U.S. patent application number 11/288979 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for golf ball locator.
Invention is credited to Michael J. Brady.
Application Number | 20070123367 11/288979 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38088262 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070123367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brady; Michael J. |
May 31, 2007 |
Golf ball locator
Abstract
An apparatus, system and method for marking a location of a golf
ball in play is disclosed. A golf ball location marking device
includes an adaptable, planar body defined by a periphery and
having a top face containing a color that contrasts with a color of
grass. The marking device further includes a flexible edging
material attached to the body along at least a portion of the
periphery.
Inventors: |
Brady; Michael J.; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON, PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Family ID: |
38088262 |
Appl. No.: |
11/288979 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/406 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/353 20151001;
G09F 7/00 20130101; A63B 57/207 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/406 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for marking a location of a golf ball in play, the
apparatus comprising: an adaptable, planar body defined by a
periphery and having a top face containing a color that contrasts
with a color of grass; and a flexible edging material attached to
the body along at least a portion of the periphery.
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a
weight encased within the edging material.
3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the planar body
is formed of poly vinyl chloride.
4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the edging
material includes nylon.
5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the weight
includes sand.
6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the top face
includes an indicia.
7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the periphery
is circular and has a diameter of 6 to 10 inches.
8. A method of showing a location of a golf ball in play, the
method comprising: determining a location of the golf ball; and
marking an approximation of the location of the golf ball with a
marking device, the marking device comprising an adaptable, planar
body defined by a periphery and having a side containing a color
that contrasts with a color of grass.
9. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the marking device
further comprises a flexible edging material attached to the body
along at least a portion of the periphery.
10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein marking an
approximation of the location of the golf ball further includes:
gripping the edging material device; and tossing and releasing the
marking device in a rotational manner toward the location of the
golf ball.
11. A method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising
applying an indicia on the planar body.
12. A system for marking a location of a plurality of golf balls in
play, the system comprising: a plurality of marking devices, each
marking device including an adaptable, planar body defined by a
periphery and having a top face containing a color that contrasts
with a color of grass, and a flexible edging material attached to
the body along at least a portion of the periphery, the color of
the side of the planar body being different among the plurality of
marking devices.
13. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the color of each
marking device contrasts with the color of all other marking
devices in the plurality of marking devices.
14. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein each marking
device further comprises a weight encased within the edging
material.
15. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the planar body
of each marking device is formed of poly vinyl chloride.
16. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the edging
material of each marking device includes nylon.
17. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the weight
includes sand.
18. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the top face of
each marking device includes at least one indicia.
19. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the periphery of
the planar body of each marking device is circular and has a
diameter of 6 to 10 inches.
20. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the diameter of
the periphery is between 7 and 9 inches.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] As all golf players can attest, no matter what their skill,
tracking the location of a golf ball in play can be challenging.
The contours and arrangement of the course and its fairways, the
vegetation surrounding the course, and the sheer distances that
golf balls travel all contribute to the challenge of keeping track
of one's golf ball. Searching for one's ball is time-consuming,
frustrating, and an activity that
[0002] Often, a player will rely on another person for information
as to the location of a golf ball. For example, another player may
be in a better position to view the location where a ball has
landed. Usually, this other player will point out the general
location of where one's ball has landed. However, this
identification is typically done from a moving golf cart, or is not
specific enough to identify the correct ball or the correct
location. Even with this type of identification, a golfer may still
have difficulty finding his or her ball.
[0003] Another problem exists when two players hit their golf balls
into the same general area, particularly if they use the same type
of ball. This situation can occur even when the two players are
playing different holes. Determining which ball is whose is often
made only upon a close inspection of the ball, which consumes a lot
of time in the context of the game. Thus, a need exists for a
mechanism by which a golf ball's location, and its association with
a player, can be efficiently and accurately marked.
SUMMARY
[0004] This document describes golf ball location and
player-association marking devices, methods and systems. According
to one aspect, an apparatus for marking a location of a golf ball
in play includes an adaptable, planar body defined by a periphery
and having a top face containing a color that contrasts with a
color of grass. The apparatus further includes a flexible edging
material attached to the body along at least a portion of the
periphery.
[0005] According to another aspect, a method of showing a location
of a golf ball in play includes the steps of determining a location
of the golf ball, and marking an approximation of the location of
the golf ball with a marking device. The marking device includes an
adaptable, planar body defined by a periphery and having a side
containing a color that contrasts with a color of grass. In another
aspect, a method includes using two or more marking devices
containing different colored planar bodies, to mark the approximate
location of a number of golf balls in play, and to associate those
golf balls with different respective players.
[0006] In yet another aspect, a system for marking a location of a
plurality of golf balls in play includes a plurality of marking
devices. Each marking device includes an adaptable, planar body
defined by a periphery and having a top face containing a color
that contrasts with a color of grass. Each marking device further
includes a flexible edging material attached to the body along at
least a portion of the periphery, the color of the side of the
planar body being different among the plurality of marking
devices.
[0007] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and
advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and
from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other aspects will now be described in detail with
reference to the following drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
golf ball location marking device.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a golf
ball location marking device.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of marking a location of a
golf ball in play.
[0012] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] This document describes golf ball location and association
marking devices, methods and systems, as illustrated with reference
to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a top
view of an exemplary embodiment of a golf ball location marking
device 100. The marking device 100 includes an adaptable, planar
body 102 defined by a periphery 104. The planar body 102 can be
adaptable as closely as possible to the contours of a fairway or
other terrain, such that the planar body 102 does not impede or
deflect the movement of a ball that lands on it. The planar body
102 can be made of any flexible or thin material, such as plastic,
vinyl, poly vinyl chloride, rubber, or a woven material.
[0014] The planar body 102 includes a top face 106 and a bottom
face 107. The top face 106 contains a color that contrasts with a
color of grass, such as yellow, red, or blue, for example. The top
face 106 can contain multiple colors. The top face 106 can also
include an indicia 108. The indicia 108 can be a logo, a picture, a
graphic, or any other type of indicia that can be associated with
an individual, entity or concept. The planar body 102 further
includes a flexible edging material 110 attached to the planar body
102 along at least a portion of the periphery 104, and preferably
along the entire periphery 104.
[0015] The edging material 110 is preferably formed of nylon, but
other resilient materials can be used, such as cotton, Teflon, or
other suitable resilient material. The edging material 110 can be
attached to the planar body 102 by stitching, glue, staples, or
other types of attaching mechanism. In some embodiments, the edging
material 110 encases a weight, such as a metal or plastic ring, or
sand that is encased in the edging material 110 and distributed
uniformly around the periphery 104.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 200 of showing a location of a
golf ball in play. At 202, a location of a golf ball is determined.
This determination can be made by the player associated with the
golf ball, another player, or by other means, such as a global
positioning system (GPS) determination. At 204, the edging material
of a marking device is gripped by a user, where the marking device
is configured according to the description above. At 206, the
marking device is tossed and released, preferably in a rotational
manner, and directed toward the location of the golf ball.
Accordingly, at 208, the marking device marks an approximation of
the location of the golf ball where it lands.
[0017] The marking device as described above can be used to
associate a ball with a particular player. The marking device can
be used individually, or as a system. The system includes two or
more marking devices, each having a different color to be
associated with a different player, or even each different golf
ball in play. Each marking device used can also serve as a
communication medium, via the indicia provided on the top face of
the marking device. For instance, the indicia can be a corporate
name or logo, such as a sponsor of a golf event. The indicia can
also represent other information, such as the status of a golf
game, the temperature or weather at the time of play, or any other
information that would be useful to a golf player.
[0018] Although a few embodiments have been described in detail
above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be
within the scope of the following claims.
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