Patent Application
20240293710
The prior art patent literature recognizes that some golf players develop orthopedic problems making it difficult to bend over to implant a golf tee in the turf and then place a golf ball thereon.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,432 discloses a device with an elongated tubular member having open upper and lower longitudinal ends, in which is placed an elongated solid rod (either circular or rectilinear in cross section) slidably mounted therein, with both of the longitudinal ends of the rod projecting somewhat from the ends of the tubular member. A hand grippable member is attached fixedly at the upper end of the tubular member so that one longitudinal end thereof which overlaps and encloses the projecting upper end of the rod member. A cantilever member is aligned axially within of the one lower longitudinal ends of the hand grippable member. It has a finger-engageable element along the distal surface of that longitudinal end; and the grippable member has at its other longitudinal end, an underside planar surface normally contacting the upper rod end; a spring means is located proximal to the intermediate the segment of the cantilever member, and serves to bias same to hold a non-displacing contact with the upper rod end. The upper rod end itself has mounted thereon a second spring member, which is adapted to bias the elongate rod to move in a direction upwardly within the hand grippable member. The juxtaposition of the contacting cantilever member and of the upper rod member end are such that the rod will move reciprocally downward within the tubular member, if the finger engageable element is activated to move in its arcuate path of motion; a first flange-like element is affixed at one point on the lower section of the tubular member periphery and is adapted to rest a golf ball thereon via gravity, until the ball is pysically dislodged. A second flange-like member is affixed at an opposing point on the lowermost periphery of the tubular member, and provides the function of limiting the degree of shift of the elongate rod end upwardly under the bias of the second spring means. Lastly, a third flange-like element is located beneath and adjacent to the second flange element and is pinned to the lowermost rod end, also being provided with an inwardly oriented recess, sized to support the shank of a golf tee; the adjacent second and third flange elements are normally biased by the spring-loaded rod member in a releasable clamping juxtaposition, that can be opened by the digital activation of the finger engageable element. It is then is maintained spaced-apart by such digital bias, or by the insertion of the tee in the resting recess provided in the third flange mean.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,650 discloses a combination tool for handling a golf ball and a golf tee, comprising: an elongated hollow member; actuating rod means disposed in said hollow member for longitudinal movement thereto; a first head mounted on a first end of the hollow member, and a second head mounted on the opposite end thereof; the first head having an opening for receiving a tee in a position supported in the path of motion of the actuating rod means; retainer means mounted in the first head for engaging the tee to releasably retain it in position, the tee being supported so as to be removed from the first head in response to a motion of the actuating rod means with respect to the elongated hollow member; a plurality of jaw members mounted on the second head adjacent the actuating rod; a guide member connected to the actuating rod and engaged with the jaw members to move them toward either a first spaced position for receiving a golf ball between them, or a second, closed position in which they engage the ball between them; and bias means urging the jaws towards said closed position.
However, prior art devices typically do not allow for multiple functions and are difficult to use particularly for persons with orthopedic infirmities.
Therefore, the present invention provides a multifaceted device for installing and removing golf balls, tees and ball markers designed to vary for a golfer's desired ball height. The invention incorporates an electromagnet solenoid for retrieving and releasing a ball mark.
The device is designed to eliminate the otherwise necessity of stooping and bending when engaging in the sport of golf. With this invention's ability to place the tee and the ball, retrieve both the ball and tee and by placing and retrieving the ball mark, and by retrieving the ball from the putting surface and cup, this tool eliminates all causes a golfer has for stooping, kneeling or bending over adding pleasure and longevity to the player's golf experience.
This invention is intended to allow the user to enjoy an entire round of golf without ever needed to stoop, bend over or kneel. People with bad knees, backs and of an older age along with a host of other ailments have a hard time playing the game of golf because of all the times it is necessary to bend, stoop or kneel.
The present invention is easy to use for teeing up a golf ball because of the stabilizing ring with pins that make it so user friendly that a player can place a tee and ball with closed eyes. This tool also is useful the other circumstances when bending was required, like picking up the tee after teeing off, marking the ball on the green, picking up golf clubs, and picking up and replacing ball after marked and even the marker itself is not an issue with the electromagnet switch incorporated in this design.
There has been no all in one tool on the market to remove the need to stoop and bend over in the game of golf before this invention. There have been tools designed to place the ball and tee but it is quite difficult to not knock the ball off the tee when removing their tool. These others have had problems breaking after one use. None of these others have accounted for placing or retrieving the ball mark or retrieving the ball from the cup.
This tool can place and remove a ball mark using the unique and original electromagnet system incorporated into this design. Using the switch that turns the magnet on and off makes it so the player will not need to bend over while on the course at any point during the round.
This invention uses a simple straight forward design. It uses two handles, one small operational handle 2-lower handle (actuated by pulling up) inside of a larger fixed handle 1-upper handle (stationary) to operate the ball and tee holder by simply squeezing the two handles together with one hand. A wire connected to the lower handle 2 runs to first jaw 11a and second jaw 11b and by actuating lower handle 2 the wire pulls first jaw 11a and second jaw 11b up and apart.
To use the device, the ball is placed inside 11-ball holder while the handle is pulled to open 11a-first jaw and 11b-second jaw. The jaws are spring loaded and open up a little bit to trap a tee. The ball and tee are secured and the player can handle the tool with no concerns of the ball or tee falling from the tool.
Then player can find a preferred location and can either drop the tool from its handle about a foot above the ground or use the affixed handle to push the tool until the stabilizing 10d-pin for insertion into the ground and 10e-additional pin for insertion into the ground are against the ground. Now the player simply pulls the handles together and lifts the tool up. The ring and pins make removing the tool easy while other products are much more difficult to use. The player can also pick up the tee by raising the stabilizing ring and using the handles to open the jaws and release to capture the tee.
When the green is reached the player turns on the electromagnet 15 with the conveniently located switch, put a ball mark against the magnet and place the magnet right behind the player's ball. The player can then switch the magnet back off and the ball mark stays into place. Electromagnet 15 can be controlled wirelessly via a wireless controller or a switch can be provided on the device wired to the battery associated with the solenoid for electromagnet.
Then the player can use the tool to pick the ball up and wait for the player's turn to putt. Then the player can place the ball in front of the ball mark, turn the magnet on and use it to pick up the ball mark and the player is ready to put. Once in the cup the player simply places the tool over the hole, squeezes the handles together to separate first jaw 11a and second jaw 11b, sets the tool on top of the ball and release the handles and the ball is captured in the ball and tee holder, i.e., ball holder 11. That is the sequence for using this invention to play golf without bending down.
The device can be hung on a golf bag by 6-attachment to hold the device on the outside of a golf bag and 12-brace can be used to hold. 5-caddy for tees and ball markers can also hold a remote to wirelessly control the electromagnet. Slot 7 is space for a ball marker.
Ball height adjustment 8 allows for the user to put a selection which adjusts how close the jaws are to the ring from which the pins extend. If the jaws are further from the ring when the ring hits the ground, the ball will be teed up higher.
The following reference numerals are illustrated in the drawing of the device in
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The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the present invention, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.
Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63488309 | Mar 2023 | US |
