Abstract:
A golf club has a device for the alternate picking up and simultaneous placing down of a marker on the green or respectively the placing down of a golf ball through the intermediary of a mechanical pivotal mechanism, wherein both the picking up of the ball and the simultaneous placing of the marker as well as the placing of the ball and the picking up of the marker from the green is effected by the player whilst in a substantially standing position. By the mechanical pivotal mechanism being formed by a pivotally mounted rocker for the alternate picking up of ball and marker and the picking up and placing down of the marker being effected in a guided manner, the ball is picked up and the marker simultaneous placed down or respectively the ball is placed and the marker picked up in a correct manner without the player needing to bend down.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation in part of PCT application PCT/EP 2005/010391, filed on Sep. 27, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. This application is also related to and claims the priority of German Patent Application 10 2004 048 073.7, filed on Feb. 10, 2004, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/639,160, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a golf club as well as to an associated ball marker.  
       BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     In the game of golf, one player regularly has to pick his golf ball up from the green whilst another player is playing his ball. At this time, a marker is placed behind the ball on the green. When it is the first player&#39;s turn to play his shot, he picks up the marker and replaces his golf ball on the original spot. Golf balls have to be picked up at the end of every hole and on different greens throughout the golf course and this can be difficult for older players or for those who are no longer as supple as they once were, as they have to bend forwards and pick up the golf ball or respectively the marker. The resultant problem has been around for a long time, which means that the state of the art already provides some solutions to this problem.  
         [0004]     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0022539 A1, especially FIGS.  3  to  6 , makes known a mechanical solution comprising a plurality of interacting pivotal arms, the mechanical solution being disposed on the handle of the putter. When a picking up opening in the golf putter is pressed over the ball, on the one hand the ball is secured in the putter and, on the other hand and at the same time, a magnetically held marker is released by means of the levers of the pivotal arms. However, the release of the marker leads to inaccuracies that can be manipulated and are consequently not in accordance with golf rules and this is made worse by the fact that, from the viewpoint of the player, the position of the marker can only be guessed at when a ball is picked up. In the reverse direction, the ball has to be released, however, in the case of the said mechanical exemplified embodiment, there is no explanation as to how this occurs and/or how the marker is to be picked up. The arrangement on the handle not only makes it difficult to manipulate when picking up the ball, it also created difficulties when stowing the golf club back into the golf bag as the golf club can catch on the other golf clubs.  
         [0005]     Even more inaccurate are the release mechanisms in the case of the solution according to U.S. Pat. No. 5, 417,426, U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,139, U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,430 or to U.S. application No. 2002/0147055 A1, as in all cases there is no guiding of the marker and, in the majority of cases, no simultaneousness with the placing of the marker and the picking up of the ball. These solutions do not work in the reverse direction if the marker is to be picked up and the ball placed back in its original position.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention is based on correctly picking up the ball and at the same time placing down the marker or respectively placing down the ball and picking up the marker without the player having to bend down.  
         [0007]     This is achieved by means of a golf club and ball marker used together with the golf club, both having features as claimed and described herein.  
         [0008]     Using the modified golf club or respectively golf putter, a player can pick the ball up off the green and at the same time mark it whilst in the standing position. This procedure is carried out using the club head or respectively the putter head. A big advantage is that as the game progresses, the procedure is carried out in the reverse order, that-is-to-say, preferably from the standing position the placed marker can be removed through the intermediary of the club head or respectively the putter head once the ball has first been replaced into its original position. Manipulations, with reference to the distance between the ball and the marker, or the ball and the hole, are obviated to the greatest possible extent as the marker is forcibly guided preferably both when being placed and when being picked up.  
         [0009]     Further advantages are produced from the sub claims and the subsequent description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The invention is described in detail in the enclosed diagrams. The details can be altered/improved by means of modifications without the sense and purpose of the invention being altered. The Figures are as follows:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the golf club,  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the golf club,  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view onto the hitting face of the golf club,  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the golf club with the golf ball having been picked up,  
         [0015]      FIG. 5, 6  are sections through the center of the golf club directly before and after the ball has been picked up,  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view in the normal position, that-is-to-say without a golf ball, of an additional embodiment with a two-arm rocker,  
         [0017]      FIG. 8, 9  are representations as in  FIGS. 5 and 6  of the additional embodiment,  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view and top view of a marker,  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a marker developed specially with ball locking bolts for holding purposes,  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged cutout of the rocker in the region of the bearing arrangement of the golf ball with a golf ball that has been picked up,  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is another alternative for the securing of a marker to the rocker. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     The invention is now described in more detail as an example with reference to the enclosed drawings. However, the exemplified embodiments are only examples that are not to restrict the inventive concept to a specific disposition.  
         [0023]     Before the invention is described in detail, it must be pointed out that it is not restricted to the respective components of the golf club or to the explained method of operation as the said components and method can vary. The terms used in this case are simply determined to describe particular specific embodiments and are not used in a restrictive manner. If, in the description and in the claims, the singular or unspecific articles are used, this also refers to the multiple of these said elements in so far as the overall context does not clearly make the contrary applicable. The same is applicable in the reverse direction.  
         [0024]     The Figures show a putter, it also being possible for the invention to be provided on another golf club.  FIG. 1  shows a top view of the golf club, preferably the putter. The choice of material, as well as the exterior design and the mounting of the shaft  1  are not objects of the invention.  FIG. 1  shows the cylindrical opening  2  that is open upwards and is for picking up the golf ball, and the rocker  3  in the “one finger” design. The sole  5  of the club or respectively of the putter that widens outwards is for picking the ball up off the green without placing down the marker  13 . The rear recess  4  that is preferably round or oval, that is in the form of a peephole, makes it possible for the deposited marker to be seen when the golf ball  18  is returned. This means that it is easier to find and position the marker that is situated on the green. According to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the putter, the rear sole  6  of the club or respectively of the putter can be inclined upwards in a function-orientated manner, details of which can be found below.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a view of the hitting face  17  of the putter.  FIG. 4  is a top view of the putter with the golf ball  18  having been picked up. A section through the center of the putter, as in  FIG. 5 , shows the mechanism in the initial position shortly before the ball is picked up with the cylindrical opening that is mounted in the center and is for accommodating the ball. The opening  2  is conically tapered on the top side of the putter for the defined limiting of the accommodating of the golf ball. The diameter of the opening is larger than that of a normal golf ball. This means that “magnum” golf balls can also be picked up.  
         [0026]     The rocker  3  represents one element of the invention. It is simply designed and can be produced in the form of a molded part produced from different materials (for example metal or plastics material). The rocker is mounted so as to pivot about a pivotal axis  15  that is formed preferably by at least one bolt and provides the functional connection between golf ball  18  and marker  13 . The rocker  3  or respectively the axis of rotation is preferably mounted at the pivot points by means of two spring-loaded spherical elements. This means that it can easily be removed from the golf putter manually, without the need for any tools, by overcoming the spring force of the said spring-loaded spherical elements. The rocker can be in the form of a one-arm rocker  3  or a two-arm rocker  3   a  ( FIG. 7 ). The side facing the golf ball is adapted to the form of the golf ball  18 . The other side of the rocker is for picking up and securing the marker  13 . This latter is retained in the putter head, either by means of a frictional-locking connection ( FIG. 5 ) or a positive-locking connection, such as, for example, tensioning elements  16  ( FIG. 8 ). The marker, in its turn, secures the rocker  3  or respectively  3   a  in the normal position, that-is-to-say not having picked up a ball.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  also shows the spring element  7  with the mounted rivet head  8  in the relieved position. It is the job of the spring element  7  to press the golf ball  18 , that has been picked up, against the rocker  3  by means of the spring force generated. The rivet head  8 , in this case, provides a positive-locking connection with the scale-shaped recesses of the golf ball. This means that the golf ball is prevented from falling out of the putter when the ball is picked up. It is possible to use spring-loaded spherical elements  7   a  ( FIG. 12 ) or other locking elements in place of the spring element  7  and they can also be accommodated in the rocker  3 . In principle, additional embodiments that are familiar to the man skilled in the art are also conceivable in so far as it can be guaranteed that the ball is secured in the putter at times.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows the rocker  3 , in this exemplified embodiment held by means of a magnet, in the normal position. The magnet  14  acts on the marker, which, in its turn, secures the rocker between the marker and the putter. A particular feature is that the arm of the rocker  3  does not project above the top of the putter in this position.  
