A utility bag which is generally rectangular in shape and size to fit into an athletic locker or under the seat of an airplane. The A preferred embodiment of the utility bag comprises:
(a) a pair of transversely positioned, generally rectangular, rigid frame members longitudinally spaced apart within the interior of the bag;
(b) a fabric side panel having a width such that the forward and rearward edges of the side panel extend beyond the opposing outside edges of the frame members respectively, with the side panel tautly enveloping the frame members on the outside surfaces thereof to form contiguous top wall, bottom wall and sidewalls of the utility bag;
(c) a generally rectangular fabric end panel attached at its edges to the rearward edges of the side to form a closed rear end wall of the utility bag;
(d) an outwardly swinging, generally rectangular fabric door attached in hinge-like fashion along one elongate edge thereof to a forward side wall edge of a side panel of the utility bag; and
(e) an interengaging zipper closure means attached to the remaining edge portions of the forward edge of the side panel and the other three side edges of the rectangular fabric door for releasably securing the fabric door in a closed position to the otherwise open, front end of the utility bag.
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23. A utility bag which is generally rectangular in shape and sized to fit into an athletic locker or under the seat of an airplane, said utility bag comprising:
(a) a framework; (b) flexible panel material attached to the framework to form an abutting top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls, and flexible panel material forming a generally rectangular end wall defining a generally rectangular cavity therein having a generally rectangular opening on one side, wherein the top wall is substantially parallel with the bottom wall and wherein the sidewalls are substantially parallel with each other; (c) an outwardly swinging, generally rectangular door attached along one vertical edge thereof to a vertical edge of one of the sidewalls of the opening; and (d) means for releasably securing the door to close the opening.
25. A utility bag which is generally rectangular in shape and sized to fit into an athletic locker or under the seat of an airplane, said utility bag comprising:
(a) a framework comprising one or more means for supporting a top member and a bottom member to define a generally rectangular cavity therein providing at least one generally rectangular opening, wherein the resulting framework defines spans for side panels substantially parallel to each other and spans for top and bottom panels which are substantially parallel to each other; (b) flexible panel material attached to the framework to form in abutment a top panel, a bottom panel, and side panels, and wherein the flexible panel material forms a generally rectangular end panel leaving at least one opening of the rectangular cavity unclosed; (c) an outwardly swinging, generally rectangular door attached to a vertical edge of one of the side panels forming the unclosed opening; and (d) means for releasably securing the door to close the opening.
24. A utility bag which is generally rectangular in shape and sized to fit into an athletic locker or under the seat of an airplane, said utility bag comprising:
(a) a framework comprising one or more support members, the member or members configured or positioned to define a generally rectangular cavity therein providing at least one generally rectangular opening, wherein the resulting framework defines spans for side panels substantially parallel to each other and wherein the resulting spans form top panels and bottom panels which are substantially parallel to each other; (b) flexible panel material attached to the framework to form in abutment a top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls, and flexible panel material forming an end wall leaving at least one opening in the rectangular cavity unclosed, wherein the top wall is substantially parallel with the bottom wall and wherein the sidewalls are substantially parallel with each other; (c) an outwardly swinging, generally rectangular door attached along one vertical edge thereof to a vertical edge of one of the sidewalls forming the unclosed opening; and (d) means for releasably securing the door to close the opening.
26. A utility bag which is generally rectangular in shape and sized to fit into an athletic locker or under the seat of an airplane, said utility bag comprising:
(a) a framework comprising one or more means for supporting a top member and a bottom member defining a generally rectangular cavity therein with diametrically opposing openings comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the means for supporting the top member and bottom member defines side members substantially parallel to each other and wherein the top member and the bottom member are substantially parallel to each other; (b) flexible panel material substantially coextensive with and attached to the top member, bottom member, and each side member to form in abutment a top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls, wherein the top wall is substantially parallel with the bottom wall and wherein the sidewalls are substantially parallel with each other without closing the openings; (c) a generally rectangular fabric end panel attached at its edges to the edge of the sidewalls to form an end wall closing the first opening; (d) an outwardly swinging generally rectangular door attached along the vertical edge thereof to a vertical edge of one of the sidewalls of the second opening; and (e) means for releasably securing the door to close the second opening.
