Duffel Bag Structural Components

Abstract

A duffel bag may utilize a structural component to allow the duffel bag to stand upright without the use of filling materials. Accordingly, a duffel bag having auxiliary structural support is provided. In particular, the duffel bag may have a panel comprising a side of the duffel bag. The duffel bag also may have a strap affixed to a portion of the panel. Additionally, the duffel bag has a semi-rigid component between the panel and the strap. Further, the semi-rigid component may be secured between to the panel and the strap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A duffel bag having auxiliary structural support, the duffel bag comprising:
 a first panel comprising a first side of the duffel bag;   a first strap affixed to the first panel;   a first semi-rigid component between the first panel and the first strap, wherein the first semi-rigid component is secured between the first panel and the first strap;   a second panel comprising a second side of the duffel bag that is opposite the first side of the duffel bag;   a second strap affixed to the second panel;   a second semi-rigid component in between the second panel and the second strap, wherein the second semi-rigid component is secured between the second panel and the second strap;   a third panel adjacent to the first panel and the second panel;   a fourth panel adjacent to the first panel and the second panel, wherein the fourth panel is opposite the third panel; and   a bottom panel adjacent to the first panel, second panel, third panel, and fourth panel.   
     
     
         2 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first semi-rigid component is bordered by an intersecting area comprising the first panel affixed to the first strap. 
     
     
         3 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first semi-rigid component extends to the bottom of the first panel. 
     
     
         4 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first semi-rigid component extends to the top of the first panel. 
     
     
         5 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap extends to the bottom of the first panel. 
     
     
         6 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap extends beyond the bottom of the first panel. 
     
     
         7 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap extends fully across the bottom panel. 
     
     
         8 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap extends partially across the bottom panel. 
     
     
         9 . The duffel bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap comprises the second strap. 
     
     
         10 . A duffel bag having auxiliary structural support, the duffel bag comprising:
 a first panel comprising a first side of the duffel bag;   a bottom panel adjacent to the first panel;   a first set of two straps affixed to the first panel and a portion of the bottom panel;   a first set of two semi-rigid components, a first portion of the first set of two semi-rigid components secured between the first panel and the first set of two straps and a second portion of the first set of two semi-rigid components secured between the bottom panel and the first set of two straps;   a second panel comprising a second side of the duffel bag, wherein the second panel is adjacent to the bottom panel and opposite the first panel;   a second set of straps covering a portion of the second panel and a portion of the bottom panel;   a second set of two semi-rigid components, a first portion of the second set of two semi-rigid components secured between the second panel and the second set of two straps and a second portion of the second set of two semi-rigid components secured between the bottom panel and the second set of two straps;   a third panel adjacent to the first panel, the second panel, and the bottom panel; and   a fourth panel adjacent to the first panel, the second panel, and the bottom panel, wherein the fourth panel is opposite the third panel.   
     
     
         11 . The duffel bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of straps extend partially across the bottom panel. 
     
     
         12 . The duffel bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of straps extend completely across the bottom panel. 
     
     
         13 . The duffel bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of semi-rigid components extend to the top of the first panel. 
     
     
         14 . The duffel bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of semi-rigid components extend beyond the bottom of the first panel. 
     
     
         15 . The duffel bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of straps and the second set of straps do not overlap. 
     
     
         16 . The duffel bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of straps comprises the second set of straps. 
     
     
         17 . A duffel bag having auxiliary structural support, the duffel bag comprising:
 a first panel comprising a first side of the duffel bag;   a bottom panel adjacent to the first panel;   a second panel comprising a second side of the duffel bag, wherein the second panel is adjacent to the bottom panel and opposite the first panel;   a set of two straps affixed to the first panel, portion of the bottom panel, and a portion of the second panel;   a set of two semi-rigid components, a first portion of the set of two semi-rigid components secured between the first panel and the set of two straps, a second portion of the set of two semi-rigid components secured between the bottom panel and the set of two straps, and a third portion of the set of two semi-rigid components secured between the second panel and the set of two straps;   a third panel adjacent to the first panel, the second panel, and the bottom panel; and   a fourth panel adjacent to the first panel, the second panel, and the bottom panel, wherein the fourth panel is opposite the third panel.   
     
     
         18 . The duffel bag of  claim 17 , wherein the set of two semi-rigid components extends to the top of the first panel. 
     
     
         19 . The duffel bag of  claim 17 , wherein the set of two semi-rigid components extends to the top of the second panel. 
     
     
         20 . The duffel bag of  claim 17 , wherein a first semi-rigid component of the set of two semi-rigid components does not overlap a second semi-rigid component of the set of two semi-rigid components.