Collapsible tool bag

Abstract

A tool storage bag is provided for storing tools and accessories at a work site. The tool storage bag has slidable fabric handles which move between extended and retracted positions. In even the extended position, the handles present a full-width opening for the bag to allow even relatively large tools and accessory items to be received within the bag. The bag can be easily collapsed for storage or shipping.

1 . A soft-sided tool bag for carrying a workman's tools, comprising: 
 a bottom panel;    a plurality of sidewalls each having a bottom edge attached to said bottom panel and having an outside surface, an inside surface and an intermediate wall thickness, the sidewalls together with the bottom panel forming an interior for the bag;    a pair of handle straps, each having a first and second planar end portions and an intermediate portion, wherein the first and second planar end portions of each handle strap are slidably received within the intermediate wall thickness of a selected opposing sidewalls and are slidable between retracted and extended positions, the intermediate portion of each strap forming a carrying handle for the bag;    wherein the bag has a closed position and an open position in which the opposing sidewalls housing the handles form substantially vertical parallel planes with respect to each other and a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the bottom panel, whereby the handles in either the retracted or extended position present a full-width and non-obstructed opening for the bag.    
   
   
       2 . The tool bag of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion of each strap is reinforced with a rigid bar.  
   
   
       3 . The tool bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is reinforced with at least one removable stiffening element which is inserted coplanar with the bottom panel.  
   
   
       4 . The tool bag of  claim 3 , wherein the bag is collapsible by removing the removable stiffening element and folding the bag together by means of a crease along a mid-line of the bottom panel.  
   
   
       5 . The tool bag of  claim 3 , wherein the bag has additional stiffening elements which are placed in the interior of the bag in planes generally perpendicular to the bottom panel intermediate the sidewalls carrying the handles.  
   
   
       6 . The tool bag of  claim 3 , wherein the bag has additional partially arcuate stiffening elements which are placed in pockets in the interior of the bag in planes generally perpendicular to the bottom panel intermediate the sidewalls carrying the handles.  
   
   
       7 . The tool bag of  claim 3 , wherein the bag has additional stiffening elements in the form of narrow elongate strips which slide into pockets located in planes generally parallel to the bottom panel and generally transverse to the sidewalls carrying the handles.  
   
   
       8 . A soft-sided tool bag having a full-width top opening for receiving and carrying a workman's tools, the bag comprising: 
 a foldable bottom panel;    a plurality of sidewalls each having a bottom edge attached to said bottom panel and having an outside surface, an inside surface and an intermediate wall thickness, the sidewalls together with the bottom panel forming an interior for the bag;    a pair of fabric handle straps, each having a first and second planar end portions and an intermediate portion, wherein the first and second planar end portions of each handle strap are slidably received within the intermediate wall thickness of selected opposing sidewalls of the bag and are slidable between retracted and extended positions, the intermediate portion of each strap forming a carrying handle for the bag when the handles are grasped by a user and brought into proximity;    wherein the bag has a closed position and an open position in which the opposing sidewalls housing the handles form substantially vertical parallel planes with respect to each other and a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the bottom panel, whereby the handles in either the retracted or extended position present a full-width and non-obstructed opening for the bag to allow the bag to receive tools of a variety of sizes.    
   
   
       9 . The tool bag of  claim 8 , wherein the intermediate portion of each strap is reinforced with a rigid bar.  
   
   
       10 . The tool bag of  claim 8 , wherein the bag is reinforced with at least one removable stiffening element which is inserted coplanar with the bottom panel.  
   
   
       11 . The tool bag of  claim 10 , wherein the bag is collapsible by removing the removable stiffening element and folding the bag together by means of a crease along a mid-line of the bottom panel.  
   
   
       12 . The tool bag of  claim 10 , wherein the bag has additional stiffening elements which are placed in the interior of the bag in planes generally perpendicular to the bottom panel intermediate the sidewalls carrying the handles.  
   
   
       13 . The tool bag of  claim 10 , wherein the bag has additional partially arcuate stiffening elements which are placed in pockets in the interior of the bag in planes generally perpendicular to the bottom panel intermediate the sidewalls carrying the handles.  
   
   
       14 . The tool bag of  claim 10 , wherein the bag has additional stiffening elements in the form of narrow elongate strips which slide into pockets located in planes generally parallel to the bottom panel and generally transverse to the sidewalls carrying the handles.