Adjustable golf cup with puttable surface

Abstract

An adjustable golf cup providing multiple cup diameters, a puttable upper surface, and advertising opportunity.

Claims

1. An adjustable golf cup comprising: a. a dual diameter cup base comprising a large golf cup and a standard golf cup positioned within and concentrically with the large golf cup; b. a cup insert reversibly insertable into the cup base, the cup insert forming an interior and having an upper surface, the upper surface flat and puttable; wherein the upper surface is natural grass and the interior of the cup insert contains a substrate supporting the growth of the grass; wherein, when the cup insert is inserted into the cup base, the standard golf cup of the cup base passes through the cup insert and remains open, the opening of the large golf cup is entirely occluded, and the upper surface is flush with the top of the cup base.

2. The adjustable golf cup of claim 1, wherein the cup base further comprises a flag pole receptacle positioned within the standard golf cup and concentrically with the large golf cup and the standard golf cup.

3. The adjustable golf cup of claim 1, wherein the standard golf cup has a diameter of about 4.25 inches.

4. The adjustable golf cup of claim 1, wherein the large golf cup has a diameter of about 15 inches.

5. The adjustable golf cup of claim 1, further comprising a disk reversibly insertable into the cup base, wherein, when the disk is inserted into the cup base, the standard golf cup or the flag pole receptacle passes through the disk and the disk covers the bottom of the large golf cup.

6. The adjustable golf cup of claim 5, wherein the disk comprises an impact absorbing material.

7. The adjustable golf cup of claim 5, wherein the disk comprises printed advertising.

8. An adjustable golf cup comprising: a. a dual diameter cup base comprising a large golf cup and a standard golf cup positioned within and concentrically with the large golf cup; b. a cup insert reversibly insertable into the cup base, the cup insert forming an interior and having an upper surface, the upper surface flat and puttable; wherein the upper surface is artificial turf; wherein, when the cup insert is inserted into the cup base, the standard golf cup of the cup base passes through the cup insert and remains open, the opening of the large golf cup is entirely occluded, and the upper surface is flush with the top of the cup base.

9. The adjustable golf cup of claim 8, wherein the cup base further comprises a flag pole receptacle positioned within the standard golf cup and concentrically with the large golf cup and the standard golf cup.

10. The adjustable golf cup of claim 8, wherein the standard golf cup has a diameter of about 4.25 inches.

11. The adjustable golf cup of claim 8, wherein the large golf cup has a diameter of about 15 inches.

12. The adjustable golf cup of claim 8, further comprising a disk reversibly insertable into the cup base, wherein, when the disk is inserted into the cup base, the standard golf cup or the flag pole receptacle passes through the disk and the disk covers the bottom of the large golf cup.

13. The adjustable golf cup of claim 12, wherein the disk comprises an impact absorbing material.

14. The adjustable golf cup of claim 12, wherein the disk comprises printed advertising.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a non-limiting example of an adjustable golf cup; in this case, an adjustable golf cup comprising two main parts, Part A and Part B. Part A is a puttable surface ring that is inserted into Part B to create a 4.25 inch golf hole. Part A is removed from Part B to create a 15 inch golf hole.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting example of a messaging disk; in this case, a messaging disk comprising a thin, water resistant or water proof ring that can be dropped or placed into the bottom of the 15 inch golf cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) Described herein, in certain embodiments, are adjustable golf cups comprising: a dual diameter cup base comprising a large golf cup and a standard golf cup positioned within and concentrically with the large golf cup; a cup insert reversibly insertable into the cup base, the cup insert forming an interior and having an upper surface, the upper surface flat and puttable; wherein, when the cup insert is inserted into the cup base, the standard golf cup of the cup base passes through the cup insert and remains open, the opening of the large golf cup is entirely occluded, and the upper surface is flush with the top of the cup base.

(4) Certain Definitions

(5) Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to or herein is intended to encompass and/or unless otherwise stated.

(6) Overview

(7) Referring to FIG. 1, in a particular embodiment, the subject matter described herein comprises two main parts, Part A and Part B. In this embodiment, Part A is slightly smaller than Part B and is inserted into Part B to create a 4.25 inch golf hole option. Part A is optionally removed from Part B to create a 15 inch golf hole. Further, in this embodiment, Part A has a puttable surface covering the top. If the puttable surface is natural grass, then the supporting fill will be compact soil. The amount of compact soil will provide the necessary height to make the puttable surface flush and even with the surrounding putting green. A heavy lawn roller may be used to insure a flush fit. The natural grass and supporting fill may be sourced from the material cut from the putting green when installing the invention. If the puttable surface is constructed of artificial turf, then the supporting fill under the artificial turf will be a rigid plastic ring. In this embodiment, the plastic ring provides the necessary height to make the puttable surface flush and even with the surrounding putting green. Part B is optionally placed in the ground with the top edge of the 15 inch hole just below the ground level. In this embodiment, Part B contains a 4.25 inch golf cup in the center of Part B. When Part A is inserted down into Part B, the 4.25 inch golf cup becomes the 4.25 inch target hole for the golfers. The puttable surface extends the surrounding putting green to the 4.25 inch golf cup by providing an uninterrupted path for the golf ball to roll to the 4.25 inch hole. Inside the 4.25 inch golf cup is a flag pole receptacle.

(8) Referring to FIG. 2, in a particular embodiment, the subject matter described herein comprises a water resistant or water proof ring that can be dropped in or placed flat into the bottom of the 15 inch golf cup. In this embodiment, the center of the messaging disk is open to allow for a 4.25 inch golf cup or just for a flag pole receptacle that holds the flag pole vertically in place. The disk is smaller than the 15 inch cup and smaller than the flat bottom of the 15 inch cup. Further, in this embodiment, text or images are printed on the exposed surface of the disk.

(9) Adjustability

(10) In some embodiments, the cup is adjustable. In further embodiments, a larger hole is converted to a smaller golf cup by inserting a puttable surface ring into the larger hole. In a particular embodiment, a 15 inch hole is converted to a 4.25 inch golf cup by inserting a puttable surface ring into the 15 inch hole. Many golf cup sizes are suitable including about 4, 4.25, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 or more inches, including increments therein.

(11) In some embodiments, a puttable surface ring extends the surface of the putting green to the edge of a 4.25 inch golf cup. In further embodiments, the puttable surface ring is flush and level with the existing putting green to minimize the impact of the transition from the putting green to the puttable surface ring that surrounds the 4.25 inch golf cup. In some embodiments, the 4.25 inch golf cup is converted to the 15 inch hole cup by removing the puttable surface ring.

(12) Puttable Surface

(13) In some embodiments, the cup includes a puttable surface. As used herein, puttable refers to a surface that has a similar impact on the speed and trajectory of a golf ball as to the impact that a typical putting green would have on the speed and trajectory of a golf ball after it is struck by a golfer.

(14) In some embodiments, when the adjustable golf cup is adjusted to the 4.25 inch hole size, there exists a circular area around the hole that extends from the edge of the 4.25 inch hole out approximately 5.375 inches, or to where the edge of the 15 inch hole would be if the hole were converted to the 15 inch hole option. In such embodiments, this circular area is a puttable surface that is removed when the 4.25 inch hole is converted to the 15 inch hole. The puttable surface can, by way of non-limiting examples, take the following forms or options. A first form or option is natural grass and the second form or option is artificial turf. The first option is natural grass that is consistent with the variety of the surrounding putting green. The natural grass will be rooted in soil and when in place with 4.25 inch hole option, can be mowed, watered and/or maintained in a consistent manner with the surrounding putting green. A second option is an artificial grass that simulates the surrounding natural grass and is suitable for putting. Both options will provide a surface that will be the same height and flush with the surrounding putting green. In some embodiments, transition between the surrounding putting green and the puttable surface is minimal with a flush, tight fit so the path of a golf ball will not be materially disturbed as it crosses the transition.

(15) Insert Disk

(16) In some embodiments, the cup includes a flat insert disk. In further embodiments, the insert disk is inserted into the large cup and rests horizontally against the flat bottom of the large cup.

(17) In some embodiments, the disk is a messaging disk and comprises advertising. For example, when converted to a large hole, the flat bottom of the large hole is exposed and can be viewed by the players as they retrieve their golf balls from the hole. The exposed bottom of the large hole provides the operators of golf courses, and other interested parties, the opportunity for advertising, labeling, and displays of logos and trademarks. The opportunity for advertising, labeling, and displays of logos and trademarks will provide a new potential revenue source to operators of golf courses, and other interested parties.

(18) In some embodiments, the disk is made from a water resistant or water proof plastic or laminated paper. Advertising, labeling, text, messages, logos, trademarks, golf course names, customized messages for special or charitable events are optionally printed on one or both sides of the messaging disk. The same messaging disk is optionally used for two different messages by flipping the messaging disk to expose either side.

(19) In some embodiments, the disk is an impact absorbing disk. In further embodiments, the disk optionally contains a pocket that can be filled with sand, water or another impact absorbing material. In other embodiments, the disk itself is constructed of an impact absorbing material. In such embodiments, the absorbing material within the messaging disk serves two functions. One function is to absorb the impact of a golf ball that is stuck by a golfer and that drops down vertically into the bottom of the larger size golf cup. The second function is to add additional weight to the messaging disk so that it remains firmly in place at the bottom of the large golf cup, which may be especially useful in the case of windy conditions. If the golfer is fortunate enough to hit the golf ball on target and the golf ball falls directly into the large cup, the golf ball may bounce off the flat rigid bottom of the large cup and fly back out of the hole. One of the exciting aspects of the game of golf is to achieve a hole-in-one. The impact absorbing messaging disk would prevent the ball from bouncing out of the cup and would help preserve the exciting prospect of achieving a hole-in-one. In fact, the impact absorption of the messaging disk would help keep the golf ball in the target cup in any circumstance where the golf ball falls down vertically into the 15 inch golf cup.

(20) A golf course operator optionally leaves the impact absorbing messaging disk blank, without an image or text, but still may want it placed in the bottom of the large cups so that the golfers playing on the course may still enjoy its functional benefits.

(21) In some embodiments, the insert disk is both a messaging disk and an impact absorbing disk.

EXAMPLES

(22) The following illustrative examples are representative of embodiments of the subject matter described herein and are not meant to be limiting in any way.

Example 1

(23) A beginning golfer is playing on a day and time that the operators of the golf course have chosen to designate as a relaxed day, where the holes are all converted to the 15 inch cup size. For a beginning golfer, the 15 inch golf cup provides an appropriate level of difficulty and the beginning golfer is able to complete the game within a reasonable amount of time. This faster pace of play is a benefit to both the beginning golfer and the operators of the golf course. An advanced golfer is playing on a day and time that the operators of the golf course have chosen to designate as a traditional day, where the holes are all converted to the 4.25 inch cup size. For an advanced golfer, the 4.25 inch golf cup provides an appropriate level of difficulty. The advanced golfer feels challenged but is able to complete the game within a reasonable amount of time. Again, providing a benefit to both the golfer and the operators of the golf course. Both the beginning golfer and the advanced golfer enjoy the course at their own level and without the risk of tripping on the second hole that is cut into the putting green.

Example 2

(24) A golfer approaches the putting green enjoining the bucolic aesthetic that the golf course operators wish to preserve. Prior to arriving at the putting green, the golfer has been unable to see the adverting or messaging that is resting flat at the bottom of the 15 inch golf cup. When the golfer walks closer toward the 15 inch golf cup to retrieve his/her ball, the golfer is able to see the advertising. The advertising effectively reaches the golfer, but does not impact the aesthetic experience of the game.

(25) While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention.