Patent Grant
11745059
This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2019/029876 filed Jul. 30, 2019.
The present disclosure relates to a golf ball pickup tool to be used to pick up a golf ball.
The conventional rules of golf stipulated that a flagstick (pin) is to be removed from a cup on the green when a golf ball enters the cup. Revised rules, however, allow players to play with the pin left in the cup.
The cup is required to have a diameter of 108 mm and a depth of 101.6 mm or more. It is recommended in Japan that the pin have a length of 2.13 m or more. The diameter of the pin is not regulated. In general, an appropriate diameter suitable for the pin having such a length is used to provide sufficient strength.
In the state of the pin remaining in the above-sized cup, when a golf ball having a diameter of 42.67 mm or more is in the cup, a player, especially a male player with large hands may have difficulty to take the ball out of the cup by hand. When the player put a hand in the cup, the player may have a scratch on a finger or the back of the hand.
To address this problem, a pickup tool for picking up a golf ball without a hand being put inside the cup has been proposed (for example, see PTL 1).
The pickup tool includes an elastic holder for holding a golf ball and a band for attaching the elastic holder to a grip end of a golf club. The elastic holder is formed of a pair of ring portions disposed so as to oppose each other. The ring portions are formed of a stainless steel wire into a ring-like shape. The ring portions disposed opposingly are connected to each other by a connection portion disposed between the ring portions.
The connection portion has elasticity for urging the ring portions to be parted. The connection portion is fixed to the band by using an adhesive or by stitching.
The band is formed of a belt-like elastic member into an annular shape and is detachably attached to the grip end of a golf club.
When using the pickup tool, a user attaches the band to the grip end of a golf club and inserts the ring portion that protrudes from the grip end into a cup.
When the ring portion is inserted further toward the bottom of the cup, the ring portion abuts a golf ball in the cup and the golf ball presses the paired ring portions to open. The golf ball is thereby held by the ring portions.
In this state, the golf ball is taken out of the cup by pulling the grip end upward.
Since the known golf ball pickup tool is configured in such a manner, it is necessary to attach the golf ball pickup tool to a golf club when picking up a ball from the cup or to detach the golf ball pickup tool from the golf club when hitting a ball with the golf club.
In other words, it requires attaching and detaching of the golf ball pickup tool frequently while moving around in a golf course or during playing golf. Moreover, for example, a user may leave (store) the golf ball pickup tool somewhere after removed from the golf club and may forget where to put.
Moreover, in order to pick up the golf ball from the cup with a comfortable posture, the golf ball pickup tool may be required, for example, to have a long handle. However, a long pickup tool suitable for picking up a ball easily may not be convenient to carry during playing golf.
The present disclosure, which is made to address the above problem, provides a golf ball pickup tool that can be extended to an appropriate length when picking up a golf ball and can be shortened when carrying.
A golf ball pickup tool according to the present disclosure includes an elongated grip configured to be grabbed by hand and two holder pieces that are made of a material having spring properties and configured to hold a golf ball therebetween. In the golf ball pickup tool, the grip has a movable support that movably supports the two holder pieces in a predetermined moving direction, and the grip is sized so as to accommodate the two holder pieces supported by the movable support. In addition, base ends of the two holder pieces are joined to each other and supported by the movable support, and the two holder pieces are urged so as to close distal ends of the two holder pieces. Moreover, the golf ball is held between the distal ends in the state of the two holder pieces being extended from the grip by moving the two holder pieces accommodated in the grip in the moving direction of the two holder pieces at the movable support.
According to the present disclosure, due to the total length being adjustable, the golf ball pickup tool is convenient to carry and enables a user to pick up a golf ball with a comfortable posture.
A golf ball pickup tool according to the present disclosure is formed of two holder pieces that have spring properties. The golf ball pickup tool is configured such that a grip has a movable support that movably supports the two holder pieces so as to enable the two holder pieces to be accommodated in the grip.
One ends of the two holder pieces are joined to each other and supported by the movable support. The two holder pieces are urged so as to close the other ends of the two holder pieces. A golf ball is to be held by the urged other ends.
The movable support is a slide guide that enables the two holder pieces to slide in the longitudinal direction of the grip or is a rotatable support that enables the two holder pieces to turn on a pivot located near one longitudinal end of the grip.
The grip has a clip with which the golf ball pickup tool is attached to an equipment item.
Each holder piece has a holding hole formed near the distal end of the other end, and the golf ball is to be inserted into the holding hole. The diameter of the holding hole is smaller than that of the golf ball.
The holding hole is shaped substantially like an oval. Accordingly, when the golf ball is held between the other ends of the two holder pieces while portions of the golf ball are inserted into respective holding holes, the two holder pieces are bent like bows.
The two holder pieces are warped outward near the other ends in such a manner that the other ends open when two holder pieces are put together.
The two holder pieces are bent sharply at the other ends in such a manner that the end portions open when two holder pieces are put together.
Now, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The pickup tool 1 includes a grip 10, holder pieces 11a and 11b, and a clip 16 or the like. The grip 10 is elongated such that the grip 10 can be grasped by the palm of a hand. The holder pieces 11a and 11b are formed so as to be able to hold a golf ball at ends of the holder pieces. The clip 16 and other components are used when the pickup tool 1 is detachably attached to an equipment item, such as a putter cover or a user's belt.
The grip 10 is made of a rigid material that does not deform, for example, by grasping by hand. For example, a metal or hard resin plate is shaped appropriately so as to have a length that enables the holder pieces 11a and 11b to be accommodated therein.
In addition, the grip 10 includes a slide guide 17 (movable support) that supports the holder pieces 11a and 11b and enables the holder pieces 11a and 11b to slide in the longitudinal direction of the grip 10.
The slide guide 17 is formed by bending both of longitudinally extending edge portions of the grip 10 toward one side in such a manner that the longitudinal edge portions hold and support the holder pieces 11a and 11b (with spaces interposed therebetween so as to enable sliding).
For example, the slide guide 17 may have a positioning mechanism, such as a latch mechanism, that enables the holder pieces 11a and 11b to be anchored at a position indicated by the solid lines in
The holder pieces 11a and 11b are overlaid on each other, and portions of the holder pieces 11a and 11b near one ends (base ends) thereof are joined to each other using, for example, an adhesive.
The holder pieces 11a and 11b are formed by a thin plate made of a metal or a resin having spring properties. Overlaying the holder pieces 11a and 11b and joining respective one ends (base ends) thereof urges the other ends (distal ends) to close.
The holder pieces 11a and 11b are formed so as to have substantially the same shapes (so as to be symmetric in the thickness direction when the holder pieces 11a and 11b are overlaid on each other).
In other words, an arm 12b has a shape similar to that of an arm 12a, and a holding portion 13b has a shape similar to that of a holding portion 13a.
A holding hole 14b has a shape similar to that of a holding hole 14a, and a distal end portion 15b has a shape similar to that of a distal end portion 15a.
Here, the configuration of the holder pieces will be described further by taking the holder piece 11a as an example.
The holder piece 11a includes the arm 12a that comes into contact with the slide guide 17 of the grip 10 and the holding portion 13a having the holding hole 14a formed therein. The holding hole 14a comes into contact with a golf ball to be picked up (in other words, accommodates a portion of the golf ball therein).
The holding portion 13a is a portion that extends from the arm 12a and is positioned closer to the other end (the distal end) of the holder piece 11a.
The holding portion 13a is not a portion to be joined by an adhesive and can bend easily. A portion of the holding portion 13a near the distal end is slightly warped outward. In other words, the holder piece 11a and the holder piece 11b are formed in such a manner that when the holder piece 11a and the holder piece 11b are overlaid on each other, the distal end portions of the holder pieces 11a and 11b open.
The holding hole 14a is a through hole that is formed near the distal end of the holding portion 13a (near the warped portion) and has a diameter smaller than that of the golf ball. The shape of the holding hole 14a is not a perfect circle but is like, for example, an oval having the major axis aligned in the width direction of the holder piece 11a.
More specifically, the holding hole 14a is shaped substantially like an oval, and the holder pieces 11a and 11b (holding portions 13a and 13b) with their distal end portions opening are bent like bows when a portion of a golf ball 2 enters the holding hole 14a and another portion of the golf ball 2 enters the holding hole 14b and the golf ball 2 is thus held between the holder pieces 11a and 11b, in other words, between the holding portions 13a and 13b.
Due to the holder pieces 11a and 11b (holding portions 13a and 13b) being bent like bows, the holder pieces 11a and 11b can be urged strongly against the golf ball 2 (i.e., can hold the golf ball 2 tightly).
Note that the holding holes 14a and 14b may be formed into a heart-like shape having a function similar to that of the oval described above. For example, the heart-like shape has dimensions substantially equal to the major axis and the minor axis of the oval.
The distal end portion 15a of the holder piece 11a, or of the holding portion 13a, is bent approximately by 90 degrees. When the holder piece 11a and the holder piece 11b are overlaid on each other, the distal end portions are bent in the directions of opening the distal end portions.
More specifically, the distal end portions 15a and 15b are bent into such shapes that enables a golf ball 2 to be moved (guided) to a position between the distal end portions 15a and 15b when the spherical surface of a golf ball 2 comes into contact with one or both of the distal end portions 15a and 15b in the state in which the holder pieces 11a and 11b are overlaid on each other and supported by the slide guide 17.
A protrusion 18 is disposed, for example, on the holder piece 11b in the case in which the holder piece 11b is exposed from the slide guide 17 when the holder pieces 11a and 11b are overlaid on each other and the base ends of the holder pieces 11a and 11b are supported by the slide guide 17.
The protrusion 18 is disposed, for example, at an appropriate position of the arm 12b. The protrusion 18 is exposed there, in other words, is not covered with the slide guide 17. The protrusion 18 protrudes outward from the grip 10.
The protrusion 18 is formed in such a size that a finger can be placed thereon for sliding the holder pieces 11a and 11b.
The holder pieces 11a and 11b supported by the slide guide 17 are disposed in the grip 10 so as to be able to slide between a position indicated by the solid line and a position indicated by the dash-dot-dot line in
When the holder pieces 11a and 11b are slid along the slide guide 17 to the position indicated by the dash-dot-dot line, the distal end portions 15a and 15b of the holder pieces 11a and 11b and their vicinities protrude slightly from the distal end portion of the grip 10. In other words, the grip 10 has such dimensions (length, width, thickness) that the holder pieces 11a and 11b can be substantially accommodated therein.
In the case of the pickup tool 1 being carried, the total length of the pickup tool 1 is reduced by sliding the holder pieces 11a and 11b into the grip 10, in other words, by disposing the holder pieces 11a and 11b at the position indicated by the dash-dot-dot line.
The clip 16 is disposed at a rear end of the grip 10 (at a longitudinal end of the grip 10 that is opposite to the distal end portion of the grip 10 at which the distal end portions 15a and 15b protrude).
In the case of the pickup tool 1 being carried, the pickup tool 1 is shortened as described above and attached, for example, to an equipment item, such as a putter cover, by using the clip 16.
For example, when the golf ball 2 is held by the pickup tool 1, the holder pieces 11a and 11b are first slid along the slide guide 17, and the arms 12a and 12b are pulled out from the distal end portion of the grip 10 to enable the holding portions 13a and 13b to bend freely. In other words, the pickup tool 1 assumes the state in which the holder pieces 11a and 11b are extended from the grip 10 to their full length.
While the holding portions 13a and 13b and other portions bend, one portion of the golf ball 2 is allowed to enter the holding hole 14a, and another portion thereof (a portion located approximately opposite to the one portion) is allowed to enter the holding hole 14b.
When the golf ball 2 enters the holding holes 14a and 14b, respective distal end portions of the holder pieces 11a and 11b open, and urging forces that act on the golf ball 2 in two opposing directions toward the center thereof are generated by the holding portions 13a and 13b and other portions that are bent like bows.
In other words, forces for holding the opposite sides of the golf ball 2 are generated so as to stabilize the golf ball 2 between the holder pieces 11a and 11b.
When the golf ball 2 is picked up from the cup 3, the holder pieces 11a and 11b are first pulled out of the grip 10. In this state, portions of the holder pieces 11a and 11b on a side closer to the distal ends, in other words, the holding portions 13a and 13b and the like can bend easily.
The pickup tool 1 in this state is subsequently inserted in the cup 3 (with the distal ends of the holder pieces 11a and 11b entering first), and the holding portions 13a and 13b, or the distal end portions 15a and 15b, come into contact with a top part of the golf ball 2 in the cup 3.
When the pickup tool 1 is inserted further toward the bottom of the cup 3, the golf ball 2 is guided to a position between the distal end portions 15a and 15b that are bent as described above. The golf ball 2 comes into contact with the distal end portions 15a and 15b, which causes the distal end portions 15a and 15b to open. The golf ball 2 is inserted between the distal end portions 15a and 15b that are open in such a way, in other words, inserted between the holding portions 13a and 13b. A portion of the golf ball 2 enters the holding hole 14a, while another portion of the golf ball 2 enters the holding hole 14b.
When the holding holes 14a and 14b accommodate respective portions of the golf ball 2, the holding portions 13a and 13b and the like are bent like bows, and the golf ball 2 is held by urging forces generated by the holding portions 13a and 13b and the like.
In this state, the pickup tool 1 or the holder pieces 11a and 11b are pulled out upward to take the golf ball 2 out of the cup 3.
According to Example 1, as described above, the pickup tool 1 is configured such that the holder pieces 11a and 11b are stored in the grip 10 by sliding the holder pieces 11a and 11b. In the case of the pickup tool 1 being carried, for example, the total length of the pickup tool 1 can be reduced, and the pickup tool 1 can be attached to an equipment item easily, which can reduce the likelihood of the pickup tool 1 disturbing golfing or being lost.
In addition, bendable holder pieces 11a and 11b are stored in the grip 10, which prevents the holder pieces 11a and 11b from bending excessively or from being twisted.
The pickup tool 1 described above includes the slide guide 17 and is configured to accommodate the holder pieces 11a and 11b in the grip 10. The golf ball pickup tool, however, may be configured such that the grip 10 does not include the slide guide 17 and the holder pieces 11a and 11b are joined and fixed to the grip 10 thereby maintaining the state of the holder pieces 11a and 11b extending from the grip 10.
In addition, the holder pieces 11a and 11b of the pickup tool 1 are formed as thin plates. The pickup tool 1, however, may be configured, for example, to have two holder pieces that are formed of a wire material having spring properties and also configured to have a function similar to that of the above-described holder pieces 11a and 11b.
The pickup tool 1a includes a grip 20, holder pieces 21a and 21b, and the clip 16. The grip 20 can be grasped by the palm of a hand. The holder pieces 21a and 21b are formed so as to be supported by the grip 20 and so as to hold the golf ball 2 between end portions of the holder pieces. The clip 16 and other components are used when the pickup tool 1a is detachably attached to an equipment item, such as a putter cover or a user's belt.
The grip 20 is made of a material similar to that of the grip 10. The grip 20 has such a length that the holder pieces 21a and 21b can be accommodated at a position of the holder pieces 21a and 21b indicated by the dash-dot-dot line in
The grip 20 has a slit in the thickness-wise portion of the grip 20 and is formed so as to accommodate the holder pieces 21a and 21b therein.
More specifically, for example, the grip 20 is formed by overlaying two plate-like members on each other and joining respective parts of the two plate-like members together so as to provide a slit between the two plate-like members for accommodating the holder pieces 21a and 21b.
The grip 20 includes a rotatable support 26 (movable support) that rotatably supports base end portions of the holder pieces 21a and 21b indicated by the dashed line in
In other words, the rotatable support 26 is fixed, for example, to a distal end portion (one end portion) of the grip 20, which is positioned near the base ends of the holder pieces 21a and 21b.
In the rotatable support 26, the rotation axis is disposed parallel to the thickness direction of the grip 20 (in the thickness direction). In other words, the rotation axis is disposed so as to orthogonally intersect the principal surfaces of the grip 20.
The holder pieces 21a and 21b are made of a material similar to that of the holder pieces 11a and 11b and have respective arms 22a and 22b that correspond to the arms 12a and 12b and respective distal end portions 25a and 25b that correspond to the distal end portions 15a and 15b.
The holder pieces 21a and 21b also have respective holding portions 23a and 23b that are similar to the holding portions 13a and 13b. Holding holes 24a and 24b, which are shaped similarly to the holding holes 14a and 14b, are formed in respective holding portions 23a and 23b. In other words, the holding holes 24a and 24b are shaped substantially like ovals as are the holding holes 14a and 14b. The holding holes 24a and 24b may be formed into heart-like shapes.
The holder pieces 21a and 21b are supported by the grip 20 with the rotatable support 26 and are rotatable, for example, in the direction indicated by the arrow A (in both directions) in
The clip 16 of the grip 20 is disposed so as not to interfere with rotation of the holder pieces 21a and 21b.
In the case of the pickup tool 1a being carried, for example, the holder pieces 21a and 21b are turned toward the grip 20 and moved to a position indicated by the dash-dot-dot line, for example, in
In the pickup tool 1a exemplified here, when the holder pieces 21a and 21b are accommodated in the grip 20, the distal end portions of the holding portions 23a and 23b (which are portions warped outward) are exposed at the rear end of the grip 20 (an end where the clip 16 is disposed).
For example, when the golf ball 2 is picked up using the pickup tool 1a, the holder pieces 21a and 21b accommodated in the grip 20 are turned to a position at which the holder pieces 21a and 21b are aligned in a straight line with the grip 20, in other words, to a position at which the holder pieces 21a and 21b are extended from the grip 20, which increases the total length of the pickup tool 1a.
When the total length of the pickup tool 1a is increased as above, the golf ball 2 can be held between the holder piece 21a and the holder piece 21b as is the case for Example 1 (pickup tool 1). In other words, the holding portions 23a and 23b are bent like bows, and respective portions of the golf ball 2 enter the holding holes 24a and 24b, thereby enabling the golf ball 2 to be picked up.
According to Example 2, as described above, the pickup tool 1a is configured such that the holder pieces 21a and 21b are stored in the grip 20 by turning the holder pieces 21a and 21b. In the case of the pickup tool 1a being carried, for example, the total length of the pickup tool 1a can be reduced and the pickup tool 1a can be attached to an equipment item easily, which can reduce the likelihood of the pickup tool 1a disturbing golfing or being lost.
In addition, bendable holder pieces 21a and 21b can be stored in the grip 20, which prevents the holder pieces 21a and 21b from bending excessively or from being twisted.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2019/029876 | 7/30/2019 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2021/019694 | 2/4/2021 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country |
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| 04-037466 | Mar 1992 | JP |
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| 3175271 | Apr 2012 | JP |
| 2008033736 | Mar 2008 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230173348 A1 | Jun 2023 | US |
