US20070170189A1

US20070170189A1 - Pedestrian Carryall

Info

Publication number: US20070170189A1
Application number: US11/422,415
Authority: US
Inventors: Josephine Carlile
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-20
Filing date: 2006-06-06
Publication date: 2007-07-26

Abstract

A pedestrian carryall for facilitating the carrying of a beverage container and other objects is disclosed. The carryall comprises an insulated sleeve preferably comprised of a single elongated rectangular insulating member. The insulating member includes a first fastener portion fixed to an interior surface and a second, cooperating fastener portion fixed to the exterior surface, whereby the insulating member may be looped around itself such that the first and second fastener portions may be brought into contact to form a sleeve for adjustably and frictionally retaining a variety of sizes and shapes of the beverage container or other objects. An adjustable looped handle is fixed to the sleeve for adjustable looping around a person's hand, whereby the user does not have to actively grasp the carryall in order to carry the beverage container. A key ring may be fixed to the exterior surface of the sleeve, as well as a collapsible fabric liquid-tight bowl fixed to an interior surface of the elongated insulating member, the bowl being expandable to form a liquid-tight container supported on a ground surface for facilitating the hydration of a pet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/760,459 filed on Jan. 20, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hand-held carrying aids, and more particularly to a novel Pedestrian Carryall.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

When jogging or performing other physical activities, it is inconvenient to have to carry a water bottle and other objects such as cellular phones, keys, currency, pet supplies if jogging with a dog, and the like. When such items are placed in pockets of typical jogging shorts, for example, such objects tend to jostle around uncomfortably. Jogging shorts, if they have pockets at all, are typically not made to support such objects as keys or cellular phones in such pockets.
Several devices have been designed to make it more convenient for joggers and other athletes to carry items such as water containers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,869 to Katz on Oct. 22, 1996, teaches an arm-supported drinking container. Such a device allows one to carry a volume of fluid without having to grasp the container, yet not everyone is comfortable having a canteen strapped to their arm while jogging. Further, such a device makes no provision for carrying other objects. U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,636 to Kibbe on Apr. 6, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,089 to Abreu-Marston on Aug. 17, 1999 teach similar products with some of the same drawbacks. The Abreu-Marston device does provide for pockets included with the device for allowing some relatively flat items to be carried concurrently with a fluid container, but does not teach a device that is well-suited for holding with a hand, which is often more comfortable and convenient than devices designed for engagement with a wrist, arm, waist, or leg.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,927 to Tebeau on Jan. 26, 1999, teaches a baby bottle with a strap. Such a strap is well-suited for holding a baby bottle that has a smaller central diameter, but such a device is not well-suited for holding a conventional drinking water bottle that is typically of a consistent diameter along its length. Using such a device with a conventional drinking water bottle results in the bottle sliding with respect to the strap as a person jogs or otherwise moves energetically. Further, such a device makes no provision for carrying other items, and additionally makes no provision for thermally insulating the contents of the baby bottle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,067 to Effertz on Sep. 15, 1992, discloses a thermally insulated jacket for a beverage container, such as a soda can. This type of device does help to insulate the contents of the can, but it is not easily carried by a jogger, for example, in that it requires an active grip to hold. Further, such a device does not provide pockets or other object retaining means.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,249 to Stech on Jun. 14, 1994 discloses an insulated beverage container holder that assumes the shape of a cone frustum for fitting over conical-shaped containers, such as coffee cups. Such a device does not teach holding additional items, nor does it work well with conventional water bottles due to its frusto-conical shape. Further, the handle of such a device, if subjected to the pulling forces of a water bottle on the hand while jogging, can easily become detached, resulting in the device with the bottle falling on the ground. The handle of this type of device is designed in such a way that pulling forces are transmitted directly to the hook-and-loop type fastener of such a device, and as such, the handle is not nearly as strong as it needs to be. U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,440 to Miller on Sep. 24, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,307 to Biddick et al. on Jan. 5, 1999 teach similar devices that have similar drawbacks.
