Divot repair tool and device

Abstract

Devices to repair divots made a golf course include embodiments mounted on a golf cart for transport, and a hand-held embodiment that can fit a golf cart cup holder. Both embodiments comprise a container with a seed/fill mixture, a rake to prepare the divot for repair, and a dispenser mechanism. The cart embodiment includes a cable-operated dispensing mechanism, one embodiment using movement of the rake, the other a cable-operated rotating nozzle to dispense seed. The hand-held embodiment comprises a canister containing the seed/fill mixture and an attached rake. To repair a divot, the hand-held device is positioned proximate the divot, the rake is used to prepare the area, and the device is rotated to cause the seed to be dispensed into the prepared area, thereby repairing the divot and providing for the growth of fresh grass.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A wheeled device for repairing a divot, the device comprising:
 a frame comprising a base and an upper region,   a handle attached to the frame upper region to enable the device to be moved by an individual;   one or more wheels connected to the frame;   a container for carrying a quantity of a fill material, the container being connected to the frame, the container having a top and a bottom, the top having an inlet and the bottom having an outlet;   a site preparation mechanism, the site preparation mechanism positioned proximate the container bottom, the site preparation mechanism being in communication with a means for actuating the site preparation mechanism, and the site preparation mechanism positioned under the container outlet, the site preparation mechanism closing the outlet; and   the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism being attached to the handle;   whereby operation of the means for actuating effects movement of the site preparation mechanism to prepare the divot for repair, the movement of the site preparation mechanism exposes the container outlet through which outlet a quantity of the fill material is dispensed into the prepared divot and reverse movement of the site preparation mechanism closes the container outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the site preparation mechanism comprises a control mechanism, the control mechanism in communication with the site preparation mechanism and the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The device as described in  claim 2 , wherein the site preparation mechanism further comprises a rake, and the rake is in communication with the control mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The device as described in  claim 2 , wherein the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism comprises a cable and a trigger mechanism, the trigger mechanism attached to the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The device as described in  claim 4 , wherein the cable is in communication with the control mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The device as described in  claim 3 , wherein the rake comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the second end includes a slot therein. 
     
     
         7 . The device as described in  claim 6 , wherein the rake second end comprises a means for pivotably receiving the control mechanism within the slot. 
     
     
         8 . The device as described in  claim 6 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a connecting bar, and the connecting bar is pivotably attached to the rake second end. 
     
     
         9 . A wheeled device for repairing a divot, the device comprising:
 a frame comprising a base and an upper region, and a handle to enable the device to be moved by an individual;   one or more wheels connected to the frame;   a container for carrying a quantity of a fill material, the container being connected to the frame, the container having a top and a bottom, the top having an inlet and the bottom having an outlet;   a site preparation mechanism, the site preparation mechanism comprising a rake positioned proximate the container bottom, the site preparation mechanism further comprising a control mechanism and the site preparation mechanism being in communication with the control mechanism, the rake extending under the container outlet to close the outlet;   a means for actuating the site preparation mechanism, the means for actuating comprising a cable and a trigger, the trigger being attached to the handle, and the cable in communication with the control mechanism and the site preparation mechanism;   whereby operation of the trigger effects movement of the rake to prepare the divot for repair, the movement of the rake exposes the container outlet through which outlet a quantity of the fill material is dispensed into the prepared divot, and reverse movement of the rake preparation mechanism closes the container outlet.   
     
     
         10 . The device as described in  claim 9 , wherein the rake comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the second end includes a slot therein. 
     
     
         11 . The device as described in  claim 10 , wherein the rake second end comprises a means for pivotably receiving the control mechanism within the slot. 
     
     
         12 . The device as described in  claim 11 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a connecting bar, and the connecting bar is pivotably attached to the rake second end. 
     
     
         13 . A wheeled device for repairing a divot, the device comprising:
 a frame comprising a base and an upper region,   a handle attached to the frame upper region to enable the device to be moved by an individual;   one or more wheels connected to the frame;   a container for carrying a quantity of a fill material, the container being connected to the frame, the container having a top and a bottom, the top having an inlet and the bottom having an outlet;   a site preparation mechanism, the site preparation mechanism positioned proximate the container bottom and under the container outlet, the site preparation mechanism being in communication with a means for actuating the site preparation mechanism; and   the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism being attached to the handle;   whereby operation of the means for actuating effects movement of the site preparation mechanism to prepare the divot for repair, and the site preparation mechanism rotates to dispense a quantity of the fill material from the outlet, through the site preparation mechanism, and into the prepared divot.   
     
     
         14 . The device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the site preparation mechanism further comprises a control mechanism, the control mechanism in communication with the site preparation mechanism and the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The device as described in  claim 14 , wherein the site preparation mechanism further comprises a rake, the rake in communication with the control mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The device as described in  claim 15 , wherein the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism comprises a cable and a trigger mechanism, and the trigger mechanism is attached to the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The device as described in  claim 16 , wherein the cable terminates at the control mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The device as described in  claim 16 , wherein the rake comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the second end includes a slot therein. 
     
     
         19 . The device as described in  claim 18 , wherein the rake second end comprises a means for pivotably receiving the control mechanism within the slot. 
     
     
         20 . The device as described in  claim 19 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a connecting bar, and the connecting bar is pivotably attached to the rake second end. 
     
     
         21 . The device as described in  claim 20 , wherein the control mechanism further comprises a bar, and the connecting bar is pivotably attached to the bar. 
     
     
         22 . The device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the site preparation means further comprises a chute, the chute having an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the chute inlet is positioned proximate the container outlet. 
     
     
         23 . The device as described in  claim 22 , further comprising a second cable, the second cable in communication with the bar and the chute. 
     
     
         24 . The device as described in  claim 22 , wherein the chute comprises an end wall, the end wall proximate the chute outlet. 
     
     
         25 . The device as described in  claim 24 , further comprising a spring, the spring positioned within the chute and the second cable extending through the spring and terminating proximate the chute end wall. 
     
     
         26 . The device as described in  claim 25 , wherein operation of the trigger effects compression of the spring, thereby causing the chute to rotate and dispense a quantity of the fill material through the outlet into the prepared divot. 
     
     
         27 . A wheeled device for repairing a divot, the device comprising:
 a frame comprising a base and an upper region,   a handle attached to the frame upper region to enable the device to be moved by an individual;   one or more wheels connected to the frame;   a container for carrying a quantity of a fill material, the container being connected to the frame, the container having a top and a bottom, the top having an inlet and the bottom having an outlet;   a site preparation mechanism, the site preparation mechanism attached to the frame and positioned proximate the container bottom, the site preparation mechanism being in communication with a means for actuating the site preparation mechanism, and the site preparation mechanism positioned under the container outlet such that the site preparation mechanism functions as a dispensing means for the fill material; and   the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism being attached to the handle;   whereby operation of the means for actuating effects movement of the site preparation mechanism to prepare the divot for repair, the movement of the site preparation mechanism opens the container outlet through which outlet a quantity of the fill material is dispensed into the prepared divot.   
     
     
         28 . The device as described in  claim 27 , wherein the site preparation mechanism further comprises a control mechanism, the control mechanism in communication with the site preparation mechanism and the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism. 
     
     
         29 . The device as described in  claim 28 , wherein the site preparation mechanism further comprises a rake, and the rake is in communication with the control mechanism. 
     
     
         30 . The device as described in  claim 28 , wherein the means for actuating the site preparation mechanism comprises a cable and a trigger mechanism, and the trigger mechanism is attached to the handle. 
     
     
         31 . The device as described in  claim 30 , wherein the frame further comprises a receptacle and the container is positioned on the receptacle. 
     
     
         32 . The device as described in  claim 31 , further comprising a means for retaining the container on the receptacle. 
     
     
         33 . The device as described in  claim 29 , further comprising a means for dispensing connected to the container outlet. 
     
     
         34 . The device as described in  claim 33 , wherein the means for dispensing further comprises a tube, and the fill material is dispensed through the tube. 
     
     
         35 . A device for repairing a divot, the device comprising:
 a container for carrying a quantity of a fill material, the container having a wall, a bottom and a top, the top having an outlet;   a handle attached to the container wall; and   a site preparation mechanism, the site preparation mechanism attached to the container wall and positioned generally opposite the handle;   whereupon use of the site preparation mechanism to prepare the divot, the container is rotated to position the outlet proximate the prepared divot, and the container is moved with a motion sufficient to dispense a quantity of the fill material through the outlet and into the prepared divot.   
     
     
         36 . The device as described in  claim 35 , wherein the site preparation mechanism further comprises a rake. 
     
     
         37 . The device as described in  claim 35 , wherein the site preparation mechanism further comprises a bracket, the bracket attached to the container and the bracket retaining the rake therein. 
     
     
         38 . The device as described in  claim 37 , wherein the container top is removable, and wherein the container wall terminates in a ridge, the container top engaging the ridge when the top is attached to the container. 
     
     
         39 . The device as described in  claim 35 , wherein the container top further comprises a spout, and the spout terminates in the outlet. 
     
     
         40 . A method of filling a divot, the method comprising:
 positioning a wheeled device over the divot,
 the wheeled device comprising:
 a frame comprising a base and an upper region, and a handle to enable the device to be moved by an individual; 
 one or more wheels connected to the frame; 
 a container for carrying a quantity of a fill material, the container being connected to the frame, the container having a top and a bottom, the top having an inlet and the bottom having an outlet; 
 a site preparation mechanism, the site preparation mechanism comprising a rake positioned proximate the container bottom, the site preparation mechanism further comprising a control mechanism and the site preparation mechanism being in communication with the control mechanism, the rake extending under the container outlet, the rake closing the outlet; 
 a means for actuating the site preparation mechanism, the means for actuating comprising a cable and a trigger, the trigger being attached to the handle, and the cable in communication with the control mechanism and the site preparation mechanism; 
 
   preparing the surface of the divot by operating the trigger to effect movement of the rake at the divot; and   dispensing a quantity of a fill material into the divot from the container so that the dispensed fill material substantially fills the divot.