Golf bag security device

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf bag security device which is adjustable to different golf bags and which needs only one lock to both lock the hood to the bag and the bag to a fixed object through the use of an adjustment cinch. It does so by providing a hood and a cable having apertures at either end and an intermediate movable loop which allows the hood to be secured to bags of variable sizes and the bag to be secured to a fixed object.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to the field of golf equipment and more particularly to security devices for securing golf clubs in a golf bag against theft and for securing the bag itself against theft.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Golf clubs have become very expensive and valuable items and consequently theft of golf clubs has become widespread. Such thefts typically occur either at the golf clubhouse when the golf bag is left unattended, or from residential garages where the clubs are often stored when not in use. In some instances the thief steals individual clubs, and in others the entire bag and all its contents are stolen.

[0003] Various security devices for golf bags have been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,043 McCue et al. discloses a specially configured golf bag and security device which protect against theft. It uses a securing device having two lock assemblies which lock the device to the bag and lock a cable or chain to the securing device. A hood is secured over the clubs by a metal chain.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,485 O'Hara, Jr. provides a locking hood for a golf bag in which a steel ribbon is slid through the base of the hood and tightened by hinged element. A cable provided with a padlock is used to secure the bag to a fixed object by extending the cable through a hole in a staple secured to the steel ribbon, which also prevents the ribbon from being loosened.

[0005] Voelkner U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,247 discloses a locking golf bag hood which uses a cable to secure the hood to the golf bag and also secure the bag to a fixed object. It requires two padlocks to both secure the hood to the bag and lock the bag to a fixed object, and it is not adaptable to different golf bags.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,312 Davis, Sr. discloses a locking golf bag cover in which a belt is extended through loops in the cover and tightened around the bag, and two padlocks are used, one to lock the hood to the bag and another to lock the bag to a fixed object using a separate cable.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,588 McCreary discloses a security assembly for a golf bag which uses a strap or band secured to the bag and having a number of rings which extend through slots in the hood, a second band extending through the rings to secure the hood to the bag, and a strap to secure the bag to a fixed object. It requires three locks: one to lock the hood to the bag, another to lock the bag to a fixed object and a third to lock the hood's zipper.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a golf bag security device which is adjustable to different golf bags and which needs only one lock to both lock the hood to the bag and the bag to a fixed object.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] The present invention therefore provides a golf bag security device which is adjustable to different golf bags and which needs only one lock to both lock the hood to the bag and the bag to a fixed object through the use of an adjustment cinch. It does so by providing a hood and a cable having apertures at either end and an intermediate movable loop which allows the hood to be secured to bags of variable sizes and the bag to be secured to a fixed object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] In drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hood and cable of the invention prior to being installed on a golf bag;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial left front perspective view of the invention installed on a golf bag and secured to a fixed object;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a right front perspective view of the invention installed on a golf bag and secured to a fixed object;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial rear perspective view of the invention installed on a golf bag; and

[0015] FIG. 5 is a detail view of the cable and lock assembly of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0016] Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0017] With reference to FIG. 1 through 5, a golf bag 10 has a carrying handle 11, an integrated stand 12 having legs 13, 15 and carries an array of golf clubs (not shown). The invention comprises a hood or cover 16 and a cable 18. Preferably the cover 16 is constructed of a heavy woven nylon or similar fabric which is heavy enough to retain its shape. It comprises a hood-shaped body 20 having a lower edge 22 surrounding an opening 24. Cable-receiving sleeves 26, 28 are formed in the lower edge 22. Cut-outs 30, 32 are also formed in lower edge 22 so that sleeves 26, 28 have openings 34, 36, 38, 40 through which cable 18 slides. Generally golf bag 10 is narrower at its front end having handle 11 so that cut-out 32 will be narrower than cut-out 30. The edges of openings 34, 36, 38, 40 are preferably curved or radiused to reduce the likelihood that the cable will catch on a corner of the cover material or wear the corner of the openings. Also a lighter weight fabric can be used for the braid 42 which forms the edge of the opening, or the width of the sleeve 26, 28 can be increased.

[0018] Cable 18 is a single continuous cable formed preferably of plastic-covered braided galvanized steel aircraft cable. It has loops or eyes 44, 46 formed at either end 17, 19 thereof, for example by crimping a battery lug connector to either end. In order to make the device adjustable to different bags, a sliding cinch 48 is provided. Cinch 48 is formed of a body 58 having a central passage-way 51, which is preferably Figure-8 shaped in cross-section, forming two channels 52, 54 through which cable 18 can slide freely. Channels 52, 54 are shown as being parallel but can also form an angle. Cable 18 is run through cinch 48 to form a small loop 50 to receive the lock 60 but otherwise cable 18 is free to slide through channels 52, 54. For example an aluminum sleeve sold under the trade-mark ALUMA-LOCK can be used for sleeve 48.

[0019] To use the invention, cover 16 is placed over the golf bag 10 as shown in FIG. 3 so that cut-out 32 extends around handle 11 and cut-out 30 extends around stand 12. End 17 of cable 18 is inserted through handle 11, then through sleeve 26 and around legs 13, 15. Cable 18 is slid through cinch 48 so that when lock 60 connects loop 50 to eye 44 the cable will be tight enough around bag 10 so that the cover 16 cannot be removed over the golf clubs. End 19 of cable 18 is then looped around a fixed object and lock 60 is extended through eyes 44, 46 and loop 50. The fixed object may be a post or tree, or a golf cart, for example. To secure the golf bag in a garage storage situation, an eye hook can be screwed into a wall and the end 19 of the cable looped through the eye hook (not shown). While the golf bag 10 is shown having an integral stand 12, other types of bags will have carrying handles, grommet snaps or rings in that location, all of which can serve to anchor cable 18 in the same way as stand 12 in the type of bag illustrated.

[0020] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cable for securing a golf bag cover to a golf bag and to fixed object comprising first and second ends each provided with an aperture adapted to receive locking means, a loop adapted to receive locking means adjustably formed in said cable at a location between said first and second ends and means for forming and slidingly moving the location of said loop between said first and second ends of said cable.

2. The cable of claim 1 wherein said means for forming and slidingly moving the location of said loop comprises cinch means comprising a body and a passage formed in said body for slidingly receiving two sections of said cable.

3. The cable of claim 2 wherein said passage of said cinch means is Figure-8 shaped in cross-section.

4. A device for securing golf clubs in a golf bag and securing said golf bag to a fixed object, comprising: a hood having a hollow interior for receiving said golf clubs and an open end sized to fit over said golf bag, and a lower edge surrounding said open end comprising sleeve means for receiving a cable; and the cable of claim 1.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a lock.

6. In combination, a golf bag, the device of claim 4 and locking means.

7. A golf bag cover for securing golf clubs in a golf bag and securing said golf bag to a fixed object, said cover comprising a a hood formed of a flexible material and having a hollow interior for receiving said golf clubs and an open end sized to fit over said golf bag, and having a lower edge surrounding said open end comprising sleeve means for receiving a cable, said sleeve means comprising two gaps adapted to permit a cable to leave and return into said sleeve means.

8. The golf bag cover of claim 7 wherein one of said gaps is wider than the other to adapt to golf bags having one side wider than the other.

9. A device for securing golf clubs in a golf bag and securing said golf bag to a fixed object, comprising: i) a golf bag cover comprising a a hood formed of a flexible material and having a hollow interior for receiving said golf clubs and an open end sized to fit over said golf bag, and having a lower edge surrounding said open end comprising sleeve means for receiving a cable; and ii) a cable comprising first and second ends each provided with an aperture adapted to receive locking means, a loop adapted to receive locking means adjustably formed in said cable at a location between said first and second ends and means for forming and slidingly moving the location of said loop between said first and second ends of said cable.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said means for forming and slidingly moving the location of said loop comprises cinch means comprising a body and a passage formed in said body for slidingly receiving two sections of said cable.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said passage of said cinch means is Figure-8 shaped in cross-section.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein said sleeve means comprise two gaps adapted to permit a cable to leave and return into said sleeve means

13. The device of claim 9 further comprising a lock.

14. In combination, a golf bag, the device of claim 9 and locking means.