Golf Bag Kits

Abstract

Golf bag kits including various components that may be selected and assembled to provide a finished golf bag. An embodiment of the golf bag kit comprises a golf bag shell or a golf bag shell sub-assembly, a bottom member capable of being permanently connected to the bottom portion of the golf bag shell, and a top member comprising top connectors capable of being permanently connected to the top portion to the golf bag shell. The golf bag kit may be shipped to the customer, distributor, and/or retailer as separate components for assembly. The golf bag shell sub-assembly may include an enclosure, a top collar, a bottom collar and stays extending between the top collar and the bottom collar. Alternatively, the golf bag kit may include a golf bag shell sub-assembly, a top member sub-assembly and a bottom member. The components may be selected from a plurality of component configurations.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to golf bags, golf bag kits, and methods of making a golf bag. Embodiments of the golf bag comprise a golf bag shell, a top member and a bottom member. Embodiments of the golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of one or more of golf bag shells, top members and/or bottom members, wherein each of the golf bag shells, top members and bottom members are selectively capable of being connected to form a golf bag.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a popular game that requires a significant amount of equipment to play including balls, a set of clubs, shoes, tees and a golf bag to organize and protect the equipment. The golf bags are available in many styles and types of bags. Generally, there are at least four different types of golf bags including, but not limited to, cart bags, stand or carry bags, staff or tour bags and travel bags. Cart bags are designed to be used when golfing with a golf cart. Therefore, cart bags are larger and heavier than their stand bag equivalents. Since cart bags are not designed to be carried for the entire length of the golf course, cart bags are generally heavy and comprise a shell with many more features than carry bags. Generally, a cart bag shell will have more pockets and larger compartments for balls, accessories, apparel, umbrellas, towels, keys, coins, etc. The top member of a cart bag may have more partitioning dividers forming a rigid, grid-like structure for keeping each club separate and organized within the bag. The bottom member of a cart bag may have a larger footprint than a stand or carry bag.

Stand or carry bags are designed to be carried with a golfer as they walk the golf course as they play. Therefore, stand bags are generally lighter than cart bags. The stand golf bags may comprise a shell or top member having a retractable stand system such as tripod-like stand. The stand system allows the golf bag to stand upright without being held by the golfer or the bags without stands may merely be laid on the course. Stand or carry golf bags may be made of lightweight materials, and smaller components such as, but not limited to, top members and bottom members. Some features available on cart bags are sacrificed in carry bags in the interests of comfort and weight.

Carry bags varying from simple sleeve-like bags having a couple of pockets, a top member with only a few partitioning dividers and no stand system to full-feature bags with a variety of compartments on the golf bag shell, a top member with more partitioning dividers and an automatic stand system, for example. Carry bags will further comprise a better carrying strap than a cart bag, usually a single or double strap that may be padded for comfort.

Tour bags are used by golfers on the professional tours and comprise a golf bag shell having a distinctive design, brand-related colors and the manufacturer's brand name prominently placed on the bag. Tour bags are another form of carry bag.

Travel golf bags are designed to protect golf clubs during travel, by airline, car, or other means. There is a variety of types of travel golf bags comprising golf bags with soft shells, hard shells, top members with detachable hard or soft covers. Multipurpose travel bags may be used to protect your clubs while traveling and can also be used as carry, stand or cart bags when playing on the golf course.

There are a wide variety of top members, bottom members and golf bag shells required to produce all the different types of golf bags. Each type of golf bag will have several varieties of top members, bottom members, and golf bag shells. Many of the components of each type of golf bag may not be interchangeable, further many of the components of different styles of the same type of golf bags are not interchangeable. Therefore, consumers are limited by the combinations of top members, bottom members and golf bag shells that are provided by the golf bag manufacturers. Further, each type of golf bag is also specifically designed for women and men.

Completed golf bags are bulky and expensive to ship and store for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The storage of a sufficient inventory of golf bags is difficult due to the number of varieties, styles, accessories and colors of golf bags desired by golfers.

There exists a need for a golf bag kit comprising a plurality of interchangeable components that a golfer may choose to design a type of golf bag that includes the features that they desire. There is a further need of a golf bag shell that may be connected with a plurality of golf bag top members and/or a plurality of golf bag bottom members to form a golf bag. There is an even further need for a golf bag kit that may be shipped for less cost and assembled by a distributor, retailer or by the consumer.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the golf bag kit comprises a golf bag shell, a bottom member capable of being permanently connected to one end of the golf bag shell and a top member capable of being permanently connected to the other end of the golf bag shell. The golf bag kit may be shipped for less cost than a completed golf bag. The golf bag kit comprises connectors on the golf bag shell and complementary connectors on the top member and the bottom member such that the top member and bottom member may be connected to the shell without special tools.

In another embodiment, the golf bag kit comprises at least one golf bag shell and a plurality of other golf bag components that may be selectively connected to the golf bag shell to form a golf bag. The golf bag components may include top members, bottom members, stand systems, pockets, as well as other accessories, for example. The golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of golf bag shells.

The golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of golf bag bottom members. Each of the golf bag bottom members comprises at least one connector capable of being attached to any of the golf bag shells available in the golf bag kit. The golf bag bottom members may be different from the other golf bag bottom members based on shape, color, weight, perimeter shape, bottom pattern, footprint, stand system capabilities, wheels, or other features. Thus, any of the bottom members may be selected and connected to the selected golf bag shell.

In other embodiments, the golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of golf bag top members. Each of the golf bag top members comprises at least one connector capable of being attached to any of the golf bag shells available in the golf bag kit. The golf bag top members may be different from the other golf bag top members based on shape, color, weight, perimeter shape, number, pattern, and/or position of partitioning dividers, handles, cover attachment capabilities, stand system capabilities, accessory attachment capabilities, or other features. Thus, any of the top members may be selected and connected to the selected golf bag shell. The top members may further comprise partitioning straps connected to the partitioning dividers of the top member. The partitioning straps may further be connected to an intermediate member. In specific embodiments, the intermediate member comprises at least one connector capable of attaching to at least one of the bottom collar or the bottom member.

In certain embodiments, the connectors are manual connectors that may be connected without the use of specialized tools, such as without the use of a sewing machine or rivet gun, for example. In some embodiments, the connectors may be attached to each other without the use of any tools. The connectors may be slot and pin connectors, for example.

The golf bag shells may comprise a flexible covering or rigid shell. Additionally, the golf bag shell may comprise at least one of a top collar and a bottom collar. The top collar and/or the bottom collar may comprise connectors capable of connecting the bottom member and/or the top member to the golf club shell.

In embodiments of the golf bag kit comprising a golf bag shell having both a top collar and a bottom collar, the golf bag shell may further comprise at least one stay connected between the top collar and the bottom collar. In such embodiments, the golf bag shell may comprise between 2 and 5 stays.

The golf bag kits may include a top member or a golf bag top member covering as a component of a golf bag kit as described in the patent application by the same inventor entitled as described in a “Golf Bags, Golf Bag Top Members, and Golf Bag Top Member Coverings” and/or sold in a method of selling a golf bag as described in a patent application by the same inventor entitled “Method of Selling Golf Bags and Golf Bag Kits,” for example, both applications incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of components, parts, techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases, all of the other disclosed embodiments and techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a typical carry golf bag comprising a golf bag shell, a top member, a bottom member and a stand system.

FIG. 2 depicts a golf bag shell sub-assembly comprising an enclosure, a top collar, a bottom collar and stays connected to the top collar and bottom collar;

FIG. 2A depicts an embodiment of a tab and slot connector such as a tab and slot connector for permanently connecting a bottom member to a bottom collar;

FIG. 3 depicts embodiments of a bottom member, a bottom collar and an intermediate member;

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of bottom member and bottom collar comprising a connector to connect a bottom member to a bottom collar of a golf bag shell;

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a bottom member;

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a top member comprising partitioning dividers that form seven golf club receiving apertures at three different elevations;

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of a top member comprising partitioning dividers that form six golf club receiving apertures;

FIG. 7A depicts embodiments of a top member and a golf bag shell sub-assembly with a complementary profiles;

FIG. 7B depicts a cross-sectional view of an inner wall and an outer wall of an embodiment of the top member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a top member sub-assembly comprising a top member, partitioning straps, and an intermediate member; and

FIG. 9 depicts the embodiments of the bottom member, bottom collar and intermediate member of FIG. 3 connected together to form the bottom end of the golf bag.

DESCRIPTION

Golf is a popular game that requires a significant amount of equipment to play including, but not limited to, a set of golf clubs, balls, shoes, tees and a golf bag to carry, organize and protect the equipment from damage. A set of golf clubs, typically, consists of twelve clubs including three woods (the 1-driver, 3 wood, and 5 wood), at least 1 hybrid, seven irons (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and PW), and a putter. However, the rules of golf allow a golfer to carry up to fourteen clubs in a golf bag, so many golfers add another wedge or specialty hybrid. Golfers carry specially designed golf bags to organize and protect their clubs during use, storage and travel. Golf bags are available in many styles and types. The golf bags may also comprise pockets for storing golf balls, golf tees, shoes, towels, beverages and other items such as wallets, keys, phones, etc.

An embodiment of a typical stand bag is shown in FIG. 1. The golf bag 1 comprises golf bag shell 10 forming an enclosure, a top member 20 comprising partitioning dividers for organizing the golf clubs, and bottom member 30 to protect the enclosure from wear. The golf bag 1 may further comprise a stand system 7 including legs 4, a pivot member 5 and a foot 6. The stand system provides two additional legs to hold the bag upright without being held.

Golf bags are typically manufactured in designs anticipated by the manufacturer to be commercially desirable to the golfer in the upcoming golf season. A wide variety of golf bags are manufactured by attaching a specifically designed golf bag bottom and a specifically designed golf bag top member to the enclosure. Conventionally, golf bag bottoms are typically sewn onto the golf bag enclosures at the manufacturing site and then shipped to the distributors and retailers for storage and sale. The consumer may then choose a complete golf bag from the manufactured designs available from a sporting goods retailer, online retailer, or catalog.

