U.S. patent application number 16/540222 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-18 for golf bags and method of making golf bags.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dynamic Brands, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Dynamic Brands, LLC. Invention is credited to Patrick Gallagher, Leighton Klevana.
Application Number | 20210046366 16/540222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004334524 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210046366 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klevana; Leighton ; et
al. |
February 18, 2021 |
Golf Bags and Method of Making Golf Bags
Abstract
A golf bag top has a peripheral covering or golf bag shell. The
golf bag shell may have a flexible covering material and a rigid
shell. The flexible covering material may cover a portion of the
peripheral structure and be connected to the top member and the
bottom member. The flexible covering material and the rigid shell
extend and are connected to a top member and the bottom member. The
rigid shell may comprise support to the golf bag on one side and at
least one stay extending between and connected to the top member
and the bottom member may provide support to the golf bag shell on
the other side. For example, the stay or stays and the rigid shell
may be on opposite sides of the golf bag shell such that the stays
support the top member on one side and the rigid shell supports the
top member on the other side of the golf bag shell.
Inventors: |
Klevana; Leighton;
(Richmond, VA) ; Gallagher; Patrick; (Midlothian,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dynamic Brands, LLC |
Richmond |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dynamic Brands, LLC
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
1000004334524 |
Appl. No.: |
16/540222 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 55/50 20151001;
A63B 55/40 20151001; A63B 2209/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 55/40 20060101
A63B055/40 |
Claims
1. A golf bag, comprising: a golf bag shell comprising a flexible
covering material and a rigid covering; a top member attached to a
flexible enclosure, wherein the top member has a first top portion
and a second top portion; a bottom member having a first bottom
portion and a second bottom portion; and a golf bag shell assembly
consisting of at least one stay extending from the first top
portion to the first bottom portion, wherein the rigid covering
extends from and is connected to the second top portion and
connected to the second bottom portion.
2. The golf bag of claim 1, comprising two stays extending from the
first top portion to the first bottom portion.
3. The golf bag of claim 2, consisting of two stays.
4. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the top member comprises at
least one divider partition and a top collar.
5. The golf bag of claim 4, wherein the top collar is connected to
a top portion of the rigid covering.
6. The golf bag of claim 5, wherein the bottom member comprises a
bottom collar.
7. The golf bag of claim 6, wherein the bottom collar is connected
a bottom portion of the rigid covering.
8. The golf bag of claim 5, wherein the flexible covering material
is stitched to top member and the bottom member.
9. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the flexible covering material
comprises at least one of nylon, polyester, nylon/polyester blends,
ripstop nylon, plastic, leather, synthetic leathers, woven
materials such as cotton, canvas, or woven synthetics.
10. The golf bag of claim 4, wherein the top collar comprises a
flexible, resilient plastic.
11. A golf bag, comprising: a golf bag shell comprising a flexible
covering material and a rigid shell; a top member attached to both
the flexible covering material and the top member is connected to
the rigid shell; and a bottom member attached to having a first
bottom portion and the bottom member is connected to the rigid
shell.
12. The golf bag of claim 11, wherein the flexible covering and the
rigid shell are connected together to form the golf bag shell.
13. The golf bag of claim 12, wherein the rigid shell covers
between 10% and 75% of the golf bag shell.
14. The golf bag of claim 12, wherein the rigid shell covers
between 20% and 35% of the golf bag shell.
15. The golf bag of claim 14, wherein the rigid shell comprises a
plastic sheet.
16. The golf bag of claim 15, wherein the plastic sheet comprises
ABS, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, high density
polyethylene, polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, Polyethylene
terephthalate glycol-modified or combinations thereof.
17. The golf bag of claim 12, comprising at least one stay
extending from the top member to the bottom member.
18. The golf bag of claim 17, wherein the at least one stay in
combination with the rigid shell hold the top member and the bottom
member in a position to form a golf bag.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The specification is directed toward golf bags, golf bag
shells, and golf bag design and construction. Golf bags typically
comprise a top member that defines at least one aperture for
receiving at least one golf club, a golf bag shell, and a bottom
member. The golf clubs are inserted through the top member to be
carried within and protected by the golf bag shell. An embodiment
of the golf bag comprises a top member, a bottom member, and stays
extending between the top member and the bottom member, and a golf
bag shell or golf bag shell assembly (hereinafter "golf bag shell")
structure connecting the top member to the bottom member. The golf
bag shell may consist essentially of a rigid shell and a flexible
covering material. In such embodiments, the rigid shell works in
combination with stays to maintain the top member and the bottom
member in a distal relationship.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Golf is a popular game that requires a significant amount of
equipment to play including, but not limited to, balls, a set of
clubs, shoes, tees and a golf bag to organize, transport, and
protect the other equipment. The golf bags are available in many
styles and types of bags. Generally, there are at least four
different types of golf bags including, but not limited to, cart
bags, stand or carry bags, staff or tour bags, and travel bags.
[0003] All golf bags have a top member that provides structural
rigidity to the golf bag aperture for receiving the golf clubs and
to provide some protection from damage to the golf clubs. Golf bag
top members may have partitioning dividers forming a rigid,
grid-like structure over the golf bag aperture for keeping the golf
clubs separate and organized within the bag. The top member may
further comprise additional features such as, but not limited to, a
connector for attaching a stand system, a handle, and/or other
accessories.
[0004] Golf club manufacturers are constructing golf clubs with
increasingly more expensive materials such as, but not limited to,
aircraft-grade aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber composites, and
other metal alloys. These materials increase the performance of the
golf club and make it easier for the average golfer to drive the
golf ball farther and with more accuracy to achieve lower scores on
a round of golf. As a result, golf clubs are more expensive.
[0005] Golf bags may be designed to provide some protection against
damage to these golf clubs. These improvements typically add
significant cost and weight to the golf bag. To limit the damage to
the golf clubs by the golf bag, the peripheral structure or golf
bag shell may typically be covered in a flexible covering material
such as, but not limited to, leather, soft cloth or fabric to
protect the expensive composite shafts from damage. The flexible
covering may be wrapped the support structure or skeleton of the
golf bag. The flexible covering material does not provide crush
protection to the contents of the golf bag contents.
[0006] Golf bags also comprise stays and connectors to form an
internal support structure or skeleton. The skeleton of a comprise
stays that support the top member and the bottom member at a proper
distal relationship. In a typical conventional golf bag, the golf
bag comprises a bottom member to protect the bottom of the golf bag
during use and four stays that extend from the top member to the
bottom member to support the top member and the bottom member in
the appropriate distal relationship to form the golf bag and extend
the flexible fabric material. Further, the flexible covering
materials of the golf bag shell may be attached to the golf bag
skeleton or the top and bottom members.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved golf bag shell.
In particular, there is a need for a golf bag shell that comprises
a flexible covering material and a rigid shell that provides
improved protection for golf clubs and an external support to the
golf bag. There is a further need for a golf bag with fewer
internal stays and provide an improved support structure. There is
also a need for a golf bag with a partial internal skeleton and a
partial exoskeleton to support the top member and the bottom member
in an appropriate distal relationship.
SUMMARY
[0008] In an embodiment, the golf bag top member comprises a
peripheral covering or golf bag shell consisting essentially of a
flexible covering material and a rigid shell. The flexible covering
material may cover a portion of the peripheral structure and be
connected to the top member and the bottom member. In such an
embodiment, the flexible covering material may be connected to at
least one longitudinal side of the rigid shell. Further, the
flexible covering material and the rigid shell extend and are
connected to a top member and the bottom member.
[0009] In other embodiments, the golf bag comprises a top member
spaced distally apart from a bottom member, at least one stay
extending between and connected to the top member and the bottom
member, and a rigid shell extending between and connected to the
top member and the bottom member, wherein the at least one stay and
the rigid shell cooperate to maintain structure to the golf bag and
a distal relationship between the top member and the bottom member.
For example, the stay or stays and the rigid shell may be on
opposite sides of the golf bag shell such that the stays support
the top member on one side and the rigid shell supports the top
member on the other side.
[0010] In one embodiment, the golf bag consists essentially of two
stays on a first longitudinal side of the golf bag and the rigid
shell is on a second longitudinal side of the golf bag. The rigid
shell acts as an "exoskeleton" of the second longitudinal side of
the golf bag while the stays act as an internal skeleton. The two
stays support the first side since the first longitudinal side is
covered by the flexible covering material.
[0011] The rigid shell and the flexible covering material may be
connected to form the golf bag shell. Since the flexible covering
material does not provide structural stability to the golf bag, the
internal stays provide the structural support to the first
longitudinal side. The golf bag shell comprises an inner wall and
an outer wall.
[0012] A further embodiment comprises a golf bag comprising a golf
bag shell consisting of a flexible covering material and a rigid
shell. In such an embodiment, both the flexible covering material
and the rigid shell extend and are connected to a top member and
the bottom member. The top member and the bottom member may be
connected to the flexible covering material and the rigid shell by
any means including, but not limited to, adhesives, stitching,
rivet, other fasteners, or combinations thereof. In embodiments,
the golf bag also includes stays that extend from the top member to
the bottom member.
[0013] The stays may extend from the first top portion of the top
member to the first bottom portion of the bottom portion and the
rigid covering may extend from and connected to the second top
portion of the top member to the second bottom portion of the
bottom portion. In some embodiments, the golf bag may comprise two
stays extending from the top member to the bottom member on an
opposite side of the golf bag as the rigid shell. The rigid shell
can, in some embodiments, replace stays in a conventional golf
bag.
[0014] In a still further embodiment, a golf bag may comprise a
golf bag shell comprising a flexible covering material and the
rigid shell, a top member attached to both the flexible covering
material and the rigid shell, and a bottom member also attached to
both the flexible covering material and the rigid shell.
[0015] The flexible covering and the rigid shell may be connected
(by adhesives, stitching, rivets, other fasteners or combinations
thereof, to form the complete golf bag shell. In some embodiments,
the rigid shell may cover between 10% and 75% of the golf bag shell
with the flexible covering material may covering the remaining
portion of the golf bag shell. In other embodiments, the rigid
shell covers between 20% and 35% of the golf bag shell. The rigid
shell may be attached to the outer surface of a complete golf bag
shell made of the flexible covering material.
[0016] In some embodiments, the rigid shell may be a plastic sheet.
The plastic sheet may be a plastic sheet of ABS, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene,
polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, Polyethylene terephthalate
glycol-modified or combinations thereof.
[0017] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As
used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended
to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof.
[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present
disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0019] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a
number of components, parts, techniques and steps are disclosed.
Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in
conjunction with one or more, or in some cases, all of the other
disclosed embodiments and techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of
clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every
possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary
fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read
with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within
the scope of the invention and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a stand golf bag 1 comprising a golf bag
shell comprising a rigid shell 11 and a flexible covering material
10, the stand golf bag comprises a top member 20 and a bottom
member 30 with the rigid shell 11 and the flexible covering
material 10 are both connected to the top member 20 and the bottom
member 30 and also connected to each other at a seam 12;
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a support structure of a
golf bag comprising a golf bag shell comprising both a rigid shell
11 exoskeleton and two stays 14 forming an internal skeleton,
wherein the rigid shell and the two stay work together to support
the top member and the bottom member in their appropriate distal
relationship, as shown, the rigid shell is in the shape of a curved
rectangle;
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a support structure of
a golf bag comprising a golf bag shell comprising both a rigid
shell 11 exoskeleton and two stays 14 forming an internal skeleton
similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2 wherein the rigid shell is in
the shape of a curved rectangle with two concave sides;
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a top member that may be
incorporated into embodiments of the golf bag, wherein the top
member 30 comprises a top member divider 31 defining apertures 32
to receive golf clubs, a top member collar 52, and two stay
connectors 53, the top member may be at least partially covered by
a top member covering material; and
[0024] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a bottom member that may be
incorporated into embodiments of the golf bag, wherein the bottom
member 40 comprises a bottom member collar 41 and two stay
connectors 42.
DESCRIPTION
[0025] Embodiments of the invention are directed to golf bags, golf
bag sub-assemblies, and golf bag shells consisting essentially of
both a rigid shell portion and a flexible covering material portion
connected together to form the golf bag shell. An embodiment of an
embodiment of a golf bag 1 (a stand golf bag) is shown in FIG. 1.
The golf bag 1 comprises golf bag shell 10 forming an enclosure to
receive golf clubs, a top member 20 comprising partitioning
dividers for organizing the golf clubs received within the
enclosure, and bottom member 30 to protect the enclosure and the
clubs from wear during storage and use. Golf bag 1 comprises a golf
bag shell 10, wherein the golf bag shell 10 consists essentially of
a rigid shell 11 and a flexible covering material 13. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the rigid shell 11 is connected to the
flexible covering material 13 by stitching 12. The rigid shell 11
wraps around one rigid section of the golf bag shell and is
connected on both longitudinal sides to the flexible covering
material 13. As used herein, rigid means that the material has a
flexural modulus of greater than 0.75 Gpa.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, embodiments of the golf bag 1 may
comprise different components or accessories such as a stand system
7 or any number of pockets 6 of different sizes, materials and
purposes. The stand system, for example, provides legs to hold the
bag upright without being held by the user. Such leg system 7 may
not be desired on an embodiment of the golf bag meant to be a cart
bag to be used when golfing with a golf cart.
[0027] Generally, the golf bag shell defines the enclosure for
storing and protecting the golf clubs and may comprise pockets 6,
hooks, connectors for a golf bag stand system, connectors for a
strap or strap system, and other accessories. The enclosure
includes an open end at a top portion of the golf bag shell for
receiving golf clubs and other items into the interior or the
enclosure of the golf bag shell 10. The top member 20 is connected
to a top portion of the golf bag shell 10. The top portion of the
enclosure defines the golf club receiving opening and, typically
but not necessarily, the top member provides partitioning dividers
31 (See FIG. 4, for example) dividing the golf club receiving
opening into further smaller apertures for organizing the golf
clubs to be carried in the golf bag 1. The bottom end of the golf
bag shell 10 is typically connected to a bottom member 30 to close
the bottom end to retain the clubs in the golf bag 1 and prevent
wear of the enclosure during use or storage of the golf bag.
[0028] Embodiments of the flexible covering material may be made
from a flexible fabric or other flexible material such as nylon,
polyester, nylon/polyester blends, ripstop nylon, plastic, leather,
synthetic leathers, and woven materials such as cotton, canvas,
woven synthetics or combinations of these material. Each of these
materials is available in various weights and properties. Golf bag
shells, especially golf bag shells for travel bags, may consist of
rigid materials such as, but not limited to, plastics to protect
the golf clubs during travel.
[0029] Embodiments of the golf bag shell 10 may be manufactured and
assembled with other both the flexible covering material and the
rigid shell. The rigid shell 11 may be formed into a curved shell
structure to conform to the desired perimeter shape of the golf bag
10. For example, the rigid shell may be considered to a portion of
a cylinder, the cylinder may be a right cylinder or an oblique
cylinder, for example, a portion of a cone, a portion of an oval
shaped cylinder, have square corners or rounded edges, other
regular or irregular geometric shapes, or combinations thereof.
[0030] The top member 20 or, in some embodiments, a top collar
portion of the top member may be attached to the golf bag shell 10,
the rigid shell 11 and the flexible covering material 10 adjacent
to the top end of the golf bag shell 10 by any means including, but
not limited to, sewing, stitching, rivets, screws, bolts, hook and
loop connectors, and/or adhesives, for example. As stated in some
embodiments, a top collar 14 (FIG. 2, for example) may define a
golf club receiving opening of the golf bag shell 10 or a golf bag
shell sub-assembly 9. The top collar 14 may further comprise
connectors, stitching, adhesives or other means capable of
connecting the top member 20 or a top member sub-assembly to the
golf club shell subassembly comprising a top collar 14. In some
embodiments, the golf bag need not include a top collar and the top
member is connected directly to the golf bag shell. This embodiment
is shown for simplicity and other variations are also possible.
[0031] Further, the golf bag top members and bottom members may
vary in shape, color, weight, perimeter shape, number, pattern
and/or position of partitioning dividers, handles, cover attachment
capabilities, stand system capabilities, accessory attachment
capabilities, or other features. The top members may be attached to
the golf bag shell 10 including the rigid shell 11 and the flexible
fabric material 10 by any connection means such as, but not limited
to, stitching, rivets, hook and loop connectors, or adhesives, for
example. The golf bag top member may further comprise a covering to
protect the golf clubs from damage. The top member 20 or top collar
15 may comprise stay receiving members 14a.
