CONVERTIBLE SUPPLY CARRIER

Abstract

Described is a convertible supply carrier which is configurable by a user as a shoulder bag or as a waist pack. The convertible supply carrier includes a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side, a left side, at least one enclosure, and an adjustable strap. A belt securing mechanism is attached to the back side that removably secures the adjustable strap to the back side to configure the supply carrier as a waist pack. A shoulder strap securing mechanism is attached to both the right side and the left side, wherein the shoulder strap securing mechanism removably secures the adjustable strap to the right side and the left side to configure the supply carrier as a shoulder bag. The adjustable strap is secured to the convertible supply carrier by one of the belt securing mechanism or the shoulder strap securing mechanism.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present specification relates generally to convertible supply carriers and more specifically relates to a convertible supply carrier that may be configured by a user as a shoulder bag or as a waist pack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nurses work in a fast-paced environment. They constantly move between patient rooms to care for one patient to another in a short span of time. The level of care varies significantly amongst patients from routine or maintenance care to critical or urgent care. Therefore, nurses must have access to a wide variety of supplies, such as pens, paper, flashlights, scissors, tape, IV wipes, flushes and stethoscopes, at all times.

Currently, nurses carry supplies in the pockets of their scrub tops and scrub pants or place them on tabletops. However, the pockets of nursing uniforms do not have sufficient space to carry all of the supplies that nurses are required to use throughout the duration of their shift and placing them on tabletops often leads nurses to inadvertently leave the supplies at that location. Therefore, nurses carry insufficient supplies and must do numerous trips between patient rooms and utility stations throughout the duration of their shifts to search for supplies required to care for patients with varying necessities. This is exhausting, time-consuming, inefficient, inconvenient, impractical and interruptive for nurses, and contributes to additional stress and physical fatigue of nurses who already experience a stressful work day. As a result, patient care and personal well-being are impacted.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a convertible supply carrier that may be converted between a shoulder bag and a waist pack for nurses.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a convertible supply carrier configurable by a user as a shoulder bag or as a waist pack, the convertible supply carrier comprising: a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side, a left side, and at least one enclosure; an adjustable strap; a belt securing mechanism attached to the back side, wherein the belt securing mechanism removably secures the adjustable strap to the back side to configure the supply carrier as a waist pack; and a shoulder strap securing mechanism attached to both the right side and the left side, wherein the shoulder strap securing mechanism removably secures the adjustable strap to the right side and the left side to configure the supply carrier as a shoulder bag; wherein the adjustable strap is secured to the convertible supply carrier by one of the belt securing mechanism or the shoulder strap securing mechanism.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method for converting a convertible supply carrier from a shoulder bag to a waist pack, the method comprising: detaching a first fastener on a first end of an adjustable strap from a first connector on a convertible supply carrier; detaching a second connector on a second end of the adjustable strap from a second fastener on the convertible supply carrier; securing the adjustable strap through a first loop and a second loop on a back of the convertible supply carrier; and attaching the first fastener on the first end of the adjustable strap to the second connector on the second end of the adjustable strap.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method for converting a convertible supply carrier from a waist pack to a shoulder bag, the method comprising: detaching a first fastener on a first end of an adjustable strap from a second connector on a second end of the adjustable strap; removing the adjustable strap from a first loop and a second loop on a back of a convertible supply carrier; attaching the first fastener on the first end of the adjustable strap to a first connector on a right side of the convertible supply carrier; and attaching the second connector on the second end of the adjustable strap to a second fastener on a left side of the convertible supply carrier.

Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried into effect, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a convertible supply carrier according to an embodiment shown configured to be used as a shoulder bag;

FIG. 2 is a perspective back view of a convertible supply carrier according to an embodiment shown configured to be used as a shoulder bag;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a convertible supply carrier according to an embodiment shown configured to be used as a waist pack;

FIG. 4 is a perspective back view of a convertible supply carrier according to an embodiment configured to be used as a waist pack;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing an upper interior portion of an opened front pocket of a convertible supply carrier containing an elastic band supply holder according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an upper portion of an opened main enclosure of a convertible supply carrier according to an embodiment.

Like reference numerals indicated like or corresponding elements in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-6, convertible supply carrier 100 may comprise a front side 105, a back side 110, a top side 115, a bottom side 120, a right side 125 and a left side 130 defining an enclosure for storage such as top pocket 146, which may be closed by a zipper 147. The top pocket 146 may comprise an inner pocket 148. Alternatively, zipper 147 may be replaced by other types of fasteners such as buttons, snaps, magnetics or excluded entirely, making an open pocket instead of an enclosure. The front side 105 may comprise an open lower pocket 135. Alternatively, the lower pocket 135 may be closed by fasteners such as zippers, buttons, snaps, or magnetics. The front side 105 may also comprise an upper pocket 140 with zipper closure 141. Alternatively, zipper 141 may be replaced by other types of fasteners such as buttons, snaps, magnetics or excluded entirely, making an open pocket instead of an enclosure. The top pocket 146, the inner pocket 148, the lower pocket 135 and the upper pocket 140 may be used to hold a number of different supplies. An elastic band supply holder 160 may be sewn inside the upper pocket 140 at spaced apart locations 161. The elastic band supply holder 160 may be used to elastically retain a number of different supplies. The convertible supply carrier 100 may further comprise a right side pocket 196 and left side pocket 197, which may be used to hold additional supplies. Additionally, the convertible supply carrier 100 may comprise a hanging loop such as twist lock wire rope 190. The twist lock wire rope 190 may be used to hold supplies suitable to be held by a loop such as tape.

