U.S. patent application number 10/675454 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for combined ball marker and divot repairing tool.
Invention is credited to Miller, Rick M., Shaver, Dennis G..
Application Number | 20050070380 10/675454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34377161 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050070380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller, Rick M. ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
Combined ball marker and divot repairing tool
Abstract
A combination of a ball marker and divot repairing tool in a
single, unitary device. The combination includes a ball marker with
a body having a substantially circular perimeter in the tradition
of a ball marker and a divot repairing tool that has a prod (e.g.,
fork). The prod is mounted for movement relative to the body of the
ball marker between a retracted position within the circular
perimeter of the body and a protruding position extending outwardly
of the perimeter of the body. In one embodiment, the fork of the
divot repairing tool is mounted to slide between the retracted and
protruding positions. In a second embodiment, it is mounted to
pivot between the retracted and protruding positions.
Inventors: |
Miller, Rick M.; (Denver,
CO) ; Shaver, Dennis G.; (Longmont, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORR CARSON SLOAN & BIRNEY, PC
3010 EAST 6TH AVENUE
DENVER
CO
80206
|
Family ID: |
34377161 |
Appl. No.: |
10/675454 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/406 ;
473/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/50 20151001;
A63B 57/207 20151001; A63B 57/353 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/406 ;
473/408 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Claims
1. A combination ball marker and divot repairing tool, said
combination including: a ball marker with a substantially
disc-shaped body having a substantially circular perimeter and a
divot repairing tool, said divot repairing tool having a prod
mounted to said body of said ball marker for movement relative
thereto between a retracted position substantially within the
perimeter of said body and a protruding position extending
outwardly of the perimeter of said body, said combination being
usable as a ball marker with said prod in said retracted position
and as a divot repairing tool with said prod in said protruding
position.
2. (cancelled)
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said body has a substantially
circular, second side piece spaced from said first side piece
wherein said prod of said divot repairing tool is receivable
between said two sides pieces in said retracted position.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said prod is mounted for
sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball
marker.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said circular perimeter has a
diameter of about an inch.
6. The combination of claim 1 further including a locking mechanism
to secure said prod in at least one of said retracted and
protruding positions.
7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod is mounted for
sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball
marker and said prod has a side, said locking mechanism including
at least one notch in the side of said prod and a detent
selectively receivable in said notch with said prod in one of said
retracted and protruding positions.
8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the body of said ball marker
has two side pieces and at least one spacer member therebetween
wherein said spacer member has an indent to permit said detent to
move between positions engaging and disengaging said one notch.
9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod is mounted for
sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball
marker and said prod has a side, said locking mechanism including
at least two notches in the side of said prod and a detent
selectively receivable in said notches to selectively secure said
prod in said retracted and protruding positions.
10. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod is mounted for
pivotal movement about an axis relative to the body of said ball
marker, said prod including at least two, spaced-apart tines and
said locking mechanism including a protuberance extending outwardly
of said body and receivable between said spaced-apart tines to
secure said prod in said retracted position.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said protuberance is
mounted on a cantilevered arm supported on the body.
12. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is mounted for
sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball
marker.
13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is mounted for
pivotal movement about an axis relative to the body of said ball
marker.
14. (cancelled)
15. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is a fork with at
least two tines.
16. The combination of claim 15 wherein a first of said at least
two tines is longer than a second of said tines.
17. The combination of claim 15 wherein said prod has at least
three tines.
18. The combination of claim 17 wherein two of said three tines are
substantially the same length and the third tine is longer than
said two tines.
19. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod has a
substantially circular perimeter.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the perimeters of the
disc-shaped body of said ball marker and said prod are
substantially the same size.
21. The combination of claim 1 wherein the perimeters of the
disc-shaped body of said ball marker and said prod are
substantially the same size.
22. The combination of claim 1 wherein said combination is a
two-piece combination consisting of said ball marker and said prod.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 415,033 filed Oct. 1, 2002, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to the field of accessories for
golfing and more particularly to the field of multiple use tools
having ball markers and divot repairing tools.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] Numerous golfing accessories are available that have
structure to serve as ball markers and divot repairing tools.
However, all known ones have a main body from which the fork or
other working portion of the divot repairing tool pivots or slides
outwardly and to which the ball marker is removably attached (e.g.,
magnetically). Applicant is not aware of any ball marker that has a
body from which a fork or other working portion of a divot repair
tool pivots or slides outwardly wherein the two functions can be
performed by the same device.
[0006] With this in mind, the present invention was developed. In
it, a combination is provided of a ball marker and divot repairing
tool in a single, unitary device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention involves a combination of a ball marker and
divot repairing tool in a single, unitary device. The combination
includes a ball marker with a body having a substantially circular
perimeter in the tradition of a ball marker and a divot repairing
tool that has a prod (e.g., fork). The prod is mounted for movement
relative to the body of the ball marker between a retracted
position within the circular perimeter of the body and a protruding
position extending outwardly of the perimeter of the body.
[0008] In one embodiment, the fork of the divot repairing tool is
mounted to slide between the retracted and protruding positions. In
a second embodiment, it is mounted to pivot between the retracted
and protruding positions. The combination of each embodiment is
then usable both as a ball marker (with the prod in the retracted
position) and as a divot repairing tool (with the prod in its
protruding position). Because the ball marker and divot repairing
tool are in a single, unitary device, both functions can then be
performed by the same device without the need for the golfer to
carry two, separate pieces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention in which the body of the ball marker is substantially
circular and the forked prod of the divot repairing tool is shown
in its retracted position.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing
the forked prod of the divot repairing tool in its protruding
position.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention in which the forked prod of the divot repairing tool is
mounted to pivot relative to the body of the ball marker and is
shown in its retracted position.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the forked prod
in its protruding position.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 illustrating
the locking mechanism of this embodiment to secure the forked prod
in its retracted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1-4, the combination of
present invention includes a ball marker with a body 1 having upper
and lower, circular side pieces 3 as best seen in FIG. 3 spaced
from one another to receive the forked prod 2 of the divot
repairing tool therebetween. As illustrated, the forked prod 2 is
mounted for sliding movement relative to the body 1 of the ball
marker between a retracted position (FIG. 1) and a protruding
position (FIG. 2). In the retracted position of FIG. 1, the forked
prod 2 of the divot repairing tool is within the perimeter P of the
body 1 of the ball marker and the combination can be used as a ball
marker. In the protruding position of FIG. 2 in which the forked
prod 2 extends outwardly of the perimeter P of the body 1 of the
ball marker, the combination can be used as a divot repairing
tool.
[0017] To slidably move the forked prod 2 longitudinally along the
axis 5 between the retracted and protruding positions of FIGS. 1
and 2, an upstanding member 4 (see also FIG. 3) on the forked prod
2 is provided. The member 4 as shown is restrained within the
elongated slot 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in the upper side piece 3 of
the body 1 of the ball marker. In this manner, the manual throw of
the forked prod 2 is limited between the positions of FIGS. 1 and
2. With the combination of the present invention, the ball marker
and divot repairing functions can then be performed all by the
same, unitary device without the golfer having to carry and keep
track of separate pieces.
[0018] For integrity and to help maintain the alignment of the
forked prod 2 as it is moved along the axis 5, the lower side piece
3 (see FIG. 3) preferably has an upstanding member 9 receivable in
the elongated slot 6 of the forked prod 2. Additionally, the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 includes a locking mechanism to selectively
secure the forked prod 2 in its retracted and protruding positions.
The locking mechanism includes a spring-biased member 8 (see FIGS.
1 and 2) with a detent 10 selectively receivable in the notches 12
on the side of the forked prod 2 (see also FIG. 3). The member 8 as
shown is mounted adjacent one of the spacer members 14. This spacer
member 14 as illustrated has an indent 16 to permit the detent 10
to move between positions engaging and disengaging the notches 12
as the forked prod 2 is slid thereby.
[0019] The body 1 of the ball marker in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4
preferably has substantially circular, flat side pieces 3 suitable
for graphics or advertising. The circular side pieces 3 in this
regard could be about half an inch to an inch and a half in
diameter (and more preferably about an inch) in keeping with the
traditional size and shape of most ball markers. Similarly, the
prod 2 as illustrated is forked with at least two tines in the
tradition of a divot repairing tool but could be a single tine if
desired.
[0020] In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the body 1' of the ball
marker has a single, substantially circular and flat side piece 3'
and the forked prod 2' is mounted for pivotal movement about the
axis 5' relative thereto. In the retracted position of FIG. 5, the
forked prod 2' is again within the perimeter P of the body 1' of
the ball marker. Similarly, in the protruding position of FIG. 6,
the forked prod 2' extends outwardly of the perimeter of the body
1'. Additionally, in this embodiment, a locking mechanism is
provided to aid in securing the forked prod 2' in the retracted
position of FIG. 5. In doing so, a protuberance 11 is provided that
extends outwardly of the side piece 3' of the body 1' (see FIG. 7).
The protuberance 11 as best seen in FIG. 6 is located at the free
end of a cantilevered arm 13 which is partially cut from or
otherwise supported on the side piece 3'. In use, the protuberance
11 on the end of the resilient arm 13 will be abutted and depressed
downwardly out of the way as the outer tines 18 and base 20 of the
forked prod 2' are pivoted over the side piece 3'. Consequently and
in going between the positions of FIGS. 6 and 5, the depressed
protuberance 11 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7) will spring back
up under the force of the resilient arm 13 (shown in solid lines in
FIG. 7) to be received between the middle tines 18 (see also FIG.
5). The protuberance 11 will thereby aid in securing the forked
prod 2' in the retracted position of FIG. 5.
[0021] While several embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described in detail, it to be understood that various
changes and modifications could be made without departing from the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *