BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to golf accessories used when playing golf and specifically to an article of manufacture which may be used to store a yardage book as well as a variety of other golf related items.

B. Prior Art

It is well known that golf is a strategic sport that necessitates a high-level of mental focus. Yardage books comprise a plurality of pages that provide an assortment of information about each hole on a golf course. Golfers use yardage books to record and/or modify notes pertaining to insights garnered from playing a golf course in order to improve their strategy when replaying the golf course. Accordingly, golfers often refer to the information provided in the yardage book before teeing off or taking a stroke. As a result, the information recorded within said yardage books is valuable and, in turn, the preservation of such information is very important to many golfers.

However, yardage books are typically constructed from paper. As such, the plurality of pages is generally flexible and prone to being damaged if not properly protected. Storing a yardage book within a yardage book holder is an effective solution for protecting the yardage book. However, several yardage book holders taught by the prior art hinder the portability and accessibility of the yardage book.

Therefore, what is needed is a yardage book holder that allows the golfer to efficiently store the yardage book and quickly access and/or record specific information such that the golfer is minimally interrupted and able to maintain his concentration as he plays.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an improved yardage book holder for storing a yardage book as well as a variety of other golf accessories. The yardage book holder comprises at least two layers of one or more predetermined materials and a plurality of sections. The at least two layers comprise an exterior layer and interior layer. The exterior and interior layers are integrally attached to one another along the majority of their respective edges.

The plurality of sections comprises an upper section, lower section, and central hinging section. The upper and lower sections each provide an inner core which is substantially stiffer and thicker relative to the exterior and interior layers. The central hinging section integrally attaches the upper and lower sections and allows for either to substantially pivot about a yardage book holder centroidal axis relative to the other and transition from a fully closed position to a fully open position.

The lower section provides a bottom edge and a first compartment. The upper section provides a top edge, a second compartment, an embedded magnet, and a strap.

The strap comprises an elastic section and a semi-rigid section. The elastic section comprises two ends. One of the two ends is affixed to the upper section and the other is integrally attached to the semi-rigid section. The elastic section is constructed of a substantially elastic fabric that allows the elastic section to undergo considerable elongation when subjected to tensile stresses.

The semi-rigid section comprises an additional embedded magnet, which electromagnetically interacts with the magnet provided by and embedded within the upper section. The strength of the magnetic interaction between the two magnets allows the strap to secure a variety of objects, such as a writing instrument or golfing tee.

The central hinging section also provides a third compartment, which substantially forms when the upper and lower section are in a partially open position. The partially opening position is generally defined as any position located between the fully open and fully closed positions. The third compartment is most accessible when the yardage book holder is in a partially open position that results in the upper and lower sections being substantially coplanar. The third compartment comprise a through hole which can be accessed from the first or second side of the yardage book holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an interior surface of an exemplary embodiment of a yardage book holder in a partially open position.

FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of an exterior surface of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the interior surface of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the exterior surface of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 5 is a first side view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 6 is a second side view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 9 is a front isometric view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in a fully closed position.

FIG. 10 is a rear isometric view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 13 is a first side view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 14 is a second side view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 17 is a front isometric view of an interior surface of an second exemplary embodiment of a yardage book holder in a partially open position.

FIG. 18 is a rear isometric view of an exterior surface of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the interior surface of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 20 is a rear elevation view of the exterior surface of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 21 is a first side view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 22 is a second side view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

FIG. 25 is a front isometric view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in a fully closed position.

FIG. 26 is a rear isometric view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 28 is a rear view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 29 is a first side view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 30 is a second side view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 31 is a top view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the second exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the fully closed position.

FIG. 33 is a first side view of a third exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in a partially open position.

FIG. 34 is a second side view of the third exemplary embodiment of the yardage book holder in the partially open position.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

5—Yardage book holder

6—Interior layer

6A—Interior surface

7—Exterior layer

7A—Exterior surface

8—Yardage book holder centroidal axis

10—Lower section

11—First inner core

12—Bottom edge

15—First compartment

20—Upper section

21—Second inner core

22—Upper Edge

22A—Top edge

25—Second compartment

30—Central hinging section

35—Third compartment

40—Strap

41—Elastic section

42—Semi-rigid section

43A—First magnet

43B—Second magnet

44—Longitudinal axis

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an improved yardage book holder 5 for storing a yardage book 50 as well as a variety of other golf accessories. The yardage book holder 5 comprises a substantially slender thickness, relative to its length and width, and a rectangular profile with rounded corners that allows a golfer to conveniently store the yardage book holder 5 within a pocket in an article of clothing when folded in its fully closed position. The rectangular profile comprises a first side and second side. The yardage book holder 5 is configurable such that it has a variety of positions in which it may be stored and/or utilized. The variety of positions comprise a fully open position (not shown), a partially open position, exemplified in FIG. 1, and a fully closed position, exemplified in FIG. 9.

