Golf bag with self actuating stand

Abstract

A golf bag includes a self actuating stand having a base assembly, a support mount assembly and an actuating mechanism. The base assembly includes a base ring and a foot is coupled to the base ring and includes a ground engaging surface covering the lower end of the body of the bag. The base ring is mounted to the foot wherein the base ring is selectively positionable relative to the foot to position the body between an upright position and an inclined position when the ground engaging surface is located stationary on a supporting surface. The support mount includes a plurality of interlocking hinge elements extending radially outward from an outer surface of the body, and at least one support leg is rotatably coupled to the support mount via the plurality of interlocking hinge elements. At least one actuator arm is coupled to the support leg and an activation rod coupled to the foot, wherein when the body is positioned in the inclined position, relative movement of the activation rod with respect to the body forces the actuator arm to extend the support leg to the deployed position.

1 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body comprising opposite upper and lower ends and a compartment therebetween configured to contain golf clubs;    a base ring attached to said body proximate said lower end;    a foot coupled to said base ring and comprising a ground engaging surface covering said lower end, said base ring mounted to said foot wherein said base ring is selectively positionable relative to said foot to position said body between an upright position and an inclined position when said ground engaging surface is located stationary on a supporting surface;    an activation rod coupled to said foot at a predetermined location with respect to the ground engaging surface, said predetermined location being constant in each of the upright and inclined positions, said activation rod extending from said foot toward said upper end of said body;    a support mount coupled to said body at a distance from said base ring, said support mount comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements extending radially outward from an outer surface of said body;    at least one support leg rotatably coupled to said support mount via said plurality of interlocking hinge elements, said leg positionable in a stowed position adjacent said body when said body is in said upright position and a deployed position extended from said body when said body is in said inclined position; and    at least one actuator arm coupled to said support leg and said activation rod, wherein when said body is positioned in said inclined position, relative movement of said activation rod with respect to said body forces said actuator arm to extend said support leg to said deployed position.    
   
   
       2 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said support mount comprises first and second hinge members, each of said first and second hinge members comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements.  
   
   
       3 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one support leg comprises a first support leg and a second support leg, said first support leg and said second support leg coupled to opposite ends of said support mount.  
   
   
       4 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said support mount is positioned proximate said upper end of said body.  
   
   
       5 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said base ring circumscribes an outer perimeter of said foot.  
   
   
       6 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said base ring comprises first and second ring portions, said ring portions oriented at an angle to one another.  
   
   
       7 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said foot comprises a substantially planar bottom surface and a side wall extending from said planar bottom surface, said side wall extending within an outer periphery of said base ring.  
   
   
       8 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said ground engaging surface comprises a plurality of footholds extending downward therefrom on a periphery of said foot, said footholds supporting said body on the supporting surface in each of the deployed position and the upright position.  
   
   
       9 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said base ring comprises a plurality of footholds extending therefrom and configured to cooperate with said foot to support said body on the supporting surface in each of the inclined position and the upright position.  
   
   
       10 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said activation rod comprises a first leg, a second leg and a transverse foot portion extending therebetween.  
   
   
       11 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising a brace extending between said first leg and said second leg and configured to retain said first leg and said second leg at a predetermined distance from one another.  
   
   
       12 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one actuator arm is integrally formed with said activation rod.  
   
   
       13 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one actuator arm comprises a first actuator arm and a second actuator arm, said first and second actuator arms extending in a V-configuration.  
   
   
       14 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body comprises an internal stay, said activation rod extending within said internal stay.  
   
   
       15 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising an actuator coupled to said activation rod at a distance from said foot, said actuator configured for sliding movement relative to said activation rod.  
   
   
       16 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a lumbar pad coupled to said bag and configured to contact the user when said golf bag is being carried.  
   
