US3717371A

US3717371A - Golf ball retriever

Info

Publication number: US3717371A
Application number: US00144799A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Halone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-05-19
Filing date: 1971-05-19
Publication date: 1973-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-20
Also published as: CA942347A

Abstract

A golf ball retriever comprises a box-like member defining a plurality of compartments therein for scooping a golf ball out of a water hazard or the like. A shutter is pivotally mounted on the member to normally close an opening to each compartment to permit a golf ball to move therepast and into the compartment. Stop means are formed on the member to limit outward movement of the shutter to prevent the golf ball from moving out of the compartment when it is retrieved.

Description

United States Patent 1 Halone [54] GOLF BALL RETRIEVER [76] Inventor: William Halone, 776 Sierra View Way, Chico, Calif. 95926 [22] Filed: May 19, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 144,799

52 U.S. c1. ..294/19 A 51 Int. Cl. ..A47i 13/06 {58] Field of Search ..294/19 R, 19 A, 50.6, 50.8, 294/509, 55; 56/328, 329, 332, 333, 400.11,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 ,046,044 7/1962 Christle 294/19, A 3,604,190 9/ l97l Wray Fryda .,.....306/6 Feb. 20, 1973 2,738,214 3/1956 Zimmers ..294/l9 A Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant ExaminerJohnny D. Cherry Attorney-Fryer, Tjensvold, Feix, Phillips & Lempio 5 7 ABSTRACT A golf ball retriever comprises a box-like member defining a plurality of compartments therein for scooping a golf ball out of a water hazard or the like. A shutter is pivotally mounted on the member to normally close an opening to each compartment to permit a golf ball to move therepast and into the compartment. Stop means are formed on the member to limit outward movement of the shutter to prevent the golf ball from moving out of the compartment when it is retrieved.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED H 2 1915 3.717. 371

SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR. WlLLlAM HALONE a azz, WW flaw A TTORNFVS PATENTEDFEBZOIQYS I 3, 17 371 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 3

FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM HALONE BY I 25 ,14, ad, m 4 MW PATENTEDFEBZOISYS 3,717, 371

SHEET 3 or 3 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM HALONE FIG. 7 BY 5%,, 5 fiflamffiw A TTORNEVS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a golf ball retriever adapted for retrieving a golf ball which has been hit into a water hazard or the like. Conventional retrievers normally comprise wire or prong-like members, formed into a cup shape, adapted to scoop a ball out of the water. The retriever components are normally fixed relative to each other and the ball is retrieved by carefully placing the cup portion thereof over the ball and rotating the retriever 180 to retrieve same.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THIS INVENTION This invention relates to a non-complex and economical golf ball retriever adapted to expeditiously, efficiently and positively retrieve a golf ball. The retriever comprises a member defining at least one compartment therein which has a volume large enough to retain a golf ball. A forward opening is formed in the member, to communicate with the compartment, to permit the ball to move therethrough. Retaining means are movably mounted on the member to normally at least partially close the opening for automatically permitting ingress of the ball into the compartment, but for automatically preventing egress of the ball through the opening once it is retrieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a golf ball retriever embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged, cross-sectional view of the retriever taken in the direction of arrows II-II in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are slightly reduced bottom plan and front elevational views of the retriever, respectively;

FIG. 5 is a reversed plan view taken in the direction of arrows V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric and partially broken view of another retriever embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a slightly enlarged, sectional view taken in the direction of arrows VII-VII in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The FIGS. 1-5 retriever comprises box-like member 10 having an adjustable handle 11 attached thereto by means of a standard, releasable wing nut and bolt assembly 12. The handle may be of the telescoping type which is normally employed on a golf ball retriever to permit collapsing thereof for insertion into a golf bag. As will be hereinafter more fully understood, the retriever may be moved in the direction of arrow R (FIGS. 1 and 2) for purposes of retrieving a golf ball G from a water hazard or the like.

Member 10 comprises sections 13-16 secured together by means of elongated and capped

bolts

17 and 18. A cover plate 19, having handle 11 attached thereto, is secured to

intermediate sections

14 and 15 and the bolts by means of curved flanges and 21 (FIGv 2). The four sections have vertically disposed and parallel partitions 22-25 formed integrally 2 therewith to comprise means defining three separate compartments 26-28 (FIG. 3).

The compartments have substantially the same volume and configuration and, therefore, only the details of compartment 26 and its attendant structures will be described in detail. Such compartment comprises a rear opening 29 partially closed by aligned

rib portions

30 and 31. The rib portions are formed integrally with sections 13-14, respectively.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, each rear opening 29 is sufficiently small to prevent a golf ball G from moving therethrough, but is sufficiently large to permit mud, debris and the like to pass therethrough during a retrieving operation. Means defining a larger, forward opening 32 comprises aligned rib portions 33 of

sections

13 and 14 and also

partitions

22 and 23. Such opening is sufficiently large to permit ingress of the golf ball G therethrough.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom opening 34 of the compartment is partially closed by horizontally disposed skid plates or

runners

35 and 36 formed as integral parts "of the bottom portions of

partitions

22 and 23, respectively. Such runners prevent the golf ball from dropping out of the retriever once it is retained in compartment 26. The runners intersect and cooperate with the curved front edges of the partitions to aid in guiding the retriever over submerged debris and the like during the retrieving operation.

Retaining means 37 (FIG. 1) are movably mounted on member 10 to normally at least partially close forward opening 32 for automatically preventing egress of the golf ball out of compartment 26 and through the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, such means comprises a shutter member 38 formed integrally with a pivot shaft 39. The pivot shaft is rotatably mounted in bearing apertures 40 and 41 (FIG. 5) formed on

sections

13 and 14, respectively.

Cooperating stop means 42 and 43 (FIGS. 2 and 5) may be formed integrally with pivot shaft 39 and member 10, respectively, and adjacent to each end of the pivot shaft to control pivoting of shutter 38 between its full and dotted line positions shown in FIG. 2. Shutter 38 in FIG. 2 is suitably broken-away to clearly illustrate stop means 42 as comprising a lug formed as an integral part of pivot shaft 39. Each stop means 43 may comprise a proturberance having a V- shaped cutout formed thereon to define intersecting

surfaces

44 and 45 for respectively limiting counterclockwise and clockwise movement of the shutter.

Alternatively, rib portions 33, for example, can be suitably constructed and positioned to provide stop means for limiting pivotal movement of shutter 38 away from compartment 26. In particular, the shutter would be limited in its counterclockwise movement in FIG. 2 by engagement with the .rib portions to prevent egress of the golf ball out of the compartment.

In the preferred embodiment, member 10 comprises a sturdy and non-corrosive material, such as plastic or aluminum, whereas shutters 38 each preferably comprise a dense and weighty material such as steel or lead coated with a non-corrosive material such as plastic. The shutters are preferably weighted to normally permit them to freely fall to their full line, generally vertical position shown in FIG. 2 under the influence of gravity. Such a tendency for the shutters to assume their normal position is particularly useful when the retriever is pulled or pushed through water which has a counteracting tendency to prevent the shutters from closing once the golf ball moves into compartment 26.

The retrieving operation is commenced by removing the retriever from the golfers bag and by rotating member to its FIG. 1 position upon sequential release and tightening of wing nut 12. The retriever may be normally stored in the golf bag, to assume the approximate shape of a golf club, by positioning member 10 parallel to the longitudinal axis of handle 11. The handle is extended and the retriever is then placed in the water in proximity to the lost golf ball.

The retriever is then pulled through the water in the direction of arrow R whereby the golf ball G will enter one of the openings 32 and automatically move shutter 38 to its dotted line position to be lodged in compartment 26 (FIG. 2). It should be noted that handle 11 may be moved 180 from its FIG. 1 position to adapt it for pushing rather than pulling during a retrieving operation. Also, the angle or inclination of handle 11 relative to ground level and member 10 may be adjusted by selectively positioning the handle in arcuate slot 46.

The retriever is then removed from the water and turned upside down to permit the ball to freely fall out of the enlarged top opening of one of the outboard compartments. When the ball is lodged in the center compartment, the ball may be removed by manipulating the closing shutter 38. It should be understood that any desired number of compartments may be employed in the retriever, depending on the golfers desires. For example, the three compartmented retriever illustrated in FIG. 1 allows for considerable misalignment of the retriever with respect to the retrieved golf ball.

In particular, when the golf ball strikes the leading, arcuate edge of one of the partitions 22-25, it will tend to roll sideways over into one of the compartments 26-28. In addition, guides 35 and 36 prevent the retriever from digging into mud or the like,'normally found in water hazards, to further aid in correctly aligning an opening 32 with the ball. Also, aligned opening 32, compartment 26 andrear opening 29 will permit mud and other debris to freely pass therethrough during the retrieving operation.

FIGS. 6 and 7 disclosed another retriever embodiment wherein back-to-back golf ball openings 32: each communicate with a common compartment 26a. Identical numerals (accompanied by an a) are employed in these figures to depict structures and openings corresponding to those depicted by identical numerals in FIGS. l-5.

Upright partitions 22a and 23a are secured together by

elongated bolts

17a and 18a to define the compartment. A cover member 190 has

curved flanges

20a and 21a which cooperate with the bolts to form a structurally integrated member 10a. A telescopic type handle 11a is attached to member 19a by means of a wing nut and bolt assembly 12a which releasably engages an arcuate adjustment slot 460.

Substantially identical shutters 38a are pivotally mounted between the partitions and are adapted to engage shutter positioning stop means identical to those described above. It can be seen that the FIGS. 6 and 7 retriever may be either pushed or pulled on

runners

35a and 36a without having a readjust handle 11a to accommodate same. The golf ball will thus enter either one of the openings 32a to be confined in compartment 260.

In view of the above description, it can be seen that each retriever embodiment of this invention exhibits the following desiderata: the retriever is compact and may be readily folded into a storage position by merely loosening wing nut 12 or 12a whereby it may be placed in a golf bag to assume the approximate size of a golf club; the retriever may be suitably designed and manufactured to assume any desired lateral width to cover a corresponding sweeping area during a retrieving operation; golf ball G is positively trapped in one of the compartments 26 or 26a during a linear stroke of the retriever in contrast to conventional retrievers which must normally be rotated or otherwise moved in a compound fashion to position the ball therein; the retriever may be used in murky or otherwise unclear water whereas conventional retrievers normally depend on a visual contact with the ball for retrieving purposes; theforward, rounded portions of partitions 22-25 or 22a-23 and the attached guide runners permit the retriever to smoothly glide over uneven material on the bottom of a water hazard; the retriever may be conveniently handled due to its lightweight and compact construction; the retriever is structurally rugged and will hold its shape after periodic usage; the retriever is adaptable to various water depths by means of arcuate adjustment slot 46; and the retriever has a low resistance to plugging by mud or other debris during use.

What is claimed is: 1. A golf ball retriever comprising a member having means, including a pair of laterally spaced side partitions, a front side, a back side and a bottom side, defining at least one compartment for retaining a golf ball therein,

means forming an opening in the front side of said member, communicating with said compartment, which is sufficiently large to permit ingress of a golf ball therethrough,

retaining means movably mounted on said member normally at least partially closing said opening for automatically permitting ingress of a golf ball into said compartment and cooperating with means defining said compartment for automatically preventing egress of a golf ball out of said compartment through said opening and laterally spaced runner means positioned at the bottom side of said member to define substantial surface portions for preventing a golf ball from escaping thereby and for permitting said member to glide over sunken debris and the like.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a shutter pivotally mounted on said member to normally assume a generally vertically disposed position thereon.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said shutter is composed of a weighty material whereby said shutter will be normally urged to its generally vertically disposed position under the influence of gravity.

' 4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said shutter is attached to a pin pivotally mounted on said member.

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said pin is generally horizontally disposed and is pivotally mounted between said partitions.

6. The invention of claim 1 further comprising stop means on said member for limiting movement of said retaining means in at least a forward direction of movement away from said compartment.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said retaining means comprises a shutter pivotally mounted on said member and said stop means comprises at least one proturberance having a V-shaped notch formed thereon defining diverging surface portions positioned to limit both clockwise and counterclockwise movements of said shutter about a pivot axis thereof.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein curved front edges, at least in part defining said opening, are formed on the front side of each partition to merge with said runner means.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said runner means comprises an elongated and generally horizontally disposed runner attached to each of said partitions in laterally spaced relationship.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said member comprises a plurality of separable and aligned sections attached together by common bolt means.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least three laterally spaced and vertically disposed partitions define a said compartment between each pair of adjacent partitions.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said member comprises four of said partitions defining three compartments therebetween.

13. The invention of claim 1 wherein a top side of said member is open to permit the egress of a golf ball therethroug'h.

14. The invention of claim 1 further comprising an elongated and collapsible handle attached to said member.

15. The invention of claim 14 further comprising means for adjusting the angle of said handle relative to. said member.

16. A golf ball retriever comprising a member having means defining at least one compartment for retaining a golf ball therein,

means forming an opening at each of the front and opposite back sides of said member, communicating with said compartment, which is sufficiently large to permit ingress of a golf ball therethrough, and

retaining means movably mounted on said member normally at least partially closing each of said openings for automatically permitting ingress of a golf ball into said compartment and cooperating with means defining said compartment for automatically preventing egress of a golf ball out of said compartment through said opening.

Claims

1. A golf ball retriever comprising a member having means, including a pair of laterally spaced side partitions, a front side, a back side and a bottom side, defining at least one compartment for retaining a golf ball therein, means forming an opening in the front side of said member, communicating with said compartment, which is sufficiently large to permit ingress of a golf ball therethrough, retaining means movably mounted on said member normally at least partially closing said opening for automatically permitting ingress of a golf ball into said compartment and cooperating with means defining said compartment for automatically preventing egress of a golf ball out of said compartment through said opening and laterally spaced runner means positioned at the bottom side of said member to define substantial surface portions for preventing a golf ball from escaping thereby and for permitting said member to glide over sunken debris and the like.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said shutter is attached to a pin pivotally mounted on said member.

13. The invention of claim 1 wherein a top side of said member is open to permit the egress of a golf ball therethrough.

15. The invention of claim 14 further comprising means for adjusting the angle of said handle relative to said member.