GOLF PUTTER COVER

Abstract

A cover for sports equipment, such as a golf club, providing both protection of the sports equipment and a storage or cleaning feature. The cover includes a first body portion having a first cavity with a first opening, the first cavity being shaped to receive a head of the sports equipment, a second body portion attached to the first body portion, the second body portion including an additional feature for retaining or cleaning an accessory of the sports equipment, and a closure mechanism on the first body portion or the second body portion.

Claims

1. A cover for sports equipment, comprising: a first body portion having a first cavity with a first opening, the first cavity being shaped to receive a head of the sports equipment; a second body portion attached to the first body portion, the second body portion including an additional feature for retaining or cleaning an accessory of the sports equipment; and a closure mechanism on the first body portion or the second body portion.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the additional feature is a second cavity in the second body portion for retaining a ball.

3. The cover according to claim 2, wherein the closure mechanism selectively closes the second cavity with fasteners.

4. The cover according to claim 2, wherein the sports equipment is a golf club and the ball is a golf ball.

5. The cover according to claim 2, further comprising a cloth secured in the second cavity for cleaning the ball.

6. The cover according to claim 2, wherein the cover is in a shape of an animal, wherein the first body portion is in a shape of a body of the animal and the second body portion is in a shape of a head of the animal.

7. The cover according to claim 6, wherein the second body portion includes one or more ears comprised of a sponge material.

8. The cover according to claim 6, wherein the second body portion includes a bill comprised of a rubberized material configured for scrubbing.

9. The cover according to claim 6, wherein the second body portion includes hair comprised a wire material configured for cleaning.

10. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the sports equipment is a lacrosse stick or a hockey stick.

11. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the sports equipment is a bat or a racquet.

12. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism closes the first opening and includes a flap with a magnetic closure.

13. A golf club cover, comprising: a first body portion having a first cavity with a first opening, the first cavity being shaped to receive a head of the golf club; a closure mechanism on the first opening; and a second body portion having a second cavity with a second opening, the second cavity being shaped to receive a golf ball; wherein the golf club cover is in the shape of animal, the second body portion being in a shape of a head of the animal.

14. The golf club cover according to claim 13, wherein the closure mechanism includes a magnetic closure.

15. The golf club cover according to claim 13, wherein the second cavity includes a closure mechanism comprising fasteners.

16. The golf club cover according to claim 13, wherein the golf club is a putter.

17. The golf club cover according to claim 13, wherein the golf club is a driver or an iron.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1A shows a cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure on a club;

[0015] FIG. 1B show the cover of FIG. 1A with the club and a ball partially removed;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure on a club;

[0017] FIG. 3A shows a cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure on a club; and

[0018] FIG. 3B show the cover of FIG. 3A with the club and a ball partially removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

[0020] Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately one particular value and/or to about or approximately another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure.

[0021] FIGS. 1A-1B show a cover 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover 100 includes a first body portion 110 having a first cavity 112 with a first opening 114, the first cavity 112 being shaped to receive the head 52 of a golf club 50. In the exemplary embodiment, the first body portion 110 is in the form of a body of an animal (e.g., a dog) including a plurality of legs 140. Though animals are shown and described herein, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the cover is in a shape of a person, a caricature of a person, or a vehicle such as a motorcycle or a car. The first body portion 110 may be manufactured from leather, plastic or other suitable materials and/or may be padded to ensure protection from external elements and accidental impacts.

[0022] A closure mechanism 120 may be provided on the first opening 114 to secure the golf club head 52 within the first cavity 112. The closure mechanism 120 can be a magnetic closure, hook and loop (e.g., Velcro), zipper, or any suitable fastening method that provides easy access and secure closure. In the exemplary embodiment, the closure mechanism 120 is a flap including a magnet. In some embodiments, the closure mechanism 120 may have a logo 122.

[0023] The cover 100 further includes a second body portion 130. The second body portion 130 is formed integrally with or attached to the first body portion 110 (e.g., by stitching). In the exemplary embodiment, the second body portion 130 is in the form of a head of an animal (e.g., a dog) including ears 132 and a mouth 134.

[0024] One or both of ears 132 may provide additional functionality for cleaning the golf club head 52 and/or a ball. In the exemplary embodiment, one or both of the ears 132 are made of a material that is different from a material of the first body portion 110 and/or the second body portion 130. For example, one or both of the ears 132 may be made of or include a sponge material. Thus, when the golfer is one green they have access to cleaning tools without having to return to their bag or find a ball washer.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1B, a second cavity 136 is formed in the second body portion 130, i.e., in the mouth 134, having a second opening. The second cavity 130 is sized and shaped to accommodate a ball 150, such as a standard golf ball, providing additional utility to the golfer. Having a ball stored in the cover 100 ensures that the golfer has an extra ball if needed when on the green. For example, if a ball is lost or needs to be replaced, the golfer does not need to return to their golf bag.

[0026] The second cavity 136 may include a closure mechanism. In the exemplary embodiment, the second cavity 136 includes a closure mechanism in the form of fasteners 138 (e.g., hook and loop fasteners) on opposing sides of the opening (e.g., on lips of the mouth 134). The opening can be biased in a closed position, e.g., with a spring mechanism. The cover 100 may include additional features within the second cavity 136 to assist with cleaning the ball 150 and/or the club head 52. In the exemplary embodiment, the second cavity 136 includes a cloth 160, such as a terrycloth, that forms at least part of the interior of the second cavity 136 and/or is attached to and extendable out from the second cavity 136.

[0027] Though the cover 100, and additional covers disclosed herein, are discussed with respect to a golf putter, the invention is not limited thereto. The covers are applicable to other golf clubs including irons, woods, and drivers. The covers are also applicable to other sports sticks and clubs including but not limited to lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks (e.g., for ice hockey, field hockey), rackets (e.g., for tennis, racquet ball, pickle ball), and bats (e.g., for baseball, softball, cricket).

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a cover 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover 200 includes a first body portion 210 having a first cavity 212 with a first opening 214, the first cavity 212 being shaped to receive the head 52 of a golf club 50. In the exemplary embodiment, the first body portion 210 is in the form of a body of an animal (e.g., a dog) including a plurality of legs 240. Optionally, a closure mechanism may be provided on the first opening 214 to secure the golf club head 52 within the first cavity 212 (not shown).

[0029] The cover 200 further includes a second body portion 230. The second body portion 230 is formed integrally with or attached to the first body portion 210. In the exemplary embodiment, the second body portion 230 is in the form of a head of an animal (e.g., a dog) including ears 232, hair 234, and a tongue 236.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment, the ears 232 are formed of a cloth material for cleaning and/or wiping the ball 250 or the club head 52. The hair 234 is formed of wire or wire-like material for scrubbing the ball 250 or the club head 52. The tongue 236 is formed of a liquid absorbent material for drying the ball 250 or the club head 52.

[0031] FIGS. 3A-3B show a cover 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover 300 includes a first body portion 310 having a first cavity 312 with a first opening 314, the first cavity 312 being shaped to receive the head 52 of a golf club 50. In the exemplary embodiment, the first body portion 310 is in the form of a body of an animal (e.g., a platypus) including a plurality of feet 340. Optionally, a closure mechanism may be provided on the first opening 314 to secure the golf club head 52 within the first cavity 312 (not shown).

[0032] The cover 300 further includes a second body portion 330. The second body portion 330 is formed integrally with or attached to the first body portion 110 (e.g., by stitching). In the exemplary embodiment, the second body portion 330 is in the form of a head of an animal (e.g., a platypus) including a bill 334. In the exemplary embodiment, the bill 334 is formed of a rubberized or abrasive material such that bill 334 functions as a scrubber for cleaning the ball 350 or the club head 52.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3B, a second cavity 336 is formed in the second body portion 330 having a second opening. The second cavity 336 is sized and shaped to accommodate a ball 350, such as a standard golf ball. The second cavity 336 may include a closure mechanism (such as the closure mechanism 138 shown in FIG. 1B). As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, the second cavity 336 may include and/or be lined with a cloth material, such as a terrycloth.

[0034] As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.