However, a golfer may not desire the combination of features of any of the available golf bags. For example, a golfer may desire the features of a more expensive cart bag shell with a less expensive or lighter bottom member and a top member with a double shoulder strap system or may want to match the colors of the bag to their favorite sports team, for example. The golf bag kit of the invention provides the consumer flexibility in designing a desired golf bag from various unassembled components. The components of the kit are capable of being connected together to form the desired golf bag.

For example, an embodiment of the golf bag kit comprises a golf bag shell or a golf bag shell sub-assembly, a bottom member comprising bottom connectors capable of permanently connecting the bottom member to the golf bag shell, and a top member comprising top connectors capable of permanently connecting the top member to the golf bag shell. The golf bag kit may be shipped to the customer, distributor, and/or retailer as separate components to reduce shipping and manufacturing costs. In some embodiments, the golf bag shell sub-assembly comprises an enclosure, a top collar, a bottom collar and stays extending between the top collar and the bottom collar. The top collar and the bottom collar may be flexible.

In some embodiments, the top collar and bottom collar are sufficiently flexible to allow the golf bag shell, the top collar and the bottom collar to be reduced to at least half of a dimension of either the top collar or the bottom collar. In some embodiments, the top collar and bottom collar are sufficiently flexible to allow the golf bag shell, the top collar and the bottom collar may be reduced to at least one third of a dimension of either the top collar or the bottom collar. In a portion of these embodiments, the dimension is a width or a diameter of the top collar or the bottom collar. In further such embodiments, the top collar and the bottom collar are resilient enough to return substantially to its original dimension. As used herein, a component is “resilient enough to return substantially to its original dimension” if after applying a force to reduce an original dimension to the final desired dimension and removing the force, the component returns to within 20% of its original dimension, or in specific embodiments returns to within 10% of its original dimension. In such embodiments, at least two golf bag shells may fit in a typical golf bag shipping container that could only hold one complete golf bag, thereby reducing shipping and storage costs. For example, a typical golf bag shipping container may be 15″×15″×38″ (other golf bag shipping containers may be 12″×12″×38″, for example. Therefore, the original dimension of the top collar or bottom collar would be less than 15″ and may be compress to less than 7.5″ or less than 5″ or less than 3.75″. In other embodiments, the golf bag is not resilient enough for the top collar and bottom collar to compress to less than 2″ and still be resilient enough to return substantially to its original dimension.

Embodiments of the golf bag kits comprise multiple golf bag components that may be selected to form a complete golf bag. For example, an embodiment of the golf bag kit comprises at least one golf bag shell 10 and a plurality of other golf bag components that may be selectively connected to the golf bag shell to form a golf bag. The golf bag components may include top members 20, bottom members 30, stand systems 7, pockets, carrying strap systems, as well as other accessories, for example. Embodiments of the golf bag kit may comprise a selection of all of these components or only a portion of the components. In one embodiment, the golf bag comprises at least one golf bag shell and a plurality of bottom members, wherein each of the bottom members may be selectively connected to the golf bag shell. In another embodiment, the golf bag comprises at least one golf bag shell and a plurality of top members, wherein the golf bag top members comprise different configurations and each of the top members may be selectively connected to the golf bag shell. In particular embodiments, only one of the plurality of top members and/or one of the plurality of bottom members may be connected to the golf bag shell at any one time. Another embodiment of the golf bag kit comprises at least one golf bag shell, a plurality of bottom members and a plurality of top members. Each of the top members and bottom members are designed to independently be connected to the golf bag shell to form a golf bag.

Though there is no limit to the number of golf bag shells, bottom members, top members and/or other components in the golf bag kits, in one example, the golf bag kit may comprise from 2 to 4 configurations of golf bag shells, from 2 to 10 configurations of bottom members and from 2 to 10 configurations of top members. The golf bag bottom members and top members may vary simply by color, shape, and/or may include other differentiating features. The golf bag shell may also be differentiated by color, shape, material, and/or other features. However, each of the golf bag top members may be selectively connected to the golf bag shell by permanent complementary connectors on the golf bag shell and the golf bag top members and each of the golf bag bottom members may be selectively connected to the golf bag shell by permanent complementary connectors on the golf bag shell and the golf bag bottom members. Thus, the components of the golf bag shell are capable of being mixed and matched as desired by the golfer.

From the golf bag kit comprising a plurality of golf bag shells, bottom members and top members, a selected bottom member and a selected top member may be attached to a selected golf bag shell to form the completed golf bag. The bottom member 30 and top member 20 may be installed at a manufacturing site or warehouse, at a distributor's warehouse, at the point of sale, or by the customer. Further, the top member may be supplied as part of a top member sub-assembly. In one embodiment, the top member sub-assembly may comprise a top member, partition straps and an intermediate member. The top member of the top member sub-assembly may be attached to the top of the golf bag shell to form the golf club receiving aperture and the partitioning straps and intermediate member are inserted into the golf bag shell to connect the intermediate member at the bottom of the golf bag shell, for example, on the bottom collar of the golf bag shell. The intermediate member may have an alignment aid to assist in correct orientation and installation of the intermediate member in the golf bag shell.

