Golf club head cover

Abstract

A golf club head cover includes a club sleeve and a pom-pom. The club sleeve includes a head pocket and a club shaft cover portion. The club sleeve includes both stretchable and relatively less stretchable or non-stretchable fabric strategically configured to allow for the insertion of a golf club into the club sleeve. The non-stretchable material is suitable to receive labeling such as embroidery or silk-screening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to golf accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved golf club head cover.

2. Description of the Related Art

Golfers commonly desire their golf clubs to be covered for various reasons including protection, golf club identification, decoration etc. The club covers are quite often made from a variety of materials including both stretchable and non-stretchable fabrics configured to stretch or slip over a club head and a portion of the club shaft.

In the past the only commonly available golf club head covers that have included pom-poms are those that are made of entirely of stretchable fabric. Although this type of head cover has a classic look that is highly desirable. The knit fabric is not well suited for labeling. Quite often the stretchable fabric is a knit wool material and only allows very simplistic labeling to be applied. Not only is the labeling very simplistic, but the labeling has to be an integral part of the fabric of the golf club head cover. That is, the labeling has to be knit directly into the head cover by using different color yam or thread during the making of the club head cover.

It is presently desirable to provide head covers that can successfully receive embroidery which can yield much more detailed and visually appealing labels. Not only can modern head covers receive embroidery but they can receive the embroidery after the club cover has been made. That is, the club covers can be made and then sent to different distributors to later add the advertising/identifying marks. However, these club covers do not have the classic appearance of the knit head cover including an attached pom-pom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment is a golf club head cover including a club sleeve adapted to cover a portion of a golf club. The club sleeve includes a club head portion defining a club head pocket configured to receive a club head portion and a club shaft portion extending from the club head portion. The club shaft portion defines an elongate space communicating with the club head pocket and configured to surround a portion of a club shaft. The club head cover also includes a pom-pom secured to the club head portion of the club sleeve where the club sleeve is made of a first fabric and a second fabric, and the first fabric is less stretchable than the second fabric.

Yet another preferred embodiment is golf club head cover including a club sleeve adapted to cover a portion of a golf club. The club sleeve includes a club head portion defining a club head pocket configured to receive a club head portion and a club shaft portion extending from the club head portion. The club shaft portion defines an elongate space communicating with the club head pocket and configured to surround a portion of a club shaft. The club head cover also includes a pom-pom secured to the club head portion of the club sleeve where the club sleeve is made of a first panel and a second panel, and the first panel is less stretchable than the second panel.

Still another preferred embodiment is a golf club head cover including a club sleeve adapted to cover a portion of a golf club. The club sleeve includes a club head portion defining a club head pocket configured to receive a club head and a club shaft portion extending from the club head portion and defining an elongate space communicating with the club head pocket. The club shaft portion is configured to surround a portion of a club shaft. Also, a pom-pom secured to the club head portion of the club sleeve. The pom-pom is generally spherical in shape and is larger than the club head portion. The club sleeve includes a first panel and a second panel, and the first panel being less stretchable than the second panel. The first panel extends over a substantial portion of the golf club head cover and the second panel extends the entire length of the club shaft portion and a portion of the club head portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present golf club head cover are described below with reference to drawings of preferred embodiments which are intended to illustrate but not to limit the present invention. The drawings contain ten (10) figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head cover which includes certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another embodiment of a golf club head cover which includes certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a back view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the golf club head cover of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The golf club head cover described herein is done so with reference to relative positions and directions within the particular positions and orientations reflected in the drawings. These relative positions and directions are for convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a golf club head cover 20 that includes certain features and aspects of the present invention. The golf club head cover 20 includes a pom-pom 22 and a club sleeve 34, which includes a club head cover portion 24 and a club shaft cover portion 28.

The club head cover portion 24 and the club shaft cover portion 28 combine to form the club sleeve 34. The club sleeve 34 is a material tube with one closed end and one open end. The club sleeve 34 is configured for insertion of a golf club into the open end 32 and encapsulation of the head in the club head cover portion 24.

The pom-pom 22 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 is preferably constructed of similar length pieces of wool yarn or string like fabric. The wool yarn pieces are preferably connected and cinched together to one central location 21 by their midpoints as to create a generally spherical shaped pom-pom 22 with a diameter approximately equal to the length of one of the string elements. The diameter of the generally spherical pom-pom 22 preferably is greater than that of the club head cover portion 24 of the club sleeve 34. The yarn pieces may be of various colors as to add to the decorative effect of the pom-pom 22. The pom-pom 22 is preferably soft and malleable to the touch and can be substantially deformed with little force. The pom-pom 22 is preferably secured to the club sleeve 34, on the club head cover portion 24, at a single point 21 by a thread, or string or other suitable connector or connection method.

Although the pom-pom 22 of FIGS. 1-7 is shown in attachment to a point at the top of the golf club head cover 20 by a thread or string, other suitable attachment points along the club sleeve 34 or attachment methods may be used. Also, although the pom-pom of FIGS. 1-7 is made of wool yarn and is a spherical shape, any suitable fabric or string pieces may be used to form a sphere or any other desired shaped pom-pom such as a tassel-type decorative attachment, for example.

The club sleeve 34 is preferably a flexible fabric sock with an enlarged club head cover portion 24 and a diametrically expandable club shaft portion 28. The club sleeve 34 is made of multiple fabric panels that are preferably connected by thread stitching or other suitable methods such as adhesives, for example. The club head cover portion 24 is made of substantially non-stretchable fabric and defines a sufficient volume as to cover the head of a golf club. The club sleeve 34 is configured to slip over the head of a golf club and a portion of the shaft of a golf club by an opening portion 32 at the base of the club shaft portion 28. The club sleeve 34 preferably includes a front panel 36 made of substantially non-stretchable fabric that extends over a substantial face or side of the club sleeve 34.

The club head cover portion 24 of the club sleeve 34 preferably includes a front panel 36, two side gussets 38, and a back panel 40. The back panel 40 extends over the head cover portion 24 and the front panel 36 extends over the opposing side of the head cover portion 24 and continues down the club shaft portion 28 by a tapered transition to the opening 32 at the bottom of the club sleeve 34. However, the front panel 36 may extend only partially down the club shaft portion 28.

The panels are connected by thread stitching, or other suitable method, and are made of substantially non-stretchable fabric. Although the club head cover portion 24 preferably includes a non-stretchable fabric, the club head cover portion 24 can be made entirely of stretchable material or a suitable combination of stretchable and non-stretchable material.

The club head cover portion 24 defines a pocket approximately sized and shaped to encapsulate a golf club head. The illustrated front panel 36 and the back panel 40 are of a substantially circular shape and are connected to one another by side gussets 38 which are attached to the corresponding edges of the front panel 36 and the back panel 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The side gussets 38 taper near the top of the club head cover portion 24 so as to allow the front panel 36 and the back panel 40 to come in direct contact at an intersection 21, which may be a line or a point. The side gussets 38 also taper near the bottom of the club head cover portion 24 so as to allow the front panel 36 and the back panel 40 to be directly connected at two intersections on opposing sides of the tapered transition between the circular head portion 42 of the front panel 36 and the elongate rectangular portion 44 of the front panel 36. The side gussets 38 serve to increase the volume of the club head cover portion 24 so as to allow the club head cover portion 24 to fit over the head of a golf club so as to not require the fabric of the club head cover portion 24 to substantially stretch. In other arrangements, however, the club head cover portion may be configured to stretch.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front panel 36 includes a circular portion 42 that defines a face of the club head cover portion 24 and an elongated rectangular portion 44 that is connected with the circular portion 42 by a tapered transition. Although the front panel 36 is preferably made of one piece it could be made of two or multiple pieces as well. The diameter of the circular portion 42 is preferably larger than the small leg of the elongated rectangular portion 44. The shape of the front panel 36 effectively provides an ample space for any desired labeling or identification marking. The front panel 36 is preferably made of substantially non-stretchable fabric suitable to successfully receive labeling such as silk-screening, embroidery or other printing process. The edge of the front panel 36 is preferably connected to the club sleeve 34 by thread stitching and, desirably, incorporates decorative fabric piping 46 in the connection.

The club shaft cover portion 28 of the club sleeve 34 is substantially made of a stretchable fabric panel and includes the non-stretchable panel 44. Although the club shaft cover portion 28 includes a non-stretchable fabric portion, it can be made entirely of stretchable material, if desired. Including a non-stretchable portion on the club shaft portion 28 does increase the area for substantial labeling. The fabric defines an elongated cylindrical space with a diameter that is preferably smaller than the head of the intended golf club to be covered. The portion of the club shaft cover portion 28, that is preferably made of a substantially stretchable fabric 30, allows the club shaft cover portion 28 to diametrically expand over the head of a golf club in order to allow the head of a golf club to pass through the club shaft cover portion 28 during insertion into the club sleeve 34. The stretchable fabric 30 is configured to contract, after passage of golf club head through club shaft cover portion 28, and to inhibit the unintended removal of the golf club head from the golf club head cover 20.

FIG. 3 specifically illustrates the substantial portion of the circumference of the club shaft cover portion 28 that preferably is made of a stretchable fabric 30 extending a length of the club shaft cover portion 28. FIG. 2 shows a portion of the club shaft cover portion 28 made of a substantially non-stretchable fabric configured as a longitudinal strip incorporated into the circumference of the club shaft cover portion 28. The longitudinal strip is preferably the elongated rectangular portion 44 of the front panel 36. FIG. 7 further illustrates a portion of the club shaft cover portion 28 to be made of, in part, a substantially stretchable fabric 30 and, in part, the substantially non-stretchable fabric of the elongated rectangular portion 44 of the front panel 36.

The stretchable fabric 30 used in the club sleeve 34 is preferably a knit fabric that is at least somewhat stretchable in one or multiple directions. The non-stretchable fabric used in the club sleeve 34 is preferably less stretchable than the stretchable fabric and, in some arrangements is substantially non-stretchable in any direction. Preferably the non-stretchable fabric is less than seven (7) percent stretchable with a target less than three (3) percent stretchable so that it can successfully receive labeling such as embroidering, silk-screening or other types of labeling. The percent stretchability is the strethability in a given direction as an additional percentage of length added to the original length. The percent stretchability preferably measures the stretch of a fabric in a given directions so as it can return to its original length with substantially little or no damage.

The non-stretchable fabric also preferably contains a compressible foam layer that is compressible about the thickness of the non-stretchable fabric in order to add impact absorption to the head of the golf club. Although the club head cover 20 of FIGS. 1-7 incorporates a knit stretchable fabric, any other suitable flexible materials may be used. Similarly, any suitable non-stretchable material may be used in a location noting a substantially non-stretchable fabric.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a golf club head cover that is similar to the golf club head cover of FIGS. 1-7 in at least some respects. For convenience, similar components in FIGS. 8-10 will be referred to by the same reference numerals of the corresponding components in FIGS. 1-7.

The golf club head cover of FIGS. 8-10 includes substantially the same components including a pom-pom 22, a club sleeve 34, a club head cover portion 24 and a club shaft cover portion 28. The club sleeve 34 includes both substantially stretchable and substantially non-stretchable fabric.

The club sleeve 34 of FIGS. 8-10 includes a front panel 36, a back panel 40, and two stretchable side gussets 50. The front panel 36 and back panel 40 preferably are made of substantially non-stretchable fabric suitable for labeling and include a circular portion 42 connected by a tapered transition to an elongated rectangular portion 44. The circular portion 42 of the front panel 36 and the back panel 40 both preferably have a diameter that is relatively larger than the smaller dimension of the elongated rectangular portion 44. Unlike the club sleeve 34 of FIGS. 1-7, the front panel 36 and the back panel 40 of the club sleeve 34 of FIGS. 8-10 are substantially similar in shape and both the front panel 36 and the back panel 40 extend the entire length of the club sleeve 34.

The front panel 36 and the back panel 40 are connected by the stretchable side gussets 50 that taper at the top of the club head cover portion 24 to allow the front panel 36 and the back panel 40 to come into direct contact at a point 21. The connections are preferably threaded stitching and include fabric piping 46 for additional decoration. The thread stitching connections can be any suitable connection and my not include fabric piping.

