Patent Application
20240359072
The present disclosure is directed to golf bags, and more particularly to a shoulder strap system for carrying a golf bag.
Golf bags can be designed to be carried while playing golf. Modern day golf bags include shoulder straps that are designed to cause less stress on the user's shoulders, while balancing and eliminating bounce while walking with the golf bag.
One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a golf bag strap support system for supporting a golf bag. In one embodiment, the strap support system comprises a central hub including a hub body and two articulated strap connectors secured to the hub body, and two support straps. Each support strap includes a first end and a second end. Each first end of the support strap is configured to be secured to the golf bag, Each second end of the support strap is secured to the hub body of the central portion. The strap support system further comprises two shoulder straps, with each shoulder strap including a first end and a second end. Each first end of the shoulder strap is configured to be secured to the golf bag. Each second end of the shoulder strap is secured to a strap connector of the two articulated strap connectors of the central hub. The two support straps and the two shoulder straps are configured with respect to the central hub in a generally X-shaped configuration.
Embodiments of the strap support system further may include securing the first end of each support strap to the golf bag at a middle of the golf bag, the first ends of the support straps being spaced from one another. The first end of each shoulder strap may be secured to the golf bag adjacent a top of the golf bag, the first ends of the shoulder straps being spaced from one another a distance similar to the spacing of the first ends of the support straps. The first end of each support strap may have a first part of a connector attached thereto for connecting with a second mating part of the connector attached to the golf bag. The first end of each shoulder strap may have a first part of a connector attached thereto for connecting with a second mating part of the connector attached to the golf bag. Each connector may be a releasable snap-fit connector. The second mating parts of the pivotal connectors may be disposed on the golf bag. Two second mating parts of the connectors may be disposed generally at a middle of the golf bag and two second mating parts of the connectors may be disposed towards a top of the golf bag. The second end of each shoulder strap may be stitched in a loop and secures a D-ring of the two articulated strap connectors. The hub body of the central hub may include a geometric shape having two pairs of opposing sides parallel to which the support straps and the strap rings and the shoulder straps are attached, respectively. The hub body of the central hub may be planar. Each shoulder strap may have a padded portion that engages the shoulder region of a carrier. Each shoulder strap may be stitched to the padded portion along the length of the padded portion in a daisy chain webbing technique to provide further adjustment of the length of the shoulder strap. The hub body of the central hub may include a frame portion and a padded portion secured to the frame portion. The central hub may be configured and arranged to be located generally in a center of a golfer's back when carrying the golf bag and the shoulder straps on both shoulders to provide for balance optimization on the back of the golfer when carrying the golf bag. The shoulder straps may be connected to the hub body of the central hub so that the shoulder straps are diagonally aligned with opposing support straps. The support straps may be attached to the hub body of the central hub at an angle, preferably 90 degree angle to each other. The support straps may be fixedly and permanently attached preferably to the hub body of the central hub at a fixed angle. The shoulder straps may be attached to the hub body of the central hub at an angle, preferably a nominal 90 degree angle to each other, each shoulder strap being pivotable about such a 90 degree angle. The support straps may be attached to the hub body of the central hub at a bottom of the hub body and the shoulder straps are attached to the hub body of the central hub at a top of the hub body.
A golf bag including the strap support system of embodiments of the present disclosure is further disclosed.
Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures are provided for the purposes of illustration and explanation and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures:
With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the description and drawings. Where technical features in the figures or detailed description are followed by these reference numerals, the reference numerals have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the figures or detailed description. Accordingly, neither the reference numerals nor their absence is intended to have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure.
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, they are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as disclosed. It is appreciated that any of the features of any of the embodiments can be used with any of the aspects and embodiments and it is understood that they can so be combined in any manner.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a shoulder strap system for a golf bag enabling a golfer to carry the golf bag with a single strap or with two straps. In one embodiment, the shoulder strap system includes a central pad or disk having two upper fixed strap connections and two lower pivoting strap connections with corresponding but opposite fixed and pivoting connections at the opposite ends, which are secured to the golf bag.
Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to
As shown, the golf bag 10 further includes shoulder strap connectors, two lower connectors 20, 22 provided at proximate the mid-point of the golf bag and two upper connectors 24, 26 provided proximate the top end 12 of the golf bag. The purpose of the connectors 20, 22, 24, 26 will be described as the description of the golf bag 10 and the shoulder strap system proceeds. In one embodiment, each connector 20, 22, 24, 26 can embody a snap-fit connector, such as a side release buckle, for easy connection with mating connectors of the shoulder strap system to the golf bag. Each connector 20, 22, 24, 26 is suitably connected or secured to the golf bag 10 by a small strap, such as a webbing strap that is rugged in construction. The small strap enables the connector 20, 22, 24, 26 to pivot with respect to a surface of the golf bag 10.
Referring additionally to
Referring to
The shoulder strap system 30 further includes two adjustable support straps 36, 38, which are secured to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32. In the shown embodiment, each support strap 36, 38 includes an end that is secured to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 along edges of the central hub. In a certain embodiment, the support straps 36, 38 can be permanently secured to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 as by stitching or the like. As shown, the support straps 36, 38 extend from the central hub 32 at an approximate 90° or so angle with respect to each other.
Each support strap 36, 38 is configured to be secured to the golf bag 10 adjacent at a middle of the golf bag at spaced apart locations on the golf bag. In one embodiment, each support strap 36, 38 further includes a free end having a connector. Specifically, the free end of support strap 36 includes a pivotal connector 40, which, as shown in
The central hub 32 further includes two articulated strap rings or connectors, e.g., D-rings, indicated at 48, 50, which are secured to the hub body 34 and provided to connect straps to the central hub along edges of the hub body generally opposite to the support straps 36, 38. The D-rings 48, 50 are permanently secured to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 and configured to rotate with respect to the central hub along an axis that extends along a respective edge of the hub body. Although D-rings 48, 50 are shown and described herein, it should be understood that any type of connector can be used to secure the ends of the support straps 36, 38. For example, O-shaped, square-shaped or rectangular-shaped rings may be provided.
The D-rings 48, 50 are provided to connect to two relatively longer adjustable shoulder straps, indicated at 52, 54, respectively. The shoulder straps 52, 54 are much longer than support straps 36, 38, and are configured to be slung over the shoulders of the carrier during use. In the shown embodiment, each shoulder strap 52, 54 includes an end that is secured to its respective D-ring 48, 50 by stitching the end of the shoulder strap in a loop about the D-ring. As shown, the shoulder straps 52, 54 extend from the central hub 32 at an approximate 90° or greater angle with respect to each other. The arrangement is such that the support straps 36, 38 and the shoulder straps 52, 54 create a generally X-shaped configuration when extended from the central hub 32. This X-shaped configuration is shown in
Each shoulder strap 52, 54 further includes a free end having a connector. Specifically, the free end of shoulder strap 52 includes a pivotal connector 56, which, as shown in
Each shoulder strap 52, 54 further may include a shoulder pad secured to the webbing strap material to provide padding over the carrier's shoulders during use. As shown, shoulder strap 52 includes shoulder pad 64 and shoulder strap 54 includes shoulder pad 66. Each shoulder pad 64, 66 may be fabricated from any suitable cushioned material that can withstand the wear and tear of use. For example, the shoulder pads 64, 66 may be fabricated from foam material wrapped in ballistic-strength nylon. Each shoulder strap 52, 54 can be stitched to its respective shoulder pad 64, 66 along the length of the shoulder pad and include a daisy chain webbing technique, each indicated at 68, to provide further adjustment of the length of the shoulder strap. For example, two daisy chain webbings 68 are shown spaced apart approximately 15 centimeters (cm) on each shoulder strap 52, 54 when connected to their respective shoulder pad 64, 66. It should be understood that any number of daisy chain webbings can be provided along the length of the length of the shoulder pad 64, 66 at varying distances from one another.
The arrangement is such that the lengths of the support straps 36, 38 and the shoulder straps 52, 54 can be adjusted to fit the carrier. The adjustable slides 44, 46 associated with the support straps 36, 38 and the adjustable slides 60, 62 associated with the shoulder straps can be adjusted to adjust the lengths of the straps. The pivotal connections of the D-rings 48, 50 with respect to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 enable the central hub to provide for balance optimization on the back of the carrier when carrying the golf bag 10. Specifically, when worn, with the shoulder straps 52, 54 of the shoulder strap system 30 over the carrier's shoulders, the central hub 32 is configured and arranged to be located generally in a center of the carrier's back.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Moreover, the articulated connectors, e.g., connectors 26, 40, connectors 22, 42, connectors 24, 56 and connectors 20, 58, enable the ends of the support straps 36, 38 and the shoulder straps 52, 54, respectively, to pivot with respect to the golf bag 10. Further, the opposite ends of the shoulder straps 52, 54 are connected to the D-rings 48, 50 to enable the articulation of the shoulder straps with respect to the central hub 32. This structure enables the shoulder strap system 30 to accommodate carriers having different body types, including persons having broad or narrow shoulders.
It should be understood that the lengths of the support straps 36, 38 and the lengths of the shoulder straps 52, 54 can be varied depending on the person carrying the golf bag. For example, relatively shorter support straps 36, 38 and relatively shorter shoulder straps 52, 54 can be provided for a children's golf bag.
In some embodiments, the types of connectors can be varied depending on the cost and availability of such connectors.
In some embodiments, the shoulder straps 52, 54 are connected to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 so that the shoulder straps are diagonally aligned with the opposing support straps 36, 38.
In some embodiments, the support straps 36, 38 are attached to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 at an angle, preferably 90 degree angle to each other. In one embodiment, the support straps 36, 38 are fixedly and permanently attached preferably to the hub body of the central hub at fixed angle. Unlike the shoulder straps 52, 54, the support straps 36, 38 do not need to be articulated since the distance between the ends of the strap is fixed, i.e., the distance between the connectors 22, 26, and the lengths of the straps, although capable of being shortened or lengthened, can be set so that the 90 degree angle is achieved.
In some embodiments, the shoulder straps 52, 54 are attached to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 at an angle, preferably a nominal 90 degree angle to each other, with each shoulder strap 52, 54 being pivotable about such a 90 degree angle.
In some embodiments, the support straps 36, 38 are attached to the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 at a bottom of the hub body and the shoulder straps 52, 54 are attached to the hub body of the central hub at a top of the hub body.
In some embodiments, the hub body 34 of the central hub 32 includes a geometric shape having two pairs of opposing sides parallel to which the support straps 36, 38 and the D-rings 48, 50 and the shoulder straps 52, 54 are attached, respectively.
While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms of certain exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and improvements can be made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scope thereof. As such, the particular features claimed below and disclosed above can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible permutations and combinations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the systems and methods of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
