GB2408827A

GB2408827A - Theft Alarm For Golf Bag Or Golf Club

Info

Publication number: GB2408827A
Application number: GB0328389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Izod
Original assignee: IZODCAIN MARKETING SERVICES LT
Current assignee: IZODCAIN MARKETING SERVICES LT
Priority date: 2003-12-06
Filing date: 2003-12-06
Publication date: 2005-06-08
Also published as: GB0328389D0

Abstract

A security device attaches to a portable article and emits an audible or visual alarm if the article is moved. The device's casing, 2, is formed in two parts that are adapted to fit around the shaft of a golf club or the frame of a golf trolley and are releasably secured together by a key operated lock, 15. The casing can be adjusted to fit different sized parts by fitment of a bush compatible with the part. The sensitivity of the movement sensor can be adjusted to reduce accidental triggering of the alarm. A remote control is provided for arming / disarming the device. A weatherproof cover may be included. The alarm can also be used with other portable articles, such as bicycles.

Description

1 2408827

SECURITY DEVICE

This invention relates to security devices and in particular, but not exclusively, to security devices for use with golf clubs and ancillary golf equipment such as golf trolleys to provide protection against theft.

Men and women of all ages play golf both as a competitive sport and as a leisure activity. The popularity of golf has increased significantly in recent times due to people having more leisure time and increased access to golf courses. A full set of golf clubs comprising up to 15 clubs including drivers (woods), irons (long and short irons), wedges and putter may cost anything from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds.

The popularity of golf and the cost of golf clubs has lead to an increased risk of theft by opportunist or sneak thieves when the clubs are left unattended. For example, players may leave their clubs unattended while playing when searching for a lost ball or, more often, when entering the club-house or the professional shop before or after playing a round.

Often the clubs may only be left unattended for a short period of time but this is sufficient for a thief to steal them, especially if, as is usual, the clubs are carried in a bag secured to a trolley that the thief can easily wheel away. Unattended clubs are also vulnerable when left in parked cars, even locked cars.

The theft of a set of golf clubs is inconvenient due to the time and cost involved in obtaining a replacement set, even if the clubs are insured against theft. In addition, many players become used to the "feel" of their clubs and if these are stolen it can take a considerable time for a player to "bed in" and become used to the "feel" of a new set of clubs during which time the players performance may be adversely affected.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the foregoing and seeks to provide a security device primarily but not exclusively suitable for use with golf clubs and/or ancillary golf equipment such as a golf trolley to provide protection against theft if the golf clubs are left unattended.

According to the present invention, there is provided a security device primarily but not exclusively suitable for use with golf clubs and/or ancillary golf equipment such as a golf trolley, the security device comprising a casing adapted to fit around a shaft of a golf club or a part of a golf trolley and housing an alarm operable to emit an audible and/or visual signal if the golf club or trolley is moved.

By this invention, the alarm provides a warning signal if the golf club or golf trolley to which it is fitted is moved from the position that it was left in by the player. In this way, the risk of theft when the clubs are left unattended may be reduced.

Preferably, the casing comprises two parts movable between an open position allowing the device to be fitted to and removed from a golf club or trolley and a closed position in which the device can be locked to prevent unauthorised release. For example, the casing may be provided with a key operated lock with the key being removable in the closed position of the casing.

Advantageously, the alarm is housed in the casing so as to inaccessible when the device is secured to a golf club or trolley and is responsive to a movement sensor to emit a warning signal if the club or trolley is moved.

Preferably, the sensitivity of the movement sensor is adjustable to reduce the risk of accidental or inadvertent triggering of the alarm. Thus, where the device is used outside, the sensor may be set according to the prevailing weather conditions, for example to reduce the sensitivity if it is windy.

Preferably, the casing can be adapted for securing to parts of different size by selection and fitment of a bush compatible with the part. For example, the shaft of a golf club is typically of small diameter compared to the handle or frame of a trolley and the device may be fitted to either by using a bush having an opening of the appropriate size compatible with the part to allow the casing to be secured in place around the part.

Typically, the security device is used outside where it is exposed to the environmental conditions and a cover may be provided to protect the device from ingress of rain or the like which may have an adverse effect on the operation of the device. Preferably, the cover is removable and may be made of clear or transparent material such as plastics so that the device can be visually inspected when fitted.

Advantageously, the device is provided with a remote controller to allow the alarm to be armed/disarmed with the device secured in place. This can be useful where the device is fitted in a location that allows it to be left in place when the clubs are being used and to be armed when the clubs are to be left unattended. For example, the device may be left in place when secured to part of a trolley such as the handle.

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of exemplary embodiments.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of a security device embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the security device shown in Figure 1: Figure 3 is a side view of the security device in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a front view of a remote controller for arming/disarming the security device shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a security device 1 is shown that is suitable for connection to a golf club (not shown) or a golf trolley (not shown).

The device 1 comprises a casing 2 having two parts 3, 4 hinged together for opening/closing movement. The parts 3, 4 are shown in the closed position in the drawings.

The parts 3, 4 are provided with semi-circular cut-outs 5, 6 (Figure 3) that co-operate in the closed position to provide two annular openings 7 (one only shown in Figure 3) that are aligned to receive a shaft of a golf club or part of a golf trolley such as the handle.

Each opening 7 is provided with a grommet or bush 8 of elastomeric material such as a natural or synthetic rubber. Each bush 8 has a central hole 8a (one only shown in Figure 3) sized to match the diameter of the shaft or trolley part.

Each bush 8 may have an axial slit 9 to facilitate fitting around the shaft or trolley part. Alternatively, each bush 8 may be formed in two halves that fit in the cut outs 5, 6.

Each bush 8 has an external annular groove (not shown) in which the marginal edge of the associated opening 7 is received to locate and retain the bush 8 in the closed position of the casing 2.

The casing 2 houses a battery operated alarm (not shown) responsive to a movement sensor (not shown) to emit an audible signal such as a high pitched noise in response to displacement of the security device 1, for example if the club or a trolley to which the device 1 is secured is moved.

The alarm may also provide a visual signal such as a flashing light to warn if the club or trolley to which the device 1 is secured is moved.

The device 1 is also provided with an indicator light 10 that is illuminated to warn when the battery requires replacing.

The alarm is operable by a remote controller 11 (Figure 4) having a casing 12 housing a battery operated transmitter (not shown) operable by a push button 13 by means of which the user can send a signal to a receiver (not shown) housed in the casing 2 to arm/disarm the alarm as desired. The casing 12 has a hole 14 for attaching the remote controller 11 to a key-ring (not shown) or the like.

The two parts 3, 4 of the casing 2 are secured together in the closed position by a lock 15 operable by a key (not shown) to release the lock and allow the parts 3, 4 to be hinged apart to an open position allowing the shaft of a club or part of a trolley to be inserted in and removed from between the parts 3, 4.

The lock 15 may be of any suitable type and is operated by inserting a mating key (not shown) in the keyhole 16 and rotating through 90 between the locked and unlocked positions shown in Figure 1. The key is removable in the locked position to prevent unauthorized operation of the lock 15.

In use, when it is desired or necessary to leave a set of golf clubs unattended such as when going into the club-house or professional shop or searching for a lost ball, the device 1 can be secured to one of the clubs or, where used, part of the trolley such as the handle and the alarm set to provide a warning if the club or trolley is moved.

More particularly, the device 1 is unlocked using the key to open the casing 2. The bushes 8 are fitted around the shaft of one of the golf clubs or, where used, part of the golf trolley such as the handle. Typically, the diameter of the golf club shaft is much smaller than the handle or frame of the trolley and a set of bushes 8 is provided with holes 8a of different sizes for selection and fitment of the appropriate size of bush 8 to fit on the club or trolley part and locate in the cutouts 5, 6.

The casing 2 is then closed around the shaft or trolley part and locked to secure the device 1 in place. The alarm is then armed with the remote controller 11. If the club or trolley is subsequently moved, this is detected by the movement sensor and the alarm is activated to emit an audible signal to warn that someone may be trying to steal the clubs.

On returning to the clubs, the alarm can be disarmed using the remote controller 11 allowing the clubs or, where used, trolley to be moved without activating the alarm. In this way, security of the clubs against theft is greatly increased.

