Carry bag with hinged support surface

Abstract

A carry bag includes a compartment for receiving items. A first rectangular panel is contiguous with the compartment. A second rectangular panel located externally of the compartment is attached by a hinge to the first panel. One or more straps is/are attached at or near the periphery of the second panel for securing the carry bag against the torso of a user. The carry bag is adaptable between a first “backpack” configuration and a second “desk” configuration in which the first panel forms a support surface extending away from the user's torso above the compartment, and wherein in both said configurations, the second panel can be retained substantially flat against the torso of a user by the straps.

1 . A carry bag comprising:
 a compartment for receiving items;   a first panel attached to or formed integrally with the carry bag alongside the compartment;   a second substantially rectangular panel located externally of the compartment and supported by a hinge to pivot with respect to the first panel;   one or more straps attached at or near the periphery of the second panel and extending from a position remote from the hinge to a position proximal of the hinge for securing the carry bag against the torso of a user;   the carry bag being adaptable between a first configuration in which the first and second panels are mutually parallel, and a second configuration in which the first and second panels are mutually non-parallel and in which the first panel forms a support surface extending away from the user's torso above the compartment, and wherein in both said configurations, the second panel can be retained substantially flat against the torso of a user by the straps.   
     
     
         2 . The carry bag of  claim 1 , wherein said straps comprise a pair of shoulder straps extending from the second panel at an edge remote from the hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The carry bag of  claim 2 , wherein said straps further comprise a waist strap extending from the second panel at an edge proximal to the hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The carry bag of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension panel attached to the first panel and adapted to extend away from the first panel to provide an auxiliary surface area contiguous with said support surface. 
     
     
         5 . The carry bag of  claim 4 , wherein the auxiliary panel slides with respect to the first panel and the first panel comprises slots and the auxiliary panel comprises pins which fit into said slots. 
     
     
         6 . The carry bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a zipper extending partially about the periphery of the first and second panels and which when closed maintains the said first configuration of the carry bag. 
     
     
         7 . The carry bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel is rigid and wherein the hinge is formed integrally with the first panel. 
     
     
         8 . The carry bag of  claim 7 , wherein the second panel is rigid and wherein the hinge is also formed integrally with the second panel. 
     
     
         9 . The carry bag of  claim 7 , wherein the hinge comprises attachment fingers adapted to be attached to the carry bag at the second panel. 
     
     
         10 . The carry bag of  claim 7 , wherein the hinge comprises a U-channel adapted to be attached to the carry bag adjacent to the second panel. 
     
     
         11 . The carry bag of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises a pair of abutment flanges which abut one another to limit the maximum angle of pivotal movement between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         12 . The carry bag of  claim 11 , wherein one of the abutment flanges comprises an array of apertures—each selectively adapted to receive a buffer against which the other flange bears to thereby adjust said maximum angle.