HIP BAG

Abstract

A bag is provided for storing cellular phones, cash, business cards, and credit cards. The bag comprises a receptacle and a hook. The receptacle may have a closed bottom, a top, and a plurality of side walls integrally attached to and surrounding the periphery of the bottom. The hook operably may be configured to connect the receptacle. In addition, the hook may be configured to connect to belt loops of a user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/316,340 filed on Mar. 22, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to portable object holders, and more specifically, to a bag for carrying portable electronic devices, credit cards, cash, business cards or the like.

With the rise in popularity of cellular phones, users need to access their cell phones quickly. Sometimes, users may leave their phones at home, misplace or lose their phones. On the other hand, consumers who carry credit cards, business cards, and cash are constantly fumbling through their wallets to pull out their cards and cash. Further, as consumers acquire more and more business cards, credit cards, and add them to their wallets, the wallets become oversized, unsightly, and difficult to keep in their pockets.

As can be seen, there is a need for a bag for storing credit cards, business cards, and cash in one receptacle and safely and securely retaining them, and for storing a portable electronic device, such as a cellular phone in a separate, easily accessible, but attached receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a bag comprises a receptacle having a closed bottom, a top, and a plurality of side walls integrally attached to and surrounding the periphery of the bottom; and a hook operably connected to the receptacle, the hook adapted to connect to a belt loop of a user.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 with a flap cover open;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back elevational view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right-hand side elevational view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is left-hand side elevational view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide carrying bags. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a carrying bag specifically adapted to keep cellular phones, cash, business cards, and credit cards organized and easily accessible.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention 10 in use on a pair of pants 14. The bag 10 may comprise a receptacle 11 and a hook 12a or 12b. The receptacle 11 may include a closed bottom 80, a top 26, a plurality of side walls 13. The plurality of side walls 13 may include a front face 28, two opposing sides 50 and 60, and a back face 40 (shown in FIG. 4). The front face 28 may be about 4.5″×4.5″ in size, for example.

Also in FIG. 1, the receptacle 11 may have two straps 18a and 18b, which may be about 1.5″ long, for example. Both straps 18a and 18b may connect to swivel snap hooks 12a and 12b. In turn, both swivel snap hooks 12a and 12b may hook to belt loops 16a and 16b of the pant 14 respectively. The swivel snap hooks 12a and 12b may attach to the side of the bag for hooking to belt loops 16a and 16b. Such arrangement may help a user to keep the bag around closely because the bag is hooked to belt loops. In an alternative embodiment, wider or narrower receptacle 13 may be exchanged and used with straps 18a and 18b. For example, a wider receptacle 13 may eliminate the use of the straps 18a and 18b with swivel snap hooks 12a and 12b directly connecting the receptacle 13 to loops 16a and 16b. A shoulder strap or waist strap (not shown) with a hook or a ring, such as a “D” hook or a “O” ring, for example, on each end may connect to the swivel snap hooks 12a and 12b respectively so that a user can carry the bag 10 around the shoulder or around the waist.

FIG. 2 shows the receptacle 11 with a flap cover 20 open. The flap cover 20 may be about 2″ by 4.5″ in size, for example. The flap cover 20 may further include a magnetic snap 22 which can snap on a magnet (not shown) which may be disposed inside the receptacle 11. Alternatively, the flap cover can be closed by other closure mechanisms, such as a Velcro® fastener.

Still in FIG. 2, the receptacle 11 may include an interior pocket 27 accessible through the top 26. One or more compartments 29 may be disposed within the interior pocket 27 of the receptacle 11. The top 26 may be closed by a fastener, such as a zipper 24. Alternatively, the top 26 may be closed to retain the contents of the receptacle 11 by a variety of fastening mechanisms common in the art, for example, a magnetic snap or a Velcro® fastener.

As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include decorative stripes 34 and 36. An exterior surface 30 of the flap cover 20 and the front face of the receptacle 11 may be personalized by printed matter. The printed matter may comprise decorative insignia, a personal name, a logo, a trade mark, a photo, and a picture.

FIG. 4 shows a back elevational view of pocket 44, which may have different sizes and may accommodate different sizes of objects, such as cellular phones. The open pocket 44 with an opening 45 in the back of the bag may allow the cellular phone inside the pocket 44 available to a user within seconds, for example, while keeping the user's hands free, such as no more digging through pants or purses, etc.

FIGS. 5-8 show two side elevational views, a top view, and a bottom view of the bag 10. The two opposing sides 50 and 60 may have 1″ thickness, for example. However, a thicker receptacle 11 may be sized to accommodate several keys on a key chain, or a larger stack of credit cards.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A bag comprising:

a receptacle having a closed bottom, a top, and a plurality of side walls integrally attached to and surrounding the periphery of the bottom; and

a hook operably connected to the receptacle, the hook adapted to connect to belt loops of a user.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further comprises a strap operably connected to the receptacle and the hook.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the receptacle defines an interior pocket accessible through the top.

4. The bag of claim 3, further comprising one or more compartments disposed within the interior pocket of the receptacle.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the top is closed by a fastener.

6. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a strap attached to the hook.

7. The bag of claim 6, further comprising a ring or a hook connected to the strap and the hook.

8. A bag of claim 1, further comprising a pocket with an opening on an exterior surface.

9. The bag of claim 8, wherein the pocket is disposed on the back face of the receptacle.

10. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a flap cover covering the top of the receptacle.