US20090205760A1

US20090205760A1 - Golf club head cover

Info

Publication number: US20090205760A1
Application number: US12/431,311
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert J. Bettinardi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2009-04-28
Publication date: 2009-08-20

Abstract

A cover is described. The golf club cover is used to cover and protect a head and a hosel of the golf club, such as a putter head, from damage caused by contact with other metal clubs in the golf bag while being used and/or transported during or playing golf. The golf club cover includes a hosel portion and a head portion. The hosel portion includes an opening, which is in communication with a cavity. The cavity and the opening are configured to receive the golf club. The golf club cover includes a first opposing edge and a second opposing edge. A stretchable member joins the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf club head cover to cover a golf club head.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Certain previous golf club covers utilize a strap that removably fastens to the golf club cover to hold the golf club cover to the golf club. Hook and look fasteners are often used to provide the fastening. Such golf club covers suffer from several disadvantages. The hook and loop fasteners tend to collect lint and debris, resulting in poor performance and a sloppy appearance. The hook and loop fasteners tend to tangle or snag on unintended objects. Further, the user has to insert their golf club into the cover and then grasp the strap and physically fasten the strap to the golf club cover. Such closing action requires several movements, which may prove burdensome or inconvenient during extended play of golf. If the golf club cover is not regularly and consistently used, then the golf clubs are more likely to be scratched or damaged.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A golf club head cover is described. The head cover is used to cover and protect a head and a hosel of a golf club, such as a putter head, from damage caused by contact with other metal clubs in the golf bag while being used and/or transported during or playing golf. The head cover provides protection by encasing or substantially covering the golf club head and the hosel in a padded sock-like cover.
The golf club head is inserted into the head cover through an opening at a bottom-rear portion of the head cover, and the head cover is held in place on the golf club head using a stretchable member positioned along a rear portion of the head cover. The stretchable member stretches to receive the golf club head. Once the golf club head is positioned in the head cover, the stretchable member contracts around the golf club. The stretchable member secures and gently conforms around the shape of the golf club head.
The golf club cover is primarily suitable for use with putters; however, the head cover may be configured and adapted to hold other irons, as well as wedges. The golf club covers includes weather resistant and soft, cushioning layers.
The golf club cover includes a hosel portion and a head portion. The hosel portion includes the opening along a bottom portion of the golf club cover. The opening is in communication with a cavity. The cavity and the opening are configured to receive the golf club. The golf club cover includes a first opposing edge and a second opposing edge. The stretchable member joins the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge. A space is further provided between the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge adjacent the stretchable member. The space forms a portion of the opening. The space is along a bottom-rear portion of the golf club cover. The stretchable member is configured to stretch to increase the space between the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge when a golf club inserted into the golf club cover, and after the insertion of the golf club into the head cover, the stretchable member contracts to secure the golf club cover to the golf club.
As such, a golf club cover is provided that is easier to use, does not require several fastening movements, securely fastens to the golf club, is durable, and provides cushioning and soft layers to support the golf club.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a view of the golf club inserted into the golf club cover.

FIG. 2 is a view of golf club prior to insertion into the golf club cover.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the golf club cover.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf club cover.

FIG. 5 is another side view of the golf club cover.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the golf club cover.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the golf club cover.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the golf club cover.

FIG. 9 is rear view of the golf club cover.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the head portion.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the hosel portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The head cover will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-11. A head cover 10 is shown. The head cover 10 is used to cover substantially cover and/or encase a golf club 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a head 30 of the golf club 20 is inserted into a cavity 15 within the head cover 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the golf club 20 includes the head 30, a hosel 40, and a shaft 45. The head 30 is the portion of the golf club 20 that strikes the golf ball during play. The hosel 40 is the mechanical connection between the head 30 and the shaft 45.
The head cover 10 comprises a hosel portion 50 and a head portion 60. The hosel portion 50 is generally integral to the head portion 60 to form a one-piece or unitary body for the head cover 10. The hosel portion 50 has a generally cylindrical cross-section, while the head portion 60 has a generally ovular cross-section to generally elliptical cross-section. The hosel portion 50 encases or substantially covers a portion of the shaft 45 and the hosel 40 of the golf club 20, while the head portion 60 encases or substantially covers the head 30 of the golf club 20.
With reference to FIG. 4, a top surface 63 of the head portion 50 is generally flat and begins to angle into a toe portion 70 of the head cover 10. The top surface 63 joins or connects a bottom surface 66 of the head portion 60.
With reference to FIG. 4, the hosel portion 50 transitions into the head portion 60 at a top transition portion 62 and at a bottom transition portion 64. At the top transition portion 62, the hosel portion 50 curves or transitions at an approximately 85° angle to an approximately 95° angle into the head portion 60. At the bottom transition point 64, the hosel portion 50 curves or transitions at an approximately 90° angle to an approximately 120° angle into the head portion 60. The larger angle at the bottom transition point 64 assists in positioning the generally rigid golf club 20 into the head cover 10, as the golf club 20 is rotated within the head cover 10 during the positioning.
The head portion 60 transitions into a toe portion 70 at a front 65 of the head cover 10. The generally ovular cross-section of the head portion 60 gradually flattens into the toe portion 70.
A rear 75 of the head cover 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 9. The head cover 10 includes a first opposing edge 84 and a second opposing edge 88. Portions of the first and second opposing edges 84 and 88 are generally parallel to slightly angled apart. A space 102 between the opposing edges 84 and 88 forms a portion of an opening 100. The space 102 is adjacent a stretchable member 200 joining the opposing edges 84 and 88. The first opposing edge 84 and the second opposing edge 88 join in a rounded corner 135.
Opposite of the rounded corner 135, the first and second opposing edges 84 and 88 lead into an opening rim 110. The opening rim 110 further defines the opening 100. The opening 100 is in open communication with the cavity 15. A bottom-front portion 106 of the opening rim 130 is the transition between the first opposing edge 84 and the second opposing edge 88. As such, the opening 100 is in both a bottom position of the head cover 10, as well as a partial rear position of the head cover 10 in the space 102.
The stretchable member 200 extends between the first and second opposing edges 84 and 88. The stretchable member 200 also connects to the rounded corner 135. During use of the head cover 10, the head 30 of the golf club 20 is inserted into the opening 100 and space 102, and the stretchable member 200 stretches to allow the head 30 to enter the head cover 10 and into the cavity 15 of the head cover 10. After the head 30 is inserted into the cavity 15, the stretchable member 200 contracts or substantially returns to its relaxed, i.e., unstretched, state. As such, the stretchable member 200 provides for the opening 100, including the space 102 of the head cover 10, to expand or widen during the positioning of head 30 of the golf club 20 into the cavity 15 and further assists in maintaining the head cover 10 around the exterior of the head 30 of the golf club 20. During the insertion of the head 30 into the cavity 15, the space 102 between the opposing edges 84 and 88 may widen or expand.
The head cover 10 generally comprises three different layers of material. A cross-sectional view is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. An outer layer 150 is on the outside of the head cover 10. The outer layer 150 may include a natural leather, a synthetic leather, vinyl, nylon, or other durable and moisture-resistant natural and/or synthetic blend of materials. On the inside of the outer layer 150, a cushion layer 160 is provided. The cushion layer 160 provides a resilient cushioning layer for the head cover 10. The cushion layer 160 may be made from a foam, a sponge-like material, or other resiliently compressible material. Finally, on the inside of the cushion layer 160, an inner layer 170 is provided. The inner layer 170 is in direct contact with the hosel 40 and the head 30 of the golf club 20. The inner layer 170 is made from a fur, synthetic fur, cotton, or other natural and/or synthetic blend that has a plush and non-scratching surface to encase or cover the head 30 and the hosel 40.
The combination of the outer layer 150, the cushion layer 160, and the inner layer 170 provide a durable, cushioning, and soft surface to generally conform around the shape of the head 30 of the golf club 20. Damage or scratching of the head 30 and/or hosel 40 is substantially reduced.
The stretchable member 200 is made from a stretchable material, such as an elastomeric material, neoprene, elastic, etc. The stretchable member 200 should be made out of a material that stretches and then has sufficient resiliency to return or substantially return to its normal shape in order to secure the head cover 10 to the golf club 20. The contracting of the stretchable member 200 provides a holding force between the head cover 10 and the golf club 20.
The stretchable member joins or connects the first opposing edge 84 and the second opposing edge 88. The stretchable member 200 is configured to stretch to increase a distance, i.e., the space 102, between the first opposing edge 84 and the second opposing edge 88 when a golf club 20 is inserted into the head cover 10. After the insertion of the golf club 20 into the head cover 10, the stretchable member 200 contracts to secure the head cover 10 to the golf club 20.
The head cover 10 may include embroidery or monogramming 180 on the outer layer 150. In certain embodiments, the embroidery 180 mechanically connects the outer layer 150 and the cushion layer 160, i.e., threads or stitching of the embroidery 180 pass through both the outer layer 150 and the cushion layer 160. As such, the embroidery 180 provides structural connectivity between the outer layer 150 and the cushion layer 160. The embroidery 180 assists in positioning and maintaining the cushion layer 160 between the outer layer 150 and the inner layer 170.
The cavity 15 may remain open, partially closed, or closed when there is no golf club 20 in the head cover 10, as the inner layer 170 expands to fill or substantially fill the cavity 15.
The seam 90 also partially defines the opening 100. At the opening 100, the seam 90 generally attaches the outer layer 150 over the stretchable member 200, which is over the cushion layer 160, which is over the inner layer 170. As such, the stretchable member 200 is positioned between the outer layer 150 and the cushion layer 160 at the seam 90.
The head cover 10 provides an extended length to substantially cover the hosel 40 of the golf club 20. The distance between the rounded corner 135 and the opening rim 110 is sufficient to cover most or all of the hosel 40 of the golf club 20. The hosel 40 of the golf club 20 provides the mechanical connection between the head 30 and the shaft 45. As such, the hosel 40 is a generally more susceptible to damage than other portions of the golf club 20. The distance between the rounded corner 135 and the opening rim 110 is approximately five inches to approximately seven inches. The stretchable member 200 covers approximately 60 to 80 percent of this distance between the rounded corner 135 and the opening rim 110.
By using this ratio of coverage of the stretchable member 200 over the opening 100, the head cover 10 is easily positioned over the head 30, while still maintaining a secure connection to the golf club 20 to prevent the head cover 10 from falling off while driving a golf cart or carrying a golf bag of golf clubs 20 through a game of golf.
It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the specification; instead, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf club cover, comprising:

a hosel portion;

a head portion;

the hosel portion including an opening;

the opening in communication with a cavity defined by the golf club cover;

the cavity and the opening configured to receive a golf club;

a first opposing edge;

a second opposing edge; and

a stretchable member joining the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge.

2. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein a space is between the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge, and the space is adjacent to the stretchable member.

3. The golf club cover according to claim 2, wherein the space expands or widens during a positioning of a head of the golf club into the cavity.

4. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein portions of the first and second opposing edges are generally parallel to angled and join in a rounded corner.

5. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the golf club cover receives a golf club, and the golf club cover covers a head and a hosel of the golf club.

6. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the stretchable member stretches to receive the golf club, and then the stretchable member substantially returns to its pre-existing shape after the golf club is received in the golf club cover.

7. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the golf club cover comprises an outer layer, a cushion layer, and an inner layer.

8. The golf club cover according to claim 7, wherein the outer layer comprises a natural leather, a synthetic leather, a vinyl material, a nylon material, or a synthetic blend material; the cushion layer comprises a foam or resiliently-compressible material; and the inner layer comprises a fur, synthetic fur, or other soft layer.

9. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the golf club cover comprises an outer layer, a cushion layer, and an inner layer, and embroidery between the outer layer and the cushion layer maintains a positioning of the cushion layer between the outer layer and the inner layer.

10. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the hosel portion defines a generally cylindrical cross-section with an open interior, and the head portion defines a generally ovular cross-section to a generally elliptical cross-section that defines a further open interior.

11. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the hosel portion includes the opening on a bottom surface of the golf club cover.

12. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the hosel portion includes an opening rim, and the first and second opposing edges join in a rounded corner at a top-rear portion of the golf club cover, and the opposing edges further lead into the opening rim, and stretchable member covers approximately 60 to 80 percent of a distance between the rounded corner and the opening rim.

13. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the hosel portion is generally perpendicular to the head portion

14. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the stretchable member comprises a neoprene material.

15. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein the stretchable member applies a holding force between the golf club cover and a golf club.

16. The golf club cover according to claim 1, wherein stretchable member joins or connects the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge, the stretchable member is configured to stretch to increase a distance between the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge when a golf club inserted into the golf club cover, and after the insertion of the golf club into the head cover, the stretchable member contracts to secure the golf club cover to the golf club.

17. A golf club cover, comprising:

a hosel portion;

a head portion;

the hosel portion and the head portion each comprise an outer layer of a first material, a cushion layer of a second material, and an inner layer of a third material, and

a stretchable member joining rear opposed edges of the golf club cover.

18. A golf club cover, comprising:

a hosel portion;

a head portion integral to the hosel portion;

the hosel portion including an opening;

the opening in communication with a cavity interior of the head portion;

the cavity and the opening configured to receive a golf club;

a stretchable member partially covering the opening;

the golf club cover configured to stretch and receive the golf club; and

the golf club cover configured to contract and secure to the golf club.

19. A golf club cover for covering a head of the golf club and a hosel of the golf club, comprising:

a hosel portion comprising a generally cylindrical cross-section, the hosel portion substantially or fully covering a hosel of a golf club inserted into the golf club cover;

a head portion integral to the hosel portion, the head portion substantially or fully covering a head of the golf club inserted into the golf club cover;

the hosel portion including a first opposing edge and a second opposing edge;

an opening partially between the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge, the opening in a bottom portion of the golf club cover;

the opening further partially defined by an opening rim of the hosel portion;

the opening in communication with a cavity, the cavity positioned in an interior of the hosel portion and in an interior of the head portion;

the cavity and the opening configured to receive a head of a golf club;

a stretchable member joining the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge; the stretchable member configured to stretch to increase a distance between the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge to receive the golf club and to further contract to secure the golf club cover to the golf club; and,

a space between the first opposing edge and the second opposing edge, the space adjacent to the stretchable member, wherein the space is along a bottom-rear portion of the golf club cover.

20. A method of using a golf club cover, comprising:

providing a golf club cover with a hosel portion, a head portion, and an opening in communication with a cavity;

inserting a head of a golf club into the opening;

stretching a stretchable member that joins rear opposed edges of the golf club cover,

placing the head of the golf club into the head portion of the golf club cover,

contracting the stretchable member about the golf club, and

securing the golf club cover to the golf club.