GB2314262A

GB2314262A - Support assembly for a golf bag

Info

Publication number: GB2314262A
Application number: GB9712959A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sandra Fraser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-21
Filing date: 1997-06-20
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Also published as: GB9712959D0; GB9613076D0

Abstract

A support assembly 1 for a golf bag comprises a base member 2 adapted to accommodate said golf bag, a support member 3 extending upwardly from the base member 2, and retaining means (4, Fig. 1), 5 adapted to temporarily retain the golf bag. The retaining means (4), 5 may be lockable and may comprise projections of a substantially circular shape which may extend from the support member 3. The assembly 1 may further include a hood (9, Fig. 1) attachable to the support member 3 as well as fixing means (8, Fig. 1) adapted to temporarily fix the hood (9) in a position such that access to the contents of the golf bag retained is prevented. The support member 3 may be substantially vertical in use and may be adapted for attachment of a handle 14. Typically, a frame 15 comprising an axle and at least one wheel 18 may be fitted to the support member 3 such that the assembly 1 may be used as a trolley.

Description

"ASSENBLY FOR SUPPORTING A GOLF BAG" This invention relates to an assembly for supporting a golf bag.

To play a single round of golf a golfer requires a number of golf clubs. He prefers to carry these clubs in a specially designed bag which, whilst necessarily reasonably robust, does not add significantly to the weight or bulk of the equipment that he is required to carry.

For this reason golf bags have minimal intrinsic rigidity and are not self supporting. When not in use these bags must either be laid on their sides, or propped upright against a support. Lying down they occupy considerable space and provide a potential hazard to pedestrians with the concomitant risk of damage to the contents. When upright, since golf bags containing clubs are top heavy, they are prone to topple causing damage both to the contents and any persons they strike.

Golf clubs are expensive items, and a significant investment for golfers. Whilst golf clubs may provide secure facilities for their members to store their bags when visiting a clubhouse, visitors must leave their bags unattended and unsecured.

According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly for supporting a golf bag comprising a base member adapted to accommodate a golf bag; a support member extending upwardly from the base member; and means adapted temporarily to retain the golf bag.

Preferably said means adapted temporarily to retain the golf bag comprises projections extending from the support member.

Preferably said assembly includes means adapted temporarily to connect the projections to retain the golf bag.

Preferably said projections when connected describe a substantially circular shape. Preferably said means adapted temporarily to retain the golf bag is lockable.

Preferably said assembly includes means to preclude access to the contents of a golf bag retained thereby.

The support member may be adapted for attachment of said means to preclude access.

Preferably said means to preclude access comprises a hood.

Preferably said means to preclude access further includes fixing means adapted to fix the hood temporarily in a position which precludes access to the contents of a golf bag accommodated thereby.

Preferably the support member is substantially vertical in use.

Preferably the assembly is adapted for use as a trolley.

The support member may be adapted for attachment of a handle.

Preferably the support member is adapted to permit the fitment of a frame which comprises an axle.

Preferably the support member is adapted to permit the fitment of a frame which includes at least one wheel.

Deposit of a coin or token may be required to permit use of the assembly.

The surface of the assembly may provide advertising space.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by means of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a support assembly according to the present invention in closed position; Fig 2 is a front view of the hood of the assembly of Fig 1; Fig 3 is a rear view of the hood of the assembly of Fig 1; Fig 4 is a front view of the support assembly according to the present invention in open position with the hood removed; Fig 5 is a rear view of the support assembly according to the present invention with the hood removed; Fig 6 is a side view of the base of the support assembly; Fig 7 is a front view of the handle of the assembly of the present invention when configured as a ,trolley; Fig 8 is a front view of an embodiment of a trolley assembly according to the present invention; Fig 9 is a detail of an embodiment of a detachable wheel frame in accordance with the present invention; Fig 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a trolley assembly according to the present invention showing the wheel frame in position and; Fig 11 is a rear view of a trolley assembly according to the present invention showing the wheel frame in position.

Referring to the drawings a support assembly for a golf bag, generally designated 1, comprises a base member 2 and a support member in the form of a body 3 extending upwardly from the base 2. The base 2 is generally circular with sides higher than the middle. The base 2 is designed to accommodate bags of different sizes.

Projections in the form of arms 4,5 extend outwardly from the body 3. The arms 4,5 are attached to the body 3 by means of spring hinges 6,7. The arms 4,5 normally sit in a closed position as shown in Figure 1. To place a bag on the support assembly 1 the arms 4,5 may be moved aside as shown in Figure 4.

When a bag is placed on the support assembly 1, it sits in the base 2 and is supported by the body 3.

The arms 4,5 are arranged to retain the bag in an upright position, and joined by means of a locking device 8. The base 2 is of weight sufficient to counterbalance a full golf bag, which tendS to be top heavy.

A hinged flap 19 may be attached to the base 2 to secure a bag to the base 2.

In this form the assembly 1 may be used to store golf bags upright, but if it is necessary to store a golf bag other than in a secure environment - for example in a garage or temporarily in a golf clubhouse where there is always a dearth of suitable lockers - the assembly 1 is of further use in addressing the important consideration of security of the bag and its contents.

Thus for security purposes the arms 4,5 are lockable by means of a locking device 8 to prevent removal of the golf bag. The support assembly 1 also has a hood 9 which is attached to a tube 10. This tube 10 has a first rigid portion 11 tapped to screw into the spine 13 of the body 3, and a second pliable portion 12 attached to the hood 9 and capable of flexion and extension.

This second portion 12 of the tube 10 allows the hood 9 to be moved from the position shown in Fig 1 for deposit of a golf bag in the assembly 1. Once a bag has been deposited the hood 9 is positioned to cover the open end of the golf bag and secured by attachment to the locking device 8. The hood 9 precludes access to the contents of the bag while it is so stored. The assembly 1 is secured to a wall or suitable surface, for example by means of a grip and chain 20.

When the assembly 1 is situated in a golf clubhouse the locking device 8 of the assembly 1 is normally locked, and release of the arms 4,5 and hood 9 for storage of a golf bag is coin or token activated. Thussthe assembly 1 acts as a source of revenue. Further revenue may be collected from the rental of space on the body 3 of the assembly 1 for display of advertisements.

The hood 9 may include an elastic strap or similar on an inner surface to retain golf shoes which may not be worn in a clubhouse, or other property.

This support assembly 1 is convertible into a trolley for a golf bag. For this purpose, the hood 9 is replaced by a handle 14, and a separate frame 15, bearing an axle on which a tyre or tyres 18 fit, is provided. The handle 14 is tapped to screw into the spine 13 of the body 3 of the assembly 1. The frame 15 is of shape complementary to the body 3 onto which body 3 the frame 15 is configured to slide.

When the frame 15 is slid onto the body 3, it is held in place by spring loaded security catches 16,17 attached to the body 3.

The assembly may be manufactured from fine steel, fibreglass, polymer or other suitable materials.

Improvements and modifications may be made to the above without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An assembly for supporting a golf bag comprising a base member adapted to accommodate a golf bag; a support member extending upwardly from the base member; and means adapted temporarily to retain the golf bag.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said means adapted temporarily to retain the golf bag comprises projections extending from the support member.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2 including means adapted temporarily to connect the projections to retain the golf bag.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein said projections when connected describe a substantially circular shape.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said means adapted temporarily to retain the golf bag is lockable.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim including means to preclude access to the contents of a golf bag retained thereby.

7. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the support member is adapted for attachment of said means to preclude access.

8. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein said means to preclude access comprises a hood.

9. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6, Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein said means to preclude access further includes fixing means adapted to fix the hood temporarily in a position which precludes access to the contents of a golf bag accommodated thereby.

10. A support member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support member is substantially vertical in use.

11. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim adapted for use as a trolley.

12. An assembly as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the support member is adapted for attachment of a handle.

13. An assembly as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the support member is adapted to permit the fitment of a frame which comprises an axle.

14. An assembly as claimed in Claim 11, Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein the support member is adapted to permit the fitment of a frame which includes at least one wheel.

14. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein deposit of a coin or token is required to permit use of the assembly.

15. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim the surface of which provides advertising space.

16. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.