FI ELD OF TH E PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[ 1 ] This disclosure relates generally to sporting equipment, and more particularly to sporting equipment designed to assist an athlete practice and play the game golf in a more efficient and portable manner.

BACKG ROUND OF TH E RE LATED ART

[ 2 ] The game of golf is o ften referred to as one of the most difficult games to master. This is largely due to the fact t hat it requires near perfect coordination o f a person ^' s ent ire body to repeatedly swing a golf c lub with the desired tempo, precision, and accuracy. Golfers improve such coordination largely through muscle memory developed by hitting hundreds or even thousands of golf balls. This practice creates the need to transport and retrieve large quantit ies of golf balls. There arc several solutions to this need in the prior art . each with varying limitations and d isadvantages.

[ 1] One common solution to this need is the driving range. At a driving range a golfer may purchase the use of a plurality o f golf balls for a small fee. typically dispensed in a bucket or similar portahlc device. The gol fer may then practice his or her gol f swing in a designateil area, st rik ing each golf ball until t he plurality o f golf balls is exhausted. The retrieval o f the plurality of gol f balls is conducted by the driving range as a service included in the fee. While t his solution serves a portion o f golfers well, il has several disadvantages. Most obviously, it can be expensive because, as previously stated, an avid golfer may hit hundreds or even thousands ol ^' golf balls to hone and perfect his or her golfing skills. Driving ranges can also be crowded, o llen provide in ferior quality golf balls, o flcr artificial or compromised ground Condit ions, and/or lack t he obstacles and challenging terrain a golfer must navigate on the go lf course. These disadvantages reduce both the quality ol- practice and desirability o f the driving range as a practice solution.

[4] Golfers wishing to traverse these disadvantages commonly provide their own plurality o f golf balls and llnd less structured locations to pract ice such as an open held or a golf course on a closed or slow day. This approach typically reduces the expense o f practice and can be more convenient, allowing the golfer to practice in any accommodating location. I t may also be more effect ive because the golfer is tree to pract ice on terrain that o ffers the ground conditions or unique challenging lcaturcs on which the golfer wishes improve his ot ^¬ her golfing skill. However, this method o f practice leaves the issue of transporting and retrieving the required plurality of golf balls to the golfer. A large number of devices have been developed to assist with this task, each with varying advantages and disadvantages.

[5] The most rudimentary solution involves the use o f a container of suitable size, such as a bucket or small gym bag. and requires the golfer to manually retrieve the golf balls alter each practice session. However, as any golfer who has ut ilized this method can attest, the energy and strain associated with repeatedly bending down to collect a plurality of golf balls can quickly become prohibitively great . Devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5.466.027 and U.S. Patent No. 5.060.996 address this issue by providing the golfer a means to reach and collect each golf ball without bending over. While each device accomplishes the task in a different manner, they all similarly eliminate the necessity o f bending over during the retrieval process thereby making the process more convenient.

[ 6 ] Λ major disadvantage associated with the above ment ioned devices is capacity. Each device similarly stores the retrieved golf balls in a linear manner inside t he tubular structure and therefore can only hold a relatively small number o f golf balls. A golfer who prefers to practice with more than a lew dozen gol f halls must empty the device into a larger container after collection thereby necessitating an additional storage and portage device. This inconvenience is addressed by devices such as U. S. Patent No. 5.476,297 and U.S. Patent No. 6.572. 167. These devices, generally referral lo as shag-bags, comprise, inter alia, a tube portion capable o f accepting t he golf balls, attached to a bag portion configured to increase the golf ball holding capacity. Shag-bag devices both successfully reduce the effort associated with retrieving a plurality of golf balls without the capacity issues of the previous devices, however, disadvantages are associated with these devices as well, such as convenience and portability.

[7] When practicing or playing the game o f golf, a typical athlete must also transport a plurality of clubs, usually carried in a golf bag. Carrying a shag-bag type device as well as golf bag may prove cumbersome, requiring both hands or a shoulder strap over both shoulders. In some situations such a cumbersome load may be unacceptable or impossible. Alternat ively, if t he golfer chooses to practice without a gol f bag and carries only a shag-bag style device and a solitary or small number o f golf clubs by hand, the golfer is similarly encumbered and faces the addit ional disadvantage o f a reduced variety o f practice options. The present disclosure provides a solut ion to this quandary and distinguishes over the related art providing heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following summary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[8] The present disclosure describes an improved sport ing apparatus designed to perform both as a go lf bag and as a practice ball retrieval and storage aid. The sporting apparatus features a novel integration o f golf ball retrieval and transportation technology with a golf- club and accoutrement portage device. Its versatility and compact nature effectively performs multiple functions that the golfing athlete desires during golf practice and play.

[9] An exemplary embodiment comprises a means of securing a plurality o f golf clubs to the external surface of an elongated chamber capable of internally accepting, storing, and releasing a plurality o f golf balls. The chamber is configured with an ingress aperture located on its posterior end, sized appropriately for the passage of a golf ball thereby enabling a golfer lo capture and collect a golf ball situated on the ground by merely sett ing the sporting apparatus down properly aligned with the desired golf ball. As the captured golf ball is forced t hrough the ingress aperture it enters the chamber where it is stored and transported until it is released for further pract ice or play.

[ 1 0] The present ly d isclosed sporting apparatus may be further configured with a shoulder strap for convenience during transportation and retractable legs, allowing for upright stability so that the golfing athlete may gain access to the plurality of golf clubs with ease during a practice or play session. These features are commonly associated with golf bags but when incorporated with a dual purpose device, capable of collecting, storing, and transport ing a plurality of golf balls and a plurality o f gol f clubs and accoutrements, it provides an athlete with a gol f practice and play solut ion t hat is substantially more convenient t han carrying multiple specialized devices as taught in the prior art.

[ 1 1 ] The convenience provided by the presently disclosed apparatus is a significant advantage for reasons beyond simply ease and enjoyment o f use. Among these reasons is the ability to socially interact. Golf, during both practice and play, is a highly social game. Individuals often play and practice golf as a common activity used to gain a greater familiarity with each other for both personal and business reasons. ' The use of a convenient multipurpose device such as the presently disclosed sporting apparatus leaves an individual greater freedom to participate in social pleasantries such as shaking hands, gesturing, or marking a score card, which may allow an individual to make a more beneficial social impression.

[ 12] The appearance o f the present ly disclosed sporting apparatus may present additional advantages in relation to golf course decorum. During normal golf course play, there typically exists an expectation that a golfer will play the course at a particular pace so that golfers who follow are not unreasonably delayed. Playing mult iple balls or practicing for an extended length o f time at a part icular site on a golf course is usually disrupt ive to the expected rate o f play and is therefore discouraged by other golfers, and may be prohibited by course officials. For this reason, it may be unacceptable decorum for a golfer to carry a shag- bag or other device clearly configured for golf practice, rather than play, on the gol f course. However, as avid golfers are aware, there are times when golf course practice is acceptable, either because there are very few golfers on the course due to weather, or the time o f day. or perhaps because all or part of the course is closed for maintenance or repair. The disclosed sporting apparatus has a similar appearance to, and can funct ion as. golf play gear. This appearance and dual multifunctional natui e allows a golfing athlete to take advantage of golf course practice opportunities without suffering the potent ial negative response ordinarily acquainted with carrying pract ice equipment on the course by fellow gol fers and course o fficials.

[ 1 3] The present ly disclosed apparatus shares some basic similarities with a

variety o f devices that are known in the art : however, no existing device yields the synergistic advantages and benefits in construction and use that give rise to the

objectives described below.

[ 14] Λ primary objective inherent in the above-described apparatus is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

[15] Another object ive is to assist an athlete playing and pract icing the game o f golf in a more efficient and portable manner.

[16] Λ further objective is to provide a singular apparatus that is capable of easily collecting, storing, and transporting a plurality of golf balls wit h a plurality of golf clubs and assorted accoutrements.

[ 1 7] A still further objective is to provide a single portable apparatus that is capable of easily collecting, storing, and transporting a plurality o f golf balls with a plurality of golf clubs and accoutrements without excessive encumbrance. [18] Λ yet still further objective is to provide an apparatus capable of assisting a golfer practice and play the game of golf that is acceptable to the norms of golf course decorum.

[ 19] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[20] The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary implementations and are pan of the specification. The illustrated implementations are proffered for purposes of example not for purposes of limitation. Illustrated elements will be designated by numbers. Once designated, an clement will be identified by the identical number throughout. Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present disclosure. In such drawing(s):

[21] Figure I is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus shown in an upright position with legs extended:

[22] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus shown being used to collect a plurality of golf balls;

[23] Figure 3 is a cut away view of an exemplary embodiment of the ingress aperture;

[24] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus shown releasing a plurality of golf balls through the egress aperture. DETAI LED DESCRI PTION OF TH E EX EMPLA RY EMBODI MENT

[25] The above described drawing figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the sporting apparatus and its method o f use in at least one o f its preferred, best mode embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following descript ion. Those having ordinary sk ill in the art may be able to make alterations and modificat ions to what is described herein without depart ing from the spirit and scope o f the disclosure. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only lor the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limit ation to the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.

[26] Described now in detail is an improved sport ing apparatus designed to assist an at hlete pract ice and play the game golf in a more efficient and portable manner. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present ly disclosed apparatus 100. This figure depicts an elongated, cylindrical chamber 1 1 0. designed to internally accommodate a plurality of gol f balls, with an egress aperture 1 20 and ingress aperture 130 located on the anterior and posterior ends o f the chamber 1 10, respect ively.

[27] The egress aperture 1 20 may be sized appropriately to convenient ly allow for the release of the plurality of golf balls from within the chamber 1 10. The egress aperture 120 may also be covered or closed when release is not desired. I n one embod iment, the egress aperture 1 20 is covered or closed by a threaded lid 140 capable of engaging the complementary threads of the egress aperture's 120 inner circumference. The threaded lid 140 may also feature a handle 150 providing an ergononiic gripping point for bolh assisting in manipulation of the lid 140 for the purpose o f engagement and disengagement, as well as for lilHng or transporting the present ly disclosed sporting apparatus 1 00 in its ent irety when the lid 140 is engaged. [28] The ingress apert ure 130. located on the posterior end of the chamber 1 1 0. may be nominally larger than a standard sized golf ball and configured to accept a golf ball into the chamber 1 1 0. The ingress aperture 1 30 may be designed to restrict golf ball passage- in a unidirectional manner thereby preventing a golf ball from exiting the chamber 1 1 0 once it has entered.

[29] The sporting apparatus 100 further features a means of detachably fastening a plurality o f golf clubs t hereby providing the golfing athlete a single apparat us to hold and dispense the equipment necessary to both practice and play the game o f golf- In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fi^. a plurality o f paired clips 1 60 and cups 170 are mounted to and radially spaced along the external surface of the chamber 1 10. Each clip 1 60 detachably fastens a golf club ^' s shaft while the corresponding cup 170 secures the gripping end of the golf club and supports its weight when the sporting apparatus 100 is oriented in an upright position. There are a variety met hods to accomplish this end. So long as the method is robust and allows for convenient detachment when desired, it is acceptable.

[30] In another embodiment, the chamber 1 10 may be removably integrated to a chassis t hat is capable o f supporting a plurality of golf clubs. The chassis may appear and funct ion substantially similar to a standard lightweight golf bag with the additional feature that may accept and support a chamber 1 10 as an inscrtable unit. In this embodiment the chamber 1 1 0 insert unit is similarly designed to internally accommodate a plurality of golf balls, with an egress aperture 1 20 and ingress aperture 1 30.

[3 1 ] The exemplar)' embodiment shown in Fiji. I further illustrates the add it ion o f retractable legs 1 80 to provide support for the apparatus in an upright orientation and a shoulder strap 190 to increase portability.

[ 32] Fij». 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 1 00 being used to collect a plurality of golf balls situated on the ground. With the lid 1 40 fastened, the lid's handle 1 50 provides a ergonomic gripping point to hold and orient the apparatus 1 00. As previously described, to capture and collect a golf ball, an individual must merely align the apparatus 1 00 above the desire ball and lower the apparatus, forcing the golf ball in the ingress aperture 130. Use of the sporting apparatus 1 00 docs not require bending or reaching and therefore eliminates the stress and strain associated with manually picking up a plurality of golf balls.

[33] Once inside the ingress aperture 1 30 a series of upward facing llcxible teeth 200 fabricated from a flexible material, illustrated in Fig. 3, create construct ive interference, thereby discouraging the golf ball from downward travel. After the golf ball is forced through the ingress aperture 1 30, it enters the internal cavity of the chamber 1 1 0, where it is stored and transported unt il the egress aperture 1 20 is opened allowing lor release.

[34] Fig. 4 illust rates an exemplary embodiment releasing a plurality o f golf balls Irom the chamber 1 1 0 through the egress aperture 120. The egress aperture 120 is opened by rotating the lid 140 until it disengages from the complimentary threads of the inner circumference of the egress aperture. The illustrated embodiment also features a handle 21 0 located toward the posterior end o f the chamber 1 10. An athlete may lift up on the handle 21 0 to create a gradient in the chamber 1 1 0 to facilitate expedient release o f the golf balls. Once the golf balls are released, the apparatus 100 may be returned to its upright position, illustrated in Fi». 1 , and the athlete may remove a golf club and begin to practice or play the game o f golf.

[35] The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art o f record and are considered crit ical to the operation of at least one aspect o f t he apparatus and its method o f use. anil to the achievement of the above-described objectives. The words used in this specificat ion to describe the instant embodiments arc to be understood not only in the sense o l ^' their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definit ion in this specificat ion: structure, material, or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specificat ion as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word(s) describing the element .

[36] The definitions o f the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing substant ially the same function in substant ially the same way lo obtain substantially the same result . I n this sense it is thcrelbre contemplated that an equivalent substitution o f two or more elements may be made for any one o f the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be subst ituted for two or more elements in a claim.

[ 37] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person wit h ordinary skill in the art. now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, substitutions, now or later known to one with ord inary skill in the art. are defined to be within the scope o f t he defined elements. This disc losure is thus meant to be understood lo include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously subst ituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

[38] The scope o f this descript ion is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and ii is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.