Golf club headcovers

Abstract

To provide a head cover that is easy to attach and detach from the club head, is difficult to accidentally detach from the club head, and is resistant to deformation. [Solution] The head protection part that covers the club head and the shaft protection part that covers the area near the base of the shaft are continuous. The head protection part is hollow and large enough to cover the outer circumference of the head. The shaft protection part is elongated and hollow and can be covered the outer circumference of the shaft, with an open tip. The shaft protection part is separated in a continuous line in the width direction from the upper tip of the shaft protection part to the upper and lower surfaces of the head protection part, resulting in a half-split state in the width direction. The bottom surface of the shaft protection part is connected to the end of the separated part of the head protection part by a hinge, and using this hinge as an opening and closing axis, the head protection part can be opened in a half-split state in the width direction from the upper surface of the head protection part to the upper and lower surfaces of the shaft protection part. It possesses flexibility, shape recovery, and shape retention properties.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a head cover for a golf club (hereinafter simply referred to as "head cover").

Background Art

[0002] A head cover is put on the head of a golf club (hereinafter simply referred to as "club head") to protect the club head and the shaft (prevent damage), and there are various materials, structures, and designs (Patent Documents 1 to 7).

[0003] It is desirable that the head cover is easy to put on and take off the club head (easy to attach and detach). However, if it is made easy to attach and detach, it may accidentally fall off from the club head and be lost. In particular, it is likely to fall when the caddy bag is mounted on a cart and transported. From the viewpoint of preventing falls, it is desirable that it does not accidentally come off. From the viewpoint of long-term use, it is desired that it is difficult to lose its shape and is difficult to be damaged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a head cover that is easy to attach to and detach from a club head, yet is difficult to accidentally detach from the club head and is resistant to deformation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The head cover of the present invention has a head protection portion that covers the club head and a shaft protection portion that covers the area near the base of the shaft attached to the club head, which are continuous. The head protection portion is hollow and large enough to cover the outer circumference of the head. The shaft protection portion is elongated and hollow and has an open end that can be covered the outer circumference of the shaft.

[0007] The upper surface of the shaft protection section and the upper and lower surfaces of the head protection section are separated in a single, continuous section in the width direction, resulting in a split state. The lower surface of the shaft protection section is connected by a hinge (opening / closing connecting section) that allows it to be opened and closed. The section from the upper surface of the shaft protection section to the upper and lower surfaces of the head protection section, which are separated in a single continuous section, can be opened and closed in a split state in the width direction, with the aforementioned hinge as the opening and closing axis.

[0008] The head cover of the present invention is preferably made of a soft material such as soft resin or rubber, and possesses flexibility, shape recovery, and shape retention properties. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The head cover of this invention has the following effects. (1) Because it has a hinge, it is easy to open into a half-split state, and because it retains its shape, it can maintain its half-split shape without losing its form even when opened, and can be easily and quickly attached to and detached from the club head, which helps to speed up play. (2) Because there are no protruding members (parts) on the inner surface of the head cover, it can be made smaller and more compact. (3) Because it has shape recovery properties, even if it bends when placed over the club head, it will recover its shape along the outer surface of the club head, making it easy to fit the outer surface of the club head. (4) Because there are no protruding parts on the outside of the head cover, it is easy to put the golf club in and out of the golf bag, it does not take up much space in the golf bag, and it is easy to close the cover of the golf bag. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the club head stored in the head cover of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) is a front (inner surface) explanatory diagram of the head cover of the present invention in the open state, (b) is an end view of the shaft protection part in the open state, and (c) is an end view of the shaft protection part in the closed state. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram of the rear (outer) side of the head cover of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating how to remove a club head stored in the head cover of the present invention. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram showing how a club head is stored in the head cover of the present invention. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating the molding of the head cover of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram for the manufacturing of the head cover of the present invention, illustrating a case in which a single core material made of hard resin, which is continuous and can be opened and closed with a hinge, is covered with a surface material, and a magnet is attached to the separating edge of the core member. [Figure 8] This is another explanatory diagram for the manufacturing of the head cover of the present invention, illustrating a case in which two separately molded core members are covered with a surface material and connected so as to be openable and closable, and magnets are attached to the separation edges of the covered core members. [Figure 9] This is another explanatory diagram for the manufacturing of the head cover of the present invention, illustrating a case in which cushioning material is placed on the inner surfaces of two separated core members, a surface material is attached over the cushioning material to connect the two core members so that they can be opened and closed, and magnets are attached to the separating edges of the core members. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the head cover of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 5. The illustrated head cover 1 has a continuous head protection portion 2 and shaft protection portion 3. The head protection portion 2 covers the club head H (FIG. 1), and the shaft protection portion 3 covers the vicinity of the base of the shaft S (FIG. 1) attached to the club head H.

[0012] [Head protection portion] As shown in FIG. 1, the head protection portion 2 has a hollow shape that can cover the outer circumferences of the crown C and sole L of the club head 1. The head protection portion 2 has an upper surface 2a that covers the crown C side of the club head H to protect the crown C side, and a bottom surface 2b that covers the sole L side of the club head H to protect the sole L side.

[0013] The upper surface 2a and the bottom surface 2b of the head protection portion 2 in FIG. 1 are continuously separated at the central portion in the lateral width direction (including the approximate center: the same applies hereinafter) and are divided into two in the lateral width direction. The separation location may be a location to the left or right of the central portion in the lateral width direction of the upper surface 2a and the bottom surface 2b. The head protection portion 2 in a half-cracked shape divided in the lateral width direction is bowl-shaped.

[0014] [Shaft protection portion] As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft protection portion 3 has an elongated hollow shape, and the tip 3a is open. The shaft protection portion 3 has an upper surface 3b (FIG. 1) that covers the upper surface side Su (FIG. 1) of the shaft S, and a bottom surface 3c (FIG. 1) that covers the bottom surface side of the shaft S (the back side of the upper surface side Su in FIG. 1).

[0015] The upper surface 3b of the shaft protection portion 3 in FIG. 1 is continuously divided into two in a half-cracked shape from the tip 3a of the shaft protection portion 3 to the upper surface 2a of the head protection portion 2 and can be opened and closed left and right. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head protection portion 2 and the shaft protection portion 3 are divided into two in a half-cracked state in their width direction from the tip 3a of the shaft protection portion 3, through the upper surface 3b of the shaft protection portion 3 and the upper surface 2a of the head protection portion 2, to the bottom surface 2b of the head protection portion 2 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0016] [Hinge] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bottom surface 3c of the shaft protection part 3 is connected to the end of the separation part 2c of the head protection part 2 by a hinge (opening / closing connecting part) 4. Using the hinge 4 as the opening / closing axis, when the top surface 3b of the shaft protection part 3 is opened as shown in Figure 4, the top surface 2a of the head protection part 2 to the bottom surface 2b of the head protection part 2 opens in a continuous, half-split manner, as shown in Figure 2.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, a fastener 5 is sewn to the end of the separation portion (upper end of the hinge 4) 2c of the head protection portion 2 to prevent fraying or tearing of the separation portion end 2c. The fastener 5 can be made of cloth, synthetic leather, or any other material.

[0018] In Figure 1, the upper surface 3b of the shaft protection part 3 is divided in half at the center in the width direction (including approximately the center; the same applies hereinafter), but it may also be separated at a point to the left or right of the center in the width direction of the upper surface 3b. The separated left and right shaft protection parts 3 are in the shape of a half-split cylinder.

[0019] [Occlusion device: Magnet] As shown in Figure 7, a closing device, such as a magnet 7, is attached to the opposing separation edge (opening edge) 6 of the head protection part 2 and the shaft protection part 3. The magnets 7 in Figure 7 are arranged in a row, each several centimeters long, with rod-shaped interpolating material (not shown) made of resin or other material placed between the numerous magnets 7. The outer circumference of these magnets 7 and interpolating material is covered with a cover 8 made of cloth or other material to prevent them from being exposed to the outside and to prevent misalignment. This cover 8 is attached to the separation edge 6. The shape, number, and arrangement of the magnets 7 may be in other configurations. Alternatively, the magnets 7 can be attached directly to the separation edge 6 without being covered with the cover 8.

[0020] By attaching magnets 7 to the separation edge 6, when the left and right head covers 1a and 1b, which are split open as shown in Figure 1 (hereinafter referred to as "split covers"), are closed as shown in Figure 4, both separation edges 6 are attracted to each other by the magnets 7 and held in the closed position.

[0021] The closure device 7 does not have to be a magnet, as long as it can maintain the head cover 1, which is partially open as shown in Figure 1, in a closed state as shown in Figure 4. For example, it can be a hook-and-loop fastener, an opening and closing mechanism similar to that of a coin purse, a hinge mechanism that opens and closes with a spring, or any other mechanism.

[0022] [Opening of the split cover] The separating edges 6 of the split covers 1a and 1b are designed to open to nearly 180 degrees or more, as shown in Figure 2(b), using the hinge 4 as the opening and closing axis, so that the head protection part 2 and the shaft protection part 3 are held open in an upward (including diagonally upward; the same applies hereafter) split state as shown in Figure 2.

[0023] [Headcover material and characteristics] The head cover 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 is made of a soft material such as resin or rubber, and is suitable for a material that is soft and elastic enough not to scratch the club head H and shaft S, flexible enough to bend and deform when held in one hand and pressed with a finger as shown in Figure 4, has shape recovery properties that allow it to return to its original shape even if deformed or crushed, and has shape retention properties that allow it to maintain its shape when opened in a half-split state as shown in Figures 2 and 3. It is also desirable that it has impact resistance, elasticity, and thickness that can withstand external impacts and prevent damage to the club head H and shaft S. EVA resin is suitable as a resin with these properties. In this invention, other resins with similar properties to EVA resin can also be used. Suitable rubbers include natural rubber, silicone rubber, and others.

[0024] [Shaping the head cover] The head cover 1 in Figure 1 can be manufactured by molding a soft material such as resin or rubber using general-purpose injection molding or other molding methods. A lower mold 9a and an upper mold 9b as shown in Figure 6 can be used for molding.

[0025] [Club head storage] To place (store) the head cover 1 over the club head H, open the empty, closed head cover 1 in a split state as shown in Figure 5, insert the club head H between the left and right split covers 1a and 1b, and then close the split covers 1a and 1b as shown in Figure 4. In this case, the covers close as shown in Figure 2(c) with the hinge 4 as the axis, and the opposing separating edges 6 of the split covers 1a and 1b are attracted to each other by the magnet 7 and held in the closed state.

[0026] [Removing the club head] As shown in Figure 4, to remove the head cover 1 that is placed over the club head H, hold the continuous section 10 of the head cover 1, which consists of the head protection section 2 and the shaft protection section 3, with one hand (left hand in Figure 4), and lift the shaft S upward with the other hand (right hand in Figure 4). Push open the separating edge 6 of the head protection section 2 and the shaft protection section 3, opening it into a half-split state as shown in Figure 1. In this state, remove the club head H from between the half-split cover 1a and 1b (remove the club head H from the head cover 1).

[0027] The head cover 1, removed from the club head H, opens to approximately 180 degrees around the hinge 4 as shown in Figure 2(b), leaving it partially open as shown in Figure 2(a). In this state, the head cover 1 can be held with one hand (left hand in Figure 5) as shown in Figure 5, and the club head H, held with the other hand (right hand, not shown in Figure 5), can be inserted between the open, partially split covers 1a and 1b (the head cover 1 can be placed over the club head H).

[0028] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the head cover is molded to be openable and closable by connecting the split covers 1a and 1b with a hinge 4. However, the head cover 1 of the present invention may be molded by separately molding the split covers 1a and 1b, and arranging both split covers 1a and 1b side by side, with the connecting part acting as a hinge to allow them to be opened and closed to the left and right.

[0029] (Embodiment 3) The headcovers of Embodiments 1 and 2 are made of a soft material and molded to be thick to provide flexibility, resilience, and shape retention, but the headcover of Embodiment 3 has a core material 11 covered with a surface material 12. Specifically, it is made of a thin, rigid resin, and as shown in Figure 7, two half-split core materials 11 are molded and connected so as to be openable and closable by a hinge 4, and both the outer and inner surfaces of the core material 11 are covered with the surface material 12. The core material 11 covered with the surface material 12 has an openable and closable hinge 4 formed thereon. If the hinge 4 is formed, it is also possible to cover only one of the outer or inner surfaces of the core material 11 with the surface material 12. The surface material 12 is a sheet of a size and shape that can cover the core material 11, and can be made of various materials such as cloth or synthetic leather, and has any thickness (the same applies to the following embodiments).

[0030] The core material 11 is made of hard resin, but with a thickness of about 0.something mm to several mm, it is flexible enough to bend and deform when held in one hand and pressed with a finger, as shown in Figure 4. It also has shape recovery properties that allow it to return to its original shape even if deformed or crushed, and shape retention properties that allow it to maintain its shape when opened in a half-split state. Furthermore, it has impact resistance that can withstand external impacts and prevent damage to the club head H and shaft S.

[0031] In this embodiment, magnets 7 are attached to each of the separating edges 6 of the core materials 11, which are covered and connected by the outer material 12, so that when both core materials 11 are closed, the separating edges 6 are attracted to each other by the magnets 7. In this case as well, the magnets 7 are also covered with a cover 8 with an intervening material (not shown) between them, and the cover 8 is attached to the separating edge 6.

[0032] (Embodiment 4) In the fourth embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, a thin core material 11 made of hard resin is separated into a halved shape and molded. Two core materials 11 are placed side by side, and both their outer and inner surfaces are covered with a surface material 12 to connect them. The connecting portion is made into a hinge 4, allowing both core materials 11 to be opened and closed in a halved state. If a hinge 4 can be formed, it is also possible to cover only one of the outer or inner surfaces of the two core materials 11 placed side by side with the surface material 12. In addition, magnets 7 are attached to the separation edges 6 of both core materials 11 so that when both core materials 11 are closed, the separation edges 6 are attracted by the magnets 7 and close. These magnets 7 are the same as those in Figure 7.

[0033] (Embodiment 5) The head cover of Embodiment 5 is formed by separating a thin core material 11 made of hard resin into two halves and molding them, placing an elastic material 13 on the inner surfaces of the two core materials 11 placed side by side, covering both the outer and inner surfaces of both core materials 11 with a surface material 12 to connect them, and enclosing the elastic material 13 inside the surface material 12. In this case as well, the connecting portion of the encased core material 11 acts as a hinge 4, allowing the two halves of the core material 11 to open and close from side to side. If a hinge 4 can be formed, it is also possible to cover only one of the outer or inner surfaces of both core materials 11 with the surface material 12. In addition, magnets 7 are attached to the separation edges 6 of both core materials 11 so that when both core materials 11 are closed, the separation edges 6 are attracted by the magnets 7. These magnets 7 are the same as those in Figures 7 and 8. The elastic material 13 may be a long one that extends continuously from the head protection part 2 to the inner surface of the shaft protection part 3.

[0034] (Embodiment 6) In embodiments 3 to 5, the outer and inner surfaces of the core material 11, or either one of them, are covered with a sheet-like surface material 12. However, in the present invention, the surface material 12 may be made of an elastic material. In this case, an elastic resin may be sprayed onto both the inner and outer surfaces of the core material 11, or at least onto the inner surface, or an elastic sheet-like elastic material may be attached. Furthermore, magnets 7 are attached to the separation edges 6 of both core materials 11 so that when the core material 11 is closed, the separation edges 6 are attracted by the magnets 7 and close. These magnets 7 are the same as those in Figures 7 to 9. In this case, the elastic material 13 may also be a long material that extends continuously from the head protection part 2 to the inner surface of the shaft protection part 3. [Industrial applicability]

[0035] The illustrated embodiment is merely one example of the present invention. Other shapes, structures, sizes, materials, etc., are possible as long as the problems of the present invention are solved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 head cover 1a, 1b Half-split cover 2. Head protection section 2a Top surface (of the head protection section) 2b Bottom surface (of the head protection section) 2c (End of separation section of head protection part) 3. Shaft protection section 3a (Tip of the shaft protection part) 3b Top surface (of the shaft protection section) 3c (Bottom surface of the shaft protection section) 4. Hinge (opening / closing connection part) 5 Fasteners 6 Separation Edge 7. Closure device (magnet) 8 Covers 9a Lower mold 9b upper mold 10 consecutive sections 11 Core material 12 Surface material 13. Elastic material (cushioning material) B (The back of the crown) C Crown F Face H Club Head L Sole S shaft Su (upper side of the shaft)

Claims

1. The head protection section, which covers the club head, is continuous with the shaft protection section, which covers the area near the base of the shaft attached to the club head. The head protection section is a hollow structure sized to fit over the outer circumference of the club head, and the shaft protection section is a long, slender hollow structure sized to fit over the outer circumference of the shaft, with the tip of the shaft protection section being open. The upper surface of the shaft protection section, and the upper and lower surfaces of the head protection section are separated in a series in the lateral direction, resulting in a split state, and the lower surface of the shaft protection section is connected by a hinge, allowing the split state to be opened and closed using the hinge as the opening and closing axis. The separation edges of the head protection section and the shaft protection section have closing devices, which allow the separation edges of the head protection section and the shaft protection section to be closed together. Both the head protection and shaft protection parts are flexible, bending and deforming when pressed with a finger; they have shape recovery properties, allowing them to return to their original shape even after deformation or crushing; and they have shape retention properties, allowing them to maintain a partially open or closed shape. A golf club head cover characterized by the following features.

2. In the golf club head cover according to claim 1, The head protection part and the shaft protection part are molded products made of soft resin or rubber. A golf club head cover characterized by the following features.

3. In the golf club head cover according to claim 1, The head protection section and the shaft protection section are connected by a hinge, and the outer and inner surfaces, or either one of them, of a rigid resin core material, which can be opened and closed in a semi-split manner, are covered with a surface material, thereby connecting them in an openable and closable manner. A golf club head cover characterized by the following features.

4. In the golf club head cover according to claim 1, The head protection section and the shaft protection section are connected by covering both or either the outer and inner surfaces of two horizontally aligned, split core materials with a surface material, and the connection between the two core materials acts as a hinge, allowing them to open and close in a split manner. A golf club head cover characterized by the following features.

5. In the golf club head cover according to claim 3 or claim 4, The outer material is made of elastic material. A golf club head cover characterized by the following features.

6. In the golf club head cover according to claim 3 or claim 4, An elastic material is placed inside the outer material that covers at least the inner surface of the head protection part and the shaft protection part. A golf club head cover characterized by the following features.

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