Abstract:
A golf bag having its own wheels for transportation and support is disclosed. The wheels are attached to the back end of the bag by a wheel carrying structure that readily folds for easy carrying and storing, and extends outwardly together with the wheels for transporting the bag and its contents. The structure also serves as a bag stand, thus avoiding the need for separate bag supports. The structure may also be easily separated from the bag and used for other purposes. The bag and the wheel structure are simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates generally to the golf industry and more specifically to a golf bag and a method of transporting a golf bag. This novel approach combines a golf bag for carrying golf clubs and similar equipment with a transportation cart that also functions as a golf bag stand, thus eliminating the need for a separate golf bag stand. The invention described herein may also be employed in transporting other similarly shaped objects. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   The game of golf continues to increase in popularity. The game requires golfers to employ a variety of specialized equipment: golf clubs, golf bag for storing and transporting golf clubs, shoes, golf balls, divot tools, etc. All this equipment makes a golf bag a heavy and cumbersome device to transport. Usually, a golfer carries a golf bag by picking up a handle or by utilizing a shoulder strap that enable a golfer to carry a bag over a golf course. However, a golf bag containing several golf clubs added to its own weight is very heavy, and considering the size of a typical golf course, a golfer would grow quite tired by carrying a golf bag during a typical game. 
   Typical golf bag shown in  FIG. 1  has the bag body, partitions providing for golf club placement, and golf bag stands. 
   An additional problem is created by the need to support a bag while a golfer is actually playing and keep it from falling on the ground. This problem is usually solved by supporting a golf bag at its rim with two extendable stands. The stands need to be brought back to their rest position every time a golfer moves along a golf course and extended again to support a bag every time a golfer is ready to play. 
   In order to move a heavy golf bag across a golf course, variety of transportation devices, generally of manual pull-cart type have been employed for this purpose. Typically, a cart and a bag are separate units. This of itself requires additional handling while transporting the two to and from a golf course. A typical pull cart is quite heavy, bulky and time consuming to use with a golf bag. The added weight comes from the framework built to rest and attach a golf bag. The framework likewise makes a typical golf bag quite bulky and inconvenient to use. This process involves loading a bag onto a cart, strapping or otherwise attaching it to the cart and pushing or pulling it along the golf course. The straps also need to be kept in good condition as they can easily get snagged by the trees or other vegetation. A golf bag and a cart also need to be stored at and transported from player&#39;s home to a golf course and back. This poses additional difficulties as both devices tend to be bulky and cumbersome to move. A large storage area is required at player&#39;s home and a car with a large trunk or passenger compartment is needed for transportation. Additionally, the manufacturing cost of a golf bag and a complicated golf cart are unnecessarily high. Typical golf bag cart is shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . 
   A typical golf bag transportation device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,527, Hybrid Golf Bag Technology, wherein a wheel mount is attached to the bottom of the golf bag. While this method provides for relatively easy golf bag movement, the wheels and the bag do not form an integral part and the bag still needs to be supported in its stationary position, thus requiring that separate support stands be employed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,589, Golf Bag Functioning As A Golf Cart and a Foot Stand, attempts to integrate bag transportation mechanism employing dismountable wheels and a bag stand. While this approach meets its basic design function, the transport structure is very complicated requiring primary and secondary supports, retaining elements, cylindrical posts, etc., and the wheels have to be manually removed from their installed positions and stored inside a compartment for a shoulder carry position. The added weight and cost of this complicated structure are its additional disadvantages. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,299, Detachable Wheels for a Golf Bag, describes a golf bag which is adopted to receive a pair of detachable wheels at the bottom of the bag. While the device enables bag transportation, it fails to provide solid support for the bag in its standing position. Another limitation of this design is that the wheels have to be very small in order to conform to the bag bottom, thus further compromising the bag stability in stationary or moving position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,889, Golf Bag Cart, is similar in its approach to the U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,299 and the bag still requires separate support stands. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,025, Golf Bag Retaining Device, does not address bag transportation issue but only the support it in its stationary and generally upright position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,482 describes a Pull Cart. This cart may be adopted to transport a golf bag. The structure is quite complex, large and it requires that a bag be fastened to the cart. 
   U.S. Pat. No. D 468,098, Combination Inner Shell of Golf Bag and Golf Cart, provides for the bag transportation and support in rest position with a wheel structure that folds into the bag body when not in use. 
   U.S. Pat. No. D 482,170, Double Rails Golf Cart, is a stand alone unit separate from a golf bag. It requires that a bag be loaded onto it and occupies large area whether in storage or in a vehicle. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,563, Golf Bag Cart describes a stand alone cart that is fixed to a bag via bolts and rivets. While an improvement over some of the other patents mentioned it is still a complex and difficult to manufacture device. 
   A typical integrated bag and cart device encountered in some of the prior art is a very complex unit. Usually, a device of this type includes a bag adopted for receiving several golf clubs, upper and lower fixation members fixed to the bag, and a support detachably coupled to the upper and lower fixation members at its upper and lower ends. A pair of leg members are coupled to the support at their ends via a first bracket such that they can be rotated with a predetermined angle with respect to each other. Wheels are coupled to the opposite ends of the leg members such that they can be rotated. A holding handle is coupled to an upper portion of the support at its one end via a second bracket such that it can be rotated. A pair of link members are coupled to the holding handle at their one ends and to the leg members at their opposite ends such that they can be rotated. A locking member is provided in the holding handle to detachably fix the holding handle to the upper fixation member while keeping the outstretched state of the leg members to be constant. 
   In this type of cart when the holding handle is elevated while rotating around the second bracket, the link members are operated to thereby rotate the leg members around the first bracket and outstretch them. When the leg members are completely outstretched, the locking member of the holding handle is inserted into a locking groove formed at the upper fixation member to keep the outstretched state of the leg members to be constant. In order to fold the holding member and the leg members, it is necessary to release the locking state of the locking member and rotate the holding handle around the second bracket to thereby descend it. At this time, the leg members are rotated downwards and adhere to the bag. 
   A cart as described above, involves complicated structure that makes it difficult for the user to handle in a convenient way. Furthermore, the cart like this cannot easily move while keeping the folded state of leg members to be constant. Particularly, the cart cannot move easily in a narrow place with the outstretched leg members. 
   Furthermore, since the holding handle or the shoulder string for picking up and carrying the cart is positioned on the front surface of the bag opposite to the surface sided with the leg members, the leg members are likely to be swayed or outstretched due to their own weight, causing inconvenience or even safety problems. 
   Most of the golf bags and carts described above are complicated, cumbersome and expensive to manufacture. For these reasons there is a need for an improved golf bag with and integrated cart that does not need a separate support stands, is simple to use, occupies minimal space and is inexpensive to manufacture. The golf bag invention described here meets these requirements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A golf bag of the present invention includes a bag of sufficient size with different compartments to house golf clubs, shoes and other items particular to the game of golf, a cart structure for transporting the bag along the golf course, and a handle located at the rim of the golf bag. The cart is connected to the bag at a reinforced section of the bag for better support. The cart employees an external arm that rotates at the point of connection of the golf bag so that it can be locked in place when in its rest position and parallel to the bag for easy transportation or storage, or at a 90 degree angle to its rest position for moving the bag along the golf course. Attached by means of a lock-hinge to each end of the external arm is a wheel support that folds and locks inwardly onto the external arm when in its rest position and outwardly and away from the external arm to a 90 degree angle relative to the bar when in bag transportation position. A wheel is attached to the free end of each wheel support enabling easy transportation along the golf course. When the golfer wants to transport the bag on his shoulder or a vehicle, he simply folds the wheel supports inward onto the external arm, turns the arm 90 degrees and the arm locks itself in this position. A cover is conveniently supplied to drape over the arm and wheel structure. A telescoping handle extends from the inner space of the bag and terminates at the rim of the bag. The handle then extends further for easier transportation as needed. 
   It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a golf bag with an integrated transportation structure. 
   It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a golf bag with a simple transportation structure. 
   It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a golf bag that can be easily converted from its rest position to being ready to transport along the golf course. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is that eliminates the need for separate golf bag support stands. 
   Still another advantage of the present invention is to manufacture the transportation structure from low cost and lightweight materials. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is that it does not need separate support stands. 
   The features, benefits and advantages of this invention will of this invention will become clear by reference to the following description, the drawings and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a panoramic view of a typical golf bag of prior art in its standing position. 
       FIG. 2  shows a typical golf bag support cart. 
       FIG. 3  shows another version of a golf bag and a cart. 
       FIG. 4  is a panoramic view of the back of the golf bag of the present invention with the wheels extended for using the golf bag on the golf course. 
       FIG. 4A  is the back view of the golf bag with the wheels folded inward for carrying or storing the golf bag. 
       FIG. 5  shows the connection between the reinforced region and the external arm. 
       FIG. 5A  shows the front view of the connection between the reinforced region and the external arm. 
       FIG. 6  is top view of the connection detail of the reinforced region. is a front view of the section shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the reinforced region of  FIG. 5   
       FIG. 8  shows the front view of area of the external arm that connects to the reinforced region. 
       FIG. 9  is the cross section of the plunger shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is the front view of the spacer employed to assist attachment of the cart to the golf bag. 
       FIG. 11  shows the connection between the arm section and the wheel supports. 
       FIG. 12  shows further detail of the outreaching portion of wheel support of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  is top view of the upper outreaching portion of the external arm that connects to the wheel support with a hinge. 
       FIG. 14  shows the top view of the outreaching portion of wheel support that connects to external arm with a hinge. 
       FIG. 15  shows the detail of the lockable hinge. 
       FIG. 16  shows a side view of a wheel with a brake installed thereupon. 
       FIG. 17  is the front view of the handle for pulling or pushing the golf bag. 
       FIG. 18  is the side view of the handle of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  shows the handle in its closed position. 
       FIG. 20  shows the additional wheels installed on the front section of the golf bag bottom. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Turning to  FIG. 4  of the present invention, the golf bag  10  includes the bag body  12  with an inner space  14  sectioned by the partitions  15  to accommodate golf clubs, handle  16 , handle extension  18 , external arm  20 , reinforced region  22  of the bag wall  12 , wheel support members  24  for supporting the wheels  26 , closed bottom  13  and a carrying strap  11 . The reinforced region  22  may be an external object sewn or attached by other means to the bag body  12 , or it may be accomplished by making that portion of the bag wall  12  stronger, or it may extend partially or fully the length of the bag  10  or be an integral part of the bag  10 , or the entire wall  12  may be of sufficient strength on the side coupling with said external arm  20  that said reinforced region  22  is not required. The wheels  26  may be attached to the leg members  24  by a number of readily commercially available means that allow wheels  26  to rotate, such as pins, bolts, screws, axles, etc. The wheels  26  may be conveniently sized to support the bag  10  at a desired angle when resting or traveling. The bag would also have typical compartments for storing items a golfer would usually require during a game. 
   Shown in  FIG. 4A  is the back view of the golf bag  10  with external arm  20  rotated so that it is parallel to the bag  10  and the wheel supports  24  folded inward so that they rest upon external arm  20 . Also shown is the compartment  19 , preferably zippered, for housing the reinforced region  22 , the external arm  20 , the wheel supports  24  and the wheels  26 . 
     FIG. 5  shows one approach to attaching the external arm  20  to the reinforced region  22 . An extension of generally round, cylindrical or conical shape  34  protrudes from the reinforced region  22 . The external arm  20  has a hole  32  in its center. The diameter of the hole  32  is slightly greater than the diameter of the extension  34  and its height is also slightly greater than the thickness of external arm  20 . The extension  34  also has a hole in its center to accommodate a fastener  36 . Preferably, the fastener  36  is a screw, but any suitable fastener may be employed. A spacer  38  with a countersunk hole in it is inserted between the external arm  20  and the screw. This allows the screw  36  to secure the external arm  20  to the reinforced region  22 . Since the height of the extension  34  is greater than the thickness of external arm  20 , there will remain a space between arm  20  and spacer  38  sufficient to allow arm  20  to rotate freely around the extension  34 . Alternatively, the external arm  20  may be affixed to the reinforced region  22  by permanently attaching the spacer  38  to the extension  34 . The external arm  20  may be of any geometric shape so long as it can be attached to the reinforced region  22 . Preferably, the external arm  20  is rectangular. 
   The arm  20  moves between two positions. In the first position, suitable for carrying and storing the bag  10 , the arm  20  is parallel to the bag body  12 . In the second position, suitable for transporting golf clubs during play, preferably, the arm  20  is approximately perpendicular to the bag wall  12 . Other angles are also possible. The plunger  30  locks the arm  20  in each of the two positions described. A person skilled in the art may find other ways of properly positioning the arm  20  relative to the bag wall  12 . 
   Shown in  FIG. 5A  is the front view with the golf bag in horizontal position and showing the arm  20 , the reinforced region  22 , the extension  34 , the hole  42  in the extension  34  for receiving the fastener  36 , the spacer  38  and the countersunk opening in spacer  38  for receiving the fastener  36 . The space  44  between the spacer  38  and arm  20  allows the arm  20  to rotate around the extension  34 . 
   The detail of how the rotation of the arm  20  is controlled is shown in  FIG. 6 . Arm  20  rotates around the extension  34  of the reinforced region  22  and is fastened to the extension  34  by the screw  36 . The travel control detail  50  preferably has two channels  60  positioned in the reinforced region  20 . The length of channel  60  is approximately  90  degrees. The channel  60  serves to guide the arm  20  as it travels between its storage position and the golf bag transportation position. The channels accommodate pins  72  seen in  FIG. 8  that help guide the arm  20  to different positions relative to the reinforced region  22 . The rotation may also be accomplished without any channel  60  or only with channel  60  and with only one pin  72  or with no pins  72  at all. It is preferred to have at least one channel  60  for smoother rotation and to more positively determine travel end points. It is also preferred to have at least one pin  72 . The actual length of channel  60  may be longer than 90 degrees if desired but in that case the stops would be controlled only by spring plunger  74  shown in  FIG. 8 . When plunger  74  is in its retracted position the arm  20  rotates freely. The partial or through depressions  62  in the reinforced region  22  are positioned to receive the tip  84  of spring plunger  74 . The spring plunger  74  stops the rotation of arm  22  by mating with depressions  62 . At this point in rotation of arm  20  the plunger  74  is in its extended position and enters the holes  62 . At least two depressions  62  are needed, one to stop the rotation of arm  20  in its rest position and one to stop the arm  20  in its golf bag transport position. Other types of plungers  74  may also be employed and, like plunger  74 , are generally available commercially. 
     FIG. 7  shows the front view of the reinforced region  22 . Shown are channels  60 , the holes  62 , the extension  34  and the corresponding screw  36  for aiding fastening the arm  20 . 
   Shown in  FIG. 8  is the front view of the arm  20  including pins  72  that guide arm  20  through channels  60 , plunger  74  and the retainer  82 . 
   The detail of the spring plunger  74  is shown in  FIG. 9 . where the plunger  74  having a rest position and retracted position, includes the shaft  92 , the head  90 , the threaded portion  98 , the retaining nut  94 , the retainer  82  and the spring  100 . Pulling on the head  90  of the plunger  74  causes the shaft  92  to retract from the hole  62  making it possible to rotate the arm  20 . Similarly, releasing the plunger  74  causes the tip  84  to couple with the hole  62  due to downward pressure of spring  100  and stopping the rotation of the arm  20 . Preferably, the plunger  74  has locking capability. Turning the plunger about 90 degrees when in its retracted position allows the plunger to rest on spacer  102 . This enables a smooth rotation of arm  20 . Releasing the plunger  74  back to its rest position locks the arm  20  in its new position. Other types of commercially available plungers would also satisfactorily perform this function. 
     FIG. 10  is the front view of the spacer  102  and the counter sunk hole  104  used to fasten the arm  20  to the reinforced region  22 . The spacer  102  is placed on top of the extension  34  and secured with the screw  36 . 
     FIGS. 11 through 16  show the details of securing wheel supports  24  to arm  20 . A person skilled in the art will find many ways of enabling this connection. Preferably, the connection is lockable in two positions, first with wheel supports  24  fully folded inward towards the center of arm  20  and second position at about 90 degrees to the arm  20 . The first position facilitates easy carrying of the bag  10 , while the second position allows the wheels  26  to roll on the ground and transport the bag  10 . One way to enable the connection between the arm  20  and wheel supports  24  is to manufacture the mating portions of the two structures so that the arm  20  has two in-reaching portions  108 , one on each end, bounded by upper and lower outreaching portions  112 , and the wheel supports  24  have one out-reaching portion  110  that fits between the two outreaching portions  112 . If a locking hinge, as used in this invention, will be employed, a round hole  116  is made through one of the outreaching portions  112  on each end of arm  20  and a square hole  124  is made in the opposite out-reaching portion  112  on each end of the arm  20  and in the in reaching portion  110  of wheel supports  24 .  FIG. 12  shows the square hole  124  in the outreaching portion  110  of wheel support  24 .  FIG. 13  shows the round hole  116  drilled in top outreaching portions  112  of the arm  20 , and  FIG. 14  shows the top vies of square hole  124  made in the lower outreaching portion  112  of arm  20 . The portions  110  and  112  are mated together allowing for easy insertion of lockable hinge or similar device through portions  112  and  110 . 
   The lockable hinge  130  is shown in  FIG. 15  where,  132  is the hinge body,  134  is the locking section,  136  is the spring,  138  are fastener holes an  140  is the securing plate that is fastened to the lower outreaching portion  112  of the arm  20  by screws or other fasteners. When the hinge  130  is inserted through portions  112  and  110 , the locking section  134  of the hinge  130  rests partially in the hole  124  of the portion  110  and partially in the hole  124  of the lower portion  112  adjacent to the securing plate  140 . In this position the wheel support  24  is locked in place. Pressing down on the hinge body  132  overpowers the spring  136  and pushes the locking section  134  into the hole  124  of the lower outreaching portion  112  adjacent to the securing plate  140 . Since the outreaching portion  110  is no longer connected by the locking portion  134  to the lower outreaching portion  112 , the wheel supports  24  are now free to rotate between the position substantially vertical to arm  20  for purposes of transporting the bag  10 , or rotated inward towards the center of the arm  20  for easy storage and carrying of the bag  10 . Other versions of hinge arrangements are also possible, such as a door type of hinge or a similar device. 
     FIG. 16  shows the wheels  26  with a brake assembly  150  installed thereupon. The brake  150  may be connected to the wheels  26  and the wheel support  24  by a number of commercially available fasteners, such as bolt, pin, screw, etc. Any number of commercially available brakes, such as bicycle type brakes may be employed. The brake assembly  150  employed in this invention includes the brake frame  151 , brake extension  152 , attached to the brake frame by welding or other attachment means, break tip  153  extending from the brake extension  152  to the proximity of the wheel  26  and break pedal  154  movably attached to the brake extension  152  by an axle  156 . Pressing down onto the brake pedal  154  causes it to move downward in direction of the arrow  158  and pushing the brake tip  153  towards the wheel  26  and stopping the motion upon contact with the wheel  26 . To release the brake  150  one pulls up on the brake pedal  154 . This breaks the contact with the wheel  26  allowing the motion again. The entire sequence may be conveniently performed with one&#39;s shoe. 
   Shown in  FIG. 17  is a front view of one version of a commercially available handle  200  for pulling the golf bag  10 , where  16  is the grasping portion of the handle  200 ,  202  is the release activator of the handle  200 ,  204  is the extendable portion of the handle  200 ,  206  is the body of the handle  200 ,  208  are the clearance holes in the body of the handle  200 ,  214  is the extension from the extendable portion  204  designed to fit into the clearance holes  208 , and  212  is the release mechanism connecting the release activator  202  with the extension  214 . Preferably, the grasping portion  16  is level with the rim  17  of the golf bag  10 . 
     FIG. 18  is the side view of the handle of  FIG. 17  in extended position showing the extension  214  fitting through the upper clearance holes  208 . 
     FIG. 19  is the side view of the handle of  FIG. 17  in retracted or closed position and showing the extension  214  fitting through the lower clearance holes  208 . Pressing the release activator  202  activates the release mechanism  212  so that the extension  214  drops out of the lower clearance hole  208 . This makes it possible to pull on grasping portion  16  until the extendable portion  204  reaches the upper clearance hole  208  and the extension  214  fits into the upper clearance hole  208 , thus locking together the extendable portion  204  and the body  206 . The handle  200  is now in its fully extended position and the bag  10  can easily be pulled or pushed. Pressing again on the release activator  202  and pushing downward on the extendable portion  204  causes the extension  214  to fit into the lower clearance hole  208  and the handle  200  is now in its retracted position. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 20  where one or more wheels  220  are added to the front section of the closed bottom  13 , i.e., to the section of the closed bottom  13  opposite of the position of the reinforced surface  22 . The wheel  220  is at the same level as the wheels  26  when in their extended position, making it possible to push the bag  10  in forward direction and generally aid the stability of the bag  10 . Preferably, the wheel  220  is manufactured at the same time and by the same process as the closed bottom  13 . 
   While the present invention has been described in detail in reference to the preferred embodiments, various modifications and substitutions can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.