Expandable Container

Abstract

An expandable container for selectively receiving golf clubs includes an elongate and flexible main body section having opposed top and bottom ends and a continuous side wall extending between the opposed ends, the flexible main body section defining a storage reservoir. The bottom is closed and the top is open such that the golf clubs are selectively receivable into the storage reservoir through the open top. The flexible main body is movable between a retracted configuration in which the golf clubs are not receivable into the storage reservoir through the open top and an expanded configuration in which the golf clubs can be selectively received through the open top.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/139,500 filed Dec. 19, 2008 entitled Range Caddie.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to container devices and, more particularly, to an expandable container that may be rolled and stored inside a traditional golf club bag and selectively unrolled and expanded to store selected clubs for transport on a golf course, such as to a driving range or to a golf green in use with a player's “short game.”

Golfers typically carry a full set of golf clubs, accessories, and supplies in a large golf bag during game play. With as many as twelve or more metal golf clubs, golf balls, divot tools, ball placement markers, tees, and the like included, the bag and complement of supplies can become very heavy, particularly if carried by the golfer while walking the an entire 18 hole golf course. Another common problem is that the entire bag must be carried to the driving range or putting practice green even though only a few clubs and supplies are actually needed there.

Various devices have been proposed in the art for holding golf clubs and supplies. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices and patent proposals do not meet the particular needs of golfers who desire to carry less than a full complement of clubs and supplies to the driving range.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have an expandable container constructed of a generally flexible material that may be rolled or folded for stowage inside a larger traditional golf bag for specific use when going to a driving range. Further, it would be desirable to have an expandable container that may be expanded to hold a subset of golf clubs and accessory items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An expandable container for selectively receiving golf clubs includes an elongate and flexible main body section having opposed top and bottom ends and a continuous side wall extending between the opposed ends, the flexible main body section defining a storage reservoir. The bottom is closed and the top is open such that the golf clubs are selectively receivable into the storage reservoir through the open top. The flexible main body is movable between a retracted configuration in which the golf clubs are not receivable into the storage reservoir through the open top and an expanded configuration in which the golf clubs can be selectively received through the open top.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an expandable container that may be moved between a retracted configuration for storage and an expanded configuration suitable for holding and transporting a subset of a set of golf clubs to a driving range.

Another object of this invention is to provide an expandable container, as aforesaid, that includes a shoulder strap and handles to make carrying the device easy and comfortable.

Still another object of this invention is to provide object of this invention is to provide an expandable container, as aforesaid, that includes pockets for carrying golf accessories.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expandable container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an expandable container as in FIG. 1 taken from another angle; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an expandable container in a retracted configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An expandable container according to a preferred embodiment of this invention will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings. The expandable container 10 includes a main body section 12 having a closed bottom 14 and open top 16.

More particularly, the main body section 12 presents an elongate configuration generally having an imaginary longitudinal axis extending between opposed top and bottom ends. The main body section 12 includes a continuous side wall having front 18 and rear 20 sides and defining an interior storage reservoir 22. The open top 16 is defined by the free edges of the front 18 and rear 20 sides at the top end, it being understood that selected items, such as golf clubs, may be received into the storage reservoir 22 through the open top 16. It is understood that the main body section 12 and closed bottom 14 may share a singular integrated construction or may be otherwise connected together by sewing or other fasteners. Preferably, the main body section present a generally tubular configuration.

The expandable container 10 is preferably constructed of a flexible material that may be movable between retracted and expanded configurations (FIGS. 3 and 1, respectively). Preferably, the container 10 is constructed of a nylon mesh material although other materials such as cloth, fabric, or plastic may also be suitable. The container 10 may be selectively rolled up into the retracted configuration (FIG. 3) such that it may be stored inside a larger golf bag when not otherwise in use as described later with more particularity. The container 10 may be unrolled into the expanded configuration so as to be selectively filled with selected items. It is understood that the front 18 and rear 20 sides may lay flat against one another when no items are received in the storage reservoir 22 and may be situated generally parallel to one another when items are received therein.

The front side 18 of the main body section 12 includes at least one pocket 24 situated thereon although more than a single pocket is preferred. For instance, one pocket may be situated adjacent the bottom end and another above it adjacent the top end (FIG. 1). The pocket(s) may be opened and closed with a zipper or other similar fastener. Further, a first handle 26 may be fixedly attached to the front side 18 of the main body section 12 generally adjacent the open top 16. A second handle 28 may be fixedly attached to the rear side 20 of the main body section 12 generally adjacent the bottom 14. Preferably, the handles are oriented along the imaginary longitudinal axis or, in other words, oriented vertically when the container 10 is situated in an upright manner. It is understood that the pockets 24 and handles 26, 28 may be integrally constructed in the main body section 12 or connected thereto by sewing or other fasteners.

Still further, the expandable container 10 may include a shoulder strap 30 fixedly connected to the main body section 12 at the top end thereof such that the container 10 may be carried by draping the shoulder strap 30 over the shoulder of a person. The shoulder strap 30 may include means for length adjustment as is known in the art. In addition, one or more straps 32 each having hook and loop fastener material may be connected to or adjacent to the top end of the main body section. These straps 32 may be useful in wrapping up and holding the expandable container 10 in the retracted configuration (which may also be referred to as a storage configuration). Also, the straps 32 may be useful in removably securing the expandable container 10 to a driving range golf bag holding device (not shown). In addition, a loop or other fastener (not shown) may be connected to the main body section 12 near the open top that is configured such that the expanded container 10 may be hung at a point or purchase display. The loop may also be useful in holding a golf towel or other accessory during game play.

In use, the expandable container 10 may be rolled up for storage within a pocket of a traditional golf bag and then removed therefrom and unrolled for use when desired. When laying flat, the open top 16 may be opened sufficiently such that one or more items, such as golf clubs, may be inserted and received into the storage reservoir formed by the main body section 12. The inserted golf clubs are held therein by the closed bottom 14.

Accordingly, a subset of a full set of golf clubs from one's golf bag may be more conveniently carried to a driving range while leaving a heavy golf bag behind. The present invention is similarly advantageous for a golfer playing a par-3 golf course in which a full complement of golf clubs is unnecessary.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An expandable container for selectively receiving golf clubs, comprising:

an elongate and flexible main body section having opposed top and bottom ends and a continuous side wall extending between said opposed ends, said flexible main body section defining a storage reservoir,

wherein said bottom is closed and said top is open such that the golf clubs are selectively receivable into said storage reservoir through said open top;

wherein said flexible main body is movable between a retracted configuration in which the golf clubs are not receivable in said storage reservoir through said open top and an expanded configuration in which the golf clubs are selectively receivable through said open top.

2. The expandable container as in claim 1, wherein said main body section is rollable between said retracted and expanded configurations.

3. The expandable container as in claim 1, wherein said main body section includes a front side and a rear side, said expandable container further comprising at least one pocket situated on said front side

4. The expandable container as in claim 3, further comprising a first handle fixedly attached to said front side of said main body section.

5. The expandable container as in claim 4, further comprising a second handle fixedly attached to said rear side of said main body section.

6. The expandable container as in claim 5, wherein said first and second handles are oriented along an imaginary longitudinal axis defined by said main body section.

7. The expandable container as in claim 3, further comprising a shoulder strap fixedly connected to said top end of said main body section such that the expandable container may be carried by draping said shoulder strap over the shoulder of a person.

8. The expandable container as in claim 3, further comprising a pair of securing straps coupled to said main body section adjacent said open top, each strap having at least a portion of hook and loop fastener material.

9. The expandable container as in claim 5, wherein said second handle is situated closer to said bottom end than said top end.

10. The expandable container as in claim 1, wherein said main body section includes a generally tubular configuration.

11. The expandable container as in claim 1, wherein said main body section is constructed generally of nylon.

12. The expandable container as in claim 1, wherein said at least one pocket includes a zipper for opening and closing said pocket.