Abstract:
A protective golf bag system includes a golf bag a removable protective cover. The cover is supported by a protector fitted into a top opening of the bag. The protector includes a divider with a plurality of arms spanning across the sides of the bag and adapted to attach to the sides. These arms form areas for inserting of a number of golf clubs. At the bottom of the bag is a plate to which is releasably anchored an extensible tube with a top portion and a bottom portion centrally positioned in the golf bag with a handle extending through a center of the divider. A button on the handle releases a connecting member at each of the top and bottom of the extensible tube that fixes the relative position of the top and bottom portions of the extensible tube.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present description relates generally to protective golf bags and more particularly to a protective travel golf bag. 
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    When not in use, golf clubs are typically protected by head mittens and/or by a flexible hood fitted over the heads of the clubs and releasably secured to the upper collar of the golf bag. While these measures provide basic protection, they do not necessarily provide significant protection against damage due to rough handling during long term storage and/or transport, such as for instance during air travel. 
         [0003]    To provide additional protection, hard-sided travel bags are available to enclose and protect the traditional bags and clubs. While rigid structures are generally effective in combatting club damage they are typically larger, heavier, and/or more cumbersome than traditional golf bags and may require additional logistics handling, and shipment as well as storage of the hard-sided bag itself. 
         [0004]    In an attempt to avoid a separate hard-sided shell, various devices to reinforce a typical soft-sided bag have been utilized as well. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,208 describes a golf bag that purports to protect golf clubs from damage during transit or storage. The golf bag includes a head member having a solid plate configuration and having a semi-rigid construction and an extensible rod assembly adapted to be positioned in the golf bag with the lower end of the rod assembly positioned on the base of the golf bag. The head member may be releasably attached to the upper end of the rod assembly or may be stored in a side pocket of the golf bag. The rod assembly is selectively moveable between an extended travel configuration having a length greater than the length of the longest club of the set of clubs, whereby the head member may be releasably attached to the upper end of the rod assembly so as to protectively overlie the head of the longest club to provide protection for the clubs in travel scenarios, and a retracted play configuration having a length less than the length of the golf bag, whereby the head member may be removed from the rod assembly and stored in the side pocket of the golf bag so that the rod assembly may reside unobtrusively in the bag during golf play. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of an example golf bag and protector in combination. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the example protector. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of an example cap of the example protector. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of another example cap of the example protector. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of an example travel case including the example protector. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of an example golf bag and protector in combination with the protector in an extended position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of an example golf bag and protector in combination with the protector in a retracted position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is another perspective view of the example protector. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is another partial perspective view of the example golf bag and protector in combination with the protector in the retracted position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the example golf bag and protector in combination with the protector in the extended position 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  shows the example golf bag and protector of  FIG. 10  with the protector tube partially removed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional of the cap of the protector showing the release mechanism. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a partial cross sectional view the protector tube as coupled to the example collar. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of one example pin locking mechanism for releasing the tube of the protector to allow the protector to move between the retracted and extended position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of the pole as retained in the base. 
           [0020]      FIG. 16A  is an exploded assembly view of the example protector and bag. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16B  is a perspective view of the collar. 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  shows a cross section of the arm. 
           [0023]      FIG. 18A  is a partial perspective view of an example protector in an extended position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18B  is a partial perspective view of an example protector in a retracted position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a cross section of the handle assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the handle assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is perspective partial cross-section of the tube section. 
           [0028]      FIG. 22A  is an exploded assembly view of the example protector and bag. 
           [0029]      FIG. 22B  is a detailed view of an example golf bag. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22C  is a detailed view of the locking mechanism. 
           [0031]      FIG. 22D  is a detailed view of the plate&#39;s connecting mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    The following description of example methods and apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the description to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead the following description is intended to be illustrative so that others may follow its teachings. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-16 , an example golf bag  10  comprising an example protector  20  is illustrated. In this example, the example protector  20  is suited for providing additional protection to the golf bag  10  and/or any golf clubs  22  housed therein as per normal usage. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the golf bag  10  includes a collar  24  comprising at least one divider  26  and/or at least one handle  28 . As will be appreciated, the divider(s)  26  provides for various compartments for the gold clubs  22  to be inserted into the bag  10 , while the handle(s)  28  provide for a convenient mechanism by which a user may carry the bag  10 . 
         [0034]    The example protector  20  comprises, in combination, a base  30 , the collar  24 , and a tube  32  coupling the base  30  to the collar  24 . In this example, the tube  32  is a substantially hollow tube extending the entire length between the base  30  and the collar  24 . Additionally, as disclosed, the example tube  32  is a rigid tube design to provide a resistance to any longitudinal compressive force. The tube  32  is configured to accept an extension arm  34 , which in this illustration comprises a cap  36  removably coupled to one end of the arm  34 . In this example, the arm  34  is slidably coupled to the tube  32 , such as for instance as an inner tube and outer tube and may extend between a retracted position ( FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 ) and an extended or protective position ( FIGS. 2 and 6 ). The location of the arm  34  within the tube  32  may be controlled or selected via any suitable position selection mechanism including for instance a locking button selectively coupled to one of a plurality of apertures, a friction coupling, various biasing devices, hydraulics, or any other design as desired. 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in a retracted position, the cap  36  is configured to nest within or abut substantially flush with the dividers  26 . To provide this coupling, the cap  36  may be designed to have a shape, such as a star shape as shown, which corresponds to the layout of the dividers  26 . Accordingly, it will be understood that the size and shape of the cap  36  may vary depending upon the design of the collar  24  to which it mates. In this manner, the entire arm  34  and cap  36  assembly may be stored within the bag  10  without having to remove and/or separately store the cap  36  and/or arm  34 . Meanwhile, in the extended position illustrated in  FIG. 2  and in phantom in  FIG. 1 , the cap  36  is extended beyond the height which a typical length golf club extends. In the extended position, the cap  36  is capable of providing protection to the golf clubs  22 . 
         [0036]    More specifically, in one example, the cap  36  may be removable in favor of a protective cap  40 . In one example, either of the caps  36 ,  40  may be removed from the arm  34  through a release button  42  or any other suitable mating mechanism as desired. The protective cap  40  may then be utilized within a hood (not shown) attachable to the bag  10  and/or collar  24  or a separate device, such as a travel case  50  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In at least one example, the protective cap  40  may be integrally provided within the travel case  50 . In another example, the protective cap  40  may be separately provided from the travel case  50 . 
         [0037]    When the cap  40  is integral with the case  50 , the cap  40  may simply nest with the cap  36 , or the cap  40  may comprise a coupling mechanism provided to releasably mate with the arm  34  when the cap  36  is removed. Similarly, when the cap  40  is separately formed from the case  50 , the cap  40  may be releasably coupled to the arm  34  or may be nested or otherwise coupled to the cap  36  such that the cap  40  abuts the inner surface of the travel case  50  when the golf bag  10  is located within the case  50  and the arm  34  is in the extended position.  FIG. 17  shows a cross section of the arm  34 . 
         [0038]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 12-15 , one example of the construction and operation of the locking mechanism is illustrated. In particular, as shown the release button  42  is operably connected to a release rod  1243  via a snap hook  1244 . The release rod  1243  then extends through the telescoping combination of the arm  34  and the tube  32  to control telescoping operation of the combination. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the release rod  1243  is operably coupled to a release button rod foot  1250 . The foot  1250  is operable with a wedge  1252 . The wedge  1252  contacts a cammed surface  1254  to laterally move (e.g., retract) a pin  1256  when the button  42  is depressed. The pin  1256  is located to extend through an aperture  1258  formed in the arm  34  and when located in the proper orientation, to also extend through an aperture  1260  in the tube  32 . A biasing member, such as a spring  1262  operably biases the pin  1256  towards the apertures  1258  and  1260 . As will be appreciated, while when the pin  1256  is retracted, the arm  34  and tube  32  are free to move relative to one another, awhile when extended through the apertures  1256 ,  1260 , the pin  1256  prevents relative movement between the arm  34  and the tube  32 . It will also be appreciated that the tube  32  may include a plurality of apertures disposed along the longitudinal length of the tube  32  to allow for multiple locked positions. A trap ring  1270  may be included to allow for centering of the arm  34  within the tube  32 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the tube  32  may be releasably coupled to the base  30  by any suitable device, including, for example, an end cap  1532  and a fastener  1520 , such as a screw. More particularly, as illustrated, the tube  32  includes the end cap  1532  mounted to the end of the tube  32 , wherein the end cap  1532  includes a threaded aperture  1534 . The fastener  1520  may then releasably secure the end cap  1532 , and thus the arm  32 , to the base  30 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 16A  shows an exploded assembly view of another example golf bag and protector. The bag has a top opening into an internal cavity defines by the inner liner  1623 . In this example bag, the handle  1601  is made in two co molded parts: an upper part  1601   a  and a lower part  1601   b . Built into the handle is a lock release button  1602  which is operably connected to a lock release rod  1603  which extends down the length of the central tube  1611 ,  1612 . In the middle portion of the tube, a lock release rod stabilizer  1604  is positioned in order to prevent the rod form flexing. At the end of the rod is lock release foot  1605 . 
         [0041]    The locking pin mechanism is made of a lock mechanism wedge  1606  in a lock mechanism body housing  1607 . In order to prevent a locking pin from being misaligned, a lock mechanism trap ring  1608  is positioned above the slot of the pin in lock release foot  1605 . As described above the lock mechanism wedge  1605  biases a lock mechanism spring  1609  connected to a lock mechanism pin  1610  in order to lock the relative movement of the upper tube  1611  with respect to the lower tube  1612 . The tube  1611   1612  is closed at either end with a lower tube upper end cap  1613  and a lower tube lower end cap  1614  which is in turn connected via a fastener to the base  1616 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 16B  is a plastic divider  1618  with over-molded handles  1619   a ,  1619   b  built in to the sides of the divider, which are typically two-part sonic welded together. The arms subdividing the divider include divider walls  1620  and extend to the sides of the bag. The divider is fitted over the top opening of the bag with divider ring outer wrap  1621  extending all around the rim of the opening forming a secure lateral hold on the bag. The divider shown also has a decorative edge finish  1622  with a lower transitional edge bead. 
         [0043]      FIG. 18A  shows the example protector in an extended position while  FIG. 18B  shows the protector in a retracted position. In the extended position, the arm  34  topped by handle  36  can be seen extended from the collar  24 . In the retracted position, these portions fit fleshly into the divider  26 . This allows the arm  34  to fit into the tube  32  anchored by the plate  30 . 
         [0044]    Turning now to  FIG. 19 , the releasable pin attachment system is shown. This fixes the relative position of the handle  36  and tube  32  which are respectively the inner part and outer part of the extensible member. The release button  42  is connected to the release rod  1243  and fixed by a rivet into snap hook  1244 . These components and other parts of the handle assembly are shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 20 . A cross-sectional view is shown in  FIG. 21  showing the handle  32  concentrically in the tube  34  surrounding the release rod  1243  with the central stabilizer shown. 
         [0045]    Another example protector is shown an exploded view of  FIG. 22A . In this figure, the protector is shown without a bag. The bag  2220  is shown in  FIG. 22B . The “x” shaped handle is shown with both top portion  2201   a  and bottom portion  2201   b . The collar  18  is co formed with handles  2219   a ,  2219   b . The release button  2202  and stabilizer  2204  are shown on the release rod  2203  with a lower adapter  2205  at the end opposite the release button  2202 . The top housing  2213  fits into the handle at the top of the arm  2211  to lock the top of the arm&#39;s  2211  and tube&#39;s  2212  relative position. The arm  2211  and tube  2212  are fit around the release rod. This assembly connects to locking mechanism  2221  which is itself fixed to the plate  2223 . 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 22C , the locking mechanism is shown in an exploded view. As discussed above, the wedge  2206 , positioned in mechanism upper housing  2207 , biases a lock mechanism spring  2209 , contained in mechanism lower housing  2208 . The connecting adapter  2214  is built into the plate  2223  is shown in  FIG. 22D  with a fastener  2215 . 
         [0047]    Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.