ACCESSORY INTENDED FOR RECEIVING A GOLF BALL EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE SENSOR AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING A GOLF COURSE PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE SUCH ACCESSORY

The invention relates to an accessory intended for receiving a golf ball, called a golf bogey, equipped with at least one sensor as well as to a device for managing a golf course provided with at least one such accessory.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

On a golf course, the number of holes in which the golfer must hit the golf ball is generally eighteen, possibly nine holes. The distance between the holes varies from around 100 m to more than 500 m. The area surrounding each hole is called the green. A green is an area of a few square meters to several hundred square meters with dense grass and a minimum height. The green is perfectly watered and drained to allow optimal movement of the ball on the grass. The areas connecting the greens are called fairways and are made up of grassy strips defining a more or less wide alley. Thus, the whole of a golf course covers several hectares or even tens of hectares. It is thus important to manage the various parts of the course as well as possible, therefore the greens and the fairways, taking into account the usage specificities of each zone. In particular, the mowing and watering of the golf course must be optimal in order to maintain the quality of the greens and fairways in all circumstances and in all seasons, regardless of the number of golfers present on the course.

The holes of a golf course are equipped with an accessory for receiving golf balls. This accessory is made of a rigid material, for example metal, making it possible to avoid any modification of the diameter and/or the depth of the hole, while preventing water and/or debris from accumulating in the hole. Such an accessory or bowl is frequently designated by the term “bogey,” which will be used preferentially hereinafter. In order to facilitate the recovery of the balls, CA-A-3 103 776 discloses a bogey equipped with a system for ejecting the ball from the volume of the bogey. Known from US-A-2017 239 540 is a device for tracking and locating the locations of bogeys on a golf course. The system uses connected masts. A bogey also allows the pole of a flag to be held in a vertical position. Such a flag allows the golfer to locate, at a distance of several tens of meters or even hundreds of meters, the exact position of the hole into which he must return the ball. Known from US-B-5354052 is a flag pole equipped with sensors detecting the presence or absence of a ball in the bogey. Thus, the bogeys of the known state of the art are provided either with means for tracking and/or managing the ball with respect to the bogey.

During a game of golf, players move on the greens and fairways, which potentially affects the quality of the grass due to trampling. Furthermore, during play, golf clubs can damage the grass on the greens. In order to maintain a constant and optimal quality of the grass on the various parts of the course, in particular at the greens, so that all the players encounter similar playing conditions at all times and to allow the growth of the grass, the holes receiving the balls, and therefore the bogeys, are regularly moved on the green and/or between the greens. This also makes it possible to vary the courses and thus to reinforce the interest of the game for a golfer. In all cases, it is therefore essential to keep the quality of the greens and fairways, that is to say, the grass cover of the golf course, homogeneous and durable over time. In order to optimize the management of a golf course and in particular the irrigation, it is known from US-A-2020/0108 303 to use robots moving on the golf course. These robots communicate with each other and with a central unit. They are able to collect various parameters such as the presence of an object on the course, the presence of a golfer, and also the humidity level of the grass at various locations on the green and/or selected and predefined fairways. Also known from WO-A-2017/192381 is a system for optimizing the maintenance of a golf course based on a layout of the various parts of the course, each part being characterized by its geography, its configuration in terms of obstacles, bogeys, grass coverage and other parameters. Software ensures individualized maintenance of each part by optimizing various factors such as consumables, time spent and water for irrigation. In one embodiment, WO-A-2021107568 discloses a device for measuring soil moisture placed in the bottom of a bogey and on which the golf ball comes to rest. KR-A-20180106355 describes a golf course management device using sensors placed in the ground.

Such solutions for managing a golf course are complex to implement and require either the presence of several robots or sensors distributed over the golf course or long and tedious initial parameter collection work, or they use sensors that encroach on the useful volume of the bogey. Moreover, the regular displacement of the bogeys does not facilitate the implementation of these solutions, especially when the bogeys are relatively complex and adapted to facilitate either their location or the ejection of the balls.

The invention proposes a simple, compact means, easy to set up and to move, suitable for providing information on at least one parameter that can be used within the framework of a management device, in particular an irrigation management device, for a golf course without affecting the bogey’s ball receiving function.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the subject of the invention is an accessory for receiving a golf ball called a bogey provided with a volume for receiving a golf ball, said accessory having dimensions adapted to be inserted in a removable manner into a hole formed in at least part of a golf course and comprising at least one sensor of the humidity of the environment surrounding said accessory, characterized in that the humidity sensor comprises rods extending radially outside of the accessory from the outer face of an element fixed to the free end of the wall defining the volume for receiving the accessory, beyond the bottom of the accessory.

The presence of a humidity sensor makes it possible to use the bogey as a member for collecting information concerning the humidity of the environment in which it is placed, therefore de facto humidity in the ground in the vicinity of the hole for inserting the bogey into the green. The invention thus makes it possible to have a mesh of the golf course with humidity sensors placed in relevant zones in terms of managing the irrigation of the golf course, since it concerns the greens. Moreover, since the humidity sensor is integrated into the bogey, it will de facto always be in the green used by the players and therefore placed on the green whose grass quality must be kept at an optimal level. The fact that the sensor is movable, with the bogey, makes it possible to obtain a large number of measurements, over a long period and/or at various points, with a limited number of bogeys. The invention does not modify the golf ball receiving function of the bogey. Thus, in no case does the invention hinder or influence the insertion of the golf ball into the bogey.

According to advantageous but optional aspects of the invention, such an accessory may comprise one or more of the following features:.

The accessory comprises at least one other sensor of a parameter other than humidity.

The other sensor is chosen from among a temperature sensor, a pH, salinity, resistivity, Redox potential, sunshine sensor, a presence detector or the like.

The accessory comprises a device for transmitting the data collected by the at least one humidity sensor to a remote management and control module.

The data transmission member is removably connected to the pole of a flag inserted removably into the accessory, said pole defining an antenna.

The accessory comprises a body for geolocating the bogey.

The invention also relates to a device for managing a golf course comprising at least one control module for at least one means of irrigation or watering at least part of the golf course, characterized in that said device is provided with at least one accessory for receiving a golf ball called a bogey according to one of the preceding features.

According to advantageous but optional aspects of the invention, such a device may comprise one or more of the following features:

The control module manages several golf courses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood, and further advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent, from reading the following description, which is provided solely by way of a non-limiting example and refers to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[FIG. 1] is a simplified partial perspective view of a green with a hole equipped with a bogey according to one embodiment of the invention and equipped with a flag,

[FIG. 2] is a perspective view from above, to another scale, of a bogey according to one embodiment of the invention, an external part of the humidity sensor not being illustrated for increased readability,

[FIG. 3] is a top view, to the same scale, of the bogey of FIG. 2,

[FIG. 4] is a perspective view, to the same scale as FIG. 2, of a part of the bogey receiving the humidity sensor, the external parts of the latter being illustrated, and

[FIG. 5] is a perspective view, to another scale, of the interior of the part of the bogey illustrated in FIG. 4, without the external parts of the humidity sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates part of a golf course called green 1. This is an area of grass forming the playing surface and surrounding a hole intended to receive a golf ball. The green is a perfectly watered and drained grassy area. The grass is dense and made up of certain species of grass whose blades are adapted to frequent and very short cutting, the cutting height being counted in millimeters. The cutting height influences the movement of the ball, in particular its speed. Thus, a green mowed at more than 2 mm is said to be “slow” because the ball is slowed down quickly. Another important characteristic of a green is its hardness: a so-called “soft” green will stop the ball quickly. The hardness of a green depends not only on the hardness of the ground, but also on the density of the grass. Thus, on a golf course, watering or irrigation, and therefore de facto water management, are essential and require continuous optimal management, whatever the climatic conditions, in order to offer an equal quality of play throughout the year.

Here, a hole is represented in the green 1, it being understood that the exact position of the hole in the green may vary from that represented. For example, when the green is circular, which is frequent, the hole is substantially in a central position. The circular hole shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an artificial rim 2. To facilitate reading, a flag or pennant 3 is illustrated attached to the rim 2 by the pole 4. Alternatively, it is positioned elsewhere. Such a pennant 3 allows the player to view the location of the hole on the green. The player thus concretely sees the goal, and therefore the hole, to be reached by the ball that he will set in motion. It is understood that, whatever the means of attachment of the pennant 3, the latter must not interfere with the ball’s journey toward the hole or affect its trajectory.

The holes present on a golf course are all equipped with an accessory or bowl 5 for temporarily receiving golf balls, known per se and not illustrated. Such an accessory will subsequently be designated by the term “bogey,” which term is frequently used in the field of golf. FIG. 2 illustrates such a bogey 5. The latter is made of a rigid material, insensitive to bad weather and the thermal variations encountered on a golf course, and resistant to impacts and crushing. The bogey 5 is, for example, metallic or made of polymers. Its dimensions are standardized and adapted on the one hand to those of the holes in which it is housed, and on the other hand to the dimensions of a golf ball. A bogey 5 must thus have a receiving volume V of the golf ball of 10.8 cm in diameter and 10.16 cm in depth. Its dimensions, which are standardized, make it possible to receive a golf ball with a standardized diameter of 42.67 mm in a removable and frictionless manner. In general, if the external diameter of a bogey 5 is close to the internal diameter required in order to adapt with the minimum clearance to the diameter of the hole in the green 1, its height is greater than that required to receive the ball. For example, its total height is close to 15 cm.

the respective dimensions of the golf ball and of the volume V of the bogey 5 allow the reception of a ball in the volume V when the bogey 5 is equipped with a pennant 3 whose pole 4 is fixed on the bottom 6 of the volume V. To this end, the bottom 6 is provided in the central position with an orifice 7 for temporarily receiving the free end of the pole 4. The latter is thus held vertically in a central position on the bottom 6 of the volume V, without interfering with the reception of the golf ball in the volume V.

As is particularly apparent in FIG. 3, the bottom 6 is provided with cutouts 8 that are regularly provided on the bottom 6. These cutouts 8, the number and/or shape of which are variable, allow the outflow of water and/or any debris, such as leaves, grass or dirt, from the volume V of the bogey 5. To this end, the bottom 6 is positioned in the bogey 5 so as to provide a space between the bottom 6 and the lower end 9 of the cylindrical wall 10 defining the volume V. At least one opening 11 made at the end 9 allows the discharge to the outside of the elements and of the water passing through the cutouts 8. Thus, the bottom 6 is kept as free as possible of any dirt.

An element 12, also cylindrical with a circular base, is located in the extension of the end 9. This element 12 has, in the example, a diameter identical to that of the volume V. Alternatively, its diameter is different or it is not cylindrical with a circular base. This element is either fixed permanently on the end 9, by welding, gluing or being integral with the wall 10, or fixed in a removable manner, by screwing, clipping, magnetic connection or the like.

The element 12, shown alone in FIGS. 4 and 5, defines a receiving and protective housing for at least one humidity sensor. FIG. 4 shows an element 12 of cylindrical shape with a circular base, therefore of shape similar to that of the bogey 5. While the external diameter of the element 12 is identical, in the example, to that of the cylindrical wall 10 defining the volume V, its height is less. It is generally between 30 mm and 80 mm. Looking at FIG. 4, the upper face 13 of the element 12, therefore the face intended to be in contact with the end 9 of the wall 10, is provided with at least one orifice 14. The number and/or the position of such an orifice 14 is variable. The orifice 14 allows the passage of an antenna, for example of the wired type, allowing a data collection module to exchange data, via a transmission module, with a control and management module remote from the bogey 5. Such an antenna can extend into the bogey. As a variant according to a preferred embodiment, the transmission module is connected with the end of the pole 4 via a dedicated contactor, of the rocker switch type. Thus, the pole 4 is used as a rigid external antenna and in a vertical position, which optimizes the transmission.

To facilitate reading, the collection module and the transmission module are schematically illustrated by an electronic support plate 15 visible in FIG. 5. The remote control and management module, known per se, is not illustrated. Such a plate 15 is held in position, removably, in the internal volume V12 of the element 12. The volume V12 is accessed via a cover 16, here defining the face 13. here the cover 16 is screwed on. Alternatively, it is clipped.

It is understood that the electronic plate 15 receives the sensors and/or members fitted to the bogey 5. Thus, all the sensors present are united on the same support plate 15, which facilitates the assembly and maintenance of the bogey 5. Among the various sensors and/or components fitted to the plate 15, mention may be made of a GPS, a sensor of temperature, pH, resistivity, RedOx potential, oxygen, sunshine, presence, pollutants or any other parameter likely to influence the management of the golf course and/or the play by the golfers. Similarly, the volume V12 of the element 12 receives any element necessary for the operation of the sensor(s) and of the plate 15. These are, for example, batteries, relays or the like. Thus, the bogey 5 is powered either by a battery or by a wired connection with a power source known per se. Elements placed outside the bogey but that are electronically linked to the latter may be present and collect other parameters. By way of example, mention may be made of a rain gauge, an anemometer or the like.

At least one humidity sensor is housed in the volume V12. It is illustrated, in FIG. 4, by four cylindrical rods with circular bases 17. Here, the rods 17 are identical and regularly distributed over the outer face 18 of the wall 19 defining the volume V12. In another embodiment, the distribution and/or the length of the rods are different. The rods 17 extend radially beyond the face 18, in a plane parallel to the face 13 when the cover 16 is in place to block access to the volume V12. The rods 17 form the active part of the sensors, advantageously humidity sensors. As a variant, certain rods are dedicated to the collection of parameters other than humidity. Due to the position of the rods 17, the measurement of the humidity, or of other parameters, is carried out in the soil near the bottom 6, around the bogey 5, in an area where the roots of the grass are mainly located. In order to allow the bogey 5 to be inserted in and removed from the hole, the rods 17 are retractable. To this end, they are telescopic, screwable, mounted in an umbrella or the like.

In another embodiment that is not illustrated, at least one sensor for humidity or another parameter extends under the element 12, from the face 20 opposite the face 13 when the cover 16 is in place. Such a sensor then performs, due to its configuration, a depth measurement of a parameter in the ground under the bogey 5. This position of the sensor in the axial extension of the bogey 5 is used in certain configurations of the greens and/or for the collection of certain parameters.

As a variant, the bogey is equipped, in addition to the soil humidity sensor, with an air humidity sensor. In such a case, the sensor is located in the upper part of the bogey 5, to have the aerial part of the bogey located outside the hole, for example at the rim of the bogey. other sensors can be placed in the aerial part of the bogey or close to the latter, for example sensors of air temperature, sunshine, a rain gauge or the like.

Due to the ease of movement of the bogey and therefore of the sensor(s) and/or associated elements, it is easy to obtain a precise position on a large surface area for one or more parameters measured, over a more or less long period. In other words, in the case where humidity sensors are used, one obtains not only an instantaneous visualization of the green(s) in which the humidity level is low or too high, but also a history over several days or even several weeks or months. Thus, information is available on the behavior of one or more green(s) depending, for example, on weather and/or play conditions and/or other parameters likely to affect the growth or condition of the turf, for example the presence of a pollutant in the ground.

The invention also relates to a device for managing a golf course, and more particularly for managing the irrigation, or watering according to the technique used, of at least one golf course or at least the greens of at least one golf course. Such a device comprises at least one control module for at least one means of irrigation or watering at least one green of at least one golf course. The control module is remote from the area of the golf course equipped with at least one bogey according to the invention, therefore remote from the green(s) and/or fairway(s) equipped with bogey(s). Advantageously, the control module is located in a room dedicated to the maintenance of the golf course(s). As a variant, the control module is installed in a temporary room or a vehicle, when the device is used occasionally. Advantageously, the control module is connected to meteorological information services and, if necessary, to other services available in connection with the management of a golf course. Owing to the use of artificial intelligence in the control module, the management, in particular the water management, in a golf course is constantly optimized and adapted.

The control module is connected, preferably wirelessly, to at least one element 12, more precisely to the transmission module present on the electronic plate 15 of each element 12. Thus, several bogeys 5 communicate the collected data, therefore at least the humidity level in the environment immediately surrounding the bogey 5, to the control module, which either will automatically initiate the starting or stopping of irrigation or watering or will emit an alert that will be taken into account by a user, the latter triggering a corrective action if necessary, therefore either starting or stopping irrigation or watering. It is conceivable that a control module according to the invention can manage several tens or even hundreds of bogeys 5 according to the invention, distributed over one or more golf course(s), and therefore remotely ensure the management of golf courses, at least with regard to the watering or irrigation of the greens or other areas concerned.

Furthermore, if parameters other than humidity are collected, the control module can initiate other actions, for example programming mowing, moving bogeys to rest the green, re-turfing, phytosanitary treatment or any other actions. Similarly, if presence detectors or a device for warning of the presence of a player, maintenance personnel or an animal are present on or near the bogey 5, it is advantageous to couple them to the control module so that the latter manages irrigation or watering, or more generally any action, depending on the presence or absence of people, objects or animals on the green(s). One can also imagine that when the presence of an animal is detected, for example by camera, on a green, the control module initiates an action aimed at driving the animal away, this action possibly being the triggering of watering or of a visual and/or audible or other alarm. Likewise, detection of an object, for example a branch, can be taken into account by the control module.

While the bogeys 5 are preferably intended for use on a golf course, it is possible to use them, with a suitable control module, on other types of terrain to monitor the state thereof, in particular when the land is grassy. Mention may thus be made of a sports field, a racecourse, a meadow, or more generally an agricultural field.

ACCESSORY INTENDED FOR RECEIVING A GOLF BALL EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE SENSOR AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING A GOLF COURSE PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE SUCH ACCESSORY

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