Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02416579 2003-O1-17
GOLF DIVOT TOOL. BEARING A MAGNETIC BALL MARKER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a multi-functional device for use in the game of
golf.
In particular, this invention relates to a golf divot repair tool that also
holds a marker
used in marking the position of golf balls on the golf course.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a golfer heads for the golf course, the golfer needs several items.
First,
the golfer needs a golf divot repair tool to repair the sod when it is
disturbed during
play. Divot repair tools are provided with pointed ends to stick down into the
sod in
order to lift the sod.
Second, a golfer needs a ball marker, and an accompanying holder, during the
play of golf. Conventional marker holders can removably receive a ball marker,
which is most often magnetically attached to a depression in the holder.
In the prior art, magnetic marker holders provide a depression to removably
receive a ball marker. The marker is held in place by a magnet located at a
first end
of the depression. The magnet would correspond to a first end of the marker.
To
remove the marker, a second end of the marker is depressed, which rocks the
marker off the magnet, and detaches the marker from the holder.
However, this conventional means of holding the marker does not adequately
secure the marker to the holder. It is common for the marker to
unintentionally
detach from the holder and become lost.
Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-functional golf device that provides
a
divot repair tool and an improeied bait marker and ball nnarker holder.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome
the
disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to
provide an
improved divot repair tool that includes an improved holding means for a ball
marker.
The present invention provides a divot repair tool and a depression provided
in
it to removably receive a ball marker that attaches magnetically to a
depression
Pocated on one side of the tool. The tool may include a plurality of magnets
circumferentially spaced about the depression, wherein the magnets hold the
marker
in place. Advantageously, this arrangement more securely holds the marker in
place.
To remove the marker, a hole is provided in the tool located inside the
depression to allow an exposed surface of the marker to be pushed, thereby
releasing the marker from the holder.
A movable member may be provided inside the depression. When moved, the
member pushes against a surface of the marker to move the marker sufficiently
away
from the magnetic material to release the marker from the depression, thereby
releasing the marker from the holder.
Accordingly, one aspect of the invention resides in ' a golf divot repair tool
comprising: a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, a
depression
in said body, a magnetic material disposed in said depression, a ball marker
constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and
adapfied to be
releasably held in said depression by said magnetic material, and an opening
formed
through said body at said depression.
In another aspect of the invention, said opening is circular and has a
diameter
of from 5 to 40 mm.
In a further aspect, the invention resides in a gc>If divot repair tool
comprising:
a body, at least one pointed arm extending from said body, a depression in
said
body, a magnetic material disposed in said depression, a ball marker
constructed at
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least partially of a material attracted by magnetism and adapted to be
releasably held
in said depression by said magnetic material, an opening formed through said
body
at said depression, and a movable member disposed in said opening which, when
moved, moves the ball marker, when the ball marker is held in the depression,
away
from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker
from the
depression.
In yet another aspect of the invention, said magnetic material comprises at
least two magnets circumferentially spaced about the depression.
In another aspect of the invention, said magnetic material is an annular
magnet centered about the depression.
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the
following detailed description and drawings which illustrate the invention and
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a front view of the tool;
Figure 2 is a front view of the marker;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tool and marker; and
Figure 4 is a front view of an alternate embodimE:nt of the tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The golf divot repair tool of this invention is shown generally in Figures 1,
2
and 3 by the reference numeral 10. The tool 10 includes two arms 16 extending
from
the main body of the tool 10. The arms 16 are pointed or sharpened at their
extremities for ease of insertion into sod of the golf green.
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As shown in Figure 1, the golf divot repair tool '10 includes a depression 12,
which is preferably generally circular in shape. Magnetic material is disposed
in the
depression 12. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the magnetic
material is shown as comprising four magnefis 20 circumferentially spaced
about the
depression 12.
Figure 2 shows the corresponding ball marker 14. The ball marker 14 is
constructed at least partially of a material attracted by magnetism. The
marker 14
complementally fits depression 12, such that the marker 14 is releasably held
in the
depression 12 by the magnetic material.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, an opening 22 is formed through the body of the
tool 10, at the depression 12. The opening 22 allows an exposed surface of the
marker 14 to be pushed, by a ringer for example, such that the ball marker 14
may be
moved. When the ball marker 14 is held in the depression 12, it may be moved
or
pushed away from the magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the
ball
marker 14 from the depression 14. This allows easy removal of the marker 14
from
the tool for use in the play of golf. After use, the marker 14 may be placed
at the
depression 12 to be held in place by the magnetic material once again.
The opening is preferably circular, and may have a diameter in the range of
from 5 to 40 mm.
it will be readily understood by one skilled in the art fihat the number of
magnets 20 disposed about the depression 12 is not essential, as one or more
magnets 20 may be provided to hold the marker 14 on more than one end. Figure
4
illustrates another embodiment of the invention, wherein the magnetic material
comprises one magnet 24 of annular shape, centered about the depression 12.
In yet another embodiment, a movable member may be disposed in the
opening 22. When the movable member is moved or pushed while the ball marker
14 is held in the depression 12, the member moves the ball marker 14 away from
the
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magnetic material a sufficient distance to release the ball marker 14 from the
depression 12.
Accordingly, it can be seen that an improved divot repair tool 10 is provided,
which includes an improved means of holding a ball marker 14 with easy removal
of
the ball marker 14.
It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have
been
described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention,
the
various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in
conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described
and
illustrated herein.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred
embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not
restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all
embodiments which are functional, electrical or mechanical equivalents of the
specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated
herein.
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