The present invention relates generally to a golf apparatus and method for marking the position of a golf ball and supporting a golf club. More so, the present invention relates to a golf-related apparatus that includes an elongated stem that terminates at a top free end having a pair of flag members with a curved lower edge configured to enable supporting the head of a golf club therefrom, and an anchor housing having a low center of gravity and an interior weight member that creates a center of mass vertically below the center of curvature of the anchor housing, such that the stem is maintained at stable equilibrium in the upright position; whereby the golf apparatus is operable on a golf course to provide the dual function of marking the position of a golf ball when visibility is restricted due to weeds and golf hazards, and supporting at least one golf club in a vertical orientation, easily accessible for play.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, a golf ball is a small, dimpled ball used in the game of golf. The golfer tees the golf ball, and then strikes the golf ball from a tee. Often, the golf ball is difficult to visually identify because of the distance it travels, and the rough and vegetation on the golf course that cover the golf ball. In many instances, a golf club is used by the golfer to strike the golf ball. The golf club has a shaft with a grip and an opposing end having a club head. Multiple golf clubs are used on the golf course, requiring a convenient place to stow the non-operational golf clubs when not in use.
Other proposals have involved golf course equipment for locating golf balls and supporting golf clubs. The problem with these golf equipment systems is that they do not have sufficient visual identity, or maintain a stable surface for supporting golf clubs. Even though the above cited golf equipment systems meet some of the needs of the market, a golf apparatus and method for marking the position of a golf ball and supporting a golf club, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a golf apparatus and method for marking the position of a golf ball and supporting a golf club. The golf apparatus is operable on a golf course to provide the dual function of marking the position of a golf ball when visibility is restricted, and supporting a golf club or golf-related accessory in a vertical orientation, easily accessible for play. The golf apparatus provides an elongated stem defined by a flag end and an anchor end. The stem elevates a pair of flag members used to retain golf accessories, and create a visual indication of the location of a golf ball.
A pair of flag members detachably attach to the flag end. The flag members have a generally triangular shape, defined by a linear upper edge and a curved lower edge. The curved lower edge is sized to receive and retain a golf club, wither at the head, or along the handle. The anchor end of stem couples to an anchor housing. The anchor housing comprises multiple sidewalls forming a cavity, and a mount face forming a stem reception hole for receiving the anchor end of the stem, and one or more channels sized to receive a golf club, a golf related accessory, and a cigar.
The anchor housing contains an interior weight member that creates a center of mass for the anchor housing. The center of mass maintains the stem at stable equilibrium in an upright position. The upright position enhances visibility of flag members and creates a horizontal surface for supporting golf club heads and golf-related accessories.
In one aspect, the golf apparatus for marking the position of a golf ball and supporting a golf club, comprises a stem defined by a flag end and an anchor end.
The golf apparatus further comprises a pair of flag members detachably attached to the flag end of the stem, the flag members defined by a linear upper edge and a curved lower edge.
The golf apparatus further comprises an anchor housing detachably attached to the anchor end of the stem, the anchor housing comprising sidewalls having a perimeter edge and defining a cavity, the anchor housing further comprising a mount face forming a stem reception hole and one or more channels.
The golf apparatus further comprises an interior weight member disposed inside the cavity of the anchor housing, the interior weight member forming a center of mass vertically below the mount face of the anchor housing, whereby the anchor housing retains the stem at a stable equilibrium and in a substantially upright orientation.
In another aspect, the stem is elongated.
In another aspect, the anchor housing has a spherical shape or a spherical shape.
In another aspect, the anchor housing is defined by a mount face configured to engage with the anchor end of the stem.
In another aspect, the mount face of the anchor housing forms a stem reception hole sized and dimensioned to receive the anchor end of the stem.
In another aspect, the mount face of the anchor housing is defined by multiple boreholes.
In another aspect, the anchor housing is waterproof.
In another aspect, the anchor housing comprises a polymer.
In another aspect, the interior weight member comprises metal or rubber.
In another aspect, the flag members comprise two flag members disposed perpendicular to each other.
In another aspect, the flag members are defined by a triangular shape.
In another aspect, the flag members are defined by colors, or patterns, or both.
In another aspect, the flag members are interchangeable with additional flag members having different colors or patterns.
In another aspect, curved lower edge of the flag members is operable to enable supporting a head of a golf club.
In another aspect, the upright position of the stem and the colors of the vertical flag members are operable to enable locating a golf ball.
One objective of the present invention is to provide an upright, colored marker that can be placed at the position of a golf ball to help a golfer locate the golf ball on a golf course where visibility may be problematic.
Another objective is to maintain the flag member in an upright position by utilizing the principle of a center of mass, i.e., weight member, located vertically below a center of curvature of the anchor housing.
Yet another objective is to provide a lightweight golf apparatus that can be thrown from a distance towards the golf ball.
An exemplary objective is to provide a waterproof anchor housing and flag members.
Additional objectives are to provide colorful flag members that are easily viewed from a distance.
Yet another objective is to provide an easy to use means for marking the position of a golf ball and supporting a golf club and other golf-related accessories.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A golf apparatus 100 and method 1300 for marking the position of a golf ball 120 and supporting a golf club is referenced in
As illustrated in
Further, the upright position of stem 102 enhances visibility of flag members 108a, 108b and creates a horizontal surface for supporting golf club heads and golf-related accessories. This stowage capacity offered by flag members 108a, 108b can be useful during play on the golf course 118. Flag members 108a-b may be colored, or marked, so as to draw attention to the golf ball 120 in the rough and other vegetation commonly found on a golf course 118. Anchor end 106 of stem 102 couples to an anchor housing 112.
Golf apparatus 100 also provides a unique anchor housing 112 that forms an upright foundation for stem 102 and flag members 108a-b. Anchor housing 112 is defined by multiple sidewalls 122 that form a cavity 1000. Anchor housing 112 also has a mount face 114 that forms multiple parallel channels 124a, 124b that are sized and dimensioned to receive and retain a golf club 500, a cigar 1200, and golf accessories.
Furthermore, the cavity 1000 that forms inside anchor housing 112 contains an interior weight member 1002, such as a lead slug. Weight member 1002 is configured to create a center of mass, vertically below the perimeter edge 116 of anchor housing 112. The center of mass maintains the stem 102 at stable equilibrium in an upright position.
As referenced in
It is a primary objective of golf apparatus 100 to visually indicate the location of golf ball 120 from a distance. Thus, as
As referenced in
For example,
Lower edge 110b is oriented towards the top of flag members. In some embodiments, lower edge 110b may be textured with a rough surface to restrict slippage by the club head. Lower edge 110b may also be indented to provide an indentation to retain club member in place. In one non-limiting embodiment, flag members 108a, 108b are defined by a triangular shape with the pointed apex oriented distally from stem 102. AS illustrated, curved lower edge 110b creates an arced shape for flag members 108a-b. However, in other embodiments, flag members 108a, 108b have rectangular, square, or irregular shapes.
In some embodiments, flag members 108a, 108b are defined by colors, or patterns, or both. For example, one flag member 108a is red, and a second flag member 108b is green and white striped. Thus, due to the detachability aspect, flag members 108a, 108b are interchangeable, such that flag members 108a-b can be attached to stem 102 with different colors or patterns. This can be useful for identifying different players on the golf course 118; whereby each player has a different colored or textured flag member. In this manner, flag members 108a-b provide an easy to use means for marking the position of a golf ball 120 and supporting a golf club 500 and other golf-related accessories.
Looking now at
In one non-limiting embodiment, sidewalls of anchor housing 112 form a spherical, or at least half-spherical shape (See
In another embodiment, anchor housing is bifurcated to enable entry of anchor end 106 of stem 102. Thus, multiple boreholes 700a-d form to enable passage of a screw or other fastening device to fasten each half of anchor housing together. As
Thus, anchor housing 112 is portable and lightweight for easy positioning on the golf course 118, at the site of a golf ball 120 during play. This can be useful for locating the golf ball 120 buried under tall weeds and foliage where visual location of the golf ball 120 is restricted. Thus, the spherical shape and light weight of anchor housing 112 to maintain the attached stem 102 in an upright position. In other embodiments, the anchor housing 112 can be floatable, waterproof, and support other golf-related items known in the art.
