Clip support member for golf bag

Abstract

A clip support member adapted for use with an article such as a golf bag adapted to be carried in an over-the-back relationship. The clip is defined by a neck and spaced-apart rigid but flexible arms which curve downwardly and inwardly away from the neck thus allowing the arms to follow the contour of the outer surface of the golf bag. The clip is preferably made from a shape memory or other suitable material which allows the arms to be flexed laterally away from each other by a user when the clip is engaged against the sides of the waist of the user. The clip is preferably secured to the golf bag in a relationship wherein the clip extends in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the bag. Buckles on the golf bag secure a jacket to the golf bag which, in turn, secures the clip to the golf bag.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/767,475 filed on Jan. 28, 2004 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/610,058 filed on Jun. 30, 2003, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the subject of bags and, more specifically, golf bags adapted to be carried in an over-the-back generally horizontal relationship and, still more particularly, to a clip support member therefore adapted for engagement with the waist of the user and providing for the transfer and redistribution of the weight of the golf bag from the shoulders and back of the user to the waist and/or hips of the user through the clip support member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Golf bags and other articles which are suspended and carried in an over-the-back relationship from the shoulders of a user using shoulder straps have been in widespread use for many years. The use of shoulder straps however have disadvantageously placed users at an increased risk of shoulder and back injury due to the considerable weight which is supported through the shoulder straps such as, for example, the weight of golf clubs in a golf bag. This risk is of a particular concern for caddies who must carry golf bags weighing more than fifty pounds for more than 7,000 yards during a typical four or more hour round of eighteen holes of golf play.

[0004] In the past, adjustable, flexible, loose belts or harnesses adapted to be wrapped and tied around the waist of a user have been used such as, for example, the adjustable flexible belt disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,473 to Lamar (which discloses a golf bag adapted to be carried in an over-the-back vertical orientation) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,732 to Swetish (which discloses a back pack adapted to be carried in an over-the-back vertical orientation) in an attempt to relieve the weight of the article. These and other available belts and harnesses, however, have proven ineffective as a weight transferring device and there thus has remained a need for a rigid clip support member which will effectively transfer the weight of the golf bag and contents thereof from the shoulders and back of the user to the waist, hips and/or lower back of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to a clip adapted for use with an article such as a golf bag adapted to be carried in an over-the-back relationship where the clip comprises an elongate neck and a pair of arms extending away from opposed ends of the neck in a spaced-apart relationship and the arms curve inwardly towards each other as they extend downwardly away from the respective ends of the neck. In accordance with the present invention, this feature allows the arms of the clip to follow the contour of the outer surface of the golf bag and also to follow the contour of the sides and waist of the user when the clip is engaged against the sides of the waist of the user.

[0006] In accordance with another of the features of the present invention, the arms of the clip are rigid but flexible so as to allow the same to be grasped by a user and flexed laterally outwardly away from each other and then subsequently released by the user into their engaged position against the respective sides of the waist of the user. This feature allows the clip to accommodate differently sized waists and hips and allows the arms to exert a compressive force against the sides of the waist of the user in the engaged position of the clip.

[0007] In accordance with yet another of the features of the present invention, the clip support member is adapted for use on a golf bag which defines a longitudinal axis and the clip is oriented on the golf bag in a relationship wherein the clip and, more specifically, the neck thereof extends in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the golf bag. This allows the golf bag to be carried in an over-the-back generally horizontal relationship in both the disengaged and engaged positions of the clip support member.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clip support member is adapted for use with a golf bag including a spine, respective open and closed ends and an open interior therebetween and the clip support member comprises a clip defined by an elongate central neck and a pair of spaced-apart arms extending downwardly away from opposed ends of the neck and curving inwardly towards each other. The clip further defines a tongue depending downwardly away from the neck.

[0009] The clip support member further comprises at least one buckle secured to the outer surface of the golf bag and a jacket including at least one strap adapted to extend through the buckle for releasably securing the jacket to the outer surface of the golf bag in a relationship wherein the jacket extends in the same general direction as said spine of said golf bag. The jacket defines upper and lower flaps and a slit and the neck of the clip is adapted to be wrapped in the jacket and the tongue is adapted to be slid through the slit in the jacket for releasably securing the clip in the jacket in a relationship wherein the neck of the clip extends in the same general direction as the spine of the golf bag and the arms of the clip extend in a direction generally opposite the direction of the spine of the golf bag.

