Expandable Bags, Carrying Cases, and Luggage Systems
A bag has a frame with a lip disposed about a periphery of the frame. The frame has an outer panel and an extension that couples the outer panel to the frame. The extension is configured to have an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The extension extends laterally outward beyond the lip of the frame when the extension is in the expanded configuration, and the extension resides laterally inward of the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration. A first magnet is disposed at an end surface of the outer panel. A second magnet is disposed at an inner surface of the frame. The first magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the second magnet when the extension member is in the collapsed configuration. The extension further comprises a hinge.
This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority from provisional application 62/207,637 filed Aug. 20, 2015 by same inventor Peter Chin, under the same title Expandable Bags, Carrying Cases, and Luggage Systems, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This non-provisional utility patent application also claims priority from provisional application 62/196,265 filed Jul. 23, 2015 by same inventor Peter Chin, under the same title Expandable Bags, Carrying Cases, and Luggage Systems, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to bags, carrying cases and luggage systems.
Description of the Related Art
Bags or carrying cases are a handy way to transport items. Bags having shoulder straps are convenient because the user's hands may remain free while the bag is being carried. The carrying needs of the user may change, with the user requiring a bag with more or less carrying capacity. For example, in the case of a messenger bag or briefcase, the carrying needs of the user may change between individual parts of a trip. Sleek and low-profile bags are chic but have a limited carrying capacity. Bags with large carrying capacities may be bulky or appear less fashionable. Current bags with expandable capacity typically utilize zippers, buttons or the like to deploy hidden compartments. However, zippers and buttons detract from the aesthetics and sleek appearance of certain bags such as messenger bags. Thus, existing bags or carrying cases often require a user to compromise between fashion and utility.
As mentioned above, bags and carrying cases such as a messenger bag may be worn over the shoulder and used to carry items from one place to another. The user may need to carry more or less items on different parts of the user's trip. A bag having a large carrying capacity may be needed only briefly. Messenger bags having a sleek, low-profile look are chic and elegant but may not accommodate all the carrying needs of the user. Zippers and other conventional methods of expanding the capacity of bags would detract the sleek aesthetic appeal of messenger bags and other carrying cases. What is needed is a bag or carrying case that can be compacted into a low-profile design when the user does not need a large carrying capacity, thereby giving the bag a sleek look.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA bag having an expansion member configured to reversibly expand an outer panel away from a central frame of the bag is provided. The expansion member can assume a collapsed configuration whereby the outer panel is pulled flush with the central frame and gives the bag a sleek look. The expansion member can assume an expanded configuration whereby the outer panel extends away from the central frame, thereby increasing the carrying capacity of the bag.
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to bags, carrying cases, and luggage systems for adjusting carrying capacity to a user's needs. However, it will be appreciated that apparatuses and systems described herein encompass a wide variety of bags, carrying cases, luggage systems including but not limited to suitcases, carry-ons, totes, messenger bags, laptop bags, backpacks, handbags, briefcases, carrying cases for electronic devices, and bags in general. Moreover, the systems and apparatuses may have application to other fields. In some embodiments, the systems may be used for the storage of tools, electronics, medical supplies, photography equipment and other items.
A bag has a frame with a lip disposed about a periphery of the frame. The frame has an outer panel and an extension that couples the outer panel to the frame. The extension is configured to have an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The extension extends laterally outward beyond the lip of the frame when the extension is in the expanded configuration, and the extension resides laterally inward of the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration. A first magnet is disposed at an end surface of the outer panel. A second magnet is disposed at an inner surface of the frame. The first magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the second magnet when the extension member is in the collapsed configuration. The extension further comprises a hinge. The hinge is configured to pull the outer panel flush with the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration.
These and other features, aspects and advantages will now be described in connection with certain embodiments, in reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. The following are brief descriptions of the drawings.
The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the elements of the drawings.
100 Expandable Bag
102 Expandable Portion
104 Frame
106 Extension
110 Outer Panel
112 Inner Panel
114 Bottom Edge
120 Strap
122 Lip
124 Magnet
126 Recess
132 Distal end
136 Proximal End
140 Internal Surface
142 Gap
146 Hinge
150 Proximal Portion
152 Distal Portion
154 Proximal Hinge
160 Closure
162 Flap
164 Mouth
176 Shoulder Straps
178 Medial Panel
200 Bag
202 Expanded Configuration
204 Retracted Configuration
206 Separable Section
208 Separable Section
210 First Magnet
212 Second Magnet
220 Slight Angle
284 Front Panel
288 Back Panel
302 Inner Frame
304 Outer Frame
320 Exterior Surface
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following detailed description is now directed to certain specific embodiments of the disclosure. In this description, reference is made to the figures wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout the description and the drawings. Described below are various embodiments of an expandable bag for adjusting to the carrying needs of the user. In some aspects, the present disclosure is directed to low-profile messenger bags or backpacks that compact to a sleek design when a large carrying capacity is unneeded by the user.
The bag 100 may include a plurality of extensions 106. The plurality of extensions 106 can be configured to be independently deployed from one another. For example, the embodiment depicted in
The bag 100 may include a strap 120. Additionally and alternatively, the bag 100 may have no strap 120 or the bag 100 may have more than one straps 120. The strap 120 can be connected to the frame 104 of the bag. Additionally and alternatively, the strap 120 may be connected to the bag 100 at a location other than the frame 104 (e.g., the outer panel 110).
Additionally and alternatively, the bag 100 may include fasteners (not shown) that allow the mouth 164 of the bag 100 to be opened or closed. The bag 100 may include a divider 162. The divider 162 can attach to the frame 104 or to another feature of the bag 100. The divider 162 may divide the interior of the bag 100 into different compartments. The divider 162 may separate an expansion compartment 166 from a frame compartment 168. The bag may include multiple dividers 162. The divider 162 may be made from an elastic fabric such as spandex. The divider 162 may be made from a material including cotton, nylon, polyester, or other material.
As shown in
Still referring to
The present disclosure encompasses many different placements of the magnets. For example, additionally and alternatively, one or more magnets 124 c, d may be located on the extension 106.
The present disclosure includes combinations of the aspects herein disclosed. For example,
The present disclosure can be applied to bags 100 having other configurations other than an over the shoulder tote or cross-body messenger bag. For example, the present disclosure can include duffle bags, backpacks, suitcases, totes, satchels, and other configurations of bags.
Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees.
Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, it will be recognized that any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.
For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Moreover, while illustrative embodiments have been described herein, the scope of any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Further, the actions of the disclosed processes and methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering actions and/or inserting additional actions and/or deleting actions. It is intended, therefore, that the specification and examples be considered as illustrative only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the claims and their full scope of equivalents.
Claims
1. A bag comprising:
- a frame having a lip disposed about a periphery of the frame;
- an outer panel; and
- an extension that couples the outer panel to the frame, the extension being configured to assume an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration,
- wherein the extension extends laterally outward beyond the lip of the frame when the extension is in the expanded configuration, and wherein the extension resides laterally inward of the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration.
2. The bag of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first magnet disposed at an end surface of the outer panel; and
- a second magnet disposed at an inner surface of the frame.
3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the second magnet when the extension member is in the collapsed configuration.
4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the extension further comprises a hinge.
5. The bag of claim 4, wherein the hinge is configured to pull the outer panel flush with the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration.
6. The bag of claim 5, wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the second magnet when the extension member is in the collapsed configuration.
7. The bag of claim 6, further including a strap, wherein the strap is connected to the frame of the bag and to the extension, wherein the strap retains the extension to the frame when the extension member is in the expanded configuration.
8. The bag of claim 5, wherein the outer panel is formed as a rigid or resiliently flexible member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 6, 2016
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2017
Inventor: Peter Chin (Fontana, CA)
Application Number: 15/203,553