AU771980B2 - Storage and transportation device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an improved means for transporting sporting equipment and in particular cricket ge=-.

BACKGROUND ART The game of cricket is played widely around the world and can require a substantial amount of equipment in terms of protective gear such as pas( lvebxs helmets and n-iscellaneous padding, and game play -gear including bats, balls, wickets and bails.

:10 Transporting all of this paraphernala is usually accomplished using large bags or by placing the equipment in a motor vehicle. These methods are somewhat unsatisfactory as the gear is not often held in an orderly fashion to allow easy access. Recovering a piece of equipment can require time consuming rummaging through the contents of the bag or vehicle or dumping of all the gear on a large open surface so it can -be-sorted through. It can be seen that the need exists to facilitate the orderly transport and/or storage of cricket gear and allow for quick and simple recovery of a selected item.

PRIOR ART US Patent 5695067 discloses a storage and tote bag for softball or baseball bats and balls where the bag opens out flat to allow bats to be lain flat along the bag's length with balls resting in the bottom of the bag.

-US 4378866 describes a multi-compartniented sports bag featuring a racquet compartment on the exterior of the bag, internal compartments for clothing, shoes and wet gear and various zippered compartments.

US 5431265 teaches of a multi-compartmented bag with a ventilated compartment for the storage of shoes, an expansible compartment for storage of clothing and a reinforced racquet compartment.

S231721LDMO US 5356002 discloses a sports utility bag including a plurality of individually accessible compartments with one elongate compartment extending along a length of the bag for transporting a bat.

US 5460363 describes a sports utility accessory comprising a flexible panel capable of being used as a bag when handles on opposite edges of the panel are taken up.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of this invention to provide an improved means for S 10 transporting sporting equipment in an organised fashion and to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one form of the invention may be said to comprise a bag including a substantially rectangular central panel having an inner surface and an outer S surface and having two opposed longitudinal edges and two opposed transverse edges, and two substantially rectangular side panels extending one from each longitudinal edge of the central panel and adapted to be folded over the inner surface of thd central panel and two substantially rectangular end panels extending one from each transverse edge of the central panel, the central panel including strap means adapted to retain articles on the inner surface of the central panel, the side panels including strap means adapted to retain articles on one surface of each side panel in a manner that when the side panels are folded over the central panel, the strap means will be on the inside, S23172a.DOC the two end panels being substantially the same width as the central panel and being adapted to be successively folded over the central panel, the two side panels being each of substantially the same longitudinal length as the central panel and are at least as wide as the central panel and being adapted to be folded over the central panel to form the bag in conjunction with the folded over end panels.

Preferably the end panels include pockets formed on a surface such that when the 10 end panels are folded over the central panel, the pockets will be positioned on the inside of the bag.

Preferably the pockets are provided with a resealable closing means.

Preferably the end panels are each provided with a resealable connection means adapted to hold them together when inwardly folded.

Preferably strap means are provided to releasably retain the bag in a closed state after the end panels and side panels have been folded over the centralpanel..-._ Preferably carrying straps are provided to facilitate transport of the assembled bag.

Preferably the bag is constructed of a flexible water resistant material such as canvas or heavy nylon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a view from above of the bag opened flat.

Figure 2 is an elevational view from above showing how equipment is placed under the central straps.

s23172a.DOC Figure 3 is an elevational view fiom above showing how equipment is placed in the end pockets.

Figure 4 is an elevational view from above showing how equipment is placed under the side straps and how closure of the bag is started.

Figure 5 is an elevational view from above showing how closure of the bag is completed.

Figure 6 is an elevational view from above showing the closed bag.

BEST MODE OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION A highly preferred form of the bag 1 is depicted in Figure 1 and consists of five rectangular panels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 arranged so that panels 3 to 6 radiate out from panel 2, one to a side. The panels are made of a suitable material such as canvas-or heavy nylon. The panels 3 and 5 are positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the panel 2, and S: in a highly preferred form are of the same width as panel 2. Preferably the combined length of the panels 3 and 5 is not longer than the length of the panel 2. It will be understood these dimensions are given for illustrative purposes only and the respective sizes can vary to suit particular circumstances. The panels 3 and 5 preferably include pockets 7 for holding small items.

Panels 4 and 6 are positioned at opposite transverse sides of the panel 2, are preferably of the same length as the panel 2 and at least twice as wide as the panel 2.

Panels 2, 4 and 6 each include preferably two straps 8 adapted to enclose and hold in place larger, bulkier items than cannot fit satisfactorily in the pockets 7. The straps 8 are preferably adjustable in length and are fixed to their respective panels 2, 4 or 6 in a manner that a buckle arrangement can be utilised to allow easy enclosure and release of items.

4 S23172a.DOC Figures 2 to 6 show how equipment is placed in the bag and how the bag is closed and transformed into a transportable form.

Wickets, bats and pads 9 are usually placed under the straps 8 on the panel 2 since, in use, the panel 2 will form the bottom of the bag and the weight of the heavier items is thus centralised. Gloves, balls, boxes, bails and other small items 10 can be placed in the pockets 7 which can then be held closed by some form of resealable closing means 11 such as Velcro or a buckle. Any remaining pads 12 may be stored under the straps 8 on panels 10 4 and 6.

9@ Once all of the equipment is in place, panels 3 and 5 containing pockets 7 are folded inwards to lie on top of the equipment stored on panel 2 as shown in Figures 4 and and are held in place by a resealable connection means 13. Panels 4 and 6 are then folded inwards such that the equipment 12 stored on panels 4 and 6 lies alongside the equipment on panel 2 and in the pockets 7 that lie on top of the panel 2. Panels 4 and 6 are wide enough to meet and overlap above the pockets 7 forming an enclosed bag as shown in Figure 6.

When the panels 4 and 6 are folded around the equipment 12 and 9 and the pockets 7, the two strap means 14 on the outside of the bag 1 are able to engage and hold the bag closed. Preferably each strap means 14 comprises two flexible components such as straps with one end of each component being attached to the panel 4 or 6 as appropriate.

The free ends of the components are provided with releasable connectors. The bag 1 is also provided with handles 15 to aid in transportation.

Having described preferred methods of putting the invention into effect, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, that modifications and amendments to various features and items can be effected and yet still come within the S23172a.DOC general concept of the -invention. It is to be understood that all such modifica iions and amendments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

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Claims (5)

1. 2. '[he bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end panels include pockets formed on a surface such that when the end panels are folded over the central panel, the pockets will be positioned on the inside of the bag. S23 172fLDOC
2. 3. The bag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pockets are provided__with a resealable closing means.
3. 4. The bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end panels are each provided with a resealable connection means adapted to hold them together when inwardly folded. The bag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein strap means are provided to releasably retain the bag in a closed state after the end panels and side panels have been folded over the central panel. e 6. The bag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein carrying straps are provided to facilitate transport of the assembled bag.
4. 7. The bag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag is constructed of a flexible water resistant material such as canvas or heavy nylon.
5. 8. A storage and transportation device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this Ninth day of May 2000 JOHN WAYNE HEENAN Patent Attorneys for the Applicant -1 WILSON YOUNG S23172i.DOC