Similarly in additional embodiments, the bottom member may be sold as part of bottom member sub-assembly. For example, the bottom member subassembly may comprise a bottom member, partitioning straps, components of a stand system such, for example, a foot activator or a wire spring, and/or an intermediate member for connecting to the top collar.

The sub-assemblies and components can be assembled into a complete golf bag by adding a bottom portion sub-assembly and/or top portion sub-assembly to the golf bag shell, for example. The golf bag shell may comprise a sub-assembly of components including, but not limited to, the golf bag shell, a top collar, a bottom collar and/or stays. The selected bottom member 30 may be connected to the bottom collar of the golf bag shell 10 such as by a snap-fit connection and the top member 20 or a top member sub-assembly may also be connected to a top collar of the golf bag shell by a snap-fit connection. Other connection types such as screws, pins, rivets, stitching, and/or adhesives may be used to attach the components together, for example.

The top member or top member sub-assembly may be connected to the top collar of the golf bag shell. In embodiments comprising a top member sub-assembly, the intermediate member may be connected to a bottom portion of the golf bag shell such as to the bottom collar, thus extending and tightening the partition straps. The bottom member may also be connected to the bottom collar (or in some embodiments to the intermediate member) of the golf bag shell to produce a golf bag. The method of forming a golf bag may further comprise connecting other components such as, but not limited to, straps, stand systems, pockets and other accessories.

Golf Bag Shells

The golf bag kit comprises at least one golf bag shell. In other embodiments, the golf bag kit comprises a plurality of golf bag shells. Golf bag shells may vary in materials of construction of the fabrics, plastics and accessories, color, size, weight, and features. Basically, the golf bag shell defines the enclosure for storing and protecting the golf clubs and may comprise pockets, hooks, connectors for a golf bag stand system, connectors for a strap system, and other accessories. The enclosure includes an open end for receiving golf clubs and other items into the interior of the golf bag shell. The top end of the enclosure is connected to a top member that defines the golf club receiving opening and, typically but not necessarily, the top member provides partitioning dividers for organizing the golf clubs to be carried in the golf bag. The bottom end of the golf bag shell is typically connected to a bottom member to close the bottom end to retain the clubs in the golf bag and prevent wear of the enclosure during use of the golf bag.

Many golf bag shells comprise an enclosure made from a flexible fabric or other flexible material such as nylon, polyester, nylon/polyester blends, ripstop nylon, plastic, leather, synthetic leathers, woven materials such as cotton, canvas, or woven synthetics. Each of these materials are available in various weights and properties. Golf bag shells, especially golf bag shells for travel bags, may also comprise rigid materials such as, but not limited to, plastics to protect the golf clubs during travel. The golf bag shell 10 may be manufactured and assembled with other components as a golf bag shell sub-assembly. If the golf bag shell is made of a rigid plastic, the golf bag shell may comprise all the connectors and may not further comprise collars.

An embodiment of a golf bag shell sub-assembly, as shown in FIG. 2, may comprise a top collar 11, a bottom collar 12, a golf bag enclosure 13 connected to the top collar 11 and the bottom collar 12 and stays 14 installed between the top collar 11 and the bottom collar 12 to retain the shape of the golf bag shell and to connect the top member and the bottom member. The stays may be inserted into stay recesses 11a in the top collar and stay recesses 12a on the bottom collar. The top collar 11 and the bottom collar 12 may be flexible such that the sub-assembly may be radially compressed to allow packing of two or more sub-assemblies in a shipping box typically capable of holding only one complete golf bag to reduce shipping costs. The embodiment of the golf bag shell shown in FIG. 2 may comprise further additional components that have not been depicted.

The top collar 11 and/or the bottom collar 12 may be attached to the golf bag shell adjacent to the top end and the bottom end of the golf bag enclosure 13 by any means including, but not limited to, sewing, stitching, rivets, screws, bolts, and/or adhesives, for example. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the top collar 11 defines a golf club receiving opening 15 of the golf bag shell. The top collar and/or the bottom collar may comprise connectors capable of connecting the bottom member 30 and/or the top member 20 or top member sub-assembly to the golf club shell 10. An embodiment of the connector is shown in FIG. 2A. Embodiments of connectors may be slot and tab connectors. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9, the slot connectors comprises a slot 24a defined by a housing 16 on the bottom collar 12 and tabs 24b on the bottom member 27 are shown in FIG. 3. The tabs 24b comprising a tapered top portion 17 transitioning to a lip 18. The tapered top portion 17 guides insertion of tab 24b into the slot 24a. As the tapered top portion 17 is pressed into the slot 24a, the slot 24a expands and the top tapered portion is compresses until the lip 18 protrudes through the slot 24a. The lip 18 catches on the housing 16 thus providing the permanent connection of the bottom member 27 to the bottom collar 12.

Embodiments of the collars may be any desired shape including closed shapes such as, but not limited to, a circle or oval or may open shapes such as, but not limited to, a flexible strip or a plurality of elements that are fastened around the bottom of the golf bag shell. As such, as used herein, “collar” is used to describe any part or parts that are attached or may be attached to the golf bag shell. The collars may comprise a connector for attaching additional components to the golf bag shell such as, but not limited to, a top member, partitioning straps, intermediate member or a bottom member. The connectors may be complementary to connectors on the top members, partitioning straps, intermediate member, and bottom members for selectively attaching each component to the golf bag shell. The collar itself may be capable of providing a friction or interference fit to connect the golf bag shell to the bottom member or top member. For example as shown in FIG. 4, the collar 32 may be a wire ring attached to the golf bag shell 10 or sewn into a hem 33 of the flexible enclosure 13 golf bag shell 10 that may be forced into a groove 31 in the bottom member 30 or a similar groove in the top member (not shown) to secure the components together. In embodiments of the golf bag kit, the collar 12 may be capable of being attached to the inside or outside of the golf bag enclosure 13.

The connectors on the either the top collar or the bottom collar may be any connector capable of permanently connecting the top member or the bottom member to the golf bag shell. The term “permanently”, as used herein, means the connector retains the two components connected during normal use of the golf bag during play and travel. The components may be capable of being separated with the use of sufficient force or tools, in some embodiment, the connectors will be broken to remove the components once the golf bag is assembled. Other embodiments may comprise releasable connectors that allow removing and replacing the bottom members without damage to the components. For example, the bottom member could be removed and replaced to convert a stand bag into a cart bag.

Referring again to FIG. 2, embodiments of the golf bag shell 10 may further comprise at least one stay 14 that extends over a sufficient portion of the length of the golf bag shell 10. The stays 14 may be connected to the top collar 11 and bottom collar 12 of the golf bag shell to maintain the shell in an extended position. The stays may be individual components such as the fiberglass rods shown in FIG. 2, or may be a tube of a rigid material such as plastic. In some embodiments, wherein the golf bag enclosure is a rigid enclosure, the stays may not be included in the golf bag shell.

A retailer may offer a choice between various golf bag kits. The golf bag kit may each comprise different interchangeable components, however, some of the components may be interchangeable between golf bag kits, also. For example, two golf bag kits may comprise identical bottom members but completely different top members. A difference between various golf bag kits is the size, connectors and/or profile of top collar and/or the bottom collar on the golf bag shell sub-assemblies. If the top collar and/or bottom collars of the golf bag shells of the various golf bag kit are sufficiently similar, the top members and/or bottom members of the kits may also be interchangeable, thereby increasing the amount of choices available in the golf bag kit.

Bottom Members

The golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of golf bag bottom members. The golf bag bottom members may be different from the other golf bag bottom members in the golf bag kit by shape, color, weight, perimeter shape, bottom pattern, footprint, stand system capabilities, wheels, or other features. The desired features of the bottom member may be based on the type of golf bag or may be based upon solely on preferences of the golfer. Each of the golf bag bottom members provided in the golf bag kit may selectively be attached to a bottom portion of the golf bag shell 10 to produce the desired golf bag. Therefore, in some embodiments, each of the golf bag bottom members comprises at least one connector capable of being attached to any of the golf bag shells available in the golf bag kit. In other embodiments, the bottom member may not comprise a connector but may be attached to the golf bag shell by a separate connector such as, but not limited to, stitching, rivets, or adhesives, for example. Thus, any of the bottom members in the golf bag kit may be selected and connected to a complementary selected golf bag shell.

An embodiment of the golf bag bottom member 27 is shown in FIG. 3. The golf bag bottom member 27 comprises a bottom 29, a plurality of tab connectors 24b, and a side wall 28. The golf bag bottom member 27 may be connected to bottom collar 28 to form the bottom of the golf bag. The embodiment of the bottom collar 28 comprises bottom member slot connectors 24a; the bottom member slot connectors 24a on the bottom collar 28 are complementary connectors to the tab connectors 24b on the bottom member 27 and may form a permanent connection between the golf bag shell 10 and the bottom member 27.

Though not shown in FIG. 3, the bottom collar 28 would be connected to a golf bag enclosure. The embodiment of the bottom collar 28 also comprises a plurality of stay connectors 12a and a side wall 21. An inner diameter of at least a bottom portion of the side wall 21 of the bottom collar is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the side wall 28 of the bottom member 27 such that a portion of the bottom member 27 may be inserted into the bottom collar 28 . The bottom member may then be held securely within the bottom collar.

In some embodiments, the bottom collar 28 will comprise a flexible material such that the bottom collar 28 may be deformed to conform to the shape of the bottom member 27. An embodiment of the golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of bottom members including, for example, a round golf bag bottom 27 and substantially rectangular golf bag bottom 47 as shown in FIG. 5. Bottom collar 28 has an inner peripheral length that is substantially similar to the outer circumferential peripheral length of the side wall 28 of the bottom member 27 and the outer peripheral length of the side wall 48 of the bottom member 47 such that either of the bottom members 27 or 47 may be selectively connected to bottom collar 28. In such embodiments of the golf bag kit, the bottom collar 28 must be sufficiently flexible to conform to the peripheral shape of the side walls of either bottom member 27 or bottom member 47. Further, in certain embodiments comprising complementary connectors between the bottom member and the bottom collar, the tab connectors 24b and 44b are equally sized and spaced to match with at least a portion of the slot connectors 24a on the bottom collar 28 such that either bottom member 27 or bottom member 47 may be connected to the bottom collar 28 using the connectors. In other embodiments, the bottom collar may comprise a variety of different connectors capable of connecting to different bottom members of the kit or the bottom members and bottom collar may be connected by separate connectors as described above.

The bottom members may also have a profile on the side wall that is complementary to the profile on the bottom collar so they may fit together tightly.

Embodiments of the bottom members may further comprise feet, a connection for a stand system or other desired components, for example.

Top Members

In other embodiments, the golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of golf bag top members. The golf bag top members may be different from the other golf bag top members based on shape, color, weight, perimeter shape, number, pattern, and/or position of partitioning dividers, handles, cover attachment capabilities, stand system capabilities, accessory attachment capabilities, or other features. Some of the golf bag top members may comprise features that match one or more of the bottom members. In certain embodiments of the golf bag kit, each of the golf bag top members comprises at least one connector capable of being attached to any of the golf bag shells available in the golf bag kit. As with the bottom members, in other embodiments, the top members may not comprise a connector but may be attached to the golf bag shell by a separate connector such as, but not limited to, stitching, rivets, or adhesives, for example. Thus, any of the top members may be selected and connected to the selected golf bag shell.

An embodiment of a top member is shown in FIG. 6. The top member 20 comprises a side wall 52 having an oval or egg shaped periphery, partitioning dividers 51, and slot connectors 53. The top member 20 may be one of the plurality of top members available in an embodiment of a golf bag kit. The top member 20 may be connected to a top collar 11 as shown on FIG. 2. The top collar 11 may have the same peripheral shape as the rigid side wall 52 of the top member 20 or the top collar 11 may be sufficiently flexible to be deformed to conform to the peripheral shape as the rigid side wall 52 of the top member 20 and the other peripheral shapes of additional top members of the golf bag kit.

An additional embodiment of a top member is shown in FIG. 7. The top member 60 comprises a side wall 62 having different shaped periphery and different shaped partitioning dividers 61 as the top member 20 in FIG. 6. However, may be part of the same golf bag kit if the top collar is sufficiently flexible, has a similar peripheral length, profile and/or location of connectors to independently be connected to each top member 20 or 60. These top members 20 and 60 may be two of the plurality of top members available in an embodiment of a golf bag kit.

Another embodiment of a top member 68 and golf bag shell sub-assembly 69 is shown in FIG. 7A. The golf bag shell sub-assembly 69 comprises a top collar 64 stitched to an enclosure 65. The top collar 64 has a curved profile on its top surface 64a. An embodiment of the top member 68 comprises a complementary profile to the top collar 64. Additionally, the top member 68 comprises an inner wall 67 and an outer wall 66 forming a recess between the inner wall 67 and outer wall 66. The top collar may be slid within the recess as shown in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 7B. The top member 68 comprises tab connectors 67 that may be inserted into slot connectors on the inside surface of the top collar 64. In some embodiments of the golf bag kits comprises a plurality of top members that each has a recess profile that is complementary to the top surface profile of the top collar. In other embodiments, the bottom members of a golf bag kit may comprise a complementary profile to the bottom surface profile of the bottom collars.

In another embodiment of the golf bag kit, the top collar 11 may be rigid and have the same peripheral shape and profile as the rigid side wall 52 of the top member 20 and the rigid side wall 62 of the top member 60 and any other top members available in the kit.

As shown in FIG. 8, the top member may be provided as a second sub-assembly. For example, an embodiment of the top member sub assembly may further comprise partitioning straps 71 connected to the partitioning dividers 73 of the top member 74. The partitioning straps 71 may further be connected to an intermediate member 72 at their other end. In such embodiments, the top member sub-assembly may be attached to both a top portion of the golf bag shell and a bottom portion of the golf bag shell. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, embodiments of the intermediate member 72 comprise at least one connector 23b capable of attaching to at least one of the bottom collar 28, the bottom member 27 or other connector on the golf bag shell. The intermediate member 72 may further comprise stay notches 26 that allow the intermediate member to be inserted in the golf bag shell and pulled through past the stays 14 for connection at the bottom for the golf bag shell. The stay notches may also help with alignment of the intermediate member 72 with the correct position to connect to the bottom collar 28.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of the bottom member 27, the bottom collar 28 and the intermediate member 72 connected together as in a completed golf bag. For clarity, an enclosure and partitioning straps are not shown in FIG. 9. In the embodiment shown, the partitioning straps are connected to the perimeter of the intermediate member 72 and the enclosure is connected to the bottom collar 28. The bottom collar 28 comprises slot connectors 23a to receive tab connectors 23b of the intermediate member 72 to permanently connect the intermediate member 72 to the bottom collar 28. Further, the bottom member 27 comprises tab connectors 24b that may be inserted into the slot connector 24a of the bottom collar 28. The bottom member 27, bottom collar 28 and intermediate member 72 form the bottom assembly to hold the partitioning straps 71 in position and form the bottom of the golf bag. The bottom 29 is now the bottom of the golf bag.

On embodiments of a carry bag kit, the top members may comprise a bracket 8 for rotatably connecting the legs 4 of a stand system 7 to the top member 20. The bracket 8 may be molded with the top member or manufactured separately and connected together.

Other Components

In other embodiments, the golf bag kits may comprise other components that may be selectively connected to the selected golf bag shell including but not limited to top member coverings, stand systems, handles, pockets and carrying straps. The legs of the stand system may be available in various configurations in embodiments of the golf bag kit and may comprise various feet, for example. Certain embodiments of the top member coverings and covering materials may include those described in the patent application “Golf Bags, Golf Bag Top Members, and Golf Bag Top Member Coverings”.

PROPHETIC EXAMPLES

Example 1

Cart Bag Kit

An embodiment of a cart golf bag kit may comprise a plurality of golf bag shell sub-assemblies available in nine different golf bag shell sub-assemblies styles, a plurality of bottom members available in six different bottom member styles, and a plurality of top member sub-assemblies available in six different top member sub-assembly styles. Each of the golf bag shell sub-assemblies comprise a flexible enclosure with a top opening and a bottom opening, a top collar attached adjacent to the top opening, a bottom collar attached adjacent to the bottom opening and stays connected between the top collar and the bottom collar.

The golf bag shells comprise three different configurations, an economical golf bag shell, an intermediate golf bag shell, and a high end golf bag shell. [Please review the names of the components.] Each of the configurations are available in three different colors. Each of the configurations of golf bag shells will comprise similarly shaped top collars and the top collars have connectors complementary to the connectors on each of the golf bag top members. The top collars will have substantially similar perimeters and profile of the top collars. The profile of the top collar includes the shape of the top portion of the top collar that engages the top member. The economical golf bag shell will comprise four separate pockets and an enclosure made from a durable 210D polyester/nylon construction. The economical golf bag shell is available in three primary colors, red, orange and black. Each of the colors has at least one additional accent color.

The intermediate golf bag shell will comprise eight separate pockets including fleece lined pockets and an insulated pocket and an enclosure made from a light weight and durable 420D tartan and dobby nylon material. The intermediate golf bag shell is available in three primary colors, blue, green and black. Each of the colors has at least one additional accent color also on the enclosure.

The high end golf bag shell will comprise fourteen separate pockets including a fleece lined pockets and an insulated pocket, an external putter tube and an enclosure made from a lightweight hexagon ripstop nylon. The top end golf bag shell is available in three primary colors, navy, maroon, and black. Each of the colors has at least one additional accent color.

Any of the golf bag shells may be connected to any of the golf bag top member assemblies. The golf bag top assemblies will comprise a top member, partitioning straps and an intermediate member. The first top member will have four apertures for organizing clubs with two partitioning straps connected between the top member and the intermediate member. The second top member assembly will have eight apertures defined by the partitioning dividers and three partitioning straps connected between the top member and the intermediate member. The third top member assembly in the golf bag kit will have fourteen apertures, one for each club in a full set of clubs, defined by the partitioning dividers and four partitioning straps connected between the top member and the intermediate member. The third top member will additionally comprise a fabric partitioning divider and top member covering. Each of the top members will comprise permanent connectors complementary to connectors on the top collar of the three golf bag shells in the golf bag kit. Each configuration of the top member sub-assembly will be available in two different colors, black and grey.

The golf bag kit also comprises three bottom members, each of which can be connected to the bottom collar of each of the golf bag shells in the golf bag kit. The first bottom member comprises a substantially flat bottom without feet. The second bottom member comprises feet molded with the bottom member to provide a more stable platform to maintain the golf bag in a standing position. The third bottom member comprises non-slip rubber feet separately molded onto the bottom member. Each configuration of the bottom member will be available in two different colors, black and grey.

The embodiments of the golf bag, golf bag kit and method of producing a golf bag are not limited to the particular embodiments, components, method steps, and materials disclosed herein as such components, process steps, and materials may vary. Moreover, the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and the terminology is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Therefore, while embodiments of the invention are described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments, and should only be defined by the following claims and all equivalents.

Claims

1. A golf bag kit, comprising:

at least one golf bag shell; and

a plurality of golf bag bottom members or a plurality of golf bag top members, wherein each of the bottom members and each of the top members are capable of selectively being connected to the golf bag shell.

2. The golf bag kit of claim 1, comprising a plurality of golf bag bottom members and a plurality of golf bag top members.

3. The golf bag kit of claim 2, comprising a plurality of golf bag shells.

4. The golf bag kit of claim 1, wherein the golf bag shell comprises a flexible covering.

5. The golf bag kit of claim 4, wherein the golf bag shell comprises a bottom collar.

6. The golf bag kit of claim 5, wherein the bottom collar comprises a bottom connector and the bottom members each comprise a connector capable of being securely connected to the bottom end collar.

7. The golf bag kit of claim 4, wherein the golf bag shell comprises a top collar.

8. The golf bag kit of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of golf bag top members is capable of selectively being connected to the top collar.

9. The golf bag kit of claim 6, wherein the golf bag bottom members connects to the bottom collar by at least one slot and tab connector.

10. The golf bag kit of claim 7, wherein the top collar defines a top end opening in the golf bag shell.

11. The golf bag kit of claim 8, wherein the top members comprise at least one partitioning member.

12. The golf bag kit of claim 7, wherein the golf bag shell comprises a bottom collar and stays attached between the top collar and the bottom collar.

13. The golf bag kit of claim 5, wherein the bottom end collar defines a bottom end opening.

14. The golf bag kit of claim 5, wherein the bottom collar is flexible, has a bottom profile and an inner perimeter.

15. The golf bag kit of claim 14, wherein each of the bottom end members has a top profile complementary to the bottom profile of the bottom collar.

16. The golf bag kit of claim 7, wherein the top collar is flexible has a top collar profile and an inner perimeter.

17. The golf bag kit of claim 16, wherein each of the top end members has a bottom end profile complementary to the top collar profile.

18. The golf bag kit of claim 5, wherein the bottom collar is flexible.

19. The golf bag kit of claim 18, wherein the bottom member has a rigid side wall.

20. The golf bag kit of claim 19, wherein an outer perimeter of the side wall is substantially the same as an inner perimeter of the bottom collar.

21. The golf bag kit of claim 20, wherein the outer perimeter each of the bottom members is substantially the same.

22. The golf bag kit of claim 14, wherein a shape of the inner perimeter of the bottom collar is different than a shape of the perimeter of a side wall of the bottom end member and the bottom collar is sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the bottom end member.

23. The golf bag kit of claim 16, wherein a shape of the inner perimeter of the top collar is different than a shape of the outer perimeter of a side wall of the top end member and the top collar is sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the perimeter of the top end member.

24. The golf bag kit of claim 5, wherein each bottom member comprises a complementary connector capable of connecting the bottom member to the bottom collar.

25. The golf bag kit of claim 1, wherein each of the top members comprises at least one partitioning strap, wherein one end of the partitioning strap is attached to the partitioning member and a second end of the partitioning strap is attached to an intermediate member.

26. The golf bag kit of claim 25, wherein the intermediate member comprises intermediate connectors capable of connecting the intermediate member to the bottom collar.

27. The golf bag kit of claim 7, wherein the top collar comprises connectors for selectively connecting each of the golf bag top members to the golf bag shell.

28. The golf bag kit of claim 5, wherein the bottom collar comprises connectors for selectively connecting each of the golf bag bottom members to the golf bag shell.

29. A golf bag kit, comprising:

at least one golf bag shell, comprising: a flexible enclosure; a top collar; and a bottom collar;

a plurality of bottom members independently being capable of being attached to the bottom collar; and

a plurality of top members independently being capable of being attached to the top collar.

30. The golf bag kit of claim 29, further comprising:

the top collar comprises at least one top member connector and the top member comprises at least one complementary connector capable of securely connecting one of the top members to the top collar.

31. The golf bag kit of claim 30, further comprising:

the bottom collar comprises at least one bottom member connector and the bottom member comprises at least one complementary connector capable of securely connecting one of the top members to the top collar.

32. The golf bag kit of claim 31, wherein the top collar and the bottom collar are flexible.

33. The golf bag kit of claim 32, wherein the top collar is sufficiently flexible to conform to a peripheral shape of the top member and the bottom collar is sufficiently flexible to conform to a peripheral shape of the bottom member.

34. The golf bag kit of claim 33, wherein the top member is partitioned into golf club receiving sections.

35. The golf bag kit of claim 34, comprising partitioning straps connected to an intermediate member and the top member.

36. The golf bag kit of claim 35, wherein the intermediate member is capable of being connected to one of the bottom collar or the bottom member.

37. The golf bag kit of claim 29, comprising at least one stay connected between the top collar and the bottom collar.

38. A golf bag kit, comprising:

a golf bag shell, wherein the golf bag shell comprises an enclosure, a top collar, a bottom collar and stays extending between the top collar and the bottom collar;

a bottom member comprising bottom connectors capable of permanently connecting the bottom member to the bottom collar; and

a top member comprising top connectors capable of permanently connecting the bottom member to the bottom collar.

39. The golf bag kit of claim 38, wherein the top collar is flexible and the bottom collar is flexible.

40. The golf bag kit of claim 39, wherein the top collar and bottom collar are sufficiently flexible wherein the top collar and the bottom collar are capable of being reduced to half of a dimension of the top collar and the bottom collar.

41. The golf bag kit of claim 40, wherein the dimension of the top collar and the bottom collar is a diameter.

42. The golf bag kit of claim 40, wherein the dimension of the top collar and the bottom collar is a width.