or trouser legs, where tightening may occasionally be desirable.