US20080179205A1 - Sports garment bag with foot mat - Google Patents
Sports garment bag with foot mat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080179205A1 US20080179205A1 US12/015,989 US1598908A US2008179205A1 US 20080179205 A1 US20080179205 A1 US 20080179205A1 US 1598908 A US1598908 A US 1598908A US 2008179205 A1 US2008179205 A1 US 2008179205A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- flap
- pad
- bag
- cart
- garment bag
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C3/00—Flexible luggage; Handbags
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C3/00—Flexible luggage; Handbags
- A45C2003/007—Sport bags
Definitions
- This invention relates to luggage and the like used for carrying garments etc. and in particular relates to a sports garment bag suitable to carry hockey equipment, including skates.
- garment bags are equipped with various ancillary features allowing for the convenient transportation not only of clothing but also of smaller items, such as water bottles, rulebooks, eyeglasses etc. It is typical for these ancillary items to be carried in supplementary pockets formed on a garment bag, as at one end of the bag. It is also typical for garment bags to have an end panel access opening by which smaller items may be inserted easily into the bag at one end, either into a pocket or into the main interior of the bag.
- a bag of generally elongated, sausage-like configuration a longitudinal zipper is provided along the longer face of the bag to allow access to the main interior of the bag.
- a bag may also be provided with an end opening or end pocket through a panel that is fastened to the fabric of the bag, as by a fabric hinge.
- This exterior end panel or flap typically can be drawn over the top surface of the bag at the end of the bag, or over an interior pocket defining the actual end of the interior volume of the bag, to serve as a flap that defines the exterior of an outside end-of-bag access opening or pocket access.
- the flap serving as the closure for such an end opening or pocket is held in place by a peripheral zipper.
- the zipper is divided into two half-zipper portions. One half-zipper is formed around the periphery of the flap, and the other half zipper is attached to the surface opening in the bag.
- a pocket wall border may extend outwardly from the end of an interior panel of the bag and the second half zipper may be attached to the boundary of the pocket wall border.
- a carrier for hockey equipment includes a generally box-shaped container body which is molded in a high-impact plastic material, and has a pair of wheels at its bottom rear edge.
- a corresponding Canadian patent is CA 2,145,612 issued Oct. 31, 1999.
- the container has doors at the front, and a lower door can be folded down to form a platform on which a player can stand while dressing and undressing, or to serve as a footrest.
- a square of carpet is removably confined within three edges of door to provide a dry standing surface.
- the present invention addresses a similar objective from a different aspect.
- a garment bag is provided with an openable flap generally located at an end thereof, covering an opening on the bag.
- the bag and flap are preferably made of textile material.
- the end opening may be located either fully at the end of the bag, or may be located towards the end of the bag, extending partially or entirely along the upper surface of the bag.
- the flap is fastened to the bag along a flap fastening line that is connected to the bag so that the flap may be deployed outwardly to provide a bag with an opening.
- the periphery of the flap is preferably provided with attachment means to hold the flap in a closed position against the opening formed in the garment bag.
- the opening on the bag that receives the flap has a specific shape and dimension.
- the flap has a peripheral edge which is complementary to and corresponds with the boundary of the opening.
- the peripheral edge of the flap is generally positioned adjacent to the boundary of the opening when the flap is closed.
- a flexible pad is fastened to the garment bag adjacent the end opening.
- the pad is fastened to the bag along a pad fastening line, preferably located at a position interior to the flap, connected so that the pad may be deployed outwardly when the flap is in its open configuration to serve as a footwear-changing pad.
- the pad fastening line is located at or near the bottom surface of the bag, adjacent to the plane of the bottom surface supporting the bag when the bag rests longitudinally on the floor. This variant permits the flap to be deployed when the bag is resting longitudinally on the floor.
- the pad fastening line is located upwardly from the bottom surface of the bag, permitting the pad to be folded outwardly when the bag is partially elevated off the ground or fully erect as when the bottom surface of the bag is supported by an upright rack.
- the flexible pad when deployed outwardly (as by bending along or proximate to its pad fastening line), is so attached to the bag that, when deployed, the pad will cover a portion of the floor adjacent to the end of the bag and serve as a changing mat for a user.
- the body of the bag may either extend horizontally across the floor on which it rests or extend upwardly as when the bag is carried on a near vertically-oriented rack.
- the pad when the pad is in its deployed configuration, the pad is positioned to serve as a mat or changing surface for persons putting-on or removing footwear. In this configuration, this changing pad will protect the floor surface and provide a convenient support for footwear being donned by a user.
- the pad has a shape and dimension around its free periphery such that, when the pad and flap are both outwardly deployed, the pad is larger than the flap.
- attachment means for engagement with complementary attachment means carried around the boundary of the end opening.
- attachment means may include a standard zipper fastener, a hook and loop fastener or other equivalent arrangements for affixing the flap in a closed configuration, closing the opening of the bag.
- the pad is of such a shape and dimension as to allow the pad, when outwardly deployed, to extend beyond and overlie the attachment means present around the periphery of the flap.
- This latter feature serves to protect the attachment means on the flap from damage that may arise from placing footwear on the pad.
- this latter feature serves to protect the attachment means from being cut by the edge of skate blades as they are being donned by a user using the changing mat.
- the pad may be approximately longer than the flap, e.g. twice the length of the flap, when extending away from the pad fastening line whereby it may be folded-over on itself for storage, serving as its own pad cover to keep dirt from the pad from entering the bag interior.
