Abstract:
A telescoping retractable assistive device for grabbing or picking-up golf balls is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate shaft having multiple sections. The length of the elongate shaft may be adjusted for compact storage or to extend the reach of the user. The elongated shaft is attached to a cup with a diameter sized to allow engagement with the top outside surface of a golf ball. The cup may be made of a resilient material which expands or contracts slightly upon engagement with the golf ball. In the preferred embodiment, the cup is translucent or clear to further improve direction and engagement with the ball. With this device, a golf ball lying on the golf course can be picked-up by the user standing on the golf course or sitting in a golf cart.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     (Not Applicable)  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application.  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
       [0003]     (Not Applicable)  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates to assistive devices and more particularly to a portable device useful for increasing the reach and comfort of a golfer. Generally, these devices share several characteristics such as extending the user&#39;s reach and grabbing or picking-up a golf ball. Additionally, the devices are used either while standing on the course or sitting in a golf cart. Several patents, as discussed below, are worth review with regard to this invention.  
         [0005]     1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,515 (&#39;515) issued to Hall teaches a handle and a cup with a closed end and an open end. The cup element as claimed has compressible material that expands and contracts to hold the golf ball. Both a straight and offset handle are taught.  
         [0006]     2. U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,166 (&#39;166) issued to Cash teaches using a suction cup or cup like device to fit over the golf ball for retrieval. In the patent &#39;166 itself, there is a discussion of the numerous prior art teachings covering various forms of retrieval devices. The device as taught by Cash has a straight handle. This patent is limited in light of Hall by both the notch in the cup and the pin going through the cup that limits outward expansion of the sidewalls of the cup. Cash goes on to describe and claim a telescoping handle. The Cash patent does not describe a “locking” telescoping feature.  
         [0007]     3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,488 issued to Richmond teaches using a suction cup like head. It does not, however, teach a straight handle, but only a handle having a forty-five (45) degree angle.  
         [0008]     4. U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,598 (&#39;598) issued to Bredow teaches the use of a telescoping handle. The handle is at an angle to the cup. The cup portion of the device as described is open on both the top and bottom. Additionally, the cup is sized to just allow the ball into the cup. Many patents share this size attribute. Bredow restricts the length of the grabber to “no more than a normal club to store in golf bag.” 
         [0009]     5. U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,288 (&#39;288) issued to Pasternak does not teach a golf ball retrieving device. It does, however, suggest that the handle as disclosed and claimed could be “utilized as a means of extending the reach and use of a variety of utility devices such as golf ball retrievers. A golf ball retriever as defined by Brett Kelley in “Your Guide to Golf” is “a utensil most commonly carried, naturally, by players who hit a lot of golf balls into the water. It&#39;s essentially a long pole with a small scoop on the end that allows a player to reach into a water hazard to retrieve golf balls that would otherwise be lost.” Golf ball retrievers as described and suggested by Pasternak are for the extension of the golfer&#39;s reach so that the golfer may retrieve their ball from a golf obstacle such as a water hazard, sand trap or rough. Retrievers as described and suggested by Pasternak are too long and clumsy for continuous use on the golf course to grab or pick-up a ball from the course.  
         [0010]     The prior art found in this area suffers from numerous problems as illustrated by the patents. The use of an off-set handle increases the difficulty in grabbing the ball. All embodiments of the prior art are clumsy to carry. None of the devices is compact when not in use. The devices as taught if they were to fit in a golfer&#39;s bag would probably displace a club from the bag. None of the prior art is so compact to fit in a side bag of the golf or easily fit in the back pocket of the golfer. Additionally, none of the prior art cited herein teaches any sort of arrangement to facilitate sighting the grabber over the ball.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The invention as described and disclosed herein has numerous advantages over the prior art herein. The invention is compact enough, when retracted, to fit into the typical golf bag side pocket. The invention is easy to use while seated in a golf cart because the invention&#39;s compactness reduces the clumsiness inherent with the prior art. Furthermore, the close proximity to the ball allows better control. A straight handle ensures the golfer can position and deliver the grabber directly over the ball. As designed the grabber is easier to use than the prior art because no scooping or rolling of the golf ball is necessary to engage the golf ball with the invention. The shape or curve of cup and the ball ensure a natural interaction, further aiding the user.  
         [0012]     The embodiment with a clear or translucent cup for grabbing the ball further increases the eye hand coordination thus allowing better finite control in grabbing the golf ball. Another feature found in the disclosed design is the lip around the top edge of the cup portion of the invention. The combination of the size of the cup and the lip negates the need for complete engulfment of the golf ball to secure a proper mating of the golf ball and the cup. This ensures the user has plenty of ball surface for contact and retraction of the golf ball from the grabber.  
         [0013]     The locking and telescoping feature of the invention allows the length of the extended ball grabber to be varied. A simple twist of the cam lock to allows the ball grabber to be locked in position. With another simple twist allows the cam lock to be unlocked for retraction and compaction. The inventor recognizes that golfers come in different sizes so golf ball grabbers should too. The addition of cushioned grip and wrist strap increases comfort, portability, and security respectively.  
         [0014]     As described, the invention can be used by golfers standing on the course or by golfers in golf carts which saves the golfer time. Additionally, as described the invention is useful for users having various physical and generalized limitations such as back or shoulder pain, arthritis and hip or knee replacement surgery just to name a few examples. The addition of a cushioned grip and wrist strap increase the ergonomics and comfort of the invention both in application and use, especially during retraction.  
         [0015]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf ball grabber that is compact in size when not in use but extendable when in use.  
         [0016]     It is another object of the invention for users to adjust and extend the length.  
         [0017]     It is another object of the invention for the user to be able to lock the invention in the adjusted, extended position.  
         [0018]     It is also an object of the invention for users to use it either in or out of a golf cart.  
         [0019]     It is also an object of the present invention for the translucent or clear nature of the cup to allow the user to better direct engagement between the golf ball and the invention.  
         [0020]     It is also object of the present invention to aid in the comfort and control of the user in both extended and retracted forms.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  provides an exploded view of a dual level ball grabber with a cam lock controlling extension and retraction.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective of a dual level ball grabber fully extended as embodied with a cam lock controlling extension and retraction.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  provides a perspective of a dual level ball grabber retracted as embodied with a cam lock controlling extension and retraction.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  provides an isometric view of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  provides an exploded view of another embodiment of a dual level retractable ball grabber with cam lock using threaded elements.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  provides an isometric view of another embodiment of a dual level retractable ball grabber with cam lock using threaded elements fully extended.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  provides an isometric view of a dual level retractable ball grabber with cam lock using threaded elements fully retracted.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  provides an exploded view of another embodiment of the invention using a compression lock mechanism.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  provides an isometric view of the embodiment found in  FIG. 8 , fully extended.  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  provides an isometric view of the embodiment found in  FIG. 8 , fully retracted.  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  provides an exploded view of the invention with multiple levels of extension controlled using a compression lock mechanism.  
         [0033]      FIG. 12  provides an isometric view of the invention with multiple levels of extension controlled using a compression lock mechanism and fully extended.  
         [0034]      FIG. 13  provides an isometric view of the invention with multiple levels of extension controlled using a compression lock mechanism and fully retracted.  
         [0035]      FIG. 14  provides an isometric view of the invention fully retracted with multiple levels and a safety wrist restraint.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     LISTING OF THE ELEMENTS  
       [0036]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Element Description 
                 Element # 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Gripping area 
                 1 
               
               
                 Fixed first stage storage tube 
                 2 
               
               
                 Cam lock-type mechanism 
                 3 
               
               
                 Final extension tube 
                 4 
               
               
                 Translucent grabber cup 
                 5 
               
               
                 Storage area 
                 6 
               
               
                 Collar 
                 7 
               
               
                 Threaded second end of final extension tube 
                 8 
               
               
                 Threaded opening in the grabber cup 
                 9 
               
               
                 Opening for fixed first stage storage tube 
                 10 
               
               
                 Wrist restraint fastening point 
                 11 
               
               
                 Flared end on final stage extension tube 
                 12 
               
               
                 Translucent grabber cup&#39;s friction fit collar 
                 13 
               
               
                 Cushion grip cover 
                 14 
               
               
                 Intermediate stage tube compression locking cap interface 
                 15 
               
               
                 Intermediate stage tube compression locking cap 
                 16 
               
               
                 Intermediate stage retractable extension tube 
                 17 
               
               
                 Threaded end of fixed first stage storage tube 
                 18 
               
               
                 Final stage tube compression locking cap 
                 19 
               
               
                 Safety wrist restraint 
                 20 
               
               
                 Intermediate stage tube compression locking cap interface 
                 21 
               
               
                 Intermediate stage tube compression ring 
                 22 
               
               
                 Intentionally Left Blank 
                 23 
               
               
                 Intentionally Left Blank 
                 24 
               
               
                 Intentionally Left Blank 
                 25 
               
               
                 Intentionally Left Blank 
                 26 
               
               
                 Final stage extension tube compression ring 
                 27 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]     Reference is first made to  FIG. 1  which is an exploded view of a dual level ball grabber. In this embodiment, a cam lock-type mechanism  3  controls extension and retraction of the translucent grabber cup  5 . At the top of the invention is the user gripping area  1 . The gripping area  1  is hollow. The top end of the gripping area  1  is closed. The bottom end is open and is attached to the first end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The fixed first stage storage tube  2  is also hollow. The second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2  has an opening to allow insertion of the first end of the final extension tube  4  for attachment to the cup  5 . Collar  7  is affixed at open end of the gripping area  1  and allows the insertion of the fixed first stage storage tube  2  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view wherein the ball grabber is fully extended and the viewer can see the internal portions of invention. Turning the cam lock  3  allows the user to unlock the cam lock  3  to extend the final extension tube  4  from the first stage storage tube  2 . When the final extension tube  4  is fully extended out, the first end of the final extension tube  4  is still engaged with both the cam lock  3  and the second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . Turning the cam lock  3  the opposite way allows the user to lock the final extension tube  4  in the fully extended mode to allow the user maximum extension to grab the golf ball with the translucent cup  5 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  provides a perspective view wherein the ball grabber is fully retracted and the viewer can again see the internal portions of invention. Turning the cam lock  3  allows the user to unlock the cam lock  3  to retract the final extension tube  4  into the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The internal area of the gripping area serves as a storage area  6  for final extension tube  4 . When the final extension tube  4  is fully retracted inside the fixed first storage tube  2 , the final extension tube  4  is still engaged with the cam lock  3  which can be turned back to lock the final extension tube  4  into the retracted position.  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  provides an isometric view of the invention in the fully extended mode.  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a dual level ball grabber. In this embodiment, a cam lock-type mechanism  3  again controls extension and retraction of the translucent cup  5  but various parts of the invention use threaded ends for affixation. At the top of the invention is the user gripping area  1 . The gripping area  1  is located at the first end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2  has an opening to allow insertion of the first end of the fixed first stage tube  2 . In this embodiment, collar  7  is affixed at the open end of the gripping area  1  and allows the insertion and engagement of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The first end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2  has a threaded end  18  which allows attachment of the fixed first stage storage tube to the gripping area  1  while allowing the first end of final extension tube  4  to slide through the storage tube  2  and into the gripping area  1 . The second end of final extension tube  4  also has a threaded end  8  allowing attachment of the translucent cup  5 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  provides a perspective view wherein the ball grabber is fully extended and the viewer can see the internal portions of invention. As in  FIG. 2 , turning the cam lock  3  allows the user to unlock the cam lock  3  to extend the final extension tube  4  from the first stage storage tube  2 . When the final extension tube  4  is fully extended out, the first end of the final extension tube  4  is still engaged with both the cam lock  3  and the second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . Turning the cam lock the opposite way allows the user to lock the final extension tube  4  in the fully extended mode to allow the user maximum extension to grab the golf ball with the translucent grabber cup  5 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  provides a perspective view wherein the ball grabber is fully retracted and the viewer can see the internal portions of invention. Turning the cam lock  3  allows the user to unlock the cam lock  3  to retract the final extension tube  4  into the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . When the final extension tube  4  is fully retracted inside the fixed first storage tube  2 , the final extension tube  4  is still engaged with the cam lock  3  which can be turned back to lock the final extension tube  4  into the retracted position.  
         [0044]     In this embodiment, as in  FIG. 3 , at the top of the invention is the user gripping area  1 . The gripping area  1  is located at the first end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2  has an opening to allow insertion of the first end of the fixed first stage tube  2 . In this embodiment, collar  7  at the open end of the gripping area  1  allows the insertion and engagement of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The first end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2  has a threaded end  18  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) which allows attachment of the fixed first stage storage tube to the gripping area  1  while allowing the first end of final extension tube  4  to slide through the storage tube  2  and into the gripping area  1 . The second end of final extension tube  4  also has a threaded end  8  allowing attachment of the translucent grabber cup  5 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 8  provides an exploded view of another embodiment of the invention using a compression lock mechanism. In this embodiment, the external surface of the gripping area  1  has been covered with a cushioned grip cover  14  which is open at both ends. Opening  10  in the cushioned grip cover  14  allows affixation of a wrist restraint fastening point  11  to the fixed first stage storage tube  2  and insertion through the cushioned grip cover  14 . The wrist restraint fastening point  11  may also be used in embodiments not requiring the cushioned grip cover  14 . Additionally, in this embodiment, the fixed first stage tube  2  and gripping area  1  have been combined as one continuous piece.  
         [0046]     The compression lock mechanism is composed of a compression locking cap interface  15 , compression locking cap  19 , and compression ring  27 . The compression locking cap interface  15  is located on the exterior of the second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The compression ring  27  rests on the exterior of the first end of the final extension tube  4  as does the compression locking cap  19 . The first end of the final extension tube  4  is placed inside the second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The locking cap  19  then engages the locking cap interface  15 . When the locking cap  19  is turned to compress the compression ring  27 , the first and final tube,  2  and  4 , respectively, cannot slide past each other. When the locking cap  19  is turned the opposite way, the pressure on the compression ring  27  is reduced allowing the first and final tubes ( 2  and  4 ) to slide past one and other. Another variation of the invention is found at elements  12  and  13  in  FIG. 8-10 . The second end of the final extension tube  4  has a flared end  12 . The flared end  12  of final extension tube  4  is adopted to affix the translucent cup  5  at the cup&#39;s friction fit collar  13 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 9  provides an isometric view of the embodiment found in  FIG. 8 , fully extended. In this view, the compression ring  27  is compressed by the compression cap  19  to hold or lock the invention in the fully extended mode.  
         [0048]      FIG. 10  provides an isometric view of the embodiment found in  FIG. 8 , fully retracted. In this view, the compression ring  27  is compressed by the compression cap  19  to hold or lock the invention in the fully retracted mode.  
         [0049]     As found in the  FIG. 11-14 , the invention has been further improved with the addition of multiple levels of extension controlled using a compression lock mechanism. This embodiment of the invention is shown using a compression lock mechanism but may be carried out using threaded elements or cam lock-type mechanisms.  
         [0050]      FIG. 11  provides an exploded view illustrating that this invention may be modified for use with multiple extension tubes. As shown, the external surface of the gripping area has been covered with a cushioned grip cover  14  which is open at both ends. Opening  10  in the cushioned grip cover  14  allows affixation of a wrist restraint fastening point  11  to the fixed first stage storage tube  2 .  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 11 , a compression lock is used to control the extension and retraction of the invention. Similar to the final stage compression lock mechanism, the intermediate stage compression lock mechanism is composed of a compression locking cap interface  21 , a compression locking cap  16 , and compression ring  22 . The compression locking cap interface  21  is located on the exterior of the second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The compression ring  22  rests on the exterior of the first end of the intermediate extension tube  17  as does the intermediate compression locking cap  16 . The first end of the intermediate extension tube  17  is placed inside the second end of the fixed first stage storage tube  2 . The intermediate locking cap  16  then engages the intermediate tube locking cap interface  21 . When the locking cap  16  is turned to compress the compression ring  22 , the first storage tube  2  and intermediate tube  17  cannot slide past each other. When the locking cap  16  is turned the opposite way, the pressure on the compression ring is reduced allowing the first storage tube  2  and intermediate tube  17  to slide past one and other.  
         [0052]     Again, the final stage compression lock mechanism is composed of a compression locking cap interface  15 , compression locking cap  19 , and compression ring  27 . The compression locking cap interface  15  is located on the exterior of the second end of the intermediate tube  17 . The compression ring  27  rests on the exterior of the first end of the final extension tube  4  as does the compression locking cap  19 . The first end of the final extension tube  4  is placed inside the second end of the intermediate tube  17 . The locking cap  19  then engages the locking cap interface  15 . When the locking cap is turned to compress the compression ring  27 , the intermediate tube  17  and final tube  4  cannot slide past each other. When the locking cap  19  is turned the opposite way, the pressure on the compression ring  27  is reduced allowing the intermediate and final tubes ( 17  and  4 ) to slide past one and other. Elements  12  and  13  in  FIG. 11-14  again show the second end of the final extension tube  4  has a flared end  12 . The flared end  12  of final extension tube  4  is adopted to affix within the translucent cup  5  at the cup&#39;s friction fit collar  13 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 12  provides an isometric view of the embodiment found in  FIG. 11 , fully extended. In this view, the compression rings  22  and  27  (not shown) are compressed by the compression caps  16  and  19  to hold or lock the invention in the fully extended mode.  
         [0054]      FIG. 13  provides an isometric view of the embodiment found in  FIG. 11 , fully retracted. In this view, the compression rings  22  and  27  (not shown) are compressed by the compression cap  19  to hold or lock the invention in the fully retracted mode.  
         [0055]      FIG. 14  provides an isometric view of the invention fully retracted using multiple tubes for extension and attachment of a safety wrist restraint  20  at safety wrist restraint attachment point  11 . The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof. Reference should be made to the appending claims rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.