Patent Publication Number: US-6220432-B1

Title: Detachable golf bag logo panel mounting structure

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a detachable golf bag logo panel mounting structure, and more particularly to such an detachable golf bag logo panel mounting structure, which uses a hinge to secure a logo panel to a golf bag, enabling the logo panel to be turned about an axis relative to the golf bag and automatically set at the adjusted angle. The logo panel can be detached from the golf bag simply by removing the pivot pin from the hinge. 
     A golf bag is generally equipped with a logo panel. The logo panel is detachably fastened to the golf bag by a zip fastener. This logo panel mounting design has drawbacks. Because the zip fastener is not very strong, the logo panel tends to be opened when stretched or pulled. Further, the peripheral edge of the logo panel tends to be jammed in the interlocking teeth of the zip fastener, causing the zip fastener to be damaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. According to the present invention, a fixed member which has a plurality of axially aligned tooth profile barrels is fixedly fastened to a golf bag, a movable member which has a plurality of axially aligned tooth profile barrels is fixedly fastened to a logo panel, and a pivot pin is detachably inserted into the barrels at the movable member and the barrel at the fixed member to hold the barrels in an engaged condition, enabling the movable member to be turned with the logo panel relative to the fixed member and the golf bag to the desired angle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a logo panel mounted on a golf bag according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but showing the log panel opened from the golf bag. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a logo panel is mounted on the front garment packet of the golf bag according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a logo panel mounted on one side pocket of a golf bag according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a logo panel mounted on one side pocket of another golf bag according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a logo panel mounted on one side pocket of still another golf bag according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate form of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. from  1  through  3 , a logo panel  2  is shown coupled to a golf bag  1 . The logo panel  2  comprises a peripheral frame  21 , and strips of hook (or loop) material  22  at the backside wall thereof. The golf bag  1  comprises strips of loop (or hook) material  12  at the outside wall thereof at locations corresponding to the strips of hook (or loop) material  22  at the logo panel  2 . By means of the strips of hook (or loop) material  22  at the logo panel  2  and the strips of loop (or hook) material  12  at the golf bag  1 , the logo panel  2  can be detachably fastened to the golf bag  1 . The golf bag  1  comprises an organizer pocket  6 , tee holders  7  and a keys holder  8  at the outside wall corresponding to the logo panel  2 . 
     Coupling means is provided for securing the logo panel  2  to the golf bag  1 , enabling the logo panel  2  to be turned about an axis. The coupling means comprises a fixed member  3 , a movable member  4 , and a pivot pin  5 . The fixed member  3  comprises a narrow elongated mounting strip  31  fixedly fastened to the golf bag  1 , and a plurality of tooth profile barrels  32  formed integral with the mounting strip  31  and axially aligned in a line. An elongated ornamental tape  11  is covered on the mounting strip  31 , and fixedly fastened with the mounting strip  31  to the golf bag  1  by stitches. The movable member  4  comprises a narrow elongated mounting strip  41  fixedly fastened to the top side of the logo panel  2  by, for example, stitches, and a plurality of tooth profile barrels  42  formed integral with the mounting strip  41  and axially aligned in a line. The pitch between the barrels  42  of the movable member  4  is approximately equal to the axial length of the barrels  32  of the fixed member  3 , so that the barrels  32  of the fixed member  3  can be engaged with the barrels  42  of the movable member  4 . When the barrels  32  and  42  are engaged, the pivot pin  5  is inserted axially through the barrels  32  and  42  to secure the fixed member  3  and the movable member  4  together, enabling the movable member  4  to be turned about the pivot pin  5  relative to the fixed member  3 . The logo panel  2  is made of canvas, and peripherally reinforced with the peripheral frame  21 . The peripheral frame  21  keeps the logo panel  2  in shape. When the strips of hook (or loop) material  22  at the logo panel  2  are disengaged from the strips of loop (or hook) material  12  at the golf bag  1 , the logo panel  2  can then be turned about the pivot pin  4  and lifted from the golf bag  1 . Because the barrels  32  and  42  are engaged with one another, the logo panel  2  is immediately retained in position when released after having been turned about the pivot pin  5  to the desired angle. After opening of the logo panel  2  from the golf bag  1 , the user can pick up things from, or put things in the organizer pocket  6 , the tee holders  7  and the key holder  8 . 
     After removal of the pivot pin  5  from the fixed member  3  and the movable member  4 , the logo panel  2  can then be separated from the golf bag  1 , enabling the logo panel  2  to be printed with the desired printing, or replaced with a new one. 
     Further, because the fixed member  3  and the movable member  4  have tooth profile barrels  32  and  42  meshed together and pivotally secured together by the pivot pin  5 , a high tensile strength is provided between the golf bag  1  and the logo panel  2 . 
     FIG. 4 shows an application example of the present invention, in which the logo panel  2  is mounted on the front garment pocket of the golf bag  1 . FIGS. 5 through 7 show other different application examples of the present invention, in which every golf bag  1  has a respective side pocket at a different location, and a respective logo panel  2  detachably covered on the respective side pocket. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the mounting strips  31 ′ of the fixed member  3 ′ and the mounting strip  41 ′ of the movable member  4 ′ are respectively smoothly arched. When the barrels  32 ′ and  42 ′ are respectively meshed with one another, the meshed barrels  32 ′ and  42 ′ define a smoothly arched axle hole into which a smoothly arched pivot pin  5 ′ is inserted. This alternate form causes a sense of beauty. Because the curvature of the fixed member  3 ′ and the movable member  4 ′ is limited to a small angle, and the gap in between the barrels  32 ′ and  42 ′ is relatively increased, the logo panel  2  can be smoothly turned about the pivot pin  5 ′. When the pivot pin  5 ′ is taken away from the barrels  32 ′ and  42 ′, the logo panel  2 ′ is detached from the fixed member  3 ′. 
     It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed.