Soft-sided bag with collapsible support member

Abstract

A soft-sided bag is provided having a collapsible support member and/or locking panel which imparts shape to the bag, yet is partially collapsible to allow for overall reduction in size of the bag for storage. Additionally, a handle assembly is provided which is solely mounted to the bag through limited connection points.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A soft-sided bag comprising: 
 first, second and third soft walls generally defining an enclosed volume, wherein said first wall extends between, and connects, said second and third walls;    first and second support sections, said first and second support sections being rigidly connected to a first portion of said first wall such that said second support section is rotatable relative to said first support section; and,    a locking panel formed to selectively engage said support sections, wherein said locking panel overlaps at least portions of both said first and second support sections with said locking panel engaging therewith, wherein said locking panel is hingedly connected to said first support section.    
     
     
         2 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said support sections are rigidly connected to an interior side of said first wall, said interior side facing said enclosed volume.  
     
     
         3 . A bag as in  claim 1  further comprising a stiffening member rigidly mounted to a second portion of said first wall, said second portion facing said first portion.  
     
     
         4 . A bag as in  claim 3 , wherein said stiffening member being solely mounted to the bag through mounting to said second portion.  
     
     
         5 . A bag as in  claim 3 , wherein said second portion is collapsible by folding said stiffening member into said enclosed volume.  
     
     
         6 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said first wall is partially collapsible, said first wall partially collapsing upon rotating said second support section about said first support section.  
     
     
         7 . A bag as in  claim 1  further comprising rotatable wheels being at least partially mounted to said first portion.  
     
     
         8 . A bag as in  claim 7  further comprising at least one foot mounted to said first portion.  
     
     
         9 . A bag as in  claim 8 , wherein said wheels and said foot collectively form a coplanar locus of support points for the bag.  
     
     
         10 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second support sections are interposed between said locking panel and said first portion with said locking panel engaging said first and second support sections.  
     
     
         11 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second support sections wholly overlap said first portion.  
     
     
         12 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second support sections are generally coplanar with said locking panel engaging said first and second support sections.  
     
     
         13 . A bag as in  claim 1 , further comprising a handle assembly having an extendable handle and housings, said extendable handle having posts formed to telescopically slide within said housings, wherein said handle assembly is only mounted to the bag with each end of each of said housings being rigidly secured to at least one of said walls.  
     
     
         14 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second support sections are hingedly connected to define a composite support member.  
     
     
         15 . A bag as in  claim 14 , wherein said hinged connection between said first and second support sections is wholly spaced from said locking panel.  
     
     
         16 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said first support section is immovably fixed relative to the bag.  
     
     
         17 . A soft-sided bag comprising: 
 a plurality of soft walls generally defining an enclosed volume; and,    a handle assembly having an extendable handle and housings, said extendable handle having posts formed to telescopically slide within said housings, wherein said handle assembly is only mounted to the bag with each end of each of said housings being rigidly secured to at least one of said walls.    
     
     
         18 . A soft-sided bag comprising: 
 a plurality of soft walls defining an enclosed volume; and,    a locking panel rigidly secured to a first portion of one of said walls, said locking panel having a first region, wherein said locking panel is selectively rotatable so that said first region selectively engages said first portion, said first portion being at least partially collapsible with said first region being disengaged from said first portion.    
     
     
         19 . A bag as in  claim 18 , wherein said locking panel is rotatable about a rotation axis, said locking panel having a first edge which becomes spaced from said first portion upon disengagement of said first region from said first portion, and wherein said first region is located between said rotation axis and said first edge.  
     
     
         20 . A bag as in  claim 19 , wherein said first edge is generally parallel to said rotation axis.  
     
     
         21 . A bag as in  claim 18 , wherein said locking panel is rigidly connected to an interior side of said side wall, said interior side facing said enclosed volume.  
     
     
         22 . A bag as in  claim 18 , wherein, with said first region engaging said first portion, said locking panel generally overlaps in abutting contact said first portion.  
     
     
         23 . A bag is in  claim 18  further comprising at least one foot to support said bag in an upright position, wherein said foot is rigidly connected to an exterior side of said first portion.  
     
     
         24 . A bag as in  claim 18  further comprising a locking bar rigidly connected to said first portion.  
     
     
         25 . A bag as in  claim 24  further comprising cooperating locking elements mounted to said locking panel and mounted to said locking bar, said locking elements cooperating to allow said locking panel to detachably lock to said locking bar.