Abstract:
A grass repair tool that efficiently and easily repairs ball marks as well as other grass damage. The grass repair tool of the present invention not only stretches the undamaged grass surrounding the ball mark over the ball mark or other damage but also moves and compacts the soil beneath the damage into the damage and levels the playing surface. In a preferred embodiment the damage may be repaired from a standing position without bending over or kneeling.  
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grass repair tool includes two sets of multiple tines or blades. The first set of tines stretch the undamaged grass from around the damage over the damage. The second set of tines lift and compact the soil beneath the damage upward to fill and level the damaged area. The tines only move along the penetration marks to minimize damage to the grass.  
     The grass repair tool can be operated by a hand actuator, foot actuator, or power operated by pneumatic, hydraulic, explosive, motor, electrical or other mechanisms.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the field of tools for repairing golf ball marks and general grass repair.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Ball marks are often created on the course, particularly on the putting greens, during the game of golf. It is critical that these surfaces, particularly the putting greens, be maintained to a relatively smooth surface free of the ball marks and other irregularities that might affect the path of the golf ball. Additionally, unrepaired ball marks may cause permanent damage to the grass. Poorly maintained grass surfaces not only may affect the game, but may damage the reputation of the golf course itself.  
           [0003]    Many times golfers will attempt to repair their ball marks by filling in the mark and tamping it down with their shoes or golf club. This often will cause more damage than the original ball mark, creating bare spots, hard spots and/or damaged surfaces.  
           [0004]    There have been numerous attempts at providing tools that will properly repair ball marks and divots on grass surfaces. One common tool that is often used is a two pronged hand tool. This tool is inserted by hand into ground adjacent the ball mark at an angle so the prongs extend beneath the ball mark. The tool is then rotated inward towards the ball mark to fill the indentation of the ball mark. This process is repeated around the ball mark until the indentation is filled. This process requires kneeling by the user, and is often relatively ineffective.  
           [0005]    There have also been a number of attempts to provide a device that will repair a ball mark in a more efficient manner and without requiring the user to kneel or bend down. One type of these devices utilize a plurality of tines or blades that are inserted into the ground around the ball mark. The tines are then pivoted upward under the ball mark to loosen the compacted soil and raise the soil under the ball mark and fill the indentation. Examples of these devices are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,585,298; 2,869,915; 3,168,150; 3,567,264; 4,179,147; 5,322,130; and 6,062,992. This method of filling the indentions may damage the grass roots around the ball mark and typically require extensive force to actuate the linkage operating the tines. This type of mechanism, while leveling the ball mark, fails to fill the ball mark with undamaged grass and typically creates a brown spot on the greens. This spot will at some point need to be replaced.  
           [0006]    Another type of ball mark repair devices operate on another principle. These devices also use tines that are inserted at an angle into the grass around the ball mark indentation. These tines are moved horizontally to “stretch” the surrounding grass over the ball mark indentation. An example of this device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,226. This device however fails to loosen the impacted soil beneath the indentation and fails to fill and level the ball mark thus creating an unlevel surface.  
           [0007]    There is presently a need for a ball mark repair tool that easily and efficiently repairs ball marks without the problems described above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention provides a grass repair tool that efficiently and easily repairs ball marks and other grass damage. The grass repair tool of the present invention improves upon the prior device by not only stretching the undamaged grass surrounding the ball mark over the ball mark but also moves the soil upward beneath the ball mark and compacts it into the ball mark and levels the playing surface. In a preferred embodiment the ball mark may be repaired from a standing position without bending over or kneeling.  
           [0009]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ball mark repair tool includes two sets of multiple tines or blades. The first set of tines stretch the undamaged grass from around the ball mark over the ball mark. The second set of tines lifts and compacts the soil beneath the ball mark upward to fill and level the ball mark.  
           [0010]    The ball mark repair tool of a preferred embodiment uses a single actuation mechanism to operate a first set of tines to stretch undamaged grass over the ball mark while simultaneously operating a second set of tines to lift and compact the soil beneath the ball mark upward into the ball mark to level the ball mark.  
           [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, the tines of the ball mark repair tool move along the grass penetration point along the arc of penetration. This minimizes damage to the roots and understructure of the grass being repaired.  
           [0012]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a series of linkages and/or cams to actuate the movement of the tines in vertical, horizontal and pivoting directions. This increases the force of the device and minimizes wear on the mechanisms.  
           [0013]    The ball mark repair tool of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a hand or foot operated plunger movable into a housing. The plunger moves an actuator rod downward as well as compressing a spring in the housing. The actuator rod moves a first collar and a first set of stretching tines downward a set distance. The stretching tines are then moved laterally or horizontally by the continued downward movement of a second collar that contacts cam surfaces on the first set of tines. This movement stretches the grass around the ball mark into the ball mark. At the same time, a second set of compacting tines are moved downward by the movement of the actuator rod. The second set of compacting tines are guided by a series of slots and guide pins. These slots and guide pins cause the compacting tines to initially move downward into the ground surface and then pivot upward and inward to lift and compact the soil beneath the ball mark into the ball mark. Both sets of tines retract into their original position once force is removed from the plunger.  
           [0014]    These and other features will be evident from the drawings and the ensuing description of preferred embodiments.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the stretching tines and compacting tines.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a partial view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the stretching tines.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a partial view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the compacting tines.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the components of the device.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the initial movement of the stretching tines.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the horizontal movement of the stretching tines and the downward movement of the compacting tines.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the final movement of the stretching tines and the pivotal movement of the compacting tines.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    The present invention provides a device for repairing ball marks, divots and other irregularities in the ground surface. While it is primarily intended for use on golf courses, it may also be usable in repairing ground irregularities in any form. It is to be expressly understood that the descriptive embodiments set forth herein are intended for explanatory purposes and are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the claimed inventions. Other embodiments and applications not described herein are considered to be within the scope of the invention. It is also to be expressly understood that while specific embodiments for the components of the repair tool are discussed, other equivalents to these embodiments that perform substantially similar functions are within the scope of the claimed inventions.  
         [0026]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 9 . In this preferred embodiment, described herein for explanatory purposes and not to limit the scope of the claimed inventions, the ball mark repair tool  10  includes a cylindrical housing  12  and vertically movable plunger  14 . The plunger  14  moves vertically through housing  12  through bushing  16 . At the lower end of housing  12  is bottom plate  18 .  
         [0027]    The tool  10 , as shown in FIG. 2, includes two separate sets of tines. The first set of tines  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  are referred to as the stretching tines (partially shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 ). Each of the stretching tines  20 - 26  include cam surfaces  28 ,  30  on the outer surfaces. The second set of tines  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  (partially shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and  5 ) are referred to as the compacting tines. Although the preferred embodiment described herein utilize four stretching tines and four compacting tines, it is to be expressly understood that different numbers of tines and combinations of numbers of tines may be used under the present invention.  
         [0028]    Each of the sets of tines are movable in at least two directions, as described in greater detail below. The movement of the tines is effected by actuating mechanisms operated by movement of the plunger  14 . In this preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanisms are primarily linkages operationally connected between the plunger and the tines. It is to be expressly understood that while linkages are used in this preferred embodiment, other actuating mechanisms could be used as well, including without limitation, cam surfaces or even power mechanisms such as hydraulics, pneumatics, explosive, motor or electrical controls. As shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 , the stretching tines  20 - 26  are connected to collar  40 . Collar  40  includes four arms  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  extending substantially radially from the center of the collar. Tines  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  are pivotally connected to the arms  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 , respectively by pins  50 . Collar  40  also includes center bushing  52  which is mounted over the actuator rod  54  for movement relative to actuator rod  54 .  
         [0029]    In this preferred embodiment, another collar  60  also includes radial arms  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  for engaging each of the stretching tines  20 - 26 . Collar  60  is also mounted onto actuator rod by a clamp, set screw or other clamping mechanism onto the actuator rod  54 . The tines  20 - 26  are allowed to move radially and vertically relative to collar  60 . Pins  63  on each of the arms  62 - 68  engage the cam surfaces  28 ,  30  on the outer surfaces of the tines  20 - 26 .  
         [0030]    A third collar  70  is mounted on actuator rod  54  between first collar  40  and second collar  60 . Collar  70  also includes radial arms  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  to which compacting tines  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  are pivotally mounted by pins  80 . The collar  70  is also mounted to slide over actuator rod  54 . A clamp  82  (it can also be a set screw, pin or other clamping mechanism) is mounted onto actuator rod  54  spaced a set distance above. In this preferred embodiment, the set distance is equal to the distance of vertical travel of the stretching tines.  
         [0031]    Guide plates  90 ,  92 ,  94  and  96  are mounted in housing  12  adjacent the compacting tines. Each of the guide plates  90 - 96  include internal slots  98  that receive the compacting tines  32 - 38 , respectively. Transverse guide slots  100 ,  102  are formed in the sides of the guide plates  90 - 96 . Guide pins  104 ,  106  are mounted to each of the compacting tines and engage in the guide slots  100 ,  102 . The shape of the transverse guide slots  100  is relatively curvilinear while the shape of the transverse guide slots  102  is slightly angled.  
         [0032]    Each of the compacting tines  32 - 38  is formed in two sections  110 ,  112  and connected at guide pin  104 . The lower section  112  is able to pivot relative to the upper section  110  as the tines are moved downward so as the respective guide pins  104 ,  106  move within the guide slots  104 ,  106 , the lower section  112  is able to pivot inward and upward as it engages in the lower portion of the guide slots.  
         [0033]    A guide rod  120  is mounted in the lower portion of the housing  12 . The actuator rod  54  slides over the guide rod  120 , as shown in FIG. 5. A pin  122  extending the guide rod  120  acts as a stop to prevent the downward motion of the collar  40  beyond this point. A slot  124  in the actuator rod  54  allows the actuator rod  54  to continue the downward movement of the actuator rod  54 . Spring  126  is mounted over the upper portion of actuator rod  54  between the collar  40  and a sleeve  128  mounted in the plunger  14  by pin  130 .  
