Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: TRAVEL BAG
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001 ] This invention relates to a travel bag for use in storing and
carrying a multitude of personal and/or other items. More specifically, this
invention relates to an improved travel bag design with specialized
compartments organized in a functional arrangement for supporting specific
items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Personal travel bags are well known in the art, and generally
consist of a compact and lightweight fabric-based bag with at least one,
typically multiple, compartments for storing and carrying various items of
different shapes and sizes.
[0003] When numerous items are stored and carried in a travel bag,
these items tend to get lost or buried within the various compartments and
pockets. Often the travel bag design does not have separate spaces or well-
defined auxiliary pockets beyond the main storage compartment. As such,
there is a general need for better compartmentalization in a travel bag design
for providing easy access to the various items, without the wearer having to
feel around deep within the various compartments while looking for particular
items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A travel bag for use in storing and carrying a variety of items, the
items being neatly packable in separate compartments or pockets is provided.
The travel bag has a generally rectangular-parallelopiped shaped travel bag
body, defined by six faces including a front face, a back face, a top face, a
bottom face, and two side faces. The top face and front face can be integrally
formed of a single piece of fabric material making up a front flap, which when
in an opened position, reveals an inner top face and an inner front face. The
travel bag also has an adjustable shoulder strap attached to the travel bag
body by two shoulder strap attachment flaps attached at one end to a lower
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portion of an edge joining the back face and the side face, and at another end
along an edge joining the back face and the top face. The travel bag has a
main storage compartment accessible when the front flap is in an opened
position, with an access opening extending across the inner top face and
slightly down the side faces. The travel bag has a cell phone storage
compartment on an exterior surface of the shoulder strap attachment flap
attached along an edge joining the top face with the back face, the
compartment designed to fit a standard sized cell phone. The travel bag has a
back face storage compartment with an access opening horizontal across the
back face, and a front face storage compartment with an access opening
horizontal across the front face. The travel bag has a front flap storage
compartment accessible when the front flap is in an opened position, with an
access opening horizontal across an underside surface of the front flap, and
an inner face storage compartment accessible when the front flap is in an
opened position, with an access opening horizontal across the inner front
face. The travel bag has a side expandable storage compartment with an
access opening extending vertically along the side face, with a mesh pocket
contained therein defining an upwardly open cylindrical receptacle for storage
of a water bottle.
[0005] The travel bag can include a removable ID pouch for storage,
and the removable ID pouch can include at least a clear pocket and a loop
attachment, as well as a strap with a length adjustment knob for wearing
around the neck of the wearer.
[0006] The main storage compartment of the travel bag can include a
flashlight attachment, attached by corresponding male and female snaps, with
the male snap affixed on the interior of the main storage compartment and the
female snap to a fabric strap of the flashlight attachment.
[0007] The travel bag can include an inner pocket in the main storage
compartment having a mirror attachment, attached by corresponding male
and female snaps, with the male snap affixed on the interior of the inner
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pocket of the main storage compartment and the female snap affixed to a
fabric strap of the mirror attachment.
[0008] The inner face storage compartment can include an opening
expander extending along either sides of the inner face storage compartment,
which when utilized, can increase the size of its access opening by exposing
additional fabric material.
[0009] The main storage compartment can include a compartment
expander extending along said side faces and said bottom face, which when
utilized, can increase the size of the main storage compartment by exposing
additional fabric material.
[0010] These and additional aspects and advantages of the invention
may be more clearly understood from the following description taken together
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show
more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by
way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show some examples
of the present invention, and in which:
[0012] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a
travel bag of the present invention;
[0013] Figure 1a is an enlarged view showing a portion of the travel
bag of Figure 1 in greater detail;
[0014] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the travel bag of Figure 1;
[0015] Figure 3 is a left side view of the travel bag of Figure 1;
[0016] Figure 4 is a right side view of the travel bag of Figure 1;
[0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the travel bag of Figure 1
showing a front flap element in an opened position; and
[0018] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the travel bag of Figure 1
showing an expandable compartment feature in a deployed position.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a travel bag 10 for use in storing and
carrying a multitude of personal and/or other items. The travel bag 10 is
generally has six faces: a front face 20, a back face 22, a top face 24, a
bottom face 26, and two side faces 28 and 29. The surfaces of the front face
20 and back face 22 are generally opposed to each other, as are the top face
24 and bottom face 26, as well as the two side faces 28 and 30. The travel
bag body 12 is defined by the six above-mentioned faces to be generally of a
rectangular-paralleopiped shape. The travel bag 10 of the present invention
is typically constructed of fabric material, preferably a combination of PVC,
polyester, and nylon.
[0020] The travel bag body 12 is provided with multiple compartments
including, a main storage compartment 30, a cell phone storage compartment
32, a back face storage compartment 34, a front face storage compartment
36, an inner face storage compartment 38, a side expandable storage
compartment 40, and a front flap storage compartment 42. Within the travel
bag body 12, the various compartments are separated from each other by thin
walls comprised of fabric material, preferably the same as that of the travel
bag 10 itself.
[0021 ] The travel bag 10 of the present invention can be worn by a
wearer by way of an adjustable shoulder strap 14. The strap 14 can extend
from one shoulder of the wearer, across the chest and back, and to the waist
opposite the one shoulder. The adjustable shoulder strap 14 can be made of
durable fabric material, preferably woven nylon. In a preferred embodiment,
the shoulder strap 14 is attached at one end to a shoulder strap attachment
flap 16 sewn to the lower portion of the edge joining the back face 22 and
side
face 29, and at another end to a shoulder strap attachment flap 18 sewn
along the edge joining the back face 22 and top face 24. The shoulder strap
attachment flaps 16 and 18 are generally of a triangular shape and can be
made of the same fabric material as that of the travel bag 10 itself. Further,
a
shoulder strap support pad 17 made of a rectangular piece of thin padded
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material can be slidably secured along the length of the shoulder strap 14, so
as to be adjusted to contact the shoulder blade of the wearer providing added
comfort while the travel bag 10 is worn. The shoulder strap support pad 17
may be covered on one side with the same material as that of the travel bag
10 itself. In addition, a shoulder strap length adjustment buckle 19,
preferably
made of metal, is provided for securing the length of the shoulder strap 14 at
a desired length.
[0022] The shoulder strap attachment flap 18 which is attached along
the edge joining the top face 24 With the back face 22 of the travel bag 10
contains a cell phone storage compartment 32 sewn to its exterior surface.
The cell phone storage compartment 32 is accessible through an access
opening 52, covered with a small fabric flap, which is secured by closure
means such as a hook and loop fastener, or the like, to provide for quick and
easy access. The cell phone storage compartment 32 is of a rectangular
shape and can be designed to fit a variety of standard cell phone sizes
snugly.
[0023] The bottom face 26 of the travel bag 10 can be generally flat
and rectangular, and can facilitate allowing the travel bag 10 to either sit
or
lean upright on a flat surface, depending on the items contained within.
[0024] The top face 24 and front face 20 of the travel bag 10 can be
made of a single piece of fabric material, together defining the front flap
44. In
the embodiment illustrated, the front face 20 of the travel bag 10 contains a
front face storage compartment 36, accessible through an access opening 56,
Which is secured by closure means such as a zipper. This access opening 56
generally extends horizontally across the front face 20. The front face
storage
compartment 36 preferably provides storage space for small miscellaneous
items which need to be quickly accessed, such as, for example, transit
tickets,
passes, coins, etc.
[0025] The back face 22 of the travel bag 10 can contain a back face
storage compartment 34, accessible through an access opening 54, which
can be secured by closure means such as a zipper. This access opening 54
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generally extends horizontally across the back face 22. The back face
storage compartment 34 preferably provides a more secure storage space for
small miscellaneous items, not easily accessible unless the wearer removes
the travel bag 10 or loosens it away from his/her body.
[0026] In Figure 5, the front flap 44 of the travel bag 10 of the present
invention is shown in an opened position. The opened position of the front
flap 44 of the travel bag 10 reveals two additional faces: an inner front face
21
and an inner top face 25. The front flap 44 is secured to the inner front face
21 of the travel bag by attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners,
buckle, or the like. When in an opened position, the underside of the front
flap
44 reveals a front flap storage compartment 42. The front flap storage
compartment 42 is accessible through an access opening 62, which is
secured by closure means such as a zipper. The access opening 62 extends
generally horizontal across the upper portion of the front flap 44 when it is
extended. The front flap storage compartment 62 can be made of mesh
material comprised of loosely woven fabric, providing visibility into the
storage
compartment for easily locking small miscellaneous items.
[0027] On the inner front face 21, is an inner face storage compartment
38. Access is provided through an access opening 58, which is unsecured.
As a result, the inner face storage compartment 58 provides only semi-secure
storage for items. In addition, an auxiliary see-through pocket 82 and an
auxiliary mesh pocket 84 may be located on the interior of the inner face
storage compartment 58 to provide for even more compartmentalized storage.
The auxiliary see-through pocket 82 is secured by closure means such as a
zipper, and provides storage for items which need to be easily locatable. The
auxiliary mesh pocket 84 is secured by closure means such as an elastic
strip, with the elastic strip allowing for placement of frequently accessed
items
such as pens or small pieces of paper.
[0028] To facilitate improved access to the inner face storage
compartment 38, an opening expander 86 can be provided in the form of
additional fabric material contained in a stowed or unexpended state by
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means such as a zipper. The expander 86 extends along either side of the
inner face storage compartment 38. When the opening expander feature 86
is deployed (i.e. zippers undone so the fabric can move to an expanded
state), the size of the access opening 58 to the inner face storage
compartment 38 is increased by exposing the additional fabric material,
thereby allowing a user to get a better reach of the contents contained
within.
In the closed unexpended position, the fabric material within the expander 86
is folded to fit neatly inside.
[0029] The main storage compartment 30 of the travel bag 10 is, in the
embodiment illustrated, accessible only when the front flap 44 is in an open
position. Access is provided through an access opening 50, which is secured
by closure means such as a zipper. This access opening 50 generally
extends across the inner top face 25 and slightly down the side faces 28 and
29. The main storage compartment 30 preferably provides storage space for
larger items, such as, for example, books, wallets, etc. An inner pocket 80
for
secure storage of items may be provided on the interior of the main storage
compartment 30, accessible through an access opening 90 which is secured
by closure means such as a zipper.
[0030] To provide for increased storage capacity in the main storage
compartment 30, a compartment expander 88 is provided by additional fabric
material contained by means such as a zipper. The compartment expander
88 extends along either sides 28 and 29 and across the bottom face 26 of the
travel bag 10. When the compartment expander 88 is deployed (i.e. zippers
undone), the size of the main storage compartment 30 is increased by
exposing the additional fabric material, thereby allowing a user to place more
items inside. In the closed (stowed) position, the fabric material within the
expander 88 is folded to fit neatly inside.
[0031] A removable ID pouch 74 can be provided for storage within the
main storage compartment 30 of the travel bag 10. The removable ID pouch
74 can be of a rectangular shape and comprised of fabric material similar to
that of the travel bag 10 itself. The insides of the removable ID pouch 74
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contains clear (or see-through) pockets for storage of items such as
identification cards, as well as a fabric loop attachment for storage of a pen
or
pencil. The contents of the removable ID pouch 74 are preferably secured
with a flap and buckle, or other suitable means. A strap 76 is attached to the
removable ID pouch 74, preferably for mounting around the neck of the
wearer. An adjustment knob 78 is provided for adjusting the strap 76 to a
desired length.
[0032] A removable mirror attachment 72 can be included with the
travel bag 10. A female snap 102 on the strap at the end of the removable
mirror attachment 72 is provided for attachment to the corresponding male
snap 104 affixed to the interior of the inner pocket of the main storage
compartment 80. The removable mirror attachment 72 is generally of a
square shape and comprised of plastic material, with a mirror 110 contained
inside and a fabric strap attached to one end.
[0033] A removable flashlight attachment 70 can also be included with
the travel bag 10. A female snap 106 on the strap at the end of the
removable flashlight attachment 70 is provided for attachment to the
corresponding male snap 108 affixed to the interior of the main storage
compartment 80, for storage of the flashlight 112 within.
[0034] Figure 6 shows the side expandable storage compartment 40 of
the present invention in an opened position. Access is provided through an
access opening 60, which is secured by closure means such as a zipper.
This access opening 60 generally extends vertically along the side face 29,
and the two sides are connected with a mesh pocket 85 with an elastic strip at
the top. The mesh pocket 85 defines an upwardly open and generally
cylindrical receptacle having a size and shape for storage of a water bottle
114. In the stored position, the mesh pocket 85 of the side expandable
storage compartment 40 is collapsed to fit inside this compartment, and keeps
it out of the way when a person is not carrying a water bottle 114.
[0035] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and
described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents
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will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
