US3922027A

US3922027A - Golf ball retriever

Info

Publication number: US3922027A
Application number: US528251A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman F Nesselt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-11-29
Filing date: 1974-11-29
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25

Abstract

A golf ball retriever for retrieving a golf ball from an inaccessible position such as from the bottom of a water hazard and consisting of a telescopic handle having a pair of jaw members spring biased in a direction to close toward each other, and a pair of toggle levers having a pivot point which is beyond center when set in a position to retain the jaw members in an open position, the toggle levers being positioned to be engaged by a golf ball when the jaws are placed over the golf ball such that when the golf ball engages the toggle levers they will move in the opposite direction beyond center to permit the spring loaded jaws to close and engage and hold a golf ball therebetween.

Description

United States Patent Nesselt 1 Nov. 25, 1975 1 GOLF BALL RETRIEVER Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher [76] Inventor: Norman F. Nesselt, 737 W. Dayton Ash-"mm! Exammer cherryz Johnny Circle, Fort Lauderdale, 33312 Attorney, Agenn or Fzrm-Marden S. Gordon [22] Filed: Nov. 29, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] App1.No.: 528,251

A golf ball retriever for retrieving a golf ball from an inaccessible position such as from the bottom of a [52] US. Cl. 294/19 A; 294/110 A water hazard and consisting of a telescopic handle [51] hit. Cl. A47F 13/06; A63B 57/00 having a pair of jaw members spring biased in a direc [58] Field of Search 294/19 R, 19 A. 20, 21, tion to Close toward each other, and a pair of toggle 294/99 110 110 A; 56/328 333 levers having a pivot point which is beyond center when set in a position to retain the jaw members in an [56] References Cted open position, the toggle levers being positioned to be UNITED STATES PATENTS engaged by a golf ball when the jaws are placed over 1,452,679 4/1923 Fisher 294/19 A the g ball Such that when the golf ball engages the 1,934,132 11/1933 Lamb... 294/110 A toggle levers they will move in the opposite direction 2,549,257 4/1951 Staunt 294/19 A beyond center .to permit the spring loaded jaws to 2334629 5/1958 Williams 294/19 A close and engage and hold a golf ball therebetween. 3,038,751 6/1962 Stafford 294/19 A 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the game of golf and more particularly to a novel and improved golf ball retriever for retrievinggolf balls from water hazards and other inaccessible locations.

2. Description of the Prior Art During play of the game of golf there are..encountered numerous water hazards which are so positioned to provide difficulty for the golfer in hitting the golf ball over the water hazard so that frequently the ball falls short of its intendedflight and fallsinto the water hazard. In view of the expense of golf balls, this can be quite frustrating to the golfer andpose a psychological fear that more balls will be lost in the water hazard with the expense thereof having to be carried by the individual player. Y

Accordingly, it has been known in the prior art to provide a golf ball retriever for-use in retrieving golf balls from water hazards. and the like. Such golf ball retrievers are generally represented by patents issued to McEvoy US. Pat. No. 2,833,584; Ward US. Pat. No. 3,029,097; and .Stafford US. Pat. No. 3,038,751.

However, all of such prior art devices suffer from one or more disadvantages as to being overly complex in structure and expensive to manufacture and purchase, require two hands for proper operation thereof, are of a bulky construction not readily carried in a golf bag, are subject to misapplication causing further frustration to the golfer when attempting to use the same to retrieve golf balls, and the like. 7 I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention remedies and overcomes all of the deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available golf ball retrievers by providing a novel and improved golf ball retriever wherein a pair of spring loaded jaws are cocked into a spread apart open position by means of an over-center pair of toggle levers in a manner such that when the jaws are passed about the golf ball .to be retrieved with the golf ball engaging the toggle lever the. golf ball moves the toggle lever to a position freeing the jaw members which grasp the golf ball therebetween for retrieving purposes.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a golf ball retriever.

A further feature of the present invention provides a golf ball retriever which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods so that it can be retailed. ata sufficiently low price to encourage widespread use thereof.

A further feature of the present invention provides a golf ball retriever provided with a pair of spring loaded jaw members which are self-clamping upon. contact with a golf ball, and wherein a telescopic handle is provided which may be elongated or shortened as required for use of-the retriever. 1

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a golf ball retriever that is simple in structure yet effective to entrap and contain a golf ball therein. for retrieving the same, one which is easy to manipulate and positive in its action, one which positively retains the golf'ball regardless of the positionto which the retriever may be moved after entrapment of the golf ball therein, and one \which is operable by the use of only one hand. I

Yet still a further feature'of the present invention provides a golf-ball-retriever which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation, and one which is of a rugged and durable construction so that it may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent-during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed todesignate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. .1 isa perspective view of the golf ball retriever with the jaws in the open'position and with the handle in its extended position;

FIG. 2 is a sideelevational view of the golf ball retriever with the jaws in the open position and with the handle in the collapsed closed position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the golf ball retriever in the open position and initially engaging a golf ball;

FIG. 4 isa side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 with the jaws illustrated in the tripped closed position entrapping and containing a golf ball therebetween; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the golf retriever as viewed in the directions of arrows 55 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a golf ball retriever constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and which is designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and which is comprised-of a telescopic handle 11, a jaw member 12, and atriggering type toggle linkage 14.

The telescopic handle 11 is comprised of three

telescoping segments

21, 22 and 23 each of a cylindrical configuration with each being of a successively larger diameter, and so arranged as to frictionally interengage vso that the handle will remain in any extended distance. The smallest or end section 21 is preferably closed at its extremity by an end cap 24. The largest or opposite end section 23 is fitted at its extremity 25 with a flat flange member 26 disposed diametrically relative thereto and extending outwardly therefrom and having an aperture 27 extending therethrough.

Affixed to flange 27 are the leg portions 31 and 32 of a U-shaped bracket 33 having a bight portion 34 extending downwardly therefrom. Bracket 33 is secured to flange 26 by means of a bolt 35 passing axially through openings in each of the legs 31 and 32 and through opening 27, and being secured thereto by a nut 36 Extending through bight portion 34 of bracket 33 and secured therein is a rod shaped pin member 41 having a cylindrically coiled spring 42 extending concentric therewith and with the springs having opposed ends 43 and44.

The jaw member 12 consists of a pair of substantially identically shaped and configured U-shaped wire form jaw members 51 and 52-. Jaw member 51 has

parallel leg portions

53 and 54 with a bight portion 55 which is provided with an offset 56 centrally thereof and projecting upwardly and outwardly out of the plane determined by members 53-55. Similarly, jaw member 52 has parallel leg portions 63 and 64, bight portion 65, and central offset portion 66 which projects outwardly of the plane defined by the members 6365 and in a direction away from the direction of projection of member 56.

The end 44 of spring 42 engages a midpoint of leg 64 with the end 43 of the spring 42 engaging a midpoint of the leg 53 such that the

jaw members

51 and 52 are spring biased in a direction toward each other.

A rod shaped member 71 is provided having its ends engaging the top portions of leg portions 63 and 64 so as to extend therebetween generally parallel to pin 41 at a position generally adjacent pin 41. In order to provide for the maintaining of the opposed spring loaded

jaw members

51 and 52 in a spread apart spaced position to permit passage of a golf ball 18 therebetween, there is provided a pair of toggle levers 72 and 73 which are connected together at their adjacentmost ends by means of a pivot 74, with the opposite end of lever 72 connected centrally of bar 71 by the bar passing through an opening 75 in the end, and with the opposite end of lever 73 having an opening extending therethrough so as to be pivotally connected centrally of offset portion 56. The toggle levers 72 and 73 are adapted to be moved until they are longitudinally aligned with each other and then to be still slightly further moved until they are slightly off center with the connected ends on being off center from the longitudinal alignment axis in the direction ofjaw member 52. In this position the

jaw members

51 and 52 are retained in the open position as illustrated in FIG. 3.

When golf ball 18 enters between

jaw members

51 and 52 when in the open position, the golf ball engages toggle lever 72 in a manner to drive pivot 74 in the opposite direction at the longitudinal alignment position of such toggle levers, this thus releasing the jaw members at which time spring action of spring 42 pulls the

jaw members

51 and 52 in a direction toward each other to entrap golf ball 18 therebetween.

It is thus seen that toggle levers 72 and 73 provide for the spreading apart of the

jaw members

51 and 52 so that a golf ball can pass between the same, and for holding the jaw members in such open relationship until such time as the golf ball is between them so that it can be trapped and held therein, and when the ball is so positioned it trips the lever 72 thus rendering the toggle linkage l4 inactive as soon as the golf ball is within the jaw members so that the jaw members close onto the golf ball and entrap the same.

In use of the device, it is understood that it is necessary to set or cock the toggle linkage 14 to initially open the

jaw members

51 and 52. In other words, the toggle linkage must be moved beyond center to the position of FIG. 3 so that it will operate to hold the jaw members in the spread apart open position. When golf ball 18 enters between

jaw members

51 and 52 it engages the toggle lever 72 in a manner to throw the pivot connection 74 beyond center so that the spring 42 will pull the

jaws

51 and 52 of the jaw member 12 together to engage and hold the golf ball 18.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a pre ferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A golf ball retriever comprising, in combination:

a handle having a plurality of frictionally engaged.

telescoping sections;

a U-shaped bracket affixed centrally to a bottom one.

of said telescoping sections and extending outwardly therefrom with its bight portion spaced furthest from such section;

a pivot pin retained in said bight portion and extending outwardly from opposite ends thereof;

a cylindrically coiled spring disposed concentric on said pivot pin and having its opposed ends extending radially outwardly relative to said pivot pin;

a pair of substantially indentical jaw members each pivotally connected to the end portions of said pivot pin and extending downwardly therefrom;

one end of said spring engaging one of said jaw members with the opposite .end of said spring engaging the opposite one of said jaw members in a manner to spring bias said jaw members in a pivotal direction about the axis of said pin in a direction toward each other; and

toggle means for releasably holding said opposed jaw members in spaced apart relationship and operable to release said jaw members for movement in a direction toward each other under force of said spring.

2. The golf ball retriever as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by each of said jaw members being i of a substantially indentical U-shaped configuration formed of wire stock bent to the desired configuration, each jaw member having a bight member and a pair of generally parallel leg members with the ends of each leg member being bent about the associated end portions of said pivot pin for pivotally retaining said jaw member to said pivot pin, and an offset portion formed integrally centrally of each bight member and projecting upwardly and outwardly of the plane defined by said leg members and bight member of each of said jaw members.

3. The golf ball retriever as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for releasably retaining said jaw members in a spread apart open position comprises:

a wire form bar member extending generally parallel to said bight member of said first mentioned jaw member and having its ends affixed to said first mentioned jaw member leg members at the top portions thereof;

a pair of toggle levers;

a first one of said toggle levers having one end pivotally connected centrally of said bar member with the opposite end extending outwardly therefrom;

a second one of said toggle levers having one end pivotally connected to said offset portion of said second mentioned jaw member with its opposite end extending outwardly therefrom;

a pivot pin pivotally connecting said opposite end of said first lever arm to said opposite end of said second lever arm;

said toggle levers adapted to be moved to a first position where said pivot connection is slightly off center in the direction of said first mentioned jaw said first one of said toggle levers disposed in a position within the opening defined by said jaw mem- 6 bers when said toggle levers are in said first position opening said jaw members, said first toggle lever located in a manner to be engaged by a golf ball passing between said jaw members and acting to shift said toggle linkage to said second position to cause said jaw members to engage and hold said golf ball therebetween.

Claims

1. A golf ball retriever comprising, in combination: a handle having a plurality of frictionally engaged telescoping sections; a U-shaped bracket affixed centrally to a bottom one of said telescoping sections and extending outwardly therefrom with its bight portion spaced furthest from such section; a pivot pin retained in said bight portion and extending outwardly from opposite ends thereOf; a cylindrically coiled spring disposed concentric on said pivot pin and having its opposed ends extending radially outwardly relative to said pivot pin; a pair of substantially indentical jaw members each pivotally connected to the end portions of said pivot pin and extending downwardly therefrom; one end of said spring engaging one of said jaw members with the opposite end of said spring engaging the opposite one of said jaw members in a manner to spring bias said jaw members in a pivotal direction about the axis of said pin in a direction toward each other; and toggle means for releasably holding said opposed jaw members in spaced apart relationship and operable to release said jaw members for movement in a direction toward each other under force of said spring.

2. The golf ball retriever as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by each of said jaw members being of a substantially indentical U-shaped configuration formed of wire stock bent to the desired configuration, each jaw member having a bight member and a pair of generally parallel leg members with the ends of each leg member being bent about the associated end portions of said pivot pin for pivotally retaining said jaw member to said pivot pin, and an offset portion formed integrally centrally of each bight member and projecting upwardly and outwardly of the plane defined by said leg members and bight member of each of said jaw members.

3. The golf ball retriever as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for releasably retaining said jaw members in a spread apart open position comprises: a wire form bar member extending generally parallel to said bight member of said first mentioned jaw member and having its ends affixed to said first mentioned jaw member leg members at the top portions thereof; a pair of toggle levers; a first one of said toggle levers having one end pivotally connected centrally of said bar member with the opposite end extending outwardly therefrom; a second one of said toggle levers having one end pivotally connected to said offset portion of said second mentioned jaw member with its opposite end extending outwardly therefrom; a pivot pin pivotally connecting said opposite end of said first lever arm to said opposite end of said second lever arm; said toggle levers adapted to be moved to a first position where said pivot connection is slightly off center in the direction of said first mentioned jaw member to retain said first and second jaw members in spaced apart open relationship, and a second position wherein said pivot connection is off center in a direction away from said first mentioned jaw member to thus free said jaw members for pivotable movement toward each other under action of said spring to close said jaw members; said first one of said toggle levers disposed in a position within the opening defined by said jaw members when said toggle levers are in said first position opening said jaw members, said first toggle lever located in a manner to be engaged by a golf ball passing between said jaw members and acting to shift said toggle linkage to said second position to cause said jaw members to engage and hold said golf ball therebetween.