Sports equipment bag

Abstract

A sports equipment bag having two compartments, each compartment comprising a rear panel, a front panel, top and bottom panels, side panels, and pockets, a connector pivotally connecting the two compartments, to accommodate moving the compartments to and from each other between a transport configuration, in which the rear panels are disposed against one another and a hang-up configuration, in which the compartments extend from each other with rear panels substantially coplanar, at least two fasteners, to releasably secure the compartments in either the transport configuration or a stand-up configuration, in which the rear panels are disposed in angled relation and at an angle less than 180° to one another, at least one loop for hanging the bag in the hang-up configuration, a shoulder strap for carrying the bag in the transport configuration, wherein each of the compartments comprises a frame.

1 . A sports equipment bag for use with an associated hockey stick, the bag comprising:
 two compartments, each compartment comprising a rear panel, a front panel, top and bottom panels, side panels, and pockets for accommodating sports equipment and items of clothing;   a connector pivotally connecting the two compartments along the bottom panel of one and the top panel of the other of the compartments, to accommodate moving the compartments to and from each other between a transport configuration, in which the rear panels are disposed against one another and a hang-up configuration, in which the compartments extend from each other with rear panels substantially coplanar;   at least two fasteners attached one to each side of one of the compartments and engaging corresponding fasteners on the sides of the other compartment, to releasably secure the compartments in either the transport configuration or a stand-up configuration, in which the rear panels are disposed in angled relation and at an angle less than 180° to one another;   at least one loop, mounted on the outside of the rear panel of at least one compartment, for hanging the bag in the hang-up configuration;   a shoulder strap for carrying the bag in the transport configuration, wherein each of the compartments comprises a frame, the frame being sufficiently rigid to render the bag, when in the stand-up configuration and disposed with the top panel of the one compartment and the bottom compartment of the other compartment in ground engagement, stable;   one of the compartments has mounted thereto a pair of wheels; and   one of the compartments is adapted to releasably, grippingly receive the associated hockey stick such that, when the compartment is in the releasable, gripping receipt of the associated stick and the bag is in the transport configuration, the associated stick protrudes from the bag to define a handle for towing the bag on the wheels.   
   
   
       2 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 1 , wherein the compartments are permanently attached to the connector. 
   
   
       3 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 1 , comprising multiple loops mounted in multiple positions on the outside of the rear panel of at least one of the compartments, for adjusting the height at which the bag is hung up. 
   
   
       4 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 1 , wherein one of the compartments is permanently attached to the connector, and the other compartment is releasably attached to the connector, to facilitate separating the compartments. 
   
   
       5 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 4 , comprising multiple loops mounted in multiple positions on the outside of the rear panel of each of the compartments, for adjusting the height at which each of the separated compartments is hung up. 
   
   
       6 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 1 , wherein at least the rear panel, front panel and pockets of the compartments are manufactured of open texture material, to facilitate ventilation and drying of sports equipment and items of clothing carried therein. 
   
   
       7 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 6 , wherein the open texture material is mesh. 
   
   
       8 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 7 , wherein the mesh comprises at least 60% of the surface area of said front and rear panels. 
   
   
       9 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the compartments comprises a loop, mounted on the inside of the top panel for receiving a coat hanger. 
   
   
       10 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 1 , wherein one of the compartments further comprises a retractable handle, the wheels and retractable handle being provided to facilitate towing the bag in the transport configuration. 
   
   
       11 . The sports equipment bag of  claim 10 , wherein the retractable handle comprises a telescopic handle assembly comprising:
 an outer tubing, supported in a bottom bracket mounted on the bottom panel and in a top bracket mounted on, and extending through, the top panel of said compartment; and,   an inner tubing, extendably enclosed in the outer tubing, and provided with a handle.