AU2014100569B4

AU2014100569B4 - Golf Bag Securing System and Method

Info

Publication number: AU2014100569B4
Application number: AU2014100569A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brett John Clarebrough
Original assignee: Golf Clearance Outlet Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Golf Clearance Outlet Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-28
Filing date: 2014-05-28
Publication date: 2015-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-28
Also published as: AU2014100569A4

Abstract

A system for securing a golf bag to a golf bag supporting structure of a golf buggy; the system including at least two spaced apart strap assemblies proximate an upper end of the golf bag; the strap assemblies generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the golf bag and passing around an upper golf bag support structure of the golf buggy; each strap assembly including a first strap portion and a second strap portion; the first and second strap portions able to be linked together by engagement means.

Description

P/00/009 Regulation 3.10 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION SPECIFICATION Invention Title: GOLF BAG SECURING SYSTEM AND METHOD The invention is described in the following statement which is clear and complete enough for the invention to be performed by a person skilled in the relevant art: Our Reference: 146003 - 1 GOLF BAG SECURING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD [00011 The present invention relates to golf bags carried on golf buggies and, more particularly to apparatus and methods of securing golf bags on golf buggies. BACKGROUND [0002] Golf bags and clubs, particularly for serious golfers, can be large and of considerable weight. Thus most golfers who prefer to walk around a golf course use a two or three-wheeled buggy to carry the golf bag. [00031 Buggies are typically provided with cradles to support a golf bag near the top of the bag as well as close to the bottom. Moreover the cradles of more sophisticated buggies are provided with straps which seek to secure the bag in the cradle. These straps pass laterally over the bag and invariably still allow some rotation and vibration of the bag in the cradle. [0004] Rotation of the bag can result in the bag no longer being centrally balanced, tending to make the buggy more awkward to handle while a loose vibrating bag allows the golf clubs rattle together, detrimental to the clubs and annoying to the user. As well, rotation of the bag from its preferred position may make it difficult to reach the various side pockets with which most bags are provided. [0005] Systems of securing golf bags against rotation within a cradle or other support are known. Thus US2006/0011682A1 discloses a retaining strap which may secured to a golf bag and pass around a bar or carrier. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that it is essentially a single strap located in the centre of the rear of the golf bag and cannot be tightened to take account of different supporting structures. In another arrangement disclosed in US2009/0266854A1, a golf bag may be secured to - 2 a golf cart structure by a pair of looped straps, but again there is no disclosure how such straps may be tightened around different supporting structures. [0006] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or provide a useful alternative. Notes [0007] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". [00081 The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [00091 Accordingly in one broad form of the invention there is provided a system for securing a golf bag to a golf bag supporting structure of a golf buggy; the system including at least two spaced apart strap assemblies proximate an upper end of the golf bag; the strap assemblies generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the golf bag and passing around an upper golf bag support structure of the golf buggy; each strap assembly including a first strap portion and a second strap portion; the first and second strap portions able to be linked together by engagement means. [000101 Preferably a first part of the engagement means is affixed to the first strap portion; a second part of the - 3 quick release buckle being adjustably connected to the second strap portion. [000111 Preferably the securing system further includes two spaced apart lower strap assemblies arranged proximate a lower end of the golf bag; the strap assemblies generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the golf bag and passing around a lower golf bag support structure of the golf buggy. [000121 Preferably inner ends of each of the first and second strap portions of each of the two strap assemblies are permanently attached to a surface of the golf bag; separation between attachment points of each first strap portion and second strap portion allowing for a range of widths of golf bag supporting structures. [000131 In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of securing a golf bag lying against golf bag support structures of a golf buggy against rotation relative the support structures; the golf bag including at least two spaced apart strap assemblies proximate an upper end of the golf bag; the strap assemblies generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the golf bag and passing around an upper golf bag support structure of the golf buggy; the method including the steps of: a. passing a first strap assembly attached proximate an upper rim of the golf bag of a first strap assembly at one side of the golf bag around the support structure, b. passing a second strap assembly attached at a lower point on the surface of the golf bag around the support structure to meet the first strap assembly, c. linking together a first part and a second adjustable part of the strap assemblies to secure the first strap assembly to the second strap assembly, d. repeating steps a. to c for a second strap assembly at an opposite side of the golf bag. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [00014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf bag supported on a golf buggy according to prior art, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the golf bag supported on a golf buggy and secured with a first embodiment of the golf bag securing system according to the invention, Figure 3 is a view of a second preferred golf bag securing system with the golf bag of Figure 2 secured to the bag support structures of a golf buggy, Figure 4 is a detailed view of an adjustable quick release clip used in the securing system of Figures 2 and 3. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment [00015] With reference to Figure 1, a golf bag 10 is supported on a golf buggy 12, secured with laterally arranged straps 14 provided at the ends of the golf bag supporting structures 16, as is common in the prior art. It can be seen that it is relatively easy for the golf bag to rotate out of the preferred centered position. [000161 With reference now to Figure 2, a golf bag 100 is likewise supported on upper and lower support structures 116 of a golf buggy 112. In this embodiment, golf bag 100 according to the invention, is provided with at least two - 5 strap assemblies 118 and 120 arranged proximate the upper rim 122 of the golf bag 100. The strap assemblies 118,120 pass under or around the upper support structure 116 and are spaced apart so as to allow positioning on either side of the main frame 124 of the buggy 112. [00017] As best seen in Figure 4, each of the strap assemblies 118,120 comprises a first strap portion 126 and a second strap portion 128. The outer end of the first strap portion 126 is affixed to the first part 130 of a quick-release buckle 132, while the outer end of the second strap portion 128 is adjustably connected to the second part 134 of the quick-release buckle 132. Adjustability of the second part 134 of the buckle 132 is provided by a slot and keeper arrangement, as well known in the art, in which the strap loops through slots before emerging as a free end 136. Pulling on free end 136 draws more of the strap 128 through the slots thus shortening the length of the strap between its attachment point and the second part 134 of the buckle 132. [000181 The inner ends 138 and 140 respectively of the first strap portion 126 and second strap portion 128 are permanently attached to the outer surface 142 of the golf bag 100, generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the golf bag 100. The attachment points at inner ends 138 and 140, are spaced apart to cater for a wide range of widths of typical golf bag support structures 116 found on golf buggies. [00019] In use, a golf bag 100 provided with the securing system according to the invention, is placed on the support structure or structures 116 of the golf buggy 112. The first strap portion 126 at a first side of the golf bag 100 is passed over and around the back of the support structure 116 and the first part 130 and second part 134 of the quick-release buckle 132 clipped together.

[000201 This process is repeated for the strap assembly at the opposite side of the golf bag and when its buckle parts have been clipped together, both strap assemblies may be tightened securely by tugging on the free ends 136 of the second strap portions 128 projecting from the second parts 134 of the buckles. [00021] Preferably, the strap assemblies are located on the surface of the golf bag at a maximum separation allowed by the rear portion of the golf bag to provide the maximum resistance to any tendency of the bag to rotate against the support structure. Second Preferred Embodiment [00022] In this second preferred embodiment, again with reference to Figure 3, the securing system according to the invention comprises not two strap assemblies but four. In this embodiment, as well as the strap assemblies located proximate the upper rim of the golf back as described above, a second pair of strap assemblies is provided proximate the lower end of the golf bag, passing under or around the lower support structure. [00023] By this means, the golf bag is secured from lateral movement and any rotation tendencies at its lower end also. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [000241 The securing system of the invention, by making use of adjustable straps with quick release buckles, provides a significant useful contribution to the manner in which a golf bag can be securely retained on the support structures of a golf buggy.

Claims

1. A system for securing a golf bag to a golf bag supporting structure of a golf buggy; the system including at least two spaced apart strap assemblies proximate an upper end of the golf bag; the strap assemblies generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the golf bag and passing around an upper golf bag support structure of the golf buggy; each strap assembly including a first strap portion and a second strap portion; the first and second strap portions able to be linked together by engagement means.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a first part of the engagement means is affixed to the first strap portion; a second part of the quick release buckle being adjustably connected to the second strap portion.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the securing system further includes two spaced apart lower strap assemblies arranged proximate a lower end of the golf bag; the strap assemblies generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the golf bag and passing around a lower golf bag support structure of the golf buggy.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein inner ends of each of the first and second strap portions of each of the two strap assemblies are permanently attached to a surface of the golf bag; separation between attachment points of each first strap portion and second strap portion allowing for a range of widths of golf bag supporting structures. - 8

5. A method of securing a golf bag lying against golf bag support structures of a golf buggy against rotation relative the support structures; the golf bag including at least two spaced apart strap assemblies proximate an upper end of the golf bag; the strap assemblies generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the golf bag and passing around an upper golf bag support structure of the golf buggy; the method including the steps of: a. passing a first strap assembly attached proximate an upper rim of the golf bag of a first strap assembly at one side of the golf bag around the support structure, b. passing a second strap assembly attached at a lower point on the surface of the golf bag around the support structure to meet the first strap assembly, c. linking together a first part and a second adjustable part of the strap assemblies to secure the first strap assembly to the second strap assembly, d. repeating steps a. to c for a second strap assembly at an opposite side of the golf bag.