Convertible dual use bag for use with a portable enclosure

Abstract

A convertible dual use bag is usable as a carrying member for a folded portable enclosure. When the enclosure is opened and set up, the bag may be opened up flat, and used as a floor. The bag includes a large multi-layered fabric sheet. The outer face of the sheet is provided with binding straps and carrying straps, for use when the bag is used as a carrying member. The inner surface of the sheet is free from straps and fasteners, and may be used as the upward facing floor surface. In its first use mode, the bag is used to enclose a collapsed portable enclosure such as a tent or ice shanty, including struts or frame sections and a fabric shell. The binding straps may be used to house and surround the components of the enclosure, so that these components are securely stowed within the bag. The dual use bag also includes carrying straps which permit the bag to be carried by the user.

1 . A dual-use bag having a first use in storing and transporting a collapsed portable enclosure and a second use as a floor structure in an assembled, erected portable enclosure, 
 the dual-use bag comprising a multi-layered, flexible sheet, at least one carrying strap, and a plurality of binding straps,    the sheet comprising an inner surface and an outer surface,    the at least one carrying strap and the plural binding straps being fixed to an outer surface of the sheet so that when the dual-use bag is used for storing and transporting, the plural binding straps encircle the collapsed portable enclosure and maintain the portable enclosure within the sheet, and the at least one carrying strap is configured to receive a shoulder of a user between the carrying strap and the bag.    
   
   
       2 . The dual-use bag of  claim 1  wherein the sheet comprises an insulation layer and an outer layer, the insulation layer overlying the outer layer.  
   
   
       3 . The dual-use bag of  claim 2  wherein the insulation layer comprises substantially the same size and shape as the outer layer.  
   
   
       4 . The dual-use bag of  claim 2  wherein the insulation layer comprises a size which is less than that of the outer layer such that the insulation layer overlies a portion of the outer layer.  
   
   
       5 . The dual-use bag of  claim 1  wherein the sheet comprises an outer layer, an inner layer, and an insulation layer extending between the outer and inner layers.  
   
   
       6 . The dual-use bag of  claim 1  wherein the multi-layered sheet comprises a waterproof outer layer.  
   
   
       7 . The dual-use bag of  claim 1  wherein the sheet comprises a peripheral edge having an elongate octagonal shape, the sheet comprising 
 a first pair of parallel lateral edges corresponding to opposed long sides of the elongate octagon,    a longitudinal axis that lies parallel to the first pair of edges,    a second pair of parallel end edges corresponding to opposed short sides of the elongate octagon, the second pair of edges oriented perpendicular to the first pair of edges,    a transverse axis that lies parallel to the second pair of edges,    wherein said plural binding straps are arranged in a spaced, parallel configuration and are oriented to lie in parallel with the transverse axis, and    said at least one carrying strap is oriented to lie in parallel with the longitudinal axis,    the plural binding straps do not overlap the at least one carrying strap,    each of the plural binding straps and each the at least one carrying straps are fixed to the outer surface of the sheet at a location spaced from the peripheral edge such that each respective strap includes a portion which overlies the outer surface of the sheet.    
   
   
       8 . The dual-use bag of  claim 1  wherein each of the plural binding straps is adjustable in length, each of the plural binding straps comprising a first end, and a second end opposed to the first end, 
 the first and second ends comprising a connection member whereby, for each of the plural binding straps, the first end is detachably securable to the second end    
   
   
       9 . The dual-use bag of  claim 1  wherein each of the at least one carrying straps is adjustable in length and includes a padded portion.  
   
   
       10 . A dual-use carrying bag in combination with a portable enclosure, the dual-use carrying bag having a first use in storing and transporting the portable enclosure when the portable enclosure is in a collapsed and folded configuration, the dual use bag having a second use as a floor structure in the portable enclosure when the portable enclosure is in an assembled configuration, 
 the dual-use carrying bag comprising a multi-layered, flexible sheet, at least one carrying strap, and a plurality of binding straps,    the sheet comprising an inner surface and an outer surface,    the at least one carrying strap and the plural binding straps being fixed to an outer surface of the sheet so that    when the dual-use carrying bag is used for storing and transporting the portable enclosure, the portable enclosure is substantially surrounded by the sheet and the plural binding straps substantially encircle both the sheet and the collapsed portable enclosure, and maintain the portable enclosure within the sheet, and the at least one carrying strap is configured to receive a shoulder of a user between the carrying strap and the bag, and    when the dual-use carrying bag is used for a floor structure in the assembled portable enclosure, the sheet is capable of fully opening so as to lie in a flat, non-self-overlapping configuration.    
   
   
       11 . The dual-use carrying bag in combination with a portable enclosure of  claim 10  wherein the portable enclosure comprises a flexible fabric covering and a frame structure, wherein the frame stricture cooperates with the covering to provide a first configuration in which the portable enclosure is assembled to form a three-dimensional free-standing enclosure, and to provide a second configuration in which the frame structure folds into a collapsed, compact configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The dual-use carrying bag in combination with a portable enclosure of  claim 10  wherein the portable enclosure further includes a plurality of anchor stakes, and wherein when the dual-use carrying bag is used for storing and transporting the portable enclosure, the portable enclosure and anchor stakes are substantially surrounded by the sheet, and the plural binding straps substantially encircle the sheet, the collapsed portable enclosure, and the anchor stakes, and maintain the portable enclosure and anchor stakes within the sheet.  
   
