US20070102460A1

US20070102460A1 - Expandable wallet bag

Info

Publication number: US20070102460A1
Application number: US11/266,664
Authority: US
Inventors: Allen Lottman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-04
Filing date: 2005-11-04
Publication date: 2007-05-10

Abstract

An expandable wallet bag (10) that consists of a zippered compartment (12) and a zippered tote bag (13). The tote bag (13) is designed and dimensioned to be inserted into and retained within the compartment (12). The compartment (12) includes an accordion pocket (76) and strap retaining flap (86). The accordion pocket (76) is dimensioned to allow various articles to be inserted, and the strap retaining flap (86) allows a belt or the like to be retained which allows the compartment (12) to be secured when the tote bag (13) is stored within the compartment (12). The tote bag (13) can be designed to include a pair of bag carrying straps (57) or a pair of backpack straps (73). The straps (57,73) allow the tote bag (13) when extracted from the compartment (12), to be easily and comfortably carried. The tote bag (13) preferably includes indicia 99 that simulates the markings of a basketball, a baseball or a soccer ball to give the expandable wallet bag (10) the look of a sport bag.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to the general field of tote bags and backpacks and more particularly to an expandable wallet bag that includes a zippered tote bag that is attached to one side of a zippered compartment. When the tote bag is not in use, it is folded and inserted into the zippered compartment, when and the tote bag is extracted from the compartment it can be accessed and carried by either a pair of bag carrying straps or a pair of backpack straps.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of tote bags to carry various items is well known in the prior art. Tote bags come in various sizes and shapes and typically have an upper opening that has attached a pair of bag carrying straps. Other tote bags have an opening that is opened or closed by means of attached draw strings that also function as a bag carrying means.
Tote bags can also be made so that the tote bag can be placed into an enclosure when the bag is not in use. Other tote bags are made of a material that allows the tote bag, when not in use, to be folded and placed into a purse or the like or to be inserted into an enclosure or pocket.
The instant invention discloses a zippered tote bag that is integrally attached to the sides of a compact zippered compartment. When the tote bag is not in use, it is conveniently and easily inserted into the compartment that can be attached to a waist belt or the like or placed into a purse or pocket. When the tote bag is to be used, it is easily removed from the zippered compartment and carried by a pair of carrying straps.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:



PATENT NO.	INVENTOR	ISSUED

6,892,916	Rugg	17 May 2005
5,152,612	Shoemaker	6 Oct. 1992
4,515,300	Cohen	1 May 1985
D386,300	Kopel	18 Nov. 1997
D383,903	Kopel	23 Sept. 1997

The U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,916 patent discloses a bag for carrying a ball. The bag consists of an outer member having an exterior surface configured in the shape of a ball having an opening for inserting and removing the ball. A fastening member, having an open and a closed position, is operatively connected to the opening. The fastening member is adapted to make the opening an unsecured opening when the fastening member is in the open position, and a secured opening when the fastening member is in the closed position. A carrying handle, having a first end and a second end, is operatively connected to the outer member and is positioned relative to the opening. At least one outer pocket is positioned on the exterior surface of the outer member.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,612 patent discloses a collapsible article made of flexible material with a storage pouch that is integrally attached to the article. The article may be a collapsible bag or an article of clothing or the like. The storage pouch has a support wall and a panel attached on three sides to the support wall which together form a pocket-like opening. A locking flap is attached on one side to the panel and at two opposite ends to the panel and to the support wall. When the pouch is turned inside out, the article may be collapsed and inserted into the pouch.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,300 patent discloses a multiple-use sports bag that is convertible to one of four separate bags: a bike bag, a shoulder bag, a belt bag, and, in particular, a backpack. The multiple-use sports bag comprises a pouch-like body having a first open storage space and a space adjacent thereto, a backpack folded up inside the adjacent space, Velcro strips for securing the backpack inside the body, a first zipper for providing access to the backpack, and pull tabs on opposite sides of the zipper for opening and closing the pouch.
The D386,300 and the D383,903 design patents both disclose a clutch sized bag that is expandable into a backpack. Both of these patents have been assigned to the applicant of the instant application.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the search:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED

D374,983 Brucki 29 Oct. 1906

4,1342,564 Zoland 6 Mar. 1979

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is comprised of an expandable wallet bag that consists of a zippered compartment that has an integrally attached zippered tote bag. When the tote bag is not in use, it is folded and conveniently inserted into the zippered compartment. When the tote bag is ready to be used, the zippered compartment is opened and the tote bag is removed.
In its basic design configuration, the expandable wallet bag is comprised of:
A. A zippered compartment consisting of a first section and a second section, wherein each section includes an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge.
B. A first side cover and a second side cover, wherein each cover has an outer perimeter edge and an inner perimeter edge. Each outer perimeter edge is stitched to the respective perimeter edge on the first and second sections of the zippered compartment. A zipper is attached to the inner perimeter edges of the first and second side covers.
C. A zippered tote bag having a first enclosure and a second enclosure, wherein each enclosure has an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge that is divided into an upper half and a lower half, wherein to the upper half of the perimeter edge is attached a dual-pull zipper. The inner surfaces of the first and second sections of the zippered compartment are stitched to the outer surface of the first enclosure. When the zipper is opened the tote bag can be removed from the zippered compartment, when the tote bag is not in use it is folded and inserted into the zippered compartment, and
D. Means for carrying the zippered tote bag. Two carrying means are disclosed: the first consists of a first looped strap that is attached to the upper half of the first enclosure, and a second looped strap that is attached to the upper half of the second enclosure. The second carrying means consists of a pair of adjustable backpack straps that are attached to the second enclosure.
To enhance the utility of the expandable wallet bag, it can include an accordion pocket, a strap retaining flap and indicia. The accordion pocket is attached to the outer surface of the first section of the zippered compartment, and is dimensioned to secure credit cards, coins and the like. The strap retaining flap is attached to the outer surface of the second section of the zippered compartment, and is dimensioned to be secured to a belt or a strap. The indicia can be applied to the accordion pocket, the strap retaining flap or to the outer surfaces of the first and second enclosures. The indicia applied to the first and second enclosure preferably simulates the markings that are normally found on a basketball, a baseball and a soccer ball.
In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to produce an expandable wallet bag consisting of a zippered compartment that encloses a zippered tote bag when the tote bag is not in use. When the tote bag is removed from the compartment, it is easily carried by means of a carrying strap or a backpack strap.
In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an object of the invention to produce an expandable wallet bag that:

- can be made of various flexible materials and in various color combinations,
- can be designed to include a zippered compartment that encloses a zippered tote bag, wherein the zippered compartment is compact and is easily attached to a strap i.e., a waist belt or a shoulder strap,
- can include various indicia that can be applied to both the zippered compartment and the zippered tote bag,
- can be designed with a zippered tote bag that includes a dual zipper having two zipper pull tabs.
- is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a zippered compartment removed from an expandable wallet bag. The figure shows the relative locations of an accordion pocket, a strap retaining flap and a key ring.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a circular first section having an accordion pocket attached.
FIG. 3 is a elevational view of a circular second section having a strap retaining flap attached.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a first circular section and a second circular section attached together by means of a compartment attachment tab, which also has a key ring attached.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first and second circular sections as shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a circular first enclosure that has attached the circular first section, the circular second section and a bag carrying strap. The circular first enclosure is shown with the markings of a basketball.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a circular second enclosure that has a pair of backpack straps attached and the markings of a basketball.
FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a circular enclosure that has the markings of a baseball.
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a circular enclosure that has the markings of a soccer ball.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for an expandable wallet bag 10 (hereinafter “EWB 10”). The preferred embodiment of the EWB 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, is comprised of two major elements: a zippered compartment 12 and a zippered tote bag 13.
The zippered compartment 12 is described by utilizing even reference designators, while the zippered tote bag 13 utilizes odd reference designators. Both the zippered compartment 12 and the zippered tote bag 13 can be made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of nylon, rayon, silk, cotton, polyester and a microfiber.
The zippered compartment 12, as best shown in FIGS. 1-5, is comprised of a circular first section 14, a circular second section 28, a circular first side cover 42 and a circular second side cover 50. The circular first section 14 has an outer surface 16, an inner surface 18 and a perimeter edge 20 that is divided into an upper half 22 and a lower half 24. Likewise, the circular second section 28 has an outer surface 30, an inner surface 32, and a perimeter edge 34 that is divided into an upper half 36 and a lower half 38.
The circular first and second sections 14,28 are separated by the circular first and second side covers 42,50. The circular first side cover 42 has an outer perimeter edge 44 and an inner perimeter edge 46. The outer perimeter edge 44 is attached by stitching 48 to the perimeter edge 20 on the circular first section 14. The circular second side cover 50 has an outer perimeter edge 52 and an inner perimeter edge 54. The outer perimeter edge is also attached by a stitching 48 to the perimeter edge 34 on the circular second section 28.
The circular first section 14 and the circular second section 28 are joined by a zipper 68 and a compartment attachment tab 58. The tab 58 has a first edge 60, a second edge 62, a first side 64 and a second side 66. The first edge 60 is centrally attached to the perimeter edge 20 on the lower half 24 of the circular first section 14. Likewise, the second edge 62 is centrally attached to the perimeter edge 34 on the lower half 38 of the circular second section 28. To the respective inner perimeter edges 46,54 of the circular first side cover 42 and the circular second side cover 50 is attached the zipper 68. The zipper extends from the first side 64 and the second side 66 of the compartment attachment tab 58.
As shown in FIG. 4, the compartment attachment tab 58 in the preferred embodiment is further comprised of a looped strap 70 that is attached to the first side 64 of the tab 58. Inserted into the looped strap 70 is a key ring 72.
To enhance the utility of the EWB 10, an accordion pocket 76 and a stiffened strap retaining flap 86 are utilized.
The accordion pocket 76, as shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5, includes an upper opening 78 and is attached by stitching 48, to the outer surface 16 of the circular first section 14 of the zippered compartment 12. Attached across and adjacent the upper opening 78 of the accordion pocket 76 is a stiffened pocket flap 80 which includes an outer surface 82. The pocket flap 80 and the strap retaining flap 86 are stiffened by a piece of plastic or cardboard that is inserted and attached between two pieces of material. The securing means, preferably consisting of a corresponding set of at least one but preferably two snap fasteners 84 are utilized for securing the stiffened pocket flap 80 against the accordion pocket.
The stiffened strap flap 86, as also best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, includes an outer surface 88 and an upper edge 90. The upper edge 90 is attached by means of stitching 48 to the outer surface 30 of the circular section 28 of the zippered compartment 12. The lower edge 92 of the strap retaining flap 86 is secured to the outer surface 16 of the zippered compartment 12 by a corresponding set of at least one but preferably two snap fasteners 94. The stiffened strap flap 86 is dimensioned to retain a strap that is selected from the group consisting of a waist belt, a shoulder strap, a hanging strap, a luggage strap, or an accessory bag strap.
The second major element of the EWB 10 is the zippered tote bag 13, which is comprised of a circular first enclosure 15, a circular second enclosure 29, an enclosure side cover 43 and a means for carrying the zippered tote bag 13.
The circular first enclosure 15 has an outer surface 17, an inner surface 19 and a perimeter edge 21 that is divided into an upper half 23 and a lower half 25. The inner perimeter edge 46 of the circular first side cover 42 of the zippered compartment 12 and the inner perimeter edge 54 of the circular second side cover 50 of the zippered compartment 12 are positioned and are centrally stitched to the outer surface 17 of the circular first enclosure 15. The circular second enclosure 29 has an outer surface 31, an inner surface 33 and a perimeter edge 35 that is also divided into an upper half 37 and a lower half 39.
The enclosure side cover 43 is attached to the respective perimeter edges 21,35 of the circular fist enclosure 15 and the circular second enclosure 29. The enclosure side cover 43 is divided into an upper half 45 and a lower half 47. The upper half 45 is centrally split to create an opening 49 that has a zipper 51 attached that when the zipper 51 is opened, the zippered tote bag 13 is accessible.
As shown in FIG. 6, the inner surface 19 of the circular first enclosure 15, and the inner surface 33 of the circular second enclosure 29 are stitched 48 to the outer surface 16 of the circular first section 14 of the zippered compartment 12.
The means for carrying the zippered tote bag 13 are disclosed in two design configurations: a pair of bag carrying straps 57 and a pair of backpack straps 73.
The bag carrying straps 57, as shown in FIG. 6, are comprised of a first elongated loop strap 59 and a second elongated loop strap 65. The first elongated loop strap 59 has a first end 61 and a second end 63, wherein each of the ends 61,63 are stitched to the upper half 73 of the circular first enclosure 15. The second elongated loop strap 65 also has a first end 67 and a second end 69, wherein each of the ends 67,69 are stitched to the upper half 37 of the circular second enclosure 29.
The pair of backpack straps 73, as shown in FIG. 7, are comprised of a first adjustment slide 75 and a spaced-apart second adjustment slide 77, a first strap loop retainer 79 and a spaced-apart second strap loop retainer 81. Both retainers 79,81 are attached to the lower half 39 of the perimeter edge 35 of the circular second enclosure 29.
The first backpack strap 83 has an upper end 85 that is attached to the perimeter edge 35 on the upper half 37 of the circular second enclosure 29, and a lower end 87 that is inserted through the first adjustment slide 75, looped over the first strap loop retainer 79 and attached to the first adjustment slide 75. The second backpack strap 91 has an upper end 93 that is attached to the perimeter edge 35 on the upper half 37 of the circular second enclosure 29 and a lower end 95 that is inserted through the second adjustment slide 77, looped over the second strap loop retainer 81 and attached to the second adjustment slide 77.
A looped finger handle 97 can also be added to the EWB 10. The finger handle 97 is centrally stitched 48 to the perimeter edge 35 on the upper half 37 of the circular second enclosure 29.
The utility of the EWB 10 can be further enhanced by adding indicia 99. The indicia can be applied to the outer surface 17 of the circular first enclosure 15 and to the outer surface 31 of the circular second enclosure 29. Preferably, the indicia 99 is selected to give the EWB 10 the appearance of a sport bag. To comply with the sport bag theme, the indicia 99 can replicate the appearance of a basketball 102, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7; a baseball 104; as shown in FIG. 8; or a soccer ball 106, as shown in FIG. 9.
As shown in FIG. 6, indicia can also be applied to the outer surface 82 of the stiffened pocket flap 80 or the accordion pocket 76. Also, indicia, as also shown in FIG. 6, can be applied to the outer surface 88 of the stiffened strap retaining flap 86.
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and cope of the claims.

Claims

1. An expandable wallet bag comprising:

a) a zippered compartment consisting of a first section and a second section, wherein each section includes an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge,

b) a first side cover and a second side cover, wherein each cover has an outer perimeter edge and an inner perimeter edge, wherein the outer perimeter edges are stitched to the respective perimeter edges on the first and second sections of said zippered compartment, and wherein a zipper is attached to the inner perimeter edges of the first and second side covers,

c) a zippered tote bag having a first enclosure and a second enclosure, wherein each enclosure has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a perimeter edge that is divided into an upper half and a lower half, wherein a dual-pull zipper is attached to the upper half of the perimeter edge, wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second sections of said zippered compartment are stitched to the outer surface of the first enclosure, and wherein when the zipper is opened the tote bag can be removed for use, and conversely, when the tote bag is not in use, it is folded and inserted into the zippered compartment, and

d) means for carrying the zippered tote bag.

2. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 1 further comprising an accordion pocket that is stitched to the outer surface of the first section of the zippered compartment.

3. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 2 further comprising a strap retaining flap that is attached to the outer surface of the second section of the zippered compartment.

4. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 1 wherein when said means for carrying the zippered tote bag is comprised of a pair of bag carrying straps that are attached to the upper half of the zippered tote bag.

5. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 1 wherein said means for carrying the zippered tote bag is comprised of a pair of backpack straps that are attached to the outer surface of the second enclosure.

6. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 1 further comprising indicia that is applied to the accordion pocket, the strap retaining flap and to the outer surfaces of the first and second enclosure, wherein the indicia applied to the enclosure simulates the marking that are selected from the group consisting of the markings found on a basketball, a baseball and a soccer ball.

7. An expandable wallet bag comprising:

a) a zippered compartment comprising:

(1) a circular first section having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a perimeter edge that is divided into an upper half and a lower half,

(2) a circular second section having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a perimeter edge that is divided into an upper half and a lower half,

(3) a circular first side cover having an outer perimeter edge and an inner perimeter edge, wherein the outer perimeter edge is stitched to the perimeter edge on the circular first section,

(4) a circular second side cover having an outer perimeter edge, and an inner perimeter edge, wherein the outer perimeter edge is stitched to the perimeter edge on the circular second section,

(5) a compartment attachment tab having a first edge, a second edge, a first side and a second side, wherein the first edge is centrally attached to the perimeter edge on the lower half of the circular first section, and the second edge is centrally attached to the perimeter edge on the lower half of the circular second section,

(6) a zipper attached to the respective inner perimeter edges of the circular first side cover and the circular second side cover, wherein the zipper extends from the first side and the second side of the compartment attachment tab.

b) a zippered tote bag comprising:

(1) a circular first enclosure having an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge that is divided into an upper half and a lower half, wherein the inner perimeter edge of the circular first side cover of said zippered compartment, and the inner perimeter edge of the circular second side cover of said zippered compartment are centrally positioned and stitched to the outer surface of the circular first enclosure,

(2) a circular second enclosure having an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge that is divided to an upper half and a lower half, wherein the inner surfaces of the circular first and second enclosures are stitched to the outer surface of the circular first section,

(3) an enclosure side cover attached to the respective perimeter edges of the circular first enclosure and the circular second enclosure, wherein the enclosure side cover is divided into an upper half and a lower half, wherein the upper half is centrally split to create an opening that has a zipper attached that when the zipper is opened, said zippered tote bag is accessible, and

(4) means for carrying said zippered tote bag.

8. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 further comprising a looped strap that is attached to the first side of the compartment attachment tab, wherein a key ring is inserted into the looped strap.

9. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 further comprising:

a) an accordion pocket having an upper opening, wherein the pocket is stitched to the outer surface of the circular first section of said zippered compartment,

b) a stiffened pocket flap having an outer surface, wherein the flap is stitched across and adjacent the upper opening of the accordion pocket, and

c) means for securing the stiffened pocket flap against the accordion pocket.

10. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 9 wherein said means for securing the stiffened pocket flap against the accordion pocket comprises a corresponding set of at least one snap fastener.

11. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 further comprising:

a) a stiffened strap retaining flap having an outer surface and an upper edge, wherein the upper edge is stitched to the outer surface of the circular second section of said zippered compartment, and

b) means for securing the lower edge of the strap retaining flap to said zippered compartment.

12. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 11 wherein said strap that is retained within the stiffened strap retaining flap is selected from the group consisting of a waist belt, a shoulder strap, a hanging strap, a luggage strap, and an accessory bag strap.

13. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 11 wherein said means for securing the lower edge of the stiffened strap retaining flap to said zippered compartment comprises a corresponding set of at least one snap fastener.

14. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 wherein said means for carrying said expandable wallet bag when said zippered tote bag is extracted from said zippered compartment consists of a pair of bag carrying straps comprising:

a) a first elongated loop strap having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the ends is stitched to the upper half of the circular first enclosure, and

b) a second elongated loop strap having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the ends is stitched to the upper half of the circular second enclosure.

15. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 wherein said means for carrying said expandable wallet bag when said zippered tote bag is extracted from said zippered compartment consists of a pair of backpack straps consisting:

a) a first and a second spaced-apart adjustment slides,

b) a first and a second spaced-apart strap loop retainers that are attached to the lower half of the perimeter edge of the circular second enclosure,

c) a first backpack strap having an upper end that is attached to the perimeter edge on the upper half of the circular second enclosure, and a lower end that is inserted through the first length adjustment slide, looped over the first strap loop retainer and attached to the first length adjustment slide, and

d) a second backpack strap having an upper end that is attached to the perimeter edge on the upper half of the circular second enclosure, and a lower end that is inserted through the second length adjustment slide, looped over the second strap loop retainer and attached to the second length adjustment slide.

16. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 15 further comprising a looped finger handle that is centrally stitched to the perimeter edge on the upper half of the circular second enclosure.

17. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 further comprising indicia that is applied to the outer surface of the circular first enclosure and to the outer surface of the circular second enclosure, wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of the markings of a basketball, a baseball and a soccer ball.

18. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 further comprising indicia that is applied to the outer surface of the stiffened pocket flap on the accordion pocket, and to the outer surface of the stiffened strap retaining flap.

19. The expandable wallet bag as specified in claim 7 wherein said material used for said expandable wallet bag is selected from the group consisting of nylon, rayon, silk, cotton, polyester and a microfiber.