Breathable mesh backsack with straps

Abstract

An exercise bag made of see-through, breathable mesh fabric that can carry exercise clothing and accessories, attach an exercise mat to the outside of the bag, plus the bag can be worn backpack-style. This bag provides the ability to carry items, plus attach a rolled exercise mat to the outside of the bag, providing functionality not provided by a bag designed to only carry a rolled exercise mat. In addition, the mesh material allows the air to flow through the bag, which is important when hot and sweaty exercise clothing is being carried in the bag. The mesh will also allow a person to locate items inside the bag. The backpack-style straps allow the load of the bag to be distributed, instead of allowing the weight of the bag to be carried on only one shoulder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/603,748, filed 2004 Aug. 24 by present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

Sequence Listing: None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention is a see-through, breathable mesh bag designed for users to carry items, such as exercise clothing and accessories, inside the rectangular-shaped bag area Attached to the bag are straps with double D-ring fasteners which allow any size rolled exercise mat (or other items) to be attached to the outside of the bag. Also attached are adjustable shoulder straps that allow the user to wear the bag as a backpack.

2. Prior Art

Many bags used for Yoga/Pilates are designed to carry rolled mats are designed to only carry a rolled exercise mat and do not provide space to carry clothing and accessories, requiring the user to carry an additional bag. This bag could be used for carry Yoga and

Pilates clothing and accessories, plus attach the rolled Yoga/Pilates mat to the outside of the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,196 to Coler (2000) “yoga mat holder” show a shoulder strap that only carries a rolled yoga mat. This device does not allow the user to carry additional items such as clothing and accessories.

The shoulder straps on this invention allow the user to wear the bag like a backpack and therefore balance the weight of the bag across both shoulders instead of only one shoulder.

U.S. Patent Application No. 20050172402 to Uretzky-Miller (2005) “yoga mat carry bag” shows a bag with and end-cap design that only caries a mat, but does not carry clothing and accessories.

U.S. Pat. No. D389,642 to Nadel (1995) “Exercise and yoga mat shoulder bag” is for the design of a bag designed for only carrying a rolled yoga mat. There is no place to carry clothing or accessories needed to participate in yoga or other activity and the bag is worn over one shoulder—forcing all the weight in the bag to be carried on only one shoulder.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,107 to Amos (1985) shows a backpack device for carrying skis. But, there is no bag area to carry clothing or accessories for the activity.

A fiberglass coated mesh material is used for the construction of this invention. This mesh material allows the user to locate items in the bag and provides “breathability”, that is, allowing air to move across hot and sweaty clothing that can be carried in the bag after physical activity.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,994 to Rice (1998) shows a “mesh bag” that is made up by tying knots in string and and lasso-like closure. This material and bag would not provide the size or support needed for carrying a rolled exercise mat, nor clothing and accessories.

Cotton material is used to provide color and style for the outside of this invention, but it purely ornamental. A snap at the top of the bag provides bag closure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,664 to Simon (1987) “backsack” shows a shoulder harness with pouch. This pouch would not provide the space needed for clothing and accessories, nor straps for carrying a rolled mat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,354 Mentken (1999) “backsack” provides space for clothing and accessories and the ability to wear the bag on one's back, but does not provide breathable material or the ability to attach a rolled mat to the outside of the bag.

In conclusion, insofar as I am aware, there is no bag created that provides a see-through, breathable bag area large enough to carry exercise clothing and accessories, includes straps to attach a rolled exercise mat to the outside of the bag, plus allow the user to wear the bag as a backpack to distribute the weight of the bag and contents.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

A backpack which carries exercise clothing and accessories, which also allows an exercise mat to be attached to the bag provides the following benefits:

• • User only needs to carry one bag
  • Weight of the bag can be balanced across the back
    • Traditional 2 strap bags carry all the weight on one shoulder or the other
  • Pre-natal yoga class participants with balance problems can benefit from carrying their exercise gear on their backs
  • Cotton fabrics provide color to bags

SUMMARY

This invention, an improved exercise bag which is a see-through, breathable mesh backpack-style bag that can be used to carry clothing and accessories on the inside of the bag, and attach items such as a rolled exercise mat to the outside of the bag. The rectangular box-shaped bag is constructed of fiberglass-coated mesh material, decorated by cotton fabric. Webbing with double D-ring fasteners form the straps used to attach a rolled exercise mat, which could be a yoga or Pilates mat, to the outside of the bag. The over-the-shoulder straps allow the bag to be worn as a backpack and balance the weight of the bag across a person's back and shoulders.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the flat layout of mesh fabric that forms the Breathable Mesh Backsack with Straps, before the side seams of bag are sewn. This shows where cotton fabric and webbing straps are attached.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the completed Breathable Mesh Backsack with Straps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the flat layout of mesh fabric that forms the Breathable Mesh Backsack with Straps, before the side seams of bag are sewn. This shows where cotton and webbing straps are attached.

The foundation for the bag is a rectangular piece of fiberglass-coated mesh material. Strips of cotton fabric are attached at each end of the mesh. These strips are fastened using 1″ wide webbing (#1 and #4). A snap is attached at each end, in the middle of the width of rectangle. A strip of cotton is attached in the middle using two more strips of 1″ wide webbing (#2 and #3).

The straps used to attached a rolled mat (or anything else) are formed by strips of 1″ wide webbing. At the end of each strip, two D-rings are attached by folding over approximately ½″ of webbing and stitching. At the other end of the strip, fold over approximately ¼″ and stitch. These strips are attached to the bag by attaching them to webbing strips #1 and #2. The D-ring end is sewn approximately 2″ left of center of the bag, sewing over the stitching where the D-rings were attached. The strap is laid flat over webbing strip #1 and #2. The second stitching is approximately 2″ to the right of center of the bag, leaving the rest of the strip free. The free part of the strip can be used to wrap around a rolled mat to the bag and secure it using the double D-rings.

The shoulder straps are formed by two strips of 1″ webbing. At the end of each strip, a tri-glide loop is attached by folding over approximately ½″ of webbing and stitching. The adjustable strap is formed by placing the free end of the strip is threaded through a loop and then threaded through the tri-glide loop.

To attach the shoulder straps to the bag, the free end of the first strap—leaving an overhang—is attached diagonally towards the right side of the bag starting at the snap and stitched in place. Continue attaching and stitching it down to the #2 webbing strip—approximately 3″ from the right of center of the bag. Continue attaching and stitching the shoulder strap webbing to the #3 webbing and end there.

The second strap—also leaving an overhang—is attached diagonally towards the left side of the bag starting at the snap and stitched. Continue attaching and stitching it down to the #2 webbing strip—approximately 3″ from the left of center of the bag. Continue attaching and stitching the shoulder strap webbing to the #3 webbing and end there.

The overhang of the first strap is threaded through the loop attached to the adjustable end of the second strap. This forms a part of the cross-over straps that allow this bag to be worn on a person's back. Stitch in place.

The overhang of the second strap is threaded through the loop attached to the adjustable end of the first strap. This forms the completion of the cross-over straps that allow this bag to be worn on a person's back. Stitch in place.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the completed Breathable Mesh Backsack with Straps.

Shoulder straps are shown in (1). Webbing with loop attachments over snap is shown in (2). Adjustment for shoulder straps is shown in (3). Mesh fabric is used as the base of the entire bag, but shows in (4). Cotton fabric (5) is attached to mesh at the top and bottom of the bag. Webbing (6) is used to secure edges of cotton fabric. Webbing straps (8) are used to wrap around and attach rolled mat to bag and are then secured by double D-ring fasteners (7).

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1. Shoulder Straps

2. Webbing crossover with slides and snap closure

3. Slide loop Shoulder Strap adjustment

4. Fiberglass coated mesh fabric

5. Cotton fabric

6. #1,#2,#3,#4 webbing webbing straps

7. D-ring mat fasteners

8. mat straps

OPERATION OF INVENTION

(1) The user can use the bag by placing clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. in the top of the bag. The bag can be closed by using the (2) attached snap.

(2) The two (8) mat straps on the outside of the bag, with the attached (7) D-rings are used to secure a rolled exercise mat. The mat is laid lengthwise on the side of the bag with these straps. The free end of the (8) mat strap is wrapped around the mat and threaded through both (7) D-rings. The strap is then circled back and threaded through just one of the (7) D-rings. The user can than tug on the strap end to tighten the strap around the mat. Repeat these instructions for the second mat strap. Mats that can be carried include Yoga and Pilates mats and other exercise mats.

(3) The bag can be worn on the user's back by slipping the arms through the (1) shoulder straps as one would for a backpack. The (3) slide loop adjustor can be moved up or down to provide the user with a comfortable fit over the shoulders.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT

The user may wear and use the bag without needing to use the (8) mat straps. The user may fold the mat straps and loop them through the (7) D-rings when not wanting to carry a mat or other item outside the bag.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The bag allows users to carry one bag for both their exercise mat and the exercise clothing and accessories needed for an activity. In addition, the backpack design allows the user to “balance” the bag's weight across their back, instead of concentrating the weight on only one shoulder, as when using a non-backpack bag.

The breathable mesh fabric allows the air to ventilate the clothing and accessories transported in the bag, helping to prevent the stale smell of exercise clothing stored in closed exercise bags.

Claims

1. A see-through, breathable bag with straps comprised of:

Fiberglass-coated mesh material trimmed with cotton fabric strips comprising bag, and

Double D-ring webbing straps for attaching and securing rolled exercise mat, and

Cross-over, adjustable backpack-style shoulder straps

Whereby a person could carry both their exercise clothing and accessories, attach a rolled mat to the outside of the bag.

2. A see-through, breathable bag with straps comprised of:

Fiberglass-coated mesh material trimmed with cotton fabric strips comprising bag, and

Double D-ring webbing straps for attaching and securing rolled exercise mat, and

Cross-over, adjustable backpack-style shoulder straps

Whereby a person could wear this bag as a backpack and distribute the bag content weight across their back and shoulders.