Golf bag with collapsible feature

Abstract

Golf bag, comprising a front panel and a back panel having therebetween a bundle of shaft receptacles for therein receiving a golf club by the shaft thereof. Front and back panel are pivotably connected with each other at a bottom of the golf bag, and are adjustable relative to each other between a collapsed, substantially flat position in which front and back panel run substantially along each other, and a folded-out, substantially wedge-shaped position in which front and back panel diverge and in which between their free ends a presentation surface is located. The shaft receptacles terminate in the presentation surface and with mutual spacing are grouped in rows which nm along each other with an intermediate distance, so that golf clubs whose shaft is received in a shaft receptacle have their heads positioned on the presentation surface in rows spaced apart with an intermediate distance.

Claims

1. A golf bag, comprising: a front panel and a back panel having therebetween a bundle of shaft receptacles for therein receiving a golf club by the shaft thereof, an upper end of the shaft receptacles being flexible and collapsible; wherein front and back panel are pivotably connected with each other at a bottom of the golf bag, and are adjustable relative to each other between a collapsed, substantially flat position in which front and back panel run substantially along each other, and a folded-out, substantially wedge-shaped position in which front and back panel diverge and in which between their free ends a presentation surface is located in which the shaft receptacles terminate and with mutual spacing are grouped in rows which run along each other with an intermediate distance, so that golf clubs whose shaft is received in a shaft receptacle have their heads positioned on the presentation surface in rows spaced apart with an intermediate distance.

2. The golf bag according to claim 1, wherein the presentation surface is formed by an upper panel which extends between the free ends of the front and back panels.

3. The golf bag according to claim 1, wherein the shaft receptacles are tubular.

4. The golf bag according to claim 1, wherein the shaft receptacles are manufactured from flexible material.

5. The golf bag according claim 1, wherein the shaft receptacles in the folded-out position are extended.

6. The golf bag according to claim 1, wherein the shaft receptacles are comprised of flexible material, and in the collapsed position are untensioned, and in the folded-out position are tensioned.

7. The golf bag according claim 1, wherein one of the panels is provided at a top with a pull element which has been passed through the other panel, with which the panels can be pulled towards each other.

8. The golf bag according to claim 7, wherein the pull element is coupled with a shoulder strap attached to the bag.

9. The golf bag according to claim 1, wherein the golf bag is provided with supporting legs which in the collapsed position of front panel extend along the front panel with free ends adjacent the bottom of the golf bag, and which in the folded-out position of front panel run away from the front panel and have their free ends located at a distance from the bottom of the golf bag.

10. The golf bag according to claim 9, wherein the supporting legs are coupled with the front panel via a sliding guide.

11. The golf bag according to claim 10, wherein the supporting legs are pivotable about their longitudinal axis, and wherein the sliding guide comprises a rotation-translation converter which causes the legs to rotate about their axis upon collapse and folding out.

12. The golf bag according to claim 9, wherein the supporting legs are bent, and upon collapse and folding out are adjusted, by rotation, between a collapsed position in which the ends are located near each other and a folded-out position in which the ends are spaced apart more.

13. A golf bag, comprising: a front panel and a back panel having therebetween a bundle of shaft receptacles for therein receiving a golf club by the shaft thereof, an upper end of the shaft receptacles being flexible and collapsible; wherein front and back panel are pivotably connected at a bottom of the golf bag, and are adjustable relative to each other between a collapsed, position in which front and back panel run substantially along each other, and a folded-out, substantially wedge-shaped position in which front and back panel diverge and in which between their free ends a presentation surface is located in which the shaft receptacles terminate and with mutual spacing are grouped in rows which run along each other with an intermediate distance, so that golf clubs whose shaft is received in a shaft receptacle have their heads positioned on the presentation surface in rows spaced apart with an intermediate distance.

14. A golf bag, comprising: a front panel and a back panel having therebetween a bundle of shaft receptacles for therein receiving a golf club by the shaft thereof, wherein front and back panel are connected with each other, and are adjustable relative to each other between a collapsed, substantially flat position in which front and back panel run substantially along each other, and a folded-out, substantially wedge-shaped position in which front and back panel diverge and in which between their free ends a presentation surface is located in which the shaft receptacles terminate and with mutual spacing are grouped in rows which run along each other with an intermediate distance, so that golf clubs whose shaft is received in a shaft receptacle have their heads positioned on the presentation surface in rows spaced apart with an intermediate distance; and wherein the shaft receptacles at the bottom of the golf bag are grouped in a smaller number of rows than in the presentation surface, and the shaft receptacles in the folded-out position are located in a number of planes corresponding to the number of rows of the presentation surface, and in the collapsed position are located in a number of planes corresponding to the number of rows at the bottom.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment which is represented in a drawing. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a golf bag with golf clubs in folded-out position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 without golf clubs;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the golf bag of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the golf bag of FIG. 3 in a collapsed position;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic front view of the golf bag of FIG. 4 in the collapsed position;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic top plan view of the golf bag of FIG. 2;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic top plan view of the golf bag of FIG. 6 in the collapsed position;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of a detail of the bottom of the golf bag of FIG. 2;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a schematic top plan view of the detail of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 shows the golf bag of FIG. 3 in folded-out state;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the detail view of FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a schematic side view of a longitudinal stiffening implemented as a linking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that they are given by way of non-limiting exemplary embodiment only.

(15) In the figures a golf bag 1 is shown with a front panel 2 and a back panel 3. Located between the front panel 2 and the back panel 3 is a bundle of shaft receptacles 4. The shaft receptacles 4 extend along the panels 2, 3 from the bottom to the top. In each shaft receptacle 4 a golf club 5 can be received by the shaft thereof.

(16) The front panel 2 and the back panel 3 are pivotably connected with each other near a bottom 6. In FIG. 8 it is shown that in this exemplary embodiment this is implemented via a connecting piece 7 which connects the front panel 2 with the back panel 3. The pivotal connection is here realized with the aid of a line hinge 8 between the back panel 3 and the connecting piece 7. Of course, it is possible to connect the front panel 2 and the back panel 3 with each other in all kinds of other ways, for instance by means of a direct coupling via a flexible coupling piece.

(17) The front panel 2 and the back panel 3 are adjustable relative to each other between a collapsed, substantially flat position I and a folded-out, substantially wedge-shaped position II. In the collapsed position I, the front and back panel 2, 3 run substantially along each other, i.e., substantially parallel. The collapsed position I can be well seen in FIG. 8. The folded-out position II can be well seen in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and is represented by dotted lines in FIG. 8. In the folded-out position II, the front panel 2 and the back panel 3 diverge and between the free ends of the front panel 2 and the back panel 3 a presentation surface 9 is located. The shaft receptacles 4 terminate by mouths 10 in the presentation surface 9. In the presentation surface 9, the shaft receptacles 4 are grouped in rows R with mutual spacing S. The rows R run along each other with an intermediate distance T. As a result, in the folded-out position, the mouths 10 of the shaft receptacles 4 have a matrix-like arrangement on the presentation surface. This is represented in FIG. 6. Golf clubs 5 whose shafts have been received in a shaft receptacle 4 have their heads 11 positioned on the presentation surface 9 in rows R spaced apart with an intermediate distance T. In the collapsed position I the intermediate distance T between the rows R is reduced, and the heads 11 of different rows R interdigitate, so that heads of different rows R come to lie in each other's spacing S.

(18) The front and back panel 2, 3 are preferably of stiff design and are preferably light of weight. In the exemplary embodiment, the panels 2, 3 are made from hollow plastic plates with stiffening rib.

(19) Front panel 2 is shorter than the back panel 3. As a result, in the collapsed position I, the heads 11 of the golf clubs 5 can be nested between the upper edges 12 of the free ends 13 of panels 2, 3. In the folded-out position II, the golf clubs on the presentation surface 9 can be easily taken out and reinserted.

(20) The front and back panels 2, 3 taper towards the bottom to augment compactness. In the collapsed position I, the golf bag 1 is substantially flat and compact and, for instance, can be easily carried under the arm.

(21) The presentation surface 9 may be formed by an upper panel 14 which extends between the free ends of the front and back panels 2, 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper panel 14 is manufactured from fabric. The upper panel 14 is therefore flexible, and in the folded-out position II is extended and in the collapsed position I folded in. The upper panel 14 is of substantially closed design. The upper panel is well visible in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 10 it can further be seen that the upper panel 14 is provided with longitudinal stiffenings 15 and transverse stiffenings 16. The longitudinal stiffenings 15 are here implemented as perforate, lightweight aluminum plates. The transverse stiffenings 16 are here implemented as linking mechanisms. With the aid of the longitudinal and transverse stiffenings, the upper panel 14 can be supported in the folded-out position II, and, for instance, possibly even be set up tautly with a convex shape.

(22) The shaft receptacles 4 are tubular, and in this exemplary embodiment are implemented as continuous tubes from flexible, stretchy cloth. The shaft receptacles 4 in the folded-out position II are elongated in longitudinal direction with respect to the collapsed position. As, between the collapsed position I and the folded-out position II, the shaft receptacles are stretched from the upper panel 14 along their longitudinal axes, they stand neatly taut and the shaft of the golf club 5 can be easily inserted.

(23) At the bottom 6 of the golf bag 1, the shaft receptacles 4 are grouped in a smaller number of rows R than in the presentation surface 9 in the folded-out position II. In this exemplary embodiment, in the folded-out position II the shaft receptacles 4 are located in five rows R, and at the bottom 6 adjacent the mounting piece 17 in three rows. In the collapsed position I, the number of rows R at the bottom 6 corresponds to the number of rows R between the upper edges 12, viz. three. The shaft receptacles 4 are then, in the collapsed position, located in three substantially parallel planes. In the folded-out position II, the shaft receptacles 4 are located in five mutually intersecting planes.

(24) The back panel 3 is provided at a top thereof with a pull element 18, which has been passed through the front panel 2, with which the panels 2, 3 can be pulled towards each other. In this exemplary embodiment, the pull element is implemented as a flexible cord. The pull element 18 is coupled with a shoulder strap 19 attached to the golf bag 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the free end of the cord continues in the form of a loop as a shoulder strap, and is secured at the further end to the back panel 3. By pulling the cord, the panels 2, 3 can be moved towards each other, and the golf bag 1 can be collapsed. Thereupon, the cord can be put on the shoulder, and the golf bag in collapsed condition can be carried under the arm.

(25) The golf bag 1 is furthermore provided with supporting legs 20. The supporting legs in the collapsed position I have the free ends 21 directed to the bottom 6 of the golf bag 1. In the collapsed position I, the supporting legs 20 extend along the front and back panels 2, 3. This can be well seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the folded-out position II of the front and back panel, the free ends 21 of the supporting legs 20 move away from the front and back panels 2, 3, and are located at a distance from the bottom 6 of the golf bag 1. This can be well seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The supporting legs 20 are borne by the back panel 3, and are coupled with the front panel 2 via a sliding guide 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the supporting legs 20 are mounted on the top part of the back panel 3, at a distance from the upper edge 12 and on the side edges 23. In the exemplary embodiment, the supporting legs are mutually coupled via a pivot 25.

(26) The supporting legs 20 are disposed pivotably about their longitudinal axes l. In this exemplary embodiment, this is realized in that the supporting legs 20 comprise a rotatable part 20a which via a bearing 22 is turnably connected with a non-rotatable part. The sliding guide 23 is provided with a rotation-translation converter 24 which causes the rotatable part 20a of supporting legs 20 to rotate about their longitudinal axes l upon collapse and folding-out of the bag. In this exemplary embodiment, the rotatable part 20a of the supporting legs 20 is provided with a worm 24a which cooperates with a driving guiding eye 24b of the sliding guide 23. The rotatable parts 20a of the supporting legs 20 are bent, and, with the aid of the rotation-translation converter 24 are adjusted, upon collapse and folding-out of the bag, by rotation, between a collapsed position i in which the ends 21 are located near each other and a folded-out position ii in which the ends 21 are located further apart.

(27) The golf bag 1 is furthermore provided with flexible side panels 26, in this exemplary embodiment from flexible fabric, and with a grip 27 to facilitate collapse and folding out, as well as lifting.

(28) It is noted that the golf bag 1 may further be provided with a covering hood, not represented in the figures for the sake of easy reference, for covering the upper panel 14, to protect the heads 11 of the golf clubs 5. Further, the golf bag 1 may be provided with all kinds of compartments for taking along, for instance, golf accessories, articles of clothing, food and drinks.

