Golf Bag Top Cuff Actuator for Lightweight Leg Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrying a golf bag with a full set of clubs can be strenuous due to the weight, leading to golfer fatigue, and existing stand bags often require bottom actuators that add unnecessary weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A golf bag with a top cuff actuator mechanism that deploys legs from the sides using a hand-operated system, reducing weight and incorporating ergonomic design for easier actuation and stability, along with lightweight components and improved storage solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bottom actuator mechanism is used to deploy legs, then the legs can be deployed, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional bottom actuator mechanism by placing the actuator at the top cuff of the golf bag. The actuator handle extends through the top cuff and connects to knuckles that pivot the legs outward when squeezed, eliminating the need for heavy bottom-mounted actuators while achieving the same leg deployment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the actuator mechanism from the bottom of the golf bag and relocates it to the top cuff. This separation removes the disturbing element (heavy bottom actuator) from its traditional position while preserving the essential function through a lighter, top-mounted alternative.
2Ease of operation
If a bottom actuator mechanism is used to deploy legs, then the legs can be deployed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the actuator mechanism by inverting its location from bottom to top. The top cuff actuator uses a straightforward squeeze-handle design that directly pivots knuckles connected to the legs, eliminating complex linkages and mechanisms that would be required for a bottom-mounted system.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the actuator handle for user input, the knuckles for pivoting motion, and the leg connections for deployment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the top cuff hand width is increased for better hand placement, then the ergonomics improve, but the device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The top cuff is designed with localized ergonomic features including a contoured shape and specific hand-width dimensions (70-90mm) optimized for finger placement. The actuator handle is positioned at a specific location on the top cuff to provide optimal leverage and comfort, rather than uniformly increasing the entire top cuff dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies optimal parameter ranges for the top cuff hand width (70-90mm) and actuator handle position to maximize ergonomic performance. These parameter optimizations allow for comfortable operation without unnecessarily increasing the overall top cuff area or affecting the compactness of the golf bag.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The top cuff actuator mechanism reduces weight and fatigue by allowing hands-free deployment of legs, enhancing stability and usability while maintaining a lightweight and durable design.
Implementation Method 1
downward pressure applied to the actuator handle causes the knuckle to rotate about the fastener, wherein rotation of the knuckle causes the leg to deploy into an expanded state
Data Source
AI summary
An example golf bag including a top cuff including a circular recess in an exterior surface of the top cuff, the circular recess including a through hole, wherein the top cuff has a top cuff hand width (WTC-HAND) greater than 75 mm. The golf bag may also include a knuckle including an interior knuckle boss at least partially housed inside the circular recess, the knuckle boss including a through hole aligned with the through hole of the circular recess; and a leg-receiving portion. The golf bag may further include a leg connected to the leg receiving portion of the knuckle; a fastener extending through the through hole of the knuckle boss and the through hole of the circular recess; and an actuator handle coupled to the top cuff and in contact with the knuckle, wherein downward pressure applied to the actuator handle causes the knuckle to rotate about the fastener, wherein rotation of the knuckle causes the leg to deploy into an expanded state.