DEPLOYABLE RAIN HOODS FOR GOLF BAGS AND METHODS TO MANUFACTURE THE SAME
Embodiments of a deployable rain hood assembly for a golf bag and methods of manufacturing the same are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
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The present disclosure relates to a deployable rain hood, and in particular to deployable rain hoods for golf bags.
BACKGROUNDMany golf bags may be in the form of a tubular fabric or leather container having a generally cylindrical configuration with a closed bottom end and an open top end through which golf clubs are inserted into and removed from the golf bags. During rain an individual may need to cover the open end of the golf bag in order to protect the interior of the golf bag and the golf clubs. For convenience the rain hood may be stored somewhere on the golf bag so it is readily available for use when needed. In particular the rain hood may be stored in a pocket on the golf bag that is easily accessible while the golf bag is being transported or carried by an individual.
When a golf bag is configured to be carried or transported by an individual, the golf bag may have a carrying strap assembly. The individual can use the carrying strap assembly to support the golf bag. In particular the individual will have the carrying strap draped over at least one shoulder while the body of the golf bag abuts the hip, thigh, side, or back of the individual. To make the transportation of the golf bag more comfortable there may be a pad located along the bag in an area that may abut an individual while the individual is carrying the golf bag.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.
As described herein, a rain hood assembly includes a rain hood that is configured to cover an open end of a golf bag. When the rain hood is in a collapsed position, the rain hood may be stored in a cavity on the golf bag. The outer surface of the cavity can include a padded region. The collapsed rain hood can contribute to the padded region when the rain hood is stored in the cavity. The cavity may include a closure mechanism that closes an opening to the cavity to conceal and/or secure the rain hood inside the cavity. To cover the open end of the golf bag, the rain hood may be removed from the cavity, deployed, and then placed over the open end of the golf bag. The rain hood may also be tethered to an interior of the cavity to keep the rain hood connected to the golf bag while the golf bag is being used.
Turning to the drawings,
In the example of
In general, the elongate body 120 defines a hollow interior configured to receive at least one golf club (not shown). The elongate body 120 can be made of any material such as leather, canvas, or heavy cloth. The elongate body 120 may include a plurality of pockets 160 for storing an individual's personal belongings and golf accessories (not shown). The plurality of pockets 160 may be positioned anywhere along the elongate body 120 for convenience, comfort, accessibility, and/or function. Generally, the plurality of pockets 160 may be made of the same, or a similar material as the elongate body 120.
The elongate body 120 may also include cushioned portions 420 configured to abut an individual while the golf bag 100 is being carried by the individual. In the current example, the cushioned portion 420 is distinct from the plurality of pockets 160, but in other embodiments of golf bag 100, the cushioned portion 420 may be proximate to, or integrated into one or more of the plurality of pockets 160.
Now referring to
The rain hood 200 of
The open end 220 of the rain hood 200 may include an elastic perimeter 250 configured conform the rain hood 200 to the open bag top 140 by conforming to the profile of the elongate body 120 of golf bag 100 and frictionally engaging the elongate body 120 of the golf bag 100. In some examples, the rain hood 200 may have a second opening 260 that includes a closure mechanism 270 opposite the open end 220. The closure mechanism 270 may be comprised of any suitable closure mechanism such as a zipper or hook and loop. The second opening 260 in rain hood 200 can allow an individual access to items in the golf bag 100 through the second opening 260 while the rain hood 200 is being used to cover the bag open top 140.
The rain hood 200 may be folded, rolled and/or crumpled to achieve the collapsed position illustrated in
Referring to
The shroud 110 is coupled to the golf bag 100 and substantially defines a cavity 400. A portion of cavity 400 can be enclosed by the shroud 110, or the shroud 110 can encase the entire cavity 400. An opening 430 in the cavity 400 allows access to the cavity 400. The opening 430 may be a slit in the shroud 110, or the opening 430 may be at a detached portion of the shroud perimeter 440.
The shroud 110 may include a closure mechanism 450 that is configurable between an open position and a closed position. When the closure mechanism 450 is in the open position (e.g. a zipper that is unzipped in the example shown in
The cavity 400 illustrated in
The cavity 400 in the example of
Turning to
Turning to
Referring to
Rain hood assembly 700 includes at least one adaptable strap 740 for mounting the rain hood assembly 700 on a golf bag. The rain hood assembly 700 has a square shaped cavity storage device 720 with an adaptable strap 740 attached to sides of the storage device 720 to facilitate mounting the rain hood assembly 700 to a golf bag. Other embodiments may have alternative methods for mounting to the rain hood assembly 700 to a golf bag. For example, a hook and loop system, a bungee, or a permanent mounting method may be used for mounting the rain hood assembly 700 on a golf bag without departing from the current disclosure.
In
Turning to
The method 900 also includes providing an interior cavity that is at least partially enclosed by a shroud, and the interior cavity being accessible through an opening in the cavity (block 920). In some examples an interior cavity provided according to method 900 may be similar to cavity 400 (
The method 900 may include providing a cushion portion located on at least one of the shroud or an area adjacent to the shroud (block 930). In some examples, a cushion portion provided according to method 900 may be similar to the cushion portion 420 (
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, the method 900 may comprise many different procedures, processes, and activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders. Additionally, any element of
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment 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 may 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, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claim.
Claims
1. A golf bag comprising:
- an elongate body with a bottom, an open top, at least one strap assembly for carrying the golf bag; and
- a rain hood assembly comprising: a rain hood for receiving the open top, the rain hood being configurable between a deployed position and a collapsed position; and a shroud coupled to the body to define a cavity, the cavity configured to receive the rain hood while in the collapsed position through an opening of the cavity, at least one of the shroud or a portion of the body adjacent the cavity comprising a cushioned portion; and a closure mechanism operatively coupled to the shroud and operable between a closed position wherein the opening is at least partially closed and an open position wherein the cavity is accessible through the opening.
2. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the cushioned portion comprises at least one of foam, air compartments, or packing filler.
3. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the rain hood is removeably coupled to an interior of the cavity by a tether.
4. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the rain hood is deployable from the cavity to the deployed position when the closure mechanism is in the open position.
5. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the closure mechanism is one of hook and loop, a zipper, buttons, snaps, magnet, or an elastic band.
6. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the elongate body comprises a hollow interior configured to receive at least one golf club, and
- the cavity is adjacent to the hollow interior.
7. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the rain hood comprises a first part of a two part fastener, and the golf bag elongate body has a complimentary second part of the two part fastener configured to engage and connect with the first part of the two part fastener.
8. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the rain hood is configured to be positioned entirely within the cavity when in the collapsed position.
9. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the rain hood comprises one of polyester, nylon, vinyl, leather, or canvas.
10. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the cavity is located proximate the open top of the elongate body.
11. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein:
- the rain hood comprises a first opening configured to receive the open top, and
- a second opening opposite the first opening configured to allow access to the open top when the rain hood is in the deployed position; the second opening is configurable between and an open and closed configuration.
12. A deployable rain hood assembly for golf clubs, comprising:
- a rain hood configured to receive an open top of a golf bag, the rain hood being configurable between a deployed position and a collapsed position; and
- a storage device configured to be mounted on the golf bag, the storage device defining a cavity accessible through an opening, the cavity configured to receive the rain hood in the collapsed position, the storage device comprising a cushioned portion.
13. The deployable rain hood assembly of claim 12, wherein:
- the rain hood is removeably coupled to an interior of the cavity by a tether.
14. The deployable rain hood assembly of claim 12, wherein:
- the rain hood is configured to be positioned entirely within the cavity when in the collapsed position.
15. The deployable rain hood assembly of claim 12, wherein:
- the storage device comprises at least one of a strap, chain, cable, rope, belt, or bungee configured for coupling the storage device to a golf bag.
16. The deployable rain hood assembly of claim 12, wherein:
- the rain hood comprises a first opening configured to receive an open top of a golf bag, and
- a second opening opposite the first configured to allow access to the open top of the golf bag when the rain hood is in the deployed position; and the second opening is configurable between and an open and closed configuration.
17. The deployable rain hood assembly of claim 12, wherein:
- the rain hood is comprised of one of polyester, nylon, vinyl, leather, or canvas, or any other water proof or water resistant material.
18. A method of providing a deployable rain hood assembly comprising:
- providing a rain hood configured to receive the open end of a golf bag, the rain hood being configurable between a deployed and a collapsed position, and
- providing a cavity at least partially enclosed by a shroud, the cavity configured to receive the rain hood while in the collapsed position through an opening in the cavity, at least one of the cavity or a portion adjacent the opening in the cavity comprising a cushioned portion.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein
- providing the rain hood assembly comprises providing a closure mechanism that is operable between a closed position wherein the opening is at least partially closed and an open position wherein the cavity is accessible through the opening.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein;
- providing a rain hood assembly comprises a fastening device configured for coupling the storage device to a golf bag.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 30, 2014
Applicant: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (Phoenix, AZ)
Inventors: John H. Loudenslager (Phoenix, AZ), Christopher E. Kalck (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 13/873,530
International Classification: A63B 55/00 (20060101);