Article Carriers

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/467,991 filed on May 21, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to article carriers. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to an improved sports backpack for carrying sports gear and related items. Such sports gear may comprise one or more racquets, such as a tennis or pickleball racquet. Such related items may include sports items and/or food items, like cold or hot food items.

There was a time when knapsacks and backpacks were generally associated with hiking and camping and where used almost exclusively in those activities. However, in recent years the trend toward more casual lifestyle has contributed to the acceptance and rise in popularity of the backpacks and duffle bags as convenient mechanisms for transporting articles of all kinds and special purpose backpacks have been developed for a wide range of usages.

Accordingly, it is the general aim of the present disclosure to provide an improved, versatile sports carrier, such as a backpack or duffle bag, particularly adapted to carry sports apparel including such specialized items as may be required to play a sport and a racket, for example. It is a further aim of the invention to provide an improved sports backpack to be worn on the back when hiking or cycling or carried by way of handles, but can also be conveniently hand carried, when necessary, as when traveling. Yet another aim of the present disclosure is to provide a backpack and/or duffle bag that has at least an insulated portion of the carrier for maintain the hot, warm or cold temperature of an item, such as cold fluids or warm foods.

According to an exemplary arrangement, a carrier comprises a container body defining an insulated container body interior, the container body comprising a first wall, a second wall, a floor, and an arcuate wall coupling the first wall, the second wall and the floor to define the insulated container body interior of the container body, a racquet pocket provided along a first surface of the first wall of the container body, a first side of the arcuate wall comprising a first pocket, and a second side of the arcuate wall comprising a second pocket.

In one arrangement, the racquet pocket is operatively configured to receive a pickleball paddle or racquet.

In one arrangement, the racquet pocket is accessible by way of a zipper provided along an outer periphery of the racquet pocket.

In one arrangement, the container body interior is accessible by way of a zipper provided between a first portion of the first wall and a first portion of the arcuate wall.

In one arrangement, the first pocket provided along the first side of the arcuate wall comprises a mesh pocket.

In one arrangement, the second pocket provided along the second side of the arcuate wall comprises a zippered pocket providing access to the container body interior. In one arrangement, the container body interior comprises at least one mesh pocket.

In one arrangement, the first wall comprises a first outer surface and a first inner surface, wherein the first inner surface comprises a zipper pocket.

In one arrangement, the container body interior comprises an inner surface provided with a mesh pocket.

In one arrangement, the second pocket provided on the second side of the arcuate wall comprises an insulating material.

In one arrangement, a carrier comprises a container body defining an insulated container body interior. The container body comprises a first main wall, a second main wall, a floor, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a top wall. The second main wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the floor define the insulated container body interior of the container body, and a racquet pocket provided along a first surface of the first main wall of the container body. The first side wall comprises a first pocket, and the second side wall comprises a second pocket.

In one arrangement, the racquet pocket is operatively configured to receive a pickleball paddle or racquet.

In one arrangement, the racquet pocket is accessible by way of a zipper provided along an outer periphery of the racquet pocket.

In one arrangement, the container body interior is accessible by way of a zipper provided along the top wall, a first portion of the first side wall, and a first portion of the second side wall.

In one arrangement, the first pocket provided along the first side wall comprises a mesh pocket.

In one arrangement, the second pocket provided along the second side wall comprises a zippered pocket providing access to the container body interior.

In one arrangement, the container body interior comprises at least one mesh pocket.

In one arrangement, the second main wall comprises a first outer surface, wherein the first outer surface comprises an open pocket.

In one arrangement, the container body interior comprises an inner surface provided with a mesh pocket.

In one arrangement, the second pocket provided on the second side wall comprises an insulating material.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

The following detailed description describes various features and functions of the disclosed systems and methods with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrative system and method embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed systems and methods can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

Further, unless context suggests otherwise, the features illustrated in each of the figures may be used in combination with one another. Thus, the figures should be generally viewed as component aspects of one or more overall implementations, with the understanding that not all illustrated features are necessary for each implementation.

Additionally, any enumeration of elements, blocks, or steps in this specification or the claims is for purposes of clarity. Thus, such enumeration should not be interpreted to require or imply that these elements, blocks, or steps adhere to a particular arrangement or are carried out in a particular order.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

illustrate a perspective views of a carrier. As illustrated, the carriercomprises a carrier such as a backpack for use with a paddle or racquet, such as a pickleball paddle or racquet. In a preferred arrangement, the carriercomprises an insulated container wherein at least a portion of the carrieris insulated so as to keep cold items cold and warm items warm. As will be described in detail herein, at least one of the pockets contained within the carrieris usable as an insulated container for removably receiving such items as ice packs, fluids, and other types of food and/or beverage items.

Referring now to the, according to an exemplary arrangement, the carriercomprises a container bodyand it is this container bodythat defines an insulated container body interior(). That is, at least a portion of this insulated container body interiorwill be insulated with insulating material. As illustrated, the container bodycomprises a multi-component container body such as a body in the form of a backpack, although any type of carrier may be utilized as well. In one preferred arrangement, the container bodycomprises a first wall or a front walland a second wall or a back wall. In addition, the multi-component container bodyfurther comprises a bottom or a flooralong with an arcuate wallthat operably couples the first wall, the second walland the floor. In this manner, these wall structures,,help to define the insulated container body interiorof the container body. As just one example, the bottom or the floorprovided by the container bodymay be configured so as to allow the containerto stand right side up as illustrated in the. However, as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, alternative wall and floor structures and configurations may also be utilized.

As illustrated in, the containerfurther comprises a racquet pocket. In one preferred carrier arrangement, the racquet pocketis provided along a first surfaceof the first wallof the container bodyalthough other locations of such a racquet pocketmay be utilized as well.

In one arrangement, this racquet pocketis configured to receive a sporting item, such as a pickleball paddle or racquet, a squash racquet, a racquetball racquet, a badminton racquet, or tennis racquet, or other type of similar racquet. In addition, the containerfurther comprises a first sideof the arcuate wallcomprising a first pocket. In addition, the containerfurther comprises a second sideof the arcuate wallcomprising a second pocket. In one preferred arrangement, the second pocketmay comprise the same type of pocket as the first pocketprovided along the first sideof the arcuate wall. In an alternative arrangement, the second pocketcomprises a different type of pocket as the first pocketprovided along the first sideof the arcuate wall.

In one preferred arrangement, the racquet pocketis operatively configured to receive a pickleball paddle or racquet by way of a zippered pocket. For example, in one arrangement, the racquet pocketis accessible by way of a zipperprovided along an outer peripheryof the racquet pocket. As just one example, this zippermay be provided along only a portion of the outer peripheryof the racquet pocket. For example, the zippermay not be provided along a top most portion of the racquet pocket. As illustrated, the racquet pocketis oriented along the first wallof the carrierin such a manner such that a racquet received in the racquet pocketwould extend in a substantially vertical direction. However, as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, alternative orientations of the racquet packetmay be utilized. Returning to, the container bodyfurther comprises a zipperprovided along a first portionof the first walland a first portionof the arcuate wall. In one arrangement, the container body interioris accessible by way of this zipperprovided between the first portionof the first walland the first portionof the arcuate wall. In certain container arrangements and as described in detail herein, alternative means or mechanisms may be provided for accessing the container body interior.

illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the containerillustrated in. More specifically,illustrates a perspective view of the first pocketillustrated in. In one arrangement, the first pocketprovided along the first sideof the arcuate wallcomprises a mesh pocket. In an alternative arrangement, the first pocketmay comprise other types of pockets, such as a zippered pocket or a tie-string pocket. In an alternative arrangement, the first pocketcomprises a zipper along one or more of the edges of the first pocket.

illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the containerillustrated in. In one arrangement, the second pocketprovided along the second sideof the arcuate wallcomprises a zippered pocket. And this zippered pocket provides access to the container body interior. In one arrangement, the container body interiorcomprises at least one mesh pocket(). However, in alternative arrangements, this first pocketmay comprise other types of pockets or mesh pocket configurations, such as a zippered pocket or a tie-string pocket. In an alternative arrangement, the container body interiorcomprises a wider mesh pocketsituated along a back wall of the container body interior.

illustrated alternative perspective views of the carrierillustrated in. More specifically,illustrate the carrierwith the first zipperin an open position allowing access into the interior spaceof the carrierto be viewed. As illustrated the interior spaceis configured with an interior wall.

Moreover, as can be seen from, in one arrangement, the first wallcomprises the first outer surfaceand a first inner surface, wherein the first inner surface comprises a zipper pocket. And in one preferred arrangement, this pocket comprises a zipper pocket.

In one arrangement, the container body interiorcomprises an inner surface or interior walland this inner surfacemay be provided with at least one mesh pocket. As illustrated in, this mesh pocketmay be configured to receive certain sports items such as pickleball balls and the like. In one arrangement, the mesh pocketcomprises a mesh fabric along with a nylon rope and metal stopper that allows a user to secure the contents of the mesh pockets so that the contents remain within the mesh pocket during carrier transport.

In an arrangement, a second mesh pocketmay be provided along the inner surfaceof the container body interior. This second mesh pocketmay be configured to secure other items typically used by a sports enthusiasts using the container, such as sun screen, sun glasses, gloves, and the like.

In one arrangement, and as illustrated in, the second pocketprovided on the second sideof the arcuate wallcomprises an insulating material. More specifically, the second pocketmay comprise two or more mesh pocketsprovided along the interior surfaceof the interior spacedefined by the carrier body. As just one example, this mesh pocketsmay be configured to receive ice packs or ices bricks for storage and/or transport. Moreover, the pocketsmay be insulated and/or constructed with an insulation materialcomprising waterproof EPM foam so as to insulate at least a portion of the inner cavitydefined by this container. In addition, the pocket portionallowing access to this insulated space within the interiormay also comprise an insulating material such as a waterproof PVC fabric or other similar type of insulating material.