None of the aforementioned devices teach a product that includes a collapsible bowl for providing a pet a convenient means to drink water, for example. A foldable bowl is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,244 to Jones on Feb. 1, 2000, but no suggestion is made to combine this with a beverage container holder. Such a bowl, further, includes a metal spring frame that does not lie completely flat, as would be preferably.
Clearly, then, there is a need for a carryall device that overcomes the drawbacks found in the prior art. Such a needed device would provide an adjustable insulating sleeve for a beverage container of various sizes and shapes, and would further provide an adjustable hand strap that would allow a person to carry the device and beverage container without having to actively grasp same. Such a needed device would provide means for carrying other objects, such as cellular phones, keys, currency, and the like. Further, such a needed device would further include a collapsible water bowl for conveniently providing for a pet's water needs, such as a dog's, while jogging therewith. Such a needed device would be durable, extremely easy and convenient to use, and yet relatively inexpensive. The present invention accomplishes these and other objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a pedestrian carryall for facilitating the carrying of a beverage container and other objects. The carryall comprises an insulated sleeve, the sleeve including an interior surface, an exterior surface and at least a top edge and a bottom edge. A portion of the sleeve may be made from an elastic material, whereby the sleeve may flex slightly when the beverage container is inserted therein.
Preferably the insulated sleeve is comprised of a single elongated rectangular insulating member and further includes two side edges. The insulating member further includes a first fastener portion fixed to the interior surface proximate to one of the side edges. A second, cooperating fastener portion is fixed to the exterior surface proximate to the other side edge, whereby the insulating member may be looped around itself such that the first and second fastener portions may be brought into contact. As the first and second fastener portions are adapted to fasten to each other when brought into mutual contact, the sleeve is formed thereby and is adjustable to frictionally retain a variety of sizes and shapes of the beverage container or other objects. The first and second fastener portions are preferably cooperating hook-and-loop type fastening material. In one embodiment of the invention, the sleeve further includes a flexible pocket fixed to the exterior surface and the interior surface of the sleeve.
A looped handle is fixed to the sleeve at preferably the interior surface or the alternately the exterior surface. Preferably, the looped handle is a single rectangular elongated flexible member that includes a first handle fastener portion fixed to a handle exterior surface thereof proximate to one side edge of a pair of handle side edges. A second fastener portion is fixed to the handle exterior surface proximate a center point between the pair of handle side edges. Further, a rigid loop is fixed proximate the other side edge of the pair of edges, whereby the one side of the flexible member may be looped through the ring and around itself such that the first and second handle fastener portions may be brought into contact. As such, the looped flexible member forms the handle such that the handle is adjustable to frictionally be retained by a variety of sizes of the person's hand. A key ring may be fixed to the exterior surface of the sleeve. Additionally, a collapsible fabric liquid-tight bowl may be fixed to the interior surface of the elongated insulating member, the bowl being expandable to form a liquid-tight container supported on a ground surface.
The present device is an adjustable insulating sleeve for a beverage container capable of handling containers of various sizes and shapes. The present invention provides an adjustable hand strap that allows a person to carry the device and beverage container without having to actively grasp same. Further, the present device includes means for carrying other objects, such as cellular phones, keys, currency, and the like. A collapsible water bowl is also included for conveniently providing for a pet's water needs while out jogging therewith. The present device is durable, extremely easy and convenient to use, and yet relatively inexpensive. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating an insulated sleeve made from a single elongated flexible member;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention, illustrating a flexible pocket fixed to an exterior surface of the sleeve and holding an object;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a person's hand as engaged to the carryall of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the invention, illustrating the exterior surface of the flexible member, the flexible member being in a flat configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the invention, illustrating an interior surface of the flexible member, the flexible member being in the flat configuration;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the invention, illustrating a collapsible liquid bowl in a collapsed configuration, the flexible member being in the flat configuration;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the invention, illustrating the collapsible liquid bowl in a deployed configuration, the flexible member being in the flat configuration;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the invention, illustrating an interior pocket made from an insulating material; and

