WO2014029905A1

WO2014029905A1 - Device for carrying and holding objects

Info

Publication number: WO2014029905A1
Application number: PCT/FI2013/050736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markku Vettenniemi
Original assignee: Polartum Oy
Priority date: 2012-08-22
Filing date: 2013-07-04
Publication date: 2014-02-27
Also published as: FI20125871A

Abstract

A device for carrying and holding objects, the device comprising a carrying part (1) held over at least one shoulder when carrying, at least one pocket part (3) for holding objects by means of pockets (7) or other fastening means, in which case the pocket part can be fastened to the carrying part hingedly by hinge means (2), and closed by openable fastening means (5) at least at one other point than at the hinge means (2) to the carrying part, whereby between the pocket part (3) and the carrying part (1) can be placed the seat belt (9) of a car or the strap of another carrying means or rucksack, and the pocket part (3) can again be fastened in place in the carrying part (1) by at least one said openable fastening means (5).

Description

Device for carrying and holding objects

The object of the invention is a carrying device according to independent claim 1. The invention relates to carrying and holding small objects. Carrying, for example, a telephone, keys, a wallet and similar objects in one's trouser pockets is uncomfortable. When driving a car, sitting, or carrying a rucksack, the most natural places for vest or jacket pockets are on the chest in the front, or on the sides, in which case the pockets are in a difficult place from the point of view of use and the seat belts or straps may press on the objects in the pockets. When sitting, the pockets on the sides are more difficult to reach than an inside pocket. Trouser pockets are inconvenient in situations where vehicles are used, one is sitting or moving a lot.

Also, when carrying a rucksack or a shoulder bag, objects in the breast pocket of a vest or jacket easily remain under the straps of the rucksack or shoulder bag, in which case it is, for example, difficult to take a telephone from the pocket and the ^: ^"straps may press the telephone uncomfortably against the body. Pockets on the side or on the stomach are often in the way when using a three-point seat belt or rucksack. The aim is to provide a device with which it is convenient to carry and hold several small or moderately sized objects without the device impeding the simultaneous use of seat belts or other carrying means, such as a rucksack. The device should also feel supporting when running and moving. A further aim is an aesthetically pleasant appearance, and preferably also an easily changeable appearance. To achieve these aims, the carrying device according to the invention is characterised by what is disclosed in the characterising part of independent claim 1.

The device according to the invention comprises a carrying part worn on a person's upper body, to which is attached at least a pocket part over the breast, the pocket part being hinged from one of its edges and can be fastened to the carrying part by means of, for example, Velcro tape or a magnetic catch. The hinged pocket part can then easily be turned in such a way that a seat belt or similar strap, for example the strap of a shoulder bag or rucksack, can easily be passed under the pocket part. In this case the items carried are in the pocket part, outside the strap or seat belt. The hinging is preferably provided on the upper edge or upper side edge, whereupon the opened pocket part closes automatically in a vertical position, for example by means of Velcro tapes or magnets, whereby, for example after fastening the seat belt, the pocket part is again firmly in place. A pocket part hinged at the top may also open, for example, when unfastening the seat belt or taking the rucksack off the back, also due to the effect of the straps or seat belt, whereby the pocket part re-closes by itself if the user is in a vertical position or the force of a spring means in conjunction with, for example, magnetic catches or alternatively a suitable hinge suffices to close it in another position. The location of the hinging may obviously also be changed, for example between the upper edge and/or either of the side edges. In practice, the hinging can be implemented with Velcro tape passing through an opening or circling around a pin or by means of a suitable clasp or other means which can be opened and locked. The invention is described in the following, with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of the carrying device on the user when wearing a seat belt. Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the same device in a side section.

Figure 3 shows a side section of a second embodiment, for example, for carrying a tablet computer and using it while carrying. In Figure 1, the hinging 2 between the carrying part 1 and the pocket part 3 is on the top edge. The hinging is marked with small circles in the Figure. The locking means for keeping the pocket part and the carrying part together is marked with crosses and reference numeral 5. The locking means may be, for example, Velcro tape or magnetic catches. In addition to these, it is also possible to use other means, such as flaps or press buttons. A preferred solution may be a combination of various means. In the Figure, the user's seat belt 9 is fastened, in which case the seat belt passes between the pocket part and the carrying part. The carrying part in Figure 1 may be continuous under the pocket part or there may also be an opening or openings in the carrying part. The carrying part may consist completely of fabric, in which case it is mesh fabric, which is very breathable. The carrying part may also be hard material, in which case it may resemble a chest protector used in sports. The protectors used, for example, in ice hockey and motocross are supporting and comfortable to wear.

The carrying part or pocket part may also have a safety equipment function, that is, it may function, for example, as a shrapnel vest, an inflatable floating means, or as protection used at work, for example, against punctures or chain saw accidents. The most suitable carrying part for everyday use is probably one which is very breathable and lightweight and provided with semi-hard paddings in such a way that air passages or a porous space remains inside the paddings for ventilation, and between the paddings may also remain air passages. A lightweight hard configuration with a lamellar structure can also be used, in which case the spaces between the lamellae allow for ventilation. Known ventilation and padding solutions of, for example, sports protectors and backpacks can also be used where applicable. The pocket part may also be constructed so as to be protective. The materials of the carrying part must be selected to withstand the forces generated by a seat belt in a car accident, at least so as not to cause additional risks, for example, in the form of shatter- ing. If the carrying part is hard, the material must withstand, for example, the forces generated by the seat belt without splintering or forming sharp edges in a crash situation. There may also be a shield of suitable rigid material in the pocket part, which reduces the risk of injury caused by the objects in the pocket in an accident situation by evening out the pressure generated by the object over a larger area, for example, when the airbag has deployed. A reinforcement in the pocket part allows for better mobility compared to a reinforcement or shield in the carrying part, and on the other hand, the pocket part may be changed according to need if the hinging can be uncoupled in order to change the pocket part. This means that a different pocket part may be changed also according to the protection required.

Figure 2 shows a side section of the principle of the hinging of Figure 1. There may be pockets 7 in both parts 1 and 3, but preferably at least thick objects are carried in the pocket part. According to Figure 3, second hinging may in addition be arranged also in the lower part of the pocket part, whereby the pocket part is openable and the display of the tablet computer carried in the pocket 7A is readily usable without removing the computer from the pocket, if the pocket is transparent or the display openly acces- sible, in which case the tablet computer can be attached to the pocket part with suitable fasteners even without a pocket.

It is possible to carry a separate keyboard in an opposite pocket. The pockets may also be hinged to provide a better working position. In addition can be used straps or other limiting means, such as hinges limiting opening, which limit the opening of a part hinged from the bottom, whereby the tablet computer can be used conveniently even when standing. In the position of use, the upper hinge may be closed or open. If the pocket part is of appropriately rigid material, the pocket part can carry the weight of the devices in the desired position also when standing. Separate means connected to the carrying part and supporting the pocket part 3 or computer or similar device can also be used, in which case the pocket part itself does not have to be rigid. For example, a tablet computer can be supported in the position of use by levers, scissor-type levers or telescopic supports, which are fastened to the carrying part and the tablet computer itself or its attachments. The pocket part can then be made only of fabric and the supports can be used only when the tablet computer is carried. For example, in order for a seat belt to be easy to use, the devices carried should be connected to the upper part of the carrying part.

Also a camera pocket or camera carrying device may function hinged in the manner shown in Figure 3, whereby the camera may preferably be lifted up to photographing position while supported. The hinging of the lower part of the pocket part is in this case connected to, for example, a telescopic or folding camera stand or support. The camera can then be used while fastened to the carrying device, which acts at the same time as a stand or support. The hinging of the lower part is also in this case preferably limited in such a way that the grip on the camera may be released without the camera support falling around the hinge. When released from the hands, the camera may, however, descend back inside the protective camera pocket, for example, supported on a fluid-dampened telescopic stand. Also in this embodiment, using a shoulder bag, rucksack or safety belt is easy due to the hing- ing of the upper part, without taking the camera bag off. When used in a car, safety must be considered especially in connection with a large camera carrying device. In the camera bag part may be provided, for example, a means for fastening to the seat belt, the body may be protected against impacts under the camera, or the camera and the stand may be detachable for the duration of driving.

In the carrying part or pocket part may obviously be made suitable paddings, for example, for the comfortable and safe carrying of a tablet computer or a camera. In addition to mesh fabric and perforated or porous padding may be used, for exam- pie, air-filled or self- air-filling cushions to protect a sensitive device carried against impacts or pressure. The body may be protected by means of rigid shields or known shields of smart material which become rigid on impact.

Preferably, for example, the pocket of a telephone or tablet computer may be wa- tertightly closable. Furthermore, additional batteries or the solar cells indicated by reference numeral 10 in the Figure may be provided in the carrying or pocket part. Power supply between the carrying and pocket parts can be arranged in connection with the hinging,^' either through a cable or the hinges themselves. Also, for example, for the wires of headphones or a hands-free device can be made a possibly watertight lead-in into the pocket. For the telephone or computer may be provided a charging device which is connected to the connector of the telephone and which remains attached to the telephone when the telephone is removed from the pocket, and when placed in the pocket, the charging device or power supply means attached to it is supplied power from power supply means in the pocket, for example conductive strips on the inner surface of the pocket, a connector fastened by a magnet or an induction device. The additional batteries may then be carried in the carrying part, whereby by using several flat battery cells, a considerably large reserve power capacity can be provided, which is, however, carried inconspicuously. On the outer surface of the carrying device can further be attached solar cells 10 for charging these batteries.

When putting on the carrying part, openable straps are possibly used, in which case at least a belt-like strap may be adjustable, for example with Velcro tapes. The part extending over the lower part of the chest, the waist or the stomach may be flexi- ble, whereby there is less need for adjustment. The carrying part may be of a relatively small size, in which case it may only cover a small part of the chest, or alternatively, a carrying part designed especially for women may be arranged so that the pocket part comes between the breasts or below them, in which case the lower part of the carrying part may be lower than shown in Figure 1.

If the parts of the carrying part coming on the back and stomach side and the parts extending over the shoulder are sufficiently supporting and/or suitably flexible, or have appropriate friction against the clothing underneath, hardly any support is re- quired from the belt-like part for carrying a small mass. For the belt-like part to function, it suffices that the carrying part remains against the body also when bending down, without the belt-like part bearing the load to any significant extent. This may be facilitated by making the shoulder support region spring-like, whereby the support extending over the shoulder also presses the sides of the carrying part com- ing against the back and stomach towards the body with a suitable low force.

If appropriate parts extending over the shoulder are used in the carrying part, the belt-like part can be replaced with a strap passing under the arm at the top, which is in normal use hidden under the arm. Remaining in place can be facilitated with frictional material, for example, a material such as velvet, which slides easily only downwards, or for example, a silicone plastic or other frictional surface, which adheres sufficiently to the skin and on almost all fabrics. It should, however, be noted that a separate device worn around the neck may cause a risk of strangulation if caught on something, and thus a strap passing, for example, under the arm also improves safety. For safety reasons, the part placed around the neck can also be arranged to open with appropriate force.

Other variations include, for example, a carrying device extending only over one shoulder, in which case the hinge of the pocket part may still be elsewhere than close to the shoulder, for example at a point below the neck shown in Figure 1, which makes possible easy use of the seat belt over both shoulders, and for example carrying a backpack in such a way that the straps of the backpack pass under the pocket part and may still extend over the shoulder of the carrying part. A carrying part extending over one shoulder may be symmetrical as regards the front and back, in which case it may be turned around to be carried over either shoulder by changing the pocket part to the back or front side. In this case the pocket part is either symmetrical, or can be turned, or exchangeable pocket parts are required when changing sides. For example, if the seat belt is always used over the same shoulder, the carrying device can be used over the opposite shoulder. A carrying part extending over only one shoulder requires a belt-like support to be sufficiently supporting also when moving or running. It is, however, easier to put on a carrying part extending only over one shoulder, because then the carrying part may be designed in such a way that it is placed on the shoulder like a shoulder bag, after which on the same side as the shoulder strap is fastened a belt-like part in the lower part, to hold the device in place. If the belt can be concealed or detached in such a way that it will not hang loose, the carrying device can also be used as a shoulder bag carried on the chest or stomach. The one-sided carrying method is, however, disadvantageous when carrying a heavy load.

It is obviously also possible to make one shoulder strap or support openable or de- tachable in such a way that both shoulder straps can be used only when required. In that case, the same carrying device may be carried on the shoulder without using belt-like straps, and should there be a need, for example, to run or move, a belt strap and a second shoulder strap can also be attached. When using a single shoulder strap, on the opposite side with respect to the shoulder over which the strap runs are preferably several support straps or, for example, a wide and supporting mesh fabric to hold the device reasonably well in place without a belt, and the hinging of the pocket part is easy to use. Compared to Figure 1, on the other side of the carrying part with respect to the shoulder strap are then either several straps or one wide strap or a side made of mesh fabric. The belt part strap on the same side with the shoulder strap may be considerably narrower and openable, preferably also detachable and easily concealable. To the carrying part may obviously also be attached other types of prior art pocket parts than those fastened by hinges; there may also be fasteners for carrying other kinds of hinged parts than those disclosed in the claims.

Claims

1. A device for carrying and holding objects, the device comprising a carrying part (1) held over at least one shoulder when carrying, at least one pocket part (3) for holding objects by means of pockets (7) or other fastening means,

characterised in that the pocket part can be fastened to the carrying part hingedly by hinge means (2), and closed by openable fastening means (5) at least at one other point than at the hinge means (2) to the carrying part, whereby between the pocket part (3) and the carrying part (1) can be placed the seat belt (9) of a car or the strap of another carrying means or rucksack, and the pocket part (3) can again be fastened in place in the carrying part (1) by at least one said openable fastening means (5).

2. A carrying device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that also the hinge means (2) can be uncoupled in such a way that the pocket part (3) can be changed to another according to carrying needs or desired appearance.

3. A carrying device as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hinging between the carrying part and the pocket part is in the upper part of the carrying part (1) and the pocket part (3) opens from its lower part.

4. A carrying device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pocket part further comprises a second hinge means (2) on the lower edge of the pocket part (3), whereby the pocket part can be opened in such a way that a picture, display, camera or device in the pocket or fastening means inside the pocket means can be viewed or used without removing it from the carrying device.

5. A carrying device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the hinged pocket part is adapted for carrying a tablet computer and for using it while attached to the openable pocket part (3).

6. A carrying device as claimed in any of the above claims, characterised in that it further comprises a watertight pocket.

7. A carrying device as claimed in any of the above claims, characterised in that the pocket or fastening means further comprises means for supplying power to the electronic device carried or for connecting an external device.

8. A carrying device as claimed in any of the above claims, characterised in that the carrying part or the pocket part is adapted to also function as a protector, a shield, a floating vest or a device or camera stand.

9. A carrying device as claimed in any of the above claims, characterised in that the carrying part comprises one part extending over the shoulder, whereby on the opposite side with respect to the part extending over the shoulder is a part resting on the side of the user, and the carrying part comprises a strap-like part intended to be used optionally which rests on the same side with the part extending over the shoulder and/or an openable part extending over the other shoulder.

10. A carrying device as claimed in any of the above claims, characterised in that the means locking the carrying part and the pocket part together comprise a Velcro tape and/or magnets.