U.S. patent application number 11/851252 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for sports equipment bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to CORE BRAND, INC.. Invention is credited to SALVATORE MAURO.
Application Number | 20080223677 11/851252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39761538 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080223677 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MAURO; SALVATORE |
September 18, 2008 |
SPORTS EQUIPMENT BAG
Abstract
The sports equipment bag of the present invention is capable of
assuming three configurations: a hang-up, a stand-up, and a
transport configuration. It comprises two compartments, with
partitions and pockets for equipment and items of clothing. The
compartments are connected by a connecting strip, to accommodate
moving the compartments to and from each other between the
transport configuration and the hang-up configuration. Fastening
means on one compartment engage fastening means on the other
compartment, to secure the compartments in either the transport
configuration or the stand-up configuration. Each compartment
comprises a frame, sufficiently rigid to render the bag stable in
the stand-up configuration. Rear and front panels of the
compartments, as well as partitions and pockets, are manufactured
of open texture material, to facilitate ventilation and drying of
items carried in the bag. In one embodiment, one of the
compartments comprises a pair of wheels and a retractable
handle.
Inventors: |
MAURO; SALVATORE;
(GEORGETOWN, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROUSE MCDOWELL LPA
388 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 500
AKRON
OH
44311
US
|
Assignee: |
CORE BRAND, INC.
MISSISSAUGA
CA
|
Family ID: |
39761538 |
Appl. No.: |
11/851252 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/111 ;
190/102; 190/115; 190/124; 206/315.1; 280/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20130101; A45C
2003/005 20130101; A45C 2013/306 20130101; A45C 13/28 20130101;
A45C 7/0045 20130101; A45C 2005/035 20130101; A45C 7/0054 20130101;
A45C 2003/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/111 ;
190/102; 190/115; 190/124; 206/315.1; 280/37 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20060101
A45C003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 15, 2007 |
CA |
2581636 |
Claims
1. A sports equipment bag capable of assuming distinct
configurations chosen from the group comprising: a hang-up
configuration, a stand-up configuration, and a transport
configuration, the bag comprising: 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; a
connecting strip, pivotally connecting said two compartments along
the bottom side of one and the top side of the other of said
compartments, 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; at least two fastening means, attached
one to each side of one of the compartments and engaging
corresponding fastening means on the sides of the other
compartment, to releasably secure the compartments in either the
transport configuration, in which the compartments are adjacent, or
the stand-up configuration, in which bottom sides off the
compartments are spaced apart from each other; at least one loop,
mounted on the outside of the rear panel of at least one
compartment, for hanging the bag in the hang-up configuration; and
a shoulder strap for carrying the bag in the transport
configuration, wherein each of the compartments comprises a frame,
said frame being sufficiently rigid to render the bag stable in the
stand-up configuration.
2. The sports equipment bag of claim 1, wherein said compartments
are permanently attached to said connecting strip.
3. The sports equipment bag of claim 1, comprising multiple loops
mounted in multiple positions on the outside of the rear panel of
at least one of said compartments, for adjusting the height at
which the bag is hung up.
4. The sports equipment bag of claim 1, wherein one of said
compartments is permanently attached to said connecting strip; and
wherein the other compartment is releasably attached to said
connecting strip, to facilitate separating said compartments.
5. The sports equipment bag of claim 4, wherein means for
releasably attaching said compartment to said connecting strip are
selected from a group comprising: a series of hook-and-loop
fastener strips engaging a corresponding series of rings or
grommets; a zipper; and a series of buttons or snap fasteners.
6. The sports equipment bag of claim 4, comprising multiple loops
mounted in multiple positions on the outside of the rear panel of
each of said compartments, for adjusting the height at which each
of the separated compartments is hung up.
7. The sports equipment bag of claim 1, wherein at least rear
panel, front panel, partitions, and pockets of the compartments are
manufactured of open texture material, to facilitate ventilation
and drying of sports equipment and items of clothing carried
therein.
8. The sports equipment bag of claim 7, wherein said open texture
material is mesh.
9. The sports equipment bag of claim 8, wherein the mesh comprises
at least 60% of the surface area of said front and rear panels.
10. The sports equipment bag of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the compartments comprises a loop, mounted on the inside of the top
panel for receiving a coat hanger.
11. The sports equipment bag of claim 1, wherein one of said
compartments 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, said wheels and retractable
handle being provided to facilitate towing the bag in the transport
configuration.
12. The sports equipment bag of claim 11, wherein said 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; and an inner tubing, extendably enclosed
in said outer tubing, and provided with a handle.
13. A sports equipment bag capable of assuming distinct
configurations chosen from the group comprising: a hang-up
configuration, a stand-up configuration, and a transport
configuration, the bag comprising: two compartments, each
compartment consisting of a rear panel, a front panel, side panels,
top panel, bottom panel, and a plurality of partitions and pockets
for accommodating sports equipment and items of clothing; a
connecting strip, pivotally connecting said two compartments along
the bottom side of the compartment and the top side of the
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; two fastening means, attached one to each
side of the compartment and engaging corresponding fastening means
on the sides of the compartment, to releasably secure the
compartments in either the transport configuration, in which the
compartments are adjacent, or the stand-up configuration, in which
bottom sides of the compartments are spaced apart from each other;
a loop, mounted on the outside of the rear panel of the
compartment, for hanging the bag in the hang-up configuration; and
a shoulder strap for carrying the bag in the transport
configuration, wherein each of the compartment comprises a frame,
said frame being sufficiently rigid to render the bag stable in the
stand-up configuration, wherein each compartment is provided, on
the inside of the top panel, with a loop for receiving a coat
hanger, and wherein the compartment further comprises: a pair of
wheels supported in wheel brackets mounted on the bottom panel of
the compartment; and a retractable handle assembly comprising 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 the compartment, and an inner tubing, extendably
enclosed in said outer tubing, and provided with a handle.
14. The sports equipment bag of claim 13, wherein at least the rear
panel, the front panel, the partitions, and the pockets of the
compartments are manufactured of open texture material, to
facilitate ventilation and drying of sports equipment and items of
clothing carried therein.
15. The sports equipment bag of claim 14, wherein said open texture
material is mesh.
16. The sports equipment bag of claim 15, wherein the mesh
comprises at least 60% of the surface area of said front and rear
panels.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Appln.
No. 2,581,636, entitled Sport Equipment Bag, filed on Mar. 15,
2007.
[0002] The present invention relates to luggage products and, more
particularly, to a bag for carrying sports equipment and items of
clothing.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] 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 commonly 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 odors and even
mould.
[0004] 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 and connected to each other, preferably by
zippers, at adjacent edges to define an interior 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 frown sports equipment and
clothing. With Fournier's bag, however, the content may be accessed
in an organized maimer--if at all--only when the bag is completely
unfolded and hung up. Also, although the pockets are made of mesh,
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.
[0005] A similar solution, proposed in Canadian Patent No.
2,231,170 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.
[0006] 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 bag when in
an open configuration, and a plurality of compartments on a front
surface of the back wall. The compartments are partially
manufactured of mesh, accommodating a view of contents and
circulation of air. Interestingly, the compartments can have
shelves projecting from the back wall.
[0007] An earlier Canadian Patent to Gorizzan (No. 1,299,147)
addresses the problem of carrying 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.
[0008] A number of patent documents discuss solutions for
organizing and providing easy access to content of travel bags,
such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,342 to Pulichino et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,887,700 to Rice and U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,795 to Bomes et al. Thus,
Pulichino et al. describe a garment 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.
[0009] 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
way of organizing and accessing the equipment and items of clothing
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
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] Attached to each side of one of the compartments are at
least two fastening means, provided to engage corresponding
fastening means on the sides of the other compartment, to
releasably secure the compartments in either the transport
configuration, in which the compartments are adjacent, or the
stand-up configuration, in which bottom sides of the compartments
are spaced apart from each other.
[0013] Mounted on the outside of the rear panel of at least one
compartment is at least one loop for hanging the hag 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.
[0014] Each of the compartments comprises a frame, said frame being
sufficiently rigid to render the bag stable in the stand-up
configuration.
[0015] 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.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the compartments of the
sports equipment bag are permanently attached to the connecting
strip.
[0017] 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. According 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.
[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, at least a rear
panel and a 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 more preferred embodiment, the
open texture material is mesh. In a most preferred embodiment, mesh
comprises at least 60% of the outside surface of the bag.
[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, one of
the compartment of the 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.
[0020] In another 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
[0021] For a better understanding of the 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:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows the sports equipment bag according to the
invention in a hang-up configuration;
[0023] FIGS. 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;
[0024] FIG. 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;
[0025] FIG. 4b is a partial rear view of the rear panels according
to another embodiment, with the rear panel of the compartment 10
permanently attached to the connecting strip and the rear panel of
the compartment 20 releasably attached to the connecting strip;
[0026] FIG. 5 is an exploded inside view of the compartment 10, and
FIG. 6 is an exploded inside view of the compartment 20, both with
front panels removed;
[0027] FIG. 7 shows the sports equipment bag in the same
configuration as in FIG. 1, with external pockets provided on side
panels of both compartments;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a detailed rear view of the rear panel of the
compartment 10;
[0029] FIG. 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;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a top view of the bag according to the
invention;
[0031] FIGS. 11a and 11b show a detailed side and, respectively,
bottom views of the compartment 20 according to one embodiment of
the invention;
[0032] FIGS. 12a and 12b show details of the telescopic handle
assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 13 illustrates uses of the sports equipment bag
according to the invention in the hang-up and stand-up
configurations;
[0034] FIG. 14 illustrates hanging up of separated compartments 10
and 20 according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0035] FIGS. 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
[0036] The sports equipment bag of the present invention, shown in
FIG. 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 FIG. 1.
[0037] Compartment 10 comprises a rear panel 11 (not visible in
FIG. 1), front panel 12, side panels 13, top panel 14 and bottom
panel 15. Similarly, compartment 20 comprises rear panel 21 (not
visible), front panel 22, 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 off clothing
carried in the bag.
[0038] 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
drawings.
[0039] 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.
[0040] Compartment 10 is further 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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 FIG.
1), and with a pair of wheels 50, to facilitate towing the sports
equipment bag according to the invention in a transport
configuration.
[0043] FIGS. 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 FIG. 2 is also partially
hidden, to reveal the complete retractable handle assembly
comprising tubing 41, bottom bracket 42 attached to the bottom
panel 25, top bracket 43 attached to, and extending through, an
opening in the top panel 24, and handle 44 provided with a release
button 45.
[0044] 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 bottom sides of compartments 10 and 20 together when
the bag of the present invention is in the transport
configuration.
[0045] Fastening means 16 and 26 comprise strips provided with male
and, respectively, female elements of a snap fastener, a
hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro.RTM.), a clasp, a buckle, or other
convenient releasable fastener.
[0046] Pads 52 provide for enhanced 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 of pads will depend on the
design as much as on the functional considerations.
[0047] In one embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIG. 4a, the
compartments 10 and 20 are permanently attached to the connecting
strip 30.
[0048] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 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. FIG. 4b depicts fastening
means 33 as a plurality of hook-and-loop fastener 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 number of alternative fastening means such as,
for example, a zipper, or a series of buttons or snap fasteners,
will provide for the same functionality.
[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4b, the compartment 20
is provided with at least one loop, 27, for hanging the compartment
20 from the wall.
[0050] FIG. 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).
[0051] Similarly, in FIG. 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 shown).
[0052] 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
panel 25 features an openings 251 for receiving wheel brackets (not
shown).
[0053] In a further embodiment, FIG. 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 additional
sports equipment and items of clothing.
[0054] It will be understood that the specific arrangement of
partitions and pockets may differ from the arrangement illustrated
in FIGS. 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.
[0055] The sports equipment bag of the present invention is at
least partially manufactured of a material commonly used for
luggage and bags, such as natural or synthetic canvas and
polyurethane- or vinyl-based synthetic 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.
[0056] In one embodiment 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.
[0057] FIG. 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 111, provide for a convenient grip when the bag is
being hung up, as illustrated in FIG. 13 (left).
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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 FIG. 9, may further comprise
cross-bars 114 and 214. Frames may comprise tubing or square bars
joined, for example, by means of fittings or rivets. Suitable
light-weight materials include aluminum and polymer materials such
as ABS or vinyl plastic.
[0060] 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 FIG. 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.
[0061] FIG. 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.
[0062] FIGS. 11a and 11b are the side and, respectively, bottom
views of a detail of the compartment 20 according to one embodiment
of the invention. Wheels 50, supported 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 suitable material, such as metal or plastic, and
are bolted or rivetted to the bottom panel 25. Wheels 50 are lined
with, or entirely made of, 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.
[0063] FIGS. 12a and 12b show details of the retractable handle
assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. 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 of a 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.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 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).
[0065] At home or in a hotel room, 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.
[0066] 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 FIG. 14.
[0067] When carried (FIG. 15) or towed (FIG. 16) in the transport
configuration, the sports equipment bag of the present invention
features a relatively low profile, 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.
[0068] It will be apparent that various modifications of the sports
equipment 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.
* * * * *