U.S. patent application number 14/693108 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-05 for divot repair tool.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sandgroup International Ltd.. Invention is credited to Conor Fallon.
Application Number | 20160121180 14/693108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55851526 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160121180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fallon; Conor |
May 5, 2016 |
DIVOT REPAIR TOOL
Abstract
A divot repair tool includes an elongated main body having a
raised lip section and an upper surface onto which one or more
cavities are located. Each of the cavities including a first
connector. One or more elongated prongs include a teardrop-shaped
first end, and a second connector that removably engages the first
connector of a single cavity.
Inventors: |
Fallon; Conor; (Co Kildare,
IE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sandgroup International Ltd. |
Hong Kong |
|
HK |
|
|
Family ID: |
55851526 |
Appl. No.: |
14/693108 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62072883 |
Oct 30, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 57/50 20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A divot repair tool, comprising: an elongated main body having a
bottom end, a middle section, and a top end; a raised lip section
that extends upwards from the top end of the main body, said lip
section including an upper surface; one or more cavities that are
disposed along the upper surface, each of said one or more cavities
including a first connector; and at least one elongated prong, each
of the at least one elongated prongs having a top end, a middle
section, a bottom end, and a second connector that is configured to
removably engage the first connector of a single cavity.
2. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: a cap that includes an
elongated, generally hollow member having an aperture located along
a bottom end thereof, said aperture including a dimension that is
complementary to a dimension of the raised lip section, and being
configured to engage the same in a removable manner.
3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the top end of each of the at least
one elongated prongs include a generally teardrop shape.
4. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second connectors
include a plurality of embedded elements forming complementary
screw threads that are configured to engage via a twisting
motion.
5. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second connectors
include at least one of a pair of opposing magnetic elements, and
compression fittings.
6. The tool of claim 1, wherein said one or more cavities comprises
a single cavity, and said at least one elongated prong includes a
single prong having a top end with a teardrop shape.
7. The tool of claim 1, having a plurality of cavities, and a
plurality of elongated prongs, each of which including a top end
having a teardrop shape.
8. The tool of claim 1, having a plurality of cavities, and a
plurality of elongated prongs, wherein one of said elongated prongs
includes a top end that is different from another of the elongated
prongs.
9. The tool of claim 1, having a plurality of cavities, and a
plurality of elongated prongs, wherein one of said elongated prongs
includes a middle section having at least one of a shape and a
construction material that is different from another of the
elongated prongs.
10. A divot repair tool, comprising: an elongated main body having
a bottom end, a middle section, and a top end, said bottom end
including an aperture having a third connector disposed therein; a
raised lip section that extends upwards from the top end of the
main body, said lip section including an upper surface; one or more
cavities that are disposed along the upper surface, each of said
one or more cavities including a first connector; and at least one
elongated prong, each of the at least one elongated prongs having a
top end, a middle section, a bottom end, and a second connector
that is configured to removably engage the first connector of a
single cavity.
11. The tool of claim 10, further comprising: an elongated wand
having a fourth connector along a first end, said fourth connector
being configured to removably engage the third connector and to
secure the first end of the wand within the aperture of the main
body.
12. The tool of claim 10, further comprising: a cap that includes
an elongated, generally hollow member having an aperture located
along a bottom end thereof, said aperture including a dimension
that is complementary to a dimension of the raised lip section, and
being configured to engage the same in a removable manner.
13. The tool of claim 10, wherein the top end of each of the at
least one elongated prongs include a generally teardrop shape.
14. The tool of claim 10, wherein said first and second connectors
include a plurality of embedded elements forming complementary
screw threads that are configured to engage via a twisting
motion.
15. The tool of claim 10, wherein said first and second connectors
include at least one of a pair of opposing magnetic elements, and
compression fittings.
16. The tool of claim 10, wherein said one or more cavities
comprises a single cavity, and said at least one elongated prong
includes a single prong having a top end with a teardrop shape.
17. The tool of claim 10, having a plurality of cavities, and a
plurality of elongated prongs, each of which including a top end
having a teardrop shape.
18. The tool of claim 10, having a plurality of cavities, and a
plurality of elongated prongs, wherein one of said elongated prongs
includes a top end that is different from another of the elongated
prongs.
19. The tool of claim 10, having a plurality of cavities, and a
plurality of elongated prongs, wherein one of said elongated prongs
includes a middle section having at least one of a shape and a
construction material that is different from another of the
elongated prongs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser.
No. 62/072,883 filed on 30 Oct. 2014, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to sporting goods,
and more particularly to a device for use in the game of golf to
repair divots.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] The game of golf is one of the most widely played sports
activities in the world. Golf courses typically include either 9 or
18 holes, each comprising a teeing ground, a fairway area, one or
more roughs (and other hazards), as well as a putting green where
the hole is located.
[0005] Once the golf ball is on the green, a specialized golf club
called a putter is used by the golfer. Putters are designed to
strike a golf ball in a manner that keeps the ball on the ground,
thereby ensuring greater accuracy. In this regard, it is important
that the putting green be maintained with a smooth and uniform
surface. However, putting greens can be damaged when golf balls are
hit from a distance and drop onto the surface of the green. The
landing of the ball can produce a depression/divot in the surface
of the green, which can seriously affect the ability of the golfer
to accurately putt.
[0006] There are several known tools for attempting to repair a
divot. These tools typically include a plurality of straight shafts
that are inserted into the turf at a 45 degree angle, until the
distal end of the tool is located beneath the divot. At that time,
the user must bend the device so that the portion of the tool under
the damaged turf can move upward. This process must be repeated
several times as the user must repeat the procedure in a circular
pattern around the perimeter of the divot. Unfortunately, by
repeatedly puncturing the turf surrounding the divot, these tools
often create brown, dead patches of grass or bare exposed soil.
This type of action tears the roots from the upper leaf and creates
an air pocket between them. When this occurs, the turf is damaged
and typically takes at least a month for the green to fully
recover.
[0007] In addition to the above, golf courses employ groundskeepers
who maintain the golf course. It is the responsibility of these
groundskeepers to repair divot marks that are not corrected by the
golfers. In this regard, groundskeepers utilize essentially the
same tools as described above, and must bend down to address
multiple divots each day. This process can be burdensome to the
groundskeepers, as the constant bending can cause back pain and
other discomfort over time.
[0008] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a divot
repair tool which can allow a user to quickly and easily repair
divot marks without damaging the turf, as described above.
Moreover, it would also be beneficial to provide a divot repair
tool which can eliminate the need for the user to repeatedly bend
and kneel to the ground in order to use the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to a divot repair tool.
One embodiment of the present invention can include an elongated
main body having a raised lip section and an upper surface onto
which one or more cavities are located. Each of the cavities can
include a first connector for receiving an elongated prong. The
invention can also include one or more elongated prongs which can
have a teardrop shape first end, and a second connector that is
configured to removably engage the first connector of a single
cavity.
[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention can include a
plurality of elongated prongs having identical or different shapes,
sizes, construction materials and ends.
[0011] Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include
an elongated wand that is removably secured to the bottom end of
the main body.
[0012] This summary is provided merely to introduce certain
concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the
claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings.
It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not
limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities
shown.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of a divot repair tool that
is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed
herein.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body of the divot
repair tool, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front side view of an elongated prong of the
divot repair tool, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the divot repair tool in
operation, and in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of the divot repair tool, in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the divot repair tool, in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] While the specification concludes with claims defining the
features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is
believed that the invention will be better understood from a
consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which
can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases
used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide
an understandable description of the invention. Although described
with respect to the game of golf, the inventive concepts disclosed
herein are not to be construed as limiting to any particular sport
or usage, as many other applications are contemplated.
[0021] As described herein, the term "indicia" can include any type
of decorative elements such as colors, markings, words, shapes,
symbols, logos, designs, types of materials, texturing of
materials, patterns, images, lithographs, photographs and/or jewels
such as rubies, diamonds, emeralds and the like. The indicia can be
secured onto and/or into the device elements in accordance with
known techniques so as to be flush with the surface, or can be
raised/protruding outward from the surface so as to give a three
dimensional effect.
[0022] As described herein, the term "removably secured," and
derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein
two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner
so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and
separated.
[0023] Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of
the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of
clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual
figures which are necessary for the description of the respective
figure. For purposes of this description, the terms "upper,"
"bottom," "right," "left," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and
derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of one embodiment of a
divot repair tool 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive
concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the tool 10 can include a cap
15, a main body 20, and one or more elongated prongs 30.
[0025] The cap 15 can include an elongated, generally hollow member
having a top end 15a, a hollow middle section 15b and a bottom end
15c having an opening 15d. The bottom end 15c can include a
dimension that corresponds to the lip of the main body described
below. When inserted onto the main body 20, the cap 15 functions to
enclose any inserted prongs 30, in order to prevent the same from
causing injury or damage to persons and property when the device is
not in use. The cap 15 can be constructed from any number of
suitable materials such as plastic or metal, for example, and can
include any desirable indicia.
[0026] Owing to the complementary diameters of the cap opening and
the main body lid, the cap can preferably be snapped onto the main
body and maintained in place by friction. Of course, other
embodiments are also contemplated wherein a connector such as
threaded elements, for example, can be included on both the cap and
the main body.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the main body 20 that
includes an elongated, member having a bottom end 21 a middle
section 22, and a top end 23. A raised lip section 24 can extend
upwards from the top end of the main body and can include an upper
surface 25 having one or more cavities 26 disposed thereon. Each of
the cavities 26 can function to engage an elongated prong 30,
described below. In this regard, each of the cavities can include a
first connector 26a that is configured to engage a
complementary/second connector 33a that is disposed along the
bottom end of an elongated prong.
[0028] Although illustrated as including five cavities in a
generally circular arrangement, the inventive concepts disclosed
herein are not so limiting. In this regard, the tool 10 can include
as few as one cavity, and as many additional cavities as can be
constructed to fit onto the upper surface. Each of these cavities
can include an unlimited number of different shapes, depths, and
arrangements along the upper surface, so as to be able to
accommodate prongs of various shapes and sizes, in an unlimited
number of different orientations. In this regard, by providing
multiple cavities, the tool user can selectively insert and/or
remove prongs in order to adjust the total number of prongs on the
device for any desirable activity. As such, not only are the shape
and/or type of pins adjustable, the total number of pins are also
adjustable by the user.
[0029] As described herein, the main body can preferably be
constructed from a lightweight waterproof material such as plastic,
for example; however, any number of other materials such as steel,
aluminum and/or various composite materials are also contemplated.
The main body can function as a handle for the device user, and can
be manufactured in any number of different shapes and dimensions
such as various lengths, widths and/or thicknesses, for example.
Additionally, the main body can include any number of indicia to
suit a variety of interests. Although not illustrated, an optional
belt clip or other such retention device can be secured to, or
included with the construction of the main body, and can function
to allow a user to easily carry the device on their person.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the first and second connectors
can include a plurality of embedded elements forming complementary
screw threads on both the main body and the elongated prong(s) in
order to allow the later to be secured onto the former. Threaded
elements having lands and grooves for securing complementary
objects together via a twisting motion are extremely well known in
the art.
[0031] Although described above as utilizing threaded elements,
this is for illustrative purposes only, as the first and second
connectors can include any number of different elements capable of
repeatedly securing two items together in a nonpermanent manner.
Several nonlimiting examples include magnetic elements and
compression fittings such as snaps, for example. Each connector can
be permanently secured to the respective portion of the device via
a permanent sealer such as glue, resin, adhesive tape, or can be
molded into the construction of the item so as to comprise a
unitary element, in accordance with known construction
methodologies.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an elongated prong 30
which can be secured onto the main body 20 and utilized to repair a
pitch mark/turf divot. As shown, the prong 30 can include a top end
31, an elongated shaft section 32, and a bottom end 33 having a
complementary connector 33a. In the preferred embodiment, top end
31 can include a generally teardrop shape, and the entire prong can
be constructed from a sturdy and impact resistant material such as
steel, for example, however other forms of metal, plastic and/or
composite materials are also contemplated.
[0033] By providing a teardrop-shaped distal end, each prong can be
inserted into the central portion of a divot in a vertical (i.e.,
90 degree angle with the ground), and can restore the damaged turf
to a straight and level playing surface with a single attempt. In
this regard, FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the device in
operation to repair damaged turf. As shown, the pointed distal
section 31a of each prong can easily penetrate organic material
such as a golf course green 40 (see arrow a). Once positioned
beneath the green surface, the broad proximal tip portion 31b of
each prong can engage a large section of turf, and when the tips
are pulled upward (see arrow b), can assert an upward motion
(arrows b') onto the bottom of the turf, thereby restoring the turf
to a flat and level orientation. In this regard, a single tool can
utilize multiple prongs to restore large portions of turf in a
single step. As such, the collateral damage to the turf caused by
the tool is severely less than utilizing a conventional device.
[0034] In addition to the above, the prongs of the tool can also be
inserted at an angle from the outside edge of the divot/ball mark
and then pushing or levering the upper part of the tool forward and
stretching new grass in over the damaged area. This action can be
repeated all around the ball mark. When so performed, the tool
functions to cover the divot area with new ground, thus preventing
an air pocket from forming (as happens with conventional divot
repair tools) thus ensuring the turf does not become damaged and/or
die.
[0035] Although the prong(s) 30 are described above as including a
particular shape and construction material, the tool 10 can include
any number of prongs each having a different shape and/or size
and/or construction material. As such, FIG. 5 illustrates another
embodiment of the tool 10 that includes the above described
teardrop shaped prong 30, and additional prongs 51, 52, 53 and 54
having different shapes. As shown, the prongs can be arranged in
any orientation to one another, and can include any number of
different shapes, sizes and construction materials.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the tool 10 that
further includes an elongated wand 60 that is configured to engage
the main body of the tool, in order to allow a user to repair divot
marks without the need to bend or kneel. As shown, the wand 60 can
include an elongated member having a plurality of threaded elements
61 along a first end 62. The wand can include any length, and can
be constructed from any suitable material such as wood, metal or
plastic, for example.
[0037] In the present embodiment, the main body 20' can include a
bottom end having an aperture 65 and a plurality of threaded
elements 66 disposed therein. Threaded elements 61 and 66 being
complementary to one another, so as to allow the first end of the
wand 62 to be secured within the aperture 65. Of course, any number
of other connectors, as described above can be used with, or
substituted for the threaded elements, in order to allow the wand
and the main body to be joined together in a nonpermanent
manner.
[0038] Alternatively, the wand 60 and the main body 20' can be
constructed from a single piece of material and/or permanently
secured together so as to form a single, inseparable body.
[0039] As described herein, each element of the divot repair tool
can be constructed from any number of different materials such as
plastic, steel or aluminum, for example, which are durable and
resistant to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, one or more
elements of the device 10 can be secured together utilizing any
number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws,
glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover,
although the above embodiments have been described as including
separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed
herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art
will recognize that one or more individual elements of the device
may be formed together as one continuous element, either through
manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or
through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined
with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections
thereof.
[0040] As to a further description of the manner and use of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the
manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0042] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *