Abstract:
A magnetically fastened storage pocket for a storage container such as a golf bag. A fabric pocket provides overlapping pocket panels that are arranged to accommodate one-handed opening/closing operations. A fastener assembly includes mating magnetic pieces. Resilient stay member(s) having shape retaining properties and fittings and/or elastic members define and resiliently maintain the pocket shape and align the pocket and magnet pieces.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to storage pockets and in particular to an easy access storage pocket for a golf bag where golf balls and other accessories are accessible with a single hand. 
     Storage bags exist in vast numbers of different sizes and shapes for various paraphernalia. The bags generally include a primary compartment and frequently include secondary compartments for items associated with or complementary to the items stored in the primary storage space. The secondary compartments are typically arrayed around the exterior of the primary storage space. Straps and handles may also be provided to facilitate transport of the bag. Some common exemplary storage bags are backpacks, briefcases, duffle bags, clothes bags, electronics cases/pouches, fishing tackle bags and golf bags, to name a few. 
     Depending upon the stored items, the closure mechanisms provided can vary. Frequently used fasteners are zippers, grommets with lacing, mating strips of hook/loop fastener material, snaps, clasps, draw fasteners, interlocking plastic clips and various other interlocking assemblies. The type of fastener selected frequently depends upon construction of the bag/case. Each fastener secures an opening to a primary or secondary storage space. The relative of ease of access to the storage space varies with the type of fastener. 
     The present invention discloses a closure/fastener assembly that provides a secure fastening, yet permits ready access to the adjoining storage space. The closure assembly finds particular advantage with storage compartments/pockets arrayed about fabric containers such as a golf bag. The closure is secured to a peripheral edge of a compartment/pocket that may contain frequently accessed items such as balls and tees. 
     The closure assembly accommodates a one-handed opening/closing operation. The assembly includes mating magnetic pieces that cooperate with a resilient member having shape retaining memory properties fitted to overlapping edge pieces. The magnetic pieces maintain the closure and the resilient member gently resists opening and guides the magnet pieces into alignment during closure. Elastic and other resilient materials can be combined to enhance opening/closing resistance and the rate of return to a closed condition and shape. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a storage pocket having a flap or cover piece or panel that overlaps and seals to a flap or panel that defines a storage space. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a resilient fabric storage pocket having overlapping cover/flap and storage space defining pieces adapted to one-handed opening/closing and which pieces return to shape upon release. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a magnetic coupling between the cover/flap and storage pieces. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a fastener for a pocket piece that provides a number of magnets at one pocket piece that align to grommets or other complementary magnetic members fitted to an adjoining pocket piece. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a resilient member or stay that is supported at one or both of a cover/flap and storage pieces to resist separation and induce the return of the cover and storage pieces to a defined alignment. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a resilient member constructed of a tensile material that is shaped and/or supported to provide resilient resistance to opening/closing. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a coiled spring member, shaped fiberglass member or other relatively stiff and resilient member arrayed and fitted to one of more pocket pieces to resiliently support and align adjoining pocket pieces. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an elastic member fitted to a pocket piece. 
     The foregoing objects are achieved in a presently preferred golf bag assembly, which includes a magnetically fastened accessory pocket. The pocket provides overlapping flaps or panels that are resiliently biased to provide resilient resistance to opening/closing and direct the pocket panels to defined orientations. One or more magnetic members mounted to one pocket panel are aligned to interact with an adjoining panel. Metal grommets that ventilate the pocket and can support pull-tabs cooperate with the magnets to fasten the pocket pieces together. 
     A resilient stay fitted to the peripheral edge of an adjoining storage piece is arranged to gently resist opening and induce the piece back to a preferred alignment upon release of the piece. A spiral wound spring member is presently secured to the pocket panel to provide resistance. 
     In an alternative construction, a formed fiberglass member is fitted to define a U-shape at the pocket panel to resiliently bias the pocket to an open condition. Elastic edging or facing pieces fitted to the cover and/or pocket panels enhance resilience. The numbers, configuration, orientation and/or types of magnets, stays and elastic facing can be varied as desired to enhance access. 
     Still other objects, advantages and constructions of the present invention, among various considered improvements and modifications, will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference callouts are used at the various figures, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view to a golf bag outfitted with a magnetically fastened pocket assembly of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an enlarged, detailed drawing in partial cutaway and wherein an upper panel piece is extracted and exposed over an edge of a lower panel piece to expose the magnetic fasteners and a soft trim piece. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of presently preferred embodiment(s) is provided to describe exemplary constructions of the invention. The description is not intended to limit the invention, its construction, application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to identify similar components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  a view is shown to a golf bag  2  having a club storage space  4  and several accessory storage pockets  6  arrayed about the exterior surface of the bag  2 . The storage space  4  is segregated with dividers  8  into several compartments  10  that retain one or more clubs (not shown) in desired alignments to facilitate club access, yet prevent the clubs from jostling into one another during play and/or transport. The dividers  8  can be constructed from a molded plastic end piece that is covered with a fabric material. The storage pockets  6  conveniently retain a variety of accessories and paraphernalia such as balls, tees, shoes, clothing, umbrella, sunscreen and any number of items a golfer may desire during play. 
     Prominently located on the front of the bag  2  is a “quick grab” pocket  12  intended to contain extra balls and/or tees. A front panel assembly  14  of the pocket  12  is constructed to facilitate opening and/or closing with one hand and protect the stored items from the weather, yet prevent inadvertent release or spillage of the stored items. Although only one pocket is provided several other similar pockets  12  can be arrayed about the bag  2 . 
     The pocket  12  is displaced away from an interior bag wall to provide a hollow storage space  16 . Balls  18  (shown in dashed line), tees and other frequently accessed items can be stored in the pocket  12 . The storage space  16  is accessible in alternative fashions. One means of access to the storage space  16  is a two-way zipper  20  that extends around both sides and the top of the panel assembly  14  to expose the storage space  16 . Alternatively, the storage space  16  is accessible via the front, “quick grab” panel assembly  14  as discussed below. 
     The pocket assembly  12  is constructed in three primary pieces. A side panel piece  22  is sewn to a wall of the bag  2 . The side panel piece  22  is formed, trimmed and/or lined to stand away from an interior rear pocket wall which is defined by a panel assembly  24  that defines the club storage space  4 . A portion of the front of the panel  24  defines an interior rear wall of the pocket  12 . 
     An upper panel piece  26  of the “quick grab” panel  14  spans a portion (e.g. slightly greater that one-half) of the space  16 . A lower panel piece  28  spans the remaining portion of the space  16  and overlaps the upper panel piece  26  at a trimmed edge  30  where an opening  32  is provided. The zipper  20  joins the raised, adjoining edges of the upper and lower pocket panels  26  and  28  to the side panel piece  22 . The opening  32  provides a convenient alternative, one-handed access to the storage space  16  which embodies a primary advantage of the invention. 
     The upper panel piece  26  includes a facing or trim piece  34  that is covered by the lower panel  28 . The trim piece  34  is constructed of a resilient, soft, elastic material that is edged with an elastic facing  36 . Upon accessing the opening  32  and inserting a hand past the edge  30 , the trim piece  34  and facing  36  flex and form about the hand and wrist to permit access to the storage space  16  without abrading the hand and/or wrist. Access can be facilitated upon manipulating a pull tab  38  made of a knotted length of cording that is secured to the panel  26  to facilitate access to the storage space  16 . Upon pulling the tab  38  and drawing the edge  30  away from the panel piece  26 , the fingers are wrapped over the edge  30  and the hand is inserted into the storage space  16 . 
     Secured to the edge  30  is an elastic trim or facing piece  40 . A number of metal grommets  42  are arrayed beneath the facing piece  40  and align with magnets  44  (shown in dashed line and sewn into the panel piece  26 ). A resilient stay member  46  (shown in cutaway) is fitted into the panel  26  beneath the magnets  44  and spans the width of the trim piece  34 . The stay  46  is constructed of a spiral wound spring material and exhibits a tensile memory that permits flexion of the interior, lower edge of the panel piece  26  at the trim piece  34 . The stay  46  is sewn into a stay sleeve  48 . The length and configuration of the sleeve  48  is adjusted to pre-stress the stay  46  to define a preferred orientation at the panels  26  and  28 . 
     The stay  46  can be constructed of a variety of materials (e.g. metal, plastic, nylon, fiberglass or another flexibly resilient material) and can be formed to a variety of shapes (e.g. flat, straight or irregular strips; round; rod; or tubular). The stay  46  desirably exhibits a sufficient rigidity to define a preferred shape at the opening  32  commensurate with the closed and open conditions desired at the pocket  12  and opening  32 . The tensile properties of the material can be defined as desired and the stay(s)  46  can be positioned in any desired alignment to the pocket panels  26  and  28 . Multiple stays  46  may also be provided at one or both panels  26  and/or  28  to further define the storage space  16 , such as by mounting the additional lengths of the stays  46  into the decorative facing pieces  50  and arraying the facing pieces  50  to enhance the desired the shape of the space  16 . 
     Upon inserting the hand into the opening  32  and between the panels  26  and  28 , the trim  34  stretches and the stay  46  flexes. Upon withdrawing the hand and an item selected from the pocket  12 , the trim  34  and stay  46  collectively spring back to shape and re-align the magnets  44  to the grommets  42 . The magnetic field between the magnets  44  and grommets  42  maintains the fastening. The grommets  42  also serve to ventilate the pocket  14 . 
     The magnets  44  can be constructed of a variety of materials and compounds to any desired shape. The magnets  44  are presently constructed to exhibit a preferred field attraction relative to the adjoining fastener member. The magnets  44  can be bonded to the pocket panel(s)  26  and/or  28  as described above or by stitching, with suitable adhesives or other fasteners. In lieu of grommets  42 , solid metallic pieces can also be fitted in pouch(s)/sleeve(s) beneath the adjoining panel piece. 
     From the foregoing, it is to be appreciated the described construction of the “quick grab” pocket assembly  12  is merely exemplary of a presently preferred configuration. From the suggested modifications and others that may be apparent to those skilled in the art, it is to be appreciated the invention can be implemented in still other configurations and to several different pockets. For example, the panel  26  can be fitted to overlap the panel  28  to provide a weatherproof cover with the trim  34  secured to the panel  28  and/or with the tab secured to the panel  26 . The magnets  44 , grommets  42  and stays  46  can be arranged in a variety of desired configurations to enhance the attractive forces and air flow through the storage space  16 . Still further, the magnets  44  and stays  46  might be adapted into other bags, cases or storage assemblies. The scope of the invention should therefore not be construed merely to the foregoing description, but rather should be construed within the broader scope of the following claims.