Abstract:
The golf spike removal tool includes a primary shank with opposite proximal and distal ends. A handle is secured to the proximal end of the primary shank and projections extend from the distal end of the primary shank for engaging apertures in a golf spike. A supplemental shank is telescoped relative to the primary shank and can be releasably engaged in either a first position or a second position with respect to the primary shank. The supplemental shank includes an array of sharply pointed teeth at the distal end thereof. The teeth project distally beyond the primary shank when the supplemental shank is in the distal position.

Description:
This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 60/486,735, filed Jul. 11, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The subject invention relates to a tool for removing golf spikes from a golf shoe. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Golf shoes include an array of spikes that are intended to hold the feet of a golfer stationary while the golfer completes his or her swing. The typical golf shoe has been formed with an array of threaded apertures that extend into the sole and into the heel. The typical golf spike has included a long metal projection that is sufficiently sharp to penetrate into the turf of the golf course. The projection has been formed unitarily with or mounted to a shank with an array of external threads configured for removable threaded engagement into the threaded apertures of the golf shoe. A disc-shaped base has extended outwardly between the pointed projection and the threaded shank. The disc is dimensioned and disposed for secure mounting adjacent the lower surface of the sole or heel when the shank is threaded into one of the apertures formed in the sole or heel. 
   Many golf courses now prohibit golf spikes with metal projections. Rather, most golf spikes now are formed entirely from plastic. The plastic golf spikes include a threaded plastic shank, a plastic disc adjacent the shank and a plastic projection or an array of plastic projections that extend from the disc in a direction opposite from the shank. 
   Golf spikes, and particularly the more recently used plastic golf spikes wear quickly and require replacement. A frequent golfer may change golf spikes several times during the course of a golfing season. Forces generated during normal wear of a golf shoe can deform the interengaged surfaces of the golf spike and the golf shoe sufficiently to complicate the threaded removal. As a result, a golfer typically must employ a tool to threadedly remove the golf spike. The golf spike removal process can be extremely difficult even with the benefit of a tool. 
   The typical golf spike includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures that open to the lower face of the disc of the golf spike. The golf spike removal tool includes a pair of projections disposed and dimensioned to be received in the diametrically opposed apertures formed in the disc of the golf spike. The golfer inserts the projections of the tool into the apertures formed in the golf spike and then rotates the tool to remove the golf spike. 
   Golf spikes and golf shoes are manufactured by many different companies, and the respective companies have their own preferred arrangement for the holes formed in the disc of the golf spike. The differences relate to the sizes and shapes of the holes and the spacings between the holes. Thus, a tool may fit the apertures formed in one golf spike, but not in another. Some golf spike removal tools have a handle and a removable head. The golfer selects a head appropriate for the particular golf spikes on the golfer&#39;s shoes. The selected head then is mounted to the handle to permit removal of the golf spike. 
   The disc of the golf spike is formed from plastic, and hence the aperture for the golf spike removal tool extends into the plastic of the disc. Forces generated in an effort to remove a stubbornly wedged golf spike often will break or gouge the plastic near the apertures that are intended to accommodate the golf spike removal tool. Such damage to the disc can severely complicate the golf spike removal process and can render a conventional golf spike removal tool useless. The disc also can be damaged if the golfer inadvertently attempts removal with a tool that is not matched appropriately for the holes In the golf spike. In this regard, the differences between the apertures in the discs of different golf spikes often are fairly minor and might not be appreciated during the initial visual inspection of the golf spike. Hence, it is fairly common for a golfer to attempt removal with the wrong tool, thereby damaging the disc of the golf spike and substantially complicating the spike removal process. Golfers may resort to a conventional pair of pliers in an effort to remove a golf spike that has been damaged during an initial removal attempt. However, there are no good gripping surfaces on a golf spike and attempts to unthread a golf spike with a pair of pliers will seldom work. 
   In view of the above, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a golf spike removal tool that can be used with all golf spikes and that is effective for removing golf spikes where the spike has become interengaged very tightly in the golf shoe. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The subject invention relates to a universal golf spike tool having an elongate primary shank with proximal and distal ends. A handle is securely mounted to the proximal end of the primary shank and is configured for secure gripping by the golfer. The distal end of the primary shank has a pair of projections dimensioned for engagement in the apertures formed in a large number of golf spikes. Thus, the projections at the distal end of the primary shank can be used for engaging and removing a substantial number of commercially available golf spikes. However, the projections at the distal end of the primary shank will not fit all golf spikes. Additionally, some golf spikes may be worn sufficiently through usage to prevent the projections from being effective. In still other instances, the golf spike may be engaged so tightly that the projections will damage portions of the disc adjacent the apertures during efforts to remove the golf spike. 
   The tool of the subject invention further includes a supplemental shank that is telescoped relative to the primary shank. The supplemental shank has a distal end with plurality of projections that are sufficiently pointed to bite into the plastic disc of the golf spike. Thus, the pointed projections of the supplemental shank can be embedded into the plastic of the disc of the golf spike to effect removal of the golf spike in those situations where the projections at the distal end of the primary shank do not fit the apertures in the golf spike or where the golf spike has been too damaged to receive the projections at the distal end of the primary shank. 
   The primary shank preferably is hollow and the supplemental shank preferably is telescoped within the primary shank. Thus, the supplemental shank can be telescoped from a proximal position where the distal end of the entire supplemental shank is within the primary shank to a distal position where the supplemental shank projects distally beyond the primary shank. The primary and supplemental shanks may have cooperating means for keeping the supplemental shank either in a proximal position or in a distal position. For example, the primary shank may be formed with a generally J-shaped groove or a stepped groove, and the supplemental shank may be formed with a locking but that project through the J-shaped groove. Thus, the supplemental shank can be locked either in a proximal position or a distal position. The locking of the supplemental shank in the proximal position enables a golf spike removal effort to be undertaken using only the rigid projections at the distal end of the primary shank. The locking of the supplemental shank in the distal position enables a golf spike removal effort to be undertaken using the pointed projections at the distal end of the supplemental shank. 
   The tool of the subject invention also may include biasing means for biasing the supplemental shank either in a proximal direction or in a distal direction. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means will be configured for urging the supplemental shank in the proximal direction. Thus, the tool is biased into a configuration where the sharply pointed projections of the supplemental shank are withdrawn. However, sufficient force on the supplemental shank will overcome the biasing forces exerted on the supplemental shank and will permit the supplemental shank to be locked in its distal position. 
   The tool of the subject invention can include an alternate arrangement of tips that can be telescoped into engagement with the rigid tips that project from the distal end of the primary shank. The alternate tips can be dimensioned and configured to enable the primary shank to be used with a larger number of commercially available golf spikes. In these situations, the supplemental shank will be used primarily in those situations where the golf spike has been damaged or wedged in the golf shoe. 
   The tool may have an overall T-shape with the handle extending transversely from the proximal end of the primary shank. The handle may be solid. Alternatively, the handle may be hollow and may be used to store a related tool, such as a brush for cleaning the spikes of the golf shoe. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded side elevational view of a golf spike removal tool in accordance with the subject invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the assembled components of the tool with the supplemental shank in the proximal and retracted position. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the golf spike removal tool with the supplemental shank in the distal and extended position. 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the handle of the spike removal tool shown in  FIGS. 1–3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the primary shank. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the supplemental shank. 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an alternate handle. 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of an alternate primary shank. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A golf spike removal tool in accordance with the subject invention is identified generally by the numeral  10  in  FIGS. 1–3 . The tool  10  includes a rigid handle  12  with a grip  14  and a mounting stub  16 , and shown in  FIGS. 1–4 . The grip  14  of the handle  12  is illustrated as being substantially cylindrical with opposite first and second ends  18  and  20 . However, variations from a purely cylindrical shape are possible and may be preferable in certain situations. For example, narrowed regions to facilitate gripping can be provided at locations between the first and second ends  18  and  20 . Alternatively, a cross-shaped handle  12 A can be provided, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The handle  12  shown in  FIGS. 1–4  may be molded from a rigid and substantially solid plastic or metal material with sufficient strength to withstand the torque imposed upon the tool  10  during the removal of a golf spike. However, the handle  12  can be formed from a hollow plastic or metal material if the walls are sufficiently thick to give the necessary strength to the tool  10  for applying the torque to the golf spike. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip  14  of the handle  12  is substantially hollow and is open at the first end  18  thereof. In this embodiment, a supplemental tool, such as the brush  21  illustrated in  FIG. 1  can be mounted into the open first end  18  of the hollow gripping section  14 . The brush  21  is useful for removing dirt and other debris from golf spikes. 
   The mounting section  16  of the handle  12  extends from a location substantially centrally between the first and second ends  18  and  20  of the grip  14  and defines a short rigid stub with an outside diameter “a”. The mounting stub  16  preferably is formed unitarily with the grip  14 . 
   The tool  10  further includes a primary shank  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1–3  and  5 . The primary shank  22  is a hollow cylindrical member formed from a metallic material and having an inside diameter “b” which is slightly greater than the outside diameter “a” of the mounting section  16  of the handle  12 . More particularly, the primary shank  22  includes an open proximal end  24  and an open distal end  26 . The inside diameter “b” permits the mounting stub  16  of the handle  12  to be telescoped into the open proximal end  24  of the primary shank  22 . Portions of the primary shank  22  near the proximal end  24  are formed with a threaded aperture  28  that is aligned radially. The aperture  28  is in a position that will align with the mounting stub  16  of the handle  12  when the mounting stub  16  is telescoped into the open proximal end  24  of the primary shank  22 . A mounting screw  29  is threadedly engaged in the aperture  28  and is securely engaged in the mounting stub  16  of the handle  12  to hold the handle  12  securely and substantially permanently to the proximal end  24  of the primary shank  22 . 
   The distal end  26  of the primary shank  22  is characterized by diametrically opposed projections  30 . The projections  30  are disposed and dimensioned to telescope into the apertures formed in the disc of a commercially available golf spike. Thus, the projections  30  at the distal end  26  of the primary shank  22  can be used to threadedly disengage some golf spikes from a golf shoe. 
   As noted above, there are many different types of golf spikes with removal apertures of different sizes, shapes and positions. The golf spike removal tool  10  of the subject invention preferably includes supplemental tips  30   a  and  30   b . The supplemental tips  30   a  and  30   b  include mounting apertures (not shown) in one end that are dimensioned to be telescoped tightly over the projections  30  at the distal end  26  of the primary shank  22 . However, external dimensions of the supplemental tips  30   a  and  30   b  are different from one another and different from the projections  30 . Thus, the supplemental tips  30   a  and  30   b  can be removably engaged over the projections to adapt the tool  10  to a particular golf spike. 
   Portions of the primary shank  22  between the proximal and distal ends  24  and  26  are provided with a J-shaped cut-out  32 . The J-shaped cut-out  32  includes a long leg  34  with a proximal end  36  and a short leg  38  with a proximal end  40 . The distance between the proximal end  24  of the primary shank  22  and the proximal end  36  of the long leg  34  of the J-shaped cut-out  32  is less than the distance between the proximal end  24  of the primary shank  22  and the proximal end  40  of the shorter leg  38 . The cut-out can take other forms. For example,  FIG. 8  shows an alternate primary shank  22 A with a C-shaped cut-out  32 A. The cut-out  32 A has proximal and distal legs  36 A and  40 A. 
   The tool  10  further includes a supplemental shank  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 1–3 . The supplemental shank  42  is a generally cylindrical tube formed from a metal material and has a proximal end  44  and a distal end  46 . The supplemental shank  42  is shorter than the primary shank  22 . Additionally, the supplemental shank  42  defines an outside diameter “a” that is approximately equal to the outside diameter “a” of the mounting section  16  of the handle  12 . 
   The distal end  46  of the supplemental shank  42  is characterized by a plurality of sharply pointed projections  48 . Each projection  48  preferably has an axially aligned edge  49  disposed on the counterclockwise face of the projection  48  when viewed in a proximal-to-distal direction. Thus, the axially aligned edge  49  is effective for unthreading a golf spike as explained further herein. The supplemental shank  42  further includes a threaded aperture  50  at a location between proximal and distal ends  44  and  46 . 
   The tool  10  further includes a locking bolt  52 . The locking bolt  52  has a threaded shaft  54  at one end and a knarled head  56  at the opposed end. The threaded shaft  54  is dimensioned to pass through the J-shaped cut-out  32  in the primary shank and to threadedly engage in the aperture  50  of the supplemental shank  42 . 
   The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows an optional coil spring  62  within the primary shank  22 . One end of the coil spring  62  is connected to the mounting stub  16  of the handle  12  while the opposed end is connected to the supplemental shank  42 . The coil spring functions to bias the supplemental shank  42  toward the handle  12 . 
   The tool  10  is assembled by telescoping the mounting stub  16  of the handle  12  into the open proximal end  24  of the primary shank  22 . The screw  29  then is threaded through the aperture  28  in the primary shank  22  and is attached securely to the mounting section  16  to hold the primary shank  22  to the handle  12 . The proximal end  44  of the supplemental shank  42  then is telescoped in a distal-to-proximal direction into the open distal end  26  of the primary shank  22 . The supplemental shank  42  is moved into a position where the threaded aperture  50  in the supplemental shank  42  aligns with a portion of the J-shaped cut-out  32  in the primary shank  22 . The threaded shaft  54  of the locking bolt  52  then is passed through the J-shaped cut-out  32  and is threadedly engaged in the aperture  50  of the supplemental shank  42 . The tool  10  then may be packaged and sold in this assembled condition. 
   The locking bolt  52  can be tightened and loosened selectively against the outer circumferential surface of the primary shank  22  at locations near the J-shaped cut-out  32 . More particularly, the locking bolt  52  can be used to secure the supplemental shank  52  in a proximal position with the locking bolt  52  tightened at a location near the proximal end  36  of the long leg  34  of the J-shaped cut-out  32 . In this position, the pointed projections  48  at the distal end  46  of the supplemental shank  42  are retracted within the primary shank  22 . Alternatively, the locking bolt  52  can be loosened to move the supplemental shank  42  distally in the primary shank  22  and into a distal position. In the distal position, the locking bolt  52  is substantially adjacent the proximal end  40  of the short leg  38  of the J-shaped cut-out  32 . In this position, the pointed projections  48  at the distal end  46  of the supplemental shank  42  project distally beyond the projections  30  at the distal end  26  of the primary shank  22 . 
   The tool  10  can be used by initially attempting a golf spike removal with the supplemental shank  42  in the proximal position and retracted into the primary shank  22 . In some situations, the projections  30  at the distal end  26  of the primary shank  22  will not fit the removal apertures in the golf spike. In other situations, the golf spike will be sufficiently worn to prevent engagement of the projections  30  with the removal apertures. In still other situations, the golf spike will be wedged into the golf shoe and an initial attempt at removal will damage the golf spike sufficiently to impede the effectiveness of the projections  30 . In any of these situations, the locking bolt  52  is loosened and the supplemental shank  42  is moved into the distal position. The locking bolt  52  then is retightened adjacent the proximal end  40  of the short leg  38  of the J-shaped cut-out  32 . This loosening, movement and tightening of the locking bolt  52  can be carried out easily by gripping the large knarled head  56  of the locking bolt  52  between a thumb and forefinger. In this distal position, the projections  48  at the distal end  46  of the supplemental shank  42  project distally beyond the projections  30  at the distal end  26  of the primary shank  22 . The golfer can urge the pointed projections  48  into the plastic material of the disc on the damaged or wedged golf spike. The golfer then applies torque to the grip  14  of the handle  12  for removing the damaged or wedged spike. 
   While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the projections  30  at the distal end of the primary shank  22  can take many other configurations depending upon the specific shapes of the removal apertures in a golf spike that represents a major portion of the local market share. Similarly, the shapes of the points  48  at the distal end  46  of the supplemental shank  42  can take many other shapes, including a symmetrical point or a plural point projection.