Device for repairing pitch marks

Abstract

A device for repairing pitch marks, which can be attached to a golf club, may include an end section with a cylindrical body and a pitchfork, wherein the pitchfork has at least one prong and is mounted on the cylindrical body by means of fixing means, wherein the pitchfork can be fixed on the cylindrical body by means of the locking means in a retracted position and in an extended position, wherein, in the retracted position, the pitchfork rests against an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, and wherein, in the extended position, the prongs project beyond the cylindrical body in an axial direction.

Claims

1. A device for repairing pitch marks, which can be attached to a golf club, the device comprising: an end section with a cylindrical body, a spring and a pitchfork; a gripping section, wherein the end section projects from the gripping section in an axial direction, wherein the pitchfork has at least one prong and is mounted on the cylindrical body by means of a slot in the cylindrical body and a pin in the pitchfork such that the pitchfork is movable axially over an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body and the pin is not fixed in a single position relative to the golf club, wherein the pitchfork can be fixed on the cylindrical body by means of the slot and pin in a retracted position and in an extended position, wherein, in the retracted position, the pitchfork rests against the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body and the spring is in a compressed state within the cylindrical body, and wherein, in the extended position, the at least one prong projects beyond the cylindrical body in the axial direction and the spring is in an elongated state within the cylindrical body; and a clamping section, wherein the clamping section can be inserted into a tubular shaft or grip of the golf club, wherein the clamping section projects from the gripping section in a direction opposite to the axial direction, wherein at least one of the clamping section or an insert on which the clamping section is provided has an essentially cylindrical shape at least in sections and comprises radially projecting clamping lugs, by means of which the clamping section can be clamped into the golf club, and wherein each of the clamping lugs has a steeper side in the axial direction than in the opposite direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the slot comprises a first detent area, an elongate connecting section and a second detent area, wherein the elongate connecting section connects the first and second detent area with each other.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the elongate connecting section runs in the axial direction.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pitchfork can be released from at least one of (i) the retracted position by a force of the spring or (ii) the extended position against the force of the spring.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical body has a cavity and the spring is received in the cavity.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping section is formed in one piece together with the gripping section.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping section is provided on an insert and the gripping section is provided on a gripping piece formed separately from the insert, and wherein the insert can be inserted firmly into a tubular shaft or grip of the golf club.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the insert and the gripping piece can be connected to each other firmly by connecting means.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the insert and the gripping piece can be connected to each other firmly by screwing.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping lugs have a movement-impeding material on surfaces which project outwards in a radial direction.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the clamping section or an insert on which the clamping section is provided has an adhesive on its outer surface for securing onto the golf club.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the clamping section, an insert on which the clamping section is provided, the gripping section, the cylindrical body or the pitchfork is formed from plastic.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a mass of between 20 and 40 grams.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping lugs are molded onto spring shackles.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the spring shackles extend in the axial direction.

Description

(1) The invention is now explained in more detail with reference to embodiment examples. There are shown in

(2) FIG. 1 a perspective view of a device according to the invention close to a partially represented golf club,

(3) FIG. 2 a perspective exploded view of the device according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 3 a perspective view of the device according to the invention in the retracted position,

(5) FIG. 4 a perspective view of the device according to the invention in the extended position,

(6) FIG. 5 a perspective view of a further device according to the invention close to a partially represented golf club,

(7) FIG. 6 a perspective exploded view of the further device according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 7 a longitudinal section through an insert of the further device according to the invention, and

(9) FIG. 8 a longitudinal section through a gripping piece of the further device according to the invention.

(10) FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention directly before insertion into a partially represented golf club 2. The golf club 2 can in particular be a putter. The golf club 2 comprises a tubular shaft 3 and a grip 4 surrounding the shaft 3 in an outer section. A club head provided at an end of the shaft 3 opposite the grip 4 is not represented. The golf club 2 has an axially running opening 5 which is surrounded by the shaft 3 and the grip 4. If the grip 4 has a cap which covers the opening 5, in a step prior to the insertion of the device 1, the cap of the grip 4 is first of all to be cut off or cut open with the result that the opening 5 is exposed.

(11) The device 1 has a clamping section 10, a gripping section 11 and an end section 20. For attaching the device 1 to the golf club 2, the device 1 is to be gripped on the gripping section 11 and inserted into the opening 5 with the clamping section 10 in front. The insertion is preferably to be continued until the clamping section 10 is received completely inside the opening 5 and the gripping section 11 rests flush against the grip 4 of the golf club 2. The device 1 is then secured firmly on the golf club 2. The gripping section 11 and the end section 20 lie completely outside the golf club 2. The device 1 can now be used to repair pitch marks with the golf club 2 as handle.

(12) On replacing an old golf club equipped with the device 1 with a new golf club, it is necessary to remove the device from the old golf club. The device 1 can be removed from the old golf club by pulling strongly on the gripping section 11, optionally with the aid of pliers, without damaging the device 1 or the old golf club. The device can then be inserted into the new golf club as described above.

(13) FIG. 2 shows component parts from which the device 1 is constructed. The clamping section 10 and the gripping section 11 together form a base piece 12. The base piece 12 is essentially a hollow cylinder with an axially penetrating recess 13. The gripping section 11 is formed completely as a hollow cylinder and has a larger external diameter than the clamping section 10. The recess 13 also has a larger diameter in the area of the gripping section 11 than in the area of the clamping section 10. In the clamping section 10, the cylindrical shape is broken by a conical transition area 14, clamping lugs 15 and a conically tapering mouth area 16. In the transition area 14, the external diameter increases towards the gripping section 11 without reaching the external diameter of the gripping section 11. In the transition area 14, the recess 13 has a diameter increasing towards the gripping section 11 and a smooth transition between clamping section 10 and gripping section 11.

(14) The clamping lugs 15 project radially outwards from the clamping section 10. The clamping lugs have in each case a steeper side axially in the direction of the gripping section 11 than in the opposite direction. The clamping lugs 15 are molded onto spring shackles 17. The spring shackles 17 extend in the direction of the gripping section 11. The clamping lugs 15 and the spring shackles 17 are formed in one piece with the base piece 12. The base piece 12 has U-shaped incisions 17 which surround the spring shackles 17.

(15) The further component parts represented in FIG. 2 form an end piece 21 comprising the end section 20. The end piece 21 is composed of a cylindrical body 22, a pitchfork 23, a pin 24, a spring seat 25, a spring 26 and a plug 27.

(16) The cylindrical body 22 comprises a first section 22a and a second section 22b. The first section 22a is part of the end section 22 and has a larger external diameter than the second section 22b. The external diameter of the second section 22b corresponds to the diameter of the recess 13 in the gripping section 11, with the result that the cylindrical body 22 can be inserted into the recess 13 of the gripping section 11 of the base piece 12 with the second section 22b.

(17) The cylindrical body 22 has an axially extending cavity 30 which completely penetrates the second section 22b. The cylindrical body 22 is therefore opened towards the outside in the axial direction on the second section 22b. Furthermore, the cylindrical body 22 has a slot 31 which penetrates the cylindrical body 22 in the radial direction as far as the cavity 30. The slot 31 comprises a first detent area 31a, an elongate connecting section 31b, a second detent area 31c and a notch 31d. The first detent area 31a is closer to the second section 22b than the second detent area 31c. The elongate connecting section 31b runs in the axial direction and connects the first 31a and second detent area 31c with each other. The first 31a and second detent area 31c moreover have in each case an undercut 31e extending axially in a direction facing away from the second section. In addition, the elongate connecting section 31b communicates with the notch 31d to receive a peg 27a provided on the plug 27.

(18) The pitchfork 23 has a sleeve 23a designed as a hollow cylinder and two prongs 23b extending from the sleeve 23a in the axial direction. Both the surfaces of the prongs 23b lying radially outwards and those lying radially inwards have in each case the same cylindrical curvature as the corresponding surfaces of the sleeve 23a. The prongs 23b are therefore designed as if they had been cut out of a hollow cylinder continuing the sleeve 23a. An internal diameter of the sleeve 23a corresponds to the external diameter of the first section 22a, with the result that the sleeve 23a can be brought to rest in a positive-locking manner against the first section 22a. Correspondingly, the prongs 23b can at the same time be brought to rest in a positive-locking manner against the first section 22a. The sleeve has a radial hole 23c into which the pin 24 can be inserted. The pin 24 can be designed at least partially as a screw in order to enable it to be screwed into the hole 23c.

(19) In the following, the function of the different parts of the device 1 are explained:

(20) By inserting the clamping section 10 into the opening 5 of the shaft 3 of the golf club 2, the clamping lugs 15 are pushed from inside against the tubular shaft 3. The clamping lugs 15 are thereby deflected radially inwards together with the spring shackles 17. The deflection of the spring shackles 17 causes a spring force acting radially outwards, which is exerted by the clamping lugs 15 on the shaft 3 from the inside. The clamping section 10 is held firmly in the shaft 3 by this force. Moreover, pulling the clamping section 10 out of the shaft 3 axially requires a greater force than insertion into the shaft 3 because of the sides running more steeply axially in the direction of the gripping section 11 than in the opposite direction according to the principle of a barb.

(21) In the case of the device 1 attached to a golf club 2, the transition area 14 forms a stopper blocking the opening 5 of the shaft 3 of the golf club 2. A good fit of the device 1 on the golf club 2 is thereby achieved and dirt is prevented from entering the opening 5 of the shaft 3. Moreover, the conical profile of the transition area 14 leads to a smoother transition between clamping section 10 and gripping section 11. The stability of the base piece 12 is thus increased by the conical profile of the transition area 14. The conically tapering mouth area 16 facilitates the insertion of the clamping section 10 into the shaft 3.

(22) The different parts of the end piece 21 interact as follows:

(23) The pin 24 is designed in such a way that it engages radially in the slot 31 and the cavity 30. The pitchfork can be mounted on the cylindrical body 22 by the pin 24, the slot 31 and the plug 27 in such a way that the pitchfork can only assume positions with respect to the cylindrical body 22 predetermined by the slot.

(24) The cavity 30 is designed together with the spring seat 25 to receive the spring 26. The spring 26 is received in the spring seat 25 at its end facing away from the second section 22b. The spring seat 25 rests against the pin 24 with its side facing away from the spring 26. By inserting the plug 27 into the second section 22b, the spring 26 and spring seat 25 are secured against slipping out of the cavity 30. Moreover, the spring 26 is compressed by the plug 27. The spring 26 thereby exerts a force on the pin 24 which acts axially in a direction facing away from the second section 22b. The pitchfork 23 connected to the pin 24 is pushed away from the second section 22b by this force, i.e. pushed in the direction of the extended position.

(25) For the insertion of the plug 27, this is first of all inserted into the cavity 30 on the second section 22b in the axial direction. The peg 27a engages in the elongate connecting section 31b. By a rotation in the circumferential direction, the peg 27a is then brought into engagement with the notch 31d. An axial movement of the plug 27 is thereby blocked.

(26) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the device 1 in the assembled form. To connect end piece 21 and base piece 12, the second section 22b of the cylindrical body 22 is inserted into the recess 13 of the gripping section 11. The second section 22b of the cylindrical body 22 is designed in such a way that it only engages in the recess 13 in the area of the gripping section 11.

(27) FIG. 3 shows the device 1 with retracted pitchfork 23. However, here the pin 24 is not received in the first detent area 31a. Instead, the pin 24 engages in the elongate connecting section 31 b directly next to the first detent area 31a. In this position, it is necessary for the pitchfork 23 to be held fast for example by a golfer's hand. Otherwise, pin 24 and pitchfork 23 would be pushed out of this position along the elongate connecting section 31b in the direction of the extended position by the spring force of the spring 26. By turning the pitchfork 23 in the circumferential direction out of the position represented in FIG. 3, with the result that the pin 24 engages in the first detent area 31a, the pitchfork 23 can be locked in the retracted position.

(28) In the retracted position, both the sleeve 23a and the two prongs 23b of the pitchfork 23 rest against an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 22 in the first section 22a.

(29) FIG. 4 shows the device 1 with extended pitchfork 23. Here, the pin 24 is not received in the second detent area 31c. Instead, the pin 24 engages in the elongate connecting section 31 b directly next to the second detent area 31c. In this position, pin 24 and pitchfork 23 are automatically pushed by the spring force of the spring 26 when the pitchfork 23 is released by the golfer, while the pin 24 is located at any desired position within the elongate connecting section 31b. By turning the pitchfork 23 in the circumferential direction out of the position represented in FIG. 4, with the result that the pin 24 engages in the second detent area 31c, the pitchfork 23 can be locked in the extended position.

(30) In the extended position, the sleeve 23a also rests against the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 22 in the first section 22a. The prongs 23b project axially from the cylindrical body 22 in a direction facing away from the second section 22b.

(31) The undercuts 31e represented in FIG. 2, but not in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, can receive the pin 24 in such a way that the latter cannot be returned to the elongate connecting section 31b simply by turning in the circumferential direction. To release the pin 24 from the undercut 31e, first of all an axial movement of the pin 24 in the direction of the second section 22b against the spring force of the spring 26 is required. The pin 24 can only be returned to the elongate connecting section 31b by turning in the circumferential direction immediately after this movement. The undercuts 31 e therefore additionally secure the pitchfork 23 in the retracted and the extended position and prevent it from being released from these positions unintentionally.

(32) With the pitchfork 23 locked in the extended position, a golfer can comfortably remedy pitch marks by means of the golf club 2. As the prongs 23b rest against the cylindrical body 22, there is no danger of injury to the golfer when the pitchfork 23 is retracted.

(33) FIG. 5 shows a further device 1a according to the invention immediately before insertion into a partially represented golf club 2. The golf club 2 corresponds to the golf club 2 already explained in FIG. 1 and can in particular be a putter. The golf club 2 again comprises a tubular shaft 3 and a grip 4 surrounding the shaft 3 in an outer section. The club head provided at the end of the shaft 3 opposite the grip 4 is again not represented. Corresponding to FIG. 1, the golf club 2 has an axially running opening 5 which is surrounded by the shaft 3 and the grip 4. If the grip 4 has a cap which covers the opening 5, again the cap of the grip 4 is first of all to be cut off or cut open with the result that the opening 5 is exposed.

(34) The further device 1a is an assembly of an insert 40 to be inserted into the opening 5 and an attachment to be attached to the insert 40. The insert 40 comprises the clamping section 10. The attachment comprises the gripping section 11 and the end section 20. In the further device 1a, the clamping section 10 and the gripping section 11 are therefore not formed in one piece. The insert 40 can be permanently received in the opening 5 of the grip 4 of the golf club 2, for example by gluing. The insert 40 is preferably inserted into the opening 5 in such a way that the clamping section 10 is completely received inside the opening 5. A flange section 43 provided on the insert 40 and represented more accurately in FIG. 7 then lies flush against the grip 4 of the golf club 2. The attachment can be connected firmly to the insert 40 for example by means of a screw connection. The further device 1a is thus secured firmly to the golf club 2. The gripping section 11 and the end section 20 lie completely outside the golf club 2. The further device 1a can thus also be used to repair pitch marks with the golf club 2 as handle.

(35) The screw connection between the insert 40 and the attachment is preferably designed to be releasable. The provision of the separate insert 40 thus makes it possible to operate several golf clubs 2 with the same pitchfork. For this, every golf club 2 is to be provided with its own insert 40. The attachment comprising the pitchfork can then simply be unscrewed from one of the golf clubs 2 and screwed onto another of the golf clubs 2.

(36) FIG. 6 shows the component parts from which the further device 1a is constructed. In contrast to the device 1 represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the clamping section 10 and the gripping section 11 are formed by two different components. The insert 40 comprises the clamping section 10. A gripping piece 50 formed separately therefrom comprises the gripping section 11. The insert 40 and the gripping piece 50 are designed in each case essentially rotationally symmetrical. The insert 40 is designed as a hollow cylinder and has an insert opening 42. The gripping piece 50 has an insert pin 53 corresponding thereto. By engaging the insert pin 53 in the insert opening 42, the insert 40 and the gripping piece 50 can be firmly connected to each other. For this, the insert opening 42 preferably has an internal thread 44 and the insert pin 53 has an external thread 54 corresponding thereto. The gripping piece 50 furthermore has a further recess 52 at its end face opposite the insert pin 53. Like the recess 13 provided in the device 1, the further recess 52 is designed to receive the second section 22b of the cylindrical body 22.

(37) The arrangement, the design and the function of the remaining parts (plug 27, spring 26, spring seat 25, pitchfork 23, pin 24 and cylindrical body 22) provided in the further device 1a correspond to the arrangement, the design and the function of these parts in the device 1. Reference is made to the above statements regarding device 1.

(38) The attachment comprises the gripping piece 50, the plug 27, the spring 26, the spring seat 25, the pitchfork 23, the pin 24 and the cylindrical body 22 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).

(39) FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section through the insert 40 of the further device 1a. The insert 40 is formed essentially rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction. The insert 40 comprises a tubular section 41 which a flange section 43 adjoins on one side. The tubular section 41 forms the clamping section 10. The insert 40 can be permanently received in the opening 5 of the grip 4 of a golf club 2 by applying an adhesive, e.g. a glue, to an outer surface of the tubular section 41. Alternatively or in addition, the insert 40 can be firmly received in the opening 5 of the grip 4 of the golf club 2 by clamping. For this, the tubular section 41 can be designed corresponding to the clamping section 10 of the device 1 and have clamping lugs 15 and/or spring shackles 17.

(40) An internal thread 44 is provided on an inner surface of the tubular section 41. The internal thread 44 can extend essentially along the entire longitudinal extension or along a part of the longitudinal extension of the tubular section 41.

(41) The internal thread 44 is provided to interact with an external thread 54 provided on the gripping piece 50. Instead of the internal thread 44, it is possible to merely provide a peg on the inner surface of the tubular section 41. The tubular section 41 and the flange section 43 surround the cylindrical insert opening 42. The cylindrical insert opening 42 is provided to receive the insert pin 53.

(42) FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section through the gripping piece 50 of the further device 1a. The gripping piece 50 is formed essentially rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction. The gripping piece 50 comprises an annular section 51 and the insert pin 53. The insert pin 53 is designed essentially cylindrical and comprises the external thread 54. The external thread 54 can extend essentially along the entire longitudinal extension or along a part of the longitudinal extension of the insert pin 53. The external thread 54 is provided to interact with the internal thread 44 provided in the insert 40. Instead of the external thread 54, it is possible to merely provide a peg on the outer surface of the insert pin 53. The annular section 51 forms the gripping section 11. The annular section 51 surrounds the further recess 52. The further recess 52 is provided to receive the second section 22b of the cylindrical body 22.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(43) 1 device 1a further device 2 golf club 3 shaft 4 grip 5 opening 10 clamping section 11 gripping section 12 base piece 13 recess 14 transition area 15 clamping lugs 16 mouth area 17 spring shackles 20 end section 21 end piece 22 cylindrical body 22a first section 22b second section 23 pitchfork 23a sleeve 23b prongs 23c hole 24 pin 25 spring seat 26 spring 27 plug 27a peg 30 cavity 31 slot 31a first detent area 31b elongate connecting section 31b 31c second detent area 31d notch 31e undercut 40 insert 41 tubular section 42 insert opening 43 flange section 44 internal thread 50 gripping piece 51 annular section 52 further recess 53 insert pin 54 external thread