WO2002066117A1

WO2002066117A1 - Golf bag

Info

Publication number: WO2002066117A1
Application number: PCT/NO2002/000024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Øystein Hagel PEDERSEN
Original assignee: Alubag As
Priority date: 2001-01-19
Filing date: 2002-01-18
Publication date: 2002-08-29
Also published as: NO20010343D0; WO2002066117A8; NO20010343L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf bag for use both for storing and transport of golf clubs and other related equipment for playing golf. The golf bag according to the present invention is specially produced to be able to be sued both when playing golf as well as during travelling and for storage. This is achieved substantially by means of design, choice of a rigid construction and through the choice of materials in the exterior and to some extent the interior of the golf bag. The present invention is thereby closely related to the use of aluminium or aluminium-based alloy in the main body of the bag, where the golf clubs are kept. In a specially preferred embodiment, moreover, the golf bag according to the present invention is provided with a collapsible mechanism with wheels, which enables the golf bag to be used during a game of golf as a traditional bag with a golf cart. Furthermore, according to the present invention openings or recesses are provided in the exterior of the golf bag for releasable mounting of holding devices for, for example, umbrellas, a towel, handle, carrying strap or the like on the outside of the golf bag during use or when being transported.

Description

Golf Bag

The present invention relates to a golf bag for use both for storing and transport of golf clubs and other related equipment for playing golf. The golf bag according to the present invention is specially produced to be able to be used both when playing golf as well as during travelling and for storage without the need to employ externally mounted transport covers of any kind, or the necessity of altering the bag in any other way. This is achieved substantially by means of design, choice of a rigid construction and through the choice of materials in the exterior and to some extent the interior of the golf bag. The present invention is thereby closely related to the use of aluminium or aluminium-based alloy in the main body of the bag, where the golf clubs are kept. In a specially preferred embodiment, moreover, the golf bag according to the present invention is provided with a collapsible mechanism with wheels, which enables the golf bag to be used during a game of golf as a traditional bag with a cart. In this embodiment the collapsible mechanism is particularly associated with a handle at the upper end of the bag, whereby when the handle is pulled out from the main body of the bag, the wheels are simultaneously unfolded and extended, thus enabling the bag to be transported on the wheels with the user holding the handle.

Furthermore, according to the present invention openings or recesses are provided in the exterior of the golf bag for releasable mounting of holding devices for, for example, umbrellas, a towel, handle, carrying strap or the like on the outside of the golf bag during use or when being transported.

Golf is basically a sport that requires a good deal of equipment in the form of a number of different golf clubs, together with other equipment such as golf balls and tees, while a towel, an umbrella in case of rain, as well as a number of other personal effects are often carried according to one's requirements. All of this equipment is traditionally collected in a golf bag, which is specially designed for this purpose, being in the form of a relatively elongated body, usually with an internal division into different elongated compartments for containing the different clubs, in addition to which the outside of the elongated body in the golf bag is equipped with pockets of various kinds for storing balls, etc. together with personal effects. Golf bags of this kind have remained almost unaltered for a long time, partly because these bags already have a relatively practical design and also because golfers and the sport in general are relatively conservative and there has been no particular need or desire to change the traditional golf bag. In addition to the use of a golf bag, it is very common to employ a golf cart on which the golf bag is placed during the game, thus making it easier for a golfer to carry the golf bag round the course. The cart is also usually designed so that the golf bag stands in a suitable position when the golfer puts down the bag with the cart, and it is therefore not necessary to take off the golf bag or put it on the ground when striking the ball. Alternatively, a person (a caddie) may be employed to carry the golf bag with equipment for the golfer during a game.

In recent years the number of golf courses has increased substantially over large parts of the world, in addition to which golfers are often fond of travelling and now that the opportunities arise to a far greater extent than previously, this results in golfers travelling considerably more than before to relatively far-off places in order to sample new golf courses and to meet like- minded people in other parts of the world. This leads to transport requirements over and above ordinary transport by car or the like, which is employed between home and the nearest golf course, where the golf bag with equipment is transported by plane, boat or the like to an even greater extent than previously. A standard golf bag is basically unsuitable for transport, since it is often made of a soft material (usually leather or fabric), where parts of the bag are braced by plastic material, stiff cardboard or the like, possibly with a steel or wooden skeleton. Such materials are very easily damaged during transport if one is unfortunate enough to subject the bag to major stresses, which can often be highly damaging, for example, to the golf clubs, which in this respect can be considered to be relatively finely tuned instruments for performing the sport. A slight "bend" or unevenness in the shaft of the golf club can have major consequences when performing a stroke and it is therefore desirable to give the clubs the best possible protection during transport.

In order to protect a traditional golf bag during transport, use is often made of a transport cover, which is placed on the outside of the bag in addition to a hood or a "lid", which is placed over the open end of the bag where the club heads in particular protrude from the bag in order to protect them. A transport cover of this kind is usually made of fabric and the transport cover therefore only protects the bag against the damaging effects of surrounding liquids and to some extent sharp objects, etc., but does not protect the bag or its contents against crushing, impact or similar stresses that occur, for example, during loading or unloading of the luggage compartment in the plane, car, bus or boat.

A further problem related to traditional golf bags is associated with the possibility of adapting the bag to special needs, for example adapting the number of pockets, holders for umbrellas or the like on a bag. When purchasing a bag, therefore, a user has to choose a compromise solution with the required number of pockets and holders, and possibly carrying straps and the like that are expected to be necessary for subsequent practice of the sport.

When transporting a golf bag over long distances, moreover, it will be difficult to bring along a golf cart since they are often awkward and unmanageable, even in a collapsed state.

It is therefore beyond all doubt that both existing bags and carts suffer from defects and drawbacks in relation to the needs and requirements that arise in the course of time. From previously known technical solutions in the field, we mention particularly a combined golf bag and golf cart, which is described in international patent publication WO 92/18206. Here, the golf bag consists of an elongated body and a collapsible cart, which in a collapsed state can be stored completely or partly in a recess in the golf bag's elongated body. Here too the collapsed cart structure is activated by means of a handle 24, which is also used by the golfer for transporting the golf bag on a golf course.

Furthermore, in international patent publication WO 94/11065 a golf bag and golf cart are described, where the cart is completely or partly incorporated in the golf bag. In this publication the golf bag is also designed in such a manner that it can be divided in its longitudinal direction into a front and a rear part, thus making the interior of the golf bag more easily accessible to the golfer, and in the interior of the golf bag there is further provided a stand for holding the golf clubs, which stand becomes easily accessible when the golf bag is divided along its longitudinal direction and the front part in particular can be rotated forwardly about a substantially horizontal axis at the lower end of the golf bag, in order thereby to expose the interior of the golf bag. The wheels and undercarriage that form the golf cart in this solution, moreover, are lowered in a collapsed state into recesses on each side of the golf bag's elongated main body.

Various kinds of holding devices etc. for umbrellas and other equipment on a golf bag are also known. In US patent 5190257 there is described a holding device for cups that is mounted on a tubular handle on a golf bag. The holding device is designed with an angle-like element, which is placed round the tubular handle and which is securely mounted by means of a screw or the like.

Furthermore, in US patent 6032917 there is described a holding device for an umbrella, which holding device can be mounted on a handle in connection with a golf bag and which holding device can be adjusted relative to the angle of the handle (relative to the vertical plane), thus enabling the holder to be mounted at the desired angle, thereby holding an umbrella or the like in the position desired by the user.

In US patent 5390788, moreover, there is described a support leg for a golf bag, which is rotated to an angle relative to the bag's longitudinal direction.

