Supports: racks – Special article – Article includes elongated portion
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-07-17
Strimbu, Gregory J. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Article includes elongated portion
C211S085700, C211S060100, C248S533000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260717
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a support apparatus for supporting one or more golf clubs in a generally vertical condition. The golf club support apparatus is portable and is suitable for being carried with golf clubs in a golf bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of devices are known in the prior art for supporting golf clubs in a generally vertical orientation so that the golfer has ready access to the clubs. A golfer may hand carry several clubs to the spot of a ball on a golf course and make a decision at that point as to which club he or she will use for the next shot. By employing a golf club support the clubs not used may be maintained in a general upright condition so that they will not be exposed to moisture and dirt which might very well be the case if the clubs were lying on the ground. Furthermore, using the support, the golfer need not bend over to retrieve the supported clubs. Also, clubs maintained in a generally upright condition by the support are less likely to be left behind.
The following United States patents are believed to be representative of the current state of the prior art in this area: U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,471, issued Feb. 23, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,239, issued Jan. 14, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,201, issued Jul. 10, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,051, issued Jun. 29, 1976, U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,980, issued Nov. 21, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,530, issued Jul. 7, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,363, issued Jan. 28, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,334, issued May 23, 1995.
The patents do not teach or suggest the arrangement disclosed and claimed herein.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The golf club support apparatus of the present invention is characterized by its relative simplicity, low cost and ease of use. A golfer can set up the support with one hand, leaving his or her other hand free to hold a club or clubs. The apparatus is highly portable and compact so that it readily fits into a golf bag compartment or tube or in an umbrella sleeve.
The golf club support apparatus includes a double-ended, elongated, rigid primary support member having an upper end, a ground engaging lower end, and a primary support member longitudinal axis extending between the upper end and the ground engaging lower end. The ground engaging lower end is for insertion into the ground to maintain the double-ended, elongated, rigid primary support member at a selected orientation relative to the ground and the upper end disposed above the ground.
The golf club support apparatus also includes a secondary support member pivotally attached to the double-ended, elongated, rigid primary support member and defining a secondary support member cavity. The secondary support member is selectively pivotally movable relative to the double-ended, elongated, rigid primary support member between a first location wherein the secondary support member is disposed substantially parallel to the primary support member longitudinal axis and the double-ended, elongated, rigid primary support member is positioned in the secondary support member cavity and a second location wherein the secondary support member projects outwardly away from the double-ended, elongated, rigid primary support member.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1447579 (1923-03-01), Thomas
patent: 2275870 (1942-03-01), Sheldon
patent: 3408075 (1968-10-01), Colton
patent: 3966051 (1976-06-01), Hollister et al.
patent: 4545579 (1985-10-01), McCain
patent: 4940201 (1990-07-01), Kurth
patent: 5080239 (1992-01-01), Rowland
patent: 5127530 (1992-07-01), Ortuno
patent: 5417334 (1995-05-01), Wu
patent: 5467980 (1995-11-01), Weisenstein
patent: 5597363 (1997-01-01), Leote
patent: 5873471 (1999-02-01), Ruggeri
patent: 5884881 (1999-03-01), Band et al.
Lampe Thomas R.
Strimbu Gregory J.
LandOfFree
Golf club support apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Golf club support apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Golf club support apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2521686