Abstract:
A tool bag for storing and organizing tools is provided. In general, the described tool bag includes a flat bottom surface connected to at least one side components, wherein the flat bottom surface includes a hard flat surface. The tool bag also includes a mid-section including a hard surfaced compartment with two surfaces, where the hard surfaced compartment is positioned perpendicular to the flat bottom surface and divides the tool bag&#39;s internal bag space into two substantially equal portions. Furthermore, a plurality of tool organizing apparatuses is affixed to the two surfaces of the hard surfaced compartment configured to secure and organize tools.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to tool storage apparatuses, and in particular, to compartment components for tool bags for easy organizing, transporting and accessing tools. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various types of tool carrying apparatus are currently available on the market designed to store and transport tools. In certain cases, some of the tool carrying apparatuses are rigid tool boxes that have a hinged top and a removable tray that lifts out for accessing a lower interior area designed for bulk tool storage. Other, similar tool boxes may include small drawers for storing smaller tools or parts. However, these types of tool boxes are usually designed to store tools horizontally, often resulting in a disorganized mass of tools in a single storage area in the bottom of the tool box. This arrangement can make selection and accessing of stored tools somewhat difficult and potentially dangerous. 
         [0003]    Another disadvantage of rigid tool boxes is that often they do not conform to storage areas provided in vehicles. Usually tradesmen transport or store tool boxes in their vehicles, however, enough space for a rectangular hard tool box is often not available. 
         [0004]    Other tool storage apparatuses can be, for example, fabric bags similar to doctor&#39;s bags having a zippered opening providing access to an inside cavity for storing tools. However, tools stored in this type of bag are also generally stored together, horizontally, in a single storage area. Inner pockets may be provided, although access to the inner pockets can be substantially restricted when the bag is full or partially full of tools. 
         [0005]    Fabric tool bags can be an alternative to the rigid tool boxes, but the fabric bags do not overcome the problems associated with the bulk tool storage. Also, when storing or transporting sharp tools horizontally or in pockets, in a purely fabric bag, the bag can easily be damaged by the tools. 
         [0006]    Another tool storage apparatus can be a bag designed to fit over an empty 5-gallon plastic bucket. This type of bag often has a variety of tool pockets designed to fit both on the inside and outside of the bucket. The bucket provides a frame and supports the tool bag. One disadvantage of this type of tool bag is that convenient storage space for a 5-gallon bucket is often quite limited in vehicles, making it difficult to transport the stored tools. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for improved tool storage components to store and organize tools. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Tool bags for storing and organizing tools are provided. A tool bag can include a flat bottom surface connected to at least one side components, wherein the flat bottom surface includes a hard flat surface. The tool bag can further include a mid-section including a hard surfaced compartment with two surfaces, where the hard surfaced compartment is positioned perpendicular to the flat bottom surface and divides the tool bag&#39;s internal bag space into two substantially equal portions. A plurality of tool organizing apparatuses can also be affixed to the two surfaces of the hard surfaced compartment configured to secure and organize tools. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The embodiments described above will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a tool bag with a mid-section for storing tools (not shown); 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a tool bag in a opened position with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of another mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a tool bag in a opened position with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a tool bag in a semi-opened position with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is another schematic illustration of another tool bag in a semi-opened position with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is yet another schematic illustration of another tool bag in a semi-opened position with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a tool bag with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of a tool bag with a handle and wheels for easy pulling and a mid-section (not shown) for storing tools; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of a tool bag on wheels in a semi-opened position with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is one embodiment of a tool bag with a mid-section (not shown) for storing tools; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the tool bag illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is an illustration of the tool bag shown in  FIG. 12  in a semi-opened position with a mid-section for storing tools; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is an illustration of a tool bag in a semi-opened position with amid-section for storing tools; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  illustrates another embodiment of a tool bag with a mid-section (not shown) for storing tools; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the tool bag illustrated in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  illustrates yet another embodiment of a tool bag with a mid-section (not shown) for storing tools; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the tool bag illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the systems and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems, apparatuses and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the embodiments is defined solely by the claims. Further, the features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the described embodiments. 