1. A utility bag which is generally rectangular in shape and sized to fit into an athletic locker or under the seat of an airplane, said utility bag comprising:
(a) a pair of transversely positioned, generally rectangular, rigid frame members longitudinally spaced apart comprising a forward frame member and a rearward frame member, each frame member having parallel, elongate sides of equal dimensions having upper ends which are contiguous with an upper side and lower ends which are contiguous with a lower side such that said upper and lower sides are substantially parallel and substantially of the same dimensions, which dimensions are shorter than said elongate sides; (b) a fabric side panel having a width such that the forward and rearward edges of said side panel extend beyond the opposing outside edges of said frame members respectively, said side panel tautly enveloping said frame members on the outside surfaces thereof, with said side panel being joined to itself at opposing ends and along the width thereof to form contiguous top wall bottom wall and sidewalls, wherein the top wall is substantially parallel with the bottom wall and the sidewalls are substantially parallel with each other; (c) a generally rectangular fabric end panel attached at its edges to the rearward edges of said side panel to form a closed rear end wall; (d) an outwardly swinging, generally rectangular fabric door attached in hinge-like fashion hingedly-attached along one elongate edge thereof to a sidewall edge of said forward edge of said side panel; and (e) an interengaging zipper closure means attached to the remaining edge portion of the forward edge of said side panel and the other three side edges of said rectangular fabric door for releasably securing the fabric door in a closed position to the front edge of said side panel.
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a generally rectangular, fabric, inner end panel having substantially parallel side edges and substantially parallel top and bottom edges, said inner end panel further having substantially the same dimensions as the pair of rigid frame members; cloth hinge means attaching a side edge of said inner panel of said door to the sidewall edge of said forward edge of said side panel; a generally rectangular rod member having substantially the same dimensions as the pair of rigid frame members, said rod member being sewn into a position adjacent the perimeter of said inner end panel of said door; a fabric side edge panel having a width which is no greater than about one-third the distance between the spaced apart forward and rearward frame members, said side edge panel being attached to the perimeter of said inner end panel of said door to form contiguous door top wall, door sidewalls and door bottom wall, wherein the door top wall is substantially parallel with the door bottom wall and the door sidewalls are substantially parallel with each other; a generally rectangular fabric outer end panel having substantially the same dimensions as said inner end panel of said door, said outer end panel being attached to the extending ends of said side edge panel of said door to form a closed forward end wall of said door, whereby said door includes a rectangular pouch enclosed by said inner end panel, outer end panel and side edge panel of said door; an elongate opening in the top wall portion of said door for access to said pouch; and closure means for releasably closing said elongate opening in said top wall portion of said door.
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Flexible panel material 27 is attached to the framework to form an abutting top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls, and forming a generally rectangular end wall to define a generally rectangular cavity therein.
A generally rectangular, fabric, end panel 34 is attached at its opposite edges to the rearward extending edges of the cloth panels 24-30 to form a closed rear end wall of the utility bag 10. An outwardly swinging, generally rectangular, fabric door 36 is attached to the forward extending edges of the cloth panels 24-30 to form a closure for the front end of the utility bag 10. The fabric door 36 is attached in hinge-like fashion along one of its elongate, vertical edges to a corresponding, vertical, forward, side wall edge of a side cloth panel 28. An interengaging zipper closure means is attached to the forward edge portions of the forward side wall edges of the remaining three cloth panels 24, 25 and 30, as well as to the other three side edges of the fabric door 36 for releasably securing the fabric door 36 in a closed position at the front end of the utility bag.
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the drawings, the door comprises a generally rectangular, fabric, inner end panel 38 which has substantially parallel side edges and substantially parallel top and bottom edges. The panel 38 has substantially the same rectangular shape and dimensions as the pair of rigid frame members 12 and 14 of the bag 10. A cloth hinge means 40 attaches a side edge of the inner door panel 38 to the forward, vertical edge of side panel 38 of the bag 10.
A generally rectangular, shape retaining rod member 42 is provided adjacent to the perimeter of the inner end panel 38. Preferably, the rod member 42 is sewn into a position adjacent the perimeter of the inner end panel 38 in the manner of a conventional piping. The rod member 42 supplies shape retaining characteristics, stability and strength to the fabric door 36.
The door 36 has exterior sides which are formed from fabric panels. As illustrated, a fabric side panel forms the longitudinal sides of the door 36. The fabric side panel comprises a first cloth panel portion 50 extending along a mutually respective side edge of the inner end panel 38 of the door 36. As shown in the drawings, the first cloth panel 50 forms one longitudinal side of the door 36. A second cloth panel portion 52 of the fabric side panel extends along a mutually respective, upper side edge of the inner end panel 38 of the door 36. The second cloth panel 52 forms the longitudinal top wall of the door 36. A third cloth panel portion 54 of the fabric side panel of the door 36 extends along the other, mutually respective, side edge of the inner end panel 38 of the door 36. The third cloth panel 54 forms the other longitudinal side of the door 36. A fourth cloth panel portion 56 of the fabric side panel extends along the mutually respective, lower side of the inner end panel 38 of the door 36. The fourth cloth panel 56 forms the bottom wall of the door 36.
The fabric side panel comprising the cloth panels 50-56 is advantageously formed of a single, elongate piece of cloth which is maintained in a substantially rectangular configuration by the rod member 42 positioned adjacent to the perimeter of the inner end panel 38 of the door 36. It is to be recognized, however, that the fabric side panel could be formed of four separate cloth panels 50-56 sewed together in essentially end-to-end fashion to form the composite fabric side panel of the door 36. Whether formed of four cloth panels sewed together or of one continuous piece of cloth, the side panel of the door 36 is joined, as by sewing, to itself at its opposite ends and along the width of the cloth panel to form the top, bottom and opposite sides of the door 36, wherein the top of the door is substantially parallel with the bottom door, and the sides of the door 36 are substantially parallel with each other.
A closed, forward end wall is provided for the door 36. This end wall comprises a generally rectangular, outer, end panel 58 which has subsequentially the same shape and demensions as the inner end panel 38 of the door 36. The perimeter edges of the outer end panel 58 is attached, as by sewing, to the mutually respective, otherwise free, extending side edges of the side panels 50-56 of the door 36. The door 36 thus including a generally rectangular pouch which is enclosed by the inner end panel 38, the outer end panel 58 and the side panels 50-56.
The cloth from which the inner end panel 38, the outer end panel 58 and the side panels 50-56 of the door 36 is preferably of the type having a rubberized or otherwise water proof inner surface facing inwardly of the performed in the door 36. This advantageously permits wet items, such as wet swimming suits, damp towels, etc., to be placed in the pouch out of contact with the other items carried in the bag 10. Because of the water barrier formed by the cloth from which the door 36 is made, the other items in the bag 10 can be maintained in a dry condition when wet items are isolated in the pouch formed in the door 36.
An elongate opening is provided in the top wall portion 52 of the door 36 for access to the pouch formed in the door 36. The opening preferably extends completely across the longitudinal length of the top wall panel 52 and downwardly a relative short distance on both the side panels 50 and 54. A closure means, preferably comprising a zipper closure 60, is provided in combination with the opening for releasably closing the opening in the top portion 52 of the door 36.
Advantageously, at least one outer pocket 64 is provided on the exterior face of the outer end panel 58 of the door 36 for carrying various small items. Preferably, the pocket 64 is provided with a zipper closure. As illustrated in the drawings, a second smaller pocket 66 can be provided on the exterior face of the outer end panel 58 of the door 36. Generally, the second pocket 66 and any subsequent pockets on the exterior face of the outer end panel 58 are open at their tops and are not provided with closure means.
In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, a plurality of pocket 62 are provided on the face of the inner end panel 38 of the door 36. The pocket 62 can be of various sizes and shapes and are preferably open at their tops. The pocket 62 are used to advantage for carrying various grooming items, such as brushes, combs, mirrors, lotion bottles, toothbrush, shaver, etc. A larger side pocket 68 can be provided on the exterior face of one of the sidewalls (sidewall 24 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings) of the bag 10 for carrying larger items such as rackets and other sports equipment.
It is further advantageous to provide a folding, generally rigid, divider panel 70 within the interior of the bag 10 as shown in the drawings. The divider panel 70, when positioned in its unfolded, horizontal position, divides the interior of the bag 10 into separate upper and lower chambers. The divider panel 70 is conveniently held in place by two fabric straps 72 and 74 which extent between the vertical legs of the respective frame members 12 and 14. The first divider strap 72 is attached at its opposite ends to the rearward frame member 14. The second divider strap 74 has its opposite ends sewed to the opposite sides of the bag 10 at a point near the upper end of the bag 10 and adjacent to the forward frame member 12. The end portions of the second divider strap 74 extend down along the sides of the forward frame member to a position intermediate the height of the bag and at a point within a horizontal plane passing through the bag 10 at which the divider panel 70 is to be positioned when in its working, unfolded position. The intermediate portion of the second divider strap 74 extend across the interior of the bag 10 to form a support for the front end of the divider panel 70 when the divider panel is in its working, unfolded position. The intermediate portion of the second divider strap 74 is preferably attached to the underside of the front end of the divider panel 70 by an appropriate fastening device such as a broad-headed rivet 78.
The divider panel 70 is shown in its unfolded, working position in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, and, as shown, the divider panel 70 rests in a substantially horizontal plane on the two divider straps 72 and 74. If it is not desired to divide the bag 10 into two interior chambers, the divider panel 70 is folded up against the end panel 34 of the bag 10. This is conveniently done by lifting the forward end of the divider panel 70 upwardly from its support on the divider strap 74. The rearward end of the divider panel 70 is allowed to slide backwardly and downwardly over the rearward divider strap 72 to a position at which the rearward end of the divider panel 70 rests on the floor 76 of the bag 10. The forward end of the divider panel 70 is then pivoted toward the rearward end of the bag 10 until the divider panel 70 is positioned substantially adjacent to the end panel 34 of the bag.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the utility bag 10 is advantageously provided with two, elongate, generally U-shaped, stiffener or shape retainer sheets 80 and 82. The upper stiffener sheet 80 is positioned over the upper sides 18 of the forward and rearward frame members 12 and 14 so that the broad, base portion of the stiffener sheet 80 lies on top of the upper sides 18 of the frame members 12 and 14, and between the frame members and the top wall 26 of the bag 10. The downwardly directed legs of the U-shaped stiffener sheet 80 extend downwardly along the exterior side of the sides 16 of the frame members 12 and 14, between the frame members and the side panels 24 and 28 of the bag 10. The lower stiffener sheet 82 is positioned beneath the lower sides 20 of the forward and rearward frame members 12 and 14 so that the broad, base portion of the stiffener sheet 82 lies just below the lower sides 20 of the frame members 12 and 14, and between the frame members and the bottom wall 30 of the bag 10. The upwardly directed legs of the U-shaped stiffener sheet 82 extend upwardly along the exterior side of the sides 16 of the frame members 12 and 14, between the frame members and the side panels 24 and 28 of the bag 10. The stiffener sheets 82 are preferably made of polymeric material or paperboard material, but could also be made of sheet metal.
The utility bag 10 can also advantageously be provided with a floor panel 76 which, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, lies on the top of the lower sides 20 of the frame members 12 and 14. The floor member 76 is preferably made of a sheet of polymeric material or of paperboard, but could also be made of sheet metal. The floor member is advantageously attached to the lower sides 20 of the frame members 12 and 14 with appropriate fasteners such as broad-headed rivets 86.
A handle 90 is provided on the upper side of the bag 10. The handle 90 is advantageously sewed to the upper panel 26 of the bag. Reinforcement straps 92 can be sewed to the upper side of the bag 10 to reinforce the handle 90, and to distribute the weight of the bag over the area of the reinforcement straps. Attachment rings 94 can also be provided for attaching a shoulder strap (not shown) for carrying the bag on one's shoulder.
Although preferred embodiments of the utility bag 10 of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that various other embodiments are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, which subject matter is regarded as the invenion.
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