Abstract:
A golf bag having one or more adjustable features is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf bag comprises a handle rotatable around an axis perpendicular to a vertical axis extending through the body of the golf bag, and may be fixed in place via a locking mechanism so that the handle maintains a desired angle with respect to the vertical axis. The handle of the present invention preferably is rotatably affixed to a collar or upper portion of the golf bag. The golf bag also comprises an external pocket that is removably affixed to an exterior surface of the golf bag with hook and loop fasteners and other attachment mechanisms.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/693,910, tiled on Aug. 28, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a golf bag having adjustable features, including a movable handle and a removable external pocket. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Golf bags of all kinds, including stand and cart bags, typically include one or more straps to facilitate long distance carrying of the bag, and also include one or more handles located at or proximate an upper or collar portion of the bag that enable golfers to lift and carry the bag short distances. These handles typically extend approximately perpendicularly from a vertical side of the upper or collar portion of the bag of the bag and are formed integrally with the collar or upper portion of the bag. As a result of the integral forming of the handles with the collar of the bag during manufacturing, these handles are fixed in place and cannot be adjusted. Golf bags generally have a standard height, so the fixed quality of the handles can inconvenience or cause discomfort to a golfer who is taller or shorter than average and must grasp the fixed handle at an awkward or non-intuitive angle. As such, there is a need for a golf bag having an adjustable handle, 
         [0007]    Golf bags also typically include one or more external pockets that are sized to hold various golf-related equipment and accessories such as golf balls, water bottles, and gloves. The external surfaces of these pockets typically are embroidered with manufacturer and/or golf club logos, but such embroidery is difficult to accomplish when the pocket is integrated with or otherwise permanently affixed to the rest of the golf bag. As such, there is a need for a golf bag having pockets that can be easily customized. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The golf bags of the present invention allow users to adjust the angle formed by the handle with respect to a vertical axis intersecting the golf bag body, and thus increase the ease of use of the golf bags. The present invention also provides removable and interchangeable storage pockets, which allow for greater custom embroidery manufacturing efficiency as well as increased customization options for end users in areas such as materials, colors, design, and functionality. 
         [0009]    One aspect of the present invention is a golf bag comprising a top collar comprising at least one divider, a handle rotatably affixed to the top collar, and a bag body. In some embodiments, the collar may comprise first and second rotation points, the handle may comprise first and second rotation elements, the first rotation element may rotatably affixed to the first rotation point, and the second rotation element may be rotatably affixed to the second rotation point. In some of these embodiments, the first rotation point may be located on a first side of the collar and the second rotation point may be located on a second side of the collar opposite the first side of the collar. In other embodiments, a locking means may be disposed between the handle and the collar, and the locking means may allow a golfer to temporarily fix the handle to the collar. In certain embodiments, the handle may be rotatable around an axis that intersects the first and second rotation points. In other embodiments, the top collar and the handle may be composed of a plastic material, an angle between the handle and a vertical axis intersecting the collar may be adjustable, the collar may comprise a plurality of dividers, the bag body may be selected from the group consisting of a stand bag body, a carry bag body, and a cart bag body, and/or the golf bag may further comprise at least one carry strap. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention is a golf bag collar comprising a ring comprising a plurality of internal dividers and an external wall, and a handle rotatably affixed at two points to the external wall, wherein the ring is composed of a lightweight material. The ring may be sized to fit within a golf bag body, and some embodiments may further comprise a locking mechanism that releasably fixes the handle to the ring. In some embodiments, the lightweight material may be selected from the group consisting of plastic, composite, and a metal alloy. In other embodiments, the handle, which may be composed of a plastic material and be partially covered with a rubber material, or may comprise a lightweight material selected from the group consisting of rubber, plastic, composite, and a lightweight metal alloy, may comprise first and second rotation elements. In some embodiments, the handle may be rotatable around a first axis, and wherein the first axis is perpendicular to a second, vertical axis that bisects the ring. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second rotation elements comprises a locking mechanism, which may engage a part of the ring to semi-permanently fix the handle to the ring. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may comprise a pin sized to mate with a recess disposed on the oval ring. 