In some embodiments, anchor housing 112 is defined by a mount face 114 that is configured to engage with stem 102 through a stem reception hole 1004 that receives anchor end 106 of stem 102. Mount face 114 orients upwardly, forming the stem reception hole 1004. Stem reception hole 1004 is sized and dimensioned to receive the anchor end 106 of stem 102. An exemplary stem reception hole 1004 formed in mount face 114 is illustrated in
Anchor housing 112 also has a mount face 114 that forms multiple parallel channels 124a, 124b that are sized and dimensioned to receive and retain a golf club 500, a cigar 1200, and golf accessories. In one non-limiting embodiment, two symmetrical, parallel channels 124a-b form.
In some embodiments, mount face 114 has a perimeter edge 116 that orients upwardly. This unique configuration, shown in
Looking at the interior view of anchor housing 112, sidewalls 122 are further defined by a cavity 1000. As the cross-sectional view of anchor housing 112 shows, an interior weight member 1002 is disposed inside the cavity 1000 of the anchor housing 112 (See
In some embodiments, the position of interior weight member 1002 creates a center of mass vertically below mount face 114 of anchor housing 112. This allows anchor housing 112 to wobble, but not tip over when placed on surface of golf course 118. Thus, the stem 102 is held upright as the center of mass maintains stability. Interior weight member 1002 allows stem 102 to be retained at a stable equilibrium in a substantially upright position. Thus, flag member 108a is maintained in an upright position by utilizing the principle of a center of mass. This is when weight member 1002 is located vertically below a center of stem reception hole that forms in anchor housing 112, or concentrically below mount face 114 of anchor housing 112.
Consequently, the upright position of the stem 102 and the vibrant colors of the vertical flag members 108a, 108b help in locating a golf ball 120. This visual characteristic achieves a primary objective of utilizing an upright, colored marker that can be placed at the position of a golf ball 120 to help a golfer locate the golf ball 120 on a golf course 118 where visibility may be problematic.
In this manner, variously colored flag members 108a, 108b can interchangeably couple to the anchor housing 112 through stem 102, so as to identify different golf balls 120 for different golfers. For example, a first golfer marks the position of the golf ball after a long drive with a green flag member 108a. And a second golfer marks the position of a short put that fell in the tall weeds with a red golf marker. The length of stem elevates flag members 108a-b for enhanced viewing.
In some embodiments, a Step 1306 includes joining the anchor end of the stem with an anchor housing, the anchor housing being defined by a sidewall forming a cavity and a mount face forming one or more channels. Another Step 1308 comprises placing an interior weight member inside the cavity of the anchor housing, whereby the position of the weight member creates a center of mass vertically below the center of anchor housing. A Step 1310 includes maintaining, through the center of mass, the stem at a stable equilibrium in a substantially upright position.
In some embodiments, a Step 1312 may include placing the anchor housing and attached stem at the location of a golf ball. The stem 102 anchors into aperture of anchor housing through a threaded or friction fit relationship. Another Step 1314 for method 1300 comprises visually identifying the location of the golf ball with the flag members. A Step 1316 includes supporting a golf club or a golf accessory on the curved lower edge of the flag members. Lower edge 110b may have a rough texture to prevent the golf club from slipping off. A final Step 1318 comprises laying a golf club or a cigar in the channels formed in the mount face of the anchor housing.
Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted from the process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can be combined into a single process.
In conclusion, golf apparatus 100 is configured to mark the position of a golf ball 120 when visibility is restricted, and supporting golf clubs in a vertical orientation, easily accessible for play. Golf apparatus 100 provides a stem defined by a flag end and an anchor end. One or more flag members 108a-b detachably attach to the flag end. Flag members 108a-b have identifying colors and patterns, and an edge for supporting golf clubs and golf equipment. The anchor end of stem couples to an anchor housing. Anchor housing 112 contains an interior weight member that creates a center of mass vertically below the center of anchor housing. The center of mass maintains the stem in an upright position. The upright position enhances visibility of flag members and creates a horizontal surface for supporting golf club heads.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.