Patent Publication Number: US-2023141472-A1

Title: Golf Accessory Platform

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a golf accessory platform and accessories. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Golfers presently don&#39;t have an effective way to properly secure golf equipment from getting damaged while transported as baggage on commercial flights or shipped or stored. During a round of golf, there are times that a golfer may wish to remove their gloves, hat, or headcover from a club they are using. There is usually no convenient place to place these items, often resulting in these items becoming lost. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure, nor does it identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter or define its scope. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed in a simplified form as a precursor to the more detailed description that is later presented. 
     A golf equipment platform may benefit golfers as an alignment tool for better putting while on the practice putting green or practicing shots while on the driving range, or as a speed wing training tool that may increase a golfer&#39;s skills by increasing proficiencies and confidence. Golfers may be able to increase skills and bring practiced swings onto the golf course for better player game performance brought from the practice areas. Additionally, a golfer may be interested in protecting and securing golf accessories such as alignment rods or speed training sticks by housing these items within a structure or a rigid apparatus. Furthermore, a golfer may want to protect golf items from weather conditions such as rain or heavy stormy winds. 
     Disclosed is a platform that may allow storage of gloves, hats, headcovers, or other golf accessories, while also helping protect golf clubs when traveling or while in play. Additionally, it may be used as a golf training device such as an alignment rod or to support, protect, and hold or house alignment rods and swing training sticks. 
     The platform may have a handle, which may be comparable in size to a golf club shaft, allowing the platform to be conveniently kept in a golf bag. The handle may be straight, which may allow it to be used as an alignment rod or a speed swing training tool. 
     A top portion of the platform may be wider to provide support for holding, for example, a glove, hat, or headcover. The platform may be longer than a golf club, which may allow it to rise above the golf clubs when in a bag, which may provide protection for the clubs when they are being transported or while in play. 
     Additionally, various accessories may be attached to the platform, which may aid with swing training, alignment, or additional protection against damage or weather conditions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present description may be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a platform, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating a platform, according to another implementation. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating a platform with a club head cover, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a platform in a bag of clubs, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating a platform, according to another implementation. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating a platform, according to another implementation. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram illustrating a platform, according to another implementation. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating a platform, according to another implementation. 
         FIG.  9    is an illustration of a platform on a golf course, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of a protective cap and accessory connection device, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating a protective cap, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an inflatable protective shield, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  13    is a diagram illustrating an inflatable protective shield, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating an inflated protective shield in use, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating a structure of a top section of an inflatable shield, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  16    is a diagram illustrating a structure of a bottom section of an inflatable shield, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  17    is a diagram illustrating a side cutaway view of an inflatable shield, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  18    is a diagram illustrating a hub, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  19    is a diagram illustrating a hub with plugs covering unused slots, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  20    is a diagram illustrating a cutaway view of a hub, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  21    shows two wings attached to a hub, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  22    shows one wing attached to a hub, according to another implementation. 
         FIG.  23    shows four wings attached to a hub, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  24    shows a different view of four wings attached to a hub, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  25    illustrates a wing, according to one implementation. 
         FIG.  26    illustrates a wing with an inner piece and outer piece separated, according to one implementation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A more particular description of certain implementations of a platform may be had by references to the implementations shown in the drawings that form a part of this specification, in which like numerals represent like objects. 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating Platform  100 , according to one implementation. While making a shot, a headcover may need to be removed from a club. For example, Head  110  may be used to hold a headcover, which may help prevent losing the headcover. Head  110  may also be used to hold a hat or a glove, for example, to allow them to air out or dry. 
     Platform  100  may help organize a golfer while improving player confidence. It may provide a repeatable and simple solution to safely store golf equipment from becoming misplaced. It may also help keep golf equipment protected, undamaged, and safe while being shipped as baggage, in transit, or in play. Platform  100  may help organize a golfer to protect against losing equipment that is consistently lost or misplaced by providing a simple short-term solution to store easy-to-lose or misplace golf equipment, for example, head covers, hats, or gloves. Platform  100  is designed to extend above and around golf equipment while within the golf bag during play or while being transported within a golf travel bag. This shield system may be inflatable, rigid plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The golf shield accessory may slide onto, over, or around the top of the golf storage stick with the use of the connectable protective Cap  720 . The two basic golf travel bag equipment protection functions of this platform are 1) a wrap-around independent floating protection platform version and 2) a slide over or attached to the top of the equipment storage stick device for protection from proximity impact threats. 
     Handle  120  may allow Platform  100  to be placed in a golf bag at a protective height with clubs while still being easily accessible. Alternatively, Platform  100  may be, for example, placed in a golf bag pocket, attached to a pull cart, attached to a power cart, carried, or attached to a golfer. Platform  100  may have a fastening means, which may allow it to be removably or permanently attached to a golf bag. Platform  100  may also be stuck into the ground on a golf course. One having skill in the art will recognize that there are many ways to use or carry Platform  100 . 
     Platform  100  may also be used to defend against an attack, for example, from an animal on a golf course, either by scaring or striking the animal. 
     One having skill in the art will also recognize that Platform  100  may be made of different materials or combinations of materials, including, for example, plastic, fiberglass, wood, metal, carbon fiber, or other materials. 
     Head  110  may have Height  130 , ranging from approximately 11″ to 15″, and be about 1″ to 5″ wide, while the overall height of Platform  100  may range from approximately 48″ to 52″. Head  110  may transition to Narrow Portion  150 , with Angle A  160  ranging approximately 20° to 55° from the horizontal. Height  140  may be approximately 40″ to 60″. Handle  120  may have a width of 0.5″ to 2″. 
       FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating Platform  200 , according to one implementation. Platform  200  may have Hook and Loop Fasteners  210  attached to Head  110 , which may be used, for example, to hold a glove, while Head  110  is also operable to hold a hat or headcover on a top or side. 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating Platform  100 . In this example, Platform  200  is holding Club Head Cover  310 . Platform  100  may help prevent losing club head covers by providing a safe place to hold them while a corresponding club is being used while simultaneously protecting surrounding golf clubs and equipment. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating Platform  100  in Golf Bag  420 . Platform  100  may fit comfortably within or alongside Golf Bag  420 . Handle  120  may be approximately the same size as a golf club shaft. Platform  100  may provide a golfer with a simple solution to help keep equipment organized and safe. 
     Platform  100  may be placed within Golf Bag  420  through the top of the opening where Golf Clubs  410  are located. Platform  100  may be taller in elevation than all other items within the golf bag, which may help protect Golf Clubs  410  within Golf Bag  420  from damage while in transit or in play. 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating Platform  500 . Platform  500  may have Alignment Rod Holding Means  510  to store one or more alignment rods within Handle  520 . Alignment rods may be alignment rods, alignment sticks, training sticks, or speed sticks. 
     For example, Alignment Rod Holding Means  510  may be grooves in Handle  520  into which alignment rods may snap. Alternatively, hook and loop straps may be used to hold alignment rods in Handle  520 . In another implementation, hook and loop fasteners may be attached to Handle  520  and alignment rods. In yet another implementation, Handle  520  may have a groove with one or more holes at the bottom into which alignment rods can slide. 
       FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating Platform  600 , according to one implementation. Handle  620  may have a hole through the bottom with a Holding Means  610 , friction, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps, for example, which may hold an alignment rod when slid inside Handle  620 . One having skill in the art will recognize that many different ways may be used to hold alignment rods to Handle  520  or  620 . 
       FIG.  7    is a diagram illustrating Platform  700 , according to one implementation. Handle  670  may have Holes  710  with a Holding Means  680 , friction, hook and loop fasteners, clamps, or snaps, for example, that may hold an alignment rod when slid inside Handle  670 . Platform  700  may be placed into a cup holder or some other shallow holder when Platform  700  is not being used to house alignment rods within Platform  700  in a golf bag or stored. 
     Platform  700  may be shorter than Platform  600 , which may allow an alignment rod to extend past a bottom of Handle  670 . One having skill in the art will recognize that many different ways may be used to hold alignment rods to Handle  670 . Platform  700  may be used in a golf bag during play in order to secure or separate alignment rods or speed sticks from being damaged or rubbing against each other. Handle  670  provides a shorter version of Platform  100  to allow protections for clubs and equipment such as gloved, club head covers, and hats. 
       FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating Platform  700  with Alignment Rods  830 . Platform  700  may have Alignment Rods  830  stored in Handle  670  or in or below Head  110 . Alignment rods may be alignment rods, alignment sticks, training sticks, or speed sticks. Alignment rods  830  may extend from Handle  670  to protect and separate alignment rods or sticks while within a golf bag. 
       FIG.  9    is an illustration of Platform  100  on a golf course. User  980  may place Platform  100  on the ground, aligned with Target Line  530  toward Hole  550 . User  980  may then stand near Platform  100  to help understand how they may improve their swing abilities by placing golf balls adjacent to or onto Platform  100  to get a ball line up properly and near or into the hole. User  980  may use Platform  100  as a parallel use alignment tool for putting or driving. User  980  may stand such that they may swing Golf Club  560  in line with Immediate Target  540  of Platform  100 , which may assist in visualizing swing alignment and help User  980  improve a golf swing. Alternatively, User  980  may stand such that they are parallel with Immediate Target  540  of Platform  100 , which also may assist in visualizing swing alignment and may help User  980  improve golf swing skills. 
       FIG.  10    is an illustration showing how Cap  720  may be removably attached to Head  810 . Cap  720  may attach to Head  810  by Nut  760  being placed through Bolt hole  740  of Cap  720  and Bolt Hole  750  of Head  810  and kept in place with Bolt  730 . 
     Cap  720  may help safeguard golf equipment from becoming damaged and reduce travel bag wear or damage while golf equipment is being used with or without Inflatable Shield  910 . Cap  720  may be sturdy and absorb energy placed on it from accidental top strikes, side impacts, and drops onto and over the top of Platform  100 . 
       FIG.  11    illustrates Cap  720  disposed on Platform  700  with Head  810 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates Shield  910 . Shield  910  may have two inflatable sections, Top  1110  and Bottom  1120 , either of which may be used separately, or both may be used connected together. Top  1110  and Bottom  1120  may be fastened together with hook and loop fasteners, for example, or some other means, or they may be left as separate components. Top  1110  may have Fastening Means  1130  to allow easier installation and removal from a golf bag. For example, fastening Means  1130  and  1140  may be a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or other means to open and close. Similarly, Bottom  1120  may have Fastening Means  1140  to allow easier installation and removal from a golf bag. 
     External impacts around a golf bag protected by Shield  910  may be passively absorbed and distributed within the inflatable system. Shield  910  may distribute shockwave forces evenly throughout the inflatable system, reducing impacts against any particular club or other areas contained within the golf bag. Shield  910  may form a semi-ridged energy absorbing device that protects golf clubs while in transit. 
     Shield  910  may allow a user to adjust inflation pressures to transform its shape to accommodate and fit snugly or loosely inside any manufacturer&#39;s golf travel bag. Shield  910  may fill the unsecured, unused, or vacuous areas within the golf bag with flexible inflatable channels of tubes. Once Shield  910  has been set, each inflatable chamber around the protected golf equipment may fill these spaces with changing air pressures as forces vary. Shield  910  may restore differential pressures by balancing a diameter and pressure level in response to the shifting load movements that may surround the golf bag. 
     Platforms  100 ,  200 ,  500 , or  700  may be used as an independent device to provide protection, may be used with Cap  720 , or may be used with Shield  910 , which may give maximum protection. Shield  910  may be offered in multiple sizes, for example, one for tour bags and one for cart bags or stand bags. 
     Shield  910  may have a fastening system to secure it to Platform  100  and may be quickly and easily removed. Shield  910  may be inflatable, filling available space tightly. Shield  910  may be made of a foam or other material that may hold clubs to prevent them from hitting each other or may prevent external hits from damaging items in the golf bag. 
     Shield  910  may be sized to removably fit over Head  110 , providing extra protection for clubs if a golf bag is dropped or something is dropped on the bag. It may help limit movement of clubs in a bag. A user may select various diameters as appropriate for their bag and clubs. Shield  910  may be made of a non-marring material, for example, plastic, and may be strong enough not to get damaged by the clubs in the bag. Shield  910  may not increase luggage weight or add baggage fees while protecting the golf equipment since it is inflatable, and the material may not weigh much. 
