Patent Application
20230256308
The present invention relates to a multifunctional golfing tool, comprising a housing having a base element and a cover fastened to the base element by means of a hinge, wherein the cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the base element together with the cover form an interior, wherein cleaning means are arranged in the interior, wherein a ball marker is detachably arranged on the housing and wherein a pitch fork is provided.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a tool holder for a multifunctional golfing tool.
Around 60 million people worldwide enjoy and are enthusiastic about golfing. In addition to complying with the rules of the game, compliance with golf etiquette, i.e. the written and unwritten rules for behavior on the golf course, is an important part of the golfing experience.
Thus, according to golf etiquette, it is good manners that so-called “pitch marks” are to be removed by the originator. In golfing, a pitch mark is the imprint in the ground left by a steeply pitched golf ball on the green. Such dents can hinder subsequent players because they can deflect the ball from its path when putting. Pitch forks are used to remove pitch marks. The player uses a two-pronged fork a few Centimeters in size and stabs into the turf at a slight angle around the pitch mark and pushes the head of the pitch fork towards the pitch hole thereby breaking the turf. The entire ground around the pitch hole is thus loosened over a large area and can be leveled again using the putter.
Likewise, it is part of golf etiquette that the green may not be walked on with golf bags or driven on with a golf caddy. However, following these rules has the disadvantage that cleaning means such as brushes or cloths for cleaning golf balls, which are usually carried in the golf bag or golf caddy, are only accessible to the player by accepting longer walking distances.
However, the need to clean a golf ball occurs frequently. In particular during tournaments, however, it is forbidden to clean the golf ball on the grass. Wiping off dirt with the hands, on the other hand, is unsightly and may even harm health. Cleaning the golf ball on clothing will result in unwanted soiling.
For cleaning, the golf ball must also be picked up from the green. The position of the golf ball is then marked with so-called, usually coin-sized, ball markers.
From U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,533 A, a golfing tool is known which has a housing with a cleaning sponge arranged in the housing. A ball marker is detachably attached to an upper side of the housing. Furthermore, a pitch fork having two prongs is arranged on the housing. The housing has a rounded outer surface that cooperates with the pitch fork to remove pitch marks. While the pitch fork is used to loosen the soil around the pitch mark, the rounded outer surface of the tool can be used to press the loosened soil back on.
Moreover, in the prior art, portable pitch forks are known which a player can carry in his trouser pocket.
However, the known tools for the game of golf usually have a small range of functions or are so large and unwieldy that they cannot easily be carried on the body, for example in a trouser pocket.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional golfing tool which has a wide range of functions and can be carried by a golfer on his body, for example in a trouser pocket.
To achieve the object underlying the invention, a multifunctional golfing tool is proposed, comprising a housing having a base element and a cover fastened to the base element by means of a hinge, wherein the cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the base element together with the cover form an interior, wherein cleaning means are arranged in the interior, wherein a ball marker is detachably arranged on the housing, and wherein a pitch fork is provided, wherein it is further provided that the pitch fork can be pushed out of the housing.
The multifunction tool according to the invention has a wide range of functions. For example, cleaning means are arranged in the interior of the multifunction tool. By opening the housing of the multifunctional tool, i.e. by pivoting the cover from the closed position to the open position, the cleaning means are accessible and can be used to clean a golf ball. Since the multifunctional tool can preferably be carried in a trouser pocket, it is always within reach for the player. In particular, longer walks to a golf caddy standing away from the green or to a golf bag to pick up the cleaning means usually stowed therein are thus no longer necessary.
Furthermore, a ball marker is arranged on the housing of the multifunction tool according to the invention, which can be placed on the position of the golf ball during ball cleaning.
In addition, the multifunctional tool has a pitch fork with which pitch marks on the green can be removed.
It is now provided according to the invention that the pitch fork can be pushed out of the housing. This means that the pitch fork only has to be pushed out of the housing, for example manually, when it is needed, while during the time when it is not needed, it is arranged in the housing in such a manner that the prongs of the pitch fork do not or only slightly protrude from the housing.
Since the prongs do not or only slightly protrude from the housing when the pitch fork is not needed, a compact multifunctional golfing tool is provided. In addition, the risk that the prongs of the pitch fork can damage the fabric of garments is reduced.
Overall, the advantage is thus achieved that the multifunctional tool has a wide range of functions and can be easily carried by a golfer on the body, for example in a trouser pocket. For the golfer, long walks to the golf caddy or to a golf bag away from the green can thus be avoided.
Preferably, the cover and/or the base element is made of multiple parts.
For example, the cover and/or the base element can be composed of multiple injection-molded components.
Further advantageously, it is provided that the pitch fork is arranged in the base element, in particular in a receptacle in the base element.
The receptacle in the base element can either be formed directly in a component, in particular in an injection-molded component, of the base element. However, it is also possible that the receptacle is fabricated only upon assembling a plurality of components of the base element. For example, the receptacle can be formed by a space remaining between two components.
Advantageously, it can be provided that the base element comprises a guide rail, wherein the pitch fork can be pushed out of the base element along the guide rail.
Furthermore, a locking mechanism can be provided for releasably locking the pitch fork.
By providing a locking mechanism, the pitch fork can be secured against unintentional sliding out of or into the base element. If in the unused state, the pitch fork is arranged in the base element and is not pushed out of the base element, the locking mechanism is used to secure the pitch fork in the housing or receptacle such that, in particular when the multifunctional tool is carried in a trouser pocket, it cannot slide out of the receptacle on its own and damage the fabric of the trouser pocket. In order to be able to use the pitch fork to remove pitch marks, the locking mechanism is released and the pitch fork is pushed out of the base element, in particular out of the receptacle, preferably along the guide rail.
Preferably, the locking mechanism can comprise a spring element or a spring-loaded element. In this way, after the locking mechanism has been released, it is ensured in a simple manner that the pitch fork is moved out of the base element by means of the spring force of the spring element or the spring-loaded element. In one exemplary embodiment, it can be provided for this purpose that the pitch fork is pushed by a user a short distance into the base element against the spring force by pressing on the end of the pitch fork, thereby releasing the locking mechanism and pushing the pitch fork out of the base element by the spring force.
To lock the pitch fork in the pushed-out state, a stop can preferably also be provided so that the pitch fork is then preferably held or locked at the stop by the spring force until the pitch fork is guided back into the base element by a user applying a counterforce and is then fixed again in the pushed-in position by means of the locking mechanism.
Alternatively or additionally, the locking mechanism can comprise a preferably spring-loaded operating element, in particular a button. The locking mechanism is released by pressing and holding the button. When the button is released, the locking mechanism engages again and the pitch fork is locked in position. Here too, in order to be able to use the pitch fork to remove pitch marks, the locking mechanism is released, preferably by means of the operating element, and the pitch fork is pushed out of the base element, in particular out of the receptacle, preferably along the guide rail.
In the state pushed out of the base element, the pitch fork is locked again by means of the locking mechanism so that the pitch fork does not slide back into the base element during use.
Further advantageously, it can be provided that the cleaning means comprise a brush, preferably comprising rubber nubs or plastic nubs, wherein further preferably, the brush is arranged on an inner side of the cover.
The brush is particularly suitable for removing coarse dirt from a golf ball. The brush is preferably arranged on the inner side of the cover but can also be arranged differently on an inner side of the base element. The brush can be removable from the housing, however, it is preferably provided that the brush is firmly attached to the cover.
Further preferably, it can be provided that the cleaning means can comprise a cleaning cloth, a cleaning sponge or a cleaning pad.
The cleaning cloth can in particular be in the form of a microfiber cloth.
Such cleaning means are particularly suitable for fine cleaning of a golf ball. Thus, in a preferred configuration, the cleaning means can comprise a brush as well as a cleaning cloth, a cleaning sponge or a cleaning pad. A dirty golf ball can then first be roughly cleaned using the brush and then finely cleaned using the cleaning cloth, cleaning sponge or cleaning pad.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the cleaning means, in particular a brush, a cleaning cloth, a cleaning sponge or a cleaning pad, are arranged in a holding element, wherein the cleaning means and/or the holding element are preferably arranged removably in the housing, particularly preferably on an inner side of the base element.
In particular, if the cleaning means are designed as a cleaning sponge or cleaning pad or cleaning cloth, it is preferably provided that the cleaning means are arranged on an inner side of the base element. Furthermore, it can be provided that the cleaning means or the holding element, preferably together with the cleaning means, is arranged removably in the housing. If the cleaning means is a cleaning cloth, for example, the latter can simply be arranged in a folded state in the housing and in particular on an inner side of the base element. If the cleaning means is a cleaning pad or cleaning sponge, it is preferably provided that the cleaning means is held in the holding element. The holding element is then preferably arranged on an inner side of the base element and, in particular, preferably arranged to be detachable from the base element. It can be provided that the holding element is held in the base element in a form-fitting, force-fitting or friction-fitting manner. Thus, the cleaning means, in particular the cleaning sponge, the cleaning pad or the cleaning cloth, can be removed from the housing together with the holding element for use or replacement.
