Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/384,661, which was entitled “GOLF BALL RETRIEVAL AND POSITIONING SYSTEM” and filed Mar. 20, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to golf accessories, and in particular, to accessories that allow a golfer to tee and position golf balls and other objects without bending over.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     The game of golf is one of the most popular forms of recreation in the United States and throughout the world. Golf is marketed as a game that can be enjoyed throughout one&#39;s lifetime. However, in practice, many golfers are forced to give up golf prematurely due to the strain and pressure that the game places on one&#39;s back and joints. Much of this strain and pressure results from the fact that golfer&#39;s are constantly required to bend over and manipulate items adjacent their feet during a round. For example, golfers must bend over to tee a golf ball before beginning a hole, mark or clean a golf ball on the green, and retrieve a golf ball from a cup after completion of the hole. In a typical  18 -hole golf round a golfer may be forced to bend completely over a total of seventy times.  
         [0006]     A few products have emerged in recent years that purport to alleviate the above back pressure and strain by allowing a golfer to tee or pick up a golf ball from a relatively upright position (i.e., without bending over). Such products, however, have proven less than desirable as they are generally expensive, cumbersome to carry and use, and may result in limiting the effectiveness of traditional golf clubs.  
         [0007]     For example, one prior art device requires that a golfer carry, in addition to his/her fourteen golf clubs, a telescoping golf retrieval and placement device that is akin to a telescoping golf ball retriever commonly used to retrieve a golf ball from water or other hazards. Such devices typically include an elongate or telescoping pole and a pick-up tool disposed on one end thereof. In various applications, the pick-up tool is designed to hold the golf ball securely such that it may be retrieved without being dislodged as the pick-up tool bumps seaweed, mud, brush, or other objects that are common to golf hazards. Unfortunately, however, such golf ball retrieval and placement devices are expensive, cumbersome to carry and operate, and must be carried in an already tightly packed golf bag. Other prior art golf ball retrieval and placement devices incorporate pick-up tools that are attached to the hozzle of a golf club or that clip over the golf club grip. Such devices also have drawbacks in that they are generally cumbersome to use and limit the effectiveness of the golf clubs themselves. For example, pick-up tools that are clipped over the grip of a golf club may cause undue wear and tear to the grip.  
         [0008]     As a result, there is a need for an improved system and method for simply positioning and retrieving golf balls without requiring a golfer to significantly bend at the waist. The improved system and method should be inexpensive, compact, easy to use, and should operate as a non-damaging accessory to a conventional golf club.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The above needs are addressed and other advantages are provided by an improved golf ball retrieval and positioning system. Unlike other anti-bend golf products, the golf ball retrieval and positioning system of various embodiments of the present invention includes a golf ball positioning device and a golf ball retrieval device that also functions as a base for supporting a golf ball in a teeing position. The components of the present invention are modular and interface with an existing golf club through a hole that exists in the end of a golf club grip. As a result, the present invention provides an improved system for teeing and retrieving golf balls without having to bend over. The system is inexpensive, easily portable, and non-damaging to the golf club. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0010]     Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts an improved golf ball retrieval and positioning system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a golf ball positioning device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a golf ball positioning device inserted into the grip of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a golf ball positioning device cradling a golf ball in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a golf ball retrieval and teeing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a golf ball retrieval and teeing device supporting a golf ball in a teeing position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a golf ball retrieval and teeing device inserted into the grip of a golf club and receiving a golf ball in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a golf ball retrieval and teeing device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a golf ball retrieval and teeing device supporting a golf ball in a