Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2142778
Title: GROUND MARKER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to ground markers, such as distance
markers used at a golf course.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to locate a marker in the ground to delineate a
path, to indicate distance to an object, or to convey information (such as a
10 historical plaque). At golf courses for instance, markers are typically used
to indicate the distance from the marker to the centre of the green.
U.S. Patent 4,302,125 (Cullen, Jr.) describes a marker having
a hollow cylindrical body with a flat top face and an open bottom. The
marker is forced into the ground so that the top sits generally flush with
15 the ground surface.
An improvement to this marker is described in my co-
pending Canadian application No. 2,111,144. The improved marker
includes a transparent top face for displaying distance and advertising
information. Also, the improved marker includes a peripheral lip
2 0 having a bottom edge for engaging a tool for removing the marker from
the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the improved marker of my
prior application includes a hollow base having an open bottom end. The
marker sits in a hole with the top face being generally flush with the
ground surface.
2 5 A problem with the marker having a hollow base is that the
marker tends to rise after a rainfall or after the ground has been watered
so that the top face protrudes partially above the ground surface. If used
on a golf course, the protruding markers could affect the flight of a golf
ball and could become damaged by grass cutting equipment.
There is a need for an improved ground marker having a
hollow base that overcomes the above-identified problem.
21~2778
_ - 2
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a ground marker comprising:
a body having a top portion and a base;
said top portion having a side wall and a substantially
planar top face;
said base having a substantially hollow interior defined by a
side wall and having an open bottom end; and
vent means located on said base for facilitating air flow
between said hollow interior and the exterior of said marker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be
made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings
show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ground marker in
accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the ground marker of Fig. 1, as
taken along lines 2-2;
2 0 Fig. 3 is a top view of the ground marker of Fig. l;
Figs. 4(a) - 4(c) are sequential views of a ground marker
being removed and reinserted into the ground in accordance with the
present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional hole digging
2 5 tool used in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a top view of a forked tool for removing the ground
marker in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the forked tool of Fig. 6; and
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a golf hole utilizing the
30 methods for marking distances and advertising in accordance with the
present invention.
2142778
_ - 3
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A ground marker in accordance with the present invention
is shown generally at 10 in Fig. 1. The ground marker 10 comprises a
body 12 having a top portion 15 and a base 17 that are each generally
cylindrical and arranged along a common axis. The top portion 17 being
greater in diameter than the base 17 and the side wall of the top portion
defining a peripheral lip 18. The lip 18 has a flat bottom edge 20 for
engaging a removal tool as described further below. The base 17is hollow
and has an open bottom end 16. A vent opening 19 is defined in the wall
1 0 of the base 17 below the lip 18. The vent opening 19 provides for pressure
equilibrium between the hollow interior of the base 17 and the exterior of
the marker as described below.
Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the body 12 includes a
partition 22 positioned generally between the top portion 15 and the base.
1 5 The partition 22 supports a display means such as a card 24 that contains
distance markings, advertising matter, or other information. Preferably,
the body 12, including the lip 18 and the partition 22, is formed by
injection moulding as a one-piece unit. This allows the marker to be
easily and inexpensively manufactured.
2 0 A transparent filler 26 is deposited over the card 24 to define
a transparent top face 28 of the marker. As shown, the top face 28 is
substantially planar with the filler 26 being generally flush with the top
end 14 of the body 12. The filler 26 is formed from a substantially inelastic
plastic material. It has been found that a high gloss polymer material is
2 5 suitable for this purpose. The material is selected to have a hardness that
is comparable to the hardness of a regular grassy fairway. A hardness
range of between 90 Shore A and Shore 70D depending on temperature is
preferred. Thus, the material should not greatly effect the bounce of a
golf ball that strikes the top face 28 of the marker. It has been found that
30 golf balls that strike cement markers or steel sprinkler heads tend to
bounce unnaturally high compared to golf balls that strike the grassy
fairway. The plastic filler 26 also acts as a protective cover for the card 24.
2142778
_ - 4
The filler 26 resists scratches or scuffing from a golfer's spikes or from
grass cutting equipment and resists damage caused by exposure to the
weather.
Fig. 3 shows one way in which markings may be arranged
5 for display on the card 24 beneath the transparent filler 26. Fig. 3 depicts adistance marking 32 and an advertising marking 34. Of course, the
invention is in no way limited by the sort of marking that may appear.
The marking may be as simple as a coloured top face 28 (or a coloured
card suspended below the transparent filler 26). It is preferred that actual
1 0 distance markings 32 be provided however to avoid any confusion to a
golfer.
As shown in Figs. 4(a) to (c), the marker is adapted to fit
within a predetermined size hole 36 defined in the ground 38 (such as in
a fairway of a golf course). Conveniently, such a hole 36 may be dug with
1 5 a conventional digging tool 40 (shown in Fig. 5) normally used for
digging holes 36 in a golf green. The tool 40 creates a circular hole 36
having a depth of approximately four inches and a diameter of
approximately four and one quarter inches.
The marker is sized to fit within the hole 36 with the
2 0 bottom end 16 of the marker resting on the bottom of the hole 36 and the
top face 28 of the marker located generally flush with the top of the hole
36. The lip 18 of the marker bears contacts the side of the hole 36. The
base 17 is smaller in diameter than the top portion and defines a gap 37
between the wall of the base 17 and the side of the hole 36. The gap 37
25 provides space for roots and the like to grow into the hole 36 without
disturbing the fit of the marker. Also, the gap 37 provides space for the
hole 36 to shrink when the ground freezes in the wintertime. This
allows the markers to be kept in the ground during the winter season.
The bottom end 16 of the marker is bevelled to penetrate
3 0 any loose dirt that may accumulate at the bottom of the hole 36, such as
anthills. This assists the marker in sitting with its top face 28 flush with,
or slightly below the top of the hole 36. Also, the vent opening 19 defined
2142778
- 5
in the wall of the base 17 acts as an air outlet in cases where the hollow
base 17 becomes filled with water, dirt or the like. This prevents the
marker from being raised above the hole for example in cases where it
has rained, or when the ground has been watered. It has been found that
sufficient space exists between the peripheral lip 18 and the side of the
hole to allow air passage. Alternatively, the vent opening could include a
passageway on the peripheral lip to promote air flow.
It will be appreciated that alternate sizes and shapes of holes
36 and corresponding ground markers may be utilized. The embodiment
1 0 described above is preferred however for a number of reasons. First, it
allows a conventional hole digging tool 40 (as shown in Fig. 5) to be used
to accurately dig circular holes 36 of a predetermined size. Second, a
circular hole 36 is easier to dig accurately then a rectilinear hole 36.
Third, a circular hole 36 permits the marker to be rotated so that its
1 5 markings, distance markings 32 for instance, are aimed in the direction of
the golf green. A square hole, for instance, would limit the choices for
angular orientation of the marker. Fourth, a four inch diameter marker
is large enough to be easily spotted by a golfer, and small enough to avoid
being an eyesore or an obstruction.
2 0 As shown in Fig. 4(a), once the marker is seated in the hole36 for a period of time (usually a few weeks) the surrounding grass 42
tends to grow sideways over the marker. Unless this grass 42 is trimmed
periodically, it will eventually cover the top face 28 of the marker. It has
also been found that insects, such as ants, frequently deposit sand and
2 5 other materials on the top face 28 of the marker.
To overcome these problems, the marker is constructed so
that it may be easily removed, cleaned, and reinserted into the hole 36 as
shown in Figs. 4(b) and 4(c). When the marker is removed from the hole
36 as shown in Fig. 4(b), it can be wiped with a cloth, or simply turned
over and wiped on the grass 42 (the dewy grass 42 of early morning is
especially suitable for this) to remove the sand, fertilizer, and other
materials deposited on its face. When the marker is reinserted into the
21~277~
- 6
hole 36 as shown in Fig. 4(c), the lip 18 pulls the over-growing grass 42
into the hole 36 and presses it against the sides of the hole 36. This assists
in providing a snug fit for the marker within the hole 36, and quickly
and easily solves the problem of the over-growing grass 42 covering the
5 top face 28 of the marker.
Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, a fork 44 for removing the marker
is shown. The fork 44 includes a U-shaped element 46 that defines a pair
of spaced tines 48. The distance between the inside surface of the tines 48
is generally equal to the outer diameter of the base 17. The length of the
1 0 U-shaped element 46 is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the
base 17. The ends of the tines 48 are sloped to assist insertion of the tines
48 into the hole 36. The U-shaped element 46 is rigidly attached to a
collar 50 by welds, rivets, or other suitable attachment means. The collar
50 is then rigidly attached to a handle 52. The handle 52 is oriented at
1 5 approximately a 15 angle relative to the tines 48.
In use, the fork 44 is inserted into the hole 36 and pivoted
such that the U-shaped element 46 contacts the bottom edge 20 of the lip
18. The bottom edge 20 acts as a means for engaging the forked tool. The
handle 52 is then pivoted toward the ground 38 to raise the marker above
20 the hole 36 so that it may be gripped by hand. The angled handle 52
ensures that there is room for the handle 52 to pivot when the U-shaped
element 46 is parallel to the lip 18.
It has been found that the markers are difficult to remove
from the ground 38 without the assistance of a tool such as the fork 44.
25 This is desirable since it reduces the likelihood of the markers being
stolen or vandalized. With the assistance of the fork 44 however, the
marker may easily be removed without damaging the hole 36 or the
marker so that each may be reused.
Fig. 8 shows, schematically, a method for marking distances
30 and/or advertising on a golf course using the markers 10. The system
involves the location of the markers on concentric radii 54 measured at
predetermined distances from the center of the green 58. It has been
21~277~
~_ -- 7
found that spacing the markers at intervals 60 of approximately ten yards
apart along each radius is appropriate. The number of markers per radius
will vary with the size of the intervals 60 and the width of the fairway
(the markers could also be located in the rough if they are still capable of
5 being spotted by a golfer). For a typical fairway six markers would be
located on each radius. It has been found that a spacing 62 of twenty
yards between the radii 54 is appropriate. The first radius may be located
at 60 yards from the green 58 and the furthest radius (if required) may be
located at 240 yards or more from the green 58. The distance between
10 markers or between radii 54 could be changed however according to the
requirements and desires of the individual golf course managers.
It is to be understood that what has been described are
preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention nonetheless is
susceptible to certain changes and alternative embodiments fully
15 comprehended by the spirit of the invention as described above, and the
scope of the claims set out below.
