GB2418150A

GB2418150A - Detachable waterproof golf bag hood with hinged lid

Info

Publication number: GB2418150A
Application number: GB0420757A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John William Whitelock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-17
Filing date: 2004-09-17
Publication date: 2006-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-17
Also published as: GB0420757D0; GB2418150B

Abstract

A collapsible waterproof hood 5 for a golf club bag comprises adjustable attachment means 1,2,3 for securing the hood to a golf bag, a collapsible internal support mechanism, e.g. torsion spring 4, for maintaining the cover in an expanded condition, a spring hinged lid 10 with a one touch catch mechanism 7,7a, side flaps 8 that extend between a rim of the hood and the lid, and a scorecard pocket 9. The hood may be collapsed and stored in a carry case 12. The internal support means may be a concertina hinge arrangement [14, Figure 2] or a set of flexible rods [16, Figure 3]. The hood allows easy access to clubs stored within a golf bag.

Description

Golf bag hood This invention relates to a waterproof-hinged top golf bag

hood with separate carry/storage case.

During a round of golf, an average player will require access to their clubs e.g. taking out and replacing them into the bag, in excess of one hundred and sixty times.

Conventional golf bag hoods are attached to the main bag by means of press-studs.

The hood itself has a large zip, which runs down one side, and this enables the golfer to gain access to his clubs. Because zips are cumbersome to use, they are often left in an open position. With the zip in the open position during the selection of the clubs, this leaves the clubs very vulnerable to water penetration during inclement weather.

The result of this is that the clubs become wet and invariably need constant wiping and quite often become more difficult to use properly which will affect the golfer's performance. Furthermore, there is no facility in the hood to accommodate a scorecard, which often results in the scorecard becoming wet and soggy during inclement weather.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes to house the clubs in a high quality waterproof hood, which is attached to a golf bag by a base strap with adjustable loops. The main body of the waterproof hood can be supported by various means such as a large torsion spring, two concertina hinged mechanisms or by four collapsible rods. The flat spring hinged canopy top overlaps neatly over the main bodywork thus preventing water penetration. Fixed to the underside of the hinged top is a transparent plastic pocket to house the scorecard.

A light push downwards on the top disengages the simple catch mechanism and the spring hinges lift the top at a ninety-degree angle to the golf bag. With the golf bags invariably being at their own angle due to a stand being used or being on a golf trolley, the top of the bag hood will act as a canopy whilst in the open position, for the clubs inside. The two material cheeks will prevent side penetration from the weather.

This can of course become even more efficient if the bag on the stand or trolley is positioned facing away from the prevailing weather. To close the hood, simply press the top down until the catch mechanism engages. The aforementioned operation can be repeated to access the scorecard pocket. This quick and easy access results in the clubs exposure to the elements becoming minimal and therefore remaining a lot dryer.

When not in use, the hood can be easily dismantled from the bag, compressed, secured with two restraining straps and put into a zip covered carry case which can if required be externally attached to the golf bag by means of a clasp.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the golf bag hood, a suitable torsion spring frame, spring hinges, catch mechanism, storage and base fixing straps, material side cheeks and carry case.

Figure 2 shows the golf bag hood with an alternative concertina hinged support mechanism.

Figure 3 shows the golf bag hood with another supporting arrangement.

In figure 1, the golf bag hood consists of a base fixing strap 1 which has four adjustable fixing loops 2 incorporating press studs on the inside and Velcro to the outside. These fixing loops can be positioned anywhere around the base strap to suit different manufacturer's bags. The base strap overlaps itself and is secured by Velcro.

The main hood 5 is supported internally by a suitable torsion spring 4 which is fixed inside the main hood at the top and bottom. Two spring type hinges 6 affix the canopy top 10 and two side cheeks 8 to the main body of the hood. A one touch catch mechanism 7 and 7a is fixed to the inside rim of the canopy top and the outer rim of the hood. On the underside or the canopy top is fixed a plastic transparent pocket 9 The whole of the hood arrangement is attached to a golf bag by means of Velcro on the outside of the fixing loops 1 and Velcro to the bottom inside of the hood which is then tightened with an adjustable overlapped flap 3 enabling it to fit most golf bags.

In position, the hood is easily operated by lightly pressing down the front part of the canopy top above the catch, this will release the catch and the spring hinges will lift the canopy top up to a ninety degree angle, the material cheeks inside will then unfold to protect any lateral weather penetration. Whilst in the open position, club selection and access to the scorecard pocket is made easily accessible. To close, simply lower the top down which will enable the two material side cheeks to fold inwards and the catch mechanism will engage.

To store the golf bag hood, simply reverse the assembly instructions. Place the canopy top upside down on a level surface then apply slight pressure to gently compress the main spring which is then secured by two restraining straps 11 with press studs I l a.

The whole of the hood is then placed in a zipped carry/storage case 12 which has a clasp l 3 to affix to the golf bag if required.

Figure 2 shows an alternative support structure for the golf bag hood. Two concertina hinge arrangements 14 are fixed internally to either side of the hood 5. The main body of the hood is supported by the concertina hinges, which are secured in position by a clasp l 5 and ready for assembling as described before. To dismantle, release the hood from the bag as described before, disengage the locking mechanism 15 and compress the hood all as before ready for storage in the carry case.

Figure 3 shows a further alternative support structure for the golf bag hood. Four assembled flexible rod supports 16 are equally fixed to the inside of the hood by means of suitable brackets 17. l he hood is now ready for assembling as described before. To dismantle, carefully bend the flexible rods to release them from their support brackets. The rods can be individually pulled apart from the middle joint 18.

The hood will now fold down ready for storing in the carry case together with the dismantled rods.

Claims

Claims 1. A waterproof golf bag hood comprising an adjustable attachment

means for attaching the hood to a golf bag, with an internal torsion spring structure to support the main body and spring hinged canopy top, material side cheeks with a catch mechanism for opening/closing and internal scorecard pocket.

2. A waterproof golf bag hood according to claim 1 in which two internal concertina hinge structures are provided to support the hood arrangement.

3. A waterproof golf bag hood according to claim 1 in which four internal flexible dismountable rods are provided to support the hood arrangement.

4. A waterproof golf bag hood according to any of the proceeding claims in which a hinged top hood can be dismantled and stored in an independent carry case with clasp. s

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I. A collapsible waterproof hood for a golf bag, the hood comprising adjustable attachment means for attaching the hood to a golf bag; a collapsible internal support means for supporting the hood; a spring hinged canopy lid with a catch mechanism to secure the lid in a closed position; side cheeks that extend between the body of the hood and the lid when the lid is open; and a scorecard pocket attached on the underside of the lid.
2. A collapsible waterproof hood for a golf bag as in claim I in which an internal torsion spring structure is provided to support the hood arrangement.
3. A collapsible waterproof hood for a golf bag as in claim 1 in which two internal concertina hinge structures are provided to support the hood arrangement.
4. A collapsible waterproof hood for a golf bag as in claim 1 in which four internal flexible dismountable rods are provided to support the hood arrangement.
5. A collapsible waterproof hood for a golf bag according to any of the proceeding claims which can be dismantled and stored in an independent carry case with clasp.