Patent Publication Number: US-2022219055-A1

Title: System comprising a flagstick and a ferrule for marking a golf hole and a ferrule for use in such a system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system comprising a flag stick and a ferrule for marking a golf hole, wherein the flag stick comprises a first end secured to a ferrule and a second end designed to be a clearly visible end with a flag, and wherein the ferrule comprises a head portion secured to the flag stick and a bottom portion designed for placement in a hole cup by a ferrule socket, wherein the head portion of the ferrule comprises a top surface with a flag stick hole for receiving a flag stick, and wherein the flag stick and the ferrule are secured by means of fasteners. 
     The present invention furthermore relates to a ferrule for use in such a system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is generally known that the placement of a golf hole (or simply a hole) is marked with a flag stick (or simply a stick), which has a pennant or a flag at its free end, the stick being placed in the middle of the hole with the aid of a hole cup, which is placed in the hole and below the level of the surrounding putting green. 
     It is likewise known that the portion of the stick which is placed in a hole comprises a ferrule, which fits into a ferrule socket of the hole cup. 
     Given the golf rule that the stick must stand in the cup during play, time is saved on the course. However, there is a risk of this causing somewhat more work for the greenkeepers. The edges of the hole can easily be ruined, when the ball needs to be removed from the hole, while the flag is in place. For example, if the flag is not picked up before the ball is collected, there is not enough room left for both the flag stick, the hand of the golf player, and the ball. 
     One of the shortcomings of the prior art is thus, first of all, that it is not easier to pick up the ball from the hole and secondly, it is not easy to remove it from the hole without damaging the edges of the hole and/or the grass. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,239 B1 describes a system for marking a golf hole, comprising a flag stick with a ferrule mounted thereon, a hole cup with a center hole arranged in the lower portion, and a disk-shaped element secured to the flag stick by a screw. The ferrule has a shape corresponding to the shape of the hole in the hole cup. The disk-shaped element is placed at a first distance from the top of the ferrule and at the same time at a second distance from the upper edge of the hole cup. The element has an outer diameter, which is less than the inner diameter of the hole cup, allowing the flag stick to bend with the wind without hitting the edge of the golf hole. 
     One shortcoming of this system is that the disk-shaped element over time will lose its clamping force against the flag stick due to wear. Moreover, the ferrule needs to be removed before mounting the disk-shaped element, unless the element is made of several pieces. In order to prevent the flag stick from striking the edge of the hole, it is necessary to make the element from a relatively rigid material. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, the object of the invention is to create a system, which is an improvement of the prior art, where the ferrule has a round piece forming a cone or a bowl, such that the ball may be positioned on a round piece arranged in the groove of the ferrule, and where the ball is able to lie against the stick, when the ball goes into the hole cup, in which the stick and the ferrule were placed. 
     Likewise, a purpose of the invention is to create a round piece which is elastic and thus bendable and resilient, such that it will not cause any damage to the green or edges of the hole. 
     Thus, the object of the invention is to save time, when removing the ball from the hole. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, the above indicated purpose is accomplished with a system comprising a flag stick and a ferrule for marking of a golf hole as described in the introduction and as described in the preamble of claim  1 , where the head portion of the ferrule furthermore comprises an elastic round piece. 
     By fastening means is meant indirect or direct fastening means. Examples of indirect fastening means are glue or silicone, securing the stick and the ferrule. Examples of direct fastening means are a thread, quick couplings and bayonet couplings. 
     By elastic is meant that it involves, for example, rubber or another elastic polymer, where the round piece is made of such a material, and thus it substantially returns to its original shape when no longer subjected to external forces. For example, if the system is placed on a green, the round piece is subjected to the weight of the system and the round piece yields, such that it does not leave holes or marks in the green. When the round piece is no longer loaded—for example, when the system is lifted up and put back into the golf hole—the round piece returns to its former shape. 
     This makes it possible to manufacture, sell, and deliver a system for mounting in existing hole cups prepared for this system. 
     The stick in a preferred embodiment will be made of fiberglass, since this makes it possible to produce flag sticks which are attractive in terms of price, weight, and processing ability. Alternatives may be other composites, for example. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the ferrule and the round piece form an integrated whole. 
     By an integrated whole is meant a unit where the ferrule and the round piece are permanently secured to each other, and therefore are not intended to be separated without the use of a destructive process. The ferrule and the round piece may be secured with the aid of glue or another fastening means, such as rivets. Alternatively, the ferrule may have an outer configuration corresponding to an inner configuration of the round piece and designed such that the round piece and the ferrule can only be separated with the aid of a destructive process. 
     This makes it possible to replace the entire unit, if the round piece or the ferrule is broken or if a different appearance, a different color, or a different imprinted advertising is desired. It may be preferable for the ferrule and the round piece to have a matching appearance, color or advertising. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the round piece is arranged interchangeably on the ferrule. 
     By interchangeable is meant that the round piece can be removed from the ferrule in a non-destructive process, such that the ferrule can be reused together with a new round piece. The round piece may be secured in a given position on the ferrule by means of friction. The round piece may also be secured to the ferrule with the aid of mechanical fasteners, which can be dismounted with the aid of tools or by use of fingers alone. 
     This makes it possible to replace the round piece quickly and easily with or without the use of tools. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the ferrule preferably comprises at least one mounting element designed for mounting on the round piece. 
     The mounting element may be placed externally on the ferrule and be adapted to the configuration of the round piece. The mounting element may function alone or in cooperation with bolts or screws for fastening of the round piece. Alternatively, the mounting element may comprise a removable part, which can be removed from the ferrule to enable the placement of the round piece. After the round piece has been put in place, the removable part can be mounted once more for securing of the round piece. This can be done with the aid of a threaded coupling or a mechanical fastening system. 
     This makes it possible to replace the round piece in a quick and easy manner, and thus to reuse parts of the system. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the mounting element is a groove of the round piece, where the round piece groove is inclined relative to the perpendicular on the ferrule by 5 to 85 degrees, preferably by 10 to 30 and further preferably by 20 degrees, and thus it makes an acute angle with the top surface and an obtuse angle with the bottom portion of the ferrule. 
     This makes it possible to optimize the inclination of the round piece, so that the ball remains on the round piece when the system is lifted up from the cup. This gives the round piece the necessary rigidity so that it is able to lift the weight of the ball. The groove in the ferrule and the conical round piece also ensure that the rules of the R&amp;A and the USGA are observed. The R&amp;A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the world&#39;s oldest golf clubs, and it is the executive body for golf in large portions of the globe) and the USGA (United States Golf Association, which is the national executive body for golf in the USA, its territories, and Mexico) stipulate that there shall be at least 4″ from the top edge of the grass to the bottom. By bottom is meant where the ball comes to rest in the hole, with or without the flag stick. Moreover, the top edge of the hole cup shall be placed at least 1″ from the top edge of the grass. 
     The groove of the round piece is configured such that the round piece forms a cone or bowl, and thus that the ball will lie against the stick when the ball enters a golf hole where the system is already in place. 
     This makes it likewise possible to replace a round piece of a ferrule if the round piece is broken or if the round piece is to have a different appearance, a different color, or a different imprinted advertising. 
     The elastic and flexible rubber round piece in a preferred embodiment is produced in 1-10 mm, preferably 3-5 mm thickness and which can therefore bend so that it does not damage the green or the edges of the hole. The round piece can advantageously be made of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), but it can also be made of other elastic materials, such as silicone or NBR (Nitrile). 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the bottom portion of the ferrule comprises at least two external grooves for receiving an elastic material. 
     The grooves may be configured as circular grooves arranged in or on the outer surface of the bottom portion. Alternatively, the grooves may have an elliptical or spiral conformation. Outer ribs on the bottom portion of the ferrule can form the grooves, or the grooves can be formed by flutes in the outer surface of the bottom portion. 
     This makes it possible to steer, insert, and secure the ferrule in the ferrule socket of a golf cup, where the elastic material in a preferred embodiment is an O-ring of an elastic and flexible material such as rubber. 
     The present invention in a still further aspect also relates to a system where the stick has an extension of 2 to 3 meters, preferably 2½ meters, and the direction of extension of the stick is between the first end and the second end of the stick. 
     This makes it possible to see the stick at a very far distance and this also makes it easy to take hold of the stick, where there is a certain balance and where the stick can be lifted up from the hole at the same time as the ball. 
     The present invention in a still further aspect also relates to a system where the system further comprises a hole cup with a ferrule socket, where the hole cup is designed for the inner dimensions of a golf hole plus the outer dimensions of the ferrule. 
     This makes it possible to manufacture, sell, and deliver an assembled unit, where the stick, the ferrule and the cup are fitted together, and where the unit is thus ready for use. 
     Golf holes have a standard dimension. Therefore, the adapting of the hole cup to the golf hole will also be standardized. The stick and the cup can however be manufactured in different ways, so that it is important for these elements to fit together in the system and be ready for use. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the round piece comprises a number of slots, extending from a first surface on the round piece to a second surface on the round piece. 
     This makes it possible to reduce the consumption of material, while at the same time the round piece keeps its relative rigidity. The slots also make the round piece more flexible, so that it does not damage the green or edges of the hole under deformation. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a ferrule for use in a system per the above. 
     This makes it possible to manufacture, sell, and deliver a ferrule which is ready for use together with a stick. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the ferrule and the round piece are integrated in a single unit. 
     This makes it possible to produce the ferrule and the round piece as an assembled unit, where the round piece appears as an integrated part of the ferrule. The ferrule can be manufactured in a first process step, e.g., via a CNC machine, and the round piece can be manufactured in a second process step, e.g., via extrusion or injection molding. The ferrule may be placed in a molding machine or thermoforming machine, after which the round piece is formed or molded directly on the ferrule. The round piece can also be produced separately from the ferrule and then be fastened permanently to the ferrule, e.g., with the help of glue. In this embodiment, the round piece can only be removed by a destructive process. 
     This makes it possible to likewise replace the assembled unit if the round piece or the ferrule is broken or if a different appearance, a different color or a different imprinted advertising is desired. It is possible to achieve a more uniform look in this way, since the ferrule and the round piece appear as a single unit. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the round piece is interchangeable. 
     The round piece may be molded in such a way that the inner hole diameter of the round piece is less than the outer diameter of the ferrule, and thus the round piece will be everted onto the ferrule and will thus be able to maintain its position solely by its own clamping force and without mounting elements on the ferrule. The round piece may advantageously have a first part designed to clamp around the ferrule and a second part which forms the desired cone/bowl shape. 
     This makes it possible to replace the round piece by simply pulling/pushing the elastic round piece off from the ferrule and everting a new round piece onto the ferrule without the use of tools. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a system where the ferrule preferably comprises at least one mounting element designed for mounting of the round piece. 
     The mounting element can be placed externally on the ferrule and it can be a protruding flange with one or more pegs for securing of the round piece. Alternatively, the pegs can be omitted and the flange can be placed in a corresponding recess of the round piece. The mounting element may also be a groove, which is molded for example or machined by lathe into the external surface of the ferrule. The mounting element may furthermore be one or more screw or bolt holes in the ferrule, which cooperate with corresponding screws or bolts for fastening the round piece. 
     This makes it possible to replace the round piece by dismounting the screws/bolts and removing the round piece. After this, a new round piece is placed in the same position and the screws/bolts are mounted once more. Instead of screws/bolts, it is possible to use a quick coupling or a mechanical fastening system which can be operated without using tools. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a ferrule where the mounting element is a groove of the round piece, preferably arranged at an angle relative to the perpendicular on the ferrule, such that it makes an acute angle with the top surface and an obtuse angle with the bottom portion of the ferrule. 
     This makes it possible to optimize the inclination of the round piece so that the round piece is given the necessary rigidity and can therefore lift the weight of the ball. This means that the ball remains on the round piece when the system is lifted up from the cup. The groove in the ferrule and/or the round piece can be configured as previously described so that the round piece is either created with or achieves the desired conical configuration per the rules of the R&amp;A and the USGA. 
     The present invention in a further aspect also relates to a ferrule where the round piece comprises a number of slots, extending from a first surface on the round piece to a second surface on the round piece. 
     This makes it possible to reduce the material consumption, while at the same time the round piece retains its relative rigidity. 
     The slots may extend from the one edge, such as the outer edge, toward the other edge, such as the inner edge. The slots may be oblong slots, extending substantially in a radial direction. But the slots may be in any other position between the outer edge and the inner edge, and/or have any other configuration. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
       The invention shall be explained more closely in the following by describing embodiments with reference to the drawing, where: 
         FIG. 1  shows a flag stick with ferrule on a green with golf hole and ball. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross section of a flag stick with a ferrule placed in a hole cup in a golf hole, where a ball is lying on the round piece of the ferrule. 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross section of a flag stick with a ferrule placed in a hole cup in a golf hole, where a ball is lying on the round piece of the ferrule and where the stick, the ferrule and the ball have been lifted up from the hole cup and from the golf hole. 
         FIG. 4  shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where a ball is lying on the round piece of the ferrule and where the stick, the ferrule and the ball have been lifted up from the hole cup. 
         FIG. 5  shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where a ball is lying on the round piece of the ferrule and where the stick, the ferrule and the ball have been lifted up from the hole cup. 
         FIG. 6  shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where the round piece has not been mounted. 
         FIG. 7  shows a flag stick with a ferrule, where the round piece has been mounted. 
         FIG. 8  shows two configurations of a ferrule with mounting elements. 
         FIG. 9  shows a ferrule with a self-sitting round piece. 
         FIG. 10  shows a round piece with slots in a loaded and non-loaded form, respectively. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
         
           
               1  Flag stick/stick 
               2  Ferrule 
               3  Green 
               4  Golf hole/hole 
               5  Golf ball/ball 
               6  First end of flag stick 
               7  Second end of flag stick 
               8  Flag/pennant 
               9  Hole cup 
               10  Round piece of ferrule 
               11  Head portion of ferrule 
               12  Bottom portion of ferrule 
               13  Ferrule socket 
               14  Top surface of ferrule 
               15  Flag stick hole 
               16  Fastening means 
               17  Mounting element 
               18  Round piece groove 
               19  Acute angle 
               20  Obtuse angle 
               21  Bottom portion of ferrule 
               22  Circular groove of ferrule 
               23  Peg, mounting element 
               24  Upper grass edge 
               25  Bottom 
               26  Upper edge of hole cup 
               27  First surface 
               28  Second surface 
               29  Slots 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a flag stick  1  with ferrule  2  on a green  3  with a golf hole  4  and a ball  5 . The flag stick  1  has a first end  6  secured to the ferrule  2  and a second end  7  as a clearly visible end with a flag  8 , a hole cup  9  being placed in the hole  4 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross section of a flag stick  1  with a ferrule  2  placed in a hole cup  9  in a golf hole  4 , where a ball  5  is lying on the round piece  10  of the ferrule. It is evident from the figure that the ferrule  2  has a head portion  11  secured to the flag stick  1  and a bottom portion  12  placed in a hole cup  9  with a ferrule socket  13 , where the head portion  11  of the ferrule has a top surface  14  with a flag stick hole  15  for receiving a flag stick  1 , and where the flag stick  1  and the ferrule  2  are secured with the aid of fastening means  16 , shown here as indirect fastening means. 
     It is likewise evident from the figure that the head portion  11  of the ferrule comprises a mounting element  17  and that an interchangeable elastic round piece  10  is arranged on the mounting element  17 . 
     Furthermore, a minimum measurement of 4″ is indicated from the uppermost grass edge  24  to the bottom  25  (where the ball  5  is lying at rest in the hole  4 ), plus a minimum measurement of 1″ from the uppermost grass edge  24  to the top edge of the hole cup  26 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross section of a flag stick  1  with a ferrule  2 , where a ball  5  is lying on the round piece  10  of the ferrule and where the stick  1 , the ferrule  2  and the ball  5  are lifted up from the hole cup  9  and from the golf hole  4 . 
     The figure shows a mounting element  17  in the form of a round piece groove  18 , where the round piece groove  18  is inclined relative to the perpendicular on the ferrule  2  by 5 to 85 degrees, but preferably by 10 to 30 and further preferably by 20 degrees and thus makes an acute angle  19  with the top surface  14  and an obtuse angle  20  with the bottom portion  21  of the ferrule. The figure likewise shows that the bottom portion  21  of the ferrule comprises two external circular grooves  22  for receiving of an elastic material. 
       FIG. 4  shows a flag stick  1  with a ferrule  2 , where a ball  5  is lying on the round piece  10  of the ferrule, and where the stick  1 , the ferrule  2  and the ball  5  are lifted up from the hole cup  9 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a flag stick  1  with a ferrule  2 , where a ball  5  is lying on the round piece  10  of the ferrule and where the stick  1 , the ferrule  2  and the ball  5  are lifted up from the hole cup  9  in a golf hole  4 , where the hole cup  9  has a ferrule socket  13 , and where the hole cup  9  is designed for the internal dimensions of a golf hole and the external dimensions of the ferrule. 
       FIG. 6  shows a flag stick  1  with a ferrule  2 , where the round piece  10  is not mounted, and where the mounting element  17  in the form of a round piece groove  18  is visible. 
       FIG. 7  shows a flag stick  1  with a ferrule  2 , where the round piece  10  is mounted. 
       FIG. 8  shows two diagrams of embodiments of a ferrule  2  with mounting elements  17 , where the one embodiment has at least one peg  23 , and where the other embodiment has mounting elements  17  arranged with an angle corresponding to the previously discussed round piece groove  18 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a diagram of a ferrule  2  with a self-seating round piece  10 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a diagram of another round piece  10 ′, respectively in an unloaded form and in a loaded form. The round piece  10 ,  10 ′ has a substantially disk-shaped profile, as shown in  FIG. 10  and in  FIG. 6-7 . The round piece  10 ,  10 ′ comprises a first surface  27  and a second surface  28 , plus an outer edge. The round piece  10 ,  10 ′ further comprises a central hole, indicating an inner edge on the round piece  10 ,  10 ′. 
     The round piece  10 ′ at left in  FIG. 10  is shown in an unloaded form, where the round piece  10 ′ is present in its original shape within the mounting on the ferrule  2 . The round piece  10 ′ has a substantially flat shape as shown in  FIG. 10 , but it may also have a curved or conical conformation as shown in  FIG. 6-7 . 
     The round piece  10 ′ at right in  FIG. 10  is shown in a loaded form, where the round piece  10 ′ is acted upon by an external force when it is mounted on the ferrule  2 . The elastic material means that the round piece  10 ′ will deform elastically during its mounting, so that the round piece  10  assumes the desired conformation. When the round piece  10 ′ is dismounted, the round piece  10 ′ will assume its original shape. 
     The round piece  10  may have a continuous solid profile, as shown in  FIG. 6-7 . The round piece  10 ′ may also be provided with a number of slots  29 , extending from the first surface  27  to the second surface  28 . The slots  29  are arranged at least at one of the edges. The slots  29  here are arranged at the outer edge. The slots  29  extend in a radial direction from the outer edge toward the inner edge.