Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 TITLE OF THE INVENTION
z SPORTS EQUIPMENT BAG, ORGANIZER AND VENTILATOR
3 CLAIM OF PRIORITY
a [0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein,
and claims all benefits
s accruing under 35 U.S.C. ~ 119 from a provisional application entitled
Sports Equipment Bag-
Organizer and Ventilator earlier filed under 35 U.S.C. ~111(b) in the United
States Patent and
z Trademark Office on 14 December 2000 and there duly assigned Serial No.
60/255,060, and a
s disclosure document entitled Sports Equipment Organizer with Locking Device
on 22 March 2001
o and there duly assigned Disclosure Document No. 490$60.
io BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
i ~ [0002] The present invention relates to a sports equipment bag, and more
particularly, to a bag for
organizing sports equipment and related articles while providing ventilation
for the sports equipment
m and the related articles.
,; Description of the Background Art
[0003] In athletic activities such as hockey, baseball, football, or inline
skating, a person may have
r 7 to carry uniforms, a face mask, helmets, knee pads, and other assorted
sports equipment. The
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i assorted equipment have usually been just placed in a bag where it has been
difficult to take out the
z sometimes heavy and cumbersome equipment and also to perform a visual
inventory of the bag.
3 Another problem with the earlier sports equipment bags was that the
equipment and clothing articles
related to the sports accumulated perspiration. The bag would cause an
increased odor because of
s the lack of proper ventilation. The damp garment, sports, and athletic
equipment, boots and shoes
a were dried out on purchased racks or spread around on the floor or on
furniture. Garments and
sports equipment that retain water will mold, mildew, and develop unpleasant
odors without
adequate air circulation. Equipment in a bag should be dried out, so there is
an aggravation of
y removing equipment from the bag to dry the equipment because if the
equipment is left in the bag,
m there can be damage to equipment if the equipment cannot fully dry. It is a
cumbersome process of
~ i taking the equipment out of the bag. Unloading the conventional sports bag
and placing the items
i z around an area to allow for air-drying is time consuming, visually
unpleasant, and consumes space.
This procedure also increases the chance of misplacing an item and leaving it
behind.
Conventionally vented bags offer limited benefit due to the density of
equipment obstructing air
~ s penetration inside the bag.
(0004] A travel and sports organizer bag, equipped with a method of air
circulation is needed to
effectively air dry articles without complex and expensive structures as well
as being an organization
s and space saving tool that allows for quick and easy use.
y SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
.o [0005] It is therefore an object to have a bag that can effectively air dry
articles without complex
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i and expensive structures as well as being an organization and space saving
tool.
2 [0006] It is another object to have a bag that can have the contents viewed
quickly for use.
3 [0007] It is yet another object to have a bag that can be locked quickly to
a locker without
4 extensive extra parts.
s [0008] It is still yet another object to have a bag that can ventilate while
being in a closed position.
6 [0009] It is yet another object to have a bag that can ventilate while being
in an open or folded
position. .
H [0010] It is another object to have a bag that can be easily hung up to
allow a flat view of the
y contents.
~o [0011] It is yet another object to save time by being able to hang up all
contents of a bag at the
same time.
(0012] It is still another object to have a bag that can organize objects in a
bag in a systematic
i 3 manner.
~4 [0013] It is another object to have objects organized in a single plane.
~s (0014] To accomplish the above and other objectives, the present invention
provides a bag
including a back wall having a hook accommodating the hanging of the bag when
opened, a plurality
of compartments on a front surface of the back wall, the plurality of
compartments having a front
portion being of a mesh or netted material accommodating a view of the objects
and a circulation
of air within the compartments. The compartments can have shelves projecting
from the back wall
to accommodate the objects. The wall can be folded or rolled to close the back
wall into the bag for
carrying by the handles through hands or on a back of a user. The bag may
include a locking bar or
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another object designed to prevent removal of the bag (connection
accommodating the bag to lock)
z on a zipper enclosing the bag that can be used to secure the bag to a
locker.
3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
4 [0015] A more complete appreciation of this invention, and many of the
attendant advantages
s thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by
reference to the following
6 detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which like
reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:
s [0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the object holder of a bag in an
opened flat position;
a [0017] Fig. 2 is a view of a hag having the object holder of Fig. 1 folded
up and having handles
i o for hand carrying;
[0018] Fig. 3 is a view of a bag having straps attached to the object holder
of Fig. 1 folded to
provide a backpack;
i 3 [0019] Fig. 4 is view of another embodiment having the object holder of
Fig. 1 connected to the
~ 4 inside portion of a container portion of the bag;
~ s [0020] Fig. S is a plan view of an object holder of another embodiment in
an opened position;
[0021] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the object holder of Fig. 5 in a closed
position and secured to a
~ 7 locker;
~s (0022] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a backpack having the object holder
in a closed position;
[0023] Fig. 8 is another embodiment of a backpack in an open position;
.o [0024] Fig. 9 is another embodiment of a handbag in an open position;
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[0025] Fig. 10 is the backpack of Fig. 8 in a closed position;
[0026] Fig. 11 is a strap of the backpack of Fig. 8;
3 [0027] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the bag of Fig. 5 in an open position;
4 [0028] Fig. 13 is another embodiment of the opening of the bag of
Fig. S;
s [0029] Fig. 14 is a view of a loop in the bag of Fig. 5;
[0030] Fig. 1 S is a plan view of the backpack of Fig. 8 having
wheels;
[0031 ] Fig. 16 is a view of the bag of Fig. 9 in the closed position
with loops for attaching hanging
x hook
for secure
closing;
[0032] Fig. 17 is view of the backpack of Fig. 10 having a mesh sidewall;
~o [0033] Fig. 18 is a view of a bag folded in reverse; and
~ i [0034] Fig. 19 is a view of a bag accommodating longer items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Turning now to the drawings, as seen in Fig. 1, an object holder 10 can
be hung by a hook
~ 4 I 2 on to a locker or other stationary area so that the equipment and
other articles can be easily seen
i s and used. The object holder 10 can be a bag itself or an insert within
another bag, The object holder
does not necessarily have to hang vertically or hang at all. The object holder
10 can also be
positioned on top of a bench or on a floor horizontally to allow for access to
the equipment or any
~ s other position where the equipment or objects held by the object holder 10
can be viewed. Objects
such as sports equipment, clothing, shoes, boots, ice skates, ski boots, and
other objects can be
.n placed in the different compartments of the object holder 10.
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i [0036] The object holder 10 can be made of canvas, vinyl such as PVC
(polyvinyl chloride),
plastic, other types of polyester or fabric material that allows for folding
or rolling up for storage.
3 The object holder 10 can be made of flexible material.
4 (0037] The compartments, or chambers are built into the object holder 10 to
accommodate objects
s to be organized and dried. The chambers or compartments can be expanded to
accommodate the
6 articles. One or more zippers 22 or a hook 12 and loop 120, releasable
fasteners 34 or velcro along
the top of the bag function to close the bag and allow access into the bag
chambers to facilitate the
introduction of articles into the bag chamber and removal of the articles from
the bag. In Fig. 1 for
y example, a mouth piece 18 is placed in the upper left compartment 20, while
the upper right
~o compartment 26 can hold articles such as a puck 24. Both the upper left 20
and upper right 26
~ i compartments can be closed by using zippers 22. Other types of devices
other than zippers 22 may
~ z be used to close the top compartments. Since the articles are small, the
zippers or other similar
fasteners help to close the upper left and right compartments 20 and 26.
~ 4 [0038] A third compartment 30.below the upper compartments 22 and 26 may
have equipment
~s such as hockey gloves 32. The third compartment 30 may have fasteners 34
allowing for quick
~ 6 access to the hockey gloves 32. A clasp or other fastener 34 can be
sufficient for holding the items
because when folded, the pressure of the items will hold the items in place.
Elastic bands may be
used with the snap fasteners 34 to allow for the pocket to be stretched out
while placing equipment
inside. A portion or all of top border 36 can be of an elastic or resilient
material. Velcro may also
~o be used in place of the snap fasteners 34. The top border area 36 which is
open for access to the
gloves 32 when the fastener 34 is open. However, when the fastener 34 is
closed, the top border area
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1 36 is pulled closer to the back portion or wall 16, thereby preventing
articles such as the gloves 32
z from releasing from the third compartment 30. The bag can be without
fastener 34 because once the
s bag is closed, the pressure of the equipment or gear against each other can
prevent articles from
4 falling out.
s [0039] A fourth compartment 38 disposed below the third compartment 30 is
made similar to the
6 third compartment 30. A mesh (netted) material 14 is stitched or connected
in some other manner
to the border material 40. The border material 40 can be stitched or through
another method
R connected with the back wall 16 of the object holder 10 made of material
such as canvas. The upper
border material 42 is not connected to the back wall 16, thus allowing access
to equipment within
1 o the compartment. The compartments can be varied in tenors of the size,
quantity and location within
~ i the bag depending on the sport or activity.
[0040] The mesh (netted) material 14 allows for a person to easily locate an
equipment item and
~ 3 the mesh also provides for ventilation of the articles. The partially see-
through material allows for
i 4 a fast inventory to confirm that all gear needed is packed. The object
holder 10 may either be hung
~ s up for ventilation or positioned at any angles such as horizontal to the
ground such as on a bench or
m ground. The object holder 10 just needs to be in the open position as shown
in Fig. l, allowing for
exposure of the equipment through the mesh material 14. Materials other than
mesh 14 can be used
in the alternative such as any other material that allows for ventilation and
visibility of equipment
i v stored within the compartment. The mesh material allows the air to be
exhausted from the
,o compartments through the air vents.
n [0041] A fifth compartment 44 below the fourth compartment can have a
plurality of sub-
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i compartments that can hold various smaller equipment. The fifth compartment
holds smaller items
2 and materials relatively flat and allows the bag to fold over. A sixth
compartment 46 below the fifth
3 compartment 44 can be substantially V-shaped or U-shaped having for example
a flat portion 48
4 truncating the vertex of the V-shaped fifth compartment 46. The V-shaped
compartment 46 or
s pocket provides for a helmet 50 or other large object such as a soccer ball
that can fit for example
between the skates 52 or boots. The V-shape accommodates an efficient use of
space and allows for
the object holder 10 to sit evenly for easier storage. The helmet 50 sits
snugly between the pair of
s skates allowing not only efficient and easy access, but also better
ventilation. Multiple equipment
items are not on top of each other to prevent the efficient drying of wet
equipment. The middle
~ o section such as the fifth compartment 44 needs to be smaller so that it
holds smaller items
i i accommodating an easier closing of the bag. The middle section 44 can also
be flat to accommodate
i 2 an easier closing of the bag.
~3 [0042] In the seventh compartment 54; the in-line skates 60 or some other
pair of boots, are
~a positioned on each end with a top portion 58 of the compartment and the
side portions 56 of the
~ s compartment 54 being closed. The side portions 56 are not made of a mesh
material but of a solid
m see-through material or a solid material that is not see-through so that
when the skates for instance
are placed in the seventh compartment 54, the wheels or blades will not wear
out the mesh material
~ s prematurely. The open area 62 allows for a better ventilation of the
boots, since the opening portion
of the boots is in an open area 62 allowing for free air flow without even the
mesh (netted) surface.
~o [0043] A horizontal fastener 64 is situated between the left and right side
54a and 54b of the
seventh compartment 54. The horizontal fastener 64 as opposed to the
vertically disposed fasteners
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34 on the other compartments, allow for an efficient access to the boots or
inline skates 60. When
Z unattached, the fasteners 64 allow for the top 58 and side portions 56 of
the left and right 54a and
3 54b of the seventh compartment 54 to open fully to allow for access to the
large boots or skates.
4 Other types of equipment may be organized within the compartments or
pockets. Other type of
s fasteners may also be used.
[0044] Refernng to Fig. 2, the object holder 10 in one embodiment can be
folded up or rolled up
to form a bag 110 allowing for the object holder 10 to be carned. The rolling
or folding also keeps
s the equipment inside relatively stationary within the bag 110 when the bag
110 is closed. The
jiggling of large or small equipment can otherwise cause damage to the
equipment and create noise
~ o when transporting. The hook 12 or other similar fastening device is
detachably connected to a sleeve
or loop 120 formed on the back side 140 of the back wall 16 of the object
holder 10. Using the hook
~ z 12 to fasten together the bag 110 helps to avoid adding other components
to the bag 110, thereby
~ 3 reducing the cost of manufacture. Other types of fasteners can also be
used. The adjustable hooking
~4 mechanism 142 including the hook 12 and the adjustment portion 144 attached
at the top of the
~ s object holder 10 allows a user to hang the bag 110 up to access the
objects stored in the bag 110 and
allow for air flow into the objects. The adjustable hooking mechanism 142 by
adjusting the length
of the adjustable strap 146 through the adjustment portion 144, also allows
the bag 110 to still
H ventilate while the bag is in a closed position when the hooking mechanism
142 is connected to the
sleeve 120. Although the ventilation in the closed position is much less than
when the bag 110 is
.o in the open position. The adjustable strap can provide some air flow into
the bag 110 if it is loosened
=i slightly. Even when tightly fastened, some air flow is still allowed
through the unattached sides 148
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of the object holder 10. Air flow is also allowed through the open sides 150
of the bag 110. When
z the bag 110 is folded, on the left and right sides have open sides 150 to
allow for air ventilation. The
3 mesh material 14 of the compartments are also exposed on the open sides I 50
to ventilate the bag.
a Since, the bag has open sides 150 on both sides of the bag, this allows for
a cross ventilating airflow
s that makes the drying more efficient. The bag 110 in an opened position such
as when the bag 110
6 is hung or laid flat on a bench is the most efficient method of ventilating
and drying the objects held
by the bag. However, the structure of the bag also allows for a certain amount
of ventilation while
a the bag is in a closed position such as when the hook 12 is secured to the
sleeve 120. The object
9 holder 10 can be laid in any space available such as the back seat or in the
trunk of a vehicle while
~o transporting the bag 110. For instance, sports teams may lay the bag 110 on
the grass outside for
drying. The equipment stays together and is easily returned to the original
position for moving to
another location. Since the hook 12 is attached to the adjustable strap 146
allowing the bag 110 to
i 3 be adjusted to rest on the floor for instance, thereby taking the weight
off the bag I 10 and support.
~4 [0045] To allow for an efficient way to transport the bag 110, a handle 130
is attached to the back
~ s side 140 of the top portion 160 and another handle I 30 is attached to the
bottom portion 170 of the
i b object holder 10. The handles I 30 can for example be attached to the left
130a and right side 130b
to the object holder I 0 to allow for a user to grasp with a hand both handles
I 30 so that the bag 1 I 0
i s can be transported. Referring to Fig. I 8, the bag can be folded in
reverse with the compartments on
i9 the outside allowing for ventilation.
zo [0046] The top portion 160 can for example overlap the bottom side 170 of
the object holder 10
> > in order to fasten the bag together. The opposite arrangement can also be
true where the bottom
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portion 170 overlaps the top portion 160. In another arrangement, neither the
top portion 160 or the
z bottom portion 170 overlaps each other. Other types of securing mechanisms
can be used to close
3 the bag 110 such as a zipper or other types of fasteners. The bag 110 can
also have a shoulder strap
4 162.
