Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 09/838,908 filed Apr. 20, 2001, entitled “Framed, Soft Sided Carrier For Tools”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,998, which is a utility application and patent based upon previously filed provisional application Ser. No. 60/198,966 filed Apr. 21, 2000, each of which is incorporated herewith by reference and for which priority is claimed. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a collapsible carrier for tools and other similar articles comprised of a flexible bag and a wire frame which is used 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 and may be folded for ease of transport and for appropriate ease of packaging in order to market the products. 
   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. 
   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. 
   These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in a detailed description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the assembled collapsible tool carrier of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of the tool carrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an elevation of the wire frame which is used in the collapsible tool carrier; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the fabric bag which is utilized with the wire frame of  FIG. 3  to provide the collapsible tool carrier of the invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  partially assembled for use; 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  fully assembled for use; 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of the invention utilizing a rigid plastic internal frame member; 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the type shown in  FIG. 8  further including modular sized, separate molded plastic containers incorporated in combination with the carrier; 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  partially cut away and sectioned to reveal the construction of the carrier; 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an alternative frame construction utilized in the fabrication of an embodiment of the type depicted in  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention utilizing insulated, flexible, fabric walls to provide a carrier which can serve as a cooler or insulated bag. 
   

   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 in  FIG. 3 and a  fabric bag having first and second separate pockets  10  and  12  and a connecting web  14  between the pockets  10 ,  12  as depicted in FIG.  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 run  16  having first and second spaced ends  18  and  20 . A first frame side  22  extends upwardly from the end  18 . A second parallel, spaced frame side  24  extends upwardly from the end  20 . The frame sides  22  and  24  are connected by a top run  26 . The top run  26  includes a first end loop  28  and a second, spaced end loop  30  at the junction, respectively, of the top run  26  and the side frame run  22  and the top run  26  and the side frame run  24 . A middle handle section  32  in the form of a loop is defined in the top run  26 . The loops  28 ,  30 , as well as the handle section  32  are generally aligned along a line  31  which is spaced from and parallel to the bottom run  16 . An optional rectangular frame  34  is affixed to the bottom run  16  transversely thereto and connected by screws or fasteners  36  and  38 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 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 pocket  10  and a separate second pocket  12  separated and connected by a connecting web  14 . The connecting web  14  defines a middle axis  40 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the axis  40  is an axis of symmetry of the pockets  10  and  12 . The bag assembly thus has the form of a saddle bag. 
   The web  14  includes a first notch  42  on one side thereof and a second notch  44  on the opposite side thereof. An intermediate opening  46  is defined on the axis  40  between the notches  42  and  44 . Each pocket  10 ,  12  may include a series of pouches or subpockets, such as subpockets  48  and  50  for holding various tools. Web  14  further includes a strap  52  attached thereto extending from opening  46  with a connector  54  which may be attached to a strap and connector  56  attached to the outside of pocket  12  to hold the tools and the pocket  12  in a supported condition. The pocket  10  has a similar symmetric construction through the arrangement and configuration of ancillary pockets or pouches may be varied. 
   It will be noted by referring to  FIG. 1  that the web  14  is folded over the top run  26  of the frame with the handle  32  projecting through the opening  46  and the loops  28  and  30  projecting through the notches  44  and  42 , respectively. A carrying strap  62  with attachment clips or latches  64  and  66  may then be attached to the loops  28  and  30  for support of the bag. 
   Next referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  there is depicted an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a bottom  70  of 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 bottom  70 . For example, the profile of the bottom  70  may 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 bottom  70  may include peripheral, upstanding side flange  72  around the circumference of the bottom  70 . Circumferential side wall  74  is attached to the flange  72  and extends upwardly to define the interior or enclosure of the bag. The side wall  74  is 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 wall  74 . 
   Positioned within the interior of the enclosure defined by the side wall  74  is a central or midpanel or web  76  which substantially divides the collapsible bag into equal sized, major pockets within the enclosure defined by the side wall  74 . The midpanel or web  76  includes a first edge  78  which is preferably attached to the side wall  74  on the inside thereof. Optionally, the web  76  includes a bottom edge  80  which is attached to a rigid planar insert  82  attachable to the inside surface of bottom  70 . The insert  82  may be lifted or detached from the bottom  70 . The web  76  includes a first sheet or panel  84  and a separate sheet or panel  86 , a fastener  88 , such as a Velcro fastener, is provided along the lower edge  80  for coaction with a fastener  89  to enclose the tubular enclosure defined by the separate sheets or panels  84  and  86 . 
   The separate sheets  84  and  86  each include a second or inside edge or side  90  and  92 , respectively. The edges  90  and  92  may be joined or attached to a midplane web extension  94 . The tubular enclosure defined by the panels  84  and  86  further includes a top edge  96  having cut out openings  98 ,  100  therein. The cut out opening  100  is substantially at the midpoint of the distance between the sides of the enclosure wall or panel  74 . 
   The panel web extension  94  comprises a tubular member, or in other words compatible side sheets or panels to web  76  and a zipper fastener  102  along an edge thereof cooperative with the zipper fastener  90 ,  92  of the midpanel web  76 . The web extension  94  further includes a top edge  104  with an open passageway or opening  106 . 
   A frame  108  having a construction similar to the frame depicted in  FIG. 3  is provided to fit within the tube enclosure defined by the panels  84  and  86  and the web extension  94 . Thus the zipper connection  90 ,  92 ,  102  is first disconnected. The frame  108  is then inserted in the tube of web  76  and extension  94  and fitted in the manner depicted in  FIG. 6  so that the end loop  28 ,  30  as well as the handle  32  are fitted through the appropriate openings  98 ,  100 , and  106 . The zipper connection  90 ,  92 ,  102  is closed thereby encompassing the frame  108 . The insert or base  82  may then be fastened to bottom  70 . 
   A carry strap  112  may be attached to the loops  28 ,  30 . A pocket retention strap  114  fixed to the web  84  includes a fastener  116  connectible with a fastener  118  attached to the side panel  74 . 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 of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , removal of the frame  108  by detaching or unfastening the zipper  90 ,  92 ,  102  and removing the fasteners  88 ,  90  will permit the removal of the frame  108 . In this manner, the entire assembly and more particularly the peripheral side wall  74  may be folded with the midpanel or connecting web  76  into 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. 8-10  illustrate, in general, another alternative embodiment of the invention. In this alternative embodiment, the carrier includes a flexible fabric material front wall  130 , a first flexible fabric lateral or side wall  132  and a second flexible fabric lateral or side wall  134  generally parallel to and spaced from the first flexible fabric side wall  132 . The carrier further includes a flexible fabric back side wall  136  generally parallel to and spaced from the front or forward flexible fabric wall  130 . A bottom wall, for example, bottom wall  138  in  FIG. 10  is also included as a component part of the carrier. The bottom wall  138  may be formed from a flexible fabric material as are the other walls. Alternatively, the bottom wall  138  may comprise a flexible fabric material with a rigid board, for example, a board member  140  encapsulated or sewn into a flexible fabric material as depicted, for example, in FIG.  10 . Alternatively, the bottom wall  138  may be a flexible fabric material with a board rested thereon. Yet a further alternative is depicted in  FIGS. 5-7  wherein 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 pocket  142  and a second, opposed major pocket  144 . The pockets  142  and  144  are positioned on a plane which constitutes a mid plane halfway between the flexible front wall panel  130  and the flexible back wall panel  136  generally parallel thereto and spaced equally from the respective panel walls  130 ,  136 . The pockets  142  and  144  each comprise flexible fabric material which is sewn into the lateral side walls  132  and  134  with openings exposed or directed toward one another so that a rigid board  146  or wire frame may be inserted into the pockets  142  and  144  thereby providing structural integrity to the carrier. The rigid board  146  may be of molded plastic material with a molded handle  148  along an upper margin  150 . A lower margin  152  will then be adjacent the bottom wall  138  as depicted in FIG.  10 . The board  146  may 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 in  FIGS. 1-4 . The pockets  142  and  146  may include a strap  153  and  154  sewn thereto and connected to a shoulder strap  156 , for example. The construction therefore provides a first compartment  160  adjacent the front wall  130  and a second compartment  162  adjacent the back wall  136 . The compartments  160  and  162  are 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 compartments  160  and  162  may receive, by way of example, modular molded storage boxes  170  and  172 . In such an embodiment, the storage boxes  170  and  172  may, for example, be fishing tackle boxes which are maintained within the compartments  160  and/or  162 , as depicted in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates one of the alternative constructions for attaching a board member or frame member  146  to bottom wall  138 . Hook and eyelet tabs  174  associated with the lower margin  152  of the frame member  146  engage hook and/or eyelet members  176  (e.g. Velcro fasteners) associated with the bottom wall, or bottom panel  138 . This enables attachment of the rigid frame member  146  to the bottom wall  138 , the frame member also being held by virtue of the pockets  142  and  144  as previously described. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates another alternative construction wherein frame member  146  includes hook and eyelet tabs  176  which engage with tabs  178 . This arrangement facilitates holding the frame member  146  in position.  FIG. 11  illustrates the further feature of providing a board  180  for use in combination with, or as part of, the bottom wall  138  wherein the board  180  includes articulating side panels  182  and  184  which include hook and eyelet fastening elements  186 , by way of example, which engage with hook and/or eyelet fastening elements  188  on the bottom panel  180 . Each of the panels  180 ,  182  and  184  are generally rigid panels. The panels  182  and  184  are one half or semi-sized with respect to the bottom panel  180  thus 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 member  146 , again, which may be used in combination with the flexible fabric walls previously described. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates that the flexible bag or wall material used for the carrier may include insulated or padded fabric walls. For example, a front wall  190  made from a flexible insulated fabric material will include an upper margin or flap  192  which connects with a closure flap  194  incorporated as an extension of a lateral side wall  196 . A zipper  198  enables detachment of the flap  192  from the extension section  194  for access to the interior of the carrier depicted in FIG.  12 . Thus, the overall combination of elements lends itself to multiple variations and uses including the use as an insulated carrier as depicted in FIG.  12 . 
   As depicted in the figures, the collapsible fabric bag 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.