# US 10,946,257 B1 · Golf accessory for determining gimme putt

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- Number: US 10,946,257 B1
- Document ID: US10946257B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/580,047
- Filed: 2019-09-24
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-24
- Applicants: John McPhee
- Inventors: John McPhee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946257B1

## CPC

- A63B 57/00: Golfing accessories
- A63B 57/357: {for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags}
- A63B 57/353: {Golf ball position markers}
- A63B 69/3676: {for putting (A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence)}
- A63B 60/0085: {Telescopic shafts}
- A63B 2071/0602: {Non-electronic means therefor}
- A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia}
- A63B 2209/08: magnetic
- A63B 2209/10: with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
- A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
- A63B 2210/58: slideably retracted in a housing when not in use
- A63B 2220/20: Distances or displacements
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

A golf accessory for determining a gimme putt distance is disclosed. The golf accessory comprises a handle with a trigger, a telescoping rod mounted to the trigger including a length adjustment configuration, a hinge mechanism mounted to the telescoping rod and a base mounted to the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is configured to allow the telescoping rod to fall horizontally on a ground surface upon activation of the trigger to determine a gimme distance in a golf game. The gimme is determined as positive if the telescoping rod covers a ball marker on the ground surface. The gimme is determined as negative if the telescoping rod fails to cover a ball marker on the ground surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for a golf accessory, comprising:
a golf ball;
a handle;
a trigger mounted to said handle, said trigger being mounted atop of said handle, said trigger being entirely above of said handle;
a telescoping rod mounted to said handle, said telescoping rod being entirely and constantly below said handle, said handle being in constant abutting contact with said telescoping rod;
a hinge mechanism mounted to said telescoping rod, said hinge mechanism being entirely beneath of said telescoping rod, said hinge mechanism configured to allow said telescoping rod to fall horizontally on a ground surface when said trigger is actuated to determine a gimme distance, said gimme distance achieved when said telescoping rod falls adjacently to said golf ball on said ground surface; and
a base mounted to said hinge mechanism configured to rest in a golf hole; said trigger, said handle, said telescoping rod, and said hinge mechanism constantly being on a same plane.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the gimme distance is negative when said telescoping rod fails to cover a ball marker on said ground surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the gimme distance is positive when said telescoping rod covers a ball marker on the ground surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said trigger is a spring based-trigger.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said handle includes a plastic housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said base is made of steel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said telescopic rod is made of at least one of a plastic or steel material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said telescoping rod includes at least two portions connected telescopically.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein said at least two portions are further defined as an inner tube and an outer tube.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein said outer tube has a diameter greater than that of said inner tube, said inner tube and said outer tube being hollow.