Patent Application
20050155882
The present invention relates to pocket closure devices for facilitating retention of and access to items placed therein. Particularly, the present invention relates to a pocket closure device on a golf bag pocket for selectively retaining golf accessories.
Various bags are known in the art to facilitate the transport of smaller items. These include purses, knapsacks, backpacks, duffel bags, luggage, and specialty bags. A golf bag, for example, has become an indispensable part of any golfer's inventory. Typically, a golf bag includes one or more pockets for storing smaller golf accessories such as balls, tees, golf gloves, ball markers, divot repair tools, rain gear and windbreakers. Each pocket has an opening through which one may place items in and retrieve items from. A zipper normally closes the opening.
A zipper, however, is often undesirable due to the time and effort required to actuate the zipper as needed to effectively retrieve and/or retain an item. As the game of golf requires frequent access to golf accessories contained within golf bag pockets, a zipper is often particularly undesirable as applied to golf bag pockets. Indeed, a pocket having a zipper requires that the zipper be actuated in one direction to retrieve an item from the pocket, and then actuated in the opposite direction to effectively retain any items remaining therein. Similarly, where the retrieved item is replaced in the pocket, the zipper must be first actuated to open the pocket, and again actuated to close the pocket. Thus, for any particular item that must be retrieved from the pocket and later replaced, a user must actuate the associated zipper a total of four times.
In addition, a zipper is prone to mechanical failure. Indeed, the zipper may become deformed from use and wear over time, or may become caught in the surrounding fabric, thus rendering the zipper ineffective at least temporarily. The tendency for mechanical failure is exacerbated where a zipper is implemented around the perimeter of a pocket or where the pocket is irregularly shaped, such that the zipper requires actuation over or around a curve.
Accordingly, what is needed is a pocket closure device that facilitates quick and easy access to items contained within a pocket. What is also needed is a pocket closure device that minimizes a risk of mechanical failure of the device. Further what is needed is a pocket closure device that automatically and effectively secures pocket contents.
Such devices are disclosed and claimed herein.
The present invention is a pocket closure device for facilitating retention of and access to items placed in a pocket. Specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention comprise an elongate resilient member laterally disposed along a pocket and attached to a front panel of the pocket and to an outer surface of a golf bag. The elongate resilient member is operationally connected to the front panel and may be selectively biased to open the pocket in a single movement. In addition, the potential energy harnessed by so biasing the resilient member causes the resilient member to automatically seal the pocket opening when the biasing force is removed.
A handle element may be provided to facilitate biasing the front panel of the pocket, as discussed above, to quickly and easily access its contents. A handle element may be incorporated into the elongate resilient member at an attachment point on the pocket. Alternatively, a handle element may reside independently on the front panel of the pocket.
A grip element may be incorporated into the front panel of the pocket to facilitate leverage and transport of the bag. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a grip element may comprise a flap coupled to an outer surface of the front panel of a pocket that has dimensions sufficient to accommodate a hand of a user. In this manner, a user may use the grip element to leverage the bag on one end, while using a second hand to support the opposite end of the bag.
A guard element may extend over an opening of the pocket to further protect pocket contents. The guard element may be attached to the pocket itself, or to an outer surface of a golf bag or other item to which the pocket is attached such that the guard element extends over the pocket opening. In selected embodiments, the guard element may be selectively actuated, and may be removable.
Further, a pocket may incorporate drainage apertures to facilitate cleaning, ventilating and/or draining the pocket.
As the present invention provides a mechanical pocket closure device that utilizes principles of potential energy to provide access to and retention of pocket contents, the present invention avoids the problems of the prior art while improving the security and accessibility of pocket contents.
An object of the present invention is to provide a pocket closure device that facilitates quick and easy access to items contained within a pocket.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pocket closure device that minimizes a risk of mechanical failure of the device.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a pocket closure device that automatically and effectively secures pocket contents.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.
As used in this specification, the term “pocket” refers to any enclosure, pouch, receptacle or container capable of receiving and retaining at least one item. The term “zipper” refers to a fastener consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the teeth together. The term “traditional locking device” refers to any zipper, snap, button, clasp, buckle or any other traditional device known to those in the art by which to secure pocket contents.
Referring now to
The pocket closure device of the present invention comprises biasing means 14 attached to a front panel 6 of a pocket 2 and to a larger bag or item on which the pocket 2 is implemented. Biasing means 14 may comprise plastic, metal, or any elastomeric or other material known to those in the art capable of being biased to harness potential energy. Biasing means 14 may extend from a first point of attachment 20 beyond a lower edge of the pocket 2 to a second point of attachment on a front panel 6 of the pocket 2.
In one embodiment of the present invention, biasing means 14 comprise an elongate resilient member that is substantially U-shaped. The U-shape is defined by two open ends 16, side portions 17, and an adjoining bridge portion 18 such that the bridge portion 18 may be coupled to the pocket front panel 6 and each open end 16 may be biased against either side of the pocket 2 beyond a lower edge of the pocket 2. In this manner, the resilient member substantially seals the pocket opening 4 in a first closed position automatically, absent application of an opposing force. A user may apply force to re-direct the resilient member away from the back panel 8 of the pocket 2 according to a second open position, such that the user may thereby access the pocket opening 4. Once such force is removed, however, the potential energy effectively harnessed by the resilient member in the second open position causes the resilient member to immediately spring back to the first closed position. In this manner, the enclosure device of the present invention automatically and effectively seals the pocket opening 4 upon access, thereby securing the contents contained therein without requiring a traditional locking device.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a handle element 24 may be implemented in connection with the biasing means 14 to facilitate access to pocket contents. A handle element 24 may comprise a finger pull, a cross bar, or any other means known to those in the art by which to facilitate application of an opposing force to biasing means 14. One embodiment of a handle element 24 in accordance with the present invention comprises a cross bar integrally formed with the biasing means 14, such that a user may grip and pull the cross bar to directly effectuate a second open position. As discussed above, the cross bar need only be released to effectively and automatically re-seal the pocket opening 4 in its first closed position.
A pocket 2 may optionally incorporate a grip element 26 to facilitate leverage and transport of an item on which it is implemented. In particular, a grip element 26 may be integrated onto a front panel 6 of a pocket 2 on a bag such that a user may leverage one end of the bag by way of the grip element 26 while supporting a second end of the bag with the other hand. A grip element 26 may comprise a flap coupled to an outer surface of the front panel 6 of a pocket that comprises dimensions sufficient to accommodate a hand of a user. In this manner, a user may insert his hand under the flap to leverage the bag on one end while supporting the other end of the bag with the other hand. Alternatively, a grip element 26 may comprise a cross bar or other mechanical device coupled to the pocket 2 to facilitate leveraging the bag.
Referring now to
Embodiments of the present invention may also integrate drainage apertures 34 into at least a portion of a surface area of a pocket 2. Preferably, drainage apertures 34 are incorporated into at least a bottom support panel 12 to facilitate cleaning, ventilation and/or moisture release when the bag on which the pocket 2 is implemented is in a substantially upright position. Drainage apertures 34 may also be implemented in front 6 and side 10 panels of a pocket 2, as well as a back panel 8, where the back pocket panel 8 is independent of an outer surface 53 of a bag on which the pocket 2 is implemented.
Referring now to
As discussed above, biasing means 14 may comprise a substantially U-shaped resilient member having two open ends 16, elongate side portions 17, and an adjoining bridge portion 18. According to a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the two open ends 16 may be secured to an outer surface 53 of the bottom end 52 of the bag 50 such that the side 17 and adjoining bridge portions 18 lie substantially adjacent to a perimeter of the pocket 2. Side portions 17 of the resilient member may be retained substantially adjacent side panels 10 or lateral edges of a pocket 2 by a retaining element 54 affixed thereto. A retaining element 54 may be disposed intermittently or uniformly between the side portions 17 and the side panels 10 or lateral edges of a pocket 2 to retain the side portions 17 in position. Similarly, a retaining element 54 may be implemented along a top edge of the front panel 6 of the pocket 2 to create an operational relationship between the adjoining bridge portion of the resilient member and the front pocket panel 6. A retaining element 54 may comprise an elongated cavity integral to a perimeter of the pocket 2, or any other means known to those in the art by which to retain the side portions 17 substantially adjacent the pocket 2.
Referring now to
Referring now to
A third step in accordance with the present method may comprise attaching a second portion of a biasing member to the bag first provided 78. Attaching a second portion of a biasing member to the bag 78 may optionally comprise attaching the second portion of the biasing member proximate a bottom end of the bag substantially beyond the position of the pocket 80 and off center with respect thereto. In this manner the first portion of the biasing member will be at least somewhat out of line with respect to the second portion of the biasing member, thus creating potential energy that causes the biasing member to quickly and effectively seal the opening 4 of the pocket 2 without requiring any externally applied force or traditional locking device.
A fourth optional step of a method in accordance with the present invention may comprise attaching a handle member to either the biasing member or to a front panel of the pocket to facilitate leveraging the pocket to access its contents 82. A fifth optional step of the present method may comprise integrating a grip element into the front panel of the pocket to facilitate leveraging the weight of the equipment or bag to which it is attached for purposes of balance and/or transport 84.
A sixth optional step of a method in accordance with the present invention may comprise coupling a guard member to either of the pocket or an outer surface of the equipment or bag to which it is attached proximate a pocket opening to further safeguard the pocket contents 86. A seventh optional step of the present method may comprise providing at least one aperture in the pocket 2 for the purposes of cleaning, ventilation, and/or drainage.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit of essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only al illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
