US20020185508A1

US20020185508A1 - Backpack

Info

Publication number: US20020185508A1
Application number: US10/063,984
Authority: US
Inventors: Maxine Clark; Beverly Schofield; Stacy Kass; Shari Stout
Original assignee: Build A Bear Workshop Inc
Current assignee: Build A Bear Workshop Inc
Priority date: 2001-06-06
Filing date: 2002-05-31
Publication date: 2002-12-12
Also published as: CA2389120A1

Abstract

A backpack has a main body portion having front and rear walls, at least one shoulder strap connected to the rear wall of the main body portion to facilitate carrying of the backpack on the user's body, and a pouch mounted to the front wall of the main body portion, the pouch having a top, bottom and opposed side edges and being connected to the main body portion along the bottom and two side edges, wherein the top edge is not connected to the main body portion and the pouch is adapted along the bottom edge to be open to permit passage therethrough of a lower portion of a toy to be carried in the pouch.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/296,684 filed Jun. 6, 2001.[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of backpacks, and, more specifically, to a backpack having a pouch specifically adapted for carrying a toy such as a teddy bear.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Previously backpacks of a wide variety of constructions have been known. There are fewer backpacks designed particularly with children in mind, with a view to their smaller body structure and the interest children have for carrying with them specific types of items, especially favorite toys. Many children are fond of, or in the habit of, carrying with them for comfort a specific item. In many cases this item is a stuffed animal, such as a “teddy” bear. However, there are not known any previous attempts to provide a backpack for children which is especially constructed to receive and securely retain in a part thereof a teddy bear, especially in a manner by which the toy bear can be easily viewed and accessed tactilely for play or comfort. In addition to a favorite comfort toy, a child may also need or wish to have on hand many other items, such a clothing, snacks, books and additional toys. Thus, a child's backpack must be able to accommodate a significant volume. Even though a teddy bear may be light weight, it can be rather bulky, and if it must be placed inside the main compartment of a child's backpack the toy will consume most, if not the entire space in the main compartment, leaving little or no room to accommodate others of the objects desired to be carried by the child.

The present invention provides just such a backpack, with a special extra pouch designed especially to securely receive a teddy bear or other stuffed toy or a doll, wherein the toy appears to be riding in the backpack but can be readily accessed. The toy pouch is independent of the main compartment of the backpack. In an alternative embodiment the invention includes an additional, smaller, toy backpack, of such a size that it can be used to hold very small items, such as toys, or change, and may be used during play as a backpack suitable for placing on a toy or doll.

Thus, among the several goals of the present invention is to provide a backpack construction which is especially suitable for children and which includes a selectively openable and closeable pouch for holding a toy such as a teddy bear, or other stuffed toy or doll, in a position which provides visibility of the toy and easy accessibility, as though the teddy bear is “riding” in the pack. In addition, the backpack holds any items which may be carried in other compartments of the backpack. The construction of the present invention also causes the toy or doll to be securely retained in the pouch in a carrying position, even when the backpack is being worn by a very active child.

Accordingly, in furtherance of the above goals, the present invention is, briefly, a backpack having a main body portion with front and rear walls. The backpack has at least one shoulder strap connected to the rear wall of the main body portion to facilitate carrying of the backpack on the user's body, and a pouch mounted to the front wall of the main body portion. The pouch has a top, bottom and opposed side edges and is connected to the main body portion along the bottom and two side edges. The top edge is not connected to the main body portion. The pouch is adapted along the bottom edge to be opened to permit passage therethrough of a lower portion of a toy to be carried in the pouch.

These and other advantages of the invention will be in part apparent and in part described hereinbelow.

BRIEF OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper front perspective view of a backpack in accordance with the present invention, shown in the closed position. [0009]
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the backpack shown in FIG. 1, partially cut away to illustrate internal features of the invention. [0010]
FIG. 3 is an upper front perspective view of the new backpack with the front pouch shown in open position. [0011]
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 3. [0012]
FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the backpack of FIG. 1. [0013]
FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the backpack of FIG. 1. [0014]
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the backpack of FIG. 1. [0015]
FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view thereof. [0016]
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the new backpack as shown in FIG. 8. [0017]
FIG. 10 is an upper front perspective view of another embodiment of the new backpack, illustrating an optional mini-backpack attachment. [0018]
FIG. 11 is a right side elevational view of the backpack of FIG. 10, the opposite side being a mirror image thereof. [0019]
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the backpack of FIG. 11.[0020]
Throughout the drawings, like parts are indicated by like element numbers. [0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, [0022] element number 10 generally designates a backpack constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.
FIGS. [0023] 1-9 illustrate that backpack 10 has a main body portion 12 with two pockets 14, 16 on opposite sides of main body 12 and a front pouch 18. Shoulder straps 20 are shown in FIG. 5 connected to the back of main body portion 12 to facilitate carrying of backpack 10 on a user's back. FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an alternative version of backpack 10 with an optional miniature pack 22 connected thereto, as will be described in further detail hereafter. It is to be understood that the overall form of backpack 12, as shown, is preferred, but that it could vary substantially without compromising other aspects of the invention, which include front pouch 18, as will be described later herein.
[0024] Backpack 10 is preferably sized appropriately for wearing by a small child, but could be sized for larger children or adults as well. Main body portion 12 is preferably composed of a front wall 24 and a back wall 26 with an intervening side wall 28 connected by sewing or other conventional methods between the front and back walls of the main body portion so that the walls define therein a main compartment indicated at 30 in FIG. 2. As shown the front and back walls 24, 26 are illustrated as being substantially flat and the intervening side wall 28 curves somewhat at the top of the backpack and is substantially flat on the bottom thereof. However, the main body portion 12 could take alternative shapes, such as a less structured, bag form, for example.
[0025] Main compartment 30 is suitable for carrying relatively large bulky items and the two side pockets 14, 16 can then be used to retain smaller items. All compartments 12, 14 and 16 are illustrated with the preferred zippered closures, such as at 32 in FIG. 8, although they can also be closed by other suitable closures, such as snaps, hook and loop fasteners, flaps, buttons and the like. If desired, advertising, logos or other graphic depictions can be provided, for example as indicated at 34 in phantom on pockets 14,16, or elsewhere on backpack 10. An optional carrying or hanging strap 36 is illustrated in phantom, as seen in FIGS. 1-3.
FIG. 2 shows an internal strap [0026] 38 which is secured within the main compartment 30, for example, by sewing or other secure connection of the strap ends to an internal seam of the main body 12. Preferably strap 38 is sewn into a seam 40 connecting the top wall and back walls of main body 12. Strap 38 can have many uses, but is ideally suited for receiving the hook portion of hangars provided with toy clothes as accessories to teddy bears or other stuffed animal toys. Bearing in mind that the construction of backpack 10, and particularly of main body portion 12, can vary substantially and still be within the scope of the invention, it is anticipated that strap 38 can be omitted altogether. Strap 38 can also be connected by a different method or be substituted with a different material or structure, such as a wire loop, for example, and still be within the scope of the invention.
The cut-away view of FIG. 2 also illustrates a preferably [0027] transparent panel 42 glued or otherwise attached to the inside of back wall 26 of main body 12 to provide a place for an identification tag or other optional information to be visibly stored.
With reference to FIGS. [0028] 1-4, front pouch 18 is formed of a pocket portion having a wall 44, which pocket is connected by sewing, gluing or other suitable methods to the front of main body portion on two opposed side edges 46, 48 and a bottom edge 50 and has an open, unattached upper edge 52. The open upper end of pouch 18 provides upper access to an internal area 56 of the pouch within which a teddy bear (shown in phantom at 70 in FIG. 3) or other toy can “sit”. Upper edge 52 may be provided with some elasticity by known means, in order to be biased loosely inwardly.
When it is desired that [0029] pouch 18 be covered, a flap 58 can be allowed to fall downwardly over opening 56 and may be connected by a hook and loop fastening mechanism 60 or other suitable closures. The bottom of pouch 18 is made selectively openable preferably by a zipper 62 or other suitable alternative openable closures. Thus the front pouch 18 can be used in closed position to carry small or loose items, or it can be used as primarily intended to receive a teddy bear and provides room for the bear's legs to extend through the opening, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
A further key feature of [0030] new backpack 10 is also found in pouch 18, wherein a strap 64 or other suitable elongated member is connected at one end within pouch 18 to the front wall of the main body portion, and at the opposite end to the wall 44 of pouch 18, substantially centrally and longitudinally within pouch 18. The strap is preferably connected as shown, to the seam connecting flap 58 to the front of main body portion 12 and to an outermost edge 66 of the opening formed when zipper 62 is open. Strap 64 provides an added degree of security if the teddy bear, or other doll or toy, is placed in pouch 18 with a foot on each side of the strap and the strap therefor passing beneath, supporting the bear in the pouch and preventing it from dropping through the bottom opening to the ground. The elasticity which can be added to edge 66 can also help to retain the bear in pouch 18 if a child carrying backpack 10 with the bear in pouch 18 becomes very active. The present backpack 10 construction including pouch 18 is not previously known in the art.
FIGS. [0031] 10-1 2 illustrate an alternative, or optional feature of the present invention, a miniature, preferably simplified backpack 22 which includes a main body portion 112, with shoulder straps 120 and a front pouch 118 having a top closing flap 348 constructed similarly to backpack 10, except that front pouch is not adapted to open at the bottom for insertion of a teddy bear. Rather, it is sized so that it may be placed over the arms and on the back of a doll or small stuffed animal, if desired. Mini pack 22 is connected to backpack 10 by a snap and loop attachment, illustrated at 68, or by other suitable, conventional connection mechanisms.
In all versions illustrated, when zippers are used, the zipper pull tabs may be formed, if desired to a particular logo shape, as shown, or may be conventionally formed. [0032]
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantages are attained. Although the foregoing includes a description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, various modifications are conceivable. [0033]
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. [0034]

