Collapsible bag

Abstract

Bags for carrying a pair of elongated objects are provided. In one embodiment, the bag includes a base, a first wall joined to the base, a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base, and a divider defining a first and a second end, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall, and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall. The divider is configured to form a pair of cavities. Each cavity is dimensioned for storing an elongated object. The first and second walls are configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A bag for carrying a pair of elongated objects, the bag comprising:
 a base;   a first wall joined to the base;   a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base; and   a divider defining first and second ends, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall, and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall, the divider configured to form a pair of cavities, each cavity dimensioned for storing an elongated object, and the first and second walls configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the divider is detachably coupled to the second wall via a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a button, and a magnet. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising a cover pivotably attached to the second wall, the cover configured to extend over the cavities and the first wall. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the cover is configured to be fixedly coupled to the first wall. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second walls each have a respective stiffness so as to allow the bag to stand unsupported. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising a supplemental cavity coupled to the first wall opposite from the second wall, and a storage strap that extends over the supplemental cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 6 , wherein the supplemental cavity is associated with a third wall, and the storage strap is detachably coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third walls. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising at least one side wall extending between the first and second walls, the side wall comprising a resilient material. 
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 8  further comprising a carrying strap coupled to the side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising a purse coupled to an outside of the bag, the purse comprising an outer wall and a closure flap extending over the outer wall. 
     
     
         11 . A bag for carrying a pair of elongated objects, the bag comprising:
 a base;   a first wall joined to the base;   a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base, the first wall and the second wall each having a height-to-width ratio of approximately 1:1; and   a divider defining first and second ends, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall, the divider configured to form a pair of cavities, each cavity dimensioned for storing an elongated object, and the first and second walls configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.   
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the divider is detachably coupled to the second wall via a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a button, and a magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The bag of  claim 11  further comprising a cover pivotably attached to the second wall, the cover configured to extend over the cavities and the first wall. 
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the cover is configured to be fixedly coupled to the first wall. 
     
     
         15 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second walls each have a respective stiffness so as to allow the bag to stand unsupported. 
     
     
         16 . The bag of  claim 11  further comprising a supplemental cavity coupled to the first wall opposite from the second wall, and a storage strap that extends over the supplemental cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the supplemental cavity is associated with a third wall, and the storage strap is detachably coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third walls. 
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 11  further comprising at least one side wall extending between the first and second walls, the side wall comprising a resilient material. 
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claim 11  further comprising a purse coupled to an outside of the bag, the purse comprising an outer wall and a closure flap extending over the outer wall. 
     
     
         20 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the divider defines a longitudinal axis, the divider having a first bending stiffness when subject to loading in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis, and a second bending stiffness when subjected to loading in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis, the first bending stiffness being less than the second bending stiffness.