U.S. patent application number 10/122904 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-16 for retractible golf ball retriever.
Invention is credited to Rioux, Conrad Joseph.
Application Number | 20030195054 10/122904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28790647 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030195054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rioux, Conrad Joseph |
October 16, 2003 |
Retractible golf ball retriever
Abstract
A golf ball retriever is adapted to be placed in the butt end of
a golf club by way of inserting a three pronged device into the
shaft of the golf club. The retriever includes the three-pronged
device, which is placed equidistantly and concentrically in copper
tubing, and anchored with a cylindrical dowel The three-pronged
device is permanently affixed within the shaft by way of a
retaining clip, which likewise maintains the relative position of
the prongs within the shaft of the golf club. The prongs are easily
reinserted and retained in the shaft of the golf club when not in
use. Use of the three-pronged device enables a ball to be lifted
from the putting green or cup.
Inventors: |
Rioux, Conrad Joseph; (Punta
Gorda, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Conrad J. Rioux
2260 Gulfview Rd.
Punta Gorda
FL
33950-5180
US
|
Family ID: |
28790647 |
Appl. No.: |
10/122904 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/286 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 47/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/286 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Claims
I claim
1. Apparatus for retrieving a golf ball from a playing surface of
the type comprising an elongated angled prong, each of three prongs
arranged about a cylindrical axis for attachment to a cylindrical
tube lying substantially in a common plane arcuately curved toward
each other, said tube means for inserting said prongs into an
elongated hollow shaft with a handle end and an opposite end,
wherein said insertion allows said prongs to retreat into said
shaft or, in the alternative, exit said shaft, so as to receive and
cradle a golf ball therein said prongs.
2. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said prongs are composed of a
resilient material.
3. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said prongs are contained in
said cylindrical tube.
4. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical tube adapted
to slidably move inside of said shaft.
5. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said prongs adapted to extend
outwardly from said shaft at a predetermined angle relative to said
elongated shaft.
6. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said prongs present an interior
concave potential space on the inside surface of said prongs.
7. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said potential space is able to
receive and retain a golf ball when said ball is aligned with said
prongs on a horizontal axis and a downward pressure is applied to
said prongs.
8. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said ball is removed from said
prongs with minimal manual dexterity.
9. The retriever of claim 1 wherein said prongs shall retreat into
said shaft and rest. therein.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to golf ball retrievers, specifically
to retrievers that are used to lift golf balls from the ground or
the putting green cup.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Golf is an increasingly popular sport that allows players of
all ages and infirmities to engage in a competitive and leisure
activity. The art of hitting the golf ball culminates in depositing
the ball in a putting green hole. At various times during this
activity, it is necessary to pick up the ball from the ground
surface or the putting green cup.
[0005] Several devices have been created to assist golfers in
retrieving their golf balls. Some of these devices are tools that
are maintained apart from the golfer's sporting equipment. Other
devices are attached or integrated with the exterior of a golf
club. Whereas the former may result in the tool being lost or
misplaced, the latter can be costly or impede the smooth execution
of a golf swing. The golf ball retrieval apparatus referenced in
this patent application avoids these problems by retracting into
the golf club shaft so as to be virtually imperceptible when not in
use.
[0006] A data bank search of U.S. Pat. Nos. since 1971 for golf
ball retrievers resulted in 23 patents (2 design and 21 utility)
being issued. Despite these numerous designs, what is available to
the general public to assist golfers in retrieving their golf balls
is limited. The most typical device consists of a rubber suction
cup apparatus, which is placed on the end of the shaft of a golf
club. Once placed, the device is not removed. Not only is this
unsightly, but the suction cup works poorly and is subject to
damage as it is unprotected from trauma and the elements. This
method of retrieval is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,846 (1994) to
Rush, which is a cylindrical shaped module that fits over the shaft
of the preexisting grip on the golf club. The open top traps the
golf ball. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,366 (1998) to Pugh, a pair of
spaced arms resembling claws are secured to the butt end of a golf
club. Both devices appear unduly cumbersome.
[0007] Several accessory golf ball retrievers have been
proposed--for example, in G.B. patent 5,190,288 (1993) to Rogers et
al, the device is attached temporarily to the end of the golf club,
otherwise resting in the breast pocket or at the bottom of the golf
bag. Because this accessory device must be attached to the golf
club each time it is used, it is fairly inconvenient. A detachable
golf ball retriever in U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,204 (1987) to Lempio, et
al, uses a scooper and wire to be temporarily attached to the shaft
of a golf club. Another retriever which temporarily attaches to a
golf club handle, G.B. patent 5,899,280 (1998) to Rogers, uses
flexible panels that receive a ball when forced open. A spring
loaded golf ball and tee holding device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,759117
(1998) to Erickson et al., is a long handled device that likewise
adds to the paraphernalia carried in a golf bag.
[0008] Design changes to the golf club head provide a mechanism for
retrieving golf balls in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,696 (1979) to Frye et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,968 (1997) to Shine et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
5,509,658 (1996) to Youngblood; U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,999 (1996) to
Hull et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,122 (1994) to Longo; U.S. Pat. No.
5,368,302 (1994) to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,927 (1990) to
Colucci; U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,436 (1990) to Serizawa; U.S. Pat. No.
4,580,784 (1986) to Brill; U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,019 (1984) to
Sievers; U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,329 (1982) to Brock; U.S. Pat. No.
3,841,639 (1974) to Werner; and, U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,112 (1972) to
Jacobs. Because the golf ball retriever is integral to the golf
club putter, the golfer has to purchase this new putter, and the
retriever cannot be placed on any other golf club. This is costly,
and prevents the golfer from using his preferred putter.
Additionally many of these golf club putter heads do not easily fit
into the cup, limiting their use to ground balls only.
[0009] Several patents introduce devices that attach to the
external shaft of the golf club. U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,402 (1985) to
Sedan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,169 ( ) to Bergstrom, and U.S. Pat. No.
3,749,407 (1973) to Prochnow utilize molded plastic to attach the
retriever to the shaft of the golf club. When being used to
retrieve golf balls, the golf club cannot be used to play the game
of golf, thereby requiring manipulation both before and after the
retriever is placed in use.
[0010] Golf ball retrievers suffer from a number of disadvantages.
Oftentimes, in an effort to provide duality of purposes, such as
placing a tee or ball marker in addition to retrieving the golf
ball, the apparatus cannot become a built in component of the golf
club. The ability to pick up the ball from the cup is prevented by
the size of the retrieving apparatus. This becomes evident when
reviewing U.S. Pat. No. (1992) to Randall, which includes a
resilient member, that of necessity, cannot reside within the
handle of a golf club.
SUMMARY
[0011] In accordance with the present invention a golf ball
retriever enables lifting a golf ball from a cup or ground surface
by way of a three-pronged device that resides in the handle of the
golf club.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0012] The novel approach to the golf ball retrieval apparatus
referenced in this patent application allows it to be retracted
into the shaft of the golf club handle. This is accomplished by the
placement of three resilient prongs that are readily available, but
hidden, until needed by the golfer. Additional objects and
advantages are:
[0013] a) can be purchased as an accessory device to be placed in
the handle of any golf club
[0014] b) does not require the purchase of a separate golf club
[0015] c) is easily placed in the handle of any golf club by a
young or older golfer
[0016] d) does not affect the grip or the swing of the golfer
[0017] e) once integrated into the golf club will not get lost or
misplaced
[0018] f) once integrated into the golf club, is virtually hidden
from sight
[0019] g) when put in use, easily retrieves the ball from any
surface, including putting greens, roughs, sand traps, shallow
water hazards and cups.
[0020] h) is calculated to enter the putting green cup easily, so
as to immediately engage the golf ball, thereby allowing the ball
to be removed on the first try
[0021] i) the resilient prongs are likewise flexible enough to
allow easy removal of the ball from the device
[0022] j) the position of the bent prongs prevent scratching of the
ball
[0023] k) the retracting apparatus is manually operated, and easily
replaces the device into the golf club handle
[0024] Further objects and advantages are to provide a golf ball
retriever which can be used easily and conveniently to retrieve a
golf ball from a cup or ground surface, which is hidden from view
when not in use, which is simple to use and inexpensive to
manufacture, which can be placed in any club, by any individual,
and will not be lost once placed in the golf club. Still further
objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of
the ensuing description and drawings.
DRAWING FIGURES
[0025] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same
numbers.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows the un-assembled golf ball retriever, with
related specifications for each component.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the device, with special
attention to the placement of the spring steel prong and retainer
clip.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a side view cross section that further
delineates the placement of the retainer clip and a steel spring
prong.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows the assembled device with the prongs pulled
out, in anticipation of retrieving the golf ball
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the assembled device retracted into the golf
club
[0031] FIG. 6 shows the manufacturing press used to bend the spring
steel into the shape
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
[0032]
1 1 3 {fraction (1/2 )}inch steel strip (0.030 inch thick and 0.135
inch wide) 1A external prong 1B internal end 2 3 {fraction (1/2
)}inch steel strip (0.030 inchthickand 0.135 inch wide) 2A external
prong 2B internal end 3 4 inch steel strip (0.030 inch thick and
0.135 inch wide) 3A external prong 3B internal end 4 1 {fraction
(1/8 )}inch retainer clip (0.030 inch thick and 0.135 inch wide) 5
{fraction (3/4 )}inch hardwood dowel, (O.D. {fraction (3/8 )}inch)
6 {fraction (3/4 )}inch copper tubing, (O.D. {fraction (1/2 )}inch,
LD. {fraction (7/16 )}inch) 7 golf club shaft 8 golf club rubber
grip 9 manufacturing die 10 left tension spring on die 11 right
tension spring on die 12 insertion point for steel strip internal
end 13 bolt
DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1, 4, 5 --PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] A preferred embodiment of the golf ball retriever of the
present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (front view,
un-assembled), FIG. 4(front view, assembled), and FIG. 5 (front
view assemble, retracted). The retriever is comprised of three
spring steel strips 1A, 1B, 1C, two measuring 33/4 inches long 1A,
1B, and one measuring 4 inches long. Each strip is 0.030 inches
thick and 0.135 inches wide. One prong 1C is longer than the other
two so that when it is positioned in the shaft 8 of the golf club
handle, it overlaps the tip of the shaft by 1/8 inch. This keeps
the device from going down into the shaft, and allows the retriever
to be pulled up out of the shaft. Spring steel is the preferred
embodiment, as it retains its shape in and out of the shaft, and is
strong enough to hold the ball, once captured. However, any
resilient material that maintains these same properties would be
acceptable.
[0034] A special die shown in FIG. 6 is placed in a press to bend
each prong into its desired form One end of a spring steel strip is
placed at insertion point 12. The pressure exerted by the press
alters the bending moment of the steel spring. This permanently
sets the desired form of each prong. Tension springs 10, 11 allow
the die to return to its resting position, ready to receive the
next spring steel strip.
[0035] The spring steel projections are secured in place by
sandwiching the straight ends of the spring steel strips 1D, 1E, 1F
between a 34 inch long hardwood dowel 3 which is then placed inside
a 34 inch long copper tube 4. The placement of the steel strips
within the copper tube, shown in FIGS. 2/5, is accomplished with a
press. The 3/8-inch outside diameter of the hardwood dowel closely
approximates the {fraction (7/16)}-inch inside diameter of the
copper tubing. This allows the steel strip ends 1D, 1E, 1F to be
held firmly in place by the wooden dowel against the copper tubing.
The copper tubing is rigid enough to hold the steel strip ends in a
fixed position. The prongs are pulled out and retracted into the
shaft as a unit because they are secured by the dowel. The wooden
dowel is the preferred embodiment as, in time, the steel strip ends
become imbedded in the wood and are better secured during movement.
However, any structural material that maintains these same
properties would be acceptable.
[0036] When the prongs are pulled outward, the copper tubing slides
in the shaft of the handle 8. The dowel section remains in the
shaft due to a retainer clip 2. The retainer clip is positioned on
the rim of the shaft just inside of the rubber putter grip 9. The
retainer clip sits above the dowel/copper tubing section FIGS. 3/5.
Once the retainer clip is placed, the device becomes a permanent
part of the golf club shaft. In the preferred embodiment, the
retainer clip is made of spring steel. This allows a secure and
permanent attachment to the rim of the shaft. However, any
structural material that maintains these same properties would be
acceptable.
[0037] The copper tubing snugly remains at the tip of the club
shaft 8 while the ball is being retrieved. The pressure exerted
downward, over the ball, causes the spring steel to phalange
outward, preventing the prongs from retreating back into the shaft.
Reinsertion is accomplished by gently pushing the prongs back into
place. FIGS. 4/5 This gentle pressure allows the spring steel to
close and revert back into the shaft of the golf club.
[0038] FIG. 7--Additional Embodiments
[0039] Additional embodiments are shown in FIG. 7. Instead of using
a retainer clip 4 to secure the device, a stainless steel bolt can
be placed above the dowel. A hole must be drilled in the shaft of
the putter 1/8-inch from the edge of the shaft to accommodate this
bolt. The bolt measures {fraction (5/64)} inch in diameter and is
3/8 inch long.
[0040] FIG. 8--Alternative Embodiments
[0041] There are various possibilities with regard to the materials
used in this device. For instance, the prongs can be dipped with a
plastic coating if desired. The dip can be dyed with pigment, if
desired. It would also be possible for a golf club manufacturer to
place this device in their product before it leaves the factory. If
this device were included in the customer's desired golf club, the
manufacturer would benefit from an improved product, at very little
increased cost of production.
[0042] Advantages
[0043] From the description above, a number of advantages of my
golf ball retriever become evident:
[0044] (a) the retractable golf ball retriever is hidden from view
and does not interfere with the action of the golf club
[0045] (b) the golf ball retriever is readily available to the
golfer, as it resides in the handle of the golf club being used
[0046] (c) minimal tools and manual dexterity are required to place
the device in the shaft of the golf club
[0047] (d) the stainless steel prongs are resilient, strong,
non-corrosive, and flexible
[0048] (e) the components of the device are sturdy, limiting the
need for replacement
[0049] (f) the cost of production is minimal, as there are only 4
components to the device
[0050] (g) A single device can be made, using a manual press, or
the device can be mass produced
[0051] Operation-FIGS. 4, 5
[0052] The manner used to operate the golf ball retriever begins
with holding the club grip 8 with one hand and pulling on the prong
3A, which is protruding from the rim of the golf club shaft 7. This
causes the retriever to partially slide out of the shaft of the
golf club, and introduces all three prongs 1, 2, 3 for use. The
retainer clip 2 prevents the retriever from totally exiting the
shaft. The device is then inverted over the ball. FIG. 4 By pushing
down on the shaft and head of the club, and exerting a downward
pressure over the ball, the spring steel will phalange outward, and
captures the ball. Its resiliency will embrace the ball, so that
the ball can be lifted into the hand of the golfer. The resiliency
of the spring steel will also allow for easy removal of the ball
from the device. The ball simply needs to be pulled out from the
prongs.
[0053] Once the ball has been retrieved, the assembly is easily
reinserted into the shaft. This is accomplished by gently pushing
the prongs down and into the shaft. The resiliency of the spring
steel presses against the inner diameter of the shaft, thereby
holding the prongs within the shaft. FIG. 5 There, they will remain
hidden until put in use again by the golfer. When pushed back into
the shaft, only one prong of the apparatus extends from the shaft
by 1/8 of an inch, thereby not interfering with the golfer's grasp
or swing.
[0054] Conclusions, Ramifications and Scope
[0055] Accordingly, the reader will see that the golf ball
retriever will lift a golf ball from a cup or ground surface by way
of a three-pronged device that resides in the handle of the golf
club. The golf ball retriever prevents back strain by eliminating
the need for bending to pick up the golf ball. When a golfer
retrieves his ball after a putt, for instance, he must reach below
ground level into the cup. Of necessity, he will put all his weight
on one foot and use the putter for balance. Not only does this
depress the grass around the hole, but also this puts the golfer at
risk for losing his balance. Using the golf ball retriever allows
the golfer to distribute his weight on both feet while the ball is
obtained. Golfers with arthritis, the aged or the disabled golfer
will especially benefit from this invention. Furthermore, the golf
ball retriever has the additional advantages in that
[0056] a) it can be obtained as an accessory item to golfing
equipment that can be placed in any golf club, old or newly
purchased
[0057] b) once placed in the shaft of a golf club, it becomes a
permanent device that cannot be lost
[0058] c) it has the novel feature of being retractable into the
shaft of the golf club, thereby making it virtually imperceptible
when not in use
[0059] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention, but merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the
golf ball retriever may potentially be made smaller, may be made
from different materials, may be molded as a singular unit rather
than integrated pieces, and may otherwise be designed using various
colors or design elements that mimic the same or similar function
as intended by this invention.
[0060] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the
examples given.
* * * * *