FR2876038A1 - Golf accessory device for collecting golf balls, has open-worked structure delimiting collecting container and provided with two longitudinal edges, and fixing unit fixing arm disposed on one end of edges so that arm extends vertically - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an open-worked structure (2) which delimits a collecting container and is provided with two longitudinal edges (4, 4`). The longitudinal edges are placed from each other at a distance greater than a golf ball diameter to define an opening through which a ball is introduced into the container. A fixing unit (7) fixes an arm (8) disposed on an end of one of the edges, such that the arm extends vertically.

Description

The present invention relates to a golf accessory that allows the

  recovery of golf balls dropped in a water hazard, or in an obstacle where the ball can not be naturally recovered by hand. It is just as well intended, depending on the choice of versions, the players to recover a ball lost during the game, or for a 5 more systematic collection of balls, such as at the bottom of a water hazard.

  The recovery of the balls lost by a player at the edge of a water hazard or in a natural obstacle, is made today by accessories most often called landing nets, which have the shape of cone or U, fixed at end of a handle, telescopic or not, a transportable length substantially equal to that of a club. The receptacle has an opening that allows recovery of only one bullet at a time. In order to avoid that the recovered ball can get out of itself during the ascent, some models are equipped with a swinging latch located across the opening, which allows, by folding down after the return of the ball in the receptacle, to prohibit this one to come out until a manual recovery.

  When a ball has lost during the game in an obstacle, and this is particularly valid for a water hazard, these devices do not probe the surface on which the ball is based. It is imperative, before each recovery operation, to have perfectly located the ball to hope to recover it in the receptacle element. Given the opacity of most water hazards along a golf course, this operation is all too often made difficult.

  The accessory according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages, and also has other interests: It is composed according to a first feature, a recovery receptacle which has the shape of a rake (at the end of a sleeve), materialized by a series of profiles. The base of the receptacle (1) and (2) is substantially perpendicular to the raking direction and serves as an opening through which will enter the balls. This opening has a dimension greater than that of a bale, and at least one profile that completes the inside of the receptacle in which the bales will be held, the spacings between the bars inside the receptacle being smaller than the diameter of a bale. ball.

  By the raking phenomenon, the probability of coming into contact with the ball, and thereby recovering it, will be much greater, especially for those lying at the bottom of an obstacle in murky or brackish water. The other balls possibly present in the search area will also be out of the water since they will have been taken in the volume of the rake as part of the raking operation.

  The profiles materializing the receptacle are of minimum thickness and density, in order to limit the weight and / or bulk. They are, if possible, a material that is not sensitive to water (aluminum, synthetic materials, etc.). The spacings are large enough to let unwanted debris during the raking, while allowing the trapped bullets remain wedged by gravity between two sections until the rise out of the water.

  According to particular embodiments: -According to the desired use, the interior volume can be conceived in section according to shapes (half cylinder, triangle, or other shape) and different dimensions.

  -According to the desired use, the length of the accessory may vary. For reasons of convenience or discretion, about twenty cm may be sufficient as part of an accessory for use by a player on the course. It may be much more important in the event, for example, of use as a bale recovery tool for cleaning the bottom of a water hazard.

  - The accessory may consist of an element with a handle support, which may be positioned in the middle or in another lateral position eccentric or on the side.

  The accessory according to the description above can fold on both sides along the handle positioned on a support, similarly to the device disclosed in WO 94/07353.

  - The accessory can be folded along the handle positioned on a support, thanks to a hinge about an axis, and which allows its pivoting to be parallel with the handle.This thus allows to limit the bulk during the transport. This solution is particularly suitable for the accessory in a formula with handle on the side.

  - The accessory can be considered hanging on the head of a club that serves as a handle for the accessory. Hooks whose shape and positioning can be adapted, keep it on the head of the club.

  - The accessory can be attached by straps on the head of a club that serves as a handle for the accessory.

  - The accessory can be provided folding. The joint is made possible thanks to the presence of at least one hinge that promotes attachment to the clubhead. The accessory then takes up less space, and can be easily carried in a pocket of the golf bag.

  This solution is particularly suitable in the two previously described versions. -The accessory can be provided with a receptacle dressed with a net.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: FIGS. 1 and 2 show two schematic views of different devices for recovering golf balls according to the invention, in the solution of a rake with a handle fixed in the middle of the rake.

  Figures 3 and 4 are sections showing the principle of recovery of the ball when it enters the receptacle, and its position once returned to the receptacle, and such Io it will remain imprisoned until its release from water, until it comes out by a manual action.

  Figure 5 shows that the operations of raking and recovery of the bullet or balls, are easily done, without risk that the balls do not come out after being recovered, and this, regardless of the inclination of the accessory.

  Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the accessory in use with the support placed on one side.

  Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the accessory in its collapsible use with the support placed on one side inside the receptacle.

  Figure 8 is a schematic view showing the accessory in its folded position.

  Figure 9 is a schematic view showing the accessory in an articulated and foldable version, allowing it to be easily transported in a golf bag taking the minimum space, while being adaptable on the head of a relatively closed club , which eliminates the need to use a handle specially adapted for this purpose.

  Figures 10 and 11 are schematic views showing the accessory attached to the club head, in a non-articulated version, and in an articulated version.

  Fig. 12 is a section showing the position of the bale inside the receptacle in the configuration of Figs. 9 and 11.

  Figure 13 is a schematic view showing the accessory attached by straps on the clubhead.

  Figure 14 is a schematic view detailing the principle of attachment of the two stretcher elements such as those shown in Figure 13.

  With reference to these drawings, and in particular as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device comprises a recovery receptacle which has the shape of a rake. The base of the receptacle is substantially perpendicular to the direction of raking, and serves as an opening between the profiles (1) and (2) which will enter the balls. The other sections (3) form the envelope of the receptacle inside which the balls will be held. Depending on the shape given to the receptacle, the lugs (4) and the profiles (17) or (18) may be necessary to prevent the balls that have been introduced from emerging laterally. The support (5) makes it possible to connect the device to a handle.

  In the embodiment according to Figures 3 and 4, the spacing of the opening face 10 between the sections (1) and (2) which is greater than the diameter of a ball, allows the ball (6) to to be recovered in the receptacle.

  By way of non-limiting example, and considering the external diameter of a bale (4.3 cm), the spacings between the bars (1) and (3), (2) and (3), or (3) and (3), may be close to 4 cm (less than 4.3 cm). The spacing between the bars (1) and (2) determining the opening of the receptacle, will be close to 8 cm in the case of Figure 1, 5 cm in the case of Figures 2 and 4, and 11 cm in the case of Figure 3.

  In the embodiment according to Figures 3 and 4, the ball (6) can not come out of the receptacle after being retracted.

  Referring to Figure 5, the ball can not come out once it has returned.

  Referring to Figure 6, the accessory is used in a version where the handle (7) is positioned on the side and inside the accessory, which allows to fold the accessory along the handle as that it is explained through figures 7 and 8.

  By way of non-limiting example, the length of the accessory may be of the order of 15 to 20 cm to enable it to be sufficiently effective without being too bulky.

  Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the accessory is folded along the handle (7), thanks to a hinge (8) fixed on a support (9) for pivoting. When folding, the handle (7) through the accessory between the two lugs (4) to be parallel to the profiles (1), (2) and (3), and abutting the shim (10).

  Referring to Figure 10, the accessory is hung on the face of the clubhead. Three hooks (14), (15), (16) make it possible to adapt the accessory to the head of the club.

  Referring to Figures 9, 11, 12, the accessory is foldable.Aux two bars (11) are fixed two hinges (12) which allow the articulation of the assembly. These joints may be provided with a spring acting in the direction of the arrow (13) to facilitate the approximation of the two articulated frames, promoting the attachment.

  Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the accessory is fixed on the club head by means of two strips (19) and (20), they themselves meme attached to the accessory by the eyelets (22). These strips each have at their end an adhesive face (21) .By being put in contact with each other, the two adhesive faces (21) allow the attachment of the two strips.

  The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for collecting stray balls during a golf course, in versions of about twenty centimeters, foldable with support positioned on the side, or adaptable on the head of a club . It is also a more systematic collection of bullets in water hazards, in versions, with longer rakes, with wider openings.

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Claims (1)

6 claims   1) Golf accessory that allows the recovery of balls dropped in a water hazard, or in an obstacle or the ball can not be naturally recovered by hand, characterized in that it consists of a recovery receptacle which in the form of a rake materialized by a series of profiles (at the end of a handle), the base of the receptacle (1) and (2) substantially perpendicular to the raking direction serving as opening through which will enter the balls, this opening having a dimension greater than that of a ball, and at least one profile (3) completing the inside of the receptacle in which the balls will be held, the spacings between the bars inside the receptacle being smaller than the diameter of 'a ball.   2) golf accessory according to claim 1 characterized in that it may consist of an element with a handle support (5), which may be positioned in its middle or in another lateral position eccentric, or on the side.   3) golf accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that it can be folded along the handle (7) positioned on a support (9), thanks to a hinge about an axis (8), and which allows its pivoting to be parallel with the handle (7).   4) golf accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that it is hooked on the head of a club (23) which serves as a handle to the accessory, and that the hooks (14) (15) (16) whose shape and positioning can be adapted to maintain on the club head.   5) golf accessory according to one of claims 1 or 4, characterized in that the strips (19) and (20) connected to (22) maintain it fixed on the head of a club (23) which serves as handle to the accessory.   6) golf accessory according to claim 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that it is articulated, and in that the joint is made possible by the presence of at least one hinge (12) which promotes the hanging on the club head (23).   7) Golf accessory according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the accessory can fold on both sides along the handle positioned on the support (5).   8) golf accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle of the accessory is dressed with a net.