GOLF BAGS AND METHODS TO MANUFACTURE GOLF BAGS

Examples of golf bags and methods to manufacture stand golf bags are generally described herein. A golf bag may include a body portion. A first leg and a second leg may be pivotally coupled to the body portion and moveable between a retracted position against the body portion and a deployed position away from the body portion. The first leg may couple with a first foot portion having a first leg retention portion configured to aid in retaining the first leg in the retracted position through magnetic attraction between the first leg retention portion and the body portion. The second leg may couple with a second foot portion having a second leg retention portion configured to aid in retaining the second leg in the retracted position through magnetic attraction between the second leg retention portion and the body portion. Other examples may be described and claimed.

COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION

The present disclosure may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the present disclosure and its related documents, as they appear in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all applicable copyrights.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to golf equipment, and more particularly, to golf bags and methods to manufacture golf bags.

BACKGROUND

Golf bags are used to carry golf clubs and accessories. Some golf bags are tube-shaped and hold a set of golf clubs and include one or more pockets for holding golf balls, tees, gloves, rain gear, and other golf related equipment and accessories. Golf bags may include an open top end that is divided into a plurality of slots to allow an individual to organize and sort a plurality of golf clubs. A stand golf bag is a golf club bag that includes a stand. The stand may include a pair of support legs that allow the golf bag to stand upright on the ground so that golf clubs within the golf bag are readily accessible. The support legs may be retractable to make the golf bag easier to carry.

DESCRIPTION

In general, golf club bags and methods to manufacture golf club bags are described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example ofFIGS.1-4, a stand golf bag10may include a body portion12. The body portion12may be a tubular elongated body. The body portion12may include an open top portion14. The body portion12may include a bottom portion16. The body portion12may include an exterior surface13that extends from the bottom portion16to the open top portion14. The open top portion14may include a divider18through which one or more golf clubs (not shown) may be received and at least partially stored in the body portion12of the stand golf bag10. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The stand golf bag10may include a retractable stand assembly25. The retractable stand assembly25may include a first bracket22and a second bracket24that are pivotally coupled to a collar20. The collar20may be located at or proximate to the open top portion14of the body portion12. The collar20may be an integral part of the divider18or provided separately. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The retractable stand assembly25may include a first leg26having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a second leg28having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the first leg26may be coupled to the first bracket22and thereby pivotally coupled to the body portion12. The first end of the second leg28may be coupled to the second bracket24and thereby pivotally coupled to the body portion12. The first and second legs26and28may be movable between a retracted position against the body portion12and a deployed position away from the body portion12. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The retractable stand assembly25may include a push rod30. The push rod30may be a Y-shaped push rod. The retractable stand assembly25may include a third bracket32located in the bottom portion16. The push rod30may be connected to the first and second brackets22and24and be connected to the bottom portion16by way of the third bracket32. Alternatively, the push rod30may be directly connected to the first and second legs26and28and connected to the bottom portion16by way of the third bracket32. As shown inFIG.2, a lower portion of the push rod30may be located within the body portion12and an upper portion of the push rod30may be located outside the body portion12. The upper portion of the push rod30may extend through an opening34formed in the body portion12and extend upward to the first and second brackets22and24. The push rod30may be a unitary or multi-piece structure made from a resilient metal material such as, but not limited to, a steel rod. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The retractable stand assembly25may include a push rod retainer36. The push rod retainer36may maintain the Y shape of the pushrod and retain the spring properties of the push rod30during deployment and retraction of the first leg26and the second leg28. During deployment and retraction of the first and second legs26and28, the push rod30. When deploying the first and second legs26and28, the push rod retainer36may prevent the push rod30from bowing outward from the body portion12(i.e., prevent expansion or excessive expansion of the Y shape of the push rod30) and thereby aid in transferring force from the push rod30to the first and second brackets22and24to promote deployment of the first and second legs26and28. Further, by maintaining the Y shape of the push rod30during deployment, the push rod retainer36assists in spring loading the push rod30for retraction of the first and second legs26and28. When the golf bag10is picked up and carried, pressure applied to the push rod30by the ground surface is relieved, thereby allowing the spring force of the push rod30(i.e., spring loaded during deployment) to slide the push rod30downward and the first and second legs26and28to retract inward toward the body. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

When the stand golf bag10is carried or set against the ground in an upright position, the first and second legs26and28may bias toward a retracted position with the legs drawn inward against or proximate to the body portion12. In some instances, an individual may set the stand golf bag10against the ground with a rearward tilt, thereby causing the push rod30to be pressed upward due to interaction with a ground surface and thereby transfer an upward force against the first and second brackets22and24, which causes the first and second legs26and28to deploy in an outward direction about the pivot points established between the first and second brackets22and24and the collar20. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the retractable stand assembly25may include a first foot portion40that may be removably attached to the second end of the first leg26, and a second foot portion40that may be removably attached to the second end of the second leg28. Each of the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may include a high friction sole, such as a rubber sole. In one example, shown inFIG.8. the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may include ribbed rubber soles to increase friction between the soles and the ground. In another example, the soles of first and second feet40and42may include any surface pattern to increase friction. In yet another example, the soles43of the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may include spikes to penetrate the ground to secure the first leg26and the second leg28in the deployed position. In yet another example, the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may be made from a different material than the materials of the first leg26and the second leg28. The first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may be constructed from an elastic polymer material (e.g., rubber) to provide enhanced friction, stability, and/or dampening when the first leg26and the second leg28are deployed. When the first and second legs26and28are deployed, the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may come to rest against the ground and aid in supporting the stand golf bag10in a tilted upright position in which the stand golf bag10is less prone to falling over compared to when the stand golf bag10is stood upright with the first and second legs26and28in a retracted position. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

To prevent the first and second legs26and28from drooping, sagging, or inadvertently deploying while the stand golf bag10is being carried or stood upright against the ground, the retractable stand assembly25may include a leg retention assembly60configured to retain the legs against the body portion12. The leg retention assembly60may not be visible to an individual using the stand golf bag10. The leg retention assembly60may include one or more magnets configured to facilitate contactless retention of the first and second legs26and28in a retracted position. The leg retention assembly60may not require manual actuation each time the golf bag is lifted from the ground and carried. For example, the leg retention assembly60may be free of any leg straps or clips that would require manual operation by an individual using the stand golf bag10. The leg retention assembly60may be a hands-free leg retention system that may operate without intervention. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example ofFIG.5, the first foot portion40may include a first leg retention portion44that magnetically couples to the body portion12. In one example, the first leg retention portion44may be a magnetic leg retention portion that magnetically attracts a metal portion within or outside the body portion12to retain the first leg26in a retracted position. In another example, the first leg retention portion44may be a magnetic leg retention portion that magnetically attracts and/or is magnetically attracted to another magnet within or outside the body portion12to retain the first leg26in a retracted position. In yet another example, the first leg retention portion44may be a metal portion that is magnetically attracted to a magnet located within or outside the body portion12to retain the first leg26in a retracted position. The first leg retention portion44may be disposed at any location inside or outside of the first foot portion40. In one example, the first leg retention portion44may be positioned at or proximate to a first heel portion47of the first foot portion40. In another example, the first leg retention portion44may be positioned at or proximate to a side portion of the first foot portion40. In yet another example, the first leg retention portion44may be located at the second end of the first leg26. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example ofFIG.5, the second leg28may include a second foot portion42. The second foot portion42may include a second leg retention portion46that magnetically couples to the body portion12. In one example, the second leg retention portion46may be a magnetic leg retention portion that magnetically attracts a metal portion within or outside the body portion12to retain the second leg28in a retracted position. In another example, the second leg retention portion46may be a magnetic leg retention portion that magnetically attracts and/or is magnetically attracted to another magnet within or outside the body portion12to retain the second leg28in a retracted position. In yet another example, the second leg retention portion46may be a metal portion that is magnetically attracted to a magnet located within or outside the body portion12to retain the second leg28in a retracted position. The second leg retention portion46may be disposed at any location inside or outside of the second foot portion42. In one example. the second leg retention portion46may be positioned at or proximate to a second heel portion48of the second foot portion42. In another example, the second leg retention portion46may be positioned at or proximate to a side portion of the second foot portion42. In yet another example, the second leg retention portion46may be located at the second end of the second leg28. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

