Abstract:
The invention relates to a golf bag ( 1 ) which includes an outer shell inside of which is arranged a cavity for containing clubs, characterised in that said golf bag also includes a propulsion system ( 2 ) forming an integral part of the bag ( 1 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to golf bags. It relates more specifically to the transportation of golf bags. 
       PRIOR ART  
       [0002]    Mechanized transportation of a golf bag is usually effected by means of an electric trolley. This can contain a holder designed for the bag. The following patent publications describe such systems: DE 9017869 U, DE 20307742 U, EP 1600352 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,583. 
         [0003]    The electric golf trolleys of the prior art have at least two drawbacks, specifically their weight, which is often substantial, and the need to transport two separate bulky objects, namely the trolley itself (often with a large and heavy battery) and the user&#39;s golf bag. The coexistence of these two heavy objects makes transportation problematic, not only outside golf courses, but also on the courses themselves, in particular when moving from one hole to another without using the paths provided for that purpose. Moreover, placing bags on the trolleys is an operation which is not always easy. Furthermore, in the event of the electric trolley breaking down or the battery running out on the course, the users may have to leave said trolley where it is because of the weight of the electric trolley/bag assembly. Finally, the combined presence of the users&#39; bags and electric golf trolleys in the facilities of companies running golf courses creates substantial problems in terms of storage, at least doubling the required area. 
         [0004]    There is therefore a need to remedy the abovementioned problems. 
       GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]    The present invention consists in bringing together, in a single object, a golf bag and a propulsion system so as to create an ultra-lightweight self-propelled golf bag. Indeed, the propulsion part uses, for its rigidity, the structure of the portable golf bag, which avoids what has up to now been the usual drawback of a double structure, specifically that of the bag and that of the electric trolley. The weight advantage is substantial and makes it possible to mount a small battery. 
         [0006]    The invention relates more precisely to a golf bag as defined in the claims. 
         [0007]    These features make it possible for the user to carry at once, on his or her shoulders, the bag and its propulsion components, which makes not only travel easier, but also movement in hard-to-reach parts of golf courses, and also maintenance. 
         [0008]    Above all, however, this solution makes it possible for the user to easily mitigate, by carrying the bag, the usual drawback linked to breakdowns or insufficient battery charges, which often result in the need to leave the electric trolley where it is. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the part reserved for balancing the bag and for propulsion is deployed with a single, easy and small horizontal movement, while it is possible by means of the reverse operation to close the aforementioned elements in the same manner. These are held in their position by a closing system. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The invention will be better understood below with reference to an embodiment illustrated by some figures. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  represents a golf bag according to the invention, without its outer envelope, with a propulsion system in the deployed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  represents the same bag as that of  FIG. 1 , but with a propulsion system in the retracted position. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    In this example, the bag  1  is provided with three wheels  8 ,  9 , two  8  of which are separately driven. This configuration makes it possible, by means of a system of sensors, on one hand to balance the speed of the wheels  8  when the bag  1  is made to move on an inclined plane, and on the other hand to make the bag entirely independent of its user by means of a remote control system. The inclination of the bag may also be rectified, in the forward or backward direction, by means of a system of electronic gyroscopes which is connected to the module for controlling the motors of the wheels. Moreover, the remote control makes it possible, by being coupled to a GPS receiver, to allow the bag to proceed at a predefined distance behind or in front of the user, without the latter having to attend to it. 
         [0014]    Golf bags have the drawback of hardly being reparable when wear or damaging events cause a deterioration of their outer envelope. In one of its variants, the present invention makes it possible to entirely avoid this drawback, by allowing the user, by means of simple maneuvers, to quickly change the outer envelope. This solution further allows the user to change, in a few moments, the external appearance of their bag as they wish. By contrast, conventional bags can only be abandoned by their users when the latter are no longer happy with their external appearance, which results in considerable material losses since the internal structure of the bag is discarded at the same time as the outer envelope. 
         [0015]    Advantageously, a system of attachment points on the outer envelope of the bag allows the user to move, as needed, the pockets designed for transporting the material required for playing golf. 
         [0016]    In the example shown, the rigidity of the upper portion of the bag is maintained by a crown  5  which is easily removed and which also serves to hold the outer envelope and to distribute the user&#39;s clubs by means of divisions. 
         [0017]    The rotational speed of the wheels  8  is controlled by a variable speed drive which is controlled manually or electronically when the bag is controlled remotely. 
         [0018]    When the bag is folded and its handle is oriented in a direction favorable for storage or for transport, it takes up no more space than a standard bag, which brings the considerable advantage, in comparison with the conventional solution of trolley+bag, of on one hand reducing the overall bulkiness for the user but above all of considerably reducing the space required in the caddie masters&#39; premises for storing users&#39; material, since users usually store both their bag and their trolley therein. 
         [0019]    The electrical wiring can be entirely hidden within the structure of the bag, whose motors are supplied by a small, high-capacity battery, preferably of the lithium-ion or LiPo type. 
         [0020]    The same system can be used simply as a trolley to be pushed or pulled, in its configuration without a motor and without a battery. 
         [0021]    The same system, without wheels, consists of a standard golf bag whose external appearance can be modified by the user by replacing its outer envelope and/or by moving the pockets. 
         [0022]    In all its configurations, the bag can be carried by a system of straps which are secured to the shoulders of the user and which can be hidden within the outer envelope of the bag. 
         [0023]    It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the example described above. It covers any motor-driven golf bag as defined in the main claim. 
         [0024]    In particular, it will be noted that the outer envelope of the bag is not necessarily interchangeable, that the propulsion system does not necessarily have a deployed position and a retracted position, that the number of wheels can be less than or greater than 3, that the wheels can be replaced by other propulsion elements, e.g. caterpillar tracks, etc. . . .