Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Club or club support
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-22
2001-01-09
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Club or club support
C294S019200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171202
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The present invention relates to the retrieval of athletic balls and more particularly to the retrieval of a single golf ball without the need for the player to bend over to retrieve the ball.
2. Prior Art
The usual way in which a golf ball is picked up is the golf player simply bends over and picks the ball up. As more people take up golf, this seemingly simple act can become a problem because with handicapped or elderly players there is a significant percentage with back problems stemming from injuries and arthritis, making the act of bending to retrieve a ball difficult.
SUMMARY
The present invention is a device built into the handle of a golf club, such as a putter, for picking up golf balls without the need to bend over to retrieve the ball. The handle of the club includes an opening at its upper end which houses
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wires with beads on the outward extending end of each wire. The wires are approximately 4 to 6 inches long and are positioned with their beaded ends extending outwardly of the club handle. The lower ends of the wires are connected to a plug within the handle and are prevented from being totally withdrawn from the handle; however, they may be pulled out of the club handle approximately 4 inches and when withdrawn from the club they form a cone shaped array. The open end of the array extends away from the club handle and has an opening that is slightly smaller than that of a golf ball. By pressing down on a ball with the open end of the array, the wires expand to accept the ball and the ball becomes captured behind the beads and between the wires, thereby facilitating the lifting of the ball from the ground.
Typically during the pick up operation, the club is inverted and the handle is pointing downward. The ball is captured and the club is brought right side up to present the ball to the player, totally eliminating the need for the player to bend for the pick up operation. After retrieving the ball, the wires are retracted into the handle by pushing them down and inside the handle, leaving only a small portion of the beaded ends of the wires extending out of the handle so that they may be grasped and pulled out again when needed. A small cap is placed over the beaded ends of the retracted wires masking the wires completely and making the club virtually indistinguishable from a standard golf club.
REFERENCES:
patent: 802264 (1905-10-01), Brown
patent: 1658145 (1928-02-01), Uyei
patent: 3318628 (1967-05-01), White
patent: 3698720 (1972-10-01), Gudmundsen
patent: 4687204 (1987-08-01), Lempio
patent: 5004240 (1991-04-01), Tsukamoto
Blau Stephen L.
Chapman Jeanette
Redmond Kevin
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