Enclosure for back-carried equipment
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to equipment that is carried on a user&#39;s back by means of a harness. Outdoor sporting gear, and in particular backpacks are examples of this type of equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As a result of the increasing interest in the environment, more and more individuals are exploring the wilderness. While some of these individuals are content to explore their own backyards, others journey into more remote regions of the world. These journeys can range from a few weeks to many months in duration. 
     Heretofore, individuals traveling on these journeys encountered a number of logistical problems relating to their backpacks. For the typical journey, these backpackers must travel a long distance to get to where they begin their expedition (called the point of embarkation), and getting their backpacks to this point was difficult. Many transportation agencies (airline, train, bus, etc.) do not allow backpacks to be checked as baggage and those few that check backpacks do not guarantee the condition of the backpacks upon arrival at the destination. Some people use large duffel bags to solve this problem but encounter another problem upon arrival: the empty duffel bag. Once unpacked, they could carry the duffel bag with them which would be extra weight, throw the duffel bag away which would be wasteful, or give the duffel bag to someone to hold for the return trip which would be unlikely. 
     Another problem encountered by many backpackers is that they must keep their backpacks with them at all times. To leave them unattended for a few moments can result in the theft of the contents or the backpack itself. They must carry their backpacks into restaurants, museums, grocery stores, guided tours, etc. Though some travelers will put their backpacks in public lockers, lock them in hotel rooms, or leave them with a friend, these options are not always available. 
     Finally, for persons traveling in inclement weather or in rugged terrain, some means to protect the backpack and the gear inside the backpack from rain, snow, mud, etc. is desirable. Rain shells for backpacks provide this function but the extra weight is only justified when the weather is poor. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, several objects and advantages result from this invention when used with back-carried equipment. An object of this invention is to provide a means for transporting such equipment as baggage. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a means for reasonably securing such equipment and its contents when it is necessary to leave the equipment unattended. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a means for protecting such equipment from the elements of weather and terrain when the equipment is in use. 
     Given the preferred embodiment as backpack enclosure, the following paragraphs highlight the advantages of the invention. Relating to the initial object, the invention functions in a manner similar to a duffel bag: the enclosure is unzipped, the backpack is inserted into the enclosure, the zippers are closed, and the enclosure and contents are transported by means of a handle. 
     Whenever the backpack must be left unattended for any period of time, a common padlock can be used to interconnect the zippers to prevent the zippers from being unzipped. For additional security, a metal cable can be used to secure the invention and enclosed backpack to an an immobile object. This feature allows the traveler to leave the backpack unattended for short periods of time without the fear of theft of the contents or the backpack itself. 
     Furthermore, the orientation of the zippers allows the backpack to be worn by the user while the backpack is inside the enclosure. A removable flap of material provides a passageway for the shoulder straps of the backpack to pass through the invention and to be worn by the user. 
     This feature provides two primary advantages over duffel bags. First, since the user travels with the backpack inside the invention, it allows the user to quickly and conveniently take off and reasonably secure the backpack. On the other hand, if a duffel bag were to be used to secure the backpack, the tedious process would involve taking off the backpack, locating the duffel bag somewhere inside the backpack, unzipping the duffel bag, inserting the backpack into the duffel bag, zipping closed the duffel bag and finally securing the duffel bag. In addition, the ability of a user to carry their backpack enclosed within the invention allows the invention to serve as an all-purpose protective cover from the elements of weather. Though common rain shells for backpacks provide this protective feature, they are limited in providing only this function. 
     Further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent and will be more readily understood from a consideration of the attached drawings, taken together with the ensuing description of our invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of the front side of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a zipper. 
     FIG. 3 is a detail of the invention with the zippers closed and interlocked. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective of the invention lashed to the backpack. 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of a user carrying a backpack with the enclosure in place. 
     FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the invention with two zippers and an annular device. 
     FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the invention in a cylindrical enclosure 
     FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the invention with zippers in an inverted V configuration. 
