GOLF AID DEVICE

A golf aid device for placing in the ground a tee and a golf ball thereon includes an elongate body, a ball and tee holder at a lower end of the elongate body, and a manually operable control means at an upper end of the elongate body. The ball and tee holder is movable between a closed state wherein a ball and tee may be held thereby, and an open position wherein the ball and tee may be removed therefrom. The manually operable control means is configured for moving the holder between the closed and open states, wherein upon moving the holder to the closed state, the device is biased to remain in the closed state.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf aid device for placing in the ground a tee and a golf ball thereon.

BACKGROUND

Teeing up in golf typically requires a player to stoop, bend down or kneel to position a golf tee in the ground and placing a ball thereon. After teeing off, the player usually needs to stoop down again to retrieve the tee. Moreover, after a ball is holed, the player must bend down again to retrieve the ball. This repetitive action of constantly bending down and getting up during a game of golf can be tiring, debilitating or even prohibitive, depending on the physical fitness of a player and any physical ailments they might have.

Some golf aid devices have been developed to address the repetitive bending involved in playing golf. However, such devices are typically overly conspicuous, may not work with tees of different sizes, and do not allow for positioning of tees at various heights. Additionally, if one drops or places a prior device on the ground, it can be cumbersome and difficult to retrieve, and in certain instances may still require the player to bend down and pick it up. There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and disadvantages associated with conventional systems that have not yet been fully solved by currently available techniques. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide embodiments that overcome at least some of the shortcomings of prior art techniques.

Disclosed herein is a golf aid device for placing in the ground a tee and a golf ball thereon, the device including an elongate body, a ball and tee holder at a lower end of the elongate body, movable between a closed state wherein a ball and tee may be held thereby, and an open position wherein the ball and tee may be removed therefrom; and a manually operable control means at an upper end of the elongate body, configured for moving the holder between the closed and open states, wherein upon moving the holder to the closed state, the device is biased to remain in the closed state.

According to embodiments of the invention, the control means comprises a first actuator manually operable to bias the holder to the open state, and a second actuator manually operable to bias the holder in the closed state, wherein actuation of one of the two actuators releases the other actuator such that the holder is maintained in either the closed or open states at a given time and without further manual operation of the control means.

According to embodiments of the invention, the holder comprises an openable enclosure for releasably holding the golf ball.

According to embodiments of the invention, the enclosure further comprises, at a lower end thereof, adjustable gripping means configured for holding tees of different sizes.

According to embodiments of the invention, an upper end of the enclosure comprises arms configured to scissor relative to one another to enable opening and closing of the enclosure.

According to embodiments of the invention, the holder is operatively connected with the control means via one or more links within the elongate shaft.

According to embodiments of the invention, the device further comprises a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a height at which the device places the tee into the ground.

According to embodiments of the invention, the height adjustment mechanism comprises legs via which the device can stand such that the holder is positioned above the ground, the legs being lockably movable relative to the elongate body for travel therealong to adjust the height between the holder and the ground.

According to embodiments of the invention, the device further comprises locking means for releasably locking the legs relative to the body, wherein unlocking the legs allows them to be folded relative to the elongate body for stowage.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of placing a golf ball and tee in the ground using a device according to a first aspect of the invention, the method including (a) if the holder is in the closed stated, operating the control means to move the holder to the open state, (b) loading the ball and tee into the holder, (c) operating the control means to move the holder to the closed state, (d) orienting the device so as to place the golf ball and tee into the ground, and (e) operating the control means to move the holder to the open state so as to release the placed tee and ball from the device.

According to embodiments of the invention, prior to loading the ball and tee the method comprises locking the holder into the open state, and after loading the ball and tee the method comprises unlocking the holder from the open state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1and2show a golf aid device2according to embodiments of the invention. The device2comprises an elongate shaft4which is preferably formed from or configured to appear like the shaft of a regular golf club. At a lower end of the shaft is a ball and tee holder6. The holder6is configured for opening and closing so that a ball8and tee10(shown inFIG.3B) can be releasably held by the holder6, with the ball8positioned atop the tee10and placed into the ground for teeing up. The holder6can similarly be opened to grab golf balls and tees from the ground.

The device2also comprises a height-adjustable means in the form of a movable stand, depicted as a tripod12. The tripod12can slide up and down the shaft4such that the height at which the holder6is held above the ground can be adjusted, thereby allowing players to select the height at which they wish to place the tee10into the ground. The tripod legs14may fold away such that the golf aid device2can be neatly stored away with other golf clubs and equipment.

