Apparatus To Protect Golf Club Heads

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a plurality of dividers constructed of lightweight material that when placed at the top of a golf club carrying bag, with the dividers inserted between the individual exposed golf club heads, provides protection to the golf club heads from damage caused by movement of the golf club bag when carrying or transporting. In addition to the protection provided, the apparatus also mutes the noise from the club head contact caused by the same movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf clubs will develop scrapes, scuffs, scratches, dents and chips to the club heads when placed in and transported using a golf club carrying bag. Golf clubs, when stored in a golf club carrying bag, golf club stand bag, golf club staff bag or other golf club carrying case will typically be exposed at the golf club head section of the club. The grip handle and shaft of the golf clubs, when inserted into the golf club bag, are not exposed. This leaves the golf club heads visible at the top or opening of the golf club bag or carrying device. In this manner, the golf club heads will be exposed to contact with the adjacent golf club heads positioned in the bag or carrying device. The amount and intensity of the movement of the golf club carrying bag, when transporting or lifting the bag, in turn imparts relative intensity of movement on the clubs and club heads causing clubhead to clubhead contact with the same relative intensity. This contact between clubheads, over time and with varying degrees of movement activity and intensity, will cause dents, scrapes, scuffs, scratches, markings and alterations to the original manufacturer delivered condition of the golf club head. These changes to the club head surface and club head material caused by the contact with adjacent club heads in the carry bag or carry device can cause damage or alterations to the ball striking surface of the club head and thus affect the club's performance characteristics. The dents, scrapes, scuffs, scratches, markings and alterations to the originally delivered condition will result in a loss of material value of the product and will change the appearance of the external surface of the clubhead.

Existing solutions for the protection of golf club heads are in the form of individual head covers that require the user to slip the club head cover on when not in use and slip off of the club head cover when using the golf club for the intended use. The individual head covers can be lost, misplaced, damaged or otherwise separated from the user and golf club. The headcover may be specifically sized for the individual club type, size, or manufacturer, leaving little flexibility for substitution or replacement if the head cover is lost or damaged.

An additional existing solution to protect clubheads is weaving a towel in the spaces between the clubheads at the top of the golf club carrying bag, golf club stand bag, golf club staff bag or other golf club carrying case. The towel will move when the bag is moved, will not retain a reliable form and shape between the clubheads, and will need regular attention to a adjust the placement in order to provide the maximum protection desired.

Another effect of the club heads contacting each other due to the movement of the golf bag is noise. The sound produced by the metal club heads striking one another with varying degrees of intensity will produce a sound of relative intensity or volume. This apparatus will prevent the club head contact that produces the clanking, banging, or rattling sounds.

While some golf club carrying bags do come with an overall cover that will surround and conceal the complete grouping of club heads in the golf bag, this typical cover does not prevent the club heads from striking one another during transport or movement of the bag. These overall covers for the club head section of the bag are principally designed to protect the entire grouping of club heads from external exposure to elements or rain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus is intended to improve upon the state of the art field of club head protection devices. This apparatus will provide protection to all golf club heads when the apparatus is installed or placed at the top of a golf club carrying bag or carrying device. The apparatus provides protective barriers between the golf club heads while the clubs are inserted in the golf club bag.

The apparatus can be constructed from towel material, cloth, Neoprene, foam, other soft material or any combination of material with either consistent or varying degrees of side wall or wall segment heights, that can provide the desired protection of the clubheads by preventing the club heads from contacting adjacent club heads when installed at the top of the golf club carrying bag or carrying device.

The entire body of the apparatus, when laid on a flat surface, can be proportionally greater in length than width. The height of the apparatus is defined by the top to bottom measurement when the apparatus is laid on a flat surface or installed or placed at the top of the golf club carrying bag or carrying device. The distance the apparatus extends upward or away from the surface or top of the golf club carrying device defines the apparatus height.

The apparatus will have a plurality of openings than can be oriented in the same direction, evenly spaced, and with identical opening lengths. The openings can be placed in the mid-section of the entire length of the apparatus body. The openings can be oriented in the direction of the length orientation of the apparatus body. Each opening can be sized to allow for an entire single clubhead body to be contained within the space of a single opening. The opening or openings, more specifically the walls of material that define the interior dimensions of each opening, provide the physical protection barrier to each single clubhead within.

The fabric or cloth material will be extended along the length of each opening in a manner that will create a side wall segment along each opening. These side wall segments will rise in-between the spaces the club heads reside at the top of the golf bag. These side wall segments are what constitute the height measurement of the apparatus when laid on a flat surface or installed at the top of the golf club carrying bag or carrying device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

When referencing the drawing, like reference numbers denote like elements throughout the various views. Structures shown in dashed outline do not form any part of the invention. Structures shown in dotted lines are not visible in the view shown. All drawings represent a single embodiment of the claims.

FIG. 1A—SIDE VIEW OF APPARATUS 100 in use with golf club carrying bag 20 and golf clubs 30 including side view of individual golf club 30. The length 112 and height 110 of the APPARATUS 100 are identified.

FIG. 2A—TOP VIEW OF APPARATUS 100 identifies the width 102, a long dividing member/wall segment 122, a short dividing member/wall segment 120, attachment points 126, and an opening 124 created by the complete assembly.

FIG. 2B—SIDE VIEW OF APPARATUS 100 identifies the length 112 and height 110 of the APPARATUS 100, side view of a long dividing member 122, side view of a short dividing member/wall segment 120, and attachment points 126 hidden from view on the opposite side of the depicted APPARATUS view.

FIG. 2C—END VIEW OF APPARATUS 100 identifies the width 102 and height 110 of the APPARATUS 100, end view a long dividing member/wall segment 122, side view of a short dividing member/wall segment 120, and attachment points 126 hidden from view on the opposite side of the depicted APPARATUS 100 view.

FIG. 3A—ANGLED PERSPECTIVE TOP VIEW OF APPARATUS 100.

FIG. 3B—ANGLED PERSPECTIVE TOP VIEW OF APPARATUS 100 In use with golf club carrying bag 20 and golf clubs 30. This figure also identifies a long dividing member/wall segment 122, a short dividing member/wall segment 120, and an opening 124 created by the complete assembly.

FIG. 4A—TOP VIEW OF APPARATUS 100 placed on top of golf club carrying bag 20. This figure also identifies a long dividing member/wall segment 122, a short dividing member/wall segment 120, and an opening 124 created by the complete assembly.

FIG. 4B—TOP VIEW OF APPARATUS 100 placed on top of golf club carrying bag 20 and golf club head 30 placement within an opening 124 created by the complete assembly. This figure also identifies the length 112, and width 102 of the APPARATUS 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be understood that the description and drawings herein illustrate a single embodiment and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the scope of the appended claims. It should also be understood that the various identified components of the example embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein are terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer to another and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 3A illustrates an above angled perspective view of the presented embodiment of APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING GOLF CLUB HEADS 100. FIGS. 1A, 3B, 4A and 4B illustrate the same embodiment of APPARATUS 100 placed on top of a golf club carrying device or golf club bag to demonstrate the intended average size of APPARATUS 100 as relates to the average sized golf club carrying device or golf club bag 20. FIG. 4A shows the APPARATUS 100 as constructed using a plurality of long dividing members or wall segments 122 and short dividing members or wall segments 120 arranged and connected to one another creating a plurality of openings 124. The entire APPARATUS 100 is shown placed at the top of a typical golf club carrying bag 20. FIG. 4B shows the same view as FIG. 4A with the golf club heads 30 within several openings 124.

The depicted embodiment of APPARATUS 100 (All FIGURES) generally comprises a body constructed of soft, lightweight, and self-supporting material that make up the individual parts. The individual parts as shown in FIG. 2A are the long dividing members or wall segments 122 and the short dividing members or wall segments 120. The self-supporting material of choice to construct the individual parts for this embodiment could be a composite fabric product of a 3 mm to 6 mm thick Neoprene interior with Nylon Fabric exterior surface, both sides. This particular material choice would produce a lightweight device that does not add an unmanageable amount of additional weight to the golf club carrying bag and the combined existing contents of clubs, balls, and other items the golfer chooses to include. The Nylon Fabric wrapped Neoprene will also provide enough malleable flexibility to bend, shape or fit the APPARATUS 100 around the club head 30 array at the top of a golf club carrying bag or device to accommodate a variety of club and carrying bag arrangements while still maintaining adequate rigidity for the wall segments height 110 to remain vertical between the club heads 30 and provide the desired protection as shown in FIGS. 1A, 3B, 4A and 4B.

Alternate embodiments of the APPARATUS 100 could employ the use of standard cloth or towel type material that is constructed with a rigid material sewed within to provide the vertical support to ensure the APPARATUS provides the protection barrier height 110 between each club head 30 described in the following detail.

FIG. 2A illustrates a manner of construction for the APPARATUS 100 utilizing Nylon Fabric Wrapped Neoprene to create a plurality of long wall segments or divider members 122 connected by short wall segments or divider members 120. FIGS. 2B and 2C identify points where the individual long wall members or segments 122 and short wall members or segments 120 would intersect to be fastened with zig-zag method stitching at attachment points 126. Alternate attachment methods could utilize adhesives, rivets, and additional varieties of stitching methods and material. The arrangement of the long wall members or segments 122 and short wall members or segments 120 combine to create a plurality of openings 124. FIG. 4A illustrates the average length 112 and average 102 width of APPARATUS 100 to be larger than the average top side opening length and width of the golf club carrying device or golf club bag 20. FIG. 1A illustrates the average height 110 of the APPARATUS 100 as relates to the average sized golf club carrying device or golf club bag 20 and the averaged sized golf club head 30. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4A, the length of the short wall segment or divider member 120 will define the maximum size for each opening 124 when the APPARATUS is assembled with short wall segments or divider members 120 of matching size connected to each long wall segment or divider member 122 at even spacing intervals. In the example embodiment the short wall segments or divider members 120 when assembled and fastened together with the long wall segments or divider members 122 combine to create and define the maximum width 102 and length 112 of the APPARATUS 100.

Other embodiments of the APPARATUS could vary the number of long wall segments or divider members 122 connected by short wall segments or divider members 120 thereby changing the dimensions of the APPARATUS 100. A typical or standard golf club carrying bag is design to carry 14 clubs. The embodiment depicted in the figures herein will accommodate the typical or standard golf club carrying bag. Reducing the quantity and length of long wall segments or divider members 122 connected by short wall segments or divider members 120 in an alternate embodiment would allow for the reduction in quantity of openings (124) where club heads 30 would be individually protected. Other embodiments of the APPARATUS 100 could vary the short wall segments or divider members 120 creating a varying width 102 along the entire length 112 of the APPARATUS 100.

FIG. 1A shows the side view of this presented embodiment of the APPARATUS 100. The height 110 of the APPARATUS 100 is established such that it sufficiently conceals each club head 30 within each opening 124 to prevent the individual club head from contacting the adjacent clubheads in the adjacent openings 124 while exposing enough of each club head 30 for the golfer to see each club head for proper use selection and readily access the club by hand to remove for individual use. FIG. 1A shows a consistent height of the overall APPARATUS 100. Alternate embodiments of the APPARATUS could vary the height dimension 110 to accommodate varying club sizes, artistic design, or other desired intent.

Another embodiment or APPARATUS 100 could incorporate a towel or cloth for cleaning or wiping off the clubs after use and before placing the clubs back into the golf club carrying bag or device. This towel or fabric could be attached to one or more of the short wall segments or divider members 120 or long wall segment or divider members 122 with fasteners that attached the towel or fabric in a permanent manner or in a manner that allows for removal and replacement for cleaning or use of the towel or cloth away from the APPARATUS 100 and the golf club carrying bag or device.

Other embodiments of APPARATUS 100 could include a means to secure the entire body to the top of a golf club carrying bag or carrying device by adding adjustable straps utilizing Velcro or buckling mechanisms allowing the device to take advantage of existing attachment points or handles on the golf club carrying bag or device.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A golf club head protection apparatus, comprising: a club head separation body configured to be disposed on an open end portion of a golf club bag, said club head separation body being formed by a plurality of wall segments joined together to form a plurality of openings arranged in a matrix, each of said plurality of openings having at least one of said plurality of wall segments in common with an adjacent other of said plurality of openings, and each of said plurality of openings being configured for respectively receiving a golf club head portion of a golf club therein, wherein said at least one common wall segment thereby obstructing the golf club head portion in each of said plurality of openings from contacting the golf club head portion in an adjacent other of said plurality of openings, and wherein at least a portion of said plurality of openings extend beyond an outer perimeter edge of the open end portion of the club bag.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, where said club head separation body includes: a plurality of first wall segments, each said plurality first wall segments are longitudinally extended members disposed in spaced relationship one with respect to another in a direction transverse with respect to said longitudinal direction, anda plurality of second wall segments extending between said plurality of first wall segments and coupled respectively thereto, wherein each of said plurality of second wall segments is coupled on opposing ends thereof to a corresponding pair of transversely adjacent first wall segments.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, where said plurality of openings have a polygonal contour.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, where at least a portion of said plurality of first wall segments extend beyond an outer perimeter edge of the open end portion of the club bag.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, where each of said plurality of second wall segments are coupled to said corresponding pair of transversely adjacent first wall segments by fasteners.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, where each of said plurality of second wall segments are adhesively coupled to said corresponding pair of transversely adjacent first wall segments.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, where said first and second wall segments have a height dimension in common to extend sufficiently above the open end portion of the golf club bag to obstruct contact between adjacent golf club heads.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, where said first and second wall segments have sufficient rigidity to retain their form and an exterior surface of sufficient softness to avoid marring golf club heads that come in contact therewith.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, where said first and second wall segments have sufficient rigidity to retain their form and an exterior surface of sufficient softness to avoid marring golf club heads that come in contact therewith.

22. A golf club head protection apparatus, comprising: a club head separation body configured to be disposed on an open end portion of a golf club bag, said club head separation body being formed by a plurality of longitudinally extended first wall segments disposed in spaced relationship one with respect to another in a direction transverse with respect to said longitudinal direction, and a plurality of second wall segments extending between said plurality of first wall segments and coupled respectively thereto to form a plurality of openings configured for respectively receiving a golf club head portion of a golf club therein, at least a portion of said plurality of openings extend beyond an outer perimeter edge of the open end portion of the club bag, and wherein said first and second wall segments have a height dimension in common to extend sufficiently above the open end portion of the golf club bag to obstruct contact between adjacent golf club head portions of the golf clubs.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, where each of said plurality of second wall segments is coupled on opposing ends thereof to a corresponding pair of transversely adjacent first wall segments.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, where at least a portion of said plurality of first and second wall segments extend beyond an outer perimeter edge of the open end portion of the club bag.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, where said plurality of openings have a polygonal contour.