GARDEN BAG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of bags, and more particularly to a multi-function bag that is useful outdoors for storing materials.

BACKGROUND

Bags are known to be useful for transporting a variety of items from one place to another. As such, bags are generally designed to be lightweight and flexible so that they can contain items having a variety of sizes while minimizing the weight the worker must carry during transport.

Tool belts are also known for transporting a variety of tools. However, because of the constraints of being worn on the worker's waist, tool belts are generally limited to smaller, lighter tools and associated hardware. In addition, the quantity and variety of tools and hardware that may be carried is significantly smaller than the quantity that can be carried using a bag. Finally, tool belts are configured to carry specific tools and it may be difficult or impossible to adapt a tool belt to carry some tools or hardware.

Although bags and tool belts are known, there exists a need for bags that are more useful for carrying a broader variety of items that provide additional benefits to workers carrying the bags.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention is drawn to a garden bag that includes a garden bag body, a bottom wall, an openable lid and a knee support system. The garden bag body can be

generally rectangular and form at least one inner chamber. The garden bag body can be formed from a self-supporting structure that is at least partially fabric covered. The bottom wall can be attached to an outer perimeter of the garden bag body. The garden bag body can form an opening opposite the bottom wall. The openable lid can be attached to the garden bag body at the opening for closing the opening. The garden bag can also include a knee support system for supporting knees of a user. The knee pad system can be formed from two fabric covered pads that are connected together to form a single knee pad system.

The bottom wall can be formed from reinforced fabric. The bottom wall can be reinforced with polyethylene. An inner surface of the garden bag body can include a pocket containing the knee pad system. The garden bag can include a removable strap for containing the knee pad system, where the removable strap is attachable via a hook and loop connector. The pocket can be positioned on an inner surface of the openable lid.

The garden bag body and the bottom wall can be at least partially covered with a fabric. The garden bag body can be completely covered with fabric on the inner and outer surfaces. The garden bag body can also include a plurality of pockets attached to an outer surface of the garden bag body. The garden bag body can be formed from at least one polyethylene board and at least one reinforcement strip positioned at intervals along the polyethylene board.

The garden bag can include a rigid handle rotatably attached to the garden bag body for carrying the garden bag. The openable lid can include a zipper for removably attaching the lid to the garden bag.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the present invention and the features and benefits thereof will be obtained upon review of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a garden bag described herein. Figure 2 is a top view of the garden bag.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the garden bag. Figure 4 is a side view of the garden bag.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a pocket containing a knee pad system. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the knee pad system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in Figures 1-6, the garden bag 10 is configured to provide a worker with a seat while also acting as a container for containing tools in a readily accessible manner. The garden bag 10 may be self-supporting and formed from materials that together form a lightweight structure that is capable of being picked up by a single worker and supporting a workers weight as a seat.

As shown in Figure 1, the garden bag 10 may be formed from a garden bag body 12 formed from a self-supporting structure that is at least partially fabric covered and forming at

least one inner chamber 14 and an upper opening 20 through which the inner chamber 14 is accessible. The fabric may be any appropriate durable fabric, such as, but not limited to, durable fabrics sold under the names CORDURA and SUNBRELLA. The garden bag body 12 may be formed from any appropriate shape, such as, but not limited to, generally rectangular. The garden bag body 12, in at least one embodiment, may be generally cubical. The garden bag body 12 may have a height, width and length of between about seven inches and about fifteen inches. The garden bag body 12 may at least be partially covered by fabric and, in at least one embodiment, may be completely covered with fabric on the inner 16 and outer surfaces 16. In at least one embodiment, the garden bag body 12 may be formed from a rigid support member, such as, but not limited to, at least one polyethylene board. The rigid support member may be further supported by at least one rigid support strip that may be positioned at intervals along the rigid support member. The rigid support strips may be positioned generally vertically within the garden bag body 12. The rigid support member and the rigid support strips may be formed from one or more rigid materials that are configured to keep the opening 20 in an opened position. The rigid support member and the rigid support strips may be formed from one or more rigid materials that are configured to provide support to a person sitting on the garden bag 10 as a seat.

The garden bag 10 may include an openable lid 22 attached on one side to the garden bag body. The openable lid 22 may have a generally rectangular shape, and in one embodiment may be generally square. The openable lid 22 may be sized to be approximately equal to the shape of the opening 20. The lid 22 may be reinforced with materials, such as, but not limited to, a polyethylene board. The openable lid 22 may include a zipper to releasably attach the lid 22 to the garden bag body 12. The zipper may be any appropriate size and configuration.

The garden bag 10 may also include a pocket 24 on an inner surface 18 of the garden bag body 12 that is configured to contain a knee pad system 26. Alternately, or in addition, the garden bag 10 may include a pocket 24 on an inner surface 23 of the openable lid 22. The pocket 24 may include a strap 28 for retaining the knee support system 26 within the pocket 24. The pocket 24 may be formed from a woven or non- woven fabric or other appropriate material. The strap 28 may be releasably attached to the garden bag body 12 with any appropriate system, such as, but not limited to, a hook and loop connector.

As shown in Figure 6, the knee support system 26 may be formed from two fabric covered pads 25 that are connected together to form a single knee support system 26. Each pad 25 may be formed from one or more padded materials, such as, but not limited to, foam. The one or more padded materials may be present as stacked layers of material. The knee support system 26 may be formed from one continuous piece of padded material or from multiple pieces.

A bridge member 30 may connect the two knee pads 25 together yet be flexible enough that the knee pads 25 may be positioned in a relatively flat position, referred to as the usable position, and in a stored position, in which the bridge member 30 is flexed so that the knee pads 25 touch each other. In one embodiment, the knee support system 26 may be generally rectangular in shape when the knee pad system 26 is folded such that the knee pads 25 are touching each other.

The garden bag 10 may also include a bottom wall 32 positioned opposite to the opening 20. The bottom wall 32 may be formed from appropriate materials, such as, but not limited to, fabric. The bottom wall 32 may be flexible or rigid.

The garden bag 10 may include a plurality of pockets 34 attached to an outer surface 18 of the garden bag body 12. The pockets 34 may be positioned such that a bottom of the pockets 34 may be positioned near an intersection between the bottom wall 32 and the garden bag body

12 and may extend upwardly with openings of the pockets 34 directed upwardly. The pockets 34 may extend from the intersection between the bottom wall 32 and the garden bag body 12 and terminate between about one-third and three-quarters of the height of the garden bag body 12 from the intersection. The pockets 34 may extend at least a portion of the circumference of the garden bag body 12, and may extend around the entirety of the circumference of the garden bag body 12. The pockets 34 may be formed with fabric, including solid and mesh fabrics, and may be attached via stitching, other mechanical connection means, or other appropriate ways.

The garden bag 10 may also include a handle 36 attached to the garden bag body 12 for carrying the garden bag 10. The handle 36 may be rigid and formed from any appropriate material such as, but not limited to, metal. The handle 36 may be rotatably attached to the garden bag 10. Bases 38 may be attached to opposing sides of the garden bag body 12. The bases 38 may be sized to sufficiently support the handle 36. The bases 38 may be attached to the garden bag body 12 with mechanical connectors, such as, but not limited to, rivets. The handle 36 may also include a grip enhancing member 40 positioned around the center of the handle to increase a users grip on the handle 36 and to protect the user's hand. The garden bag 10 may be usable in a variety of places, such as with tradesman, gardeners and others.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.