Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B55/00—Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
  • A63B55/40—Bags with partitions or club holders
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B55/00—Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
  • A63B55/408—Releasably mounted accessories fitted outside the bag, e.g. straps or holders
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B55/00—Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
  • A63B55/60—Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to golf bags.
• Golf bags in accordance with at least some examples of this invention include structures for allowing better securing of the golf bag with transport devices and/or more convenient manufacturing.
• golf bags attach their golf bags to transport devices for play, such as manually powered golf carts (e.g., user propelled push or pull carts) or self propelled carts (e.g., motorized golf carts, optionally carts on which one or more golfers may ride).
• transport devices for play, such as manually powered golf carts (e.g., user propelled push or pull carts) or self propelled carts (e.g., motorized golf carts, optionally carts on which one or more golfers may ride).
• a securing strap that extends at least partially around the golf bag to hold the bag in place with respect to the transport device.
• the securing straps usually contact toward the top of the bag (well above the bag's center of gravity) to help prevent the bag from spilling off the transport device (e.g., on hills, on quick starts or stops, etc.).
• Conventional golf bags also often include one or more pockets or compartments in which various items and golf accessories may be carried. For instance, pockets often are provided to hold golf balls, golf tees, towels, ball markers, rain gear, and the like. Due to the size of golf bags and their necessary portable nature, the area for including pockets is somewhat limited. Because the top of the golf bag often is needed for engaging a securing strap of a transport device, as noted above, the top central area of many golf bags will not include pockets because pockets at that location would typically be crushed when the securing strap is engaged around the bag, thereby crushing and potentially damaging the contents of the bag and/or limiting access to the pocket. Thus, pockets typically are provided at lower portions of the golf bag structure and at the sides of the golf bag structure.
• Low pockets force the user to repeatedly bend down to gain access to the items stored in the pockets.
• Side mounted pockets also can be difficult to access, e.g., particularly when two golf bags are mounted in close proximity to one another on a single transport device or when sides of the transport device are in close proximity to the pockets.
• the heads of the shorter clubs can bang into the shafts of the longer clubs and damage the shafts (e.g., including structural damage that may weaken the shafts and/or aesthetic damage, such as scratches, dings, etc.).
• bags may come in two styles, e.g., one style with special compartments (e.g., for the driver or putter) located at a first side of the bag (for transport devices or techniques in which the clubs lean one direction) and another style with these same special compartments (e.g., for the driver or putter) located at the opposite side of the bag (for transport devices or techniques in which the clubs lean in the opposite direction).
• special compartments e.g., for the driver or putter
• Golf bags for carrying and/or storing multiple golf clubs (e.g. , on a golf course, during travel, etc.).
• Golf bags may include a container defining a main compartment for holding a plurality of golf clubs, the container including a top portion having an open first end for receiving golf club shafts to be held, and a flip pocket including a first part permanently engaged with or integrally formed as part of the container (e.g., located proximate to the top portion of the container) and a second part not permanently engaged with or integrally formed as part of the container, wherein the second part of the flip pocket is movable between a closed or engaged position and an open or disengaged position.
• Golf bags according to at least some examples of this invention further may include one or more of: (a) a releasable connector system for releasably holding the flip pocket in the closed or engaged position; (b) an anti-slip element engaged with or integrally formed as part of the golf bag body member and optionally located at least partially behind the flip pocket when the flip pocket is in its closed or engaged position; and/or (c) a divider provided at the top portion of the container, e.g., to help keep the golf clubs separated from one another when stored in the main compartment of the golf bag.
• a releasable connector system for releasably holding the flip pocket in the closed or engaged position
• an anti-slip element engaged with or integrally formed as part of the golf bag body member and optionally located at least partially behind the flip pocket when the flip pocket is in its closed or engaged position
• a divider provided at the top portion of the container, e.g., to help keep the golf clubs separated from one another when stored in the main compartment of the
• At least the outer perimeter of the divider may be: (a) symmetric about a first axis extending in a front-to-rear direction, (b) symmetric about a second axis extending in a side-to-side direction, and/or (c) symmetric about a third axis extending in a top-to- bottom direction (when the golf bag is oriented in an upright manner, e.g., as shown in the figures).
• One or more separator panels within the perimeter of the divider also may be positioned so as to define plural club receiving spaces within the perimeter, and, if desired, the club receiving spaces may be arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to one or more of the axes noted above.
• Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making golf bags, e.g., of the various types described above, as well as to methods of using such golf bags (e.g., securing them to a transport device).
• FIGs. 1A and IB illustrate a golf bag structure according to one example of this invention
• Figs. 2 A and 2B illustrate in more detail potential features of golf bag structures according to at least some examples of this invention
• Figs. 3 A through 3C illustrate various features of attachment of golf bags according to examples of this invention to a support structure, such as a transport device, e.g., a push cart or self-propelled golf cart;
• a transport device e.g., a push cart or self-propelled golf cart
• Figs. 4 through 8 illustrate additional potential features and options for golf bag structures according to at least some examples of this invention.
• Figs. 9 A through 9C illustrate additional potential and/or alternative features of golf bag structures according to this invention.
• golf bags for carrying and/or storing multiple golf clubs (e.g. , on a golf course, during travel, etc.). More specifically, golf bags in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may include: (a) a golf bag body member defining a main compartment for holding a plurality of golf clubs, the golf bag body member including an open first end for receiving golf club shafts to be held; (b) a flip pocket; and (c) an engagement system for engaging the flip pocket with the golf bag body member. This engagement system may permanently engage a first portion of the flip pocket with the golf bag body member, wherein a second portion of the flip pocket is movable with respect to the golf bag body member.
• this engagement system allows the second portion of the flip pocket to be movable with respect to the first portion of the flip pocket between: (a) a closed position in which a portion of a surface area of the golf bag body member is in a covered condition and (b) an open position in which that same portion of the surface area of the golf bag body member is in an exposed condition.
• Golf bags may include: (a) a golf bag body member defining a main compartment for holding a plurality of golf clubs, the golf bag body member including an open first end for receiving golf club shafts to be held; (b) a pocket having a first portion permanently engaged with or integrally formed as part of the golf bag body member, wherein the pocket includes a first part of a releasable connection structure at a location spaced from the first portion of the pocket; and (c) a second part of the releasable connection structure engaged with or integrally formed as a part of the golf bag body member, wherein the second part of the releasable connection structure is provided at a location of the golf bag body member so as to be capable of interacting with the first part of the releasable connection structure provided with the pocket to releasably engage a second portion of the pocket with the golf bag body member.
• Additional aspects of this invention relate to golf bags that include, for example: (a) a container defining a main compartment for holding a plurality of golf clubs, the container including a top portion having an open first end for receiving golf club shafts to be held; (b) a flip pocket including a first (e.g., top) part permanently engaged with or integrally formed as part of the container (optionally proximate to the top portion of the container) and a second (e.g., bottom) part not permanently engaged with and not integrally formed as part of the container, wherein the flip pocket is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and (c) a releasable connector system for releasably holding the flip pocket at the engaged position, wherein the releasable connector system includes: (a) a first component engaged with or integrally formed as part of the flip pocket closer to the second part of the flip pocket than to the first part of the flip pocket and (b) a second component engaged with or integrally formed as part of
• the golf bags optionally may include a first anti-slip element engaged with or integrally formed as part of the golf bag body member.
• This first anti-slip element may be located behind the flip pocket such that the flip pocket at least partially covers (and in some examples, fully covers) the first anti-slip element when the flip pocket is at its engaged or closed position.
• the rear surface of the flip pocket and a major surface of the first anti-slip element may be positioned to contact opposite sides of a strap for securing the golf bag body member to a transport device when the pocket is at the engaged or closed position.
• the first anti-slip element helps hold the strap in place with respect to the golf bag so that the golf bag will be less susceptible to spinning or twisting as it is being transported by the transport device (e.g., a hand-pulled or hand-pushed cart, a power cart, etc.).
• the term "anti-slip element” as used herein means any structure or other feature for increasing the coefficient of friction of a targeted area of the golf bag (as compared with other areas of the golf bag structure) with respect to a securing strap structure, to thereby provide a designated location for engaging a securing strap, e.g., a strap for securing the golf bag to a transport device.
• Anti-slip elements may include separate structural components (e.g., engaged with the golf bag body member), surface treatments to a targeted portion of the golf bag body member surface (e.g., tacky coatings or sprays), or the like.
• the anti- slip element will be a rubber or polyurethane material, e.g., having a relatively soft surface.
• the anti-slip element(s) may physically hold the strap, e.g., like a hook-and-loop fastener.
• additional anti-slip elements may be provided, e.g., around the sides of the golf bag body member or other container.
• these additional anti-slip elements may remain exposed or partially exposed whether the flip pocket is at the engaged and disengaged positions.
• the permanent connection between the flip pocket and the golf bag body member or other container may be accomplished in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including permanent engagement structures or by integrally forming the pocket with a material of the golf bag body member or container.
• the top part of the flip pocket may be sewn onto the golf bag body member or container; it may be engaged with the golf bag body member or container by cements, adhesives, rivets, or the like; etc.
• "Permanent" engagement as that term is used herein, means engaged in a maimer not intended to separate during normal use and not readily disengaged by a user without destroying the connection.
• a portion of the flip pocket may be releasably engaged with the golf bag body member or other container so that the flip pocket may be moved with respect to the golf bag body member but still remains connected thereto.
• Such releasable engagements may include, for example, two or more magnets that engage one another, one (or more) magnets that engage a metal material that is attracted to the magnet, a hook-and-loop fastener system, a snap connector, other mechanical clasp connectors (e.g., of the types conventionally found on golf bags, infant seats, etc.), and the like.
• Still additional aspects of this invention relate to features of a divider provided at the top portion of the golf bag body member, e.g., to help keep the golf clubs separated from one another when stored in the main compartment of the golf bag.
• dividers may be separate components engaged with a golf bag body member or may be integrally formed (at least in part) with the golf bag body member.
• the outer perimeter of the top portion of the golf bag body member and/or the outer perimeter of the divider will be symmetric about a first axis extending in a front-to-rear direction and symmetric about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and extending in a side-to-side direction.
• the outer perimeter of the top portion of the golf bag body member and/or the outer perimeter of the divider may be symmetric about a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second axes and extends in a top-to-bottom direction (when the golf bag is oriented in an upright manner, e.g., as shown in the figures).
• Any separator structures or panels provided within the perimeter of the divider or the top portion of the golf bag may define plural club receiving spaces within the perimeter, and if desired, the club receiving spaces may be arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to one or more of the axes described above.
• Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making golf bags, e.g., of the various types described above.
• Such methods may include, for example, one or more of the following: (a) permanently engaging a first portion of a pocket with a golf bag body member (e.g., by sewing, by cements or adhesives, by other fusing techniques, etc.); (b) engaging a first part of a releasable connection structure with the pocket; and (c) engaging a second part of the releasable connection structure with the golf bag body member.
• the first part of the releasable connection structure and the second part of the releasable connection structure are engaged at locations on the pocket and golf bag body member, respectively, such that the first part of the releasable connection structure is capable of engaging the second part of the releasable connection structure, and wherein the pocket is selectively convertible between an engaged or downward position or condition and a disengaged or flipped up position or condition. Even in the disengaged condition, however, the pocket remains permanently engaged with the golf bag body member at the first portion of the pocket.
• Still additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of securing golf bags to a transport device, such as a golf cart (manual or powered carts). Such methods may include, for example, one or more of the following steps:
• the golf bag may include any of the structures or features described above, such as: (i) a golf bag body member defining a main compartment for holding a plurality of golf clubs and (ii) a pocket having a first portion permanently engaged with or integrally formed as part of the golf bag body member.
• This pocket may include a first part of a releasable connection structure at a location spaced from the first portion of the pocket, and a second part of the releasable connection structure may be engaged with or integrally formed as a part of the golf bag body member.
• the pocket may be selectively movable between an engaged position and a flipped up position; (b) placing the pocket in the flipped up position;
• Such methods may further include placing a portion of the securing strap in contact with an anti-slip element provided on the golf bag (e.g., under the flip-up pocket, alongside the pocket, etc.).
• the securing strap may be sandwiched between a rear surface of the pocket and a major surface of an anti-slip element when the pocket is in its downward position or in its engaged condition.
• Figs. 1A and IB illustrate front and side views, respectively, of one example golf bag 100 in accordance with this invention.
• the golf bag 100 includes a golf bag body member 102 that defines an open top end 104 that provides access to a main compartment for receiving golf club shafts to be stored in the bag 100.
• the golf bag body member 102 may have any desired construction without departing from this invention, including conventional constructions as are known and used in the art.
• the golf bag body member 102 may be made from one or multiple parts and materials that are fit together in any of a variety of ways, including in conventional ways, with conventional parts and materials, as are known and used in the art.
• the golf bag body member 102 includes numerous pockets 106A, 106B, 106C, and 106D positioned around the bag. Any number of pockets may be provided without departing from this invention, and these pockets may have any desired types of construction, sizes, closure systems (e.g., zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, etc.), and the like, without departing from this invention. While not a requirement, Figs. 1A and IB show that pocket 106B includes an open compartment 108 that provides a designated storage spot, e.g., for storing a putter, an umbrella, a ball retriever, or the like. The structure for including such a compartment 108 (or other designated storage structure) on a golf bag also may be conventional and as is known in this art. Any number of such designated storage structures or compartments 108 may be provided on the golf bag 100 without departing from this invention.
• a designated storage spot e.g., for storing a putter, an umbrella, a ball retriever, or the like.
• Figs. 1A and IB show additional structures that may be provided in golf bags 100 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. Even when secured by straps, when mounted on transport devices (such as motorized or user propelled golf carts), golf bags can tend to twist and turn, thereby making it difficult to access the pockets 106A through 106D and/or certain clubs within the main compartment of the bag 100. This twisting also risks dumping the bag 100 from the transport device and/or dumping the contents from the pockets 106A through 106D or the main compartment. Accordingly, golf bag structures 100 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may include one or more anti-slip elements. Two anti-slip elements 112A and 1 12B are shown in Fig.
• the anti-slip elements 112A and 1 12B increase the bag surface's coefficient of friction (as compared with the main bag surface) with respect to the materials of straps used to secure the bag 100 to a transport device. While any desired type of coefficient of friction increasing material or other structures may be used as anti-slip elements without departing from this invention, in the illustrated example bag construction 100, the anti- slip elements 1 12A and 1 12B include a base member 114 on which one or more polyurethane pads or panels 1 16 are mounted (e.g., by cements or adhesives, by mechanical connectors, by sewn seams, etc.).
• the polyurethane panel 1 16 surfaces provide an increased coefficient of friction and help prevent a strap from sliding with respect to the bag outer surface.
• the base member 114 may be engaged with (or integrally formed as part of) the golf bag body member 102 in any desired manner, including through the use of cements or adhesives, mechanical connectors, sewn seams, and the like.
• the polyurethane panels 116 also may have any desired size, shape, orientation, or formation (e.g., into designs, patterns, logos, etc.), and may be present in any desired number, without departing from this invention.
• Figs. 1A and IB illustrate another pocket 120 located toward the top of the bag 100 (above the bag's center of gravity when oriented in an upright position), between the two illustrated anti-slip elements 1 12A and 112B.
• This pocket 120 may have any desired, size, shape, construction, closure mechanisms, and the like, without departing from this invention.
• the pocket 120 (as well as one or more of the other pockets 116A through 116D) may be waterproof, insulated, lockable, stretchable, expandable, or the like, without departing from this invention. Additional potential features of this pocket 120 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention are discussed below in conjunction with Figs. 2A and 2B.
• Pocket 120 is a "flip-pocket,” which means that it is capable of moving (e.g., flipping, rotating, etc.) between an engaged, flipped down, closed, or downward position (as shown at the left sides of Figs. 2A and 2B) and a disengaged, flipped-up, open, or upward position (as shown at the right sides of Figs. 2A and 2B).
• moving e.g., flipping, rotating, etc.
• engaged position do not require that any securing systems associated with the pocket 120 (as will be described in more detail below), if any, have to be engaged, merely that the flip pocket 120 is located at a position where such engagement is possible and/or that the flip pocket 120 is located with its rear surface against the golf bag body.
• disengaged position do not require that the flip pocket 120 be located at its maximum rotated or upward position.
• these terms merely mean that the flip pocket 120 is moved to a position where it is not engaged by the securing system (if any) and where such engagement is not possible and/or that the flip pocket 120 is located with at least some portion of its rear surface away from the golf bag body. As shown in these figures, a rear surface 128 of the flip pocket 120 is not permanently engaged with the golf bag body member 102 around its entire periphery.
