Patent Publication Number: US-6209766-B1

Title: Belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories, such as ball markers, tees, etc., while golfing on a golf course. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     While golfing, a tee, or a small wooden, plastic, metal, or rubber peg, is used for holding a golf ball thereon on a teeing ground and allowing a golfer to drive the ball when teeing off, while a ball marker is used for marking or indicating the on-green position of a ball on a putting green when the ball is picked up by a golfer as desired. 
     Golfers on a golf course have to carry such tees and ball markers so as to selectively use them while teeing off or putting. Such tees and ball markers are typically kept in pockets of golfers&#39; clothing. 
     It is also necessary for golfers to keep track of time while golfing. However, wearing a watch on the wrist regrettably prevents a smooth swinging motion of a golfer, and so most golfers typically keep their watches in their pockets while golfing. 
     Such tees, ball markers, watches and the other small golf accessories carried by golfers have to be repeatedly used while golfing, and so it is necessary for the golfers to repeatedly remove such items from their pockets. This finally makes the pockets of golfers easily become dirty. 
     The tees, ball markers, watches and the other small golf accessories kept in the clothing pockets also undesirably cause discomfort to the golfers, thus being inconvenient to the golfers while walking on a golf course. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories, which is designed to allow a golfer to easily and effectively carry the small golf accessories, such as tees and ball markers, on his belt while golfing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories, which is also designed to allow a golfer to easily and effectively carry a watch on his belt while golfing. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories, comprising a belt saddle-clip, and a plurality of holders provided on the belt saddle-clip for holding the golf accessories on the saddle-clip. 
     In the above apparatus, the holders comprise a ball marker holder used for elastically holding the pin of a ball marker, and a tee holder used for holding a tee. 
     A watch may be provided on the belt saddle-clip. On the other hand, the belt saddle-clip comprises front and rear walls integrated into a single structure at the first ends thereof while defining a belt channel between the walls, and a plurality of embossments formed on the inside surface of the rear wall. 
     In the above apparatus, the golf accessory holders and the watch are provided on the front wall of the belt saddle-clip, while the rear wall of the belt saddle-clip is bent toward the front wall, thus forming an elastic lower flange gripping the belt when the saddle-clip is clipped on the belt. 
     In the present invention, the tee holders and the ball marker holders may be separately formed on the front wall of the saddle-clip. Alternatively, the two types of accessory holders may be integrated into a single structure wherein a ball marker holder is formed on the top surface of each tee holder projected on the front wall of the saddle-clip. 
     The watch is set on the front wall of the saddle-clip. That is, a circularly depressed seat, having a depth, is formed on the front wall of the saddle-clip, with the watch being hinged to the bottom of the edge of the seat at a hinged joint. The watch has a locking projection at a position of its edge opposite to the hinged joint and is detachably locked to a notched latch of the seat when the watch is fully closed and seated in the seat. The above watch has a dial on the inside surface, which faces the bottom of the seat when the watch is closed in the seat. 
     In the apparatus of this invention, the belt saddle-clip may be made of a flexible material or a hard material. When the saddle-clip is made of a hard material, it is necessary to gently curve the saddle-clip at a radius of curvature free from causing discomfort to a golfer. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in according with the primary embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in according with the third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in according with the fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in according with the seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus in accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a view, showing the practical use of the apparatus of FIG. 6 with desired golf accessories, such as tees and ball markers, being aligned with associated holders; and 
     FIG. 11 is a view, showing the apparatus of FIG. 10 mounted on the belt of a golfer with the desired golf accessories being set in the associated holders. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus according to the primary embodiment of this invention. As shown in the drawing, the apparatus of this embodiment comprises a belt saddle-clip  16 , with front and rear walls  12  and  14  of the saddle-clip  16  being integrated into a single structure at a reversed U-shaped top while defining a belt channel  15  within the saddle-clip  16 . The above belt saddle-clip  16  is exteriorly provided with a plurality of tee holders  20  and ball marker holders  22  on its front wall  12 . 
     The belt saddle-clip  16  is made of an elastic material, such as plastic. The lower edge of the rear wall  14  is bent toward the front wall  12 , thus forming a flange elastically gripping a belt when the saddle-clip  16  is clipped on the belt. The vertical width of the front wall  12  is larger than that of the rear wall  14 . 
     The tee holders  20 , having the same shape, are regularly and vertically formed on the front wall  12  while projecting from the wall  12 . Each of the tee holders  20  forms an inner channel  24  having a funnel-shaped top inlet housing the tee head with a lengthwise narrow shank seat downwardly extending from the top inlet. The tee holders  20  thus stably hold the tees without allowing the tees to be undesirably moved within the channels  24  or to be removed from the channels  24 . 
     On the other hand, the ball marker holders  22 , having a circular shape, are formed on the front wall  12  at a position beside the tee holder area while being vertically arranged. Each of the circular-shaped ball marker holders  22  is projected from the front wall  12  to a height and has a cross-shaped slit  26  on its top surface, thus preventing the pin of a ball marker from damaging a belt passing through the channel  15  of the saddle-clip  16 . In order to completely protect the belt from the pin of a ball marker, it is preferable to project each ball marker holder  22  to a height higher than the length of the pin of the ball marker. Of course, it should be understood that the ball marker holder area may be provided on the lower portion of the front wall  12  at a position free from the rear wall  14 . In such a case, it is not necessary to project the ball marker holders  22  from the front wall  12 . 
     In the golf accessory carrying apparatus of the primary embodiment, the saddle-clip  16  is clipped downwardly on the belt of a golfer from the gate C defined between the lower flange of the rear wall  14  and the interior surface of the front wall  12 . In such a case, since the saddle-clip  16  is made of an elastic material, it is possible to easily clip the saddle-clip  16  on the belt even when the rear wall  14  is elastically brought into contact with the interior surface of the front wall  12  without leaving such a gate C. 
     When the apparatus of this embodiment is practically used by a golfer while golfing, a plurality of tees are respectively set within the tee holders  20  having the channels  24 . In addition, a plurality of ball markers are set on the ball marker holders  22 , with the pin of each ball marker being fitted into the center of the cross-shaped slit  26 . The ball marker holders  22  thus elastically and stably hold the ball markers. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus according to the second embodiment of this invention. As shown in the drawing, the apparatus of this embodiment comprises a belt saddle-clip  216  having the same shape as that described for the primary embodiment. In the second embodiment, a plurality of tee holders  30  are regularly and vertically formed on the front wall  12  of the saddle-clip  216 , with a ball marker holder  32  being formed on the top surface of each tee holder  30  different from the primary embodiment. Each of the tee holders  30  of this embodiment has a tunnel shape, with the outer lower portion of each tee holder  30  housing the shank portion of a tee being designed to be wider than that of the primary embodiment. However, the inner channel  34  within each tee holder  30  has the same size as that of the channel  24  of the primary embodiment. 
     Since the ball marker holders  32  are formed on the top surfaces of the projected tee holders  30 , the pins of the ball markers are prevented from extending through the saddle-clip and damaging the surface of the golfer&#39;s belt. When the apparatus of this embodiment is practically used by a golfer while golfing, a plurality of tees and ball markers are preferably and alternately set on the associated holders  30  and  32 . That is, it is preferable to avoid the setting of a ball marker in a ball marker holder  32  formed on a tee holder  30  carrying a tee. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus according to the third embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the general shape of the apparatus remains the same as that described for the primary embodiment, but a watch  40  is set on the front wall  12  of the saddle-clip  316  different from the primary embodiment. 
     That is, a circularly depressed seat  42 , having a depth, is formed on the front wall  12  of the saddle-clip  316 , with the watch  40  being hinged to the bottom of the edge of the seat  42  at a hinged joint  44 . The watch  40  has a locking projection  48  at a position of its edge opposite to the hinged joint  44  and is detachably locked to a notched latch  47  of the seat  42  when the watch  40  is fully closed and seated in the seat  42 . The above watch  40  has a dial  46  on the inside surface, which faces the bottom of the seat  42  when the watch  40  is closed in the seat  42 . 
     The apparatus of the third embodiment allows a golfer to effectively carry a watch on his belt without holding it on his wrist or within his pocket. This finally allows the golfer to accomplish a desired smooth swinging motion while golfing without being disturbed by wearing the watch. In addition, the watch  40  is opened downwardly around the hinged joint  44  provided at the bottom of the edge of the seat  42 , with the dial  46  being directed upwardly. Therefore, the golfer can easily view the dial  46  after opening the watch  40 . 
     Of course, it should be understood that the watch  40  may be integrated with the front wall  12 , with the dial  46  being formed on the surface leveled with the front wall  12 . In such a case, it is preferable to invertedly position the watch with the mark “ 12 ” at the bottom of the edge of the dial  46 , thus allowing a golfer to easily view at the dial  46 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus  416  according to the fourth embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the general shape of the apparatus remains the same as that described for the third embodiment, but the rear wall  14 ′ is not bent at its lower edge with a plurality of embossments  50  being uniformly formed on the interior surface of the rear wall  14 ′. Due to the above embossments  50 , the rear wall  14 ′ tightly grips a belt in the same manner as that expected from the elastic lower flange of the rear wall. This apparatus yields the same operational effect as that expected from the apparatus of the third embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the general shape of the apparatus remains the same as that described for the third embodiment, but for a plurality of embossments  50  being uniformly formed on the interior surface of the rear wall  14 . Due to the above embossments  50  in addition to the lower flange of the rear wall  14 , the rear wall  14  further tightly grips a belt when the saddle-clip  516  is clipped on the belt. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the general shape of the apparatus remains the same as that described for the fifth embodiment, but the belt saddle-clip  616  is made of a somewhat hard material and is smoothly curved at a radius of curvature so as to be free from pressurizing a golfer&#39;s waist or causing physical discomfort to a golfer&#39;s body. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the general shape of the apparatus remains the same as that described for the sixth embodiment, but the tee holders  60  are formed along the inside of the lower edge of the front wall  12 ′ of the belt saddle-clip  716  while being horizontally directed. In addition, the ball marker holders  22 ′ are formed on the outside surface of the front wall  12 ′ while forming a horizontal arrangement. 
     In the seventh embodiment, a tee locking means (not shown) is provided on the tee holders  60  for locking the tees set within the holders  60 . However, it should be understood that the tee holders  60  may be designed to have elasticity while being slightly inclined at an angle of inclination with the inlets of the holders  60  positioned upwardly. In such a case, the tee holders  60  are preferably free from the separate tee locking means. 
     When the apparatus of the seventh embodiment is practically used, the apparatus is set on a belt by inserting the belt into the belt channel of the saddle-clip  716  as shown by the arrow A of FIG.  7 . This apparatus yields the same operational effect as that expected from the apparatus of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the general shape of the apparatus remains the same as that described for the seventh embodiment, but the tee holders  70  are vertically suspended along the lower edge of the front wall  12 ′ of the belt saddle-clip  816 . 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a golf accessory carrying apparatus  916  according to the ninth embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the general shape of the apparatus  916  remains the same as that described for the primary embodiment, but the tee holders  20  are individually designed to have an inner channel  24  free from narrow shank seats. That is, the channels  24  of the tee holders  20  according to this embodiment are designed to hold the tee heads, with the shank portions of the tees being exposed outside from the bottom of the tee holders  20 . 
     FIG. 10 is a view, showing the practical use of the apparatus  316  of FIG. 6, with a belt B and desired tees  80  and ball markers  82  aligned with associated holders. FIG. 11 is a view, showing the apparatus of FIG. 10 mounted on the belt B, with the desired tees  80  and ball markers  82  set in the associated holders. As shown in the drawings, each of the tees  80  comprises a head  80   a  and a shank  80   b , while each of the ball markers  82  comprises a head  82   a  and a pin  82   b . In the drawings, the watch  40  is shown as fully closed in the seat  42 . 
     As described above, the present invention provides a belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories, such as tees and ball markers, and a watch on the belt of a golfer. This apparatus allows the golfer to easily and effectively carry such small golf accessories and a watch on his belt while golfing, thus being very convenient to the golfer. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, the number of tee holders and ball marker holders may be freely changed in accordance with the size of the area provided by the belt saddle-clip.