1
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. BAG ARRANGED TO HAVE CONFIGURATIONS FOR CARRYING
RESPECTIVELY AS A MESSENGER BAG AND AS A BACKPACK
2.
1. (A) DECATHLON
(B) France
(C) 4 Boulevard de Mons F-59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq,
France
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is
to be performed.
2
The invention relates to a bag arranged to have
configurations for carrying respectively as a messenger
bag and as a backpack.
Messenger type bags are known comprising a strap for
5 carrying as a messenger bag which extends above the upper
wall of such bags and which is arranged by the carrier on
his/her shoulder, said bags further comprising two
removable straps for carrying as a backpack which are
generally stored in an additional compartment of said bag
10 provided for this purpose when they are not used.
Such bags are not fully satisfactory, in that they
force the carrier seeking to change to a configuration
for carrying as a backpack to remove the bag from his/her
shoulder and to place the bag on a flat surface, for
15 example on the ground, in order to be able to remove the
straps from the additional compartment thereof and to
fasten said straps to said bag.
Similarly, to change from a configuration for
carrying as a backpack to a configuration for carrying as
20 a messenger bag, the carrier must place the bag on such a
flat surface in order to detach the straps for carrying
as a backpack and to store them in the compartment
thereof, and then to extend the strap for carrying as a
messenger bag.
25 For this reason, these bags are not suitable for use
in an urban environment, in that carriers lose time to
change from one carrying configuration to another and/or
to seek a flat surface suitable for making said change.
Document DE-10 055 165 discloses a bag comprising a
30 storage compartment having an inner wall, an outer wall,
a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls, each side
3
wall being equipped with a sleeve having an upper opening
towards said side wall and a lower opening towards the
inner wall.
Furthermore, the bag comprises a carrying strap
5 which is slidably mounted in the sleeves, forming an
upper portion thereof which opens via the upper openings,
and two lower portions which each open via a lower
opening and are attached by a rivet on the top of the
inner wall of the bag.
10 These three portions are arranged to have a
configuration for carrying as a messenger bag wherein the
upper portion is extended facing the bottom wall and the
lower portions are pressed against the inner wall, and a
configuration for carrying as a backpack wherein the
15 upper portion is pressed against the top wall and the
lower portions are extended facing the inner wall.
In order to change from the configuration for
carrying as a messenger bag to the configuration for
carrying as a backpack, the carrier grasps and pulls the
20 lower portions until the upper portion is pressed against
the top wall. Similarly, in order to change from the
configuration for carrying as a backpack to the
configuration for carrying as a messenger bag, the
carrier grasps and pulls the upper portion until the
25 lower portions are pressed against the inner wall.
However, this bag is likewise not fully satisfactory,
in that the carrier always needs to use both hands, and
thus to remove the bag, in order to simultaneously grasp
and pull on the lower portions in order to change from
30 the configuration for carrying as a messenger bag to the
configuration for carrying as a backpack. Consequently,
4
this bag is not suitable for a sufficiently effective
gain of time for the carrier.
The invention is intended to improve the prior art
by particularly proposing a bag which is arranged to
5 enable the carrier thereof to change reversibly from a
configuration for carrying as a messenger bag to a
configuration for carrying as a backpack simply and
quickly, and particularly without forcing said carrier to
remove said bag from his/her back or shoulder.
10 For this purpose, the invention relates to a bag
comprising a storage compartment having an inner wall, an
outer wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls,
each side wall being equipped with a sleeve having an
upper opening towards said side wall and a lower opening
15 towards the inner wall, said bag further comprising a
continuous carrying strap which is slidably mounted in
said sleeves, forming a first portion thereof which opens
via the upper openings, and a second portion which opens
via the lower openings, said portions being arranged to
20 be able to have a configuration for carrying as a
messenger bag wherein the first portion is extended above
the top wall and the second portion is pressed against
the inner wall, and a configuration for carrying as a
backpack wherein both portions are extended facing the
25 inner wall, the change from one configuration to another
being carried out by pulling at least one strap portion
to adjust the length of said portions by sliding the
strap in the sleeves.
Further specificities and advantages of the
30 invention will emerge in the description hereinafter,
with reference to the appended figures, wherein:
5
- figures 1 represent schematically a bag according
to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a
configuration for carrying as a messenger bag (figure 1a),
during the change to a configuration for carrying as a
5 backpack (figure 1b) and in a configuration for carrying
as a backpack (figure 1c);
- figures 2 to 5 represent schematically the
assembly of the components of a sleeve according to one
embodiment of the invention, respectively in a front view
10 (figures (a)) and in a rear view (figures (b));
- figure 6 represents schematically a perspective
view of a guide intended to equip the sleeve of figures 2
to 5.
With reference to these figures, a bag arranged to
15 have configurations for carrying respectively as a
messenger bag and a backpack is described hereinafter.
The bag comprises a storage compartment having an
inner wall 1, an outer wall 2, a top wall 3, a bottom
wall 4 and two side walls 5. In figures 1, the top wall 3
20 comprises a handle 6 for carrying as a briefcase.
In a known manner, the bag comprises an opening for
accessing the storage compartment, said opening being for
example formed at the top wall 3. In particular, the
opening may be formed directly on at least a portion of
25 the length of the top wall 3, while being equipped with a
zip fastener system.
Alternatively, the opening may be formed under the
top wall 3, so as to be covered by said top wall when the
storage compartment is closed. For this purpose, the top
30 wall 3 may comprise a longitudinal end hingedly joined to
the inner wall 1, and a free longitudinal end extended by
a flap which is intended to extend along at least a
6
portion of the outer wall 2 in order to be attached
thereto by the carrier, for example by means of a
reversible press-stud or self-gripping strip attachment
system, when said carrier wishes to close the compartment.
5 Moreover, such an opening may be equipped with a zip
fastener system, the flap covering said system for
aesthetic purposes.
To provide rigidity to the storage compartment, the
bag further comprises a panel 7, for example made of
10 thermoformed foam, said panel being arranged on the inner
wall 1. As such, when the bag is carried on the back, the
panel 7 forms a backing against which said back is in
contact, making it possible to enhance comfort for the
carrier.
15 Each side wall 5 is equipped with a sleeve 8 having
an upper opening 8a towards said side wall and a lower
opening 8b towards the inner wall 1. Moreover, the bag
comprises a continuous carrying strap 9 which is slidably
mounted in the sleeves 8, forming a first portion 9a
20 thereof which opens via the upper openings 8a and a
second portion 9b which opens via the lower openings 8b.
In particular, the strap 9 is unique and continuous
in that it forms a closed loop and may have a width of
50 mm. According to one embodiment, the strap 9 has two
25 edges which are joined at the first portion 9a via means
for adjusting the length of said strap, for example in
the form of a sliding attachment. Furthermore, to enhance
the sliding of the strap 9 in the sleeves 8, said strap
may be embodied with smooth surfaces.
30 Moreover, the portions 9a, 9b of the strap 9 are
arranged to be able to have a configuration for carrying
as a messenger bag wherein the first portion 9a is
7
extended above the top wall 3 and the second portion 9b
is pressed against the inner wall 1, and a configuration
for carrying as a backpack wherein both portions 9a, 9b
are extended facing the inner wall 1, the change from one
5 configuration to another being carried out by pulling at
least one strap portion 9a, 9b to adjust the length of
said portions by sliding the strap 9 in the sleeves 8. In
particular, the continuous nature of the strap 9 is
suitable for actuating the sliding thereof by pulling any
10 portion of said strap, for example by gripping and/or
under the effect of gravity.
The upper opening 8a of each sleeve 8 is arranged
extending from the side wall 5, the lower opening 8b of
each sleeve 8 being inclined towards the inner wall 1. In
15 the embodiment shown, the upper opening 8a extends
horizontally along the side wall 5 and the lower
opening 8b extends vertically along said side wall, such
that said openings are perpendicular with each other.
As such, in the configuration for carrying as a
20 messenger bag (figure 1a), the first strap portion 9a is
extended substantially straight above the top wall 3,
enabling the carrier to arrange said first portion on
his/her shoulder without twisting. To enhance the comfort
of the configuration for carrying as a messenger bag
25 further, the first portion 9a comprises a lining 10, for
example based on foam, which is slidably mounted on said
first portion and which is intended to bear on the
carrier's shoulder.
Similarly, the inclination of the lower openings 8b
30 towards the inner wall 1 enables the second portion 9b of
the strap 9 to be arranged in a substantially straight
manner on said inner wall. Furthermore, the bag may be
8
equipped with a stiffening bar extending between the
lower openings 8b to prevent bending of the inner wall 1
when said bag is carried as a messenger bag.
In the case of the configuration for carrying as a
5 backpack (figure 1c), the inclination of the lower
openings 8b towards the inner wall 1 enables the second
strap portion 9b to be extended in a substantially
straight manner facing said inner wall, which enables the
carrier to arrange said second portion on his/her left
10 shoulder without twisting.
Furthermore, the arrangement of the upper
openings 8a extending from the side walls 5 makes it
possible to create a twisting of the first strap
portion 9a at said openings when the carrier arranges
15 said first portion facing the inner wall 1 to position it
on his/her right shoulder, making it possible to lock the
sliding of the strap 9 and hold the strap portions 9a, 9b
in the configuration for carrying as a backpack.
When changing from the configuration for carrying as
20 a messenger bag to the configuration for carrying as a
backpack (figure 1b) or when changing from the
configuration for carrying as a backpack to the
configuration for carrying as a messenger bag, the
orientation of the openings 8a, 8b enables the strap
25 portions 9a, 9b to slide in a substantially straight
manner, and thus without twisting, in the sleeves 8.
With reference to figure 1b, in order to change from
the configuration for carrying as a messenger bag to the
configuration for carrying as a backpack, the carrier
30 must grasp and pull on the second strap portion 9b to
extend the length thereof (arrow A), simultaneously
causing a reduction of the length of the first strap
9
portion 9a by sliding the strap 9 in the sleeves 8
(arrow B). As such, the carrier obtains the configuration
for carrying as a backpack when the lengths of both strap
portions 9a, 9b are substantially identical.
5 To facilitate the gripping of the second portion 9b,
the inner wall 1 may comprise a recess 11 facing which
said second portion extends to form a zone for gripping
said second portion when it is pressed against said wall
in the configuration for carrying as a messenger bag.
10 With reference to figures 1, the recess 11 is formed on
the panel 7 of the inner wall 1.
Similarly, to change from the configuration for
carrying as a backpack to the configuration for carrying
as a messenger bag, the carrier must grasp and pull on
15 the first strap portion 9a to extend the length thereof,
simultaneously causing a reduction of the length of the
second strap portion 9b by sliding the strap 9 in the
sleeves 8. As such, the carrier obtains the configuration
for carrying as a messenger bag when the second strap
20 portion 9b is pressed against the inner wall 1, the
length of the first strap portion 9a then being maximum.
To facilitate the sliding of the strap 9 in the
sleeves 8, each sleeve 8 may comprise a supporting
member 12 which is mounted on the side wall 5 such that
25 the strap 9 slides between said side wall and said
supporting member. As such, the strap 9 is pressed on the
side wall 5 at the sleeves 8, making it possible to
prevent said strap from twisting in said sleeves.
With reference to figures 2 to 4, the supporting
30 member 12 is a panel, for example made of flexible
plastic, said panel having a thin thickness, for example
of 2 mm. According to the dimensions of the side wall 5,
10
the supporting panel 12 may have a height of 200 mm and a
width of 100 mm. Furthermore, the supporting panel 12
comprises orifices 13 suitable for attaching it to the
side wall 5, for example by means of rivets.
5 Alternatively, the supporting panel 12 may be arranged on
an additional supporting member intended to be attached,
for example by stitching, to the side wall 5.
To facilitate the orientation of the strap 9 to the
inner wall 1, the supporting member 12 comprises a lower
10 end provided with an outer bevelled edge 14 towards the
outer wall 2, the strap 9 folding perpendicularly back
while bearing on said bevelled edge so as to form the
second strap portion 9b. The edge 14 may particularly be
bevelled along an angle of 45° in relation to the upper
15 end 12a of the supporting member 12.
To facilitate the sliding of the strap 9 on the
bevelled edge 14, the supporting member 12 comprises a
plastic bead 15 which is attached, for example by
stitching, to said bevelled edge (figure 2). Moreover,
20 the bead 15 is covered with a sliding border 16, for
example based on nylon, said border being attached, for
example by stitching, to the supporting member 12.
To centre the strap 9 on the bevelled edge 14,
particularly with a view to preventing any untimely
25 lateral sliding of said strap on said edge, the bevelled
edge 14 comprises a central segment 14a and two turnedback
segments 14b arranged on either side of said central
segment, the intersection of each turned-back segment 14b
with the central segment 14a forming an abutment intended
30 to prevent such lateral sliding. In particular, the
turned-back segments 14b are perpendicular to each other.
11
To prevent the strap 9 from twisting near the
openings 8a, 8b of the sleeves 8, the supporting
member 12 of each sleeve 8 is equipped with an upper
guide 17a which is arranged facing the upper opening 8a
5 and a lower guide 17b which is arranged facing the lower
opening 8b, each guide 17a, 17b comprising a slot 18
wherein said strap slides. These guides 17a, 17b are
arranged to prevent friction on the strap 9 on the
passage thereof via the openings 8a, 8b of the sleeves 8,
10 particularly by preventing direct contact of said strap
with the supporting member 12.
With reference to figure 6, each guide 17a, 17b is a
part made for example of plastic, said part having a
slot 18 of low height, particularly less than 4 mm, such
15 that the strap 9 does not have enough room to turn around
in said slot. Furthermore, each guide 17a, 17b comprises
two orifices 19 for attachment, for example by means of
rivets, to the supporting member 12.
In particular, the upper guide 17a is arranged on an
20 inner face 12b of the supporting member 12, i.e. on the
face of said supporting member which is facing the side
wall 5, the lower guide 17b being arranged on an outer
face 12c of said supporting member 12, i.e. the face
opposite the inner face 12b.
25 As such, the strap 9 passes in the upper guide 17a,
and under the supporting member 12, then comes out from
under said supporting member, folding back
perpendicularly by bearing on the bevelled edge 14,
before passing in the lower guide 17b. Furthermore, the
30 guides 17a, 17b are arranged perpendicularly in relation
to each other, so as to facilitate the passage of the
12
strap 8 via the upper 8a and lower 8b openings which are
in turn perpendicular to each other.
Moreover, particularly for aesthetic reasons, the
supporting member 12 and the guides 17a, 17b are covered
5 with an outer lining 20 during the mounting thereof on
the side wall 5, said lining particularly being suitable
for being made of the same material as the side walls 5
of the compartment.
With reference to figure 5, the upper 8a and
10 lower 8b openings of the sleeve 8 are formed during the
mounting of the outer lining 20 on the side wall 5 while
leaving on said lining spaces devoid of any attachment
means to said side wall, at the passages of the strap 9.
In particular, the lining 20 comprises reinforcement
15 areas 21 around the openings 8a, 8b, for example by means
of polyurethane.
Moreover, the outer lining 20 comprises orifices for
enabling the attachment thereof, for example by means of
rivets, on the side wall 5. With reference to figures 2
20 to 5, the various constituent elements 12, 17a, 17b, 20
of the sleeves 8 are joined simultaneously to the side
wall 5 by means of rivets 22, particularly by overlaying
the respective orifices 13, 19 thereof, and by
simultaneous attachment of said rivets in said overlaid
25 orifices.
13
We Claim:
1. Bag comprising a storage compartment having an inner
wall (1), an outer wall (2), a top wall (3), a bottom
wall (4) and two side walls (5), each side wall (5) being
equipped with a sleeve (8) having an upper opening (8a)
5 towards said side wall and a lower opening (8b) towards
the inner wall, said bag being characterised in that it
further comprises a continuous carrying strap (9) which
is slidably mounted in said sleeves, forming a first
portion (9a) thereof which opens via the upper
10 openings (8a), and a second portion (9b) which opens via
the lower openings (8b), said portions being arranged to
be able to have a configuration for carrying as a
messenger bag wherein the first portion (9a) is extended
above the top wall (3) and the second portion (9b) is
15 pressed against the inner wall (1), and a configuration
for carrying as a backpack wherein both portions (9a, 9b)
are extended facing the inner wall (1), the change from
one configuration to another being carried out by pulling
at least one strap portion (9a, 9b) to adjust the length
20 of said portions by sliding the strap (9) in the
sleeves (8).
2. Bag according to claim 1, characterised in that the
opening (8a) of each sleeve (8) is arranged extending
25 from the side wall (5), the lower opening (8b) of each
sleeve (8) being inclined towards the inner wall (1).
3. Bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that
each sleeve (8) comprises a supporting member (12) which
14
is mounted on the side wall (5) such that the strap (9)
slides between said side wall and said supporting member.
4. Bag according to claim 3, characterised in that the
5 supporting member (12) is equipped with an upper
guide (17a) which is arranged facing the upper
opening (8a) and a lower guide (17b) which is arranged
facing the lower opening (8b), each guide (17a, 17b)
comprising a slot (18) wherein said strap (9) slides.
10
5. Bag according to claim 4, characterised in that the
guides (17a, 17b) are arranged perpendicularly in
relation to each other.
15 6. Bag according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that
the upper guide (17a) is arranged on an inner face (12b)
of the supporting member (12), the lower guide (17b)
being arranged on an outer face (12c) of said supporting
member (12).
20
7. Bag according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterised
in that the supporting member (12) comprises a lower end
provided with an outer bevelled edge (14) towards the
outer wall (2), the strap (9) folding perpendicularly
25 back while bearing on said bevelled edge.
8. Bag according to claim 7, characterised in that the
bevelled edge (14) comprises a central segment (14a) and
two turned-back segments (14b) arranged on either side of
30 said central segment.
15
9. Bag according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised
in that it further comprises a panel (7) arranged on the
inner wall (1).
5 10. Bag according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised
in that the inner wall (1) comprises a recess (11) facing
which said second portion (9b) extends to form a zone for
gripping said second portion when it is pressed against
said inner wall in the configuration for carrying as a
10 messenger bag.
11. Bag according to claims 9 and 10, characterised in
that the recess (11) is formed on the panel (7) of the
inner wall (1).
15
Dated this on 16th day of April, 2015.
16
Abstract
BAG ARRANGED TO HAVE CONFIGURATIONS FOR CARRYING
RESPECTIVELY AS A MESSENGER BAG AND AS A BACKPACK
5
The invention concerns a bag comprising a storage compartment of which each lateral wall (5) is
provided with a lining (8) that has an upper opening (8a) that opens towards said lateral wall and a
lower opening (8b) that opens towards the inner wall (1), said bag further comprising a continuous
carrying strap (9) that is slidably mounted in said linings, forming a first portion (9a) that opens
through the upper openings (8a) and a second portion (9b) that opens through 10 the lower openings (8b),
said portions being arranged so as to be able to have a shoulder bag carrying configuration in which
the first portion (9a) is deployed above the upper wall (3) and the second portion (9b) is pressed
against the inner wall (1), and a backpack carrying configuration in which the portions (9a, 9b) are
deployed opposite the inner wall (1), the switch from one configuration to the other being carried out
15 by pulling at least one portion (9a, 9b) to adjust the length thereof by sliding the strap (9) in the linings
(8).
20