Golf Club Attachment

Abstract

A golf club attachment. The golf club attachment includes a housing having an open upper end, an open lower end, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween to define an interior volume. The interior volume can receive a handle of a golf club therein. A grip is affixed to the housing, wherein the grip extends perpendicularly away from the housing at the open lower end. A strap is affixed to the housing at the open upper end, wherein the strap can removably secure the housing to an arm of a user.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/534359 filed on Jul. 19, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf club attachment. Specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club attachment having a grip extending therefrom, such that a golf club can be operated with one hand.

Many people enjoy playing golf, however some individuals cannot feasibly play golf due to a variety of reasons, such as injuries to their arms, including amputation, or a lack of mobility preventing the individual from adequately swinging a golf club. Golf typically requires two arms, each having an adequate range of motion to allow a user to properly swing the golf club at a sufficient strength and accuracy to drive the golf ball in a desired range and direction. This prevents many people suffering such injuries or lack of mobility from playing golf. Previous devices in the field focus on providing ergonomic grips for golf clubs or gripping devices for a prosthesis, however these devices fail to provide a user with a grip allowing the user to swing a golf club with a single arm. Additionally, these devices require the user to purchase new equipment to be utilized, leading to increased expense. Therefore, a device removably securable to an existing golf club that allows a user to swing the golf club with a single arm is desired.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing golf club attachments. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of golf club attachments now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a golf club attachment wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when swinging a golf club with a single hand.

The present system comprises a housing having an open upper end, an open lower end, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior volume, wherein the interior volume is configured to receive a handle of a golf club therein. A grip is affixed to the housing, wherein the grip extends perpendicularly away from the housing at the open lower end. The golf club attachment further comprises a strap affixed to the housing at the open upper end, wherein the strap is configured to removably secure the housing to an arm of a user. In some embodiments, the golf club attachment comprises an opening disposed on the sidewall, wherein the opening extends from the open upper end to the open lower end and is configured to receive the handle of the golf club therethrough. In another embodiment, the opening is disposed opposite the grip. In other embodiments, the housing comprises a C-shaped member, wherein the housing is configured to removably secure the handle of the golf club therein via friction fit. In yet another embodiment, the golf club attachment further comprises a shroud affixed to the open upper end of the housing, wherein an interior surface of the shroud is configured to rest flush against the arm of the user. In some embodiments, the shroud comprises a curved shape configured to conform to the about the arm of the user. In another embodiment, the shroud tapers from a top end of the shroud towards a bottom end of the shroud. In other embodiments, the interior surface comprises padding. In yet another embodiment, the strap is adjustable in length. In some embodiments, the grip tapers from a distal end thereof towards a proximal end thereof. In another embodiment, the grip comprises a material having a coefficient of friction greater than one. In other embodiments, the grip comprises a cushioned surface thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club attachment.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club attachment affixed to a golf club.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club attachment in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the golf club attachment. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club attachment. The golf club attachment 11 comprises a housing 12, wherein the housing 12 includes an open upper end 13 and an open lower end 14. At least one sidewall 15 extends between the open upper end 13 and the open lower end 14, such that an interior volume 16 is defined thereby. The interior volume 16 is configured to receive a handle (shown in FIG. 2, 17) of a golf club (shown in FIG. 2, 29) therein, wherein the open upper end 13 and the open lower end 14 allow the handle to extend therethrough. The interior volume 16 is sized such that the diameter thereof is within a close tolerance of the diameter of the handle, such that the housing 12 does not rotate about the handle or slide therealong when in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 further comprises an opening 21, wherein the opening 21 is configured to receive the handle therethrough, such that the handle is received within the interior volume 16. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 comprises a C-shaped member having a uniform width, wherein the opening 21 extends from the open upper end 13 towards the open lower end 14, thereby defining a gap between opposing ends of the sidewall 15, such that the housing 12 is configured to removably secure to the handle via friction fit. In an alternate embodiment, the width of the C-shaped member tapers from the open upper end 13 towards the open lower end 14, such that the C-shaped member is configured to removably secure to a handle of a golf club having a similar tapered shape. In some embodiments, the opening 21 is disposed opposite a grip 18, such that the forces of swinging a golf club are directed along a plane perpendicular to the opening 21 and into the sidewall 15, thereby preventing the forces of the swing from dislodging the housing 12 from the golf club. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 comprises a rigid material, such that the opening 21 is configured to marginally increase in diameter to receive the golf club handle therethrough. In this way, the opening 21 is configured to return to the initial resting position after the handle is inserted therethrough, such that the handle is removably secured within the housing 12. In some embodiments, the housing 12 comprises a unitary fiberglass material, such that the housing 12 is resilient and lightweight for easy transport.

A grip 18 is affixed to the housing 12 and extends perpendicularly away from the housing 12 at the open lower end 14. The grip 18 is configured to provide a gripping surface for a user when the golf club attachment 11 is removably affixed to a golf club, allowing the user to swing the golf club with a single hand. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip 18 tapers towards a proximal end 27 of the grip 18 and a distal end 26 of the grip 18, such that the grip 18 provides an ergonomic gripping surface, allowing increased control and comfort to the user. In an alternate embodiment, a first side of the grip 18 is substantially level, whereas an opposing side of the grip 18 tapers towards the proximal end 27. In some embodiments, the grip 18 further comprises a material having a coefficient of friction greater than one, thereby allowing the user to maintain a secure hold on the grip 18. In another embodiment, the grip 18 comprises padding thereon to provide a comfortable cushioned gripping surface to the user. In an alternate embodiment, the grip 18 is removably secured to the housing 12, allowing the housing 12 to disassemble to create a smaller form factor, allowing for easier transport.

A strap 19 is affixed to the housing 12 at the open upper end 13, wherein the strap is configured to extend about an arm of a user to removably secure the housing 12 to the user. The strap 19 is positioned on an opposite end of the housing 12 from the grip 18, such that the user can maximize the torque used to swing the club, thereby providing increased power to the swing. In this way, the strap 19 provides stability to the golf club during a swing by increasing the points of contact with a user across the length of the housing 12. This prevents the golf club from rotating about the grip 18 when the golf club is swung, effectively simulating the effect of a second hand on the handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap is affixed to the housing 12 on opposing ends of the opening 21, such that the handle of a golf club can be inserted therethrough. In some embodiments, the strap 19 is adjustable in length to allow the strap 19 to secure about a variety of users. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 19 is adjustable via a buckle system, however alternate known methods of length adjustability are contemplated, such as fasteners disposed along the length of the strap 19.

In the illustrated embodiment, the golf club attachment 11 further comprises a shroud 22 affixed to the housing 12 at the open upper end 13, wherein an interior surface (shown in FIG. 2, 23) of the shroud 22 is configured to rest flush against the arm of a user. In this way, the shroud 22 provides greater control and stability to the user, as the shroud 22 increases the surface area in contact with the user, thereby preventing the arm of the user from sliding along the housing 12 during a swing. In the illustrated embodiment, the shroud 22 comprises a curved shape configured to conform to the shape of a user's arm, thereby preventing the housing 12 from rotating about the handle during a swing. In some embodiments, the shroud 22 curved such that the shroud 22 removably secures to the arm of a user via snap fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the shroud 22 tapers from a top end 24 of the shroud 22 towards a bottom end 25 of the shroud 22. In this way, the size and weight of the shroud is minimized, allowing easier transportation, storage, and use, while simultaneously preserving the functional stability provided by the shroud 22. Furthermore, the tapered shroud 22 increases user mobility about the wrist such that movement of the arm caused by flexing the wrist is not hindered by the shroud 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club attachment affixed to a golf club. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 is removably secured about the handle 17 of a golf club 29. The handle 17 extends through the open upper end 13 and the open lower end 14, allowing the housing 12 to encompass the handle 17 therein. Additionally, standard golf club handles 17 comprise a greater diameter at an end thereof, such that the housing 12 is prevented from sliding along the handle 17 when exposed to the centrifugal forces of a swing. The housing 12 is positioned on the golf club 29 such that a face of the golf club 29 is facing the direction of the swing, such that the housing 12 can be secured to the golf club 29 for either left-handed or right-handed golfers. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 is positioned such that an interior surface 23 of the shroud 22 is facing a direction perpendicular to the swing. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior surface 23 further comprises a padded surface to provide increased comfort to a user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club attachment in use. In one exemplary use, the housing 12 is removably secured about the handle of the golf club 29. The housing is positioned such that the grip 18 extends along a plane parallel to a plane of the face of the golf club 29, such that the face of the golf club 29 is correctly positioned during a swing. The user then grasps the grip 18 and removably secures the strap 19 about the arm 20 of the user to removably secure the housing to the user. In some embodiments, the arm 20 is placed within the shroud such that the interior surface rests flush against the arm 20. The user then aligns the golf club 29 with a ball, and swings the arm 20 such that the face of the golf club 29 contacts the ball.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A golf club attachment, comprising:

a housing having an open upper end, an open lower end, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior volume;

wherein the interior volume is configured to receive a handle of a golf club therein;

a grip affixed to the housing, wherein the grip extends perpendicularly away from the housing at the open lower end;

a strap affixed to the housing at the open upper end;

wherein the strap is configured to removably secure the housing to an arm of a user.

2) The golf club attachment of claim 1, further comprising an opening disposed on the sidewall, wherein the opening extends from the open upper end to the open lower end and is configured to receive the handle of the golf club therethrough.

3) The golf club attachment of claim 2, wherein the opening is disposed opposite the grip.

4) The golf club attachment of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a C-shaped member, wherein the housing is configured to removably secure the handle of the golf club therein via friction fit.

5) The golf club attachment of claim 1, further comprising a shroud affixed to the housing at the open upper end of the housing, wherein an interior surface of the shroud is configured to rest flush against the arm of the user.

6) The golf club attachment of claim 5, wherein the shroud comprises a curved shape configured to conform about the arm of the user.

7) The golf club attachment of claim 5, wherein the shroud tapers from a top end of the shroud towards a bottom end of the shroud.

8) The golf club attachment of claim 5, wherein the interior surface comprises padding.

9) The golf club attachment of claim 1, wherein the strap is adjustable in length.

10) The golf club attachment of claim 1, wherein the grip tapers from a distal end thereof towards a proximal end thereof.

11) The golf club attachment of claim 1, wherein the grip comprises a material having a coefficient of friction greater than one.

12) The golf club attachment of claim 1, wherein the grip comprises a cushioned surface thereon.