WO2003094655A1

WO2003094655A1 - Utility bag

Info

Publication number: WO2003094655A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/017222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trinidad Garcia, Iii; Trinidad Garcia, Jr.
Original assignee: Trinidad Garcia, Iii; Garcia Trinidad Jr
Priority date: 2002-05-07
Filing date: 2002-06-03
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Also published as: US6619447B1; AU2002310243A1

Abstract

A utility bag (10) comprised of a primary bag (12) and a releasably attached auxiliary bag (30). When the auxiliary bag (30) is attached to the primary bag (12), various items, such as sporting equipment, can be placed in each respective bag (12), (30) and carried together. When desirable, the auxiliary bag (30) can be detached from the primary bag (12) by utilizing two sets of buckles. The primary bag (12) includes a plurality of straps which allow the primary bag (12) to be worn over a shoulder, such as a purse or carried by hand by utilizing a hand grip (102). The auxiliary bag (30), when detached, can be held by an attached carrying handle (118), or worn as a backpack by utilizing a separate pair of back straps. Both the primary bag (12) and the auxiliary bag (30) are constructed of a strong waterproof material and both bags utilize zippers to gain access to the bag's interior.

Description

UTILITY BAG

TEHHNTGAL FIELD

The invention pertains to the general field of utility bags, and more particularly to an utility bag that includes a rεleasably attached auxiliary bag.

BACKGROUND ART

For as long as people have traveled from one location to another, there has been a need or desire to take selected items along with them. Nomadic tribes and 0 other individuals seeking a new home had to take everything they owned, in today's world there are also many scenarios in which people bring items with them, such as vacationers, travelling businessmen, and campers or other recreation-seeking individuals. one of the most popular methods of carrying items is a bag or tote, which has handles or straps for holding. The bags are typically made of a strong, resilient material such as nylon, cotton or leather and can range in size from small, single-hand type bags to

20 large, shoulder-harnessed duffles. The bags usually include some type of means of keeping the bag closed, such as a zipper, snap-type buttons or a hook and loop fastener. unfortunately, many bags are designed with a single

J. inner area, which precludes separating items that are put in the bag. This design has caused certain problems; such as people having to put dirty clothes together with clean clothes, items with sharp corners with items that tear easily, or even food with other supplies. « Being able to separate items that are carried at one time is also beneficial for many sporting activities, such as soccer, that require clothes and equipment, such as a ball to be carried. obviously, if there were some way of carrying multiple items, while maintaining the items separately would be beneficial for many different people and situations. A search of the prior art did not disclose any U.S. patents or industry catalogs and publications that read on the claims of the instant application.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In its most basic design, the utility bag is comprised of a primary bag having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side and a second side. An auxiliary bag is releasably attached to a first side of the primary bag and includes an upper seam that interfaces with an upper edge of a front surface and an upper edge of a rear surface, a lower surface, a first side and a second side. in order to releasably attach the rear surface of the auxiliary bag against the first side of the primary bag, an attachment means is utilized. The attachment means can comprise a buckle pair, a hook and loop fastener, snap-type buttons or any other type of device that permits attachment and release. in view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide an utility bag which, in addition to comprising a primary, single enclosure, also includes a second enclosure that can be attached and removed from the primary enclosure. It is also an object of the invention to provide an utility bag that: o can be made in a variety of sizes for many purposes, o allows items to be carried concurrently, yet stored separate, o can be made from various materials, such as a light-weight, easy to carry material, or a heavy, but very strong material, o can be carried, such as a purse, allows the auxiliary bag to be carried or worn as a backpack, and o is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's point of view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an utility bag consisting of a primary bag having a first side to which is releasably attached an auxiliary bag.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the primary bag. FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the first side of the primary bag.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing the front surface and the first side of a detached auxiliary bag. The opposite view being a mirror image. FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the rear surface of the auxiliary bag.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for a utility bag having a detachable auxiliary bag. The utility bag 10, as shown in FIGURES 1-5, is comprised of three major elements: a primary bag 12, an auxiliary bag 30, and a means 132 for releasably attaching the auxiliary bag 30 to the primary bag 12. The primary bag 12, as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, is comprised of an upper surface 14, a lower surface 1δ, a front surface 18, a rear surface 20, a first side 22, and a second side 24. The auxiliary bag 30, as shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, is comprised of a front surface 32 having an upper edge 34, a rear surface 36 having an upper edge 38, a lower surface 40, a first side 42, a second side 44, and an upper seam 46 that joins the upper edge 34 of the front surface 32 and the upper edge 38 of the rear surface 36.

The primary bag 12 further comprises a zipper 60 that is substantially centered across the upper surface 14 of the primary bag 12, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The zipper 60 can include a pair of zipper pull tabs 62, with each pull tab 62 having a corded zipper slider 64 attached thereto, as shown in FIGURE 2. The dual zipper pull tabs 62 allow the zipper 60 to be opened or closed from either end.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the utility bag 10 has a first D-ring 63 attached by means of a tab to the upper surface 14 of the primary bag 12 adjacent the upper end of the first side 22. A second D-ring 70 is similarly attached to the upper surface 14 of the primary bag 12 adjacent the upper end of the second side 24. As shown in FIGURE 2, the primary bag 12 also comprises a shoulder carrying strap 74 having a first end 76 and a second end 78. Near the first end 76 is located an adjustable loop 80, which has a first swivel hook 82 attached that releasably engages the first D-ring 68. The second end 78 has attached a second swivel hook 84 that releasably engages the second D-ring 70. substantially centered on the strap 74 is a non-slip shoulder pad 86, as shown in FIGURE 2, that is slidably adjustable.

As also shown in FIGURE 2, the primary bag 12 comprises a first bag carrying strap 90 and a second bag carrying strap 96. The first bag carrying strap 90 has a first end 92 and a second end 94 attached respectively to the front surface 18, adjacent the first side 22 and the second side 24 of the primary bag 12. The second bag carrying strap 96 (not shown) has a first end 98 and a second end 100 attached respectively by the rear surface 20, adjacent the first side 22 and the second side 24, of the primary bag 12. The first strap 90 has a substantially-centered hand grip 102, as shown in FIGURE 2, that is dimensioned to wrap around the second strap 96 and to become attached by an attachment means 104, to form the hand grip 102. The hand grip 102 attachment means 104 is preferably comprised of a hook and loop fastener. The front surface 18 of the primary bag 12 further comprises a water-proof, zippered side pocket 108, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Both the primary bag 12 and the auxiliary bag are made of a water-proof, vinyl-backed polyester, with the zippered upper seam 46 of the auxiliary bag 30 covered internally with a binding tape 110 and the external side edge 48 incorporating a solid-bead welting 112, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the primary bag 12 further comprises a removable, rigid liner 114 that is dimensioned to fit internally over the upper surface of the lower surface 16 to provide rigidity to the surface 16. The liner 114 is comprised of a polystyrene material that is covered with a taffeta material having a PVG backing.

The auxiliary bag 30, as shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, further comprises a carrying handle 118 that is made of a cushioned polypropelene webbing. The handle 8 is attached across the auxiliary bag's front surface, adjacent upper edge 34. The auxiliary bag 30 also has a portion of the first side 42 and the second side 44 consisting of a mesh material 122, as shown in FIGURES 1, and 4, that allows the contents of the aux liary bag 30 to vent out of the bag 30. The auxiliary bag 30 further comprises a foam material 124 encompassing the internal surface of the lower surface 40 and a portion of the front and rear surfaces 32,36. The foam material 124 is designed to add rigidity to the lower surface 40 of the auxiliary bag 30.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the front surface 32 of the auxiliary bag 30 has an opening 126 that is covered by a zippered enclosure 128 which allows access into the auxiliary bag 30. 5 The attachment means 132, as shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, for releasably attaching the auxiliary bag 30 to the primary bag 12 comprises two sets of buckles. As shown best in FIGURES 2 and 3, the primary bag 12 has a first male buckle 34 located on the upper surface 14 Q adjacent the intersection of the front surface 18 and the first side 22. A second male buckle 136 is located on the upper surface 14 adjacent the intersection of the rear surface 20 and the first side 22. A third male buckle 138 is located adjacent the lower surface 5 16 at the intersection of the front surface 18 and the first side 22. A fourth male buckle 140 is located adjacent the lower surface 16 at the intersection of the rear surface 20 and the first side 22.

AS shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the auxiliary bag 30 has a first female buckle 144 located on the upper seam 46 in alignment with the first male buckle 134. A second female buckle 146 is located on the upper seam 46 in alignment with the second male buckle 136. A third female buckle 148 is located on the first side 42 in alignment with the third male buckle 138. A fourth female buckle 150, as shown in FIGURE 5, is located on the second side 44 in alignment with the fourth male buckle 140. Once each male buckle 134, 36,138,140 is inserted into the corresponding female buckle 144,146,148,150, the auxiliary bag 30 is secured to the primary bag 12.

The auxiliary bag 30 in addition to being carried by the carrying handle 118, can also be utilized as a backpack by the addition of a pair of back straps (not shown). Each backstrap includes an adjustable loop and on each end a male buckle that is inserted into the corresponding first, second, third and fourth female buckles 144, 146, 148 and 150 located on the auxiliary bag 30.

While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorial ly shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. . For example, a set of foot pads can be added to the lower surface 14 of the primary bag 12 and the hand grip 102 can consist of a swivel handle. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A utility bag comprising: a) a primary bag having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side and a second side, b) an auxiliary bag having an upper seam that interfaces with an upper edge of a front surface and an upper edge of a rear surface, said auxiliary bag further having a lower surface, a first side and a second side, and c) means for releasably attaching the rear surface of said auxiliary bag against the first side of said primary bag.

2. The utility bag as specified in claim 1 wherein said primary bag further comprises a zipper that is substantially centered across the upper surface of said primary bag.

3. The utility bag as specified in claim 2 wherein the zipper includes a pair of zipper pull tabs to each of which is attached a corded zipper slider, wherein the dual-zipper pull tabs allow said zipper to be opened or closed from either end.

4. The utility bag as specified in claim 3 further comprising a first D-ring attached to the upper surface of said primary bag adjacent the upper end of the first side and a second D-ring attached to the upper surface of said primary bag adjacent the upper end of the second side.

5. The utility bag as specified in claim 4 wherein said primary bag further comprises a shoulder carrying strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end terminates in an adjustable loop having attached a first swivel hook that releasably engages the first D-ring, and the second end having attached a second swivel hook that releasably engages the second D-ring, wherein substantially centered on said strap is a. non-slip shoulder pad that is slidably adjustable.

6. The utility bag as specified in claim 4 wherein said primary bag further comprises a pair of bag carrying straps, wherein a first strap has a first end and a second end attached respectively to the front surface, adjacent the first side and the second side, of said primary bag, a second strap having a first end and a second end attached respectively to the rear surface, adjacent the first side and second side, of said primary bag, wherein the first strap has substantially-centered a hand grip dimensioned to wrap around the second strap and to become attached, by an attachment means, to thus form a hand grip.

7. The utility bag as specified in claim 6 wherein said hand grip attachment means comprises a hook and loop fastener.

8. The utility bag as specified in claim 1 wherein the first side of said primary bag further comprises a water-proof, zippered side pocket.

9. The utility bag as specified in claim 1 wherein said primary bag and said auxiliary bag are made of a waterproof, vinyl -backed polyester with the zippered seam of said auxiliary bag covered internally with a binding tape and the external side edges incorporating a solid-bead welting.

10. The utility bag as specified in claim 1 wherein said primary bag further comprises a removable, rigid

5 liner dimensioned to fit internally over the lower surface to add rigidity to the lower surface.

11. The utility bag as specified in claim 10 wherein said rigid liner is comprised of a polystyrene material covered with a taffeta material having a PVC 0 backing.

12. The utility bag as specified in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary bag further comprises a carrying handle attached across the front surface adjacent the upper edge.

5 13. The utility bag as specified in claim 12 wherein said carrying handle is comprised of a cushioned polypropelene webbing.

14. The utility bag as specified in claim 12 wherein said auxiliary bag has a portion of the first o side and the rear surface consisting of a mesh material that allows the contents of said auxiliary bag to vent out of said auxiliary bag.

15. The utility bag as specified in claim 14 wherein said auxiliary bag further comprises a foam 5 material encompassing the internal surface of the lower surface and a portion of the front and rear surfaces, wherein said foam material adds rigidity to the lower surface of said auxiliary bag.

16. The utility bag as specified in claim 15 wherein the front surface of said auxiliary bag has an opening covered by a zippered enclosure which allows access into the interior of said auxiliary bag.

17. The utility bag as specified in claim 1 wherein said means for releasably attaching said auxiliary bag to said primary bag comprises: a) said primary bag having a first male buckle located on the upper surface adjacent the intersection of the front surface and the first side, a second male buckle located on the upper surface adjacent the intersection of the rear surface and the first side, a third male buckle located adjacent the lower surface at the intersection of the front surface and the first side, and a fourth male buckle located adjacent the lower surface at the intersection of the rear surface and the first side, and b) said auxiliary bag having a first female buckle located on the upper seam in alignment with the first male buckle, a second female buckle located on the upper seam in alignment with the second male buckle, a third female buckle located on the first side in alignment with the third male buckle and a fourth female buckle located on the second side in alignment with the fourth male buckle, wherein when the male buckles are inserted into the corresponding female buckles, said auxiliary bag is secured to said primary bag.

18. The utility bag as specified in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary bag further comprises a pair of back straps, wherein each strap includes an adjustable loop and on each end a male buckle that is inserted into a corresponding female buckle located on said auxiliary bag.