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the invention, illustrating an insulating section made from an insulating material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a pedestrian carryall 10 for facilitating the carrying of a beverage container 20 and other objects 140. The carryall 10 comprises an insulated sleeve 40, the sleeve 40 including an interior surface 44 and an exterior surface 46. Each surface 44,46 is joined by at least a top edge 47 and a bottom edge 48. The sleeve 40 is preferably made from a strong nylon or other durable, flexible material. The sleeve 40 may include an insulating foam or other suitable insulator material between two sheets of nylon, for example. Alternately, the sleeve 40 may be made from a sheet of neoprene, closed-cell foam material, or the like A portion 120 of the sleeve 40 may be made from an elastic material (FIG. 3), whereby the sleeve 40 may flex slightly when the beverage container 20 is inserted therein.
Preferably, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-8, the insulated sleeve 40 is comprised of a single elongated rectangular insulating member 60. The member 60 includes two side edges 65, in addition to the top and bottom edges 47,48, each side edge 65 connecting the exterior surface 46 to the interior surface 44 between the top edge 47 and the bottom edge 48 to form the generally rectangular member 60.
The insulating member 60 further includes a first fastener portion 70 fixed to the interior surface 44 proximate to one of the side edges 65. A second, cooperating fastener portion 75 is fixed to the exterior surface 46 proximate to the other side edge 65, whereby the insulating member 60 may be looped around itself such that the first and second fastener portions 70,75 may be brought into contact. The first and second fastener portions 70,75 may be fixed to the elongated member 60 by sewing, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, or other suitable adhering means. As the first and second fastener portions 70,75 are adapted to fasten to each other when brought into mutual contact, the sleeve 40 is formed thereby and is adjustable to frictionally retain a variety of sizes and shapes of the beverage container 20 or other objects 140. The first and second fastener portions 70,75 may be, preferably, cooperating hook-and-loop type fastening material (FIG. 1), cooperating mechanical snaps (not shown), or cooperating halves of a zipper mechanism (not shown). Clearly other fasteners known in the art may be used with the present device, providing that such fasteners cooperate to form a suitably strong bond to prevent the beverage container 20 from wiggling loose while the person 30 is jogging or otherwise applying stress to the carryall 10.
In one embodiment of the invention, the sleeve 40 further includes a flexible pocket 130 fixed to the exterior surface 46 thereof, the pocket being made from a flexible nylon or similarly durable material. The flexible pocket 130 may further include an elastic portion 135 for elastically retaining an object 140 against the exterior surface 46 of the sleeve 40 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Likewise, another flexible pocket 130 may be fixed to the interior surface 44 of the sleeve 40, and may also include an elastic portion 135 for elastically retaining an object 140 against the interior surface 44 of the sleeve 40 (FIGS. 1 and 5). Such pockets 130 are fixed to the sleeve 40 by sewing, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, or other suitable adhering means.
A looped handle 50 is fixed to the sleeve 40 at preferably the interior surface 44 or the alternately the exterior surface 46. In the preferred embodiment, the looped handle 50 completely encircles a portion of the insulated sleeve 40 (FIGS. 4-6), and is made from a strong nylon strap or other durable and strong strap material.
Preferably, the looped handle 50 is a single rectangular elongated flexible member 80 that includes a first handle fastener portion 84 fixed to a handle exterior surface 85 thereof proximate to one side edge 104 of a pair of handle side edges 100 (FIGS. 4-6). A second fastener portion 86 is fixed to the handle exterior surface 85 proximate a center point 89 between the pair of handle side edges 100 (FIG. 4). Further, a rigid loop 110 is fixed proximate the other side edge 106 of the pair of edges 100, whereby the one side 104 of the flexible member 80 may be looped through the ring 110 and around itself such that the first and second handle fastener portions 84,86 may be brought into contact. The rigid loop 110 is preferably a rigid plastic material or a metal loop. As with the first and second fastener portions 70,75 of the sleeve 40, the first and second handle fastener portions 84,86 are adapted to fasten to each other when brought into mutual contact. As such, the looped flexible member 80 forms the handle 50 such that the handle 50 is adjustable to frictionally be retained by a variety of sizes of the person's hand 35 (FIG. 3).
A key ring 150 may be fixed to the exterior surface 46 of the sleeve 40, the key ring 150 suitable for retaining at least one key 160 thereto (FIG. 2). Such a key ring 150 may be a loop of fabric sewn onto the sleeve 40, or a rigid plastic or metal ring. Additionally, a collapsible fabric liquid-tight bowl 170 may be fixed to the interior surface 44 of the elongated insulating member 60. The bowl 170 has a bottom wall 174 and at least one side wall 176 extending upwardly from a periphery 175 of the bottom wall 174 (FIG. 8). The bowl 170 may have a layer of liquid-impermeable plastic sheeting (not shown), or the like, formed between two nylon sheets, for example. A high-friction surface 172 may be incorporated on a bottom side of the bottom wall 174, such that when the bowl 170 is deployed the high-friction surface 172 engages a ground surface (not shown) for inhibiting the bowl 170 from sliding on the ground surface. Advantageously, the high-friction surface 172 is in contact with the beverage container 20 when the bowl 170 is in a collapsed configuration substantially flat against the inside surface 44 of the sleeve 40, thereby inhibiting sliding of the beverage container 20 when engaged with the sleeve 40.
In use, the beverage container 20 (FIG. 3), or other object, may be inserted into the sleeve 40 and frictionally retained thereby. The person 30 may loop the handle 50 around one of her hands 35 to facilitate carrying of the beverage container 20 or other object 140, without having to actively grasp same. An object 140, such as a cellular phone, or the like, may be inserted and retained by the exterior surface 46 pocket 130. Likewise, currency, credit cards, or other relatively flat objects 140 may be retained by the pocket 130 on the interior surface 44 of the sleeve 40.
To deploy the bowl 170, the elongated insulating member 60 is placed in a flat configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 4,6,7, and 8, the first and second fastener portions 70,75 being separated from each other. The bowl 170 is then pulled down and extended, the carryall being placed on a ground surface (not shown). Water or other liquid may be poured into the bowl 170, the bowl 170 being a liquid-tight container. A dog or other pet may then drink from the bowl 170 (not shown), the bowl 170 being inhibited from sliding on the ground surface by the high-friction surface 172.
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment, wherein the elongated insulating member 60 is made from a relatively thin material, such as a sheet of nylon, canvas, terrycloth, or leather material, and wherein a plurality of the interior pockets 130 are made from a relatively effective insulating material, such as neoprene or other non-slip and insulating material. Similarly, FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the elongated insulating member 60 is made from the thin material, and wherein an interior insulating section 180 made from the relatively effective insulating material is included on the interior surface 44 of the elongated insulating member 60.
While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the exact placement of the pockets 130 on the sleeve 40 may be altered, as can the material choices for the sleeve 40, the handle 50, and the bowl 170. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A carryall for facilitating the carrying of a beverage container by a person, the carryall comprising:

an insulated sleeve, the sleeve including an interior surface and an exterior surface, each surface joined by at least a top edge and a bottom edge; and

a looped handle fixed to the sleeve at the interior surface of the sleeve, the looped handle completely encircling a portion of the insulated sleeve;

whereby the beverage container may be inserted into the sleeve and frictionally retained thereby, and the person may loop the handle around one of the person's hands to facilitate carrying of the beverage container.

2. A carryall comprising:

a looped handle fixed to the sleeve at the exterior surface of the sleeve;

3. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the insulated sleeve is a single elongated insulating member that further includes two side edges each connecting the exterior surface to the interior surface between the top edge and the bottom edge, the insulating member further including a first fastener portion fixed to the interior surface proximate to one of the side edges, and a second fastener portion fixed to the exterior surface proximate to the other side edge, whereby the insulating member may be looped around itself such that the first and second fastener portions may be brought into contact, the first and second fastener portions adapted to fasten to each other thereby, such that the looped insulating member forms the insulating sleeve, the sleeve being adjustable to frictionally retain a variety of sizes and shapes of the beverage container.

4. The carryall of claim 3 wherein the first and second fastener portions are cooperating hook-and-loop type fastening material.

5. The carryall of claim 3 wherein the first and second fastener portions are cooperating mechanical snaps.

6. The carryall of claim 3 wherein the first and second fastener portions are cooperating halves of a zipper mechanism.

7. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the looped handle is a single rectangular elongated flexible member that includes a first handle fastener portion fixed to a handle exterior surface thereof proximate to one of a pair of handle side edges, a second fastener portion fixed to the handle exterior surface proximate a center point between the pair of handle side edges, and a rigid loop fixed to the other of the pair of handle side edges, whereby the one side of the flexible member may be looped through the ring and around itself such that the first and second handle fastener portions may be brought into contact, the first and second handle fastener portions adapted to fasten to each other thereby, such that the looped flexible member forms the handle, the handle being adjustable to frictionally be retained by a variety of sizes of the person's hand.

8. The carryall of claim 1 wherein a portion of the sleeve is made from an elastic material.

9. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a flexible pocket fixed to the exterior surface thereof, whereby an object may be carried in the pocket.

10. The carryall of claim 9 wherein the flexible pocket includes an elastic portion for elastically retaining the object against the exterior surface of the sleeve.

11. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a flexible pocket fixed to the interior surface thereof, whereby an object may be carried in the pocket.

12. The carryall of claim 11 wherein the flexible pocket includes an elastic portion for interior retaining the object against the exterior surface of the sleeve.

13. The carryall of claim 1 wherein a key ring is fixed to the sleeve for holding at least one key thereto.

14. The carryall of claim 3 further include a collapsible liquid bowl having a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom wall, the at least one side wall fixed to at least a portion of the interior surface of the elongated insulating member, whereby with the first and second fastening portions detached from each other, the collapsible liquid bowl may be erected and filled with a liquid, the bottom wall of the collapsible bowl adapted for non-sliding engagement with a ground surface, and whereby with the first and second fastening portions mutually attached, the collapsible liquid bowl may be collapsed to fit generally flat along the interior surface of the sleeve.

15. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the handle is fixed to the sleeve by sewing.

16. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the handle is fixed to the sleeve by ultrasonic welding.

17. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the handle and the sleeve are formed integrally from a sheet of flexible insulating material.

18. The carryall of claim 2 wherein the looped handle is made from an elastic material.

19. The carryall of claim 11 wherein the flexible pocket fixed to the interior surface of the sleeve is a relatively effective insulating material.

20. The carryall of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made from a relatively thin material, and further including an elongated section of relatively effective insulating material fixed to the interior surface of the sleeve, the elongated section being smaller than but generally the same shape as the sleeve.