DEVICES FOR GOLF BAG SUPPORTS
Provided herein are devices for enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of golf bag supports and golf bag systems. Devices can comprise an elongated body having an axial cavity capable of accepting a leg of a golf bag support and attachment means capable of securably maintaining the axial cavity in a mated position with the leg. Devices can further comprise aesthetic and function elements and contours.
The sport of golf is a major professional and recreational activity. Millions of people play the sport on a regular basis in the United States alone. Individual players often desire to distinguish themselves from other golfers by their attire as well as by their quality of play. Many golfers enjoy displaying brands and various insignia on specialized golf clothing and equipment, including hats, shirts, golf bags, and club covers. However, other avenues of display are desired by golfers and advertisers. More versatile display forms are also desired.
Further, the golfing industry is becoming increasingly ripe with new equipment and accouterment which standard golf bags may be unable to accommodate. In some circumstances, golfers must occasionally or routinely change golf bags for various reasons such as advertising and endorsement requirements. The constant transfer of equipment and accouterment between bags can waste precious time that could otherwise be spent on the golfing greens, and can cause items to be misplaced and force a golfer to brave the greens without essentials.
SUMMARYIn general, this disclosure describes techniques for enhancing one or more legs of a golf bag support device. In particular, this disclosure describes techniques for enhancing golf bag support devices by increasing aesthetic and functional values thereof. It should be noted that although the techniques of this disclosure are described with respect to examples for golf bag support devices, the techniques described herein are generally applicable to all manner of luggage and support devices therefore.
A device for a golf bag support can include an elongated body comprising an outer surface and an axial cavity capable of accepting a leg of a golf bag support; and an attachment means capable of securably maintaining the axial cavity in a mated position with the leg, wherein axial cavity defines an inner surface and the device increases the outer surface area of the leg. The device can include one or more of aesthetic and functional elements.
A golf bag can comprise a container to receive golf clubs therein and a stand connected to the container. The stand can include at least two legs moveable between a stand position and a retracted position. The golf bag can further comprise at least one device attached to either leg, each of the at least one device including an elongated body comprising an outer surface axial cavity capable of accepting one of the legs and an attachment means capable of securably maintaining the axial cavity in a mated position with the leg. The device can include one or more of aesthetic and functional elements.
The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.
The present invention is described with reference to the attached figures, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not drawn to scale and they are provided merely to illustrate the invention. Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide an understanding of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. The present invention is not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.
Golf bag support 100 further comprises support bars 112 which restrict the motion of the one or more legs 110 and connect thereto at one or more knuckles 115 (e.g., connections, joints, etc.). One or more legs 110 can be capable of moving from a deployed position (shown) to a compact position (not shown), such movement often being facilitated by a knuckle 115 which is jointed or movable along a leg 110. One or more legs 110 can each comprise a base 111 to provide surface gripping or to allow a leg 110 end to contiguously orient against a surface in a substantially vertical position without penetrating or damaging the surface. In some embodiments a base 111 has a smaller diameter than the leg 110, a substantially similar diameter as the leg 110, or a larger diameter than the leg 110. In some embodiments the base 111 is part of the leg 110 and may simply embody the end of the leg 110.
Outer surface 201 can comprise an outer material coating different from the main leg enhancer 200 material of construction, or an outer sheath. For example, outer surface can comprise a shrink-wrapped layer capable of serving functional (e.g., water proofing) or aesthetic purposes. Outer surface 201 can be air-inflated. Outer surface can comprise a zipper or sealable access means. The outer surface 201 can be a single layer or single construction material of the leg enhancer 200.
A leg enhancer 200 generally attaches to a golf bag support leg 110. Leg enhancer 200 can attach to a leg 110 spaced above a leg base 111, proximate or contiguous with a leg base 111, or extended down past the leg base 111. A leg enhancer 200 can have an axial length appropriate for its use. For example, a leg enhancer axial length can be sized to fit the length of a senior sized golf bag support leg, or sized to fit the length of a junior sized golf bag support leg. A leg enhancer axial length can be determined to fit any given leg length.
Similar advantages are realized by golf experience providers (e.g., corporate sponsors, tournament sponsors, golf course owners, golf clubs, etc.). A golf experience provider can supply golf bag supports to golfers, and maintain on the provided supports aesthetic facings 210, such as an organization or sponsor logo, and/or functional elements 220 such as GPS trackers. By utilizing embodiments of the leg enhancers 200 provided herein, a golf experience provider is thus immediately able to advance several objectives including promoting personal or sponsorship brands, and preventing theft of organizational equipment by rogue golf participants.
Leg enhancers in many embodiments can be installed on a leg 110 simply by sliding the leg 110 into the axial cavity 205. When such installation is not possible due to leg 110 and leg enhancer 200 dimensions, design, and/or materials of construction or attachment means (e.g., two-sided tape applied to the inner surface 204, or leg 110), embodiments can include an axial slit 209 which extends partially or fully between the inner surface 204 and the outer surface 201. Axial slit 209 enables ready installation of a leg enhancer and can accommodate to various leg 110 designs. For example, a leg enhancer 300 can include an axial slit 209 when a leg 100 includes a base 111 and the base 111 diameter exceeds the actual or maximum variable axial cavity diameter 206. Axial slit 209 can allow a portion of a leg 110 to remain exposed when a leg enhancer 300 is installed thereon. Axial slit 209 may further allow for a leg enhancer 300 to be installed on a leg 100 without interfering with support bar 112 or knuckle 115.
Leg enhancers can comprise one or more axial slits, wherein any of the axial slits are capable of receiving a sign, card, or planar structure. For example, an axial slit can receive a score card such that the plane of the card extends radially outward from the leg enhancer. The axial slit can also receive a planar structure such that the plane of the structure is parallel with a cross section of the leg enhancer. Planar structures can include score cards, advertising material, decorative elements, and the like.
Washing elements such as the water dispensing gun 565 and cavity 560 can be in fluid communication via a tube. A tube can comprise a flexible or inflexible pipe, tube, or the like. Tube 581 can connect the washing elements such as the water dispending gun 565 to an external water source located, for example, in a golf bag pocket 120. Water dispensing element can be used in combination with brush 566 to clean golf clubs, golf balls, golf cleats, and other equipment.
Leg enhancer 200 can comprise one or more accessory clips 570 for holding beverages, golf balls, golf clubs, alignment sticks, pencils or dry erase markers, and the like. A golf bag is often carried on a golfer's back, and accessory clips 570 provide the golfer ready access to accessories without having to set the golf back down. For example, a golfer can access a water bottle held by an accessory clip 570 while walking. Clip 570 can be configured to hold a cell phone for viewing, charging or general storage. Such a configuration can be considered a cell phone dock.
Outer accessory pocket 590 can be used to hold all manner of accessories. Accessory pocket 590 can have a transparent outer surface such that items held within can be visible. For example, an accessory pocket can be used to display a golfer's personal information, a sponsored message, or the like. Such an accessory allows a golfer's equipment to be readily customized and personalized based on organization affiliations, sponsorship agreements, and event rules.
Embodiments of leg enhancers provided herein can comprise any material of construction as would be deemed practicable by one of skill in the art after review of this disclosure. For example, a leg enhancer can comprise polyethylene, plastic, polyurethane, or foam and be manufactured by injection molding. Leg enhancers can comprise metal, wood, and the like. Leg enhancers can also comprise, for example, polyethylene and be manufactured by extrusion. All embodiments can further comprise outer coatings or sheaths, which can comprise screen printed inks, plastics, cloth, shrink-wrap plastics, polyethylene, polyurethane, and the like.
Claims
1. A leg enhancer device for a golf bag support, the device comprising: wherein axial cavity defines an inner surface and the device increases the outer surface area of the leg.
- an elongated body comprising an outer surface and an axial cavity capable of accepting a leg of a golf bag support; and
- an attachment means capable of securably maintaining the axial cavity in a mated position with the leg,
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an axial side slit.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the axial cavity is not axially centered on a cross section of the device.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the inner surface of the axial cavity is continuous with the outer surface of the body.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a non-circular outer cross section.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the cross sectional diameter of the device varies axially.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an accessory clip.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mimicking outer contour.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises one or more of adhesive tape, Velcro, one or more snaps, one or more hinges, one or more clasps, cord, one or more holes, tension between a leg and the device inner surface, and contact between the device and a foot of the leg.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein a material of construction comprises one or more of polyethylene, extruded polyethylene, polyurethane, cloth, wood, metal, or foam.
11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an outer sheath.
12. The device of claim 1, further comprising indicator lights.
13. The device of claim 1 further comprising a washing system, including one or more of a brush, and a cavity capable of containing water and in fluid communication with a water dispensing gun via a tube.
14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a display screen.
15. The device of claim 1 further comprising aesthetic facing.
16. The device of claim 1 further comprising an internal or external accessory cavity.
17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cell phone dock.
18. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface comprises a plurality of faces.
19. A golf bag, comprising:
- a container to receive golf clubs therein;
- a stand connected to the container, the stand including at least two legs moveable between a stand position and a retracted position;
- at least one leg enhancer device attached to either leg, each of the at least one device including: an elongated body comprising an outer surface axial cavity capable of accepting one of the legs; and an attachment means capable of securably maintaining the axial cavity in a mated position with the leg.
20. The golf bag of claim 17, wherein the device attachment means connects to at least one of a foot or a knuckle of at least one of the legs.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 6, 2014
Publication Date: Dec 11, 2014
Inventor: Randal W. High (Cotton, MN)
Application Number: 14/298,501
International Classification: A63B 55/04 (20060101);