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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to golf club protectors, and more particularly to protectors capable of securely protecting golf club heads, yet allowing for an easy and convenient identification of golf clubs.
2. Description of the Related Art
A golf player usually carries several clubs during the game (but no more than fourteen, the limit defined by the rules). There are three major types of clubs, known as woods, irons, and putters. Wedges are irons used to play shorter shots. Woods are played for long shots from the tee or fairway, and occasionally rough, while irons are for precision shots from fairways as well as from the rough. A new type of wood known as a “hybrid” combines the straight-hitting characteristics of irons with the easy-to-hit-in-the-air characteristics of higher-lofted woods. A “hybrid” is often used for long shots from difficult rough. Hybrids are also used by players who have a difficult time getting the ball airborne with long irons. Wedges are played from difficult ground such as sand or the rough and for approach shots to the green. Putters are mostly played on the green, but can also be useful when playing from bunkers or for some approach shots. Based on the average distance that the ball should travel, different sizes of clubs are possible. For example, there are 3-wood, 4-wood, 5-wood, and 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron, 6-iron, 7-iron, 8-iron, and 9-iron clubs. With so many types and sizes of clubs to pick from, an identification number is generally marked on the head of each club.
Meanwhile, the protection of golf clubs is quite important for optimizing their capability and lengthening their lifespan. The conventional way is to use a protector to shield the head of a golf club when not in use so as to prevent the golf clubs from striking and impacting against each other in a golf bag. A protector thus helps to avoid undesirable damage, and prolongs golf club usability and aesthetics. However, commercially available golf club while protecting a golf club also conceal the identification number of the head of the gulf club, which makes it difficult for a golfer to pick the desired golf club.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a protector for protecting a golf club with an identification number comprising a body, and a window made of transparent or semi-transparent material. The window is aligned with the identification number so that the identification number can be observed through said window.
In certain embodiments, the window is integrated with the body of the protector by sewing, stapling, or gluing.
In certain embodiments, the window is circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, polygonal or irregular in shape.
In certain embodiments, the window comprises a polymeric material, or a silicon-based elastomeric material.
In certain embodiments the protector is a wood protector (a protector for a wood club), an iron protector (a protector for an iron club), or a putter protector (a protector for a putter club).
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent after reading the ensuing description of the non-limiting illustrative embodiment and viewing the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club protector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, also showing a golf club.
FIG. 1 shows a golf club protector 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the protector serves to cover and protect the head 2 of a golf club so as to prevent the head from damage, dirt, moisture, etc. An identification number 3 is generally marked on the club head 2 to distinguish it from other clubs.
The golf club protector comprises a window 4 made of transparent or semi-transparent material. The window 4 is aligned with the identification number 3 so that the identification number can be observed through the window 4. The window 4 is integrated with the body of the protector through sewing, gluing, stapling, or any other suitable means of attaching. The window 4 can be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, polygonal or an irregular shape. The transparent or semi-transparent material used to make window 4 is a silicon-based material, a silicon elastomer, polymeric material, or any other type of material suitable for this application so as to make the window elastic, strong, and esthetically appealing. In certain embodiments, the entire protector can be made entirely of silicon or other transparent or semi-transparent materials.
The protector for golf clubs of the present invention is capable of not only protecting the head of a golf club effectively, but also enables a golfer to easily read the identification number marked on the club head so as to facilitate the golfer to find the right club conveniently. Since a golfer can easily pick and replace a club, the possibility of covering a golf club by a wrong protector, or hitting a ball by a wrong club is minimized.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.