According to an embodiment, the convertible supply carrier 100 may be converted or configured into a shoulder bag 100A as shown in FIGS. 1-2 by attaching a first fastener 171 on a first end of an adjustable strap 150 to a first connector 170 on the right side 125 of the convertible supply carrier 100 and by attaching a second connector 176 on a second end of the adjustable strap 150 to a second fastener 175 on the left side 130 of the convertible supply carrier 100. The shoulder bag 100B may then be suspended from a user's shoulder.

According to an embodiment, the convertible supply carrier 100 may be converted or configured into a waist pack 100B as shown in FIGS. 3-4 by attaching the first fastener 171 on the first end of the adjustable strap 150 to the second connector 176 on the second end of the adjustable strap 150. A first loop 180 and a second loop 185 on the back 110 of the convertible supply carrier 100 may be opened and closed with a first releasable snap closure 181 and a second releasable snap closure 186, respectively, securing the adjustable strap 150. The waist pack 100B may then be secured around a user's waist. The user may move the waist pack 100B along the adjustable strap 150 around the user's waist for accessibility to supplies.

The first connector 170, the first fastener 171, the second fastener 175 and the second connector 176 may be composed of hard plastic, metal, or any suitable material of sufficient strength to withstand the maximum weight of the convertible supply carrier 100 and its contents. As shown, the first fastener 171 and the second fastener 175 are female buckle members of side release buckles and the first connector 170 and the second connector 176 are male buckle members of side release buckles. Side release buckles may be used for fast and easy conversion from the shoulder bag 100A to the waist pack 100B and vice versa. In addition, as a safety precaution, side release buckles may be used for fast and easy removal of the convertible supply carrier 100 from the user.

According to other embodiments, the first connector 170, the second fastener 175, the first fastener 171 and the second connector 176 may be replaced with any suitable fasteners, such as snaps, clasps, hooks, snap hooks, D-rings, etc. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the first and second fasteners and/or first and second connectors may be of different types. The adjustable strap 150 may comprise a tri-glide buckle 195 such that the length of the adjustable strap 150 may be adjusted according to a user's size and preference.

The convertible supply carrier 100 may be composed of flexible material such as nylon, cotton, canvas, or any other suitable material known to a skilled person. The convertible supply carrier 100 may be cleaned by hand or in a washing device such as a washing machine.

Embodiments of the present invention as described may be suitable for use by pharmacists, doctors, artists, caretakers, general contractors, cyclists, runners, or anyone else who may need to carry and readily access supplies.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A convertible supply carrier configurable by a user as a shoulder bag or as a waist pack, the convertible supply carrier comprising:

a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side, a left side, and at least one enclosure;

an adjustable strap;

a belt securing mechanism attached to the back side, wherein the belt securing mechanism removably secures the adjustable strap to the back side to configure the supply carrier as a waist pack; and

a shoulder strap securing mechanism attached to both the right side and the left side, wherein the shoulder strap securing mechanism removably secures the adjustable strap to the right side and the left side to configure the supply carrier as a shoulder bag;

wherein the adjustable strap is secured to the convertible supply carrier by one of the belt securing mechanism or the shoulder strap securing mechanism.

2. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier is made at least in part from flexible material.

3. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of the enclosures is a zipper enclosure.

4. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of the enclosures is a button enclosure.

5. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one enclosure is a pocket.

6. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one enclosure comprises an elastic band supply holder.

7. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the adjustable strap is convertible between a shoulder strap and a belt.

8. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the adjustable strap comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first fastener and the second end comprises a second connector.

9. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the belt securing mechanism comprises a first loop and a second loop.

10. The convertible supply carrier of claim 9, wherein the first loop and the second loop comprise releasable snap closures.

11. The convertible supply carrier of claim 10, wherein the first loop and the second loop releasable snap closures may be opened to position the adjustable strap within the belt securing mechanism and then closed to re-form the first and second loops.

12. The convertible supply carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap securing mechanism includes a first connector and a second fastener, wherein the first connector and the second fastener are attached to the right side and the left side of the convertible supply carrier, respectively.

13. A method for converting a convertible supply carrier from a shoulder bag to a waist pack, the method comprising:

detaching a first fastener on a first end of an adjustable strap from a first connector on a convertible supply carrier;

detaching a second connector on a second end of the adjustable strap from a second fastener on the convertible supply carrier;

securing the adjustable strap through a first loop and a second loop on a back of the convertible supply carrier; and

attaching the first fastener on the first end of the adjustable strap to the second connector on the second end of the adjustable strap.

14. A method for converting a convertible supply carrier from a waist pack to a shoulder bag, the method comprising:

detaching a first fastener on a first end of an adjustable strap from a second connector on a second end of the adjustable strap;

removing the adjustable strap from a first loop and a second loop on a back of a convertible supply carrier;

attaching the first fastener on the first end of the adjustable strap to a first connector on a right side of the convertible supply carrier; and

attaching the second connector on the second end of the adjustable strap to a second fastener on a left side of the convertible supply carrier.