Patent Application
20250234964
A golf ball mark repair tool is a small implement used to fix ball marks or depressions on the putting green caused by the impact of a golf ball. These tools are designed to help golfers maintain the smoothness of the green surface, promoting a better putting experience for everyone. Typically, a golf ball mark repair tool consists of a handle and a pronged or forked metal or plastic end. The handle may have an integrated thumb or finger rest. The golfer inserts the prong (or prongs) into the turf around the damaged area and gently moves the turf back into place. This helps to level the putting green surface and promote healthy grass growth.
Golf ball mark repair tools are most often carried in the front pants or shorts pocket of the golfer, where other items such as, for example, ball markers, small groove cleaner brushes, and golf tees might also be kept for convenience. Some golf ball mark repair tools are constructed from metal, which can be heavy and irritating when kept in a golfer's front pocket while walking on a golf course. Some golf ball mark repair tools have integrated shapes similar to the shape of golf tees. When retrieving a golf ball mark repair tool from his pocket, it may be difficult for the golfer to differentiate by feel between two or more devices that have similar shapes.
A golfer may have the desire to carry the golf ball mark repair tool in a location other than a front pocket to eliminate possible skin punctures, irritation, or tactile confusion. However, there are few practical locations, outside of a golfer's pockets, that could easily hold a golf ball mark repair tool and that will enable convenient access to the golf ball mark repair tool without interfering with the athletic motion of a golfer.
It is desired to provide an improved apparatus for storage of a golf ball mark repair tool during a round of golf.
The present disclosure includes disclosure of a holder for a golf ball mark repair tool that is integrated into a belt buckle. In at least one embodiment, a belt buckle according to the present disclosure comprises a frame defining a recess within the frame; a pocket material held in place within the recess, the pocket material defining a pocket, the pocket having an opening; and a retention piece held in place within the recess, the retention piece comprising an edge oriented toward the opening, wherein there is a gap separating the edge and the opening.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, the belt buckle comprises a base material held in place within the recess, the base material underlying the pocket material.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, the pocket material and the base material are formed as single piece.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, the retention piece and the base material are formed as single piece.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, the pocket material, the retention piece, and the base material are formed as single piece.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, at least one of the pocket material, the retention piece, and the base material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of animal hide, plastic, EVA foam, and silicone.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, the belt buckle comprises a golf ball mark repair tool, the golf ball mark repair tool comprising a body, a prong end at one end of the body, a handle end at an opposing end of the body, and a protuberance on a surface of the body, wherein at least a portion of the prong end of the body is inside the pocket and the protuberance is retained in the gap.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, the belt buckle comprises a golf ball mark repair tool, the golf ball mark repair tool comprising a body, a prong end at one end of the body, a handle end at an opposing end of the body, and a cavity in a surface of the body, wherein at least a portion of the prong end of the body is inside the pocket and the cavity is retained by the edge.
In at least one embodiment, a belt buckle according to the present disclosure comprises a frame, the frame defining a recess within the frame; a pocket material held in place within the recess, the pocket material defining a pocket, the pocket having an opening; and a retention piece held in place within the recess, the retention piece comprising a bump, wherein there is a gap separating the bump and the opening.
In at least one embodiment of a belt buckle according to the present disclosure, the belt buckle comprises a golf ball mark repair tool, the golf ball mark repair tool comprising a body, a prong end at one end of the body, a handle end at an opposing end of the body, and a cavity in a surface of the body, wherein at least a portion of the prong end of the body is inside the pocket and the cavity is retained by the bump.
The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). The words “include,” “including,” and “includes” and the like mean including, but not limited to. As used herein, the singular form of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.
The present disclosure includes disclosure of a holder for a golf ball mark repair tool that is integrated into a belt buckle. Such a holder allows for a golfer to easily insert a golf ball mark repair tool into the holder, and maintain the golf ball mark repair tool in a physically safe, easily viewable position, and easily accessible position. Such a holder also allow for easy removal of such golf ball mark repair tool. Only one motion is required to insert the golf ball mark repair tool into the holder and have it retained, without the use of use of magnets or similar coupling methods. One reverse motion is all that is required to remove the golf ball mark repair tool from the holder.
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In at least one embodiment, belt buckle 10 is assembled by first installing base material 28 into recess 36 in frame 12. Base material 28 may cover all or at least a portion of floor 38. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 is coupled to floor 38 by, for example, an adhesive. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 is coupled to the internal wall of one or more of leading edge 14, trailing edge 16, and/or one or more of side edges 18, 20 by, for example, an adhesive. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 is retained within recess 36 by frictional force. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 is retained within recess 36 by stitching. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 comprises a semi-rigid material. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 comprises an animal hide material. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 comprises a plastic material. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 comprises an EVA foam material. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 comprises a silicone material.
In at least one embodiment, after base material 28 is installed in recess 36, pocket 22 is installed in recess 36 of frame 12. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 is installed in recess 36 of frame 12 by sliding pocket 22 under fingers 24 until pocket 22 abuts trailing edge 16 of frame 12. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 is coupled to base material 28 and/or floor 38 by, for example, an adhesive. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 is coupled to the internal wall of one or more of trailing edge 16 and/or one or more of side edges 18, 20 by, for example, an adhesive. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 is retained within recess 36 by frictional force. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 is retained within recess 36 by stitching. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 comprises a semi-rigid material. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 comprises an animal hide material. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 comprises a plastic material. In at least one embodiment, pocket 22 comprises an EVA foam material. In at least one embodiment, base material 28 comprises a silicone material.
In at least one embodiment, after base material 28 and pocket 22 are installed in recess 36, retention piece 26/126 is installed in recess 36 of frame 12. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 is installed at the opposite end of frame 12 from pocket 22. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 is installed in recess 36 of frame 12 by inserting retention piece 26/126 into recess 36 of frame 12 such that retention piece 26/126 abuts leading edge 14 of frame 12. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 is coupled to base material 28 and/or floor 38 by, for example, an adhesive. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 is coupled to the internal wall of one or more of leading edge 14 and/or one or more of side edges 18, 20 by, for example, an adhesive. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 is retained within recess 36 by frictional force. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 comprises a semi-rigid material. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 comprises an animal hide material. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 comprises a plastic material. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 comprises an EVA foam material. In at least one embodiment, retention piece 26/126 comprises a silicone material.
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In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, pocket 22, retention piece 26/126, and base material 28 may be formed as a single piece, such as, but not limited to, a silicone or plastic molded part, and then attached to a belt buckle frame.
In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, pocket 22 and base material 28 may be formed as a single piece, such as, but not limited to, a silicone or plastic molded part, and then attached to a belt buckle frame. Retention piece 26/126 then could be added to the belt buckle frame.
In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, retention piece 26/126 and base material 28 may be formed as a single piece, such as, but not limited to, a silicone or plastic molded part, and then attached to a belt buckle frame. Pocket 22 then could be added to the belt buckle frame.
In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, pocket 22, retention piece 26/126, base material 28, and a belt buckle frame all may be molded or formed as a single piece, such as, but not limited to, a silicone or plastic molded part.
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While this disclosure has been described as having preferred designs, the apparatus and methods according to the present disclosure can be further modified within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. For example, any method disclosed herein and in the appended claims represents one possible sequence of performing the steps thereof. A practitioner may determine in a particular implementation that a plurality of steps of one or more of the disclosed methods may be combinable, or that a different sequence of steps may be employed to accomplish the same results. Each such implementation falls within the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed herein and in the appended claims. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.
