Framed soft sided carrier for tools

A collapsible bag or container includes first and second major pockets separated by a connecting web into which a metal frame is removably inserted. Alternatively, a plastic or rigid board member is substituted for the metal frame. Loops and handles project through the web for attachment of a carrier strap or manual handle. Another embodiment includes rigid end panels connected by a rigid bottom panel and a rigid handle with a flexible interior dividing wall supported by straps attached to the rigid handle and by attachment to the end panels and bottom panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a carrier for tools and other similar articles comprised of a flexible bag and a frame which is in combination with the bag.

Tradesmen and craftsmen often find it necessary to carry multiple tools for practice of their trade. Various types of bags and containers have been developed to facilitate the transport of such tools. Often such bags or containers are fabricated from a fabric such as canvas or a vinyl material. Various designs of such containers or bags are available. Nonetheless there remains a need for improved designs and further the need for designs which are collapsible or may be folded for ease of transport and for appropriate ease of packaging in order to market the products. Additionally, there remains the need for tool bags designed to carry heavy, electrically operated tools such as drills as well as attachments and power sources for such tool in a manner which provides protection and the capability of organization of the tool parts and accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a collapsible tool carrier or bag comprised of first and second principal, open top pockets with a connecting web separating the two separate, principal pockets. The web is constructed of opposed web panels that define an enclosure or slot. A wire frame is inserted in the enclosure or slot between the opposed panels. The frame includes loops that project from openings provided in top seam or the juncture between the opposed web panels. End loops in the frame are provided for a shoulder strap and a handle loop is incorporated at the middle of the frame. Various embodiments of the invention are depicted including an embodiment comprised of a flexible container having the configuration of a saddle bag, and a flexible sided container wherein the bottom of the container is rigid with a mid-panel or web pocket into which the wire frame is inserted and retained by means of a fastener such as a zipper. Other embodiments substitute rigid boards for the wire frame.

More specifically, a tool bag or carrier is disclosed having generally trapezoidal end panels connected by a bottom panel wherein the panel assembly is comprised of at least three layers of materials including inner and outer layers of fabric or flexible material which generally encapsulates a stiffening board or assembly. The end panels are joined by a fabric or flexible material dividing wall which is supported by straps attached to a rigid handle that also connects the end panels. Folding side flaps are provided to enclose the space between the end panels and thereby, in combination with the dividing wall, parse the enclosure into at least two separate compartments. Additional stiffening elements may be incorporated in the dividing wall, end panels and side flaps in preferred embodiments.

Thus it is an object of the invention to provide improved collapsible tool bag or container comprised of first and second main pockets separated by midpanel or web construction which is adapted to receive a reinforcing wire frame.

It is another object of the invention to provide a collapsible carrier bag or container which may include multiple pockets and straps to facilitate the storage and carriage of tools and items of various shapes and sizes.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible tool bag or carrier which is economical, light weight, easy to assemble, easy to disassemble and package, and rugged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool bag having opposed end panels joined by a bottom panel wherein the panels are comprised of inner and outer layers of flexible fabric material encapsulating stiffening elements and wherein the spaced end panels are joined at their top side by a rigid handle which supports a dividing wall that also extends between the end panels.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ruggedly constructed tool bag which includes a frame work of generally rigid components including opposed end panels and a bottom panel wherein the end panels are connected to each other by a rigid handle which also supports a dividing wall within the enclosure defined by the panels. A further feature and object of the design is to provide flexible and attachable side flaps for the enclosure as well as an array of pockets within the enclosure for tool components and the like.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in a detailed description which follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, the collapsible portable tool carrier of the invention is comprised of two basic component parts: a wire frame, such as depicted inFIG. 3and a fabric bag having first and second separate pockets10and12and a connecting web14between the pockets10,12as depicted inFIG. 4. The following description of a first embodiment will be directed to the wire frame to be followed by a description of the fabric bag.

The wire frame includes a straight bottom run16having first and second spaced ends18and20. A first frame side22extends upwardly from the end18. A second parallel, spaced frame side24extends upwardly from the end20. The frame sides22and24are connected by a top run26. The top run26includes a first end loop28and a second, spaced end loop30at the junction, respectively, of the top run26and the side frame run22and the top run26and the side frame run24. A middle handle section32in the form of a loop is defined in the top run26. The loops28,30, as well as the handle section32are generally aligned along a line31which is spaced from and parallel to the bottom run16. An optional rectangular frame34is affixed to the bottom run16transversely thereto and connected by screws or fasteners36and38.

Referring next toFIGS. 1 and 4, there is depicted in greater detail the construction of the fabric bag or carrier. The fabric bag may be constructed from a material such as canvas or the like. The bag includes a first pocket10and a separate second pocket12separated and connected by a connecting web14. The connecting web14defines a middle axis40. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the axis40is an axis of symmetry of the pockets10and12. The bag assembly thus has the form of a saddle bag.

The web14includes a first notch42on one side thereof and a second notch44on the opposite side thereof. An intermediate opening46is defined on the axis40between the notches42and44. Each pocket10,12may include a series of pouches or subpockets, such as subpockets48and50for holding various tools. Web14further includes a strap52attached thereto extending from opening46with a connector54which may be attached to a strap and connector56attached to the outside of pocket12to hold the tools and the pocket12in a supported condition. The pocket10has a similar symmetric construction through the arrangement and configuration of ancillary pockets or pouches may be varied.

It will be noted by referring toFIG. 1that the web14is folded over the top run26of the frame with the handle32projecting through the opening46and the loops28and30projecting through the notches44and42, respectively. A carrying strap62with attachment clips or latches64and66may then be attached to the loops28and30for support of the bag.

Next referring toFIGS. 5,6and7there is depicted an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a bottom70of the bag is formed from a generally rigid material such as molded rubber or plastic material. The configuration of the bag may thus be controlled or adjusted by means of the shape of the bottom70. For example, the profile of the bottom70may be that of a kidney shape so that the bag may easily be carried by a worker or tradesman on his or her hip. That is, a kidney shaped bag will have a concave side which will easily fit against the hip of a worker for transport of the bag.

The bottom70may include peripheral, upstanding side flange72around the circumference of the bottom70. Circumferential side wall74is attached to the flange72and extends upwardly to define the interior or enclosure of the bag. The side wall74is comprised of a flexible material such as canvas fabric or a vinyl material. Of course, pockets may be formed up of both the inside and outside of the peripheral or circumferential side wall74.

Positioned within the interior of the enclosure defined by the side wall74is a central or midpanel or web76which substantially divides the collapsible bag into equal sized, major pockets within the enclosure defined by the side wall74. The midpanel or web76includes a first edge78which is preferably attached to the side wall74on the inside thereof. Optionally, the web76includes a bottom edge80which is attached to a rigid planar insert82attachable to the inside surface of bottom70. The insert82may be lifted or detached from the bottom70. The web76includes a first sheet or panel84and a separate sheet or panel86, a fastener88, such as a Velcro fastener, is provided along the lower edge80for coaction with a fastener89to enclose the tubular enclosure defined by the separate sheets or panels84and86.

The separate sheets84and86each include a second or inside edge or side90and92, respectively. The edges90and92may be joined or attached to a midplane web extension94. The tubular enclosure defined by the panels84and86further includes a top edge96having cut out openings98,100therein. The cut out opening100is substantially at the midpoint of the distance between the sides of the enclosure wall or panel74.

The panel web extension94comprises a tubular member, or in other words compatible side sheets or panels to web76and a zipper fastener102along an edge thereof cooperative with the zipper fastener90,92of the midpanel web76. The web extension94further includes a top edge104with an open passageway or opening106.

A frame108having a construction similar to the frame depicted inFIG. 3is provided to fit within the tube enclosure defined by the panels84and86and the web extension94. Thus the zipper connection90,92,102is first disconnected. The frame108is then inserted in the tube of web76and extension94and fitted in the manner depicted inFIG. 6so that the end loop28,30as well as the handle32are fitted through the appropriate openings98,100, and106. The zipper connection90,92,102is closed thereby encompassing the frame108. The insert or base82may then be fastened to bottom70.

A carry strap112may be attached to the loops28,30. A pocket retention strap114fixed to the web84includes a fastener116connectible with a fastener118attached to the side panel74. This is a strap construction similar to the first embodiment previously described.

Both the first and second embodiments may thus be easily assembled or disassembled. For the second embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6, removal of the frame108by detaching or unfastening the zipper90,92,102and removing the fasteners88,90will permit the removal of the frame108. In this manner, the entire assembly and more particularly the peripheral side wall74may be folded with the midpanel or connecting web76into a flat condition and placed in a packing box for display. Thus the assembly provides a rigid shaped tool carrier bag when assembled yet on the other hand may be disassembled for ease of packaging, storage, etc.

FIGS. 8-10illustrate, in general, another alternative embodiment of the invention. In this alternative embodiment, the carrier includes a flexible fabric material front wall130, a first flexible fabric lateral or side wall132and a second flexible fabric lateral or side wall134generally parallel to and spaced from the first flexible fabric side wall132. The carrier further includes a flexible fabric back side wall136generally parallel to and spaced from the front or forward flexible fabric wall130. A bottom wall, for example, bottom wall138inFIG. 10is also included as a component part of the carrier. The bottom wall138may be formed from a flexible fabric material as are the other walls. Alternatively, the bottom wall138may comprise a flexible fabric material with a rigid board, for example, a board member140encapsulated or sewn into a flexible fabric material as depicted, for example, inFIG. 10. Alternatively, the bottom wall138may be a flexible fabric material with a board rested thereon. Yet a further alternative is depicted inFIGS. 5-7wherein the bottom wall comprises a rigid molded material wall as previously described.

