GOLF BALL MARKER

Abstract

There is disclosed an apparatus for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface comprising: a main body portion having a front end attached to a rear end of a forked portion: the forked portion having a central section, a right arm at a right end of the central section and a left arm at a left end of the central section, the central section having a forward facing guide surface configured to restrain the ball from moving over a top of the central section; the right arm having a left facing guide surface configured to restrain the ball from moving over a top of the right arm; and the left arm having a right facing guide surface configured to restrain of the ball from moving over a top of the left arm.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/504,415, filed May 10, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure relates to a marker for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

Description of the Related Art

The phrase “marking your ball” can refer to placing a ball marker on a golfing surface such as the ground to mark the ball's position or location while you lift the golf ball, such as marking the location of a golf ball on the putting green. Unlike other areas of the golf course, on the putting green you can lift your ball for any reason. But you must always mark the ball's position when doing so. Some reasons to lift a ball when on the putting green: a) When you want to clean the ball; b) When you want to align the ball's graphics with your putting line; c) When you believe your golf ball might be in the way of another player, or a distraction to another player; d) When another player asks you to do so.

Marking the golf ball on the putting green is a common occurrence. One process for performing such marking is: place a small coin (or similar ball marker) directly behind your golf ball on the putting green; pick up your golf ball making sure your ball marker is on the ground before lifting the ball (do not lift the ball and then place a marker where the ball was; place marker first, lift ball second!); when ready to replace your golf ball on the ground, put it back on the green directly in front of your ball marker; pick up your ball marker, making sure you place ball back on ground, then lift your ball marker.

Failure to mark the ball before lifting it results in a 1-stroke penalty. If the ball is replaced in the wrong location (e.g., you place the ball down beside your ball marker rather than in front of it) and you putt from that wrong location, it's a 2-stroke penalty. Different scenarios are addressed in the rules. But the easiest thing to do is to always remember to mark the ball before lifting, and always put the ball back in its correct location.

You are not required to place the ball marker behind the golf ball before lifting your ball on the putting green. You can place your ball marker in front of the ball or beside it, so long as you replace the ball in the correct position later. It can be appreciated that intentionally or unintentionally incorrectly performing the marking process or putting the ball down in the wrong location can result is unwanted penalties and friction between players. In addition, the perception that a player mismarked the balls location can have the same results. What is needed is an improved golf ball marker.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a marker 100 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 2A is top perspective view of a marker 200 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 2B is front perspective view of arms of a forked portion of a marker 200 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 2C is front perspective view of a right arm of a forked portion of a marker 200 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a marker 300 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a marker 400 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 5A is top perspective view of a marker 500 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 5B is top perspective view of a marker 600 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 5C is top perspective view of a marker 700 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 5D is front perspective view of a golf ball 590 on a golfing surface 580 and in opening 150 between arms of a forked portion of a marker 800 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 5E is side perspective view of a golf ball 590 on a golfing surface 580 and within opening 150 between arms of a forked portion of a marker 900 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIG. 5F is top perspective view of a golf ball 590 on a golfing surface 580 and within opening 150 between arms of a forked portion of a marker 1000 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

FIGS. 6A-G show various embodiments of markers for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

Throughout this description, elements appearing in figures are assigned three-digit reference designators, where the most significant digit is the figure number and the two least significant digits are specific to the element. An element that is not described in conjunction with a figure may be presumed to have the same characteristics and function as a previously-described element having a reference designator with the same least significant digits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments described herein provide a marker for accurately and repeatedly marking a location of a golf ball at one of many different locations on a golfing surface.

The embodiments may provide a unique golf ball marker device for accurately marking an original resting location of a golf ball by sliding the marker forward and under the ball (see direction FOR of FIGS. 5D-F) and replacing a golf ball to the original location, such as on a putting surface or elsewhere on a golf course. After replacing the ball, the marker may be removed by sliding the marker rearward and out from under the replaced ball (see direction RER of FIGS. 5D-F). The three guide surface design (e.g., surfaces 142, 144 and 146; and the like) by its shape defines the location (see location LOC of FIGS. 5D-F) of the golf ball (such as in opening 150 and the like) and may not allow a player to replace their ball to the left, right or backwards of the original resting position. The marker contains a rear guide surface 142 and two side guide surfaces 144 and 146 that position themselves on three sides of a ball identifying the exact original position (see location LOC of FIGS. 5D-F) of a ball from any direction eliminating the potential of a player replacing their ball to a different location than the original position.

The golf ball marker includes a main body portion (see portion 105 and the like) of various sizes and design shapes such as round, square, rectangular or curved in nature; and forked portion (see portion 110 and the like) with a 3 guide surfaces that form a 3-sided guide surface opening (see opening 150 and the like).

Description of Apparatus

Referring now to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of a marker 100 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 2A is top perspective view of a marker 200 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 2B is front perspective view of arms of a forked portion of a marker 200 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 2C is front perspective view of a right arm of a forked portion of a marker 200 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a marker 300 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a marker 400 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. Markers of FIGS. 1-4 may be the same marker or have the same forked portion 110.

Marker is shown having a main body portion 105 having a front end 107 attached to a rear end 108 of a forked portion 110. The main body portion may be magnetized or have a magnetized attachment. End 107 may be bonded to or formed with end 108. In one case, they are the same end such as where they are formed together as a part of the same marker.

Forked portion 110 may have a central section 112, a right arm 114 at a right end 124 of the central section 112 and a left arm 116 at a left end 126 of the central section 112. The central section 112 may have a forward facing guide surface 142 configured to restrain the ball from moving (e.g., towards the rear end) over a top 162 (e.g., a top surface 160 of section 112) of the central section 112.

The right arm 114 may have a left facing guide surface 144 configured to restrain the ball from moving (e.g., towards the right) over a top 164 (e.g., a top surface 160 of arm 114) of the right arm 114. The left arm 116 may have a right facing guide surface 146 configured to restrain of the ball from moving (e.g., towards the left) over a top 166 (e.g., a top surface 160 of arm 116) of the left arm 116.

Restraining the ball may include touching or engaging a surface of the ball with a length of the guide surface to restrain the ball from moving over top surfaces of the marker when the marker is placed under the ball and/or when the ball is placed onto or within opening 150 of the marker.

The marker 100 may be formed of various materials such as metal, alloy, plastic, wood, glass, and the like. It may be formed of a single piece of one material. It may be formed of various material portions and/or layers. It is shown having main body portion 105 and forked portion 110 which may be the same or different materials. It may be cast or forged metal.

Portion 105 may have various shapes from a top perspective view. It may have various shapes of top surface 160 from a side perspective view. Portions 105 and 110 may have a flat or planar bottom surface 158. The bottom surface of portion 105 may be flat or planar with that of portion 110. The top surface of portion 105 may or may not be flat or planar with that of portion 110.

Surface 158 may be a surface that slides easily along or upon golfing surface 580 such as indirections FOR and RER. It may be flat, planar, polished, waxed and/or frictionless.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for some embodiments section 112 and guide surface 142 have an arched shaped from a top perspective view that forms angle AA with radius RA. Various other shapes from the top perspective view are also considered, including but not limited to flat shaped and V shaped as shown in FIGS. 6A-F.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for some embodiments arms 114 and 116 (and guide surfaces 144 and 146) may have a straight, forward shape from a top perspective view with respect to a line from elbow 145 to elbow 147. Various other shapes from the top perspective view are also considered, including but not limited to arched shapes, and shapes that are straight but angle inwards or outwards (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6E) from a top perspective view with respect to a line from elbow 145 to elbow 147, such as by an angel of between 5 and 25 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the marker may have a right elbow 145 formed where the right arm 114 attaches to the right end 124 of the central section 112, and a left elbow 147 formed where the left arm 116 attaches to the left end 126 of the central section 112.

Elbows 145 and 147 may be described as “corners” such as by having angle A1 that is greater than 55 degrees. In cases where angle A1 is less than 90 degrees, arms 114 and 116 will angle inwards. In cases where angle A1 is greater than 90 degrees, arms 114 and 116 will be straight or angle outwards. In cases where section 112 is arched, the arms may be angled or be straight according to the angle of angle A1. For example, when section 112 is arched, the arms may be straight when angle A1 is an acute angle.

In some cases, elbows 145 and 147 are not be circular or oval or ellipsoidal in shape. In some cases, surfaces 144 and 146 are not be circular or oval or ellipsoidal in shape. In some cases, radius RE which is less than the radius of a golf ball. It may be between 5 and 30 percent the radius of a golf ball. In some cases, surface 142 has radius RA which is greater than the radius of a golf ball. It may be between 150 and 400 percent greater than the radius of a golf ball.

Except as shown in FIG. 6B, for some embodiments, the right elbow 145 may form an obtuse angle A1 between the left facing guide surface 144 and the forward facing guide surface 142. The left elbow 147 may form an obtuse angle A1 between the right facing guide surface 146 and the forward facing guide surface 142.

The obtuse angle A1 may be between 95 and 130 degrees. It may be between 100 and 120 degrees. In one instance, it may be 115 degrees +/−10 percent.

A radius length RE of the obtuse angle A1 (of the left and right elbow) may be between ⅓ and ⅔ of the radius length RA of an arch angle AA of the central section. It may be between 40 to 60 percent of the radius length RA of an arch angle AA. In one instance, it may be 50 percent +/−5 percent.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, forward facing guide surface 142 may form a horizontal rear arching arch with a rearward distance RD that is between ⅕ and 1/10 of length LA of the central section from the left end 124 to the right end 126. In once case, it is RD is 1/7 length LA +/−10 percent. In some case, RD is between ⅕ and ⅗ of arm length LR of the arms from ends 124 and 126 to arm ends 134 and 136, respectively. In one case, RD is ⅖ the arm length LR+/−10 percent.

The marker may have an outer width of the forked portion FO that is greater than a width of the main body portion WM, and the width WM may be greater than a width of the front end and rear end FEW. In some cases, a total length TL of the marker includes a length FW of an opening 150 in the forked portion that is bound by the forward facing guide surface 142, the left guide surface 144 and the right guide surface 146; and has a length RL of the remaining apparatus, such as from the rear of surface 142 to the rear of portion 105.

In some cases, LR is 5/16 inch, TL is 13/8 inch, FO is 19/16 inch, LA is ⅞ inch, FEW is 11/16 inch and FW is 7/16 inch. In one case, LA is 13/16 inch. In one instance, RA is 22 mm and RE is 11 mm. In some cases, each of these distances be within +/−10 percent of what is stated.

As shown in FIG. 4, forward facing guide surface 142 may have a rearward arching angle AA that forms an arched rear 442 of a forked opening 150. Left guide 144 surface may have or be a forward extending straight length that forms the right arm 114 of the forked opening 150. Right guide surface 146 may have or be a forward extending straight length that forms the left arm 116 of the forked opening 150.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-C and 5D-F, forward facing guide surface 142, left facing guide surface 144 and right facing guide surface 146 may each comprise an angled surface that tilts away from a vertical tangent VT with a bottom surface 158 of the forked portion at a bevel angle A2. They may tilt away and towards a top surface 160 of the forked portion 112.

The angled surface may tilt away at an angle A2 of between 30 and 60 degrees. In some cases, A2 is between 15 and 75 degrees or between 35 and 55 degrees. In one instance, it may be 45 degrees+/−5 percent.

FIG. 5A is top perspective view of a marker 500 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 5B is top perspective view of a marker 600 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 5C is top perspective view of a marker 700 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 5D is front perspective view of a golf ball 590 on a golfing surface 580 and in opening 150 between arms of a forked portion of a marker 800 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 5E is side perspective view of a golf ball 590 on a golfing surface 580 and within opening 150 between arms of a forked portion of a marker 900 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 5F is top perspective view of a golf ball 590 on a golfing surface 580 and within opening 150 between arms of a forked portion of a marker 1000 for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface.

Markers of FIGS. 1-5F may be the same marker or be a marker having embodiments of forked portion 110 as described herein. For example, it may be that some of markers 100-900 have the differently shaped main body portions 105, 205, 505, 605, 705 and 905, but all have embodiments of front portion 110. Due to having portion 110, all of these markers may operate the same for accurately marking a location of a ball, such as described herein.

As shown in FIGS. 5D-F, the marker 800, 900, 1000 may be placed on the golfing surface 580 (e.g., ground) next to or behind a ball 590 with the guides 142, 144 and 146 facing the ball. The marker can then be manually slid forward FOR and/or around the ball until the three guides are felt touching the ball and/or the ball is observed as moving. This may “mark” the resting position of the ball at location LOC. The ball can then be lifted, leaving the marker untouched. Next, the ball can be replaced back between the three guides, such as by lowering the ball in a rearward RER and/or lateral motion onto the marker until the ball is felt touching the three guides 142, 144 and 146 and/or the marker is observed as moving. After the ball is released, the marker can be slid rearward RER or otherwise slid free of the ball and removed.

Other ball markers, such as coins or round markers allow the player to inaccurately remark their ball to the left, right, forward or backwards in proximity to the marker. Due to their roundness and the direction in which the ball is marked and replaced, it is easy for a player to inaccurately replace their ball by mistake or intentionally. For example, the player can put one side of the marker towards the ball to mark the original ball location, and then replace the ball at the opposing or another side (instead of at the one side) of the marker when replacing the ball. This allose the ball to be replaced at a location that is a ball length or more away from the original location.

In some cases, this creates two “lines” for a putt. The original line, when marking a ball is the line from the ball directly to the hole. When replacing the ball at a different location than the original, a second line may be created. The second line may vary by the slope of the surface, producing a different curved, but intended second line. A player may miss mark due to this discrepancy to gain an advantage. Embodiments herein can eliminate the possibility of miss marking due the accuracy and defined point of marking the original position. The guide surfaces of the right and left (e.g., “side”) arms will not allow the ball to be remarked to the left or right of the originally marked line or location LOC. Those surfaces can also eliminate any chance of a player inadvertently or intentionally miss marking their ball. This avoids a player gaining an unfair advantage by inaccurately marking the ball to avoid any uneven or unwanted obstacles in their line of putt; moving his ball left or right in order to change the angle of the line of putt; and/or gaining a mental advantage by perceiving either of the other advantages. Markers herein give the player and other player the peace of mind that he is not violating any rules. Markers herein are designed to be the most accurate in marking the resting position of the ball, and the position to which it is to be returned.

In more detail, as shown in FIGS. 5D-F, forked opening 150 may be configured to be disposed between a bottom portion 585 of the golf ball 590 and the golfing surface 580 (e.g., a top surface of a golf course) to mark a location LOC of the ball on the golfing surface. Also, guide surfaces 142, 144 and 146 may be configured to be disposed between a bottom portion 585 of the golf ball 590 and the golfing surface 580 to repeatedly mark the ball at different ones of location LOC of the golfing surface.

Forked opening 150 (or guide surfaces 142, 144 and 146) may be configured to simultaneously contact (e.g., touch and/or restrain) three different spots on the golf ball, such as shown at spots B1, B2 and B3 of FIGS. 3 and 5D. The first spot on the golf ball may contact a portion S1 of the forward facing guide surface 142, the second spot may contact a portion S2 of the left guide surface 144, and the third spot may contact a portion S3 of and the right guide surface 146. In some cases, only two of the three spots make contact and are sufficient to mark the ball as noted herein. For example the two contacts may form a wedge of horizontal restrain the can mark the ball.

Such contact may include restraining the ball 590 from moving behind the guide surfaces (surface 142, 144 and/or 146) of the opening 150 due to gravitational force holding the ball down against the guide surfaces (and optionally golfing surface 580) with enough force tokeep the ball in place horizontally, such as at the location prior to pick up or during replacement.

For some embodiments, the forward facing guide surface 142, the left guide surface 144 and the right guide surface 146 form an opening 150 in a front of the forked portion 110 that is configured to: a) be moved forward FOR into a vertical position VP between a bottom portion 585 of the golf ball and the golfing surface 580 to repeatedly mark a horizontal location of the ball on the golfing surface; and/or b) remain on the surface 580 in the vertical position VP when the golf ball is removed from and replaced at the horizontal location LOC.

In some cases, these guide surfaces allow the location LOC of the ball to be identified so the ball can be repeatedly placed at the same location on a golf course surface.

Markers herein may be markers for accurately and repeatedly marking a location LOC of a golf ball 590 at any of various locations on a golfing surface 580. The golfing surface may be the ground, grass, fairway, green, rough, turf, rubber, cement, wood, artificial turf, sand or any other surface that golf is played upon or that a golf ball is marked on. Marking a location can refer to placing the marker on a golfing surface 580 to mark the ball's position or location prior to removing the ball from the location LOC (e.g., while a person lifts the golf ball out of opening 150). It can also include replacing the ball on the golfing surface 580 within a forked portion 110 or opening 150 in the forked portion of the marker to accurately put the ball back at the marked position or location LOC from which it was removed (e.g., when a person replaces the golf ball into the opening 150). The accuracy of replacing the ball at LOC may be within between ⅛ and 1 inch in each of the forward and sideways horizontal directions. It may be within between ¼ and ½ inch. In some cases, the accuracy of replacing the ball at LOC may be within ½ inch in each of the forward and sideways horizontal directions.

Marker 100 may be for identifying a location of the ball by placing the marker under and against a bottom portion 585 of the ball, so that the ball can be removed from the location LOC; and then replaced at the location LOC based on the location of the marker. Marker 100 may be for identifying a location LOC of the ball by placing the marker vertically at position VP between and against a bottom portion 585 of the ball and the golfing surface 580 (e.g., a top surface of the ground) to mark a horizontal location LOC of the ball on the golfing surface. After marking the location, the ball can be removed from the location and marker, such as by lifting it away from the marker and surface. The ball 590 can then be accurately replaced at the location LOC on the golfing surface by placing the ball upon the marker, such as vertically above and against (e.g., a top portion) of one or more of the guide surfaces 142, 144 and/or 146 of the marker and the golfing surface 580 at the horizontal location LOC. Identifying a location of the ball, removing the ball and replacing the ball can be repeated at numerous locations on the golfing surface.

In some cases, the shape of the guide surfaces 142, 144 and 146; and/or opening 150 as described herein are configured to allow for some vertical tolerance for location VP of the device as compared to the vertical location of ball 590 for various golfing surfaces or grass types and lengths. Independently or additionally, in some cases the shape of the forked portion 110; guide surfaces 142, 144 and 146 (e.g., shape of the shoulders and/or bevel angles); and/or opening 150 are configured so that only parts or short lengths of the total length of each guide surface touches the ball, such as at one small part of the ball, such as along a vertical line of the ball that is along the vertical height of the guide surface. When locating (e.g., marking the location), this allows the user or player to feel when the guides have sufficient contact with the ball to know the device is in the proper position to locate/mark the ball. When replacing the ball, this also allows the user to feel when the ball has sufficient contact with the guides to know the ball is in the proper position to be relocated/marked.

For some embodiments, the parts or short lengths of all three guide surface touch the ball for locating and replacing. For other embodiments, the parts or short lengths of only two of the three guide surface touch the ball for locating and replacing. Being able to locate and replace using only two guide surfaces to touch two locations on the ball is an advantage of the shape of the forked portion 110, guide surfaces (e.g., shape of the shoulders and/or bevel angles), and/or opening 150.

Consequently, the shape of the forked portion 110; guide surfaces 142, 144 and 146; and/or opening 150 are configured to locate and replace more accurately and efficiently than other markers. This may include giving the user better “feel”, “touch” and “vision” during marking. It also may include providing other player or spectators with a better view and sense of accurate marking of the location.

In some cases, using only a part (e.g., not along all of the length of) surfaces 142, 144 and 146 to touch the ball (e.g., at two or three of B1, B2 and B3) provides the shapes and/or advantages/benefits described herein. Independently or in addition, having surfaces 144 and 146 being at 180 degree opposing surfaces from a top perspective view provides the shapes and/or advantages/benefits described herein. In some cases, having their surfaces be at angle other than 180 degrees, such as when they are angled inwards or outwards provides the shapes and/or advantages/benefits described herein. Independently or in addition, the shape of surface 142 from a top perspective view provides the shapes and/or advantages/benefits described herein.

In some cases, having elbows 145 and 147 (or corners of the elbows) that are easy to visualize when location and relocating the ball will assist in more accurate and efficient marking and provides the shapes and/or advantages/bene

FIGS. 6A-G show various embodiments of markers for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface. FIG. 6A shows a marker similar to those of FIGS. 1-5F but having a V shaped section 1012 and surface 1042 (e.g., instead of section 112 and surface 142) of forked portion 1010 from a top perspective view. This may provide an additional part of surface 142 (e.g., S4 for B4 of the ball) that contact the ball. For example, one or two parts of each length of the V shape may contact the ball, such as S1 and S4 contacting B1 and B4.

FIG. 6B shows a marker similar to those of FIGS. 1-5F but having a flat shaped section 1112 and surface 1142 (e.g., instead of section 112 and surface 142) of forked portion 1110 from a top perspective view. This may provide a flatter part of surface 142 (e.g., S1 for B1 of the ball) that contact the ball. Portion 1110 also has right angles at angles Al, such as to allow the 3 guide surfaces to be at right angles to each other. It also has tapered ends of arms 1136 and 134 (e.g., instead of squared ends of arms 136 and 134). The tapered ends may help guide the marker around the ball when marking the location LOC.

FIG. 6C shows a marker similar to those of FIGS. 1-5F but having arms 1214 and 1216 with longer length (e.g., instead of arms 114 and 116) of forked portion 1210 from a top perspective view. This may provide larger guiding surfaces and opening than those of surfaces 144 and 146 and opening 150 for more accurately and more stable marking of the ball location, such as on rough and/or inconsistent golfing surface.

FIG. 6D shows a marker similar to those of FIGS. 1-5F but having arms 1314 and 1316 with shorter length (e.g., instead of arms 114 and 116) of forked portion 1310 from a top perspective view. This may provide shorter guiding surfaces and opening than those of surfaces 144 and 146 and opening 150 for more easily and quickly marking of the ball location, such as on smooth and/or consistent golfing surface.

FIG. 6E shows a marker similar to those of FIG. 6A but having arms 1414 and 1416 angled outwards (e.g., greater than opposing at 180 degrees in direction FOR). This may be a result of having elbows 1447 and 1145 with angles that are greater than angle A1. This may provide angled arm guiding surfaces and opening than those of surfaces 144 and 146 and opening 150 for more easily and quickly marking of the ball location, such as on smooth and/or consistent golfing surface.

FIG. 6F shows a marker similar to those of FIGS. 1-5F but having section 1512 and surface 1542 with an arch angle of portion 1510 that is greater than angle AA from a top perspective view. This may provide more contact area of guiding surface 1542 and the opening than those of surface 142 and opening 150 for more accurately and more stable marking of the ball location, such as on rough and/or inconsistent golfing surface. In this case, although there may be more surface 1542 touching the ball, there may still only be parts S2 and S3 of the arms touching the ball, thus still providing the advantages of this marker.

FIG. 6G shows a marker similar to those of FIGS. 1-5F but having section 1605 vertically thicker than section 1610 from a side perspective view. This may make section 1605 easier to grip, and/or easier to locate and use in thick grass.

It is considered that the same concepts described herein can be applied to a marker for marking a location of a ball other than a golf ball.

The relative position of various parts of the markers have been described based upon the views. For example, terms such as top, bottom, left and right are used. Some descriptive terms are used in relative terms and not absolute terms.

Closing Comments

Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. With regard to flowcharts, additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the methods described herein. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. As used herein, a “set” of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.

Claims

1. An apparatus for marking a location of a golf ball on a golfing surface comprising:

a main body portion having a front end attached to a rear end of a forked portion:

the forked portion having a central section, a right arm at a right end of the central section and a left arm at a left end of the central section,

the central section having a forward facing guide surface configured to restrain the ball from moving over a top of the central section;

the right arm having a left facing guide surface configured to restrain the ball from moving over a top of the right arm; and

the left arm having a right facing guide surface configured to restrain of the ball from moving over a top of the left arm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein forward facing guide surface has a rearward arching angle that forms an arched rear of a forked opening, the left guide surface has a forward extending straight length that forms the right arm of the forked opening, and the right guide surface has a forward extending straight length that forms the left arm of the forked opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the forked opening is configured to be disposed between a bottom portion of the golf ball and the golfing surface to mark a location of the ball on the golfing surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the forked opening is configured to simultaneously contact three different spots on the golf ball, the first spot contacting a portion of the forward facing guide surface, the second spot contacting a portion of the left guide surface, and the third spot contacting a portion of and the right guide surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward facing guide surface, the left guide surface and the right guide surface form an opening in a front of the forked portion that is configured to: a) be moved forward into a position between a bottom portion of the golf ball and the golfing surface to mark a horizontal location of the ball on the golfing surface; and b) remain on the surface in the position when the golf ball is removed from and replaced at the horizontal location.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a right elbow formed where the right arm attaches to the right end of the central section, and a left elbow formed where the left arm attaches to the left end of the central section.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the right elbow forms an obtuse angle A1 between the left facing guide surface and the forward facing guide surface; and the left elbow forms an obtuse angle Al between the right facing guide surface and the forward facing guide surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of a) the obtuse angle is between 95 and 130 degrees, or b) a radius length of the obtuse angle is between ⅓ and ⅔ of the radius length RA of an arch angle of the central section.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward facing guide surface, left facing guide surface and right facing guide surface each comprise an angled surface that tilts away from a vertical tangent with a bottom surface of the forked portion at a bevel angle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the angled surface tilts away at an angle of 30 and 60 degrees.