GB2570720A

GB2570720A - A safe carrying system

Info

Publication number: GB2570720A
Application number: GB1801894.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Levy Daniel
Original assignee: Overboard Ltd
Current assignee: Overboard Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-06
Filing date: 2018-02-06
Publication date: 2019-08-07
Also published as: GB201801894D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety system for connecting a reflective surface 102 to a bag 100. The reflective surface 102 is reversible and has a non-reflecting side which may optionally be coloured and/or textured to match the bag to which it is connected. A connection means 104-110 permits attachment of the surface 102 in a first configuration such that the reflective surface is visible and a second configuration where the surface is reversed such that the non-reflecting side is visible. The system may be adapted for use with a rucksack, a pannier or a saddlebag.

Description

A Carrying System

Field

The present invention relates to a carrying system and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a safe carrying system for carrying items to be worn or carried.

Background

Many items that are worn or carried are not visible in the dark and particularly on dark roads. Consequently they do not readily reveal their location or that of a wearer, the person who is carrying them or a cyclist or horse rider. In conditions of poor visibility this can be dangerous.

Prior Art

There are many types of safety clothing and items for wearing in the dark, for example reflective strips that are usually worn over a coat or around a wearer’s body so as to aid visibility.

Several forms of reflective strips exist. Some include adhesive tapes or tapes connected together by VELCRO (RTM) others are woven into items of clothing or footwear or fabricated as part of bags or rucksacks. These can be cumbersome and are prone to becoming less effective the more they are used.

Furthermore because the reflective material is integrated into items of clothing or bags or panniers or saddlebags they cannot be removed.

An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved safety system that enables a user to be seen at night whilst also enabling the user to modify an item of clothing or a carrier.

A further aim is to provide a device for containing and carrying items which is versatile and may be configured into two or more different forms for transporting items.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a carrying system including a bag or pannier for carrying items comprises: a connection means and a reversible reflective surface wherein the connection means permits selective attachment of the reflective surface in at least two different configurations so as to present the reflective surface in a first configuration and a high visibility surface in a second configuration.

Ideally the system is reversible and has a non-reflecting side which may optionally be coloured and/or textured to match the item to which it is connected.

Optionally the reversible reflective surface may be omitted and stored or carried inside the pannier or rucksack.

Preferably the reflective surface is supported on or fixed to or formed integrally with a sheet of flexible material.

Ideally seams are welded in order to provide a waterproof seal against ingress of water or mud.

The safety system is ideally in the form of a sheet of flexible material which on its opposite face has a non-reflective sheet or optionally a sheet of a different colour or material.

Ideally the system is waterproof and has a surface finish which is able to be wiped clean so as remove dirt and grease.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the safety system is modified for use with panniers or rucksacks or saddlebags.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a carrying device for containing and carrying items which is adapted to be configured into two or more different forms for transporting the items.

For example the carrying device can be configured in a first configuration as a pannier and in a second configuration as a rucksack and in a third embodiment as a saddlebag.

It is understood that the first aspect of the safety system, for connecting a reflective surface to an item may be combined with the second aspect of the invention so as to provide a carrying device for containing and carrying items which is adapted to be configured into two or more different forms for transporting the items and which optionally is configured to have a reflective surface for higher night visibility.

Ideally the connection means in the combined permits attachment of the reflective surface in at least two different configurations to the item.

Preferred embodiments of each aspect of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a front elevation view of one embodiment of a reflector in use with a rucksack;

Figure 2 shows a rear elevation view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an overall diagrammatic view of rucksack in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 1 with the reflective sheet partly removed from the rucksack;

Figure 5 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 1 with the reflective sheet fully removed from the rucksack;

Figure 6 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 1 with the reflective sheet reversed on the rucksack;

Figure 7 shows an overall diagrammatic view from the side of the rucksack in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows an overall diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the system fitted to a bicycle pannier;

Figure 9 shows a rear elevation view of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the bicycle pannier in Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 11 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 8 with the reflective sheet partly removed from the bicycle pannier;

Figure 12 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 8 with the reflective sheet fully removed from the bicycle pannier;

Figure 13 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 8 with the reflective sheet reversed on the bicycle pannier; and

Figure 14 shows an overall diagrammatic view from the side of the rucksack in Figure 113.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Referring to the Figures generally and specifically Figures 1 to 7 there is shown a first embodiment of the safety system 100 with a reflective sheet 102 connected to the rucksack 103. The system comprises the sheet 102 in the form of a square panel with connecting means 104, 106, 108 and 110 at each of its four comers connected to the rucksack 103.