     Shield  910  may also act as an umbrella, protecting contents of a golf bag from weather elements. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates Shield  910  with Top  1110  and Bottom  1120  fastened together. 
       FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating Shield  910  as it may be used. Handle  1020  is shown, although it may not be visible inside the bag when in use. Shield  910  may help golf clubs and equipment arrive safely and undamaged to a destination while transported separately or while inside a golf travel bag. It may also double as a ridged inflatable umbrella that may shield golf equipment from all weather conditions and may allow golfers to use contemporary or standard umbrellas to shield themselves rather than their clubs. 
     Shield  910  may be a space-saving inflatable umbrella that may protect golf equipment from all weather conditions better and more secure than any golf umbrella or rain cover. Shield  910  may offer adjustability of apertures for quick-and-easy golf club access while keeping golf equipment safe and dry from heavy rain downpours or heavy driving weather. Shield  910  may be fastened to Cap  720 , which may prevent it from flying off a golf bag in high winds. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates air chambers in Top  1110  if Top  1110  were laid flat, according to one embodiment. Having Air Pockets  1210  connected via Channels  1220  and Channel  1510  may allow for easy inflation and force distribution between two or more bypass chambers securing equalized pressures of force between Air Pockets  1210  when Shield  910  is impacted. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates air chambers in Bottom  1120  if Bottom  1120  were laid flat, according to one embodiment. Having Air Pockets  1210  connected via Channels  1220  allows easy inflation and distribution between Air Pockets  1210  when Shield  910  is impacted. Having two Channels  1320  on each Air Pockets  1310  may reduce the likelihood of An Air Pocket  1310  being cut off by a Channel  1320  being pinched and assuring equalized pressure-flow between chambers from unforeseen blockages. 
     Valve  1330  may allow Bottom  1120  to be inflated. Valve  1330  may be used to manually blow up Bottom  1120  using breath or may be attached to a source of compressed air, or other gas. 
       FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional side view of Bottom  1120  and top  1110 . Inside  1420  may inflate toward golf equipment in a bag, for example, while Outside  1410  may inflate toward a golf bag, for example, to provide extra protection against impacts by dispersing energy equally throughout the platform with optional or preferred separate inflation levels on each side of the core. 
       FIG.  18    shows Hub  1810 . Hub  1810  may provide a simple, sturdy way to snap in or slide off attachable aerodynamic quadrants for interchangeable preferences within a single training device. It may be configured to support a speed training tool and wind resistance device, for example, a speed wing, Cap  720 , an x-wing, aerodynamic cover plates, and various sized slide on, slide off rail position weights for user custom controllability. Adding or repositioning various sized weights may significantly increase loading levels for an “action to reaction” golf swing around all four rail positions. Changing wing configurations and adjusting weights onto preferred rail locations may allow a user to have effective training tools for whatever goals the user may have. 
     Hub  1810  may slide over Platform  100  to provide a secure coupling between Platform  100  and other attachments. Hub  1810  may slide over Platform  100  from over Handle  120 , with Slots Stop  1830  to catch a flange on the head of Platform  100 . Walls on sides of Hub  1810  may form Slots  1850 , which may provide a secure fastening system for accessories to removably attach to Hub  1810 . Hub  1810  may also have a snug fit over Platform  100 , which may provide friction to assist in securing Hub  1810  to Platform  100 . 
       FIG.  19    shows Hub  1810  with Plugs  1010  covering Slots  1850  when one or more Slots  1850  may not be used for an accessory. Plugs  1010  may slide into one or more Slots  1850  until reaching Slots Stop  1830 . Centrifugal force may hold Plugs  1010  in place when swinging Platform  100 . Other fastening means, for example, friction, snaps, screws, hook and loop fasteners, or other fasteners, may be used to hold Hub  1810  on Platform  100 . 
       FIG.  20    shows a cutaway view of Hub  1810 . Flange  1710  may be a part of Platform  100 . Stopper  1720  may prevent Hub  1810  from sliding past Flange  1710  toward Head  110  of Platform  100 . 
