US20130175129A1

US20130175129A1 - System for Attaching Bags

Info

Publication number: US20130175129A1
Application number: US13/346,403
Authority: US
Inventors: Robin Cunningham Rankin; Long Hoang; Ronald K. Wood
Original assignee: Travelpro International Inc
Current assignee: Travelpro International Inc
Priority date: 2012-01-09
Filing date: 2012-01-09
Publication date: 2013-07-11
Also published as: CA2767832A1; CN202618685U

Abstract

Systems to attach together bags having various types of rolling members are described. In a system for attaching at least two bags, each having at least two spinner wheels, a front face, a back face and a bottom face, the improvement comprising at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags for attaching said bags when engaged such that the at least two bags are capable of rolling together. A bag embodying the features of the improvement is described. Different attachment members are described for the system and bag, including magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, buckles, straps, adhesive tape, hooks and buttons. Different configurations for the attached bags are described, including “front-to-front”, “back-to-front” and “side-by-side” configurations. Bags having rolling members other than spinner wheels are described, including ball transfer units and ball bearings.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention described herein relate generally to luggage and other bags used to carry items. In particular, the embodiments of the invention described herein relate to systems to attach together bags having wheels such that when attached, the bags are capable of rolling together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many bags used to carry items, such as suitcases, laptop bags and briefcases, are fitted with “spinner” wheels or other omni-directional rollers mounted on at least one face of the bag (hereinafter referred to as a “spinner bag”). “Spinner” wheels sometimes take the form of wheels mounted on castors that can turn or spin in all directions (e.g. about 360 degrees). Other rolling members that can turn or spin in all directions can also be used to create a spinner bag. Spinner bags offer many advantages over conventional “wheel-less” bags and “rolling” bags, as discussed below. Although spinner bags can be transported by rolling the bag on only two wheels, a spinner bag is capable of being supported on the rolling members while it is moving (e.g. rolled).
Wheels reduce the portion of the bag's load borne by an individual transporting the bag. When the wheels are engaged with the rolling surface (e.g. while rolling the bag along the ground or ramp), a considerable portion of the bag's load is transferred through the wheels to the rolling surface. In contrast, since conventional “wheel-less” bags are usually carried, the individual carrying the bag bears the bag's entire load. This can be particularly difficult if the bag is heavy. Since a spinner bag is capable of being supported by the rolling members while it is being moved, a considerable portion of the load is transferred to the rolling surface such that the individual moving the bag bears little of the bag's load and, in some circumstances, none of the load. For example, if a sufficient pushing load is applied to the spinner bag, the bag can continue to roll along the ground unassisted for at least a short period of time. This is in contrast to a conventional “rolling bag”, which is usually fitted with only two wheels positioned close to one edge of the bag's bottom face. In such a conventional “rolling” bag, the bag is tilted and pulled or pushed in order to roll the bag across the rolling surface.
Furthermore, the ability of each of the rolling members to turn in all directions independently of the other wheels makes a spinner bag easier to maneuver and navigate in comparison to conventional “rolling” bags, particularly around sharp turns. Conventional “rolling” bags are usually fitted with uni-directional wheels. As a result, if an individual transporting the bag needs to make a sharp turn or some other abrupt change in direction, it is difficult to change the direction of the conventional “rolling” bag to follow suit. To accomplish such a change in direction, the individual can, in certain circumstances, be required to pick up the conventional “rolling” bag and re-orient it in the new direction. This can be quite awkward and difficult, particularly if the bag is heavy or large.
However, the greater mobility of a spinner bag can also make it difficult to transport multiple spinner bags simultaneously. For example, if an individual needs to transport two spinner bags simultaneously, he or she will usually grasp the handle of each spinner bag in separate hands and control each spinner bag independently of the other (e.g. one bag is controlled by the right hand and the other bag is controlled by the left hand). This task can become difficult if the individual is also transporting or carrying other items (e.g. purse, wheel-less briefcase, mobile device, coat, etc.) or a greater number of spinner bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the specification, a bag is provided comprising: at least two spinner wheels capable of independently supporting the bag; a front face, a top face, a back face, at least two side faces and a bottom face; and at least one attachment member connected to at least one of said front face, top face, back face, a side face and bottom face; wherein the at least one attachment member is adapted to engage at least one complementary attachment member connected to at least one of a front face, a top face, a back face, a side face and a bottom face of another bag having at least two spinner wheels capable of independently supporting the other bag, such that the two bags are capable of rolling together. In an implementation of the first aspect, the at least one attachment member comprises one or more of a magnet, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, a side release buckle, a button, a toggle and loop fastener, a snap fastener, adhesive tape, a strap, a band and a hook. In an implementation of the first aspect, the at least one attachment member is removablely attached to the bag. In another implementation of the first aspect, the at least one complementary attachment member is removeably attached to the other bag. In another implementation of the first aspect, the at least two spinner wheels of each of the bag and the other bag are removeably attached to at least one of the bag and the other bag.
Some particular implementations of the first aspect of the specification provide for different configurations of attached bags. In an implementation of the first aspect, the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate the front face-of each said bag and other bag, such that the front face of the bag faces the front face of the other bag. In another implementation of the first aspect, the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate the back face-of each said bag and other bag, such that the back face of the bag faces the back face of the other bag. In another implementation of the first aspect, the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate the back face-of the bag and the front face of the other bag, such that the back face of the bag and the front face of the other bag face each other. In another implementation of the first aspect, the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate the front face-of the bag and the back face of the other bag, such that the front face of the bag and the back face of the other bag face each other. In another implementation of the first aspect, the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate at least one side face of each said bag and other bag, such that the bag and the other bag are oriented side-by-side.
According to a second aspect of the specification, a system is provided for attaching at least two bags, each having at least two spinner wheels, a front face, a back face and a bottom face, the improvement comprising at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags for attaching said bags when engaged such that the at least two bags are capable of rolling together; wherein each of the at least two bags is capable of being independently supported on the at least two spinner wheels of each bag. In an implementation of the second aspect, the at least one attachment member comprises one or more of a magnet, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, a side release buckle, a button, a toggle and loop fastener, a snap fastener, adhesive tape, a strap, a band and a hook. In another implementation of the second aspect, the at least one attachment member is removeably attached to at least one of the at least two bags. In another implementation of the second aspect, the at least two spinner wheels of the at least two bags is removeably attached to at least one of the at least two bags.
Some particular implementations of the second aspect of the specification provide for different configurations of attached bags. In an implementation of the second aspect, the at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags is disposed so as to engage proximate the front face-of each of the at least two bags, such that the front face of each of the at least two bags face each other. In another implementation of the second aspect, the at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags is disposed so as to engage proximate the back face-of one of the at least two bags and the front face of another of the at least two bags, such that the back face of one of the at least two bags faces the front face of another of the at least two bags. In another implementation of the second aspect, the at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags is disposed so as to engage proximate the back face-of each of the at least two bags, such that the back face of one of the at least two bags faces the back face of another of the at least two bags. In another implementation of the second aspect, the at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags is disposed so as to engage proximate at least one side face of each of the at least two bags, such that the at least two bags are oriented side-by-side.
In a third aspect of the specification, a bag is provides comprising: a compartment, at least one rolling member disposed on said compartment for supporting said compartment on a rolling surface and for moving said compartment along said rolling surface; and at least one attachment member for creating a connection between said compartment and another bag having another rolling member and for unitary movement of said bag and said another bag along said rolling surface during said connection. In an implementation of the third aspect of the specification, the at least one rolling member is omni-directional. In another implementation of the third aspect, the at least one rolling member is selected from a group consisting of a spinner wheel and a ball transfer unit. In another implementation of the third aspect, the at least one attachment member is removeably attached to said compartment. In another implementation of the third aspect, the at least one rolling member of each of said compartment and said bag is removeably attached to at least one of said compartment and said bag. In another aspect of the third aspect, the at least one attachment member comprises one or more of a magnet, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, a side release buckle, a button, a toggle and loop fastener, a snap fastener, adhesive tape, a strap, a band and a hook.
According to a fourth aspect of the specification, a system is provided for attaching at least two bags, each having at least one rolling member, the improvement comprising: at least one attachment member for creating a connection between the at least two bags; wherein the at least one rolling member of each of the at least two bags is capable of independently supporting each of the at least two bags and when the connection is made the at least two bags are capable of moving together by engaging the at least one rolling member of each bag with a rolling surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention described herein, and to show more clearly how they can be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a system for attaching at least two spinner bags, each of the two spinner bags depicted having at least one attachment member, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 1A shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 from a rear perspective;

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 when the attachment members located on each of the two spinner bags depicted are engaged and the spinner bags are attached together;

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the system for attaching at least two spinner bags in which the two spinner bags depicted are attached together such that the front face of one spinner bag faces the back face of the other spinner bag;

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the system for attaching at least two spinner bags in which the two spinner bags depicted are attached together such that the front face of both spinner bags face each other;

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the system for attaching at least two spinner bags in which the two spinner bags depicted are attached together using attachment members on the top and bottom of each spinner bag such that they are in a side-by-side formation;

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the system for attaching at least two spinner bags in which the two spinner bags depicted are attached together using attachment members on the back faces of each spinner bag such that they are in a side-by-side formation;

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the system for attaching at least two spinner bags in which the two spinner bags depicted are attached together using two pairs of attachment members located on the side faces of each spinner bag;

FIG. 7A shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 from a rear perspective;

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the system for attaching at least two spinner bags in which the two spinner bags are attached together using two pairs of attachment members located on the back faces of each spinner bag;

FIGS. 9A to 12B show various embodiments of the attachment members located on each spinner bag;

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the described system in which at least one attachment member is provided on only one of the bags to be attached together;

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the described system in which each of the attached bags has less than four spinner wheels;

FIGS. 15 to 17 show an embodiments of the described system in which the rolling members of at least one of the bags to be attached comprise ball transfer units in various configurations; and

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment in which the rolling members of at least one of the bags to be attached together comprise ball bearings in a rack.

The skilled person in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the applicants' teachings in anyway. Also, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements can be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments of the invention described herein.
FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate an embodiment of the invention described herein. Bag 101 and bag 102 are each shown in an upright position, supported by their respective set of rolling members. In FIGS. 1 and 1A, bag 101 is greater in size than bag 102 (e.g. the dimensions of bag 101 are greater than those of bag 102). However, in other embodiments of the invention, bag 101 and 102 can be similar in size.
Both bag 101 and bag 102 have four rolling members which are shown in this embodiment as spinner wheels implemented as castors on the bottom faces of each bag. Spinner wheels 103 a, 103 b, 103 c and 103 d are mounted on the bottom face of bag 101. Spinner wheels 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104 d are mounted on the bottom face of bag 102. Although bag 101 and bag 102 are shown having four spinner wheels, in other embodiments of the invention, bag 101 and bag 102 can have more or less than four spinner wheels. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, each of the spinner wheels is capable of spinning in all directions. However, a person skilled in the relevant art will understand that other embodiments of rolling members are possible where the degree of rotation is limited to less than 360 degrees. Spinner wheels are widely available and are typically manufactured in a range of sizes and out of a variety of materials. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the spinner wheels on bag 101 or bag 102 can be removed and re-attached from its respective bag or attached to another bag.
Bag 101 and bag 102 each have a front face, a back face, a top face, a bottom face and two opposing side faces. Bag 101 has front face105, back face 106, top face 107, bottom face 108 and side faces 109 and 110. Bag 102 has front face111, back face 112, top face 113, bottom face 114 and side faces 115 and 116. Both bag 101 and bag 102 have a compartment (not shown) defined by at least their respective side faces, top face, bottom face and front face.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 1A, bag 101 and bag 102 each have one attachment member located on each side face thereof. Attachment members 117 and 118 are located on side faces 109 and 110, respectively, of bag 101. Attachment members 119 and 120 are located on side faces 115 and 116, respectively, of bag 102. The attachment members of bag 101 and bag 102 are complementary to each other such that attachment members 117 and 119, and likewise attachment members 118 and 120, can engage with each other such that bag 101 and 102 are attached together (e.g. coupled) and are capable of rolling together on spinner wheels 103 a, 103 b, 103 c, 103 d, 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104 d.
The attachment members can take a variety of forms. Any form of attachment member located on a bag having at least one rolling member that can engage with another attachment member located on another bag having at least one rolling member, such that the bags are capable of rolling together on their respective rolling members, is contemplated. By way of non-limiting example, the attachment members can take the form of hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets, clips, hook-and-eye fasteners, ties, snap fasteners, buttons, adhesive tape, a strap or band located on one bag and wrapped around another bag, and a hook located on a face of one bag which can be engaged with a slot or loop located on another bag. In FIGS. 1 and 1A, attachment members 117 to 120 are depicted as side-release buckles with adjustable straps. As discussed above, attachment members 117 and 119, and attachment members 118 and 120, are complementary to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 1, attachment member 117 is the male mating element to its female counterpart, attachment member 119. Likewise, attachment member 118 is the male mating element to its female counter part, attachment member 120. In other embodiments of the invention, the locations of the different gendered mating attachment members can be reversed. Examples of other forms of attachment members are described later below.
For greater flexibility and convenience, a variety of configurations for the attached spinner bags, utilizing the teachings, described herein are provided in some embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 2, bag 101 and bag 102 are attached together in configuration 200 by engaging attachment member 117 with attachment member 119 and attachment member 118 with attachment member 120. According to this “back to back” configuration, back face 106 and back face 112 face each other such that attachment members 117 and 118 of bag 101 and the complementary attachment members 119 and 120 of bag 102 are disposed so as to engage proximate the back faces 106 and 112. Since the two bags are attached, pushing or pulling either bag 101 or bag 102 in any manner results in moving (e.g. rolling) both bags together effectively as one unit. For example, pulling on handle 201 or handle 202 will move bag 101 and bag 102 together. In some embodiments of the invention, handle 201 and handle 202 can either or both be extendable, so that the handle that is not in use can optionally be retracted. Alternatively, the present invention can also obviate the need for an extendable or extended handle, as the extended handle on one bag can do the job for both bag 101 and bag 102.
Depending on the type of attachment member, the dimensions, weight and configuration of bag 101 and bag 102, a partial engagement of the complementary attachment members can attach bag 101 and bag 102 together such that they are capable of rolling together on spinner wheels 103 a, 103 b, 103 c, 103 d, 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104 d.
FIG. 3 illustrates configuration 300, a “back to front” configuration of bag 101 and bag 102. In this configuration, back face 106 of bag 101 and front face 111 of bag 102 face each other. In a related embodiment of the invention, front face 105 of bag 101 and back face 111 of bag 102 can face each other instead.
FIG. 4 illustrates configuration 400, a “front to front” configuration of bag 101 and bag 102. In this configuration, front face 105 of bag 101 and front face 111 of bag 102 face each other.
FIG. 5 illustrates configuration 500, an example of a “side-by-side” configuration that, in some situations, can be preferable to the various back and front configurations depicted in FIGS. 2 to 4. For example, if the spinner bags need to be transported through narrow passageways (e.g. an aisle in an airplane cabin), a “side-by-side” configuration can make it easier to navigate these areas.
Bag 501 and bag 502 in configuration 500 are similar to bag 101 and bag 102 in FIGS. 1 to 4. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, bag 501 and bag 502 have similar dimensions. In configuration 500, as illustrated by FIG. 5, attachment members 511 and 512 are located on top face 505 of bag 501 and top face 506 of bag 502. Attachment members 513 and 514 are located on bottom face 507 and bottom face 508 of bag 501 and bag 502, respectively. Once bag 501 and bag 502 are attached together using attachment members 511, 512, 513 and 514, bag 501 and bag 502 can be moved together by pushing or pulling either bag. For example, pulling on handle 515 of bag 501 will compel bag 502 to trail behind it.
In some embodiments of the invention, more than two spinner bags can be attached together. For example, in FIG. 5, attachment members 517, 518, 519 and 520 are provided in addition to attachment members 511, 512, 513 and 514. As a result, at least one additional spinner bag can be attached to either bag 501 or bag 502 by engaging attachment members 517 and 519, or attachment members 518 and 520, with complementary attachment members located on the additional spinner bags. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one additional bag can be added to the “front to back” and “back to back” configurations illustrated, for example, by FIGS. 2 to 4, by providing additional attachment members. For example, in configuration 200 of FIG. 2, an additional attachment member can be provided on side faces 109 and 110 of bag 101, and likewise on side faces 115 and 116 of bag 102, and mounted to face the direction of an additional bag. For example, in order to attach an additional bag to a face of bag 101, an additional attachment member can be provided on each of side faces 109 and 110, and mounted to face in the direction of front face 105.
A “side-by-side” configuration can also be achieved by providing at least one attachment member on the back faces of the spinner bags. For example, in configuration 600, illustrated by FIG. 6, attachment members 601 and 602 are located on back face 603 of bag 501 and back face 604 of bag 502. Attachment members 605 and 606 are also provided to allow for the attachment of at least one additional bag to either or both bag 501 and 502.
In some embodiments of the invention, attachment members can be attached to allow for switching between different configurations using at least some of the same attachment members. For example, in FIG. 2, attachment members 117, 118, 119 and 120 can each be affixed on their respective side faces using a single rivet such that the attachment member can pivot about the rivet (by way of non-limiting example, pivoting about the rivet can include pivoting about 360 degrees in the plane of the side face that the particular attachment member is located on). To switch between configurations 200 and 300, by way of non-limiting example, attachment members 117 and 118 could be pivoted about 180 degrees about the rivet to point in the direction of back face 106 to engage with attachment members 119 and 120. To accommodate differently sized bags, attachment members 117, 118, 119 and 120 can be adjustable.
For greater stability, multiple attachments can be provided on the same face of the spinner bags. For example, in FIGS. 7 and 7A, bag 101 and bag 102 have two attachment members located on each side face. Attachment members 701 and 702 are located on side face 109, and attachment members 703 and 704, complementary to attachment members 701 and 702, are located on side face 115. Attachment members 705 and 706 are located on side face 110. Attachment members 707 and 708, complementary to attachment members 705 and 706, are located on side face 116. In other embodiments of the invention, more than two attachment members on the side faces of each spinner bag are contemplated.
FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the invention in which multiple attachment members are used to form a “side-by-side” configuration with bag 501 and bag 502. In this case, attachment members 801 and 802 are located on back face 601, and attachment members 803 and 804 are located on back face 602. In the illustrated embodiment, additional attachment members 805, 806, 807 and 808 are provided to allow the attachment of additional spinner suitcases to bag 501 or bag 502 (or both).
In some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the attachment members is capable of being removed, re-attached and repositioned. This functionality allows for attaching together bags of disparate shapes and sizes. For example, in at least one embodiment of the invention, the attachment members are affixed to at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together using a hook-and-loop fastener. In a related embodiment of the invention, at least one strip or patch of loop fabric is affixed to a face of a bag and a strip or patch of hook fabric is affixed to at least one attachment member. In other embodiments of the invention, the locations of the hook and loop strips of fabric are reversed. The at least one attachment member is then capable of being affixed to multiple locations along the loop fabric strip such that the attachment member is capable of being engaged with a complementary attachment member located on another bag.
The attachment members can be removed, re-attached and repositioned in other ways. In an embodiment of the invention, a magnet or a group of magnets are provided on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. An attachment member having at least one magnet of opposite polarity can then be removeably affixed to the at least one bag by being brought into engaging contact (i.e. magnetic contact) with the magnet or group of magnets provided on the at least one bag. The attachment member can then be engaged with a complementary attachment member located on another bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, at least one loop is provided on a face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. An attachment member having at least one button, hook or toggle can then be removeably affixed to that bag by engaging the button, hook or toggle with the at least one loop provided on at least one of the bags to be attached together (e.g. by threading the button, hook or toggle through the loop). In other related embodiments of the invention, at least one loop is provided on more than one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together, allowing for the at least one bag to be attached to another bag in multiple configurations and orientations.
In another embodiment of the invention, the position of at least one attachment member can be changed to a different position via a track that is affixed to at least one of the bags to be attached. The attachment member can then be slidably mounted to the track such that the attachment member is capable of engaging with a complementary attachment member located on another bag. Similar to the embodiment of the invention described above, the ability to change the position (e.g. on the same face or to a different face) of at least one attachment member located on at least one of the bags to be attached together will allow for the attaching together of bags of disparate shape or size (or both).
Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, the attachment members can be adjustable in length in order to allow for the attaching together of bags of disparate shape or size (or both).
To accommodate situations in which the bags to be attached together do not have complementary attachment members, in some embodiments a transitional attachment member is provided. The transitional attachment member can have an attachment member that is complementary to at least one attachment member provided on at least two of the bags to be attached together. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, attachment members 117 and 119 can be male mating elements of a side-release buckle. To attach bags 101 and 102 using attachment members 117 and 119, a transitional attachment member in the form of a length of a strap having a female mating element on each end can be engaged with attachment members 117 and 119. In some embodiments of the invention, the transitional attachment member is adjustable in length. In some embodiments of the invention, the transitional attachment member can be used to attach bags having complementary attachment members. This allows for another way of adjusting the distance between the bags to be attached together to accommodate bags of disparate shape or size (or both). In some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the attachment members of the transitional attachment member is removeably attached to the transitional attachment member. In such embodiments, the at least one attachment member of the transitional attachment member can be switched with another type of attachment member. Such additional functionality allows bags with different types of attachment members to be attached together.
As previously discussed, the attachment members can take a variety of forms. Some of these forms are illustrated by FIGS. 9A to 12B. In FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10C, a hook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro® from Velcro USA Inc., is used as the attachment members on bag 901 and bag 902. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the hook-and-loop fastener is in the form of strip 903 having looped fabric portion 904 and hooked fabric portion 905. In the illustrated example embodiment of the invention, strip 903 is affixed to bag 902 (e.g. stitched or glued in place) such that at least some of looped fabric portion 904 remains in place on bag 902 and the remaining, unfixed portion of strip 903 is free. In order to attach bag 901 and bag 902 together, the free portion of strip 903 is looped through ring 906 and at least some part of hooked fabric portion 905 is brought into engaging contact with looped fabric portion 904 (as shown in FIG. 9B). In this embodiment of the invention, depending on the length of strip 903, the distance between bags 901 and 902 can be adjusted for convenience and to accommodate differently-sized spinner bags. In some related embodiments of the invention, the positions of looped fabric portion 905 and hooked fabric portion 904 on strip 903 can be reversed.
In some embodiments of the invention, the hook-and-loop fasteners are in the form of strips or patches mounted on at least one face of each bag to be attached together such that the strips or patches lie relatively flat against those faces. By engaging complementary portions of the hook-and-loop fastener mounted on at least one face of each bag to be attached together, those faces can then be brought into relatively close contact with a face of another bag and those bags can be attached together. For example, configuration 200 of FIG. 2 could be achieved by mounting a patch of the looped portion of a hook-and-loop fastener on back face 106 of bag 101 and engaging that looped portion with a patch of the complementary hooked portion of the fastener on back face 112 of bag 102.
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which the attachment members take the form of a hook-and-loop fastener. In this embodiment of the invention, looped fabric portion 904 and hooked fabric portion 905 are separate elements. Looped fabric portion 904 is affixed to bag 902 and hooked fabric portion 905 is affixed to bag 901. In order to attach bag 901 and bag 902 together, hooked fabric portion 905 is brought into engaging contact with looped fabric portion 902. Depending on the length and position of hooked fabric portion 905 and looped fabric portion 904, the distance between bag 901 and bag 902 can be adjusted for convenience and to accommodate differently-sized spinner bags.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 11A and 11B, the attachment members are magnets. Magnetic strip 1101 is affixed to bag 901 and magnetic strip 1102, having an opposite polarity to magnetic strip 1101, is affixed to bag 902. In order to attach bag 901 and bag 902 together, magnetic strip 1101 is brought into engaging contact with magnetic strip 1102 (as shown in FIG. 11B). In related embodiments of the invention, the locations of magnetic strips 1101 and 1102 are reversed.
In other embodiments of the invention, the magnetic attachment members can be located in the lining of at least one of the bags that are to be attached together. For example, to achieve configuration 200 in FIG. 2, magnets or groups of magnets of opposing polarity can be located in the lining of face 106 of bag 101 and face 112 of bag 102 such that the magnets in the lining faces 106 and 112 are capable of being brought into engaging contact with each other. In related embodiments of the invention, magnets or groups of magnets can be located in the lining of multiple faces of at least one of the bags being attached together. In such embodiments of the invention, the magnets of opposing polarity located on each respective bag can be brought into engaging contact with each other (e.g. at least one magnet located in the lining of a face of bag 101 can be brought into engaging contact with at least one magnet located in the lining of a face of bag 102) such that multiple configurations of the attached bags can be achieved. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one group of magnets provided on at least one face of a first bag is comprised of magnets having different polarities. A second bag can then be attached to the first bag regardless of the polarity of the magnets provided on the second bag.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 12A and 12B, the attachment members are a clip and ring fastener. Ring 1201 is affixed to bag 901 and clip 1202 is affixed to bag 902. In some embodiments of the invention, clip 1202 can swivel. In order to attach bag 901 and bag 902 together, clip 1202 is engaged with ring 1201 (as shown in FIG. 12B).
Other types of attachment members are contemplated, such as adhesive tape, straps, hooks and snap fasteners. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one attachment member can be adhesive tape affixed to at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. For example, to achieve configuration 200, at least one strip or patch of adhesive tape can be affixed to face 106 of bag 101. Face 106 can then be brought into engaging contact with face 112 of bag 102 (by way of mechanical adhesion, for example) to attach bag 101 to bag 102. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one strip or patch of adhesive tape can be removed, re-attached and re-positioned on the face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one attachment member can be at least one strap or band affixed to at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. For example, to achieve configuration 300, at least one strap can be affixed to face 108 of bag 102 and wrapped around bag 101 such that the at least one strap lies about parallel to the planes of faces 109, 116, 110 and 115. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one strap or band can be removed, re-attached and re-positioned on the face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one strap or band can be extendible to attach together bags of disparate sizes or shapes (or both).
In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one attachment member can be at least one hook provided on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. The at least one hook can be engaged with a slot or loop, made from a fabric, plastic, metal or otherwise suitable material, provided on another bag. For example, to achieve configuration 300, at least one hook can be provided on face 111 of bag 102 and at least one loop or slot can be provided on face 106 of bag 101. The at least one hook on face 111 can then be brought into engaging contact with the at least one slot or loop on face 106 to attach bag 101 and 102 together. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one hook can be removed, re-attached and re-positioned on the face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one attachment member can be at least one snap fastener provided on at least one face of each of the bags to be attached together. To achieve configuration 200, for example, at least one male mating element snap fastener is provided on face 106 of bag 101 and at least one female mating element snap fastener is provided on face 112 of bag 102. The at least one male mating element snap fastener on face 106 can then be brought into engaging contact with the at least one female mating element snap fastener on face 112. In other embodiments, the location of the male and female mating elements of the at least one snap fastener can be reversed. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one snap fastener can be removed, re-attached and re-positioned on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together.
It is not necessary for all of the bags to be attached together to have at least one attachment member. Some embodiments of the invention contemplate attaching together bags where only one of the bags is provided with at least one attachment member. For example, in FIG. 13, attachment member 1302 is provided on bottom face 1303 of bag 1301. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, attachment member 1302 is comprised of hook 1302 a attached to strap 1302 b. Hook 1302 a can be engaged with a lip or other protrusion provided on another bag such that bag 1301 and the other bag are attached together. In some embodiments of the invention, strap 1302 b is extendable. In some embodiments of the invention, attachment member 1302 is comprised of a clip instead of hook 1302 a. For convenience, in some embodiment of the invention, attachment member 1302 is retractable and can be extended to provide a desired distance between bag 1301 and another bag that is to be attached to bag 1301. In related embodiments of the invention, the retractable attachment member 1302 can be locked to maintain a desired length. In some embodiments of the invention, attachment member 1302 can be a strap with a magnet provided on one end of the strap that can be magnetically engaged with a metallic strip or part provided on another bag such that bag 1301 and the other bag are attached together.
In some embodiments of the invention, attachment member 1302 can be removed, re-attached and re-positioned. For example, in at least one such embodiment of the invention, a clip can be provided on strap 1302 b and engaged with a loop or suitable receiving element provided on bottom face 1303. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one loop or suitable receiving member is provided on more than one face of bag 1301, allowing bag 1301 to be attached to another bag that does not have an attachment member in a variety of configurations.
In some embodiments of the invention, at least one attachment member can be provided on more than one face of one of the bags to be attached together. In such embodiments of the invention, bag 1301 can be attached to at least one other bag that does not have an attachment member to in more than one configuration. For example, in one such embodiment of the invention, at least one attachment member is provided on top face 1304 of bag 1301 in addition to attachment member 1302 on bottom face 1303. To achieve configuration 400, attachment member 1302 can be engaged with a lip or protrusion on, for example, a bottom face of another bag that does not have an attachment member such that front face 1308 of bag 1301 faces the front face of the other bag. To switch from configuration 400 to configuration 500 using the same two bags, the at least one attachment member provided on top face 1304 can be engaged with a handle or other protrusion provided on the top face of the other bag. In other embodiments, the at least one attachment member can be provided on at least one face other than a bottom or a top face of bag 1301.
In some embodiments of the invention, more than one attachment member is provided on at least one face of bag 1301 such that bag 1301 can be attached to more than one bag that does not have an attachment member, at the same time. For example, two attachment members can be provided on bottom face 1303 of bag 1301 to attach bag 1301 to two bags that do not have an attachment member. Each of the two attachment members on bottom face 1303 can be engaged with a lip or protrusion on a face of one of the bags that does not have an attachment member such that bag 1301 is attached to both bags at the same time.
Although bag 1301 is depicted in FIG. 13 as having four spinner wheels, in other embodiments of the invention, bag 1301 can have more or less than four spinner wheels. Furthermore, the type of rolling members provided on bag 1301 is not limited to spinner wheels. The rolling members provided on bag 1301 can be any type rolling member that can be configured and sized appropriately such that each bag that is to be attached together is capable of being independently supported by those rolling members.
It is not necessary that the bags that are to be attached or connected together each have four rolling members. In fact, bags having different configurations of rolling members (e.g. more or less than four rolling members) are also contemplated. Furthermore, the bags attached together do not need to have the same number of rolling members or have rolling members in the same configuration. FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the bags attached together have less than four wheels. Bag 1401 has bottom face 1403, compartment 1404 (shown in a tear away portion), and three spinner wheels 1405 a, 1405 b and 1405 c. Bag 1402 has bottom face 1406, compartment 1407 (shown in a tear away portion), and two spinner wheels 1408 a and 1408 b. Based on the location and size of the rolling members, when bag 1401 and 1402 are attached together they are capable of moving together as one unit that is entirely supported by the rolling members.
Furthermore, omni-directional rolling members (e.g. capable of moving about 360 degrees about at least an axis orthogonal to the rolling surface) other than the “spinner wheels” described above are also contemplated. For example, the rolling members can take the form of ball transfer units mounted on at least one face of one of the bags to be attached together. FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of the invention in which two ball transfer units ( ball transfer units 1502 a and 1502 b) are mounted on bottom face 1503 of bag 1501. In this embodiment of the invention, ball transfer units 1502 a and 1502 b are appropriately sized to ensure the stability of bag 1501 in this configuration. For greater stability, in some embodiments of the invention, two rails or bars can be mounted on bottom face 1503, each rail or bar located relatively parallel and proximate to edges 1504 a and 1504 b. FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which three ball transfer units ( ball transfer units 1602 a, 1602 b, 1602 b) are mounted on bottom face 1603 of bag 1601. In some embodiments of the invention, several ball transfer units can be mounted in a grid pattern on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. In other embodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 17, ball transfer units 1702 can be mounted around the perimeter of bottom face 1703 of bag 1701.
FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the rolling members are not necessarily “spinner wheels”. Ball bearings 1802 are placed inside rack 1803, mounted on face 1804 of bag 1801. Similar to a billiards ball rack, ball bearings 1802 are free to roll around (by way of non-limiting example, free to roll around can include about 360 degrees) inside rack 1803. Since bag 1801 is capable of being entirely supported by ball bearings 1802 inside rack 1803, bag 1801 will move smoothly along the rolling surface (e.g. the ground or a ramp), even during sharp turns. In some embodiments of the invention, rack 1803 can have a lip or rail protrusion to prevent ball bearings 1802 from falling out of rack 1803 in the event bag 1801 is lifted off of the rolling surface. In some embodiments of the invention, the rack can be take the form of a geometric shape (e.g. diamond, rectangle, circle) mounted on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together, with the ball bearings disposed inside the rack. In some embodiments of the invention, multiple racks having ball bearings disposed inside each rack are mounted to at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. For example, in at least one embodiment of the invention, two diamond-shaped racks are mounted on the bottom face of one of the bags to be attached together.
The rolling members provided on each bag to be attached together are not necessarily omni-directional. In some embodiments of the invention, rolling members that are uni-directional or multi-directional (e.g. able to turn at least about a couple degrees in at least one direction) are contemplated. These rolling members are configured and sized appropriately such that each bag to be attached together is capable of being independently supported by the rolling members. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the bags to be attached together has three rolling members located on a bottom face (such as bag 1401 in FIG. 14), one rolling member being omni-directional and the remaining two rolling members being multi-directional. In another embodiment of the invention, three multi-directional rolling members are provided on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. In another embodiment of the invention, three uni-directional rolling members are provided on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together. The total number of rolling members is not limited to three rolling members. For example, in another embodiment of the invention, two rolling members, one multi-directional and one uni-directional, are provided on at least one face of at least one of the bags to be attached together.
In some embodiments of the invention, the rolling members are mounted to faces other than the bottom face. For convenience and additional functionality, some embodiments of the invention provide rolling members mounted on more than one face of the bag such that the bag can be rolled and attached to another bag in multiple orientations. In other embodiments of the invention, the rolling members can be detached and affixed to the same face or another face of at least one of the bags being attached together.
The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples of the present invention and alterations and modifications can be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bag comprising:

at least two spinner wheels capable of independently supporting the bag;

a front face, a top face, a back face, at least two side faces and a bottom face; and

at least one attachment member connected to at least one of said front face, top face, at least two side faces, back face and bottom face;

wherein the at least one attachment member is adapted to engage at least one complementary attachment member connected to at least one of a front face, a top face, a back face, a side face and a bottom face of another bag having at least two spinner wheels capable of independently supporting the other bag, such that the two bags are capable of rolling together.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment member comprises one or more of a magnet, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, a side release buckle, a button, a toggle and loop fastener, a snap fastener, adhesive tape, a strap, a band and a hook.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment member is removeably attached to the bag.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one complementary attachment member is removeably attached to the other bag.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least two spinner wheels of each of the bag and the other bag are removeably attached to at least one of the bag and the other bag.

6. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate the front face of each said bag and other bag, such that the front face of the bag faces the front face of the other bag.

7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate the back face of each said bag and other bag, such that the back face of the bag faces the back face of the other bag.

8. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment member and the at least one complementary attachment member are disposed so as to engage proximate the back face of the bag and the front face of the other bag, such that the back face of the bag and the front face of the other bag face each other.

9. In a system for attaching at least two bags, each having at least two spinner wheels, a front face, a back face, at least two side faces and a bottom face, the improvement comprising:

at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags for attaching said bags when engaged such that the at least two bags are capable of rolling together;

wherein each of the at least two bags is capable of being independently supported on the at least two spinner wheels of each bag.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one attachment member comprises one or more of a magnet, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, a side release buckle, a button, a toggle and loop fastener, a snap fastener, adhesive tape, a strap, a band and a hook.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one attachment member is removeably attached to at least one of the at least two bags.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least two spinner wheels of the at least two bags is removeably attached to at least one of the at least two bags.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one attachment member located on each of the at least two bags is disposed so as to engage proximate the front face-of each of the at least two bags, such that the front face of each of the at least two bags face each other.

14. A bag comprising:

a compartment;

at least one rolling member disposed on said compartment for independently supporting said compartment on a rolling surface and for moving said compartment along said rolling surface; and

at least one attachment member for creating a connection between said compartment and another bag having at least another rolling member for independently supporting said another bag, and for unitary movement of said bag and said another bag along said rolling surface during said connection.

15. The bag of claim 14, wherein the at least one rolling member is omni-directional.

16. The bag of claim 14, wherein the at least one rolling member is selected from a group consisting of a spinner wheel and a ball transfer unit.

17. The bag of claim 14, wherein the at least one attachment member is removeably attached to said compartment.

18. The bag of claim 14, wherein the at least one rolling member of each of said compartment and said bag is removeably attached to at least one of said compartment and said bag.

19. The bag of claim 14, wherein the at least one attachment member comprises one or more of a magnet, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, a side release buckle, a button, a toggle and loop fastener, a snap fastener, adhesive tape, a strap, a band and a hook.

20. In a system for attaching at least two bags, each having at least one rolling member, the improvement comprising:

at least one attachment member for creating a connection between the at least two bags;

wherein the at least one rolling member of each of the at least two bags is capable of independently supporting each of the at least two bags and when the connection is made the at least two bags are capable of moving together by engaging the at least one rolling member of each bag with a rolling surface.