U.S. patent application number 10/257222 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-06 for sports equipment bag.
Invention is credited to Kilduff, Edward.
Application Number | 20030205601 10/257222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24186232 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030205601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kilduff, Edward |
November 6, 2003 |
Sports equipment bag
Abstract
A sports equipment bag (10) having a water-resistant outer shell
(12) with multiple ventilation assemblies (25) for exposing the
interior of the bag to free air circulation. Each ventilation
assembly includes an opening formed in the outer shell (12) that is
covered by a mesh lining (42) and a flap (30) which can be
selectively opened and closed using a zipper (93). In one
embodiment, the bag (10) includes openings on both sides (16, 18)
and both ends (20,22) of the bag (10). In an alternate embodiment
the bag (57) includes openings (66) on both sides only. In another
alternate embodiment, the bag (68) includes a vent (73) at one end
and a fan assembly (80) located at the other end (74). The fan
assembly (80) includes an electric fan (76) which draws air through
the interior of the bag through a vent (73) located on the opposing
end of the bag (68).
Inventors: |
Kilduff, Edward; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas J Brindisi
20 28th Place Ste B
Venice
CA
90291
US
|
Family ID: |
24186232 |
Appl. No.: |
10/257222 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
April 11, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US01/11702 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/627 ;
224/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/00 20130101;
A45C 2003/007 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101; A45C 15/00 20130101;
A45C 3/00 20130101; A01K 1/0254 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/627 ;
224/153 |
International
Class: |
A45F 004/02; A45F
003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 11, 2000 |
US |
09547814 |
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. A bag, comprising: a shell defining an interior volume; a fan
assembly including an electric fan and means for providing electric
current to said electric fan; a ventilation assembly including a
vent, said ventilation assembly being located approximately
opposite said fan assembly; said electric fan being adapted to draw
air inwardly through said vent, through said interior volume, and
outwardly through said fan assembly.
2. The bag of claim 1, wherein said shell is formed of a
water-resistant material.
3. The bag of claim 2, wherein said water-resistant material
comprises nylon.
4. The bag of claim 1, wherein said shell further comprises a flap,
two parallel zippers, and a rigid handle attached to both of said
zippers, said handle being adapted to open both of said zippers
simultaneously.
5. The bag of claim 1, wherein said shell further comprises a
ventilation flap and means for selectively opening and closing said
ventilation flap, said vent being located between said interior
volume and said ventilation flap.
6. The bag of claim 5, wherein said means for selectively opening
and closing said ventilation flap comprises a zipper.
7. The bag claim 1, wherein said shell further comprise a fan flap
and means for selectively opening and closing said fan flap, said
electric fan being located between said interior volume and said
fan flap.
8. The bag of claim 7, wherein said means for selectively opening
and closing said fan flap comprises a zipper.
9. The bag of claim 1, wherein said fan assembly includes a
protective housing adapted to prevent damage to said electric
fan.
10. The bag of claim 1, wherein said means for providing electric
current to said electric fan comprises at least one dry cell
battery.
11. The bag of claim 1, wherein said means for providing electric
current to said electric fan comprises a power cord adapted to
transmit conventional 120-volt household AC current to said
electric fan.
12. The bag of claim 1, wherein said fan assembly further comprises
a timer for automatically turning said fan off after a pre-selected
period of time.
13. The bag of claim 12, wherein said preselected period of time
comprises 2, 4, or 6 hours.
14. The bag of claim 1, wherein said ventilation assembly further
comprises a heating unit for heating air drawn through said
interior volume by said electric fan.
15. The bag of claim 1, wherein said fan assembly is permanently
affixed to said shell.
16. A bag, comprising: a shell formed of water-resistant material
and including, a top, a bottom, and front and back ends, said front
and back ends opposing one another, said top, bottom, and front and
back ends defining an interior volume, said top including a
zippered flap for inserting and removing objects from said interior
volume; a ventilation assembly located on said front end, said
ventilation assembly comprising a vent; a fan assembly, said fan
assembly including an electric fan, a protective housing for
protecting said electric fan from damage, and means for providing
electric current to said electric fan, said fan being adapted to
circulate air through said interior volume.
17. The bag of claim 16, wherein said fan assembly is located on
said back end.
18. The bag of claim 16, wherein said means for powering said
electric fan comprises a power cord adapted to be plugged into a
conventional household outlet.
19. The bag of claim 16, wherein said means for powering said
electric fan comprises at least one dry cell battery.
20. The bag of claim 16, wherein said fan assembly further
comprises a timer for automatically turning said electric fan off
after a pre-selected period of time.
21. The bag of claim 16, wherein said electric fan is adapted to
draw air into said interior volume through said ventilation opening
and outwardly through said fan assembly.
22. The bag of claim 16, wherein said shell further comprises a fan
flap formed of water-resistant material and means for selectively
opening and closing said fan flap, wherein said electric fan is
located between said fan flap and said interior volume when said
fan flap is closed.
23. The bag of claim 22, wherein said means for selectively opening
and closing said ventilation flap comprises a zipper.
24. The bag of claim 16, wherein said shell further comprises a
ventilation flap formed of water-resistant material and means for
selectively opening and closing said ventilation flap, wherein said
vent is located between said ventilation flap and said interior
volume when said ventilation flap is closed.
25. The bag of claim 24, wherein said means for selectively opening
and closing said fan flap comprises a zipper.
26. The bag of claim 16, wherein said ventilation assembly further
comprises a mesh lining covering said vent.
27. The bag of claim 20, wherein said means for selectively opening
and closing said fan flap comprises a zipper.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a bag for carrying sports
equipment to and from an athletic event.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] When a person is engaged in an organized sport, such as
basketball, hockey, baseball, football, track, tennis, etc.,
uniforms and other equipment must be carried to and from the
contest. While playing, athletes sweat, causing their uniforms to
become wet and smelly. After the game, the players shower, but
their uniforms and equipment do not. Instead, they are thrown into
a bag for transport home. Sometimes it is days before they are
unpacked for cleaning. Mildew, odors, and deterioration of clothing
result, conditions which are alleviated by the disclosed
invention.
[0003] In addition, sports equipment, e.g., shoes, pads, balls,
pucks, racquets, etc., often become wet and/or dirty. It is
desirable to be able to convey them safely without soiling the
environment around them, such as the bus, car, or house through
which they travel before they can be cleaned.
[0004] Prior inventors have addressed some of these issues. A
representative sample known to the inventor follows:
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,251,404 issued to Mills discloses a beach
bag having a top compartment for receiving wet swimsuits, towels,
etc., connected to a lower, water-tight compartment by means of
apertures in a dividing wall. Dripping wet items drain their fluids
through the apertures into the lower compartment where they are
trapped until the reservoir can be emptied through a closable
outlet. While loose liquids can drip from the wet items, the items
themselves do not dry. They remain moist and subject to mildew and
rot, until they are removed from the beach bag.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,755 issued to Moore discloses a clothes
drying bag in which a fluid-tight bag is divided into two
compartments: one, a pressure compartment selectively attached
through an open connector to the outlet hose of a hair dryer, and
two, a drying compartment into which wet clothing is placed.
Venturi ports connect the two compartments which allow heated air
to be forced through the compartments to escape through eight small
holes at the top of the second compartment. Until the hair dryer is
attached, the clothes remain damp and sealed in a virtually air
tight bag. However, loose water is free to drain out
indiscriminately through the holes and the open connector onto
whatever is near.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,073 issued to Hendon discloses a cotton
harvesting bag made of waterproof material for storing newly
harvested cotton. A pair of vents, with oversized flaps loosely
hanging over them to "rainproof" the cotton, provides "for air
circulation through bag 10 . . . commensurate with waterproofing."
The thrust of the patent is to prevent the cotton from becoming
wet, for in spite of the vents, the bag is unsuited for drying wet
cotton.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,842 issued to Mokiao, U.S. Pat. No.
5,323,897 issued to Sperber, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,296 issued to
Masters disclose bags with mesh exterior walls so that wet items,
e.g., wetsuits, in their internal compartments can dry. There are
no means provided for covering the mesh in order to seal the
interior compartments. Consequently, moisture and dirt can enter
through the mesh, and odors can egress therefrom. Being exposed,
the mesh is subject to damage by being snagged on passing
objects.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,150 issued to Bearman discloses a beach
bag having a fluid impervious outer bag and a smaller internal mesh
bag. Wet beach clothing, towels, etc., are placed in the mesh bag
where the sand thereon can sift through the mesh into the outer
bag. The outer bag has a pair of openings, one in the top for entry
into the mesh bag and one in the bottom for dumping the sand from
the beach bag. Bearman does not contemplate the problem of drying
the clothing while in the bag, and the two openings, normally
closed, would be insufficient even if opened to allow the clothing
to dry.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,199 issued to Clement discloses a sports
equipment bag having a water resistant outer bag and a removable
inner mesh bag. The outer bag has external pockets for such items
as shoes and other sports equipment. Sweaty uniforms and other wet
equipment are placed in the mesh bag for transport. Should the
athlete not take the time to remove the mesh bag, it remains
totally confined in the outer bag, and the wet clothing is once
again subject to rotting or mildew. If the athlete is diligent and
removes the mesh bag, air will circulate through the mesh material,
permitting the wet items to dry. But then the two bags must once
again be reassembled.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide a sports bag
designed to transport wet or damp articles enable wet or damp
articles stored within to dry without being removed from the
bag.
[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a sports
bag which can be used to transport wet and dirty articles without
soiling surfaces to which the bag comes in contact.
[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a sports
bag having a top opening for removing and inserting articles which
can be easily opened and closed.
[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a sports
bag which can be carried as a backpack to allow easier transport of
heavy and/or bulky articles.
[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide a sports
bag having the above-noted features which is simple and economical
to manufacture.
[0016] The present invention overcomes the difficulties described
above by providing a sports equipment bag having a water-resistant
outer shell with multiple ventilation assemblies for exposing the
interior of the bag to free air circulation. Each ventilation
assembly includes an opening formed in the outer shell that is
covered by a mesh lining and a flap which can be selectively opened
and closed using a zipper. In one embodiment, the bag includes
openings on both sides and both ends of the bag. In an alternate
embodiment, the bag includes openings on both sides only. In
another alternate embodiment, the bag includes an opening at one
end and a fan assembly located at the other end. The fan assembly
includes an electric fan which draws air through the bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The foregoing and other objects, aspects, uses, and
advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated
as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed
description of the present invention when viewed in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment
of a sports bag with the flaps closed;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inventive sports bag of
FIG. 1 with the side flaps open;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of a zipper arrangement
of the invention of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sports bag of FIG. 1
fitted with back-pack straps;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of a sports bag with one of the side flaps open;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective end view of a third preferred
embodiment of a sports bag with the front end flap open;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective end view of the third preferred
embodiment of the sports bag with the back end flap open;
[0025] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view showing a fan mounted
inside the back end of the third preferred embodiment of the sports
bag; and
[0026] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the fan structure showing its
mounting on the back end of the third preferred embodiment of the
sports bag of the present invention.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sports bag 10 is shown. The
overall shape of bag 10 is preferably substantially as shown,
elongated with roughly square or arcuate ends (FIGS. 2 and 6,
respectively), and is particularly suitable for carrying padding,
helmets and other equipment worn by ice hockey or football players.
It should be noted that the inventive concepts disclosed herein
with respect to sports bag 10 have many applications beyond the
three disclosed embodiments, such as pet carriers, backpacks,
computer bags, suitcases and the like.
[0028] Bag 10 has an outer shell 12 formed of a water-resistant
material, such as nylon fabric. Obviously, shell 12 could be formed
from any suitable flexible, water-resistant material, such as
vinyl, leather or DuPont Kevlar.RTM. fiber.
[0029] Shell 12 comprises a bottom 14 (FIG. 4), opposed sides 16
and 18, opposed front and back ends 20 and 22, respectively, and a
top 24. Front end 20 is permanently joined with sides 16 and 18 and
top 24 by a seam 26. Seam 28 similarly joins back end 22 with sides
16 and 18 and top 24. Seams 26 and 28 may comprise reinforced
stitching, heat sealed plastic strips, or any other conventional
method of forming corners of bags.
[0030] Bag 10 also includes ventilation assemblies 25, 27, 29 and
31, each of which being substantially similar in function and
composition. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, ventilation assembly 25 is
located on side 16 and includes a flap 30 which can be selectively
opened and closed by a zipper 32. Ventilation assembly 27 is
located on back end 22 and includes a flap 39 secured by a zipper
43. Ventilation assembly 29 is located on side 18 and includes a
flap 34 secured by a zipper 36. Ventilation assembly 31 is located
on front end 20 and includes a flap 38 secured by a zipper 40.
