GB2046598A - Divot retainer - Google Patents

Abstract

A headed pin is used for retaining a divot replaced after a golfing shot. The pin is moulded from clay or other material which breaks down in the soil and such material may contain fertilizer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Divot retainer This invention relates to divots, that is areas of turf removed by a golfer's club as he strikes the ball.

The etiquette of the game of golf requires that the divot is replaced after the shot to avoid permanently scarring the golfcourse. Simple replacement may, under some circumstances, be sufficient for the grass, clover etc. in the turf to reestablish its growth but if there is a wind there is a tendency for the divot to lift and blow awaythus leaving a hole which is a permanent scar on the course.

The invention aims to provide means for solving this problem.

According to the invention, I provide a divot retainer in the form of a headed pin which can be pushed through the divot (e.g. with the foot) and into the underlying soil. In practice one pin would normally be used for a small divot and two for a large divot.

The invention also provides a method of retaining a divot which comprises pushing a headed pin through the divot into the underlying soil.

The divot retainer pin may be made of a number of materials including plastics, wood, clay, and sawdust bound e.g. with water-soluble glue. For environmental reasons the material of which the pin is made should break down in the soil within a relatively short period and thus plastics materials are not recommended (except for ease of manufacture). The speed of break down will depend e.g. on weather and soil conditions but clay might take about 5 days.

In the case of moulded materials which readily break down e.g. clay and bound sawdust, it is highly desirable to include standard grass fertilizer in the mix i.e. one which provides phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium in suitably balanced proportions.

However, the pin should be at least 2/3 clay in the case of a clay pin, cold clay being preferred. Such cold clay pins can be moulded from an aqueous mix in a simple moulding machine and take about 24 hours to set. They could for example, by provided by the golf club or municipal authority in plastics bags at the beginning of the course for players to pick up and take with them.

Various forms of divot retainer pin are shown by way of exam ple in the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a third angle projection of a first form of a pin; Figs. 2A and 2B are respectively a third angle projection and a side elevation of a second form of pin; and Figs. 3A and 3B are respectively a side elevation and plan view of a third form of pin.

The Fig. 1 pin may for example be made of wood and has a rectangular T-head 1 and a rectangular shank 2 with a bevel 3 to give a tapered end. When the head 1 and shank 2 are of wood they may be secured by any suitable means such as screwing or gluing but for convenience they are shown as integral in the drawing. The dimensions are e.g. 1 cm wide, 6 cm long, 2 mm thick and 3 cm length of T.

The Fig. 2 pin is suitable for moulding as an integral unit e.g. from cold clay. It has two bevels 3 to give it a central edge 4, and an arcuate profile where the head 1 joins the shank 2 for added strength. The head may e.g. by 40 mm long and the overall height may e.g. be 75 mm.

The Fig. 3 pin is a round pin e.g. 50 mm high and 25 mm max. diameter. There is a slight depression 5 in the top. This pin is again suitable for moulding e.g.

from cold clay.

Although the invention has been described with reference to divots it could also be applied to pieces of turf of other shapes and sizes.

1. A headed pin for use in retaining a divot replaced after a golf shot, the pin having a shank portion suitable for pushing through the divot into the underlying soil and a head portion for engage ment with the top of the divot 2. A headed pin according to Claim 1, wherein the head is a rectangular T-shaped head.

3. A head pin according to Claim 1, wherein the head is circular.

4. A headed pin according to any preceding claim, wherein the pin is of integral construction.

5. A headed pin according to any preceding claim wherein the lower end of the pin is tapered.

6. A headed pin according to any preceding claim, which is of plastics material, bound sawdust, clay or wood.

7. A headed pin according to claim 6, which is of clay or bound sawdust.

8. A headed pin according to any preceding claim which contains fertiliser.

9. A headed pin substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1, 2 or 3 of the draw ings.

10. A method of retaining a divot replaced after a golf shot in which a headed pin according to any preceding claim is pushed through the divot into the underlying soil.

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Divot retainer This invention relates to divots, that is areas of turf removed by a golfer's club as he strikes the ball. The etiquette of the game of golf requires that the divot is replaced after the shot to avoid permanently scarring the golfcourse. Simple replacement may, under some circumstances, be sufficient for the grass, clover etc. in the turf to reestablish its growth but if there is a wind there is a tendency for the divot to lift and blow awaythus leaving a hole which is a permanent scar on the course. The invention aims to provide means for solving this problem. According to the invention, I provide a divot retainer in the form of a headed pin which can be pushed through the divot (e.g. with the foot) and into the underlying soil. In practice one pin would normally be used for a small divot and two for a large divot. The invention also provides a method of retaining a divot which comprises pushing a headed pin through the divot into the underlying soil. The divot retainer pin may be made of a number of materials including plastics, wood, clay, and sawdust bound e.g. with water-soluble glue. For environmental reasons the material of which the pin is made should break down in the soil within a relatively short period and thus plastics materials are not recommended (except for ease of manufacture). The speed of break down will depend e.g. on weather and soil conditions but clay might take about 5 days. In the case of moulded materials which readily break down e.g. clay and bound sawdust, it is highly desirable to include standard grass fertilizer in the mix i.e. one which provides phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium in suitably balanced proportions. However, the pin should be at least 2/3 clay in the case of a clay pin, cold clay being preferred. Such cold clay pins can be moulded from an aqueous mix in a simple moulding machine and take about 24 hours to set. They could for example, by provided by the golf club or municipal authority in plastics bags at the beginning of the course for players to pick up and take with them. Various forms of divot retainer pin are shown by way of exam ple in the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a third angle projection of a first form of a pin; Figs. 2A and 2B are respectively a third angle projection and a side elevation of a second form of pin; and Figs. 3A and 3B are respectively a side elevation and plan view of a third form of pin. The Fig. 1 pin may for example be made of wood and has a rectangular T-head 1 and a rectangular shank 2 with a bevel 3 to give a tapered end. When the head 1 and shank 2 are of wood they may be secured by any suitable means such as screwing or gluing but for convenience they are shown as integral in the drawing. The dimensions are e.g. 1 cm wide, 6 cm long, 2 mm thick and 3 cm length of T. The Fig. 2 pin is suitable for moulding as an integral unit e.g. from cold clay. It has two bevels 3 to give it a central edge 4, and an arcuate profile where the head 1 joins the shank 2 for added strength. The head may e.g. by 40 mm long and the overall height may e.g. be 75 mm. The Fig. 3 pin is a round pin e.g. 50 mm high and 25 mm max. diameter. There is a slight depression 5 in the top. This pin is again suitable for moulding e.g. from cold clay. Although the invention has been described with reference to divots it could also be applied to pieces of turf of other shapes and sizes. CLAIMS

1. A headed pin for use in retaining a divot replaced after a golf shot, the pin having a shank portion suitable for pushing through the divot into the underlying soil and a head portion for engage ment with the top of the divot

2. A headed pin according to Claim 1, wherein the head is a rectangular T-shaped head.

3. A head pin according to Claim 1, wherein the head is circular.

4. A headed pin according to any preceding claim, wherein the pin is of integral construction.

5. A headed pin according to any preceding claim wherein the lower end of the pin is tapered.

6. A headed pin according to any preceding claim, which is of plastics material, bound sawdust, clay or wood.

7. A headed pin according to claim 6, which is of clay or bound sawdust.

8. A headed pin according to any preceding claim which contains fertiliser.

9. A headed pin substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1, 2 or 3 of the draw ings.

10. A method of retaining a divot replaced after a golf shot in which a headed pin according to any preceding claim is pushed through the divot into the underlying soil.

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65