Abstract:
The invention includes a golf bag. The golf bag includes a body, a first support member, and a first elastic link member. The body defines an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a resilient pressing member. The resilient pressing member includes a fixed end and a free end, where the fixed end is fixed to the lower portion of the body within the perimeter of the lower portion. The first support member includes a first end coupled to the upper portion so as to pivot. The first elastic link member includes a first end that is coupled to the first support member at a location that is between the first end as a second end of the first support member. Moreover, the second end of the first elastic link member is coupled to the free end of the resilient pressing member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on Nos. 98-12869 and 98-25560 filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Jul. 13, 1998 and Dec. 18, 1998, respectively. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention includes a golf bag, particularly to the golf bag structured such that a support member is unfolded corresponding to the inclination of the lower body resting on the ground. 
     (b) Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, a golf bag is for carrying or safe-keeping a plurality of golf clubs. 
     The golf bags may be divided into two types according to a support method thereof: 
     The first type is a golf bag wherein the bottom face thereof is supported by the ground surface while the same is in an upright position; and 
     The second type is a golf bag wherein the bottom face thereof is supported by the ground surface while the same is in an inclined position. 
     With the golf bag of the second type, the cylindrical body of the conventional golf bag, shown in FIG.  17 . and FIG.  18 . is structured such that the upper and lower portions thereof are opened. 
     In the upper portion of the upper body  101  is mounted an upper plate  103  whereto a hinge assembly  107  mounted in an aspect of the upper portion is rotatably hinged, and a bottom plate  105  is mounted in a lower portion of the upper body. 
     A support leg  109  for supporting the upper body  101  when unfolded corresponding to a slant of the upper body  101  is fixed to the hinge assembly  107 . 
     An elastic link member  111  for rotating the hinge assembly  107  when pushed upward corresponding to a slant of the upper body  101  is coupled to the upper body, and a pressing member  113  for pushing up the link  111  corresponding to a slant of the upper body is mounted in one aspect of the bottom plate  115 . 
     The link  111  is pushed up by a pressing power imposed thereon when the pressing member  113  contacts the ground surface according to a slant of the upper plate  103 , and here the upper body  101  is tilted on the pressing member  113 . 
     The support leg  109  is unfolded when the linear movement of the elastic link  111  turns into a rotation movement of the hinge assembly  107  and thus, the unfolded support leg  109  supports the main body  101 . 
     A conventional golf bag, wherein the pressing member is coupled thereon either by mounting the same to one aspect of the bottom plate or with other fixing apparatus, is structured such that the bottom plate has a prominent configuration, with the result that problems arise such as increased assembly processing steps, a poor product design, increased manufacturing cost, and frequent product defects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is provided to solve the problems of the conventional golf bag. 
     According to the purpose of the present invention, there is proposed a golf bag wherein the same is structured such that a support member is unfolded when a lower body is tilted on the ground, with the results of minimum assembly processing steps, a fine configuration view, a reduced manufacturing cost, and minimized product defects. 
     The present invention to achieve the above purpose comprises: 
     an upper body with a cylindrical structure; 
     a frame mounted in an upper body for maintaining a configuration of the golf bag despite an external force from or a weight of the golf-clubs collected inside the upper body; 
     a lower body mounted in the lower portion of the upper body for being a bottom portion of the golf bag encircling the lower portion of the upper body; 
     more-than-one hinge members in hinged connection with an upper fixed member that is fixed on the upper body; 
     support members connected to the free ends of the hinge member for supporting the golf bag at a predetermined angle when unfolded corresponding to a slant of the upper body; 
     a means wherein concerning the above support members, the support members are folded when the lower body is off the ground surface, and the same is unfolded when the lower body is on the ground surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete appreciation of this invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail A in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a front view showing the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the first embodiment of the present invention in operation. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing other coupling structure of a guide member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial front view showing other coupling structure of a elastic link member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a golf bag according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing a golf bag according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a golf bag according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a partial front view showing a golf bag according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a golf bag according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a side view showing a golf bag according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a golf bag according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a golf bag according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a golf bag according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a draft showing a conventional golf bag. 
     FIG. 18 is a draft showing an operation of a conventional golf bag. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following is a detailed description of a structure and operation of the present invention with reference to appended drawings. 
     A golf bag, according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.  1 . through FIG. 7., comprises: 
     An upper body  1  with a cylindrical structure; 
     A frame  3  mounted in a top portion of the upper body for maintaining a fine configuration of a golf bag despite an external force from or a weight of golf-clubs secured inside the upper body  1 ; and 
     A lower body  5  mounted in a lower portion of the upper body for forming a bottom part of the golf bag encircling the lower portion of the upper body. 
     An upper fixed body  6  bonded on some aspect of the upper body  1  is in hinged connection with more-than-one hinge members  7 , and support members  9  connected to free ends of the hinge members  7  are unfolded corresponding to a slanting of the upper body  1  to support the golf bag at a predetermined angle. 
     This support member  9  relates to a stand device  15  wherein the support member  9  is folded when the lower body  5  of the golf bag is off the ground, but the same is unfolded when on the ground. 
     The stand device  15  comprises an elastic link member  11  either connected to the hinge member  7  or to the support member  9  respectively, or to a coupling portion of the two members; and 
     a pressing member  19  for pushing up the elastic link member  11  to unfold the support member  9 . 
     The elastic link member  11 , when the lower body is off the ground, forces the hinged member  7  back to an initial position by a self-elastic force thereof, whereby the support member  9  is folded. 
     The lower body  5  has a slanted portion  23  wherethrough the pressing member  19  can push up the elastic member  11  when the lower body  5  contacts the ground. 
     The slanted portion comprises a pressing member  19  detachably connected thereto; and 
     an allowance space  17  wherein the pressing member  19  can move a predetermined distance when the slanted portion  23  is on or off the ground surface. 
     The elastic link member  11  is provided with a guide to enable the elastic link members  11  to be arranged in order to make a shortest possible linear movement when the pressing member  19  is in or out of contact with the ground surface. 
     The guide means comprises a guide member  25  whereinto the elastic link member  11  of a predetermined length is inserted, the guide member  25  making it possible for the elastic link member  11  to make a shortest possible linear movement without collapse when forced to make a linear movement by the pressing member  19 . 
     The guide member  25  is formed in a tube unit wherethrough the elastic link member  11  makes a linear movement. 
     The guide member  25  shown in FIG.  1 . is formed in a rectangular shape. However, any shape of the guide member  25  including a cylinder or a polygon can be applied for the same as far as the elastic link member  11  can make a linear movement without collapse. 
     The guide member  25  has an open portion  26  whereat when the pressing member  19  is pushed up, the elastic link members  11  make a proper divergence, and when the pressing member  19  goes downward, the same is arranged in order. 
     The open portion  26  is formed at a predetermined point of the guide member  25 , so that the elastic link members  11  are properly diverged and arranged in order. 
     The top and bottom portion of the guide member  25 , as shown in FIG. 1., are bolted to the upper body  1  and to the lower body  5  respectively through a bottom fixed member  27  and a top fixed member  28 . 
     The bottom portion of the guide member  25 , as shown in FIG. 6., may be connected by a forcing insertion thereof into a coupling unit provided on a portion of the lower body  5 . 
     Prop members  13  as seen in FIG. 2 for supporting the upper body are coupled to predetermined portions in the lower body  5  to prevent an enmeshment among golf-clubs orderly divided through the frame  3 . 
     The pressing member  19  is coupled to a connection member  21  for making the pressing member and the elastic link member work interlockingly when the pressing member  19  contacts or separates from the ground. 
     A hook projection  21   a  formed in the connection member  21 , as shown in the FIG. 3, is hooked into a hooking groove  19   a  formed in the pressing member  19 . However an-other-way-around process is possible wherein the hook projection (not shown here) formed in the pressing member  19  is hooked into the hooking groove (not shown here) formed in the connection member  21 . 
     A plurality of pad members  31  for reinforcing stiffness of the lower body  5  and supporting the same  5  are formed in the bottom face of the lower body  5 . 
     The elastic link member  11 , shown in FIG.  1 . and FIG. 4., is coupled into a hinge hole  33  provided in the hinge member such that each of the elastic link members is extended outwardly in a bent state, or reversely, such that each of the same is directed toward the inner side of the hinge hole  37  and the hinge member  7 , as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The hinge hole  37  is formed in a coupling member  35  provided in an end side portion of the hinge member  7 . 
     When the golf bag, by moving the upper body  1  or the frame  3 , is inclined toward the slanted portion  23 , the slanted portion  23  of the lower body  5  and the pressing member  19  move towards the ground surface. 
     The elastic link member  11  is elevated by a displacement imposed on the pressing member  19  connected in the allowance space when the pressing member  19  touches the ground. 
     At this point, the elastic link member  11  is subjected to a linear movement through the guide member  25  of the guide means and rises along the shortest possible reciprocal path, followed by extending out from an open portion  26  toward the outside of the hinge member  7 . 
     According to elevation and extension of the elastic link member  11 , a linear motion of the elastic link member  11  turns into a rotation of the hinge member  7 . And thereby the hinge member  7  rotates the support member  9 . Consequently, the support member  9  is unfolded. 
     Accordingly, the support members  9 , as shown in FIG. 5., upholds the upper body  5  standing slanted at a predetermined angle while the free ends thereof contact the ground surface together with the bottom face. 
     A golf bag according to the second embodiment of the present invention, identical to the first embodiment other than the following description, is shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The hinge holes  39  formed in the allowance space  17  at a predetermined interval are hinged with a hinge axis  41  such that the hinge axis  41  is allowed to rotate. And the hinge axis  41  is formed as a protrusion out of the pressing member  19  so that the pressing member  19  may be detachably connected to the lower body  5 . 
     On the other hand, the hinge holes (not shown here) are formed in end sides of the pressing member  19 , and the hinge axis (not shown here) being rotatably hinged into the hinge holes is formed as a protrusion in the allowance space  17  so that the pressing member  19  may be detachably connected. 
     A partial selected view of a golf bag according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment of the present invention being identical to the first embodiment other than the following description, is shown in FIG.  9 . 
     A stopper  43  is a protruding shape for stopping the rotation of the hinge member  7  at a predetermined angle whereat the stopper comes into contact with the upper fixed member  6  and thus obstructs the rotation of the hinge member  7 , the stopper  43  being formed at one end portion of the hinge member  7 . 
     A detail of a golf bag according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, identical to the first embodiment other than the following description, is shown in FIG.  10 . 
     The elastic link member  11  of the present fourth embodiment, wherein the same  11  is supposed to make a linear movement without a guide means unlike in the first embodiment, has a predetermined length of unbent and fixed portion thereof. 
     A golf bag according to the fifth embodiment, the same as the first embodiment other than the following description, is shown in FIG.  11 . 
     The elastic link member  11  has a bent portion  45  at a predetermined point, the bent portion  45  provided with a fixing means like a clip  47  for fastening the bent portion, whereby folding of the support member  9  and unfolding thereof are made possible without collapse thereof. 
     The bent portion  45  is bent from the inner side of the upper body  1  toward the outer side thereof to prevent release of the elastic link member  11  out of the joint portion with the hinge member  7  when the elastic link member  11  makes a linear movement. 
     A golf bag according to the sixth embodiment, the same as the first embodiment other than the following description, is shown in FIG.  12  and FIG.  13 . 
     As shown in FIG.  12  and FIG. 13, in order to prevent release of the elastic member  11  from the hinge member  7  when the elastic link member  11  makes a linear movement, the bent portion  45  is preferably formed such that the bent portion is bent from the outer side of the hinge member  7  toward the inner side thereof and from the inner side of the upper body  1  toward the outer side thereof. 
     In addition, the elastic link member  11  is coupled with a fixed member  49  for fixing the elastic link members lest the elastic link member  11  should be broken when making a linear movement. 
     The seventh embodiment of the present invention, the same as the first embodiment other than the following description, is shown in FIG.  14 . 
     The pressing member  19  is coupled only to the free end of the elastic link member  11  to push up the elastic link member  11  when the lower body  5  touches the ground surface. 
     The elastic link member  11  has a bent portion  45  whereat the elastic link member  11  is bent from the outer side of the hinge member  7  toward the inner side thereof and from the inner side of the upper body  1  toward the outer side thereof (similar to FIG.  12  and FIG.  13 ), so when the elastic link member  11  is forced to make a linear movement by the pressing member  19 , the same  11  may not be released from the hinge member  7  to operate properly. 
     The pressing member  19  is preferably formed in the same slant direction and slant angle as the slanted portion  23  for facilitating the linear movement of the pressing member  19  when the slanted portion of the bottom body  5  lands at the ground. 
     The eighth embodiment of the present invention, the same as the first or seventh embodiment other than the following description, is shown in FIG.  15 . 
     The bottom face of the lower body  5  is a plane, and the pressing member  19  for pushing up the elastic link member  11  to unfold the support member  9  when the lower body  5  is slanted is coupled to the free end of the elastic link member  11 . 
     In addition, the free end of the elastic link member  11  should be reached beyond the bottom face of the lower body  5  to secure a predetermined reciprocal distance of the pressing member when the lower body is slanted. 
     The ninth embodiment of the present invention, the same as the first or seventh embodiment, is shown in FIG.  16 . 
     Below the bottom face of the lower body  5  is provided inner and outer pad members  53  and  55 , respectively forming a space portion  51  of a predetermined size for propping the lower body  5 . 
     The inner pad member  53  is mounted such that the space portion  51  is formed wherein the pressing member  19  for pushing up the elastic link member  11  when the lower body  5  is slanted can have a predetermined reciprocal distance. 
     The outer pad member  55  comprises more-than-one depressed grooves  57  and a slanted portion  59  formed in some portion of the outer pad member  55  for facilitating an elevation of the elastic link member  11  by the pressing member  19  when the lower body  5  is slanted. 
     Consequently, the present invention formed in a unit structure, wherein when the lower body is slanted on the ground, the support member is unfolded, is preferred for reduced assembly processing steps, a fine viewing configuration, a reduced manufacturing cost, and a reduced occurrence of breakdown. 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.