GB2511848A

GB2511848A - A carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2511848A
Application number: GB1304735.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rob Westra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2013-03-15
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: GB201304735D0

Abstract

A carrier or bag or container such as a backpack in use has a body 3 which includes at least one carrying handle 4, preferably two placed over the shoulders, and provided with at least one elongate anchor 1 arranged to receive a plurality of clips, wherein said clips are displaceable into a plurality of locations along said anchor, and wherein said clips in use provide a plurality of sites for carrying articles 5 such as golf clubs, in a sequential arrangement on the body of the carrier. Additionally there may be brackets (6, fig.6) for supporting and additional container (8, fig.6). Preferably the anchor has slots wherein the clips slot in a twist lock mechanism or locked by a hinged cam.

Description

A CARRIER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates a carrier, in use more particularly but not exclusively a carrier suitable for use by golfers.

Background

When partaking in sport there is often a requirement to carry articles of equipment for example when playing golf, racket sports or fishing. As the equipment used may not be suitable for usual carriers, specific carriers may be provided in order to house and carry the equipment required.

For golfers large wheeled bag/golfing trolley is typically provided to hold a full set of clubs that may be readily removed when required. Other equipment such as balls, tees and spare clothing may be required to be carried as well.

Furthermore in some instances a golf buggy may be required by some players as transporting the large golfing trolley around the course may be difficult.

However either solution can be cumbersome in particular if only playing a short round of golf or if transportation of the large bag is problematic, for example it does not fit easily in the vehicle and cannot be reily lifted.

Prior Art

Accordingl? a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United Kingdom patent application GB 2395 912 (GASCOIGNE) discloses a carrying device for golf clubs which device comprises at least two rigid frames each of which has, around its periphery a plurality of holding means adapted to detachably hold a golf club so that, when two of the said frames are spaced apart and one or more of the golf clubs held in corresponding holding means in each of the frames, a substantially rigid or semi rigid structure is formed with there being no fixed connector connecting the frames.

United States patent application US 6 659 316 (FLEMING et al) discloses a quiver apparatus for carrying and protecting elongated equipment, said quiver comprising: a plurality of rigid rod-like tubes of sufficient length and internal diameter to accommodate items to be carried and each having a proximal end and a distal end; and a spacer assembly having a spacer comprised of a rigid material with a plurality of apertures; and a base assembly for gathering the plurality of tubes together; and a carrying means attached to said spacer and to said base assembly for supporting the structure on a human body, wherein said tubes are held separated from each other at their proximal end by said spacer assembly and held close together at their distal end by said base assembly.

Granted United States patent US 6 352 154 (MIURA) discloses a golf carrying rack unit comprising: a) a frame structure having at least one main frame or housing; b) at least one first guide rail positioned on said frame for installing space dividing means; c) at least one second guide rail positioned on said frame for installing golf club shaft retaining means; d) a cross bar or a plate installed on said frame for supporting golf club grip end; e) golf club retaining means including at least one cap to restrict golf club head upward movement; f) space dividing means cOmprising a plate having a right angle channel at the end therein, wherein said plate being coupled with and able to slide along said guide and to fix with said guide rail by a set screw; g) a golf club shaft retaining means comprising a lengthwise block having a lengthwise slit to accommodate a golf club shaft, and wherein said lengthwise block comprising a cylindrical hole, with larger diameter than the width of said lengthwise slit, at the top of said block; and h) a bracket comprising a shape and size to receive said golf club shaft retaining means, said bracket further comprising a golf club shaft passage at the front end of said bracket, and positioned fixing means comprising a set screw for fixing said bracket to said second guide rail.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a carrier having a body comprising at least one carrying handle1 provided in use with at least one elongate anchor arranged to receive a plurality of clips, wherein said clips are displaceable into a plurality of locations along said anchor, and wherein said clips in use provide a plurality of sites for carrying articles, in a sequential arrangement on the body.

In preferred embodiments the body includes two carrying handles, wherein said handle or handles may be utilised to carry the carrier over two shoulders with the body proximate or in contact with a user's back, typically therefore embodied in a backpack.

In preferred embodiments the anchor runs across an outer face of the body, wherein two anchors are spaced apart across said body.

In this way a plurality of elongate golf clubs can be maintained on a user's back with minimal weight and maximal flexibility and ease of use. Furthermore said clips may be used as securement sites for a plurality of other articles, for example wherein orthogonal securement may be facilitated by brackets between anchors.

Therefore according to the present invention there is typically provided a backpack comprising: a carrier with integral frame, at least two straps providing handles or strapping arranged for allowing carrying of said carrier on a user's back, and at least two anchors mounted externally on the carrier, wherein said anchors accept displaceable or typically, removable clips adapted to hold articles in sequential positioning.

Said frame acts to spread and support mass placed on the anchors.

The positioning is typically provided incrementally along the anchor, wherein the clips may be inserted into and in use project from a plurality of positions stretching along the anchor. Said clips may consequently be arranged with an engagement mechanism onto the anchor.

In this way the backpack is capable of carrying elongate articles such as golf clubs, camping equipment, skiing apparatus or fishing rods externally by attachment to the anchors, thereby allowing a user to readily and safely carry the backpack and associated equipment without interference when moving, for example walking around S a golf course-Furthermore the articles may be readily viewed and held separate so that selection is easy and articles may be removed without requirement of opening any parts, as is usually required with golfing bags.

Additionally the backpack and articles may more readily fit into a vehicle for example a boot due to the backpack being smaller than a usual golfing trolley and wherein articles are readily detached.

Preferably the carrier has a substantially rectangular body with rounded corners and edges suitable for being carried on the user's back. Ideally the carrier may be dimensioned to fit the user's back for example being of appropriate width and length so as to be not limit the user's movement.

Furthermore a portion of the backpack may be shaped to interact with curvature of and shaping of a human spine, for maximal support in particular whilst the backpack is loaded. Preferably the backpack includes padding where it sits against the user's spine so as to be comfortable and supportive when worn.

Preferably the carrier is farmed from a strong, durable, lightweight, waterproof material such as Gore-Tex (Trade Mark) or treated canvas, so as to be able to store and protect articles within the carrier even in wet conditions, but flexible so as to allow the carrier to be collapsed.

In preferred embodiments the carrier has a frame that is rigid so as to maintain the carrier's shape whilst carrying articles and so as to provide a point of attachment for the anchors. Typically the frame comprises loops coaxially spaced apart in a vertical arrangement, distally of the body, joined by at least one bar, cross-strut or anchor, so as to define a substantially rectangular cavity whilst still enabling access to the cavity by at least one opening in the body Advantageously partial loops allow some flexibility in the frame for improved comfort whilst carrying the backpack. In some embodiments the loops may be complete.

In some other embodiments the frame may be collapsible so as to allow the carrier to be flat packed when not in use so as to take up less space. For example the bars, struts or anchors may be detachable, removable or displaceable so as to allow the two loops to be collapsed parallel to one another Ideally the frame is partially concealed within the body with a portion of the frame running external to provide a rigid base on which the carrier may be rested when not in use so that it may be stood upright and the body is elevated from the ground.

In some further embodiments the anchors may be in use and provide rigidity to a flexible or morbid body, wherein said anchors are rigid or articulated and provided externally on said body, and wherein the anchors may in some embodiments be connected by external struts.

In yet further embodiments the frame is comprised by a relatively rigid section of the body, providing support for mass placed on the anchors, and preventing damage to the body. Said embodiment of frame may comprise a skeleton or other structural support passing mass to the handles.

In some further embodiments the backpack may include a stand, which may be displaced in use for example by means of a hinge, so as to aid the backpack in staying upright when not placed on the ground, and to prevent the backpack toppling over even when fully loaded and unattended.

Furthermore in some embodiments the frame or body may include at least one roller thereby enabling the carrier to be optionally rolled along the ground as opposed to carried.

In preferred embodiments the frame supports a pair of anchors which attach externally to the body, enabling elongate articles to be attached perpendicular to the anchors. In particular in preferred embodiments it may be envisaged that the anchors run vertically down the body following the user's spine in use, defined by an axis comprising the carrier orientation in use, and wherein the articles are maintained substantially horizontally sequentially on the body.

It may be envisaged that the anchors are removable so that the carrier may be used without the anchors if required for other uses.

In some further embodiments the anchors may be wholly detachable and may be used on a plurality of carriers.

Preferably the anchors are arcuate, bendable or articulated so as to not point outwards and become easily caught. -In some embodiments the anchors may be mounted to the carrier horizontally or diagonally with reference to the in-use axis, so as to enable elongate articles to be attached in a vertical alignment on the carrier.

In preferred embodiments, the anchors are formed from a lightweight, strong durable material such as aluminium. Preferably the anchor includes a plurality of slots, positions or lacunae for accepting clips wherein said lacunae are incrementally disposed in an elongate sequence. Ideally the slots are regularly spaced so that the user may easily and effectively manage and choose where to position their articles and how many articles they wish to carry, and may easily and effectively distinguish between and separate the articles.

In some embodiments the anchor top and bottom may accept hooks, clips or brackets so as to enable securement of articles to the anchor extremities and ideally provide variance of securement means.

Advantageously in preferred embodiments at least some of the clips may be removed when not required and/or readily repositioned in order to suit different articles as and when required. For example the user may require a particular number of golf clubs for one round and a number of clips used can be selected for the number of articles required.

Furthermore the clips may be adapted to hold different articles for example some may be adapted to hold stems of elongate articles such as golf clubs whilst others may be adapted to hold other articles such as golf balls, gloves or a plurality of clips may combine to. hold larger articles such as a drinks bottle.

In preferred embodiments therefore a plurality of clip styles may be encompassed or envisaged, wherein the carrier provides a flexible system of carrying plural articles.

Preferably each slot is adapted to receive any of the clips. In this way each clip may be positioned where required on the anchor and a very large variety of clip arrangements may be accomplished.

Each clip ideally engages with the slot in a lockable fashion, wherein typically the clip is attached to the slot may means of a twist lock mechanism so that the clip may be inserted in a first orientation and then twisted to a second orientation in order for it to become locked in place and therefore suitable for holding an article. Alternatively the clip may be inserted and subsequently locked by means of a hinged cam.

Ideally the clips include sprung or resiliently deformable members wherein the articles are held in place by said resilience. For example the sprung members may comprise at least one pair of arms which can be displaced in order to accommodate the article.

Ideally the clips are formed substantially or wholly from a lightweight, durable, resiliently deformable or semi rigid material such as synthetic plastic.

In some embodiments clips may support or provide support for further brackets such as an adjustable strap enabling further securement possibilities to secure articles to the carrier, for example such as by passing said strap over/around articles on the carrier for additional securement, or to accommodate larger articles. Typically such a strap may be include hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark) or buckles or other fastening means so as to be readily adjustable.

In some further embodiments adjustable straps or elasticated loops may be included on the carrier outer in addition or the alternative to clips.

In some embodiments the anchors may include visual indications to distinguish one slot from another so as to ensure articles are positioned and aligned in the slots correctly, for example sequentially or horizontally. The slots may be coloured differently or may include incremental markers such as numbering or raised markers, thereby enabling the user to easily position articles on the anchor.

Ideally as well as adapted clips the carrier's outer faces may include a plurality of pockets suitable for holding articles such as golf balls, golf tees or fishing tackle.

S In some further embodiments the carrier is provided with a detachable tubular container or bag which enables elongate articles to be stored so that they may be secured to the carrier in a vertical orientation for example if walking in a busy or narrow area such as along a pavement or when on such as a bike, a bicycle or motor cycle, so as to aid in transport to a game or similar without causing interference to the user whilst riding the bike and so as not to create an obstacle for other road users.

Preferably said container may include a means of attachment so as to connect to the anchors for example by means of a buckle(s) so as to secure the sack to the carrier about the anchors.

In yet further embodiments at least part of the anchors may be rolled up for transport or storage and so as to allow sequentially clipped articles to be furled for storage in said container.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the carrier in use; Figure 2 shows a reverse view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 carrying an elongate container; Figure 7 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6;

S

Figures 8 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 6; And Figures 9 show front and rear views of the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures two anchors 1 are arranged with a plurality of clips 2 and mounted on a body 3. Said body has two adjustable strap handles 4 and a fixed top handle 4 and said clips support elongate articles 5.

The body 3 also includes a separate carrier for other articles, specifically tees, 7.

In addition the anchors 1 are arranged with brackets 6 for support of a separable container B for elongate articles.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. *A carrier having a body comprising at least one carrying handle, provided in use with at least one elongate anchor arranged to receive a plurality of clips, wherein said clips are displaceable into a plurality of locations along said anchor, and wherein said clips in use provide a plurality of sites for carrying articles, in a sequential arrangement on the body.
2. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the body is arranged with two substantially parallel anchors.
3. A carrier according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the body is arranged with two substantially parallel handles comprising adjustable straps.
4. A carrier according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the body comprises a structural skeleton supporting the at least one anchor.
5. A carrier with reference to the figures and substantially as herein described.
6. An elongate anchor for use with a carrier according to any of the preceding claims.