Compression system for a bag

Abstract

A compression system includes first and second channels extending along a first side of a bag. A first end of a first strap is disposed in the first channel and a second end is disposed in the second channel. The first strap has fasteners proximate each of the first channel and the second channel on the first side. Third and fourth channels extend along a second side of the bag. A first end of a second strap is disposed in the third channel and a second end is disposed in the fourth channel on the second side. The second strap has fasteners proximate each of the third channel and the fourth channel on the second side. The first and second straps are configured to compress the bag when portions of the first and second straps are pulled through the fasteners.

1 . A compression system for a bag for carrying objects comprising, in combination: 
 a bag having a first side, an opposed second side, a first end, an opposed second end, a bottom and a top;    a first channel extending along an exterior of the first side of the bag;    a second channel extending along an exterior of the first side of the bag and spaced from the first channel;    a first strap having a first end portion disposed in the first channel and a second end portion disposed in the second channel, an end of the first end portion of the first strap secured to the bottom of the bag and an end of the second end portion of the first strap secured to the bottom of the bag;    a first fastener on the first strap proximate the first channel on the first side;    a second fastener on the first strap proximate the second channel on the first side;    a third channel extending along the exterior of the second side of the bag;    a fourth channel extending along the exterior of the second side of the bag and spaced from the third channel;    a second strap having a first end portion disposed in the third channel on the second side and a second end portion disposed in the fourth channel on the second side, an end of the first end portion of the second strap secured to the bottom of the bag and an end of the second portion of the second strap secured to the bottom of the bag;    a third fastener on the second strap proximate the third channel; and    a fourth fastener on the second strap proximate the fourth channel;    wherein the first and second straps are configured to compress the bag when a portion of the first and second end portions of the first and second straps are pulled through the fasteners.    
   
   
       2 . The compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the fasteners are cam locks.  
   
   
       3 . The compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the fasteners are ladder locks.  
   
   
       4 . The compression system of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle, with a length of the first strap between the first and second fasteners on the first strap and a length of the second strap between the first and second fasteners on the second strap being captured by the handle.  
   
   
       5 . The compression system of  claim 4 , wherein the handle includes a sleeve through which the first strap and second strap pass.  
   
   
       6 . The compression system of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve comprises a piece of material folded over onto itself and secured to itself with a fastener.  
   
   
       7 . The compression system of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       8 . The compression system of  claim 6 , wherein the sleeve includes a pad.  
   
   
       9 . The compression system of  claim 8 , wherein the pad is positioned within the sleeve.  
   
   
       10 . The compression system of  claim 9 , further comprising a fastening strap extending about the pad and a fastener on the fastening strap to secure the fastening strap to itself, the fastening strap configured to wrap around the first and second straps.  
   
   
       11 . The compression system of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener on the fastening strap is a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       12 . The compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the second channel on the first side is substantially parallel to the first channel on the first side.  
   
   
       13 . The compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth channel on the second side is substantially parallel to the third channel on the second side.  
   
   
       14 . The compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth channels are secured to the exterior surface of the bag by stitching.  
   
   
       15 . The compression system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ends of the first and second portions of the first strap and the ends of the first and second portions of the second strap are secured to the bag with stitching.  
   
   
       16 . The compression system according to  claim 1 , wherein the bag includes a main compartment, a closure panel providing access to the main compartment, and a fastener to secure the closure panel to the bag.  
   
   
       17 . The compression system of  claim 16 , wherein the fastener is a zipper.  
   
   
       18 . The compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth channels are formed by corresponding spaced apart lines of stitching securing corresponding pieces of material to the exterior of the bag.  
   
   
       19 . The compression system of  claim 18 , further comprising a pocket between the first and second channels on the first side and a pocket between the third and fourth channels on the second side, the pockets being formed between the piece of material and the bag.  
   
   
       20 . The compression system of  claim 19 , further comprising a fastener releasably securing an upper edge of the pocket to the bag.  
   
   
       21 . A compression system for a bag for carrying objects comprising, in combination: 
 a bag;    a first channel extending along an exterior of the bag;    a second channel extending along the exterior of the bag and spaced from the first channel;    a compression strap extending through the first channel and the second channel;    a pair of first fasteners positioned on the compression strap proximate corresponding first ends of the first channel and the second channel;    a pair of second fasteners positioned on the compression strap proximate corresponding second ends of the first channel and the second channel.    
   
   
       22 . The compression system of  claim 21 , wherein the fasteners are cam locks.  
   
   
       23 . The compression system of  claim 21 , wherein the fasteners are ladder locks.  
   
   
       24 . The compression system of  claim 21 , further comprising a handle, with a length of the first strap between the first and second fasteners on the first strap and a length of the second strap between the first and second fasteners on the second strap captured by the handle.  
   
   
       25 . The compression system of  claim 24 , wherein the handle includes a sleeve through which the first strap and second strap pass.  
   
   
       26 . The compression system of  claim 25 , wherein the sleeve comprises a piece of material folded over onto itself and secured to itself with a fastener.  
   
   
       27 . The compression system of  claim 26 , wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       28 . The compression system of  claim 26 , wherein the sleeve includes a pad.  
   
   
       29 . The compression system of  claim 28 , wherein the pad is positioned within the sleeve.  
   
   
       30 . The compression system of  claim 29 , further comprising a fastening strap extending about the pad and a fastener on the fastening strap to secure the fastening strap to itself, the fastening strap configured to wrap around the first and second straps.  
   
   
       31 . The bag according to  claim 21 , wherein the second channel is substantially parallel to the first channel.  
   
   
       32 . A compression system for a bag for carrying objects comprising, in combination: 
 a bag having a first side, an opposed second side, a first end, an opposed second end, a bottom and a top;    at least one first channel extending along an exterior of the bag;    at least one second channel extending along an exterior of the bag and spaced from the first channel;    at least one strap having a first end portion disposed in a corresponding first channel and a second end portion disposed in a corresponding second channel, an end of the first end portion of the strap secured to the bottom of the bag and an end of the second end portion of the strap secured to the bottom of the bag;    a first fastener on the strap proximate the corresponding first channel;    a second fastener on the strap proximate the corresponding second channel;    wherein the at least one strap is configured to compress the bag when a portion of the first and second end portions of the strap are pulled through the fasteners.    
   
   
       33 . The compression system of  claim 32 , wherein the fasteners are cam locks.  
   
   
       34 . The compression system of  claim 32 , wherein the fasteners are ladder locks.