Golf Accessory
The present invention is a golf ball support and height adjustment device. Embodiments can include a divot repair tool, a golf ball cleaner, a ball marker, a bottle opener and can include a tapered end that can be used as a golf club groove cleaner.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 11/978,369 to Lance Lee Prickett, filed on Sep. 27, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to the game of golf. Many items can be used by a golfer, such as for example, tees, ball markers, ball mark (divot) repair tools and items for cleaning the grooves located in the frontal surface of a golf club head. These items are typically held either in the pockets of the golfer or in a golf bag. The insertion and removal of these items can cause damage to a golfer's clothes and can be cumbersome to access.
Many devices have been devised in an attempt to facilitate the use and access to golf accessories. Some of these devices are golf related tools connected to a housing device by either pivotable or extending/retracting means, such as those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,413,173 to Miller et al.; 5,388,824 to Reimers; 6,620,062 to Taylor et al.; 6,800,042 to Braithwaite; 6,220,973 to Hsu; and 6,837,807 to Kerr. Other devices include a fixed divot repair tool of a forked design such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,151,937 to Jarosh et al. and 4,960,239 to Wait. Other designs are holder and tool combinations such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,155 to Jacome. Devices have also been developed to enable the height adjustment of a golf tee, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,729,977 to Young et al.; 6,811,499 to Hsien and D492,374 to Barouh.
The discussion of issued patents does not mean that the inventions or features contained therein are in the general body of public knowledge.
The applicant believes that the present invention possesses distinctions over what is known in the art and possesses advantages over what has previously been available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a golf accessory apparatus that can include an assortment of various golf related tools.
The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a golf ball support height adjustment apparatus, a divot repair tool, a golf club groove cleaner and a bottle opener. The bottle opener can be capable of quickly and easily removing pry-off and/or twist-off tapered caps from bottles. The apparatus can also include a ball marker.
The invention can further include a carrying attachment that at least a portion of the apparatus can be inserted into. The carrying attachment can provide a degree of protection from a sharp end of the apparatus and can facilitate the carrying of the apparatus by a golfer in a pocket, purse, or other holder. The carrying attachment can allow the golfer to insert and/or remove the apparatus from a pocket or purse without the potential for damage from a sharp end or surface of the apparatus. Desirably the carrying attachment can include an attachment means to facilitate its carrying. The attachment means, such as for a non-limiting example, can be a clip or clasp type attachment that can engage to a belt, belt loop or other form of clothing or item that a golfer might be carrying. The attachment means can comprise a cord or other type handle or alternatively can comprise a snap type mechanism that can engage a corresponding snap mechanism that is attached to an article, such as a belt or golf bag.
The present invention provides, in another embodiment of the present invention, the combination of a golf ball support and a divot repair tool that can also serve as a golf ball height adjustment tool. The device can include one or more ball marker(s). The ball marker can be of a design as to be used as a golf ball cleaner and can be attached to the ball support in a manner to be readily attached or removed.
The device can further include a bottle opener and can include a golf club groove cleaner. The bottle opener can be capable of quickly and easily removing pry-off and/or twist-off tapered caps from bottles. The device can include a carrying attachment. Means for attachment can include a cord, strap, clip apparatus or a handle apparatus.
The invention will be described by way of examples with reference to
A schematic side view of an embodiment is depicted in
A second section 110 can have a tapered non-linear design, which can be used as a height adjustment device. The tapered non-linear design can comprise two or more sections, such as a top section 112 and a bottom section 114. In one embodiment the top section 112 can have a larger diameter than the bottom section to provide a stable base for the ball support while the bottom section 114 has a smaller diameter and a sharper taper for ease of insertion into the ground.
The bottom section 114 can be of a tapered design to facilitate insertion of at least a portion of the bottom section 114 into the golf turf, sand or other ground surface. The bottom section 114 can be used for divot repair and can have a tapered, sloped or pointed end 124 that can be used as a golf club groove cleaner.
The bottle opener 106 feature can be of any design that is capable of quickly and easily removing crimped on pry-off and/or twist-off tapered caps from bottles. In one embodiment illustrated in
The golf tool 100 can range from 2½ to 4 inches long, with desirable embodiments ranging from 3 to 3½ inches in length and can be constructed of a variety of materials. Embodiments can be made of wood, plastic, metal or other materials or composites of more than one material. Plastics such as, but not limited to, various grades of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polystyrene can be used. Embodiments can also be constructed from certain metals or metal alloys, the embodiments made from metals can be coated by a second material such as plastics or rubber materials, for example, neoprene.
Referring now to
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Operation of the bottle opener is shown in
Within the present application the terms “comprise”, “comprising” and “comprises” shall have a non-exclusive meaning and that if an embodiment is said to comprise a certain feature the embodiment will have that feature but is not restricted in any way as to other features the embodiment may have.
Depending on the context, all references herein to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it may refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments, versions and examples of the present invention, which are included to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions when the information in this patent is combined with available information and technology, the inventions are not limited to only these particular embodiments, versions and examples. Other and further embodiments, versions and examples of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A golf accessory apparatus comprising:
- a golf ball support and height adjustment device having a first section comprising a ball support platform and a bottle opener, and a second section comprising at least one tapered portion, wherein the bottle opener is capable of removing crimped on pry-off tapered caps from bottles.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball support further comprises a divot repair tool.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball platform comprises raised contact points.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second section comprises a top section that is tapered and a bottom section having a sharper taper than the top section.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first section is removable from the second section.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, comprising a ball marker ring that can be stored between the first and second sections.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ball marker that can be attached to the ball platform.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ball marker comprises a protrusion that can be inserted into a recess located in the ball platform.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottle opener comprises a ledge and an underside.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ledge can be inserted beneath the bottom edge of a bottle cap while simultaneously the underside can be placed on the top of the bottle cap.
11. In combination, a golf ball support having a first section comprising a ball support platform and a bottle opener, a second section comprising at least one tapered portion and a divot repair tool that can also be a golf ball height adjustment tool, wherein the bottle opener is capable of removing crimped on pry-off tapered caps from bottles.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a ball marker.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the ball marker comprises a rough surface suitable for cleaning the surface of a golf ball.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a golf club groove cleaner.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tool is at least partially housed within a holder.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the holder comprises an attachment means.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the attachment means comprises a clip for attachment to a belt, belt loop or bag.
18. A golf accessory apparatus comprising:
- a golf ball support and height adjustment device having a first section comprising a ball support platform, and a second section comprising at least one tapered portion;
- a divot repair tool located in the second section;
- a bottle opener located in the first section;
- wherein the second section comprises a top section which is tapered and a bottom section having a sharper taper than the top section;
- further comprising a ball marker which can be attached to the ball platform wherein the ball marker comprises a protrusion that can be inserted into a recess located in the ball platform;
- wherein the ball marker comprises a rough surface suitable for cleaning the surface of a golf ball; and
- wherein the bottle opener is capable of removing crimped on pry-off tapered caps from bottles.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ball marker surface comprises artificial turf material.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 18, 2009
Publication Date: May 6, 2010
Inventor: Lance Lee Prickett (Tucson, AZ)
Application Number: 12/642,354
International Classification: A63B 57/00 (20060101);