Abstract
A golf club holder has: a ground penetrating spike; and a quick release golf club shaft coupling with guide clips that open away from one another in opposite directions, and that are coaxial with one another and spaced to define a shaft receiving slot therebetween. A golf club holder may have: a ground penetrating spike; and a quick release golf club shaft coupling that is structured to receive and retain a golf club shaft by, in sequence: a first movement where a golf club shaft inserts a shaft receiving slot of the quick release golf club shaft coupling; and a second movement where the golf club shaft coupling rotates relative to the golf club shaft to reversibly retain the golf club shaft in the quick release golf club shaft coupling.
Claims
1. A golf club holder comprising: a ground penetrating spike; and a quick release golf club shaft coupling with guide clips that open away from one another in opposite directions, and that are coaxial with one another and spaced to define a shaft receiving slot therebetween.
2. The golf club holder of claim 1 further comprising a backing member mounting the ground penetrating spike and the quick release golf club shaft coupling.
3. The golf club holder of claim 2 in which the backing member comprises: a base part from which the ground penetrating spike depends; an upper clip mount part from which the quick release golf club shaft coupling extends laterally from; and an elongate main body part that extends between the base part and the upper clip mount part.
4. The golf club holder of claim 3 in which a front wall surface of the elongate main body part and an underside surface of the quick release golf club shaft coupling collectively define a golf club head receiving region.
5. The golf club holder of claim 3 in which the base part defines a ground contacting face.
6. The golf club holder of claim 1 in which each guide clip defines a respective shaft retaining passage and a respective shaft retaining mouth.
7. The golf club holder of claim 6 in which the shaft receiving slot defines a slot axis perpendicular to a shaft retaining axis defined by the respective shaft retaining passages.
8. The golf club holder of claim 6 in which each guide clip forms a respective broken ring.
9. The golf club holder of claim 8 in which each respective broken ring is defined by a pair of jaws, whose tips defined the respective shaft retaining mouth and whose throat defines the respective shaft retaining passage.
10. The golf club holder of claim 9 in which, for each respective broken ring, one or more jaw of the pair of jaws is resilient to form a friction fit around a golf club shaft in use.
11. The golf club holder of claim 1 in which a shaft retaining axis defined by the guide clips is parallel to an axis of the ground penetrating spike.
12. An apparatus comprising the golf club holder of claim 1 with a golf club shaft retained within the respective shaft retaining passages.
13. A method comprising: inserting a golf club shaft laterally into the shaft receiving slot of the golf club holder of claim 1; and rotating the golf club holder relative to the golf club shaft, about an axis that is perpendicular to and intersects an axis of the golf club shaft, to insert and retain the golf club shaft within the guide clips.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising inserting the ground penetrating spike into a ground surface.
15. The method of claim 14 in which a head of the golf club is received between the quick release golf club shaft coupling and the ground surface.
16. A golf club holder comprising: a ground penetrating spike; and a quick release golf club shaft coupling that is structured to receive and retain a golf club shaft by, in sequence: a first movement where a golf club shaft inserts a shaft receiving slot of the quick release golf club shaft coupling; and a second movement where the golf club shaft coupling rotates relative to the golf club shaft to reversibly retain the golf club shaft in the quick release golf club shaft coupling.
17. The golf club holder of claim 16 structured such that, in the first movement, the golf club shaft inserts in a radial direction into the golf club shaft receiving slot.
18. The golf club holder of claim 16 structured such that, in the second movement, the golf club shaft coupling rotates in a plane parallel to an axis of the golf club shaft, into a reversibly retained position within the quick release golf club shaft coupling.
19. A method comprising: inserting a golf club shaft into a shaft receiving slot of a quick release golf club shaft coupling; and rotating the golf club shaft coupling relative to the golf club shaft to reversibly retain the golf club shaft in the quick release golf club shaft coupling.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising inserting the ground penetrating spike into a ground surface.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is side elevation view of a golf club holder into which a shaft of a golf club is being inserted.
[0011] FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1, with the shaft of the golf club twisted into a retained position within a quick release golf club shaft coupling of the golf club holder.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1 in the position shown in FIG. 1 receiving the shaft of the golf club.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1, in a position intermediate between the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the shaft of the golf club inserted into a shaft retaining slot of the quick release golf club shaft coupling, but prior to rotating the holder about the shaft.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1, with a ground penetrating spike of the golf club holder in the process of being inserted into the ground and the shaft of the golf club retained within the quick release golf club shaft coupling in a vertical position.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1, with the ground penetrating spike of the golf club holder fully inserted in the ground in support of the golf club, and with the shaft of the golf club retained within the quick release golf club shaft coupling.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the golf club holder of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIGS. 11 and 12 are front elevation views of the golf club holder of FIG. 1 shown receiving (inserting) a golf club shaft and retaining the golf club shaft, respectively.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a golf club holder with a quick release golf club shaft coupling and a base shelf.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.
[0023] Golf is a sport of patience and skill that involves striking a small, dimpled ball with a club from a tee off point into a hole on a course using as few strokes as possible. A standard golf course typically consists of 18 holes, each with a unique layout, distance, and combination of hazards such as sand traps, water bodies, foliage, and varying terrain. A set of golf clubs include various clubs that are each designed for specific types of shots and distances from the pin. The game of golf requires a blend of physical skill, strategic thinking, and mental focus, as players must account for factors like wind, elevation, and the condition of the greens. Advanced players often use modern technology, such as GPS rangefinders and swing analysis software, to enhance their performance.
[0024] Golf clubs are precision-engineered tools designed to optimize various aspects of a golfer's performance, and are each tailored for specific types of shots and distances from the pin. Golf clubs are classified into several categories: drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters. Drivers, typically featuring a large, aerodynamic head and a long shaft, are optimized for maximum distance off the tee. Fairway woods, with slightly smaller heads and higher lofts than drivers, are used for long-distance shots from the fairway. Hybrids combine the characteristics of woods and irons, providing versatility and ease of use, especially in challenging lies. Irons, ranging from long to short, are designed for a range of distances and shot types, with higher-numbered irons offering greater loft and control for approach shots. Wedges, including pitching, sand, gap, and lob wedges, have the highest lofts and are essential for precision shots around the green and in bunkers. Putters, with flat faces and varying head designs, are specialized for rolling the ball smoothly on the green. Modern golf clubs comprise advanced materials such as titanium, carbon fiber, and high-strength steel, and incorporate technologies like perimeter weighting and adjustable lofts to enhance forgiveness, control, and customization for different swing types. The selection and configuration of golf clubs is a critical aspect of play on a golf course, as the selection directly influences the golfer's ability to execute specific shots with precision and consistency across varying course conditions.
[0025] Golf bags are used by a player or caddy to carry a set of golf clubs around a golf course. A typical golf bag is designed to provide both functionality and convenience for a golfer. A suitable golf bag may be constructed from lightweight, durable materials such as nylon, polyester, or leather. Such bags come in various styles, including carry bags, cart bags, and staff bags. Carry bags, also known as stand bags, are designed for portability, featuring dual shoulder straps for balanced weight distribution and built-in stands for easy access during play. Cart bags are optimized for use on golf carts or pull carts, with reinforced bases and strategically placed pockets for easy access when mounted on a cart. Staff bags, the largest and most spacious type of golf club bag, are favored by professional golfers and caddies, offering maximum storage capacity and premium materials. Key features of golf bags include multiple compartments and pockets tailored for specific uses, such as apparel pockets, insulated cooler pockets, and lined valuables pockets. The organization and accessibility provided by a well-designed golf bag enhance a golfer's efficiency and convenience, allowing them to focus on their performance without distractions. A key feature of all golf bags is that of club dividers, which are designed to organize, separate, distribute, and protect golf clubs from one another about the interior of the golf club bag. Such dividers can range from simple, three-compartment designs to full-length, 14-way dividers that provide individual slots for each club, preventing same from clanging together and ensuring easy retrieval. Additionally, some high-end models incorporate advanced features like reinforced club dividers and top cuffs with integrated handles for enhanced durability and convenience. A well-designed golf club bag allows a user to transport a full set of clubs anywhere on golf course, permitting the user to select any desired club from the set at any point in the game.
