Golf Tool

Abstract

A golf tool including: a body having first and second longitudinal ends and oppositely disposed faces; a conical receptacle in one of the body faces, between the first and second longitudinal ends of the body, and opening towards the first longitudinal end of the body; a blade edge positioned within the conical receptacle; and a plurality of elongated tines longitudinally extending from the first longitudinal end of the body.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/860,181, entitled GOLF TOOL, filed Nov. 20, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if being set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf related apparatus, and more particularly to divot or ball mark repair tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a golfer strikes a golf ball that lands on a golf green, a ball mark or divot in the green may result. It is often desirable to promptly repair such a ball mark or divot, in order to repair resulting damage and encourage green healing.

Further, golfers often use a pencil to keep score throughout a round of golf.

Divot repair tools and golf scoring pencils are generally known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,553, entitled MULTI-PURPOSE GOLFER'S TOOL, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated as if being set forth in its entirety herein, discloses a divot repair tool. The tool includes a detailed mechanism, such that it may prove undesirably complex or expensive to manufacture though.

By way of further example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,402, entitled GOLF BALL MARK REPAIR TOOL AND SCORING PENCIL, the entire disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated as if being set forth in its entirety herein, discloses another divot repair tool. The divot repair tool of the '402 patent is simpler than that of the '553 patent, but doesn't include any feature for sharpening a pencil. Indeed, the '402 patent itself espouses that a golf pencil does not typically need to be sharpened, and that a new pencil may be readily obtained after each round.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf tool including: a body having first and second longitudinal ends and oppositely disposed faces; a conical receptacle in one of the body faces, between the first and second longitudinal ends of the body, and opening towards the first longitudinal end of the body; a blade edge positioned within the conical receptacle, and a plurality of elongated tines longitudinally extending from the first longitudinal end of the body.

The body may further include a load bearing substantially semi-hemispherical surface adjacent the conical receptacle and opposite from the first longitudinal end, wherein the load bearing surface longitudinally supports the tines and conical receptacle when opposing loads are applied to the tines or receptacle and load bearing surface.

The load bearing surface may be substantially as wide as the conical receptacle. The conical receptacle may be at least partially in a protrusion that forms the substantially semi-hemispherical surface.

The tines may be directed at an obtuse angle relative to the body. A plurality of bracing members may extend between the tines and body.

An aperture through the body, proximate the second longitudinal end may be provided.

The body may be monolithic, and formed of plastic and/or metal.

A second receptacle may be provided in the body, wherein the second receptacle is sized and shaped to detachably receive a disk-like ball marker. A magnet may be adhered within the second receptacle. The second receptacle may be in the first face of the body.

The outer edges of the tines may be tapered inwardly from the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts, and:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates an A-A cross-section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a B-B cross-section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a D-D cross-section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a detail view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 illustrates various views of a blade suitable for use with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the blade of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates the housing embodiment of FIG. 1 incorporating the blade of FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side-view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates an end-view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 illustrates a detail view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool housing according to another embodiment of the present invention, and also suitable for use with the blade of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool housing according to another embodiment of the present invention, and also suitable for use with the blade of FIG. 8; and,

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a golf tool housing according to another embodiment of the present invention, and also suitable for use with the blade of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in typical divot or ball mark repair tools and pencil sharpeners. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a golf tool housing 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen therein, housing 100 generally includes an elongated gripping portion 110 and longitudinally extending tines 122, 124—that may be conventionally utilized as a divot repair tool. The illustrated embodiment of housing 100 has a rounded end 182 distal from tines 122, 124. The width of the illustrated gripping portion 110 is slightly tapered from the rounded end 182 toward the tines 122, 124. Outer edges 180 of the gripping portion 110 are convexly rounded to minimize sharp edges. While the illustrated embodiment includes two tines 122, 124 and a particularly shaped gripping portion 110, other configurations of shapes and extensions may be used in addition to or in lieu of the illustrated shape and two tines.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, gripping portion 110 includes an aperture 116 there-through. The illustrated aperture 116 is round and distal from the tines 122, 124, nearer end 182. Aperture 116 may be sized so as to accept a conventional key-ring, for example. Other configurations may be used though.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, gripping portion 110 has two substantially planer faces 118, 119 being oppositely disposed from one another (see FIGS. 2 and 10 as well). Planer faces 118, 119 can be decaled or otherwise printed or marked, with graphics and/or adhesive stickers, for example. Indeed, the relative shape and size of illustrated gripping portion 110 relative to tines 122, 124 may prove well-suited for use as advertising space, relative to any surface of the tools of the '553 or '402 patent, for example.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, outermost edges 184 of tines 122 and 124 are tapered toward the longitudinal tips of tines 122 and 124, such that the overall width of the housing at the tip of the tines 122 and 124 (across both tines 122, 124) is about a third of the width of the housing where the base of tines 122 and 124 meet gripping portion 110. The inner edges 186 of tines 122 and 124 are tapered slightly toward the tip of tines 122 and 124, such that at the base of tines 122 and 124 a gap between tines 122 and 124 is about half the width of a gap at the tip of tines 122 and 124.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, housing 100 also includes a thickened housing portion 132. Housing portion 132 includes a conical receptacle 130, proximate an end of the gripping portion 110 near tines 122 and 124. Receptacle 130 opens towards tines 122, 124. Receptacle 130 is sized to receive an end of a golf scoring pencil for sharpening. Other configurations may be used though.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, receptacle 130 includes a longitudinally oriented, elongated slot 133. An elongated, sharp edge of a blade coupled to housing 100 (see, FIGS. 8-10 for example) may extend through slot 133 and into receptacle 130 to provide a pencil sharpening mechanism. When a pencil is inserted into receptacle 130 and rotated in a pre-determined direction, such a blade edge may engage and sharpen the inserted end of such a pencil in a conventional manner.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, housing portion 132 has a substantially semi-hemispherical shape that spans substantially the entire width of face 118 of gripping portion 110 where gripping portion 110 adjoins tines 122, 124. Housing portion 132 smoothly levels to face 118 about a quarter of the distance between where the gripping portion 110 adjoins tines 122, 124 and rounded end 182. Such a configuration may exhibit enhanced structural rigidity where gripping portion 110 and housing portion 132 meet, and provide a single surface 135 (which is curved in the illustrated embodiment) that is well-suited for load bearing during both pencil sharpening and divot repairing. Other configurations may be used though.

The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 further includes bracing members 192, 194 between tines 122, 224 and the housing portion 132. Bracing members 192, 194 span from housing portion 132 to between about a third and a half the distance from where the tines 122, 124 adjoin the gripping portion 110 and the tips of the tines 122, 124. Bracing members 1192, 194 may serve to provide added rigidity to when tines 122, 124 are used for repairing divots.

In certain embodiments of the present invention housing 100 may be molded from any suitable plastic in a conventional manner, and/or may be composed of other materials, such as metal, for example. Other conventional manufacturing techniques, such as machining, may be used. In certain embodiments, housing 100 (including gripping portion 110, housing portion 132 and tines 122, 124, as well as surface 135 and braces 192, 194, in the illustrated embodiment) may be unitarily formed, as a single molded piece. Such a configuration is simpler than that of the '553 patent.

Housing 100 may be composed of a combination of materials, such as an embodiment having a plastic gripping section 110, housing 132 that are adjoined to metal tines 122, 124. Each of the parts could be composed of separate materials, such as plastic or metal, and produced through conventional manufacturing techniques.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown side- and end-views of housing 100 of FIG. 1. As can be seen therein, tines 122, 124 may be directed at an angle θ relative to the gripping portion 110. In certain embodiments of the invention, angle θ may be about 40 degrees or less. Other configurations may be used though. FIGS. 3-7 show various other views of housing 100 of FIG. 1.

Referring now also to FIG. 8, there are shown various views of a blade 140 suitable for use with the housing 100 of FIG. 1 to facilitate the sharpening of a golf pencil, such as by a golfer during a round of golf. Blade 140 may be attached to the receptacle housing 132 with a #2 pan head phillips plastite screw affixed within a threaded bore. Blade 140 may be affixed such that the sharpened edge protrudes into the pencil receptacle 130 of the housing 110 of FIG. 1, as shown in FIGS. 9-13, in any conventional manner—such as nailing, screwing, press-fitting and/adhering, all by way of non-limiting example only.

In certain embodiments of the invention, blade 140 may be composed of 1095 steel hardness rc 58-60, with a single cutting edge 142 having an about 19 degree bevel. The blade 140 may be made out of other similar materials, such as other metals, composites, or ceramics, for example.

Blade 140 is positioned within or adjacent to receptacle 130 such that an elongated edge 144 of blade 140 protrudes slightly into receptacle 130. Blade 140 may be angled/positioned such that when an end of a golf pencil is fit into receptacle 130, and axially rotated in a given direction, edge 144 removes at least one portion of the pencil, thus sharpening the pencil, in a conventional manner.

Referring again to FIG. 10 for example, face 119 of gripping section 110 opposite receptacle housing 132 may have a cavity 114 of suitable dimensions for receiving blade 140 in the manner explained. Cavity 114 may span from the receptacle housing 130 (adjacent slot 133) to face 119. Blade 140 may be affixed to gripping portion 110 within cavity 114 so as to allow for pencil shavings to escape receptacle 130 via cavity 114.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, there are shown perspective views of golf tool housings 100a and 100b according to embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15 additionally include a disc-like, indented receptacle 160 in gripping portion 110. Such an indented receptacle 160 may be particularly well suited for detachably receiving a disc-like ball marker 164 (as shown in FIG. 16). Such ball markers 164 are conventionally used by golfers to mark the position of a golf ball on a green, so that the golf ball may be removed from the green and later placed back onto the green at a substantially identical location. Ball marker 164 may be composed of metal and/or plastic materials, for example.

Ball marker 164 may be detachably received in the indented receptacle 160 in any suitable manner, such as by press-fitting, adhesion and/or magnetism. The illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15 each include a substantially planar magnet 162 being adhered (such as with a commercially available adhesive) to a lower surface of receptacle 160. When a conventional, metallic ball marker 164 is positioned substantially proximate to the magnet 162, it may be retained their according to well-known magnetic principles. For example, a metallic ball marker 164 may be retained in the indented receptacle 160. Sufficient physical force to overcome the magnetic attraction may be used to detach the ball marker. Other configurations may be used though.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown a perspective view of golf tool housing 100c according to other embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 16 additionally includes an edge opening 170 in the edge of the gripping portion 110 of the housing 100c distal to the tines 122, 124, and being suitable for receiving a disc-like, ball marker 164. Such a slot 170 is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,299, entitled GOLF ACCESSORY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf tool comprising:

a body having first and second longitudinal ends and oppositely disposed faces;

a conical receptacle in one of the body faces, between the first and second longitudinal ends of the body, and opening towards the first longitudinal end of the body;

a blade edge positioned within the conical receptacle; and

a plurality of elongated tines longitudinally extending from the first longitudinal end of the body.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the body further includes a load bearing substantially semi-hemispherical surface adjacent the conical receptacle and opposite from the first longitudinal end, wherein the load bearing surface longitudinally supports the tines and conical receptacle when opposing loads are applied to the tines or receptacle and load bearing surface.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the load bearing surface is substantially as wide as the conical receptacle.

4. The tool of claim 2, further wherein the conical receptacle is at least partially in a protrusion that forms the substantially semi-hemispherical surface.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tines are directed at an obtuse angle relative to the body.

6. The tool of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of bracing members extending between the tines and body.

7. The tool of claim 1, further comprising an aperture through the body, proximate the second longitudinal end.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the body is monolithic.

9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the body comprises plastic.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the body comprises metal.

11. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a second receptacle in the first face of the body, wherein the second receptacle is sized and shaped to detachably receive a disk-like ball marker.

12. The tool of claim 11, further comprising a magnet adhered within the second receptacle.

13. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a second receptacle in the body, wherein the second receptacle is sized and shaped to detachably receive a disk-like ball marker.

14. The tool of claim 1, wherein the outer edges of the tines are tapered inwardly from the body.