Patent ID: 12201198

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG.1shows an example of a golf club cane10holding a golf club9in a vertical upside-down position in a resilient, multi-functional, cylindrical sleeve20located on the top of a one-piece golf club boot14.FIG.2shows an isolated top view of the one-piece golf club boot14that can be frictionally attached to a grip12of golf club9through a resilient, multi-functional, cylindrical sleeve20, which extends vertically upward from a sole15of boot14with sleeve20buttressed by a set of ribs16,17,18and19. Each of the ribs are attached to top side15aof sole15and an outer face of cylindrical sleeve20.

FIG.1andFIG.2show each of the ribs have a right-angled end with one face of the right-angled end attached to an exterior cylindrical surface20eof sleeve20and the other face of the right-angled end attached to top side15aof sole15. In this example the ribs, the cylindrical sleeve20, and sole15are molded in one piece, preferably from a resilient elastomer such as urethane having a durometer of80A although other elastomers such as thermoplastic rubber resins may be used.

In the example shown clubhead11comprises a golf club iron, which is usable as a cane handle, while a grip12on the end of golf club shaft13attaches to golf club boot14through resilient, multi-functional, cylindrical sleeve20, which is located on topside15aof sole15.

FIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3show golf club boot14includes a sole15with a top side15aand a bottom or ground side15bwith multi-functional, cylindrical sleeve20partially buttressed by a set of ribs16,17,18and19, which extend upward from top side15aof sole15with ribs16and18located on opposite sides of sleeve20but in alignment with each other. Similarly, ribs17and19that are located on opposite sides of sleeve20are in alignment with each other. In this example sole15is a rectangular shaped one-piece elastomer slab that includes a set of rounded corner feet21,22,23and24. Sole15having sufficient width (x or y) so that when a golf club9is held in sleeve20the center of gravity of clubhead11is not outside a footprint of sole15, which could cause golf club9and sole15to tip over. That is, sole15should have lateral dimensions sufficient so that a golf club extending vertically from a center of boot14does not generate a lateral force that could cause sole15with golf club9therein to tip. Factors that affect the size of the boot may include the length of a golf club head, the weight of golf club head, the material of the sole as well as the material of sleeve20to maintain golf club shaft13in a vertical orientation. Although no limitation is intended by way of example a golf club boot14made of urethane with the sole having a thickness T2of ⅜ inches (seeFIG.9andFIG.10) and lateral dimensions (x, y) of 5.5×6.5 inches (seeFIG.2) has been found to maintain most golf clubs in a vertical condition when the golf club iron is parallel to the longer length of the golf club boot14. In the event a heaver club with a longer shaft is used one can increase the length Y of golf club boot14to support a heavier club in an upright position.

A feature of the invention is that sleeve20is buttressed by a set of ribs16,17,18and19to assist sleeve20in holding golf club9in a vertical ready to use condition when golf club boot14is used in a stand mode. In this example a thin-walled resilient sleeve20of thickness t1has an interior cylindrical surface20aforming an interference fit with grip12thus creating frictional engagement therebetween that holds grip12within sleeve20during use of the golf club cane10. The four ribs16,17,18, and19that buttress portions of the exterior cylindrical surface20bresist flexing or bending of sleeve20thus holding golf club therein in a vertical orientation with respect to golf club boot14while also stiffening sole15. Thus a feature of the set of ribs16,17,18and19in engagement with sole15can stiffen the sole to inhibit flexing of sole15.

The assembly of a golf club grip12to a golf club boot14is shown inFIG.7. During the assembly process the portions of sleeve20that are not buttressed by the set of ribs remain resilient allowing the non-buttressed portions of sleeve20to expand for hand insertion of grip12into frictional engagement within sleeve20.

In addition, the resiliency of portions of sleeve20that are not buttressed by the set of ribs allow sleeve20and golf club9therein to pivot with respect to sole15, which allows all the feet on sole15of golf club boot14to maintain ground engagement as a person walks about using golf club cane10for support. A typical walking motion using golf club cane10is illustrated inFIG.8, which shows golf club9in three different positions10a,10band10c. In this example the resiliency of cylindrical sleeve20not only frictionally maintains the golf club within sleeve20but allows portions of the sleeve that are unsupported by the set of ribs to flex and pivot with golf club9even though the portions of sleeve20having ribs buttressing the sleeve resist flexing of sleeve20. The resistant to flexing of sleeve20can enhance a contraction force between sleeve20and grip12to increase the frictional forces that maintain golf club9in sleeve20. In this example the portions of sleeve20not buttressed by the set of ribs can flex in response to pivoting of the golf club9with respect to boot14as a person walks about using golf club cane10, which allows feet on sole15to maintain ground contact as a person walks about as illustrated inFIG.8. As used herein the term ground includes interior or exterior surfaces that a person may walk on.

FIG.3is a bottom view of golf club boot14ofFIG.1revealing a set of peripheral corner feet21,22,23and24. Corner foot21includes an ice cleat36, similarly corner foot22includes and ice cleat36, corner foot23includes an ice cleat36and corner foot24includes an ice cleat36.FIG.4is a side view of golf club boot14showing ice cleats36in biting engagement with a sheet of ice37.

FIG.3Ais an isolated view of a peripheral foot14awith a threaded stud25embedded in foot14atypically through axial insertion of threaded stud25into an opening formed during molding of foot14a. Stud25is shown in perspective inFIG.3Eand includes outer circumferential knurled bands25band25cwith a circumferential recess25dtherebetween. The threaded stud25can be secured to foot14athrough mechanical engagement of knurled bands25band25cwith an interior surface of corner foot21of sole15. Located within stud25is a female thread25athat can receive a male thread from a cleat. While only one peripheral foot is described in this example, a stud is embedded in each of the four peripheral feet of sole14. While cleats36are shown attached to the peripheral feet inFIG.4alternately one may use golf club boot14without cleats. In another embodiment the peripheral feet21,22,23, and24, which extend outward from sole bottom side15b, keep a central portion of sole15off the ground. In still other embodiments the entire bottom side15bcan engage a walking surface. Thus, a feature of the invention is that golf club boot14can be used on a variety of different surfaces by selecting appropriate cleats.

FIG.3Bis a perspective view of a typical floor cleat35with a male thread35athreadingly engageable with a female thread of stud25. Floor cleat35contains a set of circumferential spaced extensions35bengageable with a walking surface such as a floor.

FIG.3Cis a perspective view of a typical ice cleat36with a threaded male extension36a, a circular flange36c, a set of flats comprising a hexagonal head36b, which is engageable with a wrench, and a hexagonal shaped ice edge36dfor biting into an icy surface to prevent slippage golf club boot14on an icy surface.

FIG.3Dis an end view of the ice cleat36ofFIG.3showing the circular flange36c, a set of flats forming hexagonal head36bwith a hexagonal shaped ice edge36dfor biting into an icy surface to prevent slippage of the golf club boot14on an icy surface.

FIG.4is a side view of golf club boot14with ice cleat36on corner foot21having a hexagonal face36band a ice edge36dengaging a sheet of ice37. Similarly, identical ice cleats are located at each of the corners22,23and24as shown inFIG.3. In the example shown inFIG.1andFIG.2resilient sleeve20frictionally engages and holds grip12within sleeve20while the set of ribs16,17,18and19, have one face buttressing a portion of the exterior surface20bof sleeve20and a second face abutting the top side of sole15a. The set of ribs, with each having an end buttressing the sleeve20, assist in maintaining sleeve20in a vertical orientation when golf club cane10is in the stand mode as shown inFIG.1. In this example ribs16,17,18, and19, and sleeve20of golf club boot14are molded in one piece.

In the example shown the thickness t1and resiliency of sleeve20are selected to allow portions of the sleeve between the ribs to flex for insertion of a handgrip while the orthogonal placed ribs16,17,18and19that buttress sleeve20are spaced and provide resistance to flexing of portions of sleeve20that are directly contacted by the ribs. By way of example with no limitation intended thereto a thickness t1of 1/16 inch may be used.

As shown inFIG.1, grip12of golf club cane10attaches to a topside of golf club boot14through an integral and centrally positioned sleeve20that frictionally holds grip12and golf club cane10in a vertical or upright position when no lateral hand force is applied to golf club handle11, which in this example is an iron.

FIG.8shows that although the opposed placement of ribs around sleeve20hinders flexing of buttressed portions of multifunctional sleeve20while the unsupported portions of multifunctional sleeve20, which are between the ribs and above the ribs allow the unsupported portions of sleeve20to flex and pivot in response to a pivoting force generated by use of golf club cane10.FIG.9shows sleeve20flexing and pivoting as grip12on golf club cane10pivots counterclockwise andFIG.10shows sleeve20flexing and pivoting as grip12on golf club cane10pivots clockwise. In both cases cleats35remain engaged with floor40as the golf club cane10pivots in response to use.

A feature of the invention as shown inFIG.8, is that during a walking motion the resilient sleeve20flexes from side to side as grip12pivots in response to lateral forces on golf club handle11. Note, although sleeve20pivots in response to the walking motionFIG.8shows that the cleats35, which are on the bottom of sole15, maintain ground contact as the person walks about using the golf club cane.

A further feature of the invention is that the multifunctional resilient sleeve20frictionally and circumferentially engages and secures grip12therein without modification of a golf club inserted into the sleeve. In addition, the frictional securement of sleeve20to grip12is sufficient to maintain golf club9and golf club boot14as a unit while sole15maintains ground contact as the angle of golf club9diverges from a vertical when in walking use. However, when in a stand mode sole15and the multifunctional resilient sleeve20maintain the golf cub cane in a vertical position as shown inFIG.1.

In this example resilient sleeve20holds grip12within sleeve20during use as a walking cane as the set of ribs16,17,18and19, which have one face in engagement with sleeve exterior surface20band a second face in engagement with top side15aof sole15, assist in maintaining sleeve20and golf club9in a vertical orientation when golf club cane10is in the stand mode shown inFIG.1.

In the example shown inFIG.7the resiliency of sleeve20allows portions of sleeve20located between the ribs to flex for insertion of grip12even though the orthogonal placed ribs16,17,18and19resist flexing of portions of sleeve20.FIG.7shows hand placement for hand attachment of grip12to golf club boot14. In the hand attachment method, one grasps golf club foot14in one hand80and with the other hand90grasps grip12. With the hands in position as shown one axially forces an end of grip12into an open unsupported top end of sleeve20with the unsupported top end of sleeve20comprising the portion of sleeve20not directly buttressed by ribs16,17,18and19, which are designated by X1inFIG.4. Next, one continues to apply axial force while twisting grip12to bring grip12into engagement with interior surface20aof sleeve20.

The insertion of grip12using the compound action of twisting and axial displacement of grip12causes unsupported portions of sleeve20, which are located between the ends of adjacent ribs, and supported portions of sleeve20buttressed by the ribs to resiliently yield for axial insertion of grip12therein even though portions of the sleeve buttressed by the ribs inhibit yielding.

As shown inFIG.1, grip12of golf club cane10attaches to topside of golf club boot14through an integral and centrally positioned multifunctional sleeve20that frictionally holds grip12and golf club cane10in a vertical position when no lateral hand force is applied to handle11. During a walking motion resilient sleeve20flexes as shown inFIG.8, which allows golf club shaft13to pivot in response to a lateral force on handle11, while the cleats35maintain ground contact.

A feature of the invention is that the resilient multifunctional sleeve20frictionally and circumferentially engages golf club grip12, without modification of the golf club, to maintain golf club9and golf club boot14as a unit that flexes allowing cleats35on sole15to maintain ground contact even though the angle of golf club cane10diverges from a vertical when in walking use. When golf club cane9is in a stored mode sole15and buttressed sleeve20maintain the golf cub cane in a vertical position as shown inFIG.1. Thus, a further feature of the invention is that when a person complets using the golf cane9and releases a grasp on handle11the resiliency of ribs16,17,18and19that attach to sole15and the buttressing of sleeve20as well as the resiliency of multifunctional sleeve20urge golf club shaft13to maintain a stable vertical position or stand mode. In the stand mode, which is illustrated inFIG.1, the handle11is at a height allowing one to readily grasp handle11without having to bend over.

A further feature of the invention is that golf club boot14is adaptable to different types of floors. For example, if the floor is carpeted and provides uneven support for golf club boot14one can tilt club9to a vertical orientation before releasing the iron to ensure that the golf club9remains upright on the carpeted floor.

FIG.4shows the length x1of sleeve20, which extends above the ribs, as an unsupported sleeve region.FIG.2shows a further unsupported sleeve region of length x2inFIG.4that includes portions of sleeve identified by20c,20b,20dand20e, which are located between adjacent ribs. As by way of example x1of ⅝ inch and x2of ⅞ inch. The sleeve exterior cylindrical surface20b, which is supported on opposite sides by ribs16,17,18and19, resists expansion of portions of the sleeve20that are engagement with the ribs; however, the portions of sleeve20c,20b,20dand20elocated between the ribs are not directly supported by the ribs and therefore can flex and stretch for insertion of grip12or for pivoting of a golf club therein.

FIG.5is a bottom view of golf club boot14with a rectangular or elongated shape with sole bottom15ahaving a set of peripheral feet21,22,23, and24each having a floor cleat35therein suitable for walking on a floor without damaging the floor.

FIG.6is a side view of golf club boot14ofFIG.5showing floor cleats35secured to the peripheral feet on sole15. In this example sole15maintains the peripheral feet of golf club boot14in contact with floor38.

As shown inFIG.4and inFIG.6a top portion of resilient sleeve20extends a distance x1above the top of ribs18and19and is unsupported by ribs18and19. Similarly, the end of ribs16and17(seeFIG.2) also do not support the top end of resilient sleeve20leaving sleeve20with a free end, which is unsupported by any of the ribs. However, the lower end of sleeve20, which is denoted by x2, is supported by rib ends16a,17a,18aand19a. As a result, resilient sleeve20has an unsupported top portion that flexes in response to a pivoting of a golf club grip in sleeve20while the ribs that buttress a bottom portion of sleeve20resist flexing of sleeve during a pivoting of a golf club grip from side to side while the unsupported regions of sleeve20, which are between the ends of the ribs, retain sufficient flexibility to pivot in response to pivoting of a golf club grip in sleeve20.

FIG.9illustrates a feature of the invention namely, that the unsupported portion of the sleeve20above adjacent rib18can pivot counterclockwise, which corresponds to cane position10ainFIG.8.FIG.10shows that sleeve20above adjacent ribs pivots can also pivot clockwise, which corresponds to cane position10cinFIG.8. The pivoting of the sleeve occurs from the walking action of a person with a cane requires a person to plant the tip of the cane on the ground and move forward while the cane is engaged with the ground. In this example the flex permitting golf club cane9to pivot with respect to sole15. This feature allows sole15, with or without cleats, to maintain ground contact as a person walks about using golf club cane10.

A feature of the invention is that when a person is done using golf cane9and releases a grasp on handle11the resiliency of ribs16,17,18and19that attach to sole15and to the sleeve20provide a force that urges golf club shaft13to a vertical or near vertical position with handle11at a height that allows one to readily grasp handle11without having to bend over to pick up golf club cane10.

FIG.7shows the process of hand attachment of a golf club grip12to golf club boot14. In this method one grasps golf club foot14in one hand80and grasps grip12with the other hand. With the hands in position as shown one axially forces the end of the handgrip12into the open and free end of sleeve20with the free end of sleeve20being the portion of the sleeve that is not directly supported by the ribs16,17,18and19.

FIG.8illustrates a further feature of the invention namely, that the portion of sleeve20not supported between adjacent ribs can pivotally flex permitting the golf club cane9to pivot with respect to sole15. This feature allows sole15with or without cleats to maintain ground contact as a person walks about using golf club cane10.

FIG.9shows grip12, which is located within the multi-functional sleeve20, pivoted counterclockwise. Note, that in counterclockwise position the portion of sleeve20above the dashed line20fpivots with grip12since the resistance to pivoting is provided only by sleeve while the portion of sleeve20below the dashed line has a greater resistant to further pivoting because of the resistance provided by the combination of resistance of ribs16,17,18, and19that buttress a side of sleeve20.

FIG.10shows grip12, which is located within the multi-functional sleeve20, pivoted clockwise within sleeve20. Similarly, the portion of sleeve20above the dashed line20fpivots with grip12while the portions of sleeve20that are buttressed by the ribs (i.e. below the dashed line20f) are restrained from pivoting by the four ribs16,17,18, and19.

In the example shown inFIG.9andFIG.10the portions of sleeve20below the dashed line20are restrained but not inhibited from pivoting by the four ribs16,17,18, and19while the unsupported portions of the sleeve20between ribs16,17,18and19flex to accommodate a pivoting action of grip12therein.

Thus, a feature of the invention is that as grip12pivots from side-to-side the grip remains frictionally secured within sleeve20while the cleats35of golf club cane10remain in contact with floor40as shown inFIG.8,FIG.9, andFIG.10.