Auxiliary golf bag

Abstract

An auxiliary golf bag having the capacity to carry several (3 or 4) golf clubs which in turn is carried, by one means or another, by a standard golf bag normally carried by a golfer. This auxiliary golf bag further has a pocket to carry other necessary equipment such as a golf ball, marker, tee, etc. Still further, this auxiliary bag has both a carry handle and, if preferred, a removable shoulder strap which extends from the base of the sack to a point just above a handle. One of these several features of this auxiliary golf bag is that it is totally flexible so that it may be folded to fit into a pocket of a standard golf bag or may be hung or attached by any means to the side of a golf bag for easy access. The material for the bag is waterproof or water resistant.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally involves the field of technology pertaining to golf bags in general and more particularly to an auxiliary golf bag carried by a golfer, normally in his or her regular golf bag, or attached thereto, to carry several clubs, far less than a full set, and further to accommodate those other necessities of a golfer such as extra golf balls, tees, a divot setter, etc.

[0003] The principal use of the bag, but clearly not its only use, is in those situations where the golf course is restricted to golf carts. The product of this invention allows a golfer to easily and very conveniently transport a selected number and type of clubs to a spot where the ball lies. This allows a golfer to make a proper golf club selection at the spot or lie of the ball rather than making such a decision from an unseeable location.

[0004] In addition to making the selected clubs more easily transportable, that is, rather than carrying the entire set, this auxiliary bag or sack will also prevent the clubs from contacting foreign elements thereby keeping them clean and dry.

[0005] The auxiliary bag or sack further comprises a small pocket to carry other golfers necessities on a golf course such as extra golf balls, gloves, tees, etc. The bag further comprises or at least may comprise, as an option, a removable shoulder strap and a carrying handle.

[0006] As a further convenience and an important feature of the invention is that the auxiliary bag or sack is easily folded and can be stored either in a pocket of the main golf bag or can be attached by any convenient means on the outside of the bag itself.

[0007] It should be obvious that this convenient auxiliary bag can be used for other purposes such as for practice when only a few clubs are needed.

[0008] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0009] A search of the prior art has uncovered the following patents: First is the patent to Grant, U.S. Pat No. 1,092,833 which, while it relates to a “Polo Bag” this patent also disclosed flaps “to close the end of the bag whereby substantially a water-tight closure is formed” carrying straps are obviously also disclosed.

[0010] The patent to Keblinger, U.S. Pat. No. 1,236,313 relates to a “Caddie Bag and the Like Receptacle”. This patent also discloses a bar or receptacle of flexible material having a lower end to close the opening and to cover and protect the lower upright portion of the body. Of further interest are items 9 and 10 which are, respectively, a convenient handle and support strap or sling.

[0011] Next, is the Pierce patent, U.S. Pat No. 1,703,540 relating to a “Golf Bag”. The thrust of this invention is the ability to attach the ball pocket to a shoulder strap before the shoulder strap in turn is secured to the bag.

[0012] The “Caddy Bag” shown in the Howard patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,008,759 is seen to be of somewhat more importance than the previous patents described. Note particularly shoulder strap 13 and widened side 23 and narrow side 24 at one end of the bag. This patent does not appear to disclose a flap or auxiliary pocket nor does it appear to be easily foldable so that it may be stored in the pocket of a standard golf bag. The carry handle is also not shown.

[0013] Of some interest is the patent to Thompson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,166 for a “Golf Bag” in that it discloses a shoulder strap 30, a hood member 24, and “various pockets to receive balls, garments and so forth”. It is not clear what material is used to manufacture the bag. It does appear that it can fold inside out either vertically or horizontally.

[0014] “Golf Club Carrier” U.S. Pat. No. 2,364,223 as issued to Keim discloses both a shoulder strap 16 and a carrier handle 18 but is not seen to have the flap or pocket of the instant invention although it does indicate that the bag 10 is made of canvas or other like flexible material. It is not shown that this can be folded and placed inside a regulation golf bag nor is it attachable to such a golf bag. It would appear that the thrust of this invention is contained in Column 1, lines 47-52.

[0015] As to the Alter et al. patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,546,416 the only similarities are shoulder strap 14 and hand carrying strap 20.

[0016] The Hamley patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,739,631 is an “Open Sided Golf Bag” which is not seen to have several of the elements apparent in the instant invention.

[0017] The U.S. Pat. No. 2,925,840 patent to Hird merely refers to a “Golf Club Head Protector” and it is suggested that “It may be permanently secured to the golf bag or may be detachably secured thereto by any suitable means.” Further, “When my device is used with a golf bag, the major portion of the golf club shafts will extend downwardly into the golf bag. The upper or head end of the golf clubs will be in the compartments, respectively, of my hood and will be individually protected and separated from each other.” Again, the structure here is substantially different from that shown in the instant invention.

[0018] Perhaps the most interesting and closest patent is the one to Pedro, U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,166 which is a “Weapons Case”. This however is a molded plastic case for protecting firearms or the like. There are a pair of handles 11 attached thereto. Clearly this is not a foldable, stowable, auxiliary bag for a standard golf bag and it does not have the shoulder strap, handle, nor pocket or flap of the invention.

[0019] Another “Gun Case” is disclosed in Schauer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,456 and is of some interest for its showing in FIG. 2 of items 10, 16 and 24.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0020] According to the present invention there is provided a foldable stowable auxiliary golf club bag or sack preferably made of a water repellent or water resistant material and having, for illustrative purposes only, dimensions of approximately 45 inches in length and 5-½ inches in width and which is capable of housing, several, preferably three or four, various golf clubs to suit the individual golfer as well as his or her estimated distance of their next shot. This auxiliary bag or sack further comprises a small pocket for holding several collateral items normally used on a golf course such as golf balls, markers, tees and the like. The small handle is provided so that the bag may be easily carried by a golfer and a removable strap may be provided for carrying over a golfer's shoulder.

[0021] As previously indicated, this auxiliary bag is of a material which is flexible so that it may be folded to fit into the pocket of a standard size golf bag or hung on the side of such bag for easy access.

[0022] This auxiliary bag is employed at a time when a golfer's ball is hit into an area of the golf course restricted to golf carts. This allows a golfer to conveniently carry a small assortment of various clubs to the spot where the ball lies. The golfer then may make a club decision at the spot of the ball, as opposed to deciding from an unseeable location, without the need to carry an entire set of clubs.

[0023] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary golf bag or sack smaller and lighter than the standard golf bag.

[0024] It is another object of the invention to provide such an auxiliary bag which may carry only several, three or four for instance, golf clubs at a time.

[0025] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such an auxiliary sack further having a pocket for carrying items, in addition to clubs, such as balls, markers, tees, and the like.

[0026] It is still a further object of the invention to provide such an auxiliary golf bag further having a carrying handle for easily transporting the bag to the ball site.

[0027] It is still a further object of the invention to provide such an auxiliary golf bag having an optional shoulder strap in addition to the carrying handle.

[0028] These and further objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bag in a flattened condition showing the small pocket, carry handle and removable strap.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a view looking into the open end and showing several clubs in place.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag showing several clubs in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] A lightweight foldable, stowable, waterproof or water resistant auxiliary or small golf bag or sack primarily used in conjunction with a standard size golf bag carrying a normal set of clubs will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] The auxiliary golf bag or sack of the instant invention is shown in the several figures generally at 10.

[0034] A pocket 12 is affixed to the outside of bag 10 and may of any given size sufficient to transport additional equipment to be used by the golfer at the site of his or her ball, such as tees, markers, balls, etc. This pocket may be secured closed by any well known means such as snaps, a zipper, velcro, etc.

[0035] A carrying strap 13 is attached at each of two ends to a convenient location on the outside of bag 10 to serve as a convenient handle for the golfer in transporting the bag and clubs.

[0036] A readily detachable shoulder strap may also be attached at each of its two ends to the auxiliary bag 10 generally extending from a point just above handle or carrying strap 13 down to approximately the base of the sack or auxiliary golf bag.

[0037] One of the primary features of this sack or auxiliary bag is that it is totally flexible so that it may be folded to fit into a pocket of a standard golf bag or, in fact may be hung or attached by any well known means to the side of a standard golf bag for easy access. It should be further understood that the material of the sack itself would be a water resistant or waterproof material.

[0038] In operation, subsequent to a golfer taking a shot or hitting the golf ball and then not knowing what club to use with a succeeding shot until his or her lie is actually ascertained the auxiliary bag or sack is removed from or detached from the main golf bag and several possible clubs are inserted therein. Either by means of the carrying strap or shoulder strap the auxiliary bag is transported to the site of the ball and the proper club is removed. The pocket will usually already be carrying the other items noted.

[0039] Though the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a prefer embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications in shape, size, composition, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Claims

1. An auxiliary golf bag carried by or removably attached to a standard golf bag which allows a golfer to transport a selected number and type of golf clubs to a spot where a ball lies wherein said auxiliary golf bag is made of a water repellent or water resistant material.

2. The auxiliary golf bag of claim 1 wherein said bag is foldable and stowable into a standard golf bag.

3. The auxiliary golf bag of claim 2 further comprising a pocket holding several collateral items normally used on a golf course by a golfer such as golf balls, markers and tees.

4. The auxiliary golf bag of claim 3 further comprising a small handle such that said bag may be easily carried by a golfer.

5. The auxiliary golf bag of claim 4 further comprising a removable strap for carrying said auxiliary golf bag over a golfer's shoulder.