[0031] Bag 10 also includes a lining 42, which can be seen through
opened flaps 30, 34 and 39 in FIG. 2. Lining 42 can be made of any
flexible and durable porous material, for example, expanded mesh
fabrics formed from nylon, polyester, DuPont Kevlar.RTM. fiber, or
combinations of such fibers. Knitted or woven nylon is preferred
because of its combination of low cost and hight tensile strength.
Regardless of the fabric used, lining 42 should have openings which
are large enough to allow air circulation, but small enough to
prevent articles stored inside bag 10 from protruding
therethrough.
[0032] The function of lining 42 is to retain articles within bag
10 when flaps 30, 34 and 38 are open. Preferably, lining 42
comprises individual pieces, each of which cover one of the
openings exposed when flaps 30, 34 and 38 are opened. Lining 42 is
fixed around each opening, using stitching or an adhesive, sealing
the perimeter against gaps. Alternatively, lining 42 could comprise
a single piece of material which lines the entire interior of shell
12. Mesh lining 42, therefore, completely covers the flap openings,
preventing articles stored within bag 10 from falling out while
permitting air to circulate through bag 10.
[0033] It is an important feature of the invention that each of the
flaps occupy a majority of the surface area, at least 50% and
preferably between 75-90%, of its respective side or end, for when
the flaps are all open, virtually the entire interior of bag 10 is
open to the external environment. Unlike Moore, Hendon, and
Bearman, supra, who never intended their small vents to provide air
circulation for drying purposes, the wide open flaps of this
invention are designed to promote natural, virtually unrestricted
air flow through bag 10. And, unlike the open meshes of Mokiao,
Sperber, and Masters, which are exposed to harm when in transit,
the open mesh of lining 42 is protected by the flaps.
[0034] A relatively wide, elongated flap 44 closes most of top 24.
Flap 44 extends for substantially the entire length of bag 10 and
is hinged to end 22 along seam 28. Two parallel zippers 46 and 48
operate simultaneously to open or to close flap 44 under the action
of zipper pulls 50 and 52 (FIG. 3). A rigid leather handle 54 is
connected to zipper pulls 50 and 52 and spans the width of flap 44.
Being rigid, handle 54 maintains zippers 46 and 48 in proper
alignment which facilitates their operations. When flap 44 is
unzipped and folded back, a large opening is provided into the
interior of bag 10 which allows easy access for the insertion and
removal of articles.
[0035] Bag 10 also includes padded straps 108 for carriage of bag
10. Straps 108 may be gripped in one hand and carried horizontally,
as is conventional. As shown in FIG. 4, straps 108 are also
preferably designed to allow bag 10 to be carried in as a backpack
(i.e., in a vertical position). The user's arm 110 slips through
each loop 112 of strap 108 to support bag 10 on the shoulders.
Straps 114 (FIG. 1) cross the chest and connect loops 112 to
prevent straps 108 from falling off the shell of the carrier.
[0036] The basic operation of the invention is now apparent. When
an athletic contest has ended, the players throw their sweat-soaked
uniforms, including shirts, pants, pads, shoes, etc., into bag 10.
While carrying it to the bus or car, the flaps remain closed,
protecting the articles within. As soon as is practicable, when bag
10 is at rest, the flaps are opened so that air may circulate
freely therethrough to begin the drying process. Even if the bag is
left closed until the owner thereof arrives home, the bag does not
have to be unpacked that night. Opening of the flaps allows items
contained therein to dry naturally without further concern.
[0037] A second embodiment of the inventive concept discussed above
can be seen in FIG. 5. Bag 56 is a less expensive version of bag
10, comprising only two ventilation assemblies: ventilation
assembly 57 having a flap 58 secured by a zipper 60 and an
identical ventilation assembly (not shown) on the opposite side of
bag 56. A single zipper 62 closes top 64 which opens to provide
access to the interior. Side openings, only left side opening 66
being visible, are sufficiently large that adequate air flow is
provided to dry the equipment located therein.
[0038] FIGS. 6-9 disclose a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention as bag 68, which is very similar in shape and
includes many of the same features as bag 10. However, bag 68
includes only one ventilation assembly 69 having a vent 73, a
ventilation flap 70 (FIG. 6) secured by a zipper 71. This third
embodiment is even more effective than bags 10 or 56 at drying
articles contained therein, due to the inclusion in back end 74 of
a fan assembly 80 (FIG. 7) which includes an electric fan 76 (shown
schematically) built into a wall 78 located beneath a fan flap 72.
Fan 76 is preferably a conventional small electric fan, such as the
type used for cooling a micro-computer.
[0039] Fan 76 is preferably configured to exhaust air outwardly
through fan assembly 80, after drawing air inwardly through
ventilation assembly 69. Of course, fan 76 could be configured to
blow air into bag 68 through fan assembly 80, however, the former
configuration is preferable because it results in greater and more
uniform air circulation to the interior of bag 68.
[0040] In order to further improve the performance of bag 68,
ventilation assembly 69 may optionally include a heat transfer unit
123 (shown schematically in FIG. 6). Unit 123 is designed to heat
the air being draw into bag 68 through ventilation assembly 69,
thereby expediting the drying of articles contained therein.
[0041] Due to the fact that the types of articles designed to be
contained within bag 68 often emit a somewhat unappealing odor, a
pocket 121 may be provided for removably retaining a replaceable
air freshener (not shown).
[0042] As illustrated in the exploded view in FIG. 9, fan assembly
80 comprises a fan 76 which extends through wall 78, shown as
double-walled at 82 and 84 for strengthened support for fan 76, and
a central aperture 86 that opens through an inner supporting ring
88 into a protective housing 90. A peripheral flange 92 integral
with motor 80 abuts the outer surface (not shown) of wall 84.
Housing 90 is rigid to protect motor 80 from damage and is freely
perforated for unrestricted air flow therethrough. A mesh screen 94
covers the exhaust port of fan 76 to prevent external debris from
entering. A supporting ring 96 provides additional external
protection for fan 76 and increases the rigidity of back end 74
(FIG. 7). When assembled, fan assembly 80 is secured with rivets
97, although any suitable fastener could be substituted for rivets
97. The mounting arrangement of fan assembly 80 ensures that fan 76
remains within the interior of bag 68 (FIG. 8) and that no portion
protrudes from back end 74, where it would be prone to damage.
[0043] As the preceding suggests, fan assembly 80 has two primary
functions: to retain and protect fan 76. Obviously, many variations
of the structure of fan assembly 80 are possible, provided that its
two primary functions are achieved.
[0044] Any convenient means for providing electric current to fan
76 is within the scope of the invention. For instance, an electric
cord 127 (FIG. 7) could be hard-wired to fan 76 on one end and
include a plug on the other end for use with a conventional
household outlet (not shown), which would supply 120-volt AC power.
Such a cord could be stored in a small zippered pouch 102 above fan
flap 72 . Alternatively, fan 76 could be powered by a dry cell
battery pack or through an AC/DC adapter (both not shown).
[0045] Fan assembly 80 also preferably includes a timer 129, which
may be incorporated into power cord 127, as shown in FIG. 7, or
contained within fan assembly 80 . When activated, timer 129
preferably turns fan 76 on for a pre-determined period of time
(e.g., 2, 4 or 6 hours), at which time the fan will automatically
turn off. This feature is preferable because it allows fan 76 to
dry the articles contained therein unattended.
[0046] The inventive bags may include many conventional features
which are known in the art. For example, a side pouch 104, shown in
FIG. 1 on the exterior surface of flap 30, may be included. (In
this vein, an exterior compartment can be added to any of the
flaps, ranging in size from small enough for keys to large enough
for tennis racquets or ice skates. Side pouches are preferably
sealed, so that dirt and debris which temporarily sticks to
articles placed therein will not soil the environment through which
the bag passes.) A small pocket may also be located on an interior
wall (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, loops 106 at
opposite ends of top 24 may be included as extra handles or to
carry hockey sticks. A removable laundry bag (not shown) may also
be included to allow smaller items, such as T-shirts and
undergarments to be easily removed from the bag and laundered.
[0047] It is clear from the above that the objects of the invention
have been fulfilled.
[0048] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined in the appended claims.
[0049] It can be seen from the above that an invention has been
disclosed which fulfills all the objects of the invention. It is to
be understood, however, that the disclosure is by way of
illustration only and that the scope of the invention is to be
limited solely by the following claims:
* * * * *