Abstract:
A ball mark repair tool and method of use thereof, comprising, in general, a turf gripping element having a plurality of tapered tines and means for releasably and loosely affixing the turf-gripping element to the grip end of a golf club shaft, wherein positional placement and application of a force outside the peripheral edge of a ball mark functions to properly repair a ball mark aiding in maintaining a smooth and level putting surface.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to a tool for maintaining golf-course greens, and more specifically to tool for quickly and effectively repairing indentations, ball marks and mounds, called golf ball marks, such as those found on a putting surface of golf-course greens due to impact from golf balls. 
   BACKGROUND 
   In the game of golf, it is common for the golf ball to land on the putting surface, called the “green”, with substantial force; sufficient to leave an indentation or ball mark. It is proper golf etiquette for players to repair any indentation made on the putting surface by the landing of their golf ball, but many either fail to do so or compound the problem through use of use of improper tools and/or techniques. Therefore, it is necessary for greens-keepers and their staff to professionally repair every green at regular intervals, such as once every day, because one of the most frustrating experiences in the game of golf is to have a putt diverted off line by a ball mark which has either been left un-repaired or improperly repaired. As a further complication, if the ball marks are neglected for more than 24 hours or repaired improperly, the damaged grass will die, leaving an unsightly brown spot and an uneven putting surface. 
   Specifically, ball marks occur as a result of a player attempting to land his or her ball on the green during play. Ball marks are basically indentations in the surface of a golf-course green putting area resulting from the ball landing on the golf-course green putting area with sufficient force to compress the turf, soil, and/or drainage material proximate the impact location. Additionally, especially associated with longer shots, a raised mound of turf, soil, and/or drainage material may be created by lateral impact forces. 
   There exist a number of conventional devices for fixing ball marks, including elaborate tools with radially extending blades pivotally mounted to a center hub and simultaneously activated through a linkage mechanism or tools with plurality of radially inwardly moving fingers actuated by a camming mechanism upon pressing or pushing. In operation, actuating blade tips and/or fingers for movement radially inwardly tend to dislodge the turf and soil from around the region of the ball mark, into the region of the ball mark, so as to level off the indentation in the golf green. Such devices tend to displace, cut or tear through the turf and soil repositioning a plurality of small areas of turf and soil inwardly toward the ball mark center. Moreover, these devices are unable to reposition the raised mound since their blade tips and/or fingertips uniformly reposition small areas of turf and soil around the edge of the ball mark. 
   Simpler hand-operated tools such as forks, tines and pronged devices or levers, including those rigidly attached by an expandable fastener to an interior surface of a handle end of a shaft of a golf club, have been utilized. In use, the prongs of the tool are inserted into the ground adjacent to a ball mark and at an angle such that the tips of the prongs are directed toward the center and beneath the ball mark. After inserted, the tool is tilted or pushed inwardly, rotating about the tips, to displace the compressed turf and soil toward the center of the indentation, thus filling the ball mark or indention. This process must be frequently repeated several times around the periphery of the indentation to adequately repair the mark and restore the location of the mark to its original condition. However, these simpler tools are rigid and problematically enable the operator to incorrectly pry the ball mark up by applying an upward force under the center of the ball mark by pressing down on a handle or shaft of the device. 
   Furthermore, a golfer or an attendant repairing indentations in a golf-course operating a hand tool such as a fork device is required to bend over or kneel down to the ground to repair a ball mark. Repeating this process continuously throughout the day is very tiring and the continuous action of bending to the ground is hard on the back and knees. 
   In view of the present invention, the background ball repair tools are deficient in many ways. Specifically, hand-operated tools are often misused, aggravating the damage to a putting surface and leading to damage to the grass in the location where repair is attempted. For example, the grass can die if the hand tool is inserted and the tip or prong is pried upward. From an external appearance the area may look repaired as the turf is level, but nonetheless the grass roots are often damaged or displaced from the soil and die, forcing the area to be re-sodded or reseeded. 
   In addition, sophisticated ball mark repair tools with pivoting blades and fingers with linkage mechanisms, springs and camming mechanism are heavy, complex and require maintenance, repair and eventually replacement during their work life, thereby adding to the cost and inconvenience of maintaining the golf-course. 
   Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognizable need for a ball mark repair tool and method of use thereof that functions to enable a golfer to repair a ball mark indentation without bending over or squatting while performing the repair task and wherein the repair tool has no moving parts and further prevents or reduces misuse of the tool, such as when used by the golfer as a fulcrum to pry or apply an upward force on the underside of the ball mark and, thereby such ball mark repair tool is easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture and yet functions in a proper manner to quickly and correctly repair ball marks. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly described in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a ball mark repair tool and method of use thereof, comprising, in general, a turf gripping element having a plurality of tapered tines and means for releasably and loosely affixing the turf gripping element to the grip end of a golf club shaft, wherein positional placement and application of a force outside the peripheral edge of a ball mark functions to properly repair a ball mark aiding in maintaining a smooth and level putting surface. 
   According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a ball mark repair tool and method of use thereof, comprising a dome-shaped base with tines extending orthogonal from a flat side of the base and a contoured prong extending from the dome-shaped side of the base for flexibly affixing by penetrating a vent hole in a golf club grip. 
   More specifically, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a ball mark repair tool and method of use thereof, comprising a dome-shaped base having a plurality tines extending orthogonally from a flat side of the base, wherein such tines taper from the base to the tip and have a rounded tip, and a contoured prong extending from the dome-shaped surface of the base for releasable insertion into the vent hole of a golf club grip. Preferably, the dome-shaped base, tapered tines and the contoured prong loosely affixed to the rubber grip of the shaft of a golf club function to prevent or reduce misuse of the tool by the golfer, such as use thereof as a fulcrum to pry or apply an upward force on the underside of the ball mark. Additionally, the tines are tapered to enable insertion and removal with out lifting the turf or soil surrounding the ball mark, where by damage to the grass roots caused by displacement thereof from the soil. In operation, a golfer or greens keeper grasps the golf club by the head, holding it upside down with the ball mark repair tool releasably inserted into the vent hole of a golf club grip, and performing a jabbing motion to insert the tines into the green surface proximate the peripheral edge of a ball mark to displace the compressed turf toward the center of the indentation, thus filling the ball mark or indention. 
   Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a tool for repairing divots, ball marks, and other indentations in the turf surface of a golf-course green from a standing position without bending over. 
   Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a ball mark repair tool which may be simply and economically constructed and wherein the tool may be manipulated by means of the club shaft by releasable attachment to the hand grip portion of the shaft. 
   Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a repair tool for golf ball marks or indentations created on the golf-course green and more specifically the repair of a compression mark or indentation made by the force of a golf ball landing on a golf green by displacing surrounding and compacted green into the cavity or indentations. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a dome-shaped base, short tapered tines and a contoured prong loosely affixed to the rubber grip that prevents the tool from being used as a fulcrum to pry or apply an upward force on the underside of the ball mark or to insert into the ball mark and pull the compressed turf upward. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a ball mark repair tool that does not have any moving parts and provides a means for movement of an interconnected patch of turf and/or soil into the region of the ball mark and/or damaged area of golf-course green. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to use the existing vent hole of a golf club grip without alteration of the golf club or grip or damage to or alteration of the grip by enlarging the vent hole or cutting open the grip to insert an expandable fastener for rigidly engaging the interior surface of the shaft. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a ball mark repair tool requiring only application of a downward force on a handle to move downwardly extending prongs into the surface of the turf such that a patch of turf and/or soil may be moved into the region of the ball mark and/or damaged area of a golf-course green. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a convenient and portable ball mark repair tool for repairing irregularities in the turf which may potentially affect the rolling of a golf ball directed toward the hole if left unrepaired. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a ball mark repair tool that can be readily used by untrained individuals to efficiently and properly remove ball marks on the golf-course green. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a ball mark repair tool which has simple construction and is highly durable and reliable in use. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a turf repair system which is compact, lightweight and easy to store and transport. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a turf repair system that allows the green to heal quickly. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a turf repair system having tine dimensions and configurations that minimize root damage. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is that its dimensions and configuration most conveniently allow the ball mark repair tool to remain attached to the club continually if used in conjunction with a readily available golf tube placed in the golf bag to receive the tool/club combination. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a ball mark repair tool which is inexpensive, functional, and enables more golfers to repair ball marks correctly, resulting in better conditions of greens for all golfers. 
   These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternative Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ball mark repair tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of a ball mark repair tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2B  is a top view of a ball mark repair tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of the ball mark repair tool to the hand grip of a golf club according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  shows a golf club having a ball mark repair tool attached thereto according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C show a ball mark repair tool at the end of a golf club shaft being used to repair a ball mark on a golf-course green caused by impact of a golf ball. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In describing the preferred and selected alternative embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention is not, however, intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar function. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a perspective view of ball mark repair tool  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, ball mark repair tool  10  comprises base  20 , tines  30 , and prong  40 . Ball mark repair tool  10  is preferably formed from a suitable durable material, such as plastic, nylon, metal, stainless steel, aluminum, or the like, capable of providing structure to ball mark repair tool  10  for engaging the turf, soil and/or ground without damage thereto. Preferably, the material includes other suitable characteristics, such as malleability, moldability, durability, water-resistance, light weight, ease of workability, or other beneficial characteristic understood by one ordinarily skilled in the art. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , base  20  preferably comprises circular member  22  having semi-spherical or dome-shaped top  24  on one side and flat surface  26  on the opposite side. Circular member  22  preferably measures approximately one and one-quarter (1.25) inch in diameter, enabling ball mark repair tool  10  to be inserted in a standard golf tube while in place and attached to golf club G for storage with the golf tube providing protection for a golf bag. Flat surface  26  preferably has a plurality of tines  30  integrally connected to and extending upwardly from flat surface  26 . Preferably twelve (12) tines  30  are included substantially aligned parallel with one another and extending substantially orthogonally from flat surface  26 . 
   Preferably each of tines  30  is approximately five-eighths (0.625) inch in length measured from tine base  34  at their connection to flat surface  26  of base  20  to rounded tip  32 . Further, tines  30  are preferably tapered measuring approximately one-sixteenth (0.0625) inch in diameter at tine tip  32  and tapering uniformly to approximately three-thirty-second (0.09375) inch in diameter at tine base  34 , where tine  30  connects to flat surface  26  of base  20 . Tines  30  preferably taper toward the distal end or tip for allowing easy penetration into the turf, soil and/or ground. Still further, tines  30  preferably are configured in a grid formation, evenly spaced, having a center-to-center spacing therebetween measuring approximately five-sixteenth (0.3125) inch. Preferably, the combined width of tines  30  is smaller than the surface area of flat surface  26 . Preferably, tine tips  32  are preferably blunted, pointed or rounded for preventing damage to the turf during use. It can also be appreciated that a single tine or multiple tines  30  may be attached to flat surface  26  of base  20  depending upon the turf, and/or soil conditions encountered. 
   It is contemplated herein that tines  30  may comprise alternate dimensions, numbers and configurations to minimize root damage while efficiently loosening the compaction caused by the golf ball striking the green. Moreover, tines  30  may comprise varying tapered diameters from flat surface  26  to tine tips  32 . Moreover, it is contemplated herein that flat surface  26  may comprise alternate dimensions and configurations to produce a leveled green to minimize the deflection of the next golf ball to roll over the repaired area. 
   It is contemplated herein that dome-shaped top  24  may comprise alternate dimensions, shape and configurations to enable angular flex between ball mark repair tool  10  and golf club G. 
   Prong  40  preferably protrudes from dome-shaped top  24  and comprises stem  42  and egg-shaped tip  44 . Stem  42  preferably is configured as a cylinder measuring approximately one-quarter (0.25) inch in length and one-eighth (0.125) inch in diameter. Egg-shaped tip  44  preferably is configured as an egg measuring approximately one-quarter (0.25) inch in length and approximately five-thirty-seconds (0.15625) inch at its maximum diameter. 
   Although the foregoing describes the preferred configurations, shapes, dimensions and materials selections for the manufacture of ball mark repair tool  10  comprising, base  20 , tines  30 , and prong  40 , it should be recognized that base  20 , tines  30 , and prong  40 , circular member  22 , dome-shaped top  24 , tine tip  32 , tine base  34  stem  42  and egg-shaped tip  44  may comprise alternate configurations, shapes, dimensions and materials to accommodate particular golf clubs, turf, and/or soil conditions encountered. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , ball mark repair tool  10  is preferably releasably and flexibly affixed to golf club G. Golf club G comprises shaft  54 , iron or head  52  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) attached to a first end  62  of shaft  54  and attached to a second end  64  a length of gripping material  56  positioned about shaft  54 . Shaft  54  is an elongated structure with a longitudinal axis and may be constructed of any suitable material such as graphite or stainless steel, which materials are well known. In addition, shaft  54  may taper from second end  64  towards first end  62 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , or the diameter of shaft  54  may be substantially consistent. Gripping material  56  is preferably manufactured from a rubber material or other similar stretchable material, or single slip-on piece, fabric or tape with a stretchy material woven into it so that it can fit tightly around shaft  54 . 
   As another important advantage of this invention, ball mark repair tool  10  is releasably and flexibly affixed to golf club G without alteration of club G and without removal or destruction of gripping material  56 . In this regard, gripping material  56  is preferably made of an elastic rubber and commonly wrapped around second end  64  of shaft  54  of most golf clubs G. Preferably vent hole  74  measuring approximately one-eighth (0.125) or less inch in diameter is formed through top portion  72  (butt end) of gripping material  56  to communicate with the hollow interior of shaft  54  of golf club G. 
   When it is desirable to install ball mark repair tool  10  on golf club G, gripping material  56  of golf club G preferably is held in one hand or a golfer and ball mark repair tool  10  is held in the other hand, wherein prong  40  is axially aligned with vent hole  74 . Preferably egg-shaped tip  44  of prong  40  is inserted through vent hole  74 , wherein the elastic properties of gripping material  56  allow the larger-sized egg-shaped tip  44  to penetrate vent hole  74  and thereafter releasably and flexibly affix ball mark repair tool  10  to golf club G, as shown in  FIG. 4 . That is, egg-shaped tip  44  spreads vent hole  74  open, penetrates vent hole  74 , and enables gripping material  56  to grip stem  42  of prong  40  so as to releasably secure ball mark repair tool  10  to golf club G without destroying vent hole  74  or damaging gripping material  56  through which vent hole  74  is formed. 
   When it is desirable to remove ball mark repair tool  10 , gripping material  56  of golf club G is preferably held in one hand by a golfer and ball mark repair tool  10  is held in the other hand, wherein the golfer gently pulls ball mark repair tool  10  apart from golf club G. Preferably, egg-shaped tip  44  of prong  40  is removed through vent hole  74 , wherein the elastic properties of gripping material  56  allow the larger sized egg-shaped tip  44  to be pulled through vent hole  74  and thereafter a separation of ball mark repair tool  10  from golf club G occurs, as shown in  FIG. 3 . That is, egg-shaped tip  44  spreads vent hole  74  open, and slides out of vent hole  74 , free from gripping material  56  so as to return golf club G to a golf club for use in the game of golf. As another important advantage of this invention, the ball mark repair tool  10  is releasably affixed to golf club G preferably enabling quick separation of ball mark repair tool  10  from golf club G so that golf club G may be returned to a golf bag without tines  30  tearing, gouging, puncturing or marring such golf bag. 
   Although in  FIG. 4  ball mark repair tool  10  is shown carried at the end of a putter, it is to be understood that ball mark repair tool  10  can be attached to any other golf club G to enable a golfer to quickly and easily repair ball marks on a putting green of a golf course that are caused by a golf ball striking the surface of a green while playing the game of golf. 
   With ball mark repair tool  10  releasably and flexibly affixed to golf club G (creating a flexible joint  82  therebetween) in the manner described above, and shown in  FIG. 4 , tines  30  will project outwardly from the end of the shaft opposite head  52 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, when a golfer wishes to repair a ball mark on the putting green caused by the impact of golf ball, the golfer simply turns golf club G with its installed ball mark repair tool  10  upside down, grasps head  52  of golf club G (or shaft) and, without having to kneel down, pushes tines  30  of ball mark repair tool  10  into an area of the putting green in need of repair. By virtue of the flexible attachment between ball mark repair tool  10  and golf club G provided by gripping material  56  and dome-shaped top  24 , ball mark repair tool  10  is able to self-align or adapt to the contours of the periphery of ball mark P and ball mark mound M.  FIG. 5C  preferably shows angle  84  as the difference between the center axis  86  of golf club G and the center axis  88  of ball mark repair tool  10 , wherein contoured prong  40 , loosely affixed to the rubber gripping material  56  of shaft  54  enables flexible joint  82  between golf club G and ball mark repair tool  10 . By holding golf club G at less than 90 degrees to turf T (preferably twenty degrees off vertical) and applying a series of jabbing forces to head  52 , such forces are applied to the shaft  54  and transmitted to flat surface  26  and tines  30 . Tines  30  preferably engage ball mark mound M of turf T, and upon insertion of tines  30  into ball mark mound M contact occurs between flat surface  26  and ball mark mound M or turf T resulting a pivot action in flexible joint  82  between golf club G and ball mark repair tool  10 . Upon applying an additional force to head  52  flat surface  26  flatens and repositions ball mark mound M toward the center of the indentation of ball mark P, whereby such force returns the green to a level, smooth grass surface in order to encourage the healing of the ball impact area. 
   Moreover, during use flat surface  26  preferably engages turf T and self-aligns flat surface  26  of ball mark repair tool  10  with the contours of the periphery of ball mark P and ball mark mound M as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C  via the flexible attachment between ball mark repair tool  10  and golf club G provided by gripping material  56  and dome-shaped top  24 . Moreover, flat surface  26  preferably serves to prevent excess penetration into turf T and to act as a push blade in preferred alignment to transfer the force applied to shaft  54  of golf club G to turf T in an effort to move displaced turf T, such as ball mark mound M toward the center of the indentation of ball mark P, thus repairing ball mark P and its indentation producing a level surface minimizing any deflection of the next ball to roll over the repaired ball mark P. 
   Thus, it may be appreciated that the golfer need only use a single hand to manipulate tines  30  of ball mark repair tool  10  to facilitate ball mark repair by leveling the impact area with the surrounding grass. As a result of jabbing the grassy surface with tines  30 , small holes will be formed to establish air channels for promoting a faster healing of the ball mark P. Once the repair is completed, ball mark repair tool  10  may be removed, wherein the golfer can then use head  52  of golf club G to tap down the repaired area to be restored to its original smooth playing surface. 
   As another important advantage of this invention, dome-shaped top  24 , tapered tines  30  and contoured prong  40  loosely affixed to the rubber gripping material  56  of shaft  56  of a golf club G preferably functions to prevent or disable ball mark repair tool  10  from being used by the golfer as a fulcrum to pry or apply an upward force on the underside of ball mark P resulting in an air pocket under the surface of turf T. Moreover, the absence of a handle on tool  10  effectively prevents a prying action during use, which prying action is the primary cause of turf damage. Additionally, tines  30  are tapered to enable insertion and removal without lifting soil or turf T surrounding ball mark B, wherein the grass roots are often damaged or displaced from the soil and die. Moreover, preferably tines  30 , with their shape and size, quickly aerate and loosen the compacted turf T caused by the ball impact without damaging the grass roots, thus allowing subsequent watering to wick down into turf T and stimulate turf growth. 
   In operation, a golfer or greens keeper grasps golf club G by head  52 , holding it upside down with the ball mark repair tool  10  releasably inserted into vent hole  74  of a standard golf club gripping material  56 , and applying a jabbing motion into turf T outside the peripheral edge of a ball mark B to displace the compressed turf T toward the center of the indentation, thus filling the ball mark B or indention. After inserting tines  30  which assist in holding turf T together, flat surface  26  preferably is pushed inwardly, to displace the compressed soil, ball mark mound M, and turf T toward the center of the indentation, thus filling the ball mark B or indention. This process must be repeated several times around the periphery of the indentation to fill ball mark B and restore the spot to its original condition. 
   The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.