Land vehicles – Wheeled – Tiltable vehicles – stabilized by attendant or article
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-05-15
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Tiltable vehicles, stabilized by attendant or article
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231059
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to golf bags and carts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf bag pull cart having laterally extending wheels and an integral extendable arm which provides a handle for the pull cart.
A golf bag is considered standard equipment for any golfer. A golf bag typically includes an elongated, open-top container which accommodates the length of golf clubs, and also various pockets for golf balls, tees, towels, shoes and other golf related items. A golfer can either carry the golf bag over his or her shoulders using straps, tote the golf bag on a riding cart, or place the golf bag on a separate device known as a pull cart.
Many golfers prefer walking to avoid the costs of a riding cart or to obtain a degree of exercise while golfing. Although a golf bag is convenient for its ease of carrying from one location to another, it becomes quite heavy and cumbersome when carried over the length of a golf course. The golf bag can also cause soreness to the golfer's back and shoulder area. As a result, pull carts are frequently used on the golf course in order to obtain the benefits of walking without the need to carry the bag. However, the use of pull carts has its disadvantages.
The golf pull cart is generally constructed of a rigid metal frame with golf bag securing straps, outspread wheels and an upwardly extended handle. Although the cart performs adequately on the golf course, it is often heavy and bulky. Loading the cart and bag when strapped together in a trunk can be very difficult, and both may not fit in the trunks of smaller cars. Oftentimes, the golf bag must be separated from the cart and the cart transported and stored separately. This requires the re-strapping of the bag to the cart when reaching the golf course. Due to the awkwardness of handling typical golf bag pull carts, golfers often leave their own pull carts at home and rent a cart at the golf course when traveling.
Attempts have been made to devise foldable golf carts which aid in transportation; however, these foldable pull carts are also heavy and oftentimes bulky as well. Another problem associated with prior foldable pull carts is that they require the loosening and re-tightening of parts in order to unfold the cart for use. Other attempts have been made to combine the pull cart and golf bag into one unit. However, these devices are usually heavy and bulky as they are comprised of the essential components of a pull cart attached to a golf bag. Many of these devices are also complex in their construction and difficult to manipulate and operate.
Therefore, what is needed is a golf bag which can be easily pulled behind a golfer on a golf course and yet is relatively light weight, simple in construction and easy to operate, store and transport. The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a golf bag pull cart comprising, generally, a support frame having a base and a spine extending upwardly from the base, and an elongated arm which is pivotally attached to the spine so as to position a handle adjacent to the spine in a folded carrying position, and away from the spine in an extended position. A pair of wheels are affixed to the frame adjacent to the base and rotated about a common axis. The wheels are extendable away from and retractable towards the base along the axis.
A locking clasp is associated with the arm and connected to the spine so as to permit the arm to pivot. The locking clasp includes first and second discs which each have uniform radial interfitting teeth that allow the discs to be rotated relative to one another and locked in place. A tightening screw is inserted through aligned apertures of the first and second discs for securely fastening the locking clasp together.
In one illustrated form of the invention, the spine and base of the support frame are integrally formed into a golf bag. The base is formed at a bottom of the golf bag and the spine extends upwardly from the base along a side thereof. The golf bag itself includes recesses formed at the base for receiving the wheels when retracted. One or more shoulder straps are connected from an upper to a lower end of the golf bag. A support stand may also be connected to the golf bag.
In another illustrated form of the invention, the golf bag is exteriorly supported by the base and the spine and fastened thereto by retaining straps.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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Johnson Brian L.
Kelly Bauersfeld Lowry & Kelley LLP
Winner Tony
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