         [0034]    During the operation of the ball mark repair tool  10 , the plunger is moved downward as shown in FIGS.  6 - 9 . This motion also moves the actuator rod  54  downward as well through housing  12 . The sleeve  128  compresses the spring  126  against the upper surface of the collar  40 . The actuator rod also causes the collar to move downward as well. The downward movement of the collar  40  forces the stretching tines  20 - 26  downward through slots in the bottom plate  18  of the housing. The second collar  60  moves downward as well during this initial movement. The force from the actuator moves the tines into the adjacent ground. Once the collar  40  abuts against the pin  122  or other stop surface, the downward movement of the stretching tines is ended as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The slot  124  rides over the pin  122  to allow the plunger and actuator rod  54  to continue downward movement.  
         [0035]    Two separate movements then occur as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The pins  63  of the second collar  60  begin to move relative to the cam surfaces  28  of the stretching tines  20 - 26 . This movement causes the stretching tines to move horizontally inward relative to the housing  12 . A the same time, clamp  82  engages the third collar  70  causing the collar  70  to move downward with the movement of the actuator rod  54 . The downward movement of the collar  70  causes the compacting tines  32 - 38  to move downward through slots in the bottom plate  18 . Thus, at this stage the stretching tines are moving horizontally and the compacting tines are moving downward.  
         [0036]    Once the stretching tines have been moved a set distance horizontally, the pins  63  of the collar  60  engage on surface  30  of the stretching tines which is substantially vertical at this point. This maintains the stretching tines in position but no longer moves them horizontally. As the guide pins  104  begin in the curved potion of the guide slots  100  and the guide pins  106  continue in the relatively straight guide slots  102 , the lower section  112  of the compacting tines  32 - 38  pivot upward and inward as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This motion continues until the downward motion of the plunger is ended. Once the downward force of the plunger  14  is ended, the resilient bias of the compressed spring  126  pushes the actuator rod  54  upward and the tines move back to their original position.  
         [0037]    Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 10. This embodiment is similar to the above described embodiment, except that the plunger  14  includes a foot actuated plunger  140 . A carrying handle  142  (upper portion not shown) is also included as well. Other preferred embodiments include hydraulic and/or electrically powered actuators.  
       Operation of the Ball Mark Repair Tool  
       [0038]    In operation, the ball mark repair tool  10  is typically used by a groundskeeper (or greenskeeper). The groundskeeper places the ball mark repair tool  10  directly over the ball mark and against the ground surface. The plunger  14  is then pressed downward. The downward movement of the plunger  14  and corresponding movement of the actuator rod  54  presses the spring  126  against the collar  40  and moves the stretching tines  20 - 26  downward through the bottom plate  18  as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and into the ground surrounding the ball mark. As the stretching tines  20 - 26  are fully extended vertically, the movement of collar  40  is prevented by engagement with the stop pin  122 . The actuator rod  54  is allowed to continue to move down under pressure with the plunger  14 .  
         [0039]    At this point, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the collar  60  continues to move downward, forcing the guide pins  63  against the angled cam surface  28  of the stretching tines  20 - 26 . This movement causes the stretching tines to move horizontally towards the center of the ball mark. The horizontal movement of the stretching tines stretches undamaged grass over the ball mark to cover the ball mark. At the same time the clamp  82  on the actuator rod  54  engages collar  70  to move it downward. The downward movement of the collar  70  moves the compacting tines  32 - 38  into the ground around the ball mark at an angle due to the engagement of the guide pins  104 ,  106  in the slots  100 ,  102 . Once the compacting tines are fully engaged in the ground, the angle of the slots  100 ,  102  cause the lower portions  112  of the compacting tines to pivot upward and inward. This upward and inward movement of the compacting tines  32 - 38  pushes the soil underneath the ball mark upward to fill the ball mark from beneath and also levels the surface with interaction from the bottom plate  18 . Once the pressure on the plunger is released, the force from the compressed spring  126  returns the plunger and tines back to their original position. The marks from the extraction of the tines from the ground surface are relatively miniscule and serve to aerate the ground.  
         [0040]    An important feature of this preferred embodiment is the movement of the tines only in the penetration marks of the tines. This minimizes damage to the grass understructure, particularly since the compacting tines only pivot without further movement once they have fully penetrated the grass.  
         [0041]    As described above, the ball mark repair tool  10 , in a first embodiment is powered by a hand operated plunger shown in FIG. 1, or in a second embodiment, may be used with a foot operated plunger shown in FIG. 10. Also, in other embodiments, the ball mark repair tool can include a power operated apparatus, either electrical, explosive, motor-driven, hydraulic or pneumatic or other power sources. The use of a first set of tines to stretch undamaged grass over the ball mark combined with a second set of tines to lift and compact the soil underneath the ball mark provides a unique and superior repairing process.  
         [0042]    It is to be expressly understood that these descriptive embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of the claimed inventions, and that the claimed inventions are intended to encompass other equivalent structures and mechanisms for performing the equivalent functions.