Patent Publication Number: US-2013234420-A1

Title: Collapsible Combination Golf Cart and Bag

Description:
This is a non-provisional application claiming priority from a provisional application (U.S. Ser. No. 61/608,503) filed on 8 Mar. 2012 by the same inventor and from another provisional application (U.S. Ser. No. 61/754,555) filed on 19 Jan. 2013 by the same inventors. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to accessories for golfers and particularly to methods for supporting and transporting golf clubs and accessories used by golfers. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Most walking golfers who use a wheeled conveyance (golf bag cart or golf trolley) to carry the clubs and accessories use a separate golf bag and golf cart. The bag holds the clubs and is attached to the cart component only when the golfer gets to the course and wants to wheel it around. However, for golfers who walk consistently it is much more convenient to have a single combination bag and cart, rather than separate components. 
     Various attempts have been made over the years to create workable combinations. Some golf bags have simply included attached small wheels, similar to wheeled luggage. While these might work on courses where there are continuous cart paths these are totally inadequate for rolling on grass or wet surfaces. Other combinations have rigid structures which take up a great deal of space and are thus unsuitable for compact storage or transport in an automobile trunk or the like. 
     Accordingly, there is significant room for improvement and a need for a compact combination golf bag and cart which wheels freely on rough surfaces, has comfort accessories, reduces to a compact volume and shape for storage and transport, and is stable in use. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination golf bag and three wheeled cart for carrying a golf clubs and accessories in a highly stable manner. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible combination bag and cart system which transitions between a compact (storage) mode and an expanded (operational) mode. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination bag and cart system which, when folded, takes up minimally more trunk or storage locker space than the bag itself. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a combination bag and cart system which is typically much more balanced and stable than separate bag and cart systems. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a golf bag and cart system with an extremely sturdy and stable seat for use by the golfer during the round. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a combination bag and cart system which, when expanded, has a long wheel base for handling, stability and easy rolling. 
     Still another object of the invention is to ride lower to the ground than other cart systems, while still providing enough ground clearance to avoid fouling in the rough. 
     Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is a collapsible combination golf bag and cart system having a sturdy external frame, a club containment subassembly for supporting and containing golf clubs and accessories, a front wheel subassembly for providing a long wheelbase and easy handling; a rear wheel subassembly for providing rolling capability on the course, mechanisms in each wheel subassembly for readily converting the system back and forth between a compact mode where it resembles a conventional golf bag to an expansion mode where it is a push cart with an integral bag, and a usable seat for the golfer. The presently preferred embodiment of the system has a single retractable front wheel and a pair of rear wheel assemblies which can be expanded rearward to provide a very stable wheelbase. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides good rolling stability when in use in the expanded cart mode. 
     Another advantage of the invention is that it is a single integral unit which does not require assembly and disassembly when used in various circumstances. 
     An additional advantage of the invention is that it utilizes a leg assembly for the rear wheels which is mounted on the sides of the external frame, facilitating folding to a position where the wheels align with the bag body, thus taking minimal forward to rear space. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the construction is relatively lightweight for ready handling by average golfers and is less expensive than separate component systems. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that it is compact enough in the storage mode to be used on a powered golf cart. 
     A further advantage of the present combination bag and cart invention is that it is well adapted for storage in a cart barn at a golf course, as it is very compact in footprint and stacks effectively when needed. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the use of larger, standard diameter wheels allows the combination to roll smoothly through thicker turf and rougher terrain than prior combination cart systems. 
     Another advantage is that the built in retractable seat is strong and stable and allows the golfer to rest during the round. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and the industrial applicability of the preferred embodiment as described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The purposes and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of a combination golf bag and cart according to the present invention, shown in expanded mode; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view showing the compact mode of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, with club containment subassembly being partially exploded, and illustrated without the handle; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the front wheel subassembly in expanded mode, with some interior components shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the bottom portion of the combination and the front wheel subassembly, minus the wheel itself, shown in compact mode; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the expanded mode of an alternate embodiment of the combination golf bag and cart system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the compact (storage) mode of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a left side view of the alternate embodiment in the expanded (cart) mode; 
         FIG. 11  is a left side view of the compact mode of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the expanded mode of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the compact mode of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the compact mode of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of the expanded mode of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a detail side view of one of the rear wheel joint structures of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a detail front view of the wheel joint structure of  FIGS. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is a view of the interior surface of the proximal end of one of the leg plate members of the alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is collapsible combination golf bag and cart system used to carry and transport golf clubs and accessories. The presently preferred embodiment of the collapsible combination bag and cart (“combination”) is referred to by the general reference character  10  in the drawings and description. 
     Side elevational views of the expanded mode and compact mode of the combination golf bag and cart system  10  of the present invention are shown in the first two figures of the drawings. The combination golf club cart and bag  10  is shown in its expanded mode  12  in  FIG. 1  and in its collapsed mode  14  in  FIG. 2 . The combination  10  is adapted to be easily converted between these modes for use on the golf course in the expanded mode  12  or storage in a locker, garage or vehicle in the collapsed mode  14 . The overall shape of the preferred embodiment  10  is that of an offset parallelogram. This shape is particularly advantageous for presentation of golf clubs to the user, as taught in the inventor&#39;s U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,676,464 and 4,778,136. 
     The combination may be considered as including several component subassemblies. These include an external frame  16 , a club containment subassembly (bag)  18 , a front wheel subassembly  20 , a rear wheel subassembly  22 , a handle  24 , and, in the preferred embodiment  10 , a seat  26 . These component subassemblies are assembled together to form the functional combination  10 . 
     As seen in the exploded view of  FIG. 3 , the external frame  16  includes a base plate  28  which is affixed to a left rear beam  30  and a right rear beam  32  at about a 120° angle. A mid-frame bracket  34  is attached to the rear beams  30  and  32  at a similar angle at a position offset by a little more than half their length from the base plate  28 . The mid-frame bracket  34  provides support for the components of the club containment subassembly  18  and also supports the seat  26 . At the top end of the rear beams  30  and  32 , a collar  36  is affixed, again at the same angle, so as to be parallel to, but offset from, the base plate  28 . 
     The collar  36 , as is best seen in the top view of  FIG. 4 , is crisscrossed with internal dividers  38  so as to separate the collar  36  into a plurality of discreet club slots  40 . In the preferred embodiment  10 , there are fifteen club slots  40 , with five slots each in three rows arranged front to back. A pair of handle brackets  42  extend rearward from the collar  36  to facilitate pivotal attachment of the handle  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the external frame  16  is constructed of a strong structural material as it is required to support the weight of the entire combination structure  10  and its contents, as well as the weight of a user sitting on the seat  26 . 
     The club containment subassembly  18  serves, in conjunction with the external frame  16 , the purposes ordinarily associated with a typical golf bag, such as one that would be used with a separate walking cart. This subassembly includes, in the preferred embodiment, a back panel  44  (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) which extends between the rear beams  30  and  32  for the entire extent between the base plate  28  and the collar  36 . Front and side circumferential protection for the bag interior is provided by sheathing. In the preferred embodiment illustrated there is an upper sheath  46  for the area above the mid-frame bracket  34  and a lower sheath  48  for the portion between the mid-frame bracket  34  and the base plate  28 . Pockets  50  are provided on the sheathing components to carry golf balls, accessories and the like used by the golfer. In addition, one or more zippered pockets  50  may be placed on the back panel  44 . In the presently preferred embodiment  10 , the back panel  44 , the upper sheath  46  and the lower sheath  48  are thermoformed elements to hold shape well, but could also be fabric or other materials. 
     In order to provide shaft protection and to minimize sticking when clubs are inserted into the club slots  40 , the preferred embodiment  10  includes an equal plurality of longitudinal tubes  52  extending at least the majority of the length of the bag body  18 , with one tube  52  being associated and aligned with each club slot  40 . 
