Bag and cape combination

This invention relates to a bag and cape combination and relates particularly but not exclusively to haversack or rucksack and cape. By haversack or rucksack we mean to include a bag or other carrying device which is primarily carried on the back of a person and supported by means of two shoulder straps. By cape we mean to include a garment for protecting the wearer from rain which may or may not include a hood or other head covering, and which may for example be in the form of poncho or parka.

Several combination "bags" and coat or cape "combinations" have been described for example in U._S. Patents 2146243, 2971198, 3085254 and 4315334. For example a cape or coat with a hood is described which may be folded and stowed, when not required, in the hood of the garment forming a compact package or "bag" for carrying. Another patent describes a coat with a capelette which forms, on appropriate folding, a carrybag for the coat with the belt of the coat acting as handle or shoulder strap for case of carrying. Other garments described fold, or invert, for example, into a pocket of the garment which acts as the carry/storage bag.

PCT Application PCT/US82/01326 also discloses a "parka-type" garment which may be folded to be stored, when not in use, in a pocket or pouch in the garment. Straps are provided within or on the garment which when folded to the stored configuration, provide carrying handles for the resultant carrying bag.

The prior art does not disclose a bag/cape or similar combination which lends itself to use by persons such as school children or hikers in that there is no disclosure of a rucksack type bag transformable into or integrally including a cape, coat, parka or other rainwear which is readily accessible and does not require the wearer to remove the rucksack in order to don the cape, coat, parka or other rainwear. Furthermore, most of the prior art devices when the garment is stored, provide little or no additional storage space, in the resultant bag, for the carriage of other items.

the present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art,

According to the invention there is provided a bag and cape combination, the bag being adapted to be worn on the back of a wearer and comprising a front portion, a rear portion, and a compartment which extends substantially around the bag between and connecting the front and the rear portions of the bag and in which the cape is stored when not required.

Preferred and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2-11.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, a preferred form of bag and cape combination will be now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a bag and cape combination showing the bag with the cape in the stored position;
• Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the bag of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the bag of Figure 1 showing the cape (in partial section) partially extended, and
• Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the bag and cape combination showing the cape fully extended.

In the following and foregoing description, the terms front and rear are used consistently with respect to the direction which a wearer of the bag/cape combination faces. Thus the face of the bag/cape which is adjacent to the back of the wearer is referred to as the front of the combination.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a bag 10 comprising a front face portion 11 and rear face portion 12. Shoulder straps 13 and 14 are conveniently connected to the top and bottom of the front face aa is customary. Front face 11 and rear face 12 are connected or formed by a tubular portion 15 which extends substantially the entire way around the bag and forms the sides 16, 17, top 18 and bottom 19 of the bag. Cape 20 is folded or otherwise stored within the tubular portion 15 and retained therein by means of sliding clasp or other fasteners 21 and 22. It will be seen therefore that the cape 20 may be conveniently stored in tubular portion 15 when not required leaving storage or carrying space 23 within the bag which may be accessed by means of an opening secured for example by a further sliding clasp fastener 24. Additionally a further carrying space 25 (see Figure 3) may be provided by way of pocket 26. This may be accessed again, by way of third sliding clasp fastener 27.

Figure 4 shows the bag and cape combination 10 in an "in use" configuration. Cape 20 has been unfolded from the tubular portion. The cape includes a body covering portion 28 and may include an integrally formed hood 29. In the case where the tubular portion is closed by means of a single sliding clasp fastener or a sliding clasp fastener having two slides, the ends of the fastener are preferably butted together or meet at the centre of the bottom 19 of the bag. It is necessary therefore for the rear of the cape which extends below the bag, to include a slit 30 to enable storage completely within the tubular portion of the bag. This slit may be secured to avoid unnecessary entry of rainwater by means of stud fasteners 31. Other connecting means may also be used as will be readily appreciated.

The straps of the bag/cape combination may include adjustment means 32 and may include an integrally formed shoulder pad 33. The cape may as indicated optionally include a hood or head covering and sleeves or arm holes to allow freedom of movement and use of the arms by the wearer.

The sliding clasp fasteners may be replaced by other suitable fastening means such as VELCRO fasteners.

It will be seen that the front face of the bag forms at least a part of the back of the cape but it is envisaged that a construction when the cape and bag are separate entire items later joined together could be possible.

The bag/cape combination may be made of any suitable weather proof or water resistant material such ae woven or non woven fabric or film material such as nylon or other suitable fabric or plastics material film. The various parts of the bag/cape combination are preferably joined together by sewing but other known fabric joining means may be used. Such other joining means include glueing and plastics material welding techniques known in the art.

Whilst a preferred form of bag/cape combination is described above, it will be appreciated that many modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.