[0026] The transport of multiple golf clubs using a golf bag from tee to green can present several technical and practical issues. One challenge is the risk of misplacing clubs. Whenever a player handles multiple clubs simultaneously, for example by taking a putter and wedge to a green situation, there is an increased likelihood of leaving a club behind, particularly after completing a shot and switching to the other club. In addition, the temporary placing of clubs on the ground on and around the green may lead to contamination of club surfaces with dirt and moisture, which can affect the performance of the club. Moisture may affect a golfer's grip, and a dirty or wet club face may lead to a loss of control and accuracy. Prolonged and repeated exposure to dirt and moisture may degrade club parts, including grips and heads, further affecting performance and longevity. Additionally, the moving of multiple clubs between golf bag and green may be cumbersome and disrupt the golfer's focus and rhythm, impacting performance on the green. The increased physical burden of such transport may also lead to fatigue over the course of a round, potentially affecting shot precision and consistency. To mitigate such issues, golfers may rely on strategies such as using a club caddy, planning shot sequences to minimize the number of clubs needed, or employing devices like retractable club stands to keep clubs off the ground.
[0027] A golf club holder may provide a convenient solution for temporarily holding one or more specific types of clubs around the green. These devices typically feature a stable base with multiple slots or hooks to keep clubs upright, allowing a user to temporarily support a club off of the ground where they may otherwise get dirty or wet when not in use. Existing golf club holders may be heavy and bulky and can be cumbersome to carry alongside a golf bag. The use of existing golf club holders may require additional time and effort to set up and place clubs in the holder. Furthermore, in windy conditions or on uneven terrain, the stability of existing golf club holders may be compromised, leading to the clubs falling over and potentially causing damage to the club or surface of the green.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, a golf club holder 44 is disclosed. The golf club holder 44 comprises one or more ground penetrating spike 56, which may be used to securely lodge the golf club holder 44 in the ground. The spike 56 may depend from a base end 48 of the golf club holder 44. The golf club holder 44 comprises a quick release golf club shaft coupling 66, which may in use couple to a shaft 28 of a golf club 10, for example by gripping the cylindrical side wall 30 of the shaft 28 at a suitable location between a top end 32 and a bottom end 34 of the shaft 28. The quick release golf club shaft coupling 66 may comprise one or more guide clips 72, such as a pair of guide clips 72. The guide clips 72 may each define a respective shaft retaining passage 76 and a shaft retaining mouth 90. The guide clips 72 may each be oriented so that the respective shaft retaining passages 76 are coaxial with one another along a retaining shaft axis 78. The guide clips 72 may be spaced from one another along the shaft retaining axis 78 to define a shaft receiving slot 100 therebetween. One guide clip 72 may be located at, near, or defining, a top end 68 of the coupling 66, and the other guide clip 72 may be located at, near, or defining, a base end, such as underside 70, of the coupling 66. The guide clips 72 may be oriented to open away from one another in opposite directions, for example if each respective mouth 90 is oriented to receive a golf club shaft along a respective insertion direction 73 (directions 73 and 73 for the top end clip 72 and base end clip 72 are shown in FIG. 9) parallel but opposed to one another.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the quick release golf club shaft coupling 66 may be structured to receive and retain a golf club shaft 28. For example, the shaft receiving slot 100 may be structured to receive or insert the golf club shaft 28 in a first movement, and the guide clips 72 may be structured to retain the golf club shaft 28 in a second movement. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, in the first movement, a user may insert a golf club shaft 28 laterally (for example in a radial direction relative to the golf club shaft) into a golf club shaft receiving slot 100 of the quick release golf club shaft coupling 66. Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, in the second movement, the user may rotate or twist the holder 44 about the golf club shaft 28 while the shaft 28 is in the slot 100, for example rotating the holder 44 about an axis 102 that is perpendicular to and intersects an axis 40 of the golf club shaft 28 (to rotate the shaft 28 relative the holder 44 in a plane parallel to and intersecting the golf club shaft 28), into a retained position within the quick release golf club shaft coupling 66. Rotating the holder 44 may act to insert and retain the golf club shaft 28 within the guide clips 72, as the clips 72 engage and grip the shaft 28 in the retained position. The golf club shaft 28 may be retained within the respective shaft retaining passages 76 along a shaft retaining axis 54. As shown, in the retained position, the shaft 28 may be adjacent a front side 50 of the holder 44, opposite a rear side 52 of the holder 44. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the user may insert the ground penetrating spike 56 into a ground surface 128, for example a green, fairway, rough, or other suitable surface at a golf course, to support the golf club 10 in an upright position on or above the ground surface 128. The golf club 10 may be retained by the holder 44 such that no part of the club 10 contacts the ground surface 128, for example if the bottom edge 20 of the golf club 10 is above a base end 48 of the holder 44, for example above a base part 110 of a backing member 108 of the holder 44. A top end 32 of the golf club 10 may extend above a top end 46 of the holder 44 in the retained position.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the golf club holder 44 may comprise a backing member 108. The backing member 108 may mount the ground penetrating spike 56 and the quick release golf club shaft coupling 66. The backing member 108 may comprise a base part 110, an upper clip mount part 112 and an elongate main body part 114. The elongate main body part 114 may extend between the base part 110 and the upper clip mount part 112. The elongate main body part 114 may define a top end 116, a base end 118 and a front wall surface 120in the example shown the top end 116 and base end 118 define the top end 46 and base ends 48, respectively, of the holder 44. The ground penetrating spike 56 may depend from the backing member 108, for example out of and below the base part 110. The quick release golf club shaft coupling 66, for example clips 72, may extend laterally from the backing member 108, for example from laterally out of the upper clip mount part 112. In the example shown, the combination of guide clips 72 and upper clip mount part 112 collectively form a C-shaped bracket for the shaft 28.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the golf club holder 44 may be structured to grip the golf club shaft 28 directly above or adjacent the head 12 of the golf club 10. The head 12 of the golf club 10 may have a front face 14, a rear face 16, a top edge 18, a bottom edge 20, a heel edge 22, and a toe edge 24, as well as other common features. By gripping the club 10 along the shaft 28, the holder 44 is able to hold the club 10 in a relatively vertical upright position. By gripping the shaft 28 at or near the head 12, the holder 44 can adopt a relatively low profile and compact size, while still retaining the ability to support the club 10 in an upright position above a ground surface 128. If the club 10 is supported above the ground surface 128 in a relatively vertical upright position, a user may be able to easily grab the handle 36 or hand grip 38 of the club 10 to one or more of remove the club 10 from the holder 44 while the holder 44 is in the ground surface 128. However, in some cases, the holder 44 be structured to grip the shaft 28 sufficiently such that when a user pulls on the club 10, the club 10 and holder 44 are removable from the ground surface 128 in one motion without separating the club 10 and holder 44 from engagement. The user, having removed the combination of the holder 44 and club 10 from the ground surface 128, may thereafter unclip the holder 44 from the club 10 to use the club 10. A compact holder 44 may thereafter be conveniently stowed in a pocket of a user's pants, shirt, jacket, purse, or other type of clothing, or in the user's golf bag. The user may also elect to stow the holder 44 by engaging the holder 44 on another golf club 10 stored in the golf bag. In some cases, a front wall surface 120 of the elongate main body part 114 and an underside surface 70 of the quick release golf club shaft coupling 66 may collectively define a golf club head receiving region. 124. A height 126 of the golf club head receiving region may be selected to be longer than a height 26 of the head 12 of the club 10 so that the head 12 may be received within the region 124. In some cases, the holder 44 may be structured to retain the golf club 10 above the ground surface 128 by gripping the shaft 28 between zero and five inches above the top edge 18 of the head 12 of the club 10.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the guide clips 72 may have a suitable structure. The guide clips 72 may define a top end 94, a bottom end 96 and a side wall 98. Each guide clip 72 may form a respective broken ring 74, for example having the shape of a split ring or c-clip. Each broken ring 74 may be defined by a pair of jaws 80, whose tips 86 are separated to define the shaft retaining mouth 90 and whose throat defines the respective shaft retaining passage 76. Each pair of jaw 80 may include an outer jaw 82 and an anchor jaw 84. The anchor jaw 84 may mount, for example integrally, with the backing member 108. The outer jaw 82 may be cantilevered laterally outward from the anchor jaw 84 to define the passage 76 and mouth 90. The passage 76 may be sized to fit around a standard sized golf club shaft 28.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the guide clips 72 may use a friction fit to retain the golf club shaft 28 within the quick release golf club shaft coupling 66. The fit of the shaft 28 within holder 44 may be sufficient to retain the club 10 in any position or orientation without movement when under only standing gravitational forces. A friction fit is a mechanical assembly method where two mating components are joined together by interference fit, relying on frictional forces to maintain their connection. A friction fit involves inserting one component, typically a shaft, into a slightly smaller hole or bore in the mating component. The interior dimensions of the retaining part, for example the passage 76, may be selected to be smaller than the exterior dimensions of the retained part, for example the diameter of the shaft 28, such that the shaft 28 is gripped