GB2434321A

GB2434321A - Extendable golf bag

Info

Publication number: GB2434321A
Application number: GB0601006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Smith
Original assignee: KAALA SPORT Ltd
Current assignee: KAALA SPORT Ltd
Priority date: 2006-01-18
Filing date: 2006-01-18
Publication date: 2007-07-25
Also published as: GB0601006D0

Abstract

A golf bag 10 comprises a housing with an opening to allow access to an interior thereof, wherein an upper part 22 of the housing is moveable between contracted (Figure 5) and extended positions so that the length of the bag 10 may be varied. The housing part 22 may be held in the extended or retracted position by a deformable member 60 gripping a hollow shaft 52 and being operable by a toggle-action lever 28. Also disclosed is a club head support for the golf bag (see figure 6).

Description

Title: Golf Bag

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a golf bag.

In the course of a game of golf, a player may use a variety of clubs, with different clubs beingused according to the particular requirements of a shot.

For example, a heavy wood club will typically be used to tee-off', whilst a putter may be used for more delicate shots close to the hole. A typical set of golf clubs comprises 14 clubs in total. In order to facilitate storage of the clubs, their transport to and from a golf course and during play, golfers often use a golf bag. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the term golf bag' encompasses a variety of different constructions, with a typical example * comprising a bag made of leather, PVC or other such flexible materials supported by a rigid (e.g. metal) frame, having an opening at its upper end through which golf clubs may be inserted, with their heads facing upwardly, :, .:.

into an interior of the bag. Such a bag typically has a variety of pockets for storing accessories such as tees and the like, and one or more handles or *: : : : straps to enable it to be carried. The bag may be mountable on a wheeled support such as a trolley to enable it easily to be pulled around a golf course, with the support being foldable or collapsible for storage and transport.

Golf bags of this type have a number of disadvantages. As the heads of the clubs, and thus most of the weight of the bag, are positioned at an upper end of the bag, the bag can be somewhat top-heavy' and unstable and thus prone to falling over, and the club heads are also exposed to the elements, which can cause corrosion. It is also easy for a thief to steal clubs from such a bag, if it is left unattended even for a short period of time. Furthermore, as the clubs are loose in the bag, they are likely to clash with each other when the bag is moved, particularly when the bag is loaded into the boot of a car, as the longer clubs often have to be removed from the bag to allow it to fit into the boot, with the remaining clubs thus having more room in which to move, possibly causing damage to their heads and shafts. Moreover, the large size of golf bags of this type often makes their transport and storage difficult.

Efforts have been made to alleviate these problems. For example, the golf bag described in WO01/03779 has a rotatable carousel to retain the handles and shafts of a number of clubs, with the heads of the clubs being contained within a series of fixed, dished shelves. However, this approach has its disadvantages, in that the heads of the golf clubs can still clash with each other causing damage, and in that a user is obliged to locate the club heads in one of the three fixed dishes. In addition, this bag does nothing to alleviate the problems associated with the size of golf bags, and the consequential storage and transport problems. : * According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf bag comprising a housing having an opening to allow access to an interior thereof, wherein an upper part of the housing is moveable between contracted and extended positions so that the length of the bag may be varied. * The housing may be generally rigid and may have a neck section of reduced * diameter over which the upper part may be positioned in the contracted position.

The bag may further comprise a latch mechanism to impede the contraction and extension of the upper part.

The latch mechanism may comprise a deformable member which, when deformed, impedes relative movement between the upper part and the housing.

The deformable member may be mounted within a outer member and associated with an inner member which is slidably received within the outer member, such that when the deformable member is deformed, relative movement between the inner member and outer member is impeded.

The outer member may comprise a hollow shaft which preferably extends generally centrally within the housing, with the inner member being associated with the retractable upper part of the housing.

The latch mechanism may further comprise a lever or catch which causes the deformable member to be deformed, thus to impede relative movement between the inner member and outer member. I. *

The lever or catch may be a toggle-action lever or catch, and may be * .: associated with the upper part of the housing.

The opening may comprise a door, which may extend over substantially the entire height of the golf bag. ,,, The door may be slidable within the housing.

The door may be formed in two or more sections, with the sections being moveable in relation to each other to accommodate the movement of the upper part of the housing. Rollers may be provided to facilitate the relative movement of the door sections.

The golf bag may further comprise a club selector mechanism, which may be mounted for rotation within the housing.

The club selector mechanism may comprise a generally central shaft, at a lower end of which is mounted a tray, ledge or shelf to support heads of some of a set of clubs. Individual club head supports may be disposed at different heights around the central shaft, such that the handles of golf clubs stored in the bag may all be positioned in a generally similar region within the bag.

