Abstract:
A combination carrying strap and support stand for a golf bag is used both for carrying the bag around a golf course, or as a stand for the bag when not being carried. The combination, having an open end and a closed end, utilizes a flexible strap section, attached to a pair of linear supports, the section capable of flexing in one direction only. The flexible strap section is made up of a series of identical link elements, a flexible bottom band, to which each link element bottom is contiguously affixed, and a flexible upper band, to which each link element is slideably attached. The upper band attaches to and activates a pair of support legs, attached to the flexible strap section at it lower end, which allows the bag to stand independently. A lower linear support which rotatably attaches to the golf bag allows the strap/stand to remain in either storage mode or operational mode.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The prior art contains many examples of different types of stands to support golf bags when a golfer using the bag is taking a shot, or other wise occupied. A variety of different stands of different types, makes, and models are available, and carts or trolleys for both transporting and supporting the bag are also available. 
     The need for such a device is obviated when the golfer uses a caddy, or a motorized golf cart in which the bag can be kept in an upright position while the golfer removes the club desired. 
     A number of golfers do no use either caddies or motorized golf carts, but prefer, instead, to carry the bag on their shoulders, placing the bag down on the ground when the taking a shot. However, without a stand to support the bag, the bag must be laid down on the ground, as it will not support itself. Laying the bag on the ground results in soiling the bag, and many golfers are irritated by the constant laying down of the bag and picking up at every shot. Thus the popularity of various types of small supporting devices, sometimes fitted with wheels so that the golf bag can be pulled rather than carried. 
     However, almost all of these prior art devices are cumbersome, difficult to transport, and take up unneeded space in the storage area, basement, or garage. 
     The present invention provides a solution in the form of a device which serves as both a carrying strap and as a support for the bag when not being carried. The current invention provides a unique strap which can bend and flex along the golfer&#39;s shoulder in one configuration, but which converts into a rigid support member in a second configuration. The invention further contains spreadable support legs attached to the strap, and which convert the flexible strap into a robust, reliable structure for supporting the bag in an upright position on the ground. 
     The device of this invention is relatively inexpensive, and, in combination with a universal adapter, can be quickly and easily used with virtually any golf bag. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination strap and support for a golf bag which is flexible to allow comfort in the carrying of the bag, and which provides sufficient support to hold the golf bag in a substantially upright position on the ground without any other means of support. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the combination strap/support includes a flexible strap section, attached to the linear supports, the section capable of flexing in one direction only, and remaining unflexed in the other direction. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the flexible strap section includes a multiplicity of link elements, including a first link and a last link, each link having a bottom and a top, a flexible bottom band, to which each link element bottom is contiguously affixed, a flexible upper band, to which each link element is slideably attached. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, one or more adjustable-length lower supports are affixed to the lower end of the flexible strap section, each rotatably attaching to the golf bag in proximity to its closed end. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, the lower support further includes one or more nested, extensible members which can be locked in an extended or retracted configuration. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention the combination has one or more support legs, attached to the flexible strap section at it lower end. 
     In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention combination strap and stand includes a locking mechanism for maintaining the upper band in one of two stable positions, the first, or open position, allowing the combination to be used either as a carrying strap or as a stand, and the second, or storage position, allows the combination to occupy a minimum space on the floor of a storage area. 
     In accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention, manual means are provided to configure the support legs in either the spread configuration or the closed configuration. 
     In accordance with an eighth aspect of the invention the locking mechanism includes a base, an arcuate spring having a first and second end, and a jam plate having a lower and upper end , rotatingly attached at its lower end to the base, rotatingly attached at the upper end to the first end of the arcuate spring, and rotatingly attached between the upper and lower ends to the upper band. 
     In accordance with a ninth aspect of the invention, the flexible strap section is enclosed in a fabric material, making it more comfortable when used to carry a golf bag on the user&#39;s shoulder. 
     In accordance with a final aspect of the invention the combination strap and stand includes linear supports affixed to the locking mechanism base. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which: 
     FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the golf bag with attached combination strap/stand configured to act as a stand. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the link assembly from the top side, showing the detail of the attachment of the support legs and of the lower slide assembly. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the link assembly from the top side, with the assembly flexed for use as a carrying strap. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the link assembly from the bottom side, showing detail of the attachment of the lower slide assembly. 
     FIG. 5A depicts a side elevation view of the link assembly flexed for use as a carrying strap. 
     FIG. 5B depicts a side elevation view of the link assembly straightened for use as a stand. 
     FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the locking assembly in closed, or operating position, for use as a strap or as a stand. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the locking assembly in open, or override position, for use in storage configuration. 
     FIG. 8A depicts a perspective view of the lower strap assembly and support legs in closed position. 
     FIG. 8A depicts a perspective view of the lower strap assembly and support legs in spread position. 
     FIG. 9 depicts a drawing of a golfer carrying a golf bag using the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 a  depicts an upper cover of the universal adapter. 
     FIG. 10 b  depicts a lower cover of the universal adapter. 
     FIG. 10 c  depicts the adapter body. 
     FIG. 10 d  depicts the attachment points for the universal adapter on the golf bag. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention may be understood with reference to the drawings, in which each reference number used to refer to a particular element is maintained from one drawing to another. 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a golf bag  2  is shown resting on the strap/support combination of the present invention, configured as a stand or support. 
     The strap/support combination includes the strap body  10 , which is composed of a number of identical links which allow the strap body to bend away from the golf bag, but not toward it. These links, mounted on a lower band  26 , form a linkage assembly, which will bend away from the bag to allow the combination to be used as a strap for carrying the golf bag, but will bend on slightly toward the bag, allowing it to function as a support. Although the links are visible in FIG. 1, in normal use the strap body is covered with a fabric, typically leather or a synthetic heavy-duty material to make the strap body more comfortable to carry. 
     At the bottom of the strap body are a pair of support legs  6 , which may be rotated apart to support the golf bag, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be rotated together parallel to each other when the combination is configured for use as a strap, or when the golf bag is being stored. 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, a pair of linear supports  4  are connected from the top of the linkage assembly to the upper part of the golf bag. The connection in this embodiment is made by forming the upper end of each linear support into a right angle, more or less, forming linear support hooks  12 , and inserting the linear support hooks into a mating loop of material, allowing the linear supports to rotate relative to the golf bag. Thus, when the combination is in the strap configuration, the linear supports will rotate freely relative to the golf bag. 
     The linear supports are adjustably attached to the strap assembly, to that the strap may be made longer or shorter to accommodate golfers of different sizes. 
     At the other end of the golf bag a slide assembly attaches the strap assembly to the lower portion of the golf bag. The slide assembly is made up of a larger, lower slide assembly  8  which rotates relative to the strap body, and also relative to the bag at rotating joint  9 . The slide assembly has two positions: fully extended, as shown in FIG. 1, and fully retracted, whereby the upper slide assembly is fully retracted into the lower slide assembly. The retracted position is use mainly for storage, so that the strap body may be brought as close to the golf bag body  2  as possible, so that the bag takes up less space as the configuration of FIG.  1 . Means are provided to lock the upper slide relative to the lower slide by one of many well-known mechanisms, such as the use of a wingnut or clip on the lower slide assembly where the upper slide assembly enters. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 the detail of the linkage assembly may be seen and understood The bottom of the linkage assembly contains attachment points  13  of the support legs by means of screw or bolts which pass through the upper ends of the support legs, and through the lowest link of the array. The links  19  are identical to each other, and are affixed to a lower flexible band  26 , which is approximately the same width as the links. The method of attachment of the each of the links to the lower band in this embodiment is by a pair of bolts  24 , each of which passes through a thru hole in the link, through a thru-hole in the lower flexible band, and then secured at the other side of the lower flexible band with a nut. 
     As may be seen from referring to FIG. 3, each link has a recessed area  18 . A smaller flexible upper band  22  spans the link elements  19 , and is confined in its motion by the combination of the cross straps  20 , and the bolt assemblies  24 . Each of the identical bolt assemblies include standoffs, which elevate the cross straps  20 , so that they allow the flexible upper band to slide freely across the tops of the link elements. 
     Still referring to FIG. 3, it is seen that the link assembly can flex in the direction shown in the Figure, but cannot flex in the opposite direction, however, as the side walls of contiguous link elements will contact each other at right angles when the lower flexible band is flat and perpendicular to the side walls, and will go no further. 
     Referring now FIGS. 5A and 5B, the mechanism of limiting the bend to one direction is further illustrated. In FIG. 5A the lower band  26  bends in a direction which allows tops of contiguous link elements to separate , and which allows even further bending in the same direction. The bottoms of the contiguous link elements are always in contact, however, regardless of how far the lower band is bent. The bottom of the bolt assemblies  24  is seen beneath the lower band.  26 . 
     In FIG. 5B, however, the configuration has reached its limit when the bottom band  26  is displaced upward at the ends. It is clear that even with further pressure upwards at the ends of the bottom band  26 , the link assembly will not bend further in direction shown. 
     The position of the support legs is controlled by the upper band  22 , which slides freely between the cross straps  20 , so that force may be transmitted from the top of the upper strap to the mechanism which controls the support legs. The upper band must be made of a strong but flexible material, such as stainless steel, which may bend, but will not buckle, so both tensile and compressive force may be transmitted along the upper band. 
     Referring first to this control mechanism, and referring to FIGS. 2,  8   a,  and  8   b,  it is seen that the support legs rotate at their upper ends about leg pivot bolts  16 , which are also fastened to one of the link assemblies. Somewhat lower, each leg  6 , together with the lower end of one of the leg actuation links  116 , is constrained by a leg actuation linkage attachment bolt  60 , each of which is attached to one of the support legs  6 , but not to the underlying structure of the strap body. The upper end of each linkage is further constrained by the leg actuation linkage rotation bolt  58 , which is attached to the lower end of the upper band  22 , but not to the underlying structure of the strap body. 
     Thus, when the upper band transmits force downward from the configuration of FIG. 8 a,  the leg actuation linkage rotation bolt  58  moves downward also, causing the leg actuation links to spread apart, spreading the support legs apart as well. Referring to FIG. 8 b,  the spread configuration of the support legs is seen, wherein the leg actuation linkage rotation bolt  58  has moved downward so that is below the level of the leg pivot bolts  16 , which are constrained to remain fixed in position relative to the strap body. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, the termination of the upper band is shown in detail. In the position shown the upper band is forced downward, spreading the support legs as described above when the strap is in a substantially horizontal position, as seen in FIG.  1 . However, when the strap body is bent, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A, the upper band pulls the support legs into a closed, parallel position. 
     The locking mechanism of FIGS. 6 and 7 provide a means to manually control the upper band, and to allow the user to open or close the support legs regardless of the position of the upper strap. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, which shows the locking mechanism in its closed, or automatic state, the locking mechanism includes locking assembly body  44 , which is affixed to the lower band  26  in proximity to the last, or uppermost link element  42 . The upper band  22  is seen to terminate at the jam plate  36 . The jam plate is attached at its lower end, or base, to the body  44  of the locking assembly through a hinge  56 , so that it rotates at that point. Likewise, the upper end of the jam plate  36  is attached to the arcuate locking spring  50  by another rotating hinge member  54 . 
     The arcuate locking spring has two stable positions, open and closed. The free end  52  of the arcuate locking spring is forced against the back plate  32  of the locking assembly body, so arcuate locking spring remains in its closed position. An elastic restraining band  40  further maintains the free end  52  of the arcuate locking spring against the back plate  32 . Referring next to FIG. 7, the locking assembly is shown in the open state, or manual override state, whereby the upper band is relaxed, and the user may move the upper band either upward or downward by rotating the jam plate  48  upward or downward, to either close or open the support legs. 
     Still referring to FIG. 7, the jam plate  48 , is attached to the upper band  22  through upper jam plate hinge assembly  54 . Also displayed is lower jam plate hinge assembly  56  by which the jam plate  48  is attached to the locking assembly body  44 . This figure further shows the method of attachment of the lower end of the linear supports  4  to the locking assembly base  44 . A number of pairs of attachment points  14  in the form of holes drilled into the side of the assembly body allow for the lengthening or shortening of the overall length of the strap, so that the strap may be adjusted to the dimensions of the user. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the under side of the link assembly is shown, together with the connection of the slide assembly lower arm  8  to the link assembly. The slide assembly contains a perpendicular shaft  28  rotatably attached to the slide assembly lower arm  8 . This shaft  28  is secured to the flexible lower band  26  of the link assembly by means of two gudgeons  30 , thus allowing the slide assembly to rotate with respect to the slide assembly. 
     The entire link assembly is covered with a fabric or other sheet material, such as leather or its synthetic equivalents, for both cosmetic purposes and for enhanced comfort when the golf bag is being carried by disposing the link assembly on the shoulder of the user. 
     FIG. 9 shows the strap in a configuration wherein the user is carry the golf bag on his shoulder. It is noted that the strap now consists of an upper portion of the linear supports  4 , which remains substantially linear in configuration, although does have the ability to flex somewhat; a central strap body  10 , which is flexible in a single direction, as previously described; and the lower slide assembly, which includes a slide assembly upper and lower arm, which are also substantially linear in configuration. The support support legs now are in closed configuration, and trail behind the lower end of the strap body. 
     Removeable Strap Embodiment. In the first preferred embodiment, as described above, the upper linear supports and the lower slide assembly were both affixed directly to the golf bag, so that the golf bag would either have to manufactured using the strap described herein permanently affixed to the golf bag, or the bag would have to be modified after manufacture so accommodate the strap, the modification resulting in the strap being permanently affixed to the golf bag. 
     In a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the strap is permanently attached to a universal adapter, which is removeably attachable to almost any golf bag, so that existing bags may use the current invention without requiring any permanent modification to the golf bag. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10 d,  the universal adapter may be used on any existing golf bag  61  by first removing the standard shoulder strap from attachment points  62  and  63 , and replacing it with the universal adapter at these attachment points. The universal adapter converts the many different strap connection configurations to a standard pattern to accept the mounting of the strap stand. 
     The upper and lower attachment points shown in FIG. 10 represent the most common strap attachment configuration currently in general use. The attachment points consist of a pair of metal rings secured to the bag by mean of leather strapping which is either stitched or riveted. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10 c,  the universal adapter includes of an adapter body  64 , which is attached to the golf bag by means of an upper clip  66 , and mounting rods  69 . In this embodiment {fraction (3/16)} inch threaded rods are attached to the adapter body, with hooks on the lower end, and wingnuts on the upper end. After the upper clip is affixed to the upper attachment point  62 , the mounting rods are hooked onto the lower attachment point  63 , and the connection is tightened by means of the wingnuts. As a result, the adapter body is securedly and tightly attached to the body of the golf bag. 
     The adapter body  64  is the rigid base framework made of a metal or high strength plastic that is capable of supporting the weight of a fully loaded golf bag. In this embodiment the sides of the adapter body are made of a ¼ solid rod. The other parts of the adapter body are ether welded to the rods, or, as an alternative, the adapter body may be case in one piece. The adapter body is approximately 17 inches long and 2 inches wide. When this frame is attached to the bag it will allow the golf bag carrying handle to pass through the frame so that it may be used with the universal adapter in place. 
     Once the adapter body is firmly attached to the golf bag, the upper and lower covers  67  are snapped into place, as seen in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b.  The linear arm support hooks, shown in FIG. 1, mate with the arm attachment points  65  which protrude through the upper cover. The slide assembly lower arm  11 , shown in FIG. 1, mates with the slide attachment point  8 , which protrudes through the lower cover. 
     When the strap-stand has been attached to the golf bag, as described above, it functions in the same way as the first embodiment, in which the strap stand attached directly to the golf band. The second embodiment requires that the golf bag has rings as attachment points, as shown in FIG. 10 d.  However, it is clear that other types of attachment points of the carrying strap may be used to attach universal adapters with other methods of connection. The universal adapter, to which the strap-stand is applied, has the obvious advantage of being easily adaptable to existing golf bags, without the requirement of buying a new golf bag with the strap-stand already installed. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that improvements and modifications may be made within the purview of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.