Abstract:
Ferrule housing is used to protect a golf cup from damage by a ferrule of a golf flagstick. The ferrule housing is sized to fit within an aperture at a bottom of the golf cup. The ferrule housing includes an internal geometry shaped to receive and hold the ferrule of the golf flagstick. An attachment mechanism secures the ferrule housing within the aperture.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Golf is a widely popular game. The main object of the game is to sink a golf ball into a golf cup. The player who does that with the fewest number of swings, wins. Each golf cup is sunken into the ground, making it difficult for the players to see from a distance. In order to offer direction to the players, a flag is posted above each golf cup. These flags are generally held in place by a flagstick which is removably affixed to the golf cup. The flag is attached to a first end of the flagstick, and a ferrule is attached to the distal end. The ferrule slides in and out of a receptacle within the golf cup. As the game progresses and the players come within range of the golf cup; the flagstick is pulled from the golf cup by hand and set aside. All the players complete that hole, and then the flagstick is returned to the golf cup. Over time, both the circumference of the ferrule and the circumference of the golf cup receptacle become worn as the players remove and return the flagstick to the golf cup. Friction and wear may increase dramatically if the player scores poorly on that hole. 
         [0002]    The presence of dirt and sand escalates the diminution of both the ferrule and the golf cup. Said wear is also contributed to golf course maintenance. The golf cups are generally required to be relocated within the putting green on a daily basis. In order to do so, the flagstick must be removed and replaced thereby causing friction and wear. Flagsticks are also removed and replaced when the grass is mowed. In addition, wear also occurs from wind blowing against the flag. Wear to the ferrule and golf cup become evident as the flagstick becomes loose and begins to wobble or lean to one side. This leaning can easily misguide the players as to the location of the golf cup, and is therefore not acceptable. Even when the only wear on the golf cup is at the ferrule receptacle, the entire golf cup must be replaced. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf cup, a flagstick, and a flag, in-use. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a perspective cutaway view of a golf cup of the prior art. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a perspective cutaway view of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a ferrule housing tool in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a perspective cutaway view of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a ferrule housing tool in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a ferrule housing in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of a ferrule housing in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is an elevational sectional view of a ferrule housing in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of wear surfaces of a ferrule housing in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a perspective cutaway view of a flagstick and ferrule, which is removably affixed to a ferrule housing and a golf cup in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a ferrule housing sheath. 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, a washer, and a nut. 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup and a ferrule housing. 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup and a ferrule housing. 
           [0016]      FIG. 14  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a set screw. 
           [0017]      FIG. 15  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a hitch clip pin. 
           [0018]      FIG. 16  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a cotter pin. 
           [0019]      FIG. 17  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a pull ring detent pin. 
           [0020]      FIG. 18  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a clevis pin. 
           [0021]      FIG. 19  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a clevis pin. 
           [0022]      FIG. 20  is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a golf cup, a ferrule housing, and a round lock pin. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , whereby a flag  10  is affixed to a flagstick  11 . Flagstick  11  is removably affixed to a golf cup  12  which is placed and positioned below ground surface  13 . Here we see a player  14  putting a golf ball toward the golf cup. From this distance, the player will likely remove the flag on the following putt and attempt to sink the golf ball into the golf cup. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 2 , a perspective cutaway view of golf cup  12  of the prior art is shown. Golf cups are generally fabricated from a metal or a polymer, generally aluminum or PVC/ABS plastic, and are integrally formed as a single piece. The single piece golf cup  12  includes an outer wall  15 , a surface  16 , and a centrally located cylindrical aperture  17 . In use, aperture  17  receives the body of a flagstick ferrule, and a lip of the ferrule rests against surface  16  thereby supporting the flagstick. The flagstick is generally removed while putting a golf ball into the golf cup, and then replaced. This action, along with wind blowing against the flag, and the presence of sand and dirt, causes the walls of aperture  17  to become worn. A wall that is worn down allows the ferrule to move freely, causing a greater amount of wear. Once the cylindrical aperture of a golf cup is worn to the extent that the flag tilts or leans to one side, the golf cup must be replaced. 
         [0025]    In  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , perspective cutaway views of a ferrule housing  20 , a golf cup  30 , and a ferrule housing tool  40  are shown. In  FIG. 3 , ferrule housing  20  has not yet been rotatably affixed to golf cup  30 . Tool  40  is included to aid in the insertion and removal of ferrule housing  20  to and from golf cup  30 . A greens keeper inserts ferrule housing  20  into golf cup  30  and manually turns male threads  21  of ferrule housing  20  into female threads  36  of golf cup  30 , then continues to tighten ferrule housing  20  by inserting protuberances  42  of tool  40  into slots  28  of ferrule housing  20 , turning ferrule housing tool  40  at handle  44  until completely tightened.  FIG. 4  shows the ferrule housing  20  installed in golf cup  30  and demonstrates that in this position, surface area  23  of collar  22  is flush with surface area  34  of golf cup  30 , and surface  26  of collar  22  is flush with surface  32  of golf cup  30 . With the ferrule housing  20  installed, ferrule housing tool  40  may now be removed and the golf cup returned to use on the putting green. A worn ferrule housing can be replaced many times, thereby extending the life of the golf cup dramatically. The precise design style of the golf cup is beyond the scope of this invention. There are many design styles of golf cups, and virtually any style may be employed. In the preferred embodiment, golf cup  30  is manufactured for use with ferrule housing  20 , but pre-existing golf cups may be modified as well in order to accommodate a ferrule housing. 
         [0026]    In  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 , ferrule housing  20  is shown. When installed into the golf cup, male threads  21  screw into female threads within the golf cup, affixing ferrule housing  20  to the golf cup. At least one slot  28  is included in order to receive a tool for tightening and removing said ferrule housing  20 . Surface area  23  of collar  22  comes in contact with a mating surface area of the golf cup, thereby preventing ferrule housing  20  from becoming inserted any farther. Once installed, surface  26  of collar  22  is generally flush with surface  32  of golf cup  30  as seen in  FIG. 4 . The internal geometry of the ferrule housing is sequentially shaped to receive the ferrule of a flagstick. When the ferrule of a flagstick is inserted into aperture  27  of ferrule housing  20 , the ferrule generally mates with surfaces  24 ,  25  and  26  thereby holding the ferrule in a stationary yet removable position. 
         [0027]    In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , surface areas  29  of ferrule housing  20  are shown as subject to wear.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 9 , an in-use perspective cutaway view of ferrule housing  20 , golf cup  30 , ferrule  18 , and flagstick  11  are shown. Ferrule housing  20  is rotatably affixed to golf cup  30 . Flagstick ferrule  18  is easily inserted and removed from golf cup  30  by moving the flagstick in a vertical direction. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 10 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment including ferrule housing  20 , a ferrule housing sheath  210 , and a golf cup  310  is shown. In this embodiment, ferrule housing sheath  210  is press-fit to golf cup  310 , and ferrule housing  20  is rotatably affixed to ferrule housing sheath  210  via male threads  21  and female threads  202 . When the usable life of the ferrule housing has been exhausted, it is replaced by unscrewing it from ferrule housing sheath  210 . Ferrule housing sheath  210  remains affixed to golf cup  310  until the usable life of threads  202  have been exhausted, then may be replaced by using a bearing press, pipe and hammer, or the like. 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 11 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment is shown that includes a ferrule housing  220 , a washer  221 , a nut  222 , and a golf cup  320 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  220  slides freely into aperture  321  until surface area  223  of collar  222  is flush with surface area  322  of golf cup  320 . Key  324  of golf cup  320  is optionally provided to restrain ferrule housing  220  from rotating (coinciding keyway of ferrule housing  220  is not seen in this view). Once ferrule housing  220  is in place, washer  221  and nut  222  are applied to ferrule housing  220 , locking it in place. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 12 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment is shown that includes a ferrule housing  240  and a golf cup  340 . In this embodiment, at least one protuberance  241  of ferrule housing  240  slides into at least one channel  341  of golf cup  340 , and is then rotated such that protuberance  241  follows channel  341  into nest  342  as illustrated in  3 -point directional diagram  343 , thereby locking ferrule housing  240  in place. Optionally, the tool and slot method of  FIG. 3  may be employed. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 13 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention including a ferrule housing  270  and a cup  370 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  270  includes at least one tab  271  having a button  274 . As ferrule housing  270  slides into aperture  371 , button  274  brushes against the interior wall of the cylinder causing tab  271  to bow inward, thereby allowing ferrule housing  270  to pass into aperture  371 . Once surface area  273  of collar  272  comes to rest upon surface area  372  of cup  370 , the button  274  simultaneously projects into aperture  373  in the direction of  374 , thereby locking ferrule housing  270  in place. Optionally, key and keyway as described in  FIG. 11  may be employed in order to ease in the lining up of button  274  and aperture  373 . Ferrule housing  270  is removed by depressing at least one button  274 , or by using a removal tool (not shown). 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 14 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment including a ferrule housing  280 , a set screw  384 , and a golf cup  380 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  280  slides into aperture  381  of golf cup  380 . Golf cup  380  includes at least one threaded hole  383  for receiving set screw  384 . Once surface area  283  of collar  282  comes to rest upon surface area  382  of golf cup  380 , set screw  384  is tightened against the exterior wall of the ferrule housing  280 , thereby locking ferrule housing  280  in place. Optionally, an indent  284  may be employed in order to offer set screw  384  a tighter clamping ability. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 15 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment is shown that includes a ferrule housing  290 , a hitch clip pin  295 , and a golf cup  390 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  290  slides into aperture  391  of golf cup  390 . Once surface area  293  of collar  292  comes to rest upon surface area  392  of golf cup  390 , hitch clip pin  295  is inserted into hole  393 , through hole  294 , and out hole  394 , thereby locking ferrule housing  290  in place. A passageway  395  is included to aid in the insertion of hitch clip pin  295 . Optionally, key and keyway as described in  FIG. 11  may be employed in order to ease in the lining up of hole  294  to holes  393  and  394 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 16 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment that includes a ferrule housing  400 , a cotter pin  405 , and a golf cup  500 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  400  slides into aperture  501  of golf cup  500 . Once surface area  403  of collar  402  comes to rest upon surface area  502  of golf cup  500 , cotter pin  405  is inserted into hole  503 , through hole  404 , and out hole  504 . Distal ends  406  of cotter pin  405  protrude through hole  504  and may then be bent over or spread apart, thereby locking ferrule housing  400  in place. A passageway  505  is included to aid in the insertion of cotter pin  405 . Optionally, key and keyway as described in  FIG. 11  may be employed in order to ease in the lining up of hole  404  to holes  503  and  504 . 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 17 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment is shown that includes a ferrule housing  410 , a pull ring detent pin  415 , and a golf cup  510 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  410  slides into aperture  511  of golf cup  510 . Once surface area  413  of collar  412  comes to rest upon surface area  512  of golf cup  510 , pull ring detent pin  415  is inserted into hole  513 , through hole  414 , and out hole  514 . The bearing  416  of pull ring detent pin  415  protrudes through hole  514 , thereby locking ferrule housing  410  in place. A passageway  515  is included to aid in the insertion of pull ring detent pin  415 . Optionally, key and keyway as described in  FIG. 11  may be employed in order to ease in the lining up of hole  414  to holes  513  and  514 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 18 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment is shown that includes a ferrule housing  420 , a clevis pin with hole  425 , a hitch clip pin  427 , and a golf cup  520 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  420  slides into aperture  521  of golf cup  520 . Once surface area  423  of collar  422  comes to rest upon surface area  522  of golf cup  520 , clevis pin with hole  425  is inserted into hole  523 , through hole  424 , and out hole  524 . The hole  426  of clevis pin with hole  425  protrudes through hole  524 . Hitch clip pin  427  is inserted through hole  426 , thereby locking ferrule housing  420  in place. A passageway  525  is included to aid in the insertion of clevis pin with hole  425 . Optionally, key and keyway as described in  FIG. 11  may be employed in order to ease in the lining up of hole  424  to holes  523  and  524 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 19 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment is shown that includes a ferrule housing  430 , a clevis pin with groove  435 , a retainer ring (E-clip)  437 , and a golf cup  530 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  430  slides into aperture  531  of golf cup  530 . Once surface area  433  of collar  432  comes to rest upon surface area  532  of golf cup  530 , clevis pin with groove  435  is inserted into hole  533 , through hole  434 , and out hole  534 . The groove  436  of clevis pin with groove  435  protrudes through hole  534 . Retainer ring  437  is applied to groove  436 , thereby locking ferrule housing  430  in place. A passageway  535  is included to aid in the insertion of clevis pin with groove  435 . Optionally, key and keyway as described in  FIG. 11  may be employed in order to ease in the lining up of hole  434  to holes  533  and  534 . 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 20 , a perspective cutaway view of an alternative embodiment is shown that includes a ferrule housing  440 , a round lock pin  445 , and a golf cup  540 . In this embodiment, ferrule housing  440  slides into aperture  541  of golf cup  540 . Once surface area  443  of collar  442  comes to rest upon surface area  542  of golf cup  540 , the body of round lock pin  445  is inserted into hole  543 , through hole  444 , and out hole  544 . The distal end  446  of round lock pin  445  protrudes through hole  544 . The loop  447  of clip  448  is pulled over distal end  446  of round lock pin  445 , thereby locking ferrule housing  440  in place. A passageway  545  is included to aid in the insertion of round lock pin  445 . Optionally, key and keyway as described in  FIG. 11  may be employed in order to ease in the lining up of hole  444  to holes  543  and  544 . 
         [0040]    Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.