     FIG. 9 is an alternative embodiment with protective flaps over the closure devices, a shoulder strap, and interior and exterior storage compartments. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
10-  detachable connector device                                          
                       12-    handle                                      
14a- zipper a          14b-   zipper b                                    
14c- zipper c          16-    invention/enclosure                         
18-  handle strap      20-    support strap                               
22-  tab               24-    slider/tab assembly                         
26-  front panel       28-    back panel                                  
30-  bottom panel      32-    top panel                                   
34a- side panel a      34b-   side panel b                                
36-  zipper            38-    termination point of                        
                              zipper                                      
40-  origin point zipper                                                  
                       42-    flap of material                            
44-  cloth tie         46-    shackle                                     
48-  padlock           50-    apparatus                                   
52-  shoulder strap of backpack                                           
                       54-    backpack frame                              
56-  weather flap      58-    backpack                                    
60-  shoulder strap for enclosure                                         
                       62-    hole in tab                                 
64-  interior storage compartment                                         
                       66-    exterior storage                            
                              compartment                                 
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     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 1 is a substantially rectangular fabric enclosure 16, for which there is a front panel 26, a back panel 28, two narrower side panels 34a and 34b, a top panel 32 and a bottom panel 30, each of which is connected along its mutually coincident edge by stitching, energy sealing or like means. In addition, the enclosure has three closure devices 14a, 14b, and 14c, and an attached handle 12. The closure devices are closed in order to join the split portions of the edge panels and thereby prevent the contents of the enclosure from passing out of the enclosure. 
     This embodiment of invention 16 uses zippers as the preferred closure devices. Referencing FIG. 2, the location of a slider/tab assembly 24 along a zipper 36 determines whether zipper 36 is opened or closed. When slider 24 is at an origin point 40, zipper 36 is open (or unzipped). When slider 24 is at a termination point 38, the zipper 36 is closed (or zipped). A tab 22 of slider 24 is constructed in such a way as to provide a hole 62 in tab 22 of sufficient diameter to allow an interlocking means, such as a shackle 46 of a padlock 48, to pass thru all tabs 22, as depicted in FIG. 3. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, zipper pair 14a and 14b are parallel to each other and are on back panel 28. There is a flap of material 42 between them that is secured to enclosure 16 at the intersection of back panel 28 and bottom panel 30. Zipper pair 14a and 14b are spaced apart at such a distance as to allow the harness, in this case a shoulder strap 52 of a backpack 58, to pass through invention 16 unencumbered when flap 42 is secured out of the way. 
     Again referencing FIG. 2, sliders 24 of zippers 14a and 14b are at origin point 40 when the respective slider 24 is at the intersection of bottom panel 30 and back panel 28. Third zipper 14c originates on front panel 26, travels over top panel 32, and terminates between but just above termination point 38 of zippers 14a and 14b on back panel 28. Therefore, when all three zippers 14a, 14b, and 14c are closed, sliders 24 of each zipper 14a, 14b, and 14c are in close proximity of each other, as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
     If one or more zippers 36 used in construction of the invention does not provide an adequate weather barrier for backpack 58, then a means of providing such an adequate barrier can be used. One possible solution is to add a additional piece of material 56 along closure device as shown in FIG. 9. Other enhancements to the invention could take the form of one or more interior storage compartments 64, one or more exterior storage compartments 66 or a shoulder strap 60 as illustrated in FIG. 9. 
     The invention is preferably constructed of strong, durable materials which can endure repeated exposure to the elements of weather and rough handling. Both natural and man-made materials such as canvas and nylon are suitable for the panel material. The handles must support substantial weight and could be made of nylon, polypropylene, or canvas webbing. 
     OPERATION OF INVENTION 
     The design of this invention provides three primary features for back-carried equipment: 1) the ability to protect the equipment so that it may be checked as baggage for transportation; 2) the ability to enclose and reasonably secure the equipment both inside the enclosure and to an immobile object; and 3) the ability for it to be used as a protective shell for the equipment that is being carried on the user&#39;s back. 
     To use the first feature, invention 16 is oriented as in FIG. 3 such that back panel 28 is facing the user. Zippers 14a, 14b, and 14c are opened, backpack 58 is placed inside such that backpack 58 is upright and a frame 54 is closest to back panel 28. All zippers are closed. Invention 16 with enclosed backpack 58 is now placed on side panel 34b as depicted in FIG. 1. Backpack 58 can now be carried by means of handle 12 and can be checked as baggage. 
     To use the second feature, backpack 58 is inserted into the invention as in the first feature and all zippers are closed. Zippers 14a, 14b, and 14c can now be interlocked by Suitable means for interconnecting tabs 24 such as running shackle 46 of padlock 48 through each hole 62 of tabs 24 of each zipper respectively and locked as detailed in FIG. 3. The orientation of zippers 14a, 14b, and 14c prevent zippers 14a, 14b, and 14c from being unzipped when so interconnected. 
     For additional security, backpack 58 can be locked to an immobile object by using a cable with eyelets at each end. After interlocking zippers 14a, 14b, and 14c, the cable can be looped thru frame 54 of backpack 58 and around an immobile object, such as a lightpost, bike rack, etc. Shackle 46 can be threaded through the eyelet at each end of the cable and the padlock locked. This configuration has the dual effect of interconnecting the zippers and locking the backpack to an immobile object. 
     To use the third feature, backpack 58 is inserted into invention 16 as in the first feature but only top zipper 14c is closed-zipper pair 14a and 14b remain open. Resultant flap of material 42 between zipper 14a and 14b is capable of being rolled upon itself and secured in the rolled condition by means of a cloth tie 44. Cloth tie 44 is located at the intersection of back panel 28 and bottom panel 30, on the inside of enclosure 16. This permits a user to roll up flap 42 and secure it out of the way when it is desired to use the invention as a shell, as shown in FIG. 5. 
     To lash enclosure 16 around backpack 58, each handle strap 18 at back panel 28 is disconnected from each respective support strap 20 by means of a connector device 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Both shoulder straps 52 of backpack 58 are pulled away from frame 54 and detached handle straps 18 are passed through the resultant opening between shoulder straps 52 and backpack frame 54. Handle straps 18 are reattached to supporting straps 20. This configuration secures the enclosure to the backpack due to the lashing effect of supporting straps 20 and allows the invention 16 to provide a protective barrier against the elements of weather. 
     An alternative embodiment of invention 16 is shown in FIG. 6. This design uses only two zippers 14a and 14b and suitable securing means such as an apparatus 50 located near termination points 38. When zippers 14a and 14b are closed, an interlocking device is threaded through both tabs 22 and apparatus 50 and locked. There are any number of apparatuses 50 that can be located near termination point 38 in order to interlock zippers 14a and 14b. Such suitable apparatuses include rings, loops and other annular devices, buckles, hooks and tie downs. 
     Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 7. This design uses the same closure device configuration as the preferred embodiment but uses a substantially cylindrical enclosure. 
     Yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8 orients the closure devices in an inverted V orientation. 
     Still another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 illustrates additional enhancements to the invention. Shown in the figure are shoulder strap 60, protective flaps 56 for the zippers 14a, 14b and 14c, inner storage compartment 64 and outer storage compartment 66. 
     Finally, other embodiments are possible and could include panels for which two or more panels are made from the same piece of material and therefore not connected along each edge. A closure device could be configured in a T orientation, with the base of the T comprises of 2 parallel closure devices. Another configuration might consist of a single closure device in an inverted U orientation. In addition, the connector devices 10 could be eliminated if the two sets of handle straps 18 could be disconnected at the handle 12. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
     This invention is a multifunctional enclosure for all types of back-carried equipment that uses a harness to support the equipment on the user&#39;s back. It permits the user to protectively enclose such equipment inside the invention to facilitate transportation on buses, trains, planes, etc. Also, the invention enables the user, when such equipment must be left unattended, to reasonably secure the equipment inside the protective enclosure and additionally to an immobile object by an interconnecting and interlocking means. Finally, the invention permits the invention to be used as a protective cover while the user is carrying the equipment on the user&#39;s back. 
     Since various possible embodiments might be made of the present invention or modifications might be set forth, it is to be understood that all of the materials shown and described in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Other modifications of the present invention are contemplated and can be resorted to by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.