U.S. patent application number 10/628329 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for golf divot tool bearing a magnetic ball marker.
Invention is credited to Kennedy, Ken.
Application Number | 20040142773 10/628329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32660941 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040142773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kennedy, Ken |
July 22, 2004 |
Golf divot tool bearing a magnetic ball marker
Abstract
A golf divot repair tool that includes a holder for markers used
in marking the position of golf balls on the golf course is
disclosed. The golf divot repair tool comprises: a body, at least
one pointed arm extending from the body, a depression in the body,
a magnetic material disposed in the depression, a ball marker
constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism
and adapted to be releasably held in the depression by the magnetic
material, and an opening formed through the body at the depression.
Optionally, a movable member is disposed in the opening which, when
moved, moves the ball marker, when the ball marker is held in the
depression, away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance
to release the ball marker from the depression.
Inventors: |
Kennedy, Ken; (Oakville,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHES, MCKENZIE & HERBERT, LLP
SUITE 1800
2 BLOOR STREET EAST
TORONTO
ON
M4W 3J5
CA
|
Family ID: |
32660941 |
Appl. No.: |
10/628329 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/408 ;
473/406 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/50 20151001;
A63B 57/353 20151001; A63B 57/207 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/408 ;
473/406 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 17, 2003 |
CA |
2.416.579 |
Claims
What is claimed is: The embodiments of the invention in which an
exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as
follows:
1. A golf divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a
magnetic material disposed in said depression, a ball marker
constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism
and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said
magnetic material, and an opening formed through said body at said
depression.
2. The golf divot repair tool of claim 1, wherein said opening is
circular and has a diameter in the range of from 5 to 40 mm.
3. A golf divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a
magnetic material disposed in said depression, a ball marker
constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism
and adapted to be releasably held in said depression by said
magnetic material, an opening formed through said body at said
depression, and a movable member disposed in said opening which,
when moved, moves the ball marker, when the ball marker is held in
the depression, away from the magnetic material a sufficient
distance to release the ball marker from the depression.
4. The golf divot repair tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
said magnetic material comprises at least two magnets
circumferentially spaced about the depression.
5. The golf divot repair tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
said magnetic material is an annular magnet centered about the
depression.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a multi-functional device for use
in the game of golf. In particular, this invention relates to a
golf divot repair tool that also holds a marker used in marking the
position of golf balls on the golf course.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] When a golfer heads for the golf course, the golfer needs
several items. First, the golfer needs a golf divot repair tool to
repair the sod when it is disturbed during play. Divot repair tools
are provided with pointed ends to stick down into the sod in order
to lift the sod.
[0003] Second, a golfer needs a ball marker, and an accompanying
holder, during the play of golf. Conventional marker holders can
removably receive a ball marker, which is most often magnetically
attached to a depression in the holder.
[0004] In the prior art, magnetic marker holders provide a
depression to removably receive a ball marker. The marker is held
in place by a magnet located at a first end of the depression. The
magnet would correspond to a first end of the marker. To remove the
marker, a second end of the marker is depressed, which rocks the
marker off the magnet, and detaches the marker from the holder.
[0005] However, this conventional means of holding the marker does
not adequately secure the marker to the holder. It is common for
the marker to unintentionally detach from the holder and become
lost.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-functional golf
device that provides a divot repair tool and an improved ball
marker and ball marker holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least
partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is
an object of this invention to provide an improved divot repair
tool that includes an improved holding means for a ball marker.
[0008] The present invention provides a divot repair tool and a
depression provided in it to removably receive a ball marker that
attaches magnetically to a depression located on one side of the
tool. The tool may include a plurality of magnets circumferentially
spaced about the depression, wherein the magnets hold the marker in
place. Advantageously, this arrangement more securely holds the
marker in place.
[0009] To remove the marker, a hole is provided in the tool located
inside the depression to allow an exposed surface of the marker to
be pushed, thereby releasing the marker from the holder.
[0010] A movable member may be provided inside the depression. When
moved, the member pushes against a surface of the marker to move
the marker sufficiently away from the magnetic material to release
the marker from the depression, thereby releasing the marker from
the holder.
[0011] Accordingly, one aspect of the invention resides in a golf
divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one pointed arm
extending from said body, a depression in said body, a magnetic
material disposed in said depression, a ball marker constructed at
least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to
be releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material,
and an opening formed through said body at said depression.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, said opening is circular
and has a diameter of from 5 to 40 mm.
[0013] In a further aspect, the invention resides in a golf divot
repair tool comprising: a body, at least one pointed arm extending
from said body, a depression in said body, a magnetic material
disposed in said depression, a ball marker constructed at least
partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be
releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material, an
opening formed through said body at said depression, and a movable
member disposed in said opening which, when moved, moves the ball
marker, when the ball marker is held in the depression, away from
the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball
marker from the depression.
[0014] In yet another aspect of the invention, said magnetic
material comprises at least two magnets circumferentially spaced
about the depression.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, said magnetic material
is an annular magnet centered about the depression.
[0016] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and drawings which
illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the
invention:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of the tool;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of the marker;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tool and marker; and
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The golf divot repair tool of this invention is shown
generally in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 by the reference numeral 10. The tool
10 includes two arms 16 extending from the main body of the tool
10. The arms 16 are pointed or sharpened at their extremities for
ease of insertion into sod of the golf green.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the golf divot repair tool 10 includes a
depression 12, which is preferably generally circular in shape.
Magnetic material is disposed in the depression 12. In the
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic material is
shown as comprising four magnets 20 circumferentially spaced about
the depression 12.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows the corresponding ball marker 14. The ball
marker 14 is constructed at least partially of a material attracted
by magnetism. The marker 14 complementally fits depression 12, such
that the marker 14 is releasably held in the depression 12 by the
magnetic material.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an opening 22 is formed through
the body of the tool 10, at the depression 12. The opening 22
allows an exposed surface of the marker 14 to be pushed, by a
finger for example, such that the ball marker 14 may be moved. When
the ball marker 14 is held in the depression 12, it may be moved or
pushed away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to
release the ball marker 14 from the depression 14. This allows easy
removal of the marker 14 from the tool for use in the play of golf.
After use, the marker 14 may be placed at the depression 12 to be
held in place by the magnetic material once again.
[0026] The opening is preferably circular, and may have a diameter
in the range of from 5 to 40 mm.
[0027] It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art that
the number of magnets 20 disposed about the depression 12 is not
essential, as one or more magnets 20 may be provided to hold the
marker 14 on more than one end. FIG. 4 illustrates another
embodiment of the invention, wherein the magnetic material
comprises one magnet 24 of annular shape, centered about the
depression 12.
[0028] In yet another embodiment, a movable member may be disposed
in the opening 22. When the movable member is moved or pushed while
the ball marker 14 is held in the depression 12, the member moves
the ball marker 14 away from the magnetic material a sufficient
distance to release the ball marker 14 from the depression 12.
[0029] Accordingly, it can be seen that an improved divot repair
tool 10 is provided, which includes an improved means of holding a
ball marker 14 with easy removal of the ball marker 14.
[0030] It will be understood that, although various features of the
invention have been described with respect to one or another of the
embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments
of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other
features and embodiments of the invention as described and
illustrated herein.
[0031] Although this disclosure has described and illustrated
certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be
understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular
embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which
are functional, electrical or mechanical equivalents of the
specific embodiments and features that have been described and
illustrated herein.
* * * * *