Multi-function magnetic golf appliance

Abstract

The present invention is generally comprised of an appliance that may assist in retrieving golf balls and golf clubs from a playing surface, as well as retrieving and holding one or more golf ball markers. The appliance may also be used to hold the handle of a golf club away from the playing surface when the golf club is laid upon the surface. In some embodiments, the appliance is generally comprised of a first golf club having a magnet disposed approximately at the end of its handle. A second golf club may be retrieved from the playing surface using the handle of the first golf club, which is magnetically attracted to a portion of the second golf club. In other embodiments, the appliance further comprises at least one golf ball marker or a golf ball retriever or both, which may be removably attached to the end of the handle of the first golf club by magnetic attraction. In other embodiments, the appliance is comprised of a sleeve member that may be placed over and removably attached to the end of the handle of a first golf club. In these embodiments, the sleeve member has a magnet disposed therein and may be used to retrieve a second golf club from the playing surface. In other embodiments, at least one golf ball marker or a golf ball retriever or both may be removably attached to the end of the sleeve member by magnetic attraction. The present invention also includes methods of using the appliance.

1 . An appliance for use in playing the game of golf, the appliance comprising: 
 (a) a first golf club; and    (b) a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club, wherein the magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above a surface by the end of the handle of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club.    
   
   
       2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field strength of the magnet at its surface is in the range from 3,500 gauss to 5,500 gauss.  
   
   
       3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 (a) the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker, wherein the at least one ball marker is further comprised of a magnetic portion, which is further comprised of material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and    (b) the at least one ball marker may be removably attached to the end of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of the at least one ball marker and the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club.    
   
   
       4 . The appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one ball marker is shaped approximately as a circular disc.  
   
   
       5 . The appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one ball marker is further comprised of a nonmagnetic portion, which is further comprised of a material that does not have magnetic properties and is not subject to magnetic attraction.  
   
   
       6 . The appliance of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 (a) the at least one ball marker is shaped approximately as a circular disc having a first circular surface and a second circular surface opposite the first circular surface;    (b) the magnetic portion is shaped approximately as a circular disc having a diameter less than the diameter of the at least one ball marker and a thickness less than the thickness of the at least one ball marker; and    (c) the magnetic portion is disposed in the at least one ball marker so that one surface of the magnetic portion forms a portion of the first circular surface and the nonmagnetic portion is approximately annular in shape when viewed from above the first circular surface of the ball marker.    
   
   
       7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising the second golf club, wherein: 
 (a) the portion of the second golf club held adjacent to the end of the handle of the first golf club is the end of the handle of the second golf club; and    (b) a magnet is disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the second golf club.    
   
   
       8 . An appliance for use in playing the game of golf, the appliance comprising a golf ball retriever, which is further comprised of: 
 (a) a base portion comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials, wherein the base portion may be removably attached to the end of a handle of a golf club by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the golf club; and    (b) a catch portion disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion, wherein: 
 (i) the catch portion is comprised of at least two arm members;  
 (ii) the at least two arm members have an arcuate shape and are approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion; and  
 (iii) the at least two arm members together are of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball.  
   
   
   
       9 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the catch portion is comprised of at least two arm members, but not more than four arm members.  
   
   
       10 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two arm members are further comprised of a plurality of raised rib portions disposed transversely across the surfaces of the at least two arm members that face the golf ball, wherein the raised rib portions assist in holding the golf ball within the catch portion.  
   
   
       11 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two arm members are further comprised of a layer of a flexible material disposed on the surfaces of the at least two arm members that face the golf ball, wherein the flexible material assists in holding the golf ball within the catch portion.  
   
   
       12 . The appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible material is rubber, neoprene, or silicone.  
   
   
       13 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 (a) the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker, wherein the at least one ball marker is further comprised of a magnetic portion constructed from a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and    (b) the at least one ball marker may be removably disposed between the end of the handle of the golf club and the base portion of the golf ball retriever and is held in place by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of the at least one ball marker and the base portion or the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the golf club or both.    
   
   
       14 . An appliance for use in playing the game of golf, the appliance comprising a golf ball retriever, which is further comprised of: 
 (a) a base portion comprised of a material having magnetic properties, wherein the base portion may be removably attached to a portion of a golf club by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and the portion of the golf club, wherein the portion of the golf club is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and    (b) a catch portion disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion, wherein: 
 (i) the catch portion is comprised of at least two arm members;  
 (ii) the at least two arm members have an arcuate shape and are approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion; and  
 (iii) the at least two arm members together are of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball.  
   
   
   
       15 . An appliance for use in playing the game of golf, the appliance comprising: 
 (a) a first golf club having a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club, wherein the magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above a surface by the end of the handle of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club; and    (b) a golf ball retriever, wherein: 
 (i) the golf ball retriever is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and  
 (ii) the golf ball retriever is removably attached to the end of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the golf ball retriever and the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club.  
   
   
   
       16 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic field strength of the magnet at its surface is in the range from 3,500 gauss to 5,500 gauss.  
   
   
       17 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the golf ball retriever is comprised of: 
 (a) a base portion comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials, wherein the base portion is removably attached to the end of the handle of the first golf club; and    (b) a catch portion disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion, wherein: 
 (i) the catch portion is comprised of at least two arm members;  
 (ii) the at least two arm members have an arcuate shape and are approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion; and  
 (iii) the at least two arm members together are of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball.  
   
   
   
       18 . The appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the at least two arm members are further comprised of a plurality of raised rib portions disposed transversely across the surfaces of the at least two arm members that face the golf ball, wherein the raised rib portions assist in holding the golf ball within the catch portion.  
   
   
       19 . The appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the at least two arm members are further comprised of a layer of a flexible material disposed on the surfaces of the two arm members that face the golf ball, wherein the flexible material assists in holding the golf ball within the catch portion.  
   
   
       20 . The appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the material is rubber, neoprene, or silicone.  
   
   
       21 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 (a) the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker, wherein the at least one ball marker is further comprised of a magnetic portion constructed from a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and    (b) the at least one ball marker is removably disposed between the end of the handle of the first golf club and the base portion of the golf ball retriever and is held in place by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of the at least one ball marker and the base portion or the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club or both.    
   
   
       22 . The appliance of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one ball marker is shaped approximately as a circular disc.  
   
   
       23 . An appliance for use in playing the game of golf, the appliance comprising: 
 (a) a sleeve member, which is further comprised of: 
 (i) an approximately tubular portion of a size and shape adapted to fit over and enclose a portion of the end of the handle of a first golf club;  
 (ii) a sleeve cap portion disposed at one end of the approximately tubular portion; and  
 (iii) a magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion, wherein the magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above a surface by the sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club; and  
   (b) sleeve attachment means to removably attach the sleeve member to the end of the handle of the first golf club.    
   
   
       24 . The appliance of  claim 23 , wherein the magnetic field strength of the magnet at its surface is in the range from 3,500 gauss to 5,500 gauss.  
   
   
       25 . The appliance of  claim 23 , wherein the sleeve attachment means is comprised of a strap attached to the approximately tubular portion, wherein the strap has two ends and the ends are removably attached together using hook and loop fasteners.  
   
   
       26 . The appliance of  claim 23 , wherein the sleeve member is comprised of a semi-rigid material and the sleeve attachment means is comprised of friction between the approximately tubular portion and the exterior surface of the handle of the first golf club that is adjacent to the interior surface of the approximately tubular portion.  
   
   
       27 . The appliance of  claim 23 , wherein: 
 (a) the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker, wherein the at least one ball marker is further comprised of a magnetic portion, which is further comprised of material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and    (b) the at least one ball marker may be removably attached to the end of the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of each ball marker and the magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member.    
   
   
       28 . The appliance of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one ball marker is shaped approximately as a circular disc.  
   
   
       29 . The appliance of  claim 27 , wherein: 
 (a) the at least one ball marker is further comprised of a nonmagnetic portion, which is further comprised of a material that does not have magnetic properties and is not subject to magnetic attraction;    (b) the at least one ball marker is shaped approximately as a circular disc having a first circular surface and a second circular surface opposite the first circular surface;    (c) the magnetic portion is shaped approximately as a circular disc having a diameter less than the diameter of the at least one ball marker and a thickness less than the thickness of the at least one ball marker; and    (d) the magnetic portion is disposed in the at least one ball marker so that one surface of the magnetic portion forms a portion of the first circular surface and the nonmagnetic portion is approximately annular in shape when viewed from above the first circular surface of the at least one ball marker.    
   
   
       30 . The appliance of  claim 23 , wherein the appliance further comprises the first golf club.  
   
   
       31 . The appliance of  claim 23 , further comprising the second golf club, wherein: 
 (a) the portion of the second golf club held adjacent to the end of the handle of the first golf club is the end of the handle of the second golf club; and    (b) a magnet is disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the second golf club.    
   
   
       32 . The appliance of  claim 23 , further comprising the second golf club and a second sleeve member removably attached to the end of the handle of the second golf club by sleeve attachment means, wherein: 
 (a) the portion of the second golf club held adjacent to the sleeve member of the first golf club is the second sleeve member removably attached to the end of the handle of the second golf club by the sleeve attachment means; and    (b) the second sleeve member is further comprised of: 
 (i) a second approximately tubular portion of a size and shape adapted to fit over and enclose a portion of the end of the handle of the second golf club;  
 (ii) a second sleeve cap portion disposed at one end of the second approximately tubular portion; and  
 (iii) a second magnet disposed in the second sleeve cap portion, wherein the second magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a third golf club approximately adjacent to the second magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the third golf club can be raised above a surface by the second sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the second magnet and the portion of the third golf club.  
   
   
   
       33 . An appliance for use in playing the game of golf, the appliance comprising: 
 (a) a sleeve member, which is further comprised of: 
 (i) an approximately tubular portion of a size and shape adapted to fit over and enclose a portion of the end of the handle of a first golf club;  
 (ii) a sleeve cap portion disposed at one end of the approximately tubular portion; and  
 (ii) a magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion, wherein the magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold a portion of a second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above a surface by the sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club;  
   (b) sleeve attachment means to removably attach the sleeve member to the end of the handle of the first golf club; and    (c) a golf ball retriever, wherein: 
 (i) the golf ball retriever is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and  
 (ii) the golf ball retriever is removably attached to the cap portion of the sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the golf ball retriever and the magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member.  
   
   
   
       34 . The appliance of  claim 33 , wherein the magnetic field strength of the magnet at its surface is in the range from 3,500 gauss to 5,500 gauss.  
   
   
       35 . The appliance of  claim 33 , wherein the sleeve attachment means is comprised of a strap attached to the approximately tubular portion, wherein the strap has two ends and the ends are removably attached together using hook and loop fasteners.  
   
   
       36 . The appliance of  claim 33 , wherein the sleeve member is comprised of a semi-rigid material and the sleeve attachment means is comprised of friction between the approximately tubular portion and the exterior surface of the handle of the first golf club that is adjacent to the interior surface of the approximately tubular portion.  
   
   
       37 . The appliance of  claim 33 , wherein the golf ball retriever is further comprised of: 
 (a) a base portion comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials, wherein the base portion is removably attached to the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and the magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion; and    (b) a catch portion disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion, wherein: 
 (i) the catch portion is comprised of at least two arm members;  
 (ii) the at least two arm members have an arcuate shape and are approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion; and  
 (iii) the at least two arm members together are of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball.  
   
   
   
       38 . The appliance of  claim 37 , wherein the at least two arm members are further comprised of a plurality of raised rib portions disposed transversely across the surfaces of the at least two arm members that face the golf ball, wherein the raised rib portions assist in holding the golf ball within the catch portion.  
   
   
       39 . The appliance of  claim 37 , wherein the at least two arm members are further comprised of a layer of a flexible material on the surfaces of the at least two arm members that face the golf ball, wherein the flexible material assists in holding the golf ball within the catch portion.  
   
   
       40 . The appliance of  claim 39 , wherein the material is rubber, neoprene, or silicone.  
   
   
       41 . The appliance of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 (a) the appliance further comprises at least one ball marker, wherein the at least one ball marker is further comprised of a magnetic portion, which is further comprised of material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and    (b) the at least one ball marker may be removably attached to the end of the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of each ball marker and the magnet disposed in the sleeve cap portion of the sleeve member.    
   
   
       42 . The appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one ball marker is shaped approximately as a circular disc.  
   
   
       43 . The appliance of  claim 33 , wherein the appliance further comprises the first golf club.  
   
   
       44 . A method for using a first golf club to retrieve a second golf club from a surface, the method comprising the actions of: 
 (a) placing the end of a handle of the first golf club approximately adjacent to a portion of the second golf club, wherein the first golf club has a magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club and the magnet has magnetic field strength adequate to hold the portion of the second golf club approximately adjacent to the magnet against the force of the earth's gravity, so that the portion of the second golf club can be raised above the surface by the end of the handle of the first golf club by means of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the portion of the second golf club;    (b) raising the portion of the second golf club above the surface by raising the end of the handle of the first golf club away from the surface, so that the portion of the second golf club remains approximately adjacent to the magnet disposed approximately at the end of the handle of the first golf club; and    (c) when the portion of the second golf club has reached a convenient altitude above the surface, grasping the second golf club and lifting it from the surface.    
   
   
       45 . A method for retrieving a golf ball from a surface, the method comprising the actions of: 
 (a) removably attaching a golf ball retriever to a portion of a golf club, wherein: 
 (i) the golf ball retriever is comprised of a base portion and a catch portion disposed adjacent to and extending from the base portion;  
 (ii) the base portion is further comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to magnetic attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials;  
 (iii) the base portion may be removably attached to a portion of the golf club by means of magnetic attraction between the base portion and the portion of the golf club, wherein the portion of the golf club is comprised of a material having magnetic properties or a material that is subject to attraction by materials having magnetic properties or a combination of such materials; and  
 (iv) the catch portion is further comprised of at least two arm members, each having an arcuate shape and being approximately symmetrically spaced about the base portion, and together being of a size and shape adapted to retrieve and hold a golf ball;  
   (b) positioning the at least two arms of the golf ball retriever, as it is removably attached to the golf club, over the golf ball;    (c) exerting force on the golf club so that the golf ball retriever is forced down over the golf ball until the golf ball is seated against the arcuate portions of the at least two arms that are adjacent to the base portion of the golf ball retriever;    (d) raising the golf ball above the surface by raising the portion of the golf club to which the golf ball retriever is attached away from the surface; and    (e) when the golf ball has reached a convenient altitude above the surface, grasping the golf ball.