Patent Publication Number: US-2005121484-A1

Title: Strap assembly for golf bag

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/519,333 filed on Nov. 12, 2003, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to golf bags and, more particularly, to a strap assembly for a golf bag adapted to be carried in a generally vertical orientation.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Golf bags typically incorporate shoulder straps which allow the bags to be picked up and suspended from the shoulders and back of the user. In those applications where the golf bag is adapted to be carried in a generally vertical orientation, the straps are typically positioned and secured to the bag in an “off-center” relationship such that the bottom of the bag has a tendency to swing out either from side-to-side and/or backward or forward when the bag is either picked up to be carried or set down. The “off-center” placement of the straps is disadvantageous because the swaying and/or tipping of the bag necessarily places the user in an “off-balance” position each time a bag is picked up or set down. Although users are typically able to “rebalance” their positions and stature to compensate for the shift and movement of the bottom of the bag, such “rebalancing” maneuvers over time unnecessarily place undue stress on, for example, the back of the user.  
      This invention is directed to a golf bag incorporating a shoulder strap assembly which addresses the above-identified disadvantages.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention is directed to a golf bag incorporating a strap assembly positioned and secured to the golf bag in a relationship whereby the bag remains in a generally up and down, vertical orientation when the bag is picked up or set down.  
      According to the invention, the assembly includes at least one strap having respective upper and lower ends secured to the golf bag. The golf bag defines a longitudinal central axis and includes a front face whereby the upper end of the strap extends into the golf bag at a point located between the front panel and the longitudinal central axis of the golf bag.  
      In accordance with the present invention, the upper end of the strap is adapted to extend successively through an aperture/strap entry point defined in the front face of the golf bag, through the interior of the golf bag and is secured to the back face of the golf bag.  
      According to one embodiment of the present invention, the strap assembly includes a pair of elongate straps which have respective lower ends secured to a lower portion of the golf bag and upper ends which merge into a link member unitary therewith and including a strap leg which extends through the aperture defined in the front face of the golf bag and into the back face of the golf bag.  
      In one embodiment, the link member defines a pair of arms and a base and is located on the outside of the bag and the strap leg extends from the base of the link member and protrudes through the aperture defined in the front face of the bag. In another embodiment, the link member is located in the interior of the bag and the respective upper ends of the straps of the strap assembly protrude through respective apertures defined in the front face of the golf bag and merge into the respective arms of the link member in the interior of the golf bag. The strap leg then extends from the base of the golf bag in a generally horizontal relationship generally co-linearly with the longitudinal central axis of the bag and into the back face of the bag.  
      In still another embodiment of the present invention, the apertures through which the upper ends of the straps extend are defined in the wall of a cuff member which is seated over and secured to the top rim of the shell of the golf bag. The apertures define strap entry points which are preferably located on the wall at a point which is both above the top rim of the golf bag and fore of the front face of the golf bag so as to define a bag pivot point on the wall of the cuff member which is located closer to the center of the golf bag and allows the golf bag to be picked up and set down in an “on-center” relationship irrespective of the positioning of the straps in an off-center relationship relative to the golf bag. In accordance with the present invention, this locational relationship reduces the amount which the bottom of the bag will sway either forward or backward upon being picked up. Still further, the strap leg of the link member is designed to extend through the interior of the golf bag in a relationship generally co-linear with the bag longitudinal axis to eliminate the tendency of a golf bag to sway from side to side when picked up by one of the two shoulder straps.  
      Other advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:  
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a golf bag suspended in an over-the-back relationship from the shoulders of a user in a generally vertical orientation and incorporating a strap assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of the golf bag shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a broken perspective view, partly in phantom, of the open golf club receiving end of the golf bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a broken, side elevational view, partly in phantom, of the open golf club receiving end of the golf bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a broken perspective view, partly in phantom, of a golf bag incorporating an alternate embodiment of the strap assembly of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a broken elevational view, partly in phantom, of a golf bag incorporating yet another embodiment of the strap assembly of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a broken, front perspective view of the open golf club receiving end of yet a further embodiment of the golf bag and strap assembly of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a broken, rear perspective view of the open golf club receiving end of the golf bag shown in  FIG. 7 ; and  
       FIG. 9  is a broken, side elevational view, partly in phantom, of the golf bag of  FIG. 7 . 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described herein below in detail are preferred embodiments of the golf bag and strap assembly of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.  
      For ease of description, the various golf bags incorporating the various strap assemblies of the present invention are described herein below in their usual vertical position either sitting on a support surface or mounted to the back of a user and terms such as upper, lower, vertical, etc., will be used herein with reference to these usual positions.  
      Moreover, it is understood that the FIGURES herein do not necessarily show details of the golf bags or the strap assemblies that are known in the art and that will be recognized by those skilled in the art as such. The detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention. Accordingly, such elements are herein represented only to the degree necessary to aid in an understanding of the features of the present invention.  
      A golf bag  10  incorporating a first embodiment of a strap assembly  26  in accordance with the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 14 . Golf bag  10  comprises an elongated hollow container or shell  12 , which defines an open interior adapted to receive golf clubs (not shown), and which may be made from any suitable rigid and durable material. Golf bag  10  additionally includes a liner  14  which surrounds and covers the shell  12  and may be made of any suitable light weight fabric or the like protective material. Golf bag  10  and, more particularly, the shell  12  thereof defines an open, upper golf club receiving portion or end  13  and a closed lower or bottom base portion or end  17  which is preferably flat and allows the bag  10  to be rested upon a support surface in the generally vertical up and down orientation of  FIG. 2 .  
      Golf bag  10  and, more particularly, the shell  12  thereof is characterized in that it defines an elongate front panel or face  16 ; an elongate back panel or face  18  spaced therefrom; and opposed spaced-apart elongate side panels or faces  20  extending between the front and back panels  16  and  18  respectively. Bag  10 , shell  12 , and the various elongate panels thereof together define the open upper end portion or region  13 , a mid-portion or region  15 , and the closed bottom portion or region  17 .  
      A top cuff or cover member  24 , which is preferably made of the same rigid and durable material as the shell  12  is adapted to be fitted over the rim of the open upper end portion or region  13  of shell  12 . Cuff member  24  defines a rim  23  which is seated over and secured to the rim of the shell open end  13  and a front wall, shield, or dome  25  which is unitary with the rim  23  and extends generally upwardly away from the shell  12  and the shell open end  13  in the region of the bag front panel  16 .  
      The shield  25  is adapted to cover and shield the heads of the golf clubs (not shown) from bumping against the back of the head or neck of the user when the bag  10  is being carried by a user in the generally vertical over-the-shoulders and back relationship of  FIG. 1 .  
      Although the FIGURES depict a cuff member  24  comprising a separately molded member fitted over the top rim of the shell  12 , it is understood that the cuff member  24  may be formed unitary with and from the same material as shell  12 . Preferably, the wall or shield  25  is configured such that it extends and curves both generally upwardly away from the open top golf bag end  13  and inwardly away from the top peripheral edge of the front panel  16  in the direction of the back panel  18  of the bag  10 . The top of the wall  25  terminates at a pointjust aft of the center of the interior of the bag  10 .  
      Shoulder strap assembly  26  is adapted and structured to allow the bag  10  to be carried over the shoulders and back of a user in the generally vertical up and down orientation depicted in  FIG. 1 . Particularly, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , strap assembly  26  includes a pair of elongate shoulder straps  28  and  30 , each having a lower end  32  suitably coupled or secured to the outside of the bag  10  along the respective longitudinal spaced-apart edges  34  and  36  separating the front panel  16  from the respective side panels  20  and  22  at a point below the mid-region  15  of the bag  10 . Pads  31  and  33  surround the straps  28  and  30  in the region thereof adapted to rest over the shoulders of the user as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      The upper end  38  of each of the respective shoulder straps  28  and  30  extend unitarily into the ends respectively of the split-apart top legs  40  and  42  of a generally “Y” or wish-bone shaped link or fork member  44  associated with the shoulder strap assembly  26  and positioned on the outside of the bag  10 . Link member  44 , in turn, includes a lower, elongate unitary leg or strap  46  adapted to protrude through an aperture/strap entry point  48  defined in the wall  25  of cuff member  24 . Strap  46  subsequently extends generally horizontally inwardly in the direction of the back panel  18  through the interior space defined by the cuff member  24  and the open upper end portion  13  of bag  10  and shell  12 . Strap  46  terminates in, and is secured to, the back interior edge of the rim  23  of cuff member  24 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a closed eyelet-type hook  52  or the like extends outwardly from the back interior edge of the rim  23  of cuff member  24  and the end  54  of strap  46  is adapted to be extended and looped through the eyelet and secured onto itself using, for example, a hook and loop (i.e., Velcro®) type fastener. It is understood that, alternatively, the end of strap  46  may be stitched or otherwise suitably secured either to itself or directly to the back edge of rim  23  or the back wall  18  of shell  12 .  
      In accordance with the present invention, the aperture  48  defined in the wall  25  of cuff member  24  defines both a strap entry point and a golf bag pivot/sway/tipping point, generally designated  90 , located on shield  25  about which golf bag  10  will pivot/sway/tip in an “on-center” relationship when the bag  10  is either picked up or set down. More specifically, and in accordance with the present invention, strap leg  46  protrudes through aperture  48  and cuff member  24  and thereafter extends through the interior of the bag  10  in a generally co-linear relationship with a bag vertical longitudinal axis or plane, generally designated Y 1  in  FIG. 3 , which extends through the bag  10  and cuts through the front and back panels  16  and  18 , the shield  25 , and the aperture  48 , and the pivot point  90  defined thereon.  
      In accordance with the present invention, positioning strap  46 , aperture  48  and strap entry point  90  centrally on the wall  25  of cuff member  24  in a relationship generally co-linearly with the bag central vertical plane Y 1  advantageously provides a bag  10  which, upon being grasped and picked up by either one or both of the straps  28  and  30 , will remain in a generally vertical up and down orientation irrespective of the fact that the straps  28  and  30  themselves are positioned in an off-center relationship. Stated another way, positioning the strap  46 , aperture  48  and point  90  as described above in the same plane as the bag central plane Y 1  eliminates the swaying of the bottom  17  of bag  10  to the left in  FIG. 2  when bag  10  is picked up by strap  28  and the swaying of the bottom  17  of bag  10  to the right in  FIG. 2  when bag  10  is grasped and picked up by strap  30 .  
      Moreover, locating the aperture  48  in the wall  26  of a cuff member  24  which extends above the top open end region  13  of the bag  10  in the direction of the back face  18  also advantageously provides a bag  10  wherein the strap entry/pivot point  90  is located not only above the top open end  13  of the bag  10  but also fore of the peripheral edge or vertical plane defined by the front face  16  of bag  10  and thus closer to the center of the bag  10 . This, of course, advantageously shortens the length of the moment arm defined between the pivot point  90  and the center of the bag  10  which, in turn, reduces the extent to which the bottom  17  of the bag  10  will tip forwardly towards the user upon being picked up or set down. The tendency of bags to tip forwardly as described above is also further minimized or offset as a result of the extension and securement of the strap leg  46  to the top edge of the back bag panel  18  or back edge of the rim  23  of cuff member  24 . In effect, such extension of strap leg  46  defines a moment arm along the top region  13  of bag  10  which offsets or minimizes the opposite moment arm defined and created along the bottom  17  of bag  10  when the bag  10  is picked up.  
       FIG. 5  depicts a golf bag  110  similar in structure to bag  10  except that it incorporates an alternate shoulder strap assembly  126  also adapted and configured to minimize the natural tendency of the bottom (not shown) of the bag  100  to tip forwardly in the direction of the user when picked up.  
      Strap assembly  126  differs from the strap member  26  in that, instead of a “Y” shaped link member  44  as shown in  FIG. 2 , strap assembly  126  incorporates a generally “H” shaped link member  144  which is also positioned on the outside of the bag  110 . Particularly, straps  128  and  130  are associated with link member  144  in a manner wherein the upper end  138  of strap  128  extends unitarily into one of the upper arms  145  of the “H” shaped link member  126  while the upper end  138  of the other of the straps  130  extends unitarily into the other one of the arms  147  of the “H” shaped link member  144 . The lower spaced-apart arms  149  and  151  of the link member  144  protrude through respective spaced-apart apertures  148  and  153  defined in the wall portion  125  of cuff member  124 .  
      Elongate straps  155  and  157  unitary with the arms  148  and  153  of link member  126  then respectively extend unitarily generally horizontally rearwardly through the interior of both the cuff member  124  and golf bag  110  in the direction of the back panel  118 . The distal ends of straps  155  and  157  are respectively secured to respective spaced-apart hooks or the like  152  protruding outwardly from the interior back edge of the rim  123  of cuff member  124 .  
      In a manner similar to that described above with respect to strap member  26  of bag  10  and thus incorporated herein by reference, the positioning of the apertures/strap entry points  148  and  153  in the shield  125  of cuff member  124  advantageously defines a pivot point  190  located on the shield  125  which is located both above the open golf bag end  113  and fore of the front panel  116  (i.e., in the direction of back panel  118 ) which, of course, shortens the length of the moment arm created by the strap assembly  126  and, in turn, reduces the distance which the bottom of the golf bag  110  will tip forwardly upon being picked up. Moreover, and in the same manner as described above with respect to strap  46  of member  26  of bag  10 , straps  155  and  157 , by virtue of their extension through apertures  148  and  153  and securement to the back edge of cuff member  124 , advantageously create a moment arm at the top end region of the bag  110  which offsets or minimizes the opposite moment arm created at the bottom of the bag  110  when the bag  110  is picked up.  
       FIG. 6  depicts a golf bag  210  similar in structure to golf bag  110  and including a strap assembly  226  similar in structure to strap assembly  126  except that the straps  255  and  257  thereof protruding through aperture/strap entry point  248  extend generally vertically downwardly through the interior of the bag  210  in a relationship generally adjacent and parallel to the front panel  216  and are secured by hooks  252  or the like to the interior face of the bottom panel  217  of bag  210  at a point adjacent the front panel  216  thereof. In accordance with the present invention, straps  255  and  257 , by reason of their extension through the body of the bag  210  and connection to the bottom panel  217  thereof, also advantageously are adapted to offset the tendency of the bottom of bag  210  to tip forwardly in the direction of the user when the bag is picked up.  
       FIGS. 7-9  depict a golf bag  310  incorporating yet a further embodiment of a strap assembly  326  in accordance with the present invention. Golf bag  310 , in a manner similar to bag  10  and thus incorporated herein by reference, comprises an elongate hollow container or shell  312  defining an open and hollow interior adapted to receive golf clubs (not shown) and made of the same type of rigid and durable material as shell  12  of bag  10 .  
      Golf bag  310  and shell  312  together define an open, upper golf club receiving end  313  and a closed lower or bottom base or end similar to the closed lower base or end  17  of bag  10  which, as described earlier with respect to the bag  10 , is preferably flat so as to allow the bag  310  to be rested upon a support surface in the generally vertical up and down orientation of  FIG. 7 .  
      Golf bag  310  and, more particularly, shell  312  is characterized in that it defines a front face or panel  316 , a back panel or face  318  spaced from the front face  316 , and opposed spaced-apart side panels or faces  320  extending between the front and back faces  316  and  318  respectively.  
      A top cuff or cover member  324 , which is preferably made of the same type of material as the shell  312 , is adapted to be fitted over the rim of the open, upper golf club receiving end  313  of the bag  310 . Cuff member  324  defines a rim  323  which is seated over and secured to the rim of golf bag open end  313  and an elongate front wall or shield  325  which extends generally unitarily upwardly away from the rim  323  in the region of the front face  316  of shell  312 . Shield  325  serves the same purpose as the shield  25  of cuff member  24 .  
      Cuff member  324  is characterized in that it includes a plurality of interior intersecting lattice members  370  defining a plurality of compartments which, although not shown, are adapted to separate the heads of the golf clubs adapted to be carried in the bag  310 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , two of the lattice members  370  extend in a spaced-apart, generally parallel relationship between the shield  325  of cuff member  324  and the back interior edge of the rim  323  of cuff member  324 .  
      In accordance with this embodiment of the golf bag and strap assembly of the present invention, and as shown in  FIG. 9 , shield  325  is configured and structured such that it extends not only upwardly away from the open upper end  313  of the bag  310  but also inwardly away from the bag front face  316  in the direction of the center and back face  318  of the bag  310 .  
      Shield  325  is still further characterized in that it includes a top unitary lip  374  defining a pair of spaced apart through apertures/strap entry points  348  and  353  positioned on opposite sides of a bag central vertical plane or axis Y 1  which, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , cuts through the front and back faces  316  and  318  respectively of bag  310  and divides the bag  310 , shield  325 , and lip  374  into respective halves.  
      Although not shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , it is understood that the shoulder strap assembly  326  is also adapted and structured to allow the bag  310  to be carried over the shoulders and back of a user in the same generally up and down vertical orientation as shown in  FIG. 1  with respect to bag  10 . Particularly, and although not shown, it is understood that the lower ends of each of the elongate shoulder straps  328  and  330  of strap assembly  326  are coupled or secured to the bag  310  in a manner similar to that described earlier with respect to the straps  28  and  30  of the strap assembly  26 , the description of which is thus incorporated herein by reference.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each of the straps  328  and  330  defines an upper strap portion  338  adapted to extend and protrude trough the respective through apertures  348  and  353  defined in the lip  374  of shield  325 .  
      Strap assembly  326  additionally defines a generally “Y” shaped fork, link, or wish-bone member  344  which, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-9 , is located in the interior of the cuff member  324  and golf bag  310  instead of the exterior thereof as with the link member  44  of the strap assembly  26  of the bag  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 .  
      Thus, and as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the pair of straps  328  and  330  extend upwardly through the respective lip apertures  348  and  353  and merge unitarily into the respective arms  376  and  378  of the fork member  344  on the interior side of the shield  325  of cuff member  324  while the fork member  344 , in turn, extends and merges into a single strap leg  346  which extends generally angularly or slopingly downwardly from the base  380  of fork member  344  through the interior of the cuff member  324  and shell  312  in the direction of the back face  318  and between the two cuff lattice members  370  which extend between the shield  325  and the back edge of cuff member  324 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the distal end  347  of strap leg  346  extends through an aperture  388  defined in the back edge of the rim  323  of cuff member  324  and is then secured to the outer face of the back edge of the rim  323  by means of a rivet or the like. As also shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of spaced-apart rods  390  extend between the two lattice members  370  which extend between the shield  325  and the back edge of the cuff member  324 . The strap leg  346  extends from the shield  325  to the back of the cuff member  24  below the rods  390 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , strap leg  346  extends through the interior of the cuff member  324  and the open end region  313  of bag  310  in a generally co-linear relationship with the central bag vertical axis or plane Y 1  which extends through and between the front and back faces  316  and  318  of the bag  310  and cuts centrally through the wall  325  and lip  374  of cuff member  324 . Apertures/strap entry points  348  and  353  are positioned on opposite sides of the bag vertical axis or plane Y 1  in a spaced-apart, generally co-linear relationship.  
      In a manner similar to that described earlier with the strap assembly  26  and shield  25  of bag  10 , the combination of straps  328  and  330 , fork member  344 , strap leg  346 , and shield  325  together cooperate to form and define a golf bag pivot/sway/tipping/leverage point  290  located on the lip  374  of shield  325  between the respective apertures  348  and  353  thereof. More particularly, the positioning of fork member  344  and strap leg  346  unitary therewith centrally in the interior of the cuff member  324  and bag  310  in a relationship wherein the bag central front to back face longitudinal axis or plane Y 1  is generally co-linearly disposed with strap leg  346 , advantageously provides a bag which, upon being grasped and picked up by either or both of the straps  328  and  330 , will remain in a generally vertical up and down orientation irrespective of the fact that the straps  328  and  330  themselves are positioned in an off-center relationship thus eliminating the tendency of the bottom of the bag from swaying in either of the side-to-side directions when the bag is picked up as explained above with respect to bag  10  and thus incorporated herein by reference. Rods  390  are adapted to keep the strap leg  346  from moving or springing out of the cuff member  324  when the bag  310  is picked up or set down.  
      As shown in  FIG. 9 , it is understood that the bag  310  also defines a central longitudinal vertical bag axis or plane Y 2  extending through the respective side panels  320 , a longitudinal generally vertical bag plane or axis Y 3  which is generally parallel to and spaced from the axis or plane Y 2  and which extends through the generally vertically oriented lip  374  of the shield  325  of cuff member  324 , and a longitudinal axis or plane Y 4  extending through the front face  316  of bag  310  in a generally spaced-apart and parallel relationship to the planes or axis Y 2  and Y 3  respectively.  
      In accordance with the present invention, the location of the shield  325  and, more particularly, the top lip  374  thereof in a position which is both above the top, open end  313  of the bag  310  and between the front panel longitudinal plane Y 4  and the bag central longitudinal axis or plane Y 2  (i.e., a location fore of the top edge of the bag front face  316 ) creates and defines a bag strap pivot point  390  and bag strap entry points defined by respective apertures  348  and  353  which are all located both above the top of the bag  310  and fore of the front face  316  (i.e., in closer proximity to the center of the bag). Bag pivot point  390  is positioned generally co-linearly with bag plane Y 1  and between and co-linear with the two respective through apertures  348  and  353 . As explained above with respect to the bag  10 , this locational relationship advantageously shortens the length of the moment arm defined between the point  390  and the bag central axis or plane Y 2  which, in turn, reduces the extent to which the bottom of the bag will tip forwardly towards the user when the bag  310  is either picked up or set down during use.  
      As also described earlier with respect to bag  10 , the tendency of a golf bag to tip forwardly when picked up is also minimized and offset as a result of the extension of the strap leg  346  through the interior of the bag  310  and the securement of the distal end thereof to the back edge of the rim  323  of cuff member  326 . In effect, and as explained earlier with respect to bag  10  and thus incorporated herein by reference, such extension defines and creates a moment arm along the top of the bag which offsets and minimizes the opposite moment arm defined and created along the bottom of the bag when the bag is picked up or set down during use.  
      The foregoing specification and drawings are to be taken as illustrative but not limiting of the present invention. Still other configurations and embodiments of the golf bag and strap assemblies utilizing the spirit and scope of the present invention are possible and will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art.