Sports equipment bag

Abstract

A sports equipment bag ( 10 ) having a water-resistant outer shell ( 12 ) with multiple ventilation assemblies ( 25 ) for exposing the interior of the bag to free air circulation. Each ventilation assembly includes an opening formed in the outer shell ( 12 ) that is covered by a mesh lining ( 42 ) and a flap ( 30 ) which can be selectively opened and closed using a zipper ( 93 ). In one embodiment, the bag ( 10 ) includes openings on both sides ( 16, 18 ) and both ends ( 20,22 ) of the bag ( 10 ). In an alternate embodiment the bag ( 57 ) includes openings ( 66 ) on both sides only. In another alternate embodiment, the bag ( 68 ) includes a vent ( 73 ) at one end and a fan assembly ( 80 ) located at the other end ( 74 ). The fan assembly ( 80 ) includes an electric fan ( 76 ) which draws air through the interior of the bag through a vent ( 73 ) located on the opposing end of the bag ( 68 ).

I claim as my invention:  
     
         1 . A bag, comprising: 
 a shell defining an interior volume;    a fan assembly including an electric fan and means for providing electric current to said electric fan;    a ventilation assembly including a vent, said ventilation assembly being located approximately opposite said fan assembly;    said electric fan being adapted to draw air inwardly through said vent, through said interior volume, and outwardly through said fan assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said shell is formed of a water-resistant material.  
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein said water-resistant material comprises nylon.  
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said shell further comprises a flap, two parallel zippers, and a rigid handle attached to both of said zippers, said handle being adapted to open both of said zippers simultaneously.  
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said shell further comprises a ventilation flap and means for selectively opening and closing said ventilation flap, said vent being located between said interior volume and said ventilation flap.  
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein said means for selectively opening and closing said ventilation flap comprises a zipper.  
     
     
         7 . The bag  claim 1 , wherein said shell further comprise a fan flap and means for selectively opening and closing said fan flap, said electric fan being located between said interior volume and said fan flap.  
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein said means for selectively opening and closing said fan flap comprises a zipper.  
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said fan assembly includes a protective housing adapted to prevent damage to said electric fan.  
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing electric current to said electric fan comprises at least one dry cell battery.  
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing electric current to said electric fan comprises a power cord adapted to transmit conventional 120-volt household AC current to said electric fan.  
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said fan assembly further comprises a timer for automatically turning said fan off after a pre-selected period of time.  
     
     
         13 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein said preselected period of time comprises 2, 4, or 6 hours.  
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said ventilation assembly further comprises a heating unit for heating air drawn through said interior volume by said electric fan.  
     
     
         15 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said fan assembly is permanently affixed to said shell.  
     
     
         16 . A bag, comprising: 
 a shell formed of water-resistant material and including, a top, a bottom, and front and back ends, said front and back ends opposing one another, said top, bottom, and front and back ends defining an interior volume, said top including a zippered flap for inserting and removing objects from said interior volume;    a ventilation assembly located on said front end, said ventilation assembly comprising a vent;    a fan assembly, said fan assembly including an electric fan, a protective housing for protecting said electric fan from damage, and means for providing electric current to said electric fan, said fan being adapted to circulate air through said interior volume.    
     
     
         17 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said fan assembly is located on said back end.  
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said means for powering said electric fan comprises a power cord adapted to be plugged into a conventional household outlet.  
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said means for powering said electric fan comprises at least one dry cell battery.  
     
     
         20 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said fan assembly further comprises a timer for automatically turning said electric fan off after a pre-selected period of time.  
     
     
         21 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said electric fan is adapted to draw air into said interior volume through said ventilation opening and outwardly through said fan assembly.  
     
     
         22 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said shell further comprises a fan flap formed of water-resistant material and means for selectively opening and closing said fan flap, wherein said electric fan is located between said fan flap and said interior volume when said fan flap is closed.  
     
     
         23 . The bag of  claim 22 , wherein said means for selectively opening and closing said ventilation flap comprises a zipper.  
     
     
         24 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said shell further comprises a ventilation flap formed of water-resistant material and means for selectively opening and closing said ventilation flap, wherein said vent is located between said ventilation flap and said interior volume when said ventilation flap is closed.  
     
     
         25 . The bag of  claim 24 , wherein said means for selectively opening and closing said fan flap comprises a zipper.  
     
     
         26 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein said ventilation assembly further comprises a mesh lining covering said vent.  
     
     
         27 . The bag of  claim 20 , wherein said means for selectively opening and closing said fan flap comprises a zipper.