(29) In FIG. 12 an alternative linking mechanism for the longitudinal stiffening 16 is shown. The linking mechanism of the longitudinal stiffening 16 is equipped with a series of longitudinal rods 30, which are connected with transverse rods 31 which are shorter than the longitudinal rods 30. The longitudinal rods 30 are here of bar-shaped design. The longitudinal rods 30 are of substantially equal length and, in a collapsed position, can overlap each other in a stepped manner, so that with respect to a central longitudinal rod, in each case a longitudinal rod that is lower in the side view of FIG. 12 extends in the figure forwards beyond the central longitudinal rod, and an upper longitudinal rod extends rearwards beyond the central longitudinal rod. The transverse rods 31 are then likewise of substantially equal length and extend in the figure from the bottom to the top obliquely forwards. The transverse rods 31 are here of cam-shaped design. The transverse rods in each case are hingedly connected via line hinges 32 with the center of an intermediate longitudinal rod, with the front end of a rearwards extending longitudinal rod, and with the rear end of a forwards extending longitudinal rod. The transverse rods 31 can then hinge about the center of the central transverse rods like a lever, so that the mechanism can be brought from the collapsed position shown in the figure to a widened folded-out position in which the upper ends of the transverse rods can support the upper panel 14. The upper hinge points of two linking mechanisms are coupled to flanged ends 33 of longitudinal stiffenings 15 designed as strips. The first, uppermost longitudinal rod 30 is designed without rearwards reaching part. The transverse rod 31 shown first on the left in the figure is, near the upper hinge point, via an upwards and rearwards reaching arm 34 with a line hinge 32 hingedly coupled with the back panel 3. The transverse rod 31 drawn last on the right in the figure is of shortened design, and the last longitudinal rod 30 of the packet is provided with a downwards and forwards extending arm 34 which is hingedly coupled via a line hinge 32 with the front panel 2. By providing such arms 34 on the first transverse rod and the last longitudinal rod, the linking mechanism in the folded-out position can assume an arcuate shape, so that it can support the upper panel 14 convexly. By making the transverse rods of cam-shaped design, they can in a collapsed position impose a desired minimal intermediate distance between the rows of shaft receptacles 4, and to some extent screen off the packet of longitudinal rods 30.

(30) Further, front and back panel may be implemented as stiff plates, for instance from lightweight sandwich plates or hollow plates with stiffenings, for instance from aluminum and/or fiber-reinforced plastic material. By providing such stiff plates with upstanding longitudinal edges, the stiffness of the plates can be further augmented. The upstanding longitudinal edges may advantageously cooperate in the collapsed position to form the sidewalls of the golf bag. Thus, the golf bag in the collapsed position forms a stiff, flat box. Such a stiff flat box is easy to carry under the arm, and, when for instance a covering hood over the heads of the golf clubs is provided, lends itself well for independent transport in the hold of an airplane. In the folded-out position, the sidewalls are then substantially open, so that the shaft receptacles are visible like a flower bouquet. This provides a fine, open look, and saves weight of closed side panels.

(31) By making the longitudinal stiffeners of strip-shaped design, the golf bag may be free of partitions extending lengthwise between the front and back panels. This reduces the weight, and augments the compactness in collapsed condition. The longitudinal stiffeners may be provided with positioning provisions corresponding to the positions of the shaft receptacles, for positioning the shaft of a golf club. The positioning provisions may be implemented, for instance, as corrugations or grooves in the plates which are open towards the front panel for supporting a part of the shaft of a golf club.

(32) The golf clubs of the set that have shorter shafts can be received in rows located nearer to the front panel, and golf clubs with longer shafts in rows nearer to the back panel. In the collapsed position of the golf bag, the golf clubs are then located in rows with their lances near each other, so that the length of the back panel can be tailored to the longer golf clubs of the set, and the length of the front panel to the length of the shorter golf clubs of the set. Thus, the compactness of the golf bag can be augmented.

(33) The shaft receptacles may be connected near their lower ends with the front panel, the back panel, or with a connecting piece. At their lower ends, the shaft receptacles may, for instance, be fixedly or detachably connected with the golf bag. They may be secured each separately, or in groups. They may be secured, for instance, on a detachable plate in three rows. If the shaft receptacles are of tubular design, they may be of open design at their lower ends for the purpose of simplified cleaning. By making the shaft receptacles from tubular, elastic material, and stretching them in the folded-out position, inserting the golf clubs can be very easy. In the folded-out position of the golf bag, the shaft receptacles preferably extend like a bunch of flower sterns, with the shafts located in a number of diverging planes, and with the shafts in each plane running parallel with a mutual intermediate distance.

(34) Furthermore, the shoulder strap may be part of a carrying harness which also comprises a second shoulder strap, so that the golf bag can optionally be carried flat on one's back like a backpack. Further, the shoulder strap may be provided with an arcuate stiffening, so that in unused condition it is open for taking up an arm of a user. Advantageously, the user can then, in the folded-out position of the golf bag, when it is stood on its supporting legs, readily pass his arm through the shoulder strap. Upon taking the golf bag on the shoulder, the carrying strap will operate the pull element. Front and back panel then move towards each other, for instance in that back panel is held back by the body, and the front panel, due to the weight of the golf bag, is pulled towards the back panel via the operating cord coupled with the shoulder strap, and during carrying is sustained in that condition. Thereupon the golf bag can be clamped as a flat pack between arm and body. The approximating movement of the front and back panel causes the supporting legs via the rotation-translation converter to collapse as the golf bag is taken on the shoulder. Thus, the golfer, sportsmanlike, can carry the golf bag comfortably himself, which can afford an original sports sensation.

(35) It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed here, but that many variants of embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.