Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to luggage, such as backpacks, crossover packs, utility packs, courier bags, messenger bags, briefcases and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to backpacks having audio components that can be easily deployed and retracted upon demand.

Background of the Invention Backpacks and other types of luggage are well known in the art. Pepole commonly use backpacks to carry items such as clothing, books, tools, food, and sporting equipment People also use backpacks to transport portable electronics, such as portable compact disc players or mobile telephones, and commonly operate these portable electronics while wearing their backpacks. For example, people may listen to earphones connected to a portable compact disc player stored in their backpack, or talk on a mobile telephone stored in their backpack using a combined earphone and microphone device (commonly referred to as an "earbud"). It may be difficult or uncomfortable, however, to listen to and operate these portable electronic devices while they are located in a backpack, due to tangling of wires, inaccessibility of controls, and other inconveniences. Thereibre, there is a need in the art for backpacks and other types of luggage with audio components that are easy to access and operate, and which can be easily deployed and retracted upon demand.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a luggage bag including a bag, at least one earphone associated with the bag, and a wire for connecting the earphone to an electronic device. The luggage bag also includes a retraction mechanism for selectively moving the wire between a retracted position and an extended position. The wire may be retained in the extended and/or retracted positions. According to one embodiment, me wire also connects a. microphone to the electronic device (e.g., in the case where the earphone is an "earbud").

The luggage bag may include at least one shoulder strap attacled to the bag, wherein the wire extends through at least a portion of the shoulder strap. The retraction mechanism

may also include a retraction member located on the shoulder strap. According to one embodiment, the retraction member may slide with respect to the strap. According to another embodiment, the retraction member may rotate with respect to the strap. A controller may also be provided on the shoulder strap, to adjust the volume or other function of the electronic device.

According to one aspect of the invention, the bag may include a first compartment for carrying items to be transported, and a second compartment for carrying the electronic device. Preferably, the second compartment may be easily accessible through one of the walls of bag.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the retraction mechanism may be operable to automatically retract the wire to die retracted position, For example, the retraction mechanism may include a button, and pressing the button may cause the wire to automatically retract to the retracted position. Pressing the button may cause the wire to wrap vrap around a spool associated with the retraction mechanism. Extending the wire toward the he extended position may compress a spring associated with the spool. At least one pawl may be associated with the spool, wherein the pawl engages the spool and prevents the spring from decompressing when the wire is exteded toward the extended position.

Pressing the button may cause the pawl to disengage the spool allowing the spring to decompress.

Brief Description of the Drawings The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like elements, as follows : FIG. 1 is perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a backpack. according to the present invention, shown with earphones in a retracted position; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backpack of FIG. 1, shown with the earphones in an extended position ; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a shoulder strap having a retraction mechanism according to the present invention ; FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded, perspective view of the retraction mechanism of FIG.

3 ; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shoulder strap and retraction mechanism of FIG 3, taken along line V-V;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shoulder strap having a retraction mechanism according to the present invention ; FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of one illustrative embodimentof a wire and earphones according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of the bag of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment of a backpack according to the present invention ; FIG. 10 is perspective view of a jack, a volume controller, a retraction mechanism, earphones, and the associated wiring of the backpack of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of one illustrative embodiment of the retraction mechanism of FIG. 10; and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the retraction mechanism of FIG. 11, taken along line XII-XII.

Detailed Description of the preferred Embodiments Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an illustrative embodiment of a luggage bag according to the present invention is shown as backpack 10. Although the invention is shown and described harem herein with reference to a backpack, the invention may be used with any type of luggage known in the art, such as, for example, a duffel bag, a briefcase, a computer bag, a purse, or a courier bag.

Backpack 10 includes a bag 12, wich may include one or more compartments for carrying items to be transported. Bag 12 may be constructed from nylon, polyester, cotton, leather, suede, or any other suitable materials known in the art. Backpack 10 also incMes one or more straps 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, backpack 10 includes two shoulder straps 14, which are connected to bag 12 and aUow a user to carry backpack 10 0 using one or both of the straps. Straps 14 may be constructed from nylon, polyester, cottoa, leather, suede, or any other suitable materials, and may be padded or unpadded.

Still referring to FIGS, 1 and 2, backpack 10 may be provided with one or more earphones 16. As used herein, "earphone" or "earphones" refers generally to earphones, carbuds, headphones, hearing aids, or any other devices wearable on or around a user's head or in, on, or around a user's ears to produce sounds, Earphones 16 may be connected, via wires, to a portable electronic device 18 (shown in phantom is FIGS. 1 and 2) stored in bag 12. Suitable electronic devices include, without limitation, a radio, cassette player, compact disc player, MP3 player, mobile telephone, two-way radio, or any other type of portable electronic device known in the art. One or more of earphones 16 may also include a microphone (either integrated into earphones 16, attached to earphones 16, or otherwise associated with earphones 16), such that the earphones 16 may be used to communnicate over a mobile telephone, two-way radio, or other communications device. One embodiment of the combined earphone/microphone is commonly known as mi"earbud." As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 2, wires 20 connect earphones 16 to portable electronic device 18, and transport signals between electronic device 18 and earphones 16. In the illustrative embodiment shown, wires 20 extend into an electronics compartment 12A, which is configured and dimensioned to hold portable electronic device 18. Wires 20 may extend at least partially through a channel defined in strap 14 (as shown m phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2) and into one or more compartments of bag 12. The channel may be provided in strap 14 between two or more layers of material in a mulfi-layer strap, or may bemoaned (e. g., cut or molded) ed) into a single-layer ord solid strap, although, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, other methods of providing the channel are within the scope of the present invention.

Wires 20 may be selectively moved between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 1), and an extended position (shown in FIG. 2). Thus, a user may extend earphones 16 to the extended position, in order to listen to them ; and may conveniently move earphones 16 to me retracted position for storage when not using them. Earphones 16 may also be maintained in one or more intermediate positions between the retracted position and the extended position.

Referring to FIG. 3, an aillustrative embodiment of strap 14 including a retraction mechanism 22 is shown. Retraction mechanism 22 may be used to selectively move wire 20 beween the extended position and the retracted position, Retraction mechanism 22 includes a retraction member 24, which is movable with respect to strap 14. In the illustrative embodiment shown, retraction member 24 is slidable with respect to strap 14 along a track 26. Strap 14 may also include an enclosure 28 (shown for illustrative purposes in FIG. 3 as a rubber hood) for at least partially enelosing earphone 16 when in the retracted position. Th order to to move wire 20 and earphone 16 from the retracted position shown in FIG. 3, to the extended position, a user can grasp earphone 16 and pull it away from strap 14 to a desired location. In order to retract wire 20 and earphone 16 back to the retracted position (or any position between the extended position and the retracted position), the user can move retraction member 24 back to the position shown in BIG. 3, which will retract wire 20 back into strap 14, and move earphone 16 back into enclosure 28.

Still, referring to FIG. 3, backpack 10 may be provided with a controller 30 for operating variousj6a. rarious functions of portable electronic device 18, such as adjusting the volume of earph 16 or 16 or controlling other functions of electronic devioe 18 (e.g., changing stations on a radio, staring and stopping play a CD player, dialing a mobile telephone., etc.). In the illustrative embodi ment shown in FIG. 3, controller 30 is sandwiched between two layers of material that form strap 14. Controller 30 may alternatively be molded into strap 14, or attached to strap 14 by bonding, sewing, or any other method of attachment known in the art. While controller 30 is shown own located on strap 14 in FIG. 3, it may alternatively be provided on other parts of backpack 10, such as in or on bag 12.

Referring to FIG. 4 an illustrative embodiment of retraction mechanism 22 is shown in detail. il. Retraction mechanism 22 may include a body 32 that defines track 26 for retraction member 24 to slide in. Retraction member 24 may include a first portion 34 that is associated with wire 20, and a second portion 36 that is operable by a user to slide retraction member 24 in track 26. Retraction member 24 may also include an intermediate portion 38 that is disposed between the first portion 34 and the second portion 36.

Intermediate portion 38 may be located in track 26 with first portion 34 located within body 32, and second portion 36 located external to body 32. Thus, wire 20, first portion 34, and intermediate portion 38 may be substantially concealed within body 32, with second portion 36 located on the exterior of body 32 and operable by a user ; however, one of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate that any number of other configurations of etraction mechanism 22 are possible. First portion 34, second portion 36, and intermediate portion 38 are preferably configured and dimensioned such that retraction member 24 is slidable in track 26, but such that retraction member 24 cannot easily fall out of track 26.

Still referring to FIG. 4, wire 20 is associated with first portion 34 with a first free end 20A extending out of body 32 through opening 40 and connecting to earphone 16, and with a second free end 20B extending through strap and into bag 12 for connection to electronic device 18. As shown in FIG. 4, wire 20 may be looped around first portion 34 of retraction member 24, and slidably disposed in recess 41, in which case retraction member 24 operates like a pulley to vary the relative lengths of first free end 20A and second free end 20B. One of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate, however, that there are many other ways of associating wire 20 with first portion 34. For example, wire 20 may be attached to first portion 34, such as by bonding, screwing,, stapling,, stitching or any other method of attachment known in the art. A keeper 43 may optionally be. associated with opening 40, to provide resistance against movement of wire 20 through opening 40. In the

embodiment shown in FIG. 4, keeper 43 is a rubber member located adjacent opening 40, although other configurations are possible.

Moving retraction member 24 in track 26 adjusts the amount of wire 20 that extends from strap 14 through opening 40 (referred to herein as "exposed portion 42"), Moving retraction member 24 all the way toward first end 26A of track 26 retracts wire 20 to a retracted position. In the retracted position, exposed portion 42 preferably has a relatively short length, such that earphone 16 is held close to strap 14; however, wire 20 and/or retraction mechanism 22 may be dimensioned and configured (e.g., by varying the length of track 26) for exposed portion 42 to have any desired length when in the retracted position.

Moving retraction member 24 toward second end 26B of track 26 pushes wire 20 through opening 40, and consequently increases the length of exposed portion 42. Alternatively or additionally, a user can grasp earphone 16 and pull away from strap 14 to manually extend wire 20 through opening 40. When etraction member 24 is moved all the way toward second end 26B of track 26, wire 20 is in the extended position. In the extended position, exposed portion 42 preferably has a length that is sufficient for earphone 16 to be comfortably worn on or near a user' head or ear. When retraction member 24 is positioned between first end 26A and second en 26B of track 26, wire 20 is in an intermediate position. One of of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate that wire 20 may be positioned in any number of intermediate positions between the retracted position and the extended position.

The lengthening and shortening of exposed portion 42, provided by retraction mechanism 22, permits wire 20 to be retained in the extended position. That is, wire 20 will remain substantially in the extended position unless some external force (e.g., a force applied by a user) is applied to earphone 16, wire 20, or retraction mechanism 22 to move wire 20 to the retracted position or one of the intermediate positions. Similarly wire wire 20 may be retained in the intermediate positions and the retracted position. Thus, a user may use retraction mechanism 22 to selectively position wire 20 (e.g., to adjust the length of exposed portion 42) with respect to backpack 10, and wire 20 will remain substantially in that t position. This retaining of wire 20 may be further aided, for example, by friction between retraction member 24 and track 26, and/or by friction between wire 20 and keeper 43.

Referring to FIG. 5, strap 14 and retraction mechanism 22 are shown in cross- section. In the illustrative embodiment shown, retraction mechanism 22 is disposed between a first layer of material 44, and a second layer of material 46, however the present invention is not litsited to any specific construction of strap 14. Thus, retraction mechanism

22 may alternatively be attached to a single-layer strap (e.g., by molding, bonding or stitching), or may be attached to a strap having any type of construction iknown in the art.

First layer 44 may be open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, rubber, gel, fabric, or any other suitable strap material known in the art, and second layer 46 may be nylon, polyester, cotton, leather suede, or any other suitable shell material known in the art.

Still referring to FIG. 5, strap 14 may be provided with a recess 48 that receives retraction mechanism 22 and provides a low overall profile of strap 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, recess 48 is provided in first layer 44, although other locations are possible. Recess 48 may be formed by any conventional metod known in the art, including without limitation, molding, cutting, laser cutting, or thermoforming. Strap 14 may also be provided with an optional faceplate 50, which may be at least partially disposed between retraction meehanism 22 and second layer 46. Although retraction mechanism 22 has been shown and described herein as located on strap 14, the present invention is not limited to any specific location of retraction mechanism 22. Accordingly, retraction mechanism 22 may be be located any where on backpack 10, including in or on bag 12.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the retraction mechanism is shown. According to this embodiment, retraction mechanism 60 includes a retraction member 62 that is rotatable with respect to strap 14 to move wire 20 between the extended position and the retracted position. Retraction mechanism 60 may also include a spool 64 (shown in broken lines in FIG. 6), around which wire 20 is coiled or uncoiled upon rotation of retraction member 62. Retraction member 62 and/or spool 64 may be rotatably attached to strap 14 by any means known in the art, such as an axle or screw extending through strap 14. Also, spool 64 may be concealed within strap 14 (e.g., sandwiched between two or more layers of material), or may be located externally to strap 14 where it is visible.

With the illustrative embodiment of retraction mechanism 60 shown in FIG. 6, rotation of retraction member 62 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) causes wire 20 to coil around spool 64 and consequently decreases the length of exposed portion 42 of wire 20.

Upon sufficient rotation of retraction member 62 in the first direction, wire 20 is moved into the retracted position. Rotating retraction member 62 in a second, opposite direction (e. g., counter-clockwise) uncoils wire 20 from spool 64 and increases the length of exposed portion 42. Thus @ sufficient rotation of retraction member 62 in the second direction moves wire 20 into the extended position. Alternatively or additionally, a user can grasp, earphone 16 and pull away from strap 14 to manually extend wire 20 towards the extended position.

Retraction mechanism 60 can also be used to selectively position wire 20 in one or more intermediate position. Retraction mechanism 60 may retain wire 20 in the retracted

position, extended position, or one or more of the intermediate positions, as discussed above with respect to retraction mechanism 22.

Referring to FIG. 7, one embodiment of wire 20 is shown. Wire 20 may optionally include a jack 66 that is configured and dimensioned to connect and disconnect wire 20 to electronic device 18. Jack 66 may be selected depending upon the specific type of elect device 18 to be used with earphones 16, and may be any conventional jack that is known in the art. Furthermore, wire 20 may be any type of conduit known in the art for transmitting signals, power, ect., between electronic devices. As shown in FIG. 7, controller 30 may be connected to wire 20 between jack 66 and earphone(s) 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, one illustrative embodiment of bag 12 is shown. Bag 12 may . include a back wall 70, a front wall 72, and first and second side walls 74, 76. Bag 12 may also include a first compartment 78 for carrying items to be transported, and a second compartment 80 for carrying electronic device 18. One of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate, however, timt bag 12 may have any number of walls and/or compartments.

To provide convenient access to electronic device 18, second compartment 80 may be accessible through one of the side walls 74, 76. For example, second compartment 80 may have a zipper or velcro opening that opens through one of the side walls 74, 76. In addition, second compartment 80 may be padded to protect electronic device 18 from becoming damaged by impact, ect. Any conventional padding known in the art may be used to pad second compartment 80.

Still referring to FIG. 8, bag 12 may may also include a removable pouch 82 for receiving and holding electronic device 18. A cord 84 may extend between pouch 82 and bag 12 to connect pouch 12 to to second compartment 80. Cord 84 preferably has a length sufficient to allow pouch 82 to be removed from second compartment 80 to allow access to electronic dence lS (e. g., to ch e a compact disc in a CD-player)., but short enough to maintain pouch 82 (and electronic device 1. 8 m it) in close proximity to second compartment 80. At least a portion of pouch 82 may be made of a translucent or transparent, pliable material, thus allowing a user to manipulate the electronic device 18 when located in pouch 82 (e.g., to operate buttons or controls on the electronic device 18). Pouch 82 and cord 84 may serve as a safety feature to prevent electronic device 18 from inadvertently being dropped and damaged. According to to one embodiment of the present invention, cord 84 is substantially elastic, like a bunpe-cord.

Referring to FIG. 9 a second illustrative embodiment of a backpack according to the present invention is shown. Backpack 100 is similar in construction to backpack 10, described above with respect to PIGS, I through 8, except that backpack 100 includes a

retraction mechanism 102 that is operable by a user to automatically retract wires 104 to the retracted position. That is, a user may pull wires 104 and/or earphones 106 to a desired position, which will cause wires 104 to extend from the retraction mechanism 102; and the retraction mechanism 102 will retain wires 104 in that extended position. A user may subsequently operate the retraction mechanism 102 to cause it to automatically retract wires 104 back to the retracted position. This may be accomplished, for example, by pressing a button 108 associated with retraction mechanism 102, which will cause the retraction mechanism 102 to retract wires 104. As with backpack 10, described above, retraction <BR> <BR> <BR> mechanism 102 may include one or more straps 110, and retraction mechanism 102 may be located on one of the straps 110, however other locations are possible. Additionally or altematively, wires 104 may extend through at least a portion of one of the straps 110. As shown in FIG. 9, backpack 100 may include a controller 112 for operating various functions of the portable electronic device, such as adjusting the volume of earphones 106 or controlling other functions of the electronic device (e.g., changing stations on a radio, starting and stopping play on a CD player, dialing a mobile telephone, ect.). In the illustrative embodiment shown, controller 112 extends from a pocket 114 formed in strap 110, however controller 112 may be associated with strap 110 or any other part of backpack 100 in any number of ways known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, controller 112 may be provided in or on bag 116.

Referring to FIG. 9, one illustrative confit : of retraction mechanisni 102, wires 104, earphones 106 and controller 112 is shown. Backpack 100 may include a jack I 18, which may serve as a central interface for connecting retraction mechanism 102, earphones 106 and controller 112 to the electronic device (not shown). Jack 118 may be selected depending upon the specific type of electronic device to be used with earphones 106, and may be any conventional jack that is known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, one illustrative embodiment of retraction mechanism 102 is shown. As discussed above, retraction mechanism 102 mayinclude a button 108, which is operable by a user to automatically retract wires 104 from. an extended position to the retracted position. Retraction mechanism 102 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 generally includes a body 120, which supports a spool 122 around which wires 104 may be wound. A spring 124, shown for illustrative purposes as a torsion spring, may have one end 126 in engagement with body 120 and another end 128 in engagement with spool 122, such that rotation of spool 122 in a predetermined direction causes spring 124 to compress (e. g.,. to wind up). Retraction mechanism 102 may also include a plunger 130 which extends through spool 122. Plunger 130 is preferably fixed from rotation with respect to body 120,

but spool 122 may rotate about plunger 130. Plunger 130 and/or spool 122 may have contacting surfaces 132, 134, respectively, that are normally spring biased towards one another, for example, by spring 136. Surfaces 132, 134 may have cooperating pawls or ramps that interact with one another, under the force of spring 136, to allow rotation of spool 122 about plunger 130 in one direction, but not in the opposite direction. A portion of plunger 130, such as head portion 138, may be located underneath button 108, such that depressing button 108 may move plunger 130 downward, against the force of spring 136, to cause surfaces 132, 134 to move out of contact with one another. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, button 108 may be formed of a pliable material, such as rubber, however other configurations are possible.

Spool 122 and/or spring. 124 may be oriented such that extending wires 104 toward the extend position causes spring 124 to compress, creating a restoration force in spring 124 which tends to rotate spool 122 in the opposite direction, which would retract wires 104. In addition, the cooperating pawls or ramps on surfaces 132, 134 may be oriented to prevent rotation of spool 122 in the opposite direction (i.e., in the direction that would cause wires 104 to retract). According to this configuration, when a user pulls earphones 106 and/or wires 104 toward an extended position, rotation of spool 122 will create a restoration force in spring 124. Cooperation between the pawls or ramps on surfaces 132, 134, however, will prevent spool 122 from retracting wires 104 back into retraction mechanism 102. Thus, a user may extend wires 104 to a desired intermediate or fully extended position, and retraction mechanism 104 will not undesirably retract wires 104 back to the retracted position. When a user wishes to retract wires 104, they can press button 108, which will in turn depress plunger 130 and cause the pawls or ramps on surfaces 132, 134 to move out of contact, allowing spool 122 to rotate under the restoration force of spring 124. This rotation of spool 122 will cause wires 104 to wrap around spool 122 and return to the retracted position. Depending on how long the user presses button 108, wires 104 may return completely to the retracted position, or else to an mtermediate position located somewhere between the retracted and fully extended positions. Thus, retraction mecdhanism 102 may be used to extend wires 104 to a desired position and maintain wires 104 in that position, such as for use of earphones 106, and to subsequently automatically retract wires 104 to the retacted position or an intermediate position by pressing button 108. It should be noted that the retraction mechanism of FIGS. 10 through 12 is not limited to the specific structure <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> described herein, nor to the use of a button. Rather, any number of retraction mechanisms known in the art may be used, having any number of triggers for retracting the wires. For example, a retraction mechanism that automatically retracts wires after a short, quick

extension of the wires may be used, such as is well known in the art and commonly used in devices such as vacuum cleaners.

Referring back to FIG. 9, backpack 100 includes a bag 116 having one or more compartments for carrying items to be transported. Bag 116 may also include a first pocket 1. 42 for receiving and holding the electronic device (not shown). A pouch 144 for receiving the electronic device day be associated with Erst pocket 142'via, for example, a cord 146.

Pouch 144 and cord 146 may serve as a safety feature to prevent the electronic device from inadvertently being dropped and damaged. Bag 116 may also include a second pocket 148 having a folio 150 associated therewith by a second cord 152. Folio may be configured to hold media for the electronic device (e.g., compact disks, computer disks, flash memory cards, micro drives, cassettes, etc.). One of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate, however, that the present invention is not limited to any specific configuration of me bag or pockets.

While various deseriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features can be used singly or in any combination thereof. In particular, the various inventive concepts need not be used in conjunction and only one of the inventive concepts may be provided without detracting from the invention. Therefore, mis invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For example the present invention is not limited to any specific type of luggage, and maybe employed in various types of luggage, such as briefcases, carry-on bags, portable computer cases, messenger bags, utility bags, crossover bags, and any other types of fluggage known in the art. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention.

The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.