In any event, the carrier includes a mid-panel comprised of a first major pocket142and a second, opposed major pocket144. The pockets142and144are positioned on a plane which constitutes a mid plane halfway between the flexible front wall panel130and the flexible back wall panel136generally parallel thereto and spaced equally from the respective panel walls130,136. The pockets142and144each comprise flexible fabric material which is sewn into the lateral side walls132and134with openings exposed or directed toward one another so that a rigid board146or wire frame may be inserted into the pockets142and144thereby providing structural integrity to the carrier. The rigid board146may be of molded plastic material with a molded handle148along an upper margin150. A lower margin152will then be adjacent the bottom wall138as depicted inFIG. 10. The board46may be a molded plastic panel or fabricated from a wire material or a rod material, and thus be in the form of a wire frame, such as the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1-4. The pockets142and146may include a strap152and154sewn thereto and connected to a shoulder strap156, for example. The construction therefore provides a first compartment160adjacent the front wall130and a second compartment162adjacent the back wall136. The compartments160and162are generally equal in size. They are also preferably accessible from the top of the carrier and may, or may not, include top flaps or covers enclosing the compartments. Thus, the carrier, when filled with items, will facilitate the balance thereof.

The compartments160and162may receive, by way of example, modular molded storage boxes170and172. In such an embodiment, the storage boxes170and172may, for example, be fishing tackle boxes which are maintained within the compartments160and/or162, as depicted inFIG. 9.

FIG. 10illustrates one of the alternative constructions for attaching a board member or frame member146to bottom wall138. Hook and eyelet tabs174associated with the lower margin152of the frame member146engage hook and/or eyelet members176(e.g. Velcro fasteners) associated with the bottom wall, or bottom panel138. This enables attachment of the rigid frame member146to the bottom wall138, the frame member also being held by virtue of the pockets142and144as previously described.

FIG. 11illustrates another alternative construction wherein frame member146includes hook and eyelet tabs176which engage with tabs178. This arrangement facilitates holding the frame member146in position.FIG. 11illustrates the further feature of providing a board180for use in combination with, or as part of, the bottom wall138wherein the board180includes articulating side panels182and184which include hook and eyelet fastening elements186, by way of example, which engage with hook and/or eyelet fastening elements188on the bottom panel180. Each of the panels180,182and184are generally rigid panels. The panels182and184are one half or semi-sized with respect to the bottom panel180thus define a means for positioning the frame member with the carrier and provide a rigid bottom wall construction in combination with a rigid, vertical frame member146, again, which may be used in combination with the flexible fabric walls previously described.

FIG. 12illustrates that the flexible bag or wall material used for the carrier may include insulated or padded fabric walls. For example, a front wall190made from a flexible insulated fabric material will include an upper margin or flap192which connects with a closure flap194incorporated as an extension of a lateral side wall196. A zipper enables detachment of the flap192from the extension section194for access to the interior of the carrier depicted inFIG. 12. Thus, the overall combination of elements lends itself to multiple variations and uses including the use as an insulated carrier as depicted inFIG. 12.

FIGS. 13-22illustrate, in general, an alternative construction of the invention. More specifically,FIGS. 13-19illustrate a first version of this alternative construction.FIGS. 20-22illustrate a second version of the alternative embodiment.

Thus referring first toFIGS. 13-20, Heavy Duty Tool Bag200includes a first end panel202have a generally trapezoidal shape and an opposed congruent shape second end panel204spaced from the first end panel202by a connecting generally rigid bottom panel206. The generally trapezoidally shaped opposed first and second end panels202and204are connected to one another by means of a rigid, tubular handle208. The rigid, tubular handle208is connected by rivets210to the respective opposite end panels202and204. In a preferred embodiment, the handle208is a stiff tubular member formed, for example, from extruded aluminum and further includes a center handle grip section212. Preferably, the construction of the component parts is undertaken so as to provide a generally symmetrical arrangement of the component parts so that when a tradesman grips the handle grip212the assembly will be easily balanced. Thus, the handle208will be aligned generally with a vertical centerline of the trapezoidal end panels202and204. It should be noted that the end panels202and204, while preferably generally trapezoidal in shape, may be varied in shape and still accommodate the features of the invention.

A generally flexible dividing wall214is joined typically by stitching to the end panels202and204as well as the bottom panel206, for example, as depicted generally inFIG. 16. Further, the generally flexible material dividing wall214includes along its top edge a first support strap216and a second support strap218. The straps216and218fit over the tubular member208and thereby support the dividing wall214and maintain that wall substantially in a planar rigid configuration to divide or parse the interior of the enclosure defined by the various panels and walls into two separate sections for the storage and carrying of tools of the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the assembly of the end walls202and204or end panels202and204with the bottom panel206in combination with the handle member or handle208are further assembled with a lateral side flap construction such as depicted inFIG. 19as the side flap construction220. This side flap construction is joined to the bottom panel206along at least one edge of the side flap220and fits over the entire handle208, for example, as depicted inFIG. 13. Thus, the side flap construction220includes a center passage or opening222which enables the sides flap220to be fitted over the entire side arrangement of the assembly defined by the end panels202and204as well as the bottom panel206and handle208. A zipper construction224may be utilized to attach the flap220around a portion of or around its entire periphery to the assembly of end panels202,204, bottom panel206and rigid handle208. Alternatively, the side flap220may be rigidly attached along an edge, for example, along edge228of the bottom panel206. Then the zipper224will be provided to connect the periphery of the panel or flap220to the associated edges of the tool bag construction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the end panels202and204and bottom panel206are constructed as a multiple layer construction. That is, in a preferred embodiment the construction is comprised of a first or inner layer of flexible fabric material232defining end panels202and204as well as bottom panel206. The flexible fabric material is fitted over a generally stiffening board such as a polyethylene board member236as depicted inFIG. 17having a generally U-shaped configuration and further including in a preferred embodiment a pocket or recess238on each side of the U-shaped panel for receipt of a stiffening board240such as a fiber board, e.g. Masonite stiffening board. This construction, depicted inFIG. 17, is then further encapsulated in a generally flexible fabric material244as depicted inFIG. 18so that the board236and construction ofFIG. 17is generally capsulated in a flexible fabric envelop defined by an inner layer232and outer layer244. In a preferred embodiment a pocket246is further formed between the fabric layers232and234for receipt of a stiffening element248to further rigidify the construction. Alternatively, the polyethylene board stiffening element236may be provided only along the bottom panel206and the stiffening element, such as the stiffening element248, may be substituted for the vertically extending, trapezoidally shaped section defining the panels202and204inFIG. 17. In any event, in the preferred embodiment multiple layers of fabric and stiffening materials are utilized to define a generally stiffened U-shape construction forming end panels204and202as well as a bottom panel206with a connecting stiffening bar or handle208and a dividing wall214. These components define a general construction of the tool bag of the invention and in combination with a flap construction, such as flap220, define the enclosures for the tool bag for the invention.

As a further option, the center or diving wall214may include a pocket250which will receive a stiffening element such as a wire rod252as depicted inFIG. 16to facilitate stiffening of the dividing wall214. Further, it is to be noted that the dividing wall214may, and preferably is, aligned with the center of the end panels202and204again to provide for a generally symmetrical set of compartments within the enclosure defined by the construct.FIG. 19exemplifies the assembly of all the component parts including the various stiffening elements.

There are two versions of the embodiment of the invention described. In particular, referring toFIGS. 13-19there is depicted the first version which includes external pockets, such as the pocket260, and a boot or reinforcing element along the bottom side of the tool bag; namely, the molded rubber or plastic element262inFIG. 13and other figures. The flap220of the first version as depicted inFIG. 19, by way of example, in addition to including a center opening may include pockets such as pocket264and pocket266for storage of items. Further, straps such as straps266and268may be included for the purpose of holding tools attached to the side of the bag.

FIGS. 13-19depict, in the first version of the bag, a bag interior which includes certain attachments associated with or attached to the dividing wall214. For example, a pocket270is affixed to the dividing wall. Clamping arms272and274are provided for holding tools such as a drill or the like.

The second version or embodiment ofFIGS. 20-22includes some additional features such as the dividing wall214having a series of pockets such as pockets280,282etc. affixed thereto. Flexible straps such as284and286attach to a second semi-stiff panel290to which additional pockets such as pockets292and294are attached. The flexible straps define an opening or space between the sets of pockets280,282and the panel290for storage of items. A shoulder carry strap296is attached by means of a buckle assembly298to the panel202. The adjustable shoulder strap296has its opposite end attached by means of a buckle assembly300to the panel204.

Each of the versions of the embodiment may include additional stiffening elements associated with the flap220. For example, referring toFIG. 19referring to the first version a stiffening element comprising a wire loop304is incorporated in the flap220along the edge thereof defining the opening222. The second stiffening element306is incorporated in an integral internal pocket along the lower edge of the flap220. A similar construction is provided for the second version of the tool bag of the depicted embodiment as shown inFIG. 22.

As depicted in the figures, the collapsible fabric bag and other tool bag embodiments may include pockets of various size and description for holding various types of tools. Subpockets or pouches may be positioned on the outside of the collapsible bag or inside the bag. Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.