U.S. patent application number 09/935857 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for golf bag carry apparatus.
Invention is credited to Jarman, Larry.
Application Number | 20020113105 09/935857 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24921120 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020113105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jarman, Larry |
August 22, 2002 |
Golf bag carry apparatus
Abstract
A harness attached to or adapted to be attached to a golf bag to
be positioned about the shoulders and neck of the user. According
to the preferred embodiment, the harness comprises a unitary padded
member defining a collar and back contour piece. The collar and
back contour piece are attachable to one another via first and
second attachment mechanisms. Preferably, the collar includes first
and second articulating joints to enable the harness to readily
adapt to the width of a golfer's back. The collar may further
include pockets for receiving and holding magnets to impart
magnetic therapy. The back contour piece is preferably configured
to provide lumbosacral support to the golfer.
Inventors: |
Jarman, Larry; (Fountain
Valley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MATTHEW A. NEWBOLES
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
24921120 |
Appl. No.: |
09/935857 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09935857 |
Aug 23, 2001 |
|
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09727047 |
Nov 30, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/260 ;
224/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F
3/14 20130101; A63B 55/408 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/260 ;
224/264 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/04; A41F
015/02; A45F 003/12 |
Claims
1. A golf bag carry harness for use by an individual and adapted
for attachment at first and second spaced apart positions on a golf
bag, said harness comprising: a collar fitting around the neck and
over the shoulders of the individual and having first and second
distal points disposed to be positioned one below each shoulder of
said individual; a first attachment mechanism for attaching said
first and second distal points to said first and second attachment
positions respectively; back contour piece formed upon said collar
at a point substantially midway between said distal points and
extending from said collar down the back of said individual; and a
second attachment mechanism for attaching said back contour piece
to said first and second attachment positions.
2. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 1, wherein said
first and second attachment mechanisms are adjustable to permit the
position of said golf bag to be adjusted relative to said
harness.
3. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 2, wherein said
attachment mechanisms comprise straps and buckles.
4. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 3, wherein said
buckles comprise four buckles, one affixed to each distal point and
two spaced apart on said back contour piece.
5. A golf bag harness as defined in claim 4, wherein said straps
comprise four straps one affixed to each distal point and two
spaced apart on said back contour piece, said straps extending from
said buckles and adapted to pass through the spaced apart
attachment positions on said golf bag and returned to its
associated buckle.
6. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 1, wherein said
collar includes a neck portion, first and second shoulder portions,
and first and second chest portions, said chest portions
terminating in said distal points.
7. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 6, wherein said
collar is padded at least in said neck and shoulder portions.
8. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 7, wherein said
back contour piece is padded and shaped to form a complimentary fit
against the lumbar vertebrae of said individual.
9. A golfbag carry harness as defined in claim 8, wherein said back
contour piece and collar consist of one unitary piece of padded
construction.
10. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 1, wherein said
collar includes articulable joints thereon at points immediately
left and right of the apex thereof.
11. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 1, wherein said
collar contains pockets formed thereon for receiving and holding
magnetic elements.
12. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 8, wherein said
back contour piece is further shaped to form a complementary fit
against the sacral vertebrae of said individual.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] U.S. Pending Application No. 09/459,693 filed Dec. 13, 1999
entitled Golf Bag Carry Apparatus and U.S. Continuation Application
No. 09/727,047 filed Nov. 30, 2000 entitled Golf Bag Carry
Apparatus
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Many golfers in playing the game of golf prefer to walk,
which provides exercise and, in addition, maintains the golfer's
physical flexibility to assist in playing the game of golf. In many
instances the golfer prefers to carry his bag as opposed to having
a caddy do so. It has long been customary to fit a golf bag with a
carry strap that goes over the shoulder of the golfer to assist in
supporting the weight of the golf bag and the golf clubs as opposed
to having the golfer utilize a handle affixed to the bag. Although
this type of mechanism has been used for a long period of time, and
is successful and in many instances is still used, it has a
tendency to apply an undue amount of weight to one shoulder of the
golfer thus, tending to tire out that portion of the body prior to
the opposite shoulder.
[0003] To alleviate the foregoing, in the recent past a plurality
of strap-type devices have been developed which may be affixed to a
golf bag and adapted to fit over both shoulders of the golfer to
assist in distributing the weight of the golf bag and the golf
clubs evenly across the shoulders of the golfer. Such golf bag
carrying straps take many forms and are attached to the golf bag in
many different ways. In some instances, the straps are sewn
directly into seams of the golfbag and thus, become a permanent
part of the golf bag. With such structures, if the strap breaks or
becomes worn or the like, then the entire golf bag must be
replaced. In other instances, there are special openings or
fittings which are designed as a part of the golf bag when it is
constructed through which the strap must pass in order to cause
them to be properly situated for use by the golfer. Such special
construction of the golf bag adds additional cost and also renders
the golf bag useful only with the specific golf bag carry straps
designed for use with it. Therefore, if the golfer grows tired of a
particular type of golfbag carry strap, it could not be replaced on
the specially designed bag and again the golfer would be required
to buy a new bag.
[0004] The golf bag carry straps designed to fit over both
shoulders do work reasonably well and do permit a better balancing
of the weight on the shoulders of the golfer than was possible
prior to their introduction. However, such devices tend to apply
forces to the shoulders of the golfer not only in a downward
direction, but a backward direction particularly when the golfer is
walking, thus, tending to apply an undesired weight or force to the
golfer's body resulting in discomfort and creating a situation
where the golfer's upper body becomes tired. As a particular
example, such straps merely lay vertically along the lumbosacral
vertebrae and, although imparting a stressor load thereto, provide
nothing in terms of contoured anatomical support. Additionally,
such straps are typically formed from multi-piece construction and,
as a result, require substantial labor and expense in manufacturing
the same and further cause such straps to become vulnerable to
tearing or ripping. Such golf bags are further problematic in so
far as the same are ill-adapted for widespread versatile use
amongst individuals of dissimilar size. More specifically, such
straps are typically configured to have a single unitary size that
cannot be adjusted for purposes of accommodating the broadness of a
given individual's shoulders. In this regard, there is lacking any
mechanism by which such straps can adjust to accommodate shoulder
breadth.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for a
golf bag carry strap that is capable of fitting over both shoulders
of an individual that further provides a greater degree of
lumbosacral back support when in use, and can further easily and
readily adjust to accommodate the dimensions of a given
individual's shoulders and back. There is a further need in the art
for such a golf bag carry strap that is of substantially lower cost
to manufacture than prior art straps, and can additionally be
modified to impart therapeutically-beneficial modalities, such as
magnet therapy and the like. There is yet a further need for such a
strap that can be easily and readily substituted for virtually all
golf bag carry straps currently in use, can be readily manufactured
utilizing existing materials and technology, and can substantially
minimize injury and pain typically associated with prior art golf
bag carry straps.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention resolves the problems existing in the
prior art by providing a formed padded harness which includes a
collar that fits around the neck and over the shoulders of the
golfer and a back contour piece that is adjoined to the apex of the
collar and extends downwardly from the neck along the back of the
golfer to provide lumbar support. The harness, which includes the
collar and back contour piece, preferably consists of a unitary
piece of padded material. The arms of the collar near the apex
preferably contain articulable joints which enable the collar to be
easily and flexibly positioned on any golfer's shoulders,
irrespective of size. Similarly, the back contour piece of the
harness can be easily adjusted to maximize the lumbar support of
the golfer's back. Attaching devices extend from the back contour
piece and from the ends of the collar opposite the apex for
engagement with appropriate fixtures on the golf bag to allow easy
positioning of the harness about the neck and across the shoulders
of the golfer.
