Abstract:
A golf tool retention clip attaches to a brim of a hat and retains the golf tool where the wearer of the hat has ready and easy access to the golf tool during play of the game of golf. The golf tool retention clip also retains a ball marker for ready and easy access to the ball marker during play of the game of golf. The golf tool retention clip is inconspicuous to the player and does not interfere with play of the game of golf. The golf tool retention clip has opposing panels with are coupled together and which side onto the brim of the hat with the golf tool positioned on the upper surface of the brim while the ball marker positioned on the lower surface of the brim. The golf tool has features to perform multiple functions associated with the game of golf.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12/157,693 filed Jun. 12, 2008, entitled “Multiple Purpose Golf Tool”, currently pending, which was a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/825,810 filed Jul. 9, 2007, entitled “Golf Tool Storage on Putter”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,563. The original applications are incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Generally, the invention relates to retention clips to retain a golf tool for ready access to the golf tool by a player of the game of golf. More specifically, the invention relates to such retention clips which attach to a hat worn by the player of the game of golf. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous methods exist for a player of the game of golf to transport a golf tool during play of the game of golf. Typically the player will simple carry the golf tool about in his or her pocket. This method is not liked by most players due to the need to move freely during swinging of golf clubs. In these occasions the golf tool may rub against the player. It is known to retain the golf tool on clips positioned on the belt of the player. This method is not liked by most players due to the tendency of the golf tool to snag against a shirt worn by the player, particularly during swinging the golf clubs. Various deficiencies exist with the known methods of transporting golf tools during play of the game of golf. 
     As can be seen various attempts have been made to provide for a player of golf to transport a golf tool during play of the game of golf. These attempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a hat attachable retention clip which will securely retain a golf tool yet provide for ready removal and easy of the golf tool and ready and easy replacement of the golf tool while the golf tool is retained in a position where the clip and the golf tool will not interfere in any way with the play of the game of golf. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of methods of transporting a golf tool during play of the game of golf, your applicant has devised a hat attachable retention clip capable of retaining a golf tool. The hat attachable retention clip for attachment to a brim of a hat where the hat attachable retention clip will remain with a wearer of the hat. The brim of the hat having an upper surface and a lower surface. The hat attachable retention clip to releasably retain a golf tool having a useful purpose associated with play of the game of golf. The hat attachable retention clip having attachment means, placement means, retention means and removal means. The attachment means provides for attaching the hat attachable retention clip to the brim of the hat. The hat attachable retention clip contacts the upper surface of the brim of the hat and the lower surface of the brim of the hat subsequent to attachment. The placement means provides for positioning the golf tool on the hat attachable retention clip positioned on the brim of the hat. The retention means provides for retaining the golf tool on the hat attachable retention clip positioned on the brim of the hat. The removal means provides for removing the golf tool from the hat attachable retention clip positioned on the brim of the hat. 
     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them herein disclosed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the functions specified. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for a hat attachable retention clip positioned on a brim of a hat during the play of the game of golf to retain a golf tool for ready access of the golf tool by a player wearing the hat. 
     Other objects include; 
     a) to provide for the hat attachable retention clip to also retain a ball marker for ready access by the player wearing the hat. 
     b) to provide for the golf tool to be a multiple purpose golf tool. 
     c) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to be small and compact and of a one piece design without any moving parts where the player will feel comfortable transporting the multiple purpose golf tool around with them during the play of the game of golf. 
     d) to provide for a multiple purpose golf tool having a divot repair tool incorporated thereon. 
     e) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a club support tool incorporated thereon. 
     f) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a club face groove cleaner tool incorporated thereon. 
     g) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a golf shoe spike cleaner tool incorporated thereon. 
     h) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a golf shoe spike install/removal tool incorporated thereon. 
     i) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a phillips head screwdriver tool incorporated thereon. 
     j) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a slotted head screwdriver tool incorporated thereon. 
     k) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a bottle opener tool incorporated thereon. 
     l) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a pencil sharpener tool incorporated thereon. 
     m) to provide for the multiple purpose golf tool to optionally have a beverage can pull tab lifter tool incorporated thereon. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein; 
         FIG. 1   a  is a front elevational view of a multiple purpose golf tool. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a bottom plan view of the multiple purpose golf tool. 
         FIG. 1   c  is a side elevational view of the multiple purpose golf tool. 
         FIG. 1   d  is a rear elevational view of the multiple purpose golf tool. 
         FIG. 1   e  is a top plan view of the multiple purpose golf tool. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a top plan view of a hat attachable retention clip. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a bottom view of the hat attachable retention clip. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a top plan view of the hat attachable retention clip with the multiple purpose golf tool attached. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a bottom plan view of the hat attachable retention clip with a ball marker attached. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan of a ball marker. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a side elevation view of the hat attachable retention clip. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a side elevation view of the hat attachable retention clip. 
         FIG. 6   a  is a top plan view of the hat attachable retention clip positioned on a hat. 
         FIG. 6   b  is a bottom plan view of the hat attachable retention clip positioned on a hat. 
         FIG. 7   a  is a top plan view of the hat attachable retention clip attached to the hat with the hat attachable retention clip attached. 
         FIG. 7   b  is a bottom plan view of the hat attachable retention clip attached to the hat with the ball marker attached. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the multiple purpose golf tool partially supporting the golf club above the turf of a golf course. 
         FIG. 9   a  through  FIG. 9   c  are side elevational views of the multiple purpose golf tool performing a divot repair procedure. 
         FIG. 10   a  and  FIG. 10   b  are side elevational views of the multiple purpose golf tool performing a bottle opening procedure. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the multiple purpose golf tool performing a pencil sharpening procedure. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the bottom of a golf shoe and labeled as ‘Prior Art’. 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of the bottom of a spike member as used on the golf shoe depicted in  FIG. 12  and labeled as ‘Prior Art’. 
         FIG. 14   a  and  FIG. 14   b  are front elevational views of the multiple purpose golf tool and the spike member shown in  FIG. 13  as would occur during a spike member adjustment procedure. 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of a piece of golf equipment having a Phillip head screw. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of a piece of golf equipment having a slotted head screw. 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevational view of a face of a golf club. 
         FIG. 18  is a top plan view of a top of a beverage can with a pull tab. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Many different devices having features of the present invention are possible. The following description describes the preferred embodiment of select features of those devices and various combinations thereof. These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive at various desired working configurations of devices. 
     Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views. 
     Structural configurations will be provided on a multiple purpose golf tool, having features of the present invention, to perform respective useful functions associated with the play of the game of golf. 
     A hat attachable retention clip  20  retains golf tool  40  while hat attachable retention clip  20  is attached to a brim  42  of a hat  44 . This provides for hat attachable retention clip  20  to remain with a wearer, not shown, of hat  44 . Brim  42  of hat  44  has an upper surface  46  and a lower surface  48 . Hat attachable retention clip  20  releasably retain golf tool  40 . Hat attachable retention clip  20  has an upper panel  140 , a lower panel  142 , a connecting portion  144  and retention means to provide for releasably retain golf tool  40  on hat attachable retention clip  20 . Upper panel  140  contacts at least a portion of upper surface  46  of brim  42  when hat attachable retention clip  20  is attached to brim  42  of hat  44 . Lower panel  142  contacts at least a portion of lower surface  48  of brim  42  when hat attachable retention clip  20  is attached to brim  42  of hat  44 . Connecting portion  144 , also known as common wall portion, connects upper panel  140  and lower panel  142  so that upper panel  140  and lower panel  142  are retained relative to each other with a spacing therebetween. Upper panel  140  has a longitudinal axis  146 , lower panel  142  has a longitudinal axis  148 . Longitudinal axis  146  of upper panel  140  and longitudinal axis  148  of lower panel  142  are generally parallel. Connecting portion  144  has an angular orientation  150  which is significantly offset from longitudinal axis  146  of upper panel  140  and from longitudinal axis  148  of lower panel  142 . Upper panel  140  contacts upper surface  46  of brim  42  of hat  44  while lower panel  142  contacts lower surface  48  of brim  42  of hat  44  subsequent to attachment of hat attachable retention clip  20  to brim  42  of hat  44 . The spacing between upper panel  140  and lower panel  142  provide for hat attachable retention clip  20  to fit in a snug manner when positioned on brim  42  of hat  44 . 
