GOLF BAG

• US 20140339110A1
• Filed: 04/18/2014
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Original Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Inventors: Soracco, Peter L., Roach, Ryan L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,545,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/315.3
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/00 Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/408 Releasably mounted accessories fitted outside the bag, e.g. straps or holders A63B55/20 and A63B55/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications

Abstract

The invention generally relates to golf bags. A golf bag of the invention may include a detachable and re-attachable storage compartments. A golf bag may include retractable straps. A golf bag of the invention may include power collection and power plug-in devices.

Claims

1. A golf bag comprising:

an extended body having a closed end, an open end, a top surface area, a bottom surface area, a right side surface area, and a left side surface area; and

a docking station for an electronic device.

2. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises a connector for receiving a mobile computing device, and the golf bag further comprises a computing device with a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory, and input/output device, and the connector.

3. The golf bag of claim 2, further comprising a touch screen coupled to the computing device and accessible on an external surface of the golf bag.

4. The golf bag of claim 2, further comprising an energy-harvesting device configured to provide an electric charge via the connector to any mobile device connected thereto.

5. The golf bag of claim 4, wherein the energy-harvesting device comprises a photovoltaic cell.

6. The golf bag of claim 5, further comprising a battery configured to store the electric charge.

7. The golf bag of claim 2, further comprising computer program instructions stored in the non-transitory memory that, when executed by the processor, cause the input/output device to provide golf-related information.

8. A golf bag comprising:

an extended body having a closed end, an open end, a top surface area, a bottom surface area, a right side surface area, and a left side surface area; and

a computing device with a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory and at least one input/output device.

9. The golf bag of claim 8, further comprising computer program instructions stored in the non-transitory memory that, when executed by the processor, cause the input/output device to provide golf-related information.

10. The golf bag of claim 8, further comprising an accelerometer coupled to the computing device.

11. The golf bag of claim 8, further comprising a GPS subsystem in the computing device.

12. The golf bag of claim 8, further comprising an RFID tag reader coupled to the computing device.

13. A golf bag comprising:

an extended body having a closed end, an open end, a top surface area, a bottom surface area, a right side surface area, and a left side surface area; and

an energy collection device.

14. The golf bag of claim 13, wherein the energy collection device comprises a photovoltaic cell.

15. The golf bag of claim 13, wherein the energy collection device comprises a reverse electrowetting electricity generator.

16. A method of improving at golf, the method comprising:

obtaining a golf bag with a detectable bag tag and at least one golf club with a detectable club tag;

carrying the golf bag to a spot nearby a ball-striking location;

using a computing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory and a detector device to detect the bag tag and the club tag;

removing the club from the bag and walking to the ball-striking location;

using the device to detect the club tag and to detect that the bag tag has increased in distance from the device;

creating in the memory a record that the club has been used at the ball-striking location; and

providing the record for a golfer to use in improving their playing by reviewing information about clubs used.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the bag tag comprises an RFID tag.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the computing device comprises a mobile phone.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the detector device is an RFID transponder device coupled to the mobile phone.

20. A method of tracking when a golf club is used, the method comprising:

detecting a characteristic motion of a bag via a motion sensor on the bag;

relaying a signal to a computing device indicating that the bag has exhibited the characteristic motion; and

recording, in the computing device, a record indicating that a club has been removed from or inserted into the bag.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the computing device is housed by the bag and comprises a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the record includes at least one selected from the list consisting of:

a time of removal of the club, a location of removal of the club;

an identity of the club;

weather information; and

information about a golf course.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising calibrating, using the processor, the computing device by:

removing a club from the bag to generate a test signal characterizing the characteristic motion associated with removing the club from the bag;

receiving the test signal at the computing device;

storing the test signal; and

receiving user input defining the test signal as characterizing the characteristic motion.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the bag further comprises a GPS subsystem within the computing device.