Special receptacle or package – For a sport implement – exercise device – or game – For a golf club
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-08
2001-10-23
Garbe, Stephen P. (Department: 3727)
Special receptacle or package
For a sport implement, exercise device, or game
For a golf club
C224S627000, C224S645000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305535
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to golf bags and, more particularly, to apparatus used in conjunction with golf bags to facilitate transport thereof by a person. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a handle for use with a dual strap golf bag carrying device whereby a person may carry a golf bag either with a pair of straps placed across both shoulders and with the golf bag resting against his/her back or with a single strap in the traditional manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The game of golf is one of the most widely enjoyed sports activities in the world. The number of persons participating in this activity, both at the professional and recreational level, is almost unparalleled. Not only is this activity already widespread, but also the ranks of golfers continue to swell.
The sport of golf is typically played on a course consisting of nine or eighteen holes. A set of clubs is used to strike a golf ball along each hole comprising the course. Each hole consists of a tee box which defines a starting location wherein a golfer places a ball and initially strikes the ball towards a green. Each green includes a recessed cup, and it is the object of the golfer to strike the ball with a series of strokes into the cup. Different clubs are used to vary the height, distance and spin of the ball. The holes normally vary in length from short holes of approximately one hundred yards to longer holes of five hundred yards and greater. The holes are flanked by rough areas out of which it is more difficult to play, and hazards are provided to increase the intricacy and precision required in play.
Golfers may travel over a course during play in a variety of manners. For example, a golfer may walk a course and carry his/her clubs or sometimes employs another to carry clubs for him/her. Other golfers employ wheeled pull carts which receive a set of clubs so that a golfer may push or pull the cart as the golfer walks each hole. Motorized or engine driven carts are available at some courses and, in fact, are required for play at certain courses. Here, a golfer mounts his/her clubs on the motorized cart and drives across the course from ball lie to ball lie.
The present invention concerns those persons who walk a golf course and carry their own golf bag and clubs. This invention is thus useful for a substantial number of golfers who desire walking a golf course as a means of a healthy, enjoyable exercise. One of the drawbacks which has long existed for these golfers prior to the present invention, however, is the nature of the construction of the standard golf bag. Here, the typical golf bag which receives the set of clubs is in the form of a tubular carrying member enclosed at one end so that the shafts of the clubs may be longitudinally received in the bag. A single strap extends from an upper rim of the golf bag to a mid-point on the bag. The golfer or the caddy then carries such bag by inserting one arm through the strap so that the strap extends across one shoulder thus supporting the bag for travel. A small handle may also be mounted on the bag, normally between the end points of the strap, to enable the bag to be carried by the human hand.
A disadvantage to this system has long been present, though, and is readily realized by persons who carry golf bags over a golf course. This problem results from the fact that the entire weight of the golf clubs and bag, which may typically be on the order of twenty to twenty-eight pounds, strains the muscles of the neck and shoulders unduly and further causes muscular strain resulting from the imbalanced nature of this method of carriage. Indeed, the imbalance can cause associated muscle soreness in the hips and lower back due to the fact that the center of gravity of the bag is offset with respect to the spine. This is of particular concern to those golfers who experience back problems.
Recently, a carrying system has been developed that can be manufactured both by original equipment on a golf bag and which can be retrofited onto standard golf bags. This carriage system is simple to use and enhances the game of golf for those who normally carry their golf bags. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,038,984, 5,042,703 and 5,042,704, all issued to Izzo, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, relate to this recently developed golf bag carrying system. The system allows the user to comfortably carry the golf bag such that it is centered on the back of the wearer and so that the weight of the golf bag is equally distributed between both shoulders of the wearer. The present invention provides an improvement on this dual strap carrying system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved strap assembly for carrying golf bags which may be employed as a retro-fit system or combined with the construction of a golf bag when it is originally produced.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a dual strap system to allow a golf bag to be centered on the back of a human carrier.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual strap golf bag carrying device wherein the weight of a golf bag may be simultaneously supported by both shoulders of the golf bag carrier, or alternately may be carried by a single strap on one shoulder, if desired, in the traditional manner.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a dual strap carrying device for golf bags that is easy and convenient to use and is more comfortable for the carrier of a set of golf clubs.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a dual strap carrying device for golf bags which allows the golf bag to be carried at a higher point on the user's back than such carrying systems of the past.
According to the present invention, a golf bag carrying system is provided in the form of a dual strap carrying device that may be manufactured either in conjunction with the construction of a golf bag, as original equipment, or which may be manufactured as a retro-fit system attachable to a standard golf bag assembly. The dual strap carrying device may also be used on other carrying cases such as luggage, business cases, backpacks, computer cases and musical instrument cases. When used with golf bags, in its broad form, the present invention is in the form of a strap assembly for use with a golf bag wherein the golf bag is in the form of an elongated tubular member having a surrounding sidewall, an enclosed end and an open end whereby the shafts of golf clubs made be inserted into the golf bag. The strap assembly includes a first strap having a first strap end secured to the golf bag at a first location proximate the open end and having a first strap second end secured to the golf bag at a second location axially spaced from the first location along an attachment axis. The first strap thereby defines a primary strap forming a first strap opening which may be secured over one of the person's shoulders. The second strap has a second strap first end secured to the golf bag proximate the second location and has a second strap second end secured to the golf bag at a third location axially spaced from the second location along the attachment axis between the second location and the closed end of the golf bag thereby defining a second strap opening. The second strap thus forms a secondary strap which may be positioned over the other shoulder of the person so that the golf bag may be suspended from and supported by both shoulders in a fully supported state. In the fully supported state, therefore, the golf bag is oriented transversely across the back of the wearer.
Preferably, the first strap second end and second strap first end are fastened adjacent one another to form a central portion which is secured to the golf bag at the second location. The strap ends, are connected to a central mounting element. The central mounting element could be constructed in a variety of shapes and from a variety of materials. This central mounting element is further connected to the golf bag handle ass
Beach LLP Harris
Dancorp Investors, Inc.
Garbe Stephen P.
Slifkin Neal L.
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