Golf Pack

Abstract

Golf packs that provide a more supportive and ergonomic way to carry golf clubs and equipment. Exemplary golf packs include a back panel with an internal frame structure that is integrally connected to an elongate golf club container, as well as hip belt straps, shoulder straps, and sternum straps. In some embodiments, the golf pack may include a storage compartment that is similar to a backpack and that extends transversely from the elongate golf club container and that is designed and configured to store items in a location that is substantially aligned with and proximal to a user's torso.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/149, 846, filed Apr. 20, 2015, and titled Golf Club Backpack, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of packs for carrying items. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf pack.

BACKGROUND

Traditional golf club bags have one or two straps attached to a tubular golf bag, and the weight of the bag is hung on the user's shoulders. The stress of this concentrated force on the shoulders throughout a full round of golf, which can last several hours, can greatly hamper a user's ability to perform golfing duties to the best of his or her ability. The weight of existing golf bags generally hangs directly from a user's shoulders and crashes into the user's lower back, glutes, and legs with every stride. Compounding the problem, most accessory pockets are placed near the bottom of the bag, to carry heavy items such as golf balls, accessories, water bottle, etc. The placement of pockets near the bottom of the tubular golf bag moves the center of gravity of the bag farther away from the center of the user's body. The weight placement of existing carry bags is so far from the body's core, that the user must exert much more effort to carry the golf clubs and golf equipment, and causes undue stress to carry the bag.

Users often lean forward to reduce these forces and keep one's body plus bag weight centered over his or her feet. Leaning forward to offset the displaced center of gravity causes the spine to distort its natural shape. This is especially difficult for a golfer, as the sport of golf is already causing unnatural stress to the spine. These rearward and downward forces along with the body's propensity to lean forward increases muscle tension throughout the body, especially in the neck, shoulders, and upper back; all muscles essential to making a golf swing. A user's gait is also affected causing more energy to be consumed with each step. The increased forward lean under load alters walking patterns. More stress is put on muscles, joints, and ligaments that are not intended to carry out walking duties under load. Because the center of gravity of the load is well behind the center of gravity of the user, the load resists the natural flow of body movement.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a golf pack. The golf pack includes an elongate container having an outer wall defining an inner cavity, a closed end, and an opposed open end in communication with the inner cavity for receiving golf clubs therethrough for placement in the inner cavity; a back panel having a lower back portion, an upper back portion, and opposed sides, the back panel coupled to the container and extending transversely therefrom; a strap system, including shoulder straps coupled to the upper back portion of the back panel and hip belt straps coupled to the lower back portion of the back panel, wherein the strap system is configured to secure the golf pack to a user with the lower back portion adjacent a user's lower back and the upper back portion adjacent a user's upper back; and a storage compartment extending from the back panel and the container, the storage compartment having opposed sides, a front and a back, the back of the storage compartment formed, at least in part, by the back panel.

In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a method of manufacturing a golf pack. The method includes providing a rigid back panel sized and configured to extend from an upper portion of a user's back to a lower portion of a user's back, the rigid back panel having shoulder straps and hip belt straps extending therefrom for securing the back panel to a user; attaching fabric to the back panel to form a storage compartment having a bottom and at least one recess for receiving an elongate golf club container; sewing a first fabric panel to the back panel and the bottom of the storage compartment; and forming the first fabric panel into at least a portion of a container for storing golf clubs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a golf pack made in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a back panel component of the golf pack of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the assembled back panel of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the golf pack of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 6 is another front view of the golf pack of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure includes exemplary golf packs that provide a supportive and ergonomic way to carry golf clubs and equipment. Exemplary golf packs include back panels with internal frame structures that is integrally connected to an elongate golf club container as well as hip belt straps and sternum straps. In some embodiments, the golf pack may include a storage compartment that is similar to a backpack and that extends transversely from the elongate golf club container and that is designed and configured to store items in a location that is substantially aligned with and proximal to a user's torso. In some embodiments, forces on the user's body due to the weight of the accessory equipment is further reduced by locating accessory compartments higher up against a user's back. The higher and more centered weight displacement, along with a firm and rigid supporting back panel, in addition to a supporting hip belt and sternum strap, may allow a user to walk more naturally and carry the weight supported by his or her hips and legs, rather than shoulders and back. This promotes a more natural stride using hips, glutes and large muscles of the legs to carry the weight. More efficient walking patterns mean less energy wasted while walking and more energy to devote to each golf swing. The more natural movement with the golf pack is also helpful walking up and down hills. Golf packs disclosed herein reduces stress on knees and ankles to keep the user's body centered and moving forward. Overall, as compared to existing golf bags, forward lean, energy consumption, and body discomfort may all be reduced. Exemplary golf club backpacks disclosed herein may significantly reduce or substantially eliminate the downward and rearward forces put onto a user's shoulders and upper back by conventional golf club bags.

Embodiments disclosed herein include exemplary golf packs, wherein weight is centered within the column of a user and supported above the iliac crest bone. In one example, the weight may be centered within the column of the user through the angle and position of the back panel relative to the elongate golf club container. The angle and position of the back panel relative to the elongate container may be selected to account for the disproportionate weight of club heads located at the end of the shafts.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show isometric and back views of one example embodiment of a golf back 100 made in accordance with the present disclosure. Exemplary golf pack 100 is designed and configured to carry golf clubs, for example, during a round of golf. As discussed more below, golf pack 100 has a more ergonomic design than existing golf bags, resulting in significantly less strain, discomfort, and energy expended by a user when used for a round of golf as compared to existing bags. Exemplary golf pack 100 includes an elongate container 102 for holding golf clubs, and a storage compartment 104 that is similar to a backpack and that extends transversely from the elongate container and that is designed and configured to store items in a location that is substantially aligned with and proximal to a user's torso. By having the storage compartment 104 of golf pack 100 positioned closer to a user's torso, the weight of items being carried do not cause the bag to sway as is common with existing bags, where the storage compartments are typically at the end of an elongate container, spaced from a user's torso. Container 102 has an outer wall 106 defining an inner cavity 107, a closed end 108, and an opposed open end 110 in communication with the inner cavity for receiving golf clubs therethrough for placement in the inner cavity. In the illustrated example, container 102 is formed from a plurality of fabric panels that are sewn together. Ends 108, and 110 can have any of a variety of configurations common for golf bags, such as the closed end including a rigid material, such as plastic, for durability, and open end 110 including padded dividers (not illustrated) for forming compartments for inserting golf clubs. Container 102 may also contain a plurality of elongate structural members 112 (shown in broken line) coupled to an interior of outer wall 106 for providing structure for the container. Structural members 112 may be formed from any of a variety of different lightweight and rigid materials. In one example, elongate structural members 112 are fiberglass rods. In the illustrated example, container 102 also includes at least one pocket for storing golf accessories. In other examples, elongate container 102 does not have any storage compartments for golf accessories.

Storage compartment 104 includes a top 113, opposed sides 114, a front 116 and a back 118, the back of the storage compartment formed, at least in part, by a back panel 202 (FIG. 2). Storage compartment 104 may include any of a variety of storage compartment configurations for storing golfing accessories. In the illustrated example, storage compartment 104 includes a main compartment 120, two smaller front compartments 122, and may also include additional organizational compartments within for storing specific types of golf accessories such as golf balls, tees, etc. In one example, main compartment 120 may also include a pocket (not illustrated) for a holding a water reservoir hydration system such as a reservoir that is the same or similar to a Camelbak® water reservoir. Golf pack 100 also includes a strap system 124, which includes adjustable shoulder straps 126 and adjustable hip belt straps 204, the hip belt straps including complementary buckles 206 for removeably securing the hip belt around the waist of a user (FIG. 2). Strap system 124 may include any of the features commonly found in the strap systems of back packs and hiking packs, such as features for adjusting the strap system to the size of a particular user, and shoulder straps 126 may include a sternum strap and load lifters (not illustrated). Shoulder straps 126 and hip belt straps 204 may be attached to back panel 202 in a variety of ways, such as a bar tack stitch. And shoulder straps 126 and hip belt straps 204 may have any construction known in the art, including a multi-layer construction that includes cushioning layers and structural layers.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, exemplary back panel 202 is a substantially rigid assembly for supporting container 102 on a user's torso. As shown in FIG. 3, exemplary back panel 202 includes a plurality of layers that are combined together to form an integrated structure that provides comfort and structural rigidity. Exemplary back panel includes an outer fabric layer 302 for resting in direct contact with a user's back and includes a first cushion layer 306 bound to the fabric layer at seam 308. In one example, cushion layer 306 is foam laminated with a spacer mesh. A second cushion layer 310 provides additional cushioning and may be made from a variety of materials, such as foam. Exemplary cushion layer 310 has substantially the same maximum outer dimensions as back panel 202. Back panel 202 also includes a rigid layer 312 that provides the back panel with structural rigidity. Rigid layer 312 includes a rigid sheet 314 and a rigid elongate member 316 that is secured to the rigid sheet by a pocket formed from fabric 318 stitched to sheet 314. In the illustrated example, rigid sheet 314 has substantially the same maximum outer dimensions as back panel 202 and cushion layer 310 and extends across a substantial portion of the back panel. In one example, rigid sheet 314 is made from polyethylene. In other examples, rigid sheet 314 may be made from any of a variety of other rigid materials, such as a polycarbonate sheet, or alternatively a metal, e.g., aluminum, or fiber composite frame. Exemplary rigid elongate member 316 is located along a central longitudinal axis 402 (FIG. 4) of back panel 202, has a width W1 that is less than an outer width W2 (FIG. 4) of back panel 202, and a length L1 that is substantially the same as a length L2 (FIG. 4) of the back panel. Elongate member 316 may be formed from any of a variety of rigid materials, such as a metal or a fiber composite. In one example, elongate member 316 is aluminum, with a width W1 of approximately ½″ and a thickness of approximately 4-5 mm. Exemplary back panel 202 also includes an inner fabric layer 320, which forms a back surface of storage compartment 104, and may include a pocket 322 that, when assembled, rigid layer 312 is disposed in. Pocket 322 can be opened and closed by a zipper 324 or alternatively by snaps, stitching, etc. A handle 324 for carrying pack 100 may be secured to inner fabric layer 320. Layers 302, 310, 312, and 320 may be combined by any means, such as by assembling them in a layered fashion as shown in FIG. 3 and stitching the layers together to form an integrated back panel 202, shown in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the extent of rigid materials may vary, for example, based on the intended use. For example, an alternative golf pack designed for lighter-weight applications, such as for executive course play, or for children, may have rigid materials with more flexibility, and/or smaller relative to the overall size of the back panel.

In the illustrated embodiment, an overall combined shape of container 102, storage compartment 104, and back panel 202 may be patterned as one integrated bag. For example, fabric pieces of storage compartment 104 may be configured and dimensioned to fit with tubular container 102 to thereby create one structure, which may contribute to an overall load disbursement of the golf clubs and accessories, as well as create a solid structure. For example, configuring the two portions as an integrated structure may substantially minimize or prevent club sway, bouncing, or shifting while walking, including while walking on uneven terrain. In addition, the integrated structure may result in tighter load disbursement resulting in less strain on the body due to, for example, reduced unbalanced movements. In one embodiment, patterning software or traditional pattern paper may be used to develop unique fabric shapes for configuring the back pack portion and tubular member as a combined integrated structure, such as the illustrated golf club backpack. The shapes may be cut into fabric and assembled as one completed unit.

For example, back panel 202 and storage compartment 104 are integrally formed with container 102 to form an integrated golf pack 100 that resists forces from golf clubs stored in the container, which would otherwise cause the container to move relative to back panel 202. Golf pack 100 is designed and configured as an integrated system such that relative movement between container 102 and back panel 202 is substantially minimized and so that container 102 is torsionally rigid. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 1, storage compartment 104 and back panel 202 are configured and dimensioned for container 102 to be disposed in a lower portion of storage compartment 104 with the container extending through the storage compartment, with the storage compartment and back panel 202 wrapped around a portion of the outer wall 106 of the container. Such an arrangement provides a secure and integrated coupling between back panel 202/storage compartment 104 and container 102. As shown, opposed sides 114 of storage compartment 104 may include at least one recess 130 that is sized and configured to receive a portion of container 102. Storage compartment 104 sides 114 and front 116, and back panel 202, may be secured to outer wall 106 of container 102 along seam 132, where the seam extends around at least a portion of the outer circumference of container 102. In some examples, seam 132 extends at least about 45 degrees around a central longitudinal axis 134 (FIG. 1) of container 102, in some examples, at least about 90 degrees, and in some examples, at least about 180 degrees. As shown by broken line in FIG. 1, a top portion of container 102 extends completely through storage compartment 104, such that outer wall 106 of the container has a substantially constant cross sectional area between closed end 108 and open end 110. Such a unitary container structure may improve the torsional rigidity of the container.

As best seen in FIG. 2, in the illustrated example, container 102 includes three fabric panels, including an upper panel 210, a central panel 212, and a lower panel 214 that are sewn together at seams 216, 218. In one example, a method of assembling golf pack 100 may include a step of securing front 116 and sides 114 to back panel 202 to form storage compartment 104 having an open bottom and including recesses 130 formed in sides 114 that are configured and dimensioned for receiving a portion of container 102. Central panel 212 may then be sewn as a flat sheet to the bottom of storage compartment 104 and back panel 202 along seam 132, and then upper and lower panels 210, 214, as flat sheets, may then be sewn to central panel 212. Panels 210, 212, and 214 may then be formed into a tubular structure, for example, along a longitudinal seam (not illustrated) to form container 102, and structural members 112 may be installed to provide structural rigidity to fabric panels 210, 212, and 214. In some examples, storage compartment 104 and back panel 202 are turned inside out when they are sewn to central panel 212 and they are turned inside in before panels 210, 212, and 214 are formed into a tubular structure. In other examples, rather than three fabric panels, container 102 may be formed from one or two panels that storage compartment 104 and back panel 202 are sewn to. In one example, structural members 112 have a length that is longer than the combined length of panels 210, 212, and 214, so as to place the panels in tension when the structural members are installed in container 102. Placing one or more of panels 210, 212, 214 in tension may improve the structural rigidity of golf pack 100 and provide a more effective coupling between container 102 and back panel 202 that minimizes relative motion between the container and back panel.

As shown in FIG. 2, back panel 202 includes a lower back portion 230 configured to rest against a user's lower back and an upper back portion 232 configured to rest against a user's upper back. Hip belt straps 204 are configured to secure golf pack 100 to the user and transfer a majority of the weight of the pack to the user's hips rather than the user's shoulders as is common with existing golf bags. Container 102 is disposed inside of and extends though a lower portion of storage compartment 104, with a portion of a top surface 240 of container 102 being aligned with or above lower back portion 132. Such a configuration moves the center of gravity of golf clubs and equipment stored in golf pack 100 from a point well behind and very low compared to the center of gravity of a user's body as in a traditional golf club bag, to a point much higher and closer to the center of the user's body. Back panel 202 may disperse a load stored in golf pack 100 to a user's hips. Through the internal frame system of back panel 202, the load is not attached directly to shoulder straps 126 such as with traditional golf bags. With container 102 integrally connected to back panel 202, the internal frame of the back panel may disperse a much greater percentage of the load to the hips rather than the upper back and shoulders. Rather than transferring a majority of the load to a user's shoulders as with existing golf bags, shoulder straps 126 may primarily act to secure the back panel in close proximity to the user's back to more effectively transfer the weight of a load stored in golf pack 100 to the user's hips via back panel 202 and hip belt straps 204.

Factors influencing the design of golf pack 100 and integration of back panel 202 to container 102 include (1) the angle, theta (FIG. 5) of central longitudinal axis 134 of the container and (2) a location along central longitudinal axis 134 that intersects central longitudinal axis 402 of back panel 202. Considerations include a center of gravity and moment of inertia of container 102 when fully loaded with golf clubs, as well as ergonomic factors, including ease of taking golf pack 100 on and off, and ease of adding and removing golf clubs from the golf pack. As will be appreciated, geometric relationships disclosed herein may be varied and optimized based on the total weight and weight distribution of clubs assumed to be in the bag. In one example, the geometric relationship between back panel 202 and container 102 may be described by the following relationship:

Cos(θ)=X/H   Eq. (1)

• • wherein:
  • “θ” is defined as the angle from horizontal of central longitudinal axis 134 of container 102;
  • “H” is defined as a distance along central longitudinal axis 134 from an intersection with central axis 402 of back panel 202 to an intersection of central axis 134 and open end 110; and
  • “X” is defined as a distance along a first axis that is perpendicular to central longitudinal axis 402 from central longitudinal axis 402 to a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, and that intersects central axis 134 at open end 110 (see FIG. 5).

In some embodiments, θ may be in the range of approximately 20 to approximately 75 degrees, and in some embodiments may be approximately 30 to approximately 45 degrees, and in some embodiments, approximately 32 degrees. In yet other embodiments, a ratio of X/H may be in the range of approximately 0.2-0.9. In yet other embodiments, a ratio of X/H may be approximately 0.5 to approximately 0.6. In yet other embodiments, H may be in the range of approximately 20 cm to approximately 30 cm and in some embodiments may be approximately 25 cm. This is in contrast to existing golf bags with shoulder straps, where the tubular golf club compartment is typically less than 45 degrees from horizontal.

A percent longitudinal offset of container 102 from back panel 202 may be described by the following relationship:

%O=[(L/2)−H]/L*100   Eq. (2)

• • wherein:
  • “H” is defined above; and
  • “L” is defined as a length L3 (FIG. 5) of container 102.

In some embodiments, exemplary golf pack 100 may include a container 102 with a percent longitudinal offset of approximately 20-30%, and in some embodiments approximately 22-23%.

As shown in FIG. 6, exemplary golf pack 100 may include a retractable stand 602 with legs 604 that pivot from a first, retracted position, to a second extended position (as shown in FIG. 6). Stand 602 and golf pack 100 may be configured and dimensioned so container 102 is positioned at an angle phi (Φ) from horizontal (FIG. 6), where Φ may be in the range of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 50 degrees, and in some embodiments, phi may be approximately 40 degrees.

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is noted that in the present specification and claims appended hereto, conjunctive language such as is used in the phrases “at least one of X, Y and Z” and “one or more of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated or indicated otherwise, shall be taken to mean that each item in the conjunctive list can be present in any number exclusive of every other item in the list or in any number in combination with any or all other item(s) in the conjunctive list, each of which may also be present in any number. Applying this general rule, the conjunctive phrases in the foregoing examples in which the conjunctive list consists of X, Y, and Z shall each encompass: one or more of X; one or more of Y; one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Y; one or more of Y and one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Z; and one or more of X, one or more of Y and one or more of Z.

Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A golf pack, comprising:

an elongate container having an outer wall defining an inner cavity, a closed end, and an opposed open end in communication with the inner cavity for receiving golf clubs therethrough for placement in the inner cavity;

a back panel having a lower back portion, an upper back portion, and opposed sides, the back panel coupled to the container and extending transversely therefrom;

a strap system, including shoulder straps coupled to the upper back portion of the back panel and hip belt straps coupled to the lower back portion of the back panel, wherein the strap system is configured to secure the golf pack to a user with the lower back portion adjacent a user's lower back and the upper back portion adjacent a user's upper back; and

a storage compartment extending from the back panel and the container, the storage compartment having opposed sides, a front and a back, the back of the storage compartment formed, at least in part, by the back panel.

2. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the elongate container includes a top surface and the storage compartment includes a bottom end, wherein the bottom end of the storage compartment is sewn to the top surface of the elongate container.

3. A golf pack according to claim 2, wherein a first portion of the top surface of the container is positioned below the lower back portion of the back panel, and a second portion of the top surface is aligned with or positioned above the lower back portion of the back panel.

4. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is designed and configured to store items in a location that is substantially aligned with and proximal to a user's torso.

5. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the storage compartment extends from the upper back portion of the back panel to the outer wall of the container.

6. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the back panel is sewn to the outer wall of the container.

7. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the opposed sides of the storage compartment include a recess sized and configured to receive a portion of the container.

8. A golf pack according to claim 7, wherein the container has a central longitudinal axis, the container being disposed in the recess, the back panel and storage compartment secured to the outer wall of the container along a seam, wherein the seam extends at least about 45 degrees around the central longitudinal axis.

9. A golf pack according to claim 8, wherein the seam extends at least about 90 degrees around the central longitudinal axis.

10. A golf pack according to claim 7, wherein the container is disposed in the recess and extends through the storage compartment.

11. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the back panel and container each have corresponding respective central longitudinal axes, the central longitudinal axis of the container being at an angle between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees from the central longitudinal axis of the back panel.

12. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the back panel includes at least one fabric layer and at least one rigid layer, wherein the at least one fabric layer is sewn to the outer wall of the container.

13. A golf pack according to claim 12, wherein the at least one rigid layer includes at least one of a rigid sheet of material extending across a substantial portion of the back panel and a rigid elongate member extending between the upper back portion and the lower back portion.

14. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the container is formed from at least one fabric panel, the container further including at least one elongate structural member extending longitudinally in the container, the at least one elongate structural member having a length that, when installed, places the at least one fabric panel in tension.

15. A golf pack according to claim 1, wherein the container includes first, second, and third fabric panels, further wherein the back panel and storage compartment are sewn to the first fabric panel to form a bottom surface of the storage compartment, and the second and third fabric panels are sewn to opposite ends of the first fabric panel to form at least a portion of the container.

16. A method of manufacturing a golf pack, comprising:

providing a rigid back panel sized and configured to extend from an upper portion of a user's back to a lower portion of a user's back, the rigid back panel having shoulder straps and hip belt straps extending therefrom for securing the back panel to a user;

attaching fabric to the back panel to form a storage compartment having a bottom and at least one recess for receiving an elongate golf club container;

sewing a first fabric panel to the back panel and the bottom of the storage compartment; and

forming the first fabric panel into at least a portion of a container for storing golf clubs.

17. A method according to claim 16, further including placing the at least one fabric panel in tension.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the placing the at least one fabric panel in tension includes installing at least one elongate structural member in the container to place the at least one fabric panel in tension.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the attaching step includes forming a storage compartment that extends across a majority of a length and width of the back panel that is sized and configured to store golf accessory items in a location that is substantially aligned with and proximal to a user's torso.

20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the sewing step includes sewing the first fabric panel to the back panel and the bottom of the storage compartment when the back panel and storage compartment are turned inside out, the method further including turning the storage compartment and back panel inside in before the forming step.