U.S. patent application number 11/754452 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for accessory golf bag.
Invention is credited to Oscar R. Polo.
Application Number | 20080296185 11/754452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40086905 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080296185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Polo; Oscar R. |
December 4, 2008 |
Accessory Golf Bag
Abstract
A dual golf bag combination (whole golf bag), consisting of a
main golf bag coupled to an accessory golf bag. The female coupler
is the top of the main bag and the male coupler is the top of the
accessory bag. The coupling and uncoupling of the two bags is easy
to accomplish multiple times during a round of golf. When coupled
the two bags are well secured to each other and the whole bag can
be carried during a round of golf.
Inventors: |
Polo; Oscar R.; (Portland,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSCAR R. POLO
3333 S.E. CRYSTAL SPRINGS BLVD.
PORTLAND
OR
97202
US
|
Family ID: |
40086905 |
Appl. No.: |
11/754452 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/315.7 ;
206/315.3; 224/583 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 55/40 20151001;
A63B 55/408 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/315.7 ;
206/315.3; 224/583 |
International
Class: |
A63B 55/00 20060101
A63B055/00 |
Claims
1. A golf bag having a length appropriate for carrying golf clubs,
with an open top and a closed base, comprising of a main larger
golf bag coupled to a smaller accessory golf bag along one length
of both bags. The accessory golf bag is cylindrical in shape and
has a closed base. The main golf bag has the imprint of the
accessory bag along the length that is coupled. The closed base of
the main bag extends under the base of the accessory bag as a
hollowed out platform of slightly larger but symmetric outside
dimensions as the base of the accessory bag. There is a coupling
mechanism at the top of both bags. The imprint at the top of the
main bag is the female coupler and is made of a firm, strong
material with minimum flexibility. It has an open end on its
perimeter of a length less than the length of the diameter of the
male coupler. The male coupler is at the top of the accessory bag.
It is made of a strong, flexible material that retains its memory
so that it can compress through the female coupler and return to
its normal cylindrical shape when it is fully coupled or uncoupled.
The male coupler also functions as the saddle of the accessory bag.
The saddle has a golf club partition centrally located extending
the full diameter of the male coupler in a direction parallel to
the opening length of the female coupler. The club partition has a
compressible spring within it capable of compressing through the
opening of the female coupler. Also, the female coupler has a lip
extending over the male coupler when they are fully engaged. The
retaining strap from the golf cart wraps around the main bag and
through a number of strap loops located on the coupling side of the
main bag.
2. The golf bag in claim 1 where the base of both golf bags are
coupled in a similar fashion as the coupling mechanism at the top
of both bags.
3. The golf bag in claims 1 where the coupling mechanism works
where by the female coupler is more flexible by material and or
spring loading and opens wider as the male coupler is being passed
through. The male coupler may or may not be compressible.
4. The golf bag in claims 1 where the male coupler is made by a
strong, flexible material, with good memory, such as the alloy
nitnol, and may or may not have a compressible club partition.
5. The golf bag in claims 1 with a golf club partition made of a
flexible rod, such as nitnol, rather than a compressible spring,
that bends as the male coupler compresses through the female
coupler.
6. The golf bag in claim 1 where the top female coupler does not
have a lip that extends over the male coupler.
7. The golf bag in claim 1 where the platform of the base has a
convex shape and the base of the accessory bag has a matching
concave shape or vise versa.
8. The golf bag in claim 1 where the platform of the base has an
opening on one side large enough for the pedal of a golf bag stand
to protrude through and can be used to orient the accessory bag
correctly for coupling with the main bag.
9. The golf bag in claim 1 where the accessory bag has more of an
oval shape rather than a cylindrical shape.
10. The golf bag in claims 1 where there is a handle and/or carry
strap on the side of the accessory bag that couples to the main
bag.
11. The golf bag in claims 1 and 8 that has a golf bag stand with
protruding pedal attached to the accessory bag opposite the side of
the handle and/or carry strap and can be used when carrying the
whole bag or accessory bag.
12. The golf bag in claims 1 where there is a handle on the top of
the accessory bag opposite the coupling side of both bags that is
used for pulling and lifting the accessory bag off of the main
bag.
13. The golf bag in claim 1 where there is a handle that extends
above the saddle of the main bag and is used for pushing the main
bag as the accessory bag is pulled away from the main bag.
Description
REFERENCE CITED
TABLE-US-00001 [0001] 4858761 August 1989 Fumia 4911292 March 1990
Airey, Jr. 5358109 October 1994 Nichols 5472084 December 1995
Aliano, Jr. 5540431 July 1996 Crozier 5632496 May 1997 Nelson
5918737 July 1999 Kwon 6098769 August 2000 Yen 6149041 November
2000 Perino et al 6640970 November 2003 Townsend Jr. 6758334 July
2004 Uner, et al 2002/0066763 June 2002 Hsuen WO 91/18650 December
1991 WO
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention is a dual golf bag combination of a main golf
bag and a smaller attached accessory golf bag (carry bag) that can
easily be removed and replaced multiple times during a round of
golf.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] When sharing a golf cart with another golfer you are limited
by having to walk to the golf cart to grab the right club for every
golf shot. Frequently the golf cart is at a long distance from
where your golf ball is located, requiring you to walk this
distance to grab the appropriate club. Alternatively, you can grab
more than one club from your bag and take them with you to where
your ball lies. However, by taking more than one club you must drop
the extra clubs on the grass, and possibly get the grips wet.
Furthermore, by leaving loose clubs lying on the grass one runs the
risk of leaving a club behind. With an accessory bag available you
can carry the extra clubs from the golf cart to your ball and the
above problems can be prevented. Ideally an accessory golf bag is
built into the main bag and therefore, does not take extra room to
carry. Also, the accessory bag should not add very much weight to
the main bag. Furthermore, since the accessory bag will be removed
multiple times during a round of golf it should be easy to remove
and reattach to the main bag and when attached it should be well
secured so that it does not move or become detached from the main
bag as the golf cart is moving or if the main bag is carried during
a round.
[0004] Uner & Schuneman (U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,334) and Husen
(U.S. Pat. No. 2002/0066763) disclosed accessory built in carry
bags with different coupling mechanisms. Some of these described
mechanisms are impractical to use, because they may be time
consuming or difficult to accomplish the attachment multiple times
during a round of golf. Also, other coupling mechanisms described
may not be strong enough to hold the accessory bag in place and may
detach spontaneously with excessive movement of the main bag.
Finally, in the Uner & Schuneman patent the sides of the two
bags that are to be coupled need to have firm surfaces for
successful coupling. This can add unnecessary weight to the
bag.
[0005] The present invention described uses the entire perimeter of
the most superior part of the accessory bag (male coupler) to
couple with the most superior part of the main bag (female
coupler). Therefore, no other coupling system is necessary,
resulting in a much easier, faster, and more secure method of
attaching and detaching the two bags and at the same time reducing
the weight of the bag so that it is lighter to carry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to simplify the
mechanism of attaching and detaching the accessory bag from the
main bag so that it is easy for the golfer to accomplish this task
multiple times during a golf round. Ideally, the detaching and
reattaching the accessory bag to the main bag should be about as
easy as removing and replacing a golf club from and into the bag.
Also, when the two bags are coupled they should function as one
bag. The bags should be securely attached and will not
unintentionally uncouple with excessive motion of the whole bag,
such as when it is being carried during a golf round.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The drawings used to help describe the invention are
detailed below:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a drawing of the whole golf bag (coupled main and
accessory bags). Aesthetically the attached bags should have the
appearance of one bag. The accessories include a shoulder strap to
carry the whole bag, a hidden hand strap to carry the accessory bag
a golf bag stand that can be used for both the accessory or whole
bag and two slits opposite each other for the golf cart strap to go
through. There is also a pull-out handle on the accessory bag and a
push-in handle on the main bag.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a drawing of the accessory bag separate from the
main bag.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a drawing of the accessory bag with the golf bag
stand open.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a drawing of a top down view of the upper coupling
of the two bags. A spring loaded club divider can be seen in the
accessory bag. Magnified views of two examples of the divider are
included as part of the drawing.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a series of drawings of the upper bags coupling
system. 5A illustrates the male coupler at maximum compression. 5B
illustrates the couplers coupled. Included is a drawing of how the
perimeter of the coupling system, appearing seamless when coupled.
Included is a lip extending from the female coupler over the male
coupler. 5C is a magnified drawing of a side view of segment of
5B.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a drawing of the base of the main bag, including
the circular platform where the accessory bag will rest. An open
space on the platforms perimeter is illustrated.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating two different methods of
attaching the golf cart strap to the main bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 5A and 5B the present invention uses
the entire perimeter of the most superior aspect of the accessory
bag, 3 (male coupler, 1) to couple with the imprint of the
accessory bag on the main bag (female coupler, 2), also located in
the most superior aspect of the main bag, 4. For purposes of this
description the male coupler, 1 can be circular and fits in snuggly
into the female coupler, 2. As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B the female
coupler, 2 will have an open side on its perimeter that is less
than the diameter of the male coupler, 1 but large enough for the
male coupler to compress through. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 the
male coupler, 1 is the accessory golf bag's saddle, 3 and the
female coupler, 2 is part of the main bags saddle, 4, inside which
club partitions are located. As seen in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, for
purposes of this description, the partition in the accessory, 5 bag
runs parallel to the opening length of the female coupler, 2. As
seen in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B this partition, 5 is spring loaded, so
that it compresses as the male coupler, 1 is being pushed or pulled
through the perimeter opening of the female coupler, 2. However,
once inside or outside of the female coupler the spring loaded
partition, 5 expands back to its natural state. Therefore, when
coupled the spring pushes the walls of the male coupler against the
walls of the female coupler, resulting in a tight, fit. Illustrated
in FIG. 4 and for the purpose of this description, the spring
loaded partition, 5 can be made of two circular tubes one of
slightly smaller diameter that slides inside the other. A
compressible spring can run inside the length of both tubes.
Alternatively, the partition in the accessory bag can be made from
a bendable material that retains its memory, such as certain
plastics, or an alloy, such as nitnol. Also, as illustrated in
FIGS. 5B, and 5C the perimeter of the female coupler, 2 can extend
over the perimeter of the male coupler, 1 as a lip, 6 to prevent
the accessory bag, 10 from sliding out if turned upside down. As
seen in FIGS. 5A and B The perimeter of the accessory bags saddle
(male coupler, 1) must be constructed out of a flexible material
capable of compressing and changing shape as it passes through the
narrow opening of the female coupler, 2 and then return to its
normal shape once inside or outside the female coupler. One way to
accomplish this function is to line the perimeter of the accessory
bags saddle with a flexible, yet strong material made out of an
alloy, such as nitnol. Nitnol will keep its memory and strength
after multiple passes through the female coupler. The base or more
distal end of both the main and accessory bags can also be coupled
in a similar fashion. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 6, the base of
the main bag, 7 can extend under the base of the accessory bag, 8
and be a hollowed out platform with the same shape and of slightly
larger perimeter than the base of the accessory bag for a snug fit
when the base of the accessory bag sits inside it. In FIG. 1 the
action of removing the bag in the preferred embodiment is to first,
grab the pull handle, 19 on the accessory bag, 10 with one hand and
the push handle, 20 on the main bag, 9 with the other hand and pull
the upper most portion of the accessory bag towards you and then
lift the bag off the base of the main bag. As seen in FIG. 2,
reattaching the accessory bag to the main bag would be to first set
the bottom of the accessory bag, 8 on the base of the main bag, 7
coupling them together at the base and then push the upper end of
the accessory bag, 1 into the upper end of the main bag, 2 under
the lip that extends from the main bag, coupling them together at
the top. The pull handle, 19 can protrude from the top of the
accessory bag as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 & 5, or
alternatively it can be a slit in the same location large enough to
fit 4 fingers to lift and pull the accessory bag.
[0016] The golf bag is attached to the golf cart by a strap. In
this invention only the main bag will be attached to the golf cart.
Therefore, the strap will not hinder with the removal of the
accessory bag. Multiple ways could be used to attach the main bag
to the golf cart. In FIG. 7 two options are illustrated. The first
is to have slits on the side of the main bag, 12, which the strap
passes through from one end to the other. The second option shown
is the strap going around the main bag and through strap loops, 13
placed on the outside of the main bag that faces the accessory bag.
Once the strap is placed it should not interfere with the
attachment of the accessory bag to the main bag or interfere with
the placement of the golf clubs inside either bag.
[0017] FIGS. 1, 2, & 3 show that the accessory bag can have
other accessories on it, such as a handle, 14 to carry the bag.
This handle can be located on the coupling side of the bag, so that
it disappears from sight when the two bags are coupled. Also, the
accessory bag can have a golf bag stand, 15 to hold the bag up when
you set it on the ground. FIG. 1 shows that the stand, 15 is
located opposite the coupling side of the bag and can also be used
as a stand for the whole bag (coupled main and accessory bag).
FIGS. 6 & 7 show that the base of the main bag, 7 has an
opening on its perimeter, 17 large enough for the pedal of the golf
bag stand, 18 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, & 3, to protrude through and
can be used to orient the accessory bag correctly for coupling to
the main bag.
* * * * *