Golf bag having adjustable characteristics

Abstract

A golf bag having one or more adjustable features is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf bag comprises a handle rotatable around an axis perpendicular to a vertical axis extending through the body of the golf bag, and may be fixed in place via a locking mechanism so that the handle maintains a desired angle with respect to the vertical axis. The handle of the present invention preferably is rotatably affixed to a collar or upper portion of the golf bag. The golf bag also comprises an external pocket that is removably affixed to an exterior surface of the golf bag with hook and loop fasteners and other attachment mechanisms.

We claim as our invention: 
     
         1 . A golf bag comprising:
 a top collar comprising at least one divider;   a handle rotatably affixed to the top collar;   a bag body;   abuse; and   an external pocket,   wherein the external pocket comprises a plurality of attachment features that removably affix the external pocket to an exterior surface of the bag body.   
     
     
         2 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises first and second rotation points, wherein the handle comprises first and second rotation elements, wherein the first rotation element is rotatably affixed to the first rotation point, wherein the second rotation element is rotatably affixed to the second rotation point, wherein the first rotation point is located on a first side of the collar, wherein the second rotation point is located on a second side of the collar opposite the first side of the collar, and wherein the handle is rotatable around an axis that intersects the first and second rotation points. 
     
     
         3 . The golf bag of  claim 2 , further comprising a locking mechanism disposed between the handle and the collar, wherein the locking mechanism temporarily fixes the handle to the collar. 
     
     
         4 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the handle and a vertical axis intersecting the collar is adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of attachment features is a first plurality of hook and loop fasteners, wherein the exterior surface of the bag body comprises a second plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and wherein the second plurality of hook and loop fasteners is disposed on the external surface of the bag body to mate with the first plurality of hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         6 . The golf bag of  claim 5 , further comprising a zipper assembly, wherein the zipper assembly removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body. 
     
     
         7 . The golf bag of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of clip assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of dip assemblies removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body. 
     
     
         8 . The golf bag of  claim 5 , further comprising a rod and channel assembly, wherein the rod and channel assembly removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body. 
     
     
         9 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises a plurality of dividers, and wherein the external pocket extends from the collar to the base. 
     
     
         10 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag body is selected from the group consisting of a stand bag body, a carry bag body, and a cart bag body. 
     
     
         11 . A golf bag collar comprising:
 a ring comprising a plurality of internal dividers and an external wall;   a handle rotatably affixed at two points to the external wall; and   at least one locking mechanism that releasably fixes the handle to the ring,   wherein the ring is composed of a lightweight material selected from the group consisting of plastic, composite, and a metal alloy, and   wherein the handle comprises a lightweight material selected from the group consisting of rubber, plastic, and composite.   
     
     
         12 . The golf bag collar of  claim 11 , wherein the handle comprises first and second rotation elements, 
     
     
         13 . The golf bag collar of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second rotation elements comprises a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The golf bag collar of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin sized to mate with a recess disposed on the ring. 
     
     
         15 . The golf bag collar of  claim 11 , wherein the handle is rotatable around a first axis, and wherein the first axis is perpendicular to a second, vertical axis that bisects the ring. 
     
     
         16 . A golf bag comprising:
 a collar;   a bag body comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, an external surface, and a longitudinal axis;   a base; and   a first removable pocket comprising a first plurality of hook and loop fasteners,   wherein the external surface comprises a second plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and   wherein the second plurality of hook and loop fasteners is aligned on the external surface to mate with the first plurality of hook and loop fasteners.   
     
     
         17 . The golf bag of  claim 16 , wherein the bag body further comprises a channel extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first removable pocket further comprises a flexible rod, and wherein the rod is removably received within the channel to affix the first removable pocket to the bag body. 
     
     
         18 . The golf bag of  claim 17 , wherein the first removable pocket is removably affixed to the first side portion. 
     
     
         19 . The golf bag of  claim 18 , further comprising a second removable pocket, wherein the second removable pocket is removably affixed to the second side portion. 
     
     
         20 . The golf bag of  claim 17 , wherein the channel and the flexible rod are hidden from view when the removable pocket is affixed to the bag body.