US3791652A

US3791652A - Dimple mark repair device and ball marker combination with golf club

Info

Publication number: US3791652A
Application number: US00345448A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Schuler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-03-27
Filing date: 1973-03-27
Publication date: 1974-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-12

Abstract

A ball marker and a dimple mark repair device for repairing damage done to the turf by a golf ball are held in the handle of a golf club such as a putter. The combination includes an integrally formed cylindrical closure plug which adheredly engages within the wall of a bore in the golf club handle. The plug has a flanged collar at one end thereof and includes a central axial bore at the flanged end for receiving a central depending stem of a golf ball marker. The plug also has a pair of longitudinally oriented bores extending therethrough from the flanged end, in such a manner that the longitudinal oriented bores are spaced with respect to the central axial bore so that the central axial bore is oriented midway between the longitudinal bores, the axes thereof all lying in the same plane. The plug has a central axial recess at the end for receiving a golf ball marker or a coin therewithin. The plug has a groove at the end which extends across the diameter of the plug along a line intersecting the axes of the longitudinally oriented bores. The dimple mark repair device includes an integrally formed member having a pair of spring biased tongs which are adapted to frictionally engage within the longitudinal oriented bores. Portions are bent outwardly so as to seat in the plug groove and protrude a small distance beyond the flange collar so as to facilitate manual manipulation thereof. The member is bent around at 180* angles to form a horizontal bar parallel to the portions.

Description

United States Patent [19 Schuler DIMPLE MARK REPAIR DEVICE AND BALL MARKER COMBINATION WITH GOLF CLUB Gerald J. Schuler, 3233 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, Pa. 18042 [22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 345,448

[76] Inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,261,959 11/1941 Buttikofer 273/162 D 2,700,547 l/l955 Kraeling 273/162 D 3,120,388 2/1964 Doble 273/32 B 3,456,737 7/1969 Rhyme 273/32 B UX 1.520.113 12/1924 Bloom 273/162 A 2,178,872 11/1939 Engstrom... 273/162 D 2,979,335 4/1961 Pruitt 273/162 D FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 912,515 12/1962 Great Britain 273/162 D 1,043,683 9/1966 Great Britain 273/162 D Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard .I. Apley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fred Fisher, Esq.

[4 1 Feb. 12, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A ball marker and a dimple mark repair device for repairing damage done to the turf by a golf ball are held in the handle of a golf club such as a putter. The combination includes an integrally formed cylindrical closure plug which adheredly engages within the wall of a bore in the golf club handle. The plug has a flanged collar at one end thereof and includes a central axial bore at the flanged end for receiving a central depending stem of a golf ball marker. The plug also has a pair of longitudinally oriented bores extending therethrough from the flanged end, in such a manner that the longitudinal oriented bores are spaced with respect to the central axial bore so that the central axial bore is oriented midway between the longitudinal bores, the axes thereof all lying in the same plane. The plug has a central axial recess at the end for receiving a golf ball marker or a coin therewithin. The plug has a groove at the end which extends across the diameter of the plug along a line intersecting the axes of the longitudinally oriented bores. The dimple mark repair device includes an integrally formed member having a pair of spring biased tongs which are adapted to frictionally engage within the longitudinal oriented bores. Portions are bent outwardly so as to seat in the plug groove and protrude a small distance beyond the flange collar so as to facilitate manualmanipulation thereof. The member is bent around at 180 angles to form a horizontal bar parallel to the portions.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATE NTEI] FEB I 21974 SHEET 2 0F 2 DIMPLE MARK REPAIR DEVICE AND BALL MARKER COMBINATION WITH GOLF CLUB BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to golf clubs and, more particularly, to a golf club attachment for carrying a golf ball marker which is removable from the attachment for the purpose of being used to mark the identical position of a golf ball removed from a putting green in the case of a stymie, and for carrying a turf repair device for repairing indentations or dimples caused by a heavily hit golf ball. Accordingly, the general objects of this invention are to provide new and improved combinations of such character.

One of the rules of the games of golf requires that a following player who has a ball positioned on the green in a direct line of travel of the ball to the cup of a first player, pick up his ball and mark the spot on which the ball lies with a small marker and hold the ball until the first player has taken a shot to attempt to put the outer ball in the cup. Thereafter, the following player will replace the ball and take a shot to put the replaced ball in the cup. Since the spot marker is used on the green, an ideal location for the carrying of a spot marker would be in the handle of a putter. Such markers can take various forms and include devices shaped as a coin, which may be cylindrical devices formed of plastic or metal, and further can take the shape of devices similarly formed but further having a central depending stem so that the stemmed marker can be inserted into the ground, somewhat in the manner of a tee, to give more precise positioning of the marker and avoid disturbance thereof in the event a golf ball rolls thereover.

