GOLF ACCESSORY TOOL

BACKGROUND
Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed to a golf accessory tool for storing accessories on a golf club.

Description of the Related Art

The sport of golf is well known to include the use of a number of different accessories to successfully play the game. For example, golf balls, golf tees, divot repair tools, and ball markers are typical accessories that a user may store in a golf bag, along with golf clubs, for use while playing golf. However, many of these accessories have a limited useful life cycle and may, in some cases, be single use items. In addition, golfers are prone to losing these accessories either during rounds or between rounds due to their small size and the transition of these items from storage in a golf bag to use on the course. In particular, golfers are known to lose accessories that would commonly be used on or around the greens of a golf course, such as ball markers and divot repair tools. Golfers may leave these accessories behind in push carts or automatic golf carts, in pockets, on the course, or may simply drop them without noticing while moving these items around.

In response, a number of solutions have been proposed to attach golf accessories to a golf club. However, prior solutions have a number of deficiencies. For example, prior solutions include golf accessories attached to a distal end of a golf grip (i.e., the end of the grip furthest from the club head), which can interfere with the typical placement of the golfer's hands at the distal end of the grip and produce a negative effect on manipulation of the golf club. In addition, the accessories are known to fall off prior solutions. In some cases, the devices that hold the accessory on the club interfere with movement of the club into and out of a golf bag and further increase the likelihood that the accessories will fall off the club during regular use. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a golf accessory tool that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is generally directed to devices, systems, and methods for securely storing golf accessories on a golf club for use as needed while playing golf. In one example, a device includes multiple panels attached to each other with hinges around an axial bore through the device. More specifically, the device may include three panels and two hinges, with the panels rotatable about the hinges to manipulate the device between an open position for receiving a golf club and a closed position in which the golf club is in the axial bore with the panels secured to each other about the club. In the closed position, two of the panels can be attached to each other with a securing mechanism or fastener to removably couple the tool to the club.

A first panel and a third panel may each include a recess for receiving a first type of golf accessory, such as a ball marker. A second panel between the first panel and the third panel may include a cavity for receiving a second, different type of golf accessory, such as a divot repair tool. The golf accessories may be removably coupled to the tool with a number of different devices and methods, such as hook and loop fasteners, clasps, magnets, and others. The tool has a size and a shape to be coupled to a golf club shaft, and in particular, a putter shaft in a preferred example. The tool sits on the shaft below a terminal end of the putter grip, or a proximal end of the grip facing a club head of the golf club, and has a size and a shape such that an outer surface of the tool is aligned with, or recessed with respect to, an outer surface of some putter grips. In addition, the thickness of the tool tapers downward toward the end facing the club head and the external surface of the tool is formed such that the golf accessories are flush with the outer surface of the tool. Thus, when the grip is repeatedly inserted and removed from a golf bag during normal use, the accessories are less likely to snag on the golf bag and fall off of the tool. In addition, the location of the tool at the proximal end of the grip prevents the tool from interfering with placement of the golfer's hands on the grip in most typical grip positions that tend to be closer to a distal end of the grip (i.e., the end of the grip furthest from the club head).

A second example includes a grip for a golf club with the above features being integral with the grip as a single, unitary structure, rather than a separate tool coupleable to the golf club as in the first example. More specifically, the second example may include a grip securable to a golf club shaft including a proximal end facing the club head and a distal end opposite the proximal end and facing away from the club head. The grip further includes a golf accessory portion at the proximal end and a grip portion that extends from the distal end to the golf accessory portion. The golf accessory portion includes recesses and cavities similar to those in the first example for receiving different golf accessories, such as ball markers and a divot repair tool. The grip may be a standard golf club grip, or may be a grip with a length that is extended to provide space for integration of the golf accessory portion into the grip while maintaining a length for the grip portion that corresponds to a standard grip to avoid interference with placement of a golfer's hands on the grip portion. The concepts of the disclosure include additional features and advantages that will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following figures, which are for illustrative purposes only. These non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like labels refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale in some figures. For example, the shapes of various elements are selected, enlarged, and positioned to improve drawing legibility. In other figures, the sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are exactly to scale. The particular shapes of the elements as drawn may have been selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. The figures do not describe every aspect of the teachings disclosed herein and do not limit the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of an embodiment of a golf accessory tool in a closed configuration according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a rear isometric view of the golf accessory tool of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the golf accessory tool of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the golf accessory tool of FIG. 1A along line A-A in

FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the golf accessory tool of FIG. 3A illustrating removal of a golf accessory from the golf accessory tool.

