Method and board for displaying golf balls and golf markers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display method and system for displaying golf balls and golf markers. The display system comprises a non-ferromagnetic display board with a front side suitable for displaying the golf balls and golf markers and a back side provided with openings for the placement of magnets. The display system further includes magnetic holders for both the golf balls and golf markers, which interact with the magnets placed in the openings. In this way, the golf balls and golf markers are always displayed in an orderly, aligned manner.

Description

[0001] Title: Method and Board for Displaying Golf Balls and Golf Markers DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

[0002] The present invention relates to an improved method for displaying golfballs and golf markers. The invention also relates to a display board manufactured according to this method.

[0003] More specifically, the invention relates to a method in which, by means of a display system, golfballs and golf markers collected by a user can be displayed in an organized manner.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Various boards or displays and corresponding methods are known in the prior art that allow a user to display collected objects in an organized manner.

[0006] The display means described in the prior art generally refer to photographs, not golfballs or golf markers.

[0007] US 2005193614 Al

[0008] The US patent application published as US 2005 193614 Al on September 8, 2005, in the name of Conrad Wayne, inventor, describes a frame for displaying objects such as photographs. The photographs can be attached to the front of the frame using male / female fasteners, with one fastener attached to the front of the frame and the corresponding fastener attached to the back of the photograph. A disadvantage of this system is that, in places where no photograph is placed, the fastener on the frame remains visible, which detracts from the frame's aesthetics.US 2007204500 Al

[0009] The US patent application published as US 2007204500 Al on September 6, 2007, in the name of Ute Splittgerber, applicant, also describes a frame for displaying objects using magnetic fasteners. In this case, too, all fasteners are used on the front of the frame.

[0010] US 20160135620 Al

[0011] The US patent application published as US 20160135620 Al on May 19, 2016, in the name of Sandow Material Group Holdings LLC, the applicant, also describes a frame or display board in which objects can be attached to the front of the board using magnetic fasteners.

[0012] In this case, too, all fasteners are mounted on the front of the board.

[0013] KR 2004-0054636 A

[0014] The Korean patent application published as KR 2004-0054636 A on June 25, 2004, in the name of Ilsungsign Co. Ltd. describes a display and method for displaying an organizational chart (for example, of an organization or company). The display board uses magnetic fasteners that are placed in fixed positions on the back of the frame. The front of the board then contains a flat panel where, in positions corresponding to the pre-filled positions on the back, signs can be placed using magnets on the back. Such a sign might display, for example, a person's name, along with their position in the company, their presence or absence, or any other characteristic of the person.

[0015] With this board, the user does not have the option to place the magnets on the back of the board: only fixed positions can be used, corresponding to the shape of the organizational chart shown on the front of the board.

[0016] US 5,269,083US Patent No. 5,269,083, issued on December 14, 1993, to C. Vampatella, describes a multi-compartment frame for displaying photographs. The photographs are secured in the respective compartments of the frame using magnetic fasteners: one fastener is located on the back of a photograph to be placed, and the corresponding fastener is located in the center of each compartment of the frame. This system also has several disadvantages, including that the magnetic fasteners placed in the compartments where no photograph is placed remain visually visible.

[0017] US 6,626,303 Bl

[0018] US 6,626,303 Bl, issued September 30, 2003, to Peter Moodie, describes a display board for displaying items in predetermined display locations.

[0019] A cutlery set containing a fork, knife, and spoon is shown as an example. Each object is magnetically "pinned" to a display board using two magnets: one on the bottom of the spoon and one on the top.

[0020] Each magnet in such a pair is held in place by a corresponding magnet placed on the back of the display panel.

[0021] The display contains a (large) number of "magnet receptacles," and the user can freely place a magnet on any number of these receptacles to display a specific item. This magnet, placed on the back of the board, then serves to hold the magnet on the front of the board, along with the object to be displayed, in place.

[0022] Due to the specific positions of the magnet pairs on both sides of the board, items cannot be incorrectly positioned. Indeed, if a magnet on the front of the board is held in a position that does not correspond to such a "filled" position on the back, it will not be held in place. According to the teachings of this patent, each displayed object must be held in place by at least two pairs of magnets.

[0023] US 8,533,985 B2US patent US 8,533,985B2, issued on September 17, 2013, corresponding to the US patent application published as US 2007 / 0044360 Al, describes a magnetic board, primarily for planning purposes.

[0024] The purpose of this invention, compared to the prior art, is to provide a more user-friendly method for accurately displaying and aligning objects on a presentation board (Column 1, lines 31-33). The solution (see Column 2, lines 42-58) is a pattern of magnets with alternating N and S poles on the board.

[0025] This allows smaller and larger planning images to be placed on the board in a precise and repositionable manner. This ordered pattern of poles ensures that the labels are always correctly positioned, and the viewer's attention is focused on the labels themselves, rather than being distracted by the less ordered or aligned objects known in the prior art.

[0026] This is especially true when both smaller and larger planar items are displayed on the board.

[0027] A key feature of the method described in this patent is that at least two pairs of magnets are always used for positioning, to maintain correct alignment and prevent both translation and rotation of the displayed object.

[0028] US 6,360,464 Bl

[0029] US patent US 6,360,464 B2, granted on March 26, 2002, describes a display board suitable for displaying magnetic objects such as golfball markers and golf repair tools (pitch forks). However, the board described in this patent is not suitable for displaying golfballs.

[0030] However, none of the display boards described above are suitable for displaying a collection of golfballs and golf markers in an organized manner.

[0031] Therefore, there is still a need for a display system, specifically a display board and its corresponding method, to display the collection of golfballs and golf markers collected by a user in an organized manner.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The present invention aims to address the aforementioned needs by providing a method using a display system that allows a user to display their collection of golf balls in an organized manner.

[0033] This method and display system also allows the golf markers corresponding to the golfballs to be displayed in the same organized manner.

[0034] To this end, the invention relates to a method for displaying golfballs and golf markers by means of a display system comprising a non-ferromagnetic display board, the front of which is suitable for displaying the golfballs and golf markers, and the back of which is provided with openings for the placement of magnets. The display system further comprises:

[0035] a) magnetic holders for golfballs with

[0036] a front provided with mounting means for the golfballs to the

[0037] holders and

[0038] a back containing magnets, whereby for all golfball holders the

[0039] magnetic pole oriented toward the display board is the same, either

[0040] north or south, respectively;

[0041] b) magnetic holders for golf markers, with

[0042] a front equipped with fasteners for attaching the golf markers to

[0043] the holders and

[0044] a back containing magnets, whereby for all golf marker holders

[0045] the magnetic pole facing the display board is opposite to the pole of the golfball holders facing the display board, either south or north, respectively;

[0046] c) a set of magnets for placement in the openings on the back of the

[0047] display board,

[0048] whereby,I) magnets are placed in the openings on the back of the display board at positions corresponding to positions for displaying golfballs on the front of the display board, and

[0049] whereby

[0050] the pole of the magnets placed in the openings facing the display board is opposite to the pole of the magnets placed on the back of the golfball holders and facing the display board;

[0051] II) magnets are placed in the openings on the back of the display board at positions corresponding to the positions for displaying golf markers on the front of the display board,

[0052] and whereby

[0053] the pole of the magnets placed in the openings facing the display board is opposite to the pole of the magnets placed on the back of the golf marker holders and facing the display board.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnets placed

[0055] in the openings on the back of the display board and in the magnetic holders of the golfballs and golf markers, are either rod or button magnets.

[0056] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnets are placed in the openings on the back of the display board by means of mechanical clamping.

[0057] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the golfballs and golf markers are displayed in an ordered pattern of rows or columns.

[0058] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for attaching the golfballs and golf markers to the respective golfball holders and golf marker holders comprise an adhesive strip.The invention also relates to a display board manufactured according to one of the aforementioned methods.

[0059] More specifically, the invention comprises the methods and display board as described in the appended claims.

[0060] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] In order to better demonstrate the features of the invention, several preferred embodiments of a method and display board according to the invention are described below, by way of example but not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] The following is shown in these drawings:

[0063] Fig. 1 shows a perspective front view of the display board with golfballs.

[0064] Fig. 2 shows a golfball with a golfball holder.

[0065] Fig. 3 shows the display board on its own, without any golfballs or markers placed. Fig. 4 shows the back of the display board without magnets placed.

[0066] Fig. 5 shows the back of the display board with several magnets placed. The black dots indicate the magnets placed in the openings provided on the back of the board.

[0067] Fig. 6 shows a detail of Figure 5.

[0068] Fig. 7 shows a golfball holder on its own, with a north pole oriented towards the display board.

[0069] Fig. 8 shows a golf marker holder with a golf marker, with a south pole oriented towards the display board.

[0070] Fig. 9 shows a display board completely filled with golfballs and golf markers.

[0071] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe display system used in the method according to the invention comprises: - a non-ferromagnetic display board,

[0072] - magnetic holders for the golfballs and golf markers to be displayed, and

[0073] - a set of magnets, to be placed in the openings provided on the back of the display board.

[0074] By means of the method and display system according to the invention, a golfer can display their collection of golfballs and corresponding golf markers in a simple and organized manner.

[0075] A golf marker is a smaller, chip-like marker used to mark the spot where the golf ball lies on the golf course, e.g. the green.

[0076] Many clubs provide their members, as well as visiting golfers, with golfballs and golf markers bearing the club's name or logo. Many golfers collect these golfballs and corresponding golf markers as a reminder of the clubs where they have played. The purpose of the method and display system of the present invention is to display these golfballs and corresponding golf markers in a simple, organized manner.

[0077] The golfballs used for this purpose can be golfballs displaying the names or logos of various golf clubs. The same applies to the golf markers corresponding to these golfballs.

[0078] The display board's front is suitable for displaying golfballs. The golf markers corresponding to the golfballs in the display system according to the invention can also be displayed.

[0079] The golfballs are displayed, for example, next to each other in consecutive rows on the display board. Preferably, a row is left blank between consecutive rows of golf balls. The golf markers corresponding to the golfballs can then be placed in thisintervening row, so that the golfball and golf marker corresponding to a given golf club are displayed neatly one below the other on the display board.

[0080] Figure 1 shows a display board according to the invention, but in which only golf balls are displayed. As shown, all positions for displaying golfballs are filled in this design. The display board displays a total of seven rows of seven golfballs each. Figure 3 also shows the display board according to the invention, before the golf balls and golf markers are placed on the board.

[0081] To ensure that the golfballs and golf markers are displayed in an orderly fashion on the front, the display board is provided with an orderly pattern of openings on its back, into which magnets can be placed.

[0082] Figure 4 shows the back of the display board, before placing any magnets in the openings.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these magnets are placed in the openings by means of, for example, (mechanical) clamping.

[0084] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, these openings form an ordered pattern, for example, rows and / or columns, placed at regular intervals. Furthermore, the openings in such a row are preferably also placed at regular intervals.

[0085] Figure 5 shows the back of the display board, in which magnets are placed in the openings in an ordered pattern.

[0086] Figure 6 shows a detail of Figure 5, specifically a magnet placed in such an opening on the back of the display board.

[0087] In the openings (of the ordered pattern) on the back of the display board, as in the holders for the golfballs and golf markers to be displayed, cylindrical bar or button magnets are placed, having a south and a north pole at their ends, respectively the front and back.The golfball holder has a mounting device on its front (the side that displays the golfball) for securing the golfball. This device can be, for example, a glue strip, such as one based on an adhesive layer manufactured by 3M®.

[0088] On its back (the side facing the display board), the golfball holder is equipped with a (preferably bar or button) magnet.

[0089] The poles of this magnet are oriented along the central axis of the holder, perpendicular to the display board.

[0090] In the description of the present invention, the term "magnet" is used generally; this can refer to both a bar or cylindrical magnet, as well as magnets shaped like a button, known as button magnets.

[0091] There are two possibilities:

[0092] 1) The north pole of the magnet is placed (and preferably visible) on the back of the holder and faces the display; the south pole faces forward, towards the object to be displayed, e.g., the golfball; or

[0093] 2) the south pole of the magnet is placed (and preferably visible) on the back of the holder, facing the display; in this case, the north pole faces forward, towards the object to be displayed, e.g., the golfball.

[0094] On the back of the display, magnets are also placed in the openings of the arranged pattern.

[0095] In situation 1, these magnets are placed with the south pole facing the display board, and the north pole of this magnet is facing backward from the display board (and preferably visible);

[0096] In situation 2, these magnets are placed with the north pole facing the display board, and the south pole of this magnet is facing backward from the display board (and preferably visible).

[0097] The "positioning" of the object to be displayed, e.g., the golfball, on the front of the display board then occurs as a result of the attraction of the north pole (situation1) of the golfball holder's magnet to the south pole of the magnet placed in the corresponding opening on the back of the display. In situation 2, the positioning results from the attraction of the south pole of the golfball holder's magnet to the north pole of the magnet placed in the corresponding opening at the back of the display board.

[0098] According to the method and display system of the invention, the magnetic holders for the golf markers are provided with mounting means for the golf markers on the front and magnets on the back. For all golf marker holders, the magnetic pole facing the display board is opposite to the pole facing the display board on the golf ball holders.

[0099] The mounting means for the golf markers to the golf marker holders can be an adhesive strip based on an adhesive layer manufactured by 3M®, just as for the attachment of the golfballs to the golfball holders.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment of the display board according to the invention, the magnets are pre-placed in the openings of the ordered pattern on the back of the display board.

[0101] In this case, for example, the top row of openings on the display board can contain magnets with the north pole of each magnet facing the display board. Magnets are then placed in the openings of the row below, with the south pole of the magnets facing the display board.

[0102] Since the poles of the magnets of the golfball holders and the poles of the magnets of the golfball markers are opposite, golfballs and golf markers can never be displayed together on the same row of the display board.

[0103] In this way, the display board according to the invention ensures that the displayed golfballs and the corresponding golf markers are displayed neatly in consecutive rows of the display board. It goes without saying that the above can be appliedmutatis mutandis if the user wishes to display the corresponding golfballs and golf markers in consecutive columns.

[0104] The major advantage of pre-placing magnets in selected openings on the back of the display board is that a user can only place golfballs and / or golf markers on the front of the display board in positions that spatially correspond to such "filled" openings on the back of the display board.

[0105] This method therefore "guarantees" an orderly, ordered placement of the golfballs and golf markers on the front of the display board.

[0106] Furthermore, by alternating the polarity of the magnets placed in the openings on the back of the display board for each consecutive row, and since the polarity of the magnets in the holders of the golfballs and golf markers facing the display board is opposite, only either golfballs or golf markers can be displayed for a given row. Furthermore, the golfballs and golf markers can only be positioned at the front, in positions corresponding to the openings filled with magnets on the back of the display board.

[0107] This method has two advantages:

[0108] 1) The user cannot place golfballs or golf markers in positions on the front of the display board that do not correspond to the openings filled with magnets on the back (because there is no magnetic attraction to hold the golfballs and golf markers in these positions);

[0109] 2) because the magnets in the golfball holders and the golf marker holders have opposite polarities toward the front of the display board, and the magnets on the back of the display board have alternating polarities per consecutive row (or per column, if desired), only either golfballs or golf markers can be displayed on the front of the display board per row, never both at the same time.

[0110] The above ensures that, unlike the methods and display boards known in the prior art, a user, when placing his collection of golfballs and golf markers in the displaysystem according to the invention, automatically places the placed golfballs neatly next to each other in a row at a regular distance from each other, and that he neatly places the golf markers corresponding to the placed golfballs in the row below.

[0111] For example, the distance between the centers of two consecutive openings in a row or column can be 20 mm. In this case, magnets are placed every three openings, meaning that two openings are left "free" between each two magnet-filled openings.

[0112] Consequently, golfballs are placed every 60 mm. Given that a golfball has a diameter of 42.67 mm, this results in a neatly arranged pattern of golfballs positioned next to each other.

[0113] The golfballs are then positioned "in their desired location" on the front of the display board, because the magnet in the golfball holder is only attracted to an opening filled with a magnet on the back of the display board.

[0114] If the golfball holders are equipped with magnets whose back (facing the display board) is north-oriented, the magnets in the openings are placed south-oriented, meaning with their south poles facing the display board, at least for the positions on the display board where the user wants a golfball to be placed.

[0115] Conversely, if the golfball holders are equipped with magnets whose back (facing the display board) is south-oriented, the magnets should be placed in the openings north-oriented, meaning with their north poles facing the display board, at least for the positions on the display board where the user wants a golfball to be placed.

[0116] For the positions on the display board where the user wants golf markers to be displayed, the opposite procedure should be followed.

[0117] If the golf marker holders are equipped with magnets whose back (facing the display board) faces south, the magnets should be placed in the openings facing north, meaning with their north poles facing the display board, at least for thepositions on the display board where the user wants a golf marker to be placed. Conversely, if the golf marker holders are equipped with magnets whose back (facing the display board) faces north, the magnets are placed in the openings facing south, i.e., with their south poles facing the display board, at least for the positions on the display board where the user wishes to place a golf marker.

[0118] As indicated above, a significant advantage of the method and display system according to the invention is that the golfballs and golf markers to be displayed can only be positioned in an orderly manner, as they can only be placed according to the openings filled with magnets on the back of the display.

[0119] In other words, incorrectly placed golfballs or golf markers cannot be displayed.

[0120] As indicated above, it is generally desirable for the golfballs to be placed in the same row and the corresponding markers to be placed in the row below.

[0121] Two types of magnetic holders are then provided: one for the golfballs and one for the golf markers.

[0122] The polarities of the magnets in the golfball and marker holders can then be reversed.

[0123] For example, the magnets in the golfball holders are positioned so that the north pole points toward the display board.

[0124] The magnets in the golf marker holders are then reversely placed, specifically so that the south pole points toward the display board.

[0125] The magnets placed in the openings on the back of the display are then positioned as follows:

[0126] - in the rows where golfballs are to be displayed, the magnets are placed with their south poles facing the display board;

[0127] - in the rows where golf markers are to be displayed, the magnets are placed with their north poles facing the display board.This way, a marker can never end up in the row of golfballs due to incorrect placement.

[0128] Nor can a golfball end up in the row of markers due to incorrect placement.

[0129] The same applies mutatis mutandis if the golfballs and corresponding markers are arranged in columns instead of rows.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display board is square or rectangular.

[0131] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of a square display board are 500 x 500 mm or 1,000 x 1,000 mm. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display board comprises 500 openings on its back for placing the magnets.

[0132] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the display board comprises 49 pre-assembled magnets arranged in a regular pattern of 7 rows and 7 columns.

[0133] According to a further preferred embodiment, the distance between two consecutive magnets positioned in a row or column is approximately 60 mm, resp.

[0134] 60 mm.

[0135] The user is free to place the magnets in the provided openings, according to a structured pattern of their choice, or randomly.

[0136] The method according to the present invention, as well as the display board manufactured according to this method, can also be applied to other related series of components.Instead of golfballs and their corresponding golf markers, the method can also be applied to nameplates and the corresponding roles of the persons mentioned, or to wine and / or champagne corks and their corresponding nameplates.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for displaying golfballs and golf markers by means of a display system comprising a non-ferromagnetic display board the front of which is suitable for displaying golfballs and golf markers and the back of which is provided with openings for the placement of magnets, the display system further comprising:a) magnetic holders for golfballs with a front provided with mounting means for the golfballs to the holders and a back containing magnets, whereby for all golfball holders the magnetic pole facing the display board is the same, either north or south, respectively;b) magnetic holders for golf markers, with a front provided with mounting means for the golf markers to the holders and a back containing magnets, whereby for all golf marker holders the magnetic pole facing the display board is opposite to the pole of the golfball holders facing the display board, either south or north, respectively;c) a set of magnets for placement in the openings on the back of the display board, wherein,I) magnets are placed in the openings on the back of the display board at positions corresponding to the positions for displaying golfballs on the front of the display board, and where the pole of the magnets placed in the openings facing the display board is opposite to the pole of the magnets placed on the back of the golfball holders and facing the display board; II) magnets are placed in the openings on the back of the display board at positions corresponding to the positions for displaying golf markers on the front of the display board,and wherethe pole of the magnets placed in the openings facing the display board isopposite to the pole of the magnets placed on the back of the golf marker holders and facing the display board.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnets in the golfball- and golf marker holders and the magnets placed in the openings on the back of the display board are rod or button magnets.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnets are placed in the openings on the back of the display board by means of mechanical clamping.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the golfballs and golf markers are displayed in an ordered pattern of rows or columns.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for attaching the golfballs and golf markers to the respective golfball and golf marker holders comprises an adhesive strip.

6. A display board manufactured according to any of the preceding claims.

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