       FIG.  21    shows two Wings  1820  attached to Hub  1810 . A configuration with one or two Wings  1820  may be known as a speed wing, which may provide a user with segment sensing within various attitude positions throughout a swing arc, and may offer a user a simple, effective, and balanced speed golf swing training tool. 
     Wings  1820  may increase muscle development and support faster muscle memory training effects. Cambered airfoils on each surface of Wings  1820  may increase drag coefficients in various attitudes during a swing arc. Wings  1820  may removably lock to Hub  1810 . 
     Wings  1820  may be airfoils. Leading and trailing edges may be aerodynamically similar in design, which may provide consistent swing speed testing in either swing direction, forwards, or backward. In another implementation, Wings  1820  may be flat or may have other shapes to provide various types of resistance. 
     Wings  1820  may provide instant feedback of side-spin movement throughout a swing arc, which may assist a user to improve a swing by delivering proper swing angles for efficient ball flight and back-spin. It may help train users to swing faster while maintaining full follow-through and extension control in achieving better golf swing dynamics. 
     Wings  1820  may also provide a perpendicular ram-air resistance position to warm up a golfer&#39;s muscles before going out and playing. 
     Various low-level angles for ultra-fast swing training with stabilized “rotational inertia” may also improve a user&#39;s confidence in a swing. A swing pole or rod with a weight attached to an end may not create any sense of stability because it may not have a flange or a wing. Speed Wing  1820  may stabilize a moment of inertia within an arc, allowing a user to feel the correct angles for an ideal moment of rotational inertia efficiencies. 
     Various configurations may be used, one with no wing, one with one wing for in-line speed training, or one with two-winged for speed training. 
     Hub  1810  may support one, two, three, or four Wings  1820 , to assist in training various aspects of a golf swing. 
       FIG.  22    shows one Wing  1820  attached to Hub  1810 , according to one implementation. This configuration may be used for swing speed training. 
       FIG.  23    shows four Wings  1820  attached to Hub  1810 , according to one implementation. This configuration may be known as an x-wing. An x-wing may provide aerodynamic resistance training for golf swings. 
     Resistance devices may be used to warm up muscles before playing golf. An x-wing changes wind friction angles favoring various aerodynamic resistance settings. A user may control the golf club arc speed by choking up or down on the base portion of Platform  100 . If the grip location is further away from Head  110  of the Platform  100 , the radius may be greater, and a swing speed may be faster, which may result in more sensitivity in alignment results. In contrast, the shorter the radius, the slower the swing speed, resulting in less sensitivity in alignment feedback. 
     An x-wing may offer a non-directional heavy disturbance resistance training device. A user may have complete control of the level of strenuous and stainable resistance training desired. 
       FIG.  24    illustrates a bottom perspective view of X-Wing  2000 . 
       FIG.  25    illustrates Wing  2210 , according to one implementation. Wing  2210  may have Inner Piece  2220  and Outer Piece  2230 . Wing  2210  may be used with just Inner Piece  2220  or with both Inner Piece  2220  and Outer Piece  2230  to allow an additional adjustment for selecting the type of swing practice desired. One, two, three, or four Wing  2210  may be attached to Hub  1810  in various configurations. One having skill in the art will recognize other configurations of wings may be used. 
       FIG.  26    illustrates Wing  2210  with Inner Piece  2220  and Outer Piece  2230  separated. Out Piece  2230  may slide onto Inner Piece  2220 , and be held in place by centrifugal force, friction, or other fastening means, similar to Plugs  1010  described supra. 
     Wing  1820  or Wing  2210  may be made of injected ridged Styrofoam, plastic, or may be an inflatable device, for example. One having skill in the art will recognize that many different materials or combinations of materials may be used for Wing  1820  or Wing  2210 . 
     While various aspects of implementations within the scope of the appended claims are described above, various features of implementations described above may be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and that any specific structure or function described above is merely illustrative. An aspect described herein may be implemented independently of any other aspects, and two or more of these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, an accessory may be implemented, or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects disclosed herein. In addition, such an accessory may be implemented, or such a method may be practiced using other structures or functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects disclosed herein. 
     While the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises” or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a stated condition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent is true]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting” or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.