BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to golfing accessories, and particularly to a golf bag for carrying a set of golf clubs. Particularly, the golf bag has a slot formed through a wall thereof, allowing the user to remove or insert a golf club through the slot, rather than pulling the club up through the open upper end of the golf bag.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional golf bags are typically tubular or cylindrical bags having an open upper end for receiving a set of golf clubs. Given the typical length of golf clubs, conventional golf bags are relatively long bags and, when placed in an upright position, require the user to extend his or her arm upwardly in order to remove or insert a golf club. Elderly or infirm users may find such arm movement to be painful or injurious. It would be desirable to provide a golf bag that allows a user to insert or remove a golf club without having to uncomfortably overextend his or her arm.
Thus, a golf bag solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The golf bag provides a golf bag for carrying golf clubs, allowing the user to remove the golf clubs through a slot formed through a wall thereof, rather than through the conventional upper opening. The golf bag includes a base having upper and lower opposed surfaces, with the lower surface being adapted for placement on a golf cart or other supporting surface. An internal frame structure is mounted to the upper surface of the base, and the internal frame structure supports an external wall.
The internal frame defines an open interior region for receiving at least one golf club, and an open upper end of the external wall communicates with the open interior region, as is known in conventional golf bags. The internal frame structure includes at least one vertical support forming a spine of the internal frame structure, and at least one horizontal support. Preferably, the horizontal supports are formed as circumferential bands, joined to the vertical support. The external wall is secured to outer faces of the horizontal supports and the vertical support.
A lower end of the external wall is secured to the upper surface of the base, and the slot is formed through a front portion of the external wall, and extends from the open upper end of the external wall to a central region of the external wall. Preferably, the internal support frame includes a substantially U-shaped support mounted to the horizontal supports and positioned opposite the vertical support. The substantially U-shaped support is positioned adjacent the slot formed through the external wall and maintains the slot in a permanently open contour.
Clips for releasably securing at least one golf club within the open interior region are further provided. Preferably, at least one substantially C-shaped clip is mounted to the inner face of one of the horizontal supports. The at least one substantially C-shaped clip is adapted for releasably gripping the shaft of the corresponding golf club. Alternatively, an annular ring or retaining plate may be mounted within the bag, with the retaining plate having a plurality of notches formed along the inner circumference thereof. The shafts of the golf clubs may be respectively received within the notches for releasably retaining the golf clubs therein.
Further, a cover is preferably provided, with the cover being dimensioned and configured to releasably and removably cover and close the upper opening of the external wall and the slot. Fasteners releasably secure the cover to the external wall, such as snaps or the like. The cover may have an opening formed therethrough, allowing for the removal of golf clubs from the golf bag when the cover is in place. Preferably, the opening is closed via a zipper or the like.
At least one golf ball carrier may be attached to the external surface of the external wall and, preferably, a carrying strap is further secured to the external surface.
An alternative embodiment includes many of the features noted above, but provides for the selective removal and replacement of the semicircular club shaft retainer if it becomes worn or damaged. Also, rather than providing a single shoulder strap on the rear of the bag for carriage of the bag, the alternate embodiment bag is devoid of such a shoulder strap but includes a pair of shorter golf cart attachment straps for securing the bag to the conventional rear lateral rail of a golf cart. In this manner, the conventional lateral strap used to secure the golf bag to the back of the cart need not be extended across the bag and its front opening or slot, with the front slot or opening of the bag remaining completely accessible. A rigid handle is provided for handling the golf bag, with a pair of wheels on a laterally telescoping axle being provided for transport of the bag over the surface.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a golf bag according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf bag according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf bag according to the present invention shown rotated 90° from the view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view of an internal frame structure of the golf bag according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a ball carrier of the golf bag according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the golf bag according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a golf bag according to the present invention, showing the removal and installation of a removable club shaft grip therein.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf bag of FIG. 7, showing the securing of the back of the bag to the conventional lateral bag attachment rail at the rear of a golf cart.
FIG. 9 is a partial rear view of the golf bag of FIGS. 7-8, illustrating details of the laterally telescoping wheel axle.
FIG. 10 is a partial elevation view of the golf bag of FIGS. 7-9, shown broken away and partially in section to show details of the base of the bag.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is directed towards a golf bag 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the golf bag 10 provides a bag for carrying golf clubs C, allowing the user to remove one or more golf clubs C through a slot 12 formed through a wall thereof, rather than through the conventional upper opening 60. In a conventional golf bag, clubs C are removed and inserted only through upper opening 60, which requires the user to extend his or her arm upwardly, which can be painful or injurious to elderly or infirm golfers. As shown in FIG. 1, the golf bag 10 allows the user to remove or insert a club C through slot 12, which does not require the user to extend his or her arm in an upward direction.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the golf bag 10 includes a base 16 having upper and lower opposed surfaces, with the lower surface being adapted for placement on a supporting surface (such as the floor of a golf cart, on the ground, etc.). The external wall 14 of the golf bag 10 is secured to the outer surface of an internal frame structure 62, which is shown in FIG. 4. The internal frame structure 62 is mounted to the upper surface of the base 16, and the external wall 14 is secured to the outer surfaces of internal frame structure 62 through any suitable fastener.
The internal frame structure 62 defines an open interior region for receiving at least one golf club C. As shown, the open upper end of external wall 14 communicates with the open interior region, allowing for access to the open interior region (along with access through slot 12, as will be described in detail below). As shown in FIG. 4, the internal frame structure 62 includes at least one vertical support 32, forming a spine of the internal frame structure 62, and at least one horizontal support 30. Preferably, the horizontal supports 30 are formed as circumferential bands joined to the vertical support 32. The external wall 14 is secured to outer faces of the horizontal supports 30 and to the vertical support 32. In FIG. 4, four horizontal supports 30 are shown mounted to vertical support or spine 32. It should be understood that any suitable number of horizontal supports may be provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal supports 30 are preferably in the form of circumferential bands, though at least two of the bands preferably have a substantially C-shaped contour to accommodate U-shaped frame portion 34, as will be explained in further detail below.
A lower end of vertical support 32 is joined to the upper surface of base 16 in any suitable manner. Base 16 is preferably rigid and formed from relatively rugged material, allowing for placement on variable terrain. Base 16 may be formed from polypropylene or any other suitable material.
A lower end of the external wall 14 is secured to the upper surface of the base 16, and the slot 12 is formed through the external wall 14. The slot 12 extends from the open upper end 60 of the external wall 14 to a central region of the external wall 14. As noted above, the internal support frame 62 preferably includes a substantially U-shaped support 34, which is mounted to the horizontal supports 30 and positioned opposite the vertical support 32. The substantially U-shaped support 34 is positioned adjacent the slot 12 formed through the external wall 14 and maintains the slot 12 in a permanently open configuration. The internal frame structure 62, including horizontal supports 30, vertical support 32 and U-shaped support 34, are preferably formed from relatively lightweight metal, such as aluminum or plastic.
Clips for releasably securing at least one golf club C within the open interior region are further provided. Preferably, at least one substantially C-shaped clip 28 is mounted to the inner face of one of the horizontal supports 30, as shown in FIG. 4. The at least one substantially C-shaped clip 28 is adapted for releasably gripping the shaft of the corresponding golf club C. Preferably, approximately fourteen such clips 28 are provided for receiving and retaining a full set of golf clubs. The clips 28 are preferably arranged circumferentially about one of the horizontal bands 30, as shown, and are evenly spaced apart from one another. It should be understood that releasable fasteners other than clips may be used securing the golf clubs C, depending upon the particular types of golf clubs C stored within golf bag 10. Further, it should be understood that clips 28 may be mounted to any suitable portion of the internal surface of the golf bag, rather than only on one of the horizontal bands 30.
In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, clips 28 have been replaced by an annular ring or retaining plate 70. Annular retaining plate 70 has a central opening formed therethrough, and defines a plurality of recesses 72 for retaining the shafts of golf clubs C. Retaining plate 70 may be secured to the interior of the golf bag 10 through the use of any suitable means of attachment, dependent upon the particular needs and desires of the user. Preferably, as shown, the annular ring 70 is substantially C-shaped in contour, with an opening being formed therethrough, adjacent the slot.
As shown, notches or recesses 72 are formed along the inner circumference of annular retaining plate 70. The shafts of golf clubs C may be releasably held within the notches 72. Preferably, there are 14 such notches 72, allowing for reception of a full set of golf clubs C therein.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cover 22 is preferably provided, with the cover 22 being dimensioned and configured to releasably and removably cover and close both the upper opening 60 of the external wall 14 and the slot 12. Cover 22 may be formed from a transparent material, as shown. Preferably, cover 22 is formed from transparent vinyl. The external wall 14 and the cover 22 are formed from relatively flexible materials, allowing for ease in transport and storage. As shown, the cover 22 includes an upper portion for covering the golf club heads above the open upper end 60, and a lower portion for covering slot 12. A fastener for releasably securing the cover 22 to the external wall 14, such as snaps 24 or the like, may be provided. In addition, the cover 22 may have an opening formed therethrough, allowing for the removal of golf clubs C from the golf bag 10 when the cover 22 is in place. Preferably, the opening is closed via a zipper 26 or the like.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least one golf ball carrier 20 may be attached to the external surface of the external wall 14 and, preferably, a carrying strap 18 (shown in FIG. 2) is also secured to the external wall. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of golf ball carriers 20 are provided, each being secured to the external wall 14 on either side of slot 12. An exemplary golf ball carrier 20 is shown in FIG. 5. It should be understood that any number of ball carriers 20 may be provided, and that the ball carriers 20 may be positioned on any suitable portion of the golf bag 10. For example, a pair of ball carriers 20 may be positioned on either side of slot 12, adjacent the side edges of slot 12, rather than being positioned substantially symmetrically about the circumference of the bag, as shown in FIG. 6.
The golf ball carrier 20 preferably has a substantially tubular configuration, which may include a segmented housing 36, as shown. Tabs 48 and 50 are provided at the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the housing 36 for attachment to the external surface of external wall 14.
The housing 36 includes open upper and lower ends, which are releasably closed by upper and lower covers 38, allowing golf balls B to be inserted or removed through either the upper or lower ends. Each cover 38 includes a flap 40 extending outwardly therefrom, and each flap 40 includes a fastener for releasably closing the respective cover 38 to the external surface of housing 36. In FIG. 5, the fastener is shown as being hook and loop fasteners 42, although any suitable releasable fastener may be used. Housing 36 is preferably formed from any suitable flexible material.
FIGS. 7 through 10 provide illustrations of various features of an alternative embodiment of the golf bag, designated as golf bag 110 in the drawings. The golf bag 110 has a general configuration similar to that of the golf bag 10 of FIGS. 1 through 4 and FIG. 6, i.e., the golf bag 110 includes an upstanding wall 112 with an open upper end 114, medial area 116, lower end 118, frontal area or portion 120, and back area or portion 122. The wall 112 further includes an internal surface 124, with a frame 126 therein defining at least the open upper end 114, the lower end 118, and the golf club access slot 128 of the wall 112. The frame 126 defines the shape of the bag 110 when the wall 112 is formed of a non-rigid material. The frame may be omitted if the structural material of which the bag wall 112 is formed is sufficiently sturdy and rigid. The club access slot 128 is formed in the frontal area 120 of the golf bag 110 and extends downwardly at least to the medial area 116 of the wall 112, with the open upper end 130 of the slot 128 communicating with the open upper end 114 of the bag. A cover similar to the cover 22 of the golf bag 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be removably installed over the club access slot 128 and open upper end 130 of the golf bag 110, if so desired. The lower end 118 of the golf bag 110 is closed by a closed, rigid base 132 affixed thereto.
Referring to FIG. 7, cooperating golf club shaft holder retainers are installed upon the inner surface 124 of the wall 112 near the upper end 114 thereof. The lower club shaft holder retainer comprises a semicircumferential lower portion 134a that forms a ledge to support an edge of the golf club holder 136 from below. The single lower portion 134a extends from one edge of the club access slot 128 around the interior of the bag 110 to the opposite edge of the slot 128. The lower retainer portion 134a has radially disposed slots defined therein to provide clearance for golf club shafts secured within the bag by the club shaft holder 136, discussed below. Discrete upper retainer portions 134b are spaced apart radially about the inner surface 124 of the wall 112. The upper retainer portions 134b may be small wedge-shaped members protruding above the lower retainer 134a, or may be pins with oval heads, or may have any desired shape to retain an edge of the golf club holder 136 between the lower retainer 134a and the spaced apart upper retainers 134b. At least one such upper retainer 134b may be provided to each side of the club access slot 128, with others provided about the interior of the bag at any suitable angular interval. The upper retainer portions 134b and the lower retainer portion 134a define a slot for retaining the club shaft holder 136 removably therein, as described below.
A flexible club shaft holder 136 is removably installed within the retaining slot of the club shaft holder retainers 134a and 134b, generally as shown in FIG. 7, and is gripped securely therein. The club shaft holder 136 is preferably formed of a reasonably firm but flexible plastic material and has a generally semicircular configuration with an open center area 138 and a peripheral club access opening 140. A plurality of radially disposed club shaft retaining slots 142 are formed about the inner edge of the club shaft holder 136, the slots 142 communicating with the open central area 138 of the holder 136. Preferably a total of fourteen club shaft retaining slots 142 are provided in the club shaft holder 136 to provide for carriage of the maximum number of clubs permitted for use in tournament play. However, more or fewer such slots 142 may be provided.
The club shaft holder 136 is removably retained within the bag 110 by the club shaft holder retainer portions 134a and 134b, as noted further above. The club shaft holder 136 is installed within the bag 110 with its peripheral club access opening 140 in registry with the open slot 128 of the golf bag 110 to allow golf clubs C (FIG. 8) to be removed from and replaced in the bag 110 through the side slot 128 of the bag, generally as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The removability of the club shaft holder 136 allows it to be removed and replaced when worn or damaged, or for cleaning the holder 136 or to facilitate access to the interior of the golf bag 110 for cleaning or other purposes.
FIG. 8 of the drawings provides a detailed perspective view of the upper rear portion of the golf bag 110, including the golf cart attachment strap assemblies disposed thereon. Golf bags are conventionally secured to a golf cart by means of a rearwardly disposed lateral strap on the cart that passes around the golf bag(s) to capture the bag(s) between a rearward lateral rail extending across the back of the cart and the lateral strap. This works well for securing conventional golf bags to the cart, where access to the clubs within the golf bag is achieved through the open upper end of the bag. However, it will be seen that the laterally disposed strap would pass directly across the club access slot 128 of the golf bag 110 if it is secured to the cart using the conventional rearward lateral strap of the cart.
Accordingly, at least one, but preferably two golf cart attachment strap assemblies are provided to the upper portion of the back area 122 of the golf bag wall 112. Each strap assembly comprises an upper strap 144 affixed to the back area 122 of the bag wall 112 adjacent to the upper end 114 thereof, and a lower strap 146 affixed to the back area 122 of the bag wall 112 above the medial area 116 thereof. Each of the upper straps 144 includes a buckle or clasp component 148 extending from the distal end thereof, with the lower straps also having buckle or clasp components 150 extending from their distal ends. The corresponding buckle or clasp components 148 and 150 may be conventional side latch buckle components or other suitable latch mechanisms. The buckle or clasp components selectively latch together to secure the golf bag 110 to a support structure or the like, e.g., the conventional rearward lateral rail or bar R of a golf cart. In this manner, the club access slot 128 is disposed to the rear, away from the supporting rear rail or bar R of the cart, thus permitting free access to golf clubs C within the bag 110 through the club access slot 128 when the bag 110 is secured to the golf cart.
A rigid handle 152 is affixed to the upper end 114 of the golf bag wall 112 at the back area 122 thereof, or more specifically, to a rigid member defining the upper end or edge of the bag 110. The handle 152 may be made to be removable, if so desired. The rigid upper member may be an extension of the internal frame 126, if so equipped. Alternatively, the golf bag 110 of FIGS. 7 through 10 may be provided with a shoulder strap similar to the shoulder strap 18 of the golf bag 10. The shoulder strap may be provided in addition to or in lieu of the handle 152.
FIG. 9 provides an illustration of a laterally telescoping wheel assembly that may be installed with the golf bag 110. The base 132 of the bag 110 includes laterally spaced, first and second axle holder brackets or bosses, respectively 154 and 156 extending rearwardly therefrom. The axle holders 154, 156 include respective axle passages 158 and 160 therethrough, and first and second axle components 162 and 164 pass through the axle passages 158, 160 of their respective axle holder brackets 154, 156. The axle passages 158 and 160 are sized to provide a fairly tight frictional fit, i.e., an interference fit, for their respective axle components 162 and 164, to prevent the axle components from sliding freely back and forth laterally through the axle holders 154 and 156. Each axle component 162, 164 has an outboard end, respectively 166 and 168, the outboard end 166 of the first axle component 162 having a first wheel 170 rotatably disposed thereon and the opposite outboard end 168 of the second axle component 164 having a second wheel 172 rotatably disposed thereon.
It will be noted that the first axle component 162 has a smaller diameter than the second axle component 164, so that the first axle component 162 telescopes concentrically within the second axle component 164. The inboard portion 174 of the second axle component 164 includes a reduced diameter passage 176 at its extreme end that fits closely about the smaller diameter of the first axle component 162 to allow the first axle component 162 to slide freely therethrough. The inboard portion 178 of the first axle component 162 includes a larger diameter flange 180 extending from its extreme inboard end, the flange 180 being larger than the reduced diameter passage 176 of the second axle component 164. Thus, the inboard portion 178 of the first axle component 162 is free to slide laterally within the inboard portion 174 of the second axle component 164. Escape of the first axle component 162 from the second axle component 164 at its extreme range of travel is prevented by the smaller diameter passage 176 of the second axle component 164 stopping movement of the larger diameter flange 180 of the first axle component 162.
A golfer using the golf bag 110 may expand the width of the two wheels 170, 172 by pulling outwardly on the wheels, thereby drawing their axle components 162, 164 frictionally through their respective bracket passages 158 and 160, resulting in a wheel position somewhat as shown in broken lines in FIG. 9. When more compact storage of the golf bag 110 is desired, the golfer need only tap the two wheels 170 and 172 inwardly with his or her toe to retract the wheels 170, 172 to the positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 9.
FIG. 10 of the drawings provides an elevation view in section of the closed and rigid base 132 of the golf bag 110, illustrating various details thereof. The base 132 includes a shallow, raised, conical central area 182, sloping downwardly and outwardly to drain any water that may collect in the bag 110 toward the periphery of the base 132. Golf clubs C are placed within the bag 110 with their heads extending upwardly from the bag and their grips in the lower portion of the bag. The butt ends of the grips rest in a corresponding plurality of club grip butt receptacles 184 disposed about the periphery of the base 132, the receptacles 184 defining the lowermost portion of the interior of the golf bag 110. Accordingly, each of the club grip butt receptacles 184 is provided with a drain passage 186 therethrough to allow any water that might otherwise collect within the base 132 of the bag 110 to drain therefrom.
The various components of the golf bags 10 and 110 may be combined with one another, e.g., the telescoping wheels, conical base with its club grip butt receptacles, removable club shaft retainer, and cart attachment straps may be used with the golf bag 10 of FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6, while features of the golf bag 10 such as the shoulder strap, cover, and golf ball holder(s) may be installed with the golf bag 110, if desired. In addition, it is recognized that many golf bags are equipped with additional external pockets and compartments for the carriage and storage of accessories such as towels, golf shoes, tees, ball markers, etc., and either of the golf bags 10 or 110 disclosed herein may be equipped accordingly to further enhance their utility.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Patent Application
20100294681
