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Patent 2782352 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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  • At the time the application is open to public inspection;
  • At the time of issue of the patent (grant).
(12) Patent: (11) CA 2782352
(54) English Title: DIVOT TOOLS AND METHODS OF MAKING DIVOT TOOLS
(54) French Title: OUTILS POUR TOUFFE DE GAZON ET METHODES DE FABRICATION D'OUTILS POUR TOUFFE DE GAZON
Status: Expired and beyond the Period of Reversal
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A63B 57/50 (2015.01)
  • A63B 57/00 (2015.01)
  • A63B 57/30 (2015.01)
  • B29C 70/68 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • SOLHEIM, JOHN A. (United States of America)
  • COLE, ERIC V. (United States of America)
  • FIFE, JAKE (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
(71) Applicants :
  • KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (United States of America)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR LP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2015-11-24
(22) Filed Date: 2012-07-09
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2013-06-09
Examination requested: 2012-07-09
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
13/315,673 (United States of America) 2011-12-09

Abstracts

English Abstract

Embodiments of divot tools having ball markers and methods of making divot tools are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.


French Abstract

Des modes de réalisation dassujettisseurs de mottes de gazon comportant des marqueurs de balles et des procédés de fabrication dassujettisseurs de mottes de gazon sont décrits généralement aux présentes. Dautres modes de réalisation peuvent être décrits et revendiqués.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CLAIMS:
1. A divot tool comprising:
a ball marker;
a first portion having at least one barb;
a second portion connected to the first portion and comprising a ball marker
recess and a first finger recess between the at least one barb and the ball
marker recess, the
ball marker recess comprising:
a first marker recess comprising a bottom surface;
a second marker recess comprising a bottom surface inclined relative to the
bottom surface of the first marker recess; and
at least one ramp disposed outside the second marker recess and being
substantially in a same plane as the bottom surface of the second marker
recess;
wherein the ball marker is moveable from a stored position disposed in the
first
marker recess to a removal position being slidable on the bottom surface of
the second marker
recess and the at least one ramp.
2. The divot tool of claim 1, further comprising:
a first side and a second side opposite to the first side;
a second finger recess on the second side; and
a third finger recess adjacent the second finger recess.
3. The divot tool of claim 2, wherein each of the second finger recess and
the
third finger recess is defined by a concave depression on the second side.
4. The divot tool of claim 1, wherein the first finger recess comprises a
bottom
surface extending from a first end of the first finger recess to a second end
of the first finger
11

recess and a substantially vertical wall at the second end defining a largest
depth of the first
finger recess, wherein the depth of the first finger recess increases from the
first end to the
second end.
5. The divot tool of claim 1, further comprising a magnet disposed in the
ball
marker recess, wherein the ball marker comprises a ferrous material, and
wherein the magnet
attracts the ball marker and holds the ball marker in the ball marker recess.
6. The divot tool of claim 1, further comprising a core constructed from a
first
material and a shell constructed from a second material.
7. A method of making divot tool comprising:
forming a first portion having at least one barb; and
forming a second portion connected to the first portion and comprising a ball
marker recess and a first finger recess between the at least one barb and the
ball marker
recess, the ball marker recess comprising a first marker recess comprising a
bottom surface, a
second marker recess comprising a bottom surface inclined relative to the
bottom surface of
the first marker recess, and at least one ramp disposed outside the second
marker recess and
being substantially in a same plane as the bottom surface of the second marker
recess;
wherein a ball marker is moveable from a stored position disposed in the first
marker recess to a removal position being slidable on the bottom surface of
the second marker
recess and the at least one ramp.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
forming a second finger recess on a second side opposite to a first side; and
forming a third finger recess adjacent the second finger recess.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the second finger recess and the
third
finger recess is defined by a concave depression on the second side.
12

10. The method of claim 7, wherein forming the first finger recess
comprises
forming a bottom surface extending from a first end of the first finger recess
to a second end
of the first finger recess and a substantially vertical wall at the second end
defining a largest
depth of the first finger recess, wherein the depth of the first finger recess
increases from the
first end to the second end.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a magnet in the
ball
marker recess, and forming the ball marker to comprise a ferrous material, and
wherein the
magnet attracts the ball marker and holds the ball marker in the ball marker
recess.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein forming the first portion and the second
portion further comprises forming a core constructed from a first material and
a shell
constructed from a second material.
13

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02782352 2014-12-09
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DIVOT TOOLS AND METHODS OF MAKING DIVOT TOOLS
FIELD
[0001] The present application generally relates to divot tools, and more
particularly, to divot
tools having ball markers and methods of making divot tools.
BACKGROUND
[0002] When a golf ball is hit with a golf club and lands on the green, the
golf ball may
create a depression or a divot on the green. A divot tool may be used to
repair a divot. A
divot tool typically has two spaced apart barbs. To repair a divot, an
individual inserts the
barbs into the green at one or more locations around the divot, and pushes the
green that is
between the barbs and the divot toward the divot. The green around the divot
that is pushed
into the pivot promotes root growth inside the divot and over a period of time
causes the
green to fill the divot.
[0002a] According to the present invention, there is provided a divot tool
comprising: a ball
marker; a first portion having at least one barb; a second portion connected
to the first portion
and comprising a ball marker recess and a first finger recess between the at
least one barb and
the ball marker recess, the ball marker recess comprising: a first marker
recess comprising a
bottom surface; a second marker recess comprising a bottom surface inclined
relative to the
bottom surface of the first marker recess; and at least one ramp disposed
outside the second
marker recess and being substantially in a same plane as the bottom surface of
the second
marker recess; wherein the ball marker is moveable from a stored position
disposed in the
first marker recess to a removal position being slidable on the bottom surface
of the second
marker recess and the at least one ramp.
[0002b] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of
making divot tool comprising: forming a first portion having at least one
barb; and forming a
second portion connected to the first portion and comprising a ball marker
recess and a first
finger recess between the at least one barb and the ball marker recess, the
ball marker recess
comprising a first marker recess comprising a bottom surface, a second marker
recess
1

CA 02782352 2014-12-09
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comprising a bottom surface inclined relative to the bottom surface of the
first marker recess,
and at least one ramp disposed outside the second marker recess and being
substantially in a
same plane as the bottom surface of the second marker recess; wherein a ball
marker is
moveable from a stored position disposed in the first marker recess to a
removal position
being slidable on the bottom surface of the second marker recess and the at
least one ramp.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a divot tool according to one
embodiment.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the divot tool of FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a top view of the divot tool of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the divot tool of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 5 shows the divot tool of FIG. 1 as viewed from one end of the
divot tool.
[0008] FIG. 6 shows the divot tool of FIG. 1 as viewed from an end of the
divot tool that is
opposite to the end shown in FIG. 5.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a side view of the divot tool of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 8 shows the divot tool of FIG. 1 as viewed from another side of
the divot tool that is
opposite to the side shown in FIG. 7.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a section of the divot tool of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 10 is perspective cutaway view of a ball marker recess of a divot
tool according to
one embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a ball marker according to one
embodiment.
lb

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[0014] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a magnet of a divot tool
according to one
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a divot tool, a
magnet and a ball
marker according to another embodiment.
[0016] FIGS. 14-16 are perspective views of the divot tool of FIG. 1
showing removal
of a ball marker from the divot tool.
[0017] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a method of making a divot tool
according to
one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a divot tool comprising:
a first
portion comprising at least one barb; a second portion connected to the first
portion and
having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the second
portion comprising:
a first finger recess on the first side; and a second finger recess on the
second side.
[0018a] Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a divot tool
comprising: a ball
marker; a first portion having at least one barb; a second portion connected
to the first portion
and comprising a ball marker recess and a first finger recess between the at
least one barb and
the ball marker recess, the ball marker recess comprising: a first marker
recess comprising a
bottom surface; a second marker recess comprising a bottom surface inclined
relative to the
bottom surface of the first marker recess; and at least one ramp disposed
outside the second
marker recess and being substantially in a same plane as the bottom surface of
the second
marker recess; wherein the ball marker is moveable from a stored position
disposed in the first
marker recess to a removal position being slidable on the bottom surface of
the second marker
recess and the at least one ramp.
[0018b] Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of making
a divot tool
comprising: providing at least one mold configured for forming the divot tool
comprising a
first portion comprising at least one barb, a second portion connected to the
first portion and
2

