A CARRIER ASSEMBLY FOR ELONGATE ITEMS
20250153013 ยท 2025-05-15
Inventors
- Heather Margaret ANDERSON (Auckland, NZ)
- Gwyn Walter David JONES (Dunedin, NZ)
- Tomas Antonio Dos Santos MENDES (Auckland, NZ)
Cpc classification
A63B2055/403
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
A carrier assembly (1) for holding golf clubs (2), has a central substantially trapezoidal elongate housing having one or more doors for storage of accessories and having external club storage housings (54) on the outside of the bag. Each of the external club storage housings has an outwardly facing slit between a pair of resilient members to allow easy insertion or removal of a golf club, and at least one anti-rotation member (96) for holding a golf club.
Claims
1.-54. (canceled)
55. A carrier assembly which is an elongate shaped body for holding or storing at least one elongate shaped item being in use oriented in an upright orientation wherein the elongate shaped body includes a wall support housing assembly which includes side walls having a thickness between an inner surface and outer surface having an upper end and lower end which includes a floor assembly, and the side walls having a shape defining an internal side there between and connectively to an outside of the side walls there includes at least one elongate shaped housing in the form of a elongate shaped space having a front wall, rear wall, side walls, a floor shaped and configured of a volume to be able to house when in use at least one elongate item therein and the front wall comprising a planar member including at least one elongate slit shaped opening extending continuously from at least part of the front wall having an enlarged aperture located at an upper end of the opening, and the space also configured to removably receive a portion of the elongate shaped item to be able to hold the elongate item therein, whereby in use the at least one elongate item is horizontally and rotationally insertable and/or removable from the elongate shaped space through the elongate slit shaped opening which flexibly parts temporally to allow this insertion and to allow for the elongate item to be removably held vertically therein whereby in use one elongate item is locatable in space to have a portion upwardly protruding through enlarged aperture to hold the elongate item in place.
56. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55, wherein at least one anti-rotation member is configured to removably receive a portion of the elongate shaped item to be able to hold the elongate item therein, wherein the at least one rotation member is removably attachable to at least one of the walls of one housing therein whereby the anti-rotation member is able to hold the elongate item in place.
57. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55, wherein at least one anti-rotation member is configured to removably receive a portion of the elongate shaped item to be able to hold the elongate item therein, wherein the at least one rotation member is removably attachable to at least one of the walls of each housing therein whereby the anti-rotation member is able to hold the elongate item in place.
58. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein the at least one anti-rotation member has a body having arms extending from a base, which is provided and located in space of housing by being affixed to the inside of at least one side wall or rear wall of elongate shaped housing having its splayed arms outwardly protruding from the inner side of walls of the elongate shaped spaces whereby when inserting or removing each elongate item through the slit, any horizontal side insertion into adjacent recesses of the anti-rotation member causes the elongate item to be removably held within a space between the arms of anti-rotation member.
59. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein the at least one anti-rotation member is removably mounted to each end wall of each housing.
60. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein there is an anti-rotation member for use mid-way in the wall between housings which includes base or and central rib between back-to-back splayed walls whereby the base and rib form an H shape in cross section.
61. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein there is an anti-rotation member for use at one end of wall at an end of housing which includes base or and central rib forming an H shaped in cross section wherein a portion of the H shaped forms a T shape outwardly protruding beyond base.
62. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein the wall support housing assembly includes a rear wall wherein at least one rear support member is affixed to an outside of the rear wall to provide strength and rigidity to the carrier assembly and to provide means to removably affix accessories thereon wherein at least one strap supporting member is slidably and adjustably attached by gripping to rear support member to provide a pair of spaced slotted apertures for sliding receipt of part of at least one carry strap there through to allow when in use a user to hold by hand/arm/shoulder by itself or in combination with holding the handle to lift or move the carrier assembly.
63. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein there are several elongate shaped housing spaces parallel and abutting with each other located peripherally around outside the wall and the at least one anti-rotation member is located adjacent to a lower end of the space of housing which is also at a lower end of the elongate item.
64. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein the anti-rotation members are channel shaped members having side walls forming a splayed U cross sectional shape including base removably attached to side wall(s) or rear wall of housing and splayed arms and including the holding space or recess there between the arms, wherein in each space of housing there is at least one anti-rotation members to allow a part or end portion of a golf club to be inserted there between at least the arms whereby the arms are formed and configured of a material to allow the flexing without deforming to accommodate the elongate item to hold it therein and there between, where upon removal of the elongate item allows the arms to return to their relaxed splayed configuration.
65. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein there are different shaped anti-rotation members for use in different parts of the space of housing such as mid members, first end members and second end members, wherein the mid member anti rotation member includes channel shaped member abutting or joined to each side of base (base being a simple elongate member extending the length of the channel), wherein first end member anti rotation member includes one channel member with a base formed of a T cross section extending the length of the channel member and wherein the second end member anti-rotation member also includes one channel member with the base being T shaped in cross section and extending beyond the length of the channel member.
66. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein the anti-rotation member are formed of a flexible but resilient material to allow repeated flexing, holding and return to original shape, and the front wall of the housing is formed of a flexible material to allow repeated flexing and return to original shape and the housing of the carrier and portable carrier is formed of a polymer composite material suitable to allow moulding to shape, have some degree of water resistances and impact resistance for everyday use of elongate items being inserted and retrieved and movement during transport.
67. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein the at least one elongate shaped housing has a roof formed of a planar member connected to or formed with the front wall, and the roof includes a elongate slit shaped opening connected with the elongate slit shaped opening in the front wall, wherein the elongate slit shaped opening in the roof is shaped to include a widened area shaped to match a cross sectional area of an elongate item being shaped to removably hold the said at least one elongate item in place in the elongate shaped housing.
68. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 55 wherein the said internal side there between the housing, side walls is an internal storage space which includes an upper minor storage space and a lower major storage space wherein the upper minor storage space includes an upper planar space and a lower wedge-shaped space and the lower major storage space includes at least one shelf accessed by at least one door.
69. A carrier assembly as claimed in claim 68 wherein the upper planar space includes a planar space covered by a see through planar shaped first lid member, and having a floor wherein the first lid member and floor are each hinged at a rear end of the carrier assembly to allow individual hinging or combined hinging and the upper planar space is formed as a space between the first lid member and floor having a depressed planar portion, and the lower wedge shaped space including a second lid member which also functions as the floor of the upper planar space above, with the lower wedged space including a minor plinth on one side and major plinth on the other side where the minor plinth includes recesses shaped and configured to hold at least one tee therein and the major plinth is shaped and configured having at least one recess to hold at least one golf ball therein.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0144] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings:
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Anti-Rotation MemberMid Member 96
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Anti-Rotation MemberFirst End Member 96a
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Anti-Rotation MemberFirst End Member 96b
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Portable Carrier Assembly
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Removing or Installing Elongate Items e.g., Golf Clubs
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Insertion of Elongate Item e.g., Golf Club
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DEFINITIONS
[0227] We prefer to use the term Carrier Assembly rather than golf club bag as the carrier assembly has a rigid case (so it is not a flexible bag) and the clubs are held on the exterior of the case. Carrier Assembly for elongate shaped items is also applicable to the storage and carrying of various sporting implements, e.g. lacrosse sticks, baseball and softball bats, racquets such as tennis racquets, etc.
[0228] It is acknowledged that the term comprise may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaningi.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term comprised or comprising is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process. The terms including and having or having and including, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language).
[0229] For purposes of the description hereinafter, terms upper, up, lower, down, right, left, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, lateral, longitudinal, side, front, rear and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0230] The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a carrier assembly 1 for elongate shaped items 2, implements or equipment having an elongate item or as part of another object, such as for example golf clubs or tennis rackets and methods. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0231] As shown in
[0232] Overall, the shape of the carrier assembly 1 is elongate and substantially trapezoidal (the long sides are slightly curved rather than straight as best seen in
[0233] The golf carrier assembly 1 includes a carrier assembly handle 6 for gripping the carrier assembly, to allow movement thereof e.g., lifting, pushing and pulling. The elongate shaped body of golf carrier assembly 1, includes in use a front face 10 facing a player, a rear face 12, a left side 14, a right side 16, a base 18 and a top 20. The carrier assembly handle 6 is formed as a curved elongate member adjacent to a handle aperture 7, being located at a rear upper end of top 20.
[0234] At least one strap supporting member 8 is slidably, removably and adjustably attached to the rear of the carrier assembly 1 and is designed to be optionally using in combination with the handle 6.
[0235] The distance between the base 18 and top 20 define a height 26 of the golf carrier assembly and the distance between the front side wall 10 and rear side wall 12 defines a depth 30, and the distance between the left side wall 14 and right side wall 16 defines a width 32.
[0236] The height 26 is significantly greater than the width 32 and separately to the depth 30. Height 26 is selected to be similar in height or length 34 of an elongate shaped item 2 e.g., typical golf club 2. The depth 30 is similar in dimension to the width 32 but can be somewhat greater to form an almost rectangular or trapezoid cross sectional shape.
[0237] The orientation of the height 26 thereby defining a vertical plane 40 and at right angles to that plane, there is a horizontal plane 42.
[0238] The elongate shaped body of the golf carrier assembly 1, 56 includes the following interconnected and operatively connected components of: a wall support housing member assembly 46, a floor assembly 48, lid assembly 50, at least one door assembly 52, at least one elongate shaped housing 54 located peripherally of the housing 46 shaped and configured of a volume to house at least one elongate item 2, as part of a portable carrier assembly 56 and/or in the form of a fixed part of the carrier assembly 1. In this example, the housings 54 are provided back-to-back. In the case of the portable carrier assembly 56 though two housings 54 are shown, it envisaged any number of housing 54 can be provided. Other optional accessories can include wheels, a trundler apparatus and a carrier storage system 60.
[0239] The wall support housing assembly 46 as seen in
[0240] The wall support housing assembly 46 is a substantially enclosed structure of predominantly a U shaped base cross section as seen from the top, fabricated and formed from shaped planar members forming walls with a thickness bordered by an outer surface 64 an inner surface 66 thereby configured and supporting having an internal storage cavity for receipt and support of at least part of the carrier storage system 60 therein and wherein the outer surface 64 provides a surface and/or a recess 68 for the location of or is part of at least one elongate shaped housing 54 for removably housing and locating at least one removable elongate item 2 e.g., golf club therein.
Housings
[0241] Elongate shaped housing 54 includes an elongate shaped space 94 shaped and configured of a volume to be able to house when in use at least one elongate item 2 therein and is: [0242] Shaped as part of a separable portable carrier assembly 56 which is designed to be able to be separately attachable or removable from an external recess 68 of outer surface 64 of the wall housing assembly 46 and/or: [0243] Shaped as a fixed part of the outer surface 64 of the side walls 76, 80 of the wall housing assembly 46 and/or: [0244] Used in conjunction with separate clip holders 801 (
[0245] The U shape cross section of the housing assembly 46 has a front opening 71 bordered by side edge pillars 71a.
[0246] The carrier storage system 60 (see
[0247] The U-shaped cross section includes a left side wall 76, rear wall 78 and right-side wall 80. As seen in
[0248] The left and right-side portions 76, 80 are shaped to provide at least one outwardly facing recess 68 shaped, sized and configured to removably or non-removably fixedly receive at least one elongate shaped housing 54 for receipt of at least one elongate item 2 (e.g., golf club) therein.
[0249] As seen in
[0250] Rear support member 62 has a cross section of a planar based member with a central elongate base portion for fixing to the rear wall 78 of wall housing 46 and rounded outwardly protruding edges/curled lip which is shaped and configured top allow removable fixing of accessories such as for example a trundler or wheel assemblies.
[0251] At least one strap supporting member 8 is slidably, removably and adjustably attached to at least one rear support member 62 to provide for holding there around or in providing a pair of spaced slotted apertures for sliding receipt of part of a carry strap there through to allow when in use a user to hold by and/arm/shoulder by itself or in combination with holding the handle 6 to lift or move the carrier assembly 1. Strap supporting member 8 can include an elongate shaped body having upper and lower ends including a planar base 63a and end slotted (two parallel elongate different sized horizontal slots 63b) horizontally oriented apertures protruding outwardly therefrom. The sides of the planar member are shaped to provide side edges 63c with clipping lip 63d to allow the strap supporting member 8 to be removably hand clicked and clipped around the outer side edges of the rear support member 62 to grab or clamp to the post 62. The planar body also includes a vertical aperture 63e of T shaped forming side posts 63f with one post providing mounting means as landings 63g protruding sideways within the aperture 63e for clipping to a strap. Side posts 63f can be formed as outwardly curved elongate members. One could also call the strap supporting member 8, a bracket like member.
[0252] As shown in the figures (e.g.,
[0253] The elongate planar rectangular space 94 is formed including a front outer planar wall 86 separated from a rear inner planar wall 88. The inner planar wall 88 can formed as a separate wall to left & right outer side walls 76, 80 of wall support housing member 46, or it can be formed as the same walli.e., can be dual purpose.
[0254] The enclosed elongate rectangular planar space 94 is subdivided by elongate end side walls 92 extending top to bottom and is subdivided laterally into at least one club habitat or elongate shaped elongate shaped housing 54, whereby each elongate shaped housing 54 is shaped and configured to house at least one elongate item 2 such as for example a golf club 2 therein with one elongate item/golf club head 144 protruding upwardly there from, in a line of single housed parallel oriented clubs.
[0255] Each elongate shaped space 94 as well as being shaped to hold at least one elongate member 2 therein, it must also be of a shape and sized to be able to include at least one, removable mounted anti-rotation member 96 as seen in
[0256] In yet other examples there can be adjacent anti-rotation members 96, single or double facing anti-rotation members 96, or several spaced or not upwardly from each other on a or each side wall 92.
[0257] In the latest preferred option, the anti-rotation members 96 can be located in suitable clip holders 801 (see
[0258] In this example, as seen
[0259] The depth or height of the rear two golf elongate item housing 54 can formed of a greater dimensions to house longer elongate items 2 or clubs which means the elongate shaped item elongate shaped item housing 54 extends into the floor assembly 48 housing and end in a recessed end floor lattice floor panel 98 (e.g., provides a base and useful for drainage of moisture from stored elongate items 2 (e.g., club) or acts as floor vent) and so anti-rotation members 96 can optionally be required here.
[0260] By way of example the housing for golf clubs are 716 mm high (shorter than the shortest club) and on average 40 mm deep and 40 mm wide, though some need to be wider or narrower than others depending upon the club size (and its handle diameter). Club and putter lengths vary but are typically between 890 mm and 1145 mm in length.
[0261] The elongate planar space 94 is formed as a rectangular polygon shaped space whereby rear wall 88, front wall 86 and side end walls 92 are connected to a floor 108 and a roof 110. There is a height 112 between the floor 108 and roof 110, a width 114 between the side end walls 92 and a depth 116 between the rear 88 and front 86 panels. These dimensions can vary depending upon the nature of the elongate items, though it is preferable that the height is just short of the length of each item so that only a portion of the item (i.e. a golf club) protrudes form the top so that it can be easily identified and grabbed to remove it from the housing. The trapezoidal carrier has a rear face of about 280 mm in width, a front face of about 200 mm in width and sloping sides of about 320 mm from rear to front (including part of the L-shaped door when closed) as this allows sufficient for seven housings (two of which are mounted on part of the door).
[0262] The end side walls 92 and the rear inner planar wall 88/left & right outer side walls 76, 80 with the floor 108 and roof 110 are formed in the shape of an end oriented elongate rectangular tubular member having an outer edge, with the front outer planar wall 86 being separately attached to that outer edge and continuously including the roof 110. The end side walls 92, rear inner planar side wall 88, 76, 80, and floor 108 are formed of plastics while the front wall 86 and roof 110 of the carrier assembly 1 or portable carrier 56, is formed of either one piece and/or of multiple strips of flexible deformable material e.g., injection moulded polyurethane like a rubber material.
[0263] Any material for front wall 86 and roof 110 that is functionally able to allow bending, flexing or a parting to allow entry or removal of an object e.g., elongate item, is possible such as for example rubber or a composite plastics and/or rubber material. After entry or removal of the item 2, the material of front wall 86 needs to be able to return to its original relaxed but closed position i.e., for the slit 120 in the front wall 86 and roof 110. This material is preferably soft enough to allow easy insertion and removal of the clubs but still stiff enough to comfortably hold each club in place and provide weather protection for the handle of a club. Note that most clubs have handles of similar width but putters generally have larger diameter handles so some variation in housing size or slit width may be needed to accommodate different clubs or putters.
[0264] Furthermore, the material of the front wall 86 and roof 110 with opening 122 still be of a material that also allows the enclosed item 2 to be retained within the space of housing 54 to not fall out very easily or at all. This material of front wall and roof 110 should also have some degree of water resistance and be able to close the slit 120 to also not allow too much entry of moisture there through to any enclosed areas e.g., 54 or pockets and shelves, will have drainage slots or holes.
[0265] In use, the rectangular polygon shaped space is oriented with its floor 108 located on the base of the recess 68 and/or on top of the floor assembly 48 to be captured within the recess 68 but also to provide an outwardly protruding portion therefrom i.e., the roof 110 and front wall panel 86 are protruding therefrom to allow the golf club head(s) to upwardly protruding there from. As shown in
[0266] The elongate slit shaped opening 120 includes a cut extending completely through the thickness of the front wall panel 86 and roof 110, forming cut sides 124 on each side of the cut whereby a closed configuration is defined as where the cut sides 124 almost meet and an open configuration is where a portion of the sides are spaced from each other.
[0267] As seen in
[0268] Anti-rotation members 96 as seen in
[0269] These anti rotation members 96 can hold one end 140 of the elongate item/club i.e., the club grip/handle 141 in recess 137 and the other end (head 144) in circular slot 122 to reduce or prevent rattling, keep them still to enable easier identification for selection. The bases 136 have the arms 138 as prongs made of a flexible resilient material (e.g., rubber) such that the arms can resiliently spread to accommodate the elongate item/club grips 141 there in or there between in recess 137, to then hold the elongate item secure in the same orientation the elongate item 2 was originally inserted e.g., facing a certain direction like outwardly. Once the elongate item 2 e.g., club is removed from the anti-rotation members 96 the arms spring back to their original at rest shape. There can also be different sized members 96 to suit different elongate items 2. As seen in
[0270] In each space 94 of housing 54 there are at least one anti-rotation member 96, 96b, 96c (e.g.,
[0271] As shown in
[0272] In use, each elongate item 2 (e.g., golf club 2) is shaped as an elongate slender member having ends 140, having a grip 141, a shaft 142 and a club head 144 whereby when playing golf, the club head 144 is said to be the bottom end and the grip 141 can said to be the top end whereas when storing the elongate item 2 it oriented upside down i.e., with the grip 141 located at a lower end and the head 144 at the top. As shown in
[0273] Each anti-rotation member 96 are shaped or configured and mounted to enable item, 2 to easily by hand be pushed and rotated into the gap or space 137 between arms 138 (by resilient and flexibly splaying the arms further apart) to be held there between (by tension and not clipping) the arms 138 minimally at the entrance of the space 137 without needing to be fully enclosed but in some situations the item 2 may be fully inserted in the space 137 between arms to possibly abut the base 136.
[0274] Turning now to
[0275]
[0276] For removing one elongate item 2 (e.g., golf club 2) as seen in
[0277] In summary there is disclosed as shown in
[0283] Preferably the method as given for insertion, is reversed for causing the removal of the elongate item 2 (e.g., a golf club) from the elongate shaped housing 54.
[0284] Preferably the method as given above is adjusted for use with the anti-rotation members 96, 96a, 96b, 96c as removably located on at least one wall 92, 76, 80, 88 at least at a lower end of the housing (as this prevents rotation about the club axis and hence stop clubs from rattling against one another if the housings and hence the club heads are closely spaced) whereby the steps include: [0285] e) Orientate a lower end 140 of an elongate item 2 at an angle to the horizontal in a vertical plane, to point in through at a lower portion of slit opening 120; [0286] f) Then locate said lower end 140 of elongate item 2 to substantially abut the floor 108 or be close to the floor 108 of elongate shaped space 94 of housing 54; [0287] g) Then pivot upwardly about floor 108 or near to the floor 108 whereby the anti-rotation member 96 if engaged will prevent rotation about the axis of the elongate item whereby a lower portion of the elongate item 2 is located into recess 137 of the anti-rotation member 96 by splaying the walls 138 further apart to positively locate a portion of the elongate item 2 therein, [0288] h) Then continue pivoting upwardly of the elongate item 2 about the floor 108 or near to, through slit opening 120 and engagement with the other anti-rotation members 96 until a top portion near top end 140 of the elongate item 2, is located in widened opening 122, to thereby have a upper portion 144 of to be upwardly protruding therefrom and a lower portion removably and resiliently held in the space or recess 137 of the anti-rotation member 96 to then rest on floor 108.
[0289] Removing the elongate item 2 (e.g., golf club) is the same steps but in reverse. The action of first inserting the item 2 may include simultaneous actions of pivoting at or near the floor 108 while being partially inserting in an anti-rotation member 96.
[0290] During this horizontal translation and rotation of the elongate item 2 (e.g., golf club 2) through the elongate slit shaped opening 120, the material of the front and roof is of a material type that allows the sides 124 of the elongate slit shaped opening 120 to start off as the closed configuration (i.e., almost meet) and then flexibly/resiliently/hingedly deflect about a part of the shaft 142, to part or deflect to open inwardly or outwardly in an open configuration to then later automatically return to at least close to their former closed configuration whereby when the elongate item 2 (e.g., golf club 2) is stowed within the elongate shaped space 94, the anti-rotation members 96 resiliently hold the elongate item 2 to keep each elongate item 2 within one elongate shaped space 94.
[0291] As shown in
[0292] Each elongate item or implement (e.g., golf club 2) can be arranged into the club habitats or elongate shaped spaces 94 of the present invention, in any order such as for example from smallest to largest. The club grips 141 are therefore protected from moisture and impact damage, and each elongate shaped spaces 94 may also have optional drainage vents at their base (they were included in the prototype but have since been removed).
[0293] Portable carrier assembly 56 includes a separate portable carrier housing which includes at least one elongate shaped item housing 54 on one side i.e., a front side combined with a support stand apparatus 150 located at its opposite side i.e., rear side, which is shaped for removable latchable storage in external recess 68 of the housing assembly 46. In the case of the portable carrier assembly 56 though two housings 54 are shown, it envisaged any number of housing 54 can be provided as required to be portable which can mean any number of housings 54 that are able to be moved or lifted forming the portability function e.g., two housings 54, three or four housings 54 but is not limited to that number.
[0294] In this example, this portable carrier assembly 56 is designed to allow a player to carry a light weight, free standing portable elongate item 2 (e.g., club) carrier assembly without the need to carry all the elongate items e.g., golf clubsfor example, this portable carrier assembly 56 can carry the putter and wedge, and some accessories like ball marker, pitch repairer and a towel.
[0295] When using terms like front and rear for the portable carrier assembly 56, the front in this case is defined as referring to the outward face of the portable carrier assembly 56 facing a user and a rear is meant to refer to behind the portable carrier assembly 56 i.e., where the support stand apparatus 150 is housed against the side walls 76, 80 of the wall housing 46 of the carrier assembly. This orientation is different to that for the carrier assembly its self as a whole where the front is defined as facing a user or where the doors 300 are located with other relative terms like rear, height, width and sides being oriented accordingly.
[0296] The overall shape of the body of portable carrier assembly 56 is similar to that of the elongate shaped item housing 54 but is thicker in dimension to accommodate and include the support stand apparatus 150. The elongate shaped item housing 54 of this portable carrier assembly 56 includes at least one or two elongate shaped spaces 94 for removable storage for two elongate item 2 (e.g., golf clubs 2) therein (e.g., putter and wedge). Therefore, the overall shape is rectangular cuboid or prism shape having an overall elongate shape being of a similar length to the length of a golf club shaft 142 with its grip 141.
[0297] The elongate shaped item housing 54 like the rest of the elongate shaped item housing 54 as previously disclosed in this specification includes an enclosed accessible structure with an elongate shaped space 94 therein having its own roof 110 with the same widened area or opening 122 connected to its own elongate slit shaped openings 120, which such elongate slit shaped openings 120 from the roof are each connected to its own front wall panel 86 with access internally via any part of elongate slit shaped opening 120 in the roof and front wall panel 86. At least one anti-rotation member 96 is provided by being affixed to the inside of each elongate shaped housing 54 having its arms outwardly protruding from the inner walls of the elongate shaped spaces. For example, the anti-rotation members 96 can be located anywhere in the walls of the housing 54 as required to hold at least a portion of an elongate item 2 such as for example at a lower bottom end of each elongate shaped housing 54 and space 94 commensurate with the position of the grip 141 of the elongate shaped item 2 e.g., a golf club. As shown in
[0298] The connection of the elongate slit shaped openings 120 in the front wall 86 to the elongate slit shaped openings 120 in the roof 110 allow for sliding receipt of one elongate shaped item 2 e.g., a golf club, there through into elongate shaped housing 94 which are then caused to upwardly protruded therefrom to allow the elongate item 2 golf club head(s) 144 to upwardly protruding there from the widened opening 122 in roof 110.
[0299] Support stand apparatus 150 also includes a rear housing 151 being substantially channel shaped for operatively connected together by suitable fastening & rotating means 151a and containing a push/push plate 152, push pull elongate member 154 e.g., rod/wire, trunnion 156 and leg members 162. The push plate 152 is a planar shaped member located at a lower in use end of the housing 46.
[0300] The rear housing 151 which is channel shaped includes a top end 180 separated from bottom end 182 and sides 184, a rear face and rear edge 190. Also, there is a height 192 dimension between ends 180, 182, a depth/thickness 194 dimension between faces and a width 196 dimension between sides.
[0301] Approximately two thirds of the depth 194 is taken up with the elongate shaped item housing 54. In use when portable carrier assembly 56 is attached to the wall support housing member 46, a rear side of apparatus 150 has the support stand apparatus 150 attached thereto. The golf stand apparatus 150 which includes a channel shaped housing 151 contains two leg members 162 end pivoted 164 attached to an upper end of the housing. The leg members 162 are of a dimension and configuration to be able to be rotatable or unfolded out of the housing 151 to form a splayed configuration (see
[0302] In a rear face 158 (facing the recess 68 of carrier assembly 1, with front face) at a top end of the portable carrier assembly 56 as shown in
[0303] Portable carrier assembly 56 includes holding system to allow removable attaching of the portable carrier assembly 56 to the side of the carrier 1 e.g., the rear of at least one of the doors 300 in an outer recess 68 of the carrier housing 49. The latch holding system includes a portable carrier actuator lever handle 178 located in a handle recess 177 in the side of portable carrier assembly 56 operatively connected to a latch 174 on the side of portable carrier assembly 56 whereby lifting the handle 178 causes the portable carrier 56 to disengage from latch 174 from the carrier housing 49. There is also a latch 175 located on a bottom of the recess 68 of the carrier housing, and a handle recess 177 on the front of portable carrier assembly 56. The latch 175 on the bottom of the recess 68 is removably received in a latch recess underneath the push plate 152. Lifting handle 178 in effect causes carrier 56 to pop out from the top of recess 68 to tilt outwardly to allow one to lift the carrier 56 up out of latch engagement at the bottom. To put carrier 56 back into recess 68, position bottom of push plate 152 over latches 175 at base of recess 68 and then tilt back in at the top of carrier 56 using lever handle 178 or simply push back in to click into place with latch 174 at the top.
[0304] The handle recess 177 as seen in
[0305] Push plate 152 is located at the in use bottom/lower or one end of the housing 151, which is a planar shaped rectangular member being pivotally attached along one of its length edges of the front of its housing 151 forming a movable wedge shaped gap 152a there between, and in use having a lower planar surface having a bottom recess 160 mostly at a front edge, for capturing upward tab members 161 as seen in
[0306] The push plate 152 is pivotally by pivot 161 pushed down (gap 152a is formed) when in place in recess 62 of the golf carrier assembly 1 (legs folded in housing with pivot gap at widest extent) and then as the portable carrier assembly 56 is removed from recess 68 so pivots upwardly away from tab members 161 to allow removal of the portable carrier assembly 56 from the golf carrier assembly. When then resting on a substrate, the push plate 152 is pushed down by pivoting about pivot 161 to reduce or remove gap 152a, thereby upwardly pushing the push pull elongate member 154 to then cause the releasing of the leg members 162 to be splayed and support the portable carrier assembly 56 in a rearwardly leaning vertical orientation, about three points i.e., the ends of the leg members 162 and a lower end of the portable carrier assembly 56 body.
[0307] Between the habitats (elongate shaped spaces 94) on part of an inner corner of the housing of the portable carrier assembly 56, there is at least one corner indentation 198 which creates a curved abutting surface that when simultaneously holding handle recess 177, enables users/players fingers to better grab/hold the portable carrier assembly 56.
[0308] The portable carrier assembly 56 operatively bundles together and rotatably connects the components of push/foot plate 152, push pull elongate member 154 e.g., rod/wire and trunnion 156 and trunnion mechanism that when taken out of the carrier assembly 1 and the push plate 152 is depressed by tilting the portable carrier assembly 56 which actuates the extension or unfolded configuration of the (e.g., aluminium) legs 162 to allow the portable carrier assembly 56 to be free standing in a lean-to configuration. When the push plate 152 is un-tilted or allowed spring back down or flop back out (creates the gap 152a to the underside of the portable carrier housing) to cause the legs or arms to fold back as in a folded configuration into the rear housing 151. The rotation connection between the components of the portable carrier assembly 56 as seen more closely in
[0309] The trunnion 156 is operatively connected to the push pull elongate member 154 and legs 162 by a trunnion mechanism. The trunnion 156 is shaped as a three limbed member comprising a central base 156a with angled arms 156b. The trunnion mechanism includes leg end caps 156c, push rod end cap 156d, link arms 156e, (pivot pins 156f and pivot sleeves 156g for the link arms), operatively connected to together.
[0310] The base of the push pull elongate member 154 includes a shape as a T section end member 156h. The T section 156h (used in an upside down configuration) has a round rod shaped head end formed and connected to a round base end whereby the base stem (tubular shaped) end is slotted within (captured by) a lower end of the push pull elongate member 154 and the rounded head end is rotatably housed within a complementary shaped female slot of clip 155.
[0311] Push rod end cap 156d (e.g., white plastic) being a splayed T shape comprises a head portion, arm portions and body or stem portion. Body portion is attached to upper end of push pull elongate member 154 which with the head portion is slottedly guided at least partially within a house tracking slot groove. The arm portions are angled in a splayed like formation having circumferentially grooved ends. The stem portion being tubular captures an upper end of the push pull elongate member 154.
[0312] Each link arm 156e includes a planar elongate member having a stepped shape with parallel fixing ring ends. One ring end of link arm 156e is rotatably affixed to one circumferentially grooved end and the other ring end is rotatably affixed to leg end cap 156c by pivot pin 156f.
[0313] Leg end cap 156c is a tubular shaped member having a closed end with a first tubular inner passageway sized to slidably receive an upper end of one leg 162. The first tubular shaped member also has a second tubular member oriented at right angles to the first tubular member & leg 62 and being connected and fixed on top of but mid-way of the first tubular member. Another pivot pin rotatably interconnects through second tubular member to connect the link arm to the push rod end cap 156d of push pull elongate member 154. The close end of first tub member includes a transverse slot which is oriented similar to second tub member but not quite as it is oriented at an angle to the transverse to match the angle of the splayed angled arms 156b of the trunnion, to rotatably receive therein each angled arm 156b. Central base 156a of the trunnion is affixed to the housing 151.
[0314] The legs 162 are operatively connected by trunnion 156 (as fixed by its base to rear housing 151) to push pull elongate member 154 and push plate 152, whereby movement of the push plate 152 longitudinally pushes the push pull elongate member 154 to transmit its movement from the push plate or push plate 152 linearly through the push pull elongate member 154 from its base in the clip 155 which such linear motion also includes rotational motion of the base of the push rod (i.e., T shaped member 1456h) within the clip 155, to the legs 162.
[0315] The pressure from operating the push plate 152 (closes the gap) is initiated linearly (e.g., vertically) from the push pull elongate member 154 and then translated through the pivot pins and link arms 156e into circular motion via pressure from the trunnion 156 to rotatably activate the legs 162 to splay them apart, by rotating about the trunnion 156. And vice versa whereby tilting the portable carrier assembly 56 when putting back into the golf carrier assembly 1 or just to fold the legs 162, causes the push plate to pivotally rotate about the housing to enlarge the gap to take the push rod down to in turn rotate the legs 162 back into a folded near parallel but spaced configuration.
[0316] The push plate 152 as side pivoted to underneath the bottom end of the portable carrier housing has wedge shaped gap 152a there between which is at its maximum extent when the arms/legs 162 are in the folded configuration as a so-called relaxed position or non-extended, in rear housing 151 and when the arms/legs are in the unfolded configuration or extended with gap 152a as its minimum extent pivoted from and outside of the rear housing.
[0317] When folded the trunnion mechanism, legs 162 and push pull elongate member 154 are substantially housed in housing 151 of the portable carrier assembly 56. Part of the mechanism i.e., the trunnion mechanism 162 will outwardly protrude beyond the thickness of the portable carrier assembly 56 but this protrusion can be accommodated in a trunnion recess 157 as provided in the rear wall at the appropriate position of the outer recess 68 of one of rear of the doors 300.
[0318] The legs 162 can also have guide slots as located within the housing 151 closer to the bottom, which are used when folding the legs back into the housing 151. The legs are shorter in length to the length of the push pull elongate member 154 or are recessed back from the push plate, thereby causing the portable carrier assembly 56 to lean as required.
[0319] The push rod end cap 156d is substantially slidably guided within a separate guide slot in the rear housing and a further slot is provided for receipt of a magnetic towel.
[0320] Push plate 152 in size in area is sized to match the area of the end of the portable carrier assembly 56 with gap 152a when at its largest extent faces rearwardly of the portable carrier assembly 56. Elongate shaped housings 54 and their space 94 of the carrier assembly 1 and or portable carrier assembly 56 can be of different dimensions internally because of the extent of the housing 151 in the rear for longer elongate shaped items e.g., clubs 2.
[0321] Rotating the push plate 152 pushes the rod 154, which pushes and rotates one end of the link arms 156e which by its other end is fixed in position to rotate only about the trunnion 156 to cause the legs 162 to pivotally rotate there about the fixed position trunnion 156.
[0322] The push rod end cap 156d is substantially T shaped having splayed pivoted end connections to the lower end of the link arms 156e and other end is tubular to capture a lower end of the push pull elongate member 154. The pivot clip 155 is a T shape having a stem and head wherein the head is held in position in the push plate 152 but is adapted to allow vertical pivoting in a horizontal plane of the head with respect to the clip 155 while transferring a vertical upward translationary movement to push rod 154 which pushes it.
[0323] The push rod end cap 156d includes one end tubular shaped to capture one end of the push pull elongate member 154 therein and has one angled vertical pivot connection for the upper end of the link arm 156e and a second pivot connection to one side of the trunnion base 156. The push rod end cap 156d provides splayed angled vertical rotation. The link arm 156e provides spaced transfer of angled vertical rotation from the push rod 154 to each top end of each of the arms 162.
[0324] The leg end caps 156c provides angled rotation transferred from each link arm 156e in combination with the angled vertical rotation about the trunnion base 156 in a similar angle of rotation but spaced apart from each other. The push rod end cap 156d provides splayed angled vertical rotation. The rear housing 151 is shaped to substantially house the support stand apparatus 150 in a folded configuration therein.
Carrier Storage System 60see FIGS. 6,8-13, 15-27,29.
[0325] The carrier storage system includes internal storage cavity system which includes upper minor compartment system 72 and lower major compartment system 74, is made up many different forms of storage for a multitude of uses.
[0326] The upper minor compartment system 72 as seen in
[0327] The housing walls 199 of the upper minor compartment 72 are in line with the left and right side walls 76, 80 and rear wall 78 of wall support housing member 46, thereby causing the elongate item or golf club housing member 54 to protrude outwardly therefrom to enable the heads of each elongate item 2 e.g., golf club, to upwardly protrude there form the carrier assembly 1for example see
[0328] The overall shape of the carrier assembly including the upper minor compartment system 72 and lower major compartment system 74, means that the handle 6 does not protrude beyond the rear wall and is angled or sloped in the same angled plane as the angle of the upper lid 200.
[0329] As can be seen in the figures, the upper minor compartment system 72 is overall shaped as a wedge shaped storage volume space having a sloping upper outer surface from rear face 12 to the front face 10.
[0330] The first upper compartment 202 (see
[0331] The second upper compartment 206 is located immediately below the first upper compartment 202 such that the base member 210 of the first upper compartment 202 forms the second lid 204 of the second upper compartment 206. As seen in
[0332] One side wall 222 includes a plinth 240 extending between the rear wall 232 and front wall 234 taking up enough space for in line downward spaced cylindrical recesses 238 there in for removable receipt (friction fitted) of tee members 244 therein. The other side wall 230 includes a larger plinth 242 between the rear wall 232 to the front wall 234, have in line side opening slots 246 for receipt of golf balls (being a width commensurate with a golf ball diameter) there in in an end to downwardly abutting line downwardly in each slot 246. There is a space between the plinths 240, 242 formed as two storage pockets 250 (e.g., rear and front pocket of approximate trapezoidal shape) having a width dimension between plinths 240, 242, for the storage of pocket items. Rear wall 232 has a flexible or elasticated net structure 254 being corner affixed by clips 256 but spaced there from to inner surface 228 forming a generally planar storage space there between for suitable objects. At the bottom of net 254 there is a net clip[s 256. Plinth 240 is smaller in width than plinth 242 which together are much smaller in the width of the pockets 250.
[0333] The lower major compartment system 74 is a centralised storage system for storing part of carrier storage system 60 as shown in
[0334] Following is one option of carrier assembly 1, 56 without the use of anti-rotation members which includes an elongate shaped body for holding or storing at least one elongate shaped item 2 (e.g., golf club) being in use oriented in an upright orientation. The elongate shaped body includes a wall support housing assembly 46 which includes side walls 76, 80 having a thickness between an inner surface 66 and outer surface 64 having an upper end and lower end which includes a floor assembly 48, and the side walls 76, 80 having a shape defining an internal side storage cavity there between and connectively to an outside of the side walls 76, 80. This carrier assembly includes at least one elongate shaped housing 54 in the form of an elongate shaped space 94 having a front wall 86, rear wall 76, 80, 88 side walls 92, a floor 108 shaped and configured of a volume to be able to house when in use at least one elongate item 2 therein. The front wall 86 comprising a planar member including at least one elongate slit shaped opening 120 extending continuously from at least part of the front wall 86 and the space 94 configured to removably receive a portion of the elongate shaped item 2 to be able to hold the elongate item therein. The at least one elongate item 2 is horizontally and rotationally insertable or removable from the elongate shaped space 94 through the elongate slit shaped opening 120 which flexibly parts temporally to allow this insertion and to allow for the elongate item 2 to be removably held vertically therein. The said internal side there between the housing 46, side walls 76, 80 is an internal storage space which includes an upper minor storage space and a lower major storage space wherein the upper minor storage space includes an upper planar space and a lower wedge-shaped space, and the lower major storage space includes at least one shelf accessed by at least one door. The opening 122 in the roof 110 assists in holding the elongate item within the space 94 of each housing 54 with or without the anti-rotation members. Furthermore, this option can also include yet another option of the carriers 1, 56, without the upper and lower storage areas.
[0335] The door assembly 52 includes at least one door 300 located at the front face 10 of the golf carrier assembly 1, elongate side hinge 302 and door storage. In this example, there are two doors 300 each being formed of an elongate body shape having an approximate L shaped cross section and each hinged by their own elongate vertical side hinge 302 to the housing assembly 46.
[0336] The elongate body of each door 300 has a shape that includes a top end edge 310, a bottom end edge 312 forming a height distance there between, a hinge side edge 314 and a non-hinged side edge 316, whereby the elongate body has an outer surface 320 and inner surface 322. The L cross section having hinge arm portion 326 and distal arm portion 328, forms an inner space 332 between the arm portions 326, 328 for mounting the door storage there between. Hinge side edge 314 is attached by side hinge 302 to one side pillar 71a of each side of opening 71.
[0337] Door assembly 52 includes a door latching mechanism including in this example an operating pivoting lever member 318 is located in a recess 319 in one door 300 and lever landing member 324 in another recess 325 in the other door 300 whereby the lever 318 is articulated (has an articulated folded arm underneath) is end pivoted or hinged on or near the door edge and is hinged to be extendable across to the landing member 324 to lock the doors 300 together. One door has the pivoting lever member 318 having a distal latch end and the other door 300 which lever landing member 324 having a latch in such a combined configuration which when closing the doors, this enables the pivoting lever member 318 to be extended by the articulated arm to extend its latch over to the latch or hook over of the lever landing member 324 to latch or interlock together and then fold the lever and arm together, whereby when the doors 300 are to be opened, the pivoting lever member 318 is levered to rotate out of latching engagement extending the lever and arm, to the open the doors.
[0338] Door storage includes door pockets 336 which comprise open pockets having a recessed front wall e.g., there are four door pockets 336 oriented vertically spaced therefrom each other on each inner surface 322.
[0339] On the outer surface 320 of one door 300 there is located part of the elongate shaped item housing 54 as a non-removable part of the golf carrier assembly and on the outer surface 320 of the other door 300, there is the outer recess 68 which is adapted and configured to removably receive the removable housing of portable carrier assembly 56.
[0340] Side hinge 302 as see in
[0341] The use of the door(s) 300 with pockets 336and not zips, aims to provide further storage which is both easier to view and easier to access all stowed gear. Another big advantage of these doors 300 is that they can be centrally opened, secured and lockedsee item 450 in
[0342] The lower major compartment system 74 for storing part of carrier storage system 60 includes another part of the carrier storage system 60, as shown in
[0343] The floor housing 48 which provides both a floor as a base for lower compartment system 74 and a roof the floor assembly 48 extends or protrudes beyond the front of the storage cavity having shelves which enables the doors 300 with their own storage system to close and be outwardly flush with the protruding front end of the floor or roof of the floor assembly 48.
[0344] In yet another embodiment as related the invention can include a carrier assembly 1, 56 which is an elongate shaped body for holding or storing at least one elongate shaped item being in use oriented in an upright orientation. The elongate shaped body includes a wall support housing assembly 46 which includes side walls 76, 80 having a thickness between an inner surface 66 and outer surface 64 having an upper end and lower end which includes a floor assembly 48.
[0345] The side walls 76, 80 have a shape defining an internal side storage cavity there between and connectively to an outside of the side walls 76, 80 includes at least one elongate shaped housing 54 in the form of an elongate shaped space 94 having a front wall 86, side walls 92, a floor 108 and the front wall 86 comprising a planar member including at least one elongate slit shaped opening 120 extending continuously from at least part of the front wall 86.
[0346] The space 94 is configured to removably receive a portion of the elongate shaped item to be able to hold the elongate item therein. The at least one elongate item is horizontally and rotationally insertable or removable from the elongate shaped space 94 through the elongate slit shaped opening 120 which flexibly parts temporally to allow this insertion and to allow for the elongate item to be removably held vertically therein.
[0347] The said internal side there between the housing 46, side walls 76, 80 is an internal storage space which includes an upper minor storage space and a lower major storage space wherein the upper minor storage space includes an upper planar space and a lower wedge shaped space and the lower major storage space includes at least one shelf accessed by at least one door.
Floor Assembly 48 FIGS. 1-3, 5-7
[0348] Floor assembly 48 includes a planar shaped box like housing oriented generally in a horizontal plane, including roof member 358 supported and connected by support walls 359 and a floor 360 to form a fully enclosed housing space therein in the shape of a U with side outwardly directed wing portions 361. Floor 360 is a planar shaped member in use abutting the substrate 4. Roof member 358 comprises a planar member extending beyond the walls 359 to form a peripheral overhang strip in a U shape. The wing portions 361 are recessed enclosed spaces volume connected upwardly to some of the rear elongate shaped spaces 94 (i.e., two on each side) to allow for longer elongate items 2 or golf clubs to be locked downwardly therein.
[0349] The floor assembly 48 is sized in area and depth to fit into a back of a golf cart to allow it to be located and then strapped into place.
[0350] In the overhang portion of the roof 358 there is also provided an elongate bottom handle recess 364. Support walls 360 include a wheel housing recessed space 362 to allow at least a portion of first rotating apparatus 366 (e.g., at least one front wheel) of the trundler apparatus 58, to be at least partially housed therein and be able to rotate there through to be ready for use.
[0351] The end of the walls 359 meet the floor 360 to cause the floor 360 to be recessed inwardly therefrom e.g., 2-3 mm. The overhang also includes a bottom/floor 356/108 of the lower storage 70, 68 above and of elongate shaped item housing 54 being peripherally located there around.
Accessories
[0352] Twist locks 708 (see
[0353] Other accessories include motive means including wheeled assemblies and a trundler apparatus which can include its own separate carrier assembly with shoulder strap(s). Further optional accessories include a wet weather canvas bag, lunch box, umbrellas, canvas or leather hat for the carrier and towels, pitch repair kits, water bottles, and extra handles, straps and hooks for removable attachment to the rear of the carrier, to allow removable attachment to a golf cart, trundler and for carrying and removable attachment of the accessories (e.g. back pack) via hooks on the bracket attached to the rear of the carrier. By placing housings on the exterior sides of the carrier assembly the golf clubs can readily be removed from the carrier assembly whether it is free standing or supported on or in a trundler.
[0354] The apparatus also includes a portable device holder socket 720 for removable attachment of a mobile phone or camera holder. The socket can be placed anywhere convenient on the assembly 1, e.g., behind and below handle 6 but above the support member 62 see
[0355] Yet other options include providing lighting e.g., led's which can be fixed and/or portable and in removable portions useful a torch.
Parts Schedule
[0356] Feature Number [0357] Golf carrier assembly 1 [0358] Elongate shaped body 1a. [0359] Golf club 2 [0360] Substrate 4 [0361] Carrier handle 6 [0362] Handle aperture 7 [0363] Strap supporting member 8 [0364] Front face 10 [0365] Rear face 12 [0366] Left side 14 [0367] Right side 16 [0368] Base 18 [0369] Top 20 [0370] Height 26 [0371] Depth 30 [0372] Width 32 [0373] Length 34 [0374] Vertical plane 40 [0375] Horizontal plane 42 [0376] Wall support housing member 46 [0377] Floor assembly 48 [0378] Lid assembly 50 [0379] Door assembly 52 [0380] Elongate shaped item housing 54 [0381] Portable carrier assembly 56 [0382] Carrier storage system 60
Wall Support Housing Assembly 46
[0383] Rear support member 62 [0384] Strap Bracket 8 [0385] Planar base 63a [0386] Horizontal slots 63b [0387] Side edges 63c [0388] Lip 63d [0389] Vertical aperture 63e [0390] Side posts 63f [0391] Landings 63g [0392] Outer surface 64 [0393] Inner surface 66 [0394] External recess 68 (for portable carrier assembly 56) [0395] Internal storage cavity 70 [0396] Front opening 71 [0397] Side edge pillars 71a [0398] Upper minor compartment system 72 [0399] Lower major compartment system 74 [0400] Left side wall 76 [0401] Rear wall 78 [0402] Right side wall 80
Elongate Shaped Housing 54
[0403] Outer planar front wall 86 (e.g., rubber) [0404] Rear inner planar wall 88 [0405] End side walls 92 [0406] Elongate shaped space 94 [0407] Anti-rotation membermid member 96 [0408] Anti-rotation memberfirst end member 96a [0409] Anti-rotation membersecond end member 96b [0410] Anti-rotation spacer member 96c [0411] Lattice Floor panel 98 [0412] Floor 108 [0413] Roof 110 [0414] Height 112 [0415] Width 114 [0416] Depth 116 [0417] Elongate slit shaped opening 120 [0418] Circular aperture 122 [0419] Cut sides 124 [0420] Tongue edge 126 [0421] Slotted edge 128 [0422] Base 136, recess 137 and Arms 138 (of anti-rotation members 96) [0423] T base 136a, bridge 136b [0424] Golf Club [0425] Ends 140 [0426] Grip 141, a shaft 142 and a club head 144 [0427] Angle of rotation of a golf club with respect to the horizontal and vertical planes 147
Portable Carrier Assembly 56
[0428] Support stand apparatus 150 [0429] Rear Housing 151 [0430] Wedge shaped gap 152a [0431] Push plate 152 [0432] Gripping means 153 [0433] Push pull elongate member 154 [0434] Push rod holding clip 155 [0435] Trunnion 156 [0436] Rotation R1 [0437] Rotation R2 [0438] Rotation R3 [0439] Rotation R4 [0440] Trunnion recess 157
Trunnion Mechanism
[0441] Central base 156a [0442] Angled arms 156b [0443] Leg end caps 156c [0444] Push rod end cap 156d [0445] Link arms 156e [0446] Pivot pins 156f [0447] Pivot sleeves 156g [0448] T section end member 156h [0449] Front face 158 [0450] Rear face 159 [0451] Push plate recess 160 [0452] Push plate pivot 161 [0453] Tab members 161 [0454] Leg members 162 [0455] End pivot 164 [0456] Storage box 166 [0457] Camera mounting 167 [0458] Pleated magnetic towel [0459] Towel recess 170 [0460] Holding system [0461] Latch 174 [0462] Handle recess 177 [0463] Handle latch 178 [0464] Indentation 198 this is not in
Upper Minor Compartment System 72
[0465] Housing walls 199 [0466] First lid 200 [0467] First upper compartment 202 [0468] Second lid 204 [0469] Second upper compartment 206. [0470] Planar space 208 [0471] Lower end tab portion 209 [0472] Base member 210 [0473] Side walls 212 [0474] Score card clip 214 [0475] Writing implement storage groove 216 [0476] Front slot 217 [0477] End lip 218 [0478] Friction (soft close) hinge 220 [0479] Enclosure volumetric space 222 [0480] Compartment floor 224 [0481] Inner surface 228 [0482] Side walls 230, rear wall 232 and front wall 234 [0483] Plinth 240 [0484] Spaced cylindrical recesses 238 [0485] Tee members 244 therein [0486] Larger plinth 242 [0487] Side opening slots 246 [0488] Storage pockets 250 [0489] Flexible or elasticated net structure 254 [0490] Net fixing clips 256
Roof 260 (Lower Major Compartment)
[0491] Door 300 [0492] Elongate side hinge 302 [0493] Leaves 304, [0494] Knuckle 306 [0495] Hinge pin 308 [0496] Top end edge 310, Bottom end edge 312 [0497] Door hinge side edge 314 [0498] Door non hinged side edge 316 [0499] Pivoting lever door handle 318 [0500] Lever recess 319 [0501] Outer surface 320 [0502] Inner surface 322 [0503] Lever landing member 324 [0504] Landing recess 325 [0505] Hinge arm portion 326 and distal arm portion 328 [0506] Inner space 332 [0507] Door pockets 336 [0508] Door opening constraint mechanism 340 [0509] Fixed shelves 342 [0510] Sliding tray members 344 [0511] Peripheral wall 346 [0512] Drainage outlets 350 [0513] Fixing holes 352 [0514] Floor 356 (roof of floor assembly 358).
