Abstract:
A device for safely and efficiently transporting golf clubs on motorcycles wherein the golf bag is separable into two equal halves that are supported on opposite sides of the motorcycle for transport and are then secured together to form a single golf bag for use in the traditional manner to transport a plurality of golf clubs during the playing of golf.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/751,527 filed Dec. 19, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to transporting golf clubs, and more specifically to transporting golf clubs on motorcycles. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    From the beginning of the game of golf players have used various devices to transport their golf clubs to, from, and around golf courses. Golf bags, as they have come to be called, are well known in the art. Typically the height of golf bags is proportional to the length of the golf clubs that are inserted into the bag from the top and the diameter of golf bags is suitable for holding an entire set of golf clubs, or some portion thereof. Golf bags commonly have various pockets for holding golf accessories such as golf balls, tees, gloves, etc. Golf bags typically have a rigid base and a frame sturdy enough that the open top of the golf bags does not fall down around the golf clubs. The materials that are used in manufacture of golf bags vary widely and include leather, canvas, synthetic materials, etc. 
         [0004]    In parallel with the ever increasing interest in golf interest in motorcycle riding has steadily increased. For as long as motorcycles have been used as a mode of transportation motorcycle riders have sought the ability to store and transport various articles on their motorcycles. By definition, motorcycles do not have the storage space that characterizes even the smallest traditional automobiles. A further complication comprises the fact that articles transported on motorcycles must be balanced so as not to create dangerous conditions for motorcycle riders and passengers. The most common storage devices used on motorcycles are saddle-bags, which are two equally sized bags that are placed on opposite sides of the motorcycle to provide the necessary balance. Saddle-bags are well known in the art and can be rigid or pliable. It is also known to use trailers to store and transport larger items, but trailers are expensive and add complications to the operation of the motorcycles. 
         [0005]    Heretofore motorcycle riders wanting to transport golf bags have not had a safe, efficient, and inexpensive way of doing so. Golf bags are somewhat large in relation to the size of most motorcycles and will not fit inside storage compartments such as traditional saddle-bags. Further, the size and weight of traditional golf bags would imbalance motorcycles even if attached thereto or if simply held by the motorcycle rider or passenger. 
         [0006]    The present invention addresses the above-described problems by providing golf bags for transporting golf clubs on motorcycles. In accordance with the invention golf bags are constructed in two complimentary halves that are attached to either side of a motorcycle and positioned substantially behind the rider seated on the motorcycle. The two halves of the golf bag are attached to motorcycles using conventional means for attaching saddle-bags and other existing devices. Alternatively, the two halves of the golf bag may be received and transported in specially designed saddle-bags. 
         [0007]    The two halves of the golf bag each receive a substantially equal number of golf clubs to provide balance, and the ends thereof through which the golf clubs are received are covered with an end cap for transportation and storage. Golf bags incorporating the invention are constructed of materials suitable for withstanding damage from the elements and from debris as motorcycles travel on the open road. 
         [0008]    A significant feature of the invention is that the two halves of the golf bag can be removed from the motorcycles and attached together to form a complete golf bag once the motorcycle rider has reached the intended destination. The resulting unitary golf bag is then used to carry golf clubs around golf courses in the conventional manner. 
         [0009]    The invention can also be used for transporting other objects that can fit inside golf bags of typical size. Examples of such objects include rifles and shotguns. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the two halves of the golf bag of the present invention attached to the sides of a motorcycle; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating a first embodiment of the attachment of one half of the golf bag of the present invention to one side of a motorcycle; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view illustrating a second embodiment of the attachment of one half of the golf bag of the present invention to one side of a motorcycle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partial view of a method of attaching the two halves of a golf bag of the present invention one to the other; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is full view further illustrating the method of attaching the two halves of a golf bag of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the two halves of the golf bag secured together; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a motorcycle equipped with saddle-bags comprising the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of the use of the saddle-bags of  FIG. 7  to receive and transport the golf bag of  FIGS. 1-6 , inclusive. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a first half  12  of a golf bag  10  attached to a first side  14  of a motorcycle  16  and a second half  18  of the golf bag  10  attached to a second side  20  of the motorcycle  16  in order that the two halves of the golf bag  10  may be transported on the motorcycle  16 . The two halves of the golf bag  10  are positioned to the rear of the seat  22  and substantially parallel to the rear wheel  24 . 
