Carry-All
A multi-compartment bag configured to objects specific to one or more applications is described herein. The multi-compartment bag comprises a housing having sides extending between a base and a top, a fastener, e.g., a zipper or snap, to connect the top to at least one of the sides, a panel releasably connected to the top, and two or more modular containers configured to fit within the housing. The modular containers sub-divide the housing into two or more compartments. The multi-compartment bag may further comprise an insert configured to hold an object within the modular container. The insert may include one or more cutouts that frictionally hold one or more objects.
The present invention relates generally to tote bags, and more particularly to multi-compartment bags.
Business and trade professionals often use various bags, containers, and satchels to store and transport supplies and equipment. In some cases, the professional requires multiple bags of various sizes and shapes to store and transport a variety of equipment and supplies. For example, a police officer may use multiple bags for various law enforcement equipment and supplies, e.g., laptop computer, forensic kits, notepads, pens, files, handcuffs, ammunition, guns, flashlight, etc. It is often difficult to organize and transport multiple bags.
SUMMARYThe present invention solves this problem by providing a multi-compartment bag configured to organize objects, such as objects associated with a particular profession or application. The multi-compartment bag comprises a housing having sides extending between a base and a top, a fastener, e.g., a zipper or snap, to connect the top to at least one of the sides, a panel releasably connected to the top, and two or more modular containers configured to fit within the housing. The modular containers sub-divide the housing into two or more compartments.
In one exemplary embodiment, the multi-compartment bag may further comprise an insert disposed in at least one modular container. The insert is made from an elastic material configured to hold an object within the modular container. In one example, the insert includes one or more cutouts configured to frictionally hold one or more objects.
In another exemplary embodiment, the multi-compartment bag may further comprise a self-supporting bottom compartment. The bottom compartment may include a side access panel to enable the user to access any object stored within the bottom compartment without disturbing the contents in the housing.
Top 120 further includes a tear-away panel 125 releasably connected to the top 120 via a quick-release fastener 126, such as a hook and loop fastener. Panel 125 is configured to hold a pre-selected object within top 120 while simultaneously providing quick access to the desired object. For example, for law enforcement applications panel 125 may be configured to hold a firearm and/or ammunition, while for news professional applications, panel 125 may be configured to hold a voice recorder and/or a camera. The user may quickly access the object by pulling the panel 125 from the top 120 to separate the panel 125 from the top 120 (see
Top 120 is not limited to the illustrated configuration. For example, top 120 may be constructed from a single segment, and therefore does not require the pocket or middle segment 123. Further, tear-away panel 125 may be connected to an outer surface of top 120. In addition, while the illustrated top 120 comprises a single portion that enables the user to simultaneously access all of the contents inside housing 110, the top 120 may comprise multiple portions that enable the user to access limited sections of bag 100. For example, top 120 may be divided into left and right portions than enable the user to access only the left or right side of housing 110. Thus, it will be appreciated that top 120 may comprise other configurations not explicitly shown herein.
Bag 100 further includes two or more removable modular containers 140, as shown in
Modular container 140 may include one or more inserts 150 to hold and organize desired objects within the modular container 140. The inserts 150 may be made from any material having elastic properties that enable the insert 150 to readily expand and contract around an object. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, foam and rubber. The inserts 150 may use any means to confine objects within the modular container 140. For example, when the insert 150 comprises two elastic panels, objects may be confined when placed between the two panels. In another embodiment, an insert 150 may include one or more cutouts 152 sized to frictionally hold objects inserted into the cutouts 152.
Each insert 150 may be configured for any desired application. More particularly, an insert 150 may be configured to hold one or more objects that collectively apply to a particular application. For example, an insert 150 may be configured to hold photography objects for a photography application or law enforcement objects for a law enforcement application, as shown in
By configuring the inserts 150, bag 100 may be configured for any desired application. In some embodiments, the bag 100 may be configured for a single application, such as a law enforcement application. In other embodiments, the inserts 150 for the modular containers 140 in a customized bag 100 may be configured for multiple applications. For example, a bag 100 may be customized such that an insert 150 for one modular container 140 is configured for sports, while an insert 150 for another modular container 140 is configured for painting. In another example, a bag may be customized such that an insert 150 for one modular container is configured for a military application, while an insert 150 for another modular container 140 is configured for a medical application.
