Title:
GOLF SCORE GRIP FOR CADDY CARTS
United States Patent 3819907
Abstract:
A golf score indicating device is integrally incorporated in the butt end of a caddy cart handle grip. The device includes a cylindrical counter drum which has numerals marked on its outer surface and which is rotatably attached to the end of the handle grip. A sleeve having a window therein is fixedly mountd over the counter drum with one numeral on the counter drum being visible through the window. The counter drum can be rotated to change the numeral which is visible through the window. In one embodiment, spring loaded detent ball which is mounted on the counter drum engages dimples in a detent plate attached to the counter sleeve for correctly aligning the numerals with respect to the window.
US Patent References:
Golf score counter
Levin - December 1933 - 1940134
Indicating device or the like
Taylor - September 1934 - 1972205
Shaft position indicator
Collison - February 1961 - 2972978
Multiple turn indicator
Franklin - March 1966 - 3241515
Golf cart accessory
Gould - December 1966 - 3289928
Golf score counter
Levin - December 1933 - 1940134
Indicating device or the like
Taylor - September 1934 - 1972205
Shaft position indicator
Collison - February 1961 - 2972978
Multiple turn indicator
Franklin - March 1966 - 3241515
Golf cart accessory
Gould - December 1966 - 3289928
Application Number:
05/285988
Publication Date:
06/25/1974
Filing Date:
09/05/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Saul Faber Corporation (Milwaukee, WI)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
116/223, 235/117A
International Classes:
A63B71/06; G06C1/00; G06M1/00; G06F9/00
Field of Search:
235/1B,117A,103,95R 30/34A 116/115,115.5,113,120,133
Primary Examiner:
Tomsky, Stephen J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Wheeler, Morsell, House & Fuller
Claims:
I claim
1. A combination golf caddy cart handle grip and scoring counter comprising a handle grip, a cylindrical counter drum having numerals marked on the outer surface thereof, means for rotatably attaching said counter drum to one end of said handle grip with the axis of the drum being substantially aligned with the axis of said handle grip, a counter sleeve dimensioned to fit over said counter drum and having a window therein through which one of the numerals marked on said counter drum can be viewed, said counter sleeve being disposed at the end of said handle grip and about said counter drum, and the outer end of said counter drum extending outwardly beyond said counter sleeve whereby the outer end of said counter drum can be grasped to be rotated so as to change the numeral appearing under the window of said counter sleeve, detent means coupled between said counter drum and said counter sleeve for ratcheting said numerals with respect to said windows, said detent means comprising a detent ball, an opening in said counter drum for receiving said detent ball, spring means within said opening for urging said detent ball outwardly from said opening, a detent plate attached to said counter sleeve in front of said detent ball, a plurality of holes formed in said detent plate and spaced in a circle therearound, said holes being radially spaced opposite said detent ball and being circumferentially spaced in alignment with the numerals on said counter drum.
2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said one end of said handle grip is closed, and further comprising central axial openings in said counter drum, detent plate, and said one end of said handle grip, and wherein said counter drum is rotatably attached to said one end of said handle grip by means of a pintle which extends through the central openings in said counter drum, detent plate, and said one end of said hand grip.
3. A combination golf caddy cart handle grip and scoring counter comprising a handle grip having sleeve means forming a socket at its butt end, a rotor mounted in the socket, said rotor having numerals inscribed thereon, said sleeve having an index marker thereon, and detent means by which the numerals are ratcheted past the index marker for scoring purposes, said detent means comprising a detent ball, an opening in said rotor for receiving said detent ball, spring means within said opening for urging said detent ball outwardly from said opening, a detent plate attached to said sleeve means in front of said detent ball, a plurality of holes formed in said detent plate and spaced in a circle therearound, said holes being radially spaced opposite said detent ball and being circumferentially spaced in alignment with the numerals on said rotor.