teeing position in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a golf ball positioning device being used to position a golf ball onto a golf ball retrieval and teeing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a golf ball positioning device inserted into the grip of a golf club and being used to retrieve a golf ball retrieval and teeing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a golf ball positioning device inserted into the grip of a golf club and being used to position a ball marker in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a ball mark repair device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a ball mark repair device inserted into the grip of a golf club and being used to repair a ball mark in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a golf ball retrieval and positioning system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted golf ball retrieval and positioning system  100  comprises a retrieval and teeing device  102  and a positioning device  104 . As will be described in more detail below, the depicted golf ball retrieval and positioning system  100  may be simply used by a golfer, without significantly bending over at the waist, to tee-up a golf ball prior to driving, manipulate a golf ball, golf marker, or other object on or proximate to the ground (e.g., golf green, tee box, fairway, etc.), fix or repair a divot or ball mark (i.e., indentation made by the ball upon landing on the green or fairway) and retrieve a golf ball from a cup upon completion of a golf hole. Finally, the depicted golf ball retrieval and positioning system  100  allows a golfer to accurately, and cheaply mark a putting reference line to a golf ball as will be discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0027]     Various components of the depicted golf ball retrieval and positioning system  100  are structured to removably attach to a conventional golf club grip thereby allowing a golfer to use the length of the golf club to pick-up or otherwise manipulate golf balls and other objects on the ground without substantially bending over. Multiple additional golf-related uses for various embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure provided below.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts a positioning device  104  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted positioning device  104  comprises an interface portion  106 , a transition portion  105 , a cradle portion  108  and a hook portion  110  as shown. The interface portion  106  is disposed at a first end  107  of the positioning device  104  and is adapted for attachment to a conventional golf grip as described in reference to  FIG. 3  below. The transition portion  105  provides a structural transition between the interface portion  106  and the cradle portion  108  and defines the position of the cradle portion  108  relative to the golf club as will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0029]     The cradle portion  108  is structured to receive and manipulate a golf ball. In the depicted embodiment, the cradle portion  108  defines a curved member that extends from the transition portion  105  to the hook portion  110 . In one embodiment, the cradle portion  108  defines a radius R that is sized to partially enclose a golf ball below its widest part. In various embodiments the cradle portion radius R is preferably less than 0.84 inches, more preferably between 0.82 and 0.55 inches, and still more preferably between 0.78 and 0.60 inches. In another embodiment, the cradle portion  108  partially encloses a golf ball by encircling less than 90 percent of its circumference, more preferably between 55 and 90 percent of its circumference, and still more preferably between 60 and 75 percent of the golf ball&#39;s circumference.  
         [0030]     The cradle portion  108  terminates at the hook portion  110  that is structured proximate a second end  109  of the positioning device  104  as shown. The hook portion  110  is a curved member extending outwardly from the cradle portion  108  in a direction opposite to that of the cradle portion curve as shown. The hook portion  110  is structured to pick up and otherwise manipulate a variety of objects including but not limited to the retrieval and teeing device  103  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) and a washer-shaped golf ball marker (depicted as item  195  of  FIG. 12 ). In one embodiment, the hook portion  110  defines a hook radius HR that is sized to at least partially enclose a golf tee head below its widest part. In various embodiments the hook radius HR is preferably less than 0.2188 inches, more preferably between 0.0938 and 0.2188 inches, and still more preferably between 0.15 and 0.2188 inches. In another embodiment, the hook portion  110  defines a gap G that is sized to laterally receive a golf tee or other object. In various embodiments, the gap G is greater than 0.1875 inches, more preferably between 0.19 and 0.30 inches, and still more preferably between 0.20 and 0.25 inches.  
         [0031]     Positioning devices  104  according to various embodiments of the present invention may be comprised of a variety of materials including metals, polymers, rubbers, composite materials, natural materials such as wood, or any other material that is capable of being formed or molded into a desired shape and that is capable of holding its shape under the weight of a golf ball or other positionable object. The depicted positioning device  104  is comprised of a formed metal wire. Positioning devices  104  according to various embodiments may be produced from a single material as shown or alternatively, from multiple materials. For example, in one embodiment, the interface portion  106  may be formed from a first material, the transition portion  105  may be formed from a second material, and the cradle portion  108  and hook portion  110  may be formed from a third material.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  depicts a positioning device  104  attached to a golf club  112  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the interface portion  106  of the depicted positioning device  104  has been inserted into an air relief hole  114  (also referred to herein as a golf grip hole) of a conventional golf club grip  113 . As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, air relief holes  114  are commonly defined in conventional golf grips to assist grip installation by allowing trapped air to escape from the grip  113  as it is pushed onto a golf club shaft (not shown). Various embodiments of the present invention take advantage of this standard golf grip feature by providing a positioning device  104  having an interface portion  106  that is structured to be removably received by the grip hole  114 . When inserted into the golf grip hole  114 , the positioning device  104  is sufficiently supported such that it may used to carry or manipulate a golf ball  111  or other objects. In the depicted embodiment, the interface portion  106  is sized such that it produces an interference fit within the grip hole  114 . For example, in one embodiment, at least part of the interface portion may define a diameter between 0.09 and 0.1875 inches, preferably approximately 0.125 inches.  
         [0033]     In another embodiment, the interface portion  106  may be tapered (not shown) to ensure an adequate interference fit. In yet another embodiment, the interface portion  106  may define one or more ribs (not shown) that may be pressed through the resilient golf grip hole  114  to maintain the interface member  106  within the golf grip hole  114  until removed by a user. In still other embodiments, the interface portion  106  may be removably received by the grip hole  114  in various additional ways, for example, the interface portion  106  may define one or more screw type threads (not shown) such that the positioning device  104  may be removably screwed into the grip hole  114 .  
         [0034]     The positioning device  104  depicted in  FIG. 3A  defines a first transitional angle θ between the interface portion  106  and the transition portion  105 . A second transition angle α is defined between the transition portion  105  and the cradle portion  108  as shown. An address angle β is defined between the longitudinal axis  112 ′ of the golf club  112  and a vertical plane VP that is illustrated in  FIG. 3  to generally represent the plane of a user&#39;s stance. In one embodiment, the address angle β, the first-transition angle θ, and the second transition angle α may be added to define a pick angle PA between 70 and 120 degrees, preferably between 80 and 110 degrees, and more preferably between 85 and 105 degrees. In other embodiments, the transition portion  105  of the positioning member  104  may be omitted such that the interface member  106  extends directly into the cradle portion  108  (not shown) thereby defining a single transition angle (not shown). In such embodiments, the address angle β and the single transition angle (not shown) may be added to define a pick angle PA between 70 and 120 degrees, preferably between 80 and 110 degrees, and more preferably between 85 and 105 degrees. In still other embodiments, hinges, flexible wires, or other bendable materials may be used for one or more parts of the positioning device  106  such that at least one of the address angle β, the first transition angle θ, the second transition angle α, and the pick angle PA may be adjusted to hold a desired angle that is selected from among a range of angles to meet a specific application.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  depicts a positioning device  104  supporting a golf ball  111  cradled atop its cradle portion  108  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, a golf ball defines a maximum width or diameter generally adjacent to its equator. In the depicted embodiment, the cradle portion  108  of the positioning device is sized to partially enclose the golf ball  111  immediately below its equator as shown. In this regard, positioning devices  104  structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination with a standard golf club to pick up and manipulate or position a golf ball or other object without bending over. It should be noted that in various embodiments, the term “positioning” refers to picking up a golf ball or other object from the ground, moving a golf ball or other object from one location to another, placing a golf ball or other object in a desired location (e.g., on a tee or teeing support), removing a golf ball or other object from a desired location (e.g., from a golf cup), and various other movements.  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  depicts a retrieval and teeing device  102  structured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted retrieval and teeing device  102  is structured to have a dual use as a golf ball retrieving aid and a golf ball teeing aid. Said differently, retrieval and teeing devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may be used in a retrieval mode and/or a teeing mode. The retrieval and teeing device  102  includes a retrieval portion  116 , an interface portion  120 , and a teeing portion  118  as shown. In various embodiments, the teeing portion  118  is removably secured to the interface portion  120  and is structured to support a golf ball in a teed position. In this regard, the teeing portion  118  defines a cavity  121  at a first end for receiving the interface portion  120  and a concave teeing surface  119  proximate a second end that is similar to a teeing surface commonly associated with a conventional golf tee. It should be noted, however, that in various other embodiments, the teeing surface  119  may have any configuration that is sufficient to support a golf ball  111  in a teed position, including, but not limited to, a vertically extending cylinder or ring, multiple vertically extending fingers or brushes, or other similar tee configurations that may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0037]     In the depicted embodiment, the retrieval portion  116  of the retrieval and teeing device  102  is structured generally as an inverted cup or shell for removably receiving at least a portion of a golf ball. In this regard, the depicted retrieval portion  116  defines a diameter D that is sized to partially enclose a golf ball above its widest part. In various embodiments the retrieval portion diameter D is preferably less than 1.680 inches, more preferably between 1.64 and 1.10 inches, and still more preferably between 1.56 and 1.20 inches. The depicted retrieval portion  116  is comprised of a polymer shell that is structured to fit snugly over at least a portion of a golf ball. The shell defines an outer surface  123 , an inner surface  125 , a cavity  124 , and a peripheral edge  127 . In various embodiments, the inner surface  125  and/or peripheral edge  127  of the retrieval portion  116  form an interference fit around the perimeter of a golf ball when the ball is pressed snugly into the cavity  124  as discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the retrieval and teeing device  102  may be used as a golf ball teeing aid. During use, the depicted retrieval portion  116  is placed on the ground  128  such that its peripheral edge  127  rests proximate the ground surface  129  as shown. As noted above, the teeing portion  118  is structured to receive the interface portion  120 , which extends from the outer surface  123  of the retrieval portion  116 . The interface portion  120  is sized to produce a sliding interference fit within the cavity (item  121  of  FIG. 5 ) defined proximate the first end of the teeing portion  118 . In this regard, the teeing portion  118  is removably secured to the retrieval portion  116 . When so configured, the retrieval and teeing device  102  may be used by a golfer to support a golf ball  111  in a teed position as shown.  
         [0039]     In the depicted embodiment, the teeing portion  118 , the interface portion  120 , and the retrieval portion  116  of the retrieval and teeing device  102  are constructed of a molded polymer such as polypropylene; however, in various embodiments of the present invention the teeing portion  118 , the interface portion  120 , and the retrieval portion  116  may be constructed of any durable material having the flexibility, strength and rigidity to support a golf ball such as plastic materials, rubber materials, composites, and combinations thereof.  
         [0040]     As noted above and illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the retrieval and teeing device  102  may also be used as a golf ball retrieving aid simply by removing the teeing portion (not shown). In the depicted embodiment, the interface portion  120  of the retrieval and teeing device  102  is structured to be received by an air relief hole  114  similar to that described with regard to  FIGS. 3-4  above. When inserted into the golf grip hole  114 , the retrieval portion  116  is sufficiently supported such that it may used to carry or manipulate a golf ball  111  or other objects. In the depicted embodiment, the interface portion  120  is sized such that it produces an interference fit within the air relief hole  114 . In another embodiment, the interface portion  120  may be tapered (not shown) to ensure an adequate interference fit. In yet another embodiment, the interface portion  120  may define one or more ribs (not shown) that may be pressed through the resilient golf grip hole  114  to maintain the interface member  120  within the golf grip hole  114  until removed by a user. In such embodiments, corresponding ribs or holes may be defined in a possibly resilient teeing portion (item  118  of  FIG. 6 ) for securely receiving the ribs of the interface member  120  as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. In still other embodiments, the interface portion  120  may be removably received by the air relief hole  114  in various additional ways, for example, the interface portion may define one or more screw type threads (not shown) such that the retrieval portion  102  may be removably screwed into the grip hole  114 .  
         [0041]     In addition to simply picking up and otherwise manipulating a golf ball or other object, the retrieval and teeing device  102  of various embodiments of the present invention is also structured as a guide for users who wish to place a putting reference mark proximate the equator of the golf ball. For example, in one embodiment, the retrieval portion  116  of the retrieval and teeing device  102  may be pressed onto a golf ball  111  such that the peripheral edge  127  of the retrieval portion  116  is positioned generally proximate the equator of the golf ball  111 . At least a portion of the peripheral edge  127  of the retrieval portion  116  is structured to define a continuous straight-edge such that a user may run a felt-tip marker or other appropriate marking device along the continuous strait-edge and thereby create a putting reference mark (not shown) proximate the equator of the golf ball  111 .  
         [0042]     Although previous embodiments of the present invention depict a retrieval and teeing device that is coupled to a golf club grip by the male/female interference fit between an elongate interference portion and a golf grip hole, retrieval and teeing devices structured in accordance with other embodiments may be coupled to a golf club grip in a variety of additional ways. For example,  FIG. 8  illustrates a retrieval and teeing device  202  embodiment wherein an alternate golf grip coupling structure is used. The depicted retrieval and teeing device  202  includes a retrieval portion  216  that is structured similarly to the retrieval portion  116  described with respect to  FIGS. 5-7 ; however, in the depicted embodiment, the interface portion/grip hole interface has been replaced with a durable, weather-resistant, hook-and-loop fabric fastener as is commonly known in the art.  
         [0043]     For example, one might use a hook-and-loop fabric fastener of the type produced under the brand name VELCRO® by Velcro Industries B.V. The depicted hook-and-loop fabric fastener includes a first portion  243  comprised of a hook material and a second portion  245  comprised of a loop material. In the depicted embodiment, the first portion is attached to the retrieval portion  216  of the retrieval and teeing device  202  and the second portion is attached to the end  117  of a golf grip  113  as shown. In alternate embodiments, however, the relative attachment positions of the first and second portions  243 ,  245  of the hook-and-loop fastener may be reversed as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second portions  243 ,  245  of the hook-and-loop fastener are attached to their respective attachment surfaces by a pressure sensitive or contact adhesive. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments these components may be adhered in other ways such as by heat activated adhesives, staples, screws, nails, pop-rivets, or other fasteners.  
         [0044]      FIG. 9  illustrates the teeing functionality of the retrieval and teeing device  202  shown in  FIG. 8 . In the depicted embodiment, the retrieval and teeing device  202  defines a hole  235  located generally adjacent the apex or top of the retrieval portion  216  as shown. In various embodiments, the hole  235  defines a diameter D that is approximately 0.1875 inches, more preferably between 0.125 and 0.25 inches, and still more preferably between 0.175 and 0.195 inches. In this regard, the hole  235  is structured to removably receive a shaft  230  of a conventional golf tee  232  as shown. In one embodiment, the hole  235  defined in the retrieval portion  216  is sized to produce a sliding interference fit with the shaft  230  of the golf tee  232 . In this regard, the tee  232  may be held securely within the retrieval portion  216  for supporting a golf ball in a teed position (not shown). In various embodiments, the perimeter of the hole  235  may define one or more resilient slits, detents, or other features (not shown) for encouraging hole-size flexibility and thereby accommodating a secure interference fit at varying tee heights for tees having tapered shafts. In other embodiments, specialty tees (not shown) may be used having one or more ribs or other locating features defined on or about the tee shaft for securing the tee at a selected tee height within the hole  235 .  
         [0045]      FIGS. 10, 11 , and  12  depict usage of a golf ball retrieval and positioning system  100  structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. For example,  FIG. 10  depicts a positioning device  104  being used to position a golf ball  111  onto a retrieval and teeing device  102  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted positioning device  104  and retrieval and teeing device  102  are structured to be compact and therefore fit efficiently in a golfer&#39;s pocket or golf bag. Upon reaching a tee box, a golfer simply drops the retrieval and teeing device  102  proximate a desired teeing location and inserts the interface portion  106  of the positioning device  104  into the grip hole  114  of the golfer&#39;s driver. If the retrieval and teeing device  102  does not land on the ground in a tee-up position, with its retrieval portion  116  positioned squarely on the ground surface  129  and the teeing portion  118  in an upright position, the hook portion  110  of the positioning device  104  may be conveniently used to manipulate the teeing portion  118  of the retrieval and teeing device  104  into a tee-up position. As noted above, a golfer manipulates golf balls and other objects adjacent the ground without substantially bending over by grasping the head of the golf club and pointing the golf club grip and, thus, the positioning device  104 , toward the object to that is to be manipulated. In the depicted embodiment, a golfer places a golf ball  111  into the cradle portion  108  of the positioning device  104 , grasps the head of the golfer&#39;s driver, and lowers the positioning device  104  and golf ball  111  toward the teeing surface  119  of the retrieval and teeing device  102  generally along arrow A as shown. In this regard, the golf ball  111  is positioned onto the teeing portion  118  of the retrieval and teeing device  102  and made ready for driving as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0046]     Once a golfer has teed off, the golfer may pick up the retrieval and teeing device  102  using the hook portion  110  of the positioning device  104  as shown in  FIG. 11 . In particular, as noted above, the hook portion  110  of the positioning device  104  is sized to receive head of the teeing portion  118  of the retrieval and teeing device  102  thereby allowing a golfer to pluck the retrieval and teeing device  102  from the ground as shown.  
         [0047]     Retrieval and teeing devices  202  structured in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9  may be used in a similar fashion to the retrieval and teeing device  102  depicted in  FIG. 10 . However, in such embodiments, a standard or specialty golf tee  232  is seated into the hole  235  defined in the retrieval portion  216  before the retrieval and teeing device  202  is dropped proximate a desired teeing location. The retrieval and teeing device  202  may then be manipulated into an upright position and a golf ball placed upon the golf tee  232  using the positioning device  104  as generally described above.  
         [0048]      FIG. 12  depicts a positioning device  104  being used to mark the position of a golf ball  111  using a washer-shaped ball marker  195  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Upon reaching a golf green, a golfer simply drops the washer-shaped ball marker  195  proximate the ball location and inserts the interface portion  106  of the positioning device  104  into the grip hole  114  of the golfer&#39;s club (e.g., wedge, putter, etc.). The golfer then grasps the head of the golf club and pushes the golf ball marker  195  into place behind the golf ball  111  using the hook portion  110  or outer edge of the cradle portion  108  of the positioning device  104 . When it is time for the golfer to putt, the golfer may retrieve the golf ball marker  195  by inserting the hook portion  110  of the positioning device  104  into an aperture  196  defined in the golf ball marker  195  and withdrawing the marker  195  upwardly along arrow B as shown.  
         [0049]     In another embodiment of the present invention a portion (e.g., the hook portion) of the positioning device  108  may be magnetized for use with a metallic golf ball marker  195 . In such embodiments, the ball marker  195  could be manipulated into place on the ground using a non-magnetized portion (e.g., the cradle portion) of the positioning device  108  and retrieved using the magnetized portion of the positioning device  108 .  
         [0050]      FIGS. 13 and 14  depict a ball mark repair device  350  structured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The depicted ball mark repair device  350  may be alternatively referred to as a turf repair tool. For purposes of the present invention and appending claims the term “ball mark” refers to a divot, indentation, or other turf imperfection that occurs during golf as a result of impacts with the ground. Although most effective for repairing ball marks it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that ball mark repair devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may also be used to repair divots created when a golfer swings a golf club or other turf imperfections.  
         [0051]     The depicted ball mark repair device  350  includes a lever portion  352 , a base portion  354 , and a finger portion  358 . The finger portion  358  includes at least one finger  357  that is adapted to be inserted into a putting green or any other surface having a ball mark  360  that a golfer wishes to repair. The depicted embodiment includes three fingers  357 . The base portion  354  includes an interface portion  356  that is configured to be received by the air relief hole  114  of a conventional golf club grip  113 , as similarly described above with respect to other embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0052]     In the depicted embodiment, the interface portion/air relief hole interface also includes a durable, weather-resistant, hook-and-loop fabric fastener as generally described above. The depicted hook-and-loop fabric fastener includes a first portion  345  comprised of a hook material and a second portion  355  comprised of a loop material. In the depicted embodiment, the first portion  345  is attached to the base portion  354  of the ball mark repair device, and the second portion  355  is attached to the end  117  of a golf grip  113  as shown in  FIG. 14  and as similarly described with respect to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 14  shows usage of the ball mark repair device  350  in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Upon reaching a putting green (or any other turf surface) having a ball mark  360  that a golfer desires to repair, the golfer simply inserts the interface portion  356  of the ball mark repair device  350  into the air relief hole  114  of the golfer&#39;s putter (or other golf club). Upon insertion of the interface portion  356  into the air relief hole  114 , the first portion  345  of the hook and loop material engages the second portion  355  of the hook and loop portion material in order to secure the ball mark repair device  350  to the end  117  of the grip  113 , and to keep the ball mark repair device  350  from rotating about the interface portion  356 . Also, in this position, the lever portion  352  rests against a portion of the grip  113  adjacent the end  117  of the club as shown. The lever portion  352  is intended to provide leverage during usage of the ball mark repair device  350 . Thus, in various embodiments, the lever portion  352  may take a variety of differing structures including structures that enhance the leverage provided by the lever portion  352 . For example, in one embodiment the lever portion may define a curved region adapted to complement the curvature of the grip  113 . In another embodiment, the lever portion may define a rib or other similar feature located at the top of the lever for creating an upwardly located contact point and thereby enhancing the leverage available when using the ball mark repair device.  
         [0054]     A golfer manipulates the ball mark repair device  350  by grasping the head of a golf club and pointing the golf club grip  113  and, thus, the ball mark repair device  350 , toward a ball mark  360  that is to be repaired. The golfer then inserts the fingers  357  of the ball mark repair device  350  into the ground  128  near the ball mark  360 . The golf club is then moved against the lever portion along the direction generally defined by arrow C. When the golf club is moved in the direction of arrow C, the lever portion  354  of the ball mark repair device  350  provides leverage against the grip  113  such that the fingers  357  of the ball mark repair device  350  move in the direction generally defined by arrow D. This process may be repeated around the perimeter of the ball mark  360  as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In this regard, the ball mark repair device  350  may be used by a golfer to repair a ball mark  360  without bending over.  
         [0055]     In other embodiments, the ball mark repair device may be structured as set forth above; however, the interface portion  356  may be omitted. In such embodiments, the first portion of the hook and loop material would continue to engage the second portion of the hook and loop material thereby securing the ball mark repair device to the end of the golf club grip. The lever portion would therefor rest against a portion of the grip adjacent the end of the club as described above. In this regard, the lever portion would provide leverage for manipulating the tool during usage of the ball mark repair device. Should additional stability be required a more robust hook and loop material may be used. Alternatively, in other embodiments, a first end of a double-sided hook and loop strap may be affixed to the back surface of the lever portion (i.e., the surface opposite that which contacts the golf club grip). A second end of the double-sided hook and loop strap could then be wrapped around the golf club grip such that the double-sided hook and loop strap overlaps and thereby adheres to itself. In still other embodiments, the lever portion of the ball mark repair device may be formed to define a ring or partial ring that is structured to slideably receive the golf club grip as it is positioned to seat against the hook and loop surface of the first portion of the ball mark repair device.  
         [0056]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Technology Category: a