• the flip pocket 120 in accordance with this example of the invention provides additional storage capacity at the top, central portion of a golf bag 100, at a location where pockets are not typically provided, because such pockets would tend to be crushed by a securing strap when the golf bag is secured to a transport device.
• the flip pocket 120 will be permanently engaged with the golf bag body member 102.
• This permanent engagement may take place in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including in conventional manners for providing pockets on golf bags as are known and used in the art.
• the flip pocket 120 is engaged with the golf bag body member 102 by one or more sewn seams 122. Also, as shown in Figs.
• the permanent engagement is provided at the top portion of the flip pocket 120, so that the flip pocket 120 will hang downward toward the engaged or closed position under the force of gravity.
• Other arrangements are possible, however, e.g., arrangements in which the flip pocket 120 will move to a disengaged or open position under the force of gravity (e.g., if the permanent engagement is provided toward the bottom of the flip pocket 120).
• the flip pocket 120 may be held to some part of the golf bag body member 102 by rivets, screws, bolts, one or more hinges, or other permanent mechanical connectors. Cements or adhesives also may be used to permanently connect one portion of the flip pocket 120 with the golf bag body member 102. As yet another example, if desired, a portion of the flip pocket 120 may be integrally formed with a portion of the golf bag body member 102 as a unitary, one piece construction.
• the permanent connection may be replaced with a releasable connection, if desired.
• the flip pocket 120 will be completely removable from the golf bag body member 102. While possible, if desired, such structures are not preferred because this risks loss or misplacement of the flip pocket 120, with the potentially undesired effect of arriving at the golf course (or back home) without the flip pocket 120 (and the inconvenience associated with such loss or misplacement of the flip pocket 120).
• connection of the flip pocket 120 may be more difficult to disengage from the golf bag body member 102 to at least discourage complete disengagement of the flip pocket 120 (and thereby prevent or reduce undesired loss or misplacement of the flip pocket 120).
• the releasable connection at the top of such flip pockets may be engaged by one or more zippers, one or more mechanical clasps, etc.
• "flip pockets" in accordance with this aspect of the invention will be movable between engaged and disengaged positions, e.g., in the manners described in more detail below.
• completely removable pockets of the types described above may include a clasp, clip, or clamp to enable the pocket to be engaged with another part of the bag or some other device (such as the player's belt or belt loop).
• Figs. 2A and 2B illustrate additional potential features that may be included in golf bag structures 100 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention.
• Figs. 2 A and 2B illustrate that the golf bag body member 102 and the flip pocket 120 may be equipped with one or more securing mechanisms that help maintain the flip pocket 120 at the engaged position (e.g., help maintain the flip pocket 120 in an engaged condition).
• both the golf bag body member 102 and the flip pocket 120 are equipped with one or more magnets 126. While shown as hidden in Figs.
• magnets 126 could be exposed or mounted on an exterior surface of the golf bag body member 102 and/or the flip pocket 120 without departing from this invention.
• the magnets 126 in this illustrated example are located in the lower portion of the flip pocket 120 when the flip pocket 120 is oriented in the downward position.
• the magnets 126 releasably secure the lower portion of the flip pocket 120 to the golf bag body member 102 and help prevent undesired flipping or movement of the flip pocket 120, e.g., when the golf bag 100 is being transported on a cart.
• the surface of the golf bag body member and the rear side 128 of the flip pocket 120 define a channel or slot through which a transport device securing strap may pass. If desired, as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, at least a portion of this channel may be provided with an anti- slip surface 130, e.g., of the various types described above in conjunction with anti-slip elements 112A and 1 12B.
• the anti-slip surface 130 may be provided as part of an anti- slip element 1 12C, e.g., of the same general structure as those shown for anti-slip elements 1 12A and 112B, with a base member 114 and an anti-slip material 116 providing at least a portion of the exposed exterior surface 130 of the anti-slip element 1 12C.
• the anti-slip element 112C and the strap receiving channel will be located between the permanent connection of the flip pocket 120 (e.g., seam 122) and the releasable securing system (e.g., magnets 126).
• anti-slip surfaces 130 and/or anti-slip elements 1 12C may be provided at least partially behind the flip pocket 120 (in any desired sizes, shapes, orientations, and configurations) without departing from this invention. While Figs. 2 A and 2B show this anti-slip element 112C completely covered by the flip pocket 120 when the flip pocket 120 is at the engaged position, this is not a requirement. Rather, if desired, some portion of the anti-slip element 112C may extend beyond the perimeter edges of the flip pocket 120 (and thus will be exposed even when the flip pocket 120 is in the downward position). As another alternative, if desired, anti-slip elements 112A and/or 1 12B may extend to the area beneath the flip pocket 120 and/or form a single, elongated anti-slip element that extends beneath the flip pocket 120.
• FIGs. 3 A through 3C illustrate the use of golf bag structures 100 in accordance with this aspect of the invention.
• a transport device 200 e.g., a hand propelled or self-propelled golf cart
• the golf bag 100 is placed on a support member 202 of the transport device 200 as shown by arrow 204 in Fig. 3 A and as illustrated in Fig. 3B.
• transport devices In addition to a support member 202 for holding the golf bag base 132, transport devices generally will include a securing strap 206 for engaging the upper portion of the golf bag 100, to help prevent the golf bag 100 from falling off the transport device 200 during use.
• this upper securing strap 206 is secured as follows. At some point during the bag mounting process (before or after the bag 100 is placed on support 202), the flip pocket 120 of this example golf bag structure 100 is flipped from the engaged position (and the engaged condition) to a disengaged position and condition (e.g., as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B and described above), e.g., by overcoming the attractive force between the pairs of magnets 126 and separating the magnets 126.
• This disengagement opens up a space between the rear surface 128 of the flip pocket 120 and the golf bag body member 102, and in this example, exposes the anti- slip element 112C.
• the securing strap 206 can be wrapped easily around the top area of the bag 100, engaging one or more of the anti-slip elements 112 A, 1 12B, and/or 112C (when present), and then secured on the opposite side (e.g., as generally shown in Fig. 3B).
• Any type of strap securing devices can be used without departing from this invention, including buckles, clamp like devices, and/or hook-and- loop fastener type systems, such as those used in conventional golf carts, child car seats, or the like.
• an anti-slip surface (with respect to the securing strap 206 material) may be provided at one or more other appropriate locations, for example, on the rear surface 128 of the flip pocket 120.
• the rear surface 128 of the flip pocket 120 and the surface of the golf bag body member 102C (optionally with the anti-slip element 112C provided thereon) define a channel or slot through which the strap member 206 extends behind the flip pocket 120.
• the flip pocket 120 feature of the golf bag 100 provides improved storage capacity, particularly at the upper area of the golf bag (which often times can be the most conveniently accessible area of the golf bag in use) while still providing adequate securing of the bag to the transport device 200 and while not adversely impacting the contents of the flip pocket 120 when the securing strap 206 is tightened.
• the lower portion of the flip pocket 120 was releasably secured to the golf bag body member 102 using pairs of interacting magnets 126 (i.e., one magnet of the pair engaged with the flip pocket 120 and the other magnet of the pair engaged with the golf bag body member 102).
• pairs of interacting magnets 126 i.e., one magnet of the pair engaged with the flip pocket 120 and the other magnet of the pair engaged with the golf bag body member 102.
• some of the magnets 126 may be replaced by a metal material that is attracted to a magnet.
• the metal material may be engaged with the golf bag body member 102 and interact with a magnet engaged with the flip pocket 120, or the metal material may be engaged with the flip pocket 120 and interact with a magnet engaged with the golf bag body member 102.
• the top of the flip pocket 120 may be permanently engaged with the golf bag body member 102 by stitching 400, while the bottom of the flip pocket 120 is releasably engaged with the golf bag body member 102 by one or more snap mechanisms.
• One portion 402A of each snap mechanism may be engaged with the golf bag body member 102, while a mating portion 402B of the snap mechanism may be engaged with the flip pocket 120 (e.g., at the rear surface thereof).
• a mating portion 402B of the snap mechanism may be engaged with the flip pocket 120 (e.g., at the rear surface thereof).
• Fig. 5 shows additional and/or alternative example features that may be provided in golf bag structures in accordance with at least some examples of this invention.
• a mechanical clasp system 500 is provided to releasably engage the lower portion of the flip pocket 120 with the golf bag body member 102. While a mechanical clasp system of the type used with other golf bag straps is shown in Fig.
