Abstract
A counter-rotating divot repair apparatus includes counter-rotating handles coupled to a tang of a head member. The head member includes a pair of tine members projected anteriorly from the tang along parallel or substantially parallel axes bounding an intermediary space. In the closed position, the head member is concealable inside channels disposed along interior edges of the handles. Manipulation of the apparatus to an open position counter-rotates each of the pair of handles 180? whereby the head member is revealed projected anteriorly therefrom. As a result, the apparatus is deployable between the open and closed positions onehandedly.
Claims
1. A counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus comprising: a bladeless head member having: a tang; one pair of tine members anteriorly projected from the tang, each of said one pair of tine members adjacently disposed bordering an intermediary space that is approximately at least half as wide as the tang; a pair of handles, each of said pair of handles having: a first end rotatably coupled to the tang; a second end; an interior edge; an exterior edge; and a channel disposed along the interior edge, said channel disposed to a depth within the interior edge configured to accommodate at least half the head member therein; wherein the pair of handles counter-rotate between an open position, in which the head member is exposed anteriorly projected from the first end and the exterior edge of each of the pair of handles is adjacently conjunct, and a closed position, in which the head member is enclosed within the channel of each of the pair of handles and the interior edge of each of the pair of handles is adjacently conjunct.
2. The counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head member further comprises: a first pair of tang pins disposed perpendicularly upon either side of the tang; a second pair of tang pins disposed perpendicularly upon either side of the tang and spaced anteriorly from the first pair of tang pins more proximal the pair tine members; and each of the pair of handles further comprises: a curved recess disposed upon the interior and exterior edges proximal the first end; wherein the first pair of tang pins engage into the recess cut into the interior edge of each of the pair of handles when the pair of handles is disposed in the closed, and the open, position and wherein the second pair of tang pins engage into the recess cut into the exterior edge of each of the pair of handles when the pair of handles is disposed in the open position.
3. The counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus of claim 2 wherein the head member further comprises a bottle opener section disposed edgewise upon one side of the tang.
4. The counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the pair of handles further comprises a complementary magnet disposed proximal the second end wherein each of the pair of handles is magnetically coupled when in the closed position.
5. The counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of the pair of handles is also magnetically coupled when in the open position.
6. The counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first end of each of the pair of handles is rotatably coupled to the tang by a fastener member inserted therethrough.
7. The counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of the pair of handle members further comprises a channel portion upon the exterior edge proximal the first end, said channel portion configured to accommodate portions of the tang when the apparatus is moved to the open position.
8. The counter-rotatable divot repair apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fastener member is secured to the head member by engagement with a second fastener member insertable thereinto from an opposite side of the apparatus than the fastener member.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIGS.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a bottom diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment in a closed position.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a bottom elevation view of an example embodiment in a closed position.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view of an example embodiment in an open position.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a bottom elevation view of an example embodiment in between the open position and the closed position.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of an example embodiment in the closed position.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a bottom diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment in the open position.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a bottom diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment in between the open position and the closed position.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a bottom diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment in the closed position.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a bottom diagonal elevation exploded view of an example embodiment in the open position.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a top diagonal elevation exploded view of an example embodiment in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The present invention, shown herein with example embodiments in FIGS. 1 through 10, has been devised to enable onehanded opening and closing whereby a head member may be positioned for use and storage, alternately projected anteriorly from a pair of handles and enclosed within said pair of handles, respectively.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a bottom diagonal elevation view illustrating the instant invention 10 is shown. Tang 22 of head member 20 is shown exteriorly protruding from first ends 42 of pair of handles 40. Pair of handles 40 is rotatably coupled to tang 22 by means of fastener members 70 inserted therethrough (see, e.g., FIG. 5). In this example embodiment shown, second fastener members 72 seat interior to fastener members 70, thus enabling fixed attachment of pair of handles 40 to tang 22 while facilitating counter-rotation of each of pair of handles 40 thereabouts, as will be discussed herein below.
[0032] In the example embodiment shown, pair of handles 40 include perforations or holes 50 to lessen overall weight of the apparatus 10. Additional embodiments are contemplated without such perforations or holes 50, where the weight differential is adjusted for via alteration of the manufacturing material, while other configurations of said perforations or holes 50, or other cutaways, lessen weight of the apparatus 10, where such is desired as when, say, the apparatus is rendered of cast metal.
[0033] Each of the pair of handles 40 includes a first end 42, a second end 44, an exterior edge 46, and an interior edge 48. Sloped longitudinal sections 52 are disposed edgewise along each exterior edge 46 to present a more compact and lightweight profile of the apparatus 10 as well as offer surface variation for tactile manipulation by a user.
[0034] When disposed in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, interior edges 48 of pair of handles 40 are adjacently conjunct. Pair of handles 40 may be magnetically coupled, or interlocking, by means of magnetic portions or magnetic members 54 disposed upon each interior edge 48 of pair of handles 40 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10). In the example embodiment shown, corresponding magnetic portions or magnetic members 54 are disposed proximate to the pair of handles' 40 second ends 44 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10). Additional means of securing pair of handles 40 in the closed and open position are contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure, including for example, configuration of a latch member (not shown) disposed endwise upon the second end 44 of one of the pair of handles 40 to engage and interlock with second end 44 of other of pair of handles 40, as is seen in the art.
[0035] Tang pins 26, 28 are disposed to seat against arced recesses 58 on interior edges 48 and arced recesses 56 on exterior edges 46, to prevent over-rotation of the handles 40 while reinforcing the integrity of the apparatus 10 in each of the open and closed positions. Tang pins 26, 28 include a first pair of tang pins 26, disposed on either side of tang 22 and positioned to engage interior to arced recess 56 of each exterior edge 46 of the pair of handles 40 when moved to the open position (see, e.g., FIG. 3). Tang pins 26, 28 also include a second pair of tang pins 28 (of which only one of said pair is visible in FIG. 1) disposed to engage interior to arced recesses 58 disposed in interior edges 48 of the pair of handles 40 when moved to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom elevation view of an example embodiment in the closed position. Head member 20 is visible through pair of handles 40 perforations or holes 50. Head member 20 is nested interior to channels 60 disposed along interior edges 48 of the pair of handles 40 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 9, and 10). Pair of tines 24 is disposed terminating proximal to the pair of handles' 40 second ends 44. Tang 22 is visible exteriorly projected at the pair of handles' 40 first ends 42. One of each of the pairs of first and second tang pins 26, 28 is shown on tang 22, one of the pair of second tang pins 28 engaged in arced recesses 58 of interior edges 48 of the pair of handles 40. Arced recesses 56 of exterior edges 46 of the pair of handles 40 are clearly shown, configured to engage circumferentially around the one of first pair of tang pins 26. Second fastener members 72 are shown seated interior to fastener members 70, wherein second fastener members 72 engage via threads to secure the pair of handles' 40 first ends 42 to tang 22 while enabling counter rotation thereupon (see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10).
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom elevation view of an example embodiment disposed in the open position. Head member 20 is deployed anteriorly projected and the pair of handles 40 have been counter-rotated 180? so that arced recesses 56 in exterior edges 46 have engaged circumferentially about the first pair of tang pins 26. In like manner, as described previously for selectively securing the apparatus 10 in the closed position, the pair of handles 40 may include magnetic portions or magnet members 54 disposed upon at least sections of the exterior edge 46 to maintain and secure exterior edges 46 as adjacently conjunct until sufficient force is applied to supersede the magnetic attraction (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10). As stated previously, additional means of selectively securing the apparatus 10 in the open position are contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure, including for example a latch member (not shown) configured to couple second ends 44 together, as is seen in the art.
[0038] Head member 20 includes a pair of tine members 24 disposed anteriorly projected bounding an intermediary space 30. In this example embodiment shown, a pair of tine members 24 is projected along parallel axes from tang 22. In this example embodiment, head member 20 also includes notched section 32 proximal to tang 22 and configured for use as a bottle opener.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom elevation view of an example embodiment depicting the apparatus 10 between the open position and the closed position. When moving to the open position, the pair of handles' 40 first ends 42 counter-rotate and swing into open position thereby nesting one of first pair of tang pins 26 in arced recess 56. Tang base portions 34 seat interior to channel portions 62 disposed on exterior edges 46 at least proximal first ends 42 and of sufficient capacity and length to accommodate tang base portions 34 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 9, and 10). It should be noted that in example embodiments where channel 60 is configured to run from interior edge 48 to exterior edge 46 inclusively (thus all the way through each handle 40) (not shown), channel portion 62 may be incorporated therein (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 9, and 10).
[0040] When moving to the closed position, arced recesses 58 nest circumferentially bounding one of second pair of tang pins 28. Head member 20 is slotted interior to the pair of handles 40, accommodated by channels 60 disposed in interior edges 48 whereby head member 20 is effectively enclosed interior to the pair of handles 40 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2). Channel 60 in each interior edge 48 therefore has capacity and depth to accommodate at least one longitudinal half of head member 20.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of an example embodiment disposed in the closed position. Apparatus 10 is essentially the same as previously depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception of fastener members 70 shown. In this example embodiment shown, fastener members 70 include head portion 80 and cylindrical sleeve portion 82 (not shown, but see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10) into which second fastener members 72 are secured via threaded portions thereof. As such, fastener members 70 and second fastener members 72 secure first ends 42 of the pair of handles 40 to tang 22 without inhibiting rotation of said first ends 42 upon and about tang 22.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a bottom diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment shown in the open position. Channel 60 is visible wherein at least half of head member 20 seats when the apparatus 10 is moved to the closed position. Magnetic portion or magnetic member 54 is visible at second end 44 of one of the pair of handles 40.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a bottom diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment shown in between the open position and the closed position. Channel 60 is visible along interior edge 48 of one of the pair of handles 40. Channel portion 62 upon exterior edge 46 of the other of pair of handles 40 is also visible, wherein tang base portion 34 seats when the apparatus 10 is moved to the open position.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a bottom diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment in the closed position. Channel portion 62 upon exterior edge 46 is visible. Tang base portion 34 is visible. Pair of handles 40 is magnetically coupled in the closed position with interior edges 48 adjacently conjunct (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10).
[0045] FIG. 9 is an exploded bottom elevation view of an example embodiment in the open position illustrating action of fastener members 70 coupling first ends 42 of pair of handles 40 to tang 44. In this example embodiment, fastener members 70 engage via threads with second fastener members 72 interior to cylindrical sleeve portions 82 inserted through holes 84 in first end 42 and corresponding holes in tang 22 (not shown). Second fastener members 72 engage against interior of fastener members' 70 cylindrical sleeve portion 82, thereby securing first ends 42 to tang 22 without inhibiting counter-rotation of the pair of handles 40 thereabouts. In this example embodiment, rotation is effectuated axially about cylindrical sleeve portion 82 of fastener members 70. Additional means of securing first ends 42 of the pair of handles 40 to tang 22 while enabling and/or facilitating counter-rotation thereabouts are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, as seen in the art.
[0046] FIG. 10 is an exploded top elevation view of an example embodiment in the open position also illustrating action of fastener members 70 coupling first ends 42 of pair of handles 40 to tang 22, as previously described.
