SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENLARGING A GOLF HOLE

Abstract

A golf hole extender having an increased ball retention diameter is described. In at least some embodiments, the golf hole extender includes a main body, a golf hole adapter, a main shaft, and one or more retention flaps. Such a golf hole extender may also include a lifting device and a carry facilitating device. A golf hole extender is typically capable of adjusting how the game of golf is played on a particular golf course by adjusting a given golf hole, or golf cup, which is the ultimate target for hitting the ball into in a game of golf. The golf hole extender may capture within its structure a golf ball struck in the direction of the golf hole extender, thereby effectively increasing the size of the golf hole. In this way, golfers of varied skill can play on the same hole with the hole presenting varied levels of difficulty for the golfers of varied skill.

Claims

1. A golf hole extender comprising: a main body having a generally circular cross-section, a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, and a rim around the circumference of the main body; a plurality of retention flaps connected to a portion of the bottom side of the main body; and a main shaft, wherein the main shaft includes a golf hole adaptor that is configured to be received by a golf hole.

2. The golf hole extender claim 1, wherein the plurality of retention flaps are arranged around the circumference of the main body.

3. The golf hole extender of claim 2, wherein the main shaft and plurality of retention flaps are sized and shaped such that the terminal ends of each of the retention flaps is proximate to a related green when the golf hole adaptor is situated within a golf hole.

4. The golf hole extender of claim 1, wherein the golf hole extender includes a handle.

5. The golf hole extender of claim 4, wherein the handle is a knob.

6. The golf hole extender of claim 4, wherein the handle is formed integrally with the main body.

7. The golf hole extender of claim 1, wherein the golf hole extender includes an attachment point.

8. The golf hole extender of claim 7, wherein the attachment point is a ring.

9. The golf hole extender of claim 7, wherein the attachment point is formed integrally with the main body.

10. The golf hole extender of claim 9, wherein the attachment point is formed by removing a u-shaped portion of the top side of the main body.

11. The golf hole extender of claim 2, wherein the main body and each of the retention flaps are configured to allow the retention flaps to rotate inwards and to prevent outwards rotation of the retention flaps.

12. The golf hole extender of claim 11, wherein the main body prevents outward rotation of the retention flaps via interference.

13. The golf hold extender of claim 12, wherein the main body includes a circumferential lip that is configured to interfere with the outward rotation of the retention flaps.

14. The golf hole extender of claim 2, wherein the main body and each of the retention flaps are configured to retain a ball that is incident upon the retention flaps.

15. The golf hole extender of claim 2, wherein the plurality of retention flaps is configured to bend inwards towards the center of the main body and prevent bending towards the exterior of the main body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a front plan view of a golf hole extender in accordance with this application.

[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a top front plan view of the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a bottom front plan view of the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 depicts the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 1 while placed into a golf hole.

[0028] FIG. 5 depicts the embodiment of a golf hole extender of FIG. 1 while placed into a golf hole at a closer angle than that shown in FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 6 depicts a top front plan view of another embodiment of a golf hole extender in accordance with this application.

[0030] FIG. 7 depicts a top plan view of the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 6.

[0031] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a portion of the golf hole extender in FIG. 6 having the main body removed.

[0032] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a retention flap for use in the golf hole extender in FIG. 6.

[0033] FIG. 10 depicts a side view of a main body of the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 6.

[0034] FIG. 11 depicts a bottom view of the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 6.

[0035] FIG. 12 depicts the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 6 while placed into a golf hole.

[0036] FIG. 13 depicts the embodiment of a golf hole extender depicted in FIG. 6 wherein the golf hole extender is attached to a golf bag via an embodiment of a carry facilitating device.

[0037] FIG. 14 depicts the embodiment of a golf hole extender of FIG. 1 wherein the golf hole extender is attached to a golf bag via an embodiment of a carry facilitating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

[0038] The following detailed description and disclosure illustrates by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed systems and methods, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosed systems and methods. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosures, it is intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0039] There is described herein, among other things, systems and methods for extending the effective size of a golf hole or otherwise reducing the difficulty of putting a golf ball during a game of golf. Specifically, the systems and methods herein may retrofit a given golf hole with an embodiment of a golf hole extender that is capable of capturing balls that travel near the golf hole. Further, some embodiments of a golf hole extender may be capable of capturing balls that travel at a variety of speeds, including speeds greater than those typically required during putting.

[0040] A golf hole extender (100) is typically capable of adjusting how the game of golf is played on a particular golf course. Specifically, the golf hole extender (100) may adjust a given golf hole, or golf cup, which is the ultimate target for hitting the ball into in a game of golf. The golf hole extender (100) may be configured to reside within a standard golf cup. In doing so, the golf hole extender (100) may capture within its structure a golf ball struck in the direction of the golf hole extender (100), thereby effectively increasing the size of the golf hole. Typically, the golf hole extender (100) is also capable of trapping a wider range of balls incident upon the golf hole extender (100) when compare to a standard golf hole. In this way, golfers of varied skill can play on the same hole with the hole presenting varied levels of difficulty for the golfers’ varied skill.

[0041] FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of a golf hole extender (100). Specifically, the embodiment of a golf hole extender (100) shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body (101), a golf hole adapter (103), a main shaft (105), one or more retention flaps (107), a lifting device (109), and a carry facilitating device (111). The golf hole extender (100) may easily be placed into any standard golf hole by inserting the golf hole adapter (103) into the hole, typically along with a portion of the main shaft (105). FIGS. 1-3 and 6 depict the golf hole extender (100, 200) having its golf hole adapter (103) placed into a storage block. Such a storage block, or other suitable stand, may be used to store the golf hole extender (100, 200) safely when not in use.

[0042] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, the golf hole adapter (103) is configured to fit into the center hole at the bottom of a standard golf cup, which center hole is intended to retain the flagstick within the hole when golfers are not on the related putting green. By taking advantage of this already available support structure, the golf hole extender (100) may be made to readily stand in a golf hole at a low cost and without damage to the hole or putting green. In other embodiments, the golf hole adapter (103) may take any form that allows the golf hole extender (100) to remain in or around the hole during use. For example, the golf hole adaptor (103) may relatively conform to the shape of the golf hole, or may sit on top of the golf hole without extending to the center hole of the golf cup. In yet other embodiments, the golf hole extender (100) may be freestanding and the golf hole adapter (103) may be formed in any manner that would support the golf hole extender (100).

[0043] In use, the golf hole adapter (103) and main shaft (105) may provide a relatively secure positioning of the main body (101) over the related putting green such that a ball rolling on the putting green may pass under the main body (101) while still making sufficient contact with the retention flaps (107) to be retained under the main body (101) by the retention flaps (107). The main body (101) itself may take any shape. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the main body (101) has a generally cylindrical shape with a relatively short height and large diameter. The corners and edges may be rounded, chamfered, or otherwise finished. The circular cross-section of the main body (101) may provide a relatively consistent target for golfers regardless of the golfer’s position around the golf hole extender (100) at least because every “side” of the golf hole extender (100) is the same.

[0044] FIGS. 2 and 3 provide clear views of the main body’s (101) cross-sectional shape. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom of the main body (101) is open, as shown in FIG. 3. A number of retention flaps (107) are rotatably attached to a portion of the main body (101). As depicted in FIG. 3, the retention flaps (107) may be attached to the main body (101) towards the topmost edge of the main body (101) on the interior of the main body (101). In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, thirteen (13) retention flaps (107) are used. In other embodiments, more or less retention flaps (107) may be used. In addition, the shape of the retention flaps (107) may be altered as long as the shapes are capable of allowing a golf ball to enter the area circumscribed by the retention flaps (107) while disallowing (or at least typically impeding) a golf ball’s exit from the area circumscribed by the retention flaps (107). In this way, the golf hole extender (100) may serve as an extended golf hole that is greater in diameter than the related golf cup. In addition, the golf hole extender (100) may have the benefit of allowing for the capture of golf balls moving at a higher rate of speed by the golf hole extender (100) than would be captured by a typical golf hole.

[0045] In other embodiments, the retention flaps (107) may allow for some outward deflection, which may reduce the golf hole extender’s (100) ability to capture golf balls moving at a higher rate of speed. In other embodiments, the retention flaps (107) may be substituted for any structure that allows for at least some capture of a golf ball. For example, the retention flaps (107) may be replaced with bristles or bristle-like features. In still other embodiments, the retention flaps (107) may be attached to the main body (101) in a manner that allows for some outward deflection. Further, the retention flaps (107) may have any amount of rigidity, as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

[0046] In the depicted embodiment, the main body (101) includes a top cover or top surface. In other embodiments, the main body (101) may have no top surface, or any top surface known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, the golf hole extender (100) includes a lifting device (109) that may typically be used in order to gain purchase on the golf hole extender (100). Additionally, or alternatively, the golf hole extender (100) may include carry facilitating device (111). The carry facilitating device (111) may assist a golfer in carrying the golf hole extender (100). For example, the carry facilitating device (111) may be used as an attachment point to allow the golf hole extender (100) to be attached, or tethered, to a second attachment point, which second attachment point may be on a golf bag, golf cart, or other structure, allowing the golf hole extender (100) to be supported and carried by the second attachment point. The carry facilitating device (111) may also facilitate the addition of a strap used to carry the golf hole extender (100). In FIGS. 1 and 2, the carry facilitating device is a ring. Any embodiment of a carry facilitating device (111) may also be referred to as an attachment point.

[0047] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the lifting device (109) is a generally mushroom-shaped knob made of plastic. This knob allows for easy picking up and carrying of the golf hole extender (100). In other embodiments, other lifting devices (109) having other shapes or materials may be used, such as, without limitation, a T-bar-shaped lifter, a longer pull, or any other structure as would be known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Further, metals, plastics, wood, and the like may be used. The material need only be strong enough to be used to carry the golf hole extender (100). Further, in some embodiments, the functions of the lifting device (109) and the carry facilitating device (111) may be combined into a single feature. Such a feature may include areas that facilitate purchase and areas that facilitate attachment. Further, such a combined device may be made of any material capable of being used for the intended functions, such as a plastic-based material. Any embodiment of a lifting device (111) may also be referred to as a handle.

[0048] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 depict a second embodiment of a golf hole extender (200). Specifically, the embodiment of a golf hole extender (200) shown in FIGS. 6 and 11 includes a main body (201), a golf hole adapter (203), a main shaft (205), one or more retention flaps (207), one or more lifting devices (209), and a carry facilitating device (211). The golf hole extender (200) may easily be placed into any standard golf hole by inserting the golf hole adapter (203) into the hole in a green (231), typically along with a portion of the main shaft (205), as shown in FIG. 12. This is the same as is depicted embodiment of FIG. 1. Like the first embodiment discussed above, this embodiment of the golf hole extender (210) has a golf hole adapter (203) that is configured to fit into the center hole at the bottom of a standard golf cup, which center hole is intended to retain the flagstick within the hole when golfers are not on the related putting green. By taking advantage of this already available support structure, the golf hole extender (200) may be made to readily stand in a golf hole at a low cost and without damage to the hole or putting green.

[0049] In other embodiments, the golf hole adapter (203) may take any form that allows the golf hole extender (200) to remain in or around the hole during use. For example, the golf hole adaptor (203) may relatively conform to the shape of the golf hole, or may sit on top of the golf hole without extending to the center hole of the golf cup. In yet other embodiments, the golf hole extender (200) may be freestanding and the golf hole adapter (203) may be formed in a manner that would support the golf hole extender (200). In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8 and 11, the main shaft (205) includes a device that may assist with ball retrieval (223) that may assist with positioning the golf hole extender (200) within a relevant golf hole. Such a device that may assist with ball retrieval (223) is optional.

[0050] In use, the golf hole adapter (203) and main shaft (205) may provide a relatively secure positioning of the main body (201) over the related putting green (231) such that a ball rolling on the putting green (231) may pass under the main body (201) while still making sufficient contact with the retention flaps (207) to be retained under the main body (201) by the retention flaps (207). The main body (201) itself may take any shape. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 and 10, the main body (201) has a generally cylindrical shape with a relatively short height and large diameter. The corners and edges may be rounded, chamfered, or otherwise finished. The circular cross-section of the main body (201) may provide a relatively consistent target for golfers regardless of the golfer’s position around the golf hole extender (200) at least because every “side” of the golf hole extender (200) is the same.

[0051] FIGS. 7 and 10 provide clear views of the main body’s (201) cross-sectional shape. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom of the main body (201) is open, as shown in FIG. 11. A number of retention flaps (207) are rotatably attached to a portion of the main body (201). As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 11, the retention flaps (207) may be attached to the main body (201) towards the topmost edge of the main body (201) on the interior of the main body (201).

[0052] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the retention flaps (207) may be attached to two of the many flap connection points (221) arranged around the interior of the main body (201). In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-13, twelve retention flaps (207) are used. In other embodiments, more or less retention flaps (207) may be used. In addition, the shape of the retention flaps (207), shown in FIG. 9, may be altered as long as the shapes are capable of allowing a golf ball to enter the area circumscribed by the retention flaps (207) while disallowing (or at least typically impeding) a golf ball’s exit from the area circumscribed by the retention flaps (207). In this way, the golf hole extender (200) may serve as an extended golf hole that is greater in diameter than the related golf cup. In addition, the golf hole extender (200) may have the benefit of allowing for the capture of golf balls moving at a higher rate of speed by the golf hole extender (200) than would be captured by a typical golf hole.

[0053] In other embodiments, the retention flaps (207) may allow for some outward deflection, which may reduce the golf hole extender’s (200) ability to capture golf balls moving at a higher rate of speed. In other embodiments, the retention flaps (207) may be substituted for any structure that allows for at least some capture of a golf ball. For example, the retention flaps (207) may be replaced with bristles or bristle-like features. In still other embodiments, the retention flaps (207) may be attached to the main body (201) in a manner that allows for some outward deflection. Further, the retention flaps (207) may have any amount of rigidity, as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Further still, the retention flaps (207) may be sized, along with the lengths of the main body (201) and main shaft (205), such that the retention flaps (207) terminate above the related green (231), as shown in FIG. 12. In other embodiments, the retention flaps (207) may terminate any distance from the related green (231) that allows for the golf hole extender (200) to capture golf balls.

[0054] In the depicted embodiment, the main body (201) includes a top cover or top surface. In other embodiments, the main body (201) may have no top surface, or any top surface known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, the golf hole extender (200) includes one or more lifting devices (209) that may typically be used in order to gain purchase on the golf hole extender (200). In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, there are two lifting devices (209) on either side of the main body (201), while the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 has one centrally located lifting device (209). In both cases, the lifting devices (209) are cutouts formed in the main body (201) that allow a golfer to pick up the golf hole extender (200) by placing their fingers into one or more of the lifting devices (209).

[0055] Additionally, or alternatively, the golf hole extender (100) may include carry facilitating device (211). The carry facilitating device (211) may assist a golfer in carrying the golf hole extender (200). For example, the carry facilitating device (211) may be used as an attachment point to allow the golf hole extender (200) to be attached, or tethered, to a second attachment point, which second attachment point may be on a golf bag (241), golf cart, or other structure, allowing the golf hole extender (200) to be supported and carried by the second attachment point. Such an attachment is shown in FIG. 13. The carry facilitating device (211) may also facilitate the addition of a strap used to carry the golf hole extender (200).

[0056] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-13, the carry facilitating device (211) is a cutout formed in the main body (201) than includes an internal post, which post may be anchored to a strap, carabineer, or similar looped device. As shown, this cut out for the carry facilitating device (211) may have a u-shape. In other embodiments, other lifting devices (209) or other carry facilitating devices (211) having other shapes or features may be used, as would be known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Further, metals, plastics, wood, and the like may be used to for any part or portion of the golf hole extender (200). Further, in some embodiments, the functions of the lifting device (209) and the carry facilitating device (211) may be combined into a single feature. Such a feature may include areas that facilitate purchase and areas that facilitate attachment. Further, such a combined device may be made of any material capable of being used for the intended functions, such as the material used to form the main body.

[0057] Now will be described a method of using an embodiment of a golf hole extender (100, 200). This discussion below applies to many embodiments of the golf hole extender (100, 200), including the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6. First, once on the putting green, a golfer may remove the flag from the relative golf hole. Then, all golfers in the golf party who wish to use the standard golf cup may putt until all have finished. Next, when golfers who prefer a larger or easier golf cup are ready, they may install the golf hole extender (100, 200) by inserting the golf hole adapter (103, 203) into the center hole of the golf cup.

