Recreational bag

Abstract

A recreational bag includes a first flexible compartment for carrying articles, a second flexible compartment for carrying articles, a flexible strap interconnecting upper ends of the first and second flexible compartments and a fastening device connected to lower end portions of the first and second flexible compartments. The flexible strap has a width suitable for resting on a user's shoulder so that the bag can be used as a shoulder bag. The fastening device, such as an adjustable belt connected to lower end portions of the compartments, releasably interconnects the first and second flexible compartments and releasably secures the first and second flexible compartments against a mid-section of the user when the strap rests on the user's shoulder. Handles connected to upper end portions of the first and second flexible compartments allow alternative use of the recreational bag as a handbag. The flexible strap is preferably designed to collapse into an area between the first and second flexible compartments when the bag is used as a handbag, so that the flexible strap does not interfere with grasping of the handles by a user. A fastening device such as an adjustable belt is preferably designed for securing the first and second compartments against each other when a user holds the bag as a handbag and for simultaneously supporting an elongated article such as a snowboard between the first and second compartments, providing an article-carrying mechanism in addition to the interiors of the compartments themselves.

1 . A recreational bag comprising: 
 a first flexible compartment for carrying articles;    a second flexible compartment for carrying articles;    a flexible strap interconnecting upper ends of the first and second flexible compartments, the flexible strap having a width suitable for resting on a user's shoulder so that the bag can be used as a shoulder bag; and    a fastening device connected to lower end portions of the first and second flexible compartments for releasably interconnecting the first and second flexible compartments and releasably securing the first and second flexible compartments against a mid-section of the user when the strap rests on the user's shoulder.    
   
   
       2 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is adjustable.  
   
   
       3 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device comprises an adjustable belt having a releasable buckle.  
   
   
       4 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device comprises an adjustable belt, the adjustable belt including a first end permanently secured to a lower end portion of one of the compartments.  
   
   
       5 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device comprises a pair of adjustable belts, each belt having a releasable buckle.  
   
   
       6 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flexible compartments are of different sizes, whereby similar articles of different sizes can be carried in each of the compartments.  
   
   
       7 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flexible compartments are equal in size.  
   
   
       8 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible strap interconnects the first and second compartments at locations off-set from central axes of the first and second compartments.  
   
   
       9 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second compartments have a size suitable for carrying inline skates.  
   
   
       10 . A recreational bag according to  claim 1 , further comprising closure means for opening and closing the first and second flexible compartments to allow insertion and removal of articles into and from the compartments.  
   
   
       11 . A recreational bag according to  claim 10 , wherein the closure means comprises a first zipper mounted on a side opening of the first flexible compartment and a second zipper mounted on a side opening of the second flexible compartment.  
   
   
       12 . A recreational bag constituting both a shoulder bag and a handbag, comprising: 
 a first flexible compartment for carrying articles;    a second flexible compartment for carrying articles;    a flexible strap interconnecting upper ends of the first and second flexible compartments, the flexible strap having a width suitable for resting on a user's shoulder so that the bag can be used as a shoulder bag; and    handle means connected to upper end portions of the first and second flexible compartments for carrying the recreational bag by hand.    
   
   
       13 . A recreational bag according to  claim 12 , wherein said handle means comprises a first handle secured to an upper end portion of the first compartment and a second handle secured to an upper end portion of the second compartment.  
   
   
       14 . A recreational bag according to  claim 12 , wherein the flexible strap is collapsible into an area between said first and second flexible compartments, whereby the flexible strap does not interfere with grasping of the handle means by a user.  
   
   
       15 . A recreational bag according to  claim 14 , further comprising fastener means for releasably interconnecting the first and second handles when the flexible strap is collapsed into an area between the first and second flexible compartments.  
   
   
       16 . A recreational bag according to  claim 12 , further comprising closure means for opening and closing the first and second flexible compartments to allow insertion and removal of articles into and from the compartments.  
   
   
       17 . A recreational bag constituting both a shoulder bag and a handbag, comprising: 
 a first flexible compartment for carrying articles;    a second flexible compartment for carrying articles;    a flexible strap interconnecting upper ends of the first and second flexible compartments, the flexible strap having a width suitable for resting on a user's shoulder so that the bag can be used as a shoulder bag;    handle means connected to upper end portions of the first and second flexible compartments for carrying the recreational bag by hand; and    a fastening device for securing the first and second compartments against each other when a user holds the handle means and for simultaneously supporting an elongated article between the first and second flexible compartments.    
   
   
       18 . A recreational bag according to  claim 17 , wherein the fastening device is adjustable.  
   
   
       19 . A recreational bag according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second flexible compartments are of different sizes, whereby similar articles of different sizes can be carried in each of the compartments.  
   
   
       20 . A recreational bag according to  claim 17 , further comprising closure means for opening and closing the first and second flexible compartments to allow insertion and removal of articles into and from the compartments.