Device and method for storage of a golf club

Abstract

A club restraining device comprising a sleeve having an axial sleeve opening sized and configured to receive the shaft of a golf club. An engagement plate is moveably coupled to the sleeve and includes a first face and an opposing second face. The engagement plate includes a first opening extending from the first face toward the second face. A first magnet is disposed in the first opening, with the first magnet being configured to magnetically urge the club head toward the magnet and into engagement with the second face when the club head is positioned in proximity to the engagement plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for stowing a golf club in a golf bag, the golf club having a club head and a shaft, the device comprising:
 a sleeve having an axial sleeve opening sized and configured to receive the shaft of a golf club;   an engagement plate moveably coupled to the sleeve and including a first face and an opposing second face, the engagement plate having a first opening extending therein; and   a first magnet in the first opening;   the first magnet being configured to magnetically urge the club head toward the magnet and into engagement with the engagement plate when the club head is positioned in proximity to the engagement plate.   
     
     
         2 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the engagement plate is rotatably coupled to the sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The device recited in  claim 2 , wherein the engagement plate is rotatable about a single axis relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first opening and the first magnet are configured to create a press-fit engagement between the first magnet and the engagement plate when the first magnet is disposed within the first opening. 
     
     
         5 . The device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of peripheral club support elements coupled to and extending from the engagement plate in opposed relation to each other, the pair of peripheral club support elements being configured to be engageable with respective peripheral portions of the club head. 
     
     
         6 . The device recited in  claim 5 , wherein each peripheral club support element includes a rear end portion and a forward end portion, the rear end portions being angled toward each other. 
     
     
         7 . The device recited in  claim 5 , wherein the pair of peripheral club support elements are integral with the engagement plate. 
     
     
         8 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a knurled outer surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first opening extends completely between the first face and the second face. 
     
     
         10 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the engagement plate includes a second opening spaced from the first opening and extending from the first face toward the second face, the device further comprising:
 a second magnet in the second opening.   
     
     
         11 . The device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder extending into the first opening. 
     
     
         12 . The device recited in  claim 11 , wherein the shoulder extends into the first opening from the second face. 
     
     
         13 . A device for stowing a golf club in a golf bag, the golf club having a club head and a shaft, the device comprising:
 a shaft restraining member configured to be disposable in operative communication with the shaft of the golf club to capture the shaft and restrain movement of the shaft relative to the shaft restraining member when the shaft is captured therein;   a club head restraining member rotatably coupled to the shaft restraining member; and   a magnet coupled to the club head restraining member and configured to urge the club head toward the club head restraining member when the club head is placed in proximity to the magnet.   
     
     
         14 . The device recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a pair of peripheral club support elements coupled to and extending from the club head restraining member in opposed relation to each other, the pair of peripheral club support elements being configured to be engageable with respective peripheral portions of the club head. 
     
     
         15 . The device recited in  claim 14 , wherein each peripheral club support element includes a rear end portion and a forward end portion, the rear end portions being angled toward each other. 
     
     
         16 . The device recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pair of peripheral club support elements are integral with the club head restraining member. 
     
     
         17 . The device recited in  claim 13 , wherein the shaft includes a knurled outer surface. 
     
     
         18 . The device recited in  claim 13 , wherein the club head restraining member is rotatable about a single axis relative to the shaft restraining member. 
     
     
         19 . The device recited in  claim 13 , wherein the club head restraining member includes an opening formed therein sized to receive the magnet. 
     
     
         20 . The device recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a shoulder extending into the opening.