US20040232017A1

US20040232017A1 - Golf bag pouch structure

Info

Publication number: US20040232017A1
Application number: US10/847,420
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth Felton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-19
Filing date: 2004-05-17
Publication date: 2004-11-25

Abstract

The present invention is a golf bag pouch structure located in the planes between the legs of a standing golf bag, and located in between the planes of the legs of a golf bag and the sides of a golf bag. The invention assists golfers in organizing and accessing golf equipment and accessories. The golf bag pouch structure also serves to advertise.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/471543 filed, May 19, 2003.[0001]

DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to golf bag accessories, and more particularly, to a golf bag pouch structure for organizing golf equipment and accessories.

(2) Description of the Background

In the game of golf, golfers carry their golf equipment and accessories in golf bags. Modern golf bags generally have a leg assembly of at least two legs attached to the bag. This type of golf bag is called a standing golf bag. When this bag is placed in the standing position the legs are released from the bag to hold the bag in a vertical position at an angle of approximately sixty degrees. Such position of the golf bag enables the golfer to reach into the golf bag compartment to choose a golf club. In this position the legs face the golfer yet the plane in between created by the legs remains unused.

Modern golf bags are also compartmentalized meaning they have pockets and other compartments wherein the golfer stores golf equipment and accessories such as golf balls, tees, pencils, scoring cards, etc. When the golf bag is in standing position with the legs situated apart from each other and facing the golfer these compartments are generally positioned such that the golfer must inconveniently walk around the legs to the side or back of the bag to access such golf equipment and accessories.

In addition to the golf bag, a golfer keeps golf equipment and accessories upon him or herself in shirt or pant pockets. This can be uncomfortable to the golfer by weighing the golfer down thereby negatively affecting his or her golf game. Moreover, it is more difficult to adequately organize many types of equipment in generally one or two pockets located in or on shirts and pants.

Thus there remains a need of an invention that provides accessibility to and organizes golf equipment and accessories for the golfer. The invention should relieve the golfer of having to walk around the legs of the golf bag and search through compartments on the golf bag, and from carrying such equipment and accessories upon the golfer's self. The present invention addresses these needs by taking advantage of the plane facing the golfer which is created by the spaced apart legs of a standing golf bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure comprised of at least three sides, a right side, a left side, and a bottom side.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure made of a durable, flexible, stretchable material such as woven fabric, canvas, nylon, plastic, polyester, or other material typically used when making golf bags.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure made of waterproof material.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure that connects to the leg assembly of the golf bag through sleeves located on the right and left sides of the golf bag pouch structure through which the golf bag legs pass through.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure that connects through attachment devices such as sleeves, clips, hooks, straps, hook laces, rope, or any devices that may connect to the legs, or to each other around the legs, to join the golf bag pouch structure to the leg assembly of the golf bag.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure having a connecting device that connects the golf bag pouch structure to the top end of a golf bag.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure having one or more organizing compartments located thereon.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure that carries and displays indicia or advertising thereon. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure, having three panels, a center panel, a left panel, and right panel.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure having a plurality of organizing compartments located on at least one panel.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a golf bag pouch structure that carries indicia or advertising, stitched, painted or printed on any one or more the left, right and center panels.

