US20070241008A1

US20070241008A1 - Golf bag construction

Info

Publication number: US20070241008A1
Application number: US11/403,587
Authority: US
Inventors: Evered Weavind
Original assignee: Evered Thomas Weavind
Current assignee: EVERED THOMAS WEAVIND
Priority date: 2006-04-13
Filing date: 2006-04-13
Publication date: 2007-10-18

Abstract

A golf bag including an elongated sleeve having an operatively top end and an operatively bottom end, the bottom end being closed by a base portion, and a throat portion being connected to the top end of the sleeve. The throat portion defines an elongated throat opening via which golf clubs are in use received in and removed from the golf bag. The throat opening has a length extending between sides of the golf bag, and a width extending between a front and a rear of the golf bag. The golf bag further includes a divider portion fast with the throat portion, the divider portion dividing the throat opening transversely into at least two elongated, relatively narrow openings. Each of the two openings has a width permitting receipt therein of shafts of a single row of golf clubs only, such that golf clubs received in each of the openings are arranged in a single row.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/670,328, filed on Apr. 13, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf bags usually comprise elongated open-topped bodies, the open tops of the bodies defining throats of the bags via which golf clubs are received into and removed from the bags. Conventionally, the bodies of golf bags have cross-sectional profiles which are circular, elliptical, egg-shaped, or rectangular in outline, being dimensioned such that their widths and depths are more or less equal.
Most golf bags also include dividers dividing their throats into a plurality of openings for respectively receiving one or more golf clubs, to facilitate arrangement or separation of the clubs in the bag. Some known dividers are constructed such that the plurality of openings defined thereby are arranged in generally circular fashion, usually surrounding a central, typically roughly circular, opening. Generally grid-like dividers are also known, these types of dividers dividing the throat openings of golf bags into a plurality of openings which are arranged in rows and columns, each opening being substantially square or even sometimes roughly triangular or oblong in outline, and each said opening being sized for receiving a plurality of golf clubs in a generally unarranged or unorganized fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a golf bag which comprises:
an elongated sleeve having an operatively top end and an operatively bottom end;
a base portion connected to and closing the bottom end of the sleeve;
a substantially rigid frame-like throat portion connected to and generally framing the top end of the sleeve, the throat portion defining an elongated relatively narrow throat opening which opens into the sleeve, the throat opening having a length extending between sides of the golf bag, and a width extending between a front and a rear of the golf bag, the length of the throat portion exceeding the width thereof, with the sleeve, the base portion, and the throat portion together constituting a body for receiving a plurality of golf clubs, the golf clubs being receivable in and removable from the body via the throat opening; and
a divider portion fast with the throat portion, the divider portion including at least an elongated primary divider extending longitudinally along the throat opening and dividing the throat opening into two elongated narrow openings, one opening being a front opening located towards and extending generally alongside the front of the bag, and the other opening being a rear opening located towards and extending generally alongside the rear of the bag, the front opening and the rear opening each having a width permitting receipt therein of shafts of a single row of golf clubs only, such that in use golf clubs received in the two openings are arranged in two rows, one row of golf clubs being a front row received side-by-side in the front opening, such that said front row of clubs extends generally alongside the front of the bag, the other row of golf clubs being a rear row received side-by-side in the rear opening, such that said rear row of clubs extends generally alongside the rear of the bag.
The elongated throat opening may be substantially trapezoidal in outline. As will be appreciated, the aforedescribed arrangement of golf clubs in said two rows in a golf bag can also be achieved by providing any other shaped or profiled throat opening which is elongated and relatively narrow, for example a throat opening having an elongated elliptic or elongated generally rectangular outline.
The sleeve may have an elongated substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile closely corresponding to the outline of the throat opening, the sleeve having a substantially flat front wall located at or adjacent the front of the golf bag, and a substantially flat rear wall located at or adjacent the rear of the golf bag, the front wall being narrower than the rear wall and being substantially parallel thereto, and a pair of substantially flat side walls respectively located at or adjacent the respective sides of the golf bag, the side walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall together and spacing them apart, with the primary divider being spaced substantially midway between the front wall and the rear wall, such that the front opening extends alongside the front wall of the sleeve between the side walls of the sleeve, and the rear opening extends alongside the rear wall of the sleeve between the side walls of the sleeve.
When the aforedescribed arrangement of golf clubs in said two rows in a golf bag is achieved by providing an elongated relatively narrow throat opening having an elongated elliptic or elongated generally rectangular outline, the sleeve of the body will, typically, have a cross-sectional profile closely corresponding to the outline of the throat opening, i.e. the sleeve will have an elliptic or generally rectangular cross-sectional profile.
The divider portion may be of substantially rigid construction, being integrally formed with the throat portion, such that the divider portion forms part of the body of the golf bag.
In some embodiments, the divider portion, in addition to the primary divider, may further include at least one generally rib-like secondary divider fast with and projecting laterally from the primary divider, each secondary divider extending transversely across one of the front opening and the rear opening between the primary divider and an associated part of the throat portion extending along one of the front wall and the rear wall of the sleeve, each secondary divider being spaced between the side walls of the sleeve and dividing one of the front opening and the rear opening longitudinally into sub-openings, each sub-opening being for receipt therein of the shaft of at least one golf club, such that in use at least some of the golf clubs in the front row or the rear row are received in separate sub-openings.
The divider portion, in some embodiments, may include a plurality of secondary rib-like dividers, at least one of the secondary dividers being arranged to divide the front opening into sub-openings, and at least one of the secondary dividers being arranged to divide the rear opening into sub-openings.
In a particular embodiment, the divider portion may include twelve rib-like dividers dividing the throat opening into fourteen sub-openings each for receiving one golf club, each secondary divider which divides the front opening or the rear opening into sub-compartments being longitudinally spaced along the length of the primary divider from each other secondary divider which divides the associated one of the front opening and the rear opening into sub-openings.
The golf bag may further comprise at least one closeable pocket fast with and located on an outside of the sleeve of the body of the bag, for receiving golfing accessories.
A plurality of said closeable pockets may be located on and longitudinally spaced along the side walls of the sleeves, each said pocket fast with one of the side walls being shaped such that the body of the bag and said pockets located along the side walls of the sleeve together have a roughly rectangular outline when the bag is viewed end-on.
At least one of the closeable pockets may be located on and fast with one of the front wall and the rear wall of the sleeve of the body, each said pocket having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile, such that the bag when viewed end-on has a roughly rectangular outline.
The base portion of the golf bag may be of substantially rigid construction, having a cross-sectional profile closely corresponding to that of the sleeve, such that the body of the bag, along its entire length, has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile. In embodiments where the throat opening is elongated elliptic or elongated generally rectangular in outline, the base will, typically, have a cross-sectional profile closely corresponding to that of the throat opening and of the sleeve.
The golf bag may yet further comprise at least one handle formation fast with the body of the bag, for facilitating handling of the golf bag.
The golf bag may still further comprise a plurality of securing formations fast with the body of the bag for securing at least one shoulder strap to the bag, for facilitating carrying of the bag.
The golf bag may also comprise at least one connection formation fast with the body of the bag for connecting a foldable support-leg structure or stand to the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is hereunder described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a three-dimensional view of a body of a golf bag in accordance with the present invention, the body including an integrally formed throat portion and divider portion;
FIG. 2 shows, schematically and on an enlarged scale, a top plan elevation of another embodiment of the throat portion and divider portion for forming part of the body of the golf bag shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows, schematically and on an enlarged scale, a top plan elevation of a further embodiment of the throat portion and divider portion for forming part of the body of the golf bag shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows, schematically and on an enlarged scale, a top plan elevation of a yet further embodiment of the throat portion and divider portion for forming part of the body of the golf bag shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 shows, schematically and on an enlarged scale, a top plan elevation of part of a still further embodiment of the throat portion and divider portion for forming part of the body of the golf bag shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 shows, schematically, a top plan elevation of the golf bag in accordance with the present invention, the golf bag including the body shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 shows, schematically, a rear elevation of the golf bag shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 shows, schematically, a front elevation of the golf bag shown in FIG. 6; and
FIG. 9 shows, schematically, a side elevation of the golf bag shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a three-dimensional view of one embodiment of a body of a golf bag in accordance with the present invention, the body being generally designated by reference numeral 10. The body 10 includes an elongated sleeve 12 having a top end 14 and a bottom end 16, and a base portion 18 of substantially rigid construction connected to the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12 and closing the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12. The body 10 also includes a throat portion 20 attached to the top end 14 of the sleeve 12, the throat portion defining, as will become more apparent hereunder, an elongated throat opening of the body 10. To this end, the top of the body 10, provided by the throat portion 20 and a divider portion (described hereunder) is of foraminate construction, so that the body 10 has a generally open top, via which golf clubs are received in and removed from the body 10.
The elongated sleeve 12 has a front wall 22 (not visible in FIG. 1), a rear wall 24, and two side walls 26, 28, with adjacent walls 22, 24, 26, 28, being fast with each other at corners of the sleeve 12, which corners are rounded when the body 10 and, accordingly, the sleeve 12 is viewed end-on. The walls 22, 24, 26, 28 are, in this example, with the exception of where they meet at the rounded corners of the sleeve 12, flat and planar. In other examples (not shown) at least some of the walls 22, 24, 26, 28, for ergonomic and/or strength considerations, can, when the sleeve 12 is viewed end-on, be somewhat curved. The front wall 22 is narrower than the rear wall 24, with the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 being parallel to each other. The side walls 26, 28, in turn, connect the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 together and act to space the walls 22, 24 apart. When the body 10 and, accordingly, the sleeve 26 is viewed end-on, enclosed angles formed between the respective side walls 26, 28 and the rear wall 24 are equal to each other. The sleeve 12 thus has an elongated substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile.
The base portion 18 and the throat portion 20, when the body 10 is viewed end-on, have outlines corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the sleeve 12. Thus, the body 10, along its entire length, has a cross-sectional profile which is substantially trapezoidal.
Although not shown in any of the drawings, the body 10 can, in some examples, depending on the rigidity of the material from which the sleeve 12 is constructed, also include a support structure extending, typically internally, along the length of the sleeve 12, the support structure supporting the sleeve 12 in an expanded condition, and providing it with rigidity.
Referring back to the throat portion 20, it defines, as mentioned above, a throat opening which is designated by reference numeral 30, via which throat opening 30 golf clubs are received in and removed from the body 10. The throat opening 30 has an elongated substantially trapezoidal profile corresponding in shape to the cross-sectional profile of the body 10. In particular, the throat portion 20 includes an elongated trapezoidal slender rim 31 of unitary rigid construction extending along the top end 14 of the sleeve 12. The rim 31 has a front wall section 31.1, a rear wall section 31.2, and two side wall sections 31.3, 31.4 connecting the front wall section 31.1 and the rear wall section 31.2 together. As can be seen, the front wall section 31.1, the rear wall section 31.2 and the side wall sections 31.3, 31.4 respectively extend along the front wall 22, the rear wall 24 and the respective side walls 26, 28 of the elongated sleeve 12.
The body 10 still further includes a divider portion 32 integrally formed with the rim 31 of the throat portion 20, the divider portion 32 also being of rigid construction. The divider portion 32 includes an elongated linear primary divider 34. The primary divider extends, about midway between the front wall section 31.1 and the rear wall section 31.2, longitudinally between the side wall sections 31.3, 31.4 of the rim 31. It thus extends longitudinally along the length of the elongated throat opening 30, such that it divides the throat opening 30 transversely into an elongated narrow front opening 36 (see in particular FIG. 2), extending alongside the front wall 22 of the sleeve 12, and an elongated narrow rear opening 38 (see in particular FIG. 2), extending alongside the rear wall 24 of the sleeve 12. The front opening 36 and the rear opening 38 each has a substantially trapezoidal profile. Each of the front opening 36 and the rear opening 38 has a width, i.e. a distance between the primary divider 34 and the associated wall section 31.1, 31.2 of the rim 31, which allows receipt of the shafts of a single row of golf clubs only in the openings 36, 38. Thus, by virtue of the width of the front opening 36 and of the rear opening 38, a plurality of golf clubs received side-by-side in the body 10 in use are arranged in two more or less linear rows, one row being a front row defined by golf clubs whose shafts are received side-by-side in the front opening 36, and the other row being a rear row defined by golf clubs whose shafts are received side-by-side in the rear opening 38.
The divider portion 32, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, further includes a plurality of secondary dividers (further described hereunder), each secondary divider being fast with and projecting generally laterally from the primary divider 34 to one of the front wall section 31.1 and the rear wall section 31.2 of the rim 31, and dividing the associated one of the front opening 36 and the rear opening 38 into a plurality of sub-openings (described further hereunder).
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the divider portion 32, naturally in addition to the primary divider 34, includes one rib-like secondary divider 40 extending from the primary divider 34 to the front wall section 31.1 of the rim 31, the secondary divider 40 dividing the front opening 36 into two sub-openings 42.1, 42.2, each sub-opening 42.1, 42.2 being sized for respectively receiving the shafts of two golf clubs only. The divider portion 32 also includes two further rib-like secondary dividers 44 extending from the primary divider 34 to the rear wall section 31.2 of the rim 31, the secondary dividers 44 being laterally spaced from each other along the length of the primary divider 34, so that they divide the rear opening 38 into three sub-openings 46.1, 46.2, 46.3. The sub-openings 46.1 and 46.2 are sized such that the shafts of three golf clubs are receivable in each of the sub-openings, the clubs in each opening being arranged side-by-side in a single row. The sub-opening 46.2, in turn, is sized for receiving the shafts of four clubs, also side-by-side in a single row. Thus, when more than one golf club is in use received in any of the sub-openings 42.1, 42.2, 46.1, 46.2, 46.3 the shafts of said golf clubs, by virtue of the widths of the sub-openings, are arranged side-by-side in a more or less linear row substantially parallel to the primary divider 34.
FIGS. 2-5 of the drawings show top plan elevations of different embodiments of the body 10 shown in FIG. 1. Each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5 includes a different version of the divider portion 32. The divider portions shown in FIGS. 2-5 are respectively generally designated by reference numerals 32.1, 32.2, 32.3, 32.4. Each of the divider portions 32.1, 32.2, 32.3, 32.4 in certain respects resembles the divider portion 32 of FIG. 1 and, accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, like reference numerals used to indicate parts or features of the divider portion 32 are used to indicate like parts or features of the divider portions 32.1, 32.2, 32.3, 32.4 of FIGS. 2-5.
The divider portion 32.1 shown in FIG. 2 includes only the rim 31 and the primary divider 34, so that the front opening 36 and the rear opening 38 defined thereby are not sub-divided into sub-openings. In this embodiment, golf clubs whose shafts (shown in broken lines and designated by reference 47) are received in the front opening 36 and the rear opening 38 are thus, in their respective rows, in contact with each other. In each of the embodiments shown in the drawings, the golf clubs received, in use, in each of the front opening 36 and the rear opening 38 are typically arranged sequentially in their respective rows, to facilitate location of a particular required golf club during play.
The divider portion 32.2 shown in FIG. 3 includes the rim 31, the primary divider 34 and two secondary dividers 40 spaced along and dividing the front opening 36 into three sub-openings 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, and two secondary dividers 44 spaced along and dividing the rear opening 38 into three sub-openings 46.1, 46.2, 46.3. In this embodiment, each of the sub-openings 42.1, 42.3 is sized for receiving the shaft of a single club, the sub-opening 42.2 being sized for receipt of the shafts of two clubs. In turn, the sub-openings 46.1, 46.3 are sized each to receive four clubs in a single row, the sub-opening 46.2 being sized for receiving two clubs. As opposed to the secondary dividers 40, 44 forming part of the divider portion 32 of FIG. 1, the secondary dividers 40, 44 of the divider portion 32.2, for strength purposes, do not project normally, i.e. at right angles, from the primary divider 34, so that the sub-openings 42.1, 42.4 are generally triangular in outline, and the sub-openings 42.2, 46.1, 46.2, 46.3 are generally trapezoidal in outline.
Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the divider portion 32.3 shown in this figure includes the rim 31, the primary divider 34, and twelve secondary dividers. In particular, it includes three secondary dividers 40 spaced along and dividing the front opening 36 into four sub-openings 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, 42.4 each for receiving the shaft of a single golf club, and nine secondary dividers 44 spaced along and dividing the rear opening 38 into ten sub-openings 46.1, 46.2, 46.3, 46.4, 46.5, 46.6., 46.7, 46.8, 46.9, 46.10, also each for receiving the shaft of a single golf club. The divider portion 32.3 thus provides fourteen sub-openings, each of which is sized for receipt of the shaft of a single golf club only. In some embodiments, as shown with the sub-opening 46.3, the divider portion 32.3 and the rim 31 can be shaped such that at least one of the sides of one or more sub-openings provided thereby is curved, typically substantially semi-circular in outline, to facilitate seating of the shaft of a golf club in the sub-opening.
The divider portion 32.4 of FIG. 5, which is shown in part only, includes two secondary dividers 40 spaced along the length of the front opening 36, such that three sub-openings 42.1, 42.2, 42.3 are provided. In addition, at one end of the front opening 36, the divider portion 32 includes a flat portion extending between the primary divider 34, the rear wall section 31.2 and the side wall section 31.4 of the rim 31, the flat portion being roughly triangularly shaped when the body 10 is viewed end-on, said flat portion being provided with a circular opening 48, typically for receiving a putter. The rear opening 38 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is omitted, but as will be appreciated can be divided into any desired number of sub-openings.
Referring now to FIGS. 6-9 of the drawings, a golf bag in accordance with the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 100. The golf bag 100, in this example, includes the body 10 shown in FIG. 1.
The golf bag 100 includes three front pockets 58, 60, 62 secured to and projecting from an outer face of the front wall 22 of the sleeve 12, the pockets 58, 60, 62 being spaced longitudinally along the length of the front wall 22 of the sleeve 12. In particular, the front pocket 58 is located adjacent the top end 14 of the sleeve 12, the front pocket 62 is located adjacent the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12, with the front pocket 60 being spaced longitudinally between the front pocket 58 and the front pocket 62. Each of the pockets 58, 60, 62 has a roughly rectangular outline when viewed face-on, being of generally flexible construction. The particular material from which the pockets 58, 60, 62, and the other pockets of the golf bag 100 described hereunder, are constructed, although generally flexible, is sufficiently rigid that each pocket is self-supporting in a more or less expanded condition. Each pocket 58, 60, 62 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile. Further, each of the pockets 58, 60, 62 is a closeable pocket, including a zip fastener 64 by means of which opening and closing of the pocket 58, 60, 62, as the case may be, is effected.
The row of front pockets 58, 60, 62 is flanked by two rows of side pockets secured to and longitudinally spaced along the lengths of the side walls 26, 28 of the sleeve 12, said two rows of side pockets projecting from outer faces of the respective side walls 26, 28. One of said rows of side pockets is secured to the side wall 26, said row including a side pocket 66 located adjacent the top end 14 of the sleeve 12, and a side pocket 68 located adjacent the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12. Each of the side pockets 66, 68 is elongated, being roughly rectangular in outline when viewed face-on. The pockets 66, 68 are, as hereinbefore mentioned, of generally flexible material construction and, when expanded, have roughly triangular cross-sectional profiles. Further, each of the side pockets 66, 68 are closeable, including a zip fastener 70 by means of which opening and closing of the pocket 66, 68, as the case may be, is effected.
To the other side wall 28 of the sleeve 12 is secured an elongated pocket for receiving an umbrella in use, the sleeve 12 and the elongated pocket together forming a sheath 72 extending longitudinally along the side wall 28, with a bottom end of the sheath being closed. Two side pockets 73, 75 are secured to the sheath 72 and to the sleeve 12. The side pockets 73, 75 are longitudinally spaced along the length of the side wall 28, each pocket 73, 75 having a generally rectangular outline when viewed face-on. Each of the side pockets 73, 75 is also constructed of generally flexible material, and when fully expanded, each side pocket 73, 75 has a roughly rectangular cross-sectional profile. The side pockets 73, 75 are also closeable, each being provided with a zip fastener 77 for effecting opening and closing of the pocket 73, 75, as the case may be.
A handle 50 is secured, at the top end 14 of the sleeve 12, to the rear wall 24 of the sleeve 12, the handle being flanked by two loop- like securing formations 52, 54. The securing formations 52, 54 are also secured to the rear wall 24 of the sleeve 12. In turn, at the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12, the golf bag 100 is provided with a handle 74 and two further loop- like securing formations 76, 78 flanking the handle 74. The handles 50, 74 are of similar construction and provide for carrying or handling of the golf bag 100. In turn, the securing formations 52, 54, 76, 78 are of similar construction and provide for securing of at least one shoulder strap (not shown) to the golf bag 100. A said shoulder strap is secured, at one end thereof, to one of the top securing formations 52, 54 and, at the other end thereof, to one of the securing formations 76, 78.
A rear pocket 80 is secured, between the handle 50 and the securing formations 52, 54, on the one hand, and the handle 74 and the securing formations 76, 78, on the other hand, to the rear wall 24 of the sleeve 12. The rear pocket 80 projects from an outer face of the rear wall 24, and is also of flexible construction. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the rear pocket 80, when expanded, has a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile. Further, the rear pocket 80 is provided with a zip fastener 82 for opening and closing thereof.
As can be seen in FIG. 6, the golf bag 100, when viewed end-on, has a roughly rectangular outline, which should facilitate transportation, especially packing, and storing thereof.
The golf bag 100 also includes two further securing formations 84, 86 (shown in FIG. 8 and in concept only) fast with the rear wall 24 of the sleeve 12 and spaced more or less midway between the top end 14 and the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12. In use, if desired, one shoulder strap can be secured to the securing formation 52 and to the securing formation 84, and another shoulder strap can be secured to the securing formation 54 and to the securing formation 86, such that the golf bag 100 can, by means of said shoulder straps, be carried in the fashion of a backpack.
The golf bag 100 yet further includes a handle 56 secured to the sleeve 12 on the side wall 28. The handle 56 projects from an outer face of the side wall 26 and is spaced along the length of the sleeve 12 such that it is located somewhat closer to the top end 14 of the sleeve 12 than to the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12. The handle 56 provides for carrying of the golf bag 100 in the fashion of a suitcase or briefcase.
Two connection formations 88, 90 (shown in FIG. 8 only) are secured to the top end 14 of the sleeve 12, being located on rounded corners of the sleeve 12 respectively defined between the rear wall 24 and the respective side walls 26, 28. The connection formations 88, 90, although shown in concept only in FIG. 8, are constructed to provide for connection of foldable legs or a foldable stand to the golf bag 100. Said foldable legs or foldable stands are known in the art for connection to and for supporting golf bags and, accordingly, are not further described.
By virtue of the width of the golf bag 100, i.e. the distance between the side walls 26, 28 of the sleeve 12, exceeding the depth of the golf bag 100, i.e. the distance between the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24, the golf bag 100 has a broad or wide base, defined by the base portion 18, which provides a stable footing for the bag, to reduce the likelihood of the golf bag 100 falling or tipping over sideways when it is, in use, supported by means of the aforementioned foldable legs or stand.
Further, because of the particular construction of the openings leading into the top end of the body 10, golf clubs received in the golf bag 100 are arranged in two single rows only, thus minimizing the likelihood that a head of one golf club obscures the head of another golf club. It is believed that the particular arrangement of golf clubs received in the golf bag 100 of the present invention will facilitate sequential organizing and, accordingly, identification of the golf clubs.

Claims

1. A golf bag comprising:

an elongated sleeve having an operatively top end and an operatively bottom end;

a base portion connected to and closing the bottom end of the sleeve;

a substantially rigid frame-like throat portion connected to and generally framing the top end of the sleeve, the throat portion defining an elongated relatively narrow throat opening which opens into the sleeve, the throat opening having a length extending between sides of the golf bag, and a width extending between a front and a rear of the golf bag, the length of the throat portion exceeding the width thereof, with the sleeve, the base portion, and the throat portion together constituting a body for receiving a plurality of golf clubs, the golf clubs being receivable in and removable from the body via the throat opening; and

a divider portion fast with the throat portion, the divider portion including at least an elongated primary divider extending longitudinally along the throat opening and dividing the throat opening into two elongated narrow openings, one opening being a front opening located towards and extending generally alongside the front of the bag, and the other opening being a rear opening located towards and extending generally alongside the rear of the bag, the front opening and the rear opening each having a width permitting receipt therein of shafts of a single row of golf clubs only, such that in use golf clubs received in the two openings are arranged in two rows, one row of golf clubs being a front row received side-by-side in the front opening, such that said front row of clubs extends generally alongside the front of the bag, the other row of golf clubs being a rear row received side-by-side in the rear opening, such that said rear row of clubs extends generally alongside the rear of the bag.

2. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the elongated throat opening is substantially trapezoidal in outline.

3. The golf bag of claim 2, wherein the sleeve has an elongated substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile closely corresponding to the outline of the throat opening, the sleeve having a substantially flat front wall located at or adjacent the front of the golf bag, and a substantially flat rear wall located at or adjacent the rear of the golf bag, the front wall being narrower than the rear wall and being substantially parallel thereto, and a pair of substantially flat side walls respectively located at or adjacent the respective sides of the golf bag, the side walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall together and spacing them apart, with the primary divider being spaced substantially midway between the front wall and the rear wall, such that the front opening extends alongside the front wall of the sleeve between the side walls of the sleeve, and the rear opening extends alongside the rear wall of the sleeve between the side walls of the sleeve.

4. The golf bag of claim 3, wherein the divider portion is of substantially rigid construction, being integrally formed with the throat portion, such that the divider portion forms part of the body of the golf bag.

5. The golf bag of claim 3, wherein the divider portion further includes at least one generally rib-like secondary divider fast with and projecting laterally from the primary divider, each secondary divider extending transversely across one of the front opening and the rear opening between the primary divider and an associated part of the throat portion extending along one of the front wall and the rear wall of the sleeve, each secondary divider being spaced between the side walls of the sleeve and dividing one of the front opening and the rear opening longitudinally into sub-openings, each sub-opening being for receipt therein of the shaft of at least one golf club, such that in use at least some of the golf clubs in the front row or the rear row are received in separate sub-openings.

6. The golf bag of claim 5, wherein the divider portion includes a plurality of secondary rib-like dividers, at least one of the secondary dividers being arranged to divide the front opening into sub-openings, and at least one of the secondary dividers being arranged to divide the rear opening into sub-openings.

7. The golf bag of claim 6, wherein the divider portion includes twelve rib-like dividers dividing the throat opening into fourteen sub-openings each for receiving one golf club, each secondary divider which divides the front opening or the rear opening into sub-compartments being longitudinally spaced along the length of the primary divider from each other secondary divider which divides the associated one of the front opening and the rear opening into sub-openings.

8. The golf bag of claim 3, further comprising at least one closeable pocket fast with and located on an outside of the sleeve of the body of the bag, for receiving golfing accessories.

9. The golf bag of claim 8, wherein a plurality of said closeable pockets are located on and longitudinally spaced along the side walls of the sleeves, each said pocket fast with one of the side walls being shaped such that the body of the bag and said pockets located along the side walls of the sleeve together have a roughly rectangular outline when the bag is viewed end-on.

10. The golf bag of claim 9, wherein at least one of the closeable pockets is located on and fast with one of the front wall and the rear wall of the sleeve of the body, each said pocket having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile, such that the bag when viewed end-on has a roughly rectangular outline.

11. The golf bag of claim 3, wherein the base portion is of substantially rigid construction, having a cross-sectional profile closely corresponding to that of the sleeve, such that the body of the bag, along its entire length, has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile.

12. The golf bag of claim 3, further comprising at least one handle formation fast with the body of the bag, for facilitating handling of the golf bag.

13. The golf bag of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of securing formations fast with the body of the bag for securing at least one shoulder strap to the bag, for facilitating carrying of the bag.

14. The golf bag of claim 3, further comprising at least one connection formation fast with the body of the bag for connecting a foldable support-leg structure or stand to the bag.