Floor Assembly 52 FIGS. 1-3, 5-7
[0515] Roof member 358 [0516] Walls 359 [0517] Floor 360 [0518] Wing portion 361 [0519] Wheel housing space 362 [0520] L slots 363 [0521] Handle recess 364 [0522] Circular spaced elongate slit shaped drainage openings 365 [0523] Twist locks 708 [0524] Cup holder 710 [0525] Umbrella holder 712 [0526] Female part 714 [0527] Male part 716 [0528] Portable device holder socket 720
Optional Advantages
[0529] a) Carrier assembly and/or portable carrier are each able to be carried [0530] b) Carrier assembly and portable carrier assembly are compact design [0531] c) Carrier assembly and portable carrier assembly are self-supporting [0532] d) Carrier assembly and portable carrier assembly are easy to use [0533] e) Carrier assembly and portable carrier assembly have a degree of waterproofness [0534] f) Simple construction and portable [0535] g) Multi-functional golf carrier [0536] h) Pleasing sleek appearance [0537] i) Ergonomic and anthropometric design [0538] j) Reduced rattling of golf clubs [0539] k) All space economically used [0540] l) Little need for golf club head covers [0541] m) Has storage pockets, housings, shelves, trays or drawers [0542] n) Structurally designed [0543] o) Has multi use rear spine [0544] p) Lockable and secure [0545] q) Compact shape [0546] r) Easy to find clubs [0547] s) Has a valuables drawer/tray [0548] t) Has shelves with shelf drainage [0549] u) Includes weather protection [0550] v) Golf ball and tee storage [0551] w) Central storage area [0552] x) Upper storage area [0553] y) Individual club anti-rotation members [0554] z) No parts to rust and is waterproof [0555] aa) Separate storage area at top of carrier assembly which can be fixed or portable [0556] bb) Accessible separate central inner storage area [0557] cc) Handle and strap combinations can be used to lift and move the assembly [0558] dd) Spine useful for strength and holding accessories [0559] ee) Golf clubs are separately peripherally stored [0560] ff) Able to cope with wet weather by not being wettable, the handles are kept dry within the housings as they are protected by the flexible outer cover on each housing. [0561] gg) Able to cope with wet weather by having drainage exits [0562] hh) Clubs do not move around, are removably affixed and easy identification [0563] ii) Don't always need to strap to a golf cart it can include a detachable golf trundler [0564] jj) Peripheral club storage makes it easier to see and retrieve/insert the right club [0565] kk Can be attached to back of electric golf cart with small back strap [0566] ll) Can include electronic connectivity [0567] mm) Can include a separable folding trundler [0568] nn) Includes a separable folding trundler [0569] oo) Two symmetrically hinged doors [0570] pp) Golf clubs able to be held in place by anti-rotation members [0571] qq) Clubs able to be removed substantially horizontally from the carrier [0572] rr) Can include travel console, phone and drinks holder [0573] ss) Has umbrella storage means [0574] tt) Can include means for wireless or wire connection [0575] uu) Can include portable power storage and solar or electric charging [0576] vv) Club elongate shaped spaces that have base drainage [0577] ww) Has a shoulder sling, elastic pockets [0578] xx) Carrier assembly has top handle and straps removably connected to spine [0579] yy) Towels, brush, markers, pitch repair can be removably stored [0580] zz) Optional accessories include a hood, food chiller bag, club covers, backpack [0581] aaa) Light weight portable free standing portable carrier assembly suitable for putter and wedge with accessories
Variations
[0582] Throughout the description of this specification, the word comprise and variations of that word such as comprising and comprises, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
[0583] The anti-rotation member 96 are formed of a flexible but resilient material (e.g., rubber, plastics or similar) to allow repeated flexing, holding or gripping and automatic return to original shape. Though the gripping is not by clipping, this action of clipping may be combined if needed. The combination of the elongate item 2 being held by anti-rotation members 96, resting on the floor 108 of the housing 54 and poking upwardly through the hole 122 serves to provide suitable restraint to the elongate item to hold it therein and significantly reduce any so-called rattling. Each space 94 as a volume is bigger than the space to be taken up by the elongate item 2 and the anti-rotation members 96 to allow insertion, removal and holding therein.
[0584] The front wall 86 of housing 54 is formed of a flexible material to allow repeated flexing and return to original shape.
[0585] The housing of the carrier assembly land portable carrier assembly 56 are formed of a polymer composite material suitable to allow moulding to shape, have some degree of water resistance and impact resistance for everyday use of elongate items being inserted and retrieved and movement during transport. In yet other options the housing can be formed of a textile or fabric with any joints being formed and joined or connected with threading, zipping, adhesive or heat.
[0586] The polymer composite is a multi-phase material in which reinforcing fillers are integrated with a polymer matrix, resulting in synergistic mechanical properties that cannot be achieved from either component alone.
[0587] In another option, the minor upper storage can be formed as either as an integral portion of the entire housing 46 or as in another option, can be formed a removable portion. The carrier 1 and carrier assembly 56 can be formed of any suitable material that at least has some water resistance. The shape of the anti-rotation members 96 need not be strictly as shown in the figures i.e., the shape of the channel, space and arms 138 can be varied to suit particular shape and size of the elongate items 2 to be held there in-see
[0588] A trundler apparatus can be formed to be detachable from rear of the golf carrier and there can be a smaller version comprising retractable wheels at base.
[0589] Portable carrier assembly 56 is portable and is able to be free standing by splaying the legs 162 out of the support stand apparatus 150, which means a golfer does not need to carry all the clubs and so can easily remove just any two clubs e.g., a putter and a wedge. Also reduces need to pick up clubs on the ground or losing single clubs. Portable carrier assembly 56 is also very easy to remove from the carrier having a quick release feature.
[0590] As shown in the figures (e.g.,
[0591] The lower major compartment system 74 for storing as part of carrier storage system 60 is a centralised storage system comprising movable and adjustable shelves in both vertical and horizontal directions which serves to create well organized, easy to view and manage, walk-in wardrobe style space for the storage of player equipment which is much easier to use than the standard handbag method style with zipped side compartments use of all golf bags. These shelves or horizontal spaces of the present invention are much easier to use, making management (e.g., can have separate shelves for valuables, wet gear, food, drinks etc) and retrieval so much easier, with venting and drainage holes for better use under all weathers.
[0592] Any number and shape of shelves, drawers and/or trays which can be fixed adjustable or replaceable, are possible. In this example the shelf can include tray(s) or drawer(s) being fixed or movable thereby in this example providing five horizontal vertically spaced spaces and the door storage providing say four vertically spaced pockets 336.
[0593] The door(s) 300 are one example of a means to access the lower major compartment system 74, with different forms of movable attachment (e.g., elongate hinges, butt hinges, ball bearing hinges, barrel hinges, concealed hinges, knife hinge, piano hinges, pivot hinges, living hinge etc) to the housing, whereas other means are possible with or without the door pockets 336, such as for example a simple flap, curtain, roller blind (vertical or horizontal), folding flap, bifold etc.
[0594] Side walls 92 as located within space 94 of housing 54 though shown as being a continuous elongate walls, can also be formed as spaced wall portions providing at least one space, gap or aperture there between (see
[0595] One option for removably holding each elongate item 2 in the carrier or portable carrier assemblies could even be without the use of the anti-rotation members 96 (see fifth aspect and claim 5) and also in another option without the upper and lower storage areas, whereby by each elongate item 2 e.g., club is held in place by the narrowness of the space 94 in each housing 54 and the size/diameter of opening/hole 122 in the roof 110 of the rubber as extending from the front wall 86.
[0596] It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.
[0597] Push plate 152 and push rod members 154 of the portable carrier assembly 56 can be formed of similar materials and be of similar shape e.g., aluminium tubular members but equally other materials and combinations are also possible like plastic, steel or sold members, square cross section etc. The size, spacing and number of anti-rotation members 96, 96a, 96b 96c can be varied to suit the size of elongate member 2 and/or the housings 54. There can be for example no anti-rotation members or simply one or more on any wall 92, 76, 80, 88 as required.
[0598] It will also be understood that where a product, method or process as herein described or claimed and that is sold incomplete, as individual components, or as a kit of Parts, that such exploitation will fall within the ambit of the invention.
[0599] These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the method of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economics of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.
[0600] All or at least some of the components of the carrier assembly and/or portable carrier assembly can be or are to some degree at least water resistant, though is some instances water proof-ness may be achieved. Drainage vents or holes of any suitable shape and pattern, can be provided in any part or component such as the door pockets, trays, shelves, drawers and space 94 of housings 54.
[0601]
[0602] It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.