Claims

1. A backpack comprising:

a main body portion having front and rear walls;

at least one shoulder strap connected to the rear wall of the main body portion to facilitate carrying of the backpack on a user's body; and

a pouch mounted to the front wall of the main body portion, the pouch having a top, bottom and opposed side edges and being connected to the main body portion along the bottom and the opposed side edges, wherein the top edge is not connected to the main body portion and the pouch is adapted along the bottom edge to be open to permit passage therethrough of a portion of a toy to be carried in the pouch.

2. The backpack of claim 1, and further comprising a closure to optionally cover the top of the pouch.

3. The backpack of claim 1, and further comprising a miniature backpack which is connectable to the backpack, the miniature backpack being openable and being adapted for mounting to a teddy bear or other toy for wearing thereby.

4. A backpack comprising:

a main body portion having front and rear walls;

at least one shoulder strap connected to the rear wall of the main body portion to facilitate carrying of the backpack on an user's body; and

a pouch mounted to the front wall of the main body portion, the pouch having a top, bottom and opposed side edges and being connected to the main body portion along the bottom and the opposed side edges, wherein the top edge is not connected to the main body portion and the pouch is adapted along the bottom edge to be selectively openable to permit passage therethrough of a portion of a toy to be carried in the pouch.

5. The backpack of claim 4 wherein the bottom edge is selectively openable by means of a zipper.

6. The backpack of claim 4, and further comprising a closure to optionally cover the top of the pouch.

7. The backpack of claim 4, and further comprising a miniature backpack which is connectable to the backpack, the miniature backpack being openable and being adapted for mounting to a teddy bear or other toy for wearing thereby.

8. A backpack comprising:

a main body portion having front and rear walls;

a pouch mounted to the front wall of the main body portion, the pouch having a top, bottom and opposed side edges and being connected to the main body portion along the bottom and the opposed side edges, wherein the top edge is not connected to the main body portion and the pouch includes a zipper along the bottom edge to allow the bottom edge to be selectively opened to permit passage therethrough of a portion of a toy to be carried in the pouch.

9. The backpack of claim 8, and further comprising a closure to optionally cover the top of the pouch.

10. The backpack of claim 8, and further comprising a miniature backpack which is connectable to the backpack, the miniature backpack being openable and being adapted for mounting to a teddy bear or other toy for wearing thereby.