Patent Publication Number: US-2017348565-A1

Title: Telescopic golf ball picker upper

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (IF ANY) 
     This application claims the priority date of Provisional Application No. 62/345,145 filed on Jun. 3, 2016 which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to improvements in golf ball retrievers. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     After sinking a putt, a golfer then has to bend over or kneel down in order to retrieve their ball from the hole. For a golfer with bad knees or a sore back, recovering the ball can be difficult. Further, it takes unwanted time and energy to bend down and pick up the ball. Some players may have to ask others to retrieve their ball for them. However, a more convenient method is needed. There exists a need for a device that can retrieve the golf ball from the ground without requiring the golfer to bend down. 
     There is still room for improvement in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a golf ball retriever that enables an individual to pick up a golf ball without requiring the user to bend over. The golf ball retriever includes an extendable rod with a cup configured to receive a golf ball disposed at a distal end of the rod. In one embodiment, the extendable rod is in a telescopic arrangement movable between an extend position and a retracted position. In use, the rod is extended and the cup is pressed over the ball. The cup receives the ball, and the ball remains within the cup until removed by a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention in a re-tracked position; 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention in an extended position ready to pick up a golf ball; 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up view of the underside of one embodiment of the cup of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in a re-tracked position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within the invention. 
     The current invention is golf ball retriever  1  that can be used with various poles of multiple diameters. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4  there is a shown side view of one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides a golf ball retriever  1  that enables an individual to pick up a golf ball without requiring the user to bend over. The golf ball retriever  1  comprises an extendable rod  10  having a cup  20  configured to receive a golf ball disposed at a distal end of the rod  10 . At the opposing end of the rod, a handle  50  for gripping the present invention. In one embodiment, the handle  50  includes padding concentric with the rod and a key ring  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , there is a shown side view of one embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position and an extended position, respectfully. In one embodiment, the extendable rod  10  is in a telescopic arrangement movable between an extend position and a retracted position. The extendable rod  10  includes one or more elongated sections  15  adjustably secured to each other so as to allow the rod  10  to extend into the extended position and retract into a retracted position. This telescopic arrangement of the elongated sections  15  provides for adjustment of the linear length of the rod  10 . The elongated sections  15  may be frictionally engaged with each other, or fastened to one another via any suitable fastener. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is an up view of the underside of one embodiment of the cup  20  of the present invention and a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, respectfully. The cup  20  is dimensioned for receiving a golf ball  100  therein and includes a sidewall  60  that tapers from a first end towards an opposing second end, wherein the first end is affixed to the rod  10  and the second end is an open lower end  62  for receiving the gold ball  100 . The second end further includes a first ball-stopping perimeter lip  65  and a secondary perimeter lip thereon sized and shaped for securing the ball  100  within the cup  20  after insertion. In use, the cup  20  is positioned over the ball  100  and moved such that the cup  20  receives the ball  100  therein. The ball  100  remains within the cup  20 , through frictional engagement or pressure differential, until a user removes the ball therefrom. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rod  10  is used to place the cup  20  over the golf ball  100  to retrieve it. 
     ADVANTAGES 
     The innovative golf ball retrieving rod removes the need for a golfer to bend down to get their golf ball reducing back and knee stress. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, 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.