Patent Application
20110312447
The present invention relates to a golf accessory and especially to a golf accessory comprising a divot tool combined with a removable ball marker supported on the tool and having a separate clip for supporting the ball marker on an article of clothing.
In playing the game of golf, a golfer frequently carries a divot tool and is always expected to carry a golf ball marker. The golfer is allowed to lift the golf ball from the surface of a putting green for cleaning of the ball or to keep it from being a distraction or obstruction to other golfers. A lifted ball must, however, be marked to assure that when it is replaced it will be returned to the same spot from which it was lifted. Not only do the rules of golf permit such ball removal, it is the common practice and courtesy for the golfer to remove and mark the ball and replace it when it becomes his turn to putt. A ball marker must, however, be placed immediately behind the ball unless such placement would interfere with the play, stance or stroke of another golfer. It should then be placed one or more putter head lengths to one side. As a result of this common practice, most golfers carry a ball marker in their pocket and many simply employ a coin for this purpose. However, it is desirable for golfers in any one group to use differently identifiable markers in order to avoid confusion as to which marker is associated with a golfer's ball. A great variety of specialized ball markers have been suggested and used. A common ball marker being used is a disk about the size of a dime with a peg or prong extending axially from the planar surfaces of the disk shaped body. When using a ball marker of the usual type, a golfer laterally moves a marker to a position approximate and at least partially under the ball to insure that he does not violate the provisions of the rules relating to placing the marker immediately behind the ball. When in this position, a golfer then presses down on the ball marker to cause a peg to penetrate the surface of the putting green and thereby possibly locate the marker. This same basic marker locating technique is employed when a coin is used and, even though the coin does not have an axial peg, most golfers will press the coin down into the grass to make sure it is lying flat and that it will not be moved by the grass or present an obstruction should another golfer's ball pass over the marker when it is being putted. As the game of golf has progressed with different strains of grass on the greens that can be maintained with shorter lengths and with greater density, the need for a peg has been generally obviated and most golfers simply use a flat disk for a marker.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,519 is illustrative of one form of combined divot tool and ball marker used by golfers. The illustrated tool can be carried in the pocket of a golfer or in a golf bag. The divot tool has a pair of prongs for insertion in the turf for repairing ball marks in a green and includes a marker which is removably carried behind a window so that the marker is visible and easily removed for use by the golfer in marking a position of his golf ball. In the '519 patent, the marker is held in placed by raised protuberances extending into a slot through which the marker is inserted. While the combined divot tool and marker of the '519 patent is functional, it does require that the golfer retrieve the divot tool from his or her pocket in order to access the ball marker. Similarly, the divot tool must be retrieved in order to place the ball marker back into its carry or storage position.
Golfers presently prefer to carry a ball marker external of any pockets and it has become common for golfers to use a market that is magnetically attached to a clip or other device that is placed on a brim of a hat or cap. Some golf caps are even marketed with magnets sewn into the brim for the purpose of allowing a ball marker to be magnetically retained on the cap. It is also known for golfers to use a clip attached to a belt for magnetically holding a ball marker. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a combined divot tool and ball marker that incorporates a clip to allow the marker to be placed on a cap brim, belt or other article worn by a golfer.
Various objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the written description and the drawings in which:
Referring to the drawings,
The golf ball marker assembly 26, shown in
The golf ball marker assembly 26 seats into an opening 40 in the tool upper portion 24. The top plan view of
The tool 10 provides the advantage of keeping a divot tool and a marker assembly together and reduces the trouble of having to locate each of the devices in a golfer's bag. Individually, a divot tool and a ball marker are the most common items that are misplaced by a golfer. By combining these items into a single unit that is somewhat more bulky than the items taken alone, there is an improved chance of not misplacing the items so that the items are readily available without undue searching through one's golf bag. It will be appreciated that the ball marker 28 can be imprinted on each side with various indicia that allows for unique identification of the marker, such as by imprinting the user's name on the marker. Further, advertising indicia may also be imprinted or adhered to the marker.
It should be clear at this time that a golf accessory has been provided which combines a divot tool and a removable ball marker assembly supported thereon within the body of the golf accessory. Accordingly, the present invention is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
