SLINGBAGS

Abstract

A slingbag is provided that has a carrier that may be suspended from either shoulder and around the body of a bearer by means of a shoulder strap. The slingbag will present an opening to a compartment in the carrier of the slingbag to the bearer in the same configuration when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder over which the shoulder strap passes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/302,887, filed on Feb. 9, 2010 and titled “SLINGBAGS,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The field of the invention relates to carriers.

2. Discussion

A slingbag, also called a messenger bag or a shoulder bag, has a carrier attached to a strap. The strap is slung over one shoulder of the bearer, the carrier of the bag being supported against the front or back of the bearer's body or against the side of the bearer that is opposite the shoulder crossed by the strap. An advantage of a slingbag is that the bearer can rapidly access the contents of the bag by rotating the slingbag from the back or side to the front of the bearer.

Some slingbags are designed to be slung over only one shoulder of the bearer. This is limiting. The bearer may prefer to have the sling go over her other shoulder. The manufacturer could, of course, supply bags designed for one or the other shoulder, the way some products are available in left and right-handed versions.

The bearer may wish to be able to alternate shoulders when the weight-bearing shoulder becomes sore or for other reasons. A slingbag that could be adapted in the field to sling over one or the other shoulder is desirable.

SUMMARY

Slingbags having a shoulder switching capability preferably should be configured to suspend from either of the shoulders of the bearer and yet provide the same access to the contents contained in a compartment defined in the carrier, without requiring the bearer to shift the contents and rearrange any dividers in the compartment when changing the shoulder configuration of the slingbag.

In general, a slingbag is provided that has a carrier that may be suspended from either shoulder and around the body of a bearer by means of a shoulder strap. The carrier of the slingbag defines a compartment. The slingbag will present an opening to the compartment to the bearer on the same side of the carrier when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap goes over. Preferably, the access opening will be in the top of the carrier when it is rotated to the front of the bearer.

Various aspects of the slingbag according to the invention are provided. The aspects of a slingbag according to the invention rotate the orientation of their carriers when changing shoulder configurations, but the rotation is not the same in every aspect. Some aspects flip the shoulder strap from one side of the carrier to the other so the back side of the carrier becomes the front side of the carrier and vice-versa. In these versions the ends of the shoulder strap need not switch anchors on the bag. Other aspects change the positioning of the shoulder strap anchors or use alternate shoulder straps so that the top of the carrier becomes the bottom and vice-versa.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a slingbag according to the invention, in which the shoulder strap of the slingbag is configured to go over the right shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the slingbag shown in FIG. 1, in which the orientation of the shoulder sling is reversed so that the shoulder strap of the slingbag is configured to go over the left shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of one of the body-contacting sides of the carrier of the slingbag of FIG. 1, showing alternate configurations of the shoulder strap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the slingbag of FIG. 1, in which a bearer has the shoulder strap over his right shoulder (corresponding to the configuration shown in FIG. 1) and the bearer is reaching into a compartment in the carrier of the slingbag in order to access its contents.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the slingbag of FIG. 1, in which a bearer has the shoulder strap over his left shoulder (corresponding to the configuration shown in FIG. 2) and the bearer is reaching into a compartment in the carrier of the slingbag in order to access its contents.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the slingbag of FIG. 1, showing a non-body contacting side that has a zippered opening accessing a compartment in the carrier and a movable connection with the shoulder strap at its lower end, in which the shoulder strap is configured to go over the right shoulder of the bearer as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the same non-body contacting side of the slingbag of FIG. 1 as in FIG. 6, in which the shoulder strap configured to go over the left shoulder of the bearer as in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a variation of the slingbag of FIG. 1 in which the upper end of the shoulder strap is attached to the carrier by a single rail rather than plural rails and the flap that covers and closes the opening to the compartment opens to the side rather than an end of the carrier.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a slingbag according to the invention in which the shoulder strap has a fixed attachment at either end to the carrier, showing alternate configurations of the shoulder strap.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the slingbag shown in FIG. 9, in which the shoulder sling is configured to go over the right shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a slingbag according to the invention, in which the shoulder strap of the slingbag is configured to go over the right shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the variation of the slingbag of FIG. 11, in which the shoulder strap of the slingbag variation is configured to go over the left shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the variation of the slingbag of FIG. 11, in which the shoulder strap of the slingbag variation is configured to go over the left shoulder of the bearer, as in FIG. 12, but the slingbag is rotated as it would appear when put by the bearer.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a slingbag according to the invention, in which one of the shoulder straps of the slingbag is deployed in a configuration that will permit it to go over the right shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the slingbag shown in FIG. 14, in which the other shoulder strap is deployed in a configuration that will permit it to go over the left shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the slingbag of FIG. 14 in the configuration shown in FIG. 15, in which the slingbag is turned around so that it can be put on over the left shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a slingbag according to the invention, in which the shoulder strap of the slingbag is configured to go over the right shoulder of the bearer.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the slingbag shown in FIG. 17, in which the orientation of the shoulder sling is revised so that the shoulder strap of the slingbag is configured to go over the left shoulder of the bearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention generally relates to a slingbag that may be converted to suspend from either shoulder and around the body of a bearer and comprises a carrier attached to a shoulder strap. The carrier defines and contains a compartment that is accessed by an opening in a wall of the carrier. Regardless of the configuration of the slingbag, the wall of the carrier that contains the opening is presented to the bearer in the same way, preferably on the top of the carrier of the slingbag when the carrier is rotated to the front of the wearer. It will be understood that by the words “presented to the bearer in the same way” or “presented to the bearer in the same orientation” is meant that the bearer will find that wall in the same position relative to the bearer when the carrier is moved to the front of the bearer, even thought the wall of the carrier that contains the opening may appear to the bearer to be rotated so that a right side of that wall will appear to have become the left side of the wall.

Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily in all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, or characteristic “may,” “might,” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, or characteristic is not required to be included. The provision of more than one element is not excluded when the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element without more. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, the existence of more than one of the additional element is not thereby excluded.

Referring to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of slingbags according to the invention will now be described. The exemplary embodiments are provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

A first preferred embodiment 1 of a slingbag according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7. The slingbag 1 comprises a carrier 10 attached to a shoulder strap 50. The slingbag 1 is designed to be supported by the shoulder strap 50 passing over one of the shoulders of the bearer and around the body of the bearer to the carrier. By “body” is meant primarily the thorax and part of the abdomen of the bearer. Of course, the shoulder strap 50 also could be placed over one shoulder of the bearer with the carrier 10 suspended below it on the same side of the bearer, like a handbag, but this is a less secure configuration.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the slingbag 1 being worn by a human bearer B (shown in phantom line), and show that the slingbag 1 may be supported by the shoulder strap 50 passing over either the right shoulder of the bearer (FIG. 4) or the left shoulder (FIG. 5) and around the body (primarily the thorax and including the abdomen) of the bearer. In both FIGS. 4 and 5, the carrier 10 of the slingbag has been rotated to the front of the bearer B.

The carrier 10 is a container or bag that comprises a plurality of walls defining an interior compartment 12. The interior compartment 12 is accessed by an entrance or opening 14 in the carrier 10 formed by opening the flap 16, as is described in more detail below. The wall of the carrier having the entrance 14 on the carrier 10 will be presented to the bearer B in the same way when the carrier is rotated about the body of the bearer B to the front of the bearer B, regardless of which shoulder of the bearer B is crossed by the shoulder strap 50. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wall of the carrier containing the entrance 14 will be on the top of the carrier 10 when the carrier 10 is in front of the bearer B. The bearer may access any objects contained in the compartment 12 through the entrance 14.

The carrier 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, comprises six walls joined to each other the configuration of a rectangular parallelepiped or box that defines the compartment 12 internally. The first and second body-contacting walls 18 and 20 are generally parallel and opposed to each other; the first and second side walls 22 and 24 are generally parallel and opposed to each other; and the first and second end walls 26 and 28 are generally parallel and opposed to each other. The body-contacting walls 18 and 20 each connect to the side walls 22 and 24 and the end walls 26 and 28, respectively.

The body-contacting wall 18 is provided with separated and padded raised areas 19a, 19b, and 19c in order to space the body-contacting wall 18 from the body of the bearer so that air can move between the body of the bearer and the body-contacting wall 18. The body-contacting wall 20 is provided with separated and padded raised areas 21a, 21b, and 21c in order to space the body-contacting wall 20 from the body of the bearer so that air can move between the body of the bearer and the body-contacting wall 20. The raised areas 19a, 19b, 19c, 21a, 21b, and 21c are useful but not required to practice this invention, and may be employed with any of the embodiments discussed in this specification.

The body-contacting walls 18 and 20, the side walls 22 and 24, and the end walls 26 and 28 preferably are made of fabric, such as nylon or polyester oxford cloth fabric. The fabric of the walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 may be provided with padding or stiffeners internally. The walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 preferably are joined by sewing.

It will be understood that the walls may be made of various other materials such as, but not limited to rubber, synthetic rubber, leather or synthetic leather. The shape and number of the walls may be varied so long as the walls define a compartment. The compartment 12 may be supplied with dividers and partitions to accommodate objects such as a camera and other photographic gear.

The side wall 24 comprises the flap 16 which covers the opening 14 to the compartment 12. The flap 16 preferably is a continuation or portion of the side wall 24 that is separated from the rest of the side wall 24 along three sides so that it may hinge about its connection to the remainder of the side wall 24, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The three sides of the flap 16 may be joined to the remainder of the side wall 24 by the zipper half 17a sewn to the flap 16 that mates with the zipper half 17b sewn to the side wall 24. The zipper halves 17a and 17b together form the zipper 17 and are secured to each other by sliding the zipper sliders 17c.

Alternatively, the flap 16 may be substantially the entire side wall 24, as shown in FIG. 8. The flap 16 might be reversibly joined by the zipper half 17a to the zipper half 17b attached to the body contacting walls 18 and 20 and the end wall 26.

It will be understood that the flap 16 could be secured over the opening 14 by the use of hook and loop strips, snaps or other means. The shape and positioning of the flap could be varied in any number of ways. It will also be understood that more than one opening and one flap may be provided on the side wall 24.

As explained below, the design of the connection of the shoulder strap 50 to the carrier 10 presents the side wall 24 (and thus the opening 14) as the upper side of the carrier 10 when the carrier 10 is rotated to the front of the bearer no matter which configuration of the shoulder strap 50 is chosen.

The shoulder strap 50 is attached to the carrier 10 at three anchors: the two top rails 30 and 32 adjacent to the end wall 26 and the bottom rail 34 adjacent an end of the side wall 24 spaced from the end wall 26. The shoulder strap 50 comprises the rings 52 and 54 which surround the top rails 30 and 32 and the ring 56 which surrounds the bottom rail 34. The rings 52, 54, and 56 slide freely along the rails 30, 32, and 34, for the purpose described below.

One end of each of the two top rails 30 and 32 are sewn into the juncture of the body contacting wall 18 and the end wall 26 and the other end of each of the two top rails 30 and 32 are sewn into the juncture of the body contacting wall 20 and the end wall 26. One end of the bottom rail 34 is sewn into the juncture of the side wall 24 and the body contacting wall 18 and the other end of the bottom rail 34 is sewn into the juncture of the body contacting wall 20 and the side wall 24. It will be understood that the ends of the rails 30, 32, and 34 could be attached to the carrier 10 in other ways. For example, one end of the rail 30 could be sewn to the upper end of the body contacting wall 18 and the other end to the upper end of the body contacting wall 20, or both ends could be sewn to either side of the end wall 26.

It will be observed that the connection of the shoulder strap 50 at its upper end 64a to the strap 58 that is connected to the ring 52 is the primary connection to the carrier 10. This connection is on the side of the end wall 26 that is closest to the side wall 22 and spaced from the connection of the end wall 26 to the side wall 24. The secondary connection of the upper end 64a to the carrier 10 via the strap 60 and ring 54 provides stability when the carrier 10 is rotated to the front of the bearer as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, by tending to prevent the carrier 10 from sagging away from the bearer when the carrier 10 is in front of the bearer.

It will be further understood that the bottom rail 34 might be disposed on the second end wall 28 near the junction of the second end wall 28 and the side wall 24. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second embodiment 100 of the slingbag according to the invention wherein the lower end 66 of the shoulder strap 50 is attached to the carrier 10 at such a location identified by the reference numeral 112. The second embodiment 100 of the slingbag does not, however, employ a rail at this location for attachment to the shoulder strap 50 because it locates the lower end 66 at the midline of the second end wall 28.

The shoulder strap 50 is designed to fit over the shoulder of the bearer. Accordingly, the load bearing member 64 of the shoulder strap 50 is curved on its edge 64c to accommodate the bearer's neck and fit around her shoulder. The curved side edge 64c will rest more comfortably against the bearer's body than a straighter edge. Preferably, the load-bearing member 64 is formed of fabric with interior padding for the comfort of the bearer.

As shown in the drawings, the rings 52, 54, and 56 are shaped like rectangles for accommodating the rails 30, 32, and 34. The rings 52, 54, and 56 preferably are made of a metal alloy but could be made of any other suitable material such as a plastic.

The rings 52, 54, and 56 are attached to the other components of the shoulder strap 50 by the loops or straps 58, 60, and 62, respectively. The loops or straps 58, 60, and 62 are made of webbing or tape. The loops 58 and 60 are sewn to the load-bearing member 64. The loop 62 is sewn to an end member 66.

The end member 66 is sewn to a webbing loop 68 that connects it to a swivel 70. The swivel 70 is connected to a webbing 72 by sewing one end of the webbing 72 around a loop in the swivel 70. The other end of the webbing 72 passes through slots in the side release buckle 74 and the length of the webbing 72 between the swivel 70 and the side release buckle 74 may be adjusted as desired by the bearer in order to lengthen or shorten the shoulder strap 50. The shoulder strap 50 may be separated by disconnecting the components of the side release buckle 74.

The side release buckle 74 is connected by a webbing loop 76 to a second swivel 78 that is in turn connected by a loop 80 to the lower end 64b of the load-bearing member 64.

The end member 66 is formed from fabric in the form of a zippered pocket for holding small items such as keys and the like.

The load-bearing member 64 is tapers from a broad upper end 64a to the narrow lower end 64b that is attached by the loop 80 to the swivel 78. The tapering is accomplished by forming the load-bearing member 64 so that its edge 64c is curved as noted above. The edge 64c is the side of the load-bearing member 64 facing the side wall 24 that has the entrance 14 to the compartment 12. The edge 64d of the load-bearing member strap 64 is also curved.

The load-bearing member 64 has first and second body-contacting faces 64e and 64f. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1, 3 (solid line), 4, and 6, the first body-contacting face 64e will contact the body of the bearer. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (phantom line), 4, and 7, the first body-contacting face 64e will contact the body of the bearer, as explained further below.

It will be understood that the structure of the shoulder strap 50 may be varied in any number of ways. For example, a different kind of buckle, such as a slider buckle, may be employed. No buckle need to be provided at all if adjustability of the shoulder strap 50 is not desired.

The slingbag 1 is shown in a configuration appropriate for wearing over the right shoulder of the bearer in FIGS. 1, 3 (solid line), 4, and 6. The upper end 64a of the load-bearing member 64 is close to the body contacting wall 18 because the rings 52 and 54 have been slid toward the ends of the rails 30 and 32 closest to the body-contacting wall 18. The end member 66 is also close to the body-contacting wall 18 because the ring 56 has been slid towards the end of the rail 34 closest to the body-contacting wall 18.

It will be noted that this configuration of the slingbag 1 will present the flap 16 and the entrance 14 on the top of the carrier 10 when the bearer moves the carrier 10 to his or her front, as shown in FIG. 4, by rotating the slingbag 1. Any objects such as cameras and other photographic gear that are stored in the compartment 12 may be easily accessed through the entrance 14 once the flap 16 has been unzipped. The objects will not fall out of the compartment 12 when the entrance 14 is opened by unzipping the flap 16.

The bearer may wish to shift the burden of the slingbag 1 to his or her left shoulder, perhaps because the right shoulder is sore or for any other reason. The configuration of the slingbag 1 for the left shoulder is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (phantom line), 5, and 7. The shoulder strap 50 is moved to this new configuration after the bearer takes off the slingbag 1, by moving the upper end 64a of the load-bearing member 64 to the other side of the end wall 26 and the end member 66 to the other side of the side wall 24. This movement is made possible by sliding the rings 52 and 54 toward the other ends of the rails 30 and 32, respectively, and the ring 56 toward the other end of the rail 34.

FIG. 3 shows the movement between the two configurations: the configuration for the right shoulder is shown in regular line and the configuration for the left shoulder is shown in phantom line. In the latter configuration, the rings 52, 54, and 56 now will be close to the body-contacting wall 20 rather than the body-contacting wall 18.

The shoulder strap 50 will be rotated in the course of shifting configurations from that of FIG. 1 (right shoulder) to that of FIG. 2 (left shoulder). As a result, the second body-contacting face 64e will face away from the carrier 10 whereas in the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 4 it was facing toward the carrier 10. Accordingly, in the configuration of FIGS. 1, 3 (solid line), 4, and 6 the first body-contacting face 64e is in contact with the body of the bearer whereas in the configuration of FIGS. 2, 3 (phantom line), 5, and 7 the second body-contacting face 64f will be in contact with the body of the bearer. Furthermore, in the latter configuration the body-contacting wall 20 of the carrier 10 will be next to the body of the bearer instead of the body-contacting wall 18.

The swivels 70 and 78 permit rotation about their axes. They allow the side-release buckle 74 to be rotated so that it is oriented in the same way with respect to the bearer, regardless of the configuration of the shoulder strap 50, preferably with the free end of the webbing 72 facing away from the body of the bearer so the bearer may readily grasp it in order to tighten or loosen the shoulder strap 50.

Once in the configuration of FIGS. 2, 3 (phantom line), 5, and 7, the bearer may place the shoulder strap 50 over his or her left shoulder. As shown in FIG. 5, the bearer may rotate the slingbag about his or her body so that the carrier 10 is on the bearer's front. The side wall 24 with the opening 14 and the flap 16 then will be on the uppermost side of the carrier 10.

The objects may be accessed through the same opening 14 regardless of which shoulder of the bearer is crossed by the shoulder strap 50. Notably, the objects do not have to be repacked when changing the shoulder strap from one shoulder to the other, as would be the case if two opposed entrances were provided in the carrier, one for each configuration of the slingbag. The bearer may change the configuration of the shoulder strap 50 to the orientation appropriate for permitting either shoulder to support the slingbag 1. The bearer will retain the same access through the opening 14 to the contents of the carrier 10. It will be noted that the side wall 24 will appear to the bearer to have been rotated about its center so the flap 16, which had hinged to the bearer's right when the opening 14 is exposed, as shown in FIG. 4, will hinge to the bearer's left in the configuration shown in FIG. 5. Nevertheless, the opening 14 will be presented to the bearer in the same way, namely on the uppermost side of the carrier 10 when the carrier 10 is rotated to the front of the bearer.

Thus, it will be noted that, as in the configuration of FIGS. 1, 3 (solid line), 4, and 6, the left shoulder configuration of the slingbag 1 will permit easy access to any objects, such as cameras and other photographic gear, that are stored in the compartment 12. The objects will not fall out of the compartment 12 when the opening 14 is accessed by unzipping the flap 16.

It will also be noted that the bearer does not have to repack the objects when shifting the shoulder strap 50 of the slingbag 1 between the right and left shoulder configurations. The objects need only to be packed for access through the one opening 14, which will be on top when the carrier 10 is brought to the bearer's front.

FIG. 8 shows a variation of the slingbag 1 in which the upper end 64a of the shoulder strap 50 is attached by a single ring 53 to a single top rail 31 attached to the carrier 10 above the end wall 26. The top rail 31 preferably is about as broad as the space between the top rails 30 and 32 of the variation of the carrier 10 shown in FIGS. 1-7. This variation may be simpler to construct.

A top handle 27 is attached to the carrier 10 above the single top rail 31. The upper end 64a of the shoulder strap 50 has an indentation 65 that accommodates the top handle 27.

FIG. 8 also shows an alternate configuration of the flap 16. In this configuration, the flap 16 has a hinge 15 that is parallel with the juncture of the body-contacting wall 18 and the side wall 24. The zipper 17 runs around the flap 16 on the other sides of the flap 16. This may be referred to as a “clam-shell” configuration in which the flap 16 rotates away from the body of the bearer when the zipper 17 is opened and the slingbag is in the right shoulder configuration, and toward the body of the bearer when the zipper 17 is opened and the slingbag is in the left shoulder configuration. Some bearers will prefer this configuration of the flap 16, and it may be provided for any of the other embodiments of the invention disclosed in this specification.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict a second preferred embodiment of the slingbag according to the invention, designated by reference numeral 100. The slingbag 100 has a carrier 10 and a shoulder strap 50 that are essentially the same as those shown in FIGS. 1-8 and have the same reference numbers. Similarly, like components of the carrier 10 and the shoulder strap 50 bear the same reference numbers as in the versions of the first embodiment of the slingbag shown in FIGS. 1-8.

The slingbag 100 differs from the slingbag 1 in that the upper end 64a of the load-bearing member 64 is connected to the end wall 26 along its midline between the body-contacting walls 18 and 20, at the linear juncture 110, rather than having a sliding connection through rings and rails as in the slingbag 1 of FIGS. 1-8. Furthermore, the end member 66 of the shoulder strap 50 is connected to the portion of the end wall 28 adjacent the side wall 24 and along its midline between the body-contacting walls 18 and 20, at the linear juncture 112, rather than having a sliding connection to the lower end of the side wall 24 through a ring and rail, as in the slingbag 1 of FIGS. 1-8.

The load bearing member 64 angles or curves along the edge 64c from the upper end 64a to its lower end 64b, so that the shoulder strap 50 of the slingbag 100 will fit comfortably around the body of the bearer, as in the versions of the first embodiment of the slingbag shown in FIGS. 1-8.

The connection of the shoulder strap 50 to the end walls 26 may be accomplished by sewing, such as by inserting the upper end 64a of the load-bearing member 64 into an opening made in the end wall 26 and sewing it to the end wall 26. The end member 66 may be attached to the end wall 28 in the same way. Alternatively, the connection may be reversible, such as a hook and loop connection or by snaps.

FIG. 9 shows the movement between the two configurations: the configuration for the right shoulder is shown in regular line and the configuration for the left shoulder is shown in phantom line. The shoulder strap 50 will be rotated in the course of shifting configurations from that of the solid line version (right shoulder) to that of the phantom line version (left shoulder). As a result, the second body-contacting face 64e will face away from the carrier 10 whereas in the configuration of the solid line configuration of FIG. 9 and shown in FIG. 10 it was facing toward the carrier 10. In the configuration of FIGS. 9 (solid line) and 10 the first body-contacting face 64e will be in contact with the body of the bearer whereas in the configuration of FIG. 9 (phantom line) the second body-contacting face 64f will be in contact with the body of the bearer. Likewise, the body-contacting wall 20 of the carrier 10 will be next to the body of the bearer instead of the body-contacting wall 18.

In either configuration, the wall 24 will be uppermost when the bearer rotates the carrier 10 to her front. The flap 16 may be rotated around the hinge 15 after unzipping the zipper 17 in order to provide access through the opening 14 to the compartment 12 inside the carrier 10. The flap 16 in the carrier 10 is shown to have the “clamshell” configuration shown and explained above in connection with FIG. 8, although other configurations, such as that shown in FIGS. 1-7, could be employed.

The absence of a connection of the shoulder strap 50 to the lower end of the side wall 24 permits the opening 14 to be expanded to the lower end of the side wall 24. The flap 16 is also lengthened. Having a larger opening 14 gives better access to the contents of the compartment 12. Of course, the size and shape of the opening 14 and thus the flap 16 may be varied as needed.

In the alternative, the end member 66 of the shoulder strap 50 could be connected to the portion of the side wall 24 adjacent the end wall 28, at about the location of the rail 34 in the versions of the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-8, and along the midline of the side wall 24 between the body-contacting walls 18 and 20. This construction would replace the sliding connection to the lower end of the side wall 24 through a ring and rail, as in the slingbag 1 of FIGS. 1-8. The size of the opening 14 in the side wall 24 would be limited by having to accommodate the attachment of the end member 66 to the side wall 24.

The first and second preferred embodiments of a slingbag discussed above rotate the shoulder strap 50 around the carrier 10 so that the body contacting wall of the carrier 10 changes from the body contacting wall 18 to the opposed body contacting wall 20. It is also possible, however, to provide a slingbag that may be converted to suspend from either the left or the right shoulder without changing which side of the carrier is the body contacting wall, yet present the side wall containing an opening into a compartment in the carrier as the top of the carrier when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer. The third, fourth, and fifth preferred embodiments are versions of this configuration.

FIGS. 11-13 depict a third preferred embodiment of the slingbag according to the invention, designated by reference numeral 200. The slingbag 200 has a carrier 202 connected to a shoulder strap 220. The right and left shoulder configurations of the shoulder strap 200 are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively. The slingbag 200 differs from the slingbags 1 and 100 in that its carrier 202 has only one body contacting wall, wall 203, and the shoulder strap 220 is re-oriented on the carrier 202 above the body contacting wall 203 so that the end wall 204 of the carrier 202 that was the top side of the carrier 202 in the right shoulder configuration of FIG. 10 becomes the bottom side of the carrier 210 in the left shoulder configuration of FIG. 11, and the end wall 209 becomes the top side of the carrier 210 in that configuration.

The carrier 202 is formed generally like carrier 10 of the first embodiment. The walls of the carrier 202 define an internal compartment 217 that is accessed by the opening 216 in the side wall 205, as shown in FIG. 12. The flap 206 covers the opening 216 and is secured by the zipper 207. The zipper 207 is closed and opened by sliding the zipper pull 208.

The first and second rails 210 and 211 pass over the body contacting wall 203. They are each attached at one end to the carrier 202 at the juncture of the body contacting wall 203 and the end wall 204 and at the other end to the juncture of the body contacting wall 203 and the end wall 209. A preferred way to attach the rails 210 and 211 to the carrier 202 is to sew their ends between the junctures of the body contacting wall 203 and the end walls 204 and 209.

The shoulder strap 220 is generally shaped like the shoulder strap 50 of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. The shoulder strap 220 has an upper end 223 that is perforated by first and second openings 224 and 225. The rail 210 is inserted into the opening 224 and the rail 211 is inserted into the opening 225. The upper end 223 of the shoulder strap 220 will be able to slide up and down the rails 210 and 211.

An alternative way to attach the upper end 223 of the shoulder strap 220 to the rails 210 and 211 is to provide rings made of metal alloy or plastic that are sewn or otherwise attached to the upper end 223, and inserting the rails 210 and 211 into the rings. It also will be understood that a single rail could replace the two rails 210 and 211, as in the embodiment of FIG. 8 in which a single rail 31 is connected to the upper end 64a of the shoulder strap 50 by the single ring 53. A single opening or ring thus could replace the two openings 224 and 225 (or rings) in the upper end 223 of the shoulder strap 220.

The carrier 202 contains two rings 213 and 215 that will serve as the first and second connectors for joining the lower end 226 of the shoulder strap 220 to the carrier 202.

The shoulder strap 220 has a lower end 226. The ends of the strap 227 are sewn to the lower end 226. The strap 227 is inserted through a ring 228 and a third connector, a snap hook 229, is attached to the ring 228. The snap hook 229 permits the lower end 226 of the shoulder strap 220 to be connected to the carrier 202 at one of the rings 213 and 215, as described below, depending on the configuration of the shoulder strap 220 that is desired.

The ring 213 is inserted through a strap 212 that has its ends sewn into the junction of the side wall 205 and the body contacting wall 203 next to the end wall 209. The ring 215 is inserted through a strap 214 that has its ends sewn into the junction of the side wall 205 and the body contacting wall 203 next to the end wall 204.

In FIG. 11 the slingbag 200 is shown with the shoulder strap 220 in the configuration for passing over the right shoulder of the bearer. The upper end 223 of the shoulder strap 220 has been slid along the rails 210 and 211 to be adjacent the end wall 204. The lower end 226 of the shoulder strap 220 is attached by the snap hook 229 to the ring 213 that is located adjacent to the end wall 209.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict the slingbag 200 with the shoulder strap 220 in the configuration for passing over the left shoulder of the bearer. The upper end 223 of the shoulder strap 220 has been slid down along the rails 210 and 211 to be next to the end wall 209. The lower end 226 of the shoulder strap 220 has been disconnected from the ring 213 and the snap hook 229 is now attached to the ring 215 that is located adjacent to the end wall 204.

It will be understood that the rings 213 and 215 and the snap hook 229 each could be replaced by other connectors, such as snaps, snap receivers, hook strips, loop strips, buckles such as side release buckles, tri-glides buckles, and slide buckles, and the like, including buckles that mate with straps provided as connectors, as long as the third connector attached to the lower end 226 of the shoulder strap 220 is detachably secured to the carrier 202.

The bearer changes the configuration of the shoulder strap 220 from the configuration of FIG. 11 by first removing the slingbag 200 from her right shoulder. She then disconnects the snap hook 229 from the ring 213. She moves the upper end 223 of the shoulder strap 220 down the rails 210 and 211 to a location adjacent the end wall 209. She then connects the snap hook 229 to the ring 215. Finally, she turns the carrier 202 around so that the end wall 209 is uppermost, as shown in FIG. 13, and puts the shoulder strap 220 over her left shoulder. The side wall 205 and the opening 216 will be uppermost when the carrier 202 is rotated to the front of the bearer when the slingbag 200 is in either the right or the left shoulder configuration.

The shoulder strap 220 is curved for the comfort of the bearer so the concave edge of the shoulder strap 220 will be the edge adjacent the neck of the bearer. The shoulder strap 220 will be turned over when shifting from the right to the left shoulder configuration so that the side 222 of the shoulder strap 222 is outward and the side 221 is inward, thus keeping the concave edge of the shoulder strap 220 adjacent the neck of the bearer.

FIGS. 14-16 depict a fourth preferred embodiment of the slingbag according to the invention, designated by reference numeral 240. The slingbag 240 has a carrier 242 connected to a right shoulder strap 260 and a left shoulder strap 264. The right and left shoulder configurations of the slingbag 240 are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, respectively.

The slingbag 240 differs from the slingbags 1 and 100, and is like that of slingbag 200, in that its carrier 242 has only one body contacting wall 243. The carrier 242 is very similar to the carrier 202 and has the end walls 244 and 249 attached to the body contacting wall 243. The side wall 245 is joined to the body contacting wall 243 and the end walls 244 and 249. The flap 246 covers an opening in the side wall 245 that provides access to an internal compartment. The flap 246 is attached to the side wall 245 at its base. It is reversibly attached to the body contacting wall 243, the end wall 244, and the wall opposed to the body contacting wall 243 by a zipper 247 with a zipper pull 248.

Only one of the shoulder straps 260 and 264 is deployed at one time. The configuration shown in FIG. 14 is the right shoulder configuration and therefore the right shoulder strap 260 is deployed. The left shoulder strap 264 is tucked away in the second pocket 252 formed in the body contacting wall 243 and accessed by the opening 253 formed in the body contacting wall 243. The configuration shown in FIG. 15 is the left shoulder configuration and therefore the left shoulder strap 264 is deployed. The right shoulder strap 260 is tucked away in the first pocket 250 formed in the body contacting wall 243 and accessed by the opening 251 formed in the body contacting wall 243.

The right shoulder strap 260 has an upper end 261 attached to a portion of the juncture of the body contacting wall 243 and the end wall 244 that is spaced from the side wall 245 and close to the other side wall. The left shoulder strap 264 has an upper end 265 attached to a portion of the juncture of the body contacting wall 243 and the end wall 249 that is spaced from the side wall 245 and close to the other side wall. A preferred method of attachment is to sew the upper ends 261 and 265 into the junction of the body contacting wall 243 and the end walls 244 and 249, respectively.

The lower end 262 of the right shoulder strap 260 is connected to the carrier 242 by a third connector or snap hook 263 that connects to a first connector or ring 255 connected by a strap 254 sewn into the portion of the juncture of the side wall 245 and the body contacting wall 249 and that is adjacent to or in contact with the end wall 249. The lower end 266 of the left shoulder strap 264 is connected to the carrier 242 by a fourth connector or snap hook 267 that connects to a second connector or ring 257 connected by a strap 256 sewn into the portion of the juncture of the side wall 245 and the body contacting wall 249 and that is adjacent to or in contact with the end wall 244.

The snap hooks 263 and 267 are disconnected from the rings 255 and 257, respectively, when the shoulder straps 260 and 264 are to be stored in the pockets 250 and 252 respectively.

It will be understood that the rings 255 and 257 and the snap hooks 263 and 267 each could be replaced by other connectors, such as snaps, snap receivers, hook strips, loop strips, buckles such as side release buckles, tri-glides buckles, and slide buckles, and the like, including buckles that mate with straps provided as connectors, as long as the third connector attached to the lower end 262 of the shoulder strap 260 is detachably secured to the carrier 242 and the fourth connector attached to the lower end 266 of the shoulder strap 252 is detachable secured to the carrier 242.

The bearer may change the configuration of the slingbag 240 from the right shoulder configuration shown in FIG. 14 to the left shoulder configuration shown in FIG. 15 by first taking off the slingbag 240. She detaches the lower end 262 of the right shoulder strap 260 from the carrier 242 by unfastening the snap hook 263 from the ring 255. She inserts the lower end 262 of the right shoulder strap 260 into the opening 251 and feeds the right shoulder strap 260 through the opening 251 until most of the right shoulder strap 260 is received within the pocket 250. The bearer then removes the left shoulder strap 264 through the opening 253 from the pocket 252 and attaches the lower end 266 to the carrier 242 by connecting the snap hook 267 to the ring 257.

The bearer then turns the carrier 242 over until the end wall 249 is uppermost, as shown in FIG. 16, and then puts the left shoulder strap 264 over her left shoulder. The side wall 245 and the flap 246 will be uppermost when the bearer rotates the carrier 242 to her front in both the right and left shoulder configurations.

FIGS. 17 and 18 depict a fifth preferred embodiment of the slingbag according to the invention, designated by reference numeral 270. The slingbag 270 has a carrier 272 connected to a shoulder strap 292. The right and left shoulder configurations of the shoulder strap 292 are shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, respectively.

The slingbag 270 differs from the slingbags 1 and 100, and is like that of slingbags 200 and 230, in that its carrier 272 has only one body contacting wall 273. The shoulder strap 292 is re-oriented on the body contacting wall 273 so that the end wall 274 of the carrier 270 that was the top side of the carrier 272 in the right shoulder configuration of FIG. 17 becomes the bottom side of the carrier 272 in the left shoulder configuration of FIG. 18.

The carrier 272 is very similar to the carrier 242 and has the end walls 274 and 279 attached to the body contacting wall 273. The side wall 275 is joined to the body contacting wall 273 and the end walls 274 and 279. The flap 276 covers an opening in the side wall 275 that provides access to an internal compartment. The flap 276 is attached to the side wall 275 at its base. It is reversibly attached to the body contacting wall 273, the end wall 274, and the wall opposed to the body contacting wall 273 by a zipper 277 having a zipper pull 278.

The shoulder strap 292 has an upper end 293 that is connected to a fifth connector, the snap hooks 294 and 295. The snap hooks 294 and 295 may connect to the third connector, the rings 285 and 287 adjacent the end wall 274 or the fourth connector, the rings 289 and 291 adjacent the end wall 279. The rings 285 and 287 are borne by the straps 284 and 286 that are sewn into the portion of the juncture between the end wall 274 and the body contacting wall 273 that is adjacent the side wall opposite the side wall 275. The rings 289 and 291 are borne by the straps 288 and 290 that are sewn into the portion of the juncture between the end wall 279 and the body contacting wall 273 that is adjacent the side wall opposite the side wall 275.

The lower end 295 of the shoulder strap 292 is connected to the carrier 272 by a sixth connector, a snap hook 295 that connects to one of the first or the second connectors, the rings 281 and 283 that are borne by the straps 280 and 282, respectively. The strap 280 is sewn into the portion of the juncture of the body contacting wall 273 and the side wall 275 that is adjacent the end wall 279. The strap 282 is sewn into the portion of the juncture of the body contacting wall 273 and the side wall 275 that is adjacent the end wall 274.

The specific means of joining the upper end 293 and the lower end 295 to the carrier 272 may be different from those described. The snap hooks 294 and 295 may be attached to the carrier 272 rather than the shoulder strap 292.

It will be understood that the rings 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, and 291 and the snap hooks 294, 295, and 296 each could be replaced by other connectors, such as snaps, snap receivers, hook strips, loop strips, buckles such as side release buckles, tri-glides buckles, and slide buckles, and the like, including buckles that mate with straps provided as connectors, as long as the fifth connector attached to the upper end 293 of the shoulder strap 292 may be detachably secured to one of the third and fourth connectors attached to the carrier 272, and the sixth connector attached to the lower end 295 of the shoulder strap 292 may be detachably secured to the first or second connectors on the carrier 272.

The slingbag 270 is shown in the right shoulder configuration in FIG. 17. The bearer may change the configuration to the left shoulder configuration shown in FIG. 18 as follows. The bearer first removes the slingbag 270 from her body. She will then unfasten the snap hooks 294, 295, and 296 from the rings 285, 287, and 281, respectively. This step will result in unfastening the shoulder strap 292 entirely from the carrier 272. The bearer then turns over the shoulder strap 292 in order to fasten its upper end 293 to the carrier 272 by connecting the snap hooks 294 and 295 to the rings 289 and 291. The lower end 295 of the shoulder strap 292 is then connected to the carrier 272 by attaching the snap hook 295 to the ring 283. The carrier 272 is then turned around so that the end wall 279 is uppermost and the bearer then puts the shoulder strap 292 over her left shoulder. The shoulder strap 292 preferably is curved for the comfort of the bearer so the concave edge of the shoulder strap should be the edge adjacent the neck of the bearer. Accordingly, the shoulder strap 292 will be turned over so that the side 295 of the shoulder strap 292 is outward and the side 293 is inward.

While illustrative embodiments of the devices and methods disclosed herein have been shown and described in the above description, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:

a carrier having a plurality of walls defining a compartment, one of the walls being a first body contacting wall and another of the walls having defined therein an opening to the compartment for accessing the compartment from exterior to the carrier;

a shoulder strap attached to the carrier;

wherein the shoulder strap is adapted to pass over either the right or the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer when the carrier and the shoulder strap are borne by the bearer and wherein the wall having the opening is presented to the bearer for access to the compartment in the same orientation when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap passes over.

2. The slingbag according to claim 1 further comprising a flap attached to the wall having defined therein an opening, the flap being sized to cover the opening.

3. The slingbag according to claim 1 wherein the carrier comprises a second body contacting wall spaced from and generally parallel to the first body contacting wall and the wall having the opening defined therein is adjacent to and disposed between the first and the second body contacting wall, and the shoulder strap is attached to the carrier so as to be rotated from the vicinity of the first body contacting wall to the vicinity of the second body contacting wall whereby the shoulder strap will alter its configuration in order to change from being suitable for being disposed over one shoulder and around the body of the bearer to being suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder and around the body of the bearer.

4. The slingbag according to claim 3 wherein the shoulder strap has an upper end and a lower end and at least one of the upper and lower ends is slidably attached to at least one rail attached to the carrier.

5. The slingbag according to claim 3 wherein the upper end and the lower end of the shoulder strap are each slidably attached to at least one rail attached to the carrier.

6. The slingbag according to claim 3 wherein the upper and the lower ends of the shoulder strap are attached to the carrier in the vicinity of a mid-plane of the carrier whereby the shoulder strap may be rotated to the vicinity of either the first or the second body contacting wall.

7. The slingbag according to claim 1 wherein the wall having the opening defined therein is adjacent to the first body contacting wall, and the shoulder strap is attached to the carrier adjacent the vicinity of the first body contacting wall in a configuration suitable for being disposed over one shoulder and around the body of the bearer and the attachments of the shoulder strap may be altered with respect to the first body contacting wall in order to alter the configuration of the shoulder strap in order to change it from being suitable for being disposed over the one shoulder and body of the bearer to being suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder and around the body of the bearer and the first body contacting wall remains in contact with the body of the bearer in both configurations of the shoulder strap.

8. The slingbag according to claim 1 wherein the wall having the opening defined therein is adjacent to the first body contacting wall, and the shoulder strap is a first shoulder strap attached to the carrier in the vicinity of the first body contacting wall in a configuration suitable for being disposed over one shoulder and around the body of the bearer and a second shoulder strap is attached to the carrier in the vicinity of the first body contacting wall in a configuration suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder and around the body of the bearer whereby the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap may be alternately deployed in order for the slingbag to be configured to change from being suitable for being disposed over the one shoulder and around the body of the bearer to being suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder around the body of the bearer and the first body contacting wall remains in contact with the body of the bearer in both configurations of the shoulder strap.

9. The slingbag according to claim 1 wherein the wall having the entrance is uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap passes over.

10. A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:

a carrier having first and second body contacting walls, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the first and second body contacting walls being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side walls each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the first and second body contacting walls, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;

the first end wall further comprising a first top rail disposed across and above the first end wall and running between the junctures of the first end wall to the first and second body contacting walls;

one of the first side wall or the second end wall further comprising a bottom rail disposed adjacent the juncture of the first side wall to the second end wall and running between the junctures of the one of the first side wall or the second end wall to the first and second body contacting walls;

a shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a first upper aperture therein for receiving the first top rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end to the first top rail, and the lower end having a bottom aperture therein for receiving the bottom rail and thereby slidably attaching the lower end to the bottom rail, whereby the shoulder strap may be slid and rotated from extending over the first body contacting wall to extending over the second body contacting wall;

wherein the shoulder strap may pass over either the right or the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer when the carrier and the shoulder strap are borne by the bearer and wherein the first side wall having the opening is uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap goes over.

11. The slingbag according to claim 10 wherein the first upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap and the bottom aperture is formed by a ring attached to the lower end of the shoulder strap.

12. The slingbag according to claim 10 wherein the first upper rail is adjacent to the second side wall.

13. The slingbag according to claim 12 further comprising a second upper rail disposed across and above the first end wall and running between the junctures of the first end wall to the first and second body contacting walls, the second upper rail being adjacent to the first side wall, and the upper end of the shoulder strap is wide enough to extend between the first upper rail and the second upper rail and has a second upper aperture therein for receiving the second upper rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end of the shoulder strap to the second upper rail.

14. The slingbag according to claim 13 wherein the first upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap, the second upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap, and the bottom aperture is formed by a ring attached to the lower end of the shoulder strap.

15. The slingbag according to claim 10 wherein the first upper rail is broad enough to extend across substantially most of the top end wall and the upper end of the shoulder strap is wide enough that the first upper aperture may be wide enough to accommodate the first upper rail.

16. The slingbag according to claim 15 wherein the first upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap.

17. The slingbag according to claim 10 wherein the shoulder strap further comprises a buckle and a webbing strap fitting through the buckle in adjustable relationship to the buckle whereby the length of the shoulder strap may be adjusted by the bearer.

18. The slingbag according to claim 17 wherein the shoulder strap further comprises two swivels, one swivel being attached in-line on either side of the buckle and the webbing strap, whereby the buckle can be turned into the same position with respect to the bearer when the shoulder strap is rotated from extending over the first body contacting wall to extending over the second body contacting wall.

19. A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:

a carrier having first and second body contacting walls, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the first and second body contacting walls being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the first and second body contacting walls, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;

a shoulder strap having an upper end attached to a midline of the first end wall and a lower end attached to a midline of one of the second end wall and the first side wall whereby the shoulder strap may be rotated from extending over the first body contacting wall to extending over the second body contacting wall;

wherein the shoulder strap may pass over either the right or the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer when the carrier and the shoulder strap are borne by the bearer and wherein the side wall having the opening is uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of the choice of shoulder over which the shoulder strap passes.

20. A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:

a carrier having a body contacting wall, an opposed non-body contacting wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;

the body contacting wall further comprising a first rail disposed across and above the body contacting wall and running between the junctures of the body contacting wall to the first and second end walls;

a first connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the second end wall and a second connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the first end wall;

a shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a first aperture therein for receiving the first rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end of the shoulder strap to the first rail, and the lower end being attached to a third connector for attachment to one of the first and second connectors;

wherein the upper end of the shoulder strap may be slid along the first rail to the vicinity of the first end wall and the third connector attached to the first connector in order to configure the shoulder strap for passing over the right shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer, and the upper end of the shoulder strap may be slid along the first rail to the vicinity of the second end wall and the third connector attached to the second connector in order to configure the shoulder strap for passing over the left shoulder of the bearer, the carrier being rotated so that the second end wall is uppermost when the carrier is adjacent the back of the bearer, whereby the first side wall having the opening will be uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap goes over.

21. The slingbag according to claim 20 wherein the first rail is disposed adjacent and generally parallel to the second side wall.

22. The slingbag according to claim 20 wherein the body contacting wall further comprising a second rail disposed across and above the body contacting wall and running between the junctures of the body contacting wall to the first and second end walls, the second rail being disposed generally parallel to and adjacent the first side wall, and the upper end of the shoulder strap having a second aperture therein for receiving the first rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end of the shoulder strap to the second rail.

23. The slingbag according to claim 22 wherein the first and second upper apertures are each formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap.

24. A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer over either the right or the left shoulder and around the body of the bearer, comprising:

a carrier having a body contacting wall, an opposed non-body contacting wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;

a first connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the second end wall and a second connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the first end wall;

a first shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the first shoulder strap being connected to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the first end wall, and the second side wall, and the lower end of the first shoulder strap being connected to a third connector;

a second shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the second shoulder strap being connected to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the second end wall, and the second side wall, and the lower end of the second shoulder strap being connected to a fourth connector;

wherein the third connector may be attached to the first connector in order to join the lower end of the first shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the first shoulder strap for passing over the right shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer and the fourth connector may be attached to the second connector in order to join the lower end of the second shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the second shoulder strap for passing over the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer, the carrier being rotated so that the second end wall is uppermost when the carrier is adjacent the back of the bearer, whereby the first side wall having the opening will be uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap goes over.

25. The slingbag according to claim 24 further comprising a first pocket defined in the body contacting wall for receiving substantially all of the first shoulder strap when the third connector is detached from the first connector, whereby the first shoulder strap may be stored in the pocket when the second shoulder strap is deployed for passing over the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer.

26. The slingbag according to claim 24 further comprising a second pocket defined in the body contacting wall for receiving the second shoulder strap when the fourth connector is detached from the second connector, whereby the second shoulder strap may be stored in the pocket when the first shoulder strap is deployed for passing over the right shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer.

27. A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer over either the right or the left shoulder and around the body of the bearer, comprising:

a carrier having a body contacting wall, an opposed non-body contacting wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;

a first connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the second end wall;

a second connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the first end wall;

a third connector attached to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the first end wall, and the second side wall;

a fourth connector attached to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the second end wall, and the second side wall;

a shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the shoulder strap being attached to a fifth connector and the lower end of the shoulder strap being attached to a sixth connector;

wherein the sixth connector may be attached to the first connector in order to join the lower end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and the fifth connector may be attached to the third connector in order to join the upper end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the shoulder strap for passing over the right shoulder and around the body of the bearer whereas the sixth connector may be attached to the second connector in order to join the lower end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and the fifth connector may be connected to the fourth connector in order to join the upper end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the shoulder strap for passing over the left shoulder and around the body of the bearer, the carrier being rotated so that the second end wall is uppermost when the carrier is adjacent the back of the bearer, whereby the first side wall having the opening will be uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap passes over.