GB2258405A

GB2258405A - Golfclub container

Info

Publication number: GB2258405A
Application number: GB9117108A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Monk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-08-06
Filing date: 1991-08-06
Publication date: 1993-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-06
Also published as: GB9117108D0; GB2258405B

Abstract

A golf club container comprises an elongate cylinder (2) rotatably mounted on a support (1), detachable fixing clips (3) spaced around the outer wall of the cylinder, and a set of apertures (4) spaced around the lower end of the cylinder at positions which correspond with the detachable fixing means. The arrangement enables a set of clubs (6) to be fitted parallel to the axis of the cylinder with their grip ends (7) uppermost and their heads (5) located in respective apertures. Preferably, the apertures are stepped in distance from the lower end of the cylinder to cater for the progressive change in length of the clubs normally making up a set of clubs, so that the grip ends of the clubs are retained at substantially the same height when fitted on the cylinder. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO GOLF CLUB CONTAINERS This invention relates to golf club containers.

The usual form of container for golf clubs is in the form of a bag which may be carried, or mounted on a golf trolley, or buggy. If no separators are provided within the golf bag, the clubs tend to clash together, and it is also difficult to select a particular club since they cannot be arranged in order. Therefore, it is usual to provide separators, which can be in the form of a grid mounted in the upper end of the bag, or individual tubes, usually of plastics, which are pre-fixed, or insertable, in the bag. Whilst these tube separators do ensure that the shafts of the clubs do not come into contact, nevertheless the heads of the clubs are in close proximity and can clash together during use.

The object of the invention is to provide a completely different form of container which does not suffer the disadvantages of a bag as discussed above.

According to the invention, a golf club container comprises an elongate cylinder which is rotatably mounted on a support and has detachable fixing means, such as clips, whereby a set of golf clubs can be affixed to the outer wall of the cylinder parallel to its axis and circumferentially spaced from each other.

Preferably, the clubs are mounted with their heads located at the lower end of the cylinder and a set of apertures are circumferentially spaced around said lower end into which the respective heads of the set of clubs may be inserted.

Conveniently, packing material, such as foamed plastics, is provided within the cylinder at said lower end, and a set of pockets is formed around the circumference of the packing to align with respective ones of said apertures into which respective club heads can be fitted.

Advantageously, a further inner cylinder may be provided, which is a sliding fit within the upper end of the rotatable cylinder and which may have at least one compartment to stow associated equipment, such as balls, tees, waterproofs, drinks etc.

According to a feature of this invention, the support for the rotatable cylinder forms part of a trolley, which is preferably demountable from, or collapsable on, the support.

It will be appreciated that, in use of a container in accordance with the invention, the golf clubs are individually fitted in pre-selected order around the complete circumference of the rotatable cylinder, which latter could then be rotated by the golfer to a position appropriate for removing and/or refitting a particular golf club. Also, particularly where apertures in the cylinder and associated pockets are provided, the heads of the clubs are safely stowed in such a manner that they cannot clash together.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, one preferred embodiment golf club container will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded side elevation of the cylinder part of the golf container, Figure 3 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2 Figure 4 is a detail in the direction of arrow B in Figure 2 Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a set of golf clubs mounted thereon Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line VI-VI of Figure 5 Figure 7 is a side elevation of the support for the container Figure 8 is a view in the direction of arrow "C" in Figure 7 and Figure 9 is a view in the direction of arrow "D" in Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the preferred embodiment of container comprises a rigid support 1 on which a circular cylinder 2 is rotatably supported, the cylinder being preferably moulded from a suitable plastics material and having a set of mounting clips 3 (see Figure 2) spaced around its circumference towards its upper end. Towards its lower end and in axial alignment with the clips the cylinder has a set of similarly spaced apertures 4; these apertures accomodate the heads 5 of the set of clubs 6 (see Figure 5) to be used with the container. It will be noted that the apertures 4 are stepped in distance from the lower end of the cylinder 2 to cater for the usual progressive change in length of the clubs making up a set of clubs, so that the upper ends 7 of the clubs are retained at substantially the same height when fitted onto the cylinder, as shown in Figure 5.With particular reference to Figure 6, it will be noted that the lower end of the cylinder 2, which is closed-off'by an end wall 8, is packed with an appropriate filling, such as plastics foam. The circumference of this packing is formed with spaced pockets 10 positioned to align with respective apertures, and into which respective club heads 6 can be fitted. The upper end of the cylinder is open and is adapted to receive a removable circular inner cylinder 11 (see Figure 2) which is also preferably moulded from a suitable plastics material.

This cylinder defines two storage compartments 12, 13, each with an access door 14, for associated equipment such as clothing, drinks, etc. Also, the upper end of the inner cylinder is formed as a tray 15 which can be divided by walls 16 (see Figure 3) to provide additional compartments for smaller items such as golf balls, tees, course cards, gloves, etc. Access is provided to the tray 15 via a lid 17 rotatably mounted on a central bolt 18.

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the support 1 comprises a central support plate 19 having a bottom plate 20 and an upper collar 21. The bottom plate has a central, upstanding spigot 22 which slidably fits within a central circular recess 23 (see Figure 2) in the end wall 8 of the container. The upper collar 21 defines a circular bearing opening 24 (see Figure 9) which is axially aligned with the spigot 22 and which is dimensioned to slidably surround the circumference of the container 2 as shown. The container 2 can be retained on the support 1 -by a retractable, or removable, pin 25 which bears against the underside of the collar 21, thereby permitting the cylinder 2 to rotate on the support, but axially fixing the two parts.

Referring to Figure 8, the support plate 19 can be provided with appropriate fixing apertures, e.g. as shown at 26 and 27 for mounting the parts 20, 21, and for mounting a shoulder carrying strap (not shown). Alternatively, and preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, a pair of spaced wheels 28 can be mounted on an inverted "V"-frame 29, pivotally or demountably attached to the support 1 so as to provide a trolley for the golf club container.

As shown in Figures 1 and 5, an elongate handle 30 is mounted on the support plate 19 and suitable attachment means (not shown) may be provided for adjusting the height of the handle to suit the golfer.

It will be appreciated that, in use, the container is simply rotated by the golfer to an appropriate position to remove or replace a particular club, and that the stepwise arrangement of the apertures 4 in the container is such that there is a specific location for each club of the set, thereby facilitating club selection. It will be further appreciated that, due to insertion of the club heads through the apertures and into respective pockets, clashing together of these heads is effectively eliminated.

Claims

1. A golf club container comprising an elongate cylinder which is rotatably mounted on a support and has detachable fixing means, such as clips, whereby a set of golf clubs can be affixed to the outer wall of the cylinder parallel to its axis and circumferentially spaced from each other.

2. A golf club container according to Claim 1, wherein the clubs are mounted with their heads located at the lower end of the cylinder and a set of apertures are circumferentially spaced around said lower end into which the respective heads of the set of clubs may be inserted.

3. A container according to Claim 2, wherein said apertures are stepped in distance from the lower end of the cylinder to cater for the usual progressive change in length of the clubs making up a set of clubs, so that the upper ends of the clubs are retained at substantially the same height when fitted on the cylinder.

4. A container according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein packing material, such as foamed plastics, is provided within the cylinder at said lower end, and a set of pockets is formed around the circumference of the packing to align with respective ones of said apertures, into which respective club heads can be fitted.

5. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein a further inner cylinder is provided, which is a sliding fit within the upper end of the rotatable cylinder, and is formed with at least one compartment to stow associated equipment, such as balls, tees, waterproofs, drinks etc.

6. A container according to Claim 5, wherein the inner cylinder is formed as a tray which is divided by walls to provide additional compartments for small items such as golf balls, tees, course cards, gloves, etc, access to the tray being provided via a lid rotatably mounted on a central bolt.

7. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the support comprises a central support plate having a bottom plate and an upper collar, the bottom plate having a central, upstanding spigot which slidably fits within a central circular recess in a bottom wall of the container, and the upper collar defining a circular bearing opening which is axially aligned with the spigot and which is dimensioned to slidably surround the circumference of the container.

8. A container according to Claim 7, wherein a retractable, or removable, pin is provided for the cylinder which bears against the underside of the collar, thereby permitting the cylinder to rotate on the support, but axially fixing the two parts.

9. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the support for the rotatable cylinder forms part of a trolley, which is demountable from, or collapsable on the support.

10. A golf club container constructed, arranged and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. A container according to Claim 9, wherein the trolley comprises a pair of spaced wheels mounted on an inverted "V"-frame, pivotally or demountably attached to the support.

11. A golf club container constructed, arranged and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

AIEDIKNTS TO mE CLAMS HAVE BEEN FLED As FOLLOWS 1. A golf club container comprising an elongate cylinder which is rotatably mounted on a rigid support, detachable fixing means, such as clips, spaced around the outer wall of the cylinder, and a set of apertures spaced around the lower end of the cylinder at positions which correspond with the detachable fixing means, whereby a set of clubs can be fitted parallel to the axis of the cylinder with their grip ends uppermost and their heads located in respective apertures.

2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein said apertures are stepped in distance from the lower end of the cylinder to cater for the progressive change in length of the clubs normally making up a set of clubs, so that the grip ends of the clubs are retained at substantially the same height when fitted on the cylinder.

3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein packing material, such as foamed plastics, is provided within the cylinder at said lower end, and a set of pockets is formed around the circumference of the packing to align with respective ones of said apertures, into which respective club heads can be fitted.

4. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a further inner cylinder is provided, which is a sliding fit within the upper end of the rotatable cylinder, and is formed with at least one compartment to stow associated equipment, such as balls, tees, waterproofs, drinks etc.

5. A container according to Claim 4, wherein the inner cylinder is formed as a tray which is divided by walls to provide additional compartments for small items such as golf balls, tees, course cards, gloves, etc, access to the tray being provided via a lid rotatably mounted on a central bolt.

6. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the support comprises a central support plate having a bottom plate and an upper collar, the bottom plate having a central, upstanding spigot which slidably fits within a central circular recess in a bottom wall of the container, and the upper collar defining a circular bearing opening which is axially aligned with the spigot and which is dimensioned to slidably surround the circumference of the container.

7. A container according to Claim 6, wherein a retractable, or removable, pin is provided for the cylinder which bears against the underside of the collar, thereby permitting the cylinder to rotate on the support, but axially fixing the two parts.

8. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the support for the rotatable cylinder forms part of a trolley, which is demountable from, or collapsable on the support.

9. A container according to Claim 8, wherein the trolley comprises a pair of spaced wheels mounted on an inverted "V"-frame, pivotally or demountably attached to the support.