GB2180737A - Improvements in bags - Google Patents

Abstract

A bag, which is adapted to be fitted on a cycle, has substantially the shape of an inverted U in cross- section and comprises a single compartment consisting of three interconnected chambers, a first relatively large chamber occupying the inverted base of said U-shape and two relatively small chambers each depending from one side of the large chamber adjacent a respective end thereof. The bag is constructed from five panels (1-5) and is provided with clips (12) for attaching it to a cycle. A closure flap consisting of a central panel (19) and two side panels (20) is secured to the bag and is releasably connectable to the bag to cover an opening by means of straps (21) and buckles (22). A carrying handle (25) is provided on the closure flap. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in bags This invention relates to bags and is particularly concerned with bags adapted to be fitted on bicycles, motor cycles and the like.

It has previously been proposed to provide so-called pannier bags which are designed to be fitted on a bicycle, motor cycle or the like (hereinafter referred to in this specification as a "cycle" which term is intended to cover all two wheeled vehicles in which the wheels are on separate axles and also to cover such vehicles when fitted with a side car). Pannier bags are generally arranged on either side of the front or rear wheel, usually the rear wheel, of a cycle and the disadvantage with such bags is that a separate frame must usually be mounted on the cycle in order to prevent the bags from interfering with rotation of the wheel. A further disadvantage is that pannier bags must be separately mounted on a cycle, usually involving straps for securing the bags to the frame and, when removed from the cycle, a user has two separate bags to carry.

The present invention aims to provide a bag which avoids the disadvantages of the known pannier bags.

According to the invention, there is provided a bag which is adapted to be fitted on a cycle, said bag having substantially the shape of an inverted U in cross-section and comprising a single compartment consisting of three interconnected chambers, a first relatively large chamber occupying the inverted base of said U-shape and two relatively small chambers each depending from one side of the large chamber adjacent a respective end thereof, the inverted base of said substantially U-shaped bag having means for carrying the bag.

Preferably, the bag is made of relatively flexible material and the inwardly facing side of each of the smaller chambers is provided with a stiffening plate to impart rigidity to the lower portions of the bag. The stiffening plates are desirably provided in the interior of the bag but may be mounted on the outside if desired. It is also possible to provide each of the smaller chambers with two stiffening plates, one located in the interior and the other located on the outside of the respective chamber.

The smaller chambers may further be provided with clips for attaching the bag to a cycle, for example to the mudguard stays.

The top of the bag, which is at the base of the inverted U-shape, is desirably provided with an opening which is closable by means of a draw string.

A closure flap is preferably secured to the bag and is releasably connectable to the bag to cover the opening by means of straps or other suitable fastenings. The means for carrying the bag are preferably provided on the closure flap and may take the form of a handle.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view taken from above and one side of one embodiment of a bag according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view taken from below and the other side of the bag shown in Fig. 1 with part of the bag cut away to show interior detail; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bag shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but showing a closure flap in the opened position.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the bag according to the invention has substantially the shape of an inverted U in cross-section and comprises a single compartment consisting of an upper relatively large chamber and two lower relatively small chambers which constitute "legs" of the bag. The bag may be made of any relatively flexible material but it should desirably be waterproof.

A preferred material is proofed nylon.

The bag is basically constructed from five panels, a front panel 1, a rear panel 2 which is substantially identical in shape to the front panel 1, two side panels 3 and 4, which are connected at their edges to respective edges of the front and rear panels 1 and 2, and a bottom centre panel 5 which is connected at its edges to the front and rear panels 1 and 2 as well as to bottom portions 3a and 4a of the side panels 3 and 4. The panels are preferably connected together by nylon stitching.

It will be seen from Fig. 2 that although the panel 5 is initially substantially rectangular, it assumes an inverted U-shape when it is secured to the other panels. Prior to such securing however, a pair of webbing straps 6 are secured to the panel 5. The securing means may take the form of stitching in the central regions of the straps 6 but each strap is formed with a loop 7 at each of its ends and the ends are secured to the panel 5 by means of rivets 8. A further strap 9 is secured at each of its ends by means of stitching to the panel 5 adjacent each of the ends thereof and the central region of each strap 9 is secured to the panel 5 by a respective rivet 10. A first length of elastic material 11 is then passed through the loops 7 at one end of each of the straps 6.The ends of said elastic material 11 are passed between the panel 5 and the adjacent strap 9 on either side of the rivet 10 and are then fastened together by a clip 12. A second length of elastic material 11 is then passed through the loops 7 at the other end of each of the straps 6, the ends of this elastic material are passed between the panel 5 and the other strap 9 on either side of the rivet 10 and are then fastened together by a further clip 12.

On the side of the panel 5 remote from the straps 6 and 9, a further pair of rectangular panels 13 are secured along three edges thereof, each panel 13 terminating adjacent a respective end of the panel 5. The panels 5 and 13 are not secured together at these ends. The side edges of the panels 13 are however secured, for example by stitching, to the side edges of the panel 5 and the remaining edge of each panel 13 is also secured, for example by stitching, to the panel 5 to form a pair of pockets. A stiffener in the form of a board 14 is then inserted into each of the pockets formed by the panels 13 and 5.

Holes are provided in each of the boards 14 through which the rivets 8 and 10 are passed so that the straps 6 or 9, the panel 5, the boards 14 and the panels 13 are firmly connected together by said rivets.

Once the panels 13 have been secured to the panel 5, the boards 14 inserted in the thus formed pockets, the straps 6 secured to the panel 5 by stitching and to the boards 14 and panels 13 as well as the panel 5 by rivets 8, and the straps 9 secured to the panels 5 and 13 and the boards 14 by rivets 10, the panel 5 can be connected to the panels 1, 2, 3 and 4 to form the bag. The ends of the straps 9 will normally be stitched to the panel 5 at the same time as the edges of the panels 1 and 2 are stitched to said panel.

It will be seen from Fig. 3 that the bag is open at the top and a hem 15 is formed by turning over the upper ends of each of the panels 1, 2, 3 and 4 and stitching. A series of eyelets 16 are then punched in the hem 15 and a draw string 17 for closing the bag is threaded through the eyelets 16 as shown in Fig. 3. A slidable fastener 18 is then fitted onto the draw string 17 and the ends of the draw string are then knotted together.

The bag is also provided with a closure flap consisting of a central panel 19 and two side panels 20 which are secured together, for example by stitching. The connected seams are covered on the outer side of the closure flap by straps 21 which terminate in buckles or like fasteners 22. An arcuate strip 23 of rigid material is secured to the central panel 19 by means of rivets 24 which pass through the panels 19 and 20, the straps 21 and the ends of a handle 25. The rivets 24 thus serve to secure the handle to the strip 23 and provide a strong and sturdy connection for the handle. The handle 25 will normally be located in the central region of the closure flap which will be located at the top of the bag when it is closed.The panels 19 and 20 are secured along one edge to the front panel 1 and a beading 26 of elastic material is secured, for example by stitching, to the remaining edges of the panels 19 and 20.

A further pair of straps 27 are secured, for example by stitching, along part of their lengths to the rear panel 2 and are arranged to cooperate with the buckles 22 to retain the closure flap in its closed position. The straps 27 may be provided for this purpose with quick-release fasteners 28 which are adjustably mounted on the straps and rapidly engageable with and disengageable from the buckles 22.

A motif or like design 29 may be provided on the central panel 19 of the closure flap.

The bag according to the invention is primarily intended to be fitted on a carrier over either the front or rear mudguard of a cycle simply by allowing the central portion of the panel 5 to rest on the carrier and the bag is secured in position by engaging the clips 12 on stays for the carrier or on other suitable attachment points on the cycle. The bag will thus be retained in position on the cycle carrier by the elasticity of the lengths of elastic material 11. If the clips 12 are unfastened, the bag can simply be lifted off the cycle and conveniently carried by the handle 25 in one hand. It is not essential, however, for the bag according to the invention to be mounted on a cycle carrier and it may be possible, in some cases, to mount the bag directly on the mudguard of a cycle.

If the panels of the bag are made of waterproof material, such as proofed nylon, the contents of the bag will be kept dry in inclement weather conditions. The closure flap is designed to provide an effective cover over the opening at the top of the bag and the elastic beading 26 around the edge of the closure flap will ensure that said closure flap conforms closely to the panels 1 to 4 of the bag.

The straps 6, 9, 21 and 27 may be made of any suitable material but are preferably made from webbing having a width of about 19mm. The width of the elastic beading 26 is also preferably about 19mm. The arcuate strip 23 is desirably made of high impact polystyrene having a width of about 45mm. The handle 25 is desirably made from a length of webbing having an initial width region and stitched to form a carrying portion having triple thickness and a width of about 17mm.

The boards 14 are preferably also made of high impact polystyrene having a thickness of about 2mm. However, both the strip 23 and the boards 14 may be made of other materials if desired.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment above described and illustrated in the drawings but modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be seen that the bag according to the invention provides a convenient means for enabling it to be readily fitted to and detached from a cycle and for it to be readily carried in one hand when it is not fitted on a cycle.

Claims (11)

1. A bag which is adapted to be fitted on a cycle, said bag having substantially the shape of an inverted U in cross-section and comprising a single compartment consisting of three interconnected chambers, a first relatively large chamber occupying the inverted base of said U-shape and two relatively small chambers each depending from one side of the large chamber adjacent a respective end thereof, the inverted base of said substantially U-shaped bag having means for carrying the bag.

2. A bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag is made of relatively flexible material and the inwardly facing side of each of the smaller chambers is provided with at least one stiffening plate.

3. A bag according to claim 2, wherein the stiffening plates are provided in pockets in the interior of the bag.

4. A bag according to claim 2, wherein each of the smaller chambers is provided with two stiffening plates, one located in the interior and the other located on the outside of the respective chamber.

5. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the smaller chambers are provided with clips for attaching the bag to a cycle.

6. A bag according to claim 5, wherein each clip is fastened to a length of elastic material which is secured to the inwardly facing side of a respective one of the smaller chambers of the bag.

7. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the top of the bag is provided with an opening which is closable by means of a draw string.

8. A bag according to claim 7, wherein a closure flap is secured to the bag and is releasably connectable to the bag to cover the opening.

9. A bag according to claim 8, wherein the closure flap is releasably connectable to the bag by means of straps and buckles or like fasteners.

10. A bag according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the means for carrying the bag comprise a handle provided on the closure flap.

11. A bag substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.