US20100176012A1

US20100176012A1 - Dual golf bag system

Info

Publication number: US20100176012A1
Application number: US12/319,568
Authority: US
Inventors: Vandette Carter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-09
Filing date: 2009-01-09
Publication date: 2010-07-15

Abstract

A dual set of golf bags are provided, suspended and supported on a spring-loaded axled, geared system about a point, which permits movements of two or more individual golf bags about an axis relative to each other. One or more spring-loaded axles are provided between each golf bags and back support entity to permit independent or concerted movements of one or more units. When the bags are positioned on the wearer's back, it maybe carried in a new “X” formation (opened position) or positioned on the ground in a new mono-stand “tripod” orientation, which uses a single stand structured, coupled with at least two bags to form a tripod stand. The bag maybe closed relative to each other to appear similar to a stand golf bag for easy transport or to be worn in a traditional way. Further, the bags maybe opened and closed by the application of a force.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a back pack, specifically a golf bag to be worn on the back, which maybe used to carry items, such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats or other articles. The apparatus particularly relates to a new and improved golf bag for the purpose of carrying a set of clubs in a new and improved fashion, as well as displaying said clubs on a surface in a new and improved fashion.
2. Prior Art
Generally, there have been a variety of approaches to making golf bags which can be worn on a golfers lower back or buttock. More commonly, a plethora of golf bags have been seen that are made up of a simple mono compartment, which are generally worn in an asymmetrical fashion and situated on the arch of the lower back and buttock. These constructions of golf bags are commonly a contributing factor for strains on a golfer's back as well as cumbersome to carry for long distances over time during play. Moreover the construction and carrying format of these mono chamber golf back prove to be an hindrance when ambulating; they bounce or jerk with each stride, thereby promoting a counter force on the lower back, resulting in a nuisance-undesirable experience.
Further all golf bags to date feature a mono chamber (with the exception of Richardson U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,444) that holds all the clubs in one chamber as well as a featuring a dual stand mechanism for ground support in all examples of prior art, including Richardson. This construction is severely flawed and promotes the stress of carrying and well as the cumbersome nature of retrieving various clubs from the bag in all the examples here again, including as seen with Richardson.
The new invention disclosed here addresses the problem of relieving stress on the user's back, as well as providing a new method of construction and design to allow for the easy retrieval of various golf clubs from a golf bag using a combination of at least a dual chamber compartment and a mono stand technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a golf bag which retains the general overall aesthetics of a conventional golf bag while incorporating advancements in the structure. It is a further object of the invention to provide a new configuration of a golf bag with two or more distinct chambers, suspended by a spring-loaded axle to allow movement in an opened “X” formation or a closed formation like the letter “I.”
It is another object of the invention to provide a golf bag which maybe carried with general ease and symmetry on a golfer's back or worn like a conventional golf bag optionally.
Further, the golf bag may have an adjustable cushioned bag harness which maybe secured onto one or more of the bag compartment by a spring loaded geared axle.
Yet still a further object of the invention is to provide for a new arrangement of using a mono stand to display the golf bag on a surface in an “X” configuration while in the so called, opened position.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide a simplified approach to packing and retrieving different kinds of golf clubs in two or more separate and distinct compartments. Additionally, a new approach of inverting the golf clubs into the bag, thereby allowing the retrieval of same by the handle, instead of the club head. Numerical or alphabetical markers are provided to easily identify the clubs within the golf bags.
It is another object of the invention to redistribute the weight of a set of golf clubs about a golfer's back to promote greater symmetrical weight distribution. Rearranging clubs achieves this objective by separating clubs by weight, size or height according to a desirable preference into two or more bag compartments.
These objects and others are achieved in accordance with the invention with generally two distinct chambers golf bag compartments; a back harness spring loaded adjustable unit, mounted on a geared axle mechanism, which is further secured to a set of golf bags which are mounted and secured onto each other by a similar geared axle mechanism.
The geared mechanism may comprise of a fixed magnet as well as a compressible spring, along with a geared teeth mechanism, apposing the opposite ring to provide for greater friction to resist movement when the bag is in an opened or closed position. An external force such as pulling on designated handles will overcome the resistance of the geared mechanism to move the bags or back harness from a closed to an opened position or vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a dual chamber golf bag in accordance with the invention situated on its base.

FIG. 2 is a back elevational view of a dual chamber golf bag in accordance with the invention situated on its base.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the invention in accordance with the invention

FIG. 4 is a left elevational view of the invention in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top and the so called opened view of the invention in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6. is a profile view of the invention situated on a golfer's back, shown in the opened position.

FIG. 7. is a back profile view of the invention situated on a surface which shows a back support member 23.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of the gear, spring and magnet mechanism, which holds the various parts about a point, described as an axle 22.

FIG. 9 is a new club arrangement whereby the club head is inverted into the golf bag and numerical markers are shown to identify individual clubs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a front elevational view of the apparatus incorporating features of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments as previously described in the prior Provisional patent application. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. Also other application outside the realms of golf sports can be adapted for the usefulness of this device. For example the sport of baseball can greatly benefit from the invention.
In FIG. 1, is the front elevation, which features a mono stand 2 with the stand having a supporting integral base 9. Further a series of handles 5 and 6 are situated diagonally and opposite to each other to facilitate force and counter force to open and close the golf bag. Pockets for the purpose of storing golf related accessories are also shown as items 8 and 10. Decorated features 12 as well as a logo placement area 11 are also provided for. A harness 7 for the mono stand is located on this front part of the back at a suitable height to allow for a safe display of said bag on a surface.
Referring to FIG. 2, a back elevation view is shown with has additional pockets 13, decorated features 12 and more pockets 8A. Posterior views of the hands 6A and SA are shown. A track for the back support member would be constructed and situated on this surface (not shown).
FIG. 3 is a right elevational view of the invention which illustrates handles SA and 5 at the lower base; mono stand harness 7, stand 2 and a division aperture 14, which forms the relative small opened space between the two movable bag compartments. Additional views of the pockets are shown as well.
FIG. 4 is a left elevational view of the invention which shows the opposite of FIG. 3. Therein again is shown the relative aperture 14A which forms the relative free, opened space between the two halves of the golf bag. Other features with respect to the mono stand 2 and base 9 are also demonstrated.
Referring to FIG. 5, is a top view of the invention which illustrates the two distinct individual compartments, separated by a relative empty space 14C. Chambers for holding golf clubs are shown in a basic configuration, having subdivisions 15, 16, and 17.
The second image in FIG. 5 shows the golf bag in opened position forming a “tripod” arrangement. The two bags are used to lend support to the bag structure as well as employing a mono stand technology, which forms a stable support base.
FIG. 6 illustrates and depicts the golf bag worn on a golfer's back, shown in a preferred opended position, to allow for all the benefits described: Symmetrical distribution of the golf clubs weight; non hindering action when ambulating as well as creating the freedom to have both hands relatively free, and not supporting the bags in anyway form or fashion. The new golf bag arraignment forms a relative opened space on the lower back/buttock, again further eliminating any obstruction to the lower back when carrying said clubs in said golf bags.
FIG. 7 shows the new and improved golf bag in a “tripod” position situated on a surface. A back pack support member is shown attached by a spring loaded axle mechanism onto one of the bag members 1B. Further the back support member maybe made to move along a “X” or “Y” track, of which the “Y” axis track alone is shown. Not shown is a standard back strap mechanism which maybe attached to three or four points on the back support member 23 (One origination point on the top and two origin points on left and right lower sides). The back strap mechanism may also be made to directly secure onto the one of the bag members as well in a traditional fashion. The bag member with its spring loaded mechanism maybe removed for storage off of the track 21.
FIG. 8 is the close up view of the axle mechanism which is responsible for securing a load at least equal or greater than the weight of a contents of a full golf bag when affixed onto each other, in addition to the back support member onto one of the bags. With further reference to the illustration, 22 is the general schematic for the axle rod mechanism which forms the support base for two bags opposed to each other. A spring mechanism 31 is provided to promote counter force to adhere both structures together, while allowing for movement from the application of an external force. A frictional gear mechanism 36 and 37 opposing each other permits greater friction between the two bag structures when no external force is acting upon them. Various gauged slots between the gears “teeth” allow for rotational, axial movement by at least one degree on a 360 degree plain in clockwise or counter clockwise direction. The gear teeth maybe individually depressed when influenced by an external force or remain fixed and move in synchrony, influenced by the expansion and compression a single universal spring 31. For instance, when the bags are influenced by external forces, promoting rotational axial movement, the spring will first compress when two opposite gear teeth are on top of each other. When the gear teeth are side by side and opposite each other, the spring 31 will return to the expanded position. Note that the gear mechanism maybe engineered to function in the opposite as well while yielding a similar result.
Further the gear teeth mechanism maybe magnetized to permit greater force of attraction between structures 1B and 1 or with a back support member 23. Various housing 35 and 34 are shown in FIG. 8, as well as a representation of the track 21.
FIG. 9. is a new configuration of placing golf clubs into a golf bag in an inverted fashion. Further numbers are applied to the top part of the club handle 43 as well as onto the sub compartments 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Function of the Invention:

In an ideal setting, a golfer will mount the golf bag onto his/her back when the structure is in a closed position (both bags are directly opposed to each other). The golfer will then reach behind his/her back and apply force onto each lower part of the back, pulling both bags, away and opposite from each other. The opened position will allow for unconstructiveness to the lower part of the back and buttock, while promoting symmetrical weight distribution about the spine as well as providing ease of transporting said clubs and bag content.
The golf bag maybe mounted and dismounted onto a golfer's back, facilitating with great ease the positioning of said golf bag on a surface; simply by retrieving the mono golf stand from the front part of the golf bag, thereby forming a stable tripod base. The mono stand maybe constructed to recess into a cavity of the golf bag or be hidden out of view all together.
For storage, the two halves or entities of the golf bag maybe brought to a closed position and stored like a conventional golf bag (in a car trunk) or transported into a carrying case during long distance travel. Further at least one wheel can be attached onto each bag unit and used in synchrony to cart the bag from the right, left, front or back side, in combination with a retractable pulling handle designed and engineered to suite. The mono stand is provided and further secured by a spring, hinged mechanism for maintaining said mono stand structure in an opened or closed position.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A new golf bag apparatus with at least two individual compartments opposed to each other and secured by a geared, spring loaded axle mechanism, so that the two apposing structures can rotate about each other from a closed position to an opened position by the application of a force; a mono stand hinged structure is attached to at least one side of the golf bag unit; a graduated geared, disk mechanism, secured about an axle is attached between the two opposing bag members; a track—support is incorporated into one surface of the bag members, which house a removable back support entity which removed, replaced or slide into a suitable position., s Said geared mechanism of bags and back support members maintains said structures in a closed, opened or fixed position unless and external force acts upon them; wherein said geared mechanism may also comprise of a permanent magnet as well as a suitable spring and central axle or peripheral disk supporting member to support the individual units as when coupled to each other.

2. The geared mechanism of claim 1 is comprised of a permanent magnet operating in unison with a spring to influence the geared teeth to promote greater force of attraction between first bag and second bag unit.

3. A geared mechanism of claim 1 and 2 whereby the geared mechanism is constructed of a sturdy spring mechanism; a set of geared wheels opposing each other, promoting movement in a circular direction while simultaneously maintains a force of attraction between first and second bag structures.

4. A geared mechanism of claim 1 which with at least one member 35 is housed in recessed track situated on a “Y” axis and or a “X” axis on the surface of one bag unit, while a second member 34 component is housed in a back support unit.

5. A geared mechanism in combination with a back support member of claims 1 and 4 which is removable, swivable, slideable along a X or Y axes and replaceable from and onto said X and Y track axes.

6. A geared mechanism of claim 1 and 2 which maybe fixed about a given point on at least one bag structure.

7. A bag structure of claim 1 which contains at least one or more geared axis mechanism, whereby at least one geared member supports two bags and at least a second securing a back support removable member onto a bag structure.

8 A golf bag structure which has a mono (single) stand secured to one surface of at least one bag member.

9. A mono stand mechanism of claim 1, which has a spring-hinged to allow movement and retention in an opened and closed position, in combination with integral stoppers to maintain said desirable positions.

10. A stand mechanism of claims 1 and 9 when in opened position maintains and support said bag structure in a tripod position, in combination of at least two bag members. Said stand member maybe constructed to be recessed into the surface of at least one bag member.

11. A bag structures of claim 1, comprising of at least two bags that are opposed to each other by a spring geared, axle mechanism, of generally equal size and proportion.

12. A bag mechanism of as described in the invention which consist of at least two bags moveable between a closed and opened position relative to each other, aided by a spring geared mechanism and applied force.*

13. A set of at least two golf bags opposing as in claim 1 and 12 comprising of at least two golf back which allows for the even weight distribution of golf clubs and other components useful on a golf course.

14. A set of at least two golf bags h as in claim 1 & 12 having at least one handle/pull strap/recess/knob on the lower halves of both golf bags which may permit for the movement of said golf bags from a closed position to an opened position and vice versa.

15. A new golf bag arrangement as in claim 1 & 12 which maybe suspended by a single geared axle mechanism, to allow incremental movement of its components at various degrees relative to each other; said bag structures maybe worn on a golfer's back to allow for relative ease of carrying said golf clubs and components in an near even weight distribution fashion.

16. A new golf bag which maybe situated on a planar surface using a new tripod configuration for golf bags,utilizing two bags structures in combination with a single mono stand mechanism to provide a stable tripod structure.

17. A new golf club redistribution method as in claims 1 and 15 whereby golf clubs are arranged into at least two or more separate bag components and situated by weight or height or a combination of both; whereby allowing for the easy identification and selection of various golf clubs.

18. A new arrangement of gold clubs as in claim 1, whereby clubs maybe situated in an inverted manner (club heads positioned on bottom of bag) so that at least one of the bag components, which are further identified by markings about their individual slots or on the top part of the club handle.

19. A new golf bag as in claim 1 & 12 with at least one wheel situated near the base of each bag component, in a retractable or recesses manner and in combination with at least one fixed or retractable handle on at least one bag structure