An example second foot portion42is shown inFIGS.8-14. The first foot portion40may be identical or similar in many respects to the second foot portion42. Accordingly, any properties and/or characteristics of the second foot portion42as described herein may equally apply to the first foot portion40. The second foot portion42may include an opening51to receive the second end of the second leg28. As shown inFIG.13, for example, the second foot portion42may be shaped to maximize contact between the sole43of the second foot portion42and the ground when the second leg28is in the deployed position. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.13, the sole43may have a certain angle relative to a center axis of the opening51to maximize contact between the sole43and the ground (i.e., sole43laying flat or substantially flat on the ground) when the second leg28is in the deployed position. As described herein, the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may be made from an elastic polymer material. Accordingly, the opening51may have a smaller inner diameter than an outer diameter of the first leg26and the second leg28to elastically receive the corresponding second end of the first leg26or the second end of the second leg28(i.e., the opening51is elastically expanded to receive the first leg26or the second leg28) to maintain the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42elastically attached to the first leg26and the second leg28. The second foot portion42may include a high friction sole43, which may include one or more structures, such as ribs as shown inFIG.8, to enhance friction between the sole43and the ground. The second foot portion42may have a cavity49configured to receive the second leg retention portion46. An example second leg retention portion46is shown inFIG.15. The second leg retention portion46may be a magnetic insert that is mounted in the cavity49in the second foot portion42. Alternately, the second leg retention portion46may be a metal portion that is mounted in the cavity49in the second foot portion42. In one example, the second leg retention portion46may have a thru-hole64that when aligned with a threaded hole53in the cavity49, cooperatively receive a fastener55to securely mount the second leg retention portion46in the cavity49. The second leg retention portion46may be removably connected to the second foot portion42to allow the second leg retention portion46to be replaced with a leg retention portion having a stronger or weaker magnet depending on, for example, preference of an individual or age or condition of the retractable stand assembly25. In another example, however, the leg retention portion46may be connected to the second foot portion42with an adhesive or other permanent or semi-permanent attachment methods. The second leg retention portion46may be mounted flush or recessed into the cavity49, as shown inFIG.11. The cavity49may be located at or proximate to the second heel portion48of the second foot portion42. The cavity49may be disposed in a side portion of the second foot portion42to reduce a distance between the second leg retention portion46and the exterior surface13of the body portion12when the second leg28is in a retracted position. Reducing the distance between the second leg retention portion46and the exterior surface13of the body portion12may strengthen the magnetic attraction between the second leg retention portion46and a corresponding leg retention portion (e.g., a magnet or metal member) on the body portion12. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the first foot portion40may be removably attached to the first leg26, and the second foot portion42may be removably attached to the second leg28. In one example, the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42may be removed from the first leg26and the second leg28, respectively, and exchanged with another first foot portion40and another second foot portion42. Accordingly, an individual may exchange the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42. In one example, an individual may replace the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42due to wear and tear or damage (e.g., torn or cracked feet). In another example, an individual may replace the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42with another first foot portion40and second foot portion42having different sole frictional properties (e.g., replace feet with other feet having spikes). In another example, an individual may replace the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42for cosmetic or visual reasons (e.g., to change the color of the feet). In another example, an individual may replace the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42with larger feet to provide additional stability for the golf bag when the legs26and28are in the deployed position. In yet another example, an individual may replace the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42with feet made from different materials than the original feet, for example, to change the functional properties of the feet and/or to increase longevity of the feet. As also described herein, the leg retention portions46may be magnets and replaceable. Accordingly, an individual may replace the leg retention portions46with stronger magnets to increase the magnetic retention force of the first leg26and the second leg28against the body portion12and/or to prevent or reduce unintended deployment of the first leg26and the second leg28. The replacement of the leg retention portions46with leg retention portions46having stronger magnets may be necessary with long term and repeated deployment and retraction of the first leg26and the second leg28due to possible reduction in the magnetic forces of the leg retention portions46. Additionally, replacement of the leg retention portions46may be necessary due to wear and tear and/or damage. Thus, with the retractable stand assembly25having a replaceable first foot portion40, a replaceable second foot portion42, and replaceable leg retention portions46as described herein, the retractable stand assembly may be customized, modified, and/or repaired by an individual. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the first leg retention portion44may couple to a corresponding magnetic and/or metal portion on the body portion12to retain the first leg26in a retracted position, and the second leg retention portion46may couple to a corresponding magnetic and/or metal portion on the body portion12to retain the second leg28in a retracted position. In one example, the body portion12may include a first body retention portion50, which may be a magnet or metal portion, and which may be disposed inside or outside the body portion12of the stand golf bag10and positioned to align or substantially align with the first leg retention portion44when the first leg26is in the retracted position. Likewise, in another example, the body portion12may include a second body retention portion52, which may be a magnet or metal portion, and which may be disposed inside or outside the body portion12of the stand golf bag10and positioned to align or substantially align with the second leg retention portion46when the second leg28is in the retracted position. The first and second body retention portions50and52may be oriented to establish a magnetic attraction with the first and second leg retention portions44and46, respectively. As a result, the magnetic attraction between the first leg retention portion44and the first body retention portion50, and the magnetic attraction between the second leg retention portion46and the second body retention portion52, may aid in retaining the first and second legs26and28in the retracted position and also serve to prevent drooping, sagging, or inadvertent deployment of the first and second legs26and28while the stand golf bag10is being carried or stood upright against the ground. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the first leg retention portion44may couple to a corresponding magnetic and/or metal portion on the body portion12to retain the first leg26in a retracted position, and the second leg retention portion46may couple to a corresponding magnetic and/or metal portion on the body portion12to retain the second leg28in a retracted position. In the example ofFIG.6, the metal portions on the body portion12that are attracted by the first leg retention portion44and the second leg retention portion46may be defined by a metal portion54, such as a metal plate, which may be disposed inside or outside the body portion12of the stand golf bag10and positioned to align or substantially align with the first and second leg retention portions44and46to establish a magnetic attraction therebetween when the first and second legs26and28are in the retracted position. In one example, the metal portion54may be a single piece and have a rectangular shape and may extend lengthwise in a lateral direction across the body portion12of the stand golf bag10as shown inFIG.6. In another example, the metal portion54may be provided as multiple pieces. In another example, the metal portion54may instead be embodied as a single magnet oriented to establish a magnetic attraction with the first and second leg retention portions44and46. In yet another example, the first and second leg retention portions44and46may instead be embodied as metal pieces, while the metal portion54may be a single magnetic piece or multiple magnetic pieces. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example ofFIG.7, the push rod30may be configured to align or substantially align with the first and second leg retention portions44and46to establish a magnetic attraction therebetween when the first and second legs26and28are in the retracted position. The push rod30may have a two-beam construction characterized by a first beam56and a second beam58. The first beam56may connect to the first bracket22and align or substantially align with the first leg retention portion44. The second beam58may connect to the second bracket24and align or substantially align with the second leg retention portion46. The first and second beams56and58may connect with each other to form the end of the push rod30that is retained by the third bracket32. The first beam56and the second beam58diverge above the push rod retainer36and connect to the first bracket22and the second bracket24, respectively, to define a Y-shaped push rod30as defined herein. In another example (not shown), the first and second beams56and58of the push rod30may be provided as separate components. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

With respect to the example leg retention assemblies ofFIGS.5-7, the strength of the magnetic attractions between the leg retention portions may be varied based on how much leg retention is preferred. Generally, it may be preferable to select a retention level that does not overly hinder an individual from deploying the first and second legs26and28. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example ofFIG.16, a stand golf bag100may include a body portion102and one or more legs (e.g., shown as a first leg104and a second leg106) pivotally coupled to the body portion102and moveable between a retracted position against the body portion102and a deployed position away from the body portion102as described herein. For purposes of simplicity, the stand golf bag100may be identical or similar in many respects to the stand golf bag10described previously herein except for a first foot portion108and a second foot portion110attached to the first leg104and the second leg106, respectively. The first foot portion108and the second foot portion110may be provided as alternatives to the first foot portion40and the second foot portion42described previously herein and may function similar to the first foot portion40and the second foot portion40. Accordingly, the first foot portion108and the second foot portion110may releasably secure the first leg104and the second leg106in the retracted position while also stabilizing the first leg104and the second leg106in the deployed position, respectively. As described in greater detail below, the first foot portion108and the second foot portion110may each magnetically couple with a body retention portion111located either inside or outside of the body portion102to position and retain the corresponding first leg104and second leg106in the retracted position. In one example, as shown inFIG.16, the body retention portion111may be a single and continuous metal plate that may be similar to the metal plate54. In another example, each of the first foot portion108and the second foot portion110may magnetically couple to a corresponding and unique body retention portion on the body portion102. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

An example second foot portion110is shown inFIGS.17-25. The first foot portion108may be a mirror image of the second foot portion110, and thus is identical or similar in many respects. Therefore, only the physical and functional features and characteristics of the second foot portion110are described in detail herein, with the understanding that these features and characteristics also apply to the first foot portion108. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited to this configuration.

The second foot portion110may include a housing112that may be constructed from a high strength material (i.e., high tensile strength) to provide tensile and torsional strength and rigidity for statically and dynamically supporting the stand golf bag100when the first leg104and the second leg106are used. In one example, as shown inFIGS.17-25, the housing112may be made from a high tensile strength polymer such as nylon. With a tensile strength of about 12,400 psi, nylon also has a relatively high melting point, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. In another example, the housing112may be constructed from other high-strength polymers such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI), polyamide-imide (PAI), ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polycarbonate (PC), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), liquid crystal polymers (LCP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polysulfone (PSU), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyarylsulfone (PAS), polyketone (PK), polyphthalamide (PPA), or polybenzoxazole (PBO). In another example, the housing112may be constructed from one or more composite materials such as fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) or carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). In another example, the housing112may be constructed from a metal or metal alloy such as aluminum. In yet another example, the housing112may be constructed from wood or wood based composite materials. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown inFIGS.17-25, the housing112may include a first compartment114and a second compartment116. The first compartment114and the second compartment116may be separated from each other by a divider118extending within the housing112. The housing112may be configured in a stacked orientation where the second compartment116may be located beneath the first compartment114. Accordingly, in one example as illustrated inFIGS.17-25, the first compartment114may correspond to an upper compartment and the second compartment116may correspond to a lower compartment. In another example, the first compartment114and the second compartment116may be arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The first compartment114may be configured to receive a portion (e.g., shown inFIG.23as end portion120) of the second leg106via an opening122at a top end124of the housing112. In one example, one or more mechanical fasteners may be used to couple the second foot portion110to the second leg106via a side opening128in the housing112. For example, as illustrated inFIG.23, a rivet126may be used to couple the second foot portion110to the second leg106via the side opening128. In another example, one or more adhesives may be used to couple the second foot portion110to the second leg106. In yet another example, both one or more mechanical fasteners and one or more adhesives may be used to couple the second foot portion110to the second leg106. The second compartment116may be configured to receive an insert130via an opening132at a bottom end134of the housing112. The insert130may include a cavity136for receiving a leg retention portion138. In one example, the insert130may be coupled to the second compartment116with one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g. one or more rivets, screws, and/or nut and bolts). In another example, as illustrated inFIG.23, an adhesive may be used to couple the insert to the second compartment116. In yet another example, one or more mechanical fasteners and one or more adhesives may be used to couple the insert to the second compartment116. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as illustrated inFIGS.17-25, the divider118may define a through-port140to enable excess adhesive to flow out of the second compartment116into the first compartment114. The excess adhesive may couple the end portion120of the second leg106to the first compartment114. In one example, only the excess adhesive may be used to couple the end portion120of the second leg106to the first compartment. In another example, as illustrated inFIG.17-25, the excess adhesive may be used in conjunction with the rivet126or one or more mechanical fasteners to further secure the second foot portion110to the second leg106. In yet another example, the through-port140may be omitted such that the divider118completely separates the first compartment114from the second compartment116. When assembled to the housing112, the insert130may be flush with or protrude from the second compartment116. Alternatively, the insert130may be recessed into the second compartment116. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As illustrated inFIGS.17-25, the insert130may define an exterior surface of the second foot portion110. In one example, the insert130may at least partially define a sole142of the second foot portion110. The sole142may be textured to enhance friction between the sole142and the ground, thereby providing the second foot portion110with an exterior gripping surface for preventing the second foot portion110from slipping when the second leg106is in the deployed position. To provide sufficient elasticity, friction, and wear resistance for the non-slip/gripping function of the sole142, in one example, the insert may be made from one or more polymer materials such as various types of rubber-type materials, polyurethane, silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, ethylene vinyl acetate, nitrile butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, polybutadiene rubber, thermoplastic polyurethanes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyisoprene (natural rubber), fluoroclastomers, thermoplastic vulcanizates, and hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber, and polyether block amide. In another example, the insert may be made from one or more metal, composite, and/or natural materials such as wood and provided with certain surface texture or pattern to provide a ground gripping function as described herein. In yet another example, the insert130may be constructed from any of the materials described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the leg retention portion138of the second foot portion110may be magnetically coupled to a shared body retention portion111as described herein or a corresponding body retention portion111to releasably secure the second leg106in the retracted position. In one example, the leg retention portion138may be a magnet that magnetically attracts the body retention portion111, which may be located either inside or outside the body portion102. In another example, the leg retention portion138may be a magnet that magnetically attracts and/or is magnetically attracted to the body retention portion111, which may be another magnet located either inside or outside of the body portion102. In yet another example, the leg retention portion138may be a metal portion that is magnetically attracted to the body retention portion111, which may be a magnet located either inside or outside of the body portion102. In the illustrated example, the leg retention portion138may be disposed closer to a proximal side144of the housing112than a distal side146of the housing112. The proximal side144of the housing112may correspond to a side of the housing112that contacts the body portion102when the second leg106is in the retracted position whereas the distal side146of the housing may correspond to a side of the housing112that is opposite to the proximal side144and does not contact the body portion102when the second leg106is in the retracted position. Accordingly, the cavity136may be disposed in a side of the insert130to reduce a distance between the leg retention portion138of the second foot portion110and the body retention portion111when the second leg106is in the retracted position. Reducing the distance may strengthen the magnetic attraction between the leg retention portion138and body retention portion111. In one example, the leg retention portion138may be a disk magnet that is axially magnetized, that is, having a magnetic axis or magnetization direction148that runs in an axial direction with respect to the disk magnet. In this configuration, the cavity136may be configured to complementarily receive and orient the disk magnet such that the corresponding magnetization direction148points toward the proximal side144of the housing, and by extension, toward body retention portion111when the second leg106is in the retracted position. In other examples, the cavity136may be similarly configured to complimentarily receive and orient other magnet types (e.g., disk magnet having diametrical magnetization) such that their corresponding magnetization directions point toward the proximal side144and body retention portion111when the second leg106is in the retracted position. Alternatively, with respect to examples where the leg retention portion138is a metal portion, the cavity136may be configured to complimentarily receive and orient the metal portion to present a larger or maximum surface area (e.g., flat circular face150) to magnetically couple with a magnet located either inside or outside of the body portion102. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, in one example, the first foot portion108and the second foot portion110may be mirror images of each other. Accordingly, to distinguish the first foot portion108from the second foot portion110, each foot portion may include a unique identifier. In one example, the sole142or other area of the second foot portion110may include an identifier exemplarily shown as the capital letter “R” to designate the second foot portion110as the right foot when the stand golf bag100is viewed from the perspective ofFIG.16. While not shown, the sole or other area of the first foot portion108may include the capital letter “L” identifier to designate the first foot portion108as the left foot when viewing the stand golf bag100from the perspective ofFIG.16. In this manner, the first foot portion108and the second foot portion110may be provided preassembled and correctly installed to the corresponding first and second legs104and106, respectively, such that the corresponding leg retention portions are in proper magnetic alignment with body retention portion111. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

