WO2002007828A1

WO2002007828A1 - A golf puttercover with an accessories attachment device

Info

Publication number: WO2002007828A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/003237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Collinson-Jones
Original assignee: Collinson Jones Anthony
Priority date: 2000-07-18
Filing date: 2001-07-18
Publication date: 2002-01-31
Also published as: GB0017632D0; GB2364921A; AU2001270870A1

Abstract

A headcover (1) for a golf putter (2), wherein the headcover (1) comprises attachment means (4) for attaching an accessory, in particular a towel (5), is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the headcover (1) has reinforcement means (9) for securing the attachment means (4) to the headcover (1). The reinforcement means (9) may be integral or attached to the headcover. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reinforcement means is disposed such that, when the headcover is in use, the reinforcement means loops around a putter head (11) of the golf putter (2).

Description

A GOLF PUTTERCOVER WITH AN ACCESSORIES ATTACHMENT DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is in the field of apparatus for cleaning golf balls and, more specifically, to convenient apparatus for cleaning golf balls while preparing to putt.

BACKGROUND ART

Golf is played as both a recreational and professional sport. There is always therefore a need to enhance enjoyment for golfers and reduce distractions during a match. Apparatus which would provide such enhancements would accordingly be desirable to golfers.

It is well recognised amongst the golfing fraternity that it is desirable to regularly clean one's golf ball during the course of a match. During play, a golf ball may pick up dirt, or the like, and most particularly when playing in the rain or on a wet course, the golf ball may become wet. Dirt or moisture on the surface of the golf ball may lead to certain changes in the kinetics of the ball, which can lead to unpredictability in the speed and direction of shots. Particularly, pieces of dirt may lead to the ball being pushed off course, either on the ground or in flight, while moisture on the surface of the ball may, for example, lead to a decrease in the amount of spin imparted to the golf ball, thus leading to unpredictability in the trajectory of shots. As will be appreciated, the accuracy of shots is of the utmost importance in games such as golf.

The practice of cleaning golf balls is routinely carried out by golfers during the course of a match. In the past, this cleaning has been carried out by means of a towel, which is conventionally attached to or stored within a golf bag or a golf trolley. Prior to cleaning a golf ball, a golfer is required to mark the present position of his or her golf ball. When a golf ball is cleaned, the golfer may opt to remove the ball from its 'marked position' and take the ball to his or her bag for cleaning, or, alternatively, may remove the towel from the bag and clean the ball in the vicinity of its 'marked position'. However, this practice leads to particular inconvenience when the golfer is preparing to take a shot on a putting green.

In general, golf course etiquette demands that golf bags and trolleys are not taken onto golf course putting greens. Thus, should a golfer preparing to take a putt on the putting green require his or her ball to be cleaned, the golfer will need to return to his or her bag in order to clean the ball. This leads to inconvenience to the golfer and disruption to the match. There is therefore a clear need for an apparatus which allows the golfer to clean his or her ball with the minimum of inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a headcover for a golf putter comprising a putter head, wherein the headcover has attachment means for attaching accessories.

The attachment means may be disposed on the sole or the top side of the putter cover.

Preferably, the headcover has reinforcement means for securing the attachment means to the headcover.

Optionally, the reinforcement means is an integral portion of the headcover. Alternatively, the reinforcement means is attached to the headcover.

Preferably, the reinforcement means is disposed such that, when the headcover is in use, the reinforcement means loops around the putter head.

Optionally, the headcover is constructed from towelling material. Alternatively, the headcover is constructed from another material.

Preferably, the attachment means comprises a hook, loop or ring. Optionally, the aattttaacchhmmeenntt mmeeaannss ccoonnssiisstt ooff VVeellccrroo^®®.. OOppttionally, the headcover is also reinforced around the vicinity of the hook, loop or ring Preferably, the headcover has means for cleaning golf balls.

Preferably, the means for cleaning golf balls is attached to the headcover by the attachment means. Optionally, the cleaning means comprises second attachment means for attaching the cleaning means to the headcover. Preferably, the second attachment means allows the attaching and detaching of the cleaning means to the headcover. Optionally, the second attachment means comprises a hook, loop or ring. Optionally, the second attachment means consists of Velcro " .

Preferably, the means for cleaning golf balls is a towel. As used herein, a 'towel' refers to an article constructed from material allowing the removal of dirt and/or water from the surface of a golf ball. Such material is herein referred to as 'towelling material'. Preferably, a towel will be absorbent in nature, will not break down when wet and will be suitable for washing by conventional household washing methods. Alternatively, however, the cleaning means may also be a foam pad or a brush, or the like.

As will be appreciated, the headcover of the present invention allows one or more accessories, such as a towel, to be attached to the headcover. When, for example, a towel has been attached to the headcover, a golfer wishing to take a putt may select his putter from his golf bag and, in taking the putter to his ball for putting, the towel will be conveniently located on the headcover of the putter. Accordingly, should the golfer wish to clean his golf ball, he may do so without the need for returning to his golf bag.

The reinforcing means of the headcover of the present invention provides that the attachment means is securely fixed to the headcover. Such reinforcement means prevents the attachment means being torn easily from the headcover and renders the headcover more resilient to accidental damage from any sudden pull or tear on the attachment means. Such reinforcement means may be provided as an integral portion of the headcover, for example as a region in which the headcover material is particularly resistant to tearing. Alternatively, the reinforcement means may be discrete from, but attached to, the reinforcement means. A particularly preferred embodiment of the headcover has the reinforcement means disposed such that, when the headcover is in use, the reinforcement means loops around the putter head. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the reinforcement means, by encircling the putter head, incorporates the strength of the putter head to resist damage from any sudden pull or tear on the attachment means.

As will be appreciated, the present invention alleviates the inconvenience associated with prior golfing practice. In particular, the invention allows the golfer to conveniently clean his or her ball without returning to his or her golf bag or trolley.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the headcover of the present invention in use with a putter.

Figure 2 shows a more detailed perspective view of the headcover of the first embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the headcover of the first embodiment shown in figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to figure 1, an embodiment of a headcover of the present invention is shown at 1 in use with a putter 2. The headcover has an attachment ring 4 and a towel 5 attached to the attachment ring 4 via a clip 7.

Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the headcover shown in figure 1 in use. The headcover 1 has reinforcement loop 9 within the headcover for securing the attachment ring 4 to the headcover. In the embodiment shown, the reinforcement loop 9 is provided such that, when the headcover is in use as shown, the reinforcement loop 9 encircles the putter head 11 of the putter 2. In such a configuration, the reinforcement loop, by encircling the putter head, incorporates the strength of the putter head to resist damage to the headcover from any sudden pull on the attachment ring 4. The headcover 1 has a towel 5 attached to the headcover via attachment ring 4, a clip 7 and a towel ring 13. The clip 7 is reversibly attachable to the attachment ring 4.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the headcover shown in figure 2 in use. As can be seen, the reinforcement loop 9 is provided within the headcover 1 for securing the attachment ring 4 to the headcover. Moreover, the reinforcement loop 9 encircles the putter head 11 such that the reinforcement loop 9 incorporates the strength of the putter head 11.

In use, the towel 5 will generally be attached by means of the clip 7 to the attachment ring 4, so to prevent loss of the towel. Should the golfer wish to clean a ball, the towel preferably remains attached to the headcover, but may optionally be detached. In either case, the towel may be used in a conventional cleaning manner. Once the golfer has finished cleaning the ball, the towel may be reattached to the attachment ring 4 via the clip, if necessary.

The headcover 1 may be used as a towel itself without the need for an additional towel, provided the headcover is constructed from suitable cleaning or drying material.

It will be understood that the invention has been described by way of example only and modifications may be made whilst remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A headcover for a golf putter comprising a putter head, wherein the headcover has attachment means for attaching accessories.

2. The headcover of claim 1, wherein the headcover has reinforcement means for securing the attachment means to the headcover.

3. The headcover of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement means is an integral portion of the headcover.

4. The headcover of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement means is attached to the headcover.

5. The headcover of claims 3 or 4, wherein the reinforcement means is disposed such that, when the headcover is in use, the reinforcement means loops around the putter head.

6. The headcover of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the headcover is constructed from towelling material.

7. The headcover of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the attachment means comprises a hook, loop or ring.

8. The headcover of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the headcover has means for cleaning golf balls.

9. The headcover of claim 8, wherein the means for cleaning golf balls is attached to the headcover by the attachment means.

10. The headcover of claim 8 or 9, wherein the means for cleaning golf balls is a towel.