Where the device 1 is secured to part of the trolley, it may be fitted and left in place so that the user only has to arm the alarm each time it is necessary to leave the clubs unattended and disarm the alarm on returning. This avoids having to fit and remove the device 1 each time the clubs are left unattended.

Where the device 1 is secured to one of the clubs, it may be fitted to a club that the player does not use regularly thereby allowing it to be fitted and left in place until the club is to be used. This reduces the number of times the device 1 has to be fitted and removed. Alternatively, the device 1 may be attached to an extra club employed specifically for the purpose so that it can be fitted and left in place. For example, the extra club may be an imitation club.

In order to reduce the risk of the alarm being accidentally triggered, for example in windy conditions, the sensitivity of the movement sensor may be set at different levels, for example high and low. In this way, the user can set the sensitivity according to the prevailing conditions when attaching the device 1 to the club or trolley. In this embodiment, two settings (high and low) are provided but it will be understood, that the sensor may be provided with more than two sensitivity settings, for example high, low and one or more intermediate settings.

The sensitivity of the movement sensor may be set manually by means of a switch (not shown) that may be arranged to be accessible when the i casing 2 is in the open position to prevent unauthorised change of the setting when the casing 2 is closed and the device 1 is secured to a club or trolley.

Alternatively, or additionally, the sensitivity of the movement sensor may be set using the remote controller 11 when the device 1 is fitted to the club or trolley. In this way, the user can set the sensitivity according to the prevailing conditions without opening the casing 2. This is particularly useful when the device is to be fitted and left in place, for example when attached to the trolley.

In order to protect the device 1 from the environmental conditions, especially rain, a removable cover (not shown) is provided that fits over the casing 2 and protects the device 1 from ingress of water. The cover may be made of flexible plastic sheeting and may be transparent or translucent to allow visual inspection of the device 1 when fitted in place around the shaft of a club or part of the trolley such as the handle.

As will now be appreciated the present invention provides a security device 1 that can be attached to parts of different size such as the shaft of a golf club or the handle or frame of a trolley by selection and fitment of the appropriate bush 8 to provide protection against theft.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to golf clubs, it will be understood that the security device 1 may be employed to protect other articles against theft where the device 1 can be secured to the article by locating and securing the casing 2 around a part of the article. For example, the device 1 could be attached to the frame of a bicycle to provide an audible warning if the bicycle is moved. Other applications and uses of the security device 1 will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are deemed to be within the scope of the invention. r

Claims

1. A security device for use with golf clubs and/or ancillary golf equipment such as a golf trolley, the security device comprising a casing adapted to fit around a shaft of a golf club or a part of a golf trolley and housing an alarm operable to emit an audible and/or visual signal if the golf club or trolley is moved.

2. A security device according to claim 1 wherein, the casing comprises two parts movable between an open position allowing the device to be fitted to and removed from a golf club or trolley, and a closed position in which the device can be locked to prevent unauthorised release.

3. A security device according to claim 2 wherein, the casing is provided with a key operated lock with the key being removable in the closed position of the casing.

4. A security device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein, the casing can be adapted for securing to parts of different size by selection and fitment of a bush compatible with the part.

5. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the alarm is housed in the casing so as to inaccessible when the device is secured to a golf club or trolley and is responsive to a movement sensor to emit a warning signal if the club or trolley is moved.

6. A security device according to claim 5 wherein, the sensitivity of the movement sensor is adjustable to reduce the risk of accidental or inadvertent triggering of the alarm. r

7. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, a cover is provided to protect the device from ingress of rain or the like.

8. A security device according to claim 7 wherein, the cover is removable and is made of clear or transparent material such as plastics so that the device can be visually inspected when fitted.

9. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, a remote controller is provided to allow the alarm to be armed/disarmed with the device secured in place.

10. A security device for use with golf clubs and/or ancillary golf equipment such as a golf trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of protecting golf clubs and/or ancillary golf equipment such as a golf trolley against theft, the method comprising providing a security device provided with an alarm, fitting the device to a golf club or ancillary golf equipment such as a gold trolley, and arming the alarm such that an audible and/or visual signal is emitted if the golf club or ancillary gold equipment to which the device is secured is moved.

12. A method of protecting golf clubs and/or ancillary golf equipment such as a golf trolley against theft substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.