GOLF BRACELET WITH REMOVABLE BALL MARKER

Abstract

A lightweight golf bracelet having a removable ball marker and wearable during a golf swing includes a top portion arranged for placement on the wrist of a user, a receiving area, a ball marker removably securable to the receiving area, and first and second arms extending laterally relative to the top portion, with the first and second arms cooperating to form an attachment area and a hook. A flexible lanyard is sized to extend between the attachment area and the hook and includes a clasp. The lanyard is arranged to loop around the hook, and the clasp is arranged to permit the user to secure the clasp to the lanyard at a desired location between the attachment point and the hook.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure generally relates to golf accessories and equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a golf bracelet with a removable ball marker.

2. Background of the Invention

Golf is a game of skill, precision, rules, and etiquette. A conscientious golfer strives to extend a variety of courtesies to other players. Among these courtesies is the understanding that one player will move his or her ball when the ball is positioned to interfere with the putt of another player. The well-informed golfer also understands that, once on the green, the rules of golf allow a player to lift his or her ball for a number of purposes, including cleaning the ball, realigning the markings on the ball, or moving the ball to avoid interfering with the line of a fellow competitor's putt prior to that player's putt. In the foregoing situations, the rules of golf require the player to mark the position of the ball with a small coin or similar object prior to lifting the ball from the green. See Rule 20-1, Rules of Golf, available from the United States Golf Association, Far Hills, N.J. 07931.

A variety of ball markers are commercially available, ranging from individual markers carried in a pocket or stored in a golf bag to markers attached to a player's glove or hat. Unfortunately, as many golfers prepare to mark their ball, they discover the marker is difficult to locate quickly. For example, the marker may commingled with other items (such as spare tees or coins) in a player's pocket, or the player may have to search tactilely for a ball marker without visual assistance, such as when a ball marker is affixed to a player's hat.

In recent years, the game of golf has experienced a surge in the number of women players. Experience shows that women bring their own tastes to the game, especially in the area of golf fashion and golf accessories. Although many suppliers now design and manufacture equipment designed specifically for women, many women still desire additional stylish options. Unfortunately, suppliers struggle to marry the demands of function to the dictates of fashion.

Further, many golfers now adhere to the theory that magnetic therapy can enhance athletic performance. Reportedly, the magnetic fields penetrate into the surrounding tissue and improve circulation, thus enhancing the healing process and stimulating the metabolism. As a consequence, golfers attest to better performance as well as faster and more complete recovery after training or competition. Some golfers also attest to improved balance and coordination, both of which are widely regarded as critical to a proper golf swing.

Consequently, there exists a continuing need for stylish yet functional golf accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one exemplary aspect, a golf bracelet includes a ball marker and is wearable on the wrist of a user during a golf swing. The golf bracelet includes a top portion, with the top portion arranged for placement adjacent a top of the wrist of the user. A receiving area is carried by the top portion, and a ball marker is removably securable to the receiving area. First and second arms are operatively coupled to the top portion, with the first and the second arms extending laterally away from the top portion in opposite directions. An attachment area is formed in the first arm, and a hook is formed in the second arm. A flexible lanyard is provided and includes a first end securable to the attachment area, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, and a clasp is attached adjacent the second end. The lanyard is sized to allow the intermediate portion to loop around the hook, thereby allowing the user to secure the clasp to the lanyard at a desired location between the attachment point and the hook.

In accordance with one or more preferred forms, each of the first and second arms comprises a wire frame secured to the top portion. The second wire frame may include a first portion secured to the top portion, and may include a second portion forming an access opening. The access opening may be sized to permit the intermediate portion of the lanyard to be placed around the hook. Each wire frame may include a first portion secured to the top portion, and may include a second portion forming an access opening.

Still preferably, each of the first and second arms terminates in an end, with the end of the first arm separated from the end of the second arm by a gap sized to receive the wrist of the user. Each of the first and second arms preferably includes a curved portion, and the curved portion may be sized and shaped to position the ends at an angle relative to the top portion, and further may be sized and shaped to position the ends substantially halfway around the wrist of the user.

In accordance with further preferred aspects, the bracelet may include various known attachment mechanisms, including, for example, one or more magnets or Velcro© positioned to removably secure the ball marker to the receiving area. Preferably, the ball marker includes decorative indicia. Still preferably, the ball marker may be chosen from a set of a first ball marker and a second ball marker, wherein each of the first and second ball markers includes indicia unique from one another.

In accordance with another exemplary form, a lightweight golf bracelet having a removable ball marker and wearable during a golf swing includes a top portion arranged for placement upon the wrist of a user, a receiving area, a ball marker removably securable to the receiving area, and first and second arms extending laterally relative to the top portion, with the first and second arms cooperating to form an attachment area and a hook. A flexible lanyard is sized to extend between the attachment area and the hook and includes a clasp. The lanyard is arranged to loop around the hook, and the clasp is arranged to permit the user to secure the clasp to the lanyard at a desired location between the attachment point and the hook.

In accordance with a still further exemplary form, a golf bracelet having a removable ball marker includes a top portion, the top portion arranged for placement adjacent at a desired location adjacent the wrist of a user, the top portion including a receiving area, a ball marker removably securable to the receiving area, and first and second arms extending laterally relative to the top portion, the first and second arms sized to extend at least partially about the wrist of the user. The first and second arms are further arranged to allow the user to removably secure the golf bracelet at the desired location.

In accordance with yet a further exemplary form, a golf bracelet assembly includes a wrist securement portion, with the wrist securement portion sized and arranged for removable attachment to a wrist of a user. The assembly includes a ball marker, with the ball marker removably securable to the wrist securement portion.

Still preferably, the wrist securement portion may include a top portion having a receiving area, and the ball marker is removably securable to the receiving area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lightweight golf bracelet having a removable ball marker and assembled in accordance with the teachings of a disclosed example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the golf bracelet of FIG. 1 shown in place around the wrist of a user and secured in place by a flexible lanyard.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the golf bracelet of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in place around the wrist of the user

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the golf bracelet of FIGS. 1-3 illustrating a lanyard detached at one end.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a portion of a flexible lanyard being looped around an attachment hook.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the clasp adjacent one end of a lanyard.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a clasp.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of an exemplary set of three ball markers illustrating exemplary unique indicia.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating the ball marker being removed from the bracelet by the user.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the user placing the ball marker behind a golf ball in accordance with accepted practices.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lightweight golf bracelet having a removable ball marker and assembled in accordance with the teachings of another disclosed example of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a lightweight golf bracelet having a removable ball marker and assembled in accordance with the teachings of yet another disclosed example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the reader shall understand that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The reader shall also construe the following detailed description as exemplary only, and shall understand that the following description does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention. Instead, the reader shall understand that describing every possible embodiment of the disclosed invention would be impractical, if not impossible. Moreover, upon reading the following description, those of skill in the art may be equipped to implement numerous alternative embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent. However, it is intended that such additional embodiments would still fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto that define the full legal scope of the invention.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a golf bracelet 10 assembled in accordance with the teachings of the disclosed example of the present invention. The golf bracelet 10 includes a top portion 12 arranged for placement on top of the wrist W of a user. The top portion 12 includes a receiving area 14, and a ball marker 16 is removably secured to the receiving area 14 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Preferably, the ball marker 16 includes indicia I as will be explained in greater detail below. A first arm 18 and a second arm 20 are mounted, attached or otherwise operatively coupled to the top portion 12, with the first and second arms 18 and 20 extending generally laterally away from the top portion 12 in opposite directions. The first arm 18 includes an attachment area 22, while the second arm 20 includes a hook 24. In one exemplary form, the golf bracelet 10 further includes or may include a flexible lanyard 26, with the lanyard 26 including a first end 28 securable to the attachment area 22, a second end 30, and an intermediate portion 32 disposed between the first end 28 and the second end 30. A clasp 34 is attached to the lanyard 26 adjacent the second end 30, and the lanyard 26 is sized to allow the intermediate portion 32 to move around the hook 24 and fold back upon itself, thereby allowing the user to secure the clasp 34 to another portion of the lanyard 26 at a desired location L between the attachment area 22 and the hook 24. The desired location L may be selected by the user based upon the size of the user's wrist W.

In the example shown, the ball marker 16 may be removably secured to the receiving area 14 using any suitable securement means or mechanisms. For example, the ball marker 16 may be removably secured to the receiving area 14 using a pair of cooperating components 16a and 16b as shown to advantage in FIG. 9. In the example shown, the cooperating components 16a and 16b are magnets. However, the cooperating components 16a and 16b may be, for example, a magnet and a metallic component, hook and loop closures, releasable adhesives, snaps or friction fit, or other suitable cooperating components.

Preferably, the first arm 18 is formed from a wire frame 36 attached to the top portion 12. Similarly, the second arm 20 also is formed from a wire frame 38 attached to the top portion 12. As best shown in FIG. 1, the wire frame 36 includes a first portion 40 and a second portion 42, with the first portion 40 disposed generally adjacent to and attached to the top portion 12. The second portion 42 is disposed generally adjacent to top portion 12, but is spaced away from the top portion 12 by a gap forming an access opening 44. Similarly, the wire frame 38 includes a first portion 46 and a second portion 48, with the first portion 46 disposed generally adjacent to and attached to the top portion 12. The second portion 48 is disposed generally adjacent to top portion 12, but again is spaced away from the top portion 12 by a gap forming an access opening 50.

As shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2, the first arm 18 terminates in an end 52, while the second arm 20 terminates in an end 54. In the disclosed example, the attachment area 22 is disposed at or closely adjacent to the end 52, while the hook 24 is disposed at or closely adjacent to the end 54. As shown to advantage in FIG. 2, the ends 52 and 54 are spaced apart to form a gap G. The gap G is preferably sized to allow the user to place his/her wrist W between the ends 52 and 54 into a position to attach golf bracelet 10 to the wrist W.

Further, each arm 18 and 20 preferably includes a curved portion 56, 58, respectively. Still preferably, the curved portions 56 and 58 may be sized and shaped to at least roughly correspond to the curvature of wrist W of the user. In the example shown, the first and second arms 18 and 20 and their respective curved portions 56 and 58 are sized and shaped to position the ends 52 and 54 of the arms 18 and 20 adjacent to the opposite sides of the wrist W when viewing the wrist W in the cross-section of FIG. 2. In other words, and in accordance with an exemplary form, the first and second arms 18 and 20 may extend approximately halfway around the wrist W. Alternatively, the arms 18 and 20 may extend less than halfway around the wrist, or more than halfway around the wrist.

In accordance with one exemplary form, the first and second arms 18 and 20 extend to a position wherein tangents drawn through the ends 52 and 54 may be oriented approximately 90° relative to a plane of the top portion 12. Other configurations may be contemplated. For example, the first and second arms 18 and 20 may be sized to extend to a position wherein the tangents drawn through the ends 52 and 54 are oriented approximately 45° relative to a plane of the top portion 12, or the ends 52 and 52 may be sized and arranged such that the tangents drawn through the ends may be oriented between 90° and 45° relative to the plane of the top portion. Other angles may be contemplated. Still further, the first and second arms 18 and 20 maybe sized to extend more than halfway around the user's wrist W. In such a For example, see the embodiment of FIG. 12, discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate one exemplary mode of operation for attaching the golf bracelet 10 to the wrist W of the user. FIG. 4 shows the golf bracelet 10 ready for placement, with the first end 28 of the lanyard 26 suitably attached to the attachment area 22 of the first arm 18. In the example shown, the lanyard 26 is attached to the attachment area 22 by looping the lanyard 26 through itself in a known manner. Alternatively, the lanyard 26 may include a loop slipped over the wire frame 36 through the access opening 44. Still other forms of attachment may be contemplated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the user may slide the intermediate portion 32 of the lanyard 26 through the access opening 50 formed in the wire frame 38 to allow the intermediate portion 32 to be placed in the hook 24 defined by the second arm 20. The user may then manipulate the lanyard 26 by grasping the clasp 34. By attaching the clasp 34 to an intervening portion of the lanyard 26 at a desired location L (FIGS. 1 and 2), the user can conveniently control the fit of the golf bracelet 10 on the wrist W as desired.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the clasp 34 in greater detail. The clasp 34 may be suitably attached to the second end 30 as desired in any known manner. Preferably, the clasp 34 includes a first portion 60 and a second portion 62 operatively coupled to one another by a pivot 64. The clasp 34 preferably includes a spring 66 or other suitable bias means or mechanism, which spring 66 or other means or mechanism is positioned to bias the portions 60 and 62 toward one another in a known manner. By applying suitable force F to the opposed rearward portions of the clasp 34, the user can easily open the clasp 34, thereby separating opposed end portions 60a and 62a of the portions 60 and 62, respectively, to permit the user to attach the clasp 34 to the lanyard 26 at the desired location L. Still other forms of attaching the lanyard 26 to itself may be used, as long as the lanyard 26 can extend between the hook and the attachment area and be secured at the desired location L.

FIG. 8 illustrates one exemplary set S of ball markers 16-1, 16-2 and 16-3, each including unique indicia I-1, I-2 and I-3. The indicia may take any suitable form. For example, the indicia may be purely decorative as shown by the indicia I-1. Alternatively, the indicia may represent a specific country club or golf course as shown by the indicia I-2. Still further, the indicia may include any suitable name and/or logo as shown by the indicia I-3. The end user may contemplate still further alternatives. Those of skill in the art will understand that the user may pick and choose a suitable ball marker from the set S as desired.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate one exemplary method of using the ball markers 16 to mark the position of a golf ball B on the putting green of FIG. 10. The user can remove the ball markers 16 by releasing the connection between the cooperating portions 16a and 16b. The user may then place the ball markers 16 in an appropriate position adjacent to the golf ball B. At the appropriate time, the user can reverse the process and return the ball marker 16 to the original location on the receiving area 14 of the golf bracelet 10.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a golf bracelet 110 assembled in accordance with the teachings of an alternative form is shown. In the example of FIG. 11, the attachment area 22 is modified to form a hook 23, such that the golf bracelet 110 includes a pair of hooks 23 and 24. The flexible lanyard 26 is adapted to loop over both of the hooks 23 and 24, with one portion of the lanyard 26 being securable to the hook 23, and another portion of the lanyard 26 being securable to the hook 24. The intermediate portion 32 of the lanyard 26 includes a cinch 31, thus allowing the user to tighten the lanyard by pulling on an excess portion 27 of the lanyard 26. The lanyard 26 may further extend through a decorative fitting 33 disposed adjacent the hook 23 and/or the hook 24. The remaining components of the golf bracelet 110 may be the same or similar to those components discussed above.

Those of skill in the art, upon reading the present disclosure, will understand that one of the foregoing bracelets may be constructed without including the lanyard. In such an exemplary form, the first and second arms may be sized to extend laterally relative to the top portion and then curved to extend at least partially about the wrist of the user. In such an alternative form, the stiffness of the bracelet may be arranged such that the arms 18 and 20 can deflect enough to allow the user to manipulate the size of the gap G between the arms, thus allowing user to manipulate the bracelet around the user's wrist. The user may then removably secure the golf bracelet at the desired location.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a golf bracelet 210 assembled in accordance with the teachings of another alternative form is shown. In the example of FIG. 12, the lanyard is omitted, and the arms 18 and 20 are sized to extend more than halfway around the user's wrist, with the arms forming a gap G between the ends of the arms. The arm 18 is provided with a pivot P, which allows the user to pivot a portion of the arm 18 about a pivot axis X. The user may pivot the arm 18 about the pivot P, which opens the bracelet by increasing the size of the gap G. Upon placing the bracelet 210 at the appropriate location, the user then closes the bracelet about the wrist by pivoting the arm 18 in the opposite direction to the original position. The pivot P preferably is arranged to have sufficient friction or other suitable mechanisms to maintain the arms in the position of FIG. 12, unless sufficient force is applied by the user. Once again, the remaining components of the golf bracelet 210 may be the same or similar to those components discussed above.

When assembled in accordance with one or more preferable forms outlined herein, the golf bracelets may combine the aesthetic or decorative properties of jewelry with one or more functional aspects mandated by usable golf equipment and the rules of golf. For example, the golf bracelets are readily adjustable to fit the wrist of a wide variety of users, and preferably can be readily attached and/or detached from the user's wrist using only a single hand. Further, the golf bracelets are especially well-suited for light weight construction, thus minimizing interference with the golf swing. The bracelets can be sized as desired, and can be readily adapted to fit less than halfway, halfway, or more than halfway around the user's wrist. Consequently, the disclosed golf bracelets can be worn by the user during the golf swing. In sum, the disclosed golf bracelets provide the functions of one-handed operation, ready adjustability, easy access to the ball marker, and lightweight construction. The golf bracelets also combine these functional aspects with certain decorative considerations, such as the ability to pick and choose a variety of ball markers from a set of a plurality of ball markers, with the ball markers having unique decorative indicia, unique functional indicia, or any combination of decorative and/or functional indicia.

Any one or more of the foregoing golf bracelets may be constructed to include magnets, may be constructed of a magnetic material, or may be constructed of a magnetizable material. Further, the entire golf bracelet may be constructed of magnetic or magnetizable materials or, alternatively, only selected portions may be constructed of such materials.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf bracelet having a ball marker and wearable on the wrist of a user during a golf swing, the golf bracelet comprising:

a top portion, the top portion arranged for placement adjacent the wrist of the user;

a receiving area carried by the top portion;

a ball marker removably securable to the receiving area;

first and second arms operatively coupled to the top portion, the first and the second arms extending laterally away from the top portion in opposite directions;

an attachment area formed in the first arm;

a hook formed in the second arm;

a flexible lanyard, the lanyard having a first end securable to the attachment area, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end;

a clasp attached adjacent the second end;

wherein the lanyard is sized to allow the intermediate portion to loop around the hook, thereby allowing the user to secure the clasp to the lanyard at a desired location between the attachment point and the hook.

2. The golf bracelet of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second arms comprises a wire frame secured to the top portion.

3. The golf bracelet of claim 2, wherein the second wire frame includes a first portion secured to the top portion, and a second portion forming an access opening, the access opening sized to permit the intermediate portion of the lanyard to be placed around the hook.

4. The golf bracelet of claim 1, wherein each wire frame includes a first portion secured to the top portion, and a second portion forming an access opening.

5. The golf bracelet of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second arms terminates in an end, the end of the first arm separated from the end of the second arm by a gap sized to receive the wrist of the user.

6. The golf bracelet of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second arms includes a curved portion.

7. The golf bracelet of claim 6, wherein the curved portion is sized and shaped to position the ends at an angle of at least 45 degrees relative to the top portion.

8. The golf bracelet of claim 6, wherein the curved portions are sized and shaped to position the ends substantially halfway around the wrist of the user.

9. The golf bracelet of claim 1, including a magnet positioned to removably secure the ball marker to the receiving area.

10. The golf bracelet of claim 1, wherein the ball marker includes decorative indicia.

11. The golf bracelet of claim 10, and wherein the ball marker is chosen from a set of a first ball marker and a second ball marker, and wherein each of the ball markers in the plurality of ball markers include unique indicia.

12. A golf bracelet having a removable ball marker, the golf bracelet comprising:

a top portion, the top portion arranged for placement on a surface of the wrist of a user, the top portion including a receiving area;

a ball marker removably securable to the receiving area;

first and second arms extending laterally relative to the top portion, the first and second arms cooperating to form an attachment area and a hook; and

a flexible lanyard sized to extend between the attachment area and the hook, the lanyard including a clasp, the lanyard arranged to loop around the hook, the clasp arranged to permit the user to secure the clasp to the lanyard at a desired location between the attachment point and the hook.

13. The golf bracelet of claim 12, wherein the first arm includes a first wire frame and the second arm includes a second wire frame, the first and second wire frames secured to the top portion.

14. The golf bracelet of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second wire frames includes an access opening, the access opening sized to permit a portion of the lanyard to be looped around the hook.

15. The golf bracelet of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second arms includes a curved portion sized to at least partially conform to opposite sides of the wrist of the user.

16. The golf bracelet of claim 12, wherein the ball marker is removably secured to the receiving area by at least one of a magnet, a releasable adhesive, a hook and loop closure, or a mechanical fastener.

17. The golf bracelet of claim 12, wherein the ball marker is selected from a set of a plurality of ball markers, and wherein each of the plurality of ball markers includes unique decorative indicia.

18. A golf bracelet having a removable ball marker, the golf bracelet comprising:

a top portion, the top portion arranged for placement on a surface of the wrist of a user, the top portion including a receiving area;

a ball marker removably securable to the receiving area;

first and second arms extending laterally relative to the top portion, the first and second arms cooperating to form an attachment area and a hook; and

a flexible lanyard sized to extend between the attachment area and the hook, the lanyard arranged to loop around the hook and attach to an intermediate portion of the lanyard to permit the user to secure the lanyard at a desired location between the attachment point and the hook.

19. A method of assembling a lightweight golf bracelet having at least one removable ball marker, the method comprising:

forming a top portion;

arranging the top portion for placement on a surface of the wrist of a user;

providing a receiving area on the top portion;

providing a ball marker sized for placement on the receiving area;

providing cooperating components arrange to permit the ball marker to be removably securable to the receiving area;

providing first and second arms and arranging the arms to extend laterally relative to the top portion, the first and second arms cooperating to form an attachment area and a hook; and

providing a flexible lanyard sized to extend between the attachment area and the hook, the lanyard including a clasp, and arranging the lanyard to loop around the hook for securement to an intermediate portion of the lanyard to allow a user to secure lanyard at a desired location between the attachment point and the hook.

20. The method of claim 19, including forming the arms from a first wire frame and a second wire frame secured to the top portion.

21. The method of claim 19, including providing a set of a plurality of ball markers, and providing the ball markers of the set with unique indicia.

22. A golf bracelet having a removable ball marker, the golf bracelet comprising:

a top portion, the top portion arranged for placement adjacent at a desired location adjacent the wrist of a user, the top portion including a receiving area;

a ball marker removably securable to the receiving area;

first and second arms extending laterally relative to the top portion, the first and second arms sized to extend at least partially about the wrist of the user; and

the first and second arms further arranged to allow the user to removably secure the golf bracelet at the desired location.

23. The golf bracelet of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the golf bracelet includes a magnet or is magnetizable.

24. A golf bracelet assembly comprising:

a wrist securement portion, the wrist securement portion sized and arranged for removable attachment to a wrist of a user; and

a ball marker, the ball marker removably securable to the wrist securement portion.

25. The golf bracelet assembly of claim 24, wherein the wrist securement portion includes a top portion having a receiving area; and

wherein the ball marker is removably securable to the receiving area.