WO2006071815A1

WO2006071815A1 - Golf bag with club positioning system

Info

Publication number: WO2006071815A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/046928
Authority: WO
Inventors: James L. Sutter
Original assignee: Sutter James L
Priority date: 2004-12-23
Filing date: 2005-12-23
Publication date: 2006-07-06

Abstract

A golf bag adapted to receive a plurality of golf clubs for storage and transport is comprised of a generally tubular body including a side wall surrounding an interior and extending along a central longitudinal axis between a bottom end portion and a top end portion, the top end portion providing an open top for the golf bag. A stepped floor is located at the bottom end portion and formed by at least one lower bottom wall section and at least one upper bottom wall section that are spaced apart from one another and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis with the lower and upper bottom wall sections forming landings for the shafts of golf clubs.

Description

GOLF BAG WITH CLUB POSITIONING SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally concerns the arranging and positioning of golf clubs in a golf bag. More specifically, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein are directed to a positioning system that is operative to position the ends of the shafts of golf clubs in a golf bag and thereby position the heads of the clubs. Specifically, these embodiments provide a system and a golf bag using such system that separates the heads of golf clubs in a golf bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For years the game of golf has enjoyed wide popularity as a favorite past time for avid enthusiasts and beginners alike. One reason for this overwhelming popularity is that golf ailows participants of all ages and skill levels to play the game as a social activity or as a competitive sport without diminishing the enjoyment to the individual participant.

^■ The characteristics of golf are well known. The game is played at a golf course which, typically, has eighteen (18) holes. Each hole has its own distinctly contoured features with a target pin located on a green which is a selected distance from a fairway tee box. This distance can range from as little as about 100 yards to a distance in excess of 600 yards. The object of the game is to hit a golf ball from the tee box and into a cup position at the base of the target pin in as few as strokes as possible. Accomplishing this task, however, can be quite challenging.

To this end, a golfer has at his/her disposal a selected number of golf clubs, usually fourteen (14), with which he/she hits the ball in the direction of the target pin. Each golf- club has its own characteristics and features which determine, generally, how far the golf ball will travel once it is hit and the trajectory that the ball will take during flight. Accordingly, many factors come into play which determine how well a golfer is able to play the game - contour the particular hole, weather conditions and club selection to name a few. Without a doubt, the most important factor is the individual player's own ability. When playing golf, it is therefore necessary for a player to transport his set of golf clubs. Usually the clubs are carried in a tubular golf bag into which the shafts of the golf clubs are inserted in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bag. The heads of the golf clubs then protrude exteriorly of the golf bag The golf bag may be carried by the golfer himself/herself or by another person who serves as the golfer's caddy. Alternatively, the golf bag may be secured to a motorized cart that is driven by the golfer during the course of play.

Whether the golf bag is carried by a person or is located on a motorized cart, contact between the heads of the golf clubs is always a risk. Therefore, for example, it is known to place head covers on the clubs during transport. This technique, however, has its drawbacks. For example, a golfer typically identifies a particular club by a number printed on the base of the golf club head. Head covers may obscure this number making it more time consuming for a golfer to locate a particular selected club. Such delays are both inconvenient for the golfer attempting to locate the club as well as the other golfers awaiting their turn at play.

However, without the protection, contact between the heads of the golf clubs may cause damage to the face of the club, i.e., the striking surface. Such damage not only mars the appearance of an expensive set of clubs, but also, in the extreme, can create damage that affects the flight of the golf ball when a club is used during play.

In addition, many golfers find that identification of a desired club to be selected for use is not always easy. During transport, the clubs may shift positions so that a desired club is not always located in the location in the bag where it was initially placed. Furthermore, while the heads of the clubs are typically numbered, the close grouping of the club heads often obscures these numbers.

Accordingly, a need exists for addressing the positioning of gold clubs within a golf bag so as to minimize the likelihood of damage to the faces of the golf club heads arriving from contact with each other. There is further a need for a system of supporting golf clubs so that it is easier to identify each selected club during play. The present invention is directed to meeting these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful golf bag and positioning system therefor.

It is an aspect of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention to provide a golf bag and positioning system therefore that reduces the likelihood of damage occurring by contact between the heads of the golf clubs.

A further an aspect of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to provide a golf bag and positioning system therefore that helps orient golf clubs for easier identification of each club therein.

