Golf Bags, Golf Bag Top Members, and Golf Bag Top Member Coverings

Abstract

The invention is directed toward golf bags, golf bag top members and golf bag top member coverings. Golf bags typically comprise a top member that defines at least one aperture for receiving at least one golf club. The top member is covered by a flexible covering material to protect clubs from damage during use, transport, and storage. An embodiment of the golf bag top member comprises a peripheral structure and the flexible covering material, wherein the flexible covering material covers at least a portion of the peripheral structure.

1 . A golf bag, comprising:
 a top collar attached to a flexible enclosure;   a top member comprising a peripheral structure, wherein the peripheral structure comprises an inner wall and an outer wall; and   a flexible covering material inserted between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the flexible material is wrapped around the outer wall and at least a portion of the inner wall.   
     
     
         2 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , comprising at least one stiffening member attached to one end of the flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The golf bag of  claim 2 , wherein the stiffening member is a plastic strip. 
     
     
         4 . The golf bag of  claim 3 , wherein the stiffening member is molded plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The golf bag of  claim 3 , wherein the stiffening member is plastic sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The golf bag of  claim 2 , wherein the stiffening member is inserted between the inner wall and the outer wall. 
     
     
         7 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible covering material comprises at least one of nylon, polyester, nylon/polyester blends, ripstop nylon, plastic, leather, synthetic leathers, woven materials such as cotton, canvas, or woven synthetics. 
     
     
         8 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible covering material is not between the top collar and an outer surface of the inner wall. 
     
     
         9 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the top collar is stitched to the flexible enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the top collar comprises a flexible, resilient plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible enclosure comprises a material selected from nylon, polyester, nylon/polyester blends, ripstop nylon, plastic, leather, synthetic leathers, woven materials such as cotton, canvas, or woven synthetics. 
     
     
         12 . The golf bag of  claim 11 , wherein top member comprises at least one divider partition. 
     
     
         13 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral structure has a closed shape. 
     
     
         14 . The golf bag of  claim 13 , wherein the closed shape is one of circular, oval, substantially triangular, rectangular, or asymmetrically shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The golf bag of  claim 13 , wherein the peripheral structure comprises a rigid plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall and outer wall define a recess between them. 
     
     
         17 . The golf bag of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible covering material comprises a stiffening member and the stiffening member is received within the recess. 
     
     
         18 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall and outer wall are connected to form a top edge of the peripheral structure. 
     
     
         19 . The golf bag of  claim 18 , wherein the inner wall is longer than the outer wall 
     
     
         20 . A golf bag top member, comprising:
 a peripheral structure, wherein the peripheral structure comprises an inner wall and an outer wall; and   a flexible material inserted between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the flexible material is wrapped around the outer wall and at least a portion of the inner wall.   
     
     
         21 . The golf bag of  claim 20 , comprising at least one stiffening member attached to one end of the flexible material. 
     
     
         22 . The golf bag of  claim 21 , wherein the stiffening member is a plastic strip. 
     
     
         23 . The golf bag of  claim 22 , wherein the stiffening member is molded plastic. 
     
     
         24 . The golf bag of  claim 22 , wherein the stiffening member is plastic sheet. 
     
     
         25 . The golf bag of  claim 21 , wherein the stiffening member is inserted between the inner wall and the outer wall. 
     
     
         26 . The golf bag of  claim 20 , wherein the flexible covering material comprises at least one of nylon, polyester, nylon/polyester blends, ripstop nylon, plastic, leather, synthetic leathers, woven materials such as cotton, canvas, or woven synthetics. 
     
     
         27 . The golf bag of  claim 20 , wherein the flexible covering material is not between the top collar and an outer surface of the inner wall.