| Multi-function magnetic golf appliance -> Monitor Keywords |
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Multi-function magnetic golf applianceRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Club Or Club SupportMulti-function magnetic golf appliance description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070049396, Multi-function magnetic golf appliance. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention generally relates to an appliance that may be used to assist a golfer in playing a game of golf. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to an appliance that may assist the golfer in retrieving golf balls and golf clubs from a playing surface, as well as holding and retrieving one or more golf ball markers. In other embodiments, the appliance may assist the golfer in keeping the handle of a golf club dry when the golf club is laid upon the playing surface. In addition, the present invention includes methods for using the appliance. [0002] In playing the game of golf, it is sometimes necessary for the golfer to retrieve a golf ball from the playing surface (which may also include a putting cup). This may be accomplished by the golfer bending over, grasping the ball with his or her hand, and then raising it from the surface. This bending can cause discomfort and pain for the golfer in certain circumstances. For example, the bending may give rise to discomfort or pain in a portion of the back or shoulder of the golfer who has suffered a previous injury to his or her back or shoulder, respectively. In addition, elderly persons may have difficulty in bending over in the manner required. Bending over may also cause fatigue due to the additional muscle activity required. It can also become a tedious task for the golfer in later stages of the golf game. In addition, it is sometimes necessary for the golfer to place a ball marker on the playing surface at the location of the ball when the ball is retrieved from the surface. Later, it is necessary for the golfer to retrieve the ball marker and restore the golf ball to its original location on the playing surface. Even though the ball marker is often retrieved from the surface during the same bending motion that allows the golfer to place the golf ball on the surface, the additional action of retrieving the ball marker from the surface typically causes the golfer to bend further than he or she would have to in order to place the ball alone. In addition, the length of time that the golfer is in the bent-over position typically increases with the retrieval of the ball marker. In some cases, a separate bending action may be necessary to retrieve the ball marker. In these cases, additional bending is required, which may accentuate any pain, discomfort and tediousness produced during the golf game. Further, it is necessary to hold the ball markers in a convenient position while not in use so that they are readily available when needed. This position should also be one where the ball markers are not easily misplaced or otherwise lost. Further still, it is sometimes necessary for the golfer to place one or more golf clubs on the playing surface while using another golf club to hit the golf ball. For example, the golfer may carry an iron and a putter to a location close to the green where a golf ball is positioned, drop the putter to the playing surface, use the iron to hit the ball onto the green, retrieve the putter from the playing surface, move to the new location of the ball on the green, drop the iron to the playing surface, use the putter to hit the ball, and then retrieve the iron from the playing surface. Once again, the constant necessity to bend over in order to retrieve golf clubs may produce the adverse effects described above. In addition, the handle of the golf club laid on the playing surface may become wet if the playing surface is wet. [0003] There are devices existing in the art that attempt to address some of these problems. For example, some devices use scoops, clips or brackets to retrieve a golf ball. These devices, however, are often removably attached to a golf club using means that are somewhat inconvenient or cumbersome. In addition, the structure of the scoop, clip or bracket often does not enable the golfer to easily retrieve the ball from the playing surface. For example, the golfer may be required to "chase" the ball about the surface with the device in order to grasp the ball so it may be retrieved. Other devices may be used to retrieve golf clubs, but also suffer from inconvenience or cumbersome use. For example, with some devices it is necessary for the golfer to "chase" the golf club about the playing surface in order to retrieve it. Still other devices may be used to retrieve ball markers, but may also be inconvenient and cumbersome to use. Some of the devices used to retrieve ball markers may use magnetic force, but none appear to use magnetic force strong enough to also retrieve a golf club utilizing magnetic force alone. Further, there does not appear to be a single simple device that may be used to accomplish all of these purposes, as well as holding the handle of a golf club above the playing surface when the golf club is laid upon the surface. Thus, there is a need for an appliance that can be used to retrieve a golf ball and a golf club from a playing surface, to hold and retrieve golf ball markers, and to hold the handle of a golf club above the playing surface when the golf club is laid upon the surface, all in a manner that is both convenient and simple to use. Finally, there is a need for the appliance to be relatively inexpensive to produce and maintain. SUMMARY [0004] The present invention is directed to an appliance, as well as methods for using the appliance, that may assist a golfer in retrieving golf balls and golf clubs from a playing surface, holding and retrieving one or more golf ball markers, and holding the handle of a golf club above the playing surface when the golf club is laid upon the surface, all in a manner that meets the needs discussed above in the Background section. As described in greater detail below, the present invention, when used for its intended purposes, has many advantages over other devices known in the art, as well as novel features that result in a new appliance and methods for its use that are not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any prior art means, devices or methods, either alone or in any combination thereof. [0005] An embodiment of one aspect of a first version of the present invention generally discloses an appliance for use in playing the game of golf. In this embodiment, the appliance is generally comprised of a first golf club and a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club. The magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above a surface by the end of the handle of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club. Preferably, the magnetic field strength of the magnet at its surface is in the range from 3,500 gauss to 5,500 gauss. In other embodiments of this aspect of the first version of the present invention, the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker. The at least one ball marker is further comprised of a magnetic portion, which is further comprised of material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials. The at least one ball marker may be removably attached to the end of the handle of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of the at least one ball marker and the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club. In other embodiments, the at least one ball marker may be shaped approximately as a circular disc or may be further comprised of a nonmagnetic portion constructed of a material that does not have magnetic properties and is not subject to magnetic attraction. In yet other embodiments, the at least one ball marker may be shaped approximately as a circular disc having a first circular surface and a second circular surface opposite the first circular surface. In these embodiments, the magnetic portion is shaped approximately as a circular disc having a diameter less than the diameter of the at least one ball marker and a thickness less than the thickness of the at least one ball marker. The magnetic portion is disposed in the at least one ball marker so that one surface of the magnetic portion forms a portion of the first circular surface and the nonmagnetic portion is approximately annular in shape when viewed from above the first circular surface of the ball marker. In still other embodiments, the appliance further comprises the second golf club, wherein the portion of the second golf club held adjacent to the end of the handle of the first golf club is the end of the handle of the second golf club, and a magnet is disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the second golf club. [0006] An embodiment of a second aspect of the first version of the present invention generally discloses an appliance that is also for use in playing the game of golf. In this embodiment, the appliance is generally comprised of a golf ball retriever, which is further comprised of a base portion and a catch portion. The base portion is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials. The base portion may be removably attached to the end of a handle of a golf club by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the golf club. The catch portion, which is disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion, is comprised of at least two arm members that have an arcuate shape and are approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion. In addition, the at least two arm members together are of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball. In other embodiments, the catch portion may be comprised of at least two arm members, but not more than four arm members. In still other embodiments, the arm members may be further comprised of a plurality of raised rib portions disposed transversely across the surfaces of the at least two arm members that face the golf ball. The raised rib portions assist in holding the golf ball within the catch portion. In yet other embodiments, the at least two arm members may be further comprised of a layer of a flexible material on the surfaces of the at least two arm members that face the golf ball, wherein the flexible material assists in holding the golf ball within the catch portion. In some of these embodiments, the material may be rubber, neoprene, or silicone. In yet other embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the present invention, the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker. The at least one ball marker may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the ball markers described herein with respect to the first aspect of the first version of the present invention. In these embodiments, each at least one ball marker may be removably disposed between the end of the handle of the golf club and the base portion of the ball retriever. The at least one ball marker is held in place by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of each ball marker and the base portion or the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the golf club or both. In still other embodiments, the golf ball retriever may also be comprised of a base portion and a catch portion disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion. In these embodiments, the base portion is comprised of a material having magnetic properties and may be removably attached to a portion of a golf club by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and the portion of the golf club. Also in these embodiments, the portion of the golf club is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials. The catch portion is comprised of at least two arm members that have an arcuate shape and are approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion. The at least two arm members together are of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball. [0007] An embodiment of a third aspect of the first version of the present invention generally discloses an appliance that is also for use in playing the game of golf. In this embodiment, the appliance is generally comprised of a first golf club and a golf ball retriever. The first golf club has a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club. The magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above a surface by the end of the handle of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club. The golf ball retriever is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials. The golf ball retriever may be removably attached to the end of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the golf ball retriever and the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club. In various embodiments of this third aspect of the first version of the present invention, the first golf club, including the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club, may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the first golf club and magnet, respectively, described herein with respect to the first aspect of the first version of the present invention. In various embodiments of this third aspect of the first version of the present invention, the golf ball retriever may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the golf ball retriever described herein with respect to the second aspect of the first version of the present invention. In yet other embodiments of this third aspect of the first version of the present invention, the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker. Each ball marker may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the at least one ball marker described herein with respect to the first aspect of the first version of the present invention. In these embodiments, the at least one ball marker may be removably disposed between the end of the handle of the golf club and the golf ball retriever. The at least one ball marker is held in place by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of the at least one ball marker and the base portion or the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the golf club or both. [0008] An embodiment of a first aspect of a second version of the present invention generally discloses an appliance that is also for use in playing the game of golf. In this embodiment, the appliance is generally comprised of a sleeve member and sleeve attachment means, which are described in more detail below, to removably attach the sleeve member to the end of the handle of a first golf club. The sleeve member is further comprised of an approximately tubular portion of a size and shape adapted to fit over the end and enclose a portion of the handle of the first golf club. A sleeve cap portion is disposed at one end of the approximately tubular portion. A magnet, which is disposed in the sleeve cap portion, has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above a surface by the sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club. The magnetic field strength of the magnet at its surface is preferably in the range from 3,500 gauss to 5,500 gauss. In some embodiments, the sleeve attachment means may be comprised of a strap attached to the approximately tubular portion, wherein the strap has two ends and the ends are removably attached together using hook and loop fasteners. In other embodiments, the sleeve member may be comprised of a semi-rigid material and the sleeve attachment means may be friction between the approximately tubular portion and the exterior surface of the handle of the first golf club that is adjacent to the interior surface of the approximately tubular portion. In yet other embodiments of this first aspect of the second version of the present invention, the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker. Each at least one ball marker may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the at least one ball marker described herein with respect to the first aspect of the first version of the present invention. In these embodiments, each at least one ball marker may be removably attached to the end of the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member. The at least one ball marker is held in place by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of the at least one ball marker and the magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member. In yet other embodiments of this first aspect of the second version of the present invention, the appliance further comprises the first golf club. In still other embodiments, the appliance comprises the second golf club. In these embodiments, the portion of the second golf club held adjacent to the end of the handle of the first golf club is the end of the handle of the second golf club, and a magnet is disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the second golf club. Further, in other embodiments, the appliance further comprises the second golf club and a second sleeve member removably attached to the end of the handle of the second golf club by sleeve attachment means. In these embodiments, the portion of the second golf club held adjacent to the sleeve member of the first golf club is the second sleeve member removably attached to the end of the handle of the second golf club by the sleeve attachment means. Also in these embodiments, the second sleeve member may have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics, and operation as the embodiments of the sleeve member described herein with respect to this first aspect of the second version of the present invention. [0009] An embodiment of a second aspect of the second version of the present invention generally discloses an appliance that is also for use in playing the game of golf. In this embodiment, the appliance is generally comprised of a sleeve member, sleeve attachment means (which are described in more detail below) to removably attach the sleeve member to the end of the handle of a first golf club, and a golf ball retriever. In various embodiments of this second aspect of the second version of the present invention, the sleeve member, including a magnet disposed in a sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member, may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the sleeve member and magnet, respectively, described herein with respect to the first aspect of the second version of the present invention. In various embodiments of this second aspect of the second version of the present invention, the sleeve attachment means may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the sleeve attachment means described herein with respect to the first aspect of the second version of the present invention. In various embodiments of this second aspect of the second version of the present invention, the golf ball retriever may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the golf ball retriever described herein with respect to the second aspect of the first version of the present invention. The golf ball retriever may be removably attached to the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the golf ball retriever and the magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member. In yet other embodiments of this second aspect of the second version of the present invention, the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker. The at least one ball marker may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the at least one ball marker described herein with respect to the first aspect of the first version of the present invention. In these embodiments, the at least one ball marker may be removably attached to the end of the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member. The at least one ball marker is held in place by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of the at least one ball marker and the magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member. In yet other embodiments of this second aspect of the second version of the present invention, the appliance further comprises the first golf club. [0010] The present invention also discloses a method for using a first golf club to retrieve a second golf club from a surface. Generally, the method comprises the following actions. First, the end of a handle of the first golf club is placed approximately adjacent to a portion of the second golf club. The first golf club has a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle thereof. The magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold the portion of the second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above the surface by the end of the handle of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club. Second, the portion of the second golf club is raised above the surface by raising the end of the handle of the first golf club away from the surface, so that the portion of the second golf club remains approximately adjacent to the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club. Third, when the portion of the second golf club has reached a convenient altitude above the surface, the second golf club is grasped and lifted from the surface. [0011] In addition, the present invention discloses a method for retrieving a golf ball from a surface. Generally, the method comprises the following actions. First, a golf ball retriever is removably attached to a portion of a golf club. The golf ball retriever is comprised of a base portion and a catch portion disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion. The base portion is further comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials. The base portion may also be removably attached to a portion of the golf club by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and the portion of the golf club. The portion of the golf club is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials. The catch portion is further comprised of at least two arm members, each having an arcuate shape and being approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion. Together, the at least two arm members are of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball. Second, the at least two arms of the golf ball retriever, as it is removably attached to the golf club, are positioned over the golf ball. Third, force is exerted on the golf club so that the golf ball retriever is forced down over the golf ball until the golf ball is seated against the arcuate portions of the at least two arms that are adjacent to the base portion of the golf ball retriever. Fourth, the golf ball is raised above the surface by raising the portion of the golf club to which the golf ball retriever is attached away from the surface. Fifth, when the golf ball has reached a convenient altitude above the surface, the golf ball is grasped by the golfer. [0012] Finally, the present invention also discloses a method for holding the handle of a golf club away from a surface. Generally, the method comprises the following actions. First, a golf ball retriever is removably attached to the side of the handle of the golf club. The golf ball retriever may generally have substantially the same structure, features, characteristics and operation as the embodiments of the golf ball retriever described herein with respect to the second aspect of the first version of the present invention. The base portion of the golf ball retriever may be removably attached to the end of the handle of the golf club by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the golf club. The golf ball retriever is also positioned so that it extends approximately radially away from the handle of the golf club approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Second, the golf club is laid down on the surface in a manner so that the golf ball retriever is positioned between the handle of the golf club and the surface in a manner so that the handle is held away from the surface. [0013] Thus, the present invention meets the needs described above in the Background section. For example, the appliance of the present invention may be used by a golfer to retrieve a golf ball from a playing surface without bending over. The appliance uses a golf ball retriever that generally conforms to the shape of a golf ball. As a result, the appliance does not require the relatively precise positioning of the golf ball retriever, as is required with use of some other devices. Instead, the golfer may approach the golf ball from a greater variety of angles using the golf ball retriever. In addition, the golfer may apply a wider range of magnitude of force against the golf ball than is required of some other devices. As a result, the need to "chase" the ball about the surface is substantially reduced, if not totally eliminated. In addition, the golfer may use the appliance to easily retrieve golf clubs from the playing surface without bending over. He or she need only place the end of the handle of the golf club (or sleeve member) of the appliance adjacent to a portion of the golf club on the surface and lift that portion above the surface until it can be grasped by the golfer. Again, there are no clips, scoops or brackets involved, so there is no need to "chase" the golf club about the surface in order to retrieve it. Further, the appliance may be used to retrieve the ball markers disclosed as a part of the present invention from the playing surface. The appliance of the present invention is superior to other devices that may use magnetic force to attract ball markers in that the present appliance also possesses adequate magnetic field strength to retrieve a golf club from the surface. The appliance may also be used to conveniently store the ball markers until they are needed. In addition, the appliance may be used to hold the handle of the golf club away from the playing surface when the golf club is laid down upon the surface. The appliance of the present invention may therefore be used to accomplish all of these tasks in a single appliance that is convenient and simple to use. Finally, the appliance should be relatively inexpensive to produce and maintain. [0014] There has thus also been outlined, rather broadly, the more primary features of the present invention. There are additional features that are also included in the various embodiments of the invention that are described hereinafter and that form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. This invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but the drawings are illustrative only and changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of an appliance of the present invention with a golf ball; [0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 1, except that the appliance illustrated in FIG. 2 includes two golf ball markers instead of the one golf ball marker illustrated in FIG. 1 and does not include the golf ball; [0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the appliance is being used to lift a second golf club from a playing surface; [0019] FIG. 4A is a detailed plan view of the golf ball marker of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional elevation view of the golf ball marker illustrated in FIG. 4A, as taken along the lines 4B-4B of FIG. 4A; [0021] FIG. 5A is a plan view of the golf ball retriever of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 1, as taken along the lines 5A-5A in FIG. 1, without the golf ball; Continue reading about Multi-function magnetic golf appliance... 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