GB2397931A

GB2397931A - Anti-theft alarm for a golf bag having a movement sensor in the base of the bag

Info

Publication number: GB2397931A
Application number: GB0302154A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kathryn Sevastopulo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-30
Filing date: 2003-01-30
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Also published as: GB0302154D0

Abstract

A golf bag 10 comprises a hollow cylindrical container with a sealed base 13 and an open end 11 for the receipt of golf clubs 12. Preferably the base has a angled portion upon which the bag rests when an attached stand 14 is used to support the bag in an upright, but leaning position (see figure 1) when unattended. An anti theft alarm 16 detects the movement of the unattended bag by a movement sensor positioned on the angled potion of the base of the bag. The movement sensor preferably comprises a pin 18 urged out from the base of the bag by spring 19 such that when the pin moves outwardly, due to the bag being moved form the ground, a signal is sent to the alarm control 20 to trigger an alarm warning. Preferably an infrared wireless remote control 22 is used to arm and disarm the alarm.

Description

239793 1 i 1

GOLF BAGS

The invention relates to golf bags.

A golf bag generally comprises an elongate tubular body open at one end for the receipt of golf clubs and closed at the other end to form a base. The bag can be stood on the base and some bags arc provided with an integral stand to support the bag.

A golfer will often leave a golf bag outside a club house for while, for example, the golfer changes clothing or shoes. There has been an increasing incidence of thefts of such unattended golf bags.

According to the invention, there is provided a golf bag comprising an elongate tubular body open at one end for the receipt of golf clubs and closed at the other end I 5 to form a base, the golf bag including an alarm actuatable on unauthorized movement of the bag.

Preferably, the alarm is switchable between in operative and operative states by a wireless signal from a remote switch.

T be following is a more detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a golf bag, Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of a section of a base of the golf bag of Figure 1 showing an alarm and remote switch, and Figure 3 is a block diagram of the alarm of Figure 2.

Referring first to Figure 1, the golfbag conpriscs a generally tubukar body 10 open at one end 11 for the receipt of golf clubs 12 and closed at the other end to form a base 13. The golfbag carries a stand 14 which supports the golfbag when resting on the base 13.

As seen in figure 2, the base 13 includes a compartment 15 containing an alarm 16 including a control system 20 and a sensor 17. The sensor 17 is formed by a pin 18 urged by a spring 19 to project from the base 13. Wllen the base rests on a surface, as shown in Figurc 1, the pin 18 is depressed against the action of tl-le spring 19.

When the golf bag is lifted from the surface, the pin 18 extends under the action of the spring 19 and this causes an electrical signal to be sent to the control system 20.

The control system 20 includes a receiver 21 (see Figure 3) which receives a wireless signal fiom a remote button operated switch 22. On receipt of the first such wireless signal (which may be an infra-red signal), the receiver activates the alarm unit 23 so that, on receipt of a signal from the sensor 17, the alarm unit 23 produces an alarm signal that may be an audible and/or a visual signal and/or a transmitted wireless 3, signal. On receipt of a second wireless signal from the remote switch 22 the receiver 21 renders the alarm unit 23 inoperative. A golfer can thus leave the golfbag standing on the base 13 and then "arm" the alarm by pressing the renotc switch 22 which is carried by the golfer. When the golfer returns, the golfer "disarms" the alarm by pressing the button and the golfbag can then be removed without activating the alarm.

A power source 24 provides power to the alarm 16.

There are many variations that might be made to the system described above with reference to the drawings. The alarm need not be rendered operative / inoperative by a remote switch. It could be rendered operative / inoperative by a switch on the golf bag. The alarm need not be in the base of the golf bag; it could be elsewhere in or on the golf bag. The movement of the golf bag need not be sensed by the pin 18; it could be sensed'oy any suitable motion sensing device. ( 4

Claims

1. A golf bag comprising an elongate tubular body open at one end for the receipt of golf clubs and closed at the end to form a base, the golf bag including an Aladdin operable on unauthorised movement of the bag.

2. The golf bag according to claim l wherein the alarm is switchable between inoperative and operative states by a wireless signal from a remote switch

3. l he golf bag according to claim 2 wherein the signal is an infra-rcd signal.

4. A golf bag according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the alarm includes a sensor tor detecting movement of the golf bag, detection of: movement of the golf bag by the sensor when the alarm is in the operative state, operating the alarm.

5. A golfbag according to claim 3 wherein the sensor comprises a pin spring loaded to project from the base, the pin being depressed when the golf bag is standing on the base, lifting the bag off the base, when the alarm is in the operative state, allowing the pin to project from the base to operate the alarm.

A golf bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.