User reconfigurable bag

Abstract

A user-reconfigurable bag includes a main body having a front panel, a rear panel and one or more side panels extending from between the front panel and rear panel, wherein an opening is disposed in at least one of the one or more side panels. A first magnet array is coupled to the front panel. A purse body having a purse front, a purse back, a left purse side, and a right purse side is also provided. The left and right purse side extend from the purse front to the purse back from a top of the purse to a bottom of the purse. A second magnet array is coupled to the purse back. A shoulder strap is coupled at one end to a right clasp and at the other end to a left clasp. The purse body is configured to reversibly couple to the main body. The purse body may be removed from the main body.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates in general to the field of apparel and specifically to bag systems that allow for reconfiguration by a user in order to meet their needs.

[0002] Handbags and small tote bags (e.g., backpacks) are used by people for containers and as fashion statements. Many users require the space and utility of a larger bag, such as a backpack much of the time, but also desire to have a smaller bag available to them at other times. These users may carry around a backpack or other larger bag as well as a purse or other handbag, however carrying two distinct bags is cumbersome. The alternative is transferring important objects between different bags based upon their planned activities. This unfortunately is a hassle and runs the risk of forgetting and / or losing object during the transfer between the larger and smaller bags.

[0003] In order to address this issue, historically miniature backpacks and larger purses have been developed in order to bridge the gap between larger bags and smaller purses. The intention here is to provide an intermediately sized bag that fulfills this long felt need of having all one's belongings kept in a persistent location / bag, and still having space for carrying more articles than a small traditional purse would allow for.

[0004] Such systems are no without downsides however. Sometimes, for practical or fashionable purposes, a large purse or small backpack is not desired. In which case, larger bags may be unsuitable for the occasion (even when they are smaller than a traditional backpack). Likewise, sometimes these intermediately sized bags are still too small for carrying all that a user may wish to convey.

[0005] Thus, given that there is great value in having a user configurable bag design that allows for a persistent small purse to be removably coupled to a larger bag portion in a manner that meets fashionable needs and practical considerations.SUMMARY

[0006] The present systems and methods relate to a user configurable bag system, and particularly to a bag that includes two distinct portions that are reversibly capable of coupling to one another. Such user configurable bags allow for a configuration that includes significantly larger storage space, as well as a configuration that allows for the removal of a purse sized component that can persistently hold essential articles for the user.

[0007] In some embodiments, a user-reconfigurable bag includes a main body having a front panel, a rear panel and one or more side panels extending from between the front panel and rear panel, wherein an opening is disposed in at least one of the one or more side panels. A first magnet array is coupled to the front panel. A purse body having a purse front, a purse back, a left purse side, and a right purse side is also provided. The left and right purse side extend from the purse front to the purse back from a top of the purse to a bottom of the purse. A side attachment coupled to each of the left and right purse side approximately at a midway point between the top of the purse and the bottom of the purse is provided along with a top attachment coupled to each of the left and right purse side approximately at the top of the purse. A second magnet array is coupled to the purse back.

[0008] A shoulder strap is coupled at one end to a right clasp and at the other end to a left clasp. The purse body is configured to reversibly couple to the main body. When coupled in this manner, the first magnet array aligns with the second magnet array, and the right clasp reversibly couples to one side attachment and the left clasp reversibly couples to the other side attachment and the shoulder strap circumvents the main body to securely hold the purse back of the purse body to the front panel of the main body. The purse body may be removed from the main body by decoupling the right and left clasps from the side attachments and recoupling the right and left clasps to the top attachments.

[0009] In some cases, the magnet arrays comprise neodymium magnets. The magnet arrays each consist of two to eight magnets, and in some cases consists of four magnets each. In this configuration, each magnet array includes two top magnets and two bottom magnets. The two top magnets are oriented such that their polarities are opposite the two bottom magnets. Additionally, the polarities of the first magnet array are opposite the correspondingly located magnet of the second magnet array such that the two magnet arrays are attracted to one another when brought in proximity to one another. The first magnet array may be embedded within the front panel and the second magnet array may be embedded in the purse back.

[0010] The clasps are carabiner style spring loaded clips. They may be metal. The side attachments and the top attachments are oblong metal loops. The main body and the purse body are constructed of leather in some embodiments, and constructed of fabrics in another embodiment.

[0011] The main body includes loops coupled to the one or more side panels, wherein the loops are configured to hold the shoulder strap when it circumvents the main body. The opening includes a zipper. Also, the main body includes a top carrying strap. The main body may also include a pair of shoulder straps coupled to the back panel. The shoulder straps length is adjustable using buckles. Lastly, the purse body includes at least one purse opening.

[0012] Note that the various features of the present invention described above may be practiced alone or in combination. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is an example illustration a front view of a user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an example illustration a rear view of a user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an example illustration an oblique side view of a user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 4 is an example illustration a front view of a user reconfigurable bag with the purse section removed, in accordance with some embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 5 is an example illustration a front view of the purse section separated from the user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to several embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and / or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. The features and advantages of embodiments may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow.

[0020] Aspects, features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing(s). It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments of the present invention provided herein are illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All features disclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined herein and equivalents thereto. Hence, use of absolute and / or sequential terms, such as, for example, “will,”“will not,”“shall,”“shall not,”“must,”“must not,”“first,”“initially,”“next,”“subsequently,”“before,”“after,”“lastly,” and “finally,” are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention as the embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary.

[0021] The present disclosure will utilize terms such as “purse” and “backpack” for the description of portions or amalgamations of the following user configurable bag. These terms are intended to provide descriptions of the bag components in a preferred set of embodiments. These terms are not intended to be limiting, however. A “purse” for example, is intended to refer to a smaller bag designed to be a more commonly utilized portion of the larger bag system. A “backpack” is merely a larger bag compartment. The actual form taken by these components may differ based upon the intended embodiment. For example, the “backpack” may instead be a more elongated bag, reminiscent of a duffle bag, for example, in various embodiments. Thus, while the figures and description will focus on a embodiment that is reminiscent of a backpack with an attachable purse, this is intended to be exemplary and is not intended to artificially limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0022] The present invention relates to a user reconfigurable bag system. To facilitate discussions, FIG. 1 is an example illustration a front view of a user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment, and shown generally at 100. This bag system includes a main bag component 110 with an attached front bag 120 that is capable of reversibly coupling to the main bag component 110. Details of the coupling mechanism will be provided in greater detail below. The attached front bag 120 may alternatively be referred to as a purse like component, and the main bag 110 may be referred to as a backpack type component. The main bag includes a top carrying strap 112. The main bag may include a front panel which faces the purse component 120. The front panel may include a magnet array (not illustrated) that is disposed between the main bag and the purse component 120. The main bag 110 may also include a rear panel (not visible) and one or more side panels that extend between the front panel and the rear panel. The side panel(s) may include an opening, which in some embodiments may include a zipper, to access the interior of the main bag 110.

[0023] The purse component 120 includes a top flap 122 as well as a series of attachments that allow for reversible coupling of a shoulder strap 130 by way of clasps 126 to the purse 120. When the purse 120 is coupled to the backpack 110, the clasps 126 couple to two side attachments 128. The shoulder strap 130 then threads through side loops 132 that are attached to the backpack 110. These side loops 132 hold the shoulder strap 130 such that it passes around the backside of the backpack 110 and partially secures the purse 120 to the backpack 110. This shoulder strap 130 operates in conjunction with a series of neodymium magnets (not illustrated) to reversibly secure the purse 120 to the backpack portion 110.

[0024] The purse 120 may include a front and a back. The back may incorporate an array of magnets that are configured to match the array of magnets in the front panel of the backpack / main bag 110. The purse 120 may also include one or more sides between the front and back of the purse 120.

[0025] When the purse portion 120 of the reconfigurable bag is removed from the backpack portion 110, the clasps 126 may be detached from the side attachments 128 and may be attached to the two top attachments 124 to provide a shoulder carrying mechanism. The side attachments 128 and top attachments 124 may include metal oblong rings attached to the body material of the purse 120. The purse 120 and backpack 110 may be fashioned from different materials. In some embodiments, the purse 120 and backpack 110 are primarily fashioned from premium leather materials. In alternate embodiments, fabrics, such as canvas, may be utilized. In yet other embodiments, the purse 120 and backpack 110 may be made of various and mixed materials.

[0026] Generally, a user will place necessary and commonly utilized articles within the purse 120 portion of the user reconfigurable bag. This may include articles such as a wallet, keys, cell phone and other important articles (not illustrated). This allows the user to always keep their valuables nearby, without the need to switch the articles between bags. When the user needs more carrying capacity, the user reconfigurable bag may be user with the backpack portion 110 coupled to the purse portion 120. If however, such a large bag is not required, the backpack 110 may be decoupled from the purse 120 and the purse 120 may be utilized as a standalone device. Alternatively, if for safety reasons or the like, the user wishes to keep their valuables in a safe location, the purse may be detached, kept in the safe location and only the backpack portion 110 may be utilized for carrying larger items.

[0027] FIG. 2 is an example illustration a rear view of a user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment, and shown generally at 200. Here it can be seen how the shoulder strap 130 circumvents the backpack portion 110 of the reconfigurable bag. The shoulder strap 130 is held in place by the side loops 132 on the backpack 110. The backpack is still seen as including a top strap 112 for carrying the backpack and / or user reconfigurable bag system. Additionally, back straps 114 are seen. These back straps may be adjustable in length using the buckles 116. These back straps 114 are intended to loop over a user's shoulders and the user configurable bag system may thus be carried as a traditional backpack. The backpack portion 110 may also include a zipper system 118 for opening and reversibly closing one or more top openings on the backpack 110 for storing articles.

[0028] FIG. 3 is an example illustration an oblique side view of a user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment, as seen generally at 300. This view provides a better illustration of how the side attachments 128 couple to the clasps 126, which in turn couple to the shoulder strap 130 which passes through the side loops 132 of the backpack 110. The shoulder strap 130 passes around the back side of the backpack 110 circumventing the backpack 110. This holds the purse portion 120 snuggly against the backpack portion 110 with the aid of a magnet array (not illustrated).

[0029] The clasp 126 may include a metal or plastic clasp that is spring loaded in order to clip to the side attachments 128 or the top attachments 124. These spring loaded clasps 126 are similar to carabiners, where one portion of the clasp may be pivoted inwards, providing a gap where the claps may be attached to the attachments 124 / 128. A spring system ensures the movable portion remains closed unless the user is actively pressing on the clasp to open it.

[0030] The backpack 110 includes a zippered top opening 118 and rear straps 114 for carrying the backpack 110 on the user's shoulders.

[0031] FIG. 4 is an example illustration a front view of a user reconfigurable bag with the purse section removed, in accordance with some embodiment, and shown generally at 400. Again the backpack 110 is seen, but this time with the purse portion removed. The side loops 132 coupled to the backpack 110 are clearly seen in this view. Additionally, an array of magnets 410 may be seen. These magnets are polarized to only allow the purse to couple to the backpack 110 in a set orientation. For example, in this magnet array 410, the top magnets may have their negative polarization facing the purse portion, and the bottom magnets may have their positive polarization facing the purse. The purse includes an equal number of magnets in its rear panel (not illustrated) in order to removably couple to the magnet array 410 on the backpack 110. In the above example, the purse magnets on the top may be polarized positively facing the backpack 110, and the bottom magnets on the purse may be negatively polarized toward the backpack 110. Since magnets attract when the opposite polarizations face one another, this ensures that the purse couples to the backpack 110 in the correct orientation.

[0032] In some embodiments a four magnet array may be utilized, as shown in the instant figure. Based upon magnet strength, size and purse weight, more or fewer magnets may be leveraged. For example, in some limited embodiments, only two magnets may be utilized. In other embodiments, 6 or 8 magnet arrays may be used to couple the purse 120 to the backpack 110. In some embodiments, the magnets utilized are neodymium magnets due to their superior strength. Of course weaker magnets may be employed, especially in larger arrays.

[0033] The magnets may be surface mounted, as shown in FIG. 4, or may be concealed underneath the material of the backpack 110 and / or purse 120. Concealment may marginally reduce the strength of the magnets due to distance being increased between the coupled magnets, but may also be desirable based upon aesthetic. Ideally, the magnets alone are capable of holding the purse 120 to the backpack 110, even when the purse is full to capacity. Likewise, the shoulder strap 130 circumventing the backpack 110 is sufficient to hold the purse 120 to the backpack 110 securely. By utilizing both magnets and a strapping mechanism, the combined purse and backpack is firmly coupled such that the combined article feels like a single bag unit. However, with minimal reconfiguration of the shoulder strap 130 the purse 120 may be removed from the backpack 110 and carried separately as needed or desired.

[0034] Lastly, FIG. 5 is an example illustration a front view of the purse section 120 separated from the user reconfigurable bag, in accordance with some embodiment, shown generally at 500. Here the purse is seen including the top cover flap 122 which closes the purse 120. Although not shown, the purse 120 may include one or more zippers to close the purse top from access. These zipper(s) may be concealed below the top flap 122. While the purse 120 is removed from the backpack 110, the shoulder trap 130 may be coupled, via the clips 126 to the top attachments 124. The side attachments 128 are still connected to the purse 120, but are not currently in use.

[0035] In sum, the above described embodiments exemplifies the different features and illustrates the advantages provided by the present invention. By describing the design, assembly and functionality of exemplary highly configurable utility bags, designers and manufacturers are inspired to adopt and / or adapt these techniques to produce user-configurable handbags and purses. As a result, users are provided with fashionable and user-configurable bags that take up minimal space at optimal costs.

[0036] While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Although sub-section titles have been provided to aid in the description of the invention, these titles are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A user-reconfigurable bag comprising:a main body having a front panel, a rear panel and one or more side panels extending from between the front panel and rear panel, wherein an opening is disposed in at least one of the one or more side panels;a first magnet array coupled to the front panel;a purse body having a purse front, a purse back, a left purse side, and a right purse side, wherein the left and right purse side extend from the purse front to the purse back from a top of the purse to a bottom of the purse, and a side attachment coupled to each of the left and right purse side approximately at a midway point between the top of the purse and the bottom of the purse, and a top attachment coupled to each of the left and right purse side approximately at the top of the purse;a second magnet array coupled to the purse back;a shoulder strap coupled at one end to a right clasp and at the other end to a left clasp; andwherein the purse body is configured to reversibly couple to the main body, wherein when coupled the first magnet array aligns with the second magnet array, and wherein the right clasp reversibly couples to one side attachment and the left clasp reversibly couples to the other side attachment and wherein the shoulder strap circumvents the main body to securely hold the purse back of the purse body to the front panel of the main body.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the purse body is removed from the main body by decoupling the right and left clasps from the side attachments and recoupling the right and left clasps to the top attachments.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the magnet arrays comprise neodymium magnets.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the magnet arrays each consist of two to eight magnets.

5. The bag of claim 4, wherein each magnet array includes four magnets.

6. The bag of claim 5, wherein each magnet array includes two top magnets and two bottom magnets.

7. The bag of claim 6, wherein the two top magnets are oriented such that their polarities are opposite the two bottom magnets.

8. The bag of claim 1, wherein the polarities of the first magnet array are opposite the correspondingly located magnet of the second magnet array such that the two magnet arrays are attracted to one another when brought in proximity to one another.

9. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first magnet array is embedded within the front panel and the second magnet array is embedded in the purse back.

10. The bag of claim 1, wherein the clasps are carabiner style spring loaded clips.

11. The bag of claim 10, wherein the clasps are metal.

12. The bag of claim 1, wherein the side attachments and the top attachments are oblong metal loops.

13. The bag of claim 1, wherein the main body includes loops coupled to the one or more side panels, wherein the loops are configured to hold the shoulder strap when it circumvents the main body.

14. The bag of claim 1, wherein the main body and the purse body are constructed of leather.

15. The bag of claim 1, wherein the main body and the purse body are constructed of fabrics.

16. The bag of claim 1, wherein the opening includes a zipper.

17. The bag of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a top carrying strap.

18. The bag of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a pair of shoulder straps coupled to the back panel.

19. The bag of claim 18, wherein the shoulder straps length is adjustable using buckles.

20. The bag of claim 1, wherein the purse body includes at least one purse opening.

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