It is a further aspect of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention to provide a golf bag structure that helps longitudinally separate the heads of a plurality of golf clubs placed therein for storage and transport.

According to the present invention, a golf bag is provided which is adapted to receive a plurality of golf clubs for storage and transport wherein each of the golf clubs has a head and a shaft extending therefrom. The golf bag of the present invention has a generally tubular body that includes a sidewall surrounding an interior. This sidewall extends for a length along a central longitudinal axis between a bottom end portion and an open top end portion. A stepped floor is located at the bottom end portion of the tubular body and is formed by at least one lower bottom wall section and at least one upper bottom wall section that are spaced apart from one another. The lower bottom wall section and the upper bottom wall section are also oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis and form landings with the ends of the shafts of the golf club opposite the head.

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a stepped floor that includes a first lower bottom wall section and a second lower bottom wall section generally oriented in a common lower plane and transversely to the longitudinal axis. The first and second lower bottom wall sections are respectively located at a front and back of the tubular body with the upper bottom wall section being disposed therebetween. Here, also, the upper bottom wall section is generally oriented in an upper plane that is at an acute angle to the lower plane. Moreover, a first web interconnects the upper bottom wall section to the first lower bottom wall section to define a front trough, and a second web interconnects the upper bottom wall section to the second lower bottom wall section to define a back trough. The front and back troughs are arcuate in shape. Here, also, the second web is oriented at a large acute angle with respect to the bottom plane. An optional third web may be spaced from the first web to interconnect the first lower bottom wall section to the sidewall of the tubular body. This third web may also be oriented at an acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a first upper bottom wall section and a second upper bottom wall section are disposed between first and second lower bottom wall sections with the first upper bottom wall section being located forwardly of the second upper bottom wall section. The first and second lower bottom wall sections may be oriented in a common plane with all of these sections being oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis to form landings for the shafts of the golf clubs. The first and second upper bottom wall sections are generally disposed respectively in first and second upper planes that are spaced apart from one another. The first upper plane may be located between the second upper plane and the lower plane. The first and second upper planes may also be generally parallel to the lower plane.

In the second exemplary embodiment, a first web interconnects the first lower bottom wall section to the first upper bottom wall section to define a front trough. A second web interconnects the second lower bottom wall section to the second upper bottom wall section to define the back trough. An intermediate web then interconnects the first and second upper bottom wall sections to form first and second intermediate troughs. The front trough, the back trough, the first intermediate trough and the second intermediate trough can all be arcuate in shape, according to this embodiment. In the second embodiment, the first web, the second web and the intermediate web are each formed by front and back web walls oriented at an acute angle with respect to one another so as to have an inverted V-shape. Here, the back web walls are each oriented at a large acute angle with respect to the bottom plane. A third web may again be provided, with this third web being connected to the first lower bottom wall section and extending to the sidewall of the tubular body.

A divider assembly may also be disposed at the open top end of the tubular body. This divider assembly may include a plurality of first dividers and a plurality of second dividers oriented transversely to the first dividers to form a plurality of compartments adapted to receive the shafts of golf clubs stored therein. The first dividers may be oriented at an acute angle to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular body. Moreover, a front flange may be spaced from the first dividers with this front flange also being oriented at an acute angle to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular body. Separation panels may be included with the separation panels extending from the divider assembly for a majority of the length of the tubular body. In an exemplary embodiment, the separation panels are secured to the stepped floor.

In the exemplary embodiments, the stepped floor is provided by a cuff that includes a stepped base which forms the stepped floor and a cuff sidewall surrounding the stepped base and extending upwardly therefrom. The cuff sidewall is secured to the sidewall of the tubular body to enclose the bottom end thereof so that the golf clubs inserted into the tubular body have ends that are supported by the stepped base of the bottom cuff. The stepped base may take on any of the characteristics of the stepped floor, described above.