[0058] As shown in, for example, FIG. 5, the length of the golf hole adapter (103, 203) and the main shaft (105, 205), in conjunction with the sizing of the main body (101, 201) and the sizing of the retention flaps (107, 207), results in the retention flaps (107, 207) being positioned slightly above the putting green while in a resting position. In particular, the retention flaps (107, 207) will typically have enough room under them such that they are able to pivot at their related rotatable pivot point within the main body (101, 201) when a golf ball or other object is incident upon them. However, because the rotatable pivot point of the retention flaps (107, 207) is formed within the volume of the main body (101, 201) near its sidewalls, the retention flaps (107, 207) can only move significantly or rotate significantly in one direction. That direction is towards the center of the golf hole extender (100, 200). Said another way, the retention flaps (107, 207) cannot be moved by a captured golf ball or otherwise to rotate significantly away from the golf hole extender (100, 200) because their rotation is blocked by the sidewalls of the main body (101, 201). Accordingly, any golf ball that is incident upon the golf hole extender (100, 200) may enter the golf hole extender (100, 200) by rotating a given retention flap or two (107, 207), while the golf ball will be captured by the golf hole extender (100, 200) after entering because the golf ball will not be able to rotate retention flaps (107, 207) towards the outside of the golf hole extender (100) in order to exit. In other embodiments, rotation may not be featured and another method may be used to impart one-way movement of the retention flaps (107, 207). For example, each flap may be flexible when bending in one direction while rigid when bending in the opposite direction.

[0059] Next, after all golfers who are using the golf hole extender (100, 200) have sunk their putts into the golf hole extender (100, 200), the golf hole extender (100, 200) may be picked up and removed from the golf hole. The golfers may use the lifting device (109) in order to gain purchase on the golf hole extender (100, 200). Alternatively, the golfer may use a carry facilitating device (111, 211) in order to gain purchase on the golf hole extender (100, 200), or the carry facilitating device (111, 211) may be used to attach the golf hole extender (100, 200) to something else, such as a golf bag or golf cart. This is shown in FIG. 14. The flag may then be replaced, and the golf party may continue to the next hole with the golf hole extender in hand.

[0060] In other embodiments, the above-described method may have its constituent steps performed in any order as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the golfers who use the golf hole extender (100, 200) may putt first before the golfers who do not choose to use the golf hole extender (100, 200). As a further example, the golfers may put in any order.

[0061] Many embodiments of the golf hole extender (100, 200) are primarily formed of metal or plastic components. However, each component may be made from any material that is sufficient for carrying out that component’s tasks. For example, the main shaft (105, 205) may be made of any material capable of holding up the golf hole extender (100, 200) over time, and itself may be adjustable. In some embodiments, the main body (101, 201), main shaft (105, 205), golf hole adaptor (103, 203), or any other component may be made to be adjustable, especially in ways that allow for useful positioning of the golf hole extender (100, 200) during use.

[0062] While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently believed to be useful embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0063] It will further be understood that any of the ranges, values, properties, or characteristics given for any single component of the present disclosure can be used interchangeably with any ranges, values, properties, or characteristics given for any of the other components of the disclosure, where compatible, to form an embodiment having defined values for each of the components, as given herein throughout. Further, ranges provided for a genus or a category can also be applied to species within the genus or members of the category unless otherwise noted.

[0064] The qualifier “generally,” and similar qualifiers as used in the present case, would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to accommodate recognizable attempts to conform a device to the qualified term, which may nevertheless fall short of doing so. This is because terms such as “cylindrical” are purely geometric constructs and no real-world component or relationship is truly “cylindrical” in the geometric sense. Variations from geometric and mathematical descriptions are unavoidable due to, among other things, manufacturing tolerances resulting in shape variations, defects and imperfections, non-uniform thermal expansion, and natural wear. Moreover, there exists for every object a level of magnification at which geometric and mathematical descriptors fail due to the nature of matter. One of ordinary skill in the art would thus understand the term “generally” and relationships contemplated herein regardless of the inclusion of such qualifiers to include a range of variations from the literal geometric meaning of the term in view of these and other considerations.