         [0030]    The embodiments described herein generally relate to tool bags and compartment components for tool bags. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary tool storage apparatus in accordance with the subject matters described herein. In some embodiments, the tool storage apparatus can be a tool bag  100  configured to store and organize multiple tools. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tool bag  100  can include a base portion  110  with a substantially flat bottom surface. The base portion  110  can include four vertical sides arranged in a standing up fashion and connected to a body portion  112 . The body portion  112  can be substantially rectangular in shape and be constructed of materials such as fabrics. In some embodiments the body portion  112  can include two longer sides a and two shorter sides b, where the longer sides can include one or more front covers  2   a  configured to provide easy access to the tool bag  100 . In use, as illustrated in more details in  FIG. 2  below, front covers  2   a  can be opened by pulling on one or more zippers  114  and an user can access tools stored inside the tool bag  112 . The zippers  114  can be configured to be shaped in a “doorway” like fashion and pulled down to the base portion  110 . In this way, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the front covers  2   a  can open up partially and allow access to the tools. In some embodiments, the tool bag  112  can further include two side covers  2   c  configured to support the overall structure of the bag  112 . Furthermore, the tool bag  112  can include two U shaped handles  116  attached to the front covers  2   a.  In use, an user can grab onto the handles  116  and carry the entire tool bag  112  by the handles  116 . 
         [0032]    In use, the tool bag  112  can further include a mid-section  118  position positioned between the side covers  2   c  and parallel to the front covers  2   a.  The mid-section  118  can be generally rectangular in shape with tool organizing features on both sides. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each side of the mid-section  118  (the side that&#39;s facing the front cover  2   a  for example) can have multiple tool organizing features. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mid-section  118  can have a separation plate  122  and tool organizing features such as stationary bands  124  and discrete tool compartments  126  can be affixed to the separation plate  122 . In some embodiments, the stationary band  124  can be elastic in nature and in use, tools such as screw drivers with long necks can be positioned within a tool compartment  126  with one end inserted between the stationary band  124  and the separation plate  122  and firmed secured within the tool bag. The configuration advantageously provides an user with the ability to store and organize multiple tools of various sizes and configuration within the tool bag  112  in a secured fashion. In some embodiments, the mid-section  118  can be inserted and then secured within the tool bag  112  by, for example, stapling a top surface  128  of the mid-section  118  to a top surface  2   b  of the tool bag  112 . In other embodiments, the top surface  128  of the mid-section  118  may be glued or attached to the top surface  2   b  of the tool bag through other means common used within the art (e.g., using Velcro etc.) Not only does the mid-section  118  provides extra means of organizing tools in the tool bag  118 , but the rigid nature of the mid-section  118  can also contributes to a better overall structure strengthening of the tool bag. For example, by being positioned in between the top surface  2   b  and base portion  110 , the mid-section  118  is able to provide extra support to the tool bag  112  in the vertical direction. In yet another embodiment, the mid-section  118  can be designed to be replaceable in reference to the tool bag  112 . That is, the mid-section  118  can be removed and replaced with another mid-section into the tool bag  112 . The replacement mid-section may be of similar dimension to the replaced mid-section  118 , but can include different tool organizing features, as discussed in more details below. In use, in addition to being held open or closed by one or more zippers  114  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one or more buckles  120  can be utilized to keep the front covers  2   a  in a semi-opened position. The buckle  120  can be similar to the ones present in luggage cases used for securing personal luggage. It should be appreciated that other similar devices commonly used within the art can be easily adopted to keep the front covers  2   a  open or closed. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are exemplary tool organizing features that can be attached to the separation plate  122  of the mid-section  118 . As discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 3 , one side of the separation plate  122  can include a plurality of stationary bands  124  and tool compartments  126 . Tools can be positioned and secured by the stationary bands  124  and within the tool compartments. Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , another side of the separation plate  122  can include a plurality of tool containers  130 . The tool containers  130  can be larger in size compared to the tool compartments  126 , and the tool containers can be configured to hold various tools and gadgets such as nuts and bolts. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates the tool bag  112  in a fully opened position. When fully opened, the buckle  120  is detached from one another and the zippers  114  all sled all the way down to the side, fully exposing the mid-section  118  and the tool containers  130  affixed to the separation plate  122 . In addition, in some embodiments, a plurality of tool containers  130  can be positioned on the front cover  2   a,  providing even more spaces for organizing tools. 
         [0035]    In use, the tool bag  112  is capable of maintaining a half-opened position, allowing access to the tools stored inside the bag while keeping the tools secured within the tool bag  112 .  FIGS. 6-8  illustrate various methods to maintain a half-opened position. In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , one or more buckles  120  can be used to connected the front cover  2   a  and the tool bag  112 . The buckle  120  can have certain length such that when the buckle  120  is in a connected position, the front cover  2   a  opens half way from the tool bag  112 . Allowing access to the tools stored on the mid-section and the front cover  2   a  (not shown). Similarly, an elastic material such as an elastic band can be used to connect the front cover and the tool bag. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the front cover  2   a  can be connected to the tool bag  112  via one or more elastic band  132 . The elastic bands  132  are of certain length such that when fully extended, the bands  132  keep the front cover  2   a  at a half-opened position in reference to the tool bag  112 . In another embodiment, a piece of fabric  134 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , can be used to keep the front covers  2   a  at a half-opened position. It should be appreciated that the embodiments illustrated here are for exemplary purposes and other similar devices can be easily adopted by one skilled in the art to keep the front cover  2   a  in a half opened position. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of the present subject matter. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , instead of U shaped handles, a tool bag  200  can have a solid handle bar  202  with a handle  204 . The handle bar can be made out of harden material such as metal or hard plastic and the entire bag can be carried on the handle  204 . In some embodiments, the handle  204  can include material configured to prevent slippage and also provide cushion. In addition to the tool organizing features present on the mid-section, the front covers  206  can have tool containers build in. One or more elastic bands  208  can be used to connect the front covers  206  to the tool bag  200 . When fully extended, the elastic bands  208  can keep the front covers at a semi-opened position. It should be noted that other devices such as buckles, fabrics and strings can be easily adopted to achieve a similar purpose. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, additional features can be integrated into a tool bag to further enhance the ease of operating a tool bag similar to the ones described above (in  FIGS. 1-9 ). For example, a tool bag  300  can be fitted with a shoulder pad  302  for an easy carrying on one&#39;s back. In addition, the tool bag  300  can also be fitted with rolling wheels  302  and a pull handle  304  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  for easy pulling on the ground. Similar to the tool bag discussed above, tool bag  300  can include one or more front covers  308  connected to the bag by one or more strings  310 . When fully extended, the strings  310  can keep the front covers  308  at a semi-opened fashion 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, a tool bag  400  similar to the one described in  FIG. 1  can have one or more U shaped handle  402  coupled to an anti-slippage and/or cushion handle  404  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The tool bag  400  can also have shoulder strap  406  connected to two rings  408  affixed to the bag&#39;s surface, where the shoulder strap  406  enables an user to carry the tool bag  400  on his/her shoulders. Similar to the tool bag described in  FIG. 1 , tool bag  400  can also have one or more front covers  410  configured to provide closure to the tools stored within the bag  400 . Furthermore, a plurality of tool containers  412  of various dimensions can be affixed to the front cover  410 , as well as to the side of the tool bag  400 .  FIG. 13  is a side view of the tool bag  400  described in  FIG. 12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the tool bag  400  can have one or more rings  408  configured to be coupled to a shoulder strap  406 . The shoulder strap  406  can further include an anti-slippage and/or cushion  414  designed to provide comfort when a user is carrying the tool bag  400  on his/her shoulders. 
         [0039]    In use, the tool bag  400  can be configured to remain semi-open for an easy access to the tool inside, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The front cover  410  can be kept open by one or more fabrics  418  connecting the front cover  410  to the bag. The front cover  410  can have a plurality of tool containers attached to the front cover&#39;s  412  inner surface facing the tool bag  400  and configured to store tools of various dimensions. Once the front cover  410  is opened, a user can have access to the tools stored on the mid-section  420  of the bag. As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the mid-section  420  can also have multiple tool containers  410  configured to store tools of various dimensions. In addition, one or more stationary cables  418  are availably affixed to the mid-section  420  and designed secure tools to the mid-section. The stationary cables  418  can be Velcro™ activated such that the cables  418  can be utilized to wrap around tools and thereby securing the tools to the mid-section  420 . Alternatively, the mid-section  420  can include a plurality of tool containers  410  of various dimensions and at least one row of stationary straps  422  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . In use, a tool can be positioned through a tool strap  422  and into a tool bag  410 , thereby securing the tool within the tool bag  410 . 
         [0040]    In another embodiment, a tool bag similar to the one described in  FIG. 1  can have tool pockets with covers (instead of tool containers without covers) affixed to the front covers, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . The tool pockets can either be covered with a folded down cover  502 , or be enclosed using a zipper (not shown)  504 . When closed, the tool pocket can effectively shield tools from outside environmental elements.  FIG. 17  is a side view of the tool bag described in  FIG. 16 . As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the tool bag  500  can include a larger tool pocket  504  positioned between two smaller two pockets  502 . The larger tool pocket  504  in this case can be closed by a zipper (not shown) while the smaller tool pockets  502  are enclosed by folded down covers. Alternatively, a tool bag  600  can have one or more large tool pockets with folded down covers  602  as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . The folded down cover allows a user easy access to tools stored in the large pockets  602 . It should be appreciated that the different embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 12-19  are for exemplary purposes, as someone skilled in the art can easily rearrange for different types of tool pockets to better accommodate a user&#39;s particular needs.