         [0011]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf bag comprising a top collar with at least one divider, a handle rotatably affixed to the top collar, a bag body, abase, and an external pocket, wherein the external pocket comprises a plurality of attachment features that removably affix the external pocket to an exterior surface of the bag body. In some embodiments, the collar may comprise first and second rotation points, the handle may comprise first and second rotation elements, the first rotation element may be rotatably affixed to the first rotation point, the second rotation element may be rotatably affixed to the second rotation point, the first rotation point may be located on a first side of the collar, the second rotation point may be located on a second side of the collar opposite the first side of the collar, and the handle may be rotatable around an axis that intersects the first and second rotation points. The golf bag may, in some further embodiments, comprise a locking mechanism disposed between the handle and the collar, which may temporarily fix the handle to the collar. In some embodiments, an angle between the handle and a vertical axis intersecting the collar is adjustable. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the plurality of attachment features may be a first plurality of hook and loop fasteners, the exterior surface of the bag body may comprise a second plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and the second plurality of hook and loop fasteners may be disposed on the external surface of the bag body to mate with the first plurality of hook and loop fasteners. In further embodiments, the golf bag may comprise a zipper assembly that removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body, a plurality of clip assemblies that removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body, and/or a rod and channel assembly that removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body. In some embodiments, the collar may comprise a plurality of dividers, and the external pocket may extend from the collar to the base. In still other embodiments, the bag body may be selected from the group consisting of a stand bag body, a carry bag body, and a cart bag body. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the present invention is a golf bag comprising a collar, body comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a left side portion, a right side portion, an external surface, and a longitudinal axis, abase, and a first removable pocket comprising a first plurality of hook and loop fasteners, wherein the external surface comprises a second plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and wherein the second plurality of hook and loop fasteners is aligned on the external surface to mate with the first plurality of hook and loop fasteners. In some further embodiments, the bag body may comprise a channel extending along the longitudinal axis, the first removable pocket may comprise a flexible rod, and the rod may be removably received within the channel to affix the first removable pocket to the bag body. In some embodiments, the first removable pocket may be removably affixed to one of the side portions, and in a further embodiment, a second removable pocket may be removably affixed to the other side portion. In some embodiments, the channel and the flexible rod may be hidden from view when the removable pocket is affixed to the bag body. 
         [0014]    Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a golf bag collar according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in combination with a golf bag. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, side perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is an exploded, side perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is a close up view of the circled areas in  FIG. 5A  when they are affixed to one another. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded, side perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a close up view of the circled areas in  FIG. 6A  when they are proximate each other. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded, side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a close up view of the circled areas in  FIG. 7A  when they are affixed to one another. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . As disclosed in these Figures, a collar  10  having a plurality of dividers  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  sized to receive one or more golf club shafts is formed from a sturdy and lightweight material, preferably plastic, composite, or a lightweight metal alloy. A handle  20  generally extends from two rotation points  30 ,  35  located on opposite sides of the exterior surface  15  of the collar  10 . The handle  20  includes rotator elements  23 ,  25 , which in the preferred embodiment have a circular shape but can be any shape desired by the manufacturer, that are affixed to the rotation points  30 ,  35  on the collar  10  and rotate around an axis  40  extending through the two rotation points  30 ,  35 . 
         [0026]    By rotating the rotator elements  23 ,  35 , and thus the handle  20 , around the axis  40 , the angle α between the handle  20  and a vertical axis  50  extending through the collar  10  and the golf bag body  60  to which it is attached can be adjusted. The rotator elements  23 ,  35  can then be locked to the collar  10  when the handle  20  is adjusted so that handle  20  is temporarily fixed at an angle α selected by the golfer. The rotator elements  23 ,  25  and collar  10  can include any locking mechanism or means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the rotator elements  23 ,  25  comprises pins (not shown) that are temporarily inserted into recesses (not shown) on the collar  10  to prevent the rotator elements  23 ,  25  from moving with respect to the collar  10 . In another embodiment, the rotator elements  23 ,  25  comprise releasable internal clamps (not shown) that are attached to one or more protrusions (not shown) extending from the exterior surface  15  of the collar  10 . 
         [0027]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention also comprises one or more removable pockets  70  sized to attach to an external surface of the golf bag body  60 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the exemplary pocket  70 , which comprises one or more enclosed interior spaces or sub-pockets (not shown) accessible via one or more closable openings  75 , preferably extends from the collar  10  to the base  65  of the golf bag body  60 , thus covering one entire side of the golf bag body  60 . The pocket  70  preferably is removably affixed to the golf bag body via hook and loop (e.g., Velcro®) strips  80  placed roughly along a longitudinal axis  62  of both the golf bag body  60  and the underside of an edge  72  of the pocket  70 , and movement of the pocket  70  during use of the golf bag is prevented by the use of smaller hook and loop strips  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  disposed at intervals at locations on the golf bag body  60  underneath the pocket  70 , with mating strips (not shown) disposed at similar locations on the lower surface (not shown) of the pocket  70 . The hook and loop strips  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  may be placed anywhere underneath the pocket  70 , as long as they create the visual impression that the pocket  70  is seamlessly and permanently integrated with the golf bag body  60 . 
         [0028]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the pocket  70  is affixed to the golf bag body  60 , roughly along its longitudinal axis  62 , with a zipper assembly  90 . The zipper assembly  90  may extend around the entire circumference of the pocket  70 , but preferably, for the purpose of reducing the overall weight of the bag, extends only along one edge  72  of the pocket  70 , which is secured to the bag at its other points with smaller hook and loop strips  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  disposed at intervals underneath the pocket as disclosed in connection with  FIG. 4  herein. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the pocket  70  is affixed to the golf bag body  60  roughly along its longitudinal axis  62  with a plurality of clip assemblies  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , each of which is made up of a clip  110  and a clip receiver  112 . Each clip  110  preferably is disposed on the golf bag body  60 , while the clip receiver  112  is disposed on an underside of the pocket  70  so the assembly  102  will be hidden when the pocket  70  is affixed to the golf bag body  60 , but in other embodiments some or all of the clip receivers  112  may be disposed on the golf bag body  60  instead of on the pocket  70 . The clip assemblies  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  may extend around the entire circumference of the pocket  70 , but preferably, for the purpose of reducing the overall weight of the bag, extend only along one edge  72  of the pocket  70 , which is secured to the bag at its other points with smaller hook and loop strips  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  disposed at intervals underneath the pocket as disclosed in connection with  FIG. 4  herein. The clip assemblies  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  preferably are made from a lightweight, non-metallic material to reduce the overall weight of the golf bag, but may be made from any sturdy materials known to a person skilled in the art. 
         [0030]    In yet another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the pocket  70  is affixed to the golf bag body  60  roughly along its longitudinal axis  62  with a rod and channel assembly  120 . As shown in these figures, the golf bag body  60  comprises an elongated channel  122  that extends roughly along the longitudinal axis  62  from the collar  10  to the base  65 , while the pocket  70  comprises an elongated rod  124  extending underneath a longitudinal edge  72  of the pocket  70 . The rod  124 , which preferably is formed from a flexible, non-metallic material like plastic or composite to increase the ease of assembly and reduce the overall bag weight, is preferably disposed underneath the external surface of the pocket  70  so that the rod and channel assembly  120  is hidden from view when the pocket is assembled with the golf bag body  60 . The channel  122  is sized to receive the rod  124  such that the pocket  70  is attached to the golf bag body  60  by sliding the rod  124  down the channel  122  until the rod  124  is fully disposed within the channel  122 . The channel  122  preferably has a closed bottom surface to prevent the rod  124  from sliding out of the channel  122  during use. In an alternative embodiment, the golf club body  60  my include the rod  124  and the pocket  70  may include the channel  122 . As with the other embodiments disclosed herein, rod and channel assemblies  120  may disposed around more than one edge of the pocket  70 , but the rod and channel assembly  120  preferably, for the purpose of reducing the overall weight of the bag, extends only along one edge  72  of the pocket  70 , which is secured to the bag at its other points with smaller hook and loop strips  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  disposed at intervals underneath the pocket as disclosed in connection with  FIG. 4  herein. 
         [0031]    The novel removable pocket  70  structures disclosed herein are beneficial because golf equipment manufacturers typically embroider or otherwise affix company logos along the side of their golf bags to increase brand visibility, and also customize the external surface of golf bags for customers. The removable pocket  70  allows manufacturers to focus on embroidering only a small part of the overall golf bag body  60 , thus increasing the efficiency and reducing the cost of customizing, assembling, packaging, shipping, and importing golf bag products. The removable nature of the pocket  70  also allows customers to customize their bags after purchase, by buying replacement pockets with different cosmetic or functional features, such as different materials, colors, attachments like divots and clips to hold other accessories, and number of sub-pockets. 
         [0032]    The collar  10  and handle  20  configuration of the present invention can be used in connection with any kind of golf bag, including stand bags, carry bags, and cart bags, and can be made from any materials known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the handle may be made of a lightweight but sturdy plastic and then covered with a rubber material to facilitate grasping by a golfer during use. Similarly, the removable pocket  70  may be combined with any type of golf bag, and be disposed on any part of a golf bag, including the front, rear, sides, and straps of the golf bag, and pre-existing golf bags may be retrofitted to accommodate a removable pocket  70  by adding one or more of the features disclosed herein. The removable pocket  70 , and the various means for attaching the removable pocket to the golf bag disclosed herein, may be made of any material preferred by the user, and does not have to made of the same material as the golf bag to which it is affixed. 
         [0033]    From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.