Golf hole illumination apparatus

Abstract

A golf hole illumination device is provided which when positioned in an as used position in the bottom of a cup descending below the golf hole, will illuminate the golf hole with light emitters. The light emitters can be positioned within the material forming the transparent body which forms a barrier to protect them from moisture and dirt.

Claims

1. A golf hole illumination apparatus, comprising: an annular body having an opening communicating through a center portion thereof; a plurality of sequentially positioned light emitters engaged to said body in a curved path; said body having a diameter running between opposing points of a circumferential edge, said diameter adapted for positioning to an as used position, at a bottom of a cup descending from a golf hole; a slot communicating through said body from said circumferential edge to said opening, said slot forming a passage adapted for a pole extending from a center area of said golf hole to pass into said opening; an electric power source providing electricity to said light emitters through wires communicating between said electric power source and said light emitters; and said light emitters communicating illumination in a direction toward a circumferential edge of said hole with said body in said as used position, wherein said hole is illuminated by said light emitters.

2. A golf hole illumination apparatus, comprising: an annular body formed of transparent material and having an opening communicating through a center portion thereof; a plurality of sequentially positioned light emitters engaged within said transparent material of said body in a curved path; said body having a diameter running between opposing points of a circumferential edge, said diameter adapted for positioning to an as used position, at a bottom of a cup descending from a golf hole; a slot communicating through said body from said circumferential edge to said opening; said slot forming a passage adapted for a pole extending from a center area of said golf hole to pass into said opening; an electric power source providing electricity to said light emitters through wires communicating between said electric power source and said light emitters; and said light emitters communicating illumination through said transparent material in a direction toward a circumferential edge of said hole with said body in said as used position, wherein said transparent material forming said body surrounding said light emitters defines a barrier preventing moisture and dirt from contacting said light emitters and said hole is illuminated by said light emitters.

3. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein said diameter of said body is between 3.4 to 4 inches.

4. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein said diameter of said body is between 3.4 to 4 inches.

5. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 3, wherein said diameter of said body is between 0.5 to 1.5 inches.

6. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 4, wherein said diameter of said body is between 0.5 to 1.5 inches.

7. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein said illumination from said light emitters communicates in a first lighting scheme at an inclining angle from said body toward said circumferential edge of said golf hole.

8. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein said illumination from said light emitters communicates in a second lighting scheme in a beam running parallel to said pole extending from said golf hole.

9. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein said illumination from said light emitters communicates in a first lighting scheme at an inclining angle from said body toward said circumferential edge of said golf hole.

10. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein said illumination from said light emitters communicates in a second lighting scheme in a beam running parallel to said pole extending from said golf hole.

11. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 7, wherein said illumination from said light emitters also communicates in a second lighting scheme, in a beam running parallel to said pole extending from said golf hole; and a switch for actuating between said first lighting scheme and said second lighting scheme.

12. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 9, wherein said illumination from said light emitters also communicates in a second lighting scheme, in a beam running parallel to said pole extending from said golf hole; and a switch for actuating between said first lighting scheme and said second lighting scheme.

13. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 11 wherein said switch is actuable to switch between said first lighting scheme and said second lighting scheme, by a remote control.

14. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 12 wherein said switch is actuable to switch between said first lighting scheme and said second lighting scheme, by a remote control.

15. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 13 wherein said remote control is a smartphone.

16. The golf hole illumination apparatus of claim 14 wherein said remote control is a smartphone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only nor exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed golf illumination device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the golf illumination device in an as-used positioning at a bottom of a cup lining a hole on a golf green or other location.

(4) FIG. 2 depicts the glowing illumination of the hole and circumference thereof imparted by the curved row of light emitters of the device of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 3 depicts the golf illumination device having a second mode of illumination wherein a plurality of light emitters emit a focused beam perpendicular to the axis of the hole to form a beacon visible to players who cannot see the hole on the green directly.

(6) FIG. 4 shows the device as in FIG. 3, with the emitted beam of light extending perpendicular to the axis of the hole and the surface of the green.

(7) FIG. 5 is an overhead view of a top of the body of the device showing a plurality of light emitters such as LED's arranged in a curved path or pattern and visible therethrough the transparent body.

(8) FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the device of FIG. 4 wherein a battery container providing electric power and a switch and optional wireless control are visible.

(9) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a bottom of the body of the device herein such as in FIG. 5 which depicts the transparent body and internal components of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-7, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, the golf illumination device 10 in an as-used positioning. The device 10 if formed as a circular or curved body 12 sized with an external circumference which is adapted to easily slide to the bottom of a cup 14 extending into the ground from the hole 16 surrounded by the green 18 or other golf surface.

(11) The hole 16 defines an aperture opening into the cup 14 into which the body 12 of the device 10 is easily inserted to rest in the as-used position at the bottom of the cup 14 such as in FIGS. 1 and 3. So positioned during as used in all modes of the device 10 herein, the substantially transparent body 12 provides a mount for a plurality of light emitters 12 such as LED's which are engaged within the material of the body 12. The light emitters 12 as depicted in FIG. 1, form a curved or circular pattern of sequentially positioned light emitters 20 which when connected by wires to an electric power source engaged with the body 12 of the device, will illuminate and communicate light through the surrounding transparent material forming the body 12. Of course the light emitters 20 can be engaged to the body 12 such that they are on the top surface of the body 12 and emit light directly, however due to the dirty and wet nature of the positioning of the device 10 during use, positioning the light emitters 20 within the transparent polymeric material forming the body 12, surrounds them and defines a barrier which provides protection from wet and dirty conditions while still allowing the emission or communication of the light emitted from the emitters 20 through and above the body to illuminate the circumference of the hole 16 and areas adjacent it.

(12) Such polymeric material for example is provided by one or a combination of polymeric materials from a group including silicone, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene, saran, or other polymeric or plastic materials which will yield a body 12 which is substantially transparent and somewhat soft to avoid bouncing of the ball on the body 12. The body 12 should be formed with a diameter equal to or less than 4.2 inches for easy positioning in the cup 14 with a thickness of one half to one inch to maintain the bottom of the cup 14 and not cause the ball to bounce from the hole.

(13) Currently a diameter of the body 12 from outside edge to outside edge, be it round in shape with no gap 32 or across the center running perpendicular to the gap 32 in the body if present is substantially 3.4 to 4 inches as it has been found that this allows for positioning of the light emitters 20 running in a curved line spaced from the edge of the cup sufficiently to achieve an outward and upward angle to either illuminate the edge of the hole and the surrounding grass, or to project the upward beam for viewing from longer distances. The gap 32 is preferably at least 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches to accommodate the varying size of the 26 pole which is not dictated by the rules of golf.

(14) Experimenting shows that a slot width of substantially 0.4 inches to 1.2 inches will accommodate most poles 26 since the material forming the body 14 is pliable and will bend to accommodate a pole 26 larger than 1.2 inches.

(15) In FIG. 2 is seen the glow illumination 20 which emits from the cup 14 to the air situated above and surrounding the hole 16, and provides users a visually discernible target for their hitting of the golf ball during times of inadequate light such as at dusk or early evening when perceiving the hole 16 location is hard or impossible to do.

(16) As can be seen, the light communicated through the body 12 is transmitted into the air above the hole 16 and to the grass or other surface surrounding the circumference of the hole 16, making the hole 16 in the surrounding surface such as a green 18 highly visible as to location. In this mode to illuminate the circumferential edge of the hole 16 and blades of grass rowing adjacent thereto, and air above the hole 16, the light emitters 20 can be aimed to project light at an angle away from the center axis of the cup 14, to impact the area of the cup 14 surrounding the body 12 and the grass or other surface surrounding the hole 16.

(17) In addition to the mode of the device 10 of FIGS. 1-2, the device 10 in another preferred mode, can be configured such as in FIGS. 3-4, with a second illumination configuration wherein a plurality of light emitters 20 are positioned in, or on the top of the body 12 of the device 10 in a configuration which emits a focused beam 24, which exits the hole 16 at an angle aligned or parallel to the center axis of the cup 14 below the hole 16. The light from the emitters 20 in this focused beam, define a beacon visible to players who cannot see the hole on the green directly, and will also illuminate the pole 26 and flag 28 engaged into the cup 14 center, thereby providing both a beacon and easily viewed pole 26 during periods of play in subdued light such as at dusk.

(18) If the device 10 has a manual or electronic switch to toggle between the first illumination mode illuminating the perimeter edge of the hole 16 and air above it, and the second illumination mode emitting a focused beam, the device 10 can include both modes of illumination and a plurality of light emitters 20 to accomplish each illumination mode. Or the device 10 can simple have one mode of illumination and be positioned in a hole 16 as needed for either a beam emitted from the cup, or circumferential illumination, however the dual illumination mode with switching is preferred as one device 10 provides additional utility.

(19) Shown in FIG. 5, is an overhead view of a top of the body 12 of the device 10 showing a plurality of light emitters 20 such as LED's arranged in parallel curved pattern2, around a central opening 30 which has a slot 32 communicating at a position in the body 12 with the opening 30. As shown, the light emitters 20 could be engaged to a top surface of the body 12, however preferably as depicted herein, they are positioned within the transparent material forming the body 12 which forms a protective layer from the elements, and allow light from the emitters 20 to communicate through the transparent material forming the body 12.

(20) Also, it should be noted that the emitters 20 can be situated and aimed in a third pattern which combines the vertical beam 24 as well as emits an outward upward angled circular pattern to illuminate the edge of the hole 16 such as in FIG. 2 concurrently. However, in experimentation it was found that some golfers might consider the beam 24 distracting when putting, so the mode of the device allowing for a remote control to switch between modes would be more preferable if both illumination schemes are included in the same body 12.

(21) While not shown in FIGS. 5-6, the body 12 can be an annular or full circle shape with the same components positioned therein and appear somewhat similar to a donut. Such a mode need not be drawn because those skilled in the art can easily discern the slot 32 would not be present and the opening 30 would be isolated in the middle of the body 12 in this form. As noted herein, it was found that while the donut or circular shape of the body 12 can be employed to light up the circumference or emit a beam of light in the same fashion as the body 12 with the slot 32, it lacks utility provided by the C shape with slot 32, as it requires positioning in the cup prior to insertion of the flag pole 26, which is not as convenient to the users as communicating the pole 26 through the slot 32 and into the center opening 30 and simply dropping the body 12 into the cut and removing it therefrom without having to reposition the flag pole 26. However, if permanently installed in the bottom of the cup, an annular or donut shaped body 12 can be used.

(22) An opposite view overhead the bottom of side of the body 12 is shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen through the transparent material forming the body 12, onboard power storage for the emitters 20 is provided by a battery 34 which in operative engagement with a switch 36 which is actuated to connect the electric power to the light emitters 20 an cause them to illuminate.

(23) The switch 36 as noted may be manual and allow actuation for one or both light emitting modes, or the switch 36 can be electronically actuated using a signal received by a wireless receiver 38 which will allow the device 10 to be switched on or off and to one or both modes of light emission using a wireless transmitter device, such as a smartphone (not shown but well known) running software adapted to communicate switching signals to the switch 36 through the receiver 38. In the remote controlled mode, the switch 36 can be actuated to change the lighting scheme between the vertical beam 24 of FIGS. 2-3 or the edge illumination of the perimeter of the hole 16 and the grass or turf adjacent the circumference of the hole 16 as in FIGS. 1-2. In this switching mode users could activate the switch 36 to turn the emitters 20 on or change their lighting scheme from a distance such that they may switch between the beam or perimeter illumination or in a third choice as noted, have both at once.

(24) Finally, as seen in FIG. 7 which shows a perspective view of the body 12 of the device 10 from above the bottom of the body 12, some of the components of the device 10 are viewable through the transparent material forming the body 12. As can be seen, the body 12 has a C shape or circular horseshoe shape with the slot 32 communicating with an opening 30 in the middle. While a donut shaped body 12 worked in experimentation and development, it was found such did not accommodate the insertion of the pole 26 into the cup 14 as well as the provision of a slot 32. This slot 32 was found to be preferred as it accommodates the pole 26 of the flag 28 which is generally engaged with a cup 14 below the hole 16 and allows the device 10 to be dropped into the cup 14 without removing the pole 26, and to have the pole 26 inserted without contacting the surface of the body 12 which can damage the internal components. However, donut shape could also be employed which would have to remain in the cup 14 when the flag is inserted which would have to be removed before the circular donut shaped body were removed.

(25) There is also shown in this view, the switch 36 and battery 34 and wireless transceiver 38 which are viewable through the transparent polymeric material of the body 12, as are wiring 19 which communicates power to the light emitters 20 when the switch 36 is actuated manually or electronically to do so.

(26) As noted, any of the different configurations and components can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described in the golf illumination device herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and steps in the method of production, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, or steps in formation of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

(27) Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.