Putting greens on golf courses are not intended to contain natural hazards found on fairways such as rocks, depressions and the like, and no artificial hazards are created on the putting green itself such as water traps or sand. Putting greens normally contain three variants: (1 the type and length of the grass used on the putting green, (2) the weather or moisture conditions of the putting green, such as rain, dew, and other moisture factors, and (3) the design, hills, or roll of the putting green. lndentations in the putting green caused by a heavily hit golf ball are encouraged to be repaired so that a ball can be hit from its lie to the cup without such indentations providing an additional deterrent. Ideally, it is desirable to incorporate a dimple mark repair device to be conveniently carried within the handle ofa putter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In accordance with novelty searches performed on behalf of the applicant, the following United States Patents of interest were found:

lnventor Number lssue Date Bloom 1,520,113 December 23, 1924 Stanton 1,709,546 April 16, 1929 Werner 2,083,175 June 8, 1937 Engstrom 2,178,872 November 7, 1939 Ross 2,551,294 May 1, 1951 Kraeling, Jr. 2,700,547 January 25, 1955 Pruitt 2,979,335 April 11, 1961 Klynman 3,185,483 May 25, 1965 Garrett 3,242,582 March 29, 1966 Rhyme 3,456,737 July 22, 1969 Huston ct a1. 3,252,489 May 24, 1966 Gudmundsen 3,698,720 October 17, 1972 2 Bloom, US. Pat. No. 1,520,113, issued Dec. 23,

' 1924, discloses a golf club with a recess or pocket in the handle portion thereof for carrying articles such as a pencil, score card, or the like. The pencil and score card are stored in a longitudinal bore (of any desired length) in the handle of the golf club. A tubular lining frictionally engages with the bore. A threaded tubular plug, having an integral knob frictionally engages with the lining when a threaded pencil is mated with the plug. Bloom states that other articles can be retained in the recess or pocket of the handle. Bloom does not disclose how articles, having dimensional configurations which cannot fit into his recess, can be carried by his club.

Stanton, US. Pat. No. 1,709,546, issued Apr. 16, 1929, discloses a tee holder for golf club shafts, Stantons holder includes an upper head or knob-like member adapted to be fitted on the upper end of a golf club shaft, a resilient pad secured to the upper extremity of the shaft, and aligning converging passages extending from countersunk seats in the top of the head through the pad and into the upper end of the shaft. The holes in the head and shaft are wider than the stem of a tee, while the holes in the resilient pad are slightly smaller, so that a frictional grip is provided for retaining the tees in position. Countersunk recesses, forming seats for the head of the tees, are provided in the upper head, the recesses being laterally notched to form a thumb space for gripping the head of a tee during its removal. Stanton makes no provision, whatsoever, for attaching or housing auxilliary articles such as a dimple mark repair device or a golf ball marker.

Werner, US. Pat. No. 2,083,175, issued June 8, 1937, discloses an implement carried as a part of a golf club for conveniently forming or molding a recess in the earth for the ready reception of the ordinary driving tee. The handle end of a golf club shaft has rigidly attached thereto, as by an integrally formed threaded shank, a circular disk having formed integrally therewith and protruding outwardly therefrom a tapering instrument. A threaded shield is provided. Other than the fact that an implement is associated with the handle of a golf club, this patent fails to suggest any of the novel features of applicants invention.

Engstrom, US. Pat. No. 2,178,872, issued Nov. 7, 1939, discloses a golf club attachment for carrying a marker which is removable from the attachment for the purpose of being used to mark the identical position of a golf ball removed from a putting green in the case of stymie. The attachment includes a cap-shaped housing having an axial passage to engage over the upper end of a golf club handle. The upper end of the housing is countersunk, to receive a coin or marker, one side of the upper end being cut away to form an outlet opening to permit a persons thumb to be drawn radially outwardly when the marker is to be extracted. In the two embodiments described, a steel coin or marker (apparently a disk) is held in place in the attachment by either (1) a spring or (2) a magnet. Engstrom does not suggest how a plastic marker could be retained, nor how a disk-like marker having a central depending stern could be retained.

Ross, US. Pat. No. 2,551,294, issued May .1, 1951, discloses spring biased tongs (actually a portion of an antenna) stored in a shaft.

' Kraeling, Jr., US. Pat. No. 2,700,547, issued Jan. 25, 1955, discloses a holder for flexible flat discs, which holder can be mounted in the handle of a golf club. The holder includes a generally cylindrical columnar body having three flutes symmetrically arranged and extending longitudinally of the body. The flutes are concave. A cylindrical sleeve having cut-out portions forming flanges grip bent and flexed discs within the flutes. Kraeling, Jr. makes no provision for either rigid discs, nor discs having a central depending stem.

Pruitt, U.S. Pat. No. 2,979,335, issued Apr. 11, 1961, discloses a combination golf club and magnetically held marker. No teaching is suggested by Pruitt for retaining a non-magnetic marker.

Klynman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,483, issued May 25, 1965, discloses a golfers turf-repairing implement which is carried within a slot formed in the rear face of a putter head. Such an implement is carried by a specially formed putter head (or, more specifically, by a specially formed rear face thereof).

Garrett, U.S. Pat. No. 3,242,582, issued Mar. 29, 1966, discloses a golf putter with a telescoping indicating level housed in the handle of the putter. In its retracted position, the indicating device is frictionally held by the handle.

Rhyme, U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,737, issued July 22, 1969 discloses a turf repair implement including a blade, and a handle which may be adapted for insertion into a hollow handle end of a golf club. The implement can be secured to the hollow handle by means ofa resilient spring clip which mates with a recess formed in the implement handle. A ball marker can be carried in a cap for the club handle, a resilient shoulder formed on the cap retaining the marker thereon when not in use. A slot is cut into the shoulder to permit easy insertion and removal of the marker. Rhyme, however, fails to suggest the novel combination as taught by the applicant hereof.

Huston, et. al, US. Pat. No. 3,252,489, issued May 24, 1966, discloses a combination axe and knife sheath, and is listed to show the storage of the knife blade in a slot or hole with the handle of the knife completely within the handle of the axe.

Gudmundsen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,720, issued Oct. 17, I972, discloses a golf club with spring biased tines stored in an insert in the shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a novel combination for attachment with a golf club putter for housing a turf repair implement and a golf ball marker.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel combination including a golf club putter, a dimple mark repair device. and a golf ball marker.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, wherein a golf club has a bore extending from the handle thereof. an integrally formed, generally cylindrical closure plug is adapted to adheredly engage within the wall of the handle bore. The plug has a flanged collar at one end thereof of fixed diameter, and has a central axial bore at the flanged end for receiving a central depending stern of a golf ball marker. The plug has a pair of longitudinally oriented bores extending therethrough from the flanged end. The longitudinally oriented bores are spaced with respect to the central axial bore so that the central bore is oriented midway between the longitudinal bores, the axes thereof all lying in the same plane. The plug has a central depending recess at the one end for receiving a golf ball marker or coin therewithin. The plug has a groove at one end extending across the diameter of the plug along a line intersecting the axes of the longitudinally oriented bores. The dimple repair device includes an integrally formed member having a pair of spring biased tongs adapted to fit within the longitudinally oriented .bores. Portions of the repair device are bent outwardly so as to seat in the plug groove and protrude a small distance beyond the flanged collar to facilitate manual manipulation thereof. The member is bent outwardly away from the tongs at 180 angles to form a horizontal bar parallel to the portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be more apparent from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club, such as a putter, including the handle thereof and other compo nents of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the elements of this in.- vention, including the golf club handle partly broken away, further including a cylindrical plug, a turf repair implement and a marker, in a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical plug illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a golf club 10 such as a putter, including the usual putter head 1 1 and a handle portion 12. The handle portion 12, as best shown at FIG. 2, includes an axial bore 13 which extends through from the end of the handle thereof.

A generally cylindrical plug 14, preferrably constructed of plastic, is generally of the same diameter as that of the bore 13 of the handle 12 so that the cylindrical plug 14 can adheredly fit within the bore 13 of the handle 12, preferably by adhesive. The cylindrical plug 14 has an annular flange or collar 16 which abuts against the end of the handle 12, as best shown in FIG. 6.

The plug 14 has a circular indentation l7 centrally disposed at the flanged collar end thereof. The plug 14 is also provided with a pair of longitudinally oriented bores 18, 19 disposed therethrough, each of the bores l8, 19 being oriented a fixed distance r, from the central axis 21 of the plug 14. The

bores

18, 19 and the central axis 21 all lie in the same common plane, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The plug 14 can be provided with a central axial bore 22 as indicated in FIG. 3.

The plug 24 is further provided with a groove 23 which extends across the collar 16 and extends along a line including the axes of the

bores

18, 19, and 22.

A marker 24, which is circular in shape, has a radius and configuration such as to fit within the circular indentation 17 of the collar 16 of the plug 14. The marker 24 can be provided with a centrally disposed depending stem 26. The depending stem 26 of the marker 24 is adapted to fit within the bore 22 of the plug 14.

A dimple mark repair device 27, which in a sense is a turf repair implement, is shown in perspective in FIG. 5 and is shown as part of the exploded view of FIG. 2.

The dimple mark repair device 27, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a pair of

tongs

28, 29 and, at the end of the tongs, includes

portions

31, 32 which extend outwardly away for a distance which exceeds the diameter of the collar 16. The dimple mark repair device 27 further includes

portions

33, 34 coupled to the

portions

31, 32 which are bent outwardly away from and are bent to a common horizontal bar 36 as shown in FIG. 5. The horizontal bar 36, preferably, is flattened and the entire dimple mark repair device is formed in an integral manner from any suitable material such as plastic or metal.

The dimple mark repair device 27 can be inserted into the cylindrical plug 14 by inserting the

tongs

28, 29, respectively, into the longitudinally disposed

bores

18, 19, whereby the

tongs

28 and 29 frictionally engage within the walls of the

bores

18, 19 to be held in place thereby.

Hence, as best shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2, in a stored condition, the plug 14 is inserted within the bore 13 of the handle 12 of the golf club 10. The

marker 24 is inserted into the indentation 17 with the centrally disposed depending stem 26 residing within the central bore 22 of the collar 16. The turf repair device 27 is kept in place by inserting the

tongs

28, 29 within the longitudinally oriented bores 18, 19 of the plug 14 whereby the

tongs

28, 29 frictionally engage within the

bores

18 and 19. The

portions

31, 32 of the device 27 reside within the groove 23 of the collar 16. The bar 26 retains the marker 24 within the collar 16, as best shown in FIG. 6.

Various types of markers can be housed within the cylindrical plug 14 and need not include the type of marker 24 as depicted in the drawing including the central depending stem 26. The marker may include any kind of commercial marker, including flexible types and rigid types including flat circular coins and including those as depicted including a circular depending stem 26. Markers including a circular depending stem are preferred because the stem 26 can be inserted into the turf to retain the marker in place in the event that a golf ball rolls thereover.

In operation, a golfer, having hit his golf ball onto the putting green carries his putter onto the green, he then observes the turf and may notice a dimple mark of the turf caused by a heavily hit golf ball. The golfer then removes the dimple mark repair device 27 from the handle 12 of the golf club 10. The dimple mark repair device 27 is simply removed by grasping the portions33, 34 manually from the handle 12 and pulling outwardly therefrom to remove the device 27. This procedure is easilyperformed since the

portions

33, 34 of the device 27 extend beyond the diameter of the flanged collar 16 (as shown in FIG. 6 and as also shown in FIG. 1). In its removal, the marker 24 also becomes readily available. The dimple mark repair device 27 can be used in various manners to repair the dimple mark caused by a heavily hit golf ball. The golfer may hold the

tongs

28, 29 in the manner of a handle and apply the horizontal bar 36 across the depression caused by the golf ball to attempt to return the depressed turf to its normal position. In some instances, it may be desirable to grasp the device 27 by the bar 36 and use the

tongs

28, 29 in a digging manner, or in the manner of a pair of forceps, to cause the turf to raise upwardly to its natural or neutral condition. Various portions of the device 27 can be used, due to its intricate shape, to return the turf to its normal condition.

In the event of a stymie, the marker 24 can be used, as is well known in the art, to replace a golf ball so that a subsequent player can proceed to hit his golf ball toward the cup. Following this procedure, the golf marker 24 can be placed back into the indentation 17 of the collar 16, and the device 27 reinserted into the plug 14, and the club 14 then can be used for subsequent play. The club 14 can be used, in operation, in striking a golf ball with or without the device 27 or the marker 24 housed within the plug 14, since the balance or weight of the handle 12 is unaffected by the presence or absence of the marker or turf repair implement 27.

The combination, as described bythis invention, is highly advantageous in that everything is convenient for the golfing player in that the marker and turf repair implement are housed within the handle of the golf club putter itself. Thus, the golfer need carry only one implement to the green itself, namely, the golf club which includes the marker and dimple mark repair device combination. When he is on the green, he may proceed in a normal fashion in attempting to hit his golf ball into the cup, he may or may not have the necessity of using the marker or the implement. Hence, the marker or the implement need not be carried in a trouser pocket, which would otherwise tend to create holes in the pocket, etc. However, in the event that a dimple mark repair device, or a marker, is necessary, it is desirable that such be convenient to the player. The player does not have the problem of losing his marker or his implement, as was heretofore the problem, since everything is housed within the golf club handle itself.

Advantageously, this invention is applicable to a wide range of golf clubs, since a large number of golf clubs are already provided with axial bores in the handles. Essentially no problem exists in placing the plug and the marker and implement in the handle itself since the weight distribution of the golf club is essentially unaffected. Hence, the golfer is not subject to the problem of modifying a golf club to such an extent that the weight or feel of the golf club is adversely affected, which would thus affect the stroke of play.

Various modifications may suggest itself to those ordinarily skilled in the 'art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. As indicated above, various types of markers can be used both with and without a stem. Also various types of dimple mark repair devices can be used including those with circular tongs and tongs with rectangular cross sections. Other modifications suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a golf club having a bore extending from the handle end thereof;

a. an integral, generally cyindrical closure plug adapted to adheredly engage within the wall of said bore,

said plug having 1. a flanged collar at one end thereof of fixed diameter,

2. a central axial bore at said flanged end for receiving a central depending stem of a golf ball marker,

3. a pair of longitudinally oriented bores extending therethrough from said flanged end,

said longitudinally oriented bores being spaced with respect to said central axial bore so that said central bore is oriented midway between said longitudinal bores, the axes thereof all lying in the same plane,

4. a central depending recess at said one end for receiving a golf ball marker or coin therewithin, and

5. a groove at said one end extending across the diameter of said plug along a line intersecting the axes of said longitudinally oriented bores; and

b. a dimple mark repair device comprising an integral formed member having a pair of spring biased tongs adapted to fit within said longitudinally oriented bores, portions bent outwardly from said tongs so as to seat in said plug groove and protruding a small distance beyond said flanged collar to facilitate manual manipulation thereof, and bent around at angles to form a horizontal bar parallel to said portions.

2. The combination with a golf club handle, said handle having an open top recess in the upper end thereof; a plug disposed in said recess having a pair of longitudinally disposed bores therethrough, each bore disposed a distance r from the central axis of said plug, the bores and said central axis all lying in a common plane, said plug having a circular depression of radius r centrally at the top thereof; a golf ball marker of radius r adapted to fit into said depression; and a dimple repair device having a pair of tongs adapted to frictionally engage within said bores and to retain said marker in said depression; and wherein r r r

Claims

1. In combination with a golf club having a bore extending from the handle end thereof; a. an integral, generally cyindrical closure plug adapted to adheredly engage within the wall of said bore, said plug having 1. a flanged collar at one end thereof of fixed diameter, 2. a central axial bore at said flanged end for receiving a central depending stem of a golf ball marker, 3. a pair of longitudinally oriented bores extending therethrough from said flanged end, said longitudinally oriented bores being spaced with respect to said central axial bore so that said central bore is oriented midway between said longitudinal bores, the axes thereof all lying in the same plane, 4. a central depending recess at said one end for receiving a golf ball marker or coin therewithin, and 5. a groove at said one end extending across the diameter of said plug along a line intersecting the axes of said longitudinally oriented bores; and b. a dimple mark repair device comprising an integral formed member having a pair of spring biased tongs adapted to fit within said longitudinally oriented bores, portions bent outwardly from said tongs so as to seat in said plug groove and protruding a small distance beyond said flanged collar to facilitate manual manipulation thereof, and bent aroUnd at 180* angles to form a horizontal bar parallel to said portions.

2. The combination with a golf club handle, said handle having an open top recess in the upper end thereof; a plug disposed in said recess having a pair of longitudinally disposed bores therethrough, each bore disposed a distance r1 from the central axis of said plug, the bores and said central axis all lying in a common plane, said plug having a circular depression of radius r2 centrally at the top thereof; a golf ball marker of radius r3 adapted to fit into said depression; and a dimple repair device having a pair of tongs adapted to frictionally engage within said bores and to retain said marker in said depression; and wherein r1<r3<r2.

3. a pair of longitudinally oriented bores extending therethrough from said flanged end, said longitudinally oriented bores being spaced with respect to said central axial bore so that said central bore is oriented midway between said longitudinal bores, the axes thereof all lying in the same plane,

5. a groove at said one end extending across the diameter of said plug along a line intersecting the axes of said longitudinally oriented bores; and b. a dimple mark repair device comprising an integral formed member having a pair of spring biased tongs adapted to fit within said longitudinally oriented bores, portions bent outwardly from said tongs so as to seat in said plug groove and protruding a small distance beyond said flanged collar to facilitate manual manipulation thereof, and bent aroUnd at 180* angles to form a horizontal bar parallel to said portions.