Bandolier-type pack

Abstract

A bandolier-type pack is described for organizing and storing various baby and parent related gear. The bandolier includes a front portion including a plurality of compartments, and a strap portion including a water-resistant pad secured thereto.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of provisional application serial No. 60/644,419, filed Jan. 14, 2005.

BACKGROUND

A variety of diaper bags or packs exist for parents/pet-owners for transporting essential gear, such as diapers, bottles, snacks, etc., for their small children or pets. The packs are often large and bulky, primarily having one large pocket for holding all of these items. As a result such prior art packs are often heavy and hard to manage when carrying or carting a small child or pet around. Also, it is frequently difficult to find an item quickly in the single storage pocket.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a compact, bandolier-type diaper bag or pack wearable over the shoulder and across the chest. The bandolier style of pack frees the parent or care-giver's hands to carry or hold on to their child or pet, or to perform other activities. The pack of the present invention further includes a plurality of pockets and/or compartments suitable for organizing and storing various baby-related, parent-related, and pet-related gear, including diapers, snacks, cell phones, keys, leashes, waste bags, and water bottles, for example, creating easy access to a particular item. The bandolier of the invention may also include an optionally detachable, insulated compartment for keeping bottles or other food or drink items hot or cold. The adjustable strap of the bandolier may include a built-in, wipeable changing pad or portable seat with an inner pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are described below in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bandolier of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the bandolier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the bandolier of FIG. 1 showing the pad in an unfolded position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a person wearing the bandolier of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a person wearing the bandolier of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above and displayed in the drawings, the present application comprises a bandolier-type diaper bag or pack, as shown in FIG. 1. The bandolier 10 comprises a plurality of compartments and/or hooks and/or pockets, attached to (permanently or detachably) or integrated into the bandolier 10. The compartments are preferably adapted to hold or be capable of holding one or more of a variety of items parents and caregivers typically carry with them when traveling outside the house with an infant, small child, or pet. Such items include baby items such as diapers, wipes, clothes, bottles, toys, and the like, as well as parental items such as keys, wallets, glasses, and cell phones, etc. Other examples of items could be pet items such as leashes, food and drink bowls, and disposable waste bags. Preferably the pockets/compartments/hooks or loops are located on the portion of the bandolier worn across the chest to facilitate easy access by the wearer.

The bandolier 10 includes a front portion 12 and strap portion 14. The front portion 12 and strap portion 14 are joined to each other (permanently or releasably) to form a loop, which is wearable as a bandolier (as displayed in FIGS. 4 and 5). The front portion 12 optionally has one or a plurality of compartments attached to or integrated in it. The front portion 12 may also include a one or a plurality of hooks or loops attached thereto. The front portion 12 optionally itself forms or has within it a pocket 30, which is described in detail below with respect to FIG. 2. The strap portion 14 optionally includes a pad 20 (preferably water-resistant) releasably or permanently secured thereto. As used herein, the term “pad” is intended to encompass any flexible textile or textile-like material (e.g., cotton, nylon, blends, and the like) that is monolayer, multilayer, and stuffed, and that can be folded or rolled for storage and can be used to place on the ground or any other surface and serve as a barrier over the ground or other surface.

In one embodiment, front portion 12 and strap portion 14 form an integrated, inseparable loop. In another embodiment, the front portion 12 is secured to the strap portion 14 at one end by an adjustable strap 18, which facilitates adjusting the bandolier to the wearer's size. In another embodiment, the front portion 12 is releasably secured at one or both ends to the strap portion 14, such as by a releasably lockable clip 17 (or some other similarly suitable fastening means). This embodiment may also include an adjustable strap 18 for adjusting the size of the loop formed by front portion 12 and strap portion 14. The releasable clip 17 (and the like) facilitates putting on and removal of the bandolier 10 by a wearer.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bandolier 10 further optionally includes a large pocket 30 located in or formed from the front portion 12 for holding larger items, such as diapers and clothes. The pocket 30 is preferably closable with a zipper, although buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop type fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), and the like may also be employed to close the pocket 30.

One or plurality of compartments may be permanently or releasably attached to the front portion 12 of the bandolier 10. For example, the bandolier 10 of the invention optionally includes a compartment 16 that is easily detachable, as shown in FIG. 3. Further, compartment 16 may contain an insulating material to keep food or drink warm or cold. Additionally, one or a plurality of compartments may include disposable bags on a roll.

The bandolier 10 further optionally comprises a pad 20 removably attached or permanently integrated into the strap portion 14 of the bandolier. The pad may serve, for example, as a changing pad for a baby, or as a seat (e.g., to be placed on the ground) for the wearer. Preferably, the pad 20 is permanently integrated into the portion of the bandolier that is worn across the back. The pad 20 may also be removably attached to the strap portion 14, such as via bands 28, shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, one or more of the bands 28 may include a fastening means, such as hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), buttons, or snaps, etc., to secure the pad 20 to the strap portion 14. To remove the changing pad from the strap portion 14, a wearer simply unfastens the bands 28 from the strap portion 14, and slides the pad 20 along the strap and over the releasable clip 17. In this manner, the pad 20 can be detached from the bandolier 10 when in use. Alternatively, the pad may be detached from the strap portion 14, such as by two releasable clips 17 located on either side of the strap portion 14. The outside of the pad 20 may optionally include a pocket.

When secured to the strap portion 14, the pad 20 can be folded or rolled to be stored in and/or form part of the strap portion 14. The pad 20 is secured in the folded or rolled configuration via a fastening means 22A that may run substantially along the length of the pad (e.g., a zipper) or that is located a several places along the pad, such as fastening means 22B, which can comprise hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), buttons, or snaps, for example. The pad 20 unfolds or unrolls, as shown in FIG. 3, so that a baby may be rested upon the pad 20. Preferably, one side 24 of the pad 20 is made of a wipeable, water-resistant material to facilitate cleaning of the pad.

The pad 20 further optionally includes a small, inner compartment 26, as shown in FIG. 3. The inner compartment 26 is also preferably made of a water-resistant material and can be used for storing baby wipes, for example. The inner compartment 26 may also include a fastening means, such as a zipper, hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), buttons, or snaps, to protect its contents. The inner compartment 26 may be within the pad 20 or attached (releasably or permanently) to the pad.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the bandolier 10 preferably includes a plurality of compartments secured to the front portion 12. The number of compartments may be 2, 3, 4, 5 or more. Preferably there are five compartments as shown in FIG. 1. The compartments may be detachable from the front portion 12, such as compartment 16, and may contain an insulating material to keep food or drink warm or cold. Also in the preferred embodiment, the bandolier 10 includes an adjustable strap 18 which is attached to a releasably lockable clip 17 for facilitating putting on and removal of the bandolier by a wearer.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the bandolier 10 further includes a pad 20. The pad 20 may be permanently secured to the strap portion 14, or, alternatively, the pad 20 may be releasably attached to the strap portion 14 via bands 28.

The preferred embodiment of the bandolier 10 further includes a small, inner compartment 26, as shown in FIG. 3. The inner compartment 26 is preferably made of a water-resistant material and can be used for storing baby wipes, for example. The inner compartment 26 further includes a zipper to protect its contents.

The bandolier 10 is shown on a wearer in FIGS. 4 and 5. The bandolier 10 is adapted to be worn in the fashion of a classic bandolier, which is over the shoulder and diagonally across the chest. The front portion 12 is adapted to be worn across a front side of the chest to facilitate access to the plurality of pockets/compartments/hooks or loops. The strap portion 14 of the bandolier 10 is adapted to be worn across the back. The diagonal configuration secures the bandolier 10 to the wearer and prevents the strap portion from slipping off the wearer, as is common among typical over-the-shoulder diaper bags or packs.

While certain features and embodiments of the present application have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the application encompasses all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A pack comprising:

a front portion; and

a strap portion, the strap portion including a pad made of a water-resistant or waterproof material.

2. The pack of claim 1 wherein the front portion is adapted to be worn across a front side of the chest and the strap portion is adapted to be worn across the back.

3. The pack of claim 1 wherein the pad can be folded or rolled to form the strap portion or a part thereof, or to be secured to the strap portion.

4. The pack of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of compartments secured to the front portion.

5. The pack of claim 4 wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments is detachable from the front portion.

6. The pack of claim 4 wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments contains an insulating material.

7. The pack of claim 1 wherein the front portion further comprises a large pocket.

8. The pack of claim 1 further comprising an inner compartment secured to or within the pad.

9. The pack of claim 1 wherein the pad is releasably attached to the strap portion.

10. The pack of claim 1 wherein the strap portion is adjustable and releasably joined at one end to the front portion.

11. A bandolier comprising:

a front portion including a plurality of compartments secured thereto; and

a strap portion including a pad secured thereto.

12. The bandolier of claim 11 wherein the pad can be folded or rolled to form the strap portion or a part thereof, or to be secured to the strap portion.

13. The bandolier of claim 11 further comprising an inner compartment secured to or within the pad.

14. The bandolier of claim 12 wherein both the pad and the inner compartment are made of a water-resistant or waterproof material.

15. The bandolier of claim 11 wherein the pad is releasably attached to the strap portion.

16. The bandolier of claim 11 wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments is detachable from the front portion.

17. The bandolier of claim 11 wherein the front portion further comprises a large pocket.

18. The bandolier of claim 11 wherein the strap portion is adjustable and releasably joined at one end to the front portion.

19. The bandolier of claim 11 wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments contains an insulating material.

20. A bandolier comprising:

a front portion including a plurality of compartments secured thereto;

a strap portion, the strap portion including a pad made of a water-resistant or waterproof material and being releasably joined at one end to the front portion; and

an inner compartment secured to the pad;

wherein the front portion further comprises a large pocket; and

wherein the pad can be folded or rolled to form the strap portion or a part thereof, or to be secured to the strap portion.