Other embodiments and advantages of the invention are set forth in part in the following description and, in part, will be obvious from this description, or may be learned from the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: [0020]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the golf bag pouch structure. [0021]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the golf bag pouch structure on a golf bag. [0022]
FIG. 3 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the golf bag pouch structure. [0023]
FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the golf bag pouch structure. [0024]
FIG. 5 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the golf bag pouch structure. [0025]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the golf bag pouch structure on a golf bag.[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to a golf bag pouch structure, generally indicated by [0027] reference numeral 1, designed to be used in combination with a standing golf bag, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, which may have any number of sizes and configurations. Like numerals represent like parts of the invention.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention, a golf bag pouch structure, [0028] 1. The invention provides a structure comprised of at least three sides, right side, 2, left side 3, and bottom side 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a top side, 6, is present in the example embodiment. The right side, 2, and left side, 3, are about between twenty-four and thirty-six inches in length. The top side, 6, is about between two and ten inches in length. Generally, the right side, 2, and left side, 3, will be about the length of the legs of a golf bag. The bottom side, 5, is about twenty-four to thirty-six inches in length. Generally, the bottom side will be about the length of the space between the bottom ends of functioning legs of a standing golf bag. The golf-bag pouch structure will generally fit in the plane created by the legs of the corresponding golf bag.
Preferably, the invention is made of a durable, flexible, stretchable material such as woven fabric, canvas, nylon, plastic, polyester, or other material typically used when making golf bags. In another preferred embodiment, the material is waterproof. More preferably, the material is collapsible such that when the leg assembly is not in function, the golf bag pouch structure collapses when the legs are not in standing position. As a result of the collapsible nature of the pouch, a golfer does not have to remove golf bag pouch structure when carrying golf bag. The pouch remains on the golf bag legs while the golf bag is in transport. [0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment has a front side, [0030] 4 a, and a back side, 4 b. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are trapezoidal shaped golf bag pouch structures. However, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 the golf bag pouch structure may have other shapes and sizes.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, right side, [0031] 2, and left side 3, connect to the leg assembly of the golf bag. Right side, 2, connects to right leg, 12, of golf bag, 10. Left side, 3, connects to left leg, 11, of golf bag, 10. Left side, 3, and right side, 2, connect to left leg, 11, and right leg, 12, respectively by various attachment means. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, left leg, 11, and right leg, 12, slip over and through sleeves created on left side, 3, and right side, 2. A sleeve is a generally cylindrical structure created on left side, 3, and right side, 2, through which a golf bag leg enters similar to legs slipping through pants. Sleeves are made such that the golf bag legs, 11, and 12, comfortably slip through the sleeves as human legs do through pants. The tension created by leg, 11, and 12, when functioning to stand up the golf bag, creates opposite tensions on left side, 3, and right side 2, such that the golf bag pouch structure, 1, stretches open.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, left side, [0032] 3, and right side, 2, are releasably connected by attachment devices to left leg, 11, and right leg, 12, respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the preferred invention, a plurality of attachment devices are attached to the back side, 4 b, of the golf bag pouch structure, and may connect around the left leg, 11, and right leg, 12. In a more preferred embodiment, a plurality of pairs of attachment devices are located on the back side, 4 b, of the golf bag, aligned along right side, 2, and left side, 3. A golfer attaches the pouch by connecting the pair of attachment devices to hold the pouch onto the standing bag. For example, a golfer may take one of each pair of the strings and tie it to the other of the pair around the appropriate leg. Attachment devices include hooks, straps, hook laces, rope, and any devices that may connect the golf bag structure, 1 to the legs assembly of the golf bag. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, left side, 3, and right side 2, are attached to the left leg, 11, and right leg, 12, respectively, by VELCRO™.
As shown in FIG. 2, connecting device, [0033] 7, connects the golf bag pouch structure to the top end of a golf bag, 10. Connecting device, 7, has left end, 7 a, and right end, 7 b. In a preferred embodiment of the invention connecting device, 7, is a feature of the golf bag pouch structure itself, joined to the golf bag pouch structure, 1. In another embodiment of the invention the connecting device, 7, is releasably connected to the golf bag pouch structure, 1. Actual attachment of the connecting device, 7, to the golf bag, 10, is by various attachment mechanisms including buttons, clips, snaps and VELCRO™. Modem golf bags have various golf bag accessory attachment sites that include buttons, clips, snaps, VELCRO™, and hooks. The attachment mechanism works in conjunction with such attachment sites present on the golf bag.
In another preferred embodiment, connecting device right end, [0034] 7 b, wraps around top end of golf bag, 10, to attach to connecting strap left end, 7 a. The mechanism of attachment may be by buttons, clips snaps, VELCRO™, or by buckling as in a belt. In another preferred embodiment, more than one attachment mechanism is used on the connecting device, 7. For example, connecting device, 7, may have on it snaps as well as VELCRO™. The connecting device may be a unitary, continuous part of the golf bag structure.
As shown in FIG. 2, connecting hook, [0035] 9, connects the golf bag pouch structure by hooking over the lip of the golf bag. The connecting hook, 9, releasably connects by means such as buttons, clips, snaps, VELCRO™, or by buckling as in a belt.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention provides an organizing compartment, [0036] 8, on the golf bag pouch structure, 1. An organizing compartment, 8, is present on a golf bag pouch structure, 1. In another preferred embodiment, the organizing compartment, 8, is releasably attached to the golf bag pouch structure, 1. The organizing compartment, 8, may be located on the front side, FIG. 2, 4a, or back side, FIG. 2, 4b, of the golf bag pouch structure. In the preferred embodiment, an organizing compartment, 8, is an open enclosure. In another preferred embodiment, the organizing compartment, 8, is a closeable enclosure. An enclosure is closed by means such as buttons, clips snaps, VELCRO, or zippers.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of organizing compartments is located on the golf bag pouch structure, [0037] 1. Commonly, such organizing compartments are known as pockets. An enclosure holds items for the golfer. Organizing compartments organize golf equipment, accessories and paraphernalia including golf balls, tees, davits tool, scoring cards, writing utensils, towels, gloves, beverage holders, and other accessories. Since the golf equipment and accessories are in an organizing compartment, 8, located on a golf bag pouch structure, 1, a golfer simply reaches for the accessory or equipment he or she desires to access. Such organizing compartments are commonly seen on the bodies of golf bags themselves. They are also typically used in or on backpacks. In another preferred embodiment, a towel holder is located on the golf bag pouch structure. The towel holder is a hook attached to the golf bag pouch structure, 1, that holds towels used to wipe equipment or sweat.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention carries and displays indicia. Indicia means advertising, messages, such as but not limited to a company or country club logo, team logos, player initials and the like. The indicia can be stitched, painted, printed onto, or cut out from, the front side, FIG. 2, 4[0038] a, of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, a golf bag pouch structure, generally indicated by [0039] reference numeral 20, comprises three panels, center panel, 29, left panel, 30, and right panel, 31. The center panel, 29, comprises at least three sides, right side, 21, left side, 22, bottom side, 23. In FIG. 5, the center panel also comprises top side, 24. The left panel, 30, comprises at least three sides, right side 22, left side 25, and bottom side, 26. Left side, 25, of left panel, 30, is releasably attached to golf bag, 10. The right panel, 31, comprises at least three sides, right side, 27, left side, 21, and bottom side, 28. Right side, 27, of right panel, 30, is releasably attached to golf bag, 10. Releasable attachment may be by means of attachment and joining devices such as buttons, VELCRO™, zippers, hooks, laces, and snaps. Integration of such devices into the invention is commonly understood by those in the art of making golf bags and golf bag accessories.
The size of the center panel, [0040] 29, is determined by the plane created in between the golf bag legs. The size of the right panel is determined by the size of the plane created between the right golf bag leg and the golf bag. The size of the left panel is determined by the plane created between the left golf bag leg and the golf bag. The sizes thus vary from golf bag to golf bag.
As seen in FIG. 5, both left panel, [0041] 30, and right panel, 31, share a side common to the center panel, 29. In FIG. 6, a preferred embodiment is shown in use on a golf bag, 10. When the left leg, 11, and right leg, 12 of a golf bag are in standing position the three panels together form a tent-like structure. This embodiment of the present invention functions to assist a golfer organize his or her golf equipment and accessories using the three planes created by a standing golf bag, namely the plane in between the left leg, 1 1, and the right leg, 12, but also the planes between each leg and the right and left sides of a golf bag, 10, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 6, the structure has a connecting device, 7. Such connecting device may be a strap or belt. The connecting device releasably connects the golf bag structure to the golf bag. It may a unitary continuous part of the golf bag structure. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of organizing compartments is located at least on one panel. In a preferred embodiment, the structure has a towel holder. In another preferred embodiment, indicia or advertising displaying logos or initials or the like are stitched, painted or printed on any one or more the left, right and center panels.
The present invention is also directed to methods of using the invention. [0042]
One preferred embodiment of using the invention is attaching a golf bag pouch structure to golf bag and standing the golf bag legs. In a more preferred embodiment, attaching the golf bag pouch structure is done by slipping the legs of a golf bag into the sleeves present at either side of the pouch. In the preferred embodiment, attaching a golf bag pouch structure is done by buttoning, clipping, snapping, using VELCRO™, or buckling the two ends of a connecting device to secure the golf bag pouch structure to the top end of a golf bag. Another preferred embodiment includes the step of hooking a connecting hook into the golf bag by means of buttons, clips, hooks, or snaps. Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes using organizing compartments of the invention for organizing golf bag equipment and accessories. Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes the step of repositioning the legs from standing to position to a non-functional position against a golf bag without removing the invention and carrying a golf bag with the attached invention to the next golf hole. [0043]
The present invention is also directed to a method of doing business. One preferred embodiment of the invention is selling the golf bag pouch structure as an accessory with a golf bag. In another embodiment the invention is unitary with the associated golf bag. Unitary means the invention is an integrated component of the associated golf bag. [0044]
The basic golf bag pouch structure will now be described further by use of the following example which should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. [0045]

EXAMPLE

A golf bag pouch structure is provided, which generally has three sides forming a triangular structure. Two of the three sides releasably attach to the legs of a standing golf bag. The pouch is made of woven polyester fabric material and is stitched together. The legs of the golf bag slip through sleeves located on either attaching side of the golf bag pouch structure respectively. In standing position, the legs create a tension that opens up the pouch. The top end of the pouch has a connecting strap and a connecting hook. The connecting strap has two ends that when the ends connect wrap around the top end of the golf bag thereby securing the pouch to the golf bag. The connecting hook folds over the lip of the golf bag and attaches to the inside by means of a snap or button. The golf bag pouch structure has one organizing compartment whereby a golfer can put his or her writing utensil. Beside this organizing compartment is another larger compartment into which a golfing card snugly fits. Above these two structures is a detachable compartment into which golf balls or tees can be placed. It can be zipped open or closed, or detached completely from the golf bag pouch structure. [0046]
Some important dimensions and features of the golf bag pouch structure are as follows: The top side is about between two and ten inches in length. The right and left sides are about between twenty-four and thirty-six inches in length. Generally, the right and left sides will be about the length of the legs of a golf bag. The bottom side is about twenty-four to thirty-six inches in length. Generally, the bottom side will be about the length of the space between the bottom ends of functioning legs of a standing golf bag. Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. For example, the present invention can be a continuous unitary element of a regular golf bag, meaning, the present invention is sold as part of a regular golf bag. All references cited herein are specifically and entirely hereby incorporated by reference. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only. All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of this provisional patent application. [0047]

Claims

We claim:

1. A structure for an associated standing golf bag, the golf bag having a top and bottom end and at least a first and second leg, comprising:

a) at least three sides, the at least three sides further comprising

1) a right side releasably attachable to said first leg of the golf bag by a first attachment device,

2) a left side releasably attachable to said second leg of the golf bag by a second attachment device, and

3) a bottom side,

b) a front side, and

c) a back side.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the structure is composed of a flexible material.

3. The structure according to claim 2 wherein said flexible material is waterproof.

4. The structure according to claim 2 wherein said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of fabric, canvas, nylon, plastic, and polyester.

5. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the structure is composed of the material used to make the associated golf bag.

6. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the structure is unitary with the golf bag.

7. The structure according to claim 1 wherein said right side and said left side are generally sleeve-shaped in order to respectively slip over said first leg and the said second leg of the golf bag thereby attaching the structure to the golf bag.

8. The structure according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and said second attachment devices comprises at least one clip.

9. The structure according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and said second attachment devices comprises at least one hook.

10. The structure according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and said second attachment devices comprises at least one string.

11. The structure according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and said second attachment devices comprises at least one button.

12. The structure according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and said second attachment devices comprises at least one VELCRO device.

13. The structure of claim 1 having a connecting device to releasably attach the structure to the golf bag.

14. The structure of claim 13 wherein said connecting device is unitary with the structure.

15. The structure of claim 13 wherein said connecting device is a strap.

16. The structure of claim 1 having at least one compartment attached to said front side.

17. The structure of claim 16 wherein said compartment is a pocket.

18. The structure of claim 1 having at least one compartment attached to said back side.

19. The structure of claim 18 wherein said compartment is a pocket.

20. The structure of claim 1 having a towel holder.

21. The structure of claim 1 having indicia.

22. A structure for an associated standing golf bag, the golf bag having a top and bottom end and at least a first and second leg, comprising:

a) four sides, said four sides further comprising

3) a top side, and

4) a bottom side,

b) a front side, and

c) a back side.

23. The structure of claim 22 wherein a connecting hook device releasably connects said top side to said top end of golf bag.

24. A structure for an associated standing golf bag, the golf bag having a top and bottom end and at least a first and second leg, comprising:

a) at least three panels,

1) a center panel, said center panel comprising at least three sides, a right side, a left side and a bottom side,

2) a left panel, said left panel comprising at least three sides, a right side, a left side, and a bottom side, and

3) a right panel, said right panel comprising at least three sides, a right side, a left side, and a bottom side,

b) wherein said left side of left panel is releasably attachable to the golf bag and

c) wherein said right side of right panel is releasably attachable to the golf bag,

d) wherein said right side of left panel is releasably attachable to said second golf bag leg

e) wherein said left side of right panel is releasably attachable to said first golf bag leg.

25. The structure of claim 24, wherein said right side of left panel is continuous with said left side of center panel, and wherein said left side of right panel is continuous with said right side of center panel, and wherein said structure is releasably attachable to golf bag by first attachment device and second attachment devices, said first attachment device located at juncture of right side of left panel with left side of center panel, and said second attachment device located at the juncture of lefts side of right panel with right side of center panel.

26. The structure according to claim 24 wherein the structure is composed of a flexible material.

27. The structure according to claim 26 wherein said flexible material is waterproof.

28. The structure according to claim 26 wherein said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of fabric, canvas, nylon, plastic, and polyester.

29. The structure according to claim 24 wherein the structure is composed of the material used to make the associated golf bag.

30. The structure according to claim 24 wherein the structure is unitary with the golf bag.

31. The structure according to claim 24 wherein said left side of left panel is releasably attachable to the golf bag by a first joining device and said right side of right panel is releasably attachable to the golf bag by a second joining device, and said right side of left panel is releasably attachable to said second golf leg by a third joining device and said left side of right panel is joined to said first leg of golf bag by a fourth joining device.

32. The structure of claim 24 having a connecting device to releasably attach the structure to the golf bag.

33. The structure of claim 32 wherein said connecting device is unitary with the structure.

34. The structure of claim 32 wherein said connecting device is a strap.

35. The structure of claim 24 having at least one compartment.

36. The structure of claim 35 wherein said compartment is a pocket.

37. The structure of claim 24 having a towel holder.

38. The structure of claim 24 having indicia.