In the exemplary embodiment, a divider assembly is formed by a top cuff that is disposed at the open top end of the tubular body and secured to the surrounding sidewall thereof. The divider assembly may be as described above, and again, separation panels may extend from the divider assembly, as described above. These and other aspects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf bag including a positioning system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view in cross-section showing the bottom cuff and the top cuff according to the first embodiment of the present invention supporting golf clubs therein;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bottom cuff of a golf bag according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the bottom cuff of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 5, but illustrating the positioning of the upper end of a golf club shaft by the bottom cuff structure with the final resting position shown in phantom;

Figure 7 is perspective view of an optional top cuff for use with a golf bag according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a top view in elevation of the top cuff illustrated in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 9, showing the positioning of a head of a golf club and a shaft portion adjacent to head by the top cuff;

Figure 11 is a side view in cross-section, similar to Figure 2, showing the bottom cuff and the top cuff according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention supporting golf clubs therein with the side wall of the golf bag being illustrated in phantom;

Figure 12 is a front perspective view of the bottom cuff of the golf bag according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the bottom cuff of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the underside of the bottom cuff of Figures 12 and 13;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the bottom cuff of Figure 12-14;

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 16-16 of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 16, but illustrating the positioning of the ends of two golf club shafts by the bottom cuff structure with the final resting position shown in phantom;

Figure 18 is perspective view showing modifications to the top cuff illustrated in Figures 7-10 here illustrating optional separation panels;

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the top and bottom cuffs showing the optional separation panels; and

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view with modifications illustrating the optional separation panels secured to the bottom cuff.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally concerns golf bags for storing golf clubs especially during play. The present invention may be used with golf bags of any type that are either intended to be carried by a person or which are "cart bags" that are intended to be transported by a golf cart or the like. The exemplary embodiments illustrate the invention embodied in a bottom cuff, and a golf bag incorporating such a bottom cuff, that acts to help position the shafts of the golf clubs so that the club heads are oriented in a manner to reduce risks of damage from contact therebetween as well as to orient such club heads to enable better recognition of each club during the selection thereof. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention also discloses a top cuff for use with a golf bag that may be used alone or in conjunction with the bottom cuff. It should be understood, however, that the inventive concepts may be used with golf bag structures that do not have either a bottom or top cuff.

Accordingly, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a golf bag 10 includes a tubular body 12 provided with a plurality of accessory pockets 14 and 15 that can be used to carry apparel, golf balls, tees or other personal items. Accessory pockets 14 are shown at the front of golf bag 10, and accessory pockets 15 are located on a side of golf bag 10. A carrying sling or shoulder strap 16 is secured at the back of golf bag 10 illustrated so that a person may transport golf bag 10 on his/her shoulders, as is known in the art. It should be fully understood, however, that golf bag 10 is depicted solely for illustrative purposes and that the present invention is in no way limited to this specific configuration of a golf bag.

With reference still to Figures 1 and 2, it may be seen that tubular body 12 is generally cylindrical in shape with a surrounding side wall 13. A bottom end portion of tubular body 12 is secured to a bottom cuff 20, and a top end portion of tubular body 12 is secured to a top cuff 80. These cuffs 20 and 80 are described below in greater detail. It should be clearly understood at this juncture, however, that the use of the word "tubular" is not intended to limit the cross-section of tubular body to any specific shape such as circular; rather, by "tubular" it is meant that the side wall extends around an interior into which golf clubs are to be inserted for storage and transport.

With reference now to Figure 2, tubular body 12 extends along a longitudinal axis "L" between bottom cuff 20 and top cuff 80 and has an interior 11 into which the shafts of golf clubs may be inserted. In this figure, bottom cuff 20 is shown in cross-section supporting four clubs 21 , 22, 23 and 24, respectively having shafts 25, 26 27 and 28 with shaft ends 31 , 32, 33 and 34, respectively, opposite heads 35-38. Top cuff 80 is also shown in cross-section supporting a portion of shafts 25-28 adjacent the respective heads 35-38.

Bottom cuff 20 is best illustrated in Figures 3-5. Here, it may be seen that bottom cuff 30 includes a bottom cuff sidewall 40 having a perimeter of a desired geometric shape that corresponds to the cross-section of tubular body 12. Sidewall 40 has a lower portion of thicker dimension than an upper rim portion 42 forming a shoulder 44 to which the bottom end portion of side wall 13 of tubular body 12 may be secured. Thus, the sidewall of the tubular body is continuous with surface 41 of the lower portion of bottom cuff sidewall 40. An optional flange 41 may be used to stabilize the golf bag 10 in an upright position. Bottom cuff 20 has a cup-shaped interior 46 that is separated into four troughs, a front trough 48, first and second intermediate troughs 49 and 50, and a back trough 51 by means of three webs 52, 54 and 56. Each of webs 52, 54 and 56 have an inverted V-shaped cross-section and are arcuate in shape so that the troughs are also arcuate in shape. Web 56 includes an arcuate front web wall 58 an arcuate rear web wall 59 that are joined at an apex ridge 60. Similarly, web 54 includes an arcuate front web wall 62 and an arcuate rear web wall 63 that join at an apex ridge 64. Finally, web 52 includes an arcuate front web wall 66 and arcuate rear web 67 which are joined at an apex ridge 68.

Each of troughs 48-51 have a bottom wall sections 71 , 72, 73 and 74, respectively, that are each oriented in planes that are generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis "C" that corresponds to the longitudinal axis "L" of the golf bag 10. It may be seen in reference to Figures 2 and 5 that bottom wall sections 71 and 74 may respectively be referred to first lower bottom wall section 71 and second lower bottom wall section 74 that are substantially in a common lower plane. Likewise, bottom wall sections 72 and 73 may be referred to as first and second upper bottom wall sections that are disposed between lower bottom wall sections 71 and 74 with first upper bottom wall section 72 being located forwardly of second upper bottom wall section 73. First upper bottom wall section 72 and second upper bottom wall section 73 are each oriented in first and second upper planes, respectively, that are both spaced apart from the lower plane and spaced apart from one another. From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that a stepped floor is located at the bottom end portion of tubular body 12. However, such a floor could be constructed by means other than by a cuff, such as bottom cuff 20.

With further reference to Figures 3-5, it may be seen that each of rear web walls 59, 63 and 67 are oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to their respective bottom wall sections 74, 73 and 72 so that they are also oriented at a large acute angle with respect to the lower and upper planes. Front web walls 58, 62 and 66 are generally oriented at a right angle with respect to their respective bottom wall sections 73, 72 and 71 and thus to the lower and upper planes. Trough 48 has a rear wall that is formed by a sidewall portion 75 that is generally perpendicular to landing 71. Trough 48 has a front wall 76 formed by a portion of sidewall 40 that is oriented at an obtuse angle to lower bottom wall section 71 and thus at a large acute angle to the lower plane. Finally, with reference to Figures 2-6, it may be seen that each of lower bottom wall sections 71-74 form landings for the shafts of the golf clubs with these landings being further demarked into landing areas by means of a plurality of ribs 78 with these landing areas each being intended to engage an end of the shaft of a respective individual golf club.

With reference now to Figures 2, 5 and 6, it may be appreciated how rear webs 59, 63, 67 and front web 76 function to cant the shaft of each golf club relative to the longitudinal axis of the golf bag. Moreover, it may be appreciated how the relative heights, relative to a support surface "S" (Figure 6), and separation distances between each of bottom wall sections 71-74 serve to separate the heads of the golf clubs so as to prevent damage. To this end, it should be understood that golf clubs known as "woods" typically have shafts that are much longer than those clubs referred to as "irons". Moreover, the higher the number of the club, the shorter the shaft. Further, it is known that the woods are positioned typically rearwardly in the bag and the short irons (typically 8 irons, 9 irons, wedges and the like) are positioned at the front of the bag. Long irons (such as 2 irons, 3 irons and 4 irons) are typically positioned adjacent the woods while intermediate irons (such as 5 irons, 6 irons and 7 irons) are positioned adjacent to short irons.

With reference now to Figures 2 and 6, by having the shafts of the short irons, as represented by shaft 28, supported by first lower bottom wall section 71 , the club head 38 rests immediately adjacent the upper rim of the golf bag due to their reduced length. First upper bottom wall section 72 is elevated relative to first lower bottom wall section 71. This, in combination with the longer lengths of the shafts of the intermediate irons as represented by shaft 27, serves to elevate club head 37 sufficiently above club head 38 so that they do not contact. Likewise, by having second upper bottom wall section 73 elevated above first upper bottom wall section 72 and, due to the increased length of the shafts of the long irons as represented by shaft 26, the club head 36 is positioned above club head 37 so that they do not contact when in the bag. It is not necessary, however, that second lower bottom wall section 74 be elevated due to the substantially longer length of the shafts of the "woods" as represented by shaft 25. Thus, club head 35 of a typical wood remains positioned sufficiently above club head 36 of an adjacent long iron so that no contact occurs.

