Travel Bag Having Collapsible End Wall

Abstract

A travel bag is provided that includes a back wall and a foldable end wall, to facilitate compact storage when not in use. The bag includes a support assembly having two support arms, extending between the end wall and the back wall. The support arms are disposed proximate to sidewalls of the bag body. In this manner, the support arms provide rigid support to maintain the end wall in an expanded position and provide support to the sidewalls. The support assembly maintained in place by a clip disposed on an interior side of the back wall. A user can quickly collapse the end wall by removing the support assembly from the clip.

1 . A travel bag, comprising:
 a bag body having a back wall, an end wall extending from the back wall, and two opposing side walls extending from back wall, the end wall having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a hinge coupling the upper portion and lower portion together such that the end wall can be positioned in an expanded position and a collapsed position;   a support assembly having a lower portion coupled to the back wall and two support arms extending from the lower portion, each support arm disposed proximate to a corresponding sidewall and is pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the end wall; and   a clip disposed on an interior side of the back wall for removably securing the lower portion of the support assembly to maintain the end wall in the expanded position.   
     
     
         2 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the support assembly is formed of unitary construction. 
     
     
         3 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the support assembly includes two sets of opposing sides in which the support arms define a first set of opposing sides and the lower portion and an upper portion define a second set of opposing sides. 
     
     
         4 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tab disposed on the lower portion of the support assembly, the tab having a first side that faces upwards when the tab is directed towards the end wall and a second side that faces upwards when the tab is directed away from the end wall, the tab having indicia either the first side or the second side that point towards the clips when the side is facing upwards for locking the support assembly into the clips. 
     
     
         5 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a base coupled to the back wall and a deflectable portion extending from the base, the clip defining an opening for receiving the lower portion of the support assembly by moving the lower portion away from the end wall. 
     
     
         6 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the clip is configured to secure the lower portion of the support assembly via snap fit. 
     
     
         7 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising pivot joints for securing ends of the support arms to the end wall. 
     
     
         8 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge of the end wall is formed as a fabric hinge extending a longitudinal length of the end wall. 
     
     
         9 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 8 , further comprising a pair of wheels disposed at opposing corners of the lower portion of the end wall. 
     
     
         10 . A travel bag, comprising:
 a bag body having a back wall, an end wall extending from the back wall, and two opposing side walls extending from back wall, the end wall having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a hinge coupling the upper portion and lower portion together such that the end wall can be positioned in an expanded position and a collapsed position;   two support arms, each support arm disposed proximate to a corresponding sidewall and having an upper portion pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the end wall; and   a pair of clips disposed on an interior side of the back wall, the clips configured to removably coupling the support arms to the back wall such that the support arms extend between the back wall and the upper portion of the end wall to maintain the end wall in the expanded position.   
     
     
         11 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the clips each include a base coupled to the back wall and a deflectable portion defining an opening oriented towards from the end wall. 
     
     
         12 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one tab disposed on the lower portion of the support assembly, the tab having a first side that faces upwards when the tab is directed towards the end wall and a second side that faces upwards when the tab is directed away from the end wall, the tab having indicia either the first side or the second side that point towards the clips when the side is facing upwards for locking the support assembly into the clips. 
     
     
         13 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the end wall each include a rigid panel. 
     
     
         14 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the hinge of the end wall is formed as a fabric hinge extending a longitudinal length of the end wall. 
     
     
         15 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising a pair of wheels disposed at opposing corners of the lower portion of the end wall. 
     
     
         16 . A travel bag, comprising:
 a bag body having a back wall, an end wall extending from the back wall, and two opposing side walls extending from back wall, the end wall having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a fabric hinge coupling the upper portion and lower portion together such that the end wall can be positioned in an expanded position and a collapsed position;   a support assembly having a lower portion coupled to the back wall and two support arms extending from the lower portion, each support arm disposed proximate to a corresponding sidewall and pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the end wall; and   a pair of clips spaced apart from each other on an interior side of the back wall for removably securing the lower portion of the support assembly to maintain the end wall in the expanded position.   
     
     
         17 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising pivot joints disposed on the upper portion of the end wall for securing the support arms to the end wall. 
     
     
         18 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the support assembly is formed in a generally rectangular configuration in which the support arms from opposing sides of the rectangle. 
     
     
         19 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising at least one tab disposed on the lower portion of the support assembly, the tab having a first side that faces upwards when the tab is directed towards the end wall and a second side that faces upwards when the tab is directed away from the end wall, the tab having indicia either the first side or the second side that point towards the clips when the side is facing upwards for locking the support assembly into the clips. 
     
     
         20 . A travel bag as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising at least one tab disposed on the lower portion of the support assembly, the tab having a first side that faces upwards when the tab is directed towards the end wall and a second side that faces upwards when the tab is directed away from the end wall, the tab having indicia either the first side or the second side that point away from the clips when the side is facing upwards for unlocking the support assembly into the clips.