Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Scrapers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-24
2001-02-06
Spisich, Mark (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Scrapers
C015S236010, C030S169000, CD32S048000, CD32S049000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182324
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool for reconditioning the grooves on the face of a golf club.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the game of golf, a very important element, and also one of the most difficult elements to achieve and master, is the element of control of the golf ball. Many factors combine to affect a player's control, such as the speed, angle, and consistency of the player's swing, the type of ball chosen by the player, as well as the condition of the face of the club used to hit the golf ball.
Golf clubs have angled faces in order to project a golf ball upwardly upon impact, with different clubs having different angles depending on the amount of loft desired. The face of a golf club also has a series of cuts or grooves that extend transversely across a portion of the club face. When the player hits a golf ball, these grooves, along with the angle of the club, impart rotation to the golf ball. As is well known, as more rotation is imparted to the ball, the player's control over the flight of the ball is improved. A number of variables combine to affect the amount of spin imparted to the golf ball, such as the number of grooves, the size and shape of the grooves, as well as the overall condition and cleanliness of the club face. The size of the grooves, i.e., the width and depth of the grooves, is controlled by rules developed by the United States Golf Association.
Unfortunately, the condition of the grooves tends to deteriorate with use of the golf club. Dirt and other debris (from too many divots, for example) can easily fill in the grooves, thus minimizing or eliminating the effectiveness of the grooves. Such dirt and other debris can be removed relatively easily by simply cleaning the club face.
However, during the life of the club, the repetitive impact with a golf ball tends to permanently alter the shape of the grooves. The repetitive impact of the club face against the golf ball causes portions of the club face adjacent to the grooves to “peen over” into the groove. This peening both narrows the width of the groove and effectively reduces the depth of the groove, thus degrading the performance of the golf club.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a tool that would recondition the grooves on the face of the golf club to their original condition, thereby restoring the golf club to its original effectiveness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a device for removing peened material from within a groove on the face of a golf club, and for restoring the groove to a desired shape, includes a handle and a blade. The blade includes a body mounted to the handle and further includes a protruding portion terminating in a tip. A portion of the tip defines a cutting portion having a cross-section generally conforming to the desired groove shape. Accordingly, in response to movement of the blade along the groove, the cutting portion removes the peened material from the groove and thereby restores the groove to the desired shape.
Preferably, the blade is removably mounted to the handle, and the handle includes a pair of joinable halves that enclose an interior space. A mounting portion of the blade is adapted to be secured within the interior space, and the blade mounting portion preferably includes an edge having one or more slots which engage an interior lip on one of the halves in order to secure the blade to the handle.
The tip includes a leading edge which comprises the cutting portion, and further includes a trailing edge. The leading edge includes a bottom edge and a pair of side edges. Preferably, the bottom edge is 0.035 inches wide, which conforms to USGA rules for groove width, while the side edges are preferably 0.020 inches long, which conforms to USGA rules for groove depth, thus establishing the desired cross-sectional shape of the grooves. Alternatively, the leading edge may include a pair of side edges converging at a point, which sides are adapted to conform to a “V” shaped groove. The size of a “V” shaped groove also conforms to USGA rules.
The trailing edge includes a curved portion terminating at a bottom edge of the tip, whereas the leading edge of the blade is generally straight or linear in the region of the tip. Preferably, the blade is mounted to the handle on a slide assembly, which permits the blade to be retracted into the handle.
According to another aspect of the invention, a device for restoring a groove on the face of a golf club to a desired shape by removing unwanted material therefrom comprises a handle and a blade. The blade includes a body and a protruding tip, with the body being mounted to the handle. A portion of the protruding tip defines cutting means for cutting the unwanted material from within the groove. The cutting means defines a cross-section corresponding to the desired groove shape, with the cutting means being responsive to movement of the protruding tip along a longitudinal axis of the groove to thereby restore the groove to the desired shape.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a device for removing debris from within a groove on the face of a golf club and for restoring the groove to a desired shape comprises a handle having a pair of joinable halves defining an interior cavity, and a planar blade. The blade includes a body having a mounting portion adjustably mounted within the handle interior cavity, and the blade further includes a leading edge and a trailing edge converging at a cutting tip protruding away from the body. The cutting tip is defined by a pair of side edges and a bottom edge, and the cutting tip has a cross-section generally conforming to the desired groove shape. Thus, in response to movement of the blade along the groove the cutting tip removes the debris from the groove, thereby restoring the groove to the desired shape.
These and other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following description.
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Hauk Karel
Kalamaras Michael R.
Novak James R.
Pagliuzza Mario
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
Spisich Mark
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