Combination pannier bag, valise and back pack

Claim 2

The pannier bags which comprise: Means shaped to define a pair of independent storage compartments having compatible wall surfaces positionable in opposed face-to-face relation; a hanger subassembly carried on said compatible wall surfaces adapted upon actuation to releasably hang each compartment independent of the other between spaced elements of a supporting frame; said hanger subassembly including a dependent hold-down hook normally hanging below the bottom of the bags in its retracted position; handleforming means attached to the upper marginal portion of at least one compatible wall surface intermediate the ends thereof; and, a zipper-type fastener attached to the marginal areas along both sides and across the bottom of the compatible wall surfaces cooperating therewith in fastened condition to define an upwardly-opening pocket effective to retain the hanger subassemblies carried by the latter while preventing same from hanging or dropping out through the open bottom, said fastener also cooperating in fastened condition with the compartments and handle-forming means to define a unitary valise-type carrying case.

Claim 3

The pannier bags which comprise: means shaped to define a pair of independent storage compartments having compatible wall surfaces positionable in opposed face-to-face relation; a hanger subassembly carried on said compatible wall surfaces adapted upon actuation to releasably hang each compartment independent of the other between spaced elements of a supporting frame, said hanger subassemblies including a pair of downturned hook-forming means arranged in longitudinally-spaced relation along the top of each compatible wall surface, a coiled tension spring attached to said wall surfaces between the downturned hook-opening means, and a third upturned hook suspended from the lower end of said spring beneath the downturned hook-forming means for movement relative thereto; guide means attached to the compatible wall surface defining an upwardly-directed channel positioned to receive the spring and prevent same from moving from side-to-side while permitting it to move freely up and down; and, fastener means carried by adjoining marginal portions of the compatible wall surfaces adapted upon actuation to connect said compartments together to form a unitary assembly.

Claim 4

The pannier bags which comprise: means shaped to define a pair of independent storage compartments having compatible wall surfaces positionable in opposed face-to-face relation; a hanger subassembly carried on said compatible wall surfaces adapted upon actuation to releasably hang each compartment independent of the other between spaced elements of a supporting frame, said hanger subassemblies including a pair of downturned hook-forming means arranged in longitudinally-spaced relation along the top of each compatible wall surface, a coiled tension spring attached to said wall surfaces between the downturned hook-opening means, and a third upturned hook suspended from the lower end of said spring beneath the downturned hook-forming means for movement relative thereto; guide means attached to the compatible wall surface defining an upwardly-directed channel positioned to receive the spring and prevent same from moving from side-to-side while permitting it to move freely up and down; and, fastener means carried by adjoining marginal portions of the compatible wall surfaces adapted upon actuation to connect said compartments together to form a unitary assembly.

Claim 5

The pannier bags as set forth in claim 2 in which: the guide means comprises a length of strap secured to the compatible wall surface in position to bridge the spring intermediate the ends thereof.