Abstract:
A golf flag support ( 8 ) comprising: an elongated support element ( 16 ) adapted to provide support to a fabric flag ( 30 ) such that, in use, the support element extends away from a flagpole ( 14 ); a rotatable mounting ( 10 ) connected to the support element ( 16 ) adapted to allow the support element ( 16 ) to rotate about the flagpole ( 14 ); and a wind indicating member ( 24 ) connected to the support element ( 16 ) such that the wind indicating member ( 24 ) is diametrically on the opposite side of the flagpole ( 14 ) to the support member ( 16 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a golf flag support.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Golf has its origins in the 15th century and for much of this period, up until the present day, flags have been used on golf greens to mark the position of the hole. Such flags are also useful as an indication of the wind speed and direction so that a golfer distant from the green is able to compensate for the wind when he takes his shot.  
         [0003]     Modern golf flags are able to rotate about a flagpole so that the orientation of the flag can easily align with the wind direction. One way of achieving this is to have a tube sewn into one edge of the flag so that the tube may be fitted onto a flagpole, this system is shown in  FIG. 1  and is marketed under the name Tube-Lock™. Alternatively, a wire, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , may be threaded through a sleeve in an edge of the flag with each end of the wire terminating in a loop for fitting over the flagpole.  FIG. 3  illustrates another type of rotational coupling, in this case clips which are attached to the flag snap onto the flagpole.  
         [0004]     Typically a club or professional golfer will hit at least one shot of about two or three hundred yards for each hole played—even a light wind can have a significant effect on the trajectory of a golf ball when the golf ball is hit over such a long distance. Conventional golf flags suffer from the problem that in light wind conditions the fabric of the flag will be limp and will drape against the flagpole. Under such conditions a golfer will have no indication of the wind direction.  
         [0005]     Under medium and high wind conditions the flag will be blown so that it extends away from the flagpole in a direction aligned with the wind direction. However, the flag will generally flap or ripple making it difficult for a golfer to accurately determine the wind direction; the golfer will have to estimate the mean position about which the flag is flapping/rippling.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided, a golf flag support comprising: an elongated support element adapted to provide support to a fabric flag such that, in use, the support element extends away from a flagpole; and a rotatable mounting connected to the support element adapted to allow the support element to rotate about the flagpole.  
         [0007]     The term “fabric” is to be understood to mean any type of cloth made by weaving, knitting, felting etc.  
         [0008]     By providing a support element the flag is held away from the flagpole. The wind will then act on the flag so that the flag is aligned with the wind. Therefore, even in light wind conditions a golfer will be able to judge the direction of the wind and will be better able to judge his shot.  
         [0009]     Sometimes the wind conditions are variable such that the wind strength may drop for short periods such that a conventional flag will drape against the flagpole. For the periods that the wind strength has dropped a flag, supported by the flag support of the invention, will always be aligned with the direction of the wind when the wind was last sufficient to align the flag.  
         [0010]     With hindsight, in view of the current invention, a stiff flag constructed of plastic or other rigid material may be considered. Such flags are not within the scope of the current invention and are not generally used on golf greens because they do not ripple or flap in the wind and would therefore give no indication of the wind strength. Furthermore, plastic flags will be heavier than similarly sized fabric flags and will not be as responsive to light winds. Also plastic flags do not have the same aesthetic appeal as fabric flags and it is unlikely that they will be adopted on golf greens irrespective of the above-mentioned disadvantages.  
         [0011]     The elongated support element may be a rod, made from, for example, of a material chosen from fiberglass, plastic, metal, metal alloy and wood. Alternatively the elongated support element may be a wire made from a material such as metal, metal alloy or plastic.  
         [0012]     The support element may extend substantially along the full length of the flag, for example along an upper or lower edge of the flag or both the upper and lower edges of the flag. Such a support element will then hold the flag away from the flagpole whilst still allowing some freedom for the flag to flap or ripple. There may be two or more support elements.  
         [0013]     In an embodiment of the invention the support element extends for less than the full length of the flag. In this way, the portion of the flag supported by the support element will give an accurate indication of wind direction whereas the portion of the flag that is not supported by the support element will have greater freedom to flap in the wind so that the golfer can better estimate the wind speed from the amount of flapping of the unsupported flag. Preferably, the support member extends for a length that is between 25-75% of the full length of the flag. More preferably, the support member extends for a length that is between 40-60% of the full length of the flag.  
         [0014]     The support element provides support to a flag by extending the flag away from the flagpole. This can be achieved by positioning the support element in many different ways, for example the support element may run horizontally through the middle of the flag, diagonally through the flag, or along an upper or lower edge of the flag. However, the best arrangement is for the support element to support the flag along the upper edge of the flag so that the flag can drape down from the support element.  
         [0015]     Preferably the flag support comprises an indicating member connected to the support member such that in use the indicating member is diametrically on the opposite side of the flagpole to the support member.  
         [0016]     If the flag flaps or ripples due to a moderate or strong wind the indicating member will give an accurate indication of wind direction and it is not necessary for the golfer to estimate the direction about which the flag is flapping.  
         [0017]     The indicating member will generally have sufficient stiffness so that it does not bend significantly under normal wind conditions.  
         [0018]     The support element is generally an elongated member such as a rod or wire. The rod may be made of, for example, fiberglass, plastic, metal, metal alloy or wood. The wire may be made of, for example, metal, metal alloy or plastic. The support element will generally be a linear element, (for example, if the support element is a rod) but the support element may also be a curved, for example, the support element may comprise a curved section of wire.  
         [0019]     The rod may have a longitudinal slot that is closable so as to hold an edge of a flag.  
         [0020]     If the flag has a thickened edge (e.g. the flag may be provided with beading along an edge of the flag) then the rod may be provided with a longitudinal cavity to house the thickened edge. In this case the rod will also have a longitudinal slot opening that communicates with the longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal slot opening having a diameter that is less than the width of the longitudinal cavity such that the thickened portion of the flag may be entered into the longitudinal cavity. Therefore, the thickened edge of the flag will be held in the longitudinal cavity with the rest of the flag hanging out of the rod via the longitudinal slot opening.  
         [0021]     Preferably, when the flag is rectangular, the support element extends at substantially 90° to the flagpole. However the support element may also extend at an angle to the flagpole, for example the support element may run diagonally across a flag, or the support element may run along the edge of a triangular flag.  
         [0022]     The rotatable mounting may comprises, for example, a hollow tube adapted to fit over the flagpole, an elongated member such as a wire having one or more loops adapted to fit over the flagpole, or one or more clips adapted to clip onto the flagpole.  
         [0023]     The support element may have one or more engagement members engageable with corresponding engagement members of a flag. For example one of the flag or the support element is provided with eyes or rings and the other of the flag or the support element is provided with hooks to engage the eyes/rings. Other suitable engagement members include press-studs and strips of Velcro™. The term Velcro™ is to be understood to be a piece material having many hooked threads to fasten to a corresponding piece of material.  
         [0024]     In an alternative arrangement the flag is be provided with a sleeve so that the support element may be inserted into the sleeve. The skilled person will be able to think of various other methods of attaching the flag to the support member.  
         [0025]     A second aspect of the invention provides a golf flag assembly comprising the golf flag support of the first aspect of the invention and a fabric flag supported by the flag support.  
         [0026]     A third aspect of the invention provides a flagpole assembly comprising a flag pole and the flag support of the first aspect of the invention. The flagpole assembly may further include a fabric flag supported by the flag support element. The flagpole may be telescopic.  
         [0027]     A fourth aspect of the invention provides a golf trolley system comprising a golf trolley for holding golf clubs and the flagpole assembly of the third aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a Tube-Lock™ flag system;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a wire rotational flag mounting;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a clip rotational flag mounting;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of a flag support;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a schematic plan view of a flag support having a collar;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view of a flag support having a collar with a blind end;  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a schematic plan view of a flag support having a C-shaped clip;  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a flag support which comprises a rotatable indicator;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a flagpole assembly comprising the flag support of  FIG. 8  fitted to a flagpole;  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a schematic plan view of the flagpole assembly of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of the flagpole assembly of  FIG. 9  to which a flag has been fitted;  
         [0040]      FIG. 12  is an underside view of a rod support element having an elongated slot;  
         [0041]      FIG. 13  is an end view of the rod support element of  FIG. 12  together with a flag held by the rod support element;  
         [0042]      FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of a flagpole assembly having a flag support comprising a wire support element and a rod-like indicator together with a flag which has a curved edge;  
         [0043]      FIG. 15  is a schematic illustration of a flagpole assembly having a flag support comprising a support element and a rod-like indicator together with triangular flag;  
         [0044]      FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration of a flagpole assembly together with a flag, the flagpole assembly having a flag support for supporting the flag along a portion of the upper edge of the flag, and the flagpole assembly being in light wind conditions;  
         [0045]      FIG. 17  is a schematic plan view of the flagpole assembly of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 18  is a schematic illustration of the flagpole assembly of  FIG. 16 , but with the flagpole assembly being in moderate wind conditions;  
         [0047]      FIG. 19  is a schematic plan view of the flagpole assembly of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 20  is a schematic illustration of the flagpole assembly of  FIG. 16 , but with the flagpole assembly being in strong wind conditions;  
         [0049]      FIG. 21  is a schematic plan view of the flagpole assembly of  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 22  is a schematic illustration of a handheld flagpole assembly;  
         [0051]      FIG. 23  is a schematic illustration of a handheld flagpole assembly being held by a golfer;  
         [0052]      FIG. 24  is a schematic illustration of a flagpole assembly for attachment to a golf trolley or cart;  
         [0053]      FIG. 25  is a schematic illustration of a spinning element used to measure wind speed;  
         [0054]      FIG. 26  is a schematic illustration of a dial for giving a readout of wind speed obtained from the spinning element of  FIG. 25 ; and  
         [0055]      FIG. 27  is a schematic illustration of a flagpole assembly having a static direction indicator. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0056]     Referring to FIGS.  4  to  6 , a flag support  8  is shown having a collar  2  for fitting over a flagpole  14 . The collar  2  provides a rotatable connection that connects the flag support  8  to the flagpole  14  that allows 360° rotation of the flag support  8  about the axis of the flagpole  14 .  FIG. 5  is a plan view of a flag support  8  in which the collar  2  takes the form of a hollow cylinder that is arranged to be a tight fit with the flagpole  14  so that the collar  2  does not slide down the flagpole  14 . Alternatively the collar  2  need not be a tight fit with the flagpole  14  and the collar  2  is prevented from sliding the flagpole  14  by an abutment (not shown) that protrudes from the flagpole  14  to engage the lower edge of the collar  2 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a flag support  8  similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 5  except that the collar  2  has a blind end  5  arranged to abut the upper end of the flagpole to prevent the collar  2  sliding down the flagpole  14 . Instead of a collar  2  the rotatable connection could be a tube, a looped wire or a spring clip similar to those illustrated in FIGS.  1  to  3 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of a flag support  8  in which the rotatable connection is in the form of a C-shaped clip  4 .  
         [0058]     Connected to the collar  2 , or other rotatable connection, is a rod  16  that extends away from the pole  14  and which is adapted to support a fabric flag  30 . The rod may be made of, for example, fiberglass, plastic, metal, metal alloy or wood. The flag  30  is supported by the rod  14  by connecting the upper edge of the flag  30  to the rod  16 . The flag support  8  may be provided with a one or more hooks  18  that are arranged to engage corresponding eyes in the flag  30  or rings  22  that pass through the flag  30 . Of course the flag  30  may be connected to the rod by having the hooks on the flag  30  that engage eyes/rings in the rod  16 .  
         [0059]     There are many different ways in which the flag  30  can be connected to the rod  16 , for example, press-studs or Velcro strips could be used or a zip mechanism could be used in which in which the inter-engaging teeth of the zip are provided, respectively, on the flag  30  and the rod  16 . Another way is to use a flag  30  that has a sleeve to accommodate the rod  16 . The rod  16  may have a longitudinal slot to accommodate an edge of the flag  30  which is closable to grasp the edge of the flag  30 .  
         [0060]     An edge of the flag  30  may be thicker than the remainder of the flag  30 , that is the flag  30  has a bead running along one of its edges.  FIG. 12  show the underside a rod  16  that has a longitudinal cavity  13  that is adapted to accept the bead  31  of the flag  30 . Communicating with the longitudinal cavity  13  is a longitudinal slot opening  15  which allows the remainder of the flag material to extend away from the beading and the rod via the longitudinal slot opening  15 .  FIG. 12  is an end view of the rod  16  in which the bead  31  of a flag has been entered into the cavity  13  via an opening of the cavity  13 .  
         [0061]     The rod  16  may be provided along the bottom of the flag as well as or instead of the top edge, or the rod  16  may run through the middle of the flag  30  or diagonally across the flag  30 . Generally, however, it is preferable that the rod or other support element should support the flag  30  along the top edge of the flag  30  so that the flag  30  will hang down from the rod/support element  16 , in this case when used with a rectangular flag the rod will extend substantially horizontally from the flagpole  14 . It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited for use with rectangular flags. If, for example a support element supports an edge of a triangular flag (as illustrated in  FIG. 15 ) then the support element may, of course, extend away from the flag at angle that is not horizontal.  
         [0062]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the flag support may have a wire support element  46  instead of a rod  16 . The wire support element  46  may support an upper edge of a flag  30  in a similar fashion to the rod  16  as described above. A wire support element  46  may be used to follow at least part of the perimeter of a flag for example a flag that has a curved edge such as that illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0063]     Referring to  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 11 , in an embodiment of the invention the flag support  8  has two rotational couplings  10 , 12  and is provided with an indicator  24  that extends from the rotational couplings  10 , 12  so that the indicator is diametrically opposite the rod  16 . The rotational couplings take the form of an upper  10  and a lower  12  collar for fitting over a flagpole  14 , however any of the other rotational couplings described above may be used. The indicator  24  may be connected directly to the rod  16  or may be connected to the rod  16  via the collars  10 ,  12 . The indicator  24  will therefore point to the direction that the wind is coming from. If the wind shifts direction then the flag  30  and rod  16  will move to align with the new wind direction which will then cause the indicator  24  to move to indicate the new wind direction.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , one form of indicator  24  has a shape that defines two edges of a triangle with the apex of the triangle pointing away from the flagpole  14  so as indicate the wind direction. One or both of the other ends of the indicator  28  may be connected to a rotatable coupling  10 , 12 , for example, as is shown in  FIG. 4 , one end is connected to the upper collar  10  whilst the other end is connected to the lower collar  12 .  
         [0065]     It will be appreciated that the main advantages of the invention will be achieved if the flag support has only one rotational coupling, for example it may only have the upper collar  10  with the lower end of the indicator  24  being a free end.  
         [0066]     Instead of having a triangular shape the indicator may take the form of a simple elongated member  26 , that is connected to the rod  16  supporting the flag or to the rotational coupling. Such an indicator may be rod-like as is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . It will be appreciated indicators having various other geometries would achieve the main advantages of the invention.  
         [0067]     Referring to FIGS.  16  to  21 , in an embodiment of the invention the rod  16  only supports the flag  30  along a portion of the upper edge of the flag  16  with the remainder of the flag  31  being unsupported. This arrangement allows the unsupported portion  31  to flap freely to an extent determined by the wind strength.  FIGS. 16, 18  and  20  show the flag in different wind conditions;  FIGS. 17, 19  and  21  are plan views of  FIGS. 16, 18  and  20  respectively.  FIGS. 16 and 17  shows the flag  30  in light wind conditions, in this case the unsupported portion  31  of the flag  30  drapes down against the supported portion of the flag.  FIGS. 18 and 19  shows the flag  30  in moderate wind conditions, in this case the unsupported portion  31  of the flag  30  flaps.  FIGS. 20 and 21  shows the flag  30  in strong wind conditions, in this case the unsupported portion  31  of the flag  30  is in effect supported by the wind and does not drape or flap (or flaps to a lesser extent than in moderate wind conditions). The golfer therefore has a clear indication of both wind speed and wind direction no matter what the wind strength.  
         [0068]     It would be useful for the flag support  8  to be placed on flagpoles at various positions along a golf course, e.g., at the tee or at intervals adjacent to the fairway, as well as at the green. The wind speed and direction may vary over the length of a course due to, for example, natural features such as hillocks and wooded areas. Having flagpoles spaced along the course would allow a golfer to get a more accurate determination of the wind speed and direction for the portion of the course over which he is about to play a shot.  
         [0069]     In an embodiment of the invention the flagpole assembly is adapted to be held by the golfer or attached to his golf trolley or golf cart so that the golfer can gauge the wind at the actual position that he is going to play his shot. Such wind indicators can be used for practice/training or for friendly games, however, it may be that they will not be sanctioned for competitions and tournaments.  
         [0070]      FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate a handheld flagpole assembly  32 . The flagpole assembly  32  is similar to one that would be used on a green except that the flagpole  14  is shorter and is optionally provided with a handgrip  42 . The handgrip  42  may have a roughened surface or comprise foam, rubber or other elastic material that is easier and more comfortable to hold than the flagpole  14 . Generally the flagpole  14  will have a length in the range 25 cm to 100 cm and preferably the flagpole  14  will have a length in the range 35 cm to 65 cm.  
         [0071]      FIG. 24  illustrates a flagpole assembly  50  for use with a golf cart or a golf trolley. The flagpole assembly  50  is similar to one that would be used on a green except that the flagpole  14  is provided with a clamp  52  for clamping the flagpole  14  to a trolley or cart. Optionally the flagpole  14  is connected to the clamp  52  by a flexible/bendable section  54  that allows the orientation flagpole  14  to be adjusted to be vertical or near vertical irrespective of the orientation of the clamp  52  when the clamp  52  is attached to the trolley or cart. The flagpole  14  may be of a similar length to that of a handheld flagpole assembly or as long or may be even longer than the flagpoles used on greens.  
         [0072]     The flagpole  14  of both the handheld flagpole assembly  32  and the flagpole assembly  50  for use with a golf cart or trolley may be telescopic so that the flagpole can be substantially collapsed for easy transportation.  
         [0073]     Referring to  FIGS. 22, 25  and  26  the handheld flagpole assembly  32  and the flagpole assembly  50  for use with a golf cart or trolley may be provided with an instrument that gives a readout of the wind speed. Such an instrument may be similar to that used meteorologists and comprise a spinning element  34  that spins in the wind with a rotational speed that is in proportion to the wind speed and a dial  36  that gives a readout of the wind speed as determined by the spinning element  34 . Such an instrument may be provided on course flagpoles but in this case if the golfer is distant from the flagpole  14  then binoculars may be required to read the dial  36 .  
         [0074]     The flagpole assemblies may also be provided with a static indicator  44  that indicates the direction of one or more compass points. A golfer will then be able to down the direction of the wind by observing the position of the rod  16  or indicator  24  relative to a compass point. If a number of such flagpole assemblies are provided along the golf course then the golfer will be able to easily quantify any variation in the wind direction along the course. The static indicator  44  can also be provided on the handheld  32  and cart/trolley mounted  50  flagpole assemblies so that the golfer is able to quantify the variation of wind speed between the actual positions that different golf shots are taken from.