[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Fig. 3, the
object holder 10 can
be folded to form backpack or bag 210 allowing a user to have one or both
handles 220 supported
on the shoulders of a user. For example, the top portion 160 can be folded to
meet with the bottom
s portion 170 of the object holder 10 to connect the two sides using the
adjustment strap 146. The
backpack 210 can be connected in the same way as in seen by the bag 110 or in
some other similar
~ o fashion allowing for the adjustment connection between the top portion 160
and bottom portion, or
~ i no adjustment, but just a connection between the two portions of the
object holder 10. The pair of
i z handles 220 can for example be placed on one side of the object holder on
opposite ends of the back
side 140 of the object holder. The position of the handles are such that a
user can carry the backpack
~4 210 on both shoulders at the same time if needed. The top portion 220a of
the handle 220 is coupled
~ s on the top portion of the backpack 210 and the bottom portion 220b of the
handle 220 is positioned
below the top portion 220a of the handle 220. Other configurations of the
handles 220 can be made
as long as a user may carry the bag 210 on both shoulders at the same time. A
V-shaped
compartment such as the sixth compartment 46 is not preferable in a the
backpack 210 when the
i y backpack 210 is typically more narrow in shape.
[0048] In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Fig. 4, the
object holder 10 has
z ~ a bottom portion 170 connected to an internal section 314 of a container
portion 330 to form a bag
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310. The container portion 330 can be for example be rectangular in shape with
a top portion 340
z cut out into a flap 320 that can close the compartment 350 within the
container portion 330. The flap
3 320 for example may close the container portion 330 by a zipper for example
or other similar device.
4 When the flap portion 320 is unattached from the container portion 330, the
object holder 10 can be
s raised out of the container portion 330 allowing the object holder 10 to be
hung by the hook 12 or
laid flat on a surface. The container portion 330 allows for a convenient
storage or hanging of the
object holder 10. The container portion 330 also provides for further storage
of items. The container
H portion can be have a rectangular shape or any other type of shape depending
on the use and size of
the objects.
io [0049] In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Fig. 5,
the object holder 420
11 can have a portion such as the bottom portion 470 have shelves that project
out of the back wall 440.
lz The object holder 420 when opened can be hooked to locker hook 414 for
example or any other
~ 3 location that can support a hook 412. A first compartment 424 can be
closed with a zipper 426 to
i4 hold a variety of objects. A mirror 428 just below the first compartment
424 is added for uses such
~ s as applying make-up, tying a man's tie, or other uses where a mirror is
appropriate. Below the
m mirror 428 is a second compartment 448 holding objects in a vertical
position with respect to the
vertically hung bag 410. Objects such as toiletries such as shampoo and
conditioner may be inserted
~ s into the second compartment 448 through an opening in the upper portion
448a. The compartment
may or may not be of a mesh (netted) or see-through material allowing for a
quick view of the
~o internal objects and also allow for ventilation of the objects.
i [0050] A first shelf 442 projects out of the back wall 440. The first shelf
442 has side walls 444
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and 446 that accommodates the closing of the object holder 420 to form a bag
410. The side walls
2 444 and 446 and shelf 442 accommodates the width of the objects in the
second compartment 448.
3 The second compartment 448 is located above the first shelf 442 towards the
middle portion 464 of
4 the object holder 420_ The first shelf 442 is set back a predetermined
distance L, to allow the top
s portion of the object holder to close the object holder to form a bag 410.
The set back of L, provides
an even surface of the bag 410 when the bag 410 is closed for transporting as
seen in Fig. 6.
[0051 ] The left and right side walls 444 and 446 extend from the middle
portion 464 to the end
s of the bottom portion 470 of the object holder 420. The side walls 444 and
446 accommodate a a
third compartment 450 and a fourth compartment 456. The third compartment is
bordered by the
~ o back wa11440 on a back side, the first shelf 442 being a top side, the
left and right side walls 444 and
~ i 446, and the second shelf 454 as the bottom portion of the third
compartment 450. A mesh (netted)
~ z strip 452 is connected from a portion of the left side wall 444 to a
portion of the right side wall 446.
The mesh strip 452 is also connected to a second shelf 454. The mesh strip 452
covers only a
~ 4 portion of the opening of the third compartment 450. The third compartment
450 accommodates
~ s a horizontal loading of objects when the object holder 420 is hanging open
vertically. The mesh
strip 452 contains the objects within the third compartment 450 so that the
objects will not fall out
of the object holder 420 when the object holder 420 is hung. Since the mesh
strip 452 encloses only
s a portion of the opening of the third compartment 450, there is easy and
quick access for a user to
insert various objects within the compartment. The mesh strip 452 because of
the mesh material
.o accommodates a user to be able to view the contents in their entirety while
still allowing for an
=1 increased ventilation of the objects within the third compartment 450. The
third shelf 454 is set back
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i in the compartment from the outer edge of the side walls 444 and 446 a
predetermined distance
z similar to the set back of the first shelf. The set back distances can be
varied also if needed.
3 (0052] The fourth compartment 456 located below the third compartment is
constructed in the
4 same manner as the third compartment. The opening of the fourth compartment
456 is partially
s enclosed by the mesh (netted) strip 458 while the bottom shelf 472 serves as
the bottom portion of
the fourth compartment and also an end portion of the object holder 420. The
third shelf 472 is not
set back from the outer edges 444b and 446b of the side walls 444 and 446,
respectively like the first
s and second shelf 442 and 454. However, the mesh strip 458 is set back from
the outer edges 444b
and 446b to accommodate the closing the bag 410 with the top portion 460 of
the object holder 420
~o being folded over in the set back area of L,.
~ i [0053] The top portion 460 of the object holder 420 has a width L3 much
smaller than the width
~ z Lz of the third self 420. The thinner top portion 460 then can fold within
the set back area of L, and
~ 3 fit in gap between the top sides 444a and 446a of the left and right side
walls 444 and 446. Then the
~ 4 top portion 460 is folded around the first, second, and third shelves 442,
454, and 472 within the set
~s back width L,.
[0054] A handle 488 is connected on the left side wall 444, and another handle
488 is connected
on the right side wall 446 so that when closed, the bag 420 can be easily
tran$ported as seen in Fig.
~ H 6. A zipper 480 for example can be located adjacent to the outer edges
444b and along the top
portion 444a of the side wall 444. A second zipper 482 for example can be
located adjacent to the
outer edges 446b and along the top portion 446a of the side wall 446. The two
zippers 480 and 482
=i run the length of the bag 410 to allow the unfolding and hanging of the bag
410 on a hook 414 for
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i example. The two zippers 480 and 482 can also be a single zipper having two
sliding parts on each
z side of the bag closing and opening the interlocking tabs disposed along the
length of the bag.
3 [0055] The two zippers 480 and 482 have the sliding parts 480a and 482a,
respectively, connected
a together by a locking bar 490. When the bag 410 is closed, the locking bar
490 inside for instance
s between the doors 510 and the body 520 of a gymnasium locker 500. The
locking bar 490 is wider
a L4 than the width LS of the gymnasium locker 500. The locking bar 490 can
also be an object of
7 another shape such that the dimensions of the object exceed the opening
dimensions between the
s door and the locker once the locker is closed. For example, when the object
is spherical, the
a diameter exceeds the opening distance "d" between the door 510 and the body
520 of the locker 500,
~o so that the object cannot be removed from the closed locker. Once, the
gymnasium locker 500 is
secured by for instance a lock 530, the bag 410 is held in place by the locked
door 510. A thief will
~ z not be able to pick up the bag 410 without having to rip open the bag 410.
When the bag 410 is in
the closed position as shown in Fig. 6, the bag itself may be secured, such
that when the bag 410 has
~4 the locking bar 490 within the gymnasium locker 500, the bag 410 cannot be
opened. This allows
~ s a user to have open access to bag 410 even when the locker 500 is closed
without having to worry
about if someone will steal the bag. The locking bar 490 also allows a user to
not have to shove the
bag within the locker 500. The hag 410 with the locking bar 490 can be opened
and locked without
i s having to move the bag. Furthermore, if the bag 410 is larger than the
locker 500, it can still be
securely used by being placed outside of the locker 500. Further, since the
bag 410 can be placed
zo outside of the locker 500, then more room is allowed within the locker 500
to store other objects.
The bag 410 can be secured quickly to the locker 500 without having to add an
extra securing
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i mechanism. When the locker 500 is opened, a user can take the bag 410 with
them.
2 [0056] The locking bar 490 can be made adjustable to accommodate different
sizes of lockers 500.
3 (0057] The bag 410, which can be used for gymnasium activities for example,
may have a plastic
4 liner included to store wet clothing or a bathing suit. The bag 410 can have
the zipper 492 along the
s edges of the walls open up with the side walls being on the bottom portion
as seen in Fig. 12 or as
seen in Fig. 13, the zipper 495 opens the bag having the side walls 494 being
on the top portion
where the top portion can be hooked to an door or shelf. As seen in Fig. 14, a
loop 498 at the top
s of the bag allows hangers of clothes to be attached.
[0058] The object holder 420 as seen in Fig. 5, can also be enclosed as seen
in the bag of 610 as
io seen in Fig. 7. The bag 610 has an object holder such as the object holder
420 or the object holder
10. The object holder 620 has a pair of handles along the length of one side
on the back wall 640 of
the object holder 620. The handles 688 allow a user to carry the bag 610
around both shoulders on
~ 3 their back like a backpack. A zipper 680 or other connector type closes
the bag 610. Additional
~4 pockets 630 may be added to the outside of the bag 610 to allow additional
storage and quicker
~ s access when the bag 610 is closed.
[0059] A backpack 710, as seen in Fig. 8 has a hook 712 that is shaped to hang
on top of a door.
i ~ The hook 712 is attached to a strap 713 that allows the bag to rest on the
floor, thereby reducing the
~ a weight on the hanging structure. A clasp 714 are attached on the pockets
770 to help secure items
inside. The clasp 714 can be substituted with velcro or other similar means.
Elastic is sewn into
?o the strap 716 to keep the strap 716 at the top of each compartment straight
and assist in securing the
z~ items in the compartments. Smaller items are stored in the middle
compartments 718 and are
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1 structured to allow the top to fold down smoothly. Side handles 720 are sewn
into the side walls 724
2 to accommodate additional carrying options. A mesh wall 722 is used to hold
any smaller items in
3 the bottom and the wall 722 assists in holding the sides together.
4 [0060) In another embodiment, as seen in Fig. 9, the handbag 810 has a hook
812 for hanging on
s top of a door or other stationary structure. The hook 812 is attached to a
snap 813 that allows the
bag to rest on the floor, thereby reducing the weight on the hanging
structure. A clasp 814 are
attached on the compartments 870 to help secure items inside. The clasp 814
can be substituted with
s velcro or other similar means. Elastic is sewn into the strap 816 to keep
the strap 816 at the top of
each compartment straight and assist in securing the items in the
compartments. Smaller items are
io stored in the middle compartments 818 and are structured to allow the top
to fold down smoothly.
Handles 828 are connected to the top and bottom portions of the bag to
accommodate the carrying
~ z of the bag 810. An adjustable strap 830 can hold additional items or hold
in place items such as
clothes. Referring to Fig. 16, the bag 810 has a webbing attached to the
outside of the bag 810 to
~ 4 allow securing of the hook 812 and holding the bag closed.
~ s [0061) As seen in Fig. 10, the backpack 710 is in a closed position. The
backpack 710 has a top
mesh pocket ?32 and a bottom mesh pocket 730. Each of the pockets has only a
portion that is made
of mesh material and the remaining portion of the pockets being of solid
material that is not see-
~ s through. Solid material that is not see-through is a material that one
cannot see through with an
~ y unaided eye. The mesh materials 730 and 732 accommodate a ventilation of
the pockets. The
bottom pocket with the mesh material 730 can have door zippers 740. I-rings
are attached to the
=1 front portion of the closed backpack to allow for attachments such as
bungee cord to attach
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additional items such as camping equipment or snowboards. An adjustable strap
734 is transversely
z disposed near the middle section of the front portion of the closed backpack
710. The adjustable
3 strap 734 can secure bulky items such as butt-pads for ice hockey. The butt-
pads for instance can
4 hook to the outside with the adjustable clasp 736. The adjustable strap 734
allows for the size of the
backpack 710 too be not excessively large since the adjustable strap can take
care of extremely bulky
equipment. Since, the backpack 710 can be carned on the back of a user, an
excessively large bag
may not be desirable. A handle 728 is attached to the top portion of the
backpack 720 allowing
s further flexibility for a user to carry the backpack 710. The backpack 710
can be closed from an
9 open position as seen in Fig. 8 to the closed position as seen in Fig. 10
with a zipper 738 or other
io fastening means. The side walls 724 can be of a solid material that may or
may not accommodate
i n ventilation or the side walls can be of a mesh material 72S as seen in
Fig. 17 that accommodates a
~ z ventilation of the inside of the bag 710 though the side walls. The mesh
material 72S being on the
~3 side walls (on both sides of the bag) is important because all the inner
compartments 770 can be
~4 ventilated properly. If both side walls are made of a material that allows
ventilation like the mesh
i s material 725, then a cross vent is created to increase the ventilation of
the inner compartments
ib (pockets) 770. Furthermore, because the material mesh 72S material is on
the side walls, it is not
so prone to being worn out as if it was on the front or back side of the bag.
The side walls 724
i s extend from each side of the bottom portion 782 of the back wall 780 of
the backpack 710 where the
bottom portion 782 of the back wall 780 of the backpack 710 has a greater
width than the top
'o portion 784 of the back wall 780 of the backpack 710. The side walls 724
form angles with the
z ~ extended portion 786 of the bottom back wall 782 of the backpack 710
accommodating a backpack
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i that closes all sides which then stop any loose items that get out of the
compartments 770 from being
z released from the bag 710.
3 [0062] Looking at Fig. 11, the backpack 710 (and also on bag 810) can have
also a strap 752
4 secured to the top of the bag 710 that allows for clothes hangers to hang
for jerseys or street clothes.
s A 1 inch webbing 756 under 1 %2 inch webbing is added before stitching. A 1
inch webbing is placed
under top clasp before stitching. There must be enough slack allowed for
attachment of hangers
7 holding jersey or other clothes. The total webbing length being added
appears to be about 6 inches.
a The 6 inches allows for one inch to be under the top webbing for securement
and one inch to be
9 under other clasp strap 758 with four inches exposed allowing for enough
slack to hang hangers for
to jerseys and clothes. A clasp 754 is attached to the clasp strap 752 for
hanging the jerseys or street
clothes.
i z [0063] Wheels can also be added to any of the above embodiments allowing a
user to cart the bag.
The backpacks 210, 610, and 710 may especially have wheels on a bottom portion
allowing for a
~ 4 user to cart the backpacks 210, 610, and 710. Referring to Fig. 15, the
backpack 910 is the same as
~ s backpack 710 except that backpack 910 includes a pair of wheels 920 that
allows for the backpack
910 to be transported on the ground by rolling the backpack along the ground
or other surface by
pulling from the handle 940. The backpack 910 further includes a pair of
straps 930 accommodating
~ s a user to carry the backpack 910 on his or her back.
[0064] Referring to Fig. 19, snaps 790 can be used to secure longer items 792
to sides of the bag
zo 71'0. The straps 790 may include fasteners such as velcro, clasps and other
means of attachment.
z ~ The straps 790 can be elastic allowing a user to slide items in the
openings. Mesh pockets can also
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i be used for holding the longer items 792 in place.
z (0065] As seen above, the present invention provides for a bag and organizer
that is equipped with
3 a method of air circulation to effectively air dry articles without complex
and expensive structures
4 as well as being an organization and space saving tool. The bag provides for
a quick inventory and
s access of the objects organized within the bag. The bag also provides for an
easy mechanism of
locking the bag to a stationary object.
[0066] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to the
a preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that the foregoing
and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and
~ o scope of the invention.
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