Turf divot fixer and golf tee holder

Abstract

The present invention is a turf repair tool known as a divot fixer. Generally, the divot fixer will include a body configured to hold at least two golf tees in an approximately parallel configuration, and the body will be configured to secure the golf tees in place. The body may include enhancements to enable the divot fixer to secure a ball-marker holder, and may include a securing member to help hold tees in place. In an alternative embodiment the invention is a method of configuring a tee enabled divot fixer that includes placing a tee in a tee holder associated with a tee enabled divot fixer. Then, the tee is secured within the tee enabled divot fixer via a securing member.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] In general, the invention relates to turf repair equipment and golf equipment, and, more particularly, the invention relates to golf equipment accessories used to fix turf divots.

[0003] 2. Problem Statement

[0004] During sporting events, and other activities, such as golf, it is common for clumps of turf called “divots” to be lifted from the turf surface. For example, in golf it is common for the golf ball to land on the green hard enough to leave a ball mark in the green. The ball mark left by the absence of the putting green surface is called the divot. It is proper golf etiquette to repair a divot made by a ball that lands on the putting green. However, many golf players do not repair the divots, or worse, attempt to repair the divots improperly and by doing so cause further damage to the green.

[0005] Accordingly, many golf courses have professional staffs who repair divots very frequently. One reason divots are repaired frequently is because should a ball land on a putting green and then hit a divot, the ball's trajectory is changed from a predictable path to a path that is unpredictable. Accordingly, it is more difficult to aim properly for the hole in the green. In the event that divots are not repaired promptly, additional and more cumbersome complications occur when the grass left within the divot dies. Therefore, proper and prompt divot repair helps maintain a golf course, and the greens in particular, in prime playing shape.

[0006] Because golf course etiquette promote that each individual player repair the divot marks left by their shots, many players carry divot fixers with them. FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) illustrates one embodiment of a prior art divot fixer 100 that is commonly carried by golf players. The prior art divot fixer 100 has a body portion 110 that is graspable by a person. The body 110 may have a thumb indentation 112, which allows a person to get a better grasp of the body 110. In addition, protruding from the body 110 will be a first tine 120 and a second tine 122. The first tine 120 and the second tine 122 appear generally as legs that may be attached to or protrude from body 110.

[0007] In practice, a player will grasp the body 110 of the prior art divot fixer 100, and gently insert the first tine 120 and the second tine 122 into the ground adjacent to the divot, and at an angle so that the first tine 120 and the second tine 122 are directed toward the center and underneath the divot. After inserting the first tine 120 and the second tine 122 underneath the divot, the prior art divot tool 100 is typically tilted slightly inwardly and rotated about the first tine 120 and the second tine 122 to fill the divot. It is known in the art that no upper force should be placed on the first tine 120 and the second tine 122 lest the roots of the grass be destroyed.

[0008] Unfortunately prior art divot fixers do have problems. For example, very few golfers carry more than one divot fixer with them at a tine. In addition, typically, divot fixers are flimsy and should they break then many golfers may not take the time and effort to properly repair a divot. Furthermore it would be advantageous to have a divot fixer that is integratable with other common golfing equipment to provide a golfer easy access to multiple pieces of golfing equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides technical advantages as a turf repair tool (known as a divot fixer in the game of golf). Generally, the divot fixer will include a body configured to hold at least two golf tees in an approximately parallel configuration, and the body will be configured to secure the golf tees in place. Of course, the divot fixer may include the golf tees secured within the body. In addition, the body may include enhancements to enable the divot fixer to secure a ball-marker holder, and may include a securing member to help hold tees in place. Furthermore, a securing member would typically include a hinge member that is coupled to the body, as well as a tee-lock that is capable of rigidly supporting the securing member about a plurality of tees.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment the invention is a method of configuring a tee enabled divot fixer. Generally, the method includes placing a tee in a tee holder associated with a tee enabled divot fixer. Then, the tee is secured within the tee enabled divot fixer via a securing member that could employ screws, hinged securing means, plugs, or a push dowel. Furthermore, it is possible to generate a revenue stream by associating advertising with the divot fixer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) illustrates one embodiment of a prior art divot fixer that is commonly carried by golf players;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a divot fixer;

