GB2282973A - Golf ball retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for use in retrieving golf balls, which device comprises in integral combination a plurality of first members 12, 13 defining a mouth area through which a golf ball may pass into a retrieval space to receive and hold a golf ball for retrieval and a plurality of second members 23 disposed in a direction away from the first members and defining a space to receive and accommodate an end of a golf club handle the device including means 29 to bring the second members into a lockable configuration to grip the golf club handle end. <IMAGE>

Description

RETRIEVAL DEVICE The present invention relates to a retrieval device, in particular to a device for use in retrieving golf balls.

In playing the game of golf it is necessary on numerous occasions during a round of golf to bend over and to pick up a ball to retrieve it. That operation simple in itself can become a difficulty for some who are less agile, especially those golfers of advancing years.

For those who do not wish to bend over, there is always the option of endeavouring to use a club for retrieval. This sometimes works successfully, but is often a less than satisfactory alternative.

While there are known ball retrieval devices, these are unsatisfactory for various reasons. For example, a rather complicated device is based on a tubular retrieving member one end of which is placed over the ball such that the ball is entrapped within the tube. Thus, as various balls are retrieved each successive ball forces the previous ball up the inside of the retrieving member tube and into a closable collector bag at the other end of said tube. It is not easy to use this device to retrieve a single ball for immediate re-use and the device is not intended for such use A simpler known device is based on a handle member having a collector cup at one end. Such a device while being much simpler is also less satisfactory in use since the cap is designed to retrieve but not to hold a retrieved ball.

Thus, retrieval can be uncertain.

We have now found surprisingly that the disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome by providing a device for use in retrieving golf balls based on a combination of a plurality of first members to provide for secure ball retrieval and a plurality of second members to secure the device to an end of a golf club handle.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for use in retrieving golf balls, which device comprises in integral combination a plurality of first members defining a mouth area through which a golf ball may pass into a retrieval space to receive and hold a gold ball for retrieval and a plurality of second members disposed in a direction away from the first members and defining a space to receive and accommodate an end of a golf club handle the device including means to bring the second members into a lockable configuration to grip the golf club handle end.

While in the device according to the invention the first members may be in various arrangements, preferably the first members comprise at least one pair of opposed arms.

More preferably, the arms are curved in cross-section so that between them they define a cylindrical space having a diameter essentially the same as that of a golf ball. In addition, each arm at its end defining the mouth area may include an inwardly disposed lip portion to aid in gripping a golf ball to be retrieved.

In the device according to the invention it is also preferred that the first members should include thickened portions at their juncture with the second members. This provides strength to the device overall and an integrating feature between the first and second members. Furthermore, the first and second members are preferably disposed in an in-line arrangement.

Preferably the second members also comprise at least one pair of opposed arms. More preferably, the second member arms are curved in cross-section, the radius of curvature increasing away from the first members so that between them the second member arms define a frusto-conical space having a diameter at its narrowest end adjacent the first members to provide a close fit over a golf club handle.

In the embodiment defined immediately above, the locking means preferably comprises a captive ring disposed on the outside of the at least one pair of arms and having an inside diameter such that movement of the ring away from the first members constrains the second member arms towards each other to grip a golf club handle disposed between them in use.

Preferably, the ring includes an inwardly disposed pin member or spigot and one or both arms of each pair of second member arms may include a cut-out portion or slot in which the spigot can be engaged to lock the ring in place on the arms to secure the device on an end of a golf club handle. More preferably, each arm includes a rim portion at its tip remote from the first members to prevent the ring from being inadvertently removed from the arms.

The device of the invention may be fabricated from any suitable material which provides the necessary combination of flexibility and resilience. Preferably however, if is fabricated e.g. moulded, from a flexible and resilient plastics material. Typical of such plastics materials are polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene and polyethylene, of which polyethylene is preferred.

The invention also includes a pack comprising a device as defined herein and one or more other items of golfing equipment. Such a pack typically includes one or more golf balls and/or tees.

The device of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows one form of device viewed from one side; Figure l(a) shows a collar of the device of Figure 1 rotated through 180 ; Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 viewed from another side at 90" to that of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a view from the bottom of the device of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the device 11 shown comprises a pair of opposed first member arms 12,13. The arms 12,13 define between them a space 14 to accommodate a golf ball (not shown) and a mouth area 15 through which a golf ball may pass (between arms 12,13) into space 14. At their tips 16,17 adjacent mouth area 15 each arm 12 and 13 includes an inwardly disposed lip portion 18 and 19.

Each arm 12,13 at its base remote from tips 16 and 17 includes a thickened portion 21 and 22. The thickened portions 21 and 22 provide strength and a measure of rigidity to the arms 12 and 13. Also, they provide a juncture with integral second member arms 23 and 24.

As shown in Figure 3, each arm 12,13 has a curved crosssection and includes an inner curved surface 25 and 26 (Figure 1) to define between arms 12,13 a cylindrical space 14. The diameter of cylindrical space 14 is just sufficient to accommodate a golf ball and is essentially the same diameter as that of a golf ball so that a ball disposed in space 14 is lightly gripped by arms 12,13.

Referring back to Figures 1 and 2, arms 23,24 are disposed in-line with and away from arms 12,13. Also, as shown the two pairs of arms 12,13 and 23,24 are disposed so that they are at right angles, that is to say more specifically a plane along the longitudinal centre of arms 12,13 is at right angles to a similar plane at the longitudinal centre of arms 23,24.

Arms 23,24 are curved in cross-section and the radius of curvature increases away from arms 12,13. That increase in radius gives the frusto-conical shape shown in Figures 1 and 2 and defines frusto-conical space 28.

Held captive on arms 23,24 is a ring 29 including an inwardly disposed spigot 31. In addition, at an inner edge 32,33 each arm 23,24 includes one or more slots 34,35,36 to accommodate spigot 31 and to lock ring 29 in place on the arms 23,24 to secure the device 11 on an end of a golf club handle. Each arm 23,24 includes at its tip remote from the first members a rim portion 37,38 to prevent removal of ring 29.

In use, the device is placed over the end of a golf club handle. Ring 29 is then moved towards rim portions 37,38 until arms 23,24 grip the handle end, when spigot 31 is engaged in the nearest slot 34,35,36 to lock the arms about the captive golf club handle. In that configuration the device can be used to retrieve a golf ball be reversing the club and extending arms 12,13 towards the ball to be retrieved. Retrieval can then be achieve by pushing the device up against the ball to be retrieved which passes into space 14 to be lightly gripped by arms 12,13 and restrained by lip portions 18 and 19. Movement of the club handle towards the player then completes retrieval.

As will be appreciated from the above description the invention provides a simple and efficient device for use in golf ball retrieval which can convert any golf club into a retrieval arrangement. As will also be appreciated the invention is not limited to the details of the device illustrated above and various modifications and variations may be made within the spirit and scope of the claims which follow.

Claims (16)

1. A device for use in retrieving golf balls, which device comprises in integral combination a plurality of first members defining a mouth area through which a golf ball may pass into a retrieval space to receive and hold a gold ball for retrieval and a plurality of second members disposed in a direction away from the first members and defining a space to receive and accommodate an end of a golf club handle the device including means to bring the second members into a lockable configuration to grip the golf club handle end.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first members comprises at least one pair of opposed arms.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the arms are curved in cross-section so that between them they define a cylindrical space having a diameter essentially the same as that of a golf ball.

4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each arm at its end defining the mouth area includes an inwardly disposed lip portion.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first members include thickened portions at their juncture with the second members.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second members comprise at least one pair of opposed arms.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the arms are curved in cross-section, the radius of curvature increasing away from the first members so that between them the second member arms define a frusto-conical space having a diameter at its narrowest end adjacent the first members to provide a close fit over a golf club handle.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the locking means comprises a captive ring disposed on the outside of the at least one pair of arms and having an inside diameter such that movement of the ring away from the first members constrains the second member arms towards each other to grip a golf club handle disposed between them in use.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the ring includes an inwardly disposed pin member or spigot and one or both arms of each pair of second member arms includes a cut-out portion or slot in which the spigot can be engaged to lock the ring in place on the arms to secure the device on an end of a golf club handle.

10. A device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein each arm includes a rim portion at its tip remote from the first members.

11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims when fabricated from a flexible and resilient plastics material.

12. A device according to claim 11 when fabricated from polyethylene.

13. A device according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

14. A device for use in retrieving golf balls substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

15. A pack comprising a device as defined in any one of the preceding claims and one or more other items of golfing equipment.

16. A pack according to claim 15 including one or more golf balls and/or tees.