Slingbags

Abstract

A slingbag is provided that has a carrier that may be suspended from either shoulder and around the body of a bearer by means of a shoulder strap. The slingbag will present an opening to a compartment in the carrier of the slingbag to the bearer in the same configuration when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder over which the shoulder strap passes.

1 . A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:
 a carrier having a plurality of walls defining a compartment, one of the walls being a first body contacting wall and another of the walls having defined therein an opening to the compartment for accessing the compartment from exterior to the carrier;   a shoulder strap attached to the carrier;   wherein the shoulder strap is adapted to pass over either the right or the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer when the carrier and the shoulder strap are borne by the bearer and wherein the wall having the opening is presented to the bearer for access to the compartment in the same orientation when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap passes over.   
     
     
         2 . The slingbag according to  claim 1  further comprising a flap attached to the wall having defined therein an opening, the flap being sized to cover the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The slingbag according to  claim 1  wherein the carrier comprises a second body contacting wall spaced from and generally parallel to the first body contacting wall and the wall having the opening defined therein is adjacent to and disposed between the first and the second body contacting wall, and the shoulder strap is attached to the carrier so as to be rotated from the vicinity of the first body contacting wall to the vicinity of the second body contacting wall whereby the shoulder strap will alter its configuration in order to change from being suitable for being disposed over one shoulder and around the body of the bearer to being suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder and around the body of the bearer. 
     
     
         4 . The slingbag according to  claim 3  wherein the shoulder strap has an upper end and a lower end and at least one of the upper and lower ends is slidably attached to at least one rail attached to the carrier. 
     
     
         5 . The slingbag according to  claim 3  wherein the upper end and the lower end of the shoulder strap are each slidably attached to at least one rail attached to the carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The slingbag according to  claim 3  wherein the upper and the lower ends of the shoulder strap are attached to the carrier in the vicinity of a mid-plane of the carrier whereby the shoulder strap may be rotated to the vicinity of either the first or the second body contacting wall. 
     
     
         7 . The slingbag according to  claim 1  wherein the wall having the opening defined therein is adjacent to the first body contacting wall, and the shoulder strap is attached to the carrier adjacent the vicinity of the first body contacting wall in a configuration suitable for being disposed over one shoulder and around the body of the bearer and the attachments of the shoulder strap may be altered with respect to the first body contacting wall in order to alter the configuration of the shoulder strap in order to change it from being suitable for being disposed over the one shoulder and body of the bearer to being suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder and around the body of the bearer and the first body contacting wall remains in contact with the body of the bearer in both configurations of the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         8 . The slingbag according to  claim 1  wherein the wall having the opening defined therein is adjacent to the first body contacting wall, and the shoulder strap is a first shoulder strap attached to the carrier in the vicinity of the first body contacting wall in a configuration suitable for being disposed over one shoulder and around the body of the bearer and a second shoulder strap is attached to the carrier in the vicinity of the first body contacting wall in a configuration suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder and around the body of the bearer whereby the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap may be alternately deployed in order for the slingbag to be configured to change from being suitable for being disposed over the one shoulder and around the body of the bearer to being suitable for being disposed over the other shoulder around the body of the bearer and the first body contacting wall remains in contact with the body of the bearer in both configurations of the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         9 . The slingbag according to  claim 1  wherein the wall having the entrance is uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap passes over. 
     
     
         10 . A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:
 a carrier having first and second body contacting walls, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the first and second body contacting walls being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side walls each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the first and second body contacting walls, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;   the first end wall further comprising a first top rail disposed across and above the first end wall and running between the junctures of the first end wall to the first and second body contacting walls;   one of the first side wall or the second end wall further comprising a bottom rail disposed adjacent the juncture of the first side wall to the second end wall and running between the junctures of the one of the first side wall or the second end wall to the first and second body contacting walls;   a shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a first upper aperture therein for receiving the first top rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end to the first top rail, and the lower end having a bottom aperture therein for receiving the bottom rail and thereby slidably attaching the lower end to the bottom rail, whereby the shoulder strap may be slid and rotated from extending over the first body contacting wall to extending over the second body contacting wall;   wherein the shoulder strap may pass over either the right or the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer when the carrier and the shoulder strap are borne by the bearer and wherein the first side wall having the opening is uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap goes over.   
     
     
         11 . The slingbag according to  claim 10  wherein the first upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap and the bottom aperture is formed by a ring attached to the lower end of the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         12 . The slingbag according to  claim 10  wherein the first upper rail is adjacent to the second side wall. 
     
     
         13 . The slingbag according to  claim 12  further comprising a second upper rail disposed across and above the first end wall and running between the junctures of the first end wall to the first and second body contacting walls, the second upper rail being adjacent to the first side wall, and the upper end of the shoulder strap is wide enough to extend between the first upper rail and the second upper rail and has a second upper aperture therein for receiving the second upper rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end of the shoulder strap to the second upper rail. 
     
     
         14 . The slingbag according to  claim 13  wherein the first upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap, the second upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap, and the bottom aperture is formed by a ring attached to the lower end of the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         15 . The slingbag according to  claim 10  wherein the first upper rail is broad enough to extend across substantially most of the top end wall and the upper end of the shoulder strap is wide enough that the first upper aperture may be wide enough to accommodate the first upper rail. 
     
     
         16 . The slingbag according to  claim 15  wherein the first upper aperture is formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         17 . The slingbag according to  claim 10  wherein the shoulder strap further comprises a buckle and a webbing strap fitting through the buckle in adjustable relationship to the buckle whereby the length of the shoulder strap may be adjusted by the bearer. 
     
     
         18 . The slingbag according to  claim 17  wherein the shoulder strap further comprises two swivels, one swivel being attached in-line on either side of the buckle and the webbing strap, whereby the buckle can be turned into the same position with respect to the bearer when the shoulder strap is rotated from extending over the first body contacting wall to extending over the second body contacting wall. 
     
     
         19 . A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:
 a carrier having first and second body contacting walls, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the first and second body contacting walls being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the first and second body contacting walls, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;   a shoulder strap having an upper end attached to a midline of the first end wall and a lower end attached to a midline of one of the second end wall and the first side wall whereby the shoulder strap may be rotated from extending over the first body contacting wall to extending over the second body contacting wall;   wherein the shoulder strap may pass over either the right or the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer when the carrier and the shoulder strap are borne by the bearer and wherein the side wall having the opening is uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of the choice of shoulder over which the shoulder strap passes.   
     
     
         20 . A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer, comprising:
 a carrier having a body contacting wall, an opposed non-body contacting wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;   the body contacting wall further comprising a first rail disposed across and above the body contacting wall and running between the junctures of the body contacting wall to the first and second end walls;   a first connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the second end wall and a second connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the first end wall;   a shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a first aperture therein for receiving the first rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end of the shoulder strap to the first rail, and the lower end being attached to a third connector for attachment to one of the first and second connectors;   wherein the upper end of the shoulder strap may be slid along the first rail to the vicinity of the first end wall and the third connector attached to the first connector in order to configure the shoulder strap for passing over the right shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer, and the upper end of the shoulder strap may be slid along the first rail to the vicinity of the second end wall and the third connector attached to the second connector in order to configure the shoulder strap for passing over the left shoulder of the bearer, the carrier being rotated so that the second end wall is uppermost when the carrier is adjacent the back of the bearer, whereby the first side wall having the opening will be uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap goes over.   
     
     
         21 . The slingbag according to  claim 20  wherein the first rail is disposed adjacent and generally parallel to the second side wall. 
     
     
         22 . The slingbag according to  claim 20  wherein the body contacting wall further comprising a second rail disposed across and above the body contacting wall and running between the junctures of the body contacting wall to the first and second end walls, the second rail being disposed generally parallel to and adjacent the first side wall, and the upper end of the shoulder strap having a second aperture therein for receiving the first rail and thereby slidably attaching the upper end of the shoulder strap to the second rail. 
     
     
         23 . The slingbag according to  claim 22  wherein the first and second upper apertures are each formed by a ring attached to the upper end of the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         24 . A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer over either the right or the left shoulder and around the body of the bearer, comprising:
 a carrier having a body contacting wall, an opposed non-body contacting wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;   a first connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the second end wall and a second connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the first end wall;   a first shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the first shoulder strap being connected to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the first end wall, and the second side wall, and the lower end of the first shoulder strap being connected to a third connector;   a second shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the second shoulder strap being connected to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the second end wall, and the second side wall, and the lower end of the second shoulder strap being connected to a fourth connector;   wherein the third connector may be attached to the first connector in order to join the lower end of the first shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the first shoulder strap for passing over the right shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer and the fourth connector may be attached to the second connector in order to join the lower end of the second shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the second shoulder strap for passing over the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer, the carrier being rotated so that the second end wall is uppermost when the carrier is adjacent the back of the bearer, whereby the first side wall having the opening will be uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap goes over.   
     
     
         25 . The slingbag according to  claim 24  further comprising a first pocket defined in the body contacting wall for receiving substantially all of the first shoulder strap when the third connector is detached from the first connector, whereby the first shoulder strap may be stored in the pocket when the second shoulder strap is deployed for passing over the left shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer. 
     
     
         26 . The slingbag according to  claim 24  further comprising a second pocket defined in the body contacting wall for receiving the second shoulder strap when the fourth connector is detached from the second connector, whereby the second shoulder strap may be stored in the pocket when the first shoulder strap is deployed for passing over the right shoulder of the bearer and around the body of the bearer. 
     
     
         27 . A slingbag capable of being worn by a bearer over either the right or the left shoulder and around the body of the bearer, comprising:
 a carrier having a body contacting wall, an opposed non-body contacting wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall being spaced from and opposed to each other and being connected by being attached to the first and second side walls and the first and second end walls, the first and the second side wall each being connected to the first and second end walls, wherein the body contacting wall and the non-body contacting wall, the first and second side walls, and the first and second end walls define a compartment, the first side wall defining an opening to the compartment and having a flap for covering the opening;   a first connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the second end wall;   a second connector attached to the carrier adjacent to the first side wall and the first end wall;   a third connector attached to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the first end wall, and the second side wall;   a fourth connector attached to the carrier adjacent the intersection of the body contacting wall, the second end wall, and the second side wall;   a shoulder strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the shoulder strap being attached to a fifth connector and the lower end of the shoulder strap being attached to a sixth connector;   wherein the sixth connector may be attached to the first connector in order to join the lower end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and the fifth connector may be attached to the third connector in order to join the upper end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the shoulder strap for passing over the right shoulder and around the body of the bearer whereas the sixth connector may be attached to the second connector in order to join the lower end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and the fifth connector may be connected to the fourth connector in order to join the upper end of the shoulder strap to the carrier and configure the shoulder strap for passing over the left shoulder and around the body of the bearer, the carrier being rotated so that the second end wall is uppermost when the carrier is adjacent the back of the bearer, whereby the first side wall having the opening will be uppermost when the carrier is rotated to the front of the bearer, regardless of which shoulder the shoulder strap passes over.