Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A PICKUP AND PLACEMENT CYLINDER FOR STACKABLE GOLF TEE
MARKERS
This is a division of Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,452,443 filed
December
29, 2003.
The present invention relates to the field of golf tee markers and especially
to a
pickup and placement cylinder for stackable golf tee markers.
On tee boxes of golf courses, markers are used to indicate the tee off
positions for
golfers of different sex, age, ability etc. The markers are often moved so as
to
prevent excessive wearing of certain areas on the tee box and to provide a
particular
hole with a different length or degree of difficulty. The markers are also
temporality
removed by groundskeepers in order to maw or otherwise maintain the tee boxes.
As such, it is important to have markers which are easily picked-up and placed
into
the ground and effective means to accomplish the same and to store the markers
when not in use.
The following patents are considered to be of general relevance to the subject
matter
of the present invention and are not believed to anticipate or render the
present
invention obvious, whether taken alone or in any combination.
United States Patent No. 5,029,855 (Jamieson et al.) entitled GOLF TEE MARKER
AND RECEPTACLE discloses a marker for spiking into a tee box area having
indicated thereon the distance to the hole and the position of the hole on the
green
or other information. Two removable spikes are preferably used so that the
marker
is not inadvertently turned since such turning would result in the display of
false
information. The marker comprises a circular opening on its top surtace
leading into
a cavity in the form of an inverted cone for holding broken tees. The bottom
of the
cavity has a small opening to allow drainage of any liquid.
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United States Design Patent No. D 346,634 (Evens) entitled COMBINED BROKEN
TEE RECEPTACLE AND TEE MARKER illustrates a flower-shaped tee box marker.
The marker is open at its top and has a single spike for placement into the
ground.
United States Design Patent No. D 311,431 (Vlleber) entitled COMBINED GOLF TEE
MARKER AND RECEPTACLE illustrates a half spherical marker having a single
spike.
Aspects of the present invention relate generally to stackable markers which
are
easily picked-up and placed into the ground.
According to an aspect of the invention described and claimed in parent
Canadian
Patent Application Serial No. 2,452,443, there is provided a golf tee marker
which
comprises a ground engaging portion; a body surmounting the ground engaging
portion and having in a top surface thereof a well for receiving therein a
ground
engaging portion of another marker for stacking markers; the well having a
drain hole
to avoid accumulation of liquid therein.
The well may be configured to facilitate entry and fitting of the ground
engaging
portion, such as a spike, for instance by having inwardly inclined side walls.
Disposed
beneath the body, within the body's perimeter and at a distance therefrom,
there may
be a flange parallel with the underside of the body. The flange may or may not
be
separated from the body. Since the flange is within the perimeter of the
underside
of the body, there is a rim around the underside of the body which provides a
surface
for lifting the marker out of the ground. The flange may assist with the
placement of
the marker. Beneath the body there may be disposed a protective member such as
a rubber washer to cushion impact and prevent dinect contact between the
bodies of
the markers upon stacking and thereby mitigate wear.
The spike well may be slightly deeper than the portion of a spike of another
marker
which may be inserted in the well, for instance, about 2mm deeper. The drain
hole
may advantageously run from the bottom of the well to the rim on the underside
of
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the body. The exit of the drain hole is advantageously positioned such that,
when
markers are vertically stacked, liquid exiting the drain hole will not enter
into the
marker below. The ground engaging portion may be a spike which is threadingly
engaged into the underside of the body.
According to another aspect of the invention described and claimed in parent
Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,452,443, there is provided a golf tee
marker
which comprises at least one spike for spiking into the ground; a body
surmounting
the at least one spike having a spike well in an upper surface thereof for
receiving
therein a spike or spikes of another marker for stacking; the spike well
having a drain
hole to avoid accumulation of liquid therein; the spike well having inwardly
inclined
side walls to facilitate entry and fitting of a spike; a fixed or detachable
flange
attached beneath the underside of the body and within the body's perimeter, to
assist
placement of the marker; a resilient washer disposed beneath the body for
inhibiting
direct contact between the bodies of stacked markers.
The marker may be a golf tee box marker or otherwise, such as markers for
delineating a temporary or permanent pathway or driveway, for instance on a
grass
field or other surface. The markers could be used for delineating lawn bowling
lanes.
The markers could have means of illumination or means of receiving iNuminating
means for improved visibility in low light, for instance for night golf. The
marker could
have slots therein to accommodate yellow warning tape or the like for enhanced
delineation.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pick-up
and
placement cylinderfor stacking golf tee markers as described above which
comprises
an elongated cylindrical housing for housing markers therein and having an
opening
at an end thereof for allowing ingress and egress of markers; and means to
selectively gather and place the markers.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
pick-up
and placement cylinder for stacking markers of the type described above which
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comprises a housing for housing markers in a cavity formed by the housing and
having a closed end and an opening at an opposite end thereof for allowing
ingress
and egress of the markers; a gear disposed at the closed end for rotating a
plurality
of gears attached to a plurality of rods running lengthwise of the housing and
outside
of the cavity; a plurality of top and bottom catches connected to each of the
rods for
allowing selective entrance, exit and manipulation of the markers by jutting
in and out
of the cavity, the bottom catches being adjacent to the cylinder opening and
the top
catches being spaced therefrom a distance less than the height of a marker;
the
catches having first, second and third positions, wherein in the first
position, the
bottom catches are retracted to allow a marker to enter and exit the cylinder
and the
top catches jut out into the cylinder cavity to act as a stop for markers
having their
undersides below the level of the top catches; in the second position, the top
catches
are retracted to allow a marker to drop down which will be caught by the
bottom
catches jut out; and in the third position the bottom catches jut out so as to
be
positioned between a flange and an underside of a marker and bear down upon
the
flange, pushing the marker into the ground.
According to a still further aspect of the invention described and claimed in
Divisional
Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,466,305, there is provided a
transport and
storage tube for stacking golf tee markers of the type described above,
comprising
a cavity for holding stacked markers therein, a handle pivotably attached to
an open
end of the tube for receiving markers therein, the tube having a closed end
having a
recess formed therein for receiving a spike of a marker.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a cabinet for
storing the
transport and storage tubes, the cabinet having compartments for receiving the
transport and storage tubes. The cabinet may be mounted on wheels and towed
behind a vehicle or handled with a forklift, sling or the like.
According to another aspect of the invention described and claimed in
Divisional
Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,466,315, there is provided a golf
course
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vehicle attachment for pick-up and placement of golf tee markers of the type
described above, the attachment comprising a three dimensionally movable arm
for
pivotable attachment to the vehicle attachment and means for holding a pick-up
and
placement cylinder and means for selectively manipulating the markers therein
as
required to pick-up up and place the markers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of a marker of an embodiment of the invention claimed
in
parent Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,452,443.
Figures 2 and 3 are top and bottom views respectively of the marker of Figure
1.
Figure 4 is a side view of a pick-up and placement cylinder of an embodiment
of the
present invention.
Figures 5 and 6 are top cutaway views of the cylinder of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a side view of a transport and storage tube for stacking golf tee
markers
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention claimed in Divisional
Canadian
Patent Application Serial No. 2,466,305.
Figures 8 and 9 are side and top view respectively of a cabinet for storing
the
transport and storage tubes of Figure 7 according to an embodiment of the
invention.
Figures 10 to 12 are side, end and top views respectively of a mowing tractor
attachment for the pick-up and placement of the markers according to an
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embodiment of the invention claimed in Divisional Canadian Patent Application
Serial
No. 2,466,315.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a marker (1) is shown comprising: a spike for
spiking (2)
into the ground; a body {3) sitting atop the spike (2) having a spike well (4)
for
receiving a spike of another marker therein for stacking; the spike well (4)
having a
drain hole {5} to avoid accumulation of water therein; the spike well (4)
having
inwardly inclined side walls (6) to facilitate entry and fitting of a spike; a
fixed or
detachable flange (7) located beneath, and parallel to, the underside of the
body and
within the body's perimeter, to assist placement of the marker; an absorbing
washer
(8) disposed beneath the body (3) for inhibiting contact between bodies of
stacked
markers. The absorbing washer (8) may be held in place by a galvanized washer
(9).
The spike may be galvanized steel and may be threaded into a threaded hole
(10) in
the body. Appropriate holes are provided in the flange (7) and washers (8 and
9) to
allow passage of the spike (2) and the spike may be used to hold the washers
in
place by tightening spike to the galvanized washer. A rim (11) around the
underside
of the body provides a surface for lifting the marker out of the ground. As
seen in
Figure 3, drill holes (12) may be provided in the body (3) purposed to reduce
the
weight and/or material used. The name of a golf course or sponsor or other
indicia
may be indicated on the marker, for instance on the slopped outside wall of
the
marker.
Exemplary dimensions of the body are as follows: diameter of 98 mm, height of
80
mm, flange diameter of 87 mm and galvanized washer of 28 mm.
The marker may be a golf tee box marker or otherwise. For instance, the marker
could be a distance golf marker for placement along a golf hole, a marker for
other
sports or games, or another type of indicator or decorative marker. The marker
may
be of various shapes and sizes and may be made of various materials including
aluminum including recycled aluminum, rubber including recycled rubber,
plastic,
marble or stone.
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Turning now to Figure 4 where a pick-up and placement cylinder (13) is
illustrated
and Figures 5 and 6 which show top cutaway views of the cylinder. The cylinder
(13)
comprises a cylindrical casing (14) for stacking markers (1), a catch rod (15)
running
lengthwise within the walls of the casing (14). The rod (15) has top and
bottom
catches (16 and 17 respectively) attached thereto.
In operation, a user turns the turn lever (18), which causes the centre
turning gear
(19), which is connected to a shaft and bearing (20), to turn, thereby turning
the rod
turning gears (21), of which there are four in this embodiment, thereby
turning the
catches (16 and 17) and thereby allowing selective release and insertion of
the
markers as described below. The catches (16 and 17) are protected by a
removable
sleeve (22) and are vertically spaced about 6 cm from each other to
accommodate
markers of the size described herein. The vertical spacing could be different
based
on markers of different configurations.
The cylinder (13) may be made from a plurality of sections and assembled by
male/female connections with or without threading thus creating an overlapping
joint
(23). In this way, the small tolerances for the longitudinal holes in the
cylinder walls
will be more easily respected.
The gears (19 and 21 ) are mounted on a top plate (24) and are covered by a
cylinder
cap (25) A handle (26) is attached to the casing (14) for ease of use.
As seen in Figure 5, the rod turning gear is held in place by collar and
cotter key or
set screw arrangement (27) for easy removal, and screws (28) hold the cylinder
cap
(25) in place.
With reference to Figure fi, the operation of the cylinder is described. Three
of the
four sets of catch rods are shown, where "B" indicates the bottom catch rod,
and HT"
indicates the top catch rod. Although each set of catch rods will always be in
the
same position as the other sets of catch rods, in Figure 6, three different
positions
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(1,2 and 3) are shown for illustrative purposes. The top and bottom catches
are fixed
to the same catch rod but at different orientations.
In position 1, "B" is within the casing allowing a marker to enter and exit
the cylinder.
"T" juts out into the cylinder cavity to act as a stop for markers having
their undersides
below the level of the top catches.
In position 2, "T" is within the casing to allow a marker to drop down which
will be
caught by "B' which juts out in this position.
In position 3, "B" juts out so as to be positioned between the flange and
underside of
a marker and bears down upon the flange, pushing the marker into the ground.
Next
the catches are returned to position 1 which retracts "B", releasing the
marker.
In Figure 7, a transport and storage tube for stacking golf tee markers is
illustrated.
The tube (29) may be made of standard PVC (Polyvinylchloride) or other
suitable
material. The tube (29) has a handle (30) attached and is pivotable about a
set of
bolts with dome nuts (31) or other suitable means. The tube is open at the top
end
for receiving markers (1 ) therein and the handle (30) can be rotated out of
the way
of the opening. The bottom end of the tube has a rubber cushion (32) and
bottom
plug (33) with a hole for receiving the spike of a lowermost marker and is
held in
place by screws (34). The purpose of this tube is to hold the markers for easy
storage, transport, pick-up and distribution. Preferably, one tube holds
markers for
one golf hole, usually eight markers which simplifies the distribution of
markers. The
tubes may have the hole numbers indicated thereon or other indicia.
In Figures 8 and 9, a cabinet for storing the transport and storage tubes of
Figure 7
is illustrated. The cabinet has a base (35) and a lid (36) with a handle (37).
Inside
the base (35) are compartments (38) for receiving the transport and storage
tubes.
The lid (36) may be detached from the base. The cabinet may be mounted on
wheels and towed behind a vehicle or handled with a forklift, sling or the
like. The
cabinet may be made of plywood or other suitable material.
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In Figures 10 to 12, a mowing tractor attachment for pick-up and placement of
markers is illustrated. The attachment is designed to pick up the markers and
hold
them while the tee box area is mowed and to then position the markers in the
desired
location. The mowing tractor attachment could be attached under the driver's
seat
or other appropriate location of a ride-on mower or other suitable vehicle.
The
attachment is hooked into the hydraulic system of the mower and directional
control
valves for it's hydraulic hydraulics are mounted, either on the dash of the
mower or
on the attachment itself. Mowers may require additional hydraulic capacity to
function
in this way.
Referring to Figure 10, a telescoping hydraulic cylinder (39), is attached at
a pivot
point (40) to the base of the vehicle attachment and holds the pick-up and
placement
cylinder (13) at the other end thereof. The hydraulic cylinder (39) is moved
vertical
by way of another telescoping hydraulic cylinder (41 ). In Figure 10, the
fully extended
and retracted positions (dotted lines) are shown. The hydraulics of the mower
(44)
are also shown in Figure 10 as well as the ground level (45). Hydraulic hoses
have
been omitted from the drawings for greater clarity.
As seen in Figure 11, the hydraulic cylinder (39), as seen in Figure 10, is
moved side
to side by yet another hydraulic cylinder (42). A centre {43) and two side
positions
(dotted lines) are shown. The vertical motion is illustrated by a dovNn
position (46)
and an up position (47). A cover (48) of the attachment is illustrated along
with the
base of the attachment (49) and the other pivot point and cylinder (50).
As seen in Figures 10 and 12, a square turn rod (51 ) is attached to the
hydraulic
cylinder (39), which when turned, moves the centre turning gear (19) from
Figure 5,
to any one of the three positions. As the hydraulic cylinder (39) is extended,
the turn
rod (51 ) slides through a rod guide and turner {52) which can be turned by
control
cables referred to as a flex turn cable (53) and catch rod turn lever (54)
seen in
Figure 10, mounted on the top of the tractor attachment.
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In operation, an operator uses the hydraulic controls to manipulate the
position of the
maker carrying cylinder as required to pick-up up and place the markers.
The base of the attachment (49) is preferably made of standard 12 in. aluminum
or
other channel stock. The two large hydraulic cylinders (39 and 47) are
preferably
made of standard stock with a minimum of 44 in. stroke.
It can be seen from the illustrations and descriptions heretofore that the
device as
taught herein provides an advance in the art. The advantages realized by this
invention which have been discussed herein are in no way intended to provide
an
exhaustive list thereof and therefore other features and advantages may exist
and/or
be discovered by working of, or experimenting with, the present invention.
The foregoing are exemplary embodiments of the present invention and a person
skilled in the art would appreciate that modifications to these embodiments
may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention.
