Golf bag
The golf bag incorporates a clamping device and slide mechanism to securely hold golf club shafts within tubular inserts, addressing the issue of wobbling and collisions, and enhancing the safety and durability of the clubs during transport.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2023/084781
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Golf clubs inserted into tubular inserts in golf bags tend to wobble and collide, causing noise and potential damage to the club heads, especially for wood-style clubs.
A golf bag with a clamping device at the upper end of the tubular insert to securely fix the golf club shaft, combined with a slide to guide the club shaft into the insert at an angle, preventing wobbling and collisions.
The clamping device effectively secures the golf club shaft within the tubular insert, minimizing movement and preventing club head collisions, thus reducing noise and damage during transport.
Smart Images

Figure EP2023084781_12062025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] golf bag
[0002] The invention relates to a golf bag with an interior space open at the top and at least one tubular insert inserted into the interior space, which insert has a circumferential inner wall and into which a golf club can be inserted with its shaft first.
[0003] Such a golf bag is known, for example, from DE 10 2021 128 491 A1. In golf, various golf clubs are used to play the golf ball, which are generally divided into five classes: woods, irons, wedges, hybrids, and putters. Wood class clubs are recognizable by their large, voluminous club heads. They are always used when great distances are to be covered. Iron class golf clubs may not hit as far as woods, but they help with optimal aim. To have the clubs quickly at hand, they are inserted shaft first into the tubular insert, which is essentially a (plastic) tube. A golf grip is attached to the free end of the shaft. This is one of the most important club components because it provides the necessary grip and softness to swing the club freely and use the wrists optimally.The grips are made from different rubber compounds or elastomers. There are round grips (round) and oval grips (rib). These grips are significantly larger in diameter or circumference than a club shaft. For this reason, the tubular insert must have a correspondingly large diameter to accommodate the grip. As a result, golf clubs inserted into the tube can wobble back and forth and their heads can hit each other during transport in the bag. This not only causes annoying noises but can also damage the club heads, especially in wood-class clubs. Based on this, the golf bag described above should be improved so that the golf clubs are secured in the tubular inserts and can move as little or as little as possible.
[0004] To solve the problem, a generic golf bag is characterized by a clamping device arranged in the area of the upper end of the insert, with which the shaft of the golf club can be releasably fixed in the insert, and a slide arranged above the clamping device for guiding the shaft from the upper end of the insert towards the lower end of the insert.
[0005] The chute, located above the clamping device, relative to the end of the insert that protrudes upwards from the golf bag or ends up flush with the golf bag, is designed to guide the club shaft or the larger diameter grip away from the clamping device, allowing the club to be automatically inserted at an angle into the insert. The grip is guided away from the clamping device, preventing it from touching it and from dislodging it from its seat. The thinner diameter shaft then overlaps the clamping device during the downward movement, allowing the shaft to be manually pressed into the clamping device, where it secures it in the tube.
[0006] Preferably, the clamping device comprises a housing and a clamping insert inserted into the housing, wherein the clamping insert is made of an elastic material. When the shaft is manually pressed into the clamping insert, the clamping insert expands, then springs back and grips the club shaft, securely locking it in position within the clamping device.
[0007] In order to support or improve the spring properties of the clamping insert, there can be some play on both sides in the circumferential direction (of the tubular insert) between the clamping insert and the housing. This allows the clamping insert to expand without itself being compressed. This design also makes it easier to replace a worn clamping insert. Preferably, the housing is integrated as a single piece into the tubular insert. The tubular insert can then be manufactured with the housing, for example, by injection molding. The housing is preferably designed so that the clamping insert can be pushed in from the lower end of the tubular insert, i.e. the end located inside the golf bag. The slide prevents the clamping insert from being pushed out of the housing when a golf club is inserted.
[0008] The slide is preferably part of the housing. It is an inclined surface that preferably runs at an angle a of 10 to 30° to the longitudinal axis of the insert. In particular, the slide preferably runs at an angle of 30° to the longitudinal axis of the insert.
[0009] If the clamping insert has a Q-shaped cross-section and is open over a range of 40 to 50° toward the center of the tubular insert, the shaft can be easily inserted into the clamping insert and is covered by the clamping insert to such an extent that the golf club is securely held in place when it rebounds due to its elasticity. Preferably, the clamping insert is open over a range of 45°.
[0010] If a two-part holder for additional golf clubs is provided on the outer surface of the golf bag, with the two holder parts arranged diametrically and connected to each other at their first ends and attached to a base of the golf bag at their opposite second ends, the iron and hybrid class clubs in particular can be attached to the side of the golf bag and the club heads can be guided into the interior at the base of the golf bag. This shifts the center of gravity of the bag filled with clubs far down, which increases driving stability on terrain, especially when the golf bag is transported on a wheeled trolley, and reduces the risk of the trolley tipping over due to uneven ground. Each holder part can also be designed in two parts, with an upper and a lower end piece.The two lower end pieces are attached to or in the bottom of the golf bag, and the two upper end pieces are connected to each other and preferably also to the golf bag, for example, with a screw connection. The two end pieces, in turn, are inserted into each other, for example, to form a support piece.
[0011] Preferably, each support part also has at least one support clamp made of a bent spring wire for securing a shaft of the additional golf club. The support clamps are preferably provided only at the upper end pieces. This creates a clamping strip that positions and holds the additional golf clubs in an orderly manner.
[0012] If clamping attachments are arranged at the two free ends of the bent spring wire, these can be made of an elastomer or rubber and securely grip the club shaft and fix it in its position.
[0013] The spring wire is bent into the largest possible arc to achieve the most constant, yet low, spring force possible. The preferred constant spring force is 2 N. The clips securely hold the clubs on the outside of the golf bag, preventing rattling. Interchangeable markings for different club sizes can be provided on the clips.
[0014] Preferably, a plurality of support clamps are provided on each of the two support parts in order to be able to transport all the iron and hybrid class clubs used in a game of golf.
[0015] Each of the two support parts can be designed in two parts, as already described, with an upper and a lower end piece. The support clamps are preferably provided only on the interconnected upper (first) end pieces. The lower (second) end pieces are preferably attached to the bottom of the golf bag and, if applicable, also to its outer shell.
[0016] On the side where the two upper (first) end pieces of the two support parts are connected, recesses can be provided to accommodate the handle of a handbag or similar item. This handbag can be used to store other accessories or personal items needed for golf. The bag can then be hung in these recesses with the handle. Using magnets located in the base of the bag, the bag can then be attached to the outside of the golf bag—or vice versa—using corresponding counter-magnets (metal strips or similar) to ensure that the bag is secured during transport and cannot swing.
[0017] Examples of golf bags are described in more detail below with the help of a drawing. They show:
[0018] Figure 1 - side view of a golf trolley with attached golf bag;
[0019] Figure 1a - the perspective view of a golf trolley with attached golf bag;
[0020] Figure 2 - a partial perspective view of the golf bag with clubs inserted;
[0021] Figure 3 - a partial view of the tubular insert with the
[0022] Clamping device inserted club shaft;
[0023] Figure 3a - a partial view of the tubular insert with the
[0024] Clamping device inserted club shaft;
[0025] Figure 4 - a partial view of the tubular insert with the
[0026] clamping device;
[0027] Figure 4a - a partial view of the tubular insert with the
[0028] clamping device;
[0029] Figure 4b - the top view according to arrow IVb in Figure 4a;
[0030] Figure 5 - a partial sectional view of the tubular
[0031] Use with club shaft inserted;
[0032] Figure 6 - the representation according to Figure 5 without club shaft;
[0033] Figure 6a - a representation similar to Figure 5 of an insert for a
[0034] Putter;
[0035] Figure 7 - a partial plan view of the golf bag; Figure 7a - a partial plan view of the golf bag;
[0036] Figure 8 - a partial plan view of the tubular insert;
[0037] Figure 9 - a partial perspective view of the interconnected support parts;
[0038] Figure 10 - a partial view of Figure 9;
[0039] Figure 11 - a partial view of Figure 9;
[0040] Figure 12 - a partial view;
[0041] Figure 13 - a partial view;
[0042] Figure 14 - a partial view;
[0043] Figure 15 - a top sectional view of the support clamp;
[0044] Figure 16 - a perspective side view of the support clamp;
[0045] Figure 17 - the representation according to arrow XVII in Figure 16;
[0046] Figure 18 - a partial perspective view of the golf bag;
[0047] Figure 19 - partial view of a support part;
[0048] Figure 20 - a perspective view of a mounting clamp;
[0049] Figure 21 - the perspective view of the spring wire with clamping attachments;
[0050] Figure 22 - the perspective partial view of another embodiment of a holder with inserted club shafts from behind;
[0051] Figure 23 - the perspective view of the first end of a support part;
[0052] Figure 24 - a partial perspective view of the golf bag with the handbag attached.
[0053] Figures 1 and 1a show the golf bag 10 on a golf trolley 30, as described in DE 10 2021 128491 A1 (to which reference is made in its entirety). The trolley 30 is electrically driven and can be controlled via control elements on the handle 31 (not shown in detail) or via a remote control (not shown). To prevent accidents, particularly when the trolley 30 is controlled via a remote control, radar sensors (not shown) are provided on the trolley 30. These sensors detect obstacles and are connected to the control of the trolley 30 in such a way that the trolley automatically stops if it approaches an obstacle too closely.To minimize the risk of the trolley tipping over on terrain, at least one tilt sensor (not shown) is provided. This sensor detects when the lateral tilt becomes too great and there is a risk of tipping over one of the front wheels 32. This sensor then automatically disables the trolley drive via the control system, and the trolley is automatically moved to a better position. The maximum tilt angle is predefined. However, it can also be adjusted manually if necessary. A downhill brake can also be activated accordingly.
[0054] The golf bag preferably consists of a plastic shell that forms an outer shell and an interior space 0. Tubular inserts 1 with an inner wall 1.1 are inserted into the interior space 0 in the area of the handle 31, into each of which a golf club 20 can be inserted with its shaft 21 first, so that the golf club heads 22 protrude from the top of the golf bag 10. The tubular inserts 1 are preferably round tubes. They are open at the top and can be closed at their ends located in the interior space 0 of the golf bag 10. The tubular inserts 1 can be designed to be of different lengths, so that a longer golf club 20 can be inserted deeper into the golf bag 10 than a shorter one. With golf clubs of the same length, such a design prevents the club heads 22 from hitting one another and becoming damaged.rattle if the golf club 20 should rotate about its own axis in the tubular insert 1 by being clamped thereto, as described below.
[0055] In the area of the upper end 1.2 of the insert 1, a clamping device 2 is arranged for securing a golf club 20 (in particular a wood-class club), by means of which the shaft 21 of the golf club 20 can be releasably secured. A slide 3 extending at an angle of 10 to 30° to the longitudinal axis L of the insert 1 is provided above the clamping device 2. The slide is an inclined surface that slopes towards the interior 0, as shown in Figures 2 to 6. The clamping device 2 consists of a housing 2.1 into which a clamping insert 2.2 is inserted from below (see Figure 4). The clamping insert 2.2 is Q-shaped and is inserted from below into the housing 2.1. The clamping insert 2.2 is open towards the interior of the insert 1 over an area B of 40 to 50°, preferably 45° (see Figure 8). The clamp insert 2.2 is made of an elastic plastic.As the figures show, its two ends are thicker than its curved shape. An axial, circumferential flange 2.4 is provided on one side, which serves as a stop in the housing 2.1 and fixes the clamping insert 2.2 upwards within the housing 2.1. To support the elasticity of the two legs of the clamping insert 2.2, a play 2.3 is provided in the circumferential direction on both sides of the clamping insert 2.2 (see Figure 7). The golf club 20 is inserted with its shaft 21 from above into the tubular insert 1. The slide 3 prevents the shaft 21, or the handle (not shown in detail here), from pressing the clamping insert 2.2 out of its seat in the housing 2.1. The club shaft 21 is guided away from the clamping insert 2.2 in the direction of the interior of the insert 1 via the inclined surface, which runs at an angle of preferably a = 30° to the longitudinal axis L of the insert, so that it is effectively prevented that the clamping insert 2.2 is accidentally pulled out of the housing 2.1 is pushed out when a golf club 20 is inserted. When the club 20 has reached the end (bottom) of the insert 1, the shaft 21 can be manually pressed into the clamping insert 2.2, causing the legs 2.4 to widen. When the shaft 21 has passed the widened ends, these spring back and clamp the shaft 21, thereby fixing the golf club 20 in the insert 1.
[0056] The clamping insert 2 is preferably formed integrally with the tubular insert 1, as shown in Figures 7 and 7a, and can be manufactured by injection molding. Recesses 2.11 in the housing 2.1 ensure a reduction in weight. To improve the fit of the clamping insert 2.2 in the housing 2.1, the two parts can also be glued together in the radial direction. However, gluing is preferably avoided in order to allow easy replacement of the clamping insert 2.2 when its elasticity decreases or other wear occurs.
[0057] As Figure 6a shows, an O-ring 4 can be inserted into the insert 1, which guides the shaft 21 further and holds it in place by means of static friction. This design is particularly advantageous when the shaft of a putter should be smoothly inserted into the shaft. Since a putter generally has a shorter shaft and a thicker grip than a wood-class club, the club head rests on the insert 1, and the O-ring 4 prevents the shaft from rattling if it is not or cannot be clamped, or if no clamping insert is provided.
[0058] On the outside of the golf bag 10 - independent of the previously described tubular inserts 1 - diametrically opposed holders 5, 6 are provided for holding iron-class clubs 40. The two holder parts 5, 6 are connected to each other at their first ends 5.1, 6.1 located at the top of the golf bag 10 via a screw 9. The screw 9 is screwed into a threaded insert 10.1 that is inserted into the golf bag 10 (cf. the two embodiments in Figures 12 to 14 and 22, 23). If necessary, the screw can also be screwed directly into the material of the golf bag 10 without an insert. The holder parts 5, 6 are attached to the bottom 10.1 of the golf bag 10 with their lower, second ends 5.2, 6.2. As Figures 1 and 1a show, the support parts 5, 6 are preferably each formed in two parts. Recesses 5.3, 6 are provided in the upper, first end piece 5a, 6a.3 for receiving the shafts 41 of the golf clubs 40. The first and second holder parts 5, 6 are inserted into one another for connection at their upper end pieces 6a, 6a. The holder 5, 6 is thus fixed to the golf bag 10 via the upper connection with the screw 9, and the lower, second end pieces 5b, 6b are connected to the bottom 10.1 of the golf bag 10 and, if necessary, also to its outer wall. The lower end pieces 5b, 6b can be fully connected to the outer wall of the golf bag 10. A bent spring wire 7 is inserted into each of the recesses 5.3, 6.3, which serves to fix the shaft 41. The spring wire 7 is arranged at its free ends with clamping attachments 8 made of rubber or an elastomer (see Figures 15 to 21). The spring wire 7 is bent into a large arc, if possible, which allows for low spring stiffness with a low spring constant. The spring constant is preferably 2 N.The free ends of the spring wire 7 are bent at a right angle (see Figure 21) and cylindrical clamping attachments 8 are slipped onto them. The shaft 41 can be inserted between the clamping attachments 8. These then move out in the circumferential direction U and expand the spring clip 7. When the shaft 41 reaches the bottom of the recess 5.3, 6.3, the clamping attachments 8 spring back and enclose the shaft 41 (see Figure 15). Because the holders 5, 6 are arranged diametrically, the golf bag 10 is balanced. The club heads 42 of the golf clubs 40 are accommodated in a compartment 10.2 provided in the base area 10.1 of the golf bag 10. Compartments (not shown in detail here) can be provided there to separate the club heads 42 from one another so that they cannot collide with one another, rattle and become damaged.This design keeps the center of gravity of the Golf Bag 10 low and gives the Golf Bag 10 and Golf Trolley 30 unit a high level of driving stability.
[0059] In the holder parts 5, 6, preferably in their upper end pieces 5a, 6a, in addition to the recesses 5.2, there are recesses 5.4 for receiving numbers for the respective golf club 40 (see Figures 1a and 22). These can be so-called numbered ball markers, which are made of ferrous metal and are held by magnets embedded in the holder parts 5, 6. Where the upper ends 5.1, 6.1 are connected to each other - this is the back of the golf bag 10 - in a preferred embodiment, the two holder parts 5, 6 have recesses 5.5, 6.5 (see Figures 10 to 14) into which the carrying handle 51 of a handbag 50 can be hooked (see Figure 24). Magnets 52 are arranged in the lower area of the handbag 50, which interact with opposite-polar magnets 10.3 arranged at the same height as the golf bag 10.It is also conceivable to provide only magnets in the handbag 50 or the golf bag 10 and then to place metal strips in the correspondingly opposite area. This design ensures that the handbag 50 fits tightly against the golf bag 10 and cannot swing back and forth during transport.
[0060] The formations 5.5, 6.5 can also be provided independently of the clamping device(s) in the mounting parts 5, 6. Then, it would be sufficient to form only the two upper ends 5.1, 6.1 in order to be able to attach a handbag 50 to the golf bag.
[0061] List of reference symbols
[0062] 0 interior
[0063] 1 tubular insert
[0064] 1.1 Inner wall
[0065] 1.2 upper end
[0066] 1.3 lower end
[0067] 2 clamping device
[0068] 2.1 Housing
[0069] 2.2 Clamping insert
[0070] 2.3 Game
[0071] 2.4 Legs
[0072] 2.11 Recess
[0073] 3 slides
[0074] 4 O-ring
[0075] 5 Bracket part
[0076] 5.1 first (upper) end
[0077] 5.2 second (lower) end
[0078] 5.3 Recess
[0079] 5.4 Formation
[0080] 5.5 Forming
[0081] 5a End piece
[0082] 5b End piece
[0083] 6 Bracket part
[0084] 6.1 first (upper) end
[0085] 6.2 second (lower) end
[0086] 6.3 Recess
[0087] 6.5 Formation 6a End piece
[0088] 6b End piece
[0089] 7 spring wire
[0090] 8 clamp attachment
[0091] 9 Screw
[0092] 10 golf bags
[0093] 10.1 Soil 10.1
[0094] 10.2 Subject
[0095] 10.3 Threaded insert
[0096] 20 golf clubs
[0097] 21 shaft
[0098] 22 golf club head
[0099] 30 golf trolleys
[0100] 31 Handle
[0101] 32 front wheel
[0102] 40 clubs
[0103] 41 shaft
[0104] 42 club head
[0105] 50 handbag
[0106] 51 Carrying handle
[0107] 52 Magnet
[0108] B area
[0109] L Longitudinal axis
[0110] U circumferential direction a angle
Claims
Patent claims 1. Golf bag with an interior space (0) which is open at the top and at least one tubular insert (1) which is inserted into the interior space (0), said insert having a circumferential inner wall (1.1) and into which a golf club (20) can be inserted with its shaft (21) first, characterized by a clamping device (2) arranged in the region of the upper end (1.2) of the insert (1), with which the shaft (21) can be detachably fixed in the insert (1), and a slide (3) arranged above the clamping device (2) for guiding the shaft (21) from the upper end (1.4) of the insert (1) towards the lower end (1.3) of the insert (1).
2. Golf bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (2) has a housing (2.1) and a clamping insert (2.2) inserted into the housing (2.1), and the clamping insert (2.2) consists of an elastic material.
3. Golf bag according to claim 2, characterized in that there is a play (2.3) on both sides in a circumferential direction U between the clamping insert (2.2) and the housing (2.1).
4. Golf bag according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the housing (2.1) is integrally integrated into the tubular insert (1).
5. Golf bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide (3) is part of the housing (1.1).
6. Golf bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide (3) runs at an angle a of 10 to 30° to the longitudinal axis L of the insert (1).
7. Golf bag according to claim 6, characterized in that the slide (3) runs at an angle a of 30° to the longitudinal axis L of the insert (1).
8. Golf bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping insert (2.2) is Q-shaped in cross section and is open over a region B of 40 to 50° to the interior of the insert (1).
9. Golf bag according to claim 8, characterized in that the clamping insert (2.2) is open over a range B of 45°.
10. Golf bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a two-part holder (5, 6) on its outer side for further golf clubs (40), wherein the two holder parts (5, 6) are arranged diametrically and are connected to one another at their first ends (5.1, 6.1) and are fastened to a base (10.1) of the golf bag (10) at their opposite second ends (5.2, 6.2).
11. Golf bag according to claim 10, characterized in that each holding part (5, 6) has at least one holding clamp made of a bent spring wire (7) for fixing a shaft (41) of the further golf club (40).
12. Golf bag according to claim 11, characterized in that clamping attachments (8) are arranged at the two free ends of the bent spring wire (7).
13. A golf bag according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a plurality of holding clamps are provided on each holding part (5, 6).
14. A golf bag according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that each holding part (5, 6) is formed in two parts and the holding clamps are preferably provided only on the interconnected upper end pieces.
15. A golf bag according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that at the first ends (5.1, 6.1) of the two holding parts (5, 6), recesses (5.5, 6.5) for receiving a carrying handle (51) of a handbag (50) or the like are formed.
Citation Information
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