Moreover, and with continued reference to Figure 6, it may be seen that, as a shaft of a golf club, such as shaft 25, is advanced downwardly into the bag, it will contact a respective rear web 59 (or front web 76) that is oriented at an angle to the respective landing and thus to support surface "S". Gravity will then cause shaft 25 to advance further downwardly so that it will become canted rearwardly by the angled shape of these rear webs 59, 63 and 67 and front web 76. Thus, the shaft, such as shaft 25, will become canted at a small acute angle "a" with respect to the longitudinal axis of the golf bag that corresponds to central axis "C" of bottom cuff 20. This small degree of canting will tilt the club head forwardly thus enabling a golfer to more readily identify a particular club when viewed from the front of the bag. Angle "a" is typically on the order of about five degrees. Accordingly, bottom cuff 20 serves not only to help separate the heads of the clubs in the golf bag, but also to facilitate the identification of the respective clubs.

If desired, the positioning system provided by bottom cuff 20 may be optionally expanded by the use of top cuff 80 that is illustrated in Figures 7-10. Here, top cuff 80 includes a surrounding sidewall 82 that is again in the configuration of the cross-sectional golf bag 10. A plurality of first dividers 84, 85, and 86 are arcuate and extend in a first direction between opposed side portions of sidewall 82. A plurality of second dividers 88 extend in a second direction, generally from the front to the back of the golf bag so that they intersect dividers 84-86 in a generally transverse manner. Dividers 84-86 and 88 accordingly form a plurality of compartments 92 with another compartment 94 being formed by divider 84 and sidewall 82. As may be seen in Figure 9, each of dividers 84-86 are oriented at a small acute angle relative to central axis "C" that corresponds to the longitudinal axis "L" of golf bag 10 (Figure 2). In addition, a front wall or flange 96 extends in opposed relationship to divider 86 at a forward portion of top cuff 80 with front flange 96 also being oriented at a similar acute angle with respect to sidewall 82. In these embodiments, this acute angle may be conveniently selected to approximate the angle "a" at which the golf clubs are to be oriented when in the bag. Thus, dividers 84-86 and front flange 96 provide surfaces for resting the shaft of the golf club relative to the longitudinal axis of the golf bag when the shafts are tilted by bottom cuff 20. This is best seen in Figure 10 with respect to golf club 24 having a shaft 28 and a head 38.

A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is introduced in Figure 11 wherein a golf bag 110 includes a tubular body 112 provided with a plurality of accessory pockets 114 and 115 that can be used to carry apparel, golf balls, tees or other personal items. Tubular body 112 is secured to a bottom cuff 120 and a top cuff 180, described below in greater detail, and extends along a longitudinal axis "L". The carrying sling or shoulder strap 116 is illustrated so that a person may transport golf bag 110 on his/her shoulders, as is known in the art. It should be fully understood, however, that golf bag 110 is depicted solely for illustrative purposes and that the present invention is in no way limited to this specific configuration of a golf bag.

In this figure, golf bag 110 bottom cuff 120 is shown in cross-section supporting the four clubs 21 , 22, 13 and 24, respectively having shafts 25, 26 27 and 28 with shaft ends 31 , 32, 33 and 34, respectively, opposite heads 35-38. Top cuff 180 is also shown in cross-section supporting a portion of shafts 25-28 adjacent the respective heads 35-38.

Bottom cuff 120 is best illustrated in Figures 12-7. Here, it may be seen that bottom cuff 120 includes a surrounding sidewall 140 of a desired geometric shape for the cross-section of tubular body 112. Sidewall 140 has a lower portion 41 of thicker dimension than an upper rim portion 142 forming a shoulder 144 to which tubular body 112 may be secured so that the sidewall of the tubular body is continuous with surface 141 of the lower portion of sidewall 140. An optional flange 145 may be used to stabilize the golf bag 110 in an upright position.

Bottom cuff 120 again has a cup-shaped interior 146 with front and back lower bottom wall sections 154 and 156 and an elevated upper bottom wall section 148. Lower bottom wall sections 154 and 156 are located in a plane "P" that defines a floor for cuff 120 and thus golf bag 110. Upper bottom wall section 148 is elevated with respect to lower bottom wall sections 154 and 156 and therefore with respect to plane "P". Accordingly, upper bottom wall section 148 divides cuff 120 into front and rear troughs 150 and 152 as is best seen in Figure 16. Lower bottom wall sections 154 and 156 accordingly provide landings 174 and 176 for the ends of the golf clubs. Upper bottom wall section 148 provides landings 172 and 173.

With continued reference to these figures, and especially Figure 7, it may be seen that upper bottom wall section 148 slopes downwardly from the rear to the front of cuff 120 so that it is formed at a small acute angle to plane "P". Upper bottom wall section 148 is supported, at its front, by an arcuate web 158 that is generally oriented at a right angle to bottom wall 154. Furthermore, upper bottom wall section 148 is supported, at its rear, by means of a web 162 formed at an obtuse angle with respect to lower bottom wall section 156, and thus at a large acute angle with respect to plane "P". Trough 50 has an arcuate front web wall 160 that is also formed at an obtuse angle with respect to lower bottom wall section 154 and a rear wall defined by web 158. Rear trough 152 has a front wall defined by web 162 and a rear wall that is formed by sidewall portion 166 that of sidewall 140.

It may thus be appreciated that the heights of each of lower bottom wall sections 154 and 156 and upper bottom wall section 148 relative to bottom plane "P" serves to separate the heads of the golf clubs so as to prevent damage and to orient the club heads for easier identification, as described above.

With reference to Figure 17, by having the shafts, such as shaft 28, of the short irons supported by landing 174, and, due to their reduced length, club head 38 rests immediately adjacent the upper rim of the golf bag. Upper bottom wall section 148 provides landings 172 and 173 that are elevated relative to landing 174. This, in combination with the longer lengths of the shafts or the longer irons, such as shaft 27, serves to elevate club head 37 sufficiently above club head 38 so that they dp not contact. Likewise, by having landing 172 elevated above landing 173 and by virtue of the increased length of shaft 26 relative to shaft 27, club head 36 is placed above club head 37 so that they do not contact when in the bag. Club head 35 of a typical wood remains positioned sufficiently above club head 36 of an adjacent long iron so that no contact occurs.

With special reference to Figure 17, but with continued reference also to Figures 11 and 16, it may be appreciated how that the shafts of the respective clubs received in troughs 150 and 152 are again canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the golf bag. Here, it may be seen that, as a shaft of a golf club, such as shafts 25 and 28, is advanced downwardly into the bag, it will initially contact web 162 and front web wall 160, respectively. Since each of front web wall 160 and web 162 is oriented at an obtuse angle to the respective landing and thus at a large acute angle to the bottom plane "P", gravity will cause shaft 25 to advance further downwardly so that it will become canted rearwardly. Thus, the shaft, such as shaft 25, will become canted at a small acute angle "a" with respect to the longitudinal axis of the golf bag that corresponds to central axis "C" of bottom cuff 120. This small degree of canting will tilt the club head forwardly thus enabling a golfer to more readily identify a particular club when viewed from the front of the bag. Angle "a" is typically on the order of about five degrees. Accordingly, bottom cuff 120 serves not only to help separate the heads of the clubs in the golf bag, but also to facilitate the identification of the respective clubs.

The positioning system provided by this second embodiment in the form of bottom cuff 120 may again be optionally expanded by the use of top cuff 80 that is illustrated in Figures 18-20, with still further modifications being shown in these figures. Here, the separation of the shafts, such as shafts 25-28 of golf clubs 21- 24 may be further enhanced by the use of longitudinal extending separation panels that extend from top cuff 80 for substantially the entire length of tubular body 12 to form divider sleeves for the club shafts. Thus, for example, as is shown best in Figures 19 and 20, golf bag 110 has a tubular body 112 that extends between top cuff 80 and bottom cuff 120. Here, a plurality of flexible panels, such as panels 221-223 extend downwardly, respectively, from dividers 84-86. Panels 221-223 are each oriented in a plane that is generally parallel to plane "T" that is parallel to longitudinal axis "L" and which extends transversely between opposite sides of the tubular body of the golf bag. Similarly, a plurality of flexible panels 231-233 extend from top cuff 80 toward bottom cuff 120 and are generally oriented in planes that are parallel to plane "X" that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction and which extends from the front to the back of golf bag 110. Thus, panels 221-123 and panels 231-133 form individual compartments for the shafts of the golf clubs. Panels 221-223 and 231-233 can, for example, be constructed of nylon fabric.

As is seen in Figure 19, panels 221-223 and panels 231-233 have lower end portions which terminate in near proximity to cuff 120. However, if desired, panels 221-223 and panels 231-233 can be secured to bottom cuff 120. Thus, for example, as is shown in Figure 20, upper bottom wall section 148 is provided with fastening means in the form of a filaform strip 240 that is secured to the upper surface thereof. Panels 221-223 and 231 and 232 are provided with a mating strip 242 of loop elements allowing these panels to be secured to filaform strip 240 and thus securing the longitudinal, compartment-forming panels to upper bottom wall section 148.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.

Claims

I claim:

1. A golf bag adapted to receive a plurality of golf clubs for storage and transport, said golf clubs each including a shaft and a head, comprising:

(A) a generally tubular body including a side wall surrounding an interior thereof and extending along a central longitudinal axis between a bottom end portion and a top end portion, said top end portion providing an open top for the golf bag; and

(B) a stepped floor located at said bottom end portion and formed by at least one lower bottom wall section and at least one upper bottom wall section that are spaced apart from one another and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, said lower and upper bottom wall sections forming landings for the shafts of the golf clubs.

2. A golf bag according to claim 1 including a first lower bottom wall section and a second lower bottom wall section generally oriented in a common bottom plane and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis to form landings for the shafts of the golf clubs, said first and second lower bottom wall sections respectively located at a front and back of said tubular body with said upper bottom wall section disposed therebetween.

3. A golf bag according to claim 2 wherein said upper bottom wall section is generally oriented in an upper plane that is at an acute angle to the bottom plane.

4. A golf bag according to claim 2 including a first web interconnecting said upper bottom wall section to the first lower bottom wall section to define a front trough and a second web interconnecting said upper bottom wall section to the second lower bottom wall section to define a back trough.

5. A golf bag according to claim 4 wherein the front and back troughs are arcuate in shape. .

6. A golf bag according to claim 4 wherein said second web is oriented at a large acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

7. A golf bag according to claim 4 including a third web spaced from said first web and connected to the first lower bottom wall section and extending to the side wall of said tubular body.

8. A golf bag according to claim 7 wherein said third web is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

9. A golf bag according to claim 2 including a first upper bottom wall section and a second upper bottom wall section disposed between said first and second lower bottom wall sections with said first upper bottom wall section located forwardly of said second upper bottom wall section, said first and second upper bottom wall sections oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis to form landings for the shafts of the golf clubs, said first and second upper bottom wall sections generally disposed respectively in first and second upper planes that are spaced apart from one another.

10. A golf bag according to claim 9 wherein the first upper plane is located between the second upper plane and the bottom plane.

11. A golf bag according to claim 9 including a first web interconnecting the first lower bottom wall section to the first upper bottom wall section to define a front trough, a second web interconnecting the second lower bottom wall section to the second upper bottom wall section to define a back trough and an intermediate web interconnecting the first and second upper bottom wall sections to form first and second intermediate troughs.

12. A golf bag according to claim 11 wherein the front trough, the back trough, the first intermediate trough and the second intermediate trough are each arcuate in shape.

13. A golf bag according to claim 11 wherein the first web, the second web and the intermediate web are each formed by front and back web walls oriented at an angle with respect to one another so as to have an inverted V- shape.

14. A golf bag according to claim 13 wherein the back web walls are each oriented at a large acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

15. A golf bag according to claim 11 including a third web spaced from said first web and connected to the first lower bottom wall section and extending to the side wall of said tubular body.

16. A golf bag according to claim 15 wherein the third web is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

17. A golf bag according to claim 9 wherein the first and second upper planes are generally parallel to the bottom plane.

18. A golf bag according to claim 1 wherein said stepped floor is formed by a bottom cuff located at the bottom end portion of said tubular body, said bottom cuff including a stepped base forming said stepped floor and a bottom cuff side wall surrounding said stepped base and extending upwardly therefrom, said bottom cuff side wall being secured to the side wall of said tubular body to enclose the bottom end thereof whereby the shafts of the golf clubs may be inserted into the tubular body through the open end thereof are supported by the stepped base of said bottom cuff.

19. A golf bag according to claim 1 including a divider assembly disposed at the top end portion of said tubular body, said divider assembly including a plurality of first dividers and a plurality of second dividers oriented transversely to said first dividers to form a plurality of compartments adapted to receive the shafts of golf clubs stored therein.

20. A golf bag according to claim 19 wherein said first dividers are oriented at an acute angle to the central longitudinal axis of said tubular body.

21. A golf bag according to claim 20 wherein said divider assembly includes a front flange spaced from said first dividers and being oriented at an acute angle to the central longitudinal axis of said tubular body.

22. A golf bag according to claim 19 including a plurality of separation panels extending from said divider assembly for a majority of the length of said tubular body.

23. A golf bag according to claim 22 wherein said separation panels are secured to said stepped floor.

24. A golf bag adapted to receive a plurality of golf clubs for storage and transport, said golf clubs each including a shaft and a head, comprising:

(A) a generally tubular body including a side wall surrounding an interior thereof and extending along a central longitudinal axis between a bottom end portion and a top end portion providing an open top for the golf bag;

(B) a top cuff disposed at the open top end of said tubular body; and

(C) a bottom cuff including a stepped base and a bottom cuff side wall surrounding said stepped base and extending upwardly therefrom, said bottom cuff side wall being secured to the side wall of said tubular body to enclose the bottom end thereof, said stepped base formed by

(1) a first lower bottom wall section located at a front of said tubular body and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, (2) a second lower bottom wall section located at a back of said tubular body and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, said first and second lower bottom wall sections generally oriented in a common bottom plane,

(3) at least one upper bottom wall section oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from and disposed between said first and second lower bottom wall sections,

(4) a first web interconnecting said upper bottom wall section to the first lower bottom wall section to define a front trough, and

(5) a second web interconnecting said upper bottom wall section to the second lower bottom wall section to define a back trough, said first lower bottom wall section, said second lower bottom wall section and said upper bottom wall section forming landings for the shafts of the golf clubs when placed in the golf bag.

25. A golf bag according to claim 24 wherein said upper bottom wall section is generally oriented in an upper plane that is at an acute angle to the bottom plane.

26. A golf bag according to claim 24 wherein the front and back troughs are arcuate in shape.

27. A golf bag according to claim 24 wherein at least a portion of said second web is oriented at a large acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

28. A golf bag according to claim 24 including a third web spaced from said first web and connected to the first lower bottom wall section and extending to the side wall of said tubular body with at least a portion of said third web being oriented at an acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

29. A golf bag according to claim 24 including a first upper bottom wall section and a second upper bottom wall section disposed between said first and second lower bottom wall sections with said first upper bottom wall section located forwardly of said second upper bottom wall section, said first and second upper bottom wall sections oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis to form landings for the shafts of the golf clubs, said first and second upper bottom wall sections generally disposed respectively in first and second upper planes that are spaced apart from one another.

30. A golf bag according to claim 29 wherein the first and second upper planes are generally parallel to the bottom plane.

31. A golf bag according to claim 29 wherein said first web interconnects the first lower bottom wall section to the first upper bottom wall section to define a front trough, said second web interconnects the second lower bottom wall section to the second upper bottom wall section to define a back trough and including an intermediate web interconnecting the first and second upper bottom wall sections to form first and second intermediate troughs.

32. A golf bag according to claim 31 wherein the first web, the second web and the intermediate web are each formed by front and back web walls oriented at an angle with respect to one another so as to have an inverted V- shape.

33. A golf bag according to claim 32 wherein the back web walls are each oriented at a large acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

34. A golf bag according to claim 24 including a third web spaced from said first web and connected to the first lower bottom wall section and extending to the side wall of said tubular body, said third web being oriented at an acute angle with respect to the bottom plane.

35. A golf bag according to claim 24 wherein said top cuff includes a divider assembly including a plurality of first dividers and a plurality of second dividers oriented transversely to said first dividers to form a plurality of compartments adapted to receive the shafts of golf clubs stored therein.

36. A golf bag according to claim 35 wherein said first dividers are oriented at an acute angle to the central longitudinal axis of said tubular body.

37. A golf bag according to claim 35 including a plurality of separation panels extending from said divider assembly for a majority of the length of said tubular body.

38. A golf bag according to claim 37 wherein said separation panels are secured to said stepped base.