With respect to any of the example magnets described herein, the magnetic strength of the example magnet may be varied based on how much leg retention is preferred. Generally, it may be preferable to select a retention level that does not overly hinder an individual from deploying the corresponding legs. For instance, any example magnet described herein may have a pull force greater than or equal to 6.8 pounds and less than or equal to 10.2 pounds. Additionally or alternatively, any example magnet described herein may be a neodymium (e.g., N52) magnet or other high strength magnet. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

FIG.26depicts a process200by which the stand golf bags10and100described herein may be manufactured. In the example ofFIG.26, the process200may include providing a body portion and one or more legs pivotally coupled to the body portion and moveable between a retracted position against the body portion and a deployed position away from the body portion (block210). The process may include providing or forming one or more foot portions as described herein (block220). The process may also include providing each foot portion with a retention portion configured to releasably secure the corresponding leg in the retracted position as described herein (block230). The process may further include attaching each of the one or more legs to a corresponding foot portion (block240). With respect to the process200described herein, it will be understood that a given retention portion may be provided to a corresponding foot portion either before or after the corresponding foot portion is attached to a leg. Accordingly, any foot portion described herein may be preassembled with a retention portion before attachment to a leg, or alternatively, the foot portion may be first attached to the leg and the retention portion may be subsequently provided to the foot portion. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The terms “and” and “or” may have both conjunctive and disjunctive meanings. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure indicates otherwise. The term “coupled.” and any variation thereof, refer to directly or indirectly connecting two or more elements chemically, mechanically, and/or otherwise. The phrase “removably connected” is defined such that two elements that are “removably connected” may be separated from each other without breaking or destroying the utility of either element.

The term “substantially” when used to describe a characteristic, parameter, property, or value of an element may represent deviations or variations that do not diminish the characteristic, parameter, property, or value that the element may be intended to provide. Deviations or variations in a characteristic, parameter, property, or value of an element may be based on, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors. The term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “adjacent.” “close.” “immediate,” “nearby”, “neighboring”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in this disclosure.

The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing description of some of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Instead, the description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one embodiment, and may disclosure alternative embodiments.

As the rules of golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although certain example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this disclosure covers all apparatus, methods, and articles of articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.