Receptacle in the shape of a golf club head

Abstract

A receptacle for personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such as cigarette and cigar butts, comprises a body having a shape of a golf club head with a cavity and an opening to the cavity; and a cover disposed at the opening to gain access to the cavity.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefits of applicant's co-pending applications, Ser. No. 09/654,773 filed on Sep. 5, 2000, Ser. No. 09/583,954 filed May 31, 2000, and No. 60/201,299, filed on May 2, 2000, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a receptacle in the shape of a golf club for storing personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such as cigarette and cigar butts and which may be attached as a handle to an umbrella, walking stick, or other items.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle for personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such as cigarette and cigar butts, that may be fixed to an umbrella or walking stick and conveniently carried in a standard golf bag in the usual manner of a standard golf club with the head exposed so that the receptacle is available for the user.

[0004] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a receptacle for personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such as cigarette and cigar butts, that may be fixed to an umbrella or walking stick so that a spectator or player who may carry an umbrella or walking stick when watching or playing golf would have a conveniently accessible receptacle to use.

[0005] In summary, the present invention provides a receptacle for personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such as cigarette and cigar butts, comprising a golf club head-shaped body having a cavity with an opening; and a cover disposed at the opening to gain access to the cavity.

[0006] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle for personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc.,, such as car keys, or refuse such as cigarette and cigar butts, made in accordance with the present invention, shown attached to an umbrella.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the refuse receptacle of FIG. 1, shown attached to a walking stick.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a golf club head-shaped receptacle of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a cover assembly made in accordance with the present invention, shown with the cover in the open position.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cover assembly of FIG. 5, shown with the cover in the closed position.

[0013] FIG. 7 is side elevational view of FIG. 1, shown with the cover in the open position.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a receptacle made in accordance with the present invention, shown attached to an umbrella and shown with a cover in an open position.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 8 with the cover removed.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 8, shown with the cover in a closed position.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10, with the cover in an open position.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interior side of the cover of FIG. 12, showing a holder for cigarettes or cigars.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The receptacle R comprises a golf club head 2 or similarly shaped body having an internal cavity 4 and a stub portion 6 with an attachment end 8 for attachment to an umbrella 10, a walking stick 12 or any item or structure, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cavity 4 includes a metallic or heat resistant cylindrical liner 14 to protect the head 2 from the hot ashes of the cigarette butts in the case where the head 2 is made of wood. Where the head 2 is made of a heat resistant material, such as aluminum or some other high temperature plastic material, the liner 14 would not be used. The cavity 4 has a circular cross-section; however, other shapes may be used.

[0021] A cover 16 is provided at the entrance opening to the cavity 4. The cover 16 may be provided with a strap 18 to function as a hinge and to retain the cover when it is removed to gain access to the cavity 4. The strap 18 may be secured to the liner 14 or to the head 2.

[0022] The attachment end 8 is in the form of a sleeve 22 into which is inserted an end of an umbrella 10 or a walking stick 12, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Other standard attachment means may also be used. A set-screw 24 or other standard means such as glue is used to secure the sleeve 22 to the umbrella 10 or the walking stick 12.

[0023] The head 2 may be an actual golf club head or made to look like a golf club head.

[0024] A cover assembly 26 disclosed in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 may be used in lieu of the cover 16. The cover assembly 26 includes a sleeve 28 adapted to be inserted into the cavity opening, a flange 30, and a removable cap 32 secured to the flange 30 with a hinge 34. The cap 32 includes a peripheral wall 36 with a pair of aligned U-shaped slots 38 adapted to receive a cigar or cigarette. The hinge 34 is secured by a metal pin 40 that is slightly larger in diameter than the corresponding holes in the hinge sleeves 42 so that the cap 32 may be positioned at any desired position and held there after it has been opened. The cap 32 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 6. In the open position, as best shown in FIG. 7, the cap 32 is held in a horizontal position to act as a holder for a cigar or cigarette 44. The slots 38 are adapted to receive the item 44.

[0025] To use the receptacle R, the cover 16 or cap 32 is removed from the opening to allow the user to deposit cigarette ash or butts into the cavity 4. The receptacle R may be used while the umbrella 10 or walking stick 12 is held by the user or placed within a golf club bag. The receptacle R may also be installed in other locations convenient to the users, using the attachment end 8 to secure the receptacle to existing structures or support means.

[0026] Another embodiment of a receptacle T is disclosed is FIG. 8. The receptacle T comprises a body 46 in the shape of a golf club head with a handle portion 48 for attachment to an umbrella, a walking stick or any other item or structure by means of a bore 49 and glue or other standard means. The body 46 includes a cavity 50 with a hinging cover 52. The opening 54 of the cavity is through the bottom portion of the body 46 to provide convenient access to the cavity since the bottom portion is normally directed to the top when the receptacle T, if attached to an umbrella or a walking stick and then carried in a golf club, would be oriented in the same manner as a conventional golf club would be in the bag. The bottom portion of the body 46 includes a periphery which is substantially coextensive with the opening 54. The cavity 50 is much larger than the cavity 4 of the receptacle R and has a volume which occupies a substantial portion of the internal volume of the body 46.

[0027] The cover 52 is hinged at a portion of the body adjacent to the handle 48. A pin 56 rotatably secures the cover 52 to the body 46 in a standard manner. Cover 52 snaps in place when closed by conventional means such as cooperating projection 58 receivable in a corresponding depression 60, as best shown in FIG. 11. The cover has an extension 62 to provide a finger hold for opening the cover 52.

[0028] The cover 52 has a cigarette or cigar holder 64 molded or otherwise secured to an inner surface of the cover. Referring to FIG. 13, the holder 64 includes a pair of semi-circular walls 66 and a pair of slots 68 adapted to frictionally hold a cigarette 70. The slots are directed toward the cavity 50 when the cover 52 is opened and positioned transversely to the opening. When the cover 52 is opened, any ashes falling from the cigarette or cigar held by the holder will fall directly into cavity 50, as best shown in FIG. 12. The holder 64 may take on a different form as long as the cigarette or cigar when S held in place would direct the falling ashes directly into the cavity 50.

[0029] The receptacle T provides a large compartment for storing car keys, jewelry, bills, coins and other items to free the user's pocket space during play. The large cavity also provides a receptacle for storing trash, such as candy wrappers, adhesive bandages, tissues, broken tees, etc. Due to the large opening 54, the cavity 50 is easy to fill, empty and clean.

[0030] The body 46 and the cover 52 are preferably made of fireproof or fire-resistant materials to allow for the safe disposal cigarette filters and cigar butts.

[0031] Although the receptacles R and T are shown attached to an umbrella or walking stick, it should be understood that the receptacles can be attached to other items, or may be used by themselves.

[0032] While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A receptacle, comprising:

a) a golf club head-shaped body having a cavity and an opening to said cavity; and

b) a removable cover disposed at said opening to gain access to said cavity.

2. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said cover includes a holder to hold a cigarette or cigar.

3. A receptacle as in claim 2, wherein said holder includes a pair of slots configured to hold a cigarette or cigar.

4. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said cover is positionable in a horizontal position when in an open position.

5. A receptacle as in claim 2, and further comprising:

a) a sleeve configured to receive said cover when in a closed position; and

b) a hinge securing said first cover to said sleeve.

6. A receptacle as in claim 5, wherein:

a) said hinge includes a pin and a plurality of sleeves pivotably joined by said pin; and

b) said pin is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of said sleeves to selectively hold said cover in an open position.

7. A receptacle as in claim 2, and further comprising:

a) a sleeve configured to receive said cover when in a closed position; and

b) a strap securing said cover to said sleeve.

8. A receptacle as in claim 1, and further comprising a cylindrical sleeve disposed within said cavity.

9. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is a golf club head.

10. A receptacle as in claim 1, and further comprising an umbrella secured to said attachment portion.

11. A receptacle as in claim 1, and further comprising a walking stick secured to said attachment portion.

12. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said cavity is round in cross-section.

13. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is in the shape of a driver.

14. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is heat resistant.

15. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is made of wood.

16. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is made of metal.

17. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is made of plastic.

18. A receptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body includes an attachment portion to fix said body to an item.

19. A receptacle, comprising:

a) a body having a shape of a golf club head, said body having a cavity and an opening to said cavity;

b) a cover operably secured to said body and operably associated with said opening to gain access to said cavity; and

c) said opening is disposed on a bottom portion of said body.

20. A receptacle as in claim 19, wherein said cover is hingedly secured to a portion of said body.

21. A receptacle as in claim 19, wherein:

a) said cover includes an inside surface; and

b) a cigarette holder disposed on said inside surface.

22. A receptacle as in claim 21, wherein said holder includes a pair of slots disposed opposite each other in a circular wall.

23. A receptacle as in claim 22, wherein said slots are aligned toward said opening when said cover is opened and positioned transversely to said opening.

24. A receptacle as in claim 19, and further comprising:

a) a pin rotatably secured to said cover and said body to hingedly secure said cover to said body.

25. A receptacle as in claim 19, wherein:

a) said body includes a bottom portion with a periphery; and

b) said opening is substantially coextensive with said periphery.

26. A receptacle as in claim 19, wherein said body includes a handle portion to fix said body to an item.

27. A receptacle as in claim 26, and further comprising an umbrella secured to said handle portion.

28. A receptacle as in claim 26, and further comprising a walking stick secured to said handle portion.

29. A receptacle as in claim 16, wherein said cover is hingedly secured to a portion of said body adjacent said handle portion.