GB2506437A - A bag with tethering means. - Google Patents

Abstract

A secure storage bag comprises a zip-closed reinforced container and elongate tether 2, wherein the tether permits the container to be tethered to an independent structure and the container includes an embedded anchor (not shown) for the tether. The bag may comprise an anti-rip lining, and an outer layer, and the tether anchor may be situated between the lining and the outer layer. The tether 2 may be anchored within pocket 7 and may be stored within the pocket 7 when not in use. The tether 2 may be retractable. The tether 2 may also be lockable using locks 3, 4, such as a combination lock. Likewise the zipper 6 may be locked using lock 5. The locks 3, 4, 5 may share a single anchor.

Description

A SECURE STORAGE BAG

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a secure storage bag more particularly but not exclusively a secure storage bag for improved security out and about.

Background

Personal belongs are commonly carried in a bag in order to transport them from one place to another. Often when a user arrives at a destination their bag may be put down for example under a table or by a sunbed, however the bag is less secure when not being carried.

Therefore the user must be vigilant so as to reduce the chance of their bag being taken or goods being taken from the bag.

It may not always be possible or practical to keep.an eye on the bag at all times when the bag is not being carried for example if the user is having dinner or relaxing on the beach, however there may not be a secure location in which to hold or store the bag. In addition the user may wish to keep the bag close in order to be assured of security as well as access contents.

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with keeping a bag secure when not being carried as well as in transport or storage.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United Kingdom patent application GB 2 482 179 (BROWN) discloses a secure beach bag comprises a bag having a rope wire fed through the lining of the bag and extending out of the bag at both ends. The ends are long enough to be wrapped around a stationary item, e.g. a beach umbrella, and are locked together by means of a combination lock. The zip has a clasp which may include steel rings. The ends of the rope wire may be fed through the steel rings of the zip, preventing the zip from being pulled open. Thus valuable items may be stored in the locked bag and left secured to a sun lounger or a beach umbrella while holiday makers relax & enjoy their holiday.

International patent application WO 2011 070 317 (CONSTANINQU et al) discloses a* lockable storage device for use with a sun lounger or the like, said device comprising a container for storing valuables or the like, a strap adapted to be looped around a part of a sun lounger or the like, a rigid frame secured to the container and defining part of an opening to the container, a clamping part having a plurality of pegs engageable in a corresponding number of holes in the frame and in the strap at or adjacent to both ends thereof, means for securing the pegs in position on the frame, means for engaging with the frame to close the container and means for releasably locking the engaging means in engagement with the frame.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 424 241 (SCOTT) discloses a security device for use in preventing bag-related theft, which security device comprises a chain, a first clip secured to a first end of the chain, a second clip secured to a second end of the chain, and a container which contains the chain and the second clip, the security device being such that the first clip is permanently secured to the outside of the container and is for a first security clipping action, the cOntainer is an openable container for enabling the chain and the second clip to be taken out of the container and used for a second security clipping action, and the first end of the chain remains connected to the first clip when the chain and the second clip are taken out of the container.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a secure storage bag, comprising: a zip-close reinforced container and elongate tether, wherein the tether permits the container to be tethered to an independent structure, and the container includes an embedded anchor for the tether.

Ideally the bag thereby provides a secure lockable bag and integrated tethering means comprising: a bag with a locking mechanism to lock the bag, and a tether that may b used to lockably secure the bag to a structure or an object to prevent theft.

In preferred embodiments the locking may be accomplished by at least one combination lock, wherein there is no need for a user to carry any locking device with them, and for example so that swimmers may use the bag.

In preferred embodiments the bag is made at least in part from an anti rip material such as Kevlar (Trade Mark) or Cut-Tex (Trade Mark) thereby preventing the bag from being cut to gain access to any contents. Ideally the anti-rip or anti-slash material is internally included or situated, for example wherein in some embodiments said material forms a liner, sewn to an outer layer In some embodiments the bag may comprise an anti-rip lining and the bag's outer layer may be made from any material for example leather or fabric thereby giving the appearance of a standard, traditional bag. In this way fashion and taste may be accommodated.

Typically the bag may be available in various shapes and sizes so as to accommodate various contents and to be suitable for different uses, for example for a beach bag, sport bag or hand bag.

In typical embodiments the bag is lightweight, and includes at least one carrying strap, and at least one zippered opening so as to allow contents of the bag to be accessed when required, and the bag to remain anchored or be sealed for security.

Ideally the zipper or zips are capable of being locked when closed or when the zipper is at a distal, closed, end of its run, so that a user can prevent unauthorised access when the bag is secured to a structure, and when not secured to anything.

Typically in order to allow or facilitate this locking the zipper may have a pull that may be lockably attached to an anchor on the bag, wherein the pull and the anchor may be locked by means of mating parts, for example in that a male part is accepted into a corresponding female part to form the lock.

In some embodiments the zipper, or pull, and anchor may be locked to one another by a combination lock system so as to minimise likelihood of unauthorised access and avoid requirements for the user to carry a key.

Typically the tether is a length of anti-rip material that may be passed around the object such as a table or chair leg and then attached to itself, the anchor or bag, thereby providing a loop around the structure so as secure the bag to it.

In some preferred embodiments a second lock is provided for the tether wherein said second lock includes a two part lock wherein one lock pad is at the tethers distal end and the other lock part is positioned where the tether attaches Jo the bag, or anchor, or situate along the tether length.

In further embodiments two lengths of anchored tether are provided, so that one of said lengths may pass around each side of the object to which the bag is to be secured. Accordingly the two lock pads may be positioned on each tether end.

Advantageously the tether is also formed from a strong, flexible material that is anti-rip and resistant to being cut such as Keviar (Trade Mark) or Cut-Tex (Trade Mark), but flexible enough that the tether or at least one tether length may be wrapped around an object.

Typically the tether may be stitched and preferably double stitched at the anchor within the bag, so as to provide a strong connection, thus limiting the likelihood of it being detached frbm the bag, even under force. In other embodiments the anchor may be between the lining and outer layer, in addition or the alternative. In yet further embodiments the anchor may comprise a gridwork structural internal or external strengthenin of the container whereby the tether and lock may be dispersed about said strengthening.

In preferred embodiments the bag includes or is anchored within a pouch or pocket which hides the anchor, and in addition or the alternative permits the user to stow the tether, and two lock parts where appropriate, when not in use and so as to not detract from the aesthetics of the bag, to also limit the tether knocking against the user when the bag is being carried.

Furthermore the tether is ideally minimally visible either When in use as tethering for security or when the bag is in transport. In this way it may be preferable that the tether includes all lock parts and extends from an end, in pad so the zipper is not obscured or inconvenient when the tether is in use, In some embodiments the tether may bea metal cord or chain so as to be discrete and strong.

It may be envisaged that in some further embodiments the tether may be retractable when not in use, for example the cord or chain may retractable when not in use. The tether, for example the cord or chain, may be held on a wheel so as to be wound on the wheel when not required, for example mounted on a retractable spring mechanism so as to only be deployed when required there by reducing space taken up when not in use.

In other embodiments the tether may be elasticated so as to allow it to be able to accommodate various sizes of object.

In some further embodiments the anchor may be adapted to accept the zipper or pull and additionally both distal tether ends forming a loop, thereby reducing requirement for an additional lock part.

It may be envisaged in some embodiments that the anchor may accept two mating parts with two predefined lock entry points, one for the tether and one for the zip pull.

In addition an end of the tether may be anchored, sewn, stitched or otherwise adhered to the anchor.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the secure storage bag; Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the secure storage bag; Figure 5 shows an end view of the second embodiment as shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a reverse end view of the second embodiment as shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a side view of the second embodiment as shown in Figure 4; And Figure 8 shows a view from above of the second embodiment as shown in Figure 4.

Detailed Description of Fiaures

The pictured embodiments show the following: Container 1 Tether 2 Lock part 3 Lock part 4 Second Pock 5 Zipper 6 Pocket 7 The pictured embodiment thereby separates into two locks a first lock 3 and 4 for use with the tether 2, and a second 5 for use with the zipper 6, Both locks 3-5 and the tether 2 are ideally anchored at a single anchor (not shown) which anchor is contained within the pocket 7 in the second embodiment and runs through the container 1 in the first embodtment.

Ideally the pocket 7 allows the tether 2 to be stored within the pocket 7, for example including a lower opening and closing and upper opening and closing means, said means such as hook and loop, zipper, buttons or other temporary mechanism.

Further embodiments may provide a single lock, wherein the lock is situate at the zipper end, and for example the tether may provide an elongate length for passing around an object or structure with a distal loop such that the loop may be passed through both the pull and lock.

Such embodiments may be envisaged with a separate or independent lock.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. Claims 1. A secure storage bag, comprising: a zip-close reinforced container and elongate tether, wherein the tether permits the container to be tethered to an independent structure and the container includes an embedded anchor for the tether.
2. 2. A secure storage bag according to claim 1 wherein the bag comprises an anti-rip lining and an outer layer.
3. 3. A secure storage bag according to claim 2 wherein the anchor is situated between the lining and outer layer.
4. 4. A secure storage bag as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tether isretractable.
5. 5. A secure storage bag according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container and tether may be locked.

   * 20
6. 6. A secure storage bag according to claim 5 wherein the container and tether may be locked by means of at least one combination lock.
7. 7. A bag with reference to the figures.