U.S. patent application number 13/771848 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eric Martin MILLER. Invention is credited to Eric Martin MILLER.
Application Number | 20130217518 13/771848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48982697 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130217518 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MILLER; Eric Martin |
August 22, 2013 |
Retractable Divot Tool with Detachable Marking Disc
Abstract
A retractable golf divot tool with detachable ball marking disc
is an apparatus that is provided as a dual combination golfing
accessory that incorporates a retractable mechanism to extend and
retract a divot tool while additionally offering a convenient
storage mount for a slightly over-sized marker. The present
invention comprises a rounded housing, a divot tool, a retractable
mechanism, and a marking disc that detaches. The rounded housing
provides a cylindrical shape, convenient overall sizing, and allows
for facilitated storage in a plurality of common and frequently
utilized compartments. The divot tool and retractable mechanism
provide an operative coupling, enabling the tool's forks to be
extended when needed and retracted after use. The ball marker is
provided with a detachable coupling and rounded housing that
secures the marking disc in place, but permits facilitated
detachment and re-attachment as necessary.
Inventors: |
MILLER; Eric Martin;
(Denver, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MILLER; Eric Martin |
Denver |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48982697 |
Appl. No.: |
13/771848 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61600830 |
Feb 20, 2012 |
|
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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 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/406 ;
473/408 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc comprises:
a rounded housing; a marking disc; a divot tool; a retractable
mechanism; the rounded housing comprises a plate coupler, a first
plate, and a second plate; the marking disc comprises a rounded
housing mount and a magnetic coupler; the divot tool comprises at
least two forks and a divot tool actuator; the plate coupler
comprises a retractable mechanism mount and a divot tool mount; the
first plate comprises a first interior face side and a first
exterior face side; the second plate comprises a second interior
face side and a second exterior face side; and the second exterior
face side comprises a second magnetic coupler and a raised disc
mount.
2. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc of claim
1, wherein the rounded housing is provided with a thin rounded
cylindrical body with a preferred diameter of about 1.5''
inches.
3. The retractable divot tool with detachable marker of claim 1,
wherein the marking disc is provided with a preferred diameter of
about 1'' inch.
4. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc of claim
1, wherein the first exterior side face contains shaped elements
that enable facilitated manipulation of the divot tool during use,
where the shaped elements are grooves, indentations, or other
features that allow a user to better handle the rounded
housing.
5. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 1 comprises: the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the rounded housing; the divot tool being extendably
positioned within the rounded housing; the retractable mechanism
being coupled to the rounded housing adjacent to the divot tool;
the divot tool being operatively engaged to the retractable
mechanism; and the plate coupler being positioned between the first
plate and the second plate.
6. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 1 comprises: the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the second plate; the divot tool being extendably
positioned between the first plate and the second plate; the
retractable mechanism being positioned between the first plate and
the second plate adjacent to the divot tool; the plate coupler
being coupled to the first interior side face opposite the first
exterior side face; and the plate coupler being coupled to the
second interior side face opposite the second exterior side
face.
7. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 1 comprises: the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the second exterior side face by way of the rounded
housing mount; the at least two forks being extendably positioned
between the first interior side face and the second interior side
face; the retractable mechanism being coupled between the first
interior side face by way of the retractable mechanism mount; and
the divot tool actuator being peripherally positioned to the
rounded housing.
8. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 7 comprises: the at least two forks being
pivotally attached to the divot tool mount; and the at least two
forks being pivotally retained by the retractable mechanism.
9. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 7 comprises: the divot tool actuator being coupled
to the at least two forks.
10. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 1 comprises: the marking disc being flush with the
raised disc mount; the second magnetic coupler being flush with the
second exterior side face; and the first magnetic coupler being
magnetically retained to the second magnetic coupler.
11. A retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc
comprises: a rounded housing, wherein the rounded housing is
provided with a thin rounded cylindrical body with a preferred
diameter of about 1.5'' inches; and; a marking disc, wherein the
marking disc is provided with a preferred diameter of about 1''
inch; a divot tool; a retractable mechanism; the rounded housing
comprises a plate coupler, a first plate, and a second plate; the
marking disc comprises a rounded housing mount and a magnetic
coupler; the divot tool comprises at least two forks and a divot
tool actuator; the plate coupler comprises a retractable mechanism
mount and a divot tool mount; the first plate comprises a first
interior face side and a first exterior face side, wherein the
first exterior side face contains shaped elements that enable
facilitated manipulation of the divot tool during use, where the
shaped elements are grooves, indentations, or other features that
allow a user to better handle the rounded housing; the second plate
comprises a second interior face side and a second exterior face
side; and the second exterior face side comprises a second magnetic
coupler and a raised disc mount;
12. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 11 comprises: the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the rounded housing; the divot tool being extendably
positioned within the rounded housing; the retractable mechanism
being coupled to the rounded housing adjacent to the divot tool;
the divot tool being operatively engaged to the retractable
mechanism; and the plate coupler being positioned between the first
plate and the second plate.
13. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 11 comprises: the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the second plate; the divot tool being extendably
positioned between the first plate and the second plate; the
retractable mechanism being positioned between the first plate and
the second plate adjacent to the divot tool; the plate coupler
being coupled to the first interior side face opposite the first
exterior side face; and the plate coupler being coupled to the
second interior side face opposite the second exterior side
face.
14. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 11 comprises: the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the second exterior side face by way of the rounded
housing mount; the at least two forks being extendably positioned
between the first interior side face and the second interior side
face; the retractable mechanism being coupled between the first
interior side face by way of the retractable mechanism mount; and
the divot tool actuator being peripherally positioned to the
rounded housing.
15. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 14 comprises: the at least two forks being
pivotally attached to the divot tool mount; the at least two forks
being pivotally retained by the retractable mechanism; and the
divot tool actuator being coupled to the at least two forks.
16. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 11 comprises: the marking disc being flush with
the raised disc mount; the second magnetic coupler being flush with
the second exterior side face; and the first magnetic coupler being
magnetically retained to the second magnetic coupler.
17. A retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc
comprises: a rounded housing, wherein the rounded housing is
provided with a thin rounded cylindrical body with a preferred
diameter of about 1.5'' inches; and; a marking disc, wherein the
marking disc is provided with a preferred diameter of about 1''
inch; a divot tool; a retractable mechanism; the rounded housing
comprises a plate coupler, a first plate, and a second plate; the
marking disc comprises a rounded housing mount and a magnetic
coupler; the divot tool comprises at least two forks and a divot
tool actuator; the plate coupler comprises a retractable mechanism
mount and a divot tool mount; the first plate comprises a first
interior face side and a first exterior face side, wherein the
first exterior side face contains shaped elements that enable
facilitated manipulation of the divot tool during use, where the
shaped elements are grooves, indentations, or other features that
allow a user to better handle the rounded housing; the second plate
comprises a second interior face side and a second exterior face
side; the second exterior face side comprises a second magnetic
coupler and a raised disc mount; the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the rounded housing; the divot tool being extendably
positioned within the rounded housing; the retractable mechanism
being coupled to the rounded housing adjacent to the divot tool;
the divot tool being operatively engaged to the retractable
mechanism; and the plate coupler being positioned between the first
plate and the second plate.
18. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 17 comprises: the marking disc being detachably
coupled to the second plate; the divot tool being extendably
positioned between the first plate and the second plate; the
retractable mechanism being positioned between the first plate and
the second plate adjacent to the divot tool; the plate coupler
being coupled to the first interior side face opposite the first
exterior side face; the plate coupler being coupled to the second
interior side face opposite the second exterior side face; the
marking disc being detachably coupled to the second exterior side
face by way of the rounded housing mount; the at least two forks
being extendably positioned between the first interior side face
and the second interior side face; the retractable mechanism being
coupled between the first interior side face by way of the
retractable mechanism mount; and the divot tool actuator being
peripherally positioned to the rounded housing.
19. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 18 comprises: the at least two forks being
pivotally attached to the divot tool mount; the at least two forks
being pivotally retained by the retractable mechanism; and the
divot tool actuator being coupled to the at least two forks.
20. The retractable divot tool with detachable marking disc as
claimed in claim 17 comprises: the marking disc being flush with
the raised disc mount; the second magnetic coupler being flush with
the second exterior side face; and the first magnetic coupler being
magnetically retained to the second magnetic coupler.
Description
[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S.
Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/600,830 filed on Feb.
20, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a golf accessory,
more specifically to a dual combination golfing apparatus that
incorporates a retractable divot repair tool and a detachable golf
ball marking disc (marker).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well known in the sport of golf that golf balls
hitting or landing on the green impact the ground with sufficient
downward force to compress a section of turf into the soil. These
compressed sections of turf, commonly referred to as divots, can
noticeably alter the green. If left unattended, divots negatively
affect the quality of play, and could over time permanently decay
the putting surface, requiring costly and time consuming repairs.
While current divot tools function adequately in fixing the turf,
they have some inherent disadvantages. One drawback with many of
these products is their bulky design. The majority of divot tools
are constructed from a single piece of elongated material. While
sturdy and simple they can be somewhat troublesome to carry during
a round of golf.
[0004] In addition to a divot tool, nearly all players use a ball
marker of some type. According to The Rules of Golf, a golf ball
can be temporarily removed from the surface of a putting green in
order to clean said ball, or to prevent said ball from being a
distraction or obstruction to another player. The rules
additionally state that the temporarily removed golf ball should be
replaced with a position identifier (marker) that ensures the ball
will be returned to the exact same spot from where it was
previously located. These markers are generally round and most are
nearly the diameter and thickness of a dime; some are removable
components of the aforementioned divot tools. Due to their small
size, golfers frequently misplace or lose their markers. The issue
can be problematic in finding a truly good carrying/storage
location that is quick and convenient when out on the course.
[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
provide an apparatus that functions as a combination divot tool and
golf ball marking disc. The present invention provides a
retractable mechanism for the divot tool and a quick and convenient
storage mount for a detachable marker. The divot tool is provided
in a manner that enables it to extend from within a circular
housing and conveniently retract into said housing after use. The
detachable marking disc is provided with a secure mount that
permits the detachment and re-attachment of the marker to the
housing. A retractable divot tool with an enlarged, detachable
marker is provided in a convenient overall size and rounded body
shape that allows for varied and facilitated storage options. There
are adaptors which should allow for securing this accessory on
hats, shoes, etc. Tools that retract, however, offer the additional
advantage of causing less damage to clothing when carried in a
pocket. Additionally, a slightly bigger marking disc is easier to
see and find when placed on the green, while also providing more
surface area for graphics and logos. (Markers of practically any
dimension will usually affect the ball's speed and direction should
a putt unintentionally come into contact with it.) Finally, a
design feature is possible for the inclusion of an indentation or
ridge into the outside face of the rounded body plate opposite the
marking disc side, helping make the tool easier to grasp when using
it for the purpose of greens repair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a frontal view displaying the component
arrangement of the rounded housing, the marking disc, and the divot
tool in the expanded position as per the current embodiment of the
present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a frontal view displaying the component
arrangement of the rounded housing, the marking disc, and the divot
tool in the retracted position as per the current embodiment of the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front expanded perspective view displaying the
component arrangement of the rounded housing, the marking disc, the
divot tool, and the retractable mechanism as per the current
embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a rear expanded perspective view displaying the
component arrangement of the rounded housing, the marking disc, the
divot tool, and the retractable mechanism as per the current
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a front expanded perspective view displaying the
component arrangement of the rounded housing, the marking disc, the
divot tool, and the retractable mechanism with the marking disc
detached from the rounded housing as per the current embodiment of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view displaying the current
embodiment of the present invention with the divot tool in the
retracted position.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view displaying the current
embodiment of the present invention with the divot tool in the
expanded position.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view displaying the current
embodiment of the present invention with the divot tool in the
expanded position and the detachable marker removed from the
rounded housing.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a sectional view displaying the engagements
between the divot tool and the retractable mechanism, with the
divot tool in the retracted position as per the current embodiment
of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a sectional view displaying the engagements
between the divot tool and the retractable mechanism, with the
divot tool in the expanded position as per the current embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0016] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0017] Referencing FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the present invention is a
retractable divot tool 16 that incorporates a detachable marking
disc 13, wherein the dual purpose apparatus provides a means of
repairing impact related divots on a putting green and provides a
golf ball marker for indicating the positioning of a temporarily
removed ball. The retractable divot tool 16 with detachable marking
disc 13 accomplishes these functions while additionally providing a
user with a conveniently shaped and sized apparatus that can be
easily stored, retrieved, manipulated, and located. The present
invention comprises a rounded housing 1, a marking disc 13, a divot
tool 16, and a retractable mechanism 19. The rounded housing 1 is
the shaped body that houses the marking disc 13, the divot tool 16,
and the retractable mechanism 19. The marking disc 13 is the ball
position indicator that is detachably coupled to the rounded
housing 1. The divot tool 16 is the divot repair instrument that is
operatively engaged to the retractable mechanism 19. The divot tool
16 is extendably positioned within the rounded housing 1. The
retractable mechanism 19 is the functional component that enables
the divot tool 16 to extend and retract within the rounded housing
1. The retractable mechanism 19 is coupled to the rounded housing
1, but is found positioned adjacent to the divot tool 16.
[0018] Referencing FIG. 3-5, in the present invention, the rounded
housing 1 serves as the shaped body that houses the marking disc
13, the divot tool 16, and the retractable mechanism 19. The
rounded housing 1 additionally functions as the handle for the
divot tool 16 when deployed in an extended configuration, wherein
the extended configuration is the operative state when the divot
tool 16 is extended from within the rounded housing 1. In the
current embodiment of the present invention, the rounded housing 1
comprises a plate coupler 2, a first plate 5, and a second plate 8.
The rounded housing 1 is provided as a thin rounded cylindrical
body, wherein the circular face sides correspond to either the
first plate 5 or the second plate 8. The plate coupler 2 is found
positioned between the first plate 5 and the second plate 8. The
plate coupler 2 provides an attachment means between the first
plate 5 and the second plate 8, but additionally serves a
functional role interacting with the divot tool 16 and the
retractable mechanism 19. The plate coupler's 2 positioning
separates the first plate 5 and the second plate 8 from one another
resulting in an interstitial space between the first plate 5 and
the second plate 8.
[0019] Referencing FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in the present invention,
the plate coupler 2 comprises a retractable mechanism mount 3 and a
divot tool mount 4. The retractable mechanism mount 3 serves as the
attachment point for the retractable mechanism 19 to the rounded
housing 1, wherein the retractable mechanism 19 is found coupled
between the first plate 5 and the second plate 8 by way of
retractable mechanism mount 3. The divot tool mount 4 serves as the
attachment point between the divot tool 16 and the rounded housing
1. The divot tool mount 4 provides the divot tool 16 with an
attachment means between the first plate 5 and the second plate 8,
but additionally provides an adjacent positioning to the
retractable mechanism 19.
[0020] Referencing FIG. 3-5, in the present invention, the first
plate 5 comprises a first exterior side face 7 and a first interior
side face 6. The second plate 8 comprises a second exterior side
face 10 and a second interior side face 9. The first exterior side
face 7 serves as the rounded exterior of the first plate 5. The
first exterior side face 7 provides the rounded housing 1 with the
most visible portion of the first plate 5. The first exterior side
face 7 contains shaped elements that enable facilitated
manipulation of the divot tool 16 during use. The shaped elements
are formed features, such as grooves and indentations, as well as
other features that allow a user to better handle the rounded
housing 1. The first interior side face 6 is found oriented towards
the second plate 8. The first interior side face 6 is found coupled
to the plate coupler 2. The first interior side face 6 is the
portion of the first plate 5 that is positioned proximal to the
divot tool 16 and the retractable mechanism 19. Similarly, the
second interior side face 9 is the portion of the second plate 8
that is found positioned proximal to the divot tool 16 and the
retractable mechanism 19. The second interior side face 9 is found
engaged to the plate coupler 2, but is positioned opposite to the
first interior side face 6. The second exterior side face 10 is
found oriented away from the first plate 5. The second exterior
side face 10 is the most visible portion of the second plate 8, but
additionally functions as the engagement point for the marking disc
13. In order to provide the marking disc 13 with a detachable
engagement, the second exterior side face 10 comprises a second
magnetic coupler 11 and a raised disc mount 12. The second magnetic
coupler 11 is utilized as the detachable engagement mechanism
between the second plate 8 and the marking disc 13. The second
magnetic coupler 11 is found flush with the second exterior side
face 10. The flushed positioning of the second magnetic coupler 11
to the second exterior side face 10 provides the second exterior
side face 10 with a smooth mounting surface for engaging the
marking disc 13. The raised disc mount 12 cooperatively functions
with the second magnetic coupler 11 to secure the marking disc 13
in its detachable engagement. The raised disc mount 12 is found
arcuately positioned on the second exterior side face 10. The
raised disc mount 12 is provided in a manner that permits a flushed
engagement when coupled with the marking disc 13.
[0021] Referencing FIG. 8, in the present invention, the marking
disc 13 is the detachable component that serves as a golf ball
indicator when substituted for the ball on the green. The marking
disc 13 is found detachably coupled to the rounded housing 1, but
specifically, the marking disc 13 is found detachably coupled to
the second plate 8. The marking disc 13 comprises a rounded housing
mount 14 and a first magnetic coupler 15. The rounded housing mount
14 is provided as the engagement point between the marking disc 13
and the second exterior side face 10, wherein the rounded housing
mount 14 is found detachably coupled to the second exterior side
face 10. The first magnetic coupler 15 is complementary to the
second magnetic coupler 11 of the second exterior side face 10. The
first magnetic coupler 15 is found positioned within the marking
disc 13, but is provided with an operative alignment to the second
magnetic coupler 11. The operative alignment between the first
magnetic coupler 15 and the second magnetic coupler 11 enables the
marking disc 13 to be magnetically retained to the second exterior
side face 10. The marking disc 13 aligns flush with the raised disc
mount 12. The alignment between the raised disc mount 12 and the
marking disc 13 provides a secure engagement between the marking
disc 13 and the second exterior side face 10.
[0022] Referencing FIG. 1, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, in the present
invention, the divot tool 16 is the divot repair instrument that is
found operatively engaged to the retractable mechanism 19. The
divot tool 16 is found extendably positioned within the rounded
housing 1, more specifically, the divot tool 16 is found extendably
positioned between the first interior side face 6 of the first
plate 5 and the second interior side face 9 of the second plate 8.
The divot tool 16 comprises at least two forks 17 and a divot tool
actuator 18. The at least two forks 17 provide the divot tool 16
with the functional means to repair divots on the putting green. In
order to repair a divot, the at least two forks 17 are inserted
into the ground and moved so as to level the turf without tearing
loose the grass. Once positioned, the at least two forks 17 are
manipulated by the user to expand the compressed soil in order to
fill the divot's concavity. The at least two forks 17 are found
extendably positioned between the first interior side face 6 and
the second interior side face 9. The divot tool actuator 18 is
operatively coupled to the retractable mechanism 19. The operative
coupling between the retractable mechanism 19 and the divot tool
actuator 18 provides the divot tool 16 with a means to extend or
retract from the rounded housing 1. The divot tool actuator 18 is
found positioned peripherally to the rounded housing 1.
[0023] Referencing FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, the divot tool 16 is found pivotally
coupled to the divot tool mount 4. The pivotal engagement between
the divot tool 16 and the rounded housing 1, by way of the divot
tool mount 4, results in the rotation of the at least two forks 17
from a position within the rounded housing 1 to a position extended
away from the rounded housing 1. This pivotal engagement is secured
by the operative engagement between the divot tool 16 and the
retractable mechanism 19. The retractable mechanism 19 is found
positioned between the first interior side face 6 of the first
plate 5 and the second interior side face 9 of the second plate 8.
More specifically, the retractable mechanism 19 is found coupled
between the first interior side face 6 and the second interior side
face 9 by way of the retractable mechanism mount 3. The coupling
between the retractable mechanism 19 and the retractable mechanism
mount 3 provides an operative engagement between the retractable
mechanism 19 and the divot tool 16. The operative engagement
between the retractable mechanism 19 and the divot tool 16 result
in the at least two forks 17 being pivotally retained by the
retractable mechanism 19, wherein the pivotal retainment allows the
at least two forks 17 being secured in the extended or the
retracted position, relative to the rounded housing 1, by way of
the retractable mechanism 19.
[0024] Referencing FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, the divot tool actuator 18 is found
coupled to the at least two forks 17, wherein the divot tool
actuator 18 is an extended portion of the at least two forks 17
always peripherally positioned to the rounded housing 1. The divot
tool actuator 18 is found operatively coupled to the retractable
mechanism 19, wherein the operative coupling provides the divot
tool actuator 18 with the means to activate or deactivate the
secure engagement retaining the at least two forks 17 in a
particular pivotal position. With the divot tool actuator 18 being
peripherally positioned to the rounded housing 1 and coupled to the
at least two forks 17, activation or deactivation of the
retractable mechanism 19 would occur upon the rotatable movement of
the at least two forks 17 by a user. User movement of the divot
tool actuator 18, by way of the at least two forks 17, would
securely retain the at least two forks 17 to an extended position
or retracted position about the divot tool mount 4.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
rounded housing 1 is a thin cylindrical body that is preferably
1.5'' inches in diameter. The shape and size of the rounded housing
1 is important for the functionality of the present invention due
in part to the facilitated storage and retrieval afforded by the
particular shape and size. While the preferred embodiment of the
present invention utilizes a particular set of measurements for the
diameter of the rounded housing 1, it should be noted that
variations in the measurements and the appearance of the rounded
housing 1 would be considered an obvious difference.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
marking disc 13 is provided with a preferred diameter of about 1''
inch. The preferred 1'' inch diameter for the marking disc 13
allows for facilitated manipulation by the user for the removal and
storage to the rounded housing 1. Additionally, the relative size
of the marking disc 13 provides a ball position indicator that is
small enough as to not induce unwanted interference when in use
during play. While the preferred embodiment of the present
invention provides the marking disc 13 with a preferred diameter of
1'' inch, it should be noted that variations in the diameter of the
marking disc 13 would be considered an obvious difference.
[0027] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
marking disc 13 is provided with a first magnetic coupler 15.
Although the first magnetic coupler 15 is described as being
positioned within in the marking disc 13, it should be noted that
the positioning may be achieved anywhere relative to the marking
disc 13 such that the described alignment between the first
magnetic coupler 15 and the second magnetic coupler 11 is retained.
Utilizing this understanding it would be understood as an obvious
difference to provide a marking disc 13 that is a magnetic disc.
While the described alignment between the first magnetic coupler 15
and the second magnetic coupler 11 is provided to securely retain
the marking disc 13 to the second plate 8, it should be noted that
additional embodiment may utilize differing coupling means that can
include mechanical fasteners or adhesives.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
divot tool actuator 18 is found coupled to the at least two forks
17. The coupling between the divot tool actuator 18 and the at
least two forks 17 enables the activation and/or deactivation of
the retractable mechanism 19 allowing the at least two forks 17 to
pivot about the divot tool mount 4 until they reach their extended
or retracted position. While the divot tool actuator 18 is coupled
to the at least two forks 17, it should be noted that the at least
two forks 17 could potentially function as the divot tool actuator
18 as long as the positional relationship between the divot tool
actuator 18 is achieved by the at least two forks 17 or at least a
portion of the at least two forks 17, wherein the positional
relationship refers to the peripheral positioning of the divot tool
actuator 18 relative to the rounded housing 1. Furthermore, it
should be noted that in an additional embodiment of the present
invention, the divot tool actuator 18 could be coupled separately
to the at least two forks 17. In this embodiment the divot tool
actuator 18 could maintain its peripheral positioning and would
activate the extended or retracted positioning of the at least two
forks 17 through an operative coupling to the retractable mechanism
19.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
retractable mechanism 19 is provided as a spring leaver that
secures the pivotal position of the divot tool 16. The spring
leaver provides the retractable mechanism 19 with the means to
securely retain the divot tool 16 to a particular position. When
activated by the divot tool actuator 18, the spring leaver
compresses allowing the divot tool 16 to pivot about the divot tool
mount 4. When the divot tool 16 reaches its desired extended or
retracted position, the spring leaver expands to its resting state,
locking the divot tool 16 in place. While the preferred embodiment
of the present invention utilizes a spring leaver for the
retractable mechanism 19, additional embodiment can incorporate
differing mechanisms that provide the present invention with an
alternative means to extend or retract the divot tool 16. The
alternative means to extend or retract the divot tool 16 could
comprise a spring loaded mechanism that extends the divot tool 16
along a straight path instead of an arcuate path. In this
embodiment the divot tool 16 would extend outwardly from a
retracted position through the activation of the divot tool
actuator 18. After which the divot tool 16 would be retracted
through the same opening via activation of the divot tool actuator
18. This additional embodiment would be most closely described as
an out the front mechanism similar to the action of various pocket
knives.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
retractable divot tool 16 would be stored in the retracted position
within the rounded housing 1. The present invention is provided
with the functionality that permits it to be carried in the user's
pocket in the retracted position with minimal risk of accidental or
unintended activation. Through this function, the present invention
carries negligible risk of damaging the user's clothing. The
retractable divot tool 16 with detachable marking disc 13 is
constructed from a 304 stainless steel sheet with a #3 finish. The
present invention utilizes a laser cut or water jet cut profile,
finished with a tumble and glass bead media to break sharp edges.
It should be noted that while the present invention is preferably
constructed out of 304 stainless steel, alternative embodiments may
be manufactured out of any material or out of any combination of
suitable materials including, but not limited to steel, aluminum,
brass, plastic and ceramic, as well as any combination thereof.
[0031] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
marking disc 13 is provided as a slightly oversized ball marker
that allows for facilitated localization during a game of golf. The
marking disc 13 is provided with a diameter of 1'' inch and is
considered to be larger than most existing markers. This size
disparity provides the marking disc 13 with adequate surface space
for the inclusion of graphics and logos. Due to the construction of
the present invention, any desired graphic, advertisement, or other
sort of image may be used on the marking disc 13 or on the round
shape housing of the present invention allowing it to function as
part of a branding campaign.
[0032] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
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