GB2448160A

GB2448160A - Item having attachment means

Info

Publication number: GB2448160A
Application number: GB0706581A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Bailey; Paul Simpson
Original assignee: Northcroft Golf Ltd
Current assignee: Northcroft Golf Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-04
Filing date: 2007-04-04
Publication date: 2008-10-08
Also published as: GB0706581D0

Abstract

An attachment mechanism is adapted to removably retain an item 101 on a part of a separate object. The item 101 comprises a sleeve 103 for receiving the part, and a retaining mechanism in the form of resilient tabs 111a, 111b adapted to resist movement of the object relative to the item 101. The part is inserted when a sliding collar 117 is positioned towards a closed end 105 of the sleeve 103. The sleeve 103 comprises windows 116a, 116b through which respective portions of the resilient tabs 111a, 111b are urged to protrude outwardly when the part is inserted. Thereafter the sliding collar 117 is engaged by sliding it along the sleeve 103 towards its open end 107 to the second position. This acts to urge the tabs 111a, 111b, and in particular respective valley portions 114a, 114b thereof, into tighter engagement with the part, resulting in a very strong grip on the object. In the embodiments there are provided golf clubs having golf ball retriever or golf ball lifter attachments fitted to the handle by means of the attachment mechanism.

Description

Item having Attachment Mechanism The present invention relates to an

item other than a golf pitch mark repairer having a mechanism for attaching the item to a part of a separate object.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an item other than a golf pitch mark repairer, the item comprising an attachment mechanism being adapted for removably retaining the item on a part of a separate object, the attachment mechanism comprising a sleeve for receiving the part and a retaining mechanism adapted to resist movement of the part relative to the item, the retaining mechanism comprising a resilient tab adapted and arranged to urge against the part when the part is inserted into the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve comprises a window through which a portion of the resilient tab is urged to protrude outwardly when the part is inserted.

The item is not a golf pitch mark repairer for repairing a pitch mark left by a golf ball after landing on a green, and particularly not a golf pitch mark repairer as described in our co-pending PCT Patent Application No. PCT/GB2006/050305. Such a golf pitch mark repairer is specifically excluded from the scope of the appended claims.

The resilient tab may be adapted and arranged to be urged outwardly when the part is inserted into the sleeve.

The resilient tab may comprise a portion adapted and arranged to present an angled surface to the part as it is inserted into the sleeve, thereby urging the resilient tab outwards.

The item may further comprise a sliding collar at least partly surrounding the sleeve that is slidable from a first position along the sleeve, in which the portion is able so to protrude when the part is inserted, to a second position along the sleeve in which the sliding collar acts to urge the protruding portion back inwardly, thereby increasing a retaining force of the resilient tab on the part when the sliding collar is in the second position.

The resilient tab and window may be mutually formed from a wall of the sleeve.

The resilient tab may comprise an inwardly-facing valley-shaped gripping portion.

The resilient tab may be an elongate tab facing substantially along the length of the sleeve.

The resilient tab may be fixed at one end thereof and free at the other.

The angled surface may be provided towards the free end.

The resilient tab may be fixed at both ends thereof At least one end of the resilient tab may be fixed to or emanate from a side wall of the sleeve.

The item may comprise two or more such resilient tabs.

The two or more resilient tabs may be arranged in an opposing fashion.

The item may comprise such a window corresponding to each resilient tab.

The sleeve may be shaped at least internally to correspond at least to some degree to the shape of the part.

The part may be an end portion of a golf club handle.

The golf club may be a putter.

The sleeve may have an open end and a closed end, the open end being for receiving the part.

The sleeve may be substantially enclosed except at its open end.

The sleeve may have an enclosed cross section along at least part of its length.

At least an open end of the sleeve for receiving the part may have an enclosed cross section.

An open end of the sleeve for receiving the part may be substantially resilient to moderate outward radial forces applied at any point on its cross section, such as those forces applied when inserting the part into the sleeve.

The sleeve may be adapted when at rest to present an opening at least as large as a cross sect ion of the part.

The item may be a golf ball retriever.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure IA is a side view of an attachment mechanism for use with an item embodying the present invention; Figure lB is a front view of the attachment mechanism; Figure IC is a top view of the attachment mechanism; Figure 1D is a perspective view of the attachment mechanism; Figure 2A is a cut-away side view of the attachment mechanism Figure 2B is a cut-away front view of the attachment mechanism; Figure 2C is a cut-away top view of the attachment mechanism; and Figure 2D is a cut-away perspective view of the attachment mechanism.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an item comprising an attachment mechanism which is adapted for removably retaining the item on a part of a separate object. An attachment mechanism suitable for use with an embodiment of the present invention will be described below in the case where the item is a golf pitch mark repairer for repairing a pitch mark left by a golf ball after landing on a green. However, it is to be understood that a golf pitch mark repairer is used only to illustrate the attachment mechanism itself, and that a golf pitch mark repairer is not an item embodying the present invention. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the attachment mechanism described below can readily be applied to an item other than a golf pitch mark repairer, and it is an item other than a golf pitch mark repairer that is an embodiment of the present invention.

Before a description of the attachment mechanism for use with an embodiment of the present invention, some brief background information relating to golf pitch mark repairers will first be provided to put the description below in context, and also to provide an idea as to what other uses the attachment mechanism might have.

When a golf ball strikes the green it often leaves a small indentation, referred to as a "pitch mark". To eradicate these holes, golfers use a pitch mark repairer, which is typically a two-pronged piece of metal or plastic that allows the player to lift up the turf compressed by the impact of the golf ball, thereby removing the indentation. It is also considered good practice to repair other pitch marks if they have been left un-repaired by previous players. Golf clubs generally ask players to repair pitch marks, since an indentation caused by a golf ball will generally be unnoticed within 24 hours if repaired within a few minutes, but damage to the green will take very much longer to recover if not.

Therefore, removing and repairing pitch marks is considered very important by all clubs and players, and it is considered bad etiquette if a player does not make at least some attempt to repair his or her pitch mark.

At present, a golfer must repeatedly bend over to reach their pitch marks on the green, and this can put a significant strain on the golfer's back over time. This is particularly the case in view of the popularity of golf among an ageing population.

In view of the above-mentioned difficulties associated with bending over repeatedly to repair pitch marks, it has been previously proposed to provide a pitch mark repairer that is adapted to be removably retained on an extremity of a golf club, for example on the end of the handle of a putter. This allows the golfer to utilise the reach of the putter to facilitate repair of a pitch mark using the pitch mark repairer, holding the putter head end of the club whilst repairing the pitch mark with the pitch mark repairer attached to the other, handle, end. This considerably reduces the requirement for bending in the course of repairing the pitch mark, as compared with conventional pitch mark repairers, and greatly reduces the amount of effort required to effect a suitable repair.

This same concept can be applied to other applications, to address similar issues. It is desirable in many situations to attach an item to an elongate object, so as to use the reach afforded by the elongate object to facilitate the positioning or use of the item. It is desirable to provide such an item with an effective attachment mechanism for attachment of the item to the elongate object. Other more general applications will also readily apparent, for example where the object to which the item is being attached is not elongate at all; the attachment mechanism can be used to connect any two components together.

As mentioned above, a suitable attachment mechanism will now be described in relation to a pitch mark repairer, although a golf pitch mark repairer does not itself represent an embodiment of the present invention.

An illustrative golf pitch mark repairer 101 with attachment mechanism is shown in Figures IA to 2D. The pitch mark repairer 101 comprises a sleeve 103 having a closed end 105 and an open end 107. Two prongs 109, not forming part of the attachment mechanism as such, extend from the closed end 105 of sleeve 103 substantially at right angles. A resilient retaining tab lila is formed within a window I 16a provided in top wall 113a of the sleeve 103, the resilient tab lila having a fixed end merging with the top wall II 3a towards the closed end 105 of the sleeve 103 and a free end substantially level with the top wall 11 3a towards the open end 107 of the sleeve 103. The resilient tab lila is shaped to curve inwardly to form a valley portion 1 14a between the fixed and free ends, as can best be seen in Figures 2A and 2D. The free end of the tab lila presents an angled portion liSa to an object being inserted into the open end 107 of the sleeve 103. With the sliding collar 117 in the position shown in the Figures, the free end of retaining tab lila sits naturally at substantially the same level as the top wall ll3a, as can best be seen in Figure 2A, so that the entirety of the retaining tab lila is contained with the external profile defined generally by the sleeve 103.

A similar retaining tab 11 lb is also formed in a bottom wall 1 13b of the sleeve 103, so as to present two opposing retaining tabs lila, 111 b in the interior of the sleeve 103. A sliding collar 117 is also provided around the sleeve 103, slidable between a first position towards the closed end 105 of the sleeve 103, substantially covering the fixed end of the retaining tabs lIla, 1 lib, and a second position towards the open end 107 of the sleeve 103, substantially covering the free end of the retaining tabs lila, Ilib.

In use, with the sliding collar 117 in the first position, the handle of the putter is inserted into the open end 107 of the sleeve 103. Respective angled portions liSa, ll5b of the tabs lIla, 11 lb present angled surfaces liSa, liSb to the putter handle being inserted into the sleeve 103, and contact between the putter handle and the angled surfaces liSa, 11 Sb urges the resilient tabs lila, ii lb outward, towards and through respective windows 116a and 1 16b in the top and bottom waIls 1 13a, I 13b of the sleeve 103, making way for the putter handle is it moves inside the sleeve 103. Due to the resiliency of the tabs lila, Ii ib, once the putter handle is fully inserted, the resilient tabs lila, 11 lb will be urged to some extent against the putter handle, particularly the valley portions ll4a, l4b thereof, which act like a pair of claws. Since the putter handle is typically surrounded by a grip made of rubber or a rubber-like material, this acts partly to retain the pitch mark repairer 101 on the putter handle at least to some extent during use.

At this point, the sliding collar 117 can be engaged by sliding it along the sleeve 103 towards its open end 107 to the second position. Since at least the respective free ends of the resilient tabs lila and ii lb will be protruding through the respective windows 11 6a and 11 6b, the sliding of the collar 117 acts on the outer surface of the protruding parts of the tabs lila, ii lb to urge them, and in particular the valley portions 1 14a, 14b thereof, into tighter engagement with the putter handle, resulting in a stronger and more secure grip on the putter handle. With the sliding collar 117 engaged in this way, the pitch mark repairer 101 can be used more reliably to repair pitch marks.

In order to remove the pitch mark repairer 101 from the putter handle, the sliding collar 117 is slid back to the first position, releasing the tight grip of the resilient tabs lila, 11 ib, and enabling the pitch mark repairer to be slid off the putter handle.

The prongs 109 are generally similar to those found on a conventional pitch mark repairer, and may be formed of metal or plastic, approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) long.

Suitable dimensions of an example pitch mark repairer 101 are as follows, with the following letter references corresponding to those marked in the Figures; these values are mere examples and are not intended to be limiting: A: 42mm B: 34mm C: 37.5 mm D: 27mm E: 109mm F: 140mm 0: 23mm The components of the pitch mark repairer 101 are preferably moulded. The window i16a and resilient tab lila can conveniently be mutually formed, for example by pressing/cutting out the periphery of the window shape except at one end, leaving the resilient tab lila formed integrally and mutually within the window 1 i6a; the resilient tab ii Ia can then be shaped appropriately. The sliding collar is suitably adapted to be applied with a promotional design, company logo or other type of advertising information, either integrated into its moulded construction or applied separately, for example by adhesive means. Such promotional material can also be placed elsewhere on the pitch mark repairer, such as on the sleeve 103.

The sleeve 103 is shaped in such a way to allow the pitch mark repairer 101 to be firmly located and retained on the end of the putter shaft, with good resistance against rotational forces acting on the pitch mark repairer 101 in use.

Grips on putter handles are available in varying thicknesses and shapes, and more than one size of pitch mark repairer can be produced to account for this, although a particular size of pitch mark repairer 101 can function effectively on a range of handle sizes; there is no requirement for an exact fit between the putter handle and the sleeve 103. The same applies to scenarios where the attachment mechanism is applied to items other than a pitch mark repairer, particularly for example where the item is one such as a golf ball retriever also for attachment to a golf club.

The pitch mark repairer 101 and sleeve 103 can be provided in a variety of lengths, and as it is anticipated that the pitch mark repairer 101 will hang on the side the golf bag (and not carried in the pocket), the length of the sleeve 103 would not be in itself significant in as far as the convenience of the device is concerned. The same applies to scenarios where the attachment mechanism is applied to items other than a pitch mark repairer, particularly for example where the item is one such as a golf ball retriever also for attachment to a golf club.

Since a putter is normally carried onto the green, a pitch mark repairer embodying the present invention would usually be adapted to be retained on a putter handle as described above. However, an embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to other types of golf club. The same applies to scenarios where the attachment mechanism is applied to items other than a pitch mark repairer, particularly for example where the item is one such as a golf ball retriever also for attachment to a golf club.

In addition, although the example pitch mark repairer described above is adapted for attached to the handle end of the club, it is also possible that a suitably-adapted pitch mark repairer would be removably attached to the club-head end of the go If club, so that the golfer would hold the handle end of the club whilst repairing the pitch mark. The same applies to scenarios where the attachment mechanism is applied to items other than a pitch mark repairer, particularly for example where the item is one such as a golf ball retriever also for attachment to a golf club. In this respect, the attachment mechanism can be suitably adapted to fit to items of a variety of different shapes and sizes.

It will be appreciated that modifications of the attachment mechanism described above without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, although it is preferable to have two opposed retaining tabs lila and 11 ib, it would be possible to make do with only one; it would also be possible to have three or four, for example. Also, although the resilient tabs lila and 11 lb are shown and described as having a free end and a fixed end, it is also possible that both ends are fixed; such a resilient tab would be suitably shaped between the two fixed ends to allow at least a portion to be urged outwardly to protrude through its window to be acted on in the reverse direction by the sliding collar as it moves over the protruding portion -for example, a sort of W-shaped retaining tab would be suitable.

It will be readily appreciated that the attachment mechanism described above can readily be applied to other types of item, in the most simple case simply by replacing the prongs 109 with some other tool, apparatus or arrangement. The attachment mechanism can, therefore, simply be seen as a means for attaching an arrangement 109 of some sort to a part of a separate object. For example, the attachment mechanism can be applied to a golf ball retriever, where the arrangement 109 is a retriever for picking up golf balls. Similarly, the item could relate to a golf ball lifter. Or a rod of a standard club length can be provided with such an attachment mechanism for temporary attachment to a golf club so as to provide a convenient means of measuring out two clubs' length according to the rules of golf when "dropping" a ball. However, applications are by no means limited to the golfing scenario; an attachment mechanism as described is ideal in any situation where a quick, perhaps temporary, and yet relatively secure connection is required between any two items. It can be applied in the automotive, electronic and photographic industries, for example.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An item other than a golf pitch mark repairer, the item

comprising an attachment mechanism being adapted for removably retaining the item on a part of a separate object, the attachment mechanism comprising a sleeve for receiving the part and a retaining mechanism adapted to resist movement of the part relative to the item, the retaining mechanism comprising a resilient tab adapted and arranged to urge against the part when the part is inserted into the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve comprises a window through which a portion of the resilient tab is urged to protrude outwardly when the part is inserted.
2. An item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient tab is adapted and arranged to be urged outwardly when the part is inserted into the sleeve.
3. An item as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient tab comprises a portion adapted and arranged to present an angled surface to the part as it is inserted into the sleeve, thereby urging the resilient tab outwards.
4. An item as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a sliding collar at least partly surrounding the sleeve that is slidable from a first position along the sleeve, in which the portion is able so to protrude when the part is inserted, to a second position along the sleeve in which the sliding collar acts to urge the protruding portion back inwardly, thereby increasing a retaining force of the resilient tab on the part when the sliding collar is in the second position.
5. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient tab and window are mutually formed from a wall of the sleeve.
6. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient tab comprises an inwardly-facing valley-shaped gripping portion.
7. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient tab is an elongate tab facing substantially along the length of the sleeve.
8. An item as claimed in claim 7, wherein the resilient tab is fixed at one end thereof and free at the other.
9. An item as claimed in claim 8, when dependent on claim 3, the angled surface is provided towards the free end.
10. An item as claimed in claim 7, wherein the resilient tab is fixed at both ends thereof.
11. An item as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein at least one end of the resilient tab is fixed to or emanates from a side wall of the sleeve.
12. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising two or more such resilient tabs.
13. An item as claimed in claim 12, wherein the two or more resilient tabs are arranged in an opposing fashion.
14. An item as claimed in claim 12 or 13, comprising such a window corresponding to each resilient tab.
15. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is shaped at least internally to correspond at least to some degree to the shape of the part.
16. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the part is an end portion of a golf club handle.
17. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the golf club is a putter.
18. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve has an open end and a closed end, the open end being for receiving the part.
19. An item as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sleeve is substantially enclosed except at its open end.
20. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve has an enclosed cross section along at least part of its length.
21. An item as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least an open end of the sleeve for receiving the part has an enclosed cross section.
22. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an open end of the sleeve for receiving the part is substantially resilient to moderate outward radial forces applied at any point on its cross section, such as those forces applied when inserting the part into the sleeve.
23. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is adapted when at rest to present an opening at least as large as a cross section of the part.
24. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, being a golf ball retriever or a golf ball lifter.