Carrying bag with shelf compartment

Abstract

A bag having a shelf compartment is provided. The compartment can be defined into an exterior body of the bag and can include a compartment panel connected to the body along a lower compartment edge. The compartment and panel can include securing means for allowing the panel to be at least partially removed from the bag and rotated about the lower compartment edge in order to allow the compartment and panel to transition between a closed position and an open position. When in the close position, the compartment panel can be secured to the perimeter of the compartment in a generally upright position. When in the open position, compartment panel can be lowered into a generally horizontal position and function as a shelf. The compartment can include diagonally-orientation support straps for assisting in maintaining the shelf configuration of the compartment panel when in the open position.

1 . A carrying bag for holding athletic equipment, said bag comprising:
 a bag body having one or more compartments defined therein;   at least one holder extending from at least one side of the bag body, each of said at least one holder shaped and positioned to selectively retain a ball bat; and   a shelf compartment defined into said bag body, wherein said shelf compartment is larger than any other of said one or more compartments, said shelf compartment comprising:
 a perimeter edge defining an opening into an interior of said bag body, said interior defined by an interior sidewall of said shelf compartment; 
 a compartment panel having a free perimeter edge, said compartment panel connected to said bag body about a lower panel region, said lower panel region defining a lower end of said opening; 
 securing means connected to said shelf compartment and said compartment panel for removably securing said compartment panel adjacent to said perimeter edge of said shelf compartment; 
 at least one support strap having a first end and a second end, said support strap connected to and extending between said shelf compartment perimeter edge and said compartment panel; 
   wherein said compartment panel is configured for being selectively positioned in both a closed position and an open position,   wherein said compartment panel is positioned adjacent said shelf compartment perimeter edge when said compartment panel is in said closed position, and wherein said compartment panel is positioned in a generally horizontal orientation relative to said opening when said compartment panel is in said open position, such that said at least one support strap retains the compartment panel in the generally horizontal orientation relative to the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said at least one support strap is secured to said interior sidewall of said shelf compartment and wherein said second end of said at least one support strap is secured to an interior sidewall of said compartment panel. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support strap is configured so as to extend diagonally from said shelf compartment perimeter edge to said compartment panel when said compartment panel is in said open position. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one support strap is selectively adjustable in length. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support strap is configured for supporting said compartment panel in a generally horizontal position when said shelf compartment is in said open position. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag further comprises a webbing material extending between said shelf compartment perimeter edge and said compartment panel free perimeter edge along at least a portion of a height of said shelf compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 6 , wherein said webbing material is configured so as to support said compartment panel in a generally horizontal position when said shelf compartment is in said open position. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein bag further comprises at least one carrying strap attached to said bag body. 
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag further comprises at least one hanging means attached to said bag body. 
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 9 , wherein said hanging means comprises a hook. 
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag body includes one or more support inserts. 
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said bag is configured as a backpack. 
     
     
         13 . A backpack configured for holding athletic equipment, said backpack comprising:
 a backpack body defining an exterior of said backpack and including a front wall;   at least one holder extending from at least one side of the backpack body, each of said at least one holder shaped and positioned to selectively retain a ball bat;   at least one shoulder strap connected to a rear portion of said backpack, said at least one shoulder strap configured for enabling a user to carry said backpack; and   a shelf compartment defined into said backpack body, said shelf compartment comprising:
 a shelf interior region located within said backpack body, said shelf interior region defined between an interior sidewall and said front wall of said backpack body, wherein said shelf interior region is larger than any other interior region of the backpack; 
 an opening in the backpack body providing access to said interior region, wherein a perimeter edge of the front wall forms a part of a perimeter of the opening; 
 wherein said front wall further having a lower connecting edge connecting said front wall to said backpack body; 
 connecting means configured for selectively closing said opening; and 
 at least one support strap connected to said interior sidewall of said shelf compartment within the shelf interior region, and to said front wall; said at least one support strap configured for supporting said front wall when said opening is opened and said front wall is substantially horizontal relative to the backpack body. 
   
     
     
         14 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one support strap include a first end attached to said interior sidewall adjacent an upper portion thereof and a second end attached to said front wall at an intermediate portion of said front wall compartment panel free. 
     
     
         15 . The backpack of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one support strap extends generally diagonally from said interior sidewall to said front wall when said opening is open. 
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein said backpack further comprises a support webbing extending between said interior sidewall and said front wall along a height of said front wall. 
     
     
         17 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein said backpack includes a hanging component connected to said backpack body. 
     
     
         18 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein the front wall is selectively configurable into a generally horizontal shelf extending away from said backpack body below said opening. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled)