Abstract:
Apparatus for accurately measuring the distance between a golf ball and the hole on a putting green, i.e., for determining proximity, especially in golf competitions to see who can hit their ball onto the green to end up in closest proximity to the hole. An accessory to the measurement device is a proximity sign for recording the proximity measurements. The invention comprises apparatus and method for conveniently storing and using the measurement device(s). For proximity measurements, the device is configured to removably and repositionably attach a tape measure to a flag pin (generally the flag pin in the hole on the green in contest). The proximity sign is similarly configured. For storage of a device when not in use, the devices include spring clips and an optional security ring to impede unauthorized removal from the flag pin.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to apparatus ancillary to equipment used to play golf and, more particularly apparatus for measuring distance of a golf ball from the hole on a putting green. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During the play of the game of golf it is often desirable to determine, while on the putting green and ready to putt, who is “away”, i.e., whose ball is furthest from the hole, because that determines the first person required to putt. As is often the case, individual players may be close enough in distance from the hole in different directions around the hole, that it is difficult to ascertain who is away. This is typically resolved by either pacing the distance from the hole to each ball on the green, or alternatively, by using a crude measuring device such as the golf hole flag stick (pin), golf clubs, or the like. Such methods of measuring are either inaccurate, or cumbersome, or both. 
     The issue of distance from the hole becomes even more critical when players are involved in a contest to determine whose ball stops moving in closest proximity to the hole when hit onto the green. In such a contest, even fractions of an inch can determine a winner among many different players of the contested hole. Side bets may be involved, and the situation is ripe for cheating and arguments, if not physical fights, especially if a means for accurate and consistent distance measurement isn&#39;t available. Therefore an accurate measurement device, particularly one having a built-in enforcement of consistent measurement method is needed. For example, the measurement can be made from the edge of the cup in the hole, the center of the hole, or the side of the pin (flag stick) in the cup; to the side or the center of the ball. Furthermore, the “side” of the hole or ball could be the nearest or the farthest side. Consistent choices for all of these factors must be made by every player on the subject green. Even given consistent choices, accuracy of measurement will also be affected by how accurately the measurer estimates the location of “nearest/farthest side” or “center”, possibly having to take into account parallax. 
     Often in such “closest to the pin” contests, an actual measurement number is not used, but rather a “proximity marker” is used to physically indicate where the previously closest ball was located. The marker is typically a pointed spike (ground stake) supporting a small sign board upon which player&#39;s names are placed in sequence as each following name applies to a closer proximity than the preceding ones. The closest proximity so far is marked by pressing the stake into the ground, and the bottom name indicates the achiever of that closest position. 
     The described type of proximity marker causes greens maintenance issues wherein holes left by the ground stake of a typical proximity marker are damaging to the bent grass on the green. The round hole perhaps a half inch in diameter that is left by a proximity marker stake is too big to close easily and thus leaves a spot for foreign grass seed to access the underlying dirt, plant itself and grow where it is not wanted. Therefore there is a need for means to record relative proximity without placing holes in the green. Of course a proximity marker stuck anywhere in the ground can be a nuisance as an obstacle that can be unfairly moved between players. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,030 (Hanson; Sep. 10, 1974) discloses a closest to pin measurer that provides a post for fitting in the flag pin hole of the cup and an attachment point for the free end of a tape measure. Although this helps provide a consistent measurement point at the cup, it appears to be a nuisance to use and to store when not in use, since it must be put into the cup in place of the flag pin for use, then taken out and stored somewhere when the flag is replaced. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,232 (Lang; Nov. 14, 1989) discloses a distance measuring device wherein a T-handled stake fits into the flag pin hole of the cup (in place of the flag pin) and a tape measure that is stored in a U-shaped holder on the stake can be pulled away from the stake to make a measurement. The free end of the tape is secured to the stake. A card holder is also attached to the stake to replace a movable position-indicating proximity marker. This device apparently suffers from essentially the same limitations as Hanson regarding nuisance. 
     Both Hanson and Lang join many other prior art measurement devices in using a measurement method of holding the free end of a tape or string at the hole, and pulling the tape measure body out to the ball. A problem with this method is that the body is bulky and often awkward to position accurately against the ball without moving it; and if the body is pulled past the ball, then a reading on the tape measure must be made by lining up the horizontal tape with a consistent point of the round ball while avoiding parallax errors—something that very few people can do well. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,329 (Trigg et al.; Jun. 16, 1981) reverses the measurement in the embodiment of his  FIGS. 2-3  by clipping the body on the flag pin and pulling the free end of a string out to the ball. This also avoids the nuisance of having an extra device lying around the green since it clips onto the existing flag pin. However, Trigg et al.&#39;s device is apparently designed for being carried by an individual golfer, not for leaving at a hole. Thus it has a string for relative, but not measureable, distance determination; and the body of the device is held in a horizontal plane when clipped on the flag pin, making it difficult to read if a tape measure were to be substituted since the tape would be vertical. Thus it has a belt clip but not a substantial clip for secure or permanent attachment to the flag pin. Trigg&#39;s flag pin clip comprises a reel housing ( 14 ) onto which are rotatably attached a left clip half ( 42 ) and a right clip half ( 46 ). The right clip half ( 42 ) has an arcuate portion and the left clip half ( 46 ) has an arcuate portion, the ends of which engage each other at a meeting point ( 50 ). A spring ( 54 ) biases the right and left clip halves ( 42 ,  46 ) into engagement at point ( 50 ). 
     Since Trigg et al.&#39;s device is intended for personal carrying such as on a belt, his clip must be relatively thin and appears to be wire-formed and somewhat “flimsy”. It appears that if the spring is not strong enough then the device would be easily pulled off the flag pin during use, especially since the stress is applied primarily at the meeting point of the two clip halves. On the other hand, making the spring stronger could easily cause problems wherein if the wire is bent somewhat to result in mis-alignment of the clip halves at the meeting point, then the halves would not meet but would bypass each other. Therefore Trigg et al.&#39;s device would not appear to be suitable for contest use: it is not rugged enough for many players to use/abuse; and it won&#39;t stay up off the ground if left clipped onto the flag pin. 
     Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and method of use for accurately and consistently measuring proximity to the hole for a plurality of golf players. Its an added object to be able to make such measurements and record them for many players as each plays through a given hole where the device would be stored for use by all. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Invention concerns apparatus for accurately measuring the distance from a golf ball to the hole on a putting green, i.e., for determining proximity, especially in golf competitions to see who can hit their ball onto the green to end up in closest proximity to the hole. 
     An accessory to the measurement device is a proximity marker for recording the proximity measurements. 
     The invention comprises apparatus and method for conveniently storing and using the measurement device(s). 
     For proximity measurements, the device is configured to removably and repositionably attach a tape measure to a flag pin (generally the flag pin in the hole on the green in contest). The proximity marker is similarly configured. 
     For storage of the device when not in use, the devices include spring clips and optional security ring to impede unauthorized removal from flag pin. These storage components allow the devices to either be kept at a single green or to be kept by a player while advancing from hole to hole. The spring clips will clamp the devices onto poles and posts, including, for example, the flag pin and a proximity marker (optionally a post on a golf cart). 
     Two exemplary versions of a spring clip are disclosed: A U-shaped strip of spring metal, and a hinged, spring-biased clamp. 
     The devices additionally address greens maintenance issues wherein holes left by the ground stake of a typical proximity marker are damaging to the bent grass on the green. The round hole perhaps a half inch in diameter that is left by a proximity marker is too big to close easily and thus leaves a spot for foreign grass seed to access the underlying dirt, plant itself and grow where it is not wanted. When using either inventive device the proximity marker can be staked in a fixed location near to but not on the green, and can still be used for holding written records of measured proximity for players. Alternatively, the proximity marker can be clipped onto the flag pin, thereby eliminating the need for any kind of post stuck into the ground. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following description thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these particular embodiments. 
       Certain elements in selected ones of the drawings may be illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views, if any, presented herein may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a true cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity. 
       Elements of the figures can be numbered such that similar (including identical) elements may be referred to with similar numbers in a single drawing. For example, each of a plurality of elements collectively referred to as 199 may be referred to individually as 199a, 199b, 199c, etc. Such relationships, if any, between similar elements in the same or different figures will become apparent throughout the specification, including, if applicable, in the claims and abstract. 
       The structure, operation, and advantages of the present preferred embodiment of the invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tape measure clamped onto a flag pin and being used to measure proximity of a golf ball to the hole, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a tape measure with a clip attached to it, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the tape measure and clip of  FIG. 2 , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a tape measure with a second embodiment of a clip attached to it, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the tape measure and clip of  FIG. 4 , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial top view of the tape measure and clip of  FIG. 3 , with a security ring added, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a proximity sign and a tape measure being clipped onto it, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a proximity sign and a tape measure that is clipped onto it, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of the back of a proximity sign with an attached clip being used to clamp the sign onto a flag pin, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an elevational view of a two-diameter flag pin in a cup shown in cross section, with a tape clamp device shown clamped onto the pin in a position for measurement use and in a higher position for storage out of the way, all according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-8  show various views of an inventive measuring tape clamp device  100  with three exemplary embodiments of a spring clip  2  (individually referenced as clips  2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c ).  FIG. 1  shows the device  100  in use for measuring proximity of a golf ball  54  to a flag pin  52  in a hole  160  on a green.  FIG. 10  shows details of the pin  52  as it is typically held in an axial hole  164  at the bottom of a cylindrical cup  162  that defines the hole  160 . 
     The tape clamp device  100  uses a conventional reel type of tape measure  7  comprising a flexible measuring tape  8  spooled around a rotational axis “A” in a housing  6  such that a free end  9  of the tape  8  extends out of the housing  6  tangential to the axis A, and the housing  6  has at least one side  104  that is at least partially normal to the axis A. The reel may have a coil spring driven rewind with a thumb slide lock as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 . The reel may have a folding crank arm to rewind the tape  8  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Many variations are possible of course, the only requirement being that the measuring tape  8  can be extended outward and retracted, and has measurement indices  19  on it (e.g., inches and fractions thereof). This allows for numeric distance measurements. For large greens, a fifty foot measuring tape  8  may be required. 
     A clip  2  is mounted (e.g., riveted  14 ) on the housing side  104 . Other types of mounting attachment are within the scope of the invention, such as, for example, adhesive, or releasable mounting like hook and loop fastener  12  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first embodiment of the tape clamp device  100  is shown wherein a U-shaped springy metal clip  2   a  is utilized. The clip  2   a  is seen to be in the form of springy sheet metal (although other materials can be used as known) bent into a roughly U shape wherein two opposing fingers  10  are biased together by the metal&#39;s springiness to clamp the device  100  onto poles and posts, including, especially, the flag pin  52 . The clip  2   a  has an aperture  102  therethrough with an inside dimension “ID” and a longitudinal dimension “L” that is substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the tape measure  7 . Even though the illustrated clip  2   a  has two sets of spring fingers  10 , their apertures  102  are aligned to effectively create an overall aperture length (longitudinal dimension) L. In order to springingly clamp onto the flag pin  52 , the aperture&#39;s inside dimension ID is at least slightly less than the flag pin&#39;s ground level diameter D 1  (see  FIGS. 1 and 10 ), and the aperture&#39;s longitudinal dimension L is greater than the flag pin&#39;s ground level diameter D 1 , preferably significantly greater, such as by a factor of two or more. The ratio prevents turning of the tape measure  7  about its axis A as the tape  8  is pulled out, and also helps securely gripping the pin  52 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a hinged type of clip  2   b  is shown. This second embodiment of the clip  2  is like those used on clipboards wherein the two opposed fingers are rigid but joined by a hinge pin  114 . A coiled torsion spring  112  provides the spring bias about the hinge pin  114  that drives the clamping action for this hinged clip  2   b  embodiment. One side (finger)  115  is attached to the tape measure  7 . The other comprises a moving or clamping finger  116  and preferably a lever arm  118  on the other side of the hinge pin  114  to make clamping and unclamping easier. Of course other types of springs and variations of finger shape are well known for spring clips or clamps, and all functional equivalents are therefore within the scope of this invention. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the tape  8  exits the housing  6  through an opening  20  that is oriented suitably for convenient and accurate reading of whichever index mark on the tape  8  lines up with the opening  20 , which therefore can also be called the “measure-to” point  20 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  10 , the spring clip  2  must be mounted on the housing side  104  such that the longitudinal dimension L of the aperture  102  is perpendicular to the tangentially extending tape  8  at the point where it exits the housing  6  through the opening  20  (since the opening  20  determines which tangential direction is followed relative to the housing  6 ). This assures that the tape  8  will extend outward parallel to the ground when the clip  2  is clamped on a flag pin  52 . 
     Important features of the hinged embodiment of clip  2   b  are: a finger  116  size that allows opening far enough to clamp/clip onto a suitable range of rod or post diameters; and a curled outer end  125  of the clamp finger  116  that creates an appropriate minimum aperture dimension ID but still is able to hook around a post when opened as wide as needed. A suitable range is enough to accommodate flag pins  52  in all available diameters (e.g., ½ and ¾ inch), noting that some flag pins  52  have a smaller ground level diameter D 1  (e.g., ½″) near the ground but taper out to a larger diameter D 2  (e.g., ¾″) higher up as shown in  FIG. 10 . Thus the clip  2  on a tape clamp device  100  used as shown in  FIG. 10  must be able to clamp on the smaller diameter D 1  part of the pin  52  when making a measurement, then must be able to clamp on the larger diameter D 2  part of the pin  52  for storage between measurements so that the tape clamp device  100  is out of the way during play. Furthermore, if a post on a golf cart is to be gripped by the same tape clamp device  100  that must clip on the flag pin  52 , then the hinged type of clip  2   b  would probably be better than the springy metal clip  2   a  described previously, since the hinged style can be easily designed to clip on a much wider range of rod diameters. 
     Another advantage of the hinged embodiment of the spring clip  2   b  is that it will clip onto a flat surface as well as onto a rod, therefore the tape clamp device  100  can use the hinged embodiment of the spring clip  2   b  for clamping it onto the proximity marker sign board  51 , without the need for an optional belt clip  16  as used in  FIGS. 7-8 . Also, the hinged clip  2   b  could be used to clamp the tape clamp device  100  onto the ground-engaging post (ground stake)  50  of the proximity marker sign  51 , even though the stake  50  is apt to have a smaller diameter. 
       FIG. 9  shows an inventive clamping proximity sign  101 . Instead of a permanently affixed ground stake  50  (see  FIG. 8 ), the sign  51  has a clip  2  (preferably a hinged clip  2   b ) attached to a back side  151  of the proximity sign  51 . This enables the flat sign part  51  of the proximity marker to be clamped on any rod, not just its normal ground stake  50 . Preferably the clamping proximity sign  101  is clamped on the flag pin  52 , thereby eliminating holes in the green from the ground stake  50 , and also thereby positioning the sign  51  up out of the way of play. 
     Additional features of the second, preferred embodiment of the spring clip  2 , i.e., the “hinged spring clip”  2   b , include any obvious variations of the following functional elements. The curled outer end  125  of the clamp finger  116  can be more or less curled to adapt a given overall size of hinged spring clip to a suitable range of rod diameters. For example, a clamp finger end  125  may be more curled for use on the proximity sign  51  in order to clamp it onto a ground stake  50  which is a relatively small diameter rod. On the other hand, the hinged spring clip  2   b  on the proximity sign  51  of  FIG. 9  has less of a curl because it is intended for use to clamp onto rods with a wider range of rod diameters, such as from 0.50 inch to 0.75 inch for flag pins  52 . Of course, a bigger overall size for the hinged spring clip  2   b  will also allow clamping onto bigger rods. Obviously this discussion concerning a hinged spring clip  2   b  on the clamping proximity sign  101  equally applies to a tape clamp device  100  with a hinged spring clip  2   b  as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . In  FIG. 5  a partial length of a flag pin  52  is shown in dashed outline where it would be clamped in the clip  2   b.    
     The hinged embodiment of the spring clip  2   b  as shown can easily have much wider fingers  116  (longitudinal dimension L) for gripping a longer portion of a rod, thereby improving the grip to help prevent sliding down the rod  52  and/or falling off. For further gripping improvement, a resilient pad or other type of high friction surface  110  can be attached inside the aperture  102 , e.g., to the underside of the clamping finger  116  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The spring finger  10  style of clip  2   a  has its aperture  102  longitudinally split in one place  106   c , while the hinged type of clip  2   b  has a longitudinal split in two places  106   a ,  106   b . In other words, the apertures  102  of these two embodiments of clip  2  have a longitudinal opening that allows them to be laterally moved onto or off of a longitudinally extending rod (e.g.,  50 ,  52 ) or planar edge (e.g., edge of proximity sign  51 ). Although such an arrangement is convenient, it also makes it easy for a miscreant to steal the tape clamp device  100  from the flag pin  52 .  FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of clip  2 , a secure clip  2   c , that has an additional security ring  120  affixed across the longitudinal split  106  of the clip  2  (e.g., clip  2   a ). This closes the open portion of the aperture  102  to inhibit unauthorized removal from the flag pin  52 . Of course it could still be slid off the top end of the flag pin  52 , but a larger diameter ring or flange on the pin  52  under the flag could prevent that. It can be seen that an equivalent form of secure clip  2   c  would be a closed aperture  102  with fingers  10 ,  115 ,  116  that are spring biased toward reducing the inside dimension ID. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exemplary embodiment of a proximity marker sign  51  with a record sheet  48  held therein. Using the inventive tape clamp device  100  to accurately measure and produce numeric proximity distances enables an improved method for determining the winner in a closest-to-the-pin contest. Instead of pushing a proximity marker stake  50  into the ground of the green wherever the closest ball landed, now the proximity sign  51  can be kept in one place not on the green, and the numeric proximity distance as measured by the tape clamp device  100  can be simply handwritten on the record sheet  48  held by the proximity sign  51 . Each player in turn measures his proximity distance and compares it with the lowest number on the sign  51 . If the player determines that his proximity distance is lower than the previous low, he can write the new lowest number on the sign  51  along with his name. By also using the inventive clamping proximity sign  101 , the sign  51  is clamped onto the flag pin  52  above the tape clamp device  100 , thereby removing an obstacle from the ground. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 10 , an inventive method of proximity measurement utilizes the tape clamp device  100  in the following steps: 
     1. Leaving the flag pin  52  in the hole  160 , slide, or otherwise reposition and clamp the clip  2  of the device  100  on the flag pin  52  such that the measuring tape  8  is approximately at ground level. 
     2. Rotate the device  100  and/or the flag pin  52  so that the tape  8  extends in the direction of the ball  54  that is to be measured. 
     3. Pull the tape  8  out of the tape measure  7  toward the ball  54  and stop when the tape end  9  touches the nearest point on the surface of the ball  54 . 
     4. Observe the proximity distance indicated by the indices  19  where they align with the measure-to point  20  of the tape measure  7  (e.g., where the tape  8  passes into the housing  6 ). This reading can be used even though it doesn&#39;t go to the center of the hole  160 , because it will be off by a fixed amount that is equal for all players. If desired, the fixed distance can be added to the reading, or the indices  19  can be pre-adjusted to compensate. 
     5. Record the observed proximity measurement numeric value on the proximity sign  51  if it is a new low value. —OR— compare measurements with those for other balls  54  presently on the green to accurately determine “who&#39;s away”. 
     6. For measuring proximity of a plurality of balls  54  that are simultaneously on the green, the tape  8  is left pulled out, and the pin  52  is rotated until the tape  8  extends toward the next ball  54  to be measured. 
     7. Rewind the tape  8  into the tape measure  7 . 
     8. Slide, or otherwise reposition and clamp the clip  2  on the flag pin  52  at an elevation sufficient to avoid interference with game play, thus storing the tape clamp device  100  until it is needed again. 
     Preferably the inventive clamping proximity sign  101  is also employed in the above method, the clip  2  attached to the sign  51  being clamped onto the flag pin  52  above the tape clamp device  100 . 
     Given the teaching of the present disclosure, a designer of ordinary skill should be able to make the inventive devices  100 ,  101  and the clips  2  ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ) out of a variety of materials (plastic, metal, etc.), and with a variety of appearances, shapes and combinations of the features discussed herein, as long as the various design changes do not impair the functionality described herein. All such variations are within the scope of the present invention. 
     Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character—it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described, and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention as claimed are desired to be protected. Undoubtedly, many other “variations” on the “themes” set forth hereinabove will occur to one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention most nearly pertains, and such variations are intended to be within the scope of the invention, as disclosed herein.