Golf Club Bag And Method Of Manufacture

Abstract

In one embodiment, a golf club bag comprises; a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, a body portion coupled to the top member and the bottom member, at least one stay extending from proximate the top member to proximate the bottom member to support the body portion, and at least one external support member to support the body portion at an upright angled position. The bottom member is not coupled to any stays. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to golf club bags, and relates more particularly to a support frame for the golf club bag, and its method of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Golf Club equipment manufacturers may design golf club bags that have a frame and support legs to support a golf club bag at an angled upright position. The frame is hinged in some manner to the bottom of the golf club bag to allow the bag to bend as it is placed on the ground and bent to the angled position. The hinge facilitates the bottom of the golf club bag to remain parallel and flat to the ground. Alternatively, a golf club bag may have a configuration without hinging the frame to the bottom of the golf club bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 depict isometric, see-through views of exemplary golf club bags according to embodiments of golf club baas and method of manufacture described herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up view of a stay and a top member coupling mechanism according the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up view of the stay, an intermediate member, and a coupling mechanism according the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the stay according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 taken along a section line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts the relationship between stays coupled to an intermediate member according to the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 8 depicts adjustable stays according to another embodiment of a golf club bag and method of manufacture described herein;

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram representation of one manner in which an exemplary golf club bag can be manufactured according to an embodiment of a golf club bag and method of manufacture; and

FIG. 10 depicts another isometric, see-through view of an exemplary golf club bag according to an embodiment of golf club bags and method of manufacture described herein.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction. Descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques can be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring a golf club bag and method of manufacture. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the various exemplary embodiments of the golf club bag. When used, the same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the ordinal terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the exemplary embodiments of a golf club bag and method of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described. Furthermore, the terms “contain,” “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an article or method that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such article or method.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the positional terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of a golf club bag and method of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in a physical, mechanical, or other manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

In an embodiment of golf club bags, a golf club bag comprises: a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, a body portion coupled to the top member and the bottom member, at least one stay extending from proximate the top member to proximate the bottom member to support the body portion, and at least one external support member to support the body portion at an angled position. The bottom member may not be coupled to any stays. The golf club bag can further comprise at least one intermediate member located between the top member and the bottom member to provide additional support for the golf club bag and/or stays.

In another embodiment, a golf club bag comprises a frame comprising; a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, all intermediate member between the top member and the bottom member, a first stay, a second stay, and a third stay. A body portion couples to the frame to define a cavity for holding golf clubs. The first stay, the second stay, and the third stay can couple to the intermediate member and the top member. Further, the third stay can also extend beyond the intermediate member towards the bottom member, and can be adjacent to the bottom member.

Among various embodiments described herein, a stay or multiple stays can couple to both an intermediate member and a top member, and the intermediate member can subsequently couple to a body portion. The stay or stays can couple to the top member or the bag by various fittings, such as friction fittings. The top and bottom members can be closed loops, and the intermediate member can be an arcuate member. Certain embodiments can comprise adjustable length stay or stays, such as, telescopically adjustable stays.

Among the exemplary embodiments, a golf club bag facilitates a bottom member lying parallel to a reference ground plane, i.e., lie flat on the ground, when the golf club bag is at an angled “resting,” position. When the golf club bag is at the angled “resting” position, the bottom member does not hinge with another portion of the golf club bag, but rather, a portion of the golf club bag proximate the bottom member may collapse to allow the golf club bag to bend at the angled position.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a golf club bag comprises, providing a top member, providing a bottom member opposite the top member, providing a body portion coupled to the top member and the bottom member, providing at least one stay extending from proximate the top member to proximate the bottom member to support the body portion, and providing at least one external support member to support the body portion at an angled position. The method further comprises providing the bottom member without being coupled to any stays. Among the embodiments for manufacturing a golf club bag, the various physical elements described above can also be provided.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary golf club bag 100. In an embodiment, golf club bag 100 comprises a top member 115, a bottom member 120 opposite top member 115 and a body portion 125 coupled to top member 115 at a bag top 130 and coupled to bottom member 120 at a bag bottom 135. For example, body portion 125 may be a single piece or multiple pieces of non-rigid or flexible material(s). Golf club bag 100 further comprises at least one stay (generally shown as 140) coupled to top member 115 at a top member stay fitting 145, and stay 140 can also be coupled to body portion 125 via a bag stay fitting 150. Stay 140 facilitates support for body portion 125. Golf club bag 100 can further comprise at least one external support member 160 coupled towards a top back portion 101 of golf club bag 100, and support member 160 can support body portion 125 at an angled position 170. Bottom member 120 may not be coupled to any stays.

Golf club bag 100 can further comprise a second stay 142. Second stay 142 can similarly be coupled to top member 115 and body portion 125 via another top member stay fitting 147 and another bag stay fitting 152. Second stay 142 can be located opposite stay 140, but the various exemplary embodiments described herein are not limited in this regard. Golf club bag 100, as shown in FIG. 1, is in the “resting” position, i.e., set upon a reference ground plane 198, and support members 160 and 162 are extended to support golf club bag 100 at angled position 170. Among the various exemplary embodiments, angled position 170 can comprise an angle between about 50 degrees (°) and 80°±5°. Other aspects of golf club bag 100 are described later.

With reference to FIG. 2, golf club bag 200 is similar to golf club bag 100 (FIG. 1), but can further comprise at least one intermediate member 280 located between top member 115 and bottom member 120 to provide additional support for body portion 125 in cooperation with stay 140. Intermediate member 280 can be coupled to stay 140 by a joint 282, and intermediate member 280 can be further coupled to second stay 142 by a joint 283. Intermediate member 280 can be coupled to body portion 125 by intermediate member couplings 286 and 287.

FIG. 2 also shows golf club bag 200 further comprising third stay 244. Similar to second stay 142, third stay 244 can couple to top member 115 and body portion 125 via top member stay fitting 248 and another bag stay fitting (not shown), similar to bag stay fittings 150 and 152 shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, though third stay 244 is shown coupled proximate to intermediate member 280 by a joint 281. While the various stays are shown coupled proximate to intermediate member 280 via respective joints, some embodiments can comprise the various stays coupled directly to intermediate member 280. Stays 140, 142, and 244 can be spaced evenly around golf club bag 200. Other aspects of golf club bag 200 are described later.

With reference to FIG. 3, golf club bag 300 is similar to golf club bag 100 (FIG. 1) and golf club bag 200 (FIG. 2), but can further comprise a second intermediate member 380. Similar to intermediate member 280 (FIG. 2), second intermediate member 380 can couple proximate to stays 140, 142, and/or 244 at joints 381-383, and second intermediate member 380 can couple to body portion 125 by second intermediate member couplings 386 and 387. Again, in other embodiments, any of the various stays can couple directly to second intermediate member 380, first intermediate member 280, and/or body portion 125.

With reference to FIG. 10, golf club bag 1000 is similar to golf club bags 100, 200, and 300 (FIGS. 1-3), but golf club bag 1000 comprises a single wire 1089 that can be formed into a primary stay 1040, similar to stay 140 (FIGS. 1-3) and an intermediate member 1080, similar to intermediate member 280 (FIG. 2) and/or intermediate member 380 (FIG. 3). In this exemplary embodiment, single wire 1089 is bent to form both stay 1040 and intermediate member 1080, but in some embodiments, multiple wires could be used to create stay 1040 and/or intermediate member 1080. In addition, the wire could be bent to form a second intermediate member, similar to intermediate member 380 (FIG. 3), or other frame supports.

As shown in FIG. 10, intermediate member portion 1080 of wire 1089 can be coupled to body portion 125 by intermediate member couplings 1086, which can be similar to intermediate member couplings 286, 287, 386, and 387 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Also, wire 1089 can couple to top member 115 at top member stay fitting 1045, which can be similar to top member stay fitting 145, 147, and 248 (FIGS. 1-3), but in this exemplary embodiment, top member stay fitting 1045 accommodates the two wires as shown, but other embodiments can accommodate a single wire or multiple wires. As further shown in FIG. 10, this exemplary embodiment can also include slip pockets 1084 and 1085. Slip pockets 1084 and 1085 can be coupled to the interior of body portion 125 and provide a “sleeve” or “pocket” to secure wire 1089 proximate to body portion 125, thereby providing frame support for golf club bag 1000. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

FIGS. 1-3, and 10 show top member 115 and bottom member 120 comprising a circular configuration, but other embodiments can comprise top member 115 and bottom member 120 having other geometric configurations. For example, top member 115 and bottom member 120 can comprise a square, rectangular, oval, octagonal, hexagonal, or any other regular or irregular shape. Moreover, top member 115 and bottom member 120 can comprise different shapes from each other. For example, top member 115 can be oval shaped, and bottom member 120 can be square or rectangular shaped.

The exemplary embodiments of golf club bags 100, 200, 300 and 1000, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 10, show body portion 125 coupled to top member 115 at bag top 130, and coupled to bottom member 120 at bag bottom 135. Among the exemplary embodiments, body portion 125 can couple to top and bottom members 115 and 120, as well as to the various stays in a variety of manners. For example, top and bottom members 115 and 120 may be sewn to or into body portion 125, but in other embodiments body portion 125 can couple to top and bottom members 115 and 120 in other manners, such as by snaps, hooks, Velcro® material, rivets, screws, nuts, friction fittings, bolts, zippers, ties, clips, buttons, buckles, bands, other fasteners, and the like.

In certain embodiments, body portion 125 may couple to top member 115 by being incorporated with top member 115. For example, top member 115 can be sewn into body portion 125. Body portion 125 can also couple to an outer perimeter wall of top member 115 so that all or a portion of top member 115 is exposed. In similar fashion, body portion 125 may incorporate bottom member 120. For example, bottom member 120 can be sewn into body portion 125. Body portion 125 can also couple to an outer perimeter wall of bottom member 120 so that all or a portion of bottom member 120 is exposed.

FIGS. 1-3 and 10 show exemplary couplings: the stays to the body portion, the stays to the intermediate member, and the intermediate member to the body portion. For example, FIG. 4 depicts stay 140 coupled to fitting 145 at top member 115. Fitting 145 can be molded to or coupled to an inner perimeter wall 416 of top member 115 and can comprise a cavity 443. A stay end 441 of stay 140 can be inserted into cavity 443, and the friction between stay end 441 and the walls of cavity 443 hold stay 140 in place. An adhesive can also be used to hold stay end 441 in cavity 443. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of a region 299 from FIG. 2. Third stay 244 is coupled to joint 281, and intermediate member 280 is coupled to joint 281. In this example, third stay 244 and intermediate member 280 couple to joint 281 by friction fittings, in a similar manner that stay 140 couples to fitting 145 as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 further shows intermediate member 280 coupled to body portion 125 by intermediate member coupling 286. Intermediate member coupling 286 can be a patch of material secured to body portion 125, for example, by suture or Velcro® material, and intermediate member 280 can be passed through intermediate member coupling 286 for coupling with joint 281. The stays, intermediate members, and body portion can be coupled in various other manners, and the exemplary embodiment is not limited in the regard described above.

Exemplary embodiments of golf club bag 100, 200, 300, and 1000 can comprise the golf club bag to be flexible. In one example, golf club bag 100, or body portion 125, comprises a flexible material, such as leather or a woven fabric of synthetic and/or natural fibers. Body portion 125 allows golf club bag 100 to deform as needed when used in various manners. For example, when golf club bag 100 is placed on a surface, such as surface 198 in FIG. 1, the flexibility of golf club bag 100 allows bottom end 120 to remain flat on surface 198 while body portion 125 bends, for example at a crumple zone 190 (FIG. 1), when support members 160 and 162 support golf club bag 100 at angled position 170. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 10, golf club bags 100, 200, 300, and 1000 comprise crumple zone 190. Crumple zone 190 provides the portion of body portion 125 that bends, but other embodiments can comprise other manners in which body portion 125 can bend; for example, crumple zone 190 can comprise folds, pleats, hinges, and the like, and golf club bags 100, 200, 300, and 1000 are not limited in this regard. Stays 142 of golf club bags 100, 200, and 300; and stay 244 of golf club bags 200 and 300 can be shorter than stay 140 by approximately 1-50 centimeters to allow room for crumple zone 190.

