Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the support of an article provided as a single article of manufacture adapted to rest in the trunk or cargo area of a vehicle or any other flat surface. The single article of manufacture is able to be separated into at least two pieces that interlock to form the support that cradles the article at an angle such that the base of the article maintains contact with the floor of the vehicle while the top of the article is held in an upright position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to a transport method and means for holding an item that is to be moved from one location to another while maintaining the item in an inclined position to keep the article substantially secure. In particular, the invention is a method and apparatus to hold a golf bag in an inclined position in the trunk or cargo area of a vehicle to keep the contents of the golf bag from shifting during transport. The apparatus may be disassembled into two components that fit together to form a single, compact article for ease of storage.  
       DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     There are several effective devices for transporting golf bags in an inclined position to maintain the position of the contents of the golf bag. There are devices that allow a golf bag to be stored in a vehicle in a substantially upright position. However, these devices are not comprised of two interlocking pieces that can be manufactured from a single, uniform sized piece of material and stored in a compact shape. There are other prior art devices that attach to the golf bag and unfold to allow the bag to maintain an upright position. However, these devices are also not capable of being manufactured from a single, uniform sized piece of material or stored in a single compact shape. These devices must also be fitted and attached to a particular golf bag rendering them only capable of use with a particular bag.  
         [0003]     It is apparent that when a golf bag is to be transported from one location to another, it is desirable to maintain the item in an inclined position to maintain the contents of the bag. The optimal angle for storing a bag to maintain its contents is 90 degrees between the length of the bag and the floor or bed of the transport vehicle. Due to the size of the golf bag and the often the lack of space within a vehicle, it is often impossible to store a golf bag in such a position. However, to prevent articles from sliding or rolling out of the bag, it is usually sufficient to maintain a slight incline between the and the floor or bed of the transport vehicle. There is often enough space to accommodate this configuration by utilizing the trunk or bed of the transport vehicle. It is also apparent that when the device is not in use it is desirable to have a compact design such that the device takes up as little space as possible. It is also desirable to have an easy form of manufacture to cut down on cost associated with production and packaging. This apparatus is manufactured from a single piece of material that can be easily made and packaged.  
         [0004]     A need, therefore, exists for an improved and compact method and apparatus for transporting a golf bag and storing the apparatus when it is not in use.  
         [0005]     It is, therefore, objective of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and compact golf bag holder that maintains the bag at an angle sufficient to prevent escape of the contents during transport or storage. It is further an objective of the present invention to provide a compact means of supporting a golf bag which can be disassembled and reassembled to form a compact shape that is easily stored when not in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention can be formed from a single piece of firm yet resilient material such as polypropylene or polyethylene foam having a polygonal shape that can be separated into at least two pieces that interlock to form the support. The polygonal or rectangular piece of material is easily stored in a compact location, e.g., under a seat in a vehicle. The preferred embodiment of this invention has dimensions of 12 to 24 inches long by 8 inches wide by 2 inches thick in its storage configuration.  
         [0007]     When the apparatus is ready to be used to support a golf bag or other article, it is separated into at least two separate pieces that interlock to form the support. The separate pieces comprise a body and at least one arch support. The arch support(s) fits into an arcuate depression(s) in the body during storage. During use, the body of the support interlocks at an approximate 90 degree angle with the arch support(s). Interlocking extensions on the arch support(s) engage the indention in the body. The body of the support has a substantially flat bottom to allow for stability while in use. The arcuate depression(s) in the body accepts the side of a golf bag and holds it above the floor of a vehicle.  
         [0008]     In one preferred embodiment the depression(s) has dimensions in excess of the golf bag to allow the article to make contact with the bottom of the depression and remain contained by the sides of the depression(s).  
         [0009]     In another embodiment the depression is angular allowing the golf bag to fit snugly.  
         [0010]     In one preferred embodiment, a logo or emblem is affixed onto the support for the purpose of advertising or to personalize the apparatus.  
         [0011]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered in connection with the following, detailed description of preferred embodiments of my invention, which description is presented in conjunction with annexed drawings, in which:  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the invention in its transport configuration;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the body support;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the arch support;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an unassembled configuration of a preferred embodiment of the invention unassembled;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled configuration of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a golf bag mounted for transport of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is exploded perspective view of an unassembled configuration of an alternate embodiment of the invention unassembled; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the assembled configuration of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , support apparatus  1  is shown as it appears when assembled in a storage configuration. The preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of two separate pieces which fit together to form a compact uniform shape. In the preferred embodiment, the compact uniform shape is a rectangle but, of course, can be other shapes. The two pieces of the preferred embodiment are body support  25  and arch support  30 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows body support  25 .  FIG. 2  shows the location of indentions  55 ,  60  and depression  61 . The depression  61  should be wide enough to allow the article to make contact with the bottom of the depression  61  to allow for maximum support and containment. Depression  61  is formed with indention  55  which in the preferred embodiment is the same width as support arch  30 . Base surface  12  is generally flat to allow for support of articles when support apparatus  1  is in use.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows support arch  30  of support apparatus  1 . Perforation  40  is located at the center of interlocking tabs  41 ,  42 . Support arch  30  and support apparatus  1  also comprise base surface  49   a  and  49   b  which in cooperation with base surface  12  is generally flat to allow for the support of articles when support apparatus  1  is in use.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows configuration of the preferred embodiment of support apparatus  1  prior to assembly. Support arch  30  is removed from body support  25  by pressing the two pieces apart. Support arch  30  is then inverted and turned at an approximate 90 degree angle from its storage position. Between indentions  35 ,  45  there is a single perforation  40  in the material to allow the support arch  30  to flex under an applied stress and fit over the body support  25 . Pressure is applied to support arch  30  at a location immediately below interlocking tabs  41 ,  42  at points  46 ,  47 . This pressure will create a gap between the interlocking tabs  41 ,  42  along perforation  40  sufficient to allow connecting tabs  41 ,  42  to fully engage indention  60  on body support  25 . Arch support  30  is lowered onto body support  25 , allowing interlocking tabs  41 ,  42  to fully engage indention  60  located on body support  25 . Once arch support  30  and body support  25  are fully engaged, depression  61  is fully formed and contained laterally by top  65  of arch support  30 . Arch support  30  provides stability to support apparatus  1  in its assembly configuration by the cooperation of support arch  30  and body support  25  at a generally right angle. Indentions  45 ,  55 ,  60  serve to allow support arch  30  to be interlocked with body support  25  to provide a stable apparatus. Support arch  30  interlocks through indentions  45 ,  60  and provide stability to the apparatus by preventing movement between the pieces.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  shows the preferred embodiment and more specifically support arch  30  and body support  25  fully engaged as viewed from one side and somewhat above support apparatus  1 . Support arch  30  is flush with the bottom of depression  61  to allow the golf bag to make full contact with side  50  of support arch  30 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  shows the support apparatus  1  in use. The support apparatus  1  is rested on a surface  10  of the transport vehicle or any other surface suitable for resting a support apparatus  1 . One preferred embodiment shows golf bag  5  (or other object in need of support) resting in depression  61  of support apparatus  1  with closed end  20  of golf bag  5  resting on a surface  10  in the vehicle. Surface  10  of the vehicle can also be the trunk of a car or the bed of a truck or any space in the vehicle that provides adequate room necessary to allow golf bag  5  to be positioned on the floor or of the other surface. Support apparatus  1  can be used on surfaces other than those associated with vehicles. For instance, the floor of a clubhouse or garage for drying after an afternoon in the rain. Golf bag  5  is inclined slightly upward from base  20  of golf bag  5  and floor  10 . Other items can be supported in an inclined position by the invention besides golf bag  5 . Other articles that can be supported in an inclined position include other sports equipment such as hockey sticks and baseball bats.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  shows configuration of an alternate embodiment prior to assembly. Support arch  30  is removed from body support  70  by pressing the two pieces apart. Support arch  30  is then inverted and turned at an approximate 90 degree angle from its storage position. Between indentions  35 ,  45  there is a single perforation  40  in the material to allow the support arch  30  to flex under an applied stress and fit over the body support  70 . Pressure is applied to support arch  30  at a location immediately below interlocking tabs  41 ,  42  at points  46 ,  47 . This pressure will create a gap between the interlocking tabs  41 ,  42  along perforation  40  sufficient to allow connecting tabs  41 ,  42  to fully engage indention  60  on body support  70 . Arch support  30  is lowered onto body support  70 , allowing interlocking tabs  41 ,  42  to fully engage indention  60  located on body support  70 . Once arch support  30  and body support  25  are fully engaged, depression  61  is fully formed and contained laterally by top  65  of arch support  30 . The process is repeated until each arch support  30  is interlocked on body support  70 . Arch support  30  provides stability to support apparatus  1  in its assembly configuration by the cooperation of support arch  30  and body support  70  at a generally right angle. Indentions  45 ,  55 ,  60  serve to allow support arch  30  to be interlocked with body support  70  to provide a stable apparatus. Support arch  30  interlocks through indentions  45 ,  60  and provide stability to the apparatus by preventing movement between the pieces.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment and more specifically support archs  30 ,  30  and body support  70  fully engaged as viewed from one side and somewhat above support apparatus  1 . Support archs  30 ,  30  are flush with the bottom of depressions  61 ,  61  to allow the golf bag to make full contact with sides  50 ,  50  of support archs  30 ,  30 .  
         [0028]     It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in this art and, indeed, to the general public that certain modifications and alterations, such as those stated herein, may be made in the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown and described herein without the use of inventive skill. As to all such modifications and alterations as would be obvious to such persons, it is desired that they be included within the purview of my invention, which is to be limited only by the scope, including equivalents, of the following appended claims.