Patent Application
20100133129
The present invention relates generally to the field of bags, and more particularly to a multi-function tool bag that is useful for storing tools.
Tool carriers are known to be useful for workers needing to carry a group of tools to and from a work site for a specific job. Although tool carriers have historically been made of metal, more recently, fabric covered tool carriers have become popular. Exemplary prior art tool carriers include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,823,992; 6,991,104; 7,314,133 and 7,314,134. While these tool carriers and others of the prior art are useful in some instances, there are still numerous deficiencies and the potential for more useful tool carriers and tool carrier features.
A tool bag that includes a tool bag body formed from a base with a first endwall attached at a first end region of the base and a second endwall attached at a second end region of the base opposite the first end portion. The bag also includes a first sidewall attached to a side of the tool bag body and a second sidewall attached to a second side of the tool bag body opposite the first sidewall. The first sidewall releasably attaches to the first endwall and releasably attaches to the second endwall. The second sidewall comprises a sidewall section flexibly joined to a cover section, where the sidewall section is releasably attached to vertical portions of the first endwall and the second endwall. The removable cover can be removably attachable to a top portion of the first and second endwalls. The first and second sidewalls can be flexibly attached to the tool bag body.
The cover section can include a top section and a closing flap. Opposite edges of the top section can be attached to the sidewall section and the closing flap. The sidewall section, the top section and the closing flap can be arranged as continuous portions of the second sidewall with the top section intermediate to the sidewall section and the closing flap. The closing flap can overlap with an upper portion of the first sidewall when the first and second sidewalls are in a closed position. The closing flap can include a stabilizing element and an upper portion of the first sidewall section can include a stabilizing element. The closing flap and the first sidewall can be releasably attached when the first and second sidewalls are in a closed position.
The first endwall can include a first reinforcing rim attached to the perimeter thereof and the second endwall can include a second reinforcing rim attached to the perimeter thereof. The first and second reinforcing rims can be arranged perpendicular to the first and second endwalls, respectively. The first sidewall can be releasably attached to the first reinforcing rim and releasably attached to the second reinforcing rim. The sidewall section can be releasably attached a vertical portion of the first reinforcing rim and releasably attached to a vertical portion of the second reinforcing rim.
The tool bag can include an elastic cord attached to an exterior surface of the top section and the closing flap. The elastic cord can bias the top section and the closing flap into a planar orientation.
The tool bag can also include a handle rotatably attached to a first handle opening in an upper portion of the first endwall and a second handle opening in an upper portion of the second endwall. The handle can include first and second base mating end portions resting within the handle openings and terminating facing an interior of the tool bag body. The first and second handle openings can be reinforced openings comprising a grommet with flange portions on inside and outside surfaces of the endwalls.
The base mating end portions can include an outer positioning device to limit longitudinal movement of the handle and an inner positioning device to limit longitudinal movement. The inner and outer positioning devices can be arranged on opposite sides of each handle opening. The inner positioning device can include a friction adjuster, where the friction adjuster includes a loading ring and a deformable washer sandwiched between the loading ring and the flange portion on the inside surface of the endwall. The loading ring can be attached to the base mating end portions for adjustable application of loading ring pressure against the deformable washer.
The tool bag can also include a tool wall attached to the first endwall, and the second endwall and at least one bracket. Each of the brackets can include at least two legs extending perpendicular to one another. The first endwall can include a rigid, stabilizing sheet, and the tool wall can include a rigid, stabilizing member extending longitudinally along the length of the tool bag. The first leg of the first bracket can be attached to the first endwall and the second leg of the first bracket can be attached to a first end region of the rigid, stabilizing element.
The tool bag can include a first and a second bracket and the second endwall can include a rigid, stabilizing sheet. Each of the brackets can include two legs extending perpendicular to one another, where a first leg of the second bracket is attached to the second endwall and a second leg of the second bracket is attached to a second end region of the rigid, stabilizing element opposite the first end region. The distal ends of each leg of each bracket can include rivet openings with rivets passing through the rivet openings to attach each leg to a tool bag component.
The tool bag can also include a high-density, secure-storage pocket comprising a reinforcing sheet, a base fabric sheet over the reinforcing sheet, a primary pocket layer over the base fabric sheet, and a primary elastic retention strip over the primary pocket layer. The primary elastic retention strip can extend horizontally and proximate an upper edge of the primary pocket layer. The high-density, secure-storage pockets can also include a plurality of vertically-oriented attachment regions where the base fabric sheet, the primary pocket layer and the primary retention strip are attached together. The base fabric material and the primary pocket layer can be attached along lower edges of each. The vertically-oriented attachment regions can be separated such that a space between the base fabric sheet and primary pocket layer between adjacent vertically-oriented attachment regions defines a primary high-density, secure-storage pocket.
The high-density, secure-storage pocket can include a plurality of high-density, secure-storage pockets, wherein the reinforcing sheet, the base fabric sheet, the primary pocket layer, and the primary elastic retention strip are continuous across the plurality of high-density, secure-storage pockets. The tool bag can include two of the pluralities of high-density, secure-storage pockets, with each of the pluralities of high-density, secure storage pockets arranged on opposite faces of a wall of the tool bag.
The high-density, secure-storage pockets can also include an outer pocket layer over the primary pocket layer and an outer elastic retention strip over the outer pocket layer. The outer elastic retention strip can extend horizontally and proximate to an upper edge of the outer pocket layer. Such an embodiment can also include a plurality of vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions where the base fabric sheet, the primary pocket layer, the primary elastic retention strip, the outer pocket layer, and the outer retention strip are attached together. The base fabric material, the primary pocket layer and the outer pocket layer can also be attached along lower edges of each. Finally, the vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions can be separated such that an area between the primary pocket layer and the outer pocket layer between adjacent vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions can define an outer high-density, secure-storage pocket.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The tool bag 10 may be formed from a tool bag body 12. The tool bag body 12 can be formed from a base 14 with a first endwall 16 attached at a first end region 18 of the base 14 and a second endwall 20 attached to a second end region 22 of the base opposite the first end region 18. An underside of the base 14 can include a plurality of feet 79, as is shown in
A first sidewall 28 can be flexibly attached to a first lateral portion of the tool bag body 12 and be releasably attachable to the first endwall 16 and releasably attachable to the second endwall 20. A second sidewall 30 can be flexibly attached to a second lateral portion of the tool bag body opposite the first lateral portion, with the second sidewall 30 comprising a sidewall section 32 flexibly joined to a cover section 34. The releasably attachable functionality described herein, can be achieved using any number of device, including, but not limited to, zippers and hook and loop materials. In one embodiment, the first and/or second sidewalls 28, 30 can be pivotably attached to the lateral portions of the tool bag body 12. The lateral portions to which the sidewalls 28, 30 are attached can be lateral portions of the base 14 or fixed sidewall portions attached to the first and second endwalls 16, 20. The fixed portion can be anchored to the first and second endwalls 16, 20.
The second sidewall 30 can be releasably attachable to the first endwall 16 and releasably attachable to the second endwall 20. The sidewall section 32 can be releasably attachable to vertical portions of the first endwall 16 and the second endwall 20. The removable cover can be removably attachable to an upper portion 31 of the first and second endwalls 16, 20. As used herein, “upper portion” is used to refer to the upper half of a member.
The first and second endwalls 16, 20 can include an endwall reinforcing member 65 covered with a durable cloth on both sides. The endwall reinforcing member 65 can be a plastic board, a wooden board, a combination thereof, or a similar reinforcing material. The reinforcing member 65 can be a stabilizing member such as, but not limited to, a wooden board sandwiched between two plastic boards. Materials used to make the plastic sheets or boards can include, but are not limited to, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyesters, combinations thereof, and other durable polymer materials. The thickness of the reinforcing member can be such that the reinforcement board maintains a substantially planar shape when placed under an appropriate load.
As used herein, “stabilizing member” is used to refer to a member that will substantially maintain its shape against loads typically encountered during use, i.e., is not substantially deformable under typical loads. As used herein, “reinforcing member” is used to refer to a member adding some integrity to a wall or surface that is less than that of a stabilizing member. A reinforcing member may or may not be deformable when exposed to loads typically encountered during use. Thus, the term reinforcing member encompasses all stabilizing members, whereas the term stabilizing members does not include all reinforcing members.
The cover section 34 can include a top section 35 and a closing flap 37, wherein opposite edges of the top section 34 are flexibly attached to the sidewall section 32 and the closing flap 37. The closing flap 37 can overlap with an upper portion 29 of the first sidewall 28 when the first and second sidewalls 28, 30 are in a closed position, as shown in
Alternately, as shown in
It will be appreciated that when the releasably attached sidewalls 28, 30 are released and allowed to lay out to the sides of the tool bag body, the user will have unfettered access to the interior of the tool bag, including the compartments and pockets housed on the interior surfaces thereof.
The first endwall 16 can include a first reinforcing rim 54 attached to the perimeter of the first endwall 16. The first reinforcing rim 54 can be arranged perpendicular to the first endwall 16. The second endwall 20 can include a second reinforcing rim 56 attached to the perimeter of the second endwall 20. The second reinforcing rim 56 can be arranged perpendicular to the first endwall. As used herein, “perpendicular” is used to indicate that the angle between two surfaces is 90 degrees, but is also intended to include minor deviations from 90 degrees. For example, it is intended that “perpendicular” would include a range from 75 degrees and 105 degrees, or 80 degrees to 100 degrees.
As shown in the Figures, the first sidewall 28 can be releasably attached to the first reinforcing rim 54 and releasably attached to the second reinforcing rim 56. Similarly, the sidewall section 32 can be releasably attached a vertical portion of the first reinforcing rim 54 and releasably attached to a vertical portion of the second reinforcing rim 56.
As used herein, “vertical” is used to refer to the vertical direction when the base 14 of the tool bag is placed flat on a flat surface. As used herein, “longitudinal” is used to refer to the direction extending orthogonal from the first endwall toward the second endwall. As used herein, “lateral” is used to refer to the direction extending orthogonal from the first sidewall toward the second sidewall. These axes are shown in
As shown in
The handle 26 can include a grip 27 located generally centrally along the length of the handle 26. The grip 27 can be made of an appropriate material for improving a user's grip, improving pressure distribution of the tool bag load, or both. Exemplary materials for producing the grip 27 include, but are not limited to, foam, rubber, plastic, combinations thereof and other appropriate materials.
The tool bag 10 can include a first handle opening 40 in the first endwall 16. In one embodiment, the first handle opening 40 can be located in an upper portion of the first endwall 16. The tool bag 10 can include a second handle opening 40 in the second endwall 20. In one embodiment, the second handle opening 40 can be located in an upper portion of the second endwall 20. The first handle opening 40 can be substantially aligned with the second handle opening 40. The first and second handle openings 40 can have any suitable confirmation, including, for example, being generally circular.
The first handle opening 40 can be reinforced. Such reinforcement can be achieved in any suitable manner. For instance, the first handle opening 40 can be reinforced by a grommet with flange portions 58, 60 on inside and outside surfaces of the first endwall 16. The grommet can be made of metal, alloy or other suitable material. Likewise, the second handle opening 40 can be reinforced in any suitable manner. For example, the second handle opening 40 can be reinforced by a grommet with flange portions 58, 60 on inside and outside surfaces of the second endwall 16. Again, the grommet can be made of metal, alloy or other suitable material.
The first and second end portions 36, 38 can be attached to the tool bag 10 in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the first end portion 36 and/or the second end portion 38 of the handle 26 can be received in a respective one of the handle openings 40 from the outside of the tool bag 10. In some instances, the first end portion 36 and/or the second end portion 38 can pass through the handle openings 40 and extend into an interior 43 of the tool bag body 12.
The first end portion 36 and/or the second end portion 38 can include an outer positioning device 42 to limit lateral inward movement of the handle 26 toward the interior 43 of the tool bag 10. The outer positioning device 42 can be any suitable structure that is unitary with the handle 26 or separate from the handle 26 but attached thereto. In one embodiment, the outer positioning device 42 can be a flanged collar. The outer positioning device 42 can be secured to the handle 26 in any suitable manner, including by fasteners (such as screw 48), welding, and/or adhesives. The first and/or second end portions 36, 28 can include an inner positioning device 44 to limit lateral outward movement of the handle 26 away from the interior 43 of the tool bag 10. The inner and outer positioning devices 42, 44 can be arranged on opposite sides of each handle opening 40.
As shown in
The handle 26 can be generally C-shaped. As used herein, “generally C-shaped” is used to refer to a shape that can include a shape having two separated ends, where the shape would become continuous if the ends were extended in the general direction of the shape where the ends terminate. For example, the handle 26 shown in
A tool wall 62 can be provided on the interior 43 of the tool bag 10. The tool wall 62 can be attached to the first endwall 16 and/or the second endwall 20, and, optionally, the base 14. The first endwall 16 and/or the second endwall 20 can include rigid, stabilizing sheets 65 covered with a durable fabric material. The tool wall 62 can also include a rigid, stabilizing element 66 extending longitudinally along the length of the tool bag 10. The element 66 can be provided in an upper region of the tool wall 62. At least one of the ends of the stabilizing element 66 can include a connector to facilitate the joining of the rigid, stabilizing element 66 to a respective one of the endwalls 16, 20, such as the rigid stabilizing sheet 65. The connector can be any suitable structure. For instance, the connector can be a bracket 64, which can be L-shaped (
As shown in
Again, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The lower edges of the fabric facings can be attached to the base, for example, to a fabric covering comprising the base. In addition, the longitudinal edges of the fabric facings 80 can be attached to the first and second endwall 16, 20. For example, the longitudinal edges of the fabric facings 80 can be attached to a fabric facing that is part of the first or second endwall 16, 20. The tool wall 62 can also include at least one reinforcing sheet 82, such as a polypropylene sheet, disposed between the fabric facings 80. There can be at least one reinforcing sheet 82 disposed between the fabric facings 80 and on both sides of the rigid, stabilizing element 66. The fabric facings 80 and the tool wall reinforcing sheets 82 can be attached along an edge above the rigid, stabilizing element 66. The fabric facings 80 and the tool wall reinforcing sheets 82 can be attached by a binding 84.
As shown in
While
A primary elastic retention strip 92 can be provided over the primary pocket layer 90. The primary elastic retention strip 92 can extend generally horizontally across the primary pocket layer 90. The primary elastic retention strip 92 can be proximate to an upper edge of the primary pocket layer 90. The primary elastic retention strip 92 can be formed from any material that is elastic. Examples include, but are not limited to, woven materials incorporating elastic filaments, including those sold under the brand name LYCRA®. As the pockets 88 are filled with items, the retention strip 92 can bias the pocket toward the surface, thereby providing support to the pockets 88.
The pockets 88 can also include a plurality of vertically-oriented attachment regions 94 where the base fabric sheet 80, the primary pocket layer 90, the primary retention strip 92, and optionally, the reinforcing sheet 82, are attached together along a generally vertical seam. The base fabric sheet 80 and the primary pocket layer 90 can be attached along lower edges of each, for example as part of a binding 86. The vertically-oriented attachment regions 94 can be separated such that a space 96 between the base fabric sheet 80 and primary pocket layer 90 between adjacent vertically-oriented attachment regions 94 define a primary pocket. The upper end of each pocket 88 can be open.
The pockets 88 can include a binding 98 over an upper edge of the primary pocket layer 90. As shown in
The pockets 88 can also include an outer pocket layer 100 over the primary pocket layer 90 and an outer elastic retention strip 102 over the outer pocket layer 100. The outer elastic retention strip 102 can extend generally horizontally across the outer pocket layer 100. The outer elastic retention strip 102 can be provided in a region that is and proximate to an upper edge of the outer pocket layer 100.
The plurality of vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions 103 can attach the base fabric sheet 80, the primary pocket layer 90, the primary retention strip 92, the outer pocket layer 100, the outer retention strip 102, and optionally the reinforcing sheet 82. The base fabric material 80, the primary pocket layer 90, and the outer pocket layer 100 can be attached along lower edge of each, for example using a binding 86. The vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions 103 can be separated such that a space 104 between the primary pocket layer 90 and the outer pocket layer 100 between adjacent vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions 103 defines an outer high-density, secure-storage pocket.
The outer pocket layer 100 and the primary elastic retention strip 92 can be arranged such that they do not overlap. In other words, as shown in
The plurality of vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions 103 can be locally reinforced proximate an upper edge of the outer pocket layer 104. For example, the reinforcement can include the binding 106. The plurality of vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions 103 can be locally reinforced proximate the outer elastic retention strip 102.
There can be fewer of the vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions 103 than there are vertically-oriented attachment regions 94. Such an arrangement results in wider outer pockets than primary pockets. Alternatively, there can be more vertically-oriented, attachment regions 94 that there are vertically-oriented, outer attachment regions 103.
The tool bag 10 can include two of the strips of pockets 88, where the strips of high-density, secure storage pockets 88 are arranged on opposite faces of a wall of the tool bag, as shown in
The tool bag body 12 can also include a plurality of other pockets 50. The pockets 50 may have a plurality of sizes and shapes and be positioned on inner and outer surfaces of the tool bag body 12. As shown in
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/109,116 entitled “Tool Bag,” filed Oct. 28, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61109116 | Oct 2008 | US |
