SHOULDER STRAP CARRYING SYSTEM FOR A GOLF BAG AND THE GOLF BAG MADE THEREWITH

Abstract

A shoulder strap carrying system for a golf bag includes a first shoulder strap and a handle affixed to the first shoulder strap.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is claiming the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), of the provisional U.S. patent application which was granted Ser. No. 62/192,933 and filed on Jul. 15, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a shoulder strap carrying system for a golf bag. The invention also relates to a golf bag having the shoulder strap carrying system.

Many golf bags are now manufactured with a shoulder strap carrying system. These carrying systems are designed to provide the bag carrier with comfort and be ergonomic when the golf bag is being carried. One type of shoulder strap carrying system is a dual strap system. Dual strap carrying systems for golf bags are well-known in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,038,984 and 5,042,703 both describe dual strap carrying systems that allow for carriage of a golf bag. Furthermore, self-adjustable shoulder strap carrying systems, detachable shoulder strap carrying strap systems and related methods of manufacture are known from published U.S. Patent Application Nos. US20120267410, US20150136825, and US20150114859.

However, these carrying systems lack means for the carrier to comfortably rest his or her hands when the golf bag is being carried. Such means would also give the user more leverage when carrying the golf bag and make for adjustment to optimal golf bag positioning easier and less tiresome on the carrier's body. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a carrying system and/or a golf bag which improves on the known designs by addressing the above-described deficiencies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a shoulder strap carrying system for a golf bag are provided.

In an embodiment, the shoulder strap carrying system comprises a first shoulder strap and a handle affixed to the first shoulder strap.

In another embodiment, the shoulder strap carrying system comprises a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap. A portion of the first shoulder strap and a portion the second shoulder strap are attached to each other. In this embodiment, a first handle is affixed to the first shoulder strap and a second handle is affixed to the second shoulder strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the shoulder strap carrying system in a rest state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoulder strap carrying system of FIG. 1 in a state of operation;

FIG.3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the shoulder strap carrying system in a rest state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shoulder strap carrying system of FIG. 3 in a state of operation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the shoulder strap carrying system in a rest state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shoulder strap carrying system of FIG. 5 in a state of operation;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the shoulder strap carrying system in a rest state;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shoulder strap carrying system of FIG. 7 in a state of operation;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the shoulder strap carrying system in a rest state; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the shoulder strap carrying system in a rest state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific assemblies and systems illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Also, although they may not be, like elements in various embodiments described herein may be commonly referred to with like reference numerals within this section of the application.

Embodiments of a shoulder strap carrying system 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E for a golf bag and the golf bag 12 made therewith are described below and illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. Preferably, the shoulder strap carrying system is worn by a person 14 carrying the golf bag 12. For example, the person 14 may be a golfer or a caddie.

The embodiments of a shoulder strap carrying system 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E are suitable for use with known golf bag designs. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the golf bag 12 may be an elongated tubular body having a surrounding sidewall 16, a closed end (not depicted), and an open end 18 so that one or more golf clubs (not depicted) can be inserted in the golf bag 12 for storage. Generally, each golf club includes a head and a shaft. The golf bag 12 may also include one or more compartments (not depicted) for storage of auxiliary golf equipment and a central handle (not depicted) located at a mid-portion thereof. However, as should be appreciated, that the golf bag may be of other shapes or configurations and comprise one or more additional features.

The shoulder strap carrying system 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E is attachable to and detachable from the golf bag 12. In use, the shoulder strap carrying system 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E is attached to the golf bag 12. The shoulder strap carrying system 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E comprises one or more shoulder straps 22, 22A. Preferably, each shoulder strap is attached to the golf bag on opposite ends thereof. For example, in an embodiment like the one illustrated in FIG. 1, the shoulder strap carrying system 20 comprises a first shoulder strap 22 that has a first shoulder strap first end which may be secured to the golf bag 12 at a first location along an upper end portion adjacent the open end 18. In this embodiment, the first shoulder strap 22 has a first shoulder strap second end which may be secured to the golf bag 12 at a second location along a mid-portion or another portion of the golf bag 12. In another embodiment, like the one illustrated in FIG. 3, the shoulder strap carrying system 20A also comprises a second shoulder strap 22A. As illustrated, the first shoulder strap 22 and the second shoulder strap 22A may be similarly configured. In this embodiment, the second shoulder strap 22A may have a second shoulder strap first end which is secured to the golf bag 12 and a second shoulder strap second end which may be secured to the golf bag 12. Also, in this embodiment, a portion of the first shoulder strap 22 and a portion the second shoulder strap 22A may be attached to each other and a first portion 24 of the first shoulder strap 22 and a first portion 24A the second shoulder strap 22A are spaced apart from each other.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a first handle 26 is affixed to the first shoulder strap 22. When the golf bag carrier desires to rest his or her hands, the first handle 26 is gripped by one or more of the hands of the golf bag carrier. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 8, the first handle 26 may receive a palm, one or more fingers and/or another portion of the hand of the golf bag carrier.

It is preferred that the first handle is affixed to an outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22. Affixing the first handle 26 to the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22, positions the first handle over the outer surface. However, in other embodiments, the first handle may be affixed to another surface of the first shoulder strap. For example, the first handle may be affixed to an inner surface of the first shoulder strap. In these embodiments, a portion of the first handle is still positioned over the outer surface of the first shoulder strap. Providing the first handle 26 over the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22 allows the handle to be easily held or gripped by the golf bag carrier.

The first handle 26 comprises a first end 30 and a second end 32. As illustrated, it is preferred that the first handle 26 is affixed to the first shoulder strap 22 by attaching the first end 30 to a first portion of the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22 and the second end 32 to a second portion of the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22. In other embodiments, the first handle 26 may be affixed to the first shoulder strap 22 by attaching the ends thereof to separate portions of the inner surface or another surface of the first shoulder strap. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first handle 26 may be affixed to the first shoulder strap 22 in a horizontal orientation. In this embodiment, the first handle 26 extends from a first side to a second side of the first shoulder strap 22 so that the first end 30 is attached to a first side portion 34 of the first shoulder strap 22 and the second end 32 is attached to a second side portion 36 of the first shoulder strap 22. Also, in this embodiment, the first handle 26 is oriented in a perpendicular or generally perpendicular relationship with the first side and the second side of the first shoulder strap 22. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the first handle 26 may be affixed to the first shoulder strap 22 in a vertical orientation. In this embodiment, the first handle 26 is oriented in a parallel or generally parallel relationship with the first side and the second side of the first shoulder strap 22. In this embodiment, the ends 30, 32 of the first handle 26 are positioned between the first side and the second side of the first shoulder strap 22 so that the first end 30 and the second end 32 are attached to a middle portion 38 of the first shoulder strap 22. More particularly, the first end 30 is attached to an upper portion of the middle portion 38 and the second end 32 is attached to a lower portion of the middle portion 38. It should also be noted that in certain embodiments that the first handle 26 may be oriented in another orientation with respect to the first side and/or the second side of the first shoulder strap 22. For example, in an embodiment (not depicted), the first handle may be oriented at an acute angle with respect to the first side and the second side of the first shoulder strap.

Preferably, as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 3, the first handle 26 also comprises an inner surface 40 and an outer surface 42. The inner surface 40 extends between the first end 30 and the second end 32 and faces the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22 and is separated from the outer surface by a space. As is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8, when the first handle 26 is gripped by the golf bag carrier, at least a portion of the golf bag carrier's hand is positioned in the space such that at least a portion of the inner surface 40 of the first handle is separated from the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22 by the at least a portion of the hand. Additionally, the outer surface 42 extends between the first end 30 and the second end 32 of the first handle 26. The outer surface 42 of the first handle 26 faces away from the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22 and is separated from the first shoulder strap outer surface by the inner surface 40 of the first handle.

In an embodiment, like the ones illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 9-10, the first handle 26 is formed in a unitary manner with the first shoulder strap 22. In these embodiments, the position and orientation of the first handle 26 is substantially fixed relative to the first shoulder strap 22. In other embodiments, the position and orientation of the first handle 26 may be substantially fixed relative to the first shoulder strap 22 but the first handle is formed separately and is discrete from the first shoulder strap. In these embodiments, the first handle 26 may be affixed to the first shoulder strap 22 as part of a post manufacturing process. However, in other embodiments, the first handle 26 may be affixed to the first shoulder strap 22 during manufacture thereof. It should be appreciated that when the first handle is affixed to the first shoulder strap in as part of a post manufacturing process, the first handle may also be removable from the first shoulder strap.

After being removed from the first shoulder strap 22, the position and orientation of the first handle 26 may be adjusted relative to the first shoulder strap. The position and orientation of the first handle 26 may be adjusted relative to the first shoulder strap 22 by movement of the first handle. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the first handle 26 may be moveable relative to the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22. In this embodiment, the first handle 26 may be moveable in a vertical direction which is parallel to the outer surface 28 of the first shoulder strap 22. In other embodiments, the first handle 26 may remain affixed to the first shoulder strap 22 but its position and orientation relative to the first shoulder strap may be adjusted. In one such embodiment, the position of the first handle 26 may be adjusted relative to the first shoulder strap 22 utilizing a track system that locks and unlocks the handle into its desired position and orientation. In another embodiment, the position of the first handle 26 may be adjusted relative to the first shoulder strap 22 utilizing fasteners. In this embodiment, the fasteners may be, for example, buttons, snaps, rivets or of the hook and loop variety. The fasteners are utilized to lock the first handle in place relative to the first shoulder strap and, preferably, are selected so that the first handle can be unlocked and its position easily adjusted relative to the first shoulder strap.

The shape of the first handle 26 can vary between embodiments of the shoulder strap carrying system 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E. In an embodiment, the first handle 26 may be of a generally rectangular shape. However, in other embodiments, the first handle 26 may be provided in another polygonal shape. In these embodiments, the first handle 26 may be rectilinear. In other embodiments, the first handle may be ovular and/or defined by one or more curvilinear surfaces. For example, the first handle may comprise an upper curvilinear surface, a lower curvilinear surface, and/or one or more curvilinear side surfaces. The first handle may also comprise one or more curvilinear or rounded edges. As illustrated in, for example, FIGS. 1 and 9, it is preferred that in these embodiments the first handle 26 is of a length 43 and a width 45 and the length is greater than the width so to be more easily gripped by the hand of the golf bag carrier. In still other embodiments, the first handle may comprise a molded portion or be configured in another manner to receive the palm, one or more fingers and/or another portion of the hand of the golf bag carrier.

It is expected that the shoulder strap carrying system 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E will be utilized many times over the life of the golf bag 12 and in different climates and weather conditions. Therefore, it is preferred that the first handle 26 is of a durable construction. In certain embodiments, the first handle 26 is resilient. In this embodiment, the first handle 26 may be formed from an elastomeric or similar material.

In certain embodiments, the first handle 26 comprises one or more layers of material. One or more of the one or more layers of material may be selected to provide the first handle with properties designed to improve the comfort and durability of the first handle. For example, as the first handle 26 may be configured to receive a hand or one or more portions thereof, the materials utilized to form the first handle may be selected to provide comfort when the first handle is held by the golf bag carrier. In certain embodiments, the first handle 26 comprises a layer of material which is selected from the group consisting of cloth, nylon, vinyl, leather, rubber, plastic, metal, foam, neoprene, and gel padding. It should be appreciated that the first handle may be formed of one or more layers with one or more materials that are similar to those mentioned above. Thus, the aforementioned list is not exhaustive and the first handle may be formed of other materials not specifically mentioned above.

In certain embodiments, like those illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, 7-8, and 10, the shoulder strap carrying system 20A, 20C, 20E also comprises a second handle 44. The second handle 44 is affixed to the second shoulder strap 22A. In these embodiments, it is preferred that the first handle 26 and second handle 44 are similarly configured. As such, the second handle 44 may be provided affixed to the second shoulder strap 22A according to any of the embodiments described above for the first handle 26 and as it is affixed to the first shoulder strap 22.

The second handle 44 may also be gripped by a hand of the golf bag carrier when the golf bag carrier desires to rest his or her hands. Thus, when provided, the second handle 44 provides a second location for the golf bag carrier to rest his or her hands. As illustrated in FIG. 8, it is preferred that each handle 26, 44 is gripped by a separate hand of the gold bag carrier.

When provided, the first handle 26 and the second handle 44 are provided in a spaced apart parallel relationship with each other. Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 and 10, the first handle 26 and the second handle 44 may be aligned with each other. However, as is illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, when both handles 26, 44 are adjustable, the first handle 26 and the second handle 28 may be misaligned so that the first handle is not aligned with the second handle. Because the position of the first handle 26 and the second handle 44 may be adjusted, each handle 26, 44 can be positioned to allow the golf bag carrier to rest his or her hands in a precise, ergonomically comfortable position for optimum arm rest and hand positioning during the carry of the golf bag. This feature is advantageous when, for example, the golf bag carrier has arms which are of different lengths.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A shoulder strap carrying system for a golf bag, comprising:

a first shoulder strap; and

a handle affixed to the first shoulder strap.

2. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, further comprising a second shoulder strap, wherein a portion of the first shoulder strap and a portion the second shoulder strap are attached to each other and a remaining portion of the first shoulder strap and a remaining portion the second shoulder strap are spaced apart.

3. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle is disposed over a first outer surface of the first shoulder strap.

4. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a first end and a second end and the first end is attached to a first portion of the first shoulder strap and the second end is attached to a second portion of the first shoulder strap.

5. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to receive one or more fingers.

6. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises one or more curvilinear surfaces.

7. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle is moveable in a direction which is parallel with an outer surface of the first shoulder strap.

8. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle is moveable in a vertical direction.

9. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle is moveable relative to an outer surface of the first shoulder strap.

10. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises one or more layers of a material which is selected from the group consisting of cloth, nylon, vinyl, leather, rubber, plastic, metal, foam, neoprene, and gel.

11. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle is formed in a unitary manner with the first shoulder strap.

12. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1, wherein the handle formed as a discrete body from the first shoulder strap and is affixed to the first shoulder strap in a manner which allows it to be removed therefrom.

13. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 3, wherein the handle comprises an inner surface that faces the first outer surface of the first shoulder strap and is separated from the first outer surface by a space.

14. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 11, wherein the handle comprises an outer surface that faces away from the first outer surface of the first shoulder strap and is separated from the first outer surface by the inner surface.

15. A shoulder strap carrying system for a golf bag, comprising:

a first shoulder strap;

a second shoulder strap, wherein a portion of the first shoulder strap and a portion the second shoulder strap are attached to each other; and

a first handle affixed to the first shoulder strap and a second handle affixed to the second shoulder strap.

16. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 15, wherein the first handle and the second handle are provided in a spaced apart parallel relationship with each other.

17. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 15, wherein the first handle and the second handle are aligned with each other.

18. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 15, wherein each handle is moveable relative to an outer surface of the shoulder strap it is affixed to.

19. The shoulder strap carrying system of claim 18, wherein the first handle is not aligned with the second handle.

20. A golf bag comprising the shoulder strap carrying system of claim 1.