EP1809394A1

EP1809394A1 - Golf club, especially golf putter

Info

Publication number: EP1809394A1
Application number: EP05797925A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner Nickel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-02
Filing date: 2005-09-27
Publication date: 2007-07-25
Also published as: WO2006037508A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a golf putter comprising a device for alternatively picking up and simultaneously placing a marker (13) or placing a golf ball (18) by means of a mechanical swiveling apparatus as required, the player picking up the ball and placing the marker (13) as well as placing the ball and picking up the marker from the green substantially while standing. In order to be able to properly pick up the ball and simultaneously place the marker or place the ball and pick up the marker without the player having to bend down too much, the mechanical swiveling apparatus is formed by a pivotally mounted rocker (3, 3a) for alternatively picking up the ball (18) and the marker (13) while the golf ball (18) is placed at the same time as the marker (13) is picked up.

Description

Golf clubs, in particular golf putter

description

Related to related applications

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of priority of German Patent Application 10 2004 048 073.7 filed Oct. 2, 2004 as well as U.S. Pat. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 639,160, filed Dec. 22, 2004, the respective content of which is hereby expressly made the subject of the present application.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a golf club, in particular a golf putter according to the preamble of claim 1 and an associated ball marker according to claim 22 An¬.

State of the art

In golf, there is a regular case of the golf ball having to be picked up by the green while another player is playing his ball. During this time, a marker is placed behind the ball on the green. When the player returns to the game, he picks up the marker and places the golf ball at the original point. Especially when taking up golf balls, this is regularly required at the end of the game at each hole or for picking up balls from different greens along the golf course, which can be particularly difficult for older or no longer very agile players, as they bend over to the front and pick up the golf ball or marker from the ground. The problem associated therewith has been known for a long time, so that there are already some proposals for solving this problem in the prior art.

From the patent application US 2002/0022539 A1, in particular Figures 3 to 6, a mechanical solution with a plurality of cooperating pivot arms is known, the is preferably arranged on the handle of the putter. If the golf putter is pressed over the ball with a receiving opening, on the one hand the ball is fixed in the putter, on the other hand a magnetically held marker is simultaneously thrown off via the levers of the pivoting arms. However, due to the dropping of the marker manipulatable and thus not regular inaccuracies, which is complicated by the fact that the marker can only be guessed from the perspective of the player when recording the ball. Conversely, the ball is to be released, although it is not explained with respect to this mechanical Aus¬ leadership example, how this is done and / or how the marker should be taken auf¬ again. The arrangement on the handle not only complicates the handling when picking up the ball, she also prepared when stowing the golf spout in the golf bag difficulties, as this racket can impose itself with the other golf clubs.

Even more imprecise are the ejection mechanisms in the solution according to US-A 5,417,426, US-A 4,248,430 or the application US 2002/0147055 A1, as in all cases no guidance of the marker and usually no simultaneity of storage of the marker and recording of the Balls done. Conversely, these solutions do not work if the marker is picked up and the ball is to be returned to its original position.

Disclosure of the invention

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to carry out a regular recording of the ball and simultaneous storage of the marker or storage of the ball and recording of the marker, without the player having to stoop excessively.

This object is achieved by a golf club, in particular a golf putter with the features of claim 1 and a ball marker used together according to claim 22.

With the modified golf club or putter, the ball can be picked up from the green and also marked upright. This process is performed with the putter head. A big advantage is that in the onward play of the Operation is carried out in reverse order, ie the set marker is preferably removed standing upright by means of the putter head after previously the ball was returned to its original position. Manipulations are largely excluded with regard to the distance between the ball marker and the ball hole, since the marker is preferably positively guided both during placement and during recording.

Further advantages emerge from the subclaims and the following description.

Brief description of the figures

In the accompanying drawings, the invention will be described in detail. Details may be changed / improved by modifications without thereby changing the purpose of the invention. Show it:

1 shows the putter in plan view,

2 is a side view of the putter,

3 shows the putter in a view of the club face,

4 shows a plan view of the putter with a golf ball, FIG. 5, 6 shows a section through the center of the putter immediately before and after Ballauf¬,

7 is a plan view in the normal position, ie without a golf ball of a further embodiment with a two-arm rocker,

8, 9 representations according to FIGS. 5, 6 of the further embodiment, FIG. 10 shows a marker in side view and plan view,

Fig. 11 is a specially designed for holding with ball detent marker.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments are only examples that are not intended to limit the inventive concept to a particular arrangement. Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the respective components of the golf club or the explained procedure, since these components and methods may vary. The terms used herein are intended only to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. If the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description and in the claims, these also refer to the majority of these elements, as long as the overall context does not unambiguously make otherwise clear. The same applies in the opposite direction.

1 shows the putter in its top view. The choice of material, as well as the external shape and the attachment of the shaft 1 are not the subject of the invention. Fig. 1 shows the open top, cylindrical opening 2, which serves to receive the Golf¬ balls, and the rocker 3 in the "one-finger" design. The outwardly widened putter sole 5 serves to receive the ball from the green without setting the marker 13. The rear, preferably round or oval recess 4 allows a view of the set marker when the golf ball 18 is replaced. This makes it easier to locate and Positioning of the marker located on the green possible. According to FIG. 2, a side view of the putter, the rear putter sole 6 may be bevelled upwards due to its function, as will be discussed below.

FIG. 4 shows the plan view of the putter with the golf ball 18 received. A section through the center of the putter according to FIG. 5 shows the mechanism in the starting position shortly before the ball ¬ measure with the centrally mounted, cylindrical opening 2, which serves for ball recording. The opening 2 is conically tapered on the upper side of the putter for the defined limitation of the immersion of the golf ball. The diameter of the opening is larger than that of a normal golf ball. As a result, "Magnum" balls can be recorded.

An element of the invention is the rocker 3. It is simple in design and can be manufactured as a molded part from various materials (eg metal or plastic). The rocker is pivotally mounted about a preferably formed by at least one bolt pivot axis 15 and establishes the functional connection between the golf ball 18 and marker 13 ago. The rocker can be designed both as a single-arm rocker 3, or as a two-arm rocker 3a (Figure 7). The golf ball facing side is the Shape of the golf ball 18 adapted. The other side of the rocker serves to receive and fix the marker 13. This is held in the putter head either by frictional connection (FIG. 5) or by a positive connection, such as clamping elements 16 (FIG. The marker in turn fixed in the normal position, ie without ball recording, the rocker 3 and 3a.

Fig. 5 also shows the spring element 7 with the attached rivet head 8 in a relaxed position. The spring element 7 has the task to press the recorded golf ball 18 by the resulting spring force against the rocker 3. The rivet head 8 is in this case a positive connection with the scaly depressions of the golf ball. This prevents falling out of the golf ball from the putter during ball recording. Instead of the spring element 7 and sprung ball elements or other locking elements can be used, which can be accommodated in the rocker 3. In principle, further embodiments are conceivable which are familiar to the person skilled in the art, provided that a temporary fixation of the ball in the putter is ensured.

Fig. 5 shows the held in this embodiment by magnet rocker 3 in the normal position. The magnet has an effect on the marker, which fixes the rocker between marker and putter. A special feature is that the arm of the rocker 3 in this position does not protrude beyond the top of the putter.

Record golf ball:

When recording the ball, the putter is guided over the golf ball 18. This happens one-handed and upright. By gentle pressure on the putter presses the golf ball against the rocker 3 and 3a and the spring element 7. This moves the rocker and releases the marker 13 from its holder. With increasing ball recording, the marker is positively moved in and from the rocker 3, 3a to the green and there pressed. The arm of the rocker associated with the marker almost aligns with the putter bottom 5 in this position. Ball 18, spring element 7 and rocker 3 remain in their position by the golf ball they receive, even if the putter is lifted vertically. The marker 13 itself remains positioned on the green back. If necessary, a forced guidance can be provided for the marker. Fig. 6 shows the recorded ball, the tensioned spring element 7 and the rocker 3 in the holding and marking position, ie after the ball is received and the marker 13 is discontinued.

7 also shows a plan view in the normal position, ie without a golf ball, in a further embodiment with a "two-arm rocker" 3a This view shows the two tensioning elements 16 with spring-loaded balls In addition, the recess 4 is easy to er¬ know by which the marker 13 can be targeted.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are essentially identical to FIGS. 5 and 6 except for the two-arm rocker. In addition, the marker 13 is held enlarged as shown in FIG. 11 by two spring-loaded balls or ball locking bolts. Fig. 9 illustrates that after Ballauf¬ acceptance the two rocker arm are in a horizontal position. In this variant, they do not project beyond the top of the putter, counter to the single-arm rocker in FIG. 6.

Golfball again putting down on the green:

In the case of ball storage, the putter head in which the golf ball 18 is located is preferably positioned upright and one-handedly over the marker located on the green in such a way that the recess 11 (FIGS. 6, 9) in the rocker 3,3a centered on the marker 13. The finding of the marker and the positioning of the recess 11 above the marker is substantially facilitated by the recess 4 (FIGS. 6, 9).

By slightly lateral pivoting of the putter head in the direction of the slope 12 (Figure 6) by means of the shaft 1, the golf ball 18 is pushed out of its holding position. With increasing ball placement, the marker 13 simultaneously approaches its holding position until it is locked. The putter can now be removed upwards. The ball is in its original putt position and can be putted. Since the process inevitably runs a manipulation of the golf ball in the ball storage is not possible!

Fig. 10 shows the marker which has been specially designed for holding with the magnet. By the straight flat 9, which cuts off a portion of the receiving cone, it is prevented that the marker 13 can be resumed with its upper side 13a in a wrong and thus not regular position of the putter. The lower tip 10 gives the marker a better grip and a better fixation on the green. The marker according to FIG. 10 is for a holder with magnet 11, for such a spring-loaded balls as the tensioning element 16. The spring element according to FIG. 5 has a relatively large spring travel and serves for golf ball support and for bridging the various golf ball diameters.

With this device, picking up or dropping the golf ball and depositing or picking up the marker on the green is possible in accordance with the valid golf rules. On the one hand, the marker is guided during the deposition, so that a reproducible storage is possible. On the other hand, if necessary, the marker is deposited according to the rules from the point of view of the hole behind the ball. When using the golf club, the marker is first set in accordance with the rules before the ball can be taken from the green with the putter. When the ball is laid back, the ball is first positioned on the green depending on the position of the marker before the marker is removed. The recording position corresponds exactly to the storage position of the marker, so that a position manipulation of the forcibly returned golf ball in relation to the putt hole is largely excluded

It will be understood that this description is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, ranging from equivalents to the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 shaft

2 opening

3 seesaw

3a Two-arm rocker

4 recess

5 putter sole

6 rear putter sole

7 spring element

8 increase / rivet head

9 area

10 tip

11 recess

12 slope

13 markers

13a top

15 pivot axis

16 clamping element

17 clubface

18 golf ball

Claims

claims

1. golf clubs, in particular golf putter, with a device for alternately picking up and simultaneously depositing a marker (13) on the green or depositing a golf ball (18) by means of a mechanical pivot mechanism, whereby both the ball recording and the discard of the marker (13) as well as the ball placement and the recording of the marker from the green by the player is essentially standing, characterized in that the mechanical pivot mechanism by ei¬ ne pivotally mounted rocker (3, 3a) for alternately receiving ball (18) and marker (13) is formed and that also the depositing of the golf ball (18) takes place simultaneously with the recording of the marker (13).

2. Golf club according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the golf club is a full-fledged putter for putting.

3. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that an opening (2) in the putter head for receiving and fixing a Golf¬ balls (18) is provided, which is cylindrical and larger than a normal golf ball.

4. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that at least one spring element (7) with Nietkopfartiger increase (8) is provided for ball fixation, which preferably cooperates with the scale-like Vertiefun¬ conditions of the golf ball for fixing.

5. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the rocker (3) as a multi-function rocker at least one arm, preferably two arms.

6. Golf club according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one arm is designed so that it lies in the Puttstellung under the putter top and does not protrude upwards.

7. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the marker associated lever of the rocker (3,3a) in the position in which the golf club receives the ball (18), the marker (13) to the ground leads.

8. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that of the marker associated lever of the rocker (3,3a) in the position in which the golf club receives the ball (18), with the putter sole (5) in Wesentli ¬ chen aligned.

9. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the marker associated lever of the rocker (3,3a) in the position in which the golf club receives the ball (18), from a slope (12) is spaced, where the rocker (3) is fixed by the marker (13) without the ball being picked up.

10. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the rocker (3, 3a) on the one hand for holding the recorded golf ball (18) in the putter head and to push it out again and on the other hand for controlled movement of the marker (13) of the Marker holder to the Green and vice versa.

11. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that from the view of the club face of the racket rear leg of Wip¬ pe is used to handle the marker.

12. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the rear lever of the rocker (3,3a) performs a controlled forced movement Be¬ movement of the marker from its holding position to the Green and vice versa durch¬.

13. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the marker recording of the rocker (3, 3a) is provided with a conical Ausspa¬ tion (11) for easy insertion and positioning of the marker in his Wie¬ deraufnahme of the Green.

14. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that by the marker fixation in the rocker (3, 3a) and by a flattened te, straight surface (9) on the marker located on the green marker only in a certain Position of the putter is resumable.

15. Golf club according to claim 14, characterized in that the marker Auf¬ acquisition and the marker (13) are designed in their positive connection so that a rotation of the marker in its receptacle, e.g. is prevented by at least one straight surface (9).

16. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the rocker (3,3a) in the region of the marker recording the same width, or an¬ approaching as wide as the putter at this point, so that the rocker, in the Resumption of the marker (13) from the green can be easily operated in¬ by the rocker is moved by slight, obliquely rearward pivoting of the putter shank (1) while pressing the putter on the green and the ball held in the putter (18) released and the marker is brought into its holding position.

17. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the rocker (3,3a) is designed so that rocker and marker (13) are completely embedded in the holding position of the marker in the Puttersohle (5).

18. Golf club according to claim 17, characterized in that rocker (3, 3a) and markers (13) are flush with the putter sole (5).

19. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that for holding the marker (13) and for simultaneously fixing the rocker (3, 3 a) arranged in the putter head, positive or non-positive holding device is provided.

20. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that at the rear of the putter a preferably round or oval recess (4) is provided for locating and targeting the marker (13) located on the green.

21. Golf club according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzeich¬ net, that the putter sole (6) is bevelled at the rear about 20 ° -30 ° to the lateral tilting of the Put¬ age in the ball tray and simultaneous marker recording.

22. Ball marker for use with a golf club according to one of the vorhergehen¬ claims, characterized in that it is provided for easier and exact Fi¬ xieren in the rocker (3) with a conical elevation

23. Ballmarker according to claim 22, characterized in that its upper side (13) for better finding "bright" is applied.

24. Ball marker according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that its shape for receiving is designed so that e.g. by attaching a surface (9) twisting of the marker is not possible.