Golf bag with integrated accessory bag

Abstract

A golf bag ( 1 ) is provided that includes a main bag portion, and an accessory bag portion ( 3 ). The accessory bag portion may be either placed within a socket portion of the main bag portion such that the main portion and the accessory bag portion are integrated ( 4 ) to form a golf bag, or removed from the socket portion to provide access to an accessory bag that is smaller than the golf bag. The accessory bag portion includes a handle ( 15 ); and the golf bag includes a lock mechanism ( 24 ) that is operable to automatically lock the accessory bag portion in place relative to the main bag portion, when the accessory bag portion is inserted into the socket portion, and wherein once locked in the socket portion, the locking mechanism enables a user to lift the golf bag using the handle. The accessory bag includes an activation mechanism ( 16 ) operable, based on user initiation of an activation button, to actuate two or more support legs ( 11 ) from a first retracted position, to a second splayed out position operable to enable the accessory bag to achieve a self-supporting upright position. The activation mechanism includes a slider, a pivoting shoulder for each supporting leg, and a spring means connecting each pivoting shoulder to the slider, such that the user initiation of the activation button moves the supporting legs to the second splayed out position.

1 . A golf bag comprising a main bag portion, and an accessory bag portion, wherein the accessory bag portion may be either placed within a socket portion of the main bag portion such that the main portion and the accessory bag portion are integrated to form a golf bag, or removed from the socket portion to provide access to an accessory bag that is smaller than the golf bag, characterized in that:
 (c) the accessory bag portion includes a handle; and   (d) the golf bag includes a lock mechanism that is operable to automatically lock the accessory bag portion in place relative to the main bag portion, when the accessory bag portion is inserted into the socket portion;   wherein once locked in the socket portion, the locking mechanism enables a user to lift the golf bag using the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , characterized in that the lock mechanism comprises a pin and a receiver which inter-engage when the accessory bag slides into the socket. 
     
     
         3 . The golf bag as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the pin is fixed to the main bag portion. 
     
     
         4 . The golf bag as claimed in  claim 2  or  3 , characterized in that the receiver includes a biased catch for snap-fitting engagement of the accessory bag portion to the main bag portion. 
     
     
         5 . The golf bag of  claim 4 , characterized in that the biased catch is part of a mechanism that is part of the accessory bag portion. 
     
     
         6 . The golf bag of  claim 5 , characterized in that the biased catch includes an aperture in a biased and sliding receiver plate which is movable in one direction by a user engageable locking/unlocking button, and is biased in the opposite direction. 
     
     
         7 . The golf bag of  claim 6 , characterized in that the receiver plate is connected to the locking/unlocking button for sliding in one direction against the bias, and for sliding in the opposite direction under the bias to engage a notch in the pin. 
     
     
         8 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , characterized in that the accessory bag includes an activation mechanism operable, based on user initiation of an activation button, to actuate two or more support legs from a first retracted position, to a second splayed out position operable to enable the accessory bag to achieve a self-supporting upright position. 
     
     
         9 . The golf bag of  claim 8 , characterized in that the activation mechanism includes a slider, a pivoting shoulder for each supporting leg, and a spring means connecting each pivoting shoulder to the slider, such that the user initiation of the activation button moves the supporting legs to the second splayed out position. 
     
     
         10 . The golf bag of  claim 9 , characterized in that the supporting legs are biased to the first retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The golf bag of  claim 1  characterized in that the golf bag includes a handle, and either adjacent to the handle or integrated with the handle is (a) a button that enables the release of the locking mechanism so as to permit the accessory bag portion to be removed from the main bag portion, and (b) an activation button that enables the activation of two or more support legs to achieve a splayed out position that enables a self-supporting position.