Abstract:
A protective cover for a golf club includes a cover body and an internal frame and may include an elastic means for biasing the cover to an open condition. The cover body is made of cushioning fabric material and includes a head portion for covering and protecting the head of the golf club and a shank portion extending downwardly from the head portion for enclosing an upper part of the shaft of the golf club. The frame is principally covered by the cover body and comprises a hinge, wings that swing about the hinge to open and close the protective cover, and fastening means at free edges of the wings. The elastic means if present is attached to the outer surface of the frame and resiliently biases the wings of the frame to the open position. Part of the cover at the head is unsupported by the interior frame, to accommodate club heads of various sizes and shapes. The cover can be opened and closed with just one hand of the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to covers for golf club heads, particularly to protective covers made for single-handed operation, and which have simple construction, are convenient to use, and easy to fabricate. 
   2. The Prior Art 
   Several types of protective covers for golf clubs are in use or proposed. Typically, the protective cover is made of fabric and put on over the head of the golf club, as in  FIG. 14  hereof. The conventional protective cover A is pouch-shaped to cover both a head and an upper portion of a shaft of a golf club. The conventional protective cover A is longitudinally slit to allow easy insertion of the head and shaft of the golf club. A slide fastener Z is attached to the slit portion of the cover A and is opened before placing the cover A onto the golf club, then closed to protect the head and the upper portion of the shaft. Protective cover A is inconvenient to use because the slide fastener Z must be manipulated using both hands whenever the cover A is put onto or taken off from the golf club. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,723, by the present inventor, as shown in  FIG. 15 , discloses a protective cover for a golf club that is selectively opened and closed by being bent along its length. This protective cover cannot be easily opened because the protective cover uses the cover&#39;s own resilience to assist its opening. Where the protective cover is layered with a fabric, the cover is thicker and more difficult to bend and fold. Thus, it can be difficult to open and shut the protective cover with a single hand. Also, a hinge formed on a central portion of the cover body forms a hump when the protective cover is opened for inserting the golf club into the cover, which can make it less convenient to insert the golf club. 
     FIG. 16  illustrates a further known protective cover for a golf club, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,742. This cover includes a pair of cover bodies and a hinge between and connecting them. This hinge too forms a hump when the protective cover is opened for inserting the golf club, reducing the ease of use by encouraging the golf club to shift to one side when placed into the open cover. Further, this cover comprises a top wall F 1 , a side wall F 2 , and a bottom wall F 3 , are all formed through an injection molding process, which requires different injection molds for accommodating various models and sizes of heads of golf clubs in any typical set. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover for a golf club which is easily opened and shut merely by grasping the protective cover with a single hand, and which has simple construction, thereby being convenient to use and facilitating its fabrication. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover for a golf club, a lower portion of the cover being formed by injection molding, thereby reducing its weight and being useable with the head of any golf club. 
   A further object of this invention is to provide a golf club cover having a simple opening and closing structure, thus reducing its manufacturing cost. 
   In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a protective cover comprising a fabric body with a head portion for covering and protecting the head of the golf club and a shank portion extending downwardly therefrom for enclosing a shaft of the golf club. An internal frame gives shape to the cover in its shank and in a lower part of the head. A hinge extends longitudinally of the frame, forming pair of wings along opposite sides of the hinge line for opening and closing the cover. Fastening means are attached to both of the free side edges of the wings, so they can be detachably interlocked with each other to keep the cover closed about the golf club. An elastic device may optionally be attached to an outer surface of the frame and the wings for biasing the frame into the open position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a protective cover for a golf club according to one embodiment of this invention, in its closed position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the protective cover for the golf club of  FIG. 1 , in its open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an internal frame for the cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which is carried within the cover to give it form and shape and to control its function; 
       FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view through the shaft portion of the cover of  FIGS. 1-3 , showing the cover with its fastening means locked; 
       FIG. 5  is a vertical sectional view similar to  FIG. 4 , showing the cover for a golf club with its fastening means being released by finger pressure from a user; 
       FIG. 6  is a vertical sectional view similar to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , showing the cover for a golf club when nearly completely opened; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a head and upper portion of a shaft of a golf club within the protective cover of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second, modified protective cover, somewhat similar to  FIGS. 1-7  of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third form of protective cover for golf clubs, with the cover fully closed; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the protective cover of  FIG. 9 , slightly opened; 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion “a” encircled in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a vertical sectional view of a shank portion of the protective cover of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged plan view of the part “b” encircled in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one conventional protective cover for a golf club; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another known protective cover for a golf club; and 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a further known protective cover for a golf club. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , a protective cover A for a golf club according to the present invention is comprised of a cover body  20  and an internal frame  22 . An elastic opening means  24  is also conveniently provided, but may be an optional feature. The cover body  20  is made of a fabric, and includes a head portion  26  for covering and protecting a head H of a golf club C ( FIG. 7 ) and a shank portion  28  extending downwardly for enclosing a portion of a shaft S of the club. 
   The internal frame  22  is covered by the cover body  20  except, if desired, at its free edges  40 ,  40 . The frame  22  is formed with living hinges  30 ,  30  extending longitudinally along two sides of a central portion  32 . Wing portions  34 ,  34  of the frame are swung about the hinges  30 ,  30  for opening and closing the cover. Fastening means  36 ,  38  are formed at the ends of the elastic means  24 , at side edges  40 ,  40  of the frame  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 3  to  6 . The fastening means comprise a locking hook  36  at one side edge  40  of the frame  24  and a locking projection  38  at the other side edge  40  thereof. The frame  22  has a head portion  42  and an opposite, lower, shank portion  44 . 
   The elastic opening means  24  is attached to the outer surface of the frame  22 . It is arranged or formed to bias the wings  34 ,  34  of the frame  22  by its resilience toward the open position. It may be formed of resilient plastic or metal as may be most convenient, durable, reliable, and otherwise suited to the task, or be a simple rubber or other elastic band or cord. 
   The cover body  20  for enclosing the golf club C is made of any suitable fabric, woven or felted, etc., and synthetic or natural, etc., in either or both of the head portion  26  and the shank portion  28 . In the present embodiment, the cover body  20  consists of an inner layer  46  in contact with the golf club C and an outer layer  46  exposed on the outside. The layers are conveniently adhered permanently on their faces to the frame  22 . 
   According to this first embodiment of the invention, the lower or shank portion  44  of the frame  22  is of the same length and circumference as the shank portion  28  of the cover body  20 . However, the upper, head portion  42  of the frame  22  is shorter than the head portion  26  of the cover body  20  in order that the cover A be adaptable to cover any of most all types of golf clubs regardless of the size of the head of any particular club. That is, in accordance with the invention, the upper portion  44  of the frame  22  extends only to a part of the length of the head portion  26  of the cover  20 , generally less than half that of the cover head portion  26 . With this construction, a single injection-molded frame  22  can be used with a great variety of cloth covers  20 , each cover—but not the frame—being adapted to each particular golf club, whether it is a wood or an iron and for each club number and for each manufacturer or line of clubs. Thus, one expensive injection mold makes a single frame of a size that can be used for a multitude of covers, interchangeably. 
   The fastening means  36 ,  38  formed on or attached to the side edges  40 ,  40  of the frame  22  are made of flexible, resilient material so as to be released by an inward pressing on the one fastening means  38 , as depicted in FIG.  5 . Preferably, the fastening means  36 ,  38  are made of synthetic resin having superior elasticity. In this embodiment, the fastening means consist of a locking hook  36  at one side edge  40  of the frame  22  and a locking projection  38  at the other side edge  40  thereof. Instead of these devices, magnetic means fixed in cooperating, contacting relationship at exposed portions of both side edges  40 ,  40  of the frame  22  may be used. 
   In this first embodiment, the frame  22  includes two living hinges  30 ,  30  extending longitudinally of the frame  22  and spaced apart by center portion  32 , so that the hinges do not form a central hump upon opening of the protective cover A. This is in contrast to known protective covers having just one hinge. Since the hinges  30 ,  30  are not raised and only the wings  34 ,  34  outwardly of the hinges  30 ,  30  are swung, the golf club C is easily received within the protective cover A atop the center portion  32 . 
   A cover  120  with internal frame can have just one living hinge  130 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , in a second, modified embodiment of the invention. Other hinge devices besides the living hinges shown may be used as may be suitable, such as pin and socket types, as are well known in the mechanical arts. 
   In the first and second embodiments, a single elastic means  24  or  124  for biasing the wings  34 ,  34  of the semi-cylindrical frame  22  in the direction of opening is attached to the outer surface of the frame  22  at the wings  34 ,  34 . Alternatively, two or more elastic means  24  or  124  can be attached at two or more positions on the outer or inner surface of the frame  22 , across one or more of the hinges  30  or  130 , so as to urge the wings  34 ,  34  of the protective cover smoothly to open. 
   In the embodiments shown, the frame  22  has a semicircular cross-section. The frame  22  may alternatively have an oval cross-section or a polygonal cross-section, such as a square or a hexagonal section. 
   The frame  22  is disposed between the inner layer  46  and the outer layer  48  of the cover body  20  and is principally enclosed within the cover body  20 , with only the fastening means attached to the wings being exposed outside the cover fabric  20 . 
   As described above, in the protective cover A for the golf club C, the wings  34 ,  34  of the frame  22  are optionally biased to the open position by the force of the elastic means  24 . Thus the frame  22  with such elastic means tends to remain open, and in that position the golf club C can be placed into the protective cover A. To accomplish this, the golf club C is held by one hand of a user and the protective cover A is held by the other hand. After the head H and the upper portion of the shaft S of the golf club C are received by the protective cover A, the user&#39;s other hand grips and closes together both side edges  41 ,  41  of the protective cover A, swinging them about the hinge  130  or hinges  30 ,  30  into close contact with each other. The hook and protrusion  36 ,  38  or the like lock together in a snap-fitting manner, easily locking the frame  22  closed with a single hand, thus being very convenient to use. 
   For taking the protective cover A off the head H of the golf club C, the fastening means  38  of the frame  22  is pressed by the user&#39;s thumb. Then, the locking projection  38  formed at one side edge  40  of the frame  22  moves downwardly or inwardly of the shank until it is disengaged from the locking hook  36  at the other side edge  40  of the frame  22 . Since the wings  34 ,  34  positioned on both sides of the frame  22  may be biased by the elastic means  24  in the directions shown by the arrows in  FIG. 5 , the wings  34 ,  34  are swung about the hinges  30 ,  30  so as to open outwardly. If no elastic means  24  is used, then the wings are opened manually or by lifting the club shaft out of the cover. Thus the protective cover A easily is taken off of the head H of the golf club C. 
     FIGS. 9  to  11  illustrate a third embodiment of a protective cover, at B, according to this invention. In the first and second embodiments of this invention, above, the cover A has a locking hook  36  at one side edge  41  of the protective cover and a locking projection  38  at the other side edge  41  thereof, thus allowing the protective cover A easily to be opened or closed. However, it may be difficult to form or install the locking projection  38  and the locking hook  36  on the side edges  40 ,  40  of the frame  22 , so the manufacturing cost of the mold for the frame  22  or  122  may be undesirably increased, thus resulting in increased manufacturing cost for such a cover. This third embodiment provides a protective cover with a simpler structure for the internal frame and locking means than the first and second embodiments, thus providing a lesser manufacturing cost and likely being more convenient to use. 
   The protective cover B of the third embodiment of the invention includes a cover body  220  and a frame  222 , and optionally an elastic means  224 . The cover body  220  is fabric, with a head portion  226  for covering and protecting the head H of the golf club C, and a shank portion  228  extending downwardly from the head portion  226  and enclosing the shaft S of the golf club C. The cover body  220 , as in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , covers the internal frame  222 . The frame  222  is provided with two living hinges  230 ,  230  extending longitudinally along two sides of a central portion  232  of the frame  222 . Wings  234 ,  234  of the frame  222  are formed to swing about the two hinges  230 ,  230  to be selectively unfolded and folded. 
   In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the frame  222  has on its upper side edges  240 ,  240  a fastening means  250  comprising a Velcro® hook and eye fastener system. A first piece  252  of the Velcro fastener is attached along one side edge  240  of the frame  222 , at and over a surface  254  of one edge  240 , while a second, cooperating piece  256  of the Velcro is attached along the other side edge  240  of the frame  222 , at and over a surface  258 , in such a way as to detachably interlock with the piece  252 . The cover body  220  does not cover this part of the frame but is attached to the wings spaced apart from the edges  240 ,  240 . In order to increase the bonding force between the one side edge  240  and the other side edge  240  of the frame  222 , the two edges to which the Velcro is attached have a V-shaped male edge  254  and a cooperating V-shaped female edge  258 , respectively, for increasing the contact area of the Velcro. Other surfaces can also be used, as oval and circular sections. In this embodiment, the two pieces  252  and  256  of the Velcro are attached along the contact surfaces  254 ,  258 , respectively. Preferably, each piece  252 ,  256  of the Velcro is attached to two or three positions on the associated contact edge  240 ,  240  at regular intervals. As such, according to this third embodiment of this invention, the two pieces  252 ,  256  of the Velcro are utilized as the fastening means  250 , so the protective cover  220  is simple in its construction, thus the protective cover is easily manufactured. In addition, the two pieces  252 ,  256  of the Velcro and the edge surfaces  254 ,  258  firmly interlock with each other upon closing of the protective cover  220 , thus preventing the protective cover from being unintentionally opened, increasing the convenience of use of the cover B. 
   Further, a middle of the frame  222  at its upper edges  240 ,  240 , and corresponding portions of the cover body  220  are formed with a finger hole  260  that facilitates opening and closing the protective cover. In addition, the open, lower end of the frame  222  is beveled, thus further assisting in easily opening and closing the protective cover with the user&#39;s fingers on one hand. The optional elastic means  224 , if present, is attached to the surface of the frame  222  on wings  234 ,  234  to bias the wings by its resilience in the opening direction. 
   In the protective cover B according to the third embodiment, the wings  234 ,  234  of the frame  222  are optionally held open by the force of the elastic means  224 . Thus in a normal state the frame  222  remains open, so the golf club C can be placed into the protective cover B. In use, the golf club C is held by one hand of a user and the protective cover B is held by the other hand. The head H and the upper portion of the shaft S of the golf club C are inserted into and covered by the protective cover B. Next, by grasping the protective cover B with one hand, both side edges  240 ,  240  of the open cover B are brought into contact with each other, shutting the cover about the club head and shaft. Further, to take the protective cover B off the head H of the golf club C, a user inserts a thumb and finger into the hole  260  of the frame  222  and separates the sides of the hole  260 . Alternatively, the user opens the inclined lower end of the frame  222  with his fingers. 
   As soon as the fastening means  250  is released, the protective cover B is fully opened either by the resilience of the elastic means  224 , or manually, thereby allowing easy removal of the protective cover B from the head H of the golf club C. 
   The fastening means of the third embodiment is simple in its construction and so is easily manufactured. In addition, the first piece  252  of the Velcro firmly interlocks with the second piece  256  when closing the protective cover, thus preventing the protective cover from being inadvertently removed from a golf club. Such a fastening means ensures a high bonding strength, thus allowing the protective cover to be reliably opened and closed many times, therefore being convenient to use. 
   As described above, the present invention provides a protective cover for golf clubs, which includes a frame that is opened and shut with a single hand. Thus, upon releasing the lock on the protective cover, the wings of the protective cover are swung outward about the hinge or hinges under the bias of the elastic means and opened fully, so that the golf club can be easily inserted into the cover. For shutting the protective cover, the wings of the frame are swung about the hinge line or lines until the locking means are fastened, thus closing and locking the protective cover. For again opening the protective cover, the frame is pressed by a user&#39;s thumb adjacent the lock or pulled apart along the Velcro® fastener until the fastening means is released and the protective cover is opened by the resilience of the elastic means, and the protective cover is easily then taken off from the head of the golf club. As a result, the protective cover for the golf club of the present invention, in any of its three embodiments, can be opened or closed with a single hand, thereby being convenient to use and rapidly put on or taken off the head of the golf club. 
   Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, the elastic band may be omitted from the protective cover at some cost savings with only a small lessening of the convenience of the cover in use.