     The seat  26  is supported on the mid-frame bracket  34  in such a manner that it can extend out to a position parallel to the ground for use by the golfer or pivot up to rest against the upper sheath  46  when not in use. To accomplish this, the mid frame bracket  34  is provided with a pair of seat pivot pins  54  and a pair of stop pins  56 , with one of each extending outward from the sides of the mid-frame bracket  34 . The seat  26  includes seat lever arms  58  extending rearward, each provided with a pivot aperture  60  for engaging a respective seat pivot pin  54 . Stop pin slots  62  are provided rearward of each pivot aperture  60  to align with and capture the respective stop pin  56  when the seat  26  is pivoted into the use position. The seat  26  is also preferably provided with a seat cushion  64  for improved golfer comfort. 
     The front wheel subassembly  20  (best seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7 ) attaches to the front end of the base plate  28  and includes a front wheel  66 , a front fork  68  and a pivot/rotate mechanism  70 . The pivot/rotate mechanism  70  facilitates the transition between the expanded mode  14  ( FIG. 1 ) where the front wheel  66  is vertical and engages the ground surface and the compact mode  16  ( FIG. 2 ) where the front wheel  66  is folded up to a horizontal position to rest against the bottom of the base plate  28 . 
     As particularly shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pivot/rotate mechanism  70  includes a front base bracket  72  formed as part of the base plate  28 . This is provided with a transverse pivot pin  74  near its bottom edge and a pair of beveled lock holes  76  situated vertically above and slightly rearward of the pivot pin  74 . A fork flange cap  78  rotates on the pivot pin  74  and, in the use mode  14  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  6 ), nests within the base bracket  72 , with a pair of depressible lock pins  80  engaging the lock holes  76  to secure the fork flange cap  78  in position with the front wheel  66  extending outward from the base plate  28 . The front (exterior) of the fork flange cap  78  is open and square shaped in the preferred embodiment  10  (although it could also be round) and defined by a peripheral wall  82 . A pair of opposingly expanded mode positioning detents  84  and a pair of opposing compact mode positioning detents  85 , offset by ninety degrees from the expanded mode detents  84 , are formed in the peripheral wall  82  and a spring anchor  86  is situated in the interior of the fork flange cap  78  to attach to a compression spring  88  extending through the cap  78 . 
     The front fork  68  includes a pair of fork arms  90  which support the front wheel  66  on a front axle  92  and a nose cone  94  section adapted to mate with the fork flange cap  78 . A spring plate  96  extends across between the fork arms  90  at the exterior end of the nose cone  94  and includes a spring connector  98  to attach to the exterior end of the compression spring  88 . 
     The nose cone  94  is hollow and is adapted to mate with the fork flange cap  78 . The interior end of the nose cone  94  includes at least a pair of positioning protrusions  100  adapted to mate with the positioning detents  84  and  85  on the fork flange cap  78 . 
     One of the fork arms  90  is provided with an alignment screw structure  102  situated around the front axle  92  (see  FIG. 6 ). The alignment screw  102  is provided to properly align the front wheel  66  between the fork arms  90  such that the cart  10  tracks properly. 
     The transition of the front wheel subassembly  20  between the expanded mode  12  ( FIGS. 1 and 6 ) and the compact mode  14  ( FIGS. 2 and 7 ) is accomplished first by pulling outward on the front wheel  66  in order to overcome the force of the compression spring  88  and disengaging the positioning protrusions  100  from the expanded mode positioning detents  84 . The front fork  68  is then rotated ninety degrees and released such that the positioning protrusions  100  engage the compact mode positioning detents  85  and are held there by the compression spring  88 . The user then pivots the front fork  68  and front wheel  66  by manually depressing the lock pins  80  to disengage them from the lock holes  76  (the beveling on both surfaces surrounding each lock hole  76  facilitates this) and rotating the front fork  68  downward and rearward to rest between the rear wheels and against the bottom of the base plate  28 . The return to the use mode  12  is accomplished by the reverse process, with the lock pins  80  being depressed to allow the fork flange cap  78  to fit into the front base bracket  72  to re-engage the lock holes  76 . 
     The rear wheel subassembly  22  primarily includes a pair of rear wheel structures  104  which are essentially identical and symmetrical. Each rear wheel structure  104  includes a rear wheel  106  mounted on an axle rod  108 . A leg plate  110  extends from each rear axle  106  to a pivot axle  112  on the external frame  16  below the mid-frame bracket  34 . A rotator disk  114  (shown in a cutaway inset on  FIG. 2 ) on the pivot axle  112  has an expanded stop detent  116  and a compact stop detent  118  to engage a stop post  120  in either of two rotational positions. In the expanded mode  12  ( FIG. 1 ) the stop post  120  is captured in the expanded stop detent  116 , while the leg plate  110  can be manually rotated on the pivot axle  114  to the compact mode  14  of  FIG. 2 ) where the stop post  120  is captured in the compact stop detent  118 . 
     In the preferred embodiment  10  a cross rod  122  extends between the two leg rear plates  110  to tie them physically together and provide increased structural stability. Reinforcing disks  124  are provided at the lower ends of each leg plate  122  to support the rear axle rods  108  and anchor the ends of the cross rod  122 . In some embodiments the rear wheels  106  are mounted on or directly exteriorly adjacent to the reinforcing disks  124 . 
     Although the preferred combination cart and bag  10  is wide enough that it is laterally stable, a different embodiment envisions an expanded rear wheel base to provide even greater stability. In this embodiment the individual rear axle rods  108  are replaced by a single telescoping axle rod  126  extending between and passing through each of the leg plates  110  and reinforcing disks  124  to engage each of the rear wheels  106 . The telescoping axle rod  126  (portions of which will extend into the interior of the cross rod  122 ) may be extended longitudinally to move the rear wheels  106  outward from the leg plates  110  to create a wider separation. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the alternate combination bag and cart  810  is shown in a perspective view in its expanded mode  812  (also referred to as “deployed state” or “cart mode”). The invention is illustrated in  FIG. 9  in a compact mode  814  also referred to as a “storage” mode or folded mode  814 , where it is collapsed into a minimal volume configuration for compact storage in an auto trunk compartment, bag locker or garage, for example. The transition between the folded mode  814  and the expanded mode  812  (and back) is discussed later herein. 
     The perspective views of  FIGS. 8 and 9  and the other views illustrated  FIGS. 10-18  show various components of the alternate combination golf bag and cart system invention  810 . In these drawings, it may be seen that this alternate embodiment of the invention includes three cooperative subassemblies. These are a bag subassembly  816  which is adapted to store and protect the golf clubs and associated accessories such as golf balls, tees and the like; a transport subassembly  818  which facilitates rolling easily around a golf course, thus relieving the user from carrying the combination; and an expansion subassembly  820  which works with the other two subassemblies to convert the invention between the compact mode  814  and the expanded mode  812 . It is understood that some components of the invention are a part of more than one of the subassemblies. 
     The bag subassembly  816  includes a bag body  822  which defines an interior cavity  824  into which the shafts of golf clubs (not shown) are inserted. A rigid internal frame  826  provides structural shaping to the bag body  822 . A rigid (injection molded in the preferred embodiment) base member  828  provides bottom structure and a relatively rigid (thermoformed plastic) back plate  830  extends between the base member  828  and a rigid (injection molded) collar member  832  at the top of the bag body  822 . The collar  832  includes a plurality of interior dividers  834  in the alternate embodiment  810  to provide separation for the clubs when inserted into the interior cavity  824 . A flexible fabric sheath  836  is bonded to the base member  828 , the back plate  830  and the collar member  832  and formed around the interior frame  826  to laterally enclose the interior cavity  824 . 
     Portions of the internal frame  826  and the base member  828  are formed toward the front of the bag body  822  to define a wheel cavity  838 . Various permanent ball and accessory pockets  840  (ordinarily fabric) are placed on the exterior of the bag body  822  in positions where they do not interfere with the other assemblies. Optionally, the pockets  840  may be replaced by removable containers for the accessories which may be attached to the collar or the like. 
     The transport subassembly  828  includes a front wheel  842  which rotates on a front axle  844  which is supported by a two pronged front frame  846  attached to the bag body  822  at a front pivot  848 . The front pivot  848  is situated at the front lower extent of the wheel cavity  838  and mounted on the base member  828 . The front pivot  848  has a limited rotation range, with the rotational extremes being as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . A pivot cam lever  850  locks and releases the front pivot  848  such that the front wheel  842  can be extended out forward of the bag body  822  in the expanded mode  812  or retracted into the wheel cavity  838  in the compact mode  814 . In the alternate embodiment  810 , the positioning of the front wheel  842  is accomplished manually by the user. 
     The transport subassembly  818  includes a pair of leg assemblies  851  symmetrically and pivotally mounted on the bag back plate  830  of the bag body  822 . The leg assemblies  851  further include a left rear wheel  852  and a right rear wheel  854 . Each rear wheel  852 ,  854  is mounted on a corresponding rear axle  856  at the distal end of a leg pivot plate  858 . Each leg pivot plate  858  operates in tandem with a corresponding parallel link  860  arranged in a pivoting parallelogram array with the pivot plate  858 . Each leg plate  858  and corresponding parallel link  850  is connected at it its proximal end to a pivot joint  862  mounted on the bag back plate  830  at a point generally equidistant from the base member  828  and the collar  832 . Each leg plate  858  also includes an attachment point  864  and a return spring  866  situated near its proximal end as discussed hereinafter. At least one of the left rear wheel  852  and the right rear wheel  854  includes a brake  868  (see  FIG. 10 ) which the user may activate to engage the wheel in place to frictionally prevent rotation, such as when the combination cart/bag  810  is parked on a slope. The detailed structure of the pivot joint  862  and the associated components is discussed in more detail hereinafter in connection with  FIGS. 16-18 . 
     The front components of the expansion subassembly  820 , the front pivot  848  and pivot cam  840  lever, have already been discussed above. The rear components are associated with the rear wheels  852  and  854  and have interworking mechanisms. 
     The user drives the operation of the rear elements of the expansion subassembly  820  by operating a handle  870 . The handle  870  rotates in a limited arc on a handle pivot rod  872  between an extended position as shown in  FIG. 8  in the expanded mode  812  and a position where it is folded against the rear of the bag body  822  in the compact mode  814 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . A handle adjustment cam lever  874  is provided to lock the handle  870  in its desired positions. The handle  870  also serves as the steering and propelling element when the invention is in the expanded mode  812 . 
     Situated on each side of the handle  870 , at a position slightly displaced from the handle pivot rod  872 , is a connection point  876 , which serves as a location for pivotal attachment for one end of a push rod  878 , the other end of which connects to the attachment point  864  on the corresponding one of the leg pivot plates  858 . Each push rod  878  has a ball tip  880  on each end to facilitate rotation on the attachment point  864  and connection point  876 . When the handle  870  is rotated about the handle pivot rod  872  from the compact mode  814  to the expanded mode  812  the push rods  878  pull upward and outward on the leg pivot plates  858 , resulting in the leg assemblies  851  rotating rearward on the pivot joints  862 . This causes the parallel links  860  to be urged away from the leg pivot plates  858 , which in turn cause the leg assemblies  51  to laterally spread, thus resulting in the expanded wheel base seen in the expanded mode  812 . Conversely when the handle  870  is rotated back into the compact mode  814  the push rods  878  and return springs  866  drive the leg assemblies  851  forward and inward, overcoming the force of the return springs  866  such that the wheels  852  and  854  are forced against the side of the bag body  822  to achieve a minimal footprint. 
     In addition to its function as part of the transport subassembly  818  the handle  870  also supports some conventional elements which facilitate the use and comfort of the golfer. These include a storage tray  882 , a grip  884 , and an umbrella mount  886 . 
     In the partially cut-away view of  FIG. 15 , the interior frame  826  and the interior cavity  824  are shown (since portions of the bag back plate  830  are cut away). Also shown is the rigid interior back panel  888  which particularly supports a pivot joint frame  890 . The pivot joint frame  890  extends across between both pivot joints  862  and aligns and rigidly supports the pivot joints  862 , which are particularly shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
     The detailed structure and operation of the pivot joints  862  is best understood in connection with the illustrations of  FIGS. 16-18 . As best seen in the rear edge view of  FIG. 17 , the pivot joint frame  890  supports a pivot plate  892 . The pivot plate  892  pivotally connects to a raised support post portion  894  which is free to rotate thereon and which conforms to the interior contours of the distal end of the leg member  858  and mates therewith. The raised support post portion  894  includes bolt holes  896  facilitating attaching the leg member  858  and the parallel link  860  to the pivot plate  892 . 
       FIG. 17  also illustrates how the push rod  878  interacts with the leg plate  858 . The attachment point  864  supports a ball tip  898  which mates with the ball tip  880  on the end of the push rod  872  to form a ball joint  900  which permits the push rod  872  to rotate and stay in close attachment as the leg member  858  is moved from position to position. The same sort of ball joint  900  is present at the other end of the push rod  872  where it engages the connection point on the handle  870 . 
     The illustration of  FIG. 18  shows the interior surface of the upper end of the leg plate  858 , including the aperture designated at the attachment point  864  and the bolt holes  896  which facilitate securing the leg plate  858  to the support post  894 . The prominent feature on the interior surface is a ramp  902  which engages the stationary pivot plate  892  and the leg plate  858  rotates from the compact mode  814  to the expanded mode  812 . The ramp  902  acts to urge the leg member outward away from the bag body  822  during such rotation. The lever action is significantly greater at the proximal end of the leg plate  858  such that the wheelbase formed by the leg assemblies  851  in the expanded mode  812  is wide enough for stable handling and rolling over golf course surfaces. 
     In the alternate embodiment  810  the handle  870  and the leg assemblies  851  are primarily constructed of anodized aluminum for light weight and durability. The wheels  842 ,  852  and  854  are formed of lightweight structural plastic with cushioned traction surfaces and may either be provided with solid hubs or spoke hubs. The bag body components include a typically fabric sheath  836 , molded or thermoformed plastic for the rigid structural elements ( 828 ,  830 ,  832  and  838 ) and either aluminum or composite materials for the interior frame  826  and pivot joint frame  890 . 
     Many modifications to the above embodiments may be made without altering the nature of the invention. The dimensions and shapes of the components and the construction materials may be modified for particular circumstances. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not as limitations. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The collapsible combination golf bag and cart  10  of the present invention is intended for use primarily by golfers who desire maximum convenience and safety while transporting a golf bag on a walking round. The combination system  10  is relatively lightweight and is extremely compressed in compact mode  14  to facilitate storage. It expands and folds with a minimum of effort. The expanded mode  12  is stable for rolling and supporting the clubs and accessories during the round. 
     For typical use, the combination golf bag and cart  10  will begin in the compact mode  14 , for storage, with the handle  24  folded tightly against the back panel  44 , the front wheel  66  rotated and folded flat against the base plate  28 , and the rear wheel structures  104  held against the sides of the external frame  16 . In this mode it has only the effective height of the bag body and the clubs and a small portion of the rear wheels  106  so the combination  10  easily fits into an automobile trunk or on a garage shelf, and facilitates stacking multiple units in a cart barn. Even in compact mode  14 , however, the rear wheels are free to rotate and the combination  10  can be rolled to desired locations. 
     When the golfer has moved the compact mode  14  combination to a location where free rolling is desired it is time to transition into the expanded mode  12 . To do this the golfer manually pivots the front wheel  66  forward and downward and around to extend forward from the front of the base plate  18  as described above. Similarly, each rear wheel structure  104  is manually rotated to disengage the stop pin  120  from the compact stop detent  118  and into the expanded stop detent  116 . When the round is over, the golfer simply reverses the expansion process to return the combination  10  to the compact mode  14 . 
     The extreme convenience, ease of operation and compactness of storage volume of the inventive collapsible combination golf bag and cart  10  makes it a joy to own and use and desirable accessory for any golfer who wishes to walk the course without carrying the weight of the bag. 
     For the above, and other, reasons, it is expected that the collapsible combination golf bag and cart  10  of the present invention will have widespread industrial applicability. Therefore, it is expected that the commercial utility of the present invention will be extensive and long lasting.