Flexible Carry Bag
A flexible carry bag for carrying one or more sport boards within an interior space. The bag includes an elongate enclosure made of a flexible material. The bag has an opening extending along a length of the enclosure for permitting access to the interior space. The bag has a closure flap movable between an open position for permitting access to the interior space and a closed position in which the closure flap blocks the opening. The bag also includes a closure assembly for securing the closure flap to the elongate enclosure in an overlapped configuration when in the closed position. The closure assembly adjustably secures the closure flap to the elongate enclosure such that an amount of overlap of the closure flap with the elongate enclosure can be adjusted, thereby permitting the circumference of the elongate enclosure to be adjusted.
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This invention relates generally to flexible carry bags, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a flexible carry bag that is adjustable to enable it to securely carry one or more sport boards.
BACKGROUND ARTThe sport of surfing has developed in recent years and increasingly involves travel to locations where the prevailing conditions suit surfing, to attend competitions, or simply to explore new surf locations. This has resulted in increased domestic and international travel of surfers, complete with their surfboards.
Surfboards can be cumbersome and their typical lightweight construction makes them vulnerable to damage. During transportation they require protection, and in the past various surfboard bag designs have been used.
Not all surfboards are the same size and typically a bag that will suit one size is not suitable for a board of a different size.
Some surfboard bags are relatively small and compact and are designed to fit a specific Surfboard snugly. Others, particularly those of the “coffin” style, which is the informal name used to describe this type of board bag due to their similarity in appearance to the ‘box’ like appearance of a coffin, are designed to carry two or more Surfboards and can have room for clothing or other equipment. However, they are not specifically designed to carry clothing, and are not typically used to carry clothing, because it is not a ‘clean’ environment, resulting in the carried clothes becoming soiled and/or wetted. These coffin style bags can be cumbersome, particularly because they are specifically tailored to allow for a fixed maximum load size, wherein any load less than that maximum will result in an oversized, sloppy, and bulky fit. For instance, a coffin style board bag designed to fit two boards results in a poor fit when used to only carry a single board. Further, when not in use, due in part to the semi rigid side walls on some models, they typically take up a lot of room and are not easily folded into a compact size for storage. In addition, the contents can be relatively loose inside the bag if the bag does not contain the number of surfboards the bag is designed for.
Another problem found with previously developed board bags involves the wax that is applied to the surfaces of the surfboard. Moreover, the wax on surfboards can melt during transportation or storage, causing the surfboard to bond to the inside of its bag. Depending on the opening method, some bags can be difficult to get a surfboard out of, particularly if the wax on the board has bonded to the inside of the bag.
When a surfer travels he or she may wish to carry one or more surfboards depending on the nature of the journey. A bag suitable for only one board is of little use if he or she wishes to take two or more boards. Similarly a coffin style bag suitable for carrying two or more surfboards is rather inconvenient if only one board is being transported.
Thus, there exists a need for a relatively compact bag that is versatile enough to contain one board securely as well as two or more boards. The bag should be able to accommodate a range of board sizes of different lengths, widths, and thicknesses, and preferably be able to accommodate accessories and other gear. The bag would preferably be able to hold a range of boards securely irrespective of the number of boards inside or their relative sizes.
OBJECTIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flexible carry bag which will at least go some way towards overcoming the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTIONOne embodiment of a flexible carry bag formed in accordance with the present invention for carrying one or more sport boards is disclosed. The flexible carry bag may include an interior space having a volume adapted to removably receive the one or more sport boards.
The interior space may be defined by a base panel having a predetermined length and a first elongate edge separated by a predetermined width from a second elongate edge. The interior space may also be defined by a first closure panel connected to the first elongate edge of the base panel and a second closure panel connected to the second elongate edge of the base panel. The bag may include a first closable opening permitting temporary access to the interior space to permit insertion and removal of the one or more sport boards from the interior space. The first closable opening may be adapted to be closed by the insertion of the first closure panel underneath the second closure panel such that the first and second closure panels selectively overlap one another, wherein an amount of the overlap is adjustable to permit the volume of the interior space to be selectively adjusted.
The bag may further include a closing assembly for removably securing the first closure panel to the second closure panel in an adjustable overlapped relationship. The closing assembly may comprise hook and loop fasteners coupled to the first and second closure panels. The bag may further include a strap assembly having one or more straps adjustable in length to permit adjustment of a circumference of the interior space, each of the one or more straps extending between the first and second closure panels so as to pass over the first closable opening. The bag may include an accessory compartment located within the interior space, the accessory compartment defining a storage space for storing accessories within the interior space. The accessory compartment may include a selectively sealable opening having an open position for permitting accessories to be inserted or removed into the accessory compartment and a closed position for closing off the storage space.
The accessory compartment may have a length substantially equal to the predetermined length of the base panel. The accessory compartment may include one or more bindings disposed in the accessory compartment, the one or more bindings adapted to removably couple to an accessory when stored in the accessory compartment. The one or more bindings may have either loop fasteners or hook fasteners. The bag may include a secondary opening assembly for selectively closing and opening a second opening in the flexible carry bag for selectively permitting and blocking access to the interior space.
An alternate embodiment of a flexible carry bag formed in accordance with the present invention for carrying one or more sport boards within an interior space is disclosed. The flexible carry bag may include an elongate enclosure made of a flexible material, the enclosure having a predetermined length and a circumference that is adjustable. The enclosure may include an opening extending along at least a majority of the length of the enclosure for permitting access to the interior space to permit insertion or removal of the one or more sport boards from the interior space. The enclosure may also include a closure flap movable between an open position for permitting access to the interior space through the opening and a closed position in which the closure flap blocks the opening to impede access to the interior space through the opening. The enclosure may further include a closure assembly for securing the closure flap to the elongate enclosure in an overlapped configuration when the closure flap is in the closed position. The closure assembly may be adapted to adjustably secure the closure flap to the elongate enclosure such that an amount of overlap of the closure flap relative to the elongate enclosure can be selectively adjusted, thereby permitting the circumference of the elongate enclosure to be selectively adjusted.
The bag may further include a secondary opening disposed at and extending across one end of the flexible carry bag. The secondary opening may be transitionable between a closed position blocking access to the interior space and an open position permitting a secondary access path to the interior space. The bag may further include a strap assembly having one or more straps adjustable in length, each of the one or more straps extending across the opening. The bag may also include an accessory compartment located within the interior space, the accessory compartment defining a storage space for storing accessories within the interior space. The accessory compartment may include a selectively sealable opening having an open position for permitting accessories to be inserted or removed into the accessory compartment and a closed position for substantially closing off the storage space.
The accessory compartment may extend substantially the entire length and width of the elongate enclosure. The accessory compartment may include one or more bindings disposed in the accessory compartment, the one or more bindings adapted to removably couple to an accessory when stored in the accessory compartment.
Another embodiment of a flexible carry bag made in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The bag may be at least partly made from a flexible protective material. The bag may have an elongate base portion having similar width and length dimensions to a typical surfboard. The bag may have a first closure panel connected to a first elongate edge of the base portion and a second closure panel connected to a second elongate edge of the base portion, and closure means. The first and second closure panels may be so sized and shaped, and the closure means so configured, to enable one or more surfboards to be held securely within the bag.
Preferably one of the closure panels is also connected to one or both ends of the base portion.
Preferably one of the closure panels is configured to enable it to at least partially tuck under or over the other closure panel in an overlapping relationship.
Preferably, the closure means includes hook and loop fasteners, such at those sold under the trademark VELCRO.
Preferably the bag further includes one or more straps adapted to facilitate closure of the bag.
Preferably the one or more straps encircle the bag and are able to hold any contents of the bag securely.
Preferably the one or more straps include a strap connector or buckle.
Preferably the bag additionally includes cushioning material adapted to protect any contents of the bag.
Optionally the bag further includes one or more zippered openings about or adjacent to the periphery of the base portion.
The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a flexible carry bag. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are used purely to exemplify the invention only and variations and modifications are readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the illustrated embodiment will be illustrated and described as a flexible carry bag for carrying surfboards, it is noted that this is done purely for illustrative purposes, and the flexible carry bag may be used to carry any object, including sport boards of types other than surfboards, a few suitable examples being kite surfing boards, windsurfing boards, boogie or body boards, etc.
Referring to
In light of the above general description of the flexible carry bag 100, the structure of the flexible carry bag 100 will now be described in greater detail. Turning to
The closure flap 106 is preferably coupled along a first elongate edge 114 of the base panel 110. The first elongate edge 114 is preferably substantially straight; however, it may alternately be curved. The ends of the closure flap 106 and the outer edge 116 of the closure flap 106 may be arcuate in shape, and preferably are convex in shape so as to bow outward from the centre of the flexible carry bag 100.
The top panel 112 is preferably coupled along a second elongate edge 118 of the base panel 110. The ends of the top panel 112 and the outer edge 120 of the top panel 112 may be arcuate in shape, and preferably are convex in shape so as to bow outward from a centre of the flexible carry bag 100. The edge 122 of the top panel 112 opposite the outer edge 120 is also preferably arcuate in shape, and moreover, preferably is curved so as to be bowed inward toward the outer edge 120 and away from the closure flap 106.
An end panel 124 may be coupled to one end of the base panel 110. The end panel 124 preferably extends between the base panel 110 and the top panel 112 and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the base panel 110. The end panel 124 can be arcuate in shape so as to bow outward from the centre of the carry bag 100.
The carry bag 100 may include an accessory compartment 126. The accessory compartment 126 may be located within the interior space 104. Preferably, the accessory compartment 126 defines a storage space 128 for storing accessories within the interior space 104. The accessory compartment 126 may include a selectively sealable opening 130 having an open position as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory compartment 126 is formed by attaching a waterproof accessory panel 131 to the interior surface of the carry bag 100. Preferably, the accessory panel 131 extends substantially the entire width and length of the carry bag 100 and is permanently coupled along the elongate edge 114 of the base panel 110, and detachably coupled along the remaining periphery of the accessory panel 130 to or in proximity to the elongate edge 118 and end edges of the base panel 110 by any suitable means, a few suitable examples being via a zipper 132 and more preferably, hook and loop fasteners.
Turning to
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, a hook and loop closure assembly 142 is used, which incorporates one or more fastening panels 144 having hooks or loops on them disposed on the outer surface of the closure flap 106 which are adapted to removably couple to one or more fastening panels 146 having the other of hooks or loops, the fastening panels 146 disposed on the underside of the top panel 112. This type of closure has the advantage of being able to permit the circumference of the flexible carry bag 100 to be adjusted selectively and in small increments. Although not preferred, it is noted that the closure flap 106 may be placed over the top panel 112 and the fastening panels 144 and 146 relocated accordingly. Alternately, the closure assembly 142 may be eliminated all together with the panels overlapped, but not secured to one another by a fastening assembly.
Referring to
Referring to
The flexible carry bag 100 may include a secondary opening assembly 162. The secondary opening assembly 162 permits a second way for the flexible carry bag 100 to be opened and the interior volume 104 accessed. Preferably, the secondary opening assembly 162 is located at one end of the flexible carry bag 100, and most preferably is located at the end of the flexible carry bag 100 designed to hold the tail end of the board. The secondary opening assembly 162 permits the flexible carry bag 100 to be opened at one end and the board slid out substantially parallel to the length of the flexible carry bag 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary opening assembly 162 comprises a zipper 164 extending from one side of the flexible carry bag 100 to the other and across the end panel 124. Although a zipper 164 is illustrated and described, it is noted that other opening assemblies are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, one example being hook and loop based opening assemblies.
The flexible carry bag 100 may include one or more secondary compartments for storing items. For instance, the illustrated embodiment includes two secondary compartments 166 located on the top panel 112 for storing additional items. One of the secondary compartments 166 may have a clear panel for permitting name or other identification material to be clearly visible while present in the secondary compartment 166.
In light of the above description of the components of the flexible carry bag 100, the use of the flexible carry bag 100 will now be described. Referring to
One or more boards 168 are then placed into the interior space 104. For instance,
Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.
DEFINITIONSThroughout this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word, such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
ADVANTAGESThus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides a flexible carry bag which is adjustable to contain either one or many boards, and to hold the board or boards securely and in a compact manner. The bag is also adjustable to accommodate boards of various sizes securely. Further, the flexible carry bag is able to carry accessories, or other items, securely while keeping them dry and clean. When not in use, the flexible carry bag can be rolled or folded up for compact storage, or spread out and used as ground cover.
Claims
1. A flexible carry bag for carrying one or more sport boards within an interior space, the flexible carry bag comprising:
- (a) an elongate enclosure made of a flexible material, the enclosure having a predetermined length and a circumference that is adjustable;
- (b) an opening extending along at least a majority of the length of the enclosure for permitting access to the interior space to permit insertion or removal of the one or more sport boards from the interior space;
- (c) a closure flap movable between an open position for permitting access to the interior space through the opening and a closed position in which the closure flap blocks the opening to impede access to the interior space through the opening; and
- (d) a closure assembly for securing the closure panel to the elongate enclosure in an overlapped configuration when the closure flap is in the closed position, wherein the closure assembly is adapted to adjustably secure the closure flap to the elongate enclosure such that an amount of overlap of the closure flap relative to the elongate enclosure can be selectively adjusted, thereby permitting the circumference of the elongate enclosure to be selectively adjusted.
2. The flexible carry bag of claim 1, the closing assembly comprising hook and loop fasteners coupled to the first and second closure panels.
3. The flexible carry bag of claim 1, further including a strap assembly having one or more straps adjustable in length to permit adjustment of a circumference of the interior space, each of the one or more straps extending between the closure flap so as to pass over the elongate enclosure.
4. The flexible carry bag of claim 1, further including an accessory compartment located within the interior space, the accessory compartment defining a storage space for storing accessories within the interior space, and wherein the accessory compartment includes a selectively sealable opening having an open position for permitting accessories to be inserted or removed into the accessory compartment and a closed position for closing off the storage space.
5. The flexible carry bag of claim 5, wherein the accessory compartment has a length substantially equal to the predetermined length of the base panel.
6. The flexible carry bag of claim 5, wherein the accessory compartment includes one or more bindings disposed in the accessory compartment, the one or more bindings adapted to removably couple to an accessory when stored in the accessory compartment.
7. The flexible carry bag of claim 7, wherein the one or more bindings comprise either loop fasteners or hook fasteners.
8. The flexible carry bag of claim 1, further comprising a secondary opening assembly for selectively closing and opening a second opening in the flexible carry bag for selectively permitting and blocking access to the interior space.
9. A flexible carry bag for carrying one or more sport boards within an interior space, the flexible carry bag comprising:
- (a) an elongate enclosure made of a flexible material, the enclosure having a predetermined length and a circumference that is adjustable;
- (b) an opening extending along at least a majority of the length of the enclosure for permitting access to the interior space to permit insertion or removal of the one or more sport boards from the interior space;
- (c) a closure flap movable between an open position for permitting access to the interior space through the opening and a closed position in which the closure flap blocks the opening to impede access to the interior space through the opening; and
- (d) a closure assembly with hook and loop fastening for securing the closure panel to the elongate enclosure in an overlapped configuration, whereby the hook and loop become fastened when the closure flap is in the closed position, wherein the closure assembly is adapted to adjustably secure the closure flap to the elongate enclosure such that an amount of overlap of the closure flap relative to the elongate enclosure can be selectively adjusted, thereby permitting the circumference of the elongate enclosure to be selectively adjusted.
10. The flexible carry bag of claim 9, further including a secondary opening disposed at and extending across one end of the flexible carry bag, the secondary opening transitionable between a closed position blocking access to the interior space and an open position permitting a secondary access path to the interior space.
11. The flexible carry bag of claim 9, further including a strap assembly having one or more straps adjustable in length, each of the one or more straps extending across the opening.
12. The flexible carry bag of claim 9, further including an accessory compartment located within the interior space, the accessory compartment defining a storage space for storing accessories within the interior space, and wherein the accessory compartment includes a selectively sealable opening having an open position for permitting accessories to be inserted or removed into the accessory compartment and a closed position for substantially closing off the storage space.
13. The flexible carry bag of claim 12, wherein the accessory compartment extends substantially the entire length and width of the elongate enclosure.
14. The flexible carry bag of claim 12, wherein the accessory compartment includes one or more bindings disposed in the accessory compartment, the one or more bindings adapted to removably couple to an accessory when stored in the accessory compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 23, 2008
Applicant: CURVE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (Auckland)
Inventor: Simon Winter (Auckland)
Application Number: 12/094,504
International Classification: B65D 30/22 (20060101); B65D 33/16 (20060101); B65D 33/00 (20060101);