BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One of the above and other objects, novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) invention, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an extendible golf tool in accordance with the present invention, shown partially extended;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the golf tool assembled and fully extended;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the golf tool showing FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf tool shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the golf tool in use to fix a divot; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the golf tool in use to pick-up a golf ball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION
As best shown in FIGS. 1-2, the golf tool GT of the present invention includes a handle portion 10 with front and rear portions 12 and 14, respectively, and an extendible portion 16 with front and rear portions 18 and 20, respectively. Although, both the handle and extendible portions 10 and 16 are preferably generally cylindrical, other configurations may be used. A pointed tool 22 is removably attached to the front portion 18 of the extendible portion 16. An optional ball retriever attachment 24 is removably connected to the rear portion 14 of the handle portion 10. (The ball retriever attachment is similar to that disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/418,028, filed May 5, 2006, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.)
The extendible portion 16 includes preferably four telescopic sections 26A, 26B, 26C and 26D, which together span a length of about 472-482 mm. Preferably, the length of the handle portion 10 is about 132-137 mm.
The rear portion 14 of the handle portion 10 includes female threads 28 for receiving a screw 30 for connecting the ball retriever attachment 24 to the handle portion 10 (FIG. 1). The ball retriever attachment 24 preferably includes four claws 25 that are flexible to grasp a golf ball GB (FIG. 6).
As best shown in FIGS. 3-4, the pointed tool 22 includes a fork section 32 extending at an angle α to the base section 34. Preferably, the angle α is about 10-15°, and more preferably about 12°. Although the number and configuration may be varied, the fork section 32 includes preferably three pointed prongs 36. A male screw-threaded portion 38 of the pointed tool 22 corresponds to a female screw-threaded portion 40 in the front section 18 of the extendible portion 16 (FIG. 1). Preferably, the total length of the fork and base sections 32 and 34 is about 23-33 mm.
A clip C is mounted on the handle portion 10 for securing the golf tool GT onto a belt or a pocket.
When fully extended, the total length of the golf tool GT (without the optional ball retriever attachment 24) runs about 633-643 mm, and preferably about 638 mm. In a fully retracted or contracted position, the length runs about 18-23 mm for easy portability in a pocket or the like.
Referring to FIG. 5, in order to repair a divot D, a golfer simply extends the golf tool GT to a desired length of the extendible portion 16. The fork section 32 is then simply slipped under the divot D to repair it by elevating the divot to the level of the surrounding grass G. The golfer then aerates the soil by puncturing the surface of the newly repaired divot with the prongs 36.
Referring to FIG. 6, the extended golf tool GT of the invention can be used to pick-up or retrieve a golf ball GB by using the ball retriever attachment 24.
From the above, it can be observed that the golf tool GT of the present invention can be easily used to fix a divot or to retrieve a golf ball, without having the need to bend down to the ground.
While this invention has been described as having preferred sequences, ranges, steps, materials, structures, features, components, or designs, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as those come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080070715
