US20070084891A1

US20070084891A1 - Combination backpack and cushion device

Info

Publication number: US20070084891A1
Application number: US11/251,429
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Gillespie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-14
Filing date: 2005-10-14
Publication date: 2007-04-19

Abstract

A combination backpack and seat cushion includes a cushion operatively connected to a pair of functional backpack sections. The cushion is sandwiched between the backpack sections at a first configuration and further separates the backpack sections into a more linear configuration at a second configuration. The backpack sections include compartments for carrying books or other articles. The invention may be carried as a traditional backpack at the first configuration. At the second configuration, the cushion may be placed on a chair seat and back rest while the connected backpack sections may be strapped out of the way below and behind the chair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carrying cases and, more particularly, to a backpack having an integrated seat cushion.
Many people find themselves in situations where they must sit for long periods of time on uncomfortable seating. Common situations in this regard include students studying for long periods of time in a library or spectators at sporting events. In both situations, the person typically desires to carry several items with them, such as books, food, or the like, and also desires to be comfortable while sitting.
Various proposals for carrying portable seating, chairs, or cushions, have been made in the prior art. While assumably effective for their intended purpose of providing portable seating, the existing devices lack all of the utilitarian aspects of a backpack. More particularly, the existing devices are merely collapsible seats that would need to be transported in addition to a backpack or other case for books and supplies. Further, the existing cushion devices do not meet the specific needs of a student, including the ability to carry multiple books and to provide a comfortable cushion device while studying in a library.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a backpack that includes a portable seat cushion for providing comfortable seating and carrying books or supplies. Further, it would be desirable to have fully functional seating comfort while maintaining a fully functional backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combination backpack and cushion device according to the present invention includes distinct first and second backpack sections that are attached together. In addition, a cushion member is connected to the first and second backpack sections and is movable between a first configuration sandwiched between the first and second backpack sections and a second configuration in which the first and second backpack sections are further separated by the cushion in an elongate configuration.
In the second configuration, the cushion device includes an elongate cushion element having one or more cushions. Preferably, the cushion device includes an initial cushion and an end cushion, the cushion element providing a cushion for placement on a chair seat and another cushion for placement against a chair backrest.
The initial cushion is flexibly attached to the first backpack section and the end cushion is attached to the second backpack section. In use, therefore, the first backpack section may hang below a chair sear when the initial cushion is situated on the seat and the second backpack section can be draped over a chair back when the end cushion is used as a back rest. While in use, the first and second backpack section may be releasably strapped together behind or below the seat to keep the entire device in place.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a combination backpack and cushion device that enables a student to carry books and to have a comfortable cushion for sitting on an otherwise uncomfortable chair surface. Another object of this invention is to provide a combination backpack and cushion device, as aforesaid, that includes compartments for carrying books and supplies.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination backpack and cushion device, as aforesaid, in which the cushion device includes one or more cushions.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combination backpack and cushion device, as aforesaid, which is movable between one configuration in which the cushion device is sandwiched between backpack sections and another configuration in which the backpack sections and cushion members are in an elongate and spread out arrangement.
Other object and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination backpack and cushion device according to the present invention in a first configuration;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination backpack and cushion device as in FIG. 1 in a second configuration;
FIG. 3 a is perspective view of the combination backpack and cushion device as in FIG. 2 positioned on a chair;
FIG. 3 b is a perspective view as in FIG. 3 a from another angle; FIG. 4 is an isolated perspective view on an enlarged scale of the device as in FIG. 3 a;
FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of a combination backpack and cushion device according to another embodiment of the invention in an expanded/first configuration;
FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of the device as in FIG. 5 a in a collapsed/second configuration; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a combination backpack and cushion device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A combination backpack and cushion device according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6 of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, a combination backpack and cushion device 100 according to the present invention includes distinct first and second backpack sections 110, 120 and an elongate cushion element 130.
The first and second backpack sections 110, 120 respectively include an inner surface 112 a, 122 a, an outer surface 112 b, 122 b, a top end 114 a, 124 a, a bottom end 114 b, 124 b, and opposed sides 116 a, 116 b, 126 a, 126 b. The first backpack section 110 defines a first storage area 118, and the second backpack section 120 defines a second storage area 128. Means 140 for releasably attaching the first and second backpack sections 110, 120 are preferably included, such as clips, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, a zipper, and other fastening mechanisms. Means 125 for holding the second backpack section 120 is preferably also included, such as a carrying strap or a handle.
The elongate cushion element 130 includes one or more cushions 132 arranged in an elongate row, and the cushion element 130 is flexibly connected to the first and second backpack sections 110, 120 for movement between a first configuration 130 a and a second configuration 130 b. The cushion element 130 is sandwiched between the first and second backpack sections 110, 120 at the first configuration 130 a, and the cushion element 130 further separates the first and second backpack sections 110, 120 at the second configuration 130 b. More particularly, the backpack sections 110, 120 and cushion element 130 may be spread out into a more elongate and linear type of arrangement in the second configuration so as to laid flat or draped over a chair (FIGS. 2. 3 a. and 3 b).
The cushion element 130 includes an initial cushion 134 and an end cushion 136, each having opposed first and second ends 134 a, 134 b, 136 a, 136 b and opposed sides 134 c, 134 d, 136 c, 136 d. The initial cushion 134 is flexibly connected to the first backpack section 110, and the end cushion 136 is flexibly connected to the second backpack section 120. If there is only one cushion 132, that cushion 132 is both the initial cushion 134 and the end cushion 136.
In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, the device 100 is for use with a chair 10 having a seat 12 and a back 14 (FIGS. 3 a and 3 b). The initial cushion first end 134 a is flexibly connected to the first backpack section 110 adjacent the first backpack section top end 114 a, and the end cushion second end 136 b is flexibly connected to the second backpack section 120 adjacent the second backpack section top end 124 a. The cushion element 130 defines a seat area 138 a and a back area 138 b. The seat area 138 a has a length sufficient to extend along the chair seat 12, and the back area 138 b has a length sufficient to extend along the chair back 14, as shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b. The first backpack section sides 116 a, 116 b are releasably attached to the second backpack section sides 126 a, 126 b by the means 140 to selectively maintain the cushion element 130 in the first configuration 130 a. The first backpack section bottom end 114 b is preferably releasably attached to the second backpack section bottom end 124 b by clips 142, though hook and loop fasteners, snaps, a zipper, and other fastening mechanisms would also be suitable. In use, the cushion element 130 is initially at the first configuration 130 a, and the first backpack section 110 is attached to the second backpack section 120 by the attaching means 140 (FIG. 1). A user may insert and remove items from the first and second storage areas 118, 128. The first and second backpack sections 110, 120 may be separated by disconnecting the attaching means 140, and the cushion element 130 may be moved to the second configuration 130 b (FIG. 2). The first backpack section 110 may then be positioned against a rear surface 14 b of the chair back 14, and the cushion element back area 138 b may be positioned against an inner surface 14 a of the chair back 14. The cushion element seat area 138 a may be positioned against a top surface 12 a of the chair seat 12, and the second backpack section 120 may be positioned against a bottom surface 12 b of the chair seat 12. The clips 142 may then be fastened, connecting the bottom ends 114 b, 124 b of the first and second backpack sections 110, 120. This attachment prevents the second backpack section 120 from reaching the ground, effectively securing the second backpack section 120 to the chair seat bottom surface 12 b.
In another embodiment 200, shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the device 200 includes a construction substantially similar to that described in the first embodiment 100 above, except as specifically noted below. The device 200 includes a rigid lower frame 210 attached to the cushion element 130 and the second backpack section 120, a rigid upper frame 220 attached to the cushion element 130 and the first backpack section 110, and means 230 for adjusting the positions of the upper and lower frames 220, 210 relative to one another to move the cushion element 130 between the first and second configurations 130 a, 130 b. A plurality of legs 240 may be attached to the lower frame 210 for movement between a retracted configuration 240 a (FIG. 5 b) and an extended configuration 240 b (FIG. 5 a). The legs 240 are preferably pivotably attached as shown, and each leg 240 may have a telescoping configuration 242 so that the user may adjust the length of each leg 240. The means 230 is preferably a hinge.
In use, the first and second backpack sections 110, 120 may be separated by disconnecting the attaching means 140, and the cushion element 130 may be moved to the second configuration 130 b (FIG. 2) by using the adjusting means 230. The legs 240 may be moved to the extended configuration 240 b, and the length of each leg 240 may be set by adjusting each telescoping assembly 242.
In yet another embodiment 300, shown in FIG. 6, the device 300 includes a construction substantially similar to the construction as described in the first embodiment 100 above, except as specifically noted below. The device 300 is for use with a bench 16 having top and bottom surfaces 16 a, 16 b. One of the initial cushion sides 134 c is flexibly connected to the first backpack section 110, and the other initial cushion side 134 d is releasably connected to the first backpack section 110. One of the end cushion sides 136 c is flexibly connected to the second backpack section 120, and the other end cushion side 136 d is releasably connected to the second backpack section 120.
In use, the initial cushion may rest upon the top bench surface 16 a, and the first backpack section 110 may be connected to the initial cushion side 134 d to secure the first backpack section 110 to the bottom bench surface 16 b. The end cushion 136 may rest upon the top bench surface 16 a, and the second backpack section 120 may be connected to the end cushion side 136 d to secure the second backpack section 120 to the bottom bench surface 16 b.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A combination backpack and cushion device, comprising:

a distinct first backpack section releasably attached to a distinct second backpack section; and

a cushion operatively connected to said first and second backpack sections, respectively, for movement between a first configuration in which said cushion is sandwiched between said first and second backpack sections and a second configuration in which said first and second backpack sections are further separated by said cushion.

2. The device as in claim 1, wherein:

said cushion presents opposed first and second ends;

said cushion first end is flexibly connected to said first backpack section; and

said cushion second end is flexibly connected to said second backpack section.

3. The device as in claim 2, wherein:

said first and second backpack sections respectively include an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end, and opposed sides;

said cushion first end is flexibly connected to said first backpack section adjacent said first backpack section top end; and

said cushion second end is flexibly connected to said second backpack section adjacent said second backpack section top end.

4. The device as in claim 3, wherein said first backpack section sides are releasably attached to said second backpack section sides.

5. The device as in claim 1, wherein said cushion is a plurality of cushions arranged in an elongate row.

6. The device as in claim 5 for use with a chair having a seat and a back, wherein:

said elongate row of cushions defines a seat area and a back area;

said seat area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair seat; and

said back area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair back.

7. The device as in claim 5, wherein:

said elongate row of cushions includes an initial cushion and an end cushion, each having opposed first and second ends and opposed sides;

said initial cushion is flexibly connected to said first backpack section; and

said end cushion is flexibly connected to said second backpack section.

8. The device as in claim 7, wherein:

said first and second backpack sections respectively include an inner surface, an outer surface, a top end, a bottom end, and opposed sides;

said initial cushion first end is flexibly connected to said first backpack section adjacent said first backpack section top end; and

said end cushion second end is flexibly connected to said second backpack section adjacent said second backpack section top end.

9. The device as in claim 8, wherein said first backpack section sides are releasably attached to said second backpack section sides.

10. The device as in claim 8 for use with a chair having a seat and a back, wherein:

said elongate row of cushions defines a seat area and a back area;

said seat area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair seat; and

said back area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair back.

11. The device as in claim 10, wherein said first backpack section bottom end is releasably attached to said second backpack section bottom end so that said first backpack section may be positioned against a rear surface of the chair back, said back area of said row of cushions may be positioned against an inner surface of the chair back, said seat area of said row of cushions may be positioned against a top surface of the chair seat, said second backpack section may be positioned against a bottom surface of the chair seat, and said attachment between said bottom ends of said first and second backpack sections may secure said second backpack section to the bottom surface of the chair seat.

12. The device as in claim 7 for use with a bench having top and bottom surfaces, wherein:

one said initial cushion side is flexibly connected to said first backpack section and the other said initial cushion side is releasably connected to said first backpack section to selectively secure said first backpack section to the bottom bench surface when said initial cushion rests upon the top bench surface; and

one said end cushion side is flexibly connected to said second backpack section and the other said end cushion side is releasably connected to said second backpack section to selectively secure said second backpack section to the bottom bench surface when said end cushion rests upon the top bench surface.

13. The device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a rigid lower frame attached to said cushion;

a rigid upper frame attached to said cushion;

means for adjusting the positions of the upper and lower frames relative to one another to move said cushion between said first and second configurations.

14. The device as in claim 13, further comprising a plurality of legs attached to said lower frame for movement between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

15. The device as in claim 1, wherein said first backpack section defines a first storage area and said second backpack section defines a second storage area.

16. The device as in claim 1, further comprising means for holding said second backpack section.

17. A combination backpack and cushion device, comprising:

a first backpack section defining a first storage area;

a second backpack section defining a second storage area;

means for releasably attaching said first and second backpack sections; and

an elongate cushion row having at least one cushion, said cushion row being flexibly connected to said first and second backpack sections, respectively, for movement between a first configuration in which said cushion row is sandwiched between said first and second backpack sections and a second configuration in which said first and second backpack sections are further separated by said cushion row.

18. The device as in claim 17 for use with a chair having a seat and a back, wherein:

said elongate cushion row defines a seat area and a back area;

said seat area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair seat;

said back area has a length sufficient to extend along the chair back; and

a bottom end of said first backpack section is releasably attachable to a bottom end of said second backpack section so that said first backpack section may be positioned against a rear surface of the chair back, said back area of said cushion row may be positioned against an inner surface of the chair back, said seat area of said cushion row may be positioned against a top surface of the chair seat, said second backpack section may be positioned against a bottom surface of the chair seat, and said attachment between said bottom ends of said first and second backpack sections may secure said second backpack section to the bottom surface of the chair seat.

19. The device as in claim 17 for use with a bench having top and bottom surfaces, wherein:

said cushion row includes an initial cushion and an end cushion, each having opposed first and second ends and opposed sides;

20. The device as in claim 17, further comprising:

a rigid lower frame attached to said cushion row;

a rigid upper frame attached to said cushion row;

means for adjusting the positions of the upper and lower frames relative to one another to move said cushion row between said first and second configurations; and

a plurality of telescoping legs attached to said lower frame for movement between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.