FR3101785A1 - Golf club storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for storing golf clubs comprising a storage structure (2) having in the upright state an upper part (3) equipped with a handle and a lower part (5) capable of being equipped with wheels, the upper part (3) of the structure (2) delimiting a plurality of golf club storage slots, at least some of the slots being arranged side by side in the manner of a rack, and comprising a longitudinally split through passage. The device (1) is portable and each split through passage of said series of slots is, in the upright state of the storage structure (2), surmounted by a reception space capable of receiving the head of said golf club , this reception space being separated from the reception space of an adjacent storage space with a split through passage which adjoins it by a separating element. Figure for abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Golf club storage device

The invention relates to a golf club storage device.

It relates more particularly to a golf club storage device comprising a storage structure that can be positioned in the erect state, this storage structure having, in the erect state, an upper part equipped with a handle and a lower part able to be equipped of at least one wheel, the upper part of the storage structure delimiting a plurality of golf club storage slots, at least some of the slots forming a series of slots arranged side by side in the manner of a rack , each location of this series of locations comprising a through passage, one of the openings of which is arranged opposite the lower part of the storage structure, this through passage being split longitudinally.

There are different types of golf club storage device. The most common storage device is a bag inside which golf clubs are stored loosely. This results in a significant loss of time each time a golf club is taken out of the bag due to the lack of logic for storing the golf clubs in the bag, the risk of the "grip" or handle part getting caught of the golf club in the bag and the obligation to pull on the end of the golf club in the direction of a lifting of the golf club until the entire length of the golf club is extracted from the bag. This storage device has the advantage of being portable. But more and more often, it is forbidden to ride on golf courses in bad weather so as not to damage the ground so that a portable storage device is very practical. We are therefore looking for a storage solution that makes it possible to increase the practicality of the storage device without harming its portability.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for storing golf clubs, the design of which allows the device to be carried without impairing the practicality of the device.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a golf club storage device comprising a storage structure that can be positioned in the erect state, this storage structure having, in the erect state, an upper part equipped with a handle and a lower part capable of being equipped with at least one wheel, the upper part of the storage structure delimiting a plurality of golf club storage slots, at least some of the slots forming a series of slots arranged side by side the manner of a rack, each location of this series of locations comprising a through passage, one of the openings of which is placed facing the lower part of the storage structure, this through passage being split longitudinally, characterized in that the device is a portable device and in that each through passage of said series of slots, which is split longitudinally to allow lateral insertion of the portion of the shaft positioned on the head end of a golf club, is, in the state erected from the storage structure, surmounted by a reception space capable of receiving the head of said golf club, this reception space being separated from the reception space of each adjacent storage location with a longitudinally split through-passage which adjoins it by a separating element, such as a partition.

The partitioning of the reception spaces provided above the longitudinally split through passages makes it possible to avoid the noises which could result from a clashing of the heads of golf clubs arranged at the level of the reception spaces during the carrying of the device without affecting the practicality of the device. The inverted positioning of the golf clubs, with the "grip" part arranged at the level of the lower part of the storage structure and the head part arranged at the level of the upper part of the storage structure, as well as the presence of slots individualized golf club storage, allow you to quickly view and enter the type of golf club desired. The realization of at least a part of the storage slots in the form of a longitudinally split through passage allows easy positioning of the golf clubs on the device by lateral insertion of the part of the handle positioned on the head side of the golf clubs in the one of the through passages split longitudinally then, if necessary, sliding movement of the golf clubs in the through passage towards the lower part of the storage structure, the bulge made on the golf club at the level of the junction zone between the head and the shaft of the club naturally forming an axial stop for limiting this movement. The extraction of a golf club from the device takes place in the opposite manner by sliding movement over a short stroke of the golf club in the direction of a separation from the lower part of the storage structure then lateral extraction of said club longitudinally split through-pass golf course.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the separating elements is removably coupled to the upper part of the storage structure. This results in the possibility of adapting the device to the number of golf clubs to be stored on the device.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the separator elements of one of the reception spaces extends along the through passage surmounted by said reception space and projects laterally from said through passage, on the part side of the through passage equipped with the longitudinal slot, to form an entry guide for a golf club inside said through passage. This results in time savings when storing golf clubs on the storage device.

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal edges of the longitudinal slot of at least one of the through passages of said series of slots form sliding surfaces converging towards the inside of the through passage.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the through passages of said series of slots is elastically deformable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through passage and forms a constricting through passage. This results in the possibility of additional support by elastic tightening of the golf clubs inside the through passages.

According to one embodiment, the upper part and the lower part of the storage structure are connected by a connecting part comprising at least the amount.

According to one embodiment, the or at least one of the handles is positionable at least partially inside the or one of the uprights, this handle being a telescopic handle for movement of said handle between a position at least partially retracted inside the upright and a position at least partially extended from the upright. The presence of this handle facilitates movement by rolling of said storage device.

According to one embodiment, the lower part of the storage structure comprises a plurality of storage slots positioned directly above or in line with the slots of the upper part in the upright state of the storage structure. These storage locations of the lower part of the storage structure are each able to receive the handle part, also called grip, of a golf club.

According to one embodiment, the storage structure is equipped with at least one deployable support leg forming, in the deployed position, a stand for supporting the storage structure in the upright position, said at least one deployable support leg being coupled to the storage structure, preferably to the upper part of the storage structure, by a pivot connection with a so-called horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through passages for moving the leg between a folded, close position of the storage structure in which it extends at least partially along the storage structure and a deployed position separated from the storage structure. This thus results in the possibility of maintaining in an upright position, in an easy manner, the storage device which is a portable device.

According to one embodiment, it comprises at least one member for locking the supporting leg in the folded position of said leg, this locking member being elastically returned to the locked position and being connected to a control member fitted to the upper part of the storage structure, this control member being manually operable for the passage of the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position. This results in simplicity of actuation of the support leg(s).

According to one embodiment, the lower part of the storage structure comprises a deployable hood forming in the folded position an open C in the direction of the at least one ground support leg. This pram-type hood allows the erected state of the storage structure to protect against rain or mud splashes at least a portion of the top of the lower part of the storage device.

According to one embodiment, the hood comprises at least one pivoting arch and a flexible cover element connecting the or at least one of the pivoting arches to the lower part of the storage structure. The or each hoop preferably pivots around a so-called horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through passages in the upright state of the storage structure.

According to one embodiment, the series of longitudinally split through-passage storage slots of the upper part of the storage structure is lined with a second series of storage slots, each formed of a through-hole provided internally with tabs deformable.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises equipment for carrying the storage structure, such as a strap, said equipment being coupleable to the storage structure. It is thus possible to carry the storage device diagonally on the back or using a handle resting on the shoulder.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises wheels removably mounted on the lower part of said storage structure. The storage device is thus a versatile device capable of forming both a portable device and a wheeled vehicle.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

shows a perspective view of a storage device, devoid of wheels and carrying equipment, in the folded position of the leg;

shows a perspective view of a storage device without carrying equipment in the deployed position of the leg and in the deployed position of the hood;

shows a perspective view of the storage device of Figure 2 equipped with wheels for movement on the ground by rolling;

shows a perspective view of a storage device equipped with carrying equipment and without wheels;

shows a perspective view of the storage structure;

shows a partial view of the upper part of the storage structure and two associated detail views illustrating the assembly of a separating element;

shows a partial perspective view of the lower part of the storage structure in the detached state of two panniers;

represents, in the form of a partial overall view and two detail views, the passage of a leg from the folded position to the deployed position.

As mentioned above, the subject of the invention is a device 1 for storing golf clubs 30 . It should be remembered that a golf club comprises a handle or "shaft", a contact head with the ball and a "grip" or handle on which the golfer places his hands. Golf clubs can be of different types, namely woods, irons and putters and a golfer cannot carry more than 14 golf clubs on a golf course. The storage of the golf clubs should be ordered to allow quick selection of the golf club to be used depending on the circumstances. This is in particular what the storage device 1, object of the invention, allows.

This storage device 1 comprises a storage structure 2 that can be positioned in the upright state. This storage structure 2 has, in the upright state, an upper part 3 equipped with one or more handles 4, 41 as in the example shown, a lower part 5 able to be equipped with at least one, preferably at least two wheels 6 and a connecting part between the upper parts 3 and lower 5. This connecting part is here formed by a hollow upright 13 connecting the upper and lower parts. In the upright state, the upper part 3 extends above the lower part 5. The upper part 3 of the storage structure 2 delimits a plurality of locations 7, 8 for storing golf clubs 30. At least some of the locations, shown at 7 in the figures, form a series of locations arranged side by side in the manner of a rack. Each slot 7 of this series of slots 7 comprises a longitudinally split through passage 9 with a lower outlet 91 and an upper outlet 92. The outlet of this through passage 9, which corresponds to the lower outlet 91 in the upright position of the structure 2 of storage, is arranged opposite the lower part of the storage structure 2. The lower part 5 of the storage structure 2 comprises for its part a plurality of storage slots 14 positioned directly above or in line with the slots 7, 8 of the upper part 3 in the upright state of the structure 2 of storage. These storage slots 14 of the lower part 5 of the storage structure 2 each formed by a hole are each adapted to receive the handle part, also called the grip of the golf club, while the storage slots of the upper part of the structure storage are suitable for receiving the head part of the golf clubs. Indeed, each passage 9 crossing longitudinally split of the series of slots 7 arranged side by side in the manner of a rack of the upper part 3 of the storage structure 2 allows, due to the presence of the longitudinal slot, a lateral insertion of the part of the shaft positioned on the head side of a golf club. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, each golf club is inserted laterally into the through passage 9 and then moved axially inside said through passage 9 until the handle side end of the club comes to rest on the lower part of the storage structure inside a storage location 14 of the lower part 5 of the storage structure 2. Under these conditions, the head of the golf club is arranged in a reception space 11 which overcomes the passage 9 crossing longitudinally split in the upright state of the structure 2 for storage. The bulge separating the head from the shaft of the golf club forms an axial stop which limits the axial sliding movement of the golf club in the direction of bringing the lower part of the storage structure closer.

Characteristically to the invention, this storage space 11 takes the form of compartments to isolate each golf club head from the head of an adjacent golf club and prevent damage to the golf clubs. Thus, each reception space 11 is separated from the reception space 11 of the adjacent storage slot(s) 7 with longitudinally split passage 9 adjoining it by a separator element 12, formed here by an added partition and removably coupled to the upper part 3 of the storage structure 2. In particular, in the examples shown, each separator element 12 which has the shape of an L is inserted by snapping into a slot in the upper part 3, with an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the through passages 9, for a easy mounting of said separating element on the upper part 3 of the storage structure. The separating elements 12 of a storage location 7 therefore form a corridor between the walls of which the head of a club is able to take place. These elements 12 separators can also help the establishment of the handle of a golf club in the passage 9 through. Indeed, each separator element 12 can extend laterally along the crossing passage 9 surmounted by said reception space 11 to project laterally from said crossing passage 9, on the part side of the crossing passage 9 equipped with the longitudinal slot 10, and thus form a entry guide for a golf club 30 inside said through passage 9. Similarly, the longitudinal edges of the longitudinal slot 10 of each of the through passages 9 of the series of slots 7 can form sliding surfaces converging towards the interior of the through passage 9, again for guiding purposes.

To complete the assembly, each passage of the series of slots 7 is elastically deformable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through passage 9 and forms a constrictive through passage 9 to also allow the golf clubs to be held by elastic clamping. in the state introduced into said through passage.

In the examples shown, this function of constricting the passage is performed using a longitudinally split ring or sleeve made of an elastically deformable material and fitted inside the passage 9 through.

In the examples shown, the series of slots 7 for storage with passage 9 longitudinally split through the upper part 3 of the structure 2 for storage is lined with a second series of slots 8 for storage, each formed of a through hole internally provided with deformable tabs 23.

The through orifice is circular and the tabs each form a triangular closing sector of said orifice, one of the vertices of each of the triangles being placed at the level of the center of the orifice. Again, these tabs provide retention by elastic clamping of the handle of a golf club introduced into said orifice.

The lower part of the storage structure comprises a central shell provided on its outer face with the housings 14 described above, this shell being laterally flanked by removable panniers. Wheels 6 can be attached under the lower part 5, interconnected by an axle. These wheels 6 and the associated axis can be removably mounted, generally by snap-fastening, on the lower part of the storage structure to allow easy assembly and disassembly of said wheels. Alternatively, the storage structure can be attached to a wheeled cart.

To allow the storage structure 2 to be maintained in the upright state, the storage structure 2 is equipped with a deployable support leg 15 forming, in the deployed position, a crutch for supporting the storage structure 2 in position erect. This central leg 15 and the upright 13 extend, in a parallel manner, over at least part of their length in the folded position of the supporting leg 15.

In the examples shown, this support leg 15 is angled outwards from the storage structure 2 near its free end.

This deployable support leg 15 is coupled to the storage structure 2, preferably to the upper part 3 of the storage structure 2, by a pivot link 16 with an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through passages 9 for the displacement of the leg 15 between a folded position, close to the storage structure 2, in which it extends at least partially along the storage structure 2 and an extended position, separated from the storage structure 2, in which it forms an oblique support leg which forms, with the upright 13, an angle generally between 30 and 60°. The pivot axis of the pivot connection 16 between the leg 15 and the upper part 3 of the storage structure 2 extends horizontally in the upright state of the storage structure 2 and orthogonally to the upright 13.

The storage device 1 also comprises a member 17 for locking the leg 15 which allows the locking of the leg 15 in the folded position. This locking member 17 takes the form of a pivoting hook engaged in a housing of the upright 13 connecting the upper and lower parts 3 of the storage structure 2 in the locked position. This locking member 17 is pivotally mounted on the leg 15 and pivots about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the leg 15. This locking member 17 is elastically returned to the locked position by a spring. This locking member 17 is further connected by a connecting rod 19 to a control member 22 fitted to the upper part 3 of the storage structure 2. This control member 22 has here the form of a pivoting lever or trigger housed inside one of the handles 4. In the actuated state, this pivoting lever pivots about an axis parallel to the axis of pivoting of the leg 15. The pivoting movement of the lever by the operator is transmitted via the connecting rod 19 to the locking member 17 to generate a pivoting movement of the locking member 17 allowing an exit from the member 17 for locking the housing formed in the upright 13. The leg 13 tends, in the unlocked position of the locking member 17, to move away from the upright 13 to an end-of-travel position delimited by a stop fitted to the upper part of the storage structure 2. To fold the leg, it suffices to pivot the leg 15 to a position in which the locking member 17 bears on the upright 13, pivots under the action of said support against the spring to allow its insertion into the housing of the upright 13 before being retained under the return action of the spring in the locked position. The passage of the support leg 15 from the folded position to the deployed position therefore takes place by simple manual actuation of the control member 22 and the passage of the leg 15 from the deployed position to the folded position takes place by simple pushing exerted on the leg in the direction of bringing the upright 13 closer.

To help carry the storage device 1, the storage device 1 also includes equipment 20 for carrying the storage structure 2, such as a strap. This equipment 20 can be coupled to the storage structure 2 to form a handle allowing positioning of the storage structure 2 diagonally in the back or on the side as illustrated in FIG. 4, the handle forming a strap resting on the shoulder.

The golfer can thus carry the entire device using the strap in the folded position of the support leg 15 or equip the wheel storage device to make it roll on the ground.

To help move storage device 1 by rolling, storage device 1 includes a telescopic handle 41 . This handle 41 can be positioned at least partially inside the upright 13. This handle 41 is a telescopic handle for moving said handle 41 between a position at least partially retracted inside the upright 13 and a position at least partially output of the upright 13. In the extended position, said handle 41 allows movement on the ground of the storage device 1 which forms a trailed device. At each stop, the golfer can deploy the leg to maintain the storage device 1 in the upright position. In this position, the heads of the golf clubs arranged above the upper part 3 of the storage structure 2 are perfectly visible. It is then sufficient for the golfer to grasp a club by his head and to lift it slightly by sliding it upwards in the longitudinally split through-passage to extract the head-shaft connection zone of the golf club from said through-passage then from the extract laterally from the through passage through the longitudinal slot of the through passage. Storage works in the opposite way. In the case where the golf club to be extracted from the storage device is a golf club inserted into the second series of storage slots 8 each formed of a through hole, it suffices to lift said club. This therefore results in easy use of the storage device 1 .

Finally, to perfect the storage device 1, the lower part of the storage structure can be equipped with at least one deployable hood 21 forming in the folded position an open C in the direction of the at least one leg 15 supporting the ground. . This hood 21 comprises at least one pivoting arch 211 and a flexible cover element 212 connecting the or at least one of the pivoting arches 211 to the lower part 5 of the storage structure 2. Each hoop 211 pivots around an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the leg 15.

In the rolling configuration of the storage device, in the inclined state of the upright of the storage device 1 and dragged from the storage device 1 by means of the telescopic handle 41, the hood 21 extends facing the ground to protect the part 5 lower structure 2 mud projection storage. In the state positioned resting on the crutch, the hood 21 protects the lower part in its zone receiving the handles of the golf clubs from the rain. This results in a versatility of the soft top 21.

Claims (15)

Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) comprising a storage structure (2) that can be positioned in the erect state, this storage structure (2) having in the erect state an upper part (3) equipped with at least one handle (4, 41) and a lower part (5) able to be fitted with at least one wheel (6), the upper part (3) of the storage structure (2) delimiting a plurality of slots (7, 8) for storing golf clubs (30), at least some (7) of the slots (7, 8) forming a series of slots (7) arranged side by side in the manner of a rack, each slot (7) of this series of slots (7) comprising a through passage (9) of which one (91) of the outlets (91, 92) is arranged facing the lower part (5) of the structure (2 ) for storage, this crossing passage (9) being split longitudinally, characterized in that the device (1) is a portable device and in that each crossing passage (9) of said series of slots (7), which is split longitudinally to allow lateral insertion of the part of the handle positioned on the head side of a golf club (30), is, in the upright state of the storage structure (2), surmounted by a reception space (11) capable of receiving the head of said golf club (30), this reception space (11) being separated from the space (11) for receiving each adjacent storage location (7) with a passage (9) crossing it split longitudinally which adjoins by a separating element (12), such as a partition. Device (1) for storing golf clubs according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the separating elements (12) is coupled in a removable manner to the upper part (3) of the structure (2) of the storage. Device (1) for storing golf clubs according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the separating elements (12) of one of the reception spaces (11) extends along the crossing passage (9) surmounted by said reception space (11) and projects laterally from said crossing passage (9), part side of the crossing passage (9) equipped with the longitudinal slot (10), to form a guide entry of a golf club (30) inside said through passage (9). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the longitudinal edges of the longitudinal slot (10) of at least one of the through passages (9) of said series of slots (7) form sliding surfaces converging towards the inside of the passage (9) passing through. Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the through passages (9) of the said series of slots (7) is elastically deformable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through-passage (9) and forms a constrictive through-passage (9). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper part (3) and the lower part (5) of the storage structure (2) are connected by a connecting part comprising at least one post (13). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the or at least one of the handles (4, 41) can be positioned at least partially inside the one of the uprights (13), this handle (41) being a telescopic handle for moving said handle (41) between a position at least partially retracted inside the upright (13) and a position at least partially extended from the upright (13). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower part (5) of the storage structure (2) comprises a plurality of slots (14) storage positioned directly above or in line with the slots (7, 8) of the upper part (3) in the upright state of the storage structure (2). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the storage structure (2) is equipped with at least one deployable support leg (15) forming , in the deployed position, a stand for supporting the storage structure (2) in the upright position, said at least one deployable support leg (15) being coupled to the storage structure (2), preferably to the part ( 3) upper part of the storage structure (2), by a pivot connection (16) with a so-called horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through passages (9) for moving the leg (15) between a folded position, close to the storage structure (2) in which it extends at least partially along the storage structure (2) and a deployed position separated from the storage structure (2). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one member (17) for locking the leg (15) supporting said leg (15) in the folded position. 15), this locking member (17) being elastically returned to the locked position and being connected to a control member (22) fitted to the upper part (3) of the storage structure (2), this control member (22) being manually operable to move the locking member (17) from the locked position to the unlocked position. Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the lower part (5) of the storage structure (2) comprises a deployable hood (21) forming folded position an open C towards the at least one leg (15) supporting the ground. Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the hood (21) comprises at least one pivoting hoop (211) and a flexible cover element (212). connecting the or at least one of the hoops (211) pivoting to the lower part (5) of the storage structure (2). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the series of storage slots (7) with passage (9) passing through the slotted longitudinally of the part (3 ) upper structure (2) for storage is lined with a second series of slots (8) for storage each formed of a through hole provided internally with tabs (23) deformable. Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises equipment (20) for carrying the storage structure (2), such as a strap, said equipment (20) being coupleable to the storage structure (2). Device (1) for storing golf clubs (30) according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises wheels (6) removably mounted on the lower part (5) of the said structure (2) disturbance.