The club selector mechanism may further comprise club shaft retainers to hold the shafts of golf clubs in position. The club shaft retainers may be disposed around the circumference of the generally central shaft.

The club selector mechanism may further comprise club end retainers to prevent clubs stored in the bag from moving in an upward direction. The club end retainers may be disposed around and attached to the circumference of:. . an upper part of the central shaft. * The position of the club head supports relative to the central shaft may be adjustable. Similarly, the position of the club shaft retainers on the central shaft may be adjustable.

One of the central shaft and club head supports may have a groove or slot, with the other having a corresponding projection, such that the club head supports may be slotted into position on the central shaft. A fastener, such as a screw, may be provided to secure each club head support to the central shaft, conveniently in a releasable manner.

One of the central shaft and club shaft retainers may have a groove or slot,.

with the other having a corresponding projection, such that the club shaft retainers may be slotted into position on the central shaft. A fastener, such as a screw, may be provided to secure each club shaft retainer to the central shaft, conveniently in a releasable manner.

Specific and non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a golf bag in a contracted condition; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the golf bag of Figure 1 in an extended condition; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the golf bag of Figures 1 and 2 in an extended condition; S * S FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of an upper part of the golf bag of Figures 1 and 2 in an extended position; FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of an upper part of the golf bag of Figures I and 2 in a contracted position; , , FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the club selector mechanism; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a lower part of the club selector mechanism; FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view of a club head support mounted on a central shaft; and FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of part of the central shaft of the club selector mechanism.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a golf bag is shown generally at 10, comprising a generally rigid, somewhat cylindrical housing 12 of a plastics or other suitable material having a door 14 which extends over substantially the entire height of the bag 10, and which allows access, through an opening, to an interior of the bag 10. In this example the door 14 is a sliding door, but it will be appreciated that alternative constructions, such as a hinged door, could also be used. The door 14 is provided with a handle (not shown) to facilitate its opening and closing, with the handle being provided at any convenient position, for example towards the top or centre of the door 14. Handles 16 are also provided on side parts of the bag 10 to facilitate lifting, and a retractable handle 18 is provided towards an upper section of the bag 10, to allow the bag to be pulled along the ground on ground-engaging wheels 20, positioned at a lower part of the bag 10. The wheels may be fixed, or alternatively may be:.

hinged, allowing them to adopt two or more different positions, in order to * assist in negotiating difficult terrain. A retractable upper part 22 is provided, to enable the bag 10, in the extended condition shown in Figure 1, to accommodate golf clubs with long shafts whilst in use on a golf course. With these long-shafted clubs removed from the bag, the upper part 22 may be moved to a contracted position, by sliding it into position over a neck section 24 which has a reduced diameter compared to the rest of the housing 10.

This movement allows the overall length of the bag 10 to be reduced for storage or transport purposes, for example to allow the bag 10 to fit into the boot of a car. It will be appreciated, of course, that length' is intended to refer to the bag's largest linear dimension: when upright, the term height' could also be used. A rotary club selector knob or dial 26 is provided generally centrally of an upper part of the bag 10, to operate a rotary club selector mechanism, which is described in detail below.

Turning next to Figure 3, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the golf bag 10 of Figures 1 and 2. The bag 10 has a rotary club selector mechanism 30, comprising a shaft 32 mounted for rotation generally centrally within the housing 12. Mounted on a lower part of the shaft 32 is a tray 34 with integral formations to support the heads of long-shafted golf clubs, for example woods and a putter, whilst a plurality of individual club head supports 36 are mounted at varying heights around the circumference of the shaft 32, so that when a set of clubs is stored in the bag 10, their grips may all be positioned in a generally similar region within the bag 10, to facilitate the removal of a club by a golfer. Club shaft retainers 38 (not visible in Figure 3, but shown in detail in Figures 6 and 9) are disposed around the circumference of a generally central region of the shaft 32, to hold the shafts of clubs in place. To that end, separate slots' are provided for each individual golf club in a set, formed by the combination of either one of the formations on the lower tray 34, or one of the club head supports 36 mounted around the shaft 32, with the corresponding (i.e. generally vertically aligned) club shaft retainer 38.

Club end retainers 40 are mounted around the circumference of the shaft 32 towards an upper end thereof, to prevent clubs from jumping', i.e. moving in an upward direction, when stored or transported in the bag 10. ,, ,

S

The central shaft 32 extends upwardly through the bag 10, and terminates at an exterior of the bag by the club selector knob/dial 26, which may be rotated to position a desired club slot' adjacent the door 14 of the bag 10. The club selector knob/dial 26 is provided with a toggle-action lever or catch 28 which operates a latch mechanism to allow the moveable upper part 22 of the bag 10 to be contracted or extended, as described below.

A strengthening member 42, being in the form of a generally annular flange in which there is provided a gap 44, as shown in Figures 6 and 9, is provided at a generally central (i.e. mid-height) part of the housing 12, in a generally similar region to the club shaft retainers 38, to increase the rigidity of the bag 10, with the gap 44 being disposed generally adjacent the opening (or the door 14, when closed) of the bag 10. As well as enhancing the rigidity of the bag 10, the strengthening member 42 provides additional support for the club shafts, to prevent them from accidentally becoming disengaged from the club shaft retainers 38, by covering or closing all of the club shaft retainers 38, except the one which is positioned adjacent the gap 44. Thus, in order to remove a club from the bag, or to insert one into the bag, the club selector mechanism 30 must be rotated, by means of the knob/dial 26, until the desired slot' is adjacent the gap 44 and the opening or door 14. The club may then be removed from, or inserted into, the bag 10, by overcoming the spring action of the retainers 38.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the upper part of the bag 10 is shown in, , more detail. The central shaft, shown generally at 32, comprises an upper section 50 and a hollow lower section 52, with the upper section 50 being slidable within the lower section 52. A compression spring 54 is mounted within the lower section 52, an upper end of which abuts a washer 56, which is secured to a rod 58. The rod 58 extends upwardly within the upper section 50, and is hingedly attached to the toggle-action lever/catch 28 on the club selector knob/dial 26. A deformable grommet 60 of rubber or any other suitable material is also mounted about the rod 58, between the washer 56 and a stop 62 which is fixed to a lower end of the upper section 50, but through which the rod 58 can slide. In the condition shown in Figure 4, the toggle-action lever/catch 28 is engaged, and the contractable upper part 22 cannot move to a contracted position. This is because the action of the lever/catch 28 on the shaft 58 urges the shaft 58 upwardly, which in turn urges the washer 56 upwardly. The grommet 60 is thus compressed (in a longitudinal direction) between the washer 56 and the stop 62, causing it to expand in a radial direction, such that it engages with an internal wall of the lower section 52 of the central shaft 32. The friction between the grommet 60 and the internal wall is sufficient to prevent the upper part 22 of the bag 10 from being moved to its contracted position.

When the lever/catch 28 is disengaged, the rod 58 is caused to move downwardly, and the longitudinal compression of the grommet 60 thus ceases, allowing it to return to its uncompressed state, in which it does not engage with the inner wall of the lower section 52 of the central shaft 32. The upper part 22 of the bag 10 can thus move to a contracted position, by pressing down on it, which causes it to slide into a position over the neck section 24, as shown in Figure 5. In this position, the lever/catch 28 can be * re-engaged, again to cause longitudinal compression and radial expansion of: . the grommet 60, thus to prevent the upper section 22 of the bag 10 from extending, under the action of the compression spring 54.

In order to accommodate the contraction and extension of the upper part 22 of the bag 10, the door, shown generally at 14, is formed in two sections: a lower, :: section 64 and an upper section 66. The upper section 66 is able to slide over the lower section 64, with a sloping upper edge 68 being provided on the lower section 64, and a corresponding stepped or sloping lower edge 70 being provided on the upper section 66 to facilitate this. Roller units, shown generally at 72, similar to those found on many kitchen drawers, for example, are provided to reduce friction between the two door sections 64, 66 and thus facilitate contraction and extension of the upper part 22 of the bag 10, and to hold the two sections 64, 66 together, such that the whole of the door may 14 slide open or closed in both the contracted and the extended conditions of the bag 10.

A tube 74 is provided to receive the retractable handle 18, and is of sufficient depth to receive substantially the entire length of the handle 28, as shown in Figure 5. The handle 18 may be provided with a catch or similar mechanism to enable it to be fixed in one of a plurality of positions within the tube 74.

Figure 6 shows the club selector mechanism in detail. The lower tray 34 (also shown in Figure 7) is formed from a plastics material, in this example, but it will be understood by those skilled on the art that any suitable material could be employed. The lower tray 34 is formed with a number (in this example three) of club head receiving formations 80, to receive and support the head of long-shafted clubs, such as woods. Each receiving formation 80 is configured so as to prevent the club head received therein from clashing with club heads received in adjacent formations 80. Similarly, the individual club head supports 36 positioned around the circumference of the central shaft 32 are configured so as to prevent club heads in adjacent supports 36 from clashing.

S

Turning next to Figure 8, the method of attaching the club head supports 36 to * the central shaft 32 is shown in more detail. The shaft 32 is formed with a: :: : plurality of slots or grooves 90 in its outer surface, in this example of generally T-shaped cross-section, but it will be understood that alternative shapes could be used. Each of the club head supports 36 is provided with a projection 92 corresponding to the shape of the slot/groove 90, such that the club head supports 36 can be slotted into position around the central shaft 32. The club head supports 36 may then be secured in position on the shaft 32 by means of a fastener 94, such as a screw. The club shaft retainers 38 are secured to the central shaft 32 in a similar fashion, as shown in Figure 9. In this way, the positioning of the club head supports 36 can be configured and/or re-configured by a golfer in accordance with his own particular preferences. It will of course be understood that the shaft 32 could be formed with a plurality of outwardly-extending formations, with the club head supports 36 each having a corresponding groove or slot.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. *t'.

Claims

Claims 1. A golf bag comprising a housing having an opening to allow

access to an interior thereof, wherein an upper part of the housing is moveable between contracted and extended positions so that the length of the bag may be varied.

2. A golf bag according to Claim 1 wherein the housing is generally rigid.

3. A golf bag according to Claim I or Claim 2 further comprising a neck section of reduced diameter over which the upper part may be positioned in * the contracted position.

4. A golf bag according to any of the preceding claims wherein further comprising a latch mechanism to impede the retraction and extension of the * upperpart.

5. A golf bag according to claim 4 wherein the latch mechanism comprises a deformable member which, when deformed, impedes relative movement between the upper part and the housing.

6. A golf bag according to Claim 5 wherein the deformable member is mounted within an outer member and associated with an inner member which is slidably received within the outer member, such that when the deformable member is deformed, relative movement between the inner member and outer member is impeded.

7. A golf bag according to Claim 6 wherein the outer member comprises a hollow shaft which extends within the housing, with the inner member being associated with the retractable upper part of the housing.

8. A golf bag according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a lever or catch which causes the deformable member to be deformed, thus to impede relative movement between the inner member and outer member.

9. A golf bag according to Claim 8 wherein the lever or catch comprises a toggle-action lever or catch.

10. A golf bag according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the lever or catch is associated with the upper part of the housing. . : 11. A golf bag according to any of the preceding claims wherein the opening comprises a door.

12. A golf bag according to Claim 11 wherein the door extends over substantially the entire height of the golf bag.

13. A golf bag according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the door is slidable.

14. A golf bag according to any on of claims 11 to 13 wherein the door is formed in two or more sections, with the sections being moveable in relation to each other to accommodate the movement of the upper part of the housing.

15. A golf bag according to Claim 14 wherein rollers are be provided to facilitate the relative movement of the door sections.

16. A golf bag according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a club selector mechanism.

17. A golf bag according to Claim 16 wherein the club selector mechanism is mounted for rotation within the housing.

18. A golf bag according to Claim 16 or Claim 17 wherein the club selector mechanism comprises a generally central shaft, at a lower end of which is mounted a tray, ledge or shelf to support heads of some of a set of clubs.

19. A golf bag according to Claim 18 wherein individual club head supports are disposed at different heights around the shaft, such that the handles of golf clubs stored in the bag may all be positioned in a generally similar region within the bag.

20. A golf bag according to any of claims 16 to 19 wherein the club selector mechanism comprises club shaft retainers to hold the shafts of golf clubs in position.

21. A golf bag according to Claim 20 wherein the club shaft retainers are disposed around the generally central shaft.

22. A golf bag according to any of claims 16 to 21 wherein the club selector mechanism comprises club end retainers to prevent clubs stored in the bag from moving in an upward direction.

23. A golf bag according to Claim 22 wherein the club end retainers are disposed around and attached to an upper part of the central shaft.

24. A golf bag according to any Claim 19 wherein the position of the club head supports on the central shaft is adjustable.

25. A golf bag according to Claim 20 wherein the position of the club shaft retainers on the central shaft is adjustable.

26. A golf bag according to Claim 19 wherein one of the central shaft and club head supports has a groove or slot, with the other having a corresponding projection, such that the club head supports may be slotted into position on the central shaft.

27. A golf bag according to Claim 27 wherein a fastener is provided to secure each club head support to the central shaft.

28. A golf bag according to Claim 20 wherein one of the central shaft and club shaft retainers is provided with a groove or slot, with the other having a corresponding projection, such that the club shaft retainers may be slotted into position on the central shaft.

29. A golf bag according to claim 28 wherein a fastener is provided to * secure each club shaft retainer to the central shaft.

30. A golf bag having a housing and a plurality of club head supports adapted to be mounted about a generally central shaft within the housing, the club head supports each being releasably engageable with the shaft so that the position of clubs stored within the bag may be adjusted by a user.

31. A golf bag according to claim 30, further comprising the features of any of claims ito 18 and 20 to 29.

32. A golf bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

33. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings. a