As illustrated in, the carrierfurther comprises a pair of padded shoulder straps,. For example,illustrates a back surface of the second walland the shoulder straps,illustrated in. In one preferred arrangement the padded shoulder straps,comprise straps of adjustable length which are disposed on the second wallfor use when the carrieris worn as a backpack. The shoulder straps,are preferably made from a web material such as a woven tape and have upper ends secured in spaced apart relation to each other near the upper end of the carrier, near a top portion of the arcuate wall. The second ends or the lower ends of the adjustable shoulder straps,are respectively stitched to or attached to opposite sides of the pack body at junctions of bottom wallof the container. The shoulder straps,are inclined downwardly from the upper end of the carrierand away from each other and are adapted to be disposed near a top portion of the arcuate wall. As also illustrated in, in one preferred arrangement, a metal hookis provided at the top portion of the arcoate wall, in between the ends of the shoulder straps,. In one arrangement, the metal hookcomprises a fence clip. In yet another arrangement, the metal hookcomprises a hidden hook.

As illustrated in, a carrying handleis preferably formed from flexible web material and is located centrally of the upper end of the carrier. In one preferred arrangement, the opposite ends of the handlemay be stitched to the arcuate wallin laterally spaced apart relation to each other at junctions along the arcuate wall. Although the carrieris normally worn on the back supported by the shoulder straps,, the carriercan also be hand carried by the handle.

illustrate perspective views of an alternative carrier. As illustrated, the alternative carriercomprises a carrier such as a duffle bag for use with a racquet, such as a pickleball paddle or racquet. In a preferred arrangement, the alternative carriercomprises an insulated container wherein at least a portion of the alternative carrier is insulated so as to keep cold items cold and warm items warm. As will be described in detail herein, at least one of the pockets contained within the alternative carrieris usable as an insulated container for such items as ice packs, fluids, and other types of food items.

Referring now to the, according to an exemplary arrangement, the alternative carriercomprises a container bodyand it is this container bodythat defines an insulated container body interior(). That is, at least a portion of this insulated container body interiorwill be insulated with an insulating material. As illustrated, the container bodycomprises a multi-component container body such as a body in the form of a duffle bag. In one preferred arrangement, the container bodycomprises a first main wall or a front walland a second main wall or a back wall. In addition, the multi-component container bodyfurther comprises a bottom or a flooralong with a first side walland a second side wallthat operably couples the first main wall, the second main wall, the first side wall, and the second side wallto a top walland the floor. In this manner, these wall structures help to define the insulated container body interiorof the container body. As just one example, the bottom or the floorprovided by the container bodymay be configured so as to allow the alternative containerto stand right side up as illustrated in the. For example,illustrates a perspective view of one bottom or floor arrangementin which a plurality of bottom or floor studsare utilized and are provided near a corner of a rectangular bottom surface defined by the bottom or floor arrangement. However, as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, alternative wall and floor structures and configurations may also be utilized.

As illustrated in, the alternative containerfurther comprises a racquet pocketthat is provided along a first surfaceof the first main wallof the container body. In one arrangement, this racquet pocketis configured to receive a sporting item, such as a pickleball paddle or racquet, a squash racquet, a racquetball racquet, a badminton racquet, or tennis racquet, or other type of similar racquet. As noted in the illustrations, the racquet pocketis configured at a relative angle with respect to the top wallso that a user can easily and quickly grasp the handle of a racquet contained and secured within the racquet pocket. However, as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, alternative racquet pocketorientations and configurations may be utilized.

In addition, the alternative containerfurther comprises a first side wallcomprising a first pocket(). In addition, the alternative containermay further comprise a second side wallcomprising a second pocket(). In one preferred arrangement, the second pocketmay comprise the same type of pocket as the first pocketprovided along the first wall. In alternative arrangement, the second pocketmay comprise a different type of pocket than the first pocketprovided along the first wall.

In one preferred arrangement, the racquet pocketis operatively configured to receive a pickleball racquet by way of a zippered pocket. For example, in one arrangement, the racquet pocketis accessible by way of a zipperprovided along an outer peripheryof the racquet pocket. As just one example, this zippermay be provided along only a portion of the outer peripheryof the racquet pocket.

Returning to, the container bodyfurther comprises a zipperthat is provided along the top walland a first portion of the first side walland a first portion of the second side wall. In one arrangement, the container body interioris accessible by way of this zipperprovided between the first portion of the first walland the first portion of the second wall. In certain container arrangements and as described in detail herein, alternative means or mechanisms may be provided for accessing the container body interior.

illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the alternative containerillustrated in. More specifically,illustrates a perspective view of the first pocketillustrated in. In one arrangement, the first pocketprovided along the first side wallcomprises a mesh pocket. In an alternative arrangement, the first pocketmay comprise other types of pockets, such as a zippered pocket or a tie-string pocket. In addition, the first side wallmay further comprise a wallet compartment, such as a wallet compartmentaccessible by way of a zipper. However, as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, alternative access means to this pocket may be utilized as well.

illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the alternative containerillustrated in. In one arrangement, the second pocketprovided along the second side wallcomprises a zippered pocket. And this zippered pocket comprises a zipperthat provides access to the container body interior(). In one arrangement, the container body interiorcomprises at least one mesh pocket. However, in alternative arrangements, the first pocket may comprise other types of pockets, such as a zippered pocket or a tie-string pocket.