Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GOLF FLAG REPLACEMENT SYSTEM
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority to US Application No.
13/833,705
filed on March 15, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by
reference.
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to golf flags in general, and more
particularly to a
system for rapidly replacing the flag on a golf flagstick.
[0004] In the game of golf, players seek to hit a ball into a hole defined by
a cup
embedded in the ground on a manicured lawn or putting green. Each hole is
marked by an
upstanding flagstick which is removably mounted with respect to the cup. The
flagstick
may be provided with a wind sensitive flag which is mounted to the flagstick
for free
rotation. Not only does the flag indicate to the golfer where the hole is
located, the
orientation of the flag can help the golfer judge the prevailing winds, which
will affect the
travel of the ball. Because the golfer is driving his ball towards the green
from many
yards away, the prominent flag can also give information about the
configuration of the
green, namely the placement of the cup within the green. Different flag
designs, for
example different colors, can indicate to the golfer the placement of the hole
on the green.
In one conventional system, a red flag indicates placement towards the front
of the green,
blue towards the back of the green, and white indicates a hole in the middle
of the green.
During the course of the golfing season, a hole on a particular green is
regularly filled in
and a new hole created at a different location, to prevent excessive wear at
one region of
the green.
[0005] A conventional golf flag assembly comprises a fabric rectangle sewn to
enclose
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. a plastic flag tube, which has a narrow plastic protruding flange.
The fabric rectangle
defines a loose flag which extends outwardly from the tube and surrounds the
flange. The
flanged tube then freely rotates on the flagstick, allowing the flag to be
blown about the
flagstick by the wind, helping to indicate wind direction to the golfer. The
flag tube
receives the flagstick therethrough. An acorn cap or similar element is
screwed on to a
threaded extension of the flagstick which extends above the flag. When it is
time to
replace a flag, for example due to wear or for repositioning of the cup, the
cap is
unthreaded, the old flag lifted off the flagstick, and a new flag is slipped
over the
flagstick. The cap is then screwed in place to retain the flag and still allow
for free
rotation of the flag on the flagstick.
[0006] In my U.S. Pat. No. D489,291, the disclosure of which is incorporated
by
reference herein, I disclosed a golf flag having a stiff plastic flexboard
enclosed within a
fabric flag sleeve. The flexboard is received within a channel defined between
two thin
flanges which extend from a plastic tube. The fabric which surrounds the
flexboard may
be imprinted with a commercial message, allowing the golf flag assembly to be
used as an
advertising medium on a golf course.
[0007] Replacing conventional golf flags when the hole is moved on the green
requires
a time-consuming process, and also requires an inventory of golf flag
assemblies in
multiple colors. When sponsored golf flag assemblies, the inventory demands
become
even greater, as the custom imprinted message flags must be constructed in
each of the
requisite colors.
[0008] What is needed is a golf flag assembly and replacement system which
minimizes
replacement time and inventory.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The golf flag assembly of this invention facilitates the rapid and
economical
replacement of golf flags to indicate the varying position of a flagstick with
respect to a
golf green. The golf flag assembly has a flag tube element with a radially
extending stiff
flange which extends from the tube wall. A flexible sleeve extends around the
flag tube
element to overlie the tube wall and the flange, and has an exterior margin
with a first
part of a two part hook and loop fastener positioned thereon. A flexible loose
flag has an
inner margin with a strip of the second part of the two part hook and loop
fastener. The
loose flag is releasably connected to the flag tube element on the sleeve,
permitting it to
be rapidly removed and replaced with another loose flag of different
appearance
indicating a different position of the flagstick on the green.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf flag
assembly which
allows the rapid replacement of a flag with another flag of different
appearance.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of
rapidly
replacing golf flags.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf flag
assembly
which allows the maintenance of a reduced inventory of flags by golf course
management.
[0013] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from
the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an perspective view of a prior art plastic flag tube.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the golf flag assembly of this
invention
having a replaceable loose flag.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partially broken away in section of
a prior art
golf flag assembly having a rigid flag segment with a loose flag extension.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of an alternative embodiment golf
flag
assembly of this invention having a rigid flag segment with a replaceable
loose flag
extensions.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, wherein like numbers refer to
similar
parts, a golf flag assembly 20 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. A
prior art golf
flag tube element 22 is shown in FIG. 1. The tube element 22 has a cylindrical
tube wall
24 which defines an axial opening 26 extending from a bottom hole 28 to a top
hole 30.
The tube element has a top wall 32 which surrounds the top hole 30, the top
hole being
smaller in diameter than the bottom hole 28. A stiff flange 34 extends
radially about one
inch from the tube wall 24. In the prior art golf flag assembly, not shown, a
loose flexible
sleeve encircles the tube element 22, and defines a loose flexible flag. The
inventive golf
flag assembly 20, shown in FIG. 2, has a tube element 22, identical to the one
shown in
FIG. 1. A flexible sleeve 36 extends around the flag tube element 22 to
overlie the tube
wall 24 and the flange 34. The sleeve 36 has a first seam 38 extending above
the flange
34, and a second seam 40 extending below the flange. The seams 38, 40,
position and
retain the sleeve on the tube element 22. The sleeve 36 may be formed of any
suitable
flexible material, for example a durable nylon mesh. The sleeve 36 may be of a
green
colored material to better obscure grass stains which may be incurred when the
flag
assembly is set in the grass.
[0019] A flexible loose flag 58 is made up of a single sheet of flexible
fabric material,
for example a durable nylon mesh material. The edges of the sheet are turned
back and
sewn to the sheet to form a hem on all four sides of the rectangular sheet.
The flexible
loose flag 58 will typically be about 14 x 20 inches.
[0020] The loose flag 58 has an inner margin 60 to which is sewn a strip of
loop
material 62 of a two part hook and loop fastener, such as VELCRO fastener
manufactured by Velcro USA Inc. A mating strip of hook material 64 of the two
part
fastener is sewn to an outer margin 66 of the flexible sleeve to overlie
portions of the
flange. The loose flag is thereby releasably connected to the flexible sleeve
attached to the
flag tube element.
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[0021] The flag assembly 20 receives the shaft 42 of a flagstick 44 through
the bottom
hole 28, and then through the axial opening 26. A narrow diameter threaded
element 46
located on the top of the flagstick shaft 42 protrudes through the top hole
30. A nut or
acorn fastener 48 is then threadedly engaged with the threaded element 46 to
retain the
flag assembly 20 on the flagstick 44. The threaded element 46 and fastener 48
are
preferably selected such that it is not possible to overtighten the fastener
so much as to
prevent the flag tube from freely rotating on the shaft 42. It is desirable
that the flag
assembly be able to turn freely on the shaft to allow the flag to indicate the
direction of
the wind. The flagstick 44 is received within a cup 52 placed within a hole 50
cut into the
grassy turf 54 of the golf green 56.
[0022] An alternative embodiment golf flag assembly 68 is shown in FIG. 4,
which
includes a stiff flag segment 70 which bears display indicia 72 which may be a
commercial or promotional message or image. The golf flag assembly 68
incorporates the
internal structure of the prior art golf flag assembly 74 shown in FIG. 3. The
prior art
device 74 has a plastic tube element 76 with a cylindrical tube wall 82 having
an axial
opening extending from a bottom hole to a top hole. The axial length of the
tube is about
12 inches. A front flange 78 and a rear flange 80 extend radially from the
tube wall 82,
the front flange extending about 7/8 inches, and the rear flange about 9/16
inches,
defining a channel about 3/16 inches wide between them. A flexible plastic
rectangular
sheet 84 about 1/16 inch thick extends into the channel, and is fixed to the
flanges 78, 80,
for example by stitching with thread. The sheet 84 may be about 11 inches
tall, and may
extend outwardly about 13 inches from the tube wall 82. The sheet 84 can flex
when
pressure is applied, for example when a caddie or golfer holds or pulls the
flag down and
holds it against the flagstick so as not to distract putting golfers. When
pressure is
released it returns to its original position.
[0023] The prior art device 74 has a sleeve 86 which extends around the tube
element
22 and which encloses the stiff sheet 84. The sleeve 86 may be formed of any
suitable
flexible material, for example a durable nylon mesh. The construction of the
sleeve 86
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may comprise a single extended rectangle of material folded over, with a
double seam at
top and bottom and at the exterior margin 88 of the sleeve. The sleeve 86
retains a
generally rectangular shape due to the internal stiffening provided by the
sheet 84. Hence
the indicia 72 remains readable and does not collapse like a loose flag when
the wind dies
down. The prior art device 74 has a loose flag 90, about 12 x 16 inches, which
is fixed,
such as by sewn stitching, to the exterior margin 88 of the sleeve.
[0024] The alternative embodiment golf flag assembly 68 of the present
invention,
shown in FIG. 4, includes a plastic tube element 76 with a stiff flexboard
rectangle fixed
between the axially extending flanges 78, 80, which is enclosed within a
fabric sleeve 86.
The flag assembly 68 has a hook segment 92 of a two part hook and loop
fastener, fixed
to the exterior margin 94 of the sleeve 86. A flexible loose flag 96 has a
loop segment
100 of a hook and loop fastener fixed to its inner margin 98. The flexible
loose flag 96 is
thus removably affixed to the sleeve by the cooperation of the two parts of
the two part
fastener.
[0025] The golf flag assemblies 20, 68, of this invention enable a speedy
change out of
different loose flags when dictated by the turf maintenance requirements of
the course,
while minimizing the inventory of complete golf flag assemblies a course needs
to retain
on hand¨both of which features contribute to reduced cost.
[0026] Consider the practical method of use of the devices of this invention.
When at
appointed times or as circumstances warrant, the holes on the golf course's
greens are
relocated, a technician will dig a new hole, install a cup, and move the flag
stick from the
old hole to the new hole. Should the hole have been moved to a different part
of the
green, for example from a front part of the green to a rear part, it will be
necessary to
change the appearance of the loose flag. It is not necessary for the
technician to remove
the fastener 48 to replace the entire golf flag assembly. Instead the loose
flag is separated
at the two part fastener and removed from its attachment to the sleeve and the
flag tube
element, and a different loose flag having a different appearance¨for example
a different
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overall color¨is attached in its place and attached with the two part
fastener, as a fastener
of the same type is provided on the replacement loose flag. The removed loose
flag may
be installed at another location on the course, or may be returned to
inventory.
[0028] It should be noted that although the two part fastener is described as
a hook and
loop fastener, other appropriate releasable two part fasteners may be used,
for example: a
button and button hole fastener, a zipper fastener, a magnetic and
ferromagnetic material
fastener, and a snap fastener.
[0029] It is preferable that the flag tube element be received within a fabric
sleeve, and
that the loose flag be attached to the sleeve, to maintain an appearance
similar to a
traditional golf flag assembly, however the loose flag may be attached with
two part
fastener directly to the flag tube element.
[0030] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular
construction
and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all
such modified
forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.
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