Patent Publication Number: US-9839281-B2

Title: Multifunctional goal for ball sports, cooler, and backpack

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/093,764 filed on Dec. 18, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to backpacks and other portable bags. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-compartmented bag that functions as a goal or target for ball sports and games, an insulated cooler for food and beverages, and a backpack, inter alia. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Backpacks and coolers are well known in the related art. Backpacks are commonly used by students and hikers, but primarily provide a convenient, comfortable hands free means of transporting items in any situation. Coolers are thermally insulated containers particularly used to keep beverages and perishable food items cold during outdoor recreational activities such as picnics, cookouts, going to the beach, tailgate parties, or the like. Typically, handles are provided on the lid or sides of the cooler so that it may be carried to and from a social gathering. However, this arrangement suffers from the disadvantage of being unwieldy and difficult for one person to carry comfortably. Furthermore, coolers are conventionally designed with one compartment and are dedicated to storing food and beverages. It is common that when going to the beach or other social gatherings, another bag will be needed to carry other necessary items, such as phones, keys, and wallets, and/or entertainment items, such as balls for games and sports. 
     It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a versatile multi-compartmented bag that functions as a goal or target for ball sports and games, an insulated cooler for food and beverages, and a backpack, inter alia. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the simplest embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention including flotation panels, a top divider, at least one cup holders, and at least one tubular sleeve. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the present invention detailing the pair of shoulder straps. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention exemplifying the vertical support. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention including a goal flap, a top handle, a front pocket, at least one side pocket, an insulated top, an insulated lateral wall, and an insulated base. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a vertical cross section of the present invention taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 3 , wherein line  7 - 7  is through center of the goal aperture. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The present invention is a multifunctional goal for ball sports, cooler, and backpack. The present invention is a compartmentalized bag which allows a user to store personal effects, sporting balls, food and drinks for easy transportation. Further, the present invention is a goal for sporting balls, such as footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, etc. The user is able to set up at least one of the present invention in a localized area in order to play or compete in a game related to a chosen sporting ball. 
     In accordance to  FIG. 1 , the present invention comprises a bottom base  1 , a lateral wall  2 , a top lid  3 , a goal aperture  4 , and a goal netting  5 . The bottom base  1  provides the present invention with a base to support items that are stored within the present invention. The lateral wall  2  and the bottom base  1  delineate a storage volume that retains the stored items within the present invention. Thus, the lateral wall  2  is perimetrically and adjacently attached to the bottom base  1 . The top lid  3  is a flap which encloses the storage volume while allowing the user to access to the storage volume. The top lid  3  is hingedly connected to the lateral wall  2 , opposite the bottom base  1 . In accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top lid  3  perimetrically engages the lateral wall  2  by a zipper  100  in order to close off the storage volume. The goal aperture  4  is a hole through the lateral wall  2  which allows for a sporting ball to pass through. The goal aperture  4  traverses through the lateral wall  2 . The goal netting  5  provides a flexible pocket to hold and catch a sporting ball as a user places or tosses the sporting ball through the goal aperture  4 . The goal netting  5  is perimetrically connected to the goal aperture  4  and positioned within the lateral wall  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7 , such that the sporting ball is able to be contained by the goal netting  5  within the storage volume. Positioning the sporting ball within the goal netting  5  allows for easy transportation for the sporting ball, as well as partitioning the storage volume to allow for personal effects, food, drinks, etc. to be placed within the storage volume about the goal netting  5 . 
     In accordance to the preferred embodiment, the lateral wall  2  comprises a helical wire support  101 , which can be seen in  FIG. 1 . The helical wire support  101  is integrated into and around the lateral wall  2 . The helical wire support  101  provides a spring like quality to the lateral wall  2  in order to maintain a cylindrical shape when the lateral wall  2  is unrestricted. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises a top divider  6 , in accordance to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 7 . The top divider  6  allows for an additional partition of the storage volume adjacent to the top lid  3  to store keys, phones, wallets or other small items. The top divider  6  is hingedly connected to the lateral wall  2 , opposite to the goal aperture  4 . The top lid  3  is hingedly connected to the lateral wall  2  by the top divider  6 . This configuration allows for the top lid  3  and the top divider  6  to be folded away from the goal aperture  4  to allow access to the storage volume or allow for a second goal aperture  4  to be accessible for implementation of the present invention as a sporting target. The top divider  6  is preferred to be perimetrically engaged to both the lateral wall  2  and the top lid  3  by a zipper  102 . The zipper  102  allows for the storage volume portioned between the top lid  3  and the top divider  6  and the storage volume between the top divider  6 , the lateral wall  2 , and the bottom base  1  are easily accessible while allowing the contents within the storage volume to be secured. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom base  1  comprises an insulated top  7 , an insulated lateral wall  8 , and an insulated base  9 , as detailed in  FIG. 5 . The insulated top  7 , the insulated lateral wall  8 , and the insulated base  9  delineate an insulated volume which cold beverages and food can be placed to reduce heat transfer to the cold beverages and food. In other words, the insulated top  7 , the insulated lateral wall  8 , and the insulated base  9  form a cooler to store cold beverages and food. The insulated top  7  is perimetrically and adjacently attached to the lateral wall  2 . The insulated lateral wall  8  is hingedly connected to the insulated top  7 . The insulated top  7  is perimetrically engaged with both the lateral wall  2  and the insulated lateral wall  8  by a zipper  103 . This configuration allows for the insulated volume to be detached from the lateral wall  2  if necessary as well as access to the insulated volume when the insulated top  7  is attached to the lateral wall  2 . The insulated base  9  encloses the insulated volume from the bottom as the insulated base  9  is perimetrically and adjacently connected to the lateral wall  2 . 
     Further in accordance to the preferred embodiment,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 , the present invention comprises a pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10 . The pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  allows the user to support the present invention on the user&#39;s back and shoulders as the user&#39;s arms are placed through the pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  and the lateral wall  2  positioned on the user&#39;s back. The pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  is able to cinch according to a user&#39;s preference around the user&#39;s shoulders to provide sufficient support for the present invention. The pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  is positioned opposite to the goal aperture  4  about the lateral wall  8  such that the pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  do not interfere with the implementation of the present invention. The pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  is offset from each other about the lateral wall  2  in order for the pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  to be comfortably positioned about the user&#39;s neck and around the user&#39;s shoulders. The pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  each comprise a first strap end  11  and a second strap end  12 . The first strap end  11  is connected to the lateral wall  2  adjacent to the top lid  3  and the second strap end  12  is connected to the lateral wall  2  adjacent to the bottom base  1  to sufficiently mount the pair of adjustable shoulder straps  10  onto the lateral wall  2 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises at least one tubular sleeve  13 , exemplified in  FIG. 2 . The at least one tubular sleeve  13  is able to receive umbrella poles, tent poles, or similar anchors to secure the present invention to a ground surface. The at least one tubular sleeve  13  is externally connected along the lateral wall  2  and positioned perpendicular to the goal aperture  4  on the lateral wall  2 . This configuration allows for the present invention to be positioned upright as an umbrella pole, for example, is positioned through the at least one tubular sleeve  13  and into a ground surface. The tubular sleeve  13  can also be used to store elongated sporting objects such as a baseball bat and lacrosse stick. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises at least one cup holder  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The at least one cup holder  14  allows for a beverage container to be supported by the present invention to secure the beverage container to the present invention. The at least one cup holder  14  is mounted onto the lateral wall  2  and positioned adjacent to the top lid  3 . The at least one cup holder  14  is a cylindrical enclosure comprising an open cup holder end. The open cup holder end is positioned adjacent to the top lid  3  such that a beverage container can be placed through the open cup holder end into the at least one cup holder  14 . The at least one cup holder  14  further comprises a cinching cord and an adjustable locking mechanism in order to secure a beverage container onto the present invention. The cinching cord is perimetrically integrated into at least one cup holder  14  about the open cup holder end. The adjustable locking mechanism engages the cinching cord adjacent to the open cup holder end such that the cinching cord is able to slide through the adjustable locking mechanism to restrict the diameter of the at least one cup holder  14  at the open cup holder end. 
     In still other embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises a plurality of floatation panels  15 , detailed in  FIG. 2 . The plurality of floatation panels  15  allows the present invention to float upright, such that the present invention is able to be implemented in a pool or beach. The plurality of floatation panels  15  is preferred to be a series of panels which allow for a pool noodle or similar foam tubes to be positioned between each of the plurality of floatation panels  15  and the lateral wall  2 ; however, the plurality of floatation panels  15  may also be an inflatable bladder, integrated low density material, or other application. The plurality of floatation panels  15  is mounted onto the lateral wall  2  and positioned adjacent to the bottom base  1 . The plurality of floatation panels  15  is evenly distributed about the lateral wall  2  in order to provide a buoyant force around the present invention in order to support the present invention on a fluid surface. 
     In still other embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises a goal flap  16 , in accordance to  FIG. 5 . The goal flap  16  allows a sporting ball to be secured within the storage volume defined by goal netting  5  and the goal aperture  4 . The goal flap  16  is hingedly and externally connected to the lateral wall  2 , adjacent to the goal aperture  4 . The goal flap  16  is preferred to be perimetrically engaged with the goal aperture  4  by a zipper  104 . Thus, the goal flap  16  is able to be selectively secured to the lateral wall  2  about the goal aperture  4  in order to retain a sporting ball as well as expose the goal aperture  4  to be a target for sporting games. 
     In accordance to some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises a plurality of buckling straps  17 , which can be seen in  FIG. 6 . The plurality of buckling straps  17  secures the present invention in a collapsed configuration for storage. Each of the plurality of buckling straps  17  is evenly distributed about the lateral wall  2  to adequately secure the present invention in the collapsed configuration. Each of the plurality of buckling straps  17  comprises a top fastening strap  18  and a bottom fastening strap  19 . The top fastening strap  18  is connected to the top lid  3 . The bottom fastening strap  19  is connected to the bottom base  1 , opposite to the lateral wall  2 . The top fastening strap  18  is coupled with the bottom fastening strap  19  by a buckle  105 , in order to allow the user to selectively configure the present invention into an operative configuration or the collapsed configuration for storage. 
     As detailed in  FIG. 5 , the present invention further comprises a front pocket  22  and at least one side pocket  23  in some embodiments of the present invention to provide additional storage space for small items and personal effects. The front pocket  22  is integrated into the lateral wall  2  and is positioned between the goal aperture  4  and the bottom base  1 . The at least one side pocket  23  is similarly integrated into the lateral wall  2 . The at least one side pocket  23  is radially offset from the goal aperture  4  about the lateral wall  2 . The at least one side pocket  23  is preferably is made of an elastic mesh material and is sized to accommodate footwear such as sandals, sports cleats, and shoes. The positioning of the front pocket  22  and the at least one side pocket  23  allow for additional storage space which does not interfere with the implementation of the present invention as a sporting goal. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises a top handle  24 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The top handle  24  allows the user to quickly grasp the present invention for transportation or to manipulate the top lid  3 . The top handle  24  comprises a first handle end  26  and a second handle end  27 . The first handle end  26  is connected to the top lid  3 . The second handle end  27  is similarly connected to the top lid  3 . The first handle end  26  is opposite to the second handle end  27  across the top lid  3  in order to distribute the force applied to the top lid  3  through the top handle  24 . 
     In still other embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises a vertical support  25 , in accordance to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 . The vertical support  25  is a modular support for the lateral wall  2 . The vertical support  25  is externally attached along the lateral wall  2  and positioned opposite to the goal aperture  4  about the lateral wall  2 . In this embodiment of the present invention detailed in  FIG. 4  and in conjunction with the pair of shoulder straps  10 , the vertical support  25  acts as back support to maintain the structure of the lateral wall  2  and prevent the contents of the storage volume from becoming a discomfort to the user wearing the present invention. In accordance to  FIG. 7 , the vertical support  25  is able to be detached externally from the lateral wall  2 , internally attached along the lateral wall  2  and positioned opposite to the goal aperture  4  about the lateral wall  2 . Thus, the vertical support  25  provides structural support to the lateral wall  2  while the present invention is implemented as a sporting goal. 
     For implementation as a goal apparatus, at least two of the present invention are set up by the participants disconnecting the top fastener  20  from the bottom fastener  21  for the at least two of the present invention to allow the lateral wall  2  of each to expand to form. The participants then weigh the present invention by detaching the bottom base  1  and placing the bottom base  1  within the lateral wall  2 , placing weight on the bottom base  1 , or anchoring the present invention to the ground in order to stabilize the present invention. The at least two of the present invention are oriented towards a centralized point and approximately three and a half yards from the centralized point. The goal flap  16  is then disengaged to expose the goal aperture  4 . 
     Once set up has been complete, it is preferred that the participants divide into teams of one, two, or four for each of the at least two of the present invention. Teams then further evenly divided to position participants at each of the at least two of the present invention. Once the teams have decided which team will go first, each teammate will kick, throw or serve the sporting ball to an opposite present invention of the at least two of the present invention. The objective of the sporting game is to hit, throw, serve, or have a teammate deflect the sporting ball into the goal aperture  4  or into the lateral wall  2  opposite to the bottom base  1 . Once each participant for a team has a chance to hit, throw or serve the sporting ball towards an opposite present invention, the process repeats for each participant of the other team. 
     In order to win the sporting game, a team needs to acquire exactly twenty-one points. If a team exceeds twenty-one points, the team&#39;s points will be reset to fifteen. Points are acquired by landing the sporting ball into the goal aperture  4  or the storage volume. The point value are scored on the type of sporting ball, difficulty for which aperture the sporting ball lands into, and whether the sporting ball is deflected into the present invention by a teammate. The point values will be decided by the participants before the sporting game begins. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.