TOOL BAG

Abstract

A soft sided bag for storage of tools includes a grotto shaped recessed pocket in at least one of the lateral side panels of the bag and further includes optional pouches affixed adjacent the grotto shaped pocket, the pouches including lids which may be pivoted between an open and closed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a tool bag and more particularly to a bag which includes an externally accessible pocket; namely, a pocket which is designed to receive and retain a generally rigid, parallelepiped storage box or similar container.

Workmen, tradesmen and the like often carry their tools in a bag. One type of bag that is favored by workmen is known as an open top bag. Such a bag typically has a rectangular parallelepiped configuration wherein the top is formed by positioning or folding the top margin of the lateral sides against one another and then providing a fastening mechanism, such as a zipper, to hold the folded sides together. Workmen will place their tools within such a bag and then close the bag. Handles on the top of the bag enable easy carriage thereof.

Often when workmen utilize such a bag they will position it at or near their worksite. Also, often the workmen require access to special tool parts such as drill bits, or other items such as nails, screws and the like. To search through the tool bag and find the desired item such as an accessory for their tool is often a troublesome and bothersome event. Consequently, many workmen will place items such as drill bits, fasteners and the like in hard plastic containers. They will then place the container in the interior of the bag and when needed, access it by reaching into the inside of the bag.

However, accessing such a container often requires additional time, effort and searching the interior of the bag. Thus, there has developed a need for an improved means to provide easy access to ancillary containers such as boxes or cases for drill bits, fasteners and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a tool bag having a generally parallelepiped shape wherein one of the side panels of the bag includes an open, recessed pocket formed in the side panel. The pocket is reinforced by a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcing board which facilitates formation and maintenance of the shape of the pocket. A partial front wall extends upwardly to cover or enclose the front side of the pocket. Thus, a workman may place a box containing various items within the pocket. The box will be held within the pocket by the front wall, but may be easily accessed, gripped and removed from the pocket. The bag of the invention optionally includes pouches attached to the outside of the lateral sides of the bag with lids on the pouches that are easily opened inasmuch as they pivot about a hinge type connection to the outside face of the bag. Thus, a workman may easily raise the lid and reach into the pocket or pouch to retrieve whatever item is desired.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved tool bag construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool bag construction which includes a recessed pocket in a side wall thereof which is generally open and which is designed to receive a hard sided storage container that may be easily accessed by a workman from the outside of the bag.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a ruggedly constructed bag which includes various pouches and pockets that facilitate the storage of and access to tools and their component parts and accessories.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive yet extremely useful tool bag.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention as viewed to expose an externally accessible pocket in a lateral side of a tool bag and to further illustrate additional pouches or pockets attached to the outside face of a lateral side of the bag;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein the pouches attached to the lateral side of the bag are opened;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the bag of FIG. 1 as viewed from the top side thereof with the mouth of the bag in the open position;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view illustrating the recessed pocket construction located in the side of the bag of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another isometric view illustrating the placement of a box in the recessed pocket in the side of the bag;

FIG. 7 is a cut away side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 wherein a second box containing items may be inserted into a pouch associated with the recessed pocket of the bag;

FIG. 9 is a sectioned, side elevation of the construction of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial view of the recessed pocket which is incorporated into the side wall of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an isometric sectional view of the pocket and pouch of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the pocket of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment of a tool bag depicted in the figures includes a bottom panel 20 which is generally rectangular in shape and typically is comprised of a fabric covered reinforced polyethylene board that is generally rectangular. A first lateral side 22 is attached along one edge to the bottom panel 20. A second side panel 24, which is substantially identical in shape and size to the first side panel 22, is attached to the opposite side of the bottom panel 20. A first end panel 26 is attached along one remaining side of the bottom panel 20 and a second end panel 28 is attached to the opposite remaining side of the bottom panel 20. Thus, the bottom panel 20, first side panel 22, second side panel 24, first end panel 26 and second end panel 28 form an open enclosure such as depicted in FIG. 3. Typically, the end panels 26 and 28 and side panels 22 and 24 are fabricated from a generally flexible material such as a fabric material or a canvas material. The lateral top edges of the side panels 22 and 24 as well as the end panels 26 and 28 include a generally circumferential fastener arrangement which is typically a zipper 30. The sides or top margins thereof may then be formed by folding against each other and the zipper or fastener mechanism 30 closed as shown typically in FIGS. 1 and 2 to form an enclosure for tools and the like. Positioned on the inside second side panel 24 are a series of internal pockets 32, 34 and 36. Handles 38 and 40 are attached to the outside face of the lateral side panels 22 and 24. A carry strap 42 with a shoulder pad 44 may be attached by buckle elements 46 and 48 to the top edge of the boundary or margin formed of the opposite lateral side panels 22 and 24.

A feature which is considered to be unique alone or in combination with a bag comprises a recessed, external side pocket 45 fitted in the generally flat planar side wall section 46 of the first side panel 22. The pocket 45 generally has the shape of a grotto and thus forms a grotto pocket 45 in the flat planar section 46 generally preferably midway between the opposite end panels 26 and 28. The pocket 45 thus includes a backside 50, a first lateral side 52 and a spaced, second lateral side 54. The pocket 45 further includes a top side 56 and a bottom side 58. Further, the pocket 45 includes a forward wall 60 which is generally coplanar with the flat panel section 46 of first side panel 20. The pocket 45 is comprised at least in part of a rigid or semi-rigid board, such as a polyethylene board 64, which is sandwiched between an outer layer of fabric 66 and an inner layer of fabric 68. The lateral side walls 52 and 54 are also generally comprised of a fabric material and are joined to the layers of fabric 66 and 68 by means of a binding, for example, the binding 70. Optional stiffeners or boards may be included with lateral side walls 52, 54. The internal board 64 is configured or shaped with an arcuate upper end 74, a generally flat planar backside 76, and a bottom side 58 which is arcuately curved upwardly to form a front wall section 61.

An ancillary or secondary pouch 74 is fastened over the wall 60 and provides a spaced additional wall 76 with an open top and which is designed to hold articles accessible from the outside of the bag. The grotto shaped pocket 45 is thus shaped to receive and retain efficiently and effectively a hard sided box, for example, a box 80 as depicted in FIG. 8. The pocket 74 is designed to receive a box 82 as also depicted in FIG. 8. The pocket 45 is flexible, yet sufficiently rigid that it will hold the box 80 in place. The front wall 60 extends approximately 25-40% upwardly from the bottom panel 20 or bottom side 58 to facilitate maintenance of the box 80 or some other item within the pocket 45. By utilization of the pocket 45 it is possible to thus provide for immediate access to desired items stored external of the bag yet be assured that they are securely retained by and with the bag.

The pocket 45 and more particularly the lateral sides 52 and 54 thereof, define a pocket or are spaced so that they occupy on the order of 25-40% of the lateral width or space between the end panels 26 and 28. A pouch 90 is affixed to the outside flap section 46 on one side of pocket 45 and a second pouch 92 is affixed on the opposite side thereof. The pouches 90 and 92 each are fabricated from a fabric material with an optional reinforcing wire or rod incorporated along the upper margin 96 thereof to maintain the shape of the pouch 90. A lid 98 is hinged along the hinge line 100 to the planar wall section 46. The lid 98 includes a flat planar top section 102 and first and second opposite triangular side sections 104 and 106 which each have an apex 108 that attaches at the hinge line 100 to side panel 22. In this manner the hinge lid 98 will be able to easily pivot about the hinge line 100.

Fitted over or forming the front side and connecting the base, the triangular sections 104 and 106 is an arcuate section 112. Thus, the lid 98 may be easily grasped by a workman and pivoted about the hinge line 100 for ease of access to the interior of the pocket 90. The pocket 90 as well as the lid 98 may include hook and loop fastener material, for example, hook and loop fastener material 114 to facilitate attachment of the lid 98 in the closed position.

The interior side of back wall 66 of the pocket 45 may include an interior pouch or pocket 120 fastened thereto retained by the binding 70, for example. Additional pouches, pockets and the like may be incorporated in the bag. It is also possible to have additional pocket recesses such as the grotto pocket 45 incorporated in the bag. The pocket 45 provides a workman ease of access to items which the workman may need to perform the work. It enables ease of access and ease of finding such items such as drill bits, particular types of fasteners, etc.

Various modifications may be made to the described bag construction without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The invention, therefore, is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. The use of the bag is not considered to be a limiting feature. It is useful as a tool bag, a gardening bag and for many other purposes.

Claims

1. A bag comprising, in combination:

a generally rigid, rectangular bottom panel,

a first end panel extending upwardly from one side of the bottom panel;

a second end panel opposite the first end panel and extending upwardly from an opposite side of the bottom panel;

a first side panel extending upwardly from a side of the bottom panel between the first and second end panels;

a second side panel extending upwardly from a side of the bottom panel opposite the first side panel, said side and end panels connected to form a generally rectangular parallelepiped enclosure and foldable from a top congruent in size and shape with the bottom panel to a closed condition with the sides joined along a closure generally parallel to and midway between the first and second side panels;

said first side panel comprising a generally flat planar rectangular section having a grotto shaped pocket positioned intermediate the first and second end panels, said pocket including a back side spaced inwardly from the flat planar section and generally parallel thereto;

said pocket further including a top side, first and second spaced lateral sides and a bottom side connected to the back side and a front wall extending partially upwardly from the bottom side, said front wall generally coplanar with the flat planar section,

said top side, backside and front wall formed, at least in part, by a semi-rigid board material retained between flexible fabric walls.

2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the first and second lateral sides of the pocket are generally equally spaced respectively from the first and second end panels.

3. The bag of claim 2 further including a first open top pouch attached to the front wall of the pocket.

4. The bag of claim 3 further including a second open top pouch intermediate the first open top pouch and the first end wall, said second open top pouch attached to the generally flat planar section.

5. The bag of claim 4 wherein the second open top pouch includes a lid pivotally hinged to the flat planar section and pivotal to cover the open top of the second pouch.

6. The bag of claim 5 wherein the lid includes a generally flat top section, first and second generally triangular spaced side sections with the apex of the triangular sections affixed to the flat planar section of the side panel with the lid flat top section, and a generally arcuate front section extending from the flat top section and the base of the triangular sections.

7. The bag of claim 1 further including a generally rectangular parallelepiped box removably positioned in the pocket.

8. The bag of claim 1 wherein the front wall extends upwardly about 25 to 40% of the distance between the bottom side and top side of the pocket.