Boat Top Storage Bag

Abstract

A boat top storage bag attachable to a top of a boat, the bag including a main body having a plurality of interconnected panels, including a front panel, side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a rear access panel, with the rear access panel connected to the bottom panel and removably connectable to the side panels and the top panel by a closure, and the rear access panel and the closure configured to cooperate so that the rear access panel folds down to facilitate removal and insertion of items to be stored into the bag; an interior cavity within the main body, the interior cavity including removable dividers to divide the interior into a plurality of cavity sections and to support the interior cavity against sagging; and a plurality of at least two different style fasteners that cooperate to enable the bag to be securable to a variety of boat tops and support the bag against sagging when it is secured to a boat top.

Claims

1. A boat top storage bag attachable to a top of a boat, the bag comprising: a main body having a plurality of interconnected panels, comprising a front panel, side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a rear access panel, with the rear access panel connected to the bottom panel and removably connectable to the side panels and the top panel by a closure, and the rear access panel and the closure configured to cooperate so that the rear access panel folds down to facilitate removal and insertion of items to be stored into the bag; an interior cavity within the main body, the interior cavity including removable dividers to divide the interior into a plurality of cavity sections and configured to support the top panel and the bottom panel to maintain the interior cavity against sagging; and a plurality of at least two different style fasteners that cooperate to enable the bag to be securable to a variety of boat tops and support the bag against sagging when it is secured to a boat top.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bottom panel includes drains.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the top panel is formed of a nylon mesh to promote airflow.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein a plurality of at least two different style fasteners comprises four first straps each having cooperating buckle ends, and seven second straps each having a cooperating D-ring and hook and loop connectors

5. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pockets on the front panel of the bag.

6. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a storage pocket on at least one of the side panels of the bag.

7. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a built-in elastic cord on the outside of the bottom panel of the bag.

8. A boat top storage bag attachable to a top of a boat, the bag comprising: a main body having a plurality of interconnected panels, comprising a front panel, side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a rear access panel, with the rear access panel connected to the bottom panel and removably connectable to the side panels and the top panel by a closure, and the rear access panel and the closure configured to cooperate so that the rear access panel folds down to facilitate removal and insertion of items to be stored into the bag; an interior cavity within the main body, the interior cavity including removable dividers to divide the interior into a plurality of cavity sections and configured to support the top panel and the bottom panel to maintain the interior cavity against sagging; and a plurality of fasteners that cooperate to enable the bag to be securable below a boat top and support the bag against sagging when it is secured to the boat top.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of boat top storage bag according to the disclosure installed on a T-Top style boat top.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the boat top storage bag installed on a Bimini style boat top.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows the boat top storage bag open showing internal supports that enable the storage bag to resist sagging when loaded with stored items.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the boat top storage bag.

[0016] FIGS. 5 and 6 are detailed views showing straps for securing the storage bag to a boat top.

[0017] FIG. 7 shows the straps of FIGS. 5 and 6 as used to secure the storage bag to the boat top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With reference to the drawings, there is shown a boat top storage bag 10 attached to a top T of a boat B. In FIG. 1 the top T is a T-Top style boat top. In FIG. 2, the top T is a Bimini style boat top. As will be appreciated, the storage bag 10 is desirably aesthetically pleasing and securely conceals stored items and is an aesthetically pleasing addition to the boat.

[0019] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bag 10 is provided by a main body 12 having interconnected panels. The main body 12 is advantageously made of a heavy duty, water-resistant nylon 600 Denier material which is solution-dyed black for greater resistance against fading. Nylon thread is desirably used to connect the panels.

[0020] The panels of the main body 12 may be provided by a front panel 12a, side panels 12b and 12c, top panel 12d, bottom panel 12e, and a rear access panel 12f. The rear access panel 12f is connected to the bottom panel 12e and removably connectable to the side panels 12b and 12c, and the top panel 12d by a closure, preferably in the form of a zipper 12g.

[0021] The rear access panel 12f and the zipper 12g desirably cooperate with the bag 10 so that the panel 12f folds down to facilitate removal and insertion of items to be stored into the bag 10. The top panel 12d is formed of a nylon mesh to promote airflow. The bottom panel 12e includes non-rusting ventilation aluminum grommets 12ee to help prevent moisture buildup and avoid mold and mildew growth.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the bag 10 is advantageously configured to avoid sagging or the like when loaded with stored items, such as life jackets J. In this regard, an interior storage cavity 14 of the bag 10 is configured to be divided by one or more removable dividers 16 into a plurality of cavity sections, such as cavity sections 14a, 14b, and 14c, which are preferably of equal dimensions.

[0023] The dividers 16 are configured to support the top panel 12d and the bottom panel 12e to maintain the interior cavity 14 against sagging. For example, the dividers 16 as installed are sufficiently self-supporting across their height to maintain substantially uniform spacing between the top panel 12d and the bottom panel 12e. The dividers 16 may be installed onto interior surfaces of the top panel 12d and the bottom panel 12e using fasteners such as hook and loop material, snaps or other removable fasteners.

[0024] In the shown embodiment, the bag 10 is configured to have a width of about 37 inches, a depth of about 20 inches, and a height of about 6 inches, with two of the dividers 16. This configuration is configured for storing six type-II life jackets or throwable flotation cushions, with two life jackets in each cavity section 14a-14c.

[0025] To enable storage of smaller items such as fire extinguishers, wallets, radio, and phones, the bag 10 also desirably includes a plurality of discrete pockets 18 on the front panel 12a the side panels 12b and 12c. Each of the pockets 18 also desirably includes one or more aluminum grommets 18a in the bottom for drainage and airflow. The pockets 18 may be opened/closed as by closures such as zippers 18b.

[0026] Additional storage for other smaller items, such as suntan lotion, sunglasses, and keys, is provided by see-through mesh storage pockets 20 on the side edges of the bottom panel 12e. The pockets 20 may be opened/closed as by closures such as zippers 20a. In addition, a built-in elastic cord 22 on the outside of the bottom panel 12e of the bag 10 allows valuable storage space for exposed drying of wet towels, rags, clothing, or additional life jackets or the like if needed.

[0027] As will be appreciated, the bag 10 is configured to be adaptable for installation onto a variety of boat tops, such as see in FIGS. 1 and 2. To accomplish this, the bag 10 includes at least two different style fasteners that together serve to accommodate a variety of boat tops and avoid sagging of the bag 10.

[0028] As shown, in FIG. 7, the bag 10 includes a plurality of straps 24, preferably at least four straps 24, connected thereto and having cooperating buckle ends 24a and 24b to enable quick connection to and disconnection from the top T. The straps 24 are uniformly arranged on the top panel 12d and are desirably two-inch wide nylon straps. FIG. 5 shows connection of the one of the straps 24 to the top T.

[0029] In addition, the bag 10 includes a plurality of straps 26, preferably at least seven straps 26, connected thereto and having a cooperating D-ring 26a and hook and loop connectors 26b to enable quick connection to and disconnection from the top T. The straps 26 also help to support the bag 10 so as to avoid sagging. The straps 26 are uniformly arranged on the top panel 12d and are desirably one-inch wide nylon straps. FIG. 6 shows connection of the one of the straps 24 to the top T.

[0030] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure provides an auxiliary storage device that enables convenient storage of sport boat items, and offers numerous advantages over the prior art.

[0031] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.