Based on the way in which golf has developed as a sport and the needs that arise in the course of time with regard to a practical golf bag, it is obvious that a golf bag should be produced in a relatively light, but rigid and robust material that protects the contents both during use and transport, as well as during storage. In keeping with tradition, moreover, the interior of the golf bag should be divided in its longitudinal direction, thus enabling different golf clubs to be kept separated and thereby preventing them from being in unnecessary contact with one another during transport. Furthermore, the golf bag should preferably be integrated with a collapsible mechanism with wheels, thus eliminating the need for an external cart. In order to further make the golf bag more flexible with regard to the provision of holders and pockets, etc., the golf bag should also be designed in such a manner that the pockets and holders one wishes to bring along at any time can easily be releasably attached. The wish is therefore to produce a "combination bag", which in an adequate manner covers both the requirements during transport and during use on the golf course. This places substantial demands not least on the choice of materials in the main body of the bag itself (where the golf clubs are kept) since it must be robust and rigid, easy to fashion so that the bag has an aesthetically attractive exterior, in addition to which it has a shape that is practical both for transport and use. The material should, of course, also be so light that it does not inconvenience the golfer during use or transport even when full.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a golf bag, which meets the above-mentioned requirements and which eliminates most of the problems mentioned above. Such a golf bag is provided according to the present invention for storage and transport of golf clubs and other related equipment, which golf bag is substantially composed of a hollow, elongated main body that is open at one end, and which main body is designed for storing the golf clubs. The golf bag according to the present invention is characterised in that the main body is formed as a rigid structure substantially with an outer shell, and in a preferred embodiment this outer shell is made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. For this purpose aluminium is the preferred material since it is rigid and light, it can easily be processed and shaped, in addition to which the material is easy to combine with other materials both externally and internally, thus permitting a total construction to be provided in accordance with the above-mentioned objects and requirements. This applies not least to the possibility of mounting holders or attachment means to the outside of the golf bag, together with the provision of shock-absorbing or damping material on the inside and the possibility of dividing the interior of the golf bag into compartments or providing another kind of fitting.

In an embodiment the main body of the golf bag is covered over the whole or parts of the interior with a soft material, which is preferably a fabric. Such a material will be shock-absorbent or damping and will help to restrict wear and damage to the clubs, particularly during transport.

In the preferred embodiment the golf bag according to the present invention is provided with a collapsible mechanism with wheels, where the wheels, for example, are folded into suitable recesses or openings in the golf bag's elongated body and where its collapsing mechanism, for example, is connected with a handle or the like, which the golfer uses when he or she pulls the golf bag along on the golf course during a game.

In an embodiment there are also provided recesses or openings in the outer shell of the golf bag for releasable mounting of holding devices or the like. These holding devices may, for example, be clips or clamps for holding an umbrella or the like, it may be a hook on which to hang a towel, gloves or the like or it may simply be a holder for an open umbrella that enables the golfer to attach the holder for the umbrella, open it and put the golf bag down (with the wheels down) and thereby stand under the umbrella without having to hold it.

The golf bag according to the present invention basically has an open end where the golfer has access to the interior of the bag with clubs etc., and in an embodiment a cover can be releasably attached over this open end. The cover is preferably made of the same material as the rest of the main body of the golf bag, preferably aluminium or aluminium alloy, thus protecting the club heads and other contents of the golf bag at the open end in the same way as in the rest of the bag. A cover of this kind may, for example, also be attached to the rest of the golf bag's main body by means of hinges, slide bars or the like, with the result that the cover remains connected to the main body of the bag even when the cover is removed from the open end. This is particularly advantageous from the point of view that the cover does not fall off the golf bag by accident. A cover of this kind may, for example, also be designed on the inside in the form of a small table or drinking glass holder, according to requirements.

In order to reduce the weight of the total golf bag construction, materials other than aluminium or aluminium alloy may be employed, for example, in the interior of the golf bag. As mentioned above, it is desirable to have it fitted out so that the interior of the golf bag's main body is divided into different longitudinal compartments, and this can be accomplished by means of longitudinal partitions or one or more fitting portions with several partitions over the whole or parts of the length of the main body.

These fitting portions may, for example, be made of a plastic material of various types and may be permanently or releasably mounted in the interior of the golf bag according to requirements. The fittings may be mounted by means of special adaptation, adhesive, velcroue or the like.

The present invention is further exemplified by means of a specially preferred embodiment, which is described in greater detail with reference to the attached figures, in which: fig. 1 is a perspective view of a person with a golf bag according to the present invention during transport; fig. 2 is a perspective view of a person with a golf bag according to the present invention during use on a golf course; fig. 3 is a perspective view of a golf bag according to the present invention prepared for use; fig. 4 is a side view of the golf bag according to fig. 3; figs. 5 and 6 are a plan view from the front and from the side (partial cross sections) respectively as illustrated in figs. 3 and 4; fig. 7 is a plan view from above of the golf bag as illustrated in figs. 3-6.

A golfer during a transport stage is illustrated in fig. 1, with a golf bag according to the present invention. The golf bag has an elongated main body 1 with a cover 2 over the open end and in addition the golf bag is provided with a carrying handle 3 for use during transport stages. The golf bag is substantially designed with an outer shell of aluminium or a type of aluminium alloy, which permits the exterior of the golf bag to be designed as a rigid structure with the desired shape and the desired appearance. A golf bag of such material, designed according to the invention, will, as illustrated in fig. 1, keep its original shape and thereby provide the desired protection for its contents in the form of golf clubs, etc. even when exposed to relatively substantial stresses, which may often occur during transport. A number of other materials will not offer the same design opportunities, corresponding low weight and corresponding strength.

The cover 2 as illustrated in fig. 1 is further designed in the same material as the elongated main body 1 , with the object of protecting those parts of the golf clubs that protrude from the open end of the elongated body 1 (the main body).

The handle 3 that is used during transport may be releasably attached to the main body 1 , for example in connection with clips or the like, which are mounted in suitable recesses or openings, also according to the present invention.

In fig. 2, furthermore, the same golf bag as in fig. 1 is illustrated after a transport stage (or before) where the golfer opens the golf bag by removing the cover 2 from the open end of the elongated body 1. As illustrated in fig. 2 the cover 2 may be located on a side of the elongated body 1 , for example as a hinged solution, or in another manner, thus preventing the cover 2 from being lost from the golf bag. The open end of the elongated body 1 is further provided with a distribution plate 7 that keeps the heads of the golf clubs 9 at a desired distance apart, thus preventing the golf clubs, and particularly the heads, from coming into contact with one another, for example during transport, and thereby damaging one another.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, moreover, the golf bag is provided with collapsible wheels 5 on an undercarriage support 6, which is operated by a handle 4. When the handle 4 is pulled up from the golf bag (from the distribution plate 7), the wheels 5 and the undercarriage 6 are tilted out from their inactive storage position (preferably in recesses or openings in the side of the golf bag's elongated body 1) to active positions that enable the golf bag to be pulled along on a golf course, preferably by the handle 4. When the handle 4 is subsequently pushed down towards the distribution plate 7, the wheels 5 with the undercarriage 6 will be rotated back to their storage position.

Furthermore, in figs. 3 and 4, together with figs. 5, 6 and 7 there is illustrated a golf bag according to the present invention. The golf bag is composed of an elongated main body 1 , one end of which is open. At the opening the bag is provided with a distribution plate 7, which divides the main body 1 in its longitudinal direction into different slots or openings 8 for the various clubs 9. A cover 2 is also provided at the open end of the main body 1, which cover 2 is rotated in the figures to a position where it does not cover the opening.

In figures 3 and 4 the golf bag according to the present invention is arranged in a position where the collapsible undercarriage 6 with wheels 5 is unfolded, holding the main body in the desired position for transport and play on the golf course. Figures 5 and 6 also illustrate how the undercarriage 6 and the wheels 5 are folded into recesses in the sides of the main body.

Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating how the distribution plate 7 divides the main body 1 into different openings 8.

Various adaptations and modifications of the illustrated golf bag will obviously be able to be made and for a person skilled in the art it will be natural to adapt a golf bag according to special existing conditions and requirements. Golf bags adapted in this manner may still be considered to fall within the inventive concept, which is stated in the following patent claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A golf bag for storage and transport of golf clubs and other related equipment, which golf bag is substantially composed of a hollow, elongated main body (1), one end of which is open, which main body (1) is designed for storing golf clubs, characterised in that the golf bag's main body (1) is composed of a rigid structure substantially with an outer shell.

2. A golf bag according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer shell is composed of a material substantially consisting of aluminium.

3. A golf bag according to claims 1-2, characterised in that the inside of the outer shell is covered in a soft material over the whole or parts of its length.

4. A golf bag according to claim 3, characterised in that the soft material is a fabric.

5. A golf bag according to claims 1-4, characterised in that the main body is provided with a collapsible mechanism (6) with wheels (5).

6. A golf bag according to claims 1-5, characterised in that the outer shell is provided with recesses for releasable mounting of holding devices.

7. A golf bag according to claims 1-6, characterised in that the main body (1) is designed for releasable mounting of a cover (2) at the open end.

8. A golf bag according to claims 1-7, characterised in that the interior of the main body (1) is provided with a fitting (7) that divides the interior of the golf bag's main body into different longitudinal compartments (8).