The connecting means 104, 106, 108 and 110 may be a clip, toggle or twist or snap fit device which fits into suitable fittings 104a, 106a, 108a and 110a that are fitted to or bonded to or formed integrally with the rucksack 103.

Figure 4 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 1 with the reflective sheet partly removed from the rucksack. Figure 5 shows a front elevation view of the embodiment of the system in Figure 1 with the reflective sheet 102 fully removed from the rucksack. Figure 5 shows the non-reflective side 102a of sheet 102.

Figure 6 shows a front elevation view and depicts the reflective sheet reversed so as to show surface 102a when fitted to the rucksack 103.

Referring to Figures generally and specifically Figures 8 to 14 there is shown a second embodiment of the safety system 200 with a reflective sheet 202 connected to a bicycle pannier 203. The system comprises the sheet 202 in the form of a square panel with connecting means 204, 206, 208 and 210 at each of its four comers connected to the pannier 203.

The connecting means 204, 206, 208 and 210 may be a clip, toggle or twist or snap fit device which fits into suitable fittings 204a, 206a, 208a and 210a that are fitted to or bonded to or formed integrally with the pannier 203.

When the two aspects of the invention are combined there is provided a carrying device for containing and carrying items which is able to be configured into two or more different forms for transporting the items and has a reversible reflective outer layer.

For example the carrying device can be configured in a first configuration as a pannier and in a second configuration as a rucksack and in a third embodiment as a saddlebag, so that each carrying device has a reversible reflective surface in order to aid visibility and so is therefore safer.

Optionally a connection means permits attachment of the reflective surface in at least two different configurations onto the item.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 14 the suitable fittings 204a, 206a, 208a and 210a that are fitted to or bonded to or formed integrally with the pannier are steel or synthetic plastics loops and the connecting means 204, 206, 208 are fabric with poppers 300 and 301 which inter-engage and permit rapid removal or reversal of the sheet 202 so as to present either a reflective surface or a non-reflective surface 202a.

Alternatively connecting means may comprise fabric strips with poppers at each end which inter-engage so as to permit rapid removal.

The skilled person will appreciate that separate aspects of the invention may be combined and used with other safety devices such as flashing lights (not shown) or similar retro-reflectors.

The invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Parts List

Safety system	100
Reflective sheet	102
Rucksack	103
Connecting means	104
Connecting means	106
Connecting means	108
Connecting means	110
Fittings	104a, 106a, 108a and 110a
Safety system	200
Reflective sheet	202
Bicycle pannier	203
Connecting means	204
Connecting means	206
Connecting means	208
Connecting means	210
Fittings	204a, 206a, 208a and 210a
Poppers	300, 301

Claims

1. A carrying system includes a bag or pannier for carrying items comprising a connection means and a reversible reflective surface, the connection means permits selective attachment of the reflective surface in at least two different configurations so as to present the reflective surface in a first configuration and a high visibility surface in a second configuration.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the reversible surface is textured to match the bag or pannier to which it is in one configuration connected.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the reversible surface is coloured to match the bag or pannier to which it is connected.

4. The system according to any preceding claim wherein the reflective surface is supported on or fixed to or formed integrally with a sheet of flexible material.

5. The system according to any preceding claim wherein the reversible surface is waterproof and has a surface finish which is able to be wiped clean so as remove dirt and grease.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the reflective surface has a surface finish which is able to be wiped clean.

7. The system according to any preceding claim is adapted as a saddlebag.

8. The system according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means includes: fabric strips, buttons, zips, poppers, toggles and loops at each end which inter-engage so as to permit rapid removal.

9. The system according to any preceding claim includes connecting means comprising fabric strips with poppers at each end which inter-engage so as to permit rapid removal.