U.S. patent application number 12/408515 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for golf ball mark repair tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to SRAM Design Inc.. Invention is credited to Arthur Menichiello, Scott R. Ross.
Application Number | 20090239684 12/408515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41089484 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090239684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ross; Scott R. ; et
al. |
September 24, 2009 |
GOLF BALL MARK REPAIR TOOL
Abstract
A golf ball mark repair tool includes an integrated set of
rosary beads. Attached to the circumference of a circular handle
are rosary beads operable to facilitate praying the rosary. The
beads are equally spaced and apart from the handle to provide the
user with not only an ability to discretely conduct the rosary but
an enhanced tactual feel. At the same time the tool is operable to
repair a ball mark. The tool further includes a detachable center
portion operable as a mean for marking a player's ball on the
green.
Inventors: |
Ross; Scott R.; (Colorado
Springs, CO) ; Menichiello; Arthur; (Colorado
Springs, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOGAN & HARTSON LLP
ONE TABOR CENTER, SUITE 1500, 1200 SEVENTEENTH ST
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Assignee: |
SRAM Design Inc.
Colorado Springs
CO
|
Family ID: |
41089484 |
Appl. No.: |
12/408515 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61038302 |
Mar 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/406 ;
473/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/50 20151001;
A63B 57/207 20151001; A63B 2209/08 20130101; A63B 57/353 20151001;
A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/406 ;
473/408 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golf ball mark repair tool, comprising: a base portion having
two tines extending therefrom with said base portion and said tines
formed of a single piece of planar material wherein said base
portion of said planar material has a lateral edge; and a plurality
of substantially spherical objects affixed to said edge in a
geometrically symmetrical orientation.
2. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 1 further comprising a
religious symbol affixed to the base portion.
3. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 1 further comprising a
ball marker magnetically and removably coupled to the base
portion.
4. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 3 wherein the base
portion includes a recessed area configured to accept the ball
marker.
5. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 3 wherein the recessed
area includes magnetic material operable for magnetically and
removably coupling the ball marker to the base portion.
6. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 4 wherein the recessed
area includes a central region void of material.
7. A golf ball mark repair tool, comprising: a base portion having
two tines extending therefrom with said base portion and said tines
formed of a single piece of planar material wherein a surface of
said base portion of said planar material has a recessed central
area; and a ball marker magnetically and removably coupled to the
base portion and dimensioned to conform to the recessed central
area.
8. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 7 wherein the recessed
area includes magnetic material operable for magnetically and
removably coupling the ball marker to the base portion.
9. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 7 wherein a central
region of the recessed area is void of material.
10. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 7 further comprising a
plurality of objects affixed to a lateral edge of the base portion
and orientated in a geometrically symmetrical fashion.
11. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the
plurality of objects is substantially spherical.
12. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the base
portion is substantially circular.
13. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the
plurality of objects is visually and tactually perceptible.
14. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the
plurality of objects is operable for performing the rosary.
15. A golf ball marking tool, comprising: a circular planar base
having a central region void of material wherein said base includes
a recessed central edge forming a recessed central area; a ball
marker magnetically and removably coupled to the circular planar
base and dimensioned to conform to the recessed central area; and a
plurality of substantially spherical objects affixed to an external
lateral edge of the circular planar base in a geometrically
symmetrical orientation.
16. The golf ball marking tool of claim 15 further comprising a
magnetic ring affixed to the recessed central edge, said magnetic
ring possessing magnetic properties sufficient to removably hold
the ball marker in the recessed central area.
17. The golf ball marking tool of claim 16 wherein the ball marker
is removable from the central recessed area by application of a
force imposed on the ball marker through the central region.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application relates to and claims the benefit of
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/038,302
filed Mar. 20, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a golf tool
having a religious utility.
[0004] 2. Relevant Background
[0005] The first golf-like game is recorded as taking place on 26
Feb. 1297, in the Netherlands, in a city called Loenen aan de
Vecht. Here the Dutch played a game with a stick and leather ball.
Whoever hit the ball into a target several hundreds of meters away
the least number of times won. However, the modern game of golf we
understand today is generally considered to be a Scottish
invention. The word golf may be a Scot's alteration of Dutch "kolf"
meaning "stick, "club" and "bat". There are reports of even earlier
accounts of a golf like game from continental Europe.
[0006] These earlier games are more accurately viewed as ancestors
of the modern game we understand as golf. The fact remains that the
modern game of golf originated and developed in Scotland: the first
permanent golf course originated in Scotland as did membership in
the first golf clubs. The very first written rules originated
there, as did the establishment of the 18 hole course; the first
formalized tournament structures developed and competitions were
held between various Scottish cities. Before long, the modern game
of golf had spread from Scotland to England and from there to the
rest of the world.
[0007] As one would expect, the rules of golf have evolved over
several centuries of play. One rule of golf etiquette deals with
the repair of the green. During normal play the impact of a ball on
the green can leave a mark or indentation. The final strokes of a
hole of golf involve the precise placement of the ball into the cup
and a ball mark, or indeed several ball marks, can result in a
surface non-conducive to precision putting. The rules of etiquette
therefore require a player making such an indentation into the
green to repair the mark before continuing play. To aid in the
process, several different ball mark repair tools have been
designed. All in one manner or the other act to repair the
indentation left by the ball rendering the surface of the green
suitable for putting.
[0008] Golf is not without its stressful moments. And with those
stressful moments so too come actions that a player, in retrospect,
may regret. For those players who are religious, golf may elicit a
need to pray for divine intervention or assistance in a particular
stroke or putt. Or, alternatively, after a stroke or putt with a
less than desirable outcome, a golfer's response may give rise to a
plea for forgiveness. Thus for many players of the game of golf,
prayer is a vital component.
[0009] Individuals who practice the Catholic faith have long used
the concept of the rosary to aid in rendering a prayer. The
traditional story of the rosary was that Mary herself appeared to
Saint Dominic in the twelfth century. At that time, tradition says
she gave him the rosary and promised Dominic that if he spread
devotion to the rosary, his religious order would flourish.
[0010] Originally the rosary had 150 beads, the same number of
Psalms in the Bible. In the twelfth century, religious orders
recited together the 150 Psalms as a way to mark the hours of the
day and the days of the week. Those people who could not read
wanted to share in this practice, so praying on a string of 150
beads or knots began as a parallel to praying the Psalms. It was a
way that the illiterate could remember the Lord and his mother
throughout the day.
[0011] The rosary today consists of a set of prayers which are
repeated in a set fashion. A string of rosary beads is usually held
in the person's hand, and prayers are counted by passing the
person's fingers along the set of beads counting the beads as the
prayers are said. A complete course around the set of beads
completes the set of prayers. It is understandable that, given the
ever increasing pace of today's society, time to conduct the rosary
is more and more scarce and few carry with them at all times a set
of rosary beads.
[0012] While the play of golf employs numerous pieces of equipment
in the form of clubs, tees, balls, repair tools (all of which are
carried in a rather large bag), it does not include a rosary. Yet,
for those who practice the Catholic faith, the golf course often
becomes a place of considerable connection with one's faith.
Accordingly there is a need to provide a readily available means by
which to pray the rosary while not further encumbering the player
with additional implements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A golf ball mark repair tool with an integrated set of
rosary beads is hereafter disclosed by way of example. One aspect
of the present invention includes a golf ball mark repair tool with
a substantially circular handle. Attached to the circumference of
the circular handle are rosary beads. The beads are equally spaced
and apart from the handle to provide the user with not only an
ability to discretely conduct the rosary but at the same time
provide a tool by which to repair a ball mark. The tool further
includes a detachable center portion operable as a mean for marking
a player's ball on the green.
[0014] The features and advantages described in this disclosure and
in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many
additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the drawings,
specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that
the language used in the specification has been principally
selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not
have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive
subject matter; reference to the claims is necessary to determine
such inventive subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The aforementioned and other features and objects of the
present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more
apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood, by
reference to the following description of one or more embodiments
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of a rosary ball mark repair tool
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of a rosary ball mark repair tool
absent a center ball mark component, according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a rosary ball mark
repair tool with a center ball mark detached, according to one
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side cut away view of a rosary ball mark repair
tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The Figures depict embodiments of the present invention for
purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily
recognize from the following discussion that alternative
embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be
employed without departing from the principles of the invention
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Specific embodiments of the present invention are hereafter
described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.
Like elements in the various Figures are identified by like
reference numerals for consistency. Although the invention has been
described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity,
it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by
way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and
arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0022] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1,
one embodiment of the present invention will be seen relative to an
improved ball mark repair tool useful in the repair of minor damage
to a golfing surface such as a golf green and the like, in
combination with a set of rosary beads affixed thereto. The tool
100 will be seen to include two spaced apart and essentially
parallel tine elements 120 that extend from a substantially
circular base portion 130. According to one embodiment of the
present invention, the tines 120 and base portion 130 are formed
from a single planar piece of material. In another embodiment of
the present invention, the tines 120 are separate components that
are affixed to the base portion 130. The base portion includes a
center removable ball marker 140 that, according to one embodiment
of the present invention, is magnetically coupled to the base
portion 130. Affixed to the base portion is a religious symbol or
emblem which in this example is a crucifix.
[0023] The base portion 130 also provides a mounting location for a
plurality of balls or beads 160. According to one embodiment of the
present invention, the balls or beads 160 are substantially
spherical and can each be fashioned to replicate a golf ball or
other ornamental shape. In another embodiment of the present
invention, the beads can be cylindrical (circular in two
dimensions, from a front and rear orthogonal view). In other
embodiments the beads can be a combination of both spherical and
cylindrical properties. In the embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIG. 1, five (5) beads 160 are located on each lateral
side of the tool 100 and can represent five (5) recitations of a
decade of the "Hail Mary" prayer. In addition, the beads 160 have
utility to the golfer in counting the user's golf score during the
course of playing a hole. Furthermore the beads 160 increase the
ball mark tool's 100 tactile friction enabling a user to reliably
grip and use the tool 100.
[0024] While in this embodiment five (5) beads 160 are affixed to
each side of the tool 100 for a total of ten (10) beads 160, one
skilled in the art will recognize that the number of beads may vary
based on the needs of the user, manufacturing constraints, and
other factors known to one skilled in the relevant art. It will
also be recognized by one skilled in the art that the relative size
and shape of the beads 160, tines 120 and base portion 130 may vary
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0025] Referring now in addition to FIG. 2, a front view of a
rosary ball mark repair tool absent the center ball mark can be
seen according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown
the base portion 130 of the tool 100 includes a base ring 230 and a
recessed circular base edge 220 forming a circular L structure. The
central portion of the recessed circular base edge 220 is void of
material forming a hole 210. Affixed to the recessed circular base
edge 220 is, according to one embodiment of the present invention,
a magnetic ring 250. The magnetic ring 250 is comprised of a
magnetic material of suitable strength to magnetically attract and
affix to the base portion 130 a metallic ball marker 140. One
skilled in the art will recognize that other means suitable to hold
the ball marker 140, such as hoop/hook fastener mechanism or a
reusable adhesive, may be used without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0026] While the dimensional aspects of the present invention may
vary without departing from the scope of its usefulness, in one
embodiment the rosary ball mark repair tool is approximately 3
inches long with a nominal thickness of 1/8 of an inch and a width
of 1 and 7/32 of an inch. Each rosary bead 160 possesses a diameter
of approximately 3/32 inches and the crucifix 150 on the top of the
rosary ball mark tool is approximately 7/16 of an inch high with a
maximum width of approximately 1/4 inch. Each rosary bead 160 is
angularly displaced by 26 degrees as measured from the center of
the rosary ball mark tool. The ball marker 140 is approximately 1
inch in diameter and 1/16 inch thick.
[0027] The recessed circular base edge 220 is dimensioned to be 1
1/32 inches in diameter to accept the ball marker 140. The hole 210
positioned in the center of the rosary ball mark repair tool is
approximately 17/32 inches. Finally the centerline of the tines 120
are spaced 7/32 inches apart.
[0028] The magnetic ring 250 in a preferred embodiment, is
permanently attached to the recessed circular base edge using an
adhesive or some other persistent attachment means. The dimensions
of the magnetic ring 250 are constrained so that the width of the
ring 250 combined with the ball marker 140 provides a total width
substantially equal to the depth of the recessed circular base edge
220. Accordingly, with the magnetic ring 250 attached to the recess
circular base edge 220 and the ball marker 140 magnetically coupled
to the magnetic ring 250, the upper most surface of the ball marker
140 is flush or at the same level as the base ring 230.
[0029] Referring in addition to FIG. 3, an exploded perspective
view of a rosary ball mark repair tool according to one embodiment
of the present invention is shown. The ball marker 140 in this
rendition of the present invention is shown removed and displaced
from the base portion 130 of the tool 100. Also shown in FIG. 3 is
the relationship between the width (depth) of the magnetic ring 250
as compared to the recessed circular base edge 220 and the base
ring 230. The removal of the ball marker 140 from the base portion
130 of the tool 100 can be accomplished by applying a minimum yet
defined amount of force against the portion of the ball marker 160
proximate to the magnetic ring 250 via the hole or voided area 210.
By doing so the magnetic bond, or similar affixing agent, between
the base portion 130 and the ball marker 140 is broken.
[0030] The structure of one embodiment of the rosary ball marker
repair tool can also be seen in the side cut away view of FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 shows the base portion comprising a recessed area 410 in
which the ball marker 140 resides. The L structure formed by the
interaction of the recessed circular base edge 220 and the base
ring 230 can clearly be seen as can the relative positioning of the
magnetic ring 250.
[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the tool is
comprised solely of a circular base portion 130 with the recessed
circular base edge 220 and ornamental balls 160. The recessed
circular base edge 220 and circular base portion 130 include a
magnetic base ring 250 and a central region 210 void of material as
previously described. However the tines 120 are removed making the
tool suitable for holding a ball marker and offering rosary beads
for performing the rosary.
[0032] The rosary ball mark repair tool of the present invention
provides a golfer with a useful and versatile tool for not only
repairing ball marks and marking a ball's location on the green but
for discretely reciting the rosary during the game or at least
providing to the golfer a reminder of his or her religious beliefs.
By combining the rosary beads onto the golf ball mark repair tool
it is possible to store the rosary beads within the golf bag and
readily retrieve the rosary beads as required. The fabrication of
the functionality of the rosary beads onto the ball mark repair
tool obviates the possibility of a separate strand of beads
becoming entangled within the storage area of the bag. The combined
tool and rosary beads can be easily fabricated using, for example,
a molding or extrusion process. The rosary beads also enhance the
ball marker's tactual properties making it easier to implement in
its repair functionality. Lastly the rosary balls offer the user a
means by which to recall his or her score as it progresses during
the field of play.
[0033] Although the invention has been described and illustrated
with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the
present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that
numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be
resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *