FITKYT FOLDABLE FITNESS BAG FOR SWIMMING, GYM, RUNNING OR HIKING AND CAMPING

Abstract

The article manufacture provides a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping. The bag is divided into three portions that are separated by one or more strips of material. Each portion on the front side of the bag possess one or more mesh pockets that are closed with a zipper. The strips of material separating the portions of the bag contain male and female strips of Velcro™ that permit the bag to be placed into a folded or closed arrangement in which the interlocking strips of Velcro™ hold the bag in this closed arrangement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping.

BACKGROUND

Many people, athletes, recreational sporting participants, campers, and other are in need of a convenient way to transport, access and use their items when engaging in certain exercise and sporting activities. These individuals may find that there is no bench space or place to hang their clothes, sporting equipment and toiletries when using public showers or locker rooms either before or after exercise. These individuals may be tired of dropping their clothes on the ground or getting their dry clothes and accessories wet (whilst they are showering), when they reach for their toiletries or towel. They may become frustrated when they cannot find what they want, when they need it, when in a hurry as everything clumps together in one compartment or bag. If they leave their bag or bags outside of the shower cubicle, they may be at risk of being stolen. Multiple bags are often used, one for cosmetic and toiletries, one for their sporting equipment, one for their clothes and shoes and one for wet or dirty gear. When wet items get mixed up with dry items it creates extra effort and work when at home to take everything out of the bag and either wash or hang all clothes or items on the line to dry.

The present invention attempts to address the existing limitations in supporting and providing a fitness bag that is specifically designed to carry and hold all of an individuals' exercise and sporting equipment along with cosmetic, toiletries, clothes and shoes. It can be hung on or over the back of a shower cubicle door either before or after exercising or sporting activities such as swimming, gym, running, hiking/camping, according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping. The article manufacture provides a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping. The bag is divided into three portions that are separated by one or more strips of material. Each portion on the front side of the bag possess one or more mesh pockets that are closed with a zipper. The strips of material separating the portions of the bag contain male and female strips of Velcro™ that permit the bag to be placed into a folded or closed arrangement in which the interlocking strips of Velcro™ hold the bag in this closed arrangement.

The great utility of the invention is that an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping that attempts to address deficiencies in the prior art by permitting the user to hang on or over the shower door, this making everything easily accessible, by rolling up easily when needed, possessing a shoulder strap, backpack and carry handle to make it easy to transport, being constructed from strong, water, UV and mildew resistant environmentally friendly materials allowing for easy cleaning and/or airing, by fitting on doors and hooks, by providing a waterproof bag for keeping clothes and valuables dry, by having a mesh material for some pockets to allow users to see its contents when they need them most, by providing easily used big chunky waterproof zippers, and by providing for easy cleaning by simply washing down the bag and leaving open on back of door or clothes line to dry.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front or inside view of the inner layer when laid flat of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back or outside view of the inner layer when laid flat of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a closed or folded view of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates how all layers inner and outer along with how the bag folds closed view of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention.

FIG. 5a-d illustrates the signature lining used for all bags on which the inner and outer layers are sewn as well as other materials used in the construction of the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a needle” includes reference to one or more of such needles and “etching” includes one or more of such steps. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “50-250 micrometers should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 50 micrometers and 250 micrometers, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 60, 70, and 80 micrometers, and sub-ranges such as from 50-100 micrometers, from 100-200, and from 100-250 micrometers, etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

As used herein, the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill. Further, unless otherwise stated, the term “about” shall expressly include “exactly,” consistent with the discussion.

The term “user” and “athlete” refers to an entity, e.g. a human, that uses a Fitkyt according to the present invention in order to bring about a desired effect or outcome. In a particular case, the user is one that is carries personal items while going to and from various athletic activities. For such a user, the terms “user” and “athlete” may be used herein interchangeably.

In general, the present disclosure relates general an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping. To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 represents one potential embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention.

The Fitkyt attempts to address deficiencies in the prior art by permitting the user to hang on or over the shower door, this making everything easily accessible, by rolling up easily when needed, possessing a shoulder strap, backpack straps and carry handles to make it easy to transport, being constructed from strong, water, UV and mildew resistant environmentally friendly materials allowing for easy cleaning and/or airing, by fitting on doors and hooks, by providing a waterproof & theft proof bag for keeping clothes and valuables dry and secure, by having a mesh material for some pockets to allow users to see its contents when they need them most, by providing easily used big chunky waterproof zippers, and by providing for easy cleaning by simply washing down the bag and leaving open on back of door or clothes line to dry.

The front side of the Fitkyt 100 is generally divided into three roughly equally size portion: a top portion 104 closest to a handle 103 and hanger 102 that may hold the bag 100 upright, a middle portion of the bag 105 between two pairs of material that run from one side of the bag 100 to the opposing side of the bag, and a bottom portion of the bag 106. A lining layer of material 403 is typically attached to the front side of the bag between a base layer 401 of material and pockets attached on top of the lining layer 403.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the top portion 104 of the bag 100 is covered by a top waterproof and theft proof pocket layer 111 that consists of a top two way zipper allowing access to this pocket when closed or folded or when open, a top pocket frame material and a center mesh material 112. The waterproof material 112 is sewn to the inside side of the top pocket frame material to from a single piece of material. The combination of materials is then sewn to the lining layer 505 and base layer 510 of the bag 100 on three sides where the fourth side is sewn to one side of two way zipper 113. The opposite side of top two way zipper 113 is then sewn to the lining layer 505 and base layer 510 of the bag 100 to complete the pocket that retains items therein when the two way zipper is closed.

The middle portion 105 of the bag 100 is covered in this embodiment by three pockets a left pocket 122 and two similar sized right pockets 132a-b. The left pocket 122 is constructed using a water resistant UV protected strong mesh material, a left frame material, and zipper 121. The top right pocket 132a constructed using a water resistant UV protected strong mesh material, a right frame material, and right zipper 131. The bottom right pocket 132b is constructed of waterproof material, a right frame material and right zipper 141. These three pockets may be attached to the front side of the bag 100 in the same manner described above with respect to the top portion 104 and its pocket 111. The top right pocket 132a and the bottom right pocket 132b are removable and attached to the middle portion 105 using Velcro™.

The bottom portion 106 of the bag 100 is detachable via an open ended zipper 143. A left 106a bottom portion of the bag is covered by a bottom mesh pocket layer 142 that consists of a top zipper 141, a top pocket frame material and a center mesh material. The mesh material is sewn to the inside side of the top pocket frame material to from a single piece of material. The combination of materials is then sewn to the lining layer 210 and base layer 205 of the bag 100 on three sides where the fourth side is sewn to one side of zipper 141. The opposite side of top zipper 141 is then sewn to the lining layer 210 and base layer 205 of the bag 100 to complete the pocket that retains items therein when the zipper is closed.

A right 107a bottom portion of the bag is covered by a bottom mesh pocket layer 152 that consists of a top zipper 142, a top pocket frame material and a center mesh material. The mesh material is sewn to the inside side of the top pocket frame material to from a single piece of material. The combination of materials is then sewn to the lining layer 210 and base layer 205 of the bag 100 on three sides where the fourth side is sewn to one side of zipper 141. The opposite side of top zipper 142 is then sewn to the lining layer 210 and base layer 205 of the bag 100 to complete the pocket that retains items therein when the zipper is closed.

A top strip of material 101 across the top of the front side of the bag 100 and the top zipper 110 runs along the entire width of the side. The top strip of material 101 a first male strip of Velcro™ that is used to hold the bag in a folded or closed arrangement. The top portion 104 is separated from the middle portion 105 of the front of the bag 100 by a second male strip of Velcro™ 161 that is used to hold the bag in a folded or closed arrangement. The middle portion 105 is separated from the bottom portion 106 of the front of the bag 100 by a strip of Velcro™ material 171. The female strip of Velcro™ 171 that is used to hold the bag in a folded or closed arrangement.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back or outer layer view of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention.

The outer layer diagram illustrated in FIG. 2 shows the back or outside view of the outer layer when laid flat. Similar to the front view of the Fitkyt 100, the bag is divided into three roughly equally sized segment. The top portion of the back of the bag 201a-b consists of two of these segments and the bottom part of the bag corresponds to the third segment 202.

The top portion 201 of the back of the bag is divided from the bottom portion 202 of the bag by two strips of material that run from one side of the bag to the opposite side of the bag's back side along the shorter of the two dimensions. This strip correspond to a female type strip of Velcro™ 261 to old the bag in a folded or closed position.

An outside pocket 212 have is accessed via a zipper 211 along one length of the pocket is attached to the backside material of the Fitkyt 100. The outside pocket may be constructed using a solid material to prevent the contents of the pocket 211 to be visible to individuals when the bag 100 is in a folded or closed arrangement as shown below in reference to. The outer layer has two carabiners one on the left 217a and one on the right 217b, that are used for hanging clothes, towel or shoes. The outer layer also has a bungee cord component 218 that is used for storing of larger sporting equipment & items such as a swimming board, flippers, tennis racquet, running shoes, etc. The second segment has backpack straps 231a-b for ease of carrying with the third segment having a second carry handle 244 that comes together to join the first handle when folded.

As discussed above, the components that make up the two strips of material 261-262 and the outside pocket 211 may be attached to outside material of the back of the bag 100 by sewing the two materials together using thread or similar material. As noted above, other connection mechanisms, such as glue, epoxy, buttons, snaps, and the like may be used in place of or in addition to the sewing of thread to combine the fabric materials together as shown in FIG. 2.

While the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 described above illustrate a five-pocket arrangement on the front side of the bag 100 in which the top pocket is made of waterproof material the remaining pockets are made from a mesh layer, other arrangements of pockets including portions being divided into any number of pockets may be possible. The present invention and the number and arrangement of pockets are defined exclusively by the attached claims.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other connection mechanisms, such as glue, epoxy, buttons, snaps, and the like may be used in place of or in addition to the sewing of thread to combine the fabric materials together as shown in FIG. 1. The present invention is defined by the claims attached hereto.

FIG. 3 illustrates a closed or folded view of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention. The Fitkyt 300 is shown folded around itself such that the two pairs of Velcro™ strips are mated with a male and female Velcro™ strips being pressed together to join the opposing surfaces and thus holding the folded bag into a compact arrangement.

FIG. 3 also provides for a drink bottle to be contained on either the left or right hand side of the bag along with a strong waterproof chunky zipper that is used to provide additional security for when the bag is closed or folded. Carrying handles and adjustable carrying strap are also shown relative to the bag 300 when the bag is in a closed position.

FIG. 4 illustrates how all layers inner and outer along with how the bag folds closed view of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bag 100 folds up onto itself to go from an open position of FIGS. 1-2 and closed position of FIG. 3. There are 4 Velcro™ strips in total on the bag 100. The inner layer when laid flat has three strips 101, 161, 171. With the top Velcro™ strip being a male the second a male and the bottom being a female. The outer layer only has one Velcro™ strip 262 which is a female. The bottom of the bag when laid flat with the inner layer facing upward is used to connect the bottom female Velcro™ strip to the 2^nd male Velcro™ strip 404. The outer layer male Velcro™ strip is then folded to the first male Velcro™ strip 405. Creating a folding or rolling inward momentum.

FIG. 5a illustrates the signature lining used for all bags on which the inner and outer layers are sewn as well as other materials used in the construction of the bag. Fig. b-d illustrates a layered view of a potential embodiment an article of manufacture may provide an article of manufacture for providing a foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping according to the present invention. The various materials used in the construction of the Fitkyt as illustrated in FIGS. 5b-d that correspond to the various layers shown in FIG. 4. The elements of FIG. 4 correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. References A-G shown for an item in FIGS. 5B-D correspond to references A-G shown on FIGS. 1-4 as discussed above. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the number of pockets and their respective arrangements shown in the FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are for example only where the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, percent, ratio, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about,” whether or not the term “about” is present. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in the testing measurements.

It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain embodiments of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from embodiments of the invention encompassed by the following claims.

In this specification including any claims, the term “each” may be used to refer to one or more specified characteristics of a plurality of previously recited elements or steps. When used with the open-ended term “comprising,” the recitation of the term “each” does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or steps. Thus, it will be understood that an apparatus may have additional, unrecited elements and a method may have additional, unrecited steps, where the additional, unrecited elements or steps do not have the one or more specified characteristics.

Claims

1. A foldable fitness bag for use before or after exercise such as swimming, gym, running or hiking/camping, the fitness bag having a front side and a back side comprises:

a top bag segment having a top portion of the front side and a top portion of the back side, the front side of the top bag portion comprises: a top front pocket having a two-way zipper useful in containing contents within the top front pocket; and a first strip of male Velcro across the top of the top front side;

the back side of the top bag portion comprises: a back top pocket having a zipper enclosure, the back top pocket being exposed when the fitness bag is in a closed orientation;

a middle bag segment having a middle portion of the front side and a middle portion of the back side, the middle bag segment comprises: the front side of the middle bag portion, the front side of the middle bag portion having a left side and a right side comprising: a left side pocket having a zipper enclosure, the left side pocket covering the left side of the middle portion of the bag; one or more right side pocket each having a zipper enclosure; a second strip of male Velcro across the top of the middle front side; the back side of the middle bag portion comprising: a pair of shoulder straps for carrying the fitness bag when the fitness bag is in a closed orientation; and a fourth strip of female Velcro across the bottom of the middle back side; and

a detachable bottom bag segment. having a bottom portion of the front side and a bottom portion of the back side, the detachable bottom bag segment comprises:

the front side of the detachable bottom bag portion comprising: a plurality of pockets, at least one of the plurality of pockets having a waterproof zipper enclosure; and a third strip of female Velcro across the bottom of the middle front side;

the back side of the detachable bottom bag portion comprising: a pocket having a zipper enclosure; and a carrying handle coupled to the top of the back side of the detachable bottom bag portion.

wherein the fitness bag folds into the closed orientation in which the first Velcro strip couples to the fourth Velcro strip and the second Velcro strip couples to the third Velcro strip.

2. The fitness bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag further comprises:

an adjustable carrying strap coupled to sides of the top bag portion;

a plurality of carabiner coupled to bungle cord attached to the top of the bag;

at least one carrying handle coupled to the back side of the bag; and

a hook coupled to the top of the fitness bag.

3. The fitness bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag further comprises an intertwined budge cord arranged across the outside pocket of the top bag portion of the back side of the fitness bag.

4. The fitness bag according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of pockets on the middle bag portion of the front side is a waterproof pocket capable of protecting contents there from water.

5. The fitness bag according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of pockets on the middle bag portion of the front side is removable, the removable pocket being coupled to the middle bag portion of the front side using Velcro.

6. The fitness bag according to claim 1, wherein the top front pocket comprises waterproof pocket material.

7. The fitness bag according to claim 6, wherein the left middle pocket comprises a mesh pocket material.

8. The fitness bag according to claim 7, wherein the right middle pocket comprises the mesh pocket material.

9. The fitness bag according to claim 8, wherein the fitness bag further comprises at least one drinking bottle pocket.

10. The fitness bag according to claim 8, wherein a lining layer inside pockets of the fitness bag.