Patent Abstract:
A storage bag system for a wagon includes a collapsible storage bag that is movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The storage bag system also includes a connector for attaching the collapsible storage bag to a sidewall of the wagon. As a result, the invention provides additional hauling and storage capacity for a wagon via a collapsible storage bag that may be moved to a collapsed configuration.

Full Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/295,024, filed Jan. 14, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/460,541, filed Jan. 3, 2011, 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to vehicles for children and, more particularly, to storage bag systems for wagons. 
     Children&#39;s wagons have long been popular play items. They often feature a body constructed of steel, plastic, or wood that includes a floor surrounded by sidewalls so that cargo may be hauled. Alternatively, a child may sit or kneel on the floor of the wagon. Sidewalls generally maintain articles or children placed inside of the walls. Occasionally, the wagon employs a seat pad to create a more comfortable experience for a child sitting or kneeling on the floor of the wagon. 
     In addition, the wagon may feature folding seat panels which, when open, provide access to foot wells so that one or more children may actually sit in the wagon. An example of such a wagon is illustrated in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,977 to Johnson. 
     The hauling capacity of prior art wagons, however, is often limited to the area enclosed by the sidewalls. As a result, a need exists for storage devices that may be attached to wagons to provide additional hauling capacity and storage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art wagon suitable for use with a first embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a collapsible storage bag of a first embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention attached to the rear sidewall of the wagon of  FIG. 1  with the collapsible storage bag in an expanded configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the collapsible storage bag of  FIG. 2  after removal from the rear sidewall of the wagon; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the collapsible storage bag of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in a collapsed configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the collapsible storage bag of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view of the collapsible storage bag of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an accessory bag suitable for installation on the front wall of the wagon of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial side elevational view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded view showing front and rear seat pads and the wagon of  FIG. 1  prior to installation of the seat pads; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the seat pads and wagon of  FIG. 10  illustrating installation of the seat pads to the wagon; 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  are perspective views of the front sidewall of the wagon of  FIGS. 10 and 11  showing further steps of the installation of the front seat pad of  FIGS. 10 and 11  thereto; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view the wagon of  FIGS. 1 ,  10  and  11  with the front and rear seat pads installed and illustrating installation of the collapsible storage bag of  FIGS. 2-6  and the accessory bag of  FIGS. 7-9 ; 
         FIGS. 14A-14D  are perspective views of the rear sidewall of the wagon of  FIG. 13  illustrating installation of collapsible storage bag of  FIGS. 2-6  and  13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a rear portion of a wagon and the pivoting frame in a second embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention; 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  are side elevational views, with the wheel closest to the viewer removed, illustrating the pivoting frame in the raised and lowered positions, respectively; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the collapsible storage bag of the second embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention illustrating opening of the frame pocket of the collapsible storage bag; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating installation of the collapsible storage bag on the pivoting frame of  FIGS. 15-16B ; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the rear portion of the wagon of  FIGS. 15-16B  illustrating the collapsible storage bag partially installed on the pivoting frame and in a partially expanded configuration; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom plan view of the wagon of  FIG. 19  illustrating installation of the collapsible storage bag to the rear axle of the wagon. 
         FIGS. 21A and 21B  are rear and front perspective views of the rear portion of the wagon of  FIGS. 18-20  illustrating the installation of the top portion of the collapsible storage bag to the rear sidewall of the wagon; 
         FIGS. 22A-22D  are perspective views of the rear portion of the wagon of  FIGS. 18-21B  with the collapsible storage bag installed and illustrating movement of the bag from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the rear portion of a wagon in accordance with a third embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the rear portion of the wagon of  FIG. 23  with a collapsible storage bag of the third embodiment of the invention in the collapsed configuration and in the process of being installed on the wagon rear sidewall; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the rear portion of the wagon and collapsible storage bag of  FIG. 24  with the storage bag installed on the rear sidewall of the wagon; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the rear portion of the wagon of  FIGS. 23 and 24  with the collapsible storage bag of the third embodiment being moved into the expanded configuration and in the process of being installed on the wagon rear sidewall; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the wagon and collapsible storage bag of  FIG. 26  with the storage bag in the expanded configuration and installed on the rear sidewall of the wagon; 
         FIGS. 28A-28D  are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the storage bag system of the present invention mounted to the rear of a wagon and illustrating movement of the bag between the expanded and collapsed configurations; 
         FIGS. 29A-29C  are enlarged perspective views of the collapsible storage bag of  FIGS. 28A-28D  illustrating assembly of the pivoting frame to the bag; 
         FIGS. 30A-30D  are perspective views illustrating assembly of the collapsible bag of  FIGS. 28A-29C  to the wagon of  FIGS. 28A-28D ; 
         FIGS. 31A and 31B  are side elevational and front elevational views of the top frame spring clip of the folding accessory bag of  FIGS. 28A-30D ; 
         FIGS. 32A and 32B  are perspective views illustrating assembly of the connector flap of the collapsible storage bag of  FIGS. 28A-30D  to the wagon of  FIGS. 28A-28D  and  30 B- 30 D. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     While embodiments of the storage bag system of the present invention are described below in terms of the illustrated wagons, it is to be understood that the storage bag system of the invention may be used with other types of wagons as well as with other vehicles in general. 
