Reconfigurable Bags and Insert Kits

Abstract

An insert kit for use with an equipment bag to divide the bag into compartments and protect the bag's contents is provided. Boundary inserts can be placed around the interior perimeter of the bag and divider inserts can be placed horizontally, vertically or can flex into desired angular or arced configurations. Faces of inserts are covered with a loop material. One or more edge portions of the inserts have a hook material that is complimentary with the loop material so that the inserts can adhere to one another in a variety of positions. A backpack for carrying equipment that can be worn during and facilitate use of the equipment is also included.

1 . A bag comprising:
 a shell forming a container;   the shell having walls, a floor and a top;   the walls having an inner surface:   the inner surface of at least two opposing walls comprising a material having loops to which a material having hooks can adhere;   a plurality of inserts;   each of the plurality of inserts having a face;   at least a substantial portion of each face having a loop material;   each insert having opposing edge portions;   the edge portions having a hook material capable of adhering to the insert face loop material; and   the inserts sized to be insertable in and affixable to the shell walls or to other inserts in a plurality of positions by connection of the hook and loop materials.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the bag has four walls forming a substantially rectangular shape and each wall has a loop material extending over a substantial portion of its face. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein only the edge portions of the plurality of inserts has a hook material. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising at least one flexible insert capable of bending into a plurality of positions including opposing ends bending in opposite directions with regard to the longitudinal center line of the flexible insert. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein one or more inserts are sized to span a width or length dimension of the shell as measured from a wall face to an opposing wall face so the edge portions adhere to each of the opposing walls. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein one or more inserts include a pocket. 
     
     
         7 . An insert kit comprising:
 one or more boundary inserts sized to substantially cover front, back and opposing end walls of the bag;   a plurality of additional inserts;   each boundary insert and each additional insert having a face;   the faces substantially covered with a loop material;   each additional insert having opposing edge portions;   the edge portions having a hook material capable of adhering to the insert face loop material; and   the additional inserts sized to be insertable in as bag and affixable to other inserts in as plurality of positions by connection of the hook and loop materials.   
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7  wherein each additional insert has a second face substantially covered in a loop material. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 7  having inserts with faces having coverage by loop material of at least 75%. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 7  having inserts with faces having coverage by loop material of at least 95%. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 7  wherein the hook material on the edge portions extends substantially the entire length of a straight portion of the edge portion. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 7  further comprising at least one flexible insert capable of bending into a plurality of positions including opposing ends bending in opposite directions with regard to the longitudinal center line of the flexible insert. 
     
     
         13 . A bag comprising an insert kit of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         14 . A backpack comprising:
 a container portion having a top container portion horizontally interfaced with a bottom container portion wherein the top container portion is hinged to the bottom portion on one side so when rotated apart from the bottom container portion the bottom container portion has a full opening;   a harness comprising:   a front panel portion extending from a back portion of the backpack;   a first strap extending from the front panel positioned to extend over a wearer's right shoulder;   a second strap extending from the front panel portion positioned to extend over a wearer's left shoulder;   a waistband extending from a bottom portion of the bag configured to extend around a wearer.   
     
     
         15 . The backpack of  claim 14  wherein the top when opened remains substantially horizontally disposed enabling it to serve as a platform for supporting objects. 
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a plurality of inserts; 
 each of the plurality of inserts having a face; 
 at least a substantial portion of each face having a loop material; 
 each insert having opposing edge portions; 
 the edge portions having a hook material capable of adhering to the insert face loop material; and 
 the inserts sized to be insertable in the container and affixable to other inserts in a plurality of positions by connection of the hook and loop materials.