Putter Activated Ball Mark Repair Tool

[0001] The present invention relates to a repair tool for repairing a ball mark on a putting green. More particularly, the present invention relates to a repair tool that is affixed to a golf club cover sleeve that slips over the head of the putter, the repair tool having a plurality of spring-activated prong forks which extend downwardly into the putting green to repair the ball the mark when the putter head is pressed against the repair tool.

[0002] Ball and pitch marks on golf greens are created when a golf ball impacts the green, leaving a depression that can interfere with the golf green’s integrity. It is customary golf course courtesy for the golfer to repair ball and pitch marks created by the golfer’s ball. Nonetheless, many ball and pitch marks are not repaired by golfers as they do not want to bend down and repair the depression with the traditional small hand tool used to repair such ball and pitch marks. As a result, one or more greenskeepers are employed to repair all ball and pitch marks on the greens. Typically, the greenskeeper utilizes a greenskeeper repair tool comprising an elongated thirty-six-inch (36”) handle and a repair component disposed at the bottom end of the elongated handle. The repair component comprises spring activation means and multiple extendable prongs. When the greenskeeper presses the down on the handle, the prongs extend downwardly and into the green by spring activation in one simple motion for precise green repairs. With this tool, the greenskeeper does not have to bend over to repair the green.

[0003] The prior art is replete with ball and pitch mark and divot tools. Most are small individual hand tools that require the golfer to bend over to repair the pitch mark on the green. Such devices are well known in the art. Devices have been developed for use by a golfer, these devices have a handle so that the golfer does not have to bend down to repair the green and are similar to a greenskeeper repair tool. However, the average golfer does not carry these types of devices due to their size and weight.

[0004] Repair tools have been developed to enable a golfer to repair ball and pitch marks without having to bend over. These tools seemingly permanently integrate a pitch-mark repair element within a golf club. For example, U.S. Patent 7,731,601 B2 to Penton discloses a pitch-mark repair tool which is carried by a golf club, such as a putter, which enables a golfer to quickly and easily repair an impact area at a putting green during play. The tool comprises a base which is affixed to the rubber grip surround the top end of the club shaft. A plurality of upstanding earth leveling prongs project from the base for use in lifting-up the earth to a level, smooth surface over the impact area to be repaired. The base is affixed to the top end of the putter or golf club by means of a fastener having a set of helically wound screw threads which extends through the base and the grip for receipt in the existing vent hole of the grip for holding the base against the grip. And end cap detachably connected to the base encloses the upstanding prongs therewithin to prevent injury to the golfer. In operation, when the golfer wishes to repair a pitch mark area, he grasps and moves the end cap out of engagement with the base 5 to expose the upstanding earth leveling prongs, turns the putter upside down and pushes the prongs into the area of the putting green in need of repair. A series of jabbing forces applied to the shaft of the putter are transmitted to the prongs to return the green to a level smooth grass surface.

[0005] Several tools have integrated the repair tool with the actual golf putter head. U.S. Patent 6,176,792 B1 to Tate provides a golf divot repair tool which is combined with a golf putter club head. U.S. Patent 6,964,619 B1 to Mejia also provides a divot repair device which is integrated with the club head of a putter. U.S. Patent 4,951,951 to Meyer discloses a golf club having a turf repairing fork which is formed into the heel of the golf head to enable a golfer to remain erect while repairing turf.

[0006] Despite the teachings of the prior art, a need still exists for utilizing a blade putter, a mallet putter, or other golf club, and the associated length of such a club, to provide a golfer with a ball or pitch mark repair tool which the golfer can use to repair the green while remaining in a standing position. Such a device should be detachably removable from the putter or golf club rather than being an integrated component thereof. Such a device should also enable the golfer to quickly and easily repair the green and return the green to a near-perfect grass surface. And, such a device should repair the green without the golfer having to bend over.

[0007] The invention of the present subject matter relates to a putter-activated ball mark repair tool secured to a golf club cover sleeve and activated by pressing the head of the golf club against a spring-activated plunger component within the repair tool, the plunger component provided with a plurality of prong forks that extend downwardly and into the green to repair the ball or pitch mark.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present subject matter to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool which is secured to a cover sleeve of a golf putter.

[0009] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool which is secured to a cover sleeve of a golf blade putter or golf mallet putter.

[0010] It is still another object of the present subject matter to provide to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool which enables the golfer to repair a ball mark on a golf green without having to bend over or kneel on the green.

[0011] It is a yet another object of the present subject matter to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool comprising a base component, a plunger component and a collar component, the cover sleeve being affixed or secured to the collar component.

[0012] It is a further object of the present subject matter to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool having a plunger component which slides upwardly and downwardly within the base component.

[0013] It is yet a further object of the present subject matter to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool comprising a plunger component having a plurality of prong forks and a set of spring elements attached to the underside of the plunger component.

[0014] It is still a further object of the present subject matter to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool comprising a plunger component having a plurality of prong forks and a set of spring elements attached to the underside of the plunger component and a base component having receiving openings for the spring elements and a geometry of cutouts that are aligned with the plurality of prong forks such that when the spring elements are compressed, the plurality of prong forks are forcibly extended into and through the geometry of cutouts.

[0015] It is an additional object of the present subject matter to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool wherein when the putter head engages and depresses the plunger component, the plunger component slides downwardly into the base component as the spring elements are compressed and the plurality of prong forks are forcibly extended into and through the geometry of cutouts and into the putting green.

[0016] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a putter-activated ball mark repair tool wherein when the prong forks are forced into the green, the putter shaft is manipulated in a forward and backward motion to pull the grass mound on the green back to its original condition and the prong forks are lifted out of the green and retract back into the base component.

[0017] These and other objects of the present subject matter are accomplished by providing a putter-activated ball mark repair tool comprising a collar component having a top surface affixed to a putter head sleeve, a plunger component comprising a set of spring elements and a plurality of prong forks, the plunger component being housed within a base component, the base component having a series of grooves within which the plunger component can slide upwardly and downwardly when the spring elements are depressed and compressed, the base component further comprising a geometry of cutout openings aligned to receive the prong forks when the plunger component is depressed downwardly into the base component.

[0022] In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements and are not drawn to scale. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.

[0023] The terms “repair tool”, “tool”, and similar terms may be used throughout the specification and it is to be understood that such terms are interchangeable and all refer to the putter activated ball mark repair tool of the present subject matter.

[0024] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of the terms "including", "comprising", "having", and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a greenskeeper ball mark repair tool and is considered representative of the prior art. As shown in the drawing figures, the putter-activated ball mark repair tool 100 of the present subject matter comprises a collar component 110, a plunger component 120 and a base component 130, the collar component being secured to a putter head sleeve. Together, the three components are dimensioned to be between about two inches (2.0”) to about two-and-one-half (2.5”) in height, with the collar component being about one-quarter inch (1¼”) in height. The width and length of the putter-activated ball mark repair tool of the present subject will depend upon the type of golf putter being utilized. To accommodate a blade putter, the repair tool is about two inches (2”) in width and between about five inches (5”) and about six (6”) in length. When a mallet putter is used, the repair tool is between about four inches (4”) in width and between about five inches (5”) and about six (6”) in length. The key dimensions for the device are driven by the size of the putter head which will be introduced into the putter head sleeve and pressed downwardly on the plunger to force the prongs to extend through the bottom of the base component and into the ground to enable proper green repair.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, a putter head sleeve 101 is secured to the collar component 110 and has a distal open end for receiving the head of a putter. The putter head sleeve 101 is composed of a fabric material that holds and protects the putter head. The putter head sleeve can be secured to the collar component by any suitable means as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the collar component is provided with a channel 112 along the edge of its top surface 111 within which the putter head sleeve can be secured to the collar component as shown in FIG. 3. The channel 112 should be of sufficient depth that the fabric material can be affixed within the channel by means that will be obvious to those skilled in the art. In preferred embodiments, the putter head sleeve 101 can be sewn into the channel or can be bonded to the channel, such as by adhesive bonding. Materials suitable for use as the fabric material for the putter head sleeve are well known in the prior art and include, for example, materials such as cotton, leather, synthetic leather, and neoprene

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the collar component 110 further comprises a top opening 113 of sufficient size to receive the head of the golf putter, and an open bottom surface 114 which is affixed to the base component 130 once the plunger component 120 has been installed within the base component. The collar component can be affixed to the base component by any suitable means, including for example, a snap-fit arrangement, screws, chemical bonding, or thermal bonding.

[0028] The plunger component comprises an upper flat face 121, four side edges 122 having a series of tongue elements 124 projecting therefrom, an underside face 123 having a set of spring elements 125 and a plurality of prong forks 127 affixed to the underside face. In a preferred embodiment there are two spring elements and four prong forks. The plunger component is sized to be housed within the base component 130. Each of the plurality of prong forks 127 should between about one-and-one-half inches (2”) and about two-and-one-half inches (2½”) in length. This length will ensure that the prong forks extend beyond the base surface by a minimum of one-and-one-half inches (1½”) which is the length required to adequately repair the ball mark. The prong forks may be composed of any strong and durable which can be extended into the earth of a putting green. Sufficiently durable plastic materials and metal materials are suitable for use in the manufacture of the prong forks of the repair tool of the present subject matter.

[0029] The base component 130 comprises an upper edge 131 which is affixed to the bottom surface 114 of the collar component 110 once the plunger component has been installed within the base component. The base component further comprises four side walls 132 etched with a series of grooves 134 which are configured to complement the tongue elements 124 projecting from the plunging component. This design configuration allows the plunger component to slide upwardly and downwardly within the base component, guided by the complementary tongue elements 124 and grooves 134. In the embodiment shown, the base component has a rectangular bathtub shape with two longer side walls each having two grooves etched therein and two shorter side walls each having one groove etched therein and the plunger component has six complementary tongue elements. In a preferred embodiment, the plunger component is configured to travel in a downward direction a distance of between about one-and-one-quarter inches (1.25”) and about one-and-one-half inches (1½”) and return upward by actuation of the spring elements.

[0030] The base component further comprises a flat lower base surface 133 having a set of spring rests 135 in the form of cylindrical openings to engage the set of spring elements 125, a geometry of cutout openings 137 which are configured to receive the plurality of prong forks 127 affixed to the underside of the plunger component. When the plunger component is pressed downwardly, it is guided by the grooves etched into the side walls of the base component and the plurality of prong forks extend downwardly into and through the cutout openings 137. The shape of the prong forks and the geometry of the cutouts allow the prong forks first to extend straight downwardly for about 60% of the throw and then inwardly for the remaining travel distance. This allows for proper repair of the ball mark.

[0031] In operation, the repair tool is placed over a ball mark on a putting green and the head of a golf putter, which may be a blade putter or a mallet putter, is introduced into the top opening 113 of the collar component and contacts the upper flat face 121 of the plunge component. The putter head then is pressed down upon the upper flat face such that the spring elements 125 are compressed and the plunger component is guided downward through the grooves 134. This action forces the prong forks 127 into and through the cutout openings 137. The prong forks are dimensioned to first extend straight downward into the green mound and then extend inwardly. The putter shaft is manipulated in a forward motion and then a backward motion to pull and restore the grass mound on the green back to its original condition. The putter head is then pulled upward causing the spring elements to decompress and the prong forks to retract back into the base element. The golfer may use the bottom surface of the base component to tap the entry points of the prong forks into the putting green.

[0032] The three primary components of the repair tool of the present subject matter, that is the collar component, plunger component, and base component, each can be constructed from any durable material to which the prong forks and spring elements can be affixed. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, suitable materials include hard plastic materials including extrudable plastics, metal and metal compound materials which can be cast or milled, an example of which is aluminum.

[0033] The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom. Applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and that adaptations in the future may take into consideration of those advancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of the art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claim element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor method or process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, under the provisions of 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for. . .” and no method or process step herein is to be construed under those provisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using the phrase "step(s) for. . ..”

[0034] While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated and can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.