Title:
COMPARTMENTALIZED BOWLING BALL BAGS AND STANDS THEREFOR
United States Patent 3554257
Abstract:
Compartmentalized bowling ball bags providing selective access to the individual compartments or access to the compartments collectively.
US Patent References:
Decanting apparatus
Goldman - May 1925 - 1537598
/1540792.html
McLaren - June 1925 - 1540792
Sanitary milking stool
Kollander - June 1941 - 2244912
Bowling ball bag
Glantz et al. - July 1956 - 2754870
Bowling bag
LeGoff - November 1958 - 2860681
Decanting apparatus
Goldman - May 1925 - 1537598
/1540792.html
McLaren - June 1925 - 1540792
Sanitary milking stool
Kollander - June 1941 - 2244912
Bowling ball bag
Glantz et al. - July 1956 - 2754870
Bowling bag
LeGoff - November 1958 - 2860681
Inventors:
Glantz, Samuel N. (Chicago, IL)
Glantz, Milton (Chicago, IL)
Glantz, Milton (Chicago, IL)
Application Number:
04/779693
Publication Date:
01/12/1971
Filing Date:
11/29/1968
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
108/25, 211/14, 206/579, 248/174
International Classes:
A63B47/00
Field of Search:
150/52A 190/51,52 206/1(cursory) 211/14 248/163,174,346 108/1,25,58
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Norton, Donald F.
Claims:
We claim
1. An improved bowling ball bag:
2. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 1 wherein:
3. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 2 wherein said platform and said wall-like legs are integrally related.
4. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 3 wherein said access openings include a side aperture in at least one of said wall-like legs.
5. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 4 wherein:
6. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 4 wherein said first entrance means comprises a side subflap opening aligned with said side aperture, and wherein said second entrance means comprises a side flap which opens to expose the platform portion of said stand and said side aperture.
7. A universal bowling ball stand for use in bowling ball bags having opening on either the sides, ends or top:
8. The bowling ball stand of claim 7 wherein said wall-like leg sections terminate in bottom flanges.
1. An improved bowling ball bag:
2. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 1 wherein:
3. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 2 wherein said platform and said wall-like legs are integrally related.
4. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 3 wherein said access openings include a side aperture in at least one of said wall-like legs.
5. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 4 wherein:
6. The improved bowling ball bag of claim 4 wherein said first entrance means comprises a side subflap opening aligned with said side aperture, and wherein said second entrance means comprises a side flap which opens to expose the platform portion of said stand and said side aperture.
7. A universal bowling ball stand for use in bowling ball bags having opening on either the sides, ends or top:
8. The bowling ball stand of claim 7 wherein said wall-like leg sections terminate in bottom flanges.
Description:
This invention relates to bowling ball bags, and more particularly, to compartmentalized bowling ball bags, and the stands used therein which cooperate to enable universal access to the compartments of the bags provided by the stands.
Compartmentalized bowling ball bags are known, such as, for example, provided by our U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,870 which issued Jul. 17, 1956. That patent taught the use of compartmentalized bowling ball bags wherein the bowling ball bag was divided into two separate compartments with an individual access opening for each of the compartments. Variations of that bag include bowling ball bags having one opening on the side to expose both compartments of the bag.
A key feature of compartmentalized bowling ball bags is the bowling ball stand used therein. The stand actually is what divides the bag into the compartments. Further, the top of the stand provides a platform for holding the bowling ball, and in addition, for holding gloves or other items as desired by the bowler. The bottom compartment is used primarily for holding the shoes.
Besides dividing the bag into compartments, the stands provide a protective framework and support for the bag. Thus, it is extremely desirable that the stand provides walls so that the shoes in the lower compartment do not push against the walls to cause the bag to bulge and look unsightly. Thus, ideally, the stand provides walls to protect the bag from inner stresses as well as outer stresses.
The manufacturers of the bowling ball bags are faced with a problem brought about by the variations in access openings in the bowling ball bags. For example, if the access opening of the bowling ball bag is provided on the side wall of the bag, then the bowling ball stand must be designed to enable access to the lower compartment when the side opening is used. In addition, when an end opening in the bag is used for access to the lower compartment, then the stand must have an opening at a conforming end. Therefore, it is necessary for the manufacturer of the bowling ball bags to stock different types of stands. One that provides access to the lower compartment when the side opening bag is used and another type of stand to provide access to the lower compartment when the side opening is used.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a universal stand that provides access to the lower compartment when a side opening bag is used.
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a universal stand that provides access to the lower compartment when a side opening bag is used, and also provides access when an end opening is used for access to the lower compartment.
