CART-MOUNTABLE DRYING BRACKET FOR A GOLF GLOVE

Abstract

A device that can be removably mounted or permanently fixed to a golf cart securely holds a golf glove. The golf glove can be put on a glove support of the device, which holds the glove in an open position such that air flows through the glove, allowing the glove to dry more quickly than it otherwise would. The glove fits securely over the glove support such that the glove will not fall off while the golf cart is in motion.

Claims

1. A golf-glove drying apparatus, comprising: a mounting bracket having a first position in which the bracket is detached from a golf cart and a second position in which the bracket is secured to the golf cart in response to a user manipulating the bracket; a glove support for holding a golf glove such that air can flow into the glove, wherein the glove support defines a perimeter that engages the glove when the glove is supported thereby in order to open the glove to a shape approximating the perimeter, and wherein the glove is engaged with the glove support by stretching the open portion of the glove into engagement with the support; and a support rod attached at one thereof to the mounting bracket and attached at an opposite end thereof to the glove support.

2. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the glove support is in a shape of a hollow cylinder.

3. The golf glove drying apparatus of claim 2, wherein the glove support comprises at least one open area in a wall of the cylinder.

4. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the glove support is in a shape of an elliptical hollow cylinder.

5. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket further includes a securing strap.

6. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 5, wherein the securing strap is made of hook-and-loop material, with hook material on a surface of thereof and loop material on an opposite surface thereof.

7. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a spring-loaded clip for securing the mounting bracket.

8. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a screw-type fastener for securing the mounting bracket.

9. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the glove support further comprises a spring-loaded clip for securing a golf glove to the glove support.

10. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the golf-glove drying apparatus is made of steel.

11. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the golf-glove drying apparatus is made of plastic.

12. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 11, wherein the golf-glove drying apparatus is made of injection-molded plastic.

13. A golf-glove drying apparatus that is integrated into a support structure of a golf cart, comprising: a glove support for holding a golf glove such that air can flow into the glove, wherein the glove support defines a perimeter that engages the glove when the glove is supported thereby in order to open the glove to a shape approximating the perimeter, and wherein the glove is engaged with the glove support by stretching the open portion of the glove into engagement with the support; and a support rod attached at one end thereof to a support structure of a golf cart and attached at an opposite end thereof to the glove support.

14. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 13, wherein the golf-glove drying apparatus is integrated into the support structure such that the golf-glove drying apparatus is permanently attached to the support structure.

15. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 13, wherein the golf cart is motorized.

16. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 13, wherein the golf cart is push/pull-style.

17. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 13, wherein the glove support is in a shape of a hollow cylinder.

18. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 13, wherein the glove support is in a shape of an elliptical hollow cylinder.

19. The golf-glove drying apparatus of claim 13, wherein the glove support further comprises a spring-loaded clip for securing a golf glove to the glove support.

20. A golf-glove drying apparatus, comprising: a mounting bracket comprising a support forming a perpendicular angle for engaging a support post of a golf cart and a securing strap made of hook-and-loop material, with hook material on one surface of the securing strap and loop material on an opposite surface of the securing strap, wherein the mounting bracket has a first position in which the bracket is detached from the golf cart and a second position in which the bracket is secured to the golf cart such that the perpendicular angle engages the support post of the golf cart and the securing strap wraps around the support post such that the hook material engages the loop material to secure the bracket in place; a glove support for holding a golf glove such that air can flow into the glove, wherein the glove support is in a shape of a hollow cylinder having one or more open areas in a wall of the hollow cylinder that defines a perimeter that engages the glove when the glove is supported by the perimeter to open the glove to a shape approximating the perimeter, and wherein the glove is engaged with the glove support by stretching the open portion of the glove into engagement with the support; and a support rod attached at one end thereof to the mounting bracket and attached at an opposite end thereof to the glove support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present embodiments are illustrated by way of example and are not intended to be limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cart-mountable drying bracket for a golf glove.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the mounting bracket for mounting the cart-mountable drying bracket for a golf glove to a golf cart.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an example of the cart-mountable drying bracket for a golf glove while being used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description and figures are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one embodiment or an embodiment in the present disclosure can bebut are not necessarilyreferences to the same embodiment and such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

[0027] Reference in this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described that may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described that may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

[0028] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using bold, italics, underlining, and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that same thing can be said in more than one way.

[0029] Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0030] Without intent to limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[0031] As described in greater detail below, the subject matter disclosed herein includes a device that can be mounted to a golf cart for securely holding a golf glove in such a way that air flows through the glove to facilitate quicker drying of the glove.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device that that can be mounted to a golf cart for securely holding a golf glove in such a way that air flows through the glove to facilitate quicker drying of the glove.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows glove-holding device 110. As can be seen in FIG. 1, glove-holding device 110 includes a rod 114 with a mounting bracket 116 attached to one end of rod 114 at attachment point 124, and glove support 112 attached to an opposite end of rod 114 at attachment point 122.

[0034] To use glove-holding device 110, a person may pull a golf glove onto or around glove support 112 in a similar way as the person would pull the glove onto their hand. Glove support 112 may define a perimeter that engages the glove when the glove is supported by glove support 112 to open the glove to a shape that approximates the perimeter of glove support 112. In this way, the glove is engaged by glove support 112 by stretching the open portion of the glove into engagement with glove support 112. If the glove includes a strap, then the strap may be tightened around glove support 112 to further secure it. An example of glove-holding device 110 in use is shown in FIG. 3.

[0035] Glove support 112 may be a variety of shapes within the scope of this disclosure. The shape of glove support 112 may serve two purposes. First, the shape of glove support 112 may be selected such that it is similar to a golf glove so that a golf glove will securely and/or snugly fit over glove support 112 in a substantially open position. The secure/snug fit holds the glove on glove support 112 such that the glove is unlikely to fall off glove support 112 while the golf cart is moving. The substantially open position allows air to flow into and through the glove, which contributes to faster drying of the glove. Second, the shape of glove support 112 may be selected such that it allows air to flow through glove support 112, which contributes to faster drying of the glove. There are numerous shapes over which a golf glove may snugly fit such that the glove is securely held in place in a substantially open position that allows air to flow into and through the glove. In other embodiments, glove support 112 may further include a spring-loaded clip that engages the glove or another mechanism for further securing a golf glove to glove support 112.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, glove support 112 may be substantially in the shape of a hollow cylinder (i.e., with a circular cross-section). One reason for the hollow-cylinder shape is that it is similar to the natural shape of a hand and will effectively hold a golf glove in a substantially open position. The hollow-cylinder shape is open through the middle, such that air can flow through the hollow cylinder. In other embodiments, glove support 112 may be an elliptical hollow cylinder (i.e., with a cross-section the shape of an ellipse), a rectangular hollow cylinder (i.e., with a cross-section the shape of a rectangle), a sphere with airflow holes cut out, or any other shape that mimics the shape of a hand such that it will securely hold the golf glove in place. For example, it may be substantially circular in shape, elliptical or substantially elliptical in shape, or shaped like a hand.

[0037] In addition, glove support 112 may be open or skeletal in structure to allow for maximum airflow into and through the golf glove. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the open structure of glove support 112 allows air to flow through the glove in all directions, including both substantially radially from the center of glove support 112 and substantially through glove support 112. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the hollow-cylinder shape of glove support 112 is mostly hollow, with open areas 120 and glove support cross members 126. Open areas 120 allow for air to flow substantially radially from the axis or center of glove support 112.

[0038] Glove support 112 may vary in size to accommodate different sizes of golf gloves (e.g., men's small/medium/large, women's small/medium/large, kids' sizes, etc.). Similarly, glove support 112 may be adjustable in size so that it can accommodate various glove sizes.

[0039] As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1, glove-holding device 110 further includes mounting bracket 116. Mounting bracket 116 is attached to the end of rod 114 that is opposite from glove support 112 at attachment point 124. Mounting bracket 116 is used to mount glove-holding device 110 to a golf cart (e.g., a motorized golf cart or a push/pull-style golf cart).

[0040] Mounting bracket 116 may be used to temporarily mount glove-holding device 110 so that it can be attached/removed easily. This may be desirable for golfers who rent/borrow golf carts at one or more golf courses. An easy mechanism for attaching/removing glove-holding device 110 allows a golfer to keep glove-holding device 110 in their golf bag and simply attach it to their golf cart when they arrive at the golf course, and then remove it when they finish their round.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, mounting bracket 116 includes a securing strap 118. Securing strap 118 may be used to secure glove-holding device 110 to a golf cart. As one example, securing strap 118 may be used to mount glove-holding device 110 to a front upright support post on a motorized golf cart that supports the roof. As another example, securing strap 118 may be used to mount glove-holding device 110 to the handle on a push/pull-style golf cart.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, securing strap 118 is made of hook-and-loop material with one side of securing strap 118 being hook material and the other side of the securing strap 118 being loop material. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, securing strap 118 wraps around itself and sticks to itself to secure mounting bracket 116 of glove-holding device 110 to a golf cart. In other embodiments, securing strap 118 may use ways of securing mounting bracket 116 other than hook-and-loop material, such as a nylon strap with a buckle or a cinching cam.

[0043] In other embodiments, mounting bracket 116 may not use securing strap 118 to attach to a golf cart but instead use other ways of fastening. For example, mounting bracket 116 may include a spring-loaded clip or other mechanism to clamp onto a bar of a golf cart. As another example, mounting bracket 116 may include a screw-type fastener to create pressure against a post on a golf cart.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, rod 114 is a cylindrical shape (i.e., having a circular cross-section). In other embodiments, rod 114 may be other shapes, such as having a square or rectangular cross-section.

[0045] Alternatively, glove-holding device 110 may be integrated into a support structure of a golf cart. A support structure of the golf cart may include, for example, a substantially upright post that supports the roof of the golf cart on either side of the windshield or a substantially upright post that supports the roof of the golf cart at the rear of the golf cart. Similarly, the support structure of the golf cart may include, for example, an armrest of the golf cart, the dash of the golf cart, the roof of the golf cart, or the storage area at the rear of the golf cart where golf bags, coolers, sand for fixing divots, etc. can be stored. On a push/pull-style golf cart, the support structure may include the post connected to the push/pull handle or other posts on the golf cart that give the cart its shape and/or support a golf bag. Glove-holding device 110 may be integrated in such a way that that rod 114 is attached to the support structure of the golf cart. In one embodiment, glove-holding device 110 is integrated into the support structure of the golf cart such that it is permanently attached to the golf cart.

[0046] FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of one embodiment of mounting bracket 116 for mounting glove-holding device 110 to a golf cart. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, mounting bracket 116 may include perpendicular support 130 and parallel support 132. Perpendicular support 130 runs perpendicular to rod 114. Parallel support 132 runs parallel to rod 114. Perpendicular support 130 and parallel support 132 form a 90-degree angle with one another, which fits around a support post on a golf cart (such as, for example, a windshield post) or other post on a golf cart.

[0047] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, mounting bracket 116 is attached to one end of rod 114 by welding parallel support 132 to rod 114. In another embodiment, mounting bracket 116 may attached to rod 114 in that they form one piece because they are made of injection-molded plastic, for example.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, parallel support 132 includes a slit through which securing strap 118 fits. Securing strap 118 is includes a thick end 134 that prevents it from slipping out of the slit in parallel support 132. As shown in FIG. 2, thick end 134 of securing strap 118 may be created by folding the end of securing strap 118 back on top of itself and stapling it. In other embodiments, thick end 134 of securing strap 118 may be created by attaching a piece of metal or plastic to the end of securing strap 118.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows one example of glove-holding device 110 in use. As can be seen from the example of FIG. 3, mounting bracket 116 may be attached to support post 136 of a golf cart, and securing strap 118 may be wrapped around support post 136 and fastened to itself (using the hook-and-loop closure) to secure it to support post 136. Golf glove 138 may be put onto glove support 112. Glove support 112 holds golf glove 138 open such that air can flow through golf glove 138 as the cart moves or as wind blows through it while stationary. As can be seen from the example shown in FIG. 3, the perimeter of glove support 112 engages golf glove 138 by stretching the open portion of golf glove 138 into a shape that approximates the perimeter of glove support 112.

[0050] Alternatively, as explained in the context of FIG. 1, glove-holding device 110 may be integrated into support post 136 such that it is permanently fixed to support post 136. In an embodiment in which glove-holding device 110 is integrated into support post 136, rod 114 may be attached to support post 136, either as an integrated part of support post 136 or using a fastening means such as screw, bolt, rivet, or weld, for example.

[0051] Glove-holding device 110 may be made of a number of different materials within the scope of this disclosure. For example, it may be made out of steel or other metals. In such an example, mounting bracket 116 and glove support 112 may be welded to rod 114 at attachment points 124 and 122, respectively. In another example, glove-holding device 110 may be made out of plastic, for example, by injection molding or 3D printing.

[0052] In one embodiment, glove-holding device 110 may be bright orange in color, so that it will stand out against the generally black components of the golf cart that it is mounted to. By standing out as bright orange, it may be easier for the golfer to see, so that the golfer will remember to remove the glove-holding device 110 from the golf cart when returning the cart after the round of golf is over. Bright orange may also make glove-holding device 110 easier to find in a dark golf bag. In other embodiments, glove-holding device 110 may be any color or combination of colors. For example, it may be multicolored to represent the colors of a golfer's favorite sports team.

[0053] In one embodiment, glove-holding device 110 may be incorporated into or with other mountable accessories for a golf cart, such as, for example, a cigar holder or a golf-tee holder.

[0054] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0055] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0056] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.