GB2180200A - Collapsible shock-absorbing golf bag carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible golf bag carrier (10) includes a flexible spine (12), handle (26), and side struts (14) and means (20, 22) for pivotally connecting the handle and side struts to the spine. Guide rods (56) associated with each side strut support and guide each strut between an extended operating position and the retracted folded position. The handle is operatively connected (by rod 70) to the means connecting the side struts to the spine to move the side struts between their extended and folded positions. The means connecting the side struts to the spine includes a support (40) attached to the spine and rotatable hinges (44) pivotally connected to each side strut and rotatable about the support for pivoting the struts forward and outward of the spine. A locking mechanism (76, 78,80) is also included for locking the struts in their folded position. The spine is a serrated beam having intersecting orthogonal members (34,36) extending its length for bending rigidity and a plurality of spaced-apart ribs (38) along the spine perpendicular to its axis for torsional rigidity. It comprises a resilient plastics material that further absorbs shock throughout the spine. For improved shock absorption, the handle and side struts are of the same design as the spline and comprise the same material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Collapsible shock-absorbing golf bag carrier Background of the invention This invention relates to golf bag carriers and more pa rticularly, to collapsible carriers.

Collapsible hand-drawn golf bag carriers typically are constructed of rigid frame members forming a spine and handle and wheeled side struts that pivot allyconnectto the spine. To use the carrier, the struts are pivoted outward to an extended position and the handle is swung outward to an appropriate position forguiding the carrier. To store ortransportthe carrier, the handle and side struts are retracted into a folded position.

Although this collapsibility offers an advantage over prior noncollapsible, cumbersome carriers, it makes a carrier inherently less durable. The central joint or pivotal connection formed between the side struts and the spine is not as strong in a collapsible carrier as in a rigid carrier because the connection must allow for pivotal movement of the side struts.

The moving components therein are subject to wear and fatigue from rolling shock that reverberates throughouttheframeandjoints. Moreover,the frame members are often constructed of rigid tubular metal and act as conduitsto direct shockto the re- lativelyweak central joint. Applying shock con tinuouslytothejointwill cause itto fail and prevent the side struts from properly extending or retracting.

Collapsible carriers of conventional design have attempted to overcome this inherent drawback by reinforcing the pivotal joint or by deflecting the shock to other portions of the ca rrier. U.S. Patent No.

2,599,354to Stableford, for example, discloses a golf bag carrier in which the central joint formed by the side struts and spine is reinforced by springs to maintain the struts in their extended orfolded position.

The side struts at their outer ends are operatively connected to the wheels by a spring-biased suspension to partially absorb and dampen the shocktransmitted from the wheels toward the central joint. However, Stableford has no means to deflect from the central joint the shock that is produced by a weighted golf bag riding on thespine. Nordothespringseffectively reinforce the central joint.

An improvement over Stableford is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.2,717,785 to Ray. The Ray carrier sub- stitutes a fortified clamp for the springs at the pivotal central joint. The clamp includes a screw that wedges downward within the central joint between the upper ends ofthe side struts to lock the struts in their exten- ded and retracted positions. Ray does not, however, attempt to shield the central joint from shock.

U.S. Patent No. 2,855,208 to Abgarian illustrates a different attemptto reinforce the pivotal central joint.

Collapsible links between the two side struts are urged apart or together by a coiled spring as the struts are pivoted to their extracted or folded positions. The links are mounted to the center portions of the struts ratherthan the upper end portion within the central joint to provide better leverage against movement at the joint.

U.S. Patent No. 2,770,466 to Parson petal. also attempts to overcome the effect of shock by reinforc ing the central joint. Pearson includes a combination of toothed side struts and a notched bracket to hold the struts in one of several possible positions.

Springs further are used to retain the struts in their extended and folded positions.

Although reinforcing the central joint, as illustrated in the foregoing prior art, extends the useful life of a collapsible carrier, it has proven only partially successful. Collapsible carriers currently on the market still fail after much less use than rigid carriers.

Further reinforcement of the central joint may increase its useful life, but too much reinforcement can directtheshockfromthecarriertothegolferguiding it. The combination of rigid frame members and a fortified central joint provides a path for conducting shock directly to the arm ofthe golfer. This can lead to chronic discomfort and may possibly affectthe golfer's swing.

Therefore, a need remains for a durable, collaps- ible golf bag carrier that effectively withstands shock to prolong its useful life and yet prevents transfer of the shock to the guiding arm of the golfer.

