Patent Publication Number: US-6991557-B2

Title: Golf ball retrieval and ball mark repair tool

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to golf club accessories, and specifically to golf ball retrieval tools. More specifically it relates to a golf ball retrieval tool which doubles as a ball mark repair tool and a spacer for keeping the club grip clean and dry when the club must be laid on the ground. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Any golfer is familiar with the number of times one must bend over to retrieve a golf ball, for example, once it is holed or when it must be moved to allow other players to continue play on the green. Bending also is required to repair ball or club impact marks made to the soft surface of the putting green or divots on the fairway. Playing 18 holes of golf can result in bending for these activities in excess of sixty times. For some golfers, this represents a physical burden which might prevent them from playing. At least for such golfers, a need exists for means to reduce the number of times they must bend and stoop during a round of golf. 
   Putting greens and the surfaces near them often are very soft and cannot support the weight of a golf cart. In route on foot to the putting green, a golfer often brings two or more clubs if the golf ball is not yet on the putting green surface, a putter and at least one additional club. While using one of the clubs, a golfer must put the other aside, typically by simply laying it on the ground nearby. Preferably the club grip should remain clean and dry, but it is common for the area near the putting green to be wet from watering, rain or morning dew. A need exists for means for keeping the grip from contacting the ground when a club is laid on the ground. 
   A number of different types of golf ball retrievers are available, including some that attach to a club grip. Some include a spring device intended to grasp the golf ball, while others use a scoop to contain the ball. With most of these devices, however, it is difficult to secure the ball to start the lifting process or to release the ball once it is lifted. Very few include a ball mark repair tool or appear to be intended to help keep a club grip clean. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a tool or accessory for retrieving a golf ball. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a tool or accessory for repairing a golf ball mark made on the playing surface without the need to stoop to do so. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a tool or accessory to prevent the grip of a golf club from contacting the ground when the club is laid horizontally. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tool attached to the grip of the club itself for ball retrieval, ball mark repair and for keeping the grip off the ground. 
   The foregoing and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing a tool mounted to the end of a golf club or other handle, the tool serving as means for retrieving a golf ball, for repairing a golf ball or club mark on the playing surface and for preventing the club grip from contacting the ground when the club is laid horizontally. The tool comprises a head detachably connected to the grip end of a golf club. In a preferred embodiment, the head includes a tang which fits into a slotted plug in the end of the club shaft under the grip. In an alternate embodiment, the head includes a yoke that cups over the outer radius of the golf club grip and is held in place by an external strap. The head has three flat surfaces serving as a shelf for lifting the golf ball and two walls forming a corner for the ball to rest against and for keeping the ball captive during the retrieval process. Two prongs protrude from the shelf for repairing ball marks. These two prongs or the body of the tool also serve to hold the grip off the ground when the club is laid horizontally. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  depicts a golf club with a preferred embodiment of the ball retrieval tool of the present invention installed into the end of the grip. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts in perspective the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1  prior to installation into the end of the grip. 
       FIG. 2  shows, as indicated in  FIG. 4 , the grip end of the club in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  details in cutaway view, as indicated in  FIG. 4 , the preferred embodiment of the golf ball retrieval tool of  FIG. 2  installed in an alternate manner in the grip end of the club. 
       FIG. 4  is a transverse cross section through the grip end of a golf club, as indicated in  FIG. 3 , with the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 2  installed therein. 
       FIG. 5  shows, viewed as indicted in  FIG. 7 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein the golf ball retrieval tool is attached to the exterior of the club grip with an attachment strap. 
       FIG. 6  shows the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 5  viewed as indicated in FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 7  is a transverse cross section through the grip end of a golf club, as indicated in FIG.  6  and showing the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 5  installed thereon. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict in cross section a flag cup in which the preferred embodiment is employed to retrieve a ball. 
       FIG. 9  shows a golfer preparing to lift a golf ball out of a hole, as detailed in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , using the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a depiction similar to  FIG. 9  showing use of the present invention to repair a club divot or ball mark. 
       FIG. 11  details the steps in using the present invention to repair a club divot or ball mark, as depicted in FIG.  10 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  show use of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention to hold the club grip off the ground where the club is laid horizontally. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the figures, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A,  2  and  3 , club  23  is shown comprising shaft  25  having head  27  on one end and grip  21  on its opposite end. Tool  1  is shown installed into grip  21  end of club  23  substantially coaxial with axis A of shaft  25 . It will be noted here and further discussed below that tool  1  as depicted in  FIG. 1  lies substantially within a projected profile (not shown) of the sides of grip  21 . Also, club  23  is depicted in  FIG. 1  as a type of golf club known as a putter, but one having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that club  23  could be any club used by or commonly available to golfers, or alternatively, club  23  could be a specialized handle dedicated to tool  1 . As hereinafter used, references to club  23  shall mean any such handle means adapted to be employed with either embodiment of the present invention. 
   Tool  1  comprises body  3  extending substantially coaxially from the end of grip  21 . Tool  1  further includes shelf  7  disposed on the end of body  3  distal grip  21  and substantially at a right angle to body  3 . Backstop  13  is disposed at one end of shelf  7  and at a substantially right angle to both shelf  7  and body  3 , thereby forming with them an interior, three-sided corner. One having ordinary skill in the art also will recognize that this three-sided corner comprises means for receiving and retaining a golf ball when club  23  is inverted (see FIG.  9 ), thus positioning tool  1  beneath shaft  25  such that the ball rests on shelf  7  and against body  3  and backstop  7 . 
   Gap  8  is shown between backstop  13  and body  3  and having a width substantially smaller than backstop  13  or body  3 . The width of gap  8  is somewhat a matter of expediency and convenience, but it is chosen with two constraints in mind. First, it must be smaller than the diameter of a golf ball, obviously so that the golf ball cannot pass through gap  8 . Secondly, gap  8  preferably is wide enough that it is adapted temporarily to receive storage means such as a strap or belt loop. This allows golfer  35  to remove tool  1  while using club  23  and to clip tool  1  onto a golf bag strap or his belt (neither shown) by inserting the strap or belt into gap  8 , thus keeping tool  1  handy for use once golfer  35  needs it. Thus, within these constraints, gaps of any size are considered within the scope of the present invention. 
   Extending opposite backstop  13  from shelf  7 , a plurality of prongs  9  form fork  10 , a projection used for repairing ball marks. Shown as substantially in the same plane as shelf  7 , each of two prongs  9  preferably extends approximately two (2″) inches and tapers to a point. Prongs  9  thus rather easily penetrate the ground beneath a ball mark, enabling golfer  35  to lift the compressed earth below said ball mark without causing significant damage from the penetration by prongs  9 . One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various configurations of fork  10  may be employed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   With further reference to  FIGS. 1A ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , body  3  is shown coupled to shaft  25  by way of a narrowed portion, or tang  5  frictionally and snugly received within slot  19  of plug  17 . Tang  5  is illustrated in the figures as having a substantially rectangular cross section with semicircular opposite ends, but may comprise other cross sections, including use of multiple tangs (not shown), without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, tang  5  preferably fits snugly enough within slot  19  that no further securing means are necessary, yet tool  1  easily may be removed from shaft  25  with reasonable axial force. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that any securing or coupling means are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Hollow interior  26  of shaft  25  typically has a circular cross section and may have parallel walls resulting in a regular cylinder shape, or it may be conically shaped if shaft  25  tapers from grip  21  to head  27 . Interior  26  also may have non-circular cross sections (not shown), such as rectangular or square, usually where the exterior of shaft  25  so varies. Finally, shaft  25  may be solid and have no interior  26  (not shown), in which case slot  19  is formed directly into the end of shaft  25 . One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any and all such variations in shaft  25  are considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention, with concomitant variations resulting in plug  17 . 
   Within interior  26  at grip  21  end of shaft  25 , plug  17  comprises a prefabricated cylinder of solid but malleable material, preferably wood or plastic, into which slot  19  is formed. Plug  17  has a diameter adapted to fit tightly enough within interior  26  of shaft  25  that said reasonable axial withdrawing force employed to remove tang  5  from slot  19  does not move plug  17  within interior  26 . If necessary to achieve this result, adhesive may be employed between plug  17  and interior  26 . Alternately, plug  17  may comprise an epoxy or other admixture poured into interior  26  at the end of shaft  25 , with either a removable block to create slot  19 , or with slot  19  later being drilled into plug  17  after the admixture sets. In any case, plug  17  must be tight enough within shaft  25  that it cannot easily be shoved further into interior  26  by insertion of tang  5  into slot  19 . 
   One means of assuring this is for plug  17  to include cap  18  which has an outside diameter larger than the interior of shaft  25 , preferably substantially equal to the outside diameter of shaft  25 . When golfer  35  inserts tang  5  into slot  19  and pushes it axially into grip  21 , cap  18  bears against the end of shaft  25  and prevents plug  17  from moving. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that cap  18 , in combination with frictional or adhesive contact between grip  21  and shaft  25 , allows some tolerance in the fit between plug  17  and interior  26 . This has the advantage of permitting plug  17  easily to be removed if necessary once grip  21  is removed from club  23 . 
   Turning again to tool  1  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a slight offset is apparent in body  3  between shelf  7  and grip  21 . This offset serves to position shelf  7  and backstop  13  slightly askew from axis A of shaft  25 . Such offset abets the following advantages. 
   As mentioned above,  FIG. 1  shows tool  1  installed into shaft  25  oriented such that it projects substantially within a projected profile of grip  21 . In  FIG. 3 , however, tool  1  does not lie within such projected profile of grip  21 , but is offset to one side of grip  21 , partially due to the offset in body  3  described above. Tool  1  thus may be installed in either of two orientations that are 180 degrees apart based on golfer  35 &#39;s preference. Such preference would depend upon which way golfer  35  wished the above described three-sided corner to face, largely defined by which way golfer  35  found it easier to use tool  1  or by whether golfer  35  is left or right handed. Experiments have shown that some golfers prefer better visibility of the golf ball and tool  1  gained by the orientation shown in  FIG. 3 , while others prefer the sleeker profile of the orientation of FIG.  1 . 
   Tool  1  preferably is fabricated from a single piece of flat, one-eighth (⅛″) inch sheet steel, cut with the profiles of its component parts, tang  5 , body  3 , shelf  7 , backstop  13  and prongs  9  and bent at the joinder points of those components. This size of steel is chosen for a preferred balance of rigidity and light weight, but one having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other combinations of thickness of steel may be substituted. One having ordinary skill in the art also will recognize that tool  1  could be fabricated from separate components later attached as described. Further, tool  1  alternately could be molded as a single object from a thermoset plastic such as styrene or cross-linked polyethylene having rigidity comparable to the preferred sheet steel specified while being considerably lighter and less expensive to fabricate. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention, tool  101 , is depicted which couples to the outside of grip  21 . This alternate embodiment allows golfer  35  to attach tool  101  to any golf club  23  without the need to modify the club in any manner. 
   As with the preferred embodiment described above, tool  101  comprises body  103  having shelf  107  disposed on one end thereof distal grip  21 . Backstop  113  is disposed on one end of shelf  107  perpendicular to both shelf  107  and body  103 , forming gap  108 . Prongs  109  extend substantially coplanar with shelf  107  opposite backstop  113 . These features are configured and used in similar fashion as described above for corresponding features of the preferred embodiment, and will not be discussed again except as they deviate therefrom. 
   Unlike the preferred embodiment, tool  101  does not include tang  5  for fitting within plug  19  within shaft  25 . Instead, body  103  extends longitudinally away from shelf  107  to form shank  105 . Attached to shank  105  is strap  118  which wraps around grip  21  and fastens with fastener  114  to hold shank  105  against one side of grip  21 . Preferably, shank  105  comprises a continuous extension of body  103 , also preferably made from one piece of sheet metal as are shelf  107 , backstop  113  and prongs  109 . Shank  105  may be flat or longitudinally concave (not shown) to better fit the curvature of the side of grip  21 . 
   Attachment strap  118  is layered approximately one and one half turns around grip  21  and coupled with fastener  114 . Strap  118  comprises a flexible fabric type material, preferably leather, with fastener  114  stitched to strap  118 . Fastener  114  preferably comprises hook and loop strips commonly known as VELCRO, but one having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that fastener  114  also could be snaps, buttons, string ties or other commonly available fastening means without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Coupled to one side of body  103  opposite shelf  107 , yoke  117  has a generally U-shaped mouth  120  between sidewalls  121  and opposite bottom  123 , yoke  117  thereby opening away from shelf  107  and toward grip  21 . Yoke  117  presses onto the end of grip  21  to affix the axial position of tool  101  on club  23 . Yoke  117  couples to body  103  by tongue  119  which attaches to body  103  by welding, adhesive or other known means. Preferably, yoke  117  and tongue  119  also are fabricated from a single piece of sheet steel, as are body  103 , shelf  107 , backstop  113  and prongs  109 . One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize, too, that tool  101  may be fabricated from other materials, just as may be tool  1 , such as molded plastic or the like, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 7 , shank  105  lies against a flat surface depicted for grip  21 . Not all golf club grips are so shaped, however, some being substantially oval or circular (neither shown). Unlike tool  1  of the preferred embodiment, which can fit into almost any shaft  25 , for tool  101  of the alternate embodiment to be universally useful, it must accommodate a majority of grips of various sizes and shapes or be made in a myriad of configurations itself. Accordingly, yoke  117  is selected with just such motive in mind. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6 , yoke  117  extends perpendicular to body  103  substantially the width of grip  21 , thereby substantially receiving the end of grip  21  within mouth  120 . Preferably, mouth  120  opens to a width of one and one-fourth (1 ¼″) inch, and sidewalls  121  converge to a width of three-fourths (¾″) inch at bottom  123 . Thus, mouth  120  of yoke  117  as shown is shaped to accommodate most of the myriad of golf club grips available. Shank  105  then is laid parallel and against the outer surface of grip  21  and positioned so that yoke  117  is firmly pressed against grip  21 . Attachment strap  118  is coupled to shank  105  and wrapped around the circumference of the combination of grip  21  and shank  105 , as discussed above. 
   As shown in the figures and described above, tool  101  is configured with prongs  109  extending leftward as viewed in FIG.  5 . One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that tool  101  just as easily could be arranged such that prongs  109  extend rightward in  FIG. 5 , thus allowing for either a righthanded” or “lefthanded” tool  101 , depending on the golfer&#39;s preference. Unlike the preferred embodiment discussed above, however, which may be reversed for lefthandedness or righthandedness by simply rotating tool  1  180 degrees, tool  101  requires that each type be fabricated separately. This is because simply moving shank  105  to the opposite side of grip  21  not only reverses the direction of prongs  109 , but it also relocates them to the other side of grip  21 . This further has the effect of merely reversing the position of club  23  head  27  and nothing more. Such relocation can render use of tool  101  much more awkward than tool  1  so reversed because of the distance shelf  107  is displaced from the other position. Though not depicted, this opposite arrangement will be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art as being within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   In operation, tools  1 ,  101  are used to lift golf ball  31  from cup  33  without golfer  35  stooping, to repair ball marks and to keep grip  21  clean and dry. As discussed in the sections that follow for tool  1 , the principles of operation apply equally to tool  101  because they operate similarly. Where they differ, separate mention of tool  101  will be included. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  9 , golfer  35  first holds club  23  upright (not shown) and installs the invention onto grip  21  as discussed above for tool  1  or tool  101 . Golfer  35  then inverts club  23  and lowers tool  1  into cup  33  adjacent golf ball  31  (FIG.  9 ). As tool  1  moves to the bottom of cup  33  ( FIGS. 8A ,  8 B), it pushes ball  31  to one side until ball  31  clears shelf  7 , whereupon ball  31  rolls onto shelf  7 . With a slight tilting motion of club  23 , golfer  35  positions ball  31  onto shelf  7  resting against body  3  and backstop  13  (FIG.  8 B). Golf ball  31  then can be lifted out of cup  33  in this captive state. Continuing to lift club  23  until he can reach ball  31  with his free hand (not shown), golfer  35  thereby retrieves ball  31  from cup  33  without stooping. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , tool  1 &#39;s use to repair a ball mark is depicted. Assuming tool  1  already is installed, golfer  35  inverts club  23  and holds head  27  in one or both hands. Positioning prongs  9  adjacent ball mark  37 , golfer  35  tilts club  23  slightly away from himself to angle prongs  9  downward into ground  29 . Golfer  35  then pushes backstop  13  with his toe  39  to force prongs  9  into ground  29  until they extend beneath ball mark  37 . Next, golfer  35  rotates club  23  shaft  25  toward himself (phantom lines in  FIG. 11 ) to cause prongs  9  to lift the earth beneath ball mark  37  until it bulges slightly (not shown) above the level of ground  29 . Golfer  35  then may tamp the earth now bulging above ball mark  37  as necessary to return it to the level of ground  29 , thus eliminating ball mark  37 . The entire operation thus can be performed from a standing or sitting position, without golfer  35  having to stoop or bend. 
   In similar fashion, golfer  35  can retrieve and replace of a divot, or clump of grass dislodged from the ground during play on the fairway. Proper use of irons requires that golfer  35  strike downward, through ball  31 . This causes his swing to reach bottom below ground, often causing a clump, or divot, of grass to be thrown forward. Using tool  1 , golfer  35  can retrieve this divot by snagging it with prongs  9  and drop it back into the original position, all without bending or stooping. Tool  1  works in this fashion better than a golf club head  27  because of the sharp points of prongs  9 , which tend to penetrate the divot and retain it from sliding off. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , use of tools  1  and  101  to keep grip  21  clean and dry is demonstrated. Again assuming tool  1  or  101  is installed onto grip  21  end of club  23 , golfer  35  simply lays it on ground  29 , largely by placing head  27  onto ground  29  and simply dropping grip  21 . As grip  21  falls to ground  29 , it brings tools  1 ,  101  into contact with ground  29  before grip  21  can reach ground  29 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , tang  5  is oriented parallel to the flat side of grip  21 . This flat side of grip  21  typically is installed and oriented on shaft  25  such that it is oriented toward the back of club  23 , away from head  27 , so that golfer  35 &#39;s fingers engage it while addressing the ball with club  23 . Thus, when tool  1  is inserted into slot  19 , prongs  9  become oriented perpendicular to head  27 , to one side or the other depending upon which orientation golfer  35  chooses (see discussion above). In either orientation of tool  1 , when golfer  35  drops grip  21  to lay club  23  on the ground, he simply notes to which side of grip  21  prongs  9  extend, and drops grip  21  to that side so that prongs  9  engage ground  29  as depicted in FIG.  12 . 
   When using tool  101 , golfer likewise drops grip  21  such that the edge of shelf  107  engages ground  29 , as depicted in FIG.  13 . In this case, tool  101  typically would be installed onto grip  21  with shelf  107  oriented away from head  27  and onto the flat side of grip  21 . Because of the extra weight of tool  101 , it will cause club  23  to fall such that head  27  points upward from ground  29  (not shown). In fact, because of the extra weight of tool  101 , regardless of which side of grip  21  it is installed on, club  23  likely will fall such that shelf  107  engages ground  29  as depicted in FIG.  13 . 
   Thus, grip  21  will remain suspended above ground  29  as depicted in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  until golfer  35  retrieves club  23 . Grip  21  stays above ground  29 , avoiding becoming soiled or damp from moisture on ground  29 . To retrieve club  23 , golfer  35  can hook another golf club under shaft  25  or under grip  21  (not shown) and raise grip  21  end of club  23  to a position where he can grasp it with his free hand. Neither dropping nor retrieving club  23  as described requires golfer  35  to stoop or bend in the process. 
   Finally, tools  1 ,  101  may be employed to retrieve other objects from the ground, such as other clubs, the pin flag or the like. Simply slipping prongs  9 ,  109  under the shaft (not shown) of the pin flag or a club shaft and lifting can elevate the club grip or the flag so that golfer  35  need not stoop to pick them up. Likewise, tools  1 ,  101  can be employed in similar fashion to retrieve ball  31  from the surface of ground  29 , whether flat or not. Golfer  35  simply would place shelf  7 ,  107  adjacent ball  31  and urge ball  31  onto shelf  7 ,  107 , using his toe  39  if necessary, while gently tilting shaft  25  away from himself until ball  31  rests against body  3 ,  103  and backstop  13 ,  113 , then lifting club  23  until he can secure ball  31  with his other hand without stooping or bending. 
   The present invention, described in either its preferred or alternate embodiment, thus serves a golfer of limited physical mobility in performing many of the functions required to participate in the sport of golf. This invention allows a person to retrieve a golf ball  31 , to repair a golf ball mark  37 , to retrieve a golf club  23  lying on the ground and to replace a divot on the fairway, all without bending or stooping. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to one or more embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the figures depict backstop  13 ,  113  as having a width approximately that of golf ball  31 , but substantial variations in the width of backstop  13 ,  113  may be appropriate to keep golf ball  31  captive. Likewise, the length of body  3  can have substantial variations and still allow golfer  35  to perform all of the intended functions of tool  1 ,  101 . Also, instead of strap  105 , tool  101  could attach by means of a rubberized cup stretched and fitted onto the end of grip  21  with the body  3  being coupled to the cup. 
   Further, the orientation of prongs  9 ,  109  is chosen to enhance golfer  35 &#39;s ease in repairing ball marks while standing, as depicted in  FIG. 10 , while cooperating in ball retrieval from a flag cup, as depicted in FIG.  9 . Prongs  9 ,  109  could, however, extend in a different plane from shelf  7 ,  107  to change the angle ( FIGS. 10 ,  11 ) at which shaft  25  is held while repairing ball mark  37 .