GOLF CLUB HEAD COVER AND HOLDING TOOL FOR THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a head cover for a golf club and relates also to a holding tool for the head cover.

BACKGROUND ART

To prevent a golf club head cover for protecting the head of a golf club (such as a wood, iron, utility, or putter) from being left on the ground or the like or lost when the head cover is detached from the head during the use of the golf club for example, it has been conventionally known that the head cover is detachably formed on a holding tool provided on the wear or the like of a golf player (Patent Document 1, for example).

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a head cover suspending string provided with a magnet at the tip is loaded on the belt of a player, and the head cover is provided with an iron piece that is attracted by the magnet. By bringing the iron piece of the head cover close to the magnet of the head cover suspending string, the head cover is attached to (held by) the head cover suspending string.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT
Patent Document

[Patent Document 1]

Registered Utility Model No. 3209188

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention

According to the technique as described in Patent Document 1, unfortunately, the head cover attached to the head cover suspending string is easily detached simply by pulling because the head cover is held only by the magnetic force of the magnet provided on the head cover suspending string. Thus, when an arm of the player, a golf club, or the like gets stuck with the head cover, for example, the head cover may be unintentionally released from the head cover suspending string thereby to result in the loss or the like.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem and an object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head cover and a holding tool for the same that are able to prevent the golf club head cover from being unintentionally released from a predetermined holding position.

Means for Solving the Problems

To solve the above problem, first, the present invention provides a holding tool for a golf club head cover, comprising: a first connector disposed at a predetermined holding position for holding the golf club head cover; a second connector provided on the golf club head cover, the second connector being formed so as to be detachably fitted to the first connector; and an engaging part provided on one connector of the first connector and the second connector, the engaging part engaging with the other connector of the first connector and the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other, thereby to restrict movement of the other connector in a direction opposite to a fitting direction, the engaging part being formed so as to release an engaged state of the other connector when, in a state in which the engaging part engages with the other connector, a position of the other connector with respect to the one connector is moved in a predetermined direction different from the direction opposite to the fitting direction (invention 1).

According to the invention (Invention 1), the second connector provided on the golf club head cover can be fitted to the first connector disposed at the predetermined holding position, thereby to allow the golf club head cover to be held at the predetermined holding position. Moreover, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other, the engaged state of the other connector is maintained by the engaging part until the position of the other connector with respect to the one connector is moved in the predetermined direction different from the direction opposite to the fitting direction; therefore, when the golf club head cover is pulled in the direction opposite to the fitting direction, for example, the golf club head cover can be prevented from being easily released from the predetermined holding position.

In the above invention (Invention 1), the one connector of the first connector and the second connector may include a first magnet, and the other connector of the first connector and the second connector may include a second magnet or a magnetic body that attracts the first magnet (Invention 2).

According to the invention (Invention 2), the magnetic force attracting between the first magnet and the second magnet or magnetic body allows the first connector and the second connector to easily fit to each other and can improve the stability of the holding state of the golf club head cover.

In the above invention (Invention 1˜2), the golf club head cover may be a head cover for a putter (Invention 3).

Here, the putter is basically used only on the green unlike other golf clubs, but the green turf is very delicate and is a place that requires delicate treatment, so the head cover should not be easily put on the green. In addition, immediately after holing out, the player tends to be in a relaxed state and may often forget the head cover remaining around the green. Furthermore, the distance between the player and an accompanying player is very close on the green and, therefore, if the player carelessly drops the head cover during the accompanying player's putting, for example, it may be highly possible to affect the play of the accompanying player. According to the invention (Invention 3), it is possible to prevent the misplacing, dropping, and the like of the head cover for a putter.

In the above invention (Invention 1˜3), the holding tool for a golf club head cover may further comprise a fixture capable of being attached to a wearing article of a golf player, and the first connector may be provided on the fixture (Invention 4).

According to the invention (Invention 4), the golf club head cover can be held so as to be attached to the wearing article of a golf player.

In the above invention (Invention 4), the fixture may include a hook part configured to be hooked to the wearing article (Invention 5).

According to the invention (Invention 5), the hook part can be hooked to the wearing article of a golf player thereby to allow the fixture to be easily attached to the wearing article.

In the above invention (Invention 4), the fixture may include a winding part configured to be wound around the wearing article (Invention 6).

