Ball Marker Patch with Magnetic Accessory Attachment Optimized for Advertising Purposes.

Abstract

A ball marker patch is described which contains a magnet embedded within two layers of material in a magnet pocket, where the external layer has advertising space on both the patch portion and the magnet pocket portion, which combined with possible advertising space of the outer face of the ball marker, provides three separate advertising spaces as opposed to the single advertising space available in previous caps. The patch can be permanently or removably attached to a variety of parts of various items of clothing. Because the magnet pocket contains curved edges, the ball marker is easy to remove from the magnet pocket.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/543,531, filed Oct. 10, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to the field of clothing, namely active wear that could be used to promote a brand other otherwise provide advertising exposure. More particularly, the present invention relates to ball marker patches with magnetic accessory holders, which can be sewn onto a wide variety of sporting wear, particularly hats.

2. Description of the Related Art

Within the past few decades, active wear has become more and more popular, as people have begun to exercise more and spend more time outdoors. The popularity of outdoor sports has also risen, in particular, the sport of golf. Since people participating in outdoor events, such as golf, usually wear caps, shirts, belts and other commonly known items of clothing, the use of these items of clothing for advertising the name, logo, or associated image of a brand is a common practice. One popular idea has been to sell a golf ball marker with some sort of advertising indicia on it. Until the current invention, however, the outdoor and active wear industry has lacked a means by which advertising both on the golf ball marker and the object that attaches the golf ball marker to the item of clothing can be easily accomplished. Further, there has not been a single unit of a golf ball marker and a golf ball marker patch that can be sewn or otherwise attached to a wide variety of items of clothing without the need to modify the design. This invention provides a solution to both problems.

Humans have been wearing all kinds of hats to cover their heads for centuries. More recently however, baseball style caps have become a very popular with men, women, young, and old alike. Baseball style caps are worn for various reasons, including fashion and sun protection. Baseball style caps are also worn during various activities, such as while working indoors/outdoors and while playing sporting events such as tennis, baseball, and golf. In golf in particular, it is a common occurrence that the golfer needs a golf ball marker to mark the location of a golf ball during play on the putting green. This situation occurs when the golf ball of one player is positioned on the green in between the projected path of travel of another golfer's ball and the hole. The golf ball is usually picked up, and a flat marker placed where the ball previously was positioned, so that another golf ball can proceed to the hole without encountering any obstructions. If the person does not have a golf ball marker handy, they must either try to remember where their ball is located prior to picking the ball up off of the green, or locate a ball marker, which can substantially delay the game.

Additionally, in recent years the sport of golfing has gained much popularity with men, women, young, and old alike. Much of this popularity is attributed to new, exciting players in the field. As a result, many sponsors have tried to capitalize on the growing popularity of the sport of golf. In fact, as evidence of the effort of the sponsors, many top players can be seen wearing hats and shirts bearing the logo or name of a sponsor company. In order for sponsors to distinguish their logo or brand from others, sponsors are often looking for new and innovative ways, in addition to providing traditional apparel such as shirts and hats, to appeal to consumers. A difficulty often encountered in providing such innovative marketing is the lack of visibility of the brand name or logo of the company due to the lack of exposure of the product relative to the person wearing the product. For example, advertisement of logos on items such as golf bags, golf gloves does not receive much exposure time on television due to the majority of time the camera is focused on the golfer's head.

Therefore, there it would be desirable to provide a golf ball marker attachment means that allows a user to quickly locate and grasp a golf ball marker, and that also provides an advertiser an innovative and highly visible way to promote their logo or brand name.

In addition to allowing the golfer to easily locate and remove the golf ball marker, it is desirable to have a golf ball marker patch that serves as a retainer for the golf ball marker and as a prominent display of advertising for a sponsor. Allowing a sponsor to order a single design of a golf ball marker patch that then could be sewn on a variety of items of clothing, and in a variety of location upon each item of clothing, would be desirable.

One preferred embodiment of the invention relates to placing a golf ball marker patch on a golf hat. The hat is preferably a standard wool or cotton baseball cap including a body portion and an attachment location. The body portion includes a dome and a bill; this is well known in the prior art and throughout the industry in which applicant practices his trade. The attachment location can be anywhere on the cap, and the means of connection between the attachment location and the cap can be a relatively permanent means, such as sewing, heat welding, or gluing, or a removable means, such as hook and loop fasteners or magnets. The golf ball marker patch contains a magnet embedded in the patch. A magnetic object, such as a golf ball marker, can be then magnetically attached to the magnetic base. A user can remove the magnetic object from the magnetic base to use the magnetic object, and then can attach the magnetic object to the magnetic base when the magnetic object is not in use.

Continuing to use the cap as an example, the golf ball marker patch could be sewn onto the edge of the brim, onto the front, or onto either side, to list the most prominent locations in terms of visibility and exposure considering the television angles used to shoot most golfing tournaments. A major benefit brought by the invention to the active wear industry, and particularly to the golfing industry, is that the ball marker patches can be used to attach a magnet to just about any part of any item of clothing, thereby making it an incredibly adaptable form of advertising.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a ball marker patch that can provide advertising space on an item of clothing.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ball marker patch that can be removably or permanently attached to an item of clothing.

It is an additional object of the invention that the ball marker patch can be used in a variety of locations on an item of clothing, such that the advertising value is enhanced.

It is a further object of the invention that in a removable version of the invention, access to the pocket in which the magnet sits can be created such that a user of the invention can interchange magnets, and even store small personal items in the pocket.

It should be understood the while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the golf ball marker patch showing the two major components: the patch and the golf ball marker.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the same embodiment as illustrated by FIG. 1, but with advertising indicia on both the patch and the ball marker.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the invention, illustrating on method by which it could be constructed.

FIG. 4 is a possible location for attachment on a golf hat.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the invention showing an optional slit that allows for the easy insertion and removal of the magnet and other small items, for use with a removable version of the patch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the golf ball marker patch showing the two major components: the patch and the golf ball marker. The invention, generally indicated by reference number 1, has two main components: a patch (2) and a magnet pocket (3). A magnet (5 in FIG. 3) is retained within the magnet pocket, and a ball marker can be removably attached to the outside of the magnet pocket. It should be noted that because of the curve of the magnet pocket (illustrated in FIG. 6), the ball marker is easier to remove as a user can slip a fingernail under the lip of the ball marker. The patch also contains, optionally, a quantity of stuffing material, such as low density foam rubber, so that the upper surface of the patch bulges out, thereby creating a more eye-catching surface for advertising indicia.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the same embodiment as illustrated by FIG. 1, but with advertising indicia (4) on both the patch and the ball marker. By allowing for advertising on both the patch (2) and the magnet pocket (3), the invention provides more advertising space and possibilities than offered by previous ball marker arrangements. With a ball marker also containing advertising indicia, the invention makes possible three separate advertising spaces where in the past only the advertising space on the face of the ball marker was popularized.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the invention, illustrating on method by which it could be constructed. In this embodiment, the patch (2) is laid over a magnet (5) which fits into a pocket (7) in the patch bottom (6). There can be a corresponding pocket in the patch (2) as well as in the patch bottom (6). The means by which the patch (2) is attached to the patch bottom (6) can vary from permanent (sewn, heat welded, glued) to removable (hook and loop fasteners). The bottom side of the patch bottom (6) can also be made removable through the use of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, or other removable means of attachment by which the entire patch can be selectively removed and moved to another location on one item of clothing, or moved to a different item of clothing.

FIG. 4 is a possible location for attachment on the bill (10) portion of a golf hat (11). In this embodiment, the patch (1) is attached to the side of the bill (10), inside of a stitch line. This is a convenient location, as a ball marker (12) would be readily accessible to a golfer. This figure also illustrates how advertising indicia (13) can be printed on the outer surface of the ball marker (12).

FIG. 5 is a back view of the invention showing an optional access opening, in this case a simple slit (50) that allows for the easy insertion and removal of the magnet and other small items, for use with a removable version of the patch. The backside of the patch (52) can have a surface that allows the patch to be removable from an item of clothing. The slit (50) across the bottom of the magnet pocket (53) allows for the easy insertion and removal of the magnet, along with allowing a person to stash small personal items in the magnet pocket.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the invention showing how the curvature of the upper surface of the magnet pocket (3) as it rises above the upper surface of the patch (2), creating a magnet pocket bulge, which leaves the edge of the ball marker (12) uncovered, thereby allowing for easy removal.

With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present invention.

