Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02369782 2002-O1-31
GOLF BAG SECURITY DEVICE
Technical Field
[000!] The invention relates to the field of golf equipment and: more
S particularly to security devices for securing golf clubs in a golf bag
against theft
and for securing the bag itself against theft.
B ack$round
[0002] Golf clubs have become very expensive and valuable items and
1 O consequently theft of golf clubs has become widespread. Such thefts
typically
occur either at the golf clubhouse when the golf bag is left unattended, or
from
residential garages where the clubs are often stored when not in use. In some
instances the thief steals individual clubs, and in others the entire bag and
all its
contents are stolen.
[0003] Various security devices for golf bags have been disclosed. For
example, U.S. patent no. 5582043 McCue et al. discloses a specially config-
ured golf bag and security device which protect against theft. It uses a
securing
device having two lock assemblies which lock the device to the bag and lock a
cable or chain to the securing device. A hood is secured over the clubs by a
metal chain.
[0004] U.S. patent no. 5560485 O'Hara, Jr. provides a locking hood for a
golf bag in which a steel ribbon is slid through the base of the hood and
tight-
ened by hinged element. A cable provided with a padlock is used to secure the
bag to a fixed object by extending the cable through a hole in a staple
secured
to the steel ribbon, which also prevents the ribbon from being loosened.
[0005] Voelkner U.S. patent 5904247 discloses a locking golf bag hood
which uses a cable to secure the hood to the golf bag and also secure the bag
to
a fixed object. It requires two padlocks to both secure the hood to the bag
and
lock the bag to a fixed object, and it is not adaptable to different golf
bags.
[0006] U.S. patent no. 6234312 Davis, Sr. discloses a locking golf bag
3 S cover in which a belt is extended through loops in the cover and tightened
CA 02369782 2002-O1-31
around the bag;: and two padlocks are used, one to lock the hood to the bag
and
another to lock the bag to a fixed object using a separate cable.
[0007] U.S. patent no. 6247588 McCreary discloses a security assembly
S for a golf bag which uses a strap or band secured to the bag and having a
number of rings which extend through slots in the hood, a second band extend-
ing through the rings to secure the hood to the bag, and a strap to secure the
bag
to a fixed object. It requires three locks: one to lock the hood to the bag,
another to lock the bag to a fixed object and a third to lock the hood's
zipper.
[0008] There is therefore a need for a golf bag security device which is
adjustable to different golf bags and which needs only one lock to both lock
the
hood to the bag and the bag to a fixed object.
Summary of Invention
[0009] The present invention therefore provides a golf bag security
device which is adjustable to different golf bags and which needs only one
lock
to both lock the hood to the bag and the bag to a fixed object through the use
of an adjustment cinch. It does so by providing a hood and a cable having
apertures at either end and an intermediate movable loop which allows the
hood to be secured to bags of variable sizes and the bag to be secured to a
fixed
object.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010] In drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the
invention:
[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the hood and cable of the invention
prior to being installed on a golf bag;
3 O [0012] Fig. 2 is a partial left front perspective view of the invention
installed on a golf bag and secured to a fixed object;
[0013] Fig. 3 is a right front perspective view of the invention installed
on a golf bag and secured to a fixed object;
CA 02369782 2002-O1-31
-3~-
[0014] Fig. 4 is a partial rear perspective view of the invention installed
on a golf bag; and
[0015] Fig. 5 is a detail view of the cable and lock assembly of the
invention.
S
Description
[0016] Throughout the following description, specific details are set
forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.
1 O However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In
other
instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification
and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive,
sense.
[0017] With reference to Fig. 1 through 5, a golf bag 10 has a carrying
handle 1 l, an integrated stand 12 having legs 13, 15 and carries an array of
golf
clubs (not shown). The invention comprises a hood or cover i6 and a cable 18.
Preferably the cover 16 is constructed of a heavy woven nylon or similar
fabric
which is heavy enough to retain its shape. It comprises a hood-shaped body 20
having a lower edge 22 surrounding an opening 24. Cable-receiving sleeves
26, 28 are formed in the lower edge 22. Cut-outs 30, 32 are also formed in
lower edge 22 so that sleeves 26, 28 have openings 34, 36, 38, 40 through
which cable 18 slides. Generally golf bag 10 is narrower at its front end
having handle 11 so that cut-out 32 will be narrower than cut-out 30. The
edges of openings 34, 36, 38, 40 are preferably curved or radiused to reduce
the
likelihood that the cable will catch on a corner of the cover material or wear
the
corner of the openings. Also a lighter weight fabric can be used for the braid
42 which forms the edge of the opening, or the width of the sleeve 26, 28 can
3 O be increased.
(0018] Cable 18 is a single continuous cable formed preferably of
plastic-covered braided galvanized steel aircraft cable. It has loops or eyes
44,
46 formed at either end 17, 19 thereof, for example by crimping a battery lug
CA 02369782 2002-O1-31
- 4~ -
connector to either end. In order to make the device adjustable to different
bags, a sliding cinch 48 is provided. Cinch 48 is formed of a body 58 having a
central passage-way 51, which is preferably Figure-8 shaped in cross-section,
forming two channels 52, 54 through which cable 18 can slide freely. Channels
S 52, 54 are shown as being parallel but can also form an angle. Cable 18 is
run
through cinch 48 to form a small loop 50 to receive the lock 60 but otherwise
cable 18 is free to slide through channels 52, 54. For example an aluminum
sleeve sold under the trade-mark ALUMA-LOCK can be used for sleeve 48.
1 O [0019] To use the invention; cover 16 is placed over the golf bag 10 as
shown in Fig. 3 so that cut-out 32 extends around handle 11 and cut-out 30
extends around stand 12. End 1Z of cable 18 is inserted through handle 11,
then through sleeve 26 and around legs 13, 15. Cable 18 is slid through cinch
48 so that when lock 60 connects loop 50 to eye 44 the cable will be tight
enou-
1 S gh around bag 10 so that the cover 16 cannof be removed over the golf
clubs.
End 19 of cable 18 is then looped around a fixed object and lock 60 is
extended
through eyes 44., 46 and loop 50. The fixed object may be a post or tree, or a
golf cart, for example. To secure the golf bag in a garage storage situation,
an
eye hook can be screwed into a wall and the end 19 of the cable looped through
20 the eye hook (not shown). While the golf bag 10 is shown having an integral
stand 12, other types of bags will have carrying handles, grommet snaps or
rings in that location, all of which can serve to anchor cable 18 in the same
way
as stand 12 in the type of bag illustrated.
25 [0020] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the
foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the
practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with
the substance defined by the following claims.
