The present invention relates generally to golf bags. More particularly, it relates to improved golf bag components. Most particularly, it relates to golf bag carrying systems, stand systems, and a stand storage structure.
In a dual-strap golf bag carrying system, two shoulder straps are attached to a golf bag, usually at the middle and top portions of the golf bag. A bag carrier's arms are inserted into the shoulder loops and the weight of the golf bag is shared between the shoulders. Human shoulders typically have a downward slope. As such, the heavier the contents of a golf bag utilizing a conventional dual-strap carrying system, the more readily the straps will slide off the user's shoulders. Accordingly, there remains a need for a dual-strap carrying system with superior fit and increased comfort that does not slide off the user's shoulders. Furthermore, there also remains a need for a dual-strap carrying system that can also function exceedingly well as a single-strap carrying system for carrying a golf bag short distances or as a player approaches his or her ball.
Conventional golf bag stand systems may include bent wires or the like that act as springs for extending and retracting stand system legs. Generally, the force of setting the golf bag on the ground pushes upward on a pair of bent wire spring members which act to force the legs outward. A variety of problems are caused by the fact that bent wire forms are not always identically produced. For example, imprecise bent wires result in unpredictable stand system actuation, i.e., the legs open at different widths with respect to each other. Furthermore, most conventional bent wires require a tensioning device to control the amount of spring force applied to the leg pivots. This spring force pulls the extended legs toward the center of the bag and frequently causes the legs to impact the bent wires or actuator components making an undesirable clicking noise.
Additional disadvantages of such a conventional stand system include the possibility of two legs crossing into an “X” when retracted due to imprecise bent wires or one or both of the legs getting caught behind the bent wires and preventing leg extension. Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved stand system that provides easy and reliable extension and retraction of the system's legs.
Golf bags are typically of the stand-type (as briefly described above) for walkers, and of the cart-type for riders. Cart-type golf bags typically do not include a stand system and are designed to hold all of a golfer's gear, in addition to golf clubs, since the bag will be transported on a golf cart and weight is not a concern. They frequently do not independently stand safely upright in a terrain typically found on a golf course (e.g., uneven ground, hills, etc.). Stand-type golf bags include a stand system (as briefly described above) and are designed to be carried by a golfer or caddy. Accordingly, stand-type golf bags are typically designed to be lighter than cart-type golf bags.
Some golfers may walk during one golf game and ride a cart during another. Accordingly, the different types of golf bags (stand versus cart) can make such variations in play cumbersome. Alternatively, a golfer may be compelled to own two styles of bags (one stand-style and one cart-style) and switch between them. A golfer who owns only one style of golf bag will be forced to awkwardly use the bag in a manner inconsistent with the design of the bag, i.e., carrying a cart-type golf bag or transporting a stand-type golf bag via a golf cart. A disadvantage of carrying a cart-type golf bag is that it will not likely independently stand safely upright and, therefore, it must be laid down. This makes it awkward for the golfer to retrieve and return clubs and, of course, increases the likelihood that the golf bag will get dirty and/or wet. A disadvantage of transporting a stand-type golf bag via a golf cart is that the stand system protrudes from the profile of the golf bag and interferes with other components (e.g., the metal bracket of a motorized golf cart or cart straps) transported on the golf cart. Furthermore, typical damage to a protruding stand system due to repeated use on a motorized golf cart includes bent wire assemblies affecting stand actuation, bent or broken legs, and/or broken leg brackets.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a hybrid golf bag that will independently stand upright and will not interfere with other components on a golf cart.
The present invention provides a golf bag including a carrying system having two members attached to a surface of the golf bag and arranged to form an “X” pattern. A casing is affixed to the golf bag and defines a recess in a surface of the golf bag. A stand system is mounted in the recess. The stand system includes a pair of attached pivotal members and a center rod assembly disposed between the pivotal members. The stand system further includes a spring mounted to an upper end of the center rod assembly, whereby compression and release of the spring cause the pivotal members to pivot between extended and retracted positions.
The present invention also provides a dual-strap carrying system for use with a golf bag exerting a downward force on the dual-strap carrying system and having an open end, a mid-section, and a closed end. The dual-strap carrying system includes a segmented left-shoulder strap and a segmented right-shoulder strap, each of open loop configuration and extending in a generally longitudinal direction between spaced attachment points along the golf bag. The dual-strap carrying system further includes a left-side back member and a right-side back member pivotally connected to each other by a center pivot point device.
The present invention further provides a stand system for use with a golf bag having an open end and a closed end. The stand system includes a ground engaging member pivotally attached adjacent the closed end of the golf bag. A pair of pivotal members is attached adjacent the open end of the golf bag. A center rod assembly is disposed between the pivotal members. A spring is disposed at an upper portion of the center rod assembly. A tilting of the golf bag toward the ground engaging member causes an upward ground force to be exerted upon the ground engaging member and translated to an upward force upon the center rod assembly, thereby compressing the spring and causing the pivotal members to pivot in an outward direction away from the golf bag to an extended position. A tilting of the golf bag from the extended position away from the ground engaging member causes the upward ground force to be removed from the ground engaging member and the center rod assembly, thereby permitting the spring to expand and causing the pivotal members to pivot in an inward direction toward the golf bag to a retracted position.
The present invention also provides a casing for use with a golf bag. The casing includes a shell affixed to an outer surface of the golf bag. The shell defines a recess that houses a stand system in a recessed configuration.
The present invention further provides a golf bag including a frame defining top, bottom, and sides of the golf bag with a covering connected to and overlying the frame. At least two carrying members having at least four ends are attached to the frame at spaced apart locations so that the carrying members are arranged in a crossing pattern. A casing is affixed to the frame and defines a recess in a surface of the covering. The golf bag further includes a bag stand having at least two pivotal members, having fixed and free ends, mounted with the fixed ends adjacent to the top of the frame. A rod is located between the pivotal members and extends between the top and bottom of the frame. A connecting linkage connects the two pivotal members and the rod. An elastic element is operatively associated with the pivotal members and the connecting linkage. Actuation of the elastic element causes the pivotal members to move away from and toward the recess in the casing.
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front,” “back,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of two or more items, such as A, B, or C, means any individual one of A, B, or C, as well as any combination thereof.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout.
Referring to
The segmented left-shoulder strap 22 includes a forward strap segment 34 having a forward end 36 attached at a forward attachment point 26 disposed substantially along the mid-section 14 of the golf bag 10. The forward strap segment 34 further includes a rearward end 38. The segmented left-shoulder strap 22 further includes a rearward strap segment 52 having a rearward end 54 attached at a rearward attachment point 32 disposed substantially along the mid-section 14 of the golf bag 10. The rearward strap segment 52 further includes a forward end 56.
The segmented right-shoulder strap 24 includes a forward strap segment 46 having a forward end 48 attached at a forward attachment point 30 disposed substantially adjacent the open end 12 of the golf bag 10. The forward strap segment 46 further includes a rearward end 50. The segmented right-shoulder strap 24 further includes a rearward strap segment 40 having a rearward end 42 attached at a rearward attachment point 28 disposed substantially adjacent the open end 12 of the golf bag 10. The rearward strap segment 40 further includes a forward end 44.
The dual-strap carrying system 20 further includes a left-side back member 58 having a forward end 60 and a rearward end 62. Referring to
The downward force exerted by the golf bag 10 on the dual-strap carrying system 20 is increased as heavier contents are added to the golf bag 10 and/or as user activity produces dynamic loads. Such an increase in the downward force causes each rearward end 62, 70 of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 to rotate in an outwardly direction with respect to each other. The left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 pivot in a reverse scissor motion. Accordingly, rotation of each rearward end 62, 70 of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 in an outwardly direction with respect to each other causes each forward end 60, 68 of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 to rotate in an inward direction with respect to each other. Such movement causes each forward strap segment 34, 46 of the segmented left-shoulder strap 22 and the right-shoulder strap 24 to move toward each other, helping to prevent the straps 22, 24 from sliding off the user's shoulders.
The dual-strap carrying system 20 can be converted for single-strap use over either shoulder as desired. Pivotal attachment between either one of the left-side or right-side back members 58, 64 and its respective forward strap segment 34, 46 helps facilitate such single-strap use.
Each of the attachments of the rearward ends 62, 70 of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 to the forward end 56, 44 of the rearward strap segment 52, 40 of the respective segmented left-shoulder strap 22 and segmented right-shoulder strap 24 is adjustable. Such adjustability helps to achieve a superior fit and increased comfort for the user. Alternatively, each of the attachments of the forward ends 60, 68 of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 to the rearward end 38, 50 of the forward strap segment 34, 46 of the respective segmented left-shoulder strap 22 and segmented right-shoulder strap 24 may be adjustable, and/or the golf bag attachment points 26, 28, 30, 32 may be adjustable.
The center pivot point device 66 includes at least one stop to limit the rotation of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 with respect to each other. Furthermore, the center pivot point device 66 is releasable for ease of assembly. As illustrated in
Each of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 is molded from plastic material. The present invention, however, is not limited to such material, and each of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 may be molded or machined from composite material or any other material rigid enough to perform the above-stated functions. Each of the left-side back member 58 and the right-side back member 64 is covered with padding 74 and fabric 76, as illustrated in
Each of the forward strap segments 34, 46 of the left-shoulder strap 22 and the right-shoulder strap 24 includes at least one pocket 23 containing beads 25 made from expanded polystyrene plastic, as illustrated in
The dual-strap carrying system 20 is stowable (not shown) within a pocket 11 (shown in
Referring to
A top frame 92 is attached adjacent the open end 12 of the golf bag 10. A lateral bracket 94 is secured to the top frame 92. As illustrated in
Each of a pair of pivotal members 108 is attached adjacent the open end 12 of the golf bag 10. More specifically, each of the pivotal members 108 includes a top portion disposed within the cap members 104.
A center rod assembly 110 is disposed between the pivotal members 108. The center rod assembly 110 includes an outer tube 112 having an upper portion and a lower portion, the outer tube 112 extending along a substantial length of the center rod assembly 110 and the lower portion disposed within the elongated adjustment assembly 90. The center rod assembly 110 further includes an inner tube guide 114. Referring to
A knuckle 118 is secured to the upper portion of the outer tube 112. As illustrated in
Referring to
An annular rotatable locking lever 130 is disposed about the substantially vertical flexible fingers 124 of the gripping device 122 of the knuckle 118. A washer 132 is fully disposed annularly about the inner tube guide 114 (as shown in
A spring 134 is disposed at an upper portion of the center rod assembly 110. The spring 134 is disposed about the inner tube guide 114, the spring 134 having a top end disposed within the center housing 100 of the bracket 94 and a bottom end abutting against a top surface of the washer 132.
In the unlocked position of the locking lever 130, a tilting of the golf bag 10 toward the ground engaging member 86 causes an upward ground force to be exerted upon the ground engaging member 86 and translated through the link 88 resulting in an upward force upon the outer tube 112. In other words, the translation of force through the link 88 translates a radial motion of the ground engaging member 86 to a substantially vertical linear motion of the outer tube 112. The tilting of the golf bag 10 toward the ground engaging member 86 further causes a downward force from the center housing 100 of the lateral bracket 94 which causes the inner tube guide 114 to move longitudinally into the outer tube 112. Such movement causes an upward force from the washer 132 to compress the spring 134, thereby causing the connecting members 128 to pivot in an outward direction away from the golf bag 10, which causes the pivotal members 108 to pivot in an outward direction away from the golf bag 10 to an extended position as illustrated in
A tilting of the golf bag 10 from the extended position shown in
Throughout movement of the stand system 80 between the extended position (
The pivotal members 108 and the center rod assembly 110 are machined from aluminum material. The present invention, however, is not limited to such material, as the pivotal members 108 and the center rod assembly 110 may be made from other metals, plastic, composite material, or any other material strong enough to perform the above-described functions.
The connecting members 128 are made from rigid plastic material. The present invention, however, is not limited to such material, as the connecting members 128 may be made from other metal, composite material, or any other material rigid enough to perform the above-described functions.
Referring to
The configuration and functionality of the stand system 80 of the hybrid cart/stand-style golf bag is virtually identical to those described above with reference to
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described which should be considered as merely exemplary. Further modifications and extensions of the present invention may be developed and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
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