U.S. patent application number 10/945951 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for golf divot tool bearing a ball marker.
Invention is credited to Kennedy, Ken.
Application Number | 20050037873 10/945951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34137141 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050037873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kennedy, Ken |
February 17, 2005 |
Golf divot tool bearing a 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. The ball marker is
flat and carries advertising or other indicia on at least one of
its surfaces. Various alternatives are disclosed for inserting and
retaining the ball marker in the divot tool.
Inventors: |
Kennedy, Ken; (Oakville,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHES, MCKENZIE & HERBERT, LLP
SUITE 1800
2 BLOOR STREET EAST
TORONTO
ON
M4W 3J5
CA
|
Family ID: |
34137141 |
Appl. No.: |
10/945951 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10945951 |
Sep 22, 2004 |
|
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|
10628329 |
Jul 29, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/50 20151001;
A63B 57/207 20151001; A63B 57/353 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/408 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 17, 2003 |
CA |
2.416.579 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
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, said opening being of sufficient size to allow a finger
to be inserted through said opening to push said ball marker away
from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the
ball marker from the 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, said
opening being of sufficient size to allow a finger to be inserted
through said opening to push said movable member to move said ball
marker 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.
6. A golf divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, an opening through said body,
said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, a
spring disposed within said opening, a ball marker adapted to be
inserted between said flanges and releasably secured thereto by
means of said spring.
7. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ball
marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other
indicia on at least one of said surfaces.
8. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said ball
marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other
indicia on at least one of said surface.
9. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said ball
marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or other
indicia on at least one of said surface.
10. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or
other indicia on both surfaces thereof.
11. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said
ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or
other indicia on both surfaces thereof.
12. A golf divot repair tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said
ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or
other indicia on both surfaces thereof.
13. A golf divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, an opening through said body,
said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the
forward part of said flanges appearing cut away forming a slot
therebetween and the rear part of said flanges appearing contiguous
with each other, a spring disposed within said opening, a ball
marker adapted to be inserted between said slot between said
flanges and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring.
14. 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 through said body, said opening being
formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the forward part of
which is cut away forming a slot therebetween, the rearward portion
of which is continuous, a ball marker, said ball marker adapted to
be inserted through said slot between said flanges.
15. A golf divot repair tool comprising: a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, an opening through said body,
said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the
forward part of said flanges appearing cut away forming a slot
therebetween and the rear part of said flanges appearing contiguous
with each other, a spring disposed within said opening, a ball
marker adapted to be inserted between said slot between said
flanges and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring,
wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries
advertising or other indicia on both sides of said surfaces.
16. 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 through said body, said opening being
formed by a pair of inwardly curved flanges, the forward part of
which is cut away forming a slot therebetween, the rearward portion
of which is continuous, a ball marker, said ball marker adapted to
be inserted through said slot between said flanges, wherein said
ball marker is flat on both surfaces and carries advertising or
other indicia on both sides of said surfaces.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/628,329 filed on Jul. 29, 2003 for a Golf
Divot Tool Bearing a Magnetic Ball Marker.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,683 issued to Tate on Mar. 22, 2004 and
entitled Golf Divot Tool with Ball Marker discloses a divot tool
with a ball marker which comprises an annular disk of magnetic
material with a post projecting therefrom. The post extends through
an opening in the magnetic material so that when the ball marker is
to be ejected from the seat, the post is pressed to push the shield
out of the recessed ball marker seat in the body.
[0007] Another example of a golf divot tool is shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,033,322 issued on Mar. 7, 2000 to England. This device shows
a ball marker for repairing divots which uses a ball marker which
comprises an annular disk with a protruding stem which is retained
within a slot. Cope discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,039 which
issued on May 27, 2003, a golf ball position marking assembly which
also discloses the use of a circular disk with a post extending
therefrom as the ball marker.
[0008] All of these prior art devices show the use of an annular
disk with a post or stem protruding therefrom. These prior art
devices are based on the theory that the ball market must extend
inwardly into the turf to secure it in place to prevent it from
being dislodged from the green where it is used. As such, all of
the devices use the stem or post to remove the ball marker from the
divot tool.
[0009] Also, by using the stem or post, this prevents advertising
material and the like from being displayed on both sides of the
ball marker. It also requires the ball marker to be used in only
one orientation, that is, with the post or stem extending
downwardly into the turf. A third drawback of the prior art devices
is that the mechanism does not retain or adequately secure the
marker to the holder. It is common in these devices for the marker
to unintentionally detach from the holder and become lost.
[0010] 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
[0011] 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.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved divot repair tool that includes an improved holding
means for a ball marker wherein the ball marker is flat on both
sides and is adapted to receive indicia or other advertising on at
least one or on both sides of the ball marker.
[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved divot repair tool that includes an improved holding
means for a ball marker wherein the ball marker is flat on both
sides and is adapted to receive indicia and other advertising on
both sides of the ball marker.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved golf divot repair tool wherein the ball marker is
releasably secured to the golf divot repair tool by means of a
spring.
[0015] 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, said
opening being of sufficient size to allow a finger to be inserted
through said opening to push said ball marker away from the
magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker
from the depression.
[0016] In another aspect of the invention, said opening is circular
and has a diameter of from 5 to 40 mm.
[0017] 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, said opening being of sufficient size
to allow a finger to be inserted through said opening to push said
movable member to move said ball marker away from the magnetic
material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker from the
depression.
[0018] In yet another aspect of the invention, said magnetic
material comprises at least two magnets circumferentially spaced
about the depression.
[0019] In another aspect of the invention, said magnetic material
is an annular magnet centered about the depression.
[0020] In yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided
an improved golf divot repair tool comprising a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, an opening for and through
said body, said opening being formed by a pair of inwardly curved
flanges, a spring disposed within said opening, a ball marker
adapted to be inserted between said flanges and releasably secured
thereto by means of said spring.
[0021] In yet another of its aspects, the invention provides an
improved golf repair divot 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 segmented
material, and an opening for and through said body of said
depression, wherein said ball marker is flat on both surfaces and
carries advertising or other indicia on at least one of said
surfaces.
[0022] In another of its aspects, the invention provides an
improved golf repair divot tool comprising a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in said body, a
slot in the upper front part of said body, a ball marker adapted to
be inserted through said slot and adapted to be releasably secured
in said depression, said ball marker being flat and carrying
indicia or advertising on at least one side of the ball marker.
[0023] In still yet another of its aspects, the invention provides
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 slot in the upper part of
said body, 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, a slot in the upper
front part of said body, a ball marker adapted to be inserted
through said slot and adapted to be releasably secured in said
depression by said magnetic material, said ball marker being flat
on both surfaces and carrying advertising or other indicia on at
least one of said surfaces.
[0024] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an
improved golf divot repair tool comprising a body, at least one
pointed arm extending from said body, an opening through said body,
a slot in the upper front part of said body, a spring disposed
within said opening, a ball marker adapted to be inserted through
said slot and releasably secured thereto by means of said spring,
said ball marker being flat on both surfaces and carrying
advertising or other indicia on at least one of said surfaces.
[0025] 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
[0026] In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the
invention:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a front view of the tool;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of the marker;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tool and marker; and
[0030] FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
tool.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the
tool of the present invention showing the movable member.
[0032] FIG. 6 are three views of a further embodiment of the golf
divot tool of the present invention, wherein:
[0033] FIG. 6a is an assembled view;
[0034] FIG. 6b is a view with the ball marker partially removed;
and
[0035] FIG. 6c is a view showing the ball marker completely removed
and separated from said tool.
[0036] FIG. 7a is a front view of a further embodiment of the tool
of FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 7b is a rear view of FIG. 7.
[0038] FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c are front and rear views of a further
embodiment of the tool of the present application with FIG. 8c
showing the tool with the ball marker removed therefrom.
[0039] FIG. 9 are three views of a further embodiment of the golf
divot tool of the present invention wherein FIG. 9a is an assembled
view; FIG. 9b is a view with the ball marker partially removed; and
FIG. 9c is a view showing the ball marker completely removed and
separated from said tool.
[0040] FIG. 10 are three views of a further embodiment of the golf
divot tool of the present invention wherein FIG. 10a is an
assembled view; FIG. 10b is a view with the ball marker partially
removed; and FIG. 10c is a view showing the ball marker completely
removed and separated from said tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] The golf divot repair tool of this invention is shown
generally in the figures 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.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] The opening is preferably circular, and may have a diameter
in the range of from 5 to 40 mm.
[0046] 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.
[0047] In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a movable
member 30 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6a to FIG. 6c. In this
embodiment, the upper body 52 of the tool 10 comprises a pair of
inwardly curved flanges 54, 54, a spring 56 nested between said
arms (see FIG. 6b) and a ball marker 14. To remove the ball marker
14, it is raised upwardly expanding the spring 56 outwardly which
allows the ball market 14 to be removed through the space 58
between the flanges 54.
[0050] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7a and 7b, the arms 16 (with
reference to FIG. 1) have been replaced by hook 60 and as shown in
FIG. 7b, the upper rear 62 of the body has a small aperture 64
therethrough through which is inserted hook 66 which is attached to
a belt link 68.
[0051] FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate a further embodiment wherein
the body includes a hook portion 72 which can be used to attach the
tool to a belt (not shown).
[0052] FIG. 9 represents a further embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 9a, the ball marker 14 is inserted through slot
70. In this embodiment, inwardly curved flanges 54, 54 terminate at
a distance disposed from each other thereby creating space 58
between the flanges 54. The body is continuous at the rear portion
thereof forming rear part 70. In this embodiment, ball marker 14 is
inserted through space 58 between flanges 54 as shown in FIG. 9b.
Ball marker 14 is held in the depression 12 by magnetic 24 of
annular shape centred about the depression 12.
[0053] A further embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10a, 10b and
10c wherein the ball marker 14 is inserted through space 58 between
the flanges 54. In this embodiment, spring 56 nests between the
arms as illustrated in FIGS. 6a to 6c.
[0054] 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.
[0055] As can be seen from the embodiments of the present
invention, the ball marker 14 carries advertising or other indicia
on both sides of it thus providing a distinct advantage over the
prior art devices. Since the ball mark may be placed in either
direction in the depression, advertising on both sides can be
easily seen by the user.
[0056] 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.
* * * * *