Patent Publication Number: US-2011053711-A1

Title: Golf ball marker and alignment tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/239,394 entitled BALL MARKER ALIGNMENT TOOL filed Sep. 2, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/305,269 entitled BALL MARKER ALIGNMENT TOOL filed Feb. 17, 2010. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the game of golf and, more particularly, to a golf ball marker which is uniquely configured to provide the added functionality of an alignment tool on a putting green. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When playing the game of golf, according to protocol, up to four players (i.e., a foursome) play each hole together. Usually, all players in a particular group are allowed to reach the green prior to any one of the players putting their ball into the cup or hole. Generally, the player whose ball is furthest from the hole is allowed to putt first. It often occurs that another player&#39;s golf ball is in a position between the putter&#39;s ball and the hole such that it is possible that the putter&#39;s ball will strike the other player&#39;s golf ball as it rolls toward the hole. In order to avoid contact between the golf balls, the spot of the interfering ball is typically marked with a ball marker. 
     For many players, the golf ball marker of choice is a coin such as a quarter or a dime. As an alternative to the use of coins, many players will use plastic golf ball markers provided by the golf course at which they are playing, such markers typically comprising a small, circular disc portion which has a pin portion protruding from the center of one side or face thereof. In use, the pin portion of such ball marker is advanced into the putting surface on the green until such time as the disc portion of the ball marker assumes a substantially flush relationship to the putting surface. Other currently used ball markers include small, circularly configured discs made of metal which have the same basic size characteristics of a coin, but are often imprinted with a particular brand or logo, and may be magnetically attached to a complimentary metallic base affixed to a golf glove, hat, visor, etc. 
     In golf, putting is often considered to be one of the most difficult aspects of the game. When attempting to put a golf ball into the hole on the green, the golfer will typically attempt to align the direction of the golf ball with the hole, and putt the golf ball toward the hole. Though the player will on occasion aim the golf ball directly at the hole when putting, more often, the player must aim the ball at a point removed from the hole to compensate for the slope and/or undulations of the green. In aiming the golf ball toward the hole, it is often useful for the player to have a mark or a line on a portion of the circumference of the golf ball for alignment with the desired target line on the putting surface of the green, and to strike the golf ball with the putter head such that the putter face is perpendicular to the ball circumference, and thus the line thereon, thereby propelling the ball toward the hole along the target line. Golf balls often have printing or similar markings on at least a portion of the golf ball circumference that may be useful in the above-described putting alignment. 
     However, a deficiency with marks or lines on the circumference of the golf ball is that the length of such line, as visually apparent to the golfer when looking down on the golf ball in a normal putting stance, is typically insufficient to provide a strong visual indication confirming the desired line of the putt. The present invention, as will be described in more detail below, addresses this particular shortcoming by providing a golf ball marker which may be placed behind the golf ball to provide a conventional marking function, but further includes a ball marker line which may be aligned with the alignment indicia on the golf ball to create a continuous line of increased length which is useful in confirming the line of the putt along the intended putt target line. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided multiple embodiments of a golf ball marking and alignment tool. In each embodiment of the present invention, the tool comprises an elongate body portion which defines opposed, generally planar first (top) and second (bottom) surfaces, and a longitudinal axis. Disposed on the top surface and extending along at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal axis is an alignment line. The alignment line preferably extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the body portion, and comprises a channel, the inner surface of which is preferably coated or painted with a dark colored (e.g., black) material. The alignment tool may optionally further comprise one or more pin portions which are integrally connected to the bottom surface of the body portion at prescribed point(s) relative to the longitudinal axis defined thereby. A single pin portion included on the body portion may be used to allow the body portion to be selectively rotated or swiveled along the axis defined by the pin portion. Two pin portions, if included on the body portion, may be used to securely fix or anchor the tool to the putting surface. 
     The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a golf ball marker constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a golf ball marker constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 8-10  illustrate an exemplary sequence of steps for using the golf ball marker shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a golf ball marker constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of a golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1-3  depict a golf ball marker  10  constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The marker  10  comprises an elongate body portion  12  which, from the perspective shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , defines a generally planar first (top) surface  14 , and an opposed, generally planar second (bottom) surface  16 . In addition, the body portion  12  defines a continuous peripheral edge which comprises a spaced, generally parallel pair of longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments  18  which are interconnected by an opposed pair of arcuate (i.e., convex) peripheral edge segments  20 . In this regard, as best seen in  FIG. 1 , the body portion  12  defines a longitudinal axis A which extends between the arcuate peripheral edge segments  20 , the longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments  18  being equidistantly spaced from and extending in substantially parallel relation to the axis A. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the body portion  12  has a preferred length L of approximately 2.0 inches, a preferred width W of approximately 1.0 inches, and a preferred thickness or height H of approximately 0.0625 inches. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the length, width and height dimensions of the body portion  12  may be varied from those set forth above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The golf ball marker  10  of the present invention further includes an alignment line  22  which is disposed on the top surface  14  of the body portion  12 . More particularly, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the alignment line  22  comprises an elongate groove or channel  24  which is formed in the top surface  14  of the body portion  12 , and extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis A thereof, i.e., the channel  24  extends between the arcuate peripheral edge segments  20  of the body portion  12 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, the channel  24  has a preferred width of approximately 0.0625 inches, and a preferred depth of approximately 0.008 inches. Additionally, as is best seen in  FIG. 1 , the inner surface of the channel  24  preferably includes a dark colored (e.g., black) paint, ink, or other substance applied thereto to make the channel  24  visually prominent in comparison to the remainder of the top surface  14  of the body portion  12  which is preferably provided in the color white or another light color easily distinguishable from the darker alignment line  22 . In this regard, the body portion  12  is preferably fabricated from a metal or plastic material. If fabricated from a metal material, the body portion  12  may be painted to impart a white or other light color thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-7 , there is shown a golf ball marker  100  constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The marker  100  comprises an elongate body portion  112  which, from the perspective shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , defines a generally planar first (top) surface  114 , and an opposed, generally planar second (bottom) surface  116 . In addition, the body portion  112  defines a continuous peripheral edge which comprises a spaced, generally parallel pair of longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments  118  which are interconnected by an opposed pair of arcuate (i.e., convex) peripheral edge segments  120 . In this regard, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , the body portion  112  defines a longitudinal axis A which extends between the arcuate peripheral edge segments  120 , the longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments  118  being equidistantly spaced from and extending in substantially parallel relation to the axis A. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the length, width and thickness/height dimensions of the body portion  112  are preferably the same as those described above in relation to the body portion  12  of the golf ball marker  10 . 
     The golf ball marker  100  further includes an alignment line  122  which is disposed on the top surface  114  of the body portion  112 . More particularly, as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the alignment line  122  comprises an elongate groove or channel  124  which is formed in the top surface  114  of the body portion  112 , and extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis A thereof, i.e., the channel  124  extends between the arcuate peripheral edge segments  120  of the body portion  112 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, the width and depth of dimensions of the channel  124  are preferably the same as those described above in relation to the channel  24  of the golf ball marker  10 . Additionally, as is best seen in  FIG. 4 , the inner surface of the channel  124  preferably includes a dark colored (e.g., black) paint, ink, or other substance applied thereto to make the channel  124  visually prominent in comparison to the remainder of the top surface  114  of the body portion  112  which is preferably provided in the color white or another light color easily distinguishable from the darker alignment line  122 . In this regard, the body portion  112  is preferably fabricated from a metal or plastic material. If fabricated from a metal material, the body portion  112  may be painted to impart a white or other light color thereto. 
     In addition to the body portion  112  and alignment line  122 , the marker  100  constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention further comprises a generally cylindrical pin portion  126  which is integrally connected to and protrudes generally perpendicularly from the bottom surface  116  of the body portion  112 . More particularly, the pin portion  126  is oriented on the bottom surface  116  such that a pin axis PA defined by the pin portion  126  extends generally perpendicularly relative to the axis A defined by the body portion  112 . Additionally, as best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pin portion  126  is oriented so as to be substantially aligned or flush with one of the arcuate peripheral edge segments  120  of the body portion  112 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, the pin portion  126  has a preferred diameter of approximately 0.09375 inches and a preferred length of approximately 0.3125 inches. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the length and diameter dimensions of the pin portion  126  may be varied from those set forth above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     As further seen in  FIGS. 5-7 , the marker  100  further preferably includes a pair of flange support portions  128  which are integrally connected to and extend between the pin portion  126  and the bottom surface  116  of the body portion  112 . As will be recognized, the flange support portions  128  are used to reinforce the pin portion  126 , and strengthen its attachment to the body portion  112 , thus preventing the pin portion  126  from being easily broken or fractured from the body portion  112 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inclusion of two flange support portions  128  is exemplary only, and that greater or fewer than two flange support portions  128  may be included in the marker  100  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, it is contemplated that the flange support portions  128  may be omitted in their entirety. The use of the pin portion  126 , with out without the flange support portions  128  used to reinforce the same, will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , there is shown an exemplary sequence of steps for using the marker  100  described above. In use, the ball marker  100  is placed behind a golf ball  500  at rest on the putting surface  502  of the putting green. The pin portion  126  of the marker  100  is placed closest to the golf ball  500 , and advanced into the putting surface  502 . Subsequent to the positioning of the marker  100  in the aforementioned manner, the golf ball  500  may be lifted off the putting surface  502 . After the golf ball  500  has been lifted from the putting surface  502 , the marker  100  may be slightly adjusted as needed by swiveling or rotating the body portion  112  relative to the pin axis PA of the pin portion  126  so that the alignment line  122  follows along the intended target line for the putt. In this regard, the pin portion  126  provides a fixed pivot point or pivot axis at the front of the marker  100  originally disposed closest to the golf ball  500  as allows the golfer to adjust the marker  100  while preserving the original position of the golf ball  500  on the putting surface  502  of the green. 
     Thereafter, the golf ball  500  is replaced in front of the marker  100 , with the stripe line  504  on the circumference of the golf ball  500  being aligned with the alignment line  122 . The stripe line  504 , when aligned with the alignment line  122 , provides a continuous line of approximately three inches in length confirming the target line of the putt toward the hole  506 . The marker  100  is removed from behind the golf ball  500  when the desired target line is confirmed. Since, as indicated above, the alignment of the golf ball stripe line  504  and the alignment line  122  provides a continuous straight line of almost three inches in length, the golfer is able to more easily visually confirm the intended line of break and putt target line. 
     The exemplary manner of using the marker  10  is substantially the same as described above in relation to the marker  100 . However, due to the absence of the pin portion  126  in the marker  10 , greater care must typically be taken in rotating or pivoting the same to achieve alignment with the desired target line. More particularly, care must be taken so as not shift the position of the marker  10  in manner causing a change to the original position of the golf ball  500  when the same is placed back in front of the marker  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-14 , there is shown a golf ball marker  200  constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The marker  200  comprises an elongate body portion  212  which, from the perspective shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , defines a generally planar first (top) surface  214 , and an opposed, generally planar second (bottom) surface  216 . In addition, the body portion  212  defines a continuous peripheral edge which comprises a spaced, generally parallel pair of longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments  218  which are interconnected by an opposed pair of arcuate (i.e., convex) peripheral edge segments  220 . In this regard, as best seen in  FIG. 11 , the body portion  212  defines a longitudinal axis A which extends between the arcuate peripheral edge segments  220 , the longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments  218  being equidistantly spaced from and extending in substantially parallel relation to the axis A. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the body portion  212  has a preferred length L of approximately 3.50 inches, a preferred width W of approximately 1.0 inches, and a preferred thickness or height H of approximately 0.0625 inches. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the length, width and height dimensions of the body portion  212  may be varied from those set forth above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The golf ball marker  200  further includes an alignment line  222  which is disposed on the top surface  214  of the body portion  212 . More particularly, as seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the alignment line  222  comprises an elongate groove or channel  224  which is formed in the top surface  214  of the body portion  212 , and extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis A thereof, i.e., the channel  224  extends between the arcuate peripheral edge segments  220  of the body portion  212 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, the width and depth of dimensions of the channel  224  are preferably the same as those described above in relation to the channel  24  of the golf ball marker  10 . Additionally, as is best seen in  FIG. 11 , the inner surface of the channel  224  preferably includes a dark colored (e.g., black) paint, ink, or other substance applied thereto to make the channel  224  visually prominent in comparison to the remainder of the top surface  214  of the body portion  212  which is preferably provided in the color white or another light color easily distinguishable from the darker alignment line  222 . In this regard, the body portion  212  is preferably fabricated from a metal or plastic material. If fabricated from a metal material, the body portion  212  may be painted to impart a white or other light color thereto. 
     In addition to the body portion  212  and alignment line  222 , the marker  200  constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention further comprises a pair of generally cylindrical pin portion  226  which are each integrally connected to and protrude generally perpendicularly from the bottom surface  216  of the body portion  212 . More particularly, each of the pin portions  226  is oriented on the bottom surface  216  such that a pin axis PA defined thereby extends generally perpendicularly relative to the axis A defined by the body portion  212 . Additionally, as best seen in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the pin portions  226  are oriented so as to be substantially aligned or flush with respective ones of the arcuate peripheral edge segments  220  of the body portion  212 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, each pin portion  226  has a preferred diameter of approximately 0.09375 inches and a preferred length of approximately 0.3125 inches. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the length and diameter dimensions of the pin portions  226  may be varied from those set forth above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     As further seen in  FIGS. 12-14 , the marker  200  further preferably includes two pairs of flange support portions  228 , each such pair being integrally connected to and extending between one of the pin portions  226  and the bottom surface  216  of the body portion  212 . As will be recognized, each pair of the flange support portions  228  is used to reinforce a corresponding one of the pin portions  226 , and strengthen its attachment to the body portion  212 , thus preventing such pin portion  226  from being easily broken or fractured from the body portion  212 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inclusion of two flange support portions  228  with each pin portion  226  is exemplary only, and that greater or fewer than two flange support portions  228  may be used in conjunction with each pin portion  226  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, it is contemplated that the flange support portions  228  may be omitted in their entirety. 
     The exemplary manner of using the marker  200  is similar to that described above in relation to the marker  100 . However, due to the inclusion of the opposed pair of pin portions  226  in the marker  200 , the same is incapable of being rotated or swiveled upon the putting surface  502  of the green. As such, the marker  200  finds greater utility in use as a practice aid than as an alignment tool to be used during an the play of an actual round of golf. In the regard, the increased length of the body portion  212  of the marker  200  in comparison to the body portions  12 ,  112  of the markers  10 ,  100  provides a continuous straight line of over four inches in length which is particularly useful during practice to allow the golfer to more easily visually confirm the intended line of break and putt target line. 
     This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.