- the pad may provide an exposed surface in the form of a rubber or rubberized mat, preferably textured with ridges and grooves.
- the upper surface of the pad may have all or a portion of its surface covered with carpet material. In either case, such special surface portions may or may not extend for the full width and length of the pad.
- FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a garment bag according to the invention resting on the floor.
- the bag has an end opening with an openable flap fastened along its boundary and shown as deployed on the floor in FIG. 1 .
- Omitted for clarity from FIG. 1 is a footwear-changing pad or mat according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is bag of FIG. 1 wherein the flap is shown partially closed using a zipper-type fastener.
- FIG. 3 is a pictorial depiction of a variant of the garment bag of FIG. 1 which incorporates an end panel within the interior to the bag defining the interior surface of a pocket and a peripheral end pocket wall to define, along with the openable flap, an end pocket for the garment bag.
- FIG. 4 is a pictorial depiction of the bag of FIG. 3 wherein the flexible pad with a footwear-supporting surface is fastened to the garment bag along a pad fastening line adjacent to the end opening with the pad lying on the interior side of the opening before being deployed outwardly towards overlying the adjacent floor surface and end flap to serve as a changing mat for a user.
- FIG. 5 is a pictorial depiction of the bag of FIG. 4 with the pad and flap both fully deployed, the pad being of a shape and dimension to cause the pad to overlie the attachment means present around the periphery of the flap and thereby serve to protect the attachment means on the flap from damage that may arise from placing footwear on the pad.
- FIG. 6 is a pictorial depiction of the bag of FIG. 5 wherein the bag is supported on an upright frame with the pad and flap are both stored within the end opening on the bag.
- FIG. 7 is a pictorial depiction of the bag of FIG. 6 wherein the pad and flap are both deployed in a footwear-changing position on the adjacent floor and the pad is longer than the flap so that it can be folded-over on storage to close-off the pad surface.
- FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10 are photographs of the hockey bag as conceived by the inventor with the skate-changing pad outwardly deployed.
- a garment bag 1 of longitudinal, sausage-like dimensions has a longitudinal zipper 2 along a top portion 3 , closed side portions 4 and a bottom portion 5 shown in FIG. 1 as resting along the floor 6 .
- An end opening 7 formed on the bag 1 is covered by an openable flap 8 fastened to the bag 1 along a flap fastening line 8 A at a location adjacent to the end opening 7 .
- the flap 8 is attached to the bag 1 along a flap folding line 10 so that, with the flap 8 in its open position, the flap 8 may be deployed outwardly to cover a portion of the floor 6 adjacent to the end of the bag 1 .
- flap 8 While the flap 8 is shown in FIG. 1 as being connected to the bag 1 along a flap fastening line 8 A which is located at or near the bottom surface 5 of the bag 1 , adjacent to the plane of the surface supporting the bag 1 as it rests on the floor 6 , the flap 8 may have its fastening line 8 A located elsewhere around the periphery of the end opening 7 , including along the top of the end opening 7 .
- the flap fastening line 8 A may also be located higher-up on the bag, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
- the flap 8 has a peripheral edge 11 which is of a shape and dimension complementary to the boundary 12 of the end opening 7 against which the peripheral edge 11 of the flap 8 is positionable in order for the flap 8 to cover such opening 7 when the flap 8 is closed.
- the flap 8 has attachment means, depicted as being in the form of a zipper-type fastener 13 , to hold the flap 8 in a closed position against the end opening 7 when the flap 8 is in its closed position.
- the end opening 7 may open into the interior of the bag 1 .
- the garment bag 1 may incorporate an interior end panel 14 as shown in FIG. 3 , located at a position which is interior to the end opening 7 .
- the interior end panel 14 together with the flap 8 , defines an end pocket 15 for the garment bag 1 .
- the volume of the end pocket 15 may be enlarged by an end pocket wall 16 connected to the garment bag 1 around the periphery of the interior end panel 14 .
- FIG. 4 Omitted from FIGS. 1-3 due to clarity, but shown in FIG. 4 , is a flexible pad 17 fastened to the garment bag 1 adjacent to the end opening 7 and folded-up in FIG. 4 for storage within the end opening 7 .
- the flexible pad 17 is connected to the bag 1 so that, as shown in FIG. 5 , the pad 17 may be deployed outwardly so as to overlie an adjacent floor 6 surface when the flap 8 is in its open, deployed, configuration.
- the pad 17 has a footwear-supporting surface 18 on the upwardly directed face that is exposed when the pad 17 is so deployed to serve as a footwear-changing mat for a user.
- This footwear supporting face 18 in FIG. 5 is depicted as a layer of rubber textured with ribs and grooves but alternately may be carpeting.
- the pad fastening line 19 may also be located along a portion of the bag 1 exterior to the end opening 7 , as when the flap fastening line 8 A is located elsewhere around the periphery of the end opening 7 , including along the top of the end opening 7 .
- the pad 17 has a shape and dimension around its free periphery 20 which is larger than the shape and dimension of the bag end opening 7 adjacent the pad fastening line 19 .
- the pad 17 may be cut to the width of the end opening 7 just above its fastening line 19 in order to allow the pad 17 to be folded outwardly through the end opening 7 for deployment or inwardly for storage.
- the fastening line 19 for the pad 17 may be located back from the end opening 7 sufficiently to allow the pad 17 to be folded through the end opening 7 .
- the pad 17 is of a shape and dimension to allow the pad 17 , when outwardly deployed, to extend beyond and overlie the peripheral edge 11 of the flap 8 . More preferably, the pad 17 has a shape and dimension that provides a surface area 17 that is greater than the shape and dimension defining the surface area of the flap 8 , and even more preferably the pad 17 has a surface area that is at least twice that of the flap 8 .
- the peripheral edge 11 of the flap 8 is provided with attachment means such as a zipper 13 for closing the end opening 7
- attachment means such as a zipper 13 for closing the end opening 7
- the fact that the pad 17 is of a shape and dimension to allow the pad 17 , when outwardly deployed, to extend beyond and overlie the zipper which serves as attachment means 13 present around the periphery 11 of the flap 8 serves to protect the attachment means 13 on the flap 8 from damage that may arise from placing footwear on the pad 17 .
- the flap 8 and pad 17 are integrally connected to each other.
- the pad 17 and flap 8 may share common fastening lines 19 , 8 A.
- the pad 17 is larger than the flap 8 , by reason of the flexible nature of the pad 17 , when the flap 8 is to be closed, the pad 17 may first be tucked within the end opening 7 for storage before sealing the end opening 7 with the attachment means 13 on the flap 8 .
- the footwear-supporting surface 18 is a waterproof surface such as molded rubber with textured or raised ribs interspersed with grooves to accumulate water beneath its upper surface.
- polymeric foam may be provided in the under-layer of the pad 17 to provide a cushioning waterproof surface.
- the pad 17 that may also be provided with a footwear-supporting surface made of a carpet material 21 , as shown in FIG. 7 .
- a carpeted surface is more resistant to damage that may arise from exposure to the sharpened edges of skates.
- Such carpet material 21 need not necessarily cover the entire surface of the pad 17 , but preferably will do so.
- the bag 1 is supported on an upright frame 22 having wheels to serve as a cart.
- the pad 17 and flap 8 are both shown as being stored within the bag 1 before being deployed in a footwear-changing position on the adjacent floor 6 .
- the end opening 7 , pocket 15 and fastening lines 8 A, 19 are not formed adjacent to the bottom 5 of the bag 1 as in the case of the bag 1 resting longitudinally on the floor 6 in FIG. 1 , but are formed towards the end of the bag 1 and extend partly up onto its upper surface 3 .
- a deployable pad cover may be fastened to the garment bag 1 adjacent to the end opening 7 along a pad-cover fastening line that is located at a position interior to the pad fastening line 19 , the pad cover being of a size and dimension and being connected to the bag 1 so that when the pad 17 is placed in a stored condition within the end opening 7 of the garment bag 1 , the pad cover will cover the adjacent surface of the pad 17 , limiting the transfer of dirt from the pad into the garment bag 1 .
- the pad 17 may be greater, e.g. approximately twice the length of the flap 8 , extending away from the fastening lines 8 A, 19 whereby the outer portion of the pad 17 may be folded-over on itself for storage, covering at least a substantial portion of the pad 17 when it is stored in the bag and providing substantially the same benefits as a pad cover.
- the pad 17 is preferably at least slightly larger than the flap 8 laterally to provide protection for the fastening means 13 along the edge of the flap 8 , and accordingly is larger than the opening 7 .
- the upper surface of the pad 17 is depicted as having a portion covered with carpet 21 . This portion may or may not extend for the full width and length of the pad 17 but preferably should do so.
- FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10 are photographs of the garment bag 1 supported on the upright frame 22 having wheels to serve as a cart, as conceived by the inventor with the skate changing pad outwardly deployed.
- the pad 17 extends outwardly away from the garment bag 1 , extending from an end opening 7 so as to overlie the floor 6 .
- Beneath the pad 17 is the closure flap 8 , concealed because it is totally covered by the pad 17 .
- the pad 17 is of a greater length than the flap 8 and may be advantageously folded-over on itself for storage, covering at least a substantial portion of the pad 17 when it is stored in the bag.
Abstract
A garment bag with an end opening and a flap for covering the end opening has an interior pad located within the end opening which pad may be deployed outwardly to provide a foot-changing surface. The interior pad is preferably of a size and dimension which is larger than the opening in the end of the garment bag. In cases where the flap is provided with a peripheral fastening means along its outer edge, the interior pad is preferably of a size and dimension which will allow it, when deployed, to overlie and cover not only the end flap but also the peripheral fasting means along the outer edge of the end flap. The changing surface may be either rubberized or carpeted, and a pad may sufficiently long as to be folded over to substantially cover the changing surface when the pad is stored within the end opening of the bag.
Description
- This application is based on and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/880,960 which was filed on Jan. 18, 2007.
- This invention relates to luggage and the like used for carrying garments etc. and in particular relates to a sports garment bag suitable to carry hockey equipment, including skates.
- Persons participating in sporting events, particularly hockey events, typically carry equipment to the event in a garment bag. Such garment bags are equipped with various ancillary features allowing for the convenient transportation not only of clothing but also of smaller items, such as water bottles, rulebooks, eyeglasses etc. It is typical for these ancillary items to be carried in supplementary pockets formed on a garment bag, as at one end of the bag. It is also typical for garment bags to have an end panel access opening by which smaller items may be inserted easily into the bag at one end, either into a pocket or into the main interior of the bag.
- In the case of one type of garment bag, a bag of generally elongated, sausage-like configuration, a longitudinal zipper is provided along the longer face of the bag to allow access to the main interior of the bag. Such a bag may also be provided with an end opening or end pocket through a panel that is fastened to the fabric of the bag, as by a fabric hinge. This exterior end panel or flap typically can be drawn over the top surface of the bag at the end of the bag, or over an interior pocket defining the actual end of the interior volume of the bag, to serve as a flap that defines the exterior of an outside end-of-bag access opening or pocket access.
- Typically, the flap serving as the closure for such an end opening or pocket is held in place by a peripheral zipper. The zipper is divided into two half-zipper portions. One half-zipper is formed around the periphery of the flap, and the other half zipper is attached to the surface opening in the bag. Alternately, when an end pocket is present a pocket wall border may extend outwardly from the end of an interior panel of the bag and the second half zipper may be attached to the boundary of the pocket wall border.
- While reference is made to a zipper, alternate fasting means may be employed, including the hook and loop type fastener typically sold under the trademark Velcro.
- It is convenient when changing footwear to have a surface upon which a person can rest their foot other than on the floor. It is also convenient when skates are being put-on, to have a pad beneath the skates so the blades of the skates will not contact the floor. In the case of skates, contact with the floor may either mar the floor, or if the floor is made of concrete, dull the edges of the skates. And when ordinary footwear is being changed, it may be desirable to have the footwear rest against a surface which will prevent the footwear from slipping.
- It would be advantageous to combine a garment bag of the type described above with a system for providing a surface to assist a person in donning and removing footwear. This invention addresses that objective.
- According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,612 to Buccioni issued Aug. 25, 1998 for a “Sports equipment carrier”, a carrier for hockey equipment includes a generally box-shaped container body which is molded in a high-impact plastic material, and has a pair of wheels at its bottom rear edge. A corresponding Canadian patent is CA 2,145,612 issued Oct. 31, 1999. The container has doors at the front, and a lower door can be folded down to form a platform on which a player can stand while dressing and undressing, or to serve as a footrest. A square of carpet is removably confined within three edges of door to provide a dry standing surface. The present invention addresses a similar objective from a different aspect.
- The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this Specification.
- According to the present invention in one aspect, a garment bag is provided with an openable flap generally located at an end thereof, covering an opening on the bag. The bag and flap are preferably made of textile material. The end opening may be located either fully at the end of the bag, or may be located towards the end of the bag, extending partially or entirely along the upper surface of the bag. The flap is fastened to the bag along a flap fastening line that is connected to the bag so that the flap may be deployed outwardly to provide a bag with an opening. The periphery of the flap is preferably provided with attachment means to hold the flap in a closed position against the opening formed in the garment bag.
- The opening on the bag that receives the flap has a specific shape and dimension. The flap has a peripheral edge which is complementary to and corresponds with the boundary of the opening. The peripheral edge of the flap is generally positioned adjacent to the boundary of the opening when the flap is closed.
- According to the invention, in addition to and preferably positioned interior to the flap, a flexible pad is fastened to the garment bag adjacent the end opening. The pad is fastened to the bag along a pad fastening line, preferably located at a position interior to the flap, connected so that the pad may be deployed outwardly when the flap is in its open configuration to serve as a footwear-changing pad. For this purpose, in one variant the pad fastening line is located at or near the bottom surface of the bag, adjacent to the plane of the bottom surface supporting the bag when the bag rests longitudinally on the floor. This variant permits the flap to be deployed when the bag is resting longitudinally on the floor.
- In another variant, the pad fastening line is located upwardly from the bottom surface of the bag, permitting the pad to be folded outwardly when the bag is partially elevated off the ground or fully erect as when the bottom surface of the bag is supported by an upright rack. In either case, the flexible pad, when deployed outwardly (as by bending along or proximate to its pad fastening line), is so attached to the bag that, when deployed, the pad will cover a portion of the floor adjacent to the end of the bag and serve as a changing mat for a user.
- As indicated above, the body of the bag may either extend horizontally across the floor on which it rests or extend upwardly as when the bag is carried on a near vertically-oriented rack. In either case, when the pad is in its deployed configuration, the pad is positioned to serve as a mat or changing surface for persons putting-on or removing footwear. In this configuration, this changing pad will protect the floor surface and provide a convenient support for footwear being donned by a user.
- In either case, according to this preferred embodiment of the invention, it is a preferred feature of the invention that the pad has a shape and dimension around its free periphery such that, when the pad and flap are both outwardly deployed, the pad is larger than the flap.
- According to a further preferred variant of the invention, as indicated previously the peripheral edge of the flap is provided with attachment means for engagement with complementary attachment means carried around the boundary of the end opening. Such attachment means may include a standard zipper fastener, a hook and loop fastener or other equivalent arrangements for affixing the flap in a closed configuration, closing the opening of the bag.
- According to the further preferred variant of the invention, the pad is of such a shape and dimension as to allow the pad, when outwardly deployed, to extend beyond and overlie the attachment means present around the periphery of the flap. This latter feature serves to protect the attachment means on the flap from damage that may arise from placing footwear on the pad. In particular, this latter feature serves to protect the attachment means from being cut by the edge of skate blades as they are being donned by a user using the changing mat.
- Pursuant to an additional variant of the invention, the pad may be approximately longer than the flap, e.g. twice the length of the flap, when extending away from the pad fastening line whereby it may be folded-over on itself for storage, serving as its own pad cover to keep dirt from the pad from entering the bag interior.
- In any variant, the pad may provide an exposed surface in the form of a rubber or rubberized mat, preferably textured with ridges and grooves. Alternately, the upper surface of the pad may have all or a portion of its surface covered with carpet material. In either case, such special surface portions may or may not extend for the full width and length of the pad.
- The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow.
-
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a garment bag according to the invention resting on the floor. The bag has an end opening with an openable flap fastened along its boundary and shown as deployed on the floor inFIG. 1 . Omitted for clarity fromFIG. 1 is a footwear-changing pad or mat according to the invention. -
FIG. 2 is bag ofFIG. 1 wherein the flap is shown partially closed using a zipper-type fastener. -
FIG. 3 is a pictorial depiction of a variant of the garment bag ofFIG. 1 which incorporates an end panel within the interior to the bag defining the interior surface of a pocket and a peripheral end pocket wall to define, along with the openable flap, an end pocket for the garment bag. -
FIG. 4 is a pictorial depiction of the bag ofFIG. 3 wherein the flexible pad with a footwear-supporting surface is fastened to the garment bag along a pad fastening line adjacent to the end opening with the pad lying on the interior side of the opening before being deployed outwardly towards overlying the adjacent floor surface and end flap to serve as a changing mat for a user. -
FIG. 5 is a pictorial depiction of the bag ofFIG. 4 with the pad and flap both fully deployed, the pad being of a shape and dimension to cause the pad to overlie the attachment means present around the periphery of the flap and thereby serve to protect the attachment means on the flap from damage that may arise from placing footwear on the pad. -
FIG. 6 is a pictorial depiction of the bag ofFIG. 5 wherein the bag is supported on an upright frame with the pad and flap are both stored within the end opening on the bag. -
FIG. 7 is a pictorial depiction of the bag ofFIG. 6 wherein the pad and flap are both deployed in a footwear-changing position on the adjacent floor and the pad is longer than the flap so that it can be folded-over on storage to close-off the pad surface. -
FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10 are photographs of the hockey bag as conceived by the inventor with the skate-changing pad outwardly deployed. - In
FIG. 1 agarment bag 1 of longitudinal, sausage-like dimensions has alongitudinal zipper 2 along atop portion 3, closedside portions 4 and abottom portion 5 shown inFIG. 1 as resting along thefloor 6. Anend opening 7 formed on thebag 1 is covered by anopenable flap 8 fastened to thebag 1 along aflap fastening line 8A at a location adjacent to theend opening 7. - In
FIG. 1 theflap 8 is attached to thebag 1 along aflap folding line 10 so that, with theflap 8 in its open position, theflap 8 may be deployed outwardly to cover a portion of thefloor 6 adjacent to the end of thebag 1. - While the
flap 8 is shown inFIG. 1 as being connected to thebag 1 along aflap fastening line 8A which is located at or near thebottom surface 5 of thebag 1, adjacent to the plane of the surface supporting thebag 1 as it rests on thefloor 6, theflap 8 may have itsfastening line 8A located elsewhere around the periphery of theend opening 7, including along the top of theend opening 7. Theflap fastening line 8A may also be located higher-up on the bag, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 . - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 theflap 8 has aperipheral edge 11 which is of a shape and dimension complementary to theboundary 12 of theend opening 7 against which theperipheral edge 11 of theflap 8 is positionable in order for theflap 8 to coversuch opening 7 when theflap 8 is closed. Theflap 8 has attachment means, depicted as being in the form of a zipper-type fastener 13, to hold theflap 8 in a closed position against theend opening 7 when theflap 8 is in its closed position. - The
end opening 7 may open into the interior of thebag 1. Alternately, thegarment bag 1 may incorporate aninterior end panel 14 as shown inFIG. 3 , located at a position which is interior to theend opening 7. Theinterior end panel 14, together with theflap 8, defines anend pocket 15 for thegarment bag 1. As shown inFIG. 3 , the volume of theend pocket 15 may be enlarged by anend pocket wall 16 connected to thegarment bag 1 around the periphery of theinterior end panel 14. - Omitted from
FIGS. 1-3 due to clarity, but shown inFIG. 4 , is aflexible pad 17 fastened to thegarment bag 1 adjacent to theend opening 7 and folded-up inFIG. 4 for storage within theend opening 7. Theflexible pad 17 is connected to thebag 1 so that, as shown inFIG. 5 , thepad 17 may be deployed outwardly so as to overlie anadjacent floor 6 surface when theflap 8 is in its open, deployed, configuration. Thepad 17 has a footwear-supportingsurface 18 on the upwardly directed face that is exposed when thepad 17 is so deployed to serve as a footwear-changing mat for a user. Thisfootwear supporting face 18 inFIG. 5 is depicted as a layer of rubber textured with ribs and grooves but alternately may be carpeting. - While the
pad 17 as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 is fastened to thegarment bag 1 along apad fastening line 19 that is located at a position interior to theend opening 7, thepad fastening line 19 may also be located along a portion of thebag 1 exterior to theend opening 7, as when theflap fastening line 8A is located elsewhere around the periphery of theend opening 7, including along the top of theend opening 7. - As a preferred feature of the invention, the
pad 17 has a shape and dimension around itsfree periphery 20 which is larger than the shape and dimension of thebag end opening 7 adjacent thepad fastening line 19. This allows thepad 17, as shown inFIG. 4 , to be tucked within theend opening 7 for storage before closing theflap 8 when thepad 17 not deployed. Thepad 17 may be cut to the width of theend opening 7 just above itsfastening line 19 in order to allow thepad 17 to be folded outwardly through theend opening 7 for deployment or inwardly for storage. Alternately, thefastening line 19 for thepad 17 may be located back from theend opening 7 sufficiently to allow thepad 17 to be folded through theend opening 7. - As a further preferred feature of the invention depicted in
FIG. 5 , thepad 17 is of a shape and dimension to allow thepad 17, when outwardly deployed, to extend beyond and overlie theperipheral edge 11 of theflap 8. More preferably, thepad 17 has a shape and dimension that provides asurface area 17 that is greater than the shape and dimension defining the surface area of theflap 8, and even more preferably thepad 17 has a surface area that is at least twice that of theflap 8. - Where the
peripheral edge 11 of theflap 8 is provided with attachment means such as azipper 13 for closing theend opening 7, the fact that thepad 17 is of a shape and dimension to allow thepad 17, when outwardly deployed, to extend beyond and overlie the zipper which serves as attachment means 13 present around theperiphery 11 of theflap 8, serves to protect the attachment means 13 on theflap 8 from damage that may arise from placing footwear on thepad 17. - In
FIG. 5 , theflap 8 andpad 17 are integrally connected to each other. In this case, thepad 17 andflap 8 may sharecommon fastening lines pad 17 is larger than theflap 8, by reason of the flexible nature of thepad 17, when theflap 8 is to be closed, thepad 17 may first be tucked within theend opening 7 for storage before sealing theend opening 7 with the attachment means 13 on theflap 8. - As also shown in
FIG. 5 , the footwear-supportingsurface 18 is a waterproof surface such as molded rubber with textured or raised ribs interspersed with grooves to accumulate water beneath its upper surface. With or without such a textured surface, polymeric foam may be provided in the under-layer of thepad 17 to provide a cushioning waterproof surface. - While not depicted in
FIG. 5 , thepad 17 that may also be provided with a footwear-supporting surface made of acarpet material 21, as shown inFIG. 7 . A carpeted surface is more resistant to damage that may arise from exposure to the sharpened edges of skates.Such carpet material 21 need not necessarily cover the entire surface of thepad 17, but preferably will do so. - In
FIG. 6 thebag 1 is supported on anupright frame 22 having wheels to serve as a cart. InFIG. 6 thepad 17 andflap 8 are both shown as being stored within thebag 1 before being deployed in a footwear-changing position on theadjacent floor 6. In this case theend opening 7,pocket 15 andfastening lines bottom 5 of thebag 1 as in the case of thebag 1 resting longitudinally on thefloor 6 inFIG. 1 , but are formed towards the end of thebag 1 and extend partly up onto itsupper surface 3. - Optionally, and not shown, a deployable pad cover may be fastened to the
garment bag 1 adjacent to theend opening 7 along a pad-cover fastening line that is located at a position interior to thepad fastening line 19, the pad cover being of a size and dimension and being connected to thebag 1 so that when thepad 17 is placed in a stored condition within theend opening 7 of thegarment bag 1, the pad cover will cover the adjacent surface of thepad 17, limiting the transfer of dirt from the pad into thegarment bag 1. - Alternately, as shown in
FIG. 7 , thepad 17 may be greater, e.g. approximately twice the length of theflap 8, extending away from thefastening lines pad 17 may be folded-over on itself for storage, covering at least a substantial portion of thepad 17 when it is stored in the bag and providing substantially the same benefits as a pad cover. Again, thepad 17 is preferably at least slightly larger than theflap 8 laterally to provide protection for the fastening means 13 along the edge of theflap 8, and accordingly is larger than theopening 7. - In
FIG. 7 , the upper surface of thepad 17 is depicted as having a portion covered withcarpet 21. This portion may or may not extend for the full width and length of thepad 17 but preferably should do so. -
FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10 are photographs of thegarment bag 1 supported on theupright frame 22 having wheels to serve as a cart, as conceived by the inventor with the skate changing pad outwardly deployed. In each case, thepad 17 extends outwardly away from thegarment bag 1, extending from anend opening 7 so as to overlie thefloor 6. Beneath thepad 17 is theclosure flap 8, concealed because it is totally covered by thepad 17. - In
FIG. 10 , thepad 17 is of a greater length than theflap 8 and may be advantageously folded-over on itself for storage, covering at least a substantial portion of thepad 17 when it is stored in the bag. - The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects is further described and defined in the claims which now follow.
- These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention which have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.
Claims (20)
1. A garment bag of flexible material with a bottom surface and an end portion comprising:
a) an end opening of specific shape and dimension formed on said bag, the end opening having an end opening boundary;
b) an openable flap for closing the end opening, the flap being fastened to the bag along a flap fastening line at a location adjacent to the end opening, the flap having attachment means to hold the flap over the end opening when the flap is in its closed position;
c) the flap having a peripheral edge which is of a shape and dimension complementary to the boundary of the end opening against which the peripheral edge of the flap is positionable sufficient for the flap to cover such opening when the flap is closed, and
d) a flexible pad having an upper surface and fastened to the garment bag adjacent to the end opening along a pad fastening line, the flexible pad being connected to the bag so that the pad may be deployed outwardly through the end opening when the flap is in its open configuration and having a footwear-supporting surface on an upwardly directed face on the pad that is exposed when the pad is so deployed,
whereby, with the flap in its open position, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie a portion of a floor adjacent to the end of the bag and provide a footware-supporting surface to serve as a changing mat for a user.
2. A garment bag as in claim 1 wherein the pad has a shape and dimension around its free periphery which is larger than the shape and dimension of the bag end opening.
3. A garment bag as in claim 2 wherein the pad fastening line and flap fastening line are both located adjacent the end opening to permit both the flap and pad to be deployed outwardly to cover a portion of a floor adjacent to the end of the bag when the pad is to serve as a changing mat for a user.
4. A garment bag as in claim 3 wherein the pad, when deployed outwardly along with the flap to overlie a portion of a floor adjacent to the end of the bag, overlies the flap.
5. A garment bag as in claim 3 wherein the peripheral edge of the flap is provided with attachment means for engagement with complementary attachment means carried around the boundary of the end opening and wherein the pad is of a shape and dimension to allow the pad, when outwardly deployed, to extend beyond and overlie the attachment means present around the periphery of the flap, thereby serving to protect the attachment means on the flap from damage that may arise from placing footwear on the pad.
6. A garment bag as in claim 1 wherein the flap and pad are integrally connected to each other.
7. A garment bag as in claim 1 wherein the footwear-supporting surface is a waterproof surface.
8. A garment bag as in claim 7 wherein the footwear-supporting surface comprises rubber material presenting raised ribs interspersed with grooves.
9. A garment bag as in claim 1 wherein the footwear-supporting surface is a carpeted surface.
10. A garment bag as in 1 wherein the pad has a length when deployed which is longer than the length of the deployed flap and may be folded-back over onto itself so as to contain at least a substantial portion of its upper surface when the pad is stored within the bag.
11. A garment bag as in claim 10 wherein the pad when deployed has a length which is substantially twice the length of the deployed flap.
12. A garment bag as in claim 1 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
13. A garment bag as in claim 2 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
14. A garment bag as in claim 3 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
15. A garment bag as in claim 4 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
16. A garment bag as in claim 5 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
17. A garment bag as in claim 6 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
18. A garment bag as in claim 7 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
19. A garment bag as in claim 8 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
20. A garment bag as in claim 9 in combination with a cart whereby, when the cart is in an upright position and the flap is open, the pad may be deployed outwardly to overlie the floor.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/015,989 US20080179205A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 | 2008-01-17 | Sports garment bag with foot mat |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US88096007P | 2007-01-18 | 2007-01-18 | |
US12/015,989 US20080179205A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 | 2008-01-17 | Sports garment bag with foot mat |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080179205A1 true US20080179205A1 (en) | 2008-07-31 |
Family
ID=39666722
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/015,989 Abandoned US20080179205A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 | 2008-01-17 | Sports garment bag with foot mat |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080179205A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100078280A1 (en) * | 2007-03-15 | 2010-04-01 | Core Brand, Inc. | Sports equipment bag |
US20150174466A1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Kevin Paul Folland and Kevin Joseph Gallant, a Partnership | Coaches' Game Bag |
WO2017176450A1 (en) * | 2016-04-05 | 2017-10-12 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Collapsible, lightweight container for sorting and delivery of packaged items |
US20170332752A1 (en) * | 2016-05-18 | 2017-11-23 | Judith MCGINLEY | Travel bag |
USD805762S1 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2017-12-26 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Sortation and delivery bag |
GB2597138A (en) * | 2020-07-14 | 2022-01-19 | Julian Chiffers John | Collapsible portable closet |
Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2084854A (en) * | 1935-02-28 | 1937-06-22 | Mccarthy Ellen | Clothes drier |
US2540165A (en) * | 1946-08-30 | 1951-02-06 | Fiel David | Combination beach bag and beach mat |
US3310180A (en) * | 1965-05-03 | 1967-03-21 | Neagle Richard | Demountable clothes-stand for children's clothes |
US4068786A (en) * | 1976-08-16 | 1978-01-17 | King Baby Corporation | Shoulder baby bag |
US4154323A (en) * | 1978-07-17 | 1979-05-15 | Sneider Jill A | Multi-purpose bag |
US4194601A (en) * | 1978-03-20 | 1980-03-25 | Yellin Kathleen F | Combination body rest and totebag |
US4297795A (en) * | 1980-06-06 | 1981-11-03 | Vito Licari | Portable drying rack |
US4807766A (en) * | 1986-11-17 | 1989-02-28 | Rossano Compagnucci | Domestic clothes drying rack |
US5076405A (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1991-12-31 | Alfredo Modica | Combination carrying case and beach accessory |
US5377849A (en) * | 1993-04-14 | 1995-01-03 | Martin; Harold G. | Sports equipment rack |
US5394619A (en) * | 1994-03-14 | 1995-03-07 | Kaplan; Bruce E. | Portable clothes dryer and room humidifier |
US5649658A (en) * | 1995-03-03 | 1997-07-22 | Nappie Sak, Inc. | Backpack having detachable infant changing pad |
US5797612A (en) * | 1995-03-24 | 1998-08-25 | Buccioni; Aldo | Sports equipment carrier |
US5845780A (en) * | 1997-06-24 | 1998-12-08 | Allen; Vickey L. | Athletic bag |
US5906277A (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 1999-05-25 | Vienneau; Gerald | Gear bag |
US6001456A (en) * | 1997-11-28 | 1999-12-14 | Newland; John Richard | Door mat having differing messages when viewed from incoming and existing sides |
US6095385A (en) * | 1999-06-03 | 2000-08-01 | Utu; Lemigao | Hockey equipment bag |
US6134806A (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 2000-10-24 | Dhaemers; Gregory L. | Bag with air distributor and ozone generator |
US6742635B2 (en) * | 2000-12-20 | 2004-06-01 | Jr286 Inc. | Sports bag including an attached mat |
US6780101B2 (en) * | 2000-06-14 | 2004-08-24 | 4344953 Manitoba Ltd. | Drying bag for sports equipment and the like |
US7222705B1 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2007-05-29 | Guza David E | Floor shield carrying bag accessory |
US7644810B2 (en) * | 2006-07-25 | 2010-01-12 | Cameron Duncan | Sports equipment bag with integrated stool |
-
2008
- 2008-01-17 US US12/015,989 patent/US20080179205A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2084854A (en) * | 1935-02-28 | 1937-06-22 | Mccarthy Ellen | Clothes drier |
US2540165A (en) * | 1946-08-30 | 1951-02-06 | Fiel David | Combination beach bag and beach mat |
US3310180A (en) * | 1965-05-03 | 1967-03-21 | Neagle Richard | Demountable clothes-stand for children's clothes |
US4068786A (en) * | 1976-08-16 | 1978-01-17 | King Baby Corporation | Shoulder baby bag |
US4194601A (en) * | 1978-03-20 | 1980-03-25 | Yellin Kathleen F | Combination body rest and totebag |
US4154323A (en) * | 1978-07-17 | 1979-05-15 | Sneider Jill A | Multi-purpose bag |
US4297795A (en) * | 1980-06-06 | 1981-11-03 | Vito Licari | Portable drying rack |
US4807766A (en) * | 1986-11-17 | 1989-02-28 | Rossano Compagnucci | Domestic clothes drying rack |
US5076405A (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1991-12-31 | Alfredo Modica | Combination carrying case and beach accessory |
US5377849A (en) * | 1993-04-14 | 1995-01-03 | Martin; Harold G. | Sports equipment rack |
US5394619A (en) * | 1994-03-14 | 1995-03-07 | Kaplan; Bruce E. | Portable clothes dryer and room humidifier |
US5649658A (en) * | 1995-03-03 | 1997-07-22 | Nappie Sak, Inc. | Backpack having detachable infant changing pad |
US5797612A (en) * | 1995-03-24 | 1998-08-25 | Buccioni; Aldo | Sports equipment carrier |
US5845780A (en) * | 1997-06-24 | 1998-12-08 | Allen; Vickey L. | Athletic bag |
US6134806A (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 2000-10-24 | Dhaemers; Gregory L. | Bag with air distributor and ozone generator |
US6001456A (en) * | 1997-11-28 | 1999-12-14 | Newland; John Richard | Door mat having differing messages when viewed from incoming and existing sides |
US5906277A (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 1999-05-25 | Vienneau; Gerald | Gear bag |
US6095385A (en) * | 1999-06-03 | 2000-08-01 | Utu; Lemigao | Hockey equipment bag |
US6780101B2 (en) * | 2000-06-14 | 2004-08-24 | 4344953 Manitoba Ltd. | Drying bag for sports equipment and the like |
US6742635B2 (en) * | 2000-12-20 | 2004-06-01 | Jr286 Inc. | Sports bag including an attached mat |
US7222705B1 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2007-05-29 | Guza David E | Floor shield carrying bag accessory |
US7644810B2 (en) * | 2006-07-25 | 2010-01-12 | Cameron Duncan | Sports equipment bag with integrated stool |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100078280A1 (en) * | 2007-03-15 | 2010-04-01 | Core Brand, Inc. | Sports equipment bag |
US20150174466A1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Kevin Paul Folland and Kevin Joseph Gallant, a Partnership | Coaches' Game Bag |
WO2017176450A1 (en) * | 2016-04-05 | 2017-10-12 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Collapsible, lightweight container for sorting and delivery of packaged items |
USD805762S1 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2017-12-26 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Sortation and delivery bag |
US10405621B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2019-09-10 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Collapsible, lightweight container for sorting and delivery of packaged items |
US20170332752A1 (en) * | 2016-05-18 | 2017-11-23 | Judith MCGINLEY | Travel bag |
GB2597138A (en) * | 2020-07-14 | 2022-01-19 | Julian Chiffers John | Collapsible portable closet |
GB2597138B (en) * | 2020-07-14 | 2024-04-17 | Julian Chiffers John | Collapsible portable closet |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6742635B2 (en) | Sports bag including an attached mat | |
US6920655B2 (en) | Multi-purpose mat | |
US5413199A (en) | Equipment bag having a removable inner mesh sack | |
US6283260B1 (en) | Storage device | |
US5843556A (en) | Multi purpose beach towel, tote bag, and chair cover | |
US6212711B1 (en) | Mat for clothing change and carry | |
CA2205607C (en) | Sports bag | |
US20130125307A1 (en) | Towel | |
US5730529A (en) | Combination beach mat and carrying device | |
US5443880A (en) | Pocket-containing towel or blanket | |
US20200037719A1 (en) | Luggage system | |
US20080179205A1 (en) | Sports garment bag with foot mat | |
US5383727A (en) | Pouch readily adaptable for attachment to mounting surface | |
US7644810B2 (en) | Sports equipment bag with integrated stool | |
WO2003047386A1 (en) | Sports equipment bag, organizer and ventilator | |
US6216297B1 (en) | Pak-a-pillow | |
US20140262658A1 (en) | Rain Gear System | |
US20060272092A1 (en) | Beach blanket | |
JPH10510193A (en) | Roll pack | |
US20060175171A1 (en) | Traveling bag protector | |
US7077252B2 (en) | Combination golf bag travel cover and suitcase | |
US6371641B1 (en) | Collapsible seat and cape | |
US20220338573A1 (en) | Umbrella Holding Coat Device | |
CA2448164A1 (en) | Combination equipment cover and sleeping device | |
US20060144487A1 (en) | Protective cover for a handbag and combination |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |