DIVOT REPAIR TOOL WITH GROOVE CLEANER

Abstract

A combination divot repair tool and groove cleaner device includes a groove cleaner having a pointed tip for cleaning grooves on golf club faces. The device also includes a divot repair tool having one or more prongs for use in repairing divots. The groove cleaner is rotatably mounted on the divot repair tool, and can be moved between a stowed position (in which the pointed end is generally aligned with the prongs of the divot repair tool) and a use position (in which the pointed end is accessible and can be used to clean the grooves of a golf club).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/426,266, filed on Dec. 22, 2010, entitled DIVOT REPAIR TOOL WITH GROOVE CLEANER, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present application relates generally to golf accessories and, more particularly, to a combination divot repair tool and golf club groove cleaner.

[0003] Divot repair tools are used by golfers for repairing divots (also referred to as ball marks or pitch marks), which are indentations made by golf balls upon landing on the surface of a putting green. Divot repair tools typically comprise two generally parallel prongs or tines extending from a handle portion. Divots can be repaired by inserting the prongs into the ground around the divot and then applying pressure on the handle to lift and make the indented surface more level.

[0004] Groove cleaners are used by golfers to clean the grooves on the faces of golf clubs. Grooves, particularly in wedges, generate spin on the golf ball during flight. Mud and other debris typically accumulates in grooves from use of golf clubs, and should be removed to maintain the effectiveness of the grooves.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

[0005] One or more embodiments are directed to a combination divot repair tool and groove cleaner device. The device includes a groove cleaner having a pointed tip for cleaning grooves on golf club faces. The device also includes a divot repair tool having one or more prongs for use in repairing divots. The groove cleaner is rotatably mounted on the divot repair tool, and can be moved between a stowed position (in which the pointed end is generally aligned with the prongs of the divot repair tool) and a use position (in which the pointed end is accessible and can be used to clean the grooves of a golf club). In one or more embodiments, the groove cleaner is pivotally mounted on the divot repair tool, and can be rotated, e.g., 90° or 180° to a use position.

[0006] In one or more further embodiments, the combination divot repair tool and groove cleaner device further includes a golf ball marker holder for holding a golf ball marker.

[0007] Various embodiments of the invention are provided in the following detailed description. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details may be capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not in a restrictive or limiting sense, with the scope of the application being indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary divot repair tool and groove cleaner device with the groove cleaner in a stowed position in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the FIG. 1 device.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the FIG. 1 device.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of the FIG. 1 device, illustrating rotation of the groove cleaner from a stowed position to a use position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a combination divot repair tool and groove cleaner that can be conveniently used by golfers for both repairing divots and cleaning grooves on golf club faces.

[0013] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an exemplary divot repair tool and groove cleaner device 10 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The device 10 includes a groove cleaner 12 rotatably mounted on a divot repair tool 14.

[0014] The divot repair tool 14 includes two elongated prongs 16 that are inserted into the ground during use. The prongs 16 extend from a base portion 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the prongs 16 can be bent at an angle of about 10° relative to the base portion 18, which facilitates lifting of ground surfaces during use.

[0015] The sides of the divot repair tool 10 can optionally include textured rubber material 20 to provide a soft and secure grip to the golfer during use.

[0016] The groove cleaner 12 includes a pointed tip 22, which can be scraped through grooves on a clubface to remove mud and other debris collected in the grooves.

[0017] The groove cleaner 12 is rotatably mounted on the divot repair tool 14, in the exemplary embodiment using a rivet 24. The groove cleaner 12 can be pivoted from a stowed position, in which the pointed tip 22 is located between the prongs 16 (as shown in FIGS. 1-3) to a use position (as shown in FIG. 4), in which the pointed tip 22 is accessible for cleaning grooves. In the exemplary embodiment, the groove cleaner 12 is pivoted 90° from the stowed position to the use position. In alternate embodiments, the device 10 can be configured to allow the groove cleaner 12 to be pivoted to various other use positions including, e.g., 180° from the stowed position.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the groove cleaner 12 or the divot tool 14 includes a track to guide the relative movement of the parts during rotation. In some embodiments, the contacting surfaces of the divot repair tool 14 and the groove cleaner 12 are pressed together by the rivet fastener to provide some degree of resistance to movement to inhibit inadvertent rotation of the groove cleaner 12 from the stowed position. In other alternative embodiments, a mechanism can be provided to releasably lock the groove cleaner 12 in either the stowed or use positions or both.

[0019] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the device 10 includes a golf ball marker holder 26 incorporated in the body of the groove cleaner 12 for releasably holding a golf ball marker (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the golf ball marker holder 26 is equipped with the permanent magnet 28, and the golf ball marker comprises a ferromagnetic material attracted to the permanent magnet 28 and is held magnetically in the golf ball holder 26 when not in use. The ball marker can be a flat disc shaped object seated in a recessed area of the golf ball marker holder 26 containing the magnet 28.

[0020] The dimensions in the figures are only provided by way of example. Various other dimensions are also possible.

[0021] Having described preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be apparent that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to form a part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it should be understood that those functions and elements may be combined in other ways according to the present disclosure to accomplish the same or different objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and features discussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments.

[0022] Additionally, elements and components described herein may be further divided into additional components or joined together to form fewer components for performing the same functions. Accordingly, the foregoing description and attached drawings are by way of example only, and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. A combination divot repair tool and groove cleaner device, comprising: a groove cleaner having a pointed tip for cleaning grooves on golf club faces; and a divot repair tool having one or more prongs for use in repairing divots, wherein the groove cleaner is rotatably mounted on the divot repair tool, said groove cleaner being movable between a stowed position, in which the pointed end is generally aligned with the one or more prongs, and a use position, in which the pointed end is accessible and can be used to clean the grooves of a golf club.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the groove cleaner can be rotated 90.degree. to the use position.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the groove cleaner can be rotated 180.degree. to the use position.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a golf ball marker holder for holding a removable golf ball marker.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the golf ball marker holder is located on the groove cleaner.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the ball marker comprises a ferromagnetic material, and the golf ball marker holder includes a permanent magnet for magnetically holding the ball marker.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more prongs comprise two elongated, generally parallel elements.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the divot repair tool includes a base portion and two prongs extending from the base portion at an angle of about 10.degree. relative to the base portion.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the groove cleaner is rotatably mounted on the base portion of the divot repair tool.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the divot repair tool includes textured rubber material at sides thereof forming a grip.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the groove cleaner and the divot repair tool are pressed together by a fastener, and wherein friction at contacting surfaces of the groove cleaner and the divot repair tool provides resistance to inhibit inadvertent rotation of the groove cleaner.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for releasably locking the groove cleaner in the stowed position or the use position or both.

13. A method of using a combination divot repair tool and groove cleaner device comprising a groove cleaner having a pointed tip and a divot repair tool having one or more prongs, the method comprising the steps of: repairing a divot on a putting surface using the one or more prongs of the divot repair tool; rotating the groove cleaner relative to the divot repair tool from a stowed position, in which the pointed end of the groove cleaner is generally aligned with the one or more prongs of the divot repair tool, to a use position, in which the pointed end is accessible; cleaning grooves of a golf club using the pointed end of the groove cleaner; and rotating the groove cleaner from the use position to a stowed position for storage.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the groove cleaner is rotated 90.degree. to the use position.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the groove cleaner is rotated 180.degree. to the use position.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing a golf ball marker from a golf ball marker holder on the device.

17. A golf accessory apparatus, comprising: a groove cleaner having a pointed tip for cleaning grooves on golf club faces; a divot repair tool having a base portion and two prongs extending from the base for use in repairing divots, wherein the groove cleaner is rotatably mounted on the base portion of the divot repair tool, said groove cleaner being movable between a stowed position, in which the pointed end is generally aligned with the one or more prongs, and a use position, in which the pointed end is accessible and can be used to clean the grooves of a golf club; and a golf ball marker holder located on the groove cleaner for magnetically holding a removable golf ball marker.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the groove cleaner can be rotated 90.degree. to the use position.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the groove cleaner can be rotated 180.degree. to the use position.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the ball marker comprises a ferromagnetic material, and the golf ball marker holder includes a permanent magnet for magnetically holding the ball marker.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the two prongs extend from the base portion at an angle of about 10.degree. relative to the base portion.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising textured rubber material at sides of the divot repair tool forming a grip.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the groove cleaner and the divot repair tool are pressed together by a fastener, and wherein friction at contacting surfaces of the groove cleaner and the divot repair tool provides resistance to inhibit inadvertent rotation of the groove cleaner.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a mechanism for releasably locking the groove cleaner in the stowed position or the use position.

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