Bag comprising integral support legs

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to bag that can be used to easily transport a wide variety of items. The disclosed bag includes integral legs attached thereto, configured to allow the bag to rest at an elevated position. The bag comprises an upper compartment and a lower compartment separated and divided by an interior wall. One or more legs are housed within the lower compartment. The legs are exposed when the lower compartment is removed via an access, which can be a zipper. In this way, the bag can rest on the legs when desired by the user, keeping the main compartment elevated above a support surface (e.g., sand). The bag therefore performs the dual function of storing and transporting items, and also provides stability and support to the bag when at rest.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag comprising:
 an external surface;   an internal surface comprising an interior cavity;   an open top end operably connected to the interior cavity;   an interior wall separating the cavity into an upper compartment and a lower compartment;   an access positioned on the external surface of the bag, wherein the access provides for full or partial removal and attachment of the lower compartment;   wherein the lower compartment comprises at least one support leg releasably or permanently attached to a bottom surface of the interior wall;   wherein the upper compartment of the bag rests on the at least one support leg when the lower compartment is removed; and   wherein the at least one support leg is hidden from view when the lower compartment is attached to the upper compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the access comprises zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop closure, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one handle attached to a top surface of the upper compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1 , comprising a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed front and rear walls, wherein each wall is attached to two adjacent vertical walls and a base. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1 , where each wall is constructed from an upper segment and a separate lower segment that can be independently added or removed. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the upper compartment comprises one or more pockets. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the upper compartment is divided into two or more compartments. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the upper compartment includes one or more retention elements for releasably connecting to the lower compartment after the lower compartment has been removed from the upper compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the legs have an adjustable length. 
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 1 , comprising a hinge about which the at least one leg can be rotated. 
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the leg is folded within the lower compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the lower side of the interior wall comprises a recessed channel sized and shaped to house the at least one leg. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using bag, comprising:
 positioning one or more items within the interior cavity of a bag, wherein the bag comprises:
 an external surface; 
 an internal surface comprising an interior cavity; 
 an open top end operably connected to the interior cavity; 
 an interior wall separating the cavity into an upper compartment and a lower compartment; 
 an access positioned on the external surface of the bag, wherein the access provides for full or partial removal and attachment of the lower compartment; 
 wherein the lower compartment comprises at least one support leg releasably or permanently attached to a bottom surface of the interior wall; 
 wherein the upper compartment of the bag rests on the at least one support leg when the lower compartment is removed; and 
 wherein the at least one support leg is hidden from view when the lower compartment is attached to the upper compartment; 
   at a desired time, initiating the access to at least partially remove the lower compartment to expose the legs;   wherein the weight of the bag rests on the legs.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the access is selected from one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop closures, magnets, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the legs have an adjustable length. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising rotating the at least one leg about a hinge. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising unfolded the leg from within the lower compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising removing the at least one leg from a recessed channel positioned on a lower surface of the interior wall, sized and shaped to house the at least one leg. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the lower compartment is completely removed from the upper compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the lower compartment is removably attached to the upper compartment via one or more retention elements after the access has been partially or completely removed via the access.