Bat Bag

Abstract

An improved sporting equipment bag is provided in which the bag includes a roller portion and a pack portion releasably secured to the roller portion. The separability of the pack portion enables the sporting equipment bag to function as either a roller bag or a bat pack, as desired.

Claims

1. A sporting equipment bag comprising: a. a main portion including a frame, the frame including a short portion and an elongate portion, wherein the elongate portion defines an interior; and b. a separable portion releasably attachable to the main portion.

2. The sporting equipment bag of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a number of wheels thereon.

3. The sporting equipment bag of claim 1, further comprising a first enclosure secured to the frame.

4. The sporting equipment bag of claim 3, wherein the first enclosure is releasably secured to the short portion of the frame.

5. The sporting equipment bag of claim 4, wherein the first enclosure includes at least one insulated compartment thereon.

6. The sporting equipment bag of claim 1, wherein the elongate portion includes a number of separating walls disposed within the interior of the elongate portion to define channels within the interior of the elongate portion.

7. The sporting equipment bag of claim 6, wherein the elongate portion comprises: a. a front surface; and b. a rear surface secured to the front surface, wherein the rear surface is formed of a stiff material.

8. The sporting equipment bag of claim 7, wherein the rear surface includes a number of peripheral side wall walls attached thereto, the side walls extending outwardly from the rear surface into connection with the front wall, wherein the rear surface and the side walls define a shell around at least part of the interior.

9. The sporting equipment bag of claim 1, further comprising a handle attached to the rear surface.

10. The sporting equipment bag of claim 10, wherein the handle is a telescoping handle.

11. The sporting equipment bag of claim 1, wherein the separable portion comprises second enclosure including a number of shoulder straps thereon.

12. The sporting equipment bag of claim 11, wherein the second enclosure include a number of first securing straps that are engageable with second securing straps disposed in the main portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention.

[0015] In the drawings:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a sporting equipment bag formed according to the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the sporting equipment bag of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a second configuration of the sporting equipment bag of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of the separable portion of the sporting equipment bag of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the separable portion of the sporting equipment bag of FIG. 4A.

[0021] FIG. 5A is a front elevation view of the main portion of the sporting equipment bag of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of the main portion of the sporting equipment bag of FIG. 4A.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a sporting equipment bag 10 constructed according to the present disclosure. The bag 10 includes a main portion 12 and a separable portion 14 releasably connected to the main portion 12.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the main portion 12 includes a substantially stiff or rigid frame 16 including a short portion 18 and an elongate portion 20, forming an L-shape for the frame 16 that allows the frame 16 to rest stably on a surface in either orientation along the short portion 18 or the elongate portion 20.

[0026] The elongate portion 20, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 5A and 5B, is formed with a generally hollow construction that includes a number of separating walls 22 (FIG. 6) spaced from one another, e.g., optionally equidistant from one another, and extending between a front surface 24 and a rear surface 26 of the elongate portion 20 that are peripherally joined to one another to define a number of channels 28 therein. Optionally, the rear surface 26 can be formed from a stiff material, such as a plastic or metal, while the front surface 24 and separating walls 22 are formed from a less stiff material, such as a natural or synthetic fabric material, in order to enable the channels 28 to flex towards the rear surface 26, while the rear surface 26 provides a protective barrier to items placed within the channels 28. The rear surface 26 can additionally be formed with a number of peripheral side walls 33 that extend between the rear surface 26 and the front surface 24 in a direction generally parallel to the separating walls 22 to create a shell 35 around the channels 28. The rear surface 26 can also include other structures thereon, such as rails 31, to assist in the enclosing and protection of items positioned within the channels 28. The channels 28 generally extend the length of the elongate portion 20 and have a sufficient length to enable each channel 28 to enclose a bat 30 therein. The channels 28 are selectively opened by a suitable closure 32 disposed along a top end 32 of the elongate portion 20 opposite the short portion 18, such as a zipper 34 or other suitable closure that can selectively join the front surface 24 to the rear surface 26 and/or the peripheral side walls 33 connected to the rear surface 26 at or adjacent the top end 32 to selectively access the channels 28 and items, e.g., bats 30, positioned therein.

[0027] At or near the top end 32 of the elongate portion 20, e.g., on the rear surface 26 and/or a side wall 33 connected to the rear surface 26, additionally includes a handle 36 to be grasped by a user, and/or a number of hanging members 38. The handle 36 can be disposed on the exterior of the elongate portion 20, or can be formed as a telescoping and/or retractable handle that is at least partially disposed within the shell 35 to selectively extend from within the shell 35 for use. The hanging members 38 each include a strap 40 secured to the elongate portion 20, e.g., the shell 35, at one end and a hook 42 secured to the strap 40 at the opposite end of the strap 40. The hook 42 can be selectively engaged with a separate structure (not shown), such as a fence or wall, to support the equipment bag 10 in an elevated position above a surface.

[0028] At the intersection of the short portion 18 and the long portion 20, the frame 16 optionally includes a number of wheels 44 that are rotatably attached to the frame 16. The wheels 44 enable the frame 16 to be readily moved by an individual by grasping the handle 36 and pulling the frame 16 over a surface using the wheels 44.

[0029] The short portion 18 supports a first enclosure 46 thereon. The first enclosure 46 is secured to the frame 16 along the short portion 18 and partially along the long portion 20. The first enclosure 46 includes a number of compartments 48 formed therein that are formed as one or more open ended or selectively accessible closed pockets including suitable closures 50, such as zippers 52, to provide a number of storage locations both on and within the first enclosure 46. In certain embodiments where the first enclosure 46 is fixed to the frame 16, the first enclosure 46 may additionally include a handle 54 secured to the exterior of the first enclosure 48 to provide an additional point where an individual can grasp and move the frame 16 and bag 10. Alternatively, where the first enclosure 48 is removably secured to the frame 16, such as through the use of suitable attachment straps (not shown) releasably engaged between the first enclosure 48 and the short portion 18 and/or elongate portion 20 of the frame 16, the handle 54 can be omitted or used to assist in the removal of the first enclosure 48 from the frame 16. In addition to the first enclosure 48 being formed with compartments therein, the position of the first enclosure 48 on the frame 16 at the intersection of the short portion 18 and the elongate portion 20 allows the frame 16 to support a significant amount of weight within the foist enclosure 48. As such, the first enclosure 48 can either partially or totally be configured as a cooler with insulated compartments to retain food and beverages therein.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, the separable portion 14 is formed as bat pack, with a second enclosure 56 formed with a pair of carrying straps 58 attached thereto. The straps 58 can be positioned around the shoulders of a user to enable the separable portion 14 to be carried by the user in a hands-free manner. The second enclosure 56 includes a number of compartments 60 formed therein that are open ended pockets or selectively accessible using suitable closures 62, such as zippers 64 and flaps 66 including hook and loop or mechanical fasteners, among others, to releasably secure the flaps 64 in closed position, to provide a number of storage locations both on and within the second enclosure 56.

[0031] The separable portion 14 can additionally include one or more sleeves 68 disposed on the exterior of the second enclosure 56, such as on opposed sides of the second enclosure 56. The sleeves 68 are designed to receive and hold a bat 70 therein, and in one exemplary embodiment are formed of a stretchable material that can expand to receive the bat 70 therein, while also compressing around the bat 70 to securely engage the bat 70 within the sleeve 68. The sleeves 68 can also include suitable closures 72, such as zippers 74, that are disposed at an open end of the sleeve 68, optionally opposite a closed end of the sleeve 68, that can be operated to expand the diameter of the sleeves 68 and assist in inserting and removing the bat 70 from within the sleeve 68.

[0032] Looking now at FIGS. 2-5B, in order to engage the separable portion 14 with the main portion 12, the second enclosure 56 is formed with a number of first securing straps 76 fixed thereto. These first securing straps 76 are selectively engageable with complementary second securing straps 78 fixed to the main portion 12, e.g., on the elongate portion 20 of the frame 16 and/or on the first enclosure 46. The engagement of the first securing straps 76 with the second securing straps 78 positions the separable portion 14 in a stable and secure location on the main portion 12, such that the main portion 12 and the separable portion 14 can be moved and/or transported as a single unit. In this manner the bag 10 can selectively function as either an overnight or weekend equipment bag 10 with the main portion 12 and the separable portion 14, or as a day equipment bag by using only the separable portion 14.

[0033] Further, to assist in transporting the main portion 12 and the separable portion 14 when joined to one another, the bag 10 can include a carrying handle 80 that is releasably secured to the frame 16. The carrying handle 80 extends over or around the second enclosure 56 between opposite ends of the elongate portion 20 of the frame 16 to not only provide a carrying point for the bag 10 but also to provide additional securing of the separable portion 14 to the main portion 12.

[0034] Other features that can be included with the bag 10 are, but are not limited to:

Bat Pack/Second Enclosure Adjustments/Optional Structures:

[0035] outside helmet holder and clips [0036] a heavy duty nylon strap to lift bag when connected to base [0037] velted valuables pocket where the black velcro was [0038] zipper pocket in place of the helmet holder [0039] mesh vented windows on compartments (cover can zip off) [0040] shelf/floor piece to bottom of bag for stability, while also keeping the vinyl bag to eliminate dirt [0041] inside zipper mesh pocket into 2 compartments

Bat Bag Base/Frame Adjustments/Optional Structures:

[0042] zipper closure on main/second compartment at front and top of main/second compartment [0043] insulated side pocket for drinks [0044] nylon bat compartment that holds 4 bats and zips close (conceals bats) to the hard shell [0045] retracting handle [0046] large heavy duty wheels for rolling [0047] hard shell needs to expand to fully protect bats, while remaining flat so bat pack can connect to it

[0048] Various other alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.