Abstract
A ball lifting device having an elevator is attachable to a flagstick for enabling easy removal of a golf ball that is holed while putting with the flagstick in place in the cup. The elevator may be attached to a handle portion that extends up along the pole portion of the flagstick allowing the elevator to be raised by way of the handle portion. The handle portion may have a hook portion for hooking up with a golf club so that hand contact with the device is eliminated. The handle portion may be a thin member. The handle portion may be a tubular portion. The elevator may be spring loaded with the spring manually loaded by a golfer and released to eject the golf ball from the cup.
Claims
1. A lifting device for lifting balls out of a golf hole in combination with a flagstick, the flagstick having a pole portion with an outside diameter of 0.50 to 0.55 inches and a length of at least about seven feet, the flagstick further having a metal ferrule at the bottom end of the pole portion for seating the flagstick in a socket in a cup defining a golf hole and having a flag at a top portion of the pole portion, the lifting device comprising a disk shaped elevator portion loosely positioned about the pole, the disk shaped elevator having seating position on or just above the ferrule and vertically slidable on the pole, the lifting device further having a handle connection to the disk shaped elevator and extending upwardly along the pole portion, the handle having a hook at an upper end of the handle, whereby when the flagstick is in the cup and a golf ball is on the elevator in the seating position, the elevator is raisable out of and above the golf hole with the golf ball thereon.
2. The lifting device in combination with a flagstick of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a tubular handle portion and the lifting device has a length of about 2.5 feet to 3.5 feet.
3. The lifting device in combination with a flagstick of claim 2, wherein the hook comprises a snap-on polymer piece with opposing hook portions that attaches to an upper end of the tubular handle portion.
4. The lifting device in combination with a flagstick of claim 2, wherein the tubular handle portion is a thin polymer with a 0.010 to 0.025 inches wall thickness.
5. The lifting device in combination with a flagstick of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises one or more thin strips extending to an upper handle portion.
6. The lifting device in combination with a flagstick of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises at least one thin member extending to an upper handle portion.
7. The lifting device in combination with a flagstick of claim 6, wherein the handle is a self supporting elongate member with a single curve on the upper end of the elongate member defining the hook.
8. The lifting device in combination with a flagstick of claim 7, wherein the curve is positioned a few inches above a putting surface when the elevator is in a seated position.
9. The lifting device and combination with a flagstick of any of claim 8, further comprising a polymeric foam member having a cylindrical shape with a central bore positioned on the elevator with the pole portion extending through the central bore.
10. A method of removing a golf ball from the annular space between a wall of a metal cup of a golf hole and the flagstick, the golf hole having a diameter of about 4 and ¼ inches, an upper edge of a the cup being recessed from a green surface at least about an inch, the cup having a central socket at a lower end of the cup, the flagstick having a pole portion with an outside diameter of 0.50 to 0.55 inches and a length of at least about seven feet, a lower end of the pole portion fixed in a ferrule, the ferrule seated in the central socket of the cup, the golf ball resting on a disk shaped elevator slidingly engaged with flagstick, the elevator with a diameter less than a diameter of the cup, a thin member connecting to the disk shaped elevator and extending upwardly along the flagstick and having a hook positioned above the green level, the method comprising: catching the hook portion of the thin member with a golf club and raising the disk shaped elevator by raising the thin member with the hook portion until the disk shaped member is above the golf hole whereby the golf ball rolls off of the disk shaped elevator.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein, the handle comprises a tubular handle portion and the lifting device has a length of about 2.5 feet to 3.5 feet.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the handle comprises at least one thin member extending to an upper handle portion, the upper handle portion comprising a hook.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hook is positioned a few inches above a putting surface when the elevator is in a seated position.
14. A method of allowing the removal of golf balls from a golf hole with a conventional flagstick therein without removing the flagstick, the conventional flagstick having a pole portion having a diameter of 0.50 to 0.55 inches, a length of at least about seven feet, a flag at the upper end of the pole portion, a ferrule at a lower end of the pole portion, the ferrule sized to be received in a metal cup in the golf hole, the method comprising: slidably positioning a disk shaped elevator having a diameter less than the golf hole, the elevator having a handle from the elevator toward the upper end of the pole portion; seating the elevator on the ferrule of the flagstick with the handle extending along the pole portion above a green surface; and positioning a polymeric foam member on the elevator to raise the effective height of the elevator.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a cross section of a prior art golf hole with the flagstick not in place and a golf ball to be removed.
(2) FIG. 2 is a cross section of a prior art golf hole with the flagstick in place and a golf ball to be removed illustrated the limited access to the ball.
(3) FIG. 3A is a plan view of a disk fittable on a flagstick for lifting a golf ball out of the cup after putting.
(4) FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the disk of FIG. 3A.
(5) FIG. 4 is a cross section of a golf hole with the disk of FIG. 3 in place on the flagstick.
(6) FIG. 5A is a cross section elevation view of a golf hole with a flag in place and a ball lifting device on the flagstick for removing a putted golf ball.
(7) FIG. 5B is an elevation view of the flagstick of FIG. 5A with the ball lifting device lifted elevating the ball.
(8) FIG. 5C is a plan view of the ball lifting device of FIGS. 5A and 5B.
(9) FIG. 6 is a detailed cross section of the device of FIG. 5.
(10) FIG. 7 is a cross section of a modified flagstick with a telescoping outer tubular portion having a seating portion for receiving an elevator.
(11) FIG. 8 is a cross section of the lower portion of a pole portion of a flagstick with an elevator slidably connected thereto and connecting to a central actuation member.
(12) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the flagstick and elevator of FIG. 8 with the elevator in the lowered position.
(13) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the flagstick of FIG. 9 with the elevator in an elevated position.
(14) FIG. 11 is a cross section of the lower portion of a flagstick with an elevator and with an actuator with magnets coupled to the elevator.
(15) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the flagstick of FIG. 11 in a lowered position.
(16) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the flagstick of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 in a raised position.
(17) FIG. 14 is an elevation view of a flagstick in a cup with the ball lifting device seated at the bottom of a cup.
(18) FIG. 15 is the view of FIG. 14 with the ball lifting device raised.
(19) FIG. 16 is an elevational view of a flagstick in a cup, the flagstick being a tournament flagstick or a flagstick with tapers at the top and bottom and a thick middle section, the flagstick having a ball lifting device configured to accommodate the lower tapered portion and the thick middle section.
(20) FIG. 17 is an elevational view of the flagstick of FIG. 16 with the ball lifting device raised.
(21) FIG. 18 is a downward looking perspective view of an embodiment showing a golf ball lifting device with the elevator having golf ball seats.
(22) FIG. 19 is an upwardly looking perspective view of the golf ball lifting device of FIG. 18.
(23) FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the golf ball lifting device of FIGS. 18 and 19.
(24) FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the golf ball lifting device of FIGS. 18-20 taken at line 21-21 of FIG. 20.
(25) FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball lifting device of FIGS. 18-21.
(26) FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the golf ball lifting device of FIGS. 18-22 taken at line 23-23 of FIG. 20.
(27) FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the golf ball lifting device of FIGS. 18-23.
(28) FIG. 25A is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device such as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.
(29) FIG. 25B is a side elevation view of a preform tubing for another embodiment of a tubular handle for a golf ball lifting device for tournament flagsticks.
(30) FIG. 25C is a side elevation view of tubular handle for a golf ball lifting device for tournament flagsticks formed from the preform of FIG. 25B.
(31) FIG. 25D is an end view of the tubular handle of FIG. 25C.
(32) FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a golf ball lifting device.
(33) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device sized for a ⅜ inch flagstick using the elevator of other embodiments.
(34) FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device with an elevator being configured as a basket.
(35) FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a golf ball lifting device with a bowl shaped elevator.
(36) FIG. 30A is a perspective view of a portion of the flagstick of FIG. 30B
(37) FIG. 30B is an exploded view of a flagstick with a golf ball ejector.
(38) FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of a flagstick in a cup with a golf ball.
(39) FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of FIG. 31 with the elevator partially depressed.
(40) FIG. 33 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of FIG. 31 with the release mechanism actuated.
(41) FIG. 34 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of FIG. 31 ejecting the golf ball.
(42) FIG. 35 is a cross sectional view of the flagstick and cup of FIG. 31 with the handle and elevator returned to a normal position.
(43) FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view of a spring loaded elevator that is manually depressed and released.
(44) FIG. 37 is a cross sectional view of a lifting device with an elevator with a handle actuated golf ball ejection mechanism.
(45) FIG. 38 is the lifting device of FIG. 37 wherein the downward pushing of the handle portion charges an ejection spring.
(46) FIG. 39 is the lifting device of FIGS. 37 and 38 with the ejection spring released.
(47) FIG. 40 is an elevation view of a flagstick in a cup with the ball lifting device seated at the bottom of a cup.
(48) FIG. 41 is the view of FIG. 40 with the ball lifting device raised.
(49) FIG. 42 is another embodiment with magnet or ferrous material at an upper margin of the lifting device below the lip of the hole.
(50) FIG. 43A is an elevation of another embodiment of a lifting device with the handle comprising a thin member extending upwardly along the flagstick with a hook for grabbing manually or with a golf club.
(51) FIG. 43B is the embodiment of FIG. 43A with the elevator raised and the golf ball discharged.
(52) FIG. 43C is a perspective view of the embodiments of FIGS. 43A and 43B.
(53) FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a hooked handle for attachment to a lifting device.
(54) FIG. 45 is a top plan view of the hooked handle of FIG. 44.
(55) FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a lifting device for a flagstick with the hooded handle of FIGS. 44 and 45.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(56) FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art standardized modern golf hole 20 in a green surface 21 such as found on regulation nine and eighteen hole golf courses. The hole 20 has a diameter D1 of 4¼ inches with a metal cup 22 positioned in the hole at least 1 inch below the green surface providing a lip 23 and an earthen interior surface 24 above the metal cup. FIG. 1 illustrates the relative ease of access of a golf ball 25 in the cup without a flagstick. FIG. 2 illustrates the limited access to the golf ball with a standardized flagstick 30 in place, the ferrule 32 seated in the socket 34 of the cup 22 with gussets 35 supporting the socket. Such conventional standardized flagsticks have an outside diameter D2 of 0.50 to 0.55 inches and a height of six to seven feet, or more.
(57) FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 illustrate an embodiment with a disk-shaped elevator 40 formed of a polymer that may be attached to an existing flagstick 30 over the ferrule 32. The diameter D3 of the disk may be 3.25 inches, the central hole 41 may have a diameter D4 of 0.55 inches, the drain holes 43 may have a diameter D4, for example, 0.25 to 0.5 inches in diameter, or in an embodiment 0.325 inches. The disk may be puck shaped with a thickness T1 of 0.75 inches, for example. Dimensions may vary and may be within 10% of the specified dimensions. Slits 46 may extend from the central hole to facilitate application to the flagstick. The disk 40 may be forced over the ferrule end of the flagstick and is resiliently retained thereon or may simple seat on the ferrule 32. The disk diameter is great enough to reliably lift balls in the cup but not so wide as to impede replacing the flagstick in the hole when it has been removed. The flagstick conforms with USGA recommendations and is about 7 feet or taller. The polymer may be a semi rigid foam polymer that is deformable but returns to its' original shape.
(58) FIGS. 5A-6 illustrate an embodiment with a ball removal device 50 that may be added to an existing flagstick 30 in which a bowl shaped elevator 52 is unitary or integrated with a tubular portion 54 that operates as a handle for manually raising the elevator 52 after a putt is holed to a height that the ball may be easily grasped, see the flagstick 30 of FIG. 5B. The device length L1 is suitably about 2.5 fee to 3.5 feet. Ideally the length will allow easy access to the golf ball 25 in the bowl without the top 56 of the tubular portion 54 contacting the flag 57. A slot 58 allows the device to be snapped onto the flag.
(59) FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the flagstick 64 has an integrated tubular portion 66 that extends around a core portion 68. Not shown, either component may be the component to which the flag is attached. Where the flag is attached to the core portion the tubular portion only extends up the core to a position below the flag. Where the flag is attached to the tubular portion, the core portion 68 is not exposed. The tubular portion has a seating portion 72 onto which an elevator 76 may be placed to perform similar to the device of FIGS. 5A-6.
(60) FIGS. 8-10 illustrate an embodiment in which the elevator 80 is slidingly mounted to the pole portion 82 of the flagstick 83. The pole portion has a hollow core 85 allowing an actuation member 87 to extend from the elevator through a slot 88 in the pole portion 82 up through the hollow core to another slot 89 where it can attach to a handle 90. Raising the handle raises the elevator lifting the ball out of the hole. The elevator may be shaped to allow the ball to escape from the elevator when raised out of the hole, similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, or may have a concavity 93 for retention of the ball in the elevator 80 until the ball is grasped.
(61) FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 illustrates an embodiment in which the actuation member 90 does not directly connect to the elevator 100, rather it is magnetically coupled. The actuation member 101 has magnets 102 connected thereto and the elevator has material 104 that couple to the magnets such as iron, steel, or additional magnets. The magnetically attractable material 104 may be embedded in the polymer of the elevator or otherwise securely attached thereto. The upper end of the actuation member attaches to a handle 90. Raising the handle raises the magnets and by way of the magnetic coupling urges the elevator to raise lifting any ball thereon upwardly out of the hole.
(62) The flagsticks illustrated herein will typically have a pole portion with a diameter of between 0.50 inches and 0.75 inches and may be of standard length of typically 7 feet. The elevators and handles may be formed of injection molded polymers. The flagsticks may be formed of fiberglass, carbon fibers, or metals. Embodiments include a ⅜ inch flagstick with a ball lifting device thereon.
(63) Referring to FIGS. 14-15 and 18-23, in an embodiment, a flagstick 130 seated in a cup 132 in a green 134 having a green surface 136 and with a ball lifting device 140. The ball lifting device has a tubular handle portion 142 and an elevator portion 144. The lifting device has a upper handle portion 146 that may be a different and contrasting color than the rest of the lifting device and the flag. Such a contrasting member gives a definitive indication of the presence of the lifting device and an indication to the golfer of where to grasp the device. Also, the coloration may be selected to provide enhanced visibility of the flag and information to a golfer off the green as to how much of the flagstick is visible from the golfer's position. Referring also to FIGS. 18-23, the tubular handle portion may be a polymer or a metal tubing. A thin polymer of 0.010 to 0.025 inches wall thickness formed of propionate plastic and 36 inches long has been shown to provide good performance. In embodiments the tubular handle has a wall thickness of 0.010 to 0.017 inches. The tubular handle may be formed of propionate plastic and 36 inches long and has been shown to provide exceptional performance. In embodiments the handle portion is 24 to 48 inches long. In embodiments, the handle portion is 30 to 40 inches long. In embodiments the handle portion is 30 to 38 inches long. In embodiments the elevator is formed of Black Lustran with a 3.55 inch diameter. In embodiments the diameter is 3.55 inches plus or minus 0.30 inches. The edge periphery 149 has a blunt ¼ inch surface to prevent green damage when laid on the green surface. In embodiments the diameter of the tubular handle portion above the elevator at the green level when the lifting device is seated on the top of the ferrule 164.
(64) Referring to FIGS. 16, 17, and 25A-25D, a flagstick 150 with a thickened midportion 152 and a ball lifting device 156 adapted for same is illustrated. Such a flagstick is often considered and termed a “tournament” flagstick. The lifting device tubular handle 164 may be conformingly shaped to the bottom of the flagstick when the device is seated on the bottom of the flagstick, for example on the ferrule 159. Slits 162 on the tubular handle 164 allow the tubing to expand as it is raised and the slitted portion 164 is raised to the lowered tapered portion 166 of the flagstick. The resilience of the polymer allows the shape to expand and contract as it is raised and lowered. The special shape may be formed from a preform 163 shown with suitable dimensions and having with a mid portion 165 heat shrinkable such that at the region of the flagstick immediately above the green surface, the tubing has a tight conforming fit to minimize any effect on golf ball impact. In embodiments the inside diameter of the tubular handle is 0.605 inches, plus or minus 0.03 inches. The inside diameter D9 of the flared portions 168 may be, for example, 0.765 inches, plus or minus 0.15 inches. The inside diameter D10 of the central portion 168.5 may be 0.510 inches plus or minus 0.05 inches.
(65) Referring to FIGS. 18-23, detail of the elevator portion 144 of the lifting device 140 such as the lifting device of FIGS. 14-15 is depicted. An upper side has an annular concave region 151 with a plurality of golf ball seats 154 that are circumferentially spaced around the elevator. The seats 154 may be defined by the ribs 156 and/or the holes 158. The ribs 156 have corresponding recesses 164 on the bottom side 166 that aid in injection molding the elevator portions. The tubular handle 167 may be attached with an adhesive to the central bore 170 in the hub portion 172 of the elevator portion 144, for example with cyanoacrylate adhesives. In embodiments, the tubular handle may have an inside diameter of about 0.605 inches, plus or minus 0.06 inches. In embodiments, the wall thickness T4 of the tubular handle is 0.014 inches, plus or minus 0.04 inches. In embodiments the outside diameter D6 of the tubular handle is 0.633 inches, plus or minus 0.01 inches. In embodiments the outside diameter D6 of the tubular handle is 0.633 inches, plus or minus 0.1 inches. In embodiments the outside diameter D6 of the tubular handle is less than 0.15 inches greater than the outside diameter of the flagstick. In embodiments the outside diameter of the tubular handle is less than 0.12 inches greater than the outside diameter of the flagstick. In embodiments the outside diameter of the tubular handle is less than 0.20 inches greater than the outside diameter of the flagstick. In embodiments the outside diameter of the tubular handle is less than 0.24 inches greater than the outside diameter of the flagstick. In embodiments the inside diameter D7 of the tubular handle is 0.605 inches, plus or minus 0.03 inches. In embodiments the inside diameter D7 of the tubular handle is 0.55 inches, plus or minus 0.1 inches.
(66) Referring to FIGS. 24 to 29, various configurations of lifting devices are illustrated. The embodiments of FIGS. 24 and 25 have been described above. The embodiment of FIG. 26 has one or more thin strips 180 extending from the elevator portion 144 to the upper handle portion 182. This allows visibility of the flagstick. The strips are thin enough that the effect of the strips on a golf ball impacting the flagstick when in the cup is considered to be minimal.
(67) Referring to FIG. 27, a tubular handle sized for 0.375 inch flagstick has a wall thickness of 0.010 to 0.025 and a gap between the flagstick and tubular handle of a few thousands to 0.020 thousandths. A bushing 190 may be attached to the reduced size tubular handle to allow the elevator portion 144 of previously described embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 18-22. The bushing may be attached with adhesives or threads.
(68) Referring to FIG. 28, an elevator portion 147 formed of thin polymer members 148 providing a limited collapsibility or deflection when laid on the green surface can minimize green damage. Such an elevator may be attached to a tubular handle slidable on the flagstick or directly to the flagstick without a tubular handle. The majority of the area defined by the periphery of the elevator is open. FIG. 29 illustrates another embodiment with a bowl shape and apertures for water drainage.
(69) Referring to FIG. 30A-35, a flagstick with a manually operated golfball ejector 200 is illustrated. In an embodiment, the ejector comprises an elevator 210, a elevator spring 212 for manually loading the elevator, a handle 216 for pushing the elevator downwardly and loading the elevator spring, a elevator release mechanism 218 and handle spring 220 for returning the spring to a normal ready-to-use position. A flagstick pole 200 has a circumferential recess 232 for receiving the handle spring, a helical cam groove 234 for providing some rotation to the elevator, and a conventional ferrule 236 that can seat the elevator spring.
(70) Referring to FIG. 31, a golf ball 240 is located in a cup 244 and the handle 216 and elevator are in a normal position. In FIG. 32, a golfer has grasped the tubular handle and is pushing downward thereon as indicated by the arrow 250. Tabs 256 on the handle engage lugs 260 on the elevator to allow the handle to push the elevator downward. The lugs being in an obstruction position. The elevator has a follower 264 that is seated in cam groove 234 to provide some rotation of the elevator as it is pushed downwardly. In FIG. 32 the cam follower may be a threaded screw, is not shown as it has slightly rotated out of the cross sectional view of FIG. 31. The handle spring 220 is partially compressed in FIG. 31 by way of a spring engagement portion 270 which may be a rivet, screw or other projection from the handle. The lugs of the elevator are close to moving out of an obstructing position.
(71) Referring to FIG. 33, the rotation of the elevator by the cam follower in the cam groove has just moved the lugs out of an obstructing position such that recesses 273 adjacent to the lugs are in axial alignment with the tabs and the elevator spring 212 is in a fully compressed state. This allows an abrupt release of the compressed elevator spring such that the golf ball is ejected from the cup as shown in FIG. 34. In FIG. 35, the golfer has released the handle and it returns to its normal position as also shown in FIG. 31. Cam surfaces on the tabs and lugs can facilitate the return of the handle to the normal position. In embodiments, see FIG. 30a, the flagstick may have a groove for the handle spring, with a spring therein, and the spring engagement member may be a cam follower. The groove may also have a helical orientation for facilitating the tab lug interaction.
(72) Referring to FIG. 36, in an embodiment, the golfer may load the elevator spring 282 manually with his finger to the loaded position shown by dashed lines and release the spring by simply allowing his finger to slip off of the handle allowing the ball to pop up out of the cup.
(73) Referring to FIGS. 37-39, another embodiment is illustrated wherein the golfer can either lift the ball out manually by raising the handle or can eject the ball by pushing down on the handle. Additionally the unit is a single mechanism that does not require flagstick modification.
(74) The elevator 300 is fixed to the tubular handle 306 by adhesives, fasteners, press fit, threads or the like. The elevator has several golfball receiving regions defined by apertures 312 in the elevator. The lower base 320 is positioned below the elevator and is vertically movable therewith a restricted distance as controlled by suitable cooperating stops 326, 327. When the tubular handle is pushed downward, the striker 330 connected to the lower base 320 by leaf spring 334, is pushed downwardly loading the leaf spring and striker as shown in FIG. 38. The striker pivots about pin 336 and thereby moves slightly radially outward with respect to the pin so that the cam surface 340 disengages with the pivoting catch member 343 releasing the striker which then impacts and launches the golfball as depicted in FIG. 39. The catch member is also restricted in motion and is spring loaded to be biased toward the catch positon. When the handle is released by the golfer, the handle raises along with the elevator with respect to the flagstick and the base. The catch pivots out of an obstructing position to reengage the striker and the device is reset in the configuration of FIG. 37.
(75) A suitable device will have a plurality of apertures in the elevator and a corresponding number of striker mechanism.
(76) Referring to FIGS. 40 and 41, another embodiment is illustrated where the lifting device 400 in the unelevated position is entirely below the green level GL. A tube 420 or partial tube or strip of material or other axially extending member extending along the flagstick 430 is secured to the elevator 434. A catch means 440 such as a magnet or hook or loop is positioned below the green level and attached to the tube 420 and therefor will not in any way impact the golf ball during putting or play. A magnet 452 or hook on the tip of the putter 456 or other tool may be used to temporarily attach to the lifting device 400 for raising the device with the ball 25 on the elevator 434, see FIG. 40. In embodiments the lifting device can be raised several feet off the floor for grasping the golfball without the golfer leaning over. In embodiments the elevator can allow the golfball to roll off the elevator as it is raised above the green level out of the cup to be picked up from the green surface 464. FIG. 42 is an embodiment with a magnetic band 470 attached to the top of the tubular portion of the lifting device for connection to a magnet on a putter or other tool.
(77) FIGS. 43A-43C illustrate a golfball lifting device 500 with a thin self supporting elongate member 520 with a hook portion 522 extending up from the elevator 530. The thin elongate member may be a polymer strip or metal or other material. The hook may be replaced with a loop or a magnet or ferrous material to be attracted to a magnet. The hook may be positioned above the putting surface a few inches or more such that it may be caught with a golf club 532 to allow removal of the golf ball without manual contact with the flagstick or lifting device. The device may be raised so that the ball rolls off of the elevator on to the green surface. The hook may be for example less than 12 inches above the green surface 21.
(78) FIGS. 44, 45 and 46 illustrate a snap-on handle 600 that may be attached to the tubular handles of the lifting devices disclosed herein, for example the embodiments of FIGS. 24-27. The handle has a pair of hook portions 610, 611 attached to a body portion 614 with a forward opening 616 that can be pushed over the upper portion 622 of a tubular handle 624, thereby readily allowing the golfer to utilize a club to engage a hook portion and raise the lifting device 626 without manually touching the flagstick or lifting device. In other embodiments the handle can be unitary with the tubular portion or attached with other known attachment means.
(79) U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,402,026, 1,599,734, 1,673,852, 1,676,954, 1,776,161, 1,826,641, 1,829,283, 1,918,994, 1,943,610, 3,180,644, 3,348,797, 3,543,603, 3,792,861, 3,874,665, 3,897,059, 4,290,603, 4,114,879, 4,360,200, 4,496,150, 4,552,358, 5,393,053, 6,409,609, 6,113,503, 8,740,716 and are incorporated herein for all purposes.
(80) As used herein, a method step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, the references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.
(81) It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting, but are instead exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
(82) As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “more than” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios disclosed herein also include all subratios falling within the broader ratio.
(83) The present methods can involve any or all of the steps or conditions discussed above in various combinations, as desired. Accordingly, it will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan that in some of the disclosed methods certain steps can be deleted or additional steps performed without affecting the viability of the methods.
(84) Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.
