U.S. patent application number 11/942256 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for golf tool.
Invention is credited to Michael Sheehan.
Application Number | 20080125251 11/942256 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39464366 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080125251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheehan; Michael |
May 29, 2008 |
Golf Tool
Abstract
A golf tool including: a body having first and second
longitudinal ends and oppositely disposed faces; a conical
receptacle in one of the body faces, between the first and second
longitudinal ends of the body, and opening towards the first
longitudinal end of the body; a blade edge positioned within the
conical receptacle; and a plurality of elongated tines
longitudinally extending from the first longitudinal end of the
body.
Inventors: |
Sheehan; Michael; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIBBONS P.C.
ONE GATEWAY CENTER
NEWARK
NJ
07102
US
|
Family ID: |
39464366 |
Appl. No.: |
11/942256 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60860181 |
Nov 20, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/406 ;
473/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/50 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/406 ;
473/408 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golf tool comprising: a body having first and second
longitudinal ends and oppositely disposed faces; a conical
receptacle in one of the body faces, between the first and second
longitudinal ends of the body, and opening towards the first
longitudinal end of the body; a blade edge positioned within the
conical receptacle; and a plurality of elongated tines
longitudinally extending from the first longitudinal end of the
body.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the body further includes a load
bearing substantially semi-hemispherical surface adjacent the
conical receptacle and opposite from the first longitudinal end,
wherein the load bearing surface longitudinally supports the tines
and conical receptacle when opposing loads are applied to the tines
or receptacle and load bearing surface.
3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the load bearing surface is
substantially as wide as the conical receptacle.
4. The tool of claim 2, further wherein the conical receptacle is
at least partially in a protrusion that forms the substantially
semi-hemispherical surface.
5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tines are directed at an obtuse
angle relative to the body.
6. The tool of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of bracing
members extending between the tines and body.
7. The tool of claim 1, further comprising an aperture through the
body, proximate the second longitudinal end.
8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the body is monolithic.
9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the body comprises plastic.
10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the body comprises metal.
11. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a second receptacle in
the first face of the body, wherein the second receptacle is sized
and shaped to detachably receive a disk-like ball marker.
12. The tool of claim 11, further comprising a magnet adhered
within the second receptacle.
13. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a second receptacle in
the body, wherein the second receptacle is sized and shaped to
detachably receive a disk-like ball marker.
14. The tool of claim 1, wherein the outer edges of the tines are
tapered inwardly from the body.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/860,181, entitled GOLF TOOL, filed Nov. 20,
2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference as if being set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to golf related
apparatus, and more particularly to divot or ball mark repair
tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] When a golfer strikes a golf ball that lands on a golf
green, a ball mark or divot in the green may result. It is often
desirable to promptly repair such a ball mark or divot, in order to
repair resulting damage and encourage green healing.
[0004] Further, golfers often use a pencil to keep score throughout
a round of golf.
[0005] Divot repair tools and golf scoring pencils are generally
known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,553, entitled MULTI-PURPOSE
GOLFER'S TOOL, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated as if being set forth in its entirety herein,
discloses a divot repair tool. The tool includes a detailed
mechanism, such that it may prove undesirably complex or expensive
to manufacture though.
[0006] By way of further example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,402, entitled
GOLF BALL MARK REPAIR TOOL AND SCORING PENCIL, the entire
disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated as if being set
forth in its entirety herein, discloses another divot repair tool.
The divot repair tool of the '402 patent is simpler than that of
the '553 patent, but doesn't include any feature for sharpening a
pencil. Indeed, the '402 patent itself espouses that a golf pencil
does not typically need to be sharpened, and that a new pencil may
be readily obtained after each round.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A golf tool including: a body having first and second
longitudinal ends and oppositely disposed faces; a conical
receptacle in one of the body faces, between the first and second
longitudinal ends of the body, and opening towards the first
longitudinal end of the body; a blade edge positioned within the
conical receptacle, and a plurality of elongated tines
longitudinally extending from the first longitudinal end of the
body.
[0008] The body may further include a load bearing substantially
semi-hemispherical surface adjacent the conical receptacle and
opposite from the first longitudinal end, wherein the load bearing
surface longitudinally supports the tines and conical receptacle
when opposing loads are applied to the tines or receptacle and load
bearing surface.
[0009] The load bearing surface may be substantially as wide as the
conical receptacle. The conical receptacle may be at least
partially in a protrusion that forms the substantially
semi-hemispherical surface.
[0010] The tines may be directed at an obtuse angle relative to the
body. A plurality of bracing members may extend between the tines
and body.
[0011] An aperture through the body, proximate the second
longitudinal end may be provided.
[0012] The body may be monolithic, and formed of plastic and/or
metal.
[0013] A second receptacle may be provided in the body, wherein the
second receptacle is sized and shaped to detachably receive a
disk-like ball marker. A magnet may be adhered within the second
receptacle. The second receptacle may be in the first face of the
body.
[0014] The outer edges of the tines may be tapered inwardly from
the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated
by consideration of the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to
like parts, and:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool housing
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an end view of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an A-A cross-section view of the
embodiment of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a B-B cross-section view of the
embodiment of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a D-D cross-section view of the
embodiment of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a detail view of a portion of the
embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates various views of a blade suitable for use
with the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the blade of
FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates the housing embodiment of FIG. 1
incorporating the blade of FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a side-view of the embodiment of FIG.
10;
[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates an end-view of the embodiment of FIG.
10;
[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates a detail view of a portion of the
embodiment of FIG. 10;
[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool
housing according to another embodiment of the present invention,
and also suitable for use with the blade of FIG. 8;
[0030] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool
housing according to another embodiment of the present invention,
and also suitable for use with the blade of FIG. 8; and,
[0031] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool
housing according to another embodiment of the present invention,
and also suitable for use with the blade of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other
elements found in typical divot or ball mark repair tools and
pencil sharpeners. However, because such elements are well known in
the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding
of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not
provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such
variations and modifications known to those skilled in the art.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a
golf tool housing 100 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As can be seen therein, housing 100 generally includes
an elongated gripping portion 110 and longitudinally extending
tines 122, 124--that may be conventionally utilized as a divot
repair tool. The illustrated embodiment of housing 100 has a
rounded end 182 distal from tines 122, 124. The width of the
illustrated gripping portion 110 is slightly tapered from the
rounded end 182 toward the tines 122, 124. Outer edges 180 of the
gripping portion 110 are convexly rounded to minimize sharp edges.
While the illustrated embodiment includes two tines 122, 124 and a
particularly shaped gripping portion 110, other configurations of
shapes and extensions may be used in addition to or in lieu of the
illustrated shape and two tines.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, gripping portion
110 includes an aperture 116 there-through. The illustrated
aperture 116 is round and distal from the tines 122, 124, nearer
end 182. Aperture 116 may be sized so as to accept a conventional
key-ring, for example. Other configurations may be used though.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, gripping portion
110 has two substantially planer faces 118, 119 being oppositely
disposed from one another (see FIGS. 2 and 10 as well). Planer
faces 118, 119 can be decaled or otherwise printed or marked, with
graphics and/or adhesive stickers, for example. Indeed, the
relative shape and size of illustrated gripping portion 110
relative to tines 122, 124 may prove well-suited for use as
advertising space, relative to any surface of the tools of the '553
or '402 patent, for example.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, outermost edges 184
of tines 122 and 124 are tapered toward the longitudinal tips of
tines 122 and 124, such that the overall width of the housing at
the tip of the tines 122 and 124 (across both tines 122, 124) is
about a third of the width of the housing where the base of tines
122 and 124 meet gripping portion 110. The inner edges 186 of tines
122 and 124 are tapered slightly toward the tip of tines 122 and
124, such that at the base of tines 122 and 124 a gap between tines
122 and 124 is about half the width of a gap at the tip of tines
122 and 124.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, housing 100 also
includes a thickened housing portion 132. Housing portion 132
includes a conical receptacle 130, proximate an end of the gripping
portion 110 near tines 122 and 124. Receptacle 130 opens towards
tines 122, 124. Receptacle 130 is sized to receive an end of a golf
scoring pencil for sharpening. Other configurations may be used
though.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, receptacle 130
includes a longitudinally oriented, elongated slot 133. An
elongated, sharp edge of a blade coupled to housing 100 (see, FIGS.
8-10 for example) may extend through slot 133 and into receptacle
130 to provide a pencil sharpening mechanism. When a pencil is
inserted into receptacle 130 and rotated in a pre-determined
direction, such a blade edge may engage and sharpen the inserted
end of such a pencil in a conventional manner.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, housing portion 132
has a substantially semi-hemispherical shape that spans
substantially the entire width of face 118 of gripping portion 110
where gripping portion 110 adjoins tines 122, 124. Housing portion
132 smoothly levels to face 118 about a quarter of the distance
between where the gripping portion 110 adjoins tines 122, 124 and
rounded end 182. Such a configuration may exhibit enhanced
structural rigidity where gripping portion 110 and housing portion
132 meet, and provide a single surface 135 (which is curved in the
illustrated embodiment) that is well-suited for load bearing during
both pencil sharpening and divot repairing. Other configurations
may be used though.
[0040] The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 further includes
bracing members 192, 194 between tines 122, 224 and the housing
portion 132. Bracing members 192, 194 span from housing portion 132
to between about a third and a half the distance from where the
tines 122, 124 adjoin the gripping portion 110 and the tips of the
tines 122, 124. Bracing members 1192, 194 may serve to provide
added rigidity to when tines 122, 124 are used for repairing
divots.
[0041] In certain embodiments of the present invention housing 100
may be molded from any suitable plastic in a conventional manner,
and/or may be composed of other materials, such as metal, for
example. Other conventional manufacturing techniques, such as
machining, may be used. In certain embodiments, housing 100
(including gripping portion 110, housing portion 132 and tines 122,
124, as well as surface 135 and braces 192, 194, in the illustrated
embodiment) may be unitarily formed, as a single molded piece. Such
a configuration is simpler than that of the '553 patent.
[0042] Housing 100 may be composed of a combination of materials,
such as an embodiment having a plastic gripping section 110,
housing 132 that are adjoined to metal tines 122, 124. Each of the
parts could be composed of separate materials, such as plastic or
metal, and produced through conventional manufacturing
techniques.
[0043] Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown side-
and end-views of housing 100 of FIG. 1. As can be seen therein,
tines 122, 124 may be directed at an angle .theta. relative to the
gripping portion 110. In certain embodiments of the invention,
angle .theta. may be about 40 degrees or less. Other configurations
may be used though. FIGS. 3-7 show various other views of housing
100 of FIG. 1.
[0044] Referring now also to FIG. 8, there are shown various views
of a blade 140 suitable for use with the housing 100 of FIG. 1 to
facilitate the sharpening of a golf pencil, such as by a golfer
during a round of golf. Blade 140 may be attached to the receptacle
housing 132 with a #2 pan head phillips plastite screw affixed
within a threaded bore. Blade 140 may be affixed such that the
sharpened edge protrudes into the pencil receptacle 130 of the
housing 110 of FIG. 1, as shown in FIGS. 9-13, in any conventional
manner--such as nailing, screwing, press-fitting and/adhering, all
by way of non-limiting example only.
[0045] In certain embodiments of the invention, blade 140 may be
composed of 1095 steel hardness rc 58-60, with a single cutting
edge 142 having an about 19 degree bevel. The blade 140 may be made
out of other similar materials, such as other metals, composites,
or ceramics, for example.
[0046] Blade 140 is positioned within or adjacent to receptacle 130
such that an elongated edge 144 of blade 140 protrudes slightly
into receptacle 130. Blade 140 may be angled/positioned such that
when an end of a golf pencil is fit into receptacle 130, and
axially rotated in a given direction, edge 144 removes at least one
portion of the pencil, thus sharpening the pencil, in a
conventional manner.
[0047] Referring again to FIG. 10 for example, face 119 of gripping
section 110 opposite receptacle housing 132 may have a cavity 114
of suitable dimensions for receiving blade 140 in the manner
explained. Cavity 114 may span from the receptacle housing 130
(adjacent slot 133) to face 119. Blade 140 may be affixed to
gripping portion 110 within cavity 114 so as to allow for pencil
shavings to escape receptacle 130 via cavity 114.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, there are shown
perspective views of golf tool housings 100a and 100b according to
embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of FIGS. 14
and 15 additionally include a disc-like, indented receptacle 160 in
gripping portion 110. Such an indented receptacle 160 may be
particularly well suited for detachably receiving a disc-like ball
marker 164 (as shown in FIG. 16). Such ball markers 164 are
conventionally used by golfers to mark the position of a golf ball
on a green, so that the golf ball may be removed from the green and
later placed back onto the green at a substantially identical
location. Ball marker 164 may be composed of metal and/or plastic
materials, for example.
[0049] Ball marker 164 may be detachably received in the indented
receptacle 160 in any suitable manner, such as by press-fitting,
adhesion and/or magnetism. The illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 14
and 15 each include a substantially planar magnet 162 being adhered
(such as with a commercially available adhesive) to a lower surface
of receptacle 160. When a conventional, metallic ball marker 164 is
positioned substantially proximate to the magnet 162, it may be
retained their according to well-known magnetic principles. For
example, a metallic ball marker 164 may be retained in the indented
receptacle 160. Sufficient physical force to overcome the magnetic
attraction may be used to detach the ball marker. Other
configurations may be used though.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown a perspective view
of golf tool housing 100c according to other embodiment of the
present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 16 additionally includes
an edge opening 170 in the edge of the gripping portion 110 of the
housing 100c distal to the tines 122, 124, and being suitable for
receiving a disc-like, ball marker 164. Such a slot 170 is
generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,299, entitled GOLF
ACCESSORY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
[0051] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
modifications and variations may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention.
* * * * *