STORAGE BAG ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A storage bag assembly for storing and readily retrieving an article includes a shell, which is semirigid or rigid and has a top that is open, and a hood, which is resiliently flexible. The shell comprises opposed sidewalls, which extend between front and back walls. As the front wall is dimensionally shorter than the back wall, an upper section of each opposed sidewall extends convexly from the front wall to the back wall. The hood comprises a center panel and a pair of side panels. A front edge of the center panel is attached to an upper edge of the front wall and the side panels are attached to its opposing edges. Rear and bottom edges of the side panels are resiliently elastic, enabling the hood to be positionable and self-retained in an open configuration and a closed configuration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to storage bags and more particularly pertains to a new storage bag for storing and readily retrieving an article. The present invention discloses a storage bag that is closable by means of a hood that is self-retained in both an open configuration and a closed configuration.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to storage bags and does not teach a storage bag comprising a shell that is selectively closable by a hood, wherein the hood is biased to remain in a selected one of either an open configuration or a closed configuration by means of pretensioned elastic bands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a shell, which defines an interior space, and a hood, which is resiliently flexible. The shell is semirigid or rigid and has a top that is open. The shell comprises a front wall, a back wall, and opposed sidewalls, with each opposed sidewall extending between the front wall and the back wall. The front wall is dimensionally shorter than the back wall. An upper section of each opposed sidewall extends convexly from an upper edge of the front wall to an upper end of the back wall.

The hood comprises a center panel and a pair of side panels. The center panel has a front edge that is attached proximate to an upper edge of the front wall. The side panels are shaped complementarily to the upper sections of the sidewalls and are attached singly to opposing edges of the center panel. Rear edges and bottom edges of the side panels are resiliently elastic, enabling the hood to be positionable and self-retained in an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the shell is configured for selective insertion or extraction of an article, such as a pair of binoculars. In the closed configuration, the hood covers the top and substantially covers the upper sections of the opposed sidewalls.

Another embodiment of the disclosure includes method of storing and retrieving an article. Steps of the method include motivating a hood attached to a shell from a closed configuration to an open configuration, inserting an article through a top of the shell into an interior space defined by the shell, motivating the hood from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and motivating the hood from the closed configuration to the open configuration, as needed, to extract the article.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

(i) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric perspective view of a storage bag assembly in a closed configuration according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a rear isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in a partially open configuration.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure in a closed configuration.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure in a partially open configuration.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in a closed configuration.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in an open configuration.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure in an open configuration.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for a method utilizing an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new storage bag embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the storage bag assembly 10 generally comprises a shell 12, which defines an interior space 14, and a hood 16, which is resiliently flexible. The shell 12 is semirigid or rigid and has a top 18 that is open. The shell 12 comprises a front wall 20, a back wall 22, and opposed sidewalls 24, with each opposed sidewall 24 extending between the front wall 20 and the back wall 22. The front wall 20 is dimensionally shorter than the back wall 22. An upper section 26 of each opposed sidewall 24 extends convexly from an upper edge 28 of the front wall 20 to an upper end 30 of the back wall 22. The present invention anticipates the interior space 14 being complementarily to an article 32, such as a pair of binoculars 34, a range finder, a camera, a scope, or the like, and typically will be shaped for the particular article 32 to be received. The present invention also anticipates the shell 12 and the hood 16 being padded.

Materials used in manufacturing of such shells 12 are well known to those skilled in the art of storage bags for articles 32 such as binoculars 34, cameras, range finders, scopes, or the like, and may comprise semirigid panels or frames, typically comprised of plastic, which are sandwiched between layers of fabric material. The hood 16 typically is comprised of a fabric material.

The hood 16 comprises a center panel 36 and a pair of side panels 38. The center panel 36 has a front edge 40 that is attached proximate to the upper edge 28 of the front wall 20. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front edge 40 of the center panel 36 is stitched to the front wall 20 proximate to the upper edge 28 of the front wall 20. The side panels 38 are shaped complementarily to the upper sections 26 of the sidewalls and are attached singly to opposing edges 42 of the center panel 36. The side panels 38 may be stitched to the center panel 36 or the hood 16 may comprise a unitary structure. Rear edges 44 and bottom edges 46 of the side panels 38 are resiliently elastic, enabling the hood 16 to be positionable and self-retained in an open configuration and a closed configuration, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 1, respectively. In the open configuration, the shell 12 is configured for selective insertion or extraction of an article 32, such as a pair of binoculars 34, as is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the closed configuration, the hood 16 covers the top 18 and substantially covers the upper sections 26 of the opposed sidewalls 24.

The user thus can readily manipulate the hood 16 between the open configuration and the closed configuration. When in the open configuration, the hood 16 does not interfere with insertion or extraction of the article 32 and will not loosely move around due to wind or movement of the user. Additionally, with the hood 16 being retained in the closed configuration, the user need not be concerned about the hood 16 inadvertently assuming the open configuration and potential exposure of the article 32 to the elements.

Each connector 48 of a pair of connectors 48 is attached to and extends between a respective opposed edge 50 of the back wall 22 and a respective side panel 38. The hood 16 thus is hingable about the connectors 48 between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Each connector 48 may comprise a strap 52, as is shown in FIG. 4, or other connecting means, such as, but not limited to, cords, rings, chains, or the like.

A lip 54 is attached to and extends between the side panels 38 along a back edge 56 of the center panel 36. In the closed configuration, the lip 54 extends over the upper end 30 of the back wall 22 and is positioned in abutment to an outer surface 58 of the back wall 22. The lip 54 is semirigid or rigid so that constriction of the rear edges 44 of the side panels 38 pulls downwardly on the lip 54 to retain the hood 16 in the closed configuration, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of the hood 16.

Pulling members 60 of a pair of pulling members 60 are attached singly to the side panels 38. The pulling members 60 are pretensioned and retain the hood 16 in the open configuration, by pulling the hood 16 toward the back wall 22 and against the front wall 20, and in the closed configuration, by application of a downward pulling force to lock the lip 54 over the upper end 30 of the back wall 22.

Each pulling member 60 may comprise an elastic band 62, a spring, or the like. The elastic band 62, in a nontensioned state, is dimensionally shorter the bottom edge 46 and the rear edge 44 of the side panel 38. The elastic band 62, in a pretensioned state, is fixedly attached to a respective side panel 38 by respective stitch lines 64 of a plurality of stitch lines 64. Each stitch line 64 extends through the respective side panel 38 and the elastic band 62, proximate to the bottom edge 46 and the rear edge 44 of the respective side panel 38. In the closed configuration, the elastic bands 62 constrict to pull the side panels 38 substantially over the upper sections 26 of the opposed sidewalls 24. Also in the closed configuration, the elastic bands 62 also pull downwardly on the lip 54 to retain the hood 16 in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the elastic bands 62 constrict to pull the hood 16 toward the back wall 22, and thus against the front wall 20, thereby retaining the hood 16 in the open configuration.

The elastic band 62 may be positioned in a respective sleeve 66 of a pair of sleeves 66. The respective sleeve 66 is dimensionally longer than the bottom edge 46 and the rear edge 44 and thus comprise a plurality of bunches 68 and is selectively extensible. Respective stitch lines 64 extend through the respective sleeve 66, the elastic band 62, and a respective side panel 38 so that the respective sleeve 66 and the elastic band 62 are fixedly attached to and extend along the bottom edge 46 and the rear edge 44 of the respective side panel 38. As is shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, each sleeve 66 is attached to a respective side panel 38 by two stitch lines 64, which extend singly proximate to opposite edges 70 of the sleeve 66. Another stitch line 64 is positioned substantially equally distant from the opposite edges 70. Each of the three stitch lines 64 also extends through the elastic band 62 positioned in the respective sleeve 66.

