Carrying apparatus

Abstract

A carrying apparatus is provided which may be supported on the shoulder of the user or, in the alternative, carried like conventional luggage. The carrying apparatus has forward and rearward load storing compartments coupled together by a tapered support band. When placed on the shoulder of the user, the forward and rearward load storing compartments are positioned anterior and posterior to the user's body, respectively. The support band is defined by a pair of non-parallel opposed edges that are adapted to center the compartments along the axis of the user's body. When carried upon the user's shoulder, the support band allows the load storing compartments to be substantially bisected by the coronal plane of the user's body and allows the user to maintain his or her posture without deviation from the neutral coronal plane or rotation on the horizontal axis. To allow the present invention to be carried in the form of luggage, the forward and rearward load storing compartments are provided with gripping members at opposed ends of the support band.

Description

This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application Ser. No. 10/866,546 filed Jun. 14, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to apparatus used for carrying articles and more particularly to a carrying apparatus which can be supported alternatively on the shoulder of a user or as conventional luggage.

2. Prior Art

The prior art discloses numerous designs for load carrying apparatus. These include carrying apparatus where the load is supported by the back of the user, devices which are supported on the shoulder of the user and those which employ grips for support by the user's hand. All have structural inadequacies which are resolved by the present invention.

The prior art discloses numerous forms of carrying apparatus. An example is one generally in the form of a backpack. A backpack comprises one or more load bearing compartments which are supported by a pair of straps adapted to be mounted upon the shoulders of the user. When mounted, the full load stored in the backpack compartment lies adjacent the posterior of the user's body. In carrying apparatus designed in the form of backpacks, the user will be forced to alter his or her posture from the coronal plane in order to counteract the force imposed by the weight of the band along the posterior of the user's body. The present invention resolves this problem by creating a carrying apparatus which provides means for carrying equal loads along the anterior and posterior of the user's body while maintaining a neutral center of gravity relative to the coronal plane of the user's body.

The prior art discloses designs for carrying apparatus which employ compartments for supporting dual loads adjacent the front and rear of the user's body. However, these designs fail to provide a neutral center of gravity and are restricted solely to the single manner of use. The present invention resolves this problem by adjusting the coupling between the loads and affixing joinable gripping members at the upper end of each load bearing compartment on opposing ends of the coupling which joins the two compartments together. When the gripping members are placed adjacent one another, the present invention permits the load bearing compartments to be supported in the manner of a conventional briefcase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a load bearing carrying apparatus which can alternatively be carried by a user on his or her shoulders or as a conventional piece of luggage or a briefcase. The present invention comprises a pair of load supporting compartments coupled together by a support band. The support band is defined by a pair of opposing inner and outer edges which are obliquely oriented with respect to one another. The support band allows the present invention to be supported on either shoulder of the user. When mounted on the user's shoulder, the load supporting compartments are disposed adjacent the anterior and posterior of the user's body. Most importantly, the load is distributed approximately equidistant on either side of the mid coronal plane of the user.

In addition to being supported on the user's shoulder, the present invention carrying apparatus can be supported in a manner similar to conventional luggage or a briefcase. A pair of joinable gripping members are respectively secured to the upper edge of each load supporting compartment at their respective interface with the support band. When the support band is positioned between the compartments, the mating gripping members can be coupled to one another in a manner which permits the present invention to be held or otherwise supported by a hand of the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrying apparatus which can be supported without requiring the user's posture to deviate from the neutral coronal plane.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying apparatus which provides a neutral center of gravity.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved carrying apparatus that is simple and inexpensive to fabricate.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention carrying apparatus being supported on the shoulder of a user.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the present invention carrying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 illustrating-the load supporting compartments and support band.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the present invention carrying apparatus illustrating the load supporting -compartment in the shoulder mounted position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the present invention illustrating the load supporting compartments in the shoulder-mounted position.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the present invention carrying apparatus illustrating the load supporting compartments in the shoulder-mounted position.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view illustrating the present invention carrying apparatus mounted at the anterior of the user's body.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the present invention folded into the hand-supported position.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrating the load supporting compartments and an alternative construction for the support band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An understanding of the present invention carrying apparatus 10 can be seen by reference to FIGS. 1-7, inclusive, wherein the present invention carrying apparatus 10 is illustrated. As stated hereinabove, the present invention carrying apparatus 10 is adapted to be supported upon a shoulder of the user or, as an alternative, can be carried in the manner of a conventional briefcase or luggage. As can be seen in FIG. 1, carrying apparatus 10 is supported on the right shoulder of a user. Carrying apparatus 10 comprises a pair of load supporting compartments 11 and 12. When supported on the right shoulder of the user, load supporting compartments 11 and 12 are disposed adjacent the anterior and posterior of the user's body 13. As will be explained hereinbelow, if supported on the opposing shoulder of the user, load supporting compartment 11 would be positioned adjacent the back of the user and load supporting compartment 12 disposed adjacent the chest of the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying apparatus which has a neutral center of gravity relative to the posture of the user. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, storage member 11 includes an enclosure member 14 into which articles can be placed through entry 15 and a closing flap 16 for covering entry 15. Flap 16 may be secured to enclosure member 14 through conventional locking means 17a and 17b. In a similar manner, compartment 12 comprises enclosure member 18 including entry 19 through which articles can be placed. Flap 20 closes entry 19 and can be secured to pocket 18 by conventional locking means 21a and 21b.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved carrying apparatus 10 which, when being carried on the shoulder of a user, allows the user's posture to be unaltered in the sagittal plane. In the preferred embodiment, load supporting compartments 11 and 12 are shown to be of equal size and to possess the same accessories (e.g., auxiliary pockets, zippers, etc.). However, it is understood by those having skill in the art that load supporting compartments 11 and I2 can be implemented through any-other conventional designs used for handbags, saddle bags, backpacks and the like.

As can be seen best in FIG. 2, load supporting compartments 11 and 12 are secured to one another by a supporting strap 30. Supporting strap 30 has a substantially linear outer edge 31 and a substantially uniform arcuate inner edge 32. The minimum distance between outer edge 21 and inner edge 32 is substantially equidistant between supporting compartments 11 and 12. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates supporting strap 30 to be integral with the supporting compartments 11 and 12, it is understood supporting band 30 can be non-integral with but secured to the upper terminus of supporting compartments 11 and 12, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, the arcuate profile of inner edge 32 of support band 30 allows the present invention carrying apparatus 10 to have a neutral center of gravity when mounted on the user's shoulder. Arcuate edge 32 positions load supporting compartments 11 and 12 along the anterior and posterior of the user's body in a manner which is substantially bisected by the vertical axis 33 of the user. This will allow the user's posture to be laterally unaltered when supporting carrying apparatus 10 upon his or her shoulders.

As stated hereinabove, it is a primary objective of the present invention to allow the present apparatus 10 to be supported in the same manner as conventional luggage or a briefcase. To meet this objective, a pair of engageable handles 35 and 36 are secured to the upper terminus of load supporting compartments 11 and 12, respectively. To support the present invention carrying apparatus 10 by handles 35 and 36, support strap 30 is urged in the direction indicated by reference numeral 37 (FIG. 7) until it is disposed between supporting compartments 11 and 12. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of engageable locking members 38 and 39 are secured to flap 16 on opposing sides of handle 35 of load storing compartment 11. In a like manner, mating locking members 40 and 41 are secured to the upper terminus of flap 20 of load supporting compartment 12. As can be seen in FIG. 7, when support band 30 is disposed between supporting compartments 11 and 12 and locking members 38 and 40 are coupled to one another, handles 35 and 36 can be used to fully support carrying apparatus 10. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention employs two sets of engageable locking members 38, 39, 40 and 41, it is understood the scope of the present invention contemplates the use of a single pair of engageable locking members or forms of handles 35 and 36 which can be engaged to one another.

An understanding of an alternative embodiment of the present invention can be best gained by reference to FIG. 8. As stated, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a carrying apparatus which can be supported without requiring the user's posture to deviate from the neutral coronal plane. It is a further objective of the present invention to distribute loads broadly across the user's shoulder and thereby allow the user to support the load in as comfortable position as possible.

The description of load storing compartments 11 and 12 and the reference numerals relating thereto are identical to those used to describe and illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the alternative embodiment of the present invention, support band 50 is secured between the upper edges 51 and 52 of load storing compartments 11 and 12 respectively.

The alternative embodiment of the present invention is intended to allow load supporting compartments 11 and 12 to be deflected from a vertical orientation when being unloaded and to be positioned along a vertical axis 33 (see FIG. 6) when loaded. This will thereby transfer the weight across the user's shoulder as opposed to having the load imposed force solely along one edge.

As shown in FIG. 8, the outer edge 56 of support band 20 comprises a pair of linear segments 53a and 53b that are obliquely oriented with respect to one another and intersect substantially intermediate edges 51 and 52 of load storing compartments 11 and 12. The edge 57 of support band 50 in opposition to edge 56 is comprised of a pair of arcuate outer segments 54a and 54b that are contiguous with center segment 55 therebetween. Center segment 55 lies substantially intermediate edges 51 and 52 of load supporting compartments 11 and 12 and is deflective outwardly in opposition to the profile of arcuate segments 54a and 54b. It is understood that center segment 55 may be implemented through the use of a pair of intersecting linear segments that extend outwardly in opposition to the profile of arcuate segments 54a and 54b.

When the alternative embodiment of the present invention is supported upon the shoulder of the user, the load will be supported across the full width of support band 50 at center segment 55. The result of the alternative embodiment of the present invention will be to allow the user to support a load in an easier manner.

Claims

1. An improved carrying apparatus comprising:

(a) first and second load storing enclosure means for supporting articles;

(b) a support band having first and second ends and a substantially arcuate inner edge and a substantially linear outer edge extending between said first and second ends, said first and second ends being secured to said first and second load supporting enclosure means respectively; and

(c) engageable gripping means for supporting the carrying apparatus, said first and second engageable gripping means secured to said first and second load supporting enclosure means adjacent the first and second ends of said support band, respectively.

2. A carrying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the minimum distance between the inner and outer edges of the support band is substantially equidistant between the first and second ends thereof.

3. A carrying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said load supporting enclosure means each comprise an enclosure having an outer and inner wall defining an entry thereto, a flap secured to the inner wall and locking means for coupling the flap to said front wall.

4. A carrying apparatus as defined in claim 1 including coupling means for securing the flaps of said load supporting enclosure means to one another.

5. An improved carrying apparatus comprising:

(a) first and second load storing enclosures each having an outer and an inner wall defining an entry thereto, a flap secured to the inner wall and locking means for coupling the flap to said front wall.

(b) a support band having first and second ends and a substantially arcuate inner edge and a substantially linear outer edge extending between said first and second ends, said first and second ends being secured to said first and second load supporting enclosures, the minimum distance between the inner and outer edges of the support band being substantially equidistant between the first and second ends thereof, respectively; and

(c) engageable gripping means for supporting the carrying apparatus, said first and second engageable gripping means secured to said first and second load supporting enclosure means adjacent the first and second ends of said support band, respectively.

6. A carrying apparatus as defined in claim 5 including coupling means for securing the flaps of said load supporting enclosures to one another.

7. An improved carrying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said linear outer edge comprises first and second linear edges intersecting substantially intermediate between the first and second load storing enclosure means and said substantially arcuate inner edge includes a concave edge deflected in opposition to the intersection of the first and second segments of said linear outer edge.