Patent Application
20110220444
This application relates generally to a storage and travel bag. More specifically, this application discloses a collapsible storage and travel bag.
When traveling, hiking or the like, it is often desirable and necessary to carry items in a bag. However, bags are typically bulky and consume vast amounts of useful space when not in use. Therefore, there is a significant need for a bag that is capable of carrying items, yet does not consume vast amounts of space when not in use.
This application discloses a storage and travel bag comprising: a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position; an ingress to the enclosure; and a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support panel movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions.
This application also discloses a method for using a storage and travel bag, the method comprising: providing a storage and travel bag, the bag comprising: a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position; an ingress to the enclosure; and a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support panel movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions; moving the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel from respective collapsed positions to respective uncollapsed positions; and moving at least a portion of the support structure from the collapsed position to the supporting position wherein at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are supported in an uncollapsed position.
The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.
Referring now to
The bag 100 also includes an ingress 116 to the enclosure 114. In the illustrative embodiment, the ingress 116 includes an aperture 118 in the top panel 112. The aperture 118 is selectively closed via a flap 120 hingedly coupled to the top panel 112. However, it will be appreciated that the ingress 116 to the enclosure 114 may include any suitable form known in the art and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. The bag 100 may also include any suitable number of straps 122, pockets 124, or any other suitable device or implement for use with a storage and travel bag and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, one or more external straps retain the bag 100 in the collapsed position.
The bag 100 also includes a support structure 126 disposed within the bag enclosure 114. In the illustrative embodiment, the support structure includes a base panel 128, a first wing panel 130 and a second wing panel 132. The base panel 128 may be coupled to the interior of the bottom panel 102 via any suitable device or means, including, but not limited to, a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive or any other suitable device or means. Each of the wing panels 130, 132 is movable between a supporting position, wherein each wing 130, 132 supports at least one of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112 are moveable to their respective collapsed positions.
In the illustrative embodiment, the first wing panel 130 supports the front panel 108 in the first panel uncollapsed position when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position. In one embodiment, the first wing panel 130 is generally perpendicular to the base panel 128 when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position. Also, when the first wing panel 130 is in the collapsed position, the first wing panel 130 may be adjacent and parallel to the base panel 128 and/or second wing panel 130. In one embodiment, the first wing panel 130 also supports the top panel 112 when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position. The first wing panel 130 may be releasably coupled to the front panel 108 when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position so as to maintain the front panel 108 in the uncollapsed position. The first panel 130 may be releasably coupled to the front panel 108 via any suitable means or device, including, but not limited to, one or more of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive. In the illustrative embodiment, a Velcro® assembly 134 releasably secures the first wing panel 130 to the front panel 108. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the front panel 130 includes a loop 136 having a button configured to also engage the first wing panel 130 and maintain the releasably coupling of the first wing panel 130 and front panel 108.
The second wing panel 132 supports the rear panel 110 in the second wing panel uncollapsed position when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position. In one embodiment, the second wing panel 132 is generally perpendicular to the base panel 128 when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position. Also, when the second wing panel 132 is in the collapsed position, the second wing panel 132 may be adjacent and parallel to the base panel 128 and/or first wing panel 132. In one embodiment, the second wing panel 132 also supports the top panel 112 when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position. The second wing panel 132 may be releasably coupled to the rear panel 110 when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position so as to maintain the rear panel 110 in the uncollapsed position. The second wing panel 132 may be releasably coupled to the rear panel 110 via any suitable means or device, including, but not limited to, one or more of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive. In the illustrative embodiment, a Velcro® assembly 138 releasably secures the second wing panel 132 to the rear panel 110. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the rear panel 132 includes a loop 140 having a button configured to also engage the second wing panel 132 and maintain the releasably coupling of the second wing panel 132 and rear panel 110. While the illustrative embodiment shows two wing panels 130, 132, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of wing panels for supporting one or more of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112 in their respective uncollapsed positions may be employed and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.
In use, each of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112 are moved from their respective collapsed positions to respective uncollapsed positions. In one embodiment, each of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, and back panel 110 are pulled in a direction substantially co-planar with each of said panels and the top panel 112 is pulled in a direction substantially perpendicular therewith.
The enclosure 114 may then be entered via the ingress 116, typically by one or more hands of a user. The first wing panel 130 may then be moved from the collapsed position to the supporting position where the first wing panel 130 may be releasably coupled to the front panel 108 such that the first wing panel 130 supports the front panel 108 in the front panel uncollapsed position. The second wing panel 132 may then be moved from the collapsed position to the supporting position where the second wing panel 132 may be releasably coupled to the rear panel 110 such that the second wing panel 132 supports the rear panel 110 in the rear panel uncollapsed position.
While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
