Abstract:
The present invention provides a substantially tubular carrying case, wherein the tube is sectioned into multiple substantially separated transverse compartments for carrying personal items. In one embodiment, the carrying case looks like a golf bag. In another embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag. In a further embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag that looks like a golf bag.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention provides a tubular carrying case for carrying luggage and other possessions, such as for example, items found in a diaper bag.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Travelers rely on bags and carrying cases for storing and transporting luggage, and other personal possessions, such as clothes, toiletries, cameras, towels, and such. When traveling with infants, travelers are further encumbered with numerous items associated with the care of the children, such as diapers, baby clothes, toys, food, bottles, wipes, skin care lotions, baby powder, etc. It is recognized that organizing the items required for the care of infants is particularly difficult. Many diaper bags lack supported compartments, so that access to the compartments are often compromised when the compartments collapse. Various carrying cases purport to keep the personal items organized and portable. However, degree of success of prior carrying cases is erratic. Moreover, the number of styles for bags and carrying cases have become rather static. It would be desirable to provide a carrying case with a unique look, and a structure that is conducive for keeping personal items organized.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention provides a substantially tubular carrying case that is at least partially rigid, wherein the tube is sectioned into multiple substantially separated transverse compartments for carrying personal items. In one embodiment, the carrying case looks like a golf bag. In another embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag. In a further embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag that looks like a golf bag. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 2 is a prospective top view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention, wherein the top is open to illustrate the top compartment interior.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention with the stand in operation, wherein the interior and bottom compartments are open to illustrate the transverse compartments.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 is a prospective top and side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention, wherein the all compartments are open.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 is a prospective bottom and side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 6 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention with the stand in operation.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 7 is a prospective side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention illustrating the operation of the stand.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 12 is a side prospective view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention with the compartments open.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention with the compartments open and the stand in operation.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 14 is a transparent side prospective view of an embodiment of a tubular carrying case according to the present invention illustrating the shelves. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    The invention is described by the following exemplary illustrations. It should be recognized that variations based on the inventive features disclosed herein are within the skill of the ordinary artisan, and that the scope of the invention should not be limited by the examples. To properly determine the scope of the invention, an interested party should consider the claims herein, and any equivalent thereof. In addition, any and all citations herein are, hereby, incorporated by reference.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 provides a prospective view of an embodiment of a carrying case according to the invention  10  which looks like a golf bag. Carrying case  10  comprises a main body  12  having a first end  14 , a second end  16 , a side  17 , a solid support (not shown) and a soft cover  26 . One or more portions of the main body may optionally comprise an insulating material so that the contents of one or more compartments can insulated from undesirable temperatures. In the case where a cool temperature is desired, a cooling pack may be added to the insulated compartments. When warm temperatures are desired, a hot pack may be added to the insulated compartments. For purposes of illustration, the first end is also referenced as the top end, and the second end is also referenced as the bottom end. First end  14  provides a first opening  18  (see FIG. 2) for a first compartment  20  that is releasably enclosed by a first cover  22 . For purposes of illustration, the first compartment will also be called the top compartment. As shown, first opening  18  forms a top-down entry to first compartment  20  that substantially encompasses the first end. As such, first cover  22 , acting as lid for compartment  20 , is joined to main body  12  at attachment  28 , and can be releasably closed by first fastener  30  which is shown as zipper that substantially attaches along an upper rim of the top end to the outer rim of the lid. Many types of fasteners are known and may be used to releasably enclose the compartments of the carrying case. Some examples of fasteners include grommets, laces, fit seals, snaps, buttons and hook and loop type fasteners such as those known as VELCRO® fasteners.  
         [0020]    Although not shown, alternative methods of accessing first compartment  20  are also known to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, first end  14  can be enclosed by a top such that first compartment  20  is accessed from a side opening as shown and/or described for the other compartments.  
         [0021]    Carrying case  10  comprises at least one other compartment which is accessed from the side of the main body  12 . For the embodiment in FIG. 3, carrying case  10  comprises additional compartments  32 ,  34  and  36 . As shown, the openings  38 ,  40  and  42  for compartments  32 ,  34  and  36  comprise canopies  44 ,  46  and  48  which are designed to look like pouches on a golf bag. However, the openings for the additional compartments can be located directly on side  17  of main body  12  such that the covers for the openings constitute part of the main body.  
         [0022]    Within the carrying case, the compartments are defined by the sides of main body  12 , and at least one shelf separating each compartment from at least one adjacent compartment. In the embodiment shown, the compartments are substantially separated by shelves  50  (see FIG. 2),  52  (see FIG. 6) and  54  (see FIG. 6). It is understood that the shelves can be made from many materials including cloth, polymeric fabric and plastic, to provide a range of flexibility selected from soft to resilient to hard. In the embodiment shown, the shelves are resilient. Moreover, the shelves or portions of the shelves can be removably attached, in order to convert the bag into an actual golf bag, if so desired. In addition, when the bag has a canopy that looks like the side pockets of a golf bag, it is possible to hinge the shelves such that when the shelves do not separate from the compartments, they separate the interior of the main body from the canopy, converting the canopy in to actual side pockets of a golf bag.  
         [0023]    As discussed above, first compartment  20  is also defined by either a top or, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, a lid  22 . In the case where the carrying case is transformable into a golf bag, the top is completely removable or has a removable section. A bottom  55  at second end  16  (see FIG. 5) defines the compartment that is distal from the top compartment. In the embodiment shown, bottom  55  defines compartment  36  which is distal from compartment  20  (see FIG. 6). Alternatively, an optional shelf may separate compartment  36  from bottom  55 . Numerous bottoms are known to the ordinary artisan for golf bags and can be used as bottom  55 . In the embodiment shown, the bottom comprises a polymer base having studs for standing the bag upright. Other embodiments can include bottoms with wheels of varying sizes or weights with a rounded bottom for keeping the carrying case upright.  
         [0024]    Covers  56 ,  58  and  60  are attached to the canopies adjacent to openings  38 ,  40  and  42  at attachments  62 ,  64  and  66  (see FIG. 6). The covers can releasably enclose the respective compartments by fasteners  68 ,  70  and  72 , which are shown as zippers, but as discussed above, can encompass many types of fasteners. Although the covers are shown to be attached to the canopies at the bottom, examples of additional embodiments include attaching the covers at either side or at the top. Optional retainers, shown as a mesh in some of the embodiments (not labeled), may attach the covers to the canopies to help retain the contents of the compartments when they are open.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 7 and 10 illustrate an optional golf bag stand  74 . In the embodiment shown, the stand is located on the side opposite openings  38 ,  40  and  42  to provide at least a partially downward access to the side compartments when the stand is in use. FIG. 7 illustrates carrying case  10  leaning against the golf bag stand  74 . Numerous golf stands are known to the ordinary artisan and can be used in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown, golf stand  74  comprises hinge  80  attached at the top (first end  14 ) of carrying case  10  by known methods, such as rivets, screws, etc. Each of legs  82  and  82 ′ are hingedly attached to hinge  80  at one end. Extension rods  84  and  84 ′ are pivotly attached at one end and to legs  82  and  82 ′ respectively by pivot mounts  86  and  86 ′. Each of rods  84  and  84 ′ are hingedly attached at second end  16  by anchor  88  which is hinged against the bottom so that when the anchor  88  is pushed against the ground, the anchor pushes rods  84  and  84 ′ up, which pushes legs  82  and  82 ′ away from the main body. Other well-known methods of maintaining a golf bag in a upright or leaning position, without laying the golf bag on its side may be incorporated in the present invention, such as for example, weighing the bottom of the golf bag to keep the bag upright.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate both a strap  76  and an optional handle  78  similar to those found on golf bags for carrying the carrying case. Numerous such straps and handles are available to the ordinary artisan. The strap and handle system shown can be used with strap adaptors which allows the bag to be carried like a back pack. While numerous embodiments are known to the ordinary artisan, one embodiment indicates that the strap is hooked to ringlets  79  attached to side  17  by known methods on or about the top end and on the side at about the middle of the main body. Examples of other variations include having the straps sewn or riveted directly to the main body near the top at one end and at various points along the side, including near the bottom of the main body, at the other end. Handle  78  is attached under strap  76  near the top end of the main body. Towels and name tags (not shown) can be attached by known methods to the ringlet or the handle.  
         [0027]    In the embodiment shown, the carrying case also has an optional first pouch  90  and an optional second pouch  92  on the side of main body  12  (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The pouches may be mesh, made from the same material as soft cover  26 , or made from an entirely different material. Numerous pouch styles and materials are known to the ordinary artisan. In conjunction with the golf bag motif, one of the pouches can take the form of an umbrella holder (not shown), or more consistent with a diaper bag, can hold a rolled-up diaper mat (not shown). As shown, the embodiment also illustrates additional optional pouches  94  (see FIG. 2) that line the inner wall of first compartment  20 . When carrying case  10  is used as diaper bag, such pouches are useful for holding bottles and baby food jars.  
         [0028]    While in the exemplary embodiment, the carrying case is the size of an ordinary golf bag, the dimensions of the carrying case can be increased or decreased according to the needs of the traveler. In addition, the cross-section of the tube need not be any particular shape. In the embodiment shown the cross-section of the tubular body is substantially circular. However, substantially oval or substantially polygonal cross-sections in which the edges are sufficiently rounded to preclude discomfort during carriage can also be used. Moreover, the length to width ratio need not be particularly defined, aside from the fact that the length of the case needs to be at least about one and a half times the width of the case (in the case of a circular cross section, the width is defined by the diameter of the circle). The width of the tube at one end can also be different from the width of the tube, provided that the length is at least about one and a halve times that of the widest width of the tube cross section. In another embodiment, the length of the tube is at least about twice that of the width or widest width of the tube cross section.  
         [0029]    The materials used to make the solid support and soft cover of the golf bags are well known to those of ordinary skill in making golf bags. In the present invention, the soft cover is made from canvas. Examples of other materials for the soft cover include polymers such a nylon, or natural materials such as leather. In the present invention, the solid support is made from plastic. It is also known to have a solid support comprising a ring and a pan shaped base rigidly connected by an inner rod. The soft cover joins the ring and the base to form the main body such that the intermediate section of the main body between the ring and the base is not rigid. However, the ring, the base and the inner rod remain substantially rigid. In such an arrangement, the base can tilt on the inner rod to operate the stand by pushing rods  84  and  84 ′ up, which pushes legs  82  and  82 ′ away from the main body.