GOLF BAGS WITH A DETACHABLE CARRYING STRAP SYSTEM AND METHODS TO MANUFACTURE GOLF BAGS WITH A CARRYING STRAP SYSTEM

Abstract

Embodiments of golf bag with a detachable carrying strap system and methods to manufacture such golf bags are generally described herein.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to golf bags with a detachable carrying strap system, and in particular to golf bags with a detachable carrying strap system having overlapped end portions that permit engagement with a golf bag along a first orientation and disengagement from the golf bag along a second orientation.

BACKGROUND

Most 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 bag. Many golf bags include a carrying strap secured to the golf bag body that allows an individual to pick up and carry the golf bag. It may be desirable to an individual owning a golf bag to change and switch out carrying straps to tailor the carrying strap to the particular type of golf bag used by the individual. It may also be desirable that the attachment and detachment of the carrying strap be carried out in a simple and cost effective manner that does not require the use of additional equipment, such as buckles or clips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf bag with a detachable carrying strap system;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 showing the detachable carrying strap system engaged to the golf bag;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the golf bag of FIG. 1 showing the double slit configuration for the detachable carrying strap system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one strap for the detachable carrying strap system showing a first overlapped end portion;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the strap shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the strap shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the strap shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate one method for manufacturing the strap shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the strap of FIG. 4 shown with the enlarged end portion in a first orientation;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the strap of FIG. 4 shown with the enlarged end portion in a second orientation; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating one method for manufacturing the golf bag with a detachable carrying strap system of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION

As described herein, embodiments of golf bags with a detachable carrying strap system having carrying straps each defining an overlapped end portion configured to permit easy and simple attachment and detachment of the carrying straps relative to the golf bag without the use of an external coupling mechanism to accomplish the same. Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of a golf bag is illustrated and generally indicated as 100 in FIGS. 1-13. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a golf bag, designated 100, includes a body 102 defining an open top end 104 and a closed bottom end 106 formed at the opposite end of body 102. In addition, the open top end 104 defines an opening 116 in communication with an interior portion 118 configured to receive one or more golf clubs (not shown) therein. In some embodiments, the golf bag 100 may include a pair of deployable support legs 121 and 123 operable to deploy outwardly when the body 102 is placed on a surface and retract inwardly when the golf bag 100 is lifted from the surface (not shown). In some embodiments, the golf bag 100 may include a divider 120 positioned across the opening 116 and configured to segregate the golf clubs disposed within the interior portion 118. In some embodiments, the golf bag 100 includes a detachable carrying strap system 108 having a first strap 122 and a second strap 124 configured to allow the carrying strap system 108 to be attached to the body 102 or detached from the body 102 of the golf bag 100 without the use of an external coupling mechanism, such as a clip or buckle, to engage or disengage the first and second straps 122 and 124 from the golf bag 100.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the open top end 104 of the body 102 defines a top side portion 110 formed along the circumference of the opening 116. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the carrying strap system 108 may include a first slit 112 and a second slit 114 formed through the top side portion 104 of the body 102 for engaging or disengaging the first strap 122 and second strap 124, respectively, from the golf bag 100. In particular, the first and second slits 112 and 114 are configured to permit passage of the first and second straps 122 and 124, respectively, when attaching or detaching the first and second straps 122 and 124 from the body 102 as shall be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the first and second slits 112 and 114 may be formed through any one or more of a front side 111, a rear side 113, a first opposing side 115 and a second opposing side 117 of the body 102. The apparatus, system, and method of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the first and second straps 122 and 124 of the carrying strap system 108 are identical in configuration. By way of example, the first strap 122 of the carrying strap system 108 illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 will be described in greater detail. As shown, the first strap 122 defines an inner layer 136 and an outer layer 138. In addition, the first strap 122 includes a strap portion 125 having a single layer thickness that is substantially equal to a single strap thickness and is in communication with an overlapped end portion 126 having a multiple layer thickness substantially equal to a multiple strap thickness.

In some configurations, the first overlapped portion 126 defines a first fold portion 130 and a second fold portion 132 with a stitched line 134 formed between the first and second fold portions 130 and 132. In some embodiments, the first fold portion 130 may form a first outward bend 133 and the second fold portion 132 may form a second outward bend 135. In addition, when the first overlapped end portion 126 assumes a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis 400 (FIG. 11) of the strap portion 125 an inward bend 137 is formed at the boundary between the first overlapped portion 126 and the strap portion 125 of the first strap 122. The apparatus, system, and method of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

Referring to FIG. 11, in some embodiments the first overlapped end portion 126 and the second overlapped end portion 128 (not shown in FIG. 11) may be configured to be oriented along an axis 402, which is substantially perpendicular relative to longitudinal axis 400 of the respective strap portion 125 of the first and second straps 122 and 124. As such, this perpendicular orientation of the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 allows the first and second straps 122 and 124 to respectively engage the top side portion 110 of the body 102 and prevent passage of the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 back through the first and second slits 112 and 114 as demonstrated by the first strap 122 in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first overlapped end portion 126 and the second overlapped end portion 128 (not shown in FIG. 12) may be configured to be oriented along an axis 404 that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 400 of the respective strap portion 125 such that the profile or configuration of the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 substantially comports to the configuration of the first slit 112 and second slit 114, respectively. As such, this parallel orientation of the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 allows the first and second straps 122 and 124 to pass through the first and second slits 112 and 114, respectively, when either engaging or disengaging the first and second straps 122 and 124 relative to body 102 of the golf bag 100 as demonstrated by the second strap 124 in FIG. 2. In other words, the first overlapped end portion 126 and second overlapped end portion 128 may be respectively oriented in either a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axes 400 of the first and second straps 122 and 124, respectively, to prevent passage of the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 back through the first and second slits 112 and 114, or the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 may be in a substantially parallel orientation relative to the longitudinal axes 400 of the first and second straps 122 and 124, respectively, to allow passage of the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 through the respective first and second slits 112 and 114.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, one method for configuring the first overlapped end portion 126 or the second overlapped portion 128 for the carrying strap system 108 is illustrated using the first overlapped end portion 126 as an example. Referring to FIG. 8, a length 308 of the first strap 122, for example about 2 inches, may be folded inwardly in a direction 500 such that the free end 129 of the first strap 122 contacts the inner surface 136 of the first strap 122 and forms the first outward bend 133. Referring to FIG. 9, the strap portion 125 may then be folded again in direction 502 a length 310 along the first strap 122, for example about 2 inches, as defined between the first outward bend 133 and the second outward bend 135 (FIG. 10) such that the first outward bend 133 contacts the inner surface 136 of the first strap 122 as shown in FIG. 10. To define the first and second fold portions 130 and 132 of the first strap 122, the stitched line 134 may be formed along the width of the first strap 122 that establishes a boundary between the first fold portion 130 and second fold portion 132 of the first overlapped portion 126. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the stitched line 134 may form an inward bend 137 when the first overlapped portion 126 is bent substantially in direction 506 (FIG. 10) and oriented substantially along axis 402 (FIG. 11) that is substantially perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis 400 defined by the strap portion 125. The inward bend 137 flattens out and disappears when the first overlapped end portion 126 is oriented along axis 404 that is substantially parallel relative to the longitudinal axis 400 defined by the strap portion 125 (FIG. 10). In other words, the stitched line 134 may act as a folding line that allows the first overlapped portion 126 to be oriented in either the perpendicular orientation (e.g., direction arrow 506 shown in FIG. 10) or the parallel orientation (direction arrow 504 shown in FIG. 4) when either engaging the first and second straps 122 and 124 (direction arrows 508 and 510 in FIG. 2) or disengaging the first and second straps 122 and 124 from the body 102 of the golf bag 100 (direction arrows 512 and 514 in FIG. 3). As noted above, the second overlapped end portion 128 may be configured and used in the same manner as the first overlapped portion 126 to attach or detach the second strap 124 as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10, the stitched line 134 secures the various folded layers of the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128. For example, in some embodiments the various folded layers of the first strap 122 secured by the stitched line 134 may form a first part 150, a second part 152, a third part 154, a fourth part 156, and a fifth part 158. As shown, the first and second parts 150 and 152 collectively define the first fold portion 130, while the third, fourth and fifth parts 154, 156 and 158 collectively define the second fold portion 132 of the first overlapped end portion 126. In one configuration, the first outward bend 133 is formed between the first and second parts 150 and 152, while the second outward bend 135 is formed between the third and fifth parts 154 and 158. In one configuration, the fourth part 156 is disposed within a pocket 140 formed between the third and fourth parts 154 and 158.

In some embodiments, the first fold portion 130 has a first thickness that is less than the thickness of the second fold portion 132. In addition, the first fold portion 130 and the second fold portion 132 have respective thicknesses that are greater than the strap portion 125.

Although the embodiment above describes a carrying strap system 108 with first and second straps 122 and 124 defining first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128, the first and second straps 122 and 124 may further include third and fourth overlapped end portions (not shown) formed at the opposite end of the first and second straps 122 and 124 that allow all the respective ends of the first and second straps 122 and 124 to be attached or detached from the body 102 of the golf bag 100. In some embodiments, the carrying strap system 108 may include only one strap defining either one overlapped end portion formed at one end or a pair of overlapped end portions formed at opposite ends of the strap that allow the strap to be attached or detached from the body 102.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, the carrying strap system 108 includes a cover 105, such as a flexible fabric mesh, configured to cover the perimeter of the open top portion 104 of the golf bag 100 including the first and second slits 112 and 114 such that the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 are maintained in the perpendicular orientation that prevents the first and second overlapped portions 126 and 128 from passing back through first and second slits 112 and 114 and detach the from the top side portion 110 of the body 102. In some embodiments, the cover 105 may be made from a resilient material that applies a bias against the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 to maintain contact with the top side portion 110 of body 102.

In some embodiments, the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 may have substantially the same dimensions during manufacture. By way of example as shown in FIG. 5, the first overlapped end portion 126 may have an overall length 300 of about 2 inches, while the first fold portion 130 has a length 306 of about 1 inch and the second fold portion 132 has a length 304 of about 1 inch. The apparatus, method, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

Referring to FIG. 13, a flow chart illustrates one method of manufacturing a golf bag 100. At block 200, forming a body 102 including an open top portion 104 and a closed bottom portion 106 formed at the opposite end of the body 102 and a top side portion 110 formed along the circumference of the open top portion 106. At block 202, forming a first slit 112 and a second slit 114 through the top side portion 110. At block 204, forming a first strap 122 defining a first overlapped end portion 126 and a second strap 124 defining a second overlapped end portion 128. At block 206, orienting the first overlapped end portion 126 and the second overlapped end portion 128 in a substantially parallel orientation relative to the longitudinal axis 400 of the first strap and second straps 122 and 124, respectively. At block 208, inserting the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 in parallel orientation through the respective first and second slits 112 and 114 along direction arrows 516 and 518 (FIG. 3). At block 210, orienting the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis 400 of the first and second straps 122 and 124, respectively, such that the first and second overlapped end portions 126 and 128 are engaged with the top side portion 110 of the golf bag 100 when the first and second straps 122 and 124 are drawn along direction arrows 512 and 514 (FIG. 3).

While a particular order of actions is illustrated in FIG. 13, these actions may be performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or more actions depicted in FIG. 13 may be performed sequentially, concurrently, or simultaneously. Alternatively, two or more actions depicted may be performed in reverse order. Further one or more actions in FIG. 13 may not be performed at all. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

While the figures may depict a top portion of a golf bag with a particular number of dividers and openings to receive one or more golf clubs, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include a top portion with more or less dividers or openings to receive golf clubs (e.g., a three-way top, a five-way top, a six-way top, a fourteen-way top, etc.). Although the figures may depict an extensible bag stand with a particular number of deployable legs, the apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include an extensible bag stand with more or less deployable legs.

Further, while the figures may depict a particular type of bottom portion of a golf bag (e.g., the height of the bottom portion decreases in a linear manner from one end to the opposite end), the apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture may be applicable to other type of bottom portions (e.g., the height of the bottom portion decreases in a non-linear manner (e.g., lock step). Although the above examples may be describe and the figures may depict a carry golf bag, the apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to cart golf bags, travel bags for golf bags, or other suitable type of bags (e.g., luggage, etc.). Alternatively, the apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to tripods for cameras, camcorders, and/or other electronic devices.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A bag comprising:

a body with an open top portion at one end of the body and a closed bottom portion at the opposite end of the body, the open top portion defining a top side portion around a perimeter of the open top portion;

at least one slit formed through the body; and

at least one strap configured to be engaged and disengaged from the at least one slit, the at least one strap defining a strap portion and an overlapped end portion, the overlapped end portion comprises a first fold portion and a second fold portion with a folding line interposed between the first and second fold portions, wherein the first fold portion has a first thickness less than a second thickness of the second fold portion and the strap portion has a third thickness less than the first thickness of the first fold portion and the second thickness of the second fold portion;

wherein the overlapped end portion in a first orientation is configured to pass through the at least one slit, and wherein the overlapped end portion in a second orientation is prevented from passing through the at least one slit.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the folding line comprises a stitched line for forming a boundary that defines the first fold portion and the second fold portion.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the folding line comprises a stitched line for forming a boundary between the first fold portion and the second fold portion, wherein the stitched line is sewn together.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the overlapped end portion is substantially parallel relative to the strap portion when the overlapped end portion is in the first orientation.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the overlapped end portion is substantially perpendicular to the strap portion when the overlapped end portion is in the second orientation.

6. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit is formed through the top side portion of the body, wherein the overlapped end portion in the second orientation is substantially parallel to the top side portion of the body and wherein the overlapped end portion in the first orientation is substantially perpendicular to the top side portion of the body.

7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap defines a first outward bend along the first fold portion and a second outward bend along the second fold portion.

8. The bag of claim 1, wherein the overlapped end portion includes a stitched line for forming the first fold portion and the second fold portion; wherein the overlapped end portion forms a first outward bend along the first fold portion, a second outward bend along the second fold portion and an inward bend along the stitched line.

9. The bag of claim 1, wherein the overlapped end portion is substantially perpendicular to the strap portion in the second orientation; and wherein the overlapped end portion in the second orientation is configured to prevent passage of the overlapped end portion through the at least one slit.

10. A carrying strap system comprising:

forming a strap defining a strap portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the strap portion having a single strap thickness;

folding a first length of the strap portion to form a double strap thickness;

folding a second length of the strap portion to form a triple strap thickness;

generating a stitched line through the folded strap portion to form a first fold portion having the double strap thickness and a second fold portion having a triple strap thickness.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein folding the first length of the strap portion includes folding the strap portion inward such that the inner surface of the strap portion contacts the inner surface of the strap portion.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein folding the second length of the strap portion includes folding the first fold portion inward such that the outer surface of the strap portion contacts the inner surface of the strap portion.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

folding the overlapped end portion along the stitched line to configure the overlapped end portion in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the strap portion.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first length of the strap portion is substantially equal to the second length of the strap portion.

15. A method for manufacturing a golf bag comprising:

forming a golf bag body comprising: an open top portion; a closed bottom portion formed at the opposite end of the golf bag body; and a top side portion formed along a circumference of the open top portion;

forming at least one slit through the golf bag body;

forming at least one strap, the at least one strap defining a strap portion having a single strap thickness

folding the at least one strap to configure a first fold portion and a second fold portion to collectively form an overlapped end portion;

orienting the overlapped end portion in a first orientation such that the overlapped end portion is substantially parallel to the strap portion;

inserting the overlapped end portion in the first orientation through the at least one slit; and

orienting the overlapped end portion to a second orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation such that the overlapped end portion in the second orientation is configured to prevent passage of the overlapped end portion through the at least one slit.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

inserting the at least one strap back through the at least one slit until the overlapped end portion engages the top side portion.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

inserting the at least one strap back through the at least one slit until the overlapped end portion engages the top side portion; and

maintaining the overlapped end portion in contact with the top side portion of the golf bag body.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

inserting the at least one strap back through the at least one slit until the overlapped end portion engages the top side portion;

maintaining the overlapped end portion in engagement with the top side portion, wherein the overlapped end portion is covered with a material that maintains the overlapped end portion in engagement with the top side portion.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one slit is formed through the top side portion of the golf bag body.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first fold portion defines a double strap thickness that is substantially twice the thickness of the single strap thickness of the strap portion, and wherein the second fold portion defines a triple strap thickness that is substantially three times the thickness of the single strap thickness of the strap portion.