     A first magnet  152 , also known as clip magnet, is attached to hat attachable retention clip  20  and a second magnet  138 , also known as tool magnet, is attached to golf tool  40 . First magnet  152  and second magnet  138  cooperate while positioned in close proximity to retain golf tool  40  on hat attachable retention clip  20 . A base wall  154  and opposing guide walls  156  and  158  act to guide placement of golf tool  40  onto hat attachable retention clip  20 . Opposing guide walls  156  and  158  have a relative spacing to each other with the spacing tapering from an insertion end  160  to a retention end  162 . 
     It is desirable to provide the hat attachable retention clip with a curvature along the longitudinal orientation to match a curvature of the brim of the hat to which the hat attachable retention clip is to attached. This provides for the hat to retain a normal look with the same characteristics of the brim in a natural state. When the hat attachable retention clip has a curvature it is desirable to provide for the golf tool to similarly have a curvature along the longitudinal orientation. 
     A ball marker base wall  164  and opposing ball marker guide walls  166  and  168  cooperate to guide placement of a ball marker  170  during a placement of ball marker  170  on hat attachable retention clip  20 . Opposing ball marker guide walls  166  and  168  having a relative spacing to each other with the spacing tapering from an insertion end  172  to a retention end  174 . Opposing ball marker guide walls  166  and  168  and ball marker base wall  164  cooperate to guide placement of ball marker  170  during positioning of ball marker  170  on hat attachable retention clip  20 . The area from insertion end  172  to retention end  174  define a ball marker placement surface  176  where ball marker  170  will be retained. Ball marker placement surface  176  is planar. Hat attachable retention clip  20  has a ball marker magnet  178  positioned thereon to retain ball marker  170  securely when positioned at a ball marker retention position  176  on hat attachable retention clip  20 . 
     Preferably each multiple purpose golf tool of the present invention will have structural elements to permit repair of divots on the greens where an impact of a golf ball from a lofted shot compresses the soil and the root system of grass in the soil of the turf. Conventional divot tool often have two tines extending from a gripping portion where the user slides the tines into the turf and gently manipulates the tool to lift the root system of the effected grass to release the pressure. 
     Multiple purpose golf tool  40  is depicted as having numerous optional features positioned thereon to perform numerous useful functions associated with the play of the game of golf. Multiple purpose golf tool  40  has a grip portion  50  and a turf penetration portion  52 . Multiple purpose golf tool  40  has a longitudinal orientation  54  and a lateral orientation  56 . At opposing ends of longitudinal orientation  54  are an upper end  58  and a lower end  60  with upper end  58  being on grip portion  50 . A curvature  62  extends across at least a portion of lateral orientation  56  along at least a substantial portion of grip portion  50 . Curvature  60  provides for contouring attachment of multiple purpose golf tool  40  to shaft  24  of golf club  22 . Upper end  58  has a lateral width  64  while lower end  60  has a lateral width  66  with lateral width  64  of upper end  58  substantially greater than lateral width  66  of lower end  60 . Grip portion  50  has a first lateral edge  68  and a second lateral edge  70 . Multiple purpose golf tool  40  has an inner surface  72  which is in closest proximity to shaft  24  of golf club  22  while multiple purpose golf tool  40  is in attachment relative to golf club  22 . Opposing inner surface  72  on multiple purpose golf tool  40  is an outer surface  74 . 
