Golf shoe accouterment

Abstract

An apparatus for attachment to a golf shoe that includes a golf ball marker receiver element and an opening that allows the shoe lace to pass through for attaching the apparatus to the shoe. A golf shoe that has such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/477,284, filed Jun. 10, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD of INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of shoe accouterments and shoes that use such accouterments. More particularly, this invention provides an accouterment, or device, that attaches typically to a golf shoe that further allows for the carrying of at least one golf accessory along the golf shoe. A golf shoe that employs such a device is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0004] In the game of golf, various golf accessories invariably are carried with the golfer. These may include accessories such as golf tees, ball marker, golf balls, scorecard and pencil, divot tool, golf glove, and the like. Often, as is the case, a golfer will carry these golf accessories in his, or her, pockets. Often, other non-golf items are carried in the pockets as well, such as vehicle keys, wallet, handkerchief, currency, coins, pocket knife, and the like. Clearly, this results in overly crowded pockets, wasted time in searching the pockets for the desired accessory, or the loss of one, or more of the various golf accessories or non-golf items.

[0005] Also, in the case of using the golf tee, ball marker, and/or divot tool, once found in the pocket, there is an additional time spent in first removing the accessory from the pocket, and, second, then bending down to place the golf accessory on the ground for its intended use. For albeit, only a brief period of time, one cannot typically remove any item from their pocket while in a squatted down or bent over position. One usually is standing straight up while searching and/or removing items from their pockets.

[0006] Additionally, golfers are also always searching for ways to improve their golf game and score. Inter alia, one way to aid in improving a golfer's score is to improve the accuracy of the swing. Swing accuracy, likewise, can be enhanced by improving the alignment of the golfer's body, and feet in particular, in its relationship to the golf ball upon addressing (i.e., preparing to swing and hit) the golf ball.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an improvement over existing locations of storing various golf accessories, as well as, as helping the golfer improve their golf swing accuracy.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for attaching golf accessories to a golf shoe.

[0009] A first general aspect of the invention provides an apparatus comprising:

[0010] a golf ball marker receiver; and

[0011] an shoe attachment element, said element includes an opening configured to allow at least one golf shoe lace to pass through.

[0012] A second general aspect of the invention provides an apparatus comprising:

[0013] a base;

[0014] a ball marker retainer; and

[0015] a plurality of arms extending from said base and connecting said retainer to said base, thereby forming an opening, said opening configured to retain at least one golf shoe lace.

[0016] A third general aspect of the invention provides an apparatus comprising:

[0017] a first receiving means configured to receive a golf ball marker; and

[0018] an attachment means configured for attaching said apparatus to at least one golf shoe lace.

[0019] A fourth general aspect of the invention provides a golf shoe comprising:

[0020] an upper;

[0021] a sole; and

[0022] a golf ball marker receiver, wherein said receiver is attached to said shoe.

[0023] The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1A depicts a side elevation view of an embodiment of a golf shoe accouterment, in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 1B depicts a top view of a golf shoe accouterment, in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a golf shoe accouterment being installed on a golf shoe, in accordance with the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a golf shoe accouterment and the attachment of a plurality of golf accessories thereto, in accordance with the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 4 depicts the front perspective view in FIG. 2 with an embodiment of the golf shoe accouterment with the plurality of golf accessories attached thereto, fully installed on a golf shoe, in accordance with the present invention; and

[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a golfer addressing a golf ball and using an embodiment of the golf shoe accouterment to aid in aligning the golfer's swing, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of an embodiment. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0032] Turning to the Figures, FIGS. 1A and 1B, depict a side elevation and top view, respectively, of one embodiment of the invention, which is a golf shoe accouterment, hereafter referred to by a numeral 10. The accouterment, or device 10, as the embodiment shows, is configured to readily hold at least one golfing accessory 30 (See e.g., FIG. 3). The device 10, in turn, can be readily attached, and removed, from a typical golf shoe 50 (See e.g., FIG. 2). It should be apparent that although the figures depict the device 10 in use with a golf shoe 50, that the device 10 can be attached to other types of footwear, such as shoes, sneakers, in-line skates, hockey skates, sandals, and the like.

[0033] The device 10 may include a horizontal elongate base 11. Extending from the base 11 are two arms 16 which extend upwards away from the base 11, connecting to each other and thereby forming a neck 25. At the distal end of the neck 25 is a holding element 20. The holding element 20 includes a receiving, or bearing surface 21 and a receiving opening 22. The holding element 20 is configured to receive and hold a typical pronged ball marker (See e.g., FIG. 3). Further strengthening the connection between the holder 20 and the neck 25 may be a plurality of gussets 23 surrounding the receiving opening 22.

[0034] Optionally, located along the base 11 may be a channel 12 extending transversely across the base 11. Also, various openings 13, and recesses 14 may be added in the base 11 and/or arms 16. The channel 12, openings 13, and recesses 14 all may aid in the overall increased flexibility of the device 10. The increased flexibility of the base 11 and/or arms 16 will aid in the device 10 better conforming to the tongue 53 of the shoe 50 (See e.g., FIG. 2) and the golfer's foot thereby rendering the device 10 more comfortable to the end user. For example, the channel 12 located midway along the base 11 will allow a slight hinging effect to take place along the base 11. This slight hinging may be desirable in that the tongue 53 against which the base 11 bears is, typically, not perfectly planar. Similarly, the various openings 13 and/or recesses 14 will assist in the flexing of the arms 16 in relationship to the base 11.

[0035] The configuration between the holder 20, arms 16, and base 11 together form an opening 15, or hole, through which may pass one, or more, laces 52 (See e.g., FIG. 2) from the golf shoe 50. The hole 15 may offer a second purpose of providing an attachment location for a golf accessory 30. The hole 15 in the embodiment shown is approximately triangular in shape.

[0036] Turning to FIG. 2 which depicts a front, perspective view of a partial installation process of the device 10 onto a golf shoe 50. The view is shown prior to the attachment of any golf accessories 30 (e.g., golf tee, ball marker, divot tool, etc.) to the device 10. The shoe 50 is partially unlaced so as the laces 52 are not passed through all the eyelets 51. The device 10 is placed so that the bottom surface of the base 11 faces, and is adjacent to, the shoe tongue 53. The laces 52 may be first threaded through a set of eyelets 51 and placed over the lower of the two arms 16B thereby aiding in adhering the device 10 to the shoe 50. The laces 52 are further fed transversely across the device 10, through the opening 15, on to a next pair of eyelets 51. The laces 52 may additionally be place over the upper of the two arms 16A as well and threaded through the upper pairs of eyelets 51 (See e.g., FIG. 4). In this manner the arms 16A, 16B are approximately in alignment axially with the tongue 53 with the receiving surface 21 facing upward, away from the shoe 50. Thus, the receiving surface 21 is approximately parallel with the tongue 53.

[0037] It should be apparent that although the golf shoe 50 discussed above is laced, other golf shoes 50 can be used with the device 10. Clearly, a golf shoe 50 with a hook and loop fastener type strap, a mechanical type strap, or other closure systems can be used wherein in lieu of feeding a lace 52 (as above) through the opening 15, the strap (not shown) can be threaded through the opening 15.

[0038] The installation of the device 10 in the aforementioned method thus provides for a system wherein the device 10 cannot fall from the shoe 50 because of the threading of the laces 52 through a portion of the device 10 (e.g., opening 15). That is the device 10 is not held to the shoe 50 and/or lace 52 solely via friction between the two. The means for holding the device 10 to the shoe 50 is more positive and is virtually failsafe. The means for holding the device 10 to the shoe 50 are multiple. First, the laces 52 passing through the opening 15 ensures the device 10 will not become disengaged from the shoe 50. The device 10 entirely surrounds at least one lace 52. Second, the laces 52 also pass over a portion, or portions, of the device 10 (e.g., arms 16) which adds further stability and adhesion between the shoe 50 and device 10. Third, the upward force of the golfer's foot against the tongue 53, in turn, causes the tongue 53 to exert pressure against the base 11. This upward tongue 53 pressure against the underside of the device 10 in concert with the downward pressure created by the tension of the laces 52 further adds to the stability and unification between the device 10 and shoe 50. These various attachment, or holding, means together create an invention that cannot become detached from the shoe 50. Also, the device 10 will not rotate, slide about, or bounce about on the shoe 50. For aside from the goal of keeping the device 10 attached to the shoe 50, the golfer does not want a distraction, whether visual, aural, or by feel, during the game caused by the device 10 being loose.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a exploded perspective view of the device 10 with three golf accessories 30 (e.g., ball marker 30A, tee 30B, divot tool 30C) being attached thereto. As depicted, a prong on the underside of the ball marker 30A is inserted within the marker receiver 22. The underside of the planar surface of the ball marker 30A bears on, or is adjacent to, the bearing surface 21. Second, the shaft of the golf tee 30B can be inserted through the opening 15 so that the tee 30B resides normal to the base 11. Third, the two prongs of the divot tool 30C can straddle and bear against the neck 25. In all three accessories (30A, 30B, 30C) a friction between the accessory 30 and the particular portion of the device 10 holds the accessory 30 to the device 10. It should be apparent that any one, two, or all three accessories (30A, 30B, 30C) may be attached to the device 10 at any one time. An added convenience is that any one accessory 30 may be readily added, or removed, from the device 10 without the need to removed, add, move, or disrupt any of the other attached accessories 30. Further, removal or addition of any of the accessories 30 from the device 10 does not disrupt or impinge upon the attachment between the device 10 and the shoe 50.

[0040] An ancillary benefit of the device 10, as seen in FIG. 3, is that by attaching the accessories 30 to the outside of the golf shoe 50 the accessories 30 can be sort of tiny “billboard” for advertising during the golf game. For all three golf accessories 30A, 30B, 30C can be adorned with advertising, as shown via “ADV. #1”, “ADV. #2”, and “ADV. #3”, respectively. In lieu of, or in addition to, the advertising, artwork or other designs may be incorporated.

[0041] It should be apparent that other configurations and embodiments of the invention are possible while still adhering to the intent of the invention. Other opening 15 shapes are possible. The opening 15 could be square, round, ovoid, and the like. Similarly, the openings 15 could be multiple and/or sized to, or near to, the diameter of a lace 52. Additionally, there could be at least one first opening 15 for allowing laces 52 to pass through, while there could be at least one second opening 15 for retaining a golf tee 30B.

[0042] Further, the arms 16 could be other shapes, as well. For example, the arms 16 could be pie-shaped, square, and the like. Similarly, the base 11 could be shaped other than elongate. The base 11 could be rectangular, square, circular, and the like.

[0043] Additionally, there may be multiple ball retention elements 20 configured on the device 10. For example, there may be could be two ball retention elements 20 situated distally from each other at either end of the base 11.

[0044] Clearly, a device 10 also could be located on both shoes 50.

[0045] FIG. 4 depicts the view in FIG. 2 with the device 10, fully loaded with all three golf accessories 30A, 30B, 30C and with device 10 fully attached to the shoe 50, the laces 52 being fully tied.

[0046] Turning to FIG. 5, which depicts a top view of a golfer 100 addressing a golf ball 112 with a golf club 110 in hand. The golfer's intended target is depicted with a 120. The golfer 100 can see with his/her eye 101 the club 110, the ball 112, the intended target 120, his/her feet 102, and the device 10 attached to his/her shoe 50. In the embodiment shown, the golf tee 30B is attached to the device 10.

[0047] The likely trajectory of the ball is depicted as 115. As can be seen the golfer's intended target 120 is not in concert with the trajectory 115. The trajectory 115 of the ball 112, in golf, is based inter alia upon the body position of the golfer 100 in relationship to the ball 112. A large part of the ultimate destination of the ball 112 is also based upon how the golfer's feet 102 are spaced and located in relationship to the ball 112 upon the contact of the club 110 before, during, and after the contact with the ball 112. An excellent visual indicator of the likely trajectory of the ball 112 is to see which way the feet 102 are aligned. By using the device 10 with the golf tee 30B located thereon the golfer can see with better accuracy which way his/her feet 102 are pointed and aligned, and then better ascertain the likely/anticipated ball trajectory 115. So, the golfer 100 by using the device 10 can see which way his/her feet 102 are aligned by seeing which way the prong, or shaft, of the golf tee 30B is pointing. Thus, the golfer 100 can more easily move his/her feet 102 to create a better, and more accurate, alignment with the ball 102, ultimately resulting in a more accurate swing and golfshot.

[0048] An alternative embodiment, not shown, is where the device 10 is not fully detachable from the golf shoe 50 (as discussed above), but is integrated into part of the golf shoe 50. For example, the base 11 of the device 10 could be fixedly attached to, or manufactured as part of, the tongue 53 of the golf shoe 50. Alternatively, the device 10 could be integrated with the golf shoe 50 upper so that it is adjacent to the eyelets 51.

[0049] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a golf ball marker receiver; and

an shoe attachment element, said element includes at least one opening configured to allow at least one golf shoe lace to pass through.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured so as to fully surround said at least one gold shoe lace pass through said opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said element further comprising at least one arm configured to allow at least one golf shoe lace to retain thereto.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening is further configured to retain a golf tee.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a divot tool receiver.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a base;

a ball marker retainer; and

a plurality of arms extending from said base and connecting said retainer to said base, thereby forming an opening, said opening configured to retain at least one golf shoe lace.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a divot tool retainer.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a golf tee retainer.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said base is elongate.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said apparatus fully surrounds said at least one golf shoe lace.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said arms symmetrically extend from said retainer.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a first receiving means configured to receive a golf ball marker; and

an attachment means configured for attaching said apparatus to at least one golf shoe lace.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said attachment means is configured for attaching said apparatus to a plurality of golf shoe laces.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said attachment means is configured so as to fully surround said at least one golf shoe lace.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a second receiving means configured to receive a golf tee.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a third receiving means configured to receive a divot tool.

17. A golf shoe comprising:

an upper;

a sole; and

a golf ball marker receiver, wherein said receiver is attached to said shoe.

18. The golf shoe of claim 17, wherein said receiver is removably attached to said shoe.

19. The golf shoe of claim 17, wherein said receiver is fixedly attached to said shoe.