Golf Bag and Carrying Device

1. Field of The Invention

The present invention relates to a carrying means, and more particularly to a golf bag and carrying device combination. Frequently, golfers carry their own golf bags either to save the expense of a caddy or cart, or because neither is available. Single strap bags are carried with great difficulty due to imbalance, excessive weight on one shoulder, tendency of clubs to slide out of the bag, etc. The present invention is directed to solving these problems.

2. Prior Art Statement

U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,470 issued to Kenneth Atkinson on Jan. 8, 1980, illustrates a mechanism which includes a belt which is adapted to be worn around a person's waist and which has attached to it at least one magnetic member which will hold metallic objects by magnetism. Typically, two discs are employed--one attached to the belt, the other attached to a bag to be carried. The carrying of a golf bag is illustrated and discussed and removable attachment or permanent attachment of the metal parts (including a magnet) may be used. Unfortunately, the teachings of this patent lead one to the method of carrying a golf bag using a single strap and a belt. While weight redistribution may be established, the imbalance which is inherent in using one shoulder and not the other for carrying, is not alleviated.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,111, issued to Anna Williams on Sept. 23, 1958 shows a golf bag having two straps, for weight distribution and ease of carrying golf bags. However, the teachings of Williams are directed to newly manufactured golf bags wherein the straps are integral parts of the bag. Adjustable buckles are suggested so that the bag may be slightly tilted. However, no teachings are presented which would enable the owner of a single strap conventional golf bag to convert it readily to a double strap arrangement, as in the present invention.

The present invention comprises a golf bag and a carrying device. It includes an elongated rigid bar which is attachable to a conventional single strap golf bag. The bar includes perforations and two shoulder straps are attachable thereto at the perforations.

FIG. 1 illustrates an oblique view of one embodiment of the elongated rigid bar used in the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of said elongated rigid bar;

FIG. 3 shows a combination of two adjustable shoulder straps and an elongated rigid bar which may be used in the present invention device;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial, close up view of one end of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 attached to a portion of a single shoulder strap golf bag of conventional design; and,

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the device of the present invention in use.

The present invention, as mentioned, basically embodies a conventional single shoulder strap type golf bag and a carrying device. The single shoulder strap golf bag has at least two attachment means thereon, typically the attachment means for each end of the single shoulder strap.

One component of the carrying device of the present invention is a rigid bar which is elongated and has two ends, each of which is capable of being attached to one end of the mentioned single shoulder strap golf bag attachment means. This elongated rigid bar may be constructed of any known rigid structural material which is capable of supporting the weight of a full golf bag with clubs, balls, etc. For example, treated iron, steel, composite material or other structural material may be used, although light weight materials such as aluminum and plastic are preferred.

FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of one embodiment of the elongated rigid bar and FIG. 2 shows a side view thereof. Reference is simultaneously made to FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the elongated rigid bar is shown generally as 3. Bar 3 has two ends 5 and 7, each of which are adapted so as to be capable of being attached to attachment means of a conventional single shoulder strap golf bag. Ends 5 and 7 have been designed with attachment hooks 9 and 11, respectively, although any conventional connecting or attaching means could be used. Bar 3 further includes a plurality of perforations, exemplified by orifices 13, 15, 17 and 19.

FIG. 3 illustrates a combination of two adjustable shoulder straps 21 and 23, attached to bar 3 at orifices 17 and 19 respectively. Straps 21 and 23 include clip-on portions 25 and 27 for quick connection to orifices 17 and 19, although any known connection means could be employed. Straps 21 and 23 are adjustable via buckles 31 and 33, although they could be non-adjustable, i.e. prefitted to the user or could be adjustable by other adjustment means, e.g. velcro, loops, hooks or football helmet stop type binders. Any means available could be substituted for the buckles. Thus, FIG. 3 shows adjustability as to strap length, and by virtue of using different orifices for stop attachment, weight distribution adjustment. In other embodiments, bar 3 may have more or fewer orifices as the designer may desire. Optional cushion pads 35 and 37 are shown but not essential.

FIG. 4 shows a partial close up view of a conventional single shoulder strap golf bag 41, having strap 43 and strap attachment means 45. (Not shown would be a second attachment means at the other end of should strap 43.) Bar 3 is attached to means 45 at end 5 via hook 9. Bar 3 is thus used in conjunction with the straps 21 and 23 shown in FIG. 3 to constitute the carrying device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a complete embodiment of the present invention. Single shoulder strap golf bag 41 has connected thereto bar 3 at attachment means 45 and 47. Bar 3 has connected thereto straps 21 and 23 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Golfer 51 is shown wearing the golf bag and carrying device with optional cushion pads 35 and 37. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the straps 21 and 23 could be attached closer together or farther apart for broader or narrower-shouldered golfers. Straps 21 and 23 may further be adjusted for tighter or looser fit or for tilting and weight redistribution by buckle adjustment.

The present invention golf bag and carrying device solves the problems inherent in single shoulder strap golf bags--weight distribution, imbalance, etc.--yet enables the golfer to "convert" a conventional bag without purchasing an entirely new golf bag. It should now be apparent to the artisan that various changes and substitutions might be made to the invention without exceeding its scope. Thus, the foregoing discussion has been presented to illustrate the present invention and the present invention should not be construed to be limited thereto.