GB2519073A

GB2519073A - Golf equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2519073A
Application number: GB1317708.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Straker
Original assignee: Motocaddy Ltd
Current assignee: Motocaddy Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-07
Filing date: 2013-10-07
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-07
Also published as: GB2519073B; GB201317708D0

Abstract

A golf trolley 200 comprises a platform 202 for supporting a golf bag (fig. 5, 100). The platform comprises sockets 204 and the base of the golf bag (fig. 5, 102) comprises corresponding plugs (fig. 5, 106) for attaching the golf bag to the golf trolley. The plug and sockets may be switched so that the plugs are on the golf trolley and the sockets are on the golf bag. There may also be a cradle 206 to support the lower portion of the golf bag while it is attached to the golf trolley. The plug may have a waisted section (fig.2, 112). The plug may also have a treaded portion (fig. 2, 116) to attach the plug to the golf apparatus (bag/trolley) via a threaded opening, and a flange (fig.2, 114) to limit the amount the plug can be threaded. There may also be a recess (fig. 5, 108) in the golf bag to help locate the bag on the golf trolley.

Description

GOLF EQUIPMENT

The present invention relates to golf equipment comprising a golf bag and/or golf trolley having means for attaching the golf bag to the golf trolley.

Golf trolleys typically comprise wheels at the base of the golf trolley, and a handle towards the top of the golf trolley which allows the golf trolley to be moved along on its wheels. The known golf trolleys also comprise a platform towards the base of the golf trolley which supports the base of the golf bag, and one or more cradles which extend part-way around and support the sides of the golf bag.

A golf bag is typically held in place on the platform of the golf trolley by one or more straps attached to the cradles, with the one or more straps being secured around the golf bag. However, straps provided towards the base of golf bags can be awkward to reach and then secure around the golf bag, particularly for tall or inflexible golfers. Furthermore, the ends of flexible straps provided towards the base of golf bags are often left to drag on wet or muddy ground when not in use and can be difficult to clean.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide golf equipment that overcomes the above disadvantages of the known arrangements.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided golf equipment comprising: a golf bag having a base, the base comprising one or more plugs and/or sockets for attaching the golf bag to a golf trolley; and/or a golf trolley having a platform towards the base of the golf trolley for supporting a golf bag, the platform comprising one or more sockets and/or plugs for attaching the golf bag to the golf trolley.

The present invention therefore provides arrangements in which the base of a golf bag may be attached to a golf trolley platform by corresponding plugs and sockets, e.g. without the need for a strap around the lower sides of the golf bag. Thus, the disadvantages associated with such straps discussed above can be avoided.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more plugs and/or sockets of the base of the golf bag comprise two or more spaced-apart plugs and/or sockets.

Similarly, the one or more sockets and/or plugs of the platform of the golf trolley preferably comprise two or more spaced-apart sockets and/or plugs. In preferred embodiments, the golf trolley comprises one or more cradles adjacent to the platform for extending part-way around and supporting lower sides of the golf bag. These embodiments can provide additional stability to the golf bag when attached to the golf trolley.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more plugs of the golf bag are axially receivable and then axially retainable by respective sockets of the golf trolley. Similarly, the one or more plugs of the golf trolley are preferably axially receivable and then axially retainable by respective sockets of the golf bag.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more plugs and/or sockets of the golf bag prevent the golf bag from sliding in all directions in a plane parallel to the base of the golf bag. Similarly, the one or more sockets and/or plugs of the golf trolley preferably prevent a golf bag from sliding in all directions in a plane parallel to the platform of the golf trolley.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the one or more plugs of the base of the golf bag project axially downwards from the base of the golf bag.

Similarly, the one or more plugs of the platform of the golf trolley preferably project axially upwards from the platform of the golf trolley. In particularly preferred embodiments, the one or more plugs each comprise a pin and/or have a waisted section, e.g. comprise a pin having a wider section at or towards the end of the pin and a narrower section away from that end.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more plugs each have a threaded portion for attachment to the base of the golf bag or to the platform of the golf trolley. Similarly, the base of the golf bag and/or the platform of the golf trolley preferably have one or more threaded openings that respectively receive threaded portions of the one or more plugs. It will be understood that the one or more plugs and/or threaded openings may be retrofitted to a conventional golf bag and/or golf trolley. In particularly preferred embodiments, the one or more plugs each have a flange for limiting the extent to which the plug can be screwed into the base of the golf bag or into the platform of the golf trolley.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more sockets each comprise one or more resilient protrusions for axially receiving and then axially retaining a plug. In particularly preferred embodiments, the one or more sockets each comprise two opposed resilient protrusions. Each resilient protrusion may comprise a section of a spring, such as a serpentine (e.g. s-shaped) spring.

In preferred embodiments, when a plug is axially inserted into a socket, a wider section of the plug forces the one or more protrusions to resiliently protrude into the socket to a lesser extent, and then a narrower section of the plug allows the one or more protrusions again to protrude to a greater extent into the socket thereby axially retaining the plug within the socket.

In preferred embodiments, the base of the golf bag comprises a recess for locating and/or preventing rotation of the golf bag on the platform of the golf trolley. The one or more plugs and/or sockets are preferably positioned within the recess. Alternatively, the platform of the golf bag may comprise a recess for locating and/or preventing rotation of the golf bag on the platform of the golf trolley. The one or more sockets and/or plugs are preferably positioned within the recess.

In preferred embodiments, the golf bag and golf trolley are provided as a kit of parts, either separated or attached to one another. It will be understood that, when attached to one another, the base of the golf bag is supported on the platform of the golf trolley such that each plug is received and retained by a corresponding socket.

By way of example only, embodiments of the golf equipment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a base view of a golf bag according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plug for the golf bag of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a golf trolley according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows the platform for the golf trolley of Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows the golf bag of Figure 1 mounted to the golf trolley of Figure 3.

Figure 1 is a base view of a golf bag 100. The golf bag 100 comprises three side pockets 104 on the lower sides of the golf bag 100. To enable attachment of the golf bag 100 to a golf trolley, the base 102 of the golf bag 100 comprises two plugs 106 in the form of pins. The base 102 of the golf bag 100 also comprises a recess 108 for locating the golf bag 100 on a platform of a golf trolley.

Figure 2 shows a side view and cross-sectional view of one of the plugs 106 of the golf bag 100 of Figure 1. As is shown in Figure 2, each plug 106 comprises a pin having a wider section 110 towards its end and a waisted section 112 away from that end. The plug 106 also has a threaded section 116 for attaching the plug 106 to a corresponding threaded opening in the base 102 of the golf bag 100. The plug 106 also has a flange 114 that limits the extent to which the plug 106 can be screwed into the base 102 of the golf bag 100.

Figure 3 shows a portion of a golf trolley 200. The golf trolley 200 comprises a platform 202 for supporting a golf bag 100. The platform 202 comprises two sockets 204 for axially receiving and then axially retaining the plugs 106 of the golf bag 100. The golf trolley 200 also comprises a cradle 206 adjacent to the platform 202 for supporting the lower sides of the golf bag 100.

The portion of the golf trolley 200 shown in Figure 3 has a frame section 210 and a coupling 212. The coupling 212 is used when attaching the portion of the golf trolley 200 shown in Figure 3 to the remainder of the golf trolley (not shown). An assembled golf trolley has three wheels, with the portion of the golf trolley 200 shown in Figure 3 having one of those three wheels 208.

Figure 4 shows the platform 202 of the golf trolley 200 with a cover removed to expose resilient protrusions 214 that retain the plugs 106 in the sockets 204. The resilient protrusions 214 comprise s-shaped springs that are provided on opposite sides of the sockets 204. When a plug 106 is axially inserted into a socket 204, the wider section 110 of the plug 106 forces the protrusions 214 to resiliently protrude into the socket 204 to a lesser extent, and then the waisted section 112 of the plug 106 allows the protrusions 214 again to protrude to a greater extent into the socket 204 thereby axially retaining the plug 106 within the socket 204.

Figure 5 shows the golf bag 100 of Figure 1 when attached to the portion of the golf trolley 200 of Figure 3. The platform 202 of the golf trolley 200 is located in the recess 108 of the base 102 of the golf bag 100, and the plugs 106 of the golf bag 100 are axially received and axially retained by the sockets 204 of the golf trolley 202. The lower sides of the golf bag 100 are also supported by the cradle 206. The wheel 208 and frame section 210 of the golf trolley 200 can also be seen.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Golf equipment comprising: a golf bag having a base, the base comprising one or more plugs and/or sockets for attaching the golf bag to a golf trolley; and/or a golf trolley having a platform towards the base of the golf trolley for supporting a golf bag, the platform comprising one or more sockets and/or plugs for attaching the golf bag to the golf trolley.
2. Golf equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more plugs and/or sockets of the base of the golf bag comprises two or more spaced-apart plugs and/or sockets, and/or wherein the one or more sockets and/or plugs of the platform of the golf trolley comprises two or more spaced-apart sockets and/or plugs.
3. Golf equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the golf trolley comprises one or more cradles adjacent to the platform for extending part-way around and supporting lower sides of the golf bag.
4. Golf equipment as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the one or more plugs of the golf bag are axially receivable and then axially retainable by respective sockets of the golf trolley, and/or wherein the one or more plugs of the golf trolley are axially receivable and then axially retainable by respective sockets of the golf bag.
5. Golf equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more plugs and/or sockets of the golf bag prevent the golf bag from sliding in all directions in a plane parallel to the base of the golf bag, and/or wherein the one or more sockets and/or plugs of the golf trolley prevent a a golf bag from sliding in all directions in a plane parallel to the platform of the golf trolley.
6. Golf equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more plugs of the base of the golf bag project axially downwards from the base of the golf bag, and/or wherein the one or more plugs of the platform of the golf trolley project axially upwards from the platform of the golf trolley.
7. Golf equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more plugs each comprise a pin.
8. Golf equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more plugs each have a waisted section.
9. Golf equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more plugs each have a threaded portion for attachment to the base of the golf bag or to the platform of the golf trolley.
10. Golf equipment as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base of the golf bag and/or the platform of the golf trolley have one or more threaded openings that respectively receive threaded portions of the one or more plugs.
11. Golf equipment as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the one or more plugs each have a flange for limiting the extent to which the plug can be screwed into the base of the golf bag or into the platform of the golf trolley.
12. Golf equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sockets each comprise one or more resilient protrusions for axially receiving and then axially retaining a plug.
13. Golf equipment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more sockets each comprise two opposed resilient protrusions.
14. Golf equipment as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein each resilient protrusion comprises a section of a spring.
15. Golf equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base of the golf bag comprises a recess for locating and/or preventing rotation of the golf bag on the platform of the golf trolley, wherein the one or more plugs and/or sockets are positioned within the recess, or wherein the platform of the golf bag comprises a recess for locating and/or preventing rotation of the golf bag on the platform of the golf trolley, wherein the one or more sockets and/or plugs are positioned within the recess.
16. A golf bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1-2 and 5.
17. A golf trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 3-5.
18. Golf equipment comprising a golf bag and a golf trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1-5.