GOLF CUP APPARATUS

Abstract

There is proposed at a golf hole, a golf hole insert or an advertising apparatus, including, a base, a ball support member connected to the base and movable between a retracted position and an elevated position by way of a drive, a generally annular shaped display support fixed to an upper surface of the ball support member whereby, when the ball support member is in the elevated position, the display support extends upwardly from the golf hole above a surface of the golf green for displaying an advertisement. The apparatus further includes a ball guide located within the ball support member for impelling a golf ball received therein into an induced position and a sensor located at, or adjacent, the induced position for controlling the operation of the drive to raise or lower the ball support member depending upon the presence of a golf ball.

Claims

1. An advertising apparatus, including: a base being supportable within a golf cup or forming a part thereof, the golf cup being positionable within a golf hole of a golf green; a ball support member connected to the base and movable between a retracted position and an elevated position by way of a drive; a generally annular shaped display support fixed to an upper surface of the ball support member whereby when the ball support member is in the elevated position the display support extends upwardly from the golf hole above a surface of the golf green for displaying an advertisement; a ball guide located within the ball support member for impelling a golf ball received therein into an induced position; and a sensor located at, or adjacent, the induced position for controlling the operation of the drive to raise or lower the ball support member depending upon the presence of the golf ball; and wherein the drive includes an overload mechanism to inhibit damage to the advertising apparatus when downward pressure is applied to the ball support member or the display support member.

2. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the display support comprises a vertically planar strip of material which is wrapped to form a circular portion and is attached to the ball support member, wherein the advertisement is printed onto the strip of material, or affixed thereto, or the advertisement is projected thereonto.

3. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor is activated by the presence of the golf ball in the induced position to raise the ball support member into the elevated position wherein the display support extends upwardly from the golf hole above the surface of the golf green.

4. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein upon removal of said golf ball, the sensor activates the drive to move the ball support member from the elevated position into the retracted position, wherein the display support is located substantially within the golf cup and below the surface of the golf green.

5. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises a contact sensor, or a light beam source and a light detector assembly.

6. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the display support includes a blue screen or similar coloured surface, as used in visual effects techniques, wherein advertising is virtually overlayed thereon within a broadcast environment, or the display support includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide either a dynamic or static display.

7. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the drive comprises a first arm that is rigidly connected at a first end to a rotatable mount on the control member and pivotably connected to a second arm at a second end thereof, and a second end of the second arm is pivotably connected to a fixed mounting point on the elevatable ball support member.

8. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the drive includes a rack and pinion assembly, or the drive includes at least one biasing spring having a stop to limit the elevation of the display support, and a catch means to capture the display support to move the display support into the retracted position against the bias of the spring, or the drive includes a screw threaded member, such that a motor rotates the screw threaded member to thereby facilitate the elevation.

9. (canceled)

10. The advertising apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the overload mechanism comprises a decouplable arm portion, which is coupled to a rotary body, the decouplable arm portion including a primary portion having a first magnet, and a secondary portion including a second magnet, whereby when a sufficient downward pressure is applied to the ball support member or the display support, the magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet is overcome and the primary portion is triggered to detach from the secondary portion and move into a lowered position independently of the secondary portion.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. A golf cup having an elevatable display support being movable between a retracted position and an elevated position, wherein when in the elevated position the display support extends upwardly from within the golf hole above a surface of the playing surface, when a ball enters the golf cup; wherein the golf cup includes a drive configured to move the elevatable display support between the retracted position and the elevated position, and wherein the drive includes an overload mechanism to inhibit damage to the elevatable display support when downward pressure is applied thereto.

14. A method of presenting advertising adjacent a golf cup when a golf ball is retained therein, the method including steps of: providing a sensor in the golf cup, configured to determine the presence of a golf ball therein; activating a physical advertising member when the golf ball is positioned within the golf cup; and providing an overload mechanism to inhibit damage to the physical advertising member when downward pressure is applied thereto.

15. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

[0082] FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of one embodiment of an advertising apparatus of the present invention, illustrating the display support in a retracted position;

[0083] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 1 in isolation from the golf cup;

[0084] FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating the display support in an extended position;

[0085] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 3 in isolation from the golf cup;

[0086] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0087] FIG. 6 is a top view of the ball support member illustrating the position of the sensor;

[0088] FIG. 7 is a top view of the ball support member of FIG. 6 illustrating the induced position that the ball is impelled into;

[0089] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ball support member of FIG. 7 illustrating the inclined guide within the ball support member and position of the golf ball;

[0090] FIG. 9 is a cross section view through A-A of FIG. 8;

[0091] FIG. 10a is a side schematic view of the ball support member illustrating the plane of one embodiment of the inclined guide with a single sensor;

[0092] FIG. 10b is a side schematic view of another embodiment of the ball support member having inclined guides having different planes of inclination that join at an apex and two sensors;

[0093] FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 3 illustrating the positioning of the flagstick;

[0094] FIG. 12 is a side schematic view of another embodiment of the advertising apparatus;

[0095] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 12;

[0096] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 12 in a lowered position;

[0097] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 12 in a raised position;

[0098] FIG. 16 is a side schematic view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 12 in a lowered position;

[0099] FIG. 17 is a side schematic view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 12, in a raised position;

[0100] FIG. 18 is a perspective of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 12, in a lowered position with a golf ball in the induced position;

[0101] FIG. 19 is a reverse perspective view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 18, in a lowered position with a golf ball contacting the sensor and the display support removed;

[0102] FIG. 20 is a perspective cross-sectional view through B-B of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 19,

[0103] FIG. 21 is a top view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 19, with a golf ball located therein at the induced position;

[0104] FIG. 22 is a top view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 19, illustrating the position of the sensor with the golf ball removed,

[0105] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view through B-B of the ball support member of FIG. 19 illustrating the plane of one embodiment of the inclined guide with a single sensor;

[0106] FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of ball support member of FIG. 19 illustrating the apex of the inclined guide;

[0107] FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a virtual advertising system for use in relation to a golf hole;

[0108] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an automatic ball raising assembly;

[0109] FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the automatic ball raising assembly of FIG. 26, positioned within a golf hole;

[0110] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the advertising apparatus;

[0111] FIG. 29 is an opposite perspective view the advertising apparatus of FIG. 28;

[0112] FIG. 30 is a top view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 29;

[0113] FIG. 31 is a top view of the advertising apparatus of FIG. 28;

[0114] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view through C-C of FIG. 31;

[0115] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view through D-D of FIG. 28, illustrating the drive with overload mechanism in a lowered arrangement;

[0116] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional of FIG. 33, illustrating the drive with overload mechanism in a raised arrangement;

[0117] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional of FIG. 33, illustrating the overload mechanism in a trapped condition and the drive in a lowered arrangement;

[0118] FIG. 36 is a side view of the drive of FIG. 33 in the lowered arrangement;

[0119] FIG. 37 is a side view of the drive of FIG. 34 in the raised arrangement;

[0120] FIG. 38 is a side view of the drive of FIG. 35 in the lowered arrangement with a tripped overload mechanism;

[0121] FIG. 39 is another embodiment of the overload mechanism, in a working position, including a biasing member to dampen the overload mechanism;

[0122] FIG. 40 is the overload mechanism of FIG. 39, in a tripped position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS

[0123] Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0124] Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, an advertising apparatus 10 positionable within a golf cup 12 or forming part thereof is illustrated, demonstrating by way of examples, arrangements in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. As illustrated in the figures the apparatus 10 includes a base 14 having a foot 16 that is configured to rest on the top of a baseplate 18 of the golf cup 12. The golf cup 12, includes the baseplate 18 and a cylindrical liner 20, and is locatable within a hole 22 that is cut in the playing green 24. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top of the golf cup 12 is positioned below and spaced apart from the playing green 24.

[0125] The apparatus 10 further includes a ball support member 26 that is rigidly fixed to an elevatable member 28. The elevatable member 28 slidably engages column 30 that extends upwardly from the base 14. A drive 32 is connected to fixed mounting point 34 on the elevatable member 28 and a rotatable mount 36 on the control member 38 being in the present embodiment an electric motor. In the present embodiment the drive 32 comprises a first arm 40 and a second arm 42, wherein the first arm 40 is rigidly connected at a first end to the rotatable mount 36 on the control member 38 and pivotably connected to the second arm 42 at a second end thereof. A second end of the second arm 42 is pivotably connected to the fixed mounting point 34.

[0126] The reader should appreciate that the motor 38 is connect to a power source such as but not limited to a battery (not shown).

[0127] A generally annular shaped display support 44 is fixed to the ball support member 26 and extends upwardly therefrom. The display support 44 is illustrated in the figures as being generally blank, however it should be appreciated that indicia will be applied to or incorporated into the display support 44 for advertising or display purposes. For instance, an advertisement or corporate logo may be applied to or printed onto the display support 44 to promote the goods or services of a trader. Furthermore, although not illustrated, the display support may include illuminated display means such as, but not limited to, LED lights or other illumination means.

[0128] In the present embodiment the ball support member 26, elevatable member 28 and display support 44 are all movable between a retracted position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an elevated position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. When the display support 44 extends upwardly from the golf cup 12 the advertising on the outer surface of the display support 44 can be viewed from a side and at a distance from the golf cup 12, to thereby increase exposure of the adverting or display.

[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 2 the ball support member 26 includes an upwardly facing chamber 46 for receiving a golf ball 48 therein. The ball support member 26 includes a ball guide 50 that impels the golf ball 48 into an induced position 52 whereby it comes into contact with or activates a sensor 54, which in the present embodiment is a contact sensor 54 that include a body 56 and vertical contact shaft 58.

[0130] The drive 32 is configured to move the display support 44 between the retracted position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the display support 44 is positioned within the golf cup 12, and the elevated position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein the display support 44 extends upwardly from the top of the golf cup 12 such that it is positioned substantially above the playing green 24, as illustrated FIG. 3. In this way the advertising on the display support 44 can be viewed at a distance from the golf hole 22, which has advantages for brand promotion to the viewers present in the gallery and broadcast coverage of golfing events. The advertisement may also be projected into the display support 44 for viewing by the broadcast audience.

[0131] The sensor 54 controls the operation of the drive 32 to change the position of the display support 44 depending upon the presence or absence of a golf ball 48 within the ball support member 26.

[0132] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the apparatus 10 illustrating the various components. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the ball support member 26 includes an annular step 60 that is used for the attachment of the display support 44 thereto. In this way the outer perimeter of the ball support member 26 and adjoining display support 44 is generally uniform, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. This means that there is no ridge or lip created when the display support 44 is attached, which could be caught or jammed against the top edge of the golf cup 12 in use.

[0133] The elevatable member 28 includes a depending sleeve 62 that fits over the column 30. The sleeve 62 includes a recess 64 that accommodates the motor 38 when the elevatable member 28 is in the retracted position.

[0134] As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the base 14 include a mount 66 for attachment of the motor frame 68 thereto.

[0135] It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the fixing means, such as screw, bolts and nuts, used in the assembly of the apparatus are not illustrated. Furthermore, although the display support 44, ball support member 26, and elevatable member 28 are illustrated as being individual components, the reader will appreciate that all or some of them may be unitary in construction without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0136] FIG. 6 illustrates the ball support member 26 comprises an annular upwardly extending wall 70 forming the upwardly facing recess 46, a web portion 72 generally defining a bottom of the ball support member 26, the outer guide member and an inner guide member 76 that both extend upwardly from the web portion 72 and are configured to control movement of the golf ball 48 once it enters the ball support member 26, such that the golf ball 48 is urged into the induced position 52.

[0137] As further shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 54 is positioned adjacent the induced position 52 whereby the vertical contact shaft 58 is contacted by the golf ball 48 when it is moved into the induced position 52 by the guide members 50, 76.

[0138] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the guide members 50, 76 are sloped such that the ball rolls under the influence of gravity into the lowest position, which corresponds to the induced position 52.

[0139] The ball support member 26 includes a central aperture 78 that is configured to allow the passage of a flagstick 90 therethrough as will be discussed with respect to FIG. 11.

[0140] FIG. 10a illustrates the above embodiment wherein the upper surface of the guide members are positioned along a single plane 80 as indicated by the broken line. The sensor 54 is positioned at a lower region of the plane 80, wherein the contact shaft 58 can be contact by the golf ball 48 when in the induced position 52.

[0141] In another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 10b, the different section of the guide member or members is/are positioned along planes 82 and 84 that join at apex 86 as indicated by the broken lines. In the immediately preceding embodiment the guides form two induced positions 52a, 52b. Correspondingly positioned sensors 54a, 54b are located at, or adjacent, respective induced positions 52a, 52b.

[0142] FIG. 11 illustrates the possible position of the indicia 88 on the display support 44 whereby in the elevated position the indicia 88 are visible laterally from an outside of the golf hole and thus can be readily seen and shown, for example, to a television audience or can at least be seen by the gallery watching the event.

[0143] As further illustrated in FIG. 11, the flagstick 90 with flag 92 attached can remaining in place even when the ball support member 26 and display support 44 are in the elevate position. This is because the flagstick 90 passes through the central aperture 78 of the ball support member 26 and engages a conventional flagstick aperture 94 in the golf cup. Alternatively, the central aperture 78 may be configured to support the flagstick 90, whereby when the ball support member 26 is moved into the elevated position the flagstick 90 is also moved upwardly.

[0144] Another embodiment of the apparatus 10 is disclosed in FIGS. 12 to 24, which illustrates the apparatus 10 including a base 14 having a foot 16 that is configured to rest on the top of a baseplate 18 of the golf cup 12. The reader should however appreciate that the apparatus 10 and golf cup 12 may be unitary in construction, such that the apparatus of the present invention is used in place of a conventional golf cup.

[0145] The apparatus 10 of the present embodiment further includes a ball support member 26 rigidly attached to generally vertical shafts 100, 102 that slidably engage the base 14 and act as guide members when the ball support member 26 is moved vertically. A drive 32 is pivotably connected to the ball support member 26 and rotatably connected to mount 36 on the control member 38. In the present embodiment the drive 32 comprises a first arm 40 and second arm 42, wherein the first arm 40 is connected at a first end to the rotatable mount 36 on the control member 38 and pivotably connected to the second arm 42 at a second end thereof. A second end of the second arm 42 is pivotably connected to the ball support member 26.

[0146] The sensor 54 is connected to mounting plate 104, to which is also mounted switch 106, that controls the operation of the motor when the ball support member 26 is being retracted by contact with the projection 108, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0147] In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the advertising display may be virtual advertising 110 that is displayed in proximity to a golf hole 22 on a display screen of a controller 112 from footage captured by a camera 114, when the golf ball 48 enters the golf hole 22. This advertising is therefore able to be incorporated into the televised broadcast footage 116 for display on televisions and display screens 118.

[0148] The present embodiment includes the features of the immediately preceding embodiments of the apparatus, but with a transmitter 120 used in the place of the display support 44. Accordingly, when the sensor 54 located within a golf cup 12 registers the presence of a golf ball 48 the transmitter 120 is configured to transmit a signal that is processed by the controller 112, wherein the advertising image 110 is overlayed over video footage 122 of the golf course green 24, which can then be broadcast.

[0149] The advertising image 110 may be a static image, a series of static images or an overlaying video on the video footage of the golf course green.

[0150] In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, the apparatus 10 may comprise a ball raising assembly for a golf cup 22. The ball raising assembly is substantially the same of the preceding embodiments, but without the display support 44 attached to the ball support member 26. The ball raising assembly of the present invention may be used in conjunction with the virtual advertising 110, as previously discussed. The present embodiment would inhibit a player from damaging the grass surrounding the top of the hole, whilst retrieving either ball, and would assist older players.

[0151] In still another embodiment, FIGS. 28 to 32 illustrate an alternate configuration of the apparatus 10, which includes a generally straight contact shaft 58 of the contact sensor 54. The operation of the contact shaft 58 is the same as previously discussed, however in the present embodiment the contact shaft 58 has greater clearance and is inhibited from catching on the edge of the ball support member 26. The apparatus 10 further includes a sealed push button switch 124 with rubber boot. The push button switch 124 is used to change the modes of the apparatus and to turn the device On and Off. A USB recharge port 126 is also proved to recharge the internal battery (not shown). The USB recharge port 126 preferably includes a flexible cover, although this is not shown in the figures.

[0152] As further illustrated in FIGS. 30 to 35, the inner guide member 76 includes beads 128 of resiliently deformable material applied to an upper surface. These beads 128 act to inhibit the ball from bouncing out of the golf hole when no flag is installed. The beads 128 could be understood to act as bounce attenuation for the golf ball. In one embodiment, small beads of silicone are applied to the top of the the inner guide member 76. The reader should however appreciate that the beads could be place at other locations within the apparatus, to act as a cushion to inhibit the ball from bounce against a hard surface. The beads 128 may be applied by hand, printed or otherwise formed on any of the internal hard surfaces of the apparatus 10.

[0153] The reader will appreciate that the apparatus 10 draws a small amount of power and will typically not be required to be turned On and Off, when positioned in the golf hole. However, it is preferably to turn the apparatus 10 Off during transport to prevent it from being unintentionally activated and possibly damaged. In one embodiment there are three modes envisaged: [0154] Mode 1wherein upon activation by a golf ball 48, the ball support member 26 remains in a raised position until the golf ball 48 is removed; [0155] Mode 2wherein upon activation by a golf ball 48, the ball support member 26 moves up and remains in a raised position for a set period of time, whereafter it moves back into the lowered position, with the golf ball 48 remaining therein; and [0156] Mode 3rest or Off mode.

[0157] The drive 32 in a preferred embodiment includes an overload mechanism comprising a decouplable arm portion 130 which is coupled to a rotary body 136, as illustrated in FIGS. 33 to 40. The decouplable arm portion 130 includes a primary portion 132 which includes a first magnet and a secondary portion 134 which includes a second magnet. An end of the primary portion 132 is pivotably coupled to the second arm 42, as best illustrated in FIG. 34.

[0158] The primary portion 132 is independently rotatably coupled to the rotary body 136 and the secondary portion 134 is fixed to the rotation of the rotary body 136. Under normal conditions the respective magnets hold the primary portion 132 and secondary portion 134 in a fixed arrangement relative to each other. When a threshold of downward pressure is applied to the ball support member 26 or display support 44, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 34, the magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets is overcome. The primary portion 132 is then configured to move independently from the secondary portion 134, around the rotary body 136, into the lowered position, as illustrated in FIG. 35. This overload mechanism protects the motor and other mechanical components of the apparatus from being damaged due to misuse or accidental contact. For instance, if a person pushes down on the ball support member 26 when in the raised position, or an obstacle is placed over the hole when in the lowered position, the overload mechanism will be triggered to thereby protect the apparatus 10 from damage.

[0159] FIGS. 36 to 38 illustrate the drive 32 isolated from many of the other components and shows the triggering of the overload mechanism in FIG. 38 and the subsequent movement of the secondary portion 134 back into the lowered position. The reader will appreciate that when the drive 32 is then operated back into the lowered arrangement, whereby the rotary body 136 and secondary portion 134 attached thereto are rotated back into the lowered position, the magnets of the primary and secondary portions 132, 134 are magnetically coupled, as shown in FIG. 36. The drive 32 can then continue its normal operation until another trigger event occurs.

[0160] As illustrated in FIGS. 39 and 40, a flexible band 138 is positioned around projections 140 on the primary portion 132. The flexible band 138 is configured to bear against a raised portion 142 on the rotary body 136. The purpose of the flexible band 138 is to dampen the movement of the primary portion 132 when it magnetically decouples from the secondary portion 134 during a trigger event, such as when someone forcibly pushes down on the ball support member 26. This inhibits the primary portion 132 from dropping suddenly under the weight of the ball support member 26, which could damage the mechanism. The flexible band 138 could therefore be consider to be a dampening device to inhibit damage when a trigger event occurs.

[0161] The skilled addressee will now appreciate the many advantages of the illustrated invention. In one form the invention provides an advertising medium that utilises a previously underutilised location. Furthermore, the invention in one form provides a means of automatically lifting the golf ball to enable easier retrieval by a player, while providing valuable advertising space. In one form the apparatus may be a discrete module that can be retrofitted into existing golf cup without requiring modification thereof. The configuration of the apparatus also means that it can be used even when a flag is positioned within the golf cup.

[0162] Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however, it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate, and that the invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For the purpose of the specification the word comprise, comprises or comprising means including but not limited to.