Golf stand bag having folding body

Disclosed herein is a golf stand bag, which is constructed such that the bag body is foldable to reduce the volume thereof, thus markedly reducing the logistics costs thereof. The golf stand bag includes the bag body, the lower end of which is inclined downwards from the rear surface of the bag body to the front surface, a top member, to which a bracket which rotatably supports support legs is mounted, and a base member, which is coupled to the lower end of the bag body such that an angle of a lower contact surface of the base member with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body is greater than an angle of the bag body with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag is completely placed on the ground at an incline. The golf stand bag further includes a leg actuating rod, which is rotatably coupled to the support legs and is inserted through a leg actuating rod cover, which is provided on the rear surface of the bag body. Furthermore, shims are attached to sewing margins of the leg actuating rod cover. A tension adjustment member for adjusting the tension of the leg actuating rod is provided on the leg actuating rod. A position adjustment belt is provided on the rear surface of the bag body between the leg actuating rod cover and the bracket to adjust the position of the tension adjustment member.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf stand bags in which neither a separate support nor an inner casing is provided in a cylindrical bag body, making it possible to fold the bag body, thus minimizing the volume of the golf stand bag when packing it, thereby markedly reducing logistics (packing, transportation, storage, etc.) costs and production costs and, more particularly, to a golf stand bag in which the lower end of the cylindrical bag body is inclined downwards with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body from the rear surface of the bag body to the front surface thereof by cutting the bag body such that the front surface of the bag body is longer than the rear surface thereof, and a base member is coupled to the lower end of the bag body such that the angle of a lower contact surface of the bag member with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body is greater than the angle of the bag body with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag is placed on an incline using the support of a pair of support legs, and in which a leg actuating rod cover, which is made of the same fabric as that of the bag body and which has a longitudinal shape having a length of 30 cm and a size appropriate to cover the lower end of a leg actuating rod, is attached to the rear surface of the bag body by sewing, the leg actuating rod is inserted between the leg actuating rod and the bag body, shims, which have circular cross-sections and are made of rigid plastic, are attached to respective sewing margins formed on opposite edges of the leg actuating rod cover, and the support legs are coupled to a bracket, which is mounted to a top member coupled to the bag body, which is foldable, because neither an inner casing nor a separate support is provided in the bag body, the support legs being rotatable around rotating shafts provided in the bracket, so that, when the golf stand bag is placed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle in the direction in which the support legs are oriented, the rear surface of the bag body is prevented from being folded or collapsed, and the lower contact surface of the base member is brought into contact with the ground so as to be parallel therewith, and in which the base member coupled to the lower end of the bag body has a depression, which is formed in the rear part of the base member, through which the lower end of the leg actuating rod passes, thus preventing the rear part of the base member from impeding the movement of the leg actuating rod.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known to those skilled in the art, in the case of golf stand bags that have been disclosed, at least one separate support or an inner casing is used in a bag body. Therefore, in the conventional techniques, it is impossible to fold the bag body to reduce the volume thereof. In addition, there is a limit to the reduction of the weight of the golf stand bag.

As a representative example pertaining to the present invention, there is U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,464 (hereinafter, referred to as “Reference Example 1”). In Reference Example 1, although the lower contact surface of a base member is brought into contact with the ground so as to be parallel thereto, because an inner casing or a support, which is made of relatively hard plastic, is provided in a bag body, it is impossible to reduce the volume of the bag body, and the base member is attached to the bag body such that it is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bag body, unlike the present invention. Furthermore, although Reference Example 1 is constructed such that the lower end of the bag body is cut at an incline with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body, because the upper end of the bag body is also cut at an incline with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body, Reference Example 1 must be regarded as being different in function and purpose from the present invention, in which the length of the front surface of a bag body is greater than that of the rear surface thereof, and the lower end of the bag body is thus inclined at a predetermined angle.

As another representative example, the golf stand bag proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,788 (hereinafter, referred to as “Reference Example 2”) is different from the present invention in that an inner casing or a support is provided in a bag body and a base member is attached to the lower end of the bag body such that it is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bag body. In Reference Example 2, the lower contact surface of the base member seems to be inclined with respect to the bag body, but, actually, the lower contact surface of the base member is inclined with respect to the vertical line of the border surface of the base member. Therefore, based on the longitudinal direction of the bag body, the base member cannot be regarded as being coupled at an incline to the bag body or to the inclined lower end of the bag body.

In another golf stand bag, proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,235 (hereinafter, referred to as “Reference Example 3”), the lower contact surface of a base member is brought into contact with the ground so as to be parallel thereto, in the same manner as that of the present invention. However, Reference Example 3 is different from the present invention in that, when it is placed at an incline with the support of a pair of support legs, the rear surface of a bag body is folded or collapsed and a support for supporting the bag body between the base member and a top member is provided on the front surface in the bag body. Furthermore, because a bent part (a “U”-shaped bent part), which is a lower end of a leg actuating rod, is supported by a ring or the like provided at the junction between the bag body and the base member, when the golf stand bag is inclined backwards, the rear surface of the bag body is folded or collapsed, unlike the present invention, in which the leg actuating rod is not fastened to the base member or to the lower end of the bag body. Moreover, Reference Example 3 is different from the present invention in that the base member is attached to the lower end of the bag body so as to be parallel thereto in the same manner as typical golf bags, rather than being attached to the lower end of the bag body at an incline with respect to the longitudinal direction of the bag body.

In another golf stand bag, proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,789 (hereinafter, referred to as “Reference Example 4”), the lower contact surface of a base member is brought into contact with the ground so as to be parallel thereto, in the same manner as in Reference Examples 1, 2 and 3 and the present invention. However, Reference Example 4 is different from the present invention in that the bag body is not foldable, because a support for supporting a top member and the base member is provided in the front surface of the bag body, or an inner casing is made of hard plastic (such as polyethylene or polypropylene), and is covered with a soft fabric. Furthermore, in Reference Example 4, the base member seems to be attached to the bag body at an incline with respect to the longitudinal direction of the bag body, but, actually, a triangular piece of fabric is provided in the lower end of the rear surface of the bag body so that the rear surface of the bag body is longer than the front surface thereof, and the base member is attached parallel to the lower end of the bag body which is inclined downwards from the front surface to the rear surface of the bag body. Therefore, Reference Example 4 is different from the present invention, in which the front surface of the bag body is longer than the rear surface thereof such that the lower end of the bag body is inclined, and the base member is coupled to the lower end of the bag body such that the lower contact surface of the base member is inclined relative to the lateral direction of the bag body at an angle greater than the angle of the bag body relative to the vertical line when the golf stand bag is placed at an incline. In essence, if Reference Example 4 had no triangular piece of fabric provided in the bag body, the base member would be regarded as being attached parallel to the lower end of the bag body based on the longitudinal direction of the bag body. In addition, due to the triangular piece of fabric provided in the rear surface in the bag body, the length of the rear surface of the bag body is increased, so that the weight of the contents in the bag body is sufficiently applied to a part of the base member on which a bent part of the lower end of the leg actuating rod (a “U”-shaped bent part of the leg actuating rod) is connected to a shaft between the base member and the bag body. Thus, the base member is biased downwards by this weight, so that the tension with which the leg actuating rod is pulled downwards is increased. Moreover, Reference Example 4 is different from the present invention in that, when the golf stand bag is inclined backwards and the support legs are thus opened, the rear surface of the bag body having the triangular piece of fabric is folded or collapsed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a golf stand bag which minimizes the volume of the bag body and reduces the weight thereof, thus reducing logistics costs by 50% or more, and which can be produced through a systematic process, thus simplifying the process of manufacturing the golf stand bag, and minimizing the manufacturing cost thereof, and which is constructed such that, even though neither a separate support nor an inner casing is provided in the bag body, the rear surface of the bag body is prevented from being folded or collapsed when the golf bag stand is placed at an incline using the support of a pair of support legs.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a golf stand bag, having: a cylindrical bag body, which is cut such that the front surface thereof is longer than the rear surface thereof, so that the lower end of the bag body is inclined downwards with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body; and a base member, which is coupled to the inclined lower end of the bag body such that the angle of a lower contact surface of the base member with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body is greater than the angle of the golf bag with respect to a vertical line when the golf stand bag is completely placed at an incline on the ground using the support of the support legs. Furthermore, although there is neither a separate support nor an inner casing provided in the bag body between a top member and the base member in order to prevent the rear surface of the bag body from being folded or collapsed when the golf stand bag is placed at an inclined on the ground, a leg actuating rod cover is longitudinally attached to the lower end of the rear surface of the bag body by sewing to have a tunnel shape, so that about 30 cm of the lower end of a leg actuating rod is tightly inserted through the leg actuating rod cover, and shims, each of which has a circular cross-section and is made of rigid plastic, are attached to respective sewing margins, which are formed on opposite edges of the leg actuating rod cover, and through which the leg actuating rod cover is attached to the bag body. Thus, when the lower end of the leg actuating rod, which extends downwards below the base member, first contacts the ground before the base member contacts the ground, the top member, which is coupled to a bracket which rotatably supports the support legs using first rotating shafts, is moved downwards by the weight of the bag body due to reflex movement. Simultaneously, the support legs, which are coupled to the respective arms of the leg actuating rod through second rotating shafts, are opened in the directions of 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock and rotated in the direction in which the golf stand bag is inclined. Thereafter, the base member contacts the ground without the rear surface of the bag body being folded or collapsed. Then, the bag body of the golf stand bag is placed at an inclined on the ground using the support of the support legs and the leg actuating rod in the state in which the lower contact surface of the base member is stably placed on the ground to be parallel to the ground. Moreover, the golf stand bag of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction can reduce the logistics (packing, transportation, storage, etc.) costs thereof by about 50% or more compared to conventional golf stand bags. In addition, the present invention can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs, thanks to the reduction in the volume and weight of the golf stand bag, thus realizing the production of an economical and useful golf stand bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the reference numerals and names (index terms) designated at corresponding positions to illustrate the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a golf stand bag, which is in a state in which a user takes down the golf stand bag from his/her shoulder and holds a handle to stand the golf stand bag, just before the golf stand bag is brought into contact with the ground;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the state in which the lower end of a leg actuating rod, which extends outwards from the lower contact surface of a base member, is first brought into contact with the ground, when the golf stand bag, held in the hand of the user, is placed on the ground to stand it on the ground at an incline;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an intermediate step, in which a top member, which is coupled to a bracket, to which support legs are rotatably supported using rotating shafts, is moved downwards by the weight of a bag body, and the leg actuating rod, which is in contact with the ground, pushes the support legs, which are provided on the rotating shafts, due to reflex movement, so that the support legs are extended outwards and spread in directions of about 10 o'clock and about 2 o'clock;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the phenomenon in which, because the angle of the lower contact surface of the base member, which is attached to the inclined lower end of the bag body, with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body is greater than the angle of the bag body with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag is completely placed on the ground at an incline using the support of the support legs, the golf stand bag is returned slightly forwards by the difference between the two angles when the golf stand bag is completely placed on the ground using the support of the support legs;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the state in which the lower end of the leg actuating rod and the base member are brought into contact with the ground and the support legs are opened in directions of 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock and are placed on the ground, so that the golf stand bag is placed at an incline on the ground using the support of the support legs;

FIG. 7 is views showing the shape of the base member, in which:

FIG. 7A is a side view of the base member, in which a depression, which has a “U” shape as shown in FIG. 7C and has a width slightly greater than the width of the lower end of the leg actuating rod, is formed in the rear part of the base member at an incline, such that the lower end of the leg actuating rod is in as close contact with the U-shaped depression as possible, so that the U-shaped depression serves to prevent the leg actuating rod from undesirably moving to the left or right when passing through a leg actuating rod cover, the U-shaped depression being designated by a dotted line;

FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the base member of the golf stand bag, showing the U-shaped depression, and the rear part of the base member, which is partially cut in a straight line; and

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the base member;

FIG. 8 is views comparing the volume of a conventional packed golf stand bag and the volume of the packed golf stand bag, in which:

FIG. 8A is a view showing the conventional golf stand bag packed in a packing box;

FIG. 8B is a front view showing two golf stand bags of the present invention which are packed in a packing box, which is smaller than the packing box used to pack the conventional golf stand bag, in a state in which the leg actuating rods and the support legs are separated from the bag bodies and the bag bodies are folded; and

FIG. 8C is a rear view of FIG. 8B; and

FIG. 9 is views showing the leg actuating rod mounted to the bag body, in which:

FIG. 9A is a view illustrating the tension adjustment member;

FIG. 9B is a sectional view showing the tension adjustment member fitted over opposite arms of the leg actuating rod;

FIG. 9C is a partial perspective view showing the tension adjustment member fitted over the arms of the leg actuating rod;

FIG. 9D is a perspective view showing the tension adjustment member fitted over the arms of the leg actuating rod;

FIG. 9E is a perspective view showing the tension adjustment member hung on the position adjustment belt;

FIG. 9F is a perspective view showing the tension adjustment member, the position of which is adjusted downwards by the position adjustment belt;

FIG. 9G is a view showing the position adjustment belt, which comprises male and female Velcro strips; and

FIG. 9H is a rear view of the golf stand bag, showing the leg actuating rod, the tension adjustment member, the position adjustment belt and the support legs, which are provided on the rear surface of the golf stand bag.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a view showing the reference numerals and names (index terms) designated to easily illustrate the construction and operation of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a golf stand bag 1, which is in a state in which a user takes down the golf stand bag 1 from his/her shoulder and holds up the golf stand bag 1 using his/her hand just before the golf stand bag is placed on the ground.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the state in which a lower end 8 of a leg actuating rod, which extends outwards from a lower contact surface of a base member 14, is first brought into contact with the ground, when the golf stand bag 1 is placed on the ground to stand it on the ground at an incline.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an intermediate step in which a top member, which is coupled to a bracket to which support legs are rotatably supported using rotating shafts, is moved downwards by the weight of a bag body, and the leg actuating rod, which is in contact with the ground, pushes the support legs, which are provided on the rotating shafts, due to reflex movement, so that the support legs are extended outwards and spread in directions of about 10 o'clock and about 2 o'clock.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the phenomenon in which, when the lower contact surface 16 of the base member and the support legs 3 and 24 are placed on the ground, the golf stand bag is slightly returned in the direction opposite the direction in which the bag body is inclined, that is, in the direction toward the vertical line, by the difference between the angle (B of FIG. 5) of the lower contact surface 16 of the base member with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body and the angle (A of FIG. 5) of the bag body with respect to the vertical line when the bag body is completely placed on the ground at an incline using the support of the support legs.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the golf stand bag 1, which is placed at an incline using the support of the support legs 3 and 24, the lower contact surface of the base member 14 and the leg actuating rod 4.

FIG. 7 is views showing the shape of the base member 14.

FIG. 7A is a side view of the base member 14, in which a depression, which has a “U” shape, as shown in FIG. 7C, and has a width slightly greater than a width of the lower end 8 of the leg actuating rod, is formed in the rear part of the base member 14 at an incline, such that the lower end 8 of the leg actuating rod is in as close contact with the U-shaped depression as possible, so that the U-shaped depression serves to prevent the leg actuating rod from undesirably moving to the left or right when passing through a leg actuating rod cover 6. Here, the U-shaped depression is designated by a dotted line.

FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the base member of the golf stand bag, showing the U-shaped depression, and the rear part of the base member, which is partially cut in a straight line.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the base member, showing the U-shaped depression formed in the rear part of the lower surface of the base member 14.

FIG. 8 is views illustrating the golf stand bags, which are packed to have a reduced volume.

FIG. 8A is a view showing a typical method of packing a conventional golf stand bag having support legs in a packing box.

FIG. 8B is a front view showing two golf stand bags of the present invention, which are packed in a packing box, which is smaller than the packing box used to pack the conventional golf stand bag, in a state in which the leg actuating rod is separated from the support legs connected to the rotating shafts, and the bag bodies, having neither supports nor inner casings, are folded.

FIG. 8C are a rear view showing the support leg of the two golf stand bags, which are packed in the packing box, as shown in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9 is views showing the opposite arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4, a tension adjustment member 22, a position adjustment belt 23, the support legs 3 and 24, the state in which the tension adjustment member 22 is suspended on the position adjustment belt 23 and is fitted over the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4, the state in which the position of the tension adjustment member 22 is adjusted to a lower position, and the state in which the tension adjustment member 22, suspended by the position adjustment belt 23, is fitted over the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4, the arms of the leg actuating rod 4 are respectively connected to the legs 3 and 24 using second rotating shafts 19, and the support legs 3 are connected to the bracket 27, which is mounted to the hear member 9, using the first rotating shafts 18.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of the tension adjustment member 22, which adjusts the tension of the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4.

FIG. 9B is a plan view showing the tension adjustment member 22 fitted over the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4.

FIG. 9C is an enlarged perspective view showing the tension adjustment member 22 fitted over the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4.

FIG. 9D is a perspective view showing the tension adjustment member 22 fitted over the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4.

FIG. 9E is a perspective view showing the position adjustment belt 23 wrapped around the tension adjustment member 22 of FIG. 9D.

FIG. 9F is a perspective view showing the tension adjustment member 22, the position of which is adjusted downwards using the position adjustment belt 23.

FIG. 9G is a view showing the position adjustment belt 23, which comprises male and female Velcro strips.

FIG. 9H is a rear view of the golf stand bag 1, showing the leg actuating rod 4, the tension adjustment member 22, the position adjustment belt 23 and the support legs 3 and 24, which are provided on the rear surface of the golf stand bag 1.

Hereinafter, the golf stand bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes the entire body of the golf stand bag, which has neither a separate support nor an inner casing for maintaining the cylindrical shape of the bag body 11, and thus is foldable. The handle 20 and a shoulder strap 28 are provided on the front surface of the bag body 11 of the golf stand bag 1. The bracket 27 is mounted to the rear part of the top member 9, which is provided on the upper end of the bag body 11. The two support legs 3 and 24 are coupled to the bracket 27 so as to be rotatable using the first rotating shaft 17 and 18. The respective arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4 are coupled to the upper ends of the two support legs 3 and 24 so as to be rotatable using the second rotating shafts 17 and 19. The bag body 11 is configured such that the length of the front surface 12 thereof is greater than that of the rear surface 13 thereof. The angle (B of FIG. 5) between the lateral direction of the bag body 11 and the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14, which is attached to the lower end 2 of the bag body 11, which is inclined downwards from the rear surface 13 of the bag body 11 to the front surface 12 thereof, is greater than the inclined angle (A of FIG. 5) of the bag body 11 with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag 1 is completely placed on the ground at an incline using the support of the support legs 3 and 24. A vertical line 15 of the border surface of the base member 14 is also angled relative to the longitudinal direction of the bag body 11. The leg actuating rod cover 6 is longitudinally attached to the lower end of the rear surface of the bag body 11 by sewing. Shims 21, each of which has a circular cross-section and is made of rigid plastic, are longitudinally attached to respective sewing margins, which are provided on respective opposite edges of the leg actuating rod cover 6. The lower ends (about 30 cm) of the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4 are tightly inserted into the leg actuating rod cover 6. The tension adjustment member 22 is suspended on the position adjustment belt 23, which comprises male and female Velcro strips, and is fitted over the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4. Thus, the intensity of the tension of the leg actuating rod 4 can be adjusted by changing the position of the tension adjustment member 22 upwards or downwards using the position adjustment belt 23. In the present invention, because the bag body 11 has neither a separate support nor an inner casing, which is made of hard material and is connected between the top member 9 and the base member 14 to maintain the cylindrical shape of the bag body 11, the cylindrical bag body 11 itself is foldable. Furthermore, the lower end of the rear surface of the cylindrical bag body 11 is prevented from being folded or collapsed when the golf stand bag is placed using the support of the support legs 3 and 24 at an incline in the direction in which the support legs 3 and 24 extend from the bag body 11.

The characteristics and operation of the golf stand bag according to the present invention having the above-mentioned construction will be described in detail herein below.

1. In the golf stand bag 1 provided with the bag body 11, which has neither an inner casing nor a separate support and is thus foldable, when the golf stand bag 1 is placed using the support of the support legs 3 and 24 at an incline in the direction in which the support legs 3 and 24 extend from the bag body 11, the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14 is parallel to the ground and is thus stably supported thereon. Furthermore, the golf stand bag of the present invention is constructed such that the angle (B of FIG. 5) between the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (a line parallel to the front surface 12) of the bag body 11 and the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14, which is attached to the lower end 2 of the bag body 11, which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, is greater than the angle A of FIG. 5 (the angle of the bag body 11 with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag 1 is completely placed at an incline using the support of the support legs 3 and 24). The leg actuating rod cover 6, through which the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4 pass, is attached, in the longitudinal direction of the bag body 11, to the lower end of the rear surface of the bag body 11, on which the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4 are provided. Thus, when the golf stand bag 1 is placed at an incline using the support of the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14 and the support legs 3 and 24, the rear surface of the bag body 11 is prevented from being folded or collapsed. If the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14 is not angled relative to the lateral direction of the bag body 11 at the above-mentioned angle, the rear surface of the bag body 11 must be folded or collapsed so that the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14 is parallel to the ground when the bag body 11 is placed on the ground at an incline.

2. In the present invention, despite having neither an inner casing nor a separate support which is made of hard material and is connected between the top member 9 and the base member 14 to maintain the cylindrical shape of the bag body 11, the rear surface of the bag body 11, which is made of soft fabric, is prevented from being folded or collapsed when the golf stand bag 1 is placed at an incline using the support of the support legs 3 and 24 and the leg actuating rod 4. In detail, as shown in FIG. 3, when the golf stand bag 1 is placed on the ground, the lower end 8 of the leg actuating rod 4, which extends from the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14, first contacts the ground, so that the leg actuating rod 4 is moved upwards. Simultaneously, the bag body 11 and the top member 9, to which the bracket 27 is mounted, are moved downwards by the weight of the bag body 11, so that the support legs 3 and 24, which are rotatably coupled to the bracket 27 using the first rotating shafts 17 and 18 and are rotatably coupled to the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4 using the second rotating shaft 17 and 19, are extended in the direction in which the golf stand bag 1 is inclined. At this time, the entire bag body 11 is in a state of being tightly extended by the weight of the bag body 11 and the contents therein, and thus maintains the cylindrical shape thereof. Furthermore, when the bag body 11 is moved downwards, the leg actuating rod 4, which is made of a steel wire, tightly passes through the leg actuating rod cover 6, and the hard plastic shims, which are attached to the respective sewing margins of the leg actuating rod cover 6, also support the rear surface of the bag body 11 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the rear surface of the bag body 11 can be prevented from being folded or collapsed. Meanwhile, to carry the golf stand bag 1, which is in the state of having been placed at an incline on the ground using the support of the support legs 3 and 24, which are opened to the left and right, the user grasps the handle 20 or the shoulder strap 28 and lifts the golf stand bag 1, as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the arms 5 of the leg actuating rod 4, which have been opened, are closed by the tension thereof and pull the support legs 3 and 24, which are coupled to the arms 5 through the second rotating shafts 17 and 19. Thereby, the support legs 3 and 24, which have been opened to the left and right, are also closed. Furthermore, the leg actuating rod 4 moves downwards and extends to a predetermined position below the base member 14, as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the golf stand bag 1 becomes convenient to carry. As such, through the processes shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the golf stand bag 1 can be easily converted between the state in which it is placed at an incline using the support of the support legs 3 and 24 without the rear surface of the bag body 11 of the golf stand bag 1 being folded or collapsed, and the state in which it may be carried.

As one example to briefly explain the above principle of the construction of the present invention, during a break from military drills, three rifles are placed upright to support each other. A tunic is hung on the upper end of one rifle, and the lower part of the tunic is fastened to the lower end of the rifle on which the tunic is hung. Thereafter, when the three rifles are inclined in one direction by moving the remaining two rifles, the tunic, which is hung on the corresponding rifle, maintains the state in which it hangs down from the rifle due to the sum of the weight of the tunic and the weight of the contents of the pockets thereof, without being folded or collapsed. This is the same as the principle of the construction of the present invention.

3. In the typical conventional golf stand bags having support legs, a separate support is connected between a top member and a base member to support a bag body, or an inner casing for maintaining the cylindrical shape of the bag body is connected between the top member and the base member. Therefore, when it is desired to pack the golf stand bag in a packing box, the bag body cannot be folded to thus reduce the volume thereof. However, the golf stand bag of the present invention has neither a separate support nor an inner casing, so that the bag body can be folded, thus reducing the packing volume thereof. Therefore, the present invention can reduce logistics costs by 50% or more compared to conventional golf stand bags. Furthermore, as well as packing the golf stand bag in a reduced volume, the production process is simplified, thus markedly reducing the logistics costs and production costs (see, FIGS. 8A through 8C).

4. Lightness is another characteristic of the present invention. In detail, the golf stand bag according to the present invention has neither a separate support nor an inner casing. Therefore, the golf stand bag of the present invention is lighter than the conventional golf stand bag by the weight of the separate support, the inner casing and peripheral components thereof, even if the conventional golf stand bag is made of the same material and has the same design as that of the present invention. As such, the present invention provides a relatively light golf stand bag to consumers, thus reducing all kinds of costs pertaining to the weight of the product thanks to the lightness.

5. Furthermore, as another characteristic of the present invention, the base member 14 is attached to the lower end 2 of the cylindrical bag body 11, which is cut at the incline, such that the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14 is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the lateral direction of the bag body 11. Thus, the angle (B of FIG. 5) at which the lower contact surface 16 is angled relative to the lateral direction of the bag body 11 is greater than the angle (A of FIG. 5) of the bag body 11 with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag 1 is completely placed on the ground at an incline using the support of the support legs 3 and 24.

If the angle B of FIG. 5 is less than the angle A of FIG. 5, when the golf stand bag is completely placed on the ground at an incline using the support of the support legs, the rear surface of the bag body 11 is folded or collapsed. However, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, because the angle B is equal to or greater than the angle A, the rear surface of the bag body 11 is prevented from being folded or collapsed.

The operation of the golf stand bag of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction and characteristics will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

1. The golf stand bag 1 of the present invention is constructed in the shape shown in FIG. 3. When the golf stand bag 1 is placed on the ground, the leg actuating rod 4, which extends downwards from the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14, first contacts the ground and thus moves upwards. Then, the leg actuating rod 4 pushes the support legs 3 and 24, which are rotatably coupled to the leg actuating rod 4 through the second rotating shafts 19, upwards and in the direction in which the golf stand bag 1 is inclined. At this time, the support legs apply force to push upwards the top member 9, which is coupled to the bracket 27 to which the support legs are rotatably coupled through the first rotating shafts 18, but, on the contrary, due to the weight of the bag body 11, which is coupled to the top member 9, and the contents in the bag body 11, the top member 9 and the bag body 11 are moved downwards. Then, the support legs receive the force with which they are pushed upwards from the ground, and the force with which they are pushed downwards, through the first rotating shafts 18 and the second rotating shafts 19, so that the parts of the support legs adjacent to the second rotating shafts 19 are moved backwards with respect to the first rotating shafts. As a result, the support legs begin to open in the directions of 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock (see, FIG. 4).

2. When the golf stand bag 1 is completely placed on the ground, the leg actuating rod 4 seems to push the support legs 3 and 24 and the top member 9 further upwards through the first and second rotating shafts 18 and 19, but, actually, the leg actuating rod 4 serves only to support the entire weight of the golf stand bag 1. Simultaneously, due to the weight of the golf stand bag 1, the bag body 11 is moved downwards and stretched in the vertical directions. While the bag body 11 is moved downwards, the support legs 3 and 24 are rotated around the first rotating shafts 18 using the second rotating shafts 19 in the direction in which the golf stand bag is inclined. That is, because the support legs 3 and 24 are coupled to the bracket 27 through the rotating shafts 18 and are respectively oriented in the directions of 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock, the support legs 3 and 24 are stretched outwards in the direction in which the golf stand bag is inclined and are opened to the left and right before being placed on the ground.

3. In the present invention, because the leg actuating rod 4, which is made of a strong steel wire, is inserted through the leg actuating rod cover 6, which is provided on the rear surface of the bag body 11, when the golf stand bag is placed on the ground using the support of the support legs 3 and 24 to be inclined backwards at a predetermined angle, the leg actuating rod cover 6 and the rear surface 13 of the bag body 11 are prevented from being folded or collapsed. Furthermore, the elasticity of the hard shims 21, which are longitudinally sewn to the respective sewing margins of the leg actuating rod cover 6 in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bag body 11, also serve to prevent the rear surface of the bag body 11 from being folded or collapsed.

Just before the support legs 24 are completely placed on the ground, when the lower contact surface 16 of the base member 14 is placed on the ground parallel to the ground, as shown in FIG. 5, the bag body 11 of the golf stand bag 1 is inclined at the angle (B of FIG. 5) of the lower contact surface 16 with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body 11. Subsequently, when the support legs 3 and 24 are completely placed on the ground, the bag body 11 is slightly returned at an angle (B−A), obtained by subtracting the angle A from the angle B, in the direction opposite the direction in which the golf stand bag is inclined, that is, in the direction toward the vertical line. Furthermore, the lengths of the support legs 3 and 24 are determined such that the angle of the lower contact surface of the base member 14 relative to the lateral direction of the bag body 11 is greater than the angle of the bag body 11 with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag is completely placed at an incline. Therefore, when the leg actuating rod is placed on the ground and the golf stand bag 1 is completely placed on the ground using the support of the support legs 3 and 24, the rear surface of the bag body 11 is prevented from being folded or collapsed.

4. The most important object of the present invention is to reduce the logistics costs for the golf stand bag. In other words, the present invention reduces the volume of the product and thus promotes a reduction in the logistics costs and the production costs.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the production process and the logistics for the conventional golf stand bag, it is impossible to realize the concept of the present invention. That is, in the case of the conventional golf stand bag, which has a separate support or an inner casing or is integrally provided with the support legs, it is impossible to fold the golf stand bag. However, in the present invention, the leg actuating rod 4 can be removably coupled to the support legs using the second rotating shafts 17 and 19. Therefore, after the leg actuating rod is separated from the support legs, the bag body 11 can be folded and packed, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. As such, in the case where the bag body 11 is folded and packed, two units can be packed in one packing box that is smaller than a packing box that can receive only one unit of the conventional art. Therefore, the present invention can markedly reduce logistics costs compared to the conventional art.

5. The operation of the tension adjustment member 22 and the position adjustment belt 23 of the leg actuating rod 4 of the present invention will be explained herein below. In the conventional golf stand bags, there is a problem in that the support legs may swing down and thus impede the walking of the user who carries the golf stand bag on his/her shoulder. The reason for this is that the strength of the leg actuating rod, made of steel wire, is too low, or the elastic force thereof is reduced after use over a long period, so that the leg actuating rod cannot reliably close the support legs, which are coupled to the leg actuating rod by rotating shafts. Furthermore, in almost all conventional golf stand bags, although a tension adjustment member is typically provided on the leg actuating rod to prevent this problem, the tension adjustment member, which has various shapes, may slide downwards along the leg actuating rod after repeated use for a long period, thus being displaced from its original position. In this case, the tension adjustment member cannot conduct its intended function. However, to solve this conventional problem, the present invention has the position adjustment belt 23, which is manufactured by connecting male and female Velcro strips to each other by sewing. The position adjustment belt 23 is fastened at a first end thereof to the rear surface of the bag body 11 between the leg actuating rod cover 6 and the bracket 27 by sewing. The tension adjustment member 22 is hung on the position adjustment belt 23. In this state, the second end of the position adjustment belt 23 is fastened to the first end thereof after adjusting the length thereof, so that the tension adjustment member 22 is maintained at a desired position such that the leg actuating rod 4 can maintain constant tension.

The present invention has the following advantageous effects.

1. The volume of a golf stand bag is reduced, thus markedly reducing logistics (preservation, transportation, storage and handling) costs and production costs, thereby satisfying consumers thanks to price competitiveness.

2. The present invention makes it possible to produce relatively light golf stand bags, thus meeting the needs of golfers who neither employ a caddie nor use a golf cart.

3. A tension adjustment member can be maintained at the correct position by a position adjustment belt. Therefore, the tension of a leg actuating rod can be maintained constant, thus preventing support legs from sagging downwards, thereby reliably preventing the support legs from impeding the walking of a user when carrying the golf stand bag.

4. Despite the structure such that a bag body is foldable, the golf stand bag can be stably placed at an incline by the support both of the support legs and of the lower contact surface of a base member which contacts the ground such that the entire area of the lower contact surface is parallel to the ground, without the rear surface of the bag body being folded or collapsed.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A golf stand bag, having a foldable cylindrical bag body, cut such that a front surface thereof, to which a handle is mounted, is longer than a rear surface thereof, to which a bracket is mounted, so that a lower end of the bag body is inclined downwards from the rear surface of the bag body to the front surface thereof and is angled relative to a lateral direction of the bag body, wherein

the bag body has neither an inner casing nor a support provided inside or outside the bag body and connected between a top member and a base member to maintain a cylindrical shape of the bag body, thus forming a foldable or collapsible structure, and, when the golf stand bag is packed, a leg actuating rod, which is removably coupled to a pair of support legs using a second rotating shaft, is separated from the support legs, and the bag body is folded,
the base member is coupled to the inclined lower end of the bag body such that a lower contact surface of the base member is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body, wherein the angle of the lower contact surface of the base member with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body is equal to or greater than an angle of the bag body with respect to a vertical line when the golf stand bag is placed at an incline on a ground using support of the support legs,
a leg actuating rod cover is provided on a lower end of the rear surface of the bag body in a longitudinal direction of the bag body to have a tunnel shape, so that the leg actuating rod for controlling opening or closing of the support legs is inserted through the leg actuating rod cover, and shims, made of rigid plastic, are longitudinally attached to respective sewing margins formed on opposite edges of the leg actuating rod cover, each of the shims having a circular cross-section, wherein about 30 cm of a lower end of the leg actuating rod is inserted into the leg actuating rod cover, and
a position adjustment belt is provided on a medial portion of the rear surface of the bag body between an upper end of the leg actuating rod cover and the bracket to adjust a position of a tension adjustment member for adjusting a tension of the leg actuating rod.

2. The golf stand bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support legs and the leg actuating rod are removably coupled to the bracket and the support legs using first and second rotating shafts, respectively, so that at least two golf stand bags are packed in one packing box after the support legs and the leg actuating rod of each of the two golf stand bags are separated from the first and the second rotating shafts, or only the leg actuating rod of each of the two golf stand bags is separated from the second rotating shaft.

3. The golf stand bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top member and the bracket are provided on an upper end of the bag body, which has neither the inner casing nor the support provided inside or outside the bag body and connected between the top member and the base member to support or tension the bag body and maintain the cylindrical shape of the bag body, the bag body thus being foldable, and

the support legs are coupled to the bracket using the first rotating shaft.

4. The golf stand bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower end of the cylindrical bag body is inclined with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body,

the base member is coupled to the inclined lower end of the bag body such that the lower contact surface of the base member is inclined with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body,
the angle of the lower contact surface of the base member with respect to the lateral direction of the bag body is equal to or greater than the angle of the bag body with respect to the vertical line when the golf stand bag is placed at an incline on the ground using support of the support legs,
each of the support legs has a length appropriate to maintain the angle of the bag body with respect to the vertical line, and
a vertical line of the border surface of the base member is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal direction of the bag body.

5. The golf stand bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein the leg actuating rod cover longitudinally extends a predetermined length upwards from the lower end of the rear surface of the bag body to have the tunnel shape,

the shims made of rigid plastic are longitudinally provided on the opposite sewing margins of the leg actuating rod cover, and
the leg actuating rod is inserted through the leg actuating rod cover, thus preventing the rear surface of the bag body from being folded or collapsed when the golf stand bag is placed at the incline on the ground by support of the support legs.

6. The golf stand bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein the position adjustment belt is provided on the medial portion of the rear surface of the bag body above the upper end of the leg actuating rod cover to adjust the position of the tension adjustment member for adjusting the tension of the leg actuating rod.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080251399
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 1, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2008
Inventor: Yong Su Rhee (Seoul)
Application Number: 12/080,146
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Including Means For Maintaining Bag In Upright Position (206/315.7)
International Classification: A63B 55/06 (20060101);