Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPORTS EQUIPMENT BAG
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to luggage products and, more particularly, to a
bag for
carrying sports equipment and items of clotlling.
BACKGROUND ART
A number of sports require players to maintain and carry substantial amounts
of
equipment and items of clothing. This requirement is pronounced particularly
in team
sports, where players often go on road trips and stay in hotels. Similar
requirement is
posed by resort activities, such as skiing or aquatic sports. Although a
duffle bag is
conirnonly used by players, particularly in recreational and amateur settings,
it has a
number or shortcomings: it is bulky, uncomfortable to carry over larger
distances, and
does not allow for content to remain organized for easy access. Moreover. it
is not
advisable to leave perspiration- and moisture-laden equipment and items of
clothing in the
duffle bag for any prolonged period of time, as poor ventilation will prevent
drying and
result in the development of odours and even mould.
A number of patents address one or more of the above issues. Thus, for
example,
Canadian Patent No. 2,205,607 to Fournier describes a sports bag for the
transport and
storage of hockey equipment, comprising a base to which side walls and end
walls are
hingedly connected. The bag can assume either a planar configuration, when the
base, side
walls and end walls are co-planar, or a closed configuration, when the walls
are hinged
upwardly from the base a.nd connected to each other, preferably by zippers, at
adjacent
edges to define an inte rior space. Pockets disposed on the interior surfaces
of the bag are
made of mesh, which, in the planar configuration, allows air to circulate and
expedites
evaporation of moisture from sports equipment and clothing. With Fournier's
bag,
however, the content rnay be accessed in an organized manner - if at all -
only when the
bag is completely unfolded and hung up. Also, although the pockets are made of
n1es11.
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ventilation is hindered by the fact that the outer surface of the bag (i.e.,
in the planar
configuration, the back side of the bag) is made of traditional non-porous
materials.
A similar solution, proposed in Canadian Patent No. 2,231.470 to Schaeffer,
provides for
some degree of ventilation in the closed configuration, by providing side
walls
manufactured of mesh. In the flat configuration, however, the back side of the
bag is still
non-porous. Additionally, the means for hanging the bag require that multiple
pegs on the
wall are used at the same time, which may not be a feasible option in crowded
change
rooms.
Yet another similar solution is taught in Canadian Patent No. 2,364,871 to
Albritton. In
this specification, the bag also includes a back wall having a hook for
hanging of the bacy
when in an open configuration, and a plurality of compartments on a front
surface of the
back wall. The compartments are partially manufactured of inesh, accommodating
a view
of contents and circi.ilation of air. Interestingly, the compartments can have
shelves
projecting from the back wall.
An earlier Canadian Patent to Gorizzan (No. 1,299,147) addresses the problem
ofcarrying
and towing a sports bag, particularly a hockey bag, and proposes a solution in
which the
bag comprises a soft upper portion which enables substantial packing of the
bag and a
lower portion of increased rigidity, provided on its underside with rollers.
Organized
access to the content and drying issues are not addressed.
A number ofpatent documents discuss solutions for organizing and providing
easy access
to content of travel bags, such as U.S. Patent No. 4,753,342 to Pulichino et
al., U.S.
Patent No. 4,887,700 to Rice and U.S. Patent No. 5,060,795 to Bornes et al.
Thus.
Pulichino el al. describe a gannent carrier providing means for organizing the
content both
on coat hangers and in multiple pockets. The invention also teaches use of
reinforcements
for maintaining the shape of the bag.
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In spite of the prior art solutions, there is still a need for a sports
equipment bag which will
provide for superior transport and ventilation solutions, as well as a more
efficient ways
of organizing and accessing the equipment and items ofclothing in contemporary
settings.
Locker and change rooms, particularly in amateur and recreational sports,
generally
provide insufficient space for players to organize and access their equipment
and items of
clothing before and after engaging in sports activities. There are few pegs
for hanging the
clothes, and the number of players concurrently using the same change room may
leave
insufficient bench, wall and floor space. These and other issues are addressed
by the
solutions provided in the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The sports equipment bag according to the present invention is capable of
assuming three
distinct configurations: a hang-up configuration, a stand-up configuration,
and a transport
configuration. It comprises two compartments, each compartment consisting of a
rear
panel, a front panel, top and bottom panels, side panels, and a plurality of
partitions and
pockets for accommodating sports equipment and items of clothing.
The compartments are connected by a connecting strip along the bottom side of
one and
the top side of the other compartment, to accommodate moving the compartments
to and
from each other between the transport configuration, in which the compartments
are
adjacent, and the hang-up configuration, in which the compartments extend from
each
other with rear panels in a substantially same plane. Manufactured integrally
with, or
attached to, said connecting strip is a shoulder strap for carrying the bag in
the transport
configuration.
Attached to each side of one of the compartments are at least two fastening
means,
provided to engage coiresponding fastening nleans on the sides ofthe other
compartment,
to releasably secure the compartments in either the transport configuration,
in which the
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compartments are adjacent, or the stand-up configuration, in which bottom
sides of the
compartments are spaced apart from each other.
Mounted on the outside of the rear panel of at least one compartment is at
least one loop
for hanging the bag in the hang-up configuration. In a preferred embodiment,
multiple
loops are mounted in multiple positions on the outside of the rear panel, to
provide for
adjusting the height at which the bag is hung up.
Each of the compartrnents comprises a frame, said frame being sufficiently
rigid to render
the bag stable in the stand-up configuration.
At least one of the compartments of the sports equipment bag is provided, on
the inside
of the top panel, with a loop for receiving a coat hanger.
In one enlbodiment of the invention, the compartments of the sports equipment
bag are
pennanently attached to the connecting strip.
In another embodiment, one of the compartments is permanently attached to the
connecting strip, while the other compartment is releasably attached to the
connecting
strip, to facilitate separating the compartments. In this embodiment, each of
the
compartments comprises at least one loop for hanging the bag in the hang-up
configuration. Accordling to a preferred embodiment, means for releasably
attaching said
compartment to the connecting strip may comprise a series of hook-and-loop
fastener
strips engaging a corresponding series of rings or grommets, a zipper; or a
series of
buttons or snap fasteners.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least rear panel and front
panel of each of
the compartments, as well as partitions and pockets, are manufactured of open
texture
material, to facilitate ventilation and drying of sports equipment and items
of clothing
carried therein. In a niiore preferred embodinient, the open texture material
is mesh. In a
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most preferred embodiment, mesh comprises at least 60% of the outside surface
of the
bag.
According to a further embodiment ofthe invention, one ofthe compartment ofthe
sports
equipment bag further comprises a pair of wheels, each wheel supported in a
wheel
bracket mounted on the bottom panel of said compartment; and a retractable
handle. The
wheels and handle are provided to facilitate towing the bag in the transport
configuration.
In a preferred embodiment, the retractable handle comprises a telescopic
handle assembly
featuring an outer tubing, supported in a bottom bracket mounted on the bottom
panel and
in a top bracket mounted on, and extending through, the top panel of said
compartment.
Inner tubing, extendably enclosed in said outer tubing, is provided with a
handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding ofthe present invention and to show in detail the
embodiments
and applications thereof, reference will be made, by way of example, to the
accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows the sports equipment bag according to the invention in a hang-
up
configuration;
Figures 2 and 3 show the sports equipment bag according to the invention in a
stand-up
configuration, with front panels of compartments 10 (Fig. 3) and 20 (Fig. 2)
removed;
Figure 4a is a partial rear view of the rear panels according to one
embodiment of the
invention, with both rear panels permanently attached to the connecting strip;
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Figure 4b is a partial rear view of the rear panels according to another
embodiment, with
the rear panel ofthe compartment 10 permanently attached to the connecting
strip and the
rear panel of the compartment 20 releasably attached to the connecting strip;
Figure 5 is an exploded inside view of the compartment 10, and Figure 6 is an
exploded
inside view of the compartment 20, both with front panels removed;
Figure 7 shows the sports equipment bag in the sanle configuration as in Fig.
I. with
external pockets provided on side panels of both compartments;
Figure 8 is a detailed rear view of the rear panel of the compartment 10;
Figure 9 depicts frames of the rear panels of the compartments 10 and 20, and,
according
to one embodiment of the invention, structural reinforcements of top, bottom
and side
panels of the compartment 20;
Figure 10 is a top view of the bag according to the invention;
Figures 11 a and 11 b show a detailed side and, respectively, bottom views of
the
compartment 20 according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figures 12 a and 12b show details of the telescopic handle assembly according
to one
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 13 illustrates uses of the sports equipment bag according to the
invention in the
hang-up and stand-up configurations;
Figure 14 illustrates hanging up of separated compartments 10 and 20 according
to an
embodiment of the invention; and
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Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the sports equipment bag according to the
invention being
carried and, respectively, towed in the transport configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The sports equipmer.it bag of the present invention, shown in Figure 1 in a
hang-up
configuration, comprises two substantially rectangularly shaped compartments,
10 and 20,
connected by a connecting strip 30. The compartments 10 and 20 are of a
similar shape
and size and indeed, according to one embodiment of the invention, the bag
comprises
two identical compartments corresponding to compartment 10 in Figure 1.
Compartment 10 comprises a rear panel 11 (not visible in Figure 1), front
panel 12, side
panels 13, top panel 14 and bottom panel 15. Similarly, compartment 20
comprises rear
panel 21 (not visible), front pane122, side panels 23, top panel 24 and bottom
panel 25.
Front panels 12 and 22 are provided with zippers 121 and 221 for easy access
to sports
equipment and items of clothing carried in the bag.
It will be understood that terms "top" and "bottom," as used in this
description and
accompanying claims, are for convenience only, and refer to positions of
respective
elements in the drawirigs.
At least two fastening means 16, one on each side of the compartment 10, are
provided
to engage corresponding at least two fastening means 26 on the sides of
compartment 20,
as will be explained in greater detail below.
Compartment 10 is f'urther provided with at least one loop, 17, for hanging
the sports
equipment bag from the wall, when used in the hang-up configuration to access
sports
equipment and items of clothing carried therein, or to allow the content to
dry.
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The connecting strip 30 is provided with a shoulder strap 31 and, optionally,
with a
carrying handle 32. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the
shoulder strap
31 can be integral with the connecting strip 30, or it can be permanently or
releasably
attached thereto.
In a further embodiment of the invention, compartment 20 differs from
compartment 10
in being further provided with a retractable handle. as will be explained in
greater detail
below (only the top bracket of the handle assembly, 43, is shown in Figure 1),
and with
a pair of wheels 50, to facilitate towing the sports equipment bag according
to the
invention in a transport configuration.
Figures 2 and 3 depict the bag of the present invention in a stand-up
configuration. with
front panels 12 and 22 not shown. The bottom panel 25 of the compartment 20 in
Figure
2 is also partially hidden, to reveal the complete retractable handle assembly
comprising
tubing 41, bottom bracket 42 attached to the bottom pane125, top bracket 43
attached
to, and extending through, an opening in the top panel 24. and handle 44
provided with
a release button 45.
In the stand-up configuration, the fastening means 16 releasably engage
fastening means
26 to limit spacing apart of the bottom sides of the compartments 10 and 20.
In this way,
the sports equipment bag of the invention may be placed on the floor, with a
relatively
small footprint, while sports equipment and items of clothing carried in both
compartments remain organized and readily accessible to the player. The same
set of
fastening means 16 and 26, or an additional set of fastening means (not
shown), are used
to secure the bottorn sides of compartments 10 and 20 together when the bag of
the
present invention is iri the transport configuration.
Fastening means 16 and 26 comprise strips provided with male and,
respectively, female
elements of a snap fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro ), a clasp, a
buckle, or
other convenient releasable fastener.
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Pads 52 provide for enllanced friction and help keep the bag in the stand-up
configuration
in place when accessing items carried therein. The pads 52 are generally made
of rubber,
although a person skilled in the art will recognize that the specific
material, shape, position
and number ofpads will depend on the design as much as on the functional
considerations.
In one embodiment of the invention, depicted in Figure 4a, the compartments 10
and 20
are permanently attached to the connecting strip 30.
In another embodiment, shown in Figure 4b, the compartment 10 is permanently
attached
to the connecting strip 30, while the compartment 20 is releasably attached to
the
connecting strip 30, with fastening means 33 engaging corresponding fastening
means 34
on the top side of the compartment 20. Figure 4b depicts fastening means 33 as
a plurality
of hook-and-loop fa.stener strips engaging a plurality of rings or grommets
provided on
the top side of compartment 20. A person skilled in the art will, however,
understand that
a nwnber of alternative fastening means such as, for example, a zipper, or a
series of
buttons or snap fasteners, will provide for the same functionality.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4b, the compartment 20 is provided
with at least
one loop, 27, for hanging the compartment 20 from the wall.
Figure 5 is an exploded view of the inside of the compartment 10, showing an
arrangement of partitions and pockets for organizing sports equipment and
items of
clothing. Elastic straps 112, for securing larger equipment or items of
clothing, extend
from a frame 111 of the rear panel 11, and are releasably joined by a clasp
113. Side
panels 13 comprise pockets 131. A loop, 18, mounted on the inside of the top
panel 14.
is provided to receive a standard triangular coat hanger (not shown).
Similarly, in Figure 6, the rear panel 21 of the compartment 20 features two
larger
pockets, 212 and 213. Side panels 23 comprise pockets 231, and a loop 28 is
mounted on
the inside of the top panel 24 to receive a coat hanger (not shoAm).
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According to an embodiment of the invention, the top panel 24 further
comprises an
opening 241 for receiving the top bracket of the retractable handle assembly
(not shown),
while the bottom par.iel 25 features an openings 251 for receiving wheel
brackets (not
shown).
In a further embodiment, Figure 7 shows the sports equipment bag of the
present
invention in which the side panels 13 and 23 are provided with external
pockets 132 and
232, for carrying addiltional sports equipment and items of clothing.
It will be understood that the specific arrangement of partitions and pockets
may differ
from the arrangement illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Generally, this
arrangement will
depend on the particular sport the bag of the present invention is designed
for. Thus, for
example, the arrangement of internal and external partitions and pockets in a
hockey bag
may be substantially different from the arrangement in a bag customized for
football,
baseball, track-and-field, aquatic sports, etc. All such arrangements are
envisioned within
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The sports equipment bag of the present invention is at least partially
manufactured of a
material coinmonly used for luggage and bags, such as natural or synthetic
canvas and
polyurethane- or vinyl-based syntlietic leather. Preferred material is a 600
Denier polyester
with polyurethane or vinyl backing. Rear panels, front panels, partitions and
pockets will
be, however, preferably manufactured of an open texture material, to ensure
proper
ventilation and drying of equipment and items of clothing carried in the bag.
In a preferred embodirnent of the invention, the open texture material is
mesh. In a more
preferred embodiment, mesh comprises at least 60% of the outer surface of the
bag.
Figure 8 shows the back of the rear panel 11 of the compartment 10. Mounted on
the
frame 111 are multiple loops 17 for adjusting the height at which the sports
equipment bag
of the present invention is hung from the wall. Handles 19, also mounted on
the frame
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11 l, provide for a corivenient grip when the bag is being hung up, as
illustrated in Figure
13 (left).
In the embodiment of the present invention in which the compartments can be
separated
from each other, the compartment 20 will also be provided with multiple loops
and a pair
of handles providing a convenient grip when the compartment is being hung up.
To ensure structural integrity of the sports equipment bag of the present
invention,
particularly in the stand-up configuration, rear panels 11 and 21 are provided
with frames
111 and 211, respectively. The frames are sufficiently rigid to prevent the
compartments
from collapsing when the bag is in the stand-up configuration and, as shown in
Figure 9,
may further comprise cross-bars 114 and 214. Frames may comprise tubing or
square bars
joined, for exatnple, by means of fittings or rivets. Suitable light-weight
materials include
aluminunz and polymer materials such as ABS or vinyl plastic.
To maintain the shape of the compartment when carrying heavier or oddly-shaped
equipment, the side panels, as well as the top and bottom panels, may also be
reinforced.
In Figure 9, panels of the compartment 20 comprise such reinforcements - side
panel
reinforcements 233, top panel reinforcement 242, and bottom panel
reinforcement 252.
Reinforcements will be typically cut or moulded from a polymer material such
as
polyurethane.
Figure 10 is a top view of the sports equipment bag according to the
invention, showing
top panels 14 and 24, connecting strip 30 and shoulder strap 31. The
retractable handle
assembly is designated as 40. The handle 32 is optionally provided with a ring
33, for
releasably attaching accessories such as laundry pouch, toiletries bag or
document holder.
Alternatively, the ring 33 may be used for hanging the sports equipment bag in
the
transport configuration.
Figures 11 a and 11 b are the side and, respectively, bottom views of a detail
of the
compartment 20 according to one embodiment of the invention. Wheels 50,
supported
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in brackets 51 mounted on the bottom panel 25, provide for towing of the
sports
equipment bag of the invention in the transport configuration. Brackets 51 are
manufactured of a suiitable material, such as metal or plastic, and are bolted
or rivetted to
the bottom panel 25. Wheels 50 are lined with, or entirely made o~ rigid
rubber. A
plurality of pads 52 are mounted on the bottom panel 25 to provide for
enhanced friction
and to keep the bag in place on the floor in both the stand-up and transport
configurations.
Figures 12a and 12b show details of the retractable handle assembly according
to one
embodiment of the irivention. The assembly comprises tubing 41 mounted inside
the
compartment 20 by means of the bottom bracket 42 attached to the bottom panel
25 and
the top bracket 43 attached to, and extending through, top panel 24.
Depressing the
button 45 releases the inner part of the tubing 41 and enables it to
telescopically extend
into the towing position, or to retract back when no longer needed. A person
skilled in the
art will recognize that the telescopic construction of a centrally mounted
retractable
handle is only one ofa number of functionally equivalent solutions. Thus, in
an alternative
embodiment of the invention (not shown in the drawings), the retractable
handle may
comprise tubing that extends from both sides of the frame 211.
As shown in Figure 13, the sports equipment bag of the present invention
provides for a
highly efficient use of limited wall and floor space in the change room. After
the bag has
been extended from the transport configuration (left), it is readily hung on
the wall (centre
left). Featuring a relatively low profile, the bag in the hang-up
configuration does not
present an obstacle to the player using the bench space (centre right). If no
wall space is
available, the bag in the stand-up configuration features a relatively small
footprint and
provides for an easy access to equipment and items of clothing (right).
At home or in a llotel iroom, the sports equipment bag according to the
invention may be
conveniently hung in a well-ventilated area. allowing the equipment and items
of clothing
to dry.
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In the embodiment of the invention where the compartments may be separated
from each
other, both compartment may be independently hung up on the wall, as
illustrated in
Figure 14.
When carried (Figure 15) or towed (Figure 16) in the transport configuration,
the sports
equipment bag of the present invention features a relatively lowprofile,
enabling the player
to easily negotiate narrow areas such as doors, passages or escalators, as
well as crowded
spaces such as entrance ways, subway or railway platforms, airport check-in
areas, etc.
It will be apparent that various modifications of the sports equipn-ient bag
of the present
invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as set
forth in the appended claims.
