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United States Patent Application	20030192206
Kind Code	A1
Ashton, David Perry	October 16, 2003

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Claims

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That which is claimed is:

1- A multi-function footwear comprising: (a) a footwear worn on a golf course during a round of Golf, (b) at least one other golfing tool which is used to penetrate the surface of a golf course, attached to said footwear, and (c) holding means for attaching said tool to said footwear so as to allow easy coupling and uncoupling of said repair-tool with the footwear when needed, whereby keeping golfer's hands and clothing from getting soiled.

2- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said holding means is built in permanently with the shoe, for carrying said golfing tool with the footwear.

3- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said holding means is of mechanical means.

4- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said holding means is located on the exterior of the footwear.

5- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said holding means is located inside the footwear.

6- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said holding means is added on the footwear after manufacture of the footwear.

7- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said holding means is of same material as the sole of the footwear.

8- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said holding means is at least one magnet, whereby to adhere to a golfing tool which contains a material which attracts to a magnet.

9- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein the footwear further includes a protective layer between said golfing tool and the footwear, whereby to protect the exterior of the footwear from the repetitive use of the tool.

10- The multi-function footwear of claim 10, wherein said protective layer is further enhanced to be used as a holding means for the tools.

11- The multi-function footwear of claim 10, wherein said protective layer is indented to house said golfing tool, whereby said golfing tool does not extend greatly beyond the exterior of the footwear.

12- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said golfing tool has at least one mechanism to attach and reattach to and remove from the footwear.

13- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said golfing tool is at least one golf tee.

14- The multi-function footwear of claim 1, wherein said golfing tool is an apparatus for repairing the surface of a golf course.

15- The multi-function footwear of claim 14, wherein said golfing tool further includes at least one magnet as means for attaching to the footwear.

16- The multi-function footwear of claim 14, wherein said golfing tool is a readily available divot repair-tool.

17- The multi-function footwear of claim 14, wherein said golfing tool further includes at least one mechanical attaching means to the footwear.

18- The multi-function footwear of claim 14, wherein said golfing tool is constructed for addition to an ordinary golf shoe.

19- In a footwear worn on a golf course, the improvement being addition of at least one other golfing tool housed inside the footwear, whereby making it more convenient to use the tools when needed on the golf course.

20- A method of penetrating the surface of a golf course, comprising steps: (a) bending over and retrieving a golfing tool such as a divot repair-tool or a golf tee, from a multi-function footwear, and (b) while in bent position, using said golfing tool for the function it was designed for, such as repairing the surface of a golf course or teeing up a golf ball, and (c) replacing the tool back onto the footwear, when necessary.

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Description

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to golf shoes containing other removable golfing tools which are used to penetrate into the surface of a golf course, such as a divot repair-tool, or golf tees.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A golfer usually carries some golfing tools such as a divot repair-tool, tees, and other items in his or her pocket or golf bag. Some of these tools are used to dig in into the teeing ground or the putting green. Unless the tool is cleaned after each use, placing it back in pockets or bag after use soils the hands, clothing, or the golf bag.

[0004] Etiquette requires golfers to repair the indentation caused by a ball landing on the putting greens. Normally, a golfer will approach the green, pull out a golf surface repair-tool (ball-mark repair-tool/divot repair tool) from her/his pocket or golf bag, bends down and repairs the divot, replaces the divot repair-tool in his/her pocket and then proceeds with the remainder of the putting process. However, this little feat is not always welcomed or performed because:

[0005] 1. Many golfers forget to carry their repair-tools to the golf course, either in their pockets or in their bags.

[0006] 2. If the repair-tools are in the golf bags, golfers forgets to take it to the green with them (bags being off the green).

[0007] 3. After using a divot repair-tool, the tool is sometimes muddy from being dug in ground. Golfers who care about their clothing (most tour professionals), do not like placing the tool back in their pocket, or their belt. It is too time-consuming to clean the tool with a towel every time before replacing it in pocket before putting.

[0008] 4. The repair-tool can get lost or mis-placed during the round of golf when a golfer has reached inside his pockets many times to retrieve tees, money, or other items; and therefore the tool is not available for the remainder of the round

[0009] 5. It is just one more item to carry in your pocket, making the pocket more bulky.

[0010] 6. Some golfers do not own a repair-tool.

[0011] Some golf courses provide free repair-tools to their patrons in order to encourage use of the tool in keeping the greens in good condition. While this gesture works to some degree, it is not foolproof. Many previous inventions have created repair-tools which are functional, and in some cases combined with other tools such as a brush. U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,137 (2000), U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,443 (2000), U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,201 (2000), U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,935 (2000), U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,298 (2000), U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,708 (1998), U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,229 (1999), U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,208 (1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,696 (1996). In U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,950 to Bazzle, et al (1978), a ball marker disc is attached to a golf shoe providing ease of use for marking a ball on the surface of the green. However no such provisions are made for a divot repair-tool. A ball marker usually stays clean because it is only placed on the top surface of the putting green, but the divot repair-tool becomes gritty from sand or dirt, and placing it back in pocket, soils the clothing.

[0012] Another tool which is of similar fate as the divot repair-tool is the golf tee. It is often forgotten, and when the golfer retrieves a tee which is not broken, the tee maybe muddy, and replacing it in the pocket or the bag, soils the clothing and the bag.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a golf shoe with a repair-tool attached to the back of the heel, and a protective layer provided under the repair-tool.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows the cross-sectional of shoe and a repair-tool attached to the golf shoe on a holding mechanism.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a repair-tool with inside notches in the prongs of the tool

[0016] FIG. 4 shows the side view cross section of a golf shoe and a repair-tool, showing a golf shoe equipped with a holding mechanism which is a rod partially embedded into the heel sole of the shoe.

[0017] FIG. 5 shows the side of the heel of the golf shoe which contains two holding mechanisms holding a repair-tool with outside notches in the prong of the tool.

[0018] FIG. 6 shows a repair-tool which has a bent shape and is carried under the arch of a golf shoe.

[0019] FIG. 7 shows the side view of a golf shoe with a narrow repair-tool positioned on the side of the sole of the golf shoe.

[0020] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of a golf shoe with a repair-tool attached to the back of the heel with a magnet inside the heel portion of the shoe, and a protective layer built under the repair-tool.

[0021] FIG. 9 shows the side view of shoe and a repair-tool attached to the golf shoe with a magnet.

[0022] FIG. 10 shows the enlarged view of the rear of the shoe in FIG. 9. This shoe is equipped with a steel member sandwiched in the heel of the shoe, and a magnet in the back of the repair-tool.

[0023] FIG. 11 shows a golf shoe constructed with a holding strap securing a standard divot repair-tool, and smaller holding straps for golf tees.

[0024] FIG. 12 shows a typical golf shoe, and a repair-tool built in a semicircular shape which snaps over the heel of the golf shoe, and hinges at the base of the prongs.

[0025]

1 Reference Numerals In Drawings 20 Golf shoe 22 Divot repair-tool 24 Repair-tool handle 26 Repair-tool prong 28 Inside notch 30 Outside notch 32 Holding mechanism 34 Protective layer 36 Holding mechanism head 38 golf tees 40 Magnet 42 Steel member 44 Heel pad of shoe 46 Golf tee 48 Repair-tool holding strap 50 Tee holding strap

SUMMARY

[0026] In accordance with the present invention, a combination of golf shoes and at least one other golfing tool, such as a divot repair-tool, golf tees, cigar holder, club tripod, etc. Attaching one or more of these tools to the golf shoe keeps golfer's hands and clothing free of dirt, as well as making it more convenient to have these tool available to use when needed.

[0027] Objects and Advantages

[0028] I To keep the golfers clothing from getting dirty from a muddy golfing tool.

[0029] The divot repair-tool or the tees are never placed inside the golfer's pockets, therefore these items do not soil the clothing.

[0030] II To keep the golfer's hands from getting dirty from a muddy golfing tools.

[0031] The golfer is only touching the top of the divot repair-tool or the tee, and does not have to handle the tip edge which has been imbedded into the ground.

[0032] III To make the golf divot repair-tool readily accessible when needed.

[0033] Since the golfing tool is always left on or in the shoes, it is not easily forgotten or lost.

[0034] IV To reduce the number of times a golfer has to clean his repair-tool.

[0035] The golfer will only have to clean the tools when the shoes are cleaned. If the tool is very muddy, it can be simply scraped against the edge of the shoe sole, before replacing.

[0036] IV To ensure that every golfer owns a divot repair-tool.

[0037] Providing a repair-tool with every shoe facilitates use of the tool, helps the golf course and other golfers playing the same course, and encourages good etiquette in times when proper behavior on the golf course is diminishing.

DESCRIPTION

[0038] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3--Preferred Embodiment.

[0039] The specifications here describe a combination of footwear worn on a golf course, namely a golf shoe 20 and an apparatus for repairing the surface of a golf course, namely a divot repair-tool 22, creating a dual function footwear. FIG. 1 shows the rear view of golf shoe 20 and divot repair-tool 22. FIG. 2 shows a side-view of the golf shoe, and the divot repair-tool. A holding mechanism 32 is an extension of the sole of golf the shoe, shaped somewhat like a tongue, protruding at an upward angle to securely hold the repair-tool in place. A protective layer 34 is a thin semi-rigid plastic layer such as polyethyleneterephthalate available from Eastman Chemical Co. of Kingsport, Tenn. However, the protective layer can contain any other material that will not show scratch marks and wear-and-tear due to repetitive replacement of the repair tool, such as nylon, rubber, vinyl, polypropylene, polyethylene, various plasticized materials, etc. The protective layer is positioned at the exterior of the heel of the golf shoe, and positioned under the divot repair-tool. FIG. 3 shows the repair-tool which in this embodiment consist of repair-tool handle 24 and two divot repair-tool prong 26. In overall appearance, the repair tool looks similar to a shortened fork with a wide handle. Repair tool handle 24 is circular in shape approximately 3 centimeters (1.5 inches) in diameter, prongs are approximately 4 centimeters (2 inches) in length, with ends which narrow towards the tip. Inside notch 28 are cut from both inside portions of the prong. The inside notches are somewhat semicircular in shape and sized to fit snugly over holding mechanism 32.

[0040] Additional Embodiments

[0041] There are various possibilities in selecting a location on a golf shoe where other golfing tools are attached, and methods of attaching repair-tools to the shoe. Additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12. For example, FIG. 4 shows a holding mechanism 32 which is a rigid or semi-rigid elongated member imbedded into the heel of the shoe, having a holding mechanism head 36 in the shape of the head of a large nail and extending out slightly in order to receive the repair-tool. FIG. 5 shows a golf shoe holding a repair-tool on the side of the heel. In this embodiment, the repair tool prongs are notched on the outside edges forming two outside notch 30. Here two holding mechanisms are provided to hold the repair-tool. FIG. 6 shows a repair-tool positioned underneath the arch of the shoe. In this embodiment, repair-tool 22 is bent in the mid section between handle and prongs, in order to fit flat against the side of the shoe. FIG. 7 shows a repair-tool placed on the side of the shoe along the sole. In this embodiment, the repair-tool is narrow in shape in order that it would not be obtrusive.

[0042] In addition or in lieu of the physical catch devices to hold the golf tool in place, magnetic interaction can be provided for easy removal and replacement of the repair-tool from the shoe. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show the details. In this embodiment, the repair-tool, has a magnet 40, which is a thin disc positioned in the repair-tool handle. The shoe, contains a steel member 42 which is a thin sheet of steel or material with similar properties, sandwiched in heel pad 44 of the shoe, in order to counteract with magnet 40. Alternatively, the magnet can be placed inside the shoe to attract a steel member of a repair tool.

[0043] FIG. 11, shows a repair-tool holding strap 48 built into the shoe to accommodate carrying any standard divot repair-tools already available on the market. This figure also shows three smaller tee holding strap 50 to carry one or more golf tee 46. The repair-tool maybe attached via a magnet, as well a holding mechanism. Just as a golf shoe may be constructed to carry existing divot tools, a repair-tool may be constructed to fit an existing golf shoe without any modifications to the shoe. FIG. 12, shows repair-tool handle 24 which is shaped somewhat like a thin horse-shoe, sized to spring-snap over the heel of any golf shoe. In this embodiment repair-tool prong 26 hinges in the middle back up against the heel of the shoe.

