PIGGYBACK DUFFEL

Abstract

A piggyback duffel apparatus and system provide a modular apparatus that expands a storage capacity of a backpack and includes a detachable piggyback duffel bag that may have a vertical strap to attach to loops on a side of the backpack.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to bag and storage systems and apparatus, and more particularly to a piggyback duffel system and apparatus for providing an expanded storage capacity for a backpack.

Some devices for storing and carrying loads may not have readily expandable attachments or modular storage attachments that may be affixed to an outside surface of the device. Some other devices used for storing and carrying loads may not have separate compartments or spaces having specialized protection or weather proofing properties. Backpack design and manufacturing typically have a storage space contained by a single type or piece of material that may have a specific treatment or property that may determine the overall weather protection or weather proof property of the device. Still some other devices may not provide a plurality of specialized features or functionality that may be stored or attached on the outside of the device and easily deployed or detached therefrom.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system and apparatus that provides a modular attachment that may expand or add to the storage capability of a backpack and may provide different or improved weather resistant properties or specialized functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a piggyback duffel comprises a body, the body having an inside space; a vertical strap, the vertical strap running around the body in a vertical dimension of the body, the vertical strap having a first end and a second end, and the vertical strap being permanently affixed to the body; a first connector on the first end of the vertical strap; and a second connector on the second end of the vertical strap, the first connector and the second connector configured to be complementary.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a piggyback duffel system comprises a backpack, the backpack having a first loop and a second loop on a first side of the backpack; and a piggyback duffel, the piggyback duffel having a vertical strap running a length of the piggyback duffel, the vertical strap configured to assemble to the first loop and the second loop of the backpack.

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 an exploded front perspective view of a piggyback duffel system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a piggyback duffel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the piggyback duffel system shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the piggyback duffel system 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 a piggyback duffel system and apparatus comprising a piggyback duffel having a vertical strap, and a backpack having loops on a side thereof for receiving the vertical strap.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exploded front perspective view of a piggyback duffel system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The piggyback duffle system may include a backpack 18, which may have a piggyback duffel 10 on a first side, and a piggyback duffel 10 on a second, opposite side thereof. Backpack 18 may have first and second shoulder straps 20a, 20b affixed to a front side and running a length thereof, which may be configured to enable backpack 18 to be worn on shoulders of a user. Backpack 18 may have a waist strap 22 that may be two segments joined by a waist buckle 24. Waist strap 22 may be configured to secure backpack 18 to a user's waist and transfer load thereto. Backpack 18 may have a first loop 19a on a top side thereof, and second and third loops 19b, 19c on a first side thereof. Backpack 18 may have a fourth loop 19d on a top side thereof, and fifth and sixth loops 19e, 19f on a second side opposite the first side. Loops 19a-f may be hereinafter referred to as loop 19 or loops 19. Loops 19 may be closed elements that may be used as a tether or an anchor, and may be configured to have a strap or cord threaded therethrough.

Piggyback duffel 10 may have a vertical strap 14a, which may run around piggyback duffel 10 in a vertical dimension thereof or along a length thereof. Vertical strap 14a may have a connector 16a on one end and a connector 16b on an opposite end thereof. Piggyback duffel 10 may have a first horizontal strap 14b and a second horizontal strap 14c, which may run around a circumference of piggyback duffel 10 along a width thereof. Horizontal straps 14b, 14c may have a connector 16a on one end and a connector 16b on an opposite end respectively. Connectors 16a, 16b may be complementary and may be configured to be selectively assembled, creating an assembled connector 16 (as shown in FIG. 4), which may temporarily connect and secure the ends of vertical strap 14a and horizontal straps 14b, 14c.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a bottom plan view of piggyback duffel 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. Piggyback duffel 10 may have a body 12, which may partially or completely enclose an inside space. Vertical strap 14a may be permanently affixed to body 12 by stitching 26. According to some exemplary embodiments, piggyback duffel 10 may be a roughly cylindrical bag with a drawstring, zippered, or roll-top closure, for example. According to other exemplary embodiments, body 12 configured to have an inside space for holding, storage, or stowing purposes, for example. According to still other exemplary embodiments, stitching 26 may include tacking, riveting, or welding, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded side perspective view of the piggyback duffel system of FIG. 1 is shown. Fourth, fifth, and sixth loops 19d-19f are shown, which may be attached to backpack 18, and may be configured to be aligned in a roughly coplanar manner.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a front perspective view of the piggyback duffel system of FIG. 1 is shown. Piggyback duffel 10 may be secured to backpack 18 by at least vertical strap 14a, which may be threaded through at least one loop 19, and which may have ends secured by assembled connector 16. Horizontal straps 14b, 14c may threaded between vertical straps 14a and backpack 18 and may have ends secured by assembled connectors 16. According to some exemplary embodiments, vertical strap 14a may be threaded through at least two loops 19. According to other exemplary embodiments, vertical strap 14a may be threaded through at least three loops 19.

Backpack 18 may be comprised of a plurality of panels and a first material, and may include assembly or stitching techniques that, taken together, provide a first weather proof or weather resistant property thereto. Accordingly, piggyback duffel 10 may be comprised of a plurality of panels and a second material, and may include assembly or stitching techniques that, taken together, correspondingly provide a second weather proof or weather resistant property thereto. According to some exemplary embodiments, a piggyback duffel system may include a backpack 18 having a plurality of piggyback duffels 10, wherein each of the plurality of piggyback duffels 10 may be comprised of a plurality of panels and a plurality of materials, and may include assembly or stitching techniques that, taken together, provide a plurality of weather proof or weather resistant properties therefor.

According to some exemplary embodiments, vertical strap 14a and horizontal straps 14b, 14c may be a nylon or polymer webbing, a braided cord, a laminated strap, or an extruded or drawn cord, for example. Horizontal straps 14b, 14c may be configured as compression straps that may compress or compact body 12 and any contents therein, and may have a connector 16a having a cam connector or a one-way friction connector, for example. Connectors 16a, 16b may include plastic, nylon, or metal buckles, or a hook and loop fastener, for example.

According to other exemplary embodiments body 12 may be configured as a rope bag, a sleeping pad, a crash pad (i.e., a climbing pad), an emergency first aid kit, a shelter (e.g., a tent or a bivouac), a tool kit, or a gear kit (e.g., for avalanche gear, for traditional climbing), for example.

According to still other exemplary embodiments, piggyback duffel 10 may be assembled and secured to backpack 18 by a zipper, or a slidingly engaging fastener, for example, that may have corresponding elements running along corresponding lengths of piggyback duffel 10 and backpack 18 respectively.

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 piggyback duffel, comprising:

a body, the body having an inside space;

a vertical strap, the vertical strap running around the body in a vertical dimension of the body, the vertical strap having a first end and a second end, and the vertical strap being permanently affixed to the body;

a first connector on the first end of the vertical strap; and

a second connector on the second end of the vertical strap, the first connector and the second connector configured to be complementary.

2. The piggyback duffel of claim 1, further comprising:

a horizontal strap, the horizontal strap running around a circumference of the body and having a first end and a second end;

a first buckle on the first end of the horizontal strap; and

a second buckle on the second end of the horizontal strap, the first buckle and the second buckle configured to be complementary.

3. The piggyback duffel of claim 2, further comprising:

a second horizontal strap, the second horizontal strap running around a circumference of the body and having a first end and a second end;

a third buckle on the first end of the second horizontal strap; and

a fourth buckle on the second end of the horizontal strap, the third buckle and the fourth buckle being complementary.

4. The piggyback duffel of claim 3, wherein:

the horizontal strap and the second horizontal strap are compression straps, and

the first connector and the second connector are hook and loop fasteners.

5. A piggyback duffel system comprising:

a backpack, the backpack having a first loop and a second loop on a first side of the backpack; and

a piggyback duffel, the piggyback duffel having a vertical strap running a length of the piggyback duffel, the vertical strap configured to assemble to the first loop and the second loop of the backpack.

6. The piggyback duffel system of claim 5, wherein the backpack has a third loop and a fourth loop on a second side of the backpack, opposite the first side, the piggyback duffel system further comprising:

a second piggyback duffel, the second piggyback duffel having a second vertical strap running a length of the second piggyback duffel, the second vertical strap configured to assemble to the third loop and the fourth loop of the backpack.

7. The piggyback duffel system of claim 5, wherein the backpack is a first material having a first weather resistant property, and the piggyback duffel is a second material having a second weather resistant property.

8. The piggyback duffel system of claim 6, wherein the backpack is a first material, the piggyback duffel is a second material, and the second piggyback duffel is a third material.

9. The piggyback duffel system of claim 6, wherein the backpack has a fifth loop and a sixth loop on a top side of the backpack.

10. The piggyback duffel system of claim 5, wherein the piggyback duffel is configured as an apparatus chosen from a group consisting of an emergency first aid kit, a sleeping pad, and a crash pad.