U.S. patent application number 12/878570 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-15 for divot repair tool.
Invention is credited to Don T. Cameron.
Application Number | 20120065002 12/878570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45807259 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120065002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cameron; Don T. |
March 15, 2012 |
DIVOT REPAIR TOOL
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a turf repair tool having a
base member with first and second portions. The first portion has a
pair of prongs for inserting into the turf. The second portion is
oppositely disposed on the base member from the extension. A
spinning wheel, aided by ball bearings is integrated into the tool
o provide rotational movement of the first and second portions.
Additionally, an angle is disposed between the first and second
portions such that the two portions are not co-planar and therefore
leverage is increased during the turf repair process.
Inventors: |
Cameron; Don T.; (Carlsbad,
CA) |
Family ID: |
45807259 |
Appl. No.: |
12/878570 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/025 20130101;
A63B 57/50 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/408 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A hand-held turf repair tool for repairing impacted turf of a
golf course, comprising: a) a base member; b) a first portion
disposed on the base member having at least one extension extending
therefrom and insertable into the impacted turf; c) a second
portion disposed on the base member opposite from the at least one
extension, the second portion providing leverage to the extension
with respect to the first portion; d) a pivot member connected to
the base member for pivotal movement of the first and second
portions to loosen the impacted turf when the at least one
extension is inserted into said impacted turf; and e) the pivot
member containing an outer freely rotational wheel.
2. The turf repair tool of claim 1, wherein the pivot member is
attached to the base member by a dowell extending through the
device at a 90.degree. angle to the pivot member.
3. The turf repair tool of claim 2, wherein the rotational wheel
contains a plurality of ball bearings to allow the wheel to spin
substantially friction-free while the tool is utilized to repair
the turf.
4. The turf repair tool of claim 3, wherein the rotational wheel is
about 0.00 inches in diameter.
5. The turf repair tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second
members form an angle relative to each other of about 135.degree.
to 175.degree..
6. The turf repair tool of claim 5, wherein the angle formed is
about 160.degree..
7. The turf repair tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one
extension of the first member are two extensions, each having a
minimum length of 0.84 inches.
8. The turf repair tool of claim 1, wherein the tool is formed from
stamped steel that is heated and treated.
9. The turf repair tool of claim 8, wherein the tool is therein
copper plated.
10. The turf repair tool of claim 8, wherein the tool is therein
nickel plated.
11. The turf repair tool of claim 1, wherein the tool is therein
chrome plated.
12. The turf repair tool of claim 1, wherein the tool is formed
from a hard plastic polymer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a divot repair
tool for quickly and effectively repairing irregularities and ball
marks produced by the impact of a golf ball on a golf course
putting green.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the game of golf, irregularities such as indentations on
the playing turf are often formed when a golf ball or a golf club
impacts the playing turf or the grounds of the golf course. Such
irregularities can create undesirable playing conditions especially
when the irregularities are formed on the putting green, where
special care has been taken by the grounds keepers to maintain a
smooth and well-manicured playing surface. These irregularities,
however, are often inevitable during a regular round of golf.
Fortunately, the damage may often be mitigated or minimized by
lifting the soil surrounding the irregularity. Moreover, these
irregularities often heal faster when they are mended shortly after
they are formed. Accordingly, as common courtesy to others, golfers
often fix or mend these irregularities during the course of play as
a part of their game to maintain a smooth playing surface for
subsequent players.
[0003] One type of turf irregularity associated with the game of
golf is a ball mark, or often referred to as a divot, that is
formed when the golf ball lands on the ground with sufficient force
as to make a mark thereon. Alternatively, irregularities of the
playing turf may be formed by the golf club during the execution of
a golf swing. As used herein, a ball mark refers generally to all
types of irregularities formed on the playing turf of the golf
course by a player during the golf game either on the putting
green, fairway or any other part of the course by a golf ball or a
golf club. A ball mark can be substantial in size especially when
the ground is soft due to moisture. Many devices have been created
to mend ball marks. These devices are often constructed so that
they are compact in size and may be easily carried by the golfers
to perform this function.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,371 to Strahan discloses a
golfer's aid having a body in the shape of a clip that is
attachable to the belt loop on a golfer. A blade is rotatably
attached to the clip and is rotatable to expose a divot repair
tool. The divot repair tool has a general U-shape with two
elongated members to serve as the divot tool. The user grips the
body and inserts the elongated members into the soil surrounding
the divot or ball mark. The base member is then pivoted against the
index finger of the golfer to loosen the impacted soil created by
the golf club or ball.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,458 to Cameron, is directed to an angled
tool having first and second members and a pivot member for
movement between the members. The tool includes two legs extending
from a base member that are spaced part at their open ends. The
legs are tapered slightly and are inserted into the sod to repair a
divot.
SUMMARY
[0006] The invention is directed to a hand-held turf repair tool
for repairing impacted turf of a golf course. The tool comprises a
base member having a first and second portion, wherein the first
portion has a pair of extension prongs capable of being inserted
into the impacted turf. The second portion incorporates a handle to
provide for leverage in the divot repairing procedure. To assist in
the ease of In the repairing the divot, the tool contains a pivot
member with a freely rotational wheel. The wheel includes a
plurality of ball bearings to aid in the substantially
friction-free wheel rotation about a fixed dowell.
[0007] In one embodiment the turf repair tool is about 0.00 inches
in diameter, with the first and second portions forming an angle of
about 135.degree. to 175.degree., preferably about 160.degree.. The
extensions prongs are at least 0.84 inches in length. The tool is
preferably formed from stamped steel that is heated and treated
prior to being plated with such processes as copper, nickel or
chrome plating. The tool could also be made from a plastic
material, but might be less durable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an enlarged top plan view of a divot repair tool,
in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the divot tool of the preset
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front elevational in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view in accordance with the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective top view of the tool of
the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of the divot repair tool of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a divot repair tool 10
constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is shown having a base member 12 with a first portion 14
and a second portion 16. The first portion 14 includes at least one
extension 18, two of which are shown as two prongs 20 and 22,
extending outwardly. The prongs 20 and 22 preferably form a U-shape
with an opening 24 facing away from the second portion 16.
Additional extensions having other formations are equally suitable
for use with the present invention. Preferably, the prongs 20 and
22 are sufficiently sharp to assist the golfer in inserting the
turf repair tool 10 into the sod surrounding the impacted area of a
ball mark. The prongs 20 and 22, however, should not be too sharp
as to pose danger to the golfer while the turf repair device 10 is
not in use. The second portion 16 is preferably substantially flat
and elongated to provide an easily graspable handle 26 to the
golfer during use. Apertures 28 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7,
for placement of fingers for leverage or for threading a string,
Velcro, or linked chain so that the divot repair tool 10 may be
attached to the golfer's attire, golf bag or other golf
accessories. The preferred method of attaching to the golfer's
attire is to clip-on the pants belt of the golfer. This is possible
because of a clip 30 created by a U-shaped bend of the second
portion 16. The distal end 32 of the clip 30 is angled outwardly to
create a gap 34 for fastening to the golfer's belt (not shown) and
a bulge section 36 allows for a tight and secure fit to the belt.
If the golfer preferred, the clip 30 arrangement could be used as a
money clip in lieu of attaching to his belt.
[0017] A key inventive concept of the tool 10 is the spinning wheel
40 rotationally connected to the base member 12 to aid the golfer
in the pivotal movement of the tool. As shown in FIG. 6, the
spinning wheel 40 is shown as a substantially circular wheel having
a plurality of ball bearings 42 seated in an outer circular pocket
44. A hole 46 through the wheel 40 and body of the tool 10 allows
for passage of an internally threaded cylindrical dowel pin 48
which is securely connected to the tool 10 by a pair of washers 52
and threaded screws 54. The circular shape of the wheel 40 provides
a rounded outer surface 50 that facilitates rolling or pivotal
movement of the repair tool 10. The spinning wheel 40 is preferably
attached substantially to the center of the base member 12 such
that first and second portions 14 and 16 are disposed on opposite
sides thereof. In this manner, the spinning wheel 40 provides
leverage for pivoting the first and second portions 14 and 16 with
respect to each other.
[0018] The spinning wheel 40 additionally has a diameter D, best
shown in FIG. 3, that is preferably less than 1 inch, more
preferably between about 1/4 to 3/4 inches, and most preferably a
diameter D about 1/2 inch. Alternatively, the diameter D of the
pivot member 11 may be modified to accommodate different sizes of
the base member 12. A larger diameter D will provide greater
leverage during the use of the turf repair tool. As the diameter
increases, however, the overall dimensions of turf repair tool 10
also increases, which may be a disadvantage to the compactness of
the tool. Accordingly, the diameter D of the pivot member is
preferably selected to facilitate the use of the turf repair tool
10 while ensuring that the overall dimension of the tool is
sufficiently compact so that it can be easily fitted in the
golfer's pocket.
[0019] The first and second portions 14 and 16 define an angle a on
the side of the clip 30, forming an angled base member 12, as shown
in FIG. 3. Preferably, the angle a defined by the first and second
portions 14 and 16 is between about 135.degree. and 175.degree..
Most preferably, the angle a is about 160.degree. The angled base
member 12, in combination with the spinning wheel 40, further
assists the pivotal movement of the turf repair tool 10 in
repairing the ball mark. The wheel 40 is shown as secured to the
base member 12, at the angled portion of the base member 12. This
construction maximizes the pivotal movement of the base member 12.
Other locations along the base member 12 are also suitable for
securing the wheel 40. Moreover, the second portion 16 is shown as
having a greater length than the first portion 14. This
construction also facilitates the pivotal movement of the base
member 12 by increasing the leverage provided by the second portion
16. Alternatively, the first and second portions 14 and 16 may be
equal in length or the first portion 14 may be longer than the
second portion 16.
[0020] In use, the golfer holds the second portion 16 of the turf
repair tool 10 in the palm of his hand and inserts the prongs 20
and 22 of the first portion 14 into the sod area surrounding a ball
mark and with the spinning wheel 40 resting against the
non-impacted portions of the playing turf. The prongs 20 and 22 are
positioned with the ball mark positioned in the opening 24. When so
inserted, the golfer presses down on the handle 26 of the second
portion 16 and pivots the prongs 20 and 22 of the first portion 14
against the wheel 40. The rounded outer surface 50 of the wheel 40
facilitates the pivotal movement of the turf repair tool 10 and
substantially alleviates the need for the golfer's hand to come in
contact with the sod, while providing greater leverage to the turf
repair tool 10 in repairing the ball mark. Additionally, the angled
base member 12 further facilitates the pivotal movement by
maximizing the leverage provided by the handle 26 of the second
portion 16 of the base member. Accordingly, by easily pressing down
on the handle 26 of the second portion 16 several times, the golfer
may easily move, lift and rearrange the sod surrounding the ball
mark to fill and repair the ball mark.
[0021] Preferably the base member 12 of the turf repair tool 10 is
sized to be gripped comfortably in the palm of the golfer's hand.
In this manner, the tool 10 is easily manipulated during use. The
prongs 20 and 22 are preferably configured and dimensioned to
extend sufficiently into the sod to cover the impacted area formed
by the golf ball. As stated above, ball marks are formed when the
ball strikes the ground. Accordingly, the shape of ball marks
typically conforms to a portion of the golf ball, with the size of
the ball mark depending on the force of impact the ball makes with
the ground and the condition of the ground. Since most golf balls
have a diameter of approximately 1.68 inches, the length of the
prongs 20 and 22 should be greater than 1/2 of the diameter of the
ball, or at least 0.84 inches. Preferable, the length of the prongs
20 and 22 are at least 1.25 inches to provide ample leverage and
assist the pivotal movement of the base member 12.
[0022] The turf repair tool 10 may be constructed from any material
having sufficient flexural strength to suit various desirable taste
and purposes. For example, the tool 10 may be stamped from steel
that is heated and treated. The tool 10 may thereafter be plated
with copper, nickel and chrome or other suitable quality finishes.
Alternatively, the tool 10 may be constructed from plastic
materials. The tool 10 may further be embellished with logos or
other trademarks for advertising purposes.
[0023] While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of
the invention herein disclose and fulfills the objective stated
above, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other
embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore,
it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to
cover all such modifications and embodiments which come within the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *