SHOULDER BAG

Abstract

A shoulder bag includes a main or lower first generally rectangular pouch generally in the form of a purse with a top side having an auxiliary pouch extending upwardly therefrom. The auxiliary pouch has an opening to the back side of the pouch. Openings to the main pouch are provided through the top. A support strap extends from the back side of the main pouch and connects through swivel connections and a connecting strap to the top side of the auxiliary pouch so that the shoulder bag may be positioned on either side of an individual and fitted against the right or left hip of the individual in a comfortable manner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a shoulder bag, and more particularly, to a shoulder bag with a reversible shoulder strap and a symmetrical arrangement of pouches or pockets and pocket openings to enhance reversible utility.

Carrying personal items and the like in a bag and, in particular, in a purse or shoulder bag is a common occurrence. Heretofore, shoulder bags typically include a shoulder strap for placement over either shoulder of an individual carrying the bag. However, when moving the bag from one shoulder to the next, the strap construction may result in a lack of comfort in one position or the other. As a consequence, various types of shoulder straps have been developed which are generally curved and padded so as to accommodate the shoulder of a person in a comfortable manner regardless of the placement of the strap on either shoulder. Nonetheless, there has been a desire to provide shoulder bags with a reversible shoulder strap which are comfortable.

Another issue involving shoulder bags is associated with the fact that changing the position of the bag may reduce ease of access to the pockets in the bag. As a consequence, such bags do not typically include lateral or side pockets. Nonetheless, ease of access to side pockets may be desired regardless of the position of the bag on a chosen shoulder of an individual. Thus, there has remained a desire to have a more universal shoulder bag capable of comfort and easy access to the pockets of the bag when the bag is placed in any one of a variety of positions by an individual.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a shoulder bag with a reversible shoulder strap wherein the shoulder bag is comprised of a generally rectangular lower pouch with an elongate auxiliary pouch fitted onto and comprising an extension of the generally rectangular profile, lower pouch. The auxiliary pouch includes a generally vertically oriented, zippered access opening along the back side thereof whereas the rectangular pouch includes generally horizontally oriented pouch openings along the top side thereof located on opposite sides of the auxiliary pouch. A strap section having an arcuate configuration extends from the back side of the lower rectangular pouch outwardly and upwardly from the back side. It is joined by a connecting arcuate shoulder strap to the top side of the auxiliary pouch. The linkage between the connecting shoulder strap and the strap section extending from the back side of the lower pouch as well as the linkage to the top side of the auxiliary pouch comprises a swivel buckle mechanism. This enables the connecting shoulder strap to be reversed quite easily. The pouches are constructed from a flexible fabric material.

The shoulder bag may be positioned on the left or right shoulder of an individual and oriented so that the back or trailing side of the shoulder bag pouches remain oriented toward the back of an individual carrying the shoulder bag regardless of the shoulder on which the individual is carrying the bag. Access to every pouch is facilitated by zippered openings in the top side of the lower pouch and the back side of the auxiliary pouch. With this construction, a highly efficient and easily carried shoulder bag is provided wherein storage pouches can be oriented on the left hand side and right hand side of an individual and against a hip directed toward the underside of the shoulder thus providing a compact and flat series of pouches which enable the storage of various items.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved shoulder bag design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoulder bag construction which includes a reversible shoulder strap.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoulder bag construction wherein the construction has a profile and configuration which is easy to position on one side or the other of the body of an individual and thus which is not bulky, yet which is enabled to carry significant amounts of various shapes and types of items.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rugged, yet economical and easy to carry, lightweight shoulder bag construction.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1A is a front side view of an embodiment of the shoulder bag of the invention configured for placement on the left shoulder;

FIG. 1B is a plan view of the bag of FIG. 1A configured for placement on the right shoulder of an individual;

FIG. 2A is a plan view similar to FIG. 1A wherein the access opening to the main or lower pouch of the shoulder bag is open;

FIG. 2B is a plan view similar to FIG. 1B wherein the access opening to the main or lower pouch of the bag is opened;

FIG. 3A is an end view from the back side of the shoulder bag of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is a front side view of the bag of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a back side view of the bag of FIG. 3A with the auxiliary pouch in the open condition;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the bag of FIG. 4A as viewed from the opposite side thereof;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view depicting the shoulder bag placed on the left shoulder of an individual or which also may be placed on the right shoulder of the individual wherein the bag itself is maintained on the right hip of the individual; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the swivel buckle mechanism incorporated with the connecting strap of the shoulder bag embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the shoulder bag embodiment as depicted includes a first, lower, or main pouch 10. The first pouch 10 has a generally rectangular side profile and is comprised of opposed side panels 12 and 14 which are joined together by a transverse or connecting panel 16. The first pouch 10 or main pouch 10 includes a top side 18. Zippered openings 20 and 22 are located respectively in side panels 12, 14. Fastened to the top side 18 is an auxiliary pouch 24. The auxiliary pouch 24 extends upwardly from the main or first pouch 10. The auxiliary pouch 24 includes a front side or edge 26 which is generally a linear extension in a straight line from the front side or edge 27 of the main pouch 10.

The back side or edge 29 of the auxiliary pouch 24 includes a zipper fastener 28 which provides for access to the interior of the auxiliary pouch 24. The main pouch 10 in combination with the auxiliary pouch 24 thus provides an elongate combination of first and second pouches 10, 24 aligned vertically one on top of the other each of which provide a means for storage of items. As viewed from the side or end of the pouch 10, the configuration is a generally flat configuration. Note that the connecting, transverse side panel 16 may be closed by operation of a zipper mechanism 15 as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B which joins the periphery of panels 12, 14 along the sides and bottom thereof.

The main or first bag 10 includes a projecting arcuate support strap section 40 which extends from one of the back side edges of panel 12 or 14 upwardly and outwardly from the back side of the main bag 10. Thus, the strap section 40 comprises an extension of a side panel 12 or 14. The strap section 40 extends upwardly approximately to the midpoint of the auxiliary pouch 24. From there the end of the strap section 40 joins to a buckle 42. The auxiliary pouch 24 includes a similar buckle 44 at its top side or top edge. A connecting shoulder strap 46, which is adjustable in length, provides an arcuate link between the first buckle 42 and the second buckle 44.

The connection mechanism for the strap 46 is shown in more detail in FIG. 6. Specifically, a buckle element 42 connects strap 40 with a second buckle element 43 joined thereto by a pivot pin 45. The buckle 43 is thus attached to the shoulder strap 46. The opposite ends of connecting strap 40 employ such a swivel buckle mechanism to enable reversal of strap 40.

The combination of the shoulder strap 46 and arcuate support strap 40 form an arcuate connection which extends approximately 180° as viewed in the plan view depicted in FIG. 1B or FIG. 1A. The swivel connections which comprise the buckle elements 42 and 44 as well as the connecting buckle element 47 permit adjustment of the shoulder strap 46 so that the same surface (such as a padded surface) may be placed on the right hand or left hand shoulder of an individual regardless of the hip on which the pouches 10, 24 are positioned. Thus, as depicted, for example, in FIG. 5, the shoulder strap 46 in combination with the support strap 40 may be configured to fit over the left shoulder of an individual while maintaining the pouches 12 and 24 on the right side or right hip of the individual. The shoulder bag construction is such that the thickness of the pouches 10 and 24 is minimized whereas the vertical height dimension of the pouches is maximized to provide enhanced storage and access to the storage pockets. For example, the access is through the zippered opening 20 or the zippered opening 28. Note that the access opening of the pouch 24; namely, the access opening through the zippered opening 28 is oriented toward the back side of an individual carrying the bag regardless of the shoulder upon which the bag may be placed. This facilitates ease of access and use of the shoulder bag. Consequently, access to the first or main pouch 10 is effected through the top or lateral side thereof whereas access to the auxiliary pouch 24, which is vertically aligned and on top of the main pouch 10, is achieved through the back side thereof.

It is to be noted that the shoulder bag may be supported on the right or left shoulder and maintained on the right hip as, for example, depicted in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the shoulder strap 46 may be swiveled or reversed and the bag placed on the opposite hip in a configuration analogous to that shown in FIG. 5. In each event, the zippered pouch openings 20 and 28 are oriented in a manner which when opened, will prevent spillage, yet provide ease of access inasmuch as the bag may be easily manipulated to be conveniently positioned while resting on a shoulder. This arrangement, therefore, provides for enhanced ease of use and comfort.

While there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A shoulder bag with a reversible shoulder strap comprising, in combination:

a first pouch having first and second opposed generally rectangular side panels, a back side edge and a top side;

an auxiliary pouch extending from the top side of said first panel, said auxiliary pouch including a lateral back edge opening to the auxiliary pouch and a first connection buckle at the top of said auxiliary pouch;

an arcuate support strap extending from the back side edge of the first pouch outwardly and upwardly from said back side edge to an outer end with a second connection buckle at the outer end thereof; and

an arcuate connecting shoulder strap joined by a swivel connecter to the first buckle and second buckle completing an arcuate connection from the first pouch to the auxiliary pouch in combination with the arcuate support strap, whereby the shoulder strap is reversible and adjustable to maintain the alignment of the lateral back edge opening oriented to the back side of an individual carrying the bag.

2. The bag of claim 1 further including at least one access opening in a side panel of the first pouch.

3. The bag of claim 1 comprised of a flexible fabric material.

4. The bag of claim 1 further including an expansion panel along at least a portion of the back side edge of the first pouch.

5. The bag of claim 1 wherein the connecting shoulder strap is adjustable in length.

6. The bag of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary pouch has a front side edge which extends generally in a straight line from the front side edge of the first pouch.

7. The bag of claim 1 wherein said first pouch includes a first opening on one side of the auxiliary pouch and a second opening on the opposite side of the auxiliary pouch, said first and second openings to the interior of the first pouch.

8. The bag of claim 7 wherein the first and second openings are positioned respectively in the first and second side panels of the first pouch.

9. The bag of claim 6 wherein said first pouch includes a first opening on one side of the auxiliary pouch and a second opening on the opposite side of the auxiliary pouch, said first and second openings to the interior of the first pouch.