US20060073917A1

US20060073917A1 - Automatic ball mark retrieval system

Info

Publication number: US20060073917A1
Application number: US11/241,602
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeromy Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-25
Filing date: 2005-09-30
Publication date: 2006-04-06

Abstract

What make this divot tool and ball mark combination unique and new is its incorporated automatic ball mark retrieval system. The golfer can place the divot tool in his or her pocket separately from the ball mark or vise versa and the two components will automatically link together in the pocket every time thru design and magnetic force. For example, the divot tool is part A and the ball mark is part B, part A is placed in the golfer's pocket separately from part B and the two components will automatically link together. After this process occurs the golfer can retrieve the divot tool and ball mark automatically united together. This system is made possible by the strategic placement of the magnet in the divot tool and the precise size of the ball mark. This is important Because any where the divot tool and ball mark falls in the pocket it will link every time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Prior application Ser. No. 10/798,083
This current application is a continuation in part to a previous application filed on Feb. 15, 2001. The idea, concept, and functionality is exactly the same and did not change. The only difference between the previous and that of the current application is the magnet is now in the divot tool and not in the ball mark. This invention works and functions exactly the same way as that of the prior application filed on Feb. 15, 2001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of end ever to which this invention pertains to is the sport of golf. Golf is a sport in which a person or persons play 18 holes for a cumulative score based on par usually being 72. The score is kept from tee to green and the shots are added up at the end of a 18 hole round for a cumulative score. There are several tools need to play golf including; golf balls, clubs to hit the ball, a putter, and a divot tool and ball mark combination. The divot tool is used to repair the indention made from the ball hitting the green and the ball mark is used to mark the place where the ball rests on the green when the ball is picked up. There are many types of divot tool and ball mark inventions on the market, mostly pertaing to its design not any particular functionality. With saying that, the divot tools on the market today pose problems pertaining to the way the ball mark is retained on the divot tool. All the divot tools today have been designed to retain the ball mark certain designated or recessed area on the divot tool. The problem with this is after the golfer uses the ball mark he or she has to retrieve the divot tool out of their pocket and place the mark back on the tool. If the golfer does not place the ball mark back onto the tool after each use he or she will have to fumble through their pocket for the ball mark at the next hole. Another problem is loss or misplacement of the ball mark through two different scenarios. For example, when the golfer sits down in the golf cart for transportation to the next hole the ball mark has a tendency to fall out of the golfer's pocket and at the end of each round golfer's have tendency not to place the ball mark back on the tool therefore misplacing it.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf divot tool and ball mark combination incorporates an automatic ball mark retrieval system invented to alleviate common problems or inconveniences that typically occur on the golf course with other divot tool devices. The golf divot tool invented is a simple concept that makes the divot tool and ball mark combination more convenient and accessible for today's golfer. It functions by using a specially designed highly magnetized neodymium bar magnet strategically embedded in the center of the divot repair tool and a carbon alloy ball mark that attaches to the divot tool thru magnetic force. When these two components are in the same proximity they inherently link together every time. In other words, when the divot repair tool and the ball mark are placed in the golfer's pocket separately the two components automatically link together becoming one unit. The divot tool and ball mark links together every time because after each component is placed in the golfer's pocket the divot tool and ball mark mimic paths and come to rest in the same place in the pocket. Therefore because of the strategic placement of magnet in the divot tool the ball mark is always in same proximity of the magnet automatically linking the ball mark to the divot tool. For example, suppose the divot tool is part A and the ball mark is part B, part A can be placed in the golfer's pocket separately from part B and they will automatically link together becoming one unit, AB united. This benefit solves the inconvenience of manually placing the ball mark back on the tool after each hole; it aids in keeping up with the mark, and prevents searching for the small ball mark in the golfer's pocket

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A: Front and side elevational view
FIG. 1A shows the front elevational view of the invented divot tool and ball mark. The divot tool is 1 inch wide and 3 inches long and the ball mark is 1″ diameter. Embedded or pressed in the center of the divot tool is a highly magnetized bar magnet 1 and ¾ inches long running vertical down the center of the divot tool. The bottom halve of the view illustrates the forks of the divot tool. The body in which the magnet is pressed in is metal or plastic. The ball mark illustrated is carbon steel that highly attracted to magnetism. This view illustrates the strategic placement of the magnet in the divot tool and precise size of the ball mark. The strategic placement of the magnet and the size the ball mark is directly related because when these two components come to rest in the golfer's pocket they will automatically link together every time. In other words, when the divot tool and ball mark are at rest in the pocket the magnet will always be in the same proximity of the ball mark and the two components will automatically link together. This FIG. 1A also illustrates the side views of both the divot tool and the ball mark for reference purposes only.
FIG. 1B: Rear and side elevational view
The rear elevational view mimics or is the exact same as the front view of Part A, the divot tool and part B, the ball mark. The magnet is exposed on the front and rear sides of part A, the divot tool. This FIG. 2A also illustrates the side views of both the divot tool and the ball mark for reference purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The new golf divot tool and ball mark combination was designed and invented to incorporate an automatic ball mark retrieval system. This system is made possible by the divot tools precise method of manufacture including the design, materials of construction and the technology incorporated. The first step was to make sure that the tool was made to accommodate the core functionality of the divot tool and ball mark combination which is to fix a divot in the green and to mark the position of a golf ball. The next step was to incorporate the invented process of the automatic ball mark retrieval system that will link the divot tool automatically within the golfer's pocket. The divot tool is first stamped out of stainless steel mimicking the design with a vertical hole down the center of the tool. After the raw tool is stamped out a special designed bar magnet is then pressed into the hole exposing it on both sides. After the tool is complete the ball mark is made out of flat carbon steel to a precise diameter depending on the design of the tool. The ball mark, being constructed of carbon steel, is extremely attracted to the highly magnetized divot tool. This tool has been specially designed and invented to allow the golfer to place the divot tool and the ball mark in his or her pocket separately, to have both components automatically link together within the pocket. When the divot tool falls in to the golfer's pocket it rest at the same place every time. When the ball mark falls in the pocket it mimics the path of the divot tool and automatically links to the divot tool every time. Therefore because of the strategic placement of magnet in the divot tool the ball mark is always in same proximity of the magnet automatically linking the ball mark to the divot tool. In other words, the divot tool can be placed in the pocket in any direction desired and when it comes to rest the ball mark will always fall within the force of magnetism given off by the specially designed and strategically placed magnet in the center of the divot tool. As illustrated in T-1, suppose the divot tool is part A and the ball mark is part B, my claim is that part A can be placed in the golfer's pocket separately than part B and they will automatically link together becoming part AB united. There exist other divot tools on the market today using magnetic force to retain a ball mark. The problem with these divot tools is that the ball mark has to be placed in a designated recessed area on the tool. These types of designs pose many problems to golfers today. For example; after each hole the golfer has to physically place the ball mark back onto the divot tool. If this is not done the golfer is left fumbling through his or her pocket for a small ball mark. Another problem is when the ball mark is loose in the pocket it has a tendency to fall out when sitting in the golf cart, therefore losing or misplacing the mark. With the use of the automatic ball mark retrieval system any golfer can eliminate these problems and inconveniences. This invented concept is a system that will allow golfer's to play with much more focus knowing that their ball mark will always be secured to the divot tool through the natural flow of the game. This conceptual system and is not limited by design. This idea, if designed correct can incorporated in other divot tool shapes if the tool and ball mark is specially designed and tested so the two components will link together every time.

Claims

1. The claim of this invention is that the divot tool and ball mark can be placed in the golfer's pocket separately and the two components will link together every time made possible by the inventions unique design, concept, and magnetic force. Suppose the divot tool is part A and the ball mark B the claim is that part A placed in a golfer's pocket at a separate time that part b, part A and B will automatically link together allowing the golfer to retrieve the divot tool and the ball mark automatically united thru design and magnetic force. The divot tool can be placed in the golfer's pocket in any direction and because of the specially designed magnet and its strategic placement in the divot tool the ball mark will always fall within the force of magnetism when placed in the pocket.