[0014] FIG. 3A illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of a divot fixer;

[0015] FIG. 3B illustrates the divot fixer configured to more securely hold golf tees in place;

[0016] FIG. 4 is yet another embodiment of a divot fixer; and

[0017] FIGS. 5a-16b illustrate alternative embodiments of divot fixers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The invention provides a turf repair tool known as a divot fixer. As a device, the divot fixer includes a body configured to hold at least two golf tees in an approximately parallel configuration, and the body is configured to secure the golf tees in place. As a method, the invention places a tee in a tee holder associated with a tee enabled divot fixer, then, the tee is secured within the tee enabled divot fixer via a securing member which could employ screws, hinged securing means, plugs, or a push dowel. As a method of doing business, it is possible to generate a revenue stream by associating advertising with the divot fixer.

[0019] Before examining a specific preferred embodiment, it may be advantageous to examine the invention from a block-diagram perspective. FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a divot fixer 200. The divot fixer 200 includes a body 210 which generally functions as a carrier to hold tees securely in place. More particularly, in one embodiment, the invention provides a divot fixer that includes two golf tees held securely in place by a body. This embodiment allows the golf tees to be used as the tines of a divot fixer, or the body may be configured to hold a ball marker, display advertising, or carry other golf accessories. To this end, each divot fixer embodiment is designed to hold at least two golf tees in an approximately parallel position so that they can be used as a divot fixer. Some embodiments include three or more tees. In some embodiments, the golf tees are placed in a cradle. In other embodiments, two portions of the body can be snapped together or otherwise coupled to hold golf tees in place. And in other embodiments, golf tees may be pushed into a number of chambers where each golf tee is held in place.

[0020] The embodiments of the invention may be made out of any generally stiff and resilient material that is environmentally sound. For example, the embodiment of the invention may be made out of wood, plastics, metal, or composite materials. Then, a simple hole may be drilled into the materials to make a ball-marker holder 220, to allow for a ball-marker to be placed within the body 210 of the divot fixer 200. However, it should be noticed that since the present invention uses golf tees as tines, there may often be a difference of material between the body of the divot fixer and the tines themselves Generally, the tines will be made of wood, or the body of the divot fixer will be made of another material. However, it should be understood that the divot fixer body 210 may be made out of the same wood material as a golf tee-tine.

[0021] Preferably, the ball marker holder 220 is provided in the body 210 to hold a ball marker. Such ball markers are well known in the art, and the specific type of ball marker provided will depend in large part on the material chosen for the body 210.

[0022] The body 210 includes a first tee holder 230 and a second tee holder 232 for securely holding tees in place. Typically, the tee holders 230, 232 are cavities for holding tees, and are generally in the shape of a tee. Accordingly, the first tee holder 230 securely holds in place a first tee 240, and the second tee holder 232 securely holds as in tee 242.

[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of a divot fixer 300. The divot fixer 300 is configured to hold a first tee 340 and a second tee 342 (the tees) so that the tees 340, 342 may be used as the tines of the divot fixer 300. The first tee 340 is securely held within a body 310 of the divot fixer 300 by a tee-shaped cavity which comprises a first tee holder 330. Accordingly, the first tee holder 330 may be generally a tee-shaped chamber that cradles the golf tee 340 in place. Similarly, a second tee holder 332 holds the second tee 342 in place.