   
       13 . The dual-use carrying bag in combination with a portable enclosure of  claim 10  wherein the portable enclosure further includes a plurality of cinch straps, and wherein when the dual-use carrying bag is used for storing and transporting the portable enclosure, the portable enclosure and cinch straps are substantially surrounded by the sheet, and the plural binding straps substantially encircle the sheet, the collapsed portable enclosure, and the cinch straps, and maintain the portable enclosure and cinch straps within the sheet.  
   
   
       14 . A method of using a dual-use bag, the dual-use bag having a first use in storing and transporting a collapsed portable enclosure, and a second use as a floor structure within the portable enclosure when the portable enclosure is in an assembled, erected configuration, 
 the dual use bag comprising a multi-layered, flexible sheet, at least one carrying strap, and a plurality of binding straps,    the sheet comprising an inner surface and an outer surface,    the at least one carrying strap and the plural binding straps being fixed to an outer surface of the sheet so that when the dual-use bag is used for storing and transporting, the plural binding straps encircle the collapsed portable enclosure and maintain the portable enclosure within the sheet, and the at least one carrying strap is configured to receive a shoulder of a user between the carrying strap and the bag,    the method of using the dual-use carrying bag for storing and transporting a collapsed portable enclosure comprising the following steps:    step 1, disposing the sheet on a supportive surface such that the outer surface faces down and confronts the supportive surface, and such that the sheet is opened to a substantially flat and non-self-overlapping configuration;    step 2, placing the collapsed, compactly arranged portable enclosure on the inner surface of the sheet at a substantially central location of the sheet;    step 3, folding a first pair of opposed peripheral edges of the sheet toward the central location of the sheet so as to overlie both the center location of the sheet and the portable enclosure;    step 4, securing the folded first pair of opposed peripheral edges in place by connecting respective first ends of the binding straps to corresponding second ends of the binding straps;    step 5, folding a second pair of opposed peripheral edges of the sheet toward the center location of the sheet so as to overlie the portable enclosure and the folded first pair of opposed peripheral edges;    step 6, connecting a respective first end of the at least one carrying strap to a connector disposed on the outer surface of the sheet, whereby the dual-use carrying bag is folded and bound; and    step 7, mounting the folded and bound dual-use carrying bag on the shoulder of the user by receiving the shoulder of the user between the at least one carrying strap and the dual use carrying bag.    
   
   
       15 . The method of using the dual-use carrying bag of  claim 14  wherein the method of using the dual use carrying bag as a floor structure within the portable enclosure when the portable enclosure is in an assembled, erected configuration comprises the following steps: 
 step 1, placing the folded and bound dual-use carrying bag on a supportive surface such that the second pair of opposed peripheral edges face upward;    step 2, disconnecting the respective first end of the at least one carrying strap from the connector disposed on the outer surface of the sheet;    step 3, unfolding the second pair of opposed peripheral edges of the sheet so that respective edges of the second pair of opposed peripheral edges are positioned on opposed sides of the collapsed portable enclosure;    step 4, disconnecting respective first ends of the binding straps from the corresponding second ends of the binding straps;    step 5, unfolding the first pair of opposed peripheral edges of the sheet away from the central location of the sheet so that respective edges of the first pair of opposed peripheral edges are positioned on opposed sides of the collapsed portable enclosure, and so that the collapsed portable enclosure is fully accessable; and    step 6, placement of dual-use carrying bag within the assembled, erected portable enclosure so that the outer surface confronts the supportive surface, and so that the dual-use carrying bag is laid out in a generally flat configuration within an interior space of the portable enclosure.    
   
   
       16 . The method of using the dual-use carrying bag of  claim 14 , wherein the sheet comprises a peripheral edge having an elongate octagonal shape, the sheet further comprising 
 the first pair of opposed peripheral edges corresponding to opposed, parallel, long sides of the elongate octagon,    a longitudinal axis that lies parallel to the first pair of opposed peripheral edges,    the second pair of opposed peripheral edges corresponding to opposed, parallel, short sides of the elongate octagon, the second pair of opposed peripheral edges oriented perpendicular to the first pair of opposed peripheral edges,    a transverse axis that lies parallel to the second pair of opposed peripheral edges,    wherein said plural binding straps are arranged in a spaced, parallel configuration and are oriented to lie in parallel with the transverse axis, and    said at least one carrying strap is oriented to lie in parallel with the longitudinal axis,    the plural binding straps do not overlap the at least one carrying strap,    each of the plural binding straps and each the at least one carrying straps are fixed to the outer surface of the sheet at a location spaced from the peripheral edge such that each respective strap includes a portion which overlies the outer surface of the sheet.    
   
   
       17 . The method of using the dual use carrying bag of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plural binding straps is adjustable in length, each of the plural binding straps comprising a first end, and a second end opposed to the first end, 
 the first and second ends comprising a connection member whereby, for each of the plural binding straps, the first end is detachably securable to the second end  18 . The method of using the dual use carrying bag of  claim 14 , wherein each of the at least one carrying straps is adjustable in length and includes a padded portion.