Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand bars and hand barrows – Ball retriever
Patent
1995-09-15
1996-11-19
Kramer, Dean
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand bars and hand barrows
Ball retriever
A63B 4702
Patent
active
055755194
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for retrieving balls from hazards and particularly golf balls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that when playing golf, the recovery of golf balls from the bottom of ponds or other golf course hazards and inaccessible places into which they have been hit, can present a number of difficulties in terms of providing the means for achieving recovery.
The most common type of golf ball retrieval device in present use takes the form of a coil of stiff wire formed into a cone shaped helix to provide a golf ball scoop which can be attached to a long operating handle.
In use, the large opening defining the base of the cone is brought into such proximity with the golf ball so as to gather the golf ball into the cone which may then be lifted to the surface. Provided that a certain orientation of the cone is maintained during the Lifting procedure, there is no danger of the golf ball falling out, but this is not always possible to achieve, especially when working over rough terrain.
In consequence, retrieving a golf ball from amongst rocks, for example, may well be a time consuming and arduous affair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention accordingly, is to provide a device for retrieving a golf ball from a hazard which does not suffer the disadvantages of the prior art.
According to the invention there is provided a device for retrieving a ball from a hazard in the form of a cage-like structure for attachment to an operating handle, said structure having a pair of containment elements forming the sides thereof, the elements being held at a predetermined spacing relative to one another thereby to enable a ball to be caught between the elements and ensure retention within the holder during retrieval.
Preferably the containment elements are formed of circularly extending rigid wire.
Advantageously one of the circular tings forms a mouth of the structure for receiving a golf ball, the other circular ting lying at the base of the structure.
In one preferred form the circular rings are of substantially equal diameter being mounted in a U-shaped cradle, the base of which lies across the diameter of the base ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of a golf ball retrieval device according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along the line II--II of FIG. 1 with the device in a partially inverted position;
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a golf ball retrieval device according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along the line II--III of FIG. 3 with the device in a partially inverted position;
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a golf ball retrieval device according to the invention;
FIG. 6 shows detail of the stop means and the swing latch provided in the embodiment of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows the action of the swing latch of the embodiment of FIG. 5 as a golf ball enters the holder;
FIG. 8 shows the rest position of the swing latch of the embodiment of FIG. 5 ensuring containment of the golf ball shown enclosed in the holder;
FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a golf ball retrieval device according to the invention;
FIG. 10 shows detail of the stop means and the swing latch provided in the embodiment of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 along the arrow A with the raised position of the swing latch indicated by a dashed outline.
FIG. 12 shows the action of the swing latch of the embodiment of FIG. 9 as a golf ball enters the holder;
FIG. 13 shows the rest position of the swing latch of the embodiment of FIG. 9 ensuring containment of the golf ball shown enclosed in the holder;
FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show respectively, a front view and two side views of the device of FIG. 14 illustrating the mode of capture of a golf
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patent: 4077659 (1978-03-01), Sievers
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