Travel bag with stowable seat

Abstract

A travel bag having a storage compartment is provided with opposed support members either side of the storage compartment. Each support member defines an upper rear corner area. A seat is pivotally attached to the support members adjacent the upper rear corner areas, operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear face of the storage compartment to an operating position between upper edges of the support members. A separate seat structure, for use in association with a travel bag to be attached thereto, is also provided. The seat structure has opposed support members connected by a cross-bracing structure. The support members are adaptable to be fitted around the sides of the travel bag. Each support member defines an upper rear corner, and, a seat is pivotally attached to the support members adjacent the upper rear corners, operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear face of the travel bag to an operating position between upper edges of the support members.

1 . A travel bag comprising:
 a storage compartment,   opposed support members either side of said storage compartment, each support member defining an upper rear corner area,   a seat pivotally attached to the support members at the upper rear corner areas, operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear face of said storage compartment to an operating position between upper edges of the support members.   
   
   
       2 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each support member additionally defines a ground-engaging lower portion. 
   
   
       3 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising a retractable handle attached to an upper portion of the storage compartment, operable to extend upwardly from a storage position adjacent the storage compartment to an operating position away therefrom and wherein the seat is operable, during pivotal movement from its stowed position to its operating position, to pass over the handle in its storage position. 
   
   
       4 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the support members and the seat further comprise engagement means therebetween for engaging the seat with the support members to prevent downward movement of the seat. 
   
   
       5 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the engagement means comprises seat support abutments on the support members against which the seat abuts in its operating position. 
   
   
       6 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the seat comprises seat arms, one end of each of which is pivotally attached to a support member, and a seat pan attached to the other ends of the seat arms and wherein the seat arms are of a length that the handle is accessible and operable when the seat is in its operating position. 
   
   
       7 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the storage compartment is of flexible material. 
   
   
       8 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the support members are connected by a cross-brace. 
   
   
       9 . A travel bag as claimed in  claim 5  wherein wheels are attached to a lower region of the storage compartment. 
   
   
       10 . A seat structure, for use in association with a travel bag to be attached thereto, the structure comprising:
 opposed support members connected by a cross-bracing structure, said support members adaptable to be fitted around the sides of the travel bag, each support member defining an upper rear corner, and,   a seat pivotally attached to the support members adjacent the upper rear corners, operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear face of the travel bag to an operating position between upper edges of the support members.   
   
   
       11 . A seat structure as claimed in  claim 10  wherein each support member additionally defines a ground-engaging lower portion. 
   
   
       12 . A seat structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the travel bag has a retractable handle attached to an upper portion thereof operable to extend upwardly from a storage position adjacent the travel bag to an operating position away therefrom and wherein the seat is operable, during pivotal movement from its stowed position to its operating position, to pass over the handle in its storage position. 
   
   
       13 . A seat structure as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each support member defines a seat support against which the seat, in its operating position, abuts. 
   
   
       14 . A seat structure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the seat comprises seat arms, one end of each of which is pivotally attached to a support member, and a seat pan attached to the other ends of the seat arms and wherein the seat arms are of a length that the handle is accessible and operable when the seat is in its operating position. 
   
   
       15 . A seat structure as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the travel bag has wheels attached to a lower region thereof.