Patent Application
20130042387
This disclosure relates generally to golf accessories, and in particular, to magnetic accessories attachable to golf gloves.
Many types of golf accessories are presently available for golfing, and more particularly, for the stowing and holding of golf gloves.
Typically, prior art devices utilize a Velcro hook and loop system to stow and hold golf gloves. To hold golf gloves, the prior art devices have a plurality of Velcro hooks or loops attached to a golf glove holder wherein the golf glove holder is attached to a golf bag or an article of clothing. The plurality of Velcro hooks or loops on the golf glove holders are used to attach to a plurality of Velcro hooks or loops that are typically found on golf gloves.
However, attaching and detaching golf gloves from the prior art devices can be cumbersome. The Velcro hooks and loops found on golf gloves attach and reattach easily even after they have been detached from each other. For example, a golfer may detach the plurality of Velcro hooks from the loops of the golf glove, tug on a finger or other portion of the golf glove to remove it from their hand, and find that the Velcro hooks and loops have reattached soon after the glove has been removed from his or her hand. To prevent reattachment, the golfer may be required to cover the Velcro hook or loop portion of the golf glove after it has been removed. Thus, the Velcro hooks and loops of a golf glove may become reattached easily after a golfer has removed his or her golf glove for storing on the prior art golf glove holders. Therefore, a golfer must repeatedly detach the Velcro hooks and loops of his or her golf glove if they became accidentally reattached to attach the golf glove to prior art golf glove holders.
These prior art systems can be distracting as the golfer must be cognizant of the Velcro hook and loop locations of both the holder and the golf glove every time they remove their glove in order to prevent accidental reattachment. In addition, having to detach the Velcro hook and loop section of the golf glove seconds after the golf glove has been removed can annoy the golfer. This frequent annoyance and distraction can negatively affect a golfer's concentration, scores, and enjoyment of the game.
Additionally, Velcro hook and loop systems become less effective as they become dirty. A Velcro hook and loop system cannot grasp as effectively if sand or other debris has been accumulated in either the hook or loop portion. Golf courses contain debris (e.g., sand and grass) that accumulate on the exposed Velcro hooks or loops of the prior art golf glove holders. Thus, the prior art golf glove holders require either frequent washing or else they are prone to become less effective at holding golf gloves the more they are used on the golf course.
Other prior art systems attach to a piece of clothing and grasp onto a portion of the golf glove to hold it into place. For example, some prior art systems can be attachable to a belt wherein a golf glove finger may be inserted into a hole of the device. Frequent usage of this device may temporarily or permanently stretch the material of the golf glove. For example, a user must shove the golf glove into the hole of the device and then pull it out. In order for the prior art device to work, it must provide a holding force on the golf glove. Thus, the prior art golf glove holder holds onto the golf glove material as the user removes the golf glove which can degrade the quality of the golf glove. Frequent usage of prior art golf glove holders such as this one increases wear and tear of golf gloves.
Typically, the prior art devices discussed herein either grab a portion of the glove or utilize Velcro that is located at the posterior portion of the glove. As an effect of this positioning, the palm of the golf glove is exposed when the golf glove is stowed. The palm of the golf glove is the portion of the glove that is exposed to most of the wear and tear of the glove. Thus, prior art devices expose the less aesthetically pleasing portions of the glove that have experienced wear and tear.
Furthermore, participants in sports often look towards many alternative means such as therapeutic bracelets to increase their performance. Purchasing and wearing a multitude of accessories can become cumbersome and annoying for the athlete who is focusing on their game.
While these prior art golf glove holders hold gloves, there is still a need for a device that is less cumbersome, more robust, and more aesthetically pleasing.
Presently disclosed embodiments are directed to solving issues relating to one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments described in the present disclosure relate to golf glove holding systems that comprise several magnetic elements. For example, a first magnetic element may be attached to a device case (e.g., a Rangefinder case, a Global Positioning System case, or any other device case known within the art) or to a golf glove hanger that is configured to attach to a player's belt or a golf bag, for example, and a second magnetic element may be included in a golf glove accessory that is removably or permanently attached to a golf glove. The magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements may be used to attach the golf glove to the golf glove hanger that is attached to a golfer's belt or golf bag or to the device case. The magnetic elements in the golf glove hanger and the golf glove can additionally be used to provide a therapeutic affect to the wearer.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a golf glove accessory includes a first button half and a second button half. One button half has a locking pin that can pierce the golf glove fabric and the other button half has a locking socket to accept the locking pin. In one embodiment, each button half has at least one magnet. The locking pin of the first button half can pierce one side of the clothing item (e.g., a golf glove) and be inserted into the locking socket of the second button half that is positioned on the opposite side of the clothing material. To attach the removable button to a piece of clothing, a user pierces the clothing material with the locking pin and inserts the locking pin into the locking socket. Thereafter, the user twists either button half substantially 90 degrees to align magnets so that they are magnetically attracted. Alternatively or in addition to the user rotating the button halves, the magnetic attraction between the first and second button halves may automatically rotate the first or second button halves. In addition to this, the locking socket prevents the locking pin from being retracted when either button half has been rotated such that their respective magnets have been magnetically attracted to each other. Each button half may include locking markers to assist the user in determining when the magnets are aligned to provide the strongest magnetic force.
