INTEGRATED MULTI-COMPONENT TRAVEL AND BACKPACK

Abstract

An integrated connection system combines disparate bags into one wearable unit. The system allows users maximum flexibility concerning capacity and configuration during travel. The system, configured as a backpack, allows users significant freedom of movement. The system can integrate a main backpack, a duffel bag, a laundry bag and a garment bag in a single, wearable system. The system can be used as one complete integrated system or the components can be used separately. The main backpack can be used to store valuables and for specific excursions; the duffel can be used to provide capacity to detach to store a traveler's bulk load in any given secure location; the garment bag can be removed and hung in a closet; and the laundry bag can be detached to carry cloths to be cleaned, for example.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/609,809, filed Mar. 12, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to travel/adventure packs and, more particularly, to an integrated travel/adventure backpack which conforms to the user's needs for capacity and flexibility.

Many travelers, faced today with increasing baggage fees and the fear of lost luggage, choose to carry their baggage with them. Similarly, many travelers, because they do not have a place to keep their baggage or for security reasons (such as when staying at Hostels with no secure place to store belongings), prefer to carry their belongings with them.

This, however, can become cumbersome, as there is often a need for a place to keep clean clothes, a place for dirty clothes, a place for more formal clothes, and the like. Many travelers can be seen carrying multiple bags through an airport, for example. Often, they are haphazardly strapped together, often with one bag on wheels and the other bags attached. While this configuration can work, but all too often, one bag shifts, requiring the traveler to stop and reposition their bags.

As can be seen, there is a need for an integrated backpack system having multiple packs that connect together in a stable, easy to use configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an integrated baggage system comprises a main backpack portion operable to be worn on a user's back; a duffel portion removably attached to the main backpack portion at a top, bottom and each side of the main backpack portion; wherein the duffel portion includes a plurality V-flaps, each containing a first set of connectors, wherein each of the first set of connectors are adapted to connect to a plurality of second sets of connectors disposed on the main backpack portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, an integrated baggage system comprises a main backpack portion operable to be worn on a user's back; a duffel portion removably attached to the main backpack portion at a top, bottom and each side of the main backpack portion; a laundry bag extendable from a pocket formed in a side portion of the duffel portion, the laundry bag extendable over a front portion of the duffel portion and attachable to an opposite side portion of the duffel portion; a garment bag removably disposed in an expandable garment sleeve pocket disposed on a front portion of the duffel portion; and stabilizer straps extending from a back portion of the duffel portion and operable to secure to the main backpack portion, wherein the duffel portion includes a plurality V-flaps, each containing a first set of connectors, wherein each of the first set of connectors are adapted to connect to a plurality of second sets of connectors disposed on the main backpack portion.

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 side view of a backpack portion of an integrated pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the backpack portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the backpack portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the backpack portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the backpack portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the backpack portion of FIG. 1 attached to a duffel portion of the integrated pack of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the duffel portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the duffel portion attached to the backpack portion;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the duffel portion attached to the backpack portion;

FIG. 10 right side view of the duffel portion of the integrated pack;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the duffel portion of the integrated pack;

FIG. 12 is a back view of the duffel portion of the integrated pack;

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the duffel portion of the integrated pack, showing a laundry bag extended therefrom;

FIG. 14 is a back view of a garment sleeve disposable in the duffel portion of the integrated pack; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of the garment sleeve of FIG. 14.

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.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated connection system that combines disparate bags into one wearable unit. The system allows users maximum flexibility concerning capacity and configuration during travel. The system, configured as a backpack, allows users significant freedom of movement. The system can integrate a main backpack, a duffel bag, a laundry bag and a garment bag in a single, wearable system. The system can be used as one complete integrated system or the components can be used separately. The main backpack can be used to store valuables and for specific excursions; the duffel can be used to provide capacity to detach to store a traveler's bulk load in any given secure location; the garment bag can be removed and hung in a closet; and the laundry bag can be detached to carry cloths to be cleaned, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a main backpack portion 10 of the integrated backpack system of the present invention, includes a main body 12 defining an main interior section of the main backpack portion 10. The main body 12 can be made of a front portion 14, side portions 16 and a back portion 18. The side portions 16 can include one or more mesh pockets 20 with elastic binding 22 as an exterior storage pocket. The mesh pockets 20 can be from about 4 to about 8 inches high, typically about 6 inches high along the side portions 16. Lash tabs 24 can be disposed on an upper part of the side portions 16. The lash tabs 24 can be, for example, sized for 1-inch webbing. A main zipper 26 can be disposed along the side portions 16 and a top portion 28 of the main body 12 to allow access inside the main body 12. A grab handle 40 can extend from the top portion 28. Female buckles 58 can be disposed on each of the side portions 16, disposed along a seam formed between the side portions 16 and the back portion 18.

The front portion 14 can include a first front zipper 30 to provide access to the interior of the main body 12. A second front zipper 32 can provide access to a flat front pocket formed in the main body 12. A plurality of gear loops 36 can be disposed from elastic webbing for securing gear thereto. Reflective piping 38 can be disposed along the front portion 14 in various configurations.

The back portion 18 can include shoulder straps 42 extending from a top end to a bottom end of the back portion 18. The shoulder straps 42 can include padding for user comfort. The shoulder straps 42 can connect to a include a ladderlock 44 to provide a length adjustment for the shoulder straps 42. The shoulder strap 42 can be made of, for example, 19″ long by 2.5 inch wide padded webbing 46 that is connected to 1-inch webbing 47 via the ladderlock 44. A male buckle 48 and a female buckle 50 can be attached to the padded webbing 46. An optional cell phone pocket 52 can be provided along the padded webbing 46. A waist belt 53 can be operable to removably and adjustably attach around a user's waist.

The back portion 18 can include raised airmesh panels 54 formed with, for example, 1.5-2 cm closed cell foam. The raised panels 54 can provide user comfort. Typically, two panels 54 are disposed adjacent to each other, forming an air channel 56 therebetween.

A plastic panel, such as a polyethylene panel, (not shown) can be disposed under the back portion 18 for structural support. In some embodiments, a zipper can be disposed in the top of the lining of the back portion 18 to allow a user to insert and remove the plastic panel as desired.

The top panel 28, as shown in FIG. 4, can include two female buckles 60, typically centered and spaced apart by about 3 to 5 inches. A bottom panel 62, as shown in FIG. 5, can include two female buckles 64. FIG. 5 also shows a V-flap of a duffel portion, as described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 12, a duffel portion 66 can include a duffel main body 68 having a left side 70, a right side 72, a top portion 74, a bottom portion 76, a front side 78 and a back side 80. The duffel portion 66 can attach securely to the main backpack portion 10 of the integrated backpack system of the present invention.

Side V-flaps 82 can be disposed inside a zippered pocket 84 on each side of the back portion 80 of the duffel portion 66. The side V-flaps 82 can be extended out of the zippered pocket 84 and can include male buckles 86 operable to removably engage with the female buckles 58 on the sides of the main backpack portion 10.

Stabilizer straps 88 can be disposed inside a zipper pocket 90 on the back portion 80 of the duffel portion 66. The stabilizer straps 88 can wrap around the backpack portion 10, from top to bottom, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The stabilizer straps 88 can include an adjustment mechanism to permit cinching the straps 88 securely. The stabilizer straps 88 can connect to the male buckle 48 and the female buckle 50 on the shoulder straps 46.

A top V-flap 92 may be disposed inside the zippered pocket 90. A bottom V-flap 94 may be disposed inside the zippered pocket 96. The distance between the zippered pocket 90 and the zippered pocket 94 may be approximate the same as the height of the main backpack portion 10. The V-flaps 92, 94 can include male buckles 98 that can secure to the female buckles 60, 64 on the top panel 28 and bottom panel 62 of the main backpack portion 10.

The top portion 74 can include an access flap 98 having a zipper 100 to open and close. The access flap 98 can provide access inside the duffel. A handle 102 can be attached to the top portion 74. Similarly, a handle 104 can be attached to the bottom portion 76. The handles 102, 104 can be designed and attached in various manners. For example, the handles 102, 104 can be made of a webbing material wrapped with leather and/or padding material/fabric. The handles 102, 104 can be attached to the duffel with stitching and reinforces with a rivet, for example.

The front portion 78 of the duffel can include a zipper 106 to access a flap zip pocket formed in the front portion 78. A garment sleeve pocket 108 can be formed in the front portion 78 and can be sized about 21.5 inches by 12 inches by 2 inches deep. The garment sleeve pocket 108 can be designed to expand by about 3.5 inches deep to accommodate a garment sleeve, as described below.

A main zipper 110 can provide access to the inside of the duffel. Typically, the main zipper 110 can extend at least around three sides of the duffel. Pocket piping 112 can be included about the garment sleeve pocket 108. Duffel piping 114 can be included about the perimeter of the duffel.

Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 13, the left side 70 of the duffel can include male buckles 116 attached thereto. The buckles 116 can be attached with an adjustable webbing 124, for example. The right size 72 of the duffel can include a zip pocket 118 containing a laundry bag 120 (see FIG. 13) disposed therein. The laundry bag 120 can include a seal, such as a zipper 122 to keep contents contained therein. The laundry bag 120 can include female buckles 126 disposed on a distal end thereof such that the laundry bag 120 can extend from the zip pocket 118, extend around the front of the duffel and be secured by attaching the female buckles 126 and the male buckles 116 together. The end opposite the female buckles 126 can be removable secured to the inside of the zip pocket 118 by various means to allow removal of the laundry bag 120. In some embodiments, the laundry bag can be fixed to the inside of the zip pocket 118.

Hook and loop patches 128 can be sewn inside the zip pocket 118 to permit closure of the zip pocket 118 when the laundry bag 120 is extend out of the zip pocket 118.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, a garment bag 130 can be included in the integrated backpack system of the present invention. The garment bag can include a lightweight frame or sheeting 132 disposed in the lower third thereof to provide rigidity for folding the garment bag 130 for storage in the garment sleeve pocket 108. A seam 134 can keep the frame/sheeting 132 in place. The garment bag can include a zipper 136 for access.

The garment bag 130 can include webbing 138 with snaps 140, or the like, to secure with a mating fastener 142 disposed about two-thirds down the garment bag 130. Like typical garment bags, the garment bag 130 of the present invention can have an opening 144 at a top portion to allow hangers to pass through as well as pleated sides 146 for expansion.

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. An integrated baggage system comprising:

a main backpack portion operable to be worn on a user's back;

a duffel portion removably attached to the main backpack portion at a top, bottom and each side of the main backpack portion; wherein

the duffel portion includes a plurality V-flaps, each containing a first set of connectors, wherein each of the first set of connectors are adapted to connect to a plurality of second sets of connectors disposed on the main backpack portion.

2. The integrated baggage system of claim 1, further comprising a laundry bag extendable from a pocket formed in a side portion of the duffel portion, the laundry bag extendable over a front portion of the duffel portion and attachable to an opposite side portion of the duffel portion.

3. The integrated baggage system of claim 1, further comprising connectors to close the pocket after the laundry bag is removed therefrom.

4. The integrated baggage system of claim 1, further comprising a garment bag removably disposed in an expandable garment sleeve pocket disposed on a front portion of the duffel portion.

5. The integrated baggage system of claim 1, wherein the first set of connectors and the second set of connectors are mating buckles.

6. The integrated baggage system of claim 1, further comprising stabilizer straps extending from a back portion of the duffel portion and operable to loop around the main backpack portion.

7. The integrated baggage system of claim 1, further comprising a waist belt attached to the main backpack portion, the waist belt operable to loop around a torso of a user.

8. An integrated baggage system comprising:

a main backpack portion operable to be worn on a user's back;

a duffel portion removably attached to the main backpack portion at a top, bottom and each side of the main backpack portion;

a laundry bag extendable from a pocket formed in a side portion of the duffel portion, the laundry bag extendable over a front portion of the duffel portion and attachable to an opposite side portion of the duffel portion;

a garment bag removably disposed in an expandable garment sleeve pocket disposed on a front portion of the duffel portion; and

stabilizer straps extending from a back portion of the duffel portion and operable to secure to the main backpack portion, wherein

the duffel portion includes a plurality V-flaps, each containing a first set of connectors, wherein each of the first set of connectors are adapted to connect to a plurality of second sets of connectors disposed on the main backpack portion.

9. The integrated baggage system of claim 8, wherein the first set of connectors and the second set of connectors are mating buckles.

10. The integrated baggage system of claim 8, further comprising a waist strap attached to the main backpack portion, the waist belt operable to loop around a torso of a user.

11. The integrated baggage system of claim 8, further comprising shoulder straps operable to allow a user to carry the main backpack portion on their back.