WO1996032861A1

WO1996032861A1 - A bag

Info

Publication number: WO1996032861A1
Application number: PCT/IE1995/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Crowe
Original assignee: Chilborough Limited
Priority date: 1995-04-20
Filing date: 1995-04-20
Publication date: 1996-10-24
Also published as: AU2223295A

Abstract

A bag (1) has panels (2, 3, 4) which extend vertically when they are interconnected by zip fasteners (14, 21) to form an upstanding bag such as a kit bag for support tines. The bag may be easily collapsed by pivotal movement of panels (2, 3) about an intermediate panel (5) to an in-line position so that the bag forms a stretcher. The panels (2, 3) cannot pivot beyond the in-line position and so when they are inverted, they form a substantially rigid stretcher arrangement. The bag is therefore extremely useful for sports venues or any other venue where people may be injured.

Description

'A bag¹

The invention relates to a bag.

Much development work has been carried out to improve the construction of bags so that they can carry a large range of items so that there is easy accessability to items which are contained in the bag or for ease of carrying. Frames have been developed to improve the strength of bags and they have often been designed so that the bag is easy to carry, either by hand or on one's back.

However, there is generally limited versatility and an object of the invention is therefore to provide a bag which is of more versatile construction than has heretofore been the case.

According to the invention, there is provided a bag comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the panels are collapsible from a bag position to an in-line, weight- supporting stretcher position whereby the bag may be used as a stretcher.

It will be appreciated therefore that the invention provides a very important additional feature to the bag.

This feature is extremely advantageous in situations such as at sports venues where the bag may be a kit bag which can be quickly collapsed to form an emergency stretcher if there is an injury to a player. It would also be very useful for carrying medical equipment for medical personnel at outdoor venues such as sports or musical gatherings. The bag may also advantageously be used in offices or factories to hold first aid equipment or clothing and would be used as a stretcher when required. In general few workplaces have a stretcher at hand.

Further, in emergency and disaster relief situations the bag could be used to carry emergency aid equipment. When this function is complete, it could be used as a stretcher on site or as an emergency bed in a field hospital, for example.

It will also be appreciated that the additional feature of the bag forming an emergency stretcher when so required, can be achieved in an extremely simple manner as collapsible assemblies for other applications are well known.

In one embodiment, at least two panels are mutually pivotable to the stretcher position. In this latter embodiment, the bag may comprise stop means for limiting rotation of said mutually pivotable panels beyond the stretcher position. Preferably, said stop means comprises inter-engaging stop members on the panels.

In another embodiment, the bag comprises a pair of opposed panels pivotally connected by pivot connectors to an intermediate panel between them.

Preferably, each of the opposed panels comprises a projection extending beyond the pivot connector for abutment with the intermediate panel at the stretcher position.

In a further embodiment, each opposed panel comprises a pair of projections.

In a still further embodiment, the projections form feet for the bag when in the bag position.

Ideally, the intermediate panel forms a base for the bag. In another embodiment, at least some of the panels comprise peripheral frame members supporting fabric. The opposed panels may each comprise a U-shaped frame pivotally connected to the intermediate panel adjacent the ends thereof.

In one embodiment, the intermediate panel comprises a pair of frame members pivotally connected to the frame of the opposed panels. Preferably, said intermediate panel frame members have surfaces for engagement with projections on the frames of the opposed panels to limit mutual pivotal movement.

In a further embodiment, the intermediate panel comprises fabric extending between the opposed panels and being fastened to the frame members.

Preferably, some panels comprise sheets of fabric material connected to the opposed panels.

In one embodiment, each of said panels comprises an integral extension of fabric on an opposed panel and comprises a fastener for connection to the other opposed panel.

In another aspect, the panels comprise sheets of substantially rigid material.

In a still further aspect, at least some of the panels comprise engagement members which are engageable by translational motion for collapsing to the stretcher position. The members may be telescopically engageable.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of a bag, namely a kit bag of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view from above showing the bag as it is being collapsed to a stretcher position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bag in the stretcher position;

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view showing construction of a frame member of an intermediate panel of the bag; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing construction of the end of a frame for a rear panel.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a bag of the invention, namely a kit bag 1. The kit bag 1 comprises six panels, including a pair of opposed front and rear panels 2 and 3 respectively. There is also a pair of side panels 4 which are integral with the front panel 2 and an intermediate panel 5 between the opposed front and rear panels 2 and 3.

_As shown in Fig. 2, the front panel 2 comprises a fabric envelope 10 of polyester matt tarpaulin material having a zip fastener 11 along the upper periphery thereof. The fabric envelope 10 is supported by an inverted U-shaped frame 12. There are fabric extensions 13 on each side of the fabric envelope 10 and these form the side panels 4 and include side panel zip fasteners 14 for connection with the rear panel 3. The rear panel 3 comprises a fabric envelope 20 of the same material as the envelope 10 and having a zip fastener 21 on each side for connection with the side panels 4. The rear panel 3 is supported by an inverted U-shaped frame 22 within the fabric envelope 20.

The top panel 6 comprises a fabric extension 25 of the fabric 20 and a zip fastener 26 which runs around the periphery for connection with both the front panel 2 and the side panels 4.

Finally, the intermediate panel 5 comprises a fabric sheet 29 on each side of which there is a zip fastener 30 connecting it to the front panel 2 and to the rear panel 3. The fabric sheet 29 has side flaps 31 having fastener members 32 of the Velcro™ type. These are for engagement with corresponding fastening members 33 on the inside surface of the side panels 4. Further, the intermediate panel 5 comprises a fastening strap 34 on each side thereof for engagement with a frame member 40.

The frame members of the intermediate panel 5 are very important as not only do they provide support for the intermediate panel 5 and the base of the bag 1, but they also act to interconnect the front and rear panels 2 and 3 in a manner whereby they may be collapsed to form a stretcher. In this position, the panels 2, 3 and 5 are in-line and capable of supporting considerable weight. These features are illustrated most clearly in Fig. 4 and 5.

The intermediate panel 5 has a pair of frame members 40 which are of inverted channel shape in cross-section. Each frame member 40 has at each end a pivot connector, namely a pivot pin 41. Above each pivot pin 41, there is a recess 42. The pivot pins 41 connect the frame members 42 to the frames 12 and 22 of the front and rear panels respectively. Each of these frames terminates in a projection 51 which extends for, in this embodiment, 80 mm beyond the pivot pin 41. Both ends of each of the frames 12 and 22 has a plastics cover 50 inserted to cover the exposed ends of the tubular material and also for engagement with the ground. A side panel 4 has fabric carrying handles 52.

The tubes 12 and 22 and the frame members 40 are all of light gauge steel material, the pins 41 being of harder steel.

In use, the bag 1 may be used for carrying sports equipment such as football jerseys or the like, when the side panels 4 are connected to the rear panel 3 by the zip fasteners. The zip fastener 26 of the top panel 6 may then be used for opening and closing the bag, as illustrated in Fig. 1. This may be regarded as a bag position and, as is clear from Fig. 1, the frame members 12 and 22 are vertical and are accommodated within the recesses 42 of the frame members 40. The 80 mm projecting parts 51 of the frame members 12 and 22 act as feet or legs for the bag 1 is this position.

It will thus be appreciated that the bag 1 is of high- strength construction and is quite stable in the upright position and is very convenient for carrying a good deal of items such as sports equipment. The bag may then be left in place close to a side-line while a match is being played for quick access to any of the equipment which may be required. Further, the front and rear panels 2 and 3 may have advertising insignia printed on them so that the bag may be used to assist in obtaining sponsorship for teams and sports generally. When closed, the bag may be easily carried by use of the handles 52 on one of the side panels 4. Carrying in this manner is quite convenient because the panels 4 are narrow and the bag is therefore slim in this direction.

If an injury occurs on the playing field or in any other situation, the bag 1 may be very quickly converted into an emergency stretcher. This is achieved by simply disconnecting the side panels 4 from the rear panel 3 by use of the zip fasteners as shown in Fig. 2. The front and rear panels 2 and 3 will then simply drop or may be easily pivoted about the frame members 40 of the intermediate panel 5 to a substantially flat position at which they are in-line. This pivotal motion is about the pivot pin 41. However, the pivotal motion is limited by virtue of the fact that the projecting part 51 of the frame members 12 and 22 abut against the inner surface of the frame members 40 so that the frame members 40 and the projecting parts 51 act as inter-engaging stop members to limit pivotal motion. This is the stretcher position as shown in detail in Fig. 4 where the frame members 12 and 22 are in-line and cannot pivot any further. At this stage, the bag is inverted to the position shown in Fig. 3 with the open part of the frame members 40 facing upwardly. Accordingly, when weight is placed on the panels 3, 5 and 2 when in the position shown in Fig. 3, they will together form a rigid structure because further pivotal motion about the pin 41 is now prevented. The bag 1 may then be used as a stretcher to carry a player off a field or to carry an injured person in any appropriate situation.

It will therefore be appreciated that the bag may be collapsed to a stretcher position in an extremely simple and convenient manner which simply involves disconnecting zip fasteners, pivoting panels and inverting the panels to reach the stretcher position. The bag, therefore, not only provides an extremely convenient and effective holder for items such as sports equipment but has additional versatility and avoids the need for personnel to take a stretcher to a venue such as a sports ground or any other venue where people are gathered and may be injured. The advantages of the invention are therefore major for such situations in terms of the convenience and the saving in cost for medical associations and personnel, sports associations, employers or any organisation which is responsible when people can be injured. The fact that the invention may be implemented so simply is a major advantage.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described. For example, it is envisaged that front and rear panels may be directly pivotally connected in a "scissors" type arrangement. Further, it is envisaged that the parts need not necessarily pivot with respect to each other to move from the bag to the stretcher positions. For example, the panels could have members which inter-engage by translational motion such as a telescopic-type arrangement of frame members engaging each other. It is also not essential that the panels comprise frames support fabric. For example, the panels may be of a substantially rigid material such as PVC or even sheet metal so that the bag has an appearance much like that of a case.

Claims

1. A bag comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the panels are collapsible from a bag position to an in¬ line, weight-supporting stretcher position whereby the bag may be used as a stretcher.

2. A bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two panels are mutually pivotable to the stretcher position.

3. A bag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bag comprises stop means for limiting rotation of said mutually pivotable panels beyond the stretcher position.

4. A bag as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stop means comprises inter-engaging stop members on the panels.

5. A bag as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bag comprises a pair of opposed panels pivotally connected by pivot connectors to an intermediate panel between them.

6. A bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the opposed panels comprises a projection extending beyond the pivot connector for abutment with the intermediate panel at the stretcher position.

7. A bag as claimed in claim 6, wherein each opposed panel comprises a pair of projections.

8. A bag as claimed in claim 7, wherein the projections form feet for the bag when in the bag position. - 10 -

9. A bag as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the intermediate panel forms a base for the bag.

10. A bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the panels comprise peripheral frame members supporting fabric.

11. A bag as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the opposed panels each comprise a U-shaped frame pivotally connected to the intermediate panel adjacent the ends thereof.

12. A bag as claimed in any of claims 5 to 11, wherein the intermediate panel comprises a pair of frame members pivotally connected to the frames of the opposed panels.

13. A bag as claimed in claim 12, wherein said intermediate panel frame members have surfaces for engagement with projections on the frames of the opposed panels to limit mutual pivotal movement.

14. A bag as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the intermediate panel comprises fabric extending between the opposed panels and being fastened to the frame members.

15. A bag as claimed in any of claims 5 to 14, wherein some panels comprise sheets of fabric material connected to the opposed panels.

16. A bag as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said panels comprises an integral extension of fabric on an opposed panel and comprises a fastener for connection to the other opposed panel.

17. A bag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the panels comprise sheets of substantially rigid material.

18. A bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of the panels comprise engagement members which are engageable by translational motion for collapsing to the stretcher position.

19. A bag as claimed in claim 18, wherein said members are telescopically engageable.