U.S. patent application number 11/557459 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for golf club head cover with trunk handle.
Invention is credited to Catherine Brookshire-Herron, Mark Noyes.
Application Number | 20080105343 11/557459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39358717 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080105343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Noyes; Mark ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
Golf Club Head Cover with Trunk Handle
Abstract
A golf club head cover (10) with a trunk handle portion (30) for
facilitating the removal of the golf club head cover (10) from a
golf club with a large volume club head is disclosed herein. The
head cover (10) preferably has a body (12) with a top section (28).
The trunk handle portion (30) is attached to an exterior surface
(58) of the top section (28). The body defines an interior chamber
(26) which can accommodate a golf club with a club head having a
volume of 460 cubic centimeters.
Inventors: |
Noyes; Mark; (Rancho Santa
Margarita, CA) ; Brookshire-Herron; Catherine;
(Escondido, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL A. CATANIA;CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
2180 RUTHERFORD ROAD
CARLSBAD
CA
92008-7328
US
|
Family ID: |
39358717 |
Appl. No.: |
11/557459 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
150/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/62 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/160 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20060101
B65D065/02 |
Claims
1. A golf club head cover comprising: a front portion having a top
section; a first side portion attached to a first side of the front
portion; a second side portion attached to a second side of the
front portion; a back portion attached to each of the first side
portion and the second side portion; a neck portion extending from
back portion, the neck portion having an opening at a bottom end of
the neck portion; and a trunk handle portion attached to the top
section of the front portion, the trunk handle portion having an
aperture for placement of a user's fingers therein for pulling the
golf club head cover off of a golf club.
2. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein each of
the front portion, the first side portion and the second side
portion is composed of a synthetic fabric material and each of the
back portion and the neck portion is composed of a natural fabric
material.
3. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein the front
portion, the first side portion, the second side portion and the
back portion define a top section of an interior chamber of the
golf club head cover, and wherein the top section of the interior
chamber can accommodate a golf club head having a volume of at
least 460 cubic centimeters.
4. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein the trunk
handle portion comprises a layered structure having an outer layer
composed of a material similar to a material of the front wall
portion, a middle layer composed of a rigid material, and an inner
layer composed of a material similar to the material of the outer
layer.
5. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein a length
of the golf club head cover extending from an upper forward edge of
the top section of the front portion to an opening edge at the
opening of the neck portion ranges from 30 centimeters to 60
centimeters.
6. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein a length
of the neck portion extending from an opening edge at the opening
of the neck portion to a lower edge of the front portion has a
length ranging from 10 centimeters to 30 centimeters.
7. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein the trunk
handle portion has a curved edge at the aperture of the trunk
handle portion and the curved edge has a length of curvature
ranging from 5 centimeters to 15 centimeters.
8. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein a lateral
distance, D.sub.1, from a line tangent to a lower edge of the front
portion to a line tangent to an upper forward edge ranges from 10
centimeters to 20 centimeters.
9. The golf club head cover according to claim 1 wherein back
portion extends from an upper end of the neck portion to an upper
forward edge of the front portion.
10. A golf club head cover comprising: a body having an upper
section, a middle section and a lower section, the body defining an
interior chamber, the interior chamber partitioned into a lower
interior chamber defined by the lower section and the middle
section and an upper chamber defined by the upper section; a trunk
handle portion attached to an exterior surface of the upper section
of the body, the trunk handle portion having an aperture for
placement of a user's fingers therein for pulling the golf club
head cover off of a golf club.
11. The golf club head cover according to claim 10 wherein the body
has an opening extending from an end of the lower section to the
upper section.
12. The golf club head cover according to claim 10 wherein the body
has an opening in an end of the lower section.
13. The golf club head cover according to claim 10 wherein the body
has an opening extending along a side portion of the body or along
a back portion of the body.
14. The golf club head cover according to claim 12 where there is
no other opening on the golf club head cover other than the opening
and the aperture of the trunk handle portion.
15. A golf club head cover comprising: a front portion having a top
section; a first side portion attached to a first side of the front
portion; a second side portion attached to a second side of the
front portion; a back portion attached to each of the first side
portion and the second side portion; a neck portion extending from
back portion; and a trunk handle portion attached to an exterior
surface of the top section of the front portion, the trunk handle
portion covering at least 50% of the exterior surface of the top
section of the front portion, the trunk handle portion having an
aperture leading to a recess defined by the trunk handle portion
and the exterior surface of the top section of the front portion,
the aperture and the recess allowing for placement of a user's
fingers therein for pulling the golf club head cover off of a golf
club; wherein the front portion, the first side portion, the second
side portion and the back portion define a top section of an
interior chamber of the golf club head cover, and wherein the top
section of the interior chamber can accommodate a golf club head
having a volume of at least 460 cubic centimeters.
16. The golf club head cover according to claim 15 wherein the top
section of the interior chamber can accommodate a golf club head
that is substantially square.
17. The golf club head cover according to claim 15 wherein the
trunk handle portion comprises a layered structure having an outer
layer composed of a material similar to a material of the front
wall portion, a middle layer composed of a rigid material, and an
inner layer composed of a material similar to the material of the
outer layer.
18. The golf club head cover according to claim 15 wherein the
trunk handle portion has a curved edge at the aperture of the trunk
handle portion and the curved edge has a length of curvature
ranging from 5 centimeters to 15 centimeters.
19. The golf club head cover according to claim 15 wherein a length
of the golf club head cover extending from an upper forward edge of
the top section of the front portion to an opening edge at the
opening of the neck portion ranges from 30 centimeters to 60
centimeters.
20. The golf club head cover according to claim 15 wherein a length
of the neck portion extending from an opening edge at the opening
of the neck portion to a lower edge of the front portion has a
length ranging from 10 centimeters to 30 centimeters.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to golf club head covers. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club head
covers for drivers and fairway woods.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Today's drivers have golf club heads having a volume of
approximately 460 cubic centimeters. Further, many of today's
drivers have uncommon shapes. These two factors create a problem
for many golfers when it comes to removing a head cover from a
driver. Just grasping the surface of the head cover isn't
sufficient for some golfers to remove the head cover from the golf
club. This can often lead to an added distraction from the golfer's
game.
[0007] Some head covers have tabs or extensions of cloth on the top
of the head cover to provide a grasping means for removing the head
cover. However, these solutions result in a force exerted on a
single small region of the head cover, often resulting in the
tearing of the head cover, or accidental removal of the tab or
extension. Thus, golfers need another solution for facilitating the
removal of a head cover from a golf club with a large volume club
head.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a solution to the prior art
problems associated with golf clubs having large volume club heads.
The present invention provides a head cover with a trunk handle
portion for facilitating the removal of the head cover from a golf
club with a large volume club head. Further, the trunk handle
portion allows for the removal force to be exerted over a wider
area thereby reducing or even eliminating the tearing associated
with prior art head covers.
[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a golf club head
cover including a front portion having a top section, a first side
portion attached to a first side of the front portion, a second
side portion attached to a second side of the front portion, a back
portion attached to each of the first side portion and the second
side portion, a neck portion extending from back portion, and a
trunk handle portion. The neck portion has an opening at a bottom
end of the neck portion. The trunk handle portion is attached to
the top section of the front portion. The trunk handle portion has
an aperture for placement of a user's fingers therein for pulling
the golf club head cover off of a golf club.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head
cover comprising a body having an upper section, a middle section
and a lower section with an opening. The body defines an interior
chamber. The interior chamber is partitioned into a lower interior
chamber defined by the lower section and the middle section, and an
upper chamber defined by the upper section. The head cover has a
trunk handle portion attached to an exterior surface of the upper
section of the body. The trunk handle portion has an aperture for
placement of a user's fingers therein for pulling the golf club
head cover off of a golf club.
[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf club
head cover a front portion having a top section, a first side
portion attached to a first side of the front portion, a second
side portion attached to a second side of the front portion, a back
portion attached to each of the first side portion and the second
side portion, a neck portion extending from back portion, and a
trunk handle portion. The neck portion has an opening at a bottom
end of the neck portion. The trunk handle portion is attached to an
exterior surface of the top section of the front portion. The trunk
handle portion covers at least 50% of the exterior surface of the
top section of the front portion. The trunk handle portion has an
aperture leading to a recess defined by the trunk handle portion
and the exterior surface of the top section of the front portion.
The aperture and the recess allowing for placement of a user's
fingers therein for pulling the golf club head cover off of a golf
club. The front portion, the first side portion, the second side
portion and the back portion define a top section of an interior
chamber of the golf club head cover. The top section of the
interior chamber can accommodate a golf club head having a volume
of at least 460 cubic centimeters.
[0012] Having briefly described the present invention, the above
and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be
recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head cover of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 1
with a hand of a golfer using the trunk handle portion of the golf
club head cover of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf club head cover of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a back view of the golf club head cover of FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head cover
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the body of the trunk
handle portion of the golf club head cover of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of a golf club head
cover.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of a golf club head
cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a golf club head cover is generally
designated 10. The head cover 10 has a body 12 which generally
includes a front portion 14, a first side portion 16, a second side
portion 18, a back portion 20 and a neck portion 22. The body 12
defines an interior chamber 26 for placement of a portion of a golf
club therein. The interior chamber 26 is accessed through an
opening 24 at a lower end of the neck portion 22. The front portion
14 has a top section 28 with an exterior surface 58.
[0022] The head cover 10 preferably has a length, L.sub.H, as shown
in FIG. 3, ranging from 30 centimeters to 60 centimeters, and more
preferably from 35 centimeters to 45 centimeters, and most
preferably 40 centimeters. The length, L.sub.H, is measured from a
upper forward edge 56 of the top section 28 of the front portion 14
to an opening edge 54 at the opening 24 of the neck portion 22. The
neck portion 22 preferably has a length, L.sub.N, that preferably
ranges from 10 centimeters to 30 centimeters, and is most
preferably 20 centimeters. The length, L.sub.N, is measured from a
lower edge 60 of the front portion 14 to the opening edge 54 of the
neck portion 22 at the opening 24. A lateral distance, D.sub.1,
from the lower edge 60 to the upper forward edge 56 preferably
ranges from 10 centimeters to 20 centimeters, and is most
preferably 14 centimeters.
[0023] The materials utilized for the body 12 of the head cover 10
include natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, metals, plastics,
paperboard, and the like. Such materials can include leather,
suede, nylon, cotton, wool, neoprene, latex, and the like. The neck
portion 22 and the back portion 20 are both preferably composed of
a natural fabric such as cotton or wool. The front portion 14, the
first side portion 16 and the second side portion 18 are preferably
composed of a rigid material such as leather or a rigid nylon
material.
[0024] The head cover 10 is preferably designed for a driver, and
most preferably for a driver having a golf club head with volume
greater than 420 cubic centimeters, more preferably ranging from
450 cubic centimeters to 475 cubic centimeters, and most preferably
approximately 460 cubic centimeters. In order to facilitate the
removal of the head cover 10 from such a large golf club head, the
head cover 10 has a trunk cover portion 30 to assist a golfer. The
trunk cover portion 30 allows a golfer to place their fingers into
a recess 38 of the trunk cover portion 30 through an aperture 36
and grasp the trunk handle portion 30 during the removal process.
The head cover 10 alternatively is utilized with a fairway wood or
golf club with a lesser volume golf club head.
[0025] The trunk handle portion 30 is attached to an exterior
surface 58 of a top section 28 of the front portion 14. The trunk
handle portion 30 has a curved edge 34 at the aperture 36 to the
recess 38, and the curved edge 34 preferably has a length of
curvature from point 34a to point 34b ranging from 5 centimeters to
15 centimeters, and most preferably 12 centimeters.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, a body 32 of the trunk handle portion 30
is preferably a layered structure having an outer layer 32a, a
middle layer 32b and an inner layer 32c. Each of the outer layer
32a, the middle layer 32b and the inner layer 32c preferably has a
thickness that ranges from 0.5 millimeters to 5 millimeters. The
middle layer 32b is preferably composed of a rigid material such as
a dense foam material or a paperboard material. Each of the outer
layer 32a and the inner layer 32c is preferably composed of a
synthetic fabric material, and preferably the same material as used
for the front portion 14.
[0027] Preferably the trunk handle portion 30 is sewn onto the top
section 28 of the front portion 14. The recess 38 is preferably
defined by the exterior surface 58 of the top section 28 and the
body 32 of the trunk handle portion 30. The recess preferably can
accommodate all of a golfer's fingers, however, those skilled in
the pertinent art will recognize that the recess can be of varying
size in volume as long as the recess 38 allows the trunk handle
portion 30 achieve its purpose.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the body 12 is alternatively partitioned
into an upper section 70, a middle section 72 and a lower section
74. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper section 70 defines a top section
50 of an interior chamber 26 for placement of a golf club head
therein. The middle section 72 and lower section 74 define a lower
section 52 of the interior chamber 26 for placement of a shaft
therein.
[0029] An alternative embodiment of a golf club head cover 10 is
shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the head cover 10 has an
opening 24' that extends along the second side portion 18.
[0030] Another alternative embodiment of a golf club head cover is
shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the head cover 10 has an
opening 24'' that extends along the back portion 20.
[0031] The golf club head cover 10 of the present invention is
preferably designed for a driver-type golf club with a
substantially square golf club head such as disclosed in U.S.
Patent Publication No. 2006/0148587 for a Golf Club Head, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0032] From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the
pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this
invention and will readily understand that while the present
invention has been described in association with a preferred
embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and
substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be
unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following
appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in
which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in
the following appended claims.
* * * * *