Apparatus and method of holding a golf score card and writing instrument, and golf bag and system incorporating the same

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and system, for holding a golf score card and a writing instrument. The invention, in one aspect, comprises a structure having a retaining portion adapted to receive a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument. The retaining portion comprises an elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end; a slot forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity. The slot is narrower than the elongated cavity. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the elongated cavity and/or the slot will be tapered in a manner so that as a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument is slidably inserted into the elongated cavity via an open top end, the writing instrument and golf score card are engaged by frictional contact with the structure. In some embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, it is not necessary that the elongated cavity be tapered or that the insertion technique comprise a sliding action.

1 . An apparatus for holding a golf score card and writing instrument comprising: 
 a structure having a retaining portion adapted to receive a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument;    an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end;    a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity;    wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity;    wherein at least a portion of the elongated cavity and/or the slot is tapered in a manner so that as a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument is inserted into the elongated cavity via the open top end, the writing instrument and golf score card are engaged by frictional contact with the structure.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the structure further comprises a receiving portion comprising a funnel-like cavity and a generally V-shaped slot forming an opening into a side of the funnel-like cavity, wherein the funnel-like cavity is in spacial cooperation with the open top end of the elongated cavity of the retaining portion and the generally V-shaped is aligned with the slot of the retaining portion.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the structure is formed of a single piece of flexible material.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a label recess in the receiving portion of the structure above the funnel-like cavity.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein combined length of the receiving portion and the retaining portion of the structure is between 3 and 5 inches.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top end of the elongated cavity is open.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising means to secure the structure to a golf bag.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the securing means comprise pins or tie straps extending from a back side of the structure.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a golf bag, the structure integrally formed into a portion of the golf bag or mounted to the golf bag.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the structure is mounted to the golf bag by a clamp bracket positioned interior of the golf bag, the clamp bracket sandwiching the golf bag's material between the clamp bracket and the structure when the clamp bracket engages the structure.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the structure is mounted to the golf bag by a mounting flange.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated cavity has a generally circular cross-sectional profile along the length.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the circular cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the elongated cavity tapers from a first diameter within a range of ½ to ¼ inch to a second diameter within a range of ⅓ to ⅛ inch.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the slot is not tapered, the slot having a width within the range of ¼ to 1/16 inch.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein all edges of the structure are rounded.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a receiving portion comprising a funnel-like cavity and a generally V-shaped slot forming an opening into a side of the funnel-like cavity, wherein the top end of the elongated cavity is open, wherein the funnel-like cavity is in spacial cooperation with the open top end of the elongated cavity of the retaining portion and the generally V-shaped is aligned with the slot of the retaining portion;    a label recess in the receiving portion of the structure above the funnel-like cavity; a golf bag, the structure integrally formed into a portion of the golf bag or secured to the golf bag; wherein the structure is formed of a single piece of flexible material;    wherein the elongated cavity has a generally circular cross-sectional profile along the length;    wherein the circular cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the elongated cavity tapers from a first diameter of approximately 11/32 inch to a second diameter of approximately 9/32 inch;    wherein the slot is not tapered, the slot having a width of approximately ⅛ inch;    wherein combined length of the receiving portion and the retaining portion of the structure is approximately 4 inches.    
   
   
       17 . A system for keeping score during golf comprising: 
 a structure having a retaining portion;    an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end;    a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity;    wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity; and    a golf score card folded around a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is in a creased portion of the folded golf score card, the writing instrument and the creased portion of the folded golf score card positioned in the elongated cavity and engaged by the cavity's wall, a portion of the golf score card protruding from the slot.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a golf bag, the structure mounted to or integrated into the golf bag.  
   
   
       19 . A method of holding a golf score card and a writing instrument comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising a structure having a retaining portion, an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end, a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the open top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity; wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity;    folding a golf score card around a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is in a creased portion of the folded golf score card; and    inserting the writing instrument and the creased portion of the folded golf score card into the elongated cavity, a portion of the golf score card protruding from the slot.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the top end is open and the either the elongated cavity and/or the slot is tapered, the inserting step comprising sliding the writing instrument and the creased portion of the golf score card into the elongated cavity via the open top end until the writing instrument and the creased portion are engaged by frictional contact with either the cavity's wall and/or the slot's walls.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the inserting step comprises pushing the creased portion of the golf score card and the writing instrument into the elongated cavity via the slot-like opening.