Further advantageously, it can be provided that the cover is held in the closed position by means of a magnet or a click closure.
In particular, it can be provided that a magnet is arranged both in the cover and in the base element on a side opposite the hinge. To open the housing, a sufficiently large minimum force must be applied to overcome the holding force of the magnet(s) or the click closure.
Furthermore, a spring mechanism can be provided for opening the cover.
The spring mechanism can be triggered, for example, by actuating a push button provided for this purpose. The force exerted by the spring mechanism then causes the cover to spring open from the closed position to the open position. Such spring mechanisms are known, for example, from pocket watches.
Further advantageously, it can be provided that a holder for the ball marker is arranged on the cover, preferably on an outer side of the cover, wherein the holder preferably comprises a magnet, wherein further preferably the ball marker is held in the holder by means of the magnet.
By arranging the holder on the outside of the cover, the ball marker removably held therein is immediately accessible without the need to open the housing for removal of the ball marker.
A magnet for holding the ball marker in the holder is particularly preferred, but a clip holder or click holder, which holds the ball marker in the holder by means of friction fit, force fit and/or form fit is in principle also conceivable. In principle, a combination of a magnet and a clip holder or click holder can also be provided in the holder.
In this regard, it is further preferred that the holder comprises a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises an indentation in a portion thereof. Because the bottom surface has an indentation, the ball marker can be pressed down in the holder in the region of the indentation, that is, into the indentation. In doing so, the ball marker is tilted in the holder and protrudes from the holder with an edge region. By gripping the edge region, the ball marker can then be removed from the holder. If there is a magnet underneath the bottom surface, the ball marker can be detached from the magnet by tilting and can be easily removed from the holder.
Preferably, the bottom surface has two regions, wherein a second region is at an angle to a first region such that the second region forms a bottom of the indentation.
In other words, in a first region, the bottom surface first extends in a first plane. Upon transitioning to the second region, the bottom surface kinks and continues in a second plane, the second plane being at an angle to the first plane. Due to the “kink” in the bottom surface, the holder has an indentation in the bottom surface into which the ball marker can be tilted.
Preferably, it can be provided that by exerting a force on the ball marker arranged in the holder in the region of the indentation, the ball marker in the holder can be tilted and preferably detached from the magnet.
Preferably, it can be provided that a distance meter is arranged in the interior of the housing.
In principle, it is also possible that the distance meter is arranged on an outer side, in particular on the outer side of the cover or the base element.
The distance meter can be used, for example, to measure the distance from the multifunctional tool to the next green of a round of golf, preferably to the next flag on the green. The distance meter can be arranged in the housing either in addition to the cleaning means, in particular in addition to the brush and/or the cleaning cloth, cleaning sponge or cleaning pad, or instead of at least one of the cleaning means.
Thus, in one configuration, it can be provided that a first cleaning means in the form of a brush is arranged in the cover in the interior of the housing and that a distance meter is arranged instead of a second cleaning means in the form of a cleaning pad, cleaning cloth or cleaning sponge. It can also be provided that at least one of the cleaning means can be replaced with the distance meter as required.
The distance meter can preferably include a display. The display displays information, preferably the distance to the next green or flag, the temperature and/or the wind direction. To determine the distance of the distance meter to the green or flag, the distance meter preferably includes a GPS sensor. Another GPS sensor can be located at the green or flag. Alternatively, the coordinates of the green for distance determination can be measured in advance and stored in a digital map. The map can be made available to the distance meter so that the distance meter can calculate the distance by means of the GPS sensor and the coordinates of the green or flag taken from the map.
Further advantageously, it can be provided that a radio receiver, in particular a pager, is arranged in the interior of the multifunctional tool.
According to golf etiquette, it is not appreciated that telephone calls are made from a cell phone during a round of golf. However, in particular for business people, constant accessibility can be important. The radio receiver, in particular the pager, can then inform the player of incoming calls without disturbing other players. The player receives notification from the radio receiver, in particular the pager, that a call is coming in or has been received. The player can then leave the green and make the call away from the green and without disturbing other players.
Further advantageously, it can be provided that the hinge does not protrude from the housing, wherein further preferably the hinge is arranged in the interior and/or protrudes towards the interior.
If the hinge does not protrude from the housing, the risk of damage to textiles, such as a trouser pocket, when carrying the multifunctional tool is reduced.
Further preferably, it can be provided that in the open position, the cover is pivoted open from the closed position by an angle of 120°.