1. A combination golf caddy cart handle grip and scoring counter comprising a handle grip, a cylindrical counter drum having numerals marked on the outer surface thereof, means for rotatably attaching said counter drum to one end of said handle grip with the axis of the drum being substantially aligned with the axis of said handle grip, a counter sleeve dimensioned to fit over said counter drum and having a window therein through which one of the numerals marked on said counter drum can be viewed, said counter sleeve being disposed at the end of said handle grip and about said counter drum, and the outer end of said counter drum extending outwardly beyond said counter sleeve whereby the outer end of said counter drum can be grasped to be rotated so as to change the numeral appearing under the window of said counter sleeve, detent means coupled between said counter drum and said counter sleeve for ratcheting said numerals with respect to said windows, said detent means comprising a detent ball, an opening in said counter drum for receiving said detent ball, spring means within said opening for urging said detent ball outwardly from said opening, a detent plate attached to said counter sleeve in front of said detent ball, a plurality of holes formed in said detent plate and spaced in a circle therearound, said holes being radially spaced opposite said detent ball and being circumferentially spaced in alignment with the numerals on said counter drum.
2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said one end of said handle grip is closed, and further comprising central axial openings in said counter drum, detent plate, and said one end of said handle grip, and wherein said counter drum is rotatably attached to said one end of said handle grip by means of a pintle which extends through the central openings in said counter drum, detent plate, and said one end of said hand grip.
3. A combination golf caddy cart handle grip and scoring counter comprising a handle grip having sleeve means forming a socket at its butt end, a rotor mounted in the socket, said rotor having numerals inscribed thereon, said sleeve having an index marker thereon, and detent means by which the numerals are ratcheted past the index marker for scoring purposes, said detent means comprising a detent ball, an opening in said rotor for receiving said detent ball, spring means within said opening for urging said detent ball outwardly from said opening, a detent plate attached to said sleeve means in front of said detent ball, a plurality of holes formed in said detent plate and spaced in a circle therearound, said holes being radially spaced opposite said detent ball and being circumferentially spaced in alignment with the numerals on said rotor.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to golf score indicating devices which golfers can use to keep track of their score in a golf game. In the past some such score indicating devices have been designed to be worn on the wrist like a wrist watch. Such devices were, however, inconvenient in several respects. In the first place, both hands were required to operate the device, so if the golfer was holding a club, as was usually the case, he had to either set it down or tuck it under his arm before operating the device. In addition, there was the problem of storing the device after the game was over and remembering to put it on before starting the next game. While the prior art has suggested attaching a score keeping device to a golf cart handle, as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,759,666 and 3,289,928, these devices are inconvenient because they are not smoothly integrated into the handle grip. In accordance with this invention, however, these drawbacks have been overcome by a novel score indicating device which is bodily incorporated in the heel or butt of the caddy cart handle grip and which can be operated by one hand when the handle grip of the caddy cart is grasped to move it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cylindrical counter drum which has numerals marked on its outer surface is rotatably incorporated within the butt end of a caddy cart handle grip. The handle grip of the present invention is intended primarily to be sold as a complete combination handle grip and scoring counter which replaces the conventional handle grip. A counter sleeve which is dimensioned to fit over the counter drum is incorporated within or fixedly attached to the end of the handle grip over the counter drum. The counter sleeve has a window therein through which one numeral on the counter drum can be viewed. The outer end of the counter drum extends beyond the counter sleeve whereby the end of the counter drum can be grasped to be rotated so as to change the numeral appearing under the window of the counter sleeve. The combination device bodily incorporates the scoring counter in the heel or butt end of the handle grip with no substantial increase in its bulk or lateral dimensions. It is inconspicuous, yet readily accessible for manipulation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf caddy cart upon which one illustrative embodiment of the invention is mounted;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section through a modified embodiment.
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 embodiment herein disclosed merely exemplifies the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.
FIG. 1 shows one illustrative embodiment of the invention mounted on a handle grip 10 which is attached by a press fit or by gluing to the handle bar 11 of a golf caddy cart 12 and FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are enlarged views of the same embodiment. In this embodiment a conventional rubber or plastic handle grip 10 is modified to incorporate the scoring counter. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, this embodiment of the invention includes a substantially cylindrical counter rotor or drum 14 which has numerals 16 marked around the outer periphery thereof and which is rotatably attached to the closed end of handle grip 10 by a pintle 18 which passes through a central opening 20 in counter drum 14 and a central opening 22 in the closed end of handle grip 10. The axis of counter drum 14 is substantially aligned with the axis of handle grip 10. The pintle 18 has a head 24 on its outer end and is mushroomed over on its inner end 26 to engage the closed end of handle grip 10.
A counter sleeve 28 which is dimensioned to fit telescopically over the counter drum 14 is fixedly attached over the end of handle grip 10 by means of an interference fit or by other suitable fastening means. Counter sleeve 28 defines a socket in the butt end of handle grip 10. The inner end 29 of counter sleeve 28 is tapered to remove the sharp edge therefrom. Counter sleeve 28 has an index marker which preferably comprises a window opening 30 therein through which one of the numerals 16 on the outer surface of counter drum 14 can be viewed. The counter drum 14 extends outwardly beyond the end of counter sleeve 28 so that the end 32 of counter drum 14 can be grasped by the fingers to be rotated so as to bring a different numeral into view under the window 30. Preferably, the diameter of counter drum 14 is enlarged at the end 32 to match the outer diameter of counter sleeve 28 and the outer surface of the end 32 is knurled to provide a good surface for grasping the end 32 to turn counter drum 14.
As a means of centering the numerals 16 under the window 30, and also as a means of holding the counter drum 14 in a selected rotary position, a detent ball and plate assembly is preferably provided as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A detent ball 34 rides in a peripheral opening or socket 36 in counter drum 14 and is spring loaded outwardly by means of spring 38. A detent plate 40 having holes 42 formed therein is fixedly attached to counter sleeve 28 in front of opening 36 in such position that the detent ball 34 will be forced by the spring 38 into the holes 42 in the detent plate 40. The holes 42 are correlated with the numerals 16 so that there is one hole 42 for every numeral 16 and the holes 42 are angularly positioned to center the numerals 16 under the window 30. Preferably, the numerals 16 comprise the numerals 0 through 9 and the detent plate 40 has ten holes 42 spaced at equal angular positions 36 degrees apart. The detent plate 40 also has a central opening 44 through which the pintle 18 passes.
The detent plate 40 is fixedly attached to counter sleeve 28 adjacent to the closed end of handle grip 10. This is done by making the detent plate 40 out of material such as steel or the like, making its outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of counter sleeve 28, and providing a press fit.
Any suitable material can be used in making the score indicating device of this invention. As noted above, the detent plate 40 is preferably made out of steel. The exposed parts of the device are, however, preferably made of a corrosion resistant material such as hard rubber, plastic, aluminum, stainless steel or the like.
The above-described device is operated by first turning the knurled end 32 of counter drum 14 until the numeral zero appears under window 30. Then, as the golfer plays his first hole, the numeral under the window is increased by one for each stroke taken. At the end of the hole, the total is entered on the scorecard and the device is reset to zero for the next hole. It should be noted that the golf score indicating device of this invention can be easily operated with one hand when the caddy cart handle is grasped to move the cart from one position of the golf ball to the next. In addition, it should also be noted that it is not necessary to store the indicating device of this invention after a golf game or to remember to put it on before beginning a game. The device is permanently attached to the caddy cart handle grip and is always available whenever the caddy cart is used.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which a counter sleeve 48 is formed as an integral extension of a handle grip 50 having an end plate 52. A pintle 54 is formed as an integral extension of the end plate 54. The handle grip 50, end plate 52, counter sleeve 48, and pintle 54 are preferably molded as an integral unit from rubber, plastic, or other resilient material.
The counter sleeve 48 has a window 55 therein which is similar to the window 30 in counter sleeve 38. A hollow counter drum 56 is rotatably attached to pintle 54 by means of a screw 58. The counter drum 56 has numerals 57 marked on the outer surface thereof which are similar to the numerals 16 on the counter drum 14. The outer end of counter drum 56 is enlarged at 60 to provide a finger grip for grasping the counter drum to rotate it manually. In the operation of the device, the enlarged end 60 of counter drum 56 is rotated until the desired numeral 57 is under the window 55 in counter sleeve 48.
At the inner end of counter drum 56, a plurality of hemi-spherical nipples 62 are formed which mate with matching dimples formed in the outer surface of end plate 52. There is one nipple 62 and one matching dimple for each numeral on the counter drum 56 and the nipples and dimples are aligned so as to center the numerals under the window in counter sleeve 48. When the counter drum 56 is rotated, the nipples 62 ride up over the high spots on end plate 52 due to the resiliency of the material from which the end plate 52 is made. This causes a ratcheting effect which in turn causes the counter drum 56 to stop with a numeral aligned under the window in counter sleeve 48. The ratcheting effect also holds the device in the rotary position in which it is set.
This invention relates to golf score indicating devices which golfers can use to keep track of their score in a golf game. In the past some such score indicating devices have been designed to be worn on the wrist like a wrist watch. Such devices were, however, inconvenient in several respects. In the first place, both hands were required to operate the device, so if the golfer was holding a club, as was usually the case, he had to either set it down or tuck it under his arm before operating the device. In addition, there was the problem of storing the device after the game was over and remembering to put it on before starting the next game. While the prior art has suggested attaching a score keeping device to a golf cart handle, as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,759,666 and 3,289,928, these devices are inconvenient because they are not smoothly integrated into the handle grip. In accordance with this invention, however, these drawbacks have been overcome by a novel score indicating device which is bodily incorporated in the heel or butt of the caddy cart handle grip and which can be operated by one hand when the handle grip of the caddy cart is grasped to move it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cylindrical counter drum which has numerals marked on its outer surface is rotatably incorporated within the butt end of a caddy cart handle grip. The handle grip of the present invention is intended primarily to be sold as a complete combination handle grip and scoring counter which replaces the conventional handle grip. A counter sleeve which is dimensioned to fit over the counter drum is incorporated within or fixedly attached to the end of the handle grip over the counter drum. The counter sleeve has a window therein through which one numeral on the counter drum can be viewed. The outer end of the counter drum extends beyond the counter sleeve whereby the end of the counter drum can be grasped to be rotated so as to change the numeral appearing under the window of the counter sleeve. The combination device bodily incorporates the scoring counter in the heel or butt end of the handle grip with no substantial increase in its bulk or lateral dimensions. It is inconspicuous, yet readily accessible for manipulation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf caddy cart upon which one illustrative embodiment of the invention is mounted;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section through a modified embodiment.
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 embodiment herein disclosed merely exemplifies the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.
FIG. 1 shows one illustrative embodiment of the invention mounted on a handle grip 10 which is attached by a press fit or by gluing to the handle bar 11 of a golf caddy cart 12 and FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are enlarged views of the same embodiment. In this embodiment a conventional rubber or plastic handle grip 10 is modified to incorporate the scoring counter. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, this embodiment of the invention includes a substantially cylindrical counter rotor or drum 14 which has numerals 16 marked around the outer periphery thereof and which is rotatably attached to the closed end of handle grip 10 by a pintle 18 which passes through a central opening 20 in counter drum 14 and a central opening 22 in the closed end of handle grip 10. The axis of counter drum 14 is substantially aligned with the axis of handle grip 10. The pintle 18 has a head 24 on its outer end and is mushroomed over on its inner end 26 to engage the closed end of handle grip 10.
A counter sleeve 28 which is dimensioned to fit telescopically over the counter drum 14 is fixedly attached over the end of handle grip 10 by means of an interference fit or by other suitable fastening means. Counter sleeve 28 defines a socket in the butt end of handle grip 10. The inner end 29 of counter sleeve 28 is tapered to remove the sharp edge therefrom. Counter sleeve 28 has an index marker which preferably comprises a window opening 30 therein through which one of the numerals 16 on the outer surface of counter drum 14 can be viewed. The counter drum 14 extends outwardly beyond the end of counter sleeve 28 so that the end 32 of counter drum 14 can be grasped by the fingers to be rotated so as to bring a different numeral into view under the window 30. Preferably, the diameter of counter drum 14 is enlarged at the end 32 to match the outer diameter of counter sleeve 28 and the outer surface of the end 32 is knurled to provide a good surface for grasping the end 32 to turn counter drum 14.
As a means of centering the numerals 16 under the window 30, and also as a means of holding the counter drum 14 in a selected rotary position, a detent ball and plate assembly is preferably provided as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A detent ball 34 rides in a peripheral opening or socket 36 in counter drum 14 and is spring loaded outwardly by means of spring 38. A detent plate 40 having holes 42 formed therein is fixedly attached to counter sleeve 28 in front of opening 36 in such position that the detent ball 34 will be forced by the spring 38 into the holes 42 in the detent plate 40. The holes 42 are correlated with the numerals 16 so that there is one hole 42 for every numeral 16 and the holes 42 are angularly positioned to center the numerals 16 under the window 30. Preferably, the numerals 16 comprise the numerals 0 through 9 and the detent plate 40 has ten holes 42 spaced at equal angular positions 36 degrees apart. The detent plate 40 also has a central opening 44 through which the pintle 18 passes.
The detent plate 40 is fixedly attached to counter sleeve 28 adjacent to the closed end of handle grip 10. This is done by making the detent plate 40 out of material such as steel or the like, making its outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of counter sleeve 28, and providing a press fit.
Any suitable material can be used in making the score indicating device of this invention. As noted above, the detent plate 40 is preferably made out of steel. The exposed parts of the device are, however, preferably made of a corrosion resistant material such as hard rubber, plastic, aluminum, stainless steel or the like.
The above-described device is operated by first turning the knurled end 32 of counter drum 14 until the numeral zero appears under window 30. Then, as the golfer plays his first hole, the numeral under the window is increased by one for each stroke taken. At the end of the hole, the total is entered on the scorecard and the device is reset to zero for the next hole. It should be noted that the golf score indicating device of this invention can be easily operated with one hand when the caddy cart handle is grasped to move the cart from one position of the golf ball to the next. In addition, it should also be noted that it is not necessary to store the indicating device of this invention after a golf game or to remember to put it on before beginning a game. The device is permanently attached to the caddy cart handle grip and is always available whenever the caddy cart is used.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which a counter sleeve 48 is formed as an integral extension of a handle grip 50 having an end plate 52. A pintle 54 is formed as an integral extension of the end plate 54. The handle grip 50, end plate 52, counter sleeve 48, and pintle 54 are preferably molded as an integral unit from rubber, plastic, or other resilient material.
The counter sleeve 48 has a window 55 therein which is similar to the window 30 in counter sleeve 38. A hollow counter drum 56 is rotatably attached to pintle 54 by means of a screw 58. The counter drum 56 has numerals 57 marked on the outer surface thereof which are similar to the numerals 16 on the counter drum 14. The outer end of counter drum 56 is enlarged at 60 to provide a finger grip for grasping the counter drum to rotate it manually. In the operation of the device, the enlarged end 60 of counter drum 56 is rotated until the desired numeral 57 is under the window 55 in counter sleeve 48.
At the inner end of counter drum 56, a plurality of hemi-spherical nipples 62 are formed which mate with matching dimples formed in the outer surface of end plate 52. There is one nipple 62 and one matching dimple for each numeral on the counter drum 56 and the nipples and dimples are aligned so as to center the numerals under the window in counter sleeve 48. When the counter drum 56 is rotated, the nipples 62 ride up over the high spots on end plate 52 due to the resiliency of the material from which the end plate 52 is made. This causes a ratcheting effect which in turn causes the counter drum 56 to stop with a numeral aligned under the window in counter sleeve 48. The ratcheting effect also holds the device in the rotary position in which it is set.