Lockable Bag with Secure Mounting Means

Abstract

A drawstring bag with lockable strap using a combination lockable buckle and an internal compartment that is provided with a combination lockable zipper. This bag incorporates a desirably designed bag with the safety of a built-in combination lockable strap and buckle which allows the user to secure it to another object. Additionally, the internal compartment is accessed via a combination lockable zipper. Both locks have built in, easy to remember, codes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/750,013, entitled “Lockable Bag with Secure Mounting Means,” filed on Jan. 8, 2013, and is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bags having a drawstring with a combination lockable buckle to secure the bag to a stationary object and a combination lockable zipper to close the bag's internal compartment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bags, backpacks and valuables are stolen every day. Leaving a bag or valuables unattended valuables lying around, is an open invitation for theft. This is especially prevalent in open, unguarded areas such as beaches and swimming pools where people leave their valuables on a blanket, while swimming or sun bathing.

Generally bags don't have lockable straps allowing them to be secured to a heavy or large object, thus allowing easy theft of the bag. Some add on devices (locks, cables, etc.) have keys which can be easily lost and are troublesome to carry. Furthermore, most of these add on devices are separate from the bag and awkward or inconvenient to carry.

Applicant's inventive bag incorporates a desirable designed bag with the safety of a built-in combination lockable strap and buckle which allows you to secure it to another, larger object. Additionally, the internal compartment is accessed via a combination lockable zipper. These locks have built in, easy to remember codes, or can be easily reprogrammed for other codes the user desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As stated above, bags and valuables are stolen every day. Leaving a bag or unattended valuables lying around is an open invitation for theft. The invention claimed here solves this problem.

Applicant's lockable bag is safely secured to a chair, table or other stationary or heavy object making it difficult, or at least conspicuous if an attempt is made to steal it. The claimed invention differs from bags that currently exist. Prior to this bag, it was very easy for thieves to steal the entire bag or its contents virtually undetected. Applicant's lockable bag makes it very difficult to steal the bag itself or its contents without dragging along whatever the bag is attached to.

This bag incorporates a desirable designed bag with the safety of a built-in combination lockable strap and buckle which allows the user to secure the bag to another object. Preferably the object to which the bag is attached is large, heavy or not easily moved. Additionally, there is an internal compartment which is accessed via a combination lockable zipper. These locks have built in easy to remember, or easy to change, codes. Thus, Applicant's invention provides a bag that can be attached to a larger object, and further provides an internal compartment that is also lockable to secure the contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of the inventive bag with one corner of the bag folded over.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the bag.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view with portions removed of the inventive bag illustrating the top locking zipper.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the drawstrings in cross section and the zipper.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the bag with a corner folded over and showing the rear zipper in the closed position with the fabric strips in the stored position.

FIG. 6 s a rear perspective view with the rear fabric strips in the released position and unlocked position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lockable buckle.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lockable zipper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning first to FIG. 1 there is illustrated Applicant's inventive device or bag 10. Although described herein as a bag, it may be a sack, backpack, satchel, purse or other similar product. For simplicity it will be referred to herein as bag 10, but is meant to encompass all similar products.

The bag 10 has drawstrings 12 that are used to create adjustable shoulder or carrying straps and also provide the means to pull the top of the bag between opened and closed positions. The drawstrings 12 can be made of natural or synthetic materials commonly known in the art. The drawstrings 12 pass through holes 14 and 16 in the bottom of the bag as seen in FIG. 1. The drawstrings 12 pass through a channel 18 in the top 11 of the bag 12 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. The ends of the drawstrings 12 are tied in knots 20. There can also be provided a handle or strap 21 that is sewn onto the face of the bag 10 to provide an extra means for the user to hold and carry the bag 10. The drawstrings 12 are of conventional design and allows the user to adjust the drawstrings to be used as shoulder straps such as on a backpack, or can be pulled tight and carried in one's hand.