The side gussets 50 are made from stretchable fabric and configured so as to expand to pass the head of the golf club through the club shaft cover portion 28 and into the club head cover portion 24. The stretchable side gussets 50 are configured to contract after passage of golf club head through club shaft cover portion 28 and inhibit the intended removal of the golf club head from the golf club head cover 20.

The stretchable fabric 30 used in the club sleeve 34 is preferably a knit fabric that is at least somewhat stretchable in one or multiple directions. The non-stretchable fabric used in the club sleeve 34 is preferably less stretchable than the stretchable fabric and, in some arrangements is substantially non-stretchable in any direction. Preferably the non-stretchable material is less than seven (7) percent stretchable with a target less than three (3) percent stretchable so that it can successfully receive labeling such as embroidering, silk-screening or other types of labeling

The non-stretchable fabric also preferably contains a compressible foam layer that is compressible about the thickness of the non-stretchable fabric in order to add impact absorption to the head of the golf club. Although the club head cover 20 of FIGS. 1-7 incorporates a knit stretchable fabric, any other suitable flexible materials may be used. Similarly, any suitable non-stretchable materials may be used in a location noting a substantially non-stretchable fabric.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of a certain preferred embodiment and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while the present golf club head cover has been described in the context of a particularly preferred embodiment, the skilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that certain advantages, features and aspects of the system may be realized in a variety of other applications, many of which have been noted above. Additionally, it is contemplated that various aspects and features of the invention described can be practiced separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and that a variety of combination and subcombinations of the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.

Claims

1. A golf club head cover comprising;

a club sleeve adapted to cover a portion of a golf club, comprising; a club head portion defining a club head pocket configured to receive a club head; and a club shaft portion extending from said club head portion and defining an elongate space communicating with said club head pocket and configured to surround a portion of a club shaft; and

a pom-pom secured to said club head portion of said club sleeve;

wherein said club sleeve is comprised of a first fabric and a second fabric, and said first fabric being less stretchable than said second fabric.

2. A golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein said first fabric defines a substantial length of said club shaft portion.

3. A golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the stretchable percent of said second fabric is low enough such that said second fabric can successfully receive embroidery labeling.

4. A golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein said first fabric is knit.

5. A golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein said pom-pom is connected to said first fabric.

6. A golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein said pom-pom is made of pieces of yarn.

7. A golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein said pom-pom is generally spherical.

8. A golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the connection of said second fabric and said first fabric includes fabric piping.

9. A golf club head cover comprising;

a club sleeve adapted to cover a portion of a golf club, comprising; a club head portion defining a club head pocket configured to receive a club head; and a club shaft portion extending from said club head portion and defining an elongate space communicating with said club head pocket and configured to surround a portion of a club shaft; and

a pom-pom secured to said club head portion of said club sleeve;

wherein said club sleeve is comprised of at least a first panel and a second panel, and said first panel being less stretchable than said second panel.

10. A golf club head cover of claim 9, wherein said first panel defines a substantial length of said club shaft portion.

11. A golf club head cover of claim 9, wherein the stretchable percent of said second panel is low enough such that said second panel can successfully receive embroidery labeling.

12. A golf club head cover of claim 9, wherein said first panel is knit.

13. A golf club head cover of claim 9, wherein said pom-pom is connected to said first panel.

14. A golf club head cover of claim 9, wherein said pom-pom is made of pieces of yarn.

15. A golf club head cover of claim 9, wherein said pom-pom is generally spherical.

16. A golf club head cover of claim 9, wherein the connection of said second fabric and said first fabric includes fabric piping.

17. A golf club head cover comprising;

a club sleeve adapted to cover a portion of a golf club, comprising; a club head portion defining a club head pocket configured to receive a club head; and a club shaft portion extending from said club head portion and defining an elongate space communicating with said club head pocket and configured to surround a portion of a club shaft; and

a pom-pom secured to said club head portion of said club sleeve; said pom-pom being generally spherical in shape and being larger than said club head portion;

wherein said club sleeve is comprised of a first panel and a second panel, and said first panel being less stretchable than said second panel;

wherein said first panel extends over a substantial portion of said golf club head cover and said second panel extends the entire length of said club shaft portion and a portion of said club head portion.