     An example of a prior art wagon suitable for use with a first embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention is indicated in general at  2  in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen, the wagon includes a pair of side sidewalls  8   a  and  8   b , a first or front sidewall  3 , a second or rear sidewall  4 , a body  5 , four wheels  6  attached to the bottom of the body, and a handle  7  that is typically attached to either the front of the wagon body or to a pivoting bolster to which the front wheels of the wagon are attached. The wagon may alternatively include a single sidewall or any number of sidewalls or portions of sidewalls. 
     A collapsible storage bag  12  of a first embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention is attached to the wagon of  FIG. 1  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The collapsible storage bag  12  is disposed against the outside of the rear sidewall  4  and, as will be explained in greater detail below, engages the rear sidewall. The surface material of the collapsible storage bag preferably includes polyester, nylon, tricot, or fleece but alternatively may be leather, wool cloth, burlap, or any other suitable alternative or any combination of the foregoing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the collapsible storage bag, indicated in general at  12 , includes a lower portion  13  that can be extended to place the bag in an expanded configuration, shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or retracted into a collapsed configuration, shown in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the collapsible storage bag also includes an upper portion  14  with strap connectors  15   a  and  15   b  preferably positioned on the back of the upper portion, near the top of the upper portion. Alternatively the connectors, which are discussed in greater detail below, may be placed in other suitable locations on the collapsible storage bag. The connectors are preferably sewn to the collapsible storage bag, but alternatively may be glued, bonded with adhesive, or attached in any other suitable manner. Further, the collapsible storage bag preferably includes a handle, such as the strap handle  16  of  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , the lower portion  13  of the collapsible storage bag  12  contains a closure element that allows the lower portion of the collapsible storage bag to extend and contract. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , the closure element is preferably a zipper and more preferably a spiral zipper  17  that wraps around the lower portion. In its closed condition, the spiral zipper maintains the collapsible storage bag in the collapsed configuration ( FIG. 4 ), which encloses an internal lining  18  ( FIG. 3 ) entirely within the collapsible storage bag. A user converts the collapsible storage bag into its expanded configuration by pulling the spiral zipper around the lower portion of the collapsible storage bag, thereby disengaging the spiral zipper and placing it in the open condition and causing the lower portion of the collapsible storage bag to drip and expand to its expanded configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As the lower portion of the collapsible storage bag opens, the internal lining emerges to form part of the outer surface of the lower portion. A user converts the collapsible storage bag back to its collapsed configuration, illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , by pulling the spiral zipper in the opposite direction around the lower portion of the collapsible storage bag, thereby re-engaging the spiral zipper and causing the lower portion of the collapsible storage bag to raise and retract into its collapsed position and conceal the internal lining. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , the collapsible storage bag preferably contains a front pocket  22 , side pocket  23 , and lid  24 . The lid, lower portion and pockets of the bag are preferably enclosed with a zippers, but alternatively a VELCRO closure element, clamps, hooks, magnets, clips, buttons, snaps, ties, or any other suitable enclosing closure element may be used. 
     The collapsible storage bag  12  preferably contains insulation that is 5 mm closed cell foam, but can alternatively be any suitable insulating or packing material sufficient to keep articles within the collapsible storage bag either cold or warm. The collapsible storage bag also preferably includes a board that maintains the rigidity of the collapsible storage bag. The board is preferably 1 mm polyethylene (PE) board, but alternatively may be any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, and is preferably located inside of the collapsible storage bag to form a rigid back panel, indicated at  25  in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . 
     An accessory bag adapted for attachment to the front sidewall of the wagon ( 3  in  FIG. 1 ) is indicated in general at  42  in  FIGS. 7-9 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the accessory bag includes strap connectors  49   a  and  49   b , preferably positioned on the generally flat, back panel  43  of the accessory bag, near the top of the accessory bag. Alternatively, the connectors may be placed in other suitable locations on the accessory bag. The connectors are preferably sewn to the accessory bag, but alternatively may be glued, bonded with adhesive, or attached in any other suitable manner. The surface material of the accessory bag  42  is preferably includes polyester, nylon, tricot, or fleece, but alternatively may be leather, wool cloth, burlap, or any other suitable fabric or material. The accessory bag also preferably includes a board that is preferably made from polyethylene to maintain the rigidity of the supplemental accessory bag and is preferably located inside of the supplemental accessory bag to form the semi-rigid back panel  43  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , the accessory bag preferably contains a pair of bottle holders  44   a  and  44   b  featuring elastic portions  45   a  and  45   b , respectively. The accessory bag also includes side pockets  46   a  and  46   b  and a key clip  47  ( FIG. 9 ). The accessory bag therefore holds one or more water bottles  52 , along with a small number of personal items such as keys or a wallet. The bottle holders  44   a  and  44   b  preferably include a mesh fabric. The side pockets  46   a  and  46   b  are preferably enclosed with zippers  54   a  and  54   b , respectively, but alternatively use a VELCRO connection, clamps, hooks, magnets, clips, buttons, snaps, ties, or any other suitable enclosing device. Preferably, the accessory bag features a central channel  48  ( FIG. 7 ) to allow the handle  7  ( FIG. 1 ) of the wagon to rest in between, or against, a portion of the accessory bag when in a raised position. 
     Front and rear seat pads, indicated in general at  62  and  64  in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , are adapted to be attached to the wagon front and rear sidewalls  3  and  4 , respectively. Front seat pad  62  includes a pad portion  66 , an upper flap  67  and a lower flap  68 . Rear seat pad  64  similarly includes pad portion  72 , an upper flap  74  and a lower flap  76 . The pad portion of each seat pad preferably contains internal padding including 12 mm and 6 mm closed cell foam and 6 mm open cell foam. Alternatively, the padding may be any soft material including suitable insulating or packing material. The upper and lower flaps each wrap around a portion of the sidewall of the wagon and connect to one another via a fastening arrangement to attach the seat pad to the wagon. More specifically, as illustrated for front seat pad  62  in  FIG. 12A , upper flap  67  is positioned over the top edge of the front wall  3 , while lower flap  68  passes through an opening  78  formed in the front sidewall  3  of the wagon. As illustrated in  FIG. 12B , the lower flap is folded under first so that a panel  82  of a hook and loop fastener is exposed. The underside of upper flap  67  is provided with a panel of hook and loop fastener material that corresponds to panel  82  of the lower flap  68 . As a result, when the upper flap  67  is folded down over the lower flap  68 , as illustrated by arrow  83  in  FIG. 12C , the front seat pad is secured to the front sidewall of the wagon. A similar operation is repeated to attach the rear seat pad  64  to the rear sidewall  4  of the wagon in a similar fashion. The fastening arrangement of the upper flap and lower flap preferably includes VELCRO (hook and loop fastening material), but alternatively zippers, clamps, hooks, magnets, clips, buttons, snaps, ties, or any other suitable connectors may be used. Furthermore, the upper flap and lower flap of either seat pad may be replaced with a single flap that wraps around the sidewall and engages itself to attach to the sidewall. In addition, the seat pad flaps may be replaced with a single piece of material that permanently attaches the seat pad to the wagon. Each seat pad  62  and  64  allows a passenger to lean against it while riding in the wagon for greater comfort. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , connector straps  15   a  and  15   b  of collapsible storage bag  12  are provided with insertion buckles  84   a  and  84   b , respectively, adapted to engage receiving buckles  86   a  and  86   b . The connector straps  49   a  and  49   b  of accessory bag  42  are similarly provided with insertion buckles  88   a  and  88   b , respectively, adapted to engage receiving buckles  92   a  and  92   b . Alternatively the connector straps may be provided with a pair (or any number) of VELCRO connectors, zippers, clamps, hooks, magnets, clips, buttons, snaps, ties, or any other suitable connector. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 14A-14D , the connector straps  15   a  and  15   b  of collapsible storage bag  12  wrap around the rear sidewall of the wagon and the insertion buckles  84   a  and  84   b  engage the receiving buckles  86   a  and  86   b  to attach the collapsible storage bag  12  against the outside of the wagon rear sidewall  4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14C , the two connector straps  15   a  and  15   b  of the collapsible storage bag  12  are positioned on opposite sides of the upper flap  74  of the rear seat pad  64  installed on the interior surface of the rear sidewall. This creates an integrated assembly with the sidewall, and one where the bag and the seat pad do not interfere with one another. As indicated in  FIG. 13 , the connector straps  49   a  and  49   b  of the accessory bag  42  attach to the front sidewall  3  of the wagon in a similar fashion with respect to the upper flap  67  of the front seat pad  62 . 