In other words, it can preferably be provided that the maximum opening angle between the open position and the closed position is limited to 120°.
By limiting the maximum opening angle to 120°, the hinge can be arranged in the interior of the housing and/or aligned in the direction of the interior.
In doing so it is in particular provided that the cover, in particular in the region of the hinge, has a first stop, and that the base element, in particular in the region of the hinge, has a second stop, wherein when the cover is open, the first stop and the second stop abut against each other in the open position.
The two stops thus limit the opening angle of the cover to preferably 120°. Here, the first stop and the second stop are designed in such a manner that with the cover completely open, the compressive forces are diverted to the shell halves, thus to the cover and to the base element, and the load on the hinge is relieved.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the hinge has latching positions so that the cover can be releasably locked in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position.
For example, it can be provided that an intermediate position corresponds to an opening angle of 30° and a second intermediate position corresponds to an opening angle of 90°.
Further advantageously, it can be provided that in a top view, the housing has a substantially circular basic shape, and/or that the housing has a diameter of less than 10 cm, preferably of less than 8 cm, more preferably of less than 7 cm, and/or that the housing has a thickness of less than 5 cm, preferably of less than 4 cm, in particular preferably of less than 3 CM.
In principle, in a top view, the housing can also have a substantially oval, in particular elliptical, basic shape. Preferably, the semi-major axis and/or the semi-minor axis of the oval, in particular elliptical, basic shape then has a length of less than 10 cm, preferably of less than 8 cm, more preferably of less than 7 cm.
With such dimensions, the multifunctional tool can be easily carried along in a trouser pocket.
Further preferably, it can be provided that the cover and/or the base element have a plurality of indentations on an outer side.
The indentations can be formed similar to the “dimples” of a golf ball. The arrangement of the indentations on the housing can be based on the distribution of the dimples on a golf ball. The indentations on the housing improve the feel of the multifunctional tool so that the multifunctional tool can be held securely in the hand without slipping.
However, it is also possible for the cover and/or the base element to have a smooth outer surface.
A further solution to the object underlying the invention consists in a tool holder for a multifunctional tool, preferably described above, comprising a receiving region, in particular a pocket, for receiving a multifunctional tool.
The receiving region and/or the pocket are/is preferably enclosed by a wall or formed by the wall. The tool holder preferably consists of or comprises a plastic or a rubber.
Advantageously, it is provided that the tool holder has an insertion opening for the multifunctional tool.
Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that the multifunctional tool can be held in the tool holder in a friction-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, and/or that the insertion opening has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the multifunctional tool.
These measures can ensure, if necessary also in combination, that a multifunctional tool arranged in the tool holder is held securely in the tool holder.
Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that a wall of the receiving region, in particular of the pocket, has an indentation so that the ball marker of the multifunctional tool is freely accessible when the multifunctional tool is arranged in the tool holder.
To remove the ball marker from the multifunctional tool, the multifunctional tool therefore does not have to be removed from the tool holder.
Furthermore, the tool holder can have an opening, wherein a multifunctional tool arranged in the tool holder can be pushed out of the tool holder by exerting force on a part of the multifunctional tool accessible through the opening, wherein the opening is preferably arranged opposite the insertion opening.
If a multifunctional tool is located in the tool holder and is held in the tool holder in a friction-fitting or force-fitting manner, the friction fit or the force fit can be released by exerting force, for example by means of a finger, through the opening onto the multifunctional tool.
Since the opening is preferably arranged opposite the insertion opening, the multifunctional tool can be easily pushed out of the tool holder through the insertion opening by means of the finger.
Further advantageously, it can be provided that a fastening means, in particular a loop or clip, is provided for fastening to garment, in particular to a belt or to a trouser pocket.
The tool holder is therefore particularly suitable for being worn on the outside of clothing and being always accessible. In particular, the multifunctional tool does not have to be repeatedly placed in the trouser pocket. This also prevents soiling of the golf clothing.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures:
A receptacle 33 for the pitch fork 18, which is formed between a guide rail 34 and the base element 11, is provided in the base element 11. The pitch fork 18 can be pushed out of the receptacle 33 along the guide rail 34. A locking mechanism 35, which is shown in detail in
In
Instead of the cleaning pad 25 shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 2020 103 394.8 | Jun 2020 | DE | national |
This application is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/EP2021/065795 filed on Jun. 11, 2021, which claims priority to German Patent Application 202020103394.8 filed on Jun. 12, 2020, the entire content of both are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/065795 | 6/11/2021 | WO |