In addition, the universal stand that is an object of this invention must provide wall supports to protect the bag.
A related object of this invention is to provide improved type bowling ball bags that enable universal access to the compartments created by the stand.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a bowling ball bag that has access openings enabling individual access to each of the compartments, or collective access to all of the compartments. The preferred embodiment further includes a stand that provides access openings to the lower compartment for side or end opening bags.
The above-mentioned and other objects of this invention together with the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by making reference to the following description of exemplary embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a pictorial view of one embodiment of the universal bowling ball bag having a top opening for the top compartment of the bowling ball bag and an end and/or side openings for access to the bottom compartment of the bag;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the invention wherein access is obtained to the compartments of the bag, either through side openings that can be selectively opened to expose both compartments or to expose only the bottom compartment; and
FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the universal stand of the inventive improved bowling ball bag.
Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring now to the same, in FIG. 1 the character 10 indicates a universal access type bowling ball bag. The bag is shown as comprising a flexible cover having sidewalls 11 and 12, and end walls 13 and 14.
As shown in phantom, in FIG. 1 the bag is provided with a stand 16. The stand compartmentalizes the bag by dividing it into two sections; a bottom section which as shown, can be utilized to hold shoes such as shown at 17 in FIG. 1. The top portion of stand 16 is designed to hold the bowling ball shown in phantom at 18. The top surface or platform of the stand 22 can also support other accessories, such as gloves or the like. An end access opening 19 is provided by the stand, as well as a side access opening 21. These openings provide ready access to the shoes no matter how the bag is opened to enable access to the lower compartment through the access opening of the stand.
The bag of FIG. 1 is shown as having a flap 23 at the bottom portion of end section 13. The flap 23 enables access to the opening 19 of the stand, and thereby enables individual access to anything that is stored in the bottom compartment without having to disturb the top compartment by opening the bag to expose the top compartment.
The stand 16 is best seen in FIG. 3. Therein, it is seen that the stand is a unitary structure having an inverted trough shape, that is the stand has an inverted U-shaped cross section comprising a platform section 22. Thus, the bottom compartment and access opening 19 is created by the inverted U-shape cross section.
The upper platform surface 22 of stand 16 has means for receiving the bowling ball such as indentation 23. In addition, ridges such as ridge 24 are provided for strengthening the stand. Two oppositely disposed leg or wall sections 25 depend downwardly from platform 22.
A unique feature of the stand is side access opening 21 cut into at least one of the two walls 25 forming the inverted U-shape stand. Thus, the stand is in an inverted U-shape device having walls integral therewith. The stand may be shaped from metal such as aluminum or molded from plastic.
A ridge 26 may be provided at each end of the stand to further strengthen the stand. In addition, a bottom flange or lip 27 is provided at the bottom of each of the legs forming the U of the stand. The lip protects the bottom of the bag such as bottom 28 of bag 10. The bottom of the bag is generally a reinforced flexible section. The lips also assure stability of the stand in the bag.
Returning to FIG. 1, it is seen that flap 23 is provided with a locking arrangement such as snap 29. The end 13 of the bag has a snap receiving means 31. Other type locking arrangements, such as knob and hole arrangement can be provided whereby the flap 29 has an aperture therein and the end 13 has a knob thereon. When the flap is in its up position, the knob fits through the aperture, and then the knob can be turned to lock the flap in its closed position. The bag 10 of FIG. 1 is further provided with a zipper means 32 enabling opening the top of the bag to provide access to the top compartment of the bag.
It is within the scope of this invention to provide a bag such as that shown in FIG. 1 having an access opening on side 16, such as would be provided by zipper 33 shown schematically by the dashed line on side 16. The opening provided by zipper 33 would enable access to both the top and bottom compartment of the compartmentalized bag. The access to the bottom compartment when the side opening 33 is used is provided by access opening 21 in stand 16.
Means are provided for conveniently transporting the bag. More particularly, handles 34, 36 are attached to sides 11 and 12 of the bag and extend over the top of the bag. The handles may be attached to the bag in any well known manner.
Another embodiment of applicants' invention emphasizing the universality of stand 16 is shown in FIG. 2. The bowling ball bag 41 of FIG. 2 comprises a pair of sidewalls 42 and 43. The sidewalls are separated by end pieces 44 and 46. The stand 16 is shown in place in the bag 41 with its access openings 19 and 21. A bowling ball 18 is shown resting on the stand in the top compartment of the bag. In addition, a glove 47 is shown resting in the top compartment on the stand and a shoe 48 of a pair of shoes is shown resting in the bottom compartment of the stand.
