Patent Publication Number: US-8528729-B2

Title: Light-weight golf bag capable of being dismantled

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to golf bags and, more particularly, to light-weight golf bag capable of being dismantled. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most golf bags are of sturdy construction since they provide many functions. Typically, golf bags have dividers to separate groups of clubs, and to increase the bag&#39;s stability. A complete set of 14 golf clubs for regulation play is heavy and bulky, and golf bags designed for travel must endure the rigors of rough handling and contact with other bags and other items in transit. Many bags have built in stands which may add to their weight, and most bags are adapted to fit on golf carts which requires robust construction to withstand the jostling associated with passing over uneven ground. 
     Retail stores and golf club manufactures often use golf bags for displaying sets of clubs, such as children&#39;s clubs or particular lines of putters, as examples, within particular stores and at conventions. The names, logos, graphics, or other advertising of the manufacturers and/or the displaying store may be printed on the bags or individually emblazoned with stick-on decals and the like to improve product or supplier awareness. When the promotion or sale is over, however, such bags, if permanently marked, must be stored until the next promotion, or disposed of. Smaller golf bags which may be dismantled for storage and shipping would clearly be advantageous. 
     Small golf bags are also desirable for holding a few clubs to be kept in the trunk of a car or in the corner of an office for a practice round, as a “Sunday” bag, or for display of collector clubs. A light-weight golf bag having smaller capacity would be useful for 9-hole courses where a full complement of clubs is not needed. For use as a Sunday bag, however, the golf bag should be relatively rigid so that it may be self-standing and/or leaned against a tree or other object. 
     Shipping of articles from manufacturers outside the United States is charged by volume. Therefore, a golf bag which is stackable and readily assembled after arrival at its destination should have significantly reduced cost of manufacture. 
     With airlines typically charging checked baggage fees, travel costs may be reduced by checking a full-sized golf bag containing all of the golf clubs to be shipped, and carrying on-board one or more smaller, empty, light-weight bag, perhaps disassembled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light-weight golf bag. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a light-weight golf bag capable of being assembled and disassembled. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the golf bag, hereof, includes: an elongated rectangular plastic sheet having a first long side and an opposing second long side parallel thereto and coextensive therewith, a first short side and an opposing second short side; means for detachably securing the first long side to the second long side, such that a cylinder having an axis and a wall formed by the plastic sheet is generated when the first long side and the second long side are brought into overlapping communication, the cylinder further having a top opening defined by the first short side, and a circular bottom opening defined by the second short side, wherein the circular bottom opening has an axis collinear with the axis of the cylinder; a circular sheet adapted to fit into the circular bottom opening; and means for detachably securing the circular sheet to the wall of the cylinder at a chosen location interior thereto. 
     In another aspect of the invention, and in accordance with its objects and purposes, the golf bag, hereof, includes: an elongated rectangular plastic sheet having a first long side and an opposing second long side parallel thereto and coextensive therewith, a first short side and an opposing second short side; at least one locking tab formed along the first long side and extending perpendicularly thereto, and at least one slot in the plastic sheet in the region of the second long side adapted for disengageably receiving the at least one locking tab for securing the first long side to the second long side in an overlapping manner such that a cylinder having a wall formed by the plastic sheet is generated, and having a top opening formed by the first short side, and a circular bottom opening formed by the second short side; a circular sheet adapted to fit into the circular bottom opening, the circular sheet having at least one locking tab for detachably securing the sheet to the wall of the cylinder at a chosen location interior thereto. 
     Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a strong, durable, light-weight golf bag capable of being assembled and disassembled. The bag may be formed from a single sheet of inexpensive plastic sheet by single-pass die-cutting using a high speed web press, the press being capable of simultaneously printing or embossing logos and other information on the bag. Because of the inherent strength of plastic sheet when formed into a circular tube shape, further bracing or support may not be required. Assembly and disassembly may be accomplished in a few minutes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a perspective rear and side view of an embodiment of the assembled golf bag of the present invention, illustrating the attachment of a shoulder strap for carrying the bag, and the attachment of a golf ball holder strap for securing golf balls on the outside of the bag. 
         FIG. 2  is schematic representation of a perspective view of the top of the golf bag shown in  FIG. 1  hereof, illustrating the circular cross section of the golf bag and the location of the club divider strap. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the lower end of the golf bag shown in  FIG. 1  hereof, illustrating locking tabs in the circular plate inserted through slots in the cylindrical wall of the golf bag. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic representation of a top view of the unfolded flat plastic sheet which when assembled generates the tubular portion of the golf bag shown in  FIG. 1 , hereof, illustrating the locking tabs and slots thereof for assembling the tube;  FIG. 4B  is a schematic representation of a top view of the circular plate shown in  FIG. 3 , hereof, at least one of which is inserted into the bottom tubular portion of  FIG. 1 , hereof;  FIG. 4C  is a schematic representation of the shoulder strap illustrated in  FIG. 1 , hereof;  FIG. 4D  is a schematic representation of the ball holder strap shown in  FIG. 1  hereof;  FIG. 4E  is a schematic representation of the club divider strap shown in  FIG. 2 , hereof; and  FIG. 4F  is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the unfolded flat plastic sheet having snap means for disengagingly securing the golf bag in the tubular configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention includes a light weight golf bag fabricated from a sheet of low-cost polymer film or sheet, polyethylene, as an example, by die-cutting in one pass through a high speed web press or using laser cutter. Although the bag may weigh as little as one pound, it is strong and durable, and sufficiently sturdy to be freestanding, self-supporting, and to contain golf clubs. The inherent physical characteristics of polymer sheeting when formed into a tube, provides such characteristics with only limited additional bracing or support. Larger versions of the golf bag may hold the regulation  14  clubs or even greater numbers of clubs. 
     Smaller embodiments of the present golf bag may find use as a storage bag containing a few clubs to be kept in the trunk of a car or in the corner of an office available for a practice round or for display of collector&#39;s clubs. Retail stores may use the golf bag to display individual clubs, children&#39;s club sets, or groupings of clubs, for example, “Ping putters,” for sale. The club manufacturer or store name, logo or graphics, or other sponsorship information may be mass printed on the bag simultaneously with cutting process, or on its components, making them suitable for specialty advertising and marketing, or individually emblazoned with computer stick-on decals for enhanced product awareness. Polymeric sheets are available in a variety of colors and textures, permitting an array of individual color schemes to be adapted to many uses, and eliminating need and cost of additional coverings or cloth shells as would be required for existing golf bags for similar usage. Clear sheeting would allow the clubs to be viewed. 
     The golf bag may be made of biodegradable and disposable polymer sheets that are ecologically friendly and recyclable, thereby making the bag a “green” product. Assembly, and disassembly for certain embodiments of the invention, may be accomplished by an end user in a few minutes. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Identical reference characters are used to represent similar or identical structure. Turning now to the FIGURES,  FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a perspective rear and side view of an embodiment of golf bag  10  of the present invention. Cylindrical tube or cylinder,  12 , may be formed from a single plastic sheet, as will be described hereinbelow. Shoulder strap,  14 , effective for carrying bag  10 , shown attached to tube  12 , by flared locking tabs,  16 , and  18 , disposed at opposite ends of shoulder strap  14 , and inserted through slots,  20 , and  22 , in tube  12 , respectively, after being threaded through slots  24 , and  26 , and  28 , and  30 , respectively. Golf ball holder strap,  32 , is shown attached to tube  12  by flared locking tabs,  34 , and  36 , disposed at opposite ends of ball holder strap  32 , and inserted through slots,  38 , and  40 , respectively, after being threaded through slots,  40 , and  44 , respectively, in tube  12 . Golf ball retaining holes,  46 , and  48 , are formed in the wall of tube  12  and have slightly smaller diameters than the diameter of a golf ball. Such holes are shown as being disposed directly under fastened ball holder strap  32  adapted for holding inserted golf balls in place. Additional ball holders, not shown in  FIG. 1 , may be added. Golf tee holders may be provided by holes,  49 , formed in the wall of tube  12  adapted for receiving and securing tees. At least one golf club separator member,  50 , not shown in  FIG. 1 , effective for separating the golf clubs and for providing additional strength to tube  12 , is fastened on one side to tube  12  by locking tab,  52 , inserted in turn through slots,  54 , and  56 , in tube  12 , with an opposing locking tab,  58 , (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) disposed on the other side of tube  12 , near open upper end,  60 , thereof. Circular plate,  62 , not shown in  FIG. 1 , is fastened to tube  12  in the vicinity of lower or bottom end,  64 , thereof, by locking tabs,  66 , and,  68 , with opposing locking tabs,  70 , and  72 , respectively, similarly employed but not shown in  FIG. 1 , tab  68  shown as being inserted through slot,  74 , in tube  12 . Tube  12  locking and reinforcing member,  76 , is shown inserted into slot,  78 , and emerging from slot,  80 , in tube  12  locking tab,  82 , as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective top view of golf bag  10  shown in  FIG. 1  hereof, illustrating the circular cross section of the upper or top end  60  of tube  12  and the location of club divider or separator member  48 . Upper end  60  is shown having a downward slope toward the front of bag  12  in order to permit easier insertion and removal of golf clubs. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the lower end of the golf bag  12  shown in  FIG. 1  hereof, illustrating locking tabs  66 ,  70  and  72  formed on circular plate  62  ( FIG. 4B ) inserted through slots in the cylindrical wall of the golf bag. Shown also in  FIG. 3  are overlapping vertical ends,  86 , and,  88  of wall  84  of tube  12 , when assembled, in part held together and stabilized by tube locking and reinforcing member  76 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a schematic representation of a top view of the unfolded flat plastic sheet which when assembled generates tubular portion  12  of golf bag  10 , not including shoulder strap  14 , golf ball holder strap  32 , and golf club partition member  50 . Locking tabs,  96 ,  98 , and  100 , on vertical side  88  insert into slots  102 ,  104 , and  106  in the sheet, respectively, permitting sides  86  and  88  to be overlapped and reversibly secured. After installation of at least one circular plate  62  ( FIG. 4B ) into the circular opening formed at lower end  64 , of tube  12 , and inserting locking tabs  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  into slots  74   a ,  90   a ,  92   a , and  94   a , and/or  74   b ,  90   b ,  92   b , and  94   b , respectively, depending on whether more than one plate is utilized, locking and reinforcing member  76  may be threaded through overlapping slots  78   a  and  78   b , and inserted through overlapping slots  80   a  and  80   b , to more securely hold tube  12  together. The selection of which set of slots is to be employed for securing a circular plate, permits adjustment the length of the interior of the golf bag so that different sized golf clubs may be accommodated. Additional sets of slots  74 ,  90 ,  92  and  94 , may be added in order to carry short clubs without changing the overall length of golf bag  10 . Multiple circular plates  62  may be employed, for increasing the strength of golf bag  10  and for contributing to the free-standing capability thereof. The at least one circular plate  62  may be fabricated from the same plastic material as tube  12 , or other suitable flexible materials. Top portion  60  is shown having a concave shape in order to provide the downward sloping opening shown in  FIG. 2 , hereof. 
     Assembled golf bag  10  hereof may readily be disassembled, if desired, since the fasteners and tabs are reversibly connected and provide detachable or disengageable attachment or securement of the various parts and portions hereof. 
     Slots  20 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  78 , and  80 , in the plastic sheet further marked with an “a” or a “b”, overlap with their corresponding slots when tube  12  is formed from the sheet, and locking tabs inserted therethrough are passed through both slots. The locking tabs securely lock in place once inserted through the slots. 
       FIGS. 4C and 4D  show shoulder strap  14  and ball holder strap  32 , both illustrated in  FIG. 1 , hereof, and  FIG. 4E  shows club divider strap  50  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , hereof. Carrying strap  14  is shown having a wide portion,  108 , suitable for placing over a user&#39;s shoulder, while narrower portions,  110 , and  120  permit the strap to be threaded through the slots in tube  12 . Shoulder strap  14 , ball holder strap  32  and divider strap  50  may be fabricated from the same plastic material as that for tube  12  and bottom member  62 , or other suitable flexible materials. 
       FIG. 4F  shows another embodiment of the unfolded flat plastic sheet adapted for reversibly assembling tubular portion  12  of golf bag  10 . Snaps,  114 ,  116 , and  118 , provide the same functionality as locking tabs  96 ,  98 , and  100  and slots  102 ,  104  and  106  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  hereof. Other fastening means such as grommet snaps, metal buttons, and VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners, as examples, may be readily implemented. 
     The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.