According to another embodiment, a sport accessory is provided as a two-pronged clip that has two opposing magnetic holders attached at the end of each of the prongs. The clip is configured to provide a clamping force and the two opposing magnetic holders are configured to provide a magnetic force. In one embodiment, pressure applied to one end of the clip lessens the physical clamping force of the two-pronged arms. Exemplary embodiments may attach to a golf glove or other similar items.
Another exemplary embodiment provides a magnetic button that may be attached to a golf glove. The magnetic button may comprise a magnet and a magnet case on one end and a fastening cap on the other. The button may be provided as a button, a snap fastener, or a rivet.
Another exemplary embodiment provides a therapeutic magnetic bracelet contained within or attached to the wrist portion of a sporting glove.
As will become apparent from the present disclosure, the embodiments herein allow for easy attachment of one or more magnetic elements to a golf glove or similar item. In an alternative embodiment, a magnetic bracelet may be inserted within a lining of or attached to an upper wrist portion of the golf glove. These magnetic elements may then be used to attach to a corresponding magnetic element attached to a clothing item (e.g. belt or pants) worn by the golfer in order to hold the golf glove in an easy, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing manner when not being worn on the golfer's hand.
The invention, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosure and should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.
In the following description of exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, wherein like elements are referenced with like numerals throughout. It is to be understood that other embodiments can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
The invention relates generally to golf accessories, and in particular, to a method and system for holding golf gloves. In one embodiment, a golf glove holder includes a magnetic hanger configured to attach to clothing material or another object (e.g., a golfers belt) wherein the magnetic hanger is further configured to magnetically hold golf gloves. Certain attachments can be provided to the golf glove to allow the golf gloves to be magnetically attached to the magnetic hanger. In a further embodiment, a device case (e.g., a Rangefinder case, a Global Positioning System case, or any other device case known within the art) may comprise a magnetic element that is configured to magnetically hold the golf gloves.
“Therapeutic” and “therapeutic affect” as used herein refers to the therapeutic benefits many believe magnets to possess. It is believed by many that magnetic fields produced by magnets have beneficial health effects. Many believe that a magnetic field applied to a portion of the body for an extended period of time may increase energy and decrease pain. Thus, it envisioned that various exemplary embodiments may be used for this perceived therapeutic affect.
A golfer may desire to remove their golf glove 208 several times during a round of golf to take putts or other shots that are closer to the hole without a golf glove 208 or they may desire to remove their golf glove 208 for a multitude of other reasons. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure allow a golfer to attach and remove the golf glove 208 quickly and easily. To attach the golf glove 208, the golfer removes the golf glove 208 from their hand and magnetically secures the portion containing the magnetic button 212 to the hanger magnet 102 of the magnetic hanger 100. To remove the golf glove 208 from the magnetic hanger 100, the golfer tugs upon the golf glove 208 at a force sufficient to break the magnetic attraction between the magnet 102 of the magnetic hanger 100 and the magnets (
It is known that the palm of the golf glove 208 experiences the most wear as it is the part that holds and swings golf clubs or picks up dirty balls. The opposite posterior face of the golf glove 208 experiences less wear and discoloration. Thus, a golfer may find the worn down palm of a golf glove 208 to be aesthetically displeasing and may prefer to display the posterior portion of the golf glove 208 when it is not in use.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention allow a golfer to attach their golf glove 208 to the magnetic hanger 100 so that the palm of the golf glove 208 is facing inwards and the posterior portion is facing outwards. This configuration is achievable because the removable button 212 can be positioned near the inner wrist portion of the inner palm of the golf glove 208. Thus, the worn down palm portion of the golf glove 208 will not be visible.
Although the removable button 212 is described as attached to the golf glove 208 and magnetically attracted to the magnetic hanger 100, it is only exemplary and it is envisioned that other exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with the magnetic hanger 100.
To attach the two button halves (314 and 316) together to form the removable button 212, the locking pin 320 of the first button half 314 is inserted into the locking socket 326 of the second button half 316. In one exemplary embodiment, the locking pin 320 can be shaped like an arrowhead and the locking socket 326 is shaped to accommodate the arrowhead shaped locking pin 320. In this configuration, the locking socket 326 is designed to allow the locking pin 320 to be inserted when the first set of magnets 318 are substantially offset from the second set of magnets 324 by approximately 90 degrees. If the first set of magnets 318 and the second set of magnets 324 are not substantially offset by approximately 90 degrees (i.e., perpendicular), the locking socket 326 is configured to prevent the locking pin 320 from being inserted or retracted.
Once the locking pin 320 is inserted into the locking socket 326, the first and second button halves (314 and 316) may be twisted approximately 90 degrees so that the locking markers (322 and 328) line up. The aligned locking markers (322 and 328) signify that the first and second sets of magnets (318 and 324) are parallel and magnetically attracted. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, depending on the strength of the magnets, in one embodiment, the first and second magnets (318 and 324) may be automatically rotated into alignment with one another when the locking pin 320 is inserted into the locking socket 326 so as to secure the first and second button halves (314 and 316) to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second button halves are made with a non-magnetic substance or a substance with a weak magnetic force.
Referring to
The polarities of the first and second set of magnets (518 and 526) are opposite so that they are magnetically attracted to one another when they are aligned to each other. The locking pin 520 can be shaped similar to an arrowhead or any other similar shape designed to be inserted into a correspondingly shaped socket and locked within the socket upon rotation. The locking socket 524 is configured to allow the locking pin 520 to be inserted into the locking socket 524 when the first and second set of magnets (518 and 526) are substantially perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, the locking pin 520 and the locking socket 524 are configured to not allow physical detachment of the first and second button halves (514 and 516) when they are rotated with respect to one another such that the first and second set of magnets (518, 526) are aligned with one another.
The removable button 512 can be attached to and detached from a piece of fabric (e.g., a golf glove) by piercing the fabric with the locking pin 520 and placing it into the locking socket 526 so that the piece of fabric is between the first and second button halves (514 and 516). Thereafter, either the first or the second button half (514 and 516) is substantially turned 90 degrees automatically via magnetic attraction and/or manual operation by the user. After being turned approximately 90 degrees, the first and second set of magnets (518 and 526) are magnetically attracted. Thereafter, a golfer may turn either the first and second button halves (514 and 516) approximately 90 degrees to remove the removable button 512 from the piece of fabric.
To provide a more stable grip of the golf glove 708, exemplary embodiments may use Neodymium magnets or any magnets known in the art of opposite polarities for the first and second opposing magnetic holders (734 and 736) to provide a strong magnetic grasping force. In one embodiment, respective surfaces of the first and second opposing magnetic holders (734 and 736) that come into contact with the golf glove 708 that may have a rough surface. This optional rough surface may resemble a metal file surface or any other surface known in the art to assist in gripping the material of the golf glove 708. It is envisioned that embodiments that have powerful magnets may or may not have rough surfaces on the first and second opposing magnetic holders (734 and 736).
It is further envisioned that exemplary embodiments of the golf glove clip 728 may be utilized as a therapeutic device attachable to various articles of clothing or objects. It is envisioned that the golf glove clip 728 may be attached to various other garments and accessories (e.g., including but not limited to pants, gloves, shirts) to provide the same perceived benefit.
It is further envisioned that the clip 728 may be utilized outside the sphere of golfing accessories. For example, it is envisioned that the golf glove clip 732 may be attached to wires to hold up various objects including but not limited to picture frames. Further, it is envisioned that the clip 728 may be permanently or magnetically affixed to a fixture such as a steel beam in order so that it may hold up picture frames or other objects.
Although the previously discussed exemplary embodiments of the removable button 212 and the golf glove clip 728 have been removable, it is further envisioned that a magnetic element may be permanently or removably attached to a golf glove in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
It is envisioned that the golf glove of
It is envisioned that the therapeutic golf gloves of
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example design or other configuration for the disclosure, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosure. The disclosure is not restricted to the illustrated example designs or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative designs and configurations. For example, although various embodiments have discussed golf gloves and golfing, other sports and clothing items are envisioned. Additionally, although the disclosure is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described. They instead can be applied alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosure, whether or not such embodiments are described, and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