     The lines presented in the various views for longitudinal orientation  54 , lateral orientation  56 , lateral width  64  and lateral width  66  have been included to further explain features of the present invention and the lines form no structural part of the embodiment depicted. 
     Turf penetration portion  52  of multiple purpose golf tool  40  further comprises opposing tines  76  and  78  which extend away from grip portion  50 . Turf penetration portion  52  provides for multiple purpose golf tool  40  to be manually manipulated to insert turf penetration portion  52  into turf  34  of golf course  38  then manually manipulated to release a compression  80  of turf  34  about a point of insertion  82 . 
     Grip portion  50  of multiple purpose golf tool  40  has a series of protrusions  84  having a first configuration measurement  86  positioned on first lateral edge  68  at upper end  58 . Grip portion  50  of multiple purpose golf tool  40  further has a series of protrusions  88  having a second configuration measurement  90  positioned on second lateral edge  70  at upper end  58 . First configuration measurement  86  is substantially unique from second configuration measurement  90  where series of protrusions  84  on first lateral edge  68  may be used for a first cleaning operation performed on a piece of golf equipment, not shown, and where series of protrusions  88  on second lateral edge  70  may be used for a second cleaning operation performed on another piece of golf equipment, also not shown. 
     Examples of golf equipment which may have a cleaning operation performed thereon include the face, including trenches or other patterns, of heads of golf clubs which may gather soil and other debris thereon, and the soles of golf shoes, including about spikes positioned thereon. When a lateral curvature is provided on the multiple purpose golf tool the area of the multiple purpose golf tool about the protrusions may be flattened where the tips of each respective set of protrusions are linearly aligned along their entire length for performance of convenient cleaning operations. 
     Tine  76  has an end  92  having positioned thereon a slotted head screw driving configuration  94  where end  92  of tine  76  may be utilized as a slotted screw driver to manipulate a slotted head screw, not shown, during tightening or loosening of the slotted head screw. Tine  78  has an end  96  having positioned thereon a Phillips head screw driving configuration  98  where end  96  of tine  78  may be utilized as a Phillips screw driver to manipulate a Phillips head screw, not shown, during tightening or loosening of the Phillips head screw. 
     When a Phillips head screw driving configuration is provided it is possible to plane of the opposing side extending outward relative to the outer surface and the inner surface of the multiple purpose golf tool to reduce the profile of the multiple purpose golf tool while retaining the useful function of the Phillips head screw driving configuration. 
     When a slotted head screw driving configuration is provided on one tine and a Phillips head screw driving configuration is provided on the opposing tine it is possible to angularly offset these configurations one to the other to provide more clearance to reach the respective fasteners during usage. 
     Outer surface  74  of multiple purpose golf tool  40  has positioned thereon a bottle opening configuration  100 . Bottle opening configuration  100  is capable of engagement of a bottle cap  102  to apply a pivotal pressure to a lip  104  of bottle cap  102  to remove bottle cap  102  from a bottle  106 . Bottle opening configuration  100  further has a sloped surface  108  extending smoothly from outer surface  74  of multiple purpose golf tool  40 . Sloped surface  108  makes an ideal thumb positioning location for the user during performance of many operations with multiple purpose golf tool  40 , including during divot repair operations. It being understood that bottle  106  and bottle cap  102  are workpieces and form no part of the present invention. 
     Upper end  58  of multiple purpose golf tool  40  has positioned thereon a spike member manipulation configuration  110  to provide for manipulation of a spike member  112  positioned on a golf shoe  114 . Spike member manipulation configuration  110  has opposing pins  116  and  118  with a recess  120  positioned between pins  116  and  118 . During a tightening or loosening operation performed on spike member  112  pins  116  and  118  penetrate indentations  122  and  124  on spike member  112  while recess  120  accommodates placement of a spike  128  of spike member  112 . During such placement multiple purpose golf tool  40  may be manipulated to impart a tightening rotation to spike member  112  or a loosening rotation to spike member  112 . It being understood that spike member  112  and golf shoe  114  are workpieces and form no part of the present invention. 
     Recess  120  is partially defined by an upper protected edge  126  of grip portion  50  of multiple purpose golf tool  40 . Upper protected edge  126  is protected against most incidental contact with other objects by pins  116  and  118 . Upper protected edge  126  has a taper  130  which results in a sharp edge  132  which may be used for various useful cutting purposes. One example of such a useful cutting purpose involves sharpening a pencil  134  during the play of the game of golf. Due to the spacing between pins  116  and  118  pencil  134  may be easily inserted therebetween and drawn downward along sharp edge  132  to remove material from pencil  134  until a point  136  is to a desired configuration on pencil  134 . 
     Beverage cans have evolved where most such cans currently have a flip type tab which when pivoted upward causes another tab portion to be pushed downward into the can to provide an opening in the can for the contents to pass through. Many designs for the flip type tab have been proposed and are currently in commercial usage. Typically such flip type tabs reside quite close to the top of the can prior to being utilized to open the can. It has been observed that many users have a difficult time with initial displacement of such flip type tabs away from their very close orientation with the top of the can. Often users will attempt to utilize a fingernail to perform the initial displacement operation. It has been known to have damage occur to the fingernail during such operations. 
     It is known to utilize a structural element, with various prior art references specifically directed toward this single useful function, to perform at least the initial tab displacement operation. Referring now to the present invention one of the tines, most likely the one with the slotted head screw driving configuration thereon, may be utilized to perform this initial displacement operation on flip type tabs on beverage cans. Alternatively, one of the series of protrusions on the lateral edges may be utilized to perform this initial displacement operation on flip type tabs on beverage cans. Alternatively, one, or both, of the pins of the spike member manipulation configuration may be utilized to perform this initial displacement operation on flip type tabs on beverage cans. 
     The multiple purpose golf tool may have features to permit use as a golf club support tool. This is provides for by partially inserted the multiple purpose golf tool into the ground with a golf club contact portion extending above the ground and any manicured grass growing thereon. The golf club contact portion may then have a portion of the golf club positioned thereon while a distal portion of the golf club contacts the ground. The portion of the golf club making contact with the golf club contact portion of the multiple purpose golf tool preferably will be part of the grip of the golf club while the portion of the golf club making contact with the ground will be the head of the golf club. This arrangement provides for the grip to be kept clean and dry. Many configurations may be deployed on the multiple purpose golf tool to permit a secure gravity biased retention of the grip of the golf club on the multiple purpose golf tool. When the above described spike member manipulation configuration is provided on the multiple purpose golf tool the opposing pins make ideal support members for the grip of the golf club. When this feature is not provided the associated recess may be provided which also makes an ideal support member. 
       FIG. 8  depicts multiple purpose golf tool  40  partially inserted in turf  34  and functioning as a golf club support tool where pins  116  and  118  contact and support grip  26  of golf club  22  above turf  34  while head  28  of golf club  22  rests on turf  34 . 
       FIG. 15  depicts a piece of golf equipment  198  having a Phillips head screw  200  upon which Phillips head screw driving configuration  98 , see  FIG. 1 , may operate.  FIG. 16  depicts a piece of golf equipment  202  having a slotted head screw  204  upon which slotted head screw driving configuration  94 , see  FIG. 1 , may operate.  FIG. 17  depicts a golf club head  206  having grooves  208  thereacross. Depending upon the configuration of grooves  208  series of protrusions  84  or series of protrusions  88 , see  FIG. 1 , may be utilized to remove material therefrom during a cleaning operation.  FIG. 18  depicts a lid  210  of a beverage can  212  having a pull tab  214 . End of tine  76 , see  FIG. 1 , may be used to pry pull tab  214  away from lid  210  during an opening procedure of beverage can  212 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.