GOLF BALL MARK REPAIR TOOL

Abstract

A golf ball mark repair tool includes an integrated set of rosary beads. Attached to the circumference of a circular handle are rosary beads operable to facilitate praying the rosary. The beads are equally spaced and apart from the handle to provide the user with not only an ability to discretely conduct the rosary but an enhanced tactual feel. At the same time the tool is operable to repair a ball mark. The tool further includes a detachable center portion operable as a mean for marking a player's ball on the green.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/038,302 filed Mar. 20, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a golf tool having a religious utility.

2. Relevant Background

The first golf-like game is recorded as taking place on 26 Feb. 1297, in the Netherlands, in a city called Loenen aan de Vecht. Here the Dutch played a game with a stick and leather ball. Whoever hit the ball into a target several hundreds of meters away the least number of times won. However, the modern game of golf we understand today is generally considered to be a Scottish invention. The word golf may be a Scot's alteration of Dutch “kolf” meaning “stick, “club” and “bat”. There are reports of even earlier accounts of a golf like game from continental Europe.

These earlier games are more accurately viewed as ancestors of the modern game we understand as golf. The fact remains that the modern game of golf originated and developed in Scotland: the first permanent golf course originated in Scotland as did membership in the first golf clubs. The very first written rules originated there, as did the establishment of the 18 hole course; the first formalized tournament structures developed and competitions were held between various Scottish cities. Before long, the modern game of golf had spread from Scotland to England and from there to the rest of the world.

As one would expect, the rules of golf have evolved over several centuries of play. One rule of golf etiquette deals with the repair of the green. During normal play the impact of a ball on the green can leave a mark or indentation. The final strokes of a hole of golf involve the precise placement of the ball into the cup and a ball mark, or indeed several ball marks, can result in a surface non-conducive to precision putting. The rules of etiquette therefore require a player making such an indentation into the green to repair the mark before continuing play. To aid in the process, several different ball mark repair tools have been designed. All in one manner or the other act to repair the indentation left by the ball rendering the surface of the green suitable for putting.

Golf is not without its stressful moments. And with those stressful moments so too come actions that a player, in retrospect, may regret. For those players who are religious, golf may elicit a need to pray for divine intervention or assistance in a particular stroke or putt. Or, alternatively, after a stroke or putt with a less than desirable outcome, a golfer's response may give rise to a plea for forgiveness. Thus for many players of the game of golf, prayer is a vital component.

Individuals who practice the Catholic faith have long used the concept of the rosary to aid in rendering a prayer. The traditional story of the rosary was that Mary herself appeared to Saint Dominic in the twelfth century. At that time, tradition says she gave him the rosary and promised Dominic that if he spread devotion to the rosary, his religious order would flourish.

Originally the rosary had 150 beads, the same number of Psalms in the Bible. In the twelfth century, religious orders recited together the 150 Psalms as a way to mark the hours of the day and the days of the week. Those people who could not read wanted to share in this practice, so praying on a string of 150 beads or knots began as a parallel to praying the Psalms. It was a way that the illiterate could remember the Lord and his mother throughout the day.

The rosary today consists of a set of prayers which are repeated in a set fashion. A string of rosary beads is usually held in the person's hand, and prayers are counted by passing the person's fingers along the set of beads counting the beads as the prayers are said. A complete course around the set of beads completes the set of prayers. It is understandable that, given the ever increasing pace of today's society, time to conduct the rosary is more and more scarce and few carry with them at all times a set of rosary beads.

While the play of golf employs numerous pieces of equipment in the form of clubs, tees, balls, repair tools (all of which are carried in a rather large bag), it does not include a rosary. Yet, for those who practice the Catholic faith, the golf course often becomes a place of considerable connection with one's faith. Accordingly there is a need to provide a readily available means by which to pray the rosary while not further encumbering the player with additional implements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf ball mark repair tool with an integrated set of rosary beads is hereafter disclosed by way of example. One aspect of the present invention includes a golf ball mark repair tool with a substantially circular handle. Attached to the circumference of the circular handle are rosary beads. The beads are equally spaced and apart from the handle to provide the user with not only an ability to discretely conduct the rosary but at the same time provide a tool by which to repair a ball mark. The tool further includes a detachable center portion operable as a mean for marking a player's ball on the green.

The features and advantages described in this disclosure and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter; reference to the claims is necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood, by reference to the following description of one or more embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a rosary ball mark repair tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a rosary ball mark repair tool absent a center ball mark component, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a rosary ball mark repair tool with a center ball mark detached, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side cut away view of a rosary ball mark repair tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The Figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. Like elements in the various Figures are identified by like reference numerals for consistency. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention will be seen relative to an improved ball mark repair tool useful in the repair of minor damage to a golfing surface such as a golf green and the like, in combination with a set of rosary beads affixed thereto. The tool 100 will be seen to include two spaced apart and essentially parallel tine elements 120 that extend from a substantially circular base portion 130. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tines 120 and base portion 130 are formed from a single planar piece of material. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tines 120 are separate components that are affixed to the base portion 130. The base portion includes a center removable ball marker 140 that, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is magnetically coupled to the base portion 130. Affixed to the base portion is a religious symbol or emblem which in this example is a crucifix.

The base portion 130 also provides a mounting location for a plurality of balls or beads 160. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the balls or beads 160 are substantially spherical and can each be fashioned to replicate a golf ball or other ornamental shape. In another embodiment of the present invention, the beads can be cylindrical (circular in two dimensions, from a front and rear orthogonal view). In other embodiments the beads can be a combination of both spherical and cylindrical properties. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, five (5) beads 160 are located on each lateral side of the tool 100 and can represent five (5) recitations of a decade of the “Hail Mary” prayer. In addition, the beads 160 have utility to the golfer in counting the user's golf score during the course of playing a hole. Furthermore the beads 160 increase the ball mark tool's 100 tactile friction enabling a user to reliably grip and use the tool 100.

While in this embodiment five (5) beads 160 are affixed to each side of the tool 100 for a total of ten (10) beads 160, one skilled in the art will recognize that the number of beads may vary based on the needs of the user, manufacturing constraints, and other factors known to one skilled in the relevant art. It will also be recognized by one skilled in the art that the relative size and shape of the beads 160, tines 120 and base portion 130 may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now in addition to FIG. 2, a front view of a rosary ball mark repair tool absent the center ball mark can be seen according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown the base portion 130 of the tool 100 includes a base ring 230 and a recessed circular base edge 220 forming a circular L structure. The central portion of the recessed circular base edge 220 is void of material forming a hole 210. Affixed to the recessed circular base edge 220 is, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic ring 250. The magnetic ring 250 is comprised of a magnetic material of suitable strength to magnetically attract and affix to the base portion 130 a metallic ball marker 140. One skilled in the art will recognize that other means suitable to hold the ball marker 140, such as hoop/hook fastener mechanism or a reusable adhesive, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

While the dimensional aspects of the present invention may vary without departing from the scope of its usefulness, in one embodiment the rosary ball mark repair tool is approximately 3 inches long with a nominal thickness of ⅛ of an inch and a width of 1 and 7/32 of an inch. Each rosary bead 160 possesses a diameter of approximately 3/32 inches and the crucifix 150 on the top of the rosary ball mark tool is approximately 7/16 of an inch high with a maximum width of approximately ¼ inch. Each rosary bead 160 is angularly displaced by 26 degrees as measured from the center of the rosary ball mark tool. The ball marker 140 is approximately 1 inch in diameter and 1/16 inch thick.

The recessed circular base edge 220 is dimensioned to be 1 1/32 inches in diameter to accept the ball marker 140. The hole 210 positioned in the center of the rosary ball mark repair tool is approximately 17/32 inches. Finally the centerline of the tines 120 are spaced 7/32 inches apart.

The magnetic ring 250 in a preferred embodiment, is permanently attached to the recessed circular base edge using an adhesive or some other persistent attachment means. The dimensions of the magnetic ring 250 are constrained so that the width of the ring 250 combined with the ball marker 140 provides a total width substantially equal to the depth of the recessed circular base edge 220. Accordingly, with the magnetic ring 250 attached to the recess circular base edge 220 and the ball marker 140 magnetically coupled to the magnetic ring 250, the upper most surface of the ball marker 140 is flush or at the same level as the base ring 230.

Referring in addition to FIG. 3, an exploded perspective view of a rosary ball mark repair tool according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The ball marker 140 in this rendition of the present invention is shown removed and displaced from the base portion 130 of the tool 100. Also shown in FIG. 3 is the relationship between the width (depth) of the magnetic ring 250 as compared to the recessed circular base edge 220 and the base ring 230. The removal of the ball marker 140 from the base portion 130 of the tool 100 can be accomplished by applying a minimum yet defined amount of force against the portion of the ball marker 160 proximate to the magnetic ring 250 via the hole or voided area 210. By doing so the magnetic bond, or similar affixing agent, between the base portion 130 and the ball marker 140 is broken.

The structure of one embodiment of the rosary ball marker repair tool can also be seen in the side cut away view of FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the base portion comprising a recessed area 410 in which the ball marker 140 resides. The L structure formed by the interaction of the recessed circular base edge 220 and the base ring 230 can clearly be seen as can the relative positioning of the magnetic ring 250.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tool is comprised solely of a circular base portion 130 with the recessed circular base edge 220 and ornamental balls 160. The recessed circular base edge 220 and circular base portion 130 include a magnetic base ring 250 and a central region 210 void of material as previously described. However the tines 120 are removed making the tool suitable for holding a ball marker and offering rosary beads for performing the rosary.

The rosary ball mark repair tool of the present invention provides a golfer with a useful and versatile tool for not only repairing ball marks and marking a ball's location on the green but for discretely reciting the rosary during the game or at least providing to the golfer a reminder of his or her religious beliefs. By combining the rosary beads onto the golf ball mark repair tool it is possible to store the rosary beads within the golf bag and readily retrieve the rosary beads as required. The fabrication of the functionality of the rosary beads onto the ball mark repair tool obviates the possibility of a separate strand of beads becoming entangled within the storage area of the bag. The combined tool and rosary beads can be easily fabricated using, for example, a molding or extrusion process. The rosary beads also enhance the ball marker's tactual properties making it easier to implement in its repair functionality. Lastly the rosary balls offer the user a means by which to recall his or her score as it progresses during the field of play.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A golf ball mark repair tool, comprising:

a base portion having two tines extending therefrom with said base portion and said tines formed of a single piece of planar material wherein said base portion of said planar material has a lateral edge; and

a plurality of substantially spherical objects affixed to said edge in a geometrically symmetrical orientation.

2. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 1 further comprising a religious symbol affixed to the base portion.

3. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 1 further comprising a ball marker magnetically and removably coupled to the base portion.

4. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 3 wherein the base portion includes a recessed area configured to accept the ball marker.

5. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 3 wherein the recessed area includes magnetic material operable for magnetically and removably coupling the ball marker to the base portion.

6. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 4 wherein the recessed area includes a central region void of material.

7. A golf ball mark repair tool, comprising:

a base portion having two tines extending therefrom with said base portion and said tines formed of a single piece of planar material wherein a surface of said base portion of said planar material has a recessed central area; and

a ball marker magnetically and removably coupled to the base portion and dimensioned to conform to the recessed central area.

8. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 7 wherein the recessed area includes magnetic material operable for magnetically and removably coupling the ball marker to the base portion.

9. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 7 wherein a central region of the recessed area is void of material.

10. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of objects affixed to a lateral edge of the base portion and orientated in a geometrically symmetrical fashion.

11. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the plurality of objects is substantially spherical.

12. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the base portion is substantially circular.

13. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the plurality of objects is visually and tactually perceptible.

14. The golf ball mark repair tool of claim 10 wherein the plurality of objects is operable for performing the rosary.

15. A golf ball marking tool, comprising:

a circular planar base having a central region void of material wherein said base includes a recessed central edge forming a recessed central area;

a ball marker magnetically and removably coupled to the circular planar base and dimensioned to conform to the recessed central area; and

a plurality of substantially spherical objects affixed to an external lateral edge of the circular planar base in a geometrically symmetrical orientation.

16. The golf ball marking tool of claim 15 further comprising a magnetic ring affixed to the recessed central edge, said magnetic ring possessing magnetic properties sufficient to removably hold the ball marker in the recessed central area.

17. The golf ball marking tool of claim 16 wherein the ball marker is removable from the central recessed area by application of a force imposed on the ball marker through the central region.