Tennis bag

• US 20050115848A1
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jet Imports LLC
• Original Assignee: Jet Imports LLC
• Inventors: Tauchen, Lynne
• Granted Patent: US 7,395,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/315.100
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2003/007 Sport bags
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/00 Flexible luggage; Handbags collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00

Abstract

A bag including a racquet compartment coupled to an accessory compartment.

Claims

1. A tennis bag comprising:

a front wall;

a rear wall positioned in spaced relation to the front wall and defining a longitudinal center axis;

opposing first and second side walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall, the first and second side walls meeting at an apex;

a bottom wall coupled to the first and second side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall;

an accessory compartment defined by the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment including an upper center portion, a first lower corner portion laterally offset from the center upper portion, and a second lower corner portion laterally offset from the upper center portion;

an accessory compartment closing member configured to close an opening to the accessory compartment between the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment closing member extending within portions of both the first side wall and the second side wall;

a racquet panel coupled to the front wall;

a racquet compartment defined by the front wall and the racquet panel;

a racquet compartment closing member coupled to the racquet panel and configured to close at least a portion of an opening between the front wall and the racquet panel;

a carrying strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being coupled to the upper center portion of the accessory compartment proximate the longitudinal center axis;

a releasable fastening member coupled to the lower end of the strap;

a first mating fastening member coupled proximate the first lower corner portion of the accessory compartment and laterally offset from the longitudinal center axis;

a second mating fastening member coupled proximate the second lower corner portion of the accessory compartment, the second mating fastening member positioned in spaced relation to the first mating fastening member and laterally offset from the longitudinal center axis; and

wherein the releasable fastening member is configured to be selectively coupled to one of the first and second mating fastening members.

2. The tennis bag of claim 1, wherein the carrying strap includes a support portion, a padded portion, and a plurality of loops coupling the padded portion to the support portion.

3. The tennis bag of claim 2, further comprising a carrying handle coupled proximate the upper center portion of the storage compartment, the carrying handle including a use mode of operation in which the carrying handle extends above the upper center portion of the accessory compartment, and a storage mode of operation in which the carrying handle is secured intermediate the padded portion and at least one of the loops.

4. The tennis bag of claim 1, further comprising a center partition received within the racquet compartment and defining a first racquet pocket and a second racquet pocket in spaced relation to the first racquet pocket.

5. The tennis bag of claim 4, further comprising a first racquet pocket closing member coupled to the center partition and configured to at least partially close an opening to the first racquet pocket, and a second racquet pocket closing member coupled to the center partition and configured to at least partially close an opening to the second racquet pocket.

6. The tennis bag of claim 1, wherein the racquet compartment includes opposing first and second sides, a bottom, and a top defining a generally truncated egg-shaped cross-section configured to conform to the shape of a racquet head.

7. The tennis bag of claim 1, wherein the carrying strap is coupled to a retaining member, and the rear wall includes a convertible pocket configured to receive the retaining member.

8. The tennis bag of claim 7, further comprising a releasable securing member coupled to an interior of the convertible pocket, the securing member being configured to releasably secure the retaining member within the convertible pocket.

9. The tennis bag of claim 1, wherein the accessory compartment includes a ball storage pocket coupled to at least one of the rear wall and the front wall, the ball storage compartment configured to receive a canister of tennis balls and being angled upwardly from horizontal.

10. The tennis bag of claim 1, further comprising a pocket coupled to at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled within the pocket, and a fence hook coupled to the second end of the strap.

11. The tennis bag of claim 1, further comprising a cooler compartment positioned in spaced relation to the racquet compartment.

12. The tennis bag of claim 1, further comprising a mobile phone holder releasably coupled to the carrying strap.

13. The tennis bag of claim 1, wherein the accessory compartment closing member comprises a zipper extending from a first end proximate the bottom wall upwardly within the second side wall around the apex to a second end within the first side wall.

14. The tennis bag of claim 1, wherein the accessory compartment closing member comprises a draw string extending around the upper center portion of the accessory compartment.

15. A tennis bag comprising:

a front wall;

a rear wall positioned in spaced relation to the front wall and including a first longitudinal axis;

an accessory compartment defined by the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment including a first side, a second side, an upper portion and a lower portion;

an accessory compartment closing member positioned adjacent to the upper portion and extending from the first side to the second side of the accessory compartment;

a racquet panel coupled to the front wall and including a second longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the racquet panel including an arcuate first side edge, an arcuate second side edge, an arcuate lower edge coupled to the first and second side edges, and a upper edge positioned above the lower edge and coupled to the first and second side edges, the upper edge defining an upper opening between the racquet panel and the front wall;

a racquet compartment defined by the front wall and the racquet panel, the racquet compartment having a generally truncated egg-shaped cross-section defined by the first and second side edges, the lower edge, and the upper edge of the racquet panel and configured to conform to the shape of a racquet head; and

a carrying strap extending from the upper portion of the accessory compartment to the lower portion of the accessory compartment.

16. The tennis bag of claim 15, wherein:

the accessory compartment includes an upper center portion, a first lower corner portion laterally offset from the center upper portion, and a second lower corner portion laterally offset from the center upper portion;

the carrying strap includes an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being coupled to the upper center portion of the accessory compartment proximate the first longitudinal center axis;

a releasable fastening member is coupled to the lower end of the strap;

a first mating fastening member is coupled proximate the first lower corner portion of the accessory compartment and is laterally offset from the first longitudinal center axis;

a second mating fastening member is coupled proximate the second lower corner portion of the accessory compartment, the second mating fastening member being positioned in spaced relation to the first mating fastening member and laterally offset from the first longitudinal center axis; and

wherein the releasable fastening member is configured to be selectively coupled to one of the first and second mating fastening members.

17. The tennis bag of claim 15, further comprising a center partition received within the racquet compartment and defining a first racquet pocket and a second racquet pocket in spaced relation to the first racquet pocket.

18. The tennis bag of claim 17, wherein:

the first racquet pocket includes a side opening in one of the first and second sides of the racquet compartment, and a top opening in the top of the racquet compartment; and

the second racquet pocket includes a side opening in one of the first and second sides of the racquet compartment, and a top opening in the top of the racquet compartment.

19. The tennis bag of claim 18, further comprising:

a first racquet pocket closing member coupled to the racquet panel and configured to selectively close the side opening of the first racquet pocket; and

a second racquet pocket closing member coupled to the racquet panel and configured to selectively close the side opening of the second racquet pocket.

20. The tennis bag of claim 18, wherein the accessory compartment closing member comprises a zipper extending from a first end upwardly within the second side wall around the upper portion of the accessory compartment to a second end within the first side wall.

21. A bag comprising:

a front wall;

a rear wall positioned in spaced relation to the front wall;

opposing first and second side walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall and meeting at an apex;

an accessory compartment defined intermediate the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment including an upper center portion, a first lower corner portion laterally offset from the center upper portion, and a second lower corner portion laterally offset from the upper center portion;

an accessory compartment closing member configured to close an opening to the accessory compartment between the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment closing member extending from a first end upwardly within the second side wall around the apex to a second end within the first side wall;

a racquet compartment coupled to at least one of the rear wall and the front wall; and

a ball storage pocket received within the accessory compartment and coupled to one of the rear wall and the front wall, the ball storage compartment configured to receive a canister of tennis balls and being angled upwardly from horizontal.

22. The bag of claim 21, further comprising a second ball storage pocket received within the accessory compartment and coupled to the other of the front wall and the rear wall, the second ball storage compartment configured to receive a canister of tennis balls and being angled upwardly from horizontal.

23. The bag of claim 21, further comprising a first accessory pocket coupled to the one of the rear wall and the front wall, the first accessory compartment positioned below the ball storage pocket and including an opening accessible from above the first accessory pocket.

24. The bag of claim 23, further comprising a releasable securing member configured to releasably close the opening of the first accessory pocket.

25. The bag of claim 23, further comprising a second accessory pocket coupled to the other of the front wall and the rear wall in opposing relation to the first accessory pocket.

26. The bag of claim 25, further comprising:

a side wall extending between the front wall and the rear wall; and

a side accessory pocket coupled to the side wall.

27. The bag of claim 26, further comprising a second ball storage pocket received within the accessory compartment and coupled to the other of the front wall and the rear wall in opposing relation to the first ball storage pocket, the second ball storage compartment configured to receive a canister of tennis balls and being angled upwardly from horizontal.

28. The bag of claim 21, wherein the racquet compartment includes a top, a bottom, opposing first and second sides, the racquet compartment having a generally truncated egg-shaped cross-section defined by the first and second side edges, the lower edge, and the upper edge of the racquet panel and configured to conform to the shape of a racquet head.

29. The bag of claim 21, wherein the accessory compartment includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and a carrying strap extends from the upper portion of the accessory compartment to the lower portion of the accessory compartment.

30. A tennis bag comprising:

a front wall;

a rear wall positioned in spaced relation to the front wall;

an accessory compartment defined intermediate the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment including a first side and a second side;

a racquet compartment coupled to at least one of the front wall and the rear wall;

a carrying strap coupled to the accessory compartment; and

a mobile phone holder releasably coupled to the carrying strap, the phone holder including phone case having a rear surface and a storage pocket coupled to the rear surface.

31. The tennis bag of claim 30, wherein the mobile phone holder further includes a first retaining flap extending in a first direction outwardly from the phone case, a second retaining flap extending in a second direction outwardly from the phone case, the second direction being opposite the first direction, and a releasable securing member configured to releasably secure the first retaining flap to the second retaining flap in overlapping relation around the carrying strap.

32. The tennis bag of claim 31, wherein the phone case further includes an opening to receive a mobile phone, and a protective flap configured to selectively close the opening.

33. The tennis bag of claim 30, wherein the accessory compartment includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the carrying strap extends from the upper portion of the accessory compartment to the lower portion of the accessory compartment.

34. The tennis bag of claim 33, further comprising an accessory compartment closing member positioned adjacent to the upper portion and extending from the first side to the second side of the accessory compartment.

35. The tennis bag of claim 30, wherein the storage pocket of the mobile phone holder is formed of a mesh material.

36. The tennis bag of claim 30, further comprising a clip coupled to the mobile phone holder.

37. The tennis bag of claim 36, further comprising a ring coupled to the clip, and a lanyard coupled to the ring.

38. A bag configured to carry a racquet including a head, a handle, and a throat connecting the handle to the head, the bag comprising:

a front wall;

a racquet panel coupled to the front wall;

a racquet compartment defined intermediate the front wall and the racquet panel, the racquet compartment including a top, a bottom, opposing first and second sides, the racquet compartment configured to retain the head of the racquet, the top of the racquet compartment including an opening configured to receive the throat of the racquet;

a retaining strap extending proximate the top of the racquet compartment intermediate the front wall and the racquet panel;

a loop coupled to one of the front wall and the racquet panel and configured to receive the retaining strap;

a releasable securing member operably coupled to the retaining strap and configured to selectively couple the retaining strap to the front wall and the racquet panel; and

wherein the retaining strap is configured to pass through an opening proximate the throat of the racquet to retain the racquet handle in a desired position.

39. The bag of claim 38, further comprising a second releasable securing member positioned at the top of the racquet compartment and configured to releasably secure the front wall to the racquet panel, wherein the releasable securing member surrounds the throat of a racquet passing through the opening.

40. The bag of claim 38, wherein the releasable securing member comprises a quick connect assembly including a female portion and a spring-biased male portion receivable within the female portion.

41. The bag of claim 38, further comprising a center partition received within the racquet compartment and defining a first racquet pocket and a second racquet pocket in spaced relation to the first racquet pocket.

42. The bag of claim 41, wherein:

the first racquet pocket includes a side opening in one of the first and second sides of the racquet compartment, and a top opening in the top of the racquet compartment; and

the second racquet pocket includes a side opening in one of the first and second sides of the racquet compartment, and a top opening in the top of the racquet compartment.

43. The bag of claim 42, further comprising:

a first racquet pocket closing member coupled to the racquet panel and configured to selectively close the side opening of the first racquet pocket; and

a second racquet pocket closing member coupled to the racquet panel and configured to selectively close the side opening of the second racquet pocket.

44. A tennis bag comprising:

an accessory compartment;

a racquet compartment positioned in spaced relation to the accessory compartment; and

a cooler compartment coupled to one of the accessory compartment and the racquet compartment, the cooler compartment including an insulated lining.

45. The tennis bag of claim 44, wherein the accessory compartment is defined by a front wall, a rear wall positioned in spaced relation to the front wall and defining a longitudinal center axis, opposing first and second side walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall and meeting at an apex, and a bottom wall coupled to the first and second side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall.

46. The tennis bag of claim 45, further comprising an accessory compartment closing member configured to close an opening to the accessory compartment between the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment closing member extending within portions of both the first side wall and the second side wall.

47. The tennis bag of claim 44, wherein the insulated lining of the cooler compartment includes a layer of poly-vinyl-chloride.

48. The tennis bag of claim 44, wherein the cooler compartment includes an opening and a flap configured to cover the opening.

49. The tennis bag of claim 48, wherein the cooler compartment further includes a closing member configured to secure the flap in a position covering the opening.

50. The tennis bag of claim 44, wherein the racquet compartment includes a top, a bottom, opposing first and second sides, the racquet compartment having a generally truncated egg-shaped cross-section defined by the first and second side edges, the lower edge, and the upper edge of the racquet panel and configured to conform to the shape of a racquet head.

51. A tennis bag comprising:

a front wall;

a rear wall positioned in spaced relation to the front wall and defining a longitudinal center axis;

opposing first and second side walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall, the first and second side walls meeting at an apex;

a bottom wall coupled to the first and second side walls, the front wall, and the rear wall;

an accessory compartment defined by the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment including an upper center portion, a first lower corner portion laterally offset from the center upper portion, and a second lower corner portion laterally offset from the upper center portion;

an accessory compartment closing member configured to close an opening to the accessory compartment between the front wall and the rear wall, the accessory compartment extending from a first end proximate the bottom wall upwardly within the second side wall around the apex to a second end within the first side wall;

a racquet panel coupled to the front wall;

a racquet compartment defined by the front wall and the racquet panel;

a carrying strap having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being coupled to the upper center portion of the accessory compartment proximate the longitudinal center axis;

a releasable fastening member coupled to the lower end of the strap;

a first mating fastening member coupled proximate the first lower corner portion of the accessory compartment and laterally offset from the longitudinal center axis;

a second mating fastening member coupled proximate the second lower corner portion of the accessory compartment, the second mating fastening member positioned in spaced relation to the first mating fastening member and laterally offset from the longitudinal center axis;

the releasable fastening member being configured to be selectively coupled to one of the first and second mating fastening members;

a center partition received within the racquet compartment and defining first and second racquet pockets;

the first racquet pocket including a side opening in one of the first and second sides of the racquet compartment, and a top opening in the top of the racquet compartment;

the second racquet pocket including a side opening in one of the first and second sides of the racquet compartment, and a top opening in the top of the racquet compartment;

a first racquet pocket closing member coupled to the racquet panel and configured to selectively close the side opening of the first racquet pocket;

a second racquet pocket closing member coupled to the racquet panel and configured to selectively close the side opening of the second racquet pocket;

a ball storage pocket received within the accessory compartment and coupled to one of the rear wall and the front wall, the ball storage compartment configured to receive a canister of tennis balls and being angled upwardly from horizontal;

a cooler compartment coupled to one of the accessory compartment and the racquet compartment;

a pocket coupled to the rear wall;

a connector having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled within the pocket; and

a fence hook coupled to the second end of the connector.