GB2437653A

GB2437653A - Heated golf club bag

Info

Publication number: GB2437653A
Application number: GB0708210A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Reid
Original assignee: HOTGRIPS Ltd
Current assignee: HOTGRIPS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-29
Filing date: 2007-04-27
Publication date: 2007-10-31
Also published as: GB0708210D0; US20070251844A1; CA2571741A1; CN2933496Y

Abstract

A golf club bag comprises a bag body 1, at least one fan 3 and at least one electrical heating wire located within the base of the bag body. The golf club bag may include two fans, two heating wires, and power unit 4 and switch 5. The golf club bag may include additional features e.g. a glove compartment and golf club guide plates.

Description

Heated golf club bag 2437653

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sports equipment, including, for example, golfing equipment.

Included in the present invention are golf club bags, for example, heated golf club bags amongst other subject matter.

Background of the Invention

Traditionally, golf club bags serve as containers in which a set of golf clubs may be carried around a golf course. During use, sweat from a user's hands can come into contact with the golf club particularly the grip of the club. When sweat comes into contact with the golf club, normal operation of the club may be affected and also the sweat may cause the club surface to corrode, which may shorten the life of the golf club. It would be useful to be able to dry the golf bags to avoid these problems. Examples of heated golf club bags are available. However, these typically have a complex structure and often have inadequate heating mechanisms. The complex structure results in an inconvenient golf club bag and the problem of drying the golf clubs is not solved due to inadequate heating.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to inter alia a golf club bag which can be heated so as to dry the golf clubs prior to use and following use. The present invention provides a heated golf club * .. bag which has a simple structure, is capable of heating and drying golf clubs and which may also ** . * comprise various energy saving features. *** *

* 2 In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heated golf club bag comprising: a bag body suitable for storing a plurality of golf clubs, at least one fan and at least one electric heating wire mounted onto the bag body, a power unit and a switch operatively connected to the fan and the at least one electric heating wire. In one embodiment, the golf bag comprises two fans. In one embodiment, the golf bag comprises two electric heating wires.

The heated golf club bag of the present invention provides a means for heating and drying the grips of golf clubs inside the bag. The golf bag is hollow and has an open top end to allow insertion of golf clubs. In one embodiment, the golf bag is made from a material that is adapted for use in all types of weather conditions e.g. rain, sunshine etc. In one embodiment, the at least one fan and the at least one electric heating wire are located at a base of the bag and are powered by the power unit. In embodiments in which the golf bag includes two fans and two heating wires, a set of a fan and a heating wire is located at one side of the base of the bag and another set of a fan and a heating wire is located at an opposing side of the base of the bag. In one embodiment, the fan and electric heating wires are located at the two sides of the bottom of the bag body. In other embodiments, differing numbers of fans and electric heating wires are provided e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6 or more. In one embodiment, the electric heating wires can be located within the bag body or as an integral part of the bag body.

In one embodiment, the golf bag comprises a fan hood which comprises at least one air hole in it. The fan hood can be embedded into an outer wall of the bag body e.g. at a position external of the bag which corresponds to the position of the fan. Thus, in one embodiment, the fan hood is located at the outer side of the fan. The golf bag may comprise more than one fan hood. In one embodiment, the number of fan hoods corresponds to the number of fans provided to the golf bag.

In one embodiment, the bag further comprises a top plate mounted on or located within an upper portion of the bag body. In one embodiment, the top plate is a club-guide top plate which can guide one or more clubs to a correct orientation and location within the bag. The club guide top plate may be mounted on to the top of the bag body.

: 20 In one embodiment, the golf bag further comprises a club guide plate unit located at the S. bottom of the bag body. In an embodiment, one or more openings e.g. windows, are located on * *. the two respective sides of said club guide plate unit and the fan position. Thus, the openings may be located at opposing sides of the bag body. A plurality of club separating guide plates *** maybe mounted on the club guide plate unit. In one embodiment, the guide plates are mounted *:* along the vertical axis of bag body. In one embodiment, air guide slots connected to the windows. In one embodiment, the air guide slots are located in the middle of each club * * * * separating guide plate.

In one embodiment, an opening e.g. a window, connected to the air guide slots, is located at one side of the club guide plate unit. In a further embodiment, a second or further opening which links the interior of the bag body to the exterior of the bag maybe located at a corresponding position of the bag body. In one embodiment, a glove drying bag is connected to the respective position on an exterior side wall i.e. an outer side wall of the bag body. The glove drying bag may be connected to the outside wall of the bag body via, for example, a zip structure.

In one embodiment, the power unit of said bag body includes a battery or more than one battery and a solar panel e.g. a solar battery plate. In one embodiment, the battery or plurality batteries are located at the centre of gravity of the bag body.

In one embodiment, the bag comprises a switch. In one embodiment, the linked switch of the bag body is connected with a manual over-run and timer unit. In an embodiment, the bag body may have an LED embedded therein which is connected to the switch. The bag body may further comprise an action sensor which is connected to the at least one fan and the at least one electric heating wire.

In one embodiment, the bag comprises a water drainage hole. In one embodiment, the water drainage hole is positioned at the bottom of the bag body. In one embodiment, the fan comprises at least one blade. In one embodiment, the bag comprises two fans which are wired for bi-directional air flow such that one fan blows warm air one way across the club grips and then switches off, followed by the other fan blowing warm air in the opposite direction. In one embodiment, the fan and electric heating wires are located within the bag body, and a fan hood with the air hole in it is embedded into the outer wall of the body at the outer side of the fan. The fan blade can be manufactured from a lightweight material with a protective layer on the surface.

In one embodiment, the bag further comprises means for carrying the bag. In one embodiment, the bag comprises one or more handles. In one embodiment, the handles are strap type handles. The strap type handles can be fixed onto the outer surface of said bag : 20 body. *. * * *

* ** In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf-club heated bag, including a bag body, a club guide top plate mounted onto the top of the body, a fan and electric heating wires mounted onto the body, a power unit and linked switch connected with the fan and electric *:. ,2 heating wires, characterized in that said fan and electric heating wires are located at the two * sides of the bottom of the bag body, and a fan hood with the air hole in it is embedded into the * *: outer wall of the body at the outer side of the fan. A club guide plate unit may be located at the bottom of said bag body. In one embodiment, a window is opened on the respective two sides of said club guide plate unit and said fan position, more separated club guide plates along the vertical direction of bag body are mounted on the center of club guide plate unit, and more air guide slots connected with said window are located on the middle of each guide plate. In one embodiment, an opening connected with said air guide slot is located at one side of said club guide plate unit, an opening is located also at the respective position of said bag body, a gloves drying bag is connected with the respective position of the outer side wall of the bag body. In one embodiment, the gloves drying bag is connected with the outer side wall of the bag body via a zip structure. In one embodiment, the power unit of said bag body includes battery and solar battery plate, and the battery is located at the gravity center of the bag body.

In use, the at least one electric heating wire may heat up when a current is passed through the wires as a result of connection with the power unit. Thus, in one embodiment, the at least one electric wire may become hot under power, and the heat may circulate within the bag body, aided by the air flow from the fan(s) to heat and dry the clubs. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a heated golf club bag which may have a simple structure with various energy saving features.

Description of the Figures

Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing the heated golf club bag according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the club guide plate unit of the heated golf club bag according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the air guide slot formed by the club guide plate unit of the heated golf club bag according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the air flowing through in the air guide slot of the heated golf club bag according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the open body of the heated golf club bag according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the complete heated golf club bag according to the present * 20 invention. S..

*..* Fig. 7 is a close-up diagram showing the glove drying bag of the heated golf club bag according * *-to the present invention. * . S * S

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* Detailed Description

* ,2 Embodiments of the present invention are described without limitation below with reference *. * to the drawings. * * S.

Referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7, the heated golf club bag may include a bag body 1, a club guide top plate 2 mounted onto the top of body 1, a fan and electric heating wires 3 mounted onto the body 1. The gold club bag may further comprise a power unit 4 and linked switch 5 which is connected to the fan and electric heating wires 3. The fan and electric heating wires 3 are located at the base of bag body 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag includes two fans. In one embodiment, both fans, one either side of the bag, are wired for bi-directional airflow. This means that one fan blows warm air one way across the club grips before switching off, followed by the second opposing fan blowing warm air the other way, resulting in bi-directional air flow.

A fan hood 6 with the air hole is embedded into the outer wall of body 1 at the outer side of the fan and electric heating wires 3. The fan blade can be manufactured from a lightweight material, for example a lightweight polycarbonate plastic, with a protective layer on the surface.

Referring to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, in one embodiment, a club guide plate unit 7 is located at the bottom of the bag body 1. The bag comprises two openings or windows 71 on the two opposing sides of the club guide plate unit 7 and the fan and electric heating wires 3. A plurality of club separating guide plates 72 are mounted on the club guide plate unit 7 along the vertical direction of bag body 1, and air guide slots 73 connected to the windows 71 are located on the middle of each club separating guide plate 72. The air flow comes from the fan, and flows into the bag body 1, and then flows through the golf club body 1 via the air guide slot 73 so as to dry the clubs.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the bag body 1 is an open body, wherein the golf clubs are guided only by the top guide plate 2. In this way, although the hot airflow speed is lower, the clubs situated within the bag are exposed to the various directions of hot air.

This embodiment has the advantage of lower manufacturing costs.

Referring to Fig. 7, the bag may also comprise means to heat and dry a user's golf gloves.

In one embodiment, the bag includes an opening 74 connected to the air guide slot 73. The opening is located at one side of the club guide plate unit 7. An opening is also located at a *...

respective position on the bag body 1. A glove drying bag 8 is connected to the respective * * position on the outside wall of bag body 1. The airflow is directed out through the openings to dry the gloves. In this embodiment, the glove drying bag 8 is connected with the outside wall of bag body I via a zip structure 81. Other sealing methods could also be employed. The *.25. outside of the glove drying bag 8 is heat-insulated, whilst inside of the glove drying bag is connected with the outer wall of bag body ito dry the wet gloves.

In one embodiment, the power unit 4 of said bag body 1 includes a battery or more than one battery. In another embodiment, the power unit 4 of the bag body 1 is a solar panel ("solar battery plate"). In yet another embodiment, the power unit 4 of the bag body 1 includes a battery or batteries and a solar panel. The solar panel ("solar battery plate") may be employed to charge the battery. In some embodiments, the battery is located at the centre of gravity of bag body 1 to ensure the bag can be easily carried and kept in balance. In some embodiments, the power unit 4 may also be equipped with a battery charger and charging socket.

The linked switch 5 of said bag body 1 is also connected to a manual over-run and timer unit.

In one embodiment, the timer unit may conserve battery power by switching off the fan and heating wires after a predetermined time. This time can be adjusted so that the fan and heating wires are deactivated when the golf clubs are dry. In one embodiment, the timer unit controls each fan and set of heating wires independently of the other fan and set of heating wires.

Initially, one fan and set of heating wires are activated to blow heated air in one direction over the golf clubs. This fan and set of heating wires are then deactivated and the other fan and set of heating wires are activated to blow heated air over the golf clubs in the reverse direction.

Therefore only one fan and set of heating wires are activated at one time which may save energy and still effectively dry the golf clubs. In some embodiments, the bag body 1 also has an action sensor connected to the fan and electric heating wires 3. For example, when the user or bag stops moving, the action sensor may deactivate the fan automatically, therefore eliminating fan noise during game play. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the sensor may detect when the bag is set down to deactivate the fans and heating wires whilst the player is taking a shot e.g. on the green of a golf course.

In some embodiments, the bag body 1 has embedded in it an LED which is connected to the linked switch 5 to indicate whether the fan and/or heating wires are in operation. In some embodiments, the bag further comprises a water drainage hole 9 positioned at the bottom of the bag body 1 to drain out any water.

The strap type handles 10 can be fixed onto the outer surface of said bag body 1. The S...

handles 10 may be a kind of normal cross strap 10 or tie strap for ease of carrying. The bag may be suitable for carrying by hand or by car.

* The bag according to the present invention may transfer the heat from the golf field under *:* various weather conditions. The golf club may be inserted into the bag in a normal way i.e. a *. : golf club is inserted through the top guide plate, into the bag body 1 and reaches the bottom of * bag body 1 via the guide plate. If the handle is slippery, heating via the electric wires may be employed to dry the club. There are two fan blades on the golf club heating coil to inlet the hot air into the bag body 1 and circulate around the whole golf club. The power unit can be one or more batteries in combination with a solar panel (or solar battery plate) to effect power charging of the battery. The switches on the top of the golf bag control the heating wires, fans and solar panel.

The fans and heating wires may operate independently. In one embodiment, the bag body 1 is manufactured from a lightweight material with good heat-insulating properties to keep the heat inside. The bag material can be a LFH (limited fire hazard) material.

In one embodiment, the fan and electric heating wires 3 are located inside the bag body 1, and a fan hood 4 with the air hole in it is embedded into the outer wall of body 1 at the outer side of the fan. The electric heating wires may become hot when activated, and the heat generated is circulated in the bag body by the fan in order to heat and dry the clubs. Thus, the heated golf club bag of the present invention has a simple structure and due to the timer unit, the fan and heating circuits are controlled so that they are deactivated automatically when the golf clubs are dry. In addition to this or alternatively, the timer unit is employed to alternate between activating the first fan and first set of heating wires and deactivating the second fan and second set of heating wires and activating the second fan and second set of heating wires and deactivating the first fan and first set of heating wires so that heated air is directed in both directions with respect to the golf club whilst only one fan and set of heating wires is active at any one time.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is clearly understood therefore that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. Various embodiments of the present invention are described in the appended claims. I. * * * *** * *** * * * S.. * *5 * * . 55* *

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S S. S * . * S 55 S. S S *S S 55

Claims

Claims 1. A golf club bag which comprises a bag body, at least one fan

and at least one electric heating wire mounted onto the body, a power unit and a linked switch which is connected with the fan and electric heating wires, wherein said fan and electric heating wires are located at opposing sides at a base of the bag body.

2. A golf club bag according to claim 1, which further comprises a fan hood comprising an air hole therein, wherein said fan hood is embedded into an outer wall of the bag body at a position which corresponds to the position of at least one fan within the bag.

3. A golf club bag according to claim I or claim 2, which comprises a club guide top plate mounted onto the top or adjacent to the top of the body.

4. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, which comprises a club guide plate unit located at the base of said bag body.

5. A golf club heated bag according to claim 4, which comprises at least two openings, at : 20' least one of which is located at one side of said club guide plate unit and fan and wherein at least one of which is located at an opposing side of said club guide plate unit and fan, wherein the guide plate unit comprises a plurality of separated club guide plates along the vertical direction of * bag body, wherein the separated club guide plates mounted on the center of club guide plate * unit.

* .i * * 4J* 6. The golf club bag according to claim 5, wherein additional air guide slots connected with said opening are located approximately on the middle of each guide plate.

7. A golf club bag according to Claim 6, which comprises (i) an opening connected with said air guide slot located at one side of said club guide plate unit and (ii) an additional opening is located also at the respective position of said bag body, wherein the bag further comprises a gloves drying bag connected to the bag body at a respective position of the outer side wall of the bag body to the position of the openings.

8. A golf club bag according to Claim 7, wherein said gloves drying bag is connected with the outer side wall of the bag body via a zip structure.

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9. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the power unit of said bag body comprises a battery and a solar battery plate, wherein optionally said battery is located at the gravity center of the bag body.

10. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the linked switch of said bag body is connected to a manual over-run and timer unit, and wherein the bag body further comprises a LED connected with the linked switch.

11. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, wherein said bag body further comprises an action sensor connected with the fan and electric heating wires.

12. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, further comprising a water drainage hole at the bottom of said bag body, which can be opened to drain water from the bag.

13. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the fan comprises at least one blade which is formed from a lightweight material with a protection layer on the surface, wherein optionally the blade is made from plastic.

14. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, characterized in that band type braces are fixed onto the outer surface of said bag body. * . ***.

* ** 15. A golf club bag according to any preceding claim, wherein in use the electric heating wires conduct heat to the interior of the bag and the fan or plurality of fans circulate air in the *** * interior of the bag as to dry and/or heat the golf clubs situated therein. *.25. * S S

16. .A golf club bag according to claim 1, as hereinbefore described with reference to * the accompanying drawings.