Golf bag or other shoulder-borne device having double strap to single strap convertibility

• US 8,322,585 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Herron, Heather L., Wear, Jeffrey W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Larson, Justin
• Assistant Examiner(s): HELVEY, PETER N.
• Application Number:
  US12/474,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20100301086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 224/645, 224/608, 224/614, 224/600, 224/606, 224/607, 224/613, 224/627, 224/259, 224/576, 224578-580, 206/315.3, 206/315.7, 206/315.8
• US Class Current: 224/576
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2003/007 Sport bags
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• 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

Abstract

Golf bags and other shoulder borne devices have strapping systems capable of converting between a single strap configuration and a double strap configuration. The strapping system includes two main straps. In the double strap configuration, the first strap member has three ends, each of which is attached to a location on the golf bag (or other structure), and the second strap member has one free end attached to the golf bag (or other structure) and one free end attached to a central area of the first strap member. When converting to the single strap configuration, the first strap member is removed from the golf bag (or other structure) completely, and the free end of the second strap member that was attached to the first strap member is removed therefrom and engaged with the golf bag (or other structure).

Claims

1. A golf bag, comprising:

a body member constructed from one or more parts and including an open first end for receiving one or more golf clubs and a closed second end, wherein the body member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, and wherein the body member defines an overall height dimension extending in the longitudinal direction;

at least five strap connection structures engaged with the body member, each strap connection structure for releasably engaging a strap connector, wherein the strap connection structures include;

a first strap connection structure located proximate the first end,

a second strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first strap connection structure,

a third strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first and second strap connection structures such that the second strap connection structure is located between the first and third strap connection structures with respect to a circumferential direction around the body member,

a fourth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, and

a fifth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, wherein the fifth strap connection structure is circumferentially displaced from the fourth strap connection structure; and

a strap system including a first strap member and a second strap member for releasably engaging the body member at a plurality of the strap connection structures, wherein the strap system is convertible between a double strap configuration and a single strap configuration, wherein when in the double strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

a first strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the first strap connection structure,

a second strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the third strap connection structure,

a third strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the fourth strap connection structure,

a first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the fifth strap connection structure, and

a second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages a base portion of the first strap member, and

wherein when in the single strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

the first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the fifth strap connection structure,

the second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the second strap connection structure, and

the first strap member is not engaged with any of the first through fifth strap connection structures.

2. A golf bag according to claim 1, wherein the fifth strap connection structure is movable with respect to the body member.

3. A golf bag according to claim 2, wherein the fifth strap connection structure is movable in the circumferential direction around the body member.

4. A golf bag according to claim 2, wherein the fifth strap connection structure is movable in the longitudinal direction.

5. A golf bag, comprising:

a body member constructed from one or more parts and including an open first end for receiving one or more golf clubs and a closed second end, wherein the body member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, and wherein the body member defines an overall height dimension extending in the longitudinal direction;

at least five strap connection structures engaged with the body member, each strap connection structure for releasably engaging a strap connector, wherein the strap connection structures include;

a first strap connection structure located proximate the first end,

a second strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first strap connection structure,

a third strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first and second strap connection structures such that the second strap connection structure is located between the first and third strap connection structures with respect to a circumferential direction around the body member,

a fourth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, and

a fifth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, wherein the fifth strap connection structure is circumferentially displaced from the fourth strap connection structure; and

a strap system including a first strap member and a second strap member for releasably engaging the body member at a plurality of the strap connection structures, wherein the strap system is convertible between a double strap configuration and a single strap configuration, wherein when in the double strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

a first strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the first strap connection structure,

a second strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the fourth strap connection structure,

a third strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the fifth strap connection structure,

a first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the third strap connection structure, and

a second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages a base portion of the first strap member, and

wherein when in the single strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

the first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the fourth strap connection structure,

the second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the second strap connection structure, and

the first strap member is not engaged with any of the first through fifth strap connection structures.

6. A golf bag according to claim 5, wherein the fourth strap connection structure is movable with respect to the body member.

7. A golf bag according to claim 6, wherein the fourth strap connection structure is movable in the circumferential direction around the body member.

8. A golf bag according to claim 6, wherein the fourth strap connection structure is movable in the longitudinal direction.

9. A golf bag, comprising:

a body member constructed from one or more parts and including an open first end for receiving one or more golf clubs and a closed second end, wherein the body member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, and wherein the body member defines an overall height dimension extending in the longitudinal direction;

at least six strap connection structures engaged with the body member, each strap connection structure for releasably engaging a strap connector, wherein the strap connection structures include;

a first strap connection structure located proximate the first end,

a second strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first strap connection structure,

a third strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first and second strap connection structures such that the second strap connection structure is located between the first and third strap connection structures with respect to a circumferential direction around the body member,

a fourth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end,

a fifth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, wherein the fifth strap connection structure is circumferentially displaced from the fourth strap connection structure, and

a sixth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, wherein the sixth strap connection structure is circumferentially displaced from the fourth and fifth strap connection structures such that the fifth strap connection structure is located between the fourth and sixth strap connection structures with respect to the circumferential direction; and

a strap system including a first strap member and a second strap member for releasably engaging the body member at a plurality of the strap connection structures, wherein the strap system is convertible between a double strap configuration in which both the first and second strap members extend over a user'"'"'s shoulders and support the body member and a single strap configuration in which only the second strap member supports the body member, wherein when in the double strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

a first strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the first strap connection structure,

a second strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the third strap connection structure,

a third strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the fourth strap connection structure,

a first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the sixth strap connection structure, and

a second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages a base portion of the first strap member, and

wherein when in the single strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

the first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the fifth strap connection structure,

the second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the second strap connection structure, and

the first strap member is not engaged with any of the first through sixth strap connection structures.

10. A golf bag according to claim 9, wherein the base portion of the first strap member is located so as to contact a user'"'"'s back when the strap system is in the double strap configuration.

11. A golf bag according to claim 10, wherein the base portion of the first strap member includes padding.

12. A golf bag according to claim 9, wherein the base portion of the first strap member includes:

a first free end at which the first strap connector is provided,

a second free end at which the second strap connector is provided, and

a third free end at which the third strap connector is provided.

13. A golf bag according to claim 9, wherein the base portion of the first strap member includes a connector for releasably engaging the second strap connector of the second strap member.

14. A golf bag according to claim 13, wherein the connector for releasably engaging the second strap connector is located at a central hub area of the base portion of the first strap member.

15. A golf bag according to claim 13, wherein the connector for releasably engaging the second strap connector provides a pivotal connection between the base portion of the first strap member and the second strap member.

16. A golf bag according to claim 9, wherein the first, second, and third strap connectors of the first strap member and the first and second strap connectors of the second strap member include coding that provides information for properly engaging the strap connectors with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth strap connection structures of the body member in the double strap and single strap configurations.

17. A golf bag according to claim 9, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth strap connection structures of the body member include coding that provides information for properly engaging the strap connection structures with the first and second strap members in the double strap and single strap configurations.

18. A golf bag, comprising:

a body member constructed from one or more parts and including an open first end for receiving one or more golf clubs and a closed second end, wherein the body member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, and wherein the body member defines an overall height dimension extending in the longitudinal direction;

at least six strap connection structures engaged with the body member, each strap connection structure for releasably engaging a strap connector, wherein the strap connection structures include;

a first strap connection structure located proximate the first end,

a second strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first strap connection structure,

a third strap connection structure located proximate the first end and circumferentially displaced from the first and second strap connection structures such that the second strap connection structure is located between the first and third strap connection structures with respect to a circumferential direction around the body member,

a fourth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end,

a fifth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, wherein the fifth strap connection structure is circumferentially displaced from the fourth strap connection structure, and

a sixth strap connection structure located between the first end and the second end of the body member at a distance of at least 40% of the overall height dimension away from the first end, wherein the sixth strap connection structure is circumferentially displaced from the fourth and fifth strap connection structures such that the fifth strap connection structure is located between the fourth and sixth strap connection structures with respect to the circumferential direction; and

a strap system including a first strap member and a second strap member for releasably engaging the body member at a plurality of the strap connection structures, wherein the strap system is convertible between a double strap configuration in which both the first and second strap members extend over a user'"'"'s shoulders and support the body member and a single strap configuration in which only the second strap member supports the body member, wherein when in the double strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

a first strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the first strap connection structure,

a second strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the fourth strap connection structure,

a third strap connector of the first strap member releasably engages the sixth strap connection structure,

a first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the third strap connection structure, and

a second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages a base portion of the first strap member, and

wherein when in the single strap configuration, the strap system is engaged with the body member as follows;

the first strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the fifth strap connection structure,

the second strap connector of the second strap member releasably engages the second strap connection structure, and

the first strap member is not engaged with any of the first through sixth strap connection structures.

19. A golf bag according to claim 18, wherein the base portion of the first strap member is located so as to contact a user'"'"'s back when the strap system is in the double strap configuration.

20. A golf bag according to claim 19, wherein the base portion of the first strap member includes padding.

21. A golf bag according to claim 18, wherein the base portion of the first strap member includes:

a first free end at which the first strap connector is provided,

a second free end at which the second strap connector is provided, and

a third free end at which the third strap connector is provided.

22. A golf bag according to claim 18, wherein the base portion of the first strap member includes a connector for releasably engaging the second strap connector of the second strap member.

23. A golf bag according to claim 22, wherein the connector for releasably engaging the second strap connector is located at a central hub area of the base portion of the first strap member.

24. A golf bag according to claim 22, wherein the connector for releasably engaging the second strap connector provides a pivotal connection between the base portion of the first strap member and the second strap member.

25. A golf bag according to claim 18, wherein the first, second, and third strap connectors of the first strap member and the first and second strap connectors of the second strap member include coding that provides information for properly engaging the strap connectors with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth strap connection structures of the body member in the double strap and single strap configurations.

26. A golf bag according to claim 18, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth strap connection structures of the body member include coding that provides information for properly engaging the strap connection structures with the first and second strap members in the double strap and single strap configurations.