The present invention relates generally to golf club protection and, more particularly, to a head cover for a golf club.
Proper care of golf clubs is required both to maximize their usable life and to maintain their performance. An important aspect of proper care includes keeping the head of the golf club covered when not in use, as the clubs are inclined to knock against each other in the golf bag. If not properly covered, damage to the club head and shaft can result. Thus, head covers are widely used.
Covers typically include a pouch-shaped upper portion for containing a golf club head and a narrowed portion extended therefrom sized to accommodate the shaft. The upper portion is usually made of flexible material, such as synthetic leather, and the tail portion is of knitted construction which expands and contracts when a golf club head. Since the tail portion is knitted, it will only expand to a limited extent and although it is relatively slim in comparison to the pouch shaped upper portion, it must be large enough to allow passage of the golf club head.
Although such prior covers are generally effective, deficiencies exist. For example, such head covers can be difficult to install and remove. As a result, golfers tend to be lax with its use. This inevitably exposes the club to additional damage, in turn, shortening the life of the club. Some prior head covers may incorporate enlarged opening to facilitate easy access for the club head; however, such head cover can be less secure on the golf club. Such head covers also may incorporate fastening assemblies that require some attention and precision to operate, thereby discouraging frequent use.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there exists a need for a head cover for a golf club that is relatively simple to install and remove on the club head. The present invention fulfills this need and others.
The present invention provides a head cover having a cover body formed essentially of flexible, non-rigid and a magnetic fastener. More particularly, the cover body defines an inner compartment for receiving the club head and defines an adjustable opening to the inner compartment sized to provide easy access thereto. The cover body may be provided with a cushioned inner liner and an outer cover. The magnetic fastener is disposed about the opening and is configured to at least partially shut the opening, thereby maintaining the head cover on the club head, once installed. As the fastener is operable via magnetic force, engagement and disengagement of the fastener is achieved without undue manipulation. Thus, frequent use of the club head is promoted.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover body includes a flap disposed about the opening and a fastener region spaced apart from the flap about the opening. A first magnet of the magnetic fastener is disposed in the flap, and a second magnet is disposed in the fastener region. Preferably, the flap is configured to overlap the fastener region such that the first and second magnets engage one another to at least partially shut the opening.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic fastener includes first and second magnetic strips, each disposed in corresponding elongated edges positioned about the opening of the cover body such that the first and second magnetic strips can engage one another to at least partially shut the opening.
In a detailed aspect of a preferred embodiment, the magnetic strips each comprise a plurality of magnets preferably disposed in a conforming sleeve, such as, heat shrink tubing. The elongated edges of the cover body can be defined by a pair of elastic cords attached to the inner liner and the outer cover, and the magnetic strips can be disposed therein.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:
With reference to the illustrative drawings, and particularly to
With reference now to
Each magnetic strip 26 is held in place along longitudinal edge 20 by the cord 24. The cord is formed of elastic material and, as shown in
With reference now to
It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a head cover for a golf club that is relatively simple use. The head cover includes a cover body formed essentially of flexible, non-rigid material and a magnetic fastener. More particularly, the cover body defines an inner compartment for receiving at least the head of the golf club having an adjustable opening sized to provide easy access thereto. The magnetic fastener is disposed about the opening to at least partially shut the opening, thereby maintaining the head cover on the club head, once installed. As the fastener is operable via magnetic force, engagement and disengagement of the fastener is achieved without undue manipulation, thereby promoting frequent use of the head cover.
Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference only to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional head covers for golf clubs can be included without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.