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the golf accessory tool of FIG. 1B in an open configuration.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the golf accessory tool of FIG. 1A with a golf accessory received in a slot of the tool.

FIG. 6A is a side elevational illustrating the golf accessory tool of FIG. 5 supporting a golf club in a spaced arrangement from a support surface.

FIG. 6B is a detail view showing the golf accessory tool of FIG. 6A (with the golf accessory removed) relative to a grip of a golf club.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a golf putter with a grip incorporating a golf accessory portion and a detail view of the grip according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8C are various detail views of the golf accessory portion of the grip of FIG. 7 without golf accessories coupled to the grip.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the grip of FIG. 8A along line B-B in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the grip of FIG. 8B along line C-C in FIG. 8B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the presently disclosed systems and methods readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the assistance of this disclosure. Each of the features and teachings disclosed herein can be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide golf accessory tool and grip devices, systems, and methods. Representative examples utilizing many of these additional features and teachings, both separately and in combination, are described in further detail with reference to attached FIGS. 1-10. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Therefore, combinations of features disclosed in the detailed description may not be necessary to practice the teachings in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to describe particularly representative examples of the present teachings.

Moreover, the various features of the representative examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings. It is also expressly noted that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter. It is also expressly noted that the dimensions and the shapes of the components shown in the figures are designed to help understand how the present teachings are practiced, but are not intended to limit the dimensions and the shapes shown in the examples in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the dimensions and the shapes of the components shown in the figures are exactly to scale and intended to limit the dimensions and the shapes of the components.

While the following description will describe certain non-limiting examples of golf accessory tools and grips that are coupleable to a shaft of a putter, it is to be appreciated that the concepts of the disclosure can be applied equally to other golf clubs, as well as other support structures. For example, a golf accessory tool according to the disclosure could also be attached to other common structures associated with the game of golf, such as supports of a push cart or an automatic golf cart, among others. The concepts of the disclosure can also applied to equipment for other sports and situations beyond golf, if desired. Accordingly, the present disclosure in not limited to golf accessory tools and grips for putters.

FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of an embodiment of a golf accessory tool 100 in a closed configuration and FIG. 1B is a rear isometric view of the tool 100 in the closed configuration. Beginning with FIG. 1A, the tool 100 includes a body 102 comprised of a plurality of panels 102A, 102B, 102C coupled together. The plurality of panels include a first panel 102A, a second panel 102B, and a third panel 102C. The panels 102A, 102B, 102C cooperate to define an axial bore or opening 104 through the tool 100. The bore 104 is structured to receive a golf club, as shown in more detail in FIG. 6A. In particular, the bore 104 is structured to receive a shaft of a golf club, although the bore 104 and dimensions of the tool 100 generally can be adapted for attaching the tool 100 directly to the grip of a golf club in some embodiments.

The tool 100 further includes a first hinge 106A and a second hinge 106B. The first hinge 106A couples the first panel 102A to the second panel 102B. The second hinge 106B couples the second panel 102B to the third panel 102C. Each of the panels 102A, 102B, 102C may rotate with respect to each other about the hinges 106A, 106B. For example, the first panel 102A may rotate relative to the second panel 102B about the first hinge 106A and the third panel 102C may rotate relative to the second panel 102B about the second hinge 106B, among other possibilities. As will be described in more detail below, the panels 102A, 102B, 102C rotate about the hinges 106A, 106B between the closed configuration shown in FIG. 1A to an open configuration shown in FIG. 4 to removably receive and capture the golf club in the axial bore 104.

The dimensions and shape of each of the panels 102A, 102B, 102C can be selected. For example, in FIG. 1A, the panels 102A, 102B, 102C generally have the same length or height, although one, two, or all three of the panels 102A, 102B, 102C can have a different length or height than the other panels 102A, 102B, 102C. Further, each of the panels 102A, 102B, 102C may have generally the same shape or a different shape. The tool 100 in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes the first and third panels 102A, 102C generally being mirror images of each other with a similar size and curved shape. The second panel 102B may be narrower than the first and third panels 102A, 102C with a generally rectilinear shape, and can have a different shape and radius of curvature than the first and third panels 102A, 102C. The opposite may also be true in some embodiments, namely the second panel 102B may have a curved shape with a radius of curvature that is less than a radius of curvature of the first and third panels 102A, 102C, in some embodiments. Other alternatives are also contemplated herein, such as each of the panels 102A, 102B, 102C having a selected radius of curvature or shape that is different from the other panels 102A, 102B, 102C. Further, while the body 102 may generally include three panels 102A, 102B, 102C and two hinges 106A, 106B in a preferred embodiment, the body 102 may also include more than three panels, such as four, five, six or more panels and a corresponding number of hinges or attachment devices in some embodiments. The tool 100 further includes a first golf accessory 108A removably coupled to the second panel 102B as well as a second golf accessory 108B removably coupled to the first panel 102A. As shown in more detail in FIG. 1B, a second golf accessory 108B is likewise removably coupled to the third panel 102C. The golf accessories 108A, 108B are different from each other and may be selected to be any golf accessory. In an embodiment, the first golf accessory 108A is a divot repair tool and the second golf accessory 108B is a ball marker, with the tool 100 capable of carrying two ball markers on opposite sides of the body 102.

Turning to FIG. 1B, the tool 100 is illustrated in a rear isometric view to provide more detail regarding the third panel 102C as well as the coupling between the first panel 102A and the third panel 102C. As noted above, the second golf accessory 108B is removably coupled to the third panel 102C. Further, the first panel 102A is removably coupled to the third panel 102C with a securing mechanism 110. The securing mechanism 110 may be a fastener that extends through the third panel 102C and engages a threaded bore in the first panel 102A to fasten the third panel 102C to the first panel 102A. In an embodiment, the securing mechanism 110 may include only one fastener or two or more fasteners located at the top and bottom of the tool, respectively. However, the securing mechanism 110 may also be a clasp, a hook and loop fastener, adhesive, a clip, a buckle, a button, or any other conventional securing mechanism.

The third panel 102C may also include a generally horizontal slot 112 extending at least partially through, or completely through, the third panel 102C. The slot 112 has a size and a shape to receive at least a portion of the first golf accessory 108A (FIG. 1A) as explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6A. The slot 112 may have a selected position along the third panel 102C, or may be located on the first or second panels 112A, 112B in an embodiment. In FIG. 1B, the slot 112 is positioned proximate a top of the third panel 102C in a location between the second golf accessory 108B and the securing mechanism 110 (i.e., above the accessory 108B and below the securing mechanism 110 in the orientation of FIG. 1B).

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the golf accessory tool 100 of FIG. 1A. The second panel 102B includes a cavity 114 in an outer surface of the panel 102B that generally corresponds in size, shape, and depth to the first golf accessory 108A. The first golf accessory 108A is received in the cavity 114, as best shown in FIG. 1A, such that the outer surface of the first golf accessory 108A is planar with, or recessed with respect to, the outer surface of the second panel 102B. Similarly, the first and third panels 102A, 102C include a recess 116 extending into an outer surface of the panels 102A, 102C that corresponds in size, shape, and depth to the second golf accessory 108B. The second golf accessory 108B is received in the recess 116 such that the outer surface of the accessory 108B is planar with, or recessed with respect to, the outer surface of the first and third panels 102A, 102C. When the golf accessories 108A, 108B are received in the cavity 114 and the recesses 116, the accessories 108A, 108B do not protrude from the panels 102A, 102B, 102C, which reduces the likelihood that the accessories 108A, 108B will “snag” a user's golf bag or otherwise be unintentionally uncoupled from the accessory tool 100 during normal use.

