Patent Application
20080197756
It is desirable to provide an apparatus to organize, store, and transport as many tools as possible in a versatile, compact, and efficient manner.
While a simple open-top carrying case enables quick access to larger tools such as drills, it would be desirable if the smaller tools and accessories could be stored in a more organized manner so that they can be efficiently accessed.
The present invention generally relates to a bag for carrying objects such as tools and accessories. The present invention provides the benefits of an open-top carrying case and the ability to efficiently store a large quantity of tools and accessories.
The bag has an open-top configuration with a flexible, fabric bottom panel, two spaced, rigid, fabric covered end panels, and two spaced, flexible, fabric side panels. Two straps are attached to the side panels and can be secured adjacent one another with a handle. Additional storage compartments extend from the bag and are capable of holding a variety of small tools and accessories in an organized manner. The storage compartments can be secured to the side panels of the bag for easy transport and compact storage.
The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and accompanying drawings.
With reference to
For support, at least one of the first end panel 70 and the second end panel 80 may include a generally rigid, generally rectangular piece of plastic 92 that may be covered by fabric. The front and back side panels 50, 60 may also be rigid and fabric covered, similar to the first and second end panels 70, 80. The tool bag 10 also includes a front strap 12 and a back strap 14, each of which defines a closed loop. The straps 12,14 may be joined by a handle 16.
The bottom panel 40 includes a front side edge 42, a back side edge 44, a first end edge 46, and a second end edge 48. The bottom panel 40 is generally flexible but it may be rigid. In that instance, the bottom panel 40 may have a rigid insert that is fabric covered.
The front side panel 50 includes a bottom edge 52, a first end edge 54, a second end edge 56 and a top edge 58. Similarly, the back side panel 60 includes a bottom edge 62, a first end edge 64, a second end edge 66 and a top edge 68. The first end panel 70 includes a bottom edge 72, a front end edge 74, a back end edge 76 and a top edge 78. Similarly, the second end panel 80 includes a bottom edge 82, a front end edge 84, a back end edge 86 and a top edge 88. In one embodiment, the first end panel 70 also includes a first pocket 71, and the second end panel 80 includes a second pocket 81. The pocket 71 on the first end panel 70 may be replaced with a tool mat. Similarly, the pocket 81 on the second end panel 80 may be replaced with a tool mat.
In the tool bag 10 embodiment shown in
The front strap 12 is connected to a portion of the front side panel 50. The front strap 12 may have a first end 11 and a second end 13 with each end connected to at least a portion of the front side panel 50 to form a closed loop. Desirably, the first end 11 is spaced from the second end 13. It is desirable if the front strap 12 is connected in one location near the first end edge 54 and a second location near the second end edge 56 of the front side panel 50.
The back strap 14 is connected in a congruent configuration on the back side panel 60. The back strap 14 may have a first end 15 and a second end 19 with each end connected to at least a portion of the back side panel 60 to form a closed loop. Desirably, the first end 15 is spaced from the second end 19. It is desirable if the back strap 14 is connected in one location near the first end edge 64 and a second location near the second end edge 66 of the back side panel 60. In the embodiment shown in
As noted above, the front and back straps 12, 14 can be secured together with the handle 16. The handle 16 may be attached to one of the front strap 12 or the second strap 14 to secure each of the front strap 12 and the back strap 14 adjacent to each other. The handle 16 may be provided with a securing member 17 to secure one portion of the handle to another portion of the handle. The securing member 17 may be a separated hook and loop material, such as Velcro®, a snap, buttons, or other suitable securing member. The handle 16 as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, the front tool mat 20 is longer than the back tool mat 30. The front tool mat 20 can be rolled up and secured to the front side panel 50 with any suitable securing member, such as clips 22. The back tool mat 30 may be folded up to become substantially parallel to the back side panel 60. In addition, the back tool mat 30, when folded, may be substantially flush with the adjacent back side panel 60. Thus, in this embodiment, the back tool mat 30 is approximately the same length as the height of the back side panel 60. The back tool mat 30 may be secured in this vertical position with snaps 32, separated hook and loop material 34, clips, buttons, or other suitable securing member.
The back tool mat 30 is designed to be flush against the back side panel to enable the bag carrier to hold the bag at the carrier's side without additional contact between the bag and the carrier. In other words, in this embodiment, the tool bag is designed such that the bag carrier will carry the bag with the front, rolled-up tool mat 20 facing away from the carrier.
In an alternative embodiment, both the front tool mat 20 and the back tool mat 30 are folded up to become flush with their adjacent side panels. These folded up tool mats can be secured by a variety of different means such as snaps, separated hook and loop material, clips, buttons or any other suitable securing member. The tool mats may also be secured with a combination of different attachment means.
