Modular Golf Bag Collar Assembly with Ratcheting Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf bag assemblies face issues such as high shipping costs due to large volume, shrinkage and deformation during transit, precise manufacturing tolerances required for attachment mechanisms, difficulty in aligning and securely attaching base members, and challenging kick-stand assembly due to high tension requirements.
Innovation Solution
A modular golf bag assembly with deformable top and bottom collars, ratcheting mechanisms for secure attachment of the top divider to the top collar, and screw holes for aligning and attaching the base member to the bottom collar, along with a two-piece modular kick-plate design for easy assembly and secure engagement with the actuator rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If modular components are shipped separately to reduce shipping volume and costs, then shipping costs are reduced, but the golf bag body undergoes shrinkage and deformation during transit which makes assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the golf bag body with the top collar and bottom collar into a subassembly before shipment. This pre-assembly protects the bag body from shrinkage and deformation during transit, ensuring that the components maintain their proper dimensions and alignment for subsequent assembly of the top divider and base member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the golf bag into modular components (golf bag body, top collar, bottom collar, top divider, base member) that can be manufactured separately and assembled in different locations. The body/collar subassembly is shipped separately from the top divider and base member, optimizing shipping efficiency while maintaining assembly precision through the pre-assembly approach.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional attachment mechanisms are used to attach top divider to top collar, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but precise manufacturing tolerances are required which increases manufacturing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from conventional fixed-tolerance designs to an adjustable parameter system. The top divider includes adjustment features that allow for dimensional variations in the top collar, enabling the attachment to accommodate a range of tolerances while maintaining secure connection and structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional attachment mechanisms are used for base member attachment, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but alignment difficulty increases during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment features as intermediary elements between the base member and bottom collar. These alignment features guide the base member into proper position during assembly, facilitating easy alignment and attachment while maintaining the simplicity of the overall attachment mechanism.
4Ease of manufacture
If modular components are manufactured outside the U.S. to reduce labor costs, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but shipping volume and associated costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the segmentation of modular components for international manufacturing and shipping. The golf bag body, top collar, and bottom collar are assembled into a compact subassembly that reduces shipping volume compared to shipping individual components. This subassembly is then shipped to the U.S. for final assembly with the top divider and base member, balancing labor cost savings with shipping efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular golf bag assembly and method of assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes: a golf bag body; a top collar attached to a top portion of the golf bag body; a bottom collar attached to a bottom portion of the golf bag body; a plurality of stays contained within the golf bag body and securely attached at respective ends to the top and bottom collars. In further embodiments, the assembly also includes a top divider configured for ratcheted attachment to the top collar and a base member configured to screwed onto the bottom collar.