RECONFIGURABLE STORAGE DEVICE
A binder device including a body having a first cover and a second cover directly or indirectly pivotally coupled together and at least partially defining an inner compartment therebetween. The body further includes a binding mechanism positioned in the inner compartment, a first body securing device coupled to the body, and a second body securing device coupled to the body. The binder device includes a strap including first and second strap segments. The strap is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second strap segments are releasably coupled together to form a continuous strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user, and a second configuration wherein the first strap segment is releasably coupled the first body securing device and the second strap segment is releasably coupled to the second body securing device such that the first and second strap segments each at least partially defines a loop. Each loop is shaped and configured to receive an arm of a user therethrough such that the binder device is wearable on a back of the user in the manner of a backpack. Each strap segment is configured to be releasably coupled to only one of the first or second body securing devices.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/932,141, filed on Nov. 4, 2015, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/074,914, filed on Nov. 4, 2014. The entire contents of both of those applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention is directed to a storage device, and more particularly, to a storage device with a strap that can be variously configured.
BACKGROUNDStorage bags or devices, such as binders, pouches, bags, pockets, briefcases and the like are used to store a variety of components. The storage devices may include an inner compartment in which components may be stored, and a handle or carrying strap. However, existing bags may not provide reconfiguration capabilities such that the bag can be carried in various manners.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, the present invention is a binder device including a body having a first cover and a second cover directly or indirectly pivotally coupled together and at least partially defining an inner compartment therebetween. The body further includes a binding mechanism positioned in the inner compartment, a first body securing device coupled to the body, and a second body securing device coupled to the body. The binder device includes a strap including first and second strap segments. The strap is movable between a first configuration wherein the first and second strap segments are releasably coupled together to form a continuous strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user, and a second configuration wherein the first strap segment is releasably coupled the first body securing device and the second strap segment is releasably coupled to the second body securing device such that the first and second strap segments each at least partially defines a loop. Each loop is shaped and configured to receive an arm of a user therethrough such that the binder device is wearable on a back of the user in the manner of a backpack. Each strap segment is configured to be releasably coupled to only one of the first or second body securing devices.
As shown in
As shown in
The binding mechanism 22 can be positioned in the inner compartment 14 such that various bound items can be positioned in the inner compartment 14. In addition, various pockets or the like can be positioned in the inner compartment 14 or items can be loosely positioned in the inner compartment 14. The illustrated storage device 10 further includes a handle 26 positioned on an outer surface of the casing 12 to provide a convenient structure by which a user can carry the storage device 10. In one case the handle 26 provides or defines an opening through which a user can extend his or her hand to manually carry the casing 12. Moreover the storage device 10 need not necessarily include a binding mechanism 22 and need not take the form of a binder. The storage device 10 could instead take the form of, for example, a bag, pocket, pouch, briefcase etc., or nearly any component capable of being carried and storing items therein.
The storage device 10 also includes a carrying strap 28 that can be of a fixed or adjustable length and can be arranged in various configurations. The strap 28 can take the form of a longitudinally extending piece of material made of the same or different materials than the casing 12. In the embodiment of
The strap 28 is arranged in a first configuration in
The storage device 10/casing 12 can be generally rectangular in front view, and in the first configuration the strap 28 is secured at or adjacent to first 34 and second 36 outer portions, respectively, which constitute left and right portions of the storage device 10/casing 12 in front view, between which is positioned a middle portion 38. Although the dimensions and delineations of the outer 34, 36 and middle 38 portions can vary, in one case each outer portion 34, 36 comprises an outer 25% of the length (extending laterally, in a generally left-to-right direction in
The storage device 10 can include a strap securing device 40 and a body securing device 42 which are releasably attachable together to thereby releasably attach the strap 28 to the casing 12, and more particularly in one case to the middle portion 38. The strap securing device 40 is positioned on or coupled to the strap 28, and in the illustrated embodiment takes the form of a hook or clasp 40 coupled to a loop 44 that is slidable along a length of the strap 28 (in one case slidable along at least about 50% of a length of the strap 28, or in another case a distance equal to at least about 50% of the length of the casing 12). The illustrated body securing device 42 is positioned on or coupled to the casing 12, and more particularly the handle 26 in the embodiment of
With reference to
The strap 28 can be moved to its second configuration by releasably securing the strap 28 to the casing 12, such as by connecting the strap securing device 40 to the body securing device 42, as shown in
When the strap 28 is secured to the casing 12 in its second configuration, the strap 28 is thereby secured to the middle portion 38 of the casing 12 and the strap 28 at least partially defines a pair of loops 46. Each loop 46 is shaped and configured to receive an arm of a wearer therethrough such that the storage device 10 can be carried on a back of the wearer in the manner of a backpack, as shown in
In the particular embodiment of
It should also be understood that the body securing device 42 can be positioned at a variety of locations on the casing 12, and need not necessarily be positioned on the handle 26. For example, in the embodiment shown in
The strap 28′ is also movable to a second configuration wherein each strap segment 28a, 28b is individually releasably attached to the casing 12, and more particularly to an outer portion 34, 36 of the casing 12 in one case. In particular, as shown in
In this configuration each strap segment 28a, 28b is releasably attached to the casing 12 at their distal ends to form a pair parallel of strap loops 54. Each strap loop 54 is shaped and configured to receive an arm of a user therethrough such that the storage device 10′ can be carried on a back of the wearer in the manner of a backpack, analogous to the configuration shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, one of the body securing devices 52 (the left body securing device 52, in the illustrated embodiment) has a male configuration, configured to be coupled to the corresponding strap segment attachment device 48 (the female strap segment attachment device 48, on the left in
In this manner the storage device 10, 10′ can be arranged in various different configurations to be carried in different manners. This provides great flexibility to allow the storage device 10 to be configured and carried as desired, and the reconfiguration process is intuitive and easy to implement.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A storage device comprising:
- a body including: a first cover; a second cover pivotally coupled to the first cover along a spine, wherein the first cover is spaced from the second cover to define an inner compartment of the body; a binding mechanism positioned in the inner compartment; and a handle coupled to a central portion of the spine;
- a first body securing device coupled to the body;
- a second body securing device coupled to the body; and
- a first strap segment having a base end and a distal end, the base end of the first strap segment coupled to the body adjacent the spine at a first attachment location, wherein the first attachment location is spaced apart from a first side of the handle, and wherein the distal end of the first strap segment is configured to be coupled to the first body securing device and not the second body securing device;
- a second strap segment having a base end and a distal end, the base end of the second strap segment coupled to the body adjacent the spine at a second attachment location, wherein the second attachment location is spaced apart from a second, opposite side of the handle, and wherein the distal end of the second strap segment is configured to be coupled to the second body securing device and not the first body securing device;
- wherein the first and second strap segments are movable to a first configuration wherein the distal end of the first strap segment and the distal end of the second strap segment are releasably coupled together to form a continuous strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user; and
- wherein the first and second strap segments are movable to a second configuration wherein the distal end of the first strap segment is releasably coupled to the first body securing device to form a first loop and the distal end of the second strap segment is releasably coupled to the second body securing device to form a second loop.
22. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the base end of the first strap segment is slidably coupled to the body at the first attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap segment is slidably coupled to the body at the second attachment location.
23. The storage device of claim 22, wherein the first attachment location includes a first attachment loop and the base end of the first strap segment includes a first clasp configured to couple to the first attachment loop, and wherein the second attachment location includes a second attachment loop and the base end of the second strap segment includes a second clasp configured to couple to the second attachment loop.
24. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the base end of the first strap segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the first attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the second attachment location.
25. The storage device of claim 24, wherein the base ends of the first and second strap segments are non-releasably coupled to the respective first and second attachment locations.
26. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the first and second strap segments are directly coupled together in the first configuration.
27. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the first body securing device includes a male snap clip, the second body securing device includes a female snap clip, the distal end of the first strap segment includes a female snap clip, and the distal end of the second strap segment includes a male snap clip.
28. The storage device of claim 21, further comprising a sleeve slidably mounted on one of the first and second strap segments.
29. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the binding mechanism comprises one or a combination of a 3-ring binding, a coil binding, a wire binding, a clip, a cord, a ribbon, a clamp, a connector, an adhesive, and a book binding.
30. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the first and second body securing devices are coupled to the first cover of the body.
31. The storage device of claim 30, wherein the first and second body securing devices are coupled to respective corners of the first cover opposite the spine.
32. A storage device comprising:
- a body including: a first cover; a second cover pivotally coupled to the first cover along a spine, wherein the first cover is spaced from the second cover to define an inner compartment of the body; at least one binding ring configured to bind papers or other items in the inner compartment; and a handle coupled to a central portion of the spine;
- a male snap clip coupled to the first cover of the body;
- a female snap clip coupled to the first cover of the body; and
- a first strap segment having a base end and a distal end, the base end of the first strap segment coupled to the body adjacent the spine at a first attachment location, wherein the first attachment location is spaced apart from a first side of the handle, and wherein the distal end of the first strap segment includes a female snap clip;
- a second strap segment having a base end and a distal end, the base end of the second strap segment coupled to the body adjacent the spine at a second attachment location, wherein the second attachment location is spaced apart from a second, opposite side of the handle, and wherein the distal end of the second strap segment includes a male snap clip;
- wherein the first and second strap segments are movable to a first configuration wherein the female snap clip of the first strap segment and the male snap clip of the second strap segment are releasably coupled together to form a continuous strap that is wearable over a shoulder of a user; and
- wherein the first and second strap segments are movable to a second configuration wherein the female snap clip of the first strap segment is releasably coupled to the male snap clip of the body to form a first loop and the male snap clip of the second strap segment is releasably coupled to the female snap clip of the body to form a second loop.
33. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the base end of the first strap segment is slidably coupled to the body at the first attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap segment is slidably coupled to the body at the second attachment location.
34. The storage device of claim 33, wherein the first attachment location includes a first attachment loop and the base end of the first strap segment includes a first clasp configured to couple to the first attachment loop, and wherein the second attachment location includes a second attachment loop and the base end of the second strap segment includes a second clasp configured to couple to the second attachment loop.
35. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the base end of the first strap segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the first attachment location, and wherein the base end of the second strap segment is fixedly coupled to the body at the second attachment location.
36. The storage device of claim 35, wherein the base ends of the first and second strap segments are non-releasably coupled to the respective first and second attachment locations.
37. The storage device of claim 32, further comprising a sleeve slidably mounted on one of the first and second strap segments.
38. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the first and second body securing devices are coupled to respective corners of the first cover opposite the spine.
39. The storage device of claim 32, wherein the first and second strap segments are directly coupled together in the first configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 29, 2021
Publication Date: Oct 14, 2021
Inventors: Noah E. Dingler (Phoenixville, PA), Patrick B. Nolan (Royersford, PA), Andrew Toth (Schwenksville, PA), Edward P. Busam (Mason, OH), Richard H. Harris (Xenia, OH), Peter M. Bartlett (Spring Valley, OH)
Application Number: 17/243,833