Golf ball marker

Abstract

A golf ball marker has its ground engaging pin disposed proximate the edge of the marker to facilitate rotation of the marker for facilitating alignment. The marker is, according to one embodiment, an elliptical body having a pair of adjacent golf ball-simulating circular disks displayed thereon. A first line provided along the major axis extends through the disks. Each disk has a second line displayed thereon, along the minor axis of each, and is normal to the first line to define a crosshair on each disk.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Design Patent Application filed Aug. 20, 2007 for “Golf Ball Marker” the entire disclosure which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to golf ball markers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to golf ball markers which facilitate the lining up of a putt. Even more particularly, the present invention pertains to golf ball markers for facilitating the alignment of a putt.

2. Prior Art

As is known to those skilled in the art to the present invention pertains one of the more popular putters in use today has a club head where the rear of the club has an elongated base which has displayed thereon dual circular disks representing golf balls. An elongated marking line or diameter for assisting in the proper striking of a golf ball when putting bisects the rear of the putter along its major axis.

In the above-identified referred to co-pending U.S. Design Patent Application there is disclosed a golf ball marker which, in its preferred embodiment, comprises dual circular disks simulating two golf balls, each of which bears crosshairs for facilitating the lining up of a putt. The pin or peg for fixing the marker in the ground of the above-referred to co-pending application is disposed centrally thereof.

This ball marker is an assist device for the type of putter referred to hereinabove.

As is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, in order to properly align the golf ball using a ball marker oftentimes it is necessary to rotate the marker and/or the ball to properly align the ball in position with respect thereto. But, because of the rules of golf, the ball can only be rotated at the spot where it is marked. In such instances, the typical golf ball marker does not fully co-act with the type of putter hereinabove described for proper alignment.

As is subsequently described, the present marker enables not only rotation of the ball marker; to facilitate the proper positioning of the golf ball, but does not violate any of the rules of golf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a golf ball marker which generally comprises: (a) a planar member having an upper surface, lower surface and a peripheral edge and (b) a pin, the pin being eccentrically mounted or disposed on the lower surface of the marker proximate the edge.

In a first embodiment hereof, the marker comprises a, generally, elliptical body having a pair of tangentially disposed circular elements or disks displayed on the upper surface. Each circular element has perpendicular intersecting diametric lines or crosshair displayed thereon. A single one diametric line extends through both circular elements and extends along the major axis of the ellipse.

The pin for penetrating the earth is provided proximate the periphery along the major axis of the elliptical body.

In an alternate embodiment hereof, the upper surface of the marker has a pair of circular elements which are provided with a plurality of circular inscriptions to simulate a pair of golf balls in juxtaposition.

In a further embodiment hereof, the marker comprises a substantially circular body having an upper surface a lower surface and a peripheral edge, the upper surface being provided with a crosshair defined by perpendicularly intersecting lines or chords and a pin disposed on the lower surface proximate the circumference of the circle along one of the diameter chords.

In use, the ball marker is emplaced in the ground in the normal manner and fixed therein with the pin. The marker may then be rotated about the pin rotated for proper positioning of the ball. This is accomplished through cooperation between the ordinary markings provided on a golf ball and by rotating the ball marker at its marked position for lining up the “putt”. In this manner, the ball is not positioned any closer to the hole than what ordinarily would be provided while enabling proper alignment of the putt through the use of the crosshairs.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment hereof;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the first embodiment hereof;

FIG. 3 is a first side elevational view of the first embodiment hereof,

FIG. 4 is a end view hereof;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment hereof;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a third embodiment hereof, and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the third embodiment hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now, and with reference to the drawing and, in particular, FIGS. 1-4 there is depicted therein a golf ball marker in accordance with the present invention and, generally, denoted at 10. The golf ball marker 10 hereof, generally, comprises an ovular or elliptical body 12 having an upper surface 14, a bottom surface 16 and a pin or peg 18 outwardly projecting from the bottom surface 16. The marker 10 also has a peripheral edge 17. The body 12 has a major axis 19 and a minor axis 19′.

With more particularity, it is seen that the upper surface 14 of the body 12 has a pair of adjacent or juxtaposed circular elements or disks 20, 20′ inscribed or otherwise displayed thereon. Each disk 20, 20′ has its circumference substantially coincident with the peripheral edge 17 of the body and has a diameter substantially equal to one half of the major axis 19 of the body 12 such that the innermost arcs of each disk are tangential to each other, as shown. The central area 24 of the upper surface 14 may be shaded or otherwise provided with suitable markings to clearly differentiate the disks therefrom.

A line 26 corresponding to the major axis 19 of the body. A second line 28, 28′, normal to that portion of the associated line 26 which bisects the associated disk is likewise provided on Each disk 20, 20′. Each line 28, 28′ is parallel to and spaced from the minor axis 19′ of the body 12. Thus, the portion of the line 26 along the major axis 19 and the associated second lines 28, 28′ cooperate to define a crosshair for each disk.

The peg or pin 18 is secured to the lower surface 16 and projects normally outwardly therefrom. As shown, the pin 18 is disposed proximate the peripheral edge 17 of the body 12 along the major axis 19 proximate the terminus thereof.

By emplacing the pin proximate the peripheral edge 17, the ball marker 10 can be rotated therearound in a horizontal plane for proper alignment while still within the scope of the rules of golf. Once the golfer selects the line along which a golf ball (not shown) is to be struck, the ball can then be placed tangentially to the line 26, representing the major axis 19 and in line with the alignment markings provided directly on the surface of the ball, without violating any of the rules of golf.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is depicted therein an alternate embodiment of the present invention and generally denoted at 110. According to this embodiment, in lieu of the cross-haired disks, each of the disks is provided with marking 112 which simulate the surface of a golf ball. Here, the golfer is left to his or her own skills for proper ball alignment. However, in all other respects the marker is the same as with the first embodiment. Here, the pin (not shown) is disposed proximate the peripheral edge along the major axis of the marker.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is depicted therein a further embodiment hereof generally denoted at 210. Here, the ball marker 210 comprises a substantially circular body 212 having an upper surface 214 and a bottom surface 216. Because of the thickness of the body 212 there is provided a peripheral edge 218.

As shown, the upper surface 214 is provided with a pair of lines 220, 222 respectively. The lines 220 and 222 intersect normal to each other and are created over the diametric lines of the disk. Thus, the two lines 220, 222 cooperate to define a crosshair.

As shown, a pin or peg 224 is disposed proximate the peripheral edge 28 on the bottom or lower surface of the disk 212. The peg 224 is disposed on the lower surface 216 along a diameter thereof. The peg 224 projects outwardly from the body 212 in a manner well known to one skilled in the art.

In manufacturing the markers hereof, they can be formed from any suitable plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like by injecting molding or any other suitable molding process.

Any decoration and coloration of the mark can be provided directly in the mold. Alternatively, the decorative portion as well as the lines can be scribed post molding either manually or through machine scribing. Similarly, the demarcations can be etched directly into the surface during molding. Such techniques for molding are well known in the art and do not form part of the invention hereof.

In use, after the ball reaches the putting surface, the marker is used to mark the position of the ball. Thereafter, and with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 6-7, when the ball is again placed on the putting surface, the golf ball marker itself can be rotated to find the appropriate “line” for the user. This is done by rotating the marker to the appropriate line and then placing the ball in abutment against the marker before it is removed. Prior to removing the marker, the ball itself is aligned with the demarcations by rotating the ball such that the normally provided alignment lines of the golf ball itself, such as the name, or the like is coincident or in alignment with the demarcations on the ball. Thereafter, the marker is removed from the putting surface and the ball is now properly aligned.

With respect to the embodiment of FIG. 5, this can be used for decorative purposes. The more skilled putter can use the marker for ordinary golf ball marking.

It is to be appreciated from the preceding that there has been described herein a new golf ball marker which, in many instances, facilitates proper placement of the ball prior to putting.

Claims

1. A golf ball marker, comprising:

(a) a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge, the body having a major axis,

(b) a ground engaging pin disposed on the lower surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, and

 wherein the pin is disposed along the major axis proximate the peripheral edge.

2. The marker of claim 1 wherein:

the body is an elliptical body having a major axis and a minor axis normal to the major axis.

3. The marker of claim 2 which further comprises:

a pair of circular disks displayed on the upper surface, the major axis extending through both disks,

a first diametric line displayed on each disk overlying the major axis,

a second diametric line displayed on each disk, each second line being parallel to the minor axis.

4. The marker of claim 2 which further comprises:

a pair of circular disks displayed on the upper surface, the major axis extending through both disks,

a golf ball simulating decoration displayed in each of the disks.

5. The marker of claim 1 wherein:

(a) the body is a circular body,

(b) the major axis being equal to the diameter of the disk body,

(c) a first line displayed on the upper surface along the major axis, and

(d) a second line scribed on the upper surface along a diametric line normal to the first line, and

wherein the first and second lines cooperate to define a crosshair.

6. A golf ball marker, comprising:

(a) an elliptical body having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge, the body having a major axis and a minor axis, the minor axis normal to the major axis,

(b) a pair of circular disks displayed on the upper surface, the major axis extending through the disks,

(c) a first line displayed on the upper surface coincident with the major axis,

(d) a second line displayed on each of the disks along the minor axis of each, each minor axis of each disk being parallel to the minor axis of the body, and

(e) a ground engaging pin disposed on the lower surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, the pin being disposed proximate the peripheral edge of the body along the major axis.