Multi-functional adjustable golf ball marker and putting alignment tool

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports equipment, and more specifically, as a multi-functional adjustable golf ball marker and putting alignment tool primarily used for putting. The present invention allows for a golf ball's temporary removal from the green, i.e. marked, and replacement on the exact, original spot with the golf ball alignment guides directed toward the intended target after desired aim and alignment has been determined.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In compliance with the Rules of Golf regulated by two governing bodies throughout the world, the United States Golf Association “USGA” and the Royal & Ancient “R&A”, and during the course of playing golf, a golfer is permitted to mark his/her golf ball once it is on the surface of the putting green. USGA Rules of Golf Rule 14 establishes that a ball marked on the green must be marked with a “ball-marker,” and defines a ball-marker as “an artificial object used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or other small piece of equipment”. Further restrictions to the definition include the limitation of size to be no more than two inches wide, one inch tall and must not measure or gauge slope, green speed, or other conditions. Once marked, the golf ball can be cleaned but must be replaced on the exact, original spot.

The USGA and R&A allow for the physical marking of a golf ball with a permanent marker, or the like, and currently there are no restrictions in the manner a golf ball can be marked. Golfers have always been encouraged to mark their golf balls for the purpose of identification. Approximately twenty-five to thirty years ago, golfers began to add additional markings to their golf balls in the form of straight lines to assist with proper aim towards the intended target. Now it is commonplace and many golfers, including Professional Golf Association “PGA” Tour Professionals, use a permanent marker to place a line on their golf balls to help with their aim/alignment. While putting, the use of a line on a golf ball to assist with alignment is particularly helpful. There are no rules prohibiting the replacement and alignment of a golf ball with a line(s) drawn on it. Once on the green, a golfer can mark, clean and replace in any manner desired without penalty as long as the golf ball is replaced on the exact, original spot it was marked.

Numerous patents have been granted for golf ball markers. They may continue to evolve and improve. The official Rules of Golf may evolve to address newer technology as clubs and golf balls have been regulated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows the anchoring and rotation of an axial alignment tool whose guidelines, in congruence with lines drawn on a golf ball, can be aimed toward a golfer's intended target. The result is not two parallel lines but rather two vectors that become visually collinear in the process of aiming/aligning a golf ball.

The present invention comprises a combined arc component and a rectangular component top with one semi-circular, incurved side featuring one or more parallel lines for the purpose of aiming and aligning that is secured to the curved base but moves independently around the same axis. Composed of aluminum, or similar material, for strength, durability and lightweightness, the top consists of one or more alignment/aiming guides of various colors to be matched with lines to be drawn on a golf ball. The top has a “T” shaped cavity that opens on one end for the purposes of insertion of the base. The “T” shaped cavity is enclosed by insertion of the plug. The top rotates in a geometric axis so the center alignment line will always dissect the center of the golf ball regardless of the rotation. This is especially important and ensures the replacement of the golf ball on the exact, original spot where it came to rest before marking. If not replaced on the exact, original spot, an infraction of the Rules of Golf has occurred and penalties may be incurred. The top has adequate height to allow for rotating and aiming by numerous entities including a finger or a golf club. The top features two cavities on each side, four in total, which permit additional alignment guides to snap securely on the top. The top features a triangular, concave component on the underside for the purposes of attaching to a magnetic clip.

The present invention comprises an arc base that has two cylindrical anchoring posts which secure the tool to the ground. Opposite the two cylindrical anchoring posts, on the arc base, is a “T” shaped arc protrusion for the purposes of insertion into the curved, rectangular top. Composed of carbon steel, or similar material, for strength and durability, the anchored base prevents the possibility of movement away from the exact, original spot, by accident, improper aligning motion or other, where the golf ball was marked and allows the curved top to semi-encircle and rotate around the golf ball independently while preserving the ball replacement on the exact, original spot.

The present invention comprises a “T” shaped plug to permanently enclose the curved top after insertion of the curved base. The “T” shaped plug is inserted at the side opening of the top and serves as the mechanism that prevents separation.

The present invention features the ability to accommodate additional alignment/aiming guides that provide the customization of the guide. The additional alignment/aiming guides are concave on the bottom and rectangular with one semi-circular, concave edge in shape. The additional alignment/aiming guides envelop the rectangular portion of the top and secure and attach via four convexes. There exist two cutouts that allow the arc component to pass through while covering the rectangular component. As there are numerous methods, shapes and designs to mark a golf ball, the additional alignment/aiming guides may be printed upon, painted or otherwise to mirror a particular desired mark on a golf ball for the purposes of aligning/aiming.

The present invention is composed of the following for the purposes of marking and aiming/aligning a golf ball: a curved base whose geometric shape is designed to partially encircle a golf ball; the base features a convex protrusion opposite the cylindrical posts for the purpose of positioning inside the top; multiple cylindrical posts extending from the curved base for the purpose of anchoring into the ground; a curved and/or rectangular, concave top whose inner geometric shape is designed to partially encircle a golf ball; the top rests above and partially encapsulates the base; the top features a nearly identical inner geometric shape of the base that is designed to partially encircle a golf ball; the outer portion of the top may have a curved and/or rectangular shape; the top may feature one or multiple lines of various thicknesses; additional alignment/aiming guides may be attached to the top to match personal preferences of golf ball alignment/aiming markings and the like; the geometric rotation's central axis is not contained within any part of the present invention which could produce parallel lines; the design of the geometric rotation ensures the alignment line(s) always point directly, or near directly depending upon the distance to the golf ball, to the center of an adjacent golf ball which produces congruent lines from the present invention to the lines drawn on a golf ball.

The present invention features the abilities of anchoring into the ground securely, aiming/aligning in harmony with a golf ball featuring similar aiming guidelines via finger, golf club or other means and axial rotation around the center of the golf ball producing congruent guides of alignment while maintaining the replacement of a golf ball on the exact, original spot it was marked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide component for the purposes of printing upon, painting or otherwise to mirror a particular desired mark on a golf ball that may be attached to the top.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top component.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base component.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug component.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide component.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top component.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base component.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug component.

FIG. 9 is a top, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide component.

FIG. 10 is a top, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top component.

FIG. 11 is a top, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base component.

FIG. 12 is a top, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug component.

FIG. 13 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide component.

FIG. 14 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top component.

FIG. 15 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base component.

FIG. 16 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug component.

FIG. 17 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top and the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool bottom components assembled. The shaded portion indicates above ground level.

FIG. 18 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top, the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool bottom and adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug components assembled. The adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top is shown in the same fixed position as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20.

FIG. 19 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top, the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool bottom and adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug components assembled. The adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top is shown in a rotated position while the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool bottom remains in the same fixed position as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top, the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool bottom and adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug components assembled. The adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top is shown in the opposite rotated position when compared with FIG. 19 while the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool bottom remains in the same fixed position as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates the usage of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool in the process of marking a golf ball on a putting green.

FIG. 22 illustrates the removal of a golf ball, the visualization of the golf ball path to the golf hole, the rotation of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool in the same direction as the alignment/aim path utilizing the alignment/aiming guides toward the intended target.

FIG. 23 illustrates the replacement of a golf ball in which the golf ball alignment guides are pointing on the same lines as the visualization of the golf ball path to the golf hole and the alignment/aim path.

FIG. 24 illustrates the removal of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool and a golf ball's alignment guides pointing at the visualization of the golf ball path to the golf hole.

FIG. 25 illustrates a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide before attachment to the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top.

FIG. 26 illustrates a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top, the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base and the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug components assembled before attachment of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top.

FIG. 27 illustrates a bottom, perspective view of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment additional alignment/aiming guide, the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top, the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base, and the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug components assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present invention is to be described with reference to FIGS. 1-27. The illustrations include several reference numbers which are listed below:

• • 100 Adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top
  • 101 Arc component
  • 102 Rectangular component
  • 103 Alignment/aiming guide
  • 104 Semi-circular concave edge
  • 105 “T” shaped cavity
  • 106 Plug receptacle
  • 107 Triangular, concave component
  • 108 Concaves of attachment
  • 200 Adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base
  • 201 Arc base
  • 202 “T” shaped arc protrusion
  • 203 Cylindrical anchoring post
  • 204 Constraints of adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base
  • 300 Adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide
  • 301 Semi-circular concave edge
  • 302 Rectangular on three sides
  • 303 Convexes of attachment
  • 304 Cutout
  • 400 Adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug
  • 501 Golf ball alignment guides
  • 502 Visualization of golf ball path to the golf hole
  • 503 Alignment/aim path
  • 504 Golf ball
  • 505 Golf hole
  • 506 Rotation of adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top

The present invention consists of an adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 100, adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base 200, adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool additional alignment/aiming guide 300 and adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug 400 which are shown individually from different angles in FIGS. 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16. Once assembled as shown in FIGS. 18-20, these individual components comprise the present invention which allow anchoring into the ground via cylindrical anchoring post 203 located on the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base 200 and rotation 506 of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 100 whose alignment/aiming guide 103, in congruence with golf ball alignment guides 501, can be targeted toward a golfer's alignment/aim path 503. Constraints of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base 204 demonstrate that the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base 200 remains in a fixed position while the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 100 rotates to desired visualization of golf ball path to the golf hole 502. From an angle behind the golf ball, the result is not two parallel lines but rather two vectors that become visually collinear in the process of aiming/aligning a golf ball 504 as demonstrated in FIG. 23.

The final assembly of the present invention consists of inserting the “T” shaped arc protrusion 202 component of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base 200 into the “T” shaped cavity 105 of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 100 rectangular top. The adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool plug 400 is then inserted into the plug receptacle 106 to permanently enclose the “T” shaped incurve 105 component and retain the “T” shaped arc protrusion 202 component within. As there are numerous methods, shapes and designs to mark a golf ball, and for the purposes of customization of a guide, the adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide 300 may be printed on, painted, or otherwise to mirror a particular desired mark on a golf ball 504 for the purposes of aligning/aiming, and attached to the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 100. FIGS. 25-27 demonstrate the adjustable golf ball marker additional alignment/aiming guide 300 is attached via four convexes of attachment 303 to the four concaves of attachment 108 on the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 100.

As shown in FIG. 17, the present invention is anchored into the ground via two cylindrical anchoring posts 203 to ensure replacement of the golf ball 504 in the exact, original spot from which it was marked thus avoiding potential penalties as set forth by the USGA and R&A for improper replacement. Once marked as shown in FIGS. 21-22, the golf ball 504 may be removed. FIGS. 18-20 and FIG. 22 demonstrate the rotation of the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 506 as the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool base 200 remains in a fixed position. After the desired visualization of golf ball path to the golf hole 502 has been estimated, the adjustable golf ball marker alignment tool top 100 is rotated 506 so the alignment/aiming guide 103 produces congruent lines with the alignment/aim path 503. In FIG. 23, the golf ball 504 is replaced in the exact, original spot with the golf ball alignment guides 501 in congruence with the alignment/aiming guide 103. In FIG. 24, the present invention is removed leaving only the golf ball 504 situated on the exact, original spot from which it was originally marked with the golf ball alignment guides 501 aimed toward the desired visualization of golf ball path to the golf hole 502.