Abstract:
A handle and strap for use with a tool storage bag is disclosed. The handle is uniquely formed into the strap and is made for carrying heavy loads. The handle is also reinforced.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to handles for bags and more particularly to a heavy duty handle formed integrally with the strap to which it is attached.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    It is known in the art to create handles that are placed upon various types of bags for ease of transport. Handles generally include a strap with a handle in association therewith for insertion of a hand. Generally, the art has attempted to create strong handles that are designed to withstand a great weight that has been placed in the bag to which the handles are attached. However, these handles still have shortfalls.  
           [0003]    Many handles in the art are formed through looping a strap and providing a space for a hand in that manner. This design requires a greater amount of strap material in order to provide a strong handle that loops about the entire bag. Furthermore, if this method does not surround the entire bag then the handles are generally stitched to the sides of the bag. This stitching either provides a weak handle-to-bag connection, or requires a substantial portion of stitching to securely hold the strap to the bag.  
           [0004]    Other methods of handle formation include forming an opening within the strap material. The handle opening is formed by cutting a portion of the strap material away to create an opening. Again, to ensure a strong handle a vast amount of material is required.  
           [0005]    Another final type of handle is formed through connecting a portion of an end of a strap together. This handle type of handle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,517. However, this disclosure requires that a bag and handle be formed together, essentially a unitary portion of material is used for the handle and the bag. Furthermore, the material is on a continuous reel that provides for only one bag design and type.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle to a storage bag that will withstand a heavy load and still provide comfort for the user.  
           [0007]    It is a second object of the present invention to provide a handle formed from a strap that surrounds the bag to increase the weight capacity of the handle and to more equally distribute the weight of the bag.  
           [0008]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a handle which is simple to manufacture and refined in appearance.  
           [0009]    The present invention uniquely forms a handle from the strap to which the handle is attached. In this way the handle need not be attached to the strap that surrounds the bag, but rather is a part of the strap. Thus, the handle is of a more solid construction and will not be susceptible to such wear and breakage as other handles may experience.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool storage bag which incorporates the handle according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an end view of the tool storage bag according to the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the interior of the tool storage bag according to the present invention including a cross-sectional view of side pockets of the worksite storage bag according to the present invention; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a preferred method of construction of the handle according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]    A tool storage bag  10 , as is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3 , includes a base  12  and generally vertical sidewalls  14 A- 14 D which are formed of a ballistic nylon inner and outer shell having open cell urethane disposed therebetween. A cover  16  is attached to the sidewall  14 D by a fabric hinge. A zipper  18  is provided along sidewalls  14 A- 14 C for securing the cover  16  in a closed position. The storage bag  10  is designed for storing tools and accessories and includes a plurality of exterior pockets  20  disposed on the exterior surface and an additional plurality of interior pockets  22  (shown in FIG. 3) disposed on an interior surface of the sidewalls  14 A- 14 D. The pockets  20 , 22  are formed through stitching material to the sidewalls  14 A- 14 D. The sidewalls  14 A- 14 D are spaced a distance apart so as to create a large footprint of the tool storage bag  10 . This large footprint allows for the storage of numerous tools and accessories of various sizes which are not currently accommodated by other storage bags. Furthermore, the pockets  20 , 22  allow for further storage of tools and their attendant accessories.  
         [0016]    The tool storage bag  10  additionally includes a first leather strap portion  25  that extends along sidewall  14 A, the base  12  and sidewall  14 D. The first leather strap  25  terminates in uniquely designed handles  26   a ,  26   b  (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), described below. A second leather strap  28  extends from sidewalls  14 B, the base  12  and sidewall  14 C and crosses the first leather strap  25  below the base  12 . The second leather strap  28  terminates at both ends in metal loops  29  which are designed to be engaged by a shoulder strap (not shown). The ends of leather straps  25 , 28  are stitched to the sidewalls by a boxstitch  30  and provide even weight distribution for ease of transport and storage. The leather straps  25 , 28  in traversing, as one piece, the entire distance around the storage bag  10  ensure that the weight of the worksite storage bag  10  is not shifted unevenly.  
         [0017]    With continuing reference to FIG. 1 and particular reference to FIG. 2 the unique handles  26   a ,  26   b  may be seen. The handles  26   a ,  26   b  have hook-and-loop fasteners  27   a ,  27   b  on the innermost sides for attaching the handles  26   a ,  26   b  together when carrying or storing the worksite storage bag  10 . The handles  26   a ,  26   b  may be fastened together by moving handle  26   a  in the direction of Arrow A and handle  26   b  in the direction of Arrow B to allow the hook-and-loop fasteners  27   a ,  27   b  to engage one another. Furthermore, having the handles  26   a ,  26   b  secured on top of the bag can increase safety at a work site and during transport.  
         [0018]    Turning reference to FIGS.  4 A- 4 H the preferred embodiment for constructing the handles  26   a , 26   b  is illustrated through several steps. Initially the end of the first leather strap  25  is laid flat as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Next, FIGS.  4 B- 4 C indicate, a die  50  is used to cut the end of the first leather strip  25  into two legs  51   a  and  51   b  and creating an opening  52  through the leather strap  25 . Following creating the legs  51   a , 51   b , FIGS.  4 D- 4 E indicate the legs  51   a , 51   b  being folded in half upon themselves as shown particularly in FIG. 4E. FIG. 4F indicates the folded end of leg  51   b  is then placed within the folded end of leg  51   a  creating an overlap area  55  which is then stitched together  53 . FIGS.  4 G- 4 H indicate that there is a portion of leather  60  further placed over the overlapped area  55  and stitched closed to add further support and rigidity to the handle  26 . In this way a strong and reinforced handle  26  is formed from the first leather strap  25   
         [0019]    A second embodiment (not shown) is very similar to the preferred embodiment. The only difference is that the first leather strap  25  is made of two pieces of leather adhered suede side together. The process of then forming the handle in the double leather strap would be substantially similar to that of the preferred embodiment. In this way the top grain leather side may be on both sides of the strap and handle. Furthermore, the existence of two straps would increase the weight capacity of the strap and the handle.  
         [0020]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.