IN-CUP GOLF BALL REMOVAL DEVICE

Abstract

An in-cup golf ball removal device including an upward facing concave circular shape is configured to attach to the bottom portion of a golf flagstick and fit within a golf cup. The in-cup golf ball removal device is configured to receive a plurality of golf balls and secure the golf balls within the upward facing concave circular shape when the flagstick with the attached in-cup golf ball removal device is removed from the golf cup.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a golf ball removal device, and in particular, to an in-cup golf ball removal device for removing golf balls from a golf cup.

The objective of the game of golf is to get the golf ball into the golf hole, otherwise known as the golf cup. Historically, the golf flagstick must be removed when the golfer is attempting to putt the golf ball into the golf cup. Recently, the United States Golf Association (USGA) changed the rules allowing golfers to leave the flag stick in the golf cup while the golfer is putting. The rule change was implemented in an attempt to increase the speed of play on the golf course. The rule change has made it possible to add features or devices to the golf flagstick to assist golfers in removing their golf ball from the golf cup.

SUMMARY

An in-cup golf ball removal device includes a circular body with an upward facing concave shape, wherein an outer surface of the circular body is a smooth rounded surface extending from a center of the circular body to an upper edge of the circular body. The in-cup golf ball removal device also includes a center aperture extending through the center of the circular body and a slit extending through the circular body from the center aperture to the upper edge of the circular body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an in-cup golf ball removal device.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the in-cup golf ball removal device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the in-cup golf ball removal device taken along line 1C-1C of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1D is an exploded perspective view of the in-cup golf ball removal device and a golf flagstick.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the in-cup golf ball removal device installed on the golf flagstick and positioned within a golf cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of in-cup golf ball removal device 10. FIG. 1B is a top view of in-cup golf ball removal device 10. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of in-cup golf ball removal device 10 taken along line 1C-1C shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1D is an exploded perspective view of in-cup golf ball removal device 10 and golf flagstick 12. FIGS. 1A-1D will be discussed together. In-cup golf ball removal device 10 can be used to retrofit current golf flagsticks 12 that are found on golf courses around the nation or world. Further, the following discussion includes instructions for retrofitting current golf flagsticks 12. In-cup golf ball removal device 10 (hereinafter “device 10”) includes circular body 14 having a circular shaped circumference and an upward facing concave shape. In other words, circular body 14 of device 10 has generally the shape of a bowl, such as a cereal or soup bowl. The outer diameter of circular body 14 is sized to fit within an inner diameter of a golf cup or hole (hereinafter “golf cup”), which is a diameter set and regulated by the United States Golf Association (USGA). More specifically, the outer diameter of circular body 14 can be approximately 4.25 inches. Circular body 14 of device 10 can be comprised of a flexible polymer material. The flexible characteristics of circular body 14 allows device 10 to be easily inserted into a golf cup while also preventing damage to the putting green surface surrounding the golf cup.

For example, if a golfer attempts to insert golf flagstick 12 with an attached device 10 into a golf cup but golf flagstick 12 is not precisely centered above the golf cup, device 10 will flex and temporarily deform when device 10 contacts the edges of the golf cup. Device 10 will then return back to its original shape upon centering within the golf cup. The flexible characteristics of device 10 prevents damage to the golf cup and the putting green surrounding the golf cup when returning golf flagstick 12 to the golf cup, which is preferred by both golf course owners and golfers alike. Further, the flexible characteristics of device 10 prevents damage to the putting green surface when golf flagstick 12 with an attached device 10 is removed from the golf cup and laid on the putting green surface. Golfers regularly remove flagstick 12 and lay golf flagstick 12 on the putting green surface when attempting to putt and finish a golf hole. The flexible characteristics of device 10 allows device 10 to temporarily deform when flagstick 12 is laid on the putting green surface and return to its original shape once picked up from the putting green surface to be returned to the golf cup. Further, removing golf balls from a golf cup using device 10 attached to golf flagstick 12 allows the golfers feet to remain farther away from the golf cup. This prevents additional damage to the putting green surface near the golf cup because the pressure under the golfer's feet is kept at a distance, resulting in less wear and tear to the putting green surface near the golf cup.

Circular body 14 includes center 16, upper edge 18, inner surface 20, and outer surface 22. As shown in FIG. 1B, center 16 is the middle point and/or axis of the circular shaped circumference of circular body 14. Center 16 is equidistant (approximately 2.125 inches) from every point on the outer circumference of circular body 14. As best shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, upper edge 18 is positioned adjacent the outer circumference of circular body 14 and constitutes the surface that includes the upper most point of device 10 when installed on golf flagstick 12. Inner surface 20 is the concave surface of circular body 14, which faces upward when device 10 is installed in a golf cup. Inner surface 20 includes smooth rounded portion 20A extending from center 16 to upper edge 18 (FIG. 1C). Outer surface 22 is the convex surface of circular body 14, which faces downward when device 10 is installed in a golf cup. Outer surface 22 includes smooth rounded portion 22A extending from center 16 to upper edge 18.

As shown in FIG. 1C, a thickness T of circular body 14 can be defined as the distance between inner surface 20 and outer surface 22 at any point along smooth rounded surfaces 20A and 22A of inner surface 20 and outer surface 22, respectively. The thickness T of circular body 14 gradually reduces from center 16 of circular body 14 extending to upper edge 18 of circular body 14. In other words, the thickness T₁ of circular body 14 near center 16 is greater than the thickness T₂ of circular body 14 near upper edge 18. The reduction in thickness T near the outer circumference of circular body 14 provides additional flexibility near the edges of circular body 14 while also providing sufficient structure and support to securely attach device 10 to bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12 (FIG. 1D). In the embodiment shown, thickness T₁ can be approximately 0.125 inches and thickness T₂ can be approximately 0.0586 inches. In another embodiment, thickness T₁ can be greater than or less than 0.125 inches and thickness T₂ can be greater than or less than 0.0586 inches.

Circular body 14 also includes center aperture 24, slit 26, apertures 28A and 28B, and ridge 30. Center aperture 24 extends through the entire thickness of circular body 14. Further, center aperture 24 is aligned with and extends through center 16 of circular body 14. The center axis of center aperture 24 is aligned with center 16 of circular body 14. Center aperture 24 has a diameter that is sized to fit around bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12 (FIG. 1D). Bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12 has a diameter set and regulated by the USGA. The diameter of center aperture 24 can be approximately 0.75 inches. Center aperture 24 is configured to wrap around bottom portion 12A and be secured to golf flagstick 12, discussed below (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1B, slit 26 extends through circular body 14 from center 16 to upper edge 18 of circular body 14. Slit 26 is configured to allow a user to pull open or widen the flexible circular body 14 when the user is installing device 10 on golf flagstick 12. The flexible characteristics of circular body 14 along with slit 26 provide a means for wrapping device 10 around bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12.

Apertures 28A and 28B extend through circular body 14, from the inner surface 20 to the outer surface 22. More specifically, apertures 28A and 28B are positioned within and extend through smooth rounded surfaces 20A and 22A of inner surface 20 and outer surface 22, respectively, between center 16 and upper edge 18 of circular body 14. In the embodiment shown, apertures 28A and 28B are slots that extend through circular body 14. In another embodiment, apertures 28A and 28B can be circular holes or any other shaped aperture that extends through circular body 14. Further, in the embodiment shown there are two apertures extending through smooth rounded surfaces 20A and 22A of circular body 14. In another embodiment, there can be fewer than or greater than two apertures extending through smooth rounded surfaces 20A and 22A of circular body 14. In the embodiment shown, aperture 28A (first aperture) and aperture 28B (second aperture) are positioned approximately 90 degrees from one another with center 16 being the intersecting point of the angle. In another embodiment, the angle between apertures 28A and 28B can be greater than or less than 90 degrees. Apertures 28A and 28B are configured to allow water that drains into the golf cup to flow through device 10 into the ground, preventing the golf cup from filling with water.

Circular body 14 includes ridge 30 which includes gap 32, first recess 34, first wall 36, second recess 38, second wall 40, and fastener aperture 42. Ridge 30 extends from inner surface 20 of circular body 14 upward toward upper edge 18. As shown in FIG. 1C, ridge 30 extends only a partial distance D toward upper edge 18 of circular body 14 and does not extend the entire height H up to upper edge 18. In the embodiment shown, distance D can be approximately 0.313 inches and height H can be approximately 1.00 inch. In another embodiment, distance D can be great than or less than 0.313 inches and height H can be greater than of less than 1.00 inch. Further, ridge 30 extends a partial distance around center aperture 24, leaving a space that defines gap 32. Gap 32 includes edges that are parallel with edges of slit 26. Further, gap 32 has a greater width than the width of slit 26. Gap 32 facilitates installation of device 10 on golf flagstick 12 by including a space which makes it easier to slide device 10 over bottom portion 12A or golf flagstick 12.

Ridge 30 also includes first recess 34, first wall 36, second recess 38, second wall 40, and fastener aperture 42. As shown in FIG. 1B, first recess 34 is a small space in which material has been removed from ridge 30. More specifically, first recess 34 is positioned within first wall 36 of ridge 30 and first recess 34 creates a space that can fit other components (discussed below). Likewise, second recess 38 is a small space opposite first recess 34 in which material has been removed from ridge 30. Second recess 38 is positioned within second wall 40 of ridge 30 and second recess 38 creates a space that can fit other components during assembly of device 10. First recess 34 and second recess 38 extend from inner surface 20 of circular body 14 up to a top surface of ridge 30, as shown in FIG. 1A. Fastener aperture 42 is an aperture that extends through first wall 36 and second wall 40 and fastener aperture 42 is configured to accept fastener 44. More specifically, fastener aperture 42 extends from first recess 34, through first wall 36 and second wall 40, up to second recess 38. Fastener aperture 42 can be sized to fit any suitable fastener 44 installed in device 10.

During installation of device 10, fastener 44 is inserted into and extends through fastener aperture 42 starting from the second recess 38 side and pushed through to the first recess 34 side. Fastener 44 is positioned such that a center axis of fastener 44 is oriented perpendicular to first wall 36 and second wall 40 of ridge 30. Fastener 44 is configured to be threaded into mating threads of nut 46 positioned within first recess 34. Nut 46 can be a square nut configured to prevent rotation of nut 46 within first recess 34. Once device 10 has been wrapped around bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12 (FIG. 1D), fastener 44 and nut 46 are configured to secure device 10 to golf flagstick 12. In the embodiment shown, fastener 44 and nut 46 are used to secure device 10 to golf flagstick 12. In another embodiment, a clamp, spring, clip, or other component could be used to secure device 10 to golf flagstick 12.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of device 10 installed on golf flagstick 12 and positioned within golf cup 48. Shown in FIG. 2 are device 10, golf flagstick 12, golf cup 48, and golf ball 50. Golf flagstick 12 includes bottom portion 12A and ferrule 12B extending downward from and connected to bottom portion 12A. Ferrule 12B is configured to fit within an aperture in golf cup 48 and golf cup 48 is configured to support and hold golf flagstick 12 in an upright position.

To install device 10 on golf flagstick 12, the user pulls open slit 26 to increase the width of slit 26 and gap 32 (FIG. 1B). Then the user inserts device 10 around bottom portion 12A of the shaft of golf flagstick 12, until center aperture 24 surrounds bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12. A widened or opened device 10 can then be released, allowing device 10 to return to its non-deformed or original orientation. As shown in FIG. 2, device 10 is positioned such that the bottom of outer surface 22 is adjacent a top surface of ferrule 12B of golf flagstick 12. Fastener 44 is inserted through fastener aperture 42 and fastener 44 is threaded into mating threads of nut 46. Fastener 44 and nut 46 are configured to aid in clamping center aperture 24 of circular body 14 on the shaft of golf flagstick 12. The clamping force secures device 10 to golf flagstick 12, where device 10 will remain until a user removes device 10 from golf flagstick 12. Device 10 can be removed for various reasons, such as if device 10 is damaged and needs to be replaced with a new device 10.

Device 10 is configured to be secured to bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12, adjacent to and above ferrule 12B of golf flagstick 12. Ferrule 12B of golf flagstick 12 is configured to be inserted into an aperture in golf cup 48, securing golf flagstick 12 within golf cup 48. With device 10 secured to bottom portion 12A of golf flagstick 12 and above ferrule 12B, circular body 14 is configured to secure a plurality of golf balls 50 (only one golf ball is shown for clarity) within the upward facing concave shape of circular body 14 when device 10 is removed with golf flagstick 12 from golf cup 48. Smooth rounded portions 20A of inner surface 20 of circular body 14 along with the partial height of ridge 30 allows a plurality of golf balls 50 to be secured within device 10.

In use, four golfers can putt golf balls 50 into golf cup 48 and all four golf balls 50 will fit within device 10 while device 10 is positioned within golf cup 48. A golfer can then remove golf flagstick 12 with the attached device 10 and all four golf balls 50 will remain within device 10. With the four golf balls 50 secured within device 10, the golfer holding golf flagstick 12 can raise device 10 up from golf cup 48 to a height in which the golfer can reach out and remove his or her golf ball 50 from device 10. Securing golf balls 50 within device 10 when device 10 is removed from golf cup 48 is advantageous because it eliminates the need for a golfer to bend over to remove his or her golf ball 50 from golf cup 48.

In-cup golf ball removal device 10 has many advantages and improves the game of golf in a many ways. As discussed, device 10 removes the need for a golfer to bend over to remove their golf ball 50 from golf cup 48. In turn, this opens up the game of golf to older and/or disabled golfers who have difficultly bending over. Further, leaving the golf flagstick 12 in golf cup 48 while finishing a golf hole and removing golf balls 50 using device 10 increases the speed of play of the golfing group. In addition, the flexible characteristic of device 10 prevents damage to both golf cup 48 and the putting green. As best shown in FIG. 1B, circular body 14 of device 10 and the features discussed earlier with respect to circular body 14 are mirrored about a plane extending through center 16 of device 10 and parallel to an edge of slit 26 or gap 32. Mirroring device 10 about a mid-plane provides the benefit of easier manufacturing and reduced manufacturing costs.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An in-cup golf ball removal device comprising: a circular body with an upward facing concave shape, wherein an outer surface of the circular body is a smooth rounded surface extending from a center of the circular body to an upper edge of the circular body;a center aperture extending through the center of the circular body; anda slit extending through the circular body from the center aperture to the upper edge of the circular body.

2. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, and further comprising at least one aperture extending through the circular body, wherein the at least one aperture is positioned within the smooth rounded surface between the center of the circular body and the upper edge of the circular body.

3. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 2, wherein the at least one aperture is a slot that extends through the circular body.

4. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 3, wherein the at least one aperture includes first and second apertures that extend through the circular body.

5. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 4, wherein the first aperture is positioned 90° from the second aperture.

6. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the circular body is sized to fit within an inner diameter of a golf cup or hole.

7. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, and further comprising a ridge that extends from an inner surface of the circular body, wherein the ridge extends partially around the center aperture.

8. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 7, wherein the ridge extends from an inner surface of the circular body upward toward the upper edge of the circular body, and wherein the ridge extends only a partial distance toward the upper edge of the circular body.

9. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 7, wherein: the ridge includes a gap in the ridge;edges of the gap are parallel with edges of the slit; anda width of the gap is greater than a width of the slit.

10. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 7, wherein the ridge includes a first recess within a first wall of the ridge and a second recess within a second wall of the ridge.

11. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 10, wherein a fastener aperture extends from the first recess through the first wall and the second wall of the ridge to the second recess, and wherein the fastener aperture is configured to accept a fastener.

12. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 11, wherein the fastener is configured to extend through the fastener aperture and mate with a nut positioned within the first recess.

13. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 12, wherein the nut is a square nut configured to prevent rotation of the nut within the first recess.

14. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 12, wherein a center axis of the fastener is oriented perpendicular to the first wall and the second wall of the ridge.

15. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, wherein the circular body is comprised of a flexible polymer material.

16. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, wherein the center aperture has a diameter of 0.75 inches, and wherein the center aperture is configured to wrap around a golf flagstick.

17. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the circular body gradually reduces from the center of the circular body extending to the upper edge of the circular body.

18. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, wherein the circular body is mirrored about a plane extending through the center of circular body and parallel to an edge of the slit.

19. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 1, wherein the in-cup golf ball removal device is configured to be secured to a bottom portion of a golf flagstick.

20. The in-cup golf ball removal device of claim 19, wherein the circular body is configured to secure a plurality of golf balls within the upward facing concave shape of the circular body when the in-cup golf ball removal device is removed with a golf flagstick from a golf cup.