The device2also comprises control means16configured to control the holder6. In the depicted embodiment, the control means16is disposed at an upper handle end of the elongate shaft4. The handle end is also configured to look like a handle of a regular golf club.

Embodiments of the present invention thus provide a device2which takes on the form of a regular golf club and can be stored and transported along with other golf clubs and equipment relatively inconspicuously. It also provides a simple control means16for operating the holder6and allows players to place and retrieve golf balls8and tees10of varying sizes at various heights in the ground without needing to bend or stoop down.FIGS.1and2show different embodiments.

FIGS.3A and3Bshow a lower end of the device2. The holder6comprises a jaw-like enclosure which can be selectively opened and shut by the player. In the open state, a tee10can be secured to the enclosure6with a ball8thereon. For example, the device2could be held by a player while they are standing, and they can manually place the tee10and golf ball8into the enclosure6. The enclosure is spring-biased54(FIG.4) towards a closed state to securely retain the ball and tee even before the player locks the enclosure closed. Next, the player can operate the control means16to locked closed the enclosure6(FIG.3(b)) such that the tee10and golf ball8are securely held by the holder6. Next, the player can orient and lower the device2to the ground and place the tee10into the ground. Finally, the player can operate the control means16to open the enclosure6and release the placed golf ball8and tee10.

FIGS.4and5A-5Bshow the holder6in more detail in various embodiments. The holder6comprises an enclosure formed from two hemispherically-shaped halves18configured, when closed together, to house the ball8. An upper end of each half18is secured to an arm20, the arms20being pivotally connected such that in use, the arms20are configured to scissor open and close to cause corresponding opening and closing of the enclosure6.

An upper end of each arm20is secured to a steel cable22which runs through the elongate shaft4and is operable via manual operation of the control means16, as will be discussed. In the depicted embodiment, the control means16can be operated to move the cable22in the shaft4up and down, thereby causing scissoring of the arms20, and thus the prying apart and closing of the two hemispherical halves18of the enclosure6.

The enclosure6of the device2is also configured with tee gripping means24for holding tees10of various sizes. In the depicted embodiment, the tee gripping means comprises two like components24, each fitted to a lower end of a respective hemispherical half18which, when brought together in the enclosure's6closed state, act to hold a tee10.FIGS.5A and5Bdepict an embodiment of arms20.

FIG.6shows a top view of the tee gripping components24. Each component24comprises a head26shaped to hold a tee10, and two plastically deformable legs28, each having a lateral ridge30. A lower end of each half18of the spherical enclosure6comprises a slot configured to receive the legs28, as shown inFIG.5A.

Tees10of different sizes can be held by the device6by adjusting the tee gripping components24relative to the hemispherical halves18. In the depicted embodiment, the ridges30of the tee gripping components24act as stoppers which bear against a surface or wall of the hemispherical enclosures6. To adjust a spacing between the gripper components24, the player simply squeezes the two legs28together to bring the ridges30closer to one another so they no longer abut against a corresponding wall or surface of the hemispherical ball holding halves18. The gripper components24can then be pushed further into the slot of the hemispherical halves18to hold narrower tees, or pulled further out from the slot to hold wider tees.

FIG.7shows a cross-sectional view of the handle44of the device2and illustrates components of the manually operable control means16for opening and closing the holder6. The control means16comprises two actuators which, inFIGS.7to9, are shown as spring-biased buttons32,34.

The first button32has a substantially elongate body36and is disposed within the handle44of the shaft4such that it is movable along a longitudinal axis thereof. A lower end of the button32is operatively engaged with the cables22connecting to the enclosure6. As such, movement of this elongate button32upward pulls the cables22upward to close the enclosure6, and depression of the button32into the handle44urges the cables22downward to close the enclosure6. A head38of the button32is contained within a chamber40at an upper end of the handle44and is spring-loaded therein. The spring42biases the button32upwardly, thereby maintaining the enclosure6in the open state.

The second button34is disposed in one side of the handle44and is depressible in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle44. The second button34is also spring-biased and is operable to lock the first button32such that the enclosure6remains in the closed state. To this end, the two buttons32,34are configured to engage one another such that actuation of one button32,34also moves the other button34,32. Also depicted are securing means33and a handle chamfer35.FIG.9depicts another embodiment depicting a cross-sectional view of a handle.

With reference toFIG.8, the second button34comprises a through-hole46through which the elongate body36of the first button32is arranged to extend through. One face defining the through-hole46comprises a protrusion48configured to engage with a complementary notch50formed in the elongate body36of the first button32. The second button34also comprises a spring52which, in use, is compressed against the elongate body36of the first button32, thereby biasing the second button34in an outward direction transverse to the shaft4.FIG.7shows the two buttons32,34engaged with one another via the complementary protrusion48and notch50. In this position, the second button34is biased outwardly by its compression spring52, and the protrusion48abuts and fits into the notch50to hold the first button32in place and prevent it from moving upwardly. As such,FIG.7illustrates the control means16with the lateral button34biased outwardly to hold the vertical button32in a depressed state, thereby maintaining the enclosure6in a closed state. To open the enclosure6, the player simply needs to press the lateral button34. In so doing, the compression spring52thereof compresses further, freeing the protrusion48from the notch50, thus allowing the compression spring42of the first button32to urge the first button32upwardly, opening the enclosure6and maintaining it in the open position.

In the depicted embodiments, the two hemispherical halves18of the spherical enclosure6are joined via a tension spring54(FIG.4) which gently draws the halves18together towards the closed state. This can help the ball8and tee10stay in the enclosure6before the player has a chance to depress the vertical actuator button32to close the enclosure6. It is envisaged that the tension in the spring54is strong enough to close the enclosure6with a golf ball8and tee10therein, but weak enough that the player can manually pry the enclosure6open without undue exertion.

Nevertheless, if the player does not wish to manually hold the enclosure6open while loading the ball8and/or tee10, there is provided with a swing latch56configured to releasably lock the enclosure6in the open state. Referring toFIG.4, the latch56is pivotally engaged with one of the two arms20and has a hook end58configured to latch to a securing pin60protruding from the other of the two arms20. As such, when the enclosure halves18are in the open state, the player can lower the swinging arm latch56such that the hook end58thereof hooks over the pin60. To close the enclosure6, the latch56can simply be lifted to disengage the pin60. Next, the player simply needs to press the vertical button32downwardly, causing the ridge48of the lateral button34to enter the groove or notch50of the vertical button32, thereby maintaining the enclosure6in the closed position.

Thanks to the present device2, the player need not continue to apply a manual pressure or force to the control means16to maintain the enclosure6in an open or closed state. Instead, a simple and single depression of one button or the other32,34can achieve the desired opened or closed enclosure6states. As such, a player may load the tee10and golf ball8into the enclosure6some time before teeing up and/or some distance away from the tee up location without needing to constantly grip or squeeze the control means16, as is required by prior art devices. This is especially beneficial for those with weaker grip strengths and/or dexterity issues.

FIGS.10to12show a height adjustment mechanism via which the height at which the tee10is placed in the ground can be adjusted. The mechanism comprises a stand12which allows the device2to stand on the ground on its own. In the depicted embodiment, the stand comprises a tripod12having three equi-spaced legs14extending outwardly and downwardly from the elongate shaft4. Since the device2is able to stand up from the ground on its own, when the device2is not in use, the player can simply stand it up on the ground, ready to retrieve it when the device is needed again. This is another advantage over the prior art since existing devices typically need to be placed horizontally on the ground when not in use. They are thus relatively difficult to retrieve without bending over and/or engaging in some cumbersome or awkward maneuvers. For example, in a prior art device, a loop strap is provided via which a standing player must use a golf club to thread it through the strap to pick the device back up.

The tripod mechanism12is shown inFIG.11and comprises a central tube62configured to collinearly receive and secure to a lower end of the elongate body4of the device2. The tripod mechanism12also comprises a collar64which can travel up and down the central tube62, which collar64carries the legs14in a foldable manner (FIG.14shows the legs14folded upwardly relative to the collar64). The legs14may also be locked relative to the central tube62via a locking screw66and an opening68formed in the central tube62, as is discussed below.

Referring toFIGS.10and12, the device2comprises a cover70which is releasably lockable along the elongate shaft4and/or the central tube62of the tripod assembly12.FIGS.10and12show the cover70in a lowered positioned in which it receives therethrough the central tube62of the tripod assembly12. In this position, the cover70sits on top and covers the collar64and prevents the legs14from folding upwardly. The locking screw66can be located within the opening68in the central tube62to lock the collar64and legs14relative to the central tube62. The locking screw66may also be withdrawn from the opening68to allow the collar64and legs14to slide freely relative to the central tube62(e.g., to assume the stowed position shown inFIG.14).

InFIGS.10and12, the central tube62is configured to receive an inner tubular height indexing component72. This component72is shown inFIG.13and comprises three openings74into which the screw66can be located. The openings74are positioned along the tubular component72at specific heights which correspond with heights at which players would wish to place their tees into the ground. The height indexing component72also comprises visual indicators76which serve to indicate to the player where a top78of the central tube62should be aligned with so that the locking screw66can be aligned with a particular opening74of the tubular component72.

For example,FIG.12shows the legs14and central tube62at a specific position relative to the tubular component72, which itself is fixed toward a lower end of the elongate shaft4. The upper edge of the central tube62is aligned with the lowermost visual indicator76, and the screw66has been tightened to a position wherein it is located through the opening68in the central tube62, and an aligned opening74of the tubular component72. The device2would thus be ready to place the ball8and tee10at a certain height in the ground. To lower this height, the player simply loosens the locking screw66until it is no longer located in the corresponding hole74of the tubular component72, slides the central tube62(and thus the cover70and legs14) upwardly until the upper surface of the central tube62aligns with the uppermost visual indicator76. The locking screw66can then be tightened to lock it and locate it in a higher opening74of the tubular component72.

FIG.14shows a lower end of the device2in a stowed state. To assume the stowed state fromFIG.12, the player would loosen the locking screw66so that the cover70can slide freely up the elongate shaft4. The three legs14can then be folded upwardly towards and against the elongate shaft4. The cover70can then be slid back down so that the ends of the legs14can be tucked neatly within and held in place by the cover70. The locking screw66can then be tightened so that it locks against the elongate shaft4of the device2.

Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown inFIGS.1,10and14, the device2may comprise a cylindrical or conical-shaped cover or mask80disposed toward a lower end of the shaft4configured to surround and shield the scissoring arms20and ends of the cable20from inadvertent contact and exposure to the environment. As perFIG.10, the cover may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft4and may be formed with a lower slot or opening82via which the swinging latch56can be manually accessed.

In other embodiments, the cover70may be optional, and it could be the collar64which is provided with locking means, such as the locking screw66such that it is releasably lockable to the shaft4. The tubular height component72is also optional, and, for example, the collar64could simply be lockable directly to the shaft4without the central62or the height indicating component72. In other embodiments, the legs14may be releasably lockable rather than pivoting freely relative to the collar64.

The dual button32,34actuator spring-loaded mechanism is only one way via which the control means16allows a user to operate the holder6. Other known methods for maintaining the holder6in one of its two binary states are within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, instead of push button spring-loaded mechanisms, spring-loaded levers or electronic buttons could also be used.

Referring now toFIGS.15and16, a device2is shown. Although the device2is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the device2may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality.FIG.15depicts a side view of the device2andFIG.16depicts a side cross-sectional view of the device2. The device includes an actuator17at a first end of the device2with an elongate shaft4extending to a second end of the device2that includes a tripod12and a ball and tee holder or sometimes referred to as a holder6.

The actuator17includes two buttons32,34which are configured to actuate the device2and, more specifically, the holder6. The first button32is located at a top of a handle44and is configured to be pressed into the handle44. The second button34is located at a side of the handle44and is configured to be pressed into the handle44. The location of the buttons32,34may be located in different locations on the handle44in other embodiments.

The handle44is coupled to the elongate shaft4. The elongate shaft4includes an inner conduit that houses a cable22that extends from the actuator17to the holder6. Positioned on the elongate shaft4is a stopper or retainer122. The retainer122is located along the elongate shaft4and is configured to function as a stopper for portions of the tripod12when put in a stowed configuration (seeFIG.14for an example of a stowed configuration with the cover70extended up and the three legs14rotated up to rest next to the elongate shaft4). Returning toFIGS.15and16, the retainer122is configured to be coupled to the elongate shaft4and stop the cover70from extending above the retainer122. A flange124located at a top of the retainer122extends out and obstructs further motion of the cover70. In addition, the retainer122includes a channel126in which the plunger66drop into so the legs14do not move when they are rotated up into a stowed position. The retainer122along with the cover70allow for the legs14to be retained in a stowed configuration while the device2is in a golf bag or other carrying device. SeeFIG.23for an example of the retainer122.

Continuing down the elongate shaft4, at the second end, a tripod12and holder6are coupled to the elongate shaft4. The tripod12and the holder6include various components including the cover70, a collar64, an indexing shaft72, legs14, a pivot body140, and arms20.

The indexing shaft72is fit around the elongate shaft4(seeFIG.27for an example of an indexing shaft72). The indexing shaft includes one or more guide channels73that is an indented channel that is configured to interface with the cover70and the collar64and restrict rotation of the cover70and the collar64around the elongate shaft4. This makes it so the collar64and the cover70are oriented in a known and repeatable position. The indexing shaft72includes a threaded end75that couples to the pivot body140(seeFIGS.21A and21Bfor an example of a pivot body140).

Returning toFIGS.15and16, the collar64and cover70are height adjustable along the indexing shaft and allow for the height of the tripod12to be adjusted relative to the holder6allowing for a user to have a particular height at which the tee and golf ball will sit when pressed into the ground.

As shown, the cable22extends from the first button32(within the handle44) all the way through and out the pivot body140and is coupled to the two arms20. The two arms20are coupled to pivot members142and are further biased by a torsion spring132. The torsion spring132may be configured to bias the arms20to rotate to a closed position (FIGS.15and16depict the closed position for the arms20). As the cable22is extended downward, the arms20will rotate about connection between the arms20and the pivot members142. In other words, the torsion spring132will cause the arms20to rotate as the cable22gives more slack. When the cable22is shortened (e.g., when the first button32is extended up), the cable ends will pull on a first end of the arms at the cable connection point202(seeFIG.18) causing the arms20to pivot at the pivot point212(seeFIG.18) and forcing the hemispherical halves18(seeFIG.18) to close. The hemispherical halves18are configured to hold the ball9and tee10(seeFIG.17B).

Other embodiments may be configured to function in an opposite manner That is, the torsion spring may be biased to open the handle or close the handle. In addition, the shortening of the cable may force the handle closed or open depending on the shape of the arm. This disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular configuration.

Referring to the pivot body140(seeFIGS.21A and21B), the pivot body140includes two pivot members142that extend out with a space between and through-holes143which are the connection points with the arms20(at pivot point212). The pivot body140also includes a threaded end143which couples to the indexing shaft72.

Referring toFIGS.26A and26B, the collar64is shown. The collar includes three connection brackets67which are used to connect to the legs14and allow for rotation of the legs14about the connection brackets67. The collar64also includes a through hole65that allows the collar64to slide along the elongate shaft4and the indexing shaft72.FIG.26Ashows a bottom view of a collar64andFIG.26Bshows a side view of a collar64.FIG.27depicts an indexing shaft72with a male threaded end (to connect to the pivot member140) and also a channel guide73.FIG.28depicts a leg14with a connection collar15. A bolt may extend through the connection collar15(as well as the connection bracket67of the collar64) to couple the leg14to the collar64and allow the leg to rotate.

FIGS.17A and17Bdepict close up views of the tripod12and the holder6.FIGS.19A and19Bdepict close up views of the holder6including the tee holder136. The tee holder136is biased by a compression spring that biases the tee holders136in opposite arms20towards each other but allow for give when the tee pushes back on the tee holders136. The tee holders136are configured to cup a top of the tee right below where a ball would sit in the enclosure of the hemispherical halves18of the arms20.FIGS.20A and20Bdepict embodiments of tee holders136and also include a cupping feature137that is configured to cup one half of the top of tee.

Referring now toFIG.22, a close-up cross-sectional view of the actuator17is shown. The actuator17includes the components shown inFIGS.8A-8C. A head32of button36extends out of the handle44and is biased upwards by compression spring52. This biased position pulls on the cable22. The button32when pressed down can be locked in a down position by the second button34which engages a notch50(seeFIG.8A) and will hold the first button36in place. When the second button34is engaged it will release the first button (at the notch50) and allow the spring52to push the button32upwards and pull the cable22. The second button34also includes a spring42which biases the second button34to a position of engaging the notch50and holding the first button36in place.

FIG.24depicts a side view of the tripod12and holder6.FIG.25depicts another close-up view of the tripod12and the holder6.

Although the operations of the method(s) or processes herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner