Golf bag with access port for facilitating repairs

Abstract

A golf bag includes a body that defines a generally tubular compartment for containing golf clubs. A throat structure defines an open top end of the compartment, and a bottom assembly defines a closed bottom end of the compartment. An elongated stay is located inside the body. The stay has an upper end engaged with the throat structure and a lower end disposed in a pocket formed between the bottom assembly and the body. An openable and closable access port is located in the body between the throat structure and the bottom assembly to provide access through the body to the compartment, the stay and the pocket. In the preferred embodiment, the access port is comprised of a zipper closure extending longitudinally in the body. The access port is opened by opening the zipper closure and closed by closing the zipper closure.

1 . A golf bag comprising: 
 a body defining a generally tubular compartment for containing golf clubs, said compartment having an open top end and a closed bottom end;    a throat structure defining the open top end of said compartment;    a bottom assembly defining the closed bottom end of said compartment;    an elongated stay located in a longitudinal position inside said body, said stay having an upper end engaged with said throat structure and a lower end disposed in a pocket formed between said bottom assembly and said body; and    an openable and closable access port located in said body between said throat structure and said bottom assembly for providing access through said body to said compartment, said stay and said pocket.    
   
   
       2 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein said openable and closable access port comprises a zipper closure extending longitudinally in said body.  
   
   
       3 . The golf bag of  claim 2 , wherein said access port is opened by opening said zipper closure and closed by closing said zipper closure.  
   
   
       4 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve inside said body through which said stay extends and wherein said access port also provides access through said body to said sleeve.  
   
   
       5 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein said body has a spine extending between the open top end and the closed bottom end of said compartment, and wherein said stay is arranged substantially parallel to said spine.  
   
   
       6 . The golf bag of  1 , further comprising: 
 said body having a spine extending between the open top end and the closed bottom end of said compartment;    a sleeve inside said body through which said stay extends; and    said sleeve and said pocket being aligned so that said stay is arranged substantially parallel to said spine when it is disposed in said sleeve and said pocket.