GOLF CART ACCESSORY

Abstract

A golf cart accessory in the form of a flexible woven ballistic fabric tote bag with a zippered top and a rearwardly offset strap, the attachment points of which to the tote are spaced apart by approximately the same distance as the distance between the vertical portions of a seatside-assist handle on a golf cart, whereby the strap may be looped over the golf cart seatside-assist handle to provide auxiliary storage for personal items without taking up space in the passenger compartment of the golf cart. The strap is preferably adjustable in length so that the tote may also be carried on the shoulder of the user. A small zippered case is tethered to the tote near one end of the zipper path.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to golf cart accessories and more particularly to a personal tote which is especially adapted to be hung from the seatside assist handle of a conventional golf cart.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf players on both public and private courses tend to favor the use of electric and gas-powered carts to convey them and their golf equipment around the course. Since the typical 18-hole golf course often measures nearly 4 miles in length, the use of a cart conserves the golfer's energy and saves time.

Golfers often want or need more equipment during the golf round than can be conveniently located in the storage facilities associated with the typical conventional golf cart. For example, the golfer may wish to carry additional clothing to deal with weather contingencies as well as personal items such as purses, mobile telephones and the like. In addition, it is common to remove head covers during play, and they are often lost as a result of placing them in unsecure locations; e.g., they are often stuffed into crevices or into the top of the club bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convenient and elegant solution to the golfer's storage problems by providing a storage bag or “tote” that can be carried by the golfer as well as easily attached to a golf cart. The tote of the present invention comprises a generally rectangular body of durable, water resistant material such as a woven ballistic polymer such as nylon or polyester defining a top, a bottom, opposed end panels and front and rear major side panels. A zipper closure bifurcates the top panel so as to permit the panel to be opened for access to the interior of the tote. This zipper closure preferably extends substantially the entire longitudinal length of the tote which, in a preferred design and size, measures approximately 16-18 inches in overall length. The tote is preferably fully lined and provided with interior and exterior pockets.

In accordance with the invention, a hanging strap is attached to the tote with two attachment points approximately 13 to 15 inches apart and at or near the intersection of the top and rear panels so that they are offset toward the cart when the strap is looped over the side-assist handle of a conventional golf cart. As a practical matter, the longitudinal dimension of such an assist handle is approximately 13 inches; approximately the same as the distance between the attachment points of the offset hanging strap, such that when the strap is looped over the side-assist handle, the bag hangs down against the side of the golf cart battery box and is relatively well-secured against fore and aft movement or swinging, as might otherwise occur during stop and start movements of the golf cart. The tote is readily accessible to the golfer and does not impede getting into or out of the cart seat.

In a preferred embodiment, a flat strip of hard but flexible stiffening material such as fiberglass is sewn into the back panel adjacent the intersection of the back panel with the top and in the plane of the back panel, so as to prevent longitudinal collapse of the tote in use. In the preferred embodiment, a channel is provided in the tote such that the stiffening strip can be at least semi-permanently installed.

Also in a preferred embodiment, an optional auxiliary small zippered case is removably attached by means of a tether and clasp to the bag adjacent the starting end of the zipper closure in the top panel, such that the small auxiliary case can either be dropped into the interior of the tote by opening the zipper a bit, or removed to the outside for convenient storage of tees, change, and other small items. The auxiliary case is preferably zippered and made of the same material as the tote itself, so that the two are clearly matched to one another in a stylish fashion.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying photographs, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a conventional golf cart with a tote according to the present invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a personal golf cart tote accessory in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing the rear of the personal tote of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the front of the tote showing how the auxiliary case can be tethered to the tote for placement both inside and outside of the tote.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, a golf cart accessory in the form of a generally rectangular, flexible tote bag 10 is hung by means of a strap 50 to a side-assist handle 24 of a conventional golf cart 12 having a floor 14, a front body structure 16, and a rear body structure 18. A battery box 20 with flat, vertical sides is mounted on the floor 14 and a hinged and cushioned seat 22 is installed on top of the battery box 20. On opposite sides of the seat box 20 and the seat 22, are rigid seatside-assist handles 24 generally made of steel or plastic tubing and extending upwardly along the sides of the seat 22 by approximately 10-14 inches. The top of the assist handle 24 is shorter in horizontal dimension than the bottom to provide on and off access to the cart seating area. The bottom of the handle merges into the seat box so as to provide a stop for the tote strap 50 when looped over the handle 24; i.e., the tote 10 hung by way of the strap 50 is effectively captured by the handle 24 and will not fall away significantly below the seat plane. The tote may be lifted off of the handle 24 by the user. As a practical matter, the length of the handle at the bottom where it attaches to the seat/battery box is approximately 12-14 inches on a conventional cart. The terms “seat box” and “battery box” are used interchangeably herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, the tote 10 is shown to comprise a generally rectangular body of woven ballistic polymeric material which is both durable and waterproof, as well as flexible unless stiffened by one or more auxiliary panels, as hereinafter described. The tote 10 comprises a generally rectangular top 30, a generally rectangular bottom which may be reinforced by a stiffening panel 32, end panels 34, 36 and generally rectangular front and rear panels 38, 40, respectively. The main panels are preferably sewn together at welted intersections to define a closed body. Panel 32 may be loose. The interior may be lined or unlined, as desired. A lining adds to moisture tolerance and provides interior pockets (not shown).

As shown in the figures, the top panel 30 is bifurcated by means of a zipper closure 42 having a pull 44. The zipper closure 42 runs essentially the entire longitudinal length of the top panel 30 between the end panels 34, 36. While it is shown precisely in the fore and aft center of the tote 10, it may also be offset either toward the front or the rear; the preference, however, is to locate the zipper closure 42 essentially centrally of the top panel 30.

Sewn into the tote at or near the opposite ends thereof are flexible fabric tabs 46 which receive closed plastic loops 48 which serve as attachment points or couplers for the adjustable hanging strap 50. The distance between the centers of the attachment point tabs 46 is approximately 14 inches so as to permit the strap 50 to be looped over the seatside-assist handle 24 of the golf cart 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The strap 50 is made adjustable so that the tote 10 can not only be attached to the golf cart when shortened, but carried conveniently over the shoulder of the user when made longer. Net compartments 54, 56 may be attached to the side panels as shown in the figures with elastic top trim 58, 60 respectively, so as to permit the insertion and convenient carrying of items such as golf balls or mobile telephones.

As shown in FIG. 3, a flat strip 70 of hard, but flexible stiffening material, approximately 1½ inches in width and 16 inches in length may be sewn or otherwise trapped into and between layers of the back panel 40 and extending substantially fully between the opposite end panels of the tote so as to prevent longitudinal collapse of the tote when it is not filled to capacity by personal articles, such as clothing. The strip 70 is located parallel to and adjacent to the welted intersection between the rear panel 40 and the top panel 30 so that it lies against the side of the seat 22 as shown in FIG. 1 when the bag is properly installed on the seatside-assist handle 24. Because the tote lies flat against the vertical side of the box 20, it is not in the way of a golfer, yet is conveniently accessed during a round.

As an option, a short clip 66 is permanently attached to the tote adjacent the starting end of the zipper closure 42. The clip receives a tether 64 of a small auxiliary zippered case 62, which can be provided for carrying small items such as golf tees and change. The location of the clip 66 is such that the small zippered case 62 can be easily inserted into the interior of the bag and the zippered closure 42 substantially fully closed or, in the alternative, the case 62 may be removed to the outside of the tote 10 for access. The case 62 is preferably made of the same material and in the same color as the tote 10 so that the tote 10 and the auxiliary case 62 are clearly and stylishly associated with one another.

In use, the tote 10 is at least partially filled with items the golfer chooses and the strap 50 is lengthened to permit carrying on the shoulder. The tote is carried to the cart 12 and the strap 50 adjusted to a shorter length. The shortened strap is then looped around and over the top exposed portion of the seatside-assist handle 24. This allows the tote 10 to hang downwardly with the flat, stiffened back panel against the side of the battery box 20 where it is out of the way of players entering and exiting from the cart 12, yet providing convenient access to the player either on the seat or standing alongside of the cart. The tote 10 takes up no interior room in the cart and does not otherwise burden the storage areas and/or cup holders that are built into a conventional golf cart.

In the preferred embodiment, the length of the tote 10 is approximately 16-18 inches, the depth is approximately 5 inches, and the height is approximately 8 inches. The distance between the tabs 46 is 14 inches. The front panel 38 can be embroidered or otherwise provided with a decorative image or logo, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Claims

1. A golf cart accessory in the form of a personal tote adapted for attachment to an upstanding, closed-ended seatside-assist handle on the golf cart seat box comprising:

a six-sided rectangular body of flexible, water resistant synthetic material, including a top, a bottom, opposed end panels and front and rear major panels;

a zipper closure installed in the top and extending over substantially the entire distance between said end panels for providing access to the interior of the body; and

a single hanging strap having the opposite ends thereof attached to the body at fixed attachment points about 14 inches apart and rearwardly offset from the longitudinal center line of the top panel so as so lie directly adjacent the rear panel the strap may be looped over the assist handle to hang the tote adjacent the vertical side of the golf cart seatbox.

2. The article defined in claim 1 further comprising a flat strip of stiffening material approximately equal in length between the distance between the end panels and affixed to the rear panel near the top to prevent longitudinal collapse of the tote.

3. The article defined in claim 1 wherein the material of construction of said body is woven ballistic polyester.

4. An article as defined in claim 1 wherein the overall longitudinal dimension of said body between said end panels is approximately 17 inches and the distance between the attachment points of the strap to the tote is in the range between 11 and 14 inches.

5. The article as defined in claim 1 where the length of the strap is adjustable.

6. The article as defined in claim 1 further comprising a small, flexible auxiliary case attached by means of a tether to the top of the tote near the end point of the zipper whereby the case can be dropped into the interior of the tote but remain attached to the tote.

7. In combination:

a golf cart having a passenger seatbox with vertical sides and left and right opposite, closed-ended seatside-assist handles; and

a personal tote adapted for removable attachment to a seatside-assist handle of the golf cart and comprising a six-sided rectangular body of flexible, water resistant synthetic material, including a top, a bottom, opposed end panels and front and rear major panels;

a zipper closure installed in the top and extending over substantially the entire distance between said end panels for providing access to the interior of the body; and

a single hanging strap having the opposite ends thereof attached to the body at fixed attachment points rearwardly offset from the longitudinal center line of the top panel so as to lie directly adjacent the rear panel the distance between the attached ends being marginally greater than or equal to the maximum longitudinal dimension of the assist handle, said strap being looped over the assist handle such that the tote hangs adjacent a side of the golf cart seatbox.

8. The combination defined in claim 7 further comprising a flat strip of stiffening material approximately equal in length between the distance between the end panels and affixed to the rear panel near the top to prevent longitudinal collapse of the tote.

9. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein the material of construction of the body is a woven polymer.

10. The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein the overall longitudinal dimension of the body between said end panels is between 16 and 15 inches and the distance between the attachment points of the strap is in the range between 11 and 14 inches.

11. The combination as defined in claim 7 where the length of the strap is adjustable.

12. The combination as defined in claim 7 further comprising a small, flexible auxiliary case attached by means of a tether to the top of the tote near the end point of the zipper whereby the case can be dropped into the interior of the tote while remaining tethered to the tote.

13. (canceled)

14. A method of utilizing the golf cart accessory described in claim 1 comprising the steps of:

a. adjusting the length of the strap to correspond to the longitudinal dimension of a closed-ended assist handle on the side of a golf cart; and

b. looping the length adjusted tote bag strap over and around the assist handle so that the tote bag hangs down against the vertical side of the golf cart seat box.