GOLF FLAGSTICK DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A GIMME PUTT

Abstract

A golf flagstick device determines whether a golf ball has come to rest within a fixed distance of a golf hole such that a player is awarded a gimme putt. The device includes a sensor to detect whether a golf ball is near a golf hole. In operation, the device creates a visible perimeter surrounding the golf cup and measures the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup. The device can also record and detect other information related to pace of play and player activity on and around the putting green.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present invention claims the benefit of the U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/980,872, filed on 24 Feb. 2020 and entitled GOLF FLAGSTICK DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A GIMME PUTT.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments of the invention relate to golf accessories. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to devices that can determine whether a player's ball is within a gimme zone and to devices that record information regarding activity on and surrounding a putting green.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a casual game of golf for fun and entertainment, a group can agree that a putt that places a golf ball close enough to a hole does not need to be played. This is known as a “gimme” or “gimme putt”. A “gimme” in the game of golf is a short putt that is conceded by a golfer's competition or playing companions because the putt is close enough to the hole that the probability of the golfer missing the shot is extremely low. When a gimme is awarded, the player can pick up the ball and add a stroke to their score without actually putting the ball into the hole.

Playing a round of golf that allows gimmes has the advantage of increasing the speed of play since fewer putts will need to be made. It can also make the game easier and less stressful for players. Additionally, the wear and tear on the edge or lip of the golf hole or golf cup is significantly decreased since fewer players will putt the ball into the hole.

However, one problem with players awarding a gimme is that it can be very difficult to stay consistent and unbiased in determining which putts are an acceptable gimme. The distance from the hole or the size of a notional circle surrounding a hole (the “gimme zone”) for a gimme can vary. For example, some groups agree that a ball is within the gimme zone if it is “inside the leather” of a putter (i.e. the ball must be closer to the hole than the distance from the head of the putter to the bottom edge of the grip of the putter). However, such a measurement can vary depending on the length of the putter and the grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,699, issued to Falls, discloses an elongated and rigid device that may be placed on a putting green to determine if a ball is within the gimme zone. In use, the device extends from the golf hole to the golf ball to be putted. Players may then determine whether the ball is within a gimme zone based on the markings on the device. However, players may find it inconvenient to carry and share such a device on a course. Players may also find it tedious and cumbersome to use the device to measure a distance since players will need to bend over and carefully place the device between their ball and the hole.

Currently, the applicant believes there are no invention that determines the gimme zone and does not need to be carried by players from hole to hole. While there are a number of benefits and advantages for allowing, and even encouraging, gimme putts in the game of golf, the lack of standardization and an appropriate device has prevented more frequent uses of gimme putts in recreational and competitive rounds of golf. In this sense, the game lacks a standardized means of determining when a gimme putt should be awarded to players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to golf accessory devices for measuring and reporting information on a golf green for determining a gimme putt within a game of golf and the method of using the devices, as set forth in or otherwise apparent from the description and drawings that follow, and that which is learned by the practice of the subject matter disclosed herein.

In one broad aspect of the invention a device for visibly delineating a gimme zone surrounding a golf cup where said device comprises a body and one or more light projectors on said body for projecting a visible perimeter delineating a gimme zone.

The invention also discloses a method of determining whether a golf ball is within a pre-determined gimme zone where said method comprises providing a device for indicating whether a golf ball is within a gimme zone. The device comprises a body, one or more light projectors, a sensor on said body. The said device detects golf balls, activates light projectors and assesses whether golf balls are within the gimme zone.

The foregoing may cover only some of the aspects of the invention. Other and sometimes more particular aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the following description of at least one preferred mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or more examples. The following mode(s) for carrying out the invention are not a definition of the invention itself but are only example(s) that embody the inventive features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

At least one mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or more examples will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a putting green showing a golf flagstick device attached to a golf flagstick;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the golf flagstick device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 shining light onto the putting green indicating the gimme zone;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a mirror on the golf flagstick and a light projector inside the golf cup;

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a display;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a display and a speaker;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with two displays and a speaker;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with two displays, a speaker and buttons;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of indicating whether a golf ball is within a gimme zone and communicating the information to the player;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with cameras;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a transmitter;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a solar panel on the top surface of the device;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a solar panel on the golf flagstick;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a solar panel as the flag on the golf flagstick;

FIG. 18 is top perspective of an embodiment of the invention where the device is embedded onto a golf flagstick with an automatic ball elevator in the cup; and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining whether a ball is close enough to a golf cup to award a gimme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device that enables players to confirm through any means of communication, with accuracy and consistency, whether a putt is an acceptable gimme. The device can be permanently attached or removably attachable to a golf flagstick.

With reference to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, a device 100 is removably attachable to a golf flagstick 110 on a putting green 120. The golf flagstick 110 is shown as standing upright above the golf cup 130.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 100 can comprise a body 201, sensors 210 and light projectors 200. As shown, the device 100 can contain at least one light projector 200 adjacent to or on a bottom surface 220 of the body 201. The light projectors 200 can be lasers fixed adjacent or on the bottom surface 220 of the body 201 in a circular or circumferential arrangement. As shown in FIG. 4, the light projectors 200 project light 400 onto the golf green 120 to project a visible perimeter delineating a gimme zone 410. It will be appreciated that other types of light projectors can be used. For instance, in an embodiment, light projectors 200 can be one or more ultraviolet lamps that cause a golf ball to glow, and on artificial grass, that can cause a portion of the artificial grass to glow.

Sensors 210 can be an optical sensor, a motion detector, a passive infrared sensor, a lidar transceiver, a camera, an active sonar transceiver, an RFID reader (for golf balls with a passive RFID tag), a metal detector (for golf balls that include an electrically conductive material), or any other type of sensor that is capable of detecting a golf ball or the motion of a golf ball. Preferably, the sensors 210 electrically or wirelessly turn on the light projectors 200 when a ball is sensed or motion is sensed within a threshold distance from the golf cup 130. In an embodiment, the threshold distance can be 4 feet of the golf cup 130, or another distance that can be customizable by each group of players putting on that green.

In one embodiment of the invention, when a ball or the motion of a ball is detected within the range of the sensors 210, for example within 4 feet of the golf cup 130, the sensors cause the light projectors 200 to turn on. As shown in FIG. 4, this produces a visible perimeter delineating the gimme zone 410. The light projectors 200 can then stay on for a fixed interval of time, such as 10 seconds, after it is triggered to turn on by the sensor 210. Automatically switching off the light projectors 200 after a fixed interval conserves battery power.

Light projectors 200 and sensors 210 are preferably powered by one or more batteries (not shown) within the device 100. It will be appreciated that a variety of batteries can be used, including 3.7-volt batteries that are common and widely available. In other embodiments, other types of batteries can be used.

With reference to FIG. 3, the body 201 can comprise two components, a front component 310 and a rear component 320. The two components are a means for attaching the body 201 to the golf flagstick 110. The golf flagstick 110 can be slid through a channel 330 between the front component 310 and the rear component 320 and adjusted to a desired spot on the golf flagstick 110. Then, the rear component 320 can be connected to the front component 310 to lock the body 201 into place on the golf flagstick 100. In an embodiment, the device 100 can also comprise couplings 300 that can be slid over the golf flagstick 110. The couplings 300 are used to alter the thickness of the golf flagstick 110 so that the body 201 can attach to golf flagsticks 110 of varying thickness.

In other embodiments of the invention, means can be provided to lock the device 100 to the golf flagstick 110 to prevent theft. For instance, locking prongs can be attached to the side, top or bottom surfaces of the front 310 and rear 320 components. When the two components are connected, locking prongs can extend over to the other component and lock the two components in place on the golf flagstick 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, the device 100 projects light 400 onto the putting green 120 indicating a gimme zone 410 around the golf cup 130. The size of the gimme zone 410 can be fixed or adjustable by altering an angle at which the light projectors 200 project light 400 onto the putting green 120. In other embodiments, players can control the angle to alter the size of the gimme zone 410 to customize the gimme zone for their style of game play. In additional embodiments, the device 100 can automatically adjust the gimme zone 410 according to players' inputting their preferred gimme zone 410 size.

In other embodiments, the device 100 can comprise multiple sets of light projectors 200 where each set of light projectors 200 is set at a specific angle and is capable of projecting a different sized gimme zone 410. In such embodiment, players can control the size of the gimme zone 410 by choosing the set of light projectors 200.

With reference to FIG. 5, in another embodiment of the invention, the device 100 can comprise a mirror 500 that is attached to the golf flagstick 110 above the golf cup 130. The mirror 500 can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the golf flagstick 110 between the device 110 and the golf cup 130. In this embodiment, a light projector 600 can be positioned inside the golf cup 130 and project light 200 onto the mirror 500, which reflects the light to project the gimme grid 510 onto the putting green 120. The angle of the mirror 500 can be adjusted to alter the size of the gimme grid 510.

With reference to FIG. 6, a light projector 600 can be inside the golf cup 130. The light projector 600 can project light 400 onto the mirror 500, which reflects the light 400 onto putting green 120 to form the gimme grid 510.

With reference to FIG. 7, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, the sensors 210, the light projectors 200 and a display 700. The display 700 can be used as a means for communicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of a golf ball or players on the putting green. The display 700 can be on a lateral surface 710 of the body 201 and can be used to communicate to players by indicating whether a golf ball is within the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the device 100 can further comprise a processor 1100 that is connected to the sensors 210 and the display 700. When the sensors 210 detect the presence of a golf ball within the gimme zone 410, the sensors 210 relay the information to the processor 1100, which triggers the display 700 to visibly communicate the presence of the golf ball inside the gimme zone 410 to players. For instance, the display 700 can read “GIMME” in putting green 120 when a ball is determined to be within the gimme zone. In contrast, the display 700 can read “NO GIMME” in red if the golf ball is determined to be outside the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the sensors 210 can detect the presence of a golf ball near or within the gimme zone 410 and the processor 1100 can calculate the distance between a golf ball and the golf cup 130. The processor 1100 can then trigger the display 700 to communicate the distance to players. For instance, the display 700 can show the distances of the golf balls surrounding the golf cup 130 in inches so that players can play their own preferred gimme distance.

With reference to FIG. 8, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, the sensors 210, light projectors 200, the display 700 and a speaker 800. The display 700 and the speaker 800 can be used as a means for communicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of a golf ball or players on the putting green. The speaker 800 can be used to aurally communicate to players. When a golf ball's presence is detected by the sensors 210, the speaker 800 can project sounds to communicate to players that the golf ball is inside the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the device 100 can comprise the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800 and a processor 1100 that is connected to the sensor 210, the display 700, and the speaker 800. When the sensor 210 detects the presence of a golf ball within the gimme zone 410, the sensor 210 relays the information to the processor 1100, which triggers the display 700 and the speaker 800 to communicate the presence of the golf ball inside the gimme zone 410 to players. For instance, the display 700 can read “GIMME” in green and the speaker 800 can play the sound of a golf ball dropping in a hole when a ball is determined to be within the gimme zone. In contrast, the display 700 can read “NO GIMME” in red and the speaker 800 can play a recording of someone saying “No gimme, putt again” if the golf ball is determined to be outside the gimme zone.

With reference to FIG. 9, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800, the processor 1100 and a secondary display 900. The secondary display 900 can be used to communicate to players additional information including, but not limited to, the size of the gimme zone 410, battery life, time, temperature, wind levels, hole number, par and pace of play information.

With reference to FIG. 10, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800, the processor 1100, the secondary display 900 and buttons 1000. The buttons 1000 can control the entire device 100 or of individual components such as the sensor 210, the display 700, the speaker 800 and the secondary display 900.

In other embodiments, the button 1000 can also control the ON/OFF of the light projectors 200. When such button 1000 is pressed or activated by a player, the light projectors 200 turn on and project light 400 downwards toward the putting green 120 to create a visible perimeter delineating the gimme zone 410. Once the gimme zone 410 is visible to the player, the player can easily and quickly determine whether a golf ball lies within the gimme zone 410. The light projectors 200 can then remain activated for a fixed interval of time, such as 10 seconds. The light projector button can alternatively be pressed again to manually turn off light projectors 200 if the player is ready to putt and wants to do so without light 210 shining down and producing the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the button 1000 can also control the ON/OFF of the sensors 210. For instance, when the sensor button is turned to the off position, the sensors 210 will not be powered and therefore will not detect motion or the presence of a golf ball. Accordingly, light projectors 200 will not automatically turn on when the golf ball is putted close to the golf cup 130. In such cases, players can utilize the device 100 by pressing the sensor button. Doing so will turn on the light projectors 200 to produce a visual gimme zone 410 around the golf cup 130. Once again, the light projectors 200 can then remain on for a fixed interval of time, such as 10 seconds. The sensor button can alternatively be pressed again to manually turn off light projectors 200 if a player is ready to putt and wants to do so without the light 400 shining down and producing the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the buttons 1000 can also control the speaker 800 to play sound effects during gameplay. For instance, once a player has clearly identified that his or her golf ball has come to a rest within gimme zone 410, the player can press a sound effect button and pick up his or her ball. Pressing the sound effect button can produce a very satisfying sound of a golf ball falling into a cup over the speaker 800.

In other embodiments, the buttons 1000 can also control information shown on the display 700. For instance, buttons 1000 can control the display of information including, but not limited to, battery life, time, temperature, wind levels, hole number, par and pace of play information.

With reference to FIG. 11, the device 100 can comprise sensors 210 connected to a processor 1100. The sensors 210 can be fixed adjacent or on the bottom surface 220 of the body 201 orientated downwards such that when the device 100 is attached to a golf flagstick 110 (shown in FIG. 2), the sensors 210 can detect the presence of a golf ball on the putting green 120. Sensors 210 can be an optical sensor. The device 100 can further comprise a transmitter 1110, which can communicate via cellular communication, global positioning system, WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, or any other type of transmission that is capable of wireless communication. The processor 1100 can relay information from the sensors 210 to the transmitter 1110, which can relay the information to players and golf course staff. The device 100 can further comprise the display 700 and the speaker 800, which can be connected to the processor 1100 to provide a visual and aural indication as to whether a golf ball is within the gimme zone 410.

With reference to FIG. 12, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800, the processor 1100, the secondary display 900, the buttons 1000 and cameras 1200. The device can comprise more than one camera to increase the view surrounding the golf flagstick 110. In this embodiment, the cameras 1200 can be positioned on the exterior side walls of the body 201 to capture a 360 degree view of the putting surface outside the gimme zone 410. One benefit of this would be for the players to receive advanced putting stats. The cameras 1200 can have a wide angle lens or any other lens necessary to capture a wide view surrounding the device 100. The cameras 1200 can also be connected to a processor 1100 and a data storage unit (not shown). The cameras 1200 can be used to detect presence of players on the putting green 120, and such detection can turn on the sensors 210. The cameras 1200 can record and collect additional security data to prevent vandalism and records additional information such as pace of play and closest to the pin indication.

With reference to FIG. 13, the cameras 1200 capture a camera view 1300 surrounding the device 100. In other embodiments, there can be additional cameras 1200 or wider lenses to capture a wider camera view 1300 surrounding the device 100. The device 100 can store the recorded camera view 1300 and can provide additional security to prevent vandalism. The camera view 1300 can also be used to provide information regarding activity on the green and pace of play data.

With reference to FIG. 14, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800, the processor 1100, the buttons 1000, cameras 120 and a transmitter 1110. The transmitter 1110 is attached to the top surface 1410 of the body 201. The transmitter 1110 can communicate via cellular communication, global positioning system, WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, or any other type of transmission that is capable of wireless communication. The device 100 can relay information including, but not limited to, putt statistics, pace of play data, security or vandalism recordings, and golf ball distance to the golf cup to golfers and golf course staff via the transmitter 1110.

With reference to FIG. 15, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800, the processor 1100, the buttons 1000 and cameras 1200, the transmitter 1110 and a solar panel 1500. The solar panel 1500 can be placed on the top surface 1410 of the device 100 to maximize exposure to sunlight. The solar panel 1500 can charge batteries or other power sources in the device 100.

With reference to FIG. 16, the solar panel 1600 can be positioned at the tip of the golf flagstick 110 to maximize the surface area of sunlight exposure.

With reference to FIG. 17, the solar panel 1700 the solar panel 1600 can be positioned as the flag on the golf flagstick 110.

In other embodiments of the invention, the device can comprise more than one solar panel 1500 to maximize the power charge of the device 100.

With reference to FIG. 18, in another embodiment of the invention, a device 1800 is permanently embedded to the golf flagstick 110. The device 1800 can comprise the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800, the buttons 1000, the cameras 1200 and an automatic ball elevator 1810. The automatic ball elevator 1810 is attached to the bottom of the flagstick 110 inside the golf cup 130. The automatic golf ball elevator 1810 can consist of a platform that elevates the golf ball from inside the golf cup 130 to a pre-determined height above the ground on the golf flagstick 110. The automatic golf ball elevator 1810 can be connected to the sensors 210 via the processor 1100 such that when a golf ball is putted into the golf cup 130 and the sensors detect the golf ball inside the golf cup 130, the automatic golf ball elevator 1810 elevates the golf ball on the golf flagstick 110 so that a player can comfortably retrieve the ball without bending down and without potentially damaging the golf hole.

With reference to FIG. 19, the method of searching for a golf ball can comprise providing the device 100 comprising the sensors 210, the processor 1100, and a means for communiting to players. The routine begins with the sensors 210 passively searching for a golf ball. Alternatively, rather than actively running the routine, the routine can begin only when a player commences it, such as by pressing the button 1000 on the device 100.

If a golf ball is not present within the field of the sensors 210, then the sensors 210 continue to search for a golf ball. If a golf ball is present within the field of the sensors, then the processor 1100 measures the distance X between the golf ball and the golf cup 130 using the information received from the sensor 210.

The device 100 can assess whether a golf ball is inside the gimme zone 410 by comparing distance X to the gimme zone radius. The processor 1100 can compare distance X to a pre-determined or selected gimme zone radius. The desired gimme zone distance can be controlled and changed using buttons 1000 on the device 100 or wirelessly by players or golf course staff.

Once the processor 1100 determines whether the golf ball is inside or outside of the gimme zone 410, the processor 1100 can trigger the display 700 and the speaker 800 to communicate whether the ball is inside or outside the gimme zone to the player. The processor can also relay the information to players wirelessly using the transmitter 1110.

In an additional method, sensor 210 searches for a golf ball. If the golf ball is present within the range of the sensor 210, the processor 1100 measures the distance X between the golf ball and golf cup. Once measured, the processor 1100 causes the display 700 to show distance X. Players will then be able to easily and quickly read the distance on the display to determine and decide whether a gimme should be awarded.

If more than one golf ball is present on the putting green 120 and more than one golf ball is detected by the sensor 200, the processor 1100 can measure the distances between each golf ball and the golf cup and show each of the measured distances on the display 700 and transmit the distances wirelessly to each player.

In the foregoing description, exemplary modes for carrying out the invention in terms of examples have been described. However, the scope of the claims should not be limited by those examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A device for visibly delineating a gimme zone surrounding a golf cup on a putting green, said device comprising:

a body;

at least one sensor on said body for detecting the presence of a golf ball or players on the putting green; and

one or more light projectors on said body for projecting a visible perimeter delineating the gimme zone.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a means for attaching said body to a golf flagstick.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a button to turn on and control the device.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a means for communicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of the golf ball or players on the putting green.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more cameras.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more solar panels.

9. The device of claim 2, further comprising a mechanism to lock the device onto the golf flagstick.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a golf flagstick and the device is permanently embedded onto the golf flagstick.

11. The device of claim 2, further comprising an automatic golf ball elevator.

12. A method of determining whether a golf ball is close enough to a golf cup to award a gimme, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a device for indicating whether a golf ball is within a gimme distance from a golf cup, said device comprising: at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a golf ball; and a processor,

pre-determining a gimme zone radius;

detecting the presence of the golf ball on the putting green;

measuring the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup;

comparing said distance to the pre-determined or selected gimme zone radius;

assessing whether the golf ball is within the gimme zone; and

communicating to players whether the golf ball is inside or outside the gimme zone.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising measuring a distance of a plurality of golf balls located within the gimme zone and comparing the distances between each of the plurality of golf balls.

14. The method of claim 12, where said device further comprises a processor for determining whether the golf ball is within the gimme zone and measuring the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup.

15. The method of claim 12, where said device further comprises a means for communicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of the golf ball or players on the putting green and when the golf ball is within the gimme zone.