Golf ball container

Abstract

A container that holds the golf balls for sequential dispensing of golf balls from an interior cavity through an opening between a pair of opposing legs that each includes a projecting stop on an interior surface, with the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding one of the golf balls between the legs and retained by the projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops. A method of holding and sequentially dispensing golf balls for play is disclosed.

1 . A container for sequential dispensing of golf balls, comprising: 
 a housing having an interior cavity for receiving at least one golf ball;    the housing defining an opening for communicating the golf ball out of the interior cavity;    a pair of opposing legs extending from the housing at the opening, each leg having on an interior surface a projecting stop and the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding the golf ball between the legs and retained by the opposing projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops.    
   
   
       2 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an elongated cylinder having a first diameter closely sized to a diameter of the golf ball to be received within the interior cavity.  
   
   
       3 . The container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein a distance between the opposing projecting stops are spaced a second distance apart, the second distance less than the first diameter.  
   
   
       4 . The container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the legs define arcuate surfaces extending coaxially with the cylinder with opposing side edges that define a gap with the respective side edge of the opposing leg.  
   
   
       5 . The container as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each side edge of the leg defines a notch therein, for gripping the golf ball held between the legs for removal therefrom.  
   
   
       6 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a window in a surface thereof, whereby the number of golf balls within the interior cavity are observable.  
   
   
       7 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means for attaching the housing to a golf bag.  
   
   
       8 . The container as recited in  claim 7 , wherein means for attaching comprises a pivotable arm attached to the housing and a spring that acts to bias the arm towards the housing, whereby the arm disposed inwardly of the golf bag holds the housing on an outward surface of the golf bag.  
   
   
       9 . The container as recited in  claim 7 , wherein means for attaching comprises spaced-apart first and second straps, the first strap for attaching to a buckle of a carrying strap of the golf bag and the second strap for attaching to the carrying strap of the golf bag, whereby the housing is attached to the carrying strap while the first strap restricts the housing from longitudinal travel relative to the carrying strap.  
   
   
       10 . The container as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second straps each have opposing matingly engageable surfaces of a first and second character for selective and detachable engagement.  
   
   
       11 . The container as recited in  claim 7 , wherein means for attaching comprises at least one threaded connector extending through a side wall of the golf bag and engaging the housing for securing the housing to the golf bag.  
   
   
       12 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an end of the housing opposing the legs is selectively opened for disposing the golf ball within the interior cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The container as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a cap selectively deteachably attached to the end of the housing for closing the housing, whereby upon removal of the cap opens the housing for receiving the golf ball.  
   
   
       14 . The container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the projecting stops are resilient members attached to the interior surface of the respective leg.  
   
   
       15 . The container as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the resilient members are formed of rubber.  
   
   
       16 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an open ended holder extending laterally from a sidewall of the housing, for receiving a shaft of a golf club to be carried.  
   
   
       17 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a patch attached to the housing and having a surface of a first character for selective and detachable engagement to a patch on a golf accessory having a surface of a second character.  
   
   
       18 . A container for sequential dispensing of golf balls, comprising: 
 an elongated housing having an interior cylindrical cavity for receiving a plurality of golf balls and having a first diameter;    the housing defining an opening for communicating the golf balls sequentially out of the interior cavity;    a pair of opposing legs extending from the housing at the opening, each leg having on an interior surface a projecting stop and the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding the golf ball between the legs retained by the opposing projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops, the projecting stops defining a gap therebetween having a distance less than the first diameter, the legs defining opposing notches for gripping respective surface portions of the golf ball between the legs for removal therefrom.    
   
   
       19 . The container as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the housing defines a window in a surface thereof, whereby the number of golf balls within the interior cavity are observable.  
   
   
       20 . The container as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising means for attaching the housing to a golf bag.  
   
   
       21 . The container as recited in  claim 20 , wherein means for attaching comprises a pivotable arm attached to the housing and a spring that acts to bias the arm towards the housing, whereby the arm disposed inwardly of the golf bag holds the housing on an outward surface of the golf bag.  
   
   
       22 . The container as recited in  claim 20 , wherein means for attaching comprises spaced-apart first and second straps, the first strap for attaching to a buckle of a carrying strap of the golf bag and the second strap for attaching to the carrying strap of the golf bag, whereby the housing is attached to the carrying strap while the first strap restricts the housing from longitudinal travel relative to the carrying strap.  
   
   
       23 . The container as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the first and second straps each have opposing matingly engageable surfaces of a first and second character for selective and detachable engagement.  
   
   
       24 . The container as recited in  claim 20 , wherein means for attaching comprises at least one threaded connector extending through a side wall of the golf bag and engaging the housing for securing the housing to the golf bag.  
   
   
       25 . The container as recited in  claim 19 , wherein an end of the housing opposing the legs is selectively opened for disposing the golf ball within the interior cavity.  
   
   
       26 . The container as recited in  claim 25 , further comprising a cap selectively deteachably attached to the end of the housing for closing the housing, whereby upon removal of the cap opens the housing for receiving the golf ball.  
   
   
       27 . The container as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the projecting stops are resilient members attached to the interior surface of the respective leg.  
   
   
       28 . The container as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the resilient members are formed of rubber.  
   
   
       29 . The container as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising an open ended holder extending laterally from a sidewall of the housing, for receiving a shaft of a golf club to be carried.  
   
   
       30 . The container as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a patch attached to the housing and having a surface of a first character for selective and detachable engagement to a patch on a golf accessory having a surface of a second character.  
   
   
       31 . A method of dispensing golf balls sequentially for play, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a housing having an interior cavity for receiving at least one golf ball;    (b) holding one of the golf balls between a pair of opposing legs extending from the housing at an opening by opposing projecting stops extending from the legs; and    (c) moving the legs from a first position holding the golf ball to a second outward position relative to the opposing leg sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops.