BACKGROUND

[0001] Golf is a sport that has changed dramatically over the past thirty or so years as a result of technology. One aspect of the game that has not changed very much is use of head covers to protect golf clubs. For as long as head covers have been used, golfers have removed the head covers from clubs before a shot was hit and placed the head cover to the side. Sometimes, the head cover is placed back on the club shortly after the shot, but other times the head cover is not replaced until later in the round or even after the round of golf. When a head cover is removed, the head cover is usually placed somewhere convenient, like on or inside of a golf cart, on or inside of a golf bag, on a pull cart, on the ground near where the shot is being hit, etc. After the shot is hit, if the golfer does not place the head cover back on the club, the golfer may lose the head cover. For example, the golfer may walk or ride away after a shot and leave the head cover on the ground. Alternatively, the golfer may walk or ride in a hilly or bumpy area, which may cause the head cover to be ejected from the golf bag or golf cart, unbeknownst to the golfer.

What is needed is a system for protecting head covers in which the head covers are protected from loss when the head covers are removed from the golf club.

SUMMARY

[0002] In a first embodiment, a system for securing the head cover of a golf club includes a head cover configured to be placed on a golf club, the head cover including a magnetic plate,

The system further includes a magnet including a magnetic element disposed in a housing, the housing being connectable to a piece of golf equipment. When the magnetic plate is placed at or near the magnet, the head cover is secured to the magnet. The head cover may include more than one magnetic plate or only one magnetic plate. The housing may include a cavity, the magnetic element being disposed in the cavity. The magnetic element may be formed from one or more of neodymium iron boron magnets, samarium cobalt magnets, alnico magnets, ceramic magnets or ferrite magnets. The magnet may include more than one magnetic element. The magnet may be connectable to the piece of golf equipment using a strap and a retainer, the strap and retainer extending from the housing. The magnet may include a contact surface formed of a rubberized material, the contact surface limiting the noise made when the magnetic plate contacts the magnet.

[0003] In another embodiment, a process for securing a head cover while playing a golf shot includes obtaining a golf club having a head cover, the head cover including a magnetic plate.

The process further includes removing the head cover from the golf club and obtaining a magnet.

The process further includes connecting the magnet to a piece of golf equipment and connecting the head cover to the magnet. The process further includes playing a golf shot. As a result, the magnet secures the head cover while the golf shot is played. The process may further include retrieving the head cover from the magnet after the golf shot is played. In the process, obtaining the magnet and connecting the magnet to a piece of golf equipment may be performed before removing the head cover from the golf club. The golf equipment may be a golf bag, and the magnet may be connected to a handle of the golf bag. The head cover may include more than one magnetic plate, and connecting the head cover to the magnet may include throwing the head cover at the magnet.

[0004] In yet another embodiment, a magnet for securing a head cover for a golf club that contains a magnetic plate includes a housing having a cavity, the cavity including at least one magnetic component. The magnet further includes a connector extending from the housing, the connector configured to connect the housing to a piece of golf equipment. The magnet secures the head cover when the magnetic plate becomes magnetically connected to the magnet as a result of the magnetic component. The cavity may include more than one magnetic component.

A cover may be connected to the housing and disposed in a recess of the housing. The magnet may include a contact surface formed of a rubberized material, the contact surface limiting the noise made when the magnetic plate contacts the magnet. The magnetic element may be formed from one or more of neodymium iron boron magnets, samarium cobalt magnets, alnico magnets, ceramic magnets or ferrite magnets. The magnet may include eight magnetic components. The connector may be formed from a strap and a retainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figures 1A-1B illustrate example environments in which the systems and methods described herein may be implemented.

[0006] Figures 2A-2B illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment of the magnet depicted in Figure 1A.

[0007] Figure 3 illustrates an alternative example environment in which the systems and methods described herein may be implemented.

[0008] Figures 4A-4D illustrate an alterative, non-limiting embodiment of a magnet.

[0009] Figure 5 depicts a diagram of a process for securing a head cover while playing a golf shot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Figures 1 A through 5 are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The following detailed description refers to Figures 1A through 5, but the disclosure herein should not be limited to the specific embodiments depicted in Figures 1A through 5. Persons of ordinary skill in the ait will recognize that many obvious variants exist in light of the disclosure herein, including with reference to Figures 1A through 5. The same reference numbers in different figures may identify the same and/or similar elements.

[0011] The apparatuses, assemblies, systems, methods, technologies and/or techniques

(hereinafter“technology”) described herein may provide for a magnet that may be placed on golf equipment other than a golf club and that is accessible and/or convenient to a golfer when playing golf. For example, the magnet may be placed on a golf bag (i.e. removably or permanently fastened to a part of the golf bag, such as the handle, stitched onto or into the golf bag, formed as a part of the golf bag, etc.), a golf cart (i.e. removably fastened to the golf cart, permanently installed on the golf cart, etc.), a pull cart, etc. The technology may also include a head cover that includes a magnetic plate (i.e. a disk or other shape magnetic material, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, lodestone, etc., alloys including magnetic materials, etc.). The magnetic plate may be connected to the head cover in a variety of ways (i.e. formed into the head cover, fastened to the head cover, connected to an extension from the head cover, etc.) The magnetic plate may be used to connect the head cover to the magnet when the head cover is removed from the golf club. Connecting the head cover to the magnet may prevent the head cover from being lost. [0012] For example, a golfer may remove the head cover before the golfer uses the golf club on which the head cover is placed. The golfer may have one or more magnets on, for instance, the golfer’s golf bag, golf cart, etc. The golfer may place the head cover at or near the magnet, which may cause the magnetic plate within the head cover to become magnetically connected to the magnet. This may retain the head cover on the magnet until the golfer removes it (i.e. such as to place the head cover back on the golf club). Because the head cover is magnetically connected to the magnet and the magnet is connected to the golfer’s bag or golf cart (for example), the chances of losing the head cover (such as by leaving it on the ground, having the head cover fall off of the golf cart, etc.) are reduced. Because the magnet is positioned on the golf bag, golf cart, or other convenient area (i.e. convenient to the golfer when the golfer removes the golf club from the bag, golf cart, etc.), the golfer is likely to connect the head cover to the magnet rather than placing the head cover on the ground, in the basket of the golf cart, etc.

[0013] Figures 1A & IB depict example environments in which the technology described herein may be implemented. As shown in Figures 1A, environment 100 may include a golf bag

110, a magnet 120, a first golf club 130, a second golf club 131, a first head cover 140, and a second head cover 141. Figure IB depicts an alternative environment in which golf bag 110 includes magnet 120 connected to a different portion of golf bag 110. The environments 100 and 101 depicted in Figures 1A and IB are provided for explanatory purposes only, and the disclosure herein is not intended to be limited to the environments depicted in Figures 1A and

1B. The technology described herein may include additional components, fewer components, different components and/or differently arranged components than what is illustrated in Figures

1 A and IB. Also, in some implementations, one or more of the components described herein may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another of the components described herein. For instance, while the head covers 140 and 141 are depicted as having magnetic plate 150 either formed as part of the head cover or connected to the head cover by a strap, other embodiments of head covers include the magnetic plate connected to the head cover in alternative ways.

[0014] Golf bag 110 may be any sort of bag used to carry golf clubs. Common types of golf bags include“cart bags,” which are intended to be used primarily on golf carts because, while they are spacious, they are bulky and may not stand up on their own in hilly or rough conditions, as well as“stand bags”, which are developed to allow a golfer to use the bag when walking because the bag can easily stand up on its own. However, golf bag 110 may be either of these types of bags or any other type of bag used to carry golf clubs, like clubs 130 and 131. As depicted in Figures 1A and IB, golf bag 110 may include a handle 111, which may be used to carry the golf bag, to assist with strapping the golf bag to a cart, etc.

[0015] Figure 1 A depicts a magnet 120 that is connected to (removably connected to, such as using straps, clips, fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.; permanently connected to, such as being formed as a part of handle 111 , stitched to handle 111, adhered to handle 111, etc.) handle

111. While magnet 120 is depicted as connected to handle 111, magnet 120 may be connected to many other things that are convenient for a golfer to use when removing a head cover from a golf club, such as a golf cart, pull cart, etc. Ideally, magnet 120 is connected to something that a golfer carries around with her/him on a golf course so that when a head cover is attached to magnet 120, the head cover stays with the golfer (i.e. does not become lost because the head cover stays with the golfer). Magnet 120 may be any form of magnetic device and usually includes one or more permanent magnets (e.g. Neodymium Iron Boron magnets, Samarium

Cobalt magnets, alnico magnets, ceramic magnets, ferrite magnets, etc.), but may also include other types of magnets, like electromagnets, temporary magnets. The embodiment of magnet

120 described in reference to Figures 2 A and 2B is only one example embodiment of magnet

120. Magnet 120 may be a single magnet, a group of magnets, a group of magnets inside of a body (as depicted in Figures 2A and 2B), etc. As shown in Figures 2 A and 2B, magnet 120 may include non-magnetic components, magnetic components, etc. The magnet or magnets used to form magnet 120 may be any type or shape, such as bar magnets, disk/cylinder magnets, horseshoe magnets, etc.

[0016] Magnet 120 may be used to connect a head cover, such as head cover 140 or head cover 141, to magnet 120, which, as discussed above, is typically connected to something that is convenient for a golfer to access when playing golf. The connection is a magnetic connection that is formed between magnet 120 and magnetic plate 150, which will be discussed further herein.

[0017] As depicted in Figure 1A, first golf club 130 and second golf club 131 may be covered by a first head cover 140 and second head cover 141. Environment 100 depicts first head cover 140 as a driver or fairway wood head cover and second head cover 141 as a putter cover.

The technology described herein should not be limited to the head covers depicted in Figure 1 A.

The technology described herein may be used in connection with any type of head cover used by a golfer.

[0018] First head cover 140 and second head cover 141 may each include one or more magnetic plates 150. The mounting locations) for magnetic plate(s) 150 may vary depending on the type of head cover used in connection with the technology described herein. As depicted in

Figure 1A, the magnetic plate 150 may be connected to (i.e. formed as a part of, removably or permanently attached to, etc.) a strap (i.e. the strap that includes a label to identify the club as, for instance, a driver, three wood, etc., some other strap used for another purpose or solely for the purpose of connecting magnetic plate 150, etc.) or other portion that extends from head cover

140. Additionally, or alternatively, magnetic plate 150 may be connected directly to head cover, such as shown for head cover 141. Magnetic plate 150 may be connected to a head cover in a variety of ways, such as by stitching the magnetic plate 150 into the head cover, forming the head cover with magnetic plate 150 included within it, attaching (i.e. securing with fasteners, gluing, etc.) to a head cover, etc. Magnetic plate 150 may be placed on any location on a head cover.

[0019] Magnetic plate 150 may be formed completely or partially from any type of magnetic material, iron, nickel, cobalt, lodestone, etc., and/or may include alloys including these magnetic materials. Magnetic plate 150 is not limited to a disk or plate design; magnetic plate 150 may be formed in any shape and/or size, including flat materials, cylinder-shaped materials, etc.

Magnetic plate 150 may be sized to provide a connection force between magnetic plate 150 and magnet 120 that exceeds the weight of the head cover to which magnetic plate 150 is connected.

Additionally, magnetic plate 150 may be sized to provide a connection force that exceeds both the weight of head cover 150 as well as additional forces that may act on head cover, such as forces that result from riding in a golf cart, walking a golf course, water (i.e. the additional weight when head cover is wet), etc. Magnetic plate 150 may include additional components, such as fasteners (i.e. to connect magnetic plate 150 to a head cover), a partial or complete coating or shell made from, for example, a plastic or rubber material (which may limit the

“clicking” noise made when magnetic plate 150 contacts magnet 120), etc. Additionally, or alternatively, magnetic plate 150 may be sewn or otherwise connected to head cover (such as head cover 141) and on an inside of head cover 141 so that it is not visible and so that the portion of head cover 141 that covers magnetic plate 150 prevents the clicking noise when magnetic plate 150 connects with magnet 120. Magnetic plate 150 may be a single component or multiple component design. A head cover may include one magnetic plate 150 or more than one magnetic plates 150 (i.e. 2, 3, ... 100, etc.). As depicted on head cover 141, a head cover may include many magnetic plates 150 so that, whenever the head cover comes close to/contacts magnet 120 (or another magnet anticipated herein), a magnetic connection is always formed.

This will allow, for instance, a golfer to throw the head cover in the direction of the magnet, and, so long as the head cover comes close to the magnet, a magnetic connection will be fomied.

Magnetic plate 150 may be connected to magnet 120 when a golfer secures a head cover, such as head cover 140/141, to magnet 120. This connection may be formed as a result of the magnetic attraction between magnetic 120 and magnetic plate 150. The magnetic attraction may result from the magnet field from magnet 120. This connection may maintain head cover on any component to which magnet 120 is connected.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1A, magnet 120 may be placed on the handle 1 1 1 of a golf bag

110. Additionally, or alternatively, magnet 120 may be placed on another area of a golf bag 110, which is depicted in Figure IB. The location of magnet 120 may be determined by convenience, ease of installation, etc.

[0021] Figures 2 A and 2B depict an example embodiment of magnet 120. The magnet 120 depicted in Figures 2A and 2B is provided for explanatory purposes only, and the disclosure herein is not intended to be limited to the embodiment depicted in Figures 2A and 2B. The magnets described herein may include additional components, fewer components, different components and/or differently arranged components than what is illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B. Also, in some implementations, one or more of the components described herein may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another of the components described herein. White magnet 120 is depicted as including elements other than magnets, other embodiments include only a magnet, or a magnet and fewer of the components of Figures 2A and 2B, or additional components.

[0022] As depicted in Figures 2A and 2B, magnet 120 may include a housing 200 that includes a first portion 210 and a second portion 220. First portion 210 and second portion 220 may connect to form housing 200. Magnetic elements 230 may be disposed within housing.

While Figures 2A and 2B depict multiple magnetic elements disposed in housing 200, there may be only one magnetic element 230, two magnetic elements 230 ... one hundred magnetic elements 230, etc. The types of magnets used to form magnetic elements 230 may be any of the magnets disclosed herein or known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. First portion 210 may include a contact surface 211, which may be formed from or include a rubberized material that limits the noise made when a magnetic plate contacts magnet 120. Second portion 220 may include connector 240. Connector 240 may be any known connector, such as hook and loop or

Velcro, a strap, adhesive, zip ties, etc. In Figures 2A and 2B, connector 240 is depicted as an elastic loop 241 and hook 242. A user may secure magnet 120 to a golf bag, golf cart, pull cart, etc. by stretching loop 241 and placing loop around one of the foregoing and then in the open portion of hook 242. In other embodiments, connector 240 is unnecessary, such as when magnet

120 is formed as a part of the object to which it is connected.

[0023] Figure 3 depicts an alternative example environment in which the technology described herein may be implemented. As shown in Figure 3, environment 300 may include a golf cart 310 (only the rear portion is shown), a golf bag 110, magnets 120 (each a magnet 120 and collectively magnets 120), golf clubs 130, and head covers 140 having magnetic plates 150.

The environment 300 depicted in Figure 3 is provided for explanatory purposes only, and the disclosure herein is not intended to be limited to the environment depicted in Figure 3. The technology described herein may include additional components, fewer components, different components and/or differently arranged components than what is illustrated in Figure 3. Also, in some implementations, one or more of the components described herein may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another of the components described herein.

[0024] As depicted in Figure 3, one or more magnets 120 may be connected to golf cart 310.

For example, magnet 120 may be connected to the body of the golf cart, the roof of a golf cart, the structure of a golf can, etc. In one application of environment 300, a golfer may exit golf cart 310 to hit a golf shot, and may bring a golf club 130 to hit a shot. The golfer may remove head cover 140 and secure it to golf cart 310 by magnetically connecting magnetic plate 150 of head cover 140 to magnet 120 as described herein. Whenever the golfer decides to place head cover 140 back on golf club 130, the golfer removes the head cover 140 from magnet 120 and places the head cover 140 on the golf club 130. If the golfer does not remove head cover 140 from magnet 120, head cover 140 may remain connected to magnet 120, which may prevent head cover 140 from falling on the ground somewhere on a golf course or otherwise becoming lost.

[0025] Figures 4A through 4D depicts another example embodiment of a magnet. Magnet

400 may be used in place of, or in addition to, magnet 120. The components of magnet 400 may be similar to the components of magnet 120. Magnet 400 depicted in Figures 4A through 4D is provided for explanatory purposes only, and the disclosure herein is not intended to be limited to the embodiment depicted in Figures 4A through 4D. The embodiments of a magnet anticipated by the description herein may include additional components, fewer components, different components and/or differently arranged components than what is illustrated in Figures 4A through 4D. Also, in some implementations, one or more of the components described herein may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another of the components described herein.

[0026] As depicted in Figures 4A through 4D, magnet 400 may include a cover 410 and a housing 420 in which cover 410 is partially disposed (as shown in Figure 4B). Housing 420 may include a recess 422 configured to allow cover 410 to be seated and/or sit flush (as shown in

Figure 4B) with an upper surface 423 of housing 420. Multiple magnetic elements 430 may be disposed in housing 420 (i.e. in recesses in housing under cover 410 configured for magnetic elements 430, glued to housing 420, etc.). Magnetic elements 430 may include one or more permanent magnets (e.g. Neodymium Iron Boron magnets, Samarium Cobalt magnets, alnico magnets, ceramic magnets, ferrite magnets, etc.), but may also include other types of magnets. like electromagnets, temporary magnets, etc. The embodiment depicted in Figure 4A reflects 8 magnetic elements, but any number of magnetic elements may be used depending on the circumstances.

[0027] Housing 420 includes a cavity 424 which provides an area in which the magnetic elements 430 may be positioned under cover 410. Cover 410 may include one or more protrusions 411 that are configured to engage retainers 421 in housing (i.e. in cavity 424, as depicted) to connect and/or secure cover 410 to housing 420. A retainer 440 may be engaged by a strap 441 to connect magnet 400 to, for instance, a golf bag, golf cart, etc. Strap 441 may be flexible and/or adjustable to allow magnet 400 to connect with different sized objects. As depicted in Figure 4B, retainer 440 may be formed in a hook shape to retain strap 441, which may secure magnet 400 to a golf bag, golf cart. etc.

[0028] Figure 5 depicts a diagram of a process for securing a head cover while playing a golf shot. Process 500 may include obtaining a golf club with a head cover containing a magnetic plate (Block 510). The golf club may be, for example, a golf club such as golf club 130 (having head cover 140) or golf club 131 (having head cover 141). The process 500 may further include removing the head cover from the golf club (Block 520).

[0029] The process 500 may further include obtaining a magnet (Block 530). The magnet may be any type of magnet describe herein, such as magnet 120 or magnet 400. The process may further include connecting the magnet to golf equipment (Block 540). Connecting the magnet may include permanent and/or removable connections to any type of golf equipment, such as a golf cart, pull cart, golf bag, etc. Ideally, the magnet is connected to golf equipment in an area that is easily accessed while playing golf. For example, the handle of a golf bag may be used to secure a golf bag to a golf cart using a strap. When this is done, the handle is usually readily accessible from the back of the golf cart, making it easy to access the magnet during the round of golf.

[0030] While obtaining a magnet (Block 530) and securing the magnet (Block 540) is described herein after obtaining a golf club with a head cover containing a magnetic plate (Block

510) and removing the head cover from the golf club (Block 520), ideally, the golfer will have obtained the magnet and secured the magnet to golf equipment before the steps of Block 510 and

Block 520. That way, the magnet is ready to use once the golfer begins playing golf on a golf course. As a result, the golfer is able to use the magnet during the entire round every time a golf club having a head cover is used for a golf shot.

[0031] The process 500 may further include connecting the head cover to the magnet (Block

550). Connecting the head cover to the magnet may occur when a magnetic bond is formed between the magnet and the magnetic plate of the head cover. As described herein, the connection may be fonned in a variety of ways. For example, a golfer may place the magnetic plate of the head cover directly against the magnet. Additionally, or alternatively, a golfer (or someone else) may throw a head cover towards the magnet, and when the head cover comes close to/contacts the magnet, the head cover may be connected to the magnet. In this example, it may be preferable for the head cover to include multiple magnetic plates in order to increase the likelihood of a connection between the head cover and the magnet.

[0032] The process 500 may further include hitting a golf shot by the golfer. The golf shot may be any shot that uses a golf club with a head cover (i.e. a driver shot, fairway wood, putter, etc.). Once the golf shot is hit, the process may include removing the head cover from the magnet and placing the head cover back on the golf club (Block 570). This may occur immediately after the golf shot is hit, later in the round of golf or after the round of golf. It may be ideal for this to occur immediately after the golf shot so that other head covers may be secured to the magnet (i.e. for the next shot). However, some magnets may be large enough to store/connect to more than one/all head covers during a round, in which case the head cover may be placed back on the club after the round is completed.

[0033] The foregoing description provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. It should be emphasized that the tenns comprises and comprising, when used in this specification, are taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0034] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the embodiments. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification.

[0035] No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the implementations unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar language is used. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean

"based, at least in part, on" unless explicitly stated otherwise.