Golf bag having stand assembly

Abstract

A golf bag is provided that includes a bag body and a deployable stand assembly. The bag body defines an upper opening for receiving golf clubs and a bottom end including a base. The base defines the bottom end of the bag body and includes a first section, a second section and an intermediate section. The intermediate section is disposed between and hinged to both the first section and the second section. The bag includes a support assembly coupled to the bag body proximate to the upper opening and in operative communication with the base such that flexion of the base causes the support assembly to deploy to support the bag in an inclined position.

1 . A golf bag, comprising:
 a bag body defining an upper opening for receiving golf clubs and a bottom end;   a base defining the bottom end of the bag body, the base including a first section, a second section and an intermediate section disposed between and hinged to both the first section and the second section; and   a support assembly coupled to the bag body proximate to the upper opening and in operative communication with the base such that flexion of the base causes the support assembly to deploy to support the bag in an inclined position.   
     
     
         2 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a first hinge assembly that pivotally couples the first section to the intermediate section. 
     
     
         3 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a second hinge assembly that pivotally couples the second section to the intermediate section. 
     
     
         4 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first section, the second section and the intermediate section define a support surface of the base for contacting the ground. 
     
     
         5 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a first flexion line between the first section and the intermediate section. 
     
     
         6 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a second flexion line between the second section and the intermediate section. 
     
     
         7 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first section is formed of unitary construction and includes a hinge portion that attaches to a hinge portion of the intermediate section to enable the first section to pivot relative to the intermediate section. 
     
     
         8 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first section, the second section and the intermediate section are each independent structures;   the intermediate section including a first hinge portion on a first side of the intermediate section and a second hinge portion on a second side of the intermediate section;   the first section including a hinge portion coupled to the first hinge portion of the intermediate section to enable the first section to pivot relative to the intermediate section; and   the second section including a hinge portion coupled to the second hinge portion of the intermediate section to enable the second section to pivot relative to the intermediate section.   
     
     
         9 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a first flexion line between the first section and the intermediate section, and the base defines a second flexion line between the second section and the intermediate section. 
     
     
         10 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 9  wherein the base is formed of unitary construction. 
     
     
         11 . A golf bag, comprising:
 a bag body defining an upper opening for receiving golf clubs and a bottom end;   a base defining the bottom end of the bag body, the base having three segments couple to each other, each segment of independent structure, including   a first segment having a first hinge portion,   a second segment having a second hinge portion, and   an intermediate segment disposed between the first segment and the second segment, the intermediate segment having a first hinge portion coupled to the first hinge portion of the first section, forming a first hinge to enable the first section to pivot relative to the intermediate section, the intermediate segment having a second hinge portion coupled to the second hinge portion of the second section, forming a second hinge to enable the second section to pivot relative to the intermediate section; and   a support assembly coupled to the bag body proximate to the upper opening and in operative communication with the base such that flexion of the base causes the support assembly to deploy to support the bag in an inclined position.   
     
     
         12 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the first segment, the second segment and the intermediate segment define a support surface of the base for contacting the ground. 
     
     
         13 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the support is formed of unitary construction, the support having an upper portion coupled to a pivot assembly disposed adjacent to the upper end of the bag body, an elongated intermediate portion and two wishbone-type leg portions extending from the intermediate portion, the leg portions angled rearward from the intermediate portion about the bag body. 
     
     
         14 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the support includes a truss section having a support portion angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the support. 
     
     
         15 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the support includes a truss section having a plurality of support portions angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the support. 
     
     
         16 . A golf bag, comprising:
 a bag body defining an upper opening for receiving golf clubs and a bottom end;   a base defining the bottom end of the bag body; and   a support assembly coupled to the bag body proximate to the upper opening and in operative communication with the base to deploy to support the bag in an inclined position, the support assembly including a support formed of injection-molded material.   
     
     
         17 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the support is formed of unitary construction, the support having an upper portion coupled to a pivot assembly disposed adjacent to the upper end of the bag body, an elongated intermediate portion and two wishbone-type leg portions extending from the intermediate portion, the leg portions angled rearward from the intermediate portion about the bag body. 
     
     
         18 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the support includes a truss section having a support portion angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the support. 
     
     
         19 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the support includes a truss section having a plurality of support portions angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the support. 
     
     
         20 . A golf bag as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the support includes a pair of legs, each leg formed of unitary construction of injection-molded material, each leg having an upper end coupled to a pivot proximate to the upper end of the bag body.