Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Golf Flagstick Accessories and Modifications
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A significant part of the game of golf is putting. Greens provide a putting
surface with
holes placed in varying places on greens by the golf course operators. A tool
is used to cut the
hole in the green by removing a cylindrical bore of the green. The Rules of
Golf require the hole
to be 4.25 inches in diameter. Golf balls are 1.68 inches in diameter. A rigid
cup, typically formed
of metal, is firmly seated in the newly cut hole and positioned with the upper
margin of cup an
inch or more below the surface of the green. The circular edge of the hole,
the lip, is turf. Damage
to lip is to be avoided. The cup has a central flagstick receiving hole at the
bottom of the cup.
Although the cups have the same 4.25 inch outer diameter as the inner diameter
of the hole, the
cup internal structure and dimensions may vary.
With regard to Flagsticks, the Rules of Golf provide:
1. The Flagstick
a) Definition:
The Flagstick is a movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in
the
hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and
any other
material or objects attached to the pole.
b) Requirements
The flagstick must be:
a. circular in cross-section, and
b. less than or equal to 0.75 inches (19 mm) in diameter from a point 3 inches
(76.2
mm) above the ground to the bottom of the hole and no greater than 2 inches
(50.8
mm) in diameter at any point. Exceptions may be made for location indicators
of a
reasonable size attached to the flagstick.
The flagstick must not:
a. incorporate features, including materials, designed to act in a shock
absorbing
manner or have shock absorbing properties upon impact with the ball, or
b. have features or properties which are designed to unduly influence the
movement
of the ball, or
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c. have attachments which are designed to allow a player to determine wind
speed.
New golf rules effective in 2019 now allow golfers to leave the flagstick in
the cup during
putting without penalty. The stated purpose of the rule is to speed up play.
Any equipment and
accessories that accommodates play, expedites play, or otherwise improves the
golf experience
particularly where the flagstick is left in the cup during putting, would be
well received by the golf
community. Moreover, any innovations that help maintain the condition of the
green, particularly
in the area about the cup, would be well received by golfers and golf course
personnel.
Golf ball ejectors and elevators that are part of flagsticks are known,
particularly in the
context of putting greens. Such devices typically do not integrate and
complement existing
regulation flagsticks that are in use on golf courses. Innovations and
improvements on such
devices to make them, for example, simpler with fewer parts, better
performing, more function,
less apt to cause damage to the green, easier to use by the golfer, easier to
attach and/or remove
from existing flagsticks would be welcomed by industry. Moreover, minimizing
the golfer's
contact with the device and/or flagstick would minimize potential of transfer
of communicable
diseases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For a player that has the flag removed before putting, after making the put,
the player can
easily reach into the cup and retrieve his ball. The standardized golf hole
size is 4.25 inches in
diameter, and with the flag removed, a ball in the cup rolls into the central
flagstick hole in the
bottom of the cup. A golfer can readily retrieve the ball, typically by
bending over and inserting
essentially his or her entire hand into the cup, and with three or more
fingers grabbing the ball at
three or more points/regions of contact spaced around the ball, easily remove
the centered ball
without any significant thought or effort and with little risk of damaging the
circular turf edge of
the hole. For some golfers, particularly senior golfers, bending over
repeatedly to pick up the golf
ball can be problematic. In cases a grasping tool may be utilized that has,
for example, a suction
cup attached to the handle end of the golfer's putter; the golfer simply
sticks the handle end of the
putter with the grasping tool into the center of the cup engaging and grabbing
the golf ball and
then removes the ball without needing to bend over. Also, golfers occasionally
utilize the head
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end of the putter, if suitably shaped, to lift or flip the ball out of the
cup. This practice is not
encouraged as it presents a risk of damaging the circular turf edge of the
hole.
Where the flagstick is left in the cup, with a made putt the golf ball is
positioned in the
annular space between the flagstick and the sidewall of the cup and may be
lodged at the bottom
of the annular space. With the hole sized at 4.25 inches in diameter and the
flagstick at .50 to .75
inches in diameter, the distance between the flagstick and the lip is about
1.75 to 1.875 inches.
This leaves a clearance when the ball is in the annular space of about .07 to
.20 inches.
When the golf ball enters the cup, the clearance between the flagstick and
inner surfaces of
the cup will be less depending on the wall thickness of the cup and the cup
configuration. In
instances, the golf ball can become lodged in the annular space in the cup.
This reduced annular
space at the lip and in the cup does not allow easy insertion of a hand for
ball retrieval. In fact,
removal of the golf ball can be challenging. The golfer needs to carefully
reach down and use two
fingers to try and grasp the golf ball on opposite sides of the golf ball and
carefully remove the
ball without damaging the lip. Alternately the golfer can remove the flag with
one hand and reach
down and grab the ball with the other hand, and then replace the flag. In some
cases, with the right
amount of finesse, a golfer can eject his ball from the hole when removing the
flag. This is not an
easy operation and is not reliable, the ball ejection is not controlled, the
ball can roll several or
many feet away from the golfer, and the practice can also cause damage the
hole. Course managers
have considered securing flags into the cups to prevent this practice.
Alternative ways and
improvements to remove the golf ball in the annular space when the flagstick
is left in the hole for
putting while addressing the above issues would be well received. It would be
advantageous to be
able to utilize existing cups and flagsticks with any such improvements for
minimizing the expense
and effort associated with transitioning to the improvements. Moreover, it
would be very
advantageous if such improvements do not violate the rules of golf associated
with golf equipment.
For example, any such improvements should not change the normal ball path when
a golf ball
impacts a flagstick compared to the flagstick without the device, particularly
during putting.
Golf ball ejectors and elevators that are part of flagsticks are known,
particularly in the
context of putting greens. Typically, any such prior art ejectors and lifting
elevators include
specialized componentry for cups and posts or flagsticks and are not amenable
for use on modern
golf courses with standardized holes and flags.
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Improvements on such devices to make them, for example, compatible with
existing golf
holes with cups and flagsticks, simpler with fewer parts, better performing,
such as less apt to
cause damage to the green, easier to use by the golfer, and easier to attach
and/or remove from
existing flagsticks, would be welcomed by industry. Moreover, minimizing the
golfer's direct
hand contact with the device and/or flagstick would minimize potential of
transfer of
communicable diseases.
In embodiments, ball retrieval devices for removing a ball from a hole with
the flagstick
remaining therein, may be placed on existing, common, and standardized golf
flagsticks. In
embodiments, such devices do not alter the golf ball and flagstick impact
dynamics. In
embodiments, no permanent modifications are made to the existing cups and
flagsticks when the
devices are attached. In embodiments, the devices are easily attached and
removed from flagsticks.
In embodiments, the device fits entirely in the annular space between the
flagstick and the cup, the
earthen hole above the cup, and a handle portion extends up above the hole
along the flagstick. In
embodiments, the handle is thin walled polymer tube, made of a rigid polymer
such as
polycarbonate, extending approximately 2.5 to 3.5 feet above the surface of
the green so that it can
readily be grasped with a golfer's hand. In embodiments, a hook or loop may be
on the handle to
permit raising the device with, for example, a golf club. In embodiments, the
handle connects to
a disc shaped elevator with a central flagstick hole such that the handle and
elevator slide upwardly
and downwardly as a single integrated unit. In embodiments, the elevator can
attach to a thin
member, such as a thin strip, that extends upwardly along the flagstick with a
hook on an upper
end. The hook may be positioned a few inches above the green surface so as to
not interfere with
putted golf ball. The hook can then be hooked with a golf club to raise the
device to a level to grab
the golf ball or so that the golf ball rolls onto the green surface. In
embodiments, a snap-on hooked
portion with one or more hooks may attach to the tubular handle. In other
embodiments the hooked
portion may be unitary or permanently secured to a tubular portion of the
tubular handle.
In embodiments, a polymer disk with a central hole sized for receiving the
flagstick pole,
and an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the cup is attachable to
the bottom of the
flagstick, the disk having a diameter less than the diameter of the cup such
that the flag with the
attached disk is easily placed in the cup. The disk providing a lifting
elevator such that when a
put is made, any removal of the flagstick with a ball in the cup and on the
disk will lift the ball out
of the hole, the ball then rolling off the disk to the green surface where the
golfer can easily pick
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
it up. The disk can have a pair of criss cross slits at the central flagstick
hole allowing the disk to
be forced over the flagstick ferrule at the bottom of the flagstick allowing
the disk to then seat on
the top surface of the flagstick lower ferrule. No tools or additional
components are utilized to
attach and remove the lifting elevator from the flagstick. A central portion
of the disk has a close
fit to the flagstick with sufficient axial engagement of the disk with the
flagpole to maintain the
disk in a position with respect to the flagstick and cup such that the disk
reliably lifts the golf ball
when the flag is pulled. That is, the plane of the lifting elevator stays
sufficiently perpendicular to
the axis of the flagstick to retain the golf ball or balls thereon during
lifting. In embodiments, the
disk may have an upwardly facing concavity to retain the ball on the disk as
the flagstick and disk
are elevated out of the hole. The disk may be made of a polymer foam that
retains its shape but is
resiliently deflectable such that when the flagstick is placed on the green
surface the disk deflects.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the polymer disk may be readily
and
economically injection molded from conventional polymers such a polyethylenes
and nylons for
example. Foaming agents may be added to the process. The foamed polymer maybe
open cell or
closed cell.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the polymer disk may easily
attached and
removed from the flagstick, allowing easy retrofitting of existing flagsticks.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is the device in no way alters or
effects play.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is the device present minimal or no
risk of
damaging the circular turf edge of the hole when the ball is removed.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a ball lifter on a flagstick that
has means for
prevention of damage to the green if the flagstick is pulled and the flagstick
end with the ball lifter
is dropped on the green surface. In embodiments a blunt circumferential edge
prevents the ball
lifter from denting or otherwise cutting into the green surface. In
embodiments, the ball lifter is
.. deformable to absorb any shock when the ball lifter impacts the green
surface. In embodiments
the ball lifter may be secured directly to the flagstick or secured to a
tubular handle that
encompasses the flagstick. In embodiments the ball lifter has ball capture
region between an axial
center of the ball lifter and a periphery of the ball lifter such that a ball
that is elevated vertically
in the ball lifter remains in the ball capture region.
In embodiments, a ball removal device comprises a lifting portion that may be
configured
as a bottom bowl portion sized to be received in the cup with a tubular shaft
that extends upwardly
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from the center of the bowl portion providing a manual handle portion. The
bowl sized to fit within
the golf cup around the flagstick, for example about 4.0 inches or less, and
to seat at or toward the
bottom of the flagstick, the tubular shaft and bowl sized to slidingly fit
around the flagstick while
providing minimal increase in the external diameter of the flagstick. The
tubular shaft extending
upwardly on the flagstick to minimize or eliminate the golfer's need to bend
over to grasp the
tubular shaft, in embodiments the top margin of the device may be 2.5 feet or
more in length.
Whereby when installed on the flagstick, after a putt is made with the
flagstick in the hole, the
putter may grasp the tubular shaft, lift the device upwardly with the golf
ball retained in the bowl,
to a height sufficient that the golfer may then grab the golf ball in the bowl
with his other hand,
again without the need to bend over. The device may then be released falling
back to a seated and
resting portion at the bottom of the flagstick. The bottom bowl portion may
have golf ball seating
regions or seats spaced around the bowl by way of recesses arranged around the
center of the bowl
or by upwardly extending ribs that define the regions. The seating regions
retaining the ball therein
as the bowl is raised, so that the ball does not roll around the bowl allowing
for easier grasping by
the user.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a manual device to raise golf balls
in a golf cup
when the flag is in place, the device comprising a tubular handle that extends
up the pole with a
ball elevator on the bottom of the tubular handle, the elevator resting on the
flagstick ferrule, the
tubular handle having a upper end positioned at a mid region of the flagstick
easily graspable
without bending over for raising the device by grasping and raising the
tubular handle with one
hand raising the ball elevator upwardly so that a ball in the elevator may
then be grasped by the
golfer's other hand. In embodiments an upper end portion may be painted red or
be a color that
contrasts with the color of the flagstick providing a circumferential stripe
extending around the
flagstick at approximately the lengthwise middle portion of the flagstick. The
handle then being
visible to golfers taking approach shots from off the green and making the
flagstick more visible
than it would be without the stripe. The strip further providing a visual
reference indicator at
approximately three feet above the cup that can further provide visual
information to the golfer by
comparing the length of the flagstick above the strip to the flagstick below
the strip to indicate
whether the cup is positioned at a portion of the green not directly visible
to the golfer. In
embodiments, the tubular handle may have a reflective portion that reflects
laser radiation from
laser rangefinders thereby alleviating the need to put such reflectors
elsewhere on the flagstick.
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It has been discovered that the device performs surprisingly well with tubular
shaft formed
of a polymer having a wall thickness of about .012 inches or less and with an
inside diameter of
about .010 greater than the outside diameter of the flagstick resulting in a
diameter increase of only
about .035 inches or less on the flagstick. Although such a tubular wall
thickness is minimal,
surprisingly, it has more than adequate strength to perform its function, due
in part to the skeletal
support provided by the flagstick. The tubular handle cannot be meaningfully
deformed or stressed
while on the flagstick other than very modest tensile loading while lifting
the golf balls. The
inventors have observed in embodiments such a tubular handle does not act in a
shock absorbing
manner or have shock absorbing properties upon impact with the ball, nor does
it unduly influence
the movement of the ball, and does not alter the probability of the ball going
into the cup.
In embodiments of a golf ball lifting device, a tubular handle is positioned
on a flagstick
with a ball lifter portion attached to the lower end of the tubular handle,
the ball lifter portion sized
to fit within the cup and to hold golf balls that roll into the cup, allowing
the golf balls to be raised
by sliding the tubular handle upwardly on the flagstick. The tubular handle
increasing the diameter
of the flagstick, in embodiments, not more than .055 inches. The tubular
handle increasing the
diameter of the flagstick, in embodiments of not more than .045 inches. The
tubular handle
increasing the diameter of the flagstick, in embodiments of not more than .050
inches. The tubular
handle increasing the diameter of the flagstick, in embodiments of not more
than .036 inches. In
embodiments, the flagstick has a diameter of .50 inches with a total diameter
of the flagstick with
the tubular handle of .535 inches. In embodiments, the lifting device is
placed on a flagstick with
diameter at the cup of about 0.375 inches and the total diameter is less than
.500 inches. In
embodiments, the tool is placed on a flagstick with diameter at the cup of
0.375 and the total
diameter is less than .410 inches.
In embodiments, a ball lifting device with a tubular handle positioned on a
flagstick may
be formed of a polymer and may have an elongate slit or slot extending the
entire length of the
device. The slit or slot on the tubular handle sized to be less than the
diameter of the flagstick, and
openable to receive the flagstick therein. In embodiments, the device may be
continuous circularly
with no slits or gaps whereby the device may then be installed over the upper
end of the flag. In
embodiments, the device may be formed of two clam shell portions configured as
halves that
connect together to clamp around the flag pole. The two clam shell halves
secured together with
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threaded fasteners, glue, unitary connector portions of the clam shell halves,
plastic cable ties or
other means.
In embodiments of the invention, a flagstick has a central solid core portion
of a constant
diameter extending from a ferrule that plugs into a cup at least four feet
upwardly, in embodiments
to the top of the flag. A tubular member extends over the inner core member
and is slidable
thereon. The tubular member may extend a distance below the flag such that the
tubular member
operates as a handle, an ball lifter is on the lower end of the tubular member
positioned to be near
the bottom of the cup when such that the tubular member with the ball lifter
may be raised when a
ball is in the cup, resting on the ball lifter, sufficient for a user to grap
the ball without any or with
minimal bending over. The tubular portion may have minimal diameter above the
lifter to the
position of the green surface when the flagstick is in the cup, and then a
taper to a greater diameter
that is maintained a distance toward the flag. In embodiments, the flag may be
on the central solid
core portion, in embodiments the flag may be on the top of the tubular member.
Where the flag is
on the tubular member, the top end of the tubular member may be solid. In such
embodiments
stops may be provided such that the tubular member can only be raised a
certain distance so that
it is not removable from the central core portion during use.
In embodiments, the central core portion is .350 inches in diameter to .400
inches. In
embodiments, the central core portion is .365 inches in diameter to .390
inches in diameter. In
embodiments, the tubular portion may add strength resisting bending in the
wind.
In embodiments, the tubular portion of the device has an outside diameter of
.75 inches or
less. In embodiments, the device is installed on a flagstick with varying
diameters. The tubular
portion may have elongate slits to accommodate the changing diameter of the
flagstick as the
device is raised.
A feature and advantage of embodiments, is that the retrieval of the golf ball
from the
annular space is accomplished without bending over, without removing the flag,
and without any
other accessories, such as a grasping device on the end of the putter.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is the device present minimal or no
risk of
damaging the circular turf edge of the hole when the ball is removed.
In embodiments, a golf flagstick has a pole portion with an inner core and an
outer
telescoping section, the inner core having the cup ferrule attached thereto,
the outer telescoping
section having an elevator for receiving a putted ball when the flagstick is
left in the hole while
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putting and for lifting the ball out of the hole. The maximum diameter of the
pole portion being
.75 inches. The clearance between the inner core and outer telescoping section
may be a few
thousandths of an inch or more. Either the inner core or the outer core may be
the uppermost
portion of the pole portion. The elevator portion may be removable or fixed to
the outer
telescoping section. The outer telescoping section with the elevator attached
thereto seating on or
just above the ferrule. Each of the inner core and outer telescoping section
may be formed of
fiberglass, steel, or other rigid materials. In embodiments, where the inner
core is the uppermost
portion of the flagstick and receives the flag, the telescoping portion
extending at least about 2.5
feet above the ball cup ferrule. In embodiments, the elevator is donut shaped,
attachable and
detachable to the outer telescoping section. In embodiments, the outer
telescoping section having
a seating portion with an upwardly facing shoulder that can removable receive
an elevator thereon.
In embodiments the seating portion can be conically shaped with the taper
pointing upward. The
elevator may have an inner and downwardly facing conical surface that
cooperates with the seating
portion to fixedly seat the elevator.
In embodiments, a golf flagstick has a pole portion with lower pole portion
that has a
hollow core, the lower portion having a ferrule for being received by the hole
cup, a ball elevator
movably positioned on the flagstick lower portion above the ferrule, the ball
elevator having a
seating position above the ferrule. The flagstick further having a handle
portion positioned at an
elevated portion of the pole portion at least three feet from the ferrule, the
handle connecting to an
extending member, such as an inner rod or cable that extends through the
hollow core down to the
lower portion the ball elevator position. The extending member operatively
connected to the ball
elevator. The connection may be by way of a slot in the lower portion of the
flagstick with the
extending member attached to the elevator such that upward axial motion of the
handle and
extending member raises the elevator. Alternatively, the extender member may
have magnets on
a lower end of the extender member and the ball elevator may comprise
magnetically attractable
material such as steel. Whereby when the magnets are raised by elevating the
extender member
the elevator on the exterior of the lower pole portion moves upwardly.
In embodiments of the invention, a magnet or ferrous piece may placed on the
top end of
the golf ball lifting device and the steel shaft of the club or a magnet, such
as a magnet attached to
the top tip of the putter can be utilized to connect with the lifting device
and raise the lifting device
without touching the golf ball lifting device or flagstick. Such an
arrangement may provide less of
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a projection from the flagstick which could in rare cases cause a ball
striking the flagstick to bounce
away from the hole. In embodiments, the lifting device has the hook below the
green level. The
putter handle or other convenient tool may be inserted into the cup to capture
the hook and to then
raise the golfball lifting device. In embodiments, rather than a hook a magnet
or ferrous material
may be at the top of the golfball lifting device which is below the green
level. A putter with a
magnet on the end of the putter handle can be used to engage the golf ball
lifting device at the
magnet or ferrous material and raise the golf ball lifting device with the
golfball therein without
touch with one's hand the flagstick or golfball lifting device.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is the device present minimal or no
risk of passing
communicable diseases through hand contact with the flagstick or golfball
lifting device.
In embodiments, the handle may be a tubing portion on the exterior of the
flagstick
positioned at a mid portion of the flagstick of slidingly engagement therewith
and connecting to
the extender by way of an exteriorly exposed slot extending axially through a
lower portion of the
pole.
In embodiments, a golf ball ejector device comprises a handle extending
upwardly from
an annular ejector mechanism. The handle may be used to actuate the ejector
mechanism such as
by charging an ejector spring. In embodiments the golf ball may be ejected
from the cup by the
golfer utilizing the handle to load and release an elevator charge spring. The
handle may be spring
loaded to return to a normal position. In embodiments downward pushing of the
handle may
operate an elevator raising mechanism to eject or discharge golf balls in the
hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a cross section of a prior art golf hole with the flagstick not in
place and a golf ball
to be removed.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of a prior art golf hole with the flagstick in place
and a golf ball to
be removed illustrated the limited access to the ball.
Fig. 3A is a plan view of a disk fittable on a flagstick for lifting a golf
ball out of the cup
after putting.
Fig. 3B is a side elevation view of the disk of Fig. 3A.
Fig. 4 is a cross section of a golf hole with the disk of Fig. 3 in place on
the flagstick.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
Fig. 5A is a cross section elevation view of a golf hole with a flag in place
and a ball lifting
device on the flagstick for removing a putted golf ball.
Fig. 5B is an elevation view of the flagstick of Fig. 5A with the ball lifting
device lifted
elevating the ball.
Fig. 5C is a plan view of the ball lifting device of Figs. 5A and 5B.
Fig. 6 is a detailed cross section of the device of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a cross section of a modified flagstick with a telescoping outer
tubular portion
having a seating portion for receiving an elevator.
Fig. 8 is a cross section of the lower portion of a pole portion of a
flagstick with an elevator
slidably connected thereto and connecting to a central actuation member.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the flagstick and elevator of Fig. 8 with the
elevator in the
lowered position.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the flagstick of Fig. 9 with the elevator in
an elevated
position.
Fig. 11 is a cross section of the lower portion of a flagstick with an
elevator and with an
actuator with magnets coupled to the elevator.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the flagstick of Fig. 11 in a lowered
position.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the flagstick of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 in a
raised position.
Fig. 14 is an elevation view of a flagstick in a cup with the ball lifting
device seated at the
bottom of a cup.
Fig. 15 is the view of Fig. 14 with the ball lifting device raised.
Fig. 16 is an elevational view of a flagstick in a cup, the flagstick being a
tournament
flagstick or a flagstick with tapers at the top and bottom and a thick middle
setion, the flagstick
having a ball lifting device configured to accommodate the lower tapered
portion and the thick
middle section.
Fig. 17 is an elevational view of the flagstick of Fig. 16 with the ball
lifting device raised.
Fig. 18 is a downward looking perspective view of an embodiment showing a golf
ball
lifting device with the elevator having golf ball seats.
Fig. 19 is an upwardly looking perspective view of the golf ball lifting
device of Fig. 18.
Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the golf ball lifting device of Figs. 18 and 19.
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Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view of the golf ball lifting device of Figs. 18-
20 taken at line
21-21 of Fig. 20.
Fig. 22 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball lifting device of Fig. 18-21.
Fig. 23 is a cross sectional view of the golf ball lifting device of Fis. 18-
22 taken at line
23-23 of Fig. 20.
Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the golf ball lifting device of Fig. 18-23.
Fig. 25A is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device such as shown in
Figs. 16 and
17.
Fig. 25B is a side elevation view of a preform tubing for another embodiment
of a tubular
handle for a golf ball lifting device for tournament flagsticks.
Fig. 25C is a side elevation view of tubular handle for a golf ball lifting
device for
tournament flagsticks formed from the preform of Fig. 25B.
Fig. 25D is an end view of the tubular handle of Fig. 25C.
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a golf ball lifting
device.
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device sized for a 3/8
inch flagstick using
the elevator of other embodiments.
Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device with an elevator
being configured
as a basket.
Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device with a bowl shaped
elevator.
Fig. 30A is a perspective view of a portion of the flagstick of Fig. 30B
Fig. 30B is an exploded view of a flagstick with a golf ball ejector.
Fig. 31 is a cross sectional view of a flagstick in a cup with a golf ball.
Fig. 32 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of Fig. 31 with the
elevator partially
depressed.
Fig. 33 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of Fig. 31 with the
release
mechanism actuated.
Fig. 34 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of Fig. 31 ejecting
the golf ball.
Fig. 35 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of Fig. 31 with the
handle and
elevator returned to a normal position.
Fig. 36 is a cross sectional view of a spring loaded elevator that is manually
depressed and
released.
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Fig. 37 is a cross sectional view of a lifting device with an elevator with a
handle actuated
golf ball ejection mechanism.
Fig. 38 is the lifting device of Fig. 37 wherein the downward pushing of the
handle portion
charges an ejection spring.
Fig. 39 is the lifting device of Figs. 37 and 38 with the ejection spring
released.
Fig. 40 is an elevation view of a flagstick in a cup with the ball lifting
device seated at the
bottom of a cup.
Fig. 41 is the view of Fig. 40 with the ball lifting device raised.
Fig. 42 is another embodiment with magnet or ferrous material at an upper
margin of the
lifting device below the lip of the hole.
Fig. 43A is an elevation of another embodiment of a lifting device with the
handle
comprising a thin member extending upwardly along the flagstick with a hook
for grabbing
manually or with a golf club.
Fig. 43B is the embodiment of Fig. 43A with the elevator raised and the golf
ball
discharged.
Fig. 43C is a perspective view of the embodiments of Figs. 43A and 43B.
Fig. 44 is a perspective view of a hooked handle for attachment to a lifting
device.
Fig. 45 is a top plan view of the hooked handle of Fig. 44.
Fig. 46 is a perspective view of a lifting device for a flagstick with the
hooded handle of
Figs. 44 and 45.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art standardized modern golf hole 20 in a
green surface 21
.. such as found on regulation nine and eighteen hole golf courses. The hole
20 has a diameter D of
4 1/4 inches with a metal cup 22 positioned in the hole at least 1 inch below
the green surface
providing a lip 23 and an earthen interior surface 24 above the metal cup.
Fig. 1 illustrates the
relative ease of access of a golf ball 25 in the cup without a flagstick. Fig.
2 illustrates the limited
access to the golf ball with a standardized flagstick 30 in place, the ferrule
32 seated in the socket
34 of the cup 22 with gussets 35 supporting the socket. Such conventional
standardized flagsticks
have an outside diameter D2 of 0.50 to 0.55 inches and a height of six to
seven feet, or more.
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Figs. 3A, 3B, and 4 illustrates an embodiment with a disk-shaped elevator 40
formed of a
polymer that may be attached to an existing flagstick 30 over the ferrule 32.
The diameter D3 of
the disk may be 3.25 inches, the central hole 41 may have a diameter D4 of .55
inches, the drain
holes 43 may have a diameter D4, for example, .25 to .5 inches in diameter, or
in an embodiment
.325 inches. The disk may be puck shaped with a thickness Ti of .75 inches,
for example.
Dimensions may vary and may be within 10% of the specified dimensions. Slits
46 may extend
from the central hole to facilitate application to the flagstick. The disk 40
may be forced over the
ferrule end of the flagstick and is resiliently retained thereon or may simple
seat on the ferrule 32.
The disk diameter is great enough to reliably lift balls in the cup but not so
wide as to impede
replacing the flagstick in the hole when it has been removed. The flagstick
conforms with USGA
recommendations and is about 7 feet or taller. The polymer may be a semi rigid
foam polymer
that is deformable but returns to it original shape.
Figs. 5A-6 illustrate an embodiment with a ball removal device 50 that may be
added to an
existing flagstick 30 in which a bowl shaped elevator 52 is unitary or
integrated with a tubular
portion 54 that operates as a handle for manually raising the elevator 52
after a putt is holed to a
height that the ball may be easily grasped, see the right side flagstick 30 of
Fig. 5. The device
length Li is suitably about 2.5 feet to 3.5 feet. Ideally the length will
allow easy access to the golf
ball 25 in the bowl without the top 56 of the tubular portion 54 contacting
the flag 57. A slot 58
allows the device to be snapped onto the flag.
Fig. 7 illustrate an embodiment in which the flagstick 64 has an integrated
tubular portion
66 that extends around a core portion 68. Not shown, either component may be
the component to
which the flag is attached. Where the flag is attached to the core portion the
tubular portion only
extend up the core to a position below the flag. Where the flag is attached to
the tubular portion,
the core portion 68 is not exposed. The tubular portion has a seating portion
72 onto which an
elevator 76 may be placed to perform similar to the device of Figs. 5-6.
Fig. 8-10 illustrate an embodiment in which the elevator 80 is slidingly
mounted to the pole
portion 82 of the flagstick 83. The pole portion has a hollow core 85 allowing
an actuation member
87 to extend from the elevator through a slot 88 in the pole portion 82 up
through the hollow core
to another slot 89 where it can attach to a handle 90. Raising the handle
raises the elevator lifting
the ball out of the hole. The elevator may be shaped to allow the ball to
escape from the elevator
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
when raised out of the hole, similar to the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, or
may have a concavity
93 for retention of the ball in the elevator 100 until the ball is grasped.
Figs. 11, 12, and 13 illustrates an embodiment in which the actuation member
98 does not
directly connect to the elevator 100, rather it is magnetically coupled. The
actuation member 101
has magnets 102 connected thereto and the elevator has material 104 that
couple to the magnets
such as iron, steel, or additional magnets. The magnetically attractable
material 104 may be
embedded in the polymer of the elevator or otherwise securely attached
thereto. The upper end
of the actuation member attaches to a handle 110. Raising the handle raises
the magnets and by
way of the magnetic coupling urges the elevator to raise lifting any ball
thereon upwardly out of
the hole.
The flagsticks illustrated herein will typically have a pole portion with a
diameter of
between .50 inches and .75 inches and may be of standard length of typically 7
feet. The elevators
and handles may be formed of injection molded polymers. The flagsticks may be
formed of
fiberglass, carbon fibers, or metals. A ferrule at the top of the flagstick
Embodiments include a
3/8 inch flagstick with a ball lifting device thereon.
Referring to Figs. 14-15 and 18-23, in an embodiment, a flagstick 130 seated
in a cup 132
in a green 134 having a green surface 136 and with a ball lifting device 140.
The ball lifting device
has a tubular handle portion 142 and an elevator portion 144. The lifting
device has a upper handle
portion 146 that may be a different and contrasting color than the rest of the
lifting device and the
flag. Such a contrasting member gives a definitive indication of the presence
of the lifting device
and an indication to the golfer G of where to grasp the device. Also, the
coloration may be selected
to provide enhanced visibility of the flag and information to a golfer off the
green as to how much
of the flagstick is visible from the golfer's position. Referring also to Figs
18-23, the tubular
handle portion may be a polymer or a metal tubing. A thin polymer of .010 to
.025 inches wall
thickness formed of propionate plastic and 36 inches long has been shown to
provide good
performance. In embodiments the tubular handle has a wall thickness of .010 to
.017 inches. The
tubular handle may be formed of propionate plastic and 36 inches long and has
been shown to
provide exceptional performance. In embodiments the handle portion is 24 to 48
inches long. In
embodiments, the handle portion is 30 to 40 inches long. In embodiments the
handle portion is 30
to 38 inches long. In embodiments the elevator is formed of Black Lustran with
a 3.55 inch
diameter. In embodiments the diameter is 3.55 inches plus or minus .30 inches.
The edge
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
periphery 149 has a blunt 1/4 inch surface to prevent green damage when laid
on the green surface.
In embodiments the diameter of the tubular handle portion above the elevator
at the green level
when the lifting device is seated on the top of the ferrule is
Referring to Figs. 16, 17, and 25A-25D, a flagstick 150 with a thickened
midportion 152
and a ball lifting device 156 adapted for same is illustrated. Such a
flagstick is often considered
and termed a "tournament" flagstick. The lifting device 158 tubular handle may
be conformingly
shaped to the bottom of the flagstick when the device is seated on the bottom
of the flagstick, for
example on the ferrule 159. Slits 162 on the tubular handle 164 allow the
tubing to expand as it is
raised and the slitted portion 164 is raised to the lowered tapered portion
166 of the flagstick. The
resilience of the polymer allows the shape to expand and contract as it is
raised and lowered. The
special shape may be formed from a preform 163 shown with suitable dimensions
and having with
a mid portion 165 heat shrinkable such that at the region of the flagstick
immediately above the
green surface, the tubing has a tight conforming fit to minimize any effect on
golf ball impact. In
embodiments the inside diameter D7 of the tubular handle is .605 inches, plus
or minus .03 inches.
The inside diameter D9 of the flared portions 168 may be, for example, .765
inches, plus or minus
.15 inches. The inside diameter D10 of the central portion 168.5 may be .510
inches plus or minus
.05 inches.
Referring to Figs. 18-23, detail of the elevator portion 144 of the lifting
device 140 such as
the lifting device of Figs. 14-15B is depicted. An upper side 150 has an
annular concave region
.. 151 with a plurality of golf ball seats 154 that are circumferentially
spaced around the elevator.
The seats 154 may be defined by the ribs 156 and/or the holes 158. The ribs
156 have
corresponding recesses 164 on the bottom side 166 that aid in injection
molding the elevator
portions. The tubular handle 167 may be attached with an adhesive to the
central bore 170 in the
hub portion 172 of the elevator portion 144, for example with cyanoacrylate
adhesives. In
embodiments, the tubular handle may have an inside diameter of about .605
inches, plus or minus
.06 inches. In embodiments, the wall thickness T4 of the tubular handle is
.014 inches, plus or
minus .04 inches. In embodiments the outside diameter D6 of the tubular handle
is .633 inches,
plus or minus .01 inches. In embodiments the outside diameter D6 of the
tubular handle is .633
inches, plus or minus .1 inches. In embodiments the outside diameter D6 of the
tubular handle is
less than .15 inches greater than the outside diameter of the flagstick. In
embodiments the outside
diameter of the tubular handle is less than .12 inches greater than the
outside diameter of the
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
flagstick. In embodiments the outside diameter of the tubular handle is less
than .20 inches greater
than the outside diameter of the flagstick. In embodiments the outside
diameter of the tubular
handle is less than .24 inches greater than the outside diameter of the
flagstick. In embodiments
the inside diameter D7 of the tubular handle is .605 inches, plus or minus .03
inches. In
embodiments the inside diameter D7 of the tubular handle is .55 inches, plus
or minus .1 inches.
Referring to Figs. 24 to 29, various configurations of lifting devices are
illustrated. The
embodiments of Figs. 24 and 25 have been described above. The embodiment of
Fig. 26 has one
or more thin strips 180 extending from the elevator portion 144 to the upper
handle portion 182.
This allows visibility of the flagstick. The strips are thin enough that the
effect of the strips on a
golf ball impacting the flagstick when in the cup is considered to be minimal.
Referring to Fig. 27, a tubular handle sized for .375 inch flagstick has a
wall thickness of
.010 to .025 and a gap between the flagstick and tubular handle of a few
thousands to .020
thousandths. A bushing 190 may be attached to the reduced size tubular handle
to allow the
elevator portion 144 of previously described embodiments, for example as shown
in Figs. 18-22.
The bushing may be attached with adhesives or threads.
Referring to Fig. 28, an elevator portion 147 formed of thin polymer members
148
providing a limited collapsibility or deflection when laid on the green
surface can minimize green
damage. Such an elevator may be attached to a tubular handle slidable on the
flagstick or directly
to the flagstick without a tubular handle. The majority of the area defined by
the periphery of the
elevator is open. Fig. 29 illustrates another embodiment with an elevator with
a foam member
153 shaped as a cylinder having a central bore thereon. That is, a ring-shaped
or donut shaped
foam member. The foam member raises the effective height of the top of the
elevator and can
change the function of the device. For example, without the foam member, the
elevator 144 may
retain a raised golf ball thereon as the elevator is raised above the hole.
With the polymeric foam
member, the top of the foam member may be flat or have an inward to outward
downward slope
allowing the golf ball to fall off of the elevator as soon as the ball is
raised above the green surface.
The polymeric foam member may be used as desired by the golf course and would
typically be
seated on the elevator without being attached thereto. The height of the foam
member may be as
high as desired to bring the upper level of the foam member closer to the
green level. In
embodiments, this may eliminate the need to raise the elevator, as the golf
ball will be at the top
of the golf hole and readily graspable by the golfer without touching the
flagstick, only the golf
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
ball. Both the periphery of the elevator and the foam member have a gap with
the golf hole and/or
cup.
Referring to Fig. 30-35, a flagstick with a manually operated golfball ejector
200 is
illustrated. In an embodiment, the ejector comprises an elevator 210, a
elevator spring 212 for
manually loading the elevator, a handle 216 for pushing the elevator
downwardly and loading the
elevator spring, a elevator release mechanism 218 and handle spring 220 for
returning the spring
to a normal ready-to-use position. A flagstick pole 230 has a circumferential
recess 232 for
receiving the handle spring, a helical cam groove 234 for providing some
rotation to the elevator,
and a conventional ferrule 236 that can seat the elevator spring.
Referring to Fig. 31, a golf ball 240 is located in a cup 244 and the handle
216 and elevator
are in a normal position. In Fig. 32, a golfer has grasped the tubular handle
and is pushing
downward thereon as indicated by the arrow 250. Tabs 256 on the handle engage
lugs 260 on the
elevator to allow the handle to push the elevator downward. The lugs being in
an obstruction
position. The elevator has a follower 264 that is seated in cam groove 234 to
provide some rotation
of the elevator as it is pushed downwardly. In Fig. 32 the cam follower with
may be a threaded
screw, is not shown as it has slightly rotated out of the cross sectional view
of Fig. 31. The handle
spring 220 is partially compressed in Fig. 31 by way of a spring engagement
portion 270 which
may be a rivet, screw or other projection from the handle. The lugs of the
elevator are close to
moving out of an obstructing position.
Referring to Fig. 33, the rotation of the elevator by the cam follower in the
cam groove has
just moved the lugs out of an obstructing position such that recesses 273
adjacent to the lugs are
in axial alignment with the tabs and the elevator spring 212 is in a fully
compressed state. This
allows an abrupt release of the compressed elevator spring such that the golf
ball is ejected from
the cup as shown in Fig. 34. In Figure 35, the golfer has released the handle
and it returns to its
normal position as also shown in Fig. 31. Cam surfaces on the tabs and lugs
can facilitate the
return of the handle to the normal position. In embodiments, see Fig. 30a, the
flagstick may have
a groove for the handle spring, with a spring therein, and the spring
engagement member may be
a cam follower. The groove may also have a helical orientation for
facilitating the tab lug
interaction.
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
Referring to Fig. 36, in an embodiment, the golfer may load the elevator
spring 282
manually with his finger to the loaded position 286 shown by dashed lines and
release the spring
by simply allowing his finger to slip off of the handle allowing the ball to
pop up out of the cup.
Referring to Figs. 37-39, another embodiment is illustrated wherein the golfer
can either
lift the ball out manually by raising the handle or can eject the ball by
pushing down on the handle.
Additionally the unit is a single mechanism that does not require flagstick
modification.
The elevator 300 is fixed to the tubular handle 306 by adhesives, fasteners,
press fit, threads
or the like. The elevator has several golfball receiving regions 308 defined
by apertures 310 in the
elevator. The lower base 320 is positioned below the elevator and is
vertically movable therewith
a restricted distance as controlled by suitable cooperating stops 326, 327.
When the tubular handle
is pushed downward, the striker 330 connected to the lower base 320 by leaf
spring 334, is pushed
downwardly loading the leaf spring and striker as shown in Fig. 38. The
striker pivots about pin
336 and thereby moves slightly radially outward with respect to the pin so
that the cam surface
340 disengages with the pivoting catch member 343 releasing the striker which
then impacts and
launches the golfball as depicted in Fig. 39. The catch member is also
restricted in motion and is
spring loaded to be biased toward the catch positon. When the handle is
released by the golfer,
the handle raises along with the elevator with respect to the flagstick and
the base. The catch
pivots out of an obstructing postion to reengage the striker and the device is
reset in the
configuration of Fig. 37.
A suitable device will have a plurality of apertures in the elevator and a
corresponding
number of striker mechanism.
Referring to Figs. 40 and 41, another embodiment is illustrated where the
lifting device
400 in the unelevated position is entirely below the green level GL. A tube
420 or partial tube or
strip of material or other axially extending member extending along the
flagstick 430 is secured to
the elevator 434. A catch means 440 such as a magnet or hook or loop is
positioned below the
green level and attached to the tube 420 and therefor will not in any way
impact the golf ball during
putting or play. A magnet 452 or hook on the tip of the putter 456 or other
tool may be used to
temporarily attach to the lifting device 400 for raising the device with the
ball 25 on the elevator
434, see Fig. 40. In embodiments the lifting device can be raised several feet
off the floor for
grasping the golfball without the golfer leaning over. In embodiments the
elevator can allow the
golfball to roll off the elevator as it is raised above the green level out of
the cup to be picked up
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
from the green surface 464. Fig. 42 is an embodiment with a magnetic band 470
attached to the
top of the tubular portion of the lifting device for connection to a magnet on
a putter or other tool.
Fig. 43A-43C illustrates a golfball lifting device 500 with a thin self
supporting elongate
member 520 with a hook portion 522 extending up from the elevator 530. The
thin elongate
member may be a polymer strip or metal or other material. The hook may be
replaced with a loop
or a magnet or ferrous material to be attracted to a magnet. The hook may be
positioned above the
putting surface a few inches or more such that it may be caught with a golf
club 532 to allow
removal of the golf ball without manual contact with the flagstick or lifting
device. The device
may be raised so that the ball rolls off of the elevator on to the green
surface. The hook may be
for example less than 12 inches above the green surface 21.
Figs. 44, 45 and 46 illustrate a snap-on handle 600 that may be attached to
the tubular
handles of the lifting devices disclosed herein, for example the embodiments
of Figs. 24-27. The
handle has a pair of hook portions 610, 611 attached to a body portion 614
with a forward opening
616 that can be pushed over the upper portion 622 of a tubular handle 624,
thereby readily allowing
the golfer to utilize a club to engage a hook portion and raise the lifting
device 626 without
manually touching the flagstick or lifting device. In other embodiments the
handle can be unitary
with the tubular portion or attached with other known attachment means.
U.S. Patent Nos. 1402026, 1599734, 1673852, 1676954, 1776161, 1826641,
1829283,
1918994, 1943610, 3180644, 3348797, 3543603, 3792861, 3874665, 3897059,
4290603,
4114879, 4360200, 4496150, 4552358, 5393053, 6409609, 6113503, 8740716 and are
incorporated herein for all purposes.
As used herein, a method step recited in the singular and preceded with the
word "a" or
"an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said steps, unless such
exclusion is explicitly
stated. Furthermore, the references to "one embodiment" of the present
invention are not intended
to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that
also incorporate the
recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary,
embodiments "comprising" or
"having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property
may include additional
such elements not having that property.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative, and not
restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects
thereof) may be used
in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
its scope. While the
dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the
parameters of the
invention, they are by no means limiting, but are instead exemplary
embodiments. 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. In
the appended claims,
the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents
of the terms
"comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms
"first," "second," and
"third," are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their
objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in
means-plus-function
format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. 112(f)
unless and until such
claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement
of function void
of further structure.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes,
particularly in
terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also
encompass any and all
possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can
be easily
recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken
down into at least
equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting
example, each range discussed
herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper
third, etc. As will
also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as "up to," "at
least," "greater than,"
"less than," "more than" and the like include the number recited and refer to
ranges which can be
subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. In the same
manner, all ratios
disclosed herein also include all subratios falling within the broader ratio.
The present methods can involve any or all of the steps or conditions
discussed above in
various combinations, as desired. Accordingly, it will be readily apparent to
the skilled artisan that
in some of the disclosed methods certain steps can be deleted or additional
steps performed without
affecting the viability of the methods.
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will
be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement
calculated to achieve the
same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This
application is intended
to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore,
it is intended that the
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as
well as the following
illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention
are merely
descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further
modifications of the
invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts
and all such
modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-29
