GB2472862A

GB2472862A - A pitch mark repair tool

Info

Publication number: GB2472862A
Application number: GB0914694A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Fuller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-21
Filing date: 2009-08-21
Publication date: 2011-02-23
Also published as: WO2011021049A3; GB201004312D0; WO2011021049A2; GB0914694D0; GB2472881A

Abstract

A device 1 for repairing pitch marks comprises a means for lifting turf 5 and a means for sharpening a pencil 7. The turf lifting means preferably comprises two elongate prongs (13, figure 2) extending in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis (35, figure 7) of the device. The means for sharpening a pencil may comprise a blade 25 with a straight edge, and is preferably positioned along the longitudinal axis, with the blade edge perpendicular to the axis. A hollow 9 and a recess 11 for location of an index finger and a thumb respectively may be located on opposite sides of the device. A hole may be provided, optionally as part of the pencil sharpening means, for holding a cigarette (51, figure 11). The device may also comprise a golf club rest (49, figure 11). A magnet (45, figure 10), to which a removable ball marker (47, figure 10) is attracted, may also be included.

Description

Pitch Mark Repair Tool The present invention relates to a pitch mark repair tool.

When a golf ball lands on a putting surface, it can leave a depression, known as a pitch mark, in the ground. A pitch mark repairer is a well known tool used to repair this type of damage to the putting surface caused by a golf ball landing on the surface.

A golf player will often record their score with a pencil. When the pencil becomes blunt, they may use a pencil sharpener to sharpen the pencil. Pencil sharpeners are also well known. A pencil sharpener can be a member having a hole in it with a blade projecting into the hole. What is not known is a device which comprises both a means for lifting turf and a means for sharpening a pencil, for example a pencil sharpener.

Advantageously, a golf player need not carry a separate pencil sharpener and a separate means for lifting turf. It is convenient to provide the two in one device. The means for sharpening a pencil may alternatively be a blade.

The present invention provides a device for repairing pitch marks comprising a means for lifting turf and a means for sharpening a pencil, for example, a pencil sharpener.

The device may comprise a holding means which is an area intended for a user to hold the device in use.

The pencil sharpener and means for lifting turf may be positioned along a longitudinal axis of the device. The dimensions of the device will include a length, a width and a height, with the longitudinal axis extending along the length of the device.

The pencil sharpener and the means for lifting turf may be unitary. In this case the pencil sharpener and the means for lifting the turf are integral with one another. They may share components. Alternatively, the pencil sharpener could be a distinct unit which is attached to the tool and the two would then not be unitary.

A cavity may be provided in the device in which a pencil can be located to be sharpened in use. A blade of the pencil sharpener may project into the cavity.

A blade of the pencil sharpener may be secured in position by a screw. Should the blade need replacing, a user can easily unscrew the screw and remove the blade which needs to be replaced.

The pencil sharpener may have a blade with a straight edge. The blade may be aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool. Alternatively, the blade may be aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis, or at other angles inbetween. The pencil sharpener may be an electronic pencil sharpener.

The means for lifting turf may comprise two elongate prongs. Alternatively, it may just comprise one prong, or other designs of means for lifting turf. The device may comprise a body, with the elongate prongs extending from the body in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. The prongs need not be exactly parallel with the longitudinal axis as may have a curvature.

The device may comprise a hollow for location of an index finger. A user can place their index finger in the hollow to aid use of the device. The hollow may extend in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool. The hollow may extend across the device body, from one side of the body to another.

The device may comprise a recess for location of a thumb. A user can place their thumb in the recess to aid use of the device. The recess may be located on an opposite side of the device to the hollow, advantageously aiding holding of the device in a pincer grip by a user. The recess may have a perimeter edge with a semi-elliptical shape. This outline is similar to the shape of a thumb defining an area in which a thumb can be located and aiding a user in holding the device. The recess may be deeper towards the turf-lifting tool. This aids a user in using the device since if a user wishes to pull on the device in a direction away from the turf lifting means there will be a reaction force from the recess having a component against the pulling direction.

The recess may be planar. The recess may also have a lip around the perimeter edge between the recess and an adjacent unrecessed area of the device. The lip may slope having a gradient of between 30° and 70°, preferably 450, between the lip and the recessed area and/or between the lip and the adjacent non-recessed area. Advantageously, a user's thumb will not be abut against a sharp change in gradient in use if their thumb presses against the lip, making the device more comfortable to use.

Advantageously, the pencil sharpener may be arranged between the means for lifting turf and the holding means. This compact arrangement enables a user to hold the device on either side of the pencil sharpener when sharpening the pencil.

The device may comprise a hole with a holding means for holding a cigarette. The hole may comprise the means for sharpening the pencil, in particular the hole may be the pencil entrance of a pencil sharpener, through which a pencil is inserted to gain access to the cavity beneath the blade. The holding means may comprise a resiliently deformable elastic element. A cigarette will deform the elastic element on entering the hole, the cigarette being held in place by the restoring force of the elastic element acting on the cigarette. The holding means may comprise two diametrically opposed elements, or an annular element.

The device may comprise a golf club rest. The golf club rest can be located on an end of the device. The rest may be a concave surface shaped to co-operate with a handle of a golf club and the outer contour of the device itself may be shaped to provide the surface.

The device can be partly located in the ground such that the rest provides a surface on which a handle of the golf club can be laid. Advantageously, the club handle will not get wet if it is laid on the rest when the ground is damp. If the device comprises elongate prongs, the prongs may be located at an opposite end of the device to the golf club rest.

Advantageously, when the prongs are located in the ground, the rest is then provided on the uppermost surface of the device and the golf club can be easily rested on the golf club rest. The two elongate prongs may extend generally perpendicularly to a rest surface of the golf club rest. The word generally is used since the rest surface may have a slight curve, for example if the rest surface is concave and shaped to co-operate with a handle of the golf club. When the prongs are located in the ground, approximately orthogonal to the ground surface, the rest surface on which the club may rest is located generally parallel to the ground. In this way, the rest surface is orientated at such an angle that the golf club can easily be rested on the rest surface.

The device may comprise a magnet. The magnet may be located within the device so as not to be visible from the outside. A ball marker which is attracted to the magnet can therefore be removably located on the device. The ball marker can be a disc-shaped object which may have a logo on one side, for marking the position of a ball.

This invention also provides for a method of using a device according to any one of the preceding claims to repair pitch marks.

Further advantageous optional features of the invention are set out in the sub-claims.

There now follows a detailed description of embodiments of the invention by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 5 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 6 is a side view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 7 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the device;

S

Figure 8 is an end view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 9 is a second end view of a first embodiment of the device; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device; Figure 11 is a view of the second embodiment partially located in the ground; and Figure 12 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the device.

Figures 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the invention. The device has a means for lifting turfS at one end of the device I and a holding means 3 at the opposite end of the device I to the means for lifting turf 5.

The turf lifting tool comprises two tapered elongate prongs 13. Each prong tapers in a direction away from the gripping surface 3 and has a rounded end 15. The prongs extend from a body 33 of the device in a direction generally parallel with a longitudinal axis 35 of the device (see Figure 7).

The gripping surface comprises a hollow 9 on an upper surface 21 of the device. The hollow 9 extends across a full width of the device. The hollow is a smooth half-pipe shaped depression in which a user can lay their index finger. The gripping surface also comprises a recess II on a lower surface 23 of the device. The recess has a perimeter edge 39 with a semi-elliptical shape, meaning that the outline of the recessed area is that of a semi-ellipse, and the floor of the recess is a sloping plane 19. The recess is deeper towards the turf-lifting tool. A lip 17 is formed between the sloping plane 19 and the upper surface 21 of the device. The lip 17 is not perpendicular to the plane 19 and instead it is at an angle of 45° to the recess 11 and at 45° to an adjacent surface 37 of the device (see Figure 2). A user can lay their thumb in the recess 11.

The pencil sharpener 7 is integrated with the device, meaning it is not a separate unit attachable to the tool. The blade 25 of the pencil sharpener is secured by a screw to an upper surface 21 of the device. A blade location region 31 is provided in one surface 21 of the device I in which the blade 31 can be located such that the blade 31 does not protrude above one surface 21.

The device has a longitudinal axis 35, as indicated in Figure 7. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis is parallel with an intended insert direction of the turf-lifting means.

The cutting blade of the pencil sharpener is arranged perpendicular to this axis. The pencil entrance 27 is an opening formed in a side 29 of the device between the upper and I 5 lower sides of the device. The entrance 27 is a circular hole formed in the device. A cavity is provided in the device beneath the blade 25 in which a pencil can be located in use and the pencil is located in the cavity by insertion through the pencil entrance 27.

Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of the device which is substantially similar to the first embodiment of the device, except the means for sharpening a pencil comprises an annular element 43 around the inside of the pencil entrance 127. A cigarette 51 can be located with one end in the cavity beneath the blade 25 and is held there by the restoring force of the resilient annular element 43 and the cigarette. The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment since an end 57 of the device comprises a depression 49 shaped to co-operate with a handle 55 of a golf club. The second embodiment again differs from the first embodiment since a magnet 45 is located within the body 133 of the device. The magnet is not visible from the outside. A ball marker 47 can therefore be removably located on the device, for example on the recess Ill on a surface of the device. The ball marker may show a logo. The ball marker can be removed from the device by a player and used to mark the position of the golf ball.

Figure II shows the second embodiment of the device in use. The two tapered elongate prongs 113 are located in the ground, approximately perpendicular to a ground surface 53. When a player reaches say a putting green, he can partly locate the prongs 113 in the ground and rest the handle 55 of a golf club on the depression 49 to stop it getting damp and touching the ground. If a cigarette 51 is located in the pencil entrance 127, it will also not touch the ground when the prongs 113 are located in the ground and can be held here by the annular element.

Figure 12 shows a third embodiment of the invention. This device is exactly the same as the device described in relation to the first embodiment but a loop 41 is provided. The ioop is a thin wire, bent in semi-elliptical shape and attached at either end to the body 33 of the device.

In use, a user grips the tool with a pincer grip having their forefinger in the hollow 9 and 1 5 thumb in the recess 11. The means for lifting turf 3 is inserted into the grass in the region of a depression on a golf green or other surface. The prongs are angled at around 45 degrees to the ground. A user presses down on the device to lift the turf up and back into place. The user uses the pencil sharpener when required.

Features disclosed in the context of each of the figures can also be combined to form other embodiments not illustrated here within the scope of protection defined by the claims,

Claims

Claims 1. A device for repairing pitch marks comprising a means for lifting turf and a means for sharpening a pencil.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for sharpening a pencil and the means for lifting turf are unitary.
3. A device according to claim I or 2, wherein the means for sharpening a pencil and the means for lifting turf are positioned along a longitudinal axis of the device.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the means for sharpening a pencil comprises a blade having a straight edge.
5. A device according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the blade edge is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for lifting turf comprises two elongate prongs
7. A device according to claim 6, when dependent on claim 5 or claim 3, wherein the prongs extend from a body of the device in a general direction parallel with the longitudinal axis.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hollow for location of an index finger.
9. A device according to claim 8, when dependent on claim 7, 5 or 3, wherein the hollow is elongate with a longitudinal axis thereof extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a recess for location of a thumb.
11. A device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the recess is located on an opposite side of the device to the hollow.
12. A device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the recess has a perimeter edge with a semi-elliptical shape.
13. A device according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the recess is deeper towards the turf-lifting tool.
14, A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pencil sharpener is arranged between the means for lifting turf and a holding means.
15, A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for sharpening a pencil is a pencil sharpener.
16. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hole provided with a holding means for holding a cigarette.
17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the means for sharpening a pencil comprises the hole.
18. A device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the holding means comprises a resiliently deformable elastic element.
19. A device according to claim 1 8, wherein the resiliently deformable elastic element is annular.
20. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a golf club rest.
2 1. A device according to claim 20, wherein the golf club rest is a concave surface shaped to co-operate with a handle of a golf club.
22. A device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the golf club rest is provided on an end of the device.
23. A device according to claim 22, when dependent on claim 6 or 7. wherein the two elongate prongs are provided on an opposite end of the device to the end on which the golf club rest is provided.
24. A device according to any one of claims 20 to 23, when dependent on claim 6 or 1 5 7, wherein the two elongate prongs extend generally perpendicularly to a rest surface of the golf club rest.
25. A device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a magnet.
26. A device, according to claim 23, comprising a removable ball marker attracted to the magnet.
27. A method of using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of repairing pitch marks with the means for lifting turf.
28. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.