Summary ofthe invention It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a more durable collapsible golf bag carrier.

It is also an objectofthe invention to provide a car rierthat effectively absorbs shock throughout its frame members and thereby dampens the shock effect on the pivotal central joint formed between the frame members of the carrier.

It is another object of the invention to provide a more durable, shock-absorbing pivotal central joint formed between the side struts and spine of the carrier.

Still another object of the present invention is to prevent the transmission of shock from the carrierto the arm ofthe golfer.

Afurtherobject of the invention isto provide an improved design for the frame members of the carriage to increase the flexibility and elasticity while preserving their strength.

It is yet another object ofthe invention to provide an improved material for constructing the frame members to increase the useful life of the carrier.

To achieve these objects, a golf bag carrier includes a flexible spine for absorbing and impeding transmission of shock in the carrier. The spine has upperand lower ends and includes golf bag securing meansforsecuring a golf bag thereto. A pair of wheeled side struts are pivotally joined to the spine intermediate of its ends and are adapted for movement between an extended operating position and a retracted folded position. Interposed between the side struts and the spine is shock-absorbing connecting means forming part of the central joint for connecting the struts to the spine and for absorbing shocktherebetween. The connecting means includes locking means to permit locking of the side struts in the folded position.

A handle means is pivotally connected to the upper endofthespineforguidingthecarrierandforcontrolling the movement of the side struts. The handle means is operatively connected to the connecting means so that by raising the handle the side struts are extended to their operating position and by low ering the handlethe sidestruts are retractedtotheir folded position.

The shock-absorbing connecting means itself comprises a central support attached to the spine and hinge means rotatably mounted to each end of the support and hinged to the struts for pivoting the struts forward and outward of the spine. Each strut is extended to its operating position by guide means pivotally connected to each end ofthecentral support. The guide means pivot forward and outward from the spine to extend each strut and pivot rearward and inward to retract each strut.

In one aspect of the invention, the locking means within the connecting means includes a channel disposed longitudinallythrough the support and corresponding notches within each ofthe rotatable hinge means. Each notch is adjacent an end ofthe channel. A plunger means disposed within the channel is adapted for movement between releasing and locking positions. In its locking position, the plunger means engages the notches of each hinge means when aligned with the channel to lock the side struts in their folded position. To release the side struts, the plunger means is movable two a releasing position to disengage the notches and allowthe side struts to be rotated and extended.

The flexible spine of the golf bag carrier comprises a pair of intersecting longitudinal members extending lengthwise ofthe spine to provide bending strength to it. A plurality of ribs are spaced lengthwise along thespineto provide torsional rigidityto the spine. The longitudinal membersintersectorth- ogonally, and each rib is generally disc-shaped and disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal members.

In the preferred embodiment, the spine comprises a plastic material and the handle means and side struts havethe same shape and are comprised ofthe same material as the spine. The plastic material may comprise glass fiber reinforced nylon for added strength and flexibility.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Briefdescription ofthe drawings Figure lisa perspective view of a golf bag carrier shown in operative condition, with side struts and handle extended and a golf bag indicated in dotted lines on the carrier.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carrier of Figure 1 with side struts and handle retracted.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a frame member ofthe carrier.

Figure4is a cross-sectional view of a frame membertakenalong line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure5is an exploded viewofthe pivotal central joint between the spine and side struts ofthe carrier.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the carrier.

Figure 7is a cross-sectional view of a wheel jour naled to a side strut.

Figure 8 is a frontviewofthe carrier.

Figure 9 is a side view of a portion ofthe carrier.

Detailed description Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the golf bag carrier generally indicated by numeral 10 comprises a spine 12 supported by a pair of wheeled leg members or side struts 14 pivotally connected to the spine by a connecting means 20. The connector 20 is secured to the center portion of the spine 12 between its upper and lower ends 22,24. A handle 26 for guiding the carrier 10 is pivotally mounted at the upper end 22 of the spine, with the lower end 24 ofthe spine 12 curved outward to provide bottom support to a golf bag 28 (shown in dotted lines). Upper and lowerflexible clasps 30,32 are mounted repectively to the upperand lowerends22,24ofthespinetosecure golf bag 28 to the carrier 10. The spine 12, side struts 14, and handle 26 form the frame members ofthe carrier.

Figure 1 shows the carrier in its operative condition, with side struts 14 and handle 26 pivoted outward to their extended positions. Figure 2 shows the handle 26 and struts 14 retracted to indicate the size and shape ofthe carrier in its folded position.

