U.S. patent application number 09/829660 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-10 for hat with golf ball marking device.
Invention is credited to Adams, Kevin.
Application Number | 20020144335 09/829660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25255161 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020144335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adams, Kevin |
October 10, 2002 |
HAT WITH GOLF BALL MARKING DEVICE
Abstract
A combination hat and golf ball marking device is provided. The
hat includes a generally round convex-shaped body portion for
placing over the a skull of a golfer. A bill member extends from a
front side of the body portion and works to shade the face of the
golfer. A removable golf ball marker is received and retained by a
receptacle located at a crown portion of the hat body portion. The
marker has a head member and a post for inserting within the ground
of a putting green when a golfer has removed his golf ball
therefrom. The post inserts into a bore in the receptacle when the
marker is not being used.
Inventors: |
Adams, Kevin; (Westerly,
RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LARSON AND LARSON
11199 69TH STREET NORTH
LARGO
FL
33773
|
Family ID: |
25255161 |
Appl. No.: |
09/829660 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 ;
2/195.1; 224/918 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 224/918 20130101;
A63B 57/207 20151001; A42B 1/24 20130101; A42C 5/00 20130101; A63B
57/353 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.13 ;
2/195.1; 224/918 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/24 |
Claims
Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired to
be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A combination hat and golf ball marking device comprising: a) a
convex-shaped generally round body portion having a front and back
side and a crown portion, the body portion for laying upon a skull
of a golfer and made of at least one sheet of fabric; b) a
generally flat bill member extending outwardly from the body
portion front side at an angle that is generally parallel to a
ground surface when the hat is worn by the golfer, the bill member
for shading a face of the golfer; c) a receptacle member mounted on
the body portion at the crown portion, the receptacle member having
a circular bore formed at a middle portion thereof, the circular
bore having an axis which is perpendicular to the ground surface
when the hat is worn by the golfer; d) a removable golf ball
marking device having a generally flat head member and a downwardly
extending post located along a bottom side of the marker head
member, the post disposed at a perpendicular angle from the head
member and axially aligning with the receptacle bore axis when the
marking device is applied to the hat; and e) the marking device
post having an outer circumference slightly larger than an inner
circumference of the receptacle bore.
2. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 1,
wherein a plurality of individual panels are employed for the body
portion at least one sheet of fabric, each panel attached along
opposed side edges to an adjacent panel.
3. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 2,
wherein six panels are employed.
4. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 1,
wherein the panels are attached by stitching.
5. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 1,
further comprising the receptacle member having a circular flange
surrounding the circular bore.
6. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 1,
further comprising an adjustable strap located along a lower edge
of the body portion back side.
7. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 6,
wherein the adjustable strap comprises a first strip of material
attached to an inner surface of the body portion along the lower
edge at a first end, the first strip of material having a strip of
loop material disposed along an opposed second end, the strip of
loop material for engaging a strip of hook material attached along
the inner surface of the body portion along the lower edge distal
from the first strip of material first end.
8. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 1,
wherein the marking device post is integrally attached to the flat
head member.
9. A combination hat and golf ball marking device comprising: a) a
convex-shaped generally round body portion having a front and back
side and a crown portion, the body portion for placing over a skull
of a golfer, the body portion having a plurality of panels attached
to one another along side edges by stitching; b) a generally flat
bill member extending outwardly from the body portion front side at
an angle that is generally parallel to a ground surface when the
hat is worn by the golfer, the bill member having a curved outer
edge and capable of shading a face of the golfer; c) a receptacle
member mounted on the body portion at the crown portion, the
receptacle member having a circular bore formed at a middle portion
thereof, the circular bore having an axis which is perpendicular to
the ground surface when the hat is worn by the golfer; d) a
removable golf ball marking device having a generally flat head
member and a downwardly extending post located along a bottom side
of the marker head member, the post disposed at a perpendicular
angle from the head member and axially aligning with the receptacle
bore axis when the marking device is applied to the hat; and e) the
marking device post having an outer circumference slightly larger
than an inner circumference of the receptacle bore.
10. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 9,
wherein six panels are employed.
11. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 9,
further comprising the receptacle member having a circular flange
surrounding the circular bore.
12. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 9,
further comprising an adjustable strap located along a lower edge
of the body portion back side.
13. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 12,
wherein the adjustable strap comprises a first strip of material
attached to an inner surface of the body portion along the lower
edge at a first end, the first strip of material having a strip of
loop material disposed along an opposed second end, the strip of
loop material for engaging a strip of hook material attached along
the inner surface of the body portion along the lower edge distal
from the first strip of material first end.
14. The combination hat and golf ball marking device of claim 9,
wherein the marking device post is integrally attached to the flat
head member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to hats. More particularly, it
relates to a hat used by golfers. Even more particularly, it
relates to a golfer's hat incorporating a golf ball marking
device.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] In the game of golf it is courteous to pick up your golf
ball from the putting green after you have successfully reached the
putting green, but before everyone begins to putt their ball
towards the hole. This removes distractions that your ball may
cause to another golfer who may be putting before you, since the
golfer furthest from the hole putts first. This is especially true
if your ball is within someone's "lie" or in the same plane or line
of sight to the hole. Since golf is a "game of inches", it is
imperative that the person who picks up their golf ball, place the
ball back in the exact location from which it was removed. This is
especially important in tournament or professional competition
which requires exact replacement of the golf ball.
[0005] It was therefore contemplated that a marking device was
needed for indicating the exact position of the golf ball that was
picked up from the putting green. In amateur play, many people
simply use coins, such as, for example, a dime or penny.
Unfortunately, this is not ideal, since the coin does not penetrate
the green but instead rests above the ground surface. If someone
then putts a golf ball and it rolls over the coin, it could cause
the ball to change direction thereby effecting the person's putt.
This type of marking device is therefore deficient and
ineffective.
[0006] To fulfill a need for a golf ball marking device, small pin
like devices where developed which could be used to mark the
position of the golf ball on the putting green. The device
resembles a tack having a flat head portion with a rod portion
extending downwardly at a perpendicular angle for insertion into
the ground surface of the putting green. Although the device proved
to be useful, it was very common to misplace the marking device due
to its very small size. Golfer's therefore were constantly
purchasing new marking devices after losing the one currently in
their possession.
[0007] Improvements where made to the golf ball marking device
which permitted the golfer to conveniently store the marker in a
location for ease of use and accessibility. One such example is on
a golf glove. On the glove, a tack-like marker attaches to a lower
edge of the golf glove proximal to the golfer's wrist.
Unfortunately, these markers also seem to be misplaced easily. It
should actually be said that these devices are easily lost, since
they tend to fall off the glove due to the golfer constantly
swinging the golf club and striking the ball and ground. The force
of the club striking the ball and ground causes the marker to
become dislodged from its receptacle and fall to the ground by
gravity. And usually, the golfer is not aware that the marker has
fallen off the glove until it is to late. It is only upon reaching
the putting green that the golfer realizes that the marker has been
lost. Of course by this time, there is essentially no chance of
finding or retrieving the marker. An improved golf ball marker is
clearly needed to overcome these deficiencies seen in the prior
art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] I have invented an improved golf ball marking device which
is incorporated into a baseball style cap. In particular, my marker
attaches to a crown portion of the cap and is removable by the user
when needed. And, when it is no longer needed, the marker can be
easily and safely reattached to the cap so that it is not lost.
[0009] The marker includes a head portion resembling a button used
on baseball style caps. The head portion acts as the golf ball
marker when employed on the putting green. A small receptacle is
disposed upon the cap crown portion for receiving and retaining the
marker. A small downwardly extending post snaps into the
receptacle. The post also acts as an anchor when the marker is
inserted into the ground of the putting green.
[0010] After use of the golf ball marker, it can be easily
reapplied to the cap of the golfer. Continued swinging of the golf
club and the resulting striking of the golf ball and ground does
not operate to dislodge the marker as in the deficient prior art
devices. This is because the force of the swing striking the ball
or ground is translated mostly through the hands and arms of the
person swinging the golf club. Only a very small amount of the
force of the swing translates all the way up to the head of the
golfer, and typically this is not enough force to dislodge the
marker. Further, even if the marker was to become dislodged, there
is a high probability that the golfer would notice that the marker
has become dislodged and is rolling off his head, resulting in a
higher probability of finding the golf ball marking device on the
ground.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention may be best understood by those having
ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hat of the present
invention having a golf ball marking device;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hat of the present
invention illustrating how the golf ball marking device snaps into
a receiving member upon a crown portion of the hat;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along lines 3-3 of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along lines 4-4 of FIG.
2;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial detail of FIG. 1 illustrating how the
golf ball marking device attaches to the crown portion of the hat
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial detail of FIG. 2 illustrating how the
golf ball marking device snaps into the receiving member upon the
crown portion of the hat of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial detail of FIG. 3; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial detail of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Throughout the following detailed description, the same
reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a cap 10 is shown having a removable
golf ball marker 12 disposed upon a crown portion 14. Cap 10 has a
generally circular body portion 16 for inserting over a head (not
shown) of a person. Cap body portion 16 can conform to many
different person head sizes by adjusting a strap 18 (see FIGS. 3
and 4) located along a back side 20 of cap body portion 16.
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is shown that cap body
portion 16 is formed by attaching a plurality of panels 22 to one
another. In the preferred embodiment, six panels 22 are employed
and held together by stitching 24. However, nothing herein limits
the number of panels 22 that can be used and different methods of
attachment can be employed, such as, for example, glue or heat seal
bonding. As to the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2,
it is shown that all six panels 22 meet at crown portion 14. Cap 10
also includes a bill portion 26 extending from a front side 28 of
cap body portion 16. Bill portion 26 acts to shade the face (not
shown) of the person wearing cap 10.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, removable marker 12 can be
removed and reattached to cap crown portion 14. Referring to FIG.
4, marker 12 includes a slightly convex-shaped head portion 30 and
a downwardly extending post 32 disposed perpendicularly to marker
head portion 30. In the preferred embodiment, post 32 is integrally
attached to a bottom side 34 of head portion 30. A receptacle 36 is
mounted in cap crown portion 14 and works to receive and retain
marker post 32 by friction. Marker head portion 30 is generally
circular as is receptacle 36.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it is shown that receptacle 36
is mounted in cap crown portion 14. Receptacle 36 includes a small
circular bore 38 which has an inner circumference that is slightly
smaller than an outer circumference of post 32 which operates to
provide a friction fit between marker 12 and receptacle 36.
Accordingly, when needed, a golfer simply places a fingernail
underneath marker head portion 30 and applies a small amount of
force which "pops" marker 12 from out of receptacle 36. Marker 12
can now be used on the putting green to mark the location of a golf
ball removed therefrom. After replacing the golf ball back onto the
putting green, marker 12 can be put away. To reapply marker 12 to
cap 10, the golfer axially aligns marker post 32 with receptacle
bore 38 and applies a small amount of downwardly exerted force
towards cap crown portion 14 with a finger (i.e., the thumb)
thereby "snapping" marker 12 back into receptacle 36.
[0025] In a first alternate embodiment, marker 12 and receptacle 36
are magnetized such that marker 12 is retained by receptacle 36 by
a magnetic force attraction. In a second alternate embodiment,
marker post 32 is threaded (not shown) and screws into receptacle
bore 38 which is formed to receive the threaded marker post.
[0026] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set
forth above such that they perform the same function in the same
way for achieving the same result.
* * * * *