Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02457269 2004-02-11
1664POICA01
AN APPARATUS HAVING A BOTTOM OPENING POCKET
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] The current application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Application
No. 60/446,675, filed on 02/11/2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to apparatuses for carrying items, and
more specifically,
to an apparatus that includes at least one bottom opening pocket.
2. BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Carrying devices, such as a bag, are frequently used to carry various
types of items for
various purposes. Many carrying devices are designed to be carried, while
other carrying
devices are configured to be worn on the body, such as a backpack, or a vest,
pair of pants, belt,
or the like that includes one or more pockets (e.g., pouches), etc.
Frequently, a user will use a
carrying device to easily carry one or more items that are desired to be
rapidly accessed. For
example, a user can place emergency treatment, protective apparatus, supplies,
and the like into a
carrying device for easier carrying.
[0004] To date, many carrying devices include one or more pockets that can be
closed and
opened across the top through the use of a zipper, a button, a clasp, a catch,
a hook and loop
fastener, and the Like. However, these carrying devices frequently do not
provide sufficiently
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CA 02457269 2004-02-11
easy access to the contents. For example, a user will often need to divert
hislher attention in
order to open the pocket andlor locate the contents of the pocket.
[0005] One solution for enhancing the ease with which items can be retrieved
from a pocket is
by providing a bottom opening pocket. In this case, when the pocket is opened,
the contents will
drop out due to gravity. However, to date, no general purpose solution has
been proposed for
carrying any type of item in such a pocket. For example, a bottom opening
pocket has been
proposed for carrying bullets. Further, diving equipment has been proposed
that incorporates a
bottom opening pocket for holding diving weights and/or an air tank. Still
further, a bottom
opening pocket has been proposed for holding plate armor.
[0006] Each of these solutions lack one or more desirable features for a
bottom opening pocket
that provides for ready access of its contents. For example, most solutions
are specifically
shaped for a particular item (e.g., bullets, oxygen tank, plate armor), while
the user may desire
easy access to one or more other items of various sizes and shapes. Further,
when designed to be
worn on the body, solutions typically propose having the lower flap open
toward the body. This
limits a user's ability to readily control the contents as they exit the
pocket.
[0007] As a result, a need exists far an apparatus that includes one or more
bottom opening
pockets. In particular, a need exists for a bottom opening pocket having a
sufficient size for
carrying various items, having an adjustable size, having sufficient support
for items of various
weights, and/or having a flap that opens away from the user's body to allow
for more control of
the released contents.
a
CA 02457269 2004-02-11
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides an apparatus that includes at least one bottom
opening pocket.
Specifically, under the present invention, a bottom opening pocket is provided
that can be
attached to any type of apparatus. The apparatus could be configured to be
readily carried by
hand (e.g., a bag), configured to be worn on the body of an individual (e.g.,
a backpack),
configured to hold an individual (e.g., a wheelchair), etc. In one embodiment,
the bottom
opening packet is attached to an apparatus that is configured to be worn an
the torso of an
individual. In this case, the bottom opening pocket can include a flap that
opens away from the
body of the individual. Further, the size, shape, and/or area of the bottom
opening pocket can be
adjustable to allow for various sizes of items to be placed in the pocket and
readily retrieved
from the pocket. Still further, the bottom opening pocket can be configured to
include sufficient
support for holding items of various weights.
[0009] A first aspect of the invention provides an apparatus configured to be
wom on a torso of
an individual, the apparatus comprising: means for holding the apparatus on
the torso; and means
for attaching a pocket to the means for holding, wherein the pocket includes:
an inner side
attached to the means for holding; an opening at a bottom of the pocket; a
flap for covering the
opening; and means for opening the flap away from the torso.
[0010] A second aspect of the invention provides an apparatus configured to be
worn on a
torso of an individual, the apparatus comprising: a holding system for holding
the apparatus on
the torso; an attaching system for attaching a pocket to the holding system,
wherein the pocket
includes: an opening at a bottom of the pocket; and a flap for releasably
covering the opening;
and an adjustment system for adjustably configuring a horizontal area of the
pocket.
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[OOllj A third aspect of the invention provides an apparatus configured to be
worn on a torso
of an individual, the apparatus comprising: means for holding the apparatus on
the torso; and
means for attaching a pocket to the means for holding, wherein the pocket
includes: an opening
at a bottom of the pocket; an outer side opposite the means for holding; a
left side and a right
side that form a substantially rectangular holding area along with the outer
side; a flap for
covering the opening; and means for releasably attaching the flap to the left
side, the right side,
and at least one of the outer side, an inner side adjacent the means for
holding, and the means
for holding.
[0012] The illustrative aspects of the present invention are designed to solve
the problems
herein described and other problems not discussed, which are discoverable by a
skilled artisan.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] 'These and other features of this invention will be more readily
understood from the
following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken
in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative backpack that includes a bottom opening
pocket;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the illustrative backpack of FIG. 1 with the user
accessing an item stored
in the bottom opening pocket;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative bottom opening pocket;
[0017] FIG. 4A shows an illustrative reflector strip in the closed position;
[0018] FIG. 4B shows the reflector strip of FIG. 4A in the exposed position;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a back view of an illustrative vest that includes a bottom
opening pocket;
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[0020] FIG. 6 shows a front vieuT of the vest of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative bottom opening pocket that closes using a
drawstring; and
[0022] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative wheelchair that includes a bottom opening
pocket.
[0023] It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The
drawings are
intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should
not be considered as
limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering
represents like elements
between the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] As indicated above, the invention provides an apparatus that includes
at least one
bottom opening packet. Specifically, under the present invention, a bottom
opening pocket is
provided that can be attached to any type of apparatus. The apparatus could be
configured to be
readily carried by hand (e.g., a bag), configured to be worn on the body of an
individual (e.g., a
backpack), configured to hold an individual (e.g., a wheelchair), etc. In one
embodiment, the
bottom opening pocket is attached to an apparatus that is configured to be
worn on the torso of
an individual. In this case, the bottom opening pocket can include a flap that
opens away from
the body of the individual. Further, the size, shape, andlor area of the
bottom opening pocket can
be adjustable to allow for various sizes of items to be placed in the pocket
and readily retrieved
from the pocket. Still further, the bottom opening pocket can be configured to
include sufficient
support for holding items of various weights. As used herein, the term
"pocket" is used to refer
to any type of bag, pouch, or enclosure used to carry one or more articles. To
this extent, the
CA 02457269 2004-02-11
term "pocket" includes an attachment to a larger apparatus such as a child
carrier, the storage
area of an apparatus such as a duffle bag, etc.
[0025] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a user 2 wearing a backpack 10
that includes a
bottom opening pocket 12 according to one embodiment of the invention.
Backpack 10 is shown
including a holding system in order to hold backpack 10 on the torso of user
2. In one
embodiment, the holding system includes shoulder straps 14A-B for placing over
the shoulders
of user 2. Further, backpack 10 is shown including a large pocket 16 that can
be selectively
closed and opened using zippers 18A-B. Pocket 16 can comprise a typical pocket
in which
contents can be placed into and removed from pocket 16 from the top andlor
side of pocket 16.
As is typical, a bottom of pocket 16 can be permanently closed (e.g., sewn
together).
[0026] Bottom opening pocket 12 is shown attached to backpack 10 by being
attached to an
outer side of pocket 16. Bottom opening pocket 12 can be attached to backpack
10 using an
attaching system that incorporates any known solution. To this extent, bottom
opening pocket 12
can be permanently or removably attached to backpack 10. For example, bottom
opening pocket
12 can be attached to backpack 10 by sewing, using one or more hook and loop
fasteners,
buttons, buckles, straps, zippers, clasps, catches, and the like. ~JVhile
backpack 10 is shown only
including pocket 16 and bottom opening pocket 12, it is understood that
additional pockets of
various sizes, shapes, etc., can also be included. Further, these pockets can
be located anywhere
on backpack 10, such as on or in pocket 16 and/or bottom opening pocket 12.
[0027] In any event, bottom opening pocket 12 can include a flap 20 that can
releasably cover
an opening at the bottom of bottom opening pocket i2. In one embodiment, flap
20 is capable of
being readily released from bottom opening pocket I2 through the use of a
single hand. This
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CA 02457269 2004-02-11
allows the second hand to grasp the items) located in bottom opening pocket
12. Further, as
shown in FIG. l, bottom opening pocket 12 can be configured to be located on a
user's back. In
this case, releasing flap 20 from bottom opening pocket 12 should also be
capable of being
performed with the limited range of motion that is available to a user 2 when
reaching around
his/her back.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative bottom opening pocket 112 that includes a
flap 120 for
releasably covering an opening 121 at the bottom of bottom opening pocket 112.
Bottom
opening pocket 112 is shown with flap 120 in the open position. As shown,
bottom opening
pocket 112 includes an inner side 122, an outer side 124, a left side 126, and
a right side 128 that
form a substantially rectangular holding area 130. It is understood however,
that inner side 122
could comprise a portion of an apparatus (e.g., an outer side of pocket 16
shown in FIG. 1 ) to
which bottom opening pocket 112 is attached, rather than part of bottom
opening pocket 112.
Further, while each side is described as comprising a right, left, inner, or
outer side, it is
understood that any side of bottom opening pocket 112 could be attached to an
apparatus (e.g.,
backpack 10 shown in FIG. 1). For example, left side 126 of bottom opening
pocket 112 could
be attached to backpack 10 so that flap 120 opens from right to left. Still
further, it is understood
that holding area 130 of bottom opening pocket 112 could comprise any type of
shape such as,
for example, a trapezoid, a triangle, a circular, an oval, a cylinder, etc.
