Strap assembly for bags and methods to manufacture bags having a strap assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9538820-B2
Application number	US-201213585345-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2012
Priority date	Jul 11, 2012
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

Abstract

Embodiments of a strap assembly for a bag and methods to manufacture such a bag are generally described herein. The strap assembly for the bag generally includes a strap defining a first end and a second end, both ends flexibly coupled to the bag, at least the first end including a reinforcement element. A support member is coupled to the reinforcement element. The support member is configured to raise the strap at an angle relative to the bag, and the angle is adjustable.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A strap assembly for a golf bag, the strap assembly comprising:
a strap defining a first fastener element extending along an entire length of the strap with the strap further defining a first end and a second end, both ends flexibly coupled to the golf bag;
a rigid reinforcement element extending at least partially through the strap; and
a support member with a first end of the support member defining a second fastener element engageable with the first fastener element, wherein a second end of the support member is coupled to the bag and the first end of the support member is detachably coupled to a first location along the strap by engaging the first fastener element and second fastener element, wherein the support member is discrete from the strap and configured to prop the strap upwardly and away from the golf bag when the golf bag is placed on the ground,
wherein the support member is configured to maintain the strap at an angle relative to the golf bag, the angle being adjustable by detaching the support member from the first location along the strap and re-attaching the support member to a second location anywhere along the entire length of the first fastener element of the strap with the angle ranging between about 75 degrees and about 130 degrees.

2. The strap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement element comprises at least one of synthetic resin, thermoplastic rubber, fiberglass, metal, or entrapped air bubbles.

3. The strap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member is coupled to the reinforcement element at no more than half way from the first end to the second end.

4. The strap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the strap further includes a pliable material, and wherein the pliable material substantially surrounds the reinforcement element.

5. The strap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the strap includes a substantially waterproof surface.

6. The strap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a hook-and-loop fastener to facilitate the detachment of the support member from the first location along the strap and re-attachment of the support member to the second location along a length of the strap.

7. The strap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a hinge joint.

8. A golf bag comprising:
a base;
one or more walls joined to the base, the one or more walls defining a sealable housing to store an elongate object;
a strap defining a first fastener element and a first end and a second end, both ends flexibly coupled to the golf bag;
a rigid reinforcement element extending at least partially through the strap; and
a support member defining a second fastener element engageable with the first fastener element, the support member coupled to the golf bag and detachably couplable to different locations anywhere along an entire length of the first fastener element of the strap, wherein the support member is discrete from the strap and configured to prop the strap upwardly and away from the golf bag when the golf bag is placed on the ground.

9. The golf bag of claim 8 further comprising a second strap defining two respective ends, the two respective ends flexibly coupled to the one or more walls, at least one respective end of the two respective ends including a second reinforcement element, and the golf bag also comprising a second support member coupled to the second reinforcement element and the golf bag, wherein the second support member is configured to raise the second strap at a second angle relative to the golf bag, and wherein the second angle is adjustable.

10. The golf bag of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more walls includes a substantially waterproof surface.

11. The golf bag of claim 8 further comprising a spine extending along and coupled to at least a portion of the one or more walls, wherein the spine is associated with a first stiffness and the one or more walls are associated with a second stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness, and wherein the first end of the strap is flexibly coupled to the spine.

12. The golf bag of claim 8 , wherein the reinforcement element comprises at least one of synthetic resin, thermoplastic rubber, fiberglass, metal, or entrapped air bubbles.

13. The golf bag of claim 8 , wherein the support member is further coupled to the reinforcement element at no more than half way from the first end to the second end.

14. The golf bag of claim 8 , wherein the strap further includes a pliable material, and wherein the pliable material substantially surrounds the reinforcement element.

15. The golf bag of claim 8 , wherein the strap includes a substantially waterproof surface.

16. The golf bag of claim 8 , wherein the support member includes a hook-and-loop fastener.

17. The golf bag of claim 8 , wherein the support member includes a hinge joint.

18. A method of manufacturing a golf bag including a strap assembly comprising:
forming a bag body including a base and one or more walls joined to the base;
forming a strap defining a first fastener element;
forming a rigid reinforcement element within the strap;
flexibly coupling the strap to the one or more walls; and
coupling a support member to the golf bag, the support member defining a second fastener element engageable with the first fastener element to detachably couple a strap attachment end of the support member to different locations anywhere along an entire length of the first fastener element of the strap, wherein the support member is discrete from the strap and is configured to prop the strap upwardly and away from the golf bag when the golf bag is placed on the ground.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising forming a second strap defining two respective ends, at least one respective end of the two respective ends including a second reinforcement element, flexibly coupling the two respective ends to the one or more walls, and coupling the second support member to the second reinforcement element and the bag, wherein the second support member is configured to raise the second strap at a second angle relative to the golf bag, and wherein the second angle is adjustable.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising coupling a spine along at least a portion of the one or more walls.

21. The method of claim 18 , wherein coupling the support member to the different locations along the strap further comprises coupling the support member to the reinforcement element.

22. The method of claim 18 , wherein forming the strap comprises forming a strap having a pliable material substantially surrounding the reinforcement element.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising coupling a hook-and-loop fastener to the support member.

24. The method of claim 18 further comprising coupling a hinge joint to the support member.

Assignees

• Loudenslager John H
• Mcguire Brian J
• Karsten Mfg Corp

Inventors

• Loudenslager John H
• Mcguire Brian J

Classifications

• A45C2013/1015

  of hook and loop type · CPC title

• A45C13/30 Primary

  Straps; Bands · CPC title

• A45F2003/142

  Carrying-straps · CPC title

• A45F3/047

  with adjustable fastenings for the shoulder straps or waist belts · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title