Abstract:
A sports equipment bag assembly having a removable bag enclosure for heating bats using sunlight. The removable bag enclosure has a transparent outer panel and a solar reflective inner panel. The reflective surface both insulates and reflects the solar light to heat the bats. The removable bag enclosure is removably fastened to a larger bag assembly by a fastener such as a zipper. The removable bag enclosure and the larger bag assembly have hooks that enable them to be hung upon a fence or similar structure. The sports equipment bag assembly further provides a shoulder strap to facilitate carrying.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/842,118 filed on Jul. 2, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to sports equipment. More specifically, the present invention describes a solar energy warmed sports equipment bag assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Baseball is, and for well over a hundred years, has been among the most popular game in the United States. The exhilaration of stepping onto a baseball field with your teammates knowing that only one (1) team will come out a winner can last a lifetime. 
     Baseball is a game that depends not only on physical strength but also on speed, batting skills, ball handling, teamwork, thought, timing and execution. As such, baseball is a game that many people cannot resist playing and/or watching. 
     One (1) important piece of baseball equipment is the baseball bat. Since baseball is played throughout the United States starting in early spring it is not always played in warm weather. Many games and practices take place in cool spring and cool fall seasons. As many players both young and old have discovered for themselves, there are issues when striking a baseball with a cold baseball bat. Cold bats are much more susceptible to breaking and other forms of damage. Batters may experience a painful sting in their hands when striking a ball with a cold baseball bat. Finally, it is readily apparent that a ball struck with a cold baseball bat simply does not fly as fast or as far as one similarly struck with a warm baseball bat. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a device that warms baseball bats. Such a device should hold at least two (2) baseball bats. Preferably such a device would not require batteries or electric power, would be easily handled, and could be made available at low cost. Such a device would help prevent damage to baseball bats while reducing the incidence of stinging hands. Beneficially, such a device would also enable hitting balls faster and further. Such a device should be rugged and useful for both baseball and softball bats as well as other baseball related items such as gloves and balls. Ideally the handles of the baseball bats could be stored such that they remain cool to the touch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a sports equipment bag assembly that uses solar energy to heat the bats. The sports equipment bag assembly includes a large bag assembly and a small bag that traps solar energy using a light transmissive front panel beneficially made of a heavy clear vinyl and a solar energy reflective back panel that is beneficially made from an insulated, silver colored, thermally reflective material that reflects the suds rays back into the enclosure. The large bag assembly includes a large zippered opening while the small bag has attachment hooks. 
     The sports equipment bag assembly may be equipped with straps and other aids such as pockets, zippers, and the like to facilitate use. The small bag is preferably dimensioned such that only the bodies of the bats are enclosed while the handles remain outside. This allows the body of the bats to warm up while the handles remain cool. When warmed, the baseball bats allow for easier and more comfortable hitting as well as further distances and reduced damage. 
     A bag enclosure that is in accord with the present invention includes a transparent front panel that is attached to a solar reflective rear panel along two (2) sides and bottom so as to form an open top enclosure. The bag enclosure further includes an inverted “U”-shaped first reinforcing edging running along the outer edge of the top and an inverted “U”-shaped second reinforcing edging running along the inner edge of the top. An inverted “J”-shaped metal hook is attached to the rear panel though the second reinforcing edging by a fastener. The bag enclosure is deep enough to contain a thick body portion of a bat but not deep enough to contain the full length of a bat. 
     The inverted “U”-shape of the second reinforcing edging beneficially has legs longer than the legs of the inverted “U”-shape of the first reinforcing edging. In practice the first reinforcing edging is sewn to the top. The front panel beneficially comprises a clear heavy-mil vinyl. Preferably the rear panel includes a textile rear panel and an outwardly-facing reflective layer. Beneficially the reflective layer is a metalized polyethylene sheet material. 
     An equipment bag assembly that is in accord with the present invention includes a large bag assembly having a large enclosure and a small bag. The small bag includes a transparent front panel that is attached to a solar reflective rear panel along two (2) sides and bottom so as to form an open top small enclosure. The small bag further includes an inverted “U”-shaped first reinforcing edging running along the outer edge of the top and an inverted “U”-shaped second reinforcing edging running along the inner edge of the top. An inverted “J”-shaped metal hook is attached to the rear panel through the second reinforcing edging by a first fastener. The small bag is deep enough to contain the thick body portion of a bat but not deep enough to contain the full length of a bat. In addition, a first bag attachment feature is attached to the large enclosure and a second bag attachment feature is attached to the small bag. The first bag attachment feature and the second bag attachment feature attach the small bag to the large bag assembly. 
     In the equipment bag assembly the inverted “U”-shape of the second reinforcing edging beneficially has legs longer than the legs of the inverted “U”-shape of the first reinforcing edging. In practice the first reinforcing edging is sewn to the top. The front panel beneficially comprises a clear heavy-mil vinyl. Preferably the rear panel includes a textile rear panel and an outwardly-facing reflective layer. Beneficially the reflective layer is a metalized polyethylene sheet material. 
     In the equipment bag assembly the large bag assembly may include a second inverted “J”-shaped metal hook. It may also include an exterior pouch, preferably having a flap to close the pouch. The large bag assembly may include a first strap that is attached by a first strap fastener and a second strap that is attached by a second strap fastener. A detachable connector may be included for connecting the first strap to the second strap. Helpfully, the first strap includes a length adjustment. The large bag assembly may also include a zipper for closing the large enclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a sports equipment bag assembly  10  that is in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the sports equipment bag  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a small bag  20  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  sports equipment bag assembly 
               20  small bag 
               22  front panel 
               24  rear panel 
               25  reflective layer 
               26   a  first fastener 
               26   b  second fastener 
               28  hook 
               30  top opening 
               32   a  first reinforcing edging 
               32   b  second reinforcing edging 
               50  large bag assembly 
               52  large bag enclosure 
               54  third fastener 
               56  puller 
               58  upper strap 
               60  lower strap 
               62   a  first buckle 
               62   b  second buckle 
               64  ring 
               66   a  first strap attachment 
               66   b  second strap attachment 
               68   a  first pocket 
               68   b  second pocket 
               80  fourth fastener 
               100  bat 
               110  user 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the present invention describes a sports equipment bag assembly  10  that enables softball and baseball bats  100  and other associated items such as baseball gloves to be warmed by the sun. The sports equipment bag assembly  10  includes a small bag  20  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ) that is attachable to a large bag assembly  50  via a first fastener  26   a  that mates with a second fastener  26   b . The first fastener  26   a  and the second fastener  26   b  may be a zipper (preferred), or they may be hook-and-loop fasteners or equivalent joiners. The small bag  20  allows contained bats  100  to warm when exposed to the sun. The small bag  20  is detachable from the large bag assembly  50  to enable separate use and the small bag can be mounted to a fence or other structure using integral hooks  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3  as required, the small bag  20  forms a rather tall narrow pouch having a clear front panel  22  and a rear panel  24  that is comprised of a textile layer that is covered by an interior reflective layer  25 . The front panel  22  and the rear panel  24  are similarly shaped and are sewn or equivalently joined together along the side and bottom edges. However, the pouch&#39;s front panel  22  and rear panel  24  form a top opening  30 . 
     The small bag  20  is configured to be selectively connected to the large bag assembly  50 . As previously described, the attachment is via the first fastener  26   a  and the second fastener  26   b . The first fastener  26   a  and the second fastener  26   b  are preferably respectively sewn, or equivalently affixed to the small bag  20  and to the large bag assembly  50 . The first fastener  26   a  and the second fastener  26   b  are preferably heavy-duty zippers. 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 2 , the large bag assembly  50  has a large, vertically elongated and generally rectangular large bag enclosure  52 . That large bag enclosure  52  is envisioned as being made of a heavy duty textile material such as, but not limited to: canvas, another heavy-duty fabric, or the like. The large bag enclosure  52  provides sufficient interior space to hold several softball and/or baseball bats  100  as well as various related equipment such as uniforms, shoes, baseball gloves, and the like. The large bag assembly  50  also includes a third fastener  54  that extends along one side of the large bag enclosure  52 , over an upper end of the large bag enclosure  52 , and down an opposing side of the large bag enclosure  52 . The third fastener  54  is preferably a heavy-duty zipper with dual pullers  56 . The third fastener  54  provides easy access to the interior of the large bag enclosure  52  and to the items placed therein while also enabling retention of those items within the large bag enclosure  52 . 
     The large bag assembly  50  also includes a two-part shoulder strap that is comprised of an upper strap  58  and a lower strap  60 . One (1) end of the upper strap  58  is attached to the large bag assembly  50  by a stitched first strap attachment  66   a . The other end of the upper strap  58  has a fixed first buckle  62   a . One (1) end of the lower strap  60  is attached to the large bag assembly  50  by a stitched second strap attachment  66   b . The lower strap  60  has an adjustable second buckle  62   b  that mates with the first buckle  62   a . The position of the second buckle  62   b  can be adjusted along the length of the lower strap  60 . Further adjustment of the length of the two-part shoulder strap is achieved by strap rings  64  that are located both on the upper strap  58  and on the lower strap  60 . 
     The upper strap  58  and the lower strap  60  enable carrying the sports equipment bag assembly  10  on a user&#39;s shoulder or by hand. Preferably, the upper strap  58  and the lower strap  60  are long enough that when connected together by the first buckle  62   a  and second buckle  62   b  the resulting two-part shoulder strap can extend over a user&#39;s  110  shoulder and run diagonally across the user&#39;s chest and back. The lengths of the upper strap  58  and lower strap  60  can be adjusted to fit different size users. Ideally, the first buckle  62   a  and the second buckle  62   b  are envisioned as being a two-part quick release style buckle. 
     Referring to either  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , the large bag assembly  50  includes a front first pocket  68   a  and a side second pocket  68   b . The first pocket  68   a  and the second pocket  68   b  are preferably sewn to the exterior of the large bag assembly  50  and both include flaps. The first pocket  68   a  and the second pocket  68   b  enable stowing and carrying smaller items. While only two (2) pockets (the first pocket  68   a  and the second pocket  68   b ) are shown it should be understood that more or even fewer pockets may be included. 
       FIG. 3  presents a sectional view of the small bag  20  of the sports equipment bag assembly  10  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2 . The small bag  20  uses materials and construction that enable solar energy to heat bats  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) and other items contained therein. The small bag  20  forms a pouch using a clear heavy-mil vinyl front panel  22  and a textile rear panel  24 . The rear panel  24  has an adhesively bonded outwardly-facing reflective layer  25 . The reflective layer  25  is envisioned as being made of an insulated, silver colored thermally-reflective material. Such a design accepts solar energy and reflects associated heat energy back onto the small bag  20  to warm the enclosed bats  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). The reflective layer  25  is beneficially comprised of a metalized polyethylene sheet material identical or similar to other commonly used reflective materials. 
     The small bag  20  also includes a pair of inverted “J”-shaped metal hooks  28  that are affixed to its upper rear edge by fourth fasteners  80  such as rivets or the like. The hooks  28  allow the small bag  20  to be attached to and hung from various structures such as chain-link fences, railings, dugout walls, and the like. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the large bag assembly  50  also includes an upper hook  28  that enables the complete sports equipment bag assembly  10  to be hung from such structures. 
     The small bag  20  has an open top pouch that is reinforced by a first reinforcing edging  32   a  that runs along the outer edge and a second reinforcing edging  32   b  that runs along the inner edge. The first reinforcing edging  32   a  and the second reinforcing edging  32   b  are both inverted “U”-shapes made of plastic, leather, or another other durable yet semi-rigid material. They are sewn or otherwise affixed to the top of the small bag  20  so as to prevent tearing and wear. In practice the second reinforcing edging  32   b  is longer than the first reinforcing edging  32   a  to provide a durable support for the hooks  28  and the fourth fasteners  80 . 
     The small bag  20  is only deep enough to contain the thick body portions of bats  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). This allows heating the thick body portions while the handle remains cool and outside the small bag  20 . When exposed to solar energy the sports equipment bag assembly  10  can rapidly warm the contained bats  100  yet the handles remain cool. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration is shown and described that is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the sports equipment bag assembly  10  it would be configured and using as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of configuring and using the sports equipment bag assembly  10  is performed by: procuring a model of the sports equipment bag assembly  10  having a desired overall size and desired number and arrangement of the first pocket  68   a  and the second pocket  68   b ; attaching the empty small bag  20  to the large bag assembly  50  by engaging and attaching the first fastener  26   a  and the second fastener  26   b  using a zipper puller  56 ; loading a desired number of bats  100  and related equipment such as uniforms, shoes, baseball gloves, and the like into the large bag assembly  50 ; adjusting a combined length of the upper strap  58  and lower strap  60  using the first buckle  62   a  and the second buckle  62   b ; extending and attaching the upper strap  58  and lower strap  60  across a user&#39;s chest area by engaging the first buckle  62   a  and the second buckle  62   b ; transporting the sports equipment bag assembly  10  and contents to a desired location such as a baseball diamond; removing the small bag  20  from the large bag assembly  50  by disengaging the first fastener  26   a  and the second fastener  26   b ; hanging the sports equipment bag assembly  10  by the hooks  28  upon a structure such that the small bag  20  is exposed to sunlight; placing a desired number of bats  100  into the small bag  20 ; allowing the clear front panel  22  and reflective surface  25  to warm the bats  100 ; selecting and using a bat  100  to strike a softball or baseball in a conventional manner; and, benefiting from improved hitting performance of a bat  100 , which has been heated by the sports equipment bag. 
     It is also envisioned that the upper strap  58  and the lower strap  60  or the upper hook  29  of large bag assembly  50  may be used to attach and support the large bag assembly  50  from a structure such as a batting cage, or the like, thereby providing convenient access to the contained equipment. 
     When warmed by the sports equipment bag assembly  10  a warmed bat  100  will allow for easier and more comfortable hitting of a baseball as well resulting in further hitting distances. Warming a bat  100  may reduce bat damage and prolong the life of the bat  100 . 
     The foregoing embodiments of the disclosed golf club training aid have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles, configurations, and modifications of the invention can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure upon reading the specification and that the embodiments shown and described are for the purposes of clarity and disclosure and to limit the scope. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.