Convertible tote bag and seat cover

Abstract

There is provided a convertible tote bag and seat cover combination having a tote bag configuration and a seat cover configuration. The convertible tote bag and seat cover includes a first wall section, a second wall section, and a floor section connected to the first wall section and also connected to the second wall section. Attaching means such as snaps, zippers, buttons, or hook and loop fasteners are affixed to attaching regions of the first and second wall sections. The cover configuration is converted to the tote bag configuration by attaching these reciprocal attaching means, and conversely, the tote bag configuration is converted to the seat cover configuration by removing the reciprocal attaching means. Elasticized handles may be positioned on the tote bag, and these handles can be repositioned in the seat cover configuration to serve as straps. The seat cover with straps can thus advantageously be used in recreational functions such as providing a seat cover for a golf car, a seat cover for a boat seat, a cover for a picnic table, a beach towel, a ground cloth, and the like. Thus, the convertible tote bag and seat cover also provides the dual function of carrying recreational items and then providing a cover at the place of recreation.

1 . A convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration, comprising:
 a first wall section;   a second wall section;   a floor section connected to the first wall section at a first foldable boundary, and also connected to the second wall section at a second foldable boundary;   a first upper attaching region foldably attached to the first wall section at a first upper foldable boundary line;   a first lower attaching region foldably attached to the first wall section at a first lower foldable boundary line;   a second upper attaching region foldably attached to the second wall section at a second upper foldable boundary line;   a second lower attaching region foldably attached to the second wall section at a second lower foldable boundary line;   a first upper attaching means affixed to the first upper attaching region;   a first lower attaching means affixed to the first lower attaching region;   a second upper attaching means affixed to the second upper attaching region;   a second lower attaching means affixed to the second lower attaching region;   wherein the cover configuration is converted to the tote bag configuration by attaching the first upper attaching means to the second upper attaching means and the first lower attaching means to the second lower attaching means; and   wherein the tote bag configuration is converted to the cover configuration by detaching the first upper attaching means from the second upper attaching means and the first lower attaching means from the second lower attaching means.   
   
   
       2 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  wherein the first wall section and the second wall section further comprise a stiffening panel. 
   
   
       3 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  further comprising a first trim region affixed to the first wall section and a second trim region affixed to the second wall section. 
   
   
       4 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  further comprising handles affixed to the first wall section and the second wall section. 
   
   
       5 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 4  wherein the handles may be affixed to a handle receiving position and a strap receiving position. 
   
   
       6 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 4  wherein the handles comprise an elastic material. 
   
   
       7 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 4  wherein the handles are affixed by a handle fastener. 
   
   
       8 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  further comprising handles affixed to the first wall section and the second wall section, and also comprising straps affixed to the first wall section and the second wall section. 
   
   
       9 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of buttons, snaps, hooks, zippers, and hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       10 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  wherein the first upper attaching means is disposed proximate to the first upper foldable boundary line, the first lower attaching means is disposed proximate to the first lower foldable boundary line, and wherein the second upper attaching means and the second lower attaching means are disposed proximate to the edge. 
   
   
       11 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  wherein a stiffening panel is disposed in at least one of the first upper attaching region, first lower attaching region, second upper attaching region, and second lower attaching region. 
   
   
       12 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 1  wherein the first wall section, the second wall section, and the floor section comprise an inner material connected to an outer material. 
   
   
       13 . The convertible apparatus having a tote bag configuration and a cover configuration according to  claim 12  wherein the outer material comprises a quilted fabric. 
   
   
       14 . A method of converting a tote bag to a seat cover comprising the steps of:
 positioning a first wall section and a second wall section in approximately parallel position and such that the first wall section and the second wall section are approximately normal to a floor section;   positioning a second upper attaching region to the outside of a first upper attaching region;   positioning a second lower attaching region to the outside of a second upper attaching region;   connecting a first upper attaching means affixed to the first upper attaching region to a second upper attaching means affixed to a second upper attaching region; and   connecting a first lower attaching means affixed to a first lower attaching region to a second lower attaching means affixed to a second lower attaching region.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising affixing a handle to the first wall section or the second wall section. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the step of connecting a first upper attaching means affixed to the first upper attaching region to a second upper attaching means affixed to a second upper attaching region further comprises first connecting at a position proximate the floor section; and wherein the step of connecting a first lower attaching means affixed to a first lower attaching region to a second lower attaching means affixed to a second lower attaching region further comprises first connecting at a position proximate the floor section. 
   
   
       17 . A method of using a tote bag that can be converted to a seat cover configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
 removing the handles from the tote bag;   separating the first upper attaching means from the second upper attaching means;   separating the first lower attaching means from the second lower attaching means;   positioning the first wall section and the second wall section approximately coplanar to the floor section; and   attaching the handles to the cover at the strap receiving position.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of affixing the cover to a golf cart seat. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of affixing the cover to a boat seat. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of disposing the cover as a ground cover.