Golf Ball Marker Assembly

Abstract

A golf ball marker assembly comprising a base and a golf ball marker releasably attached to the base, so that a portion of the base and of the golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. The visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base being configured to cooperate to form a representation of a creature, such as bug.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates to golf ball markers of the type used to mark the position of a golf ball on a golf green.

[0002] Golfers use golf ball markers to mark the position of their golf ball on a golf green, so that other golfers can putt without interference. For this purpose the marker must be small and unobtrusive, which makes the markers notoriously difficult to keep track of. Various efforts have been made to secure golf ball markers so that they are readily accessible and harder to lose. These efforts have met with varying success, but generally have not been aesthetically pleasing, particularly for female golfers.

SUMMARY

[0003] Generally, embodiments of the invention provide a golf ball marker assembly comprising a base and a golf ball marker releasably attached to the base. In the preferred embodiments, a portion of the base and of the golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. The visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base being configured to cooperate to form a representation of a recognizable figure, such as of a creature.

[0004] In some embodiments the golf ball marker is releasably attached to the base with at least one magnet. In other embodiments the golf ball marker is releasably attached to the base with mating portions of a hook-and-loop type fastening material. However the golf ball marker can be releasably attached to the base with any durable means that securely holds the marker, yet which allows the marker to be easily removed by the golfer when needed.

[0005] Some embodiments of the golf ball marker assembly can include means for securing the base to an article of clothing. In some embodiments this means can comprises a clip. In other embodiments this means can comprise a pin.

[0006] In the one preferred embodiment the recognizable figure that the base and golf ball marker cooperate to form a creature, and more particularly, a bug. In some embodiments the bug is a lady bug. In these embodiments the base could, for example, depict at least a portion of the lady bug's head, and the golf ball marker could depict at least a portion of the lady bug's body. In another preferred embodiment the creature that the base and golf ball marker cooperate to form is a bee. In these embodiments the base, could for example depict at least a portion of the bee's head, and the golf ball marker could depicts at least a portion of the bee's body. In these preferred embodiments, the base comprises a mounting portion for releasably mounting the marker and a raised portion adjacent to the mounting portion. The raised portion forms at least part of the visible portion of the base. In other embodiments the recognizable figure could be a plant, such as a flower, or some inanimate object.

[0007] Thus embodiments of the invention provide a golf ball marker assembly that is highly aesthetic, provide a golf ball marker in a convenient location where it can be readily accessed and removed when needed, but which securely holds the marker when it is not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of golf ball marker assembly according to the principles of this invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 1, with the marker removed, showing the base;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the golf ball marker of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 1,

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker assembly;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of golf ball marker assembly according to the principles of this invention;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 8;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 8;

[0018] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the golf ball marker of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 8;

[0019] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of a golf ball marker assembly according to the principles of this invention;

[0020] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 12, showing the marker separated from the base;

[0021] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of a golf ball marker assembly according to the principles of this invention; and

[0022] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 14, showing the marker separated from the base.

[0023] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A first embodiment of a golf ball marker assembly constructed according to the principles of this invention is indicated generally as 20 in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7. The assembly 20 comprises a base 22 and a golf ball marker 24 releasably attached to the base. The base 22 and the golf ball marker 24 are arranged so that a portion of the base and of the golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. These visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base are preferably configured to cooperate to form a representation of a readily recognizable figure, and most preferably a creature. In the first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, this creature is a lady bug, and in the second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11, this creature is a bee, but the invention is not so limited and the creature could be some other type of bug, or even some other type of figure altogether.

[0025] The golf ball marker 24 is preferably releasably attached to the base 22 with at least one magnet. As shown in FIG. 2, magnets 26 are mounted on the base 22 for releasably magnetically engaging the bottom surface of the marker 24. The golf ball marker 24 is made of, or includes, magnetically responsive material that is attracted to, and held by the magnets 26 (the magnets could instead be provided on the golf ball marker 24 for magnetically attaching the marker to the base). Alternatively the golf ball marker 24 can be releasably attached to the base 22 with mating portions of a hook-and-loop type fastening material, or some other means of releasable attachment.

[0026] The golf ball marker assembly 20 preferably further comprises means for securing the base 22 to an article of clothing, such as a blouse, sweater, hat, head band, belt, skirt, pants, or shorts. Alternatively the golf ball marker assembly 20 can be incorporated into a piece of jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet. The means for securing the base 22 can comprise a clip (not shown) formed on the rear surface of the base. Alternatively, the means for securing the base comprises a pin 28 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with a spring-loaded pin 30 and catch 32.

[0027] As discussed above, the golf ball marker assembly 20 is preferably in the form of a lady bug, in which case the base 22 can depict at least a portion of the lady bug's head, and the golf ball marker 24 depicts at least a portion of the lady bug's body. To this end, the golf ball marker 24 has a generally oval shape, like the body of the lady bug, and contrasting spots 34, to make the creature look like a lady bug. Alternatively, the golf ball marker assembly can depict some other bug, such as a bee. In this case, as in the second preferred embodiment indicated generally as 20' and shown in FIGS. 8-11, the base 22' can depict at least a portion of the bee's head, and the golf ball marker 24' can depict at least a portion of the bee's body. To this end, the golf ball marker 24' has a generally oval shape, like the body of a bee, and contains stripes 36, to make the creature look like a bee. Of course, the golf ball marker assembly can be constructed with a single base 22 and two or more golf ball markers, such as marker 24 and 24', so that the user can change the look of the golf ball marker assembly, to coordinate with a particular outfit or to suit a particular mood.

[0028] The golf ball marker assembly could also be in the form of some other type of creature, such as a butterfly, as in the third preferred embodiment, indicated generally as 40 and shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The assembly 40 comprises a base 42 and a golf ball marker 44 releasably attached to the base. The base 42 and the golf ball marker 44 are arranged so that portions of the base and of the golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. These visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base are configured to cooperate to form a representation of a butterfly.

[0029] The golf ball marker 44 is preferably releasably attached to the base 42 with at least one magnet 46. As shown in FIG. 13, two magnets 46 are mounted on the base 42 for releasably magnetically engaging the bottom surface of the marker 44. The golf ball marker 44 is made of, or includes, magnetically responsive material that is attracted to, and held by the magnets 46. Alternatively the golf ball marker 44 can be releasably attached to the base 42 with mating portions of a hook-and-loop type fastening material, or some other means of releasable attachment.

[0030] The golf ball marker assembly 40 preferably further comprises means for securing the base 42 to an article of clothing, such as a blouse, sweater, hat, head band, belt, skirt, pants, or shorts. Alternatively the golf ball marker assembly 40 can be incorporated into a piece of jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet. The means for securing the base 42 can comprise a clip (not shown) formed on the rear surface of the base. Alternatively, the means for securing the base comprises a pin (such as the pin 28 of the first preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with a spring-loaded pin 30 and catch 32).

[0031] The golf ball marker assembly could also be in the form of some other recognizable shape, such as a flower, as in the fourth preferred embodiment, indicated generally as 50 and shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The assembly 50 comprises a base 52 and a golf ball marker 54 releasably attached to the base. The base 52 and the golf ball marker 54 are arranged so that portions of the base and of the golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. These visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base are configured to cooperate to form a representation of a flower.

[0032] The golf ball marker 54 is preferably releasably attached to the base 52 with at least one magnet 56. As shown in FIG. 15, a single magnet 56 is mounted on the base 52 for releasably magnetically engaging the bottom surface of the marker 54. The golf ball marker 54 is made of, or includes, magnetically responsive material that is attracted to, and held by the magnet 56. Alternatively the golf ball marker 54 can be releasably attached to the base 52 with mating portions of a hook-and-loop type fastening material, or some other means of releasable attachment.

[0033] The golf ball marker assembly 50 preferably further comprises means for securing the base 52 to an article of clothing, such as a blouse, sweater, hat, head band, belt, skirt, pants, or shorts. Alternatively the golf ball marker assembly 50 can be incorporated into a piece of jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet. The means for securing the base 52 can comprise a clip (not shown) formed on the rear surface of the base. Alternatively, the means for securing the base comprises a pin (such as the pin 28 of the first preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with a spring-loaded pin 30 and catch 32).

[0034] Preferably, in these embodiments the base 22, 22', 42 or 52 comprises a mounting portion 60 for releasably mounting the marker, e.g. 24, 24', 42 or 52, and a raised portion 62 adjacent the mounting portion. The base of each embodiment, and in particular the raised portion 62, and the golf ball marker 24, 24', 44 or 54 preferably have mating concave-convex portions so that a portion of one is received within a portion of the other. This helps provide greater security, preventing the golf ball marker from being inadvertently knocked off of the base, and a curved rather than straight interface between the base and the golf ball marker helps disguise the removable nature of the golf ball marker.

Operation

[0035] In operation, the golf ball marker assembly constructed according to the principles of this invention 20, 20', 40 or 50 is secured on the golf or the golfer's clothing, such as the golfer's blouse or belt or hat, preferably using an integral clip or a pin 28. The base and the marker cooperate to form a representation of an attractive creature, such as a lady bug in the case of assembly 20, or a bee in the case of assembly 20', a butterfly in the case of assembly 40, or a flower in the case of assembly 50. The representation makes the marker easy to spot, yet because the base and marker cooperate to form an image of a recognizable figure, hide the utilitarian nature of the golf ball marker from others, disguising it as an attractive piece of jewelry. When the golfer desires to use the marker, the golfer pulls on the marker 24, 24', 44, or 54 to free it from the base, and places it on the surface of the green to mark the ball's position. The golf ball marker is relatively small, flat and unobtrusive, for this purpose, and could easily be lost if it could not be securely stored on the base when not is use. When the need for the marker has passed, the golfer simply replaces the marker on the base. The raised portion 60 of the base is roughly the same height as the top surface of the golf ball marker, so that that the marker is roughly flush with the visible portions of the base, enhancing the appearance, and helping to partially shield the golf ball marker, so that it is not inadvertently knocked off of the base.

[0036] To enhance the appearance of the golf ball marker assembly, the visible portions of the base and marker can be covered with decorative coating, such as enamel, and/or encrusted with real of man-made gemstones, or both, or otherwise decorated to enhance their appearance. This helps enhance the appearance of the golf ball marker assembly, and further disguises its true functional nature.

Claims

1. A golf ball marker assembly comprising: a base; a golf ball marker releasably attached to the base, so that a portion of the base and of the golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base, the visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base being configured to cooperate to form a representation of an object.

2. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the golf ball marker is releasably attached to the base with at least one magnet.

3. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the golf ball marker is releasably attached to the base with mating portions of a hook-and-loop type fastening material.

4. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 further comprising means for securing the base to an article of clothing.

5. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 4 wherein the means for securing the base comprises a clip.

6. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 4 wherein the means for securing the base comprises a pin.

7. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the object is a plant.

8. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the object is a creature.

9. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 8 wherein the creature is a bug.

10. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 9 wherein the bug is a lady bug.

11. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 10 wherein the base depicts at least a portion of the lady bug's head, and the golf ball marker depicts at least a portion of the lady bug's body.

12. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 9 wherein the bug is a bee.

13. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 12 wherein the base depicts at least a portion of the bee's head, and the golf ball marker depicts at least a portion of the bee's body.

14. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 9 wherein the bug is a butterfly.

15. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the base comprises mounting portion for releasably mounting the marker, and a raised portion adjacent the mounting portion, the raised portion form at least part of visible portion of the base.