GOLF AID DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates to a golf aid device for placing in the ground a tee and a golf ball thereon.

BACKGROUND

[0002]Teeing up in golf typically requires a player to stoop, bend down or kneel to position a golf tee in the ground and placing a ball thereon. After teeing off, the player usually needs to stoop down again to retrieve the tee. Moreover, after a ball is holed, the player must bend down again to retrieve the ball. This repetitive action of constantly bending down and getting up during a game of golf can be tiring, debilitating or even prohibitive, depending on the physical fitness of a player and any physical ailments they might have.

[0003]Some golf aid devices have been developed to address the repetitive bending involved in playing golf. However, such devices are typically overly conspicuous, may not work with tees of different sizes, and do not allow for positioning of tees at various heights. Additionally, if one drops or places a prior device on the ground, it can be cumbersome and difficult to retrieve, and in certain instances may still require the player to bend down and pick it up. There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

[0004]The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and disadvantages associated with conventional systems that have not yet been fully solved by currently available techniques. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide embodiments that overcome at least some of the shortcomings of prior art techniques.

[0005]Disclosed herein is a golf aid device for placing in the ground a tee and a golf ball thereon, the device including a shaft, a tee and ball holder at a lower end of the shaft, a handle at an upper end of the shaft, and a support structure. The holder is movable between a closed state wherein a ball and tee may be held thereby, and an open position wherein the ball and tee may be removed therefrom. The handle includes at least one button which when depressed is configured for moving the holder between the closed state and open position. The support structure includes three legs, wherein each leg is configured to rotate from a closed position to an open state. The open state rotates the legs away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft and the closed position rotates the legs towards the longitudinal axis. The legs extend past a bottom of the holder when the legs are in the closed position. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.

[0006]The support structure further includes a leg anchor located on the shaft and a leg coupler located on the shaft. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure, wherein example 2 also includes the subject matter according to example 1, above.

[0007]The leg coupler is located closer to the tee and ball holder than the leg anchor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, wherein example 3 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-2, above.

[0008]The support structure further includes an extension coupling that couples the leg to the leg coupler and wherein the leg is coupled to the leg anchor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-3, above.

[0009]The leg rotates relative to the leg anchor. The extension coupling rotates relative to the leg and relative to the leg coupling. The leg coupling slides up and down the shaft relative to a fixed position of the leg anchor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-4, above.

[0010]The leg coupling slides up the shaft towards the leg anchor when the legs are in the closed position and wherein the leg coupling slides down the shaft towards the tee and ball holder when the legs are in an open state. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-5, above.

[0011]The leg comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the extension coupling couples to the leg midway up on the upper portion, wherein the lower portion is separated from the upper portion by a bend. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-6, above.

[0012]The lower portion bends in towards the longitudinal axis relative to the upper portion, and wherein the leg further comprises a footing that bends out away from the longitudinal axis. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-7, above.

[0013]The footing of the leg further comprises a forked end. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-8, above.

[0014]The footing is configured to engage and pull up a tee. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-9, above.

[0015]Disclosed herein is a golf aid device. The device includes a shaft, a a tee and ball holder at a lower end of the shaft, a manual control at an upper end of the shaft, and a support structure. The holder is movable between a closed state wherein a ball and tee may be held thereby, and an open position wherein the ball and tee may be removed therefrom. The manual control is configured to move the holder between the closed state and the open position, wherein upon moving the holder to the closed state, the device is configured to bias the holder to remain in the closed state. The support structure includes three legs, wherein each leg is configured to rotate from a closed position to an open state. The open state rotates the legs away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft and the closed position rotates the legs towards the longitudinal axis. The legs extend past a bottom of the holder when the legs are in the closed position. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure.

[0016]The support structure further includes a leg anchor located on the shaft and a leg coupler located on the shaft. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matter according to example 11, above.

[0017]The leg coupler is located closer to the tee and ball holder than the leg anchor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, wherein example 13 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-12, above.

[0018]The support structure further includes an extension coupling that couples the leg to the leg coupler and wherein the leg is coupled to the leg anchor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 14 of the present disclosure, wherein example 14 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-13, above.

[0019]The leg rotates relative to the leg anchor. The extension coupling rotates relative to the leg and relative to the leg coupling. The leg coupling slides up and down the shaft relative to a fixed position of the leg anchor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure, wherein example 15 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-14, above.

[0020]The leg coupling slides up the shaft towards the leg anchor when the legs are in the closed position and wherein the leg coupling slides down the shaft towards the tee and ball holder when the legs are in an open state. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-15, above.

