GOLF BAG CARRIER WITH GOLF BAG AND BASE HAVING DETACHABLE WHEELS

Abstract

A golf bag carrier has a base with opposing upper and lower base surfaces, an outer base wall between the upper and lower base surfaces and right and left arm assemblies attached to or extending from the outer base wall. The carrier also has a golf bag with an open top end, and a bottom end arranged opposite the top end that is attached to or integral with the base, and first and second wheels detachably connectable to the right and left arm assemblies, respectively. The base is virtually separated into two substantially equally sized opposing first and second base portions. The right and left arm assemblies are arranged in the first opposing base portion. A stand device deployment mechanism is arranged in the second opposing base portion, substantially opposite the arm assemblies, which are adapted to enable the first and second wheels to be detachably removed from the golf bag carrier to facilitate storage.

Claims

1. A golf bag carrier, comprising: a planar base with opposing upper and lower base surfaces, and right and left arm assemblies attached to or extending from an outer perimeter of the planar base; a golf bag with an open top end, and a bottom end arranged opposite the top end that is attached to or integral with the base; first and second wheels detachably connectable to the right and left arm assemblies, respectively; and a stand device comprising stand rods, a linkage and a stand device deployment mechanism, the stand rods physically connected to the stand device deployment mechanism via the linkage: wherein the base is virtually separated into two substantially equally sized opposing first and second base portions; wherein the right and left arm assemblies are arranged in the first opposing base portion; wherein the stand device deployment mechanism is arranged in the second opposing base portion, substantially opposite the aim assemblies, and adapted to contact a ground surface and thereby compel, through the linkage, the stand rods to be deployed when a sufficient pressure is asserted against the stand device deployment mechanism, by titling the bag thereagainst, until the stand device deployment mechanism, and an edge or lower wall part of the base contact the ground, or press the stand device deployment mechanism against the ground and, when the tilting pressure applied against the stand device deployment mechanism is released, the stand rods retract to a non-deployed state; and wherein the right and left arm assemblies are adapted to maintain a low center of gravity and to enable the first and second wheels to be detachably removed from the base of the golf bag carrier to facilitate carrying and storage.

2. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, wherein the first and second wheels include first and second axles, respectively, and wherein the right and left arm assemblies include connection mechanisms for grasping and holding fast the first and second axles, effecting attachment, and for releasing the first and second axles, effecting detachment.

3. The golf bag carrier of claim 2, wherein the base is adapted to pivot about an axis extending between the first and second wheels in a connected state, to a state where the stand device deployment mechanism is asserted against the ground, compelling automatic deployment of the stand rods of the stand device, and to a state where the stand device deployment mechanism does not contact the ground, which causes the stand rods to automatically retract to a non-deployed state.

4. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, wherein the golf bag includes an attached handle adapted to be deployed to enable a user to grasp the handle and push and pull the golf bag carrier.

5. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, whereas the planar base with opposing upper and lower base surfaces, and right and left arm assemblies attached to or extending from an outer perimeter of the planar base creates a low center of gravity and higher moment of inertia, thereby providing stability to the golf bag carrier.

6. The golf bag carrier of claim 4, wherein the deployable handle is attached to the base and deployed from the golf bag.

7. The golf bag carrier of claim 4, wherein the attached handle is a telescopic handle.

8. The golf bag carrier of claim 4, further comprising rods or stays extending up from the upper base surface, through the golf bag, to support a structural integrity of the golf bag.

9. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, wherein the golf bag is substantially cylindrical-, or rectangular-tubular shaped.

10. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, wherein the golf bag is detachably connected to the base.

11. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, wherein the golf bag is sewn, molded, glued, riveted or fastened to the base.

12. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, wherein left and right wheels have fixed radii extending from a central axis of the respective wheel axles, and wherein the right and left arm assemblies are attached to the base at a fixed position so that a distance between the ground and the fixed position of the right and left wheel assemblies is less than a distance front the ground and central axis of the wheel axles substantially equivalent to the fixed radii.

13. The golf bag carrier of claim 1, wherein the left and right arm assemblies are adapted to extend beyond and outermost portion of the planar base, to provide a low center of gravity, and a higher moment of inertia, at the planar base.

14. A golf bag carrier, comprising: a planar base with opposing upper and lower base surfaces and right and left arm assemblies attached to or extending from the outer base wall; a lightweight golf bag attached to the base; first and second wheels with wheel axles that are detachably connectable to the right and left arm assemblies, respectively; wherein the planar base comprises substantially equally sized opposing first and second base portions, and wherein the first base portion include the right and left arm assemblies, which extended outward, away from the outer base wall, realizing a base with a high moment of inertia such that the golf bag and base resist tilting, tipping or twisting; and wherein the golf bag portion is lightweight due to a golf bag construction of lightweight, high strength materials and a base and wheel construction of high-strength, lightweight materials.

15. A method of using a golf bag carrier comprising a planar base with opposing upper and lower base surfaces, and right and left arm assemblies attached to or extending from an outer perimeter of the planar base, a golf bag with an open top end, and a bottom end arranged opposite the top end that is attached to or integral with the base, first and second wheels detachably connectable to the right and left arm assemblies, respectively and a stand device deployment mechanism physically connected to the golf bag portion to a stand device comprising stand rods, a linkage and a stand device deployment mechanism, the stand rods physically connected to the stand device deployment mechanism via the linkage, wherein the base is virtually separated into two substantially equally sized opposing first and second base portions and the right and left arm assemblies are arranged in the first opposing base portion, the method comprising the steps of: tilting the golf bag to compress the stand device deployment mechanism against the ground, which automatically, through the linkage, deploys the stand rods of the stand device; and adjusting the stand rods against the ground to create a stable three-point contact of distal ends of the stand rods and the stand device deployment mechanism against the ground.

16. The method of claim 15, further including tilting the golf bag to release pressure compelling the stand device deployment mechanism against the ground, which automatically retracts the stand rods to a non-deployed state, allowing the bag to be wheeled.

17. The method of claim 15, further including depressing a release mechanism in the arm assemblies to detach the wheels.

18. The method of claim 17, further including depressing the release mechanism to enable attachment of the wheels and inserting wheels axles into the arm assemblies.

19. The method of claim 17, further including carrying or storing the golf bag carrier with the wheels detached.

20. The golf bag carrier of claim 15, further including carrying the golf bag with the wheels attached.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein;

[0033] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the golf bag carrier with golf bag and base with detachable wheels, the golf bag supported by a stand device, which is deployed by a stand device deployment mechanism and the telescopic handle is partially extended from the pocket;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the golf bag carrier, as depicted in FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the wheeled golf bag carrier, as depicted in FIG. 1, highlighting the base with detachable wheels;

[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a mechanism adapted to attach and detach wheel axles, and wheels, to an arm portions of the base of the golf bag carrier depicted in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5A is a view of the wheeled golf bag carrier, as depicted in FIG. 1, with wheels attached to the base, the golf bag carried on the shoulders of a user;

[0038] FIG. 5B shows the golf bag in FIG. 5A being carried with the wheels detached from the base.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a side view of the golf bag carrier, as depicted in FIG. 1, being pulled by a user; and

[0040] FIG. 7 is a side view of the golf bag carrier, as depicted in FIG. 1, being pushed by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are presented in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention and are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0042] FIGS. 1-8 present embodiment of the inventive golf bag carrier with golf bag and attached or integral base with detachable wheels, or detachable wheel assemblies, the golf bag supported by rods or stays 159 to maintain its traditional rectangular- or cylindrical-tubular shape when pushed, pulled or arranged in a fixed position, for example, proximate a green on a golf course.

[0043] As shown, golf bag carrier 100 includes a substantially planar base 110, with an upper (see FIGS base surface 110a and an opposing lower base surface 110b, and upper 114 and lower 112 outer base wall, and right and left arm assemblies 122 attached to or extending from the upper and or lower outer base walls, or connected to and extending front an edge or other surface or area of the substantially planer portion of the base, between the upper and lower base surfaces. Hie inventive golf bag carrier includes a golf bag 150 with an open top end, and a bottom end 154 arranged opposite the top end that is attached to or integral with the base 110, first and second wheels 126 detachably connectable to the right and left arm assemblies 122, respectively. Preferably, the substantially planar base 110 is virtually separated into two substantially equally-sized base portions, i.e., into a first base portion A and a second base portion B, the line of virtual separation represented by dashed line BL as shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] The right and left arm assemblies 122 art arranged in the first opposing base portion A, A stand device deployment mechanism 130 is arranged in the second opposing base portion B, which stand device deployment mechanism 130 is substantially opposite the arm assemblies. The stand device deployment mechanism is pan of a stand device 155, and is arranged in the region of an opening 113 in the base 110. The stand device deployment mechanism is not shown in FIG. 3 for simplicity. A linkage, not shown in FIG. 3, connects the stand device deployment mechanism to stand rods 156, which are part of the stand device 155 The stand device deployment mechanism 130 is adapted to contact a ground surface when the golf bag carrier is to be arranged in a stationary position. That is, the golf bag is pivoted so that the stand device deployment mechanism is compelled against the ground, thereby automatically deploying the stand device 155 and stand rods 156 as shown (FIG. 1; also see dashed lines in FIGS. 6 and 7). Essentially, an edge of the base, or the lower base wall (sometimes called a “skirt” herein) extending from the base, with the stand device deployment mechanism, may also contact the ground as the stand device rods 156 are deployed through the linkage, contacting the ground as well, and the bag leans onto the rods.

[0045] That is, the stand device deployment mechanism 130 may comprise a kickstand-like sub-part that is connected to the stand device 155 via a linkage, to deploy or retract the rods 156. The stand device 155 and stand rods 156 are mechanically connected to the stand deployment mechanism 130 via the linkage. When the golf bag is tilted for positioning the stand device deployment mechanism against the ground, the force applied (including the weight of the bag) automatically deploys the stand device and stand rods. Releasing the pressure upon live stand device deployment mechanism 130, causes retraction of the stand rods 156 to a non-deployed position against the golf bag—the stand rods 156 are retracted back to a its non-deployed position, automatically (again, when the pressure pressing the stand mechanism 130 to the ground is released/removed). Preferably, the stand device deployment mechanism 130 does not contact the ground when the golf bag carrier is wheeled on the first and second wheels 126, and when the stand device is in a non-deployed state.

[0046] The right and left arm assemblies 122 are adapted to enable the first and second wheels 126 to be detachably removed from the golf bag carrier 110 to facilitate carry and storage. The first and second wheels include first and second axles 128, respectively. FIG. 3 includes a virtual line WL extending between the left and right wheels 126, colinear and aligned with both axles, 128. Virtual line WL is substantially parallel with a virtual line BL The right and left arm assemblies 122 include wheel-attachment mechanisms for grasping and holding fast the first and second axles 128, effecting attachment, and for releasing the first and second axles, effecting detachment.

[0047] A representative wheel-attachment mechanism is depicted in FIG. 4. Each arm assembly 122 includes an upper substantially horizontal arm section 122u. The upper substantially horizontal arm section I22u extends from a substantially vertical section, which extends from a lower substantially horizontal arm section (the lower and vertical not shown in FIG. 4), in the embodiment depicted. The lower substantially horizontal arm section is directly attached to or integral with a side wall of the base, and/or wall 112 and/or wall 114. the base. Essentially, the upper substantially horizontal arm section 122u extends substantially horizontally away from the outer perimeter wall sections 112/114 of the base. Preferably, the lower horizontal arm section extends from a portion of the base perimeter closest to the bottom end, and therefore, the ground surface. Then, depending on a diameter of the wheels 126 connected at the upper horizontal arm section, and the position of the opening 135 in the connection mechanism, the higher moment of inertia and lowest center of gravity and optimal stability is realized when moving and stationary.

[0048] The wheel attachment mechanism 122, as shown embedded in the upper horizontal arm mechanism I22u, includes an actuator button 132, integral with a plate or bar pan 133, which actuator button 132 is depressed by application of FORCE in the arrow direction as shown, against a spring force opposing such depression, from spring 136. The bar or plate 133 includes an opening 135, when the button 132 is depressed, and an oblong opening 137 and limiting peg 139 (as shown). The oblong opening 137 receives the peg 139 to limit vertical travel of the bar or plate 133. The plate or bar 133 wants to be biased up by the spring 136, as does the button. When the plate or bar 133 is down, as shown, the opening 135 is fully open for receiving or retracting a wheel axle 128. (as limited by an extent of the oblong opening 137). A groove 128a of the wheel axle 128, upon release of pressure on the button 132, is captured as the opening 135 move back up with the plate or bar part 133. Depressing the actuation button 132 compresses the spring 136, moving the bar or plate 133 in the direction of the arrow, opening the opening 135 substantially fully out of the groove 128a, freeing the axle to be retracted from its fixed position by a lower edge of the opening. Of course, in this same position of the plate or bar 133 as shown in FIG. 3 allows an axle 128 to be inserted into the opening 135, and gripped at groove 128a once the pressure on the button to keep the bar or plate down, is released; this pushing up of edge part of bar or plate, defining the outer perimeter of the opening, is maintained in the groove to maintain attachment.

[0049] Preferably, the inventive golf bag carrier 100, and base 110 are adapted to pivot upon the wheels 126, about an axis extending between the first and second wheels in a connected state, as represented by virtual line WL (see FIG. 3). The pivoting causes a transition between two states. In a first pivot state, the stand device deployment mechanism 130 is compressed against the ground, compelling the stand device 155 to deploy. Doing so also compresses an edge of the base 110, or a portion of a lower wall 112, against the stand device deployment mechanism 130 and the ground. As deployed, the stand rods 156 of the stand device 155 are deployed, where the distal ends contact the ground against a weight of the bag in its slightly tilted state. FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the inventive golf bag carrier with the stand device deployment mechanism 130 contacting the ground. In a second pivot state, the pressure against the stand deployment mechanism is removed/released, as the bag is tilted back up (from its position depicted in FIG. 1), whereby the stand device 155 and stand rods 156 are retracted due to the stand device 135 and stand device deployment mechanism 130, and mechanical linkage connection therebetween, as known to the person skilled in the art.

[0050] FIG. 1 not only shows the first and second stand rods 156 of stand device 155 in the deployed state, with the golf bag 150 leaning into the rod distal end, but also show's that wheels 126 are off the ground. And as mentioned above, the golf bag carrier (at an edge of base 110, or of lower portion 112) and the stand deployment mechanism 130 then contact the ground, as do the lower or distal ends of the stand rods 156. This construction provides a very stable arrangement, for example, when the inventive golf bag carrier is positioned at or near a green. The first and second stand rods 156 of the stand device 155 are deployed from an undeployed storage state at a side or outside region of the golf bag, to a deployed state.

[0051] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a user pulling and pushing the inventive golf bag carrier 100, in a tilted state whereby the stand device deployment mechanism 130 and stand device 155 and stand rods 156 are non-deployed Only the wheels 126 touch the ground. As also seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the handle 158 preferably is deployed from a compartment 160 formed upon an outer portion of the bag 110, Golf clubs 162 are stored for use in the inner volume of the golf bag 150, via an opening 152. The telescopic handle is attached to the golf bag on the side region of tire bag and contained in the pocket 160. A lightweight poly carbonate board or any suitable material can be attached to the bag allowing connection to mount the telescopic handle to the bag. Most preferably, the attached handle 158 is a telescopic handle.

[0052] Preferably, the golf bag 150 includes rods or stays 159 that are received in the base 100, for example, in receptacles 120. Two receptacles 120 are shown in FIG. 3 positioned near the base perimeter at opposing positions separated by line BL, but the invention is not limited thereto. There may be many receptacles, and rods/stays 159 positioned around the base perimeter (see FIG. 3). The rods or stays 159 extend up from the receptacles 120, wherever the receptacles are positioned to receive them, through the golf bag perimeter structure, typically cloth or synthetic material but not limited thereto. As such, the rods or stays 159 built into the golf bag perimeter structure provide structural integrity to the tubular shape of the golf bag. An alternative embodiment, the golf bag 150 can be a tubular structure made of strong, shape saving resilient material, that maintains its tubular structural integrity without stays or rods. The golf bag 150 can be sewn, molded, glued, riveted or fastened to the base 110.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the golf bag preferably is substantially cylindrically- or rectangularly-tubular shaped. And while the FIGS. 1-7 embodiment of the inventive golf bag carrier 100 has the golf bag 150 permanently attached to the base 110, the invention is not limited thereto. The golf bag. in an alternative embodiment, may be detachably connected to the base.

[0054] Please note that the left and right wheels 126 have fixed radii; the right and left arm assemblies 122 are attached to the base 110 at a fixed position so that a distance between the ground and the fixed position of the right and left wheel assemblies is preferably less than the fixed radii, to affect the lower center of gravity and higher moment of inertia. Preferably, a top size is in the range of 6″-12,″ preferably 8.5″-10.541 and most preferably 9.6. The wheels are in the 4″-15″ range, preferably in the 9-12-inch diameter range and most preferably 10 8″ inches, the axle is in the 1/2 -30″ range, preferably the 1″-12″ and most preferably 3.5-4 inches. The axle can be for one wheel or multiple wheels. The axle hub on the bag can be from 1-3 inches in the preferred embodiment.

[0055] As will be evident to persons skilled in the art, the foregoing detailed description and figures are presented as examples of the invention, and that variations are contemplated that do not depart from the fair scope of the teachings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure. The foregoing is not intended to limit what has been invented, except to the extent that the following claims so limit that.