Systems and methods for protecting golf bag contents

A system is delineated for protecting golf bag contents. The system may comprise a golf bag; a telescopic member coupled to the golf bag, wherein the telescopic member resides in a stowed state substantially within the golf bag and is selectively moved to a deployed state to facilitate protecting the contents of the golf bag; and a cover coupled to the telescopic member, wherein the cover resides in a stowed state when the telescopic member is in its stowed state and is selectively moved by movement of the telescopic member to a deployed state for the cover to protect the contents of the golf bag. The system may be manufactured integrally with a golf bag or as a separate piece for installation on a golf bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to golf equipment, and more particularly, to systems and methods for protecting golf bag contents.

Description of the Related Art

A golfer usually carries golf clubs in a golf bag. Current golf bags may be made of nylon, canvas and/or leather, with plastic or metal reinforcement and framing. Golf bags may have several pockets designed for carrying various equipment and supplies required over the course of a round of golf. Many golf bags are sectioned off with rigid supports at the top opening, both for rigidity and to separate clubs of various types for easier selection. Some more expensive golf bags may have sleeves or pockets within the main compartment for each individual club, allowing for the desired club to be more easily removed from the bag and then returned without interference from the grips of the other clubs or internal hardware of the bag.

Carry-type golf bags may generally be designed to be carried by the player while on the course. Such golf bags may have a single strap or dual shoulder straps and are generally of lightweight construction to reduce the burden on the player or caddy.

Stand-type golf bags may be considered to be in the family of carry bags but additionally may feature rigid internal reinforcement and retractable fold-out legs, which make the bag a tripod, allowing it to be securely placed on the turf. Modern carry bags are very commonly stand bags.

Cart-type golf bags may be generally designed to be harnessed to a two-wheeled pull cart or a motorized golf cart during play of a round. They often have only a rudimentary carry strap or handle for loading and transporting the bag, and no stand legs, but may feature extra storage or more durable construction, as weight of the loaded bag is a lesser concern.

Regardless of the type of golf bag, and the above list of golf bags is not exhaustive of all golf bag types, a common problem affecting users of any type of golf bag is protection of the golf bag equipment (e.g., golf clubs and other golf accessories) from the elements, as well as protecting the golf bag equipment from unauthorized access to same. Many golf bags come with a cover that a user may attach to the golf bag to cover the golf bag contents from whether exposure. Attaching such a cover is generally difficult and inconvenient. For at least these reasons, most golfers simply store their golf bag cover in a golf bag pocket, and the cover is generally not used at all, leaving the golf bag equipment subject to exposure to the weather elements, as well as to a heightened risk of unauthorized access to the golf bag equipment and theft thereof.

Thus, a need exists for improved systems and methods for protecting golf bag equipment, which overcome these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed for protecting contents of a provided golf bag, the system comprising a telescopic member coupled to the provided golf bag, wherein the telescopic member resides in a stowed state substantially within the provided golf bag and is selectively moved to a deployed state to facilitate protecting the contents of the provided golf bag; and a cover coupled to the telescopic member, wherein the cover resides in a stowed state when the telescopic member is in its stowed state and is selectively moved by movement of the telescopic member to a deployed state for the cover to protect the contents of the provided golf bag.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed for protecting golf bag contents, the system comprising a golf bag; a telescopic member coupled to the golf bag, wherein the telescopic member resides in a stowed state substantially within the golf bag and is selectively moved to a deployed state to facilitate protecting the contents of the golf bag; and a cover coupled to the telescopic member, wherein the cover resides in a stowed state when the telescopic member is in its stowed state and is selectively moved by movement of the telescopic member to a deployed state for the cover to protect the contents of the golf bag.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention a method is disclosed for protecting contents of a provided golf bag, the method comprising raising a telescopic member coupled to the provided golf bag, wherein the telescopic member resides in a stowed state substantially within the provided golf bag and is selectively moved to a deployed state to facilitate protecting the contents of the provided golf bag; and raising a cover coupled to the telescopic member, wherein the cover resides in a stowed state when the telescopic member is in its stowed state and is selectively moved by movement of the telescopic member to a deployed state for the cover to protect the contents of the provided golf bag.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-Dpresent a series of perspective views of an embodiment of a containment system10, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow partial views of system10, andFIGS. 1C and 1Ddepict a progression of system10from an initial partially deployed state (FIG. 1C) to a fully deployed state (FIG. 1D).

RegardingFIG. 1A, certain elements of system10are shown with a golf bag12. System10may be employed with any golf bag12now or hereafter available. Golf bag12may include golf equipment50, representing golf clubs and any other equipment that may be contained within the storage volume of golf bag12. It should be noted that system10may be a separate system that may be coupled to golf bag12, or alternatively, golf bag12may be assembled to include system10as an integral part of golf bag12.

Still with reference toFIG. 1A, system10may include a pair of retaining clamps16that may be coupled to golf bag12using screws (not shown) penetrating a pair of attachment apertures located in each retaining clamp16. Any other means for attaching retaining clamps16to golf bag12may be employed. Each retaining clamp16may be coupled to an upper member30. The upper end of each upper member30may include a coupler18for attaching other elements of system10to be shown and described hereafter. Upper member30may be slidably engaged by retaining clamp16so that each upper member30may be moved along its vertical axis, as represented by the upwardly-pointing arrows inFIG. 1A. Upper members30may be moved in either the upward or downward direction along the vertical axis of upper members30.

Referring toFIG. 1B, further elements of system10are depicted. A base member22may be attached, using connectors or any other suitable means, to golf bag12and over retaining clamps16. A release actuator36may be coupled to base member22. Depressing release actuator36may permit the release of upper members30to be deployed from a stowed state to a deployed state. As shown here, upper members30have been released by depression of release actuator36, permitting upper members30to move vertically upward from their stowed state.

Referring toFIG. 1C, further elements of system10are depicted. A lower cover28may be attached along its lower edge to an upper surface of base member22. Any suitable attachment technique may be employed, such as the use of Velcro fasteners or any other desired fastening system. The upper edge of lower cover28may be coupled to an upper member24. Upper member24may have a general shape that corresponds to the general shape of base member22, in this case a generally C-shaped configuration. Attached to an upper surface of upper member24may be an upper cover26.

Referring toFIG. 1D, system10is shown in a fully deployed state, permitting coverage of and protection for golf equipment50. In this state, upper members30are fully raised, thereby raising lower cover28from its initial stowed state to the fully deployed state shown. A user may then pull upper cover26forward toward the back side of golf bag12(i.e., the backside of golf bag12is here represented by the golf bag handle). A flap52may also be included. Flap52may be attached to golf bag12or base member22at a lower portion of flap52, permitting a user to simply pull up flap52. Using any means for connection, flap52may be otherwise coupled to golf bag12or to any portion of system10to permit a user to seal with flap52the opening formed by a fully deployed upper cover26and lower cover28. Flap52may have attachment means (e.g., Velcro attachment or any other attachment means) in proximity to edge portions thereof for fastening to lower cover28and upper cover26, sealing the opening formed thereby. One or more locks (not shown, but any conventional lock(s) may be employed) may also be provided to prevent or at least inhibit the ability of an unauthorized user from removing flap52and gaining access to golf equipment50.

Unlocking the one or more locks, if utilized, and pulling down flap52provides an opening on the back side of system10, thereby permitting authorized access to golf equipment50while maintaining cover over golf equipment50to protect same from exposure to the elements. System10may be reversed such that the opening in system10permitting access to golf equipment15may alternatively be on the front of golf bag12. This may give the user the option to have access to golf equipment50from either the front or the back side of golf bag12. This reversal may be accomplished by detaching and reattaching base member22such that its opening faces the desired direction to permit access to golf equipment50. This reversal technique may be utilized assuming base member22is detachable. In some embodiments, base member22may not be detachable and other reversal techniques may be employed, as later described herein.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bpresent a series of elevational views of the embodiment of the containment system10shown inFIGS. 1A-D, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. Referring toFIG. 2A, the leftmost elevational view shows upper member30coupled to a lower member14. In this view, upper member30is fully deployed upward, permitting the deployment of system10, as shown inFIG. 1D. Upper member30and lower member14may be coupled in a telescopic relationship, such that upper member30may be slidably engaged within lower member14, permitting upper member30to move within lower member14in both an upward and a downward direction along the vertical axis of lower member14.

Shifting the focus inFIG. 2Ato the right, there appears three views in vertical alignment. The top most of these three views is upper cover26shown in a deployed state. The middle view of these three views in vertical alignment is upper cover26shown in a partially stowed state. The bottommost view of these three views shown in vertical alignment depicts upper cover26and upper member24attached to upper member30utilizing coupler18.FIG. 2B shows this snap in relationship. Again shifting focus inFIG. 2Ato the right, there is an elevational view of the front of system10(i.e., looking into the opening formed by a deployed upper cover26and lower cover28), followed by a side elevational view to the right thereof. Both of these latter two views detect system10in a fully deployed state.

FIGS. 3A-3Hpresent a series of perspective views of the embodiment of the containment system10shown inFIGS. 1A-D, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 3Ashows lower member14coupled to retaining clamp16. Upper member30may be retained within lower member14in a telescopic fashion, the upper end of upper member30extending from lower member14to expose coupler18. A pair of notches20may be formed in an upper portion of lower member14to facilitate retaining upper member30in a stowed state, as shown, until user actuation permits the vertical extension of upper member30into a deployed state. The materials that may be used to fabricate retaining clamp16, lower member14, upper member30, coupler18, base member22and upper member24may be any desired material; however, it may generally be desirable to employ materials that are sufficiently strong and durable for use in golf bag12and that are sufficiently lightweight so as not to add unnecessary weight to golf bag12. Such materials may include any one or more of, for example, metals, plastics, composites or any other desired materials. The materials that may be used to form upper cover26and lower cover28may comprise any desired material that may include one or more of, for example, a woven fabric, a plastic or any other desired material that is lightweight and resistant to the weather elements.

FIG. 3Bshows a pair of structures, as shown as a single structure inFIG. 3A. This pair of structures may be attached to an upper portion of golf bag12, permitting the stowage of lower members14within the storage volume of golf bag12. This pair of structures may generally be affixed to golf bag12in proximity to a centerline of golf bag12, as shown by way of example inFIG. 5.

FIG. 3Cshows base member22coupled to the pair of lower extension members14. The shape of base member22may generally adhere to the shape of an upper portion of golf bag12adjacent to which base member22may reside. Base member22may create a storage volume bounded by the side and lower wall portions of base member22. The storage volume may be employed to store lower cover28and upper member24, as shown inFIG. 3D. Upper cover26may be attached along a lower edge portion thereof to an upper surface of upper member24. Upper cover26may include within the material forming upper cover26a number of retention arms intended to form the deployed shape and structure of upper cover26when deployed by a user.FIG. 3Eshows upper members30in a stowed state, while upper cover26is shown in a partially deployed state.FIG. 3Fshows upper members30extended into a deployed state, thereby raising and deploying lower cover28into a configuration for providing containment around a portion of golf bag12.FIG. 3Gshows upper cover26in a fully deployed state having been moved into this position by a user, the retention arms within upper cover26providing structure to keep upper cover26deployed until a user restowes upper cover26. Upper cover26and lower cover28may provide an opening, as shown inFIG. 3G, allowing a user to have access to golf equipment50. Again, system10may be attached to golf bag12such that this opening may be in either the front or the back of golf bag12. Alternatively, system10may be attached to golf bag12such that this opening is permanently in either the front or the back of golf bag12.FIG. 3H shows upper cover26in a fully deployed state, while upper members30have not yet been deployed, thereby keeping lower cover28stowed.

FIG. 4presents a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism that may be utilized by embodiments of containment systems10, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention.FIG. 4shows the sliding engagement of upper member30within lower member14in a telescopic configuration. Any other telescopic configuration may be employed to provide one or more members that may be stowed within golf bag12in one state and extended into a deployed state to raise lower cover28. For example, rather than employing an upper member30slidably engaged within a lower member14, as herein shown, one skilled in the art could alternatively have a lower fixed member extending into the golf bag storage volume and an upper member slidably engaged in a side-by-side guide-rail attachment scheme, permitting the upper member to be stowed inside the golf bag storage volume and selectively raised into a deployed state using the side-by-side guide-rail attachment scheme. Any other technique for providing one or more telescopic members may be employed by system10.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted, upper member30may include a mechanical stop32, which may keep upper member30within lower member14when deployed by activation of release actuator36. Release actuator36may be coupled to a shaft38which may extend around, in a C-shaped configuration, either or both of lower member14and upper member30. A spring40may operate against shaft38to keep upper member30in a stowed state when shaft38is engaged in notch20, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. When a user wishes to deploy the containment system10, the user depresses release actuator36, which moves shaft38against the force of spring40and releases shaft38from notch20, thereby allowing spring34to raise upper member30by force against mechanical stop32. When a user wishes to restow the containment system10, the user again depresses release actuator36, which moves shaft38against the opposing force of spring40, thereby removing shaft38from the holding notch shown in mechanical stop32and allowing a user to fold back against itself upper cover26and to push down on upper members30to restow upper members30and lower cover28and permit shaft38to reengage with notch20to hold the system in a stowed state until system deployment is again desired. Those skilled in the art will understand that either or both of springs34and40may be replaced by other force-generating mechanisms, such as compressed air or any other desirable force-generating mechanism.

FIG. 5presents a series of planar views of additional embodiments of containment systems10, as well as one perspective view of an additional embodiment of a containment system10, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The embodiment of containment system10shown inFIGS. 1A-D,2A,2B and3A-H employs a base member22having a generally squared-off shape to match a generally squared-off shape of an upper portion of a corresponding golf bag12. The embodiments of containment systems10shown inFIG. 5depict an elliptical configuration and a circular configuration, meaning base member22and structures formed to fit within base member22may have a similar configuration to match the shape of an upper portion of a corresponding golf bag12. Those skilled in the art will understand that any shape may be employed for system10, depending on the shape and configuration of an upper portion of the golf bag12to which containment system10may be integrated. The perspective view inFIG. 5is of an elliptically-shaped system10, shown by way of example to include means to retain upper cover26at a 90-degree point (i.e., half-way deployed). Those skilled in the art will understand the many various ways in which this feature may be provided. This feature may be employed with any embodiment of system10disclosed herein.

FIGS. 6A-Ipresent a series of perspective views of another embodiment of containment system10, in accordance with systems and methods consistent with the present invention. The embodiment of containment system10depicted inFIGS. 6A-Icorresponds to the elliptical configuration depicted inFIG. 5.FIG. 6Ashows that retaining clamps16may be coupled to upper opposing surfaces of golf bag12(e.g., opposing along a centerline of golf bag12), the result of which is that the pair of lower members14reside within a storage volume of golf bag12. Upper members30are shown in a deployed state. In this figure, base member22, upper member24, lower cover28and upper cover26are not shown.

FIG. 6Bshows that base member22may have a fully enclosed elliptical shape. In an alternative embodiment, base member22may have a generally elliptical shape, but not be fully enclosed (i.e., it may have a portion removed, creating an opening analogous to that shown by the embodiment of containment system10shown inFIGS. 1A-D,2A,2B and3A-H). In other words, the “missing” portion (i.e., the “missing” portion creates the open end) of upper member24, as shown inFIG. 6C, may have a corresponding “missing” portion in base member22, as opposed to the fully enclosed base member22shown.FIG. 6Cdemonstrates that upper member24may be selectively removed and reattached to reverse the end of golf bag12for which the opening for access to golf equipment50exists. Those skilled in the art will understand the many and various ways in which this feature may be provided.FIG. 6Dshows upper members30in a stowed state.FIG. 6Eshows upper cover26in an open and down position (i.e., the upper cover26is partially deployed and down, leaving a maximum-sized opening to golf equipment50).FIG. 6Fshows the system10in a deployed state in which upper members30are raised and upper cover26has not yet been pulled forward by a user.FIG. 6Gshows system10in a deployed state in which the user has pulled forward upper cover26, leaving an opening for a user to easily access golf equipment50.FIG. 6Hshows a flap52covering the aforementioned opening. Flap52may have an edge portion that may be coupled to lower cover28or it may comprise a separate piece that may be attached by a user to lower cover28and upper cover26by some attachment means, such as Velcro attachment or any other desired means for attachment. Flap52, if pre-attached in some form, may be so attached to any desired portion of system10or golf bag12. One or more locks (not shown) may be employed with this embodiment of system10for added security.FIG. 6Ishows upper cover26in a fully deployed state, while upper members30have not been deployed.