Bicycle golf bag
A bifurcated golf bag assembly with attachments that can be carried securely on a two wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle. The golf bag assembly includes a first and second bag each containing a number of rimmed cylindrical tubes forming receptacles for receiving golf clubs, a series of semicircular plates with a number of holes similarly positioned in each of the plates to receive, separate and maintain the position of the cylindrical tubes in the bags. The bag portions are joined at the top by a plate comprised of two semicircular plates joined at the center by a hinge assembly to allow the bags to pivot away from each other to opposite sides of a bicycle rack. The bag assembly is supported on the bicycle rack by angled straps and secured by releasable fasteners that fasten the bag portions together when not in transport.
This application is a United States Non-Provisional application based upon and claiming the priority and filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/796,494, filed May 1, 2006. This invention relates to a golf bag assembly with attachments that splits so that it can be easily and safely transported on a two wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGolf bags are the conventional means for transporting golf clubs. Golf bags however cannot be easily transported on a bicycle since it is difficult to secure existing golf bags to the bicycle so that the golf bag does not interfere with the operator, the operation and/or mechanisms of the bicycle or objects on the route. The weight and size of the golf bag on the bicycle make the bicycle difficult to balance. There exist devices which enable golf bags to be attached to bicycles, an example being U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,003. A rod with brackets for receiving a golf bag is attached to one side of the bicycle resulting in the golf bag extending out from one side of the bicycle creating an unbalanced load and a possible obstruction to the objects on the route. Another device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,041 utilizes two golf bags pivotally coupled so that the golf bag can be separated over a motorcycle for transport while supported and carried by the operator by means of straps attached to the bags which are hung on the operators back. Placing the golf bag weight in this fashion, high on the riders back, raises the center of gravity making it more difficult for the operator to balance on the wheels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention is a bifurcated golf bag assembly with attachments which allows the golf bag and its attachments to be easily secured to a bicycle and its rack. The golf bag assembly comprises a first and second bag portions of lightweight, durable material, such as nylon, and each bag includes rimmed cylindrical tubes, made of lightweight durable material such as plastic, for receiving golf clubs. The tubes pass through a series of preferably semicircular or oval plates with similarly positioned holes so as to maintain the position of the tubes in the bag and maintain a balanced and stable load during transport with a low center of gravity mounted on the bicycle not the operator. The top plates of the first and second bag portions are joined by means of a pivoting device such as a hinge which allow the bag portions to swing away from each other allowing the bag portions to be mounted on and extend along opposite sides of a bicycle rack. A webbed material or stray is affixed to the interior face of the first bag portion that would be adjacent to the bicycle rack and connects over to the interior face of the second bag portion forming a bridge over the bicycle rack to support the golf bag assembly. The straps are positioned on a bias to incline the bottom of the golf bag assembly away from the mechanical means of the bicycle so the golf bag does not interfere with the operation of the bicycle. Releasable fasteners, such as Velcro (hook and loop) tape, affixed to the exterior material of the first and second bags secure the bag to the front and back and/or sides of the bicycle rack during transport and also function to hold the bag portions together when the bag assembly is removed from the bicycle. Rods can be provided around the perimeter of the interior of the bag portions and also may be fixed in position by the semicircular plates to provide additional structure and support. Attachments to the golf bag assembly include but are not limited to a bag for shoes and various golf equipment such as golf balls and tees. A series of clips or fasteners extend from the top of the shoe/equipment bag. In transport the clips on the shoe/equipment bag engage the receiving end of similar clips or fasteners on straps over the handlebars of the bicycle. After transport, the shoe/equipment bag can be attached to the golf bag assembly by the receiving end of similar clips or fasteners, which extend from the top of the golf bag assembly.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTIONOne object of the invention is to provide at least partially bifurcated golf bag assembly that can be easily and securely mounted on a bicycle.
Another object of this invention is to provide cylindrical tubes and plates to separate and maintain the position of the golf clubs in the bag and balance and stabilize the clubs during transport.
Another object of this invention is to provide for easy identification removal of the golf clubs from the bag accomplished by positioned cylindrical tubes.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight golf bag that is stable and can stand in an upright position with additional supporting means.
Another object of this invention is to provide for a low center of gravity with the bag on the bicycle for stable, unbalanced and safe transport of bag and operator.
Another object of this invention is to provide for inclining the position of the golf bag away from the bicycle's mechanical movement means, such as pedals, while supported on the bicycle rack.
Another object of this invention is to provide attachments to the golf bag that are removable and that can be positioned on the handlebars of the bicycle to provide for further stability during transport.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In
The golf bag assembly can assume the configuration with the first and second bag portions joined together by the fasteners as shown in
While the preferred form of golf bag of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the golf bag could be other construction or materials and yet fall within the scope of the elements and steps of the following claims and their equivalents. For example, the plates described as semicircular could be square shaped with rounded corner, oval or elliptical shaped, etc. and the mechanical means indicated would include and drive means such as motors, transmissions, etc.
Claims
1. A golf bag for golf clubs for transport by a bicycle, comprising at least a pair of bag portions, said bag portions being joined together at one of the ends, said bag portions being separable at their opposite ends, said bag portions being capable of carrying golf clubs, said bag positions have first positions adjacent each other for use on a golf course and second position wherein said opposite ends are separated to fit around the bicycle said golf bag including means for securing said golf bag to said bicycle during transport, whereby a golf bag may be transported by bicycle in its second position and then used on the golf course in said first position.
2. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for holding said bag positions in said second position.
3. A golf bag as in claim 2, wherein said means for holding and said means for securing are the same means.
4. A golf bag as in claim 1, further comprising means on said bicycle for holding said golf bag, said means on said bicycle cooperating with said means for holding said golf bag.
5. A golf bag as in claim 4, wherein said means on said bicycle comprises a bicycle rack.
6. A golf bag as in claim 5, wherein said bicycle rack is a rear rack for mounting on said bicycle.
7. A golf bag as in claim 2, wherein said means for holding comprises straps.
8. A golf bag as in claim 7, wherein said strap comprises hook/loop fastener type straps.
9. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for separating and evenly distributing weight of golf clubs in said golf bag.
10. A bag as in claim 1, further including means for separating comprises hollow cylindrical tubes extending from said end to said opposite end of said golf bag held in place by means of plates or grids.
11. A golf bag as in claim 10, wherein said plates or grids include similarly positioned holes, slots or spaces to receive said tubes.
12. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for moving said bag portions into said second position.
13. A golf bag as in claim 12, wherein said means for moving said bag portions includes a plate or grid joined by a pivoting means.
14. A golf bag as in claim 13, wherein pivoting means comprises a hinge like device.
15. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for holding and removing attachments to said bag portions.
16. A golf bag as in claim 15, wherein said means for holding and removing attachments comprises straps and clips.
17. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including an accessory equipment bag, said accessory equipment bag being adapted to attach to the handlebars of the bicycle during transport and to the golf bag during play.
18. A golf bag as in claim 1, having a support strap, said support strap being attached to the lower part of said two bag portions and adapted to extend over and to be supported by the rear of the bicycle.
19. A method of using and transporting by bicycle a golf bag having two portions, each holding clubs, comprising the step of separating the two portions of the golf bag, placing the golf bag and its two portions on opposite sides of the rear wheel of the bicycle, securing the golf bag and its two portions to the bicycle, transporting the golf bag on the bicycle to a place to play golf, removing the golf bag and two portions from the bicycle, assembling the two portions closely adjacent each other into an assembled position, securing the assembled two portions together, and using the golf bag to play golf.
20. The method of claim 19, including the steps of providing an accessory equipment bag, securing the accessory equipment bag to a forward portion of the bicycle, transporting the accessory equipment bag on the bicycle to a place to play golf, assembling the accessory equipment bag to the golf bag, and securing the accessory equipment bag to the golf bag and using both to play golf.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 26, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 14, 2008
Inventor: Jerry Losos (Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 11/789,887
International Classification: A63B 55/00 (20060101);