To assist the user with removing the accessories 108A, 108B, the ends or prongs of the first golf accessory 108A may extend slightly beyond an edge of the second panel 102B so that a user can easily remove the first accessory 108A from the cavity 114 by contacting the prongs of the first accessory 108A. Each of the first and third panels 102A, 102C may include an indentation 118 leading into the corresponding recess 116 to assist with removing the second golf accessory 108B from the recesses 116. As shown in FIG. 2, the first and third panels 102A, 102C may include two indentations 118 with one indentation 118 above the recess 116 and the other below the recess 116. However, other configurations are contemplated herein, including only a single indentation 118 as well as indentations arranged on the left and right sides of the recess 116. The second panel 106B may also have one or more indentations leading into the cavity 114 in some embodiments.

The hinges 106A, 106B (FIG. 1A) are barrel hinges in an embodiment with a central barrel 120A coupled to the first and third panels 102A, 102C and outer barrels 120B coupled to the second panel 102B. The barrels 120A, 120B have a bore for receiving a pin 122 to enable rotation about an axis defined by the pins 122. The first and third panels 102A, 102C further include an opening 124 for receiving a magnet 126 to assist with coupling the second golf accessory 108B to the first and third panels 102A, 102C. The opening 124 may lead into, and be open to, the axial bore 104 (FIG. 1A). Alternatively, the opening 124 may be an internal cavity with the magnet 126 received in the cavity.

The golf accessory tool 100 includes a support plate 128 coupleable to the second panel 102B with at least one recess 130 (FIG. 3A) in the back side of the second panel 102B sized and shaped to receive a magnet 126 to assist with coupling the first golf accessory tool 108A to the second panel 102B. As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 128 may include three corresponding spacers 131 to capture the magnets 126 in the recesses, but embodiments may include more or fewer spacers 131 and a selected number of magnets 126. In an embodiment, the support plate 128 includes three spacers 131 and the second panel 102B includes three corresponding recesses 130 (FIG. 3A) for receiving two magnets 126. In embodiments, the recesses 130 could instead be in the form of apertures. The magnets 126 may be placed in selected ones of the recesses 130, although the magnets are preferably positioned in the top and bottom or outermost recesses 130 to increase the distribution of magnetic force throughout the support plate 128. The magnets 126 associated with the second panel 102B are received between an inner surface of the second panel 102B and an outer surface of the support plate 128. Thus, while the magnets 126 associated with the first and third panels 102A, 102C may be exposed to the axial bore 104 (FIG. 1A), the magnets 126 associated with the second panel 102B are internal to the tool 100 and not accessible from the bore 104 without removing the support plate 128 in some embodiments. In an embodiment, the support plate 128 is an overmold of rubber that fills in the various recesses 130 of the second panel 102B and covers the magnets 126. As a result, the support plate 128 may be a friction pad that engages different sizes of golf club or putter shafts to prevent sliding or spinning of the tool 100. The support plate 128 may also be a piece of foam tape, a rubber strip, weather stripping, or some other like device that covers the magnets 126 while also increasing friction with respect to a golf club shaft.

In an embodiment, the second panel 102B includes the support plate 128 because of the difference in shape between the panels 102A, 102B, 102C described above. The support plate 128 has an internal surface facing the bore 104 (FIG. 1A) that is curved in shape to correspond to the golf club shaft, while the external surface of the second panel 102B is generally more flat and planar in shape to accommodate the first golf accessory 108A. In embodiments where different accessories are coupled to the panels 102A, 102B, 102C, the support plate 128 may be omitted from the second panel 102B and included in one of the other panels 102A, 102C. The size and shape of the support plate 128 may also be selected to be different than that shown based on other design factors.

The golf accessories 108A, 108B are preferably metal or another material attracted by a magnetic force to facilitate the removable coupling of the accessories 108A, 108B to the tool 100. However, the present disclosure also contemplates additional attachment devices and methods for the golf accessories 108A, 108B. For example, hook and loop fasteners could replace the magnets, the cavity 114 and the recesses 116 may have a ridge or channel for physically removably receiving and securing the accessories 108A, 108B, or the accessories 108A, 108B may be attached with a friction fit, among many other options. FIG. 2 also illustrates holes 132 in the first and third panels 102A, 102C for receiving the securing mechanism 110. Thus, the panels 102A, 102B, 102C can be removably secured to a golf club shaft via the securing mechanism 110 removably received in the holes 132, as described herein.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the golf accessory tool 100 along line A-A in FIG. 1A. FIG. 3A illustrates the magnets 126 received in the recesses 130 of the second panel 102B and captured between the second panel 102B and the support plate 128. The support plate 128 includes a plurality of protrusions 134 extending from the support plate 128 and a plurality of slots 136 between the plurality of protrusions 134. The protrusions 134 are received in corresponding channels 138 in the second body 102B, and the second body 102B further includes ridges 140 received in the slots 136 in the support plate 128 to couple the support plate 128 to the second body 102B with the magnets 126 captured between the support plate 128 and the second body 102B. The first and third panels 102A, 102C may also include a series of ridges 142 and depressions 144 in a lattice structure to reduce the manufacturing cost and weight of the tool 100.

The support plate 128 further includes a plurality of teeth or splines 146 facing away from the second body 102B and leading into the axial bore 104. The teeth 146 assist with grasping the golf club and securing the tool 100 to the golf club. As shown in FIG. 3A, the teeth 146 may extend in a repeating pattern of identically sized and shaped teeth 146 over an entire height of the second body 102B and the axial bore 104, although the same is not necessarily required. The size, shape, and arrangement of the teeth 146 can be selected to be different and may cover less than the entire height of the second body 102B in some embodiments. For example, the teeth 146 may be rigid, resilient, elastic, flexible, or have other properties in various embodiments. In yet a further example, the teeth 146 may include a material with a higher coefficient of friction relative to a golf club shaft than a material of the surrounding tool 100 such that the teeth 146 engage the golf club shaft and increase friction to prevent the tool 100 from sliding down the shaft or rotating with respect to the shaft. In some embodiments, the teeth 146 accommodate different diameters of putter shafts and apply a compressive and/or frictional force to the shaft to prevent sliding or rotation of the tool 100 relative to the shaft. For example, with a smaller diameter shaft, the teeth 146 may apply primarily a frictional force via engagement with the shaft, as the shaft diameter may not be large enough to compress the teeth 146 and generate. However, for a larger shaft, the teeth 146 compress and provide an elastic restoring force that generates compression against the shaft, in addition to increasing friction.

FIG. 3B is an additional cross-sectional view of the golf accessory tool 100 illustrating a process for removing the first golf accessory 108A from the second panel 102B. The first golf accessory 108A has a distal end 150A and a proximal end 150B opposite to the distal end 150A. The proximal end 150B terminates in prongs for repairing divots and the distal end 150A is opposite the prongs. Further, the cavity 114 in the second panel 102B is recessed with respect to the distal end 150A of the accessory 108A, as shown in FIG. 3A (i.e., there is a space behind the distal end 150A of the accessory 108A when the accessory 108A is received in the cavity 114 in operation). The second panel 102B also includes a fulcrum 115 extending from the cavity 114. To remove the first golf accessory 108A, a user applies a force to the distal end 150A as indicated by arrow 151A to rotate the accessory 108A about the fulcrum 115 and into the recessed portion of the cavity 114. As a result, the proximal end 150B of the accessory 108A rotates to extend away from the second panel 102B as shown by arrow 151B so that the user can grasp and remove the accessory 108A from the tool 100.

