Golf Hole Extender with Retention Flaps for Adjustable Cup Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf holes of standard size can be intimidating for golfers of varying skill levels, as the 4.25" diameter cup presents a consistent challenge that may not accommodate different abilities, and existing solutions require significant modifications to the course or hole creation.
Innovation Solution
A golf hole extender with a main body, retention flaps, and a main shaft that fits into a standard golf hole, allowing the extender to capture balls and adjust the hole's size, providing a larger target for golfers, while being easily installable and removable without damaging the course.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard 4.25" diameter golf hole is used, then the hole maintains consistent challenge and standardized play, but golfers of varying skill levels find it intimidating and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by creating a golf hole extender that can be adjusted between different configurations. The extender includes a main body with a standard 4.25" hole for standardized play and an extended portion with a larger 8" diameter opening for easier putting. This dynamic adjustment allows the same hole structure to accommodate both skilled and beginner golfers, resolving the contradiction between maintaining standard challenge and providing ease of operation for varying skill levels.
2Ease of operation
If larger diameter holes (8" or 15") are used for easier putting, then beginner golfers can play more easily, but the course requires significant modifications or new hole creations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by designing the golf hole extender to be inserted into the existing standard golf hole structure. The extender's main body fits within the standard 4.25" hole, and the extended portion protrudes outward to create the larger 8" effective hole diameter. This nesting approach allows the system to be installed in existing holes without requiring significant course modifications, thereby maintaining ease of installation while providing easier putting for beginners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing the golf hole extender as a mediator between the standard hole structure and the desired larger hole configuration. The extender acts as an intermediate device that transforms the standard 4.25" hole into an effective 8" hole without requiring permanent course modifications. This intermediary solution resolves the contradiction by enabling easier putting while maintaining ease of installation through a removable, non-damaging device.
3Ease of repair
If the golf hole extender is made removable and non-damaging, then existing holes are preserved and course maintenance is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the golf hole extender into distinct functional segments: a main body that interfaces with the standard hole, an extended portion that creates the larger effective diameter, and retention flaps that secure the extender in place. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular design enables easy removal and installation without damaging the course, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf hole extender having an increased ball retention diameter is described. In at least some embodiments, the golf hole extender includes a main body, a golf hole adapter, a main shaft, and one or more retention flaps. Such a golf hole extender may also include a lifting device and a carry facilitating device. A golf hole extender is typically capable of adjusting how the game of golf is played on a particular golf course by adjusting a given golf hole, or golf cup, which is the ultimate target for hitting the ball into in a game of golf. The golf hole extender may capture within its structure a golf ball struck in the direction of the golf hole extender, thereby effectively increasing the size of the golf hole. In this way, golfers of varied skill can play on the same hole with the hole presenting varied levels of difficulty for the golfers of varied skill.