[0032] In FIG. 2, a golf bag shell 10 and support assembly is
shown. The golf bag shell comprises a rigid shell 11 and a flexible
fabric material 10. The rigid shell 14 is shown extends from the
top collar 15 to the bottom collar 16. The embodiment of the golf
bag shown in FIG. 2 is depicted with a top collar 15 and a bottom
collar 16 that can be connected to a top member 20 and a bottom
member 30, respectively. Other embodiments may not comprise a top
collar 15 and a bottom collar 16 and the golf bag shell components
may be connected directly to the top member 20 and the bottom
member 30. As seen in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the golf bag shell
consists of a rigid shell 14 connected on both longitudinal sides
to a flexible fabric covering 10 to form a golf bag shell. The
rigid shell 11 is also connected directly at a top portion to the
top collar 15 or to a top member 20 and on a bottom portion to the
bottom collar 16 or to a bottom member 30. Also connected to the
top collar 15 or the top member 20 are support stays that extend to
the bottom collar 16 or the bottom member 30. The stays may be
connected to the top collar 15 or the top member 20 and the bottom
collar 16 or the bottom member 30 by stay connectors 14a. Thus, the
stays 14 provide structural support to the golf bag shell 10 and
maintain the distal relationship between the top member 20 and the
bottom member 30. In the embodiment, the stays 14 are connected on
one side of the golf bag shell to provide the structural support
and the rigid shell 11 is connected on the other side to provide
structural support to the other side. The stays 14 and the rigid
shell 11 work together to provide structural support to the golf
bag shell and maintain the top member 20 and the bottom member 30
in their desired distal relationship. A conventional golf bag
typically comprises four stays. The rigid shell replaces two of the
stays, therefore, the golf bag shell assembly consists of two stays
14 and the rigid panel 11 to provide the structural support.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, if the golf bag shell is
divided longitudinally by a plane parallel to the center axis, the
stays are on one side of the plane and the rigid shell is on the
other side.
[0034] Embodiments of the golf bag comprise a golf bag shell
consisting essentially of a flexible covering material and a rigid
shell. A top member of the golf bag is attached to both the
flexible covering material and the rigid shell. Similarly, a bottom
member of the golf bag is also attached to both the flexible
covering material and the rigid shell. The golf bag is structurally
supported by the rigid shell and at least one stay extending from
the top member to the bottom member.
[0035] The flexible covering and the rigid shell are connected
together to form the golf bag shell that forms an enclosure. In
some embodiments, the rigid shell covers between 10% and 75% of the
golf bag shell and extends from and is attached to both the top
member and the bottom member. In another embodiment, the rigid
shell covers between 20% and 35% of the golf bag shell and extends
from and is attached to both the top member and the bottom member.
In most embodiments, the flexible covering material comprises the
remaining portion of the golf bag shell.
[0036] The rigid shell may consist essentially of a plastic, a
plastic sheet, for example. The plastic sheet may be thermoformed,
molded, three dimensional printed, or a combination of these, for
example. The plastic sheet comprises ABS, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene,
polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene terephthalate
glycol-modified or combinations thereof.
[0037] The rigid shell may be any desired shape. The rigid shell
shown in FIG. 2 is rectangular shape having a curve that defines
the curved shape of the golf bag shell. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, the rigid shell is a rectangular shape with two concave
sides or an hourglass shape having the curved shape.
[0038] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a top member 20 that may be
incorporated into embodiments of the golf bag, wherein the top
member 30 comprises a top member divider 31 defining apertures 32
to receive golf clubs, a top member collar 52, and two stay
connectors 53, the top member may be at least partially covered by
a top member covering material. Other shapes and sizes of the top
member may be incorporated into the golf bag and may comprise
various features such as hooks, connectors or other
accessories.
[0039] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a bottom member that may be
incorporated into embodiments of the golf bag, wherein the bottom
member 40 comprises a bottom member collar 41 and two stay
connectors 42. Other shapes and sizes of the bottom member may be
incorporated into the golf bag and may comprise various
features.
[0040] An embodiment of a method of assembling a golf bag comprises
connecting a flexible covering material to a rigid shell along both
longitudinal edges to form a golf bag shell in a cylindrical,
peripheral structure, or tubular structure. The method further
comprises attaching a top member and a bottom member to the golf
bag shell. The method further comprises connecting at least one
stay to both the top member and the bottom member on a portion of
the top member and the bottom member opposite of the rigid shell.
The flexible covering material may be attached to the inner wall of
the peripheral structure with the rigid shell attached to an outer
portion of the flexible covering material.
[0041] The embodiments of the golf bag, golf bag top member, golf
bag top member covering and methods of producing a golf bags are
not limited to the particular embodiments, components, method
steps, and materials disclosed herein as such components, process
steps, and materials may vary. Moreover, the terminology employed
herein is used for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments
only and the terminology is not intended to be limiting since the
scope of the various embodiments of the present invention will be
limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
[0042] Therefore, while embodiments of the invention are described
with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art
will understand that variations and modifications can be effected
within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the
present invention should not be limited to the above discussed
embodiments, and should only be defined by the following claims and
all equivalents.
* * * * *