Magnetic Golf Ball Collecting Device

Abstract

A golf ball collecting device including a cup adapted to successfully hold a golf ball therein. The cup incorporates a metal disc of magnetic material to enable the device to be attached by magnetic force to the end of a golf club. In this manner the golf club with the device attached thereto can be used to retrieve a golf ball from ground level without having to bend down. The golf ball can be gripped by the device by aiming the cup at the golf ball and pressing on it slightly, thus allowing the golfer to easily retrieve the ball without having to bend over or kneel and risk straining their knees or back. The device can be quickly and easily attached to the golf club by a second metal disc attached to the handle grip, and just as quickly and easily removed after the golf ball has been retrieved.

1 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device comprising:
 a cup adapted to receive a golf ball therein, the cup including a magnetic material to enable the device to be releasably attached by magnetic force to the end of an elongate object, wherein the elongate object with the device attached thereto can be used to retrieve a golf ball from ground level without a person holding the elongate object having to bend down.   
     
     
         2  A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic material comprises a first metal disc which is attached to a rear face of the cup. 
     
     
         3 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongate object is a golf club, and the golf club includes a handle provided with the magnetic material in connection therewith. 
     
     
         4 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the magnetic material provided with the golf club handle comprises a second metal disc which is attached to a top end of a handle grip of the golf club. 
     
     
         5 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said first and second metal discs are both magnets, which are attached to the cup and the handle grip respectively with opposite magnetic poles facing outwards, so that when the first and second metal discs are brought into close proximity they attract each other and the device is held on the grip by magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         6 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a golf ball marker comprising a magnetic material, for marking the location of a golf ball on a putting green when the ball is removed to permit other players to putt. 
     
     
         7 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said golf ball marker comprises a third metal disc releasably attached to a handle of the elongate object by magnetic attraction, and said golf ball marker can be placed on a ground level surface or picked up from the ground level surface without the person bending down. 
     
     
         8 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said third metal disc includes a magnet held on a handle grip of the elongate object between the first disc and second discs. 
     
     
         9 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a clip including magnetic material incorporated therein, wherein the cup is releasably attached to the clip by magnetic force. 
     
     
         10 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said clip is made of resilient material and comprises a substantially planar member in a U-shaped configuration, having a gap between facing surfaces of a size to slide over a belt or fabric. 
     
     
         11 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 10 , wherein at least of one of said facing surfaces is provided with at least one protrusion adapted to grip a belt or fabric between the facing surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device comprising:
 a rubber cup, and   a magnet attached on to an underside of an outer surface of the rubber cup.   
     
     
         13 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as in  claim 1 , wherein said cup comprises a substantially hemispherical concave surface having an inner diameter similar in size to the outer diameter of a golf ball. 
     
     
         14 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said cup further comprises an annular protrusion extending inwards around a circumference of the cup and adapted to grip an outer surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
         15 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said cup is made from a resilient material and is shaped to hold a golf ball therein by friction between the annular protrusions and the outer surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
         16 . A magnetic golf ball collecting device as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the annular protrusion is made from a resilient material and the golf ball is held in the cup by friction between the annular protrusion and the outer surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled)