Reconfigurable bag for carrying items

Abstract

A bag for carrying items includes a bag having an interior compartment and an exterior surface. An aperture is formed in the exterior surface of the bag with a closure panel releasably secured to the aperture when the bag is in a first configuration. A primary pocket is secured around a peripheral edge thereof to the aperture and to the closure panel, and extends into the interior compartment to form an interior pocket when the bag is in the first configuration. The primary pocket extends outwardly from the bag and is in communication with and expands the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in a second configuration. The closure panel forms a portion of the primary pocket when the bag is in the second configuration.

1 . A bag for carrying items comprising, in combination: 
 a bag having an interior compartment and an exterior surface;    an aperture formed in the exterior surface of the bag;    a closure panel releasably secured to the aperture when the bag is in a first configuration;    a primary pocket secured around a peripheral edge thereof to the aperture and to the closure panel, the primary pocket extending into the interior compartment to form an interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in the first configuration, the primary pocket extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in a second configuration, the closure panel forming a portion of the primary pocket when the bag is in the second configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener to releasably secure the closure panel to the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the fastener is a zipper.  
   
   
       4 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary pocket secured around a peripheral edge thereof to an aperture formed in the primary pocket, the secondary pocket extending into the primary pocket to form a secondary interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in the first configuration, the secondary pocket extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the primary pocket and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in the second configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 4 , further comprising a closure panel covering the aperture in the primary pocket.  
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein the closure panel becomes a part of the secondary pocket when the secondary pocket extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the primary pocket.  
   
   
       7 . The bag of  claim 6 , further comprising a fastener releasably securing the closure panel to the aperture in the primary pocket.  
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener is a zipper.  
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional primary pocket secured around a peripheral edge thereof to an additional aperture formed in the exterior surface of the bag, the additional primary pocket extending into the interior compartment to form an additional interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in the first configuration, the additional primary pocket extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in the second configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The bag of  claim 9 , further comprising a secondary pocket secured around a peripheral edge thereof to an aperture formed in the additional primary pocket, the secondary pocket extending into the additional primary pocket to form a secondary interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in the first configuration, the secondary pocket extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the additional primary pocket and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in the second configuration.  
   
   
       11 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the primary pocket has a different color than that of the remainder of the bag.  
   
   
       12 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the primary pocket has a different aesthetic appearance than that of the exterior surface of the remainder of the bag.  
   
   
       13 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable fastener formed in the primary pocket and configured to provide access to the interior compartment when the bag is in the second configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the releasable fastener is a zipper.  
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrying strap secured to the bag.  
   
   
       16 . The bag of  claim 15 , wherein the strap is secured to the bag in a first orientation when the bag is in the first configuration and in a second orientation when the bag is in the second configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The bag of  claim 15 , wherein one end of the carrying strap is secured to an exterior surface of the bag and the other end of the carrying strap is secured to an exterior surface of the primary pocket when the bag is in the second configuration.  
   
   
       18 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a support member configured to sit on a bottom of the bag and provide support for items carried in the bag.  
   
   
       19 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein the support member is substantially rigid.  
   
   
       20 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein the support member comprises a plurality of substantially planar members pivotally connected to one another by way of a pin.  
   
   
       21 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein each of the substantially planar members is approximately the same size as each of the other substantially planar members.  
   
   
       22 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein the support member comprises a first substantially planar member; and 
 a second substantially planar member pivotally connected to the first member by a pin.    
   
   
       23 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein the support member comprises 
 a substantially planar first member;    a substantially planar second member pivotally connected to the first member by a pin.    
   
   
       24 . The bag of  claim 23 , further comprising a substantially planar third member pivotally connected to the second member by a pin.  
   
   
       25 . The bag of  claim 24 , further comprising a substantially planar fourth member pivotally secured to the second member by a pin.  
   
   
       26 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein the support member comprises 
 a substantially planar first member;    a substantially planar second member pivotally connected to a first end of the first member by a pin; and    a substantially planar third member pivotally connected to an opposed second end of the first member by a pin.    
   
   
       27 . The bag of  claim 26 , wherein each of the second member and third member are approximately half the size of the first member.  
   
   
       28 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein a mesh pocket is secured to an exterior surface of the primary pocket.  
   
   
       29 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable fastener in the exterior surface providing access to the interior compartment.  
   
   
       30 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein the releasable fastener is a zipper.  
   
   
       31 . The bag of  claim 30 , wherein the zipper is formed in the bag and the primary pocket.  
   
   
       32 . A bag for carrying items comprising, in combination: 
 a bag having an interior compartment and an exterior surface;    at least one aperture formed in the exterior surface of the bag;    at least one closure panel, each closure panel covering a corresponding aperture when the bag is in a first configuration;    at least one fastener, each fastener releasably securing one of the closure panels to a corresponding aperture; and    at least one pocket, each pocket being secured around a peripheral edge thereof to a corresponding aperture and to a corresponding closure panel, extending into the interior compartment to form an interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in the first configuration, and extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in a second configuration, the corresponding closure panel forming a portion of the pocket when the pocket extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag.    
   
   
       33 . A bag for carrying items comprising, in combination: 
 a bag having an interior compartment and an exterior surface;    at least one aperture formed in the exterior surface of the bag;    at least one closure panel, each closure panel covering a corresponding aperture when the bag is in a first configuration;    at least one fastener, each fastener releasably securing one of the closure panels to a corresponding aperture;    at least one primary pocket, each primary pocket being secured around a peripheral edge thereof to a corresponding aperture and to a corresponding closure panel, extending into the interior compartment to form an interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in the first configuration, and extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in a second configuration, the corresponding closure panel forming a portion of the pocket when the pocket extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag; and    at least one secondary pocket, each secondary pocket secured around a peripheral edge thereof to an aperture formed in a primary pocket and to a second closure panel releasably secured to the aperture formed in the primary pocket, extending into the primary pocket to form a secondary interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in a third configuration, and extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the primary pocket and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in a fourth configuration, the second closure panel forming a portion of the secondary pocket when the secondary pocket extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag.    
   
   
       34 . A bag for carrying items comprising, in combination: 
 a bag having an interior compartment and an exterior surface;    at least one aperture formed in the exterior surface of the bag;    a fastener releasably closing the aperture;    a primary pocket secured around a peripheral edge thereof to the aperture, the primary pocket extending into the interior compartment to form an interior pocket accessible from an exterior of the bag when the bag is in the first configuration, the primary pocket extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the bag and being in communication with and expanding the volume of the interior compartment when the bag is in a second configuration; and    a releasable fastener formed in the primary pocket and configured to provide access to the interior compartment when the bag is in the first configuration and when the bag is in the second configuration.