Carrier

Abstract

A carrier ( 10 ) of the backpack type is provided for use by motorcyclists to carry their travel requirements and a motor cycle helmet ( 26 ) when on or off the motorcycle. The carrier ( 10 ) has a bag ( 11 ) of flexible textile material with adjustable shoulder straps ( 12 ), waist strap ( 16 ) and chest strap ( 13 ). The bag ( 11 ) has a main compartment ( 22 ) and a lower compartment ( 25 ) adapted to receive the helmet ( 26 ) inside it so that the carrier ( 10 ) can be freestanding when placed on the ground. The lower compartment ( 25 ) folds and is contained by a securing panel ( 28 ) to the base of the main compartment ( 22 ) when no helmet ( 26 ) is in the lower compartment ( 25 ).

We claim:  
     
         1 . A carrier comprising: 
 a bag having at least one shoulder strap extending from the top of the bag to the lower part thereof and intended to pass over a shoulder and under the arm of the wearer,    the bag comprising a main compartment and a lower compartment disposed beneath the main compartment,    the lower compartment being adapted to receive a motor cycle helmet therein,    wherein the carrier also has a securing panel adapted to pass under the lower compartment.    
     
     
         2 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the bag is of a flexible textile material.  
     
     
         3 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier has an access opening to the lower compartment separate from an opening providing access to the main compartment.  
     
     
         4 . The carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the access opening to the main compartment is provided with a main sliding fastener.  
     
     
         5 . The carrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the bag has a flap adapted to cover the main sliding fastener.  
     
     
         6 . The carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the access opening to the lower compartment is provided with a drawstring.  
     
     
         7 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing panel comprises a base portion and a securing strap portion.  
     
     
         8 . The carrier according to  claim 7 , wherein the base portion is secured to the base of the main compartment at the rear thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The carrier according to  claim 8 , wherein there is a connecting device at a free end of the securing strap portion adapted to be releasably connected to the base of the main compartment at the front thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The carrier according to  claim 9 , wherein the releasable connecting device comprises a securing buckle.  
     
     
         11 . The carrier according to  claim 8 , wherein the base portion and the base of the main compartment have a sliding fastener around the peripheries thereof adapted to secure the base portion in underlying relationship with the base of the main compartment, with the lower compartment and the securing strap portion contained therebetween, when no helmet is contained in the lower compartment.  
     
     
         12 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , having two shoulder straps extending from the top of the bag to the lower part thereof and intended to pass over the shoulders and under the arms of the wearer.  
     
     
         13 . The carrier according to  claim 12 , wherein the shoulder straps are adjustable in length.  
     
     
         14 . The carrier according to  claim 12 , wherein the carrier has a waist strap adapted to pass around the waist of the wearer.  
     
     
         15 . The carrier according to  claim 14 , wherein the waist strap comprises two waist strap parts, each having one end thereof secured to the bag and having one of a pair of co-operating buckle parts at the free end thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The carrier according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one part of the waist strap is adjustable in length.  
     
     
         17 . The carrier according to  claim 12 , wherein the carrier has a chest strap adapted to pass around the chest of the wearer.  
     
     
         18 . The carrier according to  claim 17 , wherein the chest strap comprises two chest strap parts, each having one end thereof secured to a respective shoulder strap and having one of a pair of co-operating buckle parts at a free end thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The carrier according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one part of the chest strap is adjustable in length.  
     
     
         20 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier has a carrying handle secured to the top of the bag.  
     
     
         21 . The carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier has at least one pocket secured to the bag.  
     
     
         22 . The carrier according to  claim 21 , wherein the carrier has a front pocket and a pair of side pockets.  
     
     
         23 . The carrier according to  claim 22 , wherein each pocket is provided with a sliding fastener.  
     
     
         24 . The carrier according to  claim 23 , wherein each pocket has a flap adapted to cover the sliding fastener.  
     
     
         25 . In combination: 
 a carrier and a motor cycle helmet,    the carrier comprising a bag having at least one shoulder strap extending from the top of the bag to the lower part thereof and intended to pass over a shoulder and under the arm of the wearer,    the bag having a main compartment and a lower compartment disposed beneath the main compartment,    the lower compartment in which the motor cycle helmet is received,    wherein the carrier also has a securing panel adapted to pass under the lower compartment.