   
       17 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body comprising opposite upper and lower ends and a compartment therebetween configured to contain golf clubs;    a base ring encircling said body proximate said lower end;    a foot coupled to said base ring, said base ring mounted to said foot wherein said base ring is movable relative to said foot to selectively position said body between an upright position and an inclined position when said foot is located stationary on a supporting surface;    an activation rod coupled to said foot, said activation rod extending interior to said body wherein said activation rod is concealed by said body;    a support mount coupled to an exterior of said body, said support mount comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements;    at least one support leg rotatably coupled to said support mount via said interlocking hinge elements, said leg positionable in a stowed position when said body is in said upright position and a support position when said body is in said deployed position; and    at least one actuator arm coupled to said activation rod interior to said body and extending exterior to said body for connection to said support leg, wherein when said body is positioned in said deployed position, relative movement of said activation rod with respect to said body forces said actuator arm to extend said support leg to said support position.    
   
   
       18 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said support mount comprises first and second hinge members, each of said first and second hinge members comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements.  
   
   
       19 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said at least one support leg comprises a first support leg and a second support leg, said first support leg and said second support leg coupled to opposite ends of said support mount.  
   
   
       20 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said base ring circumscribes an outer perimeter of said foot.  
   
   
       21 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said base ring is configured for rocking movement relative to said foot about a joint.  
   
   
       22 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said foot comprises a substantially planar bottom surface entirely covering said lower end of said body, and a side wall extending from said planar bottom surface, said side wall extending within an outer periphery of said base ring.  
   
   
       23 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said foot comprises a substantially planar bottom surface having a plurality of footholds extending from said planar bottom surface towards said supporting surface to support said body on the supporting surface in each of the inclined position and the upright position.  
   
   
       24 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said base ring comprises a plurality of footholds extending therefrom and configured to cooperate with said foot to support said body on the supporting surface in each of the inclined position and the upright position.  
   
   
       25 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said activation rod comprises a first leg, a second leg and a foot portion extending therebetween.  
   
   
       26 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 25  further comprising a brace extending between said first leg and said second leg and configured to retain said first leg and said second leg at a predetermined distance with respect to the other said leg.  
   
   
       27 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said at least one actuator arm is integrally formed with said activation rod.  
   
   
       28 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said at least one actuator arm comprises a first actuator arm and a second actuator arm, said first and second actuator arms extending in a V-configuration.  
   
   
       29 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  further comprising an actuator coupled to said activation rod at a distance from said foot, said actuator configured for sliding movement relative to said activation rod.  
   
   
       30 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 17  further comprising a lumbar pad coupled to said bag and configured to contact the user when said golf bag is being carried.  
   
   
       31 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body comprising opposite upper and lower ends and a compartment therebetween configured to contain golf clubs;    a base ring surrounding said body proximate said lower end;    a rigid unitary foot coupled to said base ring and enclosing said lower end of said body, said base ring mounted to said foot wherein said base ring is positionable relative to said foot between an upright position and an inclined position when said foot is located stationary on a supporting surface;    an activation rod comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a foot portion extending therebetween;    a support mount located on an exterior of said body, said support mount comprising first and second hinge members, each of said first and second hinge members comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements;    a first support leg and a second support leg rotatably coupled to each respective first and second hinge members via said respective interlocking hinge elements, said first and second support legs positionable in a stowed position adjacent said body when said body is in said upright position and a deployed position extending from said body when said body is in said inclined position; and    a first actuator arm and a second actuator arm integrally formed with said first and second legs of said actuator rod, said first and second actuator arms coupled to a respective one of said first and second support legs, wherein when said body is positioned in said deployed position, relative movement of said activation rod with respect to said body forces said first and second actuator arms to extend said respective first and second support legs to said deployed position.    
   
   
       32 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 31  wherein a portion of said first and second actuator arms extends interior to said body and a portion of said actuator arms extend exterior to said body for connection to a respective one of said first and second support legs.  
   
   
       33 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 31  further comprising a brace extending between said first leg and said second leg of said activation rod and configured to retain said first leg and said second leg at a predetermined distance with respect to the other said leg.  
   
   
       34 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 31  wherein said base ring circumscribes an outer perimeter of said foot.  
   
   
       35 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 31  wherein said foot comprises a substantially planar bottom surface and a side wall extending from said planar bottom surface, said side wall extending within an outer periphery of said base ring.