U.S. patent application number 13/159692 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for golf bag with expandable collar apertures.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUN MOUNTAIN SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Seth M. Enes, Eric W. Reimers.
Application Number | 20110303568 13/159692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45095361 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110303568 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reimers; Eric W. ; et
al. |
December 15, 2011 |
GOLF BAG WITH EXPANDABLE COLLAR APERTURES
Abstract
An expandable top collar system (10) for a golf bag (12) is
provided for providing one or more expandable apertures (36)
facilitating a smaller lateral aspect collapsed mode (14) and a
larger aspect expanded mode (16). The system (10) includes
expansion means (37) and securing means (49) associated with each
expandable aperture (36) so as to define the degree of aspect
expansion.
Inventors: |
Reimers; Eric W.; (Missoula,
MT) ; Enes; Seth M.; (Missoula, MT) |
Assignee: |
SUN MOUNTAIN SPORTS, INC.
Missoula
MT
|
Family ID: |
45095361 |
Appl. No.: |
13/159692 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61354507 |
Jun 14, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/315.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 55/40 20151001;
A63B 55/00 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/315.6 |
International
Class: |
A63B 55/00 20060101
A63B055/00 |
Claims
1. An expandable top system for a golf bag, comprising: a golf bag
collar structure, open to the top and presenting at least one
insertion aperture; wherein at least one of said insertion
apertures is provided with expansion means such that the opening
aspect of said insertion aperture may be extended to transform said
insertion aperture into an expandable aperture having an expanded
mode; and securing means are provided such that each expandable
aperture may be restored to a collapsed mode and maintained in said
collapsed mode.
2. The expandable top system of claim 1, wherein said expansion
means are selected from the group including: hinged segments,
telescoping joints, elastic rim segments, accordion segments and
rim windows.
3. The expandable top system of claim 1, wherein said collar
structure includes at least three of said insertion apertures, one
of said insertion apertures being a rear aperture normally adapted
to retain clubs adapted for driving and fairway use; and said rear
aperture is selected to be said expansion aperture.
4. The expandable top system of claim 1, wherein said collar
structure includes a circumferential rim and collar dividers which
separate said collar structure into a plurality of said insertion
apertures; and said expandable aperture includes a hingedly mounted
segment of said circumferential rim, said hingedly mounted segment
being pivotable so as to facilitate expansion of said expandable
aperture.
5. The expandable top system of claim 4, wherein said hingedly
mounted segment pivots on a pair of pivot pins and further includes
a slide slot, slide pin and thumb screw combination on each side of
said segment to adjust the degree which said hingedly mounted
segment pivots.
6. The expandable top system of claim 1, wherein said collar
structure is laterally divided into symmetrical halves, with each
half including a circumferential rim and a plurality of collar
dividers; and the portions of said circumferential rim and said
collar dividers on the adjacent portions of each said half are
joined together by telescope joints, with receiving tubes on one
said half and insertion segments on the other said half, such that
the halves may be pulled apart to a degree to create expanded open
aspects of some of said expandable apertures in an expanded mode,
or slid back together into a collapsed mode.
7. The expandable top system of claim 6, and further including at
least one spacer block to maintain said halves in a spaced-apart
juxtaposition in said expanded mode.
8. The expandable top system of claim 7, and further including at
least one securing mechanism to maintain said halves in a closely
joined juxtaposition in said collapsed mode.
9. An aperture expansion system for a golf bag, comprising:
expansion means incorporated into one or more club insertion
apertures in the collar of a golf bag in order to transform said
insertion aperture into an expandable aperture such that said
expandable aperture can present a greater open aspect in an
expanded mode; and securing means for operating in conjunction with
said expansion means to limit and restrict said expansion aperture
between said expansion mode and a collapsed mode.
10. The aperture expansion system of claim 9, wherein said
expansion means is selected from the group including hinged
segments, telescoping joints, elastic rim segments, accordion
segments and rim windows.
11. The aperture expansion system of claim 9, wherein said
expansion means is in the form of a hingedly mounted segment, being
pivotally mounted on the circumferential rim of said collar such
that said segment pivots outward to an expanded mode, or pivots
back inward to a collapsed mode.
12. The aperture expansion system of claim 11, and further
including a curved plate mounted on said circumferential rim by a
pair of pivot pins and including at least one a slide slot; at
least one slide pin mounted on said circumferential rim for mating
with a corresponding said slide slot; and a thumbscrew associated
with each said slid post to tighten on said slide post to secure a
desired orientation of said slide post within corresponding said
slot.
13. The aperture expansion system of claim 9, wherein said collar
is laterally divided into symmetrical halves, with each said half
including a circumferential rim and a plurality of collar dividers
to define a plurality of said expandable apertures; and said
expansion means is in the form of telescope joints joining said
halves at interface locations such that said halves may be pulled
apart to a degree to create expanded open aspects of some of said
expandable apertures formed therebetween in an expanded mode, or
slid back together into a collapsed mode.
14. The aperture expansion system of claim 13, and further
including at least one spacer block to maintain said halves in a
spaced-apart juxtaposition in said expanded mode; and said securing
means are selected from the group including: securing straps and
buckles, mating forks and receptacles; and Velcro.TM. type
fasteners
15. The aperture expansion system of claim 13, and further
including a turnbuckle associated with each telescope joint to
maintain said halves in a spaced-apart juxtaposition in said
expanded mode and to secure said halves together in said collapsed
mode.
16. The aperture expansion system of claim 9, wherein said
expansion means is an accordion segment of collar rim adapted to
unfold outward into a pouch.
17. The aperture expansion system of claim 9, wherein said
expansion means is an elastic portion of collar rim adapted to
stretch outward into said expanded mode; and said securing means is
a rim guard sleeve restricting elastic expansion of said elastic
portion in said collapsed mode.
Description
[0001] This is a non-provisional application claiming priority from
a provisional application (U.S. Ser. No. 61/354,507) filed on 14
Jun. 2010 by the same inventors.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to golf equipment
and particularly to golf bags.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The heads of golf clubs, particularly "woods" (most of which
are actually now metal or composites) and hybrid (irons) have
increased dramatically from those known a decade or more ago. With
the advent of lighter materials and improved hollow head
construction techniques, it has become feasible and desirable to
make clubs with larger striking surfaces and much greater head
volumes. In addition, shaft materials have also become more
delicate in terms of abrasive contact and it is more desirable than
ever to minimize rubbing together of shafts within the golf bag.
Further, bulkier head covers for clubs are more fashionable. All of
these factors increase the volume required at the top of a golf bag
in order to optimally accommodate modern sets of club.
[0004] One approach to dealing with this issue is to simply use
greater diameter golf bags. This solution comes with its own
disadvantages, such as fitting into golf carts and storage
locations, such as lockers and automotive trunks.
[0005] Accordingly, much room remains for improvement in resolving
the crowding of the golf club head when stored in a golf bag.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved golf bag for providing improved accessibility
to golf clubs during use.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide one or more
expandable roomy club insertion apertures in the golf bag
collar.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
golf bag having an adjustable top shape so as to provide an
optional expansion of one or more apertures to facilitate access to
and minimize interference among club heads and club head
covers.
[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a golf bag
which has a smaller collar aspect in a collapsed mode during
construction, shipping and storage, while having a greater width
aspect during use in an expanded mode, in order to provide
additional room for club heads and access thereto.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide an option to
the golfer to use the bag in either collapsed or expanded mode.
[0011] Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention
is an expandable bag top system particularly adapted for use on the
collar portion of a golf bag. The system includes a collar with a
circumferential rim and variety of dividers which provide for
multiple club insertion apertures, where the club shafts are placed
through the apertures into the body of the bag, at least one of the
apertures being an expandable aperture. The collar system is
adapted to be in a collapsed mode for storage, shipping and compact
use and an expanded mode, to provide the greatest room for the club
heads and covers. The inventive system provides that one or more of
the club insertion apertures is radially expandable to present an
aperture opening with an increased area aspect. To facilitate this
expansion, the circumferential rim may be provided with any of a
wide variety of modifications which facilitate increasing the arc
length of the segment associated with the particular opening. A
nonexclusive listing of some appropriate expansion mechanisms for
the rim segments includes: telescoping interfaces between rim
segments; accordion connectors; expansion joints; hinged panels;
elastic portions and others. In appropriate versions, limiting
structures may be provided to limit the amount of expansion and
securing structures to hold the collar in the compressed mode. The
collar system is adapted for use on any type of generally tubular
golf bag.
[0012] An advantage of the present invention is that it is
collapsible in order to store in a compact form in a compressed
mode while expanding to provide wide club openings facilitating
access and preventing interference between clubs and head covers in
the golf bag in its expanded mode.
[0013] Another advantage of the invention is that it provides a
"normal" aspect or footprint for shipping in standard shipping
boxes, while facilitating an expanded aspect when in use.
[0014] An additional advantage of the invention is that it is
particularly adapted for use for golf bags carried on riding carts
where the clubs are stored vertically and have maximal likelihood
of interference with adjacent clubs in the bag.
[0015] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the
expanded apertures work with modern oversized club head and bulky
headcovers by providing greater lateral room at the volume near the
insertion points of the golf bag.
[0016] Still another advantage of the present invention is that it
facilitates aperture expansion in multiple directions, to
accommodate the space available.
[0017] A further advantage of the invention is that club insertion
into and removal from the golf bag is made easier for the user.
[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of
the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out
the invention and the industrial applicability of the preferred
embodiments as described herein and as illustrated in the several
figures of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The purposes and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction
with the appended drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the expanded mode of
the expandable bag top system of one preferred embodiment of the
present invention, shown installed upon a typical golf bag;
[0021] FIG. 2. is a top view of the preferred embodiment, shown in
the expanded mode;
[0022] FIG. 3. is a side view of a presently preferred invention
shown in the collapsed mode;
[0023] FIG. 4. is a side view of a presently preferred invention
shown in the expanded mode;
[0024] FIG. 5. is a top view of a first alternate embodiment, shown
in collapsed mode;
[0025] FIG. 6. is a top view of a first alternate embodiment, shown
in expanded mode;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a fanciful illustration of a turnbuckle; and
[0027] FIG. 8 is a fanciful top view showing further alternate
embodiments of the inventive expandable top system.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention is an expandable top aperture system
for a golf bag to provide better access to and mutual protection of
golf clubs carried therein. The expandable top aperture system is
referred to by the general reference character 10 in the drawings
and description. The expandable bag top system 10 may be
incorporated into various golf bags and may exist in multiple
embodiments.
[0029] The following description refers to all of the figures of
the drawing, with occasional specific reference to one or more of
the figures to address particular features which are primarily or
exclusively shown in that figure.
[0030] In one preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in
the drawings, the expandable aperture system 10 is shown in
perspective view of FIG. 1 as attached to the upper portion of a
typical golf bag 12, in this case, an A-ONE.TM. model golf bag from
Sun Mountain Sports, Inc. of Missoula, Mont. Although the
expandable aperture system 10 is an integral part of the golf bag
12, the great majority of the golf bag 12 is not a part of the
invention, but is shown to illustrate how the invention is
typically used. The golf bag 12 will typically contain a number
(usually fourteen) of golf clubs 13 (see FIG. 1).
[0031] The expandable aperture system 10 will exist in two distinct
and different modes. A compact collapsed mode 14, illustrated in
FIG. 3, provides essentially the same radial aspect as a
conventional golf bag top. The compact mode 14 is maintained when
the bag is shipped (in order to fit in standard packing boxes) or
for storage in limited volume circumstances, such as in a vehicle
trunk or locker. An expanded mode 16, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4,
provides a larger lateral area aspect and is used by the golfer
when it is desirable to provide greater "elbow room" for the club
heads and headcovers associated with the golf clubs, such as when
being used on a course.
[0032] Almost all golf bags 12 include a top collar through which
the clubs 13 are inserted, shaft down, into the body of the bag.
The club heads and any associated headcovers extend beyond, usually
above, the top collar and are held in fairly close proximity to
each other by the dimensions of the collar and the alignment of the
club shafts within the tube portion of the golf bag.
[0033] In a golf bag provided with the inventive expandable top
system 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown
in the top view of FIG. 2, the top of the bag includes a collar 18
which includes a circumferential rim 20 laterally subdivided by a
plurality of collar dividers 22. A plurality of insertion apertures
24 are defined by the circumferential rim 20 and the collar
dividers 22. The insertion apertures 24 provide the openings
through which the golf club shafts are inserted into the bag.
[0034] In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 8
of the drawings, the collar dividers 22 subdivide the golf bag
collar 18 into four insertion apertures 24. These are identified
for description purposes as a rear aperture 26, a front aperture
28, a left aperture 30 and a right aperture 32. The orientation is
somewhat arbitrary, but the bag handle is defined as being at the
"rear" of the golf bag so the rear aperture 26 is that located to
be aligned with the lifting handle of the golf bag. Generally,
golfers use the rear aperture 26 to hold the driver and fairway
wood clubs, which are the most bulky and have the longest
shafts.
[0035] Many other divider patterns are known and the shapes of the
collars vary widely from golf bag to golf bag. However the
expandable top system 10 is most effective when used with fairly
large apertures so a lower number is preferred. It is noted that
the present system will operate even if there are no dividers and
only a single aperture.
[0036] The particular preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4
of the drawing also includes auxiliary gripping handles 34 to aid
the golfer in lifting and rearranging the orientation of the golf
bag. The gripping handles 34 are integral to the illustrated collar
but are not a part of the present invention. As shown in the
remaining figures of the drawing, many collars 18 will not include
the gripping handles 34.
[0037] Each golf bag which is provided with an expandable top
system 10 will include at least one expandable aperture 36. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 the expandable aperture 36 is selected to
be the rear aperture 26; an appropriate choice since this insertion
aperture is where golfers typically store their "woods" which will
have the largest club heads and require the greatest amount of
space. Each expandable aperture 36 is provided with an expansion
means 37 to facilitate the expansion. In the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 1-4 this expansion means 37 is in the form of a hingedly
mounted segment 38 which may pivot outward (see FIGS. 2 and 4,
particularly) to expand the open aspect of the aperture.
[0038] The hingedly mounted segment 38 includes a curved plate 40
secured at its lower extent to the circumferential rim 20 of the
collar 18 by a pair of spaced apart pivot pins 42. On the upper
forward sides of the curved plate 40 are a pair of slide slots 44
each of which engages a slide post 46 on the circumferential rim
20. A thumbscrew 48 on the end of each pivot post 46 provides a
means to hold the curved plate 40 in position (e.g. in the
collapsed mode 14 of FIG. 3 or the expanded mode 16 of FIG. 4). The
thumbscrew 48, in cooperation with the slide slot 44, provides a
securing means 49 for holding the invention in the desired
mode.
[0039] A first alternate embodiment of the invention 10' is
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, with FIG. 5 showing the collapsed
mode 14 while FIG. 6 shows the expanded mode 16. In the first
alternate embodiment 10' the pattern of collar dividers 22 is
different in that it divides the bag top into five insertion
apertures 24, with a center aperture 50 located in the middle area
of the top.
[0040] In the embodiment 10' the expansion means 37' for expanding
the collar 18 is provided by a plurality of telescope joints 52
with these being laterally aligned in the circumferential rim 20
and the collar dividers 22. As is best seen in FIG. 6 each
telescope joint 52 includes a receiving channel 54 on one side and
an insertion segment 56 on the other side of the joint. Each
insertion segment 56 slidably mates with the associated receiving
channel 54 to allow the collar 18 to expand laterally. In this
manner the rear aperture 26, the front aperture 28 and the center
aperture 50 become expandable apertures 36, the open area aspects
of which are increased when the telescope joints 52 are activated,
while the aspects of the left aperture 30 and the right aperture 32
are unaffected.
[0041] In the embodiment 10' an alternate securing means 49' is
provided. It is understood that many types of mechanisms may be
used to secure the golf bag top in the collapsed more 14 and the
expanded mode 16 and each one illustrated herein is for purposes of
example only. Various varieties of snaps, buckles, Velcro.TM.
components, tighteners and the like may be utilized. As illustrated
in FIGS. 5 and 6, a snap buckle 58 is illustrated. As is best seen
in FIG. 6, the snap buckle 58 mechanism includes a female snap
receptacle 60 and a male snap fork 62, each of which is attached to
the collar 18 by securing straps 64. When the male snap fork 62 is
engaged with the female snap receptacle 60 (FIG. 5) the collar is
held in the collapsed mode 14. When these are disengaged (FIG. 6)
the collar 18 may be spread apart to the expanded mode 16. Various
methods may be utilized to secure the embodiment 10' in the
expanded mode 16. Once such is illustrated in FIG. 6, where a
spacer block 66 is shown as draped/snapped over one of the
insertion segments 56 to prevent the telescope joint 52 from
closing.
[0042] It is noted that the in the method of expanding the
insertion apertures of FIGS. 5 and 6, it is possible to combine the
expansion means 37 and the securing means 49 into a single
mechanism (or more accurately, a plurality of the same mechanism).
One such possibility is to replace each telescope joint 52 with a
turnbuckle 68 such as the one illustrated in FIG. 7. By rotating
each turnbuckle 68 simultaneously in one direction the collar 18
may be spread to the expanded mode 16 and by rotating the
turnbuckles 68 in the opposite direction the collar may be returned
to the collapsed mode 14.
[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates, in a fanciful manner, some other
envisioned alternate embodiments of the expandable top system 10.
In order to show that any of the insertion apertures 24 may become
expandable apertures 36, this view shows the left aperture 30 and
the right aperture 32 as being expandable apertures 36. [It is
noted that there is nothing to keep all of the apertures from being
expandable, but it is expected that, more commonly, one or two will
be selected.]
[0044] In the left aperture 30 illustrated in FIG. 8 the expansion
means 37 is illustrated as having a portion of the circumferential
rim 20 replaced with an accordion segment 70. The accordion segment
allows the collar 18 to expand outward when it is unrestrained,
while also facilitating squeezing back into minimal size when
constrained. The restraining means 49 illustrated for this purpose
is in the form of a Velcro.TM. strap and sliplock 72. This strap
and sliplock 72 includes a strap component 74 and a sliplock
component 76 being secured to the rim 20 at opposing locations
beyond the extent of the accordion segment 70. The strap component
74 is provided with male Velcro.TM. 78 on the inside surface of its
distal extent and with female Velcro.TM. 80 on the outside surface
of its proximal extent. The strap component 74 is threaded through
the sliplock 76 and returns upon itself. The engagement of the male
Velcro.TM. 78 with the female Velcro.TM. 80 determines the
effective length of the strap and sliplock 72 and accordingly
determines the extent of expansion permitted to the accordion
segment 70. Thus, when the strap and sliplock 72 is tightened to
minimum effective length the left aperture 30 is restricted to
minimal aspect in the collapsed mode 14 while when it is loosened
to any degree the expansion can occur in expansion mode 16 to any
desired degree.
[0045] Another form of expansion means 37 is illustrated for the
right aperture 32 in FIG. 8. In this case the material of the
circumferential rim 20 within the right aperture 32 is replaced
with an elastic rim 82 material. When unrestrained, the elastic rim
82 can bow outward with the internal pressure provided by the
weight of the clubs 13 which will allow the club heads more room
within the aperture 24.
[0046] One potential securing means 49 for use with the elastic rim
82 is a rim guard sleeve 84 molded in the shape of the arc of the
rim and extending over and exterior to the elastic rim 82. The rim
guard sleeve 84 (shown removed in FIG. 8) is relatively rigid and
restrains the elastic rim 82 in the collapsed mode 14 when it is
installed thereupon. In the version shown, the rim guard sleeve 84
is provided with a pair of terminal guard hooks 86 which engage the
collar dividers 22 to secure the rim guard sleeve 84 in
position.
[0047] The expansion means 37 and securing means 49 illustrated and
described herein are just a few of the many possibilities for
facilitating expandable apertures 36 according to the present
invention. For example windows and pouches in the rim 20 may be
provided to allow some clubs to extend beyond the collar 18. Those
skilled in the art will no doubt envision other structures and
methods of accomplishing these purposes.
[0048] Many modifications to the above embodiment may be made
without altering the nature of the invention. The dimensions and
shapes of the components and the construction materials may be
modified for particular circumstances or types of bags to be
carried.
[0049] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, and not as limitations.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0050] The expandable top system 10 of the present invention is
intended for use primarily by golfers who wish to have more space
available for club heads and, especially, bulky head covers when
the clubs 13 are carried in a golf bag 12. This is particularly
valuable in golf cart environments, where the bags are often
carried vertically and the club heads are jostled together during
motion and can be difficult to select, remove and replace during
the round. Having one or more larger aspect club insertion aperture
24 makes the golfer's round easier and more enjoyable and also
minimizes damage to adjacent club heads and covers as well as to
the associated club shafts.
[0051] The expandable top system 10 will be incorporated into the
golf bag 12 during manufacture. During shipping and storage, the
collar 18 will be ordinarily maintained in the collapsed mode 14
for compactness. It will only be when clubs 13 are loaded and the
bag 12 is ready for use that the expanded mode 16 will ordinarily
be invoked. At this juncture the securing means 49 will be released
and the various expandable apertures 36 will be expanded using the
built in expansion means 37 to provide a greater open aspect during
use, with the degree of expansion being limited by the securing
means 49. After the round, if the golfer wishes to store the bag 12
in a limited size space (such as a vehicle trunk), the securing
means 49 may then be reactivated to restore the bag 12 to the
collapsed mode 14. The expandable top system 10 is designed such
that either mode may be utilized at any time, at the golfer's
convenience.
[0052] For the above, and other, reasons, it is expected that the
expandable top system 10 of the present invention will have
widespread industrial applicability. Therefore, it is expected that
the commercial utility of the present invention will be extensive
and long lasting.
[0053] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a
preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above
described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in
accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *