Abstract:
A golf ball warming apparatus structured to retain up to six golf balls in a warming pouch with a flip-top closure having a configuration of dual vertical, parallel channels connected, at their respective distal ends, by a U-shaped channel and having a plurality of warming pockets for containing heating elements for warming and re-warming the golf balls, the warming pockets being located immediately adjacent to and in thermal conduction with the warming pouch. Additionally, the walls between the warming pouch and the warming pockets may contain a series of slots to augment the warming and re-warming of the golf balls.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a golf ball warmer that is compact, lightweight and easily transported with all other golfing implements. The golf ball warmer can hold up to six balls at one time and is capable of always providing a ball that is heated. The golf ball warmer is easy to use; a simple push of one ball into the unit instantly begins the warming process. In addition, the rotation component of the various golf balls through the pathway of the warming pouch will ensure that one is able to extract a completely warmed ball whenever it is needed. 
         [0002]    Golfing is an intricate game that requires many rounds of practice to finally reach a point where a player can consider himself a “good” golfer. As such, new players or “duffers,” often find themselves hitting hooks and slices, which result in balls that do not travel very far, or are difficult or impossible to find and retrieve. Even experienced golfers sometimes have the unfortunate luck of bad shots, particularly in cold weather. When temperatures drop, the cold conditions can adversely affect the golf balls, resulting in decreased compression and lack of spin control. Unfortunately this can lead to much shorter shots, which adversely impact golfers&#39; scores by adding strokes to their game. 
         [0003]    It is well known that a golf ball, which is uniformly heated to a temperature of about 100° F. will travel farther than a cold golf ball when driven with a golf club. Therefore, a golfer has an advantage if he can maintain his golf balls at an increased temperature during play on the golf course in colder weather. Previous devices for heating golf balls have only a single compartment or pathway for inserting and retrieving balls making it difficult to use the device. These previous devices also could only hold a limited number of golf balls, fewer than six, or be incapable of easy operation and retrieval of heated golf balls. Additionally, a number of these prior devices also require electrical current as the heating source such that the heating device will generate heat by electrical resistance from an external source. 
         [0004]    Some of these earlier devices and their problems and deficiencies may be described as follows. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,676 (Gravatt) a golf ball warmer is described which holds only 3 golf balls and uses a single channel for inserting and receiving the golf balls and uses an electric power source for heating. Gravatt is limited by its use of batteries that must continually be replaced. The Gravatt apparatus does not fulfill the need for a continuous supply of warm golf balls at the preferred temperature that has easy access to the longest warming ball for the next use. Additionally, Gravatt does not fulfill the need for a dual channel ingress and egress system for maximizing ease of access. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,155 (Loofbourow), discloses a warmed air circulating golf ball heater that utilizes a resistance device surrounded by perforated central and peripheral portions within the housing for the golf balls. The use of warmed circulating air as the heat source is relatively inefficient and the lack of insulation results in significant heat dissipation when the heating element is turned off. Loofbourow requires connection to an inconvenient electrical outlet, and therefore the heated air will cool, with the golf balls cooling as well, so that the Loofbourow apparatus does not fulfill the need for a portable continuous warming unit for housing golf balls. Since this device requires an external source of electric power, it does not fulfill the need for an optimally warmed supply of golf balls. 
         [0006]    Many earlier devices require golf ball insertion and dispensing arrangements that are detrimental to the conservation of heat within a warming compartment. Such devices often sacrifice the economy of hand movement as well. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,011 (Roth) a staged warming pathway through which golf balls are unidirectionally moved from top to bottom is described, with a bottom ball captured in an insulated cap. The insulated cap can be removed to release a warmed golf ball. However, this configuration allows heated air to rise through the warming compartment and therefore subjects the uppermost golf balls to receive the warmest temperatures within the device. The lowermost golf ball lies against the bottom lid, which is not described as being insulated allowing that golf ball, the next to be used, to decreases in temperature. Since the apparatus does not retain all of the golf balls at a substantially similar temperature, this device does not fulfill the need for a continuous supply of uniformly warmed golf balls with a convenient dual channel ingress and egress system. However, the apparatus does use a use-once chemical heat source that does not rely upon external energy for warming. Further, the device is described as housing only a limited number of golf balls, i.e., three, that will need to be rewarmed during play as the average and even the expert golfer use a greater number of balls during a round of play. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,461 (Arimoto) discloses a ball-warming device that suffers from a heating source located only at one end. This concentrates the heating so that only one ball is warmed at a time. Many times during the game of golf, more than one ball is needed at one time, especially if two or more golfers are sharing balls or if a golfer hits into a water or similar hazard. The Arimoto device is inconvenient because of this one-ball-at-a-time heating feature. This device does not fulfill the need for a continuous supply of uniformly warmed golf balls. 
         [0008]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,362 (Hendricks) a heating device is described with a container that is divided into two halves that separate to expose all of the balls to the cold elements when retrieving a single ball. Second, the Hendricks container is relatively large compared to the golf balls, which causes inefficient heating of the open air surrounding the balls. Third, the asymmetrical nature of the storage arrangement of the golf balls causes the balls farthest from the heating element to be heated the least. The Hendricks device also fails to fulfill the need for a continuous supply of optimally warmed golf balls within a unit that keeps the warmed air from escaping outside the unit. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, many earlier devices set forth inconvenient means of ball insertion and removal. Often times, two separate removable end caps are provided which require the use of two hands for the separate actions of: top cap removal, ball insertion, top cap replacement, bottom cap removal, ball retrieval, and bottom cap replacement. For example, the Gravatt &#39;676 patent describes a golf ball warmer using a combination of solar energy and battery power. Gravatt provides a small, portable arrangement; however, when the cover/absorption plate assembly is opened to remove a golf ball, all of the remaining balls are subjected to ambient air, thereby permitting considerable heat loss from the ball compartment. Moreover, additional ball compartments are necessary for storing multiple balls during an extended round of golf. Therefore, this device fails to fulfill the need for a convenient single-handed insertion and retrieval system capable of preventing significant heat loss. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,197 (Schroth) describes another solar heat design for a golf ball warmer. An absorber plate conducts solar heat energy to a golf ball compartment, but opens through a hinge that allows the heated air to escape. The clamshell type absorption plates as used by Schroth necessitate that only one side of the golf balls receive the maximum generated heat. Consequently, the clamshell type of solar golf ball warmers fail to completely and uniformly warm golf balls in a symmetrical manner so as to ensure even heating throughout. 
         [0011]    In view of the earlier devices described above, a need exists for a golf ball warming device which is self-contained, and provides a continuing supply of warmed golf balls throughout a round of play without dependence upon insulated containers and preheating or battery operated heaters. 
         [0012]    An additional need exists for a golf ball-warming device that is simple in design, portable, and includes an efficient and inexpensive heating source that is not overly exposed to the cold or wet elements in use. Another need exists for a golf ball-warming device that can store a plurality of golf balls in a minimum amount of space, with the golf balls positioned to receive heat from the heating source in an even manner across all of the golf balls in the device. Still another need exists for a golf ball warming device which is conveniently carried and affords a readily accessible ball holder and dispenser for a continuing supply of warmed golf balls at the user&#39;s fingertips. 
         [0013]    It is, therefore, an object of the invention that after a hole is played the user can push the used ball back through one side of the unit allowing it to re-warm while the other balls are used. It is a further object of the invention that the unit takes up to six balls ensuring a warm ball for each shot and that the balls are easy to remove from the unit once on the golf course. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the invention to use chemical heating or microwaveable re-heated packets, which fit into pockets contained within the lining of the nylon unit, and will retain their heating capacity up to six hours. By having warm golf balls, golfers can enjoy increased ball compression, proper spin control, and increased distance of up to fifteen percent. It is still another object of the invention that the golf ball warmer is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction. 
         [0015]    The aforementioned and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment(s), as well as from the associated drawings, all of which merely illustrate the inventive concept, and are not in any way intended, nor should be construed, to limit the scope of the instant invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention contemplates a novel golf ball warmer that employs a two sided ingress and egress system, which provides a ball warming path that creates a time lag, so that as the warmed golf balls are used, the first ball inserted is completely warmed and ready for play by the time the sixth warmed golf ball is used. In the present invention, balls travel down a left side channel of the pouch and curve upward through a U-shaped pathway and up through a right side channel as they are pushed through the unit, providing a constant rotation of balls. Additionally, the U-shaped pathway connects the left and right side channels, which are parallel vertical channels, allowing for easy insertion and removal of the golf balls. 
         [0017]    According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the warming pouch is sized to hold up to six balls at one time and is preferred to be made of a lightweight nylon material. The warming element is preferably either a chemical warming packet or a microwaveable re-heatable packet, such as Microcore® or a comparable microwaveable packet, fitting within the lining of the pouch, immediately adjacent to the pathways for the golf balls, and in thermal conduction with the pathways. 
         [0018]    The present invention is easy to use by a simple push of a ball through one side of the unit instantly begins the warming process. In addition, the rotation component ensures that one is able to extract a completely warm ball whenever one is needed. The golf ball warmer is compact and lightweight and can be easily transported with all other golfing implements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the golf ball warmer of the present invention showing the insertable warming packet above the packet pocket. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the golf ball warmer of the present invention from one side showing the inner arrangement of stored golf balls and the warming pockets with the insertable warming packets in place. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the golf ball warmer of the present invention taken along LINE  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing the inner arrangement of the warming pocket and stored golf balls. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the golf ball warmer of the present invention showing the pathway of the various golf balls into, through and out of the warmer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0024]    With reference now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a convenient golf ball warmer  10  is illustrated and described. The golf ball warmer  10  is configured and arranged to be compact, lightweight and easily transported with all other golfing implements. The golf ball warmer  10  is preferably made of a lightweight nylon material with dimensional measurements approximating six and one half inches in height and four and one half inches in width with a depth of two and one half to three inches, and that is preferably rectangular in shape. 
         [0025]    The golf ball warmer  10  is a readily accessible ball holder and dispenser for a continuing supply of warmed golf balls  14 . The golf ball warmer  10  can hold up to six golf balls  14  at one time inside of a warming pouch  24  located in the interior of the golf ball warmer  10 . The golf ball warmer  10  is designed to store a plurality of golf balls  14  in a minimum amount of space. In use, the preferred embodiment of the present invention permits golf balls  14  to be inserted and retrieved from the golf ball warmer  10  without allowing the passage of surrounding cool air due to the particular channel-like storage of the golf balls  14  in-a minimum amount of space. 
         [0026]    The warming pouch  24  contains two parallel vertical channels  16  and  18 , which are connected by a U-shaped pathway  20 , that, in combination, allows the golf balls  14  to pass through as they are warmed. The two channels  16 ,  18  share a common wall  17  therebetween, which wall extends downward until it reaches the top of the U-shaped pathway  20 . The golf ball warmer  10  also contains a plurality of warming pockets  22  located within the lining of the golf ball warmer  10  and adjacent to the warming pouch  24 , each conformed to hold at least one warming packet  12 . The warming pockets  22  are separated from the warming pouch  24  by respective thermal conductive walls  28 ,  30 . The golf balls  14  are positioned in a U-shaped pattern within the channels  16 ,  18  and  20 , to receive heat simultaneously as radiated from the warming packets  12  in an even manner across all of the golf balls  14  in the golf ball warmer  10 . 
         [0027]    The golf ball warmer  10  contains an easy to use flip-up top  26 , which allows the user to open the top  26  with one hand and remove a warmed golf ball  14 . The top  26  remains closed until a golfer needs to retrieve one of the warmed golf balls  14 , thereby reducing the amount of heat that could escape from inside the golf ball warmer  10  and decreases the amount of cold air that enters. Also, the top  26  prevents unnecessary exposure of the golf balls  14  to the cold or wet conditions that may exist. 
         [0028]    Inside the warming pouch  24 , each ball  14  is enveloped in a temperature of at least 100° F. by use of the plurality of warming packets  12 , which are contained inside the warming pockets  22 . The warming packets  12 , are preferably microwaveable, and are inserted into the warming pockets  22  of the warming pouch  24 . The warming packets  12  may be made of Microcore® or a comparable microwaveable packet, that is dimensioned to fit inside the lining of the plurality of warming pockets  22  contained within the golf ball warmer  10 . The warming packets  12  may also be of a chemical heat packet type that are capable of fitting inside the lining of the plurality of warming pockets  22  contained within the golf ball warmer  10 . The chemical heat packets begin warming when the packet is twisted or bent in half to combine the chemicals housed therein and may then be inserted into the lining of the warming pockets  22 . 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a two-sided ingress and egress system is employed, in which a U-shaped pathway  20  connects two vertically oriented channels  16  and  18 . The golf balls  14  are inserted into the left side channel  16  of the warming pouch  24  from the top of the channel  16 , the balls  14  then travel down the left side channel  16  and pass through the U-shaped pathway  20 , connecting the two channels, and are pushed up through the right side channel  18  as they are rotated, and are ready for extraction from the top of the right side channel  18 . This arrangement facilitates manual operation of the device with a single hand, thus freeing the golfer&#39;s other hand for other tasks. 
         [0030]    The warming process is activated by a simple push of a ball  14  through the left side channel  16 . The user inserts golf balls  14 , one after the other, into the left side channel  16  until the pouch  24  has six balls. As the balls  14  are inserted into the left side channel  16 , they travel down and curve upward through the U-shaped pathway  20  that is contained within the warming pouch  24 . Along the entire combined pathway of the warming pouch  24 , the golf balls  14  are being continuously and uniformly warmed by the warming packets  12  contained within the lining of the warming pockets  22 . Once the golf balls  14  pass through the U-shaped pathway  20  they are pushed up through the right side channel  18  where they are ultimately retrieved for use by the user as warmed balls. 
         [0031]    The warming packets  12  are contained on at least two sides of the warming pouch  24 , and provide that each golf ball  14  is continually warmed while in any physical position within the warming pouch  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the warming packets  12  are contained inside each of the warming pockets  22  located in a position along the front and the back of the golf ball warmer  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each ball is sufficiently and uniformly warmed without any interference to the warming process. This process of heating or re-warming the golf balls  14  is assisted by a series of slots  32  in the front and back sidewalls  28 ,  30  of the warming pouch  24 . The golf balls  14  are positioned to receive heat from the warming packets  12  in an even manner across all of the golf balls  14  throughout the combined channels  16 , 18  and  20 . 
         [0032]    In an alternative construction, there may be two warming pockets  22  located within the lining of the front of the golf ball warmer  10  and adjacent to the warming pouch  24 . Further, there may be two pockets  22  located within the lining of the back of the golf ball warmer  10  and adjacent to the warming pouch  24 . In this alternative configuration, each warming pocket  22  is capable of holding at least one warming packet  12 . It is also contemplated for colder environments to further alter the placement of the warming pockets by having additional warming pockets  22  along the sides of the golf ball warmer  10 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , after a hole is played the user can push a used ball  14  through the left side channel  16  allowing the ball  14  to travel down the left side channel  16 , through the U-shaped pathway  20  and re-warm as it rotates through the warming pouch  24  and up through the right side channel  18  where it will be fully warmed and ready for retrieval. Once the used ball is inserted by the user into the left side channel  16 , a fully warmed ball is ready for retrieval from the right side channel  18  to play the next hole. By the time the user uses all the other balls  14  in the pouch  24 , the original ball that was pushed back into the pouch  24  will be fully warmed and ready for play. 
         [0034]    Also in  FIG. 4 , there is shown an alternate method for attaching the cover  26 . Instead of attachment to the warming pouch  24  of the golf ball warmer  10  along the back side by a flexible hinge  34 , the cover  26  may be attached along one side of the warming pouch  24  by flexible hinge  34 A. In addition, a closure fastening means comprising first and second segments  36 ,  38  can be utilized to secure the cover  26  to the warming pouch  24  by affixing each of the segments of the fastening means to the exterior of the warming pouch  24  and the interior of the overlapping cover  26 . The fastening means may be cooperating Velcro® strips, or any other suitable means to securely close, and retain the cover  26  in the closed position, during the play of a round of golf. 
         [0035]    Therefore, the constant rotation of balls  14  ensures that there is a continuous supply of warm golf balls  14  at the user&#39;s fingertips, which does not require an external, attachable source of power and is readily accessible. The warmed golf balls  14  give the user increased ball compression, proper spin control, and increased distance by as much as fifteen percent. 
         [0036]    The foregoing has been described as what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.