초록 ▼

A flexible material apparatus for carrying an article retained by an article receiving means, comprising a carrying member adapted for attachment to the article receiving means and having a hollow tube of flexible airtight material being partially pneumatically inflated to provide a pliant carrying

A flexible material apparatus for carrying an article retained by an article receiving means, comprising a carrying member adapted for attachment to the article receiving means and having a hollow tube of flexible airtight material being partially pneumatically inflated to provide a pliant carrying member. One embodiment includes the article receiving means comprising a receptacle, such as a bag, having hermetically sealed and pneumatically inflatable bottom and end panels. The carrying member includes a flexible material handle attached to the end panels having fluid communication with the panels so that partial pneumatic inflation of the handle and panels is permitted, whereby carrying an article in the bag causes air to be displaced from one or more of the panels to cause the handle to become turgid. In another embodiment, a pair of handles is attached to the side panels, which are also hermetically sealed to provide fluid communication between each panel and handle. The handle may be U-shaped, and the bag and/or handle may be pneumatically inflated to 75% capacity. Other embodiments include the article receiving means comprising a cord for retaining an article, and the handle adapted for attachment thereto. In another embodiment, the receptacle comprises a backpack, and the carrying member comprises an inflated shoulder strap.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flexible material apparatus for carrying an article, comprising: a pneumatically inflatable receptacle; a carrying member having a pneumatically inflatable hollow tube of flexible material, and having an end attached to said receptacle; said carrying member and said receptacle being hermet

1. A flexible material apparatus for carrying an article, comprising: a pneumatically inflatable receptacle; a carrying member having a pneumatically inflatable hollow tube of flexible material, and having an end attached to said receptacle; said carrying member and said receptacle being hermetically sealed together and partially pneumatically inflated; and means for providing fluid communication between said carrying member and said partially pneumatically inflated receptacle, whereby carrying an article in said receptacle causes air to be displaced from said partially pneumatically inflated receptacle into said carrying member for causing said carrying member to become turgid. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carrying member is made of a first material and said receptacle is made of a second material, said first material having greater flexibility than said second material. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carrying member and said receptacle are pneumatically inflated to approximately 75% of volumetric capacity. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carrying member comprises a strap and said receptacle comprises a backpack. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carrying member comprises a handle. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said partially pneumatically inflated receptacle comprises a bag having: a partially pneumatically inflated bottom panel; an end panel connected to said bottom panel; and a side panel connected to said bottom panel and to said end panel. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said fluid communication means includes said end panel being hermetically sealed and pneumatically inflatable to provide fluid communication between said handle and said partially pneumatically inflated bottom panel, and wherein said handle is attached to said end panel. 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said fluid communication means includes said side panels being hermetically sealed and pneumatically inflatable to provide fluid communication between said handle and said partially pneumatically inflated bottom panel, and wherein said handle is attached to said side panel.