[0007] The collar of the harness can optionally be lined with
magnets to assist in relieving any pain or discomfort of the golfer
as a result of carrying the weight of the golf bag. To achieve that
end, the arms of the collar may be configured to contain tiny
pockets for the insertion of magnets for use in therapeutically
relieving pain and discomfort.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These as well as other features of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a golf bag carry harness
constructed in accordance with the principals of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the harness of FIG. 1
attached to a golf bag;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
construction of the collar and taken about the lines 3-3 of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating in more detail the
construction of the back contour piece means;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one
means for attaching the harness of the present invention to the
golf bag;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating an alterative
means for attaching the harness to the golf bag;
[0015] FIG. 7 is another alternative means for attaching the
harness to the golf bag;
[0016] FIG. 8 is yet another alternative means for affixing the
harness to the golf bag;
[0017] FIG. 9 is another alternative means for affixing the harness
to the golf bag; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a golfer carrying
a golf bag utilizing the golf carry harness of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended merely as a description of the
invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which
the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The
description sets forth the functions and sequence of steps for
construction and implementation of the invention in connection with
the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that
the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished
by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0020] The golfbag carry harness of the present invention provides
an apparatus which the golfer may utilize to very easily and with
great comfort support the weight of the golf bag and the golf clubs
contained therein when the golfer is walking during the playing of
a round of golf. The weight of the golf bag and the golf clubs is
evenly distributed over the shoulders and across the back of the
golfer as a result of a formed padded collar which fits around the
back of the neck and immediately over the shoulders and down the
front of the golfer.
[0021] The collar preferably contains articulable joints that
enable the golfer to very easily and flexibly position the collar
onto his or her shoulder with little or no effort in order to
accomplish the desired distribution of the weight. Optionally, the
collar can be lined with magnets to alleviate any pain or stress
resulting from carrying the weight of the golf bag discussed more
fully below. A back contour piece affixed to the apex of the collar
may further be provided to increase comfort and lumbar support.
[0022] The manner in which the collar is attached to the golf bag
maintains the collar in this position. The attachments means is
adjustable to allow the golfer to create the desired pitch for a
golf bag and golf clubs to prevent the clubs from falling out of
the bag, while providing comfort and the appropriate weight
distribution for the golfer, and to position the golf bag across
the golfer's back in such a manner as to minimize bumping or
swinging of the golf bag against the back of the golfer.
[0023] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS.
1 and 2, the golf bag carry harness of the present invention is
shown. The primary elements of the harness are a collar 10 and a
back contour piece 12. The collar 10 includes an apex 14 which is
substantially centrally disposed between distal ends 16 and 18
thereof. The back contour piece 12 is adjoined at the apex 14 of
the collar 10, and together, preferably form a contiguous and
unitary piece of padded construction. As would be appreciated by
those skilled in the art, by forming back contour piece 12 and
collar 10 from a unitary piece of padded material substantially
reduces the cost and difficulty with manufacturing the golf bag
carry harness of the present invention. In this regard, it is well
known to those skilled in the art that substantial labor and
expense is associated with multi-piece construction, which
typically requires increased stitching at the juncture between such
pieces. In addition, such multi-piece construction is known in the
art to be substantially less durable insofar as the seams between
multiple components defines an area which can be subjected to
tearing or ripping when subjected to pulling forces, as would be
encountered during the use of such straps.
[0024] The apex 14 of the collar 10 is designed in a curvilinear
fashion so that the interior portion 20 thereof will rest
comfortably about the neck of the golfer. Continuing from about the
neck region 20 the collar defines a first region 22-24 which rests
upon the right and left shoulders respectively of the golfer. The
right arm 26 of the collar extends downwardly over the chest of the
golfer and terminates at the distal point or end 16. Likewise, the
left arm 28 extends downwardly from the left shoulder of the golfer
over the golfer's chest and terminates at the distal point or end
18. According to a preferred embodiment, both arms of the collar
defined at regions 22 and 24 contain articulable joints 120-122
(FIG. 1) which serve to adjust the arms of the collar according to
the width or size of his or her shoulders to maximize the comfort
provided by the harness.
[0025] In addition, the arms of the collar may preferably contain
tiny pockets 28 for the optional insertion of magnets (FIG. 1). In
this regard, the use of magnets is reportedly successful in
treating a wide variety of conditions, including arthritis,
rheumatism, fibromyalgia, back pain, headaches, muscles strains and
sprains, joint pain, tendinitis, and shoulder pain, among many
others. To produce the desired therapeutic benefit, it is presently
believed that exposure to biomagnetic negative poles, or north
poles, has the ability to relieve pain, reduce swelling, promote
tissues alkalinization, and increase tissue oxygenation. Exposure
to south or positive poles, in contrast, is believed to increase
swelling, promote anxiety and other adverse side effects. As such,
current magnetic therapy dictates surrounding all or a portion of
the body in close proximity to the north or negative poles of such
magnets as is facilitated by pockets 28 of the collar of the
present invention.
