Sports Bag

Abstract

A sports bag has a sheet body having a first edge, a second edge, and a pair of side edges. A fold point traverses the sheet body, between the first and second edges, separating the sheet body into a first panel and a second panel. A pair of zipper fastening mechanisms are each disposed along one of the pair of side edges, and has interlocking attachment strips extending in opposite directions from the fold point. The interlocking attachment strips of each zipper fastening mechanism are initially entirely disconnected from each other so that the sheet body may be positioned completely flat, but the interlocking attachment strips may be fastened together so that the first and second panels are connected together at the side edges to form an inner chamber between the first and second panels. Furthermore, at least one handle is attached to the elongate sheet body for carrying the sports bag.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports bag comprising:
 a sheet body having a first edge, a second edge, and a pair of side edges;   a fold point that traverses the sheet body, between the first and second edges, that separates the sheet body into a first panel and a second panel;   a pair of zipper fastening mechanisms, each disposed along one of the pair of side edges, each of the zipper fastening mechanisms comprising a pair of interlocking attachment strips extending in opposite directions from the fold point;   wherein the pair of interlocking attachment strips of each zipper fastening mechanism are initially entirely disconnected from each other so that the sheet body may be positioned completely flat, but wherein the pair of interlocking attachment strips may be fastened together so that the first and second panels are connected together at the side edges to form an inner chamber between the first and second panels; and   at least one handle attached to the elongate sheet body for carrying the sports bag.   
     
     
         2 . The sports bag of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one handle is in the form of a first handle located adjacent the first edge, and a second handle located adjacent the second edge. 
     
     
         3 . The sports bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second handles are each straps attached at first and second ends, adjacent the first and second edges, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The sports bag of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second ends of the first and second handles are connected to each other via first and second reinforcement straps that extend the length of the sheet body. 
     
     
         5 . The sports bag of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second reinforcement straps are spaced from each other a first distance that is greater than a second distance between each of the first and second reinforcement straps and its respective side edge. 
     
     
         6 . The sports bag of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet body is a mesh material. 
     
     
         7 . The sports bag of  claim 1 , wherein one of each of the pairs of attachment strips includes a zipper slider having a puller and a retainer box adjacent the fold point, and the other of each attachment strip includes an insertion pin for engagement with the zipper slider. 
     
     
         8 . A sports bag comprising:
 a sheet body formed of a mesh material having a first edge, a second edge, and a pair of side edges;   a fold point that traverses the sheet body, between the first and second edges, that separates the sheet body into a first panel and a second panel;   a pair of zipper fastening mechanisms, each disposed along one of the pair of side edges, each of the zipper fastening mechanisms comprising a pair of interlocking attachment strips extending in opposite directions from the fold point;   wherein the pair of interlocking attachment strips of each zipper fastening mechanism are initially entirely disconnected from each other so that the sheet body may be positioned completely flat, but wherein the pair of interlocking attachment strips may be fastened together so that the first and second panels are connected together at the side edges to form an inner chamber between the first and second panels;   a first handle located adjacent the first edge, and a second handle located adjacent the second edge;   wherein the first and second handles are each straps attached at first and second ends, adjacent the first and second edges, respectively; and   wherein the first and second ends of the first and second handles are connected to each other via first and second reinforcement straps that extend the length of the sheet body.