Convertible storage bag

Abstract

A convertible bag is disclosed which is adapted to be converted between a compact configuration, such as in the form of a backpack, and an expanded configuration, such as in the form of a duffle bag. The convertible bag has a front end portion having at least one storage compartment. A back end portion is joined to the front end portion, forming at least a second storage compartment. The front end portion and back end portion are adapted to be joined by a zipper around the perimeter of the back end portion and further comprises a pair of toothed tracks and a slidable element. An extendable portion is connected to the front end portion and the back end portion and is contained in the second storage compartment when the bag is in the compact configuration. When the front end portion and back end portion are separated, the extendable portion is adapted to be extended to form the expanded configuration and the zipper is adapted to have the slidable element remain engaged with the pair of toothed tracks at all times.

1 . A convertible bag comprising: 
 a front end portion having at least one storage compartment;    a back end portion that when joined to the front end portion forms at least a second storage compartment;    the front end portion and back end portion are adapted to be joined by a zipper around the perimeter of the front end portion and further comprising a pair of toothed tracks and a slidable element;    an extendable portion connected to and between the front end portion and back end portion and contained in the second storage compartment when the front end portion is joined to the back end portion to form a compact configuration;    wherein when the front end portion and back end portion are no longer joined and are spaced apart, the extendable portion is adapted to be extended to form an expanded configuration; and    wherein the zipper is adapted to have the slidable element remain engaged with the pair of toothed tracks at all times.    
   
   
       2 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the compact configuration is in the form of a backpack and the expanded configuration is in the form of a duffle bag.  
   
   
       3 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the compact configuration further comprises a CD case.  
   
   
       4 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first storage compartment further comprises at least one additional storage compartment.  
   
   
       5 . The convertible bag of  claim 4 , wherein the additional storage compartment further comprises dividers.  
   
   
       6 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first storage compartment has an opening bounded by a zipper.  
   
   
       7 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the back end portion further comprises an additional storage compartment.  
   
   
       8 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of carrying straps connected to the back end portion.  
   
   
       9 . The convertible bag of  claim 7 , wherein the additional storage compartment is adapted to receive a pair of carrying straps connected to the back end portion when the carrying straps are not in use.  
   
   
       10 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the back end portion further comprises a pair of wheels.  
   
   
       11 . The convertible bag of  claim 10 , further comprising a handle connected to the front end portion, wherein the convertible bag is adapted to be towed by the handle while rolling on the pair of wheels.  
   
   
       12 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of wheels proximate a bottom of the convertible bag.  
   
   
       13 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable handle.  
   
   
       14 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrying strap which is adapted to be connected proximate the front end portion and back end portion while the convertible bag is in the expanded configuration.  
   
   
       15 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable portion further comprises a pair of reinforcement straps which are adapted to form a pair of carrying handles.  
   
   
       16 . The convertible bag of  claim 15 , wherein the pair of carrying handles are adapted to be joined to form a single carrying handle for the convertible bag when in the expanded configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The convertible bag of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper further comprises a stop connected to the pair of toothed tracks and which prevents the slidable element from becoming disengaged from the pair of toothed tracks when the convertible bag is in the expanded configuration.  
   
   
       18 . A convertible bag adapted to be converted from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration, the convertible bag comprising: 
 a front end portion having at least one storage compartment;    a back end portion directly connectable to the front end portion by a zipper having a pair of toothed tracks engaged around a perimeter of the respective front end portion and back end portion;    an extendable portion connected to and between the front end portion and back end portion and concealed between the front end portion and back end portion when the front end portion is directly connected to the back end portion forming a compact configuration;    wherein when the front end portion and back end portion are no longer directly connected to each other, the front end portion may be spaced apart from the back end portion and the extendable portion may be extended to permit the convertible bag to form an expanded configuration; and    wherein the zipper is adapted to have the slidable element remain engaged with the pair of toothed tracks at all times.    
   
   
       19 . The convertible bag of  claim 18 , wherein the compact configuration is in the form of a backpack and the expanded configuration is in the form of a duffle bag.  
   
   
       20 . The convertible bag of  claim 18 , wherein the zipper further comprises a stop connected to the pair of toothed tracks and which prevents the slidable element from becoming disengaged from the pair of toothed tracks when the convertible bag is in the expanded configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The convertible bag of  claim 18 , wherein the compact configuration further comprises a CD case.