As mentioned earlier, to provide a frame or support for body portion 125, certain exemplary embodiments comprise golf club bags 100, 200, 300, and 1000 having a single stay or multiple stays. For example, stay 140 in FIGS. 1-3 is placed along the inside of front portion 102 of flexible golf club bag 125, extends from top member 115 towards bottom member 120, and terminates proximate to bottom member 120. Stay 140 does not couple to bottom member 120. Instead, stay 140 couples to stay fitting 150, which is coupled to body portion 125. As an example, stay 140 can end approximately 0.1-20 centimeters above bottom member 120, and stay 140 can comprise a length approximately 70-160 centimeters ±10 centimeters. In this configuration, because stay 140 does not couple to bottom member 120, body portion 125 can bend at crumple zone 190 as shown in FIG. 1 to allow bottom member 120 to remain flat upon surface 198, yet stay 140 can still provide support for body portion 125.

Golf club bag 100 can further comprise second stay 142, wherein second stay 142 can provide additional support for body portion 125. Second stay 142 is coupled along the inside back portion 101 of body portion 125, it can couple to top member 115 at fitting 147, and extend from top member 115 towards bottom member 120. Similar to stay 140, second stay 142 does not couple to bottom member 120, but rather couples to a fitting, such as stay fitting 152 in FIG. 1, wherein stay fitting 152 can be coupled to body portion 125. In this configuration, body portion 125 is provided with additional support while allowing body portion 125 to bend at crumple zone 190, as shown in FIG. 1. The exemplary golf club bags 200 and 300 described herein likewise comprise a second stay, but the various golf club bags described herein are not limited in this regard.

Golf club bags 200 and 300 can further comprise a third stay 244, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In similar manner to stay 140 and second stay 142, third stay 244 can couple to top member 115 at a top member fitting, such as top member fitting 248, and extend along the inside of body portion 125 towards bottom member 120. Third stay 244 likewise does not couple to bottom member 120, but rather couples to a fitting, such as stay fitting 281, which can also be coupled to body portion 125. In this configuration, body portion 125 is provided with still more support while still allowing body portion 125 to bend at crumple zone 190, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In any event, golf club bags 100, 200, 300, and 1000 can comprise still more stays for support, and golf club bags 100, 200, 300, and 1000 are not limited in this regard.

The exemplary embodiments of golf club bags 100, 200, and 300 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 5-8 show the various stays comprising a circular tubular configuration, but other configurations are likewise contemplated. For example, with reference to the cross-sections shown in FIG. 6, the various stays can comprise various geometric patterns. The cross-sections show stays 140, 142, and 244 comprising a solid or hollow cross-section, wherein the cross-section can comprise circular, triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal shapes, and the like, but the various stays are not limited in this regard. The various stays may also comprise irregular shape configurations as well. Moreover, with reference to FIG. 10, stay 1040 is formed from wire 1089, and in some embodiments, wire 1089 can also comprise various shape configurations. Wire 1089 can also comprise different gauges, and/or different types of metals, alloys, plastics, or other substantially rigid materials.

Among certain embodiments, the various slays and top, bottom, and intermediate members can comprise materials configured to withstand the forces for supporting, for example, golf club bag 100 plus the weight of golf clubs (not shown) and/or other products housed by or coupled to golf club bag 100, such as golf shoes, golf balls, a golf ball retriever, tees, an umbrella, towels, clothes, etc. The stay and/or intermediated member materials can comprise metals, such as, iron, aluminum, nickel, titanium, their alloys, etc, but the stay materials can also comprise non-metallic materials, such as plastics or composites. In any event, the materials chosen to manufacture the various stays should be capable of supporting the exemplary golf club bags described herein.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, golf club bags 200 and 300 further show body portion 125 coupled to intermediate member 280. FIG. 10 shows body portion 125 coupled to intermediate member 1080. As briefly mentioned earlier, intermediate member 280 (FIGS. 2 and 3) can provide additional support for body portion 125 by coupling proximate to stays 142 and 244 via joints 283 and 281, and coupled proximate to stay 140 via joint 282. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, intermediate member 280 can comprise an arcuate shape that is open and proximate to the inside perimeter or body portion 125, but other shapes can be used. For example, intermediate member 280 call comprise a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a triangular shape, etc., or as shown in FIG. 10, intermediate member 1080 call be part of a formed wire that can be bent in numerous configurations.

Intermediate members 280 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and 1080 (FIG. 10) are shown positioned towards the bottom of golf club bags 200, 300, and 1000, but in the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, intermediate member 280 can be positioned at other positions along the length of golf club bags 200 and 300; for example, it can be positioned towards the top or middle portion of golf club bags 200 and 300. With reference to FIG. 3, golf club bag 300 can comprise more than one intermediate member. For example, golf club bag 300 in FIG. 3 shows intermediate member 280 towards the bottom of golf club bag 300 and a second intermediate member 380 positioned towards the middle of golf club bag 300. Intermediate members 280 and 380 can be spaced evenly or unevenly along stays 142 and 244. The golf club bag and method of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, intermediate members 280 and 380 can be coupled to body portion 125 via intermediate member couplings 286, 287, 386, and 387. FIG. 10 shows intermediate member 1080 coupled to body portion 125 via intermediate member couplings 1086. In one example, intermediate member 280 (FIGS. 2 and 3) can couple to body portion 125 via intermediate member couplings 286 and 287. In certain embodiments, intermediate member couplings 286 and 287 can be sewn to body portion 125, or in alternative embodiments, intermediate member couplings 286 and 287 can comprise a Velcro® system to couple intermediate member 280 to body portion 125. FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of a portion of intermediate member 280 and how it is secured to body portion 125 by intermediate member coupling 286, and coupled to stay 244 via joint 281. With momentary reference to FIG. 7, intermediate member 280 is shown coupled to second and third stays 142 and 244, but intermediate member 280 is also coupled to main stay 140 by an exemplary securing mechanism 789. In one example, securing mechanism 789 is a screw, but can be a different mechanism such as a clip, a band, or the like. Furthermore, intermediate member 280 secured to main stay 140 can be further coupled to joint 282, which is coupled to body portion 125. Securing mechanism 289 can be part of, or separate from, joint 282.

Among certain examples, and returning to FIG. 2, main stay 140 extends beyond intermediate member 280 towards bottom member 120 and proximate to bottom member 120, but second stay 142 and third stay 244 do not extend beyond intermediate member 280. Instead, stays 142 and 244 terminate at intermediate member 280. Golf club bag 100 is not limited in this regard though, and other configurations can be manufactured. For example, second and third stays 142 and 244 could also extend beyond intermediate member 280, or stays 140, 142 and 244 could all terminate at intermediate member 280.

Certain embodiments can comprise other elements to compliment golf club bag 100. For example, with reference to FIG. 8, one exemplary embodiment can comprise golf club bag 800 having adjustable stays 840, 842, and 844. In this embodiment, stays 840, 842, and 844 can comprise telescopic stays such that the stays can be adjusted in a direction 891. Mechanism 895 of each of stays 840, 842, and 844 can comprise a spring pin 892 and receiving holes 893. Mechanism 895 permits the lengths of stays 840, 842, and 844 to be adjusted to accommodate golf club bags of varying lengths. For example, an individual could replace body portion 825 with another body portion associated with, for example, a junior bag, or a smaller women's bag, or a body portion having a different configuration altogether.

Returning to FIG. 1, other complimentary elements of golf club bag 100 can include storage pockets for various golf accessories, such as pockets 170, 171, and 172. Pockets 170, 171, and 172 could be integral to body portion 125, coupled to the exterior of body portion 125, or a combination of both. Pockets 170, 171, and 172 can be used to store personal items, such as keys, glasses, wallets, clothing, etc., or to store golf related items, such as golf balls, golf shoes, tees, ball markers, score cards, gloves, and the like. Other elements may include tote straps and handles, such as tote strap 276 (FIG. 2) or handle 277 to facilitate transporting golf club bag 200.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, and 10 golf club bags 100, 200, 300, and 1000 comprise support legs 160 and 162 to support body portion 125 when body portion 125 is resting at angled position 170. For example, when golf club bag 100 is placed upon surface 198 (FIG. 1), support legs 160 and 162 can extend outwardly as shown by direction arrow 163 and 164 (FIG. 1), from their stored position adjacent body portion 125. When golf club bag 100 is picked up from surface 198, support leas 160 and 162 can retract, as shown by direction arrows 165 and 166, back to their stored position adjacent body portion 125. In some embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 2, bottom member 120 can further comprise foot cleats 275, which can assist to provide additional traction upon soft surfaces such as grass, dirt, sand, and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in an embodiment of a golf club bag and method of manufacture, a method 900 for manufacturing an golf club bag article comprises: providing a top member (a block 910); providing a bottom member opposite the top member (a block 920); providing a body portion coupled to the top member and the bottom member (a block 930); providing at least one stay extending from proximate the top member to proximate the bottom member to support the body portion (a block 940), providing at least one external support member to support the body portion at an angled position (a block 950), providing the bottom member to not couple to any stays (a block 960). Method 900 can further comprise, providing at least one intermediate member between the top member and the bottom member (a block 970).

In method 900, the top member can be similar to top member 115 (FIGS. 1-4, 8, and 10). The bottom member can be similar to bottom member 120 (FIGS. 1-3, and 10). The body portion can be similar to body portion 125 (FIGS. 1-3, and 10), and/or body portion 825 (FIG. 8). The stay can be similar to stay 140 (FIGS. 1-4 and 7), stay 142 (FIGS. 1-3 and 7), stay 244 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7), stays 840, 842, and 844 (FIG. 8), and/or stay 1040 (FIG. 10). The support member can be similar to support members 160 and 162 (FIGS. 1-3, and 10). The intermediate member can be similar to intermediate member 280 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7), second intermediate member 380 (FIG. 3), and/or intermediate member 1080 (FIG. 10).

Although a particular order of actions is illustrated in FIG. 9, these actions can be performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or more actions depicted in FIG. 9 can be performed sequentially, concurrently, or simultaneously.

Additional examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of a golf club bag and method of manufacture is intended to be illustrative of the scope of a golf club bag and method of manufacture and is not intended to be limiting. For example, in one embodiment, a golf club bag can have one or more features of FIG. 1 with or without the features described with reference to FIG. 2, 3, 8, or 10; a golf club bag can have one or more of the features of FIG. 2 with or without the features of FIG. 1, 3, 8, or 10; a golf club bag can have one or more of the features of FIG. 3 with or without the features of FIG. 1, 2, 8, or 10; a golf club bag can have one or more of the features of FIG. 8 with or without the features of FIG. 1-3, or 10; and a golf club bag can have one or more of the features of FIG. 10 with or without the features of FIG. 1-3, or 8. Moreover, the exemplary embodiments described herein with respect to one of golf club bags 100, 200, 300, or 1000 can also be descriptive to some or all of the other exemplary embodiments. It is intended that the scope of a golf club bag and method of manufacture shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

The article and method discussed herein can be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of a golf club bag and method of manufacture, and can disclose alternative embodiments of a golf club bag and method of manufacture.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to a golf club bag and method of manufacture claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that can cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A golf club bag comprising:

a top member;

a bottom member opposite the top member;

a body portion coupled to the top member and the bottom member;

at least one stay extending from proximate the top member to proximate the bottom member to support the body portion; and

at least one external support member to support the body portion at an angled position; wherein: the bottom member is not coupled to any stays.

2. The golf club bag of claim 1, further comprising at least one intermediate member between the top member and the bottom member.

3. The golf club bag of claim 2, wherein the at least one stay couples to the at least one intermediate member and the top member.

4. The golf club bag of claim 2, wherein the top member and the bottom member are closed loops, and the at least one intermediate member is an arcuate member.

5. The golf club bag of claim 2, wherein the at least one intermediate member couples to the body portion.

6. The golf club bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one stay couples to the top member by a friction fitting.

7. The golf club bag of claim 1, wherein a length of the at least one stay is adjustable.

8. The golf club bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one stay is approximately 70 to 160 centimeters long and has an end located approximately 0.1 to 20 centimeters above the bottom member.

9. The golf club bag of claim 1, wherein the bottom member lies parallel to a reference ground plane when the body portion is placed at an angled position on the reference ground plane.

10. The golf club bag of claim 1, wherein the bottom member is not hinged to the golf club bag by mechanical hardware.

11. The golf club bag of claim 1, wherein an end of the at least one stay couples to the body portion by a fitting configured to receive the end.

12. A bag comprising

a frame comprising: a top member; a bottom member opposite the top member; an intermediate member between the top member and the bottom member; a first stay; a second stay; a third stay; and

a body portion coupled to the frame defining a cavity to hold golf clubs; wherein: the first stay, the second stay, and the third stay couple to the intermediate member and the top member; the third stay extends beyond the intermediate member towards the bottom member; and the third stay is adjacent to the bottom member.

13. The bag of claim 12, wherein:

the frame further comprises a second intermediate member between the top member and the bottom member; and

the first stay, the second stay, and the third stay couple to the second intermediate member.

14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the second and third stays are shorter than the first stay.

15. The bag of claim 12, wherein the intermediate member couples to the body portion.

16. The bag of claim 12, wherein the top member and the bottom member are closed loops, and the intermediate member is an arcuate member.

17. The bag of claim 12, wherein a length of the first stay, a length of the second stay, and a length of the third stay are adjustable.

18. The bag of claim 12, wherein the bottom member lies parallel to a reference ground plane when the body portion is placed at an angled position on the reference ground plane.

19. The bag of claim 12, wherein the bottom member is not coupled to another portion of the bag by a mechanical hardware hinge.

20. The bag of claim 12, further comprising support legs configured to maintain the body portion at an angled position.

21. The golf club bag of claim 12, wherein ends of the first, second and third stays couple to the body portion by friction fittings configured to receive the ends.

22. A method for manufacturing a golf club bag comprising:

providing a top member;

providing a bottom member opposite the top member;

providing a body portion coupled to the top member and the bottom member;

providing at least one stay extending from proximate the top member to proximate the bottom member to support the body portion; and

providing at least one external support member to support the body portion at an angled position; wherein: the bottom member is not coupled to any stays.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing at least one intermediate member between the top member and the bottom member.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein providing the at least one intermediate member further comprises coupling the at least one intermediate member to the body portion.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein providing the at least one stay further comprises coupling the at least one stay to the at least one intermediate member and to the top member.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one stay couples to the top member by a friction fitting.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein,

providing the top member comprises providing the top member to be a first closed loop;

providing the bottom member comprises providing the bottom member to be a second closed loop; and

providing the at least one intermediate member further comprises providing the at least one intermediate member to be an arcuate member.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein providing the at least one stay comprises providing the at least one stay to be adjustable.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein providing the bottom member comprises providing the bottom member to lie parallel to a reference ground plane when the body portion is placed at an angled position on the reference ground plane.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein providing the bottom member comprises providing a bottom member without hinging to the golf club bag by mechanical hardware.