[0044] Alternative Embodiments

[0045] The Repair-tool may be attached to one shoe, either left or right shoe, or both shoes. Either shoe may house a divot repair-tool, golf tees, cigar holder, club tripod, and or any other tool (preferably golfing tools) which are used to penetrate the surface of a golf course, and are small enough to carry on a shoe without adding significant weight to the golf shoes. A mechanism for a divot repair-tool may be constructed to be added to a typical golf shoe after the golf shoe is manufactured. This add-on may be made available with a repair-tool or without a repair-tool, separately from the golf shoe. Similar add-on holding mechanisms may also be provided for golf tees and other golfing tools.

[0046] Operation

[0047] As a golfer walks on the green with his putter, he/she bends down to examine where his ball may have indented and damaged the putting surface, while still in bending position, if necessary, the golfer pulls repair-tool 22 from golf shoe 20 which is closest to the area to be repaired, repairs the green, then places the repair-tool back on holding mechanism 32. He can then proceed with his preparation for putting. Similarly, on a tee-box, the golfer reaches to the area where a ball is to be teed up, bends over and retrieves golf tee 46 from the golf shoe, and tees the ball up. After the tee shot, if the golf tee is broken, the golfer will toss it in the designated area for broken tees if such area is provided. If the golf tee is still intact, she/he can replace it back onto its holding mechanism, keeping his/her hands and clothing from getting soiled.

[0048] Advantages

[0049] Some golfing tools are normally used in the proximity of the ground (golf course surface). Therefore, in today's usage, the golfer has to retrieve the tools from his/her pocket or golf bag, then bend over the ground, and after performing the task, place the tool back in his/her pockets. The proximity of the location where the tool is being used is close to the golfer's shoes. It makes sense to have these tools located ahead of time onto the golf shoe, so that they are not forgotten, are handy to use, and keep the golfer's hands and pockets from getting soiled.

[0050] Placement of some of these tools on the golf shoe makes them easier to use, requiring less motion than reaching inside ones pockets, and or having to clean the tool and place it back inside ones pocket. It combines at least two of the tools of the trade into one, and reduces the time spent cleaning the tools after every use.

[0051] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

[0052] This invention addresses a simple problem that is faced by every golfer, in every round of golf. In a very economical manner, it combines at least two tools in one and makes the golf shoe much more functional than other shoes not having this feature. The readiness of the repair-tool will encourage many golfers of all ages and skill levels who would not normally use a tool to repair the greens after their ball struck it, to do so, thus helping the golf course as well. It also provides ease of use as well as a redundancy factor. When a repair-tool is provided in both shoes, regardless of which foot is placed forward close to the divot, a repair-tool is available and handy.

[0053] When both the golf shoe and the repair-tools are designed specifically to work together, the shoe manufacturer may expect re-orders on repair-tools, as the standard repair-tools may not work with those shoe, and the golfer has become used to the convenience of having the tool available when needed. A repair-tool may contain a customary ball-marker disc. This ball marker positioned on the outside of the golf shoe, provides a good visible place for a company logo. The golf shoes with this feature will be made more noticeable, recognizable and distinctive. Other models of the golf shoe may also be built to hold golf tees, cigar holder, and or small tripods made to hold a golf club off wet grass, making a golf shoe truly multi-functional.

[0054] Although above descriptions are specific, these specifications should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but rather provide examples of some of the preferred embodiments of this invention. Many other variations are possible. For example, there may be one or many holding mechanisms provided to secure the tools. The holding mechanism may be metal, plastic, or other material. If a strap is utilized, it can be made of plastic, rubber, metal alloy, or an elastic material in order to hold the repair-tool snug in place at any location inside or outside the golf shoe. The holding mechanism or the repair-tool may be of any size or color designed to blend with the color of the shoes or made to contrast and enhance the look of the shoes. The protective layer may be omitted for simplicity and or cost.

[0055] Tools may also be made to attach to the golf shoe with a snap fastener, as used in tents or clothing, or magnet or magnets placed in the tool or the location in the shoe where the tool will be placed. Other types of fasteners such as hook-and-loop attaching means or a suction cup may be used to attach the tool to the shoe. A receptacle or a shield may be built inside the shoe at any location in the sole or above the top of the shoe to receive a tool. The repair-tool may be made in any shape to fit on the outside or inside the shoes, and still function to repair a divot on a putting green. There may be one repair-tool in only one shoe, or one in each shoe, or more than one in either shoe. Placement of magnets in the golf shoe may also provide healing properties associated with use of magnets for injuries or fatigue.

[0056] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

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