Theft protection backpack and money belt combination
This is an improved backpack money belt combination that has security features that reduce the risks of the user being victimized by theft. The plurality of compartments have a closing mechanism at the entrance to the compartment and an additional safety flap that closes over the compartment. The safety flap has a closure that joins the flap to the backpack. The flap configuration eliminates the visibility of compartment openings, zippers and zipper pulls. A safety chain is attached to the backpack and can be attached to a stationary object or the user's body to reduce the risk of backpack theft. A dual purpose carrying handle can be opened and then closed around an object to form an attachment to another object. The money belt can be attached to the backpack. The money belt has a waistband encircling the wearer's body and a closure between the money belt and the wearer's body that is not visible to others.
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/690,259, filed Jun. 14, 2005 by the present inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a backpack and money belt combination, specifically to an improved system of protection against theft of articles being transported.
2. Background of Invention
Backpacks and money belts typically provide easy access for thieves by placing storage compartments in easily accessible and unprotected areas. Compartments on the outer backside of the typical backpack are particularly vulnerable because the wearer can not see or feel an intrusion. Although there are backpacks that may have solved this particular vulnerability they have not combined prevention of access to all other compartments. Existing backpacks emphasize the entrances to compartments by easily accessible exposed zippers that are highlighted by elaborate zipper hardware.
An additional risk of theft is that backpacks are often hung over the back of a chair or put on the floor when the wearer is sitting down or otherwise occupied. This presents an opportunity for thieves to easily remove the backpack while the wearer is not paying attention. Existing backpacks do not provide any system for securing these possessions while the carrier is not being worn.
The heightened awareness of homeland and personal security has created the implementation of essential safety procedures. Unfortunately these essential safety procedures have created vulnerability to theft or loss of personal articles at security checkpoints. The repeated request for the display of identifying documents often separates people from their possessions while their possessions are being subjected to scrutiny. While traveling, tickets, passports and personal identification are typically carried inside a backpack or other carrier making them difficult to repeatedly show to security personnel and vulnerable to theft or loss.
The present invention embodies a backpack money belt assembly which overcomes all of the above mentioned disadvantages of previously known carriers.
This unique combination of security features incorporated into the function of a backpack not only provides an improvement in theft protection for items carried in a backpack but it substantially increases the protection by combining it with a detachable money belt that safely and easily transports travel documents and other small valuables. The incorporation of additional features allows this backpack to function efficiently in a unique manner.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGESAccordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:
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- (a) that there are no exposed compartments on the outer backside of the backpack;
- (b) that all other compartments on the backpack are protected by a closure that is covered by an easy access security flap that has a secondary closure for the purpose of restricting access by intruders and hiding the zippers and zipper pulls;
- (c) a safety chain anchor that is attached to the backpack and stored in a concealed pocket is used for anchoring the backpack to a stationery object or wearer's body;
- (d) the safety chain can also be worn around wearer's waist to anchor the backpack to the body to prevent the backpack from being pulled off the wearer's back;
- (e) a money belt that can be attached to the backpack or worn separately around wearer's waist for carrying travel documents and other small valuables while providing easy access of these documents for the wearer and reducing the chance of theft or loss of these items;
- (f) to provide a personal communication device pocket under the secure flap configuration of the money belt for convenience of use when the money belt is not being worn with the backpack;
- (g) to prevent the easy removal of the backpack by another person by wearing the money belt around the waist and through the shoulder straps and a belt loop on the backpack, in lieu of the safety chain, to secure the backpack to the wearer's back;
- (h) to provide a money belt with a waist band closure that can only be opened between the wearers body and the money belt compartment to prevent the easy removal of the money belt by a thief,
- (i) to provide a money belt pouch that can be detached from the waist band so that the pouch can be carried separately;
- (j) to provide an attachment that secures the money belt to the backpack while it is traveling through a security conveyor belt;
- (k) to provide two protected entrances to the large interior compartments which are covered by a protective flap that can only be accessed from the area between the wearer's back and the backpack;
- (l) that the protective flaps covering the interior main compartments between the wearers back and the backpack are padded providing comfort as well as restricting access;
- (m)that there are interior secured pockets in both main compartments adding an additional secure area for storage;
- (n) to provide an insulated and waterproof compartment on the side of the backpack to keep liquids cold while protecting other contents from being damaged by leakage or sweat;
- (o) to provide a compartment with a port for small electronics which allows headphones to be worn while the device remains concealed;
- (p) to provide a convenient exterior soft fabric lined eyewear compartment that protects glasses from being scratched or marred;
- (q) to provide an easily accessible quick access compartment on the bottom exterior of the backpack that can hold small items without the inconvenience of going into the large main interior compartments which is also protected by the secure flap configuration;
- (r) a computer compartment designed for easy removal of the computer at security checkpoints;
- (s) to provide well padded shoulder straps that are designed for comfort and are adjustable to fit different size bodies;
- (t) to provide a carrying handle on the top of the backpack that can be fastened to other handles to prevent easy removal of the backpack while managing several pieces of luggage;
- (u) to provide an additional personal communication device pocket on the backpack for use when the money belt is not being used;
Further objects and advantages will become known by those skilled in the art from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARYIt is the object of this combination of aforementioned security features that provides an effective theft deterrent system for carriers that hinders the theft of the entire carrier or the articles carried within. The security system referred to herein can alternatively be embodied in any carrier such as a tote bag, a fanny pack, a handbag, luggage or other receptacle of any shape that is used for transporting ones possessions. The carrier system may be made of any material consistent with the intended use.
DRAWINGS—FIGURESI have included 11 drawings on 4 drawing sheets that show the backpack embodying the above concepts.
13—main body of the backpack
14—large interior compartment on the front side of backpack adjacent to the body
16—security flap over interior compartment adjacent to the body
18—closure for interior compartment adjacent to the body
20—pocket inside interior compartment adjacent to the body
22—outer backside of the main body of the backpack
24—rear large interior computer compartment
26—security flap over rear large interior computer compartment
34—insulated compartment
36—security flap over insulated compartment
38—compartment for hand held electronics
40—compartment for eyeglasses
42—security flap over hand held electronics and eyeglass compartment
44—port for headphones
46—quick access compartment on bottom of backpack
48—security flap over quick access compartment
50—opening of quick access compartment
51—personal communication device pocket on the backpack
52—shoulder strap
54—money belt
56—security flap over money belt pouch
58—adjustable waistband of money belt
60—money belt compartment for ticket, passport and identification
62—money belt compartment for small valuables
63—personal communication device pocket on money belt
64—safety chain anchor
66—storage pocket for safety chain
68—magnetic or other type of closure
70—hook and loop or other type of fastener
72—adjustable chain lock
74—snap hook
78—belt loop
80—adjustable strap hardware
82—carrying handle with hook and loop closure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERED EMBODYMENT—FIGS 1-11 A preferred embodiment of the backpack money belt combination invention being worn is illustrated in
is in between the backpack and the wearers back. The computer
The carrier security system includes entrances that are covered by the security flap configurations 16, 26, 36, 42, 48 and 56. All openings have a closure and are covered by security flaps that have hook and loop, magnetic or other closures that hold the flap over the opening and protect against intrusion by thieves. No zippers or zipper pulls are visible. The outer backside of the backpack 22 shown on
There are two adjustable shoulder straps 52. The upper portion is padded for comfort and the lower portion has adjustable strap hardware 80 that allows the straps to be adjusted to fit various size bodies. A compartment for personal communication devices 51 is on the shoulder strap 52. This compartment may be moveable to any position on the backpack or can be completely removed and worn on anything desired.
There are left and right exterior compartments 34, 38 and 40 attached to the sides of the backpack shown on
A third exterior compartment 46 attached to the bottom of the backpack shown on
A carrying handle 82 shown in the open position in
The money belt 54 shown on
A safety chain anchor 64 attached to the backpack and stored in pocket 66 and may be used as an alternative to using the money belt to secure the backpack to the wearer's back shown on
Thus the reader will see that the backpack and money belt combination provides protection to all openings that are typically vulnerable in existing backpacks. In addition, the unique safety chain anchor provides an obstacle to deter predators from removing the backpack entirely. This invention not only focuses on security elements but also offers the wearer unique features that make the backpack efficient and convenient to use. While my above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example:
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- Different shapes, materials, sizes, interconnections and configurations can be used for all components.
- In lieu of the described closures zippers, fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons and magnets or other closures may be used.
- A removable computer case with hard or soft padding may be included.
- The protective lining in the interior may be made of other materials.
- The security features may be used in other carriers such as handbags, luggage bags, bicycle bags etc.
- Exterior design elements may vary to accommodate different appearances.
- Elements may vary to customize use for targeted populations.
- The money belt may or may not be sold separately.
- An insulated compartment may or may not be included.
- There may or may not be pockets inside the compartments.
- The safety chain anchor may be located in a different area.
- There may or may not be a personal communication device compartment included.
- The personal communication device pocket may be movable or stationary.
- Padding may or may not included
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims
1. An improved personal security backpack money belt assembly worn on the wearers back having a detachable money belt worn around wearer's waist and a dual purpose exterior carrying handle with means to attach to unrelated objects.
2. The backpack assembly of claim 1 having adjustable shoulder straps adapted to carry said backpack on the users back.
3. The shoulder straps of claim 1 wherein a compartment is attached to the strap to carry a personal communication device.
4. The detachable money belt of claim 1 wherein the compartment conceals documents while keeping the said documents accessible under the safety flap.
5. The said money belt of claim 1 comprises a waistband component that encircles the wearer's waist and can pass through the shoulders straps and through a loop on the said backpack to secure the money belt to the backpack and the wearer.
6. The closure of the said waistband of claim 5 terminates behind the money belt concealing the said closure from sight.
7. The money belt of claim 1 includes a compartment on the said money belt to transport a personal communication device.
8. The money belt of claim 1 can be worn independent of the said backpack.
9. The improved carrying handle of claim 1 wherein said carrying handle can be used as a traditional handle and can be opened and then closed around an unrelated object to secure the said backpack to the unrelated object.
10. A plurality of uniquely constructed compartments each having an opening to insert belongings with a closure at the opening of said compartments and covered by a safety flap with an additional closure providing a means for the flap to join said backpack.
11. The safety flaps of claim 10 cover all zippers, zipper pulls and closures of said compartments covering the traditionally exposed hardware.
12. An anti-theft safety chain anchor is attached to the said backpack wherein attaching the said chain to a stationary object or the wearer's body serves to alert the user that the backpack is being carried off.
13. The said safety chain of claim 12 is adjustable and can be worn around wearer's waist to provide an alternative to the money belt in claim 5 for securing the said backpack to the wearer's body.
14. A storage compartment on the said backpack wherein the safety chain anchor is attached stores the said safety chain when not in use.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 12, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 28, 2006
Inventor: Stefanie Held (Dallas, TX)
Application Number: 11/451,047
International Classification: A45F 3/04 (20060101);