• any desired type of releasable mechanical clasp may be provided without departing from this invention, including clasps of the types used in strollers, child car seats, high chairs, and the like.
• mechanical clasp system 500 a portion of the clasp is engaged with the golf bag body member 102 and a mating portion is provided with the flip pocket 120. While two clasp systems 500 are shown in Fig. 5, any number may be provided, in any desired locations or orientations, without departing from this invention.
• FIG. 6 shows another example flip pocket structure 120 secured by a hook-and-loop type fastener system with one portion 600A of the hook-and-loop type fastener engaged with the golf bag body member 102 and another portion 600B engaged with the rear surface of the flip pocket 120. While one hook-and-loop fastener system is shown in Fig. 6, any number may be provided, in any desired locations or orientations, without departing from this invention.
• the example structures shown in Figs. 2A through 6 all show a one-to-one match up of releasable connection elements provided on the golf bag body member 102 and the flip pocket 120. This is not a requirement.
• the flip pocket 120 may be releasably secured at the engaged position by two (or more) magnets 700 provided on the flip pocket 120 (e.g., its rear surface) that engage a single metal material member 702 provided on the golf bag body member 102.
• two magnets 700 provided on the flip pocket 120 (e.g., its rear surface) that engage a single metal material member 702 provided on the golf bag body member 102.
• the flip pocket 120 may be releasably secured at the engaged position by two (or more) magnets 800 provided on the golf bag body member 102 that engage a single metal material member 802 provided on the rear surface of the flip pocket 120. If desired, in any of these configurations, the metal material member may be swapped out by another magnet (such that two magnets attract one another to secure the flip pocket 120 at the engaged position). Any desired number of releasable engagement members and combinations of releasable engagement members may be used without departing from this invention.
• Figs. 1A through 8 all illustrate example flip pocket constructions and arrangements in which, when the golf bag 100 is in an upright orientation (i.e., standing on its base 132, as shown in Figs. 1A through 3C), the top of the flip pocket 120 is permanently engaged with the golf bag body member 102 and the bottom of the flip pocket 120 is releasably engaged with the golf bag body member 102.
• This is not a requirement in all examples of this invention.
• the bottom of the flip pocket 120 could be permanently engaged with the golf bag body member 102 while the top of the flip pocket 120 is releasably engaged (when the bag is in an upright orientation).
• one corner of the flip pocket 120 could be permanently engaged with the golf bag body member 102 (e.g., the upper left corner) while other portions thereof include releasable connections.
• one side edge of the flip pocket 120 could be permanently secured at its top and bottom to golf bag body member 102 while the opposite edge or the top and/or bottom edges could be releasably secured (in this type of arrangement, the permanently secured side edge may include an unsecured central portion to define a slot through which the securing strap may be inserted for securing the golf bag to the transport device, akin to passing a strap through a belt loop).
• Figs. 1A through 8 all illustrate example systems in which the permanent engagement of the flip pocket 120 is provided on one side of the location where the securing strap will pass beneath the flip pocket 120 (e.g., above the strap) and the releasable engagement is provided on the other side of the location where the securing strap will pass (e.g., below the strap).
• the releasable securing system could be provided along the side edge of the flip pocket 120, e.g., at a location at least partially above or even with the anti-slip element (when present), such as slightly below the permanent connection area.
• the releasable connectors may be completely omitted, and the flip pocket 120 can simply hang in a downward orientation under the force of gravity (optionally in contact with the golf bag surface at the closed position, when the bag is oriented in an upright position).
• the structure for releasably holding the flip pocket 120 at the engaged or downward position may be provided as part of the permanent connection between the flip pocket 120 and the golf bag body member 102.
• One more specific example includes an arrangement in which a portion of the flip pocket 120 (e.g., its top edge, a side edge, etc.) is permanently engaged with the golf bag body member 102 by one or more hinges or other rotatable connection member(s) (e.g., the sewn seam 122 is replaced by one or more hinges). While such a flip pocket 120 still could be releasably secured at the downward or other engaged position by the connection elements as described above in conjunction with Figs. 2A through 8, other systems for releasably holding the flip pocket 120 in place at the engaged position may be used without departing from this invention.
• the hinge(s) mounting the flip pocket 120 to the golf bag body member 102 may include a spring or other tensioning device to bias the hinge to force the flip pocket 120 to the downward or engaged position.
• the hinge(s) mounting the flip pocket 120 to the golf bag body member 102 may include a lock and release mechanism (e.g., optionally like a ratchet assembly) by which the hinge(s) can be selectively transitioned between a locked condition and a movable condition.
• the hinge(s) mounting the flip pocket 120 to the golf bag body member 102 may include detents or other deformable catch mechanisms to help hold the flip pocket 120 in the downward or engaged position (e.g., akin to structures used to hold car rear view mirrors or bicycle kickstands in place).
• some golf bags may come in two styles, e.g., one style with special compartments (e.g., for the driver or putter) located at a first side of the bag (for certain transport devices or techniques in which the clubs lean one direction) and another style with these same special compartments (e.g., for the driver or putter) located at the opposite side of the bag (for certain transport devices or techniques in which the clubs lean in the opposite direction).
• special compartments e.g., for the driver or putter
• these features increase manufacturing costs and complexities for golf bags because the club divider fits into the bag in only one orientation, which requires more manufacturing controls (to assure proper orientation of the parts) and/or greater bag part inventories (to enable the manufacturer to make bags of both styles).
• the manufacturer may need to target specific bag styles to specific locations or markets (e.g., to locations or markets having one type of transport devices or techniques or the other). If consumers buy the wrong bag for a specific transport device or technique, they risk damage to their clubs (and the manufacturer may experience significant customer dissatisfaction).
• Figs. 9A through 9C illustrate additional features of golf bags in accordance with at least some examples of this invention that seek to help eliminate or alleviate some of the problems mentioned above.
• some golf bag structures 900 in accordance with examples of this invention will include a golf bag body 902 to which a club separator or divider structure 904 is engaged.
• the golf bag body 902 and the club separator 904 may be engaged together in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including in conventional manners as known or used in the art, such as via cements or adhesives, by stitching or sewing, by mechanical connectors (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.), or the like.
• either or both of the golf bag body 902 and the club separator 904 may include structures, like tongue and groove structures or the like, that help assure that the parts are properly fit and engaged together.
• the club separator 904 divides the major compartment 906 of the golf bag 900 into a plurality of different sub-compartments using one or more divider element(s) 908. While any desired number of sub-compartments may be created without departing from this invention, in this illustrated example, the main compartment 906 is subdivided into fourteen sub-compartments. Also, any number of divider elements 908 may be used to provide the overall sub-compartments for the club separator 904 without departing from this invention. The divider elements 908 may extend any desired extent of the overall bag height, e.g., including from 1% to 100% of the overall bag height H (see Fig. IB for a representation of the height dimension H).
• the club separator 904 illustrated in Figs. 9A through 9C is labeled with "north,” “south,” “east,” and “west” sides or edges.
• the club separator 904 of this example structure is constructed such that its outer perimeter is symmetric about a center line or plane extending in the north- south direction (e.g., front-to-back on the golf bag).
• the club separator 904 of this example structure is constructed such that its outer perimeter is symmetric about a center line or plane extending in the east-west direction (e.g., side-to-side on the golf bag).
• the outer perimeter of the club separator 904 may be symmetric about a center line or plane running in the top-to- bottom direction, as shown in Fig. 9B.
• the divider elements 908 may be provided such that the sub-compartments are positioned in a symmetric manner about the north-south and east-west axes.
• This symmetric club separator 904 helps alleviate some of the above noted problems in various ways.
• the club separator 904 may be engaged with the golf bag body 902 in either of two directions (e.g., with "north" up in Fig. 9A or with "north” down in Fig. 9A).
• the club separator 904 includes the same size and style sub-compartments on each of the opposing sides, the clubs can be oriented within the bag 900 in any desired manner and in manners more appropriate to the transport device or technique being used for a specific round of golf (e.g., the longer clubs can always be moved to be located toward the high end of the bag for a specific transport device and/or transport technique).

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=46384505

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (11)

• 2012
  • 2012-06-18 EP EP12730118.2A patent/EP2723460B1/en active Active
  • 2012-06-18 CN CN201280031127.9A patent/CN103717274B/zh active Active
  • 2012-06-18 WO PCT/US2012/042900 patent/WO2012177541A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2012-06-18 JP JP2014517047A patent/JP6134709B2/ja active Active

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events