Backpack with expandable area

[0001] The present invention relates generally to backpacks and more particularly to backpacks with expandable compartments.

[0002] Backpacks are designed in various sizes and shapes. Some have multiple pockets and are designed to accommodate various articles of various sizes. The helmet design and manufacturing industry strives to provide protective and attractive helmets for cyclists. Since helmets can be awkward to carry when not being worn, some backpacks are designed to accommodate cyclists' helmets.

[0003] One concern in designing backpacks is efficient use of space. Backpacks should be designed such that they are no larger than required yet can store many objects in that space. Expandable compartments are typically used to serve this purpose. When they are not in use, the expandable compartments are typically zipped shut and do not take up that much extra space.

[0004] Conventional expandable compartments suffer from some problems. First, typically the material around the perimeter of the pocket which allows the expansion is such that it does not permit an easy compression of the pocket when the pocket will be zipped close. This sometimes occurs because the material does not fold easily onto itself when the pocket is in the closed position. Second, typical expandable compartments consist of one outer panel attached to a perimeter panel. The one outer panel is typically flat and may not efficiently and aesthetically accommodate items of various sizes and shapes. Moreover, this outer panel typically is attached to the backpack on all of its (the outer panel's) sides, and this contributes to the lack of such various size accommodation.

[0005] Since backpacks can be worn be persons of different sizes, adjustability in the straps attaching the backpack to a user is also a desirable feature.

[0006] There exists a need to provide a backpack which allows transport of objects of varying sizes in an expandable compartment.

[0007] One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned problems and deficiencies.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the backpack includes an expandable compartment. The outer portion of the expandable compartment is divided into three regions. The two outer regions are held to the inner region by use of an expandable cord. They are attached to a perimeter member which is attached to the backpack body. The perimeter member surrounds the compartment approximately three-fourths of the way around. The division of the outer panel into three regions permits expansion and contraction of the pocket without bundling. Thus, this division into three regions permits the expandable compartment to effectively and aesthetically accommodate objects of various sizes and shapes. It is particularly suitable for cyclist helmets.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cord is attached to a hook feature on the backpack body. This attachment allows the harnessing of the object in the expandable compartment from becoming dislodged through the top open portion of the compartment.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the perimeter panel includes a cut out region at each end portion thereof. This cutout allows the perimeter panel to remain out of sight when the expandable compartment is in the contracted position. Without the cutout region, the perimeter panel would be visible over the right and left regions of the outer portion of the expandable compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the cut out regions are in the shape of a “V.”

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the perimeter panel folds in the shape of a “V” when viewed in cross-section. This permits optimal contraction of the expandable pocket and conserves space.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a backpack according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the backpack of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the backpack of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the backpack of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a backpack with a compartment in an expanded position according to the present invention

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the backpack of FIG. 5.

[0018] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a backpack according to the present invention.

[0019] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a backpack 10 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The backpack 10 includes a backpack body 12 and an expandable compartment 14. The backpack body 12 includes a first panel 16 and a second panel 18 used in forming a first compartment 11. The panels 16, 18 may be connected to each other by stitching. The panels 16, 18 may be fabricated from a material such as nylon and polyester and including but not limited to other woven materials. The material may be soft and stretchable or compliant, a hard material, foamed or padded material, or a combination or composite of these various materials. The expandable compartment 14 is shown in the contracted position in FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 5 depicts a backpack according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 depicts the backpack with a compartment 14 in an expanded position. The expandable compartment 14 includes a first area 20 and a second area 22. The areas 20, 22 may be fabricated from a similar material as the panels 16, 18. The first area 20 may be connected to the first panel 16 via stitching. The first area 20 may form an approximately semi-circular intersection with the first panel 16, and thus may form a partial perimeter of the expandable compartment 14. The second area 22 may include a first 30, second 32, and third 34 region.

[0022] A zipper 24 may permit expansion of the compartment 14. The zipper 24 may fasten the second area of the compartment 14 to the first panel 16 of the backpack body 12. The zipper 24 may surround the expandable compartment 14 around the entire first area 20. Thus when the zipper 24 is closed, the second area 22 is pulled close to the first panel 16.

[0023] As depicted in FIG. 6, the first area 20 may fold approximately along a centerline 40, forming a “V” when viewed in cross-section, in the direction of the arrow 50. This permits optimal contraction of the compartment 14 for example when it is not being used to store a large item. This type of fold may take on all sides of the first area 20. The first area 20 may also include a cut-out region 42 (on both ends), which may also be in the shape of a “V” when viewed in the side view as shown in FIG. 6. This cutout 42 prevents that section of the first area 20 (where the material would be had there been no cutout) from protruding out beyond the first 30 and third 34 regions in the direction of the second region 32 when the compartment 14 is in the contracted position (see FIG. 2). Stated differently, the cut-out region 42 in essence may result in a pair of triangular protrusions 60, 62 being formed on one side of line 64. The protrusions 60, 62 may be a portion of the first area 20. Referring back to FIG. 5, when the zipper 24 is opened, the second area 22 is permitted to expand from the first panel 16, and the first area 20 in conjunction with the second area 22 and the first panel 16 form the expandable compartment 14. The first area 20 may act as the bottom and sides of the compartment 14. The terms “bottom” and “sides” are relative terms here and are descriptive of the backpack when the backpack is in an upright position, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] The second area 22 may further include a cord 26 attached thereto. The cord 26 may permit the first 30 and second 32 regions to cooperate with each other, and may permit the second 32 and third 34 regions to cooperate with each other. As larger or smaller objects are placed in the compartment 14, a user can adjust the tension on the cord 26. This also adjusts the proximity of the three regions 30, 32, 34 to each other. The cord 26 may also function to assist an object 56 (shown only in FIG. 5) placed in the compartment 14 from falling out, by being attached to a hook 38 on the first panel 16 of the backpack body 10. In other words, while the first area 20 may act as the bottom and sides of the compartment 14, the cord 26 may assist to prevent items from becoming dislodged from the compartment toward the top. The term “top” is a relative term and is descriptive of the backpack when the backpack is in an upright position, as shown in FIG. 5. The amount of tension on the cord 26 may be adjustable by an adjusting member 36, which can be positioned in various places on the cord 26. Examples of objects that can be stored in the expandable compartment of the present invention include but are not limited to motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets, baseball helmets, catcher's masks, basketballs, and soccer balls as well as other relatively large and unwieldy items in need of transport. The expandable compartment 14 may be capable of holding objects larger than the first compartment 11 can hold.

[0025] FIG. 7 depicts a magnified view of area “A” of FIG. 5, with buckle member 70 instead of the hook 38. The buckle member 70 may be connected to the first panel 16 by a strap 72, which may be may be stitched to the first panel 16 of the backpack body 10. A further buckle 74 may be coupled to the cord 26a. The further buckle 74 thus may cooperate with the buckle member 70 to function to assist the object 56 (shown only in FIG. 5) placed in the expandable compartment 14 from falling out.

[0026] Referring back to FIG. 1, a strap 15 including a snapping member 17 (both only shown in FIG. 1) as part of a fastening arrangement may be attached to the backpack body 12 and may be configured to engage a corresponding snapping member (not shown) on the first region 30. The corresponding snapping member preferably should not go all the way through the lining of the first region 30 in order to prevent it from damaging an object placed in the expandable compartment 14. The strap 15 may be attached in the seam where the first and second panels 16, 18 mate. The strap 15 may be used to prevent the zipper 24 from accidentally opening thus keeping the expandable compartment 14 in a closed position.

[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the backpack of FIG. 1 in top and bottom views respectively.

[0028] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the second area 22 may include two or four regions instead of three.