Combination paperclip and golf ball marker

Abstract

A golf ball marker that can also be used as a paper clip away from the course. In one preferred aspect, the dual purpose marker comprises a substantially planar body defining a smooth perimeter, such as a ring, having an inner edge bounding an inner open area, and a substantially planar tab flexibly cantilevered from the inner edge into the open area. The preferred tab has a base integral with the edge and an enlarged projection integrally extending from the base, with the projection comprising a design or logo.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to golf accessories.

Dual purpose golf ball mark repair tools are commonly in use by golfers. These are typical built around the pronged repair tool, and can include magnetically secured ball markers, cigar punches, cigar holders, tee holders, or other devices that have a function associated with playing golf.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a dual purpose golf accessory that has one functionality for the golf course and another functionality that is unrelated to golf.

The invention is directed to a golf ball marker that can also be used as a paper clip away from the course.

In one preferred aspect, the dual purpose marker comprises a substantially planar body defining a smooth perimeter, such as a ring, having an inner edge bounding an inner open area, and a substantially planar tab flexibly cantilevered from the inner edge into the open area.

The preferred tab has a base integral with the edge and an enlarged projection integrally extending from the base, with the projection comprising a design or logo.

Most preferably, the body is circular with a diameter typical of coins, the projection occupies at least 50% of the open area within the body, the tab has a base integral with the body and a round disc integrally extending from the base, with the design formed as a cut out on the disc.

Such dual purpose marker is most easily manufactured with a single action punch press on a thin sheet of stainless or spring steel.

Golfers already have great familiarly with the flat shape and smooth perimeter that typify many conventional markers. Similarly, the use as a paper clip is very intuitive. One can easily bend the tab onto a different plane than the body, insert multiple sheets of paper between the tab and body, and release the tab, thereby trapping the paper. The tab acts like a spring that is biased toward the body (or visa-versa), which maintains a trapping force against the sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a representative dual purpose marker, in a neutral, planar condition, as would be placed behind a golf ball when marking the ball on a putting green;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the marker of FIG. 1, with the tab bent out of the plane of the body, in the condition for inserting sheets of paper therebetween when the marker is used a paper clip;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment, in which the tab includes an adhered logo;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment, in which a design is cut out of the tab; and

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are plan views of yet other embodiments, having different shapes for the bodies and the tabs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the marker 10 has a flat, ring shaped body 12 defining a circular perimeter 14 and an inner edge 16 that closely follows the perimeter. Although the body can be any convenient size, the major dimension, in this case diameter, would generally fall within the range of that found in coins, e.g., 0.5 to 2.0 inches. The inner edge defines the outer boundary of an inner area or space 18, which is occupied by tab 20 cantilevered from a portion of the inner edge in the same plane as the body.

The tab is preferably formed by a base portion 22 integral with the edge 16, and an enlarged projection 24 into the open area, in this case having the shape of a disc. In this embodiment, the disc is concentric with (centered in) the body 12. The base would generally be integral with between about 10 to 25% of the inner edge and the tab would occupy at least about 25%, usually a least about 50%, of the open area within the body as defined by the inner edge 16.

The marker is preferably made of spring steel, having a thickness in the range of 0.009 to 024 inch. The shape and extent of the base portion 22 of the tab along the inner edge 16 are selected to assure flexibility of the tab 20 when pushed by the user out of the plane of the body 12. This condition is shown in FIG. 2, where a bend angle a of between about 10 and 45 degrees should be available for accommodating the insertion of a plurality of sheets of paper P.

As shown for another embodiment 26 according to FIG. 3, the enlarged, disc portion 24 can have an adhered or otherwise applied logo or design 28, such as for a country club, tournament, company, or promotion.

As shown for yet another embodiment 30 according to FIG. 4, the enlarged, disc portion 24 can alternatively have a cut out design 32 produced simultaneously with the body and tab by a punch press.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment 34 in which the tab has another geometric shape, such as a square or rectangle 36, it being understood that other shapes such as ovals, diamonds, and the like are possible.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment 38 in which the body 40 is oval. Because the marker is typically carried in a golfer's front pocket during most of the round of golf, the perimeter of the body should be smooth, so as not to catch on clothing or puncture a finger. However, some golfers carry markers on a hat or elsewhere, so the broadest aspect of the present invention should not be limited by the shape of the perimeter.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment 42 in which the square inner edge 44 does not closely follow the circular shape 46 of the perimeter of the body.

Claims

1. A golf ball marker comprising a substantially planar body defining a smooth perimeter, having an inner edge bounding an inner open area, and a substantially planar tab flexibly cantilevered from the inner edge into the open area.

2. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the tab has a base integral with the edge and an enlarged projection integrally extending from the base, with the projection comprising a design or logo.

3. The golf ball marker of claim 2, wherein

the marker is metal;

the body is ring shaped defining a circular perimeter and an open inner area; and

a cut out within the tab, defines said design.

4. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the tab occupies at least 50% of the area within the body.

5. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the tab has a base integral with the body and a round disc integrally extending from the base and concentric with said body.

6. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein

the tab occupies at least 50% of the area within the body;

the tab has a base integral with the body and a round disc integrally extending from the base and concentric with said body; and

said design is entirely within said disc.

7. The golf ball marker of claim 6, wherein the disc occupies at least about 50% of the area within the body.

8. The golf ball marker of claim 3, wherein

the body defines an inner circular edge;

said tab has a base integral with between about 10 to 25% of said inner edge; and

said tab occupies at least about 50% of the area within the body.

9. A golf ball marker comprising:

a substantially planar body having a major dimension between about 0.5 to 2.0 inches and defining a perimeter and an open inner area; and

a substantially planar tab flexibly cantilevered from the body into said area, wherein said tab occupies at least 50% of the area within the body.

10. The golf ball marker of claim 9, wherein the tab has a base integral with the body and an enlarged projection integrally extending from the base and centered within the body.

11. The golf ball marker of claim 10, wherein the projection comprises a design or logo.

12. The golf ball marker of claim 9, wherein the projection is a geometric shape.

13. The golf ball marker of claim 12, wherein the geometric shape is selected from the group consisting of circle, oval, square, rectangle, or diamond.

14. The golf ball marker of claim 9, wherein

the body has a perimeter in the shape of a closed curve and an inner edge bounding said open area; and

said tab occupies at least about 50% of said open area.

15. The golf ball marker of claim 14, wherein the tab has a base integral with the edge and an enlarged projection integrally extending from the base.

16. The golf ball marker of claim 15, wherein the projection comprises a design or logo.

17. The golf ball marker of claim 16, wherein the design or logo is a cutout in the projection.

18. The golf ball marker of claim 14, wherein said tab has a base integral with between about 10 to 25% of said inner edge.

19. A golf ball marker comprising:

a substantially planar, ring shaped body defining a circular perimeter and having an inner edge bounding an inner open area;

a substantially planar tab flexibly cantilevered from the inner edge into said area, said tab occupying at least about 25% of the open area and comprising a design or logo.

20. The golf ball marker of claim 19, wherein the tab has a base integral with a portion of the edge and an enlarged projection integrally extending from the base into said open area.