Flip pack
A fishing flip pack is described that consists of a detachable bag from a user worn flip pack harness. The flip pack harness and the bag are connected at a position that allows the user to access items in the bag and allow the user to easily manipulate a fishing rod.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for holding articles in general, and to aid in fishing from a surfboard in particular.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Backpacks are a practical and efficient way to carry items. A typical backpack consists of a sack and two straps that loop over each shoulder. Variations of this design are numerous, insofar that the, sack may be integral or have holes (e.g. a child carrier). Likewise, the materials used for the sack and straps vary greatly from cloth to synthetic materials.
Within this broad range of backpack designs are those that improve the ability to transport items while fishing. It is not unusual for an individual to desire a backpack for storing tackle, caught fish, and food. Also, the backpack may have attached cylinders for carrying fishing rods.
In some situations, such as when one is fishing from a small kayak or surfboard, the backpack may be the only way to efficiently carry items. Other ways to carry items, such as crates attached to the kayak or surfboard, interfere with the normal operation of the craft.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,198,202 (Sep. 12, 1916) to Drinkard, describes a harness like fishing device having two shoulder straps, and a body strap that wraps around the chest and the belt. The belt has receptacles for carry lunch, tackle, etc. A holder is also provided for a fishing rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,535 (Jun. 18, 1996) to Dobrzenski, describes a fishing vest with hinged pockets, three pockets attached to each of the front two panels and a pocket placed at the rear of the vest.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,819 (Apr. 15, 1997) to Hauschild, describes a carrying case that may be wrapped around a fisherman's waist for carrying tackle, etc. It is adjustably held around the waist by and loop material such as VELCRO.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,232 (Aug. 25, 1998) to Kirstner, et. al describes fishing gear and rod holder that is attachable to the chest strap of a wader of the bib of bib overalls.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,393 (Nov. 2, 1999) to Bellamy describes a fishing rod carrying backpack having a rod-holding member in the bottom of the backpack Bellamy employs snap together buckles for fastening the backpack around the wearer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,103 (Oct. 29, 2002) to Frese, et. al. describes a device for carrying fishing rods.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,316 (Nov. 9, 2003) to Fleming, et. al. describes a quiver with tubes for carrying items, including fishing rods.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,146 (Mar. 22, 2005) to Gollahon depicts a fishing pole harness.
US Patent Application Publication 20030051388 (Mar. 20, 2003) to Barnes describes a personal, back mounted, multi-rod carrier.
US Patent Application Publication 20030193390 (Sep. 13, 2003) to Smith provides for a fishing gear vest holder. The holder includes straps attached to a waist belt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe preferred embodiment of the present invention describes a flip pack assembly that provides for a bag mounted on a user worn harness. The harness includes one strap over the shoulder in which a bag is attached approximately at the top of the shoulder position. The person can manipulate the bag by “flipping” it from front to back. This change of position allows a surfer the ability to paddle out prone on a surfboard with the bag portion lying on the back of the surfer, and then by flipping the bag forward the surfer can easily access the contents of the bag.
While describing the invention and its embodiments various terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all equivalents that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result.
Preferred Embodiment—Flip PackThe components of the backpack 10 are two shoulder straps 16′, 16″, a fabric cavity 18, a fishpole tube 12, a fishpole tube connector 14, a fishpole restraint 20, a bag connector 30, waist straps 60, 62 with waist strap interlocking connectors 64,66, and a backpack interconnect 56. The backpack 10 is attached to the two shoulder straps 16′, 16″ at opposite sites such that the shoulder face outwards from the bag and are proximately opposite from one another. The top part of the straps 16′, 16″ are joined at the upper part of the backpack 10 and the lower part of the straps 16′, 16″ are joined at the lower part of the backpack 10. The straps 16′, 16″ are made from either a flexible or adjustable material and may be sized to comfortable loop around the arms of a person and yet draw the backpack 10 into close proximity of the back of the person. Likewise the waist straps 60, 62 and the waist strap interconnects 64,66 draw the backpack 10 towards the person. Connected to the bag is a fishpole tube 12 which is attached via the fishpole tube connector 14. The fishpole tube connector 14 may be made of a flexible and elastic material allowing the tube to be pulled away from the bag 10 with sufficient force by a person, but with enough force to support a lightweight fishing rod. The fishpole restraint 20 is a piece of elastic material dimensioned such that it may be easily inserted into a ring of a rod. One end of the fishpole restraint 20 will have the ability to attached and detach from the bag 10. The bag connector 30 may be made of a flexible material of sufficient length to allow the bay
The components of the bag 50 is a pouch for holding materials, a bag interconnect 52, and a bag connector 30. The pouch may be made from permeable or impermeable materials. The bag interconnect 52 is attached to the bottom of the bag 50. The top of the bag 50 is connected to a bag connector 30 which is joined at the top of the backpack 10.
The backpack interconnect 56 is of sufficient length to attach to the bag interconnect 52 such that the bag 50 may be joined so that the bag 50 overlays the backpack 10. Alternately the bag 50 may be joined so that the bag 50 overlays the front of the person (not shown).
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The bag 100 may be made of any permeable or impermeable material although an impermeable material is preferable for use in the aquatic environments. The bag 100 dimensions are approximately the size of a sack that spans the portion of the adult back. The bag 100 can be hollow in the interior or provided with a number of interior pockets or compartments for storing items. Access to the inside of the bag 100 is via a bag hole 119 on one end of the bag 100. A pair of drawstrings 118 may be used to expand or reduce the size of the bag opening.
External to the bag 100 a number of tackle pockets 114 may be placed for external access to items. Likewise a series of tool clip on rings 116 may also be placed on the side of the bag 100. At the base of the bag 100 is a bag fastener 112 that may consist of a pair of lines or lanyards. On the other side of the bag 100, immediately above the bag drawstring 118 is a length of material used to affix the bag to the back shoulder strap 130.
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Likewise the front shoulder strap 160 loops around to connect to the back shoulder strap 130 to form a loop across the shoulder of the user. A shoulder buckle 162 forms a compression connection as depicted earlier in
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The method of moving the bag 100 from front to back provides a practical means for accessing items while fishing, but having comfort while paddling. Alternate embodiments could allow a bag that may be detached from the back shoulder strap 130 so that it may be interchanged with different types of bags or carried separately as a purse.
Individual components of the preferred embodiment and the alternate embodiment may be interchanged. For example, the lanyard tie on the alternate embodiment may be used in lieu of the bag and backpack interconnect system of the preferred embodiment.
Claims
1. A flip pack assembly, said flip pack assembly comprising:
- a bag, said bag comprising a bag top part, a bottom part and a chamber;
- a back shoulder strap, said back shoulder strap having a first end and a second end;
- a front shoulder strap, said front shoulder strap having a first end and a second end;
- and a waist strap, said waist strap having a first end and a second end; and
- means for connecting the top part of said bag to said back shoulder strap; and
- means for connecting said first end of said waist strap with said second end of said waist strap; and
- means for connecting said first end of said back shoulder strap with said waist strap; and
- means for connecting said first end of said front shoulder strap with said waist strap;
- means for connecting said second end of said front shoulder strap and said second end of said second shoulder strap;
- such that a harness is created.
2. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said bag further comprises rings proximately mounted on the exterior of the bag.
3. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said bag further comprises pockets proximately mounted on the exterior of the bag.
4. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said chamber has one access point, the area of said access point expanded or limited by a string.
5. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the second end of said front shoulder strap and the second end of said second should strap is a buckle.
6. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the second end of said front shoulder strap and the second end of said second should strap is a velcro.
7. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting said first end of said waist strap with said second end of said waist strap is a buckle.
8. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting said first end of said waist strap with said second end of said waist strap is velcro.
9. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein a plurality of tubes are proximately mounted approximately near the connecting point of said back shoulder strap to said waist strap.
10. The flip pack assembly as in claim 1 wherein said tubes are dimension to hold a handle of the fishing rod.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 23, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2007
Inventor: Brent Alden Matschke (Santa Monica, CA)
Application Number: 11/473,643
International Classification: A45C 15/00 (20060101); A45F 3/04 (20060101); A45F 4/00 (20060101);