Patent Application
20080102969
This invention relates to the field of golf green maintenance, and more specifically to a hole plug.
The greens on a golf course are sometimes aerated to improve the growth of grass on the green by providing oxygen to the roots of grass and as a means for exposing weed killer and fertilizer to the grass of the putting surface, and for providing proper water drainage. Aerating is accomplished by using spiked rollers that pull small dirt plugs out of the putting surface. After aerating a green, sand is spread over the green to fill the aerated holes.
The spiked rollers can do unintentional damage to the golf hole on the green. For example, the spiked roller can damage the sides of the hole. Also, sand can get knocked into the hole during the process. Thus, the worker has to straighten the sides of the golf hole to regain integrity of hole and has to remove all of the debris and sand that has filled it. This is generally done painstakingly by hand.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
In one embodiment, hole plug 100 has dimensions of about 4.25 inches in diameter and about 5 inches in height for use in a practice green, for example.
In one embodiment, hole plug 100 is made from a durable, lightweight, weather resistant foam material. For example, hole plug 100 can be made from a closed-cell, polyester foam having a density of about 1.2 pounds per cubic foot. Some embodiments use a foam having a density of between about 1.0 pound per cubic foot to about 1.4 pounds per cubic foot. The foam material of the hole plug is chosen to be strong enough to protect the integrity of the golf hole by supporting the sides of the hole, while being soft enough to not do any damage to a aerating spikes.
Hole plug 100 can include one or more holes 110 extending at least partially into the plug to allow a user to grip the hole plug 100 and pull it out of a golf hole. In one example, holes 110 have a diameter of about 0.75 inches. This allows a user to reach into the hole plug with a thumb and forefinger to remove the plug from a hole. In some examples, holes 110 extend all the way through the plug 100. In other embodiments, holes 110 extend partially into the plug 100. Holes 110 can be formed when plug 100 is being molded or they can cut from the plug body after it is formed.
Hole plug 100 includes an upper surface 104 which prevents sand from falling into a golf hole when hole plug 100 is mounted therein. The hole plug 100 can be used in either direction and so when one side has become damaged the hole plug can be reversed.
Plug 100 can also be used when topdressing green 200 to keep sand from filling up golf hole 120. As the sand is spread on the green 200, top surface 104 of the hole plug 100 prevents sand from falling into hole 120. After sanding, hole plug 100 is removed and the golf cup reinserted into golf hole 120. Hole plug 100 can be left in holes during winter months also. In some embodiments, the hole plug 100 can be reused many times.
In other embodiments of the hole plugs described above, other techniques can be used to get the hole plug out of the hole. For instance, a washer can be attached to the bottom of the hole plug using a string or rope extending though the plug. The string is then pulled to get the plug out of the hole. In one example, a cork-screw type device can be screwed into the top of the hole plug and the plug is then pulled out.
Hole plugs 100, 500 can also be used in other situations where a hole needs to be plugged during aeration, for example in a cemetery.
It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/853,951, filed on Oct. 24, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60853951 | Oct 2006 | US |
