Abstract:
An improved work or sports accessory organizer with storage mechanisms to keep smaller tools, supplies, accessories, etc. neatly contained and easily found when needed yet doubles as a bag once it has been folded up for storage or transport. The apparatus having a material backing, material lining, storage compartments, and the like suspended by a hook that swivels allowing for the organizer to easily orient in a fashion which improves functionality. Additionally, the organizer contains at least one fastening assembly for attaching a glove, tool, or accessory with a similar fastening mechanism such that it is immediately available. The optional strap allows for the organizer to stand alone as an independent containment device or to supplement a larger bag or the like. This allows for both efficient access to supplies, as well as, quick, easy, and efficient cleanup.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/976,635, filed on Apr. 8, 2014 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    This application relates to sports or work accessory bags, particularly to the effective storage and organization of tools, supplies, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART 
       [0005]    The following are listings of prior art that presently appear to be relevant: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Pat. No. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1,684,232A 
                 383/38 
                 1928 Sep. 11 
                 Levit, Max 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0006]    The concept of organization is one that has plagued individuals throughout time. And, as we have progressed through time, time has become synonymous with money. Therefore, it has become more important to make both work and play efficient. 
         [0007]    In the past, people have made the best of the storage means which were available. These may have been baskets shoved into drawers, large or bulky bags, trays with various sized compartments, hard-covered and heavy carrying cases, etc. These methods may have been effective at the time they were introduced but leave room to be improved upon. 
         [0008]    Old ways of accomplishing storage and organization of supplies in both occupational and sports settings, have been inconvenient or inefficient. Items would be difficult to locate in a hurry because they would be cluttered and disorganized, and they might not be readily available. Carrying needed accessories would be cumbersome and difficult to manage. Despite the many efforts made to make the carrying, storage, and managing of accessories more convenient, a need continues to exist to improve upon previous methods. 
         [0009]    Generally speaking, bags designed for sports and work use have pockets which are excessively large for the supplies being contained. This limits the accessibility of necessary supplies, takes time to find the desired objects, and is ultimately inefficient. Despite the fact that there are several carrying bags utilized for containing and transporting either sport or work tools, supplies, and the like a need still exists for a means of effectively storing and transporting these items in a more compact, readily available, and organized manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    Briefly stated, the invention provides an organizer for storing accessory items for sports or work activities having at least one pocket or any combination of pockets and stretch material as a means to contain items such as, but not limited to, tape, small tools, writing instruments, chalk, or the like, wherein the organizer can be hung from a hook, loop, or the like of either a structure, bar, larger bag, or the like and rotate or swivel to provide varying orientations such as, but not limited to, forward facing. The organizer can be folded up from bottom to top at least one time and subsequently fastened closed so as to secure the items within and convert to a portable bag easily transported from one location to another employing the optional strap or can be left attached to a larger tote, structure, or the like, for storage. A dowel along the top of the organizer allows for structural support to prevent sagging and support the weight of the items contained within. The organizer contains at least one hook and loop, or other fastening mechanism, for attaching a glove or other accessory, tool, or the like which contains a similar fastening mechanism. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0011]    Several advantages of one or more aspects of the organizer are that the organizer contains the items within in a manner making them easily accessible wherein the organizer contains pockets more appropriately sized for smaller items. The organizer also can be used independently as an accessory bag for sport or work activities containing within necessary supplies, tools, and the like for readily available access. Or, the organizer can be used as a supplemental addition to larger, bulkier sport or work accessory bags such as, but not limited to, golf bags, baseball bat bags, duffle bags, satchels, or the like. The organizer saves time by placing the necessary accessories for sport or work activities within reach and making necessary tools, supplies, items, and the like readily available. Additionally, the items have a particular location for storage conserving time when sport or work is complete and the process of cleaning up and putting the items, accessories, tools, and the like away for storage or transport ensues. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be gained upon examination of the drawings and ensuing detailed description of embodiments and appended claims. It is expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS—FIGURES 
         [0012]    Drawings of the organizer are included wherein like designations refer to like elements throughout and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of the organizer in one embodiment 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the organizer in one embodiment 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the organizer illustrating elements affixed to the material lining in one embodiment 
           [0016]      FIG. 4 a    shows a front view of a pocket illustrating an additional fastener affixed to the pocket in one embodiment 
           [0017]      FIG. 4 b    shows a rear view of the same pocket illustrating a fastener affixed to the pocket for closure to the opposing fastener affixed to material lining in one embodiment 
           [0018]      FIG. 5 a    shows a front view of a second pocket in one embodiment 
           [0019]      FIG. 5 b    shows a rear view of the same pocket illustrating a fastener affixed to the pocket for closure to the opposing fastener affixed to the material lining in one embodiment 
           [0020]      FIG. 6 a    shows a front view of a third pocket illustrating a fastener affixed to the pocket for closure with a correlating flap in one embodiment 
           [0021]      FIG. 6 b    shows a rear view of the same pocket in one embodiment 
           [0022]      FIG. 7 a    shows a front view of a flap providing closure to the pocket illustrated in  FIG. 6  in one embodiment 
           [0023]      FIG. 7 b    shows a rear view of the same flap illustrating a fastener affixed to the flap for closure to the opposing fastener affixed to the pocket in  FIG. 6 a    in one embodiment 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of the dowel in one embodiment 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows a right view of the dowel in one embodiment 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the folded organizer and illustrated elements in one embodiment 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  shows a rear view of the folded organizer and illustrated elements in one embodiment 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  shows right view of the folded organizer and illustrated elements in one embodiment 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  shows a front view of the optional strap for the organizer and illustrated elements in one embodiment 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DRAWINGS - REFERENCE NUMERALS 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   1 
                   Swivel hook 
                 
                 
                   2 
                   Strap 
                 
                 
                   3 
                   Dowel 
                 
                 
                   4 
                   Fastening assembly 
                 
                 
                   5 
                   Hook 
                 
                 
                   6 
                   Elastic 
                 
                 
                   7 
                   Material lining 
                 
                 
                   8 
                   Material backing 
                 
                 
                   9 
                   Fastening assembly 
                 
                 
                   10 
                   Pocket 
                 
                 
                   11 
                   Fastening assembly 
                 
                 
                   12 
                   Pocket 
                 
                 
                   13 
                   Fastening assembly 
                 
                 
                   14 
                   Fastening assembly 
                 
                 
                   15 
                   Pouch 
                 
                 
                   16 
                   Fastening assembly 
                 
                 
                   17 
                   Pocket 
                 
                 
                   18 
                   D-ring 
                 
                 
                   19 
                   Flap 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   Optional Strap 
                 
                 
                   21 
                   Hook 
                 
                 
                   22 
                   Adjustment slide 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Broadly stated, the illustrated embodiment relates to a sports or work accessory organizer which can be utilized as either a supplemental or independent unit for organizing, storing, and transporting accessories, tools, supplies, and the like for the activity employed. The embodiment described references elements illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13  and in no way is intended to limit the scope of the organizer to this particular embodiment. Alternative embodiments will be contained herein following the initial description of the embodiment illustrated. 
         [0031]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the organizer is in the configuration of two pieces of elastic  6  affixed by stitching to the cotton-blend material lining  7  to hold items in place while maintaining flexibility for easy insertion and removal of tools, supplies, accessories, and the like. The segmentation of elastic  6  is created by stitching horizontal lines to accommodate smaller items to be managed. A swiveling hook  5  is affixed to the material lining  7  by looping a nylon strap  2  through the loop of the hook and affixing the strap  2  by stitching to the material lining  7 . Two smaller pieces of hook and loop fastening assembly  9  are affixed by stitching them to the material lining  7  to provide closure for two cotton-blend pockets  10  used for the purpose of storage of small accessories, tools, supplies, and the like. A larger hook and loop fastening assembly  13  is affixed horizontally by stitching to the material lining  7  below the second instance of fastening assembly  9  to provide closure of a pouch that will be created. A second hook and loop fastening assembly  14  of similar length to fastening assembly  13  is affixed horizontally by stitching below fastening assembly  13  to material lining  7  to provide closure for a pouch that will be created. The material lining  7  is then folded upwards between hook and loop fastening assemblies  13  and  14  to create pouch  15  ( FIG. 1 ) for storing items, tools, accessories, and the like. Stitching is added to segment and affix the pouch  15  to the material lining  7  and create a second smaller pocket  17  for storing pens, tools, supplies, and the like ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , hook and loop fastening assembly  9  is affixed by stitching to the front side of one pocket  10  to provide storage for a glove, tool, accessory, or the like with similar hook and loop fastening mechanism. A hook and loop fastening assembly  11  is affixed by stitching to the back side of the same pocket  10  to provide closure to the first hook and loop fastening assembly  9  affixed to material lining  7 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , a hook and loop fastening assembly  11  is affixed by stitching to the back side of the second pocket  10  to provide closure to the second hook and loop fastening assembly  9  affixed to material lining  7 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , a hook and loop fastening assembly  9  is affixed by stitching to the front side of cotton-blend pocket  12  to provide closure for the flap  19  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7B , a hook and loop fastening assembly  11  is affixed by stitching to the back side of the cotton-blend flap  19  to provide closure to pocket  12  for the storage of tools, supplies, accessories, and the like. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first pocket  10  is affixed by stitching to material lining  7  such that the fastening assembly  11  on the pocket  10  aligns with the fastening assembly  9  on material lining  7 . The second pocket  10  is affixed by stitching to material lining  7  such that the fastening assembly  11  on the pocket  10  aligns with the fastening assembly  9  on material lining  7 . Pocket  12  is then affixed by stitching to the material lining  7  such that it is on the right-hand side of the organizer and neither its top nor bottom are above or below both pockets  10  to allow for proper folding of the organizer. The bottom corners of pocket  12  are pulled slightly inward towards the vertical centerline as they are affixed to material lining  7  to create pleating and allow for slight expandability of the pocket  12  for storing balls, larger tools, accessories, supplies, and the like. Flap  19  is affixed by stitching to material lining  7  such that fastening assembly  11  aligns with fastening assembly  9  previously affixed to pocket  12 . 
         [0037]    Material lining  7  is affixed by stitching to the longer water-resistant canvas material backing  8  such that there is excess material backing  8  left at the top to be folded over to create a loop in which dowel  3  will be inserted later in the process. Fastening assembly  16  is affixed by stitching at the top of the lower third of the back side of material backing  8  to provide one part of the fastening mechanism necessary to provide closure for the organizer when folded for storage, transport, and the like. D-ring  18  is affixed on the left-hand side of the organizer above fastening assembly  16  by looping a strap  2  through D-ring  18 . Strap  2  is then affixed by stitching to material backing  8  and material lining  7  such that a U-shape is formed with strap  2  where the front half of strap  2  is visible from the front of the organizer and the second half of strap  2  is visible from the back side of the organizer. D-ring  18  is affixed on the right-hand side of the organizer above fastening assembly  16  by looping a strap  2  through D-ring  18 . Strap  2  is then affixed by stitching to material backing  8  and material lining  7  such that a U-shape is formed with strap  2  where the front half of strap  2  is visible from the front of the organizer and the second half of strap  2  is visible from the back side of the organizer. 
         [0038]    The excess material backing  8  left at the top is folded over forward and downward to create a loop housing for dowel  3 . A strap  2  is then inserted through the loop on swivel hook  1  and folded over forming a U-shape such that the front half of strap  2  is on the front of the organizer and the back half of strap  2  is on the back side of the organizer. Strap  2  with swivel hook  1  is then affixed by stitching to the organizer. Dowel  3  is inserted into the looped housing created such that it is no longer visible. Fastening assembly  4  is then affixed by stitching to the front of the organizer just below dowel  3  such that fastening assembly  4  is approximately centered horizontally on the organizer, spans the top end of material backing  8  which has been folded over and material lining  7  vertically, and aligns with fastening assembly  16  when folded for storage, transport, or the like. The two ends are stitched closed such that dowel  3  is encased within the loop housing created. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , optional strap  20  is made of material backing  8 . Material backing  8  is folded lengthwise and stitched such that the folds create a strap. One end of the strap created is inserted over the center bar of adjustment slide  22 , then folded over, and affixed by stitching to itself. The opposing end of the created strap is then inserted through the loop of one hook  21  and folded over creating a loop in the strap. The end is then run through adjustment slide  22  again, this time over the center bar making the strap adjustable. The end is then run through the loop of a second hook  21  folded over and affixed by stitching to itself completing the strap. 
         [0040]    In alternative embodiments, swivel hook  1  material can be plastic, metal, or any other material suitable to support the weight of the organizer when full. In lieu of nylon for element strap  2 , material used can be any material such as, but not limited to, cotton, webbing, polypropylene, elastic, canvas, or any other material which can be utilized to secure items to the material backing  8  and material lining  7 . Dowel  3  can be plastic, wood, metal, or any other material sturdy enough to support the weight of the organizer when full. In lieu of hook and loop fastening material, fastening assemblies  4 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  14 , and  16  can be snaps, buttons, zippers, rib and slot slide closures, or any other closure assembly which adequately fastens and secures the contents of the organizer with the pockets or enclosures. Hook  5  can be omitted to create room for additional elastic  6 , pockets  10 ,  12 , or  17 , vacant space, or any other configuration which could aid the organizer in fulfilling its intended purpose of improving organization and convenience. Likewise, more than one hook  5  can be utilized if necessary to improve functionality of the organizer. Hook  5  may or may not rotate and can be plastic, metal, or any other material which allows it to continue to function as a means of affixing items temporarily to the organizer such as, but not limited to, hiking clips, loops, elastic bands, folded material, and the like. Elastic  6  can be comprised of any material other such as, but not limited to, cloth, webbing, polypropylene, or the like which serve the intended purpose of the organizer to provide organization and convenience. The organizer may contain any number, or none, of elastic  6  in vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or any other orientation, spacing configuration, or size in width, length, thickness, or the like, which serves to contain items such that they are easily retrieved when needed. Elastic  6  may be segmented any number of times, or none, such that it serves to contain a tool, supply, accessory, or the like in way such that it serves the purpose of organization and convenience. Segmentation of elastic  6  may be created by stitching or any other means which allows for the development of appropriately sized sections of the material. In lieu of cotton-blend material, material lining  7 , can be any material such as, but not limited to, polyester, rayon, nylon, satin, fleece, etc. Material backing  8  can be any shape or size in length, width, thickness, or the like. In lieu of water-resistant canvas, material backing  8  can be any material such as, but not limited to, vinyl, leather, cotton, cotton-blend, fleece, soft plastic, etc. There may be one or more, of outward facing fastening assembly  9  used to affix items such as, but not limited to, a glove, tool, accessory, or the like that contains a similar fastening mechanism. Pocket  10  may have varying sizes, quantities, configurations, or be omitted altogether depending on the intended purpose of the organizer. Pocket  12  and accompanying flap  19  may have varying sizes, quantities, configurations, or be omitted altogether depending on the intended purpose of the organizer. In lieu of cotton-blend, the material of pockets  10 ,  12 , and flap  19  can be any material such as, but not limited to, polyester, rayon, nylon, satin, fleece, mesh, etc. Pleat from pocket  12  may be omitted if expandability is not deemed necessary for the intended purpose of the organizer. Pouch  15  can be any depth or width that is deemed appropriate for the intended purpose of the organizer and can contain any number of additional segmentations created by stitching, or any other means, to create additional pockets such as, but not limited to, pocket  17 . Hook  21  may or may not rotate and can be plastic, metal, or any other material which allows it to continue to function as a means to affix optional strap  20  to D-ring  18  of the organizer such as, but not limited to, hiking clips, loops, elastic bands, folded material, and the like. Optional strap  20 , as suggested by name, can be omitted if it is deemed not necessary to fulfill the intended purpose of the organizer. D-ring  18  can be plastic, metal, or any other material, loop, hoop, or the like which allows it to continue to function as means to affix optional strap  20  or any other purpose which serves the functionality of the organizer. Adjustable slide  22  can be plastic, metal, or any other material which allows it to continue to function as a means to dynamically differentiate the length of the optional strap. Material backing  8  may be omitted if the need for both material backing  8  and material lining  7  are deemed unnecessary. In lieu of folding the long and bottom short ends of the material lining  7  and material backing  8  during manufacture to secure material lining  7  and to create a finished look, a strip of binding may be used to create the same effect and serve the same, or similar, purpose. Optionally, a handle of some sort made of nylon strapping, rope, plastic, vinyl, leather, or any other suitable material could be added to aid in the portability and transport of the bag. Any stitching involved in the manufacture of the organizer may be comprised of, but not limited to, thread, string, or any other means of affixing any one item to another. The completed organizer will fold over on itself one or more times in order to provide a more compact means of transport, storage, or the like. 
       Operation 
       [0041]    In the illustrated embodiment and beginning with a closed organizer which has recently been retrieved from storage, transport, or the like, swivel hook  1  would be used to hang the organizer from a hook, handle, or any other available means. Since swivel hook  1  rotates, the organizer can easily orient forward for convenient access. Fastening assembly  16  would be separated from fastening assembly  4  and the organizer would be unfolded revealing convenient access to the items contained within. Keys could be hung on hook  5  for storage while work or play occurs. Small items previously inserted into the segmentations of elastic  6  could be easily removed and re-inserted as desired. A glove, tool, or accessory could be removed for use from where it has been affixed to the outward facing fastening assembly  9  of pocket  10 . Fastening assembly  11  of pocket  10  could be separated from fastening assembly  9  on the material lining to remove items contained within or items, tools, or accessories could be added for storage. The fastening assembly  11  of the flap  19  can be separated from the fastening assembly  9  of pocket  12  to retrieve or add contents. Items could also be removed from or added to pouch  15  by separating fastening assembly  13  from fastening assembly  14 . Items stored in pocket  17  could also be easily retrieved. The optional strap  20  can be affixed with hook  21  to D-ring  18  on the left-hand side and wrapped around an item, if the size of said item allows, with the second hook  21  affixing to D-ring  18  on the right-hand side securing the bag from movement which might occur with motion, wind, a breeze, or the like. Once usage of the organizer is complete, the organizer can be folded upward and inward in thirds with fastening assembly  16  re-affixing to fastening assembly  4  effectively closing the organizer for storage, transport, or the like. The optional strap  20  can be affixed with hook  21  to D-ring  18  on the left-hand side then the second hook  21  can be affixed to D-ring  18  on the right-hand side creating a mechanism for carrying the organizer as a bag over the shoulder for transport or the like.