PITCH MARK REPAIR TOOL

Abstract

A tool comprises a generally planar body having a first end and a second end from which projects at least one tine. The tool comprises two handles each having a first end and a second end. A hinge is located between the body and each handle adjacent the first end of each handle. A channel is defined in each handle between their first and second ends, the channels being capable of enclosing the body and tines in a first retracted configuration wherein the body and tines are folded into the channels in both handles, and in an extended configuration, the body and tines are unfolded from the handles. The tool can be used for repairing pitch marks in the game of golf.

Claims

1. A tool for repairing pitch marks, comprising a generally planar body having a first end and a second end from which projects at least one tine, two handles each having a first end and a second end, a hinge between the body and each handle adjacent the first end of each handle, wherein a channel is defined in each handle between the first and second ends, the channels being capable of enclosing the body and the at least one tine in a first retracted configuration wherein the body and tines are folded into the channels in both handles, and in an extended configuration, the body and the at least one tine are unfolded from the handles.

2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein in the retracted configuration, the handles abut each other between the first and second ends.

3. A tool according to claim 2, wherein in the extended configuration, the handles abut each other between the first and second ends.

4. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the handles each comprise at least one substantially flat surface.

5. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the hinges are both located proximate to the first end of the generally planar body.

6. A tool according to claim 1, wherein each hinge comprises a pivot pin which extends through the generally planar body adjacent the first end thereof.

7. A tool according to claim 6, wherein the pivot pin extends through a handle adjacent the first end thereof.

8. A tool according to claim 1, wherein each hinge comprises a bush or bearing.

9. A tool according to claim 1, wherein a shim or spacer is provided between the body and each handle.

10. A tool according to claim 1, wherein two or three tines extend from the generally planar body.

11. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the tines are generally planar and have a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the generally planar body.

12. A tool according to a claim 1, wherein each tine tapers.

13. A tool according to claim 1, wherein each tine is symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the generally planar body wherein the longitudinal axis extends between the first end and the second end of the generally planar body.

14. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the body and the tines are manufactured of stainless steel.

15. A tool according to claim 1, wherein each handle is manufactured of a plastics material.

16. A tool according to claim 1, wherein each channel has a substantially rectangular cross section.

17. A tool according to claim 1, wherein each channel ends before the second end of each corresponding handle.

18. A tool according to claim 1, wherein a catch is provided between the end of a channel and the second end of a handle.

19. A tool according to claim 18, wherein the catch comprises at least one magnet.

20. A tool according to claim 19 wherein the magnet is located in viscous oil.

21. A method for manufacturing a tool for repairing pitch marks, including a generally planar body having a first end and a second end from which projects at least one tine, first and second handles each having a first end and a second end, a hinge between the planar body and each of the first and second handles adjacent the first end each of the first and second handles, wherein a channel is defined in each of the first and second handles between the first and second ends, method comprising the steps of inserting a magnet into the second end of each of the first and second handles, aligning an opening defined in the planar body with an opening defined in the first end of the first handle, inserting a first pivot pin through the aligned openings, aligning a further opening defined in the body with an opening defined in the first end of the second handle, and inserting a second pivot pin through the aligned openings.

22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a tool according to an embodiment of the invention in an extended configuration;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a tool according to an embodiment of the invention in a retracted configuration;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a body and tines of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows perspective view of a body and tines of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0055] FIG. 5 shows an alternative top view of a body and tines of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0057] FIG. 7 shows the steps involved in assembly of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] It will be appreciated that aspects, embodiments and preferred features of the invention have been described herein in a way that allows the specification to be written in a clear and concise way. However, unless circumstances clearly dictate otherwise, aspects, embodiments and preferred features can be variously combined or separated in accordance with the invention. Thus, preferably, the invention provides a device having features of a combination of two or more, three or more, or four or more of the aspects described herein. In a preferred embodiment, a device in accordance with the invention comprises all aspects of the invention.

[0059] Within the context of this specification, the word about means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%.

[0060] Within the context of this specification, the word substantially means preferably at least 90%, more preferably 95%, even more preferably 98%, most preferably 99%.

[0061] Within the context of this specification, the word comprises means includes, among other things and should not be construed to mean consists of only.

[0062] Within the context of this specification, the word catch is interpreted to mean a restraint that checks the motion of one thing relative to another, or a means for holding in position.

[0063] The invention provides a tool (1) for repairing pitch marks in the game of golf.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, a tool (1) according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a generally planar body (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4) from which projects two tines (5) (6), two handles (7) (8) each having a first end (9) (10) and a second end (11) (12), and a hinge (13) (14) between the body (2) and each handle (7) (8) adjacent the first end (9) (10) of each handle (7) (8).

[0065] A channel (15) (16) is defined in each handle (7) (8) between their first ends (9) (10) and second ends (11) (12), the channels (15) (16) being capable of enclosing the body (2) and tines (5) (6).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 1, in an extended configuration, the body (2) and tines (5) (6) are unfolded from the handles (7) (8).

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, in a retracted configuration, the body (2) and tines (5) (6) are folded into the channels (15) (16) in both handles (7) (8).

[0068] In use, the handles (7) (8) are rotated around each hinge (13) (14) from a first, retracted configuration (as shown in FIG. 2), wherein the handles (7) (8) are aligned substantially parallel to each other with the channels (15) (16) facing inwardly towards each other to a second, extended configuration (as shown in FIG. 1), wherein the handles (7) (8) are aligned parallel to each other with the channels (15) (16) facing outwardly away from each other and the body (2) and tines (5) (6) are exposed and extend from the handles (7) (8).

[0069] In the retracted configuration shown in FIG. 2, the handles (7) (8) abut each other between their first ends (9) (10) and second ends (11) (12). In the extended configuration shown in FIG. 1, the handles (7) (8) abut each other between their first ends (9) (10) and second ends (11) (12).

[0070] The handles (7) (8) each comprise a substantially rectangular cross section.

[0071] The hinges (13) (14) are both located proximate to the first end (3) of the generally planar body (2). Each hinge (13) (14) comprises a pivot pin (17) (18). Each pivot pin (17) (18) extends through the generally planar body (2) adjacent its first end (3).

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, two tines (5) (6) extend from the generally planar body (2). The body (2) defines two openings (19) (20) for receiving pivot pins (17) (18), each opening (19) (20) having a diameter of 2.8 mm to receive a pivot pin (17) (18). The openings (19) (20) have centres which are 15.4 mm apart.

[0073] The tines (5) (6) are generally planar and have a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the generally planar body (2).

[0074] Each tine (5) (6) tapers to a point (21) (22) to facilitate insertion of the tines (5) (6) into soil.

[0075] Each tine (5) (6) is symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the generally planar body (2) wherein the longitudinal axis extends from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the generally planar body (2).

[0076] The body (2) and tines (5) (6) are manufactured of stainless steel and each handle (7) (8) is manufactured of recycled plastics material.

[0077] Each channel (15) (16) has substantially rectangular cross section and ends before the second end (11) (12) of a handle (7) (8).

[0078] A magnet (23) is provided between the end of each channel (15) (16) and the second end (11) (12) of each handle (7) (8). The magnets (23) bias the tool (1) in a retracted or extended configuration.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 6, pivot pins (17) (18) extend through each handle (7) (8) adjacent their first ends (9) (10).

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7, method for manufacturing a tool (1) of the invention, comprises the steps of inserting a magnet (23) into the second end (11) (12) of first and second handles (7) (8), aligning an opening (19) defined in the body (2) with an opening defined in the first end (9) of a first handle (7), inserting a first pivot pin (17) through the aligned openings, aligning a further opening (20) defined in the body (2) with an opening defined in the first end (10) of a second handle (8), and inserting a second pivot pin (18) through the aligned openings.

[0081] The above-described embodiment has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.