FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present invention relate to golf bag having a bottom member configured to mate with a portion of a golf cart thereby preventing the golf bag from twisting, rotating or falling off while the golf cart is in motion.
BACKGROUND
Carrying golf bags with golf carts is a preferred method for traversing a golf course. Unfortunately, golf bags are placed on the back portion of the golf carts and may shift or fall off the golf cart as the golf cart rides over the undulations of the golf course. Some golf carts may incorporate a strap to retain the golf bags, but the straps are not convenient and need to be undone to remove the golf bags. Moreover, the straps do not prevent the golf bags from twisting and turning on the golf cart.
It would be advantageous to develop a golf bag that was able to mate with the golf cart to prevent from twisting or rotating or falling off while the golf cart is in motion.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to golf bag having a bottom member configured to removably mate with a portion of the golf cart. In one embodiment, the bottom member includes a defined slot or channel configured to fit over or on top of a ridge or edge extending the width of the golf cart's rear platform where golf bags are placed. The slot or channel prevents the golf bag from twisting, rotating or falling off while the golf cart is in motion.
In one embodiment, the bottom portion is integral with the golf bag (i.e., manufactured as part of the golf bag). In another embodiment, the bottom member may be a separate member that can be removably or fixedly attached to any existing golf bag (i.e., aftermarket device).
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a first exemplary golf bag;
FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective side view of a second exemplary golf club bag;
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective bottom view of a golf bag bottom member according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective top view of the golf bag bottom member according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective side view of the golf bag bottom member according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a golf bag with the golf bag bottom member on a golf club bag according to the embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates golf bags having the golf bag bottom members placed on a golf cart according to the embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a conventional golf cart of the type that the embodiments of the present invention may be used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.
The golf bag bottom member detailed herein may be fabricated of metals, plastics, composites, alloys, polymers and combinations thereof and others. The golf bag bottom member may be fabricated using suitable techniques including molding, machining, rapid prototyping, casting and combinations thereof and others.
FIG. 1A shows a side view of an exemplary golf bag 100 of the type that may benefit from the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1B shows a second exemplary golf bag 105 of the type that may benefit from the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1B also shows a bottom 110 of the golf bag 105. Bottom 110 is a conventional golf bag bottom that is generally flat. Those skilled in the art will recognize that most golf bags, whether newly manufactured or already in the market, can benefit from the embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A through 2C show a bottom member 120 configured to be integrally manufactured into a new golf bag or attached to an existing golf club bag having a conventional bottom. As shown, the bottom member 120 comprises a housing 125 defining a cavity 130. The cavity 130 is configured to receive a bottom portion of a golf bag for attachment thereto. An outer bottom surface of the bottom member 120 includes a raised ridge or lip 135 adjacent to a slot or channel 140. The slot or channel 140 is defined by raised ridge 135 and a central portion 145 of the bottom member 120. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the housing 125 can take on any shape and size contingent only upon having a raised ridge or lip, defined slot or channel and being attachable to a bottom portion of a golf bag.
FIG. 3 shows the bottom member 120 attached to a golf bag 150. Attachment of the bottom member 120 to the golf bag 150 may be accomplished via any known or unknown means including adhesives, sewing, fasteners, thermal bonding, etc.
FIG. 4 shows a pair of golf bags 155 and 160 placed on a golf cart in a conventional manner. Golf bag 155 has a flat bottom while golf bag 160 has the bottom member 120 attached. The golf bag 155 with the flat bottom is not joined in any manner to the golf cart and remains in place, if at all, based on the weight of the golf bag and clubs and friction between the flat bottom of the golf bag 155 and the golf cart platform 165 upon which the golf bag 155 sits. The golf bag 160 with the bottom member 120 removably secures the golf bag 160 via the slot or channel 140 receiving an edge 170 of the golf cart platform 165 upon which the golf bag 160 sits.
FIG. 5 shows a conventional golf cart 175 with a golf bag platform 180 including an edge 180 which the slot or channel 140 may receive. The edge 180 is top of a wall defining part of a basin in which the golf bags are placed. The bottom member 120 detailed herein may be used with any golf cart having such an edge capable of being received by the slot or channel 140 in the bottom member 120. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the slot or channel 140 may be sized as needed to accommodate various golf cart designs and various portions of the golf cart platform or other areas of the golf cart.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20240390748
