GOLF BAG ACCESSORY RACK SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A golf bag system that includes a golf bag having a door and a plurality of inserts included on a front surface of a golf bag. The golf bag system is useful for providing an organized system and method for golf accessories to improve the game playing experience. The bag includes a golf club receiving slots around the outside of the bag. In some versions, the slots are customized to conform to a specific golf club.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the provided information is prior art or material to the described or claimed inventions.

Description of Related Art

Golf equipment encompasses the various items that are used to play the sport of golf. Types of equipment include golf balls, implements designed for striking the golf ball, devices that aid in the process of playing a stroke, and items that, in some way, improve the golf experience. Golf bags are commonly used devices to aid in storing and transporting the various items used to play golf. Present-day golf bags provide a disorganized system for storing the golf equipment. Items can become misplaced, becoming frustrating for a user to enjoy the playing experience. Therefore, a suitable solution is required.

US Pub. No. 2013/0153615 to Brian Bond Gibson relates to a Golf Cart Club Rack. The described golf cart blub rack includes two parallel shelves forming a frame that can be attached to the carry golf bag frame of a motorized golf cart to accommodate two player's golf clubs and accessories. The two shelves have notched cavities to hold the maximum number of clubs a golfer may legally carry during a round of golf. The cavities hold the clubs securely in position while offering easy access and visibility for removal and replacement during a round of golf. The golf cart club rack is molded to hold and secure both right-hand and left-hand golf clubs. The golf cart club rack carries golf accessories required during a round, including individual locations for tees, balls, club brush, ball retriever, and umbrella, as well as provision for a separate accessory box. The rack can also be fitted with a club lock for added security.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Given the preceding disadvantages inherent in the known golf bag art, the present disclosure provides a novel golf bag system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a golf bag system and method.

The disclosed golf bag system comprises a golf bag with a back surface, a front surface, a left surface, and a right surface with golf club receiving slots vertically disposed in one or more of the surfaces. Generally, golf club receiving slots face outward. In some versions, the slots are ½ to ⅞ of the length of the golf club destined for the slot. In some versions, the slot has an interior shape that conforms to the shape of a golf club grip and may have other slot regions in which the interior shape conforms to the shape of a golf club shaft. This shaping facilitates the golf bag's ability to retain golf clubs within the slots during use. Various versions of the golf bag include 2 to 14 slots or 2 to 10 places for golf clubs. In some versions, ten of the slots are adapted to be slots for irons 20, and three of the slots are adapted to be slots for woods 10. For instance, a useful golf bag comprises five iron slots on the left side, five iron slots on the right side, three wood slots on the back, and a holder for the putter 30 somewhere in the golf bag, attached to the golf bag cart, or attached to the back of the golf bag. And in some versions, the golf bag includes a slot for a putter 30 on an outside surface. In some versions, the slot has a shape that conforms to the golf club grip and shaft along most of the slot length or all of the slot length to grip the club tightly during use.

In these or other versions, the golf bag comprises tubes to receive and dispense golf balls and golf-tee holders situated to dispense golf tees through a side, such as the front, of the golf bag.

In certain embodiments, each club has a lock mechanism that prevents the clubs from moving and twisting around. The lock opens when you pull the golf club out and closes when you push the club back in. The locks resemble fingers on a hand. When the palm faces up, and an individual pushes in the middle of the palm, the fingers close and secure the club. The gripping mechanism for the golf clubs can be made with a key lock or numbers lock to prevent clubs from being stolen during storage or transport.

According to another embodiment, a golf bag system method of use is also disclosed herein. The golf bag system includes removing accessories from the golf bag, inserting accessories into the golf bag after use, optionally opening door 1117 to access interior compartment 2117, and optionally closing door 1117 to remove access to the internal storage. The method may further comprise locking the golf clubs and unlocking the golf clubs, as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a golf bag system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf bag system during an ‘in-use’ condition.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf bag system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another view of the golf bag system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a golf bag overhead.

FIG. 4B is another schematic view of a golf bag overhead.

FIG. 4C is another schematic view of a golf bag overhead.

FIG. 4D is another schematic view of a golf bag overhead.

FIG. 4E is another schematic view of a golf bag overhead.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the golf bag system.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative version of the golf bag system.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative version of the golf bag system.

FIG. 8 is a back view of an alternative version of the golf bag system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Woods                      10
Wedges                     20
Irons                      20
Putter                     30
Golf bag system            100
Golf bag                   110
Left surface               111
Right surface              113
Surface                    115
Front surface              117
Top                        118
Ground - contact base      119
Golf - ball sleeve         136
Ball - retention opening   137
Golf - tee inserts         138
Method                     500
Step one                   501
Step two                   502
Step three                 503
Step four                  504
Golf - club receiving slot 1000
Vertical opening           1001
Club region                1010
Profile                    1011
Club - less region         1015
Door                       1117
Optional golf bag cart     2000
Interior compartment       2117
Slots                      7000
Slot                       7001
Slot                       7002

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to golf bags and, more particularly, to a golf bag system and method as used to improve the playing experience of golf.

Generally, golf bags have been utilized for improving the golf-playing experience. Many golf bags include the same design where golf clubs are contained within one compartment with no separations. This design often allows golf clubs to become misplaced or inhibit the movement of removing other golf clubs. Furthermore, it may be frustrating for a user to find the type of golf club they desire to use.

The present disclosure may provide for a more functional and aesthetically pleasing golf bag. Golf clubs may be separately stored on the outside. Furthermore, the golf clubs may be organized by category (i.e., woods 10, irons and wedges 20, putters 30, etc.). By using this design, the present disclosure may provide golf clubs that are positioned and organized in a way that may make it easier and more convenient for the user to access. The golf bag system may be described as a reversed golf bag platform.

FIGS. 1-4 show various views of a golf bag system 100. FIG. 1 shows golf bag system 100. Here, the golf bag system 100 may be used to organize golf accessories to improve playing golf. As illustrated, golf bag system 100 may include a golf bag 110 having left surface 111 opposite a right surface 113, and a back surface 115 opposite a front surface 117 that is open. Additionally, golf bag 110 may include a top 118 that is substantially sloped toward front surface 117 and opposite a ground-contact base 119 that is flat.

Golf bag 110 can comprise golf ball tube 136 with ball-retention openings 137 located in the front surface 117.

Golf bag 110 may also comprise golf-tee inserts 138 that have dimensions to hold golf tees. In some versions, golf-tee inserts 138 are located below golf ball tube 136.

FIG. 2 shows golf bag system 100 of FIG. 1. As above, golf bag system 100 may include golf bag 110 having left surface 111 opposite right surface 113 and back surface 115 opposite front surface 117. Additionally, golf bag 110 may include top 118 being sloped toward front surface 117 and opposite base 119. Front surface 117 contains door 1117. Golf bag 110 can use friction to retain golf clubs in slot 1000. In such versions, vertical opening 1001 may have an engineered width. An engineered width is defined as being smaller than the golf club grip or the golf club shaft to retain the club in the golf club receiving slot 1000, but large enough to slightly deform as the club passes through slot 1001.

The golf club shape changes depending on where along the shaft the shape is measured. Golf clubs have diameters and cross-sections that vary along the length of the club. These variations create a profile 1011 (or interior shape). In some versions, slot 1000, instead of being circular or conical, has a reverse or mirror profile from that of the golf club. These types of slot versions contact the club more extensively than slots that lack a reverse or mirror profile.

Golf bag 110 has slots 1000 located at a variety of positions. Some versions have slots 1000 located along two or more or three or more sides of golf bag 110. One version of golf bag 110 has ten slots for irons 20 or irons and wedges 20, five located in left surface 111, and five located on right surface 113. Some versions have three slots for woods 10 located along back surface 115.

Golf bag 110 can use gravity to retain the club in slot 1000. In these versions, the club would pass into slot 1000 from the top, grip first, for example.

FIG. 3 shows golf bag 110 with interior compartment 2117.

FIG. 4 shows overhead schematic views of horizontal cross-sections of various versions of golf bag 110.

Golf club slot 1000 sits vertically on the golf bag 110. In some versions, golf bag 110 has more than one club slot 1000. In various versions, slot 1000 sits along the perimeter of golf bag 110 (looking downward on golf bag 110). Spacing between slots 1000 need not, but can, be uniform. In some versions, slots 1000 sits on one-half to three-quarters of the perimeter defining club region 1010 and club-less region 1015.

In some versions, club-less region 1015 sits along front surface 117. This arrangement allows access to interior compartment 2117 located behind compartment door 1117, golf ball tubes or sleeves 136, and golf-tee inserts 138 without disturbing golf clubs located in the golf club slots 1000. Golf-tee inserts 138 extend into golf bag 110. These golf-tee inserts 138 have a length and width sized to fit regulation or non-regulation golf tees. In some versions, friction retains a golf-tee placed in golf-tee insert 138.

Golf ball sleeve 136 sits inside golf bag 110 and exits a surface of golf bag 110 at or through ball-retention opening 137. Golf ball sleeve 136 comprises a mechanism to bias golf balls toward ball-retention opening 137. For instance, a spring inside of golf ball sleeve 136 to push the golf balls upward toward the opening 137 is a suitable biasing mechanism. In some versions, golf-tee insert 138 retains golf balls inside of golf ball sleeve 136. For instance, golf-tee insert 138 could have a diameter slightly smaller than tube 136 and a golf ball. This structural arrangement retains the golf ball but allows it to release when grasped.

Golf club slot 1000 receives a golf club and supports the club vertically. In some versions, slot 1000 fixes the clubhead up and grip down. Typically, slot 1000 has a vertical opening 1001 through which the club passes. FIG. 4A shows golf bag 110 with a square cross-section. Slots 1000 are arranged along two sides of golf bag 110. FIG. 4B shows golf bag 110 with slots arranged along three sides of golf bag 110. FIG. 4C shows golf bag 110 with a rectangular cross-section. And FIG. 4D shows golf bag 110 with a triangular cross-section.

FIG. 4E shows golf bag 110 with a circular cross-section and slots 1000 arranged around part of the circle's perimeter. Versions of golf bag 110 with different cross-sections, as discussed here, are merely exemplary and other shapes and sizes are within the scope of this invention.

In use, clubs are installed in the slots 1000. Other accessories can be placed into the interior compartment 2117. Golf balls can be placed into golf ball sleeve 136, passing through opening 137, and golf tees can be placed in golf-tee inserts 138.

When desired, a user retrieves an appropriate club from slot 1000 and optionally retrieves a golf ball or a golf-tee.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using 500 a golf bag system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, method 500 golf bag system 100 may include one or more components or features of golf bag system 100, as described above. As illustrated, method 500 golf bag system may include the steps of step one 501, removing accessories from golf bag 110; step two 502, inserting accessories into golf bag 110 after use; step three 503, opening door 1117 to access interior compartment 2117; and step four 504, closing door 1117.

Step three 503 and step four 504 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500.

FIG. 6 depicts an alternate version of the golf bag system 100. This figure shows front surface 117, golf ball sleeve 136, golf-tee inserts 138, and left surface 111 for orientation of this version with previously described versions. This figure shows woods 10, 3 of them across the back of the golf bag. Ten individual irons 20, including wedges, are located on the golf bag, five clubs on the right side, and five clubs on the left side. Putter 30 is not shown in this figure.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative version of the golf bag system 1000. This figure shows the right side of the golf bag system 100 depicted in FIG. 6. Putter 30 mounts on the back of the golf bag system 100. In this view, the optional golf bag cart 2000 is depicted as well. FIG. 7 shows a more direct view of the irons 20. This version of the golf bag system 100 holds the irons partially using gravity with the grip oriented downward and partially using slots 7000 on the top 118 of system 100 that conform to the shape of the irons 20 or otherwise secure the irons 20 in place.

FIG. 8 depicts a back view of the golf bag system 100 of FIGS. 6 and 7. This back provides a better view of how putter 30 connects to the golf bag system 100 in this version. A slot 7001 receives the grip of putter 30, and a slot 7002 receives a lower portion of the shaft of putter 30.

Claims

1. A golf bag comprising at least a back surface, a left surface, and a right surface and a golf-club receiving slot vertically disposed in a surface facing outward.

2. The golf bag of claim 1 wherein the length of the slot is ½ to ⅞ of the length of the golf club.

3. The golf bag of claim 2 wherein the slot has an interior shape with a portion that conforms to the shape of a golf club grip.

4. The golf bag of claim 3 wherein the interior shape further comprises a portion that conforms to the shape of a golf club shaft.

5. The golf bag of claim 4 comprising two to fourteen slots.

6. The golf bag of claim 5 wherein 10 of the slots are iron slots that sit in or on the left and right surfaces.

7. The golf bag of claim 6 wherein three of the slots are wood slots that sit in or on the back surface.

8. The golf bag of claim 3 comprising 2-14 slots.

9. The golf bag of claim 8 wherein 10 of the slots are iron slots that sit in or on the left and right surfaces, and three of the slots are wood slots that sit in or on the back surface.

10. The golf bag of claim 2 further comprising a golf-ball tube.

11. The golf bag of claim 10 further comprising 2-14 slots.

12. The golf bag of claim 11 wherein 10 of the slots are iron slots that sit in or on the left and right surfaces.

13. The golf bag of claim 12 wherein three of the slots are wood slots that sit in or on the back surface.

14. The golf bag of claim 2 comprising 2-14 slots.

15. The golf bag of claim 14 wherein 10 of the slots are iron slots that sit in or on the left and right surfaces.

16. The golf bag of claim 15 wherein three of the slots are wood slots that sit in or on the back surface.

17. The golf bag of claim 1 comprising 2-14 slots.

18. The golf bag of claim 17 wherein 10 of the slots are iron slots that sit in or on the left and right surfaces.

19. The golf bag of claim 18 wherein three of the slots are wood slots that sit in or on the back surface.

20. The golf bag of claim 1 wherein the slot has an interior shape with a portion that conforms to the shape of a golf-club grip and a portion that conforms to the shape of a golf club shaft.