Abstract: Device (1) for gripping an object such as a blow-moulding container preform (3), comprising: a guiding body (12); a stop body (13), mounted so as to move axially relative to the guiding body (12) along an axis (4) of the device, intended to be aligned with the object (3) to be gripped; a mandrel support (7), equipped with a gripping mandrel (15), able to move axially relative to the guiding body (12) and having a plunge-in travel (8) going from a set-back position to a plunged-in position in which the mandrel (15) is capable of gripping the object (3). The stop body (13) has, together with the mandrel support (7), a system of support stops (18, 19) arranged so that the mandrel support (7) drives the stop body (13) axially onto a terminal portion of the plunge-in travel (8). The device (1) includes a return means (34, 36) mounted between the guiding body (13) and the stop body, for the purpose of driving the stop body along an axial set-back direction opposite direction of plunge-in travel.

Abstract: A robot includes a robot arm. A robot hand is disposed at a distal end of the robot arm and grips an object. The robot hand includes an air chuck device including a pair of pistons and an air cylinder. The air cylinder opens and closes the pistons in parallel to one another. A pair of first gripping members are disposed at a first side of the pistons and move close to and apart from one another within a first movable range on a movable plane. A pair of second gripping members are disposed at a second side of the pistons and move close to and apart from one another within a second movable range different from the first movable range on the movable plane. The robot hand pivots relative to the distal end of the robot arm about a pivot axis approximately perpendicular to the movable plane.

Abstract: A harsh environment robot end effector includes an end effector frame connectable to a material handling robot, one or more pickup arms rotatingly coupled to the frame, and pickup arm airbag actuator air bags for opening and closing the pickup arms. One or more positioning palms may be provided, which are rotatingly coupled to the end effector frame and provided with actuator air bags for opening and closing. One or more adjustable pushdowns having airbags attached to their heads are provided to grip a load between the pushdown and pickup arm. A mechanical synchronizer may be provided to couple the pickup arms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device for transporting a rack (3) for microscope slides (4), in particular in systems for preparing tissue samples for histological examinations, the gripper device having a gripping mechanism including a pair of gripping arms (2), whose ends are configured as gripping sections (7) for gripping the rack. In order to provide a gripper device which can be used in a versatile manner in automated stainers and coverslippers and contributes to reducing the cost of manufacture, it is proposed that the gripping sections (7) be provided with first profiles (17) for gripping the rack (3) in a vertical position and second profiles (18) for gripping the rack (3) in a horizontal position.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an automated apparatus for filling capped needle syringes. The syringes are held in a rotatable motor controlled carousel. The carousel turns to place a syringe proximate to a dispenser mechanism. A rotatable plate on top of the dispenser mechanism holds an automated cap extractor/installer and at least one inverted vial having a needle perforatable surface. The rotatable plate can also move up and down relative to the top of the dispenser mechanism. The cap can be removed by the automated cap extractor/installer and the rotatable plate rotated to place the inverted vial over the exposed syringe needle. The rotatable plate can descend so that the needle perforates the surface of the vial. A syringe plunger tool of the dispenser mechanism engages the syringe plunger and pulls it downward. The syringe plunger tool can disengage and return to its original position. The rotatable plate can raise to remove the needle from the vial.

Abstract: A robotic gripper. Each of two gripper fingers is attached to a bearing carriage. Each bearing carriage defines a rack gear and is adapted to ride on a bearing rail. A single pinion gear has two gear elements. Each of the two gear elements are meshed with one of the two rack gears so as to drive the two bearing carriages in opposite direction upon rotation of the pinion gear. A worm gear is fixed to the single pinion gear. A worm screw is meshed to the worm gear and adapted to cause rotation of the worm gear and the single pinion gear and a gripping action or a releasing action of the two gripping fingers, depending on the rotation of the worm screw. A motor is adapted to drive the worm screw in a first rotary direction and a second rotary direction.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a moving device. The moving device can be a mechanical device such as a robot. The gripper assembly includes a platform and an elongate arm extending from the platform. The elongate arm is in the form of least one elongate member. Each elongate member has a body which has a proximal end and an opposed distal end. A gripping mechanism is rotatably supported relative to the arm, and includes a holder having a pivoting arm pivotably joined to the body in the region of the distal end of the body. An actuator is in operable communication with the pivoting arm to impart pivotable movement to the pivoting arm and rotational movement to said gripping mechanism about a horizontal axis upon actuation of the actuator. The gripper assembly may have a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis of the gripper assembly.

Abstract: An improved severe duty grapple for attachment onto the end of a dipper stick of a backhoe has an arcuate-shaped upper jaw with an inner end and a backside. The upper jaw is pivotally attached near its inner end on its backside to the end of a dipper stick and a double action actuator or cylinder for operative pivotal movement of the upper jaw relative to the dipper stick. An arcuate-shaped lower jaw is provided with an inner end and a backside. The lower jaw is attached near its inner end on its backside to the dipper stick by a linkage for operative pivotal movement of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. A hollow tubular pivot is attached to the inner end of one of the jaws with open opposing ends. Two lug plates are mounted on the inner end of the other jaw each with an eyelet. The eyelets are alignable with the open ends of the tubular pivot. A pivot pin is passed through the tubular pivot and eyelets and secured thereat.

Abstract: An electrical gripper has a housing and a solenoid plunger. A pair of jaws are movably mounted with the housing. The jaws are movable towards and away from each other. The jaws are coupled with the solenoid plunger to provide movement to the jaws. A first mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a first position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. A second mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a second position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. Thus, the jaws are actively locked in an open or close position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for engaging objects, such as heat exchangers of varying sizes. The device includes at least one gripper provided with at least a first and a second gripper arm, at least one of which is movable with respect to the other gripper arm for enclosing an object therebetween; and a driving mechanism connected to at least one of the first and second gripper arms for closing or opening the gripper as needed, wherein at least one of the first and second gripper arms includes a first and a second gripper arm part that are pivotally coupled together, and an adjusting mechanism provided between the first and second gripper arm parts, the adjusting mechanism being arranged for adjusting the angle between the gripper arm parts in dependence on the diameter of the object to be engaged prior to engaging the object.

Abstract: A grapple attachment for use with a drill pipe having a diameter, that may include first and second gripping members disposed on a rigid lateral member tiltable up to 40 degrees from the horizontal and preferably continuously rotatable, wherein each of the first and second gripping members has a first and second claw and a bracket having a concave contact surface, each claw having a concave gripping surface, wherein the surface of the bracket and the gripping surfaces of the first and second claws come in contact with the drill pipe when the gripping member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a media cartridge includes a gripper support and first and second gripper members supported by the gripper support. The gripper members are moveable asymmetrically with respect to the gripper support for gripping the media cartridge.

Abstract: An electrical gripper has a housing and a solenoid plunger. A pair of jaws are movably mounted with the housing. The jaws are movable towards and away from each other. The jaws are coupled with the solenoid plunger to provide movement to the jaws. A first mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a first position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. A second mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a second position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. Thus, the jaws are actively locked in an open or close position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger.

Abstract: A gripper assembly includes at least one gripper jaw, a fluid driven actuator for moving the at least one gripper jaw, and a valve located adjacent the fluid driven actuator for selectively delivering a fluid to the fluid driven actuator.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.

Abstract: A pneumatically controlled grasping device to grasp and handle items or bodies provided with a graspable member. A supporting sleeve (16, 36) internally delimits an intermediate space (23, 43) contiguous to a distal opening and a guide chamber (23?, 43?) connected to a source of fluid under pressure. In the intermediate space a gripper device (21,41) is mounted, facing the distal opening and designed to engage with the graspable member. In the guide chamber a control piston (22, 42) is housed movable into a first position which corresponds to an activation or deactivation of the gripper device by the fluid under pressure, and to a second position which corresponds to the deactivation or activation of the gripper device, by at least a flexible reaction element (27, 47). The gripper device can be equipped to grasp the graspable member from the outside or from inside when it has a cavity.

Abstract: A hand according to an embodiment includes a pair of supporting units, a pair of capturing claws, an opening-and-closing mechanism, and a reciprocating mechanism. The pair of capturing claws are supported on the inner surfaces of the pair of respective supporting units and capture a part. The opening-and-closing mechanism opens and closes the pair of supporting units along a reciprocating axis intersecting with longitudinal directions of the supporting units. The reciprocating mechanism causes the pair of capturing claws to rotate about the reciprocating axis to change the direction of each tip of the capturing claws.

Abstract: A method and device for manipulating an object is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a gripping device configured to grasp the object includes a housing, a jamming material inside the housing, a first actuator to actuate the jamming material, a first pressure activation device disposed on a first outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the first outer portion of the housing, and a second actuator to actuate the first pressure activation device. After the end effector is pressed against the object, the second actuator actuates the first pressure activation device to exert an inward force on the first outer portion of the housing and the first actuator actuates the jamming material to grasp the object.

Abstract: A wire gripping assembly is provided with a pair of lever arms that are each movable between a gripping position and a release position. Each lever arm includes a plurality of engagement teeth that interact with drive teeth formed on a moving rack member. The rack member is coupled to a piston movable within an open interior of a drive cylinder. Pressurized air is supplied to either side of the piston to move the piston and rack member. The movement of the piston and the rack member within the drive cylinder results in pivoting movement of the first and second lever arms between the gripping position and the release position.

Abstract: A gripper assembly includes at least one movable gripper jaw and a sensor member coupled for movement with the at least one gripper jaw. The sensor member includes a slot. A sensor is located at least partially within the slot and includes at least one inductor for inductively detecting a proximity of the sensor member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripper finger including a surface area for clamping. This area this area is covered with a membrane including at least one section, which is substantially made of a shape memory polymer (SMP). The disclosure relates also to a gripper tool including such gripper finger and a method for adjusting such a gripper tool.

Abstract: A ball retrieval and storage device for retrieving balls of at least two different sizes comprising a wheeled container with rotatably attached handles attached thereto. The container is rollingly supported by two wheels on an axle, and includes a removable rack which when in place covers the container to ensure the contents remain within the container. When the removable rack is placed beneath the container, the entire device is elevated to prevent needless bending and stooping by the user. The device further comprises a retrieval opening which includes a fixed member and a movable member to provide a variable spacing between them depending on the size ball to be retrieved. The device is placed near a ball to be retrieved, tilted backward onto its wheels, rolled forward such that the ball is beneath the opening, then returned to its upright position in order to capture a ball.

Abstract: The trolling system for obtaining player endorsements on a baseball includes a drop cord, a reel which contains and holds the wound-up drop cord and a retractable ball basket. The retractable ball basket is attached at a terminal of the drop cord opposite the reel. The ball basket has a plurality of spaced apart and inwardly biased ribs. These ribs establish a ball container in a central region of the ball basket. Since the ribs are spaced apart and peripherally biased together at one end, the baseball player can rotate the baseball, identify an available endorsement area, and sign or endorse the baseball. Subsequent thereto, the fan can retract the ball basket by winding the drop cord on the reel thereby retrieving the ball from the lower elevation near the baseball player to the fan's elevated elevation in the stadium stands. The trolling system can be adapted for basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, hockey pucks and golf balls simply by changing the shape of the retractable ball basket.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever system comprising a unitary retriever component which includes an enlarged first cylinder and a smaller second cylinder formed of a generally rigid elastomeric material molded integrally. The second cylinder has diametrically opposed axial slots which are adapted to be received over the reception area of the handle end of the putter. The first cylinder has an opened free end remote from the second cylinder and a diameter greater than that of a standard golf ball. A generally circular lateral aperture sized for the passage of a standard golf ball therethrough from interior of the first cylinder is located adjacent to the end of the first cylinder and in proximity to the second cylinder.

Abstract: A catching toy includes a container having a first container body and a second container body which is relatively movable to the first container body. The first and second container bodies are configurable in a first state in which the container is opened and a second state in which the container is closed to form a chamber which is large enough to contain an object to be caught. A biasing member biases the second container body to the second state when the container is in the first stage. An engaging member engages the second container body with the first container body to keep the container in the first state. A releasing member releases an engagement of the first and second container bodies to change the container in the second state, by a contact with the object to be caught so that the object is entrapped in the chamber of the container.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a generally upwardly standing wheeled cart 10 having a ground level scoop 22 on its front end wherein tennis balls 12 can be scooped up and routed upwardly through a hopper 41 into a ball basket 28 when the cart 10 is moved in the forward direction. The front wheels 16 of the cart have axles 46 which serve to drive a belt 40 having flexible projecting edges 42 which belt 40 is located on the inside of the cart 10 which belt 40 turns in a counter clockwise direction and forces the tennis balls 12 upwardly through the enclosure of the cart by trapping the balls between the belt 40 which is the width of the cart 10 and the rear wall 44 of the cart 10 wherewith the balls 12 are forced upwardly and out of the top of the cart 10 into a rear hanging basket 28.

Abstract: A golf ball retrieval attachment includes an elastic sheath having an opening for receiving the head of a golf iron therein, the sheath being removably secured to the head by stretchable attachment thereabout. A semi-rigid elongated tongue is attached to the underside of the sheath and extends parallel to the shaft of the golf iron. The tongue includes a ball retrieval member having a cylindrical bore therethrough. The retrieval member further includes a flexible rim which allows a golf ball to pass thereby into the bore upon minimal pressure by the rim upon the ball. The bore is decreasingly tapered such that a golf ball entering the bore is securely held between the rim and the more narrowly tapered end of the bore. Downward pressure upon the retrieval attachment causes the tongue to bend such that the retrieval member can vertically engage the top of a golf ball. Thus, a golf ball may be retrieved through a lateral scooping motion or by bending the tongue in a vertical cup-like motion.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever is provided which has a sinuous rigid frame and a flexible gate formed from chain links. As the ball catcher is placed over a selected ball, the gate slides over the ball whereupon lifting the ball retriever will cause the gate to close beneath the ball and hold the ball in the pocket for manually removal.

Abstract: A system for managing table tennis balls facilitates retrieval of stray balls, stores them and dispenses them conveniently to a player as required. The system has two main components: a ball retriever, a.k.a. the BallSnatcher, and a storage rack, a.k.a. the BallFeeder. The tubular retriever can hold a column of balls and is deployed in a hand-held manner in a vertical orientation from a standing position. The retriever is fitted at its bottom end with a ball trap including (a) a flexible coaxial constriction ring defining an expandable entry opening that when lowered over a stray ball captures and retains it in the retriever tube, and (b) a flexible coaxial guidance flange extending outwardly and downwardly to provide initial guidance in retrieving a stray ball.

Abstract: An adjustable telescoping utility pole apparatus formed from a number of inter-received tubular members and frictional insert mechanisms. Each frictional insert mechanism has one end engaged with the inner diameter of the inner tubular member and a second end sidably engaged with the inner diameter of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving and teeing golf balls includes a golf ball retrieving member in the form of an open framework having an opening at a side thereof. The golf ball is trapped within the interior of the golf ball retrieving member by rotating the golf ball retrieving member relative to the ball. A golf ball engagement member is movably mounted relative to the framework between two positions. In one of the positions the golf ball engagement member engages a golf ball within the interior of the retrieving member to retain the golf ball in place within the retrieving member interior.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever which is attached to an elongated holder for retrieving golf balls from water hazards. It consists of a combination of two sections. The first section straddles and confines the ball laterally, and the second section is a trailing cage having a pair of hooks used to entrap the ball when the hooks are pulled under the ball, and which, when inverted, becomes a ball-carrying basket.

Abstract: A golf ball pickup has a pickup tube consisting of an inner tube, an outer tube, a constrictor fixed on the inner tube, and a locking mechanism with an eccentric shaft. The outer tube has an engage mouth for the eccentric shaft to fit in. When the locking mechanism is swung from an unlocking condition to a locking condition, the eccentric shaft may press the inner tube immovable. The eccentric shaft has one end functioning to stop the constrictor and then the inner tube in telescoping in the outer tube, without possibility of the inner tube completely sliding out of the outer tube. Thus the golf ball pickup has function of lengthening and shortening with non-stage to collapse to a small dimension for saving cost of package and transportation, and of suitting to golfers of different height to use.

Abstract: A tubular golf ball retrieving and dispensing device that includes a tubular main body for storage of the retrieved balls with an open retrieving/dispensing end. A one-way detent obstructs the retrieving/dispensing end so that balls may be forced past the detent into the storage tube, but the balls will not exit the tube past the detent until a release mechanism retracts the detent. A handle at the distal end of the storage tube includes a triggering device for the release mechanism.

Abstract: An improved multiple purpose golf ball retriever for retrieving golf balls from water hazards. The device comprises an elongated head which has a forward frame, rear frame, upper frame and side frames. The elongated head's handle mount can be permanently attached to a telescoping handle. The telescoping handle is attached to the handle mount on the upper frame offset from its center at a compound angle which aids capturing the ball in the raking mode while also facilitating the use of a wood or putter cover and ease of storage in the golf bag. The side frames inside diameters are slightly smaller than a golf ball which enables the golf ball retriever to capture the ball by going down over the ball from either side at any angle. The retriever can be used as a rake in clear or blind locations and from either side at any angle for clear water or rocky weedy and hazardous water areas that restrict the raking action.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking up, transporting and storing balls comprises two oposing planes separated by tension elementss which when forced over a solid, hollow or pressurized sphere simultaneously stretches the tension elements and/or compresses the sphere sufficiently to permit the sphere entry between the planes. Once the sphere is between the planes it is kept in place by the forces created by the stretched tension trying to regain their original unstretched configuration and the pinched sphere trying to regain its original configuration by trying to expand out.

Abstract: A tennis ball retriever for detachably mounting on the frame of a tennis racket which reduces the stooping and bending usually required to retrieve a tennis ball from the surface of a tennis court. The retriever comprises a pair of tines which are distorted when the racket is forced over the tines of the tennis ball.

Abstract: An annularly expanding and retracting gripping and releasing mechanism comprises an annular array of longitudinally fixed flexure elements and a corresponding number of longitudinally movable flexure elements. The arrangement is such that a longitudinally outward movement of the longitudinally movable flexure elements within the annular array of longitudinally fixed tubular flexure elements causes the fixed flexure elements to flex transversely outwardly and creates an annularly expanded condition defined by an annular series of transversely outwardly flexed fixed flexure elements interconnected at their flexure points by an annular series of arcuately outwardly flexed portions of the movable flexure elements.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever device for allowing players to retrieve golf balls without having to stoop over. The device has a handle whose length varies by having telescoping sections. One end of the handle attaches to a cylindrical head section and the other end is for being gripped by the user. The axis of the handle is substantially parallel but slightly off-axis to the axis of the cylindrical head section. The cylindrical head section has a hollowed out interior with diameters greater than that of a traditional golf ball. The interior of the cylindrical head resembles the exterior of a bell wherein the inlet opening is funnel shaped and the rear interior has a lip formed from a concave rounded back edge and a through-hole in the backwall, the latter of which is smaller than the golf ball diameter. The interior of the cylindrical head adequately holds one, two, three or more golf balls stacked on one another. Another embodiment uses an elliptical head with similar attributes.

Abstract: A pool cleaning apparatus includes a head having a forward portion and a rearward portion, a debris reservoir detachably connected to the rearward portion or the head, a first deflectable blade detachably connected to a lower end of the forward portion of the head, and being movable downwardly to engage a surface of the pool in response to water flow in the direction of the debris reservoir, and a bracket for connecting a handle to the head.

Abstract: A holding mechanism for a telescopic handle comprising a plurality of telescoping hollow tubes characterized by relative sliding stiffness between each of the tubes and having a similar resistance to rotation comprises a one piece partial sleeve sized to fit snugly about a respective one of the telescoping tubes and having a crimped portion extending radially inward over an axial extent of the sleeve intermediate its opposite circumferential ends. Each tube has an axially extending slot adjacent a first end for receiving the crimped portion of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the tube. The handle is assembled by sliding another tube over the tube and sleeve. The overlaying tube has one end terminating in a necked down portion having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the inner tube and smaller than a diameter of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the inner tube whereby the one end of the outer tube cannot pass over the sleeve on the inner tube.

Abstract: An elongate ball-retrieving device adapted for being connected in an end-to-end relationship with the handle end of a golf club, such that the golf club, when moved into a substantially aligned relationship with the elongate device, can advantageously serve to increase the effective length of the ball-retrieving device. One end of the elongate device is equipped with a cup usable for retrieving a golf ball lodged in a relatively inaccessible location, with the end of the elongate device opposite the cup having an upwardly-opening handle-receiving chamber bounded by a closely spaced pair of inwardly biased, handle-contacting fingers. These fingers are of resilient construction, with the spacing between the pair of fingers being less than the width of the handle to be received therebetween.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever includes an elongate telescoping handle to which is attached a frame defining a golf ball entrance plane to be positioned over a golf ball. The dimensions of the plane are large relative to the diameter of the ball so that it is easily positioned under adverse conditions of visibility. A U-shaped hoop connected at both ends to the frame defines a ball-retaining chamber having openings large enough to freely pass mud and debris but too small to pass the ball. An elastic member or spring extends at least partly across the entrance plane, thereby dividing the entrance plane into two parts, neither of which is large enough to permit passage of the ball unless the spring is forced aside. The spring is arranged to be readily forced aside when the frame is pushed onto the ball to admit the ball to the ball-retaining chamber. The spring is stiff enough to prevent spontaneous release of the ball from the chamber. The spring has tubular ends.

Abstract: A golf ball retrieving device including a elongated handle and a ball picking member having a pair of side elements in an acute angular relationship, the panels being in pivotal engagement selectively widening the acute angular relationship to receive a ball between the panels, at least one panel providing a seat for selectively securing a ball between the panels.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever having a dual entry for receiving a golf ball. In an exemplary embodiment, the golf ball retriever includes a substantially rectangular open wire frame head having a plurality of sufficiently closed sides forming a receiving area capable of retaining a golf ball substantially therein and two openings on adjacent perpendicular sides that are capable of receiving a golf ball therethrough and into the receiving area. The invention also includes a stud for attaching a handle to the frame head.

Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving balls and for serially dispensing the balls including a double-ended, elongated tubular member for housing a plurality of balls. A ball capture member is provided at one of the ends of the tubular member and a ball receiving member is connected to the other end of the tubular member. The tubular member, ball capture member and ball receiving member are releasably connected to a support surface such as the side wall of a ping pong table.

Abstract: A golf ball retriever that is integrally formed from a single sheet of a resilient flexible material comprises two panels separated by an H-shaped strap. The H-shaped strap is connected to end edges of the two panels along fold lines, and folds up in between the two panels as the two panels are brought together with their side and end edges aligned. The side edges of one panel are releasably interlocked with the side edges of the other panel by engaging respective tabs and slots provided along the panel side edges. When a force is applied to the interlocked side edges, the panels bow outwardly to form a tube having open tube ends. The golf ball retriever can be attached to the handle of a golf club by inserting the handle into one of the open tube ends, and then removing the force applied to the side edges. The H-shaped strap prevents the handle from extending into the tube beyond a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A retrieval, storage and discharge device including an inner cylindrical tube having a lower end, an upper end, an outer diameter, and an inner diameter sufficient to receive the balls, an outer cylindrical tube having a lower end, an upper end, an outer diameter, and an inner diameter sufficient to receive the outer diameter of the inner cylindrical tube, circumferentially spaced biased members carried in apertures formed through the lower end of the inner tube, and a collar mounted on the lower end of the outer cylindrical tube having an inner surface with greater diameters and lesser diameters, the collar rotatable with respect to the inner tube between a storage position wherein the biased members are aligned with and urged inward by the lesser diameter of the collar and a discharge position wherein the biased members are aligned with the greater diameter, and therefore permitted to move outwardly.

Abstract: A golfing aid is provided in which a pitch mark repair tool is mounted on the end of a shaft. The grip of the shaft can optionally have a ball retrieval device in the form of a suction cup having a plurality of inwardly biased or resilient fingers extending from its periphery.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a golf ball rake having a pair of frame members extending from an elongated handle. A plurality of curved tines extend from each frame member. Each tine has an elongated linear distal portion and a curved proximal portion. The linear distal portions are arranged to rake between long thick weeds and vegetation and the tines have a curved proximal portion to define a holding area for retrieval of golf balls.