The above description, together with the accessories of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A ball marker patch, comprising:

a patch, which comprises a front cover, which additionally comprises a front cover edge portion extending around the circumference of the front cover, a back cover, which additionally comprises a back cover edge portion extending around the circumference of the back cover, a quantity of stuffing material, where the quantify of stuffing is sandwiched between the front cover and the back cover, and a magnet pocket,

a magnet, where the magnet is located in the magnet pocket, and,

a magnetic object,

where the magnetic object is capable of being attached to the magnet, and,

means of attachment between the back cover and an item of clothing, and,

means of attachment between the front cover edge portion and the back cover edge portion.

2. The ball marker patch of claim 1, where the magnetic object is a ball marker.

3. The ball marker patch of claim 2, where, the means of attachment is permanent and selected from the group consisting of stitching and gluing.

4. The ball marker patch of claim 2, where the means of attachment is removable.

5. The ball marker patch of claim 4, where the means of attachment is hook and loop fasteners.

6. The ball marker patch of claim 4, where the means of attachment allow for a user to remove the patch from a location on an item of clothing and move the patch to a different location on said item of clothing.

7. The ball marker patch of claim 4, where the item of clothing is a cap.

8. The ball marker patch of claim 4, where the means of attachment allow for a user to remove the patch from a location on an item of clothing and move the patch to a different location on a different item of clothing.

9. The ball marker patch of claim 8, where the item of clothing is a cap.

10. The ball marker patch of claim 2, additionally comprising a magnet pocket bulge, where the magnet pocket bulge is smaller in diameter than the ball marker such that edges of ball marker extend over the edges of the magnet pocket bulge.

11. The ball marker patch of claim 10, additionally comprising one or more items of advertising on the ball marker, the magnet pocket bulge, and the front cover of the patch.

12. The ball marker patch of claim 11, additionally comprising an access opening that is longer than the diameter of the magnet.

13. A method of making a ball marker patch for use in advertising, comprising the steps of: first, obtaining a ball marker, a front cover of a patch, which additionally comprises a front cover edge portion extending around the circumference of the front cover, a back cover of a patch, which additionally comprises a back cover edge portion extending around the circumference of the back cover and a quantity of stuffing material, where the quantify of stuffing is sandwiched between the front cover and the back cover, and creates a magnet pocket, additionally comprising a magnet pocket bulge, where the magnet pocket bulge is smaller in diameter than a ball marker such that edges of ball marker extend over the edges of the magnet pocket bulge, and a magnet, second, placing the magnet in the magnet pocket, third, attaching the front cover edge portion to the back cover edge portion, fourth, attaching the ball marker patch to an item of clothing, fifth, attaching the ball marker to the ball marker bulge, where, the ball marker bulge, the ball marker, and the front cover of the patch all contain one or more advertisements.

14. The method of claim 13, where the means of attachment between the ball marker patch and the item of clothing is permanent.

15. The method of claim 13, where the means of attachment between the ball marker patch and the item of clothing is removable.

16. The method of claim 15, where the means of attachment is hook and loop fasteners.

17. The method of claim 16, where the item of clothing is a cap and the means of attachment allow for a user to remove the patch from a location on the cap to a different location on said cap.

18. The method of claim 16, where the item of clothing is a cap and the means of attachment allow for a user to remove the patch from a location on the cap to a different location on a different item of clothing.

19. The method of claim 15, where the back cover of the patch additionally comprises an access opening, that is longer than the diameter of the magnet.

20. A method of advertising, comprising the steps of:

first, obtaining a ball marker and a ball marker patch, where, the ball marker patch comprises a front cover of a patch, which additionally comprises a front cover edge portion extending around the circumference of the front cover, a back cover of a patch, which additionally comprises a back cover edge portion extending around the circumference of the back cover and a quantity of stuffing material, where the quantify of stuffing is sandwiched between the front cover and the back cover and where the quantify of stuffing creates a magnet pocket, additionally comprising a magnet pocket bulge, where the magnet pocket bulge is smaller in diameter than a ball marker such that edges of ball marker extend over the edges of the magnet pocket bulge, and a magnet,

second, placing the magnet in the magnet pocket,

third, placing advertising indicia on the ball marker, the magnet pocket bulge, and the front cover,

fourth, attaching the front cover edge portion to the back cover edge portion,

fifth, attaching the ball marker patch to an item of clothing, and,

sixth, using the item of clothing in a public location.