Golf ball marker and keeper assembly

Abstract

A golf ball marker assembly for use by golfers in reversibly stowing and deploying a golf ball marker from the convenient location of one's wristwatch band, belt or other garment.

Description

STATEMENT OR PRIORITY

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 63 / 556,290, filed 21 Feb. 2024.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of The Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to sporting accessories.Background of the Invention

[0003] Golf is a game that demands precision, respect for the course, and an understanding of the rules. One small but important tool that every golfer needs is the ball marker. Often overlooked, this simple item plays a crucial role in maintaining the flow of the game, keeping things fair, and ensuring that players adhere to the rules of etiquette.

[0004] In golf, a ball marker is a small, flat object used to mark the position of a golfer's ball on the green. This allows players to temporarily move their ball out of the way while others take their shots without disturbing the line of play. The use of ball markers dates back to the 19th century when golf first began to be formalized. Although the game has evolved significantly over time, the basic function of the ball marker has remained largely unchanged. Today, ball markers are typically made from metal, plastic, or even high-quality materials like ceramic or wood, and they come in a variety of shapes and designs.

[0005] The primary purpose of a ball marker is to identify the location of a golf ball on the green, especially when it has to be temporarily moved. Whether a player is marking his or her ball to avoid interference with another player's putt, or to remove it for cleaning, the ball marker ensures that your ball's position is accurately recorded, so the player can return it to the exact spot when his or her play resumes.

[0006] A ball marker can also be used to help line up putts. Players may place the marker on the green in a way that helps them visualize the correct angle and path for the ball.

[0007] While ball markers are small and lightweight, their size and tendency to be easily misplaced can create some practical challenges. The most common inconvenience is when they are loose in a golfer's pocket or bag.

[0008] If the ball marker is left loose in one's pocket, it can even create annoying clattering sounds as one walks or bends over. As innocuous as this may seem, gold is legendarily a game of quiet during play, with noise both possibly distracting a player during play, and certainly an affront to the often strict norms of etiquette of the game.

[0009] However, like any tool, the ball marker can present certain inconveniences when not properly organized. Loose markers in a pocket or bag can lead to lost items, unnecessary noise, and a lack of organization. For the savvy golfer, choosing the right holder or method to keep your marker secure can save time, reduce distractions, and enhance the overall golfing experience.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present disclosure includes an invention of a modular golf marker and keeper assembly. The assembly in a preferred embodiment includes a ferro-magnetic metallic marker (at least one with a ferro-magnetic metallic component), a support unit having a magnet and preferably a recess into which the marker is reversibly received and a stud assembly for extending through either an orifice of a watch band or belt, or through fabric of a golfer's garment. The preferred embodiment includes components that are proportioned for attachment to a player's wristwatch band.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the presently disclosed assembly, shown engaged with a user's watch band.

[0012] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the rearward, garment attachment side of the assembly of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, Golf Ball Marker and Keeper Assembly is generally identified by the reference number 10.

[0014] Assembly 10 includes a marker 12 that is of conventional side and shape for a golf ball marker, but is either itself made of a ferro-magnetic material, includes a ferro-magnetic material, or includes a magnetic component. An alternative embodiment may reverse the constituency of materials, with the magnet being housed in marker 12, while keeper 14 discussed below is configured of, or at least partially of ferro-magnetic materials to which such magnet would be attracted for reversibly attachment of marker 12 to keeper 14.

[0015] Referring both to FIGS. 1 and 2, a keeper 14 is provided to reversibly engage with marker 12. Keeper 14 has in the preferred embodiment extending from its rearward, garment-engaging face a stud 16. Stud 16 is contoured and sized (much as a conventional button stud as is used with traditional button-less tuxedo shirts), to extend through and frictionally but reversibly engage with the somewhat elastic material surrounding such as a buttonhole, buckle tongue hole, or the like.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the stud (not shown in that figure) is shown engaged in one of the buckle holes of the user's watch band, as is envisioned to be the preferred mode of use. Even so, one could also use the marker assembly 10 in like manner through engagement with a user's belt buckle hole. A modified version of stud 16 may be configured (not unlike the stud portion of a pierced ear earring) to penetrate the fabric of a user's garment, such as the sleeve of their shirt. In that case, the distal end of the stud (or projection in this case) may be configured for engagement with a retaining member of some kind, again, not unlike some pierced ear earring studs and retaining members.

[0017] In one embodiment, the peripheral edge 18 of keeper 14 represents the annual wall of a recess formed in the forward face of keeper 14 (not shown in the figures) into which marker 12 is received between deployments on the course.

[0018] Whatever the embodiment chosen, the present golf ball marker assembly significantly enhances the ease and convenience of using a gold ball marker.

[0019] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf ball marker assembly comprising:a gold ball marker;a marker keeper having a marker engagement face and an opposite material engagement face; anda projection extending from said material engagement face.

2. The widget of claim 1 wherein said golf ball marker comprises ferro-magnetic material as a constituent portion thereof, and wherein said keeper comprises a magnet.

3. The widget of claim 1 wherein said golf ball marker comprises a magnet and wherein said keeper comprises ferro-magnetic material as a constituent portion thereof.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a bulbous terminus relative to an intervening shaft of said projection.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a means for engaging a reversible retaining member.

6. The invention of claim 2 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a bulbous terminus relative to an intervening shaft of said projection.

7. The invention of claim 2 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a means for engaging a reversible retaining member.

8. The invention of claim 3 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a bulbous terminus relative to an intervening shaft of said projection.

9. The invention of claim 3 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a means for engaging a reversible retaining member.

10. The invention of claim 4 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a bulbous terminus relative to an intervening shaft of said projection.

11. The invention of claim 4 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a means for engaging a reversible retaining member.

12. The invention of claim 5 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a bulbous terminus relative to an intervening shaft of said projection.

13. The invention of claim 5 wherein said projection is an elongate member extending from a proximal end from said material engagement face of said keeper and terminating at a distal end with a means for engaging a reversible retaining member.

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