GB2404595A

GB2404595A - Golf club protective cover

Info

Publication number: GB2404595A
Application number: GB0318507A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Williamson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-07
Filing date: 2003-08-07
Publication date: 2005-02-09
Also published as: GB0318507D0

Abstract

A golf club protective cover comprises a first part 1 having a semi-rigid tubular portion 4 through which the grip and shaft 8 may be passed, and dimensioned to extend over and enclose a portion of the shaft 8, in use. The tubular portion 4 opens into a wide portion 5 for receiving at least part of the golf club head 7, in use. A second part 2 is provided to form a closure for the first part 1 with a securing mechanism, perhaps hook-and-loop fastenings, being provided between the first part 1 and the second part 2 to selectively hold them together. Both first 1 and second 2 parts may be of semi-rigid material and can be hinged together. The tubular portion 4 may enclose all of the shaft 8 and grip, in use. The protective covers may be fitted to a mounting plate that is secured over the mouth of a golf bag.

Description

GOLF CLUB PROTECTIVE COVER

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a golf club protective cover. Background to the Invention Conventional protective covers for golf clubs typically consist of a shaped sleeve of flexible fabric which is pulled onto the head of the club in the manner of sock pulled on to a foot. The sleeve extends over the part of the shaft adjacent to the head to offer some protection for the shaft. However, because the sleeve has to be capable of stretching over the head of the club, it affords little protection for the shaft, increasing the likelihood of damage to the club. The shafts of modern clubs are increasingly formed from carbon-fibre reinforced plastics materials, which are very light and have high tensile strength, but are more readily damaged by abrasion from the neck of the golf bag, for example, than steel shafts.In addition, the sleeve form of cover is difficult to fit onto the club and tends itself to be subject to wear reducing its capacity to afford protection to the club. US 6,431,233 discloses a golf club protective cover having a semi-rigid upper enclosure to protect the club ahead, and a sock-like lower enclosure attached to the upper enclosure for protection of the club shaft. The upper enclosure has an opening through which the club is inserted, the shaft passing into and through the lower enclosure. While this type of cover avoids the need to stretch the sleeve-like lower enclosure over the head of the club, it is not straightforward to fit onto the club and still gives the problem of reduced protection for the shaft of the club.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a golf club protective cover comprising a first part having a semi-rigid tubular portion through which the grip and shaft of the club may be passed and dimensioned to extend over and enclose at least a portion of the shaft, the tubular portion opening into a wider shaped portion for receiving at least part of the golf club head, in use, and a second part forming a closure for the first part, securing means being provided between the first and second parts to hold them together selectively. Preferably, the first and second parts are formed of the material which is at least semi-rigid, for example an expanded plastics material. The tubular portion is dimensioned so that it can accommodate the grip of the club without distortion, and can thus be made sufficiently thick to protect the shaft from accidental damage, in use. The first and second parts may be connected together, for example by means of a hinge. The securing means may be a simple latch arrangement, but is preferably in the form of a hook and loop fastening located between opposed mating faces of the first and second parts, for example the material sold under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro. The fastening material may extend over a part of the mating faces of the first and second parts, but preferably extends over the entire mating faces. The tubular portion may extend to protect only that portion of the shaft adjacent to the head likely to come into contact with the neck of a golf bag, in use, or it may enclose the entire shaft. One embodiment of the invention provides, in combination, a plurality of the covers in accordance with the invention mounted in a holder securable over the mouth of a golf bag. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a golf bag has integrally incorporated therein a plurality of covers in accordance with the invention. Typically, such a bag will be a trolley bag. The cover of the invention is particularly suitable for use with larger-headed driver clubs, conventionally known as "woods", even though most are now made solely from metal. However, the use of the cover is not restricted to such clubs. The cover is convenient to use and affords excellent protection not only for the head of the club, but also for the neck of the shaft adjacent to the head. Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate a golf club cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cover partly opened; and Figure 2 is a corresponding side elevation. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment The cover of the invention comprises first and second parts 1 and 2 connected together by a hinge 3, the first part 1 having a tubular portion 4 whose internal dimension is sufficient to allow the grip of a golf club to be passed through it without the need to stretch or distort the portion. The tubular portion 4 opens into a wider part 5 shaped to receive and hold a part of the head of the golf club 7 (Figure 2), while the second part 2 serves as a lid for the first part 1 to enclose the head of the club 7 and retain the cover on the head. The opposed mating faces of the first and second parts 1 and 2 are formed with respective layers of hook and loop materials forming a hook-and-loop fastening, enabling the two surfaces to be simply pushed together to achieve a secure fastening. The second part 2 is formed with a skirt 6 which provides additional weather-proofing to the cover. The two parts of the cover of suitably formed from a semi-rigid polymeric material, for example a dense expanded polyurethane or an expanded elastomer. The use of the material which has a resilient surface reduces the likelihood of the cover itself causing damage to another club. In use, second part or lid 2 is hinged open and the club is introduced into the first part 2 by urging the grip of the club downwardly through the tubular portion 4 until the head 7 of the club rests in the first part of the cover with the shaft 8 of the club projecting from the lower part of the tubular portion 4. The lid 2 is then hinged closed, the mating surfaces provided with the hook-and-loop fastening material being pressed together to secure the lid shut. Will be appreciated that, while the use of hook-and-loop fastening material has been described, other means of fastening the lid closed may be employed. Equally, the hinge may be dispensed with, the lid being connected to the other part of the cover by a simple connecting loop, the lid being simply pressed into place on the other part of the cover to effect a closure by means of hook-and-loop fastening material.

Claims

1. A golf club protective cover, comprising a first part having a semi-rigid tubular portion through which the grip and shaft of the club may be passed and dimensioned to extend over and enclose at least a portion of the shaft, the tubular portion opening into a wider shaped portion for receiving at least part of the golf club head, in use, and a second part forming a closure for the first part, securing means being provided between the first and second parts to hold them together selectively.

2. A golf club protective cover according to Claim 1, wherein the first and second parts are formed of the material which is at least semi-rigid.

3. A golf club protective cover according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the tubular portion is dimensioned so that it can accommodate the grip of the club without distortion.

4. A golf club protective cover according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first and second parts are connected together.

5. A golf club protective cover according to Claim 4, wherein the first and second parts are connected together by means of the hinge.

6. A golf club protective cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is in the form of a hook-and-loop fastening located between opposed mating faces of the first and second parts.

7. A golf club protective cover according to Claim 6, wherein the hook-andloop fastening extends over the entire mating faces.

8. A golf club protective cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular portion extends to protect only that portion of the golf club shaft adjacent to the head

9. A golf club protective cover according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the tubular portion extends to enclose the entire shaft of the golf club.

10. A golf club protective cover, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.

11. In combination, a plurality of covers in accordance with any preceding claim, mounted in a holder securable over the mouth of a golf bag.

12. A golf bag having integrally incorporated therein a plurality of covers in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 10.

13. A golf bag according to Claim 12, which is a trolley bag.