The spine 12 is substantially straightthroughout its length and is curved only at its lower end 24. Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 4, spind 12 is a serrated beam comprising a pair of orthogonally intersecting longitudinal members 34, 36 extending its length and forming its longitudinal axis, the members appearing generally as a "+"when viewed in axial cross section in Figure 4. The members 34,36 are of substantially the same thickness but of differentwidths. The wider member 36 is vertically oriented relative to the ground to provide longitudinal bending rigidity and strength against the downward thrusting force ofthe bag's weight and the upward thrusting reactionary force caused by the carrier rolling along an uneven surface.The narrower member 34 is horizontally oriented relative to the ground to provide bending rigidity and lateral strength against swaying or bending of the spine 12 caused by changing the carrier's direction of movement. Most of the force affecting the carrier 10 acts in these two directions. The members 34, thus provide the spine with rigidity in their respective planes comparable to that of a solid cylinderof similar diameter but withoutthe accompanying overall massandin- flexibility.

Spaced lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the spine 12 are a plurality of disc-shaped ribs 38 disposed perpendicularly to the spine's longitudinal axis. The diameter of each rib is aboutequaltothe width ofthe member 34. The ribs 38 providethe spine with torsional rigidity to resist twisting forces acting on the spine but do not deprive the spine of flexibility. In tests conducted on the design, it has been found that spacing the ribs at about twice their thickness (3/16 inch thick in the preferred embodiment) provides torsional ridigity comparable to that of a solid cylinder.

Although this overall design gives the spine substantial flexibility without sacrificing strength, the flexibility and improved shock absorption the design provides is increased further by making the spine of shock absorbent material. Rather than using conventional materials such as steel or aluminum,the spine 12 preferably comprises an elastic, resilient plastic which facilitates flexing of the spine to absorb shock ratherthan transmit it. Preferably, the material is a glass fiber graphite reinforced nylon. In the preferred embodiment, the material is composed of about 25% glass and about 75% nylon byweight.A suitable material is commercial grade Nylon 6/6 manufactured by C.T.I. Precision Compounding Company of Costa Mesa, California. Graphite may also be added in small percentages to strengthen the material.

To further improve the shock-absorbing capability ofthe carrierframe, handle 26 and side struts 14are of the same design as the spine 12 and comprisethe same material. The side struts, spine, and handle thus absorb shock rather than transmit itto the pivotal joint formed at connector 20 between the side struts and the spine.

The side struts 14 are pivotally connected to the spine 12 by interposed shock-absorbing connector 20. Referring to Figure 5, connector20 includes a symmetrical center support 40 integrally molded at its midpoint to spine 12. Support 40 is a cylinder extending laterally to spine 12 and having recessed receiving ends 42, each adapted to receive a rotatable hinge member 44. Each member 44 has a ring portion 46 rotatable about end 42 and a hinge portion 48 pivotally connecting a side strut 14 at its inner end 45 to hinge member44through a pairof ears 47 and hinge bolt 49. Fastened to each end 42 is a cam member 50 that retains hinge member44 on end 42.

Acamming surface 51 on the face of cam member 50 opposite hinge member44forms a groove 52 between the cam member and an outer cap 54, as seen in Figure 6.

A guide rod 56 for guiding and supporting each strut 14 is retained within each groove 52 by a balland-socket arrangement. A spherical head 58 of rod 56 at uts upper end 60 pivots in a socket 62 within cam member 50 as camming surface 51 cams each guide rod 56 outward of spine 12. As shown in Figure 7, a lower end 64 of each guide rod 56 opposite head 58 is pivotally connected to a wheel mount 66. An outer end 68 of each strut 14 is also pivotally connected to each wheel mount so that guide rod 56 and strut 14 are operatively connected.

Struts 14 are extended or retracted by rotation of hinge member44 within connector 20. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, this rotation is accomplished by handle 26, acting through means such asaconnect- ing rod 70. Connecting rod 70 is connected at its upper end 71 to handle 26 and bends outward at its iowerend 72 to form hinge pins connecting the rod to an ear 74 protruding from each hinge portion 48 (shown in Figure 5). Referring to Figures 1,2, and 8, raising handle 26 raises in turn connecting rod 70 and thereby rotates hinge members 44 to extend struts 14 outward of spine 12. Guide rods 56 are also pivoted forward ofthespine bythe movementofthestruts 14 acting through wheel mounts 66.As guide rods 56 move forward, they are cam med outward of spine 12 bycamming surfaces 51 and in turn pull struts 14 outward to their extended position. Lowering handle 26 retracts struts 14 to theirfolded position. As the handle is lowered, control rod 70 rotates hinge members44to pivot struts 14toward spine 12, pulling guide rods 56 along therewith. The guide rods 56 press against wheel mounts 66 to push struts 14 in- ward to theirfolded position.

Once in theirfolded position, struts 14 are secured thereat by locking means associated with connector 20. Referring again to Figure 5, the locking means includes a channel 76 running longitudinally through support40 and opposed notches 78 within each ring portion 46 of hinge members 44. Notches 78 align with channel 76 when struts 14 are in theirfolded position and are held in that alignment by an inverted T-shaped plunger 80 mounted within channel 76for movement normal to the channel's length. In its locking position, plunger 80 engages with its protrusions 82 the notches 78 to hold struts 14firmly in place. Plunger 80 is movable to a releasing position by pressing downward thereon to disengage protrusions 82 from notches 78.This allows hinge members 44to rotate and thereby extend side struts 14to their operating position. To urge the plunger 80 into its locking position, biasing means such as springs 84 are mounted within the base of channel 76 below protrusion 82. Plunger 80 is thus continuously urged against the inside of ring portions 46 of hinge mem bers 44 so that the plunger automatically moves to its locking position once struts 14 are fully retracted and notches 78 aligned with channel 76. Although not shown in this embodiment, notches may also be provided to lock the struts in their extended position.

The golf bag 28 is secured to carrier 10 by securing means such as the upper and lower flexible Ushaped clasps 30,32, respectively. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the clasps 30,32 are attached to spine 12 with bolts 86. The golf bag 28 is secured within each clasp by adjustable belt 88.

To guide carrier 10, handle 26 is pivotallyconnected at its lower end to upper end 22 of spine 12. Referring to Figure 1, handle 26 is generally straight with a slight S curve on its upper end 90 to position the handle for grasping. The pivot connection between it and spine 12 is formed by an adjustable axis bolt92 that extends through a flange 96 moldedto upper end 22. By loosening and then tightening axis bolt 92, handle 26 may be pivoted to extend or retract itself and struts 14. Handle 26 also absorbs shock and prevents its transmission to the golfer.

Carrier 10 rolls along the ground on a pairof wheels 98, each journaled to a wheel mount 66.

Wheels 98 rollingly contact the ground with the side struts 14 in their extended operating position and in doing so transmit shocktothe side struts. Referring to Figure 7, the lower end of wheel mount 66 forms an axle 100 around which a wheel hub 102 of wheel 98 rotates. Spacers 104 mounted on the axle 100 on both sides of wheel hub 102 reduce frictional contact between the hub and wheel mount66. Aclip retainer 106 on the outer side of axle 100 secures wheel 98 to axle 100. To protect retainer 106 and shield axle 100, a dust cap 108 is snapped on the outside of hub 104.

In operation,the unique beam design and the mat erial composition of the frame members give the carrier a shock-absorbing capabilitywithoutsacrificing strength in the directions subject to the greatest external forces. As the force of the shock travels upward through struts 14, spine 12, and handle 26, its magnitude is dampened and its force dissipated in the bending and flexing oftheseframe members.

Connector 20 also absorbs shockfrom struts 14and prevents its direct transmission to spine 12.

In tests ofthis carrier on a proving track, the pre sent carrierwithstood over one hundred-forty hours of sustained shock from simulated use without adversely affecting the capability of the struts to pivot to and lock in their retracted or extended position. In contrast, conventional collapsible carriers lasted approximately thirty hours on the proving track before the pivotable jointfailed to work properly.

Having illustrated and described the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment, it should beapparentto those skilled intheartthattheinven- tion can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. I claim all modifications coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. A golf bag carrier, comprising: a flexible spine for absorbing and impeding transmission of shock in the carrier, the spine having upper and lower ends, the spine including golf bag securing means for securing a golf bag thereto; a pairofwheeled side struts each having an inner and an outer end, each side strut being pivotally joined at its inner end to the spine intermediate of the upper and lower ends, each ofthe side struts being adapted for movement between an extended operating position and a retracted folded position; guide means associated with each side strut for supporting each strut and guiding it between its operating and folding positions;; shock-absorbing connecting means interposed between the side struts and the spine for connecting the struts to the spine and for absorbing shocktherebetween,theshock-absorbing connecting means including locking means to permit locking ofthe side struts in the folded position; and handle means pivotally connected tothe upper end of the spine for guiding the carrier, the handle means being interposed between the operator and the spine to prevent the transmission ofthe shockto the operator.

2. A golf bag carrier as in claim 1, wherein the handle means is operatively connected to the connecting means to control the movement of the side struts, the handle means being raised to extend the side struts to their operating position and being lowered to retractthe side struts to their folded position.

3. A golf bag carrier as in claim 2, wherein the handle means is operatively connected to the connecting means buy a connecting rod, the connecting rod pivotally connected at its upper end to the handle means and pivotally connectd at its lower end to the connecting means.

4. A golf bag carrier as in claim 1, wherein the guide means is pivotally connected atan upperend to the connecting means and at a lower end to the outer end of each side strut, the guide means pivoting forward and outwardfromthe spineto guide each strut to its operating position and pivoting rearward and inward to guide each strut to its folded position.

5. A golf bag carrier as in claim 4, wherein the shock-absorbing connecting means comprises: a support attached to the spine, the support having recessed receiving ends; hinge means pivotally connected to each side strut and rotatably mounted to each receiving end ofthe supportfor pivoting the struts forward and outward ofthe spine; a a m cam memberfastenedto each receiving end for retaining the rotatable hinge means on the receiving end, each cam member having a camming surface on its face opposite the hinge member; cap means fastened to each receiving end opposite thecammingsurfaceofthecam member, the cap means shaped to form a groove between the cap means and camming surface for camming the guide means outward and inward of the spine to extend and retractthesidestruts;; and locking means associated with the supportfor locking the side struts in the folded position.

6. A golf bag carrier as in claim 5, wherein the locking means comprises: a channel disposed longitudinallywithinthesup- port; a corresponding notch within each of the rotatable hinge means, each notch alignablewith an end of the channel; and plunger means disposed within the channel and adapted for movement between releasing and locking positions.

the plunger means adapted in its locking position to engage the notches of each hinge means when aligned with the channel to lockthe side struts in theirfqlded position and movable to a releasing position to disengage the notches to allow the side struts to be extended to their operating position.

7. Agolf bag carrier as in claim 6, wherein the locking means further includes biasing means assoc latedwith the plunger meansforurgingthe plunger means toward and into its locking position.

8. Agolfbagcarrierasinclaim 1,whereinthe flexible spine comprises a pair of intersecting longitudinal members extending lengthwise of the spine, the members providing bending strength to the spine, and a plurality of ribs spaced lengthwise along the spine, the ribs providing torsional rigidity to the spine.

9. A golf bag carrier as in claim 8, wherein the longitudinal members intersect orthogonally and each rib is generally disc-shaped and is disposed per pendicularlytothelongitudinal members.

10. A golf bag carrier as in claim 9, wherein the ribs are spaced lengthwise along the spine a distance about twice the thickness of each ofthe ribs.

11. Agolfbag carrier according to claim 10 wherein the thickness of each of the longitudinal members is about 3/16 inch and the thickness of each of the ribs is about 3/16 inch, the ribs being spaced apart about 3/8 inch.

12. A golf bag carrier as in claim 8, wherein the spine comprises a plastic material.

13. Agolf bag carrier as in claim 12,whereinthe plastic material comprises glass fiber reinforced nylon.

14. Agolf bag carreiras in claim 12,whereinthe plastic material comprises glassfiber-graphite reinforced nylon.

15. A golf bag carrier according to claim 12, wherein each of the handle means and the side struts comprises the same plastic material as the spine, and each of the handle means and the side struts comprises a pair of intersecting longitudinal members and a plurality of ribs spaced lengthwise therealong.

16. Agolfbag carrierframe,comprising: a flexible spine having upper and lower ends; a pair of wheeled side struts connected to the spine between itsupperand lower ends; and a handle connected to the spine for guiding the carrier, each ofthe spine, side struts and handle comprising a plastic material shaped as a serrated beam comprising longitudinal membersforbending rigidity and a plurality of spaced-apart ribs disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal members fortorsional rigidity, each oftheserrated beams absorbing shock and impeding its transmission therealong.

17. Agolfbag carrierframe as in claim 16, wherein the plastic material comprises glass fiber reinforced nylon.

18. A golf bag carrier frame as in claim 16 wherein the side struts and handle are each pivotally connected to the spine.

19. A golf bag carriersubstantiallyas here inbefore described with reference to the accompany- ing drawings.

20. A golf bag carrier frame substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel feature or combination offeatures described herein.