The yardage book holder 5 further comprises at least two layers of one or more predetermined materials and a plurality of sections. Each layer is preferably comprised of one material. The one or more predetermined materials may comprise a fabric or textile. The at least two layers comprise an interior layer 6 and exterior layer 7. The interior and exterior layers 6,7 each have a width that is substantially equal to one another. However, it is preferable that the exterior layer 7, when constructed of a material that only allows for limited elongation when it is subjected to tensile stresses, have a length that is greater than the length of the interior layer 6 to accommodate the larger radius of curvature that it must accommodate. The interior and exterior layers 6,7 are integrally attached to one another along the majority of their respective edges. The interior and exterior layers 6,7 provide an interior surface 6A and an exterior surface 7A, respectively. Additionally, the interior layer 6 has an interior centroidal axis and the exterior layer 7 has an exterior centroidal axis.

The plurality of sections comprises a lower section 10, an upper section 20, and a central hinging section 30. The upper and lower sections 10,20 each provide an inner core which is substantially stiffer and thicker relative to the thickness of the exterior and interior layers 6,7. The central hinging section 30 integrally attaches the lower and upper sections 10,20. The central hinging section 30 allows for either section 10, 20 to substantially pivot about a yardage book holder centroidal axis 8 of the yardage book holder 5, relative to the other section 10, 20, and transition from the fully closed position to the partially or fully open positions, or vice versa. The interior centroidal axis, exterior centroidal axis, and yardage book holder centroidal axis 8 are vertically aligned and coplanar relative to each other. It is anticipated that the exterior layer 7 may be comprised of a more elastic predetermined material, relative to the interior layer 6, or, alternatively, be a composite of two or more materials comprising a material spanning the central hinging section 30 that has a lower modulus of elasticity relative to the other materials used to construct the exterior layer 7.

The lower section 10 provides a bottom edge 12 and a first compartment 15. The upper section 20 provides an upper edge 22, a second compartment 25, an embedded magnet 43A, and a strap 40. The upper edge 22 comprises a top edge 22A. The bottom edge 12, top edge 22A, and yardage book holder centroidal axis 8 are each substantially parallel to one another. The first and second compartments 15,25 are utilized either individually or in combination to secure one or more pages of the yardage book 50. The strap 40 provides a means for securing a variety of items to the interior or exterior surface 6A,7A. The strap 40 may also be utilized to further secure the yardage book holder 5 when it is in the fully closed position.

The fully closed position is defined by the yardage book holder 5 being in a folded position wherein the interior surface 6A of the lower and upper sections 10,20 are substantially adjacent and parallel to one another. The fully open position is defined by the yardage book holder 5 being in a folded position wherein the exterior surface 7A of the lower and upper sections 10,20 are substantially adjacent and parallel to one another. The partially open position is defined as any orientation of the yardage book holder 5 other than the fully open and fully closed positions. The length of the yardage book holder 5 is defined as the greatest distance between the top edge 22A and bottom edge 12, which occurs when the upper section 20 and lower section 10 are substantially coplanar while the yardage book holder 5 is in the partially open position.

The strap 40 comprises an elastic section 41 and a semi-rigid section 42. The elastic section 41 comprises two ends. One end of the two ends is affixed to an edge of the yardage book holder 5 within a predetermined area in the upper section 20. The other end of the two ends is integrally attached to the semi-rigid section 42. The elastic section 41 is constructed of a substantially elastic fabric that allows the elastic section 41 to undergo considerable elongation when subjected to tensile stresses.

The semi-rigid section 42 comprises a second magnet 43B, which electromagnetically interacts with a first magnet 43A that is provided by and embedded within the upper section 20. The strength of the magnetic force that develops between the two magnets allows the strap 40 to secure a variety of objects, including but not limited to a pencil or golfing tee.

The strap 40 has a longitudinal axis 44, as shown in FIG. 3. The strap 40 may be affixed to either side of the yardage book holder 5, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 19, such that the distance between the top edge 22A and the longitudinal axis 44 is not greater than twenty five percent (25%) of the length of the yardage book holder 5.

The central hinging section 30 provides a third compartment 35, which substantially forms when the yardage book holder 5 are in a partially open position. The third compartment 35 is most accessible when the yardage book holder 5 is in the partially open position that results in the upper and lower sections 20,30 being substantially coplanar. The third compartment 35 comprises a through hole which can be accessed from the either side of the yardage book holder 5, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The third compartment 35 allows for storage of a variety of items, including a golfing tee or pencil, by cleverly utilizing the configurable positioning of the yardage book holder 5. A variable frictional grasping force is imparted on an item inserted within the third compartment 35. The magnitude of the frictional grasping force is directly correlated to the radius of curvature that the central hinging section 30 is subjected to. Accordingly, when the yardage book holder 5 is in a fully open or fully closed position, the frictional grasping force reaches its peak magnitude. Consequently, an item placed within the third compartment 35 is secured with a greater frictional grasping force and less likely to become dislodged.

In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 17-32, the strap 40 is shown to be placed on the opposing side that it is placed on in the first embodiment.

In a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, it is anticipated that the length of the exterior and interior layers 6,7 are of equal dimensions, respectively.

While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.