GB2452371A

GB2452371A - Golf bag base

Info

Publication number: GB2452371A
Application number: GB0814157A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas W Anderson; Frank A Quartarone
Original assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 2007-08-28
Filing date: 2008-08-01
Publication date: 2009-03-04
Also published as: CA2638233A1; GB0814157D0; US20090057178A1

Abstract

A golf bag base or bottom 100 comprises a base portion 110 having an outer bottom surface 114 and a side surface 116, and support members 122-128 extending downwardly from the outer bottom surface 114 and outwardly from the side surface 116, with the support members providing at least two flat sides 132-138, 142-148. The base portion 110 is associated with first and second perimeters, and the support members extend outwardly between the perimeters. The first perimeter may be circular (640, fig. 6) with the second perimeter (650, fig. 6) defined by lines (672-678, fig. 6) tangential to the circle. Alternatively, the first perimeter may be a circle (640, fig. 6) having a radius (662, fig. 6) with the second perimeter (650, fig. 6) being a polygon having an apothem (664, fig. 6) equal to the radius. The support members are intended to define channels 152-158, one of which may engage with a bag seat (705, fig. 7) of a golf cart, bag stand or bag rack. The support members may be integral with the base portion, or attached with fasteners (not shown). The support members may have non-circular, square, rectangular or pentagonal shapes, and may have a bottom portion parallel to the ground when the bag is in a standing position (see fig. 4). A method of manufacturing a bag bottom is also claimed.

Description

GOLF BAG BOTfOMS AND METHODS TO MANUFACTURE GOLF BAG BOflOMS [00011 The present disclosure relates generally to golf equipment, and more particularly, to golf bag bottoms and methods to manufacture golf bag bottoms.

[00021 Typically, a golfer may use a golf bag to carry his or her set of golf clubs, golf balls, golf tees, etc. During a round of golf, the golfer may physically carry the golf bag from hole to hole (cg., via a shoulder strap on the golf bag). Instead of physically carrying the golf bag, the golfer may have an individual (e.g., a caddy) to carry the golf bag.

Alternatively, the golfer may use a pull, push, and/or motorized golf cart to carry the golf bag.

[00031 FIG. I is a perspective diagram representation of an example golf bag bottom according to an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture deribed herein.

100041 FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 1.

100051 FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 1.

[00061 FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 1.

10007) FIG. 5 depicts a side view of a portion of the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 1.

[0008) FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of example perimeters associated with the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 1.

[0009) FIG. 7 depicts a bottom view of another example golf bag bottom.

[0010] FIG. 8 depicts a cross section view of the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 7 along line I-I.

[0011) FIG. 9 depicts a cross section view of the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 7 along the line 2-2.

(0012] FIG. 10 depicts another cross section view of the example golf bag bottom of FIG. 7.

(0013) FIG. 11 depicts a bottom view of another example golf bag bottom.

[0014] FIG. 12 depicts a bottom view of another example golf bag bottom.

10015] FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of another example golf bag bottom.

[0016] FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of another example golf bag bottom.

(0017] FIG. 15 depicts a bottom view of another example golf bag bottom.

[0018] FIG. 16 depicts a bottom view of another example golf bag bottom.

10019] FIG. 17 depicts a side view of an example golf bag.

[0020] FIG. 18 depicts a side view of a golf bag cart.

(0021] FIG. 19 depicts a flow diagram representation of one manner in which the example golf bag bottom of FIG. I may be manufactured.

I

100221 In general, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture associated with golf bag bottoms are described herein. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

10023] In the examples of FIGs. 1-5, a golf bag (e.g., the golf bag 1600 of FIG. 16) may include a golf bag bottom 100. The golf bag bottom 100 may include a base portion 110.

The base portion 110 may include an inner surface 112, an outer surface 114, and a side surface 116. For example, the base portion 110 may have a circular shape. Alternatively, the base portion 110 may have a triangular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, or any other suitable polygonal shapes.

10024] The golf bag bottom 100 may also include a plurality of support members 120, generally shown as 122, 124, 126, and 128. To provide stability for a golf bag when the golf bag is in a standing position, each of the plurality of support members 120 may be located within a quadrant of the base portion 110. Refening to FIG. 2, for example, the base portion may include a plurality of quadrants defined by a first plane 210 and a second plane 220.

The first and second planes 210 and 220 may be substantially perpendicular to each other and intersect at a center 230 of the base portion 110. The base portion 110 may be symmetrical with respect to the first plane 210 and/or the second plane 220. The plurality of quadrants may include a first quadrant 240, a second quadrant 250, a third quadrant 260, and a fourth quadrant 270. In particular, the first support member 122 may be located in the first quadrant 240, the second support member 124 may be located in the second quadrant 250, the third support member 126 may be located in the third quadrant 260, and the fourth support member 128 may be located in the fourth quadrant 270.

100251 One or more of the plurality of support members 120 may be an integral portion of the base portion 110. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of support members 120 may be coupled to the base portion 110 with a fastener (e.g., a screw-type fastener on an end of the support member). Further, one or more of the plurality support members 120 may be adjustable relative to a ground plane (e.g., the ground plane 410 of FIG. 4). In one example, all of the plurality of support members 120 may be integral portions of the base portion 110.

In another example, each of the plurality of support members 120 may be coupled to the base portion 110 with a fastener. In yet another example, the base portion 110 may include a combination of the above examples with one or more of the plurality of support members being an integral portion(s) of the base portion 110 (e.g., 122 and 124) and one or more of the plurality of support members 120 coupled to the base portion 110 with a fastener.

10026] As described in detail below, each of the plurality of support members 120 may extend downwardly and outwardly from the outer surface 114 and/or the side surface 116 within an area between perimeters associated with the base portion 110 (e.g., first and second perimeters 640 and 650 of FIG. 6). Each of the plurality of support members 120 may include at least one substantially flat side (generally shown as 132, 134, 136, 138, 142, 144, 146, and 148) to engage a bag seat member (e.g., the bag seat member of 705 of FIG. 7) associated with a cart (e.g., a pull cart, a push cart, or a motorized cart), a bag stand, a bag rack, etc. For example, the substantially flat sides 132 and 134 may be substantially parallel to each other. Further, the substantially flat sides 136 and 138 may be substantially parallel to each other. In a similar manner, the substantially flat sides 142 and 144 may be substantially parallel to each other, and the substantially flat sides 146 and 148 may be substantially parallel to each other. Alternatively, two or more of the substantially flat sides described herein may not be parallel to each other (e.g., the substantially flat sides 1532 and 1534 of FIG. 15).

100271 Any two of the plurality of support members 120 may form a channel (generally shown as 152, 154, 156, and 158) to receive a bag seat member. In one example, the support members 122 and 124 (e.g., via the substantially flat sides 132 and 134) may form a channel 152 to receive a bag seat member. In another example, the support members 126 and 128 may also form another channel 154 to receive a bag seat member. In a similar manner, the support members 122 and 128 (e.g., the substantially flat sides 142 and 148) and the support members 124 and 126 (e.g., the substantially flat sides 144 and 146) may form channels 156 and 158, respectively, to receive a bag seat member.

[00281 To provide stability, each of the plurality of support members 120 may also extend outwardly from both the outer surface 114 and the side surface 116. Each of the plurality of support members 120 may include a substantially pentagonal-shaped bottom surface. Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, for example, the support member 122 may extend downwardly from the outer surface 114 and the side surface 116 to lift up the base portion from a ground plane 410. In particular, the base portion 110 may be lifted up from the ground plane 410 by a distance 510. For example, the distance 510 may be at least 0.32 inches. Alternatively as described in detail below, each of the plurality of support members may extend from the outer surface 114 of the base portion 110 only (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10).

[00291 Although FIGs. 4 and 5 may depict the outer surface 114 of the bag bottom 100 being on a plane substantially parallel to the ground plane 410, the outer surface 114 may be on a plane that may intersect with the ground plane 410. In one example, the first and second support members 122 and 124 may lift the bag bottom 100 higher from the ground plane 410 than the third and fourth support members 126 and 128.

[0030] The golf bag bottom 100 and/or other golf bag bottoms described herein may be made of, for example, plastic entirely or partially. One or more portions of the golf bag bottom 100 and/or other golf bag bottoms described herein may also be made of one or more other suitable type of material(s) such as rubber. Alternatively, a first portion of the golf bag bottom 100 may be made of a first material and a second portion of the golf bag bottom 100 may be made of a different material. For example, the base portion 110 may be made of plastic whereas one or more of the plurality of support members 120 may be made of rubber.

The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

100311 Turning to FIG. 6, for example, the golf bag bottom 100 may be associated with a configuration 600 having a first perimeter 640 and a second perimeter 650. The first and second perimeters 640 and 650 may have a common center 660. In particular, the shape of the base portion 110 may define the first perimeter 640. In one example, the first perimeter 640 may be a substantially circular perimeter. The first perimeter 640 may include a radius 662 with a length of R from the center 660. For example, the radius 660 may be 4.68 inches.

Alternatively, the first perimeter 640 may be a polygon (e.g., pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, etc.) associated with an apothem.

f0032J The second perimeter 650 may be based on the first perimeter 640. For example, the second perimeter 650 may be a substantially squared perimeter to inscribe the first perimeter 640. In particular, a plurality of lines 670 tangential to the first perimeter 640 may define the second perimeter 650. The second perimeter 650 may include an apothem 664 with a length of A from the center 660. The radius 662 of the first perimeter 640 and the apothem 664 of the second perimeter 650 may be equal to each other. In one example, the plurality of lines 670 may include four lines 672, 674, 676, and 678 tangential to the first perimeter 640 at four tangential points 682, 684, 686, and 688, respectively. The length of each of the plurality of lines 670 (L) may be twice the length of the radius 662 (e.g.,L 2 * R). The first and third lines 672 and 676 may be parallel to each other, and the second and fourth lines 674 and 678 may also be parallel to each other. The first line 672 may be substantially perpendicular to the second and fourth lines 674 and 678. In a similar manner, the second line 674 may be substantially perpendicular to the first and third lines 672 and 676.

[0033] The plurality of lines 670 may define four corner points of the second perimeter 650, generally shown as 692, 694, 696, and 698. In particular, the first and fourth lines 672 and 678 may intersect at the first corner point 692, the first and second lines 672 and 674 may intersect at the second corner point 694, the second and third lines 674 and 676 may intersect at the third corner point 696, and the third and fourth lines 674 and 678 may intersect at the fourth corner point 698.

[0034] The center 660 may be a distance 668 (D) from each of the four corner points 692, 694, 696, and 698. In one example, the distance 668 may be the square root of 2 times the radius 662 (e.g., D!2 * R 1.414 * R). Accordingly, the distance 699 between the first and second perimeters 640 and 650 may be in a range between zero and (/2 -1) * R. In particular, the shortest distance between the first and second perimeters 640 and 650 may be substantially zero at each of the four tangential points 682, 684, 686, and 688 whereas the longest distance between the first and second perimeters 640 and 650 may be substantially (J2 -1) * R. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

100351 Although the above examples may depict support members with substantially pentagonal-shaped bottom surfaces, the support members described herein may have other suitable shapes. In the example of FIGs. 7, 8, 9, and 10, a golf bag bottom 700 may include a base portion 710 and a plurality of support members 720, generally shown as 722, 724, 726, and 728. The base portion 710 may include an outer surface 714 and a side surface 716. The base portion 710 may be associated with a first perimeter 740 and a second perimeter 750.

10036] The first and second perimeters 740 and 750 may have a common center 760 with the second perimeter 750 inscribing the first perimeter 740. In particular, the first perimeter 740 may be defined by the shape of the outer surface 714 and/or the side surface 716. The second perimeter 750 may be defined by a plurality of lines tangential to the first perimeter 740, generally shown as 772, 774, 776, and 778. In one example, the first perimeter 740 may be a circle with a radius 762 extending from the center 760. The first perimeter 740 may be substantially equal to the circumference of the outer surface 714 (C) defined by the radius 762 (R) (i.e., C =2 * r * R). The second perimeter 750 may be a square with an apothem 764 (A) extending from the center 760. The apothem 764 may be substantially equal to the radius 762 (i.e., A = R) to inscribe the first perimeter 740. The second perimeter 750 may be substantially equal to eight times the radius 760 (i.e., 8 * R).

[0037J Each of the plurality of support members 720 extend downwardly from the outer surface 714 of the base portion 710. In particular, each of the plurality of support members 720 may include a substantially squared bottom surface. Further, each of the plurality of support members 720 may include at least one substantially flat side (generally shown as 732, 734, 736, and 738) to engage at least a portion of a bag seat member 705 associated with a cart, a bag stand, a bag rack, etc. (not shown). Any two of the plurality of support members 720 may form a channel 752 to receive the bag seat member 705. In one example, the support members 722 and 724 (e.g., via the substantially flat sides 732 and 734) may form channel 752 to receive the bag seat member 705. The substantially flat sides 732 and 734 may engage at least a portion of the bag seat member 705 in response to the base portion 710 sitting on a top surface (e.g., the top surface 1810 of FIG. 18) of the bag seat member 705 via the outer surface 714. The bag seat member 705 may be associated with a width 707.

Accordingly, the substantially flat sides 732 and 734 may be separated from each other by at least a distance of the width 707 of the bag seat member 705.

10038] By engagmg at least a portion of the bag seat member 705 with two or more of the plurality of support members 720, two or more substantially flat sides may prevent or reduce movement. In particular, the substantially flat sides 732 and 734 may engage a portion of the bag seat member 705 to prevent or reduce rotational movement of a golf bag (e.g., the golf bag 1700 of FIG. 17) associated with the golf bag bottom 700. Further, for example, the substantially flat sides 732 and 734 may prevent the golf bag from falling off of a cart (e.g., the golf cart 1800 of FIG. 18).

(00391 To provide stability, each of the plurality of support members 720 may extend outwardly from the base portion 710 (e.g., via the outer surface 714 and/or the side surface 716). In particular, the golf bag bottom 700 may stabilize a golf bag in a standing position without increasing the size of the base portion 710 (e.g., without increasing the circumference or the surface area of the base portion 710) by defining the first perimeter 740 with the base portion 710 and extending the plurality of support members 720 between the first and second perimeters 740 and 750. Referring to FIG. 9, for example, the support member 722 may extend outwardly from both the outer surface 714 and the side surface 716 between the first and second perimeters 740 and 750. In particular, the support member 722 may extend downwardly from the base portion 710 by a first distance 910 (1') (e.g., the support member 722 may lift up the base portion 710 from the ground plane 410 by the first distance 910). The support member 722 may extend outwardly from the first perimeter 740 (and/or the side surface 716) by a second distance 920 (X). The second distance 920 may be twice as long as the first distance 910 (e.g.,X= 2 * Y). For example, the first distance 910 may be 0.32 inches and the second distance 920 may be 0.64 inches.

10040] Alternatively as illustrated in FIG. 10, the support member 722 may extend outwardly from the outer surface 714 only between the first and second perimeters 640 and 650. In another example, a first portion of the support member 722 may extend outwardly from both the outer surface 714 and the side surface 716 between the first and second perimeters 740 and 750 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9) where as a second portion of the support member 122 may extend outwardly from the outer surface 114 only between the first and second perimeters 740 and 750 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10).

[0041] While FIGs. 7 and 8 may depict support members with square-shaped bottom surfaces, the support members described herein may be other suitable shapes. Further, although FIG. 7 may depict four support members, the bag bottom 700 may include more or less support members. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

100421 Turning to FIG. 11, for example, a golf bag bottom 1100 may include a base portion 1110 and a plurality of support members 1120 (e.g., generally shown as a first support member 1122 and a second support member 1124). Each of the plurality of support members 1120 may extend downwardly from the base portion 1110 (e.g., via the Outer surface 1114). In particular, each of the plurality of support members 1120 may include a U-shaped bottom surface. Further, each of the plurality of support members 1120 may include at least one substantially flat side (e.g., generally shown as a first substantially flat side 1132 and a second substantially flat side 1134). In one example, the first support member 1122 may be associated with the first substantially flat side 1132 where as the second support member 1124 may be associated with the second substantially flat side 1134. The first and second substantially flat sides 1132 and 1134 may form a channel to receive the bag seat member 1105. For example, the first substantially flat side 1132 may engage a first side of a bag seat member 1105 whereas the second substantially flat side 1134 may engage a second side of the bag seat member 1105 in response to the golf bag bottom 1100 sitting on a top surface (e.g., the top surface 1810 of FIG. 18) of the bag seat member 1105.

10043] The base portion 1110 may be associated with a first perimeter 1140 and a second perimeter 1150. Each of the plurality of support members 1120 may extend outwardly from the base portion 1110 (e.g., via the outer surface 1114 and/or the side surface 1116) into an area between the first and second perimeters 1140 and 1150.

10044] Although FIG. 11 may depict U-shaped support members, the plurality of support members 1120 may have other suitable shapes to engage at least a portion of a bag seat member associated with a cart, a bag stand, a bag rack, etc. (e.g., V-shaped support members). The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

II

[0045J In the example of FIG. 12, a golf bag bottom 1200 may include a base portion 1210 and a plurality of support members 1220, generally shown as 1222, 1224, 1226, and 1228. Each of the plurality of support members 1220 may extend downwardly from the base portion 1210 (e.g., via the outer surface 1214 and/or the side surface 1216). In particular, each of the plurality of support members 1220 may include at least one substantially flat side (e.g., generally shown as a first substantially flat side 1232, a second substantially flat side 1234, a third substantially flat side 1236, and a fourth substantially flat side 1238). In one example, the first support member 1222 may be associated with the first substantially flat side 1232, the second support member 1224 may be associated with the second substantially flat side 1234, the third support member 1226 may be associated with the third substantially flat side 1236, and the fourth support member 1228 may be associated with the fourth substantially flat side 1238. The plurality of support members 1220 (e.g., via the first, second, third, and fourth substantially flat sides 1232, 1234, 1236, and 1238) may form a channel to receive the bag seat member 1205. For example, the first and fourth substantially flat sides 1232 and 1238 may engage a first side of a bag seat member 1105 whereas the second and third substantially flat sides 1234 and 1236 may engage a second side of the bag seat member 1205 in response to the golf bag bottom 1200 sitting on a top surface (e.g., the top surface 1810 of FIG. 18) of the bag seat member 1205.

10046] The base portion 1210 may be associated with a first perimeter 1240 and a second perimeter 1250. Each of the plurality of support members 1220 may extend outwardly from the base portion 1210 (e.g., via the outer surface 1214 and/or the side surface 1216) into an area between the first and second perimeters 1240 and 1250. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

100471 Referring to FIG. 13, for example, a golf bag bottom 1300 may include a base portion 1310 and a plurality of support members 1320, generally shown as 1322 and 1324.

Each of the plurality of support members 1320 may extend downwardly from the base portion 1310 (e.g., via the outer surface 1314 and/or the side surface 1316). In particular, each of the plurality of support members 1320 may include a substantially rectangular shape bottom surface. Further, each of the plurality of support members 1320 may include at least one substantially flat side (e.g., generally shown as a first substantially flat side 1332 and a second substantially flat side 1334). In one example, the first support member 1322 may be associated with the first substantially flat side 1332 where as the second support member 1324 may be associated with the second substantially flat side 1334. The plurality of support members 1320 (e.g., via the first and second substantially flat sides 1332 and 1334) may form a channel to receive the bag seat member 1305. For example, the first substantially flat side 1332 may engage a first side of a bag seat member 1305 whereas the second substantially flat side 1334 may engage a second side of the bag seat member 1305 in response to the golf bag bottom 1300 sitting on a top surface (e.g., the top surface 1810 of FIG. 18) of the bag seat member 1305.

100481 The base portion 1310 may be associated with a first perimeter 1340 and a second perimeter 1350. Each of the plurality of support members 1320 may extend outwardly from the base portion 1310 (e.g., via the outer surface 1314 and/or the side surface 1316) into an area between the first and second perimeters 1340 and 1350. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

100491 Turning to FIG. 14, for example, a golf bag bottom 1400 may include a base portion 1410 and a support member 1420. The support member 1420 may extend downwardly from the base portion 1410 (e.g., via the outer surface 1414 and/or the side surface (not shown)). In particular, the support member 1420 may include two substantially flat sides (e.g., generally shown as a first substantially flat side 1432 and a second substantially flat side 1434). The support member 1420 (e.g., via the first and second substantially flat sides 1432 and 1434) may form a channel to receive the bag seat member 1305. For example, the first substantially flat side 1432 may engage a first side of a bag seat member 1305 whereas the second substantially flat side 1434 may engage a second side of the bag seat member 1405 in response to the golf bag bottom 1400 sitting on a top surface (e.g., the top surface 1810 of FIG. 18) of the bag seat member 1405.

100501 The base portion 1410 may be associated with a first perimeter 1440 and a second perimeter 1450. The support member 1420 may extend outwardly from the base portion 1410 (e.g., via the outer surface 1414 and/or the side surface 1316) into an area between the first and second perimeters 1440 and 1450. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

[0051] Referring to FIGs. 15 and 16, for example, a golf bag bottom 1500 may include a base portion 1510 and a plurality of support members 1520, generally shown as 1522, 1524, 1526, and 1528. Each of the plurality of support members 1520 may extend downwardly from the base portion 1510 (e.g., via the outer surface 1514 and/orthe side surface 1516). In particular, each of the plurality of support members 1520 may include at least one substantially flat side (e.g., generally shown as a first substantially flat side 1532, a second substantially flat side 1534, a third substantially flat side 1536, and a fourth substantially flat side 1538). In one example, the first support member 1522 may be associated with the first substantially flat side 1532, the second support member 1524 may be associated with the second substantially flat side 1534, the third support member 1526 may be associated with the third substantially flat side 1536, and the fourth support member 1528 may be associated with the fourth substantially flat side 1538. The plurality of support members 1520 (e.g., via the first, second, third, and fourth substantially flat sides 1532, 1534, 1536, and 1538) may form a channel to receive the bag seat member 1505. For example, the first substantially flat side 1532 may engage a first side of a bag seat member 1505 whereas the second substantially flat sides 1534 may engage a second side of the bag seat member 1505 in response to the golf bag bottom 1500 sitting on a top surface (e.g., the top surface 1810 of FIG. 18) of the bag seat member 1505.

10052) Although the above examples may depict a particular shape for a bag seat member (e.g., base seat members 705, 1105, 1205, 1305, and 1405 of FIGs. 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14), the base seat member 1505 may have other suitable shapes. In one example, at least a portion of the base seat member 1505 (e.g., an end) may have a substantially triangular shape. In another example, the at least a portion of the base member 1505 may have a substantially round shape. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 16, a base seat member 1605 may have a square shape so that at least one substantially flat side of each of the plurality of support members 1520 may engage the base seat member 1605. in particular, the substantially flat sides 1632, 1634, 1636, and 1638 associated with the plurality of support members 1520 may be engage all four sides of the base seat member 1605 in response to the golf bag bottom 1500 sitting on a top surface of the bag seat member 1605. While the above example may describe a particular shape for the bag seat member 1605, the plurality of support members 1520 may be configured to engage all sides of a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, or any other suitable polygonal shapes.

10053] The base portion 1510 may be associated with a first perimeter 1540 and a second perimeter 1550. Each of the plurality of support members 1520 may extend outwardly from the base portion 1510 (e.g., via the Outer surface 1514 and/or the side surface 15 16) intO an area between the first and second perimeters 1540 and 1550. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

[0054] Although the above examples may depict particular shapes associated with the first and second perimeters, the first and second perimeters may be other suitable shapes. For example, the first perimeter may be a substantially elliptical shape and the second perimeter may be a substantially rectangular shape. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

[0055) In the example of FIG. 17, a golf bag 1700 may include a top portion 1710, a body portion 1720, and a bottom portion 1730. The top portion 1710 may be located at a first end 1740 whereas the bottom portion 1730 may be located a second end 1750 opposite of the first end 1740. in one example, the bottom portion 1730 may be the bag bottom 100 (FIGs. 1-6). In another example, the bottom portion 1730 may be the bag bottom 700 (FIGs.

