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  Golf pitch mark repair toolUSPTO Application #: 20070111826Title: Golf pitch mark repair tool Abstract: A pitch mark repair tool that includes a base with a push ledge and a single prong extending from the push ledge or from a portion of the base adjacent the push ledge. Preferably, the push ledge is a hilt that acts as a thumb guard. The base preferably includes a location for a thumb positioned away from the push ledge. The location for the thumb can be an indentation or ridged area. The base can be shaped to have a flat profile or to have a profile of a corporate logo (e.g., the Nike® “swoosh”) when viewed side-on. Other shapes are possible. Also, methods of using the pitch mark repair tool. (end of abstract)
Agent: Butzer & Chen Law, LLC - Worthington, OH, US Inventor: Paul Michael Blanks USPTO Applicaton #: 20070111826 - Class: 473408000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Player Manipulated Turf Repair Tool The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070111826. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/255,326, titled "Golf Pitch Mark Repair Tool," filed Oct. 21,2005, in the name of the same inventor, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/232,720, titled "Golf Pitch Mark Repair Tool," executed Jun. 23, 2005, in the name of the same inventor, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D526,378. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to a golf pitch mark repair tool. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] When a golf ball lands hard on a putting green, the golf ball can make a ball mark on the green in the jargon of golf, this mark is called a "pitch mark." [0006] Putting greens are supposed to provide a uniform putting surface. Unrepaired pitch marks can mar this surface. For this reason, part of golf etiquette is to repair pitch marks left by one's golf balls on greens. [0007] Unfortunately, many people repair pitch marks improperly. They use a pitch mark repair tool that has two prongs much like a fork. They insert the prongs of this tool beside and under the pitch mark, and then ply and/or twist up the center of the pitch mark with the repair tool. [0008] Inserting the prongs of the repair tool and lifting or twisting can tear the roots of the grass at the pitch mark. Prying up the center of the pitch mark further damages the grass and also exposes the soil under the mark. As a result, the grass is likely to die, resulting in a marred putting surface. [0009] The dead grass at improperly repaired pitch marks can take around three weeks to heal, during which time a significant number of pitch marks can accumulate. This presents a serious challenge for greens keepers and golf course owners. [0010] A proper method exists for repairing pitch marks. This method involves inserting prongs of a repair tool just outside of the pitch mark and then levering the tool toward a center of the pitch mark. However, even with this method, damage can still occur. Levering of the tool can cause the prongs to tear roots of grass around the pitch mark. [0011] Some professional golfers use a tee instead of a two-pronged repair tool to repair pitch marks. Unfortunately, tees often break when used for this purpose. In addition, a person can easily stub his or her thumb into the ground when using a tee to repair a pitch mark, resulting in pain, dirt under the person's thumbnail, and even a broken thumb nail. As a result, few regular golfers use a tee to repair pitch marks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] Accordingly, what is needed is a repair tool that promotes proper repair of pitch marks and that addresses the issues with existing tools and techniques discussed above. [0013] One embodiment of the invention that addresses this need is a pitch mark repair tool that includes a base with a push ledge and a single prong extending from the push ledge or from a portion of the base adjacent the push ledge. Preferably, the push ledge is a hilt that acts as a thumb guard. This hilt can help to protect a person's thumb from being stubbed when the tool is used. The base preferably includes a location for the thumb positioned away from the push ledge. The location for the thumb can be an indentation or ridged area, the center of which preferably is at least one third way across the base from the push ledge. [0014] The single prong tends to decrease root damage when used properly as compared to conventional two-pronged tools. In addition, the position of the thumb location (e.g., indentation or ridged area) promotes proper use. Thus, this repair tool is superior to existing pitch mark repair tools. [0015] Another embodiment of the invention is a pitch mark repair tool that also includes a base with a push ledge. This embodiment further includes an opening in the base or push ledge for insertion of a golf tee so as to form a single prong extending from the base or push ledge. [0016] In some embodiments, the base further includes a through hole at an end opposite the push ledge and the single prong, for example for attachment to a key ring. [0017] The base can be shaped to have a flat profile when viewed side-on. Alternatively, the base and the push ledge can be shaped to have a profile of a corporate logo such as the Nike(t "swoosh" when viewed side-on. Other shapes are possible. [0018] The invention also encompasses methods of using pitch mark repair tools according to the invention. [0019] This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] FIGS. 1 to 5 show various views of embodiments of a pitch mark repair tool according to the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Golf pitch mark repair tool Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf pitch mark repair tool patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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