Personal storage device

Abstract

A storage system for a user includes a base configured to couple to the user. A first elongated member including a first end and a second end is coupled to the base. A storage unit having at least one glide member slideably coupled to the first elongated member so that a position of the storage unit may be adjusted along the base by the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a application claiming the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) U.S. Application 60/647,653, filed Jan. 27, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a personal storage device. In particular, the present invention relates to an adjustable personal storage device with a slideable storage unit.

BACKGROUND

Backpacks, fanny packs, hydration packs and other personal storage devices typically have compartments for storing various items that a person might need. These personal storage devices may also include a waist belt to more comfortably and safely distribute the weight of the pack when it is carried. Personal storage devices are used by outdoorsmen, such as hunters and backpackers. Often, this group of users uses personal storage devices to carry a multitude of small items that are needed throughout the day. These items can include binoculars, knives, ammunition, scents, tools and the like. Other groups of users also typically carry personal storage devices. Students, in particular carry personal storage devices such as backpacks.

However, known personal storage devices tend to have certain disadvantages. For example: one challenge associated with backpacks and fanny packs relates to the quick and silent retrieval of stored items without requiring removal of the personal storage device. This often requires the removal of the backpack or fanny pack to retrieve the needed item which takes time and causes noise. However, to hunt effectively, it is desirable to be silent and minimize movement. Further, when backpacking, it may be difficult or dangerous to remove the personal storage device in order to access the contents.

Accordingly, there is a need for a personal storage device such as a backpack or fanny pack that makes it easy to bring items from a stored (e.g. out of the way) position to an accessible position with one movement without causing a great deal of noise.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to a storage system for a user having a base configured to be worn by the user. The base includes a first elongated member having a first end and a second end coupled to the base. The system also includes a storage unit with at least one glide member. The glide is slideably coupled to the first elongated member so that a position of the storage unit may be adjusted along the base by the user.

The invention further relates to a storage system comprising a waist belt, a primary storage unit supported by the waist belt, a pair of shoulder straps coupled to the primary storage unit and a reservoir for retaining fluids, the reservoir disposed within the primary storage unit. A first elongated member is attached to one of the waist belt, one of the pair of shoulder straps, or the primary storage unit. The storage system includes a secondary storage unit, the secondary storage unit including a glide member slideably coupled to the first elongated member.

The invention further relates to a backpack having a support member, a first elongated member coupled to the support member, and a second elongated member coupled to the support member. The second elongated member may be substantially parallel to the first elongated member. The backpack also includes a storage compartment having at least one first holder slideably coupled to the first elongated member and at least one second holder slideably coupled to the second elongated member so that the storage compartment is moveable to a plurality of positions along the support member by the user.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack including an adjustable personal storage device in a first position.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the backpack of FIG. 1 with the adjustable personal storage device in a second position.

FIG. 3 is a graphic image of a storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment an adjustable personal storage includes a backpack system 10 having a main storage compartment 12, shoulder straps 14, a chest strap 16, buckle 18, a base shown as waist belt 20, and buckle 22. Shoulder straps 14, chest strap 16, and waist belt 20 aid in distributing and balancing the load of backpack 10 when worn by a user. In an exemplary embodiment, backpack 10 may be a hydration pack having a reservoir within main storage compartment 12. Tube 24 and valve 26 may be provided for a user to access the contents of the reservoir without removing backpack 10. Backpack 10 further includes a storage unit (e.g. compartment etc.) shown as a pocket 28, which is coupled to waist belt 20. Alternatively, pocket 28 could be coupled to another part of backpack 10 such as shoulder strap 14. In some embodiments, multiple pockets 28 may be used, for example, one or more pockets may be coupled to each side of waist belt 20. In other embodiments, the storage unit may be a water bottle, an open top pouch, a sheath for holding a tool such as a knife, or other suitable storage device.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members, or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members, or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

Pocket 28 is shown to include a cover 30 and a closure shown as a zipper 32 for closing pocket 28. Alternatively, pocket 28 may be closed using snaps, straps, slide closures, or any other suitable fastener or securing device. In another embodiment, the storage unit may have an open top or side that is not intended to be closeable. Pocket 28 is preferably made of fabric intended to allow the shape of pocket 28 to change by exerting a relatively small force on the exterior of pocket 28. Alternatively, the storage unit may be made of other materials such as a hard plastic, formed leather, rubber, or other such material that may provide a more fixed shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment, waist belt 20 includes coupling members (e.g. strap, track, rail, channel, bar, etc.) shown as elongated members 34. Elongated members 34 are shown generally longitudinally extending along waist belt 20 and are coupled to waist belt 20. Alternatively, the coupling members may be oriented in other directions and the coupling members may be coupled to other parts of backpack 10. Each of the elongated members 34 includes a first end located distal to buckle 22 and a second end located proximate to buckle 22. Elongated members 34 are shown coupled to waist belt 20 at the first end by fasteners 36, the second end by fasteners 38, and at an intermediate point located between the first end and the second end by fasteners 40. Coupling of elongated members 34 to waist belt 20 may be accomplished by using rivets, snaps, screws, or any other suitable fastener. Alternatively, adhesive, or other methods of attachment such as RF welding may be used. In other embodiments, fabric from waist belt 20 may overlap portions of elongated members 34 and be secured with stitching or the like. Elongated members 34 may be permanently, or removeably coupled to the base. According to another exemplary embodiment, the first end of the elongated member is coupled to the waist belt while the second end of the elongated member is coupled to the backpack at a point near the compartments. According to an alternative embodiment, the support member may be in the form of a recessed channel, track, rail or other suitable device.

In some embodiments, elongated members 34 may extend around a waist. In some embodiments, the elongated members may extend along the shoulder straps of a backpack, or any other suitable portion of a personal storage device. In other embodiments, the base may be a utility belt. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple storage units may be positioned along the same elongated members.

According to one embodiment, elongated members 34 may be made of a semi-rigid polymeric material such as polyethylene. Alternatively, elongated members 34 may be made of metal, fabric or other suitable material. Elongated members 34 may be flexible or rigid.

FIG. 3 shows the back side, i.e. the side facing waist belt 20, of pocket 28 according to an exemplary embodiment. Pocket 28 includes backing 42, glide members 44, and slots 46. Backing 42 may be made of a semi-rigid polymeric material such as polyethylene. Alternatively, backing 42 may be made of metal, fabric or other suitable material. Backing 42 may be flexible or rigid. Backing 42 is provided with glide members 44 which are configured to slideably engage elongated members 34 (shown in FIG. 4). Glide members 44 are formed in backing 42 by providing slots 46 in backing 42. Alternatively, U-shaped cuts may be made in backing 42 to provide tabs. According to another embodiment, the glide members and backing may be formed as a single unitary body by such processes as injection molding. The glide members may be in the form of clips, biased members, brackets, or other devices suitable for slideably coupling the backing of the storage unit to one or more coupling members. According to another alternative embodiment, the backing may include glide members in the form of “tunnels” formed by an additional layer of material used to make the backing where the tunnels are configured to receive elongated members 34. In an exemplary embodiment, both elongated members 34 and glide members 44 are made of a polymeric material such that pocket 28 may slide along waist belt 20 while creating little noise.

In an alternative embodiment, pocket 28 may comprise glide members coupled to the pocket without the use of a separate backing. The glide members may be made from a polymeric material, metal, fabric or other suitable material. The glide members may be loops, tabs or other structures suitable for slideably coupling the pocket to a base.

Elongated members 34 engage (e.g. pass through) slots 46 and under glide members 44. Elongated members 34 may be coupled to waist belt 20 at their ends, and at intermediate points. Pocket 28 can then be “slid” along elongated members 34 in either direction by the user. The range of motion of pocket 28 is established by the coupling of elongated members 34 to the waist belt such that pocket 28 may be displaced by up to the shorter of the distance between the first end and the fastener 40 or between the second end and the fastener 40, minus the width of the glide member 44.

According to the illustrated embodiment, pocket 28 is intended to be held in a position relative to backpack 10 (shown in FIG. 1) by frictional interaction between elongated members 34 and glide members 44. Alternatively, the coupling members may be provided with positioning structures such as detents or apertures for engaging biased members coupled to the backing 42 such that when the biased members engage a detent or aperture, the pocket tends to remain in the desired position. The pocket may also be provided with releases for the user to actuate in order to permit the pocket to slide.

According to alternative embodiments, multiple storage units may be used on the same coupling members. Also, multiple groupings of coupling members and accompanying storage units may be used on the same backpack, fanny pack, or other system. Further, a greater or lesser number of coupling members and/or glide members can be used.

According to yet another embodiment, a storage unit may be provided with a single glide member which is rotatably coupled to the storage unit and slideably coupled to a coupling member allowing the storage unit to slide relative to the coupling member and rotate relative to the system.

According to yet another alternative embodiment, the coupling members may be in the form of channels, recessed in the base. Glide members, configured to extend into the recess and engage the base could then be used. Alternatively, the elongated members may be replaced with tracks, such as U-shaped tracks that may be engaged by glide members having a complimentary geometry.

While the detailed drawings and specific examples given herein describe various exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings.

The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A personal storage system for a user comprising:

a base portion configured to be worn by the user;

a first elongated member, the first elongated member including a first end and a second end;

wherein the first elongated member is attached to the base at a point proximate to the first end and at a point proximate to the second end;

a storage unit; and

at least one glide member on the storage unit;

wherein the at least one glide member on the storage unit is slideably coupled to the first elongated member such that a position of the storage unit may be adjusted along the elongated member by the user.

2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the base is a waist belt.

3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a portion of a backpack.

4. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the first elongated member is at least one of a rail or a strap.

5. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising a second elongated member that runs substantially parallel with the first elongated member.

6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a backing and the at least one glide member comprises a pair of slots in the backing.

7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is maintained in a position relative to the base by friction between the first elongated member and the at least one glide.

8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a pocket.

9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a open top pouch, a water bottle, or a sheath.

10. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is removeably coupled to the first elongated member.

11. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the first elongated member is removeably coupled to the base.

12. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the first elongated member is coupled to the base at the first end, the second end, and an intermediate point between the first end and the second end.

13. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the at least one glide member is coupled to the first elongated member at a position between the first end and the intermediate point, and another glide is coupled to the first elongated member at a point between the intermediate point and the second end.

14. A personal storage system comprising:

a waist belt;

a primary storage unit supported by the waist belt;

a pair of shoulder straps coupled to the primary storage unit;

a reservoir for retaining fluids, the reservoir disposed within the primary storage unit;

a first elongated member attached to one of the waist belt, one of the pair of shoulder straps, or the primary storage unit;

a secondary storage unit, the secondary storage unit including a glide member slideably coupled to the first elongated member.

15. The personal storage system of claim 13, further comprising a second glide member coupled to the secondary storage unit, wherein the second glide member cooperates with and engages the first elongated member.

16. The personal storage system of claim 14, wherein the means for slideably coupling the storage unit to the base further includes a second coupling member that runs substantially parallel with the first coupling member.

17. The personal storage system of claim 14, wherein the first coupling member is a rail.

18. The personal storage system of claim 13, wherein the secondary storage unit is coupled to the waist belt.

19. A backpack comprising:

a waist belt;

a first elongated member coupled to the waist belt;

a second elongated member coupled to the waist belt;

wherein the second elongated member is substantially parallel to the first elongated member; and

a storage unit having at least one glide member slideably coupled to the first elongated member and at least one glide member slideably coupled to the second elongated member;

such that the storage unit is moveable to a plurality of positions along the waist belt.

20. The backpack of claim 19, wherein the first elongated member is coupled to the waist belt at a first end, a second end, and at an intermediate point between the first end and the second end, and one of the at least one glide member coupled to the first elongated member is coupled to the first elongated member at a position between the first end and the intermediate point, and another glide member is coupled to the first elongated member is coupled to the first elongated member between the intermediate point and the second end.