Golf ball retrieving apparatus and method

Abstract

A ball retrieving apparatus comprises a housing having a convexed surface, a concaved surface and an aperture. The aperture and concaved surface are for accepting the ball such that the concaved surface of the housing conforms to the convexed outer surface of the ball. A pliable member is secured to the housing for obstructing a portion of the aperture in the housing. The pliable member has an aperture smaller than the aperture in the housing. A sufficient force can be applied to the housing remote from the pliable member to cause the ball to displace the pliable member sufficient for the ball to pass through the smaller aperture in the pliable member to be secured in a chamber defined by the concaved surface of the housing and the pliable member. In yet another embodiment, a method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club is provided.

1 . A ball retrieving apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a housing having a convexed surface, a concaved surface and an aperture, the aperture and concaved surface for accepting the ball having a convexed outer surface such that the concaved surface of the housing conforms to the convexed outer surface of the ball upon passage through the aperture, and    (b) a pliable member secured to the housing for obstructing a portion of the aperture in the housing such that the pliable member has an aperture smaller than the aperture in the housing, such that when the pliable member is engaged with the ball a sufficient force can be applied to the housing remote from the pliable member to cause the ball to displace the pliable member sufficient for the ball to pass through the smaller aperture in the pliable member and be secured in a chamber defined by the concaved surface of the housing and the pliable member.    
   
   
       2 . The ball retrieving apparatus defined in  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club.  
   
   
       3 . The ball retrieving apparatus defined in  claim 2  wherein the mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club is a plug engaged with the ball retrieving apparatus which plug is removeably accepted in a recess in the golf club.  
   
   
       4 . The ball retrieving apparatus defined in  claim 2  wherein the mechanism for removeably engaging the ball retrieving apparatus with a golf club is a screw engaged with the ball retrieving apparatus which screw is removeably accepted in a recess in the golf club.  
   
   
       5 . The ball retrieving apparatus defined in  claim 1  further comprising another aperture smaller than the ball receiving aperture adapted for pushing the ball out of the chamber through the aperture in the pliable member.  
   
   
       6 . The ball retrieving apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the housing is adapted to accept a plurality of balls.  
   
   
       7 . The ball retrieving apparatus defined in  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for connecting the ball retrieving apparatus to another structure like a golf bag.  
   
   
       8 . A method for retrieving a golf ball using a golf club comprising the steps of: 
 (a) engaging the golf club with a ball retrieving apparatus, the ball retrieving apparatus comprising a receptacle and an elastic diaphragm, the receptacle comprising an aperture larger than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved and the elastic diaphragm comprising an aperture smaller than the cross section of the ball to be retrieved,    (b) engaging the ball with the elastic diaphragm for aligning the curvature of the ball with the aperture in the elastic diaphragm,    (c) applying pressure to the receiving apparatus for pushing the ball through the aperture in the elastic diaphragm,    (d) receiving the ball in the receptacle,    (e) securing the ball in a chamber defined by the receptacle and the elastic diaphragm, and    (f) retrieving the ball from the chamber via the aperture in the elastic diaphragm.