Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02389120 2002-06-04
BACKPACK
Cross-reference to Related Application
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser.
No. 60/ 296,684, filed June 6, 2001.
Background of Invention
The present invention relates to the field of backpacks, and, more
specifically, to
a backpack having a pouch specifically adapted for carrying a toy such as a
teddy bear.
Summary of Invention
Previously backpacks of a wide variety of constructions have been known. There
are fewer backpacks designed particularly with children in mind, with a view
to their
smaller body structure and the interest children have for carrying with them
specific
types of items, especially favorite toys. Many children are fond of, or in the
habit of,
carrying with them for comfort a specific item. In many cases this item is a
stuffed
animal, such as a "teddy" bear. However, there are not known any previous
attempts to
provide a backpack for children which is especially constructed to receive and
securely
retain in a part thereof a teddy bear, especially in a manner by which the toy
bear can be
easily viewed and accessed tactilely for play or comfort. In addition to a
favorite
comfort toy, a child may also need or wish to have on hand many other items,
such a
clothing, snacks, books and additional toys. Thus, a child's backpack must be
able to
accommodate a significant volume. Even though a teddy bear may be light
weight, it
can be rather bulky, and if it must be placed inside the main compartment of a
child's
backpack the toy will consume most, if not the entire space in the main
compartment,
leaving little or no room to accommodate others of the objects desired to be
carried by
the child.
The present invention provides just such a backpack, with a special extra
pouch
designed especially to securely receive a teddy bear or other stuffed toy or a
doll,
wherein the toy appears to be riding in the backpack but can be readily
accessed. The
toy pouch is independent of the main compartment of the backpack. In an
alternative
embodiment the invention includes an additional, smaller, toy backpack, of
such a size
that it can be used to hold very small items, such as toys, or change, and may
be used
during play as a backpack suitable for placing on a toy or doll.
CA 02389120 2002-06-04
Thus, among the several goals of the present invention is to provide a
backpack
construction which is especially suitable for children and which includes a
selectively
openable and closeable pouch for holding a toy such as a teddy bear, or other
stuffed toy
or doll, in a position which provides visibility of the toy and easy
accessibility, as though
the teddy bear is "riding" in the pack. In addition, the backpack holds any
items which
may be carned in other compartments of the backpack. The construction of the
present
invention also causes the toy or doll to be securely retained in the pouch in
carrying
position, even when the backpack is being worn by a very active child.
Accordingly, in furtherance of the above goals, the present invention is,
briefly, a
backpack having a main body portion with front and rear walls. The backpack
has at
least one shoulder strap connected to the rear wall of the main body portion
to facilitate
carrying of the backpack on the user's body, and a pouch mounted to the front
wall of
the main body portion. The pouch has a top, bottom and opposed side edges and
is
connected to the main body portion along the bottom and two side edges. The
top edge
is not connected to the main body portion. The pouch is adapted along the
bottom edge
to be opened to permit passage therethrough of a lower portion of a toy to be
carried in
the pouch.
These and other advantages of the invention will be in part apparent and in
part
described hereinbelow.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is an upper front perspective view of a backpack in accordance with the
present invention, shown in the closed position.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the backpack shown in Fig. 1, partially
cut
away to illustrate internal features of the invention.
FIG. 3 is an upper front perspective view of the new backpack with the front
pouch shown in open position.
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the backpack of Fig. 1.
FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the backpack of Fig. 1.
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the backpack of Fig. 1.
FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view thereof.
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the new backpack as shown in Fig. 8.
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CA 02389120 2002-06-04
FIG. 10 is an upper front perspective view of another embodiment of the new
backpack, illustrating an optional mini-backpack attachment.
FIG. 11 is a right side elevational view of the backpack of Fig. 10, the
opposite
side being a mirror image thereof.
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the backpack of Fig. 11.
Throughout the drawings, like parts are indicated by like element numbers.
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CA 02389120 2002-06-04
Detailed Description
With reference to the drawings, element number 10 generally designates a
backpack constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.
Figures
1 - 9 illustrate that backpack 10 has a main body portion 12 with two pockets
14, 16 on
opposite sides of main body 12 and a front pouch 18. Shoulder straps 20 are
shown in
Fig. 5 connected to the back of main body portion 12 to facilitate carrying of
backpack
on a user's back. Figures 10 - 12 illustrate an alternative version of
backpack 10 with
an optional miniature pack 22 connected thereto, as will be described in
further detail
hereafter. It is to be understood that the overall form of backpack 12, as
shown, is
preferred, but that it could vary substantially without compromising other
aspects of the
invention, which include front pouch 18, as will be described later herein.
Backpack 10 is preferably sized appropriately for wearing by a small child,
but
could be sized for larger children or adults as well. Main body portion 12 is
preferably
composed of a front wall 24 and a back wall 26 with an intervening side wall
28
connected by sewing or other conventional methods between the front and back
walls of
the main body portion so that the walls define therein a main compartment
indicated at
30 in Fig. 2. As shown the front and back walls 24, 26 are illustrated as
being
substantially flat and the intervening side wall 28 curves somewhat at the top
of the
backpack and is substantially flat on the bottom thereof. However, the main
body
portion 12 could take alternative shapes, such as a less structured, bag form,
for example.
Main compartment 30 is suitable for carrying relatively large bulky items and
the
two side pockets 14, 16 can then be used to retain smaller items. All
compartments 12,
14 and 16 are illustrated with the preferred zippered closures, such as at 32
in Fig. 8,
although they can also be closed by other suitable closures, such as snaps,
hook and loop
fasteners, flaps, buttons and the like. If desired, advertising, logos or
other graphic
depictions can be provided, for example as indicated at 34 in phantom on
pockets 14, 16,
or elsewhere on backpack 10. An optional carrying or hanging strap 36 is
illustrated in
phantom, as seen in Figs. 1 - 3.
Fig. 2 shows an internal strap 38 which is secured within the main compartment
30, for example, by sewing or other secure connection of the strap ends to an
internal
seam of the main body 12. Preferably strap 38 is sewn into a seam 40
connecting the top
wall and back walls of main body 12. Strap 38 can have many uses, but is
ideally suited
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for receiving the hook portion of hangars provided with toy clothes as
accessories to
teddy bears or other stuffed animal toys. Bearing in mind that the
construction of
backpack 10, and particularly of main body portion 12, can vary substantially
and still be
within the scope of the invention, it is anticipated that strap 38 can be
omitted altogether.
Strap 38 can also be connected by a different method or be substituted with a
different
material or structure, such as a wire loop, for example, and still be within
the scope of
the invention.
The cut-away view of Fig. 2 also illustrates a preferably transparent panel 42
glued or otherwise attached to the inside of back wall 26 of main body 12 to
provide a
place for an identification tag or other optional information to be visibly
stored.
With reference to Figs. 1 - 4, front pouch 18 is formed of a pocket portion
having
a wall 44, which pocket is connected by sewing, gluing or other suitable
methods to the
front of main body portion on two opposed side edges 46, 48 and a bottom edge
50 and
has an open, unattached upper edge 52. The open upper end of pouch 18 provides
upper
access to an internal area 56 of the pouch within which a teddy bear (shown in
phantom
at 70 in Fig. 3) or other toy can "sit". Upper edge 52 may be provided with
some
elasticity by known means, in order to be biased loosely inwardly. When it is
desired
that pouch 18 be covered, a flap 58 can be allowed to fall downwardly over
opening 56
and may be connected by a hook and loop fastening mechanism 60 or other
suitable
closures. The bottom of pouch 18 is made selectively openable preferably by a
zipper 62
or other suitable alternative openable closures. Thus the front pouch 18 can
be used in
closed position to carry small or loose items, or it can be used as primarily
intended to
receive a teddy bear and provides room for the bear's legs to extend through
the opening,
as illustrated in Fig. 3.
A further key feature of new backpack 10 is also found in pouch 18, wherein a
strap 64 or other suitable elongated member is connected at one end within
pouch 18 to
the front wall of the main body portion, and at the opposite end to the wall
44 of pouch
18, substantially centrally and longitudinally within pouch 18. The strap is
preferably
connected as shown, to the seam connecting flap 58 to the front of main body
portion 12
and to an outermost edge 66 of the opening formed when zipper 62 is open.
Strap 64
provides an added degree of security if the teddy bear, or other doll or toy,
is placed in
pouch 18 with a foot on each side of the strap and the strap therefor passing
beneath,
CA 02389120 2002-06-04
supporting the bear in the pouch and preventing it from dropping through the
bottom
opening to the ground. The elasticity which can be added to edge 66 can also
help to
retain the bear in pouch 18 if a child carrying backpack 10 with the bear in
pouch 18
becomes very active. The present backpack 10 construction including pouch 18
is not
previously known in the art.
Figs 10 - 12 illustrate an alternative, or optional feature of the present
invention,
a miniature, preferably simplified backpack 22 which includes a main body
portion 112,
with shoulder straps 120 and a front pouch 118 having a top closing flap 348
constructed
similarly to backpack 10, except that front pouch is not adapted to open at
the bottom for
insertion of a teddy bear. Rather, it is sized so that it may be placed over
the arms and on
the back of a doll or small stuffed animal, if desired. Mini pack 22 is
connected to
backpack 10 by a snap and loop attachment, illustrated at 68, or by other
suitable,
conventional connection mechanisms.
In all versions illustrated, when zippers are used, the zipper pull tabs may
be
formed, if desired to a particular logo shape, as shown, or may be
conventionally formed.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the
invention
are achieved and other advantages are attained. Although the foregoing
includes a
description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention,
various
modifications are conceivable.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein
described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention it
is intended
that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the
accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
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