Flagpole-Mounted Golf Bell for Clear Putt Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf hole apparatuses interfere with successful putting strokes, require unnecessary fabrication and storage space, and fail to provide clear indications of successful strokes while keeping the ball accessible.
Innovation Solution
A golf bell system comprising a spacer tube and bell that slide onto an existing flag pole, allowing the bell to resonate and visually indicate a successful putt without obstructing the ball, using materials that enhance visibility and sound resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a bell is suspended above the grass to indicate successful putts, then the indication of successful strokes is improved, but the ball accessibility and putt success are worsened due to interference with the putting stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The bell is positioned in the vertical dimension above the grass surface rather than in the horizontal plane, allowing it to indicate successful putts without interfering with the ball's horizontal motion across the green. This spatial separation resolves the contradiction by providing indication functionality without obstructing the putting stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
A flag pole serves as an intermediary structure that supports the bell while maintaining visual and functional connection to the hole. The flag pole allows the bell to be positioned optimally for indication while preserving the traditional golf hole aesthetic and functionality, mediating between the indication requirement and the putting operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If legs, stands, or bases are added to support the bell, then the bell stability is improved, but the device complexity and storage space requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flag pole, which already serves the universal function of marking the hole location and providing visual indication, is also utilized to support the bell. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support structures, reducing device complexity and storage requirements while maintaining bell stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function for the bell is merged with the existing flag pole structure rather than being implemented as a separate component. This consolidation reduces the number of parts, simplifies fabrication, and decreases storage space requirements while ensuring the bell remains stable during use.
3Loss of information
If the bell is positioned close to the ground to indicate successful putts, then the indication clarity is improved, but the ball accessibility is worsened due to obstruction of the putting stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The bell is positioned in the vertical dimension above the grass rather than close to the ground in the horizontal plane. This vertical positioning provides clear indication of successful putts while maintaining ball accessibility, as the bell does not obstruct the horizontal motion of the ball across the green surface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently indicates successful strokes through sound and visual cues, maintains ball accessibility, and can be easily installed and removed from existing golf greens, providing a larger and more visible target.
Implementation Method 1
When a golf ball hits and thereby rings the bell, the putt is successful
Data Source
AI summary
A golf green is enhanced by sliding a spacer tube and bell onto and circumscribing a flag pole. The spacer tube upper end suspends the bell above the golf green, defining a gap smaller than golf ball diameter. The bell rings when struck by the golf ball. The spacer tube and flag pole reliably locate the bell relative to the green. In some embodiments, the bell is positioned relative to a cup within the hole in the green, while in other embodiments the bell is positioned relative to the green surface. A method of installing a golf bell onto a flag pole having a flag includes disabling a flag on the flag pole, such as by removal of the flag from the pole, slipping a spacer tube about and down the flag pole, followed by a bell until the bell rests on the spacer tube. The flag is subsequently re-enabled.