[0029] Flap 120 is shown permanently affixed to outer side 124, and can be
releasably attached
to inner side 122, left side 126, and/or right side 128. For example, flap 120
is shown including
hook or loop fasteners 132A-C, while the corresponding sides of bottom opening
pocket 112 are
each shown including the complementary hook or loop fasteners 134A-C. By using
hook and
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loop fasteners or the like, flap 120 can be readily pulled downward to release
the contents of
bottom opening pocket 112. By including multiple attachment points for flap
120 to bottom
opening pocket 112, bottom opening pocket 112 can hold heavier items, and the
risk of an item
falling through a gap formed between flap 120 and bottom opening pocket 112 is
reduced. It is
understood that flap 120 can be releasably attached to bottom opening pocket
112 in one or more
locations using any solution. Further, it is understood that, rather than
being attached to inner
side 122, flap 120 could be releasably attached to a portion of an apparatus
(e.g., an outer side of
pocket 16 shown in FIG. 1) to which bottom opening pocket 112 is attached.
Still further, it is
understood that flap 120 could comprise a continuous portion of outer side 124
that extends
sufficiently beyond left side 126 and right side 128 to substantially cover
the opening at the
bottom.
[0030] Returning to FIG. 1, flap 20 is shown including a pull cord 36 attached
thereto. Pull
cord 36 can be used by user 2 to assist in detaching flap 20 from bottom
opening pocket 12
and/or backpack 10 to access the contents of bottom opening pocket 12. For
example, FIG. 2
shows user 2 removing an item 40 from bottom opening pocket 12. In particular,
user 2 is shown
grasping pull cord 36 with his/her right hand in order to release flap 20.
User 2 can then use
his/her left hand to grasp item 40. As shown, flap 20, backpack 10, and/or the
body of user 2
provide guidance for item 40 as it exits bottom opening pocket 12. This
provides user 2 with
more control over the movement of item 40 and makes retrieval of item 40
easier.
[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, pull cord 36 allows user 2 to readily locate and
open flap 20. In
particular, pull cord 36 can be located adjacent to backpack 10 so that user 2
does not need to
grasp in the air to locate pull cord 36. It is understood that numerous
alternatives to pull cord 36
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can be used. For example, a hanging stick, a chain, a loop, a handle or the
like could be used. In
the latter two cases, the loop or handle can be located close to backpack 10
to be readily located
and reduce the possibility of its becoming hooked on an object. Further, while
pull cord 36 is
shown including a spool handle 3 8 attached thereto for assisting user 2 in
grasping and pulling, it
is understood that pull cord 36 could be implemented without spool handle 38.
[0032] Backpack 10 is also shown including an adjustment system. In one
embodiment,
adjustment system comprises a pair of straps 42A, 42B that can be used to
adjust an area of
bottom opening pocket 12. In particular, each strap 42A, 42B can be attached
to a location on
bottom opening pocket 12 or backpack 10 near where bottom opening pocket 12 is
attached to
backpack 10. Each strap 42A, 42B can be independently adjusted by using
buckles 44A, 44B,
respectively, that are each attached at an approximate horizontal center 43 of
the outer side of
bottom opening pocket 12. This enables user 2 to adjust a cross sectional area
of bottom opening
pocket 12 based on the size of an item 40 (FIG. 2) that is contained within
bottom opening
pocket 12. Further, straps 42A, 42B can be tightly adjusted when item 40 is
within bottom
opening pocket 12 to provide additional support for item 40. It is understood
that various other
solutions for reducing an area and/or altering a shape of bottom opening
pocket 12 could be used
as readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a single
strap could be used
that includes hook and loop fasteners that enable its length to be adjusted.
Further, multiple
straps and/or pairs of straps could be included along the vertical length of
bottom opening pocket
12. Still further, one or more sides of bottom opening pocket 12 could include
hook and loop
fasteners or the Like that allow the area to be enlarged/reduced.
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[0033] Various additional features can be incorporated onto 'bottom opening
pocket 12. For
example, bottom opening pocket 12 is shown including a reflective strip 50. In
one embodiment,
reflective strip 50 can be selectively exposed or concealed. FIGS. 4A-B show
an illustrative
reflective strip 150 that can be selectively exposed. In FIG. 4A, reflective
strip 150 is shown in
the concealed position. In particular, reflective strip 150 is shown attached
to bottom opening
pocket 12 (FIG. 1) in a center area, thereby forming a left strip 152 and a
right strip 154. Left
strip 152 can include a hook or loop fastener 156 that allows left strip 152
to be releasably
attached to a corresponding hook or loop fastener 158 that is attached to
bottom opening pocket
12 (FIG. 1 ) to expose a pair of reflective areas 160A-B as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0034] Continuing with FIG. 4B, left strip 152 and right strip 154 are each
shown including a
corresponding pair of hook or loop fasteners 162A-B that allow reflective
areas 160A-B to be
releasably concealed. Right strip 154 can be permanently attached to bottom
opening pocket 12
(FIG. 1 ) or releasably attached using the same solution as left strip 152. It
is understood that
reflective strip 150 is only illustrative and various alternatives are
possible. Further, reflective
areas 160A-B are only illustrative of an item that can be selectively
concealed and exposed. For
example, instead of reflective areas 160A-B, reflective strip could comprise a
name tag or
alternative identifier for a user 2 (FIG. 1), a clear pocket for inserting any
desired item, a hook or
loop fastener, or the like.
[0035] To this extent, as shown in FIG. 1, bottom opening pocket 12 can
include an area 64 for
temporarily attaching any type of identifier. For example, area 64 could
comprise an area of
hook or loop fasteners that enables a patch to be releasably attached to
bottom opening pocket 12
using the corresponding hook or loop fasteners. Alternatively, area 64 could
comprise a clear
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CA 02457269 2004-02-11
pocket or the like for inserting a desired object. Various further
improvements can be made to
bottom opening pocket 12 as known in the art. For example, padding and/or
stiffening can be
added to one or more rides, the top, and/or the bottom of bottom opening
pocket 12. Further, the
bottom flap can also include a zipper or the like for providing a stronger,
more sturdy attachment
when quick access to the contents of bottom opening pocket 12 is not desired.
[0036] Backpack 10 is only illustrative of the various apparatuses to which
bottom opening
pocket 12 can be attached. For example, FIGS. 5 and 6 show back and front
views, respectively,
of an illustrative vest 70 that includes a bottom opening pocket 72. As shown,
bottom opening
pocket 72 can be attached to a back side of vest 70. Further, bottom opening
pocket 72 is shown
including a top flap 73 for covering a top opening of bottom opening pocket
72. Top flap 73 can
be releasably attached to all or a portion of bottom opening pocket 72 using a
zipper or the like.
By including a top opening in bottom opening pocket 72, user 2 (FIG. 1 ) can
insert and/or
remove one or more items into bottom opening pocket 72 from the top. This may
be easier when
vest 70 is not being worn by user 2.
[0037] In addition to bottom opening pocket 72, a side opening pocket 74 is
also shown
attached to vest 70 in a location below bottom opening pocket 72. Further,
vest 70 is shown
having a pair of top opening pockets 7f A-B attached to a front side of vest
70. It is understood
that the various sizes and arrangement of pockets is only illustrative. To
this extent, vest 70
could include more or fewer pockets in similar or different locations. For
example, bottom
opening pocket 72 could be attached to the front side of vest 70.
[0038] One or more bottom opening pockets can be attached to other apparatuses
other than
backpack 10 (FIG. 1) and/or vest 70 (FIG. 5). For example, other apparatuses
configured to be
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worn on a torso of an individual include a waistpack, a belt, a jacket, a
shirt, a child carrier, a
one-shouldered backpack, a bag, etc. Further, a bottom opening pocket could be
attached to
other apparatuses configured to be carried by an individual, such as a duffle
bag, a suitcase, etc.
Still further, a bottom opening pocket could be attached to an apparatus in
which an individual is
located. For example, FIG. 7 shows an illustrative wheelchair 80 having a
bottom opening
pocket 82 attached thereto. It is understood that numerous apparatuses for
individuals are
possible including a seat, a chair, a stroller, a wheelchair, etc., as well as
other apparatuses for
carrying items such as a luggage carrier, a hand truck, etc. To this extent,
the bottom opening
pocket can be applied to many uses including carrying emergency equipment,
carrying clothing
that can be accessed by a child, and many other applications not specifically
mentioned herein.
[0039] Additionally, while the bottom opening pocket has been primarily shown
and described
as including a flap or the like for providing access to the items) in the
bottom opening pocket. It
is understood that various alternatives to a flap can be used to provide quick
access to the bottom
opening pocket. For example, FIG. 8 shows a bottom opening pocket 90 that has
an opening
substantially closed using drawstring 92. In this embodiment, user 2 can
access an item in
bottom opening pocket 90 by stretching the opening constricted by drawstring
92. In this
manner, the material of bottom opening pocket 90 previously constricted by
drawstring 92 may
form a chute through which an item in bottom opening pocket 90 will pass. As a
result, user 2
will maintain better control over the item during retrieval.
(0040] The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been
presented for
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and
variations are
12
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CA 02457269 2004-02-11
possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person
skilled in the art
are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by
the accompanying
claims.
13
