SCORECARD WITH WRITING INSTRUMENT HOLDER

Abstract

A scorecard with a hole for a writing instrument for use in the game of golf is described herein. The scorecard may have a first fold along a midline of the scorecard along with a second fold at a top edge of the first fold. This second fold may be created by folding down the top edge of the first fold to make a v-shape. The scorecard may further have a hole in the middle of the v-shape fold. This hole may be used to secure a writing instrument so that it may remain inside the folded scorecard during golf play, allowing for better handling and less interference with a golfer's game during a round of golf.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application generally relates to the field of golf, and more specifically an improved scorecard for use when playing golf.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, a number of different scorecards have been developed to not only aid golfers in maintaining their stroke total, but also to provide golfers with information relative to the holes of the golf course being played.

During a golf game or so-called “round of golf,” it is generally the golfers who keep their own score. Their score is usually kept on a piece of cardstock where the score is written down with a writing instrument, such as a small pencil. Often times, the writing instrument is difficult to hold or can be misplaced during the course of play.

A number of solutions have been proposed in the art to help combat the issue of golf scorecards with holders for a writing instrument, such as a small pencil. For example, a retractable pencil holder that attaches to the user's belt has been proposed. However, this solution has the shortcoming of interfering with the user's golf swing. Another solution that has been proposed is for a scorecard and pencil holder that attaches to a golf cart. However, this solution has shortcomings as not every golfer uses a cart during a round of golf and such an approach is not as convenient as being able to have the scorecard and pencil with the golfer himself/herself or at a location preferred by the golfer. By way of further example, it has been suggested that a scorecard have an attachment on the side of a scorecard. However, this attachment is often bulky and difficult to store in a golfer's pocket, which is often the preferred storage location of a scorecard during golf play. Another solution that has been proposed is to use golf card holders, where the card and writing instrument are held on a device. However, this solution has a number of shortcomings, including that it is bulky, not easy to deal with, and interferes with golf play. Such golf card holders are generally made of leather or similar materials, contributing to their bulky nature and difficulty to deal with. Some card holders are configured such that the writing instrument may block the score that is being kept on the score card, introducing yet another shortcoming to such golf card holders.

In light of the shortcomings in the art, a need therefore exists for an easy and compact way to store a scorecard and writing instrument that makes handling them easier, more convenient and less intrusive for the golfer.

SUMMARY

An improved scorecard with a built-in holder for a writing instrument is described herein. The scorecard may have a first fold along a midline of the scorecard with a second fold at a top edge of the first fold. This second fold may be created by folding down the top edge of the first fold to make a v-shape. The scorecard may further have a hole in the middle of the v-shape fold for purposes of securing a writing instrument, such as a small pencil, that may allow for the writing instrument to remain inside the folded scorecard. This improved scorecard with built-in holder for a writing instrument may allow for easier handling for golfers and lessen the chance of dropping or losing the writing instrument along the course. For example, this folded configuration of the scorecard and writing instrument allows them to be maintained in a flat position for easier carrying and use by a golfer, such as in a flat folded position for insertion into a pants pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a first example of a scorecard with a v-shape fold and hole for a writing instrument;

FIG. 2 depicts an example of the scorecard opened with a v-shape fold and hole for a writing instrument;

FIG. 3 depicts a second example of the scorecard with a v-shape fold and hole for a writing instrument;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of the scorecard in a closed position; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are examples of the hole for a writing instrument in a card having a v-shape fold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

This invention is described in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like reference numbers represent the same or similar elements. While this invention is described in terms of modes for achieving this invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The embodiments and variations of the invention described herein, and/or shown in the drawings, are presented by way of example only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise specifically stated, individual aspects and components of the invention may be omitted or modified, or may have substituted one or more known equivalents, or as yet unknown substitutes such as may be developed in the future or such as may be found to be acceptable substitutes in the future. The invention may also be modified for a variety of applications while remaining within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, since the range of potential applications is great, and since it is intended that the present invention be adaptable to many such variations.

A scorecard with a hole for a writing instrument is described herein. The scorecard may have a first fold along a midline of the scorecard and may have a second fold at a top edge of the first fold. This second fold may be created by folding down the top edge of the first fold to make a v-shape. The scorecard may further have a hole in the middle of the v-shape fold, which may be used to secure a writing instrument such that a writing instrument may remain inside the folded scorecard.

The v-shape fold may be created by opening the scorecard along the fold line and folding the top edge of the fold down. When the top edge of the fold is folded down, a v-shape is created.

The hole may be formed in the center of the v-shape fold.

The hole may have a smaller diameter than that of the writing instrument to help in securing the writing instrument within the card. For example, the writing instrument may be a small pencil or the like. Typically, for the game of golf, a small pencil, about 3.5 inches in length with a diameter of approximately 75-85 mm may be used (although different sized writing instruments may be used). This small pencil is sometimes referred to as a golf pencil. To help secure the writing instrument with the card and avoid having it fall out of the hole or losing it, the hole may have a smaller diameter than the writing instrument, such as in the range of 70-80 mm. Other dimensions for the hole may be possible depending on the particular writing instrument that is used.

The hole formed in the v-shape fold may be perforated or otherwise formed to allow the pencil to be pushed through the hole, including for purpose of securing the writing instrument.

The hole may be reinforced to prevent excessive tearing around the hole and to uphold the integrity of the hole. Such reinforcement may be made on both the top and bottom of the hole or around the circumference of the hole. This reinforcement of the hole may be made using any suitable material known by one skilled in the art.

By placing the writing instrument in a hole in the middle of the scorecard, the writing instrument is secured, minimizing and/or preventing interference with a golfer's game or with the golfer keeping his or her score.

The scorecard with writing instrument also provides for better handling by a golfer during a round of golf. For example, the user is able to better handle both the scorecard and the writing instrument while allowing the writing instrument to be maintained securely inside the scorecard.

The scorecard may also prevent the writing instrument from falling out or being lost when removed from a golfer's pocket during a round of golf. For example, because the writing instrument is secured inside the folded scorecard as described herein, the writing instrument will not remain or get stuck in the user's pocket.

The scorecard may be made out of various materials. For example, the scorecard may be made of cardstock, plastic, or the like or any other suitable material known by one skilled in the art. The writing utensil may be a pencil, a pen, a dry erase marker, or the like. In some embodiments, where the writing instrument is a pencil, the pencil may have an eraser at one end.

FIG. 1 is a first example of a scorecard with a v-shape fold and hole for a writing instrument. The scorecard 100 may be folded along a midline 101. At the top of the midline fold (101), there is a position identified as 102, from which the scorecard 100 may be folded down to form a v-shape. In the middle of the v-shape fold is a hole 103. The hole 103 may be used to secure a writing instrument 104. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the writing instrument 104 remains securely in the hole 103 of the scorecard 100.

FIG. 2 is an example of the scorecard opened with a v-shape fold and hole for a writing instrument. The scorecard 200 is shown in an opened configuration. The top of the scorecard 202 is a midline fold 201 may be folded down to form a v-shape. In the center of the v-shape fold is a hole 203. The hole 203 is used to secure a writing instrument 204.

FIG. 3 is a second example of the scorecard with a v-shape fold and hole for a writing instrument. The scorecard 300 may be folded along a midline 301. At the top of the midline fold (301), there is a position identified as 302, from which the scorecard 300 may be folded down to form a v-shape. In the middle of the v-shape fold is a hole 303. The hole 303 may be used to secure a writing instrument 304.

FIG. 4 is an example of the scorecard in a closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the scorecard 400 is in a closed position, or folded along the midline 401, the v-shape fold appears to be a diagonal line. Additionally, the writing instrument 404 may be securely embedded within the scorecard 400 via the hole located within the scorecard.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are examples of a hole for a writing instrument located in v-shape folded scorecard as described herein. FIG. 5A is an example of the hole with perforations to secure the writing instrument within the folded card. The hole 501 may be comprised of a suitable material known to those skilled in the art that may be pierced in the center 502 by a writing instrument such that the writing instrument is secured. For example, the hole 501 may include perforations 503 that surrounding the writing instrument creating friction. FIG. 5B is an example of a reinforced hole. The hole 501, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, shows an additional ring 504 that may be used to reinforce the hole 501. Such reinforced hole may be comprised of a suitable material known to those skilled in the art that forms a ring within the hole 501 such that the hole will not tear or increase in size to prevent the writing instrument from being dislodged or loosening.

Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many modifications and variations of the above may be implemented without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims cover the modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A scorecard with a hole comprising:

a first fold along a midline of the scorecard;

a second fold at a top edge of the first fold, where in the second fold is created by folding down the top edge of the first fold to make a v-shape; and

a hole in the middle of the v-shape fold, wherein the hole is used to secure a writing instrument;

wherein the scorecard fits into a pocket of a user.

2. The scorecard of claim 1, wherein the scorecard is made of cardstock.

3. The scorecard of claim 1, wherein the scorecard is made of plastic.

4. The scorecard of claim 1, wherein the writing instrument is a pencil.

5. The scorecard of claim 1, wherein the hole has a diameter of 70-80 mm.

6. The scorecard of claim 1, wherein the hole is perforated.

7. The scorecard of claim 1, wherein the hole is reinforced.

8. A scorecard with a hole comprising:

a foldable scorecard; and

a writing instrument;

wherein the writing instrument is embedded within the folded scorecard; and

wherein the scorecard fits into a pocket of a user.

9. The scorecard of claim 8, wherein the scorecard is made of cardstock.

10. The scorecard of claim 8, wherein the scorecard is made of plastic.

11. The scorecard of claim 8, wherein the writing instrument is a pencil.

12. The scorecard of claim 8, wherein the hole has a diameter of 70-80 mm.

13. The scorecard of claim 8, further comprising a hole in a foldable part of the scorecard.

14. The scorecard of claim 13, wherein the hole is perforated.

15. The scorecard of claim 13, wherein the hole is reinforced.