The present invention also anticipates the plurality of stitch lines 64 comprising as few as two stitch lines 64, one stitch line 64 in each sleeve 66, as may be appropriate for a shell 12 that is sized for a smaller article 32 and which has proportionately sized sleeves 66 and elastic bands 62. The present invention also anticipates the plurality of stitch lines 64 comprising more than six stitch lines 64.

A grip 72 is attached to the center panel 36, proximate to the back edge 56 of the center panel 36, or to the lip 54. The grip 72 is configured to be grasped in digits of a hand of a user to selectively motivate the hood 16 between the open configuration and the closed configuration. From the closed configuration, the user can pull up on the grip 72 to unlock the lip 54 from the back wall 22 and then can pull the grip 72 downwardly toward the upper edge 28 of the front wall 20 to position the hood 16 in the open configuration. The opposed sidewalls 24 being arcuate allows the hood 16 to track along the upper sections 26 between the open configuration and the closed configuration. The grip 72 may comprise a flexible tab 74, or other grasping means, such as, but not limited to, rings, cords, or the like.

Additionally anticipated by the present invention is a set of exterior panels 76 attached to the shell 12, with each exterior panel 76 defining a respective pocket 78 of a set of pockets 78. The set of exterior panels 76 may comprise one or more of a rear panel 80, a pair of opposed side panels 82, and a front panel 84. The rear panel 80 is attached to the back wall 22 of the shell 12 and defines a rear pocket 86. Each opposed side panel 82 is attached to a respective opposed sidewall 24 of the shell 12 and define a side pocket 88. The front panel 84 is attached to the front wall 20 of the shell 12 and defines a front pocket 90. As is shown in FIG. 6, the rear panel 80 may comprise resiliently flexible mesh. As is shown in FIG. 5, the front pocket 90 may be zippered. As is shown in FIG. 5, each opposed side panel 82 may be fitted with an elastomeric band 92 that extends along an opening 108 of the side pocket 88.

The present invention also anticipates a plurality of couplers 94 attached to the back wall 22. The couplers 94 are configured to attach the shell 12 to a user or to a substrate. For example, as is shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of couplers 94 comprises four couplers 94 with each coupler 94 comprising a female element 96 of a conventional side release buckle (not shown). The female elements 96 are configured to attach the shell 12 to a standard harness (not shown) bearing male elements of the side release buckles.

In use, the storage bag assembly 10 enables a method of storing and retrieving an article 98 comprising a first step 100 of motiving a hood 16 attached to a shell 12 from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The hood 16 is retained in the open configuration by constriction of rear edges 44 and bottom edges 46 of side panels 38 of the hood 16, which are resiliently elastic. A second step 102 of the method 98 is inserting an article 32 through a top 18 of the shell 12 into an interior space 14 defined by the shell 12. A third step 104 of the method 98 is motivating the hood 16 from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The hood 16 is retained in the closed configuration by constriction of the rear edges 44 of the side panels 38. A fourth step 106 of the method 98 is motivating the hood 16 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, as needed, to extract the article 32.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A storage bag assembly comprising:

a shell defining an interior space and being semirigid or rigid, a top of the shell being open, the shell comprising a front wall, a back wall, and opposed sidewalls, with each opposed sidewall extending between the front wall and the back wall, the front wall being dimensionally shorter than the back wall, an upper section of each opposed sidewall extending convexly from an upper edge of the front wall to an upper end of the back wall; and

a hood, the hood being resiliently flexible and comprising: a center panel having a front edge attached proximate to the upper edge of the front wall, and a pair of side panels shaped complementarily to the upper sections of the sidewalls and being attached singly to opposing edges of the center panel, rear edges and bottom edges of the side panels being resiliently elastic, enabling the hood to be positionable and self-retained in an open configuration, wherein the shell is configured for selective insertion or extraction of an article, and a closed configuration, wherein the hood covers the top and substantially covers the upper sections of the opposed sidewalls.

2. The storage bag assembly of claim 1, further including:

a pair of connectors, each connector being attached to and extending between a respective opposed edge of the back wall and a respective side panel, such that the hood is hingable between the open configuration and the closed configuration; and

a lip attached to the center panel and extending between the side panels along a back edge of the center panel, such that, with the hood in the closed configuration, the lip extends over the upper end of the back wall and is positioned in abutment to an outer surface of the back wall, the lip being semirigid or rigid, such that constriction of the rear edges of the side panels pulls downwardly on the lip to retain the hood in the closed configuration, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of the hood.

3. The storage bag assembly of claim 2, wherein each connector comprises a strap.

4. The storage bag assembly of claim 2, further including a pair of pulling members attached singly to the side panels of the pair of side panels, the pulling members of the pair of pulling members being pretensioned, such that the pair of pulling members retain the hood in the open configuration, by pulling the hood toward the back wall and against the front wall, and in the closed configuration, by application of a downward pulling force for locking the lip over the upper end of the back wall.

5. The storage bag assembly of claim 4, further including:

each pulling member comprising an elastic band, the elastic band, in a nontensioned state, being dimensionally shorter the bottom edge and the rear edge of the side panel; and

a plurality of stitch lines, each stitch line extending through a respective side panel and a respective elastic band in a pretensioned state, proximate to the bottom edge and the rear edge of the respective side panel, such that the elastic band is fixedly attached to the respective side panel in the pretensioned state.

6. The storage bag assembly of claim 5, further including:

the elastic band being positioned in a respective sleeve of a pair of sleeves, the respective sleeve being dimensionally longer than the bottom edge and the rear edge, such that the respective sleeve comprises a plurality of bunches and is selectively extensible; and

respective stitch lines extending through the respective sleeve, the elastic band, and a respective side panel, such that the respective sleeve and the elastic band are fixedly attached to and extends along the bottom edge and the rear edge of the side panel.

7. The storage bag assembly of claim 6, wherein each sleeve is attached to a respective side panel by two stitch lines extending singly proximate to opposite edges of the sleeve and one stitch line positioned substantially equally distant from the opposite edges, each of the three stitch lines also extending through the elastic band positioned in the sleeve.

8. The storage bag assembly of claim 2, further including a grip attached to the center panel, proximate to the back edge of the center panel, or to the lip, wherein the grip is configured for grasping in digits of a hand of a user for selectively motivating the hood between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

9. The storage bag assembly of claim 8, wherein the grip comprises a flexible tab.

10. The storage bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior space is complementarily to a pair of binoculars, a range finder, a camera, or a scope.

11. The storage bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the shell and the hood are padded.

12. The storage bag assembly of claim 1, further including a set of exterior panels attached to the shell defining a set of pockets.

13. The storage bag assembly of claim 12, wherein the set of exterior panels comprises one or more of:

a rear panel attached to the back wall defining a rear pocket;

a pair of opposed side panels, each opposed side panel of the pair of opposed side panels being attached to a respective opposed sidewall defining a side pocket; and

a front panel attached to the front wall defining a front pocket.

14. The storage bag assembly of claim 13, wherein:

the rear panel comprises resiliently flexible mesh;

the front pocket is zippered; and

each opposed side panel is fitted with an elastomeric band along an opening of the side pocket.

15. The storage bag assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of couplers attached to the back wall, wherein the couplers of the plurality of couplers are configured for attaching the shell to a user or substrate.

16. A method of storing and retrieving an article comprising the steps of:

motivating a hood attached to a shell from a closed configuration to an open configuration, the hood being retained in the open configuration by constriction of rear edges and bottom edges of side panels of the hood, which are resiliently elastic;

inserting an article through a top of the shell into an interior space defined by the shell;

motivating the hood from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the hood being retained in the closed configuration by constriction of the rear edges and of the side panels; and

motivating the hood from the closed configuration to the open configuration, as needed, to extract the article.