EQUIPMENT BAG ATTACHMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/560,322 filed on Mar. 1, 2024.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for releasably securing items to a bag, and in particular to a method and apparatus for securing equipment, covers, articles, devices and the like to a sports bag such as a golf bag, however, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not necessarily so limited.

Background

In many areas of life, and in particular in sports, items stored in bags or adjacent thereto need to be removed and replaced on a repeated basis. For example, in sports such as golf a number of items are stored in or adjacent to a golf bag. These include, covers for clubs such as drivers, fairway woods, putters, and other clubs, towels, clothing, equipment covers, as well as other items.

These items are frequently removed from bags/clubs for short periods of times and then put back in place. For example, when a golf club is selected for use, it is removed from the bag, and if the club has a head cover then the cover is removed. The club is then used, and put back in the bag, and hopefully the golfer remembers to replace the head cover.

Countless items such as head covers are lost, misplaced, overlooked, or forgotten as a result of this process. This is a constant source of frustration to golfers.

Several prior art methods have been used to address this problem, but they suffer from a number of drawbacks. Golf carts often have baskets where items can be placed, but they can still be forgotten or lost, and not everyone uses a golf cart. Strings have been used to secure head covers to each other. The strings do not secure the covers to the bag. Also, strings get tangled, break, and interfere with the removal of the clubs from the bags. Hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro™ have been used, however, the fasteners can be atheistically unpleasing, can mar surfaces, collect dirt, and eventually wear out and lose adhesion.

Thus, a need exists for method and apparatus to provide a secure and efficient way to secure items to a bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a golf bag and head cover of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a head cover and putter cover of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a clip and magnetic disk of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a golf bag and head cover of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a head cover and putter cover of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures, a method and apparatus for securing items to a bag is shown. In one embodiment that invention relates to securing golf club head covers 12 to a golf bag 10, however, the invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

FIG. 1 shows a golf bag 10 of the present invention, which includes a magnetic area 14 on the outside surface of the bag 10, which can be applied to the surface of the bag 10 or built in at the time of manufacture. In FIG. 1, the magnetic area 14 is located in the shaded region near the handle or the bag 10, adjacent to the top of the bag 10 where the clubs are stored. The magnetic area 14 can be located in other locations such as the sides of the bag 10. Also, the bag 10 can include multiple magnetic areas 14 of varied sizes and shapes as best oriented to accomplish the purpose of the present invention.

Also, FIG. 1 shows a golf club head cover 12 that includes a metal magnetic disk 16 applied to the surface of the cover 12. The magnetic disk 16 can be placed in different orientations or locations on the head cover 12, or multiple magnetic disks 16 can be used on a single head cover 12. The magnetic disk 16 can be applied to an existing head cover 12, through tape, glue, adhesives backing/strips. In this manner, an existing head cover 12 can be modified to be usable with the present invention. The head cover 12 can then magnetically secure to the magnetic area 14 on the golf bag 10.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the head cover 12 can be originally constructed with the magnetic disc 16 embedded into the head cover 12, either under the surface, along the seams of the head cover, or in any other convenient manner. Similarly, the magnetic area 14 on the golf bag 10 can be built into the bag 10 during its original construction, or existing bags 10 can be modified. FIG. 2 shows a putter cover 18 with a magnetic disk 16 included therein, which functions in the same manner and serves the same purpose as the head cover 12.

FIG. 3 shows a kit that can be used to modify existing golf bags 10, and club head covers 12. A magnetic bar 20 includes on a clip 18 is provided that can be secured to the bag 10 at any convenient location, and magnetic disks 16 can be secured to the head covers 12 as described above. The magnetic bar 20 and clip 18 can be secured to a golf bag 10 in other manners, such as with screws, pins, carabineer clips, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows a bag 10 with an expanded magnetic area 14, which can include the collar 20 and/or the handle 22 of the golf bag 10. As mentioned, the magnetic area 14 can be located in other areas of the golf bag 10, or there can be multiple magnetic areas 14.

FIG. 5 shows a head cover 12 and a putter cover 18 with an expanded magnetic area 24. Instead of using a magnetic disk 16, the fabric or material of the head cover 12 or putter cover 18 can be constructed from a magnetic fabric or material.

In practice, a golfer can remove a head cover prior to their shot and place the head cover on the magnetic area securing the head cover during the shot. After completing play, the head cover can then be placed back on the club and put in the bag, however, if the golfer forgets to do so the head cover will remain attached to the bag until put back on the club. Thus, the head cover is not left behind or separated from the golf bag because it is attached thereto. In this manner, the present invention solves the problems associated with the prior art.

Additionally, securement of the head cover to the golf bag can be achieved by embedding it in or on the head cover with any plate, disc, clip, or other device that is either magnetic itself, or that is made of ferromagnetic material which is attractive to a magnet placed on the bag or elsewhere in close proximity of the head cover. Further, that head covers can secure in an analogous manner to each other. Head covers can contain a magnet and a device that is attractive to a magnet, such that one head cover can attach to another.

The present invention has application beyond the embodiments described herein. For example, other items can be secured to the magnetic area by placing a magnetic disk in them such as a towel, ball markers, divot repair tools, range finder bag, a scorecard, or a small bag containing tees and the like. The invention has application to other types of sports, or bags as well. Further, the invention can be used with equipment bags in sports such as tennis, disc golf, hockey, basketball, football, track and field, and other sports; and the invention could be used outside of sports such as with backpacks for school or travel, purses, tool belts, briefcases, luggage, and the like. Still further, the orientation of the magnet and the attractive area can be reversed, where the magnet is on either the bag or the head cover.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials like or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods, and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.