Deployable rain hoods for golf bags and methods to manufacture the same

Abstract

Embodiments of a deployable rain hood assembly for a golf bag and methods of manufacturing the same are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf bag comprising:
 an elongate body with a bottom, an open top, at least one strap assembly for carrying the golf bag; and   a rain hood assembly comprising:
 a rain hood for receiving the open top, the rain hood being configurable between a deployed position and a collapsed position; and 
 a shroud coupled to the body to define a cavity, the cavity configured to receive the rain hood while in the collapsed position through an opening of the cavity, at least one of the shroud or a portion of the body adjacent the cavity comprising a cushioned portion; and 
 a closure mechanism operatively coupled to the shroud and operable between a closed position wherein the opening is at least partially closed and an open position wherein the cavity is accessible through the opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cushioned portion comprises at least one of foam, air compartments, or packing filler.   
     
     
         3 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rain hood is removeably coupled to an interior of the cavity by a tether.   
     
     
         4 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rain hood is deployable from the cavity to the deployed position when the closure mechanism is in the open position.   
     
     
         5 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the closure mechanism is one of hook and loop, a zipper, buttons, snaps, magnet, or an elastic band.   
     
     
         6 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elongate body comprises a hollow interior configured to receive at least one golf club, and   the cavity is adjacent to the hollow interior.   
     
     
         7 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rain hood comprises a first part of a two part fastener, and the golf bag elongate body has a complimentary second part of the two part fastener configured to engage and connect with the first part of the two part fastener.   
     
     
         8 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rain hood is configured to be positioned entirely within the cavity when in the collapsed position.   
     
     
         9 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rain hood comprises one of polyester, nylon, vinyl, leather, or canvas.   
     
     
         10 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cavity is located proximate the open top of the elongate body.   
     
     
         11 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rain hood comprises a first opening configured to receive the open top, and   a second opening opposite the first opening configured to allow access to the open top when the rain hood is in the deployed position;
 the second opening is configurable between and an open and closed configuration. 
   
     
     
         12 . A deployable rain hood assembly for golf clubs, comprising:
 a rain hood configured to receive an open top of a golf bag, the rain hood being configurable between a deployed position and a collapsed position; and   a storage device configured to be mounted on the golf bag, the storage device defining a cavity accessible through an opening, the cavity configured to receive the rain hood in the collapsed position, the storage device comprising a cushioned portion.   
     
     
         13 . The deployable rain hood assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the rain hood is removeably coupled to an interior of the cavity by a tether.   
     
     
         14 . The deployable rain hood assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the rain hood is configured to be positioned entirely within the cavity when in the collapsed position.   
     
     
         15 . The deployable rain hood assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the storage device comprises at least one of a strap, chain, cable, rope, belt, or bungee configured for coupling the storage device to a golf bag.   
     
     
         16 . The deployable rain hood assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the rain hood comprises a first opening configured to receive an open top of a golf bag, and   a second opening opposite the first configured to allow access to the open top of the golf bag when the rain hood is in the deployed position; and
 the second opening is configurable between and an open and closed configuration. 
   
     
     
         17 . The deployable rain hood assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the rain hood is comprised of one of polyester, nylon, vinyl, leather, or canvas, or any other water proof or water resistant material.   
     
     
         18 . A method of providing a deployable rain hood assembly comprising:
 providing a rain hood configured to receive the open end of a golf bag, the rain hood being configurable between a deployed and a collapsed position, and   providing a cavity at least partially enclosed by a shroud, the cavity configured to receive the rain hood while in the collapsed position through an opening in the cavity, at least one of the cavity or a portion adjacent the opening in the cavity comprising a cushioned portion.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein
 providing the rain hood assembly comprises providing a closure mechanism that is operable between a closed position wherein the opening is at least partially closed and an open position wherein the cavity is accessible through the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein;
 providing a rain hood assembly comprises a fastening device configured for coupling the storage device to a golf bag.