Golf bag incorporating adjustable shoulder strap assembly

Abstract

Golf bag and shoulder strap comprising: elongated tubular body for holding golf clubs; shoulder strap assembly comprising a pre-curved strap pad having a first end, a second end, and being configured to slidably receive a strap; the strap having a first strap end and a second strap end, each attached to the elongated tubular body; the pre-curved strap pad being positioned in a predetermined location on a wearer's front, shoulder and back when the golf bag is mounted on the wearer. Strap may be slidably received within a buckle and either (i) an interior channel that extends within the pre-curved strap pad between the first end and the second end; or (ii) slots and/or tabs that are positioned along a top exterior portion of the pre-curved strap pad that does not contact the wearer's front, shoulder and back when the golf bag is mounted on the wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf bag having a shoulder strap, comprising:
 an elongated tubular body for holding golf clubs; and   a shoulder strap assembly comprising a pre-curved strap pad, the pre-curved strap pad having a first end, a second end, and is configured to slidably receive a strap;   wherein the strap has a first strap end and a second strap end, each which is attached to the elongated tubular body;   such that the pre-curved strap pad is positioned in a predetermined location on a wearer's front, shoulder and back when the golf bag is mounted on the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is slidably received within an interior channel that extends within the pre-curved strap pad between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The golf bag of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is slidably received within slots and/or tabs that are positioned along a top exterior portion of the pre-curved strap pad that does not contact the wearer's front, shoulder and back when the golf bag is mounted on the wearer. 
     
     
         4 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap threads each of the pre-curved strap pad and a buckle assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-curved strap pad comprises a sheath and a pre-curved support member that is at least partially comprised of a silicon composition and is enclosed within the sheath. 
     
     
         6 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap pad of  claim 3 , wherein the sheath has an underside that contains surface texturing therein in a predetermined pattern that is configured to grip any surface that contacts the underside. 
     
     
         7 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein an underside of the pre-curved strap pad has a contour that at least partially matches and follows a contour of the wearer's body when the pre-curved strap pad is positioned in the predetermined location on the wearer's front, shoulder and back. 
     
     
         8 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the pre-curved strap pad is tethered to the buckle assembly and the buckle assembly is operable with respect to each of the first end of the pre-curved strap pad and a portion of the strap that threads the buckle assembly to selectively adjust and set the position of the pre-curved strap pad into the predetermined location on the wearer's front, shoulder and back when the buckle assembly is in a closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 6 , wherein the buckle assembly is in a closed position when i) a first clamping member of the buckle assembly is rotated toward and forced and secured against a first portion of the strap threading the buckle assembly from a first direction thereby forcing and securing the first portion of the strap threading the buckle assembly against the first end of the pre-curved strap pad within the buckle assembly; and ii) a second clamping member of the buckle assembly is rotated toward and forced and secured against a second portion of the strap threading the buckle assembly from a second direction, thereby forcing and securing the first portion of the strap threading the buckle assembly against a second portion of the first end of the pre-curved strap pad within the buckle assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder strap assembly comprises two pre-curved strap pads, two straps, and two buckle assemblies. 
     
     
         11 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 8 , wherein each strap threads a hub. 
     
     
         12 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 9 , wherein the hub is disposed between the second end of each pre-curved strap pad and the second strap end of each strap and slidably receives each strap in a criss-cross configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 10 , wherein the hub is positioned on the wearer's back when the golf bag is mounted on the wearer. 
     
     
         14 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is removably attached at least one end to the elongated tubular body. 
     
     
         15 . The golf bag having a shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is slidably adjustable within the pre-curved strap pad while mounted on the wearer without changing the predetermined location.