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the golf accessory tool 100 in an open configuration. In use, and to attach the tool 100 to a golf club, the user removes the securing mechanism 110 (FIG. 1B) and rotates the panels 102A, 102B, 102C about the hinges 106A, 106B to the open configuration shown in FIG. 4. Then, the user inserts the golf club, and in particular the golf club shaft, into the axial bore 104 (FIG. 1A) or otherwise brings the club into contact with the teeth 146 on the second panel 102B. In this position, the user can adjust the location of the tool 100 relative to the golf club. In a preferred embodiment, and as described in more detail below, the tool 100 is positioned adjacent a proximal end of the golf club grip (i.e., at a bottom or outermost surface of the grip facing the club head), although the user can generally select the location for the tool 100 along the golf club. The panels 102A, 102B, 102C are then rotated to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 1A and the securing mechanism 110 (FIG. 1B) is inserted to couple the tool 100 the golf club.

FIG. 4 also provides additional detail regarding the teeth 146 of the support plate 128. As shown in FIG. 4, the teeth 146 terminate in a vertex or tip 148 that has a constant radius of curvature over the width of the vertex 148. In other words, the vertex 148 of each of the teeth 146 is curved to accommodate the shape of the golf club shaft and increase the contact surface area between the teeth 146 and the golf club. Thus, in addition to adapting the shape of the second panel 102B for a golf club, the support plate 128 also assists with securing the tool 100 to the club via the teeth 146. In some embodiments, the teeth 146 may not have a curved vertex 148. Rather, the teeth 146 can have a rectilinear vertex 148, may be formed as a series of vertexes 148 or “spikes,” or may be a flat and planar surface such as foam tape or a rubber strip with an adhesive backing or applied with an adhesive, among other possible configurations. In an embodiment, the teeth 146 are omitted and replaced by some other device or structure that is compressible and increases friction, such as a rubber or foam pad or other such device. Further, the teeth 146 may be omitted without an equivalent structure if the tool 100 is sized and shaped to fit a particular type or size of shaft.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the golf accessory tool 100 with the first golf accessory 108A removed from cavity 114 and received in the slot 112 (FIG. 1B). FIG. 6A is a side elevational view illustrating the golf accessory tool 100 supporting a golf club with the grip in a spaced arrangement from a support surface. A common problem in golf is laying a golf club, and particularly the golf club grip, on a wet surface, such as wet grass. The resulting moisture on the grip prevents the player from successfully grasping and manipulating the club. The tool 100 overcomes this issue via the first golf accessory 108A and the slot 112 in the third panel 102C, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A.

In particular, and as described herein, the first golf accessory 108A has the distal end 150A and the proximal end 150B opposite to the distal end 150A. The first golf accessory 108A can be removed from the cavity 114 in the second panel 102B and the distal end 150A of the accessory 108A inserted into the slot 112 in the third panel 102C with the proximal end 150B extending away from the tool 100. In this position, the first accessory 108A is generally perpendicular to the third panel 102C.

In some embodiments, the second panel 102B includes the fulcrum 115 extending from the second panel 102B and into the cavity 114 to assist with removing the first golf accessory 108A from the cavity 114. In particular, the fulcrum 115 may be located proximate a top of the cavity 114, or at least closer to a top of the cavity 114 than a bottom of the cavity 114, although the same is not necessarily required. Further, the cavity 114 has an upper portion 114A and a lower portion 114B wherein the upper portion 114A may have a depth greater than a thickness of the first golf accessory 108A and the lower portion 114B may have a depth that generally corresponds to a thickness of the first golf accessory 108A and that is less than the depth of the upper portion 114A. In operation, and with the first golf accessory 108A received in the cavity 114, a golfer or other user can apply a force to the distal end 150A of the first golf accessory 108A, which rotates the distal end 150A into the upper portion 114A of the cavity 114 around the fulcrum 115, while also rotating the proximal end 150B of the first golf accessory 108A away from the cavity 114 via the fulcrum 115. In this way, the fulcrum 115 and the size and shape of the cavity 114 assist with removal of the first golf accessory 108A from the cavity 114.

Then, and turning to FIG. 6A, the proximal end 150B of the first accessory 108A can be inserted into a support surface 152, such as grass, to support the grip of a golf club 154 above the support surface 152. In particular, a grip 156 of the club 154 is spaced from the support surface 152 to prevent moisture and debris from contacting the grip 156. The above process can then be reversed to remove the first accessory 108A from the slot 112 and attach the accessory 108A to the second panel 102B.

FIG. 6A also illustrates the tool 100 coupled to a shaft 158 of the club 154, as described above with reference to FIG. 4. The grip 156 of the club 154 has a distal end 160A and a proximal end 160B opposite the distal end 160A. The distal end 160A of the grip 156 faces away from a head 162 of the club 154 while the proximal end 160B of the grip 156 faces the head 162 of the club 154. In other words, the distal end 160A is the end of the grip 156 furthest from the head 162 while the proximal end 160B is the end of the grip closest to the head 162. The tool 100 is positioned in direct contact with, or proximate, the proximal end 160B of the grip 156 in a preferred embodiment. This position of the tool 100 prevents the tool 100 from interfering with the placement of the golfer's hand on the grip 156.

FIG. 6B is a detail view of the tool 100 attached to the golf club 154 to illustrate additional benefits of the tool 100. The grip 154 has an outermost surface 164 and the tool 100 has an outermost surface 166 with the outermost surface 166 of the tool 100 planar with, or recessed with respect to, the outermost surface 164 of the grip 156 in some embodiments. This arrangement of the tool 100 relative to the grip 156 reduces the likelihood that the tool 100 will catch on the user's golf bag during use and uncouple the accessories from the tool 100. In addition, the user's sight line down the grip 156 and the shaft 158 is not impacted by the tool 100 because the tool is planar with or recessed with respect to the grip 156. In an embodiment, the outermost surface 166 of the tool 100 extends beyond the outermost surface 165 of the grip 156.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a grip 200 for a golf club 202 and includes a full view of the golf club 202 with the grip 200 as well as a detail view of the grip 200 isolated from the club 202. The full view of the golf club 202 demonstrates that the grip 200 is securable to a shaft 204 of the club 202 in a conventional manner. In other words, the grip 200 can replace a conventional golf club grip while providing additional benefits relative to a conventional grip.

The grip 200 includes a proximal end 206 and a distal end 208 opposite to the proximal end 206. The proximal end 206 faces a club head 210 of the golf club 202 while the distal end 208 is the furthest end of the club 202 from the club head 210. The grip 200 has a golf accessory portion 212 at the proximal end 206 of the grip 200 and a grip portion 214 spaced from the golf accessory portion 212 toward the distal end 208. One or more golf accessories 216 are removably coupled to the grip 200 at the golf accessory portion 212. The golf accessories 216 may include a divot repair tool and ball markers, among others. Further, the grip 200 may have a length from the proximal end 206 to the distal end 208 that is generally the same as a conventional golf club grip or putter grip with the golf accessory portion 212 formed at the proximal end 206. Alternatively, the grip portion 214 may have a conventional length with the overall length of the grip 200 extended to accommodate the golf accessory portion 212. In other words, a conventional golf grip or putter grip may be extended at the proximal end 206 to enable formation of the golf accessory portion 212. In either event, the location of the accessory portion 212 at the proximal end 206 prevents the golf accessories 216 from interfering with the golfer's grip or otherwise impacting play using the grip 200.

FIGS. 8A-8C are various detail views of the golf accessory portion 212 of the grip 200 without the golf accessories 216 coupled to the grip 200. In particular, FIG. 8A is a front and right side isometric view, FIG. 8B is a front and left side isometric view and FIG. 8C is a rear elevational view of the golf accessory portion 212.

The grip 200 includes, at the accessory portion 212, a first side 218A, a second side 218B opposite the first side 218A, a third side 218C between the first side 218A and the second side 218B and a fourth side 218D opposite the third side 218C. The first side 218A may be a right side, the second side 218B may be a left side, the third side 218C may be a front side, and the fourth side 218D may be a rear side of the grip 200 at the golf accessory portion 212. Each of the sides 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D may be flat and planar or curved. The first and second sides 218A, 218B include a recess 220 structured to receive a first type of golf accessory 216, such as a ball marker. As with the tool 100, the grip 200 may include indentations 222 leading into the recesses 220 to assist with removing the accessory. The third side 218C includes a cavity 224 for receiving a second type of golf accessory 216, such as a divot repair tool. In an embodiment, the third side 218C likewise includes an indentation 222 leading into the cavity 224. The recesses 220 and the cavity 224 allow for the golf accessories 216 to be coupled to the golf accessory portion 212 planar with, or recessed with respect to, an outer surface 226 of the grip 200.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the grip of FIG. 8A along line B-B in FIG. 8A. In particular, Figure is a cross-sectional view through the first side 218A and the second side 218B. As shown in FIG. 9, the recesses 220 are recessed with respect to the outer surface 226 on both the first and second sides 218A, 218B. Further, the first and second sides 218A, 218B include a space 228 for receiving a magnet to facilitate coupling of the golf accessories 216 to the golf accessory portion 212. The spaces 228 may open into a bore 230 through a majority of the grip 200 that receives the shaft 204 of the club 202 (FIG. 7). Alternatively, the spaces 228 may be apertures through the first and second sides 218A, 218B.

Turning to FIG. 10, the third side 218C likewise includes one or more spaces 228 for receiving magnets to assist with the coupling of the golf accessory 216 to the third side 218C. As shown in FIG. 10, the third side 218C may include two spaces 228, although only one or more than two spaces 228 are contemplated in some embodiments.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a golf accessory tool and a grip for a golf club that enables storage of golf accessories on a golf club while also preventing interference with the golfer's hands and reducing the likelihood that the accessories will fall off the club during use. The embodiments of the disclosure enable a golfer to repeatedly use the accessories without fear that the accessories will fall off the club or that they will not have the appropriate accessories to successfully play the game.

In the above description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with golf accessory tools, golf grips and golf clubs, and golf accessories have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Certain words and phrases used in the specification are set forth as follows. As used throughout this document, including the claims, the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless indicated otherwise. Any of the features and elements described herein may be singular, e.g., a die may refer to one die. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Other definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this disclosure.

The use of ordinals such as first, second, third, etc., does not necessarily imply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only distinguish between multiple instances of an act or a similar structure or material.

Throughout the specification, claims, and drawings, the following terms take the meaning explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to the specification, claims, and drawings associated with the current application. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” and other derivatives thereof refer to one or more features, structures, functions, limitations, or characteristics of the present disclosure, and are not limited to the same or different embodiments unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the phrases “A or B, or both” or “A or B or C, or any combination thereof,” and lists with additional elements are similarly treated. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional features, functions, aspects, or limitations not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include singular and plural references.

Generally, unless otherwise indicated, the materials for making the invention and/or its components may be selected from appropriate materials such as fabric, textiles, composite materials, ceramics, plastic, metal, polymers, foam, plastic compounds, and the like.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature and formula to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It should be apparent to those of skill in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. The embodiments have been chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments and its practical application, thereby enabling others of skill in the art to utilize the disclosed embodiments, and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and those of skill in the art recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

The terms “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” and other like derivatives are used only for discussion purposes based on the orientation of the components in the Figures of the present disclosure. These terms are not limiting with respect to the possible orientations explicitly disclosed, implicitly disclosed, or inherently disclosed in the present disclosure and unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, any of the aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure can be arranged in any orientation.

As used herein, the term “substantially” is construed to include an ordinary error range or manufacturing tolerance due to slight differences and variations in manufacturing. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, relative terms such as “approximately,” “substantially,” and other derivatives, when used to describe a value, amount, quantity, or dimension, generally refer to a value, amount, quantity, or dimension that is within plus or minus 5% of the stated value, amount, quantity, or dimension. It is to be further understood that any specific dimensions of components or features provided herein are for illustrative purposes only with reference to the various embodiments described herein, and as such, it is expressly contemplated in the present disclosure to include dimensions that are more or less than the dimensions stated, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of a disclosed embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

GOLF ACCESSORY TOOL

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