U.S. patent application number 11/956731 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool.
Invention is credited to Michael Glenn Dempsey.
Application Number | 20080096685 11/956731 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46329940 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080096685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dempsey; Michael Glenn |
April 24, 2008 |
GOLF BALL RECOVERY AND BALL MARK REPAIR TOOL
Abstract
A golf accessory comprises a ball retrieval tool on one end and
a ball mark repair tool on the opposite end which facilitates use
of both tools without requiring a golfer to bend down. The golf
accessory may further comprise telescoping members inside a shaft
for extending the golf accessory to various lengths away from a
golfer desiring to use the tools on each end thereof.
Inventors: |
Dempsey; Michael Glenn;
(Richardson, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael A. O'Neil;Michael A. O'Neil, P.C.
Suite 820
5949 Sherry Lane
Dallas
TX
75225
US
|
Family ID: |
46329940 |
Appl. No.: |
11/956731 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11278570 |
Apr 4, 2006 |
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11956731 |
Dec 14, 2007 |
|
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60668927 |
Apr 6, 2005 |
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60686669 |
Jun 2, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/286 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 55/408 20151001;
A63B 57/50 20151001; A63B 57/00 20130101; A63B 55/10 20130101; A63B
47/02 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/286 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golfing accessory for use in the game of golf comprising: a
telescoping shaft having first and second ends; a ball retrieval
apparatus secured to the first end of the shaft for retrieving golf
balls; a ball mark repair tool secured to the second end of the
shaft for repairing ball marks and for securing the shaft in a
substantially vertical orientation when the ball mark repair tool
is engaged with the earth; and means for securing the golfing
accessory to the exterior of a golf bag consisting of a first
member rigidly secured to the telescoping shaft, a second member
supported for pivotal movement relative to the first member and
comprising an elongate lever having a gripping component at one end
and a handle component at the opposite end, and a spring for
biasing the gripping component of the second member into engagement
with the first member; the handle component of the lever of the
securing means further comprising means for supporting a golf club
in a substantially upright orientation when the telescoping shaft
is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation by engagement
of the ball mark repair tool with the earth.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is continuation-in-part application of
application Ser. No. 11/278,570 filed Apr. 4, 2006, currently
pending, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference; which claims priority based on provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/668,927 filed Apr. 6, 2005, the entire
content of which is incorporated herein by reference; and
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/686,669 filed Jun. 2,
2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to golf accessories, and
more particularly to a golf accessory including a ball retrieval
tool and a ball mark repair tool.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The sport of golf is enjoyed by persons of nearly all ages.
Elderly persons in particular are able to play golf even when they
are no longer able to participate in other physical sports.
However, elderly golfers often have problems with their backs and
hips, preventing them from bending over to repair ball marks and
retrieve balls without difficulty. Heretofore the available ball
mark repair tools have been handheld and required the golfer to
bend down in order to repair a ball mark on the green. In addition
to physical challenges associated with using existing ball mark
repair tools, because the tools are small in size they can be
difficult to find in a golf bag and can create discomfort if they
become displaced in a clothing pocket.
[0004] In addition to bending over to repair ball marks, a golfer
must bend over to retrieve the ball from the cup. Although there
are currently tools on the market to assist golfers in retrieving
balls from the cup, each of the available tools must be stored in
the golf bag, taking up room which may be needed for golf clubs,
etc.
[0005] The present invention comprises an improved golf accessory
which overcomes the limitations of traditional golf accessories
currently on the market. In accordance with the broader aspects of
the invention, the golf accessory comprises a ball retrieval tool
at one end and a ball mark repair tool at the opposite end
facilitating the repair of ball marks and retrieval of golf balls
without requiring a golfer to bend down.
[0006] In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a
golf accessory comprises a shaft having a ball mark repair tool and
a ball retrieval tool are secured at opposite ends thereof. A clip
or fastening device is secured along the shaft of the golf
accessory to facilitate securing the golf accessory to the outside
of a golf bag instead of using interior space thereof. Telescoping
members inside the shaft of the accessory enable the ball retrieval
tool to be extended to various lengths thereby facilitating the
recovery of golf balls from water hazards.
[0007] In addition to repairing ball marks, the ball mark repair
tool may be utilized to insert the golf accessory into a ground
surface adjacent to the green when not being used thereby
preventing a golfer from having to bend over to retrieve the golf
accessory. Often a golfer must take two clubs to the green, a
putter and a wedge, or other similar club used to chip a ball onto
the green, which has heretofore been laid on the ground when not in
use thereby requiring the golfer to bend over to retrieve the
unused club. A hook or other support means located on the shaft of
the golf accessory below the ball retrieval tool may be utilized to
support the unused club against the golf accessory preventing
instead of placing the club on the ground.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when
taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a golf accessory
comprising a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a fifth embodiment
of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating sixth embodiment
of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an eighth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 is an environmental view illustrating one aspect of
the use of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a ninth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an environmental view illustrating a tenth
embodiment of the present invention and an additional aspect of the
use;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a first
embodiment of the spring loaded clip of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a first
embodiment of the spring loaded clip of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of
the spring loaded clip of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 illustrating the
actuation of the spring loaded clip thereof; and
[0026] FIG. 18 is an illustration of the use of the golf ball
recovery and ball mark repair tool of the present invention in
conjunction with a golf bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1
thereof, there is shown a golf accessory 10 comprising a first
embodiment of the present invention. The golf accessory 10
comprises shaft 12 having a ball mark repair tool 14 at one end and
a ball retrieval tool 16 at the other end thereof. An optional
spring-loaded clip 18 located near one end of the golf accessory
providing means for supporting the golf accessory to the outside of
a golf bag to preserve space in the golf bag and/or for easier
access to the accessory 10.
[0028] The ball retrieval tool 16 used in conjunction with the golf
accessory 10 is illustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. D475,112 S. The
ball retrieval tool 16 may be fabricated from a metal such as
aluminum, a polymer material, or another suitable material known to
those skilled in the art to resist rust or corrosion. The ball mark
repair tool 14 used in conjunction with the golf accessory 10 is
described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,274. If used, the clip
18 facilitates the golf accessory to be secured snugly over a rim
or other similar surface of a golf bag. The proximal end of the
clip 18 secures to the shaft 12 by threaded fasteners, an adhesive,
or any suitable fastening methods known to those skilled in the art
of manufacturing golf accessories.
[0029] The clip 18 is spring-loaded and may be fabricated from a
metal such as aluminum, a polymer material, or another suitable
material known to those skilled in the art to resist rust or
corrosion. Alternative to a rigid structure the clip 18 may be a
flexible member enabling the clip 18 to be tightened onto the rim
of a golf bag by pressing the distal end of the clip 18 toward the
proximal end thereof. The shaft 12 comprises telescoping members 22
which extend the golf accessory 10 to facilitate balls to be
retrieved from water hazards, sand traps, trees, and the like that
cannot be easily accessed by a golfer.
[0030] The present invention further includes an optional cover for
the ball mark repair tool 14 of the golf accessory 10. The cover
may be formed from various flexible materials including leather,
imitation leather, various plastics, etc. The cover may also be
formed from a rigid material such as stainless steel, steel, brass,
aluminum, other metals, and various plastics. Either the flexible
or the rigid version of the cover may be provided with a protective
interior layer formed from a suitable material such as natural or
artificial felt, etc.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a second ball retrieval tool 16A that may
be used in conjunction with the golf accessory 10. The ball
retrieval tool 16A shown in FIG. 2 is described in detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,184,859 and sold under the trademarked name of The
Hide-Away Retriever.RTM..
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a third ball retrieval tool 16B that may
be used in conjunction with the golf accessory 10. The ball
retrieval tool 16B shown in FIG. 3 is described in detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,265,926 and sold under the trademarked name of
Gotcha.RTM..
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth ball retrieval tool 16C that may
be used in conjunction with the golf accessory 10. The ball
retrieval tool 16C shown in FIG. 4 is a generally conical solid
structure comprising a receiving aperture 24 on the proximal end
thereof for receiving the distal most telescoping member 22 or
receiving the shaft 12 and a cup 26 for scooping a ball from a
hole. The retrieval tool 16C may be fabricated from rubber, a
flexible polymer material, or other similar material known to those
skilled in the art of manufacturing golf accessories.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth ball retrieval tool 16D that may
be used in conjunction with the golf accessory 10. The ball
retrieval tool 16D shown in FIG. 5 is illustrated in U.S. Design
Pat. No. Des. 306,058.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth ball retrieval tool 16E that may
be used in conjunction with the golf accessory 10. The ball
retrieval tool 16E shown in FIG. 6 is described in detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,368,352.
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a seventh ball retrieval tool 16F that
may be used in conjunction with the golf accessory 10. The ball
retrieval tool 16F shown in FIG. 7 is described in detail in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,310,189.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a golf accessory 40 comprising an
alternate embodiment of the present invention. Many of the
component parts of the golf accessory 40 are substantially
identical in construction and function to component parts of the
golf accessory 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 and described
hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component
parts are designated in FIG. 8 with the same reference numerals
utilized above in the description of the golf accessory 10, but are
differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (') designation.
[0038] The golf accessory 40 differs from the golf accessory 10 of
FIGS. 1 through 7 in that the golf accessory 40 does not include
telescoping members. Instead the golf accessory 40 comprises a
shaft 12' with a ball mark repair tool 14' at and a ball retrieval
tool 16' at each end thereof. Although the golf accessory 40 is
illustrated using the ball retrieval tool 14C shown in FIG. 4, the
golf accessory 40 may also be used in conjunction with any of the
ball retrieval tools 16 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7.
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates a golf accessory 50 comprising a
variation of the golf accessory 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7
and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The golf
accessory 50 is substantially identical in construction and
function to the golf accessory 10, except that the golf accessory
50 comprises only one telescoping member 22. The golf accessory 50
is illustrated with the ball mark repair tool 14 inserted into a
ground surface 52. The golf accessory 50 comprising only one
telescoping member 22 results in the golf accessory 50 having a
more compact and lightweight shaft 12 for ease of use by golfers
having back problems.
[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates the golf accessory 10 having a handle 60
with an optional flexible golf-bag engaging member 62 secured
thereto. The handle 60 may be fabricated of rubber, plastic, or
other similar materials suitable for a handle or grip application.
If used, the flexible golf-bag engaging member 62 may be fabricated
from materials such as plastic, metal or any other hard but pliable
material known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing
sporting accessories.
[0041] During the play of golf, a golf bag is generally supported
on a golf cart which the golfer must leave in order to access the
greens of the golf course. The golf accessory of the present
invention is carried along with a putter by a golfer as the golfer
approaches the putting green in anticipation of retrieving the ball
from the cup and the possibility that a ball mark will need repair.
As shown in FIG. 9, the golf accessory of the present invention may
be inserted into a ground surface adjacent to the green when not
being used thereby preventing a golfer from having to bend over to
retrieve the golf accessory. In addition to retrieving a golf ball
from a cup, the golf accessory of the present invention as shown
having a plurality of telescoping members may be used to retrieve
balls from water hazards, sand traps, trees, and the like.
[0042] FIG. 11 illustrates the golf accessory 40 having a golf club
leaned thereagainst and supported by the clip 18. By utilizing the
golf accessory 40 to support a golf club while not is use, the
golfer is not required to bend over to retrieve the club from the
ground surface 52.
[0043] FIG. 12 illustrates the golf accessory 70 comprising a
variation of the golf accessory 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through
10 and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The golf
accessory 70 is substantially identical in construction and
function to the golf accessory 10, except that the golf accessory
70 comprises a support member 72 for supporting a golf club when
not in use in lieu of supporting the club on the clip 18. The
support member 72 surrounds the shaft 12 and may be collapsed when
not in use for more compact storage of the golf accessory 70.
[0044] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative to the support member 72
to be used in conjunction with the golf accessory. An indentation
78 is formed in the shaft 12 below the ball retrieval tool 16 for
supporting a golf club leaned thereagainst.
[0045] FIGS. 14 through 17, inclusive, further illustrate the
construction and operation of the spring loaded clip 18. Referring
particularly to FIGS. 14 and 15, the spring loaded clip 18 includes
a first component 18A secured to the telescoping shaft 12 and a
second component 18B supported for pivotal movement relative to the
first component 18A. The second component includes a gripping
member 18C which is biased into engagement with the telescoping
shaft 12 by a spring 18D. The second component 18B further includes
a handle portion 18E which, upon manual actuation, pivotally
disengages the gripping component 18C from the shaft 12 against the
action of the spring 18D.
[0046] A variation of the spring loaded clip illustrated in FIGS.
14 and 15 described hereinabove in conjunction therewith is
illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. In the variation of the spring
loaded clip 18 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 the spring 18D
supports the component 18B for pivotal movement relative to the
telescoping shaft 12 and simultaneously biases the gripping
component 18C into engagement with the shaft 12. As is clearly
illustrated in FIG. 17 when the handle 18E is depressed in the
direction of the arrow 18F the component 18B is pivoted relative to
the shaft 12 thereby disengaging the gripping member 18C
therefrom.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 18 there is shown a conventional golf bag
100 comprising a base 102 for supporting the golf bag 100 on an
underlying surface and a side wall 104 extending upwardly from the
base 102 for receiving a plurality of golf clubs 106 therein. The
side wall 104 extends to an upper edge 108.
[0048] The golf bag 100 also supports a golf ball recovery and ball
mark repair tool comprising the present invention thereon. For
example, the golf bag 100 may support the golf ball recovery and
ball mark repair tool 10 of FIG. 1 therein. The spring loaded clip
18 comprising the golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool
grippingly engages the side wall 104 of the golf bag 100 thereby
positioning the golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool for
easy access by a golfer. Supporting the golf ball recovery and ball
mark repair tool of the present invention on the outside of the
golf bag 100 prevents interference thereof with golf clubs and
other items stowed within the golf bag.
[0049] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is
capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and
substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *