Magnetic Golf Ball Marker

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a golf ball marker comprising: a body having a flat bottom side and an upper side, and a magnet permanently secured within the body. The body comprises a base portion and a cap portion, the base portion and the cap portion co-operating to define an internal space there between for permanently securing the magnet therein. The magnet is strong and embedded directly in the body to provide maximum convenience. A user can snap the magnetic ball marker on any metal surfaces with stability and high convenience. In this way, a user may choose freely how to carry golf ball marker with reliability, thus increasing the average lifespan of the golf ball marker.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of golf ball markers and particularly to magnetic golf ball markers.

BACKGROUND

Golf ball markers have been used for many, many years in order to mark the position of a golf ball on a fairway or green during a game of golf. Conventional golf ball markers are typically formed as small, disc-shaped structures. In the golf industry, many golf ball markers produced in the world are made of cheap plastic or alloy materials and are designed to be disposable. The reason is that the lifespan of golf ball markers is usually quite short. The golf ball marker is usually too light and small, and easy to be lost. Some golf ball markers are more sophisticated that are designed to be attached to a carrier via either a magnet or snap fastener. The carrier is usually part of existing equipment such as a divot tool or a clipper that clips to a hat. The problem with such golf ball marker is that the user must be wearing a hat which might not be the most appealing aesthetically, or carrying the specific equipment that has a holder of the ball marker. A carrier requires the user to put a golf ball marker well into the position and take good care of the carrier itself. A golf ball marker carrier provides little flexibility and increases the burden of organizing tiny golf tools. Some existing golf ball markers contain an embedded magnet on one side; however, their form factor becomes bulky and can only attach to a surface through one side and be decorated on the other. Users must pay attention when using such a one-side magnetic ball marker in order to get a stable attachment via the magnetic force. Meanwhile, the bulky decoration side of such a magnetic ball marker could bring a problem that it may be accidentally removed from the carrier surface when the user is moving.

Thus, there exists a need to address one or more disadvantages associated by the conventional golf ball markers.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are further described in the detailed description of the present disclosure. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the present disclosure, and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a golf ball marker comprising a body having a flat bottom side and an upper side, and a magnet permanently secured within the body. The body comprises a base portion and a cap portion, the base portion and the cap portion co-operating to define an internal space there between for permanently securing the magnet therein.

The golf ball marker is designed to have a strong magnet built into the marker itself while keeping the minimal form factor of a conventional golf ball maker. The strong magnet is embedded directly inside the body in order to provide maximum convenience. The magnet has poles formed on a top surface that is directly below the upper side of the body and on a bottom surface that is directly above the bottom side of the body respectively, thereby enabling magnetic force to be exerted on both sides of the golf ball marker. One can snap the magnetic ball marker on any metal surfaces with stability and high convenience. In this way, a user may choose freely how to carry golf ball marker with reliability, for example snapping the ball markers on to golf equipment or personal objects including but not limited to: putter, golf cart frame, wedge, divot tool, keychain, belt buckle, mobile phone case, money clipper, business card holder, and etc.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the present disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The present disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present disclosure may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present disclosure where:

FIG. 1 illustrates perspective view of a golf ball marker in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates top view of the golf ball marker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates side view of the golf ball marker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the golf ball marker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates top view of the magnet that forms part of the golf ball marker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates side view of the magnet that forms part of the golf ball marker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded sectional view of the golf ball marker in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a magnified view of the portions marked “A” and “B” in FIG. 7 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the golf ball marker in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a plate filling the pit portion of the golf ball marker in accordance with the second embodiment of the present closure.

It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like steps in the drawings. Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that the steps are illustrated for simplicity in the form of blocks, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this present disclosure belongs. The methods, devices, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the present disclosure.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is illustrated a golf ball marker 100 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The golf ball marker 100 comprises a body 102 having a flat bottom side 104 and an upper side 106. The golf ball marker further comprises a magnet 108 permanently secured within the body 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body 102 comprises a base portion 110 and a cap portion 112. The base portion 110 and the cap portion 112 co-operate to define an internal space there between for permanently securing the magnet 108 therein.

User of the golf ball marker 100 can snap the golf ball marker on any metal surfaces with stability and high convenience, because of presence of the magnet. In this way, a user may choose freely how to carry golf ball marker 100 with reliability, for example snapping the ball markers on to golf equipment or personal objects including but not limited to: putter, golf cart frame, wedge, divot tool, keychain, belt buckle, mobile phone case, money clipper, business card holder, and etc.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body 102 comprises a lateral side 114 extending between the bottom side 104 and the upper side 106. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lateral side 114 includes at least one groove 116. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the groove 116 is in the form of a peripheral groove that runs along a substantial portion of the lateral side 114. Using the peripheral groove, a user can get a hold of the ball marker and remove it from a surface easily.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnet 108 has poles formed on a top surface 118 and on a bottom surface 120. The top surface 118 of the magnet 108 is placed directly below the upper side 106 of the body 102 while the bottom surface 120 of the magnet 108 is placed directly above the bottom side 104 of the body 102 or vice-versa.

By way of a non-limiting example, it can be observed from FIGS. 1 to 5 that the golf ball marker may have an overall diameter of about 25 mm and a height of 2.4 mm. The magnet may have an overall diameter of about 21 mm and a height of 1 mm.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper side 106 is flat. Many of the conventional golf ball markers have a flat side for attaching and a bulging side for engraving. The engraved bulging side provides the friction that enables movement by one finger usually the thumb. However, having the aforesaid configuration brings a problem that the ball marker may be accidentally removed from the carrier while the user is moving. By providing a flat bottom side 104 and a flat upper side 106, the present disclosure provides a solution to the aforesaid problem that it is designed to be flat and thin in order to reduce the chances of being accidentally removed. The strong magnet embedded allows tight and stable attachment of the ball marker on to a surface through both the flat bottom side 104 and the flat upper side 106. Meanwhile, the bottom side 104 and the upper side 106 provide flat surfaces for decoration via shallow laser marking or engraving at near 0 mm or via stamping at approximately 0.1 mm. Compared to the existing one-side magnetic ball markers, the present invention provides larger area for decoration on both sides which will tremendously increase the commercial value of a magnetic ball marker.

Now referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base portion 110 comprises: a base wall 122; and a first peripheral wall 124 projecting in a perpendicular direction with respect to the base wall 122. Likewise, the cap portion 112 comprises a top wall 126 and a second peripheral wall 128 projecting in a perpendicular direction with respect to the top wall 126.

By way of a non-limiting example, if case the golf ball marker 100 has a cylindrical shape, the first peripheral wall 124 and the second peripheral wall 128 are in the form of a circular wall.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first peripheral wall 124 together with the base wall 122 defines a first cavity 130 for accommodating the magnet 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cavity 130 has a height which is less than the height of the magnet 108 while the remaining dimensions of the first cavity 130 may be equal to or more than the dimensions of the magnet 108. For instance, the diameter of the first cavity 130 may be equal to or more than the diameter of the magnet 108 while the height of the first cavity 130 may be less than the height of the magnet 108.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second peripheral wall 128 together with the top wall 126 defines a second cavity 132 for accommodating the first peripheral wall 124 of the base portion 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second cavity 132 has a height which is greater than the height of the first peripheral wall 124. The remaining dimensions of the second cavity 132 may be equal to or more than the dimensions of the first peripheral wall 124. For instance, the diameter of the second cavity 132 may be equal to or more than the diameter of the first cavity 130. By way of yet another instance, the height of the second cavity 132 may be equal to or more than the height of the first cavity 130. By adopting the aforesaid features, it is possible to maintain the overall size of the golf ball marker as close as possible to the size of the magnet 108.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second peripheral wall 128 defines an internal recess 134 and the first peripheral wall 124 defines a peripheral latching projection 136. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base portion and the cap portion are locked by engagement of the latching projection 136 and the internal recess 134 when assembling. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnet may be glued on the base wall during assembling. More particularly, the magnet may be glued to the first cavity 130 as provided in the base portion 110.

Since the bottom side 104 as well as the upper side 106 of the golf ball marker 100 is magnetic, the golf ball marker can be attached via either side to a corresponding surface with optimal and equal force.

By way of a non-limiting example, it can be observed from FIGS. 7 and 8 that the base portion 110 may have an overall height of about 1.45 mm, wherein the height (or thickness) of the base wall 122 may be about 0.50 mm and the height of the first peripheral wall 124 may be about 0.95 mm. Thus, the height of the first cavity 130 may be about 0.95 mm. It may be noted that the diameter of the base wall 122 may be equal to 25 mm and the diameter of the first cavity 130 may be marginally in excess of 21 mm (the diameter of the magnet). The diameter of the first peripheral wall 130 may be about 23 mm. Also, the first peripheral wall 130 may be provided with a peripheral latching projection 136 having a height of about 0.35 mm. The peripheral latching projection 136 may be located at a height of about 0.30 mm with respect to the base wall 122.

The cap portion 112 may have an overall height of about 1.90 mm, wherein the height (or thickness) of the top wall 126 may be about 1.25 mm and the height of the second peripheral wall 128 may be about 0.70 mm. The second peripheral wall 128 together with the top wall 126 forms the second cavity 132 which may have a height of about 1.0 mm. It may be noted that the diameter of the top wall 126 may be equal to 25 mm and the diameter of the second cavity 132 may be marginally in excess of 23 mm (the diameter of the first peripheral wall). Also, the first peripheral wall 130 may be provided with an internal recess 134, wherein the diameter at the recess portion may be about 23.3 mm. The height of the internal recess 134 may be about 0.40 mm. The internal recess 134 may be located at a height of about 0.30 mm with respect to an internal surface of the top wall 126.

In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, which is illustrated in FIG. 9, instead of providing a flat bottom side 104 and a flat upper side 106, the golf ball marker is provided with a flat bottom side 104 an upper side 106 having a pit portion 138 at about a center portion.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pit portion 138 is surrounded by a protruding edge 140. The size of the protruding edge 140 may be short enough to allow even the upper side to be magnetically attached to a corresponding surface, and at the same time, the protruding edge 140 is tall enough to allow a fingertip to apply a nudge to the protruding edge 140 and thereby to move the golf ball marker along the surface when pressing on the pit portion 138.

The height of the protruding edge 140 may be dependent upon the strength of the magnet in that if the golf ball marker is embedded with a strong magnet, the height of the protruding edge 140 may be more.

Although not illustrated, by way of a non-limiting example, the height of the protruding edge 140 may be in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 mm. By way of another non-limiting example, the height of the protruding edge 140 may be in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. By way of another non-limiting example, the height of the protruding edge 140 may be in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

In an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 10, the pit portion 138 is filled up with a plate 150 whose thickness is corresponding to the height of the protruding edge 140 so that a second flat upper side 151 is formed. The plate 150 is easy to engrave by coining/stamping and fill the pit portion 138. This will allow quick and efficient production of ball markers with customized decoration.

Thus, among other aspects, the present disclosure provides a reliable magnetic golf ball marker that is easy to carry. The probability of a losing the golf ball marker will be significantly reduced as they can be securely attached to a corresponding surface and hence, the average lifespan of a golf ball marker is increased.

While certain present preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Clearly, the present disclosure may be otherwise variously embodied, and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf ball marker comprising:

a body having a flat bottom side and an upper side, and

a magnet permanently secured within the body;

the body comprises a base portion and a cap portion, the base portion and the cap portion co-operating to define an internal space there between for permanently securing the magnet therein.

2. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a lateral side extending between the upper side and bottom side, the lateral side including at least one groove.

3. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the magnet has poles formed on a top surface that is directly below the upper side of the body and on a bottom surface that is directly above the bottom side of the body respectively.

4. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the upper side is flat.

5. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the upper side has a pit at a center portion.

6. The golf ball marker of claim 5, wherein the pit portion is surrounded by a protruding edge.

7. The golf ball marker of claim 6, wherein the pit portion is filled by a plate, where that thickness of the plate is corresponding to the height of the protruding edge

8. The golf ball marker of claim 6, wherein the protruding edge is short enough to allow the upper side is magnetically attached to a corresponding surface, and the protruding edge is tall enough to allow a fingertip to apply a nudge when pressing on the pit.

9. The golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein:

the base portion comprises:

a base wall; and

a first peripheral wall projecting in a perpendicular direction with respect to the base wall;

the cap portion comprises:

a top wall; and

a second peripheral wall projecting in a perpendicular direction with respect to the top wall.

10. The golf ball marker of claim 9, wherein the first peripheral wall together with the base wall defines a first cavity for accommodating the magnet, the first cavity having a height which is less than the height of the magnet and a remaining dimension of the first cavity matching with a remaining dimension of the magnet.

11. The golf ball marker of claim 9, wherein the second peripheral wall together with the top wall defines a second cavity for accommodating the first peripheral wall of the base portion, the second cavity having a height which is greater than the height of the first peripheral wall.

12. The golf ball marker of claim 11, wherein the second peripheral wall defines an internal recess and the first circular wall defines a peripheral latching projection.

13. The golf ball marker of claim 12, wherein the magnet is glued to the base wall and the base portion and the cap portion are locked by engagement of the latching projection and the internal recess when assembling.