[0010] In this embodiment, the clip is rotatable about the outer surface of the golf bag between a first disengaged position where the arms of the clip hang down against, and follow the contour of, the outer surface of the golf bag and a second position where the arms of the clip have been rotated generally counterclockwise into a position generally tangent to the outer surface of the golf bag and the respective arms are engaged against the respective sides of the waist of the user.

[0011] Other advantages and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the FIGURES:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf bag incorporating the clip support member of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip of the clip support member shown in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 2 without its protective cushion sleeve;

[0016] FIG.4 is a front elevational view of the clip shown in FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the clip shown in FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the clip shown in FIG. 2;

[0019] FIG. 7 is right side elevational view of the clip shown in FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a simplified perspective view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 with the clip of the clip support member shown in an exploded detached position away from the golf bag and the receiving jacket thereof in its open, detached position on the golf bag;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a simplified perspective view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 with the clip of the clip support member shown in its releasably fitted relationship within the jacket of the clip support member of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view depicting the golf bag of FIG. 1 suspended in an over-the-back generally horizontal relationship from the shoulders of a user with the clip support member shown in its hanging disengaged position against and following the contour of the outer surface of the golf bag;

[0023] FIG. 10A is a simplified side elevational view depicting the relationship and cooperation between the tongue of the clip and the spine of the golf bag in the hanging disengaged orientation of the clip support member of FIG. 10;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view depicting the manner in which the arms of the clip are flexed apart from each other and rotated between the disengaged position of FIG. 10 and the engaged position of FIGS. 12-14;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 suspended from the shoulders of a user with the arms of the clip of the clip support member in their engaged position against the respective sides of the torso/waist of the user;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 suspended from the shoulders of a user with the clip in its engaged, tangent position relative to the outer surface of the golf bag;

[0027] FIG. 13A is a simplified front elevational view depicting the relationship and cooperation between the tongue of the clip and the spine of the golf bag in the engaged position of the clip support member of FIG. 13; and

[0028] FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 suspended from the shoulders of a user with the clip of the clip support member of the present invention in its engaged position and the tongue thereof wedged behind the spine of the golf bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described herein below in detail is a preferred embodiment of the clip support member of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiment and encompasses, for example, other embodiments and applications including the use and incorporation of the subject clip in association with an article such as a back pack.

[0030] It is also understood that the Figures herein do not necessarily show or describe details of the golf bag or the clip support member of the present invention that are known in the art and that will be recognized by those skilled in the art as such. The detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention. Accordingly, such elements are herein represented, shown, and described herein only to the degree necessary to aid in an understanding of the features of the clip support member of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a golf bag, generally designated 20, incorporating a clip support member 30 in accordance with the present invention.

[0032] Golf bag 20 is constructed and structured as is known in the art and as such includes a closed lower end or base 32, an upper open end 34, and an open elongate generally tubular interior or body 35 therebetween defined by an outer generally cylindrically shaped surface 36 which is made of a suitable waterproof, durable material.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and, as known in the art, the golf bag 20 includes and incorporates an elongate interior spine or rod 38 which extends the length of the bag 20 between the rim defining the open upper end 34 and the lower closed base 32. Spine 38 preferably extends along the length of the top edge of the golf bag body 35. As is known in the art, spine 38 provides support and rigidity to the central bag body 35 which, as also known in the art, is adapted to receive and house golf clubs (see FIG. 1). Golf bag 20 additionally defines a central longitudinal axis 44 which extends centrally through the ends 32 and 34 and body 35 of bag 20 in a relationship spaced from and generally parallel to the spine 38.

[0034] In accordance with the present invention as shown in FIGS. 2-7, the clip support member 30 initially comprises a clip 31 which, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, is defined by an elongate, interior generally rectangularly shaped rod or strip 37 made of any suitable rigid but yet flexible material such as aluminum, steel, plastic, composite or the like which has been shaped and bent into the generally "C" shape configuration shown in FIGS. 2-7. It is understood of course that the rod 37 may also take the form of a round elongate shaft or any other form, shape, or configuration suitable for providing the functions and intended uses of the clip as described in more detail below.

[0035] Clip 31 is defined by an elongate central base or neck 46 which extends unitarily into a pair of opposed distal curved or arcuate shoulders 47 and 49 which, in turn, extend unitarily into a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, generally curved or arcuate waist and/or hip engaging arms 48 and 50 respectively. The arms 48 and 50 terminate unitarily into free distal end or wrists 54 and 56 respectively which, as described in more detail below, define handles adapted to be grasped by the hands of a user when disengaging or engaging the clip 31 as also described in more detail below.

[0036] When viewed from, for example, the perspective of FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, it is understood that the arms 48 and 50 of the generally "C" shaped clip 31 curve or arc simultaneously downwardly and inwardly away from the respective ends of the neck 46 and, more specifically, the ends of the respective shoulders 47 and 49. Stated another way, the arms 48 and 50 curve and arc inwardly towards each other as they curve and arc downwardly away from the ends of the neck 46 thereof. In the embodiment shown, the arms 48 and 50 are positioned in a spaced-apart and diametrically opposed mirror image relationship and are adapted to follow not only the contour of the golf bag outer surface but also the contour of a user's sides and waist as described in more detail below.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, clip 31 additionally defines an elongate tongue/plate/finger 58 depending and extending generally vertically normally downwardly from the center of the neck 46 of the clip 31. Tongue 58 is preferably made of the same type of material as the rod 37.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, a pouch or the like cushioning or protective structure 60 is adapted to be inserted over and surround the tongue 58. Pouch 60 defines an interior pocket 62 adapted to receive the tongue 58 when the pouch 60 is slid over the tongue 58. A top flap 64 on pouch 60 is adapted to be wrapped around the top of the neck 46 after the pouch 60 has been slid over the tongue 58. Suitable means for securing the flap 64 to the pocket 62 after it has been wrapped around the top of the rod 37 such as, for example, cooperating strips 65 and 67 of Velcro or the like hook and loop type material are secured to the outer surface of the flap 64 and the pocket 62 of pouch 60 for releasably securing and holding the pouch 60 over the tongue 58.

[0039] A sleeve 69 (FIG. 2) comprised of a thickened, foam-like, comfort, protective, cushioning, waterproof material surrounds and covers the rod 37.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is understood that the clip support member 30 additionally incorporates suitable means such as, for example, a jacket 66 adapted to allow the releasable securement of the clip 31 to the outer surface 36 of the golf bag 30 in the manner described in more detail below. In the embodiment shown, jacket 66 is defined by an elongate, flexible, generally rectangularly shaped pad 67 which may be made of the same material as pouch 60 and sleeve 69 which includes and is defined by an upper or top flap 68 and a lower or bottom flap 70. A strip of Velcro or the like securing material 71 extends along the top, outer edge of flap 68 while a cooperating strip of Velcro or the like securing material 73 extends along the bottom inner edge of flap 70.

[0041] Jacket 66 is still further defined by a pair of elongate straps 76 and 78 secured to and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof. In the embodiment shown, respective strips 80 and 82 of Velcro hook and loop type or other suitable securement material are secured to the respective interior faces of the distal ends of straps 76 and 78. The straps 76 and 78 extend away from the outer surface of the jacket 66 in a spaced-apart and parallel relationship and include respective proximal ends which are suitably secured to the jacket 66 as by stitching or the like. Jacket 66 additionally defines a central slit 79 through which the tongue 58 of the clip 31 is adapted to be inserted when the clip 31 is fitted in the jacket 66 as described in more detail below.

[0042] The clip support member 30 is still further defined by and incorporates a pair of buckles 84 and 86 secured to the outer surface 36 of the golf bag 30 in a spaced-apart and co-linear relationship along the top edge of the golf bag body 35 and, more specifically, over the region of the golf bag body 35 which overlies the spine 38 adjacent the top open end or rim 34 of the golf bag 20. In accordance with the present invention, jacket 66 is releasably secured to the body 35 of golf bag 20 by extending the distal ends of respective straps 76 and 78 through the respective eyes of respective buckles 84 and 86.

[0043] Clip 31 is releasably secured to the outer surface 36 of golf bag 20 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and described in more detail below. Initially and, as shown in FIG. 8, the neck 46 of clip 31 is adapted to fitted and positioned within and against the interior face of the jacket 66 in a relationship wherein the tongue 58 of clip 31 extends through the slit 79 defined in the jacket 66. The top flap 68 of jacket 66 is then adapted to be wrapped around the neck 46 of clip 31 followed by the wrapping of bottom flap 70 around the neck 46 and over the edge of the top flap 68. The strips 71 and 73 of Velcro or the like securing material on respective flaps 68 and 70 releasably secure the flap 70 to the flap 68 and thus the neck 46 of the clip 31 inside the jacket 66. The distal ends of respective straps 76 and 78 are then adapted to be pulled away from the outer surface 36 of the bag 20 until the outside face of the jacket 66 is positioned and seated against the outer surface 36 of the golf bag 20 as shown in FIG. 9. Straps 76 and 78 are then rotated in a clockwise direction around the outer surface of jacket 66 into engagement with the flap 70 of jacket 66.

[0044] Strips 80 and 82 of Velcro or the like securement material on the inner edges of the distal ends of straps 76 and 78 cooperate with respective strips 101 and 103 of Velcro or the like cooperating securement material on the outer edge of flap 70 for firmly and tightly releasably securing the jacket 66 to the bag 20 and thus the clip 31 to the bag 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the clip 31 is adapted to be secured to an upper portion of the outer surface 36 of the body 35 of the golf bag 20 adjacent the upper open end or rim 34 thereof in a relationship wherein the clip 31 and, more specifically, the neck 46 of the clip 31 extends in the same general direction as both the spine 38 and longitudinal axis 44 of the bag 20 so as in part to allow the golf bag 20 to be carried in a generally horizontal over-the-back relationship in both the disengaged and engaged positions of the clip 31 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13 and described in more detail below. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 9, the neck 46 is positioned adjacent and generally parallel to the spine 38 of the golf bag 20 and the arms 48 and 50 of the clip 31 are positioned in an orientation and direction generally opposite and normal to both the spine 38 and longitudinal axis 44 of the golf bag 20. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 9, the arm 48 is positioned adjacent and generally parallel to the upper open end or rim 34 of the golf bag 20.

[0046] The method of using the bag 20 incorporating the clip support member 30 and clip 31 of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10-14. Initially, it is understood that golf bag 20 incorporates shoulder straps 90 and 92 which, as known in the art, are adapted to allow the golf bag 20 to be carried in the over-the-back horizontal relationship and orientation shown in FIG. 10 where the golf bag 20 is positioned in a generally horizontal relationship with the body 35 of the bag 20 seated against the small of the user's back and above the hips of the user.

[0047] As is well known, the weight of today's golf bags is supported almost entirely by the golf bag's shoulder straps which, of course, causes all of the weight of the bag and golf clubs therein to be suspended and concentrated in the shoulders and upper back of the user. This, of course, places an undue amount of stress on the shoulders and the upper back of the individual carrying the bag and often results in injuries thereto particularly where the weight of the bag and clubs is disproportionate to the strength of the shoulders and/or upper back of the user.

[0048] It is also known that the waist and/or hips of a person are better suited than the shoulders and/or upper back of a person from a physical, structural and location standpoint for supporting and/or carrying the weight of a golf bag or other article. The present invention advantageously recognizes the increased strength of the waist and/or hips of a user of a golf bag and causes the weight of the golf bag and clubs to be transferred and redistributed successively through the shoulder straps, the bag, the clip and, more particularly, the arms 48 and 50 thereof, and then to the waist and/or hips of the user.

[0049] Referring back to FIG. 10, in its disengaged position, the clip 31 of the clip support member 30 and, more particularly, the arms 48 and 50 thereof, are seated and hang down against and follow the contour of the outer surface 36 of the golf bag 20. The downward and inward curve and arc of the arms 48 and 50 relative to the neck 46 thereof allows the arms 48 and 50 to follow the contour of the outer surface 36 of the bag 20 to minimize any interference by the arms and increase comfort of use.

[0050] In accordance with the present invention, clip 31 may be made from any suitable shape memory or flexible material which allows the arms 48 and 50 thereof to be flexed laterally outwardly away from each other when the wrists 54 and 56 of the arms 48 and 50 are grasped by the user as shown in FIG. 11 so as to allow the clip 31 to expand and accommodate differently sized waists and/or hips as the clip 31 is rotated from the disengaged position of FIG. 10 to the engaged position of FIG. 13.

[0051] It is understood, of course, that when the wrists 54 and 56 of the arms 48 and 50 of the clip 31 are released following rotation of the arms of the clip 31 into their generally tangent position relative to the outer surface of the bag 20, the arms 48 and 50 will, as a result of their shape memory or bent configuration, tend to flex, contract, or spring back towards each other and into engagement with the respective sides of the waist/torso of the user (as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) thus resulting in the application of an engagement or compressive spring action or force against the waist/sides of the user which further enhances the weight transfer and support characteristics of the clip support member 30 of the present invention.

[0052] In the position of FIGS. 12 and 13, the clip 31 is supported and engaged in a relationship wherein the neck 46 extends across the small of the back of the user, the respective shoulders 47 and 49 are engaged against and follow the comers of the small of the user's back, the respective arms 48 and 50 are engaged against and follow the contour of the respective opposed sides of the user's waist, and the respective wrists 54 and 56 are engaged against and follow the contour of, opposed portions of the front of the user's stomach. Moreover, in the engaged position of FIGS. 12 and 13, the respective lower faces of the respective arms 48 and 50 are seated against the top of the respective opposed hips of the user.

[0053] Still further and in accordance with another of the features of the present invention, in the disengaged configuration of the clip 31 shown in FIGS. 10 and 10A, the distal free end of the tongue 58 of the clip 31 is adapted to extend around the top edge of the golf bag body 35 and into engagement with the spine 38 so as to provide and define a stop which limits and arrests the rotation of the clip 31 to the preferred generally tangent position of the clip 31 relative to the outer surface 36 of the bag 30. Moreover, and as shown in FIG. 13A, the rotation of clip 31 between its disengaged and engaged positions, causes the distal free end of the tongue 58 to bend and flex against the spine 38. This, of course, provides the still further additional advantage of allowing the clip 31 to naturally spring back into its disengaged position against the outer surface of the golf bag 20 when the use either removes the clip 31 from his/her waist and/or removes the bag from his/her back.

[0054] It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention and that the invention encompasses other suitable clip, jacket, buckle and securement structures other than the structures and Velcro hook and loop type material disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A clip adapted for use with an article adapted to be carried in an over-the-back relationship, the clip comprising an elongate neck and a pair of arms extending away from opposed ends of the neck in a spaced-apart relationship, the arms curving inwardly towards each other as they extend downwardly away from the respective ends of the neck.

2. The clip of claim 1 wherein the article is a golf bag and the arms are adapted to follow the contour of the outer surface of the golf bag.

3. The clip of claim 1 further comprising a bracket for releasably securing the clip to the outer surface of the golf bag.

4. The clip of claim 3 wherein said bracket comprises a jacket defining upper and lower flexible flaps, the neck of the clip being adapted to be received in said jacket and said upper and lower flaps being adapted to be wrapped around said neck of said clip.

5. The clip of claim 4 further comprising at least one buckle for releasably securing said jacket to the outer surface of said golf bag, said jacket including at least one strap adapted to extend through said buckle for releasably securing said jacket to said golf bag.

6. The clip of claim 5 wherein said golf bag defines a longitudinal axis and the clip is releasably secured to the golf bag in a relationship wherein the neck thereof extends in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the golf bag.

7. The clip of claim 6 wherein said clip is rotatable about the outer surface of the golf bag between a first position wherein said arms hang downwardly against the outer surface of the golf bag and a second position wherein said arms have been rotated counterclockwise into a position generally tangent to the outer surface of the golf bag and said arms are adapted to engage against the sides of the waist of the user of the golf bag.

8. The clip of claim 7 wherein said neck and said arms thereof are defined by a continuous elongate strip of material which has been appropriately bent and curved to define said neck and said arms and exert a force against the sides of the waist of the user in said second position of said clip and said arms.

9. The clip of claim 8 further comprising a protective sleeve surrounding said neck and said arms of said clip.

10. A clip adapted for use on an article adapted to be carried by a user in an over-the-back relationship and secured thereto so as to allow engagement thereof with the waist of the user, the clip comprising a pair of opposed rigid but flexible arms adapted to be grasped by a user and flexed laterally outwardly away from each other and then subsequently released by the user into their engaged position against the respective sides of the waist of the user.

11. The clip of claim 10 wherein said arms are made of a shape memory material.

12. The clip of claim 10 further comprising an elongate neck which connects said opposed arms, the arms curving simultaneously downwardly and inwardly away from said neck and being adapted to wrap around the respective sides of the waist of the user.

13. The clip of claim 10 wherein the article is a golf bag defining a longitudinal axis and the clip is adapted to be secured to the golf bag in a relationship wherein said arms thereof extend in a direction generally opposite the direction of the longitudinal axis of the golf bag.

14. A golf bag defining a longitudinal axis and incorporating a waist engaging clip defined by a neck and opposed spaced apart arms, said clip being oriented on said golf bag in a relationship wherein said clip extends in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the golf bag.

15. The golf bag of claim 14 further comprising a bracket adapted to releasably secure said clip to the outer surface of the golf bag, said clip being rotatable about an outer surface of the golf bag between a first position wherein said arms hang down against the outer surface of the golf bag and a second position wherein said arms are disposed away from the outer surface of the golf bag in a position generally tangent to the outer surface of the golf bag.

16. The golf bag of claim 15 wherein said bracket is defined by a jacket with flaps and a slit, said neck of said clip being adapted to be wrapped in said jacket and said clip including a tongue adapted to extend through said slit in said jacket when said clip is wrapped in said jacket, said golf bag further comprising a spine extending therethrough in a relationship generally parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, said clip being secured to said golf bag in a relationship wherein said tongue cooperates with said spine to limit the rotation of said clip relative to the outer surface of the golf bag.

17. The golf bag of claim 16 further comprising at least one buckle secured to the outer surface of the golf bag, the jacket including at least one strap adapted to extend through an eye of said buckle for removably securing said jacket to the outer surface of said golf bag.

18. A rigid support member adapted for use with a golf bag including a spine and defining respective open and closed ends and an open interior therebetween, said support member comprising: a clip defined by an elongate central neck and a pair of spaced-apart arms extending downwardly away from opposed ends of said neck and curving inwardly towards each other, said clip further defining a tongue depending downwardly away from said neck; at least one buckle secured to the outer surface of the golf bag; a jacket including at least one strap adapted to extend through said buckle for releasably securing said jacket to the outer surface of the golf bag in a relationship wherein said jacket extends in the same general direction as said spine of said golf bag, said jacket defining upper and lower flaps and a slit, said neck of said clip being adapted to be wrapped in said jacket and said tongue being adapted to be slid through said slit in said jacket for releasably securing said clip in said jacket in a relationship wherein said neck of said clip extends in the same general direction as said spine of said golf bag and said arms of said clip extend in a direction generally opposite the direction of said spine of said golf bag, said clip being rotatable about the outer surface of the golf bag between a first disengaged position wherein said arms of said clip hang down against the outer surface of the golf bag and a second position wherein said arms of said clip have been rotated generally counterclockwise into a position generally tangent to the outer surface of the golf bag and the respective arms are engaged against the respective sides of the torso of the user.

19. The support member of claim 18 further comprising a pocket adapted to cover said tongue of said clip.

20. The support member of claim 18 wherein said clip is defined by an elongate strip of rigid material which has been appropriately bent to define said neck and said arms, said support member further comprising a protective sleeve surrounding said strip of rigid material.