Non-sticking putting cup

A golf putting cup that includes an outer cylindrical wall and a bottom portion disposed therein. The bottom portion forms a ferrule socket and includes at least one passage for directing sand and other debris away from the ferrule socket. The ferrule socket is of minimal surface area to prevent sand or other material from becoming trapped between the ferrule and ferrule socket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to the field of golf course 
accessories, and more particularly, to a new golf putting cup that 
prevents sand and other debris from accumulating in the ferrule socket. 
In recent years it has become a standard practice in golf course 
construction to construct golf greens with mostly sand. Loose sand 
frequently accumulates on the bottom surface of a traditional putting cup. 
Because the bottom surface slants towards the ferrule socket, sand tends 
to migrate to the ferrule socket. When the ferrule of the flagstick is 
inserted into the ferrule socket, sand and other debris become trapped 
therebetween. As a result, the ferrule becomes stuck in the ferrule 
socket, and the cup is often pulled out of the ground when the player 
attempts to remove the flagstick. Thus, there is a need in the art for a 
new golf putting cup that prevents the accumulation of sand and other 
debris in the ferrule socket. 
One approach to the problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,045 issued 
Sep. 19, 1995. The '045 patent discloses a drainage ferrule having a 
plurality of valleys or grooves about its outer circumferential surface, 
allowing water, sand or other debris to pass through the socket while the 
ferrule is in the socket. This drainage ferrule does not, however, prevent 
the accumulation of sand and other debris in the ferrule socket. As such, 
there is still a need in the art for a new putting cup that directs sand 
and other debris away from the ferrule socket. 
Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision 
of an improved golf putting cup. 
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a golf 
putting cup that effectively prevents sand and other debris from 
accumulating in the ferrule socket. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a golf 
putting cup that allows the ferrule of a flagstick to be easily inserted 
and removed. 
A still further objective of the present invention is an improved method 
for using a flagstick and a golf putting cup. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a golf 
putting cup that is efficient in operation, economical to manufacture, and 
durable in use. 
These and other features, objectives and advantages will become apparent to 
those skilled in the art with reference to the accompanying specification. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The golf putting cup of the present invention includes an outer cylindrical 
wall and a bottom portion disposed within the outer wall, the bottom 
portion forming a ferrule socket and at least one passage for directing 
sand and debris away from the ferrule socket. In its preferred form, the 
putting cup includes a plurality of fins spaced apart and arranged 
vertically in the cup. The fins extend from a first end near the outer 
wall of the cup to a second end near the center of the cup. The second 
ends of the fins define the ferrule socket. That is, the ferrule is held 
in place by the second ends of the fins spaced apart near the center of 
the cup. The fins are tied together for strength by a substantially 
horizontal band. The band has a top surface that slants downwardly and 
away from the ferrule socket to direct sand and other debris away from the 
ferrule socket. 
The present invention also includes a method of using a flagstick with a 
golf putting cup to prevent sand and other debris from accumulating in the 
ferrule socket. The method generally comprises the steps of providing a 
flagstick with a ferrule secured to its bottom end; providing a golf 
putting cup that includes a plurality of fins spaced apart with the ends 
of the fins defining a ferrule socket; and inserting the ferrule of the 
flagstick into the ferrule socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred 
embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to 
the described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover all 
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents which may be included within 
the spirit and scope of the invention. 
FIG. 1 shows the golf putting cup 10 of the present invention. The outer 
cylindrical wall 11 forms the periphery of the putting cup 10. The outer 
cylindrical wall includes an outer surface 12 and an inner surface 14. 
FIG. 1 also shows a typical golf flagstick 30 with a ferrule 32 mounted to 
its bottom end. 
The putting cup has a bottom portion that includes a plurality of primary 
fins 16 are spaced apart adjacent the inner surface 14 of the outer 
cylindrical wall 11. The primary fins 16 are maintained in a generally 
vertical direction and extend between a first end 18 at or proximate the 
inner surface 14 of the outer cylindrical wall 11 toward the center of the 
cup to a second end 20. It is the second ends 20 of the primary fins 16 
that form the ferrule socket 21. Because the second ends 20 of the primary 
fins 16 are spaced apart, the structure defining the ferrule socket 21 has 
a small surface area. As a result, there is less surface area for sand and 
other debris to accumulate and become trapped between the ferrule 32 and 
the ferrule socket 21. 
The primary fins 16 are tied together for strength by a substantially 
horizontal band 24. Unlike the bottom of a traditional putting cup, 
however, this band 24 has a top surface 26 that slants downwardly and away 
from the ferrule socket 21. Therefore, any sand or other debris falling 
onto the band 24 is directed towards the outside of the cup and will fall 
through the space 27 between the band 24 and the inner surface 14 of the 
outer cylindrical wall 11 (see FIG. 2). The band 24 passes through an 
aperture 34 in each of the primary fins 16 to hold the fins together (See 
FIG. 3). 
A plurality of minor fins 28 are also provided which provide reinforcement 
for the bottom portion of the cup and also prevent the ferrule 32 from 
accidentally becoming jammed between the major fins 16. Note that both the 
major fins 16 and the minor fins 28 are rounded at their top edges 22 and 
36 to prevent the accumulation of debris. As shown in FIG. 3, each minor 
fin 28 includes a slot 29 for accepting the band 24. This provides 
reinforcement for the band 24 and helps to secure the major fins 16 to one 
another. 
It is preferred that all components of the putting cup 10 of the present 
invention be made from a hardened plastic material. Alternataively, the 
putting cup may be cast from aluminum or diecast from zinc. 
The present invention solves the problems associated with sand and other 
debris by essentially eliminating any surfaces within the cup in which 
debris can accumulate. In operation, any sand falling on the band 24 is 
directed away from the ferrule socket 21 and towards the outside of the 
putting cup. Thus, large amounts of sand and other debris does not 
accumulate in the ferrule socket 21. Further, when the ferrule 32 is 
inserted into the ferrule socket 21, there is not a large surface area for 
the sand to become trapped between the second ends 20 of the major fins 16 
and the ferrule 32. As such, the ferrule 32 may be easily inserted and 
removed without sticking against the walls of the ferrule socket 21. 
Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connection with the 
preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that many 
modifications, substitutions and additions may be made which are within 
the intended broad scope of the following claims. 
From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes 
at least all of its stated objectives.