Ball marker

Abstract

To provide a ball marker which makes it possible to easily and accurately match a line drawn on a ball with a ball hitting direction.SOLUTION: A ball marker 1 comprises: a flat base part 10; an indication part 20 provided on a predetermined straight line on an upper surface of the base part 10; wing parts 30 provided on both of two symmetrical portions spaced with the predetermined straight line as a border and attached to the base part 10 so as to respectively rotate between a first position parallel to the upper surface of the base part 10 and a second position upright perpendicularly to the upper surface of the base part 10; and a magnet 45 attached to the base part 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball marker for use in ball games such as golf. [Background technology]

[0002] A golf ball marker is used when a player picks up a ball on the green because it interferes with other players' putting or to wipe off dirt, and then replaces the ball in its original position. The ball marker is placed directly behind the ball in the direction of travel of the ball as it aims for the target cup. A conventional ball marker of this type is a disc with a pin extending downward from the center. Currently, the main purpose of a ball marker is to determine the resting position of the ball, and the direction to aim for the cup is aligned with the line drawn on the outer circumference of the ball.

[0003] In playing or practicing golf, when placing a ball based on a ball marker placed on the green, if the target is to be considered, the ball is placed while being conscious of the line of the ball's hitting direction toward the cup. When placing a ball while being conscious of the target, a method of using a ball with a mark on its surface is known. Specifically, one or three lines are drawn on the outer circumference of the ball, and the ball is placed while aligning the lines with the direction in which the ball is to travel, and the lines are used as a guide to ensure accuracy in the hitting direction. The lines on the ball may be drawn by the user using a specified jig, or may be pre-designed on a ready-made ball.

[0004] By the way, it is conceivable that a ball marker can be provided with a function for placing the ball while keeping the target in mind. For example, a line can be drawn on the top surface of the ball marker. Then, by placing the ball marker with the top line aligned with the direction of the ball, and using the line on the ball marker as a guide when placing the ball, it becomes easier to align the line on the ball with the direction of the ball.

[0005] However, it has been found that it is difficult to accurately match the line of the ball to the line of the ball marker when using a ball marker with a line drawn on the top surface as described above. To explain in detail with reference to FIG. 7, since the line 101 of the ball marker 100 is drawn on a plane, the line 101 appears to be a straight line even if the position (eye position) from which the ball marker 100 is viewed changes. On the other hand, since the line BL of the ball B is drawn on a three-dimensional (spherical) surface, the line BL appears to be a straight line or a curved line depending on the position from which the ball B is viewed. In reality, it is sufficient to make the line BL of the ball B appear to be a straight line when viewed from directly above, and to match the line BL of the ball B to the line 101 of the ball marker 100. However, since "directly above" is the user's sense, even if one intends to view the ball from directly above, in reality, one may be viewing the ball from diagonally above, and if the line BL of the ball B appears to be a straight line when viewed from diagonally above and is aligned with the line 101 of the ball marker 100, the line BL of the ball B will be inclined (see FIG. 7(b)). This causes the line BL of the ball B to differ from the hitting direction, making it difficult to accurately align the line BL of the ball B with the hitting direction. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a ball marker that enables the line drawn on the ball to be easily and accurately aligned with the direction of the hit ball. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the ball marker of the present invention comprises: "A flat base and A support portion provided on a predetermined straight line on an upper surface of the base portion; a wing portion provided at one or both of two symmetrical portions separated by a gap on the predetermined straight line, the wing portion being attached to the base portion so as to be rotatable between a first position parallel to an upper surface of the base portion and a second position standing perpendicular to the upper surface of the base portion; A magnet attached to the base portion. The present invention is characterized in that it comprises:

[0008] According to this configuration, when picking up the ball from the green, the ball is placed just behind the ball in the direction of travel of the ball toward the target cup, as with a conventional ball marker, and then the ball is picked up. At this time, by placing the wing portion in the second position rising from the base portion, the wing portion can be picked up with the fingers, making it easy to place the ball marker and also to pick up the placed ball marker.

[0009] In addition, by placing the wing part on the green in the second position, the ball marker can be easily seen even from a distance. If the wing part becomes an obstacle for other players after placing the ball marker, the wing part can be placed in the first position so that it is parallel to the top surface of the base part, without impeding the play of other players.

[0010] Furthermore, when the wing portions are in the second position, each of them rises vertically from the base portion, so that when viewed from above in this state, if the eye position is moved so that only the top end surface of the wing portion is visible, the ball marker will be viewed from directly above (vertically above the top surface of the base portion), and the eye position can be positioned directly above the ball marker. If wing portions are provided on both of two symmetrical portions separated by a predetermined straight line (a pair (two) of wing portions), the eye position is moved so that the top surface of the base portion (the portion on the straight line indicated by the indicator portion) is visible between the pair of wing portions. In this state, the line drawn on the ball is made to appear straight, and the ball is placed (replaced) in front of the ball marker so that the line on the ball matches the straight line indicated by the indicator portion of the ball marker, allowing the line on the ball to accurately match the straight line indicated by the indicator portion. Therefore, if the straight line indicated by the indicator is aligned in advance with the line of the ball's hitting direction toward the cup as the target (putting line), the wing portion in the second position can be used to easily and accurately align the ball's line with the ball's hitting direction.

[0011] In addition, because a magnet is attached to the flat base, when not in use, the ball marker can be magnetically attached to a metal clip and the clip can be attached to a hat or clothing of the user, making it easy to carry and take out. In this case, by keeping the wings in the first position parallel to the base, the wings do not get in the way.

[0012] In addition to the above configuration, the ball marker according to the present invention further comprises: "A first retaining means for retaining the wing portion on the base portion when the wing portion is in the first position; and second retaining means for retaining the wing portion against the base portion when the wing portion is in the second position. This may be a feature.

[0013] Here, examples of the "first holding means" and the "second holding means" include "one that holds by magnetic attraction of a magnet," "one that holds by hooking a claw," and "one that holds by pressing a protrusion."

[0014] According to this configuration, the wing portion can be held in a first position by the first retaining means, and the wing portion can be held in a second position by the second retaining means, so that the wing portion will not rotate on its own and flap during use or storage.

[0015] In addition to the above configuration, the ball marker according to the present invention further comprises: "The base portion further includes a columnar anchor pin extending downward." This may be a feature.

[0016] According to this configuration, when placing the ball marker on the green, by sticking the anchor pin into the green, the ball marker is less likely to move even if an object hits the ball marker. Also, when aligning the line indicated by the indicator with the direction of the ball, by pinching the pair of wing parts in the second position and rotating them around the anchor pin, it is possible to easily align the line with the direction of the ball. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, a ball marker can be provided that allows the line drawn on the ball to be easily and accurately aligned with the direction of the hit ball. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] (a) is a plan view of a ball marker according to one embodiment of the present invention, (b) is an oblique view of the ball marker in (a) seen from above, and (c) is an oblique view of the ball marker in (a) seen from below. [Diagram 2]2(a) is a plan view of the ball marker in FIG. 1 with a pair of wing portions in a second position, and (b) is an oblique view of the ball marker in (a) seen from above. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1(a), (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1(a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2(a). [Figure 4] 2(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the ball has been replaced in front of the ball marker in FIG. 1, viewed from above, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in (a) viewed from behind in the direction of the ball's travel. [Diagram 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the ball marker in FIG. 1 is magnetically attached to a clip. [Figure 6] (a) is a plan view of a ball marker of an embodiment different from that of Figure 1, (b) is an oblique view of the ball marker of (a), and (c) is an oblique view of the ball marker shown with a pair of wing portions in a second position. [Figure 7] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a ball has been replaced in front of a conventional ball marker, viewed from diagonally above, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in (a) viewed from behind in the direction of the ball's travel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] A ball marker 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The ball marker 1 of this embodiment is placed on the green as a marker so that ball B can be replaced in its original position when picked up during play in a ball game such as golf.

[0020] The ball marker 1 comprises a flat base portion 10, a support portion 20 provided on the upper surface of the base portion 10, a pair (two) wing portions 30 rotatably attached to the base portion 10, and a magnet 45 attached to the base portion. The support portion 20 is provided on an imaginary straight line L (see FIG. 1(a)) that passes through the center of the base portion 10. The wing portions 30 are provided at both of two symmetrical portions separated by a gap with respect to the straight line L on which the support portion 20 is provided. Each of the pair of wing portions 30 is rotatably attached to the base portion 10 via a cylindrical shaft 40.

[0021] In addition, the ball marker 1 further includes a first holding means for holding the wing portion 30 on the base portion 10 when the wing portion 30 is in a first position parallel to the upper surface of the base portion 10, and a second holding means for holding the wing portion 30 on the base portion 10 when the wing portion 30 is in a second position standing perpendicular to the upper surface of the base portion 10.

[0022] The base portion 10 has a flat base body 11 having an elliptical shape in a plan view, and a pair of wing accommodating portions 12 arranged symmetrically with respect to the major axis of the elliptical shape of the base body 11.

[0023] The base body 11 has an elliptical long axis that is provided on the straight line L on which the indication portion 20 is provided. The elliptical outer peripheral surface of the base body 11 is composed of a pair of first side surfaces 11a extending linearly parallel to the elliptical long axis, and a pair of second side surfaces 11b connecting the ends of the pair of first side surfaces 11a and extending in an arc shape centered on the center of the elliptical long axis.

[0024] The pair of wing accommodating sections 12 are recessed portions on the upper surface of the base body 11 between the pair of first side surfaces 11a and the support section 20 so as to be able to accommodate the pair of wing sections 30. In other words, the wing accommodating sections 12 are open outward on the side of the first side surfaces 11a in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the base body 11.

[0025] The base portion 10 also has protrusions 13 protruding outward from the center of each of the pair of first side surfaces 11a of the base body 11, a magnet storage portion 14 recessed in an annular shape at the center of the lower surface of the base body 11, and a cylindrical anchor pin 15 extending downward from the center of the base body 11. A magnet 45 is stored and attached in the magnet storage portion 14. The anchor pin 15 has a tapered, pointed lower end.

[0026] Furthermore, the base portion 10 has a pair of shaft holes 16 through which shafts 40 are inserted for rotatably mounting the wing portions 30. The shaft holes 16 penetrate the base body 11 in a direction parallel to the major axis (straight line L) of the oval shape of the base body 11.

[0027] The base portion 10 also has a first mounting portion 17 to which a base-side first holding portion 50 of the first holding means, which will be described later, is attached, and a second mounting portion 18 to which a base-side second holding portion 55 of the second holding means, which will be described later, is attached. The first mounting portion 17 is provided on the upper surface of the protruding portion 13 of the base main body 11, and is a blind hole recessed into a cylindrical shape. Two second mounting portions 18 are provided spaced apart in the direction in which the straight line L extends. The second mounting portion 18 is a through hole that is parallel to the upper surface of the base main body 11 and extends in the direction in which the pair of wing housing portions 12 are spaced apart, and connects the portions of the pair of wing housing portions 12 in which bearing portions 31 (described later) of the wing portion 30 are housed.

[0028] The indication portion 20 extends in a band shape of a constant width on the straight line L so as to connect the pair of second side surfaces 11b of the base body 11 of the base portion 10. The width of the indication portion 20 is the same as the distance between the pair of wing housing portions 12. The indication portion 20 of this embodiment is formed integrally with the base portion 10 and protrudes slightly from the upper surface of the base body 11. This makes it easy to color the indication portion 20.

[0029] Each of the pair of wing portions 30 has a pair of bearing portions 31 spaced apart from each other, a pair of extending portions 32 extending from each of the pair of bearing portions 31 in a strip-like shape, and a connecting portion 33 connecting the tips of the pair of extending portions 32. The pair of bearing portions 31 each have an axial hole 31a penetrating therethrough on the same axis. A shaft 40 is inserted through the axial hole 31a. The pair of extending portions 32 each extend from the bearing portion 31 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the axial hole 31a. The thickness of the extending portion 32 in a direction perpendicular to a plane formed by the pair of extending portions 32 and the connecting portion 33 is smaller than the thickness of the bearing portion 31 in the same direction, but one of the two faces formed by the pair of extending portions 32 and the connecting portion 33 is provided on the same plane as the outer surface of the bearing portion 31. The connecting portion 33 is curved in an arc shape so that the central portion bulges out in a direction away from the extending portion 32.