According to the invention (Invention 6), the winding part can be wound around the wearing article of a golf player thereby to allow the fixture to be easily attached to the wearing article.

In the above invention (Invention 4), the fixture may include a pair of clamping parts configured to clamp the wearing article (Invention 7).

According to the invention (Invention 7), the pair of clamping parts can be arranged so as to clamp the wearing article of a golf player, thereby to allow the fixture to be easily attached to the wearing article.

In the above invention (Invention 7), the fixture may include a biasing part configured to bias the pair of clamping parts so that the clamping parts come close to each other (Invention 8).

According to the invention (Invention 8), the pair of clamping parts can be biased so as to come close to each other, thus improving the stability of the attaching state when the fixture is attached to the wearing article.

In the above invention (Invention 7), the pair of clamping parts may be connected to each other via a bending part configured to elastically deform in a direction in which the clamping parts separate from each other (Invention 9).

According to the invention (Invention 9), the clamping parts can clamp the wearing article when the bending part does not elastically deform, thus improving the stability of the attaching state when the fixture is attached to the wearing article.

Second, the present invention provides a golf club head cover comprising: a head cover main body; and the second connector of the holding tool for a golf club head cover as described in the above invention 1˜9 (Invention 10).

Effect of the Invention

According to the golf club head cover and the holding tool for the same of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the golf club head cover from being unintentionally released from the predetermined holding position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating the basic configuration of a golf club head cover and a holding tool for the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a first connector.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first connector.

FIG. 4 is a view for describing the configuration of a second connector.

FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are views for describing an operation when the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other.

FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are views for describing an operation when as engaged state of the second connector is released.

FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are views for describing attachment examples of the first connector.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is merely as example and the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating the basic configuration of a golf club head cover and a holding tool for the same according to as embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a first connector, FIG. 3 is a front view of the first connector, and FIG. 4 is a view for describing the configuration of a second connector.

The golf club head cover (referred to as a head cover, hereinafter) according to the present embodiment is to protect the head of a golf club (such as a wood, iron, utility, or putter) and, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may comprise a head cover main body 1 that is formed in a bag-like shape having a size capable of accommodating the head, and a second connector 20 (described later) that constitutes a holding tool for the head cover. The head cover main body 1 may also be formed so as to be capable of protecting not only the head of a golf club but also the base portion of the shaft connected to the head.

Examples of the material of the head cover main body 1 include materials having shock-absorbing properties (such as leather, synthetic leather, cloth, nonwoven fabric, and knit), but the material is not limited thereto. The head cover main body 1 may also be formed of different materials on the outer side and the inner side (such as synthetic leather on the outer side and raised fabric on the inner side), and a cushion material may be provided between the material on the outer side and the material on the inner side in order to enhance the protection effect for the head.

The holding tool for the head cover according to the present embodiment may be composed of a first connector 10, a second connector 20 formed so as to be detachably fitted to the first connector 10, and a fixture A capable of being attached to a wearing article (such as a pocket or a belt of wear (such as a shirt or pants)) of a golf player. The first connector 10 may be provided on the fixture A while the second connector 20 may be provided on the head cover main body 1. In the present embodiment, the first connector 10 is provided on the fixture A and the head cover can therefore be held so as to be attached to the wearing article of a golf player.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first connector 10 may be fixed to the fixture A using screws A2. The fixture A may be provided with a nook part A1 having a reversed U-shape in a side view, and the hook part A1 of the fixture A can be hooked to a pocket, a belt, or the like from above, for example, thereby to allow the first connector 10 to be secured to and disposed on the pocket, belt, or the like (a predetermined holding position for holding the head cover). In the present embodiment, the hook part A1 can be hooked to a wearing article of a golf player thereby to allow the fixture A to be easily attached to the wearing article. The first connector 10 may be composed of an appropriate material, such as a rubber, a metal, or a synthetic resin (e.g. plastic). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first connector 10 may comprise an elliptical plate-like base part 11 fixed to the fixture A, a hollow concave part 12 provided on a surface of the base part 11, and an engaging part 13 provided inside the concave part 12.

Both end sides of the base part 11 in the width direction (Y-direction in the figures) may be provided with insertion holes (not illustrated) into which the screws A2 are inserted. The base part 11 may thus be fixed to the fixture A by inserting the screws A2 into the insertion holes.

The concave part 12 may have an approximately U-shape in the front view with its upper side opened (in the Z-direction in the figures). The concave part 12 may be formed so as to fit to the second connector 20 by inserting a concave part 22 (described later) of the second connector into the inner peripheral side (inner side of the approximately U-shape) of the concave part 12.

The engaging part 13 may have an approximately U-shape in the front view extending along the concave part 12. The engaging part 13 may be formed so as to be elastically deformable along the width direction (Y-direction in the figures) of the first connector 10. Both end parts of the engaging part 13 may be provided with a pair of protruding parts 13a that protrude in directions of approaching each other from the inner circumferential side of the concave part 12.

In the present embodiment, a first magnet 14 is provided in the base part 11 on the inner peripheral side of the concave part 12. The magnetic force of the first magnet 14 may be appropriately set, for example, in accordance with the easiness of the fitting operation between the first connector 10 and the second connector 20, the stability of the holding state of the golf club head cover, and the like.

The second connector 20 may be attached to (provided on) the head cover main body 1 using attaching means, such as an adhesive material, a surface fastener, or a button The second connector 20 may be composed of an appropriate material, such as a rubber, a metal, or a synthetic resin (e.g. plastic). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second connector 20 may comprise a circular plate-like base part 21 attached to the head cover main body 1 and a convex part 22 provided on a surface of the base part 21.

The convex part 22 may have a cylindrical shape extending in the fitting direction (X-direction in the figures) and may be formed so as to be insertable into the inner peripheral side of the concave part 12 of the first connector 10. The convex portion 22 may be composed of a straight part 22a on the side of the base part 21 and a distal end part 22b provided on the distal end side (lower side in FIG. 4) of the straight part 22a. The straight part 22a may be formed thinner than the distal end part 22b.

In the present embodiment, a second magnet 23 that attracts the first magnet 14 may be provided in the distal end part 22b. In this case, the attractive magnetic force between the first magnet 14 and the second magnet 23 allows the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 to be easily fit to each other and can improve the stability of the holding state of the golf club head cover. The magnetic force of the second magnet 23 may be appropriately set as in the first magnet 14.

With reference to FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), description will be made for a method of holding the head cover on a pocket, a belt, or the like (the predetermined holding position) using the holding tool configured as above. FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are views for describing an operation when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are fitted to each other. First, as illustrated in FIG. 5(a), the second connector 20 may be located so that the distal end part 22b of the convex part 22 and the concave part 12 of the first connector 10 face each other along the fitting direction (X-direction in the figures).

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5(b), the convex part 22 of the second connector 20 may be moved in the fitting direction (X-direction in the figures) and inserted into the inner peripheral side of the concave part 12 of the first connector 10. In this operation, the second magnet 23 may attract the first magnet 14 thereby to allow the convex part 22 of the second connector 20 to be pulled so as to pass the inner peripheral side of the concave part 12 toward the base part 11. Further, the engaging part 13 may be elastically deformed so that the protruding parts 13a separate from each other along the width direction (Y-direction in the figures) while being contact with the distal end part 22b of the convex part 22.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5(c), when the distal end part 22b of the convex part 22 is located closer to the side of the base part 11 than the protruding parts 13a, the elastic deformation of the engaging part 13 may be restored and the protruding parts 13a may engage with the straight part 22a of the convex part 22. At this time, the protruding parts 13a of the engaging part 13 are located above the distal end part 22b of the convex part 22 (i.e. on the opposite direction side in the fitting direction (X-direction in the figures)), and the engaging part 13 can therefore restrict the movement of the second connector 20 in the opposite direction (reversed X-direction in the figures) to the fitting direction (X-direction in the figures).

Thus, the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 can be fitted to each other thereby to allow the head cover to be held on the pocket, belt, or the like.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), description will be made for a method of detaching the head cover from the pocket, belt, or the like (the predetermined holding position). FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are views for describing an operation when the engaged state of the second connector 20 is released. Here, FIG. 6(a) is a view illustrating the state of FIG. 5(c) as viewed in the YZ-plane.

In the state of FIG. 6(a), when the convex part 22 of the second connector 20 is moved upward (Z-direction in the figures) as illustrated in FIG. 6(b), the engaging part 13 is elastically deformed so that the protruding parts 13a separate from each other along the width direction (Y-direction in the figures) while being in contact with the straight part 22a of the convex part 22.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6(c), when the convex part 22 of the second connector 20 is moved further upward (Z-direction in the figures) thereby to be located above the protruding parts 13a (Z-direction in the figures), the elastic deformation of the engaging part 13 is restored, and the engaged state of the convex part 22 by the engaging part 13 is released. This allows the head cover to be detached from the pocket, belt, or the like.

As described above, according to the head cover and the holding tool for the same of the present embodiment, the second connector 20 provided on the head cover can be fitted to the first connector 10 disposed on a pocket, a belt, or the like (the predetermined holding position), thereby to allow the head cover to be held on the pocket, belt, or the like. Moreover, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are fitted to each other, the engaged state of the second connector 20 (the other connector) is maintained by the engaging part 13 until the position of the second connector 20 (the other connector) with respect to the first connector 10 (the one connector) is moved in a predetermined direction (upward (Z-direction in the figures) in the present embodiment) different from the direction (reversed X-direction in the figures) opposite to the fitting direction (X-direction in the figures); therefore, when the head cover is pulled in the direction (reversed X-direction in the figures) opposite to the fitting direction (X-direction in the figures), for example, the head cover can be prevented from being easily released from the pocket, belt, or the like (the predetermined holding position).

While the head cover according to the present embodiment may be used for a golf club having any head shape, such as a wood, iron, utility, or putter, it may be effective to use the configuration of the present embodiment in particular when the head cover is a head cover for a putter. This will be more specifically described. A putter is basically used only on the green unlike other golf clubs, but the green turf is very delicate and is a place that requires delicate treatment, so the head cover should not be easily put on the green. In addition, immediately after holing out, the player tends to be in a relaxed state and may often forget the head cover remaining around the green. Furthermore, the distance between the player and an accompanying player is very close on the green and, therefore, if the player carelessly drops the head cover during the accompanying player's putting, for example, it may be highly possible to affect the play of the accompanying player. From such viewpoints, it may be very effective to use the configuration of the present embodiment for a head cover for a putter.

The embodiments heretofore explained are described to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not described to limit the present invention. It is therefore intended that the elements disclosed in the above embodiments include all design changes and equivalents to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiments, description has been made for an exemplary case in which the first connector 10 includes the concave part 12 and the second connector 20 includes the convex part 22, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the first connector 10 may have a convex part and the second connector 20 may have a concave part.

In the above embodiments, description has been made for an exemplary case in which the engaging part 13 is provided on the first connector 10, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the engaging part 13 may be provided on the second connector 20.

In the above embodiments, description has been made for an exemplary case in which the second connector 20 is moved upward (Z-direction in the figures) in a state where the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are fitted to each other, thereby to release the engaged state of the second connector 20, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the second connector 20 may be moved downward (reversed Z-direction in the figures) or in the width direction (Y-direction in the figures) of the first connector 10 thereby to release the engaged state of the second connector 20.

In the above embodiments, description has been made for an exemplary case in which the first connector 10 includes the first magnet 14 and the second connector 20 includes the second magnet 23, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, one of the first magnet 14 and the second magnet 23 may be substituted by a magnetic body (such as an iron plate) that is attracted by the other magnet. In an embodiment, no magnet may be provided in each connector 10, 20.

In the above embodiments, description has been made for an exemplary case in which the first connector 10 is provided on the fixture A having the hook part A1, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7(a), the first connector 10 may be provided on a fixture B that includes a winding part B1 configured to be wound around a wearing article (such as a belt) of a golf player. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7(a), the first connector 10 is provided on the outer surface of the winding part B1 having a predetermined length so as to be capable of being wound around the wearing article of a player. The fixture B may be secured and attached to the wearing article by being fastened using fasteners B2 such as surface fasteners, buttons, or hooks provided on the winding part B1, in a state in which the winding part B1 is wound around the wearing article of a player. Thus, the fixture B can be wound around the wearing article of a golf player thereby to be easily attached to the wearing article.

In addition or alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 7(b) to 7(c), for example, the first connector 10 may be provided on a fixture C, D that includes a pair of clamping parts configured to clamp a wearing article (such as a pocket of wear, a waist portion of pants, or a belt) of a golf player in this case, the pair of clamping parts can be arranged so as to clamp the wearing article of a golf player, thereby to easily attach the fixture C, D to the wearing article.

The fixture C illustrated in FIG. 7(b) may have a similar configuration to that of a suspender clip, for example, and may comprise a pair of plate-like clamping parts C1 that face each other in the up-down direction and a plate-like biasing part C2 that is disposed above the pair of clamping parts C1 to bias the clamping parts C1 so that they come close to each other. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7(b), the first connector 10 is provided on the upper surface of the biasing part C2. The upper clamping part C1 of the clamping parts C1 and the biasing part C2 may be pivotally supported by the lower clamping part C1 of the clamping parts C1 so as to be capable of pivotally moving in the up-down direction with respect to the lower clamping part C1. The biasing part C2 may be configured in such a manner that, when pivotally moved downward, it presses the upper clamping part C1 downward (i.e. toward the side of the lower clamping part C1) thereby to bias the clamping parts C1 so that they come close to each other. Upon use of such a fixture C, the pair of clamping parts C1 can be biased so as to come close to each other; therefore, the fixture C can be attached to a wearing article so as to be secured to the wearing article and it is thus possible to improve the stability of the attaching state when the fixture C is attached to the wearing article. Description has been made herein for an exemplary case in which the biasing part C2 is formed of a plate-like member that presses the upper clamping part C1 downward, but in an alternative embodiment, the biasing part C2 may be composed, for example, of a spring that biases the clamping parts C1 so that they come close to each other.

The fixture D illustrated in FIG. 7(c) may have a similar configuration to that of a money clip, for example, and may comprise a pair of plate-like clamping parts D1 that face each other in the up-down direction and a bending part D2 that connects between end parts of the pair of clamping parts D1 on one end side in the longitudinal direction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7(c), the first connector 10 is provided on the upper surface of one of the clamping parts D1 (the upper clamping part D1 in the illustrated example). The clamping parts D2 may be formed in such a manner that the space decreases from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction, and can clamp a wearing article between portions with the smallest space. The bending part D2 may be formed to elastically deform in a direction (upward direction in the illustrated example) in which the clamping parts D1 separate from each other. Elastic deformation of the bending part D2 can widen the space between the clamping parts D1 thereby to locate the clamping parts D1 so that they clamp a wearing article. When the elastic deformation of the bending part D2 is restored, the clamping parts D1 return to the original locations and can clamp the wearing article. Upon use of such a fixture D, the clamping parts D1 can clamp a wearing article when the bending part D2 is not elastically deformed; therefore, the fixture D can be attached to the wearing article so as to be secured to the wearing article and it is thus possible to improve the stability of the attaching state when the fixture D is attached to the wearing article.

The above-described fixtures A, B, C, and D may be formed so as to be secured and attached to a wearing article of a player. In this case, the position of the first connector 10 can be fixed and, therefore, when detaching the head over in the held state (i.e., when releasing the engaged state of the second connector 20), it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first connector 10 moves so as to be pulled by the second connector 20 in accordance with the movement of the second connector 20 thereby making it difficult to detach the head cover (i.e., a situation in which it is difficult to release the engaged state of the second connector 20).

In the above embodiments, description has been made for an exemplary case in which the first connector 10 is provided on the fixture A, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the first connector 10 may be formed so as to be directly attachable to a wearing article (such as a pocket of a shirt or pants or a belt) of a player without using a fixture.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The golf club head cover and the holding tool for the same of the present invention can be preferably used as a golf club head cover and a holding tool for the same that are able to prevent the golf club head cover from being unintentionally released from a predetermined holding position, and the industrial applicability thereof is very high.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 . . . Head cover main body

10 . . . First connector

- 13 . . . Engaging part
- 14 . . . First magnet

20 . . . Second connector

- 23 . . . Second magnet

A, B, C, D . . . Fixture

- A1 . . . Hook part
- B1 . . . Winding part
- C1, D1 . . . Pair of clamping parts
- C2 . . . Biasing part
- D2 . . . Bending part

GOLF CLUB HEAD COVER AND HOLDING TOOL FOR THE SAME

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Priority Claims (1)