ZA201007008B

ZA201007008B - Golf cart means for a golf bag

Info

Publication number: ZA201007008B
Application number: ZA2010/07008A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Rensburg Philip Van; Preez Hercules Petrus Du
Original assignee: Xemp Golfing Tech Cc
Priority date: 2009-07-03
Filing date: 2010-10-01
Publication date: 2011-06-29

Description

2 i il) e 2010707008

GOLF CART MEANS FOR A GOLF BAG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a golf cart means for a golf bag. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to golf cart means for being removably attached to a golf bag, so that the golf bag is pullable or pushable by a user.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When playing a game of golf, a golfer needs to carry a considerable amount of equipment with him, such as various special purpose golf clubs, golf balls, golf tees and other golf accessories. All this equipment is usually located in a golf bag and carried therein by the golfer. A conventional golf bag is an elongate container of which a bottom end is closed and an upper end is open to receive the golf equipment. Such a golf bag generally includes a shoulder strap, so that the golfer is able to carry the golf bag over his shoulder.

However, since a game of golf usually takes a relatively long time to complete and since the golfer may have to walk several kilometres during such a golf game, carrying the heavy golf bag with ail of the golf equipment therein, is relatively very tiring.

It is known to use a manually pull or push golf cart for carrying the golf bag.

Such a golf cart consists of a frame having two or three wheels mounted to the frame and a handle extending upwardly from the frame so that the golfer can pull or push the cart. The golf bag is arranged within the frame or adjacent to the frame and connected to it, so that the wheels extend from the bottom sides of the golf bag and the handle extends from the upper end of the golf bag.

A disadvantage of this conventional golf cart is that it is relatively bulky and heavy and is therefore not easy to transport. Furthermore, when locating the golf bag within the golf cart, the golf bag is even heavier and more difficult to manoeuvre.

A further disadvantage of the conventional golf cart is that, owing to its weight and size, it is generally not easy to take it with when travelling. Especially since the golf bag and golf accessories must already be taken along when travelling.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a golf cart means for a golf bag with which the aforesaid disadvantages can be overcome or at least minimised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided golf cart means for being attachable to and detachable from a golf bag comprising: - a base member for receiving a bottom end of the golf bag and having mobilising means to allow movement of the base member; and - handle means for attaching to an upper end of the golf bag to allow the golf bag to be pulled or pushed by a user, so that the golf bag operates as a golf cart.

The base member may include a first bag receiving member, which may at least partially surround the bottom end of the golf bag.

The base member may include first securing means for securing the first bag receiving member to the golf bag when received therein.

The first securing means may be a strap connected to the first bag receiving member for passing around the bottom end of the golf bag to secure the golf bag to the base member.

The strap may include locking means, such as a releasable clip-lock mechanism or a Velcro® strap, so that the strap is securely fitted around the golf bag.

The base member may further include stabilising means for stabilising the golf bag when it is stationary. 5 The stabilising means may be a pair of support members located on opposite sides of the first bag receiving member.

The support members may be attachable and detachable from the first bag receiving member.

Each support member may include a base support structure on which the bottom end of the golf bag may be supported.

The mobilising means may be at least one wheel connected to the base member to allow movement of the base member.

The base member may include two wheels, arranged opposite to one another on an extension member.

The extension member may be connected to the first bag receiving member and the two wheels may be removable from said extension member.

The handle means may include a handle and a second bag receiving member.

The second bag receiving member may at least partially surround the upper end of the golf bag.

The handle means may include second securing means for securing the second bag receiving member to the golf bag when received thereby.

The second securing means may also be a strap connected to the second bag receiving member for passing around the upper end of the golf bag to secure the golf bag to the handle means.

The second bag receiving member may include attachment means for attaching to a rain cover, which may be provided to cover the golf bag in rainy conditions.

The golf cart means may further include first connection means for connecting the handle means to the base member.

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The first connection means may be a rigid elongate support member.

The golf cart means may further include second connection means for connecting the handle means to the base member.

The second connection means may be in the form of a connection cord.

The handle means and the base member may be similar in form and may be adapted to be secured to one another with the wheels received in the first and second bag receiving members and the handle and the extension member forming a carry handle, so that the golf cart means is transportable, when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf cart means in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, when not in use;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the golf cart means of figure

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Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a lower portion of the golf cart means shown in figure 1, when in use, but without a golf bag; 5 Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the golf cart means with a golf bag;

Figure 5 is a perspective front view of the golf cart means in use;

Figure 6 is a perspective rear view of the golf cart means in use; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a golf cart means in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, when not in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figures 1 to 6, in which like numerals indicate like features, a golf cart means in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The golf cart means 10 is adapted to be removably attached to and detached from a golf bag 12 so that the golf bag 12 can function as a golf cart when pulled or pushed by a user.

The golf cart means 10 comprises a base member 14 for receiving a bottom end 16 of the golf bag 12. The base member 14 includes mobilising means, having two wheels 18 connected thereto. The golf cart means 10 further includes handle means 20 which is removably attached to an upper end 22 of the golf bag 12 to allow the golf bag 12 to be pulled or pushed by a user.

The base member 14 includes a first bag receiving member 24, which partially surrounds the bottom end 16 of the golf bag 12. The base member 14 further includes first securing means 26, in the form of a strap, which surrounds the remainder of the bottom end 16 of the golf bag 12 in order to secure the first bag receiving member 24 to the golf bag 12 when it is received therein. The first securing means 26 also includes a locking means 28 in the form of a releasable clip-lock mechanism so that the strap is securely fitted around the golf bag 12.

The base member 14 further includes stabilising means, consisting of a pair of support members 30, for stabilising the golf bag 12 when it is stationary. The support members 30 are located on opposite sides of the first bag receiving member 24 and are attachable and detachable therefrom. Each support member 30 includes a base support structure 32 on which the bottom end 16 of the golf bag 12 is supported.

Each wheel 18 is attached to an end of an extension member 34, which is connected to the first bag receiving member 24, so that the wheels are removable from said extension member 34. Therefore, when carrying the golf bag 12 or transporting it, the wheels 18 can be removed from the base member 14, while the base member 14 remains attached to the golf bag 12.

Once the golf cart means 10 is tilted in a sideward direction to be moved, the wheels 18 engages the surface and thus enables the golf cart means 10 to be pulled along said surface.

The handle means 20 includes a handle 36 and a second bag receiving member 38. The second bag receiving member 38 also partially surrounds the upper end 22 of the golf bag 12 and includes a second securing means 40, also in the form of a strap for surrounding the remainder of the upper end 22 of the golf bag 12, so that the second bag receiving member 38 is secured to the golf bag 12. The second securing means 40 also includes a locking means 28 in the form of a releasable clip-lock mechanism so that the strap is securely fitted around the golf bag 12. The second bag receiving member 38 could include attachment means for attaching to a rain cover, which could be provided to cover the golf bag in rainy conditions (not shown).

The golf cart means 10 further includes first connection means 42, in the form of a rigid elongate support member, for connecting the handle means 20 to the base member 14. A first end of the first connection means 42 is received within a first receiving formation 44 defined by the base member 14 and a second end of the first connection means 42 is received within a second receiving formation 46 defined by the handle means 20. The golf cart means

Co L_9010/07008 10 is further provided with second connection means 48 for connecting the handle means 20 to the base member 14. The second connection means 48 is in the form of at least one cord, shown in figures 5 and 6. The second connection means 48 is connected to the first and second bag receiving members. Both the first and second connection means aid in keeping the golf cart means 10 stable and in position while it is being pulled or pushed by the user.

An advantage of the golf cart means 10 of the present invention, is that the handle means 20 and the base member 14 are similar in form and are adapted to abut one another and be secured to one another, as shown in figures 1 and 2. The wheels 18 are received within the first and second bag receiving members 24 and 38, and the handle 36 and the extension member 34 forms a carry handle, so that the golf cart means 10 is relatively easily transportable, when not in use.

Referring to figure 7, a portion of a golf cart means in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10A. This portion of the golf cart means 10A is also adapted to be removably attached to and detached from the golf bag 12 and only looks slightly different to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the first bag receiving member 24 includes a base 50 and a wheel receiving member 52, for receiving the wheel 18 when not in use.

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It will be appreciated that variations in detail and applications are possible with a golf cart means according to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

HI : CL CLAIMS

1. A golf cart means for being attachable to and detachable from a golf bag comprising: a base member for receiving a bottom end of the golf bag and having mobilising means to allow movement of the base member; and handle means for attaching to an upper end of the golf bag to allow the golf bag to be pulled or pushed by a user, so that the golf bag operates as a golf cart.

2. A golf cart means according to claim 1 wherein the base member includes a first bag receiving member, which at least partially surrounds the bottom end of the golf bag.

3. A golf cart means according to claim 2 wherein the base member includes first securing means for securing the first bag receiving member to the golf bag when received therein.

4. A golf cart means according to claim 3 wherein the first securing means is a strap connected to the first bag receiving member for passing around the bottom end of the golf bag to secure the golf bag to the base member. i j re ¢

5. A golf cart means according to claim 4 wherein the strap includes locking means, such as a releasable clip-lock mechanism, a Velcro® strap or the like, so that the strap is securely fitted around the golf bag.

6. A golf cart means according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the base member further includes stabilising means for stabilising the golf bag when it is stationary.

7. A golf cart means according to claim 6 wherein the stabilising means is a pair of support members located on opposite sides of the first bag receiving member.

8. A golf cart means according to claim 7 wherein the support members are attachable and detachable from the first bag receiving member.

9. A golf cart means according to claim 8 wherein each support member includes a base support structure on which the bottom end of the golf bag is supported.

10.A golf cart means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mobilising means includes at least one wheel connected to the base member to allow movement of the base member.

11. A golf cart means according to claim 10 wherein the mobilising means includes two wheels, arranged opposite to one another on an extension member of the base member.

12. A golf cart means according to claim 11 wherein the extension member is connected to the first bag receiving member and the two wheels are removable from said extension member.

13.A golf cart means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle means includes a handle and a second bag receiving member.

14.A golf cart means according to claim 13 wherein the second bag receiving member at least partially surrounds the upper end of the golf bag.

15.A golf cart means according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the handle means includes second securing means for securing the second bag receiving member to the golf bag when received thereby.

16.A golf cart means according to claim 15 wherein the second securing means is a strap connected to the second bag receiving member for passing around the upper end of the golf bag to secure the golf bag to the handle means.

17.A golf cart means according to claim 17 wherein the strap includes locking means, such as a releasable clip-lock mechanism, a Velcro® strap or the like, so that the strap is securely fitted around the golf bag.

18.A golf cart means according to claim 17 wherein the second bag receiving member includes attachment means for attaching to a rain cover.

19. A golf cart means according to any one of the preceding claims which further includes first connection means for connecting the handle means to the base member.

20.A golf cart means according to claim 19 wherein the first connection means is a rigid elongate support member.

21.A golf cart means according to any one of the preceding claims which further includes second connection means for connecting the handle means to the base member.

22.A golf cart means according to claim 21 wherein the second connection means is in the form of a connection cord.

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23. A golf cart means according to claim 22 wherein the handle means and the base member are similar in form and are adapted to be secured to one another with the wheels received in the first and second bag receiving members and the handle and the extension member forming a carry handle, so that the golf cart means is transportable, when not in use.

24. A golf cart means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.