US20220314085A1

US20220314085A1 - Automatic winding device for golf towel

Info

Publication number: US20220314085A1
Application number: US17/599,569
Authority: US
Inventors: Min Gyu OH
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-02
Filing date: 2021-06-11
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: CN216963489U; KR102196738B1; JP2022542208A; DE212021000186U1; WO2022005044A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic winding device for a golf towel, which can hold a towel out of a case when a user pulls the towel and automatically wind the towel so that the towel is put into the case when the user pulls and releases the towel after using it, thereby providing user convenience.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an automatic winding device for a golf towel, and more particularly, to an automatic winding device for a golf towel which can hold a towel out of a case when a user pulls the towel and automatically wind the towel so that the towel is put into the case when the user pulls and releases the towel after using it, thereby providing user convenience.

BACKGROUND ART

Golf is sports to determine level depending on how few strokes a golfer records to put a golf ball into a predetermined hole cup. Golfers use a plurality of golf clubs capable of being used depending on situations in order to exactly put the golf ball into the hole cup with fewer strokes.
Therefore, golfers have to select the most appropriate golf club according to situations to show good pitching or putting. For this, about 14 clubs which are different in material, loft, and weight from one another are organized as a set. The golfers play a game while carrying a golf bag, in which the golf clubs are put, throughout the game.
Moreover, golfers have to walk a long distance during a game and sweat a lot during a game in the hot summer. So, the golfers prepare towels, but it is very inconvenient since the golfers have to carry voluminous towels.
Meanwhile, when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club, foreign matters, such as soil or grasses, are put on a head of the golf club. Especially, in case of a golf club for an approach, which has a valley formed on a face of the head, foreign matters are accumulated on the inner face of the valley. If the foreign matters are not removed early, the foreign matters are hardened on the head of the golf club, and in a severe case, may corrode the head of the golf club.
So, golfers have to carry a towel even with the purpose of removing the foreign matters on the head of the golf club.
Furthermore, a golf ball, a ball marker for indicating a location of the ball, and a golf tee on which the ball is put for tee shot are essential tools necessary for a golf game. Recently, a divot tool for recovering the grass which is sunken during the golf game is frequently used among golfers. So, it is very inconvenient that the golfers play a golf game while carrying all of the towel, the ball marker, the tee, and the divot tool.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic winding device for a golf towel which can store all of a ball marker, a tee, a divot tool, and a towel so that a golfer can carry them conveniently, and automatically wind the towel so that the towel is put into a case when a user pulls and releases the towel after using it.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an automatic winding device for a golf towel including: a case having upper and lower cases coupled with each other and an outlet; a spring case rotatably mounted in the case; a reel spring inserted into the spring case and supported by the case so as to apply a rotational elastic force to the spring case; a towel having one side coupled to the reel spring and the other side coupled to a knob so that the towel is wound on the spring case and is stored in the case; and a locking device for preventing reverse rotation of the spring case in a state where the towel is drawn out of the case.
In this instance, the locking device includes: a first track of a circular shape which is formed on the bottom surface of a rolling panel of the spring case in a groove type; a second track which is formed on the bottom surface of the rolling panel in a groove type and has a diameter larger than that of the first track; a conversion path of a groove type for connecting the first track and the second track with each other; a seating part which is formed between the first track and the second track in a recess type; an approach path of a groove type for connecting the seating part and the first track with each other; a return path of a groove type for connecting the seating part and the second track with each other; a ball guide groove formed on the inner surface of the case getting in contact with the rolling panel; and a ball inserted between the grooves of the bottom surface of the rolling panel and the ball guide groove.
Preferably, the ball guide groove is formed outwards from the center of the inner surface of the case in a linear form.
Moreover, the automatic winding device further includes a tiered part formed at a boundary point between the second track and the return path in order to prevent the ball from going into the second track from the return path when the ball runs reversely.
Furthermore, the automatic winding device further includes a tiered part formed at a boundary point between the seating part and the return path in order to prevent the ball from going into the return path from the seating part.
Additionally, the automatic winding device further includes a tiered part formed at a boundary point between the approach path and the first track in order to prevent the ball from going into the approach path from the first track.
Moreover, the automatic winding device further includes: a divot tool holder coupled by a pin to be rotated on the outer surface of the case; a divot tool which is inserted into or drawn out of the divot tool holder in a lateral direction; and a protrusion protruding from the case at one side of the divot tool holder. When the divot tool gets in contact with the protrusion, the divot tool is caught to the protrusion not to be separated from the divot tool holder. When the divot tool holder rotates around the pin, the divot tool is separated from the divot tool holder.
In this instance, the case includes: a slide groove formed in the case in an arc shape; and a guide protrusion, which protrudes from a lower portion of the divot tool holder and is inserted into the slide groove to guide rotation of the divot tool holder.
Additionally, the automatic winding device further includes: a shaft protruding from the inner surface of the case and inserted into the spring case; and a reel spring fixing slot formed at an end portion of the shaft to support the reel spring so that an end portion of a middle part of the reel spring is inserted into the reel spring fixing slot.

Advantageous Effects

The automatic winding device for a golf towel according to an embodiment of the present invention is very convenient in use since winding and storing a towel in a case, drawing the towel out of the case when a golfer wants to use, and automatically winding and putting the towel into the case after using.
Additionally, because the automatic winding device for a golf towel according to an embodiment of the present invention can store a ball marker, a tee, and a divot tool in the case, it is not necessary for the golfer to carry them separately.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic winding device for a golf towel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a towel is taken out of the device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where a divot tool is combined with the automatic winding device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where a ball marker and a golf tee are combined with the automatic winding device.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where the divot tool is taken out of the automatic winding device.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the automatic winding device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where an upper case and a lower case are combined with each other.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a spring case of the lower case.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the spring case.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view showing a bottom surface of the spring case.

FIGS. 11 to 13 are views showing a state where a locking device is operated in sequence when a user pulls the towel.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views showing a state where the locking device is operated to fix the pulled towel in sequence when the user releases the pulled towel.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views showing a state where the locking device is operated in sequence when the user pulls and releases the towel after using it.


Explanation of essential reference numerals

100: automatic winding device	101: wire
102: knob	110: case
110a: upper case	110b: lower case
111: inlet	112: case coupler
113: coupling protrusion	114: coupling groove
115: slide groove	116: pin hole
117: ball marker holder	118: shaft
119: reel spring fixing slot	121: magnet
122: clip	123: magnet insertion hole
124: ball guide groove	125: tell holder insertion hole
126: supporter	127: protrusion
130: spring case	131: rolling panel
1310: seating part	1311: approach path
1312: first track	1313: conversion path
1314: second track	1315: return path
1317: tiered part	1318: tiered part
1319: tiered part	132: coupling groove
133: first slot	134: second slot
135: reel spring	136: tiered part
137: cover	138: shaft insertion hole
139: coupling protrusion	141: supporter insertion hole
151: divot tool	152: divot tool holder
153: guide protrusion	154: pin
155: tee holder	156: coupling segment
157: tee	158: ball marker holder
159: ball marker	B: ball

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which like reference numbers denote corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
The terms “comprising” and “including” in the discussion directed to the present invention and the claims are used in an open-ended fashion and thus should be interrupted to mean “including”, but not limited thereto.
The terms, “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “under”, used in this specification mean orientations of components as illustrated in the drawings in order to make the description easy.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic winding device 100 for a golf towel according to an embodiment of the present invention has a towel 102 wound and stored in a case 110 so that a user can carry the automatic winding device in which the towel 102 is stored and hold the towel 102 out of the case 110 to use by pulling a knob 103.
The automatic winding device 100 for a golf towel stores not only the towel 102 but also a ball marker, a tee and a divot tool necessary for a golf game. So, a golfer can use them conveniently after holding out of the device when necessary.
FIG. 3 illustrates a state where a divot tool 151 is combined with a divot tool holder 152 formed at one side of a case 110 and is fixed.
FIG. 4 illustrates a state where a golf tee 150 is combined with a tee holder 155 formed at a side of the case 110 and a ball marker 159 is combined with a ball marker holder 158 formed at the other side of the case 110.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, one side of the divot tool holder 152 for combining and fixing the divot tool 151 is combined with a pin hole 116 of an upper case 110 a via a pin 154, and a guide protrusion 153 protruding from a lower portion of the other side of the divot tool holder 152 is inserted into an arc-shaped slide groove 115 formed in the upper case 110 a.
Therefore, the divot tool holder 152 is configured to rotate around the pin 154 for the upper case 110 a. Because the divot tool holder 152 rotates in a state where the guide protrusion 153 of the divot tool holder 152 is inserted into the slide groove 115 of the upper case 110 a, a rotation radius of the divot tool holder 152 is restricted by the length of the slide groove 115.
In a state where the divot tool 151 is inserted and fixed into the divot tool holder 152 in a lateral direction, the divot tool 151 is ordinarily caught to the protrusion 127 of the upper case 110 a to be fixed.
In order to use the divot tool 151, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the user rotates the divot tool holder 152 around the pin 154, and draws out the divot tool 151.
After using the divot tool 151, the user inserts the divot tool 151 into the divot tool holder 152. When the user rotates the divot tool holder 152 toward the protrusion 127, the divot tool 151 is caught to the protrusion 127 to be fixed stably.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tee holder 155 of a pipe shape is formed at one side of the case 110 so that a golf tee 157 is inserted into the tee holder 155. The tee holder 155 has a plate-shaped coupling segment 156. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the coupling segment 156 of the tee holder 155 is inserted into tee holder insertion holes 125 of upper and lower cases so that the tee holder is coupled to the case 110.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the golf tee 157 is inserted into the pipe-shaped tee holder 155 to be fixed stably.
Moreover, a ball marker holder 158 is formed at the other side of the case 110, so that a ball marker 159 of a disc shape is combined with the ball marker holder 158 to be fixed stably.
As described above, because the divot tool 151, the golf tee 155, and the ball marker 159 are combined with the case 110 of the present invention, the user can carry them conveniently and use them easily when necessary.
The case 110 has a clip 122 so that the user can carry the device conveniently by putting the clip on a waist belt or a bag.
Not illustrated in the drawings, but a Velcro tape (not shown) is formed on the outer surface of the case 110, and golf gloves are attached to the Velcro tape so that the user can carry the golf gloves conveniently.
Most of golf gloves are configured to be opened and closed by Velcro tape attached to a wrist part so that the user wears the gloves easily and the gloves stick close to the hands. When the Velcro of the wrist part is attached to the Velcro tape of the case 110, the user can carry the golf gloves conveniently.
The towel 102 is wound and stored in the case 110. When the user pulls the towel 102 to use it, the towel 102 is drawn out and fixed. When the user slightly pulls and releases the towel 102 after using, the towel 102 is automatically wound and stored in the case 110. Now, a structure of the case 110 for the automatic operation will be described in detail.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the case 110 includes the upper case 110 a and the lower case 110 b, which are coupled with each other, and a spring case 130 stored in the case 110.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the spring case 130 includes a rolling panel 131, a cylindrical body of which the upper portion is opened, a reel spring 135 inserted into the body, and a cover 137 coupled to the open upper portion of the spring case 130.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, a coupling protrusion 139 protrudes downwardly from a rim of the cover 137. The spring case 130 has a coupling groove 132, so that the coupling protrusion 139 of the cover 137 is inserted and fixed into the coupling groove 132 of the spring case 130 when the cover 137 is coupled to the spring case 130.
A shaft insertion hole 138 is formed in the middle of the cover 137. As shown in FIG. 7, when the upper case 110 a and the lower case 110 b are coupled with each other, a shaft 118 protruding from the inner surface of the upper case 110 a is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 138 of the cover 137.
In this instance, the shaft 118 has a reel spring fixing slot 119 formed in an axial direction. When the shaft 118 of the upper case 110 a is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 138 of the cover 137, An inner end portion of the reel spring 135 which is located at the center of the reel spring 135 is inserted and fixed into the reel spring fixing slot 119 of the shaft 118.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a first slot 133 is formed in the inner surface of the spring case 130, and the coupling groove 132 has a second slot 134 formed in the side of the groove to communicate with the first slot 133.
An outer end portion of the reel spring 135 stored in the spring case 130 is inserted into the first slot 133, and is drawn out of the spring case 130 through the second slot 134 of the wall surface of the coupling groove 132 as illustrated in FIG. 8.
Additionally, the reel spring 135 has a tiered portion 136 formed at the outer end portion thereof. When the tiered portion 136 is caught to the second slot 134, it is prevented that the outer end portion of the reel spring 135 drawn out of the spring case 130 is inserted into the spring case 130 by elastic force of the spring.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, a supporter insertion groove 141 is formed on the bottom surface of the rolling panel 131 of the spring case 130. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a protrusion type supporter 126 is formed on the inner surface of the lower case 110 b, so that the supporter 126 of the lower case 110 b is inserted into the supporter insertion groove 141 of the rolling panel 131.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the shaft 118 formed on the inner surface of the upper case 110 a is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 138 of the cover 137, so that the spring case 130 including the rolling panel 131 can rotate inside the case 110.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, one side of the towel 102 is connected with the knob 103, and the other side of the towel 102 is connected with a wire 101. The wire 101 is connected to the outer end portion of the reel spring 135.
In the above state, the wire 101 and the towel 102 are wound on the outer surface of the spring case 130, and then, are stored in the case 110.
In order to use the towel 102, when the user pulls the knob 103, the towel 102 and the wire 101 are drawn out through an outlet 111 of the case 110 while the spring case 130 is rotated.
In this instance, the reel spring 135 exposed out of the spring case 130 is pulled so that an elastic force to pull the wire 101 and the towel 102 is applied.
When the towel 102 is drawn out as long as to be used conveniently, the user removes the force to pull the knob 103. Then, a locking device is operated so that the drawn towel 102 is fixed not to go into the case 110 even though the reel spring 135 pulls the towel 102 elastically.
In the above state, when the user pulls the towel 102 or the knob 103 again after using the towel 102, the locking device is released so that the spring case 130 rotates reversely by elastic force of the reel spring 135, and the wire 101 and the towel 102 are wound and stored into the case 110.
* Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the locking device will be described in detail.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the locking device includes: a ball guide groove 124 formed on the upper surface of the lower case 110 b outwards from the center of the lower case 110 b in a linear form; a track formed on the bottom surface of the rolling panel 131 of the spring case 130 as illustrated in FIG. 10; and a ball (B) inserted between the ball guide groove 124 and the track.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the track formed on the bottom surface of the rolling panel 131 includes: a first track 1312; a second track 1314 which is concentric with the first track 1312; a conversion path 1313 for connecting the first and second tracks 1312 and 1314; a seating part 1310 formed in a recess type between the first track 1312 and the second track 1314 so that the ball (B) is seated on the seating part; an approach path 1311 allowing the ball on the seating part 1310 to approach the first track 1312; and a return path 1315 allowing the ball of the second track 1314 to approach the seating part 1310.
When the lower case 110 b and the spring case 130 are coupled with each other while the supporter 126 of the lower case 110 b is inserted into the supporter insertion groove 141 of the bottom surface of the rolling panel 131 illustrated in FIG. 10, the ball (B) is located at a point where the ball guide groove 124 and the first track 1312 or the second track 1314 cross each other.

[Mode for Invention]

Now, an operational process of the locking device will be described.
Hereinafter, a counterclockwise rotation of the rolling panel 131 illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 17 is called ‘forward rotation’, and a clockwise rotation of the rolling panel 131 is called ‘reverse rotation’.
Moreover, a movement of the ball (B) when the rolling panel 131 rotates forwardly is called as ‘forward driving’, and a movement of the ball (B) when the rolling panel 131 rotates reversely is called as ‘reverse running’.
When User Pulls Knob (103) to Use Towel (102)
In the state where the towel 102 is wound and stored in the case 110, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the ball (B) is located at the point where the ball guide groove 124 and the first track 1312 cross each other.
When the user pulls the knob 103 in order to use the towel 102, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the ball (B) runs along the first track 1312, moves toward the second track 1314 along the conversion path 1313 as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, and then, continuously runs along the second track 1314.
In this instance, while the spring case 130 rotates in the case 110, the towel 102 and the wire 101 wound on the spring case 130 are released, and the towel 102 is drawn out of the case 110 along the outlet 111 of the case 110.
Furthermore, an elastic force to rotate the spring case 130 reversely is applied while the reel spring 135 in the spring case 130 is pulled.
When User Releases Knob (103) After Pulling Towel 102 as Long as the User Wants
When the user releases the knob 103 after sufficiently pulling the towel 102, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the spring case 130 rotates reversely by the elastic force of the reel spring 135 located in the spring case 130. When the spring case 130 rotates reversely, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the ball (B) starts to run reversely along the second track 1314.
After running reversely along the second track 1314, the ball (B) runs reversely along the return path 1315 located between the first track 1312 and the second track 1314 when the second track 1314 is extended as illustrated in FIG. 15, and then, is inserted into the seating part 1310 of the recess type formed at an end of the return path 1315. Then, the reverse rotation of the spring case 130 stops.
In this instance, a tiered part 1318 is formed at a boundary point between the return path 1315 and the second track 1314. So, the ball (B) which runs reversely along the second track 1314 is caught to the tiered part 1318 so as not to go into the second track 1314 but to go into the return path 1315.
The tiered part 1318 is configured in such a way that the return path 1315 is formed deeper than the second track 1314 at the boundary point between the return path 1315 and the second track 1314.
The seating part 1310 is connected to the first track 1312 through the approach path 1311. Preferably, the approach path 1311 is formed to be inclined in the direction that the spring case 130 rotates reversely from the seating part 1310 in order to prevent the ball (B) seated on the seating part 1310 from going into the first track 1312 through the approach path 1311.
When the spring case 130 stops reverse rotation, the towel 102 and the wire 101 are fixed in the state where they are pulled.
When User Slightly Pulls Knob (103) After Using
The user slightly pulls the knob 103 in order to insert the towel 102 into the case 110 after using the towel 102.
When the knob 103 is pulled slightly, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the spring case 130 rotates forwardly, and the ball (B) put on the seating part 1310 goes into the first track 1312 along the approach path 1311 connected with the first track 1312.
In this instance, in order to prevent the ball (B) from going not into the approach path 1311 but into the return path 1315, a tiered part 1317 is formed between the seating part 1310 and the return path 1315.
The tiered part 1317 is formed in such a way that the return path 1315 is deeper than the approach path 1311.
When User Releases Knob (103) After Slightly Pulling Knob (103)
When the user releases the knob 103 after slightly pulling the knob 103, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the spring case 130 rotates reversely by the elastic force of the reel spring 135 located in the spring case 130, and the ball (B) runs reversely along the first track 1312.
In this instance, in order to prevent the ball (B), which runs reversely along the first track 1312, from going into the approach path 1311, preferably, a tiered part 1319 is formed between the approach path 1311 and the first track 1312.
The tiered part 1319 is formed in such a way that the first track 1312 is deeper than the approach path 1311.
While the spring case 130 rotates reversely, the towel 102 and the wire 101 are wound on the spring case 130 and are stored in the case 110.
When the towel 102 and the wire 101 are completely stored in the case 110, the rotation of the spring case 130 stops while the knob 103 gets in contact with the approach path 111 of the case 110, and the ball (B) is located on the first track 1312 as illustrated in FIG. 11.
The locking device has the very simple structure that the first and second tracks 1312 and 1314 are formed on the bottom surface of the rolling panel 131, the ball guide groove 124 is formed in the inner surface of the lower case 110 b getting in contact with the rolling panel 131, and the ball (B) is inserted into the ball guide groove 124 crossing with the first and second tracks 1312 and 1314.
In order to accurately operate the locking device, the ball (B) must run along the first and second tracks 1312 and 1314 just by forward rotation or reverse rotation of the rolling panel 131. Additionally, in order to prevent the ball (B) from running along the first and second tracks 1312 and 1314 by gravity or external force, a ball guide groove 124 which is at right angles to the first and second tracks 1312 and 1314 is formed in the lower case 110 b.
The technical thoughts of the present invention have been described hereinafter.
It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments from the above description in various ways.
Although it is not clearly illustrated or described herein, it is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments from the above description in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention and such changes and modifications belong to the scope of the present invention.
While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automatic winding device for a golf towel comprising:

a case having upper and lower cases coupled with each other and an outlet;

a spring case rotatably mounted in the case;

a reel spring inserted into the spring case and supported by the case so as to apply a rotational elastic force to the spring case;

a towel having one side coupled to the reel spring and the other side coupled to a knob so that the towel is wound on the spring case and is stored in the case; and

a locking device for preventing reverse rotation of the spring case in a state where the towel is drawn out of the case,

wherein the locking device comprises:

a first track of a circular shape which is formed on the bottom surface of a rolling panel of the spring case in a groove type;

a second track which is formed on the bottom surface of the rolling panel in a groove type and has a diameter larger than that of the first track;

a conversion path of a groove type for connecting the first track and the second track with each other;

a seating part which is formed between the first track and the second track in a recess type;

an approach path of a groove type for connecting the seating part and the first track with each other;

a return path of a groove type for connecting the seating part and the second track with each other;

a ball guide groove formed on the inner surface of the case getting in contact with the rolling panel; and

a ball inserted between the grooves of the bottom surface of the rolling panel and the ball guide groove.

2. The automatic winding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a tiered part formed at a boundary point between the second track and the return path in order to prevent the ball from going into the second track from the return path when the ball runs reversely.

3. The automatic winding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a tiered part formed at a boundary point between the seating part and the return path in order to prevent the ball from going into the return path from the seating part.

4. The automatic winding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a tiered part formed at a boundary point between the approach path and the first track in order to prevent the ball from going into the approach path from the first track.

5. The automatic winding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a shaft protruding from the inner surface of the case and inserted into the spring case; and

a reel spring fixing slot formed at an end portion of the shaft to support the reel spring so that an end portion of a middle part of the reel spring is inserted into the reel spring fixing slot.