GOLF CLUB HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

A device for holding a golf club upright includes an elongate main member for restraining a golf club head against the ground; and at least one spike pivotally attached to one end of the elongate main member, The spike is moveable between a retracted position substantially parallel to the main member and an extended position substantially perpendicular to the main member. The main member restrains a golf club head against the ground when the spike is driven into the ground when it is extended.

Claims

1. A device for holding a golf club upright, comprising: (a) an elongate main member for restraining a golf club head against the ground; and (b) at least one spike pivotally attached to one end of the elongate main member, moveable between a retracted position substantially parallel to the main member and an extended position substantially perpendicular to the main member.

2. The device of claim 1 comprising first and second spikes, each pivotally attached to opposing ends of the main member.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the main member defines an elongate cavity along an underside, such that the at least one spike is retracted into the cavity when moved to its retracted position.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one spike has a sharpened end to facilitate driving the spike into the ground.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the main member comprises a belt clip for carrying or retaining the device.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising first and second end caps which pivot together with the first and second spikes respectively, from an extended position to a closed position.

7. The device of claim 3 further comprising first and second end caps which pivot together with the first and second spikes respectively, from an extended position to a closed position enclosing the underside cavity of the main member when the spikes are retracted.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the main member defines a profile having at least one notch within which a golf club may fit when the device is restraining the golf club against the ground.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein one or both of the first and second end caps have a notch within which a golf club may fit when the first and/or second end cap is extended open and the device is restraining the golf club against the ground.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a restraining clip for holding the at least one spike in its retracted position.

11. The device of claim 6 further wherein the first and second end caps each comprise a tab which cooperates with a notch formed in the main member, for holding the first and second end caps in their closed position.

12. A method of holding a golf club substantially upright, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device having an elongate main member for retaining a golf club head and at least one spike in an extended position substantially perpendicular to the main member; (b) holding the golf club with its head on the ground, underneath the main member; and (c) driving the at least one spike into the ground such that the main member restrains the golf club head against the ground, thereby holding the golf club in a substantially upright position.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the device has a first spike and a second spike, positioned at opposing ends of the main member, each pivotable between the extended position and a retracted position substantially parallel to the main member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a device disclosed herein.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, with its spikes retracted.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use, holding a golf club in an upright position.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a device.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 in use, holding a golf club in an upright position.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows the underside of the embodiment of FIG. 5, with the spikes deployed.

[0026] FIG. 8 shows a detail of the underside of an alternative embodiment, with spikes deployed.

[0027] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5, folded with the spikes retracted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are exemplified. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology and protocols described, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0030] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings. Conventional components of the invention are elements that are well-known in the prior art and will not be discussed in detail for this disclosure.

[0031] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show one embodiment of a device for holding a golf club upright. In one embodiment, the device 10 comprises an elongate main member 12 for retaining a golf club head 14, and first and second spikes 16, 18, each pivotally attached to opposing ends of the elongate main member 12, moveable between a retracted position substantially parallel to the main member and an extended position substantially perpendicular to the main member. The spikes 16, 18 may be attached to the main member 12 by a simple pin or hinge mechanism. Alternatively, the spikes may be attached to the main member by a flexible hinge which is bendable but not resilient.

[0032] Preferably, the main member 12 defines an elongate cavity 20 along its underside, such that the spikes 16, 18 are retracted into the cavity 20 when moved to their retracted position. Preferably, each spike 16, 18 has a sharpened end to facilitate driving the spike into the ground. The spikes may have any suitable shape, such as flat planar members or nail-shaped.

[0033] The main member 12 is of sufficient length to restrain at least one golf club, as may be seen FIG. 4 and in some embodiments, can be long enough to accommodate up to four golf clubs. The main member 12 need not be wider than the dimension of a golf club head from toe to heel, and narrower embodiments may be more convenient to store and carry.

[0034] Preferably, the main member is comprised of a plastic or metal material and the spikes are comprised of a metal. However, the main member and the spikes may comprise any suitable material such as any plastic, metal, ceramic, or a composite material such as a fiberglass or carbon fiber composite material.

[0035] Optionally, the main member 12 comprises a belt clip 22 or other mechanism for carrying or retaining the device. Alternatively, or additionally, the device may include or have attached a carabiner, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastening strap (such as Velcro), a magnet or any similar mechanism for carrying the device by the golfer on their person or on a golf bag or golf cart.

[0036] In preferred embodiments, the device further comprises first and second end caps 30, 32 which pivot together with the first and second spikes 16, 18 respectively, and which enclose the underside cavity 20 of the main member when the spikes are retracted. The end caps 30, 32 may be pivotally attached to the main member 12. In some embodiments, optionally, the end caps may be linked to a spike, so as to extend the spike when opened, and retract the spike when closed. FIG. 9 shows one embodiment in a fully closed position, where the spikes are retracted and the end caps 30, 32 closed. The main member 12 may define at least one slot 36 which engages a tab 38 on an end cap 30 or 32, when the device is closed, for retaining the device in a closed position. A user can manually open the end caps by pivoting it open, which disengages the tab 38 from slot 36.

[0037] In preferred embodiments, retaining tabs 34 may be provided to hold a spike in a retracted position, as may be seen in FIG. 7. In an alternative embodiment, a clip 36 may be provided to hold a spike in an extended position, as may be seen in FIG. 8, where optionally two spikes 16 are provided.

[0038] Preferably, the main member 12 defines a profile having at least one notch 40 within which a golf club may fit when the device is in use. In addition, the end caps 30, 32 may also define a notch 42. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one embodiment defines four notches for restraining up to four golf clubs. Preferably, each notch has a substantially vertical side and a sloped side, which is complementary to the lofted face of a golf club when restrained by the device.

[0039] The device is used by deploying the spikes and driving them into the ground, such as by the golfer stepping on the main member while the spikes are upright. The golf club head 14 is held under the main member 12 by the golfer while doing so, and as a result, the golf club is held substantially upright by the main member restraining the golf club head 14 against the ground. The golf club may be vertical, or substantially vertical. Alternatively, the main member 12 may be pressed against the golf club face such that the golf club shaft extends upwards at an angle but is not vertical.

Interpretation

[0040] The forgoing description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of using the apparatuses and systems can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the apparatuses, systems, and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated apparatus and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry.

[0041] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the claims appended to this specification are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

[0042] References in the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such module, aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. In other words, any module, element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility, or it is specifically excluded.

[0043] It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as solely, only, and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a negative limitation. The terms preferably, preferred, prefer, optionally, may, and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

[0044] The singular forms a, an, and the include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term and/or means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase one or more is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.

[0045] As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as up to, at least, greater than, less than, more than, or more, and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.