Bag 100 may further include one or more additional compartments connected to an external portion of the housing 110, e.g., side pockets 130. The side pockets 130 may include a top cover or flap to protect the items in the pockets 130. Alternatively, one or more of the side pockets 130 may include a zipper of other fastening means to close the pocket 130 and protect the contents of the pocket 130. The side pockets 130 may be configured to store any desired objects. In one embodiment, at least one of the side pockets 130 stores electronic devices, including but not limited to, laptop computers, personal data assistants, cellular telephones, etc. For example, a pocket 130 disposed on a front side 112 of the housing 110 may be configured to store a laptop computer. For this embodiment, the laptop computer may be disposed directly in the pocket 130, or may alternatively be disposed in a removable computer case 132. As shown in
Bag 100 may further include a self-supporting bottom compartment 180 that extends beneath the base 114 of housing 110, as shown in
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. A multi-compartment bag comprising:
- a housing comprising sides extending between a base and a top;
- a first fastener to connect the top to at least one of the sides;
- a panel releasably connected to said top;
- two or more removable modular containers configured to fit within the housing to sub-divide the housing into two or more compartments; and
- an insert disposed within at least one of the modular containers, said insert comprising a material having elastic properties and configured to hold an object within the corresponding modular container.
2. The multi-compartment bag of claim 1 further comprising a cutout in said insert, said cutout configured to frictionally hold the object placed within said cutout.
3. The multi-compartment bag of claim 2 wherein said cutout is configured to frictionally hold an object.
4. The multi-compartment bag of claim 3 wherein the object comprises an emergency service object.
5. The multi-compartment bag of claim 3 wherein the object comprises a photography object.
6. The multi-compartment bag of claim 2 wherein said cutout comprises one of a slot, cylindrical cutout, rectangular cutout, and triangular cutout.
7. The multi-compartment bag of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one modular container is made from a generally transparent material.
8. The multi-compartment bag of claim 1 wherein at least one of the modular containers comprises an insulated modular container.
9. The multi-compartment bag of claim 1 wherein the top comprises a pocket having a top segment connected to a bottom segment, and wherein the first fastener connects the bottom segment to at least one of the sides.
10. The multi-compartment bag of claim 9 wherein the top further includes a middle segment disposed between the top and bottom segments, wherein a second fastener connects the middle segment to the top segment, and wherein a third fastener connects the middle segment to the bottom segment.
11. The multi-compartment bag of claim 10 wherein said panel releasably connects to said middle segment.
12. The multi-compartment bag of claim 1 further comprising a hook and loop fastener configured to releasably connect said panel to said top.
13. The multi-compartment bag of claim 1 wherein said panel is configured to hold at least one of a firearm and ammunition.
14. The multi-compartment bag of claim 1 further comprising a self-supporting bottom compartment disposed beneath the base and having an access panel along one side.
15. The multi-compartment bag of claim 14 wherein the self-supporting bottom compartment is configured to hold a portable computing device.
16. A multi-compartment bag comprising:
- a housing comprising sides extending between a base and a top;
- a first fastener to connect the top to at least one of the sides;
- a panel releasably connected to said top;
- two or more removable modular containers configured to fit within the housing to sub-divide the housing into two or more compartments; and
- a self-supporting bottom compartment disposed beneath the base.
17. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein the top comprises a pocket having a top segment connected to a bottom segment, and wherein the first fastener connects the bottom segment to at least one of the sides.
18. The multi-compartment bag of claim 17 wherein the top further includes a middle segment disposed between the top and bottom segments, wherein a second fastener connects the middle segment to the top segment, and wherein a third fastener connects the middle segment to the bottom segment.
19. The multi-compartment bag of claim 17 wherein said panel releasably connects to said bottom segment.
20. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 further comprising a hook and loop fastener configured to releasably connect said panel to said top.
21. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein said panel is configured to hold at least one of a firearm and ammunition.
22. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein each modular container is configured to store one or more objects.
23. The multi-compartment bag of claim 22 wherein the objects comprise emergency service objects.
24. The multi-compartment bag of claim 22 wherein the objects comprise photography objects.
25. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein at least one of the modular containers comprises an insulated modular container.
26. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 further comprising an insert disposed within at least one of the modular containers, said insert made from a material having elastic properties and configured to hold an object within the corresponding modular container.
27. The multi-compartment bag of claim 26 further comprising a cutout in said insert, said cutout configured to frictionally hold the object placed within said cutout.
28. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein the first fastener comprises one of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, and a clip fastener.
29. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of at least one modular container is made from a generally transparent material.
30. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 further comprising one or more side pockets attached to one or more of the sides.
31. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein the self-supporting bottom compartment is configured to hold a portable computing device.
32. The multi-compartment bag of claim 16 wherein said bottom compartment includes an access panel disposed along one side of the bottom compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 11, 2007
Publication Date: Dec 11, 2008
Inventor: H. Lee Gupton, JR. (Raleigh, NC)
Application Number: 11/760,960
International Classification: A45C 3/00 (20060101);