         [0020]    Each of the golf bag halves  12  and  18  comprises a planar surface defined by substantially parallel side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge and a curvilinear surface defined by side edges which are secured to the side edges of the corresponding planar surface, a top edge comprising an extension of the top edge of the planar surface, and a bottom edge comprising an extension of the bottom edge of the planar surface. Each side wall half further comprises a bottom wall secured to the bottom edges of the planar surface and the curvilinear surface thereof. Each side wall half is provided with securing members which may comprise bayonet-type securing members. As will become more apparent hereinafter the securing members of the planar surfaces of the golf bag halves are employed to secure the golf bag halves to the opposite sides of a motorcycle and to secure the golf bag halves one to the other to form a complete golf bag. 
         [0021]    The first half  12  of the golf bag  10  comprises a first end cap  26  that retains and protects the golf clubs stored within the bag, and the second half  18  comprises a similar second end cap  28 . Both the first half  12  and the second half  18  of the golf bag  10  comprise one or more pockets  30  for receiving various items such as balls, tees, gloves, etc. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a method of attaching the first half  12  of the golf bag  10  to the motorcycle  16 . A frame  32  is built into the motorcycle  10  for receiving and supporting objects to the motorcycle  10 . The frame  32  has two pins  34  that are used to secure objects to the motorcycle  10 . The frame  32  and the pins  34  are well known in the art. 
         [0023]    The frame  32  and pins  34  are used to attach and secure the first half  12  of the golf bag  10  to the motorcycle  16 . The pins  34  engage apertures  36  formed in the planar surface  35  of the first half  12  of the golf bag  10  which faces the first side  14  of the motorcycle  16  thereby forming a bayonet-type connection between the golf bag half  12  and the first side  14  of the motorcycle  16 . The pins  34  cannot be removed from the apertures  36  without raising the golf bag half  12  relative to the frame  32  of the motorcycle  16  thereby aligning the enlarged heads  34 ′ of the pins  34  with the enlarged upper portions of the apertures  36 . The second half  18  of the golf bag  10  is attached to and removed from the motorcycle  16  in the same manner. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 3  there is shown a second embodiment of the method of attaching the first half  12  of the golf bag  10  to the motorcycle  16  comprising the invention. In the second embodiment a bracket  40  is attached to the frame  32  of the motorcycle using the pins  34  described above. The bracket  40  has two pins  42  that protrude from the bracket for receiving the first half  12  of the golf bag  10 . The pins  42  are received in the two slotted apertures  36  formed in the planar surface  35  of the first half  12  of the golf bag  10  facing the first side  14  of the motorcycle  16 . The pins  42  slide vertically through the slot apertures  36  and into a tighter portion of the apertures creating a secure connection such that the first half  12  of the golf bag  10  is not unintentionally removed from the motorcycle  16 . 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 4  there is shown an enlarged view of the means for attaching the first half  12  to the second half  18  of the golf bag  10  when the two halves of the golf bag have been removed from the motorcycle.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view further illustrating the connection of the two halves of the golf bag  10  one to the other. Pins  46  having enlarged heads  47  and the slot apertures  36  are provided on the planar interior surface  35  of the first half  12  of the golf bag  10 . Corresponding pins  46  having enlarged heads  47  and the slot apertures  36  are provided on the planar interior surface  35  of the second half  18  of the golf bag  10 . The pins  46  are inserted in to the slot apertures  48  and moved vertically through the slot apertures  36  until the enlarged heads  47  of the pins  46  are located behind the narrow portions of the slot apertures  36 . In this manner the connection between the first half  12  and the second half  18  of the complete golf bag  10  is made secure. The bayonet-type connection of the first half  12  to the second half  18  of the golf bag  10  is further illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Toggle-type clamps  50  further secure the golf bag halves  12  and  18  to the other. 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the two halves  12  and  18  of the golf bag  10  secured one to the other thereby forming a complete golf bag. 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates a pair of saddle-bags  56  comprising the present invention. The saddle-bags  56  may be interconnected by a strap  58  which supports the saddle-bags  56  on the fender  60  of the motorcycle  16 . Alternatively, the saddle-bags  56  may be secured directly to the fender  60  of the motorcycle  16 , for example, by means of the pins  34  extending from the frame  32  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0028]    The saddle-bags  56  may be utilized in the manner of conventional saddle-bags for the transportation of various articles on a motorcycle  16 . Alternatively, as is shown in  FIG. 8 , the saddle-bags  56  may be utilized to receive and transport the two halves  12  and  18  of the golf bag  10 . 
         [0029]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.