Abstract:
A tool storage bag is provided for storing tools and accessories at a work site. The tool storage bag has straps that allow for even distribution of the load during transit. The bag also includes a wear-resistant pocket design and a reinforced bottom construction.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Ser. No. 60/222,687, filed Aug. 2, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to storage bags and more specifically to worksite storage bags designed to hold and protect various tools and accessories. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known in the art to produce a bag that is required to carry substantial loads for various situations. These bags have numerous designs for various specific functions. However, these designs fail to address many concerns for a bag in use at a construction site. 
     Generally, many prior bag designs are made out of a unitary material that creates an enclosure. These bags, though good for light loads, are not well suited for carrying larger loads that require a great deal of strength. However, disclosures such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,315 disclose a frame attached to the bottom of a bag. This frame, though providing some support to the bottom of the bag, does not disclose a device that would provide superior protection to destruction of items in a bag and protect items from moisture damage. 
     Furthermore, the handles of bags are generally left to simply sitting on the outside walls of the bag, this can reduce the durability of the handles and the ability to carry extremely heavy loads. However, it is desirous to more integrally associate the handles with the bag. Handles that are simply affixed to the walls of the bag pose the possibility of tearing lose. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle system for a bag that may carry a heavy load without breaking or tearing away from the bag to which the handles are attached. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage bag which is large and strong enough to carry heavy loads. 
     A third object of the present invention is to provide a bag with a storage compartment reinforced with a base portion that is both durable and resistant to the elements such as water. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a storage bag that has additional storage pockets such that the seems of the pockets are resistant to wear due to grinding from debris and dirt within the pocket. 
     The present invention is a heavy-duty storage bag, especially for use at a construction work site. The present invention discloses a handle and strap system that surrounds the entire bag allowing for even weight distribution and long term durability. Furthermore, the bag is provided with pockets that are of a heavy-duty construction and affixed to the bag in such a way as to create a distance from the bottom of the pocket thus reducing wear due to debris. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a bottom for a bag that is both durable and resilient to elements such as moisture. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool storage bag according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the tool storage bag according to the present invention; 
     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; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tool storage bag according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of a front of a worksite storage bag according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of a side of a worksite storage bag according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tray bottom of a worksite storage bag according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A tool storage bag  10 , as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, 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 tool 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  (as 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 for the tool storage bag  10 . This large footprint allows for the storage of numerous tools of various sizes not currently accommodated by other storage bags. Furthermore, the pockets  20 , 22  allow for additional storage of tools and their attendant accessories. 
     With continuing reference to FIG.  1  and additional reference to FIGS. 2-3, 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,  described below. A second leather strap  28  extends from sidewall  14 B, the base  12  and sidewall  14 C and crossing the first leather strap  25  on 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  14 A- 14 D by a boxstitch  30  and to the base  12  of the storage bag  10 . Furthermore, the leather straps  25 , 28  provide even weight distribution for ease of transport and storage. The leather straps  25 , 28  in traversing, as one piece, the entire distance along the sidewalls and base of the storage bag  10  ensure that the weight of the storage bag  10  is not shifted unevenly. 
     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 to allow ease of storage and transport. Furthermore, having the handles  26   a,    26   b  secured on top of the tool storage bag  10  can increase safety at a work site and during transport. 
     Now turning particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner pockets  20  and exterior pockets  22  which are sewn to the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewalls  14 A- 14 D can be seen in detail. The pockets  20 , 22  are disposed around the interior and exterior of the tool storage bag  10 . The plurality of pockets  20 , 22  allow for extreme flexibility in storage of items and for increased storage capacity. The pockets  20 , 22  are provided with a lower seam  21  which is spaced a distance D above the pocket bottom  20   a,    22   a.  This distance D up the sidewalls  14 A- 14 D will allow sand and other grit to fall to the pocket bottom  20   a,    22   a  and not affect the seam  21 . In not affecting the seam  21  the seam  21  may have a longer wear life and increased value to the consumer. 
     With reference to FIGS. 6-8 an alternate embodiment of the tool storage bag  110  is provided with a plastic bottom or tray  60  which is sewn to the sidewalls  14 A- 14 D. The storage bag  110  as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is disposed within the tray  60 . Thus the storage bag  110  includes a base and sidewalls  114 A- 114 D that extend to the bottom of the tray  60 . The tray  60  is provided with recesses  64  for receiving the first leather strap  125  and further recesses  62  for receiving the second leather strap  128 . The tray  60  receives the bottom of the storage bag  110  providing increased stability and increased wear resistance to the bottom of the storage bag  110 . Furthermore, the tray  60  is constructed of a suitable plastic or rubber which will also resist dampness which may be present at several worksites. This resistance to dampness will help increase the lifetime of tools stored in the storage bag  110  by resisting corrosion that may occur due to dampness that would otherwise soak through the storage bag  110 . 
     Now turning with particular reference to FIG. 8, the recesses  62  and  64  which receive the first leather strap  125  and the second leather strap  128  allow for a close fit of the leather straps  125 , 128 . This ensures that the leather traps  125 , 128  will not lose their grip on the storage bag  110  as it is moved from location to location. Furthermore, the recesses  62 , 64  may increase the wear time of the straps as well removing sharp edges which may be exposed if the leather straps  125 , 128  were not allowed to recess under the storage bag  10 . The tray  60  also includes a plurality of openings  66   a - 66   d  and  68   a - 68   b  which are formed to receive the leather straps  125 , 128 . The first leather strap  125  is received first through opening  66   a,  extends across the bottom of the tray  60 , then under the bottom channel  74  through opening  66   b,  then back through opening  66   c  across the bottom of the tray  60 , and finally exiting the tray  60  through opening  66   d  where it extends upward along the sidewall of the tray. In this way the first leather strap  25  travels from the outside of the tray into the tray  60  and exits the tray again. This serpentine path ensures that the first leather strap  125  will never disengage the tray  60  thus further assuring that the storage bag  110  is securely held by the first leather strap  125 . The second leather strap  128  is received first by opening  68 a extends below the channel  74 , while also being received into the channel  74 , crossing the first leather strap  125  and then is received by opening  68   b.  In this manner the second leather strap  128  is disposed on the inside and the outside of the tray  60  as well further ensuring a secure hold upon the tray  60  and the tool storage bag  110 . 
     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.