[0021]The leg comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the extension coupling couples to the leg midway up on the upper portion, wherein the lower portion is separated from the upper portion by a bend. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 17 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-16, above.

[0022]The lower portion bends in towards the longitudinal axis relative to the upper portion, and wherein the leg further comprises a footing that bends out away from the longitudinal axis. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, wherein example 18 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-17, above.

[0023]The footing of the leg further comprises a forked end. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, wherein example 19 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-18, above.

[0024]The footing is configured to engage and pull up a tee. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-19, above.

[0025]Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:

[0027]FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a golf aid device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028]FIG. 2A depicts a close-up perspective view of a lower portion of a golf aid device in a closed position according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029]FIG. 2B depicts a close-up perspective view of an upper portion of the golf aid device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030]FIG. 3 depicts a front perspective view of a golf aid device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031]FIG. 4 depicts a close-up view of the holder of the device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032]FIG. 5A depicts a perspective view of an arm or one half of a holder according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033]FIG. 5B depicts a front view of an arm or one half of a holder according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034]FIG. 5C depicts a rear view of an arm or one half of a holder according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035]FIG. 6A depicts a front view of an end effector according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036]FIG. 6B depicts a perspective view of an end effector according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037]FIG. 6C depicts a cross-sectional side view of an end effector according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038]FIG. 7 depicts a close-up view of the holder of the device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039]FIG. 8 depicts a height screw according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040]FIG. 9A depicts a perspective view of height nut according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041]FIG. 9B depicts a side cutaway view of a height nut according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042]FIG. 10A depicts a perspective view of an enclosure of a handle according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043]FIG. 10B depicts a front view of an enclosure of a handle according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044]FIG. 11A depicts a perspective view of a handle with the enclosure removed according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045]FIG. 11B depicts a perspective view of a handle with the enclosure removed according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046]FIG. 12A depicts a front cutaway view of a top button according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0047]FIG. 12B depicts a perspective view of a top button according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0048]FIG. 13A depicts a perspective view of the side button according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0049]FIG. 13B depicts a perspective view of the side button according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0050]FIG. 14A depicts a perspective view of handle slide according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0051]FIG. 14B depicts a front view of handle slide according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0052]FIG. 14C depicts a side view of handle slide according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0053]FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of a spring cap according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0054]FIG. 16A depicts a perspective view of a leg coupling according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0055]FIG. 16B depicts a side cross-sectional view of a leg coupling according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0056]FIG. 17A depicts a perspective view of a leg anchor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0057]FIG. 17B depicts a side view of a leg anchor according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0058]FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of extension coupling according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0059]FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of a leg according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0060]Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061]It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

[0062]The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

[0063]Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0064]Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

[0065]Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0066]FIGS. 1-3 show a golf aid device 2 according to embodiments of the invention. The device 2 comprises an elongate shaft 4 that extends from a handle 44 at a top of the shaft to tee and ball holder 16 at the opposite end of the shaft 4. In some embodiments, the elongate shaft may be preferably formed from or configured to appear like the shaft of a regular golf club. At a lower end of the shaft is a tee and ball holder 16. The holder 16 is configured for opening and closing so that a ball 8 and tee 10 can be releasably held by the holder 16, with the ball 8 positioned atop the tee 10 and placed into the ground for teeing up. The holder 16 can similarly be opened to grab golf balls and tees from the ground in some embodiments.

[0067]The golf aid device 2 also comprises a height-adjustable means 305 that can be adjusted to position the tees at various heights by increasing or decreasing the height from the ground depending on the type of club being used to tee off or the height the golf player wants to have the tee out of the ground.

[0068]The golf aid device 2 also includes a support structure 12 in the form of a tripod at the bottom of the device 2. The tripod can move between an open and a closed position. FIG. 1 depicts the tripod in an open position such that the legs of the tripod provide stability to device 2. FIG. 2A depicts the tripod in a closed position. As can be seen, the tripod includes three legs that equidistant around the golf aid device 2. In other embodiments, the golf aid device 2 may have more than three legs to provide more stability if needed. In some embodiments, the tripod includes a leg coupler 162, a leg anchor 164, three legs 166, and three coupler extensions 168.

[0069]In some embodiments of the tripod, the legs 166 are attached to the golf aid device at the leg anchor 164. The legs 166 are given a freedom of motion to rotate towards the axis of the shaft and away from the axis of the shaft. The legs 166 rotate at the anchor coupling 279. The legs 166 include a bent shaft that is longer and extends out past the holder 16. The three legs 166 each include a bend 267 that separates the leg 166 into an upper portion 268 and a lower portion 269. The lower portion 269 angles the leg in towards the axis of the shaft relative to the upper portion 268.

[0070]Each leg 166 further includes a footing 270. The footing 270 includes a bent portion that is bent away from the axis of the shaft. The footing 270 includes, in some embodiments, a forked end that can be used as a tool. Most notable the forked end may be used to pick up tees after a tee shot has been performed. Additionally or alternatively, the footing 270 may include a generally scooped shape or spoon shape to allow the footing 270 to pick up a user's ball from the ground if needed. As already discussed the holder 16 may also be used to pick up a user's ball.

[0071]In some embodiments, the upper portion 268 of the leg 166 has a length such that the upper portion 268 extends from the leg anchor 164 to approximately the position of the ball holder portion (see 18) of the holder 16.

[0072]This can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2A which shows the closed position for the legs 166. The bend 267 occurs on the leg 166 at approximately the location of where the golf ball 8 is seated in the holder 16. The legs 166 angle in towards the axis of the shaft and may potentially touch each other when the legs 166 are in the closed position.

[0073]Returning to FIG. 1, the legs 166 are coupled to the coupler extensions 168 via the leg coupling 277. The coupler extensions 168 are coupled to the legs about midway along the upper portion 168, in some embodiments. The coupler extensions 168 are also coupled to the leg coupler 162 at the coupler coupling 278. The leg coupler 162 is configured to be able to move along the shaft sleeve 400. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the leg coupler 162 is in a down position. The leg coupler 162 has moved away from the leg anchor 164. In moving away from the leg anchor 164, the leg coupler 162 via the coupler extensions 168 have pushed the legs 166 away from the axis of the shaft. As can be seen when the legs 166 are in the open position, the legs are extended out and the coupler extensions 168 are orthogonal or generally orthogonal to the axis of the shaft. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, as the leg coupler 162 has moved up the shaft closer to the leg anchor 164, the coupler extensions 168 fold in towards the axis of the shaft and the legs 166 are pulled nearer the axis of the shaft.

[0074]Such a configuration allows for the easy storage of the golf aid device 2. In some embodiments, the leg coupler 162 may slide freely up and down the shaft sleeve 400.

[0075]The device 2 also comprises a holder 16 and control means configured to control the holder 16. In the depicted embodiment, the control means is disposed at an upper handle end of the elongate shaft 4 and extends down through the shaft 4 to the holder 16.

[0076]Embodiments of the present invention thus provide a device 2 which takes on the form of a regular golf club and can be stored and transported along with other golf clubs and equipment relatively inconspicuously. It also provides a simple control means for operating the holder 16 and allows players to place and retrieve golf balls 8 and tees 10 of varying sizes at various heights in the ground without needing to bend or stoop down.

[0077]FIG. 2B shows a close-up view of the handle 44 of the golf aid device 2. The handle includes a first button 32 at the end of the handle 44. The first button 32 has a substantially elongate body and is disposed within the handle 44 and sticking out the top of the handle such that it is movable along a longitudinal axis thereof. A lower end of the button 32 is operatively engaged (not visible) to the holder 16 such that the button 32 is configured to open the tee and ball holder 16.

[0078]The handle further includes a second button 34. The second button 34 is disposed in one side of the handle 44 and is depressible in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle 44. The second button 34 may also be spring-biased and, in some embodiments, the side button is configured to close the tee and ball holder 16. In some embodiments, the side button 34 is operable to lock the first button 32 such that the ball enclosure 18 of the holder 16 remains in the closed state. In such embodiments, the two buttons 32, 34 are configured to engage one another such that actuation of one button 32, 34 also moves the other button 34, 32. In other embodiments, the two buttons may function independently to open and close the tee and ball holder 16.

[0079]FIG. 2A shows a lower end of the device 2. The holder 16 comprises a jaw-like enclosure which can be selectively opened and shut by the player. In the open state, a tee 10 can be secured to the enclosure 18 with a ball 8 therein. For example, the device 2 could be held by a player while they are standing, and they can manually place the tee 10 and golf ball 8 into the enclosure 18. The enclosure may be spring-biased towards a closed state to securely retain the ball and tee even before the player locks the enclosure closed. Next, the player can operate the control means to lock closed the enclosure 18 such that the tee 10 and golf ball 8 are securely held by the holder 16. Next, the player can orient and lower the device 2 to the ground and place the tee 10 into the ground. Finally, the player can operate the control means 16 to open the enclosure 18 and release the placed golf ball 8 and tee 10.

[0080]FIGS. 4-7 show the holder 16 and components of the holder 16 in more detail in various embodiments. The holder 16 comprises a ball enclosure 18 formed from two hemispherically-shaped halves configured, when closed together, to house the ball 8. An upper end of each half is secured to an arm 181, the arms 181 being pivotally connected such that in use, the arms 181 are configured to scissor open and close to cause corresponding opening and closing of the enclosure 18.

[0081]A cable connection 183 located on the arm 181 is used to secure a cable which runs from the cable connection 183 up through the elongate shaft 4 and is operable via manual operation of the control means, as will be discussed. In the depicted embodiment, the control means can be operated to move the cable in the shaft 4 up and down, thereby causing scissoring of the arms 181, and thus the prying apart and closing of the two hemispherical halves of the enclosure 18. Each half pivots at a pivot point 182 (see FIG. 5A) about a rod 97 that extends through an end effector 80 (see FIG. 4) and through each of the half at the pivot point 182. As shown in FIG. 4, the rod 97 extends through a torsion spring 89 also that is situated between the arms 181 of each half enclosure 18.

[0082]The end effector 80 is secured to the shaft 4 or shaft sleeve 400 at a connection 82. The cable runs through the shaft 4 and down through the end effector 80. The end effector 80 includes a slot 81 that allows for movement of the cable as the holder 16 is opened.

[0083]The enclosure 6 of the device 2 is also configured with tee gripping means via a tee holder 19 for holding tees 10 of various sizes. In the depicted embodiment, the tee holder 19 each located at a lower end of a respective hemispherical half which, when brought together in the enclosure's closed state, act to hold a tee 10. FIGS. 5A-5C depict an embodiment of an enclosure half 18. As can be seen, the enclosure half 18 includes a hemispherical cup 17, a tee holder 19, and an arm 181. In the illustrated embodiment, the tee holder 19 includes an upper lip 192 and a lower lip 191 which secure the tee 10 in place. The arm 191 includes a pivot point 182, a cable connection 183, and a spring guider 186. The torsion spring 89 interfaces with the spring guider 186 which may bias each enclosure half 18 towards each other and in a closed position.

[0084]Referring to FIG. 6A-6C, an embodiment of the end effector 80 is depicted. The end effector 80 is configured to be coupled to the shaft 4 or the shaft sleeve 400 interfacing at the opening 84 and may be coupled at hole 82. The end effector 80 is further configured to be coupled to the enclosure halves 18. As was discussed above, a rod 97 is fitted through holes 85 to secure the enclosure halves 18 to the end effector 80. The end effector also includes a slot 81 on each side of the end effector 80 that allows for the cable to move up and out at the enclosure halves 18 are rotated. The arms 181 of the enclosure halves 18 will be seated in the opening 87 of the end effector 80 with the arm 181 of each taking up a respective side of the opening (see FIG. 7). FIG. 7 depicts another view of the holder 16 in a closed state with a golf ball within the enclosure.

[0085]As discussed previously, holder 16 may be lengthened or shortened above the ground to allow the tee to be further in the ground or out of the ground by a height-adjustable means 305 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The height-adjustable means 305 includes a height screw 320 (see FIG. 8) and a height nut 310 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) which interact with each other to lengthen or shorten the height of holder 16 from the ground 2. The height screw 320 includes an open shaft 321 through which the shaft 4 may extend through. The height nut 310 also includes an open shaft 311. The male threads 322 of the height screw 320 may interact with the female threads 313 of the height nut 310 and can adjust the height of holder 16 by turning the grip 323 of the height screw 320.

[0086]In some embodiments, the height-adjustable means 305 works as a stopper. The shaft 4 and the holder 16 are configured to move axially relative to the shaft sleeve 400. That is, the shaft 4 and holder 16 may plunge downwards relative to the shaft sleeve 400 and the legs 166. As the legs 166 are set with the footings 270 on the ground, the user of the device may push down the handle (and ultimately the holder 16) relative to legs and the ground such that the tee is pushed into the ground. The travel distance of the shaft may be dictated by the height-adjustable means 305. More specifically, the travel distance may be dictated by setting the height of the height screw 320 on the shaft 4. As the height screw 320 is screwed into the height nut 310 more, the height-adjustment means 305 will allow for more travel. The travel is dictated by the height screw 320 hitting the shaft sleeve 400 which restricts any further plunging action of the holder 16. The ball and tee may then be released at a particular height. The height of the ball and tee can be adjusted by adjusting the height screw 320 up or down. The height nut 310 is stationary on the shaft 4.

[0087]The golf aid device 2 allows for consistent and repeatable placement of a ball and tee at a user's preferred height. The plunging motion of the holder 16 and shaft 4 relative to the legs 166 and the shaft sleeve 400 can be set by the height of the height screw 320. As the height screw 320 is set higher on the shaft 4, the ball and tee will be set lower in the ground. As the height screw 320 is set lower on the shaft 4, the ball and tee will be set higher in the ground.

[0088]Some embodiments of the golf aid device 2 include a holder 16 that is configured to move vertically relative to the legs 166. In some embodiments, the distance of travel of the holder 16 is dictated by a stopper (such as the height screw 320) that is configured to mechanically restrict further motion along the axis.

[0089]Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the handle 44 as two half enclosures are shown. FIG. 10A depicts the interior side and FIG. 10B depicts the exterior side of an embodiment. The handle enclosure includes an opening 441 through which the second button 34 extends through. At the top of the handle enclosure, the handle has a semicircle formation with a concave inner surface 442 and a convex outer surface 443, which forms an opening for the top button 32. The handle also includes various connection points 444, 445, 446 which allow the two halves to be secured to each other with the necessary components inside.

[0090]Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the handle 44 is shown with the handle enclosures removed. As can be seen, the first button 32 is visible and sits atop a handle slide 380. A coil spring 325 interfaces with the first button 32 pushing the first button up. The handle slide shows the second button 34 around the handle slide 380 (in FIG. 11A) as the handle slide is configured to be able slide up and down. As the handle slide moves up and down, it effectively moves the cable connection 383 up and down, thereby moving the cable up and down through the shaft and actuating the holder 16. As can be seen, the second button 34 will extend out on each side of the handle enclosures. As the top or first button is depressed, the holder 16 is opened and as the second button 34 is pushed, the holder 16 is closed. FIG. 11B shows the same components as FIG. 11A but with the second button 34 removed to expose coil spring 342 and spring cap 341 which are configured to interact with the second button and the opening 382 (see FIGS. 14A-C) of the handle slide 380. The top first button 32 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B) sit atop the seat 381 (See FIGS. 14A-14C) of the handle slide 380.

[0091]FIG. 12A depicts a cutaway view of the top button. FIG. 12B depicts a perspective view of the top button. FIG. 13A depicts the underside of the second button 34 with compartments 342 and 343. FIG. 13B depicts the top side of the second button 34. FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of the spring cap 341. FIG. 14A depicts a perspective view of the handle slide 380. FIG. 14B depicts a side view of the handle slide 380. FIG. 14C depicts a front view of the handle slide 380.

[0092]Referring now to FIG. 16A to FIG. 19 depict various components of the support structure 12.

[0093]FIGS. 16A and 16B depict the leg coupler 162. FIG. 16A depicts a perspective view while FIG. 16B depicts a cutaway side view of the leg coupler 162. The leg coupler 162 includes an open shaft 561 that allows the leg coupler 162 to move up and down the shaft sleeve 400 of the device 2. The leg coupler 162 also includes three connections 678. Each of the connections 678 include a through-hole 778.

[0094]FIGS. 17A and 17B depict the leg anchor 164. FIG. 17A depicts a perspective view while FIG. 17B depicts a side view of the leg anchor 164. The leg anchor 164 includes an open shaft 564 that allows the shaft sleeve 400 to run through the leg anchor 164. The leg anchor 164 may be coupled to the shaft via connections 272, which may be used to fasten the leg anchor to the shaft 4 or the shaft sleeve 400. The leg anchor 164 also includes three connections 679. Each of the connections 679 include a through-hole 779.

[0095]Referring to FIG. 18, the coupler extension 168 is shown. The coupler extension 168 includes an elongate shaft with leg coupling on one side and a coupler coupling on the other side. The leg coupling includes a bent knob 976 with a through-hole 876 that can be inserted into opening 977 (see FIG. 19) of the leg 166. The through-hole 876 may align with the through-holes 877 on each side of the opening 977. The coupler extension 168 may be coupled to the leg at this location and may allow the two components to rotate relative to each other about these through-holes. At the other end, the coupler extension 168 includes two prongs 978 each with a through-hole 878 that interfaces with the connection 678 of the leg coupler 162 and allows the coupler extension to rotate relative to the leg coupler.

[0096]Referring now to FIG. 19, a perspective view of the leg 166 is shown. The leg 166 includes a bent shaft. The leg 166 includes a bend 267 that separates the leg 166 into an upper portion 268 and a lower portion 269. The lower portion 269 angles the leg in towards the axis of the shaft relative to the upper portion 268. The upper portion includes the opening 977 approximately midway along the upper portion 268. At the end of the upper portion 268 at the end opposite the bend 2667, the leg 166 includes two prongs 879 each with a through-hole 979 which may couple the leg to the leg anchor 164. And more specifically may couple with the connections 679 and through-holes 779.

[0097]Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0098]The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

[0099]Although the operations of the method(s) or processes herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.

[0100]Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.