Abstract:
The present invention provides a golf bag having compressive pockets. The compressive pockets are adapted to minimize alteration of the profile created by the presence of contents within the pocket and/or minimize shifting of the center of mass of the contents away from the surface of the body as the bag is moved.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from the U.S. provisional patent application entitled Golf Bag with Compressive Pockets, filed Jan. 22, 2002, and given Serial No. 60/351,160. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment, and in particular, to golf bags.  
           [0003]    Current golf bags often include large pockets for storage of tees, golf balls, rain gear, water bottles, etc. When these pockets are loaded with bulky or heavy items, they often bulge out from the bag, or sag under the heavy weight. As the golfer picks up and carriers the bag, the weight of the items is often placed far from the golfers body, making the bag feel heavy to the golfer. In some pockets, loose items may flop from side to side as the golfer walks down the course, producing an undesirable sound, and further making the bag difficult to carry. For golfers that prefer to carry their clubs rather than use carts, this uneven distribution of weight may become particularly tiresome over an entire round of golf. For elderly or other less sure-footed golfers, this uneven weight distribution may even be unsafe.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention is a golf bag with compressive pockets. Pockets that compress may bring the weight of items being carried in the bag closer to the bag and may make it easier to carry and maneuver the golf bag. Furthermore, compressive packets may make the items carried more secure and decrease weight shifts do to item movement in the bag. The closer the weight of the golf accessories to a golf bag, the easier it may be to carry and maneuver the golf bag. Furthermore, the less the items carried in a golf bag pockets move around, this may improve balance, stability and safety when carrying or moving the bag. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf bag with a compression element according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in a compressed configuration.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 depicts the golf bag of FIG. 1 with the compression element shown in an expanded configuration.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a top view of a golf bag with a compression element according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in a compressed configuration.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 depicts the golf bag of FIG. 3 with the compression element shown in an expanded configuration.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a lower, side view of a golf bag with a compression element.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 6 is a view of the compressive element of FIG. 5 with the pocket in a compressed position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 7 is a top view of still another embodiment of the present invention with more than one compressive element shown in a compressed configuration.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 8 depicts the compression elements of FIG. 7 in an expanded configuration  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 9 is a side view of a golf bag with a compression element according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 10 is a rear view of the golf bag shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 11 is another side view of the golf bag shown in FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates a top view of a golf bag  10  with a pocket  12  on the left side. Pocket  12  is shown in compressed (FIG. 1) and uncompressed (FIG. 2) positions. Pocket  12  is compressed towards the golf bag  10  by compressive element  14 . In this embodiment compressive element  14 , extends from golf bag  10  horizontally around the outside of pocket  12  and can be tightened to compress pocket  12 . Compressive element  14  may be elastic, fabric, or any other material suitable to be used as a compressive element. Pocket  12  may be solid fabric or other suitable, lightweight, flexible and durable material or materials.  
         [0017]    Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Golf bag  110  may have a pocket  112  that may be compressed toward golf bag  110  by compressive element  114 . Again, pocket  112  is shown in compressed (FIG. 3) and uncompressed (FIG. 4 ) positions. In this embodiment, compressive member  114  extends vertically from golf bag  110  to compress pocket  112  toward golf bag  110 . As shown, there may be more than one compressive element  114  that may be used to compress pocket  112  towards golf bag  110 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, Golf bag  210  may have a back  220 . Golf bag  210  may have pocket  212  and compressive element  214  that compresses pocket  212  towards back  220  of golf bag  210 . Compressive element  214  may connect to back  220  and extend over pocket  212  and connect to back  220  on the opposite side of pocket  212 , thereby compressing pocket  212  toward back  220  of golf bag  210 . Pocket  212  is illustrated here as rectangular in shape. It will be appreciated that pocket  212  may be any suitable shape. Pocket  212  may have a panel  216  and a gusset  218  as illustrated in FIG. 3. Panel  216  may be molded plastic, reinforced fabric or other suitable, lightweight and durable material. Gusset  218  may be elastic, fabric, or other lightweight, flexible and durable material that would allow panel  216  to be compressed toward back  220  of golf bag  210 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 illustrates the golf bag  210  and pocket  212  from FIG. 6 in a compressed position. Panel  216  is shown compressed closer toward golf bag  210  by compressive element  214 . Compressive element  214  may connect to back  220  and extend over pocket  212  and connect to back  220  on the opposite side of pocket  212 , thereby compressing pocket  212  toward back  220  of golf bag  210 . Compressive element  214  may attach to golf bag  210  by any Velcro, buckle or any other suitable connection technique. Compressive element  214  may be a strap, lever or any other device suitable to be used as a compressive element.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a top view of a golf bag  310  having a different pocket configuration in still another embodiment of the present invention. Golf bag  310  may have a first pocket  312  connectably related to a back  320  of golf bag  310 . Golf bag  310  may also have a second pocket  322  connetably related to first pocket  312 . Pockets  312  and  322  are shown in compressed (FIG. 7) and uncompressed (FIG. 8) positions. First pocket  312  and second pocket  322  may be made of an elastic material that may compress pockets  312 ,  322  towards back  320  of golf bag  310 . Pockets  312 ,  322  may be made entirely of an elastic material or may have a configuration similar to that in FIGS.  1 - 6  with a panel, gusset and compressing element. Alternatively, pockets  312 ,  322  may be made entirely of a compressive element or may include a gusset made of a compressive element.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a right side view of golf bag  410  illustrating various pockets  412   a ,  412   b ,  412   c ,  412   d , and  412   e . As shown, pocket  412   a  includes compressive gusset or side panel  414   a , which serves as a compression element. Gusset  414   a  may be made of elastic or another suitable material.  
         [0022]    Pockets  412   a ,  412   b ,  412   c ,  412   d , and  412   e  may be adapted to include specialized contents. For example, golf bag  410  may include a ball pocket, a valuables pocket, a utility pocket, a water bottle pocket, or the like. For example, a ball pocket may hold golf balls and may be compressed towards golf bag. A valuables pocket may hold car keys, billfold, etc. A utility pocket may be used to hold spare golf gloves or other devices or materials. A water bottle pocket may hold a water bottle or other drink container or other devices or materials. Any of the pockets may be associated with each other similar to pockets illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein the outside portion of one pocket may serve as the inside portion of another pocket or pockets. The pockets may be elastic, molded plastic, fabric, mesh or other suitable, lightweight, flexible and durable material, and any or all of the pockets may include any of the compression elements described above, or a combination thereof.  
         [0023]    Golf bag  410  may further include one or more of a handle  430 , a padded region  440 , and a retractable stand  450 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a view of the back of golf bag  410  depicted in FIG. 9. In addition to the pockets shown in FIG. 9, golf bag  410  may further include pocket  412   f , which may also include a compressive gusset  414   f.    
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a front view of golf bag  410  in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 11 illustrates a view of the pockets on the right and left side of the golf bag that may have compressive members.  
         [0026]    It should be noted that while in the examples above the pockets and compressive members are shown as compressing inward towards the outer surface of the golf bag, it should be appreciated that the pockets and compressive members may be configured such that the interior compartment of the pockets expand outwards towards the exterior portion of the pocket. In this embodiment, the exterior portion of the pocket may be fixed or static.  
         [0027]    It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein.