Abstract:
A golf accessory comprises a ball retrieval tool on one end and a ball mark repair tool on the opposite end which facilitates use of both tools without requiring a golfer to bend down. The golf accessory may further comprise telescoping members inside a shaft for extending the golf accessory to various lengths away from a golfer desiring to use the tools on each end thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 11/278,570 filed Apr. 4, 2006, currently pending, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference; which claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/668,927 filed Apr. 6, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference; and provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/686,669 filed Jun. 2, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to golf accessories, and more particularly to a golf accessory including a ball retrieval tool and a ball mark repair tool.  
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The sport of golf is enjoyed by persons of nearly all ages. Elderly persons in particular are able to play golf even when they are no longer able to participate in other physical sports. However, elderly golfers often have problems with their backs and hips, preventing them from bending over to repair ball marks and retrieve balls without difficulty. Heretofore the available ball mark repair tools have been handheld and required the golfer to bend down in order to repair a ball mark on the green. In addition to physical challenges associated with using existing ball mark repair tools, because the tools are small in size they can be difficult to find in a golf bag and can create discomfort if they become displaced in a clothing pocket.  
         [0004]     In addition to bending over to repair ball marks, a golfer must bend over to retrieve the ball from the cup. Although there are currently tools on the market to assist golfers in retrieving balls from the cup, each of the available tools must be stored in the golf bag, taking up room which may be needed for golf clubs, etc.  
         [0005]     The present invention comprises an improved golf accessory which overcomes the limitations of traditional golf accessories currently on the market. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, the golf accessory comprises a ball retrieval tool at one end and a ball mark repair tool at the opposite end facilitating the repair of ball marks and retrieval of golf balls without requiring a golfer to bend down.  
         [0006]     In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a golf accessory comprises a shaft having a ball mark repair tool and a ball retrieval tool are secured at opposite ends thereof. A clip or fastening device is secured along the shaft of the golf accessory to facilitate securing the golf accessory to the outside of a golf bag instead of using interior space thereof. Telescoping members inside the shaft of the accessory enable the ball retrieval tool to be extended to various lengths thereby facilitating the recovery of golf balls from water hazards.  
         [0007]     In addition to repairing ball marks, the ball mark repair tool may be utilized to insert the golf accessory into a ground surface adjacent to the green when not being used thereby preventing a golfer from having to bend over to retrieve the golf accessory. Often a golfer must take two clubs to the green, a putter and a wedge, or other similar club used to chip a ball onto the green, which has heretofore been laid on the ground when not in use thereby requiring the golfer to bend over to retrieve the unused club. A hook or other support means located on the shaft of the golf accessory below the ball retrieval tool may be utilized to support the unused club against the golf accessory preventing instead of placing the club on the ground.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a golf accessory comprising a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating sixth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a seventh embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating an eighth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is an environmental view illustrating one aspect of the use of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a ninth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is an environmental view illustrating a tenth embodiment of the present invention and an additional aspect of the use;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the spring loaded clip of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the spring loaded clip of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of the spring loaded clip of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is a view similar to  FIG. 16  illustrating the actuation of the spring loaded clip thereof; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is an illustration of the use of the golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool of the present invention in conjunction with a golf bag.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]     Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a golf accessory  10  comprising a first embodiment of the present invention. The golf accessory  10  comprises shaft  12  having a ball mark repair tool  14  at one end and a ball retrieval tool  16  at the other end thereof. An optional spring-loaded clip  18  located near one end of the golf accessory providing means for supporting the golf accessory to the outside of a golf bag to preserve space in the golf bag and/or for easier access to the accessory  10 .  
         [0028]     The ball retrieval tool  16  used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10  is illustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. D475,112 S. The ball retrieval tool  16  may be fabricated from a metal such as aluminum, a polymer material, or another suitable material known to those skilled in the art to resist rust or corrosion. The ball mark repair tool  14  used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,274. If used, the clip  18  facilitates the golf accessory to be secured snugly over a rim or other similar surface of a golf bag. The proximal end of the clip  18  secures to the shaft  12  by threaded fasteners, an adhesive, or any suitable fastening methods known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing golf accessories.  
         [0029]     The clip  18  is spring-loaded and may be fabricated from a metal such as aluminum, a polymer material, or another suitable material known to those skilled in the art to resist rust or corrosion. Alternative to a rigid structure the clip  18  may be a flexible member enabling the clip  18  to be tightened onto the rim of a golf bag by pressing the distal end of the clip  18  toward the proximal end thereof. The shaft  12  comprises telescoping members  22  which extend the golf accessory  10  to facilitate balls to be retrieved from water hazards, sand traps, trees, and the like that cannot be easily accessed by a golfer.  
         [0030]     The present invention further includes an optional cover for the ball mark repair tool  14  of the golf accessory  10 . The cover may be formed from various flexible materials including leather, imitation leather, various plastics, etc. The cover may also be formed from a rigid material such as stainless steel, steel, brass, aluminum, other metals, and various plastics. Either the flexible or the rigid version of the cover may be provided with a protective interior layer formed from a suitable material such as natural or artificial felt, etc.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second ball retrieval tool  16 A that may be used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10 . The ball retrieval tool  16 A shown in  FIG. 2  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,859 and sold under the trademarked name of The Hide-Away Retriever®.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a third ball retrieval tool  16 B that may be used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10 . The ball retrieval tool  16 B shown in  FIG. 3  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,926 and sold under the trademarked name of Gotcha®.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a fourth ball retrieval tool  16 C that may be used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10 . The ball retrieval tool  16 C shown in  FIG. 4  is a generally conical solid structure comprising a receiving aperture  24  on the proximal end thereof for receiving the distal most telescoping member  22  or receiving the shaft  12  and a cup  26  for scooping a ball from a hole. The retrieval tool  16 C may be fabricated from rubber, a flexible polymer material, or other similar material known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing golf accessories.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a fifth ball retrieval tool  16 D that may be used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10 . The ball retrieval tool  16 D shown in  FIG. 5  is illustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 306,058.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates a sixth ball retrieval tool  16 E that may be used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10 . The ball retrieval tool  16 E shown in  FIG. 6  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,352.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a seventh ball retrieval tool  16 F that may be used in conjunction with the golf accessory  10 . The ball retrieval tool  16 F shown in  FIG. 7  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,189.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  illustrates a golf accessory  40  comprising an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Many of the component parts of the golf accessory  40  are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the golf accessory  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIG. 8  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the golf accessory  10 , but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation.  
         [0038]     The golf accessory  40  differs from the golf accessory  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 7  in that the golf accessory  40  does not include telescoping members. Instead the golf accessory  40  comprises a shaft  12 ′ with a ball mark repair tool  14 ′ at and a ball retrieval tool  16 ′ at each end thereof. Although the golf accessory  40  is illustrated using the ball retrieval tool  14 C shown in  FIG. 4 , the golf accessory  40  may also be used in conjunction with any of the ball retrieval tools  16  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 9  illustrates a golf accessory  50  comprising a variation of the golf accessory  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7  and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The golf accessory  50  is substantially identical in construction and function to the golf accessory  10 , except that the golf accessory  50  comprises only one telescoping member  22 . The golf accessory  50  is illustrated with the ball mark repair tool  14  inserted into a ground surface  52 . The golf accessory  50  comprising only one telescoping member  22  results in the golf accessory  50  having a more compact and lightweight shaft  12  for ease of use by golfers having back problems.  
         [0040]      FIG. 10  illustrates the golf accessory  10  having a handle  60  with an optional flexible golf-bag engaging member  62  secured thereto. The handle  60  may be fabricated of rubber, plastic, or other similar materials suitable for a handle or grip application. If used, the flexible golf-bag engaging member  62  may be fabricated from materials such as plastic, metal or any other hard but pliable material known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing sporting accessories.  
         [0041]     During the play of golf, a golf bag is generally supported on a golf cart which the golfer must leave in order to access the greens of the golf course. The golf accessory of the present invention is carried along with a putter by a golfer as the golfer approaches the putting green in anticipation of retrieving the ball from the cup and the possibility that a ball mark will need repair. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the golf accessory of the present invention may be inserted into a ground surface adjacent to the green when not being used thereby preventing a golfer from having to bend over to retrieve the golf accessory. In addition to retrieving a golf ball from a cup, the golf accessory of the present invention as shown having a plurality of telescoping members may be used to retrieve balls from water hazards, sand traps, trees, and the like.  
         [0042]      FIG. 11  illustrates the golf accessory  40  having a golf club leaned thereagainst and supported by the clip  18 . By utilizing the golf accessory  40  to support a golf club while not is use, the golfer is not required to bend over to retrieve the club from the ground surface  52 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  illustrates the golf accessory  70  comprising a variation of the golf accessory  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 10  and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The golf accessory  70  is substantially identical in construction and function to the golf accessory  10 , except that the golf accessory  70  comprises a support member  72  for supporting a golf club when not in use in lieu of supporting the club on the clip  18 . The support member  72  surrounds the shaft  12  and may be collapsed when not in use for more compact storage of the golf accessory  70 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative to the support member  72  to be used in conjunction with the golf accessory. An indentation  78  is formed in the shaft  12  below the ball retrieval tool  16  for supporting a golf club leaned thereagainst.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 14 through 17 , inclusive, further illustrate the construction and operation of the spring loaded clip  18 . Referring particularly to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the spring loaded clip  18  includes a first component  18 A secured to the telescoping shaft  12  and a second component  18 B supported for pivotal movement relative to the first component  18 A. The second component includes a gripping member  18 C which is biased into engagement with the telescoping shaft  12  by a spring  18 D. The second component  18 B further includes a handle portion  18 E which, upon manual actuation, pivotally disengages the gripping component  18 C from the shaft  12  against the action of the spring  18 D.  
         [0046]     A variation of the spring loaded clip illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  described hereinabove in conjunction therewith is illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In the variation of the spring loaded clip  18  illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17  the spring  18 D supports the component  18 B for pivotal movement relative to the telescoping shaft  12  and simultaneously biases the gripping component  18 C into engagement with the shaft  12 . As is clearly illustrated in  FIG. 17  when the handle  18 E is depressed in the direction of the arrow  18 F the component  18 B is pivoted relative to the shaft  12  thereby disengaging the gripping member  18 C therefrom.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 18  there is shown a conventional golf bag  100  comprising a base  102  for supporting the golf bag  100  on an underlying surface and a side wall  104  extending upwardly from the base  102  for receiving a plurality of golf clubs  106  therein. The side wall  104  extends to an upper edge  108 .  
         [0048]     The golf bag  100  also supports a golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool comprising the present invention thereon. For example, the golf bag  100  may support the golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool  10  of  FIG. 1  therein. The spring loaded clip  18  comprising the golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool grippingly engages the side wall  104  of the golf bag  100  thereby positioning the golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool for easy access by a golfer. Supporting the golf ball recovery and ball mark repair tool of the present invention on the outside of the golf bag  100  prevents interference thereof with golf clubs and other items stowed within the golf bag.  
         [0049]     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.