SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REPAIRING BALL MARKS

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. Ser. No. 63/630,538, filed Apr. 9, 2024, entitled “Ball Mark Repair Tool and Method of Manufacturing Thereof,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent App. Ser. No. 63/649,115, filed May 17, 2024, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Repairing Ball Marks.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common practice every golfer knows, or should undertake, is to repair your ball marks from approach shots onto a putting green. An approach shot from distance might leave a ball mark (indentation, scrape, etc.) in the surface of the green on impact. In a game of inches such as golf, ball marks may serve to misdirect putts and ruin a chance at a better score. Therefore, it is common courtesy for the golfer who hit that approach shot, or their caddy, to fix any ball mark to make the green even and playable for other players. The official rules of golf even specifically allow for such actions in USPGA Rule 13.1c. However, despite the game of golf having been in existence for over 200 years, ball mark repair is still far from perfected.

The classic ball mark repair tool is a single spike or two-pronged fork that is used to stab into the green to pry and/or physically lift the indented soil. For instance, a golfer might attempt to use a tee to fix their ball mark by repeatedly stabbing into the green beside the mark at an angle and attempting to push the indented soil up or force surrounding soil towards the divot. The same idea might apply to the two-pronged fork. Despite the prolonged and widespread use by players and greenskeepers alike, this approach to fixing ball marks is inefficient and ineffective.

Most tools used for the stab-and-lift method as described above are small and meant to be portable, to be used by golfers, caddies, or greenskeepers as needed. However, the added effect of this portability is that the user must physically bend over or squat to attempt to repair the ball mark. This sort of movement may be difficult for people with injuries, disabilities, or conditions, or for myriads of other reasons.

Further, while the ball mark repair tools themselves might be extremely simple, even as simple as using a golf tee, the correct way to use them is apparently not. As any golfer can attest, it is nearly impossible to completely fix a ball mark using only the conventional ball mark tool. One reason for this is that the prongs of the tool are often short, and thus cannot penetrate through the soil far enough to raise enough soil to fix the mark. Another reason might be that a mark may take multiple stabs or attempts to adequately raise the soil, which may leave other, new marks around the original mark. Despite the user's best efforts at fixing the ball mark like it was never there, the outcome of using a conventional ball mark tool may very well be that the original mark is left only partially fixed while new marks are created surrounding it, expounding the problem.

For these reasons, and perhaps a few others, many golfers and caddies may choose to ignore their ball marks and leave them for a greenskeeper to take care of. Therefore, a more efficient and effective ball mark repair system and method are desired and disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of systems and methods according to the present invention relate generally to ball mark repair. More specifically, systems and methods according to the present invention relate to injecting pressurized fluid beneath a ball mark to raise the soil and/or sand, fixing a ball mark.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for repairing ball marks comprises a fluid pump configured to draw fluid from a fluid tank, a substantially hollow wand supported by the fluid pump, the wand including a proximal end opposing a distal end spaced by a wand length, and a nozzle supported by the wand, the nozzle comprising a conical tip extending from a connective portion. The connective portion is also configured to be coupled to the distal end of the wand.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the nozzle further comprises a neck extending between the connective portion and the conical tip, the neck further comprising at least one opening.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the neck comprises a plurality of openings formed radially through the neck.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the proximal end of the wand comprises a handle and a valve comprising an open and closed position, the valve configured to prevent fluid flow into the wand when in a closed position.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the handle further comprises a lever and wherein the valve is configured to transition from the closed position to the open position when the lever is engaged.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, the valve is configured to remain in the open position for a predetermined amount of time before returning to the closed position.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, the valve is configured to allow a predetermined volume of fluid enter the wand before returning to the closed position.

According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the pump pressurizes the fluid to between approximately 70 and 120 psi. According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the

valve is configured to release between about 3 to about 16 fluid ounces before returning to the closed position. According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the

valve is configured to release about 5 fluid ounces before returning to the closed position. According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the

distal end of the wand is configured to mate with the connective portion of the nozzle.

