At a glance
| Patent number | CN107115645B (application CN201710316523) |
| Type | China invention patent (发明专利) - protects product structure and method |
| Original title | Golf bags, club guards and hoops (高尔夫球袋、球杆保护罩及罩箍) |
| Patent owner | Dongguan Hongxiang Sports Products Co ltd |
| Inventors | Zhang Aiping |
| Filing date | 2017-05-08 |
| Grant date | 2022-07-15 |
| Status (China) | In force - valid until at most 2037-05-08, subject to payment of annual fees |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 3 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN107115645B) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a cover hoop (6) for a golf club protection cover, integrally formed from hard material. It has an outer hoop (61) and inner collar (62). The outer hoop’s inner wall forms a positioning ring (611) extending downward, creating a positioning groove (63) with the outer wall (612) to insert the cover cylinder (5). The inner collar is connected by short plates (66), forming a chain receiving groove (64) between itself and the positioning ring to hold the zipper’s lower tape.
Claims 2-5 - specify that the positioning groove and chain receiving groove are continuous annular grooves; the rings are sheet-shaped with rectangular vertical sections; and the connecting short plates are at the bottom of the inner collar.
Claims 6-7 - describe variations of the outer hoop’s top surface: closed plane, curved, concave-convex texture, or window-hole structures; and optional streamline handle edges on the sides.
Claim 8 - describes the complete club protection cover assembly using the hoop, detailing how the zipper tape, liner, and tube are secured within the hoop’s grooves.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently in force. Making or selling this specific design in China requires the owner’s permission. It has no US or other foreign counterpart.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Acushnet Company holds US and European patents citing this work, indicating active IP in the golf equipment field. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review is recommended before launching in the US market to ensure no infringement of related utility or design patents.
- Material safety. The hoop is injection-molded; material choice must meet consumer product safety standards for plastics used in sports goods.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Hoop Material | ABS, PP, or PC blends for hardness and flexibility |
| Surface Finish | Glossy, matte, textured, or printed logos |
| Color | Full Pantone matching during molding |
| Shape | Oval, round, or ergonomic contours based on club head size |
| Features | Integrated handles, ventilation holes, or attachment loops |
Things to plan for (US market)
- ASTM F963 - Consumer Product Safety Standard for toys, though golf covers are generally sporting goods, similar mechanical safety principles apply for sharp edges or small parts if marketed near children.
- California Prop 65 - Screening of plasticizers and dyes used in injection molding.
- REACH / RoHS - If exporting to Europe, compliance with chemical restrictions is required.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - Specify club types (driver, iron, putter) and desired hoop style.
- Design - CAD modeling of the hoop geometry and mold flow analysis.
- Prototype - 3D printed or soft-tool samples to test fit with fabric tubes and zippers.
- Tooling - Hard steel molds cut for injection molding.
- Production - Mass molding, followed by assembly with fabric components.
Quantities & timeline
Injection molds require significant lead time (typically 4-8 weeks depending on complexity). Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is driven by mold amortization costs. Send us your target club sizes, material preferences, color codes, estimated quantity and timeline and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
