U.S. patent application number 16/248985 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-16 for removable golf bag compartment dividers for a golf bag.
The applicant listed for this patent is Izzo Golf, Inc.. Invention is credited to David M. Witkoski.
Application Number | 20200222770 16/248985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69626438 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200222770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Witkoski; David M. |
July 16, 2020 |
REMOVABLE GOLF BAG COMPARTMENT DIVIDERS FOR A GOLF BAG
Abstract
A golf bag frame for the top of a golf bag with at least one
removable divider includes at one internal frame member and another
frame member. At least one removable divider has a pair of snap
clips. Each snap clip of the pair of snap clips is mechanically
coupled to each removable divider end face. The golf bag frame also
includes at least one pair of snap clip sockets. At least one snap
clip socket of the pair of snap clip sockets is disposed on a side
wall of the internal frame member, and at least one snap clip
socket is disposed on a side wall of the another frame member. When
snapped into the pair of snap clip sockets, the removable divider
provides a partition of a golf club slot.
Inventors: |
Witkoski; David M.;
(Rochester, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Izzo Golf, Inc. |
Macedon |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69626438 |
Appl. No.: |
16/248985 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/093 20130101;
A63B 55/40 20151001; A63B 2102/32 20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 55/40 20060101
A63B055/40 |
Claims
1. A golf bag frame for the top of a golf bag with at least one
removable divider comprising: at one internal frame member and
another frame member; at least one removable divider having a pair
of snap clips, each snap clip of said pair of snap clips
mechanically coupled to each removable divider end face; at least
one pair of snap clip sockets, at least one snap clip socket of
said pair of snap clip sockets disposed on a side wall of said
internal frame member, and at least one snap clip socket disposed
on a side wall of said another frame member; and wherein when
snapped into said pair of snap clip sockets, said removable divider
provides a partition of a golf club slot.
2. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, further comprising a
third internal frame member disposed about parallel to said at
least one internal frame and wherein said at least one removable
divider comprises a slot about midway between said removable
divider end faces, said slot to slide over said third internal
frame member.
3. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said another
frame member comprises a slotted frame member.
4. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said at least one
removable divider comprises a soft material overlay to provide an
ergonomic grabbing surface.
5. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said at least one
removable divider comprises a plastic.
6. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said snap clip
comprises a pair of snap clip arms and a pair of latches, each
latch disposed at the end of each snap clip arm respectively.
7. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said snap clip
comprises a pair of snap clip arms and a pair of latches separated
about a compression opening between the snap clip arms and wherein
said pair of latches compress into said compression opening on
insertion or removal of a removeable divider from said snap clip
socket.
8. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said snap clip
socket comprises a U shaped socket face portion supported by a pair
of angled socket struts.
9. The golf bag frame divider of claim 8, wherein a pair of angled
socket strut inner walls define a first socket opening to receive
said pair of snap clip arms and said pair of latches.
10. The golf bag frame divider of claim 8, wherein a on full
insertion of said removable divider into said snap clip socket,
each of said snap clip arms and each of said pair of latches expand
apart where said latches fill a pair of latch spaces defined by a
pair of lower walls of each angled socket struts and a pair of
lower walls of each U shaped socket face portion.
11. The golf bag frame divider of claim 1, wherein said removeable
divider comprises a block disposed between an end portion of said
removable divider and said snap clip.
12. The golf bag frame divider of claim 11, wherein said block is
disposed between an end portion of said removable divider and a
base portion of said snap clip.
13. The golf bag frame divider of claim 11, wherein said block
comprises an angled wall block.
Description
FIELD OF THE APPLICATION
[0001] The application relates to a golf bag, particularly to a
golf bag with slots for individual golf clubs.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A golf bag can carry up to the regulation number of 14 golf
clubs.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to one aspect, a golf bag frame for the top of a
golf bag with at least one removable divider, includes at one
internal frame member and another frame member. At least one
removable divider has a pair of snap clips. Each snap clip of the
pair of snap clips is mechanically coupled to each removable
divider end face. The golf bag frame also includes at least one
pair of snap clip sockets. At least one snap clip socket of the
pair of snap clip sockets is disposed on a side wall of the
internal frame member, and at least one snap clip socket is
disposed on a side wall of the another frame member. When snapped
into the pair of snap clip sockets, the removable divider provides
a partition of a golf club slot.
[0004] In one embodiment, the golf bag frame divider further
includes a third internal frame member disposed about parallel to
the at least one internal frame and wherein the at least one
removable divider includes a slot about midway between the
removable divider end faces, the slot to slide over the third
internal frame member.
[0005] In another embodiment, the another frame member includes a
slotted frame member.
[0006] In another embodiment, the at least one removable divider
includes a soft material overlay to provide an ergonomic grabbing
surface.
[0007] In another embodiment, the at least one removable divider
includes a plastic.
[0008] In another embodiment, the snap clip includes a pair of snap
clip arms and a pair of latches, each latch disposed at the end of
each snap clip arm respectively.
[0009] In another embodiment, the snap clip includes a pair of snap
clip arms and a pair of latches separated about a compression
opening between the snap clip arms and wherein the pair of latches
compress into the compression opening on insertion or removal of a
removeable divider from the snap clip socket.
[0010] In another embodiment, the snap clip socket includes a U
shaped socket face portion supported by a pair of angled socket
struts.
[0011] In another embodiment, a pair of angled socket strut inner
walls define a first socket opening to receive the pair of snap
clip arms and the pair of latches.
[0012] In another embodiment, on a full insertion of the removable
divider into the snap clip socket, each of the snap clip arms and
each of the pair of latches expand apart where the latches fill a
pair of latch spaces defined by a pair of lower walls of each
angled socket struts and a pair of lower walls of each U shaped
socket face portion
[0013] The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of
the application will become more apparent from the following
description and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The features of the application can be better understood
with reference to the drawings described below, and the claims. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally
being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. In
the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts
throughout the various views.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an exemplary
golf bag frame with an ergonomic handled T tab assembly and
removable dividers according to the Application;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic
handled T tab assembly set to a first pre-settable height
position;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic
handled T tab assembly set to a second pre-settable height
position;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic
handled T tab assembly set to a third pre-settable height
position;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic
handled T tab assembly set to a fourth pre-settable height
position;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an isometric view of three
removable dividers above an exemplary golf bag frame according to
the Application.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a drawing of the golf bag frame of FIG. 6 with the
rightmost removable divider installed;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a drawing of the golf bag frame of FIG. 6 with the
center and rightmost removable divider installed;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a drawing of the golf bag frame of FIG. 6 with all
three removable dividers installed;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a side view of an exemplary
ergonomic handled T tab assembly;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a latching knob assembly in a
relaxed position;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a latching knob in an engaged
stressed detent position;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an
exemplary removable divider;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a more detailed view of a snap
clip of the removable divider of FIG. 13;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an
exemplary snap clip socket;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a detailed view of the snap
clip socket of FIG. 15; and
[0031] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a top view of the golf bag
frame of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] One of the problems in storing and transporting golf clubs
is how to best protect the drivers. Drivers typically have a longer
shaft and larger or heavier golf head compared with other clubs and
should be stored separately for best protection in the golf bag.
However, the particular shaft lengths and head types vary. What is
needed is an adjustable partition to best protect the drivers.
Golfers also need to protect their hands from unnecessary injuries
from adjustable parts of a golf bag, and the growing number of
aging golfers means adjustments should be easy to make by all
players including those older players. What is needed is an
adjustable partition with an ergonomic handle without sharp edges
and which is easy to adjust, and which once adjusted, will stay in
place.
[0033] It was realized that a combination of a long ergonomic
lifting handle combined with a series of elongated T tabs that
slide within a corresponding series of T tab slots supplies a good
adjustment friction. Moreover, by providing a series of detent
notches on the outer edges of each of the outermost T tab slides,
it was realized that a series of settable heights can be made more
robust against undesired movement. These solutions were found to be
particularly suitable for integration into a frame to be installed
on top of a golf bag.
[0034] Another problem in golf bags with fixed golf club slots, is
that permanent internal dividers preclude access for retrieval of a
part or component in the bag, or reconfiguration of the golf club
slots if a wider slot is needed or desired. It was realized that
dividers in one direction which can be snapped in place allow for
such flexibility. Moreover, a soft covering can be added to make
the removable dividers more ergonomic for easier removal or
placement.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an exemplary
golf bag frame 100, a golf bag frame divider according to the
Application. Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 includes an
ergonomic handle 111. By pulling or pushing on ergonomic handle
111, ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 slidingly moves within
slotted frame member 131 of golf bag frame 100 to a desired
selectable height. Ergonomic handle 111 can have a curve shape as
shown in FIG. 1, and optionally, an outer layer or covering
material which can be softer than the material of the frame member.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, ergonomic handled T tab
assembly 110 includes first outer T tab 113, four T tabs 117 and
second outer T tab 115. All of the T tabs can experience any
suitable level of friction while being slidingly moved within
corresponding slots 133 disposed between separating sections 135 of
the slotted frame member 131. The T tabs and slots of the slotted
frame member can have an about flat rectangular cross section. One
or more end stop latches 121 can allow for the initial sliding
installation of the Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 into the
slotted frame member 131 while preventing or at least discouraging
accidental removal of the Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110
beyond an uppermost adjustment position.
[0036] At least one additional raised section of said frame member
can be raised above a plane of said internal frame members to
provide a golf bag carrying handle member. Two such golf bag
handles are shown in the figures. The golf bag carrying handle
members (e.g. FIG. 17, 815) can also be covered in an ergonomic
material softer than said golf bag carrying handle about which it
is disposed.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a side view of an exemplary
ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. Each of the T tabs are
elongated flat tabs which are mechanically coupled to the ergonomic
handle 111. The T tabs include, first outer T tab 113, four T tabs
117 and second outer T tab 115. The notches 119 (detent positions
which, for example, can have an about half circle shape) are
disposed in any suitable linear or non-linear spacing to provide
pre-settable height positions of the ergonomic handled T tab
assembly 110. While four about equally spaced notches 119 are shown
on either outer edge of both first outer T tab 113 and second outer
T tab 115 (outer T tab outer edges), any suitable number of notches
N can be used in any suitable equidistant or non-equidistant
spacing including any combination thereof. The ergonomic handled T
tab assembly 110 has a slidably adjustable height, adjacent to at
least one golf club slot.
[0038] Adjustment positions are realized by the T tab notches on
the outermost edges of both of first outer T tab 113 and second
outer T tab 115. At any particular selectable height of Ergonomic
handled T tab assembly 110, detent latching knobs 141 drop into
corresponding notches 119 to further hold the Ergonomic handled T
tab assembly 110 at the desired height. Notches 119 prevent
accidental or inadvertent changes in the desired set height of the
ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. By applying sufficient force
to the Ergonomic handled 111, the detent latching knobs 141 are
released from the corresponding notches 119, allowing the ergonomic
handled T tab assembly 110 to be set to a different lower or higher
desired height. The various selectable heights of ergonomic handled
T tab assembly 110 are preset at time of manufacture by the various
location of notches 119 on the outermost edges of both of first
outer T tab 113 and second outer T tab 115. Any suitable spacing
(linear or non-linear) of notches 119 can be used to locate the
pre-set selectable positions of height for the Ergonomic handled T
tab assembly 110. More generally, at least one detent mechanism can
engage at least one notch to hold the ergonomic handled T tab
assembly at a selectable pre-set height above said frame
member.
[0039] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show more detail of how the detent
latching knobs 141 engage with corresponding notches 119 to set a
desired selectable height of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly
110. FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a latching knob and detent spring
assembly 139 (an exemplary detent mechanism) in a relaxed position
before installation of the sliding ergonomic handled T tab assembly
110. The latching knob and detent spring assembly 139 is visible
through a window 137 in the slotted frame member 131. FIG. 12 is a
drawing showing a latching knob and detent spring assembly 139 in
an engaged stressed detent position disposed within a notch 119
following installation and height selection of the sliding
Ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110. In the exemplary embodiments
of the Application, there are a pair of latching knobs on both
sides of the slotted frame member 131 where the ergonomic handled T
tab assembly 110 slides into the slotted frame member 131. The
latching knobs 141 serve as detent mechanisms to set and hold
pre-determined (by the locations of notches 110) height positions
of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110.
[0040] Latching knob and detent spring assembly 139 can be of a
straight arm or a double bent type arm. As shown in FIG. 11 and
FIG. 12, an exemplary double bent type arm detent spring includes a
latching arm elbow 145 disposed between a fixed mounted arm 143,
and the latching knob 141.
[0041] FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 are a series of drawings showing the
progression of installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly
110 from where the end stop latches 121 clear a lower surface of
the slotted frame member 131, through two different exemplary
settable heights, through full retraction of the ergonomic handled
T tab assembly 110 where the ergonomic handle 111 rests near or on
a top surface of the slotted frame member 131.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic
handled T tab assembly 110 from where a pair of end stop latches
121 (both sides) clears a lower surface of the slotted frame member
131 and where the pair of detent latching knobs 141 (both sides)
are disposed within a first notch 119 at a first selectable height
position. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing installation of the ergonomic
handled T tab assembly 110 where pair of latching knobs 141 (both
sides) are disposed within a second pair of notches 119 at a second
selectable height position. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing
installation of the ergonomic handled T tab assembly 110 where pair
of latching knobs 141 (both sides) are disposed within a third pair
of notches 119 at a third selectable height position. FIG. 5 is a
drawing showing installation of the ergonomic handled T tab
assembly 110 where pair of latching knobs 141 (both sides) are
disposed within a fourth pair of notches 119 at a fourth selectable
fully retracted height position.
[0043] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a top view of an exemplary golf
bag frame 100 according to the Application. Frame 910 having an
outer frame part (the perimeter) combined with ergonomic handled T
tab assembly 110 and the slotted frame member 131, and fixed
internal frame members 1803, 1805 define golf club slots 1, 2, and
3 which can accept respectively, three different driver golf clubs
of the allowed 14 golf clubs for a regulation game of golf Note
also that a curve along the top edge of the ergonomic handle 111
can accommodate slightly different shaft lengths in positions 1 and
3 for a given height setting of the ergonomic handled T tab
assembly 110. The curved shape can be any suitable rounded shape
including one or multiple curves or arch shapes. Typically, each of
the golf club slots receives a different golf club.
[0044] Also, visible in FIG. 17 are bag handles 815, and slot 14
defined by an about trapezoidal member 710. Slot 14 can be used,
for example, to receive a putter golf club. The ridges and troughs,
or otherwise patterned areas of ergonomic handle 111, bag handles
815, and trapezoidal member 710 indicate where a relatively soft
material and/or textured material, such as, for example, a
relatively soft plastic can be used over the typically harder metal
or plastic of frame 910. Such relatively soft material (i.e. softer
than said frame) and/or textured material can be applied by any
suitable method, such as, for example, by wrapping, molding, or
sliding over or onto the frame member, internal frame member,
trapezoidal shaped opening, and/or at least one frame part
extending above a plane defined by the internal frame members for
use as a golf bag handle. Typically, at least one internal frame
member forms in whole, or in part combined with said frame member,
an about trapezoidal opening golf club slot. Exemplary fixed
internal frame members 1801 (1801a, 1801b), 1803, and 1805 of frame
910 can be seen in FIG. 17.
[0045] Turning back to FIG. 1, removable dividers 610 can be seen
to snap into snap clip sockets 1500. Removable dividers 610
typically snap into a pair of snap clip sockets 1500, one snap clip
socket attached to an internal frame member (e.g. slotted frame
member 131), and the other to another different internal frame
member (e.g. internal frame member 1801b). By use of a notch (e.g.
notch opening 614) in each of the removable dividers 610, in some
embodiments, removable dividers 610 can traverse a third internal
frame member (e.g. internal frame member 1801a).
[0046] Snap clip sockets 1500 can be located at desired positions
along the side walls of both of slotted frame member 131 and
internal frame member 1801b. Removable dividers 610 can be covered
by a relatively soft material and/or textured material, such as,
for example, a relatively soft plastic can be used over the
typically harder metal or plastic of frame 910 for a better
ergonomic grip. For example, a soft material overlay disposed over
a removable divider 610 can provide an ergonomic grabbing
surface.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an
exemplary removable divider 610. Removable divider 610 has at
either end a snap clip socket 1500 and an about rectangular notch
opening 614 is defined by angled walls 613. Notch opening 614
corresponds to an internal frame member 1801a and slides over the
top of the internal frame member 1801a shown in FIG. 6. The
engagement of notch opening 614 over internal frame member 1801a
can further stabilize and strengthen both of the internal frame
member 1801a and the removeable divider 610.
[0048] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a more detailed view of a snap
clip 620 of the removable divider 610 of FIG. 13. Each snap clip
620 includes a base section 621, a pair of snap clip arms 623 and a
pair of latches 625. An inner snap clip wall 627 defines a
compression opening within the snap clip arms 623 and a pair of
latches 625 can compress into on insertion or removal of a
removeable divider from a snap clip socket 1500 (e.g. FIG. 15). As
will be better understood hereinbelow, a snap clip longitudinal
space 631 is defined by the snap clip 620 face on one side and the
end face 633 of the divider on the other side fits over a part of
the snap clip socket 1500 on insertion. Block 629 (e.g. a square,
rectangular, or an angled wall block) further bolsters and adds
support for better rigidity of both of the snap clip 620 and the
end portion (end face 633) of the removeable divider 610. Block 629
is typically disposed between the end face 633 of the divider and
the base section 621 of the snap clip 620.
[0049] FIG. 15 is a drawing which shows a perspective view of an
exemplary snap clip socket 1500 which is typically, but not
necessarily disposed at an equal spacing along the side walls of
both of slotted frame member 131 and internal frame members
1801.
[0050] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a detailed view of the snap
clip socket 1500 of FIG. 15. In the exemplary embodiment, U shaped
socket face portion 1501 is supported at a distance from a sides
wall surface of either of slotted frame member 131 or an internal
frame member (e.g. internal frame member 1801b) by angled socket
struts 1544. The angled socket strut inner walls 1523 define a
first socket opening 1525 which is adapted to receive the pair of
snap clip arms 623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620. The
U shaped socket face inner walls 1513 define a second socket
opening 1513 which is adapted to receive the block 629 of the
removeable divider 610. When a removable divider 610 is inserted or
removed from a snap clip socket 1500, the pair of snap clip arms
623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620 compress as they
travel through the first socket opening 1525. On full insertion of
a removable divider 610 into a snap clip socket 1500, the snap clip
arms 623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620 expand apart
where the latches 625 fill a latch space 1535 defined by the lower
walls of each angled socket struts 1544 and the back lower walls of
each U shaped socket face portion 1501. After the snap clip arms
623 and pair of latches 625 of a snap clip 620 expand apart to fill
the latch spaces 1535, the removeable divider is snapped in place
into the snap clip socket 1500.
[0051] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an isometric view of three
removable dividers 610 above an exemplary golf bag frame 100. The
three removable dividers 610 are adapted as described hereinabove,
to snap into six corresponding snap clip sockets 1500 on the side
walls of slotted frame member 131 and internal frame member 1801a.
The snap clip sockets 1500 on the side walls of internal frame
member 1801a are not visible in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a drawing of golf
bag frame 100 of FIG. 6 with the rightmost divider 610 installed.
FIG. 8 is a drawing of golf bag frame 100 of FIG. 6 with the center
and rightmost divider 610 installed. FIG. 9 is a drawing of golf
bag frame 100 of FIG. 6 with all three dividers 610 installed.
[0052] A golf bag frame as described hereinabove can be affixed or
mounted to a golf bag in any suitable way using any suitable
adhesives, glues, troughs, ridges, slots, and/or fasteners. It is
also unimportant what material or materials the golf bag is made
from.
[0053] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
combined into many other different systems or applications. Various
presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,
variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by
those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed
by the following claims.
* * * * *