Golf bag with compressive pockets

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf bag having compressive pockets. The compressive pockets are adapted to minimize alteration of the profile created by the presence of contents within the pocket and/or minimize shifting of the center of mass of the contents away from the surface of the body as the bag is moved.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body having a surface profile, the body defining a cavity adapted to receive one or more golf clubs;    a pocket positioned adjacent the body, the pocket adapted to receive contents, wherein the surface profile of the body is alterable by the presence of contents in the pocket; and    a compressive element adapted to minimize alteration of the profile created by the presence of contents within the pocket.    
     
     
         2 . The golf bag of  claim 1  wherein the surface profile is of an external surface of the golf bag.  
     
     
         3 . The golf bag of  claim 1  wherein the surface profile is of an internal surface of the golf bag.  
     
     
         4 . The golf bag of  claim 1  wherein the pocket includes at least one elastic gusset that acts as the compressive element.  
     
     
         5 . The golf bag of  claim 1  wherein the compressive element includes one or more straps.  
     
     
         6 . The golf bag of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the straps is positioned horizontally across the pocket.  
     
     
         7 . The golf bag of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the straps is positioned vertically across the pocket.  
     
     
         8 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body defining a cavity adapted to receive one or more golf clubs;    a variable volume pocket positioned adjacent the body;    a compressive element adapted to minimize alteration of the volume of the pocket when contents are within the pocket.    
     
     
         9 . The golf bag of  claim 8  wherein the pocket includes at least one elastic panel that acts as the compressive element.  
     
     
         10 . The golf bag of  claim 8  wherein the compressive element includes one or more straps.  
     
     
         11 . The golf bag of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the straps is positioned horizontally across the pocket.  
     
     
         12 . The golf bag of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the straps is positioned vertically across the pocket.  
     
     
         13 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body having a surface, the body defining a cavity adapted to receive one or more golf clubs;    a pocket positioned adjacent the body and adapted to receive contents; and    a compressive element adapted to minimize shifting of the center of mass of the contents away from the surface of the body as the bag is moved.    
     
     
         14 . The golf bag of  claim 13  wherein the pocket includes at least one elastic panel that acts as the compressive element.  
     
     
         15 . The golf bag of  claim 13  wherein the compressive element includes one or more straps.  
     
     
         16 . The golf bag of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the straps is positioned horizontally across the pocket.  
     
     
         17 . The golf bag of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the straps is positioned vertically across the pocket.