[0024] To more securely hold the tees 340, 342 in place, a number of securing means may be used. Accordingly, FIG. 3B illustrates the divot fixer 300 configured to more securely hold golf tees in place. The body 310 of the divot fixer 300 has a resilient strap 352 which wraps around the body 310 of the divot fixer 300. The resilient strap 352 could be as simple as a rubber band, or as high-tech as a composite material. Also, the resilient strap 352 could be a band of material, or could be a strap with a fastenable buckle or other securing means. In addition, the body 310 has a cap 354 which maybe a snap on cap, a hinge clamped cap, a screw on cap, or a cap, which may be secured to the body 310 via any securing means. In one embodiment, the cap 354 has advertising 360 thereon.

[0025] Thus, in practice, to use the divot fixer 300, a user will place golf tees 340, 342 into the body 310 of the divot fixer 300 by passing the tees 340, 342 through a generally tee-shaped cavity 350 located within the body 310 of the divot fixer 300. Then, to more securely hold the tees in place, a securing means such as the cap 354 and/or the strap 352 may be placed about the body 310 having the tines 340, 342 therein. However, note that if the recovery of the tees is not an issue, the tees could be fixed in place, such as through the use of glue or other adhesives.

[0026] FIG. 4 is yet another embodiment of a divot fixer 400. The divot fixer 400 has a generally tee-shaped cavity 402 within a divot fixer body 410. By passing a tee 440 through the top of the body 410 via the cavity 402, and then securing the tee in place, the divot fixer 400 may be enabled to repair divot damaged turf. To secure the tine 440 in the body 410, a hinged securing member 470 is used. The hinged securing member 470 has an arm 472 that is secured to the body 410 via a hinge 412. The arm 472 has a head 474, which fits securely over the head of a tee 440, as illustrated by the dashed lines. In one embodiment, the arm 472 maybe hinged to the body 410 toward a bottom portion of the body as shown at 412, at a mid portion of the body 414, or at a top portion of the body 416.

[0027] Accordingly, the arm 472 may be constructed of various lengths depending on where the arm 472 is hinged. In addition, the arm 472 may comprise two arms each hinged to a side of the body 410 (not shown). As one may imagine, when using two arms, the head 474 attaches to both arms and is enabled to securely hold the golf tees in place. Likewise, when a single arm is used, the head 474 is generally shaped to cover a portion of each of the tees in the divot fixer 400, as shown in the close up 450, and securely hold the golf tees 440, 442 within the body 410. Of course, other shapes of heads in other shapes of arms will also securely hold golf tees in place in an embodiment similar to that shown where the divot fixer 400, and the invention should not be read as being limited to any particular type of securing device unless stated otherwise in the claims.

[0028] FIGS. 5a-16b illustrate alternative embodiments of divot fixers. FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b illustrate alternative embodiments wherein tees are placed into cylinders, and a hinged lever is provided to be rotatably fit on top of the tees. This configuration provides for secure placement of the tees, so that the tees do not dislodge when the device is pushed into a turf surface. FIG. 6a is a front view and FIG. 6b is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein an elastic or expandable material, such as plastic or rubber, is placed about the device (in place of the hinge of FIGS. 5a and 5b), to secure the tees in place. FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b provide views of an alternative embodiment of the invention having a single, solid device that is enabled to accept tees via openings in the sides of the device. The alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d show a mirror-imaged two-piece unit, which could be constructed of two identical pieces that mate into a single device. Preferably, each of the pieces has two cradles for accepting tees, and a latching means (such as a snap), that allows two pieces to be mated together to resiliently secure tees within the device.

[0029] FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e illustrate a derivation of the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a through 8d. Each of the two matable pieces in FIGS. 9a through 9d is different in that the tees are placed in the cradles (see FIG. 9c) as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b, and then a cover plate of FIG. 9e is placed over the tees to secure them in the cradles. Note that the outside surface of FIG. 9d is particularly suitable for the placement of advertising, although advertising may be placed on any surface of any embodiment of the divot fixer.

[0030] FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c provide an alternative embodiment of the invention that is similar to the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 5a and 5b, and is provided to emphasize that the lever portion of the securing means may be located in a number of alternative configurations, or hinging locations. FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d show a compact alternative embodiment. The alternative embodiment of FIGS. 11a through 11d have cylinders for accepting tees, as well as a securing means that screws or is otherwise fastenably attachable to the device.

[0031] The alternative embodiment of FIGS. 12a and 12b is a device with a “winged” body. Preferably, the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 12a and 12b is made of metal or a stiff plastic or rubber or similar material. Accordingly, when the top “wings” are pinched, the location of attachment of the top wing and the bottom wing acts as a lever so that tees may be inserted into the bottom wing (preferably, by sliding in the sides). Furthermore, the top wing is resilient so that when the top wing is no longer pinched, the bottom wings close together, or tighten, such that the tees are securely held in place.

[0032] FIGS. 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d teach an alternative embodiment wherein tees are placed in the crevices of the body (FIG. 13c) and a body-sleeve (FIG. 13d) is slid over the body. Preferably, the body-sleeve is secured about the body via an attaching means such as a snap. However, in an alternative embodiment, the body-sleeve is secured about tees via a ball-marker (FIG. 13a). FIG. 14 illustrates the device as shown in FIG. 13c to show that the embodiment could be altered by placing a securing wrap, such as a piece of rubber, plastic, a rubber-band, or other material, about the body of the device. FIGS. 15a, 15b and 15c provide an alternative embodiment wherein a body having cradles/cavities (FIG. 15c) accepts tees that are secured in place with a plate (FIG. 15a).

[0033] FIGS. 16a and 16b illustrate embodiments configured to have cylinders for accepting tees, and an attached flap, strap, or other securing means for rotating over the top of the tees. The securing means is latchable, such as with a snap to the device. In one embodiment, the end of the latch flares upward to provide a comfortable thumb rest and to make it possible to easily open the device.

[0034] While the invention has been described in the context of preferred embodiments, it should be understood that modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and that such modifications are therein to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A tee-enabled divot fixer (the divot fixer), comprising:

a body configured to hold at least two golf tees in an approximately parallel configuration; and

the body further configured to secure the at least two golf tees in place.

2. The divot fixer of claim 1 wherein the body has a first tee holder and a second tee holder for holding at least two golf tees in an approximately parallel configuration.

3. The divot fixer of claim 1 further comprising a first tee secured in the first tee holder and a second tee secured in the second tee holder.

4. The divot fixer of claim 1 further comprising an advertisement disposed on the body.

5. The divot fixer of claim 1 further comprising a ball-marker holder integrated with the body.

6. The divot fixer of claim 5 further comprising a ball-marker secured in the ball-marker holder.

7. The divot fixer of claim 1 further comprising a securing member lock coupled to the body for securing a tee to the body.

8. The divot fixer of claim 7 wherein the securing member lock is capable of receiving a screw.

9. The divot fixer of claim 8 wherein the securing member lock is located in the top center of the body.

10. The divot fixer of claim 7 wherein the securing member lock comprises:

a hinge member coupled to the body;

a key-lock that is capable of rigidly supporting the securing member lock about a plurality of tees.

11. The divot fixer of claim 1 wherein the body is configured to hold three tees in an approximately parallel configuration.

12. The divot fixer of claim 7 wherein the securing member lock is a snap-on cap.

13. The divot fixer of claim 1 wherein the body has a first tee-cavity and a second tee-cavity.

14. The divot fixer of claim 1 wherein the body has thumb-indentation integrated therewith.

15. A method of configuring a tee-enabled divot fixer (divot fixer), comprising:

placing a tee in a tee holder associated with the tee-enabled divot fixer; and

securing the tee in place with a securing member.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising charging an advertiser to generate a revenue stream based on advertising appearing on the tee enabled divot fixer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein securing is accomplished with a screw.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein securing is accomplished with a hinged securing member.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein securing is accomplished with a plug.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein securing is accomplished with a push-dowel.