GB2396304A

GB2396304A - Foldable golf club carrier which supports clubs in a head down orientation

Info

Publication number: GB2396304A
Application number: GB0229637A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cyril Edward Read
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-20
Filing date: 2002-12-20
Publication date: 2004-06-23
Also published as: GB0229637D0

Abstract

Golf club carrier 2 comprises frame 4 having head receiving pockets (40, 42, 44, fig. 3) and shaft support means (30, 31, fig. 3). The pockets may be arranged lower than the support means so that clubs 6 are carried head down with the grips being presented to the user. The iron and wood heads may be received in cuboidal (40, 42, fig. 3) and cylindrical (44, fig. 3) pockets respectively, with the pockets being arranged so that the grips are presented to the user at the same height. The clubs may be carried on the sides of frame 4, and a storage container, e.g. removable bag 12, may be located between the sides. Frame 4 may comprise two hingedly attached frames (14, 14', fig. 3), and the carrier may fold flat for transportation (see fig. 4) and/or be attached to a golf trolley 8. Removable grip covers 10 may be provided to protect the golf club grips, and may comprise tubular elements having means for indicating the type of club (see fig. 13). Carrier 2 may have means, e.g. a spike (not shown), for temporarily receiving a grip cover, and/or means (not shown) for carrying an umbrella. A locking device (not shown) may be included to prevent removal of the club heads from the frame.

Description

GOLF CLUB CARRIER

The present invention relates to a golf club carrier and in particular, but not exclusively, to one that is designed primarily for use on a trolley.

5 Most golfers carry their clubs in a bag. Some ofthese bags are designed exclusively for use on a trolley, but most are designed also so that they can be carried.

Conventional golf bags are designed to carry clubs with their heads upwards, and the grips downwards inside the bag. The obvious reason for this is that it is much easier to insert the narrow grip end of the club into the bag, instead of the much larger head end. The body of 10 the bag is normally enclosed, apart from an opening at the upper end through which the clubs are inserted, and is designed to keep the grips of the clubs dry in wet weather. Some bags are provided with a removable hood to cover the open end, to prevent rain from entering the bag. Most bags also have a number of pockets, for carrying other items of golf equipment, such as waterproof clothing, golf balls etc. 15 In practice, most golf bags are relatively ineffective at keeping the grips of the clubs dry, particularly in persistent rain. Some rain inevitably enters through the open end of the bag, even if a hood is fitted, and in addition the droplets of water that gather on the head and shaft of the club during use tend to run down the shaft onto the handle when the club is replaced in the bag. Therefore, the grips ofthe clubs soon become wet and slippery to hold.

20 A further disadvantage of conventional golf bags is that they provide no protection for the heads of the clubs, which are generally the most vulnerable parts of the clubs (particularly in the case of the woods). Many golfers therefore use head covers to prevent damage.

However, these have to be removed and replaced before and after each shot.

A number of other disadvantages associated with conventional golf bags include the fact 25 that they tend to be very large and cumbersome, and therefore diIlcult to store and load into the boot (or trunk) of a car, they get dirty in use and so are not suitable for carrying items such as clothing into the home, and they have limited storage capacity for other golf ..e....2..

equipment, such as clothing. Some golfers with handling difficulties also find it awkward having to remove a club by the head end and then turn it to reach the grip.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf club carrier that mitigates at least some of the aforesaid disadvantages.

5 According to the present invention there is provided a golf club carrier including a frame structure and, attached thereto, a plurality of golf'clubhead receiving means and aplurality of golf club shaft support elements.

Unlike a conventional golf bag, the golf' carrier ol'the present invention supports the golf clubs at the head end, and thus presents the grip end of the clubs to the golfer. This makes 10 it easier to cover the grips, preventing them from becoming wet and slippery in wet weather. The heads and shafts of the clubs do not have to be kept dry, and they can therefore be left exposed, so avoiding the need for an enclosed bag. 'I'his is also provides the advantage that the clubs can be left to dry naturally after use, without removing them Prom the carrier.

15 Advantageously, the carrier is constructed and arranged such that, during normal use, the golf club head receiving means are lower than the golf club shaft support elements. This arrangement of the clubs with the head end downwards ensures that any rain falling on the clubs drains downwards towards the head end and away from the grips, so ensuring that they remain dry, even in heavy rain.

20 Preferably, the golf club carrier includes a first set of golf club head receiving means for woods, and a second set of golf club head receiving means for irons. One ofthese receiving means may be enlarged, to receive a large-headed putter. Preferably, the first set of golf club head receiving means comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical pockets, and the second set of golf club head receiving means comprises a plurality of substantially 25 cuboidal pockets. The first and second sets of goli' club head receiving means are preferably located at different levels, to accommodate the different lengths of the clubs, including a long handled putter.

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The carrier is preferably constructed and arranged such that, during normal use, the golf clubs are carried on the sides of the frame. The golf club carrier may include a storage container lor golfequipment, located between the sides ofthe frame. The storage container preferably comprises a removable bag. This allows equipment such as clothing to be 5 carried into a changing room or the home separately from the clubs and the frame, which may be wet or dirty, or attached to a trolley. The golf club carrier may also include means for carrying other golf equipment, such as an umbrella.

The frame structure preferably includes two complementary frame elements that are joined to one another by means of a hinge element. The frame elements may be constructed and 10 arranged to fold flat for easy storage or transportation. 'I'he carrier is preferably constructed and arranged for use on a golf trolley.

The golf club carrier may include a plurality of golf club grip covers, which preferably comprise tube elements suitable for fitting over golf club grips. The covers protect the grips from damage and from the rain, ensuring that they remain dry at all times. The golf 15 club grip covers may include indicia indicating the type of golf club. Preferably, the frame structure includes a receiving element for receiving a golf club grip cover whilst the club is in use.

An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 20 Figure 1 is a side view of a golf club carrier according to the invention together with golf clubs and a trolley; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the golf club carrier on a trolley Figure 3 is an isometric view of the golf club carrier without golf clubs; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the golf club carrier in an opened out configuration for 25 storage; Figure 5 is a side view of the golf club carrier; e e À e e e À e ee e e eÀ e À. À À

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Figures 6 and 7 arc isometric views from opposite ends of a receiving element for the head of a first type of golf club (a "wood"); Figure 8 is a cross section on the centre line of figure 6; Figures 9 and 10 are isometric views of a receiving clement for the head of a second type 5 of golf club (an "iron"); Figures] I and 12 are isometric views from opposite ends of a receiving element for a golf club of a third type (a putter); Figures 13 and 14 are isometric views from opposite ends of a handle protector element; and I O I:'igure 15 is cross section on the centre line of figure 13.

As shown generally in Figures I and 2, the golf club carrier 2 comprises a substantially cuboid frame 4 for carrying a plurality of golf clubs 6. The carrier is suitable for use on a trolley 8, the trolley being conventional and not part of the invention. The clubs 6 are located on the carrier with their grips upwards and heads downwards, the grips being 1 5 protected by grip covers 10. The carrier also accommodates a large kit bag 12, for carrying clothes, golf balls etc. The frame 4 is shown in more detail in Figures 3 to 5. The frame 4 is made for example of welded aluminium or stainless steel tube and comprises two broadly similar frame structures 14, 14', which are joined together by a hinge 16. This allows the frame to be 20 opened out and laid flat as shown in Figure 4.

The left hand frame structure 14 includes an upper portion comprising three elongate elements 18, 20, 22, which extend lengthwise of the carrier and are joined together at their ends by upper and lower L-shaped cross members 24,26. A plate 28, which supports a plurality of golf club shaft support elements 30,31 is welded to the two elongate elements 25 18, 20 that form the left-hand side of the carrier. Each support element 30, 31 comprises a small diameter cylindrical rod attached to larger diameter off-set circular plate, thus .e e.e À ,

providing an L-shaped profile. Six of the support elements 30 protrude outwards while a seventh support element 31 protrudes inwards, underneath the frame 14, from the bottom portion of the plate 28.

The lower portion of the left-hand frame structure comprises a support structure 32 for a 5 plurality of golfclub head-retaining pockets, and is formed forexample of aluminium plate.

The support structure 32 includes an upper portion 33 comprising a set of substantially rectangular support frames 34, and a lower portion 35 comprising a set of ring shaped support frames 36. The support structure 32 is attached to a base plate 37 welded to the lower end of the upper portion of the frame structure by an L-shaped aluminium bar 38.

10 The support structure 32 supports two sets of head pockets, the first set comprising four substantially cuboid head pockets 40 suitable for irons, and a fifth larger pocket 42 for a putter. These pockets 40,42 are supported by the upper portion 33 of the support structure.

The second set comprises two substantially cylindrical pockets 44 suitable for woods, which are supported by the lower portion 35 of the support structure.

15 The right-hand frame structure 14' is approximately a mirror image of the left-hand frame structure 14, and like reference numerals have been used where appropriate. However, in the case of the right-hand frame structure 14', the first set upper portion 33 of the support structure supports five pockets 40 for irons. The lower portion 35 supports two pockets 44 for woods. In total therefore, the carrier can accommodate four woods, nine irons and a 20 putter, comprising a maximum complement of fourteen clubs.

One of the wood pockets 44 is shown in more detail in Figures 6 to 8. The pocket 44 comprises a bucket shaped rubber or plastics moulding having a substantially cylindrical wall 48 that is closed at the lower end by an end wall 50, the upper end being left open. A drain hole 51 for water is provided in the end wall 50. The upper portion 52 of the wall 48 25 is folded back upon itself, forming an annular pocket 54 that can accommodate one of the ring shaped support frames 36.

One of the iron head pockets 40 is shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10. Like the wood pocket 44, it comprises a rubber or plastics moulding, but it is cuboidal in shape, having I..' is..e 2'..

four side walls 567 58 and being closed at one end by an end wall 60. A drain hole 61 for water is provided in the end wall 60. Two of the side walls 56 have folded back portions 62, providing pockets 64 for receiving one of the rectangular support frames 34. The head pocket 42 for the putter, which is shown is Figures 11 and 12, is similar to the head pocket 5 for the iron, except that it is larger, to accommodate a large headed putter. Each of the pockets 40,42,44 is removable l'or cleaning, for example by washing.

One of the grip covers 10 is shown in Figures 13 to 15. The grip cover 10 comprises an elongate cylindrical sleeve 66 that is closed at one end by an end wall 68, which may carry some nomenclature 70 indicating the type of golf club. The other end of the cover 10 is 10 open. The cover 10 is of a sufficient length and diameter to allow it to be slipped over the grip of a golf club and it is made of a water-proof material, such as rubber or plastics.

When the goli'club carrier is erected for use as shown in Figures I to 3, the shaft support elements 30,31 are arranged on the left and right-hand sides of'the carrier. The clubs 6 are supported on the carrier 2 with their heads in the head pockets 40,42,44 and their shafts 15 supported by the shaft support elements 30,31. Seven clubs are therefore located on each side of the carrier 2. The grips of the clubs are protected by the grip covers 10. The kit bag 12 is located centrally, between the left and right-hand parts of the carrier 14, 14'.

To use a club 6, the golfer first removes the grip cover 10 (the carrier may optionally include a spike for retaining the cover whilst it is not in use) and then removes the golfclub 20 from the carrier by first lifting the shaft out of the shaft support element 30, and then withdrawing the head from the appropriate pocket 40,42,44. After playing his or her shot the golfer replaces the club by the reverse of the above process.

It will be noted that the shaft and head of the golf club are exposed to the elements and may therefore become wet il'it is raining. However, this does not matter, since the only part of 25 the club that has to be kept dry is the grip. The grips of the clubs are protected by the grip covers 10, and it will be noted that these are angled downwards, so that any rain falling on them runs down the shaft ofthe golfclub, away from the grips. The grips therefore remain dry and so do not become slippery in use.

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After use, the carrier can be lifted off the trolley and laid flat in the boot of a car by opening it out as shown in Figure 4. In this configuration it takes up less space in the boot, allowing other equipment such as the trolley 8 or the kit bag 12 to be placed on top of it.

The kit bag 12 is removable from the carrier, allowing clothing or other equipment to be 5 carried into the house, separately from the clubs and the frame of the carrier.

Various modifications oi the carrier are possible. For example, the carrier may include means for carrying an umbrella. It may also include a lockable grille that fits over the lower support structure 32 to prevent the heads of the clubs being withdrawn from the pockets 40,42,44. Since the heads are the most valuable parts of the clubs, this provides a useful l O anti-theft device.

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Claims

1. A golf club carrier including a frame structure and, attached thereto, a plurality of golf club head receiving means and a plurality of golf club shaft support elements.

2. A golf club carrier according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is constructed and arranged such that, during normal use, the golf club head receiving means are lower than the golf club shaft support elements.

3. A golf club carrier according to claim I or claim 2, including a first set of golf club head receiving means for woods, and a second set of golf club head receiving means for irons.

4. A golf club carrier according to claim 3, wherein the first set of golf club head receiving means comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical pockets.

5. A golf club carrier according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the second set of golf club head receiving means comprises a plurality of substantially cuboidal pockets.

6. A golf club carrier according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first and second sets of golf club head receiving means are located at different levels.

7. A golf club carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier is constructed and arranged such that, during normal use, the golf clubs are carried on the sides of the frame.

8. A golf club carrier according to claim 7, including a storage container for golf equipment, located between the sides of the frame.

9. A golf club carrier according to claim 8, wherein the storage container comprises a removable bag.

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10. A golf club carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame structure includes two complementary frame elements that are joined to one another by means of a hinge element.

A golf club carrier according to claim 10, wherein the frame elements are constructed and arranged to fold flat for storage or transportation.

12. A gol f club carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier is constructed and arranged for use on a golf trolley.

13. A golf club carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, including a plurality of golf club grip covers.

14. A golf club carrier according to claim 13, wherein the golf club grip covers comprise tube elements suitable for fitting over golf club grips.

15. A golf club carrier according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the golf club grip covers include indicia indicating the type of golf club.

16. A golf club carrier according to claim 13, claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the frame structure includes a receiving element for a golf club grip cover.

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