INTERCHANGEABLE COMPARTMENTAL ACCESSORIES

Abstract

A portable personal carrier is provided. The carrier broadly includes a detachable compartmental accessory and a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism comprises a retention member and a receiving member and is configured to slidably couple the detachable compartmental accessory to the carrier.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional utility application and claims priority benefit of earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application titled “INTERCHANGEABLE COMPARTMENTAL ACCESSORIES”, Ser. No. 61/424,214, filed Aug. 16, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for coupling compartmental accessories to a base member or carrier. More specifically, the present invention concerns apparel and coupling mechanisms therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Those of ordinary skill in the apparel art will appreciate the broad utility of pockets and other storage mechanisms incorporated into and onto apparel. However, a given article of apparel is typically designed in a static manner such that the article of apparel cannot be altered to adjust for various different daily activities, each of which may benefit from differing pocket or storage arrangements and mechanisms. Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the connection device, connector, or coupling art will appreciate that connectors commonly used to removably attach compartmental accessories to carrier objects employ button or hook and loop (Velcro®) type fasteners or connectors. However, these connectors are problematic in that they do not provide an easy, effective, strong, and resilient manner of attaching compartmental accessories to carrier objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Responsive to these and other problems, an important object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable compartmental accessory. Embodiments of the present invention provide a distinct advance in the art of personal carriers and connection devices therefor. According to one aspect of the present invention a portable personal carrier is provided. The carrier broadly includes at least one detachable interchangeable compartmental accessory and a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is configured to slidably couple the detachable compartmental accessory to the carrier. In embodiments of the present invention, the portable personal carrier can be an article of apparel such as a kilt or the like, a personal accessory such as a belt, purse of the like, or any other suitable carrier such as a saddle.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a kilt embodiment of a portable personal carrier with a detachable interchangeable compartmental accessory coupled thereto;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the kilt shown in FIG. 1 without any interchangeable compartmental accessories coupled thereto;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the kilt shown in FIG. 1 demonstrating how embodiments of the interchangeable compartmental accessories may be coupled to the kilt shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the kilt and detachable interchangeable compartmental accessory shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the detachable interchangeable compartmental accessory of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the detachable interchangeable compartmental accessory of the present invention.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefor, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide a portable personal carrier 8 broadly including a detachable compartmental accessory 52 and a coupling mechanism 124 configured to slidably couple the detachable compartmental accessory 52 to the carrier 8. As further described herein, the carrier 8 can have one or more detachable compartmental accessories 52a, 52b, 52c, each of which can be variously designed and configured to accommodate different storage and retention requirements of a user, which may vary depending on a user's activities or needs, such as, for instance, construction or other tool-related activities, hunting, tailgating, medical necessities, such as diabetic supplies, and the like.

The portable personal carrier 8 depicted in one embodiment of the present invention may broadly comprise an article of apparel. More particularly, the carrier disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 may be a kilt 10. Although a kilt 10 is selected for depiction in one embodiment herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any number of personal portable carriers 8 may be encompassed by the present invention. Notably, the carrier 8 can broadly comprise other articles of apparel, such as, for instance, pants, jeans, shorts, kilts, and skirts, and accessories, such as, for instance, belts, purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like. Further still, the carrier 8 may comprise any object to which a user may desire to releasably secure an interchangeable compartmental accessory 52, such as, for instance, a saddle. Thus, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the broad application contemplated for embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

The kilt 10 selected for depiction in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is preferably fabricated from a fabric 12, such as cotton or the like, and may be constructed in the usual manner. The kilt 10 may be constructed of an elongated, generally rectangular configuration of fabric, with an upper hem 14 and lower hem 16 at opposing upper and lower respective edges thereof. In addition, respective ends of the kilt (not shown) preferably present a respective securement mechanism, such as snaps 18, to cooperatively facilitate securement of the kilt 10 about a wearer 20. In particular, the upper hem 14 of the kilt 10 is configured to be wrapped around the waist of a wearer and secured with the snaps 18 at or near the front waist of the wearer. While one or more series of snaps 22, 24 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as securing the kilt 10 about the wearer 20, any suitable securement mechanisms may operably be used, such as buttons or hooks. In the depicted embodiment, once the kilt 10 is wrapped around the waist or midriff of the wearer 20, the kilt presents a circumferential waistband 26 located proximate the kilt's 10 upper hem 14. The waistband 26 may include a plurality of vertically oriented belt-loops 28 designed to accommodate a belt (not shown), which may be variously designed and configured.

Descending from the waistband 26, the kilt 10 terminates at the lower hem 16, which is located a distance from the upper hem 14, so that in one embodiment the lower hem 16 will be located approximately about the knees 30, 32 of the wearer 20 (which may be about 20 inches from the kilt's 10 upper hem 14). The kilt 10 includes a plurality of vertically oriented pleats 34 spaced horizontally about the periphery of the kilt 10. So oriented, the pleats 34 of the kilt 10 can be substantially parallel about the circumference of the lower hem 16. Such pleats 34, and any other decorative or ornamental features of the kilt 10, may be arranged, oriented, or designed to suit the aesthetic requirements of the kilt's 10 designer.

The kilt 10 also presents a plurality of traditional pockets spaced about the kilt. In particular, a first pair of pockets 36, 38 may be so configured to be located proximate the hips of the wearer 20, with one pocket being located about at each of the wearer's 20 respective hips. Moreover, the rear of the kilt may include a second pair of rear pockets 39 configured to be located proximate the buttocks of the wearer, with one rear pocket being located adjacent each side of the wearer's buttocks. In addition, each of the second pair of pockets 39 may include a closing flap 41 configured to overlie the opening of each of the pockets 39 so that items stored therewithin do not fall out of the pockets 39 if a user is seated or engaged in various activities. Furthermore, each of the second pair of pockets 39 and respective closing flaps 41 may include a snap mechanism (not shown) or other suitable securement members, such as, for instance, Velcro®, buttons, or zippers, thereby enabling the flap 41 to be releasably secured to its respective rear pocket 39 to further ensure no materials stored within the pockets inadvertently fall out.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described first 36, 38 and second pair 39 of pockets may be variously sized, spaced, and dimensioned about the kilt 10 to accommodate a vast array of objects to be stored therewithin. Indeed, the pockets preferably are sized to accommodate one or more objects such as keys, phones, wallets, money, credit cards, business cards, glasses, sunglasses, and the like. Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the first 36, 38 and second 39 pairs of pockets may also comprise or accommodate detachable compartmental accessories 52 as further disclosed herein. Furthermore, the kilt 10 may not include any pockets.

In embodiments of the kilt shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, below the respective first pair of pockets 36, 38 is a pair of optional mounting flaps 40, 42 and corresponding covers 44, 46. Each optional mounting flap 40, 42 comprises a short, generally rectangular piece of fabric, textile, or other relatively sturdy material. The mounting flap 40,42 may also be square or any size or shape. Each mounting flap has a top edge 48 and a lower edge 50 vertically spaced therefrom. The top edge 48 of each mounting flap 40, 42 is secured to the kilt 10 below the respective first pair 36, 38 of pockets. The disclosed mounting flaps 40, 42 are preferably sewn to the kilt 10 along the top edge 48 of the mounting flap 40, 42, but other securement methods, such as, for instance, zippers and the like, are also suitable. As will be further described herein, the optional mounting flaps 40, 42 are useful with the coupling mechanism 124. Additionally, respective covers 44, 46 are preferably sized to cover the mounting flaps 40, 42 when the mounting flaps 40, 42 are not in use with the coupling mechanism 124 and, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, may include cooperative snap elements 37a, 47b to secure the cover to the kilt to conceal the mounting flaps when not in use. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, neither the mounting flaps 40, 42 nor the covers 44, 46 are necessary for enjoying the benefits of the invention disclosed herein, and, if used, can be of any useful size or shape. Use of the covers 44, 46 and mounting flaps 40, 42 will be discussed with respect to the coupling mechanism 124 in further detail below.

Embodiments of alternatively configured detachable compartmental accessories 52 are shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6. Notably, embodiments of the detachable compartmental accessories 52a, 52b, 52c broadly include a backing 54 having respective front-facing 56 and rear-facing 58 surfaces. The backing 54 may be generally rectangularly-shaped and present opposing top 60 and bottom 62 edges and opposing sides 64, 66. The detachable compartmental accessories 52a, 52b, 52c may be fabricated of cotton or some other suitable textile, fabric, cloth, suede, leather, plastic, or the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the broad array of materials out of which the detachable compartmental accessories 52a, 52b, 52c and associated backing 54 may be fabricated. Furthermore, although embodiments of the detachable compartmental accessories 52a, 52b, 52c shown herein are generally rectangularly-shaped, nothing prohibits the use of backings 54 having different sizes, shapes, and/or configurations, and such are within the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the detachable compartmental accessories 52a, 52b, 52c of the present invention are variously configurable to present any suitable number and configuration of different storage compartments responsive to various needs of a user. For instance, a connector or connectors may be utilized, and in a first embodiment 52a shown in FIG. 5, the connector is a D-ring 68 is secured to the front-facing surface 56 of the backing 54 proximate the top edge 60 of the backing 54. In this manner, various objects may be releasably secured, or clipped, to the D-ring 68 for selective securement to the detachable compartmental accessory 52a. While a D-ring 68 has been selected for depiction herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other hardware may be suitably employed in place of, or in addition to, the D-ring 68, such as, for instance, rings, carabiners, and the like. Moreover, while the D-ring 68 presented herein is fabricated of metal, the D-ring 68 and other hardware may be made of plastics, polymers, or any other suitable composition. Further, more than one connector or D-ring 68 may be utilized, and the connector(s) may be positioned on the detachable compartmental accessories 52 at any suitable location thereon.

Below the D-ring 68 shown on the first embodiment, the backing 54 presents compartments which, in this embodiment, include first 70 and second 72 pockets that are generally parallel. The first 70 and second 72 pockets generally have a depth running from a location below the D-ring 68 to essentially the bottom edge 62 of the backing 54, but may be configured to have a shallower depth if desirable, and may be alternatively positioned with respect to each other. The first 70 and second 72 pockets have respective openings 74, 76 proximate the top edge 60 of the backing 54. Moreover, as depicted, the first pocket 74 may comprise a continuous sheet of cloth, fabric, leather, plastic or the like, to fully enclose whatever contents are stored within the first pocket 74. Further, the backing 54 may also present a flap 78 located adjacent the opening 74 of the first pocket 70. The flap 78 is preferably configured to overlie the opening 74 of the first pocket 70 to substantially enclose the opening 74 thereof to prevent objects stored within the first pocket 70 from errantly falling out of the first pocket 70. In addition, the flap 78 and first pocket 70 may include securement members (not depicted), such as, for instance, hook and loop (Velcro®) or snap buttons to selectively and releasably secure the flap 78 to the first pocket 70.

In the first embodiment of the detachable compartment accessory 52a, the second pocket 72 abuts the first pocket 70. Unlike the first pocket 70, however, the second pocket 72 may be fabricated of a semi-flexible and/or resilient mesh netting 80 that may flexibly accommodate objects placed therein. The second pocket 72 is preferably generally the same size as the first pocket 70. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various nettings made of various materials, or alternatively, various solid materials may be suitably employed to achieve the desired resiliency of the second pocket 72. Of course, both pockets 70, 72 may be fabricated of the same material, and both or nether may be presented with a closure device.

In a second embodiment, the detachable compartment accessory 52b shown in FIG. 1 includes a connector device and multiple compartments. Specifically, D-ring 82 is secured to the front-facing surface 56 of the backing 54 proximate the top edge 60 of the backing 54 in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment 52a. However, the compartments employed in the second embodiment 52b are differently configured. In particular, adjacent the D-ring 82 is a series of parallel, vertically oriented pockets 84, each of which is so dimensioned to hold a bullet (now shown). So configured, a unitary cartridge holder 86 is presented so that a plurality of bullets may be stored for use in a firearm, such as a pistol. Below the D-ring 82 and cartridge holder 86 is a pocket 88 having a width substantially equal to that of the backing 54. The backing 54 presents a flap 90 configured to overlie an opening 92 the pocket 88 and substantially enclose the contents stored in the pocket 88. The flap 90 and pocket 88 may include securement members (not depicted), such as, for instance, hook and loop (Velcro®) or snap buttons to releasably secure the flap 90 to the pocket 88. The pocket 88 of the second embodiment 52b may be particularly designed to contain a firearm, such as a pistol. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cartridge holder 86 and pocket 88 of the second embodiment 52b may be variously sized and dimensioned to accommodate firearms of different sizes and respective ammunition therefor.

In a third embodiment, the detachable compartment accessory 52c shown in FIG. 6 includes a connector device and multiple compartments. Specifically, a D-ring 94 is secured to the front-facing surface 56 of the backing 54 proximate the top edge 60 of the backing 54 in a manner similar to that of the first 52a and second 52b embodiments. However, the compartments employed in the third embodiment 52c are differently configured from those previously discussed. Notably, a first pocket 96 is sized and positioned to occupy a majority of the front-facing surface 56 of the backing 54. In this regard, an opening 98 for the first pocket 96 is located proximate the top edge 60 of the backing 54. Velcro® 100 or any other suitable securement means releasably closes the opening 98 and selectively secures a top portion of pocket 96 to the backing 54, so that objects stored in the first pocket 96 are securely stored therein. An outer surface 102 of the first pocket 96 presents a secondary backing 104. The secondary backing 104 presents second 106 and third 108 pockets, which are preferably vertically oriented and have respective openings 110, 112 spaced from the opening 98 of the first pocket 96. The second 106 and third 108 pockets are so dimensioned to retain, for example, beverage containers therein (not shown). In particular, standard 12-ounce beverage cans may easily be stored in the second 106 and third 108 pockets. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the second 106 and third 108 pockets may be alternately sized and positioned to store differently sized containers, or different objects altogether. Moreover, each of the first 96, second 106, and third 108 pockets of the third embodiment 52c may be formed at least partially of an insulating-type material so the temperature of any objects, such as beverages and the like, stored in the detachable compartmental accessory 52c are maintained at an optimal state. In this manner, for instance, cold beverages stored therein may remain cool and ready for consumption by the wearer 20, notwithstanding potentially elevated ambient temperatures.

The rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54 for each of the above-described embodiments 52a,52b,52c of the detachable compartmental accessories may be generally similarly designed. Notably, as shown in FIG. 3, proximate the top edge 60 of the backing 54 is a pair of depending vertically oriented retention members 114, 116, which will be further described below. Below the retention members 114,116, the rear-facing surface 58 may present one or more compartments, such as pocket 118 that is hidden from view when the detachable compartmental accessories 52a, 52b, 52c are in use. A horizontally oriented opening 120 for the hidden pocket 118 is closable with a zipper 122, but other securement mechanisms may be suitably employed. Moreover, no pockets or more than one pocket or compartment may be presented on the rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54.

Various embodiments of the detachable compartmental accessories are thereby described. The front-facing surface 56 of embodiments of the detachable compartmental accessory 52 of the present invention may be variously configured to present a number of pockets or compartments of various sizes and configurations to accommodate various utilities,activities, and needs, such as, for instance, construction or other tool-related activities, hunting, tailgating, medical necessities, such as diabetic supplies, and the like. Likewise, while the rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54 of the disclosed embodiments 52a, 52b, 52c are generally similarly configured, these, too, may be alternatively configured to suit the needs of the wearer. Moreover, such embodiments may be fabricated with a number of different textiles, fabrics, and materials such as, for instance, cotton, leather, suede, plastic and nylon.

An embodiment of the coupling mechanism 124 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The coupling mechanism 124 broadly includes a retention member 114 and a receiving member 126. Although embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally include a pair of retention members 114, 116 and a corresponding pair of receiving members 126, 128 per detachable compartmental accessory 52, embodiments of the invention may include as few as one, or more than two receiving members and corresponding retention members per detachable compartmental accessory 52. Moreover, in the embodiments described herein, the retention members 114, 116 are preferably secured to the rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54 of the detachable compartmental accessory 52 and the receiving members 126, 128 are preferably secured to the portable personal carrier 8 such as at the mounting flaps 40, 42 of the kilt 10. Alternatively, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the receiving members 126, 128 may be suitably secured to the rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54 of the detachable compartmental accessory 52 while the retention members 114, 116 are secured to the portable personal carrier 8 such as at the mounting flaps 40, 42 of the kilt 10. Furthermore, the retention 114, 116 or receiving 126, 128 members on the detachable interchangeable compartmental accessory 52 may be secured to the top and/or bottom edges of the accessory instead of to the rear-facing surface 58, or other suitable place. Likewise, the retention 114, 116 or receiving 126, 128 members on the portable personal carrier 8 such as the kilt 10 may be secured thereto other than on a mounting flaps 40, 42, such as directly onto the waistband 26 or directly onto the fabric 12 of the kilt 10.

Alternatively, coupling mechanism 124 may include one or more retention members 114, 116 which are configured to be received directly onto the portable personal carrier 8 at any suitable place thereon, such as adjacent the waistband 26 of the kilt 10, or edging of pocket 36. Indeed, embodiments of the coupling mechanism may be operable in a manner that the retention members 114, 116 may be coupled to a belt (not pictured), the upper hem 14 of the kilt 10, or at any suitable location on any personal carrier 8.

Although embodiments of the coupling mechanism 124 disclosed herein generally include two retention members 114, 116 per detachable compartmental accessory 52, only one such retention member 116 will be described herein because the retention members 114, 116 are generally similarly configured. The retention member 116 generally includes a first elongated member 130, a second elongated member 132, and a bridging member (or bridge) 134. The retention member 116 disclosed herein comprises a unitary piece fabricated of metal. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the retention member 116 and its constituent parts may be separate parts and may be fabricated of any other suitable material, such as plastic, and remain within the scope of the present invention. The first 130 and second 132 elongated members are generally flat, each have approximately equal widths and lengths, and are spaced from each other. The bridging member 134, which, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, may be substantially arcuate, joins the first 130 and second 132 elongated members in a manner to define a throat 136 between the first 130 and second 132 elongated members. The described bridging member 134 joins the first 130 and second 132 elongated members at corresponding ends thereof, but joining the respective elongated members 130, 132 at differing locations along the respective elongated members is also contemplated. As will be described further below, the throat 136 is generally a spaced area positioned between elongated members 130, 132, and terminating at bridge 134. Throat 136 is configured to receive the corresponding receiving member 128 therethrough between first 138 and second 140 respective free ends of the first 130 and second 132 elongated members. The free ends 138, 140 may preferably present rounded corners, thereby reducing sharp edges and the incidence of inadvertent snags of other materials or objects.

The retention member 116 may be secured to embodiments of the detachable compartmental accessory 52 as disclosed herein. In particular, the first elongated member 130 may be secured to the rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54 of embodiments 52a, 52b, 52c of the detachable compartmental accessory. More particularly, one or more rivets 142 may secure the first elongated 130 member to the rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54 proximate an upper portion of the backing 54. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other suitable mechanical or chemical (i.e. adhesive) securement methods may be suitably employed. The retention member 116 is preferably secured to the rear-facing surface 58 of the backing 54 so that the bridging member 134 is approximately even with the top edge 60 of the backing 54 with the throat 136 facing in a generally downward orientation with respect to the top edge 60. Likewise, embodiments of the retention member 116 may be differently positioned and/or oriented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, embodiments 52a, 52b, 52c of the detachable compartmental accessory have two retention members 116, 118 in a generally spaced and parallel arrangement. As noted above, other embodiments may have as few as one retention member as described above, or suitable variations thereof, or may have more than two retention members.

Disclosed embodiments of the retention member 116, 118 of the present invention may also present a catch 144 near the free end 140 of the second elongated member 132. The catch 144 may be formed as an integral part of the second elongated member 132 and include a bight 146 and a flared end 148. The catch 144 is preferably a unitary structure with the second elongated member 132, but the catch 144 may be alternatively fabricated to be formed of different mechanisms and/or materials and still satisfy the objectives of the catch 144. The disclosed bight 146 is preferably arcuate and so dimensioned to span at least a portion of the throat 136 between the first 130 and second 132 elongated members. The bight 146 is alternatively configurable to present differing angled segments 150, 152 with respect to the second elongated member 132. For instance, the bight 146 may present a more graduated angled segment 150 extending from the transition of the bight 146 to the flared end 148. Additionally, the bight 146 may present a sharper angled segment 152 on the second elongated member 132 on the bridge 134 side of the bight 146. Moreover, preferred bights 146 span substantially the entire throat 136 between the first 130 and second 132 elongated members, but alternatively configured bights may be formed to span less or more of the throat 136. Moreover, the preferred bight 146 has a width substantially equal to the width of the second elongated member 132, but wider or narrower widths of the bight 146 are also contemplated. Although embodiments of the of the retention member 116, 118 of the present invention may present a catch 144 near the free end 140 of the second elongated member 132, a catch is not necessary for operation of embodiments of the present invention and other securement and/or locking mechanisms may be suitably employed. Indeed, it is contemplated that no catch be presented near the free end 140 of the second elongated member 132.

The flared end 148 of the catch 144 generally corresponds to the free end 140 of the second elongated member 132. Thus, the flared end 148 may be configured to define a grip 154 generally at the free end 140 of the second elongated member 132. The grip 154 is in communication with the bight 146 and is generally dimensioned to enable the wearer 20 to pull on the grip 154 with a single finger. In this manner the wearer 20 can apply a force to the grip 154 in a direction away from the first elongated member 130 so that the second elongated member 132 resiliently flexes along its length and/or about the bridging member 134, thereby moving the bight 146 away from the first elongated member 130 and providing access to the throat 136. Alternatively, the grip 154 can be configured to catch or otherwise engage a corresponding receiving member 128, and thereby flex elongated members 130, 132 away from each other, as described in further detail below.

An embodiment of the receiving member 128 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The receiving member 128 is configured to cooperatively engage or interact with the retention 116 member to releasably secure the detachable compartment accessory 52 to the kilt 10, or other carrier 8. Notably, in the disclosed embodiment, the receiving member 128 is generally rectangular in shape, having a width that is generally greater than the height thereof. The receiving member 128 may be fabricated of a single piece of metal, but may alternatively be fabricated of multiple pieces, and/or of other suitable materials, such as plastic, textiles, leather, and the like. Respective ends 156, 158 of the disclosed receiving member 128 may be rounded to reduce the presence of sharp corners that may inadvertently snag other materials or surfaces.

The receiving member 128 comprises two opposed distal recessed ends 156, 158 and a raised platform 160 therebetween. The distal ends 156, 158 are each connected to the raised platform 160 by spaced apart vertical legs 162, 164. The raised platform 160 is dimensioned to present an open space between platform 160 and mounting flap 42 having a width capable of receiving the second elongated member 132 of the retention member 116 therethrough. This open space can comprise a receiving area 166 defined by the raised platform 160, the vertical legs162, 164, and the mounting flap 40 or other portion of the kilt 10 or carrier 8 to which the receiving member 128 is attached. The receiving area 166 cooperatively slidably receives the second elongated member 132 of the retention member 116 as further described below. As will be discussed in further detail below, the raised platform 160 cooperates with the second elongated member 132 to facilitate detachable securement of the compartmental accessory 52 with the kilt 10 or other carrier 8.

The distal ends 156, 158 of the receiving member 128 define securement areas of the receiving member. In this manner, rivets 168 may be used adjacent distal ends 156, 158 to secure the receiving member 128 to the mounting flap 40 of the kilt 10. While the receiving member 128 is shown riveted to the mounting flap 40 of the kilt 10, other securement means, such as mechanical, magnetic, and/or chemical (i.e. adhesive) fasteners, may be employed to achieve similar results. Moreover, the securement means may be releasable such that the receiving member 128 may be selectively removed and/or alternatively positioned by the wearer 20 at different locations on the kilt 10 or mounting flaps 40, 42 thereof.

Embodiments of the coupling mechanism 124 disclosed herein operate in a manner to slidably couple detachable compartmental accessories 52 to the optional mounting flaps 40, 42 of the kilt 10. Alternatively, the coupling mechanism 124 disclosed herein may operate to slidably couple detachable compartmental accessories 52 to the kilt 10 or portable personal carrier 8 if the optional mounting flaps 40, 42 are not employed. In either instance, the coupling mechanism 124 operates as follows.

The wearer 20 of the kilt 10 or user of the carrier 8 first selects a suitable detachable compartmental accessory 52. The wearer 20 then accesses one of the receiving members 126, 128 positioned on one of the mounting flaps 40, 42 of the kilt 10, typically underneath one of the respective covers 44, 46. The wearer 20 then aligns retention members 114,116 with corresponding receiving members 126, 128 selected for application. The catch 144 of the second elongated member 132 of the retention members 114, 116 is then engaged by the raised platform 160 of the respective receiving members 126, 128 and is inserted into and through the receiving area 166 thereof. Notably, the second elongated member 132 is configured to resiliently flex outwardly away from the first elongated member 130 as the bight 146 passes by the raised platform 160, with the platform 160 passing into the throat 136. Alternatively, the bridge 134 is configured to resiliently flex, thereby permitting the second elongated member 132 to be positioned away from the first elongated member 130. Further still, the second elongated member 132 and the bridge 134 can both be configured to resiliently flex and thereby permit at least a portion of the second elongated member 132 to be temporarily moved away from the first elongated member 130, the relative positioning of the first and second elongated members 130, 132 being of import. The more graduated angle 150 of the transition from the bight 146 to the flared end 148 may facilitate attachment of the retention member 116 to the receiving member 128 by acting as a ramp to assist the bight's 146 passing of the raised platform 160 when attaching the detachable interchangeable compartmental accessory 52 to the kilt 10 or other carrier 8. Once the bight 146 has passed the raised platform 160, the second elongated member 132, the bridge 134, or both the bridge 134 and second elongated member 132 resiliently flex back toward the first elongated member 130 such that the bight 146 substantially spans the throat 136 between the elongated members 130, 132, thereby effectively securing the detachable compartmental accessory 52 to the mounting flap 40 of the kilt 10. Each retention member 114,116 is secured to respective receiving members 126, 128 in a like fashion. Once secured, the arcuate bridging member 134 may rest substantially on the raised platform 160, but such an arrangement is not required. Moreover, the cover 46 may optionally be pulled back down to partially conceal the coupling mechanism 124 so that viewers of the kilt 10 and detachable compartmental accessory 52 are unaware that the compartmental accessory 52 is detachable and it appears that the compartmental accessory 52 is an integral part of the kilt 10.

Removal of the detachable compartmental accessory 52 may be accomplished as follows. It should be noted that when the detachable compartmental accessory 52 is coupled to the kilt 10 or other carrier 8, the sharper angled segment 152 presented by the transition of the bight 146 to the second elongated member 132 on the bridge 134 side of the bight 146 is configured to discourage inadvertent removal, or decoupling, of the accessory 52 from the kilt 10 or other carrier 8. Indeed, the sharper angle 152 acts similar to a stop, thereby requiring the wearer 20 to apply a force to open the throat 136 and allow decoupling of the compartmental accessory 52 from the kilt 10 or other carrier 8. Notably, first, the wearer 20 may apply a force to the grip 154 of the second elongated member 132 away from the first elongated member 130, thereby causing the second elongated member 132 to yieldably flex and provide access to the throat 136. Alternatively, the force may cause the bridging member 134 to yieldably flex to provide access to the throat 136. Further still, the force may cause both the bridging member 134 and the second elongated member 132 to both yieldably flex and provide access to the throat 136. In this manner, any portion of the retention member 116 may flex to provide access to, and thus open, the throat 136. Once the throat 136 is open, the user slidably removes the second elongated member 132 and bight 146 through and out of the receiving area 166. Once the bight 146 has passed by the raised platform 160 and is free of the receiving member 128, the user may release the grip 154 of the catch 144, which causes the resiliency of the second elongated member 132 and/or the bridging member 134 to flex the second elongated member 132 back toward the opposing first elongated member 130, such that access to the throat 136 is substantially closed by the bight 146. This process is repeated for each retention member 114, 116 of the detachable compartmental accessory 52. Once the detachable compartmental accessory 52 is removed, the cover 44 is pulled back down to conceal the mounting flap 40 and receiving members 126, 128. Alternatively, another detachable compartmental accessory 52 may be applied, or the receiving members 126, 128 may be removed from the carrier 8.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the claims appended herein. Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:

Claims

1. A portable personal carrier comprising:

a detachable compartmental accessory; and

a coupling mechanism slidably coupling said detachable compartmental accessory to said carrier,

said coupling mechanism comprising a retention member and a receiving member.

2. The portable personal carrier of claim 1,

said a retention member affixed to one of said detachable compartment accessory or said carrier and having a first elongated member, a second elongated member opposing said first elongated member, and a bridging member connecting said first and second elongated members;

said receiving member affixed to the other of said detachable compartmental accessory or said carrier, and configured to slidably receive said second elongated member of said retention member.

3. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

wherein at least one point of said second elongated member is biased toward said first elongated member.

4. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said second elongated member comprising a flared end located distal said bridging member,

said flared end being angled away from said first elongated member.

5. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said bridging member being configured to rest on said receiving member when said coupling mechanism is engaged.

6. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said retention member comprising a restraining member located distal said bridging member,

said restraining member being configured to partially impede decoupling of said retention member from said receiving member when said coupling mechanism is engaged.

7. The portable personal carrier of claim 6,

said restraining member protruding from said second elongated member and being biased toward said first elongated member.

8. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said receiving member being substantially received between said first and second elongated members, said bridging member, and said restraining member when said coupling mechanism is engaged.

9. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said bridging member being substantially arcuate.

10. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said receiving member comprising a raised portion positioned between two opposed recessed ends,

said recessed ends being affixed to said carrier.

11. The portable personal carrier of claim 10,

said raised portion of said receiving member being configured to slidably receive said second elongated member of said retention member,

said raised portion and said second elongated member being substantially transverse when said coupling mechanism is engaged.

12. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said retention member and said receiving member being formed of metal.

13. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said retention member being a clip.

14. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

one of said detachable compartmental accessory or said carrier comprising at least two of said receiving members,

the other of said compartmental accessory or said carrier comprising at least two of said retention members for coupling with said receiving members.

15. The portable personal carrier of claim 2,

said first and second elongated members being configured to be substantially vertical when said carrier and compartmental accessory are upright.

16. The portable personal carrier of claim 1,

said compartmental accessory comprising at least one pocket.

17. The portable personal carrier of claim 1,

said compartmental accessory comprising a bullet strap configured to hold a plurality of bullets.

18. The portable personal carrier of claim 1,

said carrier comprising an article of clothing.

19. The portable personal carrier of claim 18,

said article of clothing being selected from the group consisting of a kilt, pants, shorts, and skirt.

20. The portable personal carrier of claim 1,

said carrier comprising an accessory.

21. The portable personal carrier of claim 20,

said accessory comprising a backpack.

22. The portable personal carrier of claim 1,

said accessory comprising a saddle.