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68319-408
having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the second
portion comprising a
first finger recess on the first side, and at least a second finger recess on
the second side; and
forming the divot tool with the mold.
10018c1 Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a divot tool 20 according to an
exemplary embodiment
is shown. The divot tool 20 includes a first portion 22 having one or more
barbs, generally
shown as 24, for insertion into the green to repair a divot and a second
portion 26, which
includes a ball marker recess 30 on a first side 32 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3)
of the divot tool
20 for receiving and holding a ball marker 33. The second portion 26 includes
a first finger
recess 34 on the first side 32 and second and third finger recesses 36 and 38,
respectively, on a
second side 40 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) of the divot tool 20. All of the above-
noted features
of the divot tool 20 and functions thereof are described in detail in the
following.
[0019] Each of the barbs 24 is tapered and has a generally pointed end
42 to facilitate
insertion of the barb 24 into the green with relative ease. Each barb 24 may
be cone or wedge
shaped. However, each barb 24 may have other symmetrical or asymetrical shapes
that
provide tapering from a larger cross section to a smaller cross section or to
a generally pointed
end. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8, each barb 24 has a flat
side 44 on the
first side 32 of the divot tool 20 and a sloped side 46 on the second side 40
of the divot tool
20. As the barb 24 is inserted and advanced into the green, the sloped side 46
may cause the
barb 24 to slightly tilt toward the divot, thereby pushing the green
surrounding the divot into
the divot to assist with the divot repair process.
[0020] The first finger recess 34 is on the first side 32 of the divot
tool 20. The first
finger recess 34 may be sized to receive the distal phalange of an
individual's thumb while the
individual is holding the divot tool 20. To accommodate different thumb sizes,
the first finger
recess 34 may be sized to receive a large-sized thumb, thereby also
accommodating
individuals
2a

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' with small-sized thumbs. The first finger recess 34 may have a flat
bottom or a curved bottom.
In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the depth of the first
finger recess 34
increases from the first end 50 of the first finger recess 34 toward the
second end 52 of the first
finger recess 34. The second end 52 includes a sharply sloped wall 54. The
sharply sloped wall
54 may be nearly vertical or completely vertical relative to the bottom of the
first finger recess
34. The height of the wall 54 is configured to be similar or greater than the
thickness or the
width of the tip of an individual's thumb. Accordingly, when an individual's
thumb is located in
the first finger recess 34 during insertion of the divot tool 20 into the
green, the tip of the
individual's thumb presses against the wall 54 and is prevented from slipping
out of the first
finger recess 34. The varying depth of the first finger recess 34 from the
first end 50 to the
- second end 52 creates an inclined surface relative to the first end 50
and the second end 52 that
can provide proper placement of an individual's thumb in the first finger
recess 34 so that the tip
of the individual's thumb strikes the wall 54 as described. For example, if an
individual places
his thumb in the first finger recess 34 without the tip of his thumb
contacting the wall 54, upon
initiating the insertion of the barbs 24 into the green, the individual's
thumb slides in the first
finger recess 34 toward the wall 54 until the tip of his thumb strikes the
wall 54. The varying
depth of the first finger recess 34 also ergonomically supports the distal
phalange of the thumb
when the divot tool 20 is held by an individual. To provide the noted
ergonomic support, the
first finger recess 34 may have a generally oval shape or a generally tear
drop shape as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3. Accordingly, the widest part of the first finger recess 34 may
be near the second
end 52 with the first finger recess 34 narrowing in width toward the first end
50.
[00211 The second side 40 of the divot tool 20 includes the second finger
recess 36 and the third
finger recess 38 for receiving the index finger and the middle finger,
respectively, of an
individual when using the divot tool 20 for divot repair. However, depending
on the individual's
preference in holding the divot tool and/or depending on the size of the
individual's hands, the
individual may use any two fingers of his hand for placement in the finger
recesses 36 and 38.
The finger recesses 36 and 38 are formed by inwardly curved surfaces or
concave depressions on
the second side 40 of the divot tool 20 and are sized and shaped to be
generally compatible with
the fingers of any individual using the divot tool 20. The finger recesses 36
and 38 provide a
frictional grip for an individual holding the divot tool 20. Furthermore, the
locations of the
3

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= finger recesses 36 and 38 on the divot tool 20 may ensure correct
placement of an individual's
fingers on the divot tool 20 when gripping the divot tool 20.
[0022] When holding the divot tool 20 for a divot repair process, an
individual grips the divot
tool 20 with his left or right hand by placing his thumb in the first finger
recess 34, his index
finger in the second finger recess 36 and his middle finger in the third
finger recess 38. Thus, the
second portion 22, which includes the first finger recess 34 and the finger
recesses 36 and 38
functions as a handle for the divot tool 20 during a divot repair process.
When inserting the
barbs 24 into the green, the wall 54 of the first finger recess 34 prevents
the individual's thumb
from slipping out and allows the individual to push downward. The index and
middle fingers
wrap around the second portion 26 and also assist in pushing downward. The
finger recesses 36
and 38 reduce the possibility of the index and middle fingers slipping on the
second side 40 of
the divot tool 20. Thus, the first finger recess 34 and the finger recesses 36
and 38 assist in
preventing the individual's thumb and fingers from slipping on the divot tool
20 while inserting
the barbs 24 into the green. When repairing the divot, an individual uses his
index and middle
fingers to push the barbs 24 toward the divot, thereby pushing the green
surrounding the divot
into the divot. During this movement, the thumb in the first finger recess 34
provides a counter
force to stabilize and control the pushing motion created by the index and
middle fingers and to
assist in rotationally moving the divot tool 20 if necessary. The thumb
pressing down on the
divot tool 20 also maintains the barbs 24 in the green during the divot repair
process. The first
finger recess 34 also assists in preventing the thumb from slipping out of the
first finger recess
34 after insertion of the barbs 24 into the ground and during the divot repair
process.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the ball marker recess 30 is configured to
hold a ball marker
33 therein. In the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 13, the ball marker 33 is disc
or coin shaped.
However, in other embodiments, the ball marker 33 may be in any shape, such as
rectangular,
square, triangular, or polygonal. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, when the ball
marker 33 is in the
ball marker recess 30, the top surface of the ball marker 33 is positioned
flush with the top
surface of the divot tool 20 around the ball marker recess 30. Accordingly,
the ball marker 33
does not project out of the ball marker recess 30, and therefore, does not
interfere with an
individual's use of the divot tool 20.
4

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[0024] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the ball marker recess 30 is formed by a
first marker recess
70, which defines a stored position of the ball marker 33, and a second marker
recess 72, which
defines a removal position of the ball marker 33, which is a position prior to
removal of the ball
marker 33 from the ball marker recess 30. The first marker recess 70 includes
a bottom surface
74 and a first recess wall 76 having a height generally corresponding to the
thickness of the ball
marker 33. The bottom surface 74 is also generally parallel to the first side
32 of the divot tool
20 surrounding the ball marker recess 30. Accordingly, when the bottom surface
of the ball
marker 33 is in contact with the bottom surface 74, the top surface of the
ball marker 33 is flush
with the first side 32 of the divot tool 20 surrounding the ball marker recess
30.
[0025] The second marker recess 72 includes a bottom surface 80 that is
inclined relative to the
bottom surface 74 of the first marker recess 72 so as to have a greater depth
than the first marker
recess 70. The ball marker recess 30 includes at least one ramp 82 on at least
one side of the first
marker recess 70. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the ball marker recess
30 includes two
ramps 82 on laterally opposing sides of the first marker recess 72. The ramps
82 are positioned
on the same plane that is defined by the bottom surface 80 of the second
marker recess 72.
Accordingly, the ramps 82 may be considered to be discontinuous extensions of
the bottom
surface 80 of the second marker recess 72. The ball marker recess 30 may also
include a third
recess 83 that are connected to the ramps 82 and inclined relative to the
ramps 82. The third
recess provides a transition from the ramps 82 to the top surface or the first
side 32 of the divot
tool around the ball marker recess 30.
[0026] In the exemplary embodiments of the divot tool 20 described herein, the
first marker
recess 70 includes a magnet recess 84 (shown in FIG. 10) for housing one or
more magnets
(generally shown as 36 in FIGS. 9 and 12). The ball marker 33 may include
ferrous materials so
that the ball marker 33 is attracted and held by the magnet 86 when the ball
marker 33 is at or
near the magnet 86. The ball marker 33 may be constructed from any material so
long as the ball
marker 33 can be attracted to the magnet 86. For example, the ball marker 33
may be
constructed from steel or a plastic material having mixed therein iron
particles. However, only a
portion of the ball marker 33 at or near the bottom surface of the ball marker
33 may be
constructed from a ferrous material. For example, an upper disc section of the
ball marker 33
may be constructed from a plastic material without having any iron particles.
Alternatively, the

CA 02782352 2012-07-09
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upper disc section may be constructed from a non-ferrous metal such as
aluminum. A lower disc
section of the ball marker 33 may be constructed from a ferrous material such
as steel.
100271 The upper surface and the lower surface of the ball marker 33 may have
different or
similar colors. Additionally the upper surface and the lower surface of the
ball marker may
include visual information such as a brand logo or any other indicia. The
visual information may
be drawn, etched, applied with an adhesive film or embossed onto the upper
surface and/or the
lower surface of the ball marker 33. The visual information may also be
created during
manufacturing of the ball marker 33. For example, if the ball marker 33 is
stamped out of a
piece of metal, the visual information can be embossed onto the ball marker 33
by the stamping
press.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, the magnet recess 84 may be cylindrical to
house a
correspondingly sized cylindrical magnet 86. The magnet 86 is sized and/or
positioned in the
magnet recess 84 so that the top of the magnet 86 is positioned flush with
bottom surface 74 of
the first marker recess 70. The magnet recess 84 may be in any shape and the
magnet 86 may be
sized and/or shaped correspondingly to be housed in the magnet recess 84 and
to provide the
function of maintaining the ball marker 33 in the stored position. For
example, another
embodiment of a magnet and its corresponding recess is shown in FIG. 13. In
this embodiment,
the first marker recess 70 is deeper to define a magnet recess 88 for
accommodating a similarly
shaped magnet 90. The thickness of the magnet 90 is such that when both the
magnet 90 and the
ball marker 33 are placed in the first marker recess 70, the top of the ball
marker 33 is flush with
the first side 32 of the divot tool 20 surrounding the ball marker recess 30.
The magnet recesses
84 and 88 may be formed when the divot tool 20 is constructed. Subsequently,
the magnet 86 or
the magnet 90 may be attached in the magnet recess 84 or the magnet recess 88,
respectively, by
an adhesive by being press fit or other methods and materials that can be used
to attach two parts
together. Alternatively, the magnet 86 or 90 may be fixed in the magnet recess
84 or the magnet
recess 88, respectively, during a process for manufacturing the divot tool 20
as described in
detail below. The magnet 86 or 90 may be a rare earth magnet.
[0029] Placement of the ball marker 33 in the stored position will now be
described. The ball
marker 33 can be placed in the stored position by being inserted into the
first marker recess 70.
Due to the presence of the magnet 86 or 90 in the first marker recess 70, when
the ball marker 33
6

CA 02782352 2012-07-09
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is positioned near the first marker recess 70, the ball marker 33 is pulled
toward and inside the
first marker recess 70. However, should the ball marker 33 not be perfectly
pulled inside the
first marker recess 70 such that a portion thereof is in the first marker
recess 70 and the
remaining portion thereof is outside the first marker recess 70, an individual
can use his thumb or
one or more of his other fingers to slide the ball marker 33 into the first
marker recess 70. If the
divot tool 20 is at least partly constructed from a ferrous material or
includes iron particles, the
portions of the divot tool 20 surrounding the magnet 86 or 90 may become
magnetized.
Accordingly, even if the ball marker 33 is placed near the first marker recess
70, the magnetized
portions of the divot tool 20 around the ball marker recess 30 may attract the
ball marker 33 and
hold the ball marker 33 connected to the divot tool 20. An individual using
the divot tool 20 can
then use his thumb or one or more of his other fingers to slide the ball
marker 33 into the first
marker recess 70.
100301 With reference to FIGS. 14-16, removal of the ball marker 33 from the
ball marker recess
30 and placement thereof on the green will now be described. When placing the
ball marker 30
on the green, the divot tool 20 is held by an individual with his left or
right hand such that the
end of the divot tool 20 nearest to the ball marker 33 is pointed toward the
green and positioned
near the green, while the barbs 24 are pointed away from the green.
Accordingly and in an
opposite manner to the divot repair process, an individual's index finger may
be placed in the
third finger recess 38 and the individual's middle finger may be placed in the
second finger
recess 36, with both fingers being wrapped around the second portion 26 of the
divot tool 20.
The barbs 24 may be at least partially positioned inside the palm of the
individual's hand. The
individual's thumb may be then positioned near the ball marker 33 with the tip
of the
individual's thumb facing the green. Once the divot tool 20 is in the above-
described position,
the individual can press down on the side of the ball marker 33 facing the
second marker recess
72 in the direction of the arrow 92. This position of the ball marker 33 is
shown in FIG.15. The
magnetic force of the magnet 86 or 90 may be sufficient in this position to
attract the ball marker
33 back to the stored position if the individual removes his thumb from the
ball marker 33 or
reduces the force exerted on the ball marker 33.
[00311 In the position of the ball marker 33 shown in FIG. 15, the bottom
surface of the ball
marker 33 is in contact with the bottom surface 80 of the second marker recess
72 and the ramps
82. The plane defining the bottom surface 80 and the ramps 82 is oriented in
the direction of the
7

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arrow 94, which is also the direction of removal of the ball marker 33 from
the ball marker
recess 30. Accordingly, the individual can slide the ball marker 33 along the
inclined bottom
surface 80 of the second marker recess 72 and the ramp 82 to remove the ball
marker 33 from the
ball marker recess 30. Once the ball marker 33 is outside the ball marker
recess 30, the
individual can continue sliding the ball marker 33 on the divot tool 20 until
the ball marker 33 is
placed on the green. The divot tool 20 may be positioned close enough to the
green so that the
individual can just slide the ball marker 33 off the divot tool 20 and onto
the green with his
thumb. This sliding motion of the ball marker 33 from the divot tool 20 onto
the green may
provide accurate placement of the ball marker 33 onto the green. A forceful
sliding or moving of
the ball marker 33 from the divot tool 20 onto the green may be necessary,
because as described
= above, either the divot tool 20 may be sufficiently magnetized by the
magnet 86 or 90, or the
attraction force of the magnet 86 or 90 may be strong enough to keep the ball
marker 33
connected to the divot tool 20 until the ball marker 33 is physically
separated from the divot tool
20 by the individual's thumb sliding the ball marker 33 off the divot tool 20.
[0032] As described above, removal of the ball marker 33 from the divot tool
20 and the
placement thereof on the green can be accomplished with only one finger, such
as the thumb of
an individual using the divot tool. Furthermore, the finger recesses 36 and 38
and the position of
the barbs 24 at least partially inside the palm of the individual's hand
provide sufficient grip for
the individual while holding the divot tool 20, thereby allowing the
individual to easily control
the removal of the ball marker 33 from the ball marker recess 30 with only his
thumb.
100331 The divot tool 20 may be constructed from any type of material, such as
stainless steel,
aluminum, titanium, various other metals or metal alloys, composite materials,
natural materials
such as wood or stone, or plastic materials. If the divot tool 20 is
constructed from metal, the
divot tool 20 may be formed by stamping (i.e., punching using a machine press
or a stamping
press, blanking, embossing, bending, flanging, or coining, casting), injection
molding, forging,
machining or a combination thereof, or other processes used for manufacturing
metal parts. If
the divot tool 20 is constructed from plastic materials, divot tool 20 may be
formed by injection
molding or similar methods as those described above for making metal parts.
With injection
molding of metal or plastic materials, a one-piece or a multi-piece mold can
be constructed
which has interconnected cavities corresponding to the above-described parts
of the divot tool
20. Molten metal or plastic material is injected into the mold, which is then
cooled. During the
8

CA 02782352 2012-07-09
KMC-11-031 -CA
injection molding process, the magnet 86 or 90 may be co-molded with the divot
tool 20 rather
than being affixed in the magnet recess 84 or 88, respectively, with an
adhesive. The divot tool
20 is then removed from the mold and may be machined to smooth out
irregularities on the
surfaces thereof or to remove residual parts.
[0034] The finger recesses 36 and 38 and the first finger recess 34 may be
textured during or
after making the divot tool 20 to provide an enhanced frictional surface for
the individual's
fingers for a better grip. Other parts of the divot tool 20 may also be
provided with such
texturing or frictional enhancement to provide a better grip for the
individual. In contrast, certain
parts of the divot tool 20 may be manufactured to have smooth surfaces. For
example, the
surfaces that contact the ball marker 33 during the sliding motion thereof as
described above can
be smooth to facilitate a more effortless sliding of the ball marker 33. A
mold for manufacturing
the divot tool 20 as used herein generally refers to a part that is used to
form at least a portion of
the divot tool. Thus, all of the above-described processes for making the
divot tool may use one
or more molds. For example, the side of a stamping press that presses down on
a piece of metal
to form at least a portion of the divot tool 20 may be considered a mold
[0035] The divot tool 20 may be constructed by connecting multiple pieces
constructed from the
same or different materials. For example, the first portion 22, which includes
the barbs 24, may
be constructed from aluminum to provide sufficient stiffness. The second
portion 26 may be
constructed from plastic and attached to the first portion 22. In one
embodiment, the divot tool
20 may be constructed to have a core and a shell. The core may be constructed
from a plastic
material. The core is then encased in a shell. This process provides a divot
tool 20 that is
structurally stronger than a divot tool constructed from plastic, while
lighter than a divot tool
constructed from a very stiff material such as steel. Therefore, such a divot
tool may provide
both strength and light weight. The core may be encased by a metallic material
with a process
based on Nano-Nickel technology. Nano Nickel technology refers to
nanometal/polymer hybrid
technology by which injection molded polymer substrates are coated with a thin
layer of ultra
high strength metal. The metal coating gets its strength from its
nanocrystalline grain structure
and imparts this strength onto the substrate through its high strength
interfacial bonds.
[0036] Based on the above described exemplary methods of making a divot tool,
one exemplary
method 100 of making a divot tool is shown in FIG. 17. At 102 a mold is
provided for making a
9

CA 02782352 2012-07-09
KMC-11-031-CA
divot tool 20 or a core of the divot tool, where the mold includes recesses
and projections that
correspond to the barbs 24, the first finger recess 34 and the finger recesses
36 and 38,
respectively. The mold may also include a projection corresponding the ball
marker recess 30.
Furthermore, the mold may also include a projection corresponding to the
magnet recess 84 or
88. At 104, the divot tool 20 is formed with the mold as described in detail
above. If only the
core is formed at 104, the core may be encased in a shell as described above.
The magnet 86 or
90 can then be placed in the magnet recess 84 or 88, respectively.
Alternatively, the magnet 86
or 90 may be co-manufactured with the divot tool 20 as described above. After
the divot tool 20
is formed having the ball marker recess 30 and a magnet 88 or 90, a ball
marker 33 is then placed
in the ball marker recess 30 in the stored position. Prior to placing the ball
marker 33 in the ball
marker recess 30, the ball marker 33 may be manufactured by one or more of the
processes
described in detail above.
100371 Although a particular order of actions is illustrated in FIG. 17, these
actions may be
performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or more actions
depicted in FIG. 17
may be performed sequentially, concurrently, or simultaneously. Alternatively,
two or more
actions depicted may be performed in reversed order. Further, one or more
actions depicted in
FIG. 17 may not be performed at all. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
100381 While the invention has been described in connection with various
aspects, it will be
understood that the invention is capable of further modifications. This
application is intended to
cover any variations, uses or adaptation of the invention following, in
general, the principles of
the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as
come within the
known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

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Event History

Description Date
Time Limit for Reversal Expired 2017-07-10
Letter Sent 2016-07-11
Grant by Issuance 2015-11-24
Inactive: Cover page published 2015-11-23
Pre-grant 2015-07-31
Inactive: Final fee received 2015-07-31
Inactive: IPC deactivated 2015-03-14
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2015-02-17
Letter Sent 2015-02-17
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2015-02-17
Inactive: IPC assigned 2015-02-09
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2015-02-09
Inactive: IPC assigned 2015-02-09
Inactive: IPC assigned 2015-02-09
Change of Address or Method of Correspondence Request Received 2015-01-15
Inactive: Q2 passed 2015-01-08
Inactive: Approved for allowance (AFA) 2015-01-08
Inactive: IPC expired 2015-01-01
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2014-12-09
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2014-06-09
Inactive: Report - QC passed 2014-05-30
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2014-02-25
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2013-10-07
Inactive: Report - No QC 2013-09-25
Inactive: Cover page published 2013-06-17
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2013-06-09
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-01-16
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-01-10
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2013-01-10
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2012-09-18
Inactive: Filing certificate - RFE (English) 2012-07-20
Filing Requirements Determined Compliant 2012-07-20
Letter Sent 2012-07-20
Letter Sent 2012-07-20
Application Received - Regular National 2012-07-20
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 2012-07-09
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 2012-07-09

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2015-06-18

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
Registration of a document 2012-07-09
Request for examination - standard 2012-07-09
Application fee - standard 2012-07-09
MF (application, 2nd anniv.) - standard 02 2014-07-09 2014-06-18
MF (application, 3rd anniv.) - standard 03 2015-07-09 2015-06-18
Final fee - standard 2015-07-31
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
Past Owners on Record
ERIC V. COLE
JAKE FIFE
JOHN A. SOLHEIM
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Drawings 2012-06-26 8 134
Description 2014-02-25 13 689
Claims 2014-02-25 4 129
Description 2012-07-09 10 592
Claims 2012-07-09 3 105
Abstract 2012-07-09 1 6
Description 2012-09-18 11 632
Claims 2012-09-18 3 106
Cover Page 2013-06-17 1 23
Representative drawing 2014-06-11 1 10
Description 2014-12-09 13 675
Claims 2014-12-09 3 92
Representative drawing 2015-10-30 1 11
Cover Page 2015-10-30 1 34
Acknowledgement of Request for Examination 2012-07-20 1 188
Courtesy - Certificate of registration (related document(s)) 2012-07-20 1 125
Filing Certificate (English) 2012-07-20 1 166
Reminder of maintenance fee due 2014-03-11 1 112
Commissioner's Notice - Application Found Allowable 2015-02-17 1 161
Maintenance Fee Notice 2016-08-22 1 178
Change to the Method of Correspondence 2015-01-15 2 66
Final fee 2015-07-31 2 75