Combined ball marker and divot repairing tool

Abstract

A combination of a ball marker and divot repairing tool in a single, unitary device. The combination includes a ball marker with a body having a substantially circular perimeter in the tradition of a ball marker and a divot repairing tool that has a prod (e.g., fork). The prod is mounted for movement relative to the body of the ball marker between a retracted position within the circular perimeter of the body and a protruding position extending outwardly of the perimeter of the body. In one embodiment, the fork of the divot repairing tool is mounted to slide between the retracted and protruding positions. In a second embodiment, it is mounted to pivot between the retracted and protruding positions.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 415,033 filed Oct. 1, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of accessories for golfing and more particularly to the field of multiple use tools having ball markers and divot repairing tools.

2. Discussion of the Background

Numerous golfing accessories are available that have structure to serve as ball markers and divot repairing tools. However, all known ones have a main body from which the fork or other working portion of the divot repairing tool pivots or slides outwardly and to which the ball marker is removably attached (e.g., magnetically). Applicant is not aware of any ball marker that has a body from which a fork or other working portion of a divot repair tool pivots or slides outwardly wherein the two functions can be performed by the same device.

With this in mind, the present invention was developed. In it, a combination is provided of a ball marker and divot repairing tool in a single, unitary device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention involves a combination of a ball marker and divot repairing tool in a single, unitary device. The combination includes a ball marker with a body having a substantially circular perimeter in the tradition of a ball marker and a divot repairing tool that has a prod (e.g., fork). The prod is mounted for movement relative to the body of the ball marker between a retracted position within the circular perimeter of the body and a protruding position extending outwardly of the perimeter of the body.

In one embodiment, the fork of the divot repairing tool is mounted to slide between the retracted and protruding positions. In a second embodiment, it is mounted to pivot between the retracted and protruding positions. The combination of each embodiment is then usable both as a ball marker (with the prod in the retracted position) and as a divot repairing tool (with the prod in its protruding position). Because the ball marker and divot repairing tool are in a single, unitary device, both functions can then be performed by the same device without the need for the golfer to carry two, separate pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in which the body of the ball marker is substantially circular and the forked prod of the divot repairing tool is shown in its retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the forked prod of the divot repairing tool in its protruding position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in which the forked prod of the divot repairing tool is mounted to pivot relative to the body of the ball marker and is shown in its retracted position.

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the forked prod in its protruding position.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 illustrating the locking mechanism of this embodiment to secure the forked prod in its retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1-4, the combination of present invention includes a ball marker with a body 1 having upper and lower, circular side pieces 3 as best seen in FIG. 3 spaced from one another to receive the forked prod 2 of the divot repairing tool therebetween. As illustrated, the forked prod 2 is mounted for sliding movement relative to the body 1 of the ball marker between a retracted position (FIG. 1) and a protruding position (FIG. 2). In the retracted position of FIG. 1, the forked prod 2 of the divot repairing tool is within the perimeter P of the body 1 of the ball marker and the combination can be used as a ball marker. In the protruding position of FIG. 2 in which the forked prod 2 extends outwardly of the perimeter P of the body 1 of the ball marker, the combination can be used as a divot repairing tool.

To slidably move the forked prod 2 longitudinally along the axis 5 between the retracted and protruding positions of FIGS. 1 and 2, an upstanding member 4 (see also FIG. 3) on the forked prod 2 is provided. The member 4 as shown is restrained within the elongated slot 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in the upper side piece 3 of the body 1 of the ball marker. In this manner, the manual throw of the forked prod 2 is limited between the positions of FIGS. 1 and 2. With the combination of the present invention, the ball marker and divot repairing functions can then be performed all by the same, unitary device without the golfer having to carry and keep track of separate pieces.

For integrity and to help maintain the alignment of the forked prod 2 as it is moved along the axis 5, the lower side piece 3 (see FIG. 3) preferably has an upstanding member 9 receivable in the elongated slot 6 of the forked prod 2. Additionally, the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 includes a locking mechanism to selectively secure the forked prod 2 in its retracted and protruding positions. The locking mechanism includes a spring-biased member 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) with a detent 10 selectively receivable in the notches 12 on the side of the forked prod 2 (see also FIG. 3). The member 8 as shown is mounted adjacent one of the spacer members 14. This spacer member 14 as illustrated has an indent 16 to permit the detent 10 to move between positions engaging and disengaging the notches 12 as the forked prod 2 is slid thereby.

The body 1 of the ball marker in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 preferably has substantially circular, flat side pieces 3 suitable for graphics or advertising. The circular side pieces 3 in this regard could be about half an inch to an inch and a half in diameter (and more preferably about an inch) in keeping with the traditional size and shape of most ball markers. Similarly, the prod 2 as illustrated is forked with at least two tines in the tradition of a divot repairing tool but could be a single tine if desired.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the body 1′ of the ball marker has a single, substantially circular and flat side piece 3′ and the forked prod 2′ is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis 5′ relative thereto. In the retracted position of FIG. 5, the forked prod 2′ is again within the perimeter P of the body 1′ of the ball marker. Similarly, in the protruding position of FIG. 6, the forked prod 2′ extends outwardly of the perimeter of the body 1′. Additionally, in this embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided to aid in securing the forked prod 2′ in the retracted position of FIG. 5. In doing so, a protuberance 11 is provided that extends outwardly of the side piece 3′ of the body 1′ (see FIG. 7). The protuberance 11 as best seen in FIG. 6 is located at the free end of a cantilevered arm 13 which is partially cut from or otherwise supported on the side piece 3′. In use, the protuberance 11 on the end of the resilient arm 13 will be abutted and depressed downwardly out of the way as the outer tines 18 and base 20 of the forked prod 2′ are pivoted over the side piece 3′. Consequently and in going between the positions of FIGS. 6 and 5, the depressed protuberance 11 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7) will spring back up under the force of the resilient arm 13 (shown in solid lines in FIG. 7) to be received between the middle tines 18 (see also FIG. 5). The protuberance 11 will thereby aid in securing the forked prod 2′ in the retracted position of FIG. 5.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, it to be understood that various changes and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A combination ball marker and divot repairing tool, said combination including:

a ball marker with a substantially disc-shaped body having a substantially circular perimeter and

a divot repairing tool, said divot repairing tool having a prod mounted to said body of said ball marker for movement relative thereto between a retracted position substantially within the perimeter of said body and a protruding position extending outwardly of the perimeter of said body, said combination being usable as a ball marker with said prod in said retracted position and as a divot repairing tool with said prod in said protruding position.

2. (cancelled)

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said body has a substantially circular, second side piece spaced from said first side piece wherein said prod of said divot repairing tool is receivable between said two sides pieces in said retracted position.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said prod is mounted for sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball marker.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said circular perimeter has a diameter of about an inch.

6. The combination of claim 1 further including a locking mechanism to secure said prod in at least one of said retracted and protruding positions.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod is mounted for sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball marker and said prod has a side, said locking mechanism including at least one notch in the side of said prod and a detent selectively receivable in said notch with said prod in one of said retracted and protruding positions.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the body of said ball marker has two side pieces and at least one spacer member therebetween wherein said spacer member has an indent to permit said detent to move between positions engaging and disengaging said one notch.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod is mounted for sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball marker and said prod has a side, said locking mechanism including at least two notches in the side of said prod and a detent selectively receivable in said notches to selectively secure said prod in said retracted and protruding positions.

10. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis relative to the body of said ball marker, said prod including at least two, spaced-apart tines and said locking mechanism including a protuberance extending outwardly of said body and receivable between said spaced-apart tines to secure said prod in said retracted position.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said protuberance is mounted on a cantilevered arm supported on the body.

12. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is mounted for sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball marker.

13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis relative to the body of said ball marker.

14. (cancelled)

15. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is a fork with at least two tines.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein a first of said at least two tines is longer than a second of said tines.

17. The combination of claim 15 wherein said prod has at least three tines.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein two of said three tines are substantially the same length and the third tine is longer than said two tines.

19. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod has a substantially circular perimeter.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the perimeters of the disc-shaped body of said ball marker and said prod are substantially the same size.

21. The combination of claim 1 wherein the perimeters of the disc-shaped body of said ball marker and said prod are substantially the same size.

22. The combination of claim 1 wherein said combination is a two-piece combination consisting of said ball marker and said prod.