OPENABLE TOP FRAME AND GOLF BAG WITH OPENABLE TOP FRAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202410543145X, filed on May 3, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a field of golf sporting goods, and more particularly to a top frame disposed at the top of a golf bag and a golf bag with the top frame.

BACKGROUND

With the advancement of society, golf sport has become increasingly popular among consumers. In the sport of golf, a golf bag is generally used to accommodate golf clubs. Typically, a top frame is provided at the top portion of a conventional golf bag. With the advancement of society, golf has become increasingly popular among consumers. In the sport of golf, it is often necessary to carry various types of golf-related equipment, among which golf clubs are the most essential. Consumers use different types of golf clubs depending on the requirements of each shot. Therefore, it is necessary to carry a golf bag that accommodates golf clubs.

At present, the golf bags used in the sport of golf are generally classified into two types. One type is a large golf bag, which is relatively comprehensive in functionality and provides ample internal space for storing a large number of golf clubs as well as other miscellaneous items. The other type is a small golf bag, which has relatively limited functionality and a smaller internal capacity, and is generally used for accommodating a small number of golf clubs.

Among currently available small golf bags, a particular type featuring a narrow top and wide bottom, commonly referred to as a “b-shaped” golf bag, has gained significant popularity in the market. In this type of bag, golf clubs are inserted with the club head facing downward and the grip facing upward, allowing users to retrieve the clubs as needed during use. The advantage of the b-shaped golf bag lies in its efficient internal space utilization, enabling it to accommodate more golf clubs compared to other types of small golf bags, while still maintaining a compact and portable form factor. Additionally, the portability of such bags is further enhanced by the inclusion of shoulder straps mounted on the bag. However, a drawback of this type of golf bag is that, as it is designed to stand upright on the ground, retrieving the clubs from the bag may not be particularly convenient.

In the prior art, the top frame disposed at the top of a golf bag may adopt different designs for the holes at the central portion of the top frame that communicate the interior of the golf bag with the external space, depending on the needs of golf players. However, the annular frame surrounding the top frame is always of a closed structure, and no opening is provided on the peripheral frame.

SUMMARY

The objective of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide an openable top frame, as well as a golf bag with the openable top frame.

The present invention is implemented through the following technical solution. An openable top frame is disposed at the top of a golf bag and includes an annular frame. It should be particularly noted that the term “annular” does not exclusively refer to a circular ring, but also encompasses various enclosing structures such as square rings. A central region of the frame is provided with at least one hole, which serves to communicate the interior of the golf bag with the external space. The frame is further provided with an opening through which a golf club can be inserted into the hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is also provided with a telescopic adjustment device, which is used to control the opening and closing state of the opening. The telescopic adjustment device includes a telescopic part and an adjustment part. The telescopic part displaces at the opening, and it should be particularly noted that the displacement of the telescopic part can be either the displacement of the entire structure of the telescopic part or the displacement of part of the structure of the telescopic part. The adjustment part is connected to the telescopic part and controls the displacement state of the telescopic part. A portion of the structure of the adjustment part is exposed on the outside of the frame. It should be specifically noted that the structure exposed on the outside of the frame also includes the structure located at the opening, meaning that the structure located at the opening is also considered to be exposed on the outside of the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is further provided with a telescopic component slot, and the telescopic portion is located within the telescopic component slot.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is a movable toothed plate. It should be specifically noted that the specific shape of the movable toothed plate can be designed according to the overall shape requirements of the openable top frame. Specifically, the movable toothed plate may be rectangular or arc-shaped. The movable toothed plate is provided with a plurality of teeth. The adjustment portion is an adjustment gear, which includes a coaxially arranged connection end and a rotation control end. The connection end is a gear engaged with the teeth of the movable toothed plate, and the rotation control end is a rotating wheel disposed on the outer side of the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is a movable locking strip, and the adjustment portion includes a spring, a push valve, a locking protrusion, and a locking interface. The spring is sleeved on the outer side of the movable locking strip. The proximal end of the spring abuts against the movable locking strip, and the proximal end of spring does not displace relative to the movable locking strip. The distal end of the spring abuts against the frame, and the distal end of the spring does not displace relative to the frame. The locking protrusion is provided on the movable locking strip, and the locking interface is provided on the frame and corresponds to the position of the locking protrusion. The push valve is disposed on the movable locking strip and extends to the exterior of the frame. It should be specifically noted that the push valve may be the movable locking strip itself, namely, the portion of the movable locking strip exposed outside the frame can serve as the push valve to control the displacement of the movable locking strip.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is further provided with a foldable adjustment device, which is used to control the opening and closing state of the opening. The foldable adjustment device includes a movable portion that is movably connected to the frame. When the opening is in the open state, the movable portion is folded onto the frame; when the opening is in the closed state, the movable portion covers the opening.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the foldable adjustment device further includes a locking device, which is respectively provided on the movable portion and the frame and used in conjunction, the locking device being configured to fix the relative position between the movable portion and the frame. It should be specifically noted that the locking device is primarily applied in two scenarios. One is that when the opening is in the closed state, the movable portion covers the opening; the other is that when the opening is in the open state, the movable portion is folded onto the frame. Depending on the design, locking devices may be provided for both scenarios, or only for one of them.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movable portion is a movable handle, which is connected to the frame via a pin shaft.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking device comprises a male fastener provided on the movable portion and a female fastener provided on the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is provided with a wavy-shaped handle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movable portion is provided with a wavy-shaped handle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is further provided with a hook-shaped handle.

A golf bag with an openable top frame comprises a bag body and a base, wherein the base is disposed at the bottom end of the bag body. The bag body is divided into a narrow-diameter section and a wide-diameter section according to its inner diameter. The narrow-diameter section is located at the top and middle regions of the bag body, while the wide-diameter section is located at the bottom region. The bag body presents a b-shaped profile from top to bottom, being narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The bag body is further provided with an openable device for controlling communication between the internal region of the bag body and the external space. The openable device is disposed on one side of the bag body and extends from the top to the bottom of the bag body. The top of the bag body is further provided with an openable and closing top frame, and the middle region of the frame body is provided with at least one hole, which allows communication between the internal region of the golf bag and the external space. The frame body is provided with an opening, which is located on the same side of the bag body as the openable device and is arranged above the openable device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the side of the openable and closing top frame, opposite the opening, is connected to a support leg via a pin shaft. The support leg is driven by a link mechanism to open and close. The base is a movable base, and the lower end of the link mechanism is connected to the movable base. The upper end of the link mechanism is hooked onto the support leg. When the support leg is in the folded state, the link mechanism drives the movable base to move towards the bottom end of the bag body, allowing the bag body to stand vertically on the ground relying on the movable base. When the support leg is in the open state, the link mechanism drives the movable base to move towards the top end of the bag body, allowing the bag body to stand diagonally on the ground supported by both the base and the support leg.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movable base includes a fixed layer and a movable layer. The fixed layer is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the bag body, and the movable layer is connected to the fixed layer via a pin shaft. The lower end of the link mechanism is connected to the movable layer of the movable base. When the support leg is in the folded state, the link mechanism drives the movable layer to move toward the bottom end of the bag body, allowing the bag body to stand vertically on the ground supported by the movable base. When the support leg is in the open state, the link mechanism drives the movable layer to move toward the top end of the bag body, allowing the bag body to stand diagonally on the ground supported by both the movable base and the support leg.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support legs are two in number, and the link mechanism is a U-shaped steel wire. The two upward-facing ends of the U-shaped steel wire are respectively connected to the two support legs, and the downward-facing closed side of the U-shaped steel wire is connected to the movable base.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the link mechanism is connected to the movable base via the inner side of the bag body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is further provided with a telescopic adjustment device, which is used to control the opening and closing state of the opening. The telescopic adjustment device includes a telescopic portion and an adjustment portion. The telescopic portion is displaceable at the opening, and the adjustment portion is connected to the telescopic portion to control displacement state of the telescopic portion. A portion of the adjustment portion is exposed on the outside of the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is further provided with a telescopic component slot, and the telescopic portion is positioned within the placement slot.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is a movable toothed plate, which is provided with a plurality of teeth. The adjustment portion is an adjustment gear that includes a coaxially arranged connection end and a rotation control end. The connection end is a gear that engages with the teeth of the movable toothed plate, and the rotation control end is a rotating wheel disposed on the outside of the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is a movable locking strip. The adjustment portion includes a spring, a push valve, a locking protrusion, and a locking interface. The spring is sleeved around the outer side of the movable locking strip. The proximal end of the spring abuts against the movable locking strip, and the proximal end of the spring does not displace relative to the movable locking strip. The distal end of the spring abuts against the frame, and the distal end of the spring does not displace relative to the frame. The locking protrusion is provided on the movable locking strip, and the locking interface is provided on the frame, corresponding to the position of the locking protrusion. The push valve is disposed on the movable locking strip and extends to the outside of the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is a movable locking strip, and the adjustment portion includes a spring, a push valve, a locking protrusion, and a locking interface. The spring is sleeved on the outer side of the movable locking strip. The proximal end of the spring abuts against the movable locking strip, and the proximal end of the spring does not move relative to the movable locking strip, while the distal end of the spring abuts against the frame, and the distal end of the spring does not move relative to the frame. The locking protrusion is disposed on the movable locking strip, and the locking interface is disposed on the frame corresponding to the position of the locking protrusion. The push valve is arranged on the movable locking strip and extends to the outside of the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is further provided with a foldable adjustment component, which is used to control the opening and closing state of the opening. The foldable adjustment device includes a movable portion that is movably connected to the frame. When the opening is in the open state, the movable portion is folded onto the frame; when the opening is in the closed state, the movable portion covers the opening.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the foldable adjustment component also includes a locking device, which is respectively provided on the movable portion and the frame and used in conjunction. The locking device is for fixing the relative position between the movable portion and the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movable portion is a movable handle, which is connected to the frame via a pin shaft.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking device consists of a male fastener provided on the movable portion and a female fastener provided on the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic portion is provided with a wave-shaped handle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movable portion is provided with a wave-shaped handle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame is further provided with a hook-shaped handle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the openable device is a zipper.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the side of the bag body near the support legs is further provided with an adjustable fastening strap that can be tightened or released. When the strap is tightened and positioned over the expanded side of the support legs, it restricts their movement. When the adjustable fastening strap is released, it no longer restricts the movement of the support legs.

The present invention solves the problem of difficulty in placing and retrieving golf clubs from traditional golf bags by adding an openable top frame at the top of the bag, installing support legs on the outside, and incorporating a linked movable base. Therefore, the present invention provides great convenience for consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the opening state of the top frame in Example 1 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the closing state of the top frame in Example 1 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded structural view of the top frame in Example 1 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the opening state of the top frame in Example 1 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the closing state of the top frame in Example 1 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the closing state of the top frame in Example 2 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the dynamic structure of the closing state of the top frame in Example 2 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a right-side view of the closing state of the top frame in Example 2 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the opening state of the top frame in Example 2 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the opening state of the top frame in Example 3 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the closing state of the top frame in Example 3 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the dynamic structure of the opening state of the top frame in Example 3 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the dynamic structure of the closing state of the top frame in Example 3 of the openable top frame of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the golf bag in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the golf bag in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the folded state of the golf bag in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the deployed state of the golf bag in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective structural view of the bottom area of the bag body in an embodiment of the golf bag of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the movable base in an embodiment of the golf bag of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the fixed layer in an embodiment of the golf bag of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the movable layer in an embodiment of the golf bag of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further explain the concept, specific structure, and resulting technical effects of the present invention, in order to fully understand its objectives, features, and effects.

It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like, which indicate directions or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are merely for the convenience of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or elements must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in Embodiment 1 of the openable and closeable top frame of the present invention, the top frame 2 is provided with a hook-shaped handle 21. A placement slot 22 is formed inside the top frame 2, in which two arc-shaped movable locking strips 23 are arranged. The top frame 2 is further provided with an adjustment gear 24, which includes a gear end 241 at the front and a rotating end 242 at the rear. The gear end 241 is engaged between the two arc-shaped movable locking strips 23, and the rotating end 242 is coaxial with the gear end 241 and located outside the top frame 2.

When using Embodiment 1 of the openable top frame, the user can rotate the rotating end 242 located on the outside of the top frame 2 to control the position of the arc-shaped movable locking strips 23, thereby achieving the purpose of opening and closing the opening of the top frame 2.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in Embodiment 2 of the openable top frame of the present invention, an arc-shaped movable locking strip 23 is provided within the top frame 2. The arc-shaped movable locking strip 23 is equipped with a push valve 231, a spring 232, and a positioning protrusion 233. The top frame 2 is provided with a positioning hole 25 and a push valve sliding slot 26. One end of the push valve 231 is fixedly connected to the arc-shaped movable locking strip 23, while the other end extends through the push valve sliding slot 26 to the outside of the top frame 2. One end of the spring 232 abuts against the arc-shaped movable locking strip 23, and the end of the spring does not displace relative to the arc-shaped movable locking strip 23. The other end of the spring 232 abuts against the entrance/exit of the arc-shaped movable locking strip 23 within the top frame 2, and the other end of the spring does not displace relative to the top frame 2. The positioning protrusion 233 is fixedly connected to the arc-shaped movable locking strip 23 and is used in conjunction with the positioning hole 25 provided on the arc-shaped movable locking strip 23.

When using Embodiment 2 of the openable top frame, to close the opening of the top frame 2, the push valve 231 can be slid along the push valve sliding slot 26 until the positioning protrusion 233 reaches and engages with the positioning hole 25, thereby bringing the top frame 2 into a closed state of the opening. To open the top frame 2, the positioning protrusion 233 can be pressed inward, allowing the arc-shaped movable locking strip 23 to return to its original position under the restoring force of the spring 232, thus bringing the opening of the top frame 2 into an open state.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, in Embodiment 3 of the openable top frame of the present invention, the top frame 2 includes a receiving clamping plate 27, a movable clamping plate 28, and a main clamping plate 29. The receiving clamping plate 27 is fixedly connected to the main clamping plate 29, and is pivotally connected to the movable clamping plate 28 via a pin shaft. The contact surfaces between the receiving clamping plate 27 and the movable clamping plate 28 feature interlocking wavy patterns. The movable clamping plate 28 is provided with a hook-and-loop fastener 281, which corresponds to and uses in conjunction with a hook-and-loop strip 291 provided on the main clamping plate 29.

When using Embodiment 3 of the openable top frame, to open the opening of the top frame 2, the movable clamping plate 28 can be folded and fastened onto the receiving clamping plate 27, and then the hook-and-loop fastener 281 on the movable clamping plate 28 can be attached to the hook-and-loop strip 291 on the main clamping plate 29. To close the opening of the top frame 2, the hook-and-loop fastener 281 can first be detached from the hook-and-loop strip 291, and then the movable clamping plate 28 can be folded back.

As shown in FIGS. 14 to 21, an embodiment of a golf bag with an openable top frame includes a bag body 100. The top end of the bag body 100 is fixedly connected to the top frame 2, and the bottom end of the bag body 100 is fixedly connected to a movable base 3. The bag body 100 has a shape with a narrow top and wide bottom forming a b-shaped. The top and middle sections of the bag body 100 are narrow-diameter segment with smaller inner diameters, while the bottom section is a wide-diameter segment with a larger inner diameter. An openable and openable zipper 101 is provided on the front side of the bag body 100, extending from the top front side down to the bottom front side. On the rear side of the bag body 100, two support legs 4 are pivotally connected to the top frame 2 via pin shafts. Above the support legs 4, a U-shaped steel wire 5 is connected to the two legs, with each of its two upper ends attached to a respective support leg 4, allowing the U-shaped steel wire 5 to drive the support legs 4 to open and close. The lower section of the U-shaped steel wire 5 extends through an opening on the lower rear side of the bag body 100 and reaches into the interior of the bag body. The bag body 100 is provided with a hook-and-loop fastening strap 41 below and near the support legs 4. When the support legs 4 are in a folded position, the hook-and-loop strap 41 can be fastened to the outward-facing side of the support legs 4 to restrict their movement. When the support legs 4 need to be deployed, the hook-and-loop strap 41 can be unfastened and placed on the inward-facing side of the support legs. The movable base 3 includes a fixed layer 31 and a movable layer 32. The fixed layer 31 is fixedly connected to the bag body 100. When the movable layer 32 is raised, the support legs 4 are deployed; when the movable layer 32 is lowered, the support legs 4 retract. A roller 321 is provided at the rear end of the movable layer 32. The closed end of the U-shaped steel wire 5 is hooked and connected to the upper rear side of the movable layer 32. The movable layer 32 is positioned inside the fixed layer 31 and is connected to the fixed layer via a front pin shaft. The roller 321 is located at the bottom of the rear end of the movable layer 32.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 21, when using the golf bag with an openable top frame, it can be operated in two modes: carrying mode and usage mode. In the carrying mode, the head end of the golf club can be inserted into the bottom of the bag body 100, and the openable zipper 101 can be zipped up. The adjustment gear 24 is then used to close the opening of the top frame 2. The support legs 4 are secured under the hook-and-loop fastening strap 41 by tightening the strap. This allows the golf bag to be carried according to the user's needs. In the usage mode, the hook-and-loop strap 41 can be released and placed behind the support legs 4. Then, the hook-shaped handle 21 is used to apply force toward the lower rear side of the bag body 100, so that the movable layer 32 is compressed to drive the U-shaped steel wire 5 and the support legs 4 connected to the U-shaped steel wire 5 to unfold, and the bag body 100 stands at an inclined angle on the ground. Next, the openable zipper 101 and the opening of the top frame 2 can be opened to take out the golf club from inside the bag. The head end of the golf club can then be reinserted with the clubhead facing outward, making it convenient for the user to quickly switch clubs during a golf game. It should be noted that the above operational steps are merely exemplary and may be replaced or adjusted without affecting the overall functionality.

It should be noted that the above-described specific embodiments are merely preferred examples of the present invention and its underlying technical principles. Within the technical scope disclosed herein, any modifications or substitutions that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, such as replacing the hook-and-loop fastening strap with a Velcro strap to restrict the deployment of the support legs, or using a buckle strap instead of a zipper to control the opening of the bag interior, are also considered feasible. All such alternative structures shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.