against relative movement. The interference fit may create a compressive force between the mating surfaces, generating static friction that is sufficient to prevent relative motion between the components. A friction fit offers advantages like simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high axial load capacity. Friction fits require precise tolerances and careful consideration of factors such as material properties, surface finish, and environmental conditions to ensure optimal performance and reliability. For each broken ring 74, one or more jaw of the jaws 80 may be movable, for example resilient, to form a friction fit around a golf club shaft 28 in use. The tips 86 of the pair of jaws 80 may form a resilient friction fit surface 88. When the shaft 28 is inserted into the shaft retaining mouth 90, one or both tips 86 may flex or bend outward, temporarily increasing in separation sufficient to allow the shaft 28 to pass into the respective shaft retaining passages 76. Once the shaft 28 passes between the tips 86, the tips 86 or one of them may return to their original position, securing the shaft 28 in the respective shaft retaining passages 76 until desired to be removed from the quick release golf club shaft coupling 66. In the case where one tip 86 is resilient, the other tip 86 may be stationary.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the holder 44 may be structured to be reversibly connected to and disconnected from the golf club shaft 28 on demand. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3-4, and 11, in a first stage of connection (first movement), the holder 44 may be positioned over the shaft 28 such that the shaft 28 inserts into and parallel with the shaft receiving slot 100. The shaft receiving slot 100 may be oriented to define a slot axis 104 perpendicular to the shaft retaining axis 78. The golf club shaft 28 may be inserted laterally into the shaft receiving slot 100 of the golf club holder 44, for example along a slot entry axis 102. During insertion, the shaft 28 may be oriented such that the shaft axis 40 is parallel with the slot axis 104. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4-5, and 12, once inserted into the shaft receiving slot 100, the holder 44 may be rotated relative to the shaft 28 about an axis 42 that is perpendicular to and intersects an axis 40 of the golf club shaft 28. Rotating the golf club shaft 28 about axis 42 may insert and retain the golf club shaft 28 within the respective shaft retaining passages 76. During rotation, the shaft 28 may engage the tips 86 of the jaws 80, wedging one or more of the tips 86 apart sufficient to pass the shaft 28, and once inserted, the tips 86 may return toward a neutral position to grip the shaft 28 in the passages 76.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the shaft 28 and hence the club 10, may be reversibly disconnected from one another via the reverse of the procedure outlined above, by rotating the holder 44 relative to the shaft 28 to pop the shaft 28 out of the passages 76 and out of the mouths 90 into the slot 100. Thereafter, the holder 44 may be separated from the shaft 28 entirely by laterally withdrawing the holder 44 from the shaft 28, moving the two away from one another along the entry axis 102, to withdraw the shaft 28 from the slot 100. The club 10 may then be used or returned to a respective golf bag, and the holder 44 may be reused on the same club or a different club, or may be stowed for future use.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, 7-12, the ground penetrating spike 56 or spikes may have a suitable structure. The spike 56 may extend from a top end 58 to a base end 60, with the base end 60 forming a ground engaging tip. The spike 56 may form a tapered shaft 62. Other suitable structures may be used for the spike 56. The tapered shaft 62 may converge to form a point at the base end 60 of the spike 56 in order to allow the spike 56 to penetrate and be inserted into the ground easily. The spike 56 may be oriented in a suitable fashion, for example such that an axis 64 of the spike 56 is parallel to an axis 78 of the shaft retaining passages 76such an orientation may allow the shaft 28 to remain supported in a vertical or near-vertical position when the spike 56 is inserted parallel to the direction of gravity into a planar, level ground surface. The spike 56 may depend, for example a top end 58 of the spike 56 may depend, from the base end 118 of the elongate main body part 114. The base end 118 may define a flat, ground contacting face, which may act to support the holder 44 stably over the ground surface 128 when the holder 44 is inserted into the ground surface 128 flush with the ground.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 13, in some embodiments the holder 44 may be structured to support or shield the head 12 of the club 10 from contacting the ground surface 128 in use. In the example shown, the holder 44 may include a base shelf 122. The base shelf 122 may depend from the base part 110 of the backing member 108. The base shelf 122 may be extended laterally from the backing member 108 to underlie and support at least a portion of the bottom edge 20 and heel edge 22 of the head 12 of the club 10 in order to further retain the club 10 within the holder 44. By retaining the head 12 off the ground surface 128 in use, the risk is reduced of the head 12 becoming inadvertently dirty or wet from contact with the ground surface 128.
[0038] In the claims, the word comprising is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles a and an before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.
