Golf bag cover-cooler combination

Abstract

The present invention comprises a cover-cooler combination for a golf bag which allows for maintaining perishable items such as beverage or food or both at temperatures above or below room temperature for a sufficient period of time to ensure enjoyment of the item held in the cover-cooler device while also continuing to provide traditional protection for the golf clubs in a golf bag. The cover-cooler combination may also include added features such as wireless device holders, pocket-like holders for keys, writing utensils, golf accessories including additional golf balls and tees, etc. to enhance a golfer's golfing experience by adding convenience.

1 . A removable universal golf bag cover-cooler combination for a golf bag comprising; a semi-rigid cover-cooler member that is positionable in an attached condition about a neck of said golf bag so that access to golf clubs and any compartments and accessories defined as part of said golf bag are not hindered and wherein said semi-rigid cover member is removably attached about an area of said neck of said golf bag and is extendable above said neck of said golf bag to an extended position to define a sufficient space to enclose and protect said golf clubs contained in said golf bag; an opening of said golf bag cover-cooler combination for accessing said golf clubs in said golf bag when in said extended position, whereby an attachment area is provided for said attached condition about said neck of said golf bag and said attached condition allows for attaching and detaching said golf bag cover-cooler combination to said neck; and wherein said semi-rigid cover-cooler member itself comprises a compartment that has an opening and is defined by edge boundaries of said semi-rigid cover wherein said opening may be optionally fully, partially, or not closed at any point in time, and wherein said semi-rigid cover member also optionally comprises a shell wall structure attached to an insulated layer portion and an inner liquid resistant layer portion, wherein said insulated layer and inner liquid resistant portions of said shell wall structure co-operate to also define said compartment, and wherein said compartment is thereby insulated and liquid resistant and is suitable as said cover-cooler combination for any golf bag or golf cart. 
     
     
         2 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said semi-rigid cover-cooler member comprises at least two surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 3 , wherein a first surface of said two surfaces includes two extending inner edge portions that may extend in an L-shape-like configuration up and over said golf bag, said opening being attached to said inner edge portions for opening of said semi-rigid cover-cooler member, and said second surface may be U-shaped-like and extends above said golf bag to join with said first surface thereby defining a sufficient space above said golf bag to enclose and protect said golf clubs contained in said golf bag and provide said compartment which is insulated and is suitable as said cover-cooler combination for said golf bag. 
     
     
         4 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 3 , wherein said cover-cooler combination is positionable in an attached, non-collapsed or collapsed condition about a neck of a golf bag in a convenient, out-of-the-way disposition so that access to golf clubs in and pockets on said golf bag are not hindered, comprising an opening of said cover-cooler member for accessing said golf clubs in said golf bag when in said extended position above said golf bag, wherein said cover-cooler member includes at least one predetermined fold-line for predetermined and controlled folding of said cover-cooler member from its extended position to a collapsed position about said attachment area of said neck of said golf bag when said opening is open; and an attachment arrangement attached to said cover-cooler member for securing said cover-cooler member in said non-collapsed or collapsed position about said neck of said golf bag so that said cover-cooler member does not obstruct access to golf clubs in or pockets on said golf bag, providing a securing member extending either across or around said opening of said cover-cooler member defined by said opening when said opening is open, wherein said opening may be closed by use of tie-strings, elastic bands, or a flap-like assembly providing enclosure for said compartment, wherein said compartment is insulated and provides said cover-cooler combination for said golf bag. 
     
     
         5 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 4 , wherein said cover-cooler combination comprises said at least two surfaces and said at least one predetermined fold-line comprises multiple fold-lines. 
     
     
         6 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 5 , wherein said attachment arrangement extends across or around said opening when said opening is open or closed and wherein said attachment arrangement includes either a strap or handle or any convenient combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said attachment arrangement comprises fastening components composed of Velcro RTM® or Velcro RTM®-like material. 
     
     
         8 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said attachment arrangement comprises two or more Velcro RTM® strips with one or more functions known as a tandem function, wherein one function is to ensure proper attachment of said attachment arrangement to said golfbag or to a golfcart, and another function is to provide for proper closure of said cover-cooler combination opening. 
     
     
         9 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 8 , wherein said Velcro RTM® strips may be used as a tandem function in that said strips include hook and loop features on opposing surfaces wherein said strips have adhesive backing and wherein said adhesive backing may be peelable such that said adhesive backing may be placed in coordination with an exterior surface rim of said golfbag and an interior surface of said cover-cooler combination such that mating of said hook and loop features of said strips occurs to provide functions including either attaching said golfbag or golfcart to said cover-cooler combination or to provide for proper closure of said cover-cooler combination or provide both functions. 
     
     
         10 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said attachment arrangement comprises straps having complementary detachable fastening components. 
     
     
         11 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said attachment arrangement includes at least two straps. 
     
     
         12 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination of  claim 1 , wherein said cover-cooler combination includes a see-through pocket mounted externally and defined as part of said golf bag cover-cooler combination. 
     
     
         13 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination of  claim 12 , wherein said cover-cooler combination comprises a transparent pocket mounted to one of said side portions of said cover-cooler combination. 
     
     
         14 . A golf bag cover-cooler combination wherein said cover-cooler comprises: a flexible, semi-rigid shell wall structure having a flexible insulated layer, a bottom portion, a top portion, and a sidewall structure, wherein said sidewall structure has a leading portion, a trailing portion and left and right side portions, said leading, trailing and left and right side portions of said sidewall structure extending between said top and bottom portions, wherein said portions of said semi-rigid shell wall structure co-operate to define therewithin an insulated compartment, said sidewall structure leading, trailing and left and right side portions having upper edge boundaries, said upper edge boundaries co-operating to define an opening of said insulated compartment, wherein said top portion is a lid or flap, said lid or flap being moveable to an open position to expose said opening of said insulated compartment, said sidewall structure also having a rim extending about said opening; a liner mounted to said rim, said liner being positionable within said compartment and moveable to an inverted position to facilitate washing thereof and which is also thermally insulated and liquid resistant; a lifting member attached to said leading portion of said flexible soft shell wall structure, wherein said lifting member is a strap or handle or at least one slit or any convenient combination thereof; said sidewall structure having a height, a depth, and a breadth, said height being greater than either of said depth and said breadth; a secondary wall structure mounted to said trailing portion of said semi-rigid shell wall structure to define an auxiliary compartment, said secondary wall structure having an auxiliary compartment closure member operable to give access to said auxiliary compartment. 
     
     
         15 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination of  claim 14 , wherein said liner is impermeable and is attached continuously around said rim. 
     
     
         16 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination of  claim 14 , wherein said insulated compartment has a thermal transfer medium holder mounted therein, and wherein said holder is optionally vented. 
     
     
         17 . A method for using an openable and collapsible golf bag cover-cooler combination comprising the steps of: attaching a semi-rigid cover-cooler member to an area of a neck of a golf bag; opening said cover-cooler member when in an extended position above said golf bag enclosing and protecting golf clubs contained in said golf bag; optionally folding said cover-cooler member down about an attachment area of said neck of said golf bag about at least one predetermined fold-line in said cover-cooler member; optionally detaching an optionally collapsed said cover-cooler member from said neck of said golf bag with an optional holding device such as straps or Velcro RTM® or Velcro RTM®-like attached to said cover-cooler member so that said cover-cooler member does not obstruct access to golf clubs in or pockets on said golf bag; opening or closing an opened section of said cover-cooler member to insert or remove objects that require thermal insulation over a period of time; and inserting or removing said objects when desired. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of detaching said collapsed cover-cooler member includes extending said optional holding device across or around an opening formed when said cooler-cover member is opened and fastening in detachable engagement complimentary fastening components that are attached to ends of said holding device wherein said holding device comprise straps or handles or at least one slit or any convenient combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A system for using a removable golf bag cover-cooler combination for a golf bag according to  claim 17 , wherein said cover-cooler combination comprises; a semi-rigid cover-cooler member that is positionable in an attached condition about a neck of said golf bag so that access to golf clubs and any compartments and accessories defined as part of said golf bag are not hindered and wherein said semi-rigid cover member is removably attached about an area of said neck of said golf bag and is extendable above said neck of said golf bag to an extended position to define a sufficient space to enclose and protect said golf clubs contained in said golf bag; an opening of said golf bag cover-cooler combination for accessing said golf clubs in said golf bag when in said extended position, whereby an attachment area is provided for said attached condition about said neck of said golf bag and said attached condition allows for attaching and detaching said golf bag cover-cooler combination to said neck; and wherein said semi-rigid cover-cooler member itself comprises an opening to a compartment within and defined by an edge boundaries of said semi-rigid cover wherein said opening may be optionally fully, partially, or not, closed at any point in time, and wherein said semi-rigid cover member also comprises a shell wall structure attached to an insulated layer portion and an optional inner liquid resistant layer portion, wherein said insulated layer and inner liquid resistant portions of said shell wall structure co-operate to also define said compartment, and wherein said compartment is thereby optionally insulated and liquid resistant and is suitable as said cover-cooler combination for said golf bag, and using an openable and collapsible golf bag cover-cooler combination comprising the steps of: attaching a semi-rigid cover-cooler member to an area of a neck of a golf bag; opening said cover-cooler member when in an extended position above said golf bag enclosing and protecting golf clubs contained in said golf bag; allowing for folding said cover-cooler member down about an attachment area of said neck of said golf bag about at least one predetermined fold-line in said cover-cooler member; and allowing for detaching an optionally collapsed said cover-cooler member from said neck of said golf bag with an optional holding member such as straps or Velcro RTM® or Velcro RTM®-like strips for attachment of said cover-cooler member so that said cover-cooler member does not obstruct access to golf clubs in or pockets on said golf bag; opening or closing an opened section of said cover-cooler member to insert or remove objects that require thermal insulation over a period of time; and inserting or removing said objects when desired. 
     
     
         20 . The golf bag cover-cooler combination of  claim 19 , wherein said cover-cooler combination is specifically suitable for customized golf bags or golf carts and has been designed specifically for said customized golf bags or golf carts.