GB2475508A

GB2475508A - Improvements in relation to security devices

Info

Publication number: GB2475508A
Application number: GB0920311A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Robert Rogers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-19
Filing date: 2009-11-19
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: GB0920311D0

Abstract

A security device for supporting and locking a plurality of golf clubs comprises a pair of club shaft support members 2, 3 movable between an open position and a closed position in which they lie adjacent one another. Club engaging elements 5 for supporting golf club shafts are provided on one support member. In the closed position, the other support member is positioned sufficiently close to the club engaging elements to prevent the removal of clubs. A locking mechanism is provided. The support members are preferably connected by means of a hinge 4. The club engaging elements are preferably clips, which may be rotated and moved along at least one axis of a support member. The locking mechanism preferably comprises a post G extending from one support member and passing through a corresponding opening 8 in the other support member. A hole 7 may be provided in the post to facilitate the attachment of a padlock 9.

Description

I

Improvements in relation to security devices The present invention relates to security devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to golf club security devices for supporting and locking a plurality of golf clubs.

There are many types of holders and racks for supporting and storing golf clubs available and in use today. In most cases the golf clubs are supported in a linear or rotary arrangement by their heads, handles or shafts. One such device, as shown in US5829604, is a portable rack for releasably holding a plurality of golf clubs which may be attached to a golf bag for convenience purposes. However, it is often desirable to be able to lock the golf clubs into a holder in order to prevent unlawful removal of the golf clubs from the holder. The aforementioned device does not feature a locking mechanism and is not designed for attachment to a static object such as a wall and, consequently, does not secure the golf clubs which it engages. It is also desirable to be able to secure a golf bag and/or trolley as well as golf clubs.

Cabinets and enclosures already exist with the aim of securing golf clubs. One such device, as shown in US5788070, is a box-like golf equipment storage device for attaching to a golf cart, featuring a locking mechanism. However, it is not possible to determine which golf clubs are currently supported in the storage device without unlocking the device. This could be a problem in public golfing venues where the user may be forced to choose which club he wishes to disengage from the holder before releasing the lock. A box-like cabinet or enclosure also occupies unnecessary space, which is highly undesirable if the holder is to be positioned in an enclosed space, such as a garage or sports shop.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a security device for supporting and locking a plurality of golf clubs, the security device comprising a pair of club shaft support members, the support members being movable between an open position and a closed position in which the support members lie adjacent one another, one of the support members having club engaging elements for supporting golf club shafts in use, the other support element, when in the closed position, being sufficiently close to the club engaging elements in order to prevent, in use, the removal of clubs from the club engaging elements, and a locking mechanism for locking the support members in the closed position.

Preferably, the club engaging elements are clips. The clips may be rotated and/or their position moved along at least one axis whilst still attached to the one support member in order to accommodate golf clubs with differing head sizes and shapes.

Preferably, the clips are attached to the one support member using bolts and nuts, wherein the tightness of the bolts and nuts may be adjusted. Clips may be removably mounted on the one support member. The clips may comprise a body and at least two resilient arms, wherein the clip body is attached to the one support member and the clip arms extend from the clip body.

The support members may be hingedly connected. A portion of at least one support member may be lined with padding.

Preferably, there may be a post extending substantially perpendicularly from the one support member. Preferably, there is a first hole through the post. Preferably, there is an opening through the second support member through which the post passes when the support members are moved to the closed position in use.

The locking mechanism may comprise a padlock which may be inserted through the first hole when the support members are in the closed position, thereby preventing the support members from moving from the closed position.

Preferably, there is a second hole through the post. Preferably, a cable may be threaded through the second hole. There may be a means of securing the cable to the post. Furthermore, there is preferably a loop located at the distal end of the cable.

By way of example, one embodiment of a security device according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a security device according to the present invention shown with the support members in the open position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the non-hinged end of a security device according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the non-hinged end of a security device according to the present invention shown locked; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the non-hinged end of a security device according to the present invention taken along line X-X in Fig. 3 shown locked.

A security device 1 which is depicted in Figs. I to 4. Referring initially to Fig. 1, the security device I of the invention comprises an elongate first support member 2 and second support member 3, a plurality of clips 5 and a locking mechanism. The first support member 2 and second support member 3 are constructed from steel, although other rigid materials of suitable strength could be used. The clips 5 are attached to the first support member 2. The support members are movable between an open and a closed position. When the support members are in the closed position, the second support member 3 lies adjacent to the first support member 2 and sufficiently close to the clips in order to prevent, in use, the removal of clubs from the clips. Hence, if a club was engaged with a clip 5, it would not be possible to remove the golf club from the security device I as the second supporting member 3, in combination with at least one of the first supporting member 2 or the clip 5, would prevent the passage of the head or handle of the golf club.

In an embodiment not depicted in Figs. I to 4, the first support member 2 is designed to allow the possibility of mounting the security device I on a substantially flat vertical surface, such as a wall. This may be achieved with the use of adhesive or wall-engaging members, such as screws 25.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings or described in detail, the first support member 2 and second support member 3 may be curved to allow the possibility of mounting in a corner.

The locking mechanism is designed with the purpose of being employed when the support members are in the closed position, thereby preventing the support members from being moved from the closed position. The golf clubs are engaged with the clips 5 prior to the moving of the support members to the closed position. Once locked, the support members may only be moved from the closed position by applying a particular unlocking procedure, thereby preventing unauthorised removal of golf clubs from the security device 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, a hinge 4 attaches the second support member 3 to the first support member 2 at one end, allowing the support members to move pivotally about the hinge 4 between the open and closed positions.

Furthermore, the locking mechanism comprises a padlock 9 which may be employed when the support members are in the closed position, thereby preventing the support members from moving from the closed position. The padlock 9 may be released using a particular key 10 or a combination.

Alternatively, the locking mechanism may be released electronically rather than, as in the preferred embodiment, with the use of a key 10.

As shown in Fig. I, a post 6 extends substantially perpendicularly from the first support member 2. There is a first hole 7 through the post 6. Additionally, there is an opening 8 through the.second support member 3, wherein the opening 8 is sufficiently wide to accommodate the post 6. Moving the support members to the closed position results in the post 6 being inserted through the opening 8 until the first hole 7 has completely passed through the opening 8 and the padlock 9 may be applied.

Referring now to Fig. 2, clips 5 are attached to the first support member 2 via bolts 11 and nuts 22. Each clip 5 has a body 13 and two resilient arms 14. A track 21 extends along a substantial proportion of the length of the first support member 2. The track 21 has a channel 24 which is sufficiently wide to accommodate a bolt 11. Nuts 22 may be inserted into an opening at either end of the track 21 so that they are held between the track 21 and the first support member 2. Fig. 4 shows in detail how the bolts 11 and nuts 22 attach the clips 5 to the track 21. The clip body 13 is positioned on the track 21 with the clip arms 14 extending substantially perpendicularly from the clip body 13. The bolt 11 is inserted first through the clip body 13 then subsequently through the track channel 24. The nut 22 is held on the opposite side of the track 21 and the bolt 11 is inserted through the nut 22 and tightened as desired using an allen key 12 which is designed for application to the bolt recess 23. Hence, the track 21 allows the positions of the clips 5 to be moved along one axis only. However, it is appreciated that there are alternative ways of supporting clips in a track to allow for the movement of clips along a track, and possibly along more than one axis. Additionally, clips 5 may be added to or removed from the security device I in order to utilise the available space in the most efficient maimer. Clips 5 may also be rotated whilst still engaged with the track 21.

Traditionally, the shafts of golf clubs have been constructed from steel.

However, the shafts of modern golf clubs are commonly constructed from softer 1 5 materials, such as graphite, which consequently makes them more susceptible to scratching. Accordingly, the clips 5 of the security device I are constructed from metal and coated in a softer plastic in order to prevent damage such as scratching to the shaft of any golf clubs which they engage. The clip arms 14, although resilient, are substantially pliable, meaning that a range of shaft diameters may be accommodated without the risk of damage to the club and/or clip 5.

As a further preventive measure against damage to the golf clubs engaged with the security device 1, the portions of the support members which are likely to come into contact with the club shafts are lined with padding 19 to prevent scratching to the club shafts, This padding 19 may be in the form of a softer coating as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or, in an alternative embodiment not depicted in the figures, in the form of soft brushes or bristles.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, there is a second hole 1 5 through the post 6.

Additionally, there is a cable 1 6 threaded through the second hole I S with a means of securing it thereto, for example, with the use of a stop II 7. The function of this cable 16 is that it may be threaded through a portion of a golf trolley and/or bag whilst the security device I is affixed to a static object, such as a wall. There is a loop 1 8 at the distal end of the cable 16. Once the cable 16 has been threaded through a portion of the golf trolley and/or bag, the ioop 18 is hooked over the post 6 whilst the support members are in the open position. The support members are then moved to the closed position and the padlock 9 is applied, thereby securing the golf trolley and/or bag. It will be appreciated that other items may also be secured using the cable 16.

In use, a golf club is engaged by a clip 5 attached to the first support member 2 with the support members in the open position. A number of additional golf clubs may subsequently be engaged in the same manner with their shafts suspended in substantially the same plane as the first golf club. Once the desired number of golf clubs has been engaged by the clips 5, the second support member 3 may be moved pivotally about the hinge 4 so that the second support member 3 lies adjacent to the first support member 2.

In applying this procedure, the post 6 is consequently inserted through the opening 8 so that the first hole 7 passes completely through the hole 8. The padlock 9 may then be inserted through the first hole 7 and locked using a particular key 10, thereby resulting in the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

It will be appreciated that this description is by way of example only; alterations and modifications may be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A security device for supporting and locking a plurality of golf clubs, the security device comprising a pair of club shaft support members, the support members being movable between an open position and a closed position in which the support members lie adjacent one another, one of the support members having club engaging elements for supporting golf club shafts in use, the other support element, when in the closed position, being sufficiently close to the club engaging elements in order to prevent, in use, the removal of clubs from the club engaging elements, and a locking mechanism for locking the support members in the closed position.
2. The security device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the club engaging elements are clips.
3. The security device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clips may be rotated and/or their position moved along at least one axis whilst still attached to the one support member in order to accommodate golf clubs with differing head sizes and shapes.
4. The security device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the clips are attached to the one support member using bolts and nuts, wherein the tightness of the bolts and nuts may be adjusted.
5. The security device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein clips are removably mounted on the one support member.
6. The security device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the clips comprise a body and at least two resilient arms, wherein the clip body is attached to the one support member and the clip arms extend from the clip body.
7. The security device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support members are hingedly connected.
8. The security device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the support members is lined with padding.
9. The security device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is a post extending substantially perpendicularly from the one support member.
10. The security device as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is an opening through the second support member through which the post passes when the support members are moved to the closed position in use.
11. The security device as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein there is a first hole through the post.
12. The security device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a padlock which may be inserted through the first hole when the support members are in the closed position, thereby preventing the support members from moving from the closed position.
13. The security device as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein there is a second hole through the post.
14. The security device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a cable is threaded through the second hole.
15. The security device as claimed in claim 14, wherein there is a means of securing the cable to the post.
16. The security device as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein there is a ioop located at the distal end of the cable.
1 7. A security device substantially as herebefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.