Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Player manipulated turf repair tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2002-07-02
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Player manipulated turf repair tool
Reexamination Certificate
active
06413173
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a compact multiple purpose golf tool with a lengthwise body element serving as a handle and having a receptacle area for functional pieces which can be pulled out to a functional position from the handle.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Such compact or pocket tools are known, for example pocket knives, with two opposing handle half-shells between which one or more functional pieces, such as knife blades, cork screws, screw drivers, can openers, nail files, and the like, are arranged so that they can be swung out and which are held in the collapsed or extended position basically by spring force. These are known in the most varied design forms. Thus, for example, different sizes of flat head or Phillips head screw drivers or different sizes of Allen keys or machinist's wrenches have been arranged on a pocket knife. These functional pieces are located between parallel plates, which are connected to one another by clinch bolts, with the outer plates being, covered each by one of the shells. The shells provide the visual appearance of a pocket knife, on the one hand, and are also responsible for its ergonomic properties and grip, on the other, hand. It is also known to provide the shells with push-in channels which can hold for, example, tooth picks, pincers, or cleaning needles for the spray jets of windshield washer systems on vehicles.
The equipment of pocket knives with functional pieces suitable for the most varied purposes is reflected also in the fact that known pocket knives have also been combined with a typing system. Such pocket knives are subject to high assembly expenses and therefore cause a very expensive manufacturing process.
Previously known pocket tools, especially pocket knives, usually have swingable functional elements which stick out somewhat on the side from the contour of the housing element and which are grippable with the finger tips in a way that is well-known. They are positioned in a way that they can be swung out against a spring force, so that a holding force is active both in the collapsed carrying position and in the extended functional position. This is provided by the elastic elements and cannot be controlled. Thus it may occur that the functional elements inadvertently collapse during use. Moreover, the springs become fatigued with time, which has further unfavorable effects. Another disadvantage of swingable functional elements is that they are usually swingable around one axle and thus absorb torsion forces only to a limited degree. Functional elements in previously known pocket tools cannot be opened and closed with one hand. With many special knives, the knife blade can be opened with one hand by releasing a pre-set spring, but usually they cannot be closed with one hand. Other functional elements are plugged into and can be taken out of slots in the shells or the body element.
Starting from the previously known state of technology, the present invention is based on the task, of preparing a pocket tool of the usual kind, which has different functional elements that can be used for various purposes in the sport of golf, and which is economically manufacturable and easy to use.
In particular, a tool is to be prepared in which functional elements useful for the exercise of golf are operable with one hand and can absorb leverages and torsion forces at least to the usual extent.
Beyond that, an improved control of the holding forces should be made possible, both in the carrying position and in the functional position.
For the technical solution of this task, a normal pocket tool is further developed in that a divot repair tool is arranged in the body element which can be moved by single-hand operation between a carrying position and a functional position and which can be locked in both positions.
The multiple purpose golf tool according to the invention has a divot repair tool which can be moved by single-hand operation between a carrying position and a functional position. This divot repair tool is completely housed in the body element in the carrying position and can be moved out to a functional position. Divot repair tools are used in golf primarily to repair pitch marks on the green, that is, ball divots. For this purpose, the tool is moved in the grass surface of the green using lifting and twisting movements.
According to a preferred embodiment for the invention, the divot repair tool is arranged within a tool guide in the body element. The body element has two external side shells, between which essentially parallel plates are arranged. In the manner according to the invention, the divot repair tool is arranged in a lengthwise sliding manner in a plate which is designed as a tool guide plate and arranged essentially parallel to a side shell. Thus the repair tool can be pushed out on a narrow side surface of the pocket tool. In an advantageous manner, an operating pin is mounted on the divot repair tool, arranged essentially perpendicular to the guide plate and projecting through one of the side shells. This operating pin can thus be gripped from one of the side shells and slid lengthwise, whereby the repair tool is also slid lengthwise. Preferably the repair tool can be automatically locked in the body element both in the carrying position drawn into the body element and in the functional position extending out of the body element. For this purpose it is proposed according to the invention to arrange a locking plate parallel to the guide plate which has locking grooves into which the spring-elastic element of the divot repair tool can lock. This spring-elastic element can be the operating pin designed in a spring-elastic manner on the divot repair tool, with the spring elasticity acting perpendicular to the guide plate. The operating pin call be pressed in from the side shell in a spring-elastic manner by pressure and thus press a locking element, which is connected elastically with the divot repair tool, out of a locking groove. In the side shell, according to an advantageous proposal for the invention, a lengthwise groove is designed, in which the operating pin is guided. The lengthwise groove can be carried out at the base of a depression designed in the side shell, so that an operating button set on top of the operating pin is led in this depression. By use of the spring-elastic element on the divot repair tool, therefore, no separate spring is needed for locking the divot repair tool in different positions. The fork guidance can be a guide plate with recesses for the divot repair tool. The guide plate can also be formed by individual elements, however. Thus two or more individual guide elements can be combined to form a guide plate. Two identical elements can be aligned in reflection to the lengthwise median and form a guide area for the divot repair tool. The divot repair tool is designed as a plate-shaped element. This element can preferably be formed from stainless steel. In this way, the divot repair tool can be kept very thin, for example≦1 mm, so that a light and above all delicate insertion into the precious lawns of the golf course can be guaranteed. Moreover, the plate-shaped element can be moved through an opening slot which has very narrow tolerances with respect to the divot repair tool. In this way, the opening slot functions as a stripper for sand, dirt, and the like which is on the divot repair tool.
According to another advantageous proposal for the invention, the multiple purpose golf tool has a ball marker. Ball markers are usually plate or coin-shaped plates which are inserted into the green to mark the position of a ball. According to an advantageous proposal for the invention, the ball marker is removably inset into a side shell. For this purpose, the side shell can have a plate-shaped recess in which the ball marker is positioned. In order to arrange the ball marker on the pocket tool in a way that it cannot be lost, it is proposed that the side shell and at least a part of the plates have a groove open from one side edge, in
Elsener Carl
Müller Walter
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Victorinox AG
Wong Steven
LandOfFree
Multiple purpose golf tool does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Multiple purpose golf tool, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multiple purpose golf tool will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2873685