From US 2 820 498, a shoulder strap for a golf bag is known, which is fastened at both its ends at the upper edge and in the lower zone of the golf bag in a longitudinally adjustable way, wherein the upper portion of the strap is formed in two layers by sewing and approximately in the central zone of the shoulder strap a strand branches off, which is fastened on the bag between the lower and upper fastening positions. In this way, two separate arc-shaped strap portions result which can be pulled over both shoulders, so that the golf bag can be carried essentially transverse on the back in the manner of a rucksack.

The invention is based on the object of designing a shoulder strap, especially for a golf bag, such that the shoulder strap can be used in different ways.

This is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim I. Because the shoulder strap is fed from the lower articulated position to the upper one and then back to a central articulated position which is positioned between the upper and lower articulated positions, there results a continuously long strap portion, by means of which the bag can be comfortably carried over one shoulder, while the second strap portion can be crossed with the longer strap portion between the upper and central articulated positions, such that two strap portions result which can be pulled over both shoulders so that the bag can also be carried transverse on the back in the manner of a rucksack.

Brief description of the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a shoulder strap on a golf bag in the one position for use, Fig. 2 shows a view of the shoulder strap in the other position for use, and Fig. 3 shows the shoulder strap in detail in the position for use according to Fig. 1.

In the Figures, 1 designates a long golf bag, provided at the lower end with an added pocket 2 and in the upper zone with a handle 3. A shoulder strap 4 is fed starting from a fastening or articulated position 5 in the lower zone of bag I to an articulated position 6 near the upper edge of the bag, and from this articulated position 6 back to an articulated position 7 positioned approximately in the central zone between the two articulated positions 5 and 6 on the bag 1, as shown in Fig. 1. Hereby, there results a long strap portion 8 between lower articulated position 5 and upper articulated position 6, as well as a second strap portion 9 between upper articulated position 6 and central articulated position 7.

Fig. 1 shows the two strap portions 8 and 9 in the one position for use, in which the two strap portions 8 and 9 are arranged in relation to one another such that an intersection 10 is formed.

In this position, one arm can be pushed through zone 11 and the other arm through zone 12 of the strap arrangement and the strap can be pulled over the shoulders, so that the bag 1 can be carried in the manner of a rucksack, wherein the bag 1 lies essentially transverse on the back of the carrier. The intersection 10 between the two strap portions 8 and 9 is loose, so that the two strap portions can adapt themselves to the shape of the body.

Fig. 2 shows the shoulder strap 4 in the other position for use, in which the longer portion 8 can be laid over one shoulder between lower and upper articulated positions 5 and 6, and in this way the bag 1 can be carried comfortably by means of the strap portion 8, wherein the bag 1 hangs diagonally on one side of the body. The second strap portion 9 can hereby hang down loose on the bag 1, as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 shows the shoulder strap in the position for use according to Fig. 1 in more detail. The shoulder strap 4 formed from a continuous strap. is fed at the upper articulated position 6 through a clamp member in the form of a buckle 13, which fixedly holds the two strands of the strap together, so that the length of the two strap portions 8 and 9 remains unchanged.

The buckle 13, however, permits an adjustment in length of the two strap portions 8 and 9 by pushing the one strand of strap through the buckle 13, while the other strand of strap is pulled out of the buckle. Such a buckle can be formed in an essentially known way by an approximately rectangular joining member having a central stay, wherein both strands of strap are fed through both openings in the buckle.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, on the upper articulated position 6 a rectangular joining member 14 is pivotably fixed to the bag 1 by means of a bracket 14', wherein the strap is fed through this joining member 14, and a loop is formed through the buckle 13. In the embodiment shown, the central articulated position 7 is formed in the same way wherein, however, the joining member 14 fixed on the bag by means of the bracket 14'has its pivotal axis directed in the longitudinal direction of the bag 1, while at the upper articulated position 6, the pivotal axis lies transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bag.

At the lower articulated position 5 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, there is mounted merely a bracket 17, in which a laterally open joining member 18 is insertable, but which is inserted, in the embodiment according to Fig. 3, in a bracket 19 which forms an articulated position 16 at the lower end of the bag 1. The laterally open joining member 18 is held at the end of the strap portion 8 by a loop formed through the buckle 13.

By inserting the strap portion 8 in the lowest articulated position 16, better weight counterbalance is achieved when the bag 1 is carried transverse across the back in the manner of a rucksack. For example, in the pocket 2 a water bottle can be stowed, which has a considerable weight when full. In this case, the strap portion 8 is inserted in the lowest articulated position 16 so that a better balance of the golf bag results when it is carried on the back. If the water bottle is empty or if there is no weight in the pocket 2, then the strap portion 8 can be re-inserted in articulated position 5 wherein, due to the golf clubs usually present in the bag 1, a good balance results during carrying in the position for use according to Fig. 1.

Instead of the loop formed through a buckle and having a joining member, the individual articulated positions can also be formed as stopping members wherein, through insertion, a stop-catch on the strap catches in corresponding stop-type receiving means on the bag 1.

Such releasable fastening members are essentially known and need not be explained in detail here.

The central articulated position 7, which can also be mounted on the handle 3, can be designed without any possibility for adjustment. However, it is convenient also to design this articulated position 7 so that the strap length can be adjusted, for example, at the buckle 13.

In the same way, it is convenient to design the lower end of the strap as adjustable at the articulated position 5 or 16. It is convenient to adjust the length of the two strap portions 8 and 9 by pulling the strap 4 in the one or the other direction through the buckle 13 forming a clamp member at upper articulated position 6, for shortening the length of the strap portion 8 and for lengthening the length of the strap portion 9 and vice versa. Hereby, the shoulder strap 4 in the carrying position according to Fig. 1 can be adjusted in a simple way to the shoulder width and the height of a person, wherein an adjustment in the length of the longer strap portion 8 is not necessary when the shoulder strap is laid over one shoulder in the position for use according to Fig. 2.

At both strap portions 8 and 9, on both sides of the intersection 10 in Fig. 3, essentially known shoulder cushions 17 are provided, which are displaceable by means of loops 17'on the shoulder strap and preferably fastenable in their position by means of a velcro strip.

Because the outer articulated positions 5 or 16 and 6 of the shoulder strap 4 have an articulated axis lying transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bag 1, while the central articulated position 7 is directed in the longitudinal direction of the bag 1, the strap portion 8 in the position for use according to Fig. 2 lies comfortably across the shoulder ; while in the position for use according to Fig. I the strap portion 9 is directed by the central articulated position such that the strap lies flat on the back, wherein the longer strap portion 8, thanks to its length, can be distorted such that it also ties flat on the back.

Preferably the central articulated position 7 lies somewhat outside the connecting line between the upper and lower articulated positions 6 and 5, so that when carrying the bag in the manner of a rucksack, it lies comfortably on the back.

In the position for use according to Fig. 2, the strap portion 9 hanging loose on the bag can be fastened on the bag by a bracket having a press button or a corresponding fastening means, for example a velcro strip, when it is not required.

If stopping members are provided for connecting the shoulder strap to the bag, then these can be designed having an articulated axis, which can also permit a limited turning range, on the bag 1, so that the shoulder strap can direct itself more easily towards the carrier's back.

Preferably, the lower articulated position 5 or 16 is provided additionally with such a hinge, so that the articulated position at the lower fastening position 5 or 16 can direct itself in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bag. Such an additional hinge can also be provided at the upper articulated position 6. Hereby the carrying comfort in the position for use according to Figs. 1 and 3 is increased in that the width of the shoulder strap directs itself more easily to the surface of the back.

The shoulder strap having the two strap portions 8 and 9 can also be formed by two separate strap portions 8 and 9, which are both fastened at the upper articulated position 6. However, the shoulder strap is preferably made from one continuous strand of strap, wherein a loop is formed at the articulated position 6, as shown.