CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/343,815, filed May 19, 2022, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to the field of sports equipment, and more specifically to the field of golf equipment. Described herein are devices for protecting golf clubs and reducing noise.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Traditionally, golf clubs have been protected by obtaining golf covers that cover the club head on all sides. These golf covers may be similar in form to a sock, but the materials can vary as can the method of attachment. There are several disadvantages to these existing golf covers. They cover the club so that its designation (example, club number for an iron) cannot be read. The cover can be marked with the club designation, but if they get on the wrong club, the chance of using the wrong club increases. The club cover can easily fall off and this makes them vulnerable to being lost. This is especially true for those covers that depend on closing a seal that may not seal properly or are depending on friction. When a club is separated from its cover during club use, the chance of cover loss increases. This can happen because the cover is forgotten or falls out of a cart or falls out of a pocket.

Sometimes the covers are tied together, and the cover is left dangling, but in many cases, that situation can lead to losing a group of covers. When the cover is removed, it needs to be stored someplace until the club is returned, which requires both time and thought. Removing and replacing the cover is a nuisance. Further, replacing the club cover onto the club is time consuming and annoying, which slows the speed of play.

[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for improved devices for protecting golf clubs.

SUMMARY

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device for protecting a head of a golf club, including: a first sidewall including a first material; a second sidewall including a second material, the first sidewall being coupled to and opposite the second sidewall; and one or more magnets positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device for protecting a head of a golf club, including: a first sidewall including a first magnetic material; and a second sidewall including a second magnetic material, the first sidewall being coupled to and opposite the second sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing is a summary, and thus, necessarily limited in detail. The above- mentioned aspects, as well as other aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology are described below in connection with various embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 A shows a schematic of a side view of an embodiment of a device for protecting golf clubs.

[0010] FIG. IB shows a side view of an embodiment of a device for protecting golf clubs. [0011] FIG. 1C shows a side view of an embodiment of a device for protecting golf clubs. [0012] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the device of FIG. 1 A.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a device for protecting golf clubs coupled to one or more golf clubs.

[0014] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The figures are examples to illustrate features and concepts and are not intended to imply a particular size or shape that may be developed in the future.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The foregoing is a summary, and thus, necessarily limited in detail. The above- mentioned aspects, as well as other aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology will now be described in connection with various embodiments. The inclusion of the following embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the contemplated invention(s). Other embodiments may be utilized, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. Aspects of the disclosure, as described and illustrated herein, can be arranged, combined, modified, and designed in a variety of different formulations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure.

[0016] The devices described herein include a substantially flat or planar separator or protector that is used between the clubs. For example, a thickness of the separator may be about 0.1 inch to about 1 inch; about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches; about 0.5 inches to about 1 inch; etc. This design allows for protecting the clubs (e.g., during play, transport, shipping, etc.), reducing noise (e.g., due to the clubs hitting one another), and increasing the speed of play. The devices described herein enable the user to read the club designator without the interference of a cover. Further, the devices herein allow for removing a first club, leaving the separator attached to another or second club, and maintaining the separator attached to a second club while using the first club.

[0017] In some embodiments, the separators described herein can use magnetic forces to couple a separator to one or more metal golf clubs. Other forms of connection can also function for the coupling between a separator and one or more golf clubs, for example of a variety of materials, beyond metal. For example, one or more sides of a separator may include a hook and loop strap or an elastic strap for coupling to a head of a club.

[0018] Magnets have been used as clasps in golf equipment, and they have been used for holding covers closed on golf head covers. However, this use has been limited to working with a cover that goes around the whole club and was not specifically used with a more adaptive flat protector as described herein.

[0019] Accordingly, the technical problem sought to be solved was determining a way to protect golf club heads (e.g., from damage, clinking, etc.) while enabling visual determination of markers and/or indications on the golf club, reducing likelihood of loss of a protector, and decreasing the time that a user spends removing or reattaching conventional club protectors. At least some of the technical solutions for this technical problem are to (1) create a protector that is removably positionable between club heads (i.e., not encasing a club head) and optionally between at least a portion of adjacent shafts; (2) create a protector that remains coupled to a first club head when a second club head is removed, the protector having been positioned between the first and second club heads (and optionally between at least a portion of a first shaft and a second shaft); and (3) create a protector that takes little time to couple to a club head. The following embodiments show variations of these features. [0020] As shown in FIGs. 1A-3, a separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b as shown and described herein may include or be formed of a material. The material may include, comprise, or be formed of cloth, vinyl, leather, carpet material, chenille, weatherproof flannel jacquard loom material, embroidered material, printed material, or otherwise customized for presentation, or a similar material. In some embodiments, a first sidewall 120 of the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b includes a first material and the second sidewall 130 of the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b includes a second material. For example, a separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b could include mixed materials or laminates to give different capabilities. In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, a first sidewall 120 includes an embroidered material and the second sidewall 130, opposite the first sidewall 120, includes a marine vinyl fabric. In some implementations, the material of the first sidewall 120 is the same as the material of the second sidewall 130. In other implementations, the material of the first sidewall 120 is different than the material of the second sidewall 130. Still further, one or both: of the first sidewall 120 or the second sidewall 130 may include a composite of materials, two or more materials bonded (stitched, adhered, etc.) together, or the like. Although first and second are used herein, one of skill in the art will appreciate that first and second are merely used for clarity is describing features and do not connote an order or sequence. Further, although the separator is described as having a first sidewall opposite a second sidewall, one of skill in the art will appreciate that a first sidewall and/or second sidewall may be formed of or comprise a plurality of portions. Further, although a separator is described as having a first sidewall opposite a second sidewall, one sidewall may be used such that the one or more magnets are positioned in an aperture, tunnel, pocket, or the like of the sidewall.

[0021] As shown in FIGs. 1 A-1B, the separator 100a, 100b can include a first sidewall 120 coupled to a second sidewall 130 with one or more magnets 126 (shown in FIG. 1 A) positioned therein. Although the one or more magnets 126 are shown in a substantially centralized region of the separator 100a, one of skill in the art will appreciate that any location between the first sidewall 120 and second sidewall 130 is envisioned and may optionally be adjusted for a particular type of club. For example, club heads with a steeper pitch may use a separator with a different magnet location than club heads with a lesser pitch. [0022] In some aspect is, a first sidewall 120 and the second sidewall 130 define an internal pocket 122 (shown in FIG. IB), such that one or more magnets 126 are positioned in the internal pocket 122. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more magnets 126 may be laminated between the first sidewall 120 and the second sidewall 130. Alternatively, one or both of the first sidewall 120 or the second sidewall 130 may include an external pocket 124 in which one or more magnets 126 are positioned. In some aspects, an internal pocket 122 may be used with one or more external pockets 124 to increase coupling between the separator 100a, 110b and one or more club heads. The one or more magnets 126 of the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b function to hold the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b to a metal portion of a head of a club. For example, the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b may couple to a club face of a head of a club. The separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b may also use a different connection method to the club instead of a magnet for other types of clubs. In some aspects, the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b may at least partially extend to a shaft of a club to also at least partially protect a shaft of the club.

[0023] In some aspects, a separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b may include a single portion of material or a first sidewall of material coupled to a second sidewall of material, the first sidewall opposite the second sidewall. The material may include magnetic properties instead of including one or more magnets therein. Alternatively, a separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b may include magnetic paper, a magnet sheet, magnetic rubber, flexible magnets, or similar materials. In some implementations, a separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b or a sidewall of a separator may be formed using additive manufacturing methods, for example 3D printing or the like. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing process may combine the first and second sidewalls into a single sheet and provide one or more tunnels or apertures for positioning one or more magnets in the sheet or tunnels for multiple magnets. In some embodiments, one or both of the first sidewall and the second sidewall may be an extruded or molded plastic type material resulting in a one piece construction of the separator.

[0024] As shown in FIGs. 1A-2, the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200 includes a first sidewall 120 and a second sidewall 130 that are coupled or joined, for example, along a perimeter (shown along 230, 210 in FIG. 2) of the two sidewalls 120, 130. In some aspects, the first sidewall 120 and the second sidewall 130 are coupled or joined along at least a portion of a largest surface area 220 of the sidewalls 120, 130. The largest surface area 220 extending between the perimeter 210, 230 of the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200. One or more magnets may be secured in between the first and second sidewalls 120, 130. Alternatively, one or more sidewalls 120, 130 may include, comprise, or be formed of a magnetic material or other attachment technique to couple a sidewall to a club. In embodiments where a sidewall includes a magnetic material or integration with a connection technique, only one sidewall may be employed. In some implementations, only one sidewall may be employed where the sidewall includes an external pocket on the sidewall, the external pocket including a magnet therein.

[0025] In some aspects, the first sidewall 120 may be coupled or joined to the second sidewall 130 by an adhesive, stitching, clamped, or the like. In an aspect, the first sidewall 120 is coupled to the second sidewall 130 using an adhesive. Adhesives may include, but are not limited to, a wet adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, solvent-based adhesive, water-based adhesive, and the like. For example, in an embodiment, a wet adhesive is used to couple the first sidewall 120 to the second sidewall 130. In an embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is used to couple the first sidewall 120 to the second sidewall 130. In an embodiment, a water-based adhesive is used to couple the first sidewall 120 to the second sidewall 130. In an embodiment, a solvent-based adhesive is used to couple the first sidewall 120 to the second sidewall 130. In an aspect, the first sidewall 120 is coupled to the second sidewall 130 via stitching. In another aspect, the first sidewall 120 is coupled to the second sidewall 130 by clamping.

[0026] In some embodiments, the size of the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b can vary significantly depending on the needs. A separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b could be small in some cases and much larger in others. A separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b also could be cut in different shapes (e.g., square, circle, triangle, hexagon, octagon, rectangle, rhombus, decagon, etc.) to highlight a logo. For example, one or more sidewalls 120, 130 of the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b may define a cutout, groove, or other feature that functions to reveal information on the club or to better couple the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b to the club. For example, a surface area of a first sidewall or a second sidewall (e.g., of any shape - square, circle, rectangle, ellipse, hexagon, polygon, etc.) may be about 2 inches squared to about 36 inches squared; about 4 inches squared to about 12 inches squared; about 2 inches squared to about 9 inches squared; about 4 inches squared to about 9 inches squared; about 12 inches squared to about 30 inches squared; about 15.75 inches squared to about 24.75 inches squared; etc. In some embodiments, a first sidewall and/or a second sidewall may include an extension to at least partially shield or cover a shaft of a club. For example, the extension may be about 1 inch to about 10 inches; about 4 inches to about 6 inches; about 3 inches to about 7 inches; etc. [0027] Some of the advantages of the separators 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b described herein include: (1) it cushions the clubs from banging in to each other and scratching each other; (2) it cuts noise down significantly while on the course or in transit because it provides a buffer for the club and tends to hold adjoining clubs next to each other; (3) it provides an easy way to store the separator when taking a club out of the bag since it remains coupled to another club still in the bag; (4) it provides the ability to have the separator marked or printed or decaled or sewn with an emblem or words or initials to identify the owner or for advertising; (5) the separator can be done using different colors or patterns to provide a more fashionable look; and (6) it protects the club from scratches and harm.

[0028] The separators 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b described herein can be constructed in many different ways. It may be constructed using a magnet or magnets that are either buffered by a material like a cloth, rubber, vinyl, felt, or other material to protect the club and also to protect the magnet. The material may also be magnetized such as in products called flexible magnets or magnetic paper or similar products. These materials function without an embedded magnet or magnets behind the surface of the separator 100a, 100b, 100c, 200, 320a, 320b because the magnet can be embedded.

[0029] The location of the magnet or magnets may be varied to meet or adjust for different sized clubs and also the slope of the club. The size of the separator can also be varied to meet the demands of specific clubs. Wedges for example have sharper angles than long irons. While the current designs are using magnets, it is envisioned that other connection techniques may be used in other embodiments.

[0030] A size of the separator also helps in removing or coupling the separator to a club. As shown in FIG. 3, a separator 320a removably couplable between two club heads 300, 310 that are next to or adjacent to each other. Another separator 320b may optionally couple to club 300 on a side of club 300 that is opposite from the coupling with separator 320a. For example, a separator 320a, 320b may couple to a club face or a back of a club face of a first club and optionally to a club face or a back of a club face of a second club. The separator, based on its coupling properties, can provide for the storage of the separator when one of the clubs is removed from the bag by being attached to another club. If both clubs are removed, the separator may remain attached to another club in the bag or even to any magnetic metal parts on the bag like a towel ring or parts of a stand bag support leg.

[0031] EXAMPLES

[0032] Example 1. A device for protecting a head of a golf club, comprising: a first sidewall comprising a first material; a second sidewall comprising a second material, the first sidewall being coupled to and opposite the second sidewall; and one or more magnets positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0033] Example 2. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein a first perimeter of the first sidewall is coupled to a second perimeter of the second sidewall.

[0034] Example 3. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein at least a first portion of a first largest surface area extending between a first perimeter of the first sidewall is coupled to at least a second portion of a second largest surface area extending between a second perimeter of the second sidewall.

[0035] Example 4. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the first and second sidewalls define a pocket in which the one or more magnets are positioned.

[0036] Example 5. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein a first surface area of the first sidewall is between about 2 inches squared to about 12 inches squared.

[0037] Example 6. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein a second surface area of the second sidewall is between about 2 inches squared to about 12 inches squared.

[0038] Example 7. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the first sidewall has a larger surface area than the second sidewall.

[0039] Example 8. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the second sidewall has a larger surface area than the first sidewall.

[0040] Example 9. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the coupling between the first sidewall and the second sidewall comprises one or more of: an adhesive, a stitching, or clamping. [0041] Example 10. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 9, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of: a hot melt adhesive, a wet adhesive, a solvent-based adhesive, or a water-based adhesive.

[0042] Example 11. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the first sidewall is configured to removably and magnetically couple to a first head of a first golf club.

[0043] Example 12. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 11, wherein the second sidewall is configured to removably and magnetically couple to a second head of a second golf club.

[0044] Example 13. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the first material of the first sidewall comprises or is formed of one or more of: cloth, vinyl, or leather.

[0045] Example 14. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the second material of the second sidewall comprises or is formed of one or more of: cloth, vinyl, or leather.

[0046] Example 15. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the first material is the same as the second material.

[0047] Example 16. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein one or both of the first material or the second material comprise a magnetic material.

[0048] Example 17. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein one or both of the first sidewall or second sidewall is additively manufactured.

[0049] Example 18. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 1, wherein the one or both of the first material or second material comprises an extruded or molded plastic.

[0050] Example 19. A device for protecting a head of a golf club, comprising: a first sidewall comprising a first magnetic material; and a second sidewall comprising a second magnetic material, the first sidewall being coupled to and opposite the second sidewall. [0051] Example 20. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, further comprising one or more magnets positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. [0052] Example 21. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 20, wherein the first and second sidewalls define a pocket in which the one or more magnets are positioned.

[0053] Example 22. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein a first perimeter of the first sidewall is coupled to a second perimeter of the second sidewall.

[0054] Example 23. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein at least a first portion of a first largest surface area extending between a first perimeter of the first sidewall is coupled to at least a second portion of a second largest surface area extending between a second perimeter of the second sidewall.

[0055] Example 24. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein a first surface area of the first sidewall is between about 2 inches squared to about 12 inches squared.

[0056] Example 25. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein a second surface area of the second sidewall is between about 2 inches squared to about 12 inches squared.

[0057] Example 26. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein the first sidewall has a larger surface area than the second sidewall. [0058] Example 27. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein the second sidewall has a larger surface area than the first sidewall. [0059] Example 28. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein the coupling between the first sidewall and the second sidewall comprises one or more of: an adhesive, a stitching, or clamping.

[0060] Example 29. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 28, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of: a hot melt adhesive, a wet adhesive, a solvent-based adhesive, or a water-based adhesive.

[0061] Example 30. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein the first sidewall is configured to removably and magnetically couple to a first head of a first golf club.

[0062] Example 31. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 28, wherein the second sidewall is configured to removably and magnetically couple to a second head of a second golf club. [0063] Example 32. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein the first magnetic material of the first sidewall further comprises one or more of: cloth, vinyl, or leather.

[0064] Example 33. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein the second magnetic material of the second sidewall further comprises one or more of: cloth, vinyl, or leather.

[0065] Example 34. The device of any of the preceding Examples, but particularly Example 19, wherein the first magnetic material is the same as the second magnetic material. [0066] As used in the description and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include both singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “magnet” may include, and is contemplated to include, a plurality of magnets. At times, the claims and disclosure may include terms such as “a plurality,” “one or more,” or “at least one;” however, the absence of such terms is not intended to mean, and should not be interpreted to mean, that a plurality is not conceived.

[0067] The term “about” or “approximately,” when used before a numerical designation or range (e.g., to define a length or pressure), indicates approximations which may vary by ( + ) or ( - ) 5%, 1% or 0.1%. All numerical ranges provided herein are inclusive of the stated start and end numbers. The term “substantially” indicates mostly (i.e., greater than 50%) or essentially all of a device, substance, or composition.

[0068] As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is intended to mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements, and may additionally include any other elements. “Consisting essentially of’ shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude other elements of essential significance to the combination for the stated purpose. Thus, a system or method consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude other materials, features, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed disclosure.

“Consisting of’ shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude anything more than a trivial or inconsequential element or step. Embodiments defined by each of these transitional terms are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0069] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.