According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the pump draws fluid directly from the tank.

According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the pump draws fluid from the tank through a hose.

According to an even further aspect of the present invention, the pump further comprises a carrying strap.

According to an aspect of a method for repairing ball marks according to the present invention, the method includes the step of: locating a ball mark (or other indentation) on a golf course putting surface or other short grass area (e.g., green or tee box). A pump is provided, having an inlet operatively coupled to a fluid tank holding a fluid (e.g., one or a combination of water and liquid fertilizer) and an outlet coupled to a wand. The pump is used to pressurize the fluid for delivery to the wand, and the fluid is injected into earth (i.e., ground) under the ball mark to lift the indentation to return the surface to a substantially flat or substantially continuous (e.g., smooth) surface as compared to the grass area surrounding the ball mark.

According to another aspect of a method according to the present invention, the fluid is pressurized to between approximately 70 and 120 psi by the pump to be delivered to the wand.

According to yet another aspect of a method according to the present invention, the method further comprises the step of, before the injecting step, driving the nozzle into an approximate central position or location of the ball mark.

According to still another aspect of a method according to the present invention, the wand further comprises a handle and lever and the injecting step further comprises the step of operating the lever (e.g., to open a valve) to release the fluid to the wand.

According to further aspect of a method according to the present invention, the injecting step further comprises at least one of the steps of reciprocating the nozzle (e.g., moving the nozzle longitudinally while keeping fluid outlets in earth/soil) and/or rotating the nozzle (e.g., about its longitudinal axis to cause rotation of nozzle fluid outlets beneath the ball mark) to facilitate injection.

According to yet further another aspect of a method according to the present invention, the method further comprises the step of, during the injection step, creating a raised portion of ground (preferably not exceeding three inches in diameter) including the area of at least the ball mark. The nozzle may be removed and the raised portion may be tamped down substantially contemporaneously (e.g., within 10-30 seconds) thereafter (e.g, with a human foot or a tool such as a ground tamper) to be at least approximately coextensive with the ground area around the raised portion. Alternatively, the raised portion may be left for later (e.g., not substantially contemporaneously) tamping or leveling that may be achieved by a lawn mower tire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right elevation view of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a nozzle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right elevation view of the nozzle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the nozzle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the nozzle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of FIG. 2, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views of the nozzle of FIG. 2 being inserted into a ball mark, dispensing fluid, and being removed from the raised soil and/or sand.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.

Looking now to the figures, systems and methods for repairing ball marks 10 according to the present invention may be seen. Referring now to FIG. 1, an improved system 100 for repairing ball marks 10 may be seen. The system 100 preferably comprises a wand 110 supported by a pump 120 and nozzle 130. In use, the nozzle 130 is inserted into the ground adjacent to or at the site of a ball mark. Once activated, the pump 120 moves pressurized fluid (e.g., water) 14 through the wand 110 and out of the nozzle 130 into the ground, raising the soil and/or sand. The user can then optionally gently press on the raised soil/sand using a separate tool or, preferably, just a foot to level the soil/sand with the rest of the green 12. Thus, the system 100 solves the problem of fixing ball marks 10 without causing further marks or harm to the green 12.

As seen in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention includes a wand 110 comprising a proximal end 110a and distal end 110b spaced by a wand length 110c. In some embodiments of the present invention, the proximal end 110a preferably comprises a handle 112 with an extending engagement lever 114. When engaged (i.e. depressed, pulled, etc.), the engagement lever 114 preferably causes a valve 116 to open, allowing pressurized fluid 14 to flow through the handle 112 and into the wand 110. In some embodiments of the system 100, the valve 116 remains open for as long as the user engages the engagement lever 114 (i.e. the valve 116 closes when the user ceased interacting with the engagement lever 114). In other embodiments, the valve 116 may be an electronically controlled valve configured, after it is moved from a closed position, to return to the closed position after a predetermined time of fluid flow has elapsed and/or after a predetermined amount of fluid 14 has flowed through the valve 116. For instance, a preferable amount of fluid 14 to be released to repair a simple ball mark 10 is about 3 to about 16 fluid ounces. Most preferably, at a pressure between 70-120 psi, about 3 to about 5 fluid ounces of fluid 14 are used to repair one ball mark 10. To limit fluid 14 use to this preferred amount, some embodiments may include the valve 116 predetermined to close after a predetermined amount (e.g., 5 fluid ounces) of fluid 14 passes through it. Alternatively, some pumps 120 may pressurize the fluid 14 to a lower psi, such as below 40 psi, in which case more fluid 14 may be desirable to fix the ball mark, sometimes up to 16 fluid ounces. In these embodiments, the valve 116 may preferably close automatically after 16 fluid ounces of fluid 14 passes through it or after a certain amount of time has elapsed. In any event, an effective amount of fluid 14 is utilized to raise a desired amount of ground area. It is found that an effective amount of fluid can be determined at a provided pressure upon perceiving (e.g., seeing) lifting of the low spot of ground.

The wand 110 is preferably a substantially hollow tube with a circular cross-section, although other shaped wands 110, such as those having square, triangle, or other shaped cross-sections, are also contemplated. The wand 110 may comprise materials known in the art and available commercially, such as machined metal, but is preferably made of hard plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or the like. The wand length 110c may vary, depending on the needs of the user and/or the embodiment of the system 100, but is preferably at least 2 feet in length, such that most users will not have to bend over significantly or squat to contact the nozzle 130 with the ground on which they stand or to push the nozzle 130 into the ground. The handle 112 is preferably supported by the wand 110 and preferably made from substantially the same material. Alternatively, the handle 112 may be made from three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies using thermoplastics or similar materials known in the art. In use, the user may grip the handle 112 to aim the wand 110, and the nozzle 130 by extension, and engage the engagement lever 114 to allow pressurized fluid 14 to flow through the wand 110 and out of the nozzle 130. The distal end 110b of the wand 110 is preferably threaded to mate with the nozzle 130. The proximal end 110a of the wand 110 is in fluid communication with and passively receives fluid 14 from the valve 116, which in turn is activated by the lever and receives fluid from the pump 120 through a hose 124.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the pump 120 may be a commercial model known in the art, such as a Milwaukee® M12™ or M18™ pump, that draws power from a power source 128 to keep a fluid 14 at pressure in the hose 124. The power source 128 may be an electrical outlet, but is more preferably a battery providing DC voltage (e.g., 10 to 40 volts) as is known in the art and purchased commercially, which is preferably a rechargeable battery. The pump 120 preferably keeps the fluid 14 in the hose 124 at a predetermined (preferably adjustable) pressure of at least 40 psi. Even more preferably, the pump 120 is set to maintain a pressure between 70-120 psi in the hose 124.

The pump 120 has an input (not shown) that receives or draws the fluid 14 from a tank 122. Various embodiments of the tank 122 have been developed. A preferred embodiment may further feature a strap 126 connected to the pump 120 and/or tank 122 and configured to be worn on the shoulder(s) of a user, similar to a messenger bag, or alternatively the strap 126 could be in a backpack configuration and the tank 126 and or pump 120 may be carried on the user's back. Various embodiments of the pump 120 and/or water tank 122 may also optionally include a grip or handle 127 to further aid a user in carrying the system 100 in addition to the strap 126.

Even further, some embodiments of the present invention may have the tank 122 secured to the pump 120, with no need for a connecting hose 124, or even as a standing tank 122 at rest on the ground with a lengthened connecting hose 124. No matter the embodiment, the tank 122 preferably holds at least 1 gallon of fluid 14, most preferably water, and perhaps up to 4 gallons or more in the case of a standing tank 122. Alternative embodiments of a pump 120 and tank 122 configuration may include a substantially larger tank (e.g., 10, 20, or even 50 gallons) supported apart from the pump 120 and coupled with a fluid supply hose. Such embodiment may be more conducive to support of the tank 122 on a cart or motorized vehicle.

Preferably affixed to the distal end 110b of the wand 110 is the nozzle 130. The nozzle 130 is preferably made from a unitary piece of machined stainless steel and comprises a connective portion 132 integrally formed with a neck 136 terminating in a conical tip 138. As seen in FIGS. 2-6, the connective portion 132 is preferably shaped to be gripped by a standard wrench (i.e. pentagonal hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal-shaped) and/or it could be knurled to enable operable manual connectivity. Within the connective portion 132 is a machined cavity 134, which is preferably at least partially threaded 134a to mate with the distal end 110b of the wand 110. Extending from the connecting portion 132, the neck 136 is preferably a hollow tube comprising a drilled passage 140 to allow fluid 14 to move through the neck 136. The tip 138 preferably extends conically from the neck 136 to a point, which allows the tip 138 and neck 136 to penetrate the ground during use. Proximate the tip 138, the neck 136 preferably comprises at least one opening 142 formed radially through the neck 136 to intersect with the passage 140. More preferably, a plurality (e.g., 2, 3, or 4) of openings 142 are provided, and most preferably spaced substantially equally about the circumference of the neck 136, through which fluid 14 received into the cavity 134 may exit the nozzle 130.

During use, pump 120 is powered on and keeps the fluid 14 in the hose 124 pressurized. As seen in FIGS. 7A-7C, ball marks 10 are quickly and easily repaired. As the user finds low spots (e.g., ball marks) 10 on a green (or tee box) 12, the tip 138 of the nozzle 130 is generally positioned substantially centrally to a mark or divot 10, preferably substantially perpendicular to a ground surface (e.g., putting green 12) and the tip 138 and neck 136 of the nozzle 130 is driven into the ground in a direction A, as shown in FIG. 7A. Once in the ground the user activates the engagement lever 114, which preferably allows between 3-5 fluid ounces of fluid 14 to flow through the wand 110 and out of the nozzle 130 at a pressure of preferably between 70-120 psi, as seen in FIG. 7B. Alternatively, larger amounts of fluid 14 may be used if the fluid 14 is kept at a lower pressure. For example, for fluid 14 kept at around 40 psi, around 16 ounces of fluid 14 may be adequate. During injection, the neck 136 may be rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof, and the neck 136 may be plunged up and down (reciprocated along its longitudinal axis) slightly so as to facilitate injection. The injected fluid 14 causes the soil and/or sand under the ball mark 10 to rise in a direction B, substantially filling (and preferably slightly overfilling) the ball mark 10. The nozzle 130 is then removed from the green 12 by pulling it in a direction C. The user may then choose to tamp down the raised soil and/or sand to be level with the surrounding green 12, such as by simply stepping on the ground, including the fixed mark 10.

The present system 100 has several advantages. Principally, the present system 100 fixes ball marks 10 with more efficiency, accuracy, and speed than conventional ball mark 10 repair tools. That is, the system 100 is: quick, only taking seconds to fix a mark; it is reliable, able to fix almost all ball marks 10 commonly found on a green 12; and it is easy to use by not requiring the user to further mark the green 12 in attempting to repair the ball mark. Further, the wand length 110c allows the system 100 to be used at the user's convenience and without the need to physically bend over or squat to reach the ball mark. Additionally, where water is used as the fluid 14, systems and methods according to the present invention provides hydration to the turf while simultaneously fixing ball marks or divots. Other turf benefits of use of systems and methods according to the present invention include reducing or eliminating soil compaction, preventing grass root damage during mark or divot repair, top dressing of turf area immediately surrounding the mark or divot (by forcing top dressing (e.g., sand) upward towards the top of the turf), aerating the turf, at least through puncture by the tip 138 and neck 136.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, because numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.