A side flap 49 which comprises almost a complete side section 42 is shown in its open position exposing the top compartment and the bottom compartment of the bag in enabling access to both compartments. The flap is shown as equipped with zippers shown schematically as 51 for closing and opening the flap. The zipper arrangement, of course, could commence at the top of platform 16 so that the flap could be opened to expose only the top compartment if that is desired or else two zipper sliders can be arranged to meet at the top section of zipper arrangement 51, whereby the flap 49 can be opened any desired amount such that, for example, only the top section is exposed by operating the two zipper sliders. In addition, the flap 49 comprises a subflap section 52. The subflap section 52 is joined to the main flap section 49 by a zipper arrangement shown schematically by line 53. If the subflap section 52 is open by operating zipper 53, then only the bottom compartment is accessible. The bag 41 is also shown as having means for carrying it, such as a pair of handles 54, 56. This bag could, of course, be equipped with only a single handle mounted at its mid section. The handles may be attached in any well known manner.
In use, the stand 16 solves a serious problem now encountered by manufacturers in that it is universally useable in either side opening bags or end opening bags as has been shown and described herein.
It is, of course, feasible to remove the stand and use it separately for holding or storing a bowling ball and using the bag for holding apparel or any other paraphernalia therein.
In use, the universal bag provides either accessibility to both compartments or selective accessibility to either compartments of the bowling ball bag, equipped with the inventive stand 16.
While the principles of the invention have been described in connection with specific apparatus and applications, it should be understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention.
Compartmentalized bowling ball bags are known, such as, for example, provided by our U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,870 which issued Jul. 17, 1956. That patent taught the use of compartmentalized bowling ball bags wherein the bowling ball bag was divided into two separate compartments with an individual access opening for each of the compartments. Variations of that bag include bowling ball bags having one opening on the side to expose both compartments of the bag.
A key feature of compartmentalized bowling ball bags is the bowling ball stand used therein. The stand actually is what divides the bag into the compartments. Further, the top of the stand provides a platform for holding the bowling ball, and in addition, for holding gloves or other items as desired by the bowler. The bottom compartment is used primarily for holding the shoes.
Besides dividing the bag into compartments, the stands provide a protective framework and support for the bag. Thus, it is extremely desirable that the stand provides walls so that the shoes in the lower compartment do not push against the walls to cause the bag to bulge and look unsightly. Thus, ideally, the stand provides walls to protect the bag from inner stresses as well as outer stresses.
The manufacturers of the bowling ball bags are faced with a problem brought about by the variations in access openings in the bowling ball bags. For example, if the access opening of the bowling ball bag is provided on the side wall of the bag, then the bowling ball stand must be designed to enable access to the lower compartment when the side opening is used. In addition, when an end opening in the bag is used for access to the lower compartment, then the stand must have an opening at a conforming end. Therefore, it is necessary for the manufacturer of the bowling ball bags to stock different types of stands. One that provides access to the lower compartment when the side opening bag is used and another type of stand to provide access to the lower compartment when the side opening is used.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a universal stand that provides access to the lower compartment when a side opening bag is used.
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a universal stand that provides access to the lower compartment when a side opening bag is used, and also provides access when an end opening is used for access to the lower compartment.
In addition, the universal stand that is an object of this invention must provide wall supports to protect the bag.
A related object of this invention is to provide improved type bowling ball bags that enable universal access to the compartments created by the stand.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a bowling ball bag that has access openings enabling individual access to each of the compartments, or collective access to all of the compartments. The preferred embodiment further includes a stand that provides access openings to the lower compartment for side or end opening bags.
The above-mentioned and other objects of this invention together with the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by making reference to the following description of exemplary embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a pictorial view of one embodiment of the universal bowling ball bag having a top opening for the top compartment of the bowling ball bag and an end and/or side openings for access to the bottom compartment of the bag;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the invention wherein access is obtained to the compartments of the bag, either through side openings that can be selectively opened to expose both compartments or to expose only the bottom compartment; and
FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the universal stand of the inventive improved bowling ball bag.
Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring now to the same, in FIG. 1 the character 10 indicates a universal access type bowling ball bag. The bag is shown as comprising a flexible cover having sidewalls 11 and 12, and end walls 13 and 14.
As shown in phantom, in FIG. 1 the bag is provided with a stand 16. The stand compartmentalizes the bag by dividing it into two sections; a bottom section which as shown, can be utilized to hold shoes such as shown at 17 in FIG. 1. The top portion of stand 16 is designed to hold the bowling ball shown in phantom at 18. The top surface or platform of the stand 22 can also support other accessories, such as gloves or the like. An end access opening 19 is provided by the stand, as well as a side access opening 21. These openings provide ready access to the shoes no matter how the bag is opened to enable access to the lower compartment through the access opening of the stand.
The bag of FIG. 1 is shown as having a flap 23 at the bottom portion of end section 13. The flap 23 enables access to the opening 19 of the stand, and thereby enables individual access to anything that is stored in the bottom compartment without having to disturb the top compartment by opening the bag to expose the top compartment.
The stand 16 is best seen in FIG. 3. Therein, it is seen that the stand is a unitary structure having an inverted trough shape, that is the stand has an inverted U-shaped cross section comprising a platform section 22. Thus, the bottom compartment and access opening 19 is created by the inverted U-shape cross section.
The upper platform surface 22 of stand 16 has means for receiving the bowling ball such as indentation 23. In addition, ridges such as ridge 24 are provided for strengthening the stand. Two oppositely disposed leg or wall sections 25 depend downwardly from platform 22.
A unique feature of the stand is side access opening 21 cut into at least one of the two walls 25 forming the inverted U-shape stand. Thus, the stand is in an inverted U-shape device having walls integral therewith. The stand may be shaped from metal such as aluminum or molded from plastic.
A ridge 26 may be provided at each end of the stand to further strengthen the stand. In addition, a bottom flange or lip 27 is provided at the bottom of each of the legs forming the U of the stand. The lip protects the bottom of the bag such as bottom 28 of bag 10. The bottom of the bag is generally a reinforced flexible section. The lips also assure stability of the stand in the bag.
Returning to FIG. 1, it is seen that flap 23 is provided with a locking arrangement such as snap 29. The end 13 of the bag has a snap receiving means 31. Other type locking arrangements, such as knob and hole arrangement can be provided whereby the flap 29 has an aperture therein and the end 13 has a knob thereon. When the flap is in its up position, the knob fits through the aperture, and then the knob can be turned to lock the flap in its closed position. The bag 10 of FIG. 1 is further provided with a zipper means 32 enabling opening the top of the bag to provide access to the top compartment of the bag.
It is within the scope of this invention to provide a bag such as that shown in FIG. 1 having an access opening on side 16, such as would be provided by zipper 33 shown schematically by the dashed line on side 16. The opening provided by zipper 33 would enable access to both the top and bottom compartment of the compartmentalized bag. The access to the bottom compartment when the side opening 33 is used is provided by access opening 21 in stand 16.
Means are provided for conveniently transporting the bag. More particularly, handles 34, 36 are attached to sides 11 and 12 of the bag and extend over the top of the bag. The handles may be attached to the bag in any well known manner.
Another embodiment of applicants' invention emphasizing the universality of stand 16 is shown in FIG. 2. The bowling ball bag 41 of FIG. 2 comprises a pair of sidewalls 42 and 43. The sidewalls are separated by end pieces 44 and 46. The stand 16 is shown in place in the bag 41 with its access openings 19 and 21. A bowling ball 18 is shown resting on the stand in the top compartment of the bag. In addition, a glove 47 is shown resting in the top compartment on the stand and a shoe 48 of a pair of shoes is shown resting in the bottom compartment of the stand.
A side flap 49 which comprises almost a complete side section 42 is shown in its open position exposing the top compartment and the bottom compartment of the bag in enabling access to both compartments. The flap is shown as equipped with zippers shown schematically as 51 for closing and opening the flap. The zipper arrangement, of course, could commence at the top of platform 16 so that the flap could be opened to expose only the top compartment if that is desired or else two zipper sliders can be arranged to meet at the top section of zipper arrangement 51, whereby the flap 49 can be opened any desired amount such that, for example, only the top section is exposed by operating the two zipper sliders. In addition, the flap 49 comprises a subflap section 52. The subflap section 52 is joined to the main flap section 49 by a zipper arrangement shown schematically by line 53. If the subflap section 52 is open by operating zipper 53, then only the bottom compartment is accessible. The bag 41 is also shown as having means for carrying it, such as a pair of handles 54, 56. This bag could, of course, be equipped with only a single handle mounted at its mid section. The handles may be attached in any well known manner.
In use, the stand 16 solves a serious problem now encountered by manufacturers in that it is universally useable in either side opening bags or end opening bags as has been shown and described herein.
It is, of course, feasible to remove the stand and use it separately for holding or storing a bowling ball and using the bag for holding apparel or any other paraphernalia therein.
In use, the universal bag provides either accessibility to both compartments or selective accessibility to either compartments of the bowling ball bag, equipped with the inventive stand 16.
While the principles of the invention have been described in connection with specific apparatus and applications, it should be understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention.