Patent ID: 6381998
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: A63B,Y10T

Abstract:
A golf bag security device for installation on a golf bag having an open interior space configured to receive a plurality of golf clubs, each of the clubs having an elongated shaft with a head on one end thereof and a manually engageable grip on the other end thereof, the grip defining a shoulder surface facing generally towards the head, said device comprising:a club retaining assembly constructed and arranged to be securely mounted to the bag to thereby install said device with one side thereof facing exteriorly with respect to the bag opening and the other side thereof facing interiorly with respect to the bag opening; said club retaining assembly having a plurality of club receiving openings, each of said openings being positioned and configured to receive an associated one of the golf clubs with the head thereof disposed exteriorly of the club retaining assembly and the grip thereof disposed interiorly of the club retaining assembly when said device is installed; said club retaining assembly providing shoulder engaging surfaces that face interiorly into the bag when said device is installed; said club retaining assembly includes a base portion and a club retaining portion, said club retaining portion being movable relative to said base portion and said club retaining portion providing said shoulder engaging surfaces of said club retaining assembly; said club retaining portion includes a multiplicity of cammable fingers depending from said base portion with a number of said cammable fingers being arranged around each of said club receiving openings, said fingers providing said shoulder engaging surfaces; said club retaining assembly being movable between (1) a club retaining position wherein said shoulder engaging surfaces are positioned with respect to said club receiving openings such that the shoulder surface on the grip of an associated club engages an associated shoulder engaging surface during outward movement of the associated club relative to the club receiving opening in which it is received to thereby prevent attempted club removal through said club receiving openings and (2) a club releasing position wherein said shoulder engaging surfaces are positioned with respect to said club receiving openings to allow the clubs to be removed outwardly from the bag through said club receiving openings; a bag securing assembly integrated within said golf bag security device, said bag securing assembly being movable between (1) a bag securing position wherein said securing assembly secures the golf bag to a fixed object when said device is installed, thereby preventing the bag with the clubs therein from being carried away and (2) a bag releasing position wherein said bag securing assembly can be released from the fixed object so that the bag with the clubs therein can be carried away from the fixed object; a single releasable lock integrated within said golf bag security device, said lock being constructed and arranged to be moved between (a) a releasably locked position locking both said club retaining assembly in said club retaining position thereof and said bag securing assembly in said bag securing position thereof, and (b) a released position allowing both said club retaining assembly to be moved to said club releasing position thereof and said bag securing assembly to be moved to said bag releasing position thereof; and an actuating mechanism operatively associated with said club retaining assembly and having a manually operable portion, said actuating mechanism being constructed and arranged such that manual operation of said manually operable portion moves said club retaining assembly between said club retaining and club releasing positions thereof; wherein said actuating mechanism comprising a moveable camming member having camming surfaces operatively associated with each of said cammable fingers; and said actuating mechanism being constructed and arranged such that manual operation of said manually operable portion moves said camming member such that the camming surfaces thereof cam said cammable fingers inwardly with respect to said club receiving openings so that each of said shoulder engaging surfaces is positioned to engage the shoulder surface on the grip of an associated club during outward movement of the associated club so as to prevent attempted club removal, thereby realizing the club retaining position of said club retaining assembly.