7, 8, 9 and 10). In other examples, the bottom portion 1730 may be any one of the bag bottoms 1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400 depicted in FIGs. 11, 12, 13, and 14, respectively. The body portion 1720 may be located between the top portion 1610 and the bottom portion 1730. The body portion 1720 may include one or more pockets, storage compartments, or pouches, generally shown as 1760, 1762, and 1764, to store golf ball(s), golf tee(s), personal item(s), water bottle(s), etc. The golf bag 1700 may store one or more golf clubs 1770 within the body portion 1720. The golf club(s) 1770 may be inserted into the golf bag 1700 through the top portion 1710. The golf bag 1700 may also include an adjustable strap 1780 for an individual to carry the golf bag 1700.

[0056) Although FIG. 17 may depict an example golf bag with a particular type, shape, and size, the methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to various type, size, and/or shape of golf bags. For example, the golf bag bottoms described herein may be applicable to cart bags, carry bags, and/or other suitable type of bags. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

10057) Referring to FIG. 18, for example, a golf cart 1800 may include the bag seat member 1805, a hand grip 1820, and one or more wheels, generally shown as 1830. The golf cart 1800 may be a pull cart, a push cart, a motorized cart, and/or any other suitable type of golf carts. In one example, a golf bag (e.g., the golf bag 1700 of FIG. 17) may be placed or sit on a top surface 1810 of the bag seat member 1805. The bag scat member 1805 may be any one of the bag seat members 705 (FIG. 7), 1105 (FIG. 11), 1205 (FIG. 12), 1305 (FIG.

13), 1405 (FIG. 14), and 1505 (FIG. 15) described above or any other bag seat members.

Although the above examples may depict particular shapes for the bag seat member, the bag bottoms described herein may be applicable to bag seat members with various shapes (e.g., rectangular, circular, triangular, cross, etc.) or a combination thereof. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

[0058) In the example of FIG. 19, a process 1900 may begin with forming a base portion (e.g., the base portion 110 of FIG. I) (block 1910). Referring back to FIG. 1, for example, the base portion 110 may include the outer bottom surface 114 and the side surface 116. The base portion 110 may be associated with a first perimeter (e.g., the first perimeter 640 of FIG. 6) and a second perimeter (e.g., the second perimeter 650 of FIG. 6) formed by a plurality of lines tangential to the first perimeter. The first and second perimeters may be associated with a common center. In one example, the first perimeter may be an inscribed circle with a radius whereas the second perimeter may be a square with an apothem equal to the radius.

[0059) Turning back to FIG. 19, the process 1900 may form one or more support members (block 1920). In particular, the support member(s) may extend downwardly from the base portion and outwardly from the base portion into an area between the first and second perimeters. For example, the support member(s) may extend downwardly from the outer surface of the base portion and outwardly from the side surface of the base portion.

The support member(s) may include at least two substantially flat sides to engage at least a portion of a bag seat member associated with a cart, a bag stand, or a bag rack.

100601 Although certain example methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this disclosure is not limited thereto.

On the contrary, this disclosure covers all methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A bag bottom comprising: a base portion having an outer bottom surface and a side surface, the base portion being associated with a first perimeter and a second perimeter defined by a plurality of lines tangential to the first perimeter; and one or more support members extending downwardly from the outer bottom surface and outwardly from the side surface between the first and second perimeters, the one or more support members having at least two substantially flat sides to engage at least a portion of a bag seat member associated with at least one of a cart, a bag stand, or a bag rack.
2. A bag bottom as defined in claim 1, wherein the first perimeter comprises a substantially circular perimeter.
3. A bag bottom as defined in claim I, wherein the second perimeter comprises a substantially quadrilateral perimeter.
4. A bag bottom as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more support members comprises four support members located in different quadrants of the base portion.
5. A bag bottom as defined in claim I, wherein the one or more support member comprises two or more non-circular support members, two or more square-shaped support members, two or more rectangular-shaped support members, or two or more pentagon-shaped support members.
6. A bag bottom as defined in claim I, wherein the one or more support members comprises at least one of a support member being an integral portion of the base portion or a support member coupled to the base portion with a fastener.
7. A bag bottom as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more support members comprises a bottom portion substantially parallel to a ground plane in response to the bag bottom being in at a standing position.
8. A bag bottom as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more support members comprises at least one support member extending downwardly from the base portion by at least 0.32 inches.
9. A bag bottom as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more support members comprises at least one support member extending outwardly from the base portion by at least 0.64 inches.
10. A bag bottom as defined in claim 1, wherein the bag bottom comprises a golf bag bottom associated with a golf bag.
II. A bag bottom comprising: a base portion forming an inner perimeter associated with a shape of an inscribed circle with a radius; and a plurality of support members extending downwardly from the base portion, each of the plurality of support members having at least a portion extending outwardly from the base portion between the inner perimeter and an outer perimeter associated with a shape of a polygon with an apothem equal to the radius of the inscribed circle, wherein a first support member of the plurality of support members comprises a first substantially flat side, wherein a second support member of the plurality of support members comprises a second substantially flat side, the second substantially flat side being substantially parallel to the first substantially flat side of the first support member.
12. A bag bottom as defined in claim Ii, wherein the outer perimeter comprises an outer perimeter associated with a shape of a square having a point on each side tangential to the inscribed circle.
13. A bag bottom as defined in claim 11, wherein the plurality of support members comprises at least two non-circular support members, two or more square-shaped support members, two or more rectangular-shaped support members, or two or more pentagon-shaped support members.
14. A bag bottom as defined in claim 11, wherein the plurality of support members comprises at least one of a support member being an integral portion of the base portion or a support member coupled to the base portion with a fastener.
15. A bag bottom as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of support members comprises a bottom portion substantially parallel to a ground plane in response to the bag bottom being in at a standing position.
16. A golf bag comprising: a top portion having one or more openings to receive one or more golf clubs; a body portion coupled to the top portion to store the one or more golf clubs; and a bottom portion coupled to the body portion, the bottom portion having a base portion and one or more support members, wherein the base portion being associated with a first perimeter and a second perimeter defined by a plurality of lines tangential to the first perimeter, wherein the one or more support members extending downwardly from an outer* bottom surface of the base portion and outwardly from a side surface of the base portion between the first and second perimeters, and wherein the one or more support members having at least two substantially flat sides to engage at least a portion of a bag seat member associated with at least one of a cart, a bag stand, or a bag rack.
17. A golf bag as defined in claim 16, the first perimeter comprises a substantially circular perimeter.
18. A golf bag as defined in claim 16, wherein the second perimeter comprises a substantially quadrilateral perimeter.
19. A golf bag as defined in claim 16, wherein the plurality of support members comprises two or more non-circular support members, two or more square-shaped support members, two or more rectangular-shaped support members, or two or more pentagon-shaped support members.
20. A golf bag as defined in claim 16, wherein the plurality of support members comprises at least one of a support member being an integral portion of the base portion, or a support member coupled to the base portion with a fastener.
21. A golf bag as defined in claim 16, wherein each of the plurality support members comprises a bottom portion substantially parallel to a ground plane in response the golf bag being in a standing position.
22. A method comprising: forming a base portion having an outer bottom surface and a side surface, the base portion being associated with a first perimeter and a second perimeter defined by a plurality of lines tangential to the first perimeter; and forming one or more support members extending downwardly from the outer bottom surface and outwardly from the side surface between the first and second perimeters, the one or more support members having at least two substantially flat sides to engage at least a portion of a bag seat member associated with at least one of a cart, a bag stand, or a bag rack.
23. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein forming the base portion comprises forming a base portion associated with a substantially circular perimeter.
24. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein forming the base portion comprises forming a base portion associated with a substantially quadrilateral perimeter.
25. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein forming the one or more support members comprises forming two or more non-circular support members, two or more square-shaped support members, two or more rectangular-shaped support members, or two or more pentagon-shaped support members.
26. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein forming the one or more support members comprises forming at least one of a support member being an integral portion of the base portion, or a support member coupled to the base portion with a fastener.
27. A golf bag bottom substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying figures.
28. A golf bag substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying figures.
29. A method of manufacturing a golf bag bottom substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. -
30. A method of manufacturing a golf bag substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures