U.S. patent application number 14/599702 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for golf club head cover device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jerry Alvin Corcoran. Invention is credited to Jerry Alvin Corcoran.
Application Number | 20160206934 14/599702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56407054 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160206934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corcoran; Jerry Alvin |
July 21, 2016 |
Golf Club Head Cover Device
Abstract
A user-friendly golf club head cover system adapted for full
operation while never leaving its spot in the golf bag. It allows
access to the club via a simple downward physical movement of the
incorporated tube. The club head cover portion remains open until
the golf club is reinserted into the system. The club head cover
has a partially connected top panel that is closed via a simple
upward physical movement of the incorporated tube. An internal
spring panel may assist the opening and closing of the top panel. A
magnetic closure keeps the club head cover portion closed. The
opening and closing may be facilitate by manual manipulation of the
top panel alone.
Inventors: |
Corcoran; Jerry Alvin;
(Canby, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Corcoran; Jerry Alvin |
Canby |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56407054 |
Appl. No.: |
14/599702 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/64 20151001;
A63B 2209/14 20130101; A63B 60/62 20151001; A63B 2209/08 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 55/00 20060101
A63B055/00 |
Claims
1. A golf club head cover device comprising: a golf club head cover
forming a sleeve body, sized for the enclosure of a golf club head
therein; and a rigid linear member having a proximate end and a
distil end, said proximate end affixed to said golf club head cover
and said distal end adapted for retention in a golf bag; and
wherein said golf club cover comprised of at least two partially
separable elements, a unitary piece constructed top panel and a
curved body, said unitary piece top panel fabricated from a
material that possesses a residual bias seeking to maintain said
unitary piece top panel in a planar, vertical orientation; and
wherein said golf club head cover device opens as said rigid linear
member urges said top panel into a position wherein said residual
bias will raise said top cover to reveal said golf club head while
said linear member remains in a golf bag.
2. A golf club head cover device comprising: a golf club head
cover; a spring panel; and a rigid linear member for opening and
closing of said golf club head cover; wherein said linear member
has a proximate end and a distil end, said proximate end
permanently affixed to said golf club head cover, and said distal
end adapted for insertion and retention within a golf bag; and
wherein said golf club head cover is a sleeve body, sized for the
enclosure of a golf club head therein, said golf club cover
comprised of at least two partially separable elements, a top panel
and a curved body, said top panel having said spring panel disposed
beneath an outer face of said top panel so as to reside entirely
within said golf club head cover, said spring panel when urged
upward, by a downward motion of said linear member, will straighten
and maintain said top panel in a vertical open position and when a
leading edge of said spring panel is urged forward, by an upward
motion of said linear member, will curl said top panel toward the
curved body for the maintenance of said top panel in a vertical
closed orientation.
3. The golf club head cover device of claim 2 further comprising:
an upper, first portion of a closure; and a lower, second portion
of a closure; wherein said first portion of said closure is affixed
to said top panel and said lower, second portion of said closure is
affixed to said curved body of said club head cover.
4. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said closure
is a magnetic closure.
5. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said closure
is a hook and loop fastener.
6. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said linear
member is a cylindrical tube.
7. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said distil
end of said golf club tube is cut at an acute angle.
8. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said club
head cover has an open position and a closed position, wherein said
top panel resides in a vertical orientation when said club head
cover is in said open position, and wherein said top panel resides
in a horizontal orientation when in a closed position.
9. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said curved
body is comprised of a right side panel, a left side panel, a
central panel and a bottom panel; wherein said central panel
resides adjacent to said right side panel and adjacent said left
side panel, and wherein said bottom panel resides adjacent to said
right side panel, said left side panel, and said central panel.
10. (canceled)
11. The golf club head cover device of claim 4 wherein said first
portion of said magnetic closure is a magnetic lip affixed about an
open periphery of said top panel and said second portion of said
magnetic closure is a magnetic lip affixed about an open periphery
of said curved body.
12. The golf club head cover device of claim 5 wherein said first
portion of said hook and loop closure is a connectable lip affixed
about an open periphery of said top panel and said second portion
of said hook and loop closure is a matingly engageable lip with
said connectable lip and is affixed about an open periphery of said
curved body.
13. The golf club head cover device of claim 2 further comprising:
a mechanical fastener; wherein said mechanical fastener affixes
said golf club head cover to said linear member.
14. The golf club head cover device of claim 13 wherein said spring
panel has a top end and a bottom end, said top end residing
adjacent a leading edge of said first portion of said closure and
said bottom end affixed by said mechanical fastener to said linear
member.
15. The golf club head cover device of claim 1 wherein said linear
member is the operational handle that initiates the opening and
closing said golf head club cover device.
16. The golf head club cover device of claim 15 wherein a downward
motion of said linear member while said distal end remains in said
golf bag, opens said golf head club cover, and wherein an upward
motion of said linear member while said distal end remains in said
golf bag, assists in closing said golf head club cover.
17. A golf club head cover device comprising: a golf club head
cover forming a sleeve body, sized for housing a golf club head
therein made of at least two partially separable elements, a top
panel and a curved body; a two part magnetic closure having a first
portion affixed about an open periphery of said top panel and
having a second portion of said magnetic closure affixed about an
open periphery of said curved body, and; a rigid operational handle
having a proximate end and a distil end, said proximate end affixed
to said golf club head cover and said distal end adapted for
operational retention in a golf bag; and wherein said rigid
operational handle is a rigid linear member that when urged in a
downward direction abuts a golf club head within said golf club
head cover, with the top panel of said golf club head cover so as
to break any contact between the two parts of the magnetic closure
thereby opening the golf club head cover, and wherein when the
rigid linear member is urged in an upward direction so as to
initiate the downward travel of said top panel until it contacts
the curved body allowing the two parts of the magnetic closure to
unite and close said golf club head cover while said golf club head
cover remains in a golf bag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an extremely compact system
for a golf club's quick, unhampered removal from, and insertion
into, it's club head cover. More particularly, to a user friendly
golf club head cover device adapted for full operation while never
leaving its spot in the golf bag.
[0002] Americans have a love for the game of golf, and for this
reason the sport is growing in popularity. As it does, there are
more players on the course and playing time becomes more critical.
Many courses do not allow golfers to walk anymore and have mandated
the use of golf carts. Simply stated, golfers are sensitive
regarding their wait time to tee off each hole. Additionally, golf
clubs are expensive and somewhat sensitive to prolonged contact
with the elements. As such, golfers cloak the heads of their golf
clubs with removable, protective covers. Installing and removing
these covers is time consuming. Typical designs involve zippers,
hook and loop fasteners, stretchable fabric and the like. Once
removed, these club head covers must be placed somewhere until it
is reinstalled. Commonly, they end up on the ground, causing their
aesthetic deterioration.
[0003] Henceforth, an inexpensive, quick, golf club head cover
system which could remain in the golf bag and require a minimal
amount of physical manipulation to open, and close would fulfill a
long felt need in the golfing industry. It would decrease the time
needed at each tee to extract and replace the golf club. This new
invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a
unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned
problems and accomplish this.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an
inexpensive, compact golf club head cover device that does not have
to leave the golf bag, and requires simple physical movements to
both remove it and install it on the club head.
[0005] It has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many
novel features that result in a new golf club head cover device
which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even
implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination
thereof.
[0006] In accordance with the invention, an object of the present
invention is to provide an improved golf club head cover device
that upon removal of a club, readies its physical configuration for
a quick reinsertion of the same club.
[0007] It is another object of this invention to provide an
improved golf club head cover device capable of auto closing itself
about the golf club head after reinsertion of the club.
[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide an
improved golf club head cover device that requires a minimal amount
of physical manipulation to open.
[0009] It is still a further object of this invention to provide
for an improved golf club head cover device that may be maintained
at all times on the golf bag.
[0010] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form
the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective front side view showing the general
arrangement of all components of the golf club head cover device in
its closed position on a club that resides in the golf bag;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective front side view showing a lowered
golf club head cover device in its open position on a club that
resides in the golf bag;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the golf club head cover device;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf club head cover
device;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of the golf club head cover
device;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the golf club head cover
device;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the golf club head cover
device:
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective front view of a closed golf club
head cover device;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of an open golf club head
cover device;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a front view of the golf club cover device with
an alternate embodiment linear member;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a back view of an alternate embodiment golf club
cover device with the spring panel shown in phantom; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a top view of an alternate embodiment golf club
cover device with the spring panel shown in phantom;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of
this specification. However, both the organization and method of
operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description
taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like
reference characters refer to like elements.
[0025] The above description will enable any person skilled in the
art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best
modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous
variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily
apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general
principles of the present invention have been disclosed.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates the golf club head cover device 2 in
place over a golf club head that resides in the interior 6 of a
golf bag 4. The golf bag 4 may have a single cavity interior design
or may have a divided interior design. Golf bags 4 commonly have
divided interiors that function to keep the the shafts of the golf
clubs, parallel and organized within the golf bag 4. As can be
seen, when installed on a golf club head, the device 2 sits high
out of the bag 4 but not enough to expose the bottom of linear
member 10.
[0027] Looking at FIGS. 3-8 the parts of the golf club head cover
device 2 can best be seen. The golf club head cover device 2
consists of a flexible fabric club head cover 8 permanently affixed
at its bottom to the proximate end of a linear member 10 that
extends partially into the interior of the golf bag 4 (divided or
otherwise.) This linear member 10 must not extend to the bottom of
the golf bag 4. In the preferred embodiment the linear member 10 is
a cylindrical tube with an angular distal end 12 (for ease of
installation onto a divided cavity golf bag) although it is known
that the linear member may be any of a plethora of rigid members
such as a rod, a U shaped channel, a partially U shaped channel,
reinforced fabric strip, etc. The inexpensive, commercially
available, lightweight, polymer golf bag tube has been found quite
suitable for this application.
[0028] This club head cover 8 is basically a sleeve body sized for
the enclosure of a golf club head (generally a wood or driver)
therein. The linear member 10 has a diameter larger than the outer
diameter of the golf club shaft, yet smaller than the minor
dimension of bag divider 13. FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment
of the golf club head cover device 2 wherein the linear member 10
has the configuration of a partially U shaped channel--which can be
accomplished by removing a portion of a golf club tube. The slotted
section 11 can be seen cut into the front side of the linear member
10. It is to be noted that in another embodiment, that the linear
member (regardless of configuration) may also be covered with the
same fabric that the club head cover 8 is made of.
[0029] The club head cover 8 is comprised of several connected but
partially separable, flexible panels. Generally, in the preferred
embodiment, the panels are constructed of a fabric although thin
skin polymers are also well adapted for this purpose. Although
sewing/stitching is the preferred method of permanent connection
between the panels, other methods of mechanical connection between
the panels may also be utilized if they also provide durability,
strength and leak-tightness, including but not limited to heat
sealing, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic and dielectric welding, and
laser seaming.
[0030] The back top panel 14 is a unitary piece that extends from
the interface between the club head cover 8 and the linear member
10 and extends over the entire upper surface or top of the
remainder of the club head cover 8. In its preferred embodiment, it
is permanently joined to the approximately bottom one-third of the
upper perimeter of a curved left side panel 16, and the approximate
one-third of the upper perimeter of a mirror image curved right
side panel 18. (Although this may vary between the bottom one sixth
and bottom one half of the curved side panels 16 and 18 as detailed
herein.) Between the left side panel 16, and right side panel 18
connecting these side panels, resides a central panel 20. This
central panel 20 has no permanent connection to the back top panel
14. A bottom panel 22 is connected to the lower perimeter of the
left side panel 16, the lower perimeter of the right side panel 18
and the lower perimeter of the central panel 20. The overall
configuration of the club head cover 8 is that of a curved
tapering, flexible sleeve having a back top panel 14 that is
partially separable from a curved body. The curved body is made of
a series of conjoined panels or from a single panel and resides in
a generally horizontal position. The back top panel 14 resides in a
vertical position when open to form a throat between it and the
curved body, and in a horizontal position when closed.
[0031] Although illustrated as having 5 panels, it is known that
the critical design feature of the club head cover 8 is that of the
separate top panel 14. The remainder of the club head cover 8 may
be made of a different configuration of panels provided that they
form a flexible shell for a golf club head that narrows to surround
the shaft/golf club head interface.
[0032] The bottom end of the bottom panel 22 the left side panel
16, the right side panel 18 and the back top panel are connected so
as to form a circular opening 24 at the bottom of the club head
cover 8 through which the golf club shaft can pass. In the region
adjacent the circular opening 24 the linear member 10 is affixed to
the club head cover 8. The linear member 10, in the preferred
embodiment, at least partially encases the golf club shaft when the
golf club head cover device 2 is placed over a golf club head that
resides in the interior 6 of a golf bag 4. This may be done in a
plethora of ways including stitching, bolting or other mechanical
fastening, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic and dielectric welding.
Small gusset plates may alternatively be utilized with or without
mechanical fasteners such as rivets, or blind nuts and bolts (to
name a few), as is well known in the industry.
[0033] Since the back top panel 14 is only fixed about its bottom
one third to the side panels 16 and 18, the upper two third of the
back top panel 14 is free to be opened and flexed up and back away
from its closed position so that its approximate upper two thirds
are not in contact with the sides 16 and 18. The material used for
construction of the back top panel 14 is selected for its rigidity
and memory. This panel, while being held magnetically in a curved
closed deformed configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1, has
residual forces within that continually urge it to return to its
planar shape. Proper selection of the material and material
thickness is one way of accomplishing permanent, strong enough
residual forces in the back top panel 14 so that when contact
between the upper and lower magnetic lips is broken, the back top
panel 14 will move to its vertical position. Alternatively, as can
be seen in the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a
spring panel 15 that maintains a constant force to urge the top
back panel 14 into a vertical planar configuration can be
incorporated into the back top panel 14. The spring panel 15 has a
linear configuration. It has a top end that resides adjacent to the
leading edge of the back top panel 14 and a bottom end that is
affixed at the interface/junction of the cover with the linear
member. Such a device may be as simple as a rigid, thin planar
sheet of thin metal or plastic that has been affixed to the back
top panel 14 by sewing, gluing, welding, etc. Looking again at
FIGS. 11 and 12, the spring panel 15 can be seen in a ghost image,
residing beneath the back top panel 14. It extends from the top
leading edge of the back top panel 14 down to the connection point
between the linear member 10 and the club head cover 8. Generally
the spring panel 15 will be connected between these two, with the
attendant mechanical connectors passing through the spring panel's
thickness and holding the spring panel rigidly and vertically from
this connection point.
[0034] There are two different types of linear spring panels. One
merely biases the back top panel straight for when the golf club is
out of the device 2. It can be made out of a thin linear strip of
metal wherein its width and thickness is optimized to provide
enough residual force to hold the back top panel 14 straight but
yet not strong enough to overcome the magnetic or hook and loop
holding force of the device's closure mechanism. The other spring
panel 15 biases the back top panel in the curved closed deformed
configuration of FIG. 1 discussed herein, yet when straightened (as
in FIG. 9 when the club is removed from the device 2) retains the
back top panel 14 in the upward "open" position.) Here, the spring
panel 15 is a thin piece of metal having a deformable curl along
its longitudinal axis with a slight curve set therein across its
width, so as to allow it to remain rigid in the fully extended
position yet when its leading edge is urged forward, will attempt
to curl toward the front of the device 2. This second type of
spring panel 15 is commonly used in coiling rulers. This second
type of spring panel 15, eliminates the need for the device's
magnetic or hook and loop closure mechanism. It is to be noted that
the insertion of either of these linear spring panels 15 may
facilitate the use of a reinforcement strip 17 across the leading
edge of the front end of the back top panel 14.
[0035] It is to be noted that generally, for the optimal operation
of the opening and closing of the back top panel 14, this panel
must not have the permanent affixation to the sides extending more
than one half of its height, and not less than one sixth of its
height as measured with the panel 14 in its open vertical
position.
[0036] Looking at FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that about the
perimeter of the left side panel 16, the right side panel 18 (in
the area not permanently affixed to the back top panel 14) and the
central panel 20 (along its upper edge), is a contiguous, lower
flexible magnetic lip 26. Similarly, about the perimeter of the
back top panel 14 (in the area not permanently affixed to the left
side panel 16 and the right side panel 18) is an upper magnet lip
26. These magnetic lips 24 and 26 are shaped for mating magnetic
engagement. The attraction between these two magnetic lips 24 and
26 is strong enough to keep the golf head club cover closed,
maintaining contact between the back top panel 14, the left side
panel 16, the right side panel 18 and the central panel 20 despite
the forces attempting to return the back top panel 14 to its
relaxed, planar open configuration. In an alternate embodiment,
there need be only a first portion of a magnetic closure on the
back top panel 12 and a second portion of a magnetic closure either
on one or all of the side and central panels.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment, the linear member 10 is a
hollow tube, generally made of a polymer and cut at an acute angle
at its distil end 12. A typical hollow, open ended, cylindrical
golf club tube works well. The angle cut allows for the easy
insertion of the device 2 into the divided compartments 6 of a
conventional golf bag 4. Its inner diameter exceeds the outer
diameter of the shaft of a golf club including the gripping, so
that the golf club shaft can be raised through the linear member 10
while the linear member 10 remains in the golf bag.
[0038] In operation, the design of the preferred embodiment golf
club head cover device 2 can best be explained in reference to
FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 9. The golf cub head cover device 2 is inserted
into a golf club bag 4. (See FIG. 1) The device 2 is held by the
tube 10 while the back top panel 14 is peeled up and back from the
rest of the club head cover 8. The back top panel 14 is released
wherein it's residual forces will maintain it in a generally
planar, vertical configuration. (See FIG. 9) The golf club is
inserted, shaft first into the throat of the opening created
between the back top panel 14 and the remainder of the club head
cover 8. The back top panel 14 is then pulled downward until its
upper magnetic lip 26 contacts the lower magnetic lip 24 which is
attached and residing in a contiguous line along the central and
side panels 16, 18 and 20. Magnetic attraction holds the head cover
enclosure 8. This procedure is followed the first time the device 2
is used. Thereafter the use is greatly simplified and proceeds as
discussed below.
[0039] The user grabs the linear member 10 and gently pulls it
downward. This action causes the linear member 10 to move further
down into the golf bag 4 and the golf club head 30 to contact the
inner face of the back top panel 12 pushing this panel upward so as
to break the magnetic attraction that holds the club head cover 8
closed. (See FIG. 2) The back top panel 14 then moves to its
vertical relaxed position as the club head 30 reveals itself inches
above the opened head cover enclosure 8. While the player makes his
shot the club head cover 8 remains open, awaiting insertion of the
club. Upon reinsertion of the club head through the open throat of
the head cover enclosure 8 the golfer merely grabs the liner member
10 and pulls it upward until the club head contacts the inner face
of the bottom panel 22. This causes an axial jarring to the back
top panel 14 such that it tips forward and reaches a point of
magnetic attraction between its upper magnetic lip 28 and the lower
magnetic lip 24 that is strong enough to overcome the residual
forces trying to maintain the back top panel 14 vertical, and
closes the device.
[0040] The operation of the alternate embodiment golf club head
cover devices FIGS. 10 and 11 remain the same except that with the
second type of spring panel 15, the magnetic or hook and loop
fastener closure system may not be incorporated as the deformable
curl (when activated) will provide a constant closing force for the
back top panel 14.
[0041] In this manner, the club head cover 8 never leaves the bag,
the golfer does not have to fiddle with zippers, hook and loop
fasteners, dome fasteners, laces and the like to get his club in
and out of it's protective cover. Additionally, the insertion of
the golf club into the device 2 is aided by the maintenance of an
open throat configuration established by the process of pulling
down the linear member 10. (See FIG. 9) The only motions required
by the golfer is the gentle downward jerk of the linear member 10
into the bag 4 to open the club head cover 8 and the reverse gentle
upward jerk of the tube to close the club head cover 8.
[0042] Although the above method of closing the back top panel 14
discusses using the abrupt upward motion of the linear member 10 to
bring into motion a series of events that closes the device, if the
linear member is gently raised until the club head lightly contacts
the inner face of the bottom panel 22, the golfer may manually grab
and tip the back top panel 14 forward until it reaches the point of
magnetic attraction with the lower magnetic lip 24 to close the
device.
[0043] In an alternate embodiment, the upper magnetic lip 28 and
the lower magnetic lip 24 may be replaced with connectable halves
of a flexible fabric, hook and loop fastener. With this embodiment,
the operation to open and close the device would remain unchanged
although there would need to be slightly greater forces applied
through the linear member 10 as this embodiment would not have any
magnetic attraction closing assist and the holding force of the
hook and loop fastener would exceed that of the magnetic lips.
[0044] It is to be noted that the simplicity of the design of this
device 2 allows a quick downward jerking motion on the linear
member 10 to uncover and reveal the golf club, and after
reinsertion of the golf club into the device 2, a quick upward jerk
on the linear member 10 to close the device. However, it is known
that the back top panel 14 may be manually opened or closed by just
grabbing and directing its leading edge.
[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *