WO2024257031A1

WO2024257031A1 - A cover for golf clubs

Info

Publication number: WO2024257031A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/055829
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoffel Johannes Henze DE WET
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-06-14
Filing date: 2024-06-14
Publication date: 2024-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-14
Also published as: CN121358527A; KR20260018167A; EP4713101A1; AU2024304426A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a cover (1) for golf clubs - more particularly a cover for golf clubs which are stored in a golf bag (3). The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag comprises a main cover section (2) having a glove shaped body (5) to form a receptacle. Separate clubhead receptacles (4) extend from the main cover section with an opening (6) at an operatively lower end of the main cover section being securable over a top end of a golf bag. The clubhead receptacles are shaped to receive any number of clubhead sections of any number of golf clubs. Each clubhead receptacle has an indicator (12) of the club which it may hold and a closable opening through which a golf club can be stored or retrieved when the opening is open. The cover can form part of or be removable from a golf club bag.

Description

A COVER FOR GOLF CLUBS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a cover for golf clubs more particularly a cover for golf clubs which are stored in a golf bag.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Golf is a popular sport enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Golf clubs, being an essential component of the game, require proper care and protection to ensure their longevity and optimal performance. Golfers often carry their clubs in a golf bag, which can expose the clubs to various weather conditions and accidental impacts during transportation.

Existing golf bag designs may provide limited protection to the clubs form rainy conditions. Many golf bags incorporate a hood or a flap that covers the top opening, but these designs fail to fully safeguard the clubs from rain, sun, and other environmental factors. These environmental factors may lead to golf clubs rusting or retaining water which may affect a player’s performance. Additionally, golf clubs can rub against each other during transportation, resulting in scratches and potential damage.

United States patent number 5,383,505 entitled: “GOLF BAG COVER HAVING A REMOVABLE TOP” in the name of Louis M. Cordasco (“Cordasco”) describes protective cover with a removable top portion protects and covers a golf bag. The protective cover includes a base portion and a middle portion which is connected to the base portion and has an opening for allowing the golf bag to be inserted into the cover with the base of the golf bag fitting into the base portion of the cover. Further, the cover includes a top portion removably attached to the middle portion which can be used as an accessory bag when not in use to cover the golf clubs. The top portion has a height sufficient for covering a plurality of golf clubs stored in the golf bag, and an opening is also provided in the top portion for allowing access to the golf clubs. Cordasco describes a hood type of covering having a large interior with a single opening through which golf clubs can be accessed.

United States patent application number US 2008/0264534 A1 entitled “COVER FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT” in the name of Eric C. Carey (“Carey”) describes a sports equipment cover which includes an elongated housing for storing a piece of sports equipment. Such housing is manufactured from a predetermined material and has a predetermined size and a predetermined shape. Such housing has an opening at a predetermined location thereon for permitting insertion and removal of such piece of sports equipment. A fastening mechanism is operably connected to such housing at a predetermined location thereon adjacent to such opening for removably securing such opening in a closed position. Carey describes a cover which can be used to protect individual golf clubs. Also known in the art are drive/clubhead covers. Such a golf club driver cover is a protective accessory designed to encase and safeguard the driver clubhead of a golf club. It is specifically shaped and sized to fit snugly over the driver clubhead, providing an additional layer of protection during transportation and storage.

Typically made from durable and flexible, the golf club driver cover offers resistance against scratches, impact, and minor environmental elements. The cover often features a form-fitting design that conforms to the contours of the driver clubhead, ensuring a secure fit and minimizing movement within the cover.

These covers could be quite problematic as a player will remove the cover from the club while playing a stroke. These covers often get left behind or lost if not replaced over the clubhead after playing the stroke.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a cover for golf clubs in a golf bag which, at least partially, alleviates some of the above-mentioned difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a cover for golf clubs in a golf bag comprising a main cover section having a glove shaped body to form a receptacle and separate clubhead receptacles extending from the main cover section, an opening at an operatively lower end of the main cover section being securable over a top end of a golf bag, the clubhead receptacles shaped to receive a number of clubhead sections of a number of golf clubs, each clubhead receptacle having a closable opening through which a golf club can be retrieved when the opening is open and for protecting a golf club when closed.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including the feature that the body is made from a weatherproof, water resistant, protective, or any other durable material.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including that the clubhead receptacles varying in length to accommodate different clubs.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag wherein the clubhead receptacles are resiliently deformable.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag wherein the clubhead receptacles may stretch to accommodate clubs of varying lengths clubheads with varying sizes or shapes. The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including that the clubhead receptacles may extend into an interior of the golf bag.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including that an interior of the separate clubhead receptacles is padded for protection.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including that the interior of the clubhead receptacles is made from a moisture absorbing material to assist in keeping the clubs dry.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including that the clubhead receptacles is marked with an indicator. This indicator may indicate which club is held inside the receptacle.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including that the clubhead receptacles include at least a transparent portion to allow a player to view the club inside the receptacle. The invention is not limited in this regard and the clubhead receptacles may be made from a single material and contain a marking to indicate which club is stored inside.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag wherein the top end of the golf bag is the main opening to the golf bag, generally used to insert and remove golf clubs to and from the golf bag. The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag wherein the closable opening can be closed with Velcro®, a zip, clips, magnetic fasteners.

The cover for golf clubs wherein the closable opening may be opened or closed by a remote electronic device.

The cover for golf clubs wherein the remote electronic device may receive an input device which receives a signal to open a closable opening.

The cover for golf clubs wherein the input device may be a button, a microphone or a signal emanating from a GPS device.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag wherein the body is removably engageable with a golf bag by means of elastic, a zip, clips, Velcro® etc. The invention is not limited in this regard. The cover may permanently form part of the golf bag or may be removed when not required.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag further including that the clubhead receptacles have shapes similar to the club it holds, similar to clubhead covers as known in the art.

The invention further provides for a golf bag cover comprising: a main cover section having a glove shaped body to form a receptacle and separate clubhead receptacles extending from the main cover section, the main cover section forming part of a top end of a golf bag, the clubhead receptacles shaped to receive a number of clubhead sections of a number of golf clubs, each clubhead receptacle having a closable opening through which a golf club can be inserted or retrieved when the opening is open.

The golf bag wherein the cover is integrally formed with the golf bag.

The golf bag cover further including the feature that clubhead receptacles are made from a weatherproof, water resistant, protective, or any other durable material which has a padded or water absorbent interior.

The golf bag cover wherein the clubhead receptacles varying in length to accommodate different clubs but may also be resiliently deformable so that the clubhead receptacles may stretch to accommodate clubs of varying lengths clubheads with varying sizes or shapes.

The golf bag cover wherein the clubhead receptacles may further include is markings or indicators to indicate which club may be held inside the receptacle.

The golf bag cover wherein the closable opening can be closed with Velcro®, a zip, clips, magnetic fasteners or be elastically closed.

The invention further provides for a golf bag comprising: a plurality of clubhead receptacles extending from a top end of a golf bag, the clubhead receptacles each shaped to receive a clubhead section of a golf club, each clubhead receptacle having a closable opening through which a golf club can be inserted or retrieved when the opening is open.

The golf bag wherein the clubhead receptacles are integrally formed with the golf bag.

The golf bag further including the feature that clubhead receptacles are made from a weatherproof, water resistant, protective, or any other durable material which has a padded or water absorbent interior.

The golf bag wherein the clubhead receptacles varying in length to accommodate different clubs but may also be resiliently deformable so that the clubhead receptacles may stretch to accommodate clubs of varying lengths clubheads with varying sizes or shapes.

The golf bag wherein the clubhead receptacles may further include markings or indicators to indicate which club may be held inside the receptacle.

The golf bag wherein the closable opening can be closed with Velcro®, a zip, clips, magnetic fasteners or be elastically closed.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a cover for golf clubs in a golf bag;

Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the interior of the receptacle of figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows a different embodiment of the cover for golf clubs in a golf bag;

Figure 4 shows the cover for golf clubs in a golf bag of figure 3 wherein a golf club is being inserted into, or removed from the golf bag;

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of a receptacle which forms part of the cover for golf clubs in a golf bag of figure 3; and

Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the interior of the receptacle of figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and/or implement the invention. While specific details are included to facilitate a comprehensive understanding, it should be noted that these details are not essential for practicing the invention. Descriptions of particular applications are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. Skilled individuals in the field will recognize that various modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments. The principles and features disclosed herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without deviating from the scope of the invention. The present invention is not restricted to the specific embodiments shown, but encompasses the broadest possible scope in accordance with the principles and features disclosed herein.

With reference to the drawings, a cover for golf clubs in a golf bag is generally depicted by reference numeral 1.

The cover for golf clubs in a golf bag has a main cover section 2. The main cover section 2 has an opening at its operatively lower end which is securable over a top end of a golf bag 3. The top of the golf bag 3 is the end where a plyer would usually insert and remove golf clubs into and from the golf bag 3.

The main cover section 2 has a glove shaped body 5 to form a main receptacle which received the opening to a golf bag 3.

Separate clubhead receptacles 4 extending from the main cover section 2. These clubhead receptacles 4 are shaped to receive individual golf clubs 10 which extend from the golf bag 3, through the main cover section 2 and into an interior 8 of the clubhead receptacle 4. The clubhead receptacles 4 have shapes resembling the club which it protects, similar to driver head covers which is known in the art.

Each one of clubhead receptacles 4 has a closable opening 6 through which a golf club 10 can be retrieved when the opening 6 is open and for protecting a golf club 10 when the opening 6 is closed.

A club indicator 12 is affixed to the outside of each clubhead receptacle 4 to indicate to a player which club 10 is stored inside.

The body 5 of the cover 1 is made from a weatherproof, water resistant and protective material. The body 2 functions as a cover to protect individual golf clubs 10 from colliding into one another while fitting snugly over the opening to the golf bag 3 in order to prohibit fluid flow to and from the outside world and the interior of the golf bag 3 or the cover 1 .

The clubhead receptacles 4 varies in lengths 7 to accommodate different golf clubs 10. Each of the golf clubs 10 have a different length and a clubhead connected at a different angle to each of the clubhead receptacles 4 will have or be able to take on a unique shape. As such the clubhead receptacles 4 are made form a resiliently deformable material.

An interior 8 of each of the clubhead receptacles 4 is made from a padded material 9 for added protection of the golf club 10, when stored inside the cover 1 . The padded material 9 is a water absorbent material to assist in keeping the golf clubs 10 dry.

The closable opening 6 is opened by a zipper closure however any closure means may be used.

The body 5 of the cover 1 is removably engageable with the golf bag 3. This allows for a player to decide whether or not he cover 1 is required on a certain day of play. This is done by means of an elastic portion which creates a snug fit over the opening to the golf bag 3.

In a further embodiment, there is provided for the cover to form part and be manufactured as a component of a golf bag and not be removable. This is in order to create a golf club bag, as known in the art which comes with the cover 1 as a standard feature.

Similar numerals are used to describe similar features. The main cover section 2 which has a glove shaped body has separate clubhead receptacles 4 extending from the main cover section 2. The main cover section 2, however, being integrally formed with a top end of a golf bag 3 with a golf club 10 extending into the clubhead receptacles 4. Each of the clubhead receptacle 4 still having a closable opening 6 through which a golf club 10 can be retrieved when the opening 6 is open and for protecting a golf club when closed. The invention also provides for a golf bag 3 comprising a plurality of clubhead receptacles 4 extending from a top end of a golf bag 3 with a clubhead sections of a number of golf clubs 10 extending into the clubhead receptacles 4 each clubhead receptacle having a closable opening 6 through which a golf club 10 can be retrieved when the opening 6 is open and for protecting a golf club when the opening is closed.

It is also possible for the separate clubhead receptacles 4 may include at least a transparent portion 11 (figures 3,4,5) to allow a player to view the golf club 10 which is stored inside the individual receptacle 4.

In a further embodiment, the body 5 of the cover is made from a soft, pliable and deformable material so that the cover takes the form of a latex glove which is stretched over and covers the clubs and the opening to the golf bag. alternatively, the clubhead receptacles 4 may extend into an interior of the golf bag 3 and the main cover section 2 is not limited to only fit over the golf bag 3.

The invention is not limited to using zippers to close the opening 6 of the clubhead receptacles 4 and hook and loop fasteners (Velcro®), elastics, clips, magnets, elastic force, a form fitting design etc. may be used.

The invention also allows for the openings to be opened electronically. When a golfer approaches the ball, a mobile application on a mobile device such as a cellular phone or GPS enabled smart watch may calculate the distance to a target, such as the hole and make a suggestion of which club should be used. This calculation may take the altitude, windspeed, temperature etc. as well as the players ability into consideration. The system which calculates which club to use may send a signal to a receiver associated with one or more of the openings and cause the opening to open electronically to allow for access to a club. This signal may be sent via radio signal such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, or any other appropriate signal. The electronic opener can be a battery-operated motor, an electronic magnet, or any other appropriate device which can open and/or close the opening. The input can be from the mobile device however a button for manual selection or a microphone for voice recognition and/or activation may be used.

It is envisaged that incorporating the concept described herein to form part of all new golf bags or golf bag accessories.

In the future all golf club and golf bag covers should take on the shape as described herein. This is an improvement on the existing prior art as each club can be protected individually. This should have a significant improvement on the state-of-the-art as a player who has removed a clubhead cover will no longer be able to accidentally leave the cover behind.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described or shown herein and that many other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 . A cover for golf clubs in a golf bag comprising a main cover section having a glove shaped body to form a receptacle and separate clubhead receptacles extending from the main cover section, an opening at an operatively lower end of the main cover section being securable over a top end of a golf bag, the clubhead receptacles are shaped to receive any number of clubhead sections of any number of golf clubs, each clubhead receptacle having a closable opening through which a golf club can be stored or retrieved when the opening is open.

2. The cover for golf clubs of claim 1 wherein the body is made from an at least water resistant material.

3. The cover for golf clubs of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the body is made from a protective material.

4. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein each clubhead receptacle is shaped to receive a clubhead sections of a specific golf club.

5. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the clubhead receptacles varies in length to accommodate different lengths of golf clubs.

6. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the body is resiliently deformable.

7. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the clubhead receptacles can stretch to accommodate golf clubs of varying lengths.

8. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the clubhead receptacles can stretch to accommodate clubheads with varying shapes.

9. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the clubhead receptacles extend into an interior of the golf bag.

10. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein an interior of the clubhead receptacles is padded for protection of the clubhead section.

11. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the interior of the clubhead receptacles is made from a moisture absorbing material.

12. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the clubhead receptacles is marked with an indicator.

13. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the clubhead receptacles include at least a transparent portion.

14. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the top end of the golf bag is the main opening to the golf bag.

15. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the closable opening is closed by means of any one or more of the following: by folding two portions over one another, or with hook and loop fasteners, a zip, clips, magnetic fasteners, electronic fasteners.

16. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the closable opening can be opened or closed by a remote electronic device.

17. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the remote electronic device has an input device which receives a signal to open a closable opening.

18. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the input device is a button, a microphone or a signal emanating from a GPS device.

19. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the body is removably engageable with a golf bag by means of any one or more of the following: elastic, a zip, clips, magnets, hook and loop fasteners.

20. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the cover permanently forms part of the golf bag.

21. The cover for golf clubs of any of the preceding claims wherein the clubhead receptacles have shapes similar to the club it holds.

22. A golf bag cover comprising: a main cover section having a glove shaped body to form a receptacle and separate clubhead receptacles extending from the main cover section, the main cover section forming part of a top end of a golf bag, the clubhead receptacles are shaped to receive any number of clubhead sections of any number of golf clubs, each clubhead receptacle having a closable opening through which a golf club can be stored or retrieved when the opening is open..

23. The golf bag cover of claim 22 wherein the cover is integrally formed with the golf bag.

24. The golf bag cover of claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the clubhead receptacles are made from an at least water resistant material.

25. The golf bag cover of claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the clubhead receptacles have padded interiors.

26. The golf bag of any one of claim 22 to claim 25 wherein the clubhead receptacles varying in length to accommodate different clubs.

27. The golf bag of any one of claim 22 to claim 25 wherein the clubhead receptacles are resiliently deformable.

28. The golf bag of any one of claim 22 to claim 27 wherein the clubhead receptacles include indicators to indicate which club is held inside the receptacle.

29. The golf bag of any one of claim 22 to claim 28 wherein the closable opening can be closed with any one or more of the following: hook and loop fasteners, a zip, a clip, magnetic fasteners, an elastic closure, an electronic closing means.

30. A golf bag comprising: a plurality of clubhead receptacles extending from a top end of the golf bag, with the clubhead receptacle being shaped to receive a clubhead section of a golf club, each clubhead receptacle having a closable opening through which a golf club can be inserted or retrieved when the opening is open.