         [0029]     Picking up a golf ball:  
         [0030]     When a ball is being picked up, the putter is guided over the golf ball. This is effected single-handedly and with the player in the upright position. By means of the player exerting light pressure onto the putter, the golf ball is pressed against the rocker  3  or respectively  3   a  and the spring element  7  or respectively the spring-loaded spherical element  7   a . This has the effect of moving the rocker and releasing the marker  13  from its holding means. As the ball-picking-up movement progresses, the marker is moved in a positive locking manner, or respectively preferably as a consequence of additional ball notch bolts, such as, for example, the tensioning element  16  ( FIG. 11 ), in a frictional locking and a positive locking manner, in and by the rocker  3  to the green and is pressed onto the said green. The arm of the rocker associated with the marker is almost in alignment with the sole  5  of the putter in this position. Ball  18 , spring element  7  or respectively spring-loaded element  7   a  and rocker  3  remain in their position on account of the golf ball that has been picked up, even if the putter is lifted up in a vertical manner. The marker  13  itself remains behind positioned on the green. Where required, a forced guiding movement can be provided for the marker.  FIG. 6  shows the ball that has been picked up, the tensioned spring element  7  and the rocker  3  in the holding and marking position, that-is-to-say after the ball has been picked up and the marker  13  deposited.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is also a top view in the normal position, that is without a golf ball, of an additional embodiment with a “two-arm” rocker  3   a . This view shows the two tensioning elements  16  with spring-loaded spheres. In addition, it is possible to see the recess  4 , through which the marker  13  can be steered.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are substantially identical to  FIGS. 5 and 6  except for the two-arm rocker. In addition, the marker  13 , as shown in an enlarged view in  FIG. 11 , is retained by two spring-loaded spheres or ball notch bolts.  FIG. 9  illustrates that once the ball has been picked up, the two rocker arms are in a horizontal position. In the case of this variant, they do not protrude beyond the top of the putter, contrary to the single arm rocker in  FIG. 6   
         [0033]     Placing the golf ball back on the green:  
         [0034]     When the ball is being replaced, the player, using just one hand and standing in an upright position, moves the head of the putter, which contains the golf ball  18 , over the marker that is situated on the green in such a manner that the recess  11  ( FIGS. 6, 9 ) in the rocker  3 ,  3   a  centers on the marker  13 . The finding of the marker and the positioning of the recess  11  over the marker is facilitated in a substantial manner by the recess  4  ( FIGS. 6 and 9 ) that is configured as a peephole.  
         [0035]     By pivoting the putter head lightly to the side in the direction of the inclination  12  ( FIG. 6 ) through the intermediary of the shaft  1 , the golf ball  18  is pressed out of its holding position. As the ball-depositing-movement progresses, the marker  13 , at the same time, moves towards its holding position until it is locked. The putter can then be removed upwards. The ball stays in its original putting position and can be putted. As the procedure develops in an inevitable manner, it is not possible to manipulate the golf ball when the ball is being deposited!  
         [0036]      FIG. 10  shows the marker, which has been developed specially to be held by the magnet  14 . By means of the straight flat surface  9 , which intersects a part of the picking up sphere, the marker  13  is prevented from being removed from the putter again by its top side  13   a  in a wrong position that is consequently not in accordance with golf rules. The tip  10  that is mounted on the bottom gives the marker better holding and better securement on the green. The marker in  FIG. 10  is developed to be retained by means of a magnet, the marker in  FIG. 11  is developed to be retained by means of spring-loaded spheres, such as the tensioning element  16 .  FIG. 13  shows an additional alternative for the securing of a marker on the rocker  3 . The flat marker is secured and accommodated centrally on the outside diameter. The centering is effected by means of integral formations  19  that are disposed on the periphery of the recess  11 . The spring element in  FIG. 5  has a relatively large travel stroke and is for holding the golf ball and for bridging the different golf ball diameters.  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged cutout of the rocker  3  in the region of the bearing arrangement of the golf ball  18  where a golf ball has been picked up. In this case, it is possible to see the at least one contact face  20  with which the rocker  3  abuts against a wall  21  of the club housing, or respectively putter housing, when a ball has been picked up. In the position that is shown by the dot-dash line, the marker  13  has been picked up and the contact face does not abut against the Wall  21 . The contact face  20  preferably has a curved shape such that as the rocker  3  is pivoted further inwards as a result of the golf ball  18  being picked up, there is an increasing frictional connection between the rocker and the club housing, which is represented by the continuous line. This creates a braking effect with regard to the pivotal movement of the rocker  3  with the result that the rocker, when centering and picking up the marker  13 , does not move in an undesired manner and consequently holds the ball reliably and does not release it uncontrollably.  
         [0038]      FIG. 12  also shows the spring-loaded spherical element  7   a  as an alternative to the spring element  7  used to hold the golf ball  18  when it has been picked up. The spring-loaded spherical element  7   a  is accommodated in the displaceable rocker  3  and comprises spherical elements that are disposed at one point, preferably at two points.  
         [0039]     Using this device, it is possible to pick up or respectively place down the golf ball and place down or respectively pick up the marker from the green in accordance with the applicable rules of golf. On one hand, the marker is guided when it is being put down such that it is possible to put it down again in a reproducible manner. On the other hand, where required, the marker is placed down behind the ball when viewed from the hole in accordance with the rules of golf. Where the golf club is used, in accordance with the rules of golf, the marker is first placed in position before the ball can be removed from the green using the putter. When the ball is being replaced, the ball is first brought into position on the green, in dependence on the position of the marker, before the marker is removed. The picking-up-position corresponds precisely to the placing-down-position of the marker such that any manipulating of the position of the golf ball that has been compulsorily replaced with reference to the putting hole is excluded to the greatest possible extent. In addition, where required, the rocker  3  can be removed from the putter for competitions.  
         [0040]     It is obvious that this description can be subject to the most varied of modifications, amendments and adaptations, which are considered as equivalents to the attached claims.