As seen in FIG. 3, there is a zipper 22 that is sewn into the top 11 of the bag 10. The zipper 22 allows the user access to an interior compartment of the bag 10. The zipper 22 is comprised of a zipper locking mechanism 24 that has a lockable pull tab 26 that is received into the lock 28. The lock 28 has a lock release lever 30 which has the release controlled by a combination lock 32. A thumbwheel 34 allows the user to dial in the combination to release the lock lever release 30 which in turn allows the user to remove the pull tab 26 from the locking mechanism 24. Thus the zipper can be locked in the closed position and opened when the user inputs the proper combination. Preferably the zipper is made from metal for strength and security. Various types of lockable zippers are available on the market.

In order to secure the bag 10 to a secured or not easily moved stationary object, the bag 10 is provided with a pair of fastening straps 36, 37 as seen in FIG. 6. The fastening straps 36, 37 are normally stored in a zippered compartment or pocket 38 as seen in FIG. 5. The zippered compartment 38 is accessible by means of a zipper 40. When the bag is to be secured to a stationary object, the zipper 40 is opened and the fastening straps 36, 37 are removed from the compartment 38. One end of each of the fastening straps 36, 37 are securely sewn into the compartment 38. On the other end of one of the fastening straps 37 is a male clasp 42. On the other end of the other fastening strap 36 is a female receptacle 44. The female receptacle 44 is a lockable buckle 46 that receives the male clasp 42. The male clasp 42 can be released from the lockable buckle 46 when the proper combination is dialed into the lockable buckle 46. In an alternate embodiment the fastening straps 36, 37 can be fastened directly to the rear surface of the bag 10 and not stored in the compartment 38.

Various lockable buckles are available on the market and one such lockable is illustrated in FIG. 7. The important point is that the fabric straps 36, 37 are securely attached to the male clasp 42 and the female receptacle 44 so that they cannot be removed except by cutting the fabric straps 36, 37.

Once the fabric straps 36, 37 are removed from the compartment 38, they can be wrapped around a chair, bicycle, secure post, etc. with their ends locked to each other so that the bag 10 cannot be removed except by removing the object to which it is attached or cutting the straps 36. Thus it is imperative that the straps 36, 37 be made of a strong flexible material or a reinforced flexible material. To use the inventive bag 10, the user removes the straps 36, 37 with the lockable combination buckle 46 from its internal resting place in the compartment 38 by opening the zipper 40. The clasp 42 is removed from the combination buckle 46, which is opened, and the straps 36, 37 are wrapped around a secure object. The clasp 42 is locked within the buckle 46 and secured therein until the correct combination is displayed and the combination buckle opened. Thus, the bag 10 can be secured to another object making it difficult to remove the bag 10 unless the straps 36 or 37 are cut. After the user deposits his valuables into the main compartment of the bag 10, the user then closes the lockable zipper 24. Its combination lock then prevents unauthorized opening of the zipper 24 unless the correct combination is displayed.

The bag 10 and straps 36, 37 can be made of natural or synthetic materials that can additionally be reinforced with various fibers. The stronger the material, the more difficult it will be for thieves to cut the bag 10 to remove its contents or to cut the straps 36, 37 to steal the entire bag.

The bag 10 can be easily manufactured by sewing together several pre-manufactured items including the combination lockable buckle, zippers and combination zipper, fabric and string or cord to produce the bag, its straps and drawstrings. One can accomplish this assembly and sewing process oneself, or the entire manufacturing process can be outsourced to a commercial or specialized manufacturer.

Additional compartments can be added to the bag 10 creating more storage. The bag could be made into other types of bags for more specialized contents. Additional fabrics including wire mesh could be added to the bag's material to increase its strength to further prevent cutting it open. The configuration for the lockable straps could be altered to amend this safety feature to different types of bags, luggage, attaches, etc.

Thus there has been provided a lockable bag that fully satisfies the objects set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bag comprising:

a main compartment having exterior walls and an open top, the exterior walls having sides, a top and a bottom;

first closure means for selectively opening and closing the open top;

first locking means operatively connected to the first closure means for locking the first closure means in a locked position for restricting access to the main compartment;

a second compartment inside of the first compartment, the second compartment having an opening to the exterior of the bag;

a pair of straps attached to the second compartment, each strap having a first end attached to the second compartment and having the opposite end attached to one part of a lockable fastener, the two parts of the lockable fastener having means for locking the two parts of the lockable fastener together;

second closure means for covering the opening in the second compartment whereby access to the second compartment is controlled by opening the closure means for allowing access to the pair of straps.

2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the first closure means is a zipper mechanism along the open top, with one end of the zipper being at the proximal closed end of the zipper and the other end being at the distal open end of the zipper.

3. The bag of claim 2 wherein the first locking means is a combination lock having a male pull tab on the slider of the zipper and a receiving slot at distal end of the zipper for receiving the male tab in locking engagement.

4. The bag of claim 1 wherein the second compartment is a completely enclosed compartment within the first compartment except for an opening through the exterior wall.

5. The bag of claim 1 wherein the lockable fastener is a combination lock for locking the two opposite ends of the straps to each other around a secure object to keep the bag from being removed from the secure object without entering the combination to release the opposite ends of the straps from each other.

6. The bag of claim 1 wherein the second closure means is a zipper.

7. The bag of claim 1 wherein the second closure means is a hook and loop fastener.

8. The bag of claim 1 and further comprising a cord extending around the perimeter of the top and sides of the bag to create drawstring shoulder straps.

9. The bag of claim 1 and further comprising a handle on the exterior of the bag for allowing the bag to be easily carried.

10. A bag comprising:

a main compartment having a front panel, rear panel, open top and enclosed bottom, the front and real panels having sides and a bottom, the sides and bottom of the front panel attached to the sides and bottom of the rear panel;

a first opening in the top for allowing access to the main compartment;

a lockable zipper across the first opening for restricting access to the main compartment unless the lockable zipper is opened;

a second compartment inside of the main compartment, the second compartment having walls that form an enclosed compartment and having at least one common wall with the main compartment;

a second opening in the common wall of the main compartment for providing access to the second compartment;

a pair of straps attached to the second compartment, each strap having a first end attached to the second compartment and having the opposite end attached to one part of a lockable fastener, the two parts of the lockable fastener having means for locking the two parts of the lockable fastener together;

closure means for closing the second opening whereby access to the second compartment and the pair of straps is controlled by opening and closing the closure means.

11. The bag of claim 10 wherein the lockable fastener comprises a male clasp with locking tabs attached to the end of one of the straps and a female buckle for receiving in locking engagement the male clasp with locking tabs, and a combination lock to control the release of the male clasp when the proper combination is entered into the lock.

12. The bag of claim 10 wherein the lockable fastener is a combination lock for locking the two opposite ends of the straps to each other around a secure object to keep the bag from being removed from the secure object without entering the combination to release the opposite ends of the straps from each other.

13. The bag of claim 10 wherein the closure means is a zipper.

14. The bag of claim 10 wherein the closure means is a hook and loop fastener.

15. The bag of claim 10 and further comprising a cord extending around the perimeter of the sides and top of the bag to create drawstring shoulder straps.

16. The bag of claim 10 and further comprising a handle on the exterior of the bag for allowing the bag to be easily carried.

17. A bag comprising:

a main compartment having exterior walls and an open top, the exterior walls having sides, a top and a bottom;

a zipper mechanism along the open top for selectively opening and closing the open top, with one end of the zipper being at the proximal closed end of the zipper and the other end being at the distal open end of the zipper;

a combination lock operatively connected to the zipper mechanism for locking the zipper mechanism in a locked position for restricting access to the main compartment;

a pair of straps attached to the exterior side of the main compartment, each strap having a first end attached to the exterior side of the main compartment and having the opposite end attached to one part of a lockable fastener, the two parts of the lockable fastener having means for locking the two parts of the lockable fastener together for securing the pair of straps around an object.

18. The bag of claim 17 wherein the lockable fastener is a combination lock for locking the two opposite ends of the straps to each other around a secure object to keep the bag from being removed from the secure object without entering the combination to release the opposite ends of the straps from each other.

19. The bag of claim 18 and further comprising a cord extending around the perimeter of the top and sides of the bag to create drawstring shoulder straps.

20. The bag of claim 17 and further comprising a handle on the exterior of the bag for allowing the bag to be easily carried.