GB2399747A

GB2399747A - An umbrella case for use with a golf bag

Info

Publication number: GB2399747A
Application number: GB0307187A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tsun-Zong Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-28
Filing date: 2003-03-28
Publication date: 2004-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-28
Also published as: GB2399747B; GB0307187D0

Abstract

A golf umbrella case 3comprises a downwardly tapered hollow body 31 having a top opening 32, with a peripheral surface having a radially projecting flange 34 and a closed bottom plate 33, where the case is adapted to be inserted into a golf bag1. The umbrella case may have a ring portion 4 with at least one ear portion (43 figure 13) extending outwardly from one side of the lower edge of the ring portion, and at least one locating portion (45 figure 13) extending down from the ear portion. The locating ring 4 may be adapted to mount on the outer surface of a golf bag, where at least one ear portion rests on the top edges of at least two partitioning strips 16, so as to straddle the partitioning strips. At least one locating portion which may be a lug 42, extending down from the ear portion may be adapted to clamp to at least one of the two partitioning strips.

Description

GOLF UMBRELLA CASE SUITABLE FOR

POSITIONING IN A GOLF BAG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf umbrella case that is specially designed for positioning in a golf bag to keep an integral appearance of the golf bag and prevent the golf bag from being internally wetted by rainwater remained on a golf umbrella positioned therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Itisverypossibleto have sudden changesin the weather during a formal or a practice golf game that usually takes aconsiderablylong time to complete. In the wide and open golf link, it is almost impossible to timely take shelter from the rain. Therefore, a golfer would usually prepare a golf umbrella to be carried along with the golf bag. In case of sudden changes in the weather,thecaddiecarryingthegolfbagforthegolfer may quickly get the golf umbrella for use. The golf umbrella may also be used as a shelter from the sun.

Fig. 1 shows a conventionally structured golf bag 1.

As shown, the golf bag 1 is provided at one side close to a bottom and a top thereof with outward protruded holding plate 11 and fastening strap 12, respectively.

The holding plate 11 includes an insertion hole 13.

A conventionally structured golf umbrella 2 is held to the golf bag 1 by inserting a ferrule 21 of the golf umbrella 2 into the insertion hole 13 on the holding plate 11 and tightening the golf umbrella 2 at a position close to a handle 22 of the golf umbrella with the fastening strap 12, so that the golf umbrella 2 is externally attached to the golf bag 1. The following disadvantages are found in the above-described manner of binding the golf umbrella 2 to the golf bag 1: 1. The golf umbrella 2 is held to an outer side of the golf bag 1 to spoil an integral appearance and reduce the valuable quality of the golf bag.

2. The golf umbrella 2 forms on the outer side of the golf bag 1 a long protruded portion that together with the holding plate 11 tend to collide or interfere with other things to damage the latter or to injure otherpeople's hands when the golf bag 1 is positioned along with many other articles during conveyance thereof.

3. The golf umbrella 2 is usually attached to the outer side ofthe golf beg late position counterclockwise to the right of a shoulder strap 14 of the golf bag 1 to space from the shoulder strap 14 by an angle about 90 degrees. When a caddie carries the golf bag 1 on his or her left shoulder, the golf umbrella 2 located at such a position tends to press against the caddie' s body to cause discomfort to the caddie.

To avoid such discomfort, the caddie would usually carry the golf bag 1 on his or her right shoulder for the golf umbrella 2 to face outward relative to the caddie's body. However, the caddie's right shoulder would become tired and sore after carrying the golf bag 1 for a prolonged time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Itisthereforeaprimaryobjectofthepresentinvention to provide a golf umbrella case that is suitable for positioning in a golf bag to eliminate the drawbacks causedby attaching theconventionally structured golf umbrella to the outer side of the golf bag.

Toachievetheaboveandotherobjects,thegolfumbrella case of the present invention is adapted to locate in place between two transverse strips at a top opening of the golf bag for holding a golf umbrella therein, so that the golf bag may have an integral and valuable appearance without an outward protruded portion to collide or interfere with external things and cause discomforCtoacaddiecarryingthegolfbagonshoulder.

Moreover, the golf umbrella case may collect any rainwater remained on the golf umbrella to avoid an internally wetted golf bag, and may be easily removed fromthegolfbagtoclearrainwateranddustaccumulated therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the presentinventionto achieve the above end other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a conventional golf bag with means for externally attaching a golf umbrella to the golf bag; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag according to the present invention, with a locating ring assembled thereto; Fig. 3 is an exploded sectional view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a partially sectioned side view of a golf bag with the golf umbrella case and the locating ring of Fig. 2 positioned therein; Fig. 5 is a top view of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a first example of golf umbrella suitable for positioning in the golf umbrella case according to the present invention; Fig. 7 shows the golf umbrella of Fig. 6 in a fully closed state; Fig. 8 shows the manner of inserting the golf umbrella of Fig. 7 into the golf umbrella case positioned in the golf bag; s Fig. 9 is a partially sectioned side view showing the golf umbrella of Fig. 7 has been fully inserted into the golf umbrella case positioned in the golf bag; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a second example of golf umbrella suitable for positioning in the golf umbrella case according to the present invention; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the golf umbrella of Fig. 10 in a fully closed state and tightened with a tying strip; and Fig. 12 is a partially sectioned side view showing another example of positioning the golf umbrella case of the present invention in a golf bag; Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the locating ring for use with the golf umbrella case of the present invention; and Fig. 14 is a partially sectioned side view of a golf bagwiththegolfumbrella ease ofthepresentinvention using the locating ring of Fig. 13 being positioned therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to Fig. 2 that is a perspective view of a golf umbrella case 3 suitable for positioning in a golf bag according to the present invention, with a locating ring 4 assembled thereto, and to Fig. 3 that is an exploded sectional view of Fig. 2.

As shown, the golf umbrella case 3 includes a downward tapered hollow body 31 having a top opening 32 and a closed bottom plate33. The top opening32 is provided along an outer peripheral surface with a radially projected flange 34 to facilitate easy handling of the golf umbrella case 3.

The golf umbrella case 3 may be positioned in a golf bag 1, as shown in Fig. 4 that is a partially sectioned view of the golf bag 1. Please also refer to Fig. 5 thatisa top view ofFig.4. Thegolfbaglisgenerally provided at a top opening 15 with two transverse partitioning strips 16 spaced from each other by a predetermined distance to divide an internal space of thegolfbag 1 into three smaller rooms. As can tee seen from Fig. 9, golf clubs 17 are put in different rooms of the golf bag 1 according to their lengths, so that the golf clubs 17 can be easily identified and quickly removed from the golf bag 1. The partitioning strips 16 also prevent the golfclubs 17 from overly inclining in the golf bag 1 due to an overlarge top opening IS ofthegolfbagl. Thegolfumbrellacase3ispositioned in the golf bag 1 by inserting it into the middle room between the two partitioning strips 16, so that the two partitioning strips 16 properly clamp and thereby locate the golf umbrella case 3 in place in the golf bag 1.

The locating ring 4 is adapted for assembling to an outer circumferentialsurfaceofthegolf umbrella ease 3, and includes a ring portion 41, at least one ear portion 43 outward projected from one side of a lower edge of the ring portion 41, and at least one locating portion 45 downward extended from the at least one ear portion43. The locating portion45 maybe formed from inner and outer lugs 42 to define a locating space 44 between the twolugs42, asshownin Fig.3, or tee formed from one single outer lug 42, as shown in Fig. 13. The ring portion 41 is designed for putting on the outer surface of the golf umbrella case 3 with a lower side of the at least one ear portion 43 rested on a top edge of at least one of the two partitioning strips 16 to straddle the middle room, end the at least one locating portion 45 is adapted to clamp an upper edge of the partitioning strip 16 between the inner and outer lugs 42, as shown in Fig. 4, or between the golf umbrella case body 31 and the outer lug 42, as shown in Fig. 14. These arrangements enable the golf umbrella case 3 to stably locate in the golf bag 1 between the two partitioning strips 16.

Please now refer to Fig. 6 that is a perspective view of a first example of golf umbrella 5 suitable for positioning in the golf umbrella case 3 of the present invention, and to Fig. 7 that shows the golf umbrella of Fig. 6 in a fully closed state.

As shown in Fig. 1, a common golf umbrella 2 usually includes a tying strip 23 having a uniform width connected to a cover 24 of the golf umbrella 2. When the tying strip 23 is tightened around the closed cover 24, it is in a transverse position perpendicular to a centerline of the golf umbrella 2. The tying strip 23 tends to prevent the golf umbrella 2 from smoothly inserting into a golf umbrella case, such as the golf umbrellacase3 of the presentinvention. On the other hand, the first example of golf umbrella 5 shown in Fig. 6 includes a tying strip 51 that is connected to a distal end 52 of one of many ribs of the golf umbrella 5. The tying strip 51 provided at the above-mentioned position does not interfere the fully closed golf umbrella 5 from smoothly inserting into or removing from the golf umbrella case 3.

PleaserefertoFig.8thatshowsthemannerofinserting the golf umbrella 5 into the golf umbrella case 3. To doso, firstbindtheribsofthegolfumbrella5together with the tying strip 51. Then, wind collapsed gores of the golf umbrella 5 in a normal way and turn the golf umbrella 5 clockwise, as indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 8, while downward push the golf umbrella 5, as indicated by the arrow B. so that the whole golf umbrella 5 is smoothly inserted into the golf umbrella case 3. A handle 53 of the golf umbrella 5 inserted into the golf umbrella case 3 is upward projected from the top opening32 ofthe golfumbrella case 3, as shown in Fig. 9. To remove the golf umbrella 5 from the golf bag 1, simply grip the handle 53 with one hand and the golf umbrella case 3 with the other hand to separate the golf umbrella 5 from the case 3.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a second example of golf umbrella 6 suitable for positioning in the golf umbrella case 3 according to the present invention; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the golf umbrella 6 in a fully closed state and tightened with a tying strip.

The second example of golf umbrella 6 includes a tying strip 61 connected Lo a coyer "hereof. The tying strip 61 has an inclined front edge giving the tying strip 61 a variable width gradually decreased from inner end toward outer end. After the tying strip 61 is wound around the cover of the golf umbrella 6 to tighten the latter, the inclined front edge of the tying strip 61 forms a spiral that does not significantly protrude from the cover and tends to spirally guide the golf umbrella 6 into the golf umbrella case 3 instead of forming a hindrance to prevent the golfumbrella 6 from smoothly inserting into the golf umbrella case 3.

Fig. 12 is a partially sectioned side view showing another example of positioning the golf umbrella case 3 of the present invention in the golf bag 1. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the golf umbrella case 3 is positioned in the golf bag 1 with the bottom plate 33 pressing against an inner bottom of the golf bag 1 to define a final position of the golf umbrella case 3 in the golf bag 1. However, in the example shown in Fig. 12, the final position of the golf umbrella case 3 in the golf bag 1 is defined by the contact of a lower side of the flange 34 around the golf umbrella case opening 31 with a top of the ring portion 41 of the locating ring 4.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the locating ring 4, and Fig. 14 is a partially sectioned side view showing the manner of positioning the golf umbrella case 3 using the locating ring 4 of Fig. 13 in the golf bag 1. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the locating ring 4 illustrated therein includes a locating portion 45 formed from inner and outer lugs 42todefinealocatingspace44therebetween. However, thelocatingring4illustratedinFig.13hasalocating portion 45 formed from only one single lug 42, which isadaptedLoclamp to anoutersideof the partitioning strip 16 of the golf bag 1 to locate the golf umbrellas case 3 in place in the golf bag 1.

With the golf umbrella case 3 positioned in the golf bag 1 and the golf umbrella 5 or 6 inserted in the golf umbrella case 3, the golf bag 1 has an integral and valuable appearance. No protruded portion is presented on the golf bag 1 to collide or interfere with other articles or cause discomfort to a caddie carrying the golfbag lonshoulder. Thegolfumbrella case 3 also serves to collect any rainwater remained on the cover of the golf umbrella 5 or 6 received in the case 3, in order to avoid an internally wetted golf bag 1. Moreover, thegolfumbrellacase3 can tee easily removed from the golf bag 1 to clear any rainwater or dust accumulated therein. /

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a

golf bag, comprising a downward tapered hollow S body having a top opening provided along an outer peripheralsurfacewitharadiallyprojectedflange, and a closed bottom plate; and said golf umbrella case being adapted to insert into said golf bag for receiving a golf umbrella therein.
2. The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said golf bag includes a top opening having two transverse partitioning stripe connected "hereto, end wherein said golf umbrella case is positioned in said golf bag between said two partitioning strips to be properlyclampedtherebetweenandthereforelocated in place in said golf bag.
3. The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in agolfbag asclaimedinclaim2, furthercomprising a locating ring having a ring portion, at least one ear portion outward extended from one side ofalower edge of said ring portion, end et least one locating portion downward extended from said at least one ear portion; said locating ring being adapted to mount on an outer surface of said golf umbrellacase at a predetermined position with a lower side of said at least one ear portion rested on a top edge of at least one of said two partitioning strips to straddle the middle room, and said at least one locating portion being adapted to clamp to at least one of said two partitioning strips.
4. The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 3, wherein said locating portion comprises a lug downward extended from said at least one ear portion.
5. The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 3, wherein said locating portion comprises inner and outer lugs downward extended from said atleast one ear portion to define a locating space between said inner and outer lugs.
6. The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said golf umbrella includes a plurality of ribs, and a tying strip connected to a distal end of one of said ribs; and wherein said golf umbrella can be inserted into and removed from said golf umbrella case.
7. The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said golf umbrellaincludesa tying strip connected boa coyer of said golf umbrella, said tying strip having an inclined front edge that gives the tying strip a variable width gradually decreased from inner to outer end of the tying strip; and wherein said golf umbrella can be inserted into and removed from said golf umbrella case.
8. A golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag, said golf bag including a top opening haying two transversepartitioning stripe connected thereto, comprising: a downward tapered hollow body having a top opening provided along an outer peripheral surface with a radiallyprojectedflange,andaclosedbottomplate; and said golf umbrella case being adapted to insert into said golf bag between said two transverse partitioning strips for receiving a golf umbrella therein; and a locating ring having a ring portion, at least one ear portion outward extended from one side ofalower edge of said ring portion, and at least one locating portion downward extended from said at least one ear portion; said locating ring being adapted to mount on an outer surface of said golf umbrellacase at a predetermined position with a lower side of said at least one ear portion rested on a top edge of at least one of said two partitioning strips to straddle the middle room, and said at least one locating portion being adapted to clamp to at least one of said two partitioning strips.
9. The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein said locating portion of said locating ring comprises a lug downward extended from said at least one ear portion.
lO.The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein said locating portion of said locating ring comprises inner and outer lugs downward extended from said at least one ear portion to define a locating space between said inner and outer lugs.
ll.The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein said golf umbrella includes a plurality of ribs, and a tying strip connected to a distalend of one of said ribs; and wherein said golf umbrella can be inserted into and removed from said golf umbrella case.
12.The golf umbrella case suitable for positioning in a golf bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein said golf umbrellaincludesa tying strip connected Lo a coyer of said golf umbrella, said tying strip having an inclined front edge that gives the tying strip a variable width gradually decreased from inner to outer end of the tying strip; and wherein said golf umbrella can be inserted into and removed from said golf umbrella case.