[0030] Moreover, the wing portion 30 is provided with an anti-slip portion 34 on the curved side surface of the connecting portion 33. In this embodiment, the anti-slip portion 34 is formed in a so-called flat uneven shape in which multiple rows of ridges having triangular cross sections are provided. The anti-slip portion 34 may be formed in a twill uneven shape or a grain-like uneven shape.

[0031] Furthermore, the wing portion 30 has a first mounting portion 35 to which a wing-side first retaining portion 51 of the first retaining means, which will be described later, is attached, and a second mounting portion 36 to which a wing-side second retaining portion 56 of the second retaining means, which will be described later, is attached. The first mounting portion 35 is provided on the connecting portion 33, and is provided at a portion that faces the first mounting portion 17 of the base portion 10 when the wing portion 30 is in the first position. The first mounting portion 35 is a blind hole that is recessed into a cylindrical shape. The second mounting portion 36 is provided on the bearing portion 31, and is provided at a portion that faces the second mounting portion 18 of the base portion 10 when the wing portion 30 is in the second position. The second mounting portion 36 is a blind hole that is recessed into a cylindrical shape.

[0032] Wing portion 30 is attached to base portion 10 via shaft 40 inserted through shaft hole 31a of bearing portion 31 and shaft hole 16 of base portion 10, with the direction in which the pair of bearing portions 31 are separated facing the direction in which straight line L extends. At this time, wing portion 30 is attached such that when wing portion 30 is horizontal above base portion 10, the surface on which first mounting portion 35 is provided (the surface on the side where the blind hole is open) faces downward.

[0033] The magnet 45 is an annular magnet, and is housed and attached in the magnet housing portion 14 of the base portion 10. When the magnet 45 is attached to the base portion 10, the anchor pin 15 is inserted through the central hole. By making the magnet 45 annular, it is possible to provide the base portion 10 with the anchor pin 15 and to provide the magnet 45 in the center of the base portion 10.

[0034] The first holding means is composed of a base side first holding portion 50 and a wing side first holding portion 51. The base side first holding portion 50 and the wing side first holding portion 51 are each a cylindrical magnet. The base side first holding portion 50 is attached in a state where it is inserted into the first mounting portion 17 of the base portion 10. The wing side first holding portion 51 is attached in a state where it is inserted into the first mounting portion 35 of the wing portion 30. The base side first holding portion 50 and the wing side first holding portion 51 are attached such that the magnetic poles of the opposing surfaces are different when the wing portion 30 is in the first position.

[0035] The second holding means is composed of a base side second holding part 55 and a wing side second holding part 56. The base side second holding part 55 is a cylindrical bar (round bar) made of a magnetic material (e.g., SS400, SUS420J2, etc.), and the wing side second holding part 56 is a cylindrical magnet. The base side second holding part 55 has the same length as the length of the hole of the second mounting part 18 of the base part 10, and is attached in a state of being inserted into the second mounting part 18. The wing side second holding part 56 is attached in a state of being inserted into the second mounting part 36 of the wing part 30. The wing side second holding parts 56 are attached so that, when the wing part 30 is in the second position, the magnetic poles of the opposing surfaces of the two wing side second holding parts 56 sandwiching the base side second holding part 55 are different.

[0036] In the ball marker 1 of this embodiment, the base portion 10 and the pair of wing portions 30 are each formed from a synthetic resin.

[0037] In this embodiment, the ball marker 1 can be rotated between a first position (see Figure 1) in which the tips of the curved connecting portions 33 of the pair of wing portions 30 are separated and parallel to the top surface of the base portion 10, and a second position (see Figure 2) in which the tips of the connecting portions 33 are brought closer to each other and stand perpendicular to the top surface of the base portion 10.

[0038] When the pair of wings 30 are in the first position, the wings 30 are laid down and a portion of the wings is accommodated in the wing accommodating portion 12 of the base portion 10. In this first position, the top surface of the ball marker 1 is flat. In addition, in the first position, the pair of wings 30 are located inside an imaginary circle including the pair of second side surfaces 11b of the base portion 10. Furthermore, in the first position, a portion of the connecting portion 33 of the wing portions 30 protrudes outward beyond the first side surface 11a of the base body 11. This allows the tip of the wing portions 30 to be easily touched even when the wing portions 30 are in the first position, making it easy to raise the wing portions 30 to the second position.

[0039] When the pair of wings 30 are in the first position, the base-side first retaining portion 50 and the wing-side first retaining portion 51 constituting the first retaining means are in contact with each other and are magnetically attached (see FIG. 3(a)). Due to the magnetic attachment of the first retaining means, the wing portion 30 does not rotate from the first position to the second position on its own, and the wing portion 30 does not flap. The base-side second retaining portion 55 and the wing-side second retaining portion 56 constituting the second retaining means are separated from each other and are not magnetically attached (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0040] On the other hand, when the pair of wings 30 are in the second position, each wing portion 30 stands upward and extends perpendicularly to the base portion 10 and parallel to each other. In this second position, the base-side second holding portion 55 and the wing-side second holding portion 56 constituting the second holding means are in contact with each other and magnetically attached (see FIG. 3(c)). Due to the magnetic attachment of the second holding means, the wing portion 30 does not rotate unintentionally from the second position to the first position, and the wing portion 30 does not fall over. In the first holding means, the base-side first holding portion 50 and the wing-side first holding portion 51 are separated from each other and are not magnetically attached.

[0041] The ball marker 1 of this embodiment is formed so that its horizontal size falls within a predetermined range (for example, a diameter range of 2 inches), and its height (the height from the upper end of the wing portion 30 in the second position to the lower end of the anchor pin 15) falls within a predetermined range (for example, 1 inch). In other words, the ball marker 1 of this embodiment satisfies the golf equipment rules.

[0042] Next, a method of using the ball marker 1 of this embodiment will be described. When storing or carrying this ball marker 1, the pair of wings 30 are kept in the first position. As a result, the wing portions 30 do not protrude beyond the base portion 10, and therefore the marker is not bulky.

[0043] Since the ball marker 1 includes the magnet 45, it can be magnetically attached to the clip 2 (see FIG. 5) made of a steel plate that can be attached to the user's hat or clothing, making it easy to carry and take out the ball marker 1. In this case, when the pair of wings 30 are in the first position, the upper surface of the ball marker 1 (base portion 10) is flat, so that the ball marker 1 is magnetically attached to the clip 2 by abutting the upper surface against the clip 2, and is difficult to come off. When the ball marker 1 is used to pick up the ball B from the green or the like during a golf game, it is removed from the clip 2 and used. When the ball marker 1 (base portion 10) is attached to the clip 2, the surface (lower surface) of the base portion 10 facing the anchor pin 15 becomes the front surface, so that a name or the like can be written on that surface. In other words, by writing a name or the like on the lower surface of the base portion 10, the ball marker 1 can be used as a so-called nameplate.

[0044] Like conventional ball markers, the ball marker 1 of this embodiment is placed immediately behind the ball B in the direction in which the ball B is desired to travel toward the target cup. When placing the ball marker 1, the pair of wing portions 30 are moved from the first position to the second position, and the pair of wing portions 30 are held as if pinching them with the fingers. At this time, since the tips of the wing portions 30 protrude outward from the base portion 10 and anti-slip portions 34 are provided at the tips of the wing portions 30, the wing portions 30 can be easily pinched with the fingers and raised up.

[0045] When placing the ball marker 1 on the green, the anchor pin 15 is inserted into the green and the bottom surface of the base portion 10 is brought into contact with the green. After the ball marker 1 is placed on the green, the ball B is picked up.

[0046] When the ball marker 1 is placed on the green, the pair of wing portions 30 are in the second position and stand up from the base portion 10, making the ball marker 1 easy to see even from a distance. If the pair of wing portions 30 get in the way of other players after placing the ball marker 1, the pair of wing portions 30 can be placed in the first position and stored in the wing storage portion 12 of the base portion 10, so that the top surface of the ball marker 1 becomes flat and does not interfere with the play of other players.

[0047] When replacing ball B with the ball marker 1 on the green, the ball marker 1 is placed in the following state. Here, the pair of wing parts 30 are in the second position, and when the pair of wing parts 30 are in the first position, the ball marker 1 is placed in the second position. First, the indicator 20 provided on the upper surface of the base part 10 is directed toward the cup. That is, the ball marker 1 is directed so that the extension of the straight line L indicated by the indicator 20 passes through the cup. Then, the line (putting line) along which ball B is hit toward the cup is read from the slope of the green, the grain of the grass, etc., and the ball marker 1 is rotated around the anchor pin 15 as an axis so that the straight line L indicated by the indicator 20 coincides with the putting line. If the putting line is a curve, the straight line L indicated by the indicator 20 is made to be tangent to the putting line.

[0048] After placing the ball marker 1 in the above state, place the ball B directly in front of the ball marker 1. At this time, place the ball B so that the straight line L indicated by the indicator 20 of the ball marker 1 coincides with the line BL drawn on the great circle of the ball B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(a), when viewed from above, the indicator 20 on the upper surface of the base part 10 is made visible between the pair of wing parts 30 in the second position state. In other words, only the upper end surface of the wing part 30 (here, the end surface on which the anti-slip part 34 is provided) is made visible. Then, in this state, the ball B is oriented so that the line BL drawn on the ball B appears as a straight line, and the ball B is replaced in front of the ball marker 1. By being able to see the indicator 20 between the pair of wing parts 30, the ball marker 1 is viewed from directly above (vertical to the upper surface of the base part 10), and the eye position can be positioned directly above the ball marker 1.

[0049] In this state, when the ball B is placed, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when the ball B is viewed from behind the ball marker 1, the line BL drawn on the ball B is located between the pair of wing parts 30 in the second position. In other words, the line BL drawn on the ball B appears to be a straight line, and the straight line coincides with the straight line perpendicular to the upper surface of the base part 10 between the pair of wing parts 30. As a result, the line BL drawn on the ball B is accurately aligned with the hitting direction (putting line) of the ball B. In this way, when the ball marker 1 is used, the target direction can be determined by the ball marker 1 and the line BL drawn on the ball B, and long alignment is obtained, resulting in a significant improvement in accuracy. This can bring about a revolutionary change in the playing style. Therefore, it is not a simple improvement that follows the conventional playing style.

[0050] After placing the ball B directly in front of the ball marker 1 as described above, the pair of wing portions 30 are picked up to pick up the ball marker 1.

[0051] In addition, if the line BL is not drawn on ball B, the manufacturer's name or logo drawn on the large circle of ball B may be used as a substitute for the line BL, or the line BL may be drawn with a magic marker using a commercially available jig.

[0052] Thus, according to this embodiment, when placing (replacing) the ball B in front of the ball marker 1, if the straight line L indicated by the indicator 20 is aligned in advance with the line of the ball's hitting direction toward the cup as the target (putting line), then by using the pair of wing portions 30 in the second position, the line BL of the ball B can be easily and accurately aligned with the ball's hitting direction.

[0053] In addition, according to this embodiment, by setting the pair of wing portions 30 in a second position in which they are raised from the base portion 10, the pair of wing portions 30 can be picked up, making it easy to place the ball marker 1 and also easy to pick up the placed ball marker 1.

[0054] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when placing the ball marker 1 on the green, by sticking the anchor pin 15 into the green, the ball marker 1 is less likely to move even if an object hits the ball marker 1. Also, when aligning the line L indicated by the indicator 20 with the direction of the ball, the pair of wing portions 30 in the second position can be pinched and rotated around the anchor pin 15, making it easy to align with the direction of the ball.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the base-side first retaining portion 50 of the first retaining means is provided on the protrusion 13 protruding from the first side surface 11a of the base body 11, and is away from the rotation axis of the wing portion 30. As a result, the leverage action with the shaft 40 as the fulcrum can be reduced compared to when it is closer to the rotation axis, and the force required to raise the wing portion 30 against the force of the magnet is increased, making the wing portion 30 less likely to flutter.

[0056] According to the present embodiment, the magnet 45 is provided, and as described above, the ball marker 1 can be stored in a location where it is easy to take out by magnetically attaching it to the clip 2 attached to a hat or clothing. Furthermore, the ball marker 1 is provided with the anchor pin 15 and the magnet 45, and therefore the following effects can be achieved. In detail, for example, when the ball marker 1 is stored by inserting the anchor pin 15 into an air hole provided at the tip of the grip of a putter, when vibrations act due to walking or moving with a cart, the ball marker 1 is less likely to fall off the grip compared to a ball marker with an anchor pin that does not have a magnet, because the frictional force between the anchor pin 15 and the air hole as well as the attractive force between the magnet 45 and the iron (magnetic material) part of the putter act, and the ball marker 1 can be stored in a location where it is easy to take out, such as the tip of the grip. In this way, the ball marker 1 can be stored in a location where it is easy to take out, such as the clip 2 or the tip of the grip, so there is no need to store it in a pocket of clothing or a bag, etc., mixed with balls and tees, and the effort of searching for the ball marker 1 can be reduced.

[0057] The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and design changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, as described below.

[0058] For example, in the above embodiment, the ball marker 1 has an oval base body 11 of the base portion 10, but this is not limited thereto, and as shown in Fig. 6, a ball marker 1A may have a circular base body 11A of the base portion 10A. The same components as those of the ball marker 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. This ball marker 1A is formed so that the tip surface of the connecting portion 33 of the wing portion 30 approximately coincides with the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 10 when the pair of wing portions 30 are in the first position.

[0059] In addition, in the above embodiment, the indication portion 20 is shown as extending in a band-like shape, but this is not limited to this and may be a "dotted line", "single or multiple arrow-shaped", "a line of letters, symbols, marks, etc.", etc.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the first and second holding means are magnetically attracted by a magnet to hold the wing portion 30 at the first or second position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base portion 10 or the wing portion 30 may be provided with an elastically deformable claw, and the claw may hook onto the wing portion 30 or the base portion 10 when the wing portion 30 is in the first or second position, thereby holding the wing portion 30 at the first or second position. Alternatively, the base portion 10 or the wing portion 30 may be provided with a protrusion, and the protrusion may press the wing portion 30 or the base portion 10 when the wing portion 30 is in the first or second position, thereby holding the wing portion 30 at the first or second position.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ball markers 1, 1A are shown equipped with the anchor pin 15, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball marker may be one that does not have an anchor pin.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the wing portion 30 is provided at both of two symmetrical portions separated by a gap on the boundary line L, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the wing portion 30 may be provided at only one of the two symmetrical portions separated by a gap on the boundary line L. In other words, the wing portion 30 may be provided at only one of the two symmetrical portions separated by a gap on the boundary line L.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the first and second holding means are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first and second holding means may be provided alone, or neither the first nor the second holding means may be provided. If the first holding means is not provided, the wing portion 30 will not flap by placing the wing portion 30 in the first position and magnetically attaching the upper surface of the base portion 10 to the clip 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 ball marker 1A Ball Marker 10 Base 10A Base 20 Instruction section 30 Wing Section 40 Shaft 45 Magnet 50 base side first holding portion (first holding means) 51 Wing side first holding portion (first holding means) 55 Base side second holding portion (second holding means) 56 Wing side second holding portion (second holding means)

Claims

1. A flat base portion; A support portion provided on a predetermined straight line on an upper surface of the base portion; a wing portion provided at one or both of two symmetrical portions separated by a gap with respect to the predetermined straight line, the wing portion being attached to the base portion so as to be rotatable between a first position parallel to an upper surface of the base portion and a second position standing perpendicular to the upper surface of the base portion; A magnet attached to the base portion; A ball marker comprising:

2. a first retaining means for retaining the wing portion on the base portion when the wing portion is in the first position; and second retaining means for retaining the wing portion against the base portion when the wing portion is in the second position.

2. The ball marker of claim 1.

3. The base portion further includes a columnar anchor pin extending downward.

3. The ball marker according to claim 1 or 2.

Images