Golf standbag actuation hinge assembly

Abstract

A golf bag includes a body configured to contain golf clubs, and a support mount coupled to the body. The support mount includes a plurality of interlocking hinge elements, wherein a support leg is pivotably coupled to the support mount via the plurality of interlocking hinge elements. The leg is positionable in a stowed position adjacent the body when the body is in the standing position and an extended support position in contact with a supporting surface when the body is in the inclined position.

1 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body configured to contain golf clubs;    a support mount coupled to said body, said support mount comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements;    a support leg pivotably 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 standing position and an extended support position in contact with a supporting surface when said body is in said inclined position.    
   
   
       2 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said plurality of interlocking hinge elements are aligned along a common axis.  
   
   
       3 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said support leg extends along an axis, said axis of said support leg extending transverse to said axis of said interlocking hinge elements.  
   
   
       4 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said support mount comprises a piano hinge.  
   
   
       5 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said support mount is coupled to said body proximate said upper end.  
   
   
       6 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said support member comprises a central bridge portion and first and second hinge members angled from said bridge portion, said plurality of interlocking hinge elements located on each of said first and second hinge members.  
   
   
       7 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body comprises an internal stay, said support mount coupled to said internal stay.  
   
   
       8 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a hinge bracket coupling said support leg to said support mount, said hinge bracket comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements interfacing with said plurality of interlocking hinge elements of said support mount.  
   
   
       9 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one actuator arm operatively coupled to said support leg, said actuator arm forcing said support leg from said stowed position to said support position when said body is inclined.  
   
   
       10 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a foot coupled to said body wherein said body is pivotably mounted to said foot whereby said body is movable over said foot between a standing position and an inclined position when said foot is located stationary on a supporting surface.    
   
   
       11 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body configured to contain golf clubs;    a support mount coupled to said body, said support mount comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements aligned along a common axis;    at least one support leg pivotably coupled to said support mount via said interlocking hinge elements, said leg positionable in a stowed position when said body is in said standing position and a support position when said body is in said inclined position; and    at least one actuator arm operatively coupled to said support leg, said actuator arm forcing said support leg from said stowed position to said support position when said body is inclined.    
   
   
       12 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said support leg extends along a support axis, said axis of said support leg transverse to said axis of said interlocking hinge elements.  
   
   
       13 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said support mount comprises a piano hinge.  
   
   
       14 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said support member is coupled to said body proximate an upper end of said body.  
   
   
       15 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said support member comprises a central bridge portion and first and second hinge members angled from said bridge portion, said plurality of interlocking hinge elements located on each of said first and second hinge members.  
   
   
       16 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 11  further comprising a hinge bracket coupling said support leg to said support mount, said hinge bracket comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements interfacing with said plurality of interlocking hinge elements of said support mount.  
   
   
       17 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said actuator arm is coupled to said hinge bracket.  
   
   
       18 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a foot coupled to said body wherein said body is pivotably mounted to said foot whereby said body is movable over said foot between a standing position and an inclined position when said foot is located stationary on a supporting surface; and;    an activation rod operatively coupled to said foot and to said at least one actuator arm, said activation rod configured to extend said support leg to said support position when said body is moved to said inclined position.    
   
   
       19 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body configured to contain golf clubs;    a support mount coupled to 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 aligned along a common axis;    first and second support legs pivotably coupled to a respective one of said first and second hinge members, said first and second support legs positionable in a stowed position when said body is in said standing position and a support position when said body is in said inclined position; and    first and second actuator arms extending between respective one of said first and second support legs, said first and second actuator arms forcing said support leg from said stowed position to said support position when said body is inclined.    
   
   
       20 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 19  wherein each of said first and second support legs extend along a respective support axis, said support axis of each of said first and second support legs extending transverse to said common axis of said interlocking hinge elements of each of said first and second hinge members.  
   
   
       21 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 19  wherein each of said hinge members comprises a piano hinge.  
   
   
       22 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 19  wherein said support member further comprises a central bridge portion extending between said first and second hinge members, said hinge members angled from said bridge portion.  
   
   
       23 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 19  further comprising a hinge bracket coupling one of said support legs to said support mount, said hinge bracket comprising a plurality of interlocking hinge elements interfacing with said plurality of interlocking hinge elements of said support mount.  
   
   
       24 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 23  wherein one of said actuator arms is coupled to said hinge bracket.  
   
   
       25 . A golf bag in accordance with  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a foot coupled to said body wherein said body is pivotably mounted to said foot whereby said body is movable over said foot between a standing position and an inclined position when said foot is located stationary on a supporting surface; and;    an activation rod operatively coupled to said foot and to said at least one actuator arm, said activation rod configured to extend said support leg to said support position when said body is moved to said inclined position.