[0026] By referring to FIG. 3, the internal construction of the
collar 10 is illustrated. As is therein shown, the collar 10 is
constructed from a padding material such as polystyrene foam or the
like 30 which includes a non-skid surface 32 which engages the
neck, shoulder and chest region of the golfer when the harness is
in position to carry the golf clubs. A layer 34 of heavy gauge
cloth material such as nylon or canvas or the like is affixed to
the padding 30 and covers the opposite surface 36 thereof. As is
illustrated, the material 34 is affixed to the padding by stitching
at 38 and by a tape 40 which is positioned over the material 34 and
under the padding 30 at the edge 42 thereof and then is stitched in
place. Thus, the heavy gauge material 34 extends the entire length
of the collar 10 and, as will become apparent hereinafter, is the
structural member which supports the weight of the golf clubs and
the golf bag. The tape 40 extends along the entire outside edge of
the collar 10 and into tape 48, which is positioned around the
entire side of the back contour piece 12 as viewed in FIG. 1. It
should be noted that the tape 40 does not appear on the inside
edge, thus providing a greater amount of comfort to the wearer of
the golf bag carry harness.
[0027] The back contour piece 12 is constructed in a manner similar
to that illustrated in FIG. 3. The outer surface 44 thereof is
constructed from a heavy duty cloth material such as canvas or the
like, while the opposite surface 46 (FIG. 4) is a padding similar
to that shown at 30 in FIG. 3. However, the padding incorporated as
part of the back contour piece 12 will be specifically designed and
configured to form a complementary shape along the lumbar and/or
lumbosacral vertebrae along the wearer's back. In this respect, and
contrary to straps of the prior art, the back contour piece 12 will
be formed to abut and form a complementary fit along the lower
vertebrae of the wearer's back to thus impart the desired support
thereto, which advantageously facilitates the wearer's ability to
maintain proper posture while wearing the collar of the present
invention, as well as more ideally distributes the load imparted by
the golf bag upon the wearer's body. As a result, the back contour
piece 12 not only provides greater comfort to the golfer, but also
minimizes the potential for injury to the golfer's back.
[0028] Attachment means is further provided for affixing the
harness to a golf bag 50. Technically all golf bags include a
shoulder strap which is attached to the golf bag at spaced apart
positions. Traditionally, the attachment points would include such
items as a ring 52 at the upper most portion of the bag and a
second ring 54 displaced therefrom adjacent the pocket or pouch 56
of the golf bag which is used to carry golf balls and other golfing
paraphernalia. The rings 52 and 54 may be O-rings, D-rings or
similar type of structure. Typically the shoulder strap is snapped
into place at the rings 52 and 54. For purposes of affixing the
golf bag carry harness of the present invention, the shoulder strap
may be removed and discarded and the collar and flap of the present
invention then affixed as shown in FIG. 2. Generally, this
attachment of the harness is accomplished by straps shown generally
at 58 and 60 which extend from the distal point 16 and 18 of the
collar 10 and from the lower portion of the back contour piece 12
as shown.
[0029] As is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the distal point 16
of the chest portion 26 of the collar 10 includes a buckle 62 which
is permanently affixed to a short strap 64 which in turn is
securely stitched as shown at 66 to the distal point 16. Also
extending from the distal point 16 is a strap 68. The strap 68 is
disposed on the side opposite from the strap 64 and is also
stitched securely and permanently in place by the stitching 66.
Strap 68 loosely hangs from the distal point 16 of the chest
portion 26 of the collar 10. To secure the distal point 16 to the
golf bag 50, the strap 68 would be passed through the ring 52 and
would then be returned to the buckle 62 where it would be passed
through the appropriate openings and cinched in place to securely
affix the distal end 16 to the golf bag 50. A buckle 70 and strap
72 is also affixed to the distal point 18 of the chest section 28
of the collar 10 in a manner substantially the same as that shown
in FIG. 5.
[0030] Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 4, the
attachment means which is secured to the back contour piece 12 is
illustrated in greater detail. As is therein shown, a first strap
74 having buckles 76 and 78 is positioned in place along the edge
80 of the back contour piece 12. An additional strap 82 is
positioned on the opposite side from the strap 74 and such is shown
in FIG. 4. The strap 82 is continuous and extends well beyond the
buckles 76 and 78. Each of the straps 74 and 82 are continuous one
piece straps. The two straps are stitched together along the edge
80 of the back contour piece 12 as is illustrated by the stitching
84 and 86. In this manner the strap 82 provides extensions or
continuations 88 and 90 thereof which cooperate with the straps 68
and 72 to secure the golf bag carry harness of the present
invention to the golf bag 50. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the
strap 88 is passed through the ring 52 and is returned to the
buckle 76 where it is then secured in place. Similarly, the strap
72 and the strap 90 are passed through the ring 54 returned to the
buckles 70 and 78, respectively, and are secured in place. It will
be recognized that through the utilization of the straps and the
buckles, the effective length of the straps 58 and 60 may be
adjusted to position the golf bag in a manner to accommodate the
desired pitch thereof as well as the distribution of the weight
across the shoulders, neck and back of the golfer. The adjustment
will also position the bag at the height desired by the golfer to
make it more comfortable to carry the golf clubs.
[0031] All of the attaching means in the preferred embodiment has
been illustrated and described as including straps and buckles
which are affixed to a collar 10 and back contour piece 12. Other
types of attachment means may be utilized. In each instance the
attachment means will provide appropriate adjustment capability to
position the golf bag as desired by the golfer to provide the
ultimate in comfort in carrying the bag. One such alternative
fastening or attaching means is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this
instance, there is provided a strap 92 which has the appropriate
Velcro (hook and loop fastener) attachment structure attached
thereto as illustrated at 94 and 96. The end 98 of the strap 92
would be passed through one of the rings 52 or 54 depending upon
where the strap 92 was attached. The strap would then be folded
back upon itself and the two Velcro (hook and loop fastener)
locking portions 96 and 94 brought together to secure the strap at
the desired length to position the golf bag as above discussed.
[0032] In FIG. 7, an additional attaching means alternative
embodiment is illustrated. In this instance, a strap 100 would have
a snap hook 102 affixed permanently to the end 104 thereof. The
snap would be inserted into the appropriate ring 52 or 54 depending
upon where the strap 10 is attached. As is illustrated, a buckle
member or similar such structure 106 would be disposed between the
hook 102 and the portion of the strap 100 affixed to the harness.
This buckle would be utilized to provide movement of the hook
toward or away the harness as is illustrated by the arrow 108 to
accomplish the desired adjustment.
[0033] In reference now to FIG. 8 an additional strap 110 is
illustrated with male and female snap members at 112 and 114
respectively. The end 116 of strap 110 would be inserted through
one of the rings 52 and 54 depending upon where the strap 110 was
attached and the male snaps 112 would be brought into an
appropriate position to accomplish the desired adjustment with one
or more of the female receptacles 114 for the snaps and upon being
snapped into place adjustment would be accomplished and the harness
would be affixed to the golf bag 50 as above described.
[0034] Referring now more specifically to FIG. 10, the golf carry
harness is illustrated in position about the neck and over the
shoulders and down the chest of the wearer. The straps 58 and 60
are properly affixed to the golf bag 50 and are adjusted to the
length desired so that the golf bag rides comfortably across the
back of the golfer slightly above the hips and across the waist. In
this position the golf bag does not bounce, more evenly distributes
the weight of the golfbag, is appropriately balanced and is easily
taken off by the golfer and just as easily returned to position
when it comes time to carry the bag.
[0035] As is evident from the foregoing discussion, there may be a
variety of different attachment means. Any one of which could be
utilized in order to accomplish the desired adjustment to position
the golf bag carry harness constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention and the desired position with
regard to the golf bag to provide the ultimate comfort to the
golfer while walking the golf course carrying his or her bag.
* * * * *