     A second embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 15-22D . The collapsible storage bag in this embodiment is supported on the back of the wagon  100  by a pivoting frame, indicated in general at  102  in  FIGS. 15 ,  16 A and  16 B. The pivoting frame is preferably constructed from rigid steel wire and features a U-shaped portion  105 , a cross member  108  and a pair of a pair of sleeves  112   a  and  112   b  attached to the ends of the U-shaped portion of the pivoting frame. The sleeves  112   a  and  112   b  receive the rear axle  109  of the wagon (see detail illustration  114  of  FIG. 15 ). As a result, the pivoting frame  102  pivots about an axis defined by the rear axle  109  of the wagon between the raised position, illustrated in  FIG. 16A , and the lowered position, illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16B . The pivoting frame also includes a stop  117 , which engages the bottom  118  of the wagon  100  to restrict rotation and/or pivoting of the moveable brace beyond the lowered position. 
     It is to be understood that the pivoting frame  102  could alternatively be pivotally attached directly to the wagon body, instead of to the axle of the wagon, such as by a pin, bolt, separate axle or other pivotal fastening arrangements. 
     A collapsible storage bag for the second embodiment of the storage bag system is indicated in  120  in  FIGS. 17-20 . The bag includes a frame pocket  122  having an opening and adjacent connector straps  124   a  and  124   b  and  126   a  and  126   b . Straps  124   a  and  126   a  are provided with mating hook and loop fasteners (such as VELCRO), as are straps  124   b  and  126   b . While the connector straps feature fasteners such as VELCRO, zippers, clamps, hooks, magnets, clips, buttons, snaps, ties, or any other suitable connector so that the connector straps may be passed around the axle and fastened together (as explained below) may be used. As illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , a user attaches the collapsible storage bag  120  to the pivoting frame  102  by placing the pivoting frame  102  within the frame pocket  122 . Pivoting frame  102  is also shown in phantom fully inserted into pocket  122  in  FIG. 20 . Next, as illustrated by arrows  132  and  134  of  FIG. 20 , the straps  124   a ,  126   a  and  124   b ,  126   b  are fastened together around wagon rear axle  109 . As a result, the pivoting frame, and thus the bottom  136  of the bag  120 , is pivotally secured to the rear axle of the wagon. 
     The surface material of the collapsible storage bag  120  is preferably a combination of polyester, nylon, tricot, or fleece but alternatively may be leather, wool cloth, burlap, or any other suitable alternative or any combination of the foregoing. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 21A and 21B , the rear sidewall  138  of the wagon  100  supports and is attached to the collapsible storage bag  120  via connectors in the form of a pair of removable screws  142   a  and  142   b . More specifically, as illustrated  FIGS. 21A and 21B , the rear wall of the wagon  138  contains a pair of apertures  144  ( FIG. 21B ) on its inner surface, and the collapsible storage bag  120  features a connector flap  146 . The flap  146  is provided with a pair of holes  148   a  and  148   b  through which the removable screws are interchangeably inserted and removed. A user attaches the top portion of the collapsible storage bag  120  to the wagon by placing the connector flap  146  of the collapsible storage bag over the top edge of the rear sidewall  138  of the wagon, aligning the holes  148   a  and  148   b  of the flap  146  of the collapsible storage bag with the apertures  144  of the wagon, as illustrated in  FIG. 21B , and inserting the removable screws through the holes and into the apertures, thereby securing the top portion of the collapsible storage bag to the rear sidewall  138  of the wagon. Of course fasteners other than removable bolts may be used to secure the flap of the bag to the wagon rear sidewall. These fasteners include, but are not limited to, a bolt, plug, plastic fitting, or any other suitable alternative. Rivets or the like may alternatively be used for a permanent connection. Also, the removable connection formed by the removable screws, apertures, and holes alternatively may be a sliding connection, magnetic connection, adhesive connection, VELCRO connection, or any other suitable alternative. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 22A-22D , the collapsible storage bag, indicated in general at  120  and attached to the rear sidewall of wagon  100 , includes an open top  152  ( FIG. 22B ), a pair of opposing side walls  154   a  and  154   b , a lid  156 , a rear wall  158  and the bottom  136  ( FIG. 22D ). As will now be explained, the collapsible storage bag can folded or collapsed from the expanded configuration illustrated in  FIG. 22A  into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 22D . 
     The lid  156  includes a strap  162  while the rear wall and bottom of the collapsible storage bag each include a strap  164 . The straps are preferably sewn to the collapsible storage bag  120 , but alternatively may be glued, bonded with adhesive, or attached in any other suitable manner. The strap  162  disposed on the lid is provided with a lid fastener in the form of an insertion buckle  166 , and the strap  164  disposed on the bottom and rear wall of the collapsible storage bag is provided with rear wall fastener in the form of a rear wall receiving buckle  168  ( FIGS. 22A and 22B ) and a bottom fastener in the form of bottom receiving buckle  170  ( FIGS. 22C and 22D ), respectively. Alternatively the buckles may be replaced with a set of VELCRO connectors, zippers, clamps, hooks, magnets, clips, buttons, snaps, ties or any other suitable connecting device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 22A , when the collapsible storage bag  120  is in the expanded configuration, the lid  156  may be used to cover the open top of the bag, with insertion buckle  166  engaging rear wall receiving buckle  168  to secure the lid in place. When in this expanded configuration, the pivoting frame is in the lowered position illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16B . When the pivoting frame and collapsible storage bag are in the expanded configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 16B , the stop  117  engages the bottom of the wagon  118  and supports the moveable brace, the collapsible storage bag, and any articles placed inside of the collapsible storage bag during normal use of the wagon. 
     To fold the bag  120  into the collapsed configuration, the first step is for the user to disconnect the insertion buckle  166  from the rear wall receiving buckle  168 , as illustrated in  FIG. 228 . The user next pivots the bottom  136  of the bag towards the rear sidewall  138  of the wagon, as indicated by arrow  172 . In doing so, the pivoting frame  102  of  FIG. 16B  pivots counterclockwise. This motion is continued, as illustrated in  FIG. 22C  by arrow  174 , while the lid  156  of the bag is raised so that the pivoting frame and collapsing bag may pass beneath it. Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 22D , with the lid  156  of the bag overlying the bottom  136  of the bag, the lid insertion buckle  166  is placed into engagement with the bottom receiving buckle  170 . As a result, the bag  120  is secured in the collapsed configuration illustrated in  FIG. 22D . When the bag is in the collapsed configuration illustrated in  FIG. 22D , the pivoting frame  102  is in the raised position illustrated in  FIG. 16A . As a result, when the bag is in the collapsed configuration, the pivoting frame, and thus the collapsible storage bag, are positioned compactly against the exterior surface of the rear sidewall of the wagon. 
     A third embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 23-27 . As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , a pair of slot connectors, indicated in general at  202   a  and  202   b , are positioned within recesses  204   a  and  204   b  formed in the rear sidewall  206  of a wagon, indicated in general at  208 . The slot connectors are secured in position by inserts  212   a  and  212   b  and screws  214   a  and  214   b . Of course, alternative fastening arrangements including, but not limited to, adhesive or rivets, may be used to secure the slot connectors within the recesses. In addition, the slot connectors could alternatively be integrally molded into the rear sidewall  206  of the wagon. 
     A first pair of notches  216   a  and a second pair of notches  216   b  are formed in the bottom edge of the rear sidewall  206  as well. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , Slot connector  202   a  includes a slot  218   a  that is surrounded by a base  220   a . The slot has an enlarged portion  222   a . Slot connector  202   b  similarly includes a slot  218   b  that is surrounded by a base  220   b . The slot has an enlarged portion  222   b.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the collapsible storage bag in this embodiment, indicated in general at  223 , includes a back panel  224  and a cover  226  that are joined along their bottom edges by fabric so that a hinge  228  is formed. The back panel  224  preferably includes a board that maintains the rigidity of the collapsible storage bag. The board is preferably 1 mm polyethylene (PE) board, but alternatively may be any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, and is preferably located inside of the collapsible storage bag to form the rigid or semi-rigid back panel. The surface material of the collapsible storage bag  223  preferably includes polyester, nylon, tricot, or fleece but alternatively may be leather, wool cloth, burlap, or any other suitable alternative or any combination of the foregoing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the back panel  224  is provided with knob connectors  232   a  and  232   b . Each knob connector features an enlarged head portion  234   a  and  234   b  that is connected to the base of the connector by a corresponding shaft. The enlarged head portions  234   a  and  234   b  of the knob connectors are sized to pass through the enlarged portions  222   a  and  222   b  of the slot connectors  202   a  and  202   b , respectively, but not the remaining portions of the slots  218   a  and  218   b . Once the enlarged head portions  234   a  and  234   b  of the knobs are inserted through the enlarged portions  222   a  and  222   b  of the slots, the shafts of the knob connectors  232   a  and  232   b  slide through the remaining portion of the slots  218   a  and  218   b  so that the knob connectors may be slid downward and into locking engagement with the slot connectors  202   a  and  202   b . The process is reversed to disconnect the knob and slot connectors. 
     The knob connectors and slot connectors are preferably constructed from DURAFLEX, but alternatively may be plastic, wood, metal, or any other suitable material. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the back panel  224  of the collapsible storage bag  223  also is provided with a pair of elastic loops  236   a  and  236   b . The loops are sized and positioned so as to engage the first and second pair of notches  216   a  and  216   b  formed in the bottom edge of the rear sidewall  206  when the knob connectors  232   a  and  232   b  are connected to the slot connectors  202   a  and  202   b.    
     In view of the above, the collapsible storage bag, shown in the collapsed configuration in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , may be installed to the rear sidewall  206  of the wagon by connecting the knob connectors  232   a  and  232   b  to the slot connectors  202   a  and  202   b  as described above. The elastic loops  236   a  and  236   b  are then positioned through the notches  216   a  and  216   b . As a result, the collapsible storage bag  223  is attached to the rear wall of the wagon  208 , as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , in a compact and secure configuration. 
     With reference to  FIG. 26 , the top and side edges  240 ,  242  and  244  of the back panel  204  and cover  206  are provided with a zipper  246  that closes the top and side edges of the back panel and cover together when in the closed condition. The remainder of the bag is folded and stored inside of the “clamshell” formed by the back panel and cover when the zipper is in the closed condition and when the collapsible storage bag is in the collapsed configuration. 
     The collapsible storage bag  223  may be placed in the expanded configuration illustrated in  FIG. 27  by, with reference to  FIG. 26 , first unzipping zipper  246  to place it in the open condition and unfolding and expanding the bag as illustrated by arrows  252  and  254  for the bag in an intermediate configuration indicated in general at  256 . As illustrated by the intermediate configuration  256  of the bag, a second, upper pair of knob connectors  258   a  and  258   b  are positioned near the upper end of the bag and, when the bag is in the expanded configuration, connect to a pair of slot connectors  262   a  and  262   b , formed in the backside of folding seat  263  of the wagon  208 , as illustrated in  FIG. 27 . Knob connectors  258   a  and  258   b  feature the same construction as knob connectors  232   a  and  232   b , while slot connectors  262   a  and  262   b  feature the same construction as slot connectors  202   a  and  202   b  and thus operate in the same manner. 
     With reference to  FIG. 27 , the top of the collapsible storage bag  223 , when in the expanded configuration, is open and is provided with a lid  264  and corresponding fastener  266  to cover the open top. When in the expanded configuration, a zippered front pocket  268  is also exposed. 
     The collapsible storage bag is preferably provided with a lower portion  269  that contains an insulated lower compartment that is separated from the un-insulated, upper compartment of upper portion  271 , by a zip-out interior wall (not shown). The contents of the insulated lower compartment of the bag may be accessed, without disturbing the contents of the upper compartment, via zipper  272  of  FIG. 27 . The zip-out interior wall is positioned around the interior surface of the upper portion  271  of the bag  223  just above the zipper  272 . The zip-out interior wall may be unzipped to convert the upper and lower compartments of the bag into a single large interior compartment. 
     A fourth embodiment of the storage bag system of the invention will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 28A-32B . The collapsible storage bag of this embodiment is indicated in general at  310  in  FIGS. 28A-28D  and shown attached to the rear wall  311  of a wagon  312 . The bag features a body  314 , defining an interior compartment, and a lid  316 . As will be explained in greater detail below, the bag also features a bottom  324  that is provided with a pivoting frame that pivots about the rear axle of the wagon  312 . The surface material of the collapsible storage bag  310  preferably includes polyester, nylon, tricot, or fleece but alternatively may be leather, wool cloth, burlap, or any other suitable alternative or any combination of the foregoing. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 28A and 28B , the bag features a top strap  318  provided with a top fastener in the form of top insertion buckle  319  and rear wall strap  320  provided with a rear wall fastener in the form of rear wall receiving buckle  321 . With reference to  FIGS. 28C and 28D , the bag also features a bottom strap  322  provided with a bottom fastener in the form of bottom receiving buckle  323 . 
     The bag may be folded from the expanded configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 28A , to the collapsed configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 28D , by removing the top insertion buckle  319  from the rear wall receiving buckle  321 , as shown by enlarged view  325  of  FIG. 28A , pivoting the bottom  324  of the bag counterclockwise or upwards, as shown by arrows  326  and  328  in  FIGS. 28B and 28C , and fastening the top insertion buckle  319  to the bottom receiving buckle  323 , as shown in  FIG. 28D . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29A-29C , the collapsible storage bag  310  features a pocket  330  having an open bottom. As shown in  FIG. 29B , a pivoting frame, indicated in general at  334 , is preferably constructed from rigid steel wire and features a U-shaped portion  336 , a cross member  338  and a pair of generally C-shaped end portions  340   a  and  340   b . As indicated by arrow  342  in  FIG. 29B , the U-shaped portion  336  of the pivoting frame is inserted into the pocket  330  of the bag  310 . As a result, as illustrated in  FIG. 29C , only the C-shaped end portions  340   a  and  340   b  of the pivoting frame are exposed. 
       FIGS. 30A-30D  show the steps for attaching the bag  310  to a wagon, after the pivoting frame has been inserted, as described with respect to  FIGS. 29A-29C . The bottom of the bag is provided with hook and loop fastener straps  350   a ,  352   a  and  350   b ,  352   b . Other attachment or fastening arrangements known in the art may be substituted for the hook and loop fastener (VELCRO) of straps  350   a ,  352   a  and  350   b ,  352   b.    
     As illustrated by arrows  354  and  356  of  FIG. 30A , the straps are first separated from one another. As illustrated in  FIG. 30B , the C-shaped end portions  340   a  and  340   b  of the pivoting frame are next placed into engagement with rear axle  362  (as shown by arrows  364  and  366 ) of wagon  312 . As illustrated by arrows  368  and  372  of  FIGS. 30C and 30D , respectively, the straps  350   a  and  352   a  are fastened together around wagon rear axle  362 . Straps  350   b  and  352   b  are also fastened together around the rear axle  362 . As a result, the pivoting frame, and thus bottom  324  of the bag  310 , is pivotally secured to the rear axle of the wagon. 
     A top frame spring clip of the bag  310  of  FIGS. 28A-30D  is indicated in general at  374  in  FIGS. 31A and 31B . As illustrated in  FIG. 31A , the spring clip  374  includes a flat portion  376  and a curved portion  378  so that a general hook shape is formed. As illustrated in  FIGS. 32A and 32B , the wagon bag  310  features a connector flap  380  within which the curved portions ( 378  in  FIGS. 31A and 31B ) of one or more top frame spring clips  374  are sewn. With reference to  FIG. 32A , the flat portion  376  of the top frame spring clip is sewn into the back panel  382  of the bag. As illustrated by arrows  390  and  392  in  FIGS. 32A and 32B